Chapter 13: The Fake Brides
Agent Swanson sat in front of Chloe and Beca as he prepared to brief them for the next mission. He could barely suppress his smile as he pulled out two ring boxes.
"What are these?" Chloe's eyes darted from the boxes back to Jesse.
"Rings. You're going to a secluded island in the caribbean to a hotel that hosts newlyweds on their honeymoon or...high priced call girls with insanely rich Johns. So its either you go as newlyweds or prostitutes. I figured you'd be okay with our decision." Jesse nudged the boxes closer to Chloe and Beca, who tentatively picked up the boxes. Beca was biting her lips, trying to suppress her smile, knowing how much she could drive Chloe crazy.
"You've got to be kidding me." Chloe sighed.
"How long?" Beca added.
"One week max. Now, the man we're interested is Gunther Herschman. We have intel that says he spends a week at this hotel every six months. He enjoys the prostitutes this hotel provides. He also conducts some business on these trips. He's planning to pass some U.S government secrets to help a terrorist cell operate an attack. Its imperative we retrieve the USB. Luckily, on these trips he usually travels light. He only has two body guards with him, so this is the best time to strike. You are cleared to kill if necessary. Just don't let your identities be compromised. He then handed over the fake passports. Happy honeymooning, Mrs. and Mrs. Fletcher." Jesse sat back in his chair, grinning smugly. Chloe and Beca exchanged looks, which were quite opposite. Chloe's bordered on disgust, while Beca was positively giddy.
They arrived for their first night and were both impressed with the room they got. While they were used to some luxuries on certain missions, this was by far the nicest hotel room either had ever been in. There was a long L-shaped couch situation in front of a 60" plasma TV. There was a small kitchen by the entrance and a dining room table behind the couch. The bedroom was slightly closed off by a sheer curtain. There were french doors in the main area as well as the bedroom that opened to a balcony that had a patio table and chairs as well as a small jacuzzi.
"Damn, we should get married more often, huh?" Beca gave a friendly nudge to Chloe as she brought her bags into the room.
"I mean, this is amazing." Chloe just looked around the room in astonishment. "I can't believe people can afford something like this."
"Sweet! Champagne!" Beca jumped up like a little kid when she saw the champagne chilling in a bucket next to a card. She picked it up and read in her best sarcastic voice. "Dear Lovebirds, please enjoy the champagne. We hope you enjoy your stay and that we can help you fall even more in love. Please peruse the group activities we have during your stay here...assuming you want to leave your room. Please let us know if there's anything we can do to make your stay more pleasurable."
"Cheesy." Chloe rolled her eyes as she started unpacking her things into the large dresser and closet in the room.
"I wonder if they'd send an xbox up." Beca jumped over the back of the couch and landed on the cushions. "Oh my God! This is the most comfortable couch I've ever been on!"
"Xbox really?" Chloe mocked from the bedroom. "On your honeymoon? That wouldn't be suspicious."
"Yeah, yeah." Beca hopped up and went to the bathroom. "Oh my God! Chloe, you have to see this bathroom!"
"You're acting like a kid who's never been on a vacation - Oh my God." Chloe stepped into the bathroom behind Beca who was currently jumping into the empty curvy tub whose size could hold four or five Becas. There was also a glass shower with two ceiling showerheads and a short bench. A small waterproof TV had was also sitting on a wall in the shower. There were two sinks and a mirror that covered the whole wall.
"There's a TV in the shower." Beca deadpanned. "There's a TV in the shower!" Beca yanked herself out of the tub.
"You know most newlyweds would be more focused on sex than all this trivial stuff." Chloe shook her head as she washed her hands.
"You offering?" Beca whipped her head around to look at Chloe.
"In your dreams, Mitchell."
"Think it would be inappropriate to ask the Agency for an extra week?"
"Yeah, just a little." Chloe rolled her eyes.
Later that evening it was time for the first event: a fancy dinner and dancing to a live band. They weren't sure if they'd find Gunther there, but they'd have to try. Chloe had slipped into a red dress with a plunging neckline, and a slit that went halfway up her thigh. Beca emerged from the bathroom still in her jeans and T-shirt from earlier and didn't even try to hide looking Chloe up and down.
"Stop checking me out and zip up my dress." Chloe leaned into the mirror as she applied her makeup. Beca gulped and quickly stepped behind Chloe. Her right hand rested on Chloe's hip as her left slowly lifted the zipper up. Chloe did her best to not react to Beca's fingers touching her bare back. Beca had zipped up the dress and let her hands linger.
"I think the zipper's good, Beca." Chloe looked at Beca through the mirror with a warning glance.
"Sorry, sorry." Beca lifted her hands and backed away smirking.
