Chapter Fourteen

"Are you sure you're going to be ok?"

Jesse was asking the question for the umpteenth time as they waited for Cassie's town car to arrive. It was just past midnight and once George Harris Senior had excused himself from the party to head home, most of the senior directors followed suit. Cassandra was kept back by a few of their guests but Jesse could read the tiredness coming off her in waves and promptly rescued her.

"I'll be fine going home alone, Jess," Cassie replied, wearily taking off her earrings. She put them into her clutch, drew out her phone and started to text furiously.

"I think I should send you home," Jesse said, eyebrows knitting together. "Willy gave me quite a speech just now and I am not entirely certain she didn't plant a tracking device on me."

"You are silly," Cassie laughed, looking up from her phone. "Just so you know, the party kicks off after midnight when all the old people are gone. You should stay."

"I dunno. Maybe I should head home," Jesse said non-commitally.

Cassie snorted. "The Jesse Swanson I know never passes over a party." She stopped texting and gave Jesse a thoughtful look. "I saw Amanda Tannen in a gold dress, looking particularly hungry just now. She looked like she wanted to eat you up."

Jesse shrugged, not looking at least bothered.

"Maybe it's time for you to have some fun, Jesse," Cassie remarked, a devilish glint in her eye. "She's bound to be drunk and she wants you. Who knows what information you can get out of her about Willy?"

Jesse slowly fiddled with the button on his sleeve before shifting his gaze back to the tall brunette. "What exactly do you want me to do, Cassie?"

What am I doing here?

Beca asked herself that question for the umpteenth time as she stared into the mirror in the ladies room. She looked fine. Her make-up was still perfect; Lily had always done wonders in that department. Her outfit needs a little straightening and perhaps a quick brush of her hair. Otherwise, she looked absolutely fine. Whether she was fine on the inside was another thing.

Right on cue, Stacie and Fat Amy bustled noisily into the bathroom. "Yo flatbutt! What's taking you so long?" Amy hollered, a little merry with all the party wine in her. "I thought your skinny ass was stuck in the toilet and here I am to rescue you. Don't worry. I am a professional. I once rescued a kangaroo stuck in a tree. It took two ladders and a box of lamingtons..."

Stacie was astute enough to notice the look on Beca's face and quickly piped up, "Amy, we need more champagne. Go get some more." She waited until Amy did a noisy exit before turning back to Beca. "You ok?"

Beca slicked a little bit more lipstick on. "I'm fine."

"Beca, we all know what happened last Christmas party," Stacie said. "That fuckface Daniel is somewhere out there at this party. I promised Chloe we'll look after you. Why don't we just ditch this party and carry on elsewhere?"

"I'm absolutely fine." Beca replied, popping her lipstick back into her clutch and fluffing her hair. She leant forward, checking her reflection for the final time. "Why should I go just because Daniel is here?"

Stacie took a long moment to assess her. "Ok. But promise me if he dares to speak..no, if he even dare to breathe on you, you'll come and find us."

"Trust me, Stacie. I can handle one Daniel Meade."

This was more like it.

Jesse looked round appreciatively at the distinct change in tempo in the ballroom. Gone was that dreary band to be replaced with a DJ, spitting out something more upbeat. The dance floor was crowded with H&H staff, half drunk and dancing. Someone had let loose a smoke machine and with that vaguely pineappley smell of the smoke, the flashing disco lights and feeling a little tired, Jesse wasn't entirely sure he wasn't tripping.

He scanned the crowd, looking for one face. He saw her earlier in the evening from the vantage point at the mezzanine and wanted nothing more than to talk to her. But he was stuck at that dreary table the whole night and could not escape. Jesse moved slowly through the crowd, eyes restlessly scanning. She had to be here.

"Heeeyyyy boss."

Jesse froze on the spot. Amanda Tannen was right in front of him now, lips stretched into a slutty grin. She was swaying slightly on her feet and pitched forward into him.

"Oops!" Amanda giggled, making no move to stand upright.

"Amanda, I see you're having a good time," Jesse said, quickly steadying her on her feet.

"Mmm... I am always a good time, Mr. Swanson," Amanda breathed out, her chest heaving with the effort. "Were you looking for me?"

"As a matter of fact, I - "

Amanda grinned again and bit her bottom lip. "Did you want me to take dictation? I've been told I'm very good at...oral."

Jesse stared down at Amanda's upturned face. The tip of her tongue was slowly swiping across her bottom lip as Amanda looked up suggestively at him. Donald was right. She was hot and blonde and totally Jesse's type. A year...no, even six months ago, the player in him would not hesitate. She was practically rubbing herself against him, her ample breasts pressed up to his chest. He could have her whichever way he want. There were enough private spaces in the building for a quickie tonight. Besides, Cassie had given him carte blanche. He was supposed to do this.

