Beca's earlier ire at her boss had been all but forgotten. She grabbed Chloe's hand as they headed to the elevator. "What's the plan Stan?" When Chloe shrugged, the project manager responded, "Oh lawdie, one of us is going to have to do some thinking then, eh? Regardless, I am not spending the day in this monkey suit. Mind if we drop by my place so I can change?"

Since they hadn't yet made plans for the day and had plenty of time, the pair decided to walk to Beca's apartment. While the weather was still brisk, the day was nice for a stroll. The project manager had already become accustomed to Chloe's small touches and rather enjoyed holding her hand. The closeness was addicting.

Neither of them had anything specific in mind. "How about we do some non-tourist tourist things? I bet neither of us has really seen the city that we live in, and there's so much here." Chloe leaned into the slightly shorter woman and placed her head on her shoulder. They tossed some ideas about and agreed that some "See NYC like a Local" web pages might come in handy.

When Beca turned to go up the steps to a high-rise complex, Chloe stopped short and her eyes widened as she looked up. "You live here?"

"It's no big deal – and there's a story that goes along with it. Come on silly!" Beca tugged on her hand to get her to join her.

As they rode the elevator up, Chloe asked, "soooooooooo, what's the tale?"

The redhead was definitely difficult to resist, but Beca wanted the day to stay on a positive note and wasn't quite ready to share. "That, my friend, is a story for another day." This time, Beca was able to resist the pouting.

As she began to unlock the various locks on her door, she gave her disclaimer to Chloe that she didn't recall the state her apartment was in. "Forgive me if there's a huge mess. I had this thing on Saturday. Then I had this other thing on Sunday. And those things kept me from my chores." She grinned at the redhead as she pushed open the door. "Not much to see." She swept her hand across the space. "Living area, kitchen, kitchen table." She pointed down the hall. "Bathroom's down there. And that door… is my bedroom. And that, is the grand tour. Make yourself at home while I change."

Chloe wandered around the living room, looking at pictures that were hanging on the wall and sitting on the shelves of the wall unit. She saw pictures of an adorable young brunette, in various periods from about the age of six to eleven. She was always sporting pigtails in a leotard. In one, a few huge medals hung around her neck and she was grinning from ear to ear. While the child was quite younger, the smile was unmistakably Beca. Other pictures showed Beca competing in different gymnastic events at various ages.

"I didn't know you had a sister," Chloe teased. "Who's the cutie pie in these pictures?"

"Shut it Beale." Beca had forgotten about her childhood pictures being in the living room. Only Stacie had ever been in her apartment, and that teasing had stopped years ago. "I only have a brother, and he doesn't look nearly as good in a leotard." The brunette came out of her bedroom wearing jeans and an UNE sweatshirt.

Chloe wanted to know more about the pictures, and Beca obliged of course, telling her that she was in gymnastics for several years. "I mostly did the floor exercises, vault, and sometimes the balance beam."

"I bet you have some videos of cute little Beca Mitchell someplace, too. I'd love to see them." The redhead batted her eyes because she knew that helped with her charm.

"Pfffft fat chance Red. They are on VHS."

After considering this for a moment, Chloe said, "I heard there are companies who can transfer things like that to digital media. Ooooh that'd make an awesome Christmas present for your mom. She'd get a kick out of showing her future grand-babies their mama winning all these medals and trophies."

Beca's demeanor immediately changed as she walked away from the picture wall. "Water?" Beca opened the fridge and got out a pitcher of cold water. She poured herself a glass. When Chloe didn't respond, she poured a second glass as well and carried them both to the coffee table and took a seat. The brunette fired up her laptop. While she waited for it to come on, she patted the cushion next to her.

When Chloe sat, she left several inches of space between the two of them. "I'm sorry." Her voice was quiet, meek. She was quickly turning back to the sad Chloe that Beca didn't know and didn't like.

Beca scooted over, closing the gap and handed the redhead her water. "It's okay Chloe. I will tell you about my mom this week. I promise. Just not today." She leaned over to shoulder bump Chloe. When Chloe didn't really respond, Beca leaned further and further until Chloe was practically laying on the couch. When Chloe began to giggle, Beca knew things were alright in their world.

She sat cross-legged on the couch, resting the laptop where they could both see and did a few quick searches to get a baseline. Soon they had a list of possibilities and agreed they needed to check the weather forecast for the week.

