Title: Don't Play Around
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Aubrey/Beca, the Bellas
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The Bellas all go to Beca's final match.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~2,200


Beca had, admittedly naively, hoped that Chloe wasn't serious about bringing all the Bellas with to the final chess boxing match. But with Fat Amy's help, the other girls are excited to have plans Friday night, even if they don't know exactly what they are.

So the ten of them pile into two vehicles Friday night and head to the match. Beca's driving Aubrey, Chloe, Stacie and Jessica while Fat Amy has Lily, Cynthia Rose, Ashley and Denise.

Aubrey's in the passenger seat and so Chloe is sitting directly behind Beca, but it isn't until about twenty minutes into the drive that the brunette belatedly realizes her mistake because the red head can't seem to sit still or stop touching Beca.

"Chloe you need to calm down," Aubrey tells her.

"I can't help it," Chloe exclaims. "This is going to be aca-entertaining."

Beca groans.

"You still haven't told us exactly what we're doing," Jessica points out.

"Yeah," Stacie adds. "And what's with all the secrecy?"

"You might as well just tell us," Jessica continues. "You know Amy is telling the others."

"I can't believe she kept it quiet as long as she did," Stacie says.

"I'd just like to say," Beca pipes up. "That this wasn't my idea."

"I take full credit," Chloe says.

"Or blame," Beca quips.

"Seriously guys," Jessica says.

Aubrey half turns in her seat. "Are either of you familiar with chess boxing?"

"I'm sorry," Jessica says. "Did you just say chess boxing?"

"I did."

"It's exactly what it sounds like," Chloe adds.

"So you box and play chess?" Stacie asks.

"Pretty much," Beca says.

"And we're going to a chess boxing match?" Jessica asks.

"We are," Aubrey confirms.

"Why again?" Stacie questions.

"To support Beca," Chloe replies.

"You're fighting?" Jessica questions.

"Yep."

"Huh," Stacie says.

"Not what I was expecting," Jessica mutters.

Beca waits for them to say more, but both stay silent, so Beca turns the radio up and eventually they're all singing along.

Aubrey won't let them go in until there's a game plan. Apparently Beca is going to have bodyguards, Fat Amy and Lily, to protect her from the groupies. No one questions Aubrey's choice of bodyguards, though Fat Amy does protest missing the fight. But once Aubrey assures her that she'll still be able to see it, Fat Amy relaxes and agrees to be Beca's bodyguard.

Of course then everyone wants to know why Beca needs bodyguards, which Chloe eagerly explains. So while the eight of them walk huddled together as Chloe gleefully tells the story, Beca and Aubrey linger behind, almost strolling hand in hand.

"Feel better?" Beca asks, quietly.

"No," Aubrey replies. "But it'll do."

The bouncer won't let them all in for free, but Beca is able to talk him down to five dollars each, instead of ten. They gym is the fullest that Beca's ever seen it and as they enter, she finds herself getting a little nervous.

"You'll do fine," Aubrey tells her quietly. "You're too stubborn to lose."

Beca grins. No one encourages her quite like Aubrey.

"And then you can kiss all my bruises better, right?"

Aubrey rolls her eyes, but squeezes Beca's hand before the brunette heads towards the locker room to change with her bodyguards trailing behind.

Which is lucky because waiting for Beca by the locker room door is Michelle and her blonde friend.

"Hi Beca."

"Uh, hi, Michelle and..."

"Wendy."

"Hi Wendy."

"Are these the aca-bitches that Aubrey was talking about?" Fat Amy interjects.

Beca nods.

"All right, piranhas," Fat Amy exclaims, moving closer to Beca. "Back off. The champ needs to prepare."

Beca is barely able to hold back her scoff at being called champ.

"And who are you?" Michelle asks.

"Her bodyguard," Fat Amy answers.

"And her?" Wendy asks, pointing to Lily.

"Bodyguard number two," Fat Amy says.

"Can't talk?" Michelle asks. "Or afraid to?"

"Oh, she can," Fat Amy assures them. "She just only does when she needs to."

Beca nods. "It's true."

"Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously," Lily says.

