A/N Hello Pitch Perfect Fans, I know I keep apologizing for how long it takes to update, but life just keeps me really busy. It shows me just how amazing those authors are who can keep a weekly update. Those who are able to do more than one update a week are on a whole other plain. ;-p

This chapter was going to be a bit different, but the scene below took a life of it's own, and I liked where it went. I have realized as I have been writing, that I want each chapter to have a purpose beyond just connecting important plot points. There should be a compelling reason why a chapter is covering the scene being told, and it should help move along the overarching narrative. Hopefully I succeeded in this chapter.

I started writing this to help me be a better writer, and to learn how to narrate a compelling story, and hopefully be entertaining. My hope is that you are entertained in the process. So thanks to everyone who takes the time to read. Hope you enjoy.

Please leave reviews! They are really helpful, and appreciated.

As always I do not own any of the characters from the Pitch Perfect franchise, but I love writing about them.

CHAPTER 11

***Green Eye Monster***

Chloe leads Emily from the kitchen to the living room, carrying their wine glasses and bowls for ice cream. Emily is still going on about their impromptu jam session in Kate's basement earlier in the evening, and how amazing Kate O'Shaughnessy was. It had been one of those unexpected moments, the kind that create memories she'll treasure for a lifetime. Chloe can only agree, it had gone way better than she could have ever hoped.

"It felt so amazing to be singing with you and Beca again. It's been too long-makes me excited at the chance we might do the show…" Her happy ramblings though, peter out as she looks around the living room.

Once the trio had returned from their visit to Kate's Emily had jumped into the shower and dressed for bed in her jade green silk pajamas.

During that time, Chloe been busy.

"The candles are a nice touch," Emily observes, setting her bowl next to the multiple tubs of Ben & Jerry's that the redhead had placed just a few minutes before. "You really went all out." Emily looks about at the multiple candles Chloe has lit throughout the room, casting it in a warm light.

Chloe shrugs, "Thought it sets a nice mood."

Picking up the bottle Chloe had already placed on the coffee table, Emily notes, "White Sangria?"

"A favorite of Becs. I like it too; it's got a fruity sweetness to it, but not so much that you can't have it with ice cream."

Emily gives the redhead a wry look. "Can you of all people ever have enough sweetness?" The young brunette's voice carrying just a touch of snark.

Laughing Chloe responds, "Living under the same roof with Beca may be rubbing off on you Ems, but you also have a point." Chloe gathers a number of pillows from the couch and chairs, and lay them about the coffee table; creating a happy little nest.

"By the way, you were so right Chloe, that was an amazing Chinese restaurant. I could eat that night and day."

"Trust me, Becs has tried, and will again," chuckles Chloe as she settles onto the floor in front of the couch, positioning her legs under the coffee table.

"What? Their food is awesome. When you find something so awesome, you never give it up, and you try to get as much as you can." Beca says as she comes in from her room, running her fingers through her wet hair. Chloe looks up and catches Beca's eyes on her, and feels a warming of her cheeks and tips of her ears.

Beca had also changed into her preferred choice of sleepwear, a comfortable pair of sports shorts and extra long Barden College t shirt. Approaching the coffee table the brunette smirks at her redheaded friend on the floor. "You know we have a couch for a reason, right Chlo.?"

Chloe shrugs as she takes a bite of her Cherry Garcia ice cream. "It's sometimes more comfy down here."

"You do look all comfy down there." Beca says as she flops down on the floor, across from Chloe and Emily.

Chloe smiles as she stretches out her legs so that they brush against Beca's hip. Beca looks up and Chloe winks, giving her friend a warm smile Her DJ friend returns the smile. "So red, what did you get me?"

"What do you think I got you?" Replies Chloe as she hands Beca a spoon.

"Americone Dream?"

"Would I get you anything else?"

"Nope," Beca hums happily as she digs into her ice cream.

Chloe smiles and turns to Emily, "You see Ems, I've learned the secret of Beca."

"Oh what's that?

"Beca with food equals happy Beca, and Beca without food equals grumpy Beca."

"Well that just makes sense," says Beca. "Why should I be happy when I'm hungry?"

