Title: My Heart is True
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Aubrey/Beca, Chloe
Rating: PG
Summary: AU Aubrey has an unexpected conversation at her birthday party.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: 1,082
A/N: requested by kiarcheo
When Chloe mentions that she's bringing a date to the party, Aubrey doesn't think much of it. People are always hitting on Chloe. The blonde is used to Chloe coming home with a phone number constantly; even when it's just a quick run to the store because they're out of milk. So the fact that Chloe has a date to her birthday gathering isn't surprising.
What Aubrey doesn't expect is to stumble upon said date a few hours into her party, outside, leaning about the railing, eyes closed. The brunette is obviously not asleep, Aubrey can hear her humming just under her breath, but it's obvious that she wants to be alone. So even though this is technically her house and her party, Aubrey quietly backs away.
Except she's not paying attention to where she's going and stumbles backwards into a chair. The brunette's eyes shoot open and before Aubrey can apologize, she's there, helping Aubrey regain her balance.
"You okay?"
Aubrey nods. "I'm fine. I was just trying to give you some privacy."
"Why? This is your house, right?"
Aubrey nods again. "You seemed like you were deep in thought."
"Not really," she replies. "Just doing some brainstorming for work. I'm Beca by the way."
"I'm Aubrey," Aubrey says. "You're Chloe's date."
"Well, I wouldn't really call me her date, per say," Beca replies.
"You came with her," Aubrey points out.
"I did," Beca agrees. "But it's definitely not a date."
"Oh." Aubrey doesn't know what to say to that.
"So happy birthday," Beca says softly. "And thanks for letting me come, even if we've just met."
"Thank you," Aubrey replies. "And any, uh, friend of Chloe's…"
"Care to join me?" Beca asks, gesturing to the chair that Aubrey just tripped over.
"All right," Aubrey replies cautiously. Just because Beca claims she's not on a date with Chloe, doesn't mean that the brunette isn't going to pump Aubrey for info about the red head. She's been in this scenario too many times to count.
"So how'd you meet Chloe?" Aubrey asks, deciding that it'll be quicker to just skip the usual subtle build up.
"We work together, actually," Beca replies.
"Oh. Really? For how long?" Aubrey questions. "I've been to Chloe's office a number of times. I don't think I've seen you."
"A year or so." Beca shrugs. "I tend to blend in. I've seen you, though."
"Ummm..."
"I actually asked Chloe if I could come with her tonight," Beca shares.
"I thought you said that this wasn't a date," Aubrey says.
"It's not," Beca replies.
"But you asked Chloe to bring you," Aubrey says.
"I did," Beca nods. "Because I wanted to meet you."
"What?"
"I've, uh, had a crush on you since the first time I saw you."
Aubrey can only stare at Beca. "You do not."
"It was a Tuesday the first day I saw you," Beca says. "You were wearing this navy pantsuit and you were obviously running late because you looked at your watch twelve times in two minutes. I counted."
"You counted?"
Beca nods. "You also checked your email while you were waiting and spent about thirty seconds cursing under your breath."
Aubrey actually remembers that day, it had been about three months ago; everything was going wrong and she'd been hoping that lunch with her best friend would cheer her up, but Chloe's morning had gone just as badly as Aubrey's and so when she'd stopped by, the red head had kept her waiting. The email had been from her boss, demanding an early morning face to face that Aubrey had rightly been paranoid about because it had turned out very badly. "I..."
Beca looks embarrassed when Aubrey has no response. "And now I'm some kind of creepy stalker. I should go." She starts to stand.
"No, don't go," Aubrey says, grabbing Beca's arm. "I'm just not used to people noticing me when Chloe's around."
"It's the red hair," Beca quips. "It's very distracting."
"That's what Chloe says," Aubrey replies.
"So I didn't just completely freak you out?" Beca asks.
"No, not completely," Aubrey says.
"Excellent," Beca smiles. "Does that mean you'll go out with me tomorrow night?"
Aubrey studies Beca for a moment. "So you asked Chloe out, just so you could come here and ask me out?"
"Um... yes?"
"Then yes," Aubrey nods. "I'll go out with you tomorrow."
Beca grins and Aubrey can't help but smile back.
...
"So good birthday?" Chloe asks a few hours later as she stretches out on the couch besides Aubrey.
"It was a great birthday," Aubrey assures her.
"Any highlights?" Chloe smirks.
Aubrey elbows her, but remains quiet.
"Because I heard something very interesting," Chloe continues.
"Really?"
Chloe nods. "Sounds like someone has a date tomorrow night."
"And?"
Chloe rolls her eyes. "Promise me that you'll give Beca a chance," Chloe says.
"Chloe," Aubrey sighs.
"I mean it, Bree, a real chance," Chloe says. "She really likes you."
"She mentioned that," Aubrey says.
"I mean, really likes you," Chloe insists.
"For serious?"
Chloe nods. "She always asks about you. And when I mentioned your party tonight, she pretty much begged me to bring you, so she could maybe work up the courage to talk to you."
"She did not."
Chloe sighs again. "Aubrey, I swear to god..."
"Then why didn't she say or do anything sooner?" Aubrey can't help but ask.
"Beca's kind of a loner at the office," Chloe replies. "We worked together for almost two months before I even heard her speak."
"Oh."
"Just promise me, Bree," Chloe says. "That you'll give Beca a real, honest chance."
"I promise, all right? Sheesh."
"Good," Chloe says. "I think you two would be good together."
"You're just saying that because I haven't been on a date in a while."
"I'm saying it," Chloe replies. "Because it's true. Besides, you need to pursued for once. It seemed like it was always you taking the initiative with Sara."
"That's true," Aubrey agrees.
"Beca likes you," Chloe says. "Just go out, relax and have a good time."
"I already promised I would, Chlo."
The red head smiles. "I just want you to be happy, Bree. That's all."
"And Beca is going to make me happy?"
Chloe nods. "She could. If you just gave her the chance."
"All right," Aubrey says. "Even though I already promised, I swear I'll go on this date with an open mind."
"That's all I ask," Chloe replies. "Happy birthday, Bree."
Aubrey smiles. "Thanks Chloe."
