25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020
Day 4 - (Not a) Fire and Rescue

Prompt from FanFiction User Smart Owl: Firefighter AU: I went a little bit off prompt; I hope you like what I did with it.

NOTE: See the end for the full prompt.

Beca Mitchell swallowed hard as she stared down at the street six floors below.

"Damn cat," Beca muttered, looking to her right to see the gray bundle of fur sitting on the ledge, staring at her. "Lexie, get back in here!"

The cat stared back at Beca before standing and following the ledge around the corner of the building.

Beca jerked her head back, smacking it against the open window.

"Fuck!" Beca cried out, rubbing the back of her head.

Beca hurried away from the window and went to her bedroom to see if she could see where Lexie went.

Lexie was sitting outside the bedroom window looking in at Beca. Beca moved slowly to the window and opened it.

"Come on, Lexie," Beca said. "I have treats, but you have to come back inside to get them."

Lexie's ears and tail twitched. She turned and started walking along the ledge, back toward the front of the building. Without thinking, Beca climbed out onto the ledge; immediately realizing it was a mistake.

She closed her eyes and chanted, "Don't look down. Don't look down."

She felt something touch her face and jerked her head back and opened her eyes. Lexie sat in front of her, staring at her with their noses just inches apart. Beca was startled when Lexie jumped onto her back. Beca could feel her walking down her back and suddenly she wasn't there. When Beca looked back, she saw that Lexie had jumped back inside the apartment.

"At least one of us is safe," Beca muttered as she thought of her next move.

A sudden gust of wind blew, causing Beca to panic slightly. She scooted forward and wedged herself into the corner with her back to the wall.

~~ Day 4 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~

Beca managed to get her phone out of her pocket without dropping it. She placed the call.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" The 911 operator said.

"Um, yeah," Beca said. "I need a fire truck with a long-assed ladder that can reach the sixth floor of an apartment building."

"What's the address?" the 911 operator asked

"1960 Pine Street."

"Is there a fire?" the 911 operator asked. "Are you trapped in your apartment?"

"No," Beca replied. "I'm outside my apartment on the ledge, six stories up and I'm having a slight panic attack."

"Stay calm," the operator said. "I'm sending fire and rescue to you, right away."

A few blocks away, Engine Co. 27's alarm blared.

"Engine 27! Rescue 27! Please respond to 1960 Pine Street. We have a possible jumper on the sixth-floor ledge of her building, requesting emergency assistance."

"Let's go, Beale, Swanson," Captain Smith called out. "We have a possible jumper."

"Why do so many people want to commit suicide just before Christmas," firefighter Chloe Beale muttered to no one in particular as she climbed into the engine truck.

"I guess they feel hopeless and alone during the holidays," Jesse Swanson, Chloe's fellow firefighter, said. "Depression during the holidays is the number one reason for most suicide attempts this time of year."

Chloe didn't say anything as she tightened her jacket and pulled the head covering over her red hair. She then placed her helmet on her head, slapping down the face shield.

"Beale, when we get there, I want you to go up the ladder and try and talk this woman down," Captain Smith said.

"Roger that, Captain," Chloe said.

"Swanson, you and Walp will go up to the apartment to make entry," the Captain said. "Wait for Beale's command so you don't scare the poor woman into falling off the ledge."

"Yes, sir," Jesse and Chicago responded.

"Okay, guys," Chloe said. "I'll assess her anxiety level and try to get her to come down the ladder. If I can't, I'll grab her and give you the okay to enter the apartment. You guys can take her back in through the window, okay?"

"Got it," Jesse said.

"I'll be ready," Chicago said.

The engine pulled up to the apartment building and Benji jumped out of the driver's seat to secure the truck and engage the stabilizers.

Chloe, Jesse, and Chicago jumped out as well. They all looked up, using their hands to shield their eyes from the sun.

"Where is she?" Jesse asked.

"There," Chloe called out pointing to a corner where Beca still sat, trying to remain still.

"Captain, can you check with dispatch to see what the apartment number is?"

Captain Smith spoke into his radio and then called out to Jesse. "Swanson, it's apartment 6C."

Jesse and Chicago ran into the building as Benji called out, "Chloe, the ladder's up."

"Thanks, Benj," Chloe said as she climbed up to the base of the ladder where Benji clipped a safety harness around Chloe's waist. Once the harness was secured, Benji gave her the go-ahead and Chloe slowly started up the ladder.

