A/N: These characters totally write themselves. NOTHING that happened in this chapter was planned. I swear. It all just... happened...

Chloe was a little nervous as she entered the theater through the backstage door, smiling at the bouncer who was keeping the fans behind a barrier. It was the first day of rehearsal for her new job and she took a breath to calm herself as she joined her fellow cast members for coffee and bagels in a meeting room backstage. She grinned to herself though, as the whole thing reminded her of the day, she'd first met Beca.

"Chloe Beale, right?" a man said as he joined her at the catering table.

"Yes, hi!" the redhead replied brightly. "You're Bruce MacKay, right?"

Right," Bruce nodded as he poured himself some coffee.

"And I'm Carrie Jenkins," a woman with blonde hair and shining green eyes added as she stepped up to them. "But everyone calls me Carrie."

"Ahhh... you beat me to your role. Congratulations," Chloe replied kindly as she shook the woman's hand.

"The hilarious thing is, I wanted YOUR role," Carrie laughed. "There's no accounting for casting agents' decisions." She paused then, looking Chloe up and down. "Although I see why they cast you as Thomasina. The fiery hair to go with the fiery personality of the character."

The redhead shrugged. "Maybe so."

"So where did you come from, Chloe Beale?" Bruce asked. "I don't remember seeing you at theater auditions before."

"No," Chloe said. "I'm kinda in that... change of career phase of my life. I haven't done theater in years."

"Oh," Carrie said. "And what did you do before this?"

Chloe paused a moment. At first, she didn't really know what to say but then she lifted her head and squared her jaw refusing to be ashamed of her career. "I worked in the adult entertainment industry for a decade," she said. "But it was time for a change, so I got myself a new agent and started auditioning for anything I could get my hands on. I ended up here."

Bruce and Carrie looked at each other. "Wow," the tall man said. "That's impressive."

"Yeah," the blonde added curiously. "I've never met an adult entertainer before. Did you like it?"

Chloe chuckled softly as she finished fixing her coffee and took a sip. "Well... for me, it was never about liking it. I was always just getting through it as best I could and getting paid."

"I mean... it must be kinda creepy, right?" Carrie went on. "People just standing around... watching." She shivered a little. "Did it not freak you out?"

The redhead shrugged. "I guess in the beginning it did, but I got used to it. After a while it becomes... I wouldn't say normal... but... usual maybe." Chloe decided to change the subject. "Do you both have a background in theater?"

"I do," Bruce replied. "I've done a few small TV parts but I kinda prefer being on stage."

"Me too," Carrie agreed. "I feel like I'm married to it in a way. I've done a few musicals too over the years."

"I'd love to do a musical," the redhead mused. "I think it'd be so fun."

"Oh, it totally is," the blonde nodded. "We should get together and trade stories..." She looked down with a coy smile. "Over dinner maybe?"

Chloe blinked and took a breath. "You know, that's a lovely offer, but I have a partner and little girl at home who need me in the evenings."

"Ahh," Carrie nodded. "Cool."

Bruce chuckled a little. "Toldja she was taken, Girl! She's been smitten since she saw you at the auditions, Chloe!"

"I'm flattered," the redhead grinned, then laughed as Carrie punched her friend's shoulder.

"Shut up, Brucie!"

And suddenly, Chloe's nerves were gone as she realized that the two leads in the play were as friendly and down to earth as she herself was.

Xx

"I TOLD YOU TO GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" Chloe roared, narrowed, angry blue eyes boring into Bruce. His surprise was so palpable that she laughed then and held up her hands. "Sorry, I probably should have warned you that was coming."

"No!" he replied with a grin. "That was terrifying and exactly what Thomasina would do."

It had been a long first day, but the cast were all wearing tired smiles as the director hopped up onto the stage, clapping enthusiastically. "Awesome, Chloe! That was exactly what I wanted. I want you to put your heart and soul into Tommy. I want you to BE her from your ears to your toes. I want you to FEEL her anger and indignation!"

The redhead chuckled, clearing her overused throat as she sipped from a bottle of water. She'd forgotten how taxing theater could be on the voice. Her character was also a very angry woman, so Chloe had spent a better part of the day yelling her head off.

"Thanks, Max. Oh hey... this section..." the actress held out her script and pointed to a few lines she'd circled. "I kinda feel like being softer here would be more menacing. It'll also save my voice a little."

Carrie moved closer to look at the lines too. "Yeah, actually, that's a good idea. Want to run them again?"

Max lifted his hands encouragingly, so Carrie, Bruce and Chloe reset to their marks.

