It was three in the morning. Chloe flopped into her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose and then sighing as Jesse groaned tiredly.

'I don't know if we can do this, Chlo," he said. "We've been through everything twenty times."

Across the room, Brett Elliott, the account manager Jesse had assigned to the Steele IronWorks bid, shook his head. "There HAS to be something to close this. We're SO close, Guys."

Beca came back from the bathroom, catching the tail end of the conversation, and she sighed as she took her seat again. "There IS something," she said, lacing her fingers together on her stomach as she kicked her legs out. "But you're not going to like it."

Chloe sighed. "I know what you're going to say, Beca."

Jesse looked back and forth between them, eyebrow raised. "What?"

The redhead shook her head, then tipped it back against her seat "We have to beat Franklin's bid and eat the shortfall."

Beca nodded. "If we don't win the bid, we can't proof the method and we'll have no way to get more business if it's not proven. Steele is really giving us an opportunity here." She got up and paced slowly, full of restless energy, despite her exhaustion. "We might be able to cost-save as we go through the process but, Guys, we have to prove that we can deliver one hundred percent on time, or we have nothing over any other advertising company."

"What's the shortfall, Brett?" Jesse asked.

The man sighed. "Since we've added the two new headcount and changed the billing, it's not... terrible," he said. "Seventy thousand... but it'll show up in payroll."

"I'll cover it," Chloe said quietly. Everyone just blinked silently at her. "Don't worry, I'm a trust fund kid," she added but, despite the smile on her lips, her eyes were troubled.

Jesse tapped his fingertips on the arm of his chair for a moment, then looked at Beca and Brett. "Guys, could you give Chloe and me the room for a few minutes please?"

Their colleagues left them alone and after a few moments of silence, Chloe got up and began slowly pacing. "Remind me what I said about my money when we started all this?"

Jesse nodded. "You said you'd use your family's money once. Then we'd be on our own."

Chloe nodded. "Jesse, we've worked hard and we're successful and profitable. I wanted to prove to my dad that I could be someone without relying on my trust fund and I have. WE have." She wrapped her arms around her middle and looked down. "I've been thinking lately that... maybe it would be ok to slow down a little, to enjoy life a little more after busting my ass for the last decade, and if my trust fund can help..."

Jesse smiled. "You're really and truly in love with her," he said.

Pale blue eyes looked up in surprise. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Your priorities are beginning to shift, Chlo. And that's a good thing." He got up and put his arms around her, hugging her gently and kissing her forehead. "But... when you and Beca get married, I call dibs on best man."

Chloe swallowed hard, eyes spilling sudden tears. "I wouldn't have it any other way." They eased apart then, and the CEO nodded firmly, wiping at her cheeks. "Let's enter the bid as it is and let's prove that this methodology works."

Jesse grinned broadly. "Yes, Boss!"

Xx

"I signed and picked up those legal documents from Aubrey this afternoon," Beca said softly as she massaged Chloe's shoulders. It was almost five and they'd just gotten home from the office. The sky was already beginning to lighten from its pin-pricked, inky blackness and they knew they should go to sleep but, for some reason, neither was ready.

"Mmmm..." the redhead replied, eyes closed, and body relaxed.

"I... um... I don't want there to be any surprises, so I just want you to know that I left everything I have to you. Don't say anything though, ok? I just... I did and it's done and... that's it."

She felt a little chuckle run through her partner's body. "Ok, Becs." The brunette stopped massaging for a moment, then went back to it. "How 'bout them Yankees," Chloe added. "Or wait... are you a Mets fan?"

Beca sighed. "Ok, fine, you win."

Chloe flipped over to look up at her girlfriend lovingly and Beca couldn't help but lean down to drop kisses along the soft curve of her breast. The redhead's fingers carded softly through her dark hair. "Why?" she asked quietly.

Beca didn't answer for a moment but then finally lifted her head. "I'm a marine," she said, as if that explained everything.

"Mmmm..." Chloe replied, eyebrows lifted as she captured her bottom lip between her teeth. "I see. Now what's the real reason?"

"Chloe..." Beca groaned. "I just did, ok?"

"Mmmm..." the redhead said again. "But you know, Becs, if you and I get married someday, our assets will automatically go to each other when we die."

"You... you think about stuff like that?" Beca asked, nervously.

Chloe smiled and pulled her down for a gentle kiss. "I do. I'm not getting any younger, you know. I'm already thirty-one."