~~ Day 4 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~

Beca sat trying not to watch the activity below her. She tried to get her breathing under control as she heard one of the firefighters making their way up the ladder.

The firefighter stopped slightly below Beca and connected her safety harness to the rung of the ladder in front of her. Beca carefully watched every move the firefighter made.

Beca kept her eyes on the firefighter and wouldn't look anywhere else. Beca could barely make out what the firefighter looked like with the hoodie covering half her face and the helmet shading the rest. To be honest, what she could see of her, she liked.

"Wow, she's kind of hot," Beca thought. "Now is not the time, Mitchell."

"Hey," Chloe said, looking directly at Beca. "How are you doing?"

Beca didn't say anything; she just closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing.

"Want to talk about it?" Chloe asked, causing Beca's eyes to fly open and look at Chloe.

"Talk about what exactly?" Beca asked.

"I know the holidays can be a tough time," Chloe said. "But, this isn't the answer. Think of all the people who will miss you."

"What?" Beca asked. Her eyes grew wide as she asked. "Wait! You thought I was going to jump?"

"You're not? But, the dispatcher said the call was for a possible jumper."

"I'm not-" Beca stammered out. "I didn't -. That's not what I said."

Chloe quietly spoke into the helmet's mic. "Did you hear that Jesse? She's not a jumper. I repeat, not a jumper. I'll take it from here."

Chloe nodded her head slightly when she heard Jesse in her ear saying, "Roger that, Chloe. We'll meet you on the ground."

Chloe squinted one eye at Beca. "So, would you like to tell me exactly why you're sitting out here on the ledge, six stories up?"

"First, just let me say, I did not come out here to jump," Beca said. "I want to make sure that's clear."

"Got it," Chloe said. "Not out here to jump. So, why are you out here?"

"I opened a window and my cat got out. She was walking around on the ledge like she was walking through a park or something. I thought I could come out and persuade her back inside. Barring that, I thought I'd just grab her and take her back inside whether she liked it or not. I thought wrong on both counts. But, I was also right, because Lexie is safely inside and I'm the one who's actually stuck out here."

Beca took a deep breath and let it out. "And I might be panicking just a little."

Chloe held back a chuckle, but couldn't hold back her smile.

"God, she's adorable," Chloe thought.

"Want to come with me?" Chloe asked. "I can get you back on solid ground."

"Are we going to climb back through the window?" Beca asked. "Because I don't think I can do that."

"We'll go down the ladder," Chloe said. "That way I'll be able to support and protect you on the way down."

Beca made the mistake of looking down. She gasped and slammed her eyes shut.

"Don't look down," Chloe warned.

"I got that," Beca snapped, eyes still closed. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Chloe. "Can you move a little closer?"

Chloe looked at Beca and disconnected her safety harness so she could move to where she was three rungs below Beca and even with her body; she reconnected the harness and situated herself so she could grab Beca easily.

"Give me your hand," Chloe said, reaching for Beca's hand that was closest to her. "I'm going to help you get your feet on the ladder."

Beca hesitantly moved her hand and Chloe grabbed it; she used her free to grab Beca around the waist.

"Put your arms around my neck," Chloe said.

Beca did as she was told and Chloe lifted Beca off the ledge. Beca squealed and squeezed Chloe tighter, wrapping her legs around Chloe's torso.

"Are you okay?" Chloe asked, maintaining her hold around Beca's waist.

"I, I think so," Beca said.

"Good," Chloe said, smirking. "I don't think I've ever said this to a beautiful girl before, but I need you to unwrap your legs from around me."

Beca scoffed and Chloe smirked. "Okay, how about you just unwrap one leg and slide your foot down to the rung just above where I am standing."

"I'm kind of scared," Beca said.

"I know," Chloe said. "But you don't need to worry. I've got you and I will not let you fall."

"You promise?" Beca asked, looking into Chloe's eyes.

"I promise," Chloe said, staring back into Beca's eyes.

"You have pretty eyes," Beca said softly, thinking Chloe wouldn't hear her.

"Thank you," Chloe said. "So do you."

Beca blushed as Chloe said, "You ready to get down from here?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Beca said.

Chloe placed one hand on Beca's leg and slid it from around her waist. Beca then moved her leg and slid it down Chloe's body until her foot found the ladder rung.

