Carrie came home around 4:30 and stopped by Beca's to check on everything. Beca told her about the box and the police.
"Are you sure you're okay?," Carried asked.
"I'm fine," Beca said. "The police are finally taking this stalker thing seriously and are going to increase the patrol cars in the area."
"I think you should have told them who you really are," Amy said. "They would have paid attention."
"Amy," Beca said glaring at the woman.
"What does she mean, Beca?," Chloe asked curiously.
"You don't know?," Amy asked. "She's-"
"AMY! Shut up!," Beca said interrupting Amy.
"I'm just sayin'," Amy kept going, "if they knew you were Re-"
"AMY!," Beca yelled at her to keep her from saying anything more. "Seriously! shut the fuck up!"
Amy held up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Sorry."
"What's going on, Beca?," Carrie said. "What don't we know that we should know?"
Beca looked at Chloe and saw her angry glare. She let out a sigh. "I was going to tell you at dinner, Chlo," Beca told Chloe. "I swear I was."
"So, tell me now," Chloe said folding her arms across her chest.
"I hate that I have to do this," Beca said. "But, I need you to swear that what I tell you doesn't leave this apartment."
"We swear," Carrie said. "Just tell us, please. You're kind of scaring me, Beca."
"Chloe?," Beca asked looking at the redhead, eyes pleading.
"I promise I won't say anything," Chloe said.
"Okay," Beca said. She looked at the two Beale women and took a breath before continuing. "I need to show you both something." Beca went to the table by the door and took a key out of the drawer. She looked at Carrie and Chloe. "Would you both follow me?"
Chloe and Carrie got up and followed Beca down the hall to the third bedroom. Beca unlocked the door and put her hand on the doorknob but didn't open the door. She turned back to Chloe and Carrie.
"I'll show you what's in here and then you can ask questions," Beca said. Both women nodded their heads and Beca opened the door and flipped on the light switch.
The lights came on and Chloe and Carrie both gasped. There were three display cases with Grammys and other music awards in them. On the walls were framed pictures with Beca and different music artists as well as gold and platinum records. Chloe looked at one of the awards.
"You're Reggie B?," Chloe asked looking at Beca.
"Yeah," Beca said.
"Oh, my God," Carrie said looking around. "Why aren't you living in some big mansion?"
"Because I want to be left alone," Beca said. "Be a normal person. I keep this part of my life secret so I can live like everyone else. I can go out to the grocery store and not be mobbed. I can go to dinner and not have everyone wanting pictures, and the paparazzi leave me alone."
Chloe walked around the room, stopping to look at everything. Beca watched her, waiting to see what she was going to say or do.
"I've always loved Reggie B's music," Chloe said. "Now I know Reggie B. It's kind of surreal."
"Are you mad?," Beca asked not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"No," Chloe said and stopped to look at Beca. "I'm glad you told me."
"I just don't want to be treated differently," Beca said looking down at the ground. "When people find out, they tend to do that."
"How have you kept this a secret?," Carrie asked. "I mean, people have to know who you really are."
"Everyone who works with me has to sign a non-disclosure agreement," Beca said. "It would cost them a lot of money if they told anyone who I was."
"I can't believe I didn't know this about you," Carrie said.
"Don't feel bad," Amy said. "I've known her for years and she didn't tell me until I saw one of her Grammys when I started helping her unpack."
"I have to say," Beca said looking Amy, "that I'm still surprised you haven't blabbed it to everyone you know."
"Beca," Amy said putting a hand over her heart. "That hurts me deeply. Plus, no one would believe me anyway."
"Okay," Beca said and looked at Carrie and Chloe. "So, now you know my secret identity. It's after five and I need to get ready for our date. That is if Chloe still wants to go out with me."
"Of course I still want to go out with you," Chloe said smiling at Beca. "This part of you doesn't change the way I feel about you. I'm going to go over to Carrie's to get ready. I'll see you at six."
Beca had Amy help her get ready. The dress she chose to wear had a zipper that went up the back and she couldn't reach it without feeling the pull on her ribs.
