A/N Hello Pitch Perfect Fans, this is an an un-official guess of what Pitch Perfect 3 could be. It is written to hopefully capture the humor and drama of the first two movies, and to stay true to the characters introduced in the first two films. Obviously I don't own any characters from Pitch Perfect, but hopefully I do them justice. I really want to do something that fans of the movie will like. Please leave reviews! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter One ***Bumper wins the Voice ***

...and this year's winner of The voice USA is...

Bumper Allen!

"Oh my god! No effin way! I can't believe Bumper actually won... Seriously can you believe it? I can't believe Bumper just won the Voice," Beca's incredulous in her exasperation. Switching off the television, she tosses the remote control to the other side of the couch in annoyance.

Shaking her head in disbelief, she retrieves her laptop. She's still mumbling her rant as she flips open the top. Her finger dances across the sensor pad and automatically moves the arrow to open one of her mixing programs.

As she surveys her folder of songs she's been working on lately she can't help thinking that if that guy is going to have any modicum of success then she better have ten times the amount.

"IT'S SO EXCITING!," Chloe shouts excitedly; literally bouncing up and down on the couch on the other side of Beca. Her thigh rubbing against Beca's, because despite there being the whole couch to sit on plus a recliner, Chloe sat herself down, as always, in the tiny space between Beca and the armrest. She once explained to Beca how it made her feel close to her little friend. Beca had deadpanned that if Chloe were any closer, she'd owe Beca flowers and chocolates, which lead to a week straight of flowers and chocolates being delivered, which still to this day continues at random intervals, and always puts a smile on Beca's face.

Beca doesn't even really notice the closeness anymore, it's just expected of Chloe now. Her vivacious best friend simply ignores all Beca's personal boundaries, and in doing so has made it the norm, well for her, and no one else.

Too be honest, which Beca can be with herself from time to time, it doesn't feel intrusive, and hadn't much even at the beginning of their friendship. Something about the redhead's personality just allowed her to skip right past Beca's walls and defenses as easy as slipping past a shower curtain. Which probably set a certain tone for their relationship right from the beginning. Now Chloe's effervescent personality makes Beca feel warm and safe; and in Beca's rare moments of honesty, she knows this is different to how it feels with anyone else.

Looking at her redheaded best friend, whose fit to burst with excitement and joy, Beca can only shake her head and smirk, "Calm down Beale, we don't really like Bumper, remember?"

"OMG! Amy must be so thrilled," the excited ginger answers.

The smirk on Beca's face actually grows as she glances at her vibrating iPhone. "Speak of the devil, Amy just Texted; we've an invite for this Saturday," Beca says scrolling through the message on her phone.

"She must've timed it to go out just after the results of the Voice were revealed," comments Chloe, eyes narrowing as she tries to read Beca's phone; leaning her head in and resting it on the DJ's shoulder.

"Cordially invited... Blah, blah, blah... Starting at 9:00 pm... Infusion Lounge…"

Chloe perks up, "Oh, I've heard of that place. It's supposed to be a pretty good club. It's over at Universal City."

Beca nods absentmindedly as she finishes reading the text. Looking over at Chloe she smiles, but then shrugs nonchalantly as she says, "My studio's been having talks with them about me doing some DJ'ing there. It'll be cool to check the place out, prior to performing a gig. Get a feel for the place."

Chloe smiles proudly at her friend, "That's seriously great Becs! When they hear your tracks they are going to be beating down your door to hire you…" The sweet smile on Chloe's face widens into a full on hundred percent Chloe smile as the news of the invite and it's ramifications fully sinks in. "We've got plans for Saturday," Chloe sings. "This is aca-amazing!" Chloe's song becomes another cry of excitement, her enthusiasm sweeping in like an ocean storm. "We totally need to hit the stores and get us some new outfits!"

"Chloe…" Beca sighs in exasperation. "We're kind of tight on funds."

