Chapter 13

'Destination: Unknown'

"I beg of you, let me hold you in my arms before morning breaks. I beg of you, let me keep you for a little longer before you go. I beg of you, let me love you until the end."

The clouds drift by like white ships sailing the vast blue skies. Heading towards wherever the wind takes them.

Chloe wishes she were a cloud for a day or two. How great would it be if she could just drift away to somewhere far away?

Maybe even forget all the feelings that ache to burst out of her chest.

But no, that was impossible. Humans aren't clouds and are therefore cursed to walk on land to suffer—or at least that's what Chloe feels as a human at the moment. So she proceeds to look up at the sky as she lays on her back in one of the lounge's canopy sofas, thankful for the small shade over her head.

She'd kill for some music now though. Wandering up at Hotel Azure's rooftop lounge—the perks of running business errands for Amplify—had been a spontaneous decision that the need to bring earphones was lost to her.

Back to cloud watching it is then.

That is until, a shadow looms above her, silky auburn locks and amused green eyes replacing bright blue cloudy skies.

"So it seems we've now leveled up from bathrooms to rooftops apparently."

Chloe narrows her eyes at one Paris Blake, or better yet, Rachelle Coltman.

"Go away," she lazily moans, slightly lifting her hand up to lamely create shooing motions.

The singer only huffs, lips curving to one side before she plops down next to her on the outdoor circular sofa while lighting a cigarette. She takes a couple of puffs before crossing her slender legs and leaning back, a hand stretched behind her to hold herself up.

The act finally snaps Chloe away from her musings. She lifts her head up, elbows supporting her weight as she eyes the famous singer with a frown.

Paris' slender fingers brings the cigarette to her lips as she sucks in and takes a drag. She exhales the smoke in the opposite direction and that's when she senses Chloe's eyes on her. There's a momentary pause followed by a defensive, "What? This is a smoking area," she says before pointing over at the sign which Chloe missed.

That's beyond the point though. Chloe may hate cigarettes in general but right now, she's more occupied with the thought that they are strangely co-existing in silence right now and not shredding each other to pieces.

It takes another prolonged silence before she gives up because honestly, she's got a lot in her mind—and heart—right now and she just couldn't care less. She sighs in frustration, deciding to lay back down the cushion to continue gazing up on the clouds yet again.

"God, you and Beca are merging like crazy. Her grumpy morning attitude is clearly rubbing off on you."

"Shut up."

Silence takes over yet again and Chloe should be pissed at the smell of cigarettes like she normally does but, as it seems, she's apparently given up on everything at this point.

Well, except for cloud watching. Cloud watching is so underrated.

However, this time she can't get to focusing back on the huge floating cotton balls up in the sky like before. So she abruptly sits up, a frustrated groan leaving her throat. It's all so unexpected and abrupt that Paris flinches, her chest jumping at the movement and whispered expletives leave her lips as her head whips at Chloe's direction.

"I think you need this more than I do," the singer mumbles before offering a cigarette her way.

Chloe takes the whole pack—obviously one of those expensive brands—from Paris' grasp before throwing it over the other side.

"You don't have to be a bitch, you know," Paris says in a rather calm tone.

Chloe had expected a slap or a growl, to be honest. Maybe even a punch, one that could knock her out cold and make her stop… thinking.

"It's bad for your lungs and your throat… and I can be a bitch to people who I want to be a bitch too," she replies in the same tone, eyes staring at equally expressive green hues.

"It gives a raspy quality to my voice." Paris jokingly says.

"You don't need it."

The singer's brow rises up inquisitively, "Are we enemies or friends— 'cause I'm confused whether I want to kick you or..." she momentarily pauses to glance at her discarded cigarette pack before continuing, "…share my cigarette with you."

"Both. We're probably… both," Chloe mutters, thinking twice about it before snatching the singer's cigarette and bringing it to her lips.

She gets into a coughing fit.

"This is awful! Why do you like this stuff so much?"

"You're doing it wrong,"

Chloe ends up throwing the stick in disgust.

