After dinner, Beca asked if she could wash the dishes, desperately seeking a distraction. Time seemed to be passing agonizingly slowly.

She was drying a glass when Dr. Mitchell walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and eyed her as she absentmindedly placed the glass down.

"Is everything okay, kiddo?" he drummed his fingers on the bottle.

"Yeah," she nodded, looking up from the plate she was currently drying.

"Okay," he sipped his beer and started to make his way out of the kitchen.

"Um, dad?" Beca called.

"Yeah?"

"A couple of friends of mine are coming to Barden and they couldn't find a motel to stay in while they're in town," she paused.

She didn't even try to look for a motel. If she knew her dad well, he would offer to let them stay. And that was what she was hoping would happen.

"There's plenty of room here," he shrugged.

"Dad—"

"—any friend of yours is welcome to stay here," he cut her off, thinking she was going to turn him down.

"Thanks, a lot, dad," she smiled at her dad.

"When will they be arriving?" he asked.

"Tomorrow really early in the morning," she placed the plate down, "Jesse and Mae are going stay a couple of days in Barden then will finish their road trip to New York."

"Road trip, nice. Well, you let them in when they get here and I'll meet them later."

"Thank you, dad," she thanked.

Beca woke up at 5:44 am to her ringtone. She sat up and reached for her phone, hitting answer the moment she held her phone.

"We're in front of the house located on the address you texted," Mae said, sounding tired.

"Okay, hold on a second," Beca rubbed her eyes, climbing off of the bed. She paced her way to the front door, not caring that she was wearing a t-shirt and panties. She unlocked the door and realized was barefoot.

She looked up from her feet and at Jesse and Mae who were making their way to her. They both looked exhausted. Mae was yawning when she stepped inside the house.

"Follow me," Beca whispered as she locked the door. She started making her way up the stairs and glanced behind her to see them follow her.

She took them to the guestroom, "You could sleep in these," Beca handed Mae a t-shirt and sweatpants that she had picked for her.

"Thank you," Mae took them and stepped into the room.

"No, thank you," Beca thanked her and pulled the door behind her to let Mae sleep then grabbed Jesse's hand and took him to her room. She closed the door and turned on her heels to watch him pull a bourbon bottle from his coat.

"I bought this at a station we stopped at," he told her before she could say anything. She walked to him, cupped his face and tip toed to check his breath. He didn't smell like alcohol.

"I cracked Beca," he pulled away from her and ran his fingers through his hair. "I thought I had it under control but I cracked."

"What happened at Sandra's that made you crack?" she softly asked, taking the bottle away from him and putting it on the nightstand. It didn't make sense that he would just lose his grip at the sight of alcohol when he worked at a bar.

"I just realized how better off Sam would be without me." Jesse rubbed his face.

"What makes you think that?" she asked, stiffing a yawn.

"Doug. Um, Sandra's boyfriend is filling in just fine," he shrugged.

"Remember how Sandra called me skanky because your baby called mama in front of her?" Beca asked him, gently reaching to help him take off his coat.

He nodded, shrugging it off.

"She was jealous that I was in Sammy's life and that I had what she wanted and missed for six months when she could have avoided the whole thing if she would have just taken Sam with her."

She took his coat and put on a chair then turned around to find him looking down at his feet.

"She was jealous of my relationship with your kid. And, you're just jealous Doug built something with Sammy," she reached for his chin and tilted his head to make him face her.

"He will never take your place, you hear that?" she held his gaze until he nodded. "You're her very awesome dad who will always matter to her."

He inhaled deeply and nodded, convinced by what she said.

"C'mere," she hugged him and tip toed to place a kiss on his neck when he rested his cheek against her head.

Jealousy made him almost slip and it was starting to scare her. His fragility was scaring her. She knew that she had to come clean about what she did for Matt because keeping it away from him would only put her in a compromising position.

"How's the craving?" she asked, pulling away and cupping his face.

"It's there," he tsked.

"Jesse, you know I will always be here for you but you seriously need more than what I can offer."

She leaned up and kissed him. "Let me pay and you pay me back when you can, but please go see a therapist," she said pulling away.

"There will no need for that," he said making her frown.

"Remember the short I helped those college kids score?" he asked.

"Yeah?" she nodded.

"Well, it got me a paying internship interview," he told her.

"When did that happen?" she asked, letting go of his face.

"I didn't want to tell you until I was sure it was for real," he rubbed her arms. "I just have to convince them to hire an old dude instead of some fresh out of college kid," he rested his chin on her head.

"When is the interview?" she asked.

"January the 7th," he told her, sounding anxious.

"Babe, you scored a feature length last year and you have composer credit on Mae's album—it's not out or remotely finished but updating your resumé and mentioning it should be enough." She looked up. "They'd be morons not to hire you talented ass." She grabbed his ass, making him chuckle in spite of himself.

"Does your dad know we're here?" he asked.

"He knows that my friends will be staying with us," she removed herself from his embrace and grabbed the bourbon.

"Friends, huh?" he tried to smile at her but it was a weak attempt.

"Yep—I'm gonna go get rid of this. You make yourself confortable."

"Okay," he nodded. "Um, Bec, you got a sleeping bag or is there another guestroom?" he asked.

"What's wrong with my bed?" she frowned.

"Well, I'm supposed to be your friend. I don't know your dad but I doubt he'd be comfortable knowing that a guy is sharing his daughter's bed."

"I'll tell dad that you're my gay best friend," she joked turning on her heels and leaving the room.

Her joke confused Jesse because he didn't see her face and her tone didn't indicate that she was kidding.

Jesse woke up several hours later to find himself all alone in bed. He grabbed the sticky note that was on the headboard and rubbed his eyes before he could read.

'Your clothes are getting washed. I hope dad's sweats fit you. SHOWER. YOU SWEAT A LOT IN YOUR SLEEP. –Beca'

He thought back how he fell asleep with Beca in his arms, sharing sleepy kisses with her until he fell asleep and felt lucky to her because if it weren't for Beca he would have drank himself to sleep.

He made his way to the en-suite bathroom and saw that there was shaving cream, a razor and men's deodorant on the sink and a man's shampoo bottle in the shower. He guessed that they belonged to Dr. Mitchell.

He showed, shaved and wore the Barden University sweatpants and sweatshirt then chuckled finding a couple of slippers that also belonged to Dr. Mitchell.

Jesse got out of Beca's bedroom and walked down the stairs. He peeked his head, hearing Beca's voice then saw her standing in the kitchen. She was on the phone. He carefully walked to the kitchen and smiled seeing that she was all alone. He checked to see if the first floor was empty then wrapped an arm around her waist from behind.

She leaned into his embrace when he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Morning," he said, placing a kiss on her hair once she hung up the phone.

"It's past 2 pm," she informed him, removing herself from his hold.

"Where's everyone?" he asked.

"Dad and Sheila went grocery shopping. Mae got up to eat then went back to bed."

"Your dad say anything about me spending the night in your bed?" he scratched his head, taking a seat on a stool.

"Eh, nothing," she shrugged and placed a cookie tray on the kitchen island. "Dad would never walk into my room unless the door is already open. He's frightened that he would catch me masturbating."

"Wow," he exclaimed.

"He is paranoid," she chuckled as she made him a mug of coffee.

"Has he ever—"

"—God no." She put the mug in the microwave to heat up.

"What about—" he whistled, making the index through hole gesture.

"I never brought anyone home," she grabbed a cookie.

"Never?" he arched an eyebrow.

"Never," she mumbled, biting into the cookie. "You're the first dude who has ever spent the night in my bed here," she pulled his mug from the microwave and sipped from it to wash down the cookie then put it in front of him.

"When will your dad and step mother be coming home?" he asked.

"They just got out, why?" she sucked her teeth.

He got up and walked around the island to pick her up and sit her on the kitchen island. "How are you feeling?" she asked, eyeing him.

"Better," he answered, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "I'm really sorry," he tsked. "I shouldn't have called you last night. I made you worry and screwed your evening," he sighed, looking down at her hand that clasped with his. "And, holidays."

"Hey," she held his chin up, "I asked you to come down here. Besides, I only came to Barden 'cause mom asked me to. You didn't screw anything," she leaned in and kissed him. He placed a hand on the back of her head to keep her from pulling away.

"You smell like dad, this feels weird," she mumbled, cupping his face, before deepening the kiss.

Hearing footsteps coming from the staircase, Beca pulled away. Jesse rested his chin on her shoulder and looked at the door.

Mae walked in while she stretched and yawned then rubbed the back of her neck. "Hi," she greeted. "How long was I out?" she asked, taking a seat on a stool.

"Like five hours," Beca answered her, pushing Jesse and hopping off of the kitchen island. "Wanna eat?" she asked. "There's a lot of food. Sheila got so excited about the fact that there are more bodies she could feed so she made enough food to feed a soccer team," Beca sighed.

"I could eat," Mae nodded.

"I hope you're hungry," Beca told her as she heated up the meatballs and gravy Sheila made.

"There's still turkey from last night if you're still hungry," Beca said as she placed a plateful in front of Mae and a beer.

"You," she looked up at Jesse who was drinking his coffee. "I'm getting you out of dad's clothes," she added when he met her gaze.

"I know I'm dashing but control yourself, babe," he told her, making Mae chuckle.