"If this is what it feels like to bruise your ribs," Beca said as Amy zipped her up. "I'm really glad I didn't break any."
"Can I help with anything else?," Amy asked and before Beca could respond. "Let me do your hair!"
"That would be great, Amy," Beca said. "I can't hold up my left arm for long."
Amy went to work and when she was done Beca was happy with the result.
"This looks great, Ames," Beca said checking out her hair. "Thanks!"
"I figure I owed you for making you have to tell Chloe and Carrie about being Reggie B," Amy said.
"I was going to tell them both anyway," Beca said. "You just made it happen sooner."
"I'm still sorry," Amy said. "And I promise, I only told the dingos back home who you really are. They won't say anything."
Beca let out a laugh. "Good to know." Beca stood and smoothed a hand down her dress. "I better go. It's six already and the car I ordered should be downstairs."
"Have a good night," Amy said. "And don't worry about me. I'll have my headphones on so I won't be able to hear anything when you get home."
Beca shook her head and smiled. "Good night, Amy."
Beca got her clutch and put her phone and wallet inside. She grabbed her keys from the dish by the door and took a deep breath before opening the door. She walked next door and knocked. Carrie opened the door and smiled.
"Damn, Beca," Carrie said. "You clean up nice."
"Thanks," Beca said. "Is Chloe ready?"
"Come on in," Carrie said stepping aside. "I'll let her know you're here."
Beca stepped inside and Carrie went to get Chloe.
"Beca's here," Carrie told Chloe as she walked in the bedroom.
"Thanks," Chloe said and checked herself in the mirror one last time before grabbing her stuff and leaving the bedroom.
The two sisters walked down the short hall to the living room and her heart almost stopped when she caught sight of Beca. Beca was standing near the door looking around, giving Chloe a chance to really look at Beca. She was stunning. Beca was wearing a simple black dress with silver threads running through. The dress ended just above the knee. Her hair was curled and hanging loosely down her back.
"Hey," Chloe said getting Beca's attention.
Beca looked over at Chloe and smiled. Chloe looked beautiful in a blue dress that made her eyes pop even more. Her hair was in a braid and laid over her right shoulder.
"You look really nice," Beca said. "Are you ready? The car is here for us."
"I'm ready," Chloe said and started toward the door.
Beca hurried to reach it first and opened it for her. Chloe smiled and kissed Beca on the cheek.
"Have fun you two," Carrie called after them.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
"I hope this place is okay," Beca said. "Carrie said you like Mexican food."
"I love Mexican food," Chloe said. "I know you can't drink with your meds but do you mind if I have a margarita?"
"I don't mind at all," Beca said. "It was sweet of you to ask. I don't like guacamole, so I'm going to get some queso. We can also get the guac if you want."
"I love guacamole," Chloe said. "So, yes, please, I want."
The waiter came by and took their drink orders. "We'd also like a bowl of queso and some guacamole," Beca said before the waiter walked away.
"I can't believe you don't like guacamole," Chloe said.
"I don't like avocados," Beca said. "I'm not sure exactly why but think it's a texture thing." Beca started looking at the menu. "I think I'm getting the beef fajitas. What about you?"
"Fajitas sound good," Chloe said. "But, I think I'm going to get the shrimp tacos."
The waiter came back with the drinks, queso, and guacamole. He asked if they were ready to order. Beca and Chloe gave their orders and the waiter left.
"Mmmmm," Chloe said taking a sip of her margarita. "That's really good."
Beca smiled and dipped a chip in the queso and bit into it. Chloe did the same with the guacamole.
"Can I ask you a personal question?," Beca asked. "You don't have to answer it if I'm out of line."
"What do you want to know?," Chloe asked and waited.
"Well, Jesse said something about how you don't do relationships," Beca said. "I just was wondering if I'm a fling or something to pass the time until the next person comes along."
