Notes: I can't believe we made it to here. Fun fact, the prompt for this story was actually the one night stand at the start and Chloe getting shit cause of it and the witness with bechloe. So imagine the struggle of trying to mesh those two together. That's why this turned out to be a multi-chapter fic. It was impossible for me to do a one shot. ANYWAY, we're getting somewhere here and god why can't I write short chapters?
Summary: It gets a little messy. Chloe is put on the spot not once but three times. Beca learns about Chloe's past. Chloe starts to question it all but if there was one thing she was sure of it was Beca. TW: mentions of blood, death, gun use and gunshots.
Chapter 10: Revelations
Jessica peeks over her computer to Beca. "Come on Becs. You can't ignore me forever."
"I'm not ignoring you." Beca says without looking up from hers.
"We were just looking out for you."
"That's the thing Jess. You don't know her. You guys didn't even try to get to know her first. Instead you go on some bullshit about what you think of her. I can't believe you two did that to her."
"Look we're sorry. We misjudged her. We were wrong. You have every right to be mad."
"You know the other thing I'm so pissed about, you didn't even talk to me about it. If Chloe didn't get so drunk the other night she wouldn't even have told me. Who knows? Maybe I wouldn't have ever known about it. She sounded so broken and so unsure of herself because of that night and I didn't even know. I had no clue. The worst part, she was so nice about it! I felt like such an asshole. You know how happy I was."
"Exactly. That's why we couldn't say anything to you. You were so happy that we got along."
"God. How do you think Chloe felt? I can't even begin to imagine. She knows how much you guys mean to me that she just put up with it. I bet you haven't even considered apologizing to her."
"We're embarrassed of what we did and we haven't had the chance to see her. We'll fix this Becs. I promise."
Beca sighed. She already said enough. "Fine but until then. Can we get back to work?"
"Okay. Right. Work." Jessica was referring back to her report. "Do you sometimes worry that our reaper's been quiet? Or is that just me?"
"Nope it's definitely not just you. The reaper is always in the back of my mind. You know that."
As if on cue, Posen then came out of her office holding a report. She dropped the report on the desk in front of Jessica and Beca.
"Salazo's case is yours. Ballistics report confirms the same gun the reaper uses is in one of the drug busts that happened about two weeks ago. It's not the same gun that killed Salazo but she was involved in this somehow. I'll leave it to you two."
They spent the whole day looking at Salazo's file. Beca and Jessica looked at each other as if in understanding. This was unusual for their reaper. In all the years that they have been investigating her, they have never come across something like this.
The have been cooped up in their corner staring at their wall where they laid out a map. They were two very visual people and plotting on the wall sort of magnified the case before them.
"Something's not right here. This isn't how she works." Beca finally said.
"Salazo was playing a dangerous game. What if he tried to get ahead of the curb by being in our good graces as well as the reaper's? "
"It begs the question, what did Salazo have on her? Why would she work with him?"
Jessica shrugs. She doesn't have an answer.
Beca then walks on to the other side of the wall. "Where are we at with Kommissar?"
"We've gone through all our case files, no hit. I still think it's a name though but we can't strike anything out yet."
Beca sighed. "Me too and you're right. It could be anything at this point, a name of a person or a group, a place, a code, some sort of secret weapon, a brand. It's so unique, you'd think you'll remember it when you come across it."
"I think we should call it a day and come back tomorrow with clear minds. We're not gonna get anywhere at this state."
"Yeah I think you're right. I just feel like we're so close and it's frustrating you know?"
They walked back to their cars together. Beca was deep in her thoughts. She couldn't switch off just like that.
"Hey, how about you come over to ours for a bit? Ash cooked."
"Thanks but Chloe's waiting for me. Next time."
"We really are sorry Becs. We'll make it up to you I promise and to Chloe."
"I know you will. Drive safe, Jess."
"You too."
Beca was over at Chloe's apartment. If either one of them were hanging out in the other's places, sleeping over was inevitable. So it's become a regular thing. This week they've been extra clingy since Chloe was going away for the holidays. Beca wanted to invite her to spend Christmas and New Year's with her, but Chloe already said that she was going to be in Canada to see her parents and brothers.
It also wasn't fair of her to ask Chloe to stay knowing full well that she was going to be working a lot over the break.
Chloe was the same. She wanted to invite Beca but she knew Beca had her own holiday traditions with her own family and she didn't want to change that so early in their relationship. That and she also can't invite Beca because she also had her own holiday traditions with Kommissar, Luke and Lilly.
Chloe was worried about Beca's reaction when she said she was going to be away. Beca wasn't too upset about it or if she was, she did a really good job at hiding it.
"Are we okay? Are you mad? I really wanted to spend the holidays with you."
"We're okay and of course I'm not mad Chlo. I mean as much as I would want to spend the holidays with you too, I understand. I'm just really dreading the feeling of missing you."
"I'm really going to miss you too."
"That's okay. Who knows? Maybe we can start our own holiday traditions along the way. We don't have to do everything at once."
"I like the sound of that."
"So when are you leaving?" Beca asked.
"I have a shoot in San Jose on the 20th then I'm taking the flight from there to Vancouver. I should be with the gang by Christmas Eve."
That was in ten days. Beca did the quick calculation in her head. "That's great." She tried to sound enthusiastic.
