A/N: This is the last chapter I have pre-written. I'll be coming back to it soon. There are some very minor scenes of fighting in this chapter but nothing too hair-raising!

Beca was in her bathroom, just staring at herself in the mirror. She had a hairbrush clasped in her hand, but she was motionless when Chloe tapped on the door and ambled inside. Their eyes met in the mirror and Beca inhaled shakily, before blowing the breath out.

Chloe smiled and simply took the brush out of her friend's hand, going to work on brushing out her long, wet hair. "Doing ok?" she asked.

"It's so weird to be doing this," the brunette replied. "I've lived outside for so long... you know?"

"Mmmm..." Chloe nodded as she finished up, then rested her hands on Beca's shoulders as their eyes met in the mirror again. "But how do you feel?"

Beca patted the countertop, frustration evident in the set of her frame. "You're not my therapist, Chloe."

The redhead nodded. "You're right, I'm sorry." She turned to leave but Beca turned too and stopped her.

"No," she said quietly. "I'M sorry. I'm uncomfortable with that question because a big part of me feels like I don't deserve this." Tears welled in her eyes. "Ugh, you know what? How about we shelve this for another time. We're supposed to be getting ready to celebrate."

Chloe recognized the evasion, but she let it go and just smiled. "Sure, I'm almost ready. You need anything?"

"No, thanks. Give me twenty and I'll be ready to go."

"Cool," the redhead nodded, then ambled back to her own room to stand in front of her closet. She picked a little black dress with matching heels and then went to work on finishing her hair and makeup. Twenty minutes later, she stepped out into the hallway, closing her purse but, when she looked up, she gasped.

Beca was waiting for her with a smile on her face. She was wearing black dress pants with a crisp white embroidered shirt and flats. Her hair and makeup were perfect, and she had her leather jacket slung over her arm. She took a few steps closer to her friend. "Wow," she said softly. "You look amazing."

"So do you," Chloe breathed.

"I thought I should make an effort, since we're not just getting hotdogs," the brunette replied, chuckling a little, as she shuffled her feet nervously.

"If you want hotdogs, we can get hotdogs," the executive replied absently. She didn't remember Beca buying a pushup bra.

Her friend shook her head. "Wouldn't want you to get ketchup on that gorgeous dress," she joked.

Chloe laughed heartily. "Right, better steer clear of hotdogs and burgers then." She inclined her head gracefully as Beca plucked her coat off the rack and helped her into it. "Why, thank you."

"You're welcome," the veteran smiled, smoothing the heavy wool down at Chloe's shoulders. She cleared her throat then. "So, where to?"

The redhead opened the door and led them out into the hallway to walk to the elevator. "I made a reservation at an Italian place I like. Hope that's ok?"

For a moment, Beca could pretend they were actually on a date, but she pushed the thoughts aside as she hit the button to call the elevator. "I love Italian," she replied. "So, great choice." They stepped into the car and Chloe helped her friend into her jacket as they sped downward. The leather was soft and fragrant with a biker edginess to it and it complimented Beca's dark eye makeup perfectly.

For a moment, Chloe could pretend they were actually on a date, but she looked away and dismissed that thought. She didn't think Beca was interested in her in that way, so she decided to just concentrate on their friendship.

An Uber ride later, they were being shown to their table and the server greeted them with a big smile. "Good evening, ladies. I'm Giovanni and I'll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with a glass... or bottle... of wine? Or maybe a cocktail?"

"Becs?" Chloe said, eyebrows lifted.

"Whiskey rocks please," the brunette replied, surprising her friend.

"I'll have a glass of Pinot Noir please," the executive added. "Thanks."

"Thank you, Ladies. I'll be back in a few moments."

The waiter bustled away and Beca spent a few moments looking around the dining room. "I've only ever seen this place from the outside," she said after a beat. "I almost can't believe I'm eating here."

Chloe looked down, fingers anxiously twisting together. The brunette placed her hand on top of them. "What is it, Chlo? If this is too much, we can go somewhere else?"

