Fun Fact! Got exposed at work and had to get tested. NOT fun. It's a waiting game now for results but I'm trying to stay positive since I don't have any symptoms right now. At least I was able to channel my anxiety about it into this!

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Ch 20

"Chloe, slow down!" Aubrey called for her, following on her heels, "Wait."

Chloe continued to march through the building towards the nearest exit. Ignoring the woman's words as her anger boiled in her veins.

"No, Chloe, not that way- "

Aubrey's attempt to warn her was cut off as Chloe pushed through the door, her fury overpowering her awareness of where she was going, and she walked out into an array of cameras and voices. She pushed her way through, rocking back a few steps when some of them refused to budge for her. There were too many voices talking over each other to decipher exactly what they were saying. All she knew was that they were saying Beca's name a lot.

Already worked up from the mess of an interview she had left, Chloe lost hold on her temper and snapped.

"Get the hell out of the way!" she shouted and shoved the nearest camera out of her face, causing it to tumble out of the man's hands and smash into the sidewalk to a chorus of whoa's and hey's.

"You're gonna pay for that," the owner of the camera declared as he began picking up the pieces, "This is expensive!"

"Bill us," Aubrey stated, alerting Chloe to her presence as she grabbed her arm and pulled her along until they got to the car.

Aubrey slammed the door once they got in, now as upset with Chloe as she had been with her.

"I know you're upset, but you can not lose control like – "

"I said no questions about Beca," Chloe interrupted, sitting with her arms crossed.

"I know you did," Aubrey replied, "I told them not to bring it up. But I can't control if some idiot on a talk show wants to go into business for themselves."

"I'm not going back there," she said firmly, "Not now, not in the future; no matter what the project is. Ever."

"Chloe- "

"No, Aubrey," she cut her off again, "I'm not doing any interviews or appearances about what Beca's going through. It's not some silly sound bite or anecdote for views. And more importantly, it's Beca's to talk about if or when she wants to."

Aubrey rubbed her forehead, feeling the headache growing there.

"I understand what you're saying, Chloe. I do. But you need to understand too," she explained, "You're still making your name, you're in demand for a lot right now and being attached to Beca means her scandal is your scandal. It's attached to you. I warned you this would happen."

"Don't call it a scandal," Chloe stated, "It's not a scandal. It's her life and she's trying so hard to fix it. If people won't respect that than I'm not doing any appearances."

"Chloe, you can't just- "

"I mean it," she snapped immediately, feeling bad for shouting at her. She took a breath, "Let them know, if they want me, nothing about Beca's rehab. At all. Until I say different. Ok?"

"Ok," Aubrey nodded, still feeling reluctant to potentially effect Chloe's marketing options.

Chloe rubbed her temple and changed the subject.

"What about the rest?" she asked, "Taking over Beca's management?"

"I need to get a copy of her contract with Angela. There's always a way out of a contract, it just needs a good review," she answered, "There'd likely be some sort of pay out required if she wants to break it. It depends what clauses there are. Knowing that bitch, I'm sure she's made it tight enough to get as much as possible."

"But it is doable?" Chloe asked for clarification.

"Sure."

Chloe nodded, relieved to have a handle on something. However, after a moment, she realized she had a new thought that hadn't occurred to her before.

"How would you feel about it?" she questioned, realizing she'd never asked if her friend actually wanted to take Beca on as a client, "Would you be ok representing Beca? I know you have…issues with her."

"It would be a risky move, Chloe. I won't lie. You know how I feel about her and how she behaves," she answered honestly, "But if she's really going to change, we can give it a shot. Do a probationary period first. I'll have to sit down and talk with her first before I agree to anything."

"That's fair," Chloe said quietly, "Thank you, for at least considering it."

"We'll see if you're thanking me after I make a decision," Aubrey replied before clearing her throat and getting back to business, "Ok, now let's talk about this meeting next week."

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"No."

"Beca," Dr. Junk tried gently.

"I said no," she repeated sharply, "I'm not talking about this."

"You need to work through- "

"I don't need to do shit!" Beca shouted, standing from her seat and leaning slamming her hands against the desk, "I need to get clean, that's all. I don't need you stomping through my brain with muddy boots."

"Something happened in your life," Dr. Junk began, keeping her composure easily from years of experience, "Something that opened your eyes to the lengths your mother will go at your expense. Those are your words, not mine."

"And I kept it vague for a reason. It's in the past, it stays in the past," she declared before standing up straight and scoffing, "You shrinks think you know everyone better than they know themselves. Well, you don't know me. I know me. It's my mind," she threw her fist against her own chest, "I have to live in it, not you. So when I say no, it's because the answer is no."

