A/N: Sorry! I know this has been ridiculously long coming but I've been busy with one thing or another, uni life is crazy. And somehow over Christmas it was weird, I never had any free time but I got nothing done. I've also had glandular fever which I'm still sort of recovering from so that's probably part of why I favoured daytime naps over writing and still do, but my boyfriend decided to go out on valentine's day night and I decided, since I'm tired (I do not recommend living on 3-4 hours sleep a night) and it's freezing, wet and horrible out there and my only suitable club attire consists of a mini skirt or dress, not to go. (That and he was going regardless of whether I did) So as a result I sat down and wrote this entire chapter for you. So I hope you like it, once again incredibly sorry about the wait. There is a song at the end. Italics-Jesse, Normal-Beca, Bold-both. Okay, I think that's everything. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think and see you at the bottom.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pitch Perfect or it's characters or the songs etc.

So on with the next chapter...

Chapter 32

She felt Jesse squeeze her hand in support. She looked at him desperately for help. She wasn't sure what to do or say, she opened her mouth to try and make an excuse, knowing this was the kind of time that the wrong things come out, when Aubrey spoke up.

"I don't think now is the time to be having this talk. We all need to focus on the upcoming competition. I'm sure Beca will be able to explain what Carly is talking about after this competition is over." To her great relief there were nods all round the bus as people agreed with Aubrey. She felt her entire body relax. She began to settle down to the journey, going through their routine in her head trying to convince herself that they couldn't do any more.

Fourth Year at Barden

Once it was decided that the ones that were no longer under oath would go to the party, even if it was just to make a statement, there was a rush to get ready, the current Bellas helping the older ones. By the time Beca was putting the finishing touches to her outfit, not that she put nearly as much effort into as the others though more than usual, she was a ball of nerves. She tried to cal, herself down by telling herself that he probably wouldn't be there but she knew it was a lie. He was almost guaranteed to be present. He was practically the host himself. She tried to block out the image of him with that girl. His girlfriend, she had accepted that, sort of. She shivered slightly at the thought. Before she had more time to ponder it there was a knock on her door followed by a group of Bellas dragging her out and across the grass to the Treble house. When they reached and knocked on the door to the Treble house they could hear the music and voices. It was obvious that the party was already in full flow. The door swung open to present two old faces; Bumper and Donald.

"Well, if it isn't the used to be Bellas." Bumper announced loudly to the room. His voice somehow carrying over the noise. Much of the house fell silent, save for the music, and everyone turned to watch as the Bellas made their entrance. Once the last Bella had entered and the door slammed shut behind her the trance seemed to break as everyone returned to their talking and dancing. Beca heard Fat Amy strike up a conversation with Bumper. It should have bothered her for reasons other than the reminded that she couldn't do the same with Jesse. As she scanned the room she noticed two things, the first being that she was suddenly the only one stood scanning the room as the other Bellas had already dispersed into the crowd, the second was the one thing she had been simultaneously looking for and hoping she would find. Over in a one of the corners she could see Jesse with his, girlfriend, and by the looks of it things were getting heated. Through the crowd she couldn't tell whether they were dancing or fighting though. She couldn't help hoping it was the latter. To distract herself she went in search of the alcohol. It was the Treble house party after all. There had to be some somewhere.

When they finally arrived everyone was tense. Noise had virtually ceased about half an hour prior to their arrival as everyone prepared themselves for this competition. Sure they had all competed before but not like this. Not in a mixed group, especially this kind of mixed group; partnered with people they had spent much of their college life hating. Beca took the lead this time, coming from the back and leading everyone off the bus. The walk to the changing rooms was uncomfortable and silent and Beca could almost feel their doubts, and the hostility in some cases. As all the Bellas filed into their changing room Beca felt it was time to give them a much needed pep talk.

"Hey," She started to get their attention, once she had it she continued. "I know everyone probably know by now that I was the one that started this war. And while you don't know the reasons yet you all feel invested in it." She paused to see the confused look on their faces. "I'm not about to tell you all right now, though I will explain everything after the competitions, but that's not the point right now. It's not what's important tonight. We're all here to compete. But that shouldn't be why we do this. It's supposed to be fun. A reunion where we get to see our old friends and meet our successors and predecessors. But more importantly we need to move on. For some of us that war was 7 years ago. Yeah, some pretty bad stuff happened, but that doesn't mean we have to hold on to it. I don't expect you all to forget it or get over it now. What I'm asking is that just for tonight we let it go; we put it all on hold and work together, with the Trebles. It's the only way we can end this war and save our group. What do you say?" She finished her impromptu speech. She watched as a few started to nod, then slowly a cheer started as each Bella joined in, in agreement. "Alright now let's get ready." She finished as she ducked into the crowd to start getting into her outfit for the show.