Beca swallows and looks at Chloe. Chloe just stares back at Beca impassively. Beca squirms under her scrutiny and looks around the room. Her eyes finally settle back on Chloe and she's looking down at the table.
"I'm sorry," Beca said. "I shouldn't have asked that. It was rude and I'm sorry."
Chloe looks up at Beca. "It's okay," Chloe said and gave Beca a small smile. "I really like you, Beca. I'll be honest; you're the first person in a very long time who made me want to be in a real relationship. So, no, I don't think of you as a fling. I want to see where this goes because I think we'll be good for each other."
Beca smiled. "I like you, too. A lot. And I think we'll be good for each other as well." Beca thought for a moment. "I'm guessing someone you were in a relationship with hurt you. Badly. I know my last real relationship was a while ago and I have trouble letting people in because she cheated on me. I kind of fall hard when I meet someone I really like. I've had a few heartbreaks but no one has come close to being 'the one'. I guess I'm looking for my forever."
"I like that," Chloe said. "One of the reasons I haven't been in a relationship in a while is because I have a hard time trusting people. I was cheated on; more than once. So, when I started seeing someone new, the trust thing would haunt me so I'd dump them before I had to worry about them cheating on me or leaving me."
"Who in their right mind would cheat on you?," Beca asked incredulously. "I mean, look at you. You're stunning and you're smart, funny, caring. You're like the total package."
"Thank you," Chloe said and blushed slightly. She could tell that Beca was sincere and she hadn't felt that from anyone in a long time.
"Want to tell me about it?," Beca asked. "The cheating I mean."
Chloe was kept from responding when the waiter arrived with their food. He set everything down and asked if they needed more to drink. Chloe requested another margarita and the waiter left.
"I'll tell you my story later," Chloe said. "I'd like to enjoy our evening."
"I can agree with that," Beca said as they started to eat.
Beca had just taken a bite of her fajita when her phone buzzed. She wiped her mouth and pulled out her phone. She smiled and looked at Chloe.
"It seems Amy and Jesse are hitting a karaoke bar and want to know if we want to join them," Beca said. "I was going to ask what you wanted to do after dinner, so I'll leave it up to you."
"Well, I-" Chloe was interrupted by her phone. She pulled it out and checked it. "It looks like everyone is going to the karaoke bar. That was from Aubrey. She and Stacie are in." Beca and Chloe's phones both buzzed. "Looks like Carrie and Aidan are going as well."
"In that case," Beca said. "We should go."
"I'll text Aubrey and Carrie," Chloe said. "I'll tell them we can meet them after nine."
"I'll let Jesse and Amy know," Beca said.
The messages were sent and Beca and Chloe went back to their meals. They talked and laughed and were having a good time. Beca suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and a shiver run down her spine. She looked around because it felt as if someone were watching her.
"Are you okay?," Chloe asked, brows furrowed with concern.
"Yeah, sorry," Beca said. "I just feel like someone's watching me. I'm just being paranoid."
Chloe also looked around but didn't see anyone.
"Don't worry too much," Chloe told Beca. "You're safe with me. And after dinner, we'll be with a bunch of other people who will have your back."
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Beca and Chloe had finished dinner and were talking and getting to know each other better. Beca checked her phone and her eyes widened.
"We've been talking for over an hour," Beca said. "It's almost time to meet everyone. Are you ready to go?"
"Not really," Chloe said with a smile. "But I guess we should."
Beca called for the check and paid their bill. She then took Chloe's hand as they walked out the to their car. The driver opened the door for them. Beca told him where they needed to go next and he nodded his head in acknowledgment. The driver got behind the wheel and drove off.
"I'm having a really great time," Chloe told Beca.
"So am I," Beca said. "I hope this is just the first of many dates to come."
"I'd like that," Chloe said.
They stared into the other's eyes. They moved forward, closing the distance between them until their lips crashed together. One of them, or maybe it was both, moaned into the kiss. Chloe curled her hand behind Beca's neck and held her in place as they continued to kiss. Their seat belts were the only thing keeping them from going any further.