"I know Becs," Chloe answers, suddenly serious. "I know how tight money is right now. However, I know you've pulled a few DJ gigs recently which has put a few extra dollars in your wallet. While being a teacher doesn't pay the best, it's steady, and the dance classes I've been teaching is all extra cash."

"But…"

"Beca, you already said your studio's trying to get you a gig there. Look at this as an investment. You want them to see you as a hot up and coming DJ."

"That's because I AM a hot up and coming DJ!" Chloe's lips curl at the corner, enjoying her friend's burst of confidence; though she does continue to give her puppy dog eyes till Beca sighs in surrender, "Fine, let's go tomorrow after work."

Chloe's cheerful squeal of delight is actually music to Beca's ears, and she can only shake her head as the redhead claps her hands. "You've spent too much time around kindergartners," Beca smirks; which turns into a smile because there may have actually been a yippee escaping the exuberant redhead's lips. Though Beca's sure Chloe would deny it because who in this century says yippee?

Beca returns her attention to her laptop, placing her oversized headphones on her ears, and pulls up a particular mix she's been working on. Before she turns on the music though she notes that the small living room has fallen silent, as if a mute button has been hit. This is what usually happens when a certain redhead gets a crazy idea, so Beca feels the hairs on her neck rise. When Chloe is in a room there's usually some type of sound, she just isn't one for complete silence. It might be her humming some tune playing in her head, or tapping a beat out with her fingers, or just a steady conversation, whether one sided or not; but when Chloe has a sudden spark of ingenuity she goes silent. The silence is beginning to stretch, and Beca getting nervous, she's sure she can hear the cogs of Chloe's brain whirling into over drive. The tiny brunette eyes the redhead out of the corner of her eye. As she watches, Chloe pauses her celebration and slowly turns her face towards Beca.

Beca tries to ignore her exuberant best friend. Why she even makes this attempt she is never quite sure because she knows deep in her heart, she will never outlast Chloe. Maybe it's the principle of the thing? Maybe she just enjoys making Chloe work for it; so despite the doomed effort, Beca maintains her focus on the laptop screen.

For her part, Chloe just sits staring at the DJ, her deep blue puppy dog eyes impossibly big. This continues until Beca finally acknowledges the redhead; whose face lights up with the biggest smile.

Beca decided a long time ago that this is all her own fault. If she hadn't given in to Chloe back in her freshman year, and all through her sophomore year, and then the junior year, and well frankly a great deal of her senior year, then maybe she would have a sliver of a chance to resist. However, after four plus years, Beca really doesn't have any ability to resist one Chloe Beale.

With another sigh of exasperation the tiny brunette turns to face the smiling redhead, removing her oversized headphones. "Spill it Beale, what is that devious brain contemplating?"

Chloe gasps and pouts, "I don't have a devious brain! That would suggest I'm underhanded, which is not the case. I'm a genius who's not always appreciated in her time."

Beca's right eyebrow raises as she snorts.

"Did you just snort at my genius?"

"You're stalling Beale."

"I AM a genius, and I want to dip into our funds for another investment."

Beca's head falls back on the couch and she stares up at the ceiling. She releases a breath and whispers, "For?"

Chloe grins and says, "Ithinkweshouldbuyapiano." In her excitement Chloe's words tumble out mashed together.

Beca looks at Chloe trying to comprehend what she had just heard, "What?"

"I think we should buy a piano," says Chloe, this time taking a breath so she speaks clearer.

Beca however looks like she still doesn't comprehend. She looks around the small living room of their comfortable sized, two-bedroom apartment, and repeats, "What?"

Chloe' exasperation clear as she repeats, "I... think... we... should... buy... a... piano," exaggerating each of her words.

Beca rolls her eyes. "I heard what you said Beale. I'm trying to figure out why."

"It's an investment."

"An investment how?"