"No, it's not... I just can't stop thinking about what you said before... about feeling like you don't deserve this."

Beca retrieved her hand and leaned back in her chair. "Why do you care, Chloe?" she asked softly. There was no annoyance to her tone, just a genuine curiosity.

The redhead didn't really have a good answer, but she tried anyway, speaking slowly as she sorted through her thoughts. "I feel like you're such a wonderful, trustworthy person whose life went a little off the rails through no fault of her own. I truly believe you deserve a little help to get back on track."

Beca nodded for a moment. Then she gazed back at her friend. "I have a question for you, Chlo. You're a pretty amazing person yourself. Why are you not falling over people trying to be in a relationship with you? And don't give me the excuse about being too busy."

Chloe grinned at the compliment but then her face sobered. "I have some trauma of my own," she admitted. "I..." She stopped talking as Giovanni came back with the drinks and took a moment to look at the menu so they could order an appetizer. Then Beca looked at her expectantly. "Up to about six months ago, I was dating Jackie. She's a pilot, and we were together for three years. About a year before we broke up, there was an incident and she had to make an emergency landing. There were some deaths and... she wasn't the same person after that. She started drinking heavily and..." Chloe swallowed hard. "When she was really drunk, she started using me as a punching bag."

Beca's face hardened. "She... she hit you?"

The executive nodded. "At first, it was just shoves and throwing stuff at me, followed by heartfelt apologies and gifts. But then it escalated into punches and kicks. Finally, six months ago, she snapped, and she beat me so badly, I ended up in hospital with internal injuries and a broken orbital socket."

"Oh, Chloe," the brunette whispered.

"So, you can probably understand why I'm a little relationship shy right now. I've needed some time and therapy to deal with everything."

"Totally understand," Beca agreed. "Where is this woman now? I hope she's in fucking jail."

"No," Chloe replied. "I just wanted her out of my life, so I didn't press charges. I just took out an order of protection against her. I haven't seen her since that night." She could tell that Beca had something to say about that but, to her credit, her friend kept her thoughts to herself, instead reaching back across the table to hold her hand.

Beca was filled with anger and dismay that someone could hurt Chloe... wonderful, sweet Chloe... like that. She couldn't look away from her light blue shimmering eyes. "Chlo..." she whispered. "I... I..."

"It's ok," the older woman smiled. "I'm ok... or at least I'm getting there."

Giovanni was back then, delivering their calamari with a little flare that made them laugh.

"So, what were you like as a kid?" Beca asked as she drained the last of her whiskey.

"Oh... unbearable," Chloe laughed. "My parents couldn't keep up with me, I had so much energy. As an adult, I still have it, but I channel it into my company these days. It's the reason why I'm always so damn exhausted when I get home. How about you?"

"Well... I had a pretty meagre start," the veteran replied as she dipped a squid ring into some sweet chili sauce and popped it into her mouth. "I was abandoned at a fire station when I was a day old and went into the system. I bounced around group homes until I was eighteen, then was lucky enough to get a scholarship for college. After I graduated, I enlisted and spent a fair amount of time overseas."

"How did you lose your leg?"

Beca sighed. She didn't like telling that story, but Chloe's eyes were so soft and concerned that she knew she wouldn't be able to say no.

"My team and I were out doing some routine patrols. We'd heard rumors of an insurgent cell about twenty miles from base in a small village, so we went to take a look. When we got there, we couldn't find anyone and, after about an hour of searching, we decided to call it a day. What we didn't realize was, it was a trap. The insurgents had scattered small IEDs... explosives... in certain spots. I stepped on one and it blew the whole bottom half of my leg off. The knee was so badly damaged that the only thing they could do was amputate above it."

Chloe just shook her head. "We've been through some shit, both of us."

"Yeah," the brunette agreed.

The conversation moved to lighter topics after that and then Giovanni was delivering their entrees and fresh drinks. The night was flying by and both women were enjoying themselves so much that they didn't realize they were the last people left in the restaurant until Giovanni started to hover.

