Author's Note:

Hey All! Here's the nice long chapter I promised! Do enjoy and let me know what you think! On with the show!


"I think we've all but confirmed that Jesse had something to do with it, I'm positive." Beca said.

"Says who?" Cameron asked.

"It couldn't be anyone else Dad. We just need confirmation, which is what my team is working on. We'll have proof soon."

"No, you won't." Cameron explains, reaching into his pocket for his cell. "I'm here because the security footage brought up someone completely different."

"Who?" Beca asked as Cameron showed his daughter the phone. He pressed the video play button and a grainy image flickered on his screen.

You heard Beca gasp as she looked to you in surprise.

"After all I've done for her!" Beca exclaimed, pushing the phone towards you, rage evident on her face.

"Wait, that's…" you say as you recognize the female figure immediately.


"... Kori." You finish, still not quite sure of what you were seeing as you stare at the phone in Beca's hand. No way, this had to be a joke.

"She's the one who went through Fat Amy's phone?" you sound incredulous, you're quite flabbergasted as you had been so sure it was Jesse. Granted, your suspicions had been without any hard evidence but still. Cameron takes the phone back from you.

"How come she was able to get into Amy's phone so easily? She didn't have a security code?" Cameron is quick to ask.

"It's her birthday…" Beca can only weakly say. She flashes her eyes towards you and you recognize the twitch in her left eye.

"Your friends aren't the most vigilant when it comes to security, are they?" Cameron says around a sigh, that doesn't sound annoyed, more frustrated on his daughter's behalf.

"But I don't understand how, or why?" Beca questions.

You were wondering the same thing, you know Kori had some problems with you and to some extent your group but to go that far? What was she hoping to achieve? You feel a fleeting sense of something victorious as you realize, while Amy had been careless, it wasn't a direct betrayal from one of your girls.

"She didn't have any issues with you, did she?" he asks looking at Beca. You find yourself immediately defending Beca, cos honestly this was yet another thing that wasn't her fault.

"Well not with Beca, but maybe with us girls, Amy, Stacie, Cynthia, and myself... we might have exchanged words at one point but we've been actively avoiding her…" you answer honestly. A crease appears between his brows, his eyes turn to you warily, something passing through his features. It takes you a moment to place it, but then, when it does, your stomach jolts, with a pang.

His expression was akin to someone regarding something potentially dangerous and worse, he looked like he didn't expect anything less from you, the one who apparently had led his daughter astray. It makes you uncomfortable, it makes you feel extra cautious, but you also feel transparent, like every thought you'd ever had about Beca was out there in the open, and he was there to disapprove of it all.

"But maybe we can go look through the previous material leading up to it." Beca says as she rewinds the footage.

You see everyone earlier that night, going in and out of the room; you see Amy doing a peculiar warm-up, her infamous mermaid dancing that you swear she mentioned she'd been offered to do a fitness video showing people how to do it, Stace groping her chest whilst practicing choreography in hooker heels while as Cynthia Rose drools whilst looking on. The usual people who need to be there are there, each going about their business. The stylists and make-up artists are doing their thing, you see Lily pulling her usual fish face while placing finishing touches on Stacie's makeup. You see German stylists Pieter Krämer and Kommissar, eccentric twins who funnily enough, dressed everyone down while dressing them up. Komissar didn't hold back with her words mentioning everyone's bumbling ineptitude and once even calling Beca tiny, likening her to a troll. And Pieter had once called Amy a "heated mess, a mess where heat is applied to it." he explained unnecessarily. If their insults and the way they had delivered it wasn't so funny you'd all had taken issue, but they actually dressed you all well enough to cancel out their particular hang-ups.

Even people who had no business actually being there ended up there. Benji appears as if by magic, quickly waving and wishing you good luck before disappearing just as quickly.

Several moments later, Anna's coming in to give you some reminders about your warm-ups.

Then there's Beca herself (your breath catches, her beauty not diminished even the slightest through the grainy screen) calling the four of you over to wish you all luck and you vaguely recall some pep talk and some last-minute pointers. You try to watch from an outsider's point of view, there was nothing to give you two away, nothing out of the ordinary passing between you both; her eyes not lingering on you a second longer than necessary.

She really was good at that, pretending that you didn't mean anything at all to each other, except casual acquaintances. You can't help thinking no one would've been able to tell that hours later this same girl would reveal that she was in love with you. Even now, as you glance at her from the corner of your eye, you can hardly believe it yourself.

She loved you. She was in love with you. You of all people.

You felt so unworthy of everything that she had said. Words you couldn't even dare to dream up. You had felt so defeated, fully ready for the inevitable end of your relationship, you were resigned to it, but instead, she had given you everything and so much more.

Your heart speeds up at the memory of her confession and all that came after. You're replaying your kisses, each one laced with all your emotions too big to be contained in a mere 'I love you'. The very thought of it still affecting you, warming you all over.

It was so inconvenient that, now of all times, you're feeling this overwhelming need to close the distance, yearning for that heart-pounding moment where you filled all the space between you two, your breaths intermingling heady, and potent before your lips would meet and all would descend to madness.

You think you stare too long, too intensely than anyone had any right to do so, especially in front of a third party, worse that it was your significant other's parent.

Beca raises her eyes over to you, you think she was just about to say something but she stops upon meeting your eyes. You don't know how you look right now but from what you imagine, it was akin to a predator latching its eyes on its prey.

Does she see? Can she tell how much she was affecting you by doing absolutely nothing at all?

She gulps as you latch your eyes on her mouth. Her own eyes darken as you wet your dry lips, following your tongue along, and later you think you hear her stifle a groan but she smoothly plays it off by clearing her throat, then coughing, again, when you bite on your lower lip.

Cameron looks up briefly, concerned.

"Sorry, my throat is rather dry." Beca's voice is lower than usual, it makes your stomach squirm pleasantly.

"Are you thirsty?" You ask innocently, batting your eyes for effect. You are enjoying the moment, making her feel something for a change.

"No, I'm fine." Beca's face flushes as she looks back down at her hands. Her weight shifting from side to side. You tamper down a smirk.