"Glad you asked." Chloe ignores Beca's exaggerated eye roll. "I've noticed at the dance school that there are a lot of parents looking to make their kids the next Disney princess. These parents are looking to have their kids learn how to sing and play the piano, as well as dance. We could make some nice cash on the side giving piano and singing lessons."

"Oh god no!"

"Beca, think about it for a moment. These people are willing to pay serious dollars. We could pay for the piano in no time, and then we have a nice stream of steady cash."

"But we will then have people, worse kids, coming into our home."

Chloe smiles, she had run through this discussion in her head about a dozen times. Beca's arguments were about what she imagined they would be. "Good point, but we would control who, how many, and where they would go within the apartment."

"What about time? It's not like we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs."

"I have a little more set schedule than you. Summer break is just around the corner, and so I could handle more lessons during that time. It would actually help me out a lot, keep money coming in. I'm thinking for you when DJ gigs are light, this'll give you an extra source of income. At the same time, I know you want to produce original music, and a piano would be helpful for you."

Beca purses her lips and thought about that. It was a good point. She did want to create more original content. It would be nice to have a piano at home to work on.

Beca blew her bangs from her eyes, and procerolls her eyes as she remembers one of life's basic truths; no one stands a chance against Chloe Beale when she's made up her mind.

"Please, Becs?" came Chloe's soft plea.

"Fine, we can eat a bit more Ramen, and tighten the belts and get a piano."

"Yay!" Sheer joy light's up Chloe's face as she engulfs Beca in a huge hug.

"You have to get some students quickly though. We'll need to bring in cash fast."

"I will Beca, I have some leads already, and a couple other parents I feel could be convinced."

"I'm so going to regret this."

"Becs, have I ever steered you wrong?"

Beca just rolls her eyes at her best friend.

"Lately, have I LATELY led you astray?" Chloe swallows, trying to clear her suddenly constricted airway. The question was supposed to be lighthearted and in jest, but it hit a nerve for the redhead. In a flash she's lost her confidence.

Beca notes immediately that the air of playful banter has rather quickly been replaced. The redhead looks at Beca with such a pensive face, that even normally oblivious to her surroundings tiny DJ actually begins to worry that Chloe is serious.

Shifting to face Chloe, Beca takes a serious tone, placing her right hand on Chloe's knee. "No you haven't Chlo. You've been my safety line since we moved here. I don't know how I would have managed everything; juggling work, finding a place to live, being able to afford said place," Beca does her best game show beauty impression, slowly waving her arm in a backhand motion, presenting the small room as if a prize, and with Chloe's touch it is a prize. She's decorated the room with pictures and mementoes for each of them, while finding furniture and other necessities to make the apartment a home.

"Seriously dude, you really came through for me. I'd never have had time to pull all this together and put my time in at the studio and start working some DJ gigs." Beca's right side of her mouth points up into a half smile, and she hopes that her eyes convey the honesty she's trying to relate. "You've setup an island of calm in the sea of craziness that's LA for me that I didn't even know I needed."

Beca absently drops her hand back on Chloe's leg, but she's so intent on what she's saying she doesn't realize that it falls further up her best friend's thigh. As she gives what should be another reassuring squeeze she realizes her hand placement is now on Chloe' inner thigh. Chloe's wearing her usual home outfit, now that the weather has warmed, of short shorts, so Beca's hand is on bare skin in an exceedingly high spot of her thigh.

Chloe's eyes have widened at this unexpected touch. Her look of surprise breaking Beca's stare, and the brunette looks down to confirm she had placed her hand on Chloe's inner thigh, still very high on her friend's leg, but more than that it's on her inner thigh, and she can't seem to move it. Suddenly everything is a bit fuzzy as a thousand and one thoughts all vie for space in Beca's brain, hence none seem clear.

Chloe learned long ago how to read her best friend, and knows Beca has lost herself, so though she loves the feel of Beca's hand where it is, and had thrilled at Beca's touch both times; she takes her hand into both of hers, squeezes it affectionately, whispering, "Thanks."

