Stacie burst through the doors of the Malibu County Sheriff's Department with Aubrey hot on her heels. A quick sweep of the waiting room revealed Chloe sitting with her head in her hands and a child on each side of her.
"Chlo" Stacie whispered as she stood before the redhead.
"What the hell happened?" Aubrey insisted.
Chloe stood quickly sliding her hands in her back pocket nervously. "I don't know, we were at the grocery store and suddenly Tom was there." She tried to explain calmly. "It happened so freaking fast. She hit him a couple of times and I was trying to stop her and things were flying and the next thing I know she's being taken away by the cops." Chloe stood shaking her head in disbelief.
"Did anyone take any photos? I mean were you guys recognized?" Stacie asked quickly.
"I-I don't know" Chloe replied barely holding her composure.
"That area's pretty chill about celebrities and stuff so maybe there won't be any." Stacie reasoned.
"Um, a mug shot?" Aubrey announced. "And surveillance footage. Hello? TMZ?"
Chloe's hands shot to her face covering her mouth and nose.
"Maybe they won't book her." Stacie suggested. "Did you call a lawyer?"
"Yeah, then I called you guys."
"Okay well, let's hope this doesn't get out." Stacie said hopefully.
"Oh please Stacie." Aubrey argued. "They are celebrities. Beca punched Chloe's ex-boyfriend in a freaking Whole Foods. We are standing in a police station. This is getting out." Aubrey shouted.
"Mama?" Finley's small voice echoed through the walls of the station.
Chloe turned and knelt down to her daughter's level.
"Aunt Brwee is mad a mommy? She in twoble?" Finley asked with wide eyes.
Chloe turned to look back at Aubrey with a scowl and then back to her daughter.
"Mommy is not in trouble baby." She lied. "She's just in a" Chloe thought, "a meeting?"
"Why is Aunt Brwee mad?" Finley asked.
"She's always mad at mommy baby." That was pretty much the truth. "It's complicated."
Finley's brow furrowed. "Comwicawited" she whispered the new word.
"Mrs. Mitchell?"
Chloe stood and turned at the sound of the deep voice. "Mr. George, thank you so much for coming."
"Of course Mrs. Mitchell. What's going on?" He asked.
"Excuse me" Stacie cut through quickly. "I think I should maybe take the kids?" She asked looking at Chloe. "I'll take them back to your place and work from there. See if I can squash any publicity before it gets out."
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Chloe agreed. "Um, call Jessica. She can help you. She knows where everything is in the house."
Stacie nodded.
Chloe picked up Sebastian's carrier and handed it over to the tall brunette. Then she turned back to Finley. "Bug, Aunt Stacie is going to take you home. Mommy and I will be home later." Chloe said as she ran her hands down Finley's arms.
"But I want to stay wif you." Finley whined.
"I'm going to wait for Mommy. And then we will be home. Promise" Chloe said with a kiss to her daughter's cheek. She closed her eyes hoping it was not another lie.
"Come on kiddo. How about we go and get some ice cream on the way home?" Stacie asked.
Finley looked at Chloe for permission. She knew ice cream was a rare reward in their house. Chloe nodded. "Sounds like fun." She said to her daughter.
Finley turned quickly and reached up for Stacie's hand. Chloe watched them walk out of the precinct before turning back to their lawyer.
"Mrs. Mitchell" he said but was interrupted.
"Please, it's Chloe" Chloe insisted.
"Chloe" the older gentleman smiled. "Do you mind?" The lawyer pointed towards on open door that appeared to lead to an office.
Chloe nodded and walked towards the room. She was hoping that Beca would be in there but she wasn't. The room was empty. Aubrey followed Chloe into the room and Mr. George closed the door once everyone was inside. He sat his briefcase down on the desk and motioned for Chloe to have a seat in a chair.
"I can't. I'm too nervous" Chloe said wringing her hands in front of her.
"What happened?" Mr. George asked.
Chloe recited the story from start to finish as Mr. George listened. Once she was finished he spoke. "I'll go ask how long they are going to hold her. I'm assuming they are waiting to find out if Mr. Jennings is interested in pressing charges. If he is they will charge her if he doesn't, they will let her go." He explained. "Giving your history with Mr. Jennings and the conditions we arranged with his father for the photos he took of you, I guessing he assumes he now has the upper hand. And he just well might."
