The next morning, Beca opened her eyes, searching the unfamiliar surroundings for something she recognized. When she saw the stuffed animals tucked in around her, her smile brightened as she remembered she was in Chloe's apartment. "Chloe...? Chloe! Help me! I'm ..." Chloe came bursting out of bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her, hair dripping, obviously right out of the shower. Beca was again stunned by the scarlet hair which clung to her head and down her front. The joke she was trying to play choked in her throat as she stared.
"What?" Chloe barked. "Are you okay?"
Beca shook the vision of what was beneath Chloe's towel from her mind. "Help me. I'm being attacked by zoo animals?" She gave a sideways grin in hopes she looked as adorable as she thought she did and that she could pull off the stunt.
To her surprise, Chloe burst out laughing. "I think you can handle it Mitchell." Her face grew solemn. "How're you feeling?"
Beca gently twisted her back a tiny bit to test the limits of the strain. "A lot better. Nothing a couple of ibuprofens won't fix." She took a deep breath. "I smell good, too. Peppermint."
Chloe returned to finish her shower while Beca got up to make two cups of coffee with the French press. The complicated method was tedious, but the result was well worth it. She'd only taken a few sips when the redhead emerged freshly showered and dressed.
Because it was Friday and technically the last day of Spring Break, not including the weekend, Beca asked if Chloe was interested in spending another day at her apartment. "I can show you some of my drawings and we can look through the pictures from Tuesday. I have some ideas of what I want to do with some of them, but I need you to pick out your favorites."
Of course, Chloe agreed because any time spent with Beca was a bonus. "Maybe," she started cautiously, "we can see if Aubrey and Stacie would like to do dinner. Then a movie night?"
"We could definitely do dinner. Stacie typically doesn't work Friday evenings. But a movie night... not so much. Game nights are more my style." The pair each messaged their respective friends about dinner, letting them know they'd send the details later in the day.
On the subway back to Beca's, the project manager slipped her hand into Chloe's. "Thanks for taking care of me last night. Your backrub really helped."
"I wasn't just going to let you lay there, goof." Despite trying to play off the praise, Chloe's face was flushed. "Besides, it was my fault anyway." She put her head on Beca's shoulder and snuggled in.
"Stacie would have just sat there and laughed."
"Soooo does that mean I can't show her and Bree the video?" Chloe quickly scooted away in case Beca, well she wasn't sure how Beca would react.
The project manager gasped. "You didn't!"
"I did." Chloe giggled as she dug out her phone. "I haven't watched it yet because I was waiting for you. I imagine it's pretty ugly." They watched the video together alternating between laughing and wincing.
"Better be glad you are adorable Beale." Beca surprised herself as she leaned over and kissed Chloe's cheek, a little closer to the corner of her mouth than planned.
The project manager had all the pictures off her SLR still pulled up on the computer. She also hooked up both phones to the hard drive to pull off pictures to have them all together. They worked their way through the folders with Beca picking her favorites and Chloe picking hers. But the project manager's lips were sealed when it came to her plans.
One thing they did agree on was that if Toad was going to continue in their excursions, he needed an Instagram. They settled on ToadnFriends which would encompass many pictures Beca had from other travels as well as Toad's. Lil' Red might be invited if she started to behave herself. While Beca worked a bit on her super-secret photo project, Chloe started uploading pictures from Toad's outings thus far, making sure to tag PT2BChloe and AttauNYC.
Beca smelled Chloe before she felt her, the lingering smell of peppermint on her hands as she snuck arms around the brunette and burrowed her face in her hair. "Hey! No peeking." Beca was teasing, of course, but honestly didn't want Chloe to see.
"I'm not. But I miss you." When Chloe pulled her up from her desk, the redhead had a perfect pout coupled with the most forlorn look Beca had ever seen."
"How can I resist that look? How about we fix that?" Beca shoo'd the redhead to the couch as she went to get them something to drink. She returned with a couple of bottles of water and a few sketch pads. She made Chloe promise to not laugh at her sketches. "It's just a hobby, you know."
