Chloe reached under her pillow to fumble for her phone and silenced the alarm. She pushed herself up on her elbows, checked the time, then flopped back down on her back. She took some time to daydream for a bit, thinking about the two previous mornings that she had woken up in Beca's bed, wrapped up in the brunette's slender limbs and frame. While they had only spent two nights in the same bed, Chloe felt connected to Beca like no other before.

As they left the restaurant the previous night, the pair headed to Chloe's small apartment. When Beca refused to even go upstairs, the redhead thrust out her lower lip in a pout like no other. Laughing, the brunette failed to cave in. "We've had all week together Chlo. You have a very important meeting tomorrow, school… and we both have to go back to work."

"But I'll miss you." Chloe flung her arms around the shorter woman's neck and tried to use her lips on the brunette's soft skin as a different means of persuasion.

Beca gave her a crooked smile as she pushed back slightly. "I'll miss you, too." She gave Chloe a kiss on the forehead then a more intimate kiss on the lips. "Good night Beale." She nudged the redhead to go into her building and did not leave until Chloe waved from the second story window. She blew the woman a kiss, turned, and made her way to her own apartment.

From Tiny Project Manager: I made it home
From Cute Redhead: Thanks for letting me know
From Cute Redhead: I do miss you, you know?
From Tiny Project Manager: I miss you, too. G'night

When Chloe reread the messages from the previous night, she smiled. After a bit longer daydreaming, she glanced at the time again. As much as she enjoyed reliving her time with Beca, she realized that she needed to get out of bed before she was late to her meeting.

From Cute Redhead: Good morning Becs
From Cute Redhead: Have a super day

Jessica buzzed the intercom in her boss's office. "Sally from Human Resources is on her way down."

Aubrey's stomach began to rumble as it roiled and lurched. "Did she give an indication as to why?"

"Something about Mitchell. She didn't say anything else."

Aubrey was barely able to thank her secretary and disconnect. She felt bile rise in the back of her throat, hoping that she would be able to choke down the vomit that threatened to come. She stood behind her chair, chin ducked to her chest as she mumbled to herself. "Beca Mitchell, what did you do?" The blonde was upset that Beca hadn't let her apologize before filing a harassment complaint against her. Then again, Aubrey had apologized then immediately screwed up again. Literally.

She grabbed the water glass on her desk and drained it, hoping to calm her stomach. She had thought that she and Mitchell had gotten to a point where they were beginning to understand each other, especially since their lives had become intertwined with Chloe and Stacie's. "I suppose if Mitchell did report me to HR, I deserve it."

Right before the Human Resources representative walked in, Aubrey managed to take her seat behind her desk and opened a bottle of mineral water in hopes of appeasing her stomach's queasiness. When Sally walked in, Aubrey slowly stood, forced a smile on her face, and stretched her hand out. "Hi Sally. Can I get you something to drink?"

Sally declined the offer, took a seat in front of the blonde's desk, and placed a file folder on its edge. "I'm sure you know why I'm here Ms. Posen." Aubrey swallowed deeply and made her away back around to her own chair, fearing anything she might say in admission of her recent sexual escapades around her subordinate. Sally picked up the folder and tapped its edge on the desk's surface. She then tossed the folder over to Aubrey who was beginning to sweat as she battled the nausea threatening to overcome her.

"Your employee, Beca Mitchell…" Sally raised her eyebrows and motioned for Aubrey to open the folder. The HR representative let silence hang in the air. "She's been with us for a bit over two years. Quite the dedicated worker she is. Imagine my surprise to learn… the first time off she has ever taken was last week." The HR representative paused for effect. "Then I reviewed her performance statistics and evaluations." Aubrey was flipping through the pages in the folder in front of her, confused at what she was seeing. "The question I have Aubrey," Sally smiled softly, "is why haven't you promoted her? Or at least given her a raise?"

Aubrey's mouth had dropped open as she tried to make sense of what Sally was saying. "You… want to promote Mitchell?" The blonde was definitely feeling like a deer caught in headlights as she was expecting to be answering to a sexual harassment complaint from her subordinate, not a promotion.

