A/N: Sorry Sorry Sorry. This took forever. There were beats I wanted to hit with this next chapter, and it ended up being sooooo long. So, I was trying to find parts to cut out that didn't hurt the flow. It still ended up being super long but at this point I'm just going to throw it out there and see if it flies. I'm hoping you guys won't hate a long chapter.

Anyway, here it is.

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Ch 14.

'OMG! OMG! SO CUTE!'

'Y'all are adorable'

'Stop 3'

'I don't get it. You could get anyone. Why you wanna be with a druggie bitch? She prob gonna cheat anyway.'

Chloe rolled her eyes at the last comment; though she felt a bit of pride at all the people who took issue with the rude user and replied in their defense. There were always negative jerks online and Chloe learned long ago to just ignore them. She read through a few more comments before scrolling back up to the picture once more.

It was a selfie she'd taken standing in front of the couch where Beca sat playing guitar. Beca's face was mostly hidden by her hair as she looked down at the instrument but the hint of her grin was still visible to the camera while half of Chloe's face was in the foreground, smiling bright around her fingers that were stretched partially on her bottom lip.

She loved the picture so much she'd already had it printed and placed on the refrigerator. Closing the app, Chloe took notice of the time and knew they'd have to be leaving soon for some mysterious production had called for the cast and main crew. She had no clue what they might be needing the meeting for with the movie so close to wrapping, but she supposed they'd find out soon enough.

She went quietly into the dim bedroom where Beca had gone to nap until it was time to leave. Chloe had suggested it as she noticed Beca looking particularly worn down throughout the day. The last few days, actually. She hoped she hadn't caught a bug of some kind, but she wouldn't be surprised based on her appearance when Chloe had sent her to the room.

Creeping into the room, she came to the side of the bed and leaned down to gently wake her girlfriend.

"Beca," she said softly and used her fingertips to slide some hair away from where it draped over her face.

She paused, first confused by the dampness that she felt from the loose strands, then concerned when she got a better look at her face. Her skin was beaded with sweat and her face paler than she'd ever seen it. Worried, she placed the back of her hand against her forehead and cheek.

She was on fire.

"Beca," she said with more volume and quickly turned the lamp on for extra light, "Beca."

She gave a groan and her eyes opened just enough for them to be considered open.

"Beca, you're burning up," she tried to keep panic out of her voice, "We should get you to a doctor."

"Mmph," the unintelligible sound was all she got in response.

Chloe pulled the blanket away and gasped seeing how drenched her tank top was. Despite all the sweating, Beca began shivering once uncovered.

"Babe, you're sick," Chloe told her, unsure how aware she even was, "Can you get up?"

"M'ok," she muttered as Chloe slid her arms around her carefully sat her up.

As soon as she was sitting up with Chloe's assistance her head dropped forward and she instantly threw up into her lap.

"Shit," Chloe breathed out in surprise as her worry skyrocketed into panic. Keeping one arm around her shoulders she spoke quickly, "Ok. It's ok."

"I didn't want to," Beca slurred.

"I know, baby. Don't worry," she rubbed her back, "Come on, we're going to the hospital."

"I didn't want to," she repeated.

"Shh, it's fine," Chloe assured her as she laid her back carefully and quickly switched out the soiled pajamas for cleans sweats and a shirt, "Ok, here we go."

Looping one of Beca's arms around her shoulders, Chloe moved them; carrying nearly all of Beca's weight through the apartment and elevator. It was no easy feat as Beca's legs kept buckling beneath her. Finally, at the car, she carefully laid Beca in the back; making sure she was on her on her side in case she vomited again.

She sped them off towards the hospital, her eyes continuing to go back and forth between the mirror and the road, keeping watch over Beca in the back.

"Almost there," Chloe tried to assure her as Beca continued to moan and mumble behind her, "Almost there, hold on."

"I didn't want to," Beca said again, this time followed by, "She made me. Why'd she make me? Make me do it?"

Chloe realized for the first time that Beca wasn't talking to her; probably never had been. Her slurred words likely directed by some fevered hallucination.

It sent a spike through Chloe's heart as she finally turned into the emergency room lot. Pulling right up to the doors she stopped the car.

"Ok, we're here. We're here hold on. I'll be right back."

