A/N: Wow it has been a while, bet you guys thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth, well I did kinda, check the aurthors note at the end of the chapter if you want to know more.

I hope you enjoy this new fic because I've enjoyed writing it. I hope it will give everyone a reprieve from their daily lives if even for just a brief few minutes. Things have been crazy and I hope you all are happy, healthy and staying sane!

This fic is kind of AU in some aspects I guess, in that it takes place 10 years after PP2 and Chloe is a doctor (I'm a sucker for Chloe as a doctor).

Also this is un-betaed. Mainly that's my own fault, I haven't reached out to my super duper awesome friend beta sugarlandaddict23 for help yet, but I will if she'll have me! I just wanted to get this first chapter out otherwise I'll tinker with it for weeks lolol...

Disclaimer: PP still isn't mine so yeah you know the drill, but everything else, including all mistakes, is!

Now on with the show...

Beca [11:35AM]: Hey come over…

The text was typed out and her thumb hit send so fast that Beca could barely even comprehend what she'd done, let alone who she had just messaged.

As Beca laid in bed all she could do for two solid minutes was blankly stare at the darkened phone screen that hovered precariously above her face. In her half-asleep and half-awake delusional state, she'd messaged Chloe. Like in Chloe Beale, like in Dr. Chloe fucking Beale, like in the girl Beca had been in love with for over ten years, like in the girl that vanished from her life and now has recently reappeared.

Tossing her phone aside, Beca closed her eyes, it was getting close to midnight but after that lapse in judgement she was now wide awake. She hasn't been able to sleep much anyway because her mind is constantly on Chloe ever since Chloe accidentally reentered her life a few months ago. Their chance meeting legitimately was an accident, because neither of them knew where the other was living, let alone that they both were living in LA and within twenty minutes from each other.

After graduation and worlds, Chloe had kind of wandered away from her and the Bellas. Out of everyone in the group Beca thought Chloe would have been the one to keep track of everyone and make sure they all stayed connected. However, the exact opposite happened because Chloe didn't just slowly lose touch, she pretty much disappeared from their lives. Chloe dropped away all forms of social media, she quit answering phone calls, texts and emails, and she quit participating in the Bellas WhatsApp group chats.

Chloe's virtual disappearance had made most of the girls in the group sad and angry. And as much as an asshole as this will make her sound, Beca didn't really care that Chloe had stopped talking to them because she thought that wouldn't happened to her and Chloe. She thought she and Chloe had something different, a kind of bond that would last forever despite the different directions that each of their lives might take. So, what hurt the most, devasted Beca really, was that Chloe had simply quit responding to her and without any inclination as to why.

Needless to say, Beca had been just as surprised as everyone when one day, out of nowhere, Chloe had posted a single picture with no explanation to their group chat. It had been the first contact any of them had had with the redhead in close to a year and the picture showed an acceptance letter to Baylor College of Medicine.

That had been a little over ten years ago and Beca can easily say that the last ten years have been rough. Careerwise she was doing great, she was content and happy with the kind of music she was making and how it has provided her with the kind of financial stability and beautiful home that only few could dream of. But on the other hand, her health, personal life and most importantly love life were in fucking shambles. Well the health thing was significantly better since moving to LA and she had made some friends, but settling down with someone romantically held its own obstacles.

Beca found it extremely difficult to date anyone when she knew and they clearly knew that she was in love with someone else. She's found that the type of relationship she wants just don't work when she's constantly comparing the other person to Chloe. And that's left her lonely and without the love, affection, and family that she so desperately wants.

So, it is safe to say that Beca had been completely and utterly surprised to bump into Chloe at, of all places, the frozen food aisle of a grocery store at two in the morning. Chloe had been reaching for a box of Eggo Waffles on one side while Beca had just fished out a frozen pizza from the other. Somehow, fate made them turn around at the same time and literally bump into each as they tried to cross paths.

Chloe had been visibly stunned, speechless in fact, while Beca had felt all the air rush from her lungs. Chloe was more gorgeous now than ever before and as Beca clutched a frozen pepperoni pizza in her hands, all the unrequited love she works so hard to try and forget daily, came flooding back in an instant.

Medical school and life in general had been good to Chloe, extremely good. Chloe looked a little bit older in this really amazing and mature way, she was much more fit, which wasn't surprising considering Chloe loved working out and running, and her skin had the lightest hints of a tan. While the red hair that Beca had loved so much was a tad bit darker and was cut to just below Chloe's shoulders. However, Chloe's warm and gentle smile and bright blue eyes were still the same. Seeing Chloe that night had instantly made a smile cross Beca's lips and as her eyes trailed up Chloe's body taking in every inch she tried to not make it too obvious that she was checking out her onetime best friend.