Jesse held on to Amanda's arm leading her to a dark corner. She was giggling a little drunkenly, happy to be led. They were just by the wall when he turned her round to face him and Amanda threw her arms around his neck, trying to pull his face down closer to hers.

"I think you better sit down, Amanda," Jesse said. He gently pulled her arms free from his neck before pressing her down into a chair. "You are more than a little drunk. Can I get you some water?"

"Kiss me." Amanda pouted, her hands now clawing at Jesse's belt, pulling him towards her. Jesse skilfully pried her fingers away.

"I'm going to get you some water," Jesse said firmly before stepping away from the blonde. Amanda looked confused, letting her arms fell to her sides. Jesse was about to make his way to the bar.

"Wow."

He stopped. He heard that incredulous exclamation and he recognised the voice. Jesse turned slightly towards the sound of that voice and there she was. Beca Mitchell, lounging against the wall in that dark pantsuit, eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Hey." Jesse said slowly, feeling a little stupefied. Shit. Was that all he could say? After waiting the whole night to speak to her, all he could say was "hey"? His lack of words did not seem to bother Beca. She merely nodded, eyes temporarily shifting to Amanda before returning back to him.

"I'm impressed, Mr. Swanson," she said, half smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Not many men can refused Amanda Tannen. Especially when she set her sights on them."

"Really? Umm... I wasn't aware I was a target," Jesse lied smoothly. Oh he knew he was. Amanda was not exactly subtle.

"Yeah, just be thankful she didn't caught you underneath some mistletoe," Beca replied. "Don't worry about her. She just need to sleep the wine off. You did the right thing making her sit down and rest."

True enough, Amanda had already passed out, slumped on the seat. Jesse turned his attention back to Beca, eager to continue their conversation but she was already moving away. "Wait. Beca." He hurried after her, placing a hand on her arm. Beca stopped and looked up at him curiously. Jesse swallowed a little before finally finding the right words to say. "Don't go, please. Have a drink with me?"

To Jesse's relief, she nodded and as luck would have it, a waiter passed by and he could grab two glasses of wine, offering one to her. They sipped their drinks quietly, both trying to think of something to say that was not awkward.

"That's a beautiful outfit," Jesse tried.

"Thank you." Beca replied, giving him a quick smile.

And...they were back to that awkward silence. It was, however, her turn to say something banal.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Beca said.

Jesse made a face. "Can't lie to you. Just now was pretty soul destroying." A faint smile tugged at Beca's lips at that comment and Jesse felt a little braver. He smiled down at her. "But the night's getting better."

"Good to know you are having fun." Beca drank a little more wine. She was already looking away, restlessly shifting her weight from one foot to another. "I shouldn't keep you away from your date. Catch you next time."

"What? Oh. No, Cassie's gone home." Jesse hurriedly replied.

Something icy passed quickly across Beca's face.

"Oh, I get it. You stayed to have some fun. In which case, I should leave you with Amanda."

Jesse was at his wit's end to make her stay. "Please don't go. It's not like that," he said quickly. "Umm...just so you know, I was not interested. In Amanda, that is. I was not at all interested."

Beca took another sip of her wine, nodding. "Of course."

"I have someone else on my mind."

"Glad to hear that. Cassie will be glad to know you are thinking of her."

Jesse closed his eyes momentarily in frustration.

"Can we talk somewhere?" Jesse said urgently. Beca was giving him a sceptical look. She was about to leave again. He knew that. And he did not know when was the next time he could commander her attention like this.

Ah, fuck it.

"I'm going to be straight with you. I think you are amazing. The sex we had was amazing," Jesse said. He hesitated for a moment like he was trying to find the right words. "I cannot forget it. I can't forget you. Try as I might, I can't keep myself away from you. Please, can we talk?"

Beca's stare was glacial. She stepped back, shaking her head.

"You are a piece of work, Jesse Swanson."

"Beca -" Jesse started.

She was hurrying off towards the exit and Jesse was going after her when an almighty crash followed by a scream stopped him. "Amanda!" "Oh my god! What's wrong with her?" "She's having a fit!" Jesse heard the panicked yells and turned to look where Amanda was passed out on the seat just now. Except she was now writhing on the floor.

"Someone get help!" Jesse shouted, immediately going straight to Amanda. She was still out of it; body shaking restlessly, head banging, tongue lolling out in a full epileptic seizure. People were starting to crowd around her, panicking and Jesse had to yell, "Back off. Give her some room." The first aiders came very quickly but by the time the situation was under control, Jesse looked up to find Beca and she was nowhere to be found.

