DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pitch Perfect. All words and mistakes are those of my own.

A/N 1: I finally finished this prompt! *fist pump*

I apologise for the lateness of this update and I apologise even more for the update a couple of months ago that wasn't an update – my bad! I needed to change literally one word in the previous chapter and I didn't really think of the whole update email thingy people get. Although, if it makes you feel any better that's how long I've been working on this final instalment – it's been a bitch.

All that being said, this was a killer prompt and I really wanted to get it right, so hopefully it's been worth the wait; let me know in the reviews. (no pressure or anything…)

A/N 2: A HUGE, HUGE, no, like, MASSIVE thank you to Bamlover for enduring my caffeine induced rants about this story for the last two months or so; the struggle has been real D:

I'm not over exaggerating when I say I probably would have given up a while ago if it wasn't for her help, so cheers for that!

Thanks for prompting :)

Can't Stop – Part 3

Chloe would be lying if she said she wasn't relieved Beca had followed her out of the party.

"Come back inside?"

She was already making her way closer to Beca and inside before she even gave an answer. The soft smile and nod was voluntary but the arm that found itself looping with Beca's was anything but.

The past four years had seemed to get away from Chloe but the moment she locked eyes with the familiar navy ones, Chloe was right back in the past; stood on her parent's driveway as she watched her first love drive down the street and further into the distance.

"Well maybe we shouldn't do it at all anymore."

There was a lump in Chloe's throat as she recalled the moment she regretfully allowed her temper get the better of her. She didn't mean it but Beca's harsh slam of the door seemed to seal the finality of the words she might never be able to take back. Chloe had quickly wiped away her tears before returning back to the pool party and those blissfully unaware of her heartbreak. She brushed off her friend's concern with the shake of her head and forced smile before gathering up her clothes and starting the long walk home, alone.

Chloe wasn't paying any attention to the silence that had settled over the two of them; instead playing their past on a loop in her mind. Beca had tensed at the sudden contact outside and eventually shuffled out of it in favour of holding the door open. They were stood by the kitchen counter – almost exactly where Beca had been perched before – as the DJ handed Chloe a newly opened bottle of beer.

"So…"

Beca's dragged out sigh of the word pulled Chloe from her thoughts. She watched the brunette's eyes dance as though searching for something to fill the silence.

"How've you been?"

XXX

Beca hadn't really been sure what she was going to say when she followed Chloe outside but the familiar smile she was greeted with made her feel less anxious – even if the arm that automatically hooked itself around her own caught her off guard.

The pair stood by the island in the middle of the kitchen, Beca quickly busying herself with getting them drinks, whilst desperately supressing the need to ask Chloe what she was doing here; frequent swigs from her bottle helped a lot. Eventually they got passed pleasant small talk and the question was just about to spill from her lips until Chloe was leaning closer with a coy smile, "Is that guy going to be on the radio soon?"

Beca stood up straight, prising her eyes away from the redhead's mouth as she looked to where Chloe was pointing. XY was on the patio wearing the same grin he sported when thanking Beca for "this amazing opportunity."

"Maybe, it kind of depends on his material…" Beca shrugged nonchalantly, keeping the cards close to her chest. The label had stressed she keep that sort of information under wraps for now.

"…Yeah, he'll be on the radio" she added with a small smile as she softly nudged the older woman's elbow - after all, it was just Chloe. The redhead studied the label on her beer bottle for a moment, "I'm proud of you, Becs."

Beca had never needed approval for her career choice; her Mother had always been supportive during the early years in LA and even mailed her small checks to help keep her a float when times grew difficult. When it came to making music, Beca's Mom respected the passion she had for her craft, but never truly understood it – with Chloe that was different.

Despite her commitment to become a lawyer, the redhead lived and breathed music. When they were dating, Beca couldn't recall a time Chloe wasn't humming or tapping along to a song only she could hear. In fact, the first time Beca realised she was in love was when she heard Chloe sing in the shower; like, really heard her. The brunette had slid down the bathroom door, straining to hear every note on the other side of it as she focused on nothing other than Chloe's voice echoing off the tiles and shattering the final barricade around her heart.

Beca could tell by the look in Chloe's eyes and the sincerity in her voice that she really meant it and it caused the corners of her mouth to turn upwards. Somehow it felt like all the late nights and tiresome hard work over the years finally felt worth it.

"So, how's law?" Beca asked, immediately swallowing down her feelings with a long pull from her beer.

"Hard." The redhead blew the air from her cheeks before letting out a small chuckle.

The familiar sound almost made Beca shudder, "C'mon, nothing is too hard for you, Chlo. I know it's been four years but I'll bet you're still a genius" she assured.

There was a flicker of something on the redhead's face Beca couldn't quite place but it was gone as quickly as it appeared and she cleared her throat, "Yeah, well Stanford is full of geniuses, Becs."

"As in Stanford Law school?" Beca exclaimed, as she slammed her bottle down on the counter with a giant grin.

Chloe pressed her lips together as she nodded with a shy smile.

"Chloe, that's amazing! I mean, I never doubted you once but- congratulations!"

