Wow! The response to this fic has been absolutely amazing! It's definitely fueled the fire to get the next chapter out. Lol, I wouldn't get used to this sort of quickness in updating though. I'm a notoriously meticulous writer who tends to take way too long in writing chapters. Thank you so much to everyone who read, reviewed, liked, reblogged, favorited…you guys are awesome!

This chapter has a whole lot of flirty banter, and a little bit of spice behind it. I hope you guys don't hate me for a little scandalous nugget I threw in there…it's harmless, really. Just remember, it all plays into the bigger picture in the end.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 2

These reeling emotions they just keep me alive
They keep me in tune
Oh, look what I'm holding here in my fire
This is for you

It may be a product of her formative years, but Beca had always hid behind a smirk and cutting sarcasm. It wasn't often she found herself in a situation that she couldn't diffuse with a raised eyebrow, a quirk of her lips, and an acerbic remark.

That wasn't to say that Beca was unfeeling. Quite the contrary. Beca felt quite violently, maybe too much so. The difference came in how she controlled feelings that ran rampant beneath the surface. What came off as detached apathy was simple Beca wrestling surging emotions into a vice grip. No one would ever know how much of a struggle she underwent to make sure she kept her façade of indifference. And that was the way she preferred it.

xxx-xxx-xxx

Morning dawned on the second day of Beca's college career, and she greeted it with the enthusiasm of someone staring down a firing squad. Luckily, the first full day of classes wasn't until the next day, which gave her plenty of time to prepare for this new, slightly unsettling world she currently found herself in.

First order of business: Find a decent coffee shop not mass-produced into an international conglomerate.

Shrugging on clothes, her trusty boots at her feet, slinging her messenger bag over her shoulder, Beca ventured through Barden towards the downtown area nearly adjacent to the campus. As she walked along the path, she had to admit, Barden University and its surrounding area was a very pleasant place. Trees and greenery lined the sidewalks and walkways, complemented by the quaint little shop buildings. Beca passed by a Starbucks, noting the record store a couple doors down before she turned the corner and a small shop caught her eye.

Approaching the charming, non-descript building right next to – of all things – a billiard supply store, Beca glanced in to find big, cushy chairs lining the walls, attractive artwork complemented the décor, adding to the chill, comfortable atmosphere. "Lucy's" was the name painted into the window. It looked promising, so she rotated away from the window to enter the shop, only to collide with someone approaching from behind.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

"No worries." Beca smirked as she met vivid, baby blue eyes that seemed to be following her everywhere. "It figures I would run into you of all people."

"You're much more confident with your clothes on," Chloe teased as she steadied herself.

"I think everyone is," Beca returned with a shrug. She cocked a head at the coffee shop. "This place any good?"

Chloe nodded enthusiastically. "The best. Not many people know about it because it's tucked away and there's a Starbucks around the corner, but Lucy's is so much better. And definitely not as expensive."

Beca inclined her head. "Works for me." She tugged on the handle, holding open the door for the redhead. "Would you like to join me?"

Chloe beamed, nodding as she sidled into the shop. "I'd be happy to."

Beca perused the menu, quickly zeroing in on a drink resembling her preferences and rattled off her order to the attentive teenager manning the counter. He nodded, jotting it down on the cardboard cup. Beca hitched a thumb to Chloe. "And whatever she wants."

Chloe smiled her thanks, relaying her order to the barista. As they waited for their drinks, she surveyed the petite brunette.

"I'll pay you back."

Beca chuckled. "It's only a couple of dollars. You're not forcing me into bankruptcy."

Chloe cocked an eyebrow as she accepted the tall coffee cup, sliding it into a cardboard sleeve. "You know, most college freshmen don't have the expendable cash to be so chivalrous."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I will hold you to your debt." Beca promised. A sly expression crossed her features. "Though, I suspect this is a cunning ploy to see me again."

Chloe laughed, a melodic, tinkling sound that reminded Beca of wind chimes. "Alright," she confessed. "You caught me. This was easier than barging into your shower again."

Beca smirked and winked. "I wouldn't mind that."

Chloe ducked her head, fighting a blush. She was a naturally flirty person, but Beca seemed to bring a whole other element to their back-and-forth exchanges.

"Still, thanks."

Beca shrugged. "It's no big deal. Chalk the anomaly up to the fact I'm not your typical college freshman."

"I'm beginning to see that." Chloe grinned, shooting a look to her companion. "Care to explain?"

Beca nodded, following the redhead to a pair of cushy armchairs tucked away in the corner of the shop. "Well, for one thing, I'm probably around your age, if not older."

Chloe frowned. "No way! You look like you're barely legal! How old are you?"

Beca shook her head with a laugh. "I'm twenty-three," she answered. "Twenty-four in November."

"Why did you start so late?"

Beca shrugged. "I've been working."

Chloe took a sip of her latte. "Trying to save money for tuition?"

Beca smiled. "Something like that, yeah."

She jumped as she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders and glanced up to find Jesse smiling down at her. "What's up, Bee Sting? Isn't this way too early for you to be up and at 'em?"

Beca laughed, craning her head back, bumping her knuckles with the younger man. "I could ask you the same thing, J. What are you doing up so early?"

Jesse rolled his eyes. "I'm interning at the local radio station and was lucky enough to bag the morning shift." He pointed to himself. "And guess who gets to do the coffee run." He nodded his head to Beca's companion in greeting. "Hey, Chloe."

Chloe offered out a smile to the sophomore. "Jesse."

"I'm still waiting on that call, Bee," he reminded her, heading to the barista.

"Don't sound so desperate, dude," Beca chastised him with a grin.

"Just desperate for your sparkling company," he corrected, accepting the tray of coffee cups and the large bag of pastries from the barista.

Beca chuckled as he navigated his way through the masses, stumbling slightly and nearly upending his bounty. "You alright, J?"

"Oh, yeah, no worries, I'm good." Jesse frowned down at his shoes. "This floor is just uneven."

With one last smile and as much of a jaunty wave as he could muster juggling the coffee tray and pastry bag, Jesse backed his way out of the coffee shop.

Chloe watched the interplay between the two with amusement. She gestured to where Jesse's back had disappeared through the shop doors. "How do you know Jesse?"

"He was my best friend as a kid," Beca answered with a fond smile. "We grew up together in Oregon before my parents split, and my mom and I moved to Brooklyn." Beca cocked her head. "How do you know him?"

"He's part of the Treblemakers," Chloe explained. "One of our rival groups here at Barden. By and large, they're all huge dicks, but Jesse's a good guy."

Beca nodded her agreement. "He was a sweetheart even when we were kids and it wasn't cool to have a girl as a best friend."

Chloe took the in to learn a bit more about the mysterious woman across from her. "So you're from Oregon?"

Beca nodded. "Portland born. After my parents split, my mom and I moved to Brooklyn to be by my aunt, uncle, and the rest of the family on her side."

"What about you?"