Beca pulled Chloe into her chest so they could both comfortably see the drawings. They went through a few books with Beca explaining some of the locations while others required no description. The project manager almost skipped the sketch book she had worked on during her flight to Guam. She recalled Chloe's reaction when she originally told her the story and didn't want to scare the redhead off again. But this was how it all started and if Chloe was still bothered by it, Beca needed to know.
She kept the book closed. "Remember that night coming back from the a cappella celebration?" Beca knew her nerves were bleeding through. "I told you that, despite only seeing you a few times, you had evaded every part of my being, even my dreams. On the flight to Guam, I drew these." She opened the book and showed Chloe the drawings which were completely in charcoal except her fire engine red hair and green eyes. "I know I got the eye color wrong. God only knows how because your eyes are spectacular. I hope someday you will let me draw you again."
Chloe hadn't spoken. She softly reached out and placed her fingertips on the sketch. "This is how you remembered me after only seeing me twice?" Her eyes didn't move from Beca's work. "I..." she reached up to her face with her other hand and brushed away some tears. "I don't know what to say Beca; it's beautiful."
Beca used her own thumb to wipe away some more of Chloe's tears. "Chloe... look at me Chlo." When the redhead turned and looked up, eyes again crystal blue because of the tears, Beca leaned in and pressed their lips together, a comforting, loving kiss not fueled by lust or passion. As the kiss broke, she leaned their foreheads together. "I only draw what I see Red. You are beautiful."
The project manager decided to not take chances of their bubble bursting, so she didn't share the sketches of Guam or the Ambien tainted pictures from the return flight. Those could wait for another time.
Beca was sitting on the low wall outside the restaurant as Chloe was situated between her legs, arms around her waist. The two were so engrossed in their own conversation that when Stacie came flying up, launching herself in the air to land next to her best friend almost knocking her over, Beca gave out a small shriek of surprise. "Damn you, Legs."
"Hi Shorty. Red. Aubrey said she's going to be a bit late and for us to go ahead and get a table. Said something about you knowing what she likes." Stacie's tone was suggestive as she hooked her leg around Chloe's to pull her closer.
"Nope. Get your own date Stace. I don't share." Beca mock-glared at her friend as she shoved the taller woman away from the redhead. Chloe was enjoying watching the comfortable banter between the friends.
The trio were quickly seated and placed their orders. Stacie put her chin on her elbows which were on the table and leaned towards Chloe. "So Red, are you two finally getting along or do I need to kick some pipsqueak butt?"
"Stacie!" Beca was aghast at her friend's blatant question. The taller woman was within arm's reach, so Beca punched her friend in the shoulder, giving her a look that ensured that Stacie shouldn't push her luck.
"Actually Stacie," Chloe's sweet smile was almost disarming as she changed the subject. "We don't know anything about what's been happening with you and Bree."
Stacie's smile was fierce as thoughts of the long-legged blonde filled her mind. "She's come to a few more classes. I have to say she has quite a knack for Pilates. She's definitely building her," Stacie cleared her throat, "core."
"Be nice," Beca muttered under her breath.
"Hey, that was nice. Strengthening core muscles IS the foundation of Pilates." Stacie tried to play her comments off as innocent.
The three chatted about random things until their food arrived. As the waiter placed the last order down, an out of breath Aubrey slid into the last open chair. "Sorry I'm late guys. I wanted to change clothes." She looked at Stacie then back at Beca and Chloe before giving Stacie a chaste kiss on the cheek. She looked at everyone's order and motioned towards Beca and Chloe's plates. "Well aren't those huge chunks of meat?"
Stacie immediately choked on her tea as she laughed. "What the actual fuck?" Because Chloe and Aubrey were laughing so hard, Beca had to explain it as she'd been told. She told her friend it was a throwback to their undergrad years. Jessica had started it, so the other Bellas picked up trying to use the phrase unexpectedly to shock people. Stacie blotted the front of her shirt. "Not that I mind tea coming up through my nose, but a little warning next time Becs?" Beca shrugged and pointed at Aubrey.
As dinner continued, Beca's back began to bother her from sitting. She fished a few pills from her jacket pocket, swallowed them, and excused herself to walk around a bit. She reassured Chloe she was okay and would be right back.
When the project manager got up to ease the pressure on her back, Stacie immediately jumped in with questions wanting to know what was wrong. Chloe gave them the CliffsNotes version, promising to explain more during game night.
"You mean Beca got hurt and you didn't make her go to the doctor?" Stacie was trying to not be overly protective of her best friend, but she knew what level of pain it took for Beca to show discomfort.
Aubrey placed her hand on Stacie's thigh. "Babe, remember this is what Chloe does. She's going to be a practicing physical therapist in a matter of a few short months. Beca is in good hands."
"Her hands more than good. I'll vouch for that." Nobody had realized Beca had returned to the table. She looked at her best friend and winked. "Too bad you'll never feel them." Chloe blushed not only at Beca's complement but also at her innuendo.
Stacie was uncharacteristically quiet, especially as upset she had just been with Beca being injured. The project manager noticed she was squirming ever so slightly in her seat. The shorter brunette was going to call her out until she noticed Aubrey's hand beneath the table cloth, probably the reason Stacie was now silent. She chuckled quietly and saved that little nugget of knowledge for a later bout of teasing.
Chloe and Beca were tidying the project manager's apartment in time for the other pair to come over for game night. The brunette pulled glasses down from the cabinets and made sure the ice maker bin was full.
Beca heard the jingle of keys as her apartment door was unlocked. Stacie be-bopped in, closing the door behind her. "I brought snacks." She waved a plastic sack in the air. "Hi Chloe!"
"Stacie, you didn't." Beca hissed when she saw what her friend had. "I meant real snacks."
Stacie was reaching into one of the taller cabinets for a bowl. "How did you get these bowls up here shorty?" She rinsed out the bowl, dried it, and filled it with the contents of her bag – miniature packages of peanuts, pretzels, small packages of cookies, and assorted nuts. The tall brunette then went and settled herself in one of the arm chairs. "Munchies?" She presented the bowl to Chloe.
The redhead looked at the bowl strangely for a moment then fished out a package of honey roasted peanuts. "Stacie, care to share how you got all these baby, Beca-sized snacks?" Her smile was playful as she opened the nuts.
"I can hear you!" The project manager's voice came from the kitchen. "This place isn't THAT big. Two of her roommates are flight attendants. And Stacie is a cheapskate. Thus, the airline snacks."
Stacie pointed at the peanuts Chloe was eating. "I'm glad you like peanuts. Southwest has stopped serving them on their planes, and I didn't want them to get stale."
Chloe's phone buzzed. "Aubrey said she's about five minutes out. Do we need anything? Real snacks maybe?"
Stacie mock gasped like she was offended. "Naw, that's okay." Beca came over and kissed Chloe on the cheek. "I always have back up in case Legs pulls this stunt."
When Aubrey arrived, the foursome gathered in the living room first. Chloe plugged her phone into Beca's TV. "So yesterday you guys got the short version of how Beca injured her back. I thought you might like the cinematic version."
Stacie rubbed her hands together. "You got it on video? I knew I liked you for a reason Red."
They watched they clip of Beca's aerobatic attempts a few times – regular speed, slo-mo, and sped up. Stacie was literally crying. "I hate to be laughing at you, Becs, but that's some fancy shit you were trying.
After the interest of the video of Beca's mishap had run its course, the project manager hooked up her hard drive to show a few of the pictures they had taken over the week. Aubrey was amazed at her employee's photographic talent. The smaller brunette shuffled to another folder to show Aubrey the Guam team and the adventures she had when working on the island.
"I sent you there to work Mitchell."
"And work I did." Beca playfully crossed her arms. "You saw my reports." She liked this lighter side of her supervisor.
As Beca was pulling out all the games to decide from, Chloe dragged her college friend over to Beca's display shelf. She was showing Aubrey all the lovable pictures of Beca growing up in the gymnastics world.
"What are you two over here whispering about?" The small brunette came over and wrapped her arm around the redhead.
Aubrey looked down at Beca. "You seriously competed on the national level?" Beca grinned and nodded. "A woman of many mysteries Mitchell. I'm impressed."
