A/N: So Happy Holidays! This chapter was interesting to write because when I started it, it was going to be just a bit of a filler chapter, but as I wrote it, things changed and a subtle shift in this chapter is going to have major consequences for the rest of this story. This forced me to have to rethink a few chapters, some of which had been nearly finished. I hope you like it. Please review and let me know.

As always, I do not own Pitch Perfect or any of the characters, but I do love them.

CHAPTER 15

***Getting the Instruments***

Ugh… Where? What?

Beca wakes disoriented, not quite sure where she is. She peers around into the darkness of the room, but it is shrouded in the shadows of the night. Sleep in her eyes helps leave everything, including the clock on her nightstand too blurry for Beca to make out. Beca yawns into her pillow, her thoughts muffled by a cloud of fading sleep. Her mouth feels foul, and her pillow is wet from drool.

Gross, Dude!

She rolls over onto her back, trying to get her bearings in the dark, but Beca's a bit befuddled with sleep, and she's kind of disoriented. She emits another yawn, eyes drooping closed, as sleep beckons her return, but her legs have become all tangled in a blanket, which leaves her annoyed and uncomfortable. Peaking with one eye, she spies a light blanket which had been draped over her, but is now wrapped tight. This just adds to Beca's confusion.

Where the hell am I? I need to get up… Oh shit!

Beca rolls over again and goes to get up by pushing up with her hands, but realizes too late how close the edge of the bed she actually is. Her hand is right on the edge of the bed as it misses its purchase and slips off. With a good portion of her weight being placed on the arm she over balances, and unceremoniously tumbles off her bed as she can't arrest her fall.

Beca's head strikes the floor with painful force, and causes the young brunette to see Stars. "Ugh! That fucking hurt! What the Fuck!"

Unsurprisingly falling out of bed does little for helping a person with getting reoriented to their location. Neither does banging one's own head into a nightstand, as Beca just discovered.

"Ouch! Double Fuck!"

Beca closes her eyes, hoping this is all a dream and when she opens them next everything will reset. Drifting in the darkness behind her squeezed eyelids doesn't seem to help though. Her voice which is emitting a rather creative string of epithets, is muted, as if being spoken at the opposite end of a very long tunnel. All sound in the room is drowned out by the rushing of blood through her ears. Rolling over on her back with a groan, she again opens her eyes. Her head still resting on the nightstand, too discombobulated at the moment to get more comfortable, she sighs, grunting out another brief curse. Again she tries to assess her situation. Beca rubs the back of her head as she begins to notice her surroundings better.

Well I'm still in my clothes, and I'm in my bedroom? Uhh yeah, that's good…

Looking at the blanket tangled around her legs, Beca tries to recollect where it came from. She's positive she didn't have it when she lay on her bed talking to Jesse.

Chlo? She must have checked up on me...

Well, never mind that now; it didn't matter at this moment. Rubbing her face, Beca takes a few moments to again get her bearings, but still her vision is blurry. She blinks until her vision improves and she can take in her surroundings in the very dim light. Once this is accomplished Beca struggles to move herself into a more comfortable position. With great effort she sits up and untangles her legs from the blanket, finally kicking her feet free with a huff.

"Just not my night," mumbles Beca under her breath.

Beca has always hated waking up; being dragged out of what are typically amazing dreams and back into the harsh reality of life, has never been a chart topper of favorite things. This however has to be one of her personal worst wake-ups, at least non-post party wake-ups. Waking up after consuming one of Amy's specials is a whole other category unto itself.

Smacking her lips, Beca scrunches her face, not enjoying the taste in her mouth, and remembers that she never brushed her teeth before falling asleep. Shaking her head she gets to her feet and shuffles across the room, another loud yawn breaking unbidden from her mouth, knowing she'll never get back to sleep if she doesn't at least brush her teeth, maybe floss.

Yeah, definitely need to floss…

She stumbles half-awake to her door, missing the two vases of red and white roses that have been set on her dresser. Shuffling out of her room Beca makes way down the hallway to the bathroom, moving past several more vases of red and white roses that line the floor along the wall. In her trance like state, she doesn't pay them any mind. She leaves the light off, hoping to complete this task without waking to much. She really does hope to get back to sleep.

In the dark bathroom Beca quickly brushes her teeth, overlooking a vase of roses on the counter. On autopilot Beca moves the vase of roses to get the dental floss, never really registering what she just did as she begins to floss. She then reaches around a second vase of roses and grabs the mouthwash and gargles to get the foul taste out of her mouth. Once finished she feels greatly refreshed, and let's out a soft sigh. She realizes though that she's a bit thirsty and so makes her way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, again shuffling past a couple vases filled with red and white rose bouquets.

Still on autopilot, the young brunette walks past numerous bouquets of roses in the kitchen without notice. Scratching the back of her head, Beca opens the fridge and notes that Chloe has placed the leftover Chinese food in there. A yellow post-it note is attached to one. It says, 'For Lunch' and has a doodle of Rainbow Dash leaping over a trio of hearts. Beca can't help but smile.

Chloe takes such great care of me...

Turning around with the fridge door still open, the light reveals that the room is full of roses.

"Holy shit!"

There are vases of roses taking up every inch of counter space, the dining table, and even the stovetop has two vases.

"It wasn't just a bad dream?" Beca asks the darkness. Part of Beca was really hoping that the images running in her head of bouquet after bouquet being delivered was just a bad dream.

Nope, looks like that weirdo really did send me dozens and dozens of roses…

"Beca?" Chloe mumbles from the doorway as she sleepily blinks at Beca.

"Fuck!" Beca yelps at the sudden sound of a voice behind her. At the same time the petite brunette jumps like she had just been electrocuted. She turns, her hand clutching at her chest as she breaths in and out frantically trying to catch her breath."Oh dear god! Jesus!"

