A/N Hope we're all still in this together, Sorry about that you don't want to hear what kept me from posting this sooner but to summarize, sickness, weak internet, severe headache amongst other things. Forgive my excuses i promise i'll update more often from now on-I've gotten it all sorted. Thanks largely to my amazing beta natalie :)

Let's get it on shall we?


You always wondered how time could be so...weird at times.

It sped up when all you wanted it to do was slow down.

It slowed down when you desperately needed it to speed up.

And all you've been doing since you woke up this morning, and you were hit full force with the nerves, was wishing for everything to please, slow down.

And yet here you are after vocal warm-ups, outfit fitting and make-up, with only twenty minutes to go till you'll be back on that stage, the same stage but newly transformed to look like a boxer's ring.

Battle rounds would be done in succession. It wasn't live battles yet, but that was coming really soon. This last week was preparation, filming then the presentation of the teams top 6, the group performances and right after would be knock out rounds, to further narrow the members of the group into 5, then the final group of 4.

But right now you had to get in to the top 6, you just had to. Take it little by little. Breathe, you can do this.

As soon as you exit your rooms you and Kori are prompted to get ready. You were told to meet Adam backstage where he wanders in between breaks.

"How are my girls?"

"Good." Kori says, she seems remarkably calm. You don't want to risk opening your mouth lest you empty your stomach of its contents.

"Chloe?"

You nod and he just claps your back. "You don't have anything to be nervous about."

Adam had been very supportive during practices-and whenever he wasn't available for a consultation he would get in touch through Benji, or he would personally email, text, tweet you whenever he could.

"-Both of you, you've both worked hard for this. I am extremely proud of my girls and if I could I'd keep both of you...I know that, if it's any consolation to whoever I don't choose, I know that another judge will save either of you. That's how much I believe in you, so just...do your best. As much I'll regret saying this, make it hard for me."

He takes the two of you into one of his playful hugs. He pats Kori then you. "Remember, ticking of the clock. Lyrics Kori." He pats her when she goes ahead then turns to you. "Chloe, watch out on the last few notes. Don't push it and go high from the get go, if you can't make it...just build towards it slowly okay?"

He knows your tendency to strain your voice, to push yourself he's begging for you to take it easy.

But you can't take it easy it's called the battle rounds for Christ's sake!

You do admit, never aloud of course, that your throat has been feeling tingly, off. It's probably nothing and you're all set. You've been chugging down that herbal gunk medicine all day plus lots and lots of water.

You hope you won't feel like peeing once you get on stage...What if you wet yourself from all the excitement? No do not go there, you are not going to embarrass yourself by expelling something from your body it front of National television no way. You won't let that be captured on camera to be used against you for years to come. You've seen how the A-capella pukefest sometimes still affects Aubrey. You have got to hold it in. No, you better just go to washroom really quick.

This is no time for a melt down. You've got this, you can push through this. You can and you will.


A few minutes later and you're back in the wings.

They were just finishing filming Fat Amy's battle where she won hands down against Denise when they sang 'Before He Cheats' by Carrie Underwood.

You had watched from the sidelines admiring how Fat Amy dominated the stage. She was good at not only singing, but giving a performance. There was theatrics...she fiercely advanced on Denise like she was the other woman who the character in the song cheated against her with.

When she was asked who she was aiming that song to "You know all those ass-tards that hurt us women, those days are long over no we won't make your dinners, and massage your feet and well we won't just sit around and be wronged anymore…We have ways to get back at you now, you've been warned." You distinctly heard her mutter Bumper Allan.

You wish you could do that, not the sending out a public message on television but be able to give that much to a performance and maybe you can. You can channel, direct the song towards someone. You did it with your audition, Eternal Flame for your grandfather, but this time with this song, perhaps towards someone you had romantic feelings for, someone you'd been dying to get alone since the beginning of the day.

Beca and you had both been busy, you'd barely seen each other the whole day, but she'd texted you...She had got your number somehow...and wait your phone's ringing you glance around in panic seeing if they needed quiet for filming but no they'd taken a quick break. You take the call out of the stage and into one of the rooms offstage.

"Hey your turn's up soon I gather?" A smile breaks across your face, you'd recognize that voice anywhere. Weird, this was your first phone call. No, not weird, awesome. Hopefully the first of many.

"Hello to you too Miss Mitchell. Yeah...Kori and I are next. So what've you been up to?" You can't help glancing at her chair with her name in red...it's empty though. Where is she?

"You know sitting on some chair practically all day... My behind's all sore..." Beca says you can practically imagine her pouting

"Okay-can I do anything to make it all better?" Can I kiss it please?

"Well as much as the talking on the phone is nice, I'd much rather talk to you in person, I mean face to face."

"Yeah I would like that. Where are you, anyways...I thought they're taking a break?"

"Turn around..." she says mischievously.

"Don't you think I'd know if you were behind me?" But you turn around anyway,

"Look up." She's in the sprint skybox place where they interview the contestants sometimes.

