I had set a schedule for myself to update this fic every 2 days. That's not working for me and so I'm going to post when I have a chapter ready. So, here's Chapter 4. Enjoy. (Chapter 5 may be up later today or tomorrow morning).
The paparazzi follow the girls, who are surrounded by the Security guys. They are jostled and shoved while questions for Beca are being thrown at her right and left. They finally make it to the limo and all hurry to get in as their luggage is loaded into the trunk. Dennis gives it a tap, and Amy knocks on the privacy partition to let the driver know they are all set to go. He pulls away from the curb and heads to Beca's apartment.
"Wow, that was something," Aubrey said. "Does that happen often?"
"Today was the first time," Beca said trying to hide her fright and nervousness. "I swear if Amy hadn't rented this stretch limo, it would never have happened."
"Oh, come on, Beca," Amy said. "As soon as they heard your name they were all over you."
"I think I'd like to move back to New York and become a nobody again," Beca said. "Chloe, can I be your roommate again?"
"You know that wherever I am you have a roommate, Becs," Chloe said with a big smile.
"Cool," Beca said. "Just give me heads up when Chicago is coming around so I can make arrangements to stay somewhere else."
"Why would Chicago be coming around?," Aubrey asked, confused.
"So, Amy, what are we doing for dinner tonight?," Chloe asked quickly. She gives Aubrey a look, and Aubrey looks back at her with a furrowed brow. "And what sights will we be seeing?"
"Okay, so what's going on with you and Chicago?," Beca asked looking at Chloe. "This is like the third time I've said something about him, and you keep blowing me off. Did he hurt you? Do I need to fly over to Spain and kick his ass?"
Aubrey chuckled and smiled. Beca always was the first to offer to kick someone's ass if they hurt any of the Bellas.
"Always the badass, Mitchell," Aubrey said.
"Just tell her, Chloe," Amy said.
Beca furrowed her brow and thought back to the last time she heard Amy say that only it had been directed at her at the time and she was hiding her internship from Chloe.
"Tell me what, Chlo?," Beca asked. Beca took Chloe's hand in hers and gently squeezed it. "What are you hiding? What's going on?"
"Everything is fine," Chloe said. "Nothing is going on."
"Is it the long distance thing?," Beca said. "I know it didn't work out for Jesse and me, but you're different. You'd put a lot more effort into it than I ever did. You can work through this.
"You're right, Becs," Chloe said and squeezed Beca's hand. "Thank you.
Aubrey and Amy both looked at Chloe who gave them a small smile and a shake of her head. They left it alone for now.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
The girls were sitting around drinking beer after having pizza delivered. They convinced Amy to leave the hard stuff for another night. The conversation had somehow come around to Beca and the two men trying to get with her.
"So, let me get this straight," Aubrey said. "Now that you're in L.A. Jesse wants you back? And, turtle guy,-"
"Theo," Beca corrects.
"Whatever," Aubrey said with a wave of her hand. "Wants to be more than your producer?"
"Yeah, that about covers it," Beca said taking a swig of her beer. "It's like one minute I want Jesse because I remember what a sweet guy he was. But, then he goes and does something that makes me remember some of the reasons why I wasn't that upset about the break-up. And then there's Theo. I'm not sure about him. He acts like a decent guy most of the time. But, then he doesn't ask me out, it's like he's ordering me to go out with him."
"Sounds like quite the dilemma," Chloe said and rolled her eyes.
"Do like I do," Fat Amy said. "Sleep with them both and then decide."
"She's already slept with Jesse," Aubrey said. "So, she only needs to sleep with Theo. Then she can compare."
"I'm not sleeping with either one of them," Beca mumbled. Chloe heard her and smiled.
"No, she should still sleep with Jesse," Amy said. "Maybe he's got a few new moves since the last time they did it."
"You could be right," Aubrey said.
"They're both being jerks," Chloe said. "I don't think she should sleep with either one of them."
"Yeah, and we know why," Amy whispered so only Aubrey could hear her. They both snickered.
"What?," Chloe asked. "What was that, Amy?"
"I was just asking if you wanted more pizza?," Amy said. She picked up the pizza box and held it out toward Chloe.
Chloe narrowed her eyes and glared at Amy. "No thanks."
"How about you, Beca?," Amy asked looking over at the brunette.
"I'm good," Beca said. "So, Aubrey, are you still moving to Mykonos and becoming a doula?"
"Um, no, actually my plans have changed," Aubrey said.
"Really?," Beca asked. "What are you doing now?"