"I'm from Miami," Chloe answered. "We moved to Atlanta my sophomore year of high school when my dad's company promoted him and transferred him."

"Nice." Beca grinned. "Miami is awesome."

"You've been?"

Beca nodded, her eyes twinkling with the memories. The club scene was ridiculous in south Florida, and she had received many invitations – and ungodly amounts of money – to spin at some of the hottest, most exclusive clubs and parties. Needless to say, some of her trips down to Miami had resulted in some of the best nights she had to piece together the morning after. "A couple of times."

A buzzing interrupted their conversation, and Beca glanced down at her phone. As she recognized the number, she groaned her annoyance.

"Oh, geeze, hang on, I have to take this." At Chloe's nod, Beca swiped her thumb across the screen, lifting the phone to her ear. "Beca Mitchell."

"Hey…Yeah, just about…I just finished layering everything…Yup. Just the effects we were talking about and it's good…" Beca's brow furrowed, and her mouth turned down in a displeased frown. "He wants it now? But I still…Okay."

Beca cursed under her breath, glancing over at the large clock on the wall behind the bar. "Are you sure he doesn't want to wait until I added the effects? He wants both? Okay, I'll see what I can do." Beca rolled her eyes at the voice on the other end. "Yeah, yeah, I'll see you in a bit."

Ending the call, Beca stood, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

"It's alright," Chloe assured her. "That sounded important." She gestured to her empty cup. "Thanks for the coffee."

Beca grinned. "It was my pleasure."

Chloe slung her purse over her shoulder, her wide blue eyes gazing imploringly at Beca. "I'll see you at auditions later?"

Beca chuckled. "I was wondering when the conversation would come to that." She nodded, adjusting her messenger bag. "I'll be there. I said I would."

Chloe shot her a coy look. "How do I know you weren't just saying that to get me out of your shower?"

Beca's gaze grew sly and predatory, stealing Chloe's breath from her throat. "Because you were naked and you're hot. I wouldn't have minded a longer look." She sobered and shrugged, answering Chloe's original question. "Let's just say me sticking to my word is what got me here in the first place."

Satisfied with the expression flitting across Chloe's face, Beca backed away, a supremely triumphant air to her swagger. "I'll see you."

Chloe fought her blush back down, returning the wave. "Bye."

She waited for Beca to completely disappear from view before slumping back down onto the chair. Turning her eyes heavenward, she chuckled to herself. She had a feeling one Beca Mitchell was going to be the death of her…or at least the driving factor behind the loss of her sanity.

xxx-xxx-xxx

I've got my ticket for long way 'round
Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
and I'm leaving tomorrow, whattya say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
And I know you're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I've got my ticket for the long way 'round
The one with the prettiest view
It's got mountains, it's got rivers
It's got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

Later in the afternoon, Chloe revisited that assertion. They had seen quite a few singers stride across the stage, but although there had been a few good voices, no one had been spectacular. No one had really stood out.

Until Beca had slunk in at the end.

Chloe wasn't quite sure if her earlier revelation of one Beca Mitchell being the death of her was to her chagrin or to her delight, but it certainly wasn't too far from the truth. Beca had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, grossly unprepared and still looking like she wanted to turn tail and bail. Chloe had to admit the moment the words, "I didn't know I had to prepare that song," had left Beca's lips, she didn't have to see the tightening in Aubrey's mouth to know the brunette hadn't started on the right foot. As excited as Chloe was to see the smaller brunette, she knew that the blonde to her left didn't share her excitement, and in Aubrey's mind, even considering Beca for a spot would be an uphill battle. Much to her everlasting delight, Beca had delivered in a way that had Chloe inwardly bouncing in her seat. Sitting cross-legged on the stage, tapping out a beat with an empty cup and her hands, Beca had succinctly and meticulously blown them all away.

There was something simple and uncomplicated about Beca's performance as a whole. She simply sang the song, no runs, no riffs, no belted notes, or other vocal embellishments, just the raw power and melody of her gorgeous voice. But at the same time, its nuances were wonderfully intricate in the way her hands deftly manipulated the plain yellow cup, in the subtle intonations of her voice. It was hard to tear ones eyes from the stage. That was what the Bellas needed, Chloe decided. That magnetic presence, that uniquely nuanced performance quality. Simply put, Beca had to join them.

Chloe glanced sideways to Aubrey as the blonde observed the brunette. She saw the pursing of Aubrey's lips, the way her brows drew together, and Chloe fought a smile. It seemed her co-captain was trying very hard to staunch how impressed she was.

Aubrey stood, gazing at their candidates with a smile. "Thank you very much, everyone for your time. We have your contact information. You'll be hearing from us shortly."

Chloe watched as Beca hefted herself from the stage, trumping toward the exit. She turned to Aubrey. "I'll be back."

Aubrey nodded absently, already shuffling through her notes. "Hurry, we have a lot to talk about."

Chloe stuck her head out, trying to see if Beca was still around. Luckily, she spotted Beca on her phone, pacing the auditorium lobby. She looked slightly annoyed again with whomever was on the other end of the call.

Beca held up her finger, asking for a moment. She conversed shortly with the other person before ending the call and sliding the phone in her pocket.

"Sorry about that."

Chloe shook her head. "No problem. I just wanted to say thanks for showing up. You were great."

Beca shrugged, running a hand through her hair as the toe of her boot scuffed the tile. "No big deal, I told you I would."

Chloe hid a smile, watching the smaller woman. For someone who had such a big, dominant presence, Beca sure was able to shrink into herself. It was adorable. "Well, I'm glad you did. I think you're going to be a great addition to the Bellas."

Beca smirked. "That's with the assumption I made it in."

Chloe's eyes narrowed. "You know you were the best one out there."

Beca's smirk widened. "A little validation never hurts, you know." She sobered. "Look, I appreciate that you want me in your group, but I doubt I would be able to perform with you."

"Why?"

Beca rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm employed with a pretty big record label. I would imagine there's some sort of eligibility requirement against letting professionals compete."

"Are you a full-time student here?" Chloe cut her off.

Beca's head tilted adorably to the left. "Yes…"

Chloe smiled brightly. "Then you're good! If you're a full-time, registered student, that's the only eligibility requirement ICCA has."

Beca eyed her wryly. "I'm fairly certain I'll be an exception."

Again, Chloe waved a hand. "So we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

Beca observed Chloe's wide-eyed, earnest stare with a wry smile. "You really want me to join, don't you?"

Chloe blushed, knowing she probably seemed a bit too over-eager. Taking a deep breath, she twiddled with the silver ring encircling her thumb. "There's just something different about you, something that no one else in the Bellas has. You just look so…comfortable on that stage." Chloe shrugged. "I don't know, like you were born there or something. I couldn't take my eyes off you," she admitted.

Beca smirked, trying to put some levity into the conversation. "You sure it wasn't my ravishing good-looks?"

Chloe bit her lip, refusing to play into Beca's obvious ploy. "You sure it's not despite your looks?"

