Chloe followed Beca's lead into the coffee shop. Glancing around she noted the place was a little busy but there were many seats yet to be occupied. Beca tugged her hand over for them to sit down at a nearby table in a corner. Chloe's eyes still surveyed those sitting around them, investigating as to whether they would shoot them a second glance, to recognize anything suspicious.

Beca watched Chloe with small amusement of how frantic the redhead's eyes were zipping around. Slowly Beca reached across the table with her hand towards where Chloe's was resting on the tabletop and rested hers on top, "Chloe."

Chloe's hear rate seemed to pause at how caringly her name had been said, her eyes slowly in their motions to now rest on the hooded brunette in front of her.

"Breathe." Beca stated, her fingers rubbing soothing circles over Chloe's hand.

Chloe did just this, and after breathing in and out she gave a small smile.

Beca gave a short smile in return, and leaning forward in her seat she removed her hand from Chloe's to reach around and slip off her gym bag to place it at her feet.

Chloe missed the contact instantly, she looked down to her hand where her fingers now clawed at the table a little before resting into a small fist.

"Coffee?" Beca asked.

Chloe hadn't realized being stuck in her mind but now found Beca standing beside her, "Uh sure… an espresso will do thanks. 2 shots please."

Beca quirked her eyebrow but nodded, moving to the counter to order her coffee.

Hmm… had expected her to be a caramel soy coffee person or something fancy… full of surprises.

Returning from the counter Beca found Chloe staring off into the distance.

Beca internally scowled, She needs some sleep… I hope the coffee can keep her up for a while longer…

Taking a seat to the left of Chloe she sat closely to her, "Interesting thing…" Beca voiced.

Chloe's tired eyes steered to Beca, "Huh? What is?"

"Do you know what they call a double shot?"

Chloe shook her head.

"Doppio."

"What language is that?"

"Italian. The coffee beverage Espresso is Italian." Beca informed.

Chloe was intrigued, "Is Italian another language you know?"

Beca nodded, "Have you been to Italy?"

"Yeah I did a tour through there. Didn't get to see much of the city though. It's kind of like that with most places I tour through which is to be expected."

Beca stayed quiet and nodded, she hoped the conversation would keep Chloe's mind busy.

"Have you?"

"Yeah for a little while."

"Lily?"

Chloe didn't pay any attention to the name being called from a barista, with another question ready to ask Beca she opened her mouth. Beca however stood from the chair and went over to the counter to collect the coffee.

Chloe's eyes picked up on a large flash and looked over to the window. Her heart began to race her natural thought being it was paparazzi. To her major relief the sight of rain could be seen along with a small roll of thunder.

Oh yeah… Chloe giggled from her silliness, I heard the thunder before… Nice for once that it isn't paparazzi. Despite all of this that's one perk I guess…. Wait what? God I must be delusional from lack of sleep. I would take paparazzi over being the target of some hitman organization.

Beca returned and placed the warm glass of coffee in front of Chloe.

"Thank you."

Beca smiled at sat across from her.

Chloe took a sip and hummed in content. She went on to take a mouthful wanting the coffee to liven her up a little. I need to stay alert… wait aren't we being followed right now? Didn't Beca say they are going to be searching this entire area, and we are sitting in a coffee shop right now?! … why is she looking at me like that?

Beca had been leaning back in her seat her hands resting over her knee that was crossed over her other leg, a small smile playing at her lips.

Chloe was bound by her look but at the same time felt flush, if only this were a date… oh my god Chloe stay focused "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Your expressions just now… so many were shown. What were you thinking?"

"I wish this was a date." There a more pressing matters but that is what falls out of my mouth… ugh I need some sleep.

This took Beca aback, definitely not the answer she had expected, "Interesting date this would be."

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Of course without all the other stuff going on, but-… you know I just wish we could have more time together…"

Beca's smile slipped and dimmed, she wished for the same thing but knew their time together was slipping away quickly.

"Me too Chlo…" Beca stated quietly, her eyes scanning the coffee shop and window for those passing by, "Is your coffee nice?" she diverted the conversation.