"Wow," Beca said as she finally came up for air. "I could certainly get used to that."
"Same," Chloe said and pulled Beca into another kiss.
They continued their mini-makeout until the heard a tapping sound and pulled apart. The divider came down and the driver let them know they had arrived at their destination.
"Oh, um, thank you," Beca said, clearing her throat.
The driver got out and opened the door for the two and they stepped out of the car. "We'll probably want to leave around 11:00," Beca told the driver. "Tomorrow is a workday."
"I'll be here," the driver told her and Beca took Chloe's hand and led her inside.
"Should we get a drink first or look for everyone?," Chloe asked.
"Beca!," Jesse's voice called out.
"I think we found them," Beca said.
"I'm getting drinks," Jesse said as he approached them. "We have a table right over there." Jesse pointed and the girls saw everyone else was seated around a large table. "What's your poison?"
"I'll just have a beer," Chloe said.
"I'll have a coke," Beca said.
Jesse headed to the bar and Beca and Chloe went to greet everyone at the table. Beca and Chloe sat down; Chloe was next to Carrie.
Carrie laughed and reached a hand up to wipe at Chloe's chin. "Since when did you start wearing your lipstick on your chin?," she asked with a laugh. "And two different shades at the same time?"
"Shut up," Chloe said with a laugh and swatted Carrie's hand away from her face. She wiped at her chin and looked over at Aidan. "Hey, Aidan. How's everything?"
On the other side of Chloe, Beca leaned forward and gave Aidan a quick wave.
"Hey, Beca," Aidan said leaning forward a bit as well. "I can't believe you two finally met. Carrie's been trying to make it happen since the day she met you."
"I know," Beca said. "But I think we met at just the right time." She turned her head to look at Chloe and Chloe leaned in and kissed her.
"Chloe!," Aubrey all but screamed. "What are you doing? You don't even know her."
"Yes, I do," Chloe said. "And I'm looking forward to knowing her a whole lot better."
"Wait," Aubrey said. "Beca's the girl Carrie's been trying to set you up with? The girl you were talking about the night she got stabbed?"
"Yep," Chloe said grabbing her beer and Beca's coke from Jesse. "We're actually on our first official date."
"Does this mean I can't flirt with her anymore?," Stacie asked, frowning and throwing Beca a wink at the same time.
Beca blushed and Chloe laughed. "That's exactly what it means," Chloe said causing Beca to smile. "From now until further notice, I'm the only one who is allowed to make her blush and get all flustered."
"Fine with me," Beca said taking a sip of her coke.
"Hey, Shawshank!," Amy yelled from the end of the table.
Beca grimaced and called back, "What, Amy?"
"Get those pipes ready," Amy said. "I put you in for a song."
"Oh, God," Beca muttered. "I'm too sober for this." Beca stood and excused herself from the table. "If I'm going to sing I need to use the restroom first."
The ladies room was situated down a short hallway away from the main room of the bar. It was kind of dark but Beca didn't really pay too much attention to it. She got to the bathroom door and pushed; nothing happened. There was a piece of paper taped to the door and she pulled it out a bit so she could use the little bit of light coming from the bar area to read "Out of Order".
"Shit," Beca mumbled. "Where's another bathroom?"
Just as Beca started to turn to go back to the bar someone stepped out of the shadows and jabbed something in her lower back.
"I have a gun and I need you to cooperate," the voice said.
"W-who are you?," Beca asked.
"You know who I am," the voice responded. "Start walking toward the Exit sign at the end of the hall."
Beca swallowed and started walking slowly toward the exit. She knew the voice had to belong to Anita, her stalker. She wondered if she really did have a gun. She stopped and slowly turned to look behind her. She could see the form of a person in the semi-darkness. Based on the small build, she knew for certain it was a woman and had to be Anita Michaels.
"What are you doing? Keep moving," Anita said waving what appeared to be a gun at Beca
Beca became very afraid when she saw the gun pointed at her. She continued to face Anita. She slowly moved her hands to her clutch and reached inside. She was hoping that if she couldn't distinguish much in the hallway that Anita couldn't either. She found her phone and held it down inside her clutch knowing that it would elicit a bright glow when it 'woke' up.