This act allows Beca the second needed to reset her head. Her eyes follow her hand as Chloe lifts it up. The gentle squeeze acts as a release and Beca is able to lift her eyes from her hand to look at Chloe. She sees the happiness in Chloe's eyes, and she registers that the redhead has said thanks. She responds with as sincere a smile that Beca Mitchell can and simply says, "No, thank you."

The two friends linger for a time, appreciating the moment, but this is still Beca Mitchell, and as the two best friends lapse into a comfortable silence, Beca shifts back to her laptop, putting her oversized headphones back on, and begins to sink into the safety of her music.

Chloe watches her for a few heartbeats and then pulls her iPhone out and starts to play Candy Crush. This is something she does when she wants to just sit and think, but doesn't want to make it obvious. It's especially helpful when she wants to sit next to Beca. Beca always has her laptop that she can retreat into.

Chloe's not exactly sure what just happened. Well that's not true, she's pretty sure she knows exactly why she began to freak a little. She lets her fingers dance over the screen, but she's playing the game on autopilot, and falls deeper into thought. In these moments of honesty with herself, she knows why she freaks out and she's a bit embarrassed. It's why she's always a little on edge since she moved here with Beca.

Beca has dreams and ambitions, she's always had the plan to go to LA. Her time at Barden was just a detour that allowed her to grow and improve as a musician, but her determination to make it in LA has never waned. And now this is it, Beca living her dream, making it a reality. Chloe knows that her best friend is finally where she belongs, and it's only a matter of time before she shines. Beca is meant to be here at the center of the entertainment world, with her combination of talent and ambition. Those traits just a couple of the many reasons Chloe's in love with Beca. Yet Chloe worries that she's just a tag-along on Beca's train of dreams. That she's just holding onto someone else's aspirations. So Chloe lives with the knowledge the day will come when Beca realizes she has an extra shadow, and will cut Chloe loose.

This is one of the reasons she has made it her mission to give Beca a nice home to come back to every night, and to find ways to make sure she's successful in her own right. If Chloe were to admit her biggest fear now is for Beca to see her as a failure; well that and spiders, because you know they're spiders.

She never told anyone how devastated she had been at Aubrey's retreat before the Worlds. It had been the worst gut punch that Chloe had ever felt when Beca told her to 'sack-up'. Not even hearing that the Bellas were suspended and basically disbanded after Fat Amy's muffgate fiasco had hurt as much. It had not been the words so much as the tone. It was the moment that Chloe realized that Beca didn't see her as special. It was the moment Chloe realized that one day Beca would pass her by and leave her in the dust.

So Chloe leapt at the chance to move to Los Angeles with Beca; anything to push that inevitable day back a little more. It was one last chance for Chloe to prove she was something and could be worthy of Beca's admiration. She knew she hadn't had much luck yet, but she hadn't been a burden yet either.

The silence continues between them, and in time Chloe's mind settles. Sitting with Beca in moments like this, where it's just the two of them has that effect. It allows Chloe to forget that her best friend is going to be a world famous music producer and DJ. Instead Chloe can remain in her little safe place where they are just best friends moving together into the next phase of their lives.

As the two of them sit in silence, each slowly shifts into more comfortable positions on the couch. Beca turns so that her legs are stretched out on the couch, and she is now leaning against Chloe. The redhead shifts so Beca can lean into her and is now mindlessly flipping through various websites on her iPhone as her other hand plays with Beca's hair, weaving them through, entangling them at times.

"So Beca, what are you working on?"

"I have an idea for improving my mixes. I'm going to debut it Thursday at Club Exchange. You're still coming right?"

"Of course!" Chloe's excitement brings renewed energy. "The chance at watching the master at work? There's no chance I'm going to be anyplace else."

"Thank you! You've no idea how much it helps to have you there when I'm doing my DJ thing."

