Author's note: I've already published this story on my ArchiveOfOurOwn account.

Nothing in the world could have prepared Beca for this year. No High School, College or even A Capella experience could match this. It's been two years since she's graduated. One year since she's been living in LA. 6 months spent working on her most recent musical production. 3 months to gather the cast for the music video. Weeks to film. Days to edit. Seconds from the elevator to her apartment with her best friend locking lips with her.

"Chloe," the redhead's name escaped her lips between kisses. She hated to interrupt, but the door wasn't going to unlock itself.

"Oh," and there it was, the most innocent of realizations.

Beca's witnessed this before, years ago, in a particular shower as the redhead walked away from her to return to an expectant lover. She could only smile at how Chloe stood there, struggling to breath, or even speak. At that Beca reached into her bag, hanging on the bend of her elbow, fishing out her keys that chimed against the sound of her own exasperated pants. The door opened to the dark apartment and Beca turned back to Chloe, taking her hand in hers to walk her in.

1 year ago.

"Beca!" Chloe appeared on the young producers' laptop screen.

"Hey Chlo'" Beca returned as she sat in her office space, headphones plugged in. She glanced around her, making a point to not disturb anyone, even as they all had their own headphones on.

"How's LA?" Chloe's smile beamed as she sat on her end in an empty classroom filled with musical instruments and pastel pictures on the wall. The black board behind her read A Capella 101.

"Not suitable for pale people," Beca rolled her eyes, already having a slight burn on her arms from her drive from the airport.

"Was that the airport greeting?"

"Bumper Sticker," she quipped back, smiling. It was weird moving out to LA by herself. The dream was coming true, but she was starting think it wasn't going to happen. Her internship at residual heat was going too well, that they weren't going to let her go. Though, once they relocated, she couldn't have been happier. Now though… "I miss you"

"I miss you too…" Chloe replied instantly, though surprised by Beca's show of emotions. She must really be lonely. "You ok out there?"

"Yeah, the work is good, this week has been pretty relaxed as we've been moving in. It's weird being bought by another company, only to be exactly as we were… I'm still getting my head around the business politics." Beca rambled, not really willing to admit that this was new. Sure she moved out to Barden and was pretty much a loner to start, but she was never really alone. Everyone around here were on the same boat, all students, all figuring it out…

"Sounds complicated."

"How's Washington?" Beca decided to flip the conversation around.

"Seattle may just suit you better. Barely any sunshine-"

"Other than you," Beca complimented lightly.

"Aww, you must be bored if you started to use those flirty lines with me. How's Jesse?"

"We broke up." She said nonchalantly

"Omg, Beca!" Chloe practically screamed into the mic. "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?" She sounded far less concerned about the break up, and more surprised by the fact she hadn't even known.

"Before I moved, we decided to call it quits. He was going to work in New York, and I'm in LA…" It just sounded so logical at the time. She did miss him though. He was her first serious relationship. First real love, and it ended on a technicality.

"I'm sorry Beca, do you need me to call Stacie? She's still out there on her photoshoot-"

"No no, I'm fine. Really. But hey, I have to get back to some work, but we'll schedule another Skype date soon." It wasn't a question, they always have. Weekly, if not every other day would call or message just a quick hi.

"Alright, speak to you soon…" Chloe didn't seem convinced but she knew Beca would open up when she's ready.

The day dragged on, but her first work week in LA was finally over. She got home, to a not too glamorous building, but it'll do. She was close enough to work, but far away from anything interesting. She'd need to get herself a car if she was expected to commute to their other offices and recording studios soon.

She walked into her studio apartment, a kitchenette to her right, boxes stacked along the floor and on the kitchen island. To her left was her bedroom/living room. A bed was pulled down from its wall storage, and several mixing equipment was spread out across the bed and floor around it. She glanced ahead, to the open door to the bathroom and grimaced at her dirty laundry sprawled across the floor. She really needed to be a little more organized now, and maybe unpack.

With that thought she started to open up boxes, and wipe the counter and drawers as she put away her kitchen equipment.

Her phone buzzed, and Stacie's name flashed on her screen.

"Damn it Chloe" she breathed before answering,

"You're already in LA!" it seemed that everyone was in a yelling mood today.

"Yeah, I'm still getting settled in."