"Thanks. It would have been much more impressive had I been able to stick my landing yesterday!"
The four decided on a game of Cards Against Humanity. "I'm not sure I should be playing this with my boss." Beca was wary, but Chloe convinced her Aubrey had a dry sense of humor and wasn't easy to offend. Each couple sat across from each other to help cut down the cheating which Beca assured the other that Stacie would find a way to do.
Beca read her black card and then the white cards the others had tossed in the middle. She laughed as she made up her mind and read. "I drink to forget… alcoholism." Stacie pumped her fist as she grabbed the black card to add to her growing stack.
Next was Aubrey's turn. She read the black card. "In the seventh circle of Hell, sinners must endure blank for all of eternity." Everyone contemplated their choices and tossed them in. "In the seventh circle of Hell, sinners must endure some douche with an acoustic guitar for all of eternity." That black card went to Beca.
Chloe selected her black card. "This is your Capitan speaking. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare for blank." When she read the submissions, the redhead's face was perplexed. "Damn it. I can't decide. What do I do?" She looked over to Beca for help who just shrugged her shoulders. "Screw it. I'm going to hell anyway. The two winners are Survivors Guilt AND 72 Virgins." The women snickered as nobody would admit to either card.
The group took a break while Beca refreshed everyone's drinks. The score was close and when the group was ready to start up again, Stacie announced it was her turn. "Change of game play folks. One more round. But this time, we are playing with this expansion set. The Pride Pack… with glitter."
The women laughed until they realized Stacie was serious. She pulled the pack out of her pocket and ripped into the foil wrapper. When the seal broke loose, actual glitter went flying everywhere – all over Stacie, the table, the floor. "Oops." Stacie gave a sheepish grin. "I guess they really did mean 'with glitter'."
"You know you are cleaning that crap up Conrad!"
After the cards were shuffled and dealt, they decided to play a speed version. Each person would select their black card to display in front of them. The others would put down their white cards for each together. Once the all the cards had been played, they'd go around the table and read.
First was Stacie. "Excuse me, straight man, but blank isn't for you, STRAIGHT MAN. The winning card was: 30 shirtless bears emerging from the fog.
Beca was choking over her selections so badly, Chloe was afraid she wouldn't be able to speak. "This is definitely a winner. We're here! We're blank ! Get used to it!" Beca held the white card up between her fingers as she read: "Licking that pussy right!"
Aubrey read hers and contemplated the answers. "Hmmpft. Don't read anything into this answer. YAAAAAAS! You are serving me blank realness! Whatever straight people do for fun."
And the last question was read by Chloe. "GOD HATES blank! Those cheekbones, honey."
The women all agreed they had about as much fun as they could handle. Everyone chipped in cleaning up Beca's living room – both Aubrey and Chloe doing their best to get the glitter off the floor. "I suppose it could be worse Mitchell." Beca glared at Stacie. "Could have had carpet in here."
Eventually things were about as clean as they were going to get although Beca knew she'd be finding glitter for weeks. When Aubrey and Stacie made a point of leaving together, Beca asked Chloe, "what's your read on them?" Beca was curious. She knew Stacie well but wasn't always able to understand her boss.
"There's definitively an attraction. I'll grill her… later. Right now, I have other things to concern myself with."
"Hmmmm, yeah? And what that?"
"At dinner, something you said. I have good hands, huh, Mitchell?" Chloe draped her arms over Beca's shoulders as the brunette sat on the couch.
"Mmm incredible hands, Beale." Beca turned her head slightly and gave Chloe a soft kiss. The redhead's imagination could have very well been playing tricks on her, but she felt as though each time Beca gave her an innocent kiss, the project manager's lips stayed pressed against her skin longer and longer. Then again, it could be wishful thinking. Then Beca asked. "Could I talk you into using those astonishing hands again?"
A/N: Those who know me understand that I'm a little off the wall. There is now an Instagram, "ToadnFriends". Toad isn't posting this week as I'm still trying to teach him to use the phone. But some of his friends have taken over and hijacked Toad's page. It's open so feel free to have some fun.
P.S. Toad loves to be tagged by other stuffed pals.