"Who knew there were so many zoos in New York City?" Chloe was astounded when that search came up. Beca told her that she thought she'd heard that each borough had its own animal sanctuary. After learning this, Chloe got excited beyond imagination. "What a coincidence! Five days in spring break, five boroughs."

Despite the teasing twinkle in Chloe's eye, Beca decided she'd best shoot down that idea before the redhead got serious about it. She did agree to go to two, at most, simply because the redhead was so excited. They agreed that each person would rank the activities based on what they wanted to do, and they'd decide together based on those rankings.

"Now that we have some choices, what do we do today?" Beca closed her laptop, placed it on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch.

Chloe pondered the choices for a bit before speaking. "Honestly this is my first day off in forever. What would you think about doing nothing? Maybe stay here and visit?" Beca didn't say anything immediately. "Or we could go to my place." Chloe quickly added.

"No! No, no. Here is okay. Are you sure you want to be trapped with me inside for the day?" Beca's dark blue eyes gleamed as her smile was bright.

"A roast?" Chloe's voice was suspicious. "It's almost afternoon and you want to cook a roast when you don't even have the ingredients. Impossible Beca."

Beca struggled up, trying to untangle herself from the web of arms and legs that had been wrapped around her. She trotted over to the kitchen and rummaged in the cabinets. "Viola." The brunette swung a device up and clanged it on the counter. "I present to you, the Instapot."

"I never imagined you as a Home Shopping Network kinda gal Beca." Chloe laughed as she teased Beca.

An aghast look crossed the smaller woman's face. "Pardon me? Amazon Prime, thank you very much. Want to go shopping?" Chloe was doubtful they'd have a meal in time for later but agreed to go shopping anyway.

The pair went to a small market and as they walked around collecting what they needed – fresh produce and the sorts – Chloe quickly realized that every worker seemed to know Beca. She greeted them all by name, and each rushed to help her make the best selections. The project manager took her time to have a conversation with each one about their lives, family, or what have you. A warm feeling crept into Chloe's chest when she realized how kind of a person Beca really was. Her thoughts drifted to her situation as a janitor in Beca's office and when Beca had told her that's not all she was, that she was so much more.

"Where'd you go?" Beca came up and softly kissed Chloe's cheek. "Penny for your thoughts." Chloe shook off the question and moved over to the cheese section where she picked out various cheeses for a nice spread later.

As the two worked their way towards the back of the store, they picked out snacks and drinks for the week. Things that could easily be stashed in coat pockets to nibble on throughout their adventures. Eventually Beca was standing at the meat counter.

"Claude," she grinned at the butcher in his white apron stained with faint smudges of red. "How's Junior and Mama?" The two caught up on his family for a bit before she told him what she wanted.

As the butcher selected the meat from the case and began to wrap it up, Chloe's eyes grew large. "Beca? That's one huge chunk of meat there. Are you sure we can get that cooked today? My mama's roast always took hours."

When the brunette started frozen then suddenly burst out laughing, Chloe's lips pursed, and her eyebrows pressed together. "What's so funny Beca?"

When Beca finally was able to catch her breath, she breathed out, "seriously Chlo? Huge chunks of meat?" The frown was still plastered on the redhead's face as she nodded. "Where did that come?"

Chloe gave a mock huff and turned her back to Beca who grabbed her hand and pulled her back around. The redhead's frown wouldn't go away until the smaller woman gave her a soft kiss. When they had everything they needed plus some, the two made the trek back to Beca's apartment.

Chloe was still hesitant at the Instapot, so Beca explained how it worked as she started cutting vegetables. Chloe made a quick fruit and cheese tray then began to help with the veggies. Beca turned the device on sauté to brown the meat then dumped the other ingredients in, locked the lid and set the button. "There you go, ninety minutes and then soup's on!"

The snack tray was on the bar and each woman grabbed a soft drink from the fridge and settled on a bar stool to begin munching on grapes, cheese, and the sort. "Hey Beca?" The brunette gave a mumble." Why are bears especially cautious in March?"

Beca rolled her eyes. "Why Chloe?"

"They're trying to avoid spring-loaded traps!"

"Okay Beca Mitchell. Tell me three things I don't already know about you."

"What? Chloe, you already know things about me." Beca wasn't a person for personal sharing.

"I didn't know you had a sister," Chloe teased. For this she got a play pinch from the brunette.

"Okay, we'll start there." Beca held up one finger. "I was when I was nine, I was national champion on the Junior Olympic team in floor." She motioned to the pictures on the wall. "I have the medal in a drawer or box somewhere."

