AN: So Yeah back again. This one got away from me a bit but I think i did a passable job of bringing it back around to where I wanted it. The beginning and the end wrote themselves really, it was that whole middle part that was being difficult.
Love it, Hate it let me know.
As always they only thing I own are the errors and the plot, otherwise I'm just playing with the characters.
Anyway enjoy.
"Dude seriously, why this song?" Beca complained to her best friend and teammate as they stood at the DJ booth.
"Oh c'mon BeCaw. This song is classic. Besides I'm taking your advice and not singing a typical love song to try and get the girl's attention." Jesse replied as he submitted his Karaoke request.
"Dude we are Trebles. According to her, we are the Bellas' mortal enemies. She barely acknowledges our existence unless forced to, simply because we are Trebles. I'm pretty sure something deep down inside her breaks when she has to actually say polite words to us." Beca replied her tone heavy with her usual sarcasm as they reached the bar and ordered.
Jesse frowned at his best friend before turning to pay for the drinks they had just ordered. He handed Beca her beer and a shot. They clinked their glasses and tossed back the tequila shots. Both winced at the slight burn and chased the shot with a healthy swallow of their beers.
"I honestly think that she doesn't hate all the Treblemakers, I think it's just Bumper that she seriously hates." Jesse replied as they stood by the bar.
Beca looked over to where the Trebles Captain stood at the other end of the bar using cringe worthy pick up lines. Beca was honestly amazed that he hadn't been punched yet.
"I can't say that I honestly blame her." Beca commented dryly
Jesse laughed before slinging his arm around his best friend's shoulder leading her over to the table the rest of guys were at. They had been sitting there for a few songs laughing and joking when Beca's name was announced. She whipped her head around to glare at her best friend.
"What did you do?" Beca demanded.
"I didn't." Jesse stated holding his hands up looking just as bewildered.
"I did. Good luck in knowing the song" Bumper stated with a smug grin.
Beca rolled her eyes and walked onto the stage. She quickly asked the DJ what song had been selected and shook her head at her Captain's idiocy. He really was a self absorbed moron. She nodded letting the DJ know she was ready and once the music started Beca's hips swayed, keeping time before letting her voice taking on a smokey rasp.
Well our hearts beat like thunder
I don't know why they don't explode
You got your hands in my back pockets
And Sam Cooke's singin' on the radio
You say that I'm the boy who can make it all come true
Well I'm tellin' ya that I don't know if I know what to do
You say that's all right, hold tight
Well I don't even know if I'm doin' this right
Well all right, hold tight
We can stay out all day or we can run around all night
Well all night, all night
Well it's time to go home
And I ain't even done with the night
Well I don't know no good come-ons
And I don't know no cool lines
I feel the heat of your frustration
I know it's burnin you up deep down inside
You say that I'm the boy who can make it all come true
Well I'm tellin ya that I don't know if I know what to do
You say that's all right, hold tight
Well I don't even know if I'm doin' this right
Well all right, hold tight
We can stay out all day or we can run around all night
Well all night, all night
Well it's time to go home
And I ain't even done with the night.
Beca handed the mic back to the Dj before getting off the stage as everyone clapped for her performance. She noticed that Bumper was no longer smiling and she smirked at him before walking towards the bar. As she walked by she felt someone grab her ass. She gritted her teeth and kept going knowing that the moron was just trying to get under her skin. Fresh beers in hand along with two shots, Beca made her way back to the table, avoiding the side where Bumper was sitting. She, Jesse Benji and most of the Trebles clapped for the Bellas that had just performed as Bumper attempted to boo them. Beca rolled her eyes at his childish antics. A few songs later she and Jesse were announced. He had convinced Uni Benji and Donald to join them as well.
"This is dedicated to the beautiful blonde." Jesse announced as he grinned over at the Bellas table.
Beca face palmed and shook her head at her best friend.
"You ready dude?" At Jesse's nod. Beca signalled the DJ.
Hey Witch Doctor - give us the magic words! - Jesse
Alright you go ooo eee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang - Beca
Alright!
Benji, Donald, Uni harmonized as Jesse sang the lead. Beca surprising everyone by singing the bass harmonies.
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
I told the Witch Doctor I was in love with you
I told the Witch Doctor I was in love with you
And the Witch Doctor he told me what to do
He told me
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
I told the Witch Doctor you didn't love me true
I told the Witch Doctor you didn't love me nice
And then the Witch Doctor he gave me this advice
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
You can keep your love from me just like you were a miser
And I'll admit it wasn't very smart
So I went out and found myself a guy that's so much wiser
And he taught me the way to win your heart
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee oo ah ah
Ting tang walla walla bang bang!
Chloe had watched the group in mild shock. She knew that Beca could sing, I mean that was obvious as the tiny DJ was on the Treblemakers and had sung the Melloncamp song earlier, but Chloe had no idea that Beca could hit the lower register like that. Chloe was mildly turned on and quickly downed her glass of wine at the realization. The redhead turned to look at her best friend who had a look of internal confusion on her face Chloe had noticed that as much as Aubrey tried to ignore the performance, her eyes kept straying to the stage. Chloe lightly nudged the blonde.
"Your toner is showing Bree." Chloe teased her friend, earning a scowl.
"You are being ridiculous. I do not have a toner, least of all for a Treble of all people." Aubrey replied indignantly.
"Mmhmm." Chloe replied in response. "While you are here swimming in your denial Bree, I'm going to get a drink. Would you like a refill?" Amusement coloured the redheads voice causing her blonde best friend to glare at her.
"I'll take that as a yes." Chloe paused for a moment, debating with herself before finally leaning down to whisper in her best friend's ear.