Chloe had worn simple diamond studded earrings, a rather intricate looking GPS running watch, but no other jewelry. Mainly Beca had noticed that Chloe wasn't wearing a wedding or engagement ring, which was surprising because Chloe had been the kind of person who always had men and women lining up to get their chance to date her, with Beca being at the very end of that line that stretched around the corner. If only Beca had realized she was gay and in love with Chloe just a little sooner then maybe she would have either had a shot or been shot down and not been hung up on Chloe for ten fucking years.

The other thing that made Beca take notice was just how god damn good Chloe made those dark blue surgical scrubs and worn out running shoes look. Her eyes also couldn't help but flash to the embroidery right above Chloe's shirt pocket, because in bright white stitching was Dr. Chloe Beale, MD, ABA, AAP, SPA, CCM. While ID badge hanging from the pocket held an equally beautiful picture and stated what all those fancy letters after Chloe's name meant and that Chloe worked at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Evidently Chloe was an anesthesiologist, that specialized in pediatrics and a few other things Beca had spent hours looking up later.

Beca's phone dinged from beside her and before picking it up, she lifted her hands to rub her eyes, trying to prepare herself for whatever the Chloe's response might be. Reaching for it, she unlocked the screen and tapped on the text message app.

Beca sighed in frustration as she read the message.

Chloe [11:40AM]: Beca, it's late and the city is urging people to stay home and away from others unless absolutely necessary. I know you mainly work from home, but this virus isn't a vacation or a time for a party.

Chloe had been turning her down for everything for the past month, citing one stupid fucking excuse after another. So, this rejection wasn't surprising and Beca figures sex, incredible sex, between two onetime best friends and then one friend running before they could talk about it would tear any relationship apart. It was just sad knowing that because of the impending lockdown that they would more than likely lose touch again and Chloe was probably extremely happy about that.

Beca's phone dinged again.

Chloe [11:42AM]: With your asthma and susceptibility to catching pneumonia that puts you in a higher risk category than most people to become infected with covid. You shouldn't be inviting people over, especially someone who works at a hospital.

Yes, all that stuff was true, but since she moved to LA four years ago she hadn't gotten pneumonia and she hadn't had an asthma attack in almost a year. Her 'susceptibility' to catching pneumonia and colds were the whole reason Beca had moved from New York City to LA. The dry and warm climate, as much as she hates to admit it, drastically improved her health. She just wished she'd taken her doctors advice before she had that stint in the hospital which created her adult onset asthma and killed her singing career.

So, Beca knew Chloe pulling the doctor card was just another excuse to not come over. Chloe was definitely trying to slip out of her life without acknowledging what happened, but Beca wasn't going to allow that. If Chloe wanted to fade away that was fine, but Beca was going to get a say in this time, even if it was just over text message.

Beca [11:46AM]: It'll only be me, it's not like I'm throwing a rager. Besides I don't have that many friends who would actually want to come over during the day let alone at this time of night.

Then for good measure Beca added…

Beca [11:47AM]: And I trust that you'll wash your hands.

Having just reconnected a few months ago they'd met for coffee and lunches over a dozen times and sent mostly short text messages or had even shorter phone conversations.

Each time they would met Chloe had always acted really weird and not weird in the old Chloe Beale quirky weird kind of way that Beca loved, no weird in a formal sense. Like Chloe insisted on paying for her own meals, she didn't initiate hugs or random touches, she always sat on the opposite side of the table, wasn't as open and free in her conversations, and always, always, made sure she parked far enough away so that they never walked to the same parking lot together. It was almost like Chloe wanted to give anyone who may be looking at them, including herself, the impression that they were in no way romantically linked or even friends. And that had always crushed Beca, making her wonder why the fuck Chloe kept responding to her calls or texts when she wanted nothing to do with her.

Needless to say, Beca always left their encounters wondering exactly where she went wrong. She tried to be funny and sarcastically charming and all the other things Chloe had loved back in college, but Beca just couldn't seem to dial Chloe in like she used to. Yeah, she had a few more tattoos and a different type of self-confidence and more money than she could handle, but none of those things had drastically changed her. She was still the pretty simple and totally lame person that she once was.