Chloe looked at Beca, realizing that she was trying to get Aubrey to admit to being with Stacie. She shook her head and took a swig of her beer.
"I'm, uh, back in Atlanta," Aubrey said.
"You went back to the Lodge?," Beca asked. "I thought you hated that place."
"I do," Aubrey said. "But I had a few groups that I needed to help with before I could quit. Which I did, and that's why I'm able to be here for two weeks."
"That's cool," Beca said. "So, do you talk to CR or Stacie? How's Bella doing?"
"CR enters the Air Force next month," Aubrey said. "Stacie and Bella are doing well."
"Are Ashley and Jessica still living near Atlanta?," Beca asked.
"Yeah," Aubrey said. "They run a wedding planning business. They're doing quite well."
"How about Flo?," Beca asked.
Chloe watched the back and forth between the two like a tennis match, knowing that Beca was working up to the kill shot.
"She told me she has six juice trucks," Aubrey said. "They all operate around Atlanta for now."
"So, when Bella wakes up during the night who gets up with her, you or Stacie?," Beca asked.
What happened next, Aubrey blames on the fact that she was tired from flying across the country and having too many beers, so her brain was in a fog. She had planned to tell Beca about Stacie, but not like this.
"Most of the time it's Stacie," Aubrey responded.
"Boom! There it is!," Beca yelled and raised her arms in the air.
Aubrey's eyes suddenly widen, and Chloe nearly spits out her beer laughing.
"Aw, get it, Captain," Amy yelled as she did a hip swivel and pelvic thrust.
"Game, set, and match," Beca said with a laugh.
"I, it's, um," Aubrey stammers. "Fuck it. Yes, Stacie and I are together. I moved in with her, and I'm helping her take care of Bella. Happy?"
"Yes, I am," Beca said with a smile. "Happy for the both of you. And Bella. I'm glad you sacked up and went for it. You're good for each other. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Aubrey said with a smile. "Stacie's great. And Bella is just adorable. I love them both so much."
"Do you think you guys will get married?," Beca asked.
"We've talked about it," Aubrey said. "But, we're going to wait a little bit. We don't want to rush into anything."
"That's the smart thing to do," Chloe said smiling at her best friend.
"I'm sorry I outed you," Beca said. "But, I know you two belong together." Beca stood as she yawned and stretched. "I have work tomorrow, so I'm going to head up to bed."
"I'm ready to call it a night, too," Chloe said.
"Me, too," Aubrey said with a yawn.
"Fine," Amy said. "I guess I'll turn in, too. But tomorrow night it's on!"
"You guys go ahead. I'm just going to clean up a bit," Beca said.
"We'll help," Chloe said with a smile.
The four girls quickly cleaned up the pizza boxes and empty beer bottles. Beca said she was going to lock up and for them to go upstairs and she'd see them sometime tomorrow. Beca checked the door and made sure all the lights were off before she went to her room. She changed into her pajamas and fell asleep almost immediately.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Beca woke to her alarm blaring the next morning and, much to her surprise, Chloe spooning her.
"Um, Chlo?," Beca said when she felt Chloe moving behind her. "When did this happen?"
"Sorry," Chloe said and removed her arms from around Beca and sat up. "But I couldn't stay in the guest room when you were less than twenty feet away. I needed some Beca cuddles, and when I asked if I could sleep in here with you, you didn't say no."
"I was sleeping," Beca said. "Kind of hard to say no when you're sleeping."
"I did try to wake you," Chloe admitted. "I'm sorry. It's just-. I miss you, Becs."
"It's okay," Beca said sitting up and throwing her legs over the side of the bed. "It's probably the best night's sleep I've had since I moved to L.A."
"You're welcome," Chloe said with beaming smile.
"Don't ever change, Chlo," Beca said with a laugh as she stood. "I have to shower and get ready for work. You're welcome to stay in here if you want to go back to sleep."
"Thanks," Chloe sighed and grabbed Beca's pillow, holding it to her chest as she laid back down.
"I'll see you later," Beca said and started her morning ritual.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Two hours after Beca left, Chloe is slowly waking up and stretched before she opened her eyes.
"Eeek!," she squealed when she saw Aubrey and Amy standing by the bed staring down at her. "Why are you two being so creepy?"
"So," Aubrey said with a smirk. "Sleep well last night?"
"Or were you kept awake most of the night?," Amy asked and waggled her eyebrows.
"What's the big deal?," Chloe said looking up at the two blondes. "We used to share a bed in New York every night. I, I missed it."
"Why didn't you tell her about Chicago?," Aubrey asked as she sat on the bed.
