A/N: Hey folks, another chapter here. Warning there is some violence.
BeChloeIsLegit and RJRMovieFan do not own Pitch Perfect or any of their characters, we just really like them.
Love at First Bite
Chapter - 14 - Falling
"Now is really not the time to discuss this, Amy!" Beca snapped. The Aussie, however, didn't flinch.
"I'm not trying to discuss anything. I just think it's something you should keep in…"
"Chloe isn't trying to steal my soul!" Beca spun around on her Australian friend. "Honestly, Amy! I just broke up with my boyfriend. If I can end it with him, don't think I can't end it with you as well!"
"That's what I'm talking about," Fat Amy said, ignoring Beca's outburst. "How can you break up with Jesse? You're Jesse and Beca. Together you're Jesseca!"
Turning to Stacie and throwing her hands in the air, Beca declared, "I hate it when she does that!"
Fat Amy was surprised, and asked, "What?"
Beca turned and stuck her finger in Fat Amy's face, as she growled, "I hate when you ignore what I'm saying. I hate what you keep saying about Chloe. If you truly value our friendship, you won't say another word!"
Chloe wanted so much to step up and help Beca at this moment, but she was afraid it might set Fat Amy off, and the blonde woman really would say something that would end her friendship with Beca. In the end that would only hurt Beca more. Instead, she looked to the musician's most trusted friend.
Stacie nodded and stepped forward, taking a deep breath to catch her thoughts. "Beca?" Stacie finally said, clearing her throat.
The musician broke out of her glare she was casting towards Fat Amy and turned towards her taller friend.
"What?" she asked, sounding harsher than she wanted, but still annoyed at the intrusion.
With a nod towards the exit, Stacie asked, "I'm-we're," Stacie indicated the people in the immediate area, "worried about you. Do you want to get out of here?"
"I'm fine," Beca replied. Everyone around her raised their collective eyebrows at the girl. She tried to defiantly look indignant, but finally looked down and sighed. "Okay, I'm not fine, but I will be." With that, the petite ball of fury walked off.
Stacie stared after Beca with a swirl of anxiety in her stomach. Fat Amy started to follow, but Stacie grabbed her by the elbow and shook her head. Where Fat Amy has always had some fun ignoring Beca, she's never been able to get away with that with Stacie. So, when the tall scientist gave Fat Amy a firm stare and a shake of her head, the Aussie knew it was time to stand down.
Chloe and Stacie exchanged looks. The redhead wanted to chase after Beca but silently communicated to Stacie that it was better if the tall brunette went after her. Stacie nodded in understanding and hurried after her best friend.
{(0)}
It was difficult for Benji to catch up with Jesse as the young man was walking with such determination.
"Jesse. Jesse. JESSE!"
His best friend's voice slowly resonated in Jesse's head as he stormed down the street. This finally got him to halt. He looked around and was surprised to see they were blocks away from the studio.
"I'm fine, Benji," Jesse grumbled. As he spoke, he tried to sound sure and stoic, but his eyes began to cloud over, and while he was pretending, he was fine Benji knew he wasn't.
Benji had seen the way Jesse had looked at Beca over their Freshman year at Barden. How he followed her to Los Angeles. The way Jesse watched Beca play music at the clubs. How worried he had been when she had to go to the hospital for appendicitis. How pumped he was with every accomplishment.
He knew his best friend was anything but fine.
Benji walked up to Jesse and pulled him into a tight embrace, ignoring the strong reaction by his friend to pull away. And after a heartbeat, Jesse didn't pull away. Instead, he ended up leaning rather stiffly into his friend's embrace. As Benji hugged him, he stood stock-still, taking in the comfort, until something inside him broke, and he released the emotions he had tried to keep bundled up.
He had wanted to be strong and brave, but now with the tenderness of a true friend holding him, Jesse silently cried, the whole weight of the situation crashing down upon him.
"What happened Benji?" Before Benji could answer, Jesse continued. "We were happy. I don't know what Beca is talking about. Until Chloe showed up, we were progressing in our relationship."
Benji shrugged. "It seemed that way to me."
"Because it was Benji," Jesse said with true belief.
"What do you think happened?"
Jesse growled. "Chloe."
Benji shook his head. "I know we were watching 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' all day, but don't you think it's kind of crazy to blame all of this on a redheaded woman?"
