Hope y'all don't mind long chapters….


"How exactly did you know where I live?"

He lets her walk in the entryway and she passes by him briskly, the cool air disappearing from the outdoors as he closes the door behind the two of their figures. "I have access to all employee information. You gave it to me."

He leads Beca down the small hallway in the front of his home, the narrow walkway dimly lit by a singular lamp near the stairs. He brings her into his living room, offers her a seat on the sofa he'd been comfortable on for hours that night and says, "Yeah, I trust you with too much."

"It's because I'm extremely reliable." Beca sits right beside him, placing the wine bottle on the glass coffee table in front of her before sinking back comfortably into the couch cushions.

"You're beginning to sound way too much like Stacie."

Beca turns her head towards the television then, seemingly just noticing there was a moving picture playing before the two them. "You're watching The Goonies?"

The way his lip seems to curl up in the corners at her statement is almost instant. "Miss Mitchell, are you letting on that you actually know what The Goonies is?"

"Yeah, your point?"

Beca's face pivots to find Jesse's on the side of hers, finding his face lit up in smiles and abundant amusement. "I thought you didn't like movies."

"I don't," she argues, arms crossing across her chest in defense.

He counters back with, "Then explain to me how you happen to know one of the classics?"

"Just because I don't like movies doesn't mean I don't know of some," she argues back, eyes rolling back. "I don't live under a rock, Swanson."

"Okay, okay," he laughs lightly in response, hands flying up in a slight defense from her hard tone. He's just joking with her, but she's so easy to get riled. He tries a change in subject at his next question: "So, I have to say I'm a little surprised to see that you've wandered your way over here tonight. What brings you here at this late hour?"

"Ugh," she groans, sinking herself back further into the plush cushions.

Jesse lifts up his legs and folds them up into a pretzel, turning to face her directly. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say things aren't going too well with your dad."

Beca's head takes a sharp turn to face Jesse as she bluntly says, "He's being an asshole."

A small grin appears on Jesse's face as he nods along with her. "Alright, that's the second way I was going to word my sentence."

"And what's even more annoying is I was trying. So hard." Beca stops a moment to turn and face Jesse, tucking her legs underneath her body. "I took them to the pier last night and we even had dinner out. Call me crazy, but I was actually enjoying myself. I thought, 'wow, maybe my dad and I do have a chance to fix our relationship.' Yeah, what a stupid thought to have."

"What happened?" Jesse's tone is so gentle and genuine. She can hear in his voice that he actually cares, which is a nice change from the exchange she just had with her father a few hours earlier. She knows she could have gone to Amy - Amy was familiar with her story and would have listened. Hell, she probably could have even gone to Chloe to vent. But something in her pushed her to Jesse's, made her feet end up on his doorsteps instead of the friend she's had in Amy for years.

"It was just a few hours ago, after dinner. I was putting away leftovers and he shows me this ad for a job. A boring job. A job I have no interest in taking."

"A few hours?" Jesse asks puzzlingly. "Where have you been for the past few hours?"

Her response is simple: "Out. Around. Driving. Walking. I don't know. I was trying to distract myself."

"Walking around the city at this hour all by yourself?

"Yeah," Beca shrugs. She can't really seem to figure out what the big deal is about her being out alone in a city she's been living in for years on her own. It's also distracting her from her train of thought in her storytelling.

"You can't do that." He's firm. It's not a suggestion of sorts from the tone he uses, she can tell. He really doesn't want her out in the city alone.

"And why not?" She doesn't mean for her color of her voice to come across as flirty, but she hears it after the words stop rolling off her tongue and hates it. She's thankful he doesn't seem to really pay any mind to it, though.

"You could have been hurt!" He throws his hands up, looking at her with this perplexed facial expression as if saying 'don't be stupid, you know this.' "You don't know what kind of people are out there galavanting at this time of night. There are very bad people out there in this city, Beca. Dangerous people."

"Geesh, Swanson. It's fine. I'm okay."

"Sure, this time," he says, softer, calmer. "Just promise me…don't go out like that again by yourself. Just..you should have come straight here instead of wandering around out on your own like that."

She sheepishly looks down at her hands in her lap, playing idle with them as she makes her next confession. "I didn't know if I was going to come here. I didn't want to bother you. I didn't know if you'd even want to hear any of my shit."