Beca knew that her lover was trying to make her feel more at ease and she laughed softly. "Ok, Grandma," she said, then yelped as she got her butt pinched for her trouble. "Hey!"

"Hey yourself," the redhead grinned. "You're wearing a shirt. I don't like that."

"I know," the veteran replied. She lifted her top off over her head, then sprawled over her girlfriend's chest. She was quiet for a moment, then lifted her head a little. "I think about stuff like that too."

"Mmmm..." Chloe smiled as she ran her fingertips over Beca's marine tattoo. "Is it still too soon to talk about marriage, Baby?" She was only half joking.

"Yeah, it is," Beca replied. "I... I love you so much, Chlo, but I need to work some stuff out before we go there. And I don't know how long it's going to take."

"There's no rush," the executive smiled. "It's not like I'm going anywhere."

"That's why," the brunette said softly.

Red eyebrows lifted. "Why what, Babe?"

"Why I wanted to do the legal stuff. We never really know if or when we're going to die and... if something happens to me before we have a chance to plan our future. I want what's mine to be yours."

The mood turned somber, and Chloe rubbed up and down Beca's back gently as she thought about that. "Do you worry about that" she asked then. "Dying, I mean?" A little snort was her reply. "Sorry, Becs, stupid question."

"No, not stupid," the veteran said. "It's just, I've been shot, stabbed, strangled and blown up… and that doesn't even include what happened to me when I was living on the street. I don't think the thought of dying scares me much anymore." She looked at Chloe then, caressing her collarbone. "The thought of losing you scares me so much more."

Their lips met then, and they kissed gently but they were both too tired to go any further, and they fell asleep in each other's arms as the sun began to rise over the Manhattan skyline.

Xx

"Aunt Chloeeeeeeeee!" Bella screeched as she opened the front door and wrapped herself around her godmother's legs.

Beca had to help Chloe catch her balance for a moment but then she leaned down to pick the little girl up and kiss her cheek. "Hey, Bella, how are you?" Chloe asked, with a grin. "You get prettier every time I see you."

But Bella had something more important on her mind. "Aunt Beca," she said a little shyly. "Are you the Bionic Woman?"

Beca and Chloe exchanged a look. "I sure am," the brunette replied. She set the little girl down and then lifted the leg of her jeans, knocking on the titanium rod of her prosthetic with her knuckles.

"How does she know who the Bionic woman is?" Chloe muttered. "That's before even our time."

"My dad watches reruns with her," Stacie said, grinning as she pushed off the door jamb, she was leaning against, to hug her friends in turn.

"Can you jump really high and run really fast, Aunt Beca?" Bella was asking and Beca winked over her shoulder as she carried the little one into the kitchen.

"I can… but I can't show you because it's top secret."

"Will the IADC put you in prison?" the little girl asked.

Beca grinned. "Pretty sure that's Wonder Woman's organization, but sure. It's all top secret."

Stacie smiled as she turned back to Chloe. "She's absolutely adorable," she said quietly. "Bella loves her."

"She's great with kids," the redhead replied, a dopey smile on her face.

"How's the sex?" the leggy-brunette asked.

"Incredible," Chloe admitted. "No complaints."

"Even with the prosthetic?"

The executive knew that her friend didn't mean any disrespect, but still, it didn't sit well with her. "I… I'd rather not talk about that," she said quietly. "It's personal… to Beca and I both."

"Of course," Stacie said immediately. "So, what can I get you to drink?"

They headed into the kitchen where Beca was sitting at the table, coloring with Bella. "Red wine would be good please," Chloe replied. "Becs, drink?"

"Just a soda for Bella and me please," the veteran replied. "We have to be of sound mind and body so we can color inside the lines."

Bella giggled and Beca kissed her temple before going back to her picture. Chloe was leaning against the island counter, watching them grinning with their heads together and unexpected tears filled her eyes.

"Hey, you ok?" Stacie asked softly as she handed her a large wine glass.

The executive smiled softly and sniffled. "Yeah… I'm… In awe of her, I guess. She's been through a lot in her life and she's still… amazing." Beca eyes turned to her, and she frowned in concern, but Chloe just held up her hand and smiled. The brunette nodded and went back to her drawing again. "I never thought I'd find someone who loves me as much I love them."

"You gonna introduce her to your parents?" the taller woman asked.

