DAY 01 - SPENDING CHRISTMAS TOGETHER?

FanFiction user RJRMovieFan prompt: Beca sees Chloe kiss Chicago and walks away to have Khaled tell her he wants her to sing on a Christmas Special he is a part of in D.C. (at the Kennedy Center). Chloe disappears shortly after, and the Bellas ask Beca for her help in finding Chloe.

Beca is sorry that she even started to look for Chloe after her solo concert. She was so excited and then she turned a corner, and there was Chloe kissing the soldier that had been escorting them. She felt a pain in her chest like she had never felt before and realized that she was jealous. Jealous that someone else was kissing Chloe and not her.

Theo walked up to Beca and looked to see what Beca was staring at.

"Oh, that's nice," Theo said.

"No, it's not," Beca said and started to walk away with Theo following her.

"Khaled wants to see you," Theo said as they walked together.

"Why?"

"He has some news for you."

"Okay. Where is he?"

"He's at the after-party," Theo said and took Beca's arm to take her to Khaled.

Beca gave a quick wave to the Bellas when she walked into the party with Theo. They found Khaled.

"Beca! I'm so glad you're here. Your performance tonight was beyond my expectations. Now, I have something even more exciting for you."

"I'm listening," Beca said with a small smile.

"I need to head to Washington, D.C., and you are coming with me."

"Why? What's happening?"

"I am performing at the Kennedy Center for A Washington Christmas, and I want you to perform with me. The show will be live and air the night before Christmas Eve, so we only have two days to get you ready."

"Seriously?" Beca stands with her mouth agape. She thought about seeing Chloe kissing Chicago and realized that this was perfect. This was her ticket out so she wouldn't have to see them be all couple-y. "This is perfect. This is just what I need. I'm so ready to back to the States. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Theo said. "Arrangements have already been made. I don't know what your plans were for Christmas, but now it looks like you'll be spending it in D.C."

"Great," Beca said. "I'm all in."

"This is great," Khaled said. "We can talk more about the performance on the plane."

"Our plane leaves at 8:00 am tomorrow," Theo said as he led Beca away from Khaled. "Go pack your things and meet me in the lobby. We want to move you over to Khaled's hotel because we have to leave so early in the morning. You can ride to the airport with us."

"That's a great idea," Beca said. "I'll go pack now. Thank you."

Beca rushes off without a word to anyone. She hurries to her room and pulls out her suitcase. She was gathering her toiletries from the bathroom when there was a knock on her door. She drops her stuff in her suitcase and goes to the door.

"What are you guys doing here?," Beca asked when she found Amy and Emily standing there. "I thought you'd be banging back shots."

"We saw you hurry out of the party and came to make sure you were okay," Emily said.

"Yeah, Beca," Amy said. "Emily said you looked upset."

"Oh, um, no I'm not upset," Beca said trying to convince herself she was fine. "I'm, uh, excited. Khaled is moving me to his hotel tonight because we are flying out first thing in the morning."

"What?" Emily was confused and upset. "Why?"

"We're, um, flying to D.C. for a concert Khaled is involved with," Beca said. "It's the Kennedy Center Christmas Special and, I'm going to be performing with him."

"Oh, so you're leaving already?," Amy said. "I thought we were all going to stay and spend Christmas together."

"I know that was the plan," Beca said. "But, uh, this is my life now. The boss says I'm leaving; then I'm leaving."

Beca has continued to pack as she talked. Amy and Emily looked at each other. They knew something else was going on, but they didn't know what.

"Um, don't tell the others, okay?," Beca said stopping to look at the two girls. "I don't think I can handle a long, sad goodbye right now."

"What about Chloe?," Amy asked.

"What about her?"

"Come on, Beca," Emily said. "You should at least tell her."

"She has Chicago, she won't even notice I'm gone," Beca said with a humorless laugh.

A light bulb went off for Amy and Emily. Now they knew why Beca looked so upset.