"Ouch." Beca clutched her heart. "That cuts me deep."

Chloe merely grinned, her effervescent personality simply radiating from the simple gesture.

Beca shook her head. "I don't know if this is such a good idea." She nodded towards the auditorium where Aubrey was no doubt still poring over their prospects. "Your friend really doesn't like me."

"Look, I know Aubrey can be a little…" Chloe struggled for a diplomatic description, "caustic…but it's because she's is so devoted to the Bellas. This group means so much to her."

Beca shrugged. "I can understand that." She smirked. "Music does that to people…even the most uptight, stringent personalities, I guess."

Chloe returned the shrug, knowing the description wasn't incorrect…if not a little disparaging. "Everyone needs an escape, right?" Again, her fingers twisted with the silver ring around her thumb. "Some people use alcohol, drugs, sex…" She glanced up at Beca shyly, the luminous baby blue a stark contrast to the dark lashes.

"I use music."

Beca grinned approvingly. "My kind of girl."

"So, please?" Chloe reached out, clasping Beca's arm gently. "At least consider it?"

Beca surveyed the other woman for a long moment. Warmth radiated from their point of contact. She nodded slowly. "I'll consider it."

Chloe didn't answer, she merely smiled. Reflexively, Beca returned the gesture, drawn in by the way the easy smile made Chloe's already bright, vivid eyes twinkle happily. She was simply infectious. Beca's eyes met Chloe's, two different shades of blue connecting two very different people together.

The moment shattered as Aubrey stuck her head outside. "Chloe! There you are. Come on, we have to talk."

Chloe glanced over her shoulder to Aubrey, nodding her acknowledgment. "I'll be right there." She turned back to Beca, offering out a shy smile. "I'll see you."

"Count on it," Beca promised.

Chloe smiled, rotating away and heading back to the auditorium. As she reached the door, she paused, sending one more smile to the brunette before disappearing into the depths.

Beca stood there for a moment, absorbing everything before she finally willed her feet to move.

xxx-xxx-xxx

Beca was in a pensive mood as she made her way back to her apartment, trying to understand the exchange that had just occurred between her and Chloe. She had felt the connection; it was certainly there and present, but it wasn't something she was familiar with. She felt strangely off-kilter, struggling to find a hand-hold amidst the range of emotions that made up their connection as though she wasn't quite sure of the correct emotional response. Looking down to her phone, she tapped Jules' number. After all, no one better to put everything in perspective. The phone rang once before Jules picked up.

"Hey, bitch! What's up?"

"Nothing," Beca sighed. "Just needed to hear a friendly voice."

"Oh, you definitely have the wrong number then," Jules teased. "I must not be properly projecting my hostility."

"Never change, Jules," Beca cajoled. "Never change."

"Damn right," Jules declared. "I'm freakin' awesome. But seriously, Beca, I can't believe you're edu-ma-cating yourself. You're supposed to stay stupid so I can continue pilfering from your cut of the money. You get smart, you might catch onto my devious ways."

Beca laughed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry I foiled your devious plot."

"So what's up?"

"I auditioned for that a cappella group," Beca muttered, playing with an errant strand of her hair.

"You caved to the hot girl flashing her lady bits at you…" Jules sighed theatrically. "Dude, I'm so disappointed."

"Shut up!" Beca laughed, kicking her legs against the cushion.

"Okay, so you're being all Jane College," Jules commented. "Nothing bad about that. So what's on your mind? You wouldn't have called if it was just to update me on a simple audition."

"I don't know," Beca admitted. "Hot Shower Girl is messing with my head."

"She must've had an amazing rack," Jules mused. "A good set of tits has always been your weakness."

Beca grunted. "But it's beyond her looks. I mean, don't get me wrong, she's hot…but it's her personality, you know? Like the way she is. She's…electric."

"Huh." Jules sounded pensive. "So do what you always do," she advised. "Sort it out through music."

xxx-xxx-xxx

Beca entered the lobby of the recording studio located in the heart of Atlanta's downtown. The staff had obviously been given notice that she would be stopping by as one of the employees met her at the door and ushered her to the booth she reserved. Beca eased herself down into the chair and cast a contented glance at the equipment surrounding her. To anyone else, it was just a mishmash of dials, levers, and random monitors, but to Beca, it was her kingdom. Everyone had that place; the place where one felt the most at home; the place where nothing bad could happen. For Beca, that place was the studio.

Maybe it was trite, but mixing music wasn't just a livelihood. It was a way to handle her emotions. She could communicate them through her tracks. She could be angry and aggressive, she could be melancholy she could be peppy and upbeat. It was just a matter of how she manipulated the sounds at her disposal.

It started with just simple mixing, nothing too sophisticated, taking everyone else's songs and making them work with each other, melding them together to something she could play in a club. But as she immersed herself in the bevy of sounds available at her fingertips with a mantra echoing her mother's rhetoric of "finding the music" continually resonating in her mind, Beca found that she could create something completely her own. Her first hit was something she had thrown together with the influence of the grasshopper's song as her template. She wanted to make one song completely her own, no samples, nothing from someone else. Just her, and it had propelled her into something she hadn't anticipated.

Beca closed her eyes, trying to communicate her emotions into the track. She started with the rhythm. She delved into her feelings, pulling out that first meeting between her and Chloe. Dug deep into her soul to recall how those eyes drew her in, how the immediate attraction hit her, how the redhead's quirky mannerisms immediately endeared her to Beca. Beca's eyes squinted tight, and she did the one thing that never failed her in this business.

She listened.

Heart pounding.

Brisk rhythm.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Ears roaring.

Echoing.

Maybe more of that effect…

Bright eyes.

So vivid.

So blue.

How does that sound?

Accent it all.

Big kick

Big bass.

BOOM.

She wasn't sure how long she had been there, lost in the world of rhythms, tempos, bass-lines, and effects, but as she finally straightened from being hunched over, Beca leaned back, satisfied with the template. She had the foundation ready: a series of brisk, short notes accented by a booming kick. The next would be to layer a bass-line to match her rhythm, then the finishing touches. She wondered what kind of lyrics would fit this track…Hm, she might have to call Jules to see if anyone was lined up.

The insistent ring of her phone broke her from her work, and she groped for the device, raising it to her ear without a glance at the ID on the screen, answering on reflex.

"Beca Mitchell."

"Hey, Beca. Where are you?"

"Damon?" Beca frowned, looking down at her phone. "I'm at the studio working. You knew that."

Damon chuckled. "Well, I knew that," he assured her. "But the rather emphatic redhead beside me with the intention of kidnapping you for some initiation…" Beca heard some shuffling as Damon covered the phone, "who is now yelling at me because I just…" more muffled conversation followed, "And I quote, 'Totally ruined the element of surprise, not to mention the sacred tradition dating back to inception!' doesn't know that." Damon snorted his amusement. "My bad…"

"Put her on the phone."

"Beca?"