"What? That's crazy. Beca, we're friends. You're welcome here anytime you need to talk."

"Thanks," she mutters timidly, still absentmindedly fiddling with her fingers. "Anyways, so, he shows me this job advertisement."

"Right," Jesse nods, jumping back into her story right along with her. "One you didn't have any interest in taking."

"And I told him that. I told him again, because you and I both know I've told him plenty of times. Even though he knows what I want to do, even though he knows I already have a job right now." Her words come out fast and hurried, angry. She feels herself sink a little bit when she gathers her thoughts to say what she needs to next. She slows, anger disappearing completely before she continues. She feels sad, hurt, lost. "He doesn't think I'm good enough to be a producer. That's why he's been pushing me away from it all these years."

"He said that? He said you aren't good enough?" Jesse's sweet and calm and gentle. And so caring. She isn't sure what happened in her life for them to come into each others lives, but she's not thinking too hard on that question right now. Right now, she's just grateful to have someone who will listen to her.

"Well, no," she says, beginning to replay the conversation back in her mind. "No, not exactly, but it was implied. It was definitely implied."

"Are you sure it wasn't just your anger that made you think it was implied?"

A flash of anger escapes her. "Who's side are you on?"

"I'm on your side, of course," he reassures her. "But, being on your side doesn't come down to me just agreeing with you. I want to help you. Friends help each other. And tell them the cold, honest truth when they need to hear it most."

"Well, that sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me."

His eyes narrow down at her. "Do you think it's possible that maybe, just maybe, you took his comments the wrong way?"

"I don't know." A shrug. "It's possible, I guess. But, still. Why has he been pushing me away from my dreams all these years?"

"Beca, I don't think he's trying to push you away from your dreams. I think he just wants to see you be successful. I think he knows how difficult that business is to get into and he doesn't want to see his only daughter struggle. He doesn't want to see you hurting. He just wants you to be happy."

"It sure feels like he's trying to deter me away from what I want," a grumbled response emits from her small body.

"And I don't doubt that it does. It's going to take compromise from both of you," he looks at her when he emphasizes both. "But, I don't think you're relationship is beyond repair." Her eyes drift over in his direction, glossy and hopeful. "Which, I'm sensing is something you want to fix as much as he wants to. Even if you lead on otherwise."

"You know, I really don't like you all that much right now," she says softly. "But, thank you."

"It's been a pleasure to assist you on this fine holiday."

"You're such a nerd," she laughs despite her comment. "How was your holiday, by the way?"

"Well, let's see," he begins, ready to count the activities he's done on his left hand. "I worked a little bit. I watched a movie. I ate a frozen meal for dinner. Watched another movie, and then got a visit from a friend just a bit ago."

"Worked? Jesse, please tell me you're joking."

"No, I answered some emails and made some calls…"

She stops him before he can finish whatever it was that he was trying to say. "Jesse, you're not supposed to work on your days off. That's why it's called a day off."

"I didn't have anything else to do. My parents went to visit my sister in Boston this year, and Sadie…," he trails off, his words getting softer with each sound he makes. "I don't actually know where Sadie is."

Beca feels her eyes widen. "You still haven't heard from her?"

"I have not." A simple statement, as if he's not even surprised. As if it this is a natural and normal occurrence.

"She's been gone for like two weeks, Jesse. She's your fiancé. How could she not want to hear from you, or hear how you're doing?" Jesse only shrugs, no words needed to indicate how he felt. "Have you tried reaching out to her?"

"I did, I was trying," he starts by saying. "I was calling the first few days she was gone. I'd either get shrugged off pretty quickly, she clearly didn't want to be bothered with me. Or, I'd get no response at all." He stops a moment, Beca staying silent on the side of him "I figured I could keep calling, but it was pretty evident she didn't want to be bothered with me, so I just started thinking, why am I the only one who seems to be putting effort into this relationship anymore?"

"She should be reaching out to you, Jess. If you're questioning that at all, you shouldn't be. She is every part equally responsible for making this relationship work. It shouldn't all be weighing down on your shoulders."

"I know that," he says. "But, then I think maybe she's just as lost as I am. Maybe she doesn't know where to start."

"That's not all on you to be making it work, though, Jesse. If she's not giving anything…I think if she cared about making things work….I think she would be at least putting some effort into the relationship."