She ran to the automatic doors and called for help as soon as they opened. Not waiting, Chloe spun and ran back to the car, opening the back door by Beca's head and leaned in.

"Hey, hey, it's ok. You're ok. Help's coming," she told her as she rubbed her shoulder quickly, "You're going to be fine. Ok?"

"Look out!" she heard the order behind her and jumped out of the way.

A man and woman appeared with a stretcher and began asking her questions about what happened. They smoothly moved her from the car onto the stretcher and then they were off. She could see Beca's hands moving and reaching around her accompanied by her still slurred voice.

"Don't wanna go. He's in there. Don't- "

Chloe couldn't hear what the rest of the heartbreaking words were because someone suddenly stood in front of her and held her hands out to keep Chloe from going any further.

"I'm sorry, you're going to have to wait here."

"But I- "

"I know you're worried, "the woman said, "Your friend is in good hands, I promise. Someone will come get you as soon as they can, ok?"

Chloe only managed a jerky nod while the tears danced down her cheeks.

"In the meantime, you can help by filling out some information for us."

She gave Chloe a clipboard and walked her to a chair. With shaking hands, Chloe set out to do just that, but accepted quickly she didn't have any information to give other than Beca's name and birthday.

Running a hand across her face, she pulled out her phone and called Aubrey.

"Aubrey," she started taking a breath, "No, I'm not ok. Listen, I'm at the hospital. No, no. It's Beca. She's really sick, Bree. I don't know, just…I need you to call her mother. That woman, her manager. Yeah. Call her and tell her to come, ok? Thanks. No, you don't have to come, just…all right. Ok, I'll see you soon. Thanks Bree."

Chloe put the phone down and let out a long sigh; wiping under her eyes over and over until she heard a little voice.

"Hi."

Looking up, Chloe saw a small blonde girl in overalls standing in front of her. Sniffing once, she cleared her throat.

"Hi," she answered.

"I know you," her small voice came again, holding her hands in front of her while she swayed back and forth in the spot.

Chloe took a breath to steady herself. She'd done some family movies that the girl might've seen her in, so she probably did recognize her. She really wasn't up for fan service right then, but she didn't want to be mean to a little kid. So, she just gave her a small smile.

"Do you?"

The girl nodded and looked down at her feet as she continued to sway, "Can I sit with you?"

Chloe looked around the waiting room for a moment, there were a few people but nobody who seemed to be keeping an eye on the girl.

"Don't you want to sit with your parents?"

Her small foot began toeing at the tile.

"Mommy's with the doctors," she told her sadly, "Rachel's trying to call Daddy. She said wait here but I'm scared. I don't know no one here. I know you."

"What's your name, sweetie?"

"Emma."

"Emma," she repeated, "My name is Chloe. It's nice to meet you. I'd love for you to sit with me 'til Rachel comes back."

Chloe watched her climb up in the chair beside her and begin to immediately swing her legs back and forth.

"Is your mommy with the doctor too?"

"No, my…friend," she cleared her throat again, "She's sick."

"When I'm sick mommy lets me stay home with her and makes special soup and I get to pick what we watch."

Chloe grinned, "That sounds perfect. I bet it always works, huh?"

She nodded emphatically, "I always feel better. Maybe your friend just needs her mommy to feel better."

Chloe just hummed in response to that. She was pretty sure that was the last thing Beca would want. She'd only sent for her because Chloe was clueless about Beca's medical history. Although she guessed it was the right thing to do to at least let the woman know her daughter was in the hospital. Hopefully the situation would reveal the maternal side of Angela that surely was buried in there somewhere.

"Emma!" a voice came as a teenager quickly approached, looking ten kinds of stressed out, "I told you not to move. Come on now, stop bothering the nice lady."

"But I know her," Emma said pointing a finger towards Chloe.

"She really wasn't a bother," Chloe told her, defending the child.

"Thank you, but- "she stopped talking, suddenly recognizing who she was talking to, "You're Chloe Beale. Oh my God, I'm so sorry about my sister."

"Please don't apologize. She was wonderful company," she looked at Emma, "You really cheered me up, Emma. Thank you."

"I did?" the girl asked, becoming bashful as Chloe nodded and shyly answered, "Welcome."

