Chapter Ten

A buzzing sound interrupted the silence, causing Chloe to snap her eyes open. The room was dark, lit only by the glow of the laptop, on which the play menu for the movie was displayed, the movie having long since ended.

She and Beca had fallen asleep during the movie, and in their sleep had moved to a more comfortable position laying down. Chloe had ended up cuddled against Beca's back for warmth, which she missed sorely as she sat up, trying to work out where the buzzing was coming from.

"S'matter?" Beca asked sleepily, stirring as she felt Chloe shifting around behind her.

"It's just my cell phone," Chloe whispered back. "Go back to sleep."

Chloe finally extracted her cell phone from being wedged into the side of the bed, as Beca rolled over to face her, eyes closed and already half asleep. Sliding her finger across the screen to unlock the phone, Chloe tapped into the message and let her eyes flick across the screen to read the text message from Aubrey.

A soft gasp from Chloe caused Beca to startle and sit up. "What's wrong?" she asked blearily, rubbing her eyes.

Wordlessly, Chloe handed the phone to Beca. Before reading the text, Beca noticed several emotions flash across Chloe's face – shock, disbelief, excitement, and then worry. She glanced down at the phone.

We're back in, aca-bitches! Full steam ahead for Nationals - rehearsal first thing on Monday after Spring Break, NO exceptions!

"Well, that's great, right?" Beca asked as she returned her gaze to Chloe, who appeared even more worried, and upset. "What's wrong?"

Chloe drew in a slow, shuddering breath. "Beca…I just had surgery. On my voice. My voice, Beca."

Beca immediately understood that it was only just hitting the redhead that she would most likely not be able to sing in the full range she used to. She knew that music was Chloe's life, and singing was her passion. Although it was the right move to make for her health, the surgery was now going to be the black shadow over Chloe until she could sing again.

"Chloe. Come here," Beca said softly, reaching out for her friend. She pulled Chloe into her arms, who buried her face against Beca's neck. A few wet splotches landed on Beca's shoulder, so she brought her arms around the older girl and began to run her fingers along her spine comfortingly.

She didn't bother saying it would be okay, or that Chloe's voice would be fine. She knew that Chloe would see through those comments in a heartbeat, because things might not be fine, and it could change Chloe's opportunities for nationals. Instead, she tugged downwards so that they were laying back on the bed, and held Chloe even tighter.

Chloe simply burrowed into Beca's embrace, and allowed the tears, the surgery, the pressure, the pain, to release.

Beca awoke in the morning, feeling extremely relaxed and cozy. She laid there with her eyes closed, basking in her warmth, until she realized she wasn't alone in bed.

She slowly opened her eyes, and remembered the previous night – Chloe getting a text message, and getting upset about her voice, and Beca comforting her. Right now, Chloe was still fast asleep, draped across Beca. Her arms were wrapped around Beca, and their legs tangled together. Beca couldn't help but notice how perfectly Chloe's head fit in the crook of her neck.

She hated seeing Chloe so upset. Dropping a light, friendly kiss onto Chloe's temple, she tightened her grip on the redhead, and finally acknowledged the tingles she felt in the pit of her belly.

She had fallen, completely, and irrevocably, for Chloe.

I never really stood a chance, she thought to herself with a small smirk. She closed her eyes, and just started to allow her mind to drift into a pleasant daydream when she felt Chloe start to stir. Beca opened her eyes to see sleepy blue ones watching her.

"Good morning, Chloe. How are you feeling?" Beca asked tentatively.

Chloe smiled softly. "I'm okay. My throat still hurts, and I'm frustrated that I can't have coffee for a few more days, but I'm fine," she said in her raspy whisper. She paused for a moment. "I'm sorry about my meltdown last night though"

Beca gave her a reassuring smile. "You're fine, you have nothing to apologize for. It's a big thing, competing in the ICCA's, and I can't imagine what it's like for you. You and Aubrey have been working towards this for years. Hey, I'm just glad I was here for you."

Chloe didn't answer, just burrowed into Beca a little tighter, before pulling away and slowly getting up. "I need a shower, I smell like hospital."

"My muscles are aching from sitting in that plastic hospital chair," Beca said. "I'm definitely in need of a hot shower too, we can go together." Her eyes widened slightly. "I mean, we can go to the shower area together, but take our separate showers, I didn't mean-"

"Beca, it's okay," Chloe replied with a chuckle. "I know what you meant. Besides, I already have a memory of that to last a lifetime." She gave Beca a wink, and turned to find her shower caddy.

Beca could feel her face turning red, her mind immediately recalling Chloe standing in front of her, naked, while they sang together. She remembered locking eyes with Chloe as their voices combined, and the rush of adrenaline. She also remembered stealing a glance at Chloe's body, and blushed harder. She shook her head to clear it, and followed Chloe out of bed to collect her own shower things.

The next few days of Spring Break passed relatively fast. Chloe marvelled at this; she had initially been dreading Spring Break – and rightfully so, considering her operation and what that could mean for her future. But instead of spending the week alone in her dorm and dwelling over thoughts of never singing again, she was with Beca. She was with Beca, who took care of her, and made sure she had enough food, and kept occupied.

For the most part, they spent their days watching Netflix, listening to music, studying, and taking walks around campus. Beca had definitely seen more of Barden University during this week than she had all year. They spent their evenings apart, with Beca at the radio station and Chloe alone in the dorm, but even that time was filled with constant texts between the two. Beca would then return to Chloe's dorm room a little after midnight, where Chloe would be waiting with tired eyes, pulling Beca into bed and immediately falling asleep.