"You know that's not true," Emily said.

"I saw them kissing, Emily," Beca said. "I'm sure it's progressed beyond just kissing at this point, so I seriously doubt I'm on her mind right now. So, don't tell anyone I'm leaving. Especially Chloe."

Amy and Emily shared a look that did not go unnoticed by Beca.

"Promise me that you won't say anything about me leaving."

"Beca," Emily said.

"Promise me! I need you to promise me!"

Emily looked sad but hurriedly said, "I promise."

"Amy?"

"I promise, too."

"Thank you," Beca said and started checking the room to make sure she had everything. "I think that's it. I have to meet Theo in the lobby. Come on, Emily, hug me. I know you want to."

Emily hugged Beca. Amy put her arms around both of them and joined the hug.

"Okay," Beca said pulling out of the hug. "I'll, uh, call you guys once I'm in L.A."

"We'll walk you down," Amy said.

The three girls left Beca's room and headed for the lobby. Theo was waiting for Beca and took her suitcase.

"Give me a minute, please," Beca said, and Theo nodded and walked away to wait for her. She turned back to Amy and Emily. "The show will be a live event and will air in two days; the night before Christmas Eve. I'll text you the time once I know it. You guys, um, you be careful, and I'll see you soon, okay?"

"You got it, short stuff," Amy said. "Can we tell the girls about it? After you leave, I mean. They are going to notice when you're suddenly not around."

"Um, yeah," Beca said. "That's, uh, that's fine."

"We'll miss you, Beca," Emily said and pulled Beca into another hug.

Beca saw Theo waving at her and pulled out of the hug.

"Okay, I really have to go now," Beca said. "I love you, awesome nerds. And wish everyone a Merry Christmas for me."

"We love you, too," Emily said.

Beca walked over to Theo, and they left the hotel together.

The next morning the Bellas met in the hotel restaurant for a late breakfast. Aubrey was texting on her phone looking worried.

"What's wrong, Cap'n?," Amy asked.

"I can't find Chloe, and she's not answering my texts or calls," Aubrey said.

"Has anyone seen Beca?," CR asked.

"Um, ehhhhh," Amy said with her face scrunched up.

"What do you know, Amy?," CR asked.

"I, uhhhhh, nothing?"

"Beca left this morning with Khaled to go to D.C.," Emily said. "She's performing with him at the Kennedy Center for a Christmas special."

"Maybe Chloe went with her," Jessica said excitedly.

"That would be so cool if she did," Ashley said.

Aubrey notices Amy and Emily looking at each other.

"What else do you two know?," Aubrey asked.

Amy jumped up saying, "Bacon. I need more bacon." She rushes away from the table.

"Emily?," Aubrey said. "What aren't you two telling us?"

Emily let out a heavy sigh. "Beca saw Chloe kiss Chicago last night. I saw her leave the party and she seemed upset, so Amy and I went to check on her. She was packing and made us promise that we wouldn't tell any of you, especially Chloe, that she was leaving. I think she was glad to be leaving because she didn't want to see Chloe and Chicago together."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Beca was relaxing on the plane just staring out the window. She was starting to feel bad that she left without saying goodbye to the girls. She's sure by now Emily or Amy has told them why she left. She checked her phone, surprised that Chloe hadn't at least tried to text her.

Beca was still lost in her thoughts when Theo startled her by sitting next to her.

"Sorry," Theo said when he saw her jump. "Khaled wanted me to ask if you wanted to fly to Atlanta after the show to spend Christmas with your dad. He remembered you mentioning your dad lived there."

"I, um, I'm not sure," Beca said. "I was supposed to spend Christmas in Europe with the Bellas. How soon do I have to let you know?"

"The jet will be in New York with Khaled," Theo said. "But, the jet can fly you to Atlanta, or anywhere else reasonable, and return to New York. We'll make sure you get to L.A. from wherever you are. Okay?"