"You know he's a pretty sweet guy. Look past the fact that he's a Treblemaker and see him for who he is Bree. You may just surprise yourself." Chloe quickly stood back up and walked over to the bar, leaving her best friend stunned and on a deeper level a bit ashamed that she was judging someone simply because of the group that they happened to be in.
Aubrey shook her head, chasing away those thoughts. No she had to stick to the Oath that she took. Aubrey looked up as she heard an angry shout at the next table.
"Bumper I swear to everything that is Holy, If you grab my ass one more fucking time I will make you eat your God Damn teeth and charge you with sexual assault!" Beca snarled out at her Captain.
Aubrey noted that Jesse had grabbed his best friend and was struggling as he held her in place. She also noted the others around them recording the incident.
Bumper laughed and puffed out his chest. "Oh please It's not like you could reach as high as my face anyway. You don't want someone to grab your ass, don't wear the jeans you are wearing. I mean that's practically an invitation to grab your ass. Am I right fellas?" Bumper looked around attempting to get high fives and fist bumps at his comment and instead he got shocked looks and some even looked away from him as they shook their heads in disgust.
Jesse was so shocked by what his Captain had said that his grip on Beca loosened and she broke free from his hold.
"You're fucking disgusting." Beca spat out before giving Bumper a calculating look. "I can't believe that out of the 10 million sperm that night, you're the one that won. It's a shame the best part of you dribbled down your mother's leg. You should have been fucking swallowed." The tiny DJ sneered out causing the older Treble to flush in anger as the guys around him whooped and hollered in laughter. Even Aubrey laughed behind her hand at the colourful insults.
Jesse grabbed their beers that had been sat on the table when he grabbed his best friend and handed Beca hers. They clinked the bottles and Jesse led her away from the table and closer to where the Bellas were sitting. Aubrey watched as Jesse talked with Beca, getting her to calm down and to just enjoy the rest of the night. A bouncer came up to the tiny DJ as Jesse was calming her down. She watched as Beca sighed and shook her head and said something in reply to the bouncer causing the big man to grin down at the petite singer as he nodded.
Aubrey leaned over and asked Stacie to forward her the video she had taken of the confrontation. Stacie had asked if Aubrey wanted the snap that showed Bumper grabbing Beca just before Beca went off on him. Aubrey nodded, the wheels in her head turning knowing that she finally had the pieces in place to get rid of that dick lick once and for all. Chloe appeared suddenly, startling the blonde.
"What did I miss?" The redhead asked as she handed Aubrey her fresh drink and followed Aubrey's gaze to where it was resting on the two Treblemakers. Aubrey just shook her head and Stacie filled the redhead in on what she had missed.
Beca shook her head at Jesse and downed her beer before leaving to have smoke. Aubrey followed the shorter girl outside.
"Why didn't you hit him?" Aubrey blurted out after a few moments of attempting to talk to the smaller girl.
Beca jumped and turned to stare at the Bellas co captain in shock that the Blonde was willingly speaking to her and it wasn't to hurl insults.
"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you."
Beca waved away the blonde's apology. She decided against teasing Aubrey about talking to a 'Treble' as she could see the genuine concern and confusion on the blonde's face.
"I was taught you give them a clear warning about what will happen if they choose to continue with their actions. I've avoided being charged on quite a few occasions because it came out that I had warned the other person. Usually due to someone verifying that yes I gave the warning or a video has come to light of the confrontation." Beca took a deep drag of her smoke and blew out smoke rings.
"Bumper is just a moron who seriously needs to have his ass handed to him. He talks so much shit, and causes so much shit that the rest of us in the group are constantly cleaning up after him. I know enough of the members are sick of it and are trying to find a way to kick him out."
"So why stay?" Aubrey asked.
"Because of Jesse initially. We have been best friends since we were babies and have done everything together. We might as well be siblings really. But the other reason I have stayed is for Benji. He's a sweet kid and Bumper likes to pick on him, trying to assert his dominance simply because he is threatened by Benji's talent. When I'm around, Bumper leaves the kid alone." Beca shrugged before lighting another cigarette.
"Jesse likes you. A lot. I honestly don't know what he sees in you especially given your attitude towards us in the past, but he thinks you are worth his time. Give him a chance and stop using the bullshit excuse about non fraternizing with the Trebles or whatever to turn him down. If you aren't interested in him because let's face it, my best friend is a giant dork, then tell him. Just stop using the excuse that he's a treble. Oh and a friendly piece of advice, Bumper is just a giant child, stop reacting to his comments and he will find another target. Every time you react to him, you just feed his ego. Just like Amy. Its no wonder those two have been fucking, they are exactly the same." Beca crushed the butt under her boot before heading back into the bar, leaving Aubrey stunned by her words.
Aubrey took a few deep breaths before returning inside. She makes her way back to the Bellas table and takes her seat beside Chloe. Her mind was still whirling, trying to process the younger girl's words.
The DJ was playing music as a small intermission and Aubrey was nodding along to the beat when Chloe patted her arm pointing to the dance floor. Jesse and Beca were commanding the dance floor seamlessly switching back and forth between shuffling, cutting shapes and the lindy hop. The two Trebles were singing along to the song as they danced showing off their breath control. Tuning in to the lyrics, Aubrey realized that the song was a remix of the Archies Sugar Sugar.
"Damn who knew Shortstack could dance?" Stacie commented as she watched the two friends.
"I'm more impressed that Jesse convinced her to dance, I didn't think she was that drunk." Benji stated in wonderment.
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked the shy Treble .
"Beca only dances when she's drunk. She is a very good dancer to be honest, but she always says that she's way too awkward to get up and dance when out at a bar or club. We usually end up having to ply her with liquor to get her up on the dance floor. Just enough to lower her insecurity, not her inhibitions." Benji quickly explained to the three Bellas.