"I'm not going to be back 'til after New Year's." Chloe added tentatively.
"When exactly will you be back? I think I know how you can make it up to me."
"Really? Let's hear it. How?"
So that's how Chloe found herself agreeing to be Beca's date to a work party. It's probably her gut instincts trying to tell her something but she doesn't sleep well that night.
She hasn't been in the military long and she was one of the youngest ones when she enlisted. Mulligan was Chloe's first friend in the army. She always said she never would've made it this far if it wasn't for him. So when his lifeless body was laying on her feet and his blood on her hands, she shut down.
"Beale! We have to go. We have to leave him here."
"No!" Chloe clutched his uniform with her fists. She couldn't let go of him. "No! We can't leave him."
"He's gone. We don't have time. We have to go Beale." He looked up and could see the enemy creeping in closer.
Chloe's eyes were starting to well up with tears to the point that her vision has become blurry. "Please. I can't leave him here."
"Listen to me, soldier." Chloe and the Colonel were the only ones left in their platoon. "He's dead. He's not going anywhere and if we don't go now, then so will we."
"No no no no. I can't sir. I can't. I'd rather die." Chloe wouldn't let go of Mulligan as the Colonel tried to pull her away.
Beca was woken up by the whimpers she could hear from Chloe. Chloe had her back facing her and she could see her shoulders were shaking.
"Chloe? Chlo. You okay? Are you crying?" Beca was nudging Chloe who had her eyes closed beside her. Beca soon realizes she was asleep and was probably dreaming.
"Goddammit Beale! Fuck! Fuck!"
All Chloe could do was hold on to Mulligan tighter. There was nothing the Colonel could do. Chloe wasn't going to leave him here alone and the Colonel wouldn't leave her behind.
He groaned as he lowered himself. "Come on help me put him over my shoulder."
Chloe looked up in disbelief with her mouth agape and tear-stained face.
"Come on, soldier!"
"Yes sir." Chloe wiped her tears and scrambled to her feet right away.
They were both running towards the helicopter that was waiting for them about 50 metres away. Chloe got in first and quickly pulled Mulligan's body up from the Colonel. It was odd but they were smiling at each other. They even shook on it. They did it. Chloe looked down at Mulligan's body. She was about to have another breakdown but she was glad to be able to bring him home.
The Colonel took his first step up the helicopter. He was exhausted. Chloe could feel the helicopter's ascending and looked at the Colonel beside her. That's when she heard the gunshots one after the other. The Colonel was already half way in. Chloe ducked and looked up to him. His face said it all. She knew he was shot. Before she could reach out towards him, he put his hand up.
"I'm okay. Keep going!" He ordered the pilot. His feet were still on the last steps of the helicopter.
Chloe wanted to help him get in. Chloe studied his face. Blood was dripping at the side of his mouth. The Colonel's grip loosened and before she could reach him, he was falling out of the helicopter.
"Go get 'em, soldier." Those were his last words.
"No! Colonel! No!"
"Chloe! Chloe! Wake up!" Beca had both her hands on Chloe's shoulders. Her face was all scrunched up and her hands were flailing about. Chloe was crying and full on sobbing in her sleep.
"Chloe! Hey."
Beca finally wakes her up. Chloe opens her eyes and tears were still streaming down her face. She had a frown and her lips were trembling. She's never seen Chloe cry this hard. Actually Beca hasn't seen Chloe cry ever.
"Hey hey. I'm here. Look at me. I got you. It's just a dream. Come here. I'm here. I got you. It's me." Beca could feel Chloe's whole body shaking.
When she slowly gets back to her senses, Chloe clings onto Beca right away. She had her eyes closed tightly shut and she was out of breath. Chloe kept saying. "It's all my fault." And her tears continued to fall. Chloe's tears were soaking Beca's shirt but that was the least of her concerns when Chloe wouldn't stop crying.
Beca doesn't remember falling asleep but she's slowly waking up again and she couldn't feel Chloe on her anymore. Her hands reached over to Chloe's side of the bed. It was cold.
Beca suddenly woke up with a jolt. She looked around and she was definitely alone. "Chlo?"
She looked at the time it was 3 in the morning. She waited a little cause maybe Chloe was in the bathroom. Not a minute passed and Beca was already getting up. She was worried. She saw the kitchen light was on and a bottle of whiskey on the counter but no Chloe. Then she felt a breeze coming from the balcony.
Beca walked towards the balcony slowly. She didn't allow her thoughts to go there but she was feeling nervous. She was relieved to find Chloe sitting on the bench swirling her glass. Beca wonders how long she's been sitting there drinking.
"Hey." She said softly not wanting to scare Chloe.
Chloe stopped swirling her drink and turned to her slowly. She takes a sip of her drink before speaking. "Sorry for this." She lifts her glass to Beca.
Beca walks to her, shaking her head. "It's cold out here. You wanna come inside?"
"The alcohol warms me up. You go ahead. You have to wake up early for work. Go back to sleep Bec."
"Come on. Cuddle up with me on the La-Z-Boy? You can have your drink and me too. Please?" Beca reached out her hand for Chloe to take.
Chloe looks at it long then back up at Beca. Chloe saw there was no judgment in her eyes and she showed no signs of impatience. She transferred her glass to her left hand and grabbed Beca's hand with her right.