"You're right. And I know that. Deep down, I know that." A breath. A small shift in position to make himself more comfortable. Looks down to avoid her eyes. "I hate giving up. It's not in my nature. Giving up feels like I'm failing this relationship, failing her, failing me," A sigh. "But lately, it feels like ending it is the only solution to the problem."

Words fail her after his confession. What does one say to someone, anyways, after vocalizing that the only way to fix your long term relationship, is to end it? She hasn't been in that situation before, hasn't been in a relationship serious enough where it's been in an engagement zone, where marriage was even a topic of discussion.

She can't reassure him through words, but she does want to give him comfort in someway, to let him know she's here, that she's a friend to him, too, as he is to her. She scoots herself closer to him, just slightly, as there already wasn't a large amount of space between them, her knee brushing against the top of his thigh, and her arm coming up to rest gently against his bicep.

His eyes find hers upon her touch. It's soft, thankful. So very gentle. It's that tenderness in his eyes that stir something inside her, make her feel an odd certain way.

A way she can't remember feeling before.

She leans forward ever so slightly, her lips covering his, so softly, in the soft darkness of the room surrounding them. Jesse's quick to respond, pressing his mouth harder against her own, moving their lips together in a steady rhythm.

It's not long before he pushes her back slightly, her back flat against the soft surface of the couch. He pulls away from her, his elbows holding his weight up as he gazes into her blue eyes. One of his hands finds his way to the loose strands of hair against her face, pushing them behind her ear and out of her way.

She notices how Jesse's face starts to move towards her again, so she takes her right hand and holds on to the back of his head, guiding his mouth back down to hers once again, smiling into the kiss once their lips meet in the middle.

She doesn't know what possessed her to kiss him, doesn't know what happened to cause the desire to escalate so quickly. She knew it was wrong, but in that moment, she just wanted to feel. Wanted to feel the touch of him on her, wanted to feel his lips on her once again.

She elevates herself slightly, sure to not break the skin to skin contact with Jesse, beginning to unbutton the blue and black plaid shirt she had on over her white tank top. He notices her fingers trying to work at her shirt, his hands coming over to help with the last two buttons on the bottom, pulling the fabric off her body, tossing the shirt into room, forgotten and unimportant to the two of them in this moment. His hand comes around to cup the side of her face, holding it so gently in the palm of his hand, their lips still moving together in perfect unison.

It's not until Jesse's hand starts tugging at the end of her white tank top, dragging it up, his hand coming into direct contact with the skin on her abdomen, when her thoughts seem to come crashing down around her. She pushes up against his chest, sitting up quickly, putting her head between her hands when the realization of what just happened sinks in.

What she just let happen, what she started.

Again. It happened again, she thinks.

"What am I doing?" She looks over at him sitting beside her. She indicates between the two of them with her right hand. "We can't do this."

"If I'm being honest," he says lightly. "We lasted a whole lot longer than I thought we were going to."

"What?"

"Oh, c'mon." A small chuckle escapes his lips. "This was bound to happen again."

"No, it wasn't! How?" She scoffs at the words he just said, still echoing in her head. "What?"

"There's something going on between us," he says, directly staring into her blue eyes, reaching out and resting his hand atop hers. "I feel it. You feel it."

She deflects, shaking her head back and forth, pulling her hand out from under his. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He looks at her directly, her eyes shifting to his once more before he says, "Tell me you don't feel something between us."

Her moment of silence is answer enough to herself to realize how she feels about him.

"I still can't do this with you, Jesse," she responds, the words a clear indication that she wanted this, too. It was weird hearing herself say it aloud, weird hearing herself admit to wanting this not only to herself, but to Jesse as well. "You're engaged to be married."

"I know," he sighs.

"And…I've been down this road before."

"Down what road?" Curiosity sparkles in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"There was this guy. Luke." She pauses to make sure she has his utmost attention. "I thought things were great," she lets out a humorless laugh. "Joke was on me, though."

"What happened?"

The frustrations of the memories stir inside her. "I don't know. I hate talking about it. It makes me look like a huge fool."

"You can trust me." Kindness shines in his eyes and it's in that, that she feels he won't judge her for her past mistakes.

"I was stupid, and I was naive," she starts. "I thought he loved me, but…he didn't love me. Turns out he was in another relationship the whole time."