"The thing is, Benji, I don't think it's crazy anymore," Jesse said with all seriousness.
Benji looked at his friend and cautiously asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Chloe. I think there is something supernatural about her," Jesse said honestly.
"Because Beca told you she loves her instead?"
Jesse shook his head no as he replied, "No. That's not it. I think it's the case because when I was at the party, I could sense her and her blonde friend. I was so focused on Beca that it didn't register. But as I was leaving, I realized I could sense them."
"You mean like Spiderman with his spider-sense?" Benji joked.
Jesse snapped his fingers. "That's exactly it!"
Benji shook his head. "What's exactly it?"
"When I fought that thing the other night," Jesse explained. "As I fought it, I began to sense it. What I was sensing then is what I sensed again tonight…"
Benji wasn't sold. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," Jesse said with utter conviction.
It was enough to sell Benji. "I got your back, Jesse. Besides if Beca is in danger, then Emily is too."
Jesse nodded, thankful that Benji believed him. Benji looked Jesse in the eyes, and asked, "What do we do now?"
"We're using Beca's graduation gift and going to Europe. And, we're going to be ready when Beca needs saving," Jesse said seriously.
{(0)}
"You were warned."
Theo stopped, his blood running cold. He turned towards the shadows where the quiet voice had spoken. Lily emerged from the night as if she had just appeared from thin air.
Theo cursed himself. He had been making his way to another of his backup safe houses. He had been positive that they wouldn't find this one, if for no other reason than this one is in a poorer part of town.
He had also been so careful, taking an Uber to a club, where he had jumped into a cab, to the airport where he grabbed a car from long term parking, he kept stashed, to a garage where he exchanged cars again. Taking that to a lot about ten blocks from his apartment. He had been positive that no one, not even Chloe and her friends could follow.
As Lily moved closer, he saw the error of his ways. Somehow the Asian woman had tracked him. Now under a freeway overpass, she was confronting him.
He needed to play for time. He decided to go for some false sense of bravado. With more confidence than he was actually feeling, Theo sneered, "That ginger bitch send you to do her dirty work?"
Lily shook her head, almost imperceptibly. "No. She has too good a heart. She would believe there's some good in you."
"Not you, I take it," the Englishman said bitterly.
With steady steps, Lily circled Theo in ever constricting circles. "No, if it had been up to me, I would have killed you in your apartment."
"My what a dark one you are," Theo quipped.
With a shrug, Lily simply said, "It's what we are. When they make us their slaves, they need us to be their dark little minion."
"I'm not a slave like you," Theo sneered.
Lily answered with a smile, "I'm not a slave either."
Hopping from foot to foot, Theo shook out the tension in his arms, loosening his muscles as he prepared himself to fight. "You believe that?"
The Asian woman feinted at the Englishman, who scrambled backward. Not comfortable in this situation.
He studied Lily as she made her approach again. She looked like nothing more than an unassuming young college girl. Her silence might be mistaken for shyness or submissiveness. Watching her gracefully encircle him, he could see that for the lie it is.
"You shouldn't have interfered," Lily stated. She was prepared for the fight of her life as she took three quick steps towards Theo, and sent a series of jabs at him, forcing him backward; testing his skills.
There was a venom to Theo, which had him responding immediately. He leaped at Lily with a snap kick, followed by a spinning back kick, as soon as he had an opportunity in the fight. He was attempting to get some solid hits on her, but the petite Asian was too quick.
After a flurry that lasted a solid minute, they pulled back from their initial foray of the fight and regarded the other. They stood a mere four feet apart, so within easy reach for the next attack. This close Lily could see the flames of hatred that flickered inside of Theo's brown irises.
Both nodded at the other. There was no going back. And thus, the dance began. Each taking the measure of their adversary. A quick kick here, a combination of punches there. Neither really trying to connect just yet as they both were seeking to test the other.
Then it changed. Lily had his measure. Theo went to punch Lily in the face, but the petite Asian woman was ready. She quickly grabbed him by the wrist and deflected the punch, before giving him a solid blow to the chest, in a double open palm blow, that sent Theo stumbling backward.
Theo recovered and charged at the Asian woman in anger. Lily blocked his kicks and deflected his punches.
