A/N: Hi Friends, this idea has been bouncing around in my mind for a while so I had to get it started. I'll be working more on it when I can, but I have 3 other fics in the works too so please be patient with me!

It was freezing cold on the streets of Manhattan. Bustling patrons, workers and tourists were wrapped up in coats, scarves and gloves, the heavy material protecting them against the winter flurries and cold winds of January.

Chloe Beale, always a ray of sunshine (even when she was freezing her butt off) was hurrying along the street, purse looped over her arm as she fished her iPhone out of her pocket to send a text message. She had her Airpods in and she was humming along to her favorite music as she rapidly typed. She had to make sure that the contract she was working on would close on time, so she was watching her phone like a hawk, and she didn't see the woman sitting on the pavement until it was too late. Chloe walked right into the guitar case sitting in front of her and kicked it a few feet, almost tripping herself in the process. "Shit!" she exclaimed as she came to a stop.

"Hey, watch it, Lady!" the seated woman snarked. "Head stuck in your phone screen much?" She set her battered guitar aside and got up, fixing up her stuff before scowling at the contrite redhead and retaking her seat on the cold concrete. She was petite, dressed in blue jeans, a green sweater and a green jacket that looked like it came from an army surplus store, and she shivered a little as she tried to get comfortable again on her sleeping bag.

"I'm so sorry," Chloe sighed. "You're right. My head is kinda up my ass today. I have something big going on, plus it's my goddaughter's birthday and I forgot, so I've been rushing around trying to find the perfect birthday present for a five-year-old before I stop by her party."

The woman looked up at her and shrugged. "Guess it doesn't matter. People like me are invisible anyway until the cops say we're not."

Chloe felt a pang of upset at that. The whole point of her advertising company was to make people and products visible, and she made her salary from it. But here, a human being was sitting, cold and alone with nothing but a backpack, guitar and a few dollars in change to her name.

Then the redhead's phone rang so she quickly fished in her pocket for her wallet to pull a twenty out. "I'm sorry again," she said. "I have to take this call." She dropped the twenty into the guitar case with a smile. "Have a good day."

The woman looked at the bill and then back up at Chloe, a smirk lifting her lips. "Cool. You too." The redhead shoved her wallet into her pocket and then grabbed her phone, leaving one last smile behind as she strode away.

"No, that's not…" Chloe sighed as she made a right turn and headed for the most famous toy store in the city. "Jesse, tell them I'm happy to make a concession there for the first month since we're kicking off the campaign, but the contract stands as it is from the second month onward. That'll save them about ten grand overall." The redhead pushed the door of the store open and headed inside, glad to get out of the cold. "I have to go but call me immediately if they balk. We can't lose this one, ok? Cool, thanks, Jesse."

Chloe hung up and spotted an assistant, so she made a beeline for her. "Hi," she said. "I need some help. What's the coolest girl's toy you have in stock at the moment? Something big and pink?"

The assistant chuckled. "How old is the kid?"

"Four," Chloe replied. "No… five. Five today."

The woman smiled. "And does she live in a house or an apartment?"

The redhead tilted her head. "Why does that matter?"

The woman chuckled this time. "Parents don't generally appreciate Barbie Dream Homes or drum sets if they're living in a small apartment."

"Oh," Chloe nodded. "Good point. It's a house. I don't think size matters since Bella has her own room."

The assistant nodded kindly. "Then I have just the thing. We just got a new batch in, the first since we sold out at Christmas, so your timing is perfect. Would you like it gift wrapped?"

"You'd be saving my life if you could," the executive replied as her phone rang again.

"Follow me," the assistant asked, and Chloe did so as she answered her next call.

Xx

"Oh my God," Chloe sighed as she rummaged in her purse and pockets. "Today is not the day for this!"

"Ma'am?" the toy store assistant, Margaret per her nametag, said. "Is everything ok?"

"No." The redhead let out a frustrated harrumph. "I seem to have lost my wallet. Do you take Apple Pay?"

"Yes, Ma'am, we do," Margaret said, indicating the machine with the Apple logo on it.

"Thank God," Chloe muttered. She got her phone out and used it to pay, then thanked the assistant sincerely. "You've been awesome, Margaret. I guess it's pretty clear that I don't have any children of my own."

"You're young and beautiful." Chloe blushed a tad as the woman's eyes moved over her not very subtly. "There's time." And she may have even been interesting in getting Margaret's phone number, except her phone rang again.