"Wait, I have water here," Cameron says, jolting the two of you back to reality as he pauses the video before reaching over to a compartment just by one of the chairs. He pulls out one of the show's branded bottles of water, quickly uncaps it and hands it to his daughter. He watches her intently and makes sure Beca drinks.

It was rather overwhelming, and all too awkward having all these intense emotions and not being able to act on it. You hadn't even truly processed it all fully before your bubble had been broken by Cameron's arrival, bringing the two of you back to earth to deal with the current issues on hand.

"Are you good? Shall we continue?" he asks rather sternly. It makes the two if of you straighten up (but not too straight because you knew at the tender age of 8 that you were gay, you quip to yourself).

Beca presses the play button.

"Maybe we can skip this part, it's dragging on too long," Cameron suggests. Beca follows suit, the video speeds ahead until not too long after you spot Kori there, hovering nearby, talking to Adam at one point, then, as you all leave one by one, she's in the frame, observing the rest of you as she stealthily makes her way to Fat Amy's bag, She riffles through it for a moment, before taking the phone out.

"And there we go, clearly she was acting on her own accord-" Cameron exclaims, looking almost triumphant.

"-Wait…" Beca interrupts, her eyes intense, "Go back!"

"Becs, we just sat through all that. I don't see what could be any different." Cameron was quick to point out.

"Just go back," Beca insists, her eyes focusing on something unseen to the both of you. "Okay, keep going and... there!" She presses the pause button on the video.

"What am I looking at?" Cameron asks the question you also wanted to ask, not sensing anything was amiss.

"Look, zoom in there, see, look who she's talking to!"

"Adam?" you question, unsure what Beca is trying to show you both.

"That isn't Adam." She says and next, you're squinting and you do see now, it was quick and brief yet it was unmistakably Jesse in and out of the frame. You wonder how you missed it the first time.

"How did I not see that?" You're wondering if now was the right time to doubt your own eyesight, you'd need to schedule a check-up with Colleen and soon.

"They were wearing similar clothes today." she says matter of factly.

You guess it had taken someone who knew his figure so well that even through grainy footage she could be certain it was him. You can't help that slight pang of jealousy for that deep familiarity.

"She was probably talking to Jesse just before..he was probably telling her what to do." Beca says.

"No, we can't assume that, he's a director. I'm sure they'll have some words to say to each other." he reasons but you notice his voice does waver in conviction.

Beca takes the device and fiddles with it, watching a couple of moments by herself. You feel more and more tense as Cameron watches on, his frown deepening with each passing second.

"Just what I thought, look…" she says, turning the device over for both of you to see, "if you keep watching. He's there again after she takes the phone. That just can't be a coincidence." She scoffs,

"Beca that's hardly proof! As you can see everyone in there had a reason to be there. He could've just been doing his job." He reasons smoothly. You can't help pursing your lips, but the rest of your face you work hard to remain neutral out of respect. You're desperately reminding yourself to hold your tongue, to stay out of this.

"What the hell, why are you so deluded? Why do you keep making excuses for him!?" Beca demands, her voice turns shaky, almost shrill as her emotions get the better of her.

"Honey, calm down! Why are you so quick to believe it was him?" he counters, his voice he keeps steady but you see his eyes, so much like his daughters, are blazing,

"Because of what he's done so far? He set the paparazzi on me, Dad. That's not just petty, that's psychotic!"

"I'm not excusing him or defending his previous actions. I'm not on his side here, Beca. I'm merely seeing the possible intent behind them. He was hurt, Beca, but I doubt he'd stoop this low." He counters so calmly that it only infuriates Beca further. Normally you'd be trying to calm her down, rubbing at her hand, before she even got to this point, but you clamp down on that pressing painful need. You couldn't do that here in front of Cameron of all people especially at how close he came to catching the two of you together earlier on. Somehow you feel he already has his suspicions, something about his eyes cautiously, steadily watching you both.

"He's the only one with a motive plus you know he's got a fucking vendetta against me, Dad! If you had been paying closer attention, you'd know!" you can't help wincing hearing her voice break, you can hear her straining, holding back her tears. She's been through so much today, you know her emotions were beyond frayed and she was completely worn out. You can't look at her, afraid if you saw all that pain -your weakness, that need to kiss it better would overwhelm you and you wouldn't be able to hold off any longer.

"I think we need to continue this talk in private. Sorry Miss Beale..." He says looking anything but, "I have to have a word with my daughter." he eyes you expectantly,

Your eyes dart over, you watch as Beca opens her mouth in protest, and you just shake your head signaling that it was, that you , were okay.

"No problem. I'll just, um... I'll wait over here then." You say walking several steps away. He watches before he gestures for Beca to come closer, their voices drop down to heated whispers. Even after all his efforts, you can hear them perfectly.

You make yourself look busy pacing back and forth along the audience area while they remain just by the judges' chairs. You find an area near the dark where they wouldn't immediately notice you watching. He crouches over as he places his hands on Beca's shoulders.

"After all this have you not once considered sitting down and talking it over? Before everything else, you kids were friends. I didn't think there was anything in this world that would get in the way of that. We both know that's what must be done to clean this up." he says, taking the unmistakable tone of an adult trying to persuade a willful child. Beca rolls her eyes.

"Do we?" Beca grits out, crossing her arms.

"It was always you and Jesse; you guys were a perfect match if I ever saw one. I don't understand what happened or why you called it off in the first place. Whatever the misunderstanding was, you guys can still fix this. You can talk it out, apologize, that's all you have to do…"

She looks at him with such betrayal you see that Cameron has the nerve to flinch.

"Apologize ?" her face is beyond furious, "You automatically assume I was at fault for things ending the way that they did. I assure you while I ultimately gave the words to end the so-called relationship, he played a large part in how it did." Her voice is so soft that it emits a chill into the air, actually, her whole body is cold and unyielding, it's a wonder how Cameron can stand it.

He is still her parent of course, he doesn't stoop to her level, he merely disregards her attitude playing the patronizing adult to a tee. If there's one thing you were thankful for, you're glad it wasn't playing out like their last argument, he wasn't rising to her anger and he was keeping his voice steady.

He is however gesticulating wildly with his hands, another habit his daughter and him shared.