"Where did they learn how to do the Lindy Hop?" Aubrey asked
"Oh, uh if I remember correctly those two were enrolled in dance classes when they were younger and it was one of the first routines they learned. And like any other teenager, they learned how to shuffle and cut shapes from YouTube.
The song ended and both the Bellas and Trebles, minus Bumper cheered for the two friends. The Bellas get up to dance when the next song comes on leaving Aubrey at the table watching the two best friends.
"Dude, now's your chance, she's alone. Go talk to her." Beca yelled in Jesse's ear
Jesse looked over to see that Aubrey was in fact sitting at the table alone playing with an empty wine glass.
"White or red?" Jesse asked his best friend.
"White. She drinks white." Chloe answered having come up behind the two Trebles.
Jesse gave the two ladies a goofy grin before leaving the dance floor, heading to the bar to order another beer and a glass of wine. The two watched as he surprised Aubrey with the wine and the flash of delight on her face that he had ordered correctly.
As the next song comes on Chloe let out a happy squeal and turned her puppy dog eyes onto the short brunette causing said brunette to groan but nod her consent anyway. Chloe beamed at the shorter girl and kissed her cheek as they got into formation and began to do the Cupid Shuffle with the others on the dance floor. Once the song was over, Chloe hugged the shorter girl. Beca blushed and escaped from the hug as soon as she could laughing calling the redhead a weirdo. The laughter died on her lips once she turned around to face the tables. Jesse was standing in front of Aubrey, blocking her from Bumper as they traded words. The look on Jesse's face told Beca that she needed to intervene before things got really ugly as once again people were recording the interaction.
Beca quickly crossed the distance and stood in front of Jesse one hand on his chest, her back to Bumper, but her eyes were on Aubrey who looked ready to puke. Beca gained the blonde's gaze and quickly motioned with her head towards the door with a pointed look at Jesse. Aubrey nodded indicating that she understood. Beca turned her attention back to her best friend.
"Take Aubrey outside for some air Jesse. You know he isn't worth it."
Jesse nodded once stiffly before he held out his hand for Aubrey to take.
"Yeah Swanson, better listen to your little bitch, who just happens to have a fine ass." Bumper slurred out, grabbing Beca's ass squeezing hard.
Nobody actually saw the tiny brunette move but they heard her growling out 'Mother fucker' and then saw Bumper fall to the floor with his hands cupping his mouth.
"You Bitch!" Was Bumper's muffled cry when he pulled his hands away from his mouth and those gathered around gasped at the amount of blood.
"I fucking warned you dickhead," Beca began as she struggled against Jesse's grip. "I warned you that if you grabbed my ass again you would be eating your fucking teeth. You didn't listen. Here's my final warning to you, you mother fucking knuckle dragging swamp twat knuckle baby. Touch me again and I'll shove your dick and balls so far up inside you that those yoga classes you attended so you can blow yourself will be a waste of money as you will permanently be tasting your worthless little dick." Beca yelled out just as the bouncer from earlier arrived.
"Go to the bar and ask the tender for some ice for that hand." He turned to glare down at the bleeding idiot on the floor. "As for you, you're out. We have had numerous complaints about you touching the ladies in here unsolicited." The bouncer looked at the Trebles that had been trying to keep him from Jesse before Beca arrived. "Are you guys with him, because if you are I'm sorry but I will have to ask you guys to leave as well."
They shook their heads and backed away from their bleeding captain.
"Actually can you call the cops please. I want to charge him with Sexual assault." Beca requested in a calm voice.
The bouncer looked at her and nodded. He then picked Bumper up and led him to a back room stopping long enough to ask the bartender to make the call and to provide Beca with some ice.
As Beca sat at the bar with ice on her hand, Aubrey had once again asked for copies of the video to be sent to her and was in the process of composing an email to the Dean, university trustees and the ICCA acapella committee.
Ten minutes later, the police had arrived and were questioning Beca about what had happened. To the smaller girl's surprise, Aubrey had insisted on being present offering legal counsel. When the officer stated that Bumper was demanding that Beca be charged with simple assault Aubrey played the videos that had been sent to her, showing that Bumper had at least twice that night grabbed Beca's ass and the shorter girl's warning of the consequences of what would happen. Aubrey stated that any defense attorney, even one green out of law school, could easily plead self defense regarding the unwanted advances. The officer had requested to take Aubrey's phone, to which the blonde declined stating that unless the officer had a warrant they were not taking her phone. She did offer to email the videos to the officer, with the incident number in the subject line as the officer watched her do so.
"Look as far as I'm concerned and this is off the record, he had what was coming to him. You warned him what would happen if he grabbed you again. To me that is self defense. However it isn't up to me and that call will be made by the DA. What is working in your favour is the videos that Ms Posen here managed to obtain of both incidents that happened tonight." The officer paused debating his next words. "Screw it," He muttered out. "Look if I were you, go to the hospital and get your hand checked out. I'm not a doctor but you have some serious swelling happening in your knuckles. Let one of us come with you, we can document the injury and subsequent treatment, and here's why. Mr Allen strikes me as the type of individual to take you to civil court and sue for the cost of his dental surgery to fix his teeth. You can counter sue for the cost of your medical bills and continued mental suffering from his multiple assaults."
Both Aubrey and Beca blinked at the officer shocked by the man's honesty. Beca turned to Aubrey and raised her eyebrow in question clearly deferring to the older woman. Aubrey looked down at Beca's hand, eyes widening slightly before she looked back at the shorter woman and nodded her head.
Beca sighed out tiredly and nodded her assent.
"Ok I'll have my partner take you out in a minute. She has been interviewing the others that were immediately present."