"Umm..."

"So why don't you two run along," Fat Amy tells them. "Go somewhere you're wanted."

"Bye Beca."

"Now I see why your girlfriend wanted us on hand," Fat Amy says, once they're gone.

Lily smirks.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Beca says. "I'm going to go change."

"We'll be here," Fat Amy replies.

When Aubrey sees one of Beca's groupies exit the small hallway that leads to the locker rooms, she knows she made the right choice about giving Beca bodyguards.

"I see they're back," Chloe observes.

Aubrey nods, grimacing.

"Are those the girls who hit on Beca?" Stacie asks.

"Unfortunately," Aubrey replies.

"Beca would never go for any of them," Stacie says.

"I know," Aubrey says. "But Beca is a bit oblivious and I don't want to have to worry."

"Except now we have to worry about Amy or Lily doing something insane," Cynthia Rose points out.

"Perhaps," Aubrey says.

"Yeah, but at least Lily's will be unobtrusive," Stacies says. "We probably won't even know she did it."

"But we can deal with it, either way," Aubrey adds. "Those groupies on the other hand..."

"You have really strange priorities, Aubrey," Cynthia Rose says.

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen," the referee announces, stepping into the ring. "We're about to start, so if you could please take your seats. Thank you," he says once everyone quiets down. "Welcome to the GACBWL final match. It's been quite a few weeks, but we've finally made it. Tonight we have Beca Mitchell fighting Nikki Prang." He pauses for the applause. "Ladies if you'd please take your places at the chessboard, we can begin."

Beca slips into the ring and accepting her noise defenders, sits down at the chess board.

"Good luck ladies and may the best boxer win."

As Beca stands for the fifth round of boxing, she's really not sure if she can hold out much longer. Nikki is relentless in the ring and it's taken all of Beca's energy to keep up and fight her off. At least she's holding her own on the chess board. It's impressive because it's obvious to Beca that Nikki is definitely better at chess than she is. But that doesn't mean she's going to lose. Of course that sentiment was easier to follow before Nikki lands a sharp right hook that has Beca reeling. The end of the round is the only thing that saves her and so she tries to switch gears, ignore the throbbing in her head and play chess.

About three minutes in, Beca manages to put Nikki's king in check and while Nikki is able to legally move the king, Beca once again puts the king in check with her next turn.

This goes on for the rest of the round and so when the bell rings, signally the end of the round, the ref stops them both from standing.

He explains that they've reached a stalemate and so he has to confer with the judges about what to do next. Beca and Nikki take the time to drink the bottles of water they've been given.

Beca catches Aubrey's eye in the audience and gives a little wave. Aubrey smiles back, though it's obvious that she's cringing about the beating Beca's taken.

"Excuse me," the ref says, returning to the ring. "May I have your attention please?" He waits for everyone to quiet down. "After conferring with the judges, it has been decided that the winner of this final match is... Beca Mitchell."

No one is more shocked than Beca to hear her name announced as the winner. She sits there in shock for a moment before Nikki offers her hand and a gruff, "Congrats."

"Thanks," Beca manages. "Good match. You, uh, really made me earn it."

This gets Beca a small smirk. "You're not so bad yourself, kid."

Beca smiles.

"But if we ever meet again, I will be definitely kicking your ass."

"I understand," Beca nods.

"Not bad, Mitchell," Fat Amy says, as they make their way back to the locker room.

"Thanks."

"I admit, I still had my doubts about you," Fat Amy continues. "I mean, yeah, you did all right in the fight I saw, but that chick wasn't that big of deal. But this Nikki chick? I would've put my money on her. If I'd been betting."

"Thanks Amy."

"It's the truth."

"Well then I guess it's lucky that you didn't bet on her," Beca retorts.

"Hi Beca."

Beca sighs seeing Michelle by the locker room.

"What is this chick's problem?"

"Relax," Michelle says, holding up her hands in defense. "I just came to tell the champ here, congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Is that all?" Fat Amy questions, crossing her arms.

"For now. Bye Beca." Michelle waves and saunters away.

"Unexpected," Lily says.