"Okay," Beca said. "Thanks, Theo."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Aubrey tries to call and text Chloe again to no avail. She tells the Bellas she'll be back and leaves them at the table.

"Excuse me," Aubrey said to the clerk behind the registration desk. "Could you ring Ms. Beale's room and let her know her party is waiting for her in the restaurant."

"I"m sorry but Miss Beale checked out about two hours ago," the clerk said.

"Are you sure?," Aubrey asked.

"Yes, ma'am," the clerk said. "She's quite hard to forget. She also asked for a car to take her to the airport."

"Oh, my God," Aubrey said and rushed back into the restaurant. As soon as she reaches the table she blurts out, "Chloe's gone."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Less than an hour later, the Bellas were packed and waiting in the hotel lobby for the hotel's van to take them to the airport. Aubrey had been continuously texting and calling with no response from Chloe. Chicago and Zeke entered the hotel and walked over to the girls.

"Why are you here?," Aubrey asked. "We no longer need you to escort us anywhere."

Chicago looked at all the girls and seemed upset.

"Where's Chloe?," Chicago asked. "I need to talk to her."

"Why?," Aubrey asked. "Wait. Are you the reason she left?"

"Chloe left?," Chicago asked surprised.

"I told you, man," Zeke said. "You should have just left her alone."

"What do you mean by that?," Aubrey asked looking between Chicago and Zeke.

"Don't say a word, Zeke," Chicago whispered to Zeke. Zeke looked at him and shook his head.

"Walp here tried to get Chloe to sleep with him last night," Zeke said.

"Shut up, Zeke!," Chicago said and clenched his fists.

"Fuck you, Chicago," Zeke spit back at him. "I'm sick of covering for you." Zeke took a breath and looked at the girls. "I told Chloe that he's married. She went looking for him, and when she found him, she blew up at him and started crying and yelling something about how she thought he was something special. How she felt like she could move on with him and be happy. He laughed at her and she slapped him before she stormed off."

Chicago lunged for Zeke. Zeke grabbed him and threw him to the ground. "Don't get up!"

"I'd listen to him if I were you," Aubrey said in a deathly quiet manner.

Chicago swallowed hard and sat on the ground. He looked up at the girls and then back down at the floor.

"Chloe's gone because of you," Aubrey said, angrily looking down at Chicago. "I will make sure my father, General William Posen, hears about this," Aubrey said looking down at Chicago, who paled visibly. "And, just so you know, he loves Chloe like a daughter."

"I'll help you find Chloe," Zeke said.

"We already know she headed for the airport," Aubrey said. "We're leaving to head there now."

"Come on," Zeke said. "I've got the bus. I'll take you."

Zeke headed toward the door and the girls started to follow him. Chicago scrambled to stand up and Zeke stopped. "You can find your own way back to base."

Chicago remained silent and stayed where he was. Zeke looked at the girls and said, "Let's go, ladies."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

Aubrey continued to try and reach Chloe during the drive to the airport. She tossed her phone down in frustration.

Jessica picked Aubrey's phone up from where it had bounced onto the floor.

"Still no word?," Jessica asked as she handed the phone to Aubrey.

"No," Aubrey said. "I'm really worried. Chloe thought Chicago was something special and she found out he was toying with her. I'm worried she's not thinking straight."

"She's probably not answering because she's on the plane," Jessica said trying to ease Aubrey's mind. "Where do you think she went?"

"I don't know," Aubrey said. "I think she went somewhere where she always felt safe."

"New York?," Amy asked.

"No," Aubrey said. "I think she may have gone to Barden. She told me that's the last place she ever felt like she and Beca had a chance. The last place where she was truly happy."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

The girls thank Zeke and hurry into the airport. They go to the Delta Airlines counter.

"How may I help you ladies?," the ticket agent asks.

The girls all look back at her and don't know what to say. Aubrey looks at Amy.