"Out of curiosity, why did you take to interviewing us and not your partner, I mean isn't that standard OP when questioning women? You know, so false claims and all that aren't made." Beca asked.
The officer gave her a gentle smile. "I'm a gay man who is built and wears a uniform everyday. I tend to understand what it's like to receive unwanted sexual overtures from heterosexual individuals. And because of that I also know when the offended party wants us to be blunt and not be coddled if that makes sense."
"No, that makes perfect sense. I probably would have snapped at your partner for being entirely too sympathetic given the circumstances. Now I'm sure if the situation was extremely different I would obviously prefer a female officer, but I appreciate that you knew what I needed." Beca replied.
"I have to ask, what's the deal between you and Mr. Allen?"
"Honestly? He's jealous. He's puffed up on his own self importance. My best friend convinced me to audition for the acapella groups when we first started at Barden two years ago. I was running late that day and had no idea we were supposed to sing a specific song. I was told to sing whatever I wanted and the song that I sang was done on the fly."
"What she isn't telling you is that she used a plastic cup and created a simple beat while clapping." Aubrey butted in before blushing faintly when Beca smirked at her in amusement.
"The song is called Cups not sure if you have heard of it or not, most refer to it as When I'm gone. Anyway obviously my audition was good enough that I was chosen. I found out after that Bumper only chose me so I wouldn't end up being a Bella. It was during a practice one night that my best friend and I were goofing around and I was mimicking other singers, both male and female. I had surgery on my vocal chords when I was in high school. Before surgery I was a high alto bordering on soprano. After the surgery, due to scar tissue thickening my vocal chords I found that I could hit bass notes and soon after that I was able to move all over the vocal register. Anyway Jesse was always bragging about my musical knowledge and was always trying to stump me by calling out the most random songs and artists when we would goof around like that. Bumper likes to think of himself as the most talented person he knows so some tiny freshman coming in and showing more talent when just goofing around didn't sit well with him as you can imagine." Beca paused long enough to take a drink of the water that she had been given earlier.
"I have had offers from legit recording studios from here in Atlanta, LA and NY already, all willing to wait until I graduate from University for me to sign with them. Bumper must have overheard Jesse and I talking about it because that's when he started his accidental touches, claiming it was just him being clumsy or someone had bumped into him. It also started his obsession with trying to prove he knows more about music than I do. I know it all sounds so stupid and that they dont connect, but in his mind they do. From that point on I always avoided being alone with him or near him during practices. Only reason I didn't just quit outright was because of my best friend and because of another member that Bumper likes to pick on because Bumper is threatened by the kid's talent. It won't surprise me if I see this kid's name on Broadway shortly after we graduate, that's how talented he is. If I'm around, he leaves Benji alone."
"How did Benji even become a Treble?" Aubrey asked.
"Oh, uh Jesse and I kinda pulled a palace coupe when George transferred. We overthrew Bumper's decision and approached the other guys and asked them what they thought about Benji's voice and if he should be a Treblemaker, they all agreed. When confronted by the rest of the team, Bumper didn't have a choice and reluctantly made Benji a Treble."
The officer's partner poked her head into the office that the bar's manager had been kind enough to let them use.
"Allen has already been transported to the hospital. He was no longer bleeding when he left here but who knows what type of condition he will be in once he is treated."
"While either way he will be spending the night in jail and will be booked once they kick him loose from the hospital. Ladies if you are ready, we will take you to the hospital so we can get this over with."
Aubrey looked at Beca, who nodded and they both got up following behind the officer. The ride to the hospital was rather quick and a bit embarrassing for Beca as the flashing lights were on. She was just thankful that they hadn't put the sirens on as well.
Beca had been admitted after her x-rays had come back showing the damage that had been done and that surgery was in fact very much needed to fix her hand. Thanks to her father's insurance she was alone in a large semi private room. At the moment Beca was sitting up in her hospital bed with an IV in her left hand looking completely annoyed about everything when Jesse and Chloe came rushing into the room.
"BeCaw! What's going on? Nobody would tell us anything."
"Keep your voice down dude." Beca hissed at her best friend as she pointed at Aubrey who had passed out in the oversized chair that was in the room.
Beca had asked for a pillow and blanket for the blonde earlier and had tucked the blanket around Aubrey kicking the bottom of the chair up as well. Jesse glanced over at his crush and his face went all soft and goofy causing Beca to groan. Chloe laughed softly and sat on the bed beside the brunette rubbing small comforting circles on the DJ's back.
"They are flushing my system at the moment but I need surgery on my knuckles and they want to do it now before they have had time to heal. Problem is that my blood alcohol is still a bit too high. There was a last minute cancellation last night so as long as the alcohol is out of my system I'll be the first surgery in the morning. I'm starving but I can't eat anything because of the anaesthesia." Beca grumbled.
"It's going to be at least an hour before they come back to check on me." Beca stated gesturing to the 2 large saline bags hanging off her pole. "You don't have to stick around and wait. I'll send you a text when they take me in for surgery dude. Take Posen home. She will wake up with one hell of a kink in her neck if she spends a full 8 hours sleeping in that chair in that position."
"You sure Beca?" Jesse asked genuinely concerned for his best friend. Especially knowing how much she hated hospitals.
"I'm sure Jesse. I have my phone and ear buds. One of the nurses had a spare charger and took pity on me, so in a pinch I'm set. Besides I have a tv in my room as well." Beca gestured to said device that had been on the entire time but the volume had been muted.
"Ok then. Benji is waiting in the car for me to let him know either way. He sends his love." Jesse bent over and placed a gentle kiss to the top of his best friend's head. Whispering a quiet thank you into her hair.
Beca patted his back giving him a small smile letting him know that she had heard his words. She watched as he gently but smoothly lifted Aubrey up into his arms easily carrying her across the room.