"Why are you doing this?," Beca asked trying to stall Anita.
"You left me no choice," Anita said. "I tried to get you to listen to me and you ignored me. You had me arrested, Beca. I couldn't let that go unpunished."
Beca needed a distraction. She suddenly looked over Anita's shoulder and called out for help. Anita turned to see who she was calling out to. In the darkness of the hall, the shadows moved as if someone were there. Anita turned back to Beca and moved to stand less than a foot away from her.
"I'm going to make sure no one is coming," Anita told her. "Stay here or I might have to use my first bullet on your new girlfriend."
"Don't you touch her," Beca growled.
"I won't, as long as you stay right where you are," Anita said.
"Fine," Beca said and slumped her shoulders.
"Good," Anita said and leaned in and kissed Beca's cheek. "I'll be right back, babe."
As soon as Anita started moving down the hall, Beca thought about running out the back door but shot that idea down immediately. Anita was a bit unhinged and Beca was afraid she'd start shooting up the bar. Instead, she opened her phone and quickly did a group text to Jesse, Chloe, Carrie, and Amy.
Beca: 9-1-1 hallway ladies room
She hit send and turned her phone off. She stuck it in her purse and stood there as Anita came rushing back to her.
"Let's go," Anita said and pointed at the door with her gun.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Back at the table, Chloe was laughing at some story Amy was telling. Aidan and Jesse were talking movies. Carrie was sipping her drink and just enjoying being out with her sister. It's been a while since she's liked anyone Chloe's dated; the ones she got to meet usually weren't around for long. She had a good feeling about Beca. Carrie thinks that Beca will make Chloe happy and that's all she could ask for.
Carrie's phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out in case the hospital was calling her in. She looked to see a text from Beca. She furrowed her brow and opened the text.
"Oh, shit," Carrie said loudly, causing everyone at the table to look at her. "Beca's in trouble."
"What?!," Chloe asked. She noticed she had a text as well and read it. She didn't say anything; she jumped up and started pushing through the crowd towards the bathroom.
Carrie, Aidan, and Jesse were right on her heels. Stacie, Aubrey, and Amy were also trying to make their way through the crowd. Amy had the phone to her ear calling 9-1-1 to request police.
Aidan grabbed Chloe's arm before she could go storming down the hallway.
"Let me go, Aidan," Chloe hissed.
"No," Aidan said his voice lowered. "We have to be careful. We don't know what we're walking into. We don't want to put Beca in any more danger than she's already in."
"He's right, Chlo," Carrie said softly.
Chloe stopped struggling and Carrie pulled her into a hug. Jesse and Aidan told the girls to stay back and they were going to see if they could see anything. Jesse stuck his head around the corner and could see two figures standing about ten feet away. He crouched down and got on all fours and quietly made his way about three feet down the hallway.
"Let's go," Jesse heard a voice say.
"Could you put the gun away, please?" Jesse knew that to be Beca's voice and he froze.
"No," the other voice said. "I need it as insurance to make sure you do what I tell you."
Jesse scurried back as quietly as he could and stood once he was around the corner. "Beca's back there and she's being held at gunpoint."
Everyone stood shocked. Chloe could feel a tear slide down her cheek.
"It's got to be her stalker," Chloe said.
"She's trying to get Beca to go out the back," Jesse said.
"I have an idea," Aidan said. "She's never seen Jesse or me." He told Jesse and the girls his plan. "We just need to keep her distracted until the police get here. Just follow my lead."
Jesse said he was ready and Aidan started to act drunk. Really drunk. Jesse had Aidan's arm around his shoulder and staggered along with him around the corner and down the hall.
"Jesse, I just have to say," Aidan said slurring his words. "I love you, man."
"I love you, too, man," Jesse slurred back at him. "Oops," Jesse said as he staggered into the wall with Aidan. "Sorry, wall."