"We should go before they kick us out," Chloe chuckled. She took out her wallet and put her credit card inside the folder containing the check. Giovanni quickly took it away. He apparently had a home to go to too.

"As soon as I get my first paycheck, I'm taking you out," Beca said firmly as they put their coats on. "Wherever you want to eat."

"I'll look forward to that," Chloe replied with a smile that melted Beca's heart. The older woman leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm so lucky to have met you."

The brunette shook her head. "I'm the lucky one."

Xx

Beca was almost holding her breath as she rode up in the elevator with Chloe to the floors dedicated to Beale Advertising. It was her first day and she'd been up since the crack of dawn getting ready. Chloe had teased her mercilessly until she'd collapsed into helpless laughter that made her feel better. She was still nervous though.

They crossed the carpeted reception area to the HR office and Chloe stuck her head inside. "Robin?"

"Morning, Chloe," the HR business partner replied, getting to his feet. "This must be Beca Mitchell."

"Good morning," Beca smiled, holding out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Robin." The man's eyes dropped to Beca's prosthetic leg, visible under her skirt, and stayed there, making him effectively ignore her outstretched hand. Beca felt Chloe bristle, but she just put the hand on the redhead's arm instead. "I'll get settled and catch up with you later, Chloe," she said, smiling at her friend. "I'm sure you have other things to do."

Chloe nodded, then shot her HR guy a warning look before taking her leave. "See you later."

Beca moved across the room and took a seat in Robin's guest chair. "So, Beca," he said as he sat in his own chair. "It was a surprise to hear you were starting. Chloe doesn't normally bring on any personal hires."

The brunette nodded. "It was a surprise to me too when she offered me the position. Is that a problem?"

The man shook his head. "Oh no, not at all. Chloe has already discussed everything with me. You'll be joining a new team she's building, straddling the line between sales and contracts."

"That's right," the brunette nodded. "She feels that my experience at a previous job will be valuable."

Robin nodded and then opened his drawer to pull out an envelope. He slid its contents onto the desk, looked through them, then handed a page to Beca. This is your salary and benefit package. I understand that a portion of your net will be automatically paid to where you're living. That's already specified in this contract."

"That's correct," Beca said. Then she barely managed not to choke when she read through her compensation package. It was more than she'd expected, even with rent gone off the top. She suddenly wanted to have a conversation with Chloe about realistic rental costs in New York. Her friend was stiffing herself.

"Well," Robin went on. "The rest of this stuff is just standard employee handbook stuff. I'll let you take a copy home to read. If everything looks good, I just need your John Hancock and then I'll introduce you to your new boss to get you settled at a desk. You'll be reporting directly to Jesse Swanson, the COO."

The brunette tilted her head in surprise. "I'm reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer?"

"Yes, Chloe has Jesse heading up the team personally until it's fully established, and he can hand it off to someone else."

"Ok," Beca smiled. "Thanks, Robin." She plucked a pen out of the container on his desk and signed the contract, then slid it across the desk back to him.

"Excellent." The man got up. "Follow me."

Beca picked up her purse and jacket and followed Robin down the corridor, past Chloe's office where she was on a call, to Jesse's. The door was open, and the COO was sitting on his couch, reading through some documents as he sipped on a steaming cup of coffee. "Jesse?" The man looked up and smiled. "New hire Beca Mitchell for you."

"Thanks, Robin." Jesse got up, smile broadening as he came across the room to meet Beca and shake her hand. "Beca, so good to finally meet you. Chloe's told me about you."

"Oh," Beca said softly. "Really?" She wasn't sure how she felt about anyone at the office knowing she was formerly homeless.

"Yeah," the man went on. "She told me you're a veteran who served overseas and that you used to work for Franklin. She's eager to get our new team off the ground and she's hoping that your experience of Franklin's business model will help us determine how to beat their asses."