Eventually Beca just accepted that if she wanted Chloe to be in her life that the weirdness would just have to be their new normal. And it was that way until suddenly everything changed while having Sunday brunch last month.

Brunch had again been weird, but weird in the sense that it had felt just like old times. Maybe it had been the bottomless mimosas or the fact that Beca had openly flirted with the hot waitress in front of Chloe or maybe it was a little bit of both that finally broke down the barriers. Whatever it was made a switch flip inside Chloe and Chloe became the old Chloe that afternoon.

Chloe had been affectionate and happy and full of that fun and exciting Chloe Beale energy that Beca had known and loved in college. Beca had even gotten a couple of cheek kisses that made her blush. The alcohol had them giggling and talking about life and college and the past ten years with an ease and a comfortability of two best friends again. If it wasn't for the fact that the brunch spot needed to close and they were asked to leave, they probably would've stayed all day. So, on a whim, as Beca signed the bill, she suggested they spend the rest of the afternoon by her pool then end the day with beers and burgers. Before she could even finish signing her name, Chloe was accepting and within a half-hour they had caught an Uber home and were drunkenly swimming in their clothes.

Swimming eventually led to a kiss, then to Beca pinning Chloe up against the wall of the pool and them heavily making out. That ultimately ended with them naked in her bed and two of her fingers buried inside Chloe as Chloe clung to her and screamed out her name.

It's an afternoon that Beca can't and doesn't want to erase from her mind. It's also an afternoon that left her feeling completely used, totally devastated and confused, and by this point pretty fucking upset because in a surprising turn of events Chloe had been the one to run and Chloe had been the one to not want to talk about it since.

Beca [11:53AM]: I know you're at work otherwise you wouldn't be awake and texting me at this time of night.

Chloe [11:55AM]: I'm on-call…

Chloe [11:58AM]: I'm at work because I had an emergency call come in earlier tonight just before my shift ended. I finished post op care an hour ago and elected to stay to finish my paperwork now rather than later. Today has been crazy long and extremely trying, so once I'm done I'm going home to shower and sleep.

Now that Chloe seemed to be talking, Beca was trying to figure out what she could say next to entice Chloe to come over.

Beca [12:01AM]: So come do that stuff here.

Beca [12:03AM]: I'll make you food or coffee or both. I'd offer beer but I'm out. I have wine though…

Beca [12:05AM]: I know you're hungry, you told me once you don't eat much while you're on-call.

Beca [12:07AM]: I also have a shower and a guest room for you to crash in…or you can share my bed…

Beca bit her lip after she hit send on that last message. Adding that bit about her bed was touching on a shaky subject that may make Chloe ghost her again. They weren't in a romantic relationship, they were trapped somewhere in between and she had hoped that afternoon before Chloe ran that they'd figure it all out but that never happened. Although the way they were acting right now felt like they were about to go through a bad breakup. So, Beca's prepared for it and when it goes south she will just chalk it up as another failed relationship and friendship.

Over the past ten years Beca has had a few relationships, the longest one being with a woman named Christina and lasting almost a year. That one abruptly ended with a slap to her face after she confessed that she wasn't and had never been in love with the other woman despite having said the words daily. Then to make matters worse she also let it slip that she had been in love with someone else the entire time and that she dragged their relationship out for so long in hopes that Christina would turn into her forever person.

Beca felt horrible about how that one ended because Christina was probably the exact type of person that she needed. Christina was nice and sweet, she had a super cute two year old kid, was a dedicated middle school history teacher, and all the Bellas loved her, including Fat Amy. So, Christina wasn't a bad person, Christina's only fault was that she just wasn't Chloe.

After Christina, Beca had strictly focused on partners who never wanted anything serious. And for the past two years that worked, it had worked amazingly, but then Chloe came crashing back into her life, they slept together, and that subsequently awakened everything inside Beca that she had been craving for so long.

That afternoon with Chloe there was a connection and intimacy and what Beca thought had been love in their actions towards each other. Unlike it might have been with other partners, that afternoon hadn't been just sex for Beca. In fact, she'd even planned on telling Chloe everything and asking Chloe out on a proper date once Chloe woke up from her nap, but Beca never got that chance. Chloe had run the minute Beca had slipped out of bed to shower and that had crushed Beca's world all over again.

Beca [12:07AM]: Just…

Beca [12:09AM]: Just come over, this will be a good time for us to talk.

Chloe [12:10AM]: ?