"Shit, sorry. I have to go," the executive sighed. "Thanks again and have a great day."

"You too, Honey."

After her call and armed with a package almost larger than she could carry, Chloe exited the store and headed for her office a couple of blocks away. Now, not only did she have to make it to Bella's party on time, but she also had to cancel the cards she had in her missing wallet. "Could this day get any more stressful?" she muttered to herself as she exited the elevator and crossed the short distance to the reception desk. "Any messages, Joan?" she asked as her assistant spotted her.

"No, I handled everything so far this morning. But, Chloe, there's someone here to see you…"

The redhead shook her head. "Tell them I'm sorry but I don't have time this morning. Ask them to make an appointment."

"Actually," Joan countered. "I think you might want to see this woman. I thought I was going to have to call the cops but…"

Chloe, in her office now, dropped the giant parcel on her desk and turned around, hands perched on her hips. "Really? Can't Jesse handle it?"

"She'll only speak to you."

The redhead pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, trying to keep a handle on her frustration. "Fine. Where is she?"

"The break room."

"The break…" Chloe was surprised. "Why is she in there?"

Joan smiled gently. "You'll see."

The redhead nodded and followed her assistant down the hallway to the large room, affectionately called the break room but was more of a cafeteria than anything. The first thing Chloe noticed was that her staff were all clustered on one side of the room while a lone figure was seated at a small table on the other.

Joan led her across the space and stopped in front of the woman, who was protectively nursing a sandwich and a cup of coffee. "Chloe Beale, let me introduce Beca Mitchell."

And Chloe couldn't help but smile. "We meet again," she said, recognizing the guitar-playing woman from the street she'd met earlier that morning. "How are you?"

"Um… pretty good, thanks. This lady gave me a sandwich." Beca got to her feet, shuffling somewhat nervously. "You the big wig of this place?"

"I'm the owner, yeah," the redhead replied. "What can I do for you, Miss Mitchell?"

The brunette pulled her beanie off and set it on the table, then reached for her backpack to open it. Chloe watched, realizing that despite her tattered clothes, Beca was cleaner than she'd expected. In fact, she smelled a little like strawberries. "Um… I found this a few feet away from where we met this morning. It was on the ground." She stuck out her hand, presenting Chloe with her missing wallet.

The executive gasped and gently took the leather item, opening it to quickly scan through it. All her cards were there, plus the three hundred dollars of cash she'd gotten from the ATM earlier that morning. "Oh my God, that's fantastic… and everything's here!"

Beca scowled. "I may be homeless but I'm no thief, Lady."

Chloe's face dropped in dismay. "Oh no, that's not what I meant, really. I'm just relieved because I don't have to cancel my credit cards now. You've saved me a huge inconvenience. Thank you! How did you know where to find me?"

Beca's eyes dropped, and she smiled a little. "You're welcome and it was easy. You have your business cards in there." Then her eyes darted to the other people in the room. "Guess I should go so these folks can stop being so uncomfortable."

"Stay as long as you want," the redhead replied, holding out her hand. "And you know what? Let me get you a hotel for tonight to say thank you for returning my wallet?"

The brunette sighed. "I appreciate the offer," she said. "But hotels in Manhattan don't tend to let homeless people in their front door, let alone allow them to stay there."

Chloe was stunned and she shook her head. "I'm… I'm sorry, Miss Mitchell."

Tired but intelligent dark blue eyes gazed back at her. Chloe couldn't help but think how soulful and beautiful they were. "It is what it is," Beca replied. "This is just my life." She set her beanie back on her head and carefully wrapped up the end of her sandwich to tuck it away into her backpack. "Seeya whenever, Big wig." She picked up her gear and ambled toward the exit but something in Chloe grabbed her by the chest and she followed, fishing in her wallet.

"Beca, wait," she called, and the woman paused to look back at her. The redhead caught her up, hastily scribbling something on the back of her business card before handing it to her. "Look, stay at my apartment with me tonight. Sleep in a warm bed, use the bathroom, watch a movie and have some dinner." She saw the smaller woman was going to protest and she held up a hand. "I know you can take care of yourself but… you seriously saved me a lot of trouble today, Beca. Please let me do this for you?"

For a long moment of indecision, the homeless woman said nothing but then she nodded slowly. "What time should I be there?"

"I should be home by seven."

"Ok," the brunette replied, carefully tucking the business card into her pocket. "Thanks."

Then she quickly exited, leaving Chloe behind.

"Um, Chlo?" Joan said. "What are you doing?"