"What are you doing? Right now?"

"Just unpacking," she admit, balancing the phone with her shoulder while continuing her earlier task.

"You're such a bore, I'm coming to get you. We're going to a party."

"Stacie-" She heard the dial tone and knew that it was too late. Stacie could drag her ass all over the world to party when she wants to. She honestly expected her to be less model more manager.

It wasn't long before Stacie was honking her horn for Beca to get into her car. She'd already called her down, and was screaming excitedly as Beca jumped into the passenger seat. "I'm so excited, I've been wanting to have a Bella night out in LA forever!" She admit as she started the car.

"Yeah, sorry I didn't call-"

"Oh no problem, Chloe filled me in." Stacie waved a hand as she practically raced down the streets of LA. "And that's why we're getting you over one ex and under another tonight." She smirked, already knowing which clubs to go and where.

"I'm actually ok-" Beca tried but Stacie wouldn't hear it.

"Beca. My friends are at this great party, and we're going to go and have fun." She waggled a finger in her face, still looking ahead at the road. After years of being friends, they knew each other pretty well. Stacie knew when to let Beca get her say or when she needed an extra push. Sure, Chloe was usually the one doing the pushing, but tonight it's on her.

"Alright, sounds fun," Beca gave in and smiled. This was going to be fun, she'll get to meet people here, maybe some to hang out with while Stacie's away. She looked over the Bella and was glad Chloe called her after all. IF there's one Bella who knew where to go party it's Stacie.

Beca followed close behind Stacie, who wore a teal dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She strutted down the hallway to where the music was blasting from. She shrugged off the over coat as she would on a cat walk, just before reaching the door to what Beca assumed to be the apartment.

"Let's see what I'm working with," Stacie instructed as she looked over Beca, taking off her own coat now. She didn't wait to adjust Beca's grey fitted dress to show a little more cleavage.

"Bellas have boundary issues," Beca rolled her eyes, and protested when Stacie actually tried to lift her dress to show a little more leg. "I don't think I'll be as revealing tonight," She admit and Stacie rolled her eyes.

"Nether am I," Stacie admit, earning herself a questionable glare from Beca, who made a point of noting how little her dress didn't reveal. "This is pretty conservative."

"Opposed to being naked?" Beca retorted with a smirk.

"Shut up," Stacie shoved her a little and laughed. She loved being the "sexually confident" one of their group, it's who she was, and the Bellas accepted it. She knocked on the door, and a man opened it to what looked like a pop up bar.

The staff were quick to take their coats and presented them with a tray of drinks. Stacie confidently walked ahead, and Beca followed in her stride. The taller Bella slowed down as they approached a group of three girls to whisper a quick "I hate them all," before greeting them with cheers and smiles.

"Stacie!" They all greeted together and began to talk about the party.

"This is my friend from College, Beca." Stacie introduced the brunette before returning to the girls. "These are the girls who're doing my shoot with me,"

The girls all towered over Beca, as she smiled to them. They didn't spend long with them before Stacie dragged her away, mumbling about how much she hated them.

"What's wrong with them?" Beca had to ask, because other than the fact they're all tall, and gorgeous, they were pretty decent.

"They're just so dumb," Stacie rolled her eyes and Beca had to stifle a laugh. "Michael!" Stacie called to a well-dressed fake blonde male.

"S! I thought you weren't coming?" He leaned over and kissed Stacie's cheeks.

"I just had to drag my friend out," Stacie admit as she pointed to Beca.

"She's quite the treat, I'm Michael, Stacie's favourite hair stylist," Michael exaggerated his words. He extended a hand and proceeded with kissing Beca's cheeks in greeting.

"Hi, Beca." She replied rather discomforted be the close proximity everyone was to each other. "Stacie's personal body guard," she teased to lighten up the mood.

"Oh funny and gorgeous," He waved a hand for the staff to bring them a couple more drinks. "You have to tell me who does your hair, I love this colour!"

"Beca's all natural," Stacie replied for her.

"Really?" He sounded sceptical as he looked over her body, and even turned her around a little.

"I think I'm going to the ladies room to freshen up, excuse me," Beca had to escape. It's not that Michael wasn't nice, she just wasn't used to being examined, especially when she was hobbit in a room of Amazonian women.