"Do you have access to the money you're father told you about?"

"Yeah," Amy said. "I had the funds transferred to my personal account immediately so my father couldn't touch it. Why?"

"We're going to need you to help pay for our tickets," Aubrey said. "It's to get Chloe back."

"Okay," Amy said. "Whatever you need."

Aubrey turned back to the ticket agent. "We need to get back to the United States and need to exchange our tickets. We are supposed to leave next week. And, I also need to know when your next flight to Washington, D.C., is scheduled to depart."

"D.C.?" Amy and Jessica both asked and the other girls looked confused. "Why D.C.?"

"That's where Beca is," Aubrey said. "I'm going to go and see if I can talk her into helping find Chloe."

"She left because of Chloe," Amy said. "What makes you think she's going to help us?"

"Because she loves her."

The ticket agent told Aubrey there was a flight leaving for D.C. in two hours.

"Emily give me your ticket," Aubrey said holding out her hand. Emily passes the ticket to Aubrey. Aubrey hands both her and Emily's tickets to the agent. "I need to exchange these for the flight to D.C."

"What?," Jessica asked confused even more. "Why Emily?"

"I'll need someone to help me talk to Beca," Aubrey said. "She trusts Emily and she'll listen to her."

"I'm in," Emily said without hesitation.

"The rest of you go to Atlanta," Aubrey said. "Go to Stacie's and wait for us there."

"Beca trusts me, too," Amy said. "Why can't I go to D.C. with you? I'll pay for all of us to go to D.C. and then to Atlanta."

"Yeah," CR said. "We should all go to D.C. and get Beca. We should all be together so we can spend Christmas together like we planned."

The other girls all agree and Aubrey looks like she's going to argue with them.

"We don't have time to argue about this," Emily said. "We should all just go to D.C."

"Fine," Aubrey said. "How many seats are available on the flight to D.C."

"We have two coach seats left," the agent said. "And, eight in First Class."

Aubrey turned to look at Amy. Amy scoffed but said, "Fine. Can we exchange these tickets for eight First Class tickets? I'll pay the difference."

The girls hand over their tickets and the agent makes the necessary changes. Amy hands over her card and the agent returns the card and the tickets.

"You ladies may want to hurry," the agent told them. "You still need to get through Customs."

"Thank you," Aubrey said and the girls hurried to get through Customs.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

"Good morning, ladies and gentleman," the pilot's voice traveled throughout the cabin. "Welcome to Washington, D.C. It is just 6:45 am and it's a chilly 48 degrees. We thank you for flying with us and hope you enjoy your stay in our Nation's Capital."

The Bellas all stretch and get ready to deboard. They grab their carry-ons and join the line to exit the plane.

Once everyone is out, they make their way to the baggage claim. They were all shocked to find Beca and Theo waiting near baggage claim for them.

"Beca!" The Bellas all hurry over to her and start hugging her.

"Beca, what are you doing here?," Aubrey asked.

"After I got your text about Chloe, I went and talked to Theo," Beca said. "Once you get your luggage we're flying right out to Atlanta."

"DJ Khaled is letting Beca use the company jet," Theo told them. "The arrangements have already been made and the jet is ready to leave once you ladies are all on board."

Aubrey was so tired that all she could do was hug Theo and cry. Theo looked uncomfortable but patted Aubrey on the back.

The alarm sounded and the girls hurried to the carousel to get their luggage. Aubrey pulled away from Theo and apologized. Theo waved off her apologies.

"Khaled said the jet will stay in Atlanta," Theo told Aubrey and Beca. "Use it in case she's not there. Take it wherever you need to."

Within thirty minutes they were on the jet and in the air for Atlanta.

"Are you okay?," Beca asked Aubrey as she sat next to her.

"I'm so tired," Aubrey said. "And I'm really worried about Chloe." Aubrey proceeded to tell Beca about what they had learned about Chicago.