Chloe looked down at the floor. Aubrey sat back in her chair and crossed her arms across her chest.
"I never told Beca about the deal I made." Chloe confessed.
"I see." Mr. George replied. "We can't do anything until we know what Mr. Jennings plans to do. So if you will excuse me."
Chloe nodded as the lawyer left the room.
"I can't believe this is happening." Chloe said sadly. "This is all my fault."
"In what universe is this your fault?" Aubrey asked. "There is no way that this is your fault Chloe. This is Beca's fault for acting like a child. For not thinking of the consequences of her actions. For not acting like a grown up."
"Aubrey please" Chloe begged for mercy. "Give it a rest. Please."
Mr. George cleared his throat. "Mr. Jennings would like to speak with you Chloe."
"What?" Chloe gasped.
"He hasn't decided if he is going to press charges against Mrs. Mitchell yet and has requested to speak to you in private." He said again.
"No freaking way" Aubrey's voice boomed through the room.
"Bree" Chloe whispered hoping to calm her friend. She turned back to Mr. George. "Do you think that's a good idea?"
He shook his head. "I would advise against it Mrs. Mi – Chloe" he corrected himself.
"Okay" Chloe said softly as she thought the situation through, "why?" she asked.
"In this case" he began to explain, "if he does decide to pursue formal assault charges then I wouldn't see why Mrs. Mitchell would not receive a reduced punishment with this being her first offense."
"It's not her first offense." Chloe said shaking her head. "She was arrested for destruction of property in college. She had to complete like 200 hours of community service."
"Yeah and miss like 5 Bella's practices to do her time." Aubrey huffed and shook her head. "Criminal" she said under her breath.
"Bree" Chloe scolded. "Stop or get out. Seriously."
"Well, in that case." Mr. George said trying to cut through the tension. "I would advise you to speak to Mr. Jennings. If it lessens the chances that he files charges then it's worth the shot."
"Can I talk to Beca first?" Chloe asked.
"I'll see what I can do." Mr. George replied and then left the room again.
Chloe got a glimpse of Tom sitting in the waiting room of the police station with an officer standing in front of him seemingly writing down what Tom was telling him.
"What do you think he wants to talk to me about?" Chloe asked turning back towards Aubrey.
"I'm sure it's no less than the sleaziest thing you can think of." Aubrey replied.
"He wasn't always such a jerk." Chloe said softly.
"Maybe, but he's a jerk now so" Aubrey replied as Mr. George came back in the room.
"Mrs. Mitchell in the next room. I'll take you." He said holding the door open for her.
Aubrey watched Mr. George lead Chloe out of the room. Once they were out of her line of sight she settled on Tom who sat in the waiting room watching Chloe walk by. Aubrey pushed herself from the chair and towards him.
XxXxXx
Beca sat in the cold metal chair with her hands cuffed in front of her. She turned her hands to the left to get a look at her hand that she was pretty sure was broken. Beca stood as soon as the door opened. She felt Chloe pressed against her before she saw her.
"Oh my God Beca. Are you okay?" Chloe breathed into Beca's neck holding her impossibly tight.
"I'm okay" Beca replied softly. Chloe pushed herself away once she realized that Beca wasn't hugging her back.
"Why are you in handcuffs?" Chloe asked with tears in her eyes.
"I-" Beca began but was interrupted by Mr. George speaking to the officer that was in the room.
"Is there a reason my client is being handcuffed? I haven't been informed that she has been formally charged with anything."
"She pushed a couple of our officers and was combative." He said sternly.
Beca dropped her head. "I'm so sorry." She said to Chloe. "I just lost it. I don't know why, I just did."
"I know baby" Chloe whispered in return. She let her hands slide down Beca's arms and felt Beca jerk away once she reached her hands.
"What?" Chloe said looking down. She grabbed Beca's wrist and turned it over while raising it higher. "Becs your hand." Chloe said wide eyed as she observed Beca's left hand that was swollen, bloody and bruised.
"It hurts" Beca admitted.
Chloe turned back to Mr. George who stepped closer to take a look. "My client is in need of medical attention." He said to the officer who picked that moment to yawn.