"No, just me, I'm not quite that perfect," says Chloe with a chuckle, as she rubs the back of her head.

Is this what a heart attack feels like...

"I didn't know you were there! You, you, scared the shit out of me; Chlo," replies Beca, her voice sounding distinctly accusatory.

"Oh, sorry," Chloe giggles groggily.

She doesn't sound sorry...

"Seriously Chlo, you can't just creep up on a person like that..." Beca states matter of factly.

"Not sure I was creeping…"

Beca mumbles, "Totally creeper…"

Chloe smirks and whispers back, "If you say so…"

Beca huffs, "I do…"

"So, what time is it?"

"Um, it's like, uh, um," Beca glances to the microwave, but has to move to look around a bouquet of roses. She squints at the clock, eyes still blurry, "four something," Beca mumbles.

Chloe sleepily hums her acknowledgement. "What are you doing up? Other than recognizing my near perfection."

Beca shrugs, "Woke up, fell out of bed, came for water," she holds up the bottle as proof. She lapses into silence, but found that she needed to say something, about the state of their kitchen. She gestures at the unbelievable amount of roses surrounding them. "What're we going to do?"

Chloe still half asleep misses Beca's hand gesture asks, "With?"

"With all these?" Beca can't help the trace of annoyance touching her voice. She really can't believe how many bouquets of roses are in their kitchen.

Chloe giggles, but decides her best friend needs some assuring. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it…"

Beca looks at her best friend confused, Beca meekly whispers, "You will?"

Chloe answers through a yawn, "If it's okay with you."

"Yes, yes… God yes."

"Then I'll take care of it in the morning, or rather later this morning…"

Beca half asleep and overwhelmed by the sheer number of roses, slips up to Chloe and wraps her in a hug. Chloe stiffens for a heartbeat, not expecting this gesture, but then melts into the smaller girl's embrace. Beca feels a warm fluttering in her stomach as she pulls the redhead tight against her. She mumbles a thank you happily into the redhead's shoulder, who returns a your welcome with a squeeze.

This feels so nice, so perfect...

After a couple seconds, Beca pulls away, it's feeling too perfect, knowing if she doesn't soon, she may end up standing there the rest of the night. Keeping her eyes cast down, afraid to get lost in Chloe's deep blue eyes. She mumbles that she's headed back to bed, and shuffles away. But she happens to look into their living room and sees the sheer number of bouquets filling that room. "Jesus H. Christ!"

"Keep telling you Becs, it's just Chloe. I'm flattered, but I'm not that perfect."

Beca can only giggle in response. The impossibility of the current state of their apartment just too much. Now every bouquet stands out like a neon sign as she passes them.

Seriously how many bouquets did that weirdo buy…

With an effort Beca strips out of her skinny jeans, annoyed at how difficult it is when half asleep. She kicks the offending article of clothing into the corner.

I'm so glad Chloe said she would take care of it; I just can't...

Beca finishes undressing, and pulls on one of Chloe's old shirts she had stolen in her sophomore year. It's long falling to her knees. It's a favorite because it has a Red Panda, and it always reminds her of Chloe.

What would I do without Chlo...

She finishes changing and closing her eyes as she lays back in her bed, Beca can't help the grin that spreads across her face or the swelling of her heart, knowing that Chloe has her back.

Beca's asleep within seconds of returning to her bed, mere moments after her head hit the pillow, her mind a little more at ease.

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

She's not sure what she notices first, the smell of coffee, the light falling on her face through the outside window, or the soft voice calling her name. Whichever the first one is, her senses begin to pull her up out of the depths of sleep.

Noooo… Don't want to wake up...

"Becs," Chloe whispers as she kneels down next to Beca's side, a warm cup of coffee in one hand, the other placed on the slumbering DJ's shoulder to give a gentle nudge.

"Noooo," groans Beca, shifting away from the redhead, throwing her right arm over her face, "don't want to get up. Let me sleep."

"Sorry Becs, but it's time to get up…" Chloe says, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Again, she doesn't sound sorry...

"No," mumbles Beca. "Stop that…" yelps the petite brunette as Chloe pokes her side, causing her to twitch.

Chloe giggles and Beca hears the distinctive sound of a cup being set on the nightstand. Confused by this, she peeks out from under her arm; just in time to see Chloe jump onto her bed.

"Chloe! No! Just no! I swear to all you hold dear! It's too damn early for you. No jumping on the bed." Beca cries, though her pleas fall on deaf ears.

"Becs. It's ten-thirty and you need to get up!"

"Damn it Chlo! What the hell? Can't you see that I'm napping!"

Chloe laughs, shaking her head, "No, you were sleeping. The act of napping requires one to have actually woken up, done some things and then gone back to sleep."

Beca raises her arm to peek up at Chloe incredulously before replying, "Maybe I did…" she waves her hands around, "do some things, like you know things, and then you know napped…"

Chloe has to fight the smirk that so desperately wants to define her face now, and instead just gives Beca a look. "Fine! I was sleeping! Same diff."

Chloe resumes jumping, as she sing songs, "Get up, get up, get up…"

"What are you? Like three years old?"

Chloe just keeps jumping and singing.

"Chlo! It's too early!" Beca manages to grumble before turning over and burying her face in her pillow.

"Are you going to get up?"

"No…" Beca says in a pout.

"Okay-Get up, get up, get up…" Chloe sings as she resumes jumping.

"Chloeeee!" Beca whines.

Chloe stops and places her hands on her hips. "You have to get up. Right now. Up."

"No. Don't want to. Go away. I hate you." Beca declares, and for good measure sticks out her tongue.

Chloe lets herself fall into the bed, so she's lying next to her best friend, She loudly whispers, "You love me."

"No I don't, and you can't make me get up!"

"Challenge accepted!"

"You know Beale, you're not Barney Stenson." Beca states emphatically as she rubs her eyes and slowly begins to sit up, before flopping back on her back in a huff.