"I'm going to go shower," Beca tells them before disappearing into the locker room.

"So that was intense," Cynthia Rose says as people begin to filter out.

"You okay there, Bree?" Chloe asks.

"Fine," Aubrey replies, her gaze still on the ring. "Totally fine."

"I'm sure it looked worse than it was," Denise says.

"Yeah," Jessica pipes up. "My brother boxes and he's always saying that."

"Isn't your brother like six foot and over two hundred pounds?" Denise asks.

"Shhh."

"Thanks anyway, Jessica," Aubrey says.

"Those girls are staring," Ashley says. "Still."

"Well, at least they're together," Chloe says. "That means none of them are hitting on Beca."

"Excellent point," Aubrey says.

"You think Amy scared them away?" Stacie asks.

"Or Lily," Cynthia Rose adds.

"I'm sure they were equally terrifying," Chloe says.

"That blonde does not like you at all, Aubrey," Denise points out.

"Yeah, if looks could kill," Ashley adds.

Chloe giggles. "She's jealous."

"Well yeah," Stacie says. "Beca was like super hot up there."

"Please don't help, Stacie," Aubrey mumbles.

When Beca exits the locker room, the only ones waiting for her are Fat Amy and Lily.

"You guys are excellent bodyguards," she says.

"Well, then maybe you'd be so inclined to share some of that prize money with us," Fat Amy replies.

"No way, dude," Beca says. "Maybe if you get punched in the face on my behalf."

"Whoa," Fat Amy says. "No one said anything about punching people. Let's not get all crazy here, champ."

"Let's just go find the others, all right?" Beca suggests. "I could use a drink. Or a nap."

Aubrey says Beca shouldn't be driving in her condition. Beca wants to protest that she's not dying, just a little beat up, but truthfully, she'd prefer not to drive home if she doesn't have to. She also knows that Aubrey realizes this and her pride is grateful for the graceful way to get out of it. Not that that stops her from arguing with Aubrey about it. The others just roll their eyes and walk slightly ahead, not wanting to get caught in the cross fire.

When the others are far enough ahead that they won't hear everything, Aubrey stops and so Beca does as well.

"Are you okay, really?"

Beca nods, smiling softly. "I'm sore, but I'll live."

"I can't believe you won," Aubrey says. "You were pretty bad ass up there."

"Thanks."

"I have just one question for you," Aubrey tells Beca.

"All right," Beca replies, warily.

"Were you flirting with your opponent at the end?"

"What?"

"After they announced that you won," Aubrey says. "I saw you. You were flirting with her."

"I was trying to be nice, Bree," Beca argues. "No one thought I was going to win, certainly not her."

"I believed in you," Aubrey protests.

"You and Chloe sure," Beca replies. "But no one else. And since I won for some crazy, unexplainable reason, I thought the least I could do is say good match or whatever."

"You won because you had the black pieces," Aubrey says, quietly.

"What?"

"You won because you had the black pieces," Aubrey says again.

"And you told me to make sure I had the black pieces," Beca muses. "What am I missing?"

"In the case of a tie, the winner is the player with the black pieces," Aubrey informs her.

"Seriously?"

Aubrey nods.

"That's... Thank you, Bree."

"My pleasure," Aubrey smiles.

Beca takes Aubrey's hand and pulls her closer, ignoring the twinges of pain when she has Aubrey pressed against her. "You've been pretty perfect about this whole ridiculousness."

"Purely selfish," Aubrey replies. "Seeing up you, like that, is totally hot. As long as I ignore the fact that you're getting pummeled."

"But I got five hundred bucks out of it," Beca points out.

"I can only imagine what you're going to use that money for," Aubrey says.

"Haven't decided yet," Beca replies.

"I don't believe you," Aubrey says. "But you look like you're going to fall over."

Beca nods. "I kind of feel like it."

"Then let's get you home, babe," Aubrey says. "So I can get you into bed."

"Fine," Beca replies, as they start walking towards the cars again. "But you're going to have to do all the work. I'm exhausted."

Aubrey rolls her eyes. "Whatever you say, Mitchell."


A/N: There will be one more part after this.