The executive shook her head. "I have no clue," she replied. "I just know I couldn't send her back out to sleep in the freezing cold tonight."

"What about tomorrow night?" the assistant added softly.

"I have no clue about that either," Chloe sighed. "Guess I'll cross that bridge when it comes."

Xx

"Aunt Chloooooeeeee!"

Chloe winced a little at the high-pitched squeal in her ear as she scooped her goddaughter up into her arms and playfully chomped her neck. "Hi, Baby Girl! Happy birthday! I can't believe you're five already. You're getting so grown up!" Aubrey and Stacie, Bella's parents and Chloe's best friends since their freshman year in college, grinned at her as she set the little girl back on her feet. "I left a gift in the living room for you for later, ok?"

"Okay, thank you," the little girl grinned. Then she took off to play with her friends.

Chloe exchanged hugs with HER friends and then sighed. "Please tell me you have wine? It's Friday wine o'clock, right?"

"I'm gonna go keep an eye on the kids," Stacie said. "But save me a glass." She kissed her wife on the cheek and then headed for the back yard.

"Long day?" Aubrey asked. "Did your client finally get their act together and sign?"

The blonde was part of Chloe's legal team and had been instrumental in helping to put her latest contract together.

"Yeah, they finally signed at three pm. I'm so freakin' exhausted, Aubs, but at least I can go into the weekend knowing it's done." She gratefully accepted a glass of red and took a seat at the kitchen island, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Here," Aubrey chuckled, setting a glass of water and two Advil on the counter in front of her. "I can always tell when you have a headache."

"Thanks," the redhead nodded as she swallowed the pills. "I do feel pretty crappy. And a lot of shit happened today." She went through the story of meeting Beca, losing her wallet, then meeting her again."

"You seriously invited her into your home?" Aubrey said, surprised to her core. While Chloe was one of the most kind-hearted people she knew, she was also one of the most private. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Yeah," the redhead replied. "There was just something about her that… Despite the fact that she was homeless, her hair and clothes were pretty clean. She didn't have much, but it was clean too. She seems to make money busking on the street."

"She probably uses a shelter to shower when she can," the blonde mused. "Just… be careful, ok? Stranger danger an' all."

"I will," Chloe promised. She was already starting to feel a little less stressed and her headache was easing along with it. "So… what did you end up getting Bella for her birthday?"

"A golden retriever puppy," Aubrey said, wrinkling her nose. "But we're not getting him until tomorrow. We thought it would be better to bring him home to a quiet house NOT full of screaming five-year-olds."

"A wise choice indeed," the executive replied in a sage tone. Then she giggled softly. "You realize that I'll be spending every waking moment here once that puppy arrives. I think I missed my calling as a vet."

The blonde rolled her eyes but smiled affectionately. "I know, Chlo. Stace and I already talked about that. The upside is, we get a pet sitter whenever we need one!"

"Oh totally!" Chloe agreed. "I'd be happy to, any time."

After a few moments of comfortable quiet, Aubrey caught her friend's eyes. "So… Jackie…"

"I don't want to talk about her," Chloe said immediately, shaking her head and closing her eyes.

"Honey, listen to me…"

"It's over, Aubs."

"But she hurt…"

Chloe's eyes filled with tears. "I know you want me to press charges, but I just want her gone out of my life, ok?"

The blonde rounded the island and pulled her friend into her arms to hug her hard. "Ok… I'm sorry, Chlo."

The redhead nodded and then eased away. "Thanks. I just don't want to deal with her anymore. Three years was enough."

So, the friends just went back to their wine before heading outside to play with the kids.

Xx

Chloe was truly exhausted as she trudged up the steps of her apartment building. The five-year-olds had worn her out and she was looking forward to a chill evening in front of the TV. She reached the door, smiling as her usual doorman opened it for her. "Good evening, Miss Chloe," he said.

"Hi, Charles," Chloe replied. She peered into the foyer and then behind her. It was just after seven but there was no sign of Beca. "Was anyone looking for me?"

"Yes." The doorman wrinkled his nose. "A… vagrant… woman was here a few moments ago. I asked her to leave."

"You did what?!" the redhead exclaimed. "Charles…"

The man looked behind her and pointed. "There she is again. Should I call the police?"

Chloe turned to see the brunette standing on the street at the bottom of the steps. "No," she replied, tone soft. "I've got this." She slowly descended, regret all over her face. "I seem to be doing nothing but apologizing to you," she said softly. "I'm sorry for how Charles treated you, Beca."