Beca helped her up and pulled her inside. Chloe went straight to the bottle for a refill while Beca was closing the balcony sliding doors. She won't deny she's worried, she's never seen Chloe like this before.
"I know that look." Chloe says when she saw Beca staring. "Yes I may be drinking at an ungodly hour but come on. It's nothing. You don't have to worry."
Beca was still a bit uncertain. Although she was relieved to see her Chloe was slowly coming back. For a second there Chloe had a blank stare she didn't recognise. She watched Chloe put her glass on the table beside the sofa and pulled the recliner leaning back. Then Chloe patted the space in between her legs. Beca understood and positioned herself there. She curled up to Chloe and Chloe put her arms around her.
Beca didn't know what to say. She didn't want to offend Chloe by accident or say the wrong things. She was just glad Chloe was back to herself.
Chloe rested her chin on top of Beca's head. "Did I scare you?"
Beca tensed up and nodded. There was no point in lying. She tried to recall all the times they've slept next to each other. She doesn't remember Chloe having nightmares before.
"I didn't mean to scare you." Chloe said in a quieter voice.
"Does this happen often?"
"Not anymore no. I don't know what triggered it. I'm really sorry you had to see that and then this." Chloe says reaching for her glass to take a sip. "Seriously it's the whiskey or the Xanax from Luke."
"What's wrong with Xanax?" It was a genuine concern for Beca.
Chloe's tone was more teasing. "What's wrong with whiskey?"
"Touché." Beca snuggles into Chloe some more. "There's nothing to be ashamed of here. Never. How can I help?"
"This is helping." Chloe says and kissing the top of her head. "Thanks for not running yet but feel free to. I can feel you freaking out."
"I admit I freaked out a little earlier. But I'm good now. It's going to take more than that for me to be running for the hills." Beca said while yawning.
"I'm sorry for waking you. Go to sleep Bec. I promise this'll be my last one."
"I don't care how much you drink." Beca mumbles. She already had her eyes closed. "And I don't care what time you drink and I most definitely care if I lose sleep trying to be there for you."
Chloe smiled looking down at Beca while combing her hair with her fingers. "I love you too."
The nightmares continued for Chloe over the holidays and even though they only happened a handful of times, it was starting to worry her. She hasn't told anyone about it yet but it worried her because it had almost been a year since she's had her last nightmare. She was doing so well.
It was frustrating for her knowing that her subconscious was trying to tell her something but she couldn't figure out what it was. It's been in the back of her mind since the night it happened again. It was all that she could think about when she was on her own and earlier on the plane. It was a good distraction for when she was missing Beca.
Chloe had a duffel bag over her shoulder and pulled on her luggage when she stepped out of arrivals. Beca was impossible to miss standing next to her blue ecosport. She already had that grin on her face that's only for Chloe.
Chloe finds herself almost skipping to Beca and jumps to greet her. Beca caught Chloe with open arms and they were giggling. Chloe pulled back a little and grabs Beca's face with both her hands and kissed her.
"Fuck this is officially the cheesiest, most cliché things I've done. We've turned into one of those couples." Beca said but she hasn't let go of Chloe.
"I missed you." Chloe said with her head resting on Beca shoulders.
Beca sighs aganst Chloe's neck. "I missed you too."
They have been apart for longer but there was something different this time and they both felt it.
Beca was the first to pull back. She grabbed Chloe's luggage and duffel bag. "Come on. Let's take you home. I missed having you around."
Chloe raised her eyebrows. She liked the sound of that but hasn't really considered the possibility of living with Beca.
"I mean you know. I have been thinking about it. We sleepover each other's places all the time." Beca said as she put Chloe's things at the back of her car and Chloe just watching her. "I think it makes sense to move in together."
"Really? You're asking me to move in with you here? Right now? Outside the airport?"
"It's not like I planned this. Don't get me wrong. I've thought about it. A lot. And you don't have to say yes right now. I know you love your apartment and it can't compete with my place but." Beca shakes her head and holds both of Chloe's hands. "To answer your question, yes. I'm asking you to move in with me. Here. Right now."
That was a curveball for Chloe. Of all the things that she's been dealing with, she just didn't have the time to consider their relationship going to the next level.
Beca suddenly felt unsure of herself. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that."
"Shh. It's okay." Chloe kissed Beca again. "Why don't you take me home first then I'll answer your question."
"Okay. I can do that. My place okay?"
Chloe nods.
They were quiet for most of the trip home. Beca kept giving Chloe nervous side-glances. She did say take her home first. They were making small talk and it wasn't helping with Beca's growing anxiety.
What would happen if Chloe turned her down? They just go back to how they were, right? Maybe it'll be a little awkward after but Beca can handle a little bit of awkwardness. She also had no problem dealing with a bruised ego.
When they got home, Chloe quickly changed her clothes than sat next to Beca on the couch. She'll have time to unpack later.
"So about your question earlier."
"No Chloe, you don't have to give me an answer today. If you need more time to think about it, I can wait."
"I see. I already have an answer though."
"Oh." Beca turns to look at Chloe. Chloe was looking straight at the TV even when there's nothing on. "And?"
Chloe shrugged. Then Beca stopped her again. "Wait. If it's a no, can you keep thinking about it at least?" Beca doesn't trust herself. Her insecurities will eat her up.
"Okay."