Chloe nods, thinking back to her momentary panic attack, and says quite honestly, "I'll be there till you tell me to leave." Chloe wonders if the DJ will pick up on the deeper truth of that statement, but as usual Beca is again deep into her world of music.

Beca gestures to her computer screen and says, "I had an idea of how to improve my mixes by layering my own original sounds into the mixes. I think what I've come up with will bridge the two songs better. Make the flow of the sound be better; more connected."

Chloe nods, she can listen to Beca all night long when she's doing what she does best; explaining things through the notes and lyrics of her music. Though for Chloe it's more; there's something about the way Beca looks when she's really getting into the groove of whatever music she's working on.

"It sounds like it'll be amazing. I can't wait to hear it at the club Becs."

"Want to hear it now?"

"Are you serious?"

Beca nods as she takes off her oversized headphones and offers them to Chloe. Over the years Chloe has become her sounding board, the one person Beca plays her mixes and compilations for. Chloe is always supportive and enthusiastic in her praise, and Beca has to admit she's good for the ego, but Chloe is also helpful. The redhead has a natural ear for music, an uncanny ability to know what's going to be popular, and after years of working together on sets for the Bellas, knows just how to give Beca the feedback she needs.

"Wow! I'm honored!" Chloe takes the sacred headphones, which one touches at one's own peril. Beca made it quite clear during her freshman year that anyone who was to touch her headphones was risking her wrath, and pain of death.

Beca shrugs at Chloe's questioning look, and smirks as Chloe takes the headphones with the reverence they deserve. Beca has often thought she went a little overboard on her implicit and explicit threats concerning her most prized possession, maybe the threats of death were a bit excessive, she's always been comforted by the fact that it had been very effective. No one outside of Chloe had ever worn them. Of course Chloe had blown past all warnings and worn them numerous times over the years. Which now that she thought about it, Beca wondered why was Chloe all worried now?

Chloe places the headphones on her ears and the music starts as Beca hits play. The tiny DJ leans in as she watches Chloe's expression intently. She's really hoping the redhead likes the new sound she's going for, so she watches Chloe's face to catch all her facial responses as she listens to the mix.

As the first notes are played Chloe didn't recognize the music, but she really liked the intro. It was fast and really grabs the listener. She can feel the toes of her right foot immediately begin to tap to the beat. Then she hears a new group of notes interlaced with the first, layered in subtlety. Chloe recognizes the sound but she can't quite place the song. "Is that 'Only Girl' by Rhianna?"

Beca nods with a smile, "Have you picked up the second song?"

Chloe closes her eyes and listens closely, she has caught the newer beat, and then she hears a new set of vocals. "Is it 'Every Time We Touch' by Cascada?"

Beca beams with pride, "Yeah, you nailed it. I slowed the tempo of Cascada's song, and then layered a fourth sound on top."

Chloe keeps her eyes closed with her hands covering her ears to hear better, and she's bobbing her head to the beat with a small smile across her lips. It's an incredible mix of sounds all come together to make incredible music.

When the mix ends, Chloe opens her eyes and smiles from ear to ear as she meets Beca's gaze. "It's amazing!"

"You don't think it's too busy?"

Chloe continues listening, letting her head swing to the sounds she is hearing through the headphones. "No way! It's perfect!" Chloe smiles at Beca and finishes listening to the song. As she takes off the headphones and hands them back to Beca, she says, "You're so going to own that club on Thursday!"

Beca turns her body so she's looking up at Chloe, and the redhead can plainly see the gratitude the DJ has, because she knows that Chloe really does believe in her.

