A/N: Hey guys, here is chapter 14 featuring a realization for Aubrey, future decisions, and a moment with Beca and Chloe. Sorry for the delay, I only finished about half of this yesterday before I fell asleep on my desk… 'grad school: a summary'…

I repeat, I'm NOT following the anime ending. I'm writing my own that falls between the anime ending and the polar opposite of it. It'll be bittersweet and there will be heart-wrenching moments for sure.

That said, I'm setting Wednesdays and Sundays as my upload schedule for this fic. I think that's pretty do-able based on my schedule right now. I might miss this coming Sunday because this update is a little delayed but it will be more consistent after next Wednesday.

I don't own pitch perfect.

Chloe was humming, ecstatic about the coming day. Being cooped up in a hospital all day for weeks on end was pretty depressive enough, but knowing it's in and outs, its silence in the dark of night while she stretched out her legs and walked down the halls outside her room, it added another haunting feel to it.

It wasn't exactly the happiest place on earth, and somehow Chloe knew that that's not what it was designed to be. It was kind of pretty obvious.

But tomorrow, of tomorrow, Chloe gets to breath the fresh air of the outside world. She gets to feel the warmth of the sun on her skin without having to be charted around from place to place in a wheelchair.

Tomorrow she gets to visit her friends instead of them visiting her again. She gets to experience the wonderful colors and sight that fall typically brings year in and year out. If that's not enough to make her happy then nothing else could.

There was a skip in her step at the thought of visiting the café she visited with Beca again. Maybe she could even meet this mysterious piano student that Beca now apparently had as she found out earlier.

No, Chloe still doesn't approve of it. The fact of the matter was Beca was still just starting to get back into the swing of things when it comes to picking up the piano again and being a musician. What she doesn't need now was to waste time teaching someone else. If she had that much time free she should pour her heart and soul into practicing and finding herself in her playing.

"Do you really think it's a good time to teach someone piano? That's just another excuse. You can't afford to be getting cozy with another girl. If you have time to do that then how about practicing more?" Chloe couldn't help but exclaim when Amy let slip the tiny tidbit of info that she found out from Luke after running into him the other day. Apparently, neither Aubrey nor Jesse knew about it either.

Chloe would be lying if she said she wasn't a tiny bit jealous at the thought that someone else sat next to Beca on the piano chair and played with her.

At the thought that she had been spending the time she used to share with music with her and her alone.

But Chloe knew that despite this, there was still genuine concern. Beca can't teach someone if she's still unsure about her ability to play either.

Then of course, Chloe was just mostly mad that Beca didn't even bother telling her this herself when she had multiple chances to do so.

"I do my best to do both, to teach her and practice. When I get home, I do my own practicing too." Beca had replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

"I'm telling you that's not enough, you're juts wasting your time. Other people are practicing more and you don't even feel threatened." Chloe had countered.

"I told you, I am practicing" Beca had insisted.

"Them practice more! There's no such thing as enough, especially when you're still relying on other people as a clutch. You need to be able to play by yourself without getting lost in your own thoughts. You need to find the confidence to do so." Chloe had then argued, "The competitions are starting in December again, you won't have time, and before you know it…" she went on before realizing the irrationality behind her sudden outburst. She had apologized then but she figured she could still make it up a bit to Beca tomorrow.

That's why she's keeping it a surprise for now.

A surprise she was most definitely looking forward to.

But perhaps it was too soon to celebrate even the slightest bit of happiness that life brought her way. As Chloe found herself falling down to her knees just as she neared her own room, all feeling in them lost. There was a surge of panic building up inside of her as she started hitting her legs to try and get some kind of feeling or sensation from them.

Not again. she thought to herself as tears started to swell in her eyes.

"Not like last time." Chloe said softly to herself, remembering the night before the recital, going over the music sheet one last time before going to bed. She had been looking forward to her performance with Beca since she received the letter of invitation, and all of a sudden, she collapses, her legs having lost all feeling.

Except that night, Chloe lost consciousness from hitting her head. This time, Chloe was painfully aware that she was incapable to move her legs. "Stupid legs, work!" Come on!" she cried out knowing full well it was a futile attempt.