Jesse's open, frank face made Beca realize that Chloe hadn't told him about the homeless thing, and she was grateful for her friend's discretion. It also made her like him immediately. "Well, I'm all about a good competition," she replied. "And I'm eager to get started."

"Good," the COO replied. "Let's grab you a coffee and I'll show you your desk. I picked a good one for you and your MacBook and desk phone are set up. I have a big monitor ordered. It'll be here tomorrow."

They wandered through the office, Jesse showing Beca around, until they came to a desk in the back corner of a quiet area. "Here you go," the man said. "If you need stationery and stuff, Martha on reception can organize it. Anything else, just ask me and I'll point you in the right direction."

"Sounds good," the brunette nodded, setting her purse and coffee down on her new desk.

"When you're settled, I'd like to hit the ground running. Think you could document everything you remember about Franklin's processes. I'm not asking for state secrets, just an overview that we can start looking at?"

"Sure," Beca replied. "I'll lay it out as best I can remember." Then she opened the lid of her new MacBook. "Do you have a username and password for me?"

"Oh, right," Jesse grinned. "He pulled a sticky note out of his pocket and gave it to her. "It'll ask you to set a new password when you log in first time." He looked at his watch then. "I have a meeting, but do you have any more questions before I go?"

"I don't think so," the brunette replied. "I'll get on that process doc."

"Thanks, Beca. And welcome to Beale Advertising."

Xx

"Hey," Chloe said as she arrived at Beca's desk. "How's everything going? Settling in?"

Beca smiled widely. "Yeah, everything's great," she replied. "The staff is really nice."

"Yeah, they're a good bunch," Chloe sighed. "I'm lucky." She looked down then and held out her hand. "Listen, I um... I got you a little first day gift."

Beca's eyebrows lifted as she accepted the white box and then she smiled delightedly as she realized they were AirPods. "Chlo," she said. "You didn't have to do this."

"I know you love music," the redhead said softly. "But you can't play it here without earphones so..." She indicated the gift with a little wave.

Beca slowly stood and looked around to make sure they were alone before taking Chloe's hand and squeezing it gently. "I really want to hug you but that might be inappropriate at the office."

The executive giggled softly. "I can't be seen to be showing favoritism," she replied. "But if you save it for at home, I'll be more than happy to accept."

"It'll be the very top of my list of priorities," the brunette stated seriously but with a twinkle in her eye. "So... um... do you have time for lunch?"

Chloe frowned, shaking her head. "I'm afraid I don't. I've had a few things cross my desk this morning that I need to deal with. I'm really sorry, Becs."

Beca grinned as she started to pull the cellophane off her new earphones. "Shame on you! You'd think you had a whole company to run or something like that."

The redhead laughed and shook her head. "I'll see you later."

"Later, Chlo." Beca took her seat again, paired her AirPods with her phone and turned up the volume.

Xx

It was almost five and Chloe was just finishing a meeting when Jesse came storming into her office. "Where did you find this woman?!" he exclaimed, waving a printed document in the air.

"Uh..." Chloe chuckled. "I'm going to need a little more than that, Jess. Which woman are we referring to?"

"Beca!" he exclaimed. "Beca Effin' Mitchell!" He handed the pages to his boss, and she scanned through them, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"She's just justified my hire in her first document," she laughed. "Damn."

"I can already see where Franklin is lowering their costs. They're piling their new projects onto existing staff and infrastructure, so they don't have to charge extra for new hire expansion. Their staff MUST be suffering though, and I can't believe they're consistently making their targets with a workload like that!"

"Right?!" Chloe picked up her desk phone and dialed Beca's extension.

"This is Beca," the brunette's voice sounded down the line. The redhead felt a surge of something in her chest at hearing her friend's voice.

"Hey, it's Chloe. Can you come over here for a minute please?"

"Be right there."

A moment later, the veteran was taking a seat in front of Chloe, with Jesse standing off to one side.

"So," Chloe said, holding up the file. "This is incredible work, Beca. Jesse and I can already see the value in it."

Beca nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Good."