Chloe can only share an amused look with Emily as they observe Beca. "You're just so adorable, Becs."

"Nope! Badass!"

Chloe and Emily just chuckle.

All three women dig into their ice creams, just savoring the taste and the moment. In this quiet moment the dancing flame from the candles entertain Chloe, and she feels contentment.
Picking up one of the wine bottles, Chloe pours wine into her glass and those of her friends.

She raises her glass to Beca. "I just want to say congrats again, Beca, you earned it." Emily and Beca lift their glasses for the toast, Beca's face revealing her embarrassment at the praise. With glasses still held high Chloe continues, "I also want to toast the both of you for helping me with my idea of teaching music, I literally couldn't do it without you."

Beca and Emily smile broadly as they clink glasses with Chloe and drink down the sweet Sangria wine.

Another comfortable silence descends on the trio, as they enjoy their ice cream, the warm glow of the candles, and each other's company.

Beca is the next to break the silence, figuring now's as good a time to talk to Emily as any. "So, I have something to talk to you about Legacy."

"Sure Beca, what's up?"

"Okay, so, uh, I have this idea… Um…" Beca begins to rub the back of her neck. "Not sure why this is so awkward…"

Chloe giggles, "Beca, when is anything you do not awkward?"

Beca thinks for a moment, then concedes the point. "True. So Ems, uhh I approached my boss today about bringing you on as a talent."

Emily's eyes double in size as they grow round. "What!?" She cries as she brings her hands to her mouth.

Beca holds up her hands and starts rambling. "Look Ems, I know I should have talked to you first, but I was thinking about this for some time, and J-Michael pulled a lame prank, and I felt I had a window of opportunity, and you never know when you'll have another so I took it…"

"Breathe Beca." Says Chloe as she sees her friend begin to spiral.

Speaking through her hands, Emily asks, "You want to make a record with me?"

Beca says shyly, "Uh, yeah…"

"You mean we would collaborate, work on a project, together?"

Beca "Yeah… Um... I mean, that is, if you want to."

Emily sits there processing what she's being told. As it sinks in her excitement builds, till she's bursting at the seams. "Oh My God! That would be so cool!"

"So that's a yes?"

"Yes, oh yes, yes."

Chloe claps her younger friend on the back and says, "Wow Emily, this is a really amazing opportunity. This could be really great for you."

Chloe means every word she just sincerely stated, but she's shocked to realize her smile is fake, a mask to hide other feelings. She doesn't know where it has come from, but Chloe is feeling a rush of jealousy.

It's embarrassing, she's ashamed, for the life of her she can't believe where her thoughts have gone, and that they are not solely happy for both of her friends; but it's there, emerging like a serpentine unexpectedly wrapping about her heart.

It shouldn't be there she knows.

I'm a better person, nicer. Being jealous is childish, I know it.

But it's there lurking like a black cloud on her heart.

Chloe's mind has always had the ability to rev up to where it's speeding away at about a thousand miles an hour. This sometimes is a good thing, it allowed her to deal with a multitude of things, like scheduling Bellas practices, Fat Amy's pranks, Lily' tarantula escaping because of Amy's ill conceived prank, that Lily has a tarantula, and so Ashley and Jessica want to move out of the Bella house, all the while working through a paper for her music theory class. Or in other words, Thursdays at the Bellas house. This is the good side of having a mind that can spin up fast.

As with many things, however it has a downside, it can spin off on a tangent, and go to dark places, really fast, like when the Dean of your college is giving the Bellas a death sentence, and pictures of the world without the Bellas fly through the mind, and the scorn of past Bellas is imagined, especially Aubrey's. Then a mind in overdrive is not wanted.

And now, in this moment, Chloe's mind is ramping up in ways Chloe doesn't want or need. But there it is, her mind conjuring a list of compares and contrasts, and Chloe isn't coming out to good.

Beca is out here in Los Angeles following her dreams and ambitions; Chloe is just following, a pity invite.

Beca's about to become a famous DJ, playing the hottest clubs, not only in LA, but around the country, and then the world; Chloe is teaching music the children of the privileged at a private school, her position secured in large part by her dad.

Beca is even in this moment attaining her dream of producing music, and Chloe is a part time dance teacher.