Chloe's mouth dropped open as Beca admitted to this nonchalantly. "Seriously?"

"No Chlo, I'm lying. Yes seriously. And no, you can't see any videos."

"But, but, but, the little dance routines are so adorable. I love watching gymnastics on television." Beca frowned. "I bet I can talk you into showing those videos someday." Chloe's voice was matter of fact as she was so sure of herself. "Okay that's one. Next?"

Beca's face was astounded. "That should count for at least two Beale. How many people do you know that were on a Junior Olympic team? AND a champ?" Chloe wouldn't let her off the hook, so after a few moments of thinking, the brunette held up a second finger. "I am an amateur photographer. I think I've taken at least five beginner classes, and the information never really sinks in. But I love taking pictures – with my phone or my big camera."

When the brunette acted like she was finished, Chloe shook her head. "That was only two. You have one more. Come on. One more thing I don't know about you."

The project manager gave her a crooked smile. "I have another. But how about you share some first?"

Chloe screwed her mouth sideways as she thought. "One. If I hadn't gone into physical therapy, I would have gone into veterinary medicine. My undergraduate degree allowed me to go either way. After doing some volunteer work at a clinic, I decided that I wouldn't be able to handle the surgical side or HBCs and things of that nature."

"HBC?"

"Hit by car. I just couldn't bear working with poor animals who couldn't tell me where they hurt or what they needed me to do. So instead I chose people that I can at least try to reason with."

"Interesting choice. Either way, you'd be Dr. Beale. I'm still impressed." Beca squeezed the redhead's hand. "Next?"

Chloe blushed as she chuckled and pointed to the small scar on her forehead. "I got this when I was two. We lived in Tampa. I tripped and fell on a brick walk we had in front of our house. Fourteen stitches. Of course, I don't remember it, but my mom relives on a regular basis, especially whenever I bring anyone home. I know the story well."

"Have you always been clumsy?" Beca loved that she finally had something to tease the redhead about.

"Pretty much except when I'm dancing." They both laughed. "Okay, your third thing."

Beca felt her cheeks blushing and tried to use her hands to hide the growing redness. "I have an admission to make. I wasn't completely honest with you earlier. Promise you won't make fun of me?" Chloe laughed and nodded. "Ummm so the zoo in Brooklyn. I really want to go there. Ummmmm." Beca was getting excited. "They have red pandas at the Prospect Park Zoo. They have red pandas!" Her giddiness was rubbing off on Chloe.

"Well why are we not there right now?" Chloe questioned.

Beca held her hands out in front of her gesticulating wildly. "There are red pandas at the zoo." Her voice shifted to a high-pitched squeak almost as she described them. She held her hands up like she was squishing a face. "They are like a fox and a raccoon and a bear and a dog and a cat." She was talking faster and faster at this point. "They are like every adorable animal in one animal." The project manager's eyes were wide, and she was definitely animated. Chloe thought she was being quite adorable. "Since I saw my first one, I'm so obsessed with them that I've made it my life goal to work so long and so hard that I'll someday to be rich enough to buy a red panda. I want like a farm of red pandas." She threw her hands up like that was her final dream in life.

Chloe couldn't stop laughing so decided to question Beca again. "How big does a red panda get?"

"I don't know. I'd like to think they are like babies." The brunette held her hands up showing the small size. "With my luck, like any wild animal, she'd tear my apartment apart then I'd be like what are you doing Red Panda?"

The redhead snorted. "So you wouldn't even name it?"

"Nope, I'd call it Lil' Red. You're Big Red, she'd be Lil Red." Beca was so overworked about her excitement about the animals that she was almost out of breath. "So, can we go see them?" Chloe nodded because if Beca got this excited when she simply talked about the animals, she could only imagine her reaction when the brunette saw them. She'd then recalled something she had seen on the Prospect Park Zoo webpage and made a mental note to check it out.

Chloe was saved from sharing her third thing when the timer went off. As Beca released the steam on the Instapot and opened the lid, the redhead was in awe. She reached around the shorter woman with a fork and pulled off some of the tender meat. "Mmmmmmm Beca! This is amazing. All of this in less than two hours. I will never doubt you again." She started rummaging through drawers and cabinets to set the table while Beca scooped the roast into large earthen bowls. Chloe pulled apart some fresh bread they had picked up at the market and also set down the fresh coleslaw they had made earlier for something fresh to accompany the roast.

