A/N: Hey guys! Here's chapter 9, as promised, I apologize for being a day late but my boss is back to forgetting I'm human so I'm getting swamped. I've updated the upload sched in the end notes.

BTW, I'm not showing the entire riff-off for this particular part of the story, instead I'm gonna keep it Emily-centric (for a reason!) and CR-centric.

I don't own pitch perfect.

The last few days had Emily on edge.

Sure, she should be happy. Beca seemed to have started to take her advice. It was one small step each time, but together, Emily knew that it would allow her to get there.

It started the day after the car show. Beca was cleaning up the bowl she used for eating her cereals, the Bellas going on their usual morning routines, when all of a sudden Chloe comes out of nowhere practically tackling her. Except it wasn't really a tackle. It was more Chloe rushing towards Beca from behind to give her a hug.

It took Beca by surprise, she almost dropped her bowl and all. It would seem that all the other Bellas were a little bit surprised as well. Beca tensed but she didn't fight or tried to worm herself free. Instead she found herself relaxing in Chloe's hug as the redhead went on and on about the brilliant playlist she created, that her apology was clearly accepted, and that Chloe was herself apologetic of the way she had acted.

And that was just the start.

Beca started trying. During their practice sessions, during Bella bonding activities – whenever she's not tied-up with her annoyingly-still-a-secret-internship – Emily could see Beca opening up bit by bit. She was trying to talk and get to know the Bellas, and there most definitely seemed to be something starting to bloom with Chloe, or so Emily thought. She was there to observe events, and observe she did.

There was a weird vibe with Stacie and Amy when it came to Beca, the two seemingly torn up about what they think of her, but they seemed to be genuinely interested in knowing the DJ.

Beca was a bit weirded out by Lilly, but she was quickly learning to just deal with it.

She's always mixed up Jessica and Ashley, but everyone else did so maybe it wasn't entirely a Beca thing?

She got along well with Cynthia Rose, the two chatting up every now and then about the latest in pop music.

Then there's Flo who's slowly bonding with Beca through their love of food. Although technically it was Flo's love of cooking and Beca's love of eating.

So, if things have been going so well, why, oh why, was Emily so freaked out?

Well…

It was Bellas bonding time. She wasn't entirely sure who started the whole thing, apparently Chloe was high key stressed again, someone threw a pillow at someone else, and before she knew it, the Bellas were embroiled in an all-out pillow war. Beca walked in highly amused, commenting on how she thinks the whole scene was a major setback for all women-kind. Emily had to smile at how relaxed Beca was, and she was rather excited to see the DJ intrigued by the invitation she had in hand, an invitation to a riff-off.

And Emily had to admit, she was also incredibly excited for it.

But then, she just had to be there. The she-devil that won't quit.

Emily spent the entirety of the riff-off as a nervous wreck. She kept eying Benji for support but it would seem that her presence in their group was starting to get to his nerves as well.

She wanted to be happy, Beca was finally warming up to this whole acapella business. But how can she be happy or proud about this baby steps when she could see how the Kommissar was watched over Beca like a prey watching her prey.

It was clear. Without a shadow of a doubt, Emily knew that what the Kommissar – aka Luisa in this particular situation – wanted.

What all of DSM wanted…

Beca's soul.

After all, the entirety of DSM just had to be reapers, stealer of souls, thieves of the Devil. They're sole purpose was tempt, deceive, entrance, and draw in individuals who they knew were on a certain impactful path. Ruin one life that could affect many others. Steal lost and unjudged souls a like for their boss and increase their own powers.

And oh goodness, the charms the reapers possess. They're hardly ever breakable. That's why Emily knew why Beca was so enthralled with the Kommissar, why she couldn't stop complementing her.

Also why Emily disappeared and sought out Benji for help. Because this, this was serious.

Emily knew, reapers would always be there when it came to souls like Beca. No, especially to souls like Beca that could not be judged and who gets send back for their test so that they can be judged. Emily was mentally prepared for that, at least somewhat. She knew it would be a fool's dream to think this job would not have any challenges.

But why did she have to get her? The most infamous stealer of souls. The most powerful, most alluring, the greatest of all reapers and the most nightmarish one to deal with?

She's heard stories, of course she had. She's seen the tearful faces of failed guardian angels who went toe-to-toe with the Kommissar. Only a handful had succeeded, and that was because she was alone. She didn't have her cohorts with her.

Not like in this case, nope.

Because the Kommissar came ready to fight a war.

And perhaps, it was because of that thought that Emily had become so distracted that when her turn came, she became the reason for the Bellas losing.

DSM picked up their win, celebrating their victory with a thunderous roar of chants. The party was in full swing. Chloe was clearly upset and Beca was stepping up for Emily.

But Emily didn't pay much attention to any of that. Her eyes had landed on the Kommissar's. Her confident sneer, the triumphant grin, it all sent shivers down Emily's spine.

She cannot mess this up.

No.

Not when the Fate of multiple lives hang in the balance.

Boy, she really wished the reinforcements would come soon.

To say that Chloe was upset would be an understatement and Cynthia Rose understood how terrible she was feeling right now. Losing always bummed them all out. And sure, the Bellas lost a few riff-offs before, but nothing ever compared to losing against your newel-dubbed arch-nemesis who were so in sync with their choreography, in tune with their own sound, and definitely on the same page when it comes to their killer looks that they could end the Bellas' dream for acapella supremacy once and for all. Because yes, losing sucked, but losing when you have nothing else to give but your heart and soul for music, when everything you held dear to was on the line, it was ten times much worse.

Okay, that was a lie. It felt like a hundred times worse. It was only bearable because the Bellas where, well, the Bellas.