Fourth Year at Barden

Beca hadn't noticed quite how much she had drank until she reached the bathroom queue to find that maybe she wasn't as stead on her feet as she thought. She had finally turned away from the drinks table when she had discovered Bumper and Amy making out against the wall next to it. While she knew they used to be together it was something she didn't really wish to see. Although Lily and Donald had also looked pretty friendly last time she had seen them. She couldn't help but hate them a small amount for being able to get back with their 'long lost loves' only hours after they had been released from the oath that had forced their break ups. She had seen several familiar faces of older generations of Trebles from her first year. None of them had seemed all that friendly and she knew they had heard what she had done. That had been another attribute to her drinking so much. As she finally got through the queue and out the toilet a little more refreshed she once again spotted the one person she both wanted to see and avoid. She began to wonder why she had come though she still found herself heading straight over to him.

"HEY!" She shouted over the noise as she neared him.

They all filed out of the changing rooms to find the Trebles already out and waiting for them. Their morale also seemed to have lifted and Beca couldn't help but feel that maybe they'd had a pep talk too. All too soon it was time for the performances to start. Any of the songs were newer ones but there were a couple that seemed to have been inspired by their singing rules in the woods with much older songs like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and 'Hold the Line'. Beca had to admit they were going to be tough to beat. As there turn came around and they took their places, Beca and Jesse at the front she felt the familiar feeling of being on stage performing yet also a distinctly final feeling to it and she felt peace in that. As much as she had loved it and as important as it had always been she knew now that it belonged in her past.

Fourth Year at Barden

Jesse turned at the sound of Beca's angry voice.

"You've been avoiding me!" She accused though she wasn't entirely sure why.

"What?" he asked, seemingly a little confused, as he pulled her to a quieter part of the house with less audience; perhaps sensing a fight.

"You've been disappearing all night since I arrived. Avoiding me." She stated though it was perhaps closer to another accusation.

"I haven-" he started to defend, clearly caught off guard.

"I bet it was so you could spend time with that what's-her-face you call your girlfriend!" At this point she knew it was purely the alcohol that was making her react this way, okay maybe she would have thought it anyway but the alcohol was controlling her mouth and her brain at that moment.

"You mean-"

"You were all over each other last time I saw you, sneak off for some alone time?!" she cut him off again.

"What do you care?!" He was starting to get angry too now. "You have no right over what I do or who I do it with! It's been 2 years, she's not a Bella, why do you care?"

"Because I still love you!" She shouted back. He instantly froze and she felt herself sobering up as the realisation of what she had just told him sank in. Jesse took a step towards her and grabbed her hair at the back of her head pulling her in and smashing their lips together. Beca could taste the alcohol on his tongue and knew he probably wasn't much more sober than she was. Still a stray thought stopped her in her tracks and she pulled away. "Your girlfriend..." She began breathlessly.

"We broke up, that's what the fight was about, she wasn't supposed to be here." He whispered huskily, not moving away. Beca nodded slightly before he pulled her back in and she sank into the kiss allowing it to empty her mind and take over, the alcohol doing the rest.

Beca took a deep breath as she prepared to start the duet she and Jesse had picked to sing while another song had been set for the others.

"One, two, one, two, three, four"

"Some love is just a lie of the heart
The cold remains of what began with a passionate start
And they may not want it to end
But it will it's just a question of when
I've lived long enough to have learned
The closer you get to the fire the more you get burned
But that won't happen to us
Cause it's always been a matter of trust"

"I know you're an emotional girl
It took a lot for you to not lose your faith in this world
I can't offer you proof
But you're going to face a moment of truth
It's hard when you're always afraid
You just recover when another belief is betrayed
So break my heart if you must
It's a matter of trust"

"You can't go the distance
With too much resistance
I know you have doubts
But for god's sake don't shut me out"

"This time you've got nothing to lose
You can take it, you can leave it, whatever you choose
I won't hold back anything
And I'll walk away a fool or a king
Some love is just a lie of the mind
It's make believe until its only a matter of time
And some might have learned to adjust
But then it never was a matter of trust"

"I'm sure you're aware love
We've both had our share of believing too long
When the whole situation was wrong"

"Some love is just a lie of the soul
A constant battle for the ultimate state of control
After you've heard lie upon lie
There can hardly be a question of why
Some love is just a lie of the heart
The cold remains of what began with a passionate start"

"But that can't happen to us
Cause it's always been a matter of trust
It's a matter of trust
It's always been a matter of trust
It's a matter of trust
Cause it's always been a matter of trust"

They finished stood hand in hand. Beca felt the familiar thumping of her heart racing as the audience cheered. They all took their bows before exiting the stage to allow the last group to perform. Beca couldn't remember feeling as nervous at the ICCA's as she did now as she watched the last group finish with a strong performance. After a 10 minute break they were all called back on stage to await the announcement of the winner.

Okay, I hope you liked it. The song at the end is 'A Matter of Trust'-Billy Joel. So, who guessed right about graduation. I know there were a lot of flashbacks but we are nearing the end with only 3 chapters left. So, who do you think won? What do you think happened after graduation now? What did you think of the chapter? Yes I'm babbling so, let me know what you think and see you in the next chapter, which hopefully won't be as long a wait. And last but not least; To IMME, thank you for the review and here's the next chapter. And also to Swain64 if you're still here, thank you for the song suggestion. I did listen to some of it, and as you read it crept in though I have to say I love the original by Bonnie Tyler. So thank you everyone and see you soon potentially but I won't get my hopes up so I don't disappoint.