She's far up but you can see her expression clearly. She's beaming at you.

"Now we're talking face to face..."

"Clever, what are you doing up there anyway?"

"Quick meeting with some heads and the rest of the judges, speaking of-can you tell your coach off, Adam keeps telling me I'm and idiot."

"That's old news, it's an accepted fact."

"Hey!" she sounds only mildly offended and you're both laughing, sounding so beautiful together.

"So why is he calling you an idiot this time?"

"Because I didn't choose you when I had the chance..."

"Ah, yeah...you were totally an idiot but you had your reasons, so I guess I forgive you."

"Yeah, can you imagine that- us together?"

"I think about it all the time actually." You know she's talking about the competition but you can't help taking it another way.

"We'd make a great team I think."

"Yeah...the best."

"Don't let Adam hear you saying that though. Well he got the girl but he knows I wanted you first."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Hmm, how come I didn't know that?"

"Well, now you do."

There's something there, you can feel it. You're scared that maybe she'd clue in on what you meant.

A figure appears behind her and you can't really see who it is "Miss Mitchell is there something more pressing at the moment that you can't lend us a few minutes of you time?" Oh the voice, it's Cameron Mitchell the sudden appearance of her father causes her to jump.

"Yes, actually...but that's alright. You do like to pretend that what goes on in your life is more important than mine. Just let me say good bye."

He doesn't go back into the room, just stands there and watches on while Beca turns back around to continue talking to you.

"Sorry it's just the man who calls himself my father...so...I'll see you on the stage? Good Luck, Chloe. Yeah I'm coming, I'm coming." She walks in, you see Cameron hang back, he looks upset, hurt, pressing a hand to his head, leaning against the railing in defeat. He looks up and catches you watching, to which he furrows his brow. You give a nod of recognition.

You didn't mean to see that.

He just walks back into the room and out of sight.


Breaks' over.

You stay on your side backstage, you are going to enter from the left as soon as they give you the cue, the director would inform the floor director, who would then inform one of the stage personnel.

You're back to talking to yourself psyching yourself up for this, you are sort of tempted to call Aubrey from the audience to talk you through it, maybe give a bella sound-off for old time's sake.

Chloe you are ready. You've been rehearsing for this day in day out, pushing yourself; you know this song back to front...

This battle will determine if you stay or if you'll go-It will determine if you'll be a talent that made it or a talent whose name will be forgotten as soon as you leave the stage.


"We are back, the battle rounds have begun and we have had truly beautiful earth-shattering moments..." Carson Daly goes through his lines."And we have plenty more to come; up next we have two beautiful ladies from Team Adam Levine."

"Rolling VTR!" The Floor Director speaks into his mike he points at the screen showing the video replaying the past performance some clips here and there. You tune it out. Any second now, Benji quickly pulls you to stand at another position.

"When I give the word, you can start walking Chloe."

"Walk yes, I can…do…that"

"Yes, you can Chlo."

"On one side we have our resident home grown talent LA soulful siren Kori Stevens..." There are cheers and you suppose Kori is now on stage. Is everything moving really, really fast, or is it just you? Do you need to walk that fast? "… and on the other, Acapella Angel Chloe Beale."

Now he nods, then holds you by your shoulders and gently pushes you to walk in the correct direction.

You walk climb the stairs and meet center-stage, you grip Kori's hand, you feel it trembling you aren't sure if it's because of you or her.

The battles begin now,

Through flashes of the studio lights you can see Aubrey and your Mother on the sidelines watching.

The music comes in, Kori gives you a smile of encouragement and you return it, but you think it comes out more as a grimace. Okay, you can do this…

You thought it was hard before, but this is much much worse. You're no longer just trying to get in, you're trying to prove that you have what it take to stay in the competition.

You don't know why you are more conscious now of the cameras, of the people.

Don't be nervous has now become an endless chant in your head, but you can't help it you are, you really are.

I hear the ticking of the clock

I'm lying here the room's pitch dark Kori smiles triumphantly when she sings it out perfectly, words sounding just right.

You take a deep breath your turn;

I wonder where you are tonight

No answer on the telephone

Your voice doesn't sound as smooth, as steady as you'd like but it was just beginning of the song you aren't giving up. Okay, time to harmonise. You're good at that.

And the night goes by so very slow

You quickly look at Beca and she gives a slight smile and it helps you to remember your earlier plan to sing to her alone.

Oh I hope that it won't end though

Alone

That sounded good if you say yourself but from Kori's wide smile she's relieved as well, but here we go time to belt her first then you.

Till now I always get by on my own, Kori belts out perfectly

I never really cared until I met you Your voice rings out clearly, okay you got this.

And now it chills me to the bone

How do I get you alone

How do I get you alone

This time, you start. You don't want to be obvious but your eyes, they keep finding Beca's.

You don't know how long I have wanted,

to touch your lips and hold you tight, oh

You don't know how long I have waited

and I was going to tell you tonight

You mean every line, every word. Can she feel it?