"Chloe," she returned playfully. "Why are you outside of my apartment?"

"Because I need to kidnap you for a super-secret initiation," Chloe deadpanned. "Where are you?"

Beca laughed. "I'm working in the city. I had Damon drop me off."

"Huh," Chloe hummed. "That certainly throws a wrench into things. Who is Damon, anyway?"

"My driver."

"Huh. That's convenient." There was more muffled conversation before Chloe came back on the line. "Well, stay there. Damon and I are coming to get you. You can't miss the initiation."

"What about everyone else?"

"You were the last one." Chloe chuckled. "I figured you would be the hardest to track down. I didn't know me coming to get you would constitute a drive into the city."

"Alright, I'll be waiting outside."

"We'll be there in a bit."

Beca saved her work, making a note of what else she needed to do with the track, packed everything into her bag and exited the studio, just in time to meet the massive black Range Rover as it pulled up to the curb. The valet rushed to open the door for her, and she slid in, instantly meeting the baby blue eyes staring imploringly in her direction from across the car.

"Sorry I messed up your big initiation ritual," Beca apologized. "You could have given me a heads up you were coming."

"That would have completely missed the point," Chloe teased. She shrugged. "It's okay. You saved yourself from having a bag thrown over your head and manhandled into a car." Chloe cast a thoughtful glance at the plush interior. "Besides, this is much nicer than my hand-me-down BMW…" Chloe's nose wrinkled. "I'm sorry, that sounded spoiled and pretentious."

Beca shook her head with a laugh. "No, it didn't," she assured the redhead. Leaning back, she gestured to Damon in the front seat. "I let Damon pick the car he wanted to drive when I hired him. I couldn't say no when his eyes lit up at this beast."

"I can't believe you have your own driver."

Beca scratched the back of her ear. "Part of the employment perk?" she offered ambiguously.

Chloe's eyes narrowed at her as her mouth twisted skeptically. "Some employment," she remarked. "You're not, like, in the mob, are you?"

Beca barked out a laugh. "Like some mob enforcer?" She shook her head with a smirk. "No, not quite."

Chloe looked at her dubiously as she scoffed. "Well, duh. You're way too tiny for that."

"Hey!"

xxx-xxx-xxx

Beca had never been a part of any sort of group, so the idea of actually having an initiation night was pretty radical. So when she found herself ushered from the car, a bag thrown over her head – "We have to keep some level of mystique," Chloe had argued – she wasn't sure she expected to find herself on a stage surrounded with the other new Bellas, Chloe and Aubrey at the head of a candlelit table.

They seemed like a pretty ragtag group, Beca observed as Aubrey droned on and on about the sanctity of the Bella tradition. Among the new girls were Cynthia Rose, Fat Amy, Jessica, Denise, Stacie – who, interestingly enough, sent her a lascivious wink – and Lilly. Definitely not the type of people Beca would have thought to make up an a cappella group.

A hauntingly serious albeit ridiculously awkward oath later, and Beca found herself in the middle of an outdoor auditorium, standing amidst the stadium seats, watching drunken, a cappella revelry.

"Beca!"

Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she grinned, quite amused with the sight of a tipsy Jesse Evans. "Oh, wow."

"Bee Sting!" Jesse mimicked the buzzing of a bee, climbing over the seats. "My long, lost, lady love!" He stumbled to a stop in front of her, a goofy grin on his face. "Do my eyes deceive me? Are you a Barden Bella?"

Beca shook her head, unable to help the amusement from spreading across her face.

"You're one of those a cappella girls, I'm one of those a cappella boys, and I'm gonna contribute to your aca-lady babies to continue on the aca-awesomeness." Jesse nodded his head resolutely. "It's inevitable." He paused, shoulders rising to his ears as his neck craned backward in consideration. "Uh…"

Beca smirked. "Sounded better in your head?"

"Yup."

"You're really drunk right now," Beca remarked with a fond grin. "I don't think you'll remember this in the morning, J."

"No," Jesse disagreed. "I'm not drunk, you're just blurry."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yup."

"You almost fell over." As Jesse continued to argue for his sobriety, Beca prodded at him with a grin. "Can you pass a sobriety test right now?" She pushed at his chest. "Can you stand up straight?"

"Yup. See how I come right back?" Jesse rocked back on his heels before righting himself. "Aaaand, I come right back."

Beca laughed, shaking her head. It was those moments of silliness that she remembered most fondly of her time as Jesse's next-door neighbor.

Jesse grinned. "Can I get you a drink?"

Beca nodded, also grinning at the warm familiarity between them, even with the absence of fifteen years between them. "Sounds great."

"I'm gonna get you a drink," he mumbled, shuffling determinedly towards his destination.

"Go for it," Beca encouraged.

Jesse nodded resolutely. "You need to get on this level…"

Beca watched fondly as he wobbled down the stairs, wholly invested in fulfilling this one request. She marveled at how time hadn't changed their relationship, bits and pieces of the awkward, nerdy kid she had known peeking through amidst the matured physical body that had stood in front of her. Lost in her musings, Beca jumped as a pair of arms slid around her shoulders, and she turned to find a shock of red hair in her line of vision.

She fought the urge to stiffen, shooting a smile over her shoulder. "Hey, Chloe."

"Beca!" Chloe shifted herself closer to the brunette, keeping her arms around the smaller figure, her hands locked around the other woman's neck.

"You were…amazing in your audition."

Beca shrugged as Chloe fit their bodies together with no regard for personal space, forcing Beca to anchor herself to the redhead with an arm around Chloe's waist. She slid her free hand in her pocket.

"Just something I picked up from a video online. I thought it was cool. Never knew it would come in handy."

Chloe shifted to stand in front of Beca, dropping down to the step below. She kept them connected, moving her grip to Beca's hands, entwining their fingers.

"I think we're gonna be fast friends."

"Well, you've already seen me naked, so…" Beca punctuated her statement with a wink, prompting a breathy giggle from her companion.

"There's something special about you," Chloe declared softly. Beca wasn't sure if the words were influenced by the liquor loosening Chloe's lips, but the redhead's radiant blue eyes pierced into her own, a startling clarity within them despite the alcohol lingering on her tongue. "Something I think is going to be the start of something aca-awesome."

"Aca-awesome, huh?"

Chloe nodded, completely serious. "There's something about your voice, something about the way you are on stage. It's like you're my musical soulmate." Chloe brought up their joined fingers, placing Beca's hand over her breast. "It touches me here."

"Your heart is a little higher," Beca mumbled softly, her eyes wide and her reflexes battling her impulse to flex her fingers and grope the flesh beneath her palm.

Chloe shrugged. "Close enough." She abruptly stepped back from Beca's personal space, a wide, bright smile lighting up her face.

"I'm gonna get another drink." Chloe turned away from her, raising her arms over her head, shaking her hips enticingly. "This ginger needs her jiggle juice."

Beca let out the breath she had been holding, forcing a weak smile onto her face, ignoring the burn in her right palm from Chloe's touch. "Make good choices!"