Of course, the taller woman raved the entire time they ate about how yummy the roast was. Beca was pleased the Chloe liked her cooking. "That's okay Beale. If you liked this easy meal, wait until you try my baking."

"You bake?" Chloe was shocked at all the was learning about the project manager. How did she ever think before that Beca would ever hold back on her?

"Yup. Ask Jessica and Aubrey. When I get in a mood, they always end up with lots of homemade goodies."

After the meal had been finished, Beca packaged up some of the roast in a few separate containers. When Chloe looked curious, she informed the redhead that she'd text Stacie later who would come by for some food. "She eats like a horse. And if you want to take some home, too, it will save for a few days or you can freeze it."

At Beca's mention of Stacie, Chloe inquired about possibly seeing if Aubrey and Stacie wanted to go to dinner one night later in the week. "I know they've gone out on their own, but knowing Aubrey, I'm sure she still needs more convincing." Beca agreed to run the idea past her friend as well.

"What do you want to do tomorrow Chlo?" The pair were back on the couch simply enjoying each other's presence.

"I have some ideas, but I need to check a few things out. Can I text you tonight with the details?" Beca agreed then Chloe informed her that they'd have an early morning and a long. "I probably need to go so we can get some sleep." She was excited about her idea for Tuesday and wanted to get home where she could fully plan it out to perfection.

From Cute Redhead: I'm home safe
From Cute Redhead: Thanks for today Becs
From Tiny Project Manager: Of course. I'm looking forward to this week
From Cute Redhead: For tomorrow, wear some thin layers and a jacket
From Cute Redhead: Bring your big camera
From Tiny Project Manager: My camera? Where are we going?
From Cute Redhead: It's a surprise. We'll be gone all day!
From Cute Redhead: One more thing. Bring Toad
From Tiny Project Manager: ~laughing icon~ got it! Camera, Toad and we won't be back early
From Cute Redhead: I'll be there at 7:00 am
From Cute Redhead: Good night Becs XO
From Tiny Project Manager: Night Red

Luckily Beca was able to crawl out of her bed the next morning, make coffee and be ready when Chloe came knocking on her door at 7 am. She wasn't sure how any one person could be so damned cheerful at that hour, but she was certainly getting used to it which scared the fuck out of her. Chloe sat down two to-go cups of coffee from the place they both liked as well as some bagels. Beca scarfed down half of one and wrapped the other to put in her camera bag with the other snacks. Since Beca had already made coffee, she filled two large travel cups with that coffee for later.

As they made their way to the subway station, Beca kept asking where Chloe was taking her. "You'll see soon enough. Oh! Did you bring Toad?"

Beca wrinkled her nose and said with a dour face, "damn it. I knew I was forgetting something." The look of horror on Chloe's face was priceless, so Beca pulled Toad from her jacket pocket and had Toad give Chloe a kiss. "Of course, I brought Toad."

After consulting her notes, Chloe made sure they were on the B train headed towards Brooklyn. The subway was not as full of morning commuters as she imagined it would be then she realized most people would be going into Manhattan to work, not vice versa. When they exited Prospect Park Station, she could feel Beca starting to quiver with elation beside her.

"A...a...are we g…going…" Chloe thought Beca was going to stroke out she was so worked up.

"Yes baby, we are going to the Prospect Park Zoo. I hear they have red pandas here." She gave Beca a knowing wink. Then she realized what she'd called Beca and was hoping that Beca had been so distracted about visiting her favorite animal that she didn't notice.

"But, but, but, the zoo doesn't open until ten. That's," she checked her watch, "two hours." Beca was whining at this point. "I have to sit out here, soooooooo close to the cutest animal on earth but can't see them for two hours. That's not fair." She crossed her arms and began to pout just like a petulant child.

Chloe couldn't help but to put her hand on Beca's cheek and kiss her forehead. "Stay here; I'll be right back." Beca found a bench to sit on where she buried her face in her hands before taking out Toad.

When Chloe came back, she caught some of the one-sided conversation. "Toad, Chloe is so mean. She brought me here to see my favorite red pandas, well, favorite next to frogs, of course. But now I must sit out here for two hours … You think that stinks, too? Yeah!"

The redhead outstretched her hand to pull up the brunette. "Come on Ms. Pouty McDoubty. Time to go."

Beca was pulling back, definitely still pouting. "I want to sit here. For two hours."