"There you go," Chloe said. "Now, let's do the other leg."

Beca moved her other leg and was now standing with her arms around Chloe's shoulders and both feet firmly on the ladder. Chloe continued to hold Beca around the waist.

Once Beca was stable, Chloe transferred the safety harness to Beca's waist and held onto it as they slowly made their way down the ladder.

Hands were grabbing at Beca as they got to the lower rungs. Beca was helped down and Chloe followed her off the rig.

Beca started to walk away only to find Chloe was still holding her by the safety harness.

"Oh," Beca said. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Chloe said as she put her arms around Beca to unhook the harness.

Beca's breath hitched when Chloe's hand accidentally grazed her ass.

"Would it weird you out if I asked you out to dinner?" Chloe asked Beca as she finished removing the harness.

Just then radios started blaring with another emergency call.

"Come on, Beale," Captain Smith yelled. "Duty calls."

Chloe turned to Beca and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to go." Chloe turned away from Beca and called out, "Coming Captain."

Chloe ran to the truck, taking one last look back at Beca before climbing inside.

"I'd love to have dinner with you," Beca whispered as the engine drove off.

~~ Day 4 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~

"Are you okay, Beca?" Stacie, Beca's best friend, asked after Beca finished telling her about her encounter with the hot firefighter.

"I'm fine, Stacie," Beca said. "But this firefighter was really pretty. Gorgeous actually."

"Why didn't you ask her out?" Stacie asked.

"She actually asked me," Beca said. "But, they had another call and I never got a chance to answer her."

"Can't you go to the station and find her?" Stacie asked.

"I don't even know her name," Beca said. "Wait, I think her Captain called her Beale or something like that. But I don't have a first name."

"You can still go to the station and ask for Beale," Stacie said. "They usually call each other by their last names. I'm sure someone will know who you mean."

"That's kind of stalkerish, isn't it?" Beca asked.

"Maybe," Stacie said. "But at least you'd get to answer her question about a date."

"I don't know," Beca said. "It's been a few days. I wouldn't know what to say."

"When you see her, walk up to her and kiss her, then just say yes," Stacie said. "Then when she says 'Yes, what?' tell her yes, you'd love to go out with her and have her babies."

"Stacie," Beca whined. "That's not helping. There's got to be a better way."

"I know," Stacie said. "When you find her, ask her to come with you to our Christmas Dinner. I'm sure Brey won't mind if you bring a date."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Beca said. "This girl is special and I don't want you or your girlfriend scaring her off."

"We'll be on our best behavior," Stacie said. "I promise."

"Let me think about it," Beca said.

"That's all I can ask," Stacie said.

"Okay, I gotta go," Beca said. "Ask Aubrey if I can bring anything to dinner and let me know."

"I will," Stacie said. "Talk to you later, Beca."

~~ Day 4 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~

"Come on, Beale," Jesse said. "You know where she lives, just go see her."

"And do what?" Chloe asked, putting her head in her hands.

"Ask her out," Jesse said.

"I already did that," Chloe said, looking down at the table. "She didn't answer me."

"Because we got a call and you had to leave," Jesse said.

"Or maybe it was because she didn't know how to let me down easy," Chloe said.

"I thought you were so confident about all that." Jesse used his hand to wave up and down Chloe's body.

"I am," Chloe said. "But, you saw her. She's gorgeous and lives in a swanky apartment building. And I'm just. . .me."

"That doesn't sound like the confident Chloe Beale we all know and love," Jesse said.

"Hey, guys," Benji said, sitting down at the table next to Chloe. "I just noticed that we all have Christmas Day off and was wondering if you had any plans?"

"I'm driving to my brother's place to spend Christmas with him and his family," Jesse said.

"Unless your idea of plans is cleaning my apartment and doing laundry, I have no plans," Chloe said. "Why? What's up?"

"I just got off the phone with my cousin and she invited me to her place for Christmas dinner," Benji said. "She said I could bring a friend or two from the firehouse. Would you like to go?"

"Um, sure," Chloe said. "A nice hot meal, a few drinks, and some company on Christmas? Sounds like a perfect evening to me."

"You could have that," Jesse said. "If you'd just go ask the girl out."

"What girl?" Benji asked.

"The 'not a jumper' girl from last week," Jesse said and grabbed his arm. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Keep talking and I'll punch you again," Chloe said, looking at Jesse.

"Okay, I'll stop," Jesse said. "But I still think you should ask her."

Chloe raised her fist and Jesse darted away. Benji laughed and turned to Chloe.

"I'll let Aubrey know you're coming with me," Benji said.

"Should I bring something?" Chloe asked.

"I was told no when I asked," Benji said.

"Great," Chloe said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to it."

~~ Day 4 of the 25 Days of BeChloe Christmases - 2020 ~~

It was mid-morning on Christmas and Chloe was on the phone, thanking her parents for the gifts they had sent her.

"So, what are you doing for the rest of your day?" Mrs. Beale asked.

"I really need to take some time and do laundry," Chloe said. "And give my place a good cleaning. Tonight I'm going with Benji to his cousin's house for dinner."

"Benji?" Mrs. Beale said. "He's one of your firefighter friends, right?"

"That's right, mom," Chloe said.

Chloe heard some noise in the background.

"I have to go," Mrs. Beale said. "Your grandparents are here."

"Give everyone my love," Chloe said. "And tell them I said Merry Christmas."

"I will dear," Mrs. Beale said. "We love you and Merry Christmas."

"I love you, too," Chloe said. "Bye, mom."

Chloe ended the call and threw her phone on the table. She grabbed up her dirty clothes and took the basket to her laundry room, thankful to have a washer and dryer in her apartment. If she had to drag her dirty clothes to a laundromat or anywhere, she'd never have anything clean to wear.

By the time Chloe finished her laundry and cleaned her apartment, it was time for her to get ready for the dinner party. She took a quick shower and got dressed. As she finished her makeup, there was a knock at the door.

Chloe opened her apartment door to find Benji standing there.

"You look nice," Benji told Chloe. "Are you ready to go?"

"Thank you," Chloe said. "I'm ready."

The two left and Benji opened the car door for Chloe.

"Thank you," Chloe said as Benji closed the car door.

On the ride to Aubrey and Stacie's, Benji told Chloe a little bit about them. The drive was only fifteen minutes and Benji pulled to the curb in front of a modest, heavily decorated two-story house.

"I see they go all out on the decorations," Chloe said looking around.

"Stacie is really big on Christmas," Benji said. "I think Aubrey just goes along with it because it makes Stacie happy."

"Aubrey sounds like a wise woman," Chloe said, laughing.

Benji and Chloe got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Benji knocked and the door was opened by two very attractive women. Chloe couldn't help but look them up and down.

"Benji!" the blonde said. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Aubrey, Stacie," Benji said. "I'd like you to meet my friend Chloe Beale."

Stacie gasped and looked at Chloe. "Did he say your last name was Beale?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You wouldn't happen to be a firefighter by any chance?"

"I am. I'm at Station 27 with Benji," Chloe said. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"Come in, come in," Stacie said.

Chloe looked at Benji with a raised eyebrow; Benji just shrugged as they both entered the house.

Stacie immediately takes Chloe's arm to stop her. "I know I just met you, but I've got a Christmas present for you."

"I'm sorry," Chloe said. "What?"

"Just come with me," Stacie said. "If my hunch is right, you and I are going to make someone's night."

Chloe let Stacie lead her further into the house, confused at what was happening.

"Beca!" Stacie called out, causing Beca to turn toward her.

Chloe's eyes widened as she caught sight of Beca. Beca's eyes widened as she caught sight of Chloe.

"Oh, my God!"

"It's you!"

"Merry Christmas," Stacie said and she gave Chloe a gentle shove toward Beca.

Chloe stopped a foot away from Beca and stared at her with a big smile on her face. Beca closed the distance between them and took Chloe's face in her hands and smashed their lips together.

Stacie stood back with a smug smile on her face.

"Wow!" Chloe whispered as Beca pulled back from the kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Beale," Beca said.

"Chloe," Chloe said. "My, um, my name is Chloe."

"Merry Christmas, Chloe," Beca said as she grabbed Chloe's lip in another kiss.

Full prompt from FanFiction User Smart Owl: How about an AU where Chloe is a firefighter who rescues Beca's cat and Beca is smitten with Chloe (and the uniform). And Chloe tries to ask Beca out but needs to attend another emergency and leaves without an answer. They meet again at Staubrey's Christmas dinner and the romance ensues (with a little push from Stacie and Aubrey).