Not wanting to just give up, Chloe crawled her way towards the hand railings attached on the walls of the hallway and pulled herself up with every bit of strength she had left.

Her hands were shaking as she tried to make it to her door in a slow pace.

No, not now. She wasn't going to give up.

At least not yet.

The night before had been a long one for Aubrey, and so far, the day before her was turning out to be the same.

Beca had been in a terrible mood after leaving the hospital. Aubrey kept her company as they both took the long route back home, stopping for popsicles along the way and walking in silence. Aubrey didn't mind it really, she was mostly just content in her own way that she had a bit of alone time with Beca again. It's been far too long since they last had a moment to share just between them.

"You know, for someone who loves milk popsicles, you're still awfully short Mitchell." Aubrey had then said to break the silence. That, and well, Beca started humming some stupid piano piece and it was grinding her gears at how even when they were finally left alone together, her love of those stupid musical pieces took precedence over actually talking to Aubrey.

"Hey, that hurt. What did I do to you for you to insult me all of the sudden?" Beca had then asked, turning to look at Aubrey with an annoyed expression on her face.

"Let's start with you not telling me you're mentoring someone." Aubrey had replied.

"That's mostly Luke's idea." Beca had admitted. "Although I do see the benefits."

"What do you mean?"

'I've been talking to Luke a lot. The future isn't that far away anymore and I know I lost a lot of time because I gave up on it, but I've been thinking." Beca had said, looking rather deep at thought as she spoke. "I had a dream before, I still want that dream. I want to be a pianist, Aubrey. I know I am one, technically, but a proper one, so I'm applying to a bunch of music conservatories instead of just sticking to getting a college degree I'll never use. To do that, I need to start winning contests again, continue practicing a lot, and I have barely a year left to get that all done. Luke's got some connections to conservatories abroad though, so I'm considering those as well."

Aubrey had stopped then upon hearing Beca's plan. "You're… You're leaving." she then muttered as she thought back to plans she and Jesse and Beca started to make in middle school, about possibly going to the nearby college and apply to places nearby instead of going too far away from each other.

But now those promises seemed so lost.

Because once again, Beca's enchanted by music.

Taking her away from Aubrey.

Aubrey had run away after that, she could feel the tears that threatened to fall and like hell would she let Beca see her crying.

She hated it. She hated how things were changing.

She was so used to Beca being by her side that she didn't see how she's taken it for granted. Sure she wished Beca to get back on her feet but only because she wanted her to move on from the past.

But now Aubrey felt like she was the one going to be left behind as Beca moved forward to grow as an artist.

It was incredibly selfish of her, she knew. But they've always been together, she's always been the one at Beca's side, and she's the one who always doted on her.

Until it hit her that night as she heard Beca playing the stupid piece she was humming from her.

I'm an idot. she thought to herself as it finally dawned on her why it hurt so much, the thought of losing Beca.

Hence why the thought of having to talk to Beca that very next day had been too daunting for Aubrey. She didn't exactly know what to say.

She need to apologize for running away and leaving Beca behind. She needed to apologize for making her feel abandoned in the first place after Beca trusted her by telling her of what she planned to do, because that's what it was, Aubrey, she trusts you, and you're being too stupid and blind not to see that.

You still mean something to her.

Just not in the way she does to you…

Aubrey pretty much avoided Beca most of the day to clear her head of things, finally pushing herself to go and find her. Thankfully, it wasn't that hard to guess where Beca would be at during their break.

"Sometimes I wonder what the hell is wrong with you, all you do is play the piano, but then I hear you play and all I can see, and hear, and feel is you screaming at me that you're here. That your emotions are pouring right into the notes, making me feel what you feel in the moment. Then I realize that you really an artist." Aubrey said, rambling on as she stepped into the music room before settling down next to Beca on the piano stool.

Beca chuckled softly as she continued to play. "I guess I should say thanks." she then replied.

"Sorry about last night." Aubrey replied.

"Nah, it's okay. I figured I should be used to your outbursts by now." Beca teased, earning her a slap on the arm from Aubrey. "But seriously, are you okay?" she asked.