"I didn't want her to worry about me being alone in New York," Chloe said quietly.
"I thought you were going to see if you could still get into vet school here in California?," Aubrey asked.
"You want to move to L.A.?," Amy said. "Aw, yeah! The hottest three Bellas can be roomies again."
"Not L.A. The vet school is in Davis," Aubrey said. "And, aca-excuse you, all the Bellas are hot."
"That's true," Amy said. "But, we're like the top three hottest. I'm of course the number one hottest."
"I'm going to make coffee," Chloe said and climbed off the bed.
Chloe went to the kitchen and found the coffee maker already set up. She laughed at the note Beca left on it. Chloe turned the coffee on and sat at the counter looking around. She couldn't help but smile at how homey it was.
Aubrey and Amy were still arguing over who the hottest Bellas were as they came and sat down at the kitchen counter.
"Hey, Ames," Chloe said. "Where do you keep the cups?"
"Cupboard above the coffee maker," Amy said.
"And why did Beca leave a note on the coffee maker saying not to let you near it?," Chloe asked as she took three cups and set them next to the coffee maker.
"There might have been a little fire with the first one we had," Amy said.
"I don't even want to know," Aubrey said and turned to Chloe. "And I want to get back to you and the whole vet school thing. Are you going to see if you can get into vet school in Davis?"
"I'm not going to vet school," Chloe said. "Do you want cream for your coffee?"
Chloe looked in the refrigerator and surprisingly found some half and half. She set it on the counter.
"What do you mean you're not going to vet school?," Aubrey practically screamed.
"I mean, I'm not going to vet school," Chloe said. "But I am going back to school to get my teaching degree."
"I thought you had your heart set on being an animal doctor," Amy said.
"I did," Chloe said. "But, a few days ago while I was working at the veterinary clinic there was this dog." Chloe stopped as her eyes filled with tears at the memory. "And he got hit, and it was hard because the doctor tried everything and, um, he didn't make it. I realized that I couldn't handle seeing any animal hurt and definitely couldn't watch another one die. Especially if I was the one that was supposed to save them."
"Oh, Chloe," Aubrey said. "I'm sorry you had to see that. But, I guess it's better you find out now instead of after you'd spent time in vet school. Where are you going to apply to get your teaching degree?"
"I already applied," Chloe said. "I submitted applications back in November in case vet school fell through. I've been accepted into three schools for the Fall Semester. I have to make my decision by the end of next week."
"Really?," Aubrey said. "Where did you get in?"
"Barden, University of Chicago," Chloe said. "And, UCLA."
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
Beca was eating lunch in her office listening to the latest track she had finished earlier that morning when there was knock on the door. She turned off the song and called out, "Come in."
The door opened, and Theo came in. "Sorry to bother you during lunch," he said. "I told Dani it was kind of important because I need some help with something. I was hoping you had a minute."
"Um, sure," Beca said. "What do you need?"
Theo walked over and handed Beca a jump drive. "It's the first track. I don't want to say anything about it; I just need you to listen to it."
Beca inserts the jump drive and clicks on the first track. She leans forward and hits play. She closes her eyes as the music plays and after about 45 seconds her brow furrows, and she stops the song. She backs it up and presses play again. She gets to the same spot and stops again.
"What is that sound?," Beca asked Theo.
"I don't know," Theo said. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. We've had them run through it three times, and that noise keeps popping up. But it's not always in the same place."
"Are they in the studio now?," Beca asked.
"They're at lunch," Theo said. "But we're supposed to start back at 1:00."
"I'd like to be in the studio to hear them," Beca said. "I'll ask Dave if we can start at 1:30 and I'll meet you in the studio at 1:00 for a run-through. Okay?"
"Thanks, Beca," Theo said. "Maybe Dave can help, too."
"I'll ask him," Beca said.
"Great," Theo said. "Thanks again. I'll see you at 1:00."
"Yeah, see you in a bit," Beca said.
Beca remained sitting on the sofa for a few minutes thinking. That was probably the first decent work conversation she's had with Theo since she got to L.A. It was actually kind of nice. Maybe I should give Theo a real chance. But, what about Jesse? He's sent a few texts apologizing for his behavior but hasn't asked for another date. If only Chloe wasn't with Chicago. She is shaken out of her thoughts by another knock on her door.
"Yeah?," Beca called out. "Come in."
"Hey," Dani said. "There's someone here to see you."
"Who?," Beca asked as she stood up.
"Shawshank, tell this flat-butt to let us in," Amy's voice came through loud and clear.
"Show them in," Beca said with a laugh.