XxXxXx
"Tom Jennings" Aubrey said as she stood before the man.
He raised his head. Aubrey noticed the blood stains on his blue oxford shirt. His eyes were beginning to show dark discolorations under each eye and a white bandage across the bridge of his nose.
"Aubrey" He replied.
"What do you want with Chloe?" Aubrey said quickly, not seeing the point in beating around the bush.
"Just to talk" He said with a smile.
Aubrey narrowed her eyes, she was having a hard time reading him. "For once in your privileged life Tom, do the right thing here. Walk away. Leave them alone. Leave Chloe alone." Aubrey countered.
"After she speaks to me" He answered.
"I'm sorry this happened" Aubrey decided to take a different approach. "But it's time for everyone to move on. It's been years Tom. Chloe's happy with Beca."
"Then I'm happy for her Aubrey" Tom stood slowly.
Aubrey took a step back to put some space between them. Glancing down at Tom as he unfolded his arms from across his chest, it was the first time she noticed his wedding band.
"You obviously think I'm here to cause trouble. I'm really not Aubrey. I wanted a chance to speak with Chloe to" he said sincerely as he glanced down at his feet and then back up at the blonde, "apologize."
Aubrey narrowed her eyes. She wanted to trust him but she knew she shouldn't. "If that is true Tom, you'll leave without pressing charges. Just leave. That will be apology enough."
XxXxXx
"She hit a cop" the officer replied without expression.
"That doesn't exclude her from receiving medical attention." Mr. George replied.
"It looks pretty bad baby." Chloe said as she looked closely.
"It hurts pretty bad" Beca answered. "Chlo?"
Chloe looked up to meet Beca's eyes. "I'm so sorry" Beca whispered. "I shouldn't have done that."
"I know you're sorry. Let's just get out of here and then we can talk about it when we get home." Chloe replied calmly.
Beca nodded. "Where are the kids?" Beca asked quickly.
"Stacie took them home."
"Oh. Okay. Good." Beca nodded.
"Becs, Tom is out there" Chloe began, "and he wants to talk to me before he decides if he wants to press charges against you."
"About what?" Beca asked.
"I don't know. But I won't do it if you don't want me too." Chloe replied quickly.
"I don't want you too" Beca was quick with her decision.
"But Becs" Chloe tried to reason, "it's worth it if he doesn't press charges. Isn't it?"
"How bad could it be?" Beca asked looking over to Mr. George.
"Depends on the charges, which would mostly likely be an assault charge. Usually a case like that will go before a judge who would hand down a penalty. If this were you're first offense you would probably receive a slap on the wrist, a fine and possibly community service." Mr. George explained.
Beca sighed and closed her eyes, "But it's not my first offense."
"Figures" the office snickered earning a glare from Chloe.
"No. So, it's really hard to tell what the consequences of this could be. Possible a payout to Mr. Jennings for medical costs if any, pain and suffering, probation and probably community service. I doubt jail time would be involved but if the judge wants to make an example of you then jail time can't be taken off the table."
"Jail?" Chloe repeated. She turned back to Beca. "I'm talking to Tom." She decided.
"Chlo" Beca sighed.
The door opened quickly and another officer walked it. It was one of the officers that had taken Beca into custody. "Excuse me" he pointed to Chloe who stepped back away from her wife.
"I'm sorry" She apologized to the man who stepped in front of her and reached for the handcuffs.
"You know you're stronger than you look." He smirked.
"Thanks?" Beca questioned. "Did I hurt you?" She asked as she watched him place the small key in the lock hole and turn it. The right cuff released quickly. He repeated the action with the left cuff being careful of her hand.
"Nah. I'm fine." He said. "You should probably head over to the hospital. That looks broken."
"How about you partner. Is he okay?" Beca asked. She used her right hand to sooth the red ring around her left wrist but the throbbing in her hand was becoming unbearable.
"He's fine. He's already gone for the day."
"So, what happens next?" Beca asked looking at Chloe.
"I'd suggest you get some medical attention but other than that you're free to go. The other guy has decided not to press charges." The officer informed the room. "He left a couple minutes ago."
"What?" Chloe asked softly in disbelief.
The officer shrugged and turned to leave the room.