But that night was strange for Cynthia Rose. Because Amy wasn't trying to cheer anyone up with her usual shenanigans. Nope, instead she was huddled in a corner talking to Stacie and Lilly about something. If Cynthia Rose had to guess, that 'something' would probably be Beca or Emily, or both really. She's caught at least Stacie and Amy exchange whispers about Beca at least once or twice now.

Then there was Emily who had luckily manage to evade the wrath of one Chloe Beale when they got home for two reasons. The first was she literally narrowly escaped the redhead's lecture by saying that she had an emergency she needed to address before disappearing with Benji outside the Bellas house. That clearly didn't help Chloe's temper but Beca was quick to support Emily and calm her down. Which brings reason number two, Beca herself.

Beca was still pretty much a mystery to most of the Bellas, but something was different, something was changing and Cynthia Rose could see it. Since Beca and Chloe's initial fight, the DJ looked like she was trying, slowly warming up to the Bellas and all.

She even joked with Cynthia Rose the other day when she asked Beca why she seems reluctant in getting to know the Bellas that it wasn't that she's antisocial or she hates the Bellas, she was just "selectively social" and she wanted to be sure that the people she let in her life would be worth the trouble they come with.

"And so, what's the verdict, little bit?" Cynthia Rose asked with a chuckle.

And Beca just smirked, something that Cynthia Rose took as a positive sign.

At least they had progress in something.

If anything, she was most definitely warming up to Chloe, getting her to calm down from being too upset about Emily and losing against DSM.

"They won the fight Chlo, that doesn't matter much. And it doesn't matter how many fights they keep winning." Cynthia Rose heard Beca say as she watched her and Chloe get settled in the couch, the two in their PJs already. It was a quarter past midnight after all.

Cynthia Rose set the glass of water she got in the kitchen late that night and leaned on the counter as she watched the two just talk. It was nice to see Beca be this relaxed around at least one Bella.

On that note, when did she start calling Chloe by her nickname? Interesting developments…

"It kind of matters, Becs." Chloe argued, crossing her legs on the couch and grabbing one of the throw pillows to hug. "By the way, you don't need to seat here with me. You were clearly heading somewhere when I ran into in the hallway."

"Oh, um, I really don't…" Beca started to say.

"I mean, if you want to see the Treble… I saw you two earlier at the party, you seemed really close." Chloe started to say and Cynthia Rose would be damned if she didn't hear the slight hint of jealousy in her tone.

"Yeah, definitely not." Beca responded, her tone slightly rising and Cynthia Rose wasn't sure if she should even still be there overhearing things but it didn't seem like the two noticed her presence either. She was about to sneak back to her room when she heard Chloe clear her throat and straight up asked Beca. "So he's not your boyfriend?"

"For the last time – because apparently everyone in the Bellas won't quit asking me no matter how many times I answer them – no, we are not. Def not interested either." Beca replied, her tone adamant.

Chloe chuckled. "Okay, if that's what you say." she then replied. "But why'd you come down then?"

"Just wanted to think." Beca then replied with a deep breath. "Maybe I'm kinda worried about Emily too."

Chloe smiled and nodded. "And you?" Beca then pressed on.

"Worried about a lot of things." she replied honestly.

"But see, that's why I was saying what I was saying earlier!" Beca then replied. "Doesn't matter how many fights we lose, how many rounds we get knocked down, what matters is we win the war. Don't worry much Chlo, I'll do everything I can to make sure we win the Worlds."

"We?" Chloe then responded with an amused tone. "I thought acapella wasn't your thing Beca Mitchell?" she teased, leaning slightly closer to where Beca sat, challenging Beca for a rebuttal if her grin was anything to go by.

But Beca simply shook her head and stared back in Chloe's eyes before briefly looking away as she cleared her throat, the intensity of the stare getting to her. She dared look back at Chloe with something more akin to a smile than the usual grin she wore. "You heard what I said, I'm not repeating myself." Beca replied in her usual manner, before settling down the couch, sinking into the backrest and taking a deep breath. "Now, Chloe Beale, are you just going to keep teasing me or will you join me?"

"Join you in what?" Chloe asked amused by her antics.

"Stay with me a while." Beca replied. "Clear your head with me."

"Beca, I didn't know you were big on meditating." Chloe replied with a smile.

Which earned her a pillow smacked to her arm courtesy of Beca. "It's called enjoying the present moment as it is Beale. I'm not big on it, but I don't know. I kinda like not being alone with my thoughts. Is it weird that to clear my head I want to just sit in the silence of this living room with you?"

"A little bit." Chloe admitted with a bit laughter. "But I kinda feel the same." she then added before shifting her position so that she and Beca faced the same direction before leaning closer, resting her head on Beca's shoulder.

Beca seemed surprised, briefly looked over where Chloe rested her head on her shoulder, and quickly looked away.

Something about the moment felt a little too sacred for Cynthia Rose to even dare disrupt or intrude upon by her accidental spying that she decided to sneak back to her room at that moment.

So maybe they lost, but noting rung truer than Beca's words in that moment.

They'll win the war.

Together with the bonds they forged with each other and are now forging…

So let the devil come.

They'll still conquer the Worlds.

A/N Pt2: Okay guys, I have one more promised update but since there's a couple of things going on in it, I'll move it to Thursday. I should have enough time to meet the Thursday update as promised as well! On that note, after Thursday's update, I'm making updates T/Th/Sa from now on as it seems to suit my schedule better.

UPNEXT: Emily and Beca have a little chat; a party ft DJ Badass Beca; and poor Emily gets cornered? But hey, her lone reinforcement will come soon!