Chloe just laughs, grabbing Beca's face. Beca who had closed her eyes in an effort to escape the morning, now cracks one open to glare at her weird friend. "What are you doing? Don't be weird."

Chloe smirks as she holds her best friend's head her hands, bringing her face so their noses are almost touching. Eyes locked, she whispers, "You need to get up, sleepy head."

Beca gives Chloe a look of pure confusion. "Why?"

"Because we're going to Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's. We're going to pick up our instruments."

Beca's eyes widen, and a smile creases her lips. "Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's?"

Chloe simply nods, sporting a huge grin.

"Really?"

"Yes! And she would want to see you again."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Becs."

"Today?"

Chloe climbs out of the bed. "Yep, so get dressed we're going out," Chloe says over her shoulder.

Damn that woman...

Beca sighs and rolls herself out of her bed, and shuffles over to the closet to grab some of her most comfortable clothes. She takes off the Red Panda shirt, hanging it on the back of her closet door, grabs a bra and panties. She then pulls on another one of Chloe's old articles of clothing she's stolen over the years, this time a forest green Barden U hoodie sweatshirt she took in her junior year. It's one of her favorite items of Chloe's old clothing to wear; because it's overly soft and really comfortable, and even though she'll never ever admit it, Beca really, really likes thing that are soft, fuzzy, and really comfortable. But the real reason was that it just always reminds her of Chloe.

A few minutes later, Beca, now clad in her favorite warm and comfy Barden U sweatshirt and a comfortable pair of jeans, makes her way out of her room and towards the kitchen. She looks at the line vase on her dresser and mumbles, "That's funny, I could have sworn there were two bouquets in my room, instead of just one."

The petite brunette makes her way down the hallway and towards the kitchen. She's halfway there when she pauses and studies the floor. The space along the wall is now devoid of vases and flowers.

There used to be a row of vases here… Right?

"What the?" Beca mumbles out loud as she looks about, trying to remember how many bouquets had been in the hallway last night. She makes her way into the kitchen, slowing down as she looks all about very confused. Save for an impressive floral display that's serving as the centerpiece of their dining table, there are no signs of the tsunami of roses. "Chlo?"

"Chlo?" Beca repeats tentatively as she enters the kitchen.

"Hmm?" Chloe hums from her seat at the counter, nursing her coffee as Beca shuffles into the kitchen. Though the brunette had called her name as if in question, she didn't follow up with anything.

With a mischievous smile Chloe calls to her best friend, "Oh good morning Beca. What are you doing awake so early this morning?"

"Ha ha, look everyone, Chloe Beale, comedian," Beca deadpans as she looks about.

"What can I say, I'm very talented. Now hurry up, Becs…" Chloe says with sly smirk as she lifts the coffee pot for Beca to see.

Beca chuckles at the redhead but doesn't notice that she's holding the coffee pot. The petite brunette continues to look all about as she answers, "I'm going as fast as I can; but can you..."

"Hurry," Chloe teases with an exaggerated whine. "I want to get going 'cause I'm really hungry." She can't resist using one of Beca's go-to complaints. It's actually rather amazing how Beca is always hungry, eats enough to choke a horse, and yet remains so small and petite.

"You know you could have gotten us something to eat right?" Mumbles Beca making her way to the coffee maker. Chloe giggles at her friend's grumpiness, on Beca it's just adorable.

"I was waiting for you," Chloe continues her teasing whine, all the while watching her her distracted best friend looking around like she's missing something. She finally decides to take pity on her caffeine-deprived friend and clears her throat, getting Beca's attention. When the petite brunette looks over she asks, "Coffee?" Lifting the pot higher for effect.

"Yes, please." Beca answers automatically, finally noticing what Chloe's holding. As she walks towards her though, Beca's still looking around, confused, as if she's lost something.

"You okay, Becs?"

Beca quirks an eyebrow at Chloe. "Wasn't this room filled with roses last night?"

Chloe, bites her lip before she speaking. "Uh… yeah…"

Beca stares at Chloe, eyes scanning the room, disbelieving that the roses in vases are gone. "What happened? Where'd they all go?"

Chloe is suddenly nervous, and chews her lip before answering, "Well I took care of them - like you said I could." Chloe hastily adds at the end.

Beca swings around and stares at Chloe. "You didn't throw them away did you?"

Worry creases Chloe's forehead, and she pales a little as she attempts to answer, "Uhh, n-n-no. I mean no, of course not…"

"What did you do? Where are they?"

Chloe looks down sheepishly. "Well, a dozen went to the maternity ward at the hospital. All the mothers who gave birth yesterday and this morning got a bouquet. I then dropped a fifteen bouquets at the Ronald McDonald House by the hospital; every family staying there got one. Then I dropped a lot off at the Sunny Springs Retirement Center over off of twelfth street, then, and then the final bulk of them went to the Shady Grove Rest Home over near the park." The redhead raises her eyes to meet Beca's, unsure if she overstepped with the roses. Her cerulean blue meets Beca's stormy gray-blue with a bit of trepidation.

Beca turns away and moves to where she can see their living room. She gasps as there are only two bouquets visible; one on each of the end tables that bookend the couch. Beca turns back to Chloe and asks incredulously, "How?"

Chloe smiles weakly and says, "I loaded them up and drove them…" The redhead is nervous, though she feels she had permission to act. Still the roses were Beca's, not hers.

"In your car?" Beca can't help the surprise in her voice.

Chloe stands from her perch on the stool. "Uhhh - no. Umm I have a van I had borrowed from Bob at work. You know, to get the instruments today." She stands fidgeting, as if a schoolgirl caught out past curfew.

Beca slumps into the seat next to Chloe. Her incredulity readily apparent. She looks at her best friend and asks, "You loaded all those bouquets into a van?"