"Beca, can't you see how desperate he had to be to resort to all this? He's trying to get your attention. See reason here, what would you have to lose, if it is him behind it, he'd stop the video from being leaked." He brings his hands to his hair, almost acting like he'd pull at it, and maybe he would, if not for the already receding hairline.

"No Dad, we're beyond talking! He threatened me! What I need is a restraining order! He's put your daughter at risk. How can you still defend him?" She's throwing her hands up in exasperation, then pointing, stopping short at poking his chest.

"Because this isn't who he is. He's a good guy, you know it and I know it. Plus he's always treated you right. He has always taken care of you, hasn't he?" he asks, trying to calm her, reaching tentatively for her but she flinches and turnself herself away.

It's hard to act like you're not listening, even more so seeing this all go down just in front of you and not being able to chime in and defend Beca's honor as well as using every dirty word you've ever encountered while lambasting Jesse.

She breathes carefully, you can almost hear her counting to ten in her head. You're so proud of her and her willingness to talk over everything calmly, or as calmly as she can manage.

"I know that you guys are close and he's like the son you had always wanted, well before that awesome little weirdo of a brother of mine Ben came along, and yes, of course, it's a given that he's your ideal son-in-law and all that... but he's changed. We both have. We want different things now." She raises her hand to her hair, scrunching it as she tries to find the words.

"But weren't you happy with him?" Cameron asks, sounding truly flummoxed. At this point, you want to see what kind of brainwashing tricks or voodoo Jesse had up his sleeve to have had Cameron so convinced.

Beca's eyes turn distant, almost completely removed from the situation as she completely immersed herself in her own thoughts. She's hugging herself tightly, trying to provide herself some self-comfort. You see how she struggles, how she chooses her next words carefully. You feel yourself moving closer.

"I thought... I was happy then, or as happy as I could be... but somehow there was always something missing... nothing really made much sense anymore... especially after, after Mom…" she breathes shakily, her throat bobbing up and down.

Cameron stands there awkwardly, you see him tensing over, his eyes alarmed, not knowing how best to comfort her. It was oddly reminiscent of Beca's own struggles with showing physical affection.

"There was a time I thought I could never be happy again, that I'd never feel anything the same way or as strongly ever again." she breathes out heavily, looking truly drained, her confession taking its toll on her. "There were times that I was scared that there was something wrong with me like I was going crazy 'cause all I felt was just this vast ...emptiness like I was waiting for my life to mean something again. I kept wondering there must be more to all this."

Her voice is small, almost childlike, yet her words are loud and heavy. You feel the full weight of it. It carried years of pain and such deep unrestrained longing and loneliness. It all crashes over you, you feel that pull so strongly, that fierce protectiveness, that yearning to safeguard her heart from further pain as your own heart constricts.

She blinks shaking herself out of her reverie,

"But nothing ever changed, so I guess I was just complacent with how things were. I didn't think I could possibly want or deserve more till-" she stops and she suddenly smiles, "till now." You think she looks your way but she quickly presses on.

"Plus we were far from perfect. Even when we were younger, I didn't even have it in me to care, I simply followed along." She says, fully self-aware. "I didn't see it but really in hindsight, the more I let him take the reins the more he thought he could discount what I wanted. In the end, he was just forcing his wants. All he did was take and take till there was nothing left that was for me. That's not what a relationship is. There was no balance, he never considered me an equal, he was controlling me to fit some narrative he had in his head, just like everyone else." she says sounding so detached almost like she was speaking about something else entirely. Cameron, for whatever reason, still looks unconvinced.

"Beca, it just seems like such a waste, all that history. Even if you didn't get back together, maybe there is something to salvage. You won't have to burn bridges over this. No matter what they say, Hollywood is small. It's not like you won't be running into one another."

She makes a noncommittal noise.

"Plus once upon a time, you gave me a second chance before, when I knew I didn't deserve it. You've always seen the good in people. You know he's simply hurting... men do stupid things when they're heartbroken."

" Men do stupid things in general. It doesn't excuse him." she curtly says.

Something registers in Cameron's eyes, he almost looks too afraid to continue.

"I hope this doesn't poison you against all men. I hope you're thinking this over clearly... and not being swayed by outside influences," he says gently but his eyes are probing, his mouth twisted in displeasure.

"Dad... I..."she wills her eyes not to betray her but still they flicker to you. Cameron follows her line of sight and you quickly look away, worrying your lip as you try so hard not to look as if you have been listening.

He becomes stern, "Think of how much you've sacrificed to get here. You did all this by yourself. You can't let something like this take it away from you."

"Like this ?"

"A silly false rumor."

"And what rumor is that, Dad?" she asks, her steely gaze enough to make him hesitate before he continues.

"That you're allowing yourself to be swayed against the Christian teachings by associating yourself with such company the likes of your so-called friends who put you in this situation." You feel his eyes on you.

"I thought we had just proven that it was not my friends who led me here at all, but someone who had ill-intentions and was most probably acting on the instructions of someone you claimed was a good guy and who somehow you excused because he had done something stupid simply cause he was heartbroken."

'Touche' you think. Oh, you loved quick-witted, snarky Beca. Sometimes there wasn't anything as sexy as her brain. You consider the entirety of Beca, it was too close a competition. She was really just the whole package.

"Also which outside influences would be so wrong in your eyes? My friend Stacie may be very confident in herself and her assets but there's nothing wrong with a strong woman knowing herself and going after what she wants. Fat Amy is loud and speaks her mind but she's also the most loyal person anyone can ever ask for."

You don't know why you're fighting back tears and getting choked up. Your heart all but fills up with pride, this was your girl fully confident in expressing herself and her feelings, she was a totally different girl from the one who had been closed off meeting new people and making lasting connections.

Beca's voice trembles now with more than nerves,

"My friend Cynthia Rose is gay and she loves who she loves and there's nothing wrong with that… because who cares what everyone thinks when she's truly happy and proud of who she is!" she gets out her eyes shiny, she's breathing harshly now,

"And Chloe... she's... she's such a light-hearted, pure being who magically makes the day better just by being in the same room. She's a good friend and the best kind of person and she's not only good to me, she's good for me." Her eyes are fierce as she faces Cameron dead on, "She's caring and warm and she's done so much for me, Dad. She's helped me come out of my shell and she's chipped away at all my walls. She's the reason I'm able to talk to you calmly like this or at all."

"Beca you better not be saying what it is I think you're saying...as a child of God, there are certain teachings you have to uphold and certain relations that you must avoid in order to preserve-"

"Wait a hot second, " she interrupts, "who are you even to judge me and my friendships? Maybe you tell me first what right you have to dictate anything to me about lasting relationships?"

"Whatever mistakes I made doesn't take away from the fact that I am your father and I raised you to be better than to take part in these kinds of perversions-"

"-Perversions?! Didn't you cheat on my mother with your TA who is half your age? And don't you dare bring up Christian teachings. From what I remember divorce wasn't exactly encouraged."

He sighs. You see that she hit a nerve with that last part, and his jaw starts twitching.

"Caitlin isn't half my age, she went back to school late, after taking time off to help with her parents. You know that! Also, why are you bringing your step-mother into this? I thought you guys were okay?"

"Just because we are cool now and you married her, doesn't mean it didn't hurt the people you left behind." she mutters snidely. Cameron opens his mouth but soon closes it clearly at a lost for words, thrown through a loop at the sudden attack.

You watch them fume and glare at each other for a couple of minutes, the silence thick and neither willing to back down. You wonder if now is the time for you to interrupt when you hear Beca sigh heavily, almost angrily at herself.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that last part, that was uncalled for. I've been up since five in the morning my brain cannot handle anymore."

You're waiting for his response for him to act high and mighty, maybe quote Bible verses but, "You're right and I'm sorry, Beca. I don't think we'll ever see eye to eye on the matter but I hope you consider what I've said. It's late and you're tired. Think it over for tonight."

"I won't change my mind but... thank you, I-I appreciate you coming over, Dad," she says to make amends for what she had last said.

Cameron to his credit lets it go. He breathes heavily.

"What are fathers for?"

"I was hoping to maybe make this whole Kori thing go away." Beca cheekily replies.

"You don't have to worry, consider it done." He's quick on his phone, he exchanges a couple of texts with whoever it is that he is texting.

"Your team's been informed. We need all the hands we can get. Now that we know we must take immediate actions, Kori will be dealt with. I'll be on the phone with her representative, with the tape as proof, she will have no choice but to come over. After she confesses, the show will release a statement about her leaving. She'll have to sign an NDA-Non disclosure agreement." he explains unnecessarily.

"I know what an NDA is, Dad you made sure I was well versed in all the lingo since I was but a toddler." she says rolling her eyes.

He laughs, looking at her fondly." Of course, you do, honey." He says ruffling at her hair.

"Hey!" she says dodging away, "Okay let's call it a night then! Goodnight ...I'll just have a word with Hank so he'll drop off Chloe."

Cameron nods slowly.

"Chloe!" she raises her voice and calls for you but you're already on alert already on the move.

Cameron's eyes track you as you make your way over. He doesn't say anything.

"Come on, let's get going!" she says, already heading out.

"Goodnight, Sir." you say bidding him farewell, his face is indecipherable.

"Take care going home now." he says as a response. "Beca, don't take too long we can ride home together."


"My dad wants me to talk to Jess." she tells you under her breath, you can't help flinching at that stupid nickname. You're hurriedly conversing as you start walking trying to slow down your pace making the most of what little time you had with Beca and not even fully private you were accompanied by some of Hank's men as you make your way towards the car he would be driving you home in.

Beca was choosing to take the company car since she wanted to be certain that you would get home safely and you had in turn wanted the same for her. Long story short, you had argued about it for a while but later on you had to give in.

"I overheard. You don't have to do that if you don't want to, Beca."

Her jaw twitches. "I'll see what I can do... Kori's out of the way but I guess my dad has a point, there's no harm getting this over with... trying to find some common ground. Maybe warning him off as I still need to see him at work."

"Isn't there a way to have a restraining order placed on him?" you say going off on what she'd said earlier, hearing the other options and thinking them too tame a punishment for what he'd already done, proven or otherwise. Too soon you spot Hank standing by a different car than you had seen him in before, he waves at you warmly. You wave back but give a wistful sigh. Beca echoes it as well. She extends her hand to you, it's all she can offer out in the open. You take it willingly grasping on to her warmth.

"Honestly, when I said that I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to it. But even then, I realize that until I have no hard evidence of his involvement I can't take any legal actions against him. And since the competition is ending anyway, I just have to bite my tongue and deal with it for now... the court proceedings and gathering all the requirements needed would take way too much time away from what's really important. "she says all in one go, glancing backward. You had to leave soon before Cameron came to the parking lot, he wanted to ride with Beca on her way home.

"Yes, your full proof military back to back practices and all." You can't help teasing still holding on to her hand as she helps you into the car, and you're suspended at that moment knowing that you had to go and yet you're stalling, you want to kiss her goodnight, or even hug her anything but you can't.

You're seriously contemplating just pulling her into the car with you. She sees your struggle and she lets herself let out a sad smile and shrugs. What can we do

"No, I mean yes to that too. Don't ever underestimate the importance of practice but I'm saying I don't want it to cut into our time together . "

"Yeah of course whatever limited time we have,I want it all." you whisper and her eyes light up with renewed vigor.

"By the way you forgot something" she whispers as she quickly opens your palm.

"What?" you ask, curious.

"It's a tiny little thing." She says, looking bashful, her cheeks coloring prettily. You had no idea what she was talking about but she was being so darn adorable you were willing to play along.

She smiles softly looking down, placing her hand into it, her fingers curled into something much like a rock and roll sign, but with the thumb out. It takes you a moment to see it and then your breath catches in your throat.

I love you. She had signed . She had found a way to tell you.

"Goodnight and don't you dare forget again," she says as she closes the door.


More news coverage. Beca had anticipated the next issue would come from elsewhere, something outside the competition but instead, it headlined:

The Voice contestant Kori Stevens asked to leave the show just before results night due to personal reasons. What aren't they telling us?

Days after expose video promised to be released, a contestantbooted.