"You fuckin' bitch." Paris breathes out, clearly not holding back.

"And you're the worst bitch in town," Chloe retaliates before heavily groaning and falling back down the cushions, an arm coming up to cover her eyes. "I shouldn't even be talking to you."

Paris hums at her plight and Chloe could already hear the cogs turning in her head.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"Go away."

"Is she being stubborn again? Or… something else?"

Chloe remains silent. She has no time to spill feelings with Paris Blake, no less.

"Beca has a quite this charm with the ladies. It's that mysterious detached in control vibe she has. That hard to get but definitely worth it kind of charm. Until that is, you find out that she's actually a total dork, innocent and very sweet… like a kitten."

Chloe snaps back up at that, ready to fire away but when she looks at Paris with all the words she wants to spit out, something else stirs inside her and she finds that there's a whole lot of other words she needs to say out loud. Because if she doesn't, she'll only end up exploding.

And exploding she does.

"There's no paradise."

"Are you high?"

"Me and Beca. We don't have a paradise. Never has been… and never will be. I just let you think we did to piss you off," she finally confesses, eyes starting to sting at the sudden rush of emotions.

"She and I… we're just… we're just… two people connecting… never lacking but also not exceeding. Just… in the middle." Her breath is shaky, eyes loosing life and heart all over the place.

Paris' face slackens, eyes blinking in sudden understanding before it contorts into a frown.

"And why not?"

This confuses Chloe.

"What do you mean why not?" she exhales in frustration, looking straight ahead into nothing.

"You like her and she likes you so why—"

"As a friend. She likes me as a friend."

"That's bullshit."

"I know."

"No you don't. There's clearly something there. I can tell and believe me, I know Beca."

"Do you really? 'Cause she's got a date on Friday. It's their second one so… things must be looking good," she says bitterly.

"No… no, no, no. Wait, let's get one thing straight," Paris interjects, holding a finger up in the air. A pause and then they both snort at the last word because it's the one thing they all are definitely not.

Paris clears her throat before proceeding, "How in the world are you guys not together again?"

Chloe sighs, "I was in a relationship a couple of months ago and—" Paris gives her a look and Chloe clarifies. "With a guy—cause I clearly thought I would never have a thing for a girl until…" she hangs her head, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

Paris' knowing "Oh," says a lot and Chloe nods.

"So when we met you were still…"

"Yes."

"And Beca was the…"

"Yes."

"And so she thinks that you don't…"

"Yes."

"Well then, bitch, tell her!" Paris bursts out, looking offended at the whole situation.

"It's not that easy!" she cries out in defense.

"Just open your god damn mouth and say it!" comes the angry reply.

"Yes, I know, and that's what I should've done when she used to like me in the romantic kind of way!"

"Oh mother of all fucks!"

"Would you stop yelling or I'm going to slap you for real!"

"You better be quick because I'm about to do the same to your dumb ass."

They both take time to breathe, falling into silence when hotel security passes by. Probably wondering what the fuss was about and checking in on them. Chloe shakes her head while Paris pinches the bridge of her nose.

For a moment she worries if this will end up on online tabloids or trashy showbiz news. She hopes it doesn't. Getting famous for threatening Paris Blake and suffering the wrath of her fans is not on her bucket list.

The security walks back, seeing as a cat fight isn't breaking out yet, and Chloe can't help but feel embarrassed for acting childishly.

"I'm not dumb… I was just late," she starts after a minute of silence.

"Late in realizing that she's… what I wanted. What I've been looking for all along. It's all too late. It's what I seem to do best. Always be late," she softly says, her vision blurring at the soft admission.

"You're not," Paris tells her and Chloe would've thought that she's being nice until she adds a pointed, "You're an idiot, Chloe."

Rolling her eyes, she was about to stand up and leave—cause really, this conversation is going nowhere—but the words she hears next break that thought.

"Late is when you had the best in your hands and wasted it by trading it for something far less… for one truly stupid decision. A mistake that—" Paris pauses to shake her head, sad eyes look out into space.