"Well it took three trips in the van…"

"Three trips!?" Beca's voice comes out as a squeak as she jumps up. "What time did you wake up?"

"Well - you know - four something…"

Realization washes over Beca. "You didn't go back to sleep?"

Chloe blushes a little and drops her eyes. "Umm… Yeah - No…"

"Why Chloe?"

"Well it seemed as if you were a little overwhelmed by the gesture, and we couldn't keep that many. The smell alone…"

"I can agree with you there."

"And since I was awake and had the van, I figured I would get a head start…" Chloe's cut off as Beca wraps her in a hug. Shocked at first leaves Chloe stiff, but she quickly loosens up, and returns the gesture, letting her body relax into her friend's, and at that moment everything is right in the world.

"Thank you Chlo," Beca whispers as she pulls back a few inches. "You didn't have to do that." Their eyes lock and both women just stare for a second. Suddenly Beca's very aware of Chloe; of everything that is Chloe. The vibrant natural red color of her hair, its' scent soft and flowery from her favorite shampoo. The curve of her eyebrows that help frame her beautiful soulful eyes, with their unique cerulean blue color, holding so much warmth and love. The sleekness of her nose. The cupid's bow of her top lip. They are so close now; only inches apart, and Beca's eyes travel down to Chloe's lips, and she begins to wonder at their softness.

Beca feels a sudden urge, not a completely new urge, but an urge that's been more prevalent of late, to feel those lips. Beca's breath hitches as her eyes swing back up to Chloe's and it seems the redhead's cerulean blue had been looking at her lips too. They lock eyes again and just stand there for what seems like forever.

Beca feels herself leaning in ever so slightly. There is no conscious decision, it's just happening, as if in a dream. She senses Chloe begin to lean in too. One of Beca's hands rests on Chloe's arm while the other finds her waist. Beca's heart is thumping so hard she wouldn't be surprised if it bursts from her chest. Beca leans in a littler closer. They are just centimeters apart. Chloe closes her eyes as her head tilts to the right.

Sudden realization hits Beca at what is about to happen, her eyes widen, and she quickly pulls away, breaking the moment. Chloe's eyes spring open as she feels Beca jerk away.

Releasing Chloe, Beca turns back to her full coffee mug sitting on the counter. She grabs it up and takes a quick drink, wincing at the slight burn of the hot liquid, but endures quietly. She takes the mug and moves to the other side of the kitchen, coming to a stop at the counter by the sink. She turns back towards Chloe, but keeps her eyes cast down towards their floor. "Y-Y-Y-You should have woken me. I-I-I could have helped. Y-Y-You know, w-with the fl-flowers..."

Chloe is frozen in place trying to figure out what just occurred. For a split second she can't comprehend what just happened, and then she realizes what she just about let happen and her skin pales. She turns back to her own coffee, and replies in her own shaky voice, "Oh no, you were tired. It's no big deal."

Beca stares at her coffee mug. She whispers, "It is to me. Thanks…"

"No-No big deal… Not like I filled your apartment with roses… Now that's a big deal…"

"It was weird, from a weirdo." Beca answers still not looking at Chloe.

"But… there was… you know," Chloe rambles, "something sweet… uh romantic about it…"

Beca keeps her focus on her mug, sitting warm between her hands. "Yeah… yeah you know, that movie nerd… loves his grand gestures."

"Yeah, umm yeah, he sure loves movie gestures. He-e loves you so much…"

Beca nods, "Yeah he does…"

Silence descends on the kitchen, thick an oppressive, as each woman's mind is processing everything that's just happened, or almost happened.

"Are you okay?" Chloe asks breaking the silence. Though what she really means is 'are they okay'. She's very concerned at Beca's sudden shift.

Beca only nods, but keeps her eyes cast down, focused on her mug, her lower lip firmly trapped between her teeth. Chloe faintly hears Beca say she's 'fine'.

Definitely not convinced by this ringing endorsement, Chloe asks, "You sure?" The younger woman nods, and Chloe senses now is not the time to push. "So…"

Beca looks up at Chloe and asks with artificial sounding cheer, "So….what's your, uh I mean our plan for the day, Red?"

"Well I was thinking I would take you out for breakfast and then we swing by Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's to pick up the instruments."

"Wait, you're offering breakfast? And Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's?" Beca's voice is extra high, almost a squeak. It's forced and unnatural.

Chloe nods, not willing to look away from Beca, but hurting as she watches her best friend pull away, emotionally now, after just literally doing so. Her answer is a soft, "Yeah…"

"Well why didn't you say so? Come on Beale, Breakfast! I'm starving!" Beca hops up from leaning on the counter, and she bolts for the door to emphasize her point. She spins around waving for Chloe to follow. "Come on, time's a wastin."

Chloe snorts into her mug as she swallows the last of her coffee, now bitter in her mouth and then follows her best friend with a deep frustrated sigh.

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

Chloe's not sure about this trip anymore. Maybe she should have let Beca beg off this morning. Breakfast had been a quiet affair, as was the entire ride over to Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's. Beca hadn't looked at Chloe pretty much the entire meal and there's been a silence between them as they drove together. It had been a long time since there had been this kind of tension between her and Beca, and it left Chloe feeling unsettled.

Conversation at the diner had been strained and each had had to force their end of the dialogue with the other. Chloe had hated it. It had taken her years to chip away at Beca's walls, but in the blink of an eye this morning she had felt them fall back into place.

Even now as they approach Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's front door Beca is being totally awkward around the redhead, and Chloe can literally sense Beca ready to bolt.

It hurts her so much.

Chloe has spent a lot of time getting close to her best friend, but this morning showed definitively, there will always be a chasm between; a place she cannot cross. This was something she had always known in her heart, but confirmation still hurt nonetheless.

With sad resignation Chloe makes a move to knock on the front door, but hesitates and turns back to Beca. "Are you okay Becs?" What she really means is 'are we okay'. Chloe's not sure why she asks this question, already knowing the answer. Chloe also knows pointing it out to Beca will not help. Yet she feels an absolute need to ask, even though the possibility of getting a truthful answer is practically nil.

Beca, still unable to look at Chloe, just shrugs, "We'll talk about it later. Let's just have a nice visit with Mrs. O'Shaughnessy."

Chloe's shoulders slump, "You sure?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay," replies Chloe with a deflated shrug, turning back to Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's front door. Chloe's fist is raised, just about to knock on the front door, when it opens and there stands the sweet and grandmotherly Mrs. O'Shaughnessy, beaming appreciatively at the two friends.

The old Irish woman exclaims, "Ahh me Astoreen, so glad ye' can make it."

"Mrs. O'Shaughnessy!" Chloe's face lights up, a small weight lifting off her shoulders, and for a brief moment she can't feel the burden on her heart.

The old woman gives her a stern look, though it never touches her eyes. "Kate!" She scolds.

Chloe's smile widens and she giggles, "Kate!" She allows the older woman engulf her in a hug, and feels herself just relaxing into Kate's hug. It helps her realize just how much tension she's been enduring.

As the Irish woman releases her and moves over towards Beca, Chloe turns and sees her best friend smile for the first time since they left their apartment. This brings a smile to Chloe's lips, and she feels that maybe they can get past the tension of this morning.

Beca sees Chloe smile as she feels Mrs. O'Shaughnessy wrap her in a hug. It's good, no it's great to see Chloe smile; to see the weight eased off of her. She knows what she's been doing to her best friend, but she can't seem to help it. With a forced smile she follows Chloe's lead and asks, "Hey Mrs. O! How are you doing?"

The older woman smiles fondly at Beca. "'Tis Kate I'd usually tell ye, but I must say, I rather fancy 'Mrs. O'. I'll let it pass me wee Muirnin. At least f'r ye," Mrs. O'Shaughnessy says as she opens her arms and embraces the petite brunette, placing a quick kiss on her cheek.

Mrs. O'Shaughnessy steps back to appraise the two girls, immediately sensing the tension in the air. Her smile drops a tiny bit, but neither Beca nor Chloe are looking so they don't notice. Almost immediately a look of determination sets in Kate's eyes and she gestures to the girls to follow. "Come in, come in. Yer just 'n time fer tae w'me. Come have a cup of tae with me."

Beca looks back at the van, and gestures awkwardly. "Shouldn't we load the instruments?" Now that they are here, she doesn't know if she can maintain the mask that everything is alright, and that she hasn't been hurting her best friend.

The older woman laughs, and says, "Ahh, I forgot te' mention, me garmhac, I mean me grandson's 'll be here te' load ye' van ina wee bit." Kate steps back into her home and signals for the two friends to follow.

Chloe's eyes light up for really the first time since she's arrived. "You didn't need to do that…"

"Of course I did, Sean an' Daniel are young an' strong strapping lads. They can have ye' instruments loaded in no time. So I was hopin' ye' might spend time with this daft ol' woman."

The redhead watches as Beca turns about fumbling her words, "Uhhh, not sure… maybe another…"

"That would be great," Chloe interrupts Beca. She slips her arm through Beca's and pulls her younger friend along. "We," she emphasizes, "would love to have some tea with you. Wouldn't we?"

Beca looks at her friend, at her cerulean blue eyes, silently imploring. With a ugh of resignation she turns to Mrs. O'Shaughnessy and smiles. "Uhh yeah, of course Mrs. O. We would love to have tea with you."

"Foirfe! Perfect! Come." Chloe and Beca follow the older woman back towards the kitchen where a table is again set with a tea pot, and a tray of treats and cakes. "Please, please, help y'rselves."

Kate quickly pours each a cup of tea, filling the cups halfway with tea that has been steeping on the table, as Chloe grabs a cookie. The older woman smiles and then forces a cookie upon Beca. The petite brunette tries to refuse, but then shyly smiles as she accepts one at the older woman's insistence. Kate's smile grows as she sees this, hoping that some of the tension she's been feeling between the two shall dissipate.

Kate turns back to the stove, all the while talking away about how great it is to have the two young women over again. She retrieves the kettle from the stove, and tops off each cup, save for Beca's. This one she only fills a quarter way, having remembered how the young brunette takes her tea.

Chloe watches as Beca accepts her tea, noting her younger friend's embarrassed smile. When she catches Beca's eyes, she attempts to silently convey assurances everything is alright. The petite DJ returns a similar look, before dropping her eyes to the milk and sugar on the lazy-susan in the middle of the table.

Kate chuckles watching the young brunette add milk, and at least a dozen sugar cubes to her tea.

The sheer number of sugar cubes causing Chloe's jaw to drop. She loves sweet things as much as the next person, heck her Mom swears both of the redhead's front teeth are sweet tooths, but this seems excessive even for her.

Mrs. O'Shaughnessy sits studying her young friends, mildly concerned at what she's seeing. Beca continues to keep her head down. She looks over to Chloe with a questioning look, but the redhead's response is a weak smile, and a shrug of her shoulders. Beca's eyes still cast down, doesn't notice. The older woman goes to say something, but before she can the redhead holds up her own tea and says, "Thank you Kate. We really appreciate the tea."

Kate senses Chloe silently imploring to let it go. She smiles softly at her young friend and nods. She can see the same thing as Chloe, the conflict going on in Beca's head, the young brunette battling something personal.

Chloe smiles thankfully, and attempts to draw the older woman into a different conversation. "It's so nice of you to have us over for a cup of tea."

"Oh no problem, my sweet Astoreen; I'm just glad to have ya 'ere. I've been looking forward t' 'aving ye' back since ye' left."

Chloe's smile shouldn't be able to get any bigger, but it does. "I have too."

Refocusing on Beca the older woman says, "So not that I'm not happy te' see ye' me wee Muirnin, but I was only expecting me Astoreen, how come yer able te' be 'ere?"

"Oh, my weekend plans with Jesse, my boyfriend, fell through, so Chloe thought it would be good for me to join her here, getting the instruments."

Chloe sits there studying Beca's face, knowing her friend is covering her true feelings. She looks up at Mrs. O'Shaughnessy, and puts forth. "Yeah, thought I would need her to help load the van, not that someone as tiny as she is could carry much, but even still, it's good to have her along."

"Hey!"

Mrs. O'Shaughnessy laughs effortlessly as she turns to Beca and asks, "So y'r plans with ye' boyfriend fell through?"

Beca stares hard at her tea as she answers, her voice betraying an underlying anxiety. "Uhhh, yeah, Jesse, my boyfriend…" she feels her cheeks warm with a blush.

"Ahh, tha' must've been a wee bit disappointing," declares Kate.

"Well yeah, but Jesse, you know my boyfriend, he had a chance to meet with Steven Spielberg, about a project he's working on..." The petite brunette's eyes stay down, refusing to meet the questioning gaze of cerulean blue eyes or the kind eyes of a worried old woman.

"Y'r boyfriend was meetin' wi Stevie? Stevie Spielberg? Achh he's a good man. Me Sean worked wi' him on a couple of projects…"

Chloe jumps in, "Your husband worked with Steven Spielberg?"

"Oh my yes Astoreen. He worked on some movie about a shark, and another 'bout little green men visitin' frum outer space, that one had a catchy tune that Sean had to work with."

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind?" Asks Chloe with a whisper.

"That's the one Astoreen."

"You know the movie Chloe?"

The redhead shrugs at Beca's question, "My oldest brother is a total sci-fi geek."

Beca chuckles, shaking her head. "I can't believe your husband worked on Jaws."

"I can't believe you know that movie," teases Chloe, laughter highlighting her words.

"Well you know, dating Jesse," answers Beca, regretting her response immediately.

Kate notes the sudden silence of Chloe's laugh, and jumps in. "Is that the name of it? I can ne'er remember. Movies were never me thing. So boring an'..."

"Predictable!" Beca says at the same time as Kate. "I'm right there with you Mrs. O."

"Yes, it was always a wee bit ironic, me an' Sean. Him lovin' his movies, me absolutely bored by them, but I loved te' passion he had f'r them."

"That's just like me and Jesse." From the corner of her eye Beca sees the mask Chloe is wearing falter, and she knows her words are hurting her friend, but she can't seem to stop herself. She's messed up, but can't stop digging the hole she's in.

"So Mrs. O; you know, Jesse, my boyfriend, would really love to talk to you about your husband." Beca looks up again at Kate for a brief moment before sheepishly dropping her eyes back to her tea.

Kate continues to look at the petite brunette with a questioning eye. "Is that so?"

"Yeah, my boyfriend, he would really love to see your husband's collection. He loves movies. I mean he really LOVES movies." Beca glances over at Chloe and winces inwardly. The redhead looks uncomfortable and sad, which flusters Beca more.

Beca has to lower her gaze back down from Chloe's eyes, she feels impossibly tempted to drown herself in those orbs. To apologize profusely and never stop looking into those eyes. It's a weird sensation, not entirely unwelcome, but still weird. And the stirring of butterflies in her stomach haven't helped either.

Silence settled between the three of them.

Maybe she should face these weird feelings, head on? But she can't, she loves Jesse, and it kills her to think she came so close to cheating on him.

To becoming her father's daughter.

Silence descends again on the room. Kate clearly recognizing the situation, but knowing there's nothing that can be done.

"Móraí?" A young deep man's voice calls from the front door, breaking the silence. A sense of relief washes over all three of the women.

"Ahh Daniel! Come in, come in; we're in the kitchen." Kate jumps up, all smiles. She moves towards the hallway and meets a young handsome man at the entryway. "Daniel, thank ye' so much f'r comin' over." The older woman reaches up and gives the tall young man a hug.

A rather handsome young man with dark brown hair pokes his head through the doorway, and flashes a perfect smile. Kate rises from the table, telling the girls that this is her youngest grandson as she moves towards him.

Daniel has fully entered the kitchen now, and Beca and Chloe can see he stands at least six foot two, towering over his grandmother. He bends down deeply to hug her. "No problem Móraí," he says as he lifts her off the ground in his hug, "you know it's no big deal."

"Daniel Michael O'Shaughnessy! Ye' put me down this instance!" The light in Kate's eyes give lie to the stern admonishment.

"Aye Móraí," he states as he places her back on her feet, though the devilish glint in his eyes suggests he's done this before and will do it again.

The older woman looks beyond Daniel expectantly, "Is Sean 'ere too?"

"Yes Móraí, he's finishing a call and then will be in."

"Girls this 'ere is one of me pride 'n joy's, me garmhac, that is me grandson's, Daniel," she then points to a second young man entering the kitchen, who definitely looks to be the brother of Daniel. "And tha' is his older brother, Sean."

"Ladies," drawls the tall man, who shares his brother's brown hair and dark eyes. Both men are tall and dark, but each has Kate's eyes and her smile.

"Boys, these lovely lasses are Chloe," Kate gestures to the redhead. "And this here is her best friend Beca."

Daniel nods at the two young women, and says, "It's nice to meet you." His focus immediately falls on Chloe.

Sean, looks to be impatient, and looks at his watch as he asks, "Is the stuff in the garage?"

"Aye. Just where ye left 'em."

"Our instruments are already in the garage?"

"Aye Astoreen…"

Daniel perks up, "Oh, so you're the famous Astoreen." He gives Chloe a warm smile. "I've heard so much about you. Always wanted to meet the real woman. See if my Móraí was exaggerating."