Another comfortable silence descends on the two friends. Chloe grabs a stack of post-it notes and a pencil off the end table, and starts jotting down her to do list for the next day. She's enjoying this quiet time with her best friend, because she recognizes that it's a Beca moment. Chloe first noticed she had these Beca moments about midway through her second senior year, though she hadn't yet given it a label, these quiet moments where her mind is so active yet she has a clarity of thought that she can find inspiration. Chloe labeled it her Beca moments when she realized there was a correlation between these moments and the times spent alone with Beca, whether studying or just hanging out while Beca mixes. Of course Chloe recognizes that these moments had happened before she met Beca, and there was still the occasional moment where she wasn't with the snarky brunette. But she knew she could consistently count on these moments to occur when Beca and her would be quietly studying or mixing or just hanging out alone; hence she had dubbed them her Beca moments.

It was in these moments Chloe would find inspiration, say for a poem she had to write for a Comparative Lit course, or recognize a great idea, such as mixing a takeoff of an old childhood rhyming/clapping game into her choreography routine; and that it's important to capture these thoughts and revelations as quickly as possible. Chloe had long ago taken an idea from Aubrey, and strategically placed post-it notes around her home so she could capture any epiphany before it might be lost.

Beca had actually incorporated the idea of using post-it notes too, and so there now was a good portion of a wall in her bedroom decorated with colorful squares with quick scribbles, simple reminders, and notes. A smaller collection adorns a space above the second hand desk Chloe had convinced Beca to go halfsies on with her, so they would have a place to keep mail, pay bills, and do any other grownupsie stuff. Beca likes to have the ideas out so she can look at them while brainstorming. Chloe on the other hand takes her post-its and places it in a small notebook on a page that has been labeled with the date; another idea liberated from Aubrey.

Placing her latest note, a list of three lessons she wants to introduce to her classes this week, in her My Little Pony folder, causes Chloe to smirk. Every time she looks at the cover picture of Rainbow Dash she thinks of Beca, because the tiny DJ always teases Chloe about her preference in notebooks. She had often explained to her snarky best friend that just because the idea originally came from Aubrey didn't mean Chloe couldn't add her own flavor to it. That and she also knows that My Little Pony is secret guilty pleasure of Beca's.

Usually when Chloe has captured an idea on a note and placed it in her Rainbow Dash folder, the Beca moment, not so much ends, but becomes less evident. The thoughts are still there, if anything there may actually be more, but the clarity to discern a true idea from the cacophony of thoughts isn't. This time as she closes the folder and her eyes fall on Rainbow Dash, who reminds her of Beca because Beca would totally be Rainbow Dash if she were a say a flying pony, Chloe recognizes that the Beca moment is not over. The moment does not pass due to the reality that she isn't really thinking about her classes or their lesson plans. No Chloe is wondering about something that has been gnawing at her for the past few months, but she's been reluctant to reflect upon. Now though she's feeling more comfortable than she was earlier, and she knows that this feeling will continue to eat away at her. So despite the chance of hitting a pitfall, she decides to voice her question.

Chloe starts to doodle on a pink post-it and nonchalantly asks, "So where's Jesse tonight?"

"He's in a mood," answers Beca immediately with a shrug.

Chloe is hesitant to ask, but she has sensed something has been off ever since she and Beca arrived in LA. "Beca, is everything cool with the two of you?"

The sigh from the younger brunette is answer enough, however after a few seconds of silence Beca says, "Jesse's not happy that we moved in together."

Chloe's not expecting that, she turns to look at Beca, her deep blue eyes conveying her next question.

Beca again lets the silence linger before saying, "Jesse had this whole plan mapped out in his head. He came out here to get started with film school and get all settled. Then I would move out to Los Angeles, and we would move in together, start our careers, then get engaged, get married, have aca-children, whatever that is, and live happily ever after."

"So me moving in with you has put a crimp in the plan," says Chloe. Before Beca can answer the redhead, she softly adds, "I'm sorry, Becs."

The tiny brunette shakes her head. "Don't be sorry. I asked you. Remember? Yeah you moving in didn't help, but it's more than that. I don't know if I see my future in the same path that Jesse does. I don't know what my future holds, but I just can't envision the future he does."