And boy was that a very loaded question.

Was Aubrey 'okay'?

No, she's hurting that she can see that Beca doesn't feel the same way back.

No, because she knows the very obvious truth that Beca had been falling in love with Chloe from day one. Why else would she fight when Chloe asked her to do so? Why else won't she give up the piano?

Why is she fighting still? Or why does she look torn and worried sick every time they visit Chloe at the hospital?

And another definite no, because the thought of Beca leaving her behind was the worst.

But she was Beca's best friend. And she would do anything to support her at the end of the day.

Because if this meant Beca would stop suffering, if that meant she'd stay as lively as she was right now – passionate and determined even thought it's music that's making her feel alive, even though it's that damned thing that Aubrey swears is her nemesis for always putting Beca under its spell one way or another – then she'd manage to find away to get back to being okay.

Aubrey shrugged, not choosing to answer that specific question at the moment.

"I want you know, Beca, you're not gonna lose me that easily. Whether it be France, England, Austria, or New York or Boston… wherever. You'll have me, especially when you need me."

Beca chuckled again. "Looks like you've done some research." she replied.

"Oh, shut up." Aubrey replied.

Beca smiled. "For what it's worth, Aubrey, I wouldn't have it any other way." she then said.

And Aubrey chose to take comfort in that.

She's never prepared to see Chloe. Never. She always seemed to just appear unexpectedly.

But Beca always welcomes it.

Chloe was dressed in her uniform. She looked around for Jesse a bit before smiling a Beca. "Guess you'll have to be the stand-in again." she said.

And Beca shouldn't find any sort of comfort in those words, but she was more than willing to always be Jesse's stand-in if it meant that she gets to spend more time with Chloe.

But more than that, Chloe was just relieved to see her out of the hospital.

Something was nudging at Beca though the entire time they were going around, she just couldn't put a finger on what it was so Beca decided to simply enjoy Chloe's company for the day.

They ended up at the café they went to the afternoon Chloe appointed her as Friend A before heading to the mall, entering pretty much every single one of Chloe's favorite shops. Chloe made sure to buy something from each of them; a shirt form her favorite clothing shop, a pack of stationaries with the designs she loved, a gigantic stuffed teddy bear that Beca was currently struggling to carry along with all of the other things she bought as the redhead led the way into even more stores.

Beca didn't mind carrying the weight though. Chloe still looked pale, and Beca noticed that she didn't seem to be as strong as she had been in the past either, often asking Beca if they could take a break for a few minutes. She even dropped her water bottle a few times while walking around.

Still, Chloe was ever the smiling kind-to-strangers-tough-on-her person she's always been, the two even helping a little kid who got lost to find her mom again.

It was after the kid had thanked her that Beca finally noticed that Chloe wasn't carrying her bag with her.

"Huh?" Chloe asked before realizing what Beca had meant. "O-oh. Um, I must have left it at school." she then said. "We should go get it!"

"But school's closed." Beca noted.

"Then we sneak in." Chloe replied with a wink and really, that's all Beca needed to be convinced that it was a brilliant idea.

They soon found themselves on school grounds. The day having already given way to the night. Beca couldn't help but be in awe of Chloe beauty a she walked along the halls, the two checking the classroom where Chloe would have had her last class.

They walked in the still of darkness, with nothing but their footsteps breaking the silence that surrounded them. Inside the classroom, Beca watched Chloe walk towards the window, her eyes on the clear night, the shining moon. She looked almost ethereal as she smiled a little at the sight before her.

Beca found that she couldn't quite tear her eyes of off Chloe, noting the wishful look in the redhead's eyes, the melancholic smile on her lips. She was so beautiful that it was just too painful to bear it.

How she was still just the stand in.

But more than that, what hurt was the sudden realization that the bag wasn't actually in the room. Beca would have been mad but a thought had occurred to her, the bad wasn't there because Chloe hasn't gone back to school yet.

"You're not out yet, aren't you?" Beca found herself asking Chloe.

Chloe sighed and smiled at Beca apologetically. "No, I'm afraid not. They just gave me a pass for today. The bag gave me away?"

