Chapter 10

I'll Get Right Back on My Feet Again (Hit Me with Your Best Shot)

Chloe had been caught in the middle from the moment she called Beca over to the Bellas booth at the Activities Fair. Aubrey had felt immediate disdain for the weird alt girl with the ear monstrosities. And Beca's derisive attitude surely did not help. This, of course, didn't stop Aubrey from being the ever compassionate friend she always was to Chloe. She was genuine in her unwavering support of the redhead's relationship with Beca. But that wasn't going to stop her from constantly butting heads with the DJ when it came to aca-business.

On the other hand, Chloe wasn't sure Beca liked Aubrey at all. And she was too afraid to ask. She got the feeling that her girlfriend hated the blonde. At the very least it was clear that Beca did not appreciate the way Aubrey treated Chloe. But Beca just didn't know Bree like she did. It had been an incredibly stressful year for Aubrey. It wasn't like she acted this way all the time.

And so it was, tale as old as time, a girl caught in between the two people she cared about most on this earth.

Despite (or maybe because of?) Fat Amy's excess enthusiasm, the Barden Bellas had made it past regionals. And while Aubrey's need for complete control had her scolding the group, and Fat Amy in particular, for not performing just the way they had rehearsed it, Chloe couldn't help but feel proud of the girls. She knew they could be even better, and knew they would have to be if they wanted to move forward in the competition, but they had accomplished so much in such a short time. Chloe took a moment to silently revel in the joy that came from realizing all they had achieved.

That is, until her girlfriend decided to join the brawl that had broken out in the lobby. Struck with an odd mix of horror and arousal, Chloe watched as the brunette was led away by the cops. Beca had sprung into action to defend Jesse, who had quickly become one of her closest friends at Barden. While Chloe was moved by the act of chivalry in the name of friendship, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the complete stupidity of the moment. Knowing Beca would stand by her friends was endearing, sure. But, really?

She's definitely an idiot. But she's my idiot.

Chloe smiled to herself and headed for the door, intending to follow the police cruiser to the station, but Jesse stopped her.

"Chloe, she jumped into the fight for me. This is completely my fault," he insisted. "Let me take care of it."

It was sweet of Jesse to offer. Chloe knew that Jesse's initial interest in Beca was sexual in nature, but he seemed to have taken the rejection well. Chloe was glad that Beca had at least one other friend at Barden who would have her back no matter what. The two were thick as thieves and while, rationally, Chloe knew she should be nothing but happy about that, she couldn't help but kind of hate Jesse. She found herself often jealous of the things she knew Beca shared with him, but didn't share with her. Ridiculous, of course. Chloe shared things with Aubrey that she wouldn't dare share with Beca (at least not yet). But, however unprecedented it may have been, the fact still stood that Jesse always made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"No, Jesse…. I should go," Chloe countered. But as she said this, Aubrey approached her from behind, placing both of her hands on Chloe's shoulders.

"He's right, Chlo. Let him go. We'll all head to Beca's room and wait up for her. Together."

Chloe shrugged. She felt guilty. She should be there for her girlfriend in her time of need, shouldn't she? But maybe Jesse was right. This was between the two of them. Maybe Beca just needed her best friend right now. Chloe could understand that. There were times when the person she needed to talk to was Aubrey, not Beca. That was normal. That was healthy. Right?

"Yeah… okay… I guess," Chloe's voice was practically a whisper. She didn't want to do the wrong thing here. But she wasn't exactly sure what the right thing to do was… "Thanks, Jesse."

"Of course. I mean, she saved my butt. Anything for Be-caw." He smiled and turned to walk out. When he reached the door, he called back to Chloe, "I'll text you updates."

Chloe nodded back at him, smiling. "Yes, please. Thank you!"

Aubrey's hands still gripped tightly to Chloe's shoulders. She pressed Chloe forward, leading her, followed by the rest of the Bellas, out to the parking lot.

The Bellas were all piled onto Beca's bed when she finally returned that night.

"You guys waited up for me?" Beca asked.

"Of course we waited up for you!" came Chloe's sincere response. How could Beca think they wouldn't? How could Beca think she wouldn't? Chloe was second guessing her decision to let Jesse be the one to bail the DJ out of jail. She should have been there… Why did she let Aubrey and Jesse convince her otherwise?