Beca shook her head incredulously as Chloe acknowledged her with a wave, flouncing off with a swagger to her hips. Huffing out a snort, the brunette sat down on the stone steps of the amphitheatre, taking in the chaos for a moment with a bemused smirk. Jesse appeared for the barest of seconds, pushing a cup into her hand before he was called away by Bumper and Unicycle.

It seemed she had turned into some people magnet as she barely had time to process his appearance and subsequent disappearance when Stacie bounced over, easing down beside her. "Hi!"

Beca grinned, taking a sip of her drink. "Hey, Stacie, right?"

Stacie nodded. "That's me."

Both girls glanced over as a Treble wobbled to the stage, holding a bottle of Patron and a bag of limes in his hand. "Body shots!"

Stacie brightened, grabbing Beca's hand. "Let's go!"

Beca chuckled, allowing herself to be tugged to the stage.

"Mind if we join you?" Stacie ventured coyly.

"Of course not." A Treble waggled his eyebrows, stepping closer. "You can even be the first."

Stacie giggled, shoving the Treble away. "Down boy." She winked at Beca, tugging her forward. "You got this?"

Beca smirked, guiding Stacie into a nearby folding chair to lessen their height difference. She swung a leg over the busty brunette, straddling her hips with a wink of her own, armed with a shot glass filled with tequila, salt, and a lime slice. She brushed Stacie's hair away from her neck, fitting the shot glass into the valley of generous cleavage. Sliding the lime against the skin of Stacie's collarbone, Beca sprinkled salt onto the pale expanse, offering the lime to the other girl who clasped it obligingly between her lips.

The Treble cocked an eyebrow. "You sure you can handle this?"

Beca returned the gesture. "Take notes, puppy."

Ducking her head down, she let her tongue meander up the strip of salt, her lips brushing Stacie's collarbone sensually. She could already tell the effect her ministrations were having on the passionate brunette as Stacie's hands grasped onto her thighs, fingers clenching into the fabric of her jeans. Beca fit her lips around the shot glass nestled in Stacie's cleavage, expertly tossing the liquor back with a flick of her head. Setting the shot glass aside, she leaned down, capturing the lime slice between her lips, her mouth brushing against Stacie's with each leisurely pull. Plopping the dry fruit into the empty glass, she stood with another smirk to her willing companion and turned to their audience.

"Any questions?"

The Treble merely shook his head, eyes wide.

Beca smirked again, turning to head back across the amphitheatre when Stacie snagged her arm, turning her back to the stage.

"Oh no, short stuff." Stacie shoved her back into the chair. "Your turn now."

Beca chuckled, shaking her head, allowing herself to be mounted. Call them whatever you wanted, but the a capella people knew how to party. In her alcohol-addled mind, the little voice of reason nagged that this was probably not the best idea in the world, but when a busty brunette with mile-long legs willingly straddled her, sensibility took a backseat to basic biological imperatives. She had needs.

So sue her…

xxx-xxx-xxx

Mornings had never been on top of Beca's preferred times of the day. In her humble opinion, nights were so much more fun. But if mornings were not agreeable to the famous DJ, mornings-after were even worse. Especially following those nights where the imbibing of alcohol constituted much of the fun. As the morning after initiation dawned, the sunlight filtered through the blinds and cast its radiance over the lump burrowed under the covers. Beca groaned, turning her face more fully into her pillow. Whining her protest, Beca flopped onto her back, scrubbing a palm over her face. It was then she noticed she was not alone in her bed.

"Oh, shit…"

"Morning," her bedmate hummed, stretching languidly, unconcerned with her modesty.

Beca swallowed hard at the familiar voice, clutching the sheet to her chest. "Stacie…" She lifted the cover, noting her naked form. "We had sex, didn't we?"

"Yup." Stacie propped herself on an elbow. "It was hot."

"What I remember, yes, I would have to agree." Beca groaned, running a hand through her hair. "The last thing I remember is you tugging me away to do body shots with tequila." She snorted to herself. "I am going to take comfort in the fact that I know you."

"And at least we didn't break the Bella code," Stacie offered.

"More like at least we didn't break my bed," Beca grumbled as she unfolded herself from her sleeping position, feeling her body object with the exertion. "I think all your strength is centered at your pelvis."

"Strong core," Stacie nodded knowingly. "Totally comes in handy for this sort of thing."

Beca eyed the woman beside her, trying to gauge her attitude. "This isn't going to be weird, is it?"

Stacie laughed. "Beca, you're hot and all, but it's no big deal," Stacie assured her. "I don't make it a habit to sleep with someone more than once…even if the sex was awesome."

"Thanks…I guess."

"Sure." Stacie grinned. "I mean, I'm not asking for, like, a lifetime commitment here. I mean, I dig you, and I'd totally ask for your autograph, but this wasn't anything serious."

Beca returned the smile. "I wish all one-night stands were as chill as you."

Stacie shrugged. "I have practice. Oh, but hey, you wouldn't mind signing the poster in my dorm, would you?"

Beca chuckled, shaking her head. "No problem. It's the least I can do."

"Awesome." Stacie's grin grew predatory as she scooted closer to her supine bed partner, clearly comfortable with their current situation. "Soooo…Since I'm probably never gonna sleep with you again, how about we make the most of this one-night stand?"

Beca smirked as a long, lean body straddled her snugly. "Sounds good to me…"

xxx-xxx-xxx

If Beca had any reservations about joining the a cappella group, they all came to a head at the first Bellas rehearsal. For some reason, Aubrey thought it fitting to have practice at a ridiculously early hour in order to not conflict with anyone's classes. However, from the first moment they were brought together, it was a clusterfuck of choreography, cardio, and vocal exercises, beginning with the expulsion of two girls for daring to sleep with Trebles – Beca exchanged a look with Stacie during that debacle.

Beca found herself holding her tongue throughout many times during the rehearsal, but as she looked over the song choices for their future performances, she couldn't help but speak up.

"There's nothing from this century on here," she had commented, shuffling through papers. That little nugget received quite the impressive glare from the Bella leader…which was then followed by a long lecture about preserving the noble traditions of Barden Bella a cappella. Beca learned her lesson with that…if only not to goad Aubrey into rambling, lengthy lectures. Not that she listened. She might have zoned out three words in.

Whoops.

As they broke with a disjointed mess of a cheer, Aubrey called her back, commenting on how she would have to take her "ear monstrosities" out for the full SBT mixer. Beca surveyed the taller blonde, unable to stop herself from responding.

"You don't like me too much, do you?"

"I don't like your attitude," Aubrey stated matter-of-factly. "And it's clear you have a toner for Jesse Evans."

Beca frowned, unfamiliar with the term. "A 'toner'? Like what you put in a computer printer?"

"A musical boner," Aubrey reiterated. "It was very clear during initiation night."

Beca barked out a laugh. "Please tell me you're not talking about that two-minute exchange."

