A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews, keep them coming! I feel honored to make people feel something for the characters. If you are enjoying it please let me know what you think or ideas you'd like to see in the future.

Chapter 14: Nationals and Apologies

It was the last day of bella rehearsals and the group was making sure they knew the routine backwards and forwards. Aubrey was very pleased with the borderline perfection of her bellas choreography and voices. She might never be able to admit it out loud but she was also so proud and thankful for Beca ever showing up to those acapella rehearsals. Changing arrangements from Bella tradition did seem to spark life into the Bellas and probably took them from 2nd or 3rd to a legitimate shot at being national champions.

"Bellas." Aubrey clapped her hands together and took a drink of water. "This is a bittersweet moment for me. This is the last…" Her voice caught and she had to look down to compose herself. Chloe was immediately by her side rubbing her shoulder. "This is my last Bella rehearsal. Regardless of what happens at Nationals, I'll be graduating in a little over a month. It has been my honor and privilege to be a Bella and to lead you all. Even if I didn't always make good choices." She smiled over at Beca. "I have the utmost confidence in Chloe to take the reins and continue the legacy that is the Bellas. You are my sisters and my soldiers. We will fight to bring back that trophy to Barden. Now, tomorrow we travel to Nationals and dammit we are going to sing so that our voices make Beyonce jealous, we are going to dance so that our bodies make J-Lo jealous, and we are going to perform so epically that we will have the bella name etched in acapella history forever!" She raised her fist in the hair. In unison all the bellas jumped up and cheered and huddled together. Even Beca found herself feeling pumped after that speech. "Hands in bellas! Ah on three." Aubrey smiled, and everyone put their hands in.

The bellas made their way to the airport, on their way to New York. Beca kept her headphones on, while still staying attached to the hip of Chloe. The bellas couldn't help but notice they were totally back to normal, and the group couldn't be happier.

"Seat mates?" Chloe held her ticket out.

"Seat mates." Beca grinned in relief as she lifted one headphone off her ear.

"If I fall asleep, I might cuddle with you." Chloe nudged.

"You do, I'll demand a new seat assignment."

"No you won't." Chloe stepped in closer.

"Wanna bet?"

"You're going to lose. You know you love when I cuddle with you. How many nights have you stayed on the couch with me, when you could've easily moved to another spot."

"I'm sorry, have you ever tried saying no to you." Beca rolled her eyes.

"Nope. I think 'no' is such an ugly word." She winked as she stepped forward and handed the woman at the gate her ticket.

"They're so obnoxious." Stacie laughed as Beca and Chloe walked together to the plane.

"But this is definitely the lesser of two evils, for sure." Fat Amy sighed. "And maybe they'll finally get it on in New York." She nudged and winked.

"Ew, no. I'm sharing a room with Chloe." Aubrey interjected.

"And I'm sharing with Beca." Fat Amy realized. "That'd be definitely no bueno!"

Just as Chloe promised, midway through their flight, she leaned her head on Beca's shoulder, pushed her armrest up and snuggled in for her nap. Beca just shook her head as she closed her eyes to listen to her music. Fat Amy had snapped a picture on her way back from the bathroom and tagged them on instagram with a heart around their heads. She grinned waiting for Beca's reaction in particular.

"She's going to kill you." Stacie giggled.

"It might be more challenging than alligator wrestling." Fat Amy nodded. "But I think I can take little shawshank."

"I'm going to kill her!" Beca growled as she got the alert on her phone when she woke up.

"Oh calm down." Chloe couldn't stifle her giggle. "Its not that bad."

"She's going to take it down." Beca's eyes looked up and sat the blonde head bobbing to some song in her headphones. "I'll make sure of it that."

"Nooo…" Chloe whined. "Just leave it. I think its cute." She looked over at Beca and did her signature eyelash batting.

"Ugh, fine." Beca closed her phone and shoved it in her pocket. "What kind of a gross name is bloe anyway."

"I think I like bechloe better. Has a better ring to it." Chloe shrugged.

"You're ridiculous." Beca huffed and tried to relax for the last part of their flight.

The bellas gathered in Aubrey and Chloe's room the night before their performance. Aubrey had confiscated the alcohol Fat Amy had smuggled in from the liquor store down the street.

"We can drink to celebrate when we win Nationals. But I will not have any hungover bellas on stage tomorrow!" She shoved the bottles of liquor in one of her suitcases and put it in the closet. They sat around eating pizza and watching movies. Chloe sat on her bed in the middle between Aubrey and Beca, leaning closer to Beca. Fat Amy, CR, and Stacie sprawled over Aubrey's bed. Jessica and Ashley happily sat on the floor, backs against the bed. Lilly sat at the table in the corner twirling a pen, looking out the window. Jen and Heather had decided to go to sleep early.

"I just gotta say." Fat Amy announced. "I love this. And I love you skinny bitches. I'm so glad you let my sexy fat ass in this awesome group."

"We love you too Amy." There was a chorus among everyone agreeing. The movie ended, and most everyone was falling asleep, so one by one they made their way back to their own rooms. It was left to Aubrey, Beca and Chloe.

"Well, I'm going to wash up and get some sleep." Aubrey slapped her knees and shut the bathroom door.

"She's probably going to want you to leave." Chloe sighed disappointedly.

"Yeah, I know." Beca shrugged as she slid out of the bed, Chloe's hand slowly releasing its grip on her arm.

"Text me if you can't sleep." Chloe ran a hand through her hair.

"Okay. You know I probably will." Beca stood at the foot of the bed. She stuck her hands in the pockets of her PJ bottoms and shifted her weight awkwardly.

"What's up?" Chloe leaned forward.

"Just...have a good night. Text you later." Beca spun around when she heard the bathroom door open. "Night, boss." She waved as she hurried past Aubrey.

An hour later, as Chloe had expected, her phone lit up.

Beca: you up?

Chloe: of course

Beca: can't sleep

Chloe: I'm surprised it took so long

Beca: whatever

Beca: so how are you going to help me sleep this time?

Chloe: I have an idea

Chloe: meet me in the hallway

Beca: k.

Chloe looked over and Aubrey had her back turned, apparently sleeping soundly. She'd been caught many times by a sleeping Aubrey, but she once again quietly slipped out of bed. She picked up her shoes and used her phone as a light as she tiptoed to the door. She grimaced as she unlocked it and slipped out.

"She thinks she's so slick." Aubrey mumbled to herself and burrowed herself further into her pillows.

"Took you long enough." Beca whispered leaning against the wall, making Chloe let out a little squeak before the door was shut.

"Shh. Aubrey's the lightest sleeper on the planet."

"Sorry." Beca grinned. "So what's your idea."

"Find out." Chloe winked and slipped her shoes on, then led Beca to the elevator. They made their way through the lobby, acting like they were sneaking around even though there was no need. Chloe opened the door to the outdoor pool and froze, "Shit! I don't have my key!"

"Its fine, I have mine." Beca shrugged.

"But how am I supposed to get back to my room?" Chloe put her hands on her hips. Beca grimaced in realization.

"Looks like you'll have to find someone to crash with." Beca smirked.

"And who's going to handle Aubrey's freakout in the morning?" Chloe cocked an eyebrow.

"You." Beca shot back as if it was obvious. "I mean you snuck out in the first place."

"You so owe me." Chloe just shook her head and continued out to the pool.

She sat down and stuck her feet in the pool, Beca followed suit. Beca fought back a yawn, not wanting to give away that she actually was tired.

"Wanna swim?" Chloe playfully kicked a little bit of the water.

"We don't have our suits." Beca replied simply.

"So?" In a flash Chloe had taken her night shirt off to reveal a sports bra. She grinned as she slipped out of her self-proclaimed 'booty shorts' so she was just in her underwear, which was probably more modest than her swimsuit anyway. Beca just sat still, not sure what to say. Chloe slowly sunk herself into the pool, hissing slightly as the cold water covered her body.

"Seriously?" Beca smirked, amused by Chloe's lack of self-consciousness.

"Come on." Chloe moved her arms to help move her further from the edge of the pool. Beca shook her head as she stood up. She thought for a moment about joining Chloe or not.

