A/N: I'm almost afraid these author notes are going to be longer than the chapter itself, but I do feel I have to address some things here (this was written before I started the chapter, fyi) and as hakunamatatahum indicated, I'm not trying to be whiney, just trying to explain some things so people understand where I'm coming from – because in the end, I will keep writing my stories as they want to be told and hope that you continue reading them.

First, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who read the story and especially those that submitted a review (both good and bad). To submit a review, either way, means that a) you read the chapter and b) it elicited enough feelings for you to submit a review.

For those that suggest this is OOC for Chloe, technically I don't believe it is. From PP and PP2 we know that Chloe is either bisexual or bi-curious. She is a very touchy-feely individual. She likes attention from people (that may just be my take on her). From what we see in PP or PP2 can we actually say that she wouldn't cheat on someone? That she wouldn't fall out of love with Beca? It may be OOC with some headcannons, but not necessarily from movie cannon.

I posted all of the reviews that I received because I believe that everyone should be able to say their piece. However, I don't know why people keep shouting that Chloe is cheating on and lying to Beca based on Chapter 1. I actually had to go back and reread the first chapter to double check this, but at no point in the chapter is there explicit evidence that Chloe is cheating on Beca and/or lying to her. Can we assume that the two of them will break up (based on the summary, I'm pretty sure that's a given). Can we assume Jesse has something to do with it (based on the A/N we can assume so). But did she just fall out of love with Beca? Did her and Jesse fall in love but not act on it? Did her and Jesse just kiss? Did they have sex? All of those are actual possibilities based on how the first chapter was written (first rule of writing, if you don't know what's going to happen, don't write yourself into a corner). For example, the scene where Beca comes home early from getting ready for the tour. Was Jesse really just tired? Was he feeling guilty because he has feelings for Chloe? Was he trying to get out of there because Beca interrupted a make-out session between him and Chloe? Was he bailing because he was guilt ridden about having sex with Chloe? Based on what was written, which one of those is the answer? I haven't even decided on exactly how it was going to happen yet (I still have a soft spot for Chloe in my heart and I don't know where I'm comfortable going with her on this) and I'm trying not to let the reviews bias my writing. Now, depending on the outcome of chapter 2, I can see people rightfully complaining And no, I'm not telling about it in the A/N because I want you to find out as you read the story, not before you even start (that's like reading the last page of a book before you start).

Why I chose to do it with Bechloe breaking up and someone else picking up the pieces. Honestly, because I don't think anyone could shatter Beca's heart like Chloe could and because it actually was closest to cannon that Beca and Chloe would be together at the end of PP2 where this starts.

To those of you who don't like where I'm going with the Beca/Chloe/Jesse angle at the beginning of this story, thank you for reading this far (if you are still reading) and I hope you continue to read the story, but if not I understand your feelings and respect them (and please respect mine to keep writing this story).

Shoes – your two reviews actually made me laugh, thank you.

I don't have time or space to personally thank everyone who commented (more comments than my entire first multi-chapter fic and getting close to the most comments of any story, just in the first chapter), but again – thank you to everyone (and I do mean everyone) who took the time to read my story and submit a comment on it (good and bad). For that matter, thank you to everyone who read/is reading this story, not just those that commented on it.

Oh, there's a change in rating, from T to M. I just imagined both Beca and Aubrey dropping too many f*bombs over the next chapter or two to keep it T.

Alright, that's enough from me – on to the story.

**Trigger Warning** - there is some form of cheating in this chapter

Rating: Changed from T to M (language)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything having to do with Pitch Perfect or Pitch Perfect 2.

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Before Beca knew it, it was time to leave on her tour. She kept telling herself that it was only six weeks, but six weeks was five weeks and four days longer than she'd spent away from Chloe since the end of her freshman year and five weeks and six days longer since they started dating. She knew she was being melodramatic, but she didn't want to leave Chloe now that it was actually time. She wished that the tour was in the summer so Chloe could come with, but she understood that Chloe couldn't leave her job, or more importantly her kids, for six weeks.

So she stood in the entryway, just holding Chloe while she waited for the Uber to show. Chloe was crying against her shoulder, so Beca pulled back just a bit so she could wipe the tears off with her thumb, "Shhh, it's ok Chlo, it's only for six weeks and we can Skype every day. I know it's not the same as being here, but at least we get to actually see each other."