"I don't care how long of an exchange it was," Aubrey hissed. "It was obvious what was going on there."

Beca crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. "Aubrey, I've known him since I was a kid. We were best friends for years, way before Barden, and definitely way before this Trebles/Bellas thing."

"Best friends or not, we have a code in place, and I won't hesitate to excise you from this group if you violate it."

"I can see that," Beca shook her head wryly. "I guarantee that I will never violate that part of your antiquated code."

"Please." Aubrey glared. "I can practically see your toner through your jeans."

"Are you checking me out, Aubrey?" Beca smirked. "Didn't know you swung my way." She sighed, rolling her eyes skyward again as the blonde bristled. "Look, you have absolutely nothing to worry about unless the Treblemakers start inducting females into their group. I don't do guys…literally and figuratively."

Beca took immense pleasure in the fact her singular statement had rendered the normally verbose leader of the Bellas completely and utterly speechless. "You're gay?"

"And really, really happy," Beca quipped.

The dumbstruck look would forever bring Beca joy as Aubrey truly could not find words to respond. "Oh…"

"And the 'toner' you're talking about? Might be the strap on." Beca slowly backed away, the smirk clear on her features, her posture practically radiating triumph. "I don't blame you for looking. It's pretty impressive."

Rotating, Beca sauntered away, catching Chloe's eye. A sly smile curled her lips as she winked at the redhead, delighting in the flush that spread across the Chloe's cheeks. Beca smirked and grabbed her stuff, heading towards the exit. As she stepped into the lobby, she felt a hand at her arm, and turned to find Cynthia Rose standing beside her, an expectant look on her face.

"Hey."

Cynthia nodded her own greeting. "I didn't want to make a big deal about it before," Cynthia extended her the cover to her first album out and a silver Sharpie pen. "But could I have your autograph?"

Beca laughed, a corner of her mouth tilting upward. "Why am I not surprised you and Stacie are the only ones aware of who I am?"

"Because you and I bat for the same team," Cynthia answered with a sardonic grin. "I'm like a top contributor on AfterEllen." She cocked her head. "And Stacie's mentioned multiple times that she thinks you're hot."

Beca shook her head with a chuckle, scrawling her name on the album cover.

"We're not the only ones," Cynthia explained. "Amy knows, too. I think Lilly does, but she kinda just nodded when I asked her." Cynthia shrugged. "Who knows?"

Beca nodded. "I did notice she isn't the most communicative person."

"Anyway, I just wanted to say it'll be cool singing with you." Cynthia Rose grinned suddenly. "And, you know, if you're lookin' to cruise…"

Beca grinned. "You got it."

xxx-xxx-xxx

Despite the pleasant exchange with Cynthia Rose, between the mild hangover, a disastrous practice, and Aubrey berating her, a sense of fatigue followed Beca from practice to her first class of the day. As she took a seat in the middle of the large auditorium housing her Intro to Philosophy course, Beca was reminded of her biggest reservation concerning college: schoolwork. Luckily, she actually had the foresight to take a few AP classes in high school, which lessened her load of general education requirements, and therefore her sanity.

Dr. Roberta Graham was her professor for the course, a tall, wiley woman with a permanent mischievous expression adorning her features. She had an interesting presence about her, almost one that contradicted what Beca knew about professors. Dr. Graham sure didn't dress like her father did in his slacks and blazers. She was all flowing linen blouses and bright-colored pants. There was a stately air about her, her aura practically radiating with intelligence, but she approached class with the childlike enthusiasm.

Beca wasn't quite sure what to expect from this class, but what she definitely didn't expect was the steady stream of questions that began as soon as the clock reached the top of the hour.

Dr. Graham smiled reassuringly, a deceiving gesture as she pointed out a bespectacled boy in the front row. "You."

He physically shrank back. Dr. Graham chuckled. "Easy there, young one, I'm just going to ask you a question. Why did you pick this class?"

Her target shrugged. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "My advisor said I should."

Dr. Graham nodded. "Fair enough." She ascended the stairs bisecting the auditorium seating, stopping before a petite blonde. "Why do you think philosophy is important?"

The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know much about it, really. I figure that's what you're gonna tell me."

Again, Dr. Graham smiled. "Indeed." She looked to the tall, athletic boy beside the girl. "What do you know about philosophy?"

He tapped his pen against his notebook. "A little bit. I know there are different ways of thinking that are based on some old Greek guys."

"Ah, very good." Dr. Graham slid her hands in her pockets. "And you are correct, good sir. Kind of amazing how ways of thinking have lasted from before known time until now, isn't it?"

The guy shrugged. "I think so."

"Why are you asking us so many questions?" Someone finally shouted from the back of the room, as Dr. Graham continued to traverse the room, asking question after question, taking up more and more of the class time everyone was expecting to be filled with a normal lecture.

Dr. Graham merely grinned, thrusting one finger into the air. "And that was the question I was looking for." Dr. Graham came down the steps and crossed over to the front of the room.

"In philosophy, you're given a basic line of thought, a concept. As a student of philosophy, it's your job to explore the different avenues that surround that thought and come up with the rationalization of why people think the way they do. To basically ask the question, 'Why?'"

Dr. Graham nudged her cat-eye spectacles higher on her nose and moved to the front of the podium, leaning against it. "Okay, so many of you emailed me asking about the term paper, and I answered that I would talk about it at the end of class today."

She nodded at the murmurs of assent that rolled through the room. "As I'm sure you all did, because you are meticulous and conscientious students, you have all read over the course syllabus and noticed that this course has a total of 300 points." Dr. Graham smirked as she crossed her arms. "However, they don't give doctorates to idiots, so I am going to assume that those of you who are currently sporting blank looks just haven't gotten to it, yet. It's the beginning of the year, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

Dr. Graham waited for the chuckles to die down before she continued. "This course is worth a total of 300 points and 150 of those points are centered around your term paper due at the end of the semester." Dr. Graham pushed off the podium and walked to the whiteboard, plucking a marker from the rail. "I deliberately left out specifics, so here is the subject of your paper…" Stretching up on her tiptoes, she wrote a single word in big, bold letters.

WHY?

Silence followed the revelation, and Dr. Graham grinned, clearly anticipating the mass confusion she had just caused.

"This is a philosophy class," Dr. Graham reminded them. "And what is philosophy?"

"Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language," someone shouted from the back.

"Okay, textbook answer, but it gives you a guideline." Dr. Graham slapped her hand beneath the word. "As I mentioned, this is the very essence of philosophy. Answering this question right here. Why?" She moved back to the front of the room, a smile playing at the edges of her mouth. "What I am asking you to do, ladies and gentlemen, is to answer me why."

"Why what?" Someone else called out.

Dr. Graham's smile widened even further. "That, dear one, is completely up to you. I'll post the complete assignment on the class page. Make sure you check it. That will be all for today."