Aidan started laughing, and so did Jesse. They both watched as Anita turned to look at them. She ran a hand through her hair and started mumbling. They saw Beca and she looked as if she recognized them. Suddenly, Anita put her arm up and pointed the gun at Jesse and Aidan.
"What the fuck are you doing back here?," Anita yelled at them.
"We just wanted to," Jesse started slurring his words again and speaking a bit incoherently. He waved his arm at the door. "You know. Outside."
"For air," Aidan provided and started laughing.
"The exit is locked," Anita said still pointing the gun at them. "You'll have to go out front."
Beca kept her eyes on Anita. She was facing away from Beca and she was trying to figure out how to get the gun away from her.
"Why are you poin-pointing your phone at us?," Jesse asked. "Want my number?"
Jesse started laughing. Aidan laughed and then stopped. "Man, I don't feel so good." He made as if he was going to throw up. Anita stepped back and pointed the gun at them again. "Get out of here," she screamed.
Beca took the opening and grabbed the arm holding the gun and pushed Anita into the wall. The gun went off and everyone dropped to the floor. Beca wrestled with Anita and the gun went off again. Beca shoved Anita as hard as she could face first into the wall. The gun fell from Anita's hand and Anita elbowed Beca twice in her left side. Hard. Beca let out an anguished groan and fell to the floor.
Jesse and Aidan closed the distance between them and Anita and managed to wrangle her to the floor. Aidan was holding her down and Jesse was feeling along the wall for a light switch. He found one near the door and turned on some lights. He had to blink to adjust his eyes. He saw Beca lying motionless on the floor.
"Beca!," Jesse yelled and rushed to her.
Chloe, hearing Jesse yell Beca's name, came running around the corner and saw Beca lying on the floor. She rushed over to her calling Beca's name.
"Don't move her," Carrie said as she got to Beca. "Let me check her over before we move her, okay?" Chloe and Jesse knelt on the floor with tears rolling down both their faces. "I promise, it'll be okay."
Carrie looked Beca over and didn't see any blood or bullet wounds. "I don't see any bullet wounds," Carrie said. "She wasn't shot."
"Oh, thank God," Jesse muttered.
"I think she may have reinjured her ribs," Carrie told them. "She sounds like she's having a little trouble breathing. The paramedics will take care of her."
The hallway was suddenly filled with police and the paramedics. Carrie knew them and motioned them over to Beca. She helped Chloe to her feet and moved her away so the paramedics could work. Jesse stood over them running his hand through his hair. Aidan was holding onto Clarrie and Chloe as they stood watching the paramedics.
Meanwhile, the police arrested Anita Michaels and took her out in handcuffs. A detective started questioning Beca's friends to find out what had happened. They told him what they knew, which wasn't a lot. They each couldn't help but worry about Beca, so they were distracted.
Aidan went back to the detective. "Detective," Aidan said. "Everyone is worried about their friend and we all want to go to the hospital with her. Can you ask your questions there? Jesse and I can fill you in on some things but Beca's the only one who can tell you what happened from the beginning."
"That's fine," the detective said. "I'll have to follow the victim to the hospital anyway."
Aidan reached Carrie and Chloe as the paramedics placed Beca on the gurney.
"Can I go with her?," Jesse asked. "She's my cousin."
"Sure," the paramedic said.
"Go ahead, Jesse," Amy said. "I'll drive your car to the hospital and meet you there."
"Okay," Jesse said and tossed Amy his keys.
"Come on, Chloe," Carrie said. "You can ride with us."
"We'll be right behind you," Aubrey stated.
They all rushed out to their cars and watched as Beca was loaded into the ambulance. Jesse got in and the ambulance took off. Aidan, Amy, and Aubrey immediately pulled out of the parking lot and followed the ambulance.
"Do you think she'll be okay?," Chloe asked in a soft voice as the tears continued to fall.
"Yeah, Chlo," Carrie said with a reassuring smile. "I think she'll be just fine."