"We have another heavily anticipated all-girls mash-up performance with our remaining beautiful Belles: Amy, Stacie, Cynthia, Chloe, and our Coach Beca Mitchell!" Carson announces to the cameras.

You feel somewhat anxious but not so much about the singing aspect but everything else. You were dressed up in matching shiny gold tracksuits. There was a lot of glitter and showy spectacle at the ready on stage, (there was a lady doing cartwheels, one with a hula-hoop, plus back up dancers because there was actual choreography, choreographed by Stacie herself).

It was by far more flamboyant than the usual staging, In the back of your mind, you wonder if it would take away from the performance itself. You understand you had to make this performance the talk of the town and have good press and get back to the competition aspect for a change.

You enjoy the opening pose, with you and another dancer leaning on Beca's shoulder.

It starts simple enough with Beca's clear voice taking the lead.

You got me so wild

The rest of you are humming and making beats and supplying the melodies in the background.

How can I ever deny

You got me so high

You chime in showing the harmony of your voices.

So high I cannot feel the fire

You almost smile at how beautifully they blend together but you remember the performance called for you to be serious as you do a couple of simple dance moves, something akin to Dua Lipa's New Rules video.

And you keep telling me

Telling me that you'll be sweet

Pum pum Fat Amy sings along giving her all to that part

And you'll never want to leave my side

As long as I don't break these

ahhhh you all vocalize.

Promises,

(Promi- ses ) you all sound heavenly.

and they still feel all so wasted on myself

And then the breakdown came. Here was where the elaborate choreography came along. And then there was a lot of shimmying and hip thrusting.

I'm your dream girl

This is real love

But you know what they say about me

Fat Amy came in with her signature stylings and charisma she was owning her moment and pumping her chest wildly.

That girl is a problem

Girl is a problem

Girl is a problem problem

(And they still feel all so wasted on myself) Beca still sings the previous song's part.

Hey Hey! the girls continue chanting strongly.

Sweat

Dripping down your chest

you sing.

Somehow you're really feeling yourself as you dance along, you feel Beca moving against your back (you're glad Stacie decided to have you two facing opposite directions, you think you would have short-circuited if you had to perform all that pelvic thrusting face to face) as you both do the choreography in sync,

Thinking 'bout your tattooed knuckles

On my thigh boy boy boy

Beca sings she sounds so hot you can't help getting a little turned on and enjoying it a little too much, your eyes meet and she has this little smirk, it seems like your thoughts were far too obvious.

Fat Amy continues,

Cold

Shower you got no

Power to control

How I make you my toy toy toy

Cynthia Rose's turn now with Stacie in Harmony. Cynthia's lower voice blending with hers so well.

My hips rocking

As we keep lip locking

Got the neighbors screaming

then Stacie's voice takes over

Even louder louder

Lick me down like you were

Rolling rizla

I'm smoking

Come and put me out

(So wasted on myself)

Cynthia Rose again.

I'm your dream girl

This is real love

But you know what they say about me

You all chorus

That girl is a problem

Girl is a problem

Girl is a problem problem

Oh baby

Fat Amy again

You so bad boy

Drive me mad boy

But you don't care when they say about me

That girl is a problem

Girl is a problem

Girl is a problem problem

Beca finishes

(And they still feel all so wasted on myself)

You hear the cheers erupt as you finish all of you coming together for a hug.

"Yeah, we definitely gave them something to talk about now." Beca whispers which makes you laugh.

You look at each other now, you want to remember this moment. Standing hand in hand with your girls here in the stage for what may very be the last time.

"That was fire girls! That number was on fire!" Usher claps along.

"Actually with all the shimmer going on it honestly looked like you were literally on fire at one point." Adam says to the laughter of the audience.

"Personally I like things simple," Blake says to some light-hearted boos from the crowd prompted by Adam, "but let me finish, for an opening number that really went off with a bang!"

"We'll be back after the break with another fiery performance this time with our The Voice Boys... that's a bit of a mouthful!"

"We're men!" Adam says, deepening his voice which the audience eats up. The women whistling and swooning

"Manly men," Carson corrects himself, "and afterward the results for what is now out Top 6! Stay tuned!"

"And onto commercial break! Girls get changed into your Top 6 outfits. Boys standby for your number!" the floor director, John announces." Chop, chop ladies we don't have all the time in the world. This is why we don't send girls to college!"

"No John, we don't speak like that to our contestants." Adam chastises him.

"But you girls better get going." he says winking your way. Adam was completely relaxed now that he had no contestant left. He wasn't too bitter about that. He was actually upset about Kori and how she ruined her chances cos she risked a guaranteed future career for naught.

Cynthia, Amy, and Stacie start to walk ahead while Beca, after giving you all one last squeeze, whispered 'we crushed it awesome nerds' before she heads over to her personal assistant, Kimmy Jin, who walks off without her while Beca looks on exasperated before she makes her way over to her glamor team to help her get dolled up.

You rush to the nearby toilet for a quick break, you splash cold water about to calm your nerves before beelining to the changing room.

You place your hands still cool from the sink water on your forehead then on your neck, you're too worked up.

'Top 6', you can't help repeating it to yourself.

You were so close to making your dream a reality... somehow along the way it had faded into the background when your tunnel vision had focused on Beca and what you both meant to each other.

When had you gotten to Top 6, time had flown by so fast.

Too fast. Time was running out.

These next few live shows were of the utmost importance. They would determine your placing in the competition and ultimately in the outside world as well. The final team would get to perform multiple numbers and one with a celebrity guest, as well as with their coaches. You'd been waiting for that forever.

It really would come down to a fierce battle for the top spot and you had a chance, the probability was good; it was a one out of six chance but you had as good a chance as any. It definitely felt more real now that the competition was drawing to a close.

Something has changed in the air, it was charged... like every moment counted since you were all so close to the end, it was the final push. It was make it or break it time.

Even The Coaches can feel it, or at least Blake seemed to become a little more on edge about it.

He would call Fat Amy to more and more practices. You almost felt bad for her since she was the only one left in her team.

Beca, too, had booked you all for more back to back practices. With Anna and herself.