Beca leaned back on the sofa and breathed. "Thank you."
"It's just that if you don't mind, I'd like to keep my apartment. It's just so convenient with work especially when I'm doing weird hours. I wouldn't want you to give up your house too. We'll just have to figure something out. We practically live together anyway. If we don't have work, your place could be our go to. What do you think?" Chloe looks to Beca for the first time since she started speaking.
Beca couldn't believe how casual Chloe was being about it all.
"Wait. Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"I wasn't going to say no. I was just thinking whether I move in with you or you with me. I was weighing the pros and cons."
"If you really want to keep your apartment, I really don't mind moving in with you."
"But what about your space here? And frankly, we have more privacy here."
"Hold on. Let's pause. The fact that you've given that much thought about moving in together is enough for me for now. We'll circle back to that I promise but right now, I want to make the most out of this privacy thing that you just mentioned." Beca leans into Chloe.
Chloe smiles and meets Beca halfway but pushes her back. Chloe had other plans with Beca. She went to straddle her instead. "I agree. We should make the most of it while we have it."
Chloe was dreading this night. She's not sure what to expect. Where should she start? First, it was the first time she was going to see Jessica and Ashley again. Second, there is that real possibility of running into Aubrey. And finally, she simply wasn't looking forward to being surrounded by federal agents.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror and fixed her facial expressions. She didn't want Beca to notice she was stressing. She smiled and laughed making sure it was crinkling around her eyes. She started nodding to herself in the mirror, practicing her best listening – "I'm so interested at what you're saying" – face.
Her goal was to not standout but at least leave a good impression. "Okay. You can do this Chloe." Chloe was giving herself a pep talk. "Eye contact, smile, laugh at jokes, be charming."
She says she doesn't want to draw any attention to herself but she chose to wear a short spaghetti strap sequin dress and heels. The dress code was semi-formal. She put her hair up in a messy bun as she decided to go for a playful vibe tonight to tease her favourite person. That should keep her distracted and entertained.
Chloe offered to be designated driver and pick Beca up but Beca insisted they just take an uber so they can both drink and have a great time. She said there was an open bar and would hate for it to go to waste.
The plan was to meet at Beca's place. Jessica and Ashley insisted they do pre drinks there. They wanted to apologise to Chloe properly first before leaving for the party.
Chloe knocked and stepped away from the door. Beca opened it for her.
"Holy shit Chlo. It should be illegal how hot you look."
Chloe tilted her head. "Have you started drinking without me?"
Beca kissed Chloe before ushering her in. "Come in. Jess and Ashley are already here and they promised to be on their best behaviours. They also have something to say."
Chloe nods and takes Beca's hand. Jessica and Ashley stood up when they saw them walk in. They wasted no time in apologising to Chloe.
"We were such assholes that night. Especially me and we feel awful about it. We were terrible to you. We're so so sorry for what we said and for judging you right away without getting to know you first. And if it's okay with you, we want a do over. We understand if you're not there yet. We were such assholes and you didn't deserve that. I swear we had good intentions and we didn't mean to hurt you. We're really sorry."
Jessica had a whole speech prepared.
"Thank you for that. Like I said, Beca's really lucky to have you on her corner. I forgive you. Both of you. I think a do over would be good." Chloe smiled at them both.
"Can we give you a hug?" Ashley asked.
"Of course." Chloe let go of Beca's hand to hug Ashley who was already on her way to her.
"We're so sorry."
"It's okay." Then Chloe went to hug Jessica.
"We really are sorry. We were so embarrassed." Jessica said into the hug.
"Stop it. It's all water under the bridge now."
They then showered each other with compliments of how pretty they all looked dressed up and all.
Beca was just watching her favourite people on earth make up and couldn't help but smile. Now she could stop worrying but she couldn't help but to still be a little bit protective of Chloe. She didn't want a repeat of that night.
Beca did say it was a major event for them at work. The venue was massive and there were about 300 attendees. Beca wasn't a social person but she was already introduced to so many people. It was honestly hard to keep up with everyone's names even for Chloe.
They found their table and stood around there with the rest of Beca's team. The night was going well and Chloe was beginning to relax. She hasn't seen Aubrey but knew she was around here somewhere. She had to be.
It was after the food was served when Chloe saw her first. She was hoping she wouldn't. But she saw how Aubrey was looking their way. She saw her recognise Jessica first then Beca and Chloe saw how her heart dropped when Aubrey decided to make a beeline for their table.
Chloe was in the middle of a conversation with one of Beca's younger colleagues when she heard Aubrey's voice.
"Ladies. Good to see you. I can see you're all having a good night."
There was more small talk and Chloe was hoping against hope that Aubrey was just passing by and would leave soon. But then she felt Beca's hand slip around her waist.
"By the way there's someone I want you to meet." She heard Beca say.
Chloe knew what was coming next and she steeled herself. She turned around slowly and met Aubrey's eyes for the first time in years.
"This is Chloe my girlfriend."
Chloe spaced out and missed the rest of what Beca said. Chloe kept a steady smile on her face. She and Aubrey were just staring at each other. Aubrey looking more stupefied between the two of them.
Aubrey probably noticed how everyone was waiting for her to speak. She lets out a nervous laugh. "Gosh where are my manners, Aubrey Posen. Deputy director. It's nice to meet you, Chloe." She offered her hand to Chloe.
Chloe didn't want to take it but everyone's turned to her now. She reached for it. "It's nice to meet you too deputy director."
Chloe was the first one to let go. She kept her composure and just smiled at Beca. She avoided everyone's gaze especially Jessica's and Ashley's.
Aubrey was able to recover now. "Well I should leave you all to it then. I have to keep making my rounds and say hi to everyone." Aubrey was now addressing the whole group trying to ease the tension.
When Aubrey left and disappeared into the crowds. Chloe was finally able to breathe again.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm going to get us more drinks alright?"
"You want me to come with you?"
"No no, it's okay. You stay. I'll be back in a bit."
"Okay." Beca kissed her on the cheek before letting her go.
Chloe was by the bar waiting for their drinks and she just knew Aubrey was coming. She's felt her eyes on her since they were 'introduced'. Aubrey settled beside her. Chloe didn't look away from the bar.
"I don't even know where to begin." Aubrey said to her. "I have so many questions."
Chloe ignored her. She kept her attention on the bartender preparing their drinks. The moment he set their drinks in front of her, she grabbed them and turned to walk away.
"Chlo wait." Aubrey reached for her arm and Chloe froze. She looked down at Aubrey's hand holding on to her arm. "Please. Talk to me."
Chloe took a quick glance at Beca and when she saw that Beca was busy mingling, she turned to Aubrey.
"Don't call me that."
Aubrey let go of her arm right away. "I'm sorry. But can we just."
"No." Chloe cut her off. "I have nothing to say to you. I'm here for Beca and if it wasn't for Beca, I wouldn't be talking to you at all. So please make this night bearable and stay away from me."
Aubrey nodded. There was nothing she could do. This was definitely not the time and place.
"I really am glad to see you." Aubrey said but Chloe didn't waste any more of her time and walked away from her.
Ashley saw the whole thing and met Chloe's eyes the moment she turned around. Chloe was quick to adjust her expression and raised their drinks she was holding with a big smile. Ashley returned it but she had an uneasy feeling about what she just saw. She doesn't bring it up though.
The rest of the night was uneventful. Aubrey kept her word and stayed away. She made no further attempts to talk to Chloe. Chloe managed to enjoy the rest of the night with Beca despite the mini reunion with Aubrey and the weird looks Ashley was giving her from time to time. Beca was once again oblivious to Chloe's inner struggles.
Chloe stayed over at Beca's place last night but she had to leave early for work. She was already in her office in the studio when her phone rang. She smiled when she saw it was Beca.
"Good morning. How's your hangover?" Chloe put Beca on loudspeaker.
"What time are you coming back?"
"My shoot hasn't even started yet. I promise it won't be long and I will be back there for lunch."
"You better. I miss you. How are you not as hungover as me after last night? And you promised me kisses before leaving."
Chloe was laughing. "Cause I'm a professional and I did give you kisses. Plenty too. It's not my fault you don't remember them."
"Well I don't so you owe me double when you get back."
"I'll gladly pay up." Chloe then heard the bell ring. "Oh someone's here. I gotta go."
"Wait. Before I let you go. Speaking of lunch, I got a text from my mom. She's here in LA and wants to meet you. I guess word got around about my hot girlfriend from last night."
"Beca Mitchell. You haven't told your mom about us?"
"I haven't had the time to. It's not like I was ashamed of you or something. Anyway, should I say yes to lunch or would dinner work better for you?"
"Lunch is fine. I can't wait to meet her."
"Don't get your hopes up. She's not a delight."
"Stop it. She's still your mother."
"Expect my dad to want to meet you too. I'm gonna have to tell him about you before my mom does or I'll never hear the end of it."
"If this is payback for me ambushing you with my parents, I guess I deserve it."
"I swear it's not intentional. Okay I'll let you work. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
When Chloe ends the call, that's when the panic sets in. She's never been in this situation before. But before she can dwell on it some more, she remembers there was a customer waiting. She rushes out of her office.
"I'm so sorry for the wait. How can I help you?" Chloe's smile dropped as soon as she saw who it was.
"Chloe."
"What are you doing here?"
Aubrey looked out of place and kept shifting her weight from one leg to another.
Chloe joined the military when she was just 19. She was an excellent soldier and had been recruited to the Special Forces. She started training with them before she even turned 23. She was a member of the extremely secretive unit for three plus years.
She would visit her parents a lot in Portland when she was off duty, which were usually months at a time but she's been living in Los Angeles. She decided to live in LA when she started to pursue photography as a hobby. That's when she reconnected with her old friend Aubrey, who was at that time an agent for the FBI.
"What happened? How are you –"
"Alive? How am I alive after what you did to me?"
"We didn't have a choice. Millions we're going to die."
"I don't want to hear it. It's done. It's all in the past. I hope it was worth it deputy director."
"It wasn't easy. My heart broke too. I loved you. I hope you know that."
"I really don't want to hear it. I have a shoot in an hour that I have to prepare for so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Aubrey looked around the shop. "Is this what you've been doing all these years?"
"I don't know how else to say this but this is not happening anymore. I'd appreciate it if you leave and stay away for good. I don't want anything to do with you or Gail."
"Funny you say that when you're dating who you're dating." Aubrey sounded bitter.