"I already sent Stacie and Emily a text letting them know that you would be bringing her home. They will help you get her into her room." Chloe told him quietly.
Once Jesse left Chloe sat down in the chair that Aubrey had been sleeping in.
"So what is it that they want to do?" The redhead asked.
"Rebuild the fourth and fifth knuckles using Interosseous wires. Apparently the angle of the punch landed, I managed to hit solid bone on Bumper's face. Shattered the knuckles." Beca shrugged before her face brightened. "Upside though, his jaw had to be wired shut. I hit him with enough force to severely dislocate his lower jaw. There will be silence for at least six glorious weeks."
Chloe gently slapped the younger woman's arm as she tried to stifle her laughter.
"That's terrible Becs. No wonder you hurt yourself." Chloe paused taking a deep breath before carefully asking her next question. "What made you step in between Jesse and Bumper in the first place? I asked Jesse but he wouldn't give me any details, just that Bumper was being a dick."
Beca let out a small sigh.
"I honestly don't know what was said between the two but I can guess that Bumper was talking his usual shit about Aubrey and freshman year's ICCA incident. Jesse has liked her since our freshman year and really admires her strength and courage to come back from that. I have only ever seen Jesse get defense over three people in his life. Two being his mother and myself. The third being Aubrey. Bumper has been giving Jesse shit over his infatuation with your co-captain since he found out." Beca stopped talking as a weird look came over her face.
"Excuse me a minute… the uh saline is doing its job." Beca mumbled out causing Chloe to smile at how adorable the brunette was in her embarrassment.
Chloe nodded, hiding a small yawn.
"Yeah sure Becs. I'm just going to go get a cup of coffee while you're in there." Chloe kissed Beca's cheek before bouncing out of the room in only the way that Chole Beale can.
Beca grinned in spite of herself, watching the redhead leave before she was rudely reminded by her bladder that she had to pee, again, for what seemed like the 100th time since she had been hooked up to the IV. Chloe came back five minutes after Beca got settled on her bed once again.
"I come bearing a tiny gift." The redhead announced as she entered the room. "I spoke with your night nurse and she stated that it was ok for you to have some apple juice or ginger ale as they are considered a clear liquid. Some small amount of sugar with your ice chips should help with the hunger."
"You are my new favourite person." Beca gushed out as she accepted the can of Ginger Ale from the bubbly redhead.
Chloe gasped in mock offense. "You mean to tell me I wasn't your favourite before? I see how it is. You only like me for the food I can bring you."
Beca smirked at the redhead before replying.
"Damn, you caught on to my master plan. Guess I'll just have to con Jesse into bringing me food and find another reason to keep you around."
Chloe narrowed her eyes at the smaller girl.
"Watch it Mitchell I can just as easily take away what I give."
Beca's eyes widened a fraction as she clutched the can to her chest as best as she could while turning her upper body away from the redhead, causing Chloe to smirk.
"You wouldn't be that mean to me." Beca stated.
"Wanna bet?" Chloe teasingly asked as she moved closer to the smaller girl.
Beca shook her head immediately, eyes wide staring at Chloe as the red head moved to stand right beside the bed.
"That's what I thought." Chloe replied smugly as she plucked the can from Beca's grasp and poured the contents into the plastic cup that she had snagged from where the ice machine was on the current floor.
Chloe handed Beca the cup with a soft smile letting the younger girl know that she wasn't really mad at her before sitting down in the chair once again.
"So you were explaining why you jumped in between Bumper and Jesse." Chloe commented once she got comfortable.
"Mmmm yeah." Beca sighed out as the sugar hit her taste buds. "So yeah, Jesse gets real protective. Tonight he finally got his chance to talk to Aubrey, and I mean actually talk to her. I had been watching them somewhat while we were doing the shuffle and they seemed to be hitting it off. So for Bumper to, well just be himself, and ruin that moment it would have set Jesse off. Add alcohol to the mix and it had the potential for Jesse to become violent." Beca let out a small sigh and rubbed her face.
"When we were in high school Jesse and I had gone to a party. Some of the toxic jocks were there as well and started shit with me. I was out regarding my sexuality. I didn't flaunt it by any means, but I also didn't hide it if someone asked. Anyway things got to the point where it wasn't worth it to stay and we were attempting to leave when the main instigator came up behind me when we were leaving, wrapped his arms around me, one hand grabbing between my legs while the other squeezed my chest. Talking about how I just need a real man to straighten me out as he roughly groped me." Beca's gaze was unfocused as she remembered the fear she felt that night. Chloe got up and sat beside the smaller girl waiting for her to continue.
"I was struggling to get out of his grip and my shirt ripped as did a couple of my belt loops on my jeans. Jesse had heard me shout and turned around. He had to have seen the terror on my face as he took in the meatheads actions. He completely lost his shit. I had never seen my best friend that angry. He only uttered two words to me 'whip back'. Which I did. I whipped my head back, hard enough to cause the guy to let go of me as he stumbled back. Once I was out of his grasp Jesse was already leaping through the air. He beat the hell out of that jock. I mean he put him in the hospital for two weeks. It took four football players to pull Jesse off him. From what I have been told the guy still has a limp when he walks. Anyway Jesse ended up going through anger management, avoided charges because he was technically defending me from being further assaulted. Once he completed anger management and had no further incidents, his record was cleared. Jesse had confided in me that he scared himself that night by the amount of rage he had felt and the need for violence. You've met the dork, he is a happy go lucky guy, darkness isn't meant to be around him or in him. After his confession, I swore to myself that I wouldn't let him go through that again. Tonight he had the same look on his face that he did when that goon groped me in front of everyone." Beca finished softly refusing to look at Chloe.