"Everything we experience in our lives becomes a part of us. Good and bad," she reasoned, "Whatever it is, it's a part of you; a part that set you on this path you're on. If you truly want to get and stay better, you need to work through it. As hard as it is, that's the way it works."

"Haven't you dragged enough from me?" Beca asked, her voice cracking, "You already took a shit on my dad; the only good thing I had as a kid."

Dr. Junk shook her head, remembering how upset Beca had been after their last session. She knew it was hard to hear, but it was the truth.

"Your father was wrong to put the decision in your hands like he did," she repeated the observation, "You were a child."

"Well I was a child when – "Beca stopped herself, swallowing a big panting breath and shaking her head, "Can I go?"

Dr. Junk took a look at the time and saw there was still around twenty minutes left of their time.

"If you do, we'll just talk about this tomorrow," she warned, "Today or tomorrow, this needs to be addressed, Beca."

Beca swiped roughly at her face, "Tomorrow then."

Dr. Junk took her glasses off and sighed, "Ok. Tomorrow."

Not wasting a moment, Beca fled the office. Bursting into her room, she saw Calamity jump in surprise and slam her drawer shut.

"Jesus, Hollywood, who set your ass on fire?"

Beca ignored her and reached for her drawer where she knew the woman kept her cigarettes, but Calamity forced it to remain shut and stepped in front of it.

"Seriously, what's wrong with you?"

"I just need a fucking smoke, ok?" Beca answered, trying again and getting her arm slapped away.

"I'm out."

"Bullshit," she argued, "you had half a pack this morning."

She tried to get around her, but the taller woman pushed her back.

"Knock it off, man!"

"What's your problem?" Beca challenged.

"What's your problem?" she asked back, "This is my shit, right. You can't just demand it cause you're in a mood."

Beca stepped back and scratched at her forehead, trying to regain control of herself.

"Sorry. I'm sorry, ok?" she apologized, still with an edge in her tone, "I just, the doctor she…"

Calamity raised an eyebrow as she understood what was left unsaid.

"Ohhh," she voiced, and nodded in understanding, "I get it. Ok. Digging up the ugly stuff, huh?"

Beca gave a jerking nod and Calamity glanced over to the door before smirking.

"Alright then. I suppose I can help you out. I've been there, man. Yeah, I'll give you a stick, then," she said opening the drawer and reaching inside, "Or…"

The elongated word caused Beca's stomach to twist. As if she knew what was coming before it actually came.

"Maybe even something a little better," she said as if it were some deep conspiracy and pulled out a small ziploc bag.

Beca's heart started thumping at the sight of the little circular pills staring at her. Her dry mouth struggled for words before managing to croak one out.

"H-How?" she managed quietly.

Calamity chuckled and winked, "Reagan always gives me a little something extra in our goodbye kisses. Just a quick swallow before I leave visitor's and a quick little purge as soon as I'm back. It's insane how easy it is. You're welcome to get your girl in on this. I tell you it's the only way I've survived this place so many times."

She laughed again and gave the bag a shake, the pills inside dancing around. Beca swallowed against the hard lump in her throat as she watched them.

"I like you, Hollywood, so I'm willing to share this one time," she told her pulling one out and offering it, "What do you say?"

Beca's hand twitched at her side. She couldn't believe it was really right there. Just waiting for her to take it. It would be so damn easy. No body would know. She could do it just this once and then go back on the wagon. One last one, that's all it would be. She was barely aware that she'd taken a step forward until she heard Calamity speak again.

"Yeah man," she grinned, "Shitty day, these'll get you back in top form."

"You have to be in top form."

Her mother's voice echoed in her head as it had that day in her trailer before her rough hands forced the pills down her throat. Beca jerked back as if the slap that came in the memory had occurred again there in the room. In the moment she flinched, Chloe's face flashed before her eyes and Beca stepped back purposely.

"I can't," she said, shaking her head quickly; wiping her face as she sniffed, "I can't."

She hurried to leave but was halted by a sudden firm hand on her forearm.

"Hey!" Calamity said sharply, and pointed at Beca's face, "Don't go running your mouth about this. I meant it; I like you, but if you rat me on this, I swear to God I will fuck you up without a thought."

Beca ripped her arm out of her hold and ran out. She couldn't be in that room knowing those pills were in there. The temptation was too strong. She wouldn't be able to stop herself. She'd told Dr. Junk; she knew who she was. She knew she wasn't strong enough right now say no again. Her vision blurred as she hurried down the hall, not realizing where she was going until she saw the phones.

Her hands shook violently as she dialed, praying she was hitting the right numbers through her teary eyes. Holding the receiver with both hands, Beca gulped for air desperately and waited the painful seconds before she heard the click on the other end.

"Hello?"

Chloe's voice came through and Beca immediately began sobbing.

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