Beca's high pitched yelling was attracting attention but she didn't care. If anything, it made her want to inform each and every one of them that her girlfriend had gotten into her dream law school.

Wait, ex-girlfriend.

There was a new silence and Beca's smile faltered for a moment too long. Chloe's hand found its way onto Beca's forearm and she felt the familiar gentle squeeze - it was the same reassuring touch Beca had quickly grown accustom to and missed so greatly the second she drove onto the interstate four years ago. She remembered wiping her tears into her shoulder and refocusing her eyes on the road, regardless of the pools that blurred her vision.

"Are you okay?"

Beca nodded once and Chloe was removing her hand in favour of reaching for her drink but without much thought, the music producer stopped it in its tracks. Neither of them spoke, both eyes trained on Beca's fingers as they idly traced a palm before slowly sliding between Chloe's.

Feeling Chloe's fingers threaded with hers seemed to awaken a strong wave of nostalgia that rippled through Beca's core. She glanced at the redhead for a second, wondering if she could feel it too but saw her eyes were still focused on their newly adjoined hands as she chewed on her bottom lip.

She should say something.

An "I've missed you" or "I'm sorry I never called."

But her mouth was dry and Beca wasn't really sure what words would follow after those.

Maybe she should just let go, of Chloe's hand and the relationship she so desperately missed.

…But her hand felt soft and warm and fit perfectly into hers, just like it used to all those years ago.

She reached for her half empty beer bottle on the counter instead, letting her hand completely relax in Chloe's, feeling no desire to let it go.

XXX

The conversation had basically come to a stand-still the moment Beca had reached for her hand; it was less of an awkward silence and more of thoughtful pause. Chloe hadn't really been expecting Beca to take her hand.

In fact, when she did, Chloe was more than certain Beca would immediately let go and avoid talking about the blip in her behaviour. The similar blip Chloe had experienced earlier, when she linked their arms together outside.

Instead, Beca had squeezed her hand slightly before reaching for her beer bottle, almost confidently actually. The whole action had awoken the butterflies in Chloe's stomach and she was now having a hard time controlling the corners of her mouth from lifting into a smile.

Back in high school, Beca had a tendency of surprising Chloe with bold and confident moves just like this one and it seemed even now, years later, Beca was still continuing to surprise her. Chloe allowed herself a few more moments of silence, just enjoying the feeling of Beca's hand in hers and basking in the familiar contact.

The familiar contact she spent a whole year craving – back then, Chloe was hoping for a text message as contact though.

It never came.

Eventually, Chloe lost faith and began to think she was a fool to expect it.

They decided against calling or texting each other for a while. Their joint decision was made just as Beca pressed a delicate kiss to Chloe's cheek and wiped away her tears with the pad of a thumb.

"Maybe we should let each other adjust first?"

Chloe nodded in agreement, before letting her forehead rest against Beca's.

The sound of glass hitting marble almost made the redhead jump; memories of the past quickly fading as she remembered where (or perhaps more when?) she was. She blinked away the tears that were faintly forming at her recollection and pulled her attention to Beca. The brunette looked back guiltily, her bottom lip slanting down to the left slightly, "sorry" she mumbled gesturing to the beer bottle she had accidentally slammed on the counter.

Chloe smiled, searching for something light or humorous to say in response.

"Sometimes I need two hands when drinking from glass bottles…" Beca shrugged with a smirk.

"Like a toddler?" Chloe quipped back, thankful Beca had found the response she lacked.

Beca laughed at the retort, instantly causing Chloe to feel an ease she didn't know she needed. The sound of Beca's genuine and unfiltered laughter had her giggling along with it.

Once their laughter naturally faded, Chloe cleared her throat, "So, we're doing this…" she held up their hands for a second, "…now?" she asked. Her tone was upbeat and playful but inside she was praying for a serious reply.

The brunette paused for a moment, subconsciously rubbing the back of her neck with her other hand. A clear tell-tale sign Beca Mitchell was choosing her next words carefully. There was a shy smile and small shrug followed by yet another surprising wave of confidence, "Shall we get some air?"

XXX

When Beca suggested air, she had exactly that in mind but it seemed Chloe had other ideas. The moment they had walked down the patio stairs and to the lower level of the backyard, Beca was suddenly pushed up against a wall, feeling very little of the summer 'air' and instead a whole lot of the redhead's hot breath on her lips. The hand that had been perfectly slotted into Chloe's for the last twenty minutes was being jammed against the concrete, whilst the other quickly pulled hips against hers.

Chloe's lips frantically rolled over hers until Beca was tasting the beer on her tongue, and she instantly forgot what they needed to talk about.

Hands roamed desperately, as both of them tried to feel as much of the other as they could. Beca's fingers were tangling themselves in Chloe's hair as the taller woman bunched her fist in the material of Beca's shirt.

The need to pull away and suggest they 'talk' was completely replaced by the desire to get lost in every inch of Chloe. Her skin felt just as soft as it used to under Beca's touch; her heart raced and her mind was void of any thought other than the woman in front of her; just like they had always done before.