Dani moved aside, and Amy, Chloe, and Aubrey all came through the door.
"Hey, Becs," Chloe said and pulled her into a hug. Beca hugged her back and then looked at Amy.
"So, I'm one of the sights you decided to show them?," Beca asked Amy.
"Not really," Amy said as she sat on the sofa. "When Chloe found out we were close to the studio, she insisted we had to come by to see you."
"You have a great view," Aubrey said standing by the window.
"I'll let you look around later, but I have to go to a meeting," Beca told them. "You can go with me, and then you can join me in the studio and watch me work."
"We get to see you in a real studio?," Chloe asked, excitement oozing from every pore.
"Yep," Beca said. "Oh, Dani, this is Amy and Aubrey. And, you practically know Chloe already."
"It's nice to meet you formally, Chloe," Dani said and smiled.
"You, too," Chloe said and hugged Dani. "And thanks for taking care of our Beca."
"It's a dirty job, but you know," Dani said getting a glare from Beca. Dani laughed and said, "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. And, Beca, you only have like five minutes for your meeting with Theo. And I talked to Dave. He'll meet you down there."
"Thanks, Dani," Beca said. "Looks like we're heading down to the studio. Follow me, ladies."
"See you later, Dani," Chloe said with a little wave as they all followed Beca down the hall.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
The girls arrive at the studio and Theo looks up in surprise. "Wow," he said. "I didn't know we were going to be seeing some of the Barden Bellas today. Hello, ladies."
"Hey, Theo," Chloe and Aubrey replied. Amy just looked from Beca to Theo and back again. Beca furrowed her brow and then looked at the other girls.
"Um, you guys can sit there," Beca said pointing to a sofa along the back wall. "Hopefully, this won't take long; then we can go to the studio I'll be working in."
Chloe, Aubrey, and Fat Amy sat down on the sofa where they could see everything. Chloe was paying very close attention to the interactions between Beca and Theo.
"Be careful, Chlo," Aubrey whispered. "You're toner is showing."
Chloe laughed and slapped Aubrey's arm. "This isn't college, Brey," she whispered back. "Beca told me how hard Theo has been pushing to get her to go out with him. I'm just watching out for her. That's all."
"That's all?," Aubrey asked with a raised brow. "Why don't you just admit you like her. It will save us all a lot of trouble if you do."
"You're in on the bet, too?," Amy asked Aubrey, having heard them despite their whispering.
"What bet?," Aubrey asked.
"Ehhhh, umm, nothing," Amy said and turned back to look at Beca and Theo. Aubrey and Chloe looked at each other and shrugged.
The door opened and a man walked through. "Sorry, I'm late," Dave said.
"You're good," Theo said with a smile. "I just need some new ears to listen to this song."
Theo queued up the song and played it back. Dave and Beca both listened intently. Beca reached down and stopped it and replayed it again.
"There's some kind of noise," Dave said. "Did you check the equipment? The mics?"
"Yeah," Theo said. "Everything checked out fine."
Just then a group of four twenty-something guys walked in and immediately noticed Chloe, Aubrey, and Amy.
"Hello, ladies," one curly-haired guy said, staring at Chloe as he started to walk toward her. "Wow, you're hot!"
"Oh, hell no," Beca said, jumping in front of him. "Get your ass in the booth. We are not paying you to flirt with MY guests."
The guy held up his hands in front of him and started backing away. He looked over Beca's shoulder and gave Chloe a wink and a nod before he turned and went back to the other guys. Beca looked back and saw Chloe grimacing. "Sorry," she mouthed.
Amy, on the other hand, got up and started strutting toward the guys. "AMY!," Beca said grabbing her arm. "Sit!" Amy frowned but did as Beca said. "Now, stay!"
Amy crossed her arms and pouted while Aubrey and Chloe were laughing at the two. Beca shook her head and went back over to Dave and Theo.
"Can we hear the music without the vocals?," Beca asked.
Theo nodded his head and just played the music back. "The sound is not there," Theo said and turned the music off.
Beca heard something and turned to look at the band members. She smiled when she noticed something about one of them. "I think I found the noise." Beca looked at Dave and gave a nod of her head. Dave smiled when he realized what she noticed.
"You carry around a lot of change in your pocket," Dave said as he stood in front of the guy Beca had indicated. "And I'm guessing you jingle the change when you're nervous."
The guy nodded sheepishly as he noticed he was jingling the change. "I do it without realizing it."
Theo looked at the guy. "I'm going to need you to empty your pockets before you go back into the booth. The mics are picking up the jingling."