Chloe had to bite her tongue. Aubrey didn't deserve any comment from her. She busied herself packing up her equipment. She could hear Aubrey walking around.
"How are you here? I mean I found out you were in the Special Forces only after the fact. I swear I had no idea."
Chloe kept ignoring Aubrey. She wasn't lying when she said she was done with them.
"I hate what I did but if millions of lives were on the line, there was no choice to be made."
Chloe couldn't not say anything anymore. "It's like you don't know me at all. You had the choice to tell me the truth. You didn't have to set me up."
"I regret not telling you. If only I knew you were in the Special Forces beforehand then maybe." Aubrey said in a whisper. "I would've done things differently."
"You don't even know what you're saying. Like I said, it's all in the past. Please leave."
"Fine. I just need to know one thing."
"If you're looking for absolution, this isn't the place. You won't get any of that here." Chloe turned her back on Aubrey and put in films in her cameras.
"Are you using Beca? She doesn't have anything to do with this. If you want revenge, take it out on Gail and me. Leave her out of this."
Chloe dropped whatever she was doing and turned to Aubrey again. "You or Gail have nothing to do with my relationship with Beca. I have nothing to explain to you. It's either you leave now or you never leave at all."
Aubrey raised both her hands in surrender. "Okay okay. I'm leaving. It's good to see you Chloe. I mean it."
"Don't come back."
Chloe's shoot finished early and she was back in time for lunch. Beca offered to take her car and drive them to meet her mom. Beca parked her car outside of a fancy villa. Chloe looked out and this was totally not what she was expecting.
"Your mom lives here?"
"She's renting. But she likes to show off when she's here."
Chloe just nods and kept her eyes outside the window.
"Hey. Are you okay? Are you nervous?"
"I'm meeting your mom Bec. Of course I'm nervous."
"Don't be. She's not worth it."
Chloe rolled her eyes. "I know you don't like your mom, but this is a big thing for me."
"I know I know. I'm sorry. I promise I'll behave and not let her provoke me."
"Let's just go. You're not really helping."
Beca laughs while she shakes her head. They walked hand in hand up the steps and rang the bell. Beca rolled her eyes when one of her mom's security personnel opened the door. Her mom was always so over the top.
"Is your mom like the president of the country or something?" Chloe whispered to Beca while following the guy leading them inside the villa.
"She wishes."
Chloe nudged her on the shoulder and they were giggling.
"So it's true."
Chloe froze when she heard her voice. It sent tingles down her spine and it's not the good kind. Then they heard the sound of a gun clicking.
Both of their heads shot up and Beca reacted first. The gun was pointed at Chloe and she stepped in right away to protect Chloe with both her hands reaching for Chloe to make sure Chloe stayed behind her.
"Put the fuckin' gun down you psycho! Have you completely lost your mind?!"
"Step away from her Rebeca." Gail said. She kept the gun pointed at Chloe.
"Mom are you crazy? If this is your way of psyching her out, this isn't funny!"
Chloe kept her eyes on Gail. She wasn't one to back down. But when she heard Beca calling her mom, she looks at Beca who was glaring at Gail. "What did you just call her?"
Beca didn't hear what Chloe said. She couldn't think of anything but the gun that was pointed directly at her girlfriend.
Gail ignored Beca completely and addressed Chloe. "I must say I'm impressed. What do you want? What are you doing here?"
"Fuck mom! Put the gun down."
"She's your mom?" Chloe tries again.
"Agent Mitchell. Step away from her. That's an order."
"Don't Agent Mitchell me. I'm not moving until you put the gun down."
Gail sighed. "Let's drop the act. What do you want Chloe? I know you're only dating my daughter as payback for what I did to you."
"How is that even possible when I'm literally just finding out now you're her mother?"
Gail laughs like a maniac. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I'm just as surprised as you Gail. Now let's leave Beca out of this. Whatever happened is between us. I love her and you being her mom doesn't change that. It makes it complicated but it doesn't change the fact that I do."
Beca looked at her mom then at Chloe. "What's going on? Do you two know each other?"
Neither Gail nor Chloe answers her. They were in the middle of their own staring contest. Chloe was not showing any fear despite being at gunpoint.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?!"
"Please do the honours Gail. Tell her what you did."
Beca looks at Chloe but Chloe refused to look away from Gail.
"Beca I haven't been the best mom but I'm telling you right now, that girl is an impostor. I'm not sure what she's told you but please for once believe me when I say she's using you. Step away from her."
"I don't understand. Chloe what is she saying?"
"Do you want to tell her Gail or do you want me to?"
Gail rolled her eyes. "It was a decision I had to make and if I were to make that decision again I would choose to do the exact same thing. I agree. We should leave Rebeca out of this."
"What are you talking about?" Beca looks at the both of them back and forth. "Will someone please explain to me what's going on? And will you please put the fuckin' gun down."
Chloe sighed. She knew Gail wasn't going to give an explanation. "I've known Gail back from when I was in the military. The FBI set me up a couple of years ago when they made a deal with terrorists. When I got away, that's when I decided to start over."
"And conveniently here you are now dating my daughter. Do you think I'm stupid? Do you expect me to believe this is some sort of coincidence?"
Beca was left speechless. Her mom did what?
"Which reminds me, how did you make it out alive? I knew you were good at what you do but my my my you continue to impress me. I wonder, did you make a deal with them and you're now a spy?"
"You don't know what you're saying. You have no idea what I've been through."
"Humour me then. You can also stop pretending. Here I am. I'm who you want."
"Don't get me wrong I've have been looking forward to the day that we meet again but that was before Beca. Judging by your reaction now, you're afraid of me. You know what you did was wrong."
"Please. Don't spare me for her. Let's settle this right now. What do you want? Is this your revenge?" Gail points to the two of them. "If it makes you feel better, you win. You got me. You've had your fun. Now leave my daughter alone."
"What are you going to do? Shoot me? Shoot me then. I dare you."
Beca couldn't believe what she was hearing. She saw how serious Chloe was and she stood her ground. Chloe was done with everything Gail or Aubrey. Her confidence was stemming from her encounter with Aubrey this morning.
"No." Beca keeps Chloe behind her and points at her mom. "Mom. No."
Gail puts the gun down and shakes her head. "You always did intrigue me Chloe."
Gail was smiling and it disgusted Chloe to the core how she found all of this amusing. Gail was afraid but she was also enjoying this.
"I don't even know what I'm doing here. I'm sorry Bec. I can't do this." Chloe starts to walk away.
"Chloe wait." Beca rushes to follow Chloe but looks back at her mom. "What is wrong with you?"
"You've heard what happened. Don't trust her Rebeca. She's using you to get to me and it's working. Can't you see what's happening here? Can't you see what she's doing?"
"Fuck you. If I had known this was an ambush I would've never brought her here to see you."
"I'm just protecting you. I don't want to see you get hurt because of my mistakes."
"Stay away from Chloe."
Those were Beca's last words to Gail. Then she was rushing out to catch up to Chloe. Beca found her next to her car outside. She rushes to her and checks on her.
"I'm okay." Chloe said. "You can stay. I'm sorry I can't. I know she's your mom but I can't."
"No. Let's go I'm leaving with you. Fuck my mom."
Beca opens the door for her and almost pushes her inside the car. Then she runs to the driver's side and starts the car right away. Beca speeds away from the villa. All she wanted was to get Chloe as far as she could from her mom.
"Bec slow down."
Beca kept her foot on the pedal. Chloe gently reached for her leg and gave it a light squeeze.
"Slow down Bec. We're going to get into an accident if you keep this up."
Beca then pulls over, puts the car on park and pulled on the hand brake.
"Let me drive." Chloe offers but Beca throws herself at her and hugs her tight.
It's ironic how Chloe was the one starting to worry about Beca now. She starts to rub her hand up and down her back.
"Hey it's okay. I'm okay. They can't hurt me anymore."
Beca kept her arms around Chloe and even held on to her tighter. Chloe pulls away from Beca when she hears her sniffling. "Hey. What's wrong?"
Beca cries some more, she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. It was all so overwhelming for her.
"What is it?"
"I can't believe what just happened. How are you okay?" Beca finally says wiping away her tears.
Chloe reached out and tugged on Beca's hands as she wipes her tears for her. "It took some time but I am."
Beca then buries her face in her hands and pushed her hair back with her fingers. "I'm so sorry. I never would have brought you there if I had known."
"I know. It's not your fault Bec."
"Do you hate me?"
"Of course not."
"Are we okay?" Beca asked. She was scared to hear the answer but she had to know.
"We're okay. But it sure does make things complicated. It's a good thing you haven't moved much of your stuff yet."
"What? Why is that a good thing?"
"Beca. Be realistic. Why would you still want to be with me? Aren't you worried that what she's said is true?"
"No. I believe you. I'm just glad you don't hate me too. It's fucked up what they did to you. Now I know why you didn't want to date me at first. You must hate the Bureau"
"I can't hate you. You had nothing to do with it. I'm not using you to get to her. I hope you know that."
"I know that and I know you. Fuck them."
Despite everything that just happened, Chloe smiles. "Come on let's go home. Are you good to drive?"
"Just give me a minute."
"Okay. Take your time." Chloe continued to comfort Beca. It was one way to keep her from her thoughts. She knows Beca wouldn't knowingly do that to her. She shoved down questions of doubt along with her deepest fears of betrayal and abandonment.
They stayed home the rest of the day and they don't talk about it anymore. Beca hasn't fully processed what's happened. She was still in a state of shock. She had so many questions but she didn't have the heart to ask them. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Chloe had to go through. She remembers the first time she's witnessed Chloe having nightmares and if that's what caused them.
When she saw Chloe step out of the bathroom just a towel wrapped around her, she watches her for a minute. Chloe sits in front of the dresser and does her nightly routine. She finally understood what they meant when they said sometimes the most powerful communication was more than just talking.
She meets Chloe's eyes in the mirror and she can't tell if she's been crying. Beca saw her face was flushed from her shower. Beca slowly got up from bed and walked to where Chloe was.
Beca gently placed her hands on Chloe's shoulders and began massaging them. She could feel the tension on her shoulders. Chloe moaned at contact and closed her eyes. She relaxed into Beca's touch. When touching her wasn't enough, Beca leans down and plants wet kisses on Chloe's shoulders travelling up to her neck. She does the same to her other shoulder but this time she continues up to her jaw and eventually found Chloe's lips.