Usher was working the boys hard as well and Bumper was even too tired as of late to summon up any insults which was always good.

The time for bonding and cheerful support was limited now. It was like the end of summer camp and off to boot camp.

The contestants themselves seemed more determined, no longer primarily focused on the friendly camaraderie. You had all gotten this far supporting each other. But you did have to remember that in the end there was only one space to be the ultimate winner. The voice.

Especially since all that was left was most of Usher's boys and the girls.

And now that you were keeping the girls out of a loop, you were, somehow, shouldering everything.

You were still glad that you had managed to come together to have that mash-up performance. It felt like a last hurrah of some sorts. And it was a much-needed bonding experience. You had started to mend things during practice. Aubrey had shared some acapella exercises consisting of Back to Basics number with a mix of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy/You Can't Hurry Love/Lady Marmalade/MMMBop/My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) with multiple trust exercises to help find your sound, and get synced up.

In the end, you came out more bonded as a group: Stacie and Fat Amy had worked things out with Stacie apologizing profusely promising to make things up to her, (promising multiple mani-pedis) actually you all did which is why Fat Amy starred so heavily in the number and had such free range with her suggestions about the staging and such.

You're broken out of your musings as the team of hairstylists swarm over to assist with your quick outfit change, (probably noticing how distracted you are); they make sure you get into your dress without messing up your make-up or your hair. Lucky that it was just a zip-up hoodie.

Every one of you is a little breathless when you make it to the wings, just as the commercial break ends.

"And we're back after the commercial break with our Troublemakers singing Please Don't Stop The Music!"

Blake begins:

Please don't stop the,

Bumper with Donald, and Luke chorus

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music

Please don't stop the music

Adam starts singing:

It's getting late, I'm making my way over to my favorite place

I gotta get my body moving, shake the stress away

I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way

Possible candidate, yeah

Who knew that you'd be up in here lookin' like you do?

You're making stayin' over here impossible

Baby, I must say, your aura is incredible

If you don't have to go, don't

Usher adds his own stylings,

Do you know what you've started?

I just came here to party

But now we're rocking on the dance floor, acting naughty

Your hands around my waist

Just let the music play

We're hand in hand, chest to chest, and now we're face to face

Luke with the other boys harmonizing:

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Donald sings,

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

Bumper takes lead

Baby are you ready, 'cause it's getting close

Don't you feel the passion ready to explode?

What goes on between us no one has to know

This is a private show, oh

Blake sings,

Do you know what you've started?

I just came here to party

But now we're rocking on the dance floor, acting naughty

Your hands around my waist

Just let the music play

We're hand in hand, chest to chest, and now we're face to face

The boys sing together towards the end.

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the

I wanna take you away

Let's escape into the music, DJ let it play

I just can't refuse it

Like the way you do this

Keep on rockin' to it

Please don't stop the, please don't stop the, please don't stop the music

The music, please don't stop the music

"The screaming speaks volumes." Carson's spiel is almost completely drowned out by the girls screaming, squealing and the cacophony of cheers and clapping echoing around the auditorium. "The men of The Voice. Give it up for Coaches Adam, Blake and Usher and our contestants, three of Team Ushers: Bumper, Donald and Luke!"

This is what you feared that the boys would reach the finals just by their huge impact on the women demographic. Their votes were definitely in after that number.

"All they had to do was give that smolder, hike their shirts up, do a crotch grab and they already got in." Stacie comments. "They can shamelessly do that but for me to cup my own breasts, no way."

You all shake your heads at that. "Double fucking standards." you murmur.

There would be another shorter break before the results would be presented.

You wait for the Floor director to give your cue to move upstage for one last group performance with everyone this time and then the results.

This was another Mashup to perform, this one was the one that Jesse had worked on, incorporating the classic George Michael's Freedom!'90 and Cups. You had gotten the piece only a few days before today, you hadn't thought it would work but you think that you were speaking more for the talent of the vocalists than him.

Beca starts,

I won't let you down

I will not give you up

Gotta have some faith in the sound

It's the one good thing that I've got

Blake takes over

I got my ticket for the long way 'round

Two bottle 'a whiskey for the way

Stacie harmonizes with him and you can still make out Beca's voice still in the background.

Then Cynthia and Stacie.

And I sure would like some sweet company

And I'm leaving tomorrow, what do you say?

All three of them round off the last note beautifully.

Then it's your turn,

All we have to do now

Is take these lies and make them true somehow

Then it's all the girls singing together.

All we have to see

Is that I don't belong to you

And you don't belong to me yeah yeah

Freedom! (I won't let you down)

Freedom! (I will not give you up)

Freedom!

(You're gonna miss me when I'm gone) Bumper sings and you hear the smallest of wobbles in his voice and internally smile.

You sing Freedom and the boys sing the backing.

Freedom! (Have some faith in the sound)

Freedom! (It's the one good thing that I've got)

Freedom! (Oh you're gonna miss me when I'm gone)

Usher joins in.

Oh Yeah when I'm gone

When I'm gone

Oh you're gonna miss me when I'm gone Adam harmonizes.

But guess what you've got

You're gonna miss me by my hair Luke sings shaking his hair out.

You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

Beca sings.

(when I'm gone) Fat Amy belts.

That's what you get (that's what you get)

That's what you get (that's what you get) Donald sings.

I just hope you understand

Sometimes the clothes do not make me, oh yeah The boys sing in harmony harnony.

All we have to do

(all we can do) Beca goes off.

Is take these lies (you're gonna miss me when I'm gone) and make them true (somehow) Cynthia gets her velvety runs and dynamics in.

All we have to see (all we have to see) You too add some flourish.

Is that I don't belong to you (you're gonna miss me when I'm gone) Stacie is also singing her heart out.

Fat Amy sings while the rest chorus.

Is you don't belong to me

Freedom! (I won't let you down)

Freedom! (I will not give you up)

Freedom! (You're gonna miss me when I'm gone)

gotta have some faith in the sound

It's the one good thing that I've got Adam sings

(You're gonna miss me when I'm gone)

All of you end the song in perfect harmony.