"Hmmm, okay." Chloe raised her eyebrows. "Then may I borrow your camera? One of us needs to go in."

When Beca heard the words 'go in' her ears perked up. "What? We are going in?" Chloe didn't answer just grinned and pulled Beca up.

An attendant let them in a gate and locked it behind them. They got into a golf cart and drove to the interior of the zoo. "Hi, I'm Melody. I'm going to be your key staff person today although you'll see lots of us. It's great you could join us for our special photography program. Do you know what this morning is going to look like?" Beca shook her head emphatically while Chloe just smiled. Melody already knew this was a surprise for Beca and played along.

"First, we are going to review some camera basics, learn the tricks of the trade from our animal staff to getting just the right shot of our furred clients. Different things for different species. Then we'll head out to the zoo before it opens to take exclusive photos under the guidance of our resident wildlife photographer. Animals will be enjoying seasonal enrichment with our beautiful exhibits as the setting!"

Beca turned to Chloe. "Seriously dude? You brought me to the zoo. To take pictures. Before it opens? Oh my god." She then directed her attention back to Melody and said meekly. "Ummm may I ask if we are going to get to take pictures of the red pandas?" Her voice was anxious and expectant. When Melody said they would, Beca actually started battling with her emotions to not cry. Chloe wrapped a comforting arm around her and pulled a tissue out of her pocket to save Beca from wiping her nose on her sleeve.

While Beca was immersed with taking her pictures, Chloe was going around with Toad and her iPhone. The staff thought this was endearing and would position the stuffed animal in places he'd normally never get to go, at least not without getting in trouble. Chloe got some excellent pictures, too.

When they had gone through the Discovery Trail, Beca spotted her first red panda. Several were together in a tree, legs flopped over the branches of a tree, using their long bushy tails for balance, Chloe realized that the earlier excitement Beca displayed was indeed honest. She stared at the animals for a while. Suddenly she remembered her camera and furiously started taking pictures from different angles. Periodically she'd squeak then look around to see if anyone heard her enthusiasm. Chloe took several candid shots of Beca watching her beloved red panda.

By the time the pair had finished the photo tour, the zoo had been open to the public for a while. When they saw a gift shop, each woman went in separately insisting the other stay out. When they exited, Beca flopped down on the bench where she had earlier sat pouting. "Best. Day. Ever." Her grin was infectious.

The morning was nothing less than astonishing. Beca was so attentive to everything the animal staff and photographer said and must have taken a million pictures. "These are turning out so much better now that I know better techniques. Chloe, I couldn't have asked for a better morning." She was dying to go through her pictures, but her battery was dying and needed to be charged.

"Days not over yet Becs. Let's go eat."

After finding a small café on the park grounds right outside the zoo, the women shared a light lunch, and Beca took advantage of a nearby outlet to re-charge her battery. She was still too pumped up to eat much, and Chloe was just enjoying watching the brunette. Something outside the window caught Beca's eye.

"Hey Chloe, there's an old carousel out there." The redhead's eyes twinkled. "But from the look on your face, I bet you already knew that and that's what we are doing next." Chloe nodded her head.

"It's almost a hundred years old Bec. The animals are hand-carved! I'm so pumped."

Once they finished their lunch, the two women headed to the carousel and waited to be admitted. As soon as their turn came, Chloe raced to one of the dragon-pulled chariots. She slid into the seat and patted the space beside her for Beca to sit. Beca pulled out her camera and slipped into the chariot next to the redhead.

As the music started and the animals began to chase each other in a circle, Chloe had out her phone videoing. She was enthralled at being on the antique ride. Beca quietly slipped out of her seat and captured several candid pictures of the redhead. In some, she had her eyes closed as her auburn hair flowed behind her while others showed the amazement in her eyes as she looked at the hand-carved masterpieces around them. Beca convinced her to get up and try some of the other animals so she could take pictures.

When the pair got off the ride, they captured each other's hands as they walked up the path some towards the Brooklyn Botanical Garden which was right around the corner. "We have to come back later in the spring when the cherry trees are in bloom. Why go to DC when we have beauty right here in our own back yard!" Chloe loved plants and gardens almost as much as she loved animals and carousels. They took their time wandering around the Japanese garden and peeked at the rose gardens even though they had been pruned back and were still dormant from the winter. As they were exiting, Chloe got the giggles. She was laughing so hard she couldn't speak but pointed at the sign outside the garden.

