A/N: Not the most exciting chapter, but a necessary one. Along the same line, it's not very long. The next will make up for it. Thanks for sticking with me.


Ch 16.


Beca stared out the window as Chloe directed the car onward to their destination. It had been a mostly quiet ride; though not uncomfortable, more contemplative. Beca wasn't feeling a hundred percent yet, but thanks to another shot before leaving the hospital she no longer felt the need to throw up as she had that morning before meeting with the doctor. On his suggestion they headed out straight to the treatment center as soon as she was discharged.

When the GPS alerted them to how close they were, Beca licked her dry lips and decided to break the silence.

"You know I had a weird dream in the hospital," she started, getting Chloe's attention.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Or maybe it was a hallucination, I don't know," she cleared her throat, "You were leaving me, 'cause of all this. I had to sign a contract to guarantee you'd stay."

Chloe smirked, "I hope you read the fine print."

Beca looked down at her hands.

"I'd never do that you know," she explained, "Force you to stay, I mean. I want you to know that. If you wanted to leave, I wouldn't- "

"Hey," Chloe interrupted, reaching over to take one of Beca's hands, "I told you, I don't want to leave, Bec. You're willing to work on this and I'm with you the whole way."

Beca covered Chloe's hand with her free one, sandwiching it in her own.

"I know, but it's…going to get ugly," she warned, "This will get out fast, if it isn't already, and it's gonna be ugly. So, if you need to distance yourself, protect yourself, I understand. That's all I'm saying."

Chloe squeezed her hand to get her to look up, "You're taking a brave step doing this. I'm proud of you. Proud to stand by you, no matter what anyone says or how ugly they try to make it. I'll be fine. You do the work in there; I'll do it out here. Don't worry about me. Ok?"

Beca looked back down at their joined hands, running her thumb over the soft skin, "No promises."

Chloe grinned at the remark before she had to take her hand back to turn onto the path leading to the main entrance lot.

"Ok," Chloe said as she turned off the car and unbuckled her seatbelt, "Ready?"

"No," Beca answered honestly, "But I'm never going to be."

"You'll do great," she assured her, rubbing Beca's shoulder for as much comfort as she could offer. Beca just nodded and undid her own seatbelt with trembling hands.

She grabbed the bag Chloe packed for her and grabbed the guitar case she'd been thoughtful enough to bring for Beca as well. The building felt ominous as Beca approached; feeling as if she were going to battle a large looming monster. If Chloe hadn't been at her side, she knew wouldn't have the strength to take another step forward. But somehow her presence allowed Beca to cross through the threshold and keep moving until they were at the front desk.

"Hi, what can I do for you?" the woman sitting there asked kindly.

Chloe looked over at Beca, remaining silent as she knew this was a step Beca had to make herself. After a few minutes Beca gathered her unsteady courage and stepped closer.

"I need to, uh, check in," she announced in a quivering voice. Clearing her throat, "Beca Mitchell. Dr. Cahill called about, uh, you know."

She watched the woman check her computer for a few seconds before giving her a friendly smile.

"Yep, there you are. 30-day inpatient program."

Beca just nodded again and looked to Chloe in search of some of that comfort she was used to receiving from her. The soft smile she got in response helped chip away at some of her nerves.

The woman then laid a paper on the counter and explained what it entailed. It was an agreement of understanding that while she was admitting herself voluntarily, she could not leave until fulfilling the minimum 30 days. Beca clicked the pen multiple times as she read it over.

"A month," she said before glancing at Chloe again, "Gonna miss me?"

"Ever second," Chloe answered without hesitation, "Don't think I won't be visiting as often as possible. Which is how often?"

At the question, the woman smiled again, "Two days a week for visitation, but phone calls are permitted daily. However, we have a strict no contact policy for the first three days. Everything is explained in further detail for you in this."

She handed Chloe a different sheet of paper for friends and family of those admitted.

"And Beca, we'll have someone explain everything while we get you settled," she said to her, "You'll meet with the doctor in charge of your case, they'll be able to answer any questions you might have afterwards."

Beca ran a hand through her hair before taking a breath and finally signing on the line and sliding the sheet back over.

"Ok, great. We'll get you started," she responded and then called over her shoulder, "Brian, intake."

A man in scrubs who'd been sitting at a computer behind her rose and came around the desk. He introduced himself to them and then had them follow him into a small side room.

"First, I've got to take a look through your bag," he announced patting the tabletop for her to set it up there.