The guy apologized and took out all the change that was in his pocket and put it into a cup. Theo then had the band members go into the booth and sing the first two verses. This time there was no noise.
"Take five guys," Theo told the band and turned back to Beca and Dave. "Thank you. I don't know how long it would have taken me to figure that out." He laughed and shook his head. "Change in his pocket. Unbelievable."
"I guess we're done here," Dave said with a smile and turned to look at Beca and the girls.
"Oh, Dave, let me introduce you," Beca said. "Dave Wilson, these are my friends Amy Hobart, Aubrey Posen, and Chloe Beale. Girls, this is Dave. He's producing my album."
"It's a pleasure to meet you girls," Dave said and turned to Beca. "Can we hit the studio and lay down your vocals now?"
"Sure," Beca said. "We're going to go now, Theo."
"Thanks again for coming to check it out," Theo said sincerely. "I appreciate it."
"No problem," Beca said and smiled. She moved a little closer to Theo and lowered her voice. "Are you going to be here most of the afternoon? There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Yeah," Theo said. "I'll probably be here until after 6:00 with these guys."
"Cool," Beca said. "I'll see you before then."
She turned and followed Dave and the girls out of the studio.
~oOo~ ~oOo~ ~oOo~
"Theo seemed nice today," Aubrey said to Beca. She saw Chloe paying very close attention to Beca's reaction. "Do you think you'll give him a chance now?"
"I don't know," Beca said, cheeks pink. "Maybe. He's been a lot different lately. If he were like this all the time, it wouldn't be so bad."
Chloe frowned a little and went to sit next to Amy on the sofa. "Where are we going to dinner, Amy?"
"Beca and I found this cool neighborhood diner not too far from the apartment," Amy said. "We thought we'd make it an easy night."
"Sounds good," Chloe said playing with her hands and looking down at them.
Beca could see something was bothering Chloe but Dave was ready to get her in the booth.
"Let's do it all the way through once," Dave told her. "Then we can listen to it and decide if we want to change anything."
"Got it," Beca said and went into the booth. She put the headphones over her ears and gave Dave a thumbs up.
Dave hit the music and sat back. Beca closed her eyes and waited for her cue.
You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much
You're the fear, I don't care
'Cause I've never been so high
Follow me to the dark
Let me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life
So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
"Wow," Amy said. "This is really good."
"It is," Aubrey said nodding her head. "Beca sounds amazing."
Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've got to find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Chloe just sat and listened. She always loved hearing Beca sing, but she couldn't help wondering who the song was for. It sounds like a song of loving someone and missing them. The only thought Chloe has is that Beca is singing this song for Jesse. Even with these thoughts running through her head, she smiled. The song really was good.
I'll let you set the pace
Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (like you do)
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (yeah)
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?
Beca went through the song three more times. When she finished, Dave played it back. Aubrey and Amy were clapping and smiling. Beca blushed and Dave laughed. Beca looked to Chloe to see what she thought. All she got was a small smile.
"I think this last take is the best," Dave said. "You nailed it."
"What do you think, Chlo?," Beca asked the redhead causing everyone to look at her.
"I think it's good," Chloe said and smiled softly. "Really good."
Beca looked at Chloe with a furrowed brow. Chloe's smile didn't reach her eyes and Beca noticed. Plus, Chloe is not one to just say something is 'good' and leave it at that. Before she can question her, Aubrey jumps in.
"You sound aca-awesome, Beca," Aubrey said also sensing something seemed off with Chloe. "I think it's going to be a hit."
"I agree," Dave said. "I think we're done for today. Since your friends are here why don't you take the rest of the day off and we can start on 'Gift of a Friend' on Monday. Sound good?"
"Yeah, sounds, um, sounds great," Beca said. "Thanks, Dave."
"No problem," Dave replied. "Have a great weekend. It was very nice meeting you ladies. I hope to see you again while you're here."
"We hope so, too," Aubrey said. "It's surreal seeing Beca actually recording. I hope she'll let us come to watch again."
"Sure," Beca said with a smile. "It's kind of nice having an audience."
"Great," Dave said. "I'll see you on Monday."
"Hey, Dave," Beca called out as he started to leave. "Would you walk the girls back to my office? Ask Dani to keep them entertained until I get there. I've got to see Theo about one of the songs I want for the album. I'll fill you in later if that's okay."
"Sure thing," Dave said as he opened the door. "Ladies, after you."
Chloe looked up when she heard Beca say she needed to see Theo. She got up without saying a word and walked out of the studio. The others following behind. Beca went to look for Theo in his studio.
Song Used: Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding