AN/ HAPPY TUESDAY GUYS. SORRY FOR IT BEING A WHILE FOR THIS UPDATE, I HAVE HAD A PRETTY INTENSE FEW DAYS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, REVISION (UGH) HAD TO TAKE PRIORITY OVER MY WRITING. IT MAKES ME JUST AS UPSET AS YOU GUYS, TRUST ME.

AS FOR THE RUMOURS, I'VE DEALT WITH THEM. AND IT'S FUNNY HOW, WHEN THE PEOPLE WHO PUT YOU DOWN BEHIND YOUR BACK ACTUALLY SEE YOU, THEY SUDDENLY DENY EVERYTHING. IRONIC, ISN'T IT? BUT IT'S OKAY, I DON'T NEED THOSE HATERS. THEY'RE LIKE SNAKES, AND SINCE RESOLVING TO LET GO OF THE THINGS THAT BRING ME DOWN, I'VE FELT MUCH BETTER. IF THERE'S ONE THING I'VE LEARNED THESE LAST FEW WEEKS, IT'S THAT BLIND TRUST SUCKS, AND I'VE LEARNED THAT THE HARD WAY.

ANYWAY, ENOUGH OF MY PROBLEMS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR THEM. THANK YOU FOR THE IMMENSE SUPPORT ON THIS FIC, THOSE TEN REVIEWS CAME IN FASTER THAN I EVER ANTICIPATED, AND IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME. MASSIVE SHOUTOUT TO SOBE29 AND ROCKTAY, BECAUSE YOUR REVIEWS ACTUALLY MADE MY DAY. I SMILED SO MUCH, SO THANK YOU.

OKAY THEN, THAT SAID, HERE'S THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF TMYLM: ENJOY…

"It's time to get the chains out, is your tongue tied up?

'Cause this is my ground and I'm dangerous.

And you can get off, but it's all about me tonight.

So you say I'm complicated, that I must be outta my mind

But you've had me underrated, rated, rated.

What's wrong with being, what's wrong with being

What's wrong with being confident?"

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

"Fuck off alarm." Beca muttered through gritted teeth as she got out of bed the next morning. The slutty pantsuit hung on the back of her wardrobe door, and the heels were stood right next to it. Beca groaned looking at them. She hated heels. She hated pantsuits. She hated Mondays.

She hated any day she had to go into work wearing anything other than plaid tops, skinny jeans and Converse boots. Meeting days in particular. Especially when those meetings were with the biggest bosses of your company who might fire your ass.

Ugh, she hated Mondays.

Wandering through into the kitchen, Beca grabbed a mug out of the cupboard and put it under the coffee machine. She slapped the 'on' button, but no coffee came out. "For fucks sake!" she muttered as she tried turning the machine off and on again, hitting the machine until she came to the conclusion the machine wasn't going to work. She had no coffee. It was 7AM. Her meeting was at 8:30. It was not her morning, not at all.

It was at that moment that the doorbell decided to ring. She wasn't expecting any visitors, so the sound of the chime of the doorbell echoing down the hallway did little to alleviate Beca's stress.

"For fuck's sake!" Beca cursed as she made her way to the door. Walking down the hallway, she looked at her reflection in the big mirror on the wall. The girl staring back at her was in tattered flannel pyjamas, had no makeup and looked like she'd been dragged through a bush backwards. Beca swore at her appearance. This morning wasn't being nice to her.

In the moment she'd stood in front of the mirror, the doorbell started to ring again. And again. And again. It was as if the person on the other side was in a massive panic. There was a sense of desperation to the rhythm of the doorbell, causing Beca to grow more and more agitated as she got closer to the door.

Fumbling with her keys, Beca slid them clumsily into the lock and opened the door.

What greeted her on the other side was not what Beca was expecting.

"Demi?" Beca asked in confusion, as the singer burst past her into the house, slamming the door behind her. "Woah, Lovato, what's up with you?"

Demi looked up at Beca, her eyes filled with fear and panic like a deer's when caught in the headlights. She began to well up, throwing her phone silently at Beca in response.

Beca unlocked the phone effortlessly and her jaw dropped at what it opened up to.

There, on the screen, was an article; an article containing multiple pictures of Demi in various embraces with Lauren. There was one of them holding hands. Another with Lauren wearing Demi's shirt. One of them hugging. A candid one of them kissing. Immediately, Beca understood Demi's panic. The poor woman had just had an intensely private part of her life quite literally exposed to the world.

"So," Beca deadpanned, trying to reduce Demi's stress, "Lauremi's a thing?"

"Was." Demi stammered, the tears gathering in her eyes threatening to fall. "The paps have ruined it. We were going to keep it a secret, keep it private. For Lauren's sake more than mine. And they've taken it from us."

Demi lost her composure at that point, breaking down fully in front of Beca. The tiny music producer felt her heart truly go out to the singer then. Demi might be open about her mental health issues and struggles with addictions and her friends, but her relationships were always something that she kept on lockdown.

She hated the way the press exploited people's love to make a few dollars. Demi never gave them what they wanted, and deliberately kept her relationships out of the limelight. Yet, yesterday, the big group in a busy theme park had lulled her into a false sense of security. Being with people she considered friends, and feeling like she quite literally blended into the crowd had made Demi be more affectionate with Lauren than usual. And now, that had come back to bite her.

Beca wrapped her arm around the singer and pulled her close, knowing Demi needed a hug.

"Demi," Beca began, pulling away just slightly so she could look into Demi's eyes, "does Lauren know about this?"

Demi shrugged at Beca in response. "She had a set last night. She'd probably have been drinking. I doubt she's even up yet. She's gonna be pissed Beca, I know."

"She won't be Dem," Beca soothed, trying to offer Demi what little comfort she could. "She'll understand."

"She's never had her private life splashed out for the world to see Beca," Demi whispered, her voice hoarse. "She never discloses personal information about anything. She doesn't even use her real name, does she?"

"We all have our reasons for that Demi, give her chance."

"Beca, we were keeping it casual, trying to keep it a secret."

"How long have you guys been a thing?"

"Six months."

"Six months? Blimey Demi, six months and you never told me?" Beca exclaimed teasingly. "Seriously, you were round here like every Saturday…"

"I would've told you, but it was all pretty much no strings attached until about a month ago."

"Friends with benefits?" Beca inquired.

"Yep."

"Gross." Beca smirked, causing Demi to let out a slight giggle.

"It was purely physical to begin with. And then, as we spent more time together, and learned more about each other, I slowly found myself falling for her."

"I'm guessing that it was difficult telling her that then."

"I kept it bottled up for a while, but she brought it up first. We gave being an item a go. It was amazing. We just had that chemistry they describe in the novels. It was like you and Chloe."

Beca smiled knowingly at that. "So, my suspicions about Lauremi were correct then."

"Yep." Demi said, with a slight smile.

"I can't believe you managed to keep that from me."

"And yet, yesterday, Chloe seemed to think I had a thing for you…"
"Imagine if the paps had caught how we were on Thunder Mountain…" Beca laughed.

"They'd have had a field day!" Demi giggled, thinking about hilarious that would be.

"God, work wouldn't like that at all," Beca smirked, "seriously, they barely tolerate us being friends outside of the studio."

"I know," Demi laughed, "That Big-Wig woman wasn't too pleased that day when she asked you what your plans were that weekend and you said you were planning on hanging with me."

"The black haired one?" Beca asked, her smile turning into a frown of distaste when Demi silently nodded. "She's never very pleased with me to be fair. She's the one that was interrogating me constantly and tried to patronise me in the meeting."

"She's totally into you."

"Ugh, Lovato, don't say that. I don't sleep with work people."

"Should I tell her to dye her hair red? That might make her more attractive to you."

"Demi, stop, the mental image is hurting my eyes. Anyway, I only have a thing for one redhead."

"Yep, the ginger that you're *just* friends with…"

"Why do I feel like you doubt that?"

"Because we both know you're lying about your relationship status with Chloe."

"Being eternally friendzoned sucks Lovato."

"Friends don't look like they're about to kiss when they take a selfie Mitchell."

"Blurred lines, Demi. It's all rather complicated."

"I don't think it is. Not when Chloe quite clearly wanted to get you two back together."

"We talked things out –"

"And worked things out –" Demi interrupted.

"And decided –"

"You guys belong together?" Demi asked.

"That being friends is the best option right now."

"I don't think it's an option. Not when you guys were practically inseparable for the rest of the day."
"Well, now isn't the time to discuss it. We need to tackle the matter at hand. Enough about my relationships. You need to talk to Lauren."

"But what do I say?"

"Ask her if she's seen the headlines. Tell her that your agent is on with getting the source of the photos and suing them. Apologise for how the paps have invaded her privacy. Say how much you enjoyed yesterday. Offer to do something together. Make sure she knows you really care about her."

"But, Beca, she'll just close up –"

"That's Defeat talking, not Demi. Trust me, she won't push you away if she can tell that what you guys have is real. Talk to her Demi. That's what you need to do."

"How do you know?"

"Because it's exactly what I didn't do."

"You are the best friend I've ever had Beca Mitchell."

"You're an alright friend too, I guess." Beca teased.

Demi looked at Beca in mock horror.

"Call her." Beca said, glancing at the time on Demi's phone. "Now, I need to go get ready for this stupid meeting, because they can't just say yes or no to my demands. Are you going to be okay on your own for a bit?"

"Yeah."

"Alright then, I'm gonna hop in the shower and get ready, you just make yourself at home. Give Lauren a ring."

"Okay." Demi said, wandering through to the kitchen in search of coffee.

"Oh, and Demi," Beca said, poking her head through the door, "the coffee machine isn't working."

"Awww fuck." Demi answered, making Beca laugh.

"Yeah, I felt like that earlier."

"Today's not my day Mitchell."

"Join the club Lovato."

"Where do I sign up?"

"You think you're hilarious. Now, I'm going to get ready, so see you soon."

Twenty minutes later, Beca returned to the lounge ready to face the world. Heels clicking against the tiles, Beca poked her head into the lounge, where she saw Demi sat on the sofa, holding her phone to her ear.

"Cool. I'll see you soon." There was a brief pause. "Awww, love you too Kittens."

Demi hung up her phone and beamed. Beca smiled at her.

"You sort things with Lauren then?" Beca asked with a knowing smile.

"Yep."

"She okay with it?"

"A little taken aback by the paps, but yeah, she's okay. We're okay."

"That's great."

"I'm glad it's okay."

"Told you she'd get it."

"She was more worried about how I was handling it, you know."

"Well, she cares so much about you, so I'm really not surprised."

"Thanks for helping me get my head straight Beca."

"Anytime. Seriously, it's nothing, not compared how you put me back together again."

"I think I did a pretty good job."

"Same." Beca said. "Is you coming into the studio, or –"

"I'm headed to Lauren's," Demi said happily, making Beca smile.

"Good on you Lovato."

"I best be off – you need to get into work and sort those Big Wigs."

"Okay then, see you later lovely."

"Give me a ring when it's over."

"Of course."

Demi walked over and gave Beca a supporting hug on her way out. Beca rolled her eyes, but smiled at her friend.

"You're gonna ace it Mitchell."

"I hope I do."

"And don't worry, if they fire your ass, we've got plan BDL."

"Thanks Demi. Real boost of confidence."

"Enjoy?"

"Not the right word."

"Don't murder any of them," Demi said, shaking Beca slightly. "Right, I'm going now. See you later."

With one last lingering smile at Beca, Demi opened the door and got in her car. She started the engine, pulled off of the driveway, and drove off.

Watching Demi's black 4x4 disappear into the distance, Beca couldn't help but grin. Sure, she was stressed to hell, but she had the most amazing friends. And, the most brilliant girlfriend. A brilliant girlfriend, who, as soon as she had finished at this meeting, she was going to see.

Shutting the front door behind her, Beca clambered into her Range Rover. She hit the ignition and turned the volume up. Smirking at the song on the radio, Beca reversed the car of the drive. Picking up speed as she made her way onto the parkway, she started to sing.

"You shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium."

Immediately, she thought of Chloe, and how what she was about to do was for them. For their relationship. Which was a thing again. Beca beamed. No matter what the Big Wigs declared in this meeting, things were going to be okay. They might try to shoot her down, but Beca knew she wasn't going to fall anytime soon, because with her friends – and Chloe – standing behind her, she was titanium. And, with Demi by her side, she was confident. After all, what's wrong with being confident?

She hummed that Demi Lovato song all the way to the label, humming it lightly as she walked to her office, dumping her satchel and making her way to the board room. She continued to hum it as she arrived at the door, raising her hand to knock.

The sound of the knock echoed around the board room, and its occupants remained silent for a minute, not giving Beca permission to go in.

Beca knew this was all part of the intimidation game.

But she wasn't about to be intimidated.

She was going to take it, and right now, she knew she had the power. They might be in charge, but really, she was the boss right now.

For the first time in five years, things were going to be all about her.

"Come in."

Beca took a deep breath in, and opened the door.

It was time to get what she wanted.

AN/ THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING IT AS MUCH AS I DID WRITING IT. REMEMBER TO REVIEW, FOLLOW, FAVOURITE ETC. AS ALWAYS, I'LL POST THE NEXT CHAPTER AFTER TEN REVIEWS.

OKAY, BECHLOE IS COMING – DON'T WORRY!- AND NEXT CHAPTER I PROMISE YOU WILL FINALLY FIND OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BECA WITH WORK. I JUST THOUGHT THE LAUREMI THING WITH DISNEYLAND WAS WELL SUITED, SINCE IT FOLLOWS TRUE EVENTS FROM LAST SEPTEMBER. I HATE IT WHEN THE PAPS EXPLOIT CELEBRITY ROMANCE, BECAUSE THEY DESERVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRIVACY AND RESPECT AS WE DO. AFTER ALL, NOBODY WANTS THEIR PRIVATE LIVES PUT OUT THERE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.