So there was no surprise to Chloe when it was Friday before she realized, and she was standing outside the office to her laryngologist. Beca stood beside her, their upper arms lightly touching.

"I guess we should go inside," Chloe said eventually, but made no move to step forward.

"There's no need to rush, we're early," Beca countered. "The only thing to remember, is the sooner you get in there, the sooner you'll know. And then we can go from there. But just remember, regardless of whether the results are good or bad, you're still a Bella, and you always will be. Okay?"

Chloe exhaled, a steely glint growing in her eye. She glanced at Beca, nodded, and the two women entered the medical office. Beca hung back in the waiting area while Chloe checked in, and the redhead was whisked away to the exam rooms almost immediately.

Beca grabbed a seat, grimacing slightly when she realized they were even more uncomfortable than the hospital chairs. She spent a couple minutes trying to occupy herself by flipping through some magazines, however quickly gave up and resorted to plugging in earbuds and listening to music on her phone. It made the time pass quicker, although she had no idea how much time had passed when she finally saw Chloe re-entering the waiting room, an impartial look on her face and a sheaf of papers in her hand.

The second they stepped outside, Beca whirled around to face Chloe. "So? How was it?" she asked.

Chloe's face sank slightly, but she attempted a smile. "I can sing," she said, watching a smile form on Beca's face. "However," she countered, "I might have lost some of my range. The doctor said there's a chance I may never be able to sing above a G sharp."

Beca saw a tear form in Chloe's eye. Without hesitation, she pulled Chloe into a tight hug. Chloe clung to her, and Beca rubbed her back soothingly. When it felt like Chloe had calmed down, Beca pulled back, but kept a reassuring hand on Chloe's shoulder. "He said might, though?" she asked, and gave an encouraging smile when Chloe nodded. "So let's focus on that. We have Bella's practice on Monday, and we can explore your vocal range in depth then." This time it was Beca's turn to falter. "That is, if Aubrey lets me back into the Bellas, after last time."

Chloe slung an arm over the brunette's shoulder, and started to lead them back to the car. "Don't worry about that, my dear Beca," she said confidently. "You're in, if I have anything to say about it. Aubrey may be my best friend, but so are you, and I'm also co-captain. I'm not going to let her stop me from putting my foot down this time."

All hell was breaking loose.

At least, that's what it appeared like as Beca stepped into the auditorium Monday afternoon, shortly after the Bella's meeting had started. After talking to Chloe, they decided it would be best for Beca to show up a little later, so Chloe could talk to Aubrey about the brunette coming back to the group. That way, Aubrey would feel more in control, and hopefully they could all have a nice, calm discussion.

Therefore, Beca had a big shock walking in to seeing Chloe, Aubrey, and Fat Amy, struggling to reach for the pitch pipe, and the rest of the girls in various states of disarray. Nor did she expect the nauseating smell of vomit that assaulted her when she got closer. She shouted out for them to stop, and they all did. Beca watched as Aubrey grabbed the pitch pipe and jumped up.

"This is a Bella's rehearsal," Aubrey said, clearly not happy that Beca was standing there. So clearly Chloe didn't get an opportunity to say anything yet, Beca thought, glancing at the redhead. Chloe was slowly getting to her feet, and Beca paused, watching to make sure she wasn't hurt, before drawing in a deep breath.

"I know. I, uh, wanted to say that I'm sorry," Beca said, biting her lip, but an encouraging smile from Chloe made her continue. "What I did was a really dick move, and I shouldn't have changed the set without asking you guys. I let you all down, and I'm sorry."

Everyone was silent, watching her. Chloe was still smiling reassuringly at her, and it also lightened her to see Cynthia Rose and Ashley smiling at her as well. Aubrey, however, was stone faced.

Beca drew in another breath. "Aubrey, if you'll have me…I want back in."

Chloe's eyes went to Aubrey, noticing the steel in her expression. "Aubrey," she said in a low voice, her tone laced with warning. Aubrey kept her eyes locked on Beca, showing no sign that she heard.

Beca's eyes flickered to Chloe again, and she reached down and grabbed the back of a chair. She started to drag it behind her as she slowly started walking away, glancing over her shoulder back at Aubrey.

"Aubrey," Chloe said again, just as softly as before but twice as dangerous. This caused Aubrey to glance over at her. "If you let Beca walk out that door, you will be saying goodbye to me as well."

Aubrey hesitated slightly, then snapped her head back to Beca. "Wait," she called, and Beca immediately stopped, released the chair and walked back to the group.

Chloe exhaled in relief. Aubrey actually listened to her. Beca was going to stay. The group was whole again. It was almost like that moment breathed new life into the group. They sat down as a group, and opened up to each other. Chloe used the moment to let everyone know about her surgery, amid gasps from everyone and a sympathetic look from Aubrey. The thought of the surgery still hurt, but Chloe knew she was dealing with it a lot better than she would have without Beca there for her last week. At least it was out in the open now.

Despite the sharing, Chloe was still semi shocked to see Aubrey hand over the pitch pipe – or attempt to, at least. She was more than happy to leave the smell of the auditorium and go down to the pool, where they sang and harmonized and became a group again. She got another shock though, when her voice turned low and deep when the Bella's tried to sing ahh, but some reassuring words from Cynthia Rose, and a soft smile from Beca, was all it took to make her forget.

It didn't really matter, anyway. They were a group again, the Barden Bella's. And they were going to the ICCA's.