Beca rolled her eyes and rapidly began typing. She wasn't going to play this game and just pretend like they didn't sleep together. She was done tiptoeing around this subject and she refused to allow Chloe not to acknowledge it anymore.

Beca [12:12AM]: Dude don't give me that, you know why…but in case you forgot I'll spell it out for you, we had sex all and then you fucking ditched me…we're not twenty anymore and this isn't college, we need to talk about this.

Beca was fuming now and on a fucking roll and it felt good.

Beca [12:13PM]: Did you just use me? If so not cool, not fucking cool…

Beca [12:14AM]: It feels like you're attempting to drop out of my life again, but before you do that, at least hear what I have to say first…

The bubble indicating Chloe was typing appeared than disappeared, then reappeared. That trend went on for a few minutes until Beca couldn't take it anymore and she started furiously typing again.

Beca [12:17AM]: Sex with you meant something to me, it meant more than you know. And I was going to tell you what it meant but you bolted before I had a chance. You hurt me Chloe and you left me so fucking confused and now you won't even acknowledge it!

The bubble indicating Chloe was typing vanished and Beca sighed in frustration when no new text came through.

Beca [12:20AM]: Was the sex that bad? Was I a horrible kisser? Did you fake your orgasms?

The bubble was back and this time didn't disappear so Beca just waited, her heart pounding…

Chloe [12:23AM]: Nothing about that afternoon was bad and I didn't have to fake anything. You were incredible in so many ways, ways that I've wanted for so long, ways that I never expected. I was wrong for running out on you. I'm sorry for running, I'm sorry that I hurt you and I'm sorry that I wasn't there to hear what you had to say.

Finally, Beca thought, she got some kind of reaction that said Chloe at least acknowledged what happened. It had taken nearly a month but finally Chloe is showing a little inclining that maybe she doesn't entirely regret what happened.

Beca [12:25AM]: A lot of things have confused me over the last ten years Chloe and the aftermath of sleeping with you has brought everything to a head and just made me feel worse. I was broken after you left…

Beca [12:26AM]: both times…

Beca can remember exactly how devastated she felt sitting there on the edge of her bed, crying with her head in her hands after realizing Chloe had left and was pushing all her calls to voicemail. Then to make matters worse, Beca didn't even have anyone she could talk to. She couldn't eve call Aubrey because Beca hadn't told anyone that she'd been in contact with Chloe and she couldn't handle the sheer amount of questions that would bring up let along the amount that would come once she revealed they had sex. So, she had to deal with everything herself and she hasn't gotten over it.

Chloe [12:27AM]: That was never my intent.

Beca [12:30AM]: I feel like I totally fucked up and did something really wrong, I just don't know what I did. If you're not going to come over, before you fade away and drop me again, can you at least tell me what I did wrong?

Beca [12:31AM]: I deserve to know that…

There was nothing but radio silence after that, there wasn't even a bubble indicating Chloe was typing. The only thing that changed on the screen was the little message below Beca's text switching from delivered to read a few minutes later.

Figuring that was it, the end of their conversation and friendship, Beca tossed her phone aside and turned to stare out the sliding glass window that looked out over her pool. She'd accidentally left the pool light on, making the water softly glow in this really inviting way. Unfortunately, the light also clearly illuminated the place where she'd pinned Chloe up against the wall in chest deep water. Moving her eyes away she was met with yet another reminder of her and Chloe, this time in her room. She can still see the spots along her hardwood floor that their wet footprints had made as they kissed their way to her bed.

Closing her eyes, Beca clutched her pillow tighter but she just couldn't shake the memories. That afternoon had been the most fulfilling and incredible experience of her life. They had just been so in sync and so giving in their actions towards each other, because it felt like they both had waited for that moment for years. Afterwards there had been no talking, just Chloe drawing lazy patterns along her abdomen and kissing the spot right above her heart or lips. She on the other hand had just laid there and took it all in while tracing Chloe's spine. Their kisses and touches eventually ramped up and the second time around was a little more needy than the first, not that Beca was complaining. Hell no she'd never complain, because Chloe had some tricks up her sleeve that had pretty much blew Beca's mind.