Chloe hid her face back on Beca's shoulder, crying again, "I know, I'm just going to miss you."

The Uber arrived so Beca grabbed the only bag she had left to take to the studio and kissed Chloe softly. She walked backwards out the door, taking one last look at her girlfriend before she left, "I love you Chloe Beale. I'll see you in six weeks and then we'll take some time for us." The tears continued to stream down Chloe's cheeks as she just nodded at the brunette.

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The tour was going great; not every show was sold out, but they were close in most cases. Beca was reminded of how much she enjoyed performing in front of people, she didn't realize how much she missed the Bella performances. This was different than DJ'ing where she was tucked into a booth playing recorded tracks, this was her out there in front of everyone singing to the audience and playing the guitar or piano. The only thing that would make this better is if she were on stage with the Bellas, or for that matter, just her and Chloe.

She tried Skyping with Chloe every day, really she did. But some days their schedules just wouldn't overlap. Beca would be free during the day while Chloe was in class and then she wouldn't get done with the concert until late so Chloe would be in bed. She even resorted to getting up early so she could at least say good morning to Chloe before she went to class. But even then, some days Chloe left for work early so she could prepare for the day. So Beca resorted to texting the beautiful redhead as much as she could. She would text her everything about her day, the big events and the little things. Chloe would text back when she could, things about her day and her kids at school.

Beca couldn't stand being away from Chloe. The time she spent away from the redhead while touring made her realize how much Chloe meant to her. So one rainy afternoon when they had a day layover between shows, Beca walked through the local mall. She stopped at all of the jewelry stores looking for the perfect ring. She thought she might have found the one in the second store, but she went through every store there to make sure. The saleslady smiled when she came back to the store an hour later and pulled out the ring she had been looking at. It was a 1.25 ct marquise cut diamond in a simple channel band with three smaller round diamonds on either side. It was perfect for Chloe, simple yet sophisticated. She smiled to herself as she tucked the ring box into the pocket of her jeans, feeling the box press against her leg with every step.

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Chloe was dying inside. She couldn't keep up this deception. She wanted to tell Beca that she didn't love her anymore months ago. Jesse had convinced her that they should wait until after the record was released, then the news wouldn't affect her work. Then this damn tour came up and Jesse had the same logic; it would ruin Beca's tour if they told her beforehand. But she hated it, she still cared for the small brunette and keeping this from her was killing her. Jesse was right, but she also thought he was scared about what this would do to Beca so he was stalling.

They didn't mean to fall in love, they didn't plan it. It just happened. At first, it was the three of them hanging out and then Beca started working more and it was just the two of them, Jesse and Chloe, more and more. They both realized that they weren't into the club scene that much anymore, but would rather be home on the couch watching a good movie.

So Friday and Saturday nights ended up becoming their night to cuddle on the couch and watch movies, without Beca's commentary about how predictable they were. It started with them on opposite sides of the couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn between them. Then there was the night that Chloe was feeling chilled and they only had one blanket, so she cuddled up against Jesse so they could share. That became their regular positions after that, Chloe cuddled up against Jesse's side, his arm wrapped around her. After that, Chloe couldn't deny it to herself anymore, she had feelings for Jesse.

It wasn't just the weekend movie nights, it was the walks to get coffee at the local coffee shop. It was the dinners they ate together most nights. It was them taking care of the other when they got sick. It was all of their conversations in the evening. It was all the little things that Beca was missing out on.

So she called him over one Saturday afternoon while Beca was in the studio and sat him down in the kitchen. She sat opposite from him, looking down at her hands as they fidgeted on the table. Jesse reached over and put his hand over hers, "Ok Chloe, what's got you so nervous."

She looked up at him, he was looking at her with such concern, "I hope you don't hate me for this, but I have to know the answer. I'm pretty sure I'm falling in love with you and I wanted to know if it's just me, or…" she let her sentence trail off.

Jesse looked at her with a suddenly serious look, "Are you sure Chloe?"

Chloe looked crestfallen, "Ummm, yah I'm sure but I understand that you don't, so if we can just forget this ever…"

She didn't get to finish her sentence before Jesse was on his knees next to her, his hands on her cheeks pulling her in for a tender kiss. After they broke the kiss, Jesse looked at her with awe in his eyes, "Thank God, I thought it was just me." Chloe laughed through the happy tears that were falling down her cheeks.