As the fight went on, Lily appraised her opponent. He was better than she expected but was still a flawed fighter. His technique was passionate, she could feel his love for fighting, but his technique was of someone self-trained. Someone who had learned on the streets and back alleys. Dangerous, but beatable if their opponent was both wary and patient.
Most of Theo's tactics were to pummel his opponent on the floor, with an overwhelming series of strikes, utilizing both punches and kicks. Lily was too nimble, too quick; he couldn't land a solid blow. Unfortunately, Lily couldn't get a solid blow on him either.
They were in a stalemate.
Theo's next punch was a roundhouse coming in hard. Lily had only a moment to decide on her next course of action.
The quiet Asian woman decided to take the blow in the side, hoping that force didn't cause too much damage. As it connected, she managed to maintain her balance, as she dropped her arm over his fist, effectively trapping his arm. She managed to execute her strategy perfectly; the swing had left Theo vulnerable. Lily went for a series of lightning-quick kicks. She landed the strikes first to his thigh, then worked her way up till she was connecting just below his armpit. She was positive she broke a couple of his ribs.
Theo knew he was losing. He threw himself at Lily, who instinctively fell backward, and used an Aikido move to throw the Englishman. He expected such a move and used the momentum to forward roll, out of which he sprung into a full sprint.
Expecting an attack, Lily had rolled the opposite way and came up in a defensive crouch. When it registered that Theo was fleeing, she swore, and then set out to give chase.
{(0)}
Beca was alone in her room. Stacie had offered to stay with her, but she knew the brunette really wanted to be with Aubrey, and truth was she didn't want to be with anyone. That included Fat Amy, who had also tried to force her way in. Beca had had to be a bit more forceful with the blonde Aussie. This had proven a bit easier for Beca than normal, as Beca was still peeved at Amy for her behavior at the party.
The one person she wanted to be there had disappeared. She could sense Chloe was ill at ease, and maybe feeling a bit guilty. Beca figured the redhead was giving her time and space.
So Beca sat alone in her room, listening to melancholy music. Currently, she had one of her Joni Mitchell vinyl records, 'Blue', playing softly in the corner to help dull the ache in her brain. She was surprised her heart didn't hurt more. There was a small ache for the probable loss of a friend, but not the hollowness of losing a love.
Thinking about the confrontation with Jesse, she does wish it had happened differently; a different time, a different place. His words still ring in her ears. With a heavy heart, Beca whispered sadly, "There's just no going back from this."
Wandering around her room, she was too frazzled to sit still much less sleep. Her wandering brought her past a shelving unit which held a number of knickknacks and keepsakes, including a group of framed pictures.
Beca took one of the pictures from the shelf. It was a goofy picture of Jesse and her at Universal Studios, not long after they had moved to LA. They both were making goofy faces as the picture was taken. She remembered Stacie calling them 'nerds' as she took this picture.
She sighed heavily as she thought about that time; it had been so different then. While she doesn't think she was ever 'happily ever after' in love with Jesse, she had been in love with him. The petite brunette wiped away a tear and walked over and placed the picture in a box on her desk.
"Keep the picture."
Beca whirled around at the words. She hadn't sensed anyone in the room. Beca takes a second to collect herself. Startled isn't the correct word, but a bit more than surprised is the best description of how she reacted to Chloe's words.
At a loss for what else to say, she asked, "What was that?"
Chloe indicated the box where she had just set the picture. "Don't throw it away."
"I'm not. Maybe I," Beca stumbled over her words. "I don't know; I'm not sure."
"Trust me," Chloe said as she walked further into Beca's room. "Jesse was and is important to you. I think he will be again." Nodding at the contents in the box. "When that time comes, you might want this stuff handy."
Beca looked down at the box for a long moment then nodded.
A soft smile formed on Chloe's lips, and she asked, "Can I join you?"
"Yeah, I could use the company," Beca replied as she set the picture back down and smiled gratefully, happy to see the redhead. Beca pointed to the bags in Chloe's hands, "What's all this?"
Chloe lifts the first bag for Beca's inspection, "Ice cream and wine," she then lifted the other bag, "and in here is a selection of cheesy romcom movies and other entertainment. I have been led to believe these are the standard fare for post-breakup comforting."
Beca smirked at the redhead, "You have a lot of experience with breakups?"
Chloe frowned. "No," she admitted. "But I do watch a lot of romantic comedies, and this all seems to be pretty standard."