Holy shit. What the hell was that?

Beca paced restlessly, trying to make sense of what just happened. She was not expecting that. All she wanted to do tonight was to have a bit of fun with the girls before Christmas break. She was definitely not expecting to be cornered and to hear those words uttered by Jesse Swanson of all people. That confession really unnerved her.

What did it all even mean?

Beca stopped pacing; her nerves now showing by the way she was biting her cuticles.

Was he drunk? He was always a dick when he was drunk. No. He was sober; she knew that. Fuck. She knew it was a mistake to sleep with him. Stupid Beca. Never learnt her lesson.

But that night with him was certainly something. If she was honest with herself, she could not forget him too. Yeah, the sex was sizzling hot; that was true. But it was a little more than just hot sex. She genuinely enjoyed herself whilst with him, which was more than she could say about all those dates she had been on lately. He was funny and sweet. And when they talked, it was easy; like they had known each other for years. Yet he was still a mystery. There was more to Jesse Swanson that meets the eye and Beca was curious.

Stop it, Beca. Stop it! He has a girlfriend. Someone you know. The girls will go apeshit.

Beca heard footsteps behind her and she whirled round quickly, catching sight of a dark haired man in a tuxedo.

"Look, Jes... Oh. It's you."

Beca had opened her mouth ready to yell at Jesse but the sight before her made her stuttered to a stop. A ghost from her past now flesh and blood before her. Someone she had been studiously avoiding all her waking days at H&H.

"Hi."

Daniel Meade was standing mere feet away from her. Beca swallowed a little. Her first instinct was to leave. She had not been avoiding Daniel Meade for nothing and the last thing she needed right now was to tangle with her past. She should leave. The heartless bastard was just standing there, smiling that cocky smile that she once thought charming. But her stubborn streak and pride blazed through and Beca defiantly met his gaze.

"Daniel."

"Wow, you look great, Bec." Daniel said, slowly looking at her from head to toe. When she didn't answer, Daniel took a step forward. His eyes were still on her, gauging her reaction. "You always look great."

"Thank you."

He was right in front of her now. Beca remembered a time when they would automatically jumped into each other's arms if they were alone like this.

"I've been trying to talk to you for ages, Becky."

Becky. He loved to call her Becky; even though she hated that nickname. It was just one of the things she put up with him. Beca remembered that.

"You've changed your number. You didn't return any of my emails," Daniel continued, sounding a little sorrowful. "I tried so hard to see you but the girls always shut me down."

"We don't have anything to talk about, Daniel," Beca said stiffly. "I think you made it perfectly clear you didn't want anything to do with us..." Beca stopped and took a deep breathe before continuing. "You didn't want anything to do with me anymore."

"Bec, don't. I'm sorry. I am so sorry, ok?" Daniel's voice was a soft, wheedling plea. He reached out for her and when Beca took a step back, he dropped his hand. "I was stupid and scared, ok? I said some very stupid things to you. I am so sorry, Becky."

"I believe you called me a whore and a gold digger at some point?" Beca replied flatly. "That was charming."

"Babe, don't," Daniel implored. "I told you. I was scared and stupid. I didn't mean any of it. Of course I knew the baby was mine. I knew that. But it was all a big shock, Becky. I wasn't ready to be a dad."

Beca kept silent, a stony look etched on her face.

"Then I heard what happened..."

"Daniel, stop!" Beca cut in quickly. "It's over and done with. There is no need for you to do all this. Now just run along. Go back to your perfect life and leave me alone."

She side stepped him and strode right out the door.

"Bec, please," Daniel was saying out loud. "I really fucked up, ok? I know that."

She stopped. She shouldn't but Beca stopped.

"I want another chance. I really missed you. You don't know how much but I do." She didn't turn around. Daniel could talk to her back for all she cared and he was still talking. "Can we pick up from where we were? Please?"

As easy as that? That fuckface thought it was as easy as that? That this whole year, that few months from hell she had to go through could easily be swept aside and they could go back to where they were?

At her silence, Daniel sighed out loud before saying reluctantly. "Ok, fine. If you want babies, yeah okay, let's have a baby. Whatever you want. We'll work out some sort of arrangement. I have to talk to my lawyers first; just to check..."

Beca slowly looked over her shoulder at someone whom she once thought was the love of her life. He was standing behind her, talking all this pointless shit and she had enough.