"You always think you know best, Tommy! I'm sick of your damn attitude," the blonde actress began, pointing in Chloe's direction.

The redhead slowly moved toward her, narrowing her eyes as her nose lifted into a sneer. "That's because I DO know best, Willa," she said, voice raspy and menacing. "And I'm sick of having to carry your ass all the damn time. Financially AND emotionally." She got right into Carrie's face. "It's a good thing you're hot or I'd be gone so fast out that door, you..."

"Then leave! FUCKING LEAVE!" the blonde actress roared but Chloe just smirked and leaned in to peck her nose.

"You wouldn't last five minutes without me, Kitten."

Bruce couldn't help it. He burst into laughter, holding up his hands as Chloe grinned too. Carrie's mouth was hanging open. "Holy shit, your face!" the man pointed.

"That's not the line, Chloe," Max chuckled.

"Sorry," the redhead replied sheepishly. "It just popped out."

"Don't apologize," the director shrugged. "I actually like it better. Let's keep it in."

Chloe nodded and made a note on her script before sipping some more water.

At the back of the theater, enshrouded in shadow, Cynthia-Rose leaned against a pillar and just watched, a big smile spreading across her face.

Xx

"Oh my God, I'm so exhausted," Chloe whined as she heard Beca's voice on the other end of the phone. "Fucking for a camera is a breeze compared to all day on stage. My feet are killing me." She grinned as she heard the knowing snigger. "Shut up."

"I didn't say anything," Beca replied a little indignantly. "But... you loved it, right?"

"So much," the redhead sighed dreamily. "Best day ever!"

"And you're connecting with Thomasina?"

"She's so different than I am," the actress replied. "Like, night and day... but it's so fun to just let myself be someone else. She's angry and bitchy and petty and she's a womanizer too so it's been fun playing with that." she paused as she heard weird noises coming down the line. "Where are you, Becs?"

"Oh... nowhere," Beca replied cryptically. "Just chilling out, you know."

"Beca Mitchell, you're a terrible liar," Chloe stated as she heard glasses clinking. "Are you in a bar?"

"Uh... no," the brunette said. "Not at a bar."

Chloe reached the gates of her house and pulled into the driveway. "Oh shit, I forgot to stop at the grocery store."

"You've had a long day, Baby. The store can wait," Beca said softly.

"I guess you're right," the redhead agreed. "I just got home. I miss you, you know?"

"I miss you too, Love... uh... listen I've gotta go. I'll call you back in a little while."

"Ok," Chloe shrugged as she trotted up the steps to the front door. "Talk soon." She unlocked and pushed the door open, yawning as she stepped inside and then almost had a small heart attack when loud voices scared her to death.

"CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST DAY, MOMMY!"

Chloe's hand was pressed to her chest in shock, but a huge beaming smile lit her face when she realized what was happening. Beca, Bella, Dylan and Mari were in the foyer holding a huge congratulations sign covered in glitter and carefully drawn animals. Bella was sitting on her dad's shoulders and Beca was holding two champagne flutes.

"Oh my God, you guys!" the redhead exclaimed. "You did this for me?"

"We couldn't let your first day go by unmarked," Beca said, face a little pink. Chloe was looking at her like she'd hung the moon for her. "We made your favorite dinner."

Honestly, they could have made peanut butter sandwiches and Chloe would have loved them. She strode forward and pulled her family into a group hug, voice stolen with emotion. "You're so good to me," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

"No crying, Mommy!" Bella stated seriously. "This is a happy day."

"Yes, yes, Baby Girl it is," the redhead laughed. "I'm just crying because I'm so happy."

"Weirdo," Beca and Dylan said at the same time.

Chloe rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Ganging up on me, I see."

The brunette took her lover's hand and brought it to her lips to kiss it. "Why don't you take a bath while we put the finishing touches on dinner?"

Mari nodded. "You look tired, Honey. Did you have a good day?"

"The best," the actress beamed. "But yeah, I'm tired. I'll tell you all about it when I come down." She accepted a glass of champagne from Beca and took her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Come up with me for a minute?"

"Sure," the brunette shrugged. "Bella, no stealing the garlic bread while I'm gone!"

"Yes, Ma'am," the little girl replied dejectedly but her smile returned when her dad scooped her up into his arms.

"I'll make sure nothing goes missing," he winked, heading for the kitchen followed closely by Mari.

Beca and Chloe headed upstairs, and the brunette sat on the bed as her lover started the shower. "Not taking a bath?"