"I'm not really a movie person," Beca admitted.
"Then I'm glad I brought an alternative," Chloe said, holding out the bag for Beca to take.
The petite brunette accepted the bag and peeked inside. She was surprised to see a dozen or so vinyl record albums. Her right eyebrow arched in question, as she said in surprise, "Records? How did you know?"
Chloe's brows furrowed in confusion, even as she asked back, "Music? You think I don't get your love of music?"
Beca rolled her eyes and answered, "No. Records! Who even uses record players anymore? Not when you can have any song you want with a couple of clicks on your phone. So how did you know I would have a record player? Is it some weird vampire thing?"
Her tone was serious; Chloe could hear the honest questioning. She shook her head, though her eyes never left Beca's as she whispered, "No. Just intuition. A person like you who loves music so much is going to have a wide selection of music and on a wide selection of mediums."
The redhead walked over to the record player, and commented, "Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' album. A very good choice."
Without thought, Chloe automatically started to sway with the rhythm of the song, and sing the lyrics.
He tried hard to help me,
He put me at ease.
He loved me so naughty,
made me weak in the knees.
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
Beca was blown away by Chloe's singing. Her voice could go to a much deeper bass than any other female singer Beca had ever heard. It seemed perfect for this folk song.
I'm so hard to handle,
I'm selfish and I'm sad.
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I've ever had.
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Beca starts to sing as well. Her higher tone blending so perfectly with Chloe's deeper.
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye
"Like I said," Chloe chuckled. "A good choice."
Intrigued, the petite musician asked, "What would be your choice?"
Without looking back, Chloe indicated the bag. "Which do you think?"
A challenge. A challenge she readily accepted. Beca nodded and looked into the bag. She started to rifle through the choices, intrigued by the eclectic nature of the albums. "Hmm. Not Dylan, nor Rod Stewart, or 'Jagged Little Pill' by Alanis Morrissette. Maybe one of these Sarah McLachlan albums." Beca stopped. "Please don't tell me Taylor Swift."
Chloe looked over shoulder as she lifted the Joni Mitchell record off the player. "If there's one thing you can say about Taylor, is that the girl knows breakups…"
"Chloeeee…" Beca can't help the whine which escaped her. She rapidly bounced on her heels, just adding to the adorable factor in Chloe's estimation.
"Don't worry. If you were Aubrey, maybe, but…" She gave Beca a once over, scrunched her nose and shook her head.
"Aubrey's gone through a breakup?"
The redhead chuckled and shook her head. "No; but I still know what music she would need."
A thought struck Beca. "What about Lily?"
"Again, never broken up. I don't think she has ever been in a relationship; though I think she likes our driver, Donald."
Curiosity tickled at Beca. "If she did have a breakup, what would her music be?"
Without missing a beat, Chloe answered, "The heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch."
Beca's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Dixie Chicks serious," Chloe retorted. She indicated the bag. "Whose album 'Taking the Long Way', you will also find in there right above the Five Finger Death Punch album. But I think you're stalling. Pick the album I would."
Beca smirked and answered confidently, "Oh, I know which album you would choose." Chloe arched her right eyebrow in question. Beca just shooed her away from the record player.
Chloe settled on the bed as Beca went over to the record player. The petite brunette confidently explained, "I saw the album the moment I peeked in. It just happened to be before your copy of Joni Mitchell's 'Blue'." She deftly pulled the record out of its sleeve without revealing which album she had chosen.
The redhead couldn't help teasing a little. "Which is?"
Smirk firmly in place, Beca turned towards the redhead and said, "This." And she turned on the record player.
Loving you
Isn't the right thing to do
Chloe's jaw dropped as the lyrics began to play. Beca had chosen correctly.
How can I ever change things
That I feel
The petite brunette was quite smug as she sauntered towards the redhead.
if I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me
Beca began to sing along as she reached the bed. Settling herself next to Chloe.
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
This time it's Chloe who joins with Beca, singing the lyrics.
Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Shacking up is all you want to do
Loving how their voices mix.
If I could
Baby, I'd give you my world
Open up
Everything's waiting for you
Relishing this moment.
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
As the song ended, Beca looked at Chloe and said, "I'm glad you came over."
{(0)}
Lily followed Theo, barely keeping up with the Englishman's long strides.