"Oh, don't get shy now." Chloe winked, knowing that always got Beca to break.

"Fine." Beca sighed and slipped her shirt and shorts off. Chloe grinned as she took slow steps back to where Beca was slowly easing her way into the pool. Beca gritted her teeth and she felt the cold creeping on her skin. Chloe snatched Beca's wrist and before she could react pulled her into the pool.

"Holy crap, Chlo!" Beca shrieked as she took short, sharp breaths. "Its fucking cold!"

"The quicker you get in, the quicker you adjust." Chloe giggled.

"Ugh, how is this supposed to help me sleep?" Beca shivered. Chloe just kept smiling as she floated to the edge of the pool and put her elbow on the side to rest her head.

"Talk." Chloe sweetly commanded as Beca slowly made her way next to her, quickly getting used to the water.

"About what?"

"Why can't you sleep this time?"

"Its nationals, Chlo. That's a big freaking deal. I mean, if we win we'd get to go to worlds which is like the fucking olympics of acapella. I wouldn't have another chance to go since its only every four years. And oh my God, I'm actually emotionally invested in acapella." Beca let her head fall into her hands.

"That's not such a bad thing." Chloe reached over to rub Beca's back. "We're going to win and we're going to go to Europe in July. But first we need to be prepared for tomorrow. All the more reason to get lots of sleep, make sure your vocals chords are ready."

"Do you really think we have a shot?" Beca put her elbows on the edge of the pool and rested her head on her forearms.

"Totes!" Chloe replied instantly. "I think we have a fantastic shot. Which, by the way, we probably wouldn't have if it weren't for you." She nudged Beca's side in encouragement.

"Please." Beca just rolled her eyes. "I just feel inadequate like all the time. I just worry I do more harm than good."

"Beca." Chloe scooted closer, tentatively.

"I mean it. I just worry about that. I mean I joined the bellas, and now I feel like it was a mistake, only because I feel like I've been a problem for the group."

"You're not!" Chloe instantly responded, putting a hand on Beca's elbow. "Seriously, you have been instrumental in getting us this far. Even Aubrey would agree."

"So...you won't hate me if I mess up and lose it for us tomorrow?" Beca took a peek toward Chloe's eyes.

"Of course not! But you're not going to mess up. We're going to give our best performance and the only reason we won't win will be if the judges are biased and just decide to pick someone over us. It won't be anyone's fault. We've built an amazing team." Chloe nodded confidently.

"You should be a therapist or something. You always know how to make my anxiety go away." Beca let out a deep sigh. Chloe smiled proudly. "Can we talk about something else, since we're alone?"

"Mhm." Chloe nodded and swallowed, having a feeling she knew what this would be about.

"I know we're good again." Beca avoided eye contact, and spun the ring on her thumb around and around. "But I just wanted to say how sorry I really am for everything."

"Beca, you don't-" Chloe shook her head, not sure if she even wanted to hear what Beca was going to say.

"No, I want to. When we got back from...Spring Break...I was just really freaked out. You know I'd never...had...I hadn't done that with anyone before. And before I could process it, we were just fighting and I lost it. I felt guilty and ashamed. And I wanted to take it all back, but at the same time I was weirdly glad it happened with you. But I was terrified of losing you as a friend that I just tried to pretend it didn't happen. I pushed you away and I'm so sorry for some of the things I said to you. I never wanted to hurt you the way I did. You deserved a better friend than that, and you still deserve better. But I'm really happy we're back to normal, now." Beca had just looked at her hands during her whole speech. Chloe took a deep breath, feeling relief.

"I'm glad it happened with me too." She blurted out, without thinking. Beca just glanced at her with a smirk. "But I'm more glad that we're best friends again. I mean, some of the stuff you said really hurt, and I didn't know why you were so mad-"

"I know, I know." Beca rubbed her head. "I think I felt like the only way to get you to leave me alone was to think of something terrible to say. So I thought if I pushed you away it would make me less confused."

"I'm sorry I pushed you." Chloe whispered.

"Its not your fault at all. I just hope I can make it up to you somehow." Beca glanced at her sheepishly.

