The Valentine Bet

A/N This One-Shot was actually inspired by the amazing work of ingeniousmacabre called Halfway There (go read, it's brilliant!). Anyway, I've borrowed the idea that the Trebles make a bet at Valentine's Day involving the Bellas, and I kinda ran away with it! Sorry about that, I'll return Beca and Jesse later... Actually, maybe just Beca, I'll keep Jesse for myself!

So enjoy!

Jesse used to love this holiday in High School. He was one of those boys to make the grand gesture to his girlfriend. Totally over the top, roses, music, a card so big it takes three people to carry it!

But this year, Valentine's Day had taken a horrible twist. As tradition dictates, the Trebles have a bet that one of them does something to the Bellas. And the rivalry between the Bellas and Trebles usually made it an interesting day. And now it was a week before the day and it was time to pick their challenger.

To keep it fair, they decided to use the tried and tested method of drawing straws. Last year it was Bumper who failed his challenge with Chloe, so he was exempt from this years pickings. Jesse had no such luck. The boys gathered in a circle. Bumper held out his hand full of straws. They all looked the same length. No-one moved, all trying to figure out which one to avoid.

"Stop being such girls and pick one," Bumper said rolling his eyes. That was all the incentive they needed and they all grabbed at the straws as if their lives depended on it. Jesse pulled his straw out of Bumper's hand and was horrified when it stopped short.

"You've got to be kidding me," Jesse groaned. This cannot be happening...

"And this year's contestant is Jesse," Bumper crowed. "And now we decide on your challenge."

"Please guys..." Jesse pleaded as the group huddled together. Jesse knew these guys wouldn't choose anything that bad but Bumper... He had a cruel streak and the guys would follow him. It was this thought that made him come out in a nervous sweat. After a couple of minutes of deliberation they broke apart and Bumper looked far too pleased with himself.

"So this is your challenge, whether you choose to accept it or not, is on the most romantic of days, Valentines Day, you are to make out in public with a Bella, for at least 30 seconds," Bumper announced with a large grin.

"Oh come on," Jesse complained.

"But not just any Bella. That would be too easy, we all know Stacie would be up for it. You have to make out with... Beca."

"No man! Bumper, that's not fair!" Jesse argued.

"Not up to the challenge?" Bumper dared.

"That's not a challenge, it's impossible! Come on, anything else. I'll... I'll streak through the Bellas rehearsal. I'll steal their pitch pipe. Anything but that," Jesse continued to plead to the group.

"Interesting ideas, but no," Bumper said, walking away smiling to himself at how much pain the young Treble was in.

Jesse groaned. There was no chance that this was going to end well. He just hoped that the pool didn't get too high!

It hadn't taken long for news of the Trebles bet to reach the Bellas. Aubrey had already given the 'Don't even think about it' speech, with pointed stares at Beca. Everyone else had found it amusing, but Beca was mortified. All of people and all challenges. Whoever chose this task knew that there were something between her and Jesse (even if she wasn't ready to admit what yet), and this would be awkward!

In previous years, the chosen Treble had been known to approach the chosen Bella to arrange a kind of truce, so they would both benefit from the bet. But Jesse seemed just as embarrassed by the bet as Beca.

During their shifts at the station, Jesse had been uncharacteristically quiet. Every so often, he would open his mouth like he wanted to say something and then shut it again, thinking better of it. I mean, how does one approach such a topic? Jesse knew the answer was going to be no. After all she did pull away from him when they watched the Breakfast Club. And the last thing he wanted was to ruin their fragile friendship. It had taken weeks for Beca to be ok with Jesse once again, and this could ruin that relationship completely. He hated Bumper for this. But she was the sort of girl to do something just to spite someone else. Would she be willing to do this to get back at Bumper? If it had been any other challenge he wouldn't hesitate to ask. But he knew she wouldn't go for this.

Beca found this inner struggle rather amusing, as it was so Jesse. He was too much of a gentleman to ask her, but his pride was pushing him to do the challenge. She did contemplate the idea. It would rub it in Bumpers face which is always a bonus. And if it had been any other challenge she would have said yes. But to make out with Jesse, who had made it clear that he would like to kiss her, and who she had found herself drawn to over the past few months, could turn this innocent act into something else. And she just wasn't ready for that. Poor Jesse would just have to fail and pay his debts and it wasn't going to be on her head.

On the morning of Valentine's Day, Chloe and Beca were busy handing out messages of love all across campus to those who paid for the service. Not that all messages were well received, which amused Beca greatly. After a particularly badly received message ("But he dumped me last night...") they were making their way to the next victim, when Chloe brought up the Treble bet.

"Aubrey has asked me to remind you that on no account are you to fraternise with the enemy to help win the bet. She considers it a break of the Oath."

"Yeah, there's nothing to worry about there," Beca said, trying to finish this conversation as quickly as possible.