Beca groaned, the back of her head thumping against the chair. And that – right there – was why college and learning absolutely sucked…

xxx-xxx-xxx

Sitting on a bench in the courtyard of the main Arts and Humanities building, Beca pondered that question. One of the earliest memories she had involved the question "Why?" in a conversation with her mother. Beca leaned against the bench, thinking back to the conversation.

Little Beca followed the music through the house until she found her mother in the den. Her dad was at work, leaving her and her mom together for the day. Her sneakered feet padding softly against the wooden floor, she poked her head into the doorway. Her mother was tucked into an armchair in the corner, a blanket over her legs as she bobbed her head to the mellow beat of the vinyl record lazily rotating in the antique record player.

"Hi, Mommy."

"Hey, Bumblebee." Molly patted her thighs. "Come sit with me."

Beca scurried over, clambering up into her mother's lap. "What are you listening to?"

Molly smiled and wrapped her arms around her daughter, swaying with Beca to the beat. "This is a woman named Ella Fitzgerald and the song is called 'Dream a Little Dream of Me'." Molly started to hum along.

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper, "I love you"
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

"What kind of music is this?" Beca asked, her sneakered feet also wiggling to the sweet, tranquil melody. "I like it. It sounds pretty."

"This is called jazz music," Molly answered. "It's a really old kind of music that uses a lot of instruments."

Beca nodded sagely. "That's cool." She cocked her head to her mother. "Why do you like music so much?"

"Because music makes me feel things," Molly answered. She nodded to the record playing. "And a good song makes you feel a lot of different things. Just listen to this song. How does it make you feel?"

"Happy," Beca answered. "I really like this song. The lady's voice is pretty."

"That's good. Most songs are like that, but some makes you feel angry, or excited, or even sad."

Beca cocked her head in confusion. "Why would you like a song that makes you so sad?"

Molly smiled ruefully, pressing a kiss to Beca's forehead. "So you don't have to feel alone when you're sad."

Just like many of the defining moments of her life, Beca had taken her mother's words to heart, and it reflected in the music she produced. Each track strove to elicit some sort of strong reaction, whether it was joy, or aggression, or melancholy. That lesson had evolved into her purpose when she made music. It became the answer to her own "Why?" when she worked.

Sighing, Beca ran a hand through her hair, pulling out her phone to respond to an email that had come through in the middle of her class.

A tap at her shoulder yanked her from her work, and Beca laughed as a Capri-Sun juice packet was dangled in her line of sight. "Shut up! I can't believe you remembered!"

Jesse grinned, joining her on the bench, taking a sip from his own drink. "Of course I remembered. Capri-Sun was instrumental in forging our friendship."

Beca nodded. "It sure was." Her brows drew together as she returned her attention to her phone. "Hang on a second, let me just finish this."

He nodded, tilting his head in curiosity. "Whatcha doing?"

Beca smirked, thumbs tapping on her phone. "I don't know if you want to know. It might blow your mind."

Jesse shrugged. "Try me."

"This is me," Beca's tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth as she finished her message, "scheduling time with Usher to collaborate on some tracks for his next album." Beca put down her phone and looked up at Jesse with a grin.

He snorted, shoving at her shoulder. "I hate you."

"It's been something on the To-Do list, but we just haven't been able to set aside the time to actually follow through. Our schedules have been clashing lately, but now with me here, things are a little more convenient." Beca laughed at the completely awestruck look adorning Jesse's face. "I warned you, bro. Work doesn't stop because I'm here."

Jesse inclined his head. "I will concede to that." He propped his ankle on his outstretched leg, glancing sideways at his friend. "So, seriously, you're a Bella?"

"Chloe shanghaied me in the shower," Beca deadpanned. "She wouldn't leave until I agreed to auditioning."

"That's kind of hot," Jesse mused, clearly allowing his mind to form a visual.

"Perv," Beca accused, reaching out to shove him in the shoulder.

"Hey, you're telling me two hot, naked girls are occupying a singular shower stall," Jesse defended himself. "You can't not expect my mind to go there. I'm a dude."

"You really need a girlfriend, J," Beca remarked with a grin.

Jesse huffed craning his head back against the bench. "Ain't that the truth? Because my encyclopedic knowledge of movie awesomeness is totally wasted on you."

Beca shrugged. "Not my fault I'm not into them. You knew that."

"I did," Jesse admitted. "It was one of the first arguments we had. I remember we tried to have a movie night when you were like eight and I had just turned six, and you completely shot that down."

"Because 'Vader' means 'father' in German, so you literally have 'Darth Father'," Beca recited with a smirk, recalling one of their first conversations as kids where she had thoroughly nixed Jesse's attempts to convert her to his everlasting love of movies.

"I still can't believe you logic-ed the biggest cinematic reveal in history," Jesse muttered. "Or that an eight year-old knew German. And that pains me because you have absolutely no connections for me to extort for my own goals and dreams."

Beca laughed, shaking her head. "Sorry. No one's asked me to do a movie soundtrack yet."

Jesse snapped his fingers in consternation. "Darn." Jesse cocked his head, surveying his friend. "You never told me why you hate movies so much."

Beca shrugged, fiddling with the strap to her bag. "Movies have happy endings. Life doesn't always work out that way."

"Kinda cynical, isn't it?"

Beca huffed out a scoff. "Not everything ends up with sunshine and rainbows, J."

Jesse frowned. "That's not the Beca I know."

Beca smiled ruefully. "People grow up, Jesse," she reminded him. "I'm not the same person I was at ten or eleven."

"No, you're not," Jesse mused. "Lucky for you, I still think you're awesome." He sighed. "One of these days, I am going to convert you to the wonders of movies. Then, you'll appreciate the simple things like The Breakfast Club and Rocky."

"Rocky and Capri Sun?" Beca shook her head in astonishment. "It really is a wonder how you don't have a girlfriend."

"Right?" Jesse hefted himself to his feet, departing with a jaunty wave. "Hope you guys are preparing for the Riff-Off, Bee Sting!"

Beca frowned, calling after him. "What the hell is a Riff-Off?"

Much to her dismay, he simply grinned.

xxx-xxx-xxx

Beca headed to the auditorium for the afternoon meeting with the rest of the Bellas. In her hand, she held her class schedule for the semester. The afternoon meeting was to coordinate a regular rehearsal schedule that didn't infringe on anyone's personal class schedule. She frowned as her phone started to ring from her bag, an unknown number showing up on the screen.

"Beca Mitchell."

"Hi, this is Mary Lightly of the ICCA calling about an inquiry you had about eligibility requirements."

Beca recalled having Damon do that for her. "Hi, yes."

"Well, given the circumstances you gave us, I would say that your candidate would indeed be ineligible for ICCA-sanctioned competitions. However, there certainly isn't anything stopping you from performances within the university, such as showcases or mixers. The ICCA has no jurisdiction over performances within the university."

Beca had admit it was a little disappointing to hear. "Alright, thank you very much."

"No problem. Have a good day."

Beca stopped at the auditorium doors, pulling them open and descended the stairwell to the stage. "You too."