"Just promise you'll never take your frustration...or confusion out on me? And you can talk to me about things. When I realized I was bisexual I had a friend to talk to and she really helped. Just don't shut me out, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. Maybe we can talk about...stuff when we get back home." Beca took a deep breath. "I feel a lot better getting that off my chest. Thanks for forgiving me."

"That's what best friends do." Chloe gave her shoulder a friendly punch.

"I think I'm ready for some shut eye, now." Beca blinked slowly, feeling the sleepiness wash over her. They sat by the edge of the pool silently just looking at each other. They were both having a difficult time reading what the other was truly thinking. Chloe felt like a magnet was just pulling her towards Beca. She closed her eyes and then suddenly took a deep breath, pulling herself out of the pool, resisting the urge she had to kiss Beca.

"Let's go." Chloe held her hand out to help Beca out of the pool. As they walked back to their rooms, Chloe looked at her door in frustration.

"Just stay with me and Amy." Beca chuckled. "Its safer than facing the wrath of knocking on that door and waking the beast. Just text her that you're here and she'll be fine in the morning."

"Fine." Chloe rolled her eyes, kicking herself for not bringing the room key.

Chloe woke up with her hands under her pillow and her body right next to Beca's back. She studied the slow rise and fall of Beca's shoulders, indicating she was in a deep sleep. She stirred when she heard some noise coming from the bathroom

"Oh, morning, Chloe." Fat Amy winked as she dried her hair. "Sleep well, I presume?"

"I got locked out of my room." Chloe quickly rolled over and rubbed her eyes. "I should probably head back over before Aubrey loses it."

"Right, right." Fat Amy nodded, unconvinced, as Chloe scurried out of the room to face the music of Aubrey. She gave a half-asleep Beca a thumbs up as she continued getting ready for the day.

The Bellas gathered backstage in their coordinated, but not quite matching outfits. Aubrey had considered changing the set with one or more of the other mashups Beca had made and they had rehearsed. But they weren't as perfect with those as they were with their set they'd performed at Regionals. She was hoping going with the safe bet would balance out not taking a risk and bringing something new. If they lost she'd second guess herself the rest of her life.

"Okay, we got this ladies. We killed at Regionals and have no reason to doubt we can do the same here." Aubrey took a deep breath and put her hand in, trying not to cry. "I love you aca-bitches."

"Let's kick some aca-ass!" Fat Amy shouted as all their hands flew in the air. Chloe gave Beca a wink and a nudge as the group slowly made their entrance onto the black stage.

Their performance went perfectly. Aubrey even thought it was far better than how they did at Regionals. The applause and cheers were deafening again, and she soaked in their last moment on stage before marching with her Bellas to the back of the auditorium.

The Bellas were altogether too nervous to sit in their designated auditorium seats. They huddled together in the back, watching the three performances that followed them. The announcer finally walked out and thanked the crowd for coming and that the judges' results would be ready shortly.

They all joined hands as they watched the trophy rolled out onto the stage and the announcer walk out with his envelope. Chloe gripped Beca's tightly as she held her breath. Aubrey on the other hand was about to hyperventilate.

"And this year's National ICCA champions...THE BARDEN BELLAS!"

The girls jumped up and down giving each other hugs before swarming the stage to take the trophy which was twice as large as their Regionals trophy.

"We did it!" Aubrey hoisted the trophy high above her head. Fat Amy did a chest pound. The others were still wrapping each other in tear-filled hugs.

As they left Lincoln Center, preparing for a night of celebrating, Beca and Chloe stopped by the fountain. Chloe's eyes were wet with tears.

"This is the best night of my life." She whispered, looking at the fountain like it was one of the 7 wonders of the world.

"Me, too, shockingly." Beca let out a laugh and then looked at Chloe. She was filled with the urge to pull her into a kiss and make it really the best night of her life. She tensed up, fighting every muscle in her body when Chloe looked questioningly at her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Oh yeah." Beca stepped back. "Just ready to celebrate. Come on!"

And the Bellas partied in New York all night, celebrating their first ever National victory.