"Good. I thought he may have asked you since the pool has got so high."

"What's it up to?" Beca asked curious. How much money did the nerd have to pay?

"It's currently up to $800."

"Seriously?" Beca was disgusted. "That's not fair. They deliberately chose a challenge he couldn't win, only to hike up the pool. And what's worse is Jesse is too nice to tell them to go to Hell and he'd pay it."

"It's what they do. Bumper had to pay nearly $1000 last year when he failed."

"And if it were Bumper I'd happily let him pay it, but Jesse is..." sweet, kind, my friend, more than a friend. All these words came to mind but she settled on, "... nice."

"What can I say, the Trebles aren't just mean to us; they are just as bad to each other."

They reached their next recipient and continued their rounds. Beca couldn't help but feel sorry for Jesse. He was never going to ask her for help for fear of losing her friendship, but $800 is a lot of money. It would explain why he had been asking Luke about extra shifts at the Station. She continued to think on it as she made her way to have lunch with Fat Amy and Stacie.

Jesse was not in his usual chipper mood today. This was going to be the most expensive day at Barden since he arrived! How does he explain losing $800 to his mother? She was going to kill him. But losing that money was better than losing Beca, who would certainly run if he tried to kiss her.

The Trebles also had duties today. Every year they serenade the crowds to earn money for the group. So Jesse had dragged himself out of his dorm and made his way to the Quad where the Trebles had gathered.

"And the challenger approaches!" Bumper called out. "Will he succeed in his task or chicken out like the little girl he is?" Jesse was so not in the mood for Bumper right now.

"Shut up," and Jesse settled himself to lean against the wall while Bumper showed off to the crowd. Jesse joined in at his parts, but without his usual enthusiasm. He was just starting to enjoy it when Bumper spotted Beca and the Bellas walking past.

"Oh, if it isn't lover girl," Bumper shouted making a show of pointing at Beca.

Beca glared at Bumper, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of an actual retort. She glanced over to Jesse who looked like he wanted to ground to open up and swallow him.

"Ladies, not interested in a bit of Treble love on this fine day?" Bumper continued, stepping in front of the girls to stop them.

"I wouldn't come near you even if a dingo had you by the throat," Amy retorted with her own flourishing words. Bumper however was unperturbed and moved to stand directly in front of Beca.

"And what about you? Nothing you're interested in?" he added with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Eww, no," Beca said, pushing Bumper away from her. He was too close for comfort. "Not going to happen, dude."

"Not even a special someone?" Bumper pushed, looking towards Jesse. Seriously, this guy did not know when to stop. Beca couldn't help the small flush that graced her cheeks at the suggestion. Jesse looked just as embarrassed. But Beca managed to recover quickly enough, with Bumper noticing.

"Yeah, special is the word I would use to describe all of you," She quipped, and she and the girls turned to walk away.

"Ooooh! Didn't realise you had that kind of effect on women, Jesse. So knew you couldn't win this bet. One of my best ideas yet! Easiest $800 dollars we've ever made!" And he high fived several of the other Trebles at his success.

Jesse was trying not to look embarrassed by the scene unfolding in front of him, but he couldn't help it. He just wanted this day to be over, and quickly.

All embarrassment gone, Beca was seething. How dare Bumper take advantage of Jesse like that? He was the reason Jesse looked like someone had kicked his puppy. And she wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug smile off Bumpers face. Hitting him was a satisfying option, but she knew of a much better way.

Turning back around, she walked straight towards Jesse. He looked up to see Beca coming towards him. 'She's going to kill me,' he thought as she approached. She's never going to speak to me again after this. Thanks very much Bumper.

"Beca, I'm sorry..." Jesse started as she got closer.

"Just shut up," Beca said as she grabbed his head and pulled it to hers.

He felt her lips on his and he couldn't believe it. This was certainly not the reaction he was expecting. He could hear the whistles and cheers from people in the crowd but they were drowned out by the feel of her. It only took Jesse a moment to collate his thoughts, and wrap his arms around Beca's tiny waist, as she ran her fingers through his hair. She parts her lips which gives Jesse the chance to deepen the kiss. He pulls her closer to him, so that she's flush up against him.

Jesse vaguely hears someone timing it. Oh right, the bet. Totally forgot about that. And you couldn't blame him. His body was on fire right now.

All too soon it was over. And Beca pulled away from Jesse, who was left a little stunned by the kiss.

"I think you'll find gentlemen, that was over 30 seconds," Beca said, before walking away from the Trebles. Jesse had not moved from where Beca released him. A few Trebles were patting him on the back, although Bumper did not look amused. Finally Jesse was brought back to senses and found his voice.

"I believe you all owe me money," he said, with a cocky grin.

A/N - I've decided to continue this, so I'll get on to the aftermath soon! Watch this space!