"Dashing isn't the word I'd use to describe you," Beca said, watching Jesse sip from his coffee. "C'mon weirdo, your clothes must have dried out by now," she started making her way out of the kitchen.

"What then?" he started following her after he put the mug down.

"Charming, handsome, gallant, alluring, bewitching, charismatic, delightful?" he said as they walked down the stairs that led to the basement.

"Ravishing?" he arched an eyebrow once she stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"You're," she paused to think, "sweet," she shrugged and continued to walk.

"Sweet?" he frowned.

"Yep," she turned on the lights once she stepped foot inside the basement.

"Huh," he watched her walk to the washing machine. "So, I'm just sweet?"

"No," she pulled the clothes. "You're a lot of things," she threw them in a hamper. "But you asked for the word I'd use to describe you," she ran her fingers through her hair before bending down to pick up his clothes.

Jesse took of the sweatshirt he was wearing and folded it before putting it on the couch that was in the basement before he slipped off the sweatpants and did the same with them.

"Here," Beca handed him his jeans which he took and wore.

"Bec, what are your plans for today?" he asked, buckling his belt.

"I thought I could work until around 6 then help Sheila with dinner," she informed him as he wore his plain white t-shirt.

"Work on Christmas?" he slipped on his sweater. "What's wrong with you?" he threw an arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him.

"It's cold outside," she shrugged.

"I'll keep you warm," he leaned in and slipped his hand under her sweatshirt and rub it against her skin.

"Your hand is cold," she pecked his lips.

He smiled and kissed her while pulling her closer to him.

"Okay," she pulled away from the passionate kiss they were sharing and rested her hand on his chest.

"Looks like someone needs their fix," he said in a low voice into her ear, noting how she was trying to control her breathing.

"Now isn't the time nor place," she sighed when he nuzzled her cheek.

"You never brought a guy home," he said as his hand made its way to her back, "You missed out on sneaking around. The risk of getting caught by your parents is something you have to try," he placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Yeah, well, that's stuff is teenagers stuff," she pulled away. "I'm not gonna get grounded if I get caught."

"True, but we're supposed to be friends," he kissed her neck and grinned against it when she groaned.

"Dude, how are you going to explain that," she nodded at his boner as she slipped on her jeans.

"It'll go away," he blew a breath, trying adjust his junk. "I just have to think about the least sexy things I could think of," he threw her sweatshirt for her to catch and looked away from her.

"I can help you out—" she said suggestively as she caught the sweatshirt.

"—no," he shook his head. "It'll get messy," he glanced up when he saw that she was fully clothed.

"It doesn't have to get messy," she shrugged. "And before you freak out, no, I'm not talking about—" she whistled making the index through hole gesture, repeating what he did earlier.

"We've been down here for like an hour Bec," he looked down at his watch. "Your dad could be coming home."

"What happened to 'the risk' I need to experience?" she walked to him until there was barely any space between them. "Look, if you don't me to, I won't do it," she said noting the very anxious look he had on his face.

"I would truly be a wimp if I refuse oral from my hot girlfriend," he smiled at her.

"You're not a wimp," she poked his chest then pushed him. He got the hint and sat down.

The look of horror on Jesse's face when they heard footsteps getting closer to the basement was so funny Beca almost chocked when she laughed.

"Bec, you down there?" Mr. Mitchell called. The voice was distant and Jesse was close so she chose getting Jesse off first over answering her dad.

"Babe, answer your dad," Jesse groaned. She shrugged as a reply did a couple of tricks that sealed the deal.

"Look normal," she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as he recovered.

He nodded, looking hazed, and quickly slipped back his boxers and jeans watching Beca stand up.

"Dad, I didn't see you there," Beca lied, looking up at the stairs when he stepped on them.

"Um, this is Jesse," she pointed at Jesse with her thumb when her dad looked behind her.

"Thank you for letting us stay with you, sir," Jesse said, hoping that he looked normal.

"Like I told Beca," he said as he walked down the stairs, "Any friend of Beca is welcome in our home," he extended his hand, reaching them. Jesse looked down at Dr. Mitchell's hand and went for a hug. The fact that his fingers were doing things to his daughter made shaking hands with him seem very wrong.

"Thank you." Jesse clenched his fits, hugging Beca's dad tightly.

"He's a hugger," Beca tried to explain the very unexpected hug to her dad who looked very confused before she went to pick up the clothes hamper that had Mae's clothes.

"What's up dad?" she asked, walking pass them and starting to climb the stairs.

"I came down to ask if you think you could go down to campus," he scratched his head once Jesse pulled away.

"Why?" she asked, glancing at her dad.