"Daniel," Beca said calmly. He stuttered to a stop, looking at her expectantly. "Please don't flatter yourself. Carrying your baby once was mistake enough. Just fuck off right now and don't you ever dare come near me again."

This is horse shit! Beca was raging inside. What is with Christmas parties and bad news?

She was going to get the hell out of here. By any luck, she could catch Stacie before she hooked up with anyone to tell her she was leaving. No chance with Fat Amy. She was probably already in the middle of a heavy make-out session with Bumper. Beca strode out to the mezzanine intending to go into the ballroom and find Stacie when she was greeted with pandemonium. What the hell is happening? Why are there paramedics and H&H staff crowding to the side?

Beca grabbed a girl hurrying past. "Betty? What's happening?"

Betty Suarez blinked up at her, braces shining in the light. She gulped before finally stuttering out, "It's Amanda. She had a seizure. It was madness -" Beca was already running towards the epicentre of the chaos with Betty right by her side. "She started having a fit. No one knew what to do," Betty continued, a little breatheless. "Luckily Jesse was there -"

"Jesse?"

"Yeah, he's with Amanda now -"

"Betty, go and find Marc," Beca ordered urgently. "He should be in the janitor's closet on the third floor. Tell him Amanda's sick. Go."

Betty sped off and Beca quickly wormed her way through the crowd. And just as Betty said, Jesse was standing right by one of the paramedics while another was tending to a groggy looking Amanda.

" - there is no issue about cost," Jesse was saying. "The insurance will cover everything."

"She's coming round. She's going to be ok," the paramedic replied back. "I don't think we need to bring her in. She will be very tired and will need help getting home. Preferably someone should stay the night with her. Do you have her emergency contact?"

"Oh. Umm..." Jesse answered, a little unsure.

"Her emergency contact is Marc St. James," Beca spoke up. Both Jesse and the paramedic turned towards her and Beca neatly stepped forward. "He's just coming. Someone's fetching him right now."

"Oh my god! Amanda!" Marc's voice rang through and he came running up, panting. "Marc St James. Next of..kin. Emergency...contact. Is she..ok?"

It took another hour before the paramedics left, Amanda and Marc went home in a town car that Jesse ordered and the party winded down. Beca glanced at her watch. Two a.m. She felt her head throbbing a little.

"Beca."

Beca looked up to find Jesse in front of her, holding out a bottle of water. She took it, twisted the cap and took a gulp. She was a little too tired to think about the situation that happened between them just now.

"Thanks for helping just now. I wouldn't know Marc was her contact and she was supposed to be my PA."

That cold gulp of water felt good. Beca wiped her mouth and shook her head. "Don't beat yourself up. You are new. If anything, I should have remembered she was prone to having fits when she's drunk. I thought she was sleeping it off."

"Well, thank you anyway. It just made things simpler."Jesse said.

"Yeah, well. It's fine. Can't say H&H parties are dull."

They both chuckled out of awkwardness before falling quiet.

"It's getting late. I should head home," Beca said.

"How are you getting home?" Jesse asked. "Are you going with Stacie and Amy?"

Beca laughed a little. "I think they cleared off before all that drama just now. I didn't see them around when half of H&H was here."

"Can I walk you home?"

Beca was stumped at that question. Jesse was looking at her hopefully. He was very sweet, taking care of Amanda like that and Beca recollected how he took care of her when she had the panic attack trapped in the Archives. Which led to her remembering what happened afterwards.

"I don't think it's a good idea - "

"Beca, it's not about just now," Jesse said. "I just want to make sure you get home safe."

Fuck. What should she do?

Beca's eyes wandered to their surroundings. The party was over and there were still a few people milling about. And then she clocked Daniel Meade. Unlike the others who were lounging and chatting, far too merry with wine, Daniel was walking through the crowd with purpose and Beca knew. She knew he was looking for her. Despite her badass speech just now, she was far too tired and worked up to deal with Daniel Meade. And if there was a scene, she was not entirely sure a full brawl would not start right there.

Daniel was getting nearer and the only reason why he had not spotted her yet was because her slight frame was covered from his view by Jesse Swanson. And in a split second, Beca made her decision.

"You still wanna talk?"

She just threw Jesse a curve ball. Because he was staring at her like he could not believe what he was hearing.

"What?" Jesse finally squeaked. Beca took in what would be the quickest escape route.

"You said you wanna talk." Beca stated matter of factly. She also unleashed the full effect of her blue eyes and Jesse looked suitably dazed.

"Yes."

"Your office ok?"

For a moment, Beca thought this was not going to work. And then Jesse Swanson exhaled a long held breath.

"Ok."

AN : Yeah right. Of course they will 'talk'