"That son of a bitch," Beca snarled. "I knew I didn't trust him. God, Chloe must be beside herself. It, um, really seemed like she cared about him." Beca let out a sigh and ran her hand through her hair. "You don't think she'd do anything, you know? To herself, do you?"

"Honestly, I don't know," Aubrey said. "Chloe's one of the strongest people I know. But, even the strongest people have their breaking point."

"Don't worry," Beca said. "We'll find her. I have an idea. Hey, Em?"

"Yeah, Beca," Emily said.

"Is the Bellas house empty for Winter Break?"

"Yeah," Emily said. "All the girls were going home."

"Can we use it? It's Christmas Eve and we were all planning to spend Christmas together anyway."

"That's a great idea," Emily said. "We already have a tree and everything."

"Thanks, Beca," Aubrey said quietly. "I'm sure Chloe will like spending Christmas in the Bellas house."

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

The plane lands around 10:15 in the morning and the girls grab cabs and meet at the Bellas house. Once inside the house, Emily assigns rooms to the girls. Once the luggage is all put away, Aubrey tries to text Chloe again and still no response.

"Let me try something," Beca said. Beca pulls out her phone and sends Chloe a text.

BMitchell: Hey, Chlo. I heard you left without telling anyone where you were going. Want to tell me where you are?

"I'll wait a few minutes and then I'll try again," Beca said.

"Or I could just track her phone and tell you," Lily said.

"What?" Beca looked at Lily and then at Aubrey. She looked back to Lily. "You can do that?"

"Why do you think I agreed we should come here?" Lily looked at them with her big eyes. "I knew this is where she was."

"You knew she was here?," Aubrey asked.

"Yes," Lily said. "I couldn't pinpoint her exact location, but I knew it was somewhere here at Barden. I could probably get a better read now."

Beca grabs her laptop and hands it to Lily. "Do it!"

Lily types away and then smiles. "I found her."

She turns the laptop so Beca and Aubrey and can see.

"I'll go," Beca said. "I need to talk to her first. I promise I'll bring her back here."

"That's an excellent idea," Aubrey said. "While you're gone we're going grocery shopping and get things for a Bellas Christmas dinner."

Beca nods her head and heads upstairs to her room. She comes back down wearing a Barden hoodie.

"I'll text you when I find her," Beca said as she left the house.

Beca jogged to the Auditorium and stopped outside the door. She took a deep breath and let it out before opening the door. It was dark, so she flipped on the lights to find Chloe sitting on the stage with her legs dangling over the front.

"I'm sorry, I didn't-" Chloe said as she jumped off the stage. "Beca?"

"Chloe, thank God you're here," Beca said and they stood looking at each other.

Beca was the first to move and hurried to Chloe and grabbed her in a hug. Chloe let out a sob and held onto Beca as if she was never going to let her go.

"I was so worried when Aubrey said you left without a word and they didn't know where you were," Beca said.

"I'm an idiot," Chloe said between sobs.

"You're not an idiot." Beca pulled back and wiped Chloe's tears. "Come on. Let's sit down and you can tell me all about it."

Chloe nodded and let Beca lead her over to the front row of seats. They both sat and Beca turned so she could look at Chloe.

"Aubrey told me about Chicago," Beca said softly. "I'm sorry. I know you really liked him."

"He was nice," Chloe said. "But, I really wasn't planning anything long-term. I was actually using him.'

"How so?"

"He was a distraction," Chloe said. "From work, life. Just from stuff."

"Why didn't you talk to me about it?"

Chloe let out a small laugh. "You were part of the stuff."

"Oh," Beca said. She took Chloe's hands and gently rubbed her thumbs over Chloe's knuckles. "You didn't know this, but I left early the next morning after my show to come back here to the States. Khaled was performing at the Kennedy Center's Christmas Special and he asked me to come and perform with him."

"You're performing at the Kennedy Center?"