Beca's phone chimed again making her dog Lennon, the little Boston Terrier she rescued four years ago, perk his head up from his bed in the corner and give a snort of frustration. He was tiny compared to a full sized Boston Terrier, he maxed out at almost 11 inches tall and a little over ten pounds. Evidently, he was the runt of the litter and not predicted to make it when he was surrendered to the shelter at just three weeks old. She'd found him hiding in a blanket next to one of his sisters in a small crate in the back of the shelter with all the other puppies that weren't up for adoption yet. Forgoing the shelters protests, she insisted on immediately taking him home, where she bottle fed him around the clock and let him snooze on her chest so he'd stay warm and know he was loved. Eventually he started perking up and gaining weight and before she knew it the little guy who once could fit in her hand was happily scooting around her house nipping at her ankles and swimming in her pool.

He was an unexpected addition to her home, he moved in a few days after Beca had arrived in LA like he was always meant to be there. She can still remember how she had to use one of her moving boxes stuffed with warm blankets and a couple of toys as his temporary bed for a few nights until she could get to a pet store to pick up the rest of the things he might need.

"I know I feel you dude," Beca sighed rolling to her back again, "but love isn't convenient sometimes. Come here," she patted the spot next to her, "let's get comfy."

Seconds later Beca heard the jingle of his collar then watched him hop up on the bed with his favorite stuffed duck hanging from his mouth. Arranging a blanket next to her Lennon dove under it until his head and the duck popped out the other side. After a few seconds of squirming he chilled and laid his head down on his front paws and stared at her.

Other than Chloe, that little guy was the love of her life. He was the best dog ever, super smart and totally chill, he was her little buddy and best of all he tended to growl at Aubrey for no reason. So, in that aspect he was also her spirit animal.

"You're still mama's puppy, aren't you?" Beca kissed the top of his head. "What no kisses?" She lightly laughed as Lennon's paw lightly swatted at her face making her laugh. "Ok, ok, I'll leave you be…"

Reaching for her phone Beca unlocked it with a heavy sigh. However, the text she saw was not the text she expected.

Chloe [12:49AM]: I'll come by, are there any Chinese places still open?

The fact that Chloe was even remotely entertaining the idea of coming over had Beca sitting straight up in bed and switching the light on.

She didn't want to seem too excited in her response because she knew a dozen restaurants that were open until 2AM, but she also had leftover spaghetti and Chloe loved pasta so she debated about offering that instead. Except Chloe had specifically said Chinese and at this point Beca would agree to just about anything if it meant Chloe would show up at her door.

Beca [12:53AM]: I know a place. You still like that beef dish with the wide noodles and spicy veggies?

Chloe [12:54AM]: It's beef chow fun and yes, I still love that.

Beca [12:55AM]: Cool I'll order now, should be here in 20-30 minutes. Get here whenever you're done, no rush. My address is 3001 Dona Nenita Pl, Studio City 91604, I'll leave the garage door open, you can park next to me if you want…

Chloe [12:55AM]: I'll bring beer…

Erasing an over eager 'I can't wait' and 'I'll see you soon' Beca's thumbs hesitated over the keyboard. She was drawing a blank about what exactly she should write that would covey that yes, she was happy, but that they also needed to talk. In the end she settled on something clean and simple.

Beca [12:57AM]: Thanks for coming…

Chloe's reply was almost instant.

Chloe [12:57AM]: yw…

Thanks for reading!

Liked it, loved it or hated it? I want to know your thoughts, so drop me a review or shoot me a PM and let me know what you think.

I've tentatively labeled this 'M' for right now because I haven't decided if an 'M' section will be included in one of the later chapters.

A/N: For anyone that cares, I've had a lot go on in my life since I ended 'The Reclusive Music Producer...' and I just don't know where to begin. I'll spare you all the nitty gritty details of sickness that lasted for months and jump to the fact that during my time gone I got a promotion at work, then almost a year to the day of that promotion happening, I got a job opportunity of a lifetime in a completely new industry that I just couldn't turn down. So I left my old job of 7 years to start that one and I had to move and then most recently have been recovering from a broken foot. So yeah, I've been super busy!

But during all that mess I have found time to write! I have another Bechloe story that is almost completely written and it's super long. It's been my project off and on forever and I promised myself after the 'The Reclusive Music Producer...' was over that I'd finish a fic before I started posting chapters. And I'm almost at that point with that fic...The Reclusive Music Producer Epilogue is in the works and getting closer to being done!...Then there's this little gem that came out of boredom while I've been working from home. It's mostly complete, I'm just missing a little bit of the last chapter and some real good edits. It's not an awfully long fic and I don't have a set schedule for posting, but hopefully it'll be somewhat regular.

So I've still be writing and hope to be sharing that stuff with you guys soon!

Until next time...