"I broke up with Beca because she deserved more than that. She deserved someone better. Even that decision, I regret."

When she finally looks at Chloe, there's a small smile in her face. "You're not late, Chloe. You're scared. I think you've always been on time and yet there you are, just hovering outside the door. Constantly wondering what would happen if you knocked."

"But," Chloe starts and hesitates for a moment, realizing how her lips are quivering and her chest tightening.

"What if I do and I still end up with the door slammed on my face?"

The thought gives her anxiety, all her worries heightening back up higher than ever.

But then green eyes look at her with certainty and an assurance that she has been through far worse than her.

"Then step back, leave, give it some time and maybe I'm in need of a drinking buddy these days so… I think we can be civil enough with each other to drunkenly bitch about equality and the awful things about life? I don't know," she shrugs before standing up to leave.

However, she pauses, thinking twice about it before turning to her again.

"If you don't knock, you'll stay stuck forever, wondering about all the 'what ifs' until… it really becomes too late. Don't waste that chance. Stop hovering. Don't be like me. Don't be filled with all these regrets."

Paris finally leaves with a 'Bye, bitch' and Chloe thinks that she owes her a pack of expensive cigarettes.

It's about five in the afternoon when Chloe gets back to Amplify, carrying the important documents and notes of concerns from the sponsors. Everyone is starting to end the day and head home. She smiles weakly at Jesse and gives CR a nod before passing by Beca's table to hand over said documents and notify her of what has been talked about earlier.

She's just about to head off to her table when Beca stops her to ask if she was okay. It catches Chloe off-guard.

Unconsciously, the heavy weight on her shoulders must have seeped out of her. She must look like someone who has been dumped misfortune on.

"Are you not feeling well?" Beca asks, rather gently than a couple of moments ago, and this is probably the first time the producer's softer side slips through the cracks of her strict business persona during work hours.

It's an unspoken rule that Beca stops being her boss and becomes her best friend after six.

The question, on the other hand, suddenly makes Chloe self-conscious.

"Yeah! I mean no—I'm just, you know, tired, running around the city and talking about the year-end Christmas event. I'm good. Fine, actually!"

She cringes at her babbling self. Not a proud moment, unfortunately.

Beca looks skeptical but just nods before seemingly remembering something.

"Didn't you use my car? I told you to use my car," she says and Chloe suddenly remembers the sleek black car keys in her coat pocket.

"Oh, right! I did—well, parking was expensive at the hotel and there were lots of… other cars so I had to park somewhere else and walk a couple of blocks—run, actually, due to traffic but yeah, here are the keys! And uhm… thanks," she rambles while fumbling for the car keys and handing it over to Beca.

The brunette looked skeptical, a little bit confused and maybe even worried but Chloe brushes all that off with a cringe worthy two thumbs up and a wide smile that probably looks like she's having constipation. Adding to the awkwardness, she almost bumps into one of the chairs before finally getting to her own work area.

Taking the time to catch her breath and compose herself, she sinks into her office chair and she sighs in relief at the comfort it offers, eyes shutting close for a much needed break—Beca had ordered a new set of highly adjustable, fancy-looking, ergonomic office chairs that are designed for lumbar support and all that jazz right after Chloe jokingly tells her that her lower back is going to crack soon.

Beca does take her employees health very seriously and Chloe has had junk foods taken away right out of her hands and vitamins, that have been shipped straight from Australia, shoved down her throat. She doesn't complain about the gym workouts and morning runs though.

Aubrey, whom Beca reluctantly consults with regards to health, might feel like a drill sergeant in a military boot camp as she puts them all, in what CR dubs, the hell of all hells. It fondly reminds Chloe of a capella boot camp and besides, she likes physical challenges, especially when done with friends. Plus, you get closer to achieving well-toned abs. It's a win-win situation, if you count getting to stare at Beca post work-out in those tight fitting—

"Chlo,"

Chloe's eyes pop open to the voice which she deems soothing. A voice she loves to hear every morning.

She finds stormy blues gazing down at her with that tinge of concern that makes Chloe's heart swell at the thought of.