"A word got out that you're in town," he said as he climbed the stairs. "We got cornered at the grocery store by some kids and we sort of promised them we'd ask you to go there."

"And by we you're referring to your wife?" Beca asked then looked behind her dad as she reached to unlock the door.

"Yes, Beca," Dr. Mitchell sighed. "You know Sheila, she's too nice to say no," he followed her when she turned on her heels. "You don't have to spend a day there. Just, show up. They really love you Bec, it's weird."

"Are you talking about her nerdy a cappella fans?" Jesse asked, figuring out what Dr. Mitchell was asking Beca to do.

"Yes. Have you never met an a cappella kid?" Dr. Mitchell asked Jesse.

"Yep," Jesse nodded at Beca.

"Have you met her teammates?" Dr. Mitchell asked.

"Uh-huh." Jesse took a moment to think about the bellas.

"These kids are 10 times stranger than them," he said in a low voice.

"Got it," Jesse nodded.

"I wanna meet these people you're talking about," Mae said, catching up on their conversation. "I love Beca's friends."

"When did you meet them?" Jesse asked.

"Thanksgiving."

"Mae, wanna change back into your clothes?" Beca asked to interrupt them.

"Yep," Mae nodded.

"I'll go to BU," Beca looked at her dad. "Tomorrow," she turned on her heels. "C'mon, Mae," she called over her shoulders.

"I'm going to the mall, wanna go with me?" Beca asked Mae once they got to the guestroom.

"When, now?"

"Yeah," Beca nodded. "Jesse got me this," she held the treble clef between her fingers. "I kind of have to get him something for tonight," she told Mae.

"Got something in mind?" Mae asked, taking the hamper from Beca.

"Nope," Beca stuffed her hands in her back pockets, "I'm gonna wing it."

"What's happening right now?" Beca asked, closing the door behind her after she and Mae got inside the house.

"they're play chess?" Mae said as they both watched Jesse fixated on the chess game in front of him then made his move.

"You're good," Dr. Mitchell said watching Jesse grin, as he captured the king, then say, "checkmate."

"Thank you," Jesse laid back against his chair.

"They're bonding," Beca grimaced then held up one of the shopping bag she was holding when Jesse glanced at her. She told him she and Mae were going out to buy clothes for them, his shampoo and deodorant because he really smelled like her dad and it was weird.

He nodded and looked back at her dad.

"Excuse me, sir," he got up.

Mae looked at Beca who was walking up the stairs then at Jesse who was making his way to her and decided she'd distract Dr. Mitchell so that they could talk in private and no one would notice.

"I was in the chess club back when I was in highschool," Mae told Dr. Mitchell as she took Jesse's seat.

"You and dad are best friends now?" Beca asked when Jesse joined her in her bedroom.

"He's great and not half as intimidating as your mom," he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"Yeah, he's the approchable one." She looked up. "What took you so long?" she asked. She saw him when he got up but he didn't follow her right away.

"I just had something to talk to Mae about," he shrugged, pecking her temple.

"What's up?" she asked.

"She's driving me to the mall," he rested his cheek on her head. "I need to get your family some gifts for letting us stay."

"Why didn't you come with us?" she asked.

"Because your dad clearly wanted to interrogate me," he told her. "Make sure he's not hosting a serial killer."

"I'm guessing it went well since you were just playing chess," she shrugged.

"It went really well."

"When are you going to the mall?"

"As soon as Mae is done playing chess with your dad," he turned her around and watched her yawn.

"You need a power nap," he held her shoulders.

She fell asleep an hour before they got to Barden and couldn't fall asleep again because he had nightmares that were pretty vivid and that she refrained from telling him about knowing that he will feel guilty for being the reason she didn't sleep.

"Which one has my deodorant?" Jesse asked. Beca walked to the shopping bags and pulled it then threw it for him to catch.

He spared it all over himself. "It won't be weird now when I hold you," he put the deodorant on the nightstand and joined her on the bed.

Beca sucked in a deep breath, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. "This is nice," she snuggled up to him.

"It is," he agreed, rubbing her arm.

"Could you set my alarm for 5:30 I still want to fall asleep at night?" she sleepily asked but it was barely audible so he didn't catch it.

"Sleep tight," he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I love you."

Her next mumble made him smile because it sounded like, "you too."

AN: I'm gonna stop here. I hope this wasn't too boring 'cause it's sort of an exposition plot chapter. I'm building up to the next one. I thought I could stuff them all in one chapter then I looked at how much I've written and realized that it won't happen.

Until next time I guess. Thank you for your awesome support. Let me know what you think. It's always nice to read reviews. Also, I'm in no mood to proofread, it's hard enough to write in the first place. I will come around and force myself to sit and proofread someday. Okay, bye now. *virtual hugs*