"Performed," Beca corrected. "The show was last night. Anyway, I left without saying goodbye to anyone but Emily and Amy. I made them promise not to tell anyone, especially you, that I was leaving."

"Why?"

"I saw you kiss Chicago," Beca replied. "And I couldn't stand the thought of spending Christmas watching you two together."

"Beca."

Beca took a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm in love with you Chloe. And seeing you kiss him. I just. I-I."

Tears formed in Beca's eyes and she looked down at her hands holding Chloe's.

"Hey," Chloe said and pulled one of her hands away to lift Beca's chin so she would look at her. "I'm sorry you saw that. But, I love you, too, and I didn't think you felt the same way. That's the only reason I kissed him. I was trying to move on from you because you were going to L.A. and I was going to be in New York and it killed me to think of not seeing you every day."

"I'm sorry I never told you how I felt," Beca said as tears streamed down her face. "I was a coward and thought I'd screw up our friendship."

"It's not all on you," Chloe said. "I never said anything either."

"I guess we're both idiots," Beca said and smiled. "So, for the record, I love you, Chloe. And, I know it's a lot to ask, but would you consider moving to L.A. with me? Be my roommate, my girlfriend, or just my friend. Anything you want as long as I get to see you every day."

Chloe smiled a teary smile and pulled Beca into a hug. "I love you, too. And I would love to move to L.A. with you."

Chloe pulled out of the hug and kissed Beca. Beca was taken by surprise and it took a second to kiss Chloe back. Chloe pulled back from the kiss.

"Was that okay?"

"Um, yeah," Beca said and cleared her throat. "It was better than okay."

Chloe smiled and leaned in to kiss Beca again. They finally broke when breathing became an issue.

"And, for the record," Chloe said. "I want to move to L.A. as your girlfriend and roommate."

Beca's smile grew wide and she leaned in to kiss Chloe again when her phone pinged. Beca pulled out her phone to see Aubrey had sent her a message.

"The girls are all waiting for us," Beca told Chloe. "They've all been worried about you."

"They're all here?"

"Yep," Beca said. "When they heard you went to the airport they all left and flew back here to find you."

"I'm sorry I worried everyone," Chloe said. "I was just so overwhelmed with everything, I didn't know what I was doing, and before I knew it, I was here."

"Let's go celebrate Christmas with the Bellas like we planned," Beca said. "We're staying in the Bellas house. It may not be Christmas in Paris, but we'll all be together."

Beca stood and held out her hand to Chloe. Chloe took it and stood in front of Beca. They kissed again and Chloe left Beca to grab her luggage.

As they were walking out the door, Beca said, "I promise next year you and I will be celebrating Christmas in Paris. Just the two of us."

"I can't wait," Chloe said as she took Beca's hand for the walk back to the Bellas house.

~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~ ~25 Days~

When the Bellas came back from the grocery store, they greeted Beca and Chloe with open arms. Hugs were numerous and tears were falling.

There was a knock at the door and more hugs and tears when Ashley opened the door to the Bellas house to find Stacie standing there with baby Bella. Everyone oohed and ahhed over the infant. Several of the Bellas helped bring in all the gifts that Stacie had in the car.

The rest of Christmas Eve was spent piling what presents they had with them under the tree and drinking eggnog (courtesy of Fat Amy) in front of the television watching It's a Wonderful Life.

Christmas Day found the Bellas house alive with the sounds of happiness and joy. Baby Bella didn't know what was going but the adults were thrilled taking turns to show her the lights and brightly wrapped packages.

Beca and Chloe spent most of their time cuddled together or holding each other. They talked and made plans for their move to L.A. and their life together.

Aubrey, Jessica, and Chloe put together a Christmas feast with all the trimmings. The Bellas sat around the table and Aubrey stood, raising her wine glass.

"To spending Christmas together," she said. She looked around the table with a smile and added, "With family."