Chapter 3

Aubrey had been staring at the double doors leading to the auditorium for the past five minutes. She hadn't spoken with the Bellas the rest of the weekend, but it was time for auditions. They were upset at her for not telling them about Beca and Stacie, especially since she refused to give reasons for her secrecy. She finally mustered the courage to enter the auditorium where Chloe and the rest of the Bellas were waiting for her. She sat down by her best friend and smiled appreciatively when Chloe handed her a clipboard with a list of the singers auditioning. Amy dramatically cleared her throat to get her attention.

"So are we really not going to talk about Beca and Stacie being perfect for the team? They are the only reasons we won that riff-off," reminded Amy.

"Not to mention it is only a legitimate win if they are actually Bellas. The moment Bumper finds out they aren't on the team or recruits, he is going to ask for a rematch," warned Denise and Aubrey sighed.

"Look, I get that all of you want Beca and Stacie to audition, but it is out of my hands. Beca wants to work at the radio station and Stacie is…"

"Auditioning," announced Stacie as she walked up to the group. Beca nudged her with a smile.

"What am I, chopped liver? We are both auditioning," she assured as she smiled at Chloe and the rest of the Bellas jumped up to greet them. Aubrey sat in stunned silence and quickly turned to the second page of her list. At the very bottom, Beca and Stacie's names were written and she cursed under her breath before hopping up.

"Um, what is happening right now? Bec, you don't even like acapella. You called it lame," reminded Aubrey and Beca shrugged.

"That was before I saw that riff-off. It was spontaneous and actually pretty badass. Besides, Chloe said you could use the help. It also helps seeing the look on your face right now," said Beca smugly and Aubrey glared at her best friend. She grabbed Chloe's hand and pulled her away from the group as the Bellas went back to greeting the two newcomers. Chloe begrudgingly followed Aubrey off to the side of the auditorium where they wouldn't be interrupted or heard.

"What the hell are you doing? You know why I don't want them auditioning," Aubrey whispered harshly.

"No, I knew why you were hesitant about Beca, but you left out a very important part of your story. Stacie," whispered Chloe and Aubrey gulped as she looked down.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh give it up, Bree. It is so obvious that you are into her. I know you. I saw the way you were looking at her during the riff-off. I also saw you follow her to the backyard at the party. She is the one you were talking about, the someone in Portland."

"Fine, yes, but that doesn't exactly explain why my best friend is conspiring against me."

"I am not conspiring against you….okay, maybe a little, but it is for your own good. Aubrey, you deserve to be happy and if Stacie makes you happy, then you should be with her."

"So this has nothing to do with the toner you have for my baby sister," she challenged and Chloe bit her lip nervously.

"Okay, so maybe I had a few reasons for inviting them. I like Beca and before you go all big sister mode on me, you know me. You know I wouldn't hurt her."

"So you are admitting it? You are going to make a move on my sister without even asking me?" Chloe scoffed.

"This isn't the 50s. I don't need your permission to court your sister and being your best friend doesn't mean I can't find someone I really like. I know how this could complicate things, but I also know there could be something special between us. Are you really going to stand here and lecture me about why I can't be with your sister or how I am breaking some type of friend code," she challenged and Aubrey glanced over at Stacie before putting her head down in defeat.

"Fine, but you better be sure. Beca has been through a lot."

"And so have you, which is why you both deserve to be happy. Them joining the Bellas is a good thing, Bree. You and Beca can reconnect and the Bellas get two amazing singers. It will be aca-awesome," she assured before going back to the group. Aubrey took in a deep breath, but nodded as she followed suit.

In hindsight, Aubrey was relieved Chloe asked Beca and Stacie to audition. Many of the singers who auditioned did it with fame and attention in mind, but not talent. While some could carry a tune, they weren't Bella material and even Aubrey was impressed by Beca's audition. While she assured her baby sister instruments weren't allowed, not even cups, she couldn't ignore her creativity and ear for music. Stacie performed a sultry cover of an Adele song that left most of the audience craving more. Aubrey wasn't thrilled by how vocal the Treblemakers were as they applauded, but she couldn't fault them for being attracted to the leggy brunette. The selection process was easy and the Bellas were more than happy to welcome the new Bellas during Hood Night. Since the Treblemakers were the only acapella group on campus with a house, something the Bellas helped to change soon, the party to welcome new members was held there. Aubrey made her way around the party, greeting the leaders of the other groups and wishing them well for the upcoming season. She wasn't necessarily surprised to see Chloe and Beca dancing closely on the dance floor, but she was surprised by how much it irritated her. She knew Chloe would be good to her baby sister, but watching Beca flirt and dance with Chloe without even talking to Aubrey beforehand irked her. Most of the angst she felt was rooted in her desires for Stacie and trying to protect Beca's feelings, so watching Beca so easily disregard hers made her question why she was fighting her love for Stacie so much. Aubrey decided to leave it alone and headed to the kitchen for a drink. She gritted her teeth when she saw Unicycle whispering in Stacie's ear and couldn't help but step in between the cozy couple.

"What's up, blondie," asked Unicycle, but he gulped when Aubrey glared at him.