"No, takes too much time," Chloe replied with a smile as she shimmied out of her skinny jeans and pulled her sweater off over her head. But, instead of going back into the bathroom, she walked to Beca and slowly straddled her lap, pressing close to kiss her. "Thank you for the amazing homecoming." Beca's hands glided up her girlfriend's thighs to grasp her hips and pull her closer as their kiss deepened.

Chloe naked was a sight to behold... but Chloe in lingerie made Beca's mouth especially dry and robbed coherent thought from her.

And funnily enough, the redhead felt the same way about her girlfriend. There wasn't a single thing about the brunette that she didn't find sexy and all she wanted in that moment was to...

"MOMMY?!"

"Nooooooo..." Beca groaned softly, and the actress sniggered a little.

"Sorry, Baby, gonna have to keep it in your pants for now."

"I think it's too late for that," the brunette deadpanned but she let go when Chloe sighed and got up to find her child on the other side of the door.

"Yes, Baby Girl?" She picked Bella up and hugged her gently. "Need something?"

"Mommy, what's sex?"

Chloe blinked. "Uh... where did you hear that word, Bells?"

"I heard Grandma and Daddy talking. They said we should put the dinner in the oven to keep warm because... sex."

It took everything in the redhead to not laugh hysterically when she glanced at Beca and saw how hard she was blushing. "Well... you know what, Baby Girl? That's a grown-up thing that you're too young to learn about yet. I'll tell you all about it when the time is right."

"When will that be?" Bella asked impatiently.

"A lot more sleeps, Honey."

"Soooo," Beca interjected as she got up and plucked the little girl out of her mother's arms. "How about we go downstairs, Bells, and let Mommy shower... alone..."

"But..." Chloe began, wanting nothing more than to move their make out session to the shower but she sighed then and nodded. "I'll be down in ten."

Xx

She hadn't seen him. Even when he'd pulled up behind her at a traffic light. She'd been too busy talking on the phone. Probably to that bitch she was fucking. The bitch that had taken her away from him and left him with nothing. No movie, no job, no prospects.

Of COURSE she had a big beach house. Bitches like her were handed everything on a plate. She stuck her ass in the air and acted all coy and her fortune was handed to her. Of course it was. People like her used their looks to get everything they wanted.

But she'd be sorry. She'd be VERY sorry.

He watched through a pair of binoculars as Elektra carried a bowl of salad out to the patio table and sat next to a little red-headed girl. She put some salad on the girl's plate and then kissed her head, surprising him. He hadn't known she had a kid. Now a new plan was forming in his mind.

Revenge.

Xx

And in a snap of her fingers, eight weeks had passed, and it was opening night. Chloe was backstage, thrumming with energy and she was already sweating inside Tommy's leather pants. Her hair was flowing free, and her eye makeup was especially heavy, making her feel like somewhat of a clown. She chuckled at that and shook her head. Carrie had warned her about how different it would feel when she was in costume, but the dress rehearsals hadn't quite prepared her for the oppressive heat of the lights and air with a full audience. It was nothing like an air-conditioned movie set.

"You ok?" Bruce asked as he barreled by, heading for his first mark.

"Just terrified," she called after him with a grin.

"You're gonna be great!" she heard him yell and she couldn't help but laugh as a feeling of pure joy rose in her chest.

"You too!"

Chloe took a moment to peek out through the curtain. The cast's families were in the audience for opening night, including her own, and she felt a little thrill when she saw Beca, Mari and Dylan waiting for the curtain to lift. Even Beca's mom had congratulated her, and they'd finally been able to meet over Zoom. It had been a little awkward, since Beca hadn't told her mother until a couple of days before that she was dating a woman now, but after a few moments of sizing each other up, they'd decided they'd liked each other. Chloe could also see where Beca got her sarcastic sense of humor.

She was startled out of her reverie when Max stopped center stage and clapped his hands. "Five minutes, folks," he said. "Everyone, break a leg. Take your marks!"

The cast cheered and then got into position. Chloe's heart was pounding in her chest. She was in the first scene. She was terrified. She couldn't remember her lines... she looked up at the roof of the theater and prayed to the heavens that she wouldn't make a fool of herself.

The curtain lifted to sedate applause.

"GOODDAMN IT, TOMMY! I TOLD YOU WE'RE OVER!" Carrie roared from her mark onstage. And then Chloe was moving, legs carrying her forward onto the stage as she became Thomasina Munroe.

"That's not what your pussy told me last night," she purred as she drew the blonde closer by the chin and smirked at her. "It was begging me to NEVER stop."

The audience sniggered.

"Fuck you, Tommy..."

Beca was lost. From her seat she watched, spellbound, as Chloe and the cast weaved the magic of the play and, at the end, joined the audience in giving them a standing ovation.

The redhead moved center stage to take her bow and, what were whoops and whistles became screams and stomping of feet. Beca smiled as she saw tears of joy slowly trickle down her girlfriend's cheeks while she stepped back to let Bruce and Carrie take their bows.

Xx

"Oh my God!" Chloe squealed as Beca appeared at her dressing room door. "Did you see that?! Did you see how amazing everyone was, Beca?!"

"I saw how amazing YOU were," the brunette replied with a sweet smile that only broadened when she was suddenly hugging a very sweaty redhead. "That was fantastic, Chlo. Just..." Beca shook her head. "I'm blown away."

"You're not just saying that because it's me, right?" Chloe asked.

"No," the younger woman replied. "I'm saying it because it's true. You, Carrie, Bruce, Dwight, Sharonda... Baby, it was brilliant."

Just then there was a knock at the door, and it burst open to reveal Bruce and Carrie who were jumping up and down with bottles of champagne in their hands. "Chloe Chloe Chloe Chloe!" they chanted.

Chloe laughed and ushered them inside, taking a bottle and downing a few swallows right from its neck before offering it to Beca. "I feel like my heart is about to explode!"

"Oh my God!" Carrie exclaimed. "Chlo! You totally saved my ass out there."

The redhead scoffed lightly. "It was two lines, Car, and it made just as much sense for Tommy to say them. No biggie."

The blonde actress shook her head. "That's not the point, Chloe. You had my back and I really appreciate it."

Beca's chest was aching with pride and even more so when Chloe pulled her forward by the hand. "Guys, meet Beca, the love of my life."

"Awwww..." Bruce grinned. "We've heard a lot about you, Beca Mitchell. It's so nice to finally put the name to a face! I'm Bruce and this is Carrie." He looked at Chloe then. "And you, Miss Beale, were certainly not kidding about how gorgeous this one is. When you gonna put a ring on it?!"

"Uh..." Chloe swallowed and looked away. "I... uh..." She rubbed the back of her neck and chanced a peek at her girlfriend, who was looking at her with a smirk.

"Ooohhh..." Carrie teased. "Might wanna think about that, Chlo, before..." She looked Beca up and down. "Someone else steals her away."

"Shut up and get out of my dressing room," Chloe exclaimed, pushing them both playfully out the door. "I need to get changed."

They left in fits of giggles and the redhead sighed as she shut the door behind them. "Sorry about them," she said as she shook her head. Then she turned, only to find Beca down on one knee with a small black box nestled in her palm and the most hopeful expression in the world on her face. Chloe's hand flew to her mouth in shock. Her girlfriend didn't even realize she was kneeling before a backdrop of all the flowers Chloe had received.

"I... I know we haven't really talked about it, Baby," the brunette said softly. "But I've been carrying this around for a few weeks now and..."

"Yes," Chloe said, nodding hard. "Baby, yes."

"Will you really?" Beca asked, a little surprised. "Marry me?"

"YES!" the redhead stood still long enough to let her lover slide the gorgeous diamond onto her finger before diving on her and kissing her to within an inch of her life. "A billion times yes!"

"Well... good," Beca replied. "'Cos that would have been really embarrassing otherwise."

"You're such a dork," Chloe affectionately added. "And I love you so much." She glanced over at her purse where, unbeknownst to anyone except for Dylan, an engagement ring she'd bought for Beca was squirreled away in a zipped pocket.

Beca was right. They hadn't talked about it, but it seemed like they were both still somehow on the same page and they came together for a kiss full of promise that deepened into one of passion until a knock on the door made them ease apart and press their foreheads together.

"Come in," Chloe said dreamily as she looked into her lover's eyes, then grinned as she held up her hand to show her ring to her mom and Dylan. "Look, Mama!"

Dylan ambled across the room and slapped Beca on the back. "Nice! Good job, Dude."

"Thanks, Dude," Beca grinned. "She said yes."

"So, I see."

At the mirror Chloe and her mom were squealing and hugging each other. Then Beca squeaked as she was swept into Mari's arms for a hug that squeezed the air out of her. "I'm so glad you're part of this family," she said quietly into Beca's ear, and her breath hitched. "So, so glad."

"Me too," Beca whispered back. "Thank you for making me feel so welcome."

The redhead had picked up the bottle of champagne again and she was swigging from it with enthusiasm. "Holy shit," she said as she swallowed. "Forget the rest, THIS is totes the best day ever!"

"Yeah," Beca replied as they laced their fingers together. "Yeah, it totes is."