Freedom

Freedom

Freedom (freedom)

You stand on the sidelines with Stacie, Cynthia and Amy but everyone is quiet once again. It's not a tense, uncomfortable silence like before, it was a solemn reminiscent one. Each one trying their best not to cry at the prospect of that being their last time performing on stage or even together. It felt like the end of an era almost.

Your mind keeps wandering as the time counted down and it makes you regret so much even with all the practices going on you rarely saw the other girls and if you did everyone was busy doing their own thing. Together Anna and Beca ran a tight ship and they kept a rigid schedule. With workouts, vocal warm-ups, some choreography, song choice review, and later practice of the chosen piece till every note was as perfect as it could be.

It would've been so very lonely if not for Beca still being by your side. But just barely. She was there but somehow she was only Coach Beca; serious and reserved, always cautious, always looking over her shoulder, expecting the next attack.

You didn't blame her with Cameron showing up more often and unfortunately, Jesse as well, from time to time. He had to be around, he worked there but you see that in this time, they hardly interacted, whatever messages Beca had for him she passed through Kimmy Jin. (I told him to cancel the countdown and we'll talk but only after the upcoming results show). He tried once but Beca hardly acknowledged him, you see him steadily get more and more frustrated and the casual glare sent your way every now and then goes largely unnoticed by everyone else.

You can actually relate to Jesse at that point. Lately, for Beca and yourself, you hadn't been truly alone in what feels like ages.

You wonder how she manages, you however should be given all the awards just for not jumping Beca every time you see her. You feel a bit crazy sometimes like you could spontaneously combust with her being yours and within your reach, but also somehow, you were still being held back.

You recall just days before she was in your arms kissing you passionately and now you can't even so much as breathe in each other's directions without prying eyes locking on the both of you.

You can't help it... to have been spoiled rotten before, being invited to the promised land but not allowed past the gate. You're happily ever after seemed much further away than you thought at this point; stalled indefinitely with you being the child being subjected to the marshmallow test. Delayed gratification, you've felt you've been denying yourself for all too long, when would you get your much-deserved marshmallows.

There's a desperation for whatever time you could spare with Beca. Your mind wanders for a few moments, back to earlier that day.

"I miss you." you whisper boldly, urgently, when you get a short moment together while getting snacks. She doesn't show any indication that you had started talking to her. She stares straight ahead.

"I see you everyday but I don't really get you to myself." your voice so soft still carries, bringing your inner concerns to light. Her eyes narrow and to prove your point, the rest of the contestants filter towards the table. She looks around before she casually nudges her head towards a relatively empty area.

"I know..." she whispers while walking ahead, her voice sounding truly desperate, "... we just need to hold off for a little longer."

"How much longer?" you can't help but prod. It's a much heavier question you're posing. How much longer would you have to be kept in the shadows hiding your true feelings.

"I don't know." she half whispers, her voice wobbly, her blues misty-eyed.

You let go of a wistful sigh, wanting to wipe at those tears.

"I wish we were back in your crib If i had known then that was the last time I'd be getting you alone, I'd have jumped you there and then... I thought I was being honorable."

She laughs but her eyes are heavy. "Oh fie human chivalry."

"How are you doing this? I mean you seem perfectly fine... and you're so... perfectly composed. I don't know how you manage that? While I feel like I'm losing whatever is left of my sanity seeing you there and not being able to..."

She looks around before she pulls you into a fierce hug, her face tucking its way beneath your chin, her arms securely around your waist. You both sigh at the contact missing this, your skin, your whole being craving it.

"I want you." she breathes shakily, inhales desperately almost as if wanting to breathe you in. She's rubbing her face on the skin, hot breath hitting this spot on your neck making you shiver. "I want you all the time…" she whispers her mouth by your ear, her desperate confession makes your heart, as well as your nether regions, ache. "When I'm away all I think of is the next time I'll have your lips, your body against mine."

You sigh in response.

"I'm always always left wanting; you drive me so crazy cos this isn't enough, none of this is enough...but I can't let myself lose control." she pulls away, and that very action seems to pain her. "We're so close to the finish line, I can't afford to trip."

"I know... I can wait till after the competition maybe then we could move more freely?"

Her eyes turn serious, her hand goes up to tenderly caress your face, "If I had the leisure of being normal, if I could... I'd take you far away and it'd just be you and me. You and me and I'd be happy. I could die happy just being a nobody hauled up with you in some remote island." she smiles this lopsided dreamy little smile.

"That's a sweeping statement but could you really do that? This life it's a part of you, Becs."

"That's what I'm most afraid of. What if I can never give that to you? What if this is all I can offer you? What if I can never be ready to be "out" there? Would you stay if I were to keep you a secret?"

"I'll wait. I've waited long enough, years, months... what's a few more." you say lightly to break the tension.


Your mind catches up to the present and Beca's there on her chair watching as the contestants walk back to the stage to await the results.

"And now we're finally here for our Top 6 results. Are we ready? We are getting closer to our final four contestants that will compete to win the title as America's Voice!"

"So tonight due to some circumstances we have a coach without a contestant. So we will be focusing on the three coaches and their mentees. We have Team Blake with the last woman standing, Fat Amy!"

Multiple cheers, you see the rest of the Hobart clan cheering her on louder than anyone else in the auditorium.

"We have Team Usher with all three boys; Bumper, Donald and Luke!" he says pausing to give enough time for individual cheers until the louder higher pitched cheering erupts ,when the female fans cheer.

"We have Team Beca also with three talented ladies, Stacie, Chloe and Cynthia Rose!"

You hear steady, loud cheering.

"Tonight we will find out who America chooses to have in their top 6!"

You hold your breath in time with the dramatic pause and suspenseful music.

"You are safe for tonight... Luke Paxton!" Seriously , you inwardly groan and you exchange a what-can -you-do sort of smile with Stacie.

Sure he could sing but honestly if this guy wasn't a looker he wouldn't have gotten this far. He catches you looking and he throws you a wink, as he walks by and you fight hard not to twist your face up in disgust.

' You're on TV , you're on TV , you ' r e on TV !" you chant desperately, just in your head.

"Next we have from our girls... we have a representative for Team... Blake keeping the champion name alive, Fat Amy moves on to our Top 6!" She jumps up and does a fist pump, everyone of you girls rush to her.

