A/N: Hi, Friends! I had a fantastic vacation but I'm back now and raring to go!

I'm also super stoked about taking part in this year's brand new Pitch Perfect SpookFest event! Details of the winning prompts below! (I've already written my first one! Hehe!)

pitch-perfect-spookfest/696474496889241600/pitch-perfect-spookfest-2022-official-prompts

Chloe was pacing, anxious energy coursing through her as she waited for Dylan to come back with the money. Beca was in the kitchen making food, mostly just for something to keep her busy, but the redhead didn't think she'd be able to eat. Her stomach was still nauseated and the spots on her fingers she'd been worrying, were distractingly painful at this point.

"I'm sorry," Mari said softly from behind her. "I should never have left her alone."

Chloe's eyes closed slowly, and she shook her head. "No," she said. "This is my fault. I should have been here. I've been so caught up in my own life lately, I..."

"Chloe," Mari said firmly. "Don't even go there." She came around her daughter so she could see her eyes. "Listen to me. You. Are. An. Amazing. Mother. But you also deserve happiness for yourself. Do you have any idea how much more joy we've all had in our lives since Beca came into it? And since you got your new job? You've been happy, Chloe; happier than I've ever seen you and you deserve that."

Beca was coming into the room, but she stopped and about-faced when she caught some of the private conversation.

"But Bella..."

"Bella's happy too. She has a village to love her. None of this is our fault, Chloe. This is THAT MAN's fault and we're going to make him pay."

"Beca's going to eviscerate him and I'm going to help her hide the body," Chloe said, wiping tears from her cheeks. She was only half-joking.

"Count me in," Mari chuckled as she took her daughter into her arms to hold her. "I'll drive the van."

"Thanks, Mom," Chloe replied, swaying them gently. "Thank you for always being here."

They were quiet for a moment, then Mari smiled gently. "So, Beca's going to be moving in, right?"

The redhead eased back a little. "Yeah, is that ok?"

"Of course it's ok," Mari said but then she glanced away. "Do you... um... do you want me to move out? Get a place of my own?"

Chloe blinked. "I don't want you to go, Mom," she said seriously. "But I'd also understand if you wanted to have your own place. What would YOU like to do?"

"I want to stay here with you," Mari smiled. "But I was thinking... you and Beca need privacy so, what if I moved into the guest house."

Chloe blinked. The guest house was a small cottage-style property on her land, close to the house and beach, that she hadn't had a need to renovate up to this point. "That's actually a great idea," she said. "And I can convert your room here in the house into an office for Beca."

"Dylan's back," Beca interrupted quietly as she came into the room. "He has the money."

"Good," Chloe nodded. "Now we just have to wait for Armie to call with the drop location."

Agent Michaels was pacing in the hallway, phone glued to her ear as Bella's dad dropped the bag on the table with a disgusted snort. "To think that a million dollars is all he thinks our daughter is worth," he said, clearly upset. "I would have paid ten times that."

"Be glad it's only a million. We don't have ten," Chloe said softly, rubbing his shoulder. "Not even between the two of us."

"I know," Dylan huffed. "But I would have found a way."

The actress gently held his face between her hands, looking into his eyes. "You're a really great dad," she said and then hugged him as he crumpled into tears. "I'm going to get her back, Dylan, I promise."

After a moment, he wiped his face and drew back, clearing his throat in a manly way that made Beca smile. "I know you will," he said.

Beca smiled as she rubbed the man's back gently. "There's eggs and toast if anyone's hungry. You too, Michaels." The agent was leaning against the door jamb, tapping her phone against her cheek.

Chloe nodded. "Thanks, Becs." She led the family into the kitchen, then took a seat at the island to pour some coffee for everyone and pass around the big bowl of scrambled eggs, the brunette had made. The meal was largely quiet, each one of them lost in their own thoughts and fear and, when Chloe's phone rang from an unknown number, you could have heard a pin drop.

"Ok," Michaels said. "Remember, speaker and keep calm. We just need to get the information so we can get rolling."

"Right," the redhead replied. She answered the call, set her phone to speaker and then carefully laid the device on the counter with shaking hands. "This is Chloe."

"I like how you didn't keep me waiting," Armie purred. "Maybe you do care something about me after all."

Chloe's lips pressed together in a terse line but then she took a breath. "I care about you because I care about having Bella home," she replied honestly.

Armie laughed but didn't comment on that. "Do you have the money?" he asked instead.

"Yes."

"Good. I want you to bring it to the soundstage where we were filming the movie." They all looked at each other in surprise. "Come alone. No cops. I'll be watching and when I'm satisfied that you're alone, I'll bring your kid to you."

"Ok," Chloe agreed with a nod.

"And when you get to the studio, get naked before you come inside. That way I'll know you don't have any weapons or wires on you."

Beca and Dylan bristled angrily, but the redhead just gave them a little terse smile. "Agreed. I'll do as you say."

"Three o'clock, Elektra. Don't be late... or little Bella will pay the price."

Chloe looked at her watch and immediately got to her feet. It was already two. "I'll be there."

Armie simply hung up and Michaels was immediately on the phone to relay the information to the SWAT team.

Beca followed Chloe as she headed to the bedroom to change. "What can I do?" she asked, anxiously wringing her hands.

The actress smiled a little. "You're already doing what I need," she said. "Just keep being you."

That didn't make a lick of sense to the brunette, but she trusted Chloe and just nodded. "Ok."

Ten minutes later, Chloe was ready, and Agent Michaels was speaking to her, making sure she understood what would be happening.

"This necklace," the agent said, fastening a chain around the redhead's neck. "Has a camera in the gemstone but there's no microphone, so I'm going to have you wear an earpiece." She took a tiny device out of a box and helped Chloe fit it into her ear. "I'll be able to hear you and you'll be able to hear me, but Ginko will be none the wiser."

"So, I can just speak at a normal level, and you'll be able to hear, right?"

"Yeah, just pretend like it's not there. I'll try to keep my instructions to a minimum, so you're not distracted."

"Ok," the actress agreed. "How far away will you be?"

"We'll have lookouts discreetly watching the building. As soon as we see Armie and Bella go inside, we'll surround it. We'll be max 30 seconds away from you."

"Ok," Chloe nodded again. "We should get going."

Michaels agreed and, moments later, they were speeding toward the soundstage, Beca holding Chloe's hand in the back of the unmarked FBI SUV. The bag of money was at the redhead's feet.

At the studio gate, they got out of the car and the women exchanged a kiss. "Be careful," Beca whispered, pressing her forehead to her lover's and then hugging her hard. "I love you."

"I love you too," Chloe smiled, then watched as the car drove away, leaving her alone. She walked the rest of the way to the studio and then set the duffle down as she stepped inside. She took a deep breath and pulled off her t-shirt and shorts to drop them on the floor. It was chilly in the big building, and she shivered a little as she picked the duffle up and looked around.

Chloe was scared, her body trembling as her mind ran through all the possibilities of what could go wrong, but then she squared her shoulders and her jaw before walking further into the building, money clutched tightly to her in an attempt at protecting herself.

Good job Chloe heard in her ear. Just try to stay calm and move slowly so we can get a good look at what's around you.

The redhead padded almost silently further into the space, looking around as she went. The soundstage was obviously not being used currently, and it had been stripped of sets and furniture pieces. It was dim and eerie.

"Guess we know you can follow instructions," a booming voice said, making Chloe jump and whirl around. "I've missed that hot ass of yours."

The actress scowled, disgusted at the leering expression on Armie's face as he looked her up and down. "I wish I could say I was flattered." She looked around then. "Where's my daughter?"

"She's safe," the man said, pacing slowly around her. "I take it that's the money?"

Chloe nodded as she dropped the duffle and took a step back, instinctively covering her nakedness with her arms. "It's all there. Now give me my kid."

Armie chuckled softly as he moved to close the distance between them. "Not so fast. You didn't think you were getting away that easily, did you? Not after you got me fired."

The actress hadn't thought it would be easy at all, but she tilted her head in question anyway. "What do you mean? You got yourself fired, Bud. I didn't make any decisions."

Back away, Chloe. Keep out of his reach.

"All of this could have been avoided you know, if you'd just stayed away from that... bitch."

Chloe bristled but managed to stay calm. "Give me my daughter, Armando."

"I like when you say my name like that." Armie's hand dropped to rub his crotch and Chloe's fear ratcheted higher. "Let me fuck you, Elektra, and you can have your kid back."

Chloe swallowed hard and kept backing up. "That wasn't the deal."

The kidnapper stopped walking and his face grew hard. "Let me fuck you or I'll fuck her instead." The redhead was horrified, and her stomach turned over as her entire body froze with terror. "She's a sweet little thing."

"Fuck you," Chloe growled. "If you touch one hair on her head, I WILL KILL YOU."

Chloe, we still don't have eyes on Bella. She must already be in the building. Can you persuade him to bring her out?"

The actress took a breath and looked down, shaking her head. Then she lifted her hands slowly. "Look... give me my daughter and I'll give you whatever you want. I'll have sex with you." She swallowed hard. "Willingly."

"Huh, I didn't think you'd give it up that easily," the kidnapper scoffed. "I'm almost disappointed."

But Chloe's blue eyes just bored into him. "Do you think there's a single thing I would not do for my child? I would give my LIFE for hers."

Armie laughed, tutting as he moved closer to her again. "So dramatic, Jesus. Fine! I'll bring her out. Stay here and be good... or I'll make her watch."

"You fu..." The redhead bit her tongue and waited as he ducked behind a set piece leaning against the wall and quickly returned, dragging Bella by the arm. Her hands were tied, and she was gagged, her face streaked with dirt and tears.

"Oh my God!" Chloe exclaimed, holding out her arms as Armie pulled the gag out of the little girl's mouth.

"MOMMY!" Bella screamed, trying to run to her, but the kidnapper just held her tightly.

"Nuh uh, Little Bella," he said, eyes locked on his prey. "Mommy has something to do before it's time to go home."

"Please..." Chloe said, tears creeping down her face. "Please, just let her go."

Chloe, we have everything we need. We're coming in! Thirty seconds!

"Come here," Armie ordered as he shoved the gag back into the little girl's mouth and pushed her back behind the set piece. The redhead could see the bulge in his jeans, and she was repulsed, but she moved closer to him.

"I'll take care of you, Armando," she said saccharinely. "Just please don't hurt her." She crept even closer as he opened his jeans and pushed down the waistband of his boxers.

"You know, Elektra King, you're beautiful... but you're a lying, cheating bitch. I'm going to enjoy punishing you."

Just then, a loud bang echoed around the soundstage and law enforcement poured into the building, yelling warnings and orders. Chloe froze, holding up her hands for a moment. Then she glared at Armando Ginko with hatred in her blue eyes. "You know what?" she said, as he looked around frantically for an escape route. She kicked him in the crotch then, as hard as she could, sending him sprawling back onto the concrete floor and keening at the top of his lungs as he grasped desperately at his junk. Then before she realized what she was doing, she was straddling his chest, buck naked, while punctuating her yells with a fist to his face. "MY. NAME. IS. CHLOE. BEALE. YOU. GOD. DAMNED. ASSHOLE!"

"Oooookaayyy..." Agent Michaels said as she threw her jacket around the rabid actress and pulled her off the kidnapper, who was now also trying to protect his face as well as his genitals.

Hazily, Chloe realized that Bella was screaming for her, and she whirled to find Dylan holding the little girl in his arms, hugging her tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder. Her legs almost gave out, but then strong arms were around her, supporting her.

"I've got you," Beca said. "It's over, Baby. You did it."

Michaels was roughly cuffing Ginko and dragging him onto his feet, not caring one bit that he was really hurting. "You have the right to remain silent," she stated over the noise around them. "So shut the hell up." She shoved him into another agent's arms and then turned, smiling as she watched Beca and Chloe wrap themselves around Bella and Dylan in a tender group hug.

"I love you, Bella," Chloe was saying over and over as she peppered kisses all over her daughter's face. "I'm so sorry, Baby Girl."

"He was a bad man, Mommy," the little girl sniffled. "A very bad man."

Chloe took her child into her arms and hugged her, rocking her gently. "He was a very bad man, but he's not going to hurt us anymore. I promise."

"Chlo," Dylan said softly as he took her hand to look at it.

Beca winced and shook her head. "Honey, that's broken."

Michaels pursed her lips and beckoned for a EMT to come over.

"I can't even feel it," the actress said as she looked at her luridly bruised knuckles.

"Wait until the adrenaline eases," the agent said unhappily. "You'll feel it then. How about we get you to the hospital and get little Bella looked at too?"

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, I want every inch of her checked. If he hurt her, I'm going to kill him."

"I didn't hear that," Michaels chuckled. She picked up the bag of money and passed it to Beca. Chloe cradled her right hand in her left as the EMT tied a sling around her neck.

"Shit," she sighed. "I was supposed to be on stage tonight. I'll have to call out."

"There's a lot of press outside," Dylan said then. "I don't know how they got wind of it, but there are vans and reporters milling around."

"Big story, huh?" Beca said with a frown.

"Rochester family stuff," Dylan shrugged. "My parents' media team will handle it."

Once Chloe's hand was as comfortable as it could be, Beca helped her back into her t-shirt and shorts. "Are you ok, Baby?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around her fiancée's waist and eased her close.

The redhead took and released a deep breath. "I may never be ok again," she whispered.

And Beca just hugged her closer.

Xx

Chloe had never felt as relieved in her life as when the pediatrician had confirmed for her that Bella was unhurt. Now she was sitting on the edge of her daughter's bed, just watching her as she slept cuddled against her dad. The actress's freshly casted hand was throbbing, but she barely noticed as she just closed her eyes and leaned closer to stroke the little girl's red hair back from her eyes.

"You should get some sleep, Baby," Beca said softly from her position leaning against the door jamb.

"Beca's right," Dylan agreed just as softly. "I'll be here with her, I promise. She'll be safe."

Tears crept down Chloe's cheeks and she sniffled softly as she nodded. "I know she will." She kissed her best friend's forehead and then her daughter's before slowly and reluctantly leaving the room and letting her fiancée guide her to their bedroom.

"You must be exhausted, Baby," Beca murmured as she pulled the bedcovers back and helped the redhead get comfortable with her hand propped on a pillow. "Can I get you anything?"

"I just need you," the actress replied, and she turned a little onto her side as Beca wrapped her arms around her. "I was so scared, Bec. I… I almost froze. I…" She fell apart then, sobbing so hard she could hardly breathe.

"I was scared too," the brunette whispered. "I can't lose you, Chloe. I can't lose you or Bella. I love you both so much."

"We love you too," the actress replied, hiccupping as she wiped at her cheeks. "I need you to move in as soon as possible… because right now, I don't think I can ever leave Bella again."

"I'll move in this weekend," the younger woman nodded. "I'll order a moving truck tomorrow."

"Ok, yeah… good," Chloe replied. "I really need you here."

"I know," Beca whispered. "Me too."

Xx

"How's Chloe doing?" Cyn asked as she took a seat next to Beca at their dinner table.

"A little better," the brunette smiled. "She finally let Bella go back to school today and she's appearing in the early performance of the play today as well as performing tonight."

"And how are YOU holding up?" the woman asked, flipping her braids back over her shoulder.

Beca's smile fell, and she shrugged a little. "As well as can be expected. Chloe's restless. She's getting up multiple times a night to check on Bella, not that I blame her at all. But neither of us is getting good sleep."

"Maybe you guys should talk to someone?" Cynthia-Rose suggested. "The kidnapper is in custody and Bella is safe but sometimes you need someone to talk to, to help allay your fears."

"Yeah," the brunette agreed. "I've asked Chloe about it, but I don't think she's ready just yet. She's not even really opening up to me at the moment. I'm trying to give her some space."

Cyn nodded. "Just don't give her so much space that she gets lost."

Beca understood what she meant and wanted to give it some more thought later when she was alone. "So," she said. "Let's talk about casting the movie."

"Right," Cyn chuckled. "So, I'm not sure I told you this, but I went to see Chloe on stage, and as I suspected, I have no doubt about casting her in the lead role. I know she wants to audition but I'm already sold."

"Me too," the brunette agreed. "But let's call her for audition anyway. I'm interested to see how she chooses to play the character."

"You got it." Cynthia-Rose sipped her coffee. "So, let's put out a call for the husband character and the two kids. I do have someone in mind for the role of the therapist. I've heard Emily Junk is trying to get into more mature roles these days, now that she's done with that sitcom she was on."

Beca drummed her fingertips against her cheek as she thought about that. "She might be a little young for that part. How old is she?"

"Twenty-five," Cyn shrugged. "Old enough to be a qualified psychologist."

"Hmmm… I think I want someone a little older for that role," the brunette nodded. "But we do need a murder victim. Let's send her agent the script and see if she's interested in a cameo."

"Ok," Cyn agreed.

"So, we need the psychologist, the grandmother and the detective," Beca mused. "And some extras to play various non-speaking roles."

The director winked. "I know a casting agent who can help us with extras. We don't care about gender, right?"

"Nope, we just need ten people to fill various unnamed roles," Beca grinned. "Do you think your agent might be able to line up some folks for the main roles too?"

"I can ask," Cyn nodded as she pulled out her phone and started to draft up an email. She corrected some typos and then sent it. "Ok. The feelers are out."

"Cool." The brunette leaned back in her chair as her phone rang. "Sorry, it's Bella's school. One sec. Hi, this is Beca Mitchell."

"Ms. Mitchell, this is Delores Granger, Bella's teacher. I've been unable to get in touch with Ms. Beale and you were next on the call list."

Beca was immediately worried. "Is something wrong? Is Bella alright?" she asked quickly, looking at Cyn with wide, frightened eyes.

"She's just a little under the weather and I think she needs to come home and go to bed." Mrs. Granger's tone was warm and soothing. "It's probably just a cold, so nothing to be too worried about. I promise. She's with the school nurse at the moment, resting comfortably."

"Thank you," the brunette nodded, hand relaxing on her thigh. "I'll be right there. See you soon." Beca immediately got up. "I'm so sorry, Cyn. I have to go pick Bella up. She's not well."

"No problem," the director smiled. "I'll talk to my guy and get back to you about putting out a casting call."

"Cool. I'll see you soon."

The brunette quickly made her way out of the restaurant and to her car for the drive to Bella's school.

Xx

Chloe had just come off stage and was sitting in her dressing room, cleaning her face of what felt like a pound of makeup, when she picked up her phone and realized she had several missed calls. She called Beca back first of course.

"Hi, Babe," the brunette whispered down the line.

"Hey... why are you whispering?"

"Bella's sleeping. I had to go pick her up early from school. She has a little cold, so Mrs. Granger called me to come get her."

"Shit," the redhead sighed. "I take it that's who the other five missed calls I have are from?"

Beca chuckled softly. "Yeah, they tried you a few times, then called me. I was having lunch with Cyn, so I was able to come straight away to pick her up. I gave her some kids medicine I found in the bathroom, read her a story and now she's snoring the most adorable little snores in the world."

Chloe sighed. "Poor little thing. Mom not there?"

"No, I think she went out. The school tried her too, but she wasn't picking up."

"Are you ok to stay with Bella?" the actress asked uncertainly. "I was supposed to go to the clinic to get my hand checked in an hour, but I can reschedule if you have somewhere else to be?"

Chloe smiled then as she heard the love in her fiancée's tone. "Chlo, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. Go take care of your appointment."

"Thanks, Baby. I love you."

"Love you too. See you later."

The redhead finished taking off her makeup and then took a quick shower before heading out for her appointment, but a big part of her was uneasy. Bella had needed her, and she hadn't been there for her.

Again.

Tears rose in her eyes as she shook her head and felt like an abject failure. Then she pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Hi Doctor Schaefer, this is Chloe Beale. I need to schedule an appointment with you. Could you please give me a call back as soon as possible? Thanks."

Chloe hadn't needed to see her therapist in a long time, but she knew her fiancée was right. She needed to talk to someone before this ball of guilt in her chest drove her insane.

Just like the character in Beca's screenplay...