"Yeah," Chloe replied. "We're going for Christmas."

"Nervous?" Stacie asked.

"Hell yeah," Chloe replied. "Beca's a marine and she's tough as nails… but she'll have a real adversary in my mother."

Just then Aubrey came into the kitchen, dropping her purse on the island counter. "Hi, Family, what are we talking about?"

Beca chuckled, coloring Captain America's helmet. "Hydra."

Everyone's eyebrows shot up and Chloe laughed. "My mother," she clarified. "And apparently, my girlfriend has much better ears than I realized."

"Nah," Beca chuckled. "I just heard the tail end when MiniPosen here got to the end of her story." Chloe brought her glass to the table and stole a crayon to color in a section of her lover's drawing. Stacie brought the rest of the drinks and they all sat together talking as they colored. "This is really relaxing," Beca said softly. "I used to do this as part of my therapy when I got back from Afghanistan. I might try it again." She winced then and leaned down to rub her leg. "Damn, I really need to get this thing checked."

"You can take it off if you want to," Aubrey said with a shrug. "You're with family."

The veteran looked at her girlfriend, who nodded her reassurance with a smile.

"Are you sure?" the veteran asked her friends.

"Of course, Becs," Stacie added.

"Thanks." Beca pushed her chair out and pulled up her pants leg to detach the socket from her residual limb, immediately sighing in relief.

Chloe leaned down and rolled her sock off to look at the base of her leg. Then her eyes widened. "Um… Baby… it looks like this socket is too small. See the ridges at the base of your leg?"

Beca looked down at where Chloe was pointing, and she began to laugh. "Oh my God."

"What?" the redhead asked.

"That's because it IS too small. I'm an idiot."

Chloe shook her head. "I don't understand."

"Chlo, remember a couple of weeks ago, I had to buy new clothes because the original stuff we bought was too small?"

Understanding dawned across the executive's face. "Oh my God," she laughed.

Stacie and Aubrey looked at each other in confusion.

"When I met Chloe," Beca explained. "I was grossly underweight from living on the street. Living with her and having three squares a day has brought me back to a normal weight for my height. My socket is too snug for my thigh now."

"Aahhh," Aubrey said. "You need to get it adjusted."

"Bingo," the veteran nodded. She rubbed her leg and then showed her prosthetic to Bella. "See? Bionic Woman."

The little girl blinked. "But the Bionic woman can't take her legs off. Why can you?"

Beca leaned closer to her to whisper. "Because I'm COOLER than the Bionic Woman." Bella giggled and went back to her coloring.

Xx

"They're such a beautiful family," Beca said softly as she and Chloe strolled in the park near to their home. Beca had left her prosthetic at home and was using a crutch instead, holding Chloe's hand with her free one.

"They are," the redhead agreed.

"Chloe," the veteran said then. "Why were you crying earlier? Is something wrong?"

Chloe smiled and shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, Baby. I was just a little overwhelmed." She saw Beca's face fall and stopped them walking to ease her back against a tree and kiss her gently. "I'm not hiding anything. I was just having a moment, Becs. I had a moment where I could see a future for us where you're sitting at a table coloring with OUR kids… and it made me happy and a little weepy."

"Mmm…" the brunette nodded. "My therapist asked me about you today." She grinned a little. "I guess I talk about you a lot."

Chloe smiled as they started walking again. "Am I allowed to ask what you talked about?"

"How amazing you are in bed," Beca deadpanned, then laughed as Chloe blushed a little.

"Becs…" she whined.

"Just kidding," the brunette chuckled. "She asked if… if I'm able to perform in the bedroom."

Light blue eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah," the veteran nodded. "It's not just guys who come back from war with sexual dysfunction." Chloe felt a little off-balance as her lover went on. "There are women who come back from combat with an aversion to being touched. I'm one of the lucky ones. Despite everything I went through, it was always with men. I don't have any problems with being touched by a woman."

"Mmm..." Chloe nodded, not wholly sure where this train of thought was going and decided to wait for Beca to get it out.

"She asked me if I wanted to have kids."

Chloe held her breath.

"After I said duuuh," the veteran grinned. "She asked me if I wanted to have kids with you."

"And?" the redhead asked.

"Do you have any doubt that I do, Baby?"

Chloe paused at a bench and sat down. "We both said we wanted to have kids in the future," she said. "We didn't really discuss having them together."