Chloe raises her eyebrows in question.

Beca sighs, "He's plotted my entire life out, and I'm not ready for that. I don't know if I want to get married. I don't know if I want kids." Beca pauses. She lets out a deep sigh, and wonders how to best say all the things going through her head.

"Do you love him?"

Beca nervously scratches the back of her neck. After a slight pause Beca says, "Yes, I do."

For some reason Beca just couldn't look at Chloe as she says that, which is why she misses the slightest hint of sadness that touches Chloe's eyes.

Beca continues, "I mean... You know... It's, you know Jesse. I mean he's such a good guy. The kind of guy every girl hopes they marry. Right?" Beca raises her face and does look at Chloe as if looking for an answer, but Chloe remains silent, knowing that she couldn't give a real or truly honest answer.

After another long pause Beca continues, "But I don't know if I'm ready to say yes to forever with him. I'm still young, and have so much more to accomplish. I mean I wouldn't trade my time at Barden for anything; you, Jesse, the Bellas, are all so important to me, and I grew so much as a musician, but that was four years where I wasn't here, paying my dues." Beca again runs her hand through the hair at the back of her neck. Her face looking rather pensive as she continues. "I... We... I mean we just got here. I guess I never thought that Jesse would want to move forward so soon."

"You two have been dating for over three years," prompts Chloe.

Beca curls her lips into a half smile as she says, "Yeah, which is his argument, but it still doesn't feel right for me. Yet." She lets her eyes drop to her lap and stares at her hands.

Chloe doesn't say anything but reaches over and gives one of Beca's hands a gentle squeeze. After a few seconds Beca turns her face towards Chloe again. "I think when I move in with someone, it will be for the long haul. I'm not sure that person is Jesse."

"Well you did just move in with me," answers Chloe with a cute little smirk.

"Yeah I did," Beca smirks right back

Beca looks deeply into Chloe's blue eyes and admits something to Chloe that she has been feeling, but never voiced. "To be totally honest Chloe, part of it for me is LA. My dream has always been to come here. But I don't know if Los Angeles is really the town for me. I mean I want to make music, really want to make music, and this is the place for that. But life here is so different than anything I've known. On the surface it seems the perfect place for me to do my thing. But it's this... fake reality. Everyone here seems relaxed, but underlying everything is this stress of maintaining a persona for everyone to see." Beca gestures to the room around them, "This is why I so appreciate what you've been building here.

Chloe's face lights up at Beca's praise. Her fears earlier seem so silly now, but Chloe knows that they are still there lurking in the shadows of her consciousness, yet for now she can ignore them.

Beca not knowing the internal conflict going on in Chloe's head continues to say just the right thing, "This is the most intense place I've ever been. I'm so grateful for having you here by my side. To help me with my dreams as both a friend and a whole support system. You're the very best Chloe Beale." Beca punctuates her remarks with a hug that Chloe just melts into.

Beca doesn't give hugs as a general rule, so when she offers the rare one to Chloe, the redhead eagerly accepts, practically jumping into it and then melting her body against the smaller brunettes.

Beca whispers another thank you as she pulls back. "Beca, I'll always be there for you. You know that, right?"

Beca nods in answer and Chloe gives her a warm smile. "Well I think it's time for bed. I'm going to get ready. You going to bed?"

Beca shakes her head, "No, I got some more work to do so I'll be ready for Thursday."

"Okay, but don't stay up too late," answers Chloe as she gets up from the couch, giving Beca's leg a quick pat. "You need your beauty sleep."

"What? Are you saying I'm not beautiful?"

"No, just that if you don't get enough sleep in the morning the princess is replaced by a grump monster. Like maybe we should change your name to Fiona."

Scrunching her face, Beca asks, "Fiona?"

Chloe lets go with an exasperated sigh, "Fiona, you know Princess Fiona." Beca still looks perplexed. "From the movie Shrek. Geeze Beca, I made you watch that movie like a dozen times."