She chased him down a back alley, through a gas station, up a crowded boulevard, through an empty park, and across another busy city street, where he darted out into traffic.
Theo could feel her breathing down his neck. He risked a glance back. The Asian woman was still there.
Possibly closer.
He barely avoided a moving car, the owner of which laid on his horn, and cut to his right, and dashed down an alleyway.
Lily veered right, jumped upon, and then over a parked Camry. She landed lightly, but then pounded down the pavement, really driving her legs to get more speed.
The Englishman flew out of the opposite end of the alley, and promptly slammed into the front of a delivery van that screeched on its brakes.
Theo hit the pavement and knew he had hurt his leg. The sound of Lily's light footsteps drove him to action. He scrambled to his feet and started to run again, but the pain in his leg told him that he couldn't keep this up for long. Then he saw his salvation.
Running all out, Lily noticed Theo's gaze which was fixated upon a group of motorcyclists. One of the riders started to drive away. Theo had cut his path so that he would intercept the rider.
As she watched, Theo jumped over the rail and used a forearm to knock the man from his bike. The man fell hard, and the motorcycle went skidding. Theo paid the rider no mind but instead ran for his motorcycle. He got to the bike and lifted it easily.
Luckily for him, the engine was still going. He quickly straddled the bike and revved the engine, taking off just before Lily arrived.
Without breaking stride Lily changed direction, heading straight for a motorcycle that was idling while its owner checked on the man Theo had flattened. The man noted the Asian woman fast approaching. He went to intercept her, but Lily was ready. Suddenly, the man felt the lithe young woman basically run right up his six-foot two frame. Before the shock of this could register, Lily's thighs were on either side of his head, and then he felt Lily twisting until he was staring up at the sky on his back.
As she rose above him Lily flashed a mischievous smile, and said, "Thank you! I've always wanted to try that move."
Now on the back of the running motorcycle, Lily looked up and spotted the rapidly shrinking brake lights of Theo's bike as he fled the fight. Lily opened the throttle of her stolen bike and smiled as she felt the raw power of the machine surge beneath her, and with that, she was off again.
She would not let Theo escape.
{(0)}
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
Both Beca and Chloe had situated themselves on Beca's bed, sitting with their backs against the headboards, just listening to Beca's record player.
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away
Currently, they were listening to one of Chloe's all-time favorite albums.
Beca asked, "You saw U2 in Dublin as part of their 'War Tour'?"
Chloe nodded, and added, "And in London in 1988 for the 'Joshua Tree Tour'."
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
Intrigued, Beca asked, "How many times have you seen U2 in concert?"
The redhead tapped her chin, and seemed to be counting to herself, then smiled broadly. "An even dozen!"
"Wow!"
Almost defensively, Chloe argued, "Hey, they're a really good band, and have been for a long time."
Holding up her hands, Beca said, "I can't argue."
Both women laughed and then lapsed into silence. After a second, Beca scooted off the bed and went over to the record player, and changed out to the next record.
As it began to play, Chloe said, "Adele?"
Beca nodded. "Her '21' album."
As Beca made her way back to the bed, Chloe smirked, "Wow, you really are in a melancholy mood."
Climbing on the bed, Beca nodded. "I actually am, but it's weird. It also feels like a relief." As she resettled into her spot on the bed, she asked, "Do you want to do something else?"
Chloe shook her head. "Nope, the music is good. Though I do suggest we break out the food and drink."
Beca grinned at this. "So, I seem to remember something about there being ice cream," Beca said with a hint of mirth.
Chloe hummed an affirmative, then added, "And wine." Chloe winked at Beca as she pulled out the bottle. "Oh, and chocolate, naturally."
"Naturally," Beca said. "So, what have you got in the way of ice cream?"
Chloe smirked and reached over to grab the bag with the ice cream in it. "Well, the easy standbys of chocolate and vanilla..." She flourished each container in her left hand, while doing the model gestures with her right, before setting the containers in front of them. "Then my personal favorite, Cookie Dough," she again made a dramatic display. "And for you, Rocky Road!" This time when she made a show of revealing the carton, she ended it by handing it to Beca.
Beca stared at the carton in her hand, perplexed. She looked at Chloe and asked, "How did you know?" Chloe looked at the petite brunette questioningly. "Did you ask Stacie?"
Biting her lower lip, Chloe asked in response, "Um, what?"