"You know the rules, so don't even try it. She's off limits," she practically growled and Unicycle put his hands up in surrender as he slowly backed away.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now," Stacie asked in disbelief and Aubrey sighed.

"Stacie…"

"We need to talk. Now," Stacie demanded as she grabbed Aubrey's hand and forcefully pulled her upstairs away from the loud music. The moment they were in a bedroom, Stacie slammed the door and locked it behind her.

"You have lost your fucking mind," Stacie shouted and Aubrey crossed her arms as she glared at her.

"You're new here, so let me catch you up. The Trebles have a fucked up game they like to play with the females in the other acapella groups. They call it Treble-boning and the moment you are in bed with one of them, every Treble will know about it. No Bella is allowed to hook up with a Treble."

"Oh come off it, Bree. That wasn't you trying to protect your precious sisterhood. That was you acting like a fucking caveman, but you can't have it both ways. If you don't want me, you don't get to decide who I hook up with!"

"So who is trying to hurt who here, Stace? What, you joined the Bellas to sabotage us? To get back at me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," smirked Stacie.

"You know it would kill me to see you with someone else," said Aubrey as tears filled her eyes.

"How the hell…"

"No, you are going to let me finish this time and I am going to say everything I wanted to say the other night," said Aubrey and Stacie nodded for Aubrey to continue.

"You know why you weren't mentioned in my recap? The divorce, leaving Beca, leaving for college, all those memories sucked. I love my dad so much but I knew what choosing Barden would mean to my mom and Beca. In their eyes, I was choosing him over them and while I don't give a damn what my mom thinks, it sucked knowing Beca somehow saw my closeness with our dad as a betrayal. But, nothing about us belongs in that category, Stace. You never have and you never will belong in that category to me because while you may think that you don't really know me or know the version of me I actually am, you are wrong. You are the only person in my life that has ever known me, really known who I am. My life crumbled and everything that was good just felt like a lie but I let you in. I kept you in because you are all that's right and good in this fucked up world with my fucked up family, so if you want to be mad at me for how things ended, that's fine. I couldn't bear the distance and seeing you over the breaks was just going to make it worse, so I ran and that was fucked up, but don't you dare say you don't know me or say you don't know what you meant to me because you are the only thing in my life that has ever actually made sense," cried Aubrey.

Stacie walked over to her and cupped her face in her hands as she gazed into the green eyes she could never get enough of. Her thumbs wiped away Aubrey's falling tears before leaning in to capture her lips in a tender kiss. Aubrey moaned and deepened the kiss, melting into it the moment their lips were finally caressing again. Stacie gasped when Aubrey hoisted her up and placed her on the desk beside them before peppering kisses along her neck. All of the passion and pent up sexual tension crackled around them as they made quick work of each other's clothes. Aubrey palmed Stacie's breasts and began sucking on her nipples as Stacie bucked her hips up in search of Aubrey's. She needed some type of friction, anything to relieve the ache in between her legs.

"Please, Bree," whimpered Stacie and Aubrey moaned as she slipped two fingers between Stacie's slick folds. Stacie cried out in pleasure and Aubrey watched her through hooded eyes as she pumped her fingers inside of her. She could feel how close she was and pumped her fingers faster as she sucked on her nipples. Stacie gripped the desk as a powerful orgasm surged through her. She rode Aubrey's fingers, calling out her name as Aubrey peppered kisses on her neck.

"I love you, Stace," she whispered as Stacie she rode out the last of the waves of pleasure.

"I love you so much, Bree," Stacie whispered back before crashing their lips together in a passionate kiss. She hopped off the desk and Aubrey giggled when Stacie reversed their positions and hoisted her onto the desk. Stace gave her the wink and grin she knew Aubrey couldn't resist before placing kisses down Aubrey's body. Aubrey bit her lip and moaned as Stacie finally made it to her destination between Aubrey's legs and sucked on the bundle of nerves aching to be touched. It didn't take long for the coil in Aubrey's stomach to come undone and Stacie moaned as she watched the blonde climax. Stacie slipped two fingers inside of her and vigorously pumped them, knowing what it would do to Aubrey. She knew her body well and Aubrey quickly succumbed to another orgasm. It pulsed through her and Stacie peppered lazy kisses over her thighs as Aubrey came down from the high. Stacie sighed happily as Aubrey pulled her up to her and nuzzled her neck. Stacie leaned into her embrace as they held one another close.

"I missed you so much," whispered Aubrey and Stacie buried her face in Aubrey's hair as tears filled her eyes. Aubrey pulled her closer when she felt Stacie's body wracked with sobs.

"Stace, baby, I am here now. I am not going anywhere," she assured and Stacie cupped her cheek as their eyes locked.

"Promise me," she whimpered and Aubrey nodded.

"I promise. You are everything to me, Stace. You always have been and I am so sorry I hurt you. I shouldn't have run. I didn't know how to deal, but you have always been the one person I can tell anything to and I should have leaned on you instead of pushed you away." Stacie ran a hand through Aubrey's hair and tenderly kissed her.

"I love you so much, Bree."

"I love you too and always have," she said as she held her close. In that moment, everything felt right to Aubrey. Nothing else mattered but them.