It had Beca's mind reeling of her last couple of days in San Diego. After their first serious argument as a couple at the pool party, Beca had to deal with an uproar of different emotions as she circled the block in her car, reluctantly pressing her foot on the gas whenever she passed Jesse's house.

After circling for far too long, Beca decided on driving home and calling Chloe the minute she got there but it wasn't long until she saw her girlfriend walking bare foot down the sidewalk. Chloe's hair was still wet from the pool, her shoes tucked under her arm as she tapped at her phone.

Beca was already apologising before she even had the window wined all the way down. The pair spent the whole night talking things out in a much calmer and controlled manner, but eventually they both came to the same solution neither of them had wanted to admit. Three days later they shared their last kiss during their final goodbye. It was as hungry and passionate as the one occurring now and it had Beca pulling away from Chloe's lips in a hurry, abruptly aware of the reason they were out here.

"Chlo, we should talk."

Her words came out harsh and rushed, but judging by the look in Chloe's eyes, she agreed.

XXX

Perhaps it was Beca's confidence or maybe it was the grip she had on her hand, but Chloe was feeling an overwhelming desire to push Beca up against a wall and have her way with her.

For old time's sake, she told herself the moment she was closing the distance and fusing their mouths together. It seemed to open the flood gates to a fire like desire she had been trying to ignore since Beca took her hand in the kitchen.

Beca's mouth still tasted the same as Chloe remembered it and the shorter woman's hands seemed to fall to the exact same places as they used to whenever they had a heated make out session back in high school.

Just as she was allowing herself to completely give in to the woman in front of her, Beca was pulling away hastily.

"Chlo, we should talk."

Although she knew Beca was right, she couldn't quite silent her audible "humph" of disappointment. Despite the fact Beca was the one to break away first, the hand that was previously tangled in her hair was now cupping Chloe's cheek as she laced their fingers together for a second time that evening.

"I never called or text like I said I would." She looked up momentarily before letting out a long sigh before continuing. "I wanted to. I wanted to, so much but I just didn't know what to say."

Chloe shook her head, giving the hand in hers a small squeeze, "I know" she breathed out flatly.

The truth of the matter was, Chloe did know. She wanted to hear from Beca more than ever that first summer apart, but after all communication was and still is a two-way street.

"I could have called too, Becs, but I just felt like if I did then I'd finally be admitting it was the end. It sounds silly but I told everyone at college I had a girlfriend for the rest of the year."

Chloe rolled her eyes, cringing at old memories of her heartbreak. There had been a couple of "potential suiters" – as her then new college friend Aubrey liked to say – but Chloe turned every one of them down, still holding out hope for the name Beca Mitchell to light up the screen of her phone.

"That's not silly" Beca assured with a smile, "If it makes you feel any better, I've told every person I've slept with in LA about you. Like, immediately after."

Beca laughed before clutching her cheeks in horror, "…And I can't believe I just said that out loud…" she added chagrined, avoiding eye contact.

Chloe smiled, finding Beca's embarrassment both cute and amusing. She gently pulled the hands away from Beca's face, seeing the tinge of rogue forming on her cheeks. With a mischievous rise of her eyebrow, Chloe was pursing her lips together, "So like, when you're still naked or…?" she asked before her resolve crumbled and she burst into fits of giggles.

Beca groaned loudly until she too was smiling at Chloe's care free laughter; suddenly she didn't feel embarrassed anymore.

"I miss you mocking me."

She smiled, "I miss mocking you" Chloe replied honestly.

There was a deep sincerity glistening in Beca's eyes before she leaned forward and pressed a delicate kiss to Chloe's lips. Without giving the redhead a chance to deepen it, Beca was pulling back and retrieving something from her back pocket.

"How about you put your number in there?" she tapped at the screen for a second before handing her phone to Chloe, "…and you can mock me whenever you feel like it?" she grinned.

Chloe dragged her thumb through Beca's contacts until she was three letters into the alphabet and examining the digits under her name, "I don't need to" she announced, reading the confusion on the brunette's face. She pressed the device back into Beca's palm, "You've still got my number."

"Well, shit" Beca chucked with the shake of her head.

Despite the last four years, Chloe had been adamant about keeping the same number; she had spent a lot of time convincing herself it was to keep in contact with old friends, but deep down she knew it was always for one special person in particular.

"Do you, maybe, want to mock me over coffee tomorrow? I mean if you're not going back to Stanford right away?"

Beca's voice was lost of its previous confidence and her eyes nervously shuffled between Chloe's.

"Yeah, coffee tomorrow sounds great" the redhead beamed, letting her arms rest on Beca's shoulders.

Beca wet her lips and paused, "Are you here to visit anyone?"

The question was almost mumbled and judging by Beca's body language, Chloe knew what the music producer was really asking.

She had driven down to Los Angeles with a classmate in order to get some extra background knowledge on an old court case. From the second they passed the LA city limit sign post, Chloe only had Beca on her mind.

"Nope…" Chloe shook her head with a small smile, "I'm all yours."

Because really, Chloe had always belonged to Beca Mitchell.

XXX