Turning so she was facing the redhead, she clarified. "How did you know that Rocky Road is my favorite?"
Pausing for a second, Chloe replied, "I didn't ask, but I will say, you strike me as a Rocky Road type of gal."
Beca studied the redhead, biting her lower lip. She squinted, then attempted to get clarification. "So, just to be clear, this wasn't some vampire thing?"
This caught Chloe's attention. She quirked her eyebrow as she repeated, "Vampire thing?"
Beca waved a hand at Chloe as she said, "You know, a vampire thing."
The redhead smirked at Beca and chuckled. "You think one of my vampire abilities is to guess your favorite ice cream flavors?"
The pout Beca adopted was truly adorable. "Not when you say it like that," Beca grumbled as she took a spoon and opened the Rocky Road.
Throwing her arm around the petite brunette's shoulder and pulling her tight, she said, "While I can assure you, it's not a 'vampire' thing, I do think it's a soulmate thing."
Beca perked up. "You think?"
"Yeah…"
Taking a big spoonful of her ice cream, Beca hummed as she sucked it off the spoon. She looked at Chloe and whispered, "I kind of like that."
Chloe ate a spoonful of Cookie Dough and returned the smile. "Me, too."
{(0)}
"I'm worried about Beca," Stacie sighed. "Maybe I should have stayed with her."
Aubrey's arms encircled her girlfriend and pulled her close. "She said she wanted space, and to be alone."
Stacie turned her head so she could kiss Aubrey on the cheek. "Beca always says that. She has truly mastered the idea of closed off ball of grumpiness."
With a chuckle, Aubrey turned her head and captured Stacie's lips. She smiled into the kiss, and whispered, "Don't worry. Beca's not alone."
Stacie pulled back and asked, "Chloe?"
The blonde nodded. "Yeah."
"How do you know that? Vampire voodoo?"
Aubrey's chuckle becomes a laugh. Then she shook her head. "Chloe texted me."
Stacie giggled, feeling rather stupid for her assumption. It must have shown on her face because the blonde then said, "I can roughly tell where Chloe is. It's not quite GPS, but it helps us keep each other safe."
The scientist in Stacie can't help but take over. "Is it a vampire thing, or something unique to you two?"
The question intrigued Aubrey. "Well, I know vampires can sense each other. If they are of the same clan, it's stronger. Family stronger still, and direct sire the strongest." The blonde then said, "With Chloe it's different. I've speculated it's because we're Anathema."
Stacie pulled Aubrey to the couch as she asked, "How so?"
"I can sense vampires but they are unknown to me," Aubrey said. "But I always know when it's Chloe."
Stacie looked deeply into Aubrey's eyes. "If you were to sire me, would I be Anathema?"
Aubrey is taken aback. "You would want to be changed?"
"Possibly…," Stacie said. "I've been thinking about it. You're my soulmate, how could I not?"
Looking out the window across the room, the blonde said, "I've thought about it too."
The brunette looked at her vampire girlfriend and asked, "And?"
"I honestly don't know," Aubrey said.
Stacie hesitantly asked, "About turning me?"
"I don't know if you would be Anathema. I don't know if you'd lose your soul." Aubrey takes a deep breath. "All I know is, I can't lose you."
Aubrey pulled Stacie into a tight embrace. Stacie allowed herself to be pulled tightly into Aubrey. The feel of the other is an absolute relief. For both. They both relaxed into the hug, Stacie's face tucking itself comfortably into Aubrey's neck and arms tight around her waist.
Stacie kissed the blonde passionately. "You won't…"
"But how can we be sure?"
{(0)}
"I can't believe we finished all that the ice cream, and the bottle of wine," Beca said.
"Yeah," Chloe agreed. "For such a tiny thing, you can really put away the ice cream."
"What can I say," Beca said through a yawn.
"You're pretty tired," Chloe whispered.
Beca smiled weakly and nodded apologetically as she let another yawn escape. "I'm sorry." It's not even a whisper; just a mere breath. "S-s-sorry…" More yawning.
"You should get some sleep," Chloe suggested.
"I think you're right," Beca said through another yawn.
"Okay, sleepyhead, I'll see you tomorrow." She looked at the time and corrected herself. "Or rather later today." The redhead started to scoot over to get out of bed.