Beca didn't like the idea of a stranger going through her things but swallowed her pride and set the bag where he indicated. She lifted her guitar case but was halted by him holding his hand up.

"I'm sorry, you can't have that here right now."

Beca's eyes widened and her fist clamped around the hard, plastic handle.

"It's just a guitar," she argued.

He just nodded in understanding and kept a straight face, "Your doctor can explain it more. But that's the rule. I'm sorry."

"But it's rehab, not a mental hospital. Are you afraid I'm gonna hang myself with the strings or- "?

"Beca," Chloe said carefully, placing a hand on her arm.

"But…" she half-heartedly tried to argue some more.

"I know babe," she said softly, "It's ok."

Beca looked at Chloe for a moment and then sadly down at the instrument. Swallowing he gave it over to Chloe.

"Take care of it," she requested quietly.

"Of course."

He finished going through her bag and put the clothing back inside. Thankfully they were already aware that her phone wouldn't be allowed so she didn't have to go through him telling her anything else about stupid rules. She was a grown ass adult who needed permission to have her own things.

"Looks good," Brian announced, "I'll step outside for a minute to give you guys a chance to say goodbye here, then I'll give you a tour and show you where you'll be staying. Your doctor will go over your treatment and daily schedule."

"Awesome," Beca mumbled sarcastically.

Once the door closed behind him, Beca felt her heart begin to hammer as the dread spiked in her blood. Chloe stepped in close and placed her hands on either side of Beca's face; wiping her thumbs gently over her cheeks as she saw the tears building in her eyes.

"It's ok," she tried to assure her obviously terrified girlfriend. Leaning in to rest their foreheads together, "Just remember, you are a strong, brave, badass and I love you. You've got this."

Beca swallowed and closed her eyes, pushing out a few stray tears.

"I don't know if I can," she confessed in a quivering whisper, "It's…I don't know who I am, who I'll be without…I'm scared."

She took a breath and forced her eyes open, searching for those brilliant blues.

"Listen to me, Beca Mitchell," Chloe demanded, sniffling her own emotions back, "When you walk out of here, I'll be right there. And whoever you are when that happens, we'll figure it out together. Remember how strong you are. Remember how much I love you."

Beca felt the tears continue to slide down her face as she nodded again.

"I love you," she said to Chloe, wishing she could convey exactly how much she felt for her with words, knowing there was no way to do it justice.

They shared a slow kiss and when they reluctantly pulled apart, Beca pulled her in for as tight a hug as she could manage.

"It's going to go by before you know it. I'll visit and you'll call. You won't even have time to miss me," Chloe swore.

A knock on the door was their warning that time was up. Wiping her face, Beca shouldered her bag and held Chloe's hand as they walked out into the lobby again.

Brian gave her a smile and then gestured for her to follow, while Chloe stayed put. Their hands held on until the space forced them to drop away and Chloe did her best not to acknowledge the way it felt to let go.

"I'll see you soon," she promised to Beca, forcing a smile to the woman who kept looking over her shoulder until they turned the corner and she disappeared from sight.

Once they were gone, Chloe wiped at her eyes. As if her emotions were aware that she didn't have to keep a brave face anymore. When she turned to leave, she found the woman who'd been behind the desk, holding a box of tissue out towards her. She took one gratefully and cleaned her face as much as she could.

"I know it's hard, hon," the woman said with sincerity, "She's in good hands."

"I know," Chloe whispered around the lump in her throat.

She made her way quickly back to the car and once she got in, Chloe decided to allow herself five minutes to cry before sucking it up and starting the car. There was a lot to do.

First, she called Aubrey from the car's connection, the ringing filling the car for just a second before Aubrey answered.

"How'd it go?" Aubrey asked in place of a greeting.

"It's…fine," she said with a sigh, "Hard, but this is what's best."

"It is," Aubrey agreed, "Just remember, if Beca pulls through this, it'll be best for both of you."

"When, Aubrey," Chloe corrected strongly, "She's going to get the help she needs and it's all going to be fine."

"Right," she responded, though she didn't do much to hide her disbelief, and quickly changed the subject, "Is there anything you need? Can I do anything for you?"

Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose, knowing how much she would hate the first thing she had to do.

"Can you get in touch with Angela and set up a meeting? As much as she's- "

"A total bitch?"

"Yeah," Chloe agreed easily, "Even so, this affects her too. Plus, she handles all Beca's contracts, so she's got some work to now. Not to mention whatever PR damage control she's going to want to do."

Aubrey's sigh came through the car speakers.

"This'll be fun."

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