"Alright, now I'm sure you'd be more than happy about it, but there might be some times this week that we might need to be...affectionate." Chloe scrunched her nose as she said it.
"Oh, talk dirty to me." Beca replied sarcastically.
"Seriously, though. If a situation arises that we need to kiss or something, just don't make it weird." Chloe turned her head slightly to put an earring in and suddenly she felt Beca right beside her.
"Maybe we should practice?" Beca leaned against the vanity and flirtatiously leaned closer.
"You may only kiss me if its actually necessary. Like people clinking glasses or some weird old married couple doing that whole cliche 'lets see a kiss' crap." Chloe gently pushed Beca back.
"Can I at least put my arm around you like this?" Beca stepped forward again and slowly wrapped her left hand around Chloe's waist. She gently pulled Chloe closer so their bodies were pressed side by side, Chloe's shoulder pressing against Beca's chest. Before responding, Chloe inhaled sharply and there was an obvious hitch in her breath. She clenched her jaw as she swallowed hard, feeling the heat rising to her face.
"That turned you on a little, didn't it?" Beca's jaw dropped and her eyes widened with surprise and excitement. She couldn't help the grin rapidly spreading on her face.
"No, it did not!" Chloe swatted Beca's hand away and shoved Beca back. "Now quit fooling around and finish getting ready."
"You'd like me to fool around with you, wouldn't you?" Beca's cocky smile was the largest it had ever been and she shot a wink at Chloe who just focused on her own reflection in the mirror.
They sat together at a table, enjoying one of the most delicious meals either one had ever tasted.
"Dude, this is amazing. I don't even know what it is!" Beca said with a mouthful of food. "Shit even the salad was good."
"Very classy, Agent Mitchell." Chloe rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but grin at her partner getting so excited about the food.
When they finished the meal, Beca stood up and held out her hand.
"What are you doing?" Chloe looked up in confusion.
"Let's dance." Beca said simply, looking around the room at all the other couples dancing to the salsa music.
"I don't think-" Chloe was cut off by Beca reaching down and pulling her up to stand face to face. She tried to catch her breath as Beca quickly spun her to the dance floor to.
"I hate when you do that." Chloe whispered as she reluctantly took Beca's hand. Beca let her right hand slowly slip lower down Chloe's back. Chloe quickly snatched her wrist and lifted it higher, while giving Beca a warning with her eyes. Beca just smirked to herself as she stepped forward, keeping Chloe close in rhythm to the music.
Chloe was surprised with how well they moved together. She felt herself leaning in closer to Beca's shoulder, and holding tighter to her upper back. It felt natural, and Chloe had to try and block out certain feelings threatening to bubble over. Beca swayed her before stepping back to spin her again. This time Chloe went willingly. She spun out and held her hand out to the side before spinning back and landing right into Beca's chest. She quickly took a step back, when she felt Beca's hand pull her forward again so their bodies were flush, and faces only inches apart.
Beca stepped forward and backward rapidly, pulling Chloe along. Chloe tried to slow her down by moving her hips against Beca's with the music. Beca bit her lip and nearly froze, sending Chloe into a spin so she could catch her breath. When Chloe came back she rested her chin on Beca's shoulder, closing her eyes as they moved a little slower together. Beca let her hand slide casually to the bare skin on Chloe's back, making the redhead flinch. Chloe reached behind Beca and slid her own hand behind the brunette's neck. Beca closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, enjoying the feeling.
Suddenly the music ended and the band announced they were taking a break. Beca and Chloe stayed put for a moment, before reluctantly separating.
"That was hot." Beca let out a breath. Chloe just smiled as she ran a hand through her hair, turning to the table.
"I'm actually tired. And it looks like Gunther isn't going to show tonight." Chloe reached down to gulp down her water.
"Same." Beca nodded as she grabbed her things from the table.
They got back to their room in awkward silence. Chloe shut the door and gently placed her purse on the table. Beca took a deep breath, trying to think of something to say. She hated when her usual confidence escaped her.
"So...I'm gunna go take a bath in that sick tub." Beca turned to face Chloe and pointed a thumb behind her back.
"Okay." Chloe nodded. "I'm just...going to watch a movie or something." She pointed nonchalantly at the TV.
"Cool, cool." Beca clapped her hands together and hurried to the bathroom.
After awhile, Chloe started twisting and turning on the couch, needing to pee. She started getting frustrated with the length of time Beca had spent in the bathroom. She sighed and stood up to go in anyway.
Beca was almost asleep as she sunk under the bubbles. Her eyes popped open and tried to keep most of herself covered when she heard Chloe burst through the door.
"Dude!" Beca awkwardly spread the bubbles around. "I am nude!"
"And I have to pee!" Chloe sped walked across the room. "Don't look."