"Tomorrow, I want you to start looking at OUR business model and putting together a solid proposal on improvements we can make."

The brunette looked at Jesse, then back to Chloe. "Um... that's not exactly my expertise... um... are you sure you want ME to do that?"

Jesse nodded. "We're sure. Look, I know this isn't exactly your specialty," he said. "But this document is invaluable and, if you can learn our structure as well as you know theirs, and merge ours with the best parts of Franklin's, we might just be able to get an edge on them. Take as long as you need, Beca."

The CEO nodded her agreement. "Yeah, don't rush through it. Once you've finished the first pass, we can review and see where to go from there."

"Ok," Beca smiled. "I'll start first thing tomorrow. Thanks." Jesse squeezed her shoulder and then left for his own office.

"Ready to go home?" Chloe asked as she got up and stretched her back out.

"Yeah, I'm kinda tired," the veteran nodded. "I'd forgotten how brain intensive working can be. Busking is easier." She paused then. "Chloe, thanks for not telling anyone I was homeless."

"It's no one's business but yours," the executive replied with a wink. "I'll meet you at the elevator."

"Cool," Beca replied as she headed back to her desk.

XX

Beca cooked dinner for them that evening. She'd jokingly given her friend fair warning to have a fire extinguisher ready, but her omelets had actually turned out really well. After dinner, Chloe was cleaning up the kitchen when Beca came up behind her and tapped her shoulder. The redhead turned and the breath whooshed out of her at the look in the younger woman's eyes.

"I owe you a hug," Beca said, reaching out a hand to touch her friend's chest. "Can I give it to you now?"

"I'd love that," Chloe breathed, and her breath stuttered a little as Beca wrapped her arms around her and held her close. Then Beca's balance, not always reliable, caused her to rock forward and Chloe suddenly realized she was pinned against the island, as her hands drifted down the brunette's back.

"Sorry," Beca whispered as she slowly eased back but, when her eyes met Chloe's, she couldn't stop herself from lifting her hand to cup her cheek, caressing it gently. The redhead's eyes fluttered closed, and her lips parted as she exhaled but then Beca was pulling back. "I... I'll find something for us to watch on Netflix," she said softly, then fled to the living room where she thought she might actually be able to breathe again.

Chloe let out a little whimper and turned around, leaning her palms on the countertop as she tried to breathe through the throbbing between her thighs. Beca had made her feel that way and it was becoming harder to ignore the tension that was building between them. The redhead was beginning to think that maybe Beca could feel it too.

"Move your ass, Chlo!" the brunette called to her then. "It's getting late."

Chloe chuckled and shook her head, straightening and then heading into the living room to flop down on the sofa. "Thanks for the hug, Becs," she said, wanting to make sure there was no awkwardness between them. Beca smiled happily and Chloe felt comfortable enough to lean against her, taking her hand and playing with her fingers. "Great job today by the way."

"Thanks for having faith in me. I know this is important," the veteran replied. "I'll do my best."

Xx

One day turned into three weeks, and Chloe was packing for her trip to her cousin's wedding when Beca ambled into her room. "Got everything?" The brunette had received her first paycheck and had spent a little on some new clothes. She was wearing black skinny jeans and a red and black flannel over a black tank top. Chloe thought she looked adorable. And very gay.

"I think so," the redhead said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Then she sighed. "I kinda wish you were coming with me. You could pretend to be my girlfriend, so I don't have to field all the 'why are you not married already' related questions."

"I'm going to miss you," Beca replied. "But I promise to not burn the place down while you're gone."

Chloe laughed and moved closer to hug her. There had been a lot of hugs lately and Beca seemed to be more and more comfortable in them. "I know, Becs, but just in case, you know where the fire extinguishers are."

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Chloe frowned as she released her friend. "Who the hell could that be?" she murmured as she headed for the front door. But, when she pulled it open, her hand went to her mouth, and she immediately took several steps back. "What... what are you doing here, Jackie?"