Chloe took another long drink and nodded.

"Good." Beca stood from her chair and picked up her gym bag.

Chloe was surprised by this and was ready to stand also, "We're going?"

"No. Stay here."

From those words a world of panic ran through Chloe. Is she leaving me here?

Beca could see Chloe become incredibly tense, she walked over and took a seat right beside her and took her hand into her own.

Chloe watched her with wide-eyes, "I'm not leaving you Chloe. I'm going to make a phone call for us to be extracted."

Chloe's shoulder's noticeably slumped with relief, "You have a phone?" Since when?

"Yes. A kind donation made by Jeff." Beca's voice terse as she spoke the man's name.

Chloe was holding on tightly to Beca's hand, her eyes drifted to the woman's lips. Beca saw this and did the same. She ached as always to kiss the red head but knew that would only make things harder than they were for when the time came for them to be separated.

Beca leaned in and cupped Chloe's cheek whilst she placed a swift peck to the other before standing once more.

The woman's lips on her cheek, however brief, made Chloe's heart flutter and wished they had instead descended upon her own lips.

"I'll be right back." Beca informed.

"Where-?"

"I'm just going out the back for some privacy. I'll be right back." She said in a calming voice. With a small smile Beca went down the small hallway towards the bathroom.

Chloe became a whole lot more paranoid and tense without Beca near her. She continued to drink from her coffee and gazed around the shop. It was late but it was still somewhat busy with those sitting at their own tables, talking with friends or making use of the Wi-Fi.

Chloe fiddled with her now empty cup as she looked out through the window to see lightening still flashing, the rain continuing to pour down, a lot heavier since she last looked out. Her hands gripped her coffee cup that little bit tighter and Chloe took some deep breaths to calm herself, You're fine stop being so paranoid! Be strong. Beca is right around the corner, and I am capable of being able to defend myself… okay kind of…

Chloe was drawn out of her thoughts as she peered out through the window. She caught the eyes of a couple of men that went by, their eyes locked with hers before they disappeared behind the brick wall of the shop as they kept walking.

This unsettled Chloe her paranoia was getting the best of her. Still something didn't sit right as to the intense look they had given her, as if they had recognized her.

No they couldn't have… maybe I should let Beca know.

Chloe stood from her chair and turned to go to the bathroom. Instead she was blocked by another person. A tall man with short blonde hair whose skin and clothes were wet from having been in the rain moments prior.

Chloe felt frozen as his eyes bore down into hers.

Chloe dropped her gaze and went to move around him once more, "Excuse me.." However she didn't make it far as she felt his hand take hold of her forearm.

Chloe tried to remain calm but snapped back, "Let go of me."

"It's okay." He told her calmly and with his other spare hand held up his badge, "My name is Luke Stroma, I'm a Detective here in L.A." he kept his voice low, "I know you are Chloe Beale and I am here to help you."

Chloe was stunned, she felt slightly relieved seeing some law enforcement but again she questioned whether this is someone she could trust. He could be a hitman! Oh shit what do I do? Where is Beca?!

"Please come with me you aren't safe here." Luke informed her. He had noticed an odd amount of triad in the area having spotted their tattoos on some of them walking the area. Luke had seen some of the same tattoo's on the bodies found out at the exploded torn house. He wasn't sure how or why but the triad were connected somehow.

"But-" Chloe tried to pry herself away from his arms and turned back towards the bathrooms only to see the two men she had seen pass the window before make their way in from the back exit. I knew it!

"Oh shit.." Chloe hissed.

Luke noticed the men, one of their gang tattoo's slightly covered from his sleeve but still noticeable. He wrapped his arm around Chloe's shoulder, "We need to get out of here, please." He needed her cooperation.

Chloe was baffled, she looked back towards the bathroom door again as the two triads passed it. In that brief moment she saw it slightly open but then close.

Beca?

She turned back at feeling Luke usher them outside the coffee shop and into the rain.

"Hey, Chloe. You need to be quiet!"