The brunette snorted a little laugh. "I'm used to it, Chloe, believe me. You know, this was probably a mistake. I should just go see if I can get a bed at a shelter."

"No!" Chloe exclaimed. "No," she said again, voice softer. "I want you to stay here with me."

"I… I don't… um… I don't go down on girls I don't know," the brunette mumbled. "Just so you know."

The redhead was absolutely floored, and she shook her head slightly. "Beca…" She swallowed. "That's not… I didn't… If I gave you any reason to think that was what I wanted from you I'm sorry…"

The brunette looked down, shrugging one shoulder. "What else do I have to give?" she asked. "Nothing is free, Chloe, unless you get it from a dumpster."

Sudden tears welled in the executive's eyes, and she took a hitching breath. "Is this your life too, Beca?" she asked.

"Sometimes," came the shaky, sullen reply. "If I'm hungry enough."

Chloe nodded, heartbroken for the woman. "Come inside," she said then. "Please. All I'm asking from you is your company. I promise."

Blue eyes lifted, wariness their primary message. "Alright," Beca finally said. "Thank you."

"Can I help you with your stuff?" the redhead asked, smiling as Beca handed her guitar case over. Chloe noticed that her hands were shaking but didn't comment. Instead, she led the brunette back up the steps and into the foyer. "Charles, this is my friend, Beca Mitchell. She'll be staying with me tonight."

The man nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. Good evening, Miss Mitchell."

"Charlie," Beca replied, looking around the foyer. "Nice place you have here. Fancy."

Chloe stifled a grin as the man gave her new friend a look. "Thank you, Ma'am," he just said though, then stepped ahead of them to call the elevator. "I had Michael bring up your dry cleaning, Miss Chloe."

"Cool, tell him I said thanks. Have a good evening, Charles."

"You too, Ma'ams."

The elevator ride up was quiet but Chloe's and Beca's blue eyes met more than once in the mirrors. "I'm just gonna say it," Beca said suddenly. "Why would an obviously rich woman like you want to help a nobody like me?"

"Because you're not a nobody, Beca," the redhead replied. "You're a person and you deserve to be seen."

Beca fell quiet and seemed to be thinking so Chloe just stayed quiet too. The elevator dinged and the door opened to a hallway with plush carpet and doors further apart than Beca had ever seen. She immediately knew that the executive's apartment must be huge.

Chloe led her along the hallway until she reached her door and keyed her code into the lock, noting that her new friend deliberately looked away as she did so. The lock beeped and the deadbolt retracted so the redhead pushed the door open and carried Beca's guitar inside to lean it carefully against the entranceway's wall.

"It's big but I live in about a third of it," Chloe said sheepishly. "My parents bought it for me when I graduated college. My family's rich but I don't rely on their money. I started my business from the ground up with blood, sweat and tears and I can't afford for it to fail because my father will say I told you so." She pushed open a door. "I didn't get a chance to get home earlier but this room is already made up. Let me get you some towels. Bathroom's through that door and there are toiletries you're welcome to use if you need them." She turned to leave but Beca's hand was suddenly on her arm, stopping her.

"Seems like I owe you an apology this time," the brunette said softly. "I made an assumption about you…"

"Hey… we're square, ok?" Chloe smiled. "Let's just start fresh. I'm going to order Chinese takeout. What would you like?" And with that, Beca's face lit up, making the redhead laugh softly. "I'll just order a bunch of stuff. There's a free-standing bathtub in there, as well as a shower," she added. "If you want to take a bath, take your time."

"Um… Chloe… I…" Beca looked down. "I have a prosthetic leg… actually never mind."

The executive's face eased into a smile. "I'll help you with the bath, Beca. I'll even keep my eyes closed," she winked.

The brunette blushed red but nodded with a mumbled thanks as Chloe headed for the closet to get her towels.

Xx

The noises Beca was making as she ate her Chinese food made points southerly on Chloe's body react in the most pleasant of ways. After her bath, the brunette had made her way into the kitchen, dressed in a borrowed t-shirt and soft shorts, to find her hostess already sitting at the kitchen island surrounded by numerous food cartons and with an open bottle of wine chilling in an ice-bucket.

Now Beca was on her third plate and the conversation hadn't even begun yet, as laser focused as she was on eating. Eventually, Chloe smiled and decided to break the silence. "So, am I right in saying that you served in the military?" she asked.

"Mmmm… Marines… Afghanistan… three tours," Beca mumbled around a spring role. "Lost my leg to an I.E.D. so I was medically discharged."