Beca moved closer to her girlfriend and tilted her chin up so she could look at her eyes. "I want to have kids with you, Chloe," she said softly. "I love you."

The redhead smiled, reaching out to tug a little on the waistband of her lover's jeans. "You don't feel like we're moving too fast or anything, do you? I know we still haven't been together that long."

The veteran frowned and inched back a little on her crutch. "You know what?" she said. "Let me tell you something I've learned the hard way, Chloe Beale. I've almost died several times at this point in my life and all it's done is reiterate for me how SHORT life can be... how impermanent love can be... how... how... you can lose people before you've had a chance to really love them. Carla and I didn't get..." Beca stopped suddenly and looked down.

Chloe slowly got up and pressed her hands to Beca's neck, running her thumbs gently along her clenched jaw. "You don't talk about her," she said softly. "Why?"

Dark blue eyes slowly lifted. "Um..."

The redhead nodded encouragingly. "You can, if you want to. Just because you love her doesn't mean you love me any less. I know that."

The veteran sat on the bench and Chloe settled next to her, their fingers intertwined in her lap. "Carla was nothing like you," she began slowly. "She'd been living on the streets for years when I met her and it kinda started with her just... you know... showing me the ropes and making sure neither of us starved." She chuckled softly. "She had this way of talking people out of calling the cops when she was caught stealing. She was charismatic, but she was also... hard. She had this edge to her that could be really scary and a couple of times, I had to stop her from really hurting someone."

"Wow, if you think that, I probably would have found her terrifying," Chloe chuckled.

"She would have hated you, Chlo," Beca laughed. "And you would have hated her right back."

"Why?" the redhead asked.

"Because she would have immediately jumped to the conclusion that you were a spoiled, entitled bitch."

"Oh... kinda like you did?" the executive teased.

"Exactly like I did," Beca replied sheepishly. "But it only took me a couple of days to realize how wrong I was. She wouldn't have even bothered sticking around to find out." They laughed a little, then Beca sobered again. "I didn't even know she was diabetic in the beginning," she said. "She had a medical card of some sort and now and again, she'd go away and come back with enough meds to tide her over. Eventually she told me what was going on and how she was turning tricks to save enough every month for her insulin."

Chloe's eyebrows drew together. "She was..."

"Having sex for money, yes," the veteran said a little louder. "But she couldn't see any other way. I was always so scared for her."

"I bet," her girlfriend said. "I would have been franticly worried."

"I got tested," Beca said suddenly.

Chloe blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Before... when I first moved into your place... before we were together... before we even had our first kiss... I got tested, Chlo. I wanted to make sure... since I'd had to... um..."

The redhead's eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around her lover, hugging her hard. "God, Becs."

"I wouldn't have started... this... anything... with you if they'd found anything wrong." Chloe just nodded against her cheek, then kissed her gently on the lips. The veteran cleared her throat. "So anyway, one day, Carla couldn't get out of bed. She was feeling really bad and... then she was vomiting, and I had someone call an ambulance for her. The doctor told me it was ketoacidosis and that she was in a coma." A single tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped at it. "She died a week later. Her body just couldn't bounce back. I walked away from the hospital and left her there, Chlo." Beca's breath hitched. "I couldn't bury her, I couldn't..." Her face crumpled into tears. "I had to leave her."

"Baby, I'm so sorry," Chloe whispered. She was crying too and she stroked the veteran's hair gently and just held her until she felt her tears and shaking ease.

"Wow, sorry, Dude," Beca said then as she wiped her face and shook her head. "Didn't mean to cry all over you like that."

The executive smiled and pulled out her trusty pack of tissues to pass a couple to her lover. "Stop that now," she said. "Crying is cathartic."

"Crying messes up your makeup... and you know how long it takes me to get this eyeliner just right," Beca deadpanned, already feeling a little better. Then she smiled softly. "Thanks for listening, Chlo."

"I'm always here," the redhead replied. "You wanna stay here a little longer or go home and crash?"

Beca looked up at the sky as she laced her fingers with her girlfriend's again. The stars seemed brighter than normal... as though they were twinkling just for them. "Could we maybe just stay here a little longer? The stars are almost as beautiful as you."

Chloe melted into a puddle of goo and snuggled closer to her lover, resting her head on her shoulder. "Mmmm..." she murmured. "And I'm almost as beautiful as you."