She stopped when Beca caught her by the elbow. "Stay."
Chloe swallowed and tentatively asked, "What?"
Beca looked up at the redhead with sad hopeful stormy-blue eyes, and repeated, "Stay with me."
Chloe desperately wanted this to be true. She had to be sure. She whispered, "Here?" indicating the spot in the bed next to Beca.
"Yes."
Biting her lower lip, Chloe declared, "I'm a cuddler."
Beca smiled in response. "I kind of figured." She paused. "I kind of feel I need that. Will you stay?"
As she looked into the eyes of the petite brunette, Chloe could feel Beca's heart beating, the rhythm so different from her own. It's like a clash of drums which somehow complemented each other. It fills the vampire with a warmth she has missed.
The warmth in Chloe's chest threatened to turn into an inferno as she sank back onto the bed beside Beca. "Of course," Chloe breathed ever so softly.
The petite brunette scooted forward, pushing herself closer to Chloe. The redhead responded by pressing herself up, even more against Beca.
This sends a thrill through Beca, who can feel her heart pounding in her chest. It is so different than anything she's ever felt. Yet it is so comforting that Beca is able to fade even more into the solace of sleep.
Beca wore a small smile as she fell asleep. Warmth spread through her body, moving inwards from the points of contact with Chloe, who proved she really is a cuddler.
{(0)}
As she chased after Theo, Lily easily wove through the traffic on the road. They had made their way out of the city and were now racing along the coastal highway. Over the last twenty minutes, Lily had managed to cut the distance between her and her prey.
She was quite adept at finding the smallest of gaps to squeeze through, and take advantage of every opportunity to open the throttle. Yet it's in the turns Lily really makes up the distance. She leans the powerful motorcycle into another curve of the highway, and takes it at full speed, while Theo always takes it slower.
The road straightens out, and Lily smiled wolfishly as she has pulled within twenty meters of Theo's motorcycle.
There's fear on Theo's face as he looked back.
She could tell he was a novice on the bike; that much was clear. He leaned over the handlebars a little too much, and he swayed slightly from side to side on the straightaways. It was like he was still adjusting to the bike.
The Englishman was trying to adjust to the bike. It had a lot of power, but he couldn't shake the annoying Asian woman.
Just ahead, Theo saw a turn-off to a dirt road running up to the right. He made a quick decision and cut right, then tore up the dirt road. He figured his Harley Davidson Road King would handle the off road better than the Asian woman's BMW Street Bike.
When Lily didn't take the turn, Theo cackled and sped faster down the road. He leaned deep over the handlebars and gave the bike a quick kick up to the next gear. He shot forward and tipped the bike to the side, the edges of his wheels fighting for purchase. He wobbled a bit, but he managed to cut diagonally across the dirt track.
Suddenly, Lily was leaping across the track. She clipped his back wheel, causing him to wobble dangerously. It was only by the barest of margins that he was able to keep his balance.
With his heavier bike, he tried a different tactic and tried to bump Lily off the narrow track. He caught her easily the first time, but then she was ready for subsequent attacks and was able to absorb or dodge them all.
And then it was Lily on the attack. She was quite skilled at sliding behind his bike and catching his rear tire. Each time Theo came a bit closer to wiping out.
Theo panicked until he saw a possible avenue to escape. He swerved right, bumped Lily's bike, and then cut left, using the natural berm as a ramp. He hit it at full speed and launched into the air.
Theo smiled triumphantly as the bike soared through the air. He could see the highway below, and the path was clear. The bike hit the road, and Theo thought he was home free when, suddenly, a light pulled his attention. He turned his head, and his eyes grew. The semi-trailer truck, a Mac truck, seemed to come out of nowhere. The horn sounded so loud as the driver slammed on his horn and brakes.
It wasn't enough.
The Mac truck slammed into the back of the bike, which just crumpled under the sheer force of the impact. Theo and the Harley were smashed forward as the impact of the massive semi catapulted both through the air. Theo's broken body and equally broken bike flew over the guardrail, and down into the sea two hundred meters below.
The truck screeched to a halt as Lily drove up to the rail. She looked down into the dark water. The ocean was black in the night, highlighted by the white foam of the violent waves crashing below.
There was no sign of Theo's body.
"Damn."
{(0)}
A/N: Songs used
River by Joni Mitchell
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
With or Without You by U2