"Same." Beca turned her head to face the wall, grimacing when she heard Chloe pee. "Man, you pee like a horse."
"Shut up, asshole." Chloe stifled a laugh as she finished.
"You really should give the tub a try before we leave." Beca said as Chloe washed her hands.
"I'm here for work, not a vacation." Chloe said with a condescending tone.
"Who says you can't mix business and pleasure?" Beca closed her eyes and sunk deeper into the tub.
"Just about everyone." Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Come on...join me." Beca smirked, only sort of kidding, and only just a little nervous Chloe might say yes. Chloe took a step towards the tub, unable to see anything below the bubbles. She 'hmm-ed' as if she was thinking. Beca felt her face get hot as she gulped.
"Not appealing enough." Chloe shrugged as she turned to leave the bathroom.
"Now that was just uncalled for." Beca sightly shot forward as she raised her voice when Chloe had disappeared. She huffed and sank again below the bubbles.
Beca and Chloe had gotten ready for bed; Chloe dressed in a small pink tank top and black boy shorts, Beca clad in silky blue pj pants and a black tank top. Beca walked out of the bathroom and saw Chloe reading on the bed. She froze for a moment trying not to look at Chloe's crossed toned legs. She gulped before walking over to the opposite side of the bed.
"I can sleep on the couch. It's super comfortable. And I don't want to make you feel weird or anything." Beca grabbed one of the pillows and turned to walk to the main area.
"Don't be ridiculous." Chloe rolled her eyes and set the book down on the nightstand. "You don't have to sleep on the couch."
"I don't mind." Beca tried to insist, but could feel her nerves getting excited about the prospect of sleeping in the same bed as Chloe. Chill, Beca, you're not some horny teenager…
"And neither do I." Chloe scooted over. "Look, this bed is huge. Its not weird unless we let it be weird. I'd rather you have a good night's sleep so we're ready tomorrow."
"Like that'll ever happen." Beca scoffed under her breath.
"What?" Chloe asked, feeling a little hurt, like Beca might be rejecting her even if there wasn't a promise of anything more than actually sleeping.
"Nothing." Beca said quickly, taking a deep breath and walked over to the other side of the bed. "Hands to yourself, Beale." She pointed jokingly.
"I'll try to control myself." Chloe shook her head and slipped under the covers as she turned out her light. Beca flipped her lamp off too and tried to get comfortable under the sheets too. She thought she'd have to ask the hotel where they got their sheets, she'd never slept on anything softer.
They both lay on their backs, hands clasped across their stomachs. Both women feeling extremely nervous sharing the same bed, staring at the ceiling. Beca tapped her fingers on her stomach and Chloe ran her tongue over her teeth, both thinking how ridiculous they were being. Chloe didn't want to turn, but her eyes moved to the side to catch a glimpse to see if Beca might be feeling the same way, but couldn't see anything. She felt goosebumps along her arms for no good reason so she flipped over to her side, her back facing Beca. Beca noticed the turn but just stayed still. There was such a thick cloud of tension that neither was willing to admit, so they resigned to just lie in awkwardness, attempting to possibly get some sleep.
After what felt like hours, Beca had fallen into a sound sleep and Chloe was dozing off with her hands clutched under her pillow. As she was about to fall into a full sleep, Chloe heard a rustling from the other side of the bed. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Beca tossing and turning with her eyes closed.
Chloe turned on her side, face full of concern, to watch the brunette clench her fists and mumble incoherently. Beca angrily groaned and flipped to her other side before flipping back like she was trying to twist away from something. She, in fact, was just trying to escape the demons in her head. Chloe saw a thin layer of sweat appear on Beca's forehead and her hair was slightly damp. She wasn't sure what to do, never having seen someone in such distress in their sleep.
Suddenly, Beca bolted upright with a low shriek. She sat still, chest heaving, eyes darting around the room, hands clenching the sheets. Chloe swallowed hard, gripping on to her own pillow, not sure if she should address Beca or not. Before she could decide, Beca whipped off the sheets and stomped to the other room. Chloe let out a breath, shaken from what she had just witnessed. She decided it would be best to leave Beca alone for now, and maybe try talking in the morning.
It was difficult for Chloe to go back to sleep that night. She could hear noises from Beca as she either did push ups, sit ups, or crunches. When it was quiet, Chloe carefully looked out and saw Beca sitting at the table reading their briefing binder, sipping from a glass next to a small bottle of vodka. Beca had an intense look in her eyes that Chloe hadn't seen before. It was like they were empty, yet full of rage. They were dark as if something evil had taken control of them. Beca could be intense, Chloe knew, especially in the heat of battle, but this was something else. The look on Beca's face scared the redhead. This could be trouble...Chloe worried to herself as she fell back against her pillow.