3 weeks later,

Why did Beca end up in what used to be her and Crispin's special place aka the old record store, was beyond her. She was driving home when she found herself taking the turn that led to the store.

"Beca is that you?" a familiar voice called.

"Hey," Beca tilted her head. "Cris," she held a record in her hands tightly.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"What anyone at a record store would be doing. I'm buying grocery," she said sarcastically as she looked back in front of her.

"No, I know you're buying records. I'm just surprised to see you here," he shrugged and started to look through old vinyl records.

"They have cool stuff," she shrugged, tapping the record on her palm.

"They do," he agreed, nodding.

Although it wasn't just them in the store, Beca felt the awkwardness between them. It was hard to ignore the dead air.

"How's work?" Crispin asked after a few minutes.

"Work is good." She pulled a record, smiling when she saw that it was the white album by the Beatles. "You?" she asked.

"It's alright," he sighed. "I'm here for work actually, digging up songs. Production is getting a composer to score like half of the movie, so I don't have a lot of work for this project."

At the word composer, Beca turned on her heels. "A composer?"

"Yeah," he looked up.

"Are they going to interview composers or do they have one already?" she asked.

"They're going to hire a freelance."

"Awesome," she said under breath.

Later that day,

"Jesse, are you home?" Beca asked when she walked into the apartment. She couldn't wait to tell him about the gig.

"Bedroom," he replied. She paced to his room and barged in. "Whoa," she stepped back placing a hand on her eyes. "I'm sorry," she apologized, as she gave him her back, for catching him wearing his boxers.

"You usually knock," he said sounding amused.

Hearing him continue to wear his clothes, she removed her hand. He walked past her and out of his room after he got dressed.

"I ran into Crispin today," she stuffed her hands in her back pockets following him to the kitchen. He nodded hearing her.

"Remember the old record store I told you about?" she asked watching him pull the Formula powder.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"That's where I ran into him," she placed her messenger bag on the counter then took a seat on a stool.

"How awkward was that?" he asked.

"Meeting your ex at what used to be your special place awkward." She deadpanned.

Jesse chuckled, shaking his head at her tone. "Got some new records?" he asked casually.

"I did," she nodded, reaching for her bag. She pulled three out of the four records she bought and held them up for him to see, there was Moondance by Van Morrison, Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival and His N Hers by Pulp, leaving the white album in her bag. She was planning on giving it to him as Christmas present.

"Cool stuff," he said eyeing the records.

"Thanks," she placed them on the counter. "So, Cris told me that production is going to hire a freelance composer for the project he's working on," she rested her arms on her the counter and watched him as he carefully made his daughter's bottle.

She looked inside her messenger bag and pulled a business card then placed it on the counter.

"This has all need to contact the production company." She looked up and was glad when she found him looking at the card. She interlocked her fingers, watching him thoughtfully eye the business card.

"Bec, I appreciate this, but like I told you before I'm done chasing what I can't get," he looked up and forced a smile before he went back to preparing the bottle for Sam.

"You don't think you deserve another shot?" she asked in disbelief, "Look, artist to artist speaking: you're really good. And you won't lose anything if you interview for the gig since don't think you'll get it anyway," She held his gaze until he looked away hearing Sam cry.

Beca decided to not bring it up again. She thought he was a great composer but if he didn't believe in himself in the first place there wasn't much to do. She grabbed her bag and made her way to her room to change as she was going out with Amy.

(At a nightclub.)

"No way," Beca said in surprise.

"What?" Amy questioned, noting to look on Beca's face, she couldn't hear her over the loud music at the night club.

"I'll be right back, Amy," Beca patted her friend's shoulder and started to make her way to the bar where she thought she had seen a familiar face.

Noting the tattoos on the back of his hand and knuckles, she was positive it was the doctor that treated Sam.

He was absentmindedly staring into nothing while resting his arm on the bar.

Reaching the bar, Beca figured he didn't recognize her so ordered a Gin and Tonic for herself.

Luke blinked getting back to reality then tilted his head to pick up his drink and saw Beca. He tapped her shoulder with his drink.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said over the music.

"I thought you didn't recognize me," she told him as she leaned up so that he could hear her.

"I was resting, I didn't notice you."

"You were what?" she asked in puzzlement.

"Resting while my eyes are wide open. Long shifts taught me how to master this skill." He explained.

She took a sip from her drink when the bartender placed it for her.

"Well, nice seeing you but I came with a friend, so—" she motioned with her thumb behind her.