Emily led the Bellas to national champions again, sans Beca; Chloe has never known success without Beca, and knows the only ingredient needed for championship success during her Bellas run was snarky alt-girl, not bubbly redhead.

Emily writes original music; Chloe comes up with cute musical games for five year olds.

Emily is about to create original music and can look forward to produce an album with Beca; and Chloe is going to teach kids piano in her living room.

It's all a reminder for Chloe that she once had dreams too; aspirations to be something more. She's not sure when they went away, or where they had gone, but they had.

Chloe of course is the mistress of masking her emotions, and keeps all of these unworthy thoughts hidden away, and tries to only smile encouragingly as Emily jumps up to get her ever present notebook. It's not hard smiling at Emily's enthusiasm, and Chloe is positive Beca will turn the girl into a star, if what the two did with Flashlight is any indication.

So she does what Chloe Beale does best and pushes down the pain of loss and despair currently tightening around her heart, and tries to be happy that another friend is going to be super successful. She feels reasonably sure she's been effective in masking the hurt, though Beca does give her a questioning look.

Chloe just smiles in response and gets up off the floor, telling Beca she's going to clean up, and that Beca should move to the side with the couch, so she can sit next to Emily.

"You sure?"

"Oh totes, let me get these things out of the way." Chloe is confident her voice wasn't too cheery.

Emily practically skips back into the room, and plops down in her spot, now next to Beca. "Here you go. I think I have six to seven strong songs in here."

Chloe listens in as she puts the ice cream away and sets the dishes in the sink. She spends the next couple minutes cleaning the dishes, and straightening the kitchen, she continues listening in on her two friends as they begin to bounce ideas off of each other, the collaboration process already beginning.

Returning to the walkway between the kitchen and living room, Chloe leans against the wall, and just listens to professional Beca. She loves watching Beca in her professional mode. It's amazing how much her best friend transforms. Then again Chloe loves all modes of Beca.

"These song ideas you have written are really good Em. Scratch that, these ideas are great," Beca says, turning to her young friend. Emily blushes at the compliment.

"I think you may have more like nine or ten songs here. You have had some seriously great ideas."

The taller girl blushes even more and asks shyly, "Do you really think so Beca?"

Beca nods her head, "Of course Em. Just because we're friends, doesn't mean I wouldn't give you my honest professional opinion. You can always be sure about that. I think your songs are really good.

"Take for example this one- 'Sound of Silence', these are some great lyrics. We do this right, and it'll be better than 'Flashlight'."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah; Or this one, 'Heroes', this could be really powerful."

Emily looks at her friend, and can't hide her excitement. "Wow, it almost feels like a dream, you know what I mean."

Chloe can only nod, it is like a dream, a dream come true. This is going to be a great thing for her. And again Chloe feels that she's out of place here. That she's an observer, not of their world.

"You know, listening to you playing the guitar at Kate's gave me an idea-I was thinking we have you do an acoustic version of 'Flashlight'.

Chloe exhales softly to take her mind off her bout of jealousy, and just focuses on what's important, her two friends, both incredibly talented and really good at what they do.

"What if we found a couple covers for you to sing, to you know, fill-out the rest of the album…"

"We would have to be selective of the songs, Beca…"

"Of course need…"

"I'm going to head to bed, you know, early morning with school." Chloe calls out.

Beca and Emily don't look up, but Beca replies okay, Emily calls out "Good night." The two are really caught up in their conversation, so miss the dejected look of their alarmingly-less-bubbly redheaded friend as she goes back to Beca's room.

[*+*X*+*X*+*X*+*]

A few minutes later Chloe has washed her face, brushed her teeth and changed into her sleepwear. She's ready for bed, and finds that she's really ready to go to sleep and end this day. Today had been a really great day, yet at this moment all she wants is for it to be over.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Beca!" Chloe jumps a little, startled by the unexpected presence of the younger woman. Beca can't help but smirk at the redheads reaction. "Not funny!"

Beca shrugs, a glint of mischievousness in her eyes and tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Maybe a little." Chloe can't help but smile, and for some reason this allows Beca to become serious. "You want to talk about it?"