The incident had happened almost five years ago but sometimes when the memories got stirred up, it brought back the feeling of dirtiness and the momentary helplessness she had felt when she was struggling to get free.
"Hey, Becs. Look at me sweetie. You're here with me in the hospital right now, you're not back at the party." Chloe's soft voice broke through the memories.
Beca looked up into the blue eyes that she secretly adored, anchoring herself in their depths squeezing the redhead's hand that had slipped under her left hand reminding her of the present.
"Well at least I won't have to worry about Bree's safety if she finally pulls her head out of her ass and they start dating."
Beca let out a strangled laugh and closed her eyes as she felt Chloe's thumbs brush across her cheeks wiping away the tears that had fallen.
"Chlo, would you, umm, maybe lay with me for a bit? I'm kind of tired but I'm afraid to fall asleep right now. Sharing that story brings back nightmares." Beca quietly asked the older woman as she stared down at the blanket in her lap feeling ashamed.
"You know what, forget I asked. It was stupid and I'm just being a baby." Beca quickly babbled out when she felt Chloe get off the bed.
"Hey, stop." Chloe said softly, gaining the younger girl's attention. "It's not stupid. It was a traumatic event and there is bound to be some mild PTSD associated with it. I just stood up so I could comfortably remove my shoes. Besides you know that I never turn down cuddles, especially cuddles with you. Now scooch over we may both be small but the bed isn't that big. "
Beca gave a watery laugh before moving to make room for Chloe. A small amount of shifting around and Beca was finally comfortable and curled up beside the redhead listening to her heart beat, letting it lull her to sleep.
Beca woke up feeling groggy and her throat hurt like hell. She looked around not recognizing her surroundings. She turned her head towards the soft voice that spoke from just above her head.
"Good to see you awake Miss Mitchell. Do you know where you are?"
"Yes and No." Beca croaked out as she recognized that the woman who spoke was wearing scrubs.
"Can you elaborate for me please Miss Mitchell."
"Beca."
"Ok Beca. Could you elaborate on your answer for me please."
"I fell asleep in my hospital room last night/early this morning. I woke up here but I don't know where 'here' is. Why does my throat hurt so damn bad?"
"You are in recovery and the doctors had to intubate you," The nurse quickly explained at Beca's blank look. "They had to put a breathing tube down your throat during your surgery. You started coughing and gasping a bit so to help you breathe they temporarily intubated you."
Beca nodded slowly. Well that explained why her hand didn't hurt like it did before she fell asleep, must be the pain killers.
"Ok Beca in just a few minutes I'm going to get you to stand up, get your blood moving again we will walk a few steps and then you can sit back down."
Beca nodded once again, her throat entirely too sore for her to talk. The nurse noticed her wincing and gave a sympathetic look.
"After your mini walk I'll bring you a couple of popsicles. That will help with your throat."
The nurse moved Beca's bed into an upright position so that Beca was somewhat reclined. The nurse then helped her stand shortly after and once Beca indicated that she was steady she took a few shaky steps, then walked around the small area without any assistance or stumbles. The nurse had her sit back down on the bed before leaving to get the popsicles for Beca's throat.
"Here you go hun. The cold will help with that ache you got going on right now. In a few minutes a porter will take you back up to your room."
Beca gave the nurse the universal sign for thank you and eagerly ate the first popsicle, sighing in relief as the icy treat slid down her throat, numbing it along the way. She took her time eating the second one as the porter wheeled back to her room. Beca smiled when she saw that her favourite redhead was still in the room, dozing in the reclined chair. The porter let her know that a nurse would be in shortly to check on her before he left.
Beca checked her phone, smiling at the messages from Stacie and Emily letting her know that Jesse had been a perfect gentleman when he dropped Aubrey off in her room, not that she had any doubt about her best friend being anything but. She also had a message from Jesse reminding her to send him a message once she was out of surgery or to have Chloe do so. Beca shook her head and quickly tapped a few messages before shuffling her way into the bathroom once again empty her poor bladder.
BeCaw: Hey Nerd. I'm out of surgery. Haven't spoken with the doc just yet but I'm assuming all went well. I'll message you again once I talk to him.
BeCaw: Oh and the ladies told me that you were the perfect gentleman when you dropped Posen off last night. Not that I had any doubt but I thought you would like to know.
Jesse smiled as he read the second message from his best friend and sent a thumbs up as a response before returning his attention to the person sitting across from him in the diner.
Hobbit: I don't remember if I properly thanked you for last night Aubrey, but sincerely, Thank you for your help and for staying with me at the hospital until Jesse was able to show up.
Aubrey quirked an eyebrow, a bit surprised that the 'alt-girl' had sent her a text that was sincere and sarcasm free. She exited out of her messages deciding to reply later once she heard back from her emails that she sent last night.
"You look a little surprised."
Aubrey looked up at the person sitting across from her. She smiled her thanks at the waitress who happened to arrive with their breakfast.
"I am a bit. Beca messaged me and there was no trace of sarcasm in it at all." Aubrey answered as soon as the waitress left.
Jesse smiled as he lightly shook his head.
"Yeah she does that now and then. Not very often but when she is trying to be genuinely honest about what she feels at the moment, she loses the snark."
"People would like her more if she wasn't so sarcastic all the time." Aubrey lightly commented. It wasn't her trying to be mean or bad mouth the tiny brunette, it was more of an observation.
Jesse laughed as he put ketchup on his scrambled eggs.
"Probably but the thing is if you haven't already noticed, Beca doesn't really give a shit if 'people' like her. Beca picks and chooses who she wants to be around. Kind of like an alley cat. She can spook easy and given some of the shit she has gone through already it's understandable." A dark look passed over Jesse's face as he muttered the last part. He visibly shook himself to clear away whatever it was that put that look on his face before continuing. "Once you earn her trust, you will have the most loyal friend you could ever ask for." Jesse stated with a pointed look before he dug into his breakfast.