"Okay," he nodded. "Pleasure meeting you, again."

She was surprised he didn't ask for her number so she decided to take matters into her hands. "We should hang out sometime," she said.

"Why don't you give your number and perhaps we could have coffee?" he asked, flashing her his signature half smile.

"Sure," she shrugged.

When she got home later that night, Beca went to check if Jesse took the business card she left for him and was glad when she didn't find it.

Jesse informed her the next day that he decided to give it a shot. He didn't have anything to lose. Beca could see that he was excited although he was acting like he wasn't, and was happy for him.

The day of the interview Beca told him she'd babysit Sam for him so that he wouldn't have to make trips to his parents place. She had nowhere to be and secretly liked Sam's company more than she led him to believe.

Beca was laying on the couch mixing while Sam played on the floor her when she got a call from Chloe.

"I'm listening your song ON THE RADIO!" Chloe exclaimed when Beca picked up.

"Yeah it's still in the top 10," Beca informed her. It was a surprise that her song was still on the billboard after 3 weeks.

"Oh my god, Beca!" Chloe sounded beyond happy for her friend.

"I know, it's weird," Beca said.

"It's awesome."

"Yeah, it is," Beca agreed, smiling to herself.

"When will the whole album release?" Chloe asked.

"Three months from now, I think."

"Oh, okay… Bec, I got some news," Chloe started to say.

"Shoot,"

"I might be moving to L.A, soon,"

"Wow, really? That is awesome," Beca sat up.

"I said might. I got an offer to teach kids how to sing in a program for underprivileged kids."

"That's really cool. But what about Tom, what does he think?"

"He's the reason why this is just a possibility," Chloe sighed, "As great as this opportunity is, I just can't drag him to California."

"Chloe, he's a blogger. I'm pretty sure that moving to Los Angeles won't affect his work,"

"It's not about his job. He's gonna leave his friends behind and move a place he doesn't even like."

"Well, I hope you move here because I'm selfish and I'd like to have my best friend in town."

"We're still talking about it. We'll see how this turns out,"

"Speaking of news, I did something that I'm starting to regret," Beca said after a beat as she eyed Sam.

"Did you do some hardcore drug?"

"No, I—"

"—Slept with your boss?"

"What? Ew. No." Beca exclaimed, "I slept with Jesse."

"Your roommate Jesse?"

"No, Jessie J." Beca rolled her eyes, "Of course Jesse my roommate."

"That was expected,"

"Really?"

"Yeah… Why are you starting to regret it?"

"I feel like it's gonna ruin what we have. Like, we only did it to put an end to the sexual tension between us." Beca said, trailing off.

"And you still want to bed him," Chloe concluded.

Beca huffed because her friend was correct, "Maybe I'm overreacting but he looks at me differently… He didn't do anything, though," she shrugged.

"When did you hook up?"

"Three weeks ago,"

"Was it worth risking your friendship?"

"I was walking funny for a couple of days because of it ," Beca said, letting Chloe draw her own conclusion.

She heard Chloe chuckle on the other end of the line.

Beca sighed then smiled when Sam crawled to her. "Hold on a sec, Chloe," Beca placed her phone aside and closed her laptop then helped Sam up on the couch.

"Is that a baby I'm hearing?" Chloe asked hearing Sam squeal as Beca pressed the phone to her ear.

"Yeah, I'm babysitting Jesse's kid," Beca watched Sam she got comfortable in her arms.

"You. Babysitting?" Chloe said in mock shock. "Did your roommate lose his mind?"

"Shut up," Beca laughed, looking down at Sam.

"What are you going to do about her dad?" Chloe asked.

"Nothing," Beca leaned against the couch.

"If you really like him, date him," Chloe suggested casually.

"No. You see, we have friendship and lust. Mixing these two will really mess things up, and confuse the hell out of me eventually." Beca explained.

"Lust? So it's purely sexual?"

"Yep," Beca answered sounding unsure. "Hey, gotta go," Beca looked up when the front door opened and Jesse stepped in.

"Okay," Beca heard Chloe say before she hung up on her.

"How did it go?" Beca got up, holding Sam close to her.

"I blew it," Jesse shrugged. He was pissed at himself and frustrated but was trying not to show it.

Beca watched him as he rubbed the back of his neck while looking out of a window before pacing to his room. She followed him while still holding Sam in her arms. She peeked her head inside the room. He was sitting on the bed holding his head and didn't look up when she sat next to him.

"This is my fault," Beca said.

"No, it's not," he ran a hand over his face before he looked up, "It's not your fault that I'm not good enough," he shrugged.