Beca feels the cold stab of jealousy cut cold in her stomach. She interrupts, "Móraí?"

Daniel reluctantly pulls his eyes from Chloe and answers, "Grandma," he gestures to Kate, "but that monicker never seemed to do her justice. She's too unique for that."

Chloe can't help but giggle, "That's very true."

Daniel turns back to Chloe flashing a very charming smile. "So's what Móraí has said about you."

"Oh yeah," quips Chloe, suddenly needing this moment.

"Angelic is an apt description." Daniel's smile grows.

"So, should we get the instruments?" Beca asks, hoping to interrupt this moment again.

Kate smiles at Beca, understanding in her eyes. "Yes, yes, enough of y'r charming ways, Daniel. I f'r one know Sean has places t' be, as do these fine lasses. Let's get t' it."

"Yer right Móraí," concedes Daniel, but not without a wink at the redhead, who blushes profusely.

The two young men lead the way to the garage, Beca pulling up the rear, just behind Kate and Chloe. Daniel continues to turn about and make small talk with Chloe, who is her usual self; much to Beca's consternation.

Beca hates it, hates that this guy is so openly flirting. Hates how Chloe is being, well Chloe. But most of all she hates herself the most. How can she feel this way, even as she was hurting her best friend just moments ago? She knows she's being unfair, she knows she isn't being rational, but Chloe has never been a rational part of her, and she finds this whole situation confusing… and a bit scary.

They enter the garage and see three guitar cases, two amplifiers, two speakers, a couple stands and benches, the Korg Kronos workstation, and a second box with a picture of an electric piano.

"Wait, what's that Mrs.- I mean Kate?" Asks Chloe as she points to the extra box.

Kate hits the button to open the automatic door. She smiles broadly, "Sean, Daniel, start taking the items to the lasses' van."

Beca walks over to the extra box, "It's an extra piano…"

"Yes me wee Muirnin. I was assured that it's a very good piano.

Chloe looks at the writing on the box, then asks incredulously, "You got us another piano? Wait you bought us another piano?" She reads the box, "A Yamaha Arius YDP‑181?"

"That's right me Astoreen."

Beca opens the box and sees the brand new piano. She runs her hands over the keys that are currently covered in plastic. "This is a great piano."

Kate answers coyly, "Is it?"

Beca nods "It has a rich acoustic sound, two of our studios at my work have ones. I love working with them because of their realistic key action, gives you a better feel when your playing." She lovingly looks at the piano, before closing the lid. "This is great, but we can't accept this…"

"Of course ye can me Muirnin."

Chloe steps up, "No Kate, you've given us too much already."

"Don't be silly girl. This is both a gift and an investment. I want te' see y'r school someday. This is to help with that."

Chloe shakes her head, "You've already done so much…"

"You might as well say yes, once me Móraí's made up her mind there's no changing it."

"Oh don't ye be a wee sass, Daniel. Help y'r brother load the lasses van."

"He's right though," says Sean as he hefts a speaker and begins walking towards the van. "Once Móraí's made up her mind, it saves you a lot of headaches to just nod and agree."

"Achh! Ye' too, Sean?"

"Love you Móraí," says Sean with broad smile.

Kate just smiles at her grandsons, before turning to her young friends. "Now ye' listen t' me. I know what I be doing, and if I say y'r takin' this piano, then y'r takin' t' piano." Her voice leaves no room for argument, and both girls only nod and softly say 'Yes ma'am'.

"Good, now let me lads finish loading y'r van."

"Hey Chloe, you want to come over and supervise the loading?" Daniel asks with what looks to be well practiced boyish charm.

Chloe's cheeks tinge pink as she answers yes. Daniel gestures for Chloe to lead the way. As she says 'thank you', she glances over her shoulder to Beca, who suddenly has found the rafters in the garage to be of vast interest. With a sigh, Chloe turns back to Daniel who's chatting her up.

Kate steps over next to Beca, her eyes on Chloe the whole time. "Ye' know, Chloe's a remarkable young lady."

Beca's eyes also latch onto the redhead. "Yes she is…"

"One who cares a great deal about ye'," Kate continues.

"Yeah," replies Beca with a warm smile. "I know." Yet to Kate's ear the petite brunette she sounds both fortunate and pained by this admission.

"Can I speak plain wi' ye' me Muirnin?"

Turning to face the Irish Grandmother she answers, "Of course Mrs. O. What can I do for you?"

"Ahh me Muirnin. I'm worried 'bout ye'."

Beca looks away, as she whispers, "Why?"

Kate let's a small laugh as she answers, letting her words be tinged with mirth, "'Tis obvious that ye' 'ave something on y'r mind, me wee Muirnin."

Beca's stormy blue-gray eyes flick up to Kate's and the old woman can see traces of sad smile, before Beca's eyes sweep back to the driveway where Chloe's laughing at something Daniel has told her. Kate hears the faint catch in Beca's breathing, before the petite brunette allows her gaze to drift back down.

After a heartbeat or two, Beca sighs, "Oh, you know, Mrs. O; I just have a lot on my plate. My career has suddenly taken a big step, and I find myself with two parallel career paths. Chloe and I are also committed to helping one of our best friend's with a potential television project, and then Chloe's got this plan for giving lessons to Disney Princess hopefuls…."

"Ahh I see. But that's not really what's on y'r mind, is it?" It's stated more than it's asked.

Beca remains silent, but her face conveys a yes.

Kate asks, "Love, perhaps?" A smile forms on her face, as Beca's jaw drops and her skin grows pink with embarrassment, unable to produce a coherent sound while she gapes at the old Irish woman. Kate conveys a thoughtful face as she patiently waits for Beca to regain her composure.

Beca's completely caught off guard by Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's question. Gulping down her embarrassment, Beca does eventually reply with a quiet, "Yeah," once her brain begins to function again.