Sally was equally as confused. "Yes Aubrey, her work merits a promotion and the raise that goes along with it. I'm surprised you didn't submit the paperwork with her last review."

"Must have slipped my mind." Aubrey was muttering as her mind was working out the differences between what she'd been expecting and reality. "I'll correct my oversight immediately. Thank you for bringing it to my attention." As quickly as Sally had come in, she was gone. As soon as the HR person left, Aubrey drained the mineral water to let the bubbles sooth what remained of her nervous stomach.

Chloe stood and extended her hand across the desk. "Thank you for your time today Dr. Williams. You've really helped me to make some choices in the direction I'd like to take my career." She picked up the stack of papers from his desk, "I'll get these residency applications filled out immediately."

The redhead turned and almost bounced out of her advisor's office. She'd never felt so confident about a decision in her educational career than then one Dr. Williams had helped her make. Of course, she needed to talk to her best friend, her stable voice of reason. And she wanted to talk to Beca since the woman was quickly becoming important in her life.

Despite being early, Chloe made her way to next class and found her seat. The quiet time before her classmates began to arrive would give her time to process. She slipped the applications into her bag and pulled out her phone. Because she'd dawdled getting out of bed, she had almost been late to her advisor meeting and hadn't had time to check her phone. When she unlocked it, a huge smile spread across her face as she saw several messages from Beca.

From Tiny Project Manager: Good morning yourself
From Tiny Project Manager: I had an excellent start to my day since I woke up to messages from you
From Tiny Project Manager: Best wishes with your meeting this morning
From Tiny Project Manager: Have a super day. Stop by my office if you get a chance

From Cute Redhead: Meeting went well
From Cute Redhead: I'll bring dinner and tell you all about it

From Tiny Project Manager: Can't wait to see you

A warm feeling crawled through Beca's chest as she read Chloe's messages. She had been checking her phone constantly hoping to hear from her. Reading the texts didn't bring Beca relief per say, more of a feeling of contentment. That Chloe was coming by with dinner was a great bonus.

Beca had her feet propped up on her desk, looking at the electronic frame she held in her lap. Several pictures were flashing on the screen – many of their past week together as well as some of Chloe and her friends which she had gotten that morning from Jessica. Beca had the app on her phone and could use it to add or change out pictures from anywhere.

The frame was one of the gifts that Beca wanted to give Chloe to help bring some personality into her apartment. An added bonus would be that it would help Chloe think of her whenever she saw it. Once the pictures were loaded the way the project manager wanted, she wrapped the present and placed it on the table in front of her office couch.

There were a few other things Beca wanted to do for Chloe's apartment, but she wanted to make sure she made perfect decisions. For that, she knew she probably needed to go to Posen. She grabbed the USB from her bag and headed down the hall.

Jessica's eyes widened when she saw Beca turn the corner and head towards her desk. The project manager jerked her head towards their boss's closed door. "She available?"

"Ummmm not quite at the moment." The secretary was uncharacteristically nervous for some reason.

"She gonna be long? Or can I wait?"

Fortunately, Jessica was spared from answering when the door opening as the representative from Human Resources left. "What's she doing down here?" Beca's was curious at what had happened. Jessica shrugged as she held up a single finger, indicating to Beca she should wait. After a few moments, the secretary told Beca she could go in.

"Hey Posen." Beca closed the door behind her.

"Mitchell." Aubrey tried to keep her voice calm, neutral. The two stared at each other before the blonde spoke again. "Ummm I guess I owe you another apology."

Beca snorted a chuckle. "Posen… errrr Aubrey. I don't know how many times I have to tell you. It's okay. You don't owe me an apology. Frankly, I find it humorous that you can't keep it in your pants around Stacie." She narrowed her eyes and got a devilish look on her face. "Or have you always hidden this sexual demon from us?" The project manager teased in hopes of setting her boss at ease.

"Hmmpft. Beca… Oh never mind. You'll think what you want anyway. Why did you walk all the way to my office?"

"All thirty yards? Would you believe me if I said I needed the exercise?"

Aubrey was slowly relaxing with their playful banter. She knew how much her best friend adored the project manager and how much she needed approval of their budding relationship.

Beca slid the USB drive across the desk and Aubrey slipped it into a port and clicked it open. "This folder." Beca tapped on the screen. She gave Aubrey time to look at the pictures.

"These are really great Beca. From this past week?"

The project manager nodded. "The day I got hurt, Chloe took me to her place. I noticed it's a little bare. There's nothing in her home that screams… Chloe, which I find hard to believe." Beca explained her idea to Aubrey and why she wanted her boss's help. Beca was quickly winning more brownie points not only because she asked for assistance but also because Aubrey knew how much her friend would love this gesture.

Chloe rushed into work at the last possible minute, giving herself just enough time to get changed into her uniform. After retrieving her cleaning cart, she stopped by Jessica's desk to say hi. "I've missed you Jess!" The two friends talked a bit about getting all the girls together Thursday evening for dinner to catch up since choir practice was over. Chloe's work schedule hadn't changed which left her Thursday afternoons free. The cleaning lady even talked her friend into going to get her and Beca's dinner so she wouldn't have to cut into her break time.

The redhead loved working during the late afternoon and early evening since the majority of the offices on her floor were empty, their occupants long gone. She could put in her headphones and get lost in the music as it coursed through her body, dancing and swirling with her cleaning implements like they were partners on a dance floor.

When Jessica texted Chloe to let her know she was headed across the street to grab their food, the redhead made her way to Beca's office. She had fought the urge to go see the project manager when she had gotten to the building lest she get caught up in the woman's charm. Chloe pulled off the hideous maid's hat her company made her wear as she stood in Beca's office doorway as it was her least favorite part of her uniform.

Chloe peeked in the door and watched the project manager concentrate on the papers piled on her desk, cross referencing things on her computer. Chloe took advantage of the distraction and tip-toed across the office to slip her arms around the brunette's shoulders. Beca jumped slightly before relaxing into Chloe's embrace. She spun her chair around to pull Chloe into her.

Chloe leaned down and softly pressed her lips to Beca's, deepening the kiss for a brief moment. When they broke contact, the project manager's face broke into a wide smile. "Well hello."

"Hi."

Beca looked around. "Thought you were bringing food. I'm starving. Not that I'm not delighted to see you." She grabbed Chloe's hips and turned her, pulling her onto her lap.

As the redhead was telling her the food was on its way, Jessica walked in with several bags of food. "I have dinner." The blonde's voice was sing-songy, almost teasing. "See you Thursday Chloe."

Chloe pulled out and separated the food. "I thought I'd duplicate our first 'mock date' when you brought food from across the street. But this time, I want you to try my cheeseburger and garlic Parmesan cheese fries while I eat your chili cheese dog and cheese fries. That okay?" Beca answered her by unwrapping the burger and taking a huge bite.

"Mmagis gssgd." The brunette grabbed a handful of napkins and started wiping off her face. "Dadgum Chloe. You know how to order a good burger for sure. You know, last time I ordered from that place, I asked for a rare beef burger, but I got a raw deal." The redhead giggled as she playfully shoved Beca.

The two continued to eat, surprisingly enjoying each other's food as they visited about random things. "Your advisor meeting went well, eh? Do you now hold all of the answers for your future?"

The redhead giggled as she blushed slightly. "Not all the answers silly, but I have decided on a direction at least… which helps. I've always wanted to work with children, so I am going to work towards a board certification in pediatric physical therapy. My advisor gave me a few applications to different residency programs and said he'd write me recommendations."

Beca could sense the relief in Chloe's demeanor. She asked a few more questions so she could have a better understanding of what the redhead's next year would look like. "Oh, I have something for you, well for your apartment actually." Beca had been dying to find a suitable time to give Chloe her present, trying to not be giggly at her own excitement.

Chloe was meticulous at unwrapping her gift, pulling each piece of tape off separately, ensuring that none of the design was pulled off. The slowness of her method was driving the brunette insane. "Seriously Chlo? Are you saving the paper for later?" The redhead just snickered.

When the box was revealed, her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion until she pulled the frame out of the box. As she saw the picture slideshow, she squealed in delight. Her tear-filled eyes were glued on the frame. "Beca? You did this for me?"

The project manager chuckled as she pulled the redhead towards her. She pulled out her phone and got a good selfie of them both. With Chloe still in tight, Beca launched the frame's app on her phone and showed her how to upload the new picture. When the photo appeared on the frame, Chloe started clapping her hands in delight. "We can add and change pictures on the fly?" Beca nodded. "I love it Becs." The redhead threw her arms around the brunette.

The pair spent a few minutes looking at the pictures, of the time they spent together during Spring Break along with pictures of Chloe's friends. Even the pictures of Toad and Lil Red made her laugh. The joy in Chloe's eyes made all her nervousness about the picture selection for the frame well worth it.

"Jessica said something about Thursday. Are you ladies having a girls' night?" Chloe nodded. "Stacie and I normally have Thursday Night Follies. Would you mind if she and I went out?"

The look on Chloe's face was one of surprise. "Why would I mind if you spent time with your best friend? I'm going out with my friends."

Beca shrugged shyly. "Ummm I just want to make sure it's okay."

"Long as you don't pull an Aubrey on me and disappear into the restroom with her." Chloe grinned as Beca fervently shook her head. "I need to get back to work I suppose."

Beca stood up and handed her the maid's hat. "Your bonnet m'lady."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Gawd, this entire outfit is hideous. I can't believe I even come in here dressed in this."

The project manager situated the hat and kissed Chloe's forehead. "I think you are adorable in anything you have on… especially when you have nothing on." She swatted Chloe's butt teasingly as the cleaning lady left her office.

After going around and giving all of her girlfriends hugs, Chloe slid into the fourth open seat at the table. "I've missed you gals."

"It's only been a week Chloe." Ashley pushed the condiments aside to make room for the appetizers the server had brought to the table. "Speaking of… how was your Spring Break?" Jessica nudged her friend as they both laughed.

"Yeah Chloe, how was your Spring Break?" Jessica smirked. "I saw some of the pictures." The redhead looked perplexed. "Beca brought your frame in on Monday asking for some pictures of all of us to include." She motioned to the women sitting around the table. "I think she's a little sweet on you Beale."

Ashley was the only one at the table who didn't know Beca and was asking for all sorts of details about the project manager. Chloe was chattering away – about Beca and all the things they had done the previous week.

Meanwhile Aubrey was sitting quietly, drinking her wine and simply listening. She already knew about Chloe's week, but more importantly she did not want the others to begin asking questions about her week. The longer she sat, the deeper she got into day dreaming about the long-legged brunette who had occupied most of her free time.

"Hello…. Bree?" Ashley snapped her fingers in front of her friend's face. "You with us?"

Aubrey snapped out of her thoughts. "Mmm yeah. I'm here."

Her friend thumped her in the shoulder. "Where'd you go just now?"

When Chloe softly cleared her throat, Aubrey's eyes grew wide as her discomfort began to build, not knowing what Chloe was about to say. Her friend placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Has Aubrey told you about her new exercise regime?" The mischievous smile her friend had was disarming. The redhead friend turned to Ashley and Jessica. "Aubrey has been trying Pilates."

"That's interesting," Ashley chirped. "I hear that really strengthens your core muscles." She proceeded to start asking a multitude of questions about the exercise class. "Do you enjoy it?"

Aubrey threw a warning glare at her redhead friend. "I love it," she answered sweetly, hoping Chloe wouldn't say more. Her friend would not make eye contact so had no idea what her friend was going to say.

"Maybe I'll join you this week." Ashley was excited at the possible challenge.

"I know, let's all try it out." Jessica had seen a change in her boss since she had started the physical fitness class. "I'm in! Oh Chloe, weren't you going to talk to your advisor after Spring Break?"

Despite her fear that her friends were going to join a class and see right through why she kept going, Aubrey was glad that the attention was being redirected from her.

Chloe let her girlfriends in on her decision to apply for residencies to work towards her board certification in pediatric physical therapy. She explained that most employers would pay her residency tuition plus a limited salary of up to seventy percent of what she could expect to earn as a first-year practitioner. "The reward comes in the earnings potential I can expect as a board-certified therapist."

By this time, Aubrey had regained her composure and had joined in on the conversation. "I, for one, am glad you are hanging around for at least the next year. I don't want my best friend to move away from me." The girls all coo'd their agreement.

"I don't want to leave you gals either. And I want to see where things go with Beca, too."

"Here's to Thursday Night Follies." Stacie clinked her bottle against Beca's. "Cheers Shortstack!"

"Cheers Legs." Beca was swinging her feet back and forth on the bar stool as she drank her beer.

Stacie began to chortle as she held her hand over her mouth to keep the beer from spewing from her nose. "I love when you can't reach the rungs on your seat."

Beca gave her a sarcastic look. "Har de har har Stace. I love it when I walk into my kitchen and see you with a woman's hand shoved down your pants."

The taller woman threw back her head as she laughed. "Bree is so embarrassed Becs. I feel terrible, but that woman… she's horrified."

"Hell Stacie, what do you expect? First you two are about to screw in my kitchen then her best friend busts you in the restroom. I only know her as my uptight boss. What's gotten into her?"

Stacie grinned. "Me."

The two friends sat drinking beer and sharing bowls of snacks as they discussed stories about the new women in their lives. "Stacie… Posen obviously likes you – that or tolerates you because you are a beast in bed." She gave a mock shudder. "You are aware that you are probably the first woman she's ever been with, right?" Stacie made a non-committal sound. "She's a pretty classy lady if you get my drift."

"You know Beca, she's the instigator here. Anytime we are alone, she is all over me, like instantly."

"Look at you Stacie. You are fucking hot. My best friend… but I admit you are hot. And watching you in Pilates class, I don't blame her for the longing factor. But if you want to keep her around after the lust phase is over, how about you start wooing her?"

"Wooing her? What kind of ancient bullshit is that?"

Beca good naturedly shoved her friend. "She's good people Stacie. Aubrey deserves better than being screwed in the restroom stall of a restaurant. You know, like the time you brought her flowers to the office? If you actually like her, it's the least you can do."

Stacie hung her head in mock shame. "We'll see." In an attempt to change subjects, the taller woman began grilling her friend about the redhead. Per Stacie's modus operandi, she tried to get details from Beca about any possible sexcapades.

"Stacie! No! You are incorrigible. Just for that, you can help me with a project I have tonight. Finish up your beer."

As Chloe walked up to her apartment, she saw a familiar figure sitting on her porch, back against the wall. The woman's eyes were closed as she was softly singing along to whatever song she was listening to her in her earphones. She stood in front of Beca until the other woman realized she was there and jumped up. "What are you doing here Becs? Not that I'm not happy…"

Beca sheepishly shoved her hands in the pockets of her jeans. "I know you had girls' night, but I felt like seeing you is all."

Chloe pressed her front against Beca as she slipped her arms through the shorter woman's, locking her hands behind her back so she could pull her in for a kiss. "I'm glad you did. How was Thursday Night Follies? Want to come upstairs for a bit?"

"Jolly… sure."

The redhead unlocked the outside door and grabbed Beca's hand as they began to climb the stairs to the second floor. She unlocked the door to her apartment, stepped inside, and flipped on the light as Beca paused right outside the door.

Chloe gave a sharp gasp. "Beca Mitchell. What did you do?"

A/N: Here comes the inevitable note from a writer who has had a slightly longer than normal delay in updating. Cedar Fever hit Central Texas two weeks early and hit with a vengeance - even Toad and Lil Red got it. So we've all been trying to act like we've felt okay when really we just been trying to survive.

I hope each of you have had a great whatever-you-celebrate season and are enjoying the twilight week when nobody even knows what day it is.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who continues to support ToadnFriends on Instagram! They send their love.