She walked to the bathroom and checked her phone. Nothing from Jesse. It was weird, they decided a clean break would be the healthiest, but she missed how he checked in on her.

"No!" Stacie plucked the phone out of her hands. "No texting the Ex."

"I wasn't-"

"Beca, trust me," Stacie guided her out of the bathroom and back to the party. "Formalities over, let's find some fun," she explained as they scanned the room.

Beca wasn't exactly looking as her eyes fell on a long legged, tanned, possibly Brazilian, brunette leaning over the bar. As she called to the bar tender's attention, her dress rose to show a glimpse of her well curved rear end.

Stacie followed Beca's gaze, and smirked.

"I didn't realize you were into women now," Stacie teased.

"What? Dude, no." Beca laughed it off as the most unreasonable thing for her.

"We're sexual being, and sex isn't limited to particular genders… you must have-"Stacie stopped as she remembered who she was talking to. "You shouldn't be afraid to chase after whatever strikes your fancy, male or female." She shrugged as she expressed her words of wisdom before approaching the girl.

Beca watched from afar as Stacie leaned over to talk to the green eyed beauty. How her hand went on her lower back, and she tilt her head ever so slightly to better whisper in her ear. Stacie turned her head back to Beca and the girl smiled to her. Another couple of seconds the duo were walking towards her now.

"This is Beca," Stacie wouldn't even introduce the other girl. No, she knew if this was to work, Beca couldn't form a connection.

"You're really a music producer?"

"She is." Stacie replied. "She's worked with Snoop Dogg himself," She boasted, earning herself a stare from Beca.

"I love him, how was he in person?"

"Pretty cool,"

"Who else have you worked with?"

"She can't discuss her Client list." Stacie covered Beca, hoping the brunette can hold her own.

"Strictly confidential," Beca added with a wink, getting what Stacie was going with. She plucked another drink from a passing waiter suddenly much more confident. It was like talking to an admiring fan, and in a room full of successful and gorgeous women, the attention was welcomed.

The other girl leaned closer, "well, if there's any way I can pry it out of you, let me know…" she suggested, and before Beca could even reply the girl handed her a card with her number, making a point to linger they hands connected at the side before walking away.

"Did she just make a pass at me?" Beca almost laughed at the thought, looking at the card before Stacie plucked it away. "Are you just going to keep doing that?" Beca rolled her eyes and Stacie ripped the card in half.

"She's a nobody, but it's nice to see you still have some of that edge to you. I wouldn't let you slum it with just anyone… you're Beca Mitchell, you have standards… and you're going home with the hottest girl in the party, after me of course."

"Stacie, I'm not looking to take a girl home."

"Why not?" Stacie whined, "come on you want to, or you wouldn't be staring, and why compete with what you could control."

"What?"

"Point out one guy in this room you think is hot," Stacie challenge. Beca had to think, and scanned the room.

"Mich-" he was well dressed and looked good.

"No, and gay. Next?"

"How about-"

"Gay."

"Did you just bring me to a gay party?"

"No, but you haven't found any of the straight ones attractive… And while you can play the field, why not play for both teams?"

"Stacie, I'm not into girls."

"Good, cause we're women. Just try it, I won't tell. Go flirt with a hot girl, introduce yourself, be all edgy and whatever and see what happens." Stacie offered.

Beca sighed and downed her drink before grabbing another. "You're not going to let up."

"Nope." Stacie smirked. "Just talk to them, worse thing that could happen is you don't like them, or you make a new friend."

Beca nodded. She's right, there' no point being here if she wasn't going to socialise. She wouldn't usually approach guys to talk to, it's usually the other way around, but… Stacie might have a point about the competition. Too many hot girls for very few straight guys, whom she wasn't even interested in. She took in a deep breath and grabbed two drinks from a passing waiter as she approach another girl at the bar.

"Go Beca!" Stacie cheered before going off to do her own thing.

Beca kept thinking up for all the movies Jesse has been making her watch. All those pick up scenarios, but right now she's be the guy.

"Hi," Beca greeted as she scotched in next to a girl who thankfully wasn't much taller than her. "They seemed busy," She offered the second drink she managed to snatch as the bar tender wasn't getting to her.

"Thanks," she smiled, and tapped her champagne flute to Beca's.

"Are you a model?" Beca found herself asking, and regretting it.