Beca turns, her stormy eyes reflect the confusion in her heart, and she remains silent as she regards this woman who has entered her life so recently, but has surprisingly come to mean so much. Maybe because of the high regards that Chloe holds this woman, or because how much this dear lady seems to cherish Chlo, but Beca feels safe with her. That she already holds a special place in her heart. Ironically, only Chloe got that close in such a short amount of time.

Kate smiles warmly, letting Beca know that everything is alright as she notes Beca's widening pupils. "I'm sorry, I'm overstepping," apologizes Kate, as she places a reassuring hand on Beca's shoulder.

Beca's shoulders sag in surrender, and a few moments pass before she answers. Kate remains quiet, easily understanding that the young woman needs time to answer. It actually reminds her of her beloved Sean.

"No, it's okay," Beca assures Kate after a moment's hesitation, with a shake of her head. "It's just… I don't know what to do, much less think."

"That happens from time-t'-time. I find though if ye' take a moment and really listen t' y'r heart, ye' can find y'r answers."

"It's just…" Beca trails off, she's not even sure what to say.

"Y'r 'fraid te' get hurt, or t' hurt someone ye' care about." Beca nods at Kate's statement.

"Ah me Muirnin, I'm 'fraid life canna happen w' out pain every now an' then."

"It's just that I feel I'll have to make a choice soon. A choice I've put off for a long time. A choice I never want to make."

"And when that time comes, do ye' know which ye' be choosing?" Kate can't help but look over at Chloe as she asks.

Beca remains silent, her eyes having never left Chloe. The silence speaks volumes to Kate though. "Ah me Muirnin, you're hesitating. That means you're not sure."

Beca blushes as she answers, "Like I said, there's a lot on my mind."

"Muirnin, still so shy at y'r age? Ye' strike me as bein' overly fond of such modesty."

"What? No!" Beca stares forcefully. "No, I mean, I…"

"Tis okay, me wee Muirnin. Just don't let y'r shyness cost ye' y'r happiness."

Beca let's that sink in. Remaining quiet as she thinks for a moment. "But what do I do? No offense, it's easy to say follow your heart, but what if your heart doesn't know? I'm confused by what my heart is telling me. I'm confused how this situation even came to be. This wasn't in the cards for me."

Kate listens carefully, she hasn't known this young woman long, but she senses that she's very similar to her Sean, and he seldom picked a word without deliberation.

"Sorry love, I've no real answers f'r ye', but I 'ave faith that when te' time comes, y'r heart will know the truth."

Beca lifts her chin, and feels a tinge of hope at Kate's words. "And then what do I do?"

"Well than dear, that's easy, ye' fight f'r love. Don't ye'?"

"It's never that simple."

"Y'r probably right. But isn't it what makes te' whole t'ing worth it?"

Beca hesitates, "I guess."

"Tis understandable to be afraid of the unknown but it ne'er should stop ye' fr'm taking the step."

"I just never know what that step should be. I think I was born without a romantic bone in my body."

"I think when the time is right ye' will find tha' romantic bone. You know, if you're not good with words, then ye' canna show how ye' feel 'n other ways. Demonstrate through actions, or sing a song. Ye' 'ave eh gift when it comes te'music."

"Yeah, I've been told that. Thank you Mrs. O for talking to me."

"Tis no trouble at all."

Beca excuses herself with a soft smile. She appreciates Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's advice, she really does. She just needs some time to be alone with her thoughts. There are things she needs to think about, decisions she needs to make; and unfortunately no matter what decision she makes, someone she loves is going to be hurt.

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

As their drive home draws to a close, Chloe notices that Beca has grown even more quiet. The closer to their destination the more withdrawn Beca has become. Chloe glances over in Beca's direction, clearly seeing that there's something troubling the petite brunette in her features. She pulls the van into the parking lot of their apartment and let's out a sigh of relief when she spots an open spot next to the entrance near the elevator. The redhead can't help but smile, feeling that maybe this is a good sign.

"Looks like we lucked out with this spot, huh Becs? It'll make it so much easier to carry the equipment upstairs. Don't you think?" The young brunette is silent, does not answer. "Becs? Beca?" Chloe speak softly at first looking over to her best friend. She notices the shorter girl's eyes are focused out the side window. She seems to have drifted off, lost in her own thoughts, because there is nothing but a blank wall in that direction. "Becs!" She says louder, finally shaking her friend out of her reverie. "You okay there? Kinda lost you for a bit."

Beca shakes herself out of her reverie. "Oh, uh, yeah… Sorry. Just― I was just thinking." She replies, her voice barely above a whisper. Hesitantly she looks over to Chloe sitting in the driver's seat. It seems to take all the brunettes willpower to raise her eyes up to look upon Chloe's face. Finally Beca's stormy blue eyes raise to a level so that she's looking into Chloe's piercing cerulean blue eyes. Chloe inwardly winces as she sees the indecision etched in Beca's face. The redhead's heart breaks as she can see the pain behind her best friend's eyes. She wants to reach out to the petite brunette, to comfort her, but she knows that this isn't the right move right now. There is a barrier between the two at this moment, and where in the past she could just push past these hurdles, now she can't.

Chloe's voice is barely above a whisper as she asks. "About what?"

Beca's hesitant to answer, Chloe could see this clearly. Beca has always thought she had a great poker face, but Chloe has always been able to see right through it. Chloe knows at this moment that the answer is going to hurt, and she steels herself to hear it.

With a sigh Beca seems to decide that it's better to just rip the bandage off. With a look of resignation she looks Chloe in the eyes and says, "I've decided I'm going to do as Jesse asked and join with him and form a team for Amy and Bumper's TV competition."

"Oh…"

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

A/N: Sorry!

Please don't hate. Please let me know what you all think. Reviews really do help.

That said I hope you have Happy New Years!

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