Chloe moaned into their kiss and it only pushed Beca to deepen their kisses. With their kisses growing hungrier, Beca leads Chloe to the bed. She easily slides off the towel off of Chloe and pulls on her own shirt over her head. She was on top of Chloe and settled in between her legs. She took a moment to just look at Chloe's body in all her glory and leaned down again to kiss the visible scars she had on her forehead, collarbone, chest, ribs, abdomen.
There was something so intimate for Beca when she kisses Chloe's scars. She wonders if Chloe's noticed. She's never mentioned it to Chloe cause she didn't want to trigger any bad memories.
Their hands were intertwined and Beca pushed both of Chloe's hands above her head. The way Chloe surrenders to her was such a turn on for her and just urged her to keep going. She trusts Chloe and believes in her heart that what they have is real.
Beca kissed Chloe on the lips and again and again.
You are beautiful.
I love you.
You are safe.
Chloe then wraps her legs around Beca's waist and her arms around her neck. She wanted to feel Beca on every inch of her body so she pulls her in. She forgets about everything else for a moment and focused on the now and on being here with Beca.
She meets every one of Beca's kisses.
You make me happy.
I love you.
I'm sorry.
It's like a switch was flipped after that night. Ever since then, they had this unspoken mutual understanding that they have each other's backs no matter what.
Beca had always been protective when it came to Chloe and all the more now that it was sort of justified. They haven't had the chance to talk more about it in depth since work has been taking up most of Beca's time. When Chloe received a text from Beca in the middle of the week saying she was working late, she decided to take her time closing up her studio.
She walked out and spotted a familiar face.
"Oh my god, Sar. You fuckin' scared me. What are you doing here?"
"You must be really distracted. I almost never get you anymore. Hop on." Kommissar hands her a helmet.
Chloe didn't have to say anything. Kommissar knew she needed a friend. Chloe took the helmet and got on the back of the bike. She didn't even care where Kommissar was going to take her.
They ended up at a random rooftop. It was quiet and they both absorbed the view in front of them.
"Chlo I heard about what happened."
Chloe doesn't answer for a while. "Did you hear about everything? I've had quite the weekend."
"Yes. All of it. I would've come get you sooner but someone wouldn't leave your side."
"Did you know?"
"Did I know what?"
"Don't play dumb with me Sar. It's been a rough few days."
"Did I know that Beca is Gail's daughter? I did."
Chloe looked at her straight in the eye. "You knew?"
"Yes. Of course I did." Kommissar said casually.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried."
Chloe just gives her a look.
"I swear. I did. Multiple times. You kept shutting me down. Remember? We all tried actually."
"You all knew?"
"Yup and we really did try telling you."
She doesn't remember any of them actually trying to tell her. They were quiet again for a while and then Chloe started to laugh. "You guys obviously didn't try hard enough."
Kommissar laughed with her and then they were quiet again.
"Well now that you do know, what are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. I'm conflicted. I've been played before. I know deep in my heart Beca wouldn't do that to me. But you have to tell me straight, am I falling for another trap here?"
"Hey. No. I would be the first one to tell you that. You may not have had anyone on your side before, but that won't happen to you again I promise. Not on my watch."
"What did I get myself into? And seriously why didn't you stop me?"
"I did. I stabbed you remember?"
"Wow. Then I'm sorry for not understanding that you stabbing me was your way of saying Beca is Gail's daughter. Fuckin' hell Sar."
"Honestly, she did seem genuine and you looked so happy. I mean you are happy. Right?"
"I am. But as much as I don't want to, I'm starting to question all of it now. "
"I don't think Beca is the problem here. What can we do to help?"
"I don't know."
"Just remember, you're not alone in this fight. We've got your back."
"At least now I know why I'm having those nightmares again." Chloe shivers at the thought.
"Really? The nightmares are back? Have you talked to Luke about them?"
"Not yet. The whiskey's still on top of it."
Kommissar then smirked. "I was going to wait til everyone was available but I have something that can get your mind off of things."
"I highly doubt that."
"Nope I'm pretty sure this will get your attention. Here's your target." Kommissar hands Chloe her phone.
Chloe's eyes bulged out when she saw the photo. "The Governor? Seriously? An assassination?"
"An assassination attempt." Kommissar corrected her. "The client wants you to shoot her just enough to be serious but not fatal."
"So make sure she survives the gunshot? Yeah I can do that."
"Really? You sound so confident. Where would you shoot her then?"
"I guess anywhere in the chest area. Just avoid the heart. Don't you agree?"
"Fine since you're so confident. We're sending you to Las Vegas one of these days to prove that you can do it."
"Excuse me?"
"The client wants to know for sure that you can do this."
"I'm not doing a shooting course for this or drill. Just tell the client I can do it."
"No he wants to do an actual test. Like shoot another person for real and make it look real and make sure they survive."
"Seriously? Like a dry run? That's kind of fucked up. Who's the client?"
"Oh you'll love this." Kommissar showed Chloe the picture again and pointed to the man next to the governor. "The husband."
Kommissar looked at Chloe. She was glad to see that look on her face. Call her crazy but Chloe had a certain look when she was engrossed on something. If you're able to look past her insane blue eyes, then you'll see there's actually nothing there and that's scary for a lot of people. But Kommissar loved that about Chloe.
Chloe scoffed. "You were right. This will definitely keep me preoccupied."
"Told you so."