'What happened?' demanded Chloe over the dinner table, where Aubrey was quietly picking at the meal Jessica and Ashley had put together.

'I'll tell you now,' she replied quietly, 'while Beca's still asleep. He said the police wanted to take her to an institution if she had another …' She paused, struggling for the correct word. 'If she had another meltdown.'

'What's so bad about that?' asked Chloe innocently; Stacie's eyes narrowed, noticing the paled, somewhat panicked look on Aubrey's face. 'They'll be able to help her, won't they?'

'Absolutely not,' snapped the blonde. 'The institutions are torture chambers. They'll destroy her.'

'What else did Luke say?' asked Stacie swiftly.

'Suggested moving. Leaving without a word.'

Stacie and Chloe exchanged worried glances. 'What, all of us?' clarified the redhead shakily.

Aubrey shook her head. 'Just me and Becs. But I couldn't,' she added reassuringly. 'I couldn't abandon you all. Professor Mitchell trusted me …'

'You could go,' Stacie intervened. 'You and Beca and Chloe could go. I could stay here. Professor Mitchell trusted both of us. If I stay and take care of the Bellas here, you won't be abandoning them; you won't be abandoning us.'

'Luke said I owed it to the Professor to care for Beca after he saved my life …' murmured Aubrey.

Chloe shook her head firmly. 'He's guilt-tripping you, Aubs. It's not his choice to make; it's not his life or his powers we're concerned with here.'

'Yeah,' said a faded Australian accent; the three turned to face Amy, who had taken a break from eating to listen to their conversation, 'we won't be alone if you go. We can take care of ourselves. Besides, I know you're scared about what might happen to Baby Bella if she 'splodes something again.'

Aubrey flushed; she had forgotten for a minute that she did, indeed, live with a telepath.

'It's up to you, though,' continued the Australian. 'You're in charge.'

The blonde gave Stacie a pointed glance, but she shook her head. 'I'm not in charge,' she said with a laugh. 'I might be older, but you've been leading us since the Professor died, Aubrey. He trusted you and so do we. Whatever decision you make, we'll stand by you … even if we respectfully disagree.'

'Even if Beca disrespectfully disagrees,' added Chloe with a small grin.

Aubrey sat up a little more confidently at these words of support and reassurance. 'I just want her to be safe,' she explained, 'but you're all also my priority. And if I'm not in London … I can't watch over both.'

Stacie nodded understandingly. 'Which is where I come in, or Flo or Jessica or Ashley. You're not alone, Aubrey. No matter what happens, you won't have to do this alone.'

The words consoled her, and she was relieved to find that when she checked up on Beca that night, she was not alone. Stacie hung onto her arm, supporting her just as she was supporting the brunette. The young Bella slept soundly, not disturbed by their entrance or hushed whispers, one hand clasping the duvet, eyes closed and relaxed.

'You're doing good,' Stacie said firmly. 'He'd be proud of you.'

'You too.' Aubrey pursed her lips, making out Stacie's nose and lips in the dying light. 'Come to bed with me? I don't want to be alone tonight.'

The two crept under the covers of Aubrey's bed, the curtains open as usual, and the streetlight on Chicksand Street flickered, muted orange light seeping into the room.

'I meant it, you know,' murmured Stacie. 'You're not alone, no matter the decision you make. You've got all of us right here. We won't let you go through this alone, even if you decide you want to take her to America.'

The blond snorted quietly. 'I don't think I have the money for that, even with the institution money. I'd only take her somewhere in England. Scotland, if I had to.' She shuffled further along, cuddling into Stacie's side. 'You mean it, though? You'd be there?'

'I'd come with you if you wanted. We can hold our own, Aubs. Jessica and Ashley basically run this place when I'm working or …' She grinned coyly, her face illuminated in an orange that mirrored the shade of the setting sun. 'Or when I'm otherwise incapacitated.'

Aubrey laughed, giving her a nudge beneath the covers. 'I get it, Stace. No need to tell me any more. But … thank you. I'm not going to decide on anything, not just yet. Maybe lay low for a while, keep Beca calm and happy … introduce the idea slowly …'

'You're doing great,' said Stacie. They moved closer, Stacie's arm behind Aubrey's neck, the air heating comfortably. 'Go to sleep now,' she said. 'You'll need it.'

And she did.