"Hey," Chloe approached with a smile as Beca hopped onto the stage. She frowned at Beca's pensive expression. "Is everything okay?"

Beca shrugged. "Yes and no." She gestured to her phone. "That was the ICCA. Based on my situation, I'm ineligible for competitions."

Chloe's frown deepened as she opened her mouth to respond. Whatever she said was lost as Aubrey appeared at her elbow. "What's going on?"

"Due to my current circumstances, I'm ineligible for ICCA competitions," Beca explained.

"So, what you're telling me is that we can't have you on the Bellas?" Aubrey asked.

"Wait! Let's not get hasty," Chloe interjected. "Okay, so Beca can't perform with us in competitions." She sent a significant look to the brunette. "What else did the ICCA say?"

"Well, they can't stop me from participating in anything within the university, I just can't do anything that's ICCA-sanctioned."

"Okay, that's good!" Chloe enthused. "So Beca can still perform with us for things like mixers, and she can still help."

Aubrey threw up her hands. "With what?"

"It doesn't hurt to have another set of eyes," Chloe reasoned.

Aubrey's eyes narrowed as she looked from the redhead to the brunette.

"Fine." Aubrey glared at the brunette. "But you are still required to attend all Bella's rehearsals and abide by the code."

Beca smirked, snapping off a sardonic salute. "Aye-aye, Captain."

Aubrey whirled to the rest of the Bellas, calling out to bring everyone together. "Okay! Let's get started then."

Beca was surprised when she caught Chloe's eye. Then astonished when the redhead stuck her tongue out and winked.

xxx-xxx-xxx

As the Bellas fell into a routine of classes and rehearsal, the foreboding Beca felt the first few practices only bloomed and grew stronger as the SBT mixer drew closer. If there was one thing that she learned through the trials and tribulations of her early years of her DJing career, it was cohesion that served as the strength of a DJ's mix. A mix had to flow just right to provide clubgoers with the seemingly never-ending stream of beat and rhythm to fuel the dance atmosphere. Sometimes, songs just fit together. Other times, one had to make them fit together

To say that first performance was a disaster would be, quite frankly, an understatement. Despite the insane rehearsal schedule, they really sucked.

Hard.

Beca had never been booed off a stage.

Ever.

Especially not by some meathead fratboy, clinging onto a red Solo cup like it was his life juice.

Tool.

As they stalked away from the frat house, a chorus of criticisms coming from every which way, the loudest coming from Aubrey as she rounded on Chloe, Beca could only watch everything come unraveled. It was only a shrill announcement that silenced the bickering.

"I have nodes!"

The revelation that Chloe was battling vocal nodules was shocking, but what was even more shocking to Beca was Chloe's insistence on performing despite the hindrance.

As they all vowed to support Chloe, a strange bonding moment between them all, Aubrey looked to Chloe, sympathy clear in the blonde's expression. It was the first time Beca had seen an expression other than disdain or that manic fanaticism on Aubrey's face.

"I'm going to head back to the apartment, you coming?"

"No, you go ahead." Chloe's voice sounded tired and defeated. "I'm gonna hang around here for awhile."

Aubrey smiled and nodded. She turned to the rest of the group. "We have a lot of work to do. I'll see you guys on Monday."

Beca waited until the rest of the Bellas left before she slowly approached the redhead. Lowering herself down on the grass beside Chloe, Beca maneuvered herself into a comfortable position. It took a few tries, but she finally settled herself, legs stretched straight out, with a triumphant grunt.

The noise prompted a small giggle from the redhead. "You're not used to wearing skirts, are you?"

"No," Beca grumbled, her tone just short of petulant. "I don't understand the appeal. I don't know about you, but I don't appreciate the air-conditioning to the crotch. It's like wearing a thong. Who can possibly feel comfortable with an self-inflicted wedgie?"

"Thongs can be sexy," Chloe argued.

"Oh, I don't mind when other people wear them," Beca amended. "I actually enjoy the view in that case. I just don't prefer them, myself."

Chloe sighed, snapping her fingers in consternation. "Darn, there goes my birthday present for you."

Beca chuckled, a wry grin curling her lips. "Sorry for the inconvenience."

Chloe sighed, gazing out at the tranquil waters of the famous Barden Pond in the distance. "Can I ask you something?"

Beca's mouth quirked upward. "Sure, but can't promise that I'll answer."

"Fair enough," Chloe conceded. She squinted over to her companion. "Why do you pretend to be so bad at choreography?"

"Caught that, did you?"

"You have an amazing sense of rhythm," Chloe remarked. "I see you during rehearsals. You have a habit of tapping out the beat to whatever song we're doing, and it's always spot-on."

Beca chuckled and shrugged. "It's mostly to piss off Aubrey."

Chloe knew there was more to the story, poking the brunette to prompt her. "And?"

Beca tilted her head. "And I admit, the prospect of having you coming over to help me is attractive, too." She winked.

A blush stained Chloe's cheeks as she smiled, knocking her shoulder against Beca's. "You know, you don't have to pretend to be bad at choreography if you want a hug," she commented. "You can just ask…"

"I'm not much of a hugger," Beca confessed.

"Well, I am going to change that," Chloe declared, throwing her arms around Beca and squeezing tightly. "Beware the loss of your personal space."

"Foreboding," Beca deadpanned. She surveyed her companion. "Can I ask you something?"

Chloe nodded. "Sure."

"Why aren't you really getting the surgery?"

Chloe fell silent for a long moment. "Mostly because I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"There's no guarantee I'll recover from it," Chloe explained. "I could lose my singing voice. Even worse, it could impact my range."

"Seems like the benefits outweigh the risk though," Beca remarked. "I mean, this is your health we're talking about."

"Look, I admit that it's a point of vanity," Chloe divulged. "I pride myself on my upper register, and the idea that I could lose something that really sets me apart from the rest of the Bellas…" she shook her head, unable to finish her thought.

"I can understand that," Beca conceded. "Look, no matter what you choose, just know that I've got your back."

Chloe smiled. She reached over, grasping Beca's hand. "Thanks."

Beca smirked. "Anything for a pretty lady."

Chloe giggled, tipping over to lay her head on Beca's shoulder. "You sure are good for a girl's ego."

Beca had never found herself in such an intimate position before, but glancing down at the red mane of hair perched on her shoulder, a delicate hand folded in hers, she figured it wasn't so bad.

Even if she was in a skirt.

And there we go! *Inches back to cover* Please don't hate me…

In the next chapter, Beca gets a taste of the Atlanta club life, and the Bellas face some revelations. Beca faces her dad to frustrating results, and Chloe and Beca get closer.

I hope you guys like it. As always, don't hesitate to leave me a comment here or anywhere else. Any guest reviews, I'll try to post a response on Tumblr. Definitely gotta get to those, but they will be up there.

And, lastly, kudos to CJersey82, my partner in crime in this crazy endeavor! Hope you enjoyed!

*ISP