They decided then that they would wait to tell Beca when the record was released. It was only a few weeks, they could do that. They kept telling themselves it was for Beca's own good to wait, but some of it was their own guilt at hurting her like this. Chloe held firm that they wouldn't go any further than kissing, because she didn't want to be that kind of cheater. It was bad enough what they were already doing. Then the tour was announced and the two of them decided that they could keep up the charade for another couple of weeks, for Beca of course.

Then there was that damn night that Beca came home early from prepping for the tour. Thank God she texted before she got there. Things between her and Jesse were getting kind of heated on the couch, the movie they had started watching completely forgotten. If Beca hadn't come home early Chloe wasn't sure if her resolve to keep it at just kissing would have held that night. She felt so guilty that she almost broke down and told Beca when she got home, but she was just being so sweet that she couldn't bear to do it then.

It got a little better after Beca left for the tour because Chloe didn't have to pretend to her face. It was easier through text messages and brief Skype conversations. As the tour was nearing its completion, Chloe and Jesse talked about how to tell Beca. Chloe decided it would be best if it was just her. She'd tell her as soon as she got home because she couldn't lie and spend the night with her, because she would want more than Chloe could give her now.

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Beca came bounding through the door after six weeks away. She couldn't wait to hold Chloe in her arms. She couldn't wait to get down on one knee and ask her to marry her. She kicked her shoes off and ran towards the light in the kitchen, jumping from the doorway and sliding across the linoleum to bump up against Chloe sitting at the table, "Hey there gorgeous, miss me?" She looked down at the redhead and noticed the tears just being held back, "Shhh, what is it Chloe? I'm back now and I'm not leaving you again for a long time."

The tears started to fall freely down Chloe's cheeks as she stared at the brunette. Now that she was actually here, the words wouldn't come. Beca took her hands in hers, "Come on Chloe, you're scaring me. What is it?"

Chloe looked down at the table, "I'm so sorry Beca, I'm not in love with you anymore."

Beca dropped her hands and collapsed into a chair, trying to hold back the tears. This had to be a cruel fucking joke. She looked up at Chloe and knew that it wasn't a joke. She couldn't hold back the tears any longer, "What? When?"

Chloe reached out and tried to take Beca's hand but the smaller girl pulled in angrily away, "It's been happening for a while now. We were just growing apart."

Beca looked at her angrily, "Growing apart? Because I was working so much? Working hard on this first album, with a schedule that you suggested, so that we would be able to spend more time together in the future."

Chloe responded weakly, "I didn't mean for it to happen like this."

Beca glared at her, "Is there someone else?" Chloe couldn't look at her, she just nodded her head. Beca threw her head back, looking up at the ceiling, "Do I know this person?" Chloe still didn't look up, but nodded again. Beca looked hard at her, looked at her as if she stared hard enough she would talk. Finally she growled at the redhead, "Well are you going to tell me who?"

Chloe whispered into the table, "We really didn't mean for…"

She didn't get to finish the sentence before Beca pushed her chair back from the table, getting to her feet, "I'm going to kill that fucker. I trusted him. He was my fucking best friend."

She was walking towards the door when Chloe shot out of the chair and grabbed her arm, "Please, don't. We didn't do it on purpose, it just happened. We didn't even sleep together. I'm so sorry Beca, I never wanted to hurt you. I'm so so sorry." By the time she was finished, Chloe was almost sobbing. Beca jerked her arm away from the redhead, punching the wall in frustration.

Beca walked back to the kitchen table, pulling something out of her pocket. She flipped open the ring box and set it down on the table. Chloe looked at the ring and fell to the floor, "Oh shit, Beca no. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I'm so sorry."

Beca just looked at her as she stood next to the ring, her face an emotionless mask, "Take your sorry's and get the fuck out."

Chloe looked up at her with a pitiful look on her face, but after a few seconds she just nodded and got up. Beca watched the girl she loves stand up and walk out the door, tears streaming down Chloe's face. She stood there a minute, staring at the door. Then she just collapsed to the ground, holding her knees to her chest and sobbed uncontrollably.

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A/N: This is a good breaking point in the story line and I'm emotionally drained right now. I couldn't bring myself to have Chloe cheat by 'making a mistake' and sleeping with Jesse (or have her sleep with him period), but somehow this seems so much worse to me.