Beca nodded. She wanted to ask why that was the case but a part of her was too afraid to find out.

Just the thought of what it could possibly be was starting to tear at her heart.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see the school at a night like this. Peaceful and quiet. We had a pretty unforgettable day, huh?" Chloe then said but Beca couldn't quite find any answer fitting to the question.

The answer was an obvious 'yes'.

But everything that's happened since I've met you had been pretty unforgettable.

"I'm sorry it couldn't have been more perfect." Beca then replied.

"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.

"I'm not Jesse." she pointed out but Chloe shook her head before fully turning around to face her.

"No, I'm glad it's you." Chloe then replied before she fully turned to face Beca. She took a deep breath before giving her yet another smile.

And Beca swore her eyes never looked bluer in that moment as the moonlight gracefully touched her skin, bathing them in a soft glow to illuminate the darkness that surrounded them.

"It's been perfectly unforgettable, Beca, and it'll live in my heart forever." Chloe said in such a soft voice that Beca could feel echo in her heart. "Will it live in your heart forever too? Do you think you'll ever forget this moment?"

Beca stayed speechless, not really knowing what to say.

How could she even ask that? Beca thought to herself as she tried to keep the tears welling up inside her at bay.

"Will you ever forget the girl we helped at the mall today? Will you ever forget the canalés we ate or this dusty old classroom and how it looks like at night? How about the girl who snuck out the hospital and waited for you?" she pressed on asked

"No." Beca immediately answered in whisper before she repeated it again, louder. "No. Not even after I die."

Chloe smiled, and perhaps it was even the most brilliant smile Beca's ever seen her give. "I'm glad it's you after all." she said weakly. "I'm glad I spent today with you." she added before falling onto her knees. Beca was by her side within a split second, dropping all the shopping bags to catch Chloe in her arms.

When Chloe woke up, she was already back at the hospital, Beca keeping watch over her. Beca nearly panicked when she had lost consciousness but with all her past experiences with her mother, she's learned to be quick on her feet to come up with the best solution. She called Luke to help them get to the hospital fast and Beca's eternally grateful that Luke got them there within seconds.

"Thank him for me?"

"I will." Beca then said after she explained how Luke had to leave soon to get back to Emily and Avril as he decided it would be for the best that he came alone to help them out.

"Are you in trouble for missing practice?" Chloe then asked just as Beca got up to leave.

"Possibly." Beca then replied. "But I do think it's worth it."

Chloe smiled back before making her promise to bring more pastries on her next visit.

With each step she took away from Chloe, Beca wished she could stay, if only spend more time with her.

And along with those thoughts she could feel the tears slowly trailing down her cheek as she silently sobbed on her way home.

Because it doesn't matter if she's just Jesse's substitute forever, if she had to be the stand-in Friend A, for as long as it had been spent with Chloe.

So long as she get to share many more sceneries with her.

Something that Beca couldn't help but feel was slipping away.

A/N Pt 2: I think it's pretty clear by now that Chloe's sick, right (and no, it's not cancer)? The first hint was her collapsing after her first performance with Beca, subtle hints before that was her easily feeling tired and out of breath after running to find Beca and saving her from drowning.

That said, thank you all for the patience between uploads and for the continuous support! I had an idea for an unplanned Bechloe fic that I'm actually excited about and I'm updating every night/every other night as I wrap up my 2 other ongoing fics (including this one… sorry, I keep getting ideas…). It's called ERASED and is based on a series with the same title. I've tweaked it up to fit the Pitch Perfect-verse… pitch-verse?... a bit more. So, if you're interested to read a fic on an amateur detective Beca with a dash of murder and mystery, a spice of romance, a pinch of humor, and a sprinkle of fantasy, please come check it out! ;)

PS: The piece Beca was humming and playing on the piano while talking to Aubrey was Clair de Lune. I didn't name it in Aubrey's POV because her character's not the type to know much on pieces and such – she's very anti-classical music because it's taking Beca away.

UPNEXT: Beca and Emily put on a performance; Emily's step-sister throws down the gauntlet (you'll find out who next chapter); and a few melancholic musings