"Why would he do that to you?"

Her shoulders fall up and down, only once, only slightly. "Beats me."

"How did you…find out?"

Bluntly, she says, "Saw him out with her in town one day swapping spit with each other."

She can see the disgust in his eyes, the anger at this guy, this guy he doesn't even know doing that to her. It's an odd feeling, to witness him showing her he cares for her, cares about her. "I'm so sorry that happened to you, Bec."

"It's just that," she pauses a brief moment. "As long as your with her…I can't do this. I can't," she stops, correcting her words. "I won't be the other woman again."

"You're not just some other woman to me though, Bec. You're smart, and funny, and beautiful, and talented."

A small chuckle comes out at the words he just spoke. "Yeah, tell Sadie that."

"Do you want me to talk to her?"

"Yes." She's surprised by how easily her words roll of her tongue.

"Done."

She's shocked by how easily he replies, how quickly. "Really?"

"Really," he confirms, strongly. "I'll talk to her."

"I don't want you to do it just because of this, though, I don't want to be the reason you end things with her if you want to make it work."

"Beca, I think you and I both know my relationship has been over for quite some time. I'm just…finally accepting it," he says. "Thanks to some help from you."

She smiles softly up at him, noticing the digital clock flashing red on his cable box. "It's late. I really should get going."

"Let me walk you out."

They make it to his front door, stopping in an awkward silence. "Well, thanks for….listening to me. About my dad and…everything."

"That's what friends are for, right?"

She shifts on her feet slightly, unsure what to say. "Well, I guess I'll see you Monday, then?"

"Yeah," he smiles. "I'll see you, Monday."

She turns to leave, hand on the doorknob, ready to turn it and walk out into the cool morning air before he grabs her arm lightly, turning her around to face him, and softly pressing his lips against hers. She hates how she seems to melt into it. Hates how it makes her feel guilty, but still wanting it at the same time.

He pulls back just a moment later, and she curses herself for being upset that it's over, for wishing it had lasted longer.

His smiling face greets her when she opens her eyes. "See you, Monday, Bec."

She doesn't let him see the small smile that forms on her face until she hears the door close quietly behind her.


He closes the door quietly in the dead of night, watching as Beca started walking away from his home, sinking his back against the hard surface to replay the past few hours back again in his head.

Beca. Kissing Beca. Beca.

Did he just agree to call off his engagement?

Just like that?

Without any hesitation?

He's shocked how simple it all really seemed when it boiled down to it, how easy it was for him to make that decision in the spur of the moment. He's been against this for years, ending his relationship, because ending it meant quitting and he wasn't a quitter. It's like he's known for a while this was how things were going to go, that the end would come eventually, but he's just opening up to it, just finally seeing the light.

It's not until he's lying in bed on his cold pillow and soft sheets a while later when the realization truly hits him, when the actuality of the situation fully makes itself clear to him.

He can't believe how easily he agreed to talk to Sadie.

He can't believe he's going to finally tell Sadie things between them aren't working out anymore.

He can't believe how liberated he feels.


She doesn't even bother to start caring about the late hour when she shuts the door to her black four door and reaches for her cell phone and dials the one other friend she can trust right now in this situation.

Her friend doesn't bother answering with a typical hello. No, she's greeted with a remark of: "It's nearing 3 in the morning. This can't be good."

She turns the key in the ignition, starting the engine and letting the warm air from the car heater start to heat up the inside of her car. Beca doesn't have time for Amy's smartass retorts right now. "Not helping, Amy."

"What trouble did you get yourself into this time, Mitchell?" Amy asks this is in such a light tone, as if it's a regular occurrence. And, okay, it's definitely not a regular occurrence but she definitely may have called Amy before at late hours after getting herself into trouble. "Drunk at bar? Being held in a prison cell?"

"That was one time!"

Beca sinks her head into the palm of her hand, stressed, confused, and completely not ready to hear the next words she says come out of her own mouth.

"I think I'm falling in love with Jesse."


(Fun fact! This is the chapter that inspired the whole story.)

Wow. An update. Within a week? I know, shocking, right? Wasn't even planning to drop that bombshell at the end, but y'know, it seemed to be perfect timing. By far, my favorite chapter to write so far so I hope it lived up on your end as well! Let me know what you guys thought!