Now Chloe is startled, she's slow to cover her surprise. "Um, not sure what you mean…"

"Come on Chlo, if I can see something was bothering you…"

Chloe shrugs, "It's nothing…"

"Chlo…" The redhead won't meet her eyes, so Beca knows she's hiding something.

Embarrassed by her reaction, Chloe decides to deflect, though with at least a bit of the truth. "You won't forget me will you?"

Now it's Beca's turn to be shocked. "Uhh… Are you going somewhere?"

Chloe tries to smile, but it's thin, and doesn't touch her eyes. She shakes her head no.

"Okay, so then why would I forget you?"

"Come on Beca, it's not me that's going anywhere. I'll still be here. It's you who will. You've had your breakthrough. You're on your ascent now."

Beca is now truly confused. "And…"

"And I'm happy for you. You've earned it, and you'll keep earning it. You're going to be among the stars where you belong, and take Ems with you."

"And where will you be?"

Chloe gives a wan smile," I'll be here, giving music and singing lessons."

Beca is again flummoxed by her friend's answer. "I thought we're doing that together…"

"We were, but let's face it, I convinced you to do that before your big break. You're no longer going to be chasing down leads, sending demos, and all that stuff you've been forced to do. Marcus's company is going to set you up..."

Beca lifts her eyebrows as an encouragement for her friend to continue. "And?"

"And you won't have time, and that's okay, because what you'll be doing is important…"

"Hey, what you're planning is important…"

Chloe gives a thin smile, but even Beca can see it doesn't come close to her eyes. "Thanks Becs, but you know what I mean. It really won't matter…"

"It will to your students, and your dream isn't to just teach out of our living room…"

"Yeah, there might be the occasional vocals lesson in the kitchen…"

Beca smirks at Chloe, and does a slight eye roll. "Cute," she huffs. "Seriously Chlo, I love the idea of starting a school. Especially one that is especially for underprivileged children. It's like the lesson of the Bellas has taken root in your heart."

Chloe looks at her best friend quizzically. Beca continues, "Look at the Barden Bellas. All amazingly beautiful women, with, what did Aubrey call it? Hmm.. Oh yeah, bikini ready bodies. Basically the cream of society. But you didn't win, till you broke the mold, and gave a group of misfits," she smirks, "and badasses a chance.

"You are going to give kids that don't fit the stereotypical mold, the chance to learn music. Now that's an amazing dream."

Chloe replies sardonically as she turns away, "Come on Beca, do you really think anyone takes me seriously when I tell them about that dream?"

Beca reaches out and curls her fingers around the redhead's hand, pulling her back around. She smiles at her best friend as she gives the captured hand a reassuring squeeze."I do."

Chloe looks into Beca's eyes and sees the sincerity of her declaration.

"Chlo, I promise to help make your dreams a reality," Beca says in all seriousness. Chloe can't help but quirk an eyebrow questioning the last declaration. Beca laughs "You know that was a really cheesy line; right?"

Chloe's jaw drops and she gives Beca's upper arm a soft slap.

Beca ignores the slap and gives Chloe her most earnest look as she says, "The line may be cheesy, but the offer is real. I will help you make it happen. And yes you can do it. I know it with every fiber of my body. I just wish you had more faith in yourself, but until that time, at least you have me to remind you."

Chloe wraps Beca up in a warm embrace, pulling her younger friend tight against her. If she hadn't been in love with her tiny DJ before, she would be now. "You're the best Becs," Chloe says with a warm smile, and giving a quick kiss to Beca's cheek.

Beca's voice catches as she feels the soft lips of her best friend on her cheek, and she's at a loss for words. She lets her body relax into Chloe's embrace, and savors the warmth. Still she feels the need to respond, to deflect, "It's no big deal," her voice slightly muffled by Chloe's shoulder.

Chloe pulls back so she can look into Beca's eyes and whispers, "It is to me." The shorter woman smiles reassuringly as she brushes red hair back from Chloe's face, pushing the stray strands behind her ear. At that moment all Chloe can think is how much she loves looking into Beca's eyes. She loves how warm and tender they can be in these moments when Beca lets someone in.

