A/N: Thank you so much for the response to the last chapter everyone! I really wasn't sure how the story was going to go down, and I was definitely encouraged by your reviews. I was particularly touched by the comments that I treated the issue sensitively, that means a huge amount to. me. I hope this chapter follows suit.
Second A/N (if you're reading this chapter for the first time perhaps don't bother with this): In response to a review from a guest I have altered the end of this chapter slightly. The case the reviewer makes is excellent, and one I had intended to put across but clearly didn't strongly enough. So although the decision remains the same (it needs to for later storylines that are important) I have acknowledged more the serious implications of that decision. I hope that is clearer to readers. Also it should be easy which review I'm referring to, and I think it's actually a really important comment that is good for people to read and be aware of. Thanks.
They sat holding onto each other in silence until a loud knock at the door made them both jump. This time Chloe's thoughts did go to bad places, because it was now 3.30am and she could feel Beca shaking in her arms. Aubrey was staying at a 'friend's' for the night so it wouldn't be her, besides, she wouldn't knock at her own apartment.
She'd half unfolded herself tentatively from the couch when a series of drunken voices slurred through the door.
"Trick or Treat!" followed by a burst of manic laughter and slurred calls.
Chloe exhaled gratefully. It was just a group of drunk college students attempting some rather late trick or treating. She hadn't even stood up properly when she heard one of them shout, "Dude I just saw a fucking rabbit!" and then with much banging and shouting she heard them disappear down the corridor to hopefully torment some other poor apartment. Chloe shook her head. Apparently drunk and high. Always an entertaining combination.
Standing she turned to face Beca, taking a deep breath. "Feel up to going to the hospital yet?" she asked carefully.
Beca had wiped away her tears, smudging eyeliner down her cheeks but she didn't seem to notice. She looked like she was trying hard to pretend her breakdown hadn't happened. Chloe guessed Beca was not someone who let herself cry in front of other people. She respected that, but she didn't think it was always healthy. Chloe had never had that problem. She'd burst into tears in the middle of the school corridor many times when she was a teenager. But then she used to be a bit of a drama queen. Chloe didn't believe in censoring her emotions. She felt what she felt, and the world could just deal with that.
'Liar,' hissed a little voice in her head as she turned to pick up her bag, and she felt her knot of anxiety tighten. There were some thoughts, some feelings, which she very much kept to herself, but those feeling, the confusion she felt around Beca, were different she told herself. She shook her head dismissively and turned back to face Beca, bag over her shoulder. Beca was still sitting cocooned on the couch and Chloe hesitated when she made no sign of movement. "Beca?" she asked carefully, sitting down again.
"I don't want to go to the hospital," Beca mumbled, intently studying the hem of the blanket her fingers were playing with.
"It's important to get yourself checked for inju-" Chloe began reassuringly, placing a hand on her arm.
Beca shook her head. "No, I don't want to go to the hospital and I don't want to go to the police. I just want to pretend like this never happened. I'm sorry about burdening you with it Chloe, I shouldn't have come here, I don't know why I did, but please just forget about all of it." She was speaking fast, breathless, like she wanted to be rid of the words as fast as the memory.
Chloe stare at her in confusion, hand frozen on her arm. She couldn't quite comprehend what Beca was saying. She couldn't imagine anything worse than pretending like it hadn't happened, or anything more unhealthy for Beca. "I know you don't want to think about it now," she began after she'd gathered her thoughts, thinking perhaps Beca was just scared of telling people. "But I'll be with you and you can't ignore this Beca. This guy has to answer for what He did. You can't let Him get away with it." She felt her anger rising at the thought of someone who may have done this to her friend, to anyone really. She knew the threat of sexual assault was very real for college students these days but she'd never actually come across it before. She was surprised at how angry it made her to think of Him, especially the thought of Him getting away with it. She shook her head furiously. "No. Beca, you can't ignore this."
But Beca was stubborn too and Chloe saw her set her jaw and hunch her shoulders, a sure sign she was going into defensive mode. Chloe forced herself to relax her body, closing her eyes for a second as she focused on soothing thoughts. She wouldn't achieve anything if she pushed Beca to run. "B-" but she hadn't even got the first syllable out before Beca reacted so suddenly it made Chloe jump.
"I said no!" Beca practically shouted, rising and letting the blanket drop around her. "Look forget I came here Chloe, just forget it, I'm leaving." She spun before Chloe had time to react and was halfway to the door, suddenly controlled and powerful.
Chloe only just had time to leap from the couch and rush towards her as Beca moved to fling the door open. A hand pressed against it, Chloe stopped her, coming up close behind her. "Beca stop. You can't run out of here in the middle of the night. I won't make you go anywhere, but just stay alright?"
Beca hesitated, though she didn't have much choice being stuck between Chloe and the closed door. Slowly she turned to face her, wary, reminding Chloe of a trapped animal. Her eyes flickered around the room like she was looking for an escape but Chloe knew it was just instinct. Just as slowly, as she would with a trapped animal, Chloe lowered her arm and took a step backwards. She even held her hands up in front of her like some police movie. She tried to look Beca dead in the eye but it was difficult when she kept avoiding her gaze. "Just stay here tonight, you can sleep in Aubrey's room. And in the morning we can talk about this, okay?" She wasn't quite sure what 'this' was and she regretted saying it as Beca visibly flinched, but after a long, tense pause Beca gave an almost imperceptible nod. Chloe responded instantly, not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind. She leant over Beca's shoulder and twisted the lock on the door, making sure no one could get in who they didn't want. She wanted Beca to feel safe with her.
Then she turned and began to march around the apartment, disappearing into rooms and collecting bits and pieces like a squirrel. Beca stayed where she was and watched apprehensively as Chloe appeared and disappeared. Chloe always felt better when she had something to do. And she'd made it her mission as of now to look after Beca tonight.
She returned to the same spot where Beca still stood, arms crossed around herself protectively. Chloe shoved a bundle of objects at her. "Some spare sweats of mine, they might be a bit big but they should do." She paused, analyzing Beca intently for a second and nibbling at her lip. Then she heaved a sigh. Chloe knew what she would do, but it was Beca's choice and Chloe knew it might be a matter of pressing the issue and pushing Beca away, or accepting her decision and being allowed to help her. It wasn't even a decision as far as Chloe was concerned, her caring instincts were too strong to let her risk alienating Beca. "If you're certain you don't want to report this then here is a towel if you want to go have a shower. There's soap and such in there, feel free to use mine- it's pomegranate- um and if you want something to eat or whatever I can make something while you change?" She reeled off her list in a rush and Beca seemed a bit overwhelmed.
"Um no, thanks," she muttered, looking at the pile of fabric in her hands. She pulled the towel to the top. "I might take you up on that shower though."
Chloe hesitated again, and placed her hand lightly on top of Beca's on the towel. "Bec, are you sure about this? There might be no going back on the decision." She saw in Beca's eyes that she understood what Chloe was saying. If she took that towel and walked into that shower she might lose any chance of bringing this guy to justice. But Chloe also saw with a sinking heart Beca's absolute conviction as she stared back defiantly, and she sighed again.
She placed a gentle hand on Beca's back, she was silently pleased when Beca didn't object or flinch to her touch, and guided her towards the bathroom. "I'll be just out here when you're done, okay? Call out if you need anything." Her voice was completely earnest. Since that day when they sung Titanium together she had thought many times about Beca in the shower, whether she wanted to think about it or not, but at that moment all she wanted was for the little brunette to know that someone else was there to help her through this, whether she thought she needed that help or not.