Staring at them for long periods of time is unfortunately inappropriate though. So, she abruptly straightens up and clears her throat.

"Becs," she naturally replies before checking the time, wondering if she had unintentionally drifted away to sleep only to find that it's only been, more or less, fifteen minutes since she sat.

The nickname seemed a bit too early to be used in 'Beca standards'.

Nevertheless, Beca doesn't correct her and instead says, "Come on, let's go."

The words seem foreign in Chloe's ears as she tries to remember if they had an appointment with one of their sponsors or media representatives. So she blinks for a few moments only to come up with nothing.

"Where?" she asks, staring at the brunette leaning at the side of her table.

"Dinner," Beca simply says before clarifying, "We're still having dinner at Vamps right?"

Chloe nods dumbly before snapping out of her confusion. "Of course! Right, I just—isn't it a bit early?" she questions, eyes wandering towards Beca's now spotless table before glancing at the red ladybug keychain hanging on Beca's bag. The bag which is now hanging on the brunette's shoulder.

"We're leaving early today," Beca simply says and Chloe doesn't miss the way Beca twirls her black platinum ring in her forefinger.

Unbeknownst to the brunette, Chloe has become aware of her tells. Ring twirling especially with her favorite ring is an obvious sign of anxiety or nervousness.

Something's up.

Chloe doesn't pry, doesn't even try to ask and just grabs her own bag, making a quick clean of her desk before following Beca to the elevator. She is almost definitely aware of the surprised looks on everyone's face when Beca clocks out early. Or the way they look at Chloe.

Chloe knows of the rumors going by. Knows that people keep asking if they were an item because of how constantly they are seen together from morning until whenever Beca calls it a day, how she walks around wearing some of Beca's clothes, how they share the same perfume now, how Beca only drinks the coffee Chloe gives her and how Chloe just drives around in Beca's car even though she has her own. She knows that Jesse and CR shuts all the rumors down by quickly informing them that Chloe doesn't swing that way.

Which is funny because here she is pining for a girl—something she still can't bring herself to admit with Jesse and CR.

Maybe it's because if she did, they'd immediately put the pieces together and figure just who has managed to change her world.

And when it comes to the huge question on whether or not she's bisexual, the answer remains to be one giant blank. She's supposed to be, now that she's attracted to a certain overall producer of live events but then when Tessa introduces her to a female friend at a bar one time who unabashedly flirted with her, Chloe finds her stomach twisting the wrong way. She had sputtered excuses before hurriedly bailing out.

There was nothing wrong with that lovely girl. It honestly was all Chloe. Tessa's friend was beautiful, charming and funny yet it just didn't feel… right. Even if Chloe had thought about it over a billion times now. To try and experience being with a girl, to date, be intimate and do things. Maybe even just once.

But no, she'd leave every time. Coming up with excuses and running back to the one place she feels that strong pull. Where she feels most safe.

Right where Beca is.

Movie nights, music nights, game nights, sleepovers, breakfasts, dinners, kitty play times, Beca's place has been like her second home. She was around almost every other night and especially during the weekends that even Beca's neighbors think that they are together.

Chloe doesn't correct their assumptions.

She doesn't want to

She's also painfully aware how serious it was getting. How hard it was not to hold Beca in her arms and just… kiss her. And that just may be the problem.

There's only one girl she wants. The only one she is helplessly attracted to.

Only one.

"So, I might… have… gotten us tickets to that play you wanted to watch," Beca says in between dessert and before Chloe could react, two tickets are slid across the table towards her.

Suddenly, she is reminded of the very first time they met. How Beca tries to subtly hand her an umbrella, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. Just like then, her reaction hasn't changed. Chloe is so surprised that the words were caught in her throat as she glances down at the tickets. VIP front row tickets, to be exact.

Her eyes widen and mouth hanging when it all settles down, "But how?" she asks in disbelief, looking back at the brunette who is now cheekily shrugging like it's nothing.

Chloe stares at the details and her shock grows, "These are for the opening night! That's tonight! This Thursday! And it's been sold out before I could get one! God, I couldn't even avail a ticket for Friday night. It's all sold out! How did you get, not just one but two, two tickets?!" she asks, still trying to wrap her head around all of it.

"Magic," Beca slyly says before sipping on her iced tea and Chloe glances down on the tickets in her hands again.

"Since I'm not free on Friday," Beca begins and Chloe's smile falters at the words.

"And you've been looking kinda' drained lately so perhaps a little motivation would give you a little energy boost? Or maybe a first early Christmas present?" Beca adds and this time Chloe musters the courage to look up at her, those dark blues making her heart jump.

The fact that Beca would go to great lengths to acquire something Chloe loves, just proves how important this friendship is.

It makes her wonder…

…if things will stay the same when Chloe finally knocks.

Guess, Paris had hit the mark after all.

Chloe has never stepped inside a theater for two years. Her heart just couldn't take it. It had been too much to bear but now, the longing inside her breaks and she yearns to feel it all again. The music, the lights, the set and that great sense of passion for the art. Theater had been her life. Her world and her first true love.

Which is why her emotions overflow when the curtain opens to start the first act. She realizes just how much she misses it. Misses performing and the exhilarating feeling it gives her. This had been her drug.

With a hand over her beating heart, she reaches for something to anchor her down.

She finds Beca's warm hand, clasps it tightly and feels the reply through a tight squeeze.

The story had been about a love that wasn't meant to be. A love that blossomed at the wrong place and time and Chloe's heart aches at the pain it brings.

How close it hits home.

She's glad Beca doesn't ask. Doesn't inquire about the tears she hastily wipes away. Beca never forces anything out of her. She's always let Chloe come to her whenever she's ready. Arms always open and ready to catch.

Steady arms that would never allow her to fall back into the cold wooden floor.

The curtain closes and the applause thunderous. A worthy response to such a masterpiece.

It's a night that makes you feel like it's going to be something to be remembered for a very long time.

When she looks over at Beca with a smile, she knows that a memory as good as this is perfect especially when attached to the person as special as the brunette right next to her.

So Chloe doesn't hold back the urge to hug her, doesn't think about how long a friendly hug is supposed to last and doesn't care about the world going on around them.

Beca pulled her up from a bad place, made her feel something she has desperately tried to find all these years and gave her the inspiration to dream again.

"You're my favorite," she softly says because a 'thank you' just wouldn't suffice anymore.

It earns a light chuckle and the words, "I know. You already told me."

Chloe thinks Beca doesn't know exactly what it means when she says those words.

If only she did.

Only you

"Have I ever told you that I used to perform in theatre?" Chloe says minutes later as they remain seated. Most of the people had left and only the soft chatter of the few left and the maintenance crew remained.

"Stacie told me," Beca replies and Chloe tears her eyes off the empty stage to look at her.

"She did?" she asks with a hint of intrigue in her tone. The fact that she comes up in their conversations peeks her interest.

"Said you were damn good at it," Beca glances at her with small smile.

"That's an exaggeration," she immediately corrects with a laugh.

"Well, I think she's telling the truth. I mean…" she trails off uncertainly before pushing through, "That emotional solo you did for Mona could very damn well break hearts."

Chloe pauses at those words, remembering that exact solo. It took her almost a year to practice that play, to perfect the role and to deliver it with every fiber of her soul.

It was the last play she's ever performed in… before she left.

Months ago she would have regretted it deep down. Today, she doesn't. If she hadn't left then she would have never met Beca.

"How did you know…" she begins to ask but the smile widening in Beca's face stops her.

"I have connections in New York and one day I got hold of a video—"

"No way! There's a video?" Chloe blurts out in shock, amused eyes staring at the producer.

"You know there is," Beca throws back, pointing at her.

"Yeah but it's almost impossible to find. The production has an official—" she cuts herself off finally realizing something before continuing, "But that official video would be really hard to acquire except if you… bribed them or something."

She searches Beca's face for any clues and in a split second she finds it.

"You did, didn't you?" she almost yells out, earning stares from a few people.

"Alright, maybe I did… use Amplify's name and had connections who owe me favors," Beca finally admits with a sigh.

Satisfied with the answer, Chloe leans back on her seat again, eyes on the stage once more. It's bare now with only the white lights shining directly above and open curtains swaying lightly as the crew pass by.

"You could have just asked me to sing if you really wanted to hear my singing that badly," Chloe teases after a moment but the reply she gets is far different from what she expected.

"You miss it, don't you?"

Chloe eyes the center of the stage, focusing on the memory of standing up on one many years ago.

"All the time," she confesses, a longing tone in her words.

"Then why not go do it?" Beca asks softly and Chloe breathes out heavily.

"I don't know," she almost whispers before slowly looking back at Beca. "It's been so long and…" she fades off as insecurities loom behind.

"I wasn't exactly stable back in New York. Sometimes I have the job and other times I don't. It's a gamble. I'm no Broadway superstar, Becs."

"But it made you happy… and I know it still does."

"I… don't know where to start," she weakly admits, staring down.

"Here," Beca suddenly says, an open hand offered in front of Chloe. When she looks up, Beca is standing, a hopeful look on her face.

"Start here," she continues and despite not understanding how, Chloe takes her hand.

She trusts Beca, always have and always will.

Beca's hand fits perfectly with hers, warm and assuring. Chloe wishes to hold it as much as she wants. Whenever she wants.

She is gently pulled up her seat and led to the side of the stage.

This is where she slightly hesitates.

"I don't think we're allowed back there," she says as they start to walk over to the path leading towards the backstage.

It doesn't stop the brunette.

"Becs?" she tries again and freezes when one of the crew passes by.

Beca gives him a light smile and much to Chloe's astonishment, he nods back in a friendly way.

They make their way towards a small flight of stairs leading to the stage. In seconds, Chloe is bathed in the yellow glow as Beca takes her right at the center, stopping right at the middle to face her with their hands still connected.

Another realization hits her.

"So, you also have connections here," she says teasingly. The little shrug and head tilt she gets as an answer says it all.

"The director is a close friend of mine," Beca answers.

Lifting the production's brochure, Chloe eyes her doubtfully.

"You are friends with the great Lily Okanakamura?"

"Yes," Beca answers slowly. "We all are, actually. She's part of the gang and… has been to our last Friday of the month gatherings."

"What? When?" Chloe asks, jaw slacking as she comes up with no memory of said award winning director joining them in the past couple of months.

"Uhm the last three Fridays?"

"What?!"

"She's a… woman of a few words and she doesn't really want to draw attention to herself," Beca says and Chloe shakes her head in disbelief. Muttering words like, 'Unbelievable' and 'I could've gotten an autograph' before escalating to an accusing, 'Why didn't you tell me?!'

This time Beca seems to appear a little anxious with the way she fidgets with her ring again and Chloe senses that there's something she doesn't know yet. What else could be added to this already perfect night?

Beca clears her throat and months ago Chloe would've find it impossible to believe that this usually composed producer can actually be an awkward little bean at moments.

"I did introduce you to her… in a way through that video," Beca slowly explains before pausing "Which I made her watch and well, I don't want to impose or tell you what to do but I know passion when I see one and you have a lot of it on stage. And…" Beca tilts her head to the side again as she continues her struggle to express her sentiments.

"She agrees with me. Lily does have an eye for picking out hidden diamonds. It's what she's good at."

Beca's words fill Chloe's cheeks with warmth. She's heard compliments about her performances but not as exceptional as this one.

Especially when it comes from the person whose words deeply matter to her.

Beca hands her a small letter envelope which Chloe carefully takes, eyes silently inquiring yet dark blues seem to be adamant in making her see for herself.

When she finally does, words leave her.

"It's your choice—I mean, it's not like I'm pushing you out of Amplify!" Beca quickly clarifies as Chloe's eyes remain glued to the paper she's unfolded in her hands.

"You are the best promotions newbie I ever had—as much as I do hate to admit it but yeah, you are very good at that job which is why I'd really hate to lose you if ever you decide—but I'm also aware that your heart," Beca stops mid-sentence as Chloe finally looks up at her, bright blue connecting with dark blue.

The lights up above gently transition to red as the technical team check on the equipment, not really giving them a care in the world as they do so.

Beca swallows before finally finishing her sentence.

"Your heart longs for something else."

The pinch in Chloe's chest intensifies and everything just zooms in to the woman in front of her.

"An annoying psycho once told me," Beca begins, traces of a smile starting to form in her face.

"That my art is beautiful. And that I should keep doing it because it heals and inspires," the brunette's lips curve up as the memory comes up.

"Well, I wish her the same because her art is certainly as beautiful, if not more."

Some things can't be described in words. Some things are just too much to encapsulate in letters and sentences.

What she has for Beca is one of those things.

Clutching the letter bearing the opportunity towards the dream she had once wanted to desperately fight for, she takes a step closer, leaning forward until her lips press on soft cheeks.

Chloe knows just how dangerous it is. To stop thinking and forget everything else. The last time it happened created a mistake she is keen on never repeating again.

But tonight is different and perhaps having a little piece of her heart take over for a while won't hurt.

She closes the gap, arms circling around Beca, growing tighter by the second as she becomes lost to the warmth and the violet hues of light slowly covering them both.

My heart longs to be right here.

With you.

"I found something, by the way," Beca starts and Chloe slowly untangles herself from the brunette, not really wanting to part.

The producer puts up a finger, asking her to wait before hurrying off to the side of the stage again to grab something.

When she turns around, Chloe quietly gasps at the guitar in Beca's hands.

She makes her way back to her, "To commemorate you standing on stage again, literally," Chloe laughs at that, "I think it's only right that I… finally hold a guitar again," Beca says before stopping right in front of her, eyes looking down at the instrument.

Beca slides the guitar strap over her head and lets it comfortably rest on her shoulder and that's when Chloe lays a hand on the brunette's wrist.

"If it doesn't make you feel comfortable, then you don't have to," she quickly lets her know.

Chloe had been aware of it. The memory connected to the instrument and why Beca hasn't touched one in a long time. This runs deep and even if things had been smoothened out, the pain that certain memory brings is not to be taken lightly.

Beca looks up at her and those dark blur spark with determination as she slowly shakes her head, "No. I'm ready, Chlo."

Gently, she lets go of Beca's wrist, a smile slowly forming on her lips. Calm blue eyes hold her gaze before focusing down on the strings.

Fingers pluck on one string before following it again and again, making a few adjustments to the tuners. Until finally, a note is strummed.

"Let's see," Beca mumbles, deciding what to play. "There's this instrumental song called 'I'm so glad for you' by Mujjo."

Chloe, with her wide range of music knowledge, hasn't heard that one before and that's rare. Nevertheless, as Beca plucks on a string to produce the lightest melody that makes her smile she knows it will be one of her favorites.

It's an addicting tune played by a person she can't help but move closer too. It's long been proven. There will always be that strong pull between them and Chloe is helpless against it. A wave that washes over her and pulls her to the sea.

And when Beca finally smiles as she starts playing the open notes to Billie Eilish's 'Ocean Eyes', Chloe drowns in blue, a fate she has now accepted.

"What are you idiots hovering about over there?"

"Shh! Shut it will you! That cute couple on stage is on the most romantic date ever."

"Some people are just lucky. Lucky, tiny and soft girlfriends."

"What in the world are you idiots talking about?"

"That over there, stupid!"

"Oh god, she's playing the guitar—why can't I have a girlfriend who plays a guitar?"

"Hey! I'm right here and I can play the… tambourine?"

"Is she going to propose though? Oh good lord, she's singing too! This is either a first date or a proposal! This is a blessing to our theater. Remember the last time this happened. Massive sales!"

"Where's the kiss though? C'mon, kiss her!"

"Keep it down, will you?!"

"Ooh change the lights again—ugh, that sweet hug, their smiles, holding hands! They're so cute! Romance is not dead."

"Hmm, a brunette and a red head. I ship this so hard."

"You ship everybody."

"Well, what can I say? Love is love."

"My favorite little sloth is finally awake. Morning grumpy," Stacie's sly tone greets her as soon as she walks out her bedroom, wrinkled oversized shirt, bed hair and all.

For someone who has just woke up, it's annoying and makes her even grumpier.

Stacie sits, legs crossed on top one of the island stools, already sipping freshly brewed coffee as she languidly strokes Bella's cottony white fur.

Bella, on the other hand, lazily perches next to Stacie's mug, obviously enjoying the kitty rubs with the way she nudges her head towards Stacie's open palm.

"I should've just picked a night job. I'd do so much better working during the dead of the night," Beca groans as she reaches for her own mug and pours herself some coffee.

"You're complaining about that now? Now that you are Amplify's pride and joy?" Stacie teases.

Beca yawns in reply. They settle into a comfortable silence until Stacie decides to open boxes Beca is not prepared to open first thing in the morning.

"Lily told me you bought the most expensive seats in her theatre last night," Stacie says as lifts up her mug to take a sip and Beca could almost hear the words hanging after that.

"Two. Two seats and what she's described as a 'very cute date' with a 'very pretty red head' sitting on one of the said seats."

Beca's coffee starts to turn sour.

Stacie sets her mug down, fingers drumming on the counter's surface.

"It gets even more interesting after that. Something about a guitar… which you are allergic to for more than a year. Until last night."

Beca sighs audibly and prepares to slam down whatever Stacie is cooking up.

"There's only one red head I know that you're constantly stuck to this past month. A pretty red head that is definitely not Rachelle," Stacie continues on, eyes now piercing her skin.

The room suddenly feels small and Beca is definitely more awake than ever before.

The heat of Stacie's questioning stare starts to prickle so she stands up, intending to discard her coffee.

"Chloe and I are friends. Best friends, actually. Just like you and I, Stace," Beca says as she exhales.

She knows where this is going. Knows what Stacie is hinting and still, she tries to delay the inevitable.

"Yeah? I don't think we've ever had sleepovers and go out on cute little frates. The first time you slept at my place was because you liked your straight roommate and couldn't stand to see her make-out with Frankenstein. The second time was when the evil hag cheated on you."

"Don't call her that."

Stacie rolls her eyes. "Sure. I'll just call her wicked goblin then."

Beca gives up on that issue. Stacie isn't in forgiving mode when it comes to cheating. Especially when she's had not just one but two experiences regarding the matter from both her father and an ex.

"But what I'm saying is," Stacie starts and Beca hears that tone. The seriously direct to the point one that comes from a good place.

"I've seen this before and I'm worried."

Beca's shoulder's sag as she stops rummaging senselessly around the kitchen.

"And this one," Stacie continues, "It's running deep and you know that if you don't stop and face it... it's going to get more painful."

The sharp inhale Beca makes is an accumulation of many things and as she whirls around to face her friend, something inside her cracks.

"We're friends and I can't—!" she cuts herself, breathing heavily as her emotions create a chain reaction deep in her chest.

Stacie looks like she wants to say more but what only comes through is a heavy sigh.

Taking a deep breathe and looking away, Beca feels the energy drain from her.

"I'm trying," she says in almost a whisper.

"I'm trying, Stace. I thought I was okay—Look, I just need more time. I didn't expect…" she trails off, hands balling up until her nails leave marks on her palm.

"I promised my friendship and that's what I will give. That's what we have now. And that's what we will always be. Chloe is…" she swallows the lump in her throat.

"I can't lose her."

Even if it kills me

Author's Note:

This chapter's summary without context:

Paris Blake makes an unexpected comeback and loses all her cigarettes. Chloe wants to be a cloud. Beca spending Amplify's budget on expensive office chairs. Lily demonstrates her military skills regarding stealth and cammouflage. Stacie following Aubrey into becoming an expert investigator, hires Lily as her spy for reasons stated above. Bella, too busy wooing the ladies to tap in with the slowly unfolding drama.