"No, it actually is," she disagreed, "If I didn't tell you about the fucking gig you wouldn't be feeling like shit right now,"

"Baby in the room," he reminded her.

"Sorry," she apologized and held Sam up, "Here, cuddle up. It'll help."

Jesse laughed in spite of himself. He took Sam from her and laid on his back.

"Hey baby," he rubbed her back.

"Dada," she held his face.

"Yeah, dada," Jesse sighed.

Beca left the room, feeling like shit for making Jesse go on this job interview.

Later that night,

Jesse had just put Sam to bed and was getting out of her room when he bumped into Beca who was walking in.

"Sorry," she whispered and stepped back, holding a record in her hands.

"What's that," he pointed at it.

"I got it for you the other day, um, I was gonna give to you on Christmas, but here you go." She handed him the white album she purchased. She hoped the album would get his mind off how he was feeling.

He took it from her as he pulled the door. "Thank you," he threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her to him before he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"The record number isn't that low," she informed him.

"I don't care about how old it is," he removed his arm from around her shoulder.

"Wanna listen to it?" she asked, offering to let him use her turntable.

"Yeah," he shrugged, following her into her bedroom.

"I can see you're still feeling like shit," she said, watching him place the record on the turntable.

"I'm fine," he turned on his heels as 'Back In the U.S.S.R.' started playing.

"No, you're not," she sat on the bed. "And since it's my fault tell me, what can I do to help?" she asked.

"I told you, Bec, it's not your fault," he sat next to her.

"Actually, it is. So, what can I do for you?"

"Would you do anything?" he asked suggestively.

"No, you pervert," she slapped his shoulder.

"I'm kidding." He looked up, "Thanks, Beca, but it's okay," he smiled at her.

"What do you usually do to cheer up?" she asked.

"I watch movies," he shrugged.

"Cool, let's watch one then. Got a favorite we could stream on demand or on Netflix?" she asked.

"I got favorites." He rested his hands on the bed, relaxing a little.

"Well, pick one and I'll watch it with you."

"Are you offering to watch a movie with me or am I hallucinating?"

"Not like I haven't seen a movie with you before," she shrugged.

"But you never offered," he smiled.

"I am offering now, so make it count." She patted his thigh.

"Oh, I love this one," he said when 'dear prudence' started to play. Jesse closed his eyes and started to sing along softly as he threw his head back.

"Me too," Beca said then realized she was rubbing his thigh when Jesse opened one eye to look at her hand. She removed her hand and awkwardly stared ahead of her, feeling Jesse's gaze on her. He stopped singing then sat up. "Let's watch The Breakfast Club," he nudged her.

"Okay," she nodded then got up, "I'm going make popcorn," she said over her shoulders.

Jesse laid on the bed and continued to listen to 'dear prudence' and hum along then got out of her room after turning the turntable off.

Beca made sure to keep her distance from Jesse by placing the popcorn bowl between them.

At some point in the movie, they reached for popcorn at the same time. She pulled her hand as if she had just gotten burned.

"You okay?" Jesse asked

"Yeah," she nodded, grabbing a handful of popcorn and stuffing it into her mouth. She couldn't wait for the movie to end so that she could go and masturbate her sexual frustration away.

"No, you're not," he sat up and paused the movie.

"Admit you're still feeling awful for how bad your job interview went." She said to get him off of her back then sat up and watched him frown. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I should have said that,"

"I went in fully expecting not getting the job but I couldn't help the frustration I felt, and that pissed me off," he clenched his jaw.

Beca put the bowl on the coffee table and scooted closer to him, carefully placing her hand on his shoulder.

"You hate that you still want to work as a composer?" she asked and watched him nod, "Well, it is your dream job. You're not gonna wake up one day stop wanting it," She shrugged.

He tilted his head and eyed her and was surprised when she moved her hand and rested on the back of his neck. Rubbing her thumb against his skin, she chuckled in spite of herself. "Um, Jesse you should do something because I hate politics so much,"

"Politics?" he mumbled as he stared at her lips.

"mmhm," she nodded.

Politics' supposed to be their safe word ie the word they'd say whenever they felt like blurring the lines of friendship.

"I don't want to do anything," he shrugged. "Except maybe kiss you, but that's a bad idea."

"Totally," she agreed.

Jesse leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, waiting for her to pull away, and to his surprise, she hesitantly kissed him then climbed on his lap when he cupped her face, kissing her back.

She felt him as he got harder and knