My Spy

Chapter 3


The Bellas had rallied around Beca and would not leave her alone for any length of time, hoping to keep her from getting too far into her own head. Because of this, it was a couple of days before Lily could get Beca alone so she could pass on Chloe's message.

Beca was frantically searching her room for her favorite hoodie.

"Where is it?" she mumbled. "It has to be here somewhere."

She was standing in the middle of her room, looking around when there was a knock on her door.

"It's open," Beca called out, looking over to the door as it opened.

Lily stuck her head in, looking around. "Are you alone?" she asked.

"Yeah, finally," Beca said. "Come on in."

"Thanks," Lily said and entered the room fully, closing the door behind her. "What I'm about to tell you will probably make you angry, but I need you to hear me out before you say anything, okay?"

"Um, okay," Beca said. "What's going on?"

"Chloe texted me," Lily said.

Beca visibly stiffened but remained silent. Lily looked at her and Beca gave a small nod for her to continue.

"She was upset because she's been trying to contact you," Lily said. "She didn't know about your busted-up phone. Anyway, she gave me her new number and asked that I give it to you. She wants you to call her."

Lily held out a small folded piece of paper toward Beca. Beca just stared at it. She reached her hand up and dropped it back down as if the paper was going to burn her.

"Take it, Beca," Lily said, shaking the paper at her. "You and I both know you want to."

Beca sighed and reached out again; this time she took the paper between her thumb and index finger. She opened it and stared down at the number. Beca furrowed her brow and looked at Lily.

"Did she say why she texted you and not one of the other Bellas?"

"No," Lily said. "But I think she was afraid to reach out to you first. She wants you to make the decision to contact her. As for the Bellas, I think she knows you're much closer to most of the other girls than you are to me."

"I'm sorry about that," Beca said.

"It is what it is," Lily said with a shrug.

"Um," Beca said, holding up the paper with Chloe's number. "Thanks for this. I'll think about calling her while I'm at my mom's during the break."

"In my opinion," Lily said, moving toward the stairs. "I think you should call her. Remember, Chloe was only doing her job. I know it's not that easy for you, but I told her I forgive her. And, I don't think she was faking being in love with you. That has to account for something."

Beca furrowed her brow as she watched Lily slip out of view and quietly make her way down the stairs. Beca heard the door close quietly behind her.

Beca stood looking at Chloe's number. She frowned as she subconsciously made her decision by crumpling up the paper and throwing it into a nearby trash can.

Beca flopped back on her bed. After a moment, she sat up and threw her legs over the side, staring at the trash can for a good three minutes before reaching in and retrieving Chloe's number. She smoothed out the wrinkles and refolded the note before sticking it in her pocket and falling back onto her bed.

~~ My Spy ~~

A week after her talk with Lily, Beca was landing in Seattle. Her mother was waiting at the baggage claim when saw Beca coming down the escalator. She hurried over and enveloped her daughter in a hug.

Beca dropped her suitcase and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother. She held on as if she never wanted to let go. The mother and daughter ignored the people bustling past them as they relished the comfort the hug brought to them.

"We should probably get your luggage," Sarah said, pulling back from the hug.

"I only bought this one carryon," Beca said, reaching down to grab its handle.

"Then we should get you home," Sarah said as she started walking toward the main concourse.

Sarah was quiet as she drove and the only sound in the car was the low hum of whatever music was emanating from the radio. Sarah kept her eyes on the road, while Beca was staring out the window, watching the scenery go by.

After a few minutes, Sarah glanced over at Beca and asked the one question that had been on her mind since Beca walked off the plane.

"Have you heard from Chloe?"

Beca was surprised by the question. She didn't think her mother wanted to talk about Chloe.

"Not directly," Beca replied.

Sarah furrowed her brows and glanced at Beca.

"What do you mean by 'not directly'?" Sarah asked.

"She, um, she texted Lily," Beca said. "Lily is one of the Bellas. She, uh, asked Lily to give me her new number and have me call her so we could talk."

Sarah didn't say anything and Beca was becoming a bit uncomfortable with the contemplative look on her mother's face.

"I haven't called her if that's what you're wondering," Beca said.

"Are you going to?"

"I, uh, I haven't decided yet," Beca said. "I don't want to be confrontational with her, because I think I might want to continue our relationship."

Sarah scoffed; Beca ignored her as she added, "And, I don't believe Chloe did anything wrong."

"Didn't do anything wrong?" Sarah screeched, causing Beca to wince. "She lied to you about who she was. For almost a year, I might add."

"Mom, she was undercover," Beca said. "She was doing her job and didn't have a choice on being able to tell us, to tell me, what she was doing."

"What about the fact that she took advantage of you and used you?"

"She didn't take advantage of me," Beca interrupted. "And she didn't use me to get to dad if that's what you are implying. Besides, I asked her out, and once we started dating, I never introduced her to dad. He was already on their radar and she didn't once ask me to introduce her to him."

Sarah looked out at the road in front of them and sighed.

"You're going to call her, aren't you?" Sarah asked. "I really wish you wouldn't."

"I really haven't decided yet," Beca said. "But that's my decision to make, not yours."

"I'm begging you, Beca," Sarah said, quickly glancing over at Beca. "Don't call her; she's not good for you. I think it's best if you just forget about her."

Beca was saved from responding when Sarah pulled into their driveway. As soon as the car came to a stop, Beca opened the door and got out without a word. She grabbed her suitcase from the backseat and headed for the house.

Beca was halfway to the front door before Sarah got out of the car. Sarah hurried to move past Beca so she could open the door. She entered and Beca followed.

As soon as they were fully inside, Sarah turned to Beca.

"Beca, I-"

"Don't," Beca said, holding up a hand to stop her mother from saying anything. "I'm an adult and I will decide what is best for me. And if calling Chloe is what I think is best for me, then I will call Chloe. I hope you can accept that. And if you can't, I don't care."

Beca took her suitcase and stomped upstairs. Sarah let out a sigh and went to the kitchen for a drink.

~~ My Spy ~~

The next two days had Sarah and Beca walking on eggshells around each other. Sarah was afraid to say anything beyond casual conversation for fear of causing another fight.

Beca wanted to talk to her mother about Chloe but didn't want to add fuel to the fire already burning between them. Today she was the first to begin a conversation with her mother over breakfast.

"So, um, my friends heard I was home," Beca said. "They invited me to go with them to the lake for the day. Are you okay with that?"

"I'm more than okay with that," Sarah said. "I think it's just what you need."

"Great," Beca said. "They're picking me up in about an hour. I'm going to go shower and get ready."

Sarah smiled as Beca left the table. She was hopeful that Beca's old friends would help her get over Chloe.

About an hour later, there was a knock on the door. Sarah answered to find Beca's friends, Dave and Mike, standing there.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Sarah said, smiling at the two.

"Hey, Mrs. Mitchell," Dave said. "Is Beca ready?"

"I think so," Sarah said, opening the door wider to allow them to enter. "Come on in. I'll tell her you're here."

"Thanks, Mrs. M," Mike said.

Sarah excused herself and left to the two men standing in the living room. A few minutes later, she walked downstairs with Beca.

"Mitchell!" Dave and Mike both called out.

"Hey, guys," Beca said, smiling at them. "Where's the rest of the gang?"

"They're getting refreshments," Mike said. "We've been handpicked to bring your sorry ass to the lake. Sorry, Mrs. M."

Sarah waved away Mike's apology.

"Let's go," Dave said.

"Will you be home for dinner?" Sarah asked as Beca started toward the door. "I'm thinking of making lasagna."

"I love lasagna," Mike said, grinning as he stopped to look at Sarah.

"Me, too," Dave said.

Sarah laughed. "Why don't the three of you plan to be back here by six-thirty for dinner?"

"We're in," Dave and Mike said, grinning at Beca and Sarah.

"Looks like we'll be back in time for dinner," Beca said, pushing the guys toward the door. "Thanks, mom."

~~ My Spy ~~

Sarah was smiling as she drove home from the grocery store. She pulled into the driveway and exited her car and pulled open the back door to get the grocery bags. Her smile fell slightly when she noticed an unknown car pull up in front of the house.

Sarah glanced over when she heard the other car's door shut. She was shocked to see Chloe looking over at her. The girl was very pretty; the picture Beca had shown her did not do her justice.

Sarah stood and waited as Chloe started walking toward her.

"Excuse me," Chloe said, smiling as she stopped a few feet away from Sarah. "Are you Mrs. Mitchell?"

"I am," Sarah said. "And I know who you are. What I don't know is what you hope to accomplish by showing up here uninvited."

Chloe's smile dropped and she looked down at the ground. After a moment, she looked back up to find Sarah glaring at her.

"I was, um, hoping I could talk to Beca."

"She's not here."

"Do you know when she'll be back?"

"No, I don't. And, I wouldn't tell you even if I did."

"Um, I understand you're angry with me," Chloe said, trying to remain calm.

Sarah snorted. "Angry doesn't even begin to cover how I feel toward you. You're nothing but a liar and a user. And your lies have broken my daughter's heart."

Chloe swallowed and twisted her thumb ring.

"I should probably go," Chloe said, throwing her thumb over her shoulder.

"Yeah," Sarah said. "You probably should."

"Would you, uh, please tell Beca I came by," Chloe said. "And that I'd really like to talk to her. Please?"

"I wouldn't hold my breath," Sarah said.

Chloe breathed in through her nose and said, "I'm sorry I bothered you."

Chloe turned to go back to the car.

"Leave Beca alone!" Sarah shouted, causing Chloe to stop but not turn around. "You're no good for her. Besides, she's over you. Do you want to know how I know that? She's out with an old girlfriend from High School. It was the first call she made once she got home."

Sarah couldn't help the smirk that came to her lips when Chloe's shoulders slumped in defeat as she slowly walked to her car. Sarah stood and watched as Chloe drove away.

~~ My Spy ~~

As soon as Chloe drove away, the tears had started. They coursed down Chloe's face, making it hard for her to see. She only made it about two miles before she had to pull over because she couldn't see the road clearly.

"Beca is seeing an old girlfriend already?" She thought. "I guess we really are over."

The more Chloe tried to stop thinking about Beca, the more her thoughts were on her.

"Um, hey, Chloe?" Beca said after Bellas practice.

"Hey, yourself," Chloe said, smiling.

"I was, um, wondering if you might, um, want to go to the diner with me," Beca said.

Chloe smiled and said, "I'd already told the girls I'd go. We can walk over together if you want."

"Oh, um, sure," Beca said. "That would be great."

"Great," Chloe said. "Everyone's leaving. Let's go."

"I was hoping it was just going to be you and me," Beca mumbled as she followed after Chloe.

Chloe was sitting next to Stacie at dinner.

"Why aren't you and Beca on a date right now?" Stacie whispered. "Did you turn her down?"

"What? Why would you ask that?"

"Beca told me that she was finally going to ask you out after practice today."

"Oh, my God," Chloe said, putting her hands to her head. "I didn't know she was asking me on a date. I thought she was asking if I was coming to dinner with you girls."

"I was such an idiot," Chloe said aloud. "It didn't even occur to me that she was asking me out on a date."

Chloe's tears continued as the memories flowed through her mind.

After dinner, Chloe walked with Beca back to the house.

"I want to apologize about earlier," Chloe said. "I didn't realize you were asking me out on a date. I thought you were asking if I was going to dinner with the girls. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Beca said. "I wasn't very clear about it."

Chloe stopped, causing Beca to stop as well.

"Ask me again," Chloe said.

"Seriously?"

Chloe chuckled. "Seriously. Ask me."

"Chloe," Beca said, looking into Chloe's eyes. "Would you like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I'd love to," Chloe said, pulling Beca into a hug. "It's a date."

Chloe wiped her eyes and picked up her phone from the cupholder. She found the contact she wanted and pressed call.

Chloe sniffled one last time and sat up straight in her seat. Her jaw was clenched as she transformed into stoic Chloe Beale once again.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Aunt Peggy," Chloe said, sounding more upbeat than she actually felt.

"Chloe, dear," Peggy said. "I'm so glad you called. When are you coming to see me?"

"Funny you should ask that," Chloe said, looking out the car window. "I'm in Seattle and can be in Portland in like three hours if my GPS is correct. Is that okay?"

"That's more than okay," Peggy said. "I can hardly wait to see you."

"It will be good to see you, too," Chloe said. "Is, um, Uncle Matt home as well?"

"As a matter of fact, he is," Peggy said. "I know he'll be glad to see you."

"I'm glad to get to see him, too," Chloe said. "There's something I really need to talk to him about."

"Well, I'd better let you go so you can get on the road," Peggy said. "Drive safe!"

"I will," Chloe said. "See you soon."

Chloe ended the call and threw her phone back into the cupholder.

~~ My Spy ~~

Chloe pulled into the driveway of her aunt and uncle's home. She guessed it was technically her home as well, having lived there since she was fourteen. Peggy was Chloe's mother's sister and had immediately taken Chloe in after her parents were killed in a car accident.

Chloe grabbed her phone as she got out of her car. She stretched, reaching up to the sky with both arms to loosen the stiff muscles from sitting in the car for almost three hours.

Chloe heard a squeal and turned to see her Aunt Peggy running down the steps toward her. Chloe smiled and fell into the hug Peggy pulled her into.

"Oh, my gosh," Peggy said. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too," Chloe said, pulling back from the hug.

"Your Uncle Matt told me about you and that girl," Peggy said. "I can't wait to hear about her."

"There's nothing to tell," Chloe said. "It's over. Is Uncle Matt here? I really want to talk to him."

"He's in his office," Peggy said, frowning. "Let's go inside."

Chloe pulled her suitcase out of the trunk and followed Peggy inside.

"Matt, Chloe's here," Peggy called out as she entered.

Matt came from a door to Chloe's right and hurried over to pull her into a hug.

"I'm glad you came," Matt said.

"Can we talk?" Chloe asked, pulling back to look at him.

"Right now?" Matt asked.

Chloe nodded.

"Okay," Matt said. "Let's talk in my office."

Chloe followed Matt to his office.

"Have a seat," Matt said.

Chloe sat across from Matt and cleared her throat. Matt sat back and listened as Chloe told him about Beca; how they started dating; how she fell in love. She then talked about trying to contact Beca and deciding to fly to Seattle when she found out Beca had gone to her mom's for Spring Break.

Chloe told Matt what happened when she got to Sarah Mitchell's house. She concluded by telling him what Sarah had said just as Chloe was leaving.

"I now know it's definitely over between me and Beca," Chloe said, her voice emotionless by this point. "Beca's moved on and it's time for me to do the same."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Matt asked.

"Because, I'm ready to get back to work," Chloe said. "I'd like a new assignment."

"I thought you were done with being an agent," Matt said. "You had said you wanted to go back to Barden and graduate."

"I thought that's what I wanted," Chloe said. "But, what I really wanted was to be close to Beca. Hoping that we would talk and get back to where we were before everything went to shit. But that's no longer a possibility, so I need something to distract me from the shitstorm that is my life right now."

"Are you sure about this?" Matt asked. "You're so close to getting your diploma."

"Yes, I'm sure," Chloe ran a hand through her hair. "I have enough credits to graduate without going through the hassles of taking another Final."

"What about attending your graduation?" Matt asked. "I know you're Aunt Peggy would love to see you walk across the stage and get your diploma."

"Graduation is mainly symbolic, and I don't need to attend in person," Chloe said. "They can mail me my diploma. So, are you going to give me another assignment or not?"


A/N: There will be a time jump in the next chapter similar to how the movies jumped three years ahead to give us Pitch Perfect 2. I promise everything is leading up to the big finale.