The two triad men whipped back around to the voice and name spoken behind them. Both shared a glance, and pulled out their guns from their holsters.

One of the men pointed to the men's bathroom, "Nǐ jiǎnchá zài nàlǐ. (You check in there.)"

The man nodded and made his way in whilst the other pushed the woman's bathroom door open.

He griped his gun, keeping it to the side of him, not wanting to alert the other patrons in the coffee shop. His gaze swept around the room and found one of the stall closed.

"Shh…" a very faint whisper from the stall.

His eyes zoned in and smiled at their stupidity. Raising his gun he pointed it at the door, "Come out now. Otherwise I shoot." His English incredibly poor.

He took another step forward towards the door but stopped at seeing someone quickly peek their head over from the other empty stall, but then duck back down.

Feeling a prick sensation in his neck he reached up and pulled it out to find a small metal piece, his eyes suddenly drooped, as did the rest of his body before the gun clattered to the ground, his body doing the same.

Beca stepped out from the other stall and went over to his body. Picking up the small metal coil that she had pulled from the toilet paper holder and flattened out, she placed it down the hole of the sink. Beca then picked up the gun and placed it in her gym bag.

Beca made her way out of the bathroom and swiftly into the men's. The other triad saw a sweep of blonde hair from the corner of his eye before being punched in the throat and kneed in the stomach, sending him stumbling back into a stall. Beca closed the door behind her and locked it before returning her attention to the triad coughing, grasping his throat. Beca delivered a swift punch to the mans temple, stunning him, before she sent his head smacking into the exit door behind her. Taking a step back Beca watched his body slump back to sit on the covered toilet seat. Beca pushed him back a little further so as his unconscious weight would remain in place. Picking up the gun she again placed it in her gym bag.

Beca was about to open the door, but heard the main door of the restroom open.

"Everything okay in there?" The man asked having heard a clatter and groan before entering the bathroom.

Beca reached into her gym bag and pulled out a very small knife, slipping it up her sleeve. She then unlocked the door and stepped out, closing the door behind her and standing against it.

Beca gave a shy toothy smile to the man who looked stunned.

"Uhm.." she giggled, "Bonjour." her accent fluently French.

Again the man was wide-eyed at realizing what had happened in the stall.

Beca kept her head low. Confident in her charade and having stalled the man enough to turn the lock back on the outside with her knife she peered up giving him a wink, a finger to her mouth to signify 'Shh' and moving past him she spoke, "Excusez-moi."

Beca rolled her eyes once she slipped outside, pulling her hoodie back up and over her head.

The man gave a short smirk and went over to the urinal on the opposite wall. He turned his head and peered under the door to see the man's feet on the ground. He smirked and turned back to undo his fly, "I won't say anything man but I gotta give it you, nice work!" he chuckled.

He finished his business and not hearing a response, thought the man was embarrassed having been caught out. Shaking his head in amusement he left the bathroom.

The rain poured down on them as Luke continued to walk them briskly down the street. Chloe was still a little stunned by the whole thing, wanting to go back for Beca. How could she trust him?

He showed me his badge… I'm sure he's a cop… omg please be a cop.

Feeling Luke stop them Chloe gazed to the side to see his eyes focused in front of them. He was also incredibly tense, of which she could feel in his arm that was draped over her shoulders.

Chloe's eyes scanned forwards to find 3 or so men walking towards them. All of them staring intently as they stopped walking.

Oh shit…

Luke's grip slipped a little from around Chloe as he prepared himself to quickly grab his gun if need be.

With a roll of thunder building, it wasn't long before it sounded over the top of them accompanied by a bright flash of lightening.

It was during this Luke leaned in close to Chloe telling her to "Run!" and moved her towards a small break in-between the businesses buildings. He followed her and so did the other triad.

A/N - Thanks :) x

Guestttt - No I haven't heard of that story but I will definitely have to check it out.
Illvr - Some more action this time around haha and there will continue to be next chapter as well :)
Sonny278:SianSophieLove:MakesGoodChoices - To all of you a big thanks. Awesome to hear you are enjoying it! :)