But the secret is still my own. Kori is adding her runs and it sounds amazing. You need to pull out the big guns here. You do that whistling Mariah Carey thing,

and my love for you is still unknown

Alone

And now the music has slowed down. The piano the only instrument left.

Till now I never got by on my own I never really cared until I met you,

and now how it chills me to the bone, how do I get you alone

Okay, here's the big note.

Alone

Kori sings hitting it

And now you.

Alooone

You push through the discomfort in your throat not at all getting into it gradually as Adam instructed, you're glad it still comes out strong.

I hear the ticking of the clock I'm lying here the room's pitch dark you sing together finally.

You finish and the crowd goes wild, Carson Daly ushers the both of you forward upstage.

"Yet another amazing performance, before we hear what their coach has to say and to give him time to decide-let's hear Coach Usher."

"Beautiful women, beautiful voices. Kori you really are a soulful siren, well deserved name. I'm a fan and you delivered, but that was just it. What was beautiful about Chloe's performance was that i felt every word, every line...there was truth like there was real emotion behind it...I find myself asking who is the lucky man that you want to get alone?"

You shrug-Carson however steps in-being all hostey "Wouldn't we all want to know, but before that over to you Blake Shelton."

"Chloe, I actually felt that your voice wasn't as clear as when we first heard it-" Okay he caught it, they wouldn't be judges and mentors if they couldn't detect those little things, but you feel a tad bit better when the studio audience starts booing.

"-Hold on, it was more gravelly than I expected, but it's still good. Kori's was excellent but it lacked the depth, the performance level that Chloe gave to it."

"Okay, to Coach Beca."

"It was a bit rough around the edges..." You and Kori squeeze each other's hand for comfort "-for both of you, but I think it really came together after Chloe's stanza." Beca says short and sweet.

They had to cut it short, minimize air time.

"And finally Adam who do you choose, who have you chosen?"

"No, I just knew I shouldn't have said make it hard for me. Sure there were a few stumbles, but still you both pulled through...I think it's a sign that there's still room for improvement for growth... which is always... good."

"Ah we'll be needing a name Adam, who do you choose?"

"It's difficult alright, they're both precious talents, and what was I thinking pairing you two? I'll regret it either way...the one I choose, I believe I can still teach a few things..So the one I don't choose I believe is strong and can stand on her own...I'm sure that everyone will want to snatch you up."

"I choose Kori." Kori jumps up and down, before she quickly remembers herself and pulls you into a hug.

"Sorry Chlo."

"It's alright." you say before she walks offstage, shaking hands with the crowd as she goes.

"Chloe Beale everyone." Carson says ushering you forward to soak in your last applause from the audience.

Before you can even think to feel sad, steals are simultaneously being pressed. Usher, and Beca are fighting for you.

For a second, you are confused not sure how to feel, wow. Wow. To be teamless and then suddenly be wanted for another team. Not that you had any doubts but this competition was so cool.

"I was hoping you'd do that Adam, I was rearing to jump in for this one. Chloe let's keep it short. You, Team Usher for the win."

"No way, Chloe doesn't want to be with your boys. They're trouble. She needs to be in my kickass team, she belongs with me. She wants to be with me." Can I get a hallelujah!

"It's up to you Chloe..."

Adam looks at you smiling slightly, "Wait can I say something? We all know this should have happened from the start-Usher you just gotta give up."

"Who am I kidding? All right Mitchell you can have her." Usher says, "Only because I gave it up, not because she didn't want me or anything."

"Keep telling yourself that Ush-Ush baby, She's mine now."

"You know that I love you, Chloe and I promised I'd take you to the finale, but I couldn't have lost you to a better woman."

Adam couldn't have said it better, being in Beca's team having her fight for you, claim you, trumps just getting a step further in the competition. But of course you are grateful that you're still in it.

You finally make your way off stage amidst the greater, wilder cheers from the audience, you extend your hand to them shaking some hands here and there before you stop because Beca had gotten off her chair she makes her way over to one arm hug you,

"I guess I'm not an Idiot this time I took the chance. Let's prove how amazing we can be together."


After the hubabaloo of the moment you think you lost it you never thought this would happen. Well you hoped, but oh my god.

You actually ended up right where and with who you wanted to be with, speaking of…Beca had told you to meet her after in one of the offices.

Don't get too excited, you're sure it's not that kind of meeting it's strictly business. But you can't help you're mind form going there.

You've never been in this side of the building most especially in this office, if you could call it that for it looked unlike any office you'd seen before save for the sleek desk and chair that you assume was put there to make it seem like it was, but from what you can see, this space it's completely Beca's. It sorta looks like a smaller version of her secret crib.

"Hey." Beca says and you jump, you were so absorbed with everything you hadn't heard her approaching.

"Hey." you say as you turn to face her. "So."

"So?" she echoes her grin cheeky, her smirk in place.

"What do we do now?" a smile playing on your own lips.

"Anything and Everything."

"Sounds awesome."

"You have no idea."