"Well, I, um, I don't want to bug you; you're obviously here for a reason so," she started again, "I'm not gonna, like, ask for a selfie or anything. We'll leave you alone, but I'll just say how great you are and you and Beca are like the cutest."

Chloe smiled, "Thank you. Rachel, right?"

The girl's eyes widened at Chloe knowing her name, "Yes."

"Well thank you very much Rachel. I tell you what," she pulled out one of Aubrey's cards and handed it to her, "Contact this email and we'll set up something once everything is calm to get you that selfie."

"Whoa really?" she said in shock, "You don't have to- "

"I'd love to. It was great to meet both of you," she said warmly, "I hope everything works out with your mother."

"Thank you," she answered, playing with the card in her hands, "And for you too. For whatever you're here for."

Chloe nodded, glad that she was satisfied with the interaction without doing anything to really draw attention to Chloe. She returned Emma's wave as they walked away; her smile dropping the instant she heard a familiar voice.

"Isn't that sweet?"

Chloe turned to see Angela standing near.

"My daughter's in the hospital, and here you are boosting your image with fans. Glad your priorities are in order."

Chloe bit the inside of her cheek at the blatant sarcasm.

"It wasn't like that," she answered, leaving it at that.

"Whatever you say," she dismissed, adjusting the strap of her purse, "What have the doctors said?"

"Nothing. They haven't been back yet," she told her, "They need this paperwork filled out, I don't have a lot of information."

"Of course, you don't," she snapped and ripped the clipboard our of her hands. Sitting in the chair she continued, "You've only known her a couple months. You shouldn't even be here. As a matter of fact, just go. There's no use for you here."

"I'm not going anywhere," she told her without hesitation, "I know you don't like me or the fact that Beca and I are together, but I really don't care. Not when Beca's sick to the point of hallucinating and we don't know why. I'm staying here."

Angela said nothing in response; leaving the two in silence as she filled out the paperwork. Chloe had a million more things she wanted to say dancing around on her tongue, but she kept them at bay. IT was neither the time nor place for them.

Aubrey showed up a few moments later and Chloe was grateful for the support she felt as soon as they embraced. Angela gave them a sideways look and sighed loudly.

"Well," she started, closing the pen and looking at them, "looks like you aren't completely brainless after all. Once I speak to the doctor, we'll draft a statement before any news of this leaks to speculation."

The two looked at her in disbelief.

"What?" Chloe asked.

"I'm not here as her manager, I'm here as a friend," Aubrey told her, not hiding the disgust in her voice, "The same way I assume you're here as a mother."

Angela's jaw visible clenched but she said nothing, instead just stood and walked towards the desk.

"She's more charming every time I see her," Aubrey remarked, "She's Beca's mother?"

"Unfortunately," Chloe answered, "Apparently she doesn't want people to know for whatever reason."

Aubrey shook her head before getting back to the situation at hand, "What happened?"

"I really don't know. She's been off the last few days and today I went to wake her up from her nap and... Oh, damn it, the meeting," she suddenly remembered, "Aubrey can you- "

"I already spoke with Gail. You guys are fine. Don't worry about it."

Chloe let out a breath of relief for one less thing she had to worry about, "Thank you Aubrey."

"That's what I'm here for," she said with a small smile, "I'll take care of everything outside those doors. You have nothing to worry about. I promise."

Chloe opened her mouth to respond but halted when she saw Angela was currently speaking to a doctor. She jumped to her feet and hurried over; feeling Aubrey at her heels.

"What's going on?" she asked; interrupting the on-going conversation, "How's Beca?"

The man looked surprised and Angela instantly spoke up.

"I don't believe my daughter's medical information is divulged to just anyone," she said dismissively, "Legalities, you understand."

"But- "

"Doctor, perhaps we can discuss this somewhere more private?"

Chloe looked pleadingly to the doctor, her heart in her throat. He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable being caught in the middle of whatever was going on.

"Of course, right this way."

"No, please, she's my girlfriend!"

"I don't want to cause upset," Angela said, looking directly at Chloe, "I'm just here as a mother."

The smirk she wore nearly caused Chloe to lash out and smack it straight off her face. Her voice drying up in her throat as she watched them walk away. She felt Aubrey's hand squeeze her shoulder while fresh tears built in her eyes.