"Thank you" Beca said to him cringing as the words came out of her mouth. Was that the right thing to say? She thought.
"So we can just go?" Chloe asked the lawyer.
"Yes, you both should go. Get to a hospital and I'll stay back and make sure everything is legally in order." Mr. George instructed.
XxXxXx
Dead on her feet. That was the only way she could describe how she felt. Beca glanced over to Chloe who was concentrating on keeping her eyes open as she navigated the roads home. They hadn't spoken much after leaving the police station. Beca didn't think Chloe was mad because she held her hand at the hospital when she was having it pressed on by the doctor and when she was being casted. Beca looked down at her left hand that now sported a new black cast and then back to Chloe who hadn't removed her eyes from the road.
"I'm sorry about my ring." Beca apologized again. When the doctor had to cut her wedding band off her finger was when Chloe went silent.
Chloe nodded and continued driving.
"I'll get another one as soon as the cast comes off" Beca raised it up. Chloe didn't look. Beca lowered her hand slowly to her lap and returned her gaze out the window. A few turns later and they were pulling up in the driveway waiting for the garage door to slowly open. Once inside, Chloe released a long breath. She glanced to Beca and then reached for the car door, opening it, climbing out and closing it quickly. Beca watched her wife climb out of the car and head for the house. She quickly gathered her thoughts and followed quickly.
Beca caught up to Chloe and found her already talking to Stacie in the kitchen.
"I don't know, I don't care and I'll never ask" Stacie said as she raised a mug to her mouth.
"What are we talking about?" Beca asked.
"Lilly." Stacie replied. She looked to Chloe to explain what she was just told to Beca but she didn't.
"Okay?" Beca questioned.
"I called her after I left the police station. She was able to get the security footage from Whole Foods before it could be sold to any news outlet. I have no idea how she managed it but she did." Stacie explained.
"Thank you Stace" Chloe said sincerely.
"I think we are in the clear." Stacie said confidently. "Aubrey told me what happened with Tom."
"Yeah, she called me when we were at the hospital." Chloe replied.
"And what happened?" Beca asked looking to Chloe for answers.
"While I was talking to you, Aubrey spoke to Tom. He told her he only wanted to talk to me to apologize for what happened back then and Aubrey told him that him not pressing charges and leaving would be apology enough. So he did." Chloe summarized.
"So I owe Aubrey a thank you too?" Beca huffed and pouted as if it were the worst thing in the world.
Anger rose on Chloe's face and Stacie saw it.
"The kids are asleep. Jessica helped me get them fed, bathed and down. She went home a couple hours ago and I think I'm gonna head out too." Stacie said ready to get out of there before Chloe lost her temper.
"Okay, thanks Stacie" Chloe said turning back to her tall friend, "for everything today and tonight."
"Of course." Stacie said. She gave Chloe a quick hug before walked over to Beca.
"We will talk tomorrow" Stacie said glaring at the small brunette.
Beca stood frozen suddenly feeling like she was in a world of trouble with her agent.
Chloe walked Stacie to the front door and thanked her again before she closed and locked it. She returned to the kitchen to see Beca sitting at one of the bar stools.
"You're mad" Beca said softly.
Chloe pinched the bridge of her nose. "No." She denied.
"You are. You've barely spoken to me since the police station." Beca argued. "And then when I said I'd have to thank Aubrey you were about to freak out."
"Since we left the station I've been trying to figure out what happened. What you were thinking when you attacked Tom in the middle of a grocery store. In front of our children Beca. I don't want them to think that that is an okay reaction in any situation. Do you?" Chloe asked the level of her voice beginning to raise.
"I don" Beca began but was interrupted.
"I just don't understand what you were thinking. It's obvious you weren't. I wasn't expecting to see Tom either but my first reaction wasn't to punch him in the face Beca! Seriously. You were arrested. You broke your hand. You could have gone to jail."
"But I didn't" Beca replied quickly.
"Because Tom decided not to press charges. Now I have to find him and apologize to him. And thank him for not putting you behind bars." Chloe shouted. "Yes. I pissed off at you!"
AN: Gulp! Is Chloe right to be pissed? What are you y'all thinking? I love your reviews. I love how you make me think really hard as I'm writing. Until next time!