"Chloe..." The redhead could tell that her ex was drunk, and she was immediately scared. "I had to see you. I miss you so much and I'm so sorry about everything. I want you back."

Chloe shook her head. "No, I want you out of my life," she said firmly. "You're violating an order or protection by coming here. I can call the police and have you arrested again."

Jackie stepped into the hallway with her hands raised. "Don't be like that, Chloe. You look amazing. We were amazing together and we can be amazing together again."

"Jackie, I need you to leave, right now," Chloe ordered. "I'm three seconds away from calling the cops."

The taller woman's face suddenly changed, and her lips twisted into a snarl. "Always so mightier than fucking thou, Chloe. Maybe I should knock that out of you!"

Chloe began to panic, but then a petite body was ducking in front of her, shielding her. "I'd like to see you try," Beca said quietly and menacingly.

"Stay out of this, whoever you are," Jackie stated. "Oh wait... let me guess. You're the new girlfriend. She's a great fuck, right?"

"Shut your mouth," Beca replied, body bristling. "Or I'll shut it for you."

The taller woman sneered. "I see the only thing you could get after me, Chlo, is a mini-cripple."

"You bitch!" Chloe exclaimed, one arm wrapping protectively around her friend's waist. "Beca is ten times the woman you are, Jackie. She's the most amazing person I've ever met. You're NOTHING compared to her."

"And you're LESS THAN NOTHING without me!" Jackie retorted and Beca suddenly had more than enough. She slipped out of Chloe's hold and lunged forward, grabbing the woman by the front of the shirt and slamming her against the wall. Then she stepped back, making a beckoning motion.

"You like to hit girls?" she growled. "Hit me." Then she ducked as the taller woman did just that and went in for a jab to her ribs at the same time. Jackie winced and then lunged again, catching Beca with an elbow to the nose that made her face bloody. But it barely phased the brunette, and she landed a solid blow to the bully's stomach, making her double over and then drop to her knees, wheezing hard. "You have ten seconds to get your ass out of here and if you EVER come back, I'll kick it all the way to eternity and back."

"Bitch," Jackie hissed, but she got to her feet and staggered out the door.

Beca slammed it behind her and then brought her fingers to her nose, wincing as they came away covered in blood. "Damn. I'm getting slow in my old age."

"Beca!" Chloe exclaimed, running to her and tilting her face upward. "Let me see!"

"It's ok," the brunette chuckled. "It's not the first time I've had a bloody nose. I'll survive." But she didn't resist when her friend took her hand and led her into the bathroom to sit her on the edge of the bathtub. Chloe wet a small hand towel under the cold-water faucet and gently cleaned the blood from Beca's lips and chin.

Then she pressed her forehead against her friend's and was quiet for a long span of breaths. "It's the first time someone has gotten a bloody nose... for me," the redhead finally murmured, looking into Beca's eyes as she ran her fingers down the brunette's face. "I'm just so sorry you got hurt."

"You're more than worth it," Beca whispered, eyes fluttering closed at the cool touch of her friend's fingertips.

"Look at me," Chloe murmured, needing to see those gorgeous eyes. "Please."

The brunette's eyes opened, and she covered Chloe's hand on her face with her own. "Chloe," she whispered. "I know we're… but I want..." She swallowed hard, somehow unable to get the words out.

"Sshhh... I know… me too," the redhead smiled. She tilted her head as Beca leaned closer and then they were kissing, tentatively at first but then with a deeper intensity that made them both moan into it.

Beca's fingers laced into Chloe's soft hair and held her there as she explored her lips and mouth, sucking gently on her tongue as the redhead took a shuddering breath. "God," Chloe gasped, then went back for more, pressing herself as close to Beca as she could without toppling them into the tub. But she unfortunately bumped Beca's nose harder than she'd intended, and the brunette pulled back with a pained wince.

"Ow," she said softly, but with a smile.

Chloe giggled, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry, Baby."

"I think I need an ice pack."

"It's broken, Becs. I think you need a hospital."

Beca just sighed.