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"…and I've ordered some methadone to take the edge off the symptoms and get them under control, as well as some fever reducers," he told her as they walked towards Beca's room.

"And she'll be released once they kick in?"

"Uh, Ms. Mitchell- "

"Bennett."

"Ms. Bennett, Your daughter should at the very least stay overnight, but I suggest remaining long enough to speak to a specialist about some rehabilitation programs."

Angela halted and set a glare on him; popping an eyebrow up and challenging him, "Why would you suggest that?"

"I don't mean to offend but in my experience the intensity of your daughter's symptoms would indicate withdrawal from a serious dependency," he informed her, "I can appreciate her attempt to stop on her own, but for her health and safety she-"

"You know what I appreciate?" she cut in, "You doing your job. Which is to get her out of danger. Once she is, she's no longer your concern," she looked at the door they'd been heading towards, "If you'll excuse me."

She entered the room and saw the nurse at Beca's bedside, speaking softly.

"Is she awake?"

The nurse looked up and gave her a kind smile, "She's in and out right now."

"Is she lucid?"

"Not entirely, but that's the fever."

"Hmm," Angela hummed, eyes on her daughter when Beca began moving on the bed. Her legs moving back and forth slowly, dragging her heels over the mattress.

The nurse grabbed one of Beca's hands and held it as she started jerkily picking at the thin blanket.

"It's ok. We're taking care of you," she spoke calmly to her patient," And you have a visitor."

Angela watched her shuffling legs stop moving and she groaned.

"Chlo."

The nurse gave the hand she held a few pats before setting it down and stepping back.

"I'll leave you two alone. Feel free to talk to her. Even if she's not completely clear-headed right now, it'll do good to hear a friendly voice."

Angela nodded and waited until they were alone to approach the bed.

"Look at you," she said with a click of her tongue as Beca's fingers started picking at the blanket again, "If you weren't so stubborn…"

She shook her head and sat down.

"All you had to do was admit I was right, and all would be forgiven," she criticized, "I'd have give you what you need. Don't I always get you what you need?"

"Chlo," Beca moaned out again, her eyes opened, glazed and bright as they wandered the room, "Don't go."

Angela shook her head and grabbed opened her purse. She looked at the door to ensure no one would be walking in suddenly and pulled out a set of papers.

"Beca, can you hear me?"

"Mm."

"Listen to me Beca," she began in a low, but firm voice, "Chloe is going to leave you."

The distress on her face told her that she did indeed hear her, and she whined, "No."

"Yes, darling. She's going to leave. But you can make her stay," she said, looking once more over at the shoulders, "You want her to stay with you?"

Beca's head turned towards her, those eyes blinking repeatedly but still not altogether present.

"You just have to sign this," she told her delirious daughter, "If you sign this, she'll stay."

She pulled out a pen and put it in Beca's hand.

"Hold the pen," she told her, "Beca, grab the pen!" she hissed, glancing behind her again.

With the pen more or less in Beca's hand, she brought it to the appropriate spot on the paper.

"Now sign it," she instructed, "Sign it and Chloe won't ever leave you."

Beca blinked a few more times and the muscles in her hand and forearm flexed and tightened.

"Do you want her to stay? Then sign it!" she hissed forcefully, "Sign it, Beca."

To Angela's delight, her hand moved and Beca's signature, though a bit sloppier than normal, was inked on the page. Smiling brightly, she flipped the page over to the next one, once again guiding the pen point to the appropriate spot.

"One more time. Sign it one more time."

It took less convincing the second time before Beca's signature was yet again written. Angela beamed and pressed a strong kiss to her daughter's forehead.

"Oh, I love you, dear!" she announced, taking the pen back and setting it in her purse along with the pages.

Still smiling, she straightened her blouse and left the room. As she approached the waiting room, she saw those annoying girls apparently pleading their case to the nurse's desk. Schooling her features to contain her glee, she neared them.

"You're free to see her," she allowed and then made her exit.

Chloe didn't waste time wondering about the change of heart. She just got the room number from the nurse, knowing she'd heard what Angela had said. Once she had it, she practically ran off towards the room and inside.

Immediately going to Beca's side, she grabbed Beca's hand and started rubbing it between her own.

"Hey baby, I'm here. You're ok. Everything's ok."

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