Beca looks fondly into the cerulean blue eyes of her best friend. At that moment all Beca can think is how much she loves looking into Chloe's eyes. Chloe's eyes are truly windows into her soul; so warm and expressive. She loves how Chloe can make anyone feel special just by looking at them.

A comfortable silence envelopes the two as the stand there holding each other, staring into the eyes of the other, and Chloe again finds herself being pushed by the urge to hug Beca. A compulsion she finds rather hard to fight off.

So she doesn't.

She wraps her arms around Beca again, this time a bit more gently, for which Beca is thankful. On impulse, Beca tilts her head and kisses her best friend's cheek back, lingering for a moment as she appreciates the incredible softness under her lips. When she pulls back, Chloe's blue eyes shine brightly. "Thanks Becs."

"Any time Chlo."

Chloe swallows, her mouth dry, because the urge to kiss someone has never been this strong. She has to fight every instinct to look at Beca's lips, because if she does she knows she'll succumb and ruin everything. So she instead gently pulls away. "I really should go to bed. What about you?"

Beca smiles at her best friend and shrugs, "I've got some more work on my mixes for tomorrow night."

"You need your sleep Becs," Chloe says worriedly. "You know you're not going to get any tomorrow night. Not with the Bellas all coming."

"Which is why I have to get this done tonight Chlo. J-Michael gave me the day off tomorrow so I can sleep in and prep for the night. But I had an idea for my opening set, and I have to finish it."

"Really? What's the idea?"

"That's a surprise Red…"

"Is that what you've been working on late nights this week?"

"Uh, yeah."

"So, you can tell me. I mean I'm your best friend, and you love me…"

"I do love you…" Chloe's face lights up at this declaration from her best friend. "But I'm still not telling you."

Chloe's face drops into a cute pout. "Awe, you're no fun." Chloe's eyes transform right before Beca, going from sad heartbreaking ones to her sad puppy dog eyes.

"No puppy dog eyes Chlo." These puppy dog eyes make Chloe's eyes really stand out. "Seriously that's no fair." This of course makes Beca's heart skip a beat and her stomach do somersaults. Beca has to bit the inside of her mouth to fight the urge to give in. "I'm serious Chlo."

"Fine. You know, I was expecting more cuddle time this week while we were sharing this room. You owe me Mitchell."

"Night, Chlo."

"I'm serious Becs."

Beca can't help finding Chloe just utterly adorable at that moment, and for the second time that day she does the very in-Beca action of hugging her. And as she pulls her friend in tightly, she has to wonder if maybe she could initiate more hugs in the future, because maybe they're not that bad, at least when it's Chloe Beale that she's hugging.

Yet for as great as it is to hold Chloe, to feel her warmth pressed against her body, it pales in comparison to the knowledge that she's cheered her best friend up. She takes it as a minor miracle that she even recognized there was an issue. Maybe she's actually getting this best friend thing. Her contentment grows as she feels Chloe relax into her. Everything feels right at this moment.

The universe of course does not let this last.

The silence of the moment is shattered as the song 'Don't You Forget About Me' sounds off from Beca's phone. Beca rolls her eyes at the unwanted interruption, but then they grow in realization. "Oh shit! I was supposed to call Jesse…"

And just like that, Chloe's heart drops; Beca wasn't the only one to forget Jesse.

Of course he calls, Chloe's amazed he's not been camped on their doorstep. That she got Beca for this incredible day is more than she could have hoped for.

With a panicked look, Beca pulls back and fishes her phone from her back pocket. Looking like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Beca backs out of the room. "I gotta take this. I've been putting him off all day."

Chloe nods, a half hearted smile creasing her face. "Oh, yeah, of course… I understand…"

Beca is already turning however, answering her phone. "Hey Jesse… Yeah, sorry about that… You are never going to believe the night we had… Nah, you'll never guess… I'm telling you, you're going to be soooo jealous…"

Beca steps out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Chloe stares at the door for long seconds, suddenly very weary, the roller coaster of emotions having taken it's toll. She closes her eyes to fight back the tear that's beginning to form. With a sigh she whispers to the empty room.

"Good night, Becs."

[*+*X*+*X*+*X*+*]