"Is that the one with the donkey?"

"Oh for crying out loud; yes!"

"Oh, I love the donkey, though personality wise I'm pretty sure I'm Shrek from the beginning of the movie. Closed off introverted badass." Beca sticks her tongue out at Chloe. "You're too easy Beale. Did you really think I couldn't remember Shrek? And for the record you've made me watch it about two dozen times."

Chloe laughs and sticks out her tongue back, and before she turns to walk back to her bedroom she slaps a pink post-it note on Beca's laptop, saying good night as she leaves.

Beca smiles as she looks down at a perfect rendition of Rainbow Dash sketched on the note. She giggles and looks up to watch her best friend disappear to the back of the apartment.

Fifteen minutes and one shower later Chloe returns to the living room dressed in her sleep ware, with a toothbrush in her mouth and rubbing a towel over her hair. "Beca do you want to share a ride in the morning?"

"Hey Chloe."

Chloe's head snaps up in surprise at the sound of the familiar yet unexpected voice. "Jesse!" Chloe yelps in surprise.

Jesse reddens, embarrassed that he had startled Chloe. "Sorry, didn't mean to surprise you."

Letting out a deep sigh, Chloe raises her hands and assures him, "Oh, no problem Jesse. Just caught me off guard. How are you?"

Still a little embarrassed, Jesse runs his hand over the back of his head and sheepishly answers, "Good, good. School's good and I've got some nice projects at work, so life is coming up roses."

Flashing her patented warm smile Chloe asks, "You staying the night?"

Beca having finished packing her laptop says, "Nah, I'm going to head over to Jesse's. He can drop me off in the morning. It's on the way to his class." For some reason Beca keeps scanning her bag and where she had been sitting. Never quite raising her eyes to meet Chloe's.

"Oh, okay. Well you guys drive safe and have a good night," says Chloe as she heads back to the bathroom. She hears both Beca and Jesse wishing her a good night as the couple heads out the door.

Chloe finishes brushing her teeth and rinses her mouth. With a deep sigh Chloe looks into the mirror and then lets out an even deeper sigh. She's glad that Beca is not here to see her at this moment. The sad look on her face would have definitely caused even Beca to ask what's wrong. Then again if Beca were here Chloe wouldn't be sad at the moment.

Leaning forward and resting her head against the mirror, Chloe exhales and counts back from ten. It was a trick she had learned long ago. By the time she reaches one, she has taken her tears and fears, acknowledged them and then pushed them away. When she pulls back she feels a bit better and while not happy, she can at least push forward.

She turns off her light, gets into bed, and again wishes Beca a good night and goes to sleep.

A/N Well that's chapter one, I hope you enjoyed. I will try to update on a regular basis, but life can interfere. I wanted to give a shout out to a few of my favorite authors, who have taken the time to correspond with me in the past and have been supportive of me taking a hand at publishing my own story.

First and foremost is my friend Secret Heart33, author of the fantastic story 'The Friend', if you haven't read it, take the time Secret Heart33 was the first person to give me the idea of posting a story, so I thank her. It's amazing. Also there is Virgo Alien, author of such great stories as 'The Summer of 69', 'The Light Brings Us Together', and 'I Loved You First'. Definitely worth your time. Baby Darth Dalloway who is currently writing 'A Pitch Perfect Life', a writer of incredible talent, who creates the most vivid characters. HypersomniacGrad, who has written numerous stories, that's it's difficult to just name a few, that are incredibly creative, and always leave you wanting more. And finally Bilbobarneybobs, who is the master of the short creative stories, don't believe me, check out 'Test Me' and 'Physically Flawless'.

All of these authors, and the many other myriad authors that make up this online community, are the epitome of what this site should be, a great creative outlet for talented people, where ideas and imagination can create really entertaining content. Hopefully my story will measure up to theirs. Thanks again for reading.