It said, "Spring is here. I'm so excited I wet my plants."

I'm stealing that one!

When Chloe told Beca their day wasn't yet over, the brunette was astonished. "We are headed to Dumbo."

Beca rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to the movies today Chloe. I don't like movies that much anyway."

"What? How can you not like movies?" Chloe shook her head. "Meh, that's a story for another day. I can't believe you don't know what Dumbo is. Then again, I didn't either until we started looking for things to do this week. Does this make us bad New Yorkers?"

As they wandered down toward the Brooklyn bridge, Chloe explained that Dumbo was short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. "It's this trendy little neighborhood with cobblestone streets. This used to be a more industrial area, so there are a lot of warehouses that have been converted to high-end restaurants, cafes, and things of the sort. Now if I had my choices, I'd live in the top of one of these warehouses. I always thought that would be my dream house. The architecture is amazing."

As they walked they saw all sorts of businesses. As they got closer to the waterfront, they realized the area was also a strong hold for visual as well as performing arts. Artists had created the most picturesque murals on the sides of the brick buildings. Beca promised Chloe that they'd make plans to come back and maybe bring the gang. The project manager was glad she'd had a chance to charge her battery because there was so much here to take pictures of, including the bottom of Brooklyn Bridge from the shore.

Chloe spotted a gem exchange and begged Beca to let her go in. While the brunette had never been into stones and crystals, she knew she'd probably never deny Chloe anything. The redhead wandered around a bit before finding a clerk. "I'm looking for some good amethyst pieces. Darker, preferably double terminated. Two that are as close to identical as possible."

Beca hung back a bit and simply watched as the clerk made some selections. Chloe would pick up one to cup in her hands and close her eyes. After a few minutes, she would either hand the crystal back to the clerk or place it aside. Eventually she made a final selection of two and held them in her hands a bit longer before deciding they were what she wanted. After checking out, she refused a bag and slipped them into her jacket pocket.

"What was that all about?" Beca chuckled after watching the redhead.

"I love crystals. Amethyst is my favorite, and I wanted us to have a matched pair. I'll charge them when we get back to your apartment." Beca didn't quite understand anything Chloe had just said but left things at that.

Darkness was quickly upon the pair as they wandered back down to the other end of the park. Here, they sat along the promenade and looked at Manhattan across the East River. "This is a much better view of the city skyline than fighting the tourists to go up in the Empire State Building." They were able to see absolutely everything.

Beca made some settings changes on their camera and steadied it on a railing to try to get some good skyline shots. She hoped that the alterations she had made along with the stabilization of the railing would help get some clear shots.

The women agreed they were exhausted and would just head back to Beca's and either pick up take-out on the way home or have left over roast. "I vote for a pot roast sandwich." Chloe chirped.

"A pot roast sandwich it is."

As they rode the subway home, Chloe explained the healing powers of amethyst and how she sometimes worked with crystals. "I rely on science for my job and school. But I also do dabble in alternative things such as crystals and reiki for personal use."

When Beca asked about reiki, Chloe patiently explained that as well. "I'm a Reiki Master Teacher, just a fancy for title for a Level III who can teach others."

After arriving back at Beca's and eating dinner, Chloe couldn't stop yawning. She wrapped her arms around Beca as they sat on the couch. Beca quickly realized she needed to send Chloe home, or she'd fall asleep right there. She elicited a promise from the redhead to let her know when she got home and said she'd text her with tomorrow's plans.

From Cute Redhead: I'm home Becs
From Tiny Project Manager: Thanks for letting me know
From Tiny Project Manager: I'm trying to plan another great day. I'll message you before morning
From Cute Redhead: Sounds good. Night XO

Beca tossed her phone on her bed as she continued to get ready to sleep. She slipped the piece of amethyst under her pillow as instructed by Chloe and went to brush her teeth.

Chloe realized she had a few messages from Aubrey asking her how things went. She thumbed out a quick message and sent it without paying much attention. Then she shed her clothes, crawled into bed and fell fast asleep.

When Beca came back to bed, she had one last message waiting.

From Cute Redhead: Bree, I had an awful time! I don't know what to do. Let's talk tomorrow.

Her heart shattered.

A/N: I've taken some liberties to fit things to my liking. The Prospect Park Zoo doesn't have a photography program, but the Central Park Zoo does. Both zoos have red pandas, but there was more I wanted them to do in Brooklyn.

Plus it's the park AK mentions. So why not?