"Actually, I'm a PR manager." She didn't seem impressed by Beca's line.

"That's cool, who do you manage?" She tried to keep the conversation going regardless.

The woman tilted her head to the DJ playing in the corner, not very pleased.

"And what's wrong with him?" Beca picked up on the woman's displeasure.

"He can't seem to make my job any easier, from drugs to women to… I mean he's not even that attractive," The woman turned her back to the bar and stared at him.

"I wouldn't think so," Beca added her two cents as she looked over the hobo of a guy. His unkempt beard, messy hair, but to each their own.

"I'm guessing you're a modelling scout?" The other woman interrupted her and Beca shook her head.

"No, I'm actually a music producer, I just came with my friend," Beca looked back, spotting Stacie talking to a man much older than her, and flirting her ass off.

"Oh, you're friends with Stacie Conrad?"

"We went to college together,"

"Did you sing with her too…?" She joked but Beca nodded.

"Yeah, we were a pretty big deal." She smiled, remembering how great a team they had.

"Maybe in A Capella, but I guess Stacie was the break out star," She expressed knowing of the girl's modelling career.

"She's that famous?"

"She's no Cara, but definitely something…"

"Well, who else do you work with?" Beca asked the woman, who's yet to give her name…. Though Beca hadn't given hers. Maybe it was still in the works

"I'm still starting, and they signed me on to this idiot…"

"Oh? I figured you-"

"I just started, and already I'm regretting this career choice."

"Tell me about it…" Beca easily expressed her own fears at that. The conversation flowed much easier when Beca started to share a little. She got a lot back in return, and the drinks kept coming.

"So when am I going to get your name?" The other girl finally asked, giggling after three or four glasses of champagne.

"Beca." Beca smiled lightly, recognising the scenario as the woman leaned closer to talk to her.

"Beca…" She repeated with a mischievous grin.

Beca's mind knew what was to come. Did she want this woman to kiss her? She was going to anyway, but could she turn her away? She wasn't exactly backing away…

Her lips were soft as they pressed against hers. She wasn't even sure this woman would be a lesbian. Maybe she was like Stacie…. Wait no one's like Stacie. Should probably focus on the kissing. Not that kissing was much of a challenge. You move your lips against the others, hands going to her waist to pull her close. Beca figured it out pretty easily.

The other girl broke the kiss and smiled that same indignant smile. "Do you want to get out of here?"

Wait. She figured this was it. A quick party hook up. Was she supposed to take this girl home. Her home was still messy. Though that shouldn't be the reason not to. Is there a reason not to? Maybe the fact she's never been with a girl before?

"What about your client?" Beca nudged her head at the DJ now making out, or possibly mauling a girl in the corner… gross.

"He can take himself home…"

"I'm sorry, but my car's a two seater." Stacie interrupted. Beca wasn't sure if she was thankful, but the relief was there. She wouldn't have known what to do with this woman. Though now, it was the guilt knowing at her for leading her on. Though, it wasn't expected.

"That's too bad… Maybe another time… Beca,"

"You too," Beca retreated to her nervous awkward self. "I didn't catch your name,"

"And I don't plan on giving it to you,"

Stacie rolled her eyes at that. She wouldn't allow someone to play that card on Beca, but as she looked at her little friend she grinned. "You player you…"

"You realize she kissed me right?" Beca shook her head in dismay as they walked out.

"You have them eating out of the palm of your hand Mitchell." Stacie boasted again. "I figured taking her home would be too much on a first try, but you've never even kissed a girl-"

"That wasn't my first girl kiss." Beca interrupted Stacie.

"No way! Tell me, was it-"

"No, stop. I'm not sharing that with you"

"That's not fair!"

"I keep a lot of stuff"

"No! I meant it's not fair, you've kissed girls and you've never kissed me."

"Only two and-" Beca couldn't even finish her line when Stacie smashed her lips against hers. Beca barely moved before Stacie backed away.

"There, now it's three. Beca Mitchell, you don't get to experiment and not share!" Yup, Stacie was drunk. Beca was glad that she would still be available to take her home. This was definitely a tame night for the model.

"Thanks Stacie," Beca laughed, though genuinely grateful for her fellow Bella to have her back.

"Any time," Stacie winked. "I mean it… you're a great kisser"