Aubrey wondered what had happened to cause such a look to appear on the normally happy go lucky Treble's face but understood that it was most likely a story that wasn't his to tell. Aubrey was glad that she had listened to both Chloe and Beca last night and gave Jesse a chance. He really was a sweet, goofy, and somewhat dorky guy. She had enjoyed their conversation before Bumper ruined things. It was why when she woke up this morning and found the note scribbled in his loopy handwriting asking her to breakfast, she immediately messaged him accepting his offer. She wanted to get to know him more and if Aubrey was honest with herself, she wanted to see where things went between them. She had had a bit of a thing for him but always ruthlessly stamped it down because of the Bellas Oath.
They had both finished eating and were enjoying their coffee, both feeling much better with a bit of greasy food in their bellies, chasing the last of their hangovers away when Jesse's phone rang.
"BeCaw! When are they springing you?"
Aubrey could hear the soft laughter of her best friend on the other end realizing that Chloe must have come with Jesse last night to the hospital and stayed with the Hobbit.
"No, it's Chloe. Beca asked me to call you to ask if you could bring her back-up bag that she leaves in your room. The doctors are just checking out her hand right now and as long as they are satisfied with her responses she's free to leave after lunch."
"Yeah tell her it's a done deal and that I made sure everything was freshly washed last week seeing as it had been awhile since she last needed it." Jesse replied as he checked his watch.
"Oh and Jesse,?"
"Yeah Chloe?"
"Can you have Bree bring me a clean shirt, deodorant and my toothbrush please? I hope your breakfast date is going well."
"It is and will do Chloe. See you at noon."
"Thank you Jesse, see you both then."
Jesse smiled as he ended the call and looked over at the blonde co-captain, his eyes dancing in amusement.
"I have no idea how your best friend knows but, she told me that she hopes that our breakfast date goes well and if you could bring her a clean shirt along with her toothbrush and deodorant."
Aubrey choked on the mouthful of coffee she had just taken, in surprise that Chloe knew about their 'date'. She shook her head waving off Jesse's concern letting him know that she was alright. Once Aubrey was breathing easily once again, she smiled at the younger man and decided to enjoy the rest of the morning with him.
"Jesus dude will you chill out already." Beca snapped at her best friend who had been pacing back and forth in her room at the Treblemakers house.
Jesse had dragged her upstairs into her room just before the graduation party started. The majority of her possessions had already been shipped to her new place in LA. She had signed with a label and had an amazing signing bonus that enabled her to buy a new vehicle and the studio was leasing her an apartment for a year. She was driving out two weeks after graduation.
"I can't Beca, I'm nervous."
"You have nothing to be nervous about and you have nothing to worry about." Beca replied completely exasperated as Jesse had been uttering those same words for the last two days. "Have a few shots or beers to settle your nerves and sack up."
Jesse glared at her for a moment before sighing knowing that she was right. The last 18 months had been the happiest of his life. Bumper had been kicked out of the Treblemakers and then a month later from Barden. Once it came out that he was being charged with sexual assault, female students poured out of the woodwork to come forward and tell their stories.
In the end Bumper had been expelled from the University after Barden completed an internal investigation. He had been dismissed from the Trebles as soon as Beca had formally filed her complaint and the DA agreed to pursue the case upon seeing the videos that Aubrey had provided. Bumper's lawyer convinced him to take a plea deal once the case in its entirety had been laid out. He avoided jail time but received 3 years probation and had to attend classes regarding sexual harassment and why non consensual touching was considered assault.
And just as the officer that had taken Beca's statement that night had warned her, Bumper attempted to sue Beca for the cost of fixing his teeth and medical costs plus pain and suffering. Between Aubrey and a certified paralegal that was continuing their education in law school, Beca had quickly drawn up a counter suit showing a break down of the medical costs, stay in hospital, loss of income while recuperating and healing, physiotherapy costs, therapy costs for the mental anguish Bumper had caused by his repeated actions and finally the continued pain and suffering inflicted by having to go to court, again, after Bumper had plead guilty to his charges in federal court as well as all court costs.. Beca had also gambled and put in her counter-suit essentially an all or nothing clause, he either dropped his suit or took his chances in court against her, there would be no settling out of court any other way. Bumper ignored all legal advice and pursued his claim. He lost.
Bumper's parents had to break his Trust to pay out what the court had awarded Beca. She was able to pay her dad back the deductible he had to pay out for her medical coverage. Beca ended up donating a small some of money to Aubrey's retreat that the blonde woman had been working at for the last year, set up an anonymous donation to cover half a year's tuition of the Paralegal's education while convincing local law offices to offer the young Paralegal a paid internship that covered the remainder of the tuition. With what was left over from her 'settlement' Beca had a nice cushion to fall back on while proving herself in LA having signed with DJ Khalid's label We The Best Music. Hell she had even managed to get Jesse an interview with Khalid himself after talking Jesse up and his talent for movie scoring.
"Look Jesse, everything is falling into place. You have an interview on Monday and if everything goes well, we will most likely be neighbours in LA."
"Why not roommates?" Jesse asked confused, forgetting his nervousness for a moment.
"Because I will already be living with someone." Beca stated with a small shrug before handing her best friend a beer that she pulled out of the small beer fridge that was in the room. "Mean if you need it, the couch is available at any time but I know you will rock that interview and Khalid will sign you."
"Who?" Jesse asked before clinking his bottle against Beca's and finally taking a drink to help settle his nerves.
Beca gave a secretive smile, her eyes twinkling as she drank her beer.