"And they just… cut you loose? Without any support? Where are your family?"

The wariness had returned to Beca's eyes, but she swallowed her food and shrugged. "I'm alone. It's why I enlisted in the first place: group home to college to marines."

"Is it ok if I ask how you ended up on the streets?" Chloe asked softly.

Beca swallowed and looked down again, pushing her fork through her noodles. "I… I have PTSD. I have trouble holding down a job because of my anxiety, so I got fired a few times and ended up losing everything."

"Do you have a degree?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah, Sales and Marketing." Beca inhaled another spring roll and slurped up some egg drop soup." Then she sat back in her chair, patting her belly. "That's really good." She took a sip of wine and then grinned a little. "What about you, Chloe Beale? What's your story?"

The redhead shrugged. "Loving but overbearing parents, degree in Advertising, started my own business right out of college when my father told me I'd never amount to anything after I got pregnant. Kinda had to prove him wrong. Struggling C.E.O. What else? Oh, lesbian who has no time to date so I'm single." She shrugged. "That's about it."

"Is your kid with their father?" Beca asked softly.

"Oh…" Chloe swallowed and leaned back in her chair, playing with the edge of her napkin. "No… I… I miscarried."

"I'm sorry," the brunette replied, nodding a little. "That must have been hard."

"It was but… I was just a kid myself." Beca understood completely and she nodded again as she went back to her soup. "Are you seeing anyone?" the redhead went on.

Blue eyes lifted. "No… not… no." She didn't say anymore but Chloe was curious.

"I can't imagine what your world must be like, Beca. Is it… can you even have a relationship with someone?"

For a long moment, Beca just stayed quiet and still. Then she looked up, eyes welling with tears. "My girlfriend died," she said softly. "She had type one diabetes and we couldn't get her meds. She ended up in a coma and she died a week later. THAT'S what my world is like, Chloe."

The executive didn't know what to say at first. Instead, she just reached out, hand resting on her new friend's forearm. "I'm so sorry."

"We live in a world where, without money, you're nothing," Beca said. "I served my country and I still have nothing. I'm pretty fucking bitter about that, Chloe." She laughed a little as she looked down at the stump of her leg. "I'm not even a whole person anymore. And you know what? This really was a mistake. I'm just going to get my gear and get out of your hair." She slid down off her seat and grabbed her cane, but Chloe shook her head and, without a word, rounded the island to pull the smaller woman into her arms. She knew her new friend was trying to run.

At first, Beca froze, but then she fought back, whimpering as she tried to shove the redhead off her, but Chloe held on and whispered in her ear. "When was the last time someone just hugged you because they wanted to, Beca? When was the last time someone really saw you?" The redhead heard a choked sob… followed by a second… and then the floodgates opened, and the brunette sagged against her, dropping her cane as her arms came around the executive to squeeze her hard. "I've got you," Chloe whispered. "Let it out."

It took a while but, when Beca had cried herself out, she finally eased back, rubbing her eyes. "I hate you," she mumbled.

"I know, I suck," Chloe grinned. She pushed the younger woman's hair back into some semblance of order, tucking it back behind her ears as she looked into her eyes. "Are you ok? Do you want something else to eat?"

Beca looked longingly back at the Chinese food but shook her head. "I'm actually full," she replied. "If it's ok with you, I think I just want to go to sleep. I'm pretty tired."

"Of course," the redhead nodded. "I'll put the leftovers in the fridge. You can have them for lunch tomorrow. I've already decided I'm making you a pancake breakfast." She grinned brightly and Beca rolled her eyes playfully as she picked up her cane off the floor and balanced herself.

"If you must," the brunette sighed, feigning annoyance. Then she turned and headed for her room.

"If you need anything, you know where I am," Chloe called to her.

"Indeed, I do. Night, Chloe."

With a chuckle, Chloe began cleaning up. When she was done, she watched a movie, keeping the volume low so Beca could sleep peacefully. Then, at just after midnight, she headed to bed.

The next morning, she woke up feeling refreshed after the stress of the day before and she moved quietly to Beca's room to see if she was awake. The door was ajar, so she pushed it open and was suddenly dismayed to see the bed was empty and made with precision military corners. On the pillow sat a small piece of paper and she picked it up to read the hastily scrawled writing on it.

"I'm sorry," she murmured aloud. "I can't do this, Chloe. But thank you." Then she closed her eyes and sighed. "Fuck."