The four of you jump around together emboldened, okay three more of you and all would be right in the world. She walks off stage, still shaking her fists in triumph almost like a prized fighter.

"That's two contestants and let me remind you, that everyone at home should've voted as there are no saves this week. Four spots to go which Team will it be from?"

He pauses letting the audience shout out names.

"Did I hear Team Beca?" he asks. you really like Carson but sometimes his lines suck there was no way that he got Beca from that din. " Okay then, from Coach Beca Mitchell's team we have…

Cynthia Rose!"

Yes, there you go! You can't help yourself jumping up and down and hugging her tightly. She looks relieved but of course, in your eyes, she was the voice. If it wouldn't be you, Cynthia would be the best option. She too disappears off stage and then it's you and Stacie and you hold her hand, it's cold and she's fidgeting. You caress her skin trying to help her relax and help you focus.

"Just like that the competition draws to a close and now we have our Top 6! And then there were four left... waiting to hear their names called out." You notice the floor director is trying to get his attention, motioning that they had to go to commercial, "Let's put them out of their misery and say another name before the break." There are groans and boos from the impatient hyped up crowd, "or at least a clue... we have a boy!"

"Commercial, take your breaks, judges, and be back in five minutes. Contestants on stage if you go to use the restrooms, please be careful with your mics." John announces.

You don't feel like moving and neither does Stacie. You both crouch to sit by your spots.

"Are you doing okay with all this?" You ask, nudging her to get her attention. She smiles fondly and hip checks you back. She's serious when she speaks.

"I am and I'm not expecting much. Bumper has his backing and Donald his fans. I have my admirers but if I'm competing against you, I know I'd lose."

"What do you mean? All I've gotten since all this went down are negative feedback and haters."

Stacie shakes her head and reaches over to squeeze your hand.

"That's not true. People will rise up to your defense when you least expect it, especially if you really didn't do anything wrong. Here..." she whips out her phone from between her breasts, showing you posts upon posts defending you and you're gobsmacked reading actual positive feedback.

All this time you were under the impression that everyone was against you.

"You have your supporters, fans in small town girls wanting to dream big. In grandparents and tight knit families. I'm sure you have the Redhead community who knew. You have the Filipino community standing behind you and look, you have several LGBTQ+ fans. You and Beca actually have quite the following... they ship you too. They say you guys are endgame."

You see everything from fanart to edited videos on YouTube when you glance over. She's smiling when you look up,

"Plus I've always known you were a winner, Chloe. You're not loud or flamboyant but you never needed to be as you have that steady consistency about you, it's pure and beautiful much like your voice." You feel so touched by her words.

"Thanks Stace." she shrugs it away but you see she is getting choked up.

"I didn't think I'd make it this far so if this is where it ends I'll only feel grateful for it, for meeting all of you and all the laughs and memories along the way." she says taking both your hands and squeezing them.

"Don't talk like that, Stace."

"No matter what they say, Okay?" she says eyes desperately trying to convey to you,"You've always deserved to be here. You will make something out of your voice my dear, I promise you."

You don't get to reply as John hurries back on stage with his clipboard.

"We're back in one minute. Thirty seconds-" John counts down. You quickly get to your feet and boost up Stacie along with you.

"Back in ten, nine, eight, seven, six…" he mouths the rest before pointing at Carson.

Carson smiles toothily into the camera, "Before the break, we gave a clue as to who would be the next top 6 placer...It's a boy and now for the name, we have our fourth spot filled with Team Usher's… Bumper!"

You want to scream profanities. You try to calm your thoughts, with two more spots you both still have a chance.

"And now...we're down to two… and we have… our girl crush…" your heart sinks. You face Donald, ready to congratulate him when-

"Chloe Beale!" wait what you thought he said girl's crush. You turn to Stacie. She laughs at your expression. "Girl crush Chloe. I told you the lesbians have spoken."

You find yourself walking ahead till you reach the end of the stage away from the audience soft cheers echoing in your ears. Benji gives you a thumbs up from his place on the opposite wing.

You see Donald approach Stacie and he holds the crook of his arm out for her to hold. She takes the length of it and she grabs it for her dear life. He seems to whisper her words of comfort because she eases up and starts to calm, a smile on her face.

He wasn't all bad. You'll have to thank him later.

"And the final spot for our Top 6. With the least number of votes we will have to say goodbye to…"

You hold your breath for a moment as images of the past few weeks and your time together on the show flash before your eyes.

"Stacie Conrad. Your final Top 6 contestant is Donald. Thank you Stacie for making this season truly memorable. "

"No!" you say feeling your legs buckle from under you in your haste to bolt back from where you had just come. Fat Amy and Cynthia come running out to join you as you all pile back on stage Cynthia Rose is there finding a spot bawling into Stacie's breasts, you're hugging Stacie from behind and Amy is holding her arm. Beca brings up the rear she opens her arms and you all do a four-way shuffle to fit inside. "My arms are not that big guys" she murmurs moments later but doesn't make a move to protest.

"Tune back in next week for our Live show, the last before choosing our Top Four finalists! Have a good evening everybody!"

"And cut! That's a wrap!"

"Let's all meet at mine for old times sake? Let's celebrate Stacie and her Voice journey!" Beca says as you all break apart, shooting a glance your way in a muted understanding. You feel a little lighter as you all walk off the stage, knowing you will have the evening ahead to unwind and relax in Beca's company.


Author's Note:

So we're nearing the end of the TV show and I still have tons of ideas, tons of events to be covered between our girls.

I'm wondering if you're approving of the story's pace now, there's a part of me that wants to cap off the story at 50 chapters, I feel I could tie it up nicely if I keep up with the current hefty length of the chapters. Or would you all prefer short punchy ones?

Also, I started this fic and The Voice was a different show altogether and I'm sure the rules are no longer the same, and I've been taking some liberties so bear with me. I'd also love to hear what song ideas you have for our Top 6 peeps-and potentially Top 4 and which singers they'd duet with.

Anyways any feedback is appreciated.

Next time: Beca Jesse confrontation. Wedding Invitation. Family meddling. All fun things.