"Not important." Beca replied a moment later with a dismissive wave. "What is important is what you are going to do tonight. You are going to take a deep breath, sack up, and talk to Aubrey once she gets here." Beca gave her best friend a very pointed look, daring him to argue with her.
After a few moments of mild glaring between the two friends, Jesse sighed and nodded his head. He finished his beer and grabbed two more from the fridge, handing Beca the second one to Beca just as she finished her first. The music was suddenly cranked up signalling the start of the party. In a rare show of affection, Beca wrapped her arm around Jesse's waist letting him wrap his around her shoulders.
"Alright dude, let's show them who the 'Kings of Campus' are." Beca teased as she steered him out of the room.
Jesse playfully groaned at the reminder of their first hood night and his drunk exclamation, before gently squeezing her shoulder letting go as they reached the stairs. Beca laughed at him as they quickly came down the stairs and joined the rest of the Trebles by the pool. The party was to celebrate the Treblemakers' ICCA win.
The Bellas had been banned from collegiate competitions and would be competing at the worlds a week after graduation in order to keep the charter from being disbanded all together after 'Muffgate' at the beginning of the year. Beca had helped them produce a winning music set while Chloe, Ashley, Jessica and Stacie came up with the choreo. Both Jesse and Beca had faith that the Bellas would win.
Thirty minutes later, the party was in full swing and all in attendance were having a good time dancing, playing beer pong or doing keg stands. Beca had volunteered to collect keys from those that had foolishly drove instead of walking across the campus or from their off campus apartments. It was well known that once the Treble co-captain got your car keys, you wouldn't get them back until the next day once you had sobered up. Or if the person was the DD for the night they would get them when they left providing they pass the Breathalyzer test. Lily had been able to obtain one for Beca and Beca never asked the details, just thanked the quiet Asian woman.
Beca had created a simple system to be able to quickly sort out whose keys were whose, a simple sticker around the car key ring with the owner's name on it. Keys went into a lock box for the night that was kept in Beca's locked room.
Currently the grumpy DJ was nursing a beer collecting the odd car key still as mostly everyone on campus was aware of the Treble house rules. Beca felt a pair of arms circle around her neck and a kiss was pressed to her cheek.
"Hey red. Whatcha doin over here instead of drinking with your girls?"
"I can't come say hi to my favourite Prickly Sarcastic DJ?"
"You can, but Luke doesn't come to these parties."
Chloe gave Beca a shove causing the smaller woman to laugh at the now pouting redhead.
"You're a jerk Mitchell." Chloe declared as she crossed her arms.
"You betcha red. It's all part of my charm." Beca replied with a smirk as she accepted another set of keys from a late comer. Once the keys had been secured, Beca became serious as she turned to the older woman.
"Did Aubrey come with you guys?"
"Yeah. She and Jesse went upstairs ten minutes after we got here. He said that he needed to talk to her and it couldn't wait."
Beca nodded her head but didn't say anything. Chloe studied Beca's face for a minute sensing that the DJ was hiding something.
"What do you know?" Chloe demanded after a few moments of intense scrutinization.
"About what? About music? You don't have the time for me to sit here and tell you all about that. Or were you asking about how to make music? I mean I've shown you in the past how I match beats but to get into the technical aspects, it would bore you." Beca answered, biting the inside of her cheek as Chloe narrowed her eyes into an annoyed squint.
"Nice try. Now, what do you know Mitchell?"
"Be more specific Beale." Beca teased before drinking her beer.
Chloe was ready to scream in frustration as she caught the amusement dancing in the younger woman's eyes.
"What do you know about Jesse dragging Bree upstairs?"
"Oh that. Yeah can't tell you red." Beca smiled as she spied the Blonde grinning from ear to ear coming down the stairs.
"Maybe you should ask her yourself." Beca gestured behind the redhead.
Chloe turned around as Bree came running towards her. Beca took that moment to slip away from the two friends, smiling as she heard the excited squeal from the redhead.
Beca went into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of champagne she had hidden in the fridge before coming back out with a couple of glasses. She grabbed the mic that was attached to the sound system and turned it on lowering the music.
"What's up my awesome nerds!"
Cheers could be heard throughout the party.
"All right so I need you all to join me in congratulating our esteemed Treble Captain, He's getting hitched!"
Beca turned the mic off and the music went back on. She popped the cork and poured two glasses one for Jesse and one for Aubrey. She placed the remaining bottle in an ice bucket that had previously been full of beer and ordered a freshman Treble to take it up to Jesse's room.
Beca handed the newly engaged couple their glasses and clapped Jesse on the back.
"I told you that you had nothing to worry about you dork."
Jesse grinned at his best friend as he wrapped his arm around Aubrey's waist. Beca smiled back at him before melting away into the crowd that was coming up to give the two singers their congratulations.
"So that's what you knew. Why didn't you tell me?" Chole asked as she wrapped her arms around Beca's waist.
"Because you generally can't keep a secret from Aubrey to save your life." Beca replied before kissing the older woman's cheek taking some of the sting out of her words.
"True but you have to admit I've done well in keeping one secret from her."
"It's only been a week Chloe." Beca replied in fond exasperation.
"Yes but I have still managed to keep it a secret from her." Chloe proclaimed proudly.
Beca just shook her head fondly at the redhead before turning her attention back to her best friend.
"So, out of curiosity, when can I tell Bree that we eloped last week?"
Beca turned towards her wife with a gentle smile.
"After you and the Bellas crush it at worlds."
Songs used with full lyrics:
Aint even done with the night - John Melloncamp
Witch Doctor - so the version I used i dont know the artist but if you youtube it and listen to the one that has the lyrics upon a black background that's one I have on my playlist.