When Chloe's focus returned to the room, the girls were suddenly having that same discussion again.

"We should be taking risks," Beca insisted, "It's not enough to be good. We need to put ourselves out there. Be different." The brunette flashed Aubrey a pointed look.

As Cynthia Rose threw in her two cents in support of Beca, Chloe retreated back into her own head. She couldn't listen to this conversation… again. She'd spent months now torn between these two. She knew Beca was right. And she was pretty sure siding with her girlfriend was the right thing to do in the situation, even if Beca was wrong. So why couldn't she just stand up to Aubrey, once and for all? She was captain too. She should pull rank. But she was too exhausted by the situation to bring herself to fight.

And, sure, there was a small part of her, okay a large part of her, that couldn't help but stress the importance of friendship. Aubrey had been her best friend for four years. She's only known Beca for a few months. What if this fight really exploded her relationship with Aubrey? Chloe knew she couldn't live without her best friend's guidance. But can you live without Beca? a voice in her head chimed in. Chloe felt like she was going to throw up.

She saw Beca cross the room. "Let me show you this arrangement I've been working on."

Chloe hopped up from the bed, following the DJ, who was fiddling with her computer. "I didn't know you were into this stuff."

"Yeah…" she said, pulling up a playlist.

Then Aubrey's voice came from behind Chloe, harsh and yet still calm, "Okay, I have the pitch pipe. And I say we focus on the set list as planned." Chloe recognized that tone. Aubrey was rattled… and upset. She turned to face her friend.

As the blonde rambled on about how the Bellas had to work even harder, ditch their studies, ditch their boyfriends, and be more serious, Chloe felt her body once again tearing in two.

Beca by her side, Chloe once again attempted to stand up for her: "But Aubrey, this stuff is pretty cool—"

"Okay. Rehearsal tomorrow, 8am sharp," the blonde interjected, acting like she didn't even hear Chloe, and turned on her heel, heading for the door. She opened it and glared at the Bellas sitting on the bed, clearing her throat.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Fat Amy spoke up: "Wow. Look at the time. We should all probably get to bed then…" She coughed. Aubrey gave a patronizing smile as the girls stood and shuffled out the door, one by one. Cynthia Rose got up last, and looked toward Beca, still seated at her computer with Chloe by her side.

"Sorry…" she muttered, before heading out the door, staring at the floor as she breezed past the blonde captain.

Hand still on the door, Aubrey turned to stare at the redhead expectantly. "Chloe!" she practically shouted. Chloe looked up at her friend, but said nothing. "Well, are you coming?"

Chloe stole a glance at Beca, who was looking back at her anxiously. Then, looking back at Aubrey, she gave a firm "No." Aubrey's jaw literally dropped. "I'm going to stay with Beca," she said, grabbing her girlfriend's hand in solidarity. Chloe was certain she had never seen Beca smile so wide. It made her heart flutter.

"You heard her," the DJ said, flashing Aubrey a smug smirk.

And without saying a word, Aubrey left in a huff, slamming the door behind her.

Beca looked up at Chloe, eyes filled with love. "Thank you for sticking up for me."

"Of course," Chloe said, kissing the back of Beca's hand.

"I mean it, Chlo. I know that wasn't easy. It means a lot to me." The redhead's face flushed in response to the sweet words. She looked down at the floor, then back to the brunette, who was now grinning suggestively. "Plus, that was super hot!"

Chloe laughed. "What?"

"You! All firm and commanding." Beca made a noise resembling that a cat might make when chasing down an unsuspecting mouse. It was equal parts silly and sexy. Which, Chloe thought to herself, pretty much summed up the freshman's entire personality.

"Oh, you liked that?" Chloe winked. Beca nodded enthusiastically. "Well…" the older girl crossed behind Beca and began rubbing her shoulders sensuously. Beca closed her eyes and relaxed into the touch with a small moan. "I figure I owe you. You know, for the other night."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, totes." Chloe pulled Beca's hair to one side, staring at the girl's bare neck with a fierce hunger. She gave the girl's shoulder a quick tap before growling: "Bed. Now."

A/N: Hey, folks. I find myself on vacation this week... but I couldn't keep you guys waiting! So I found some time to get this one posted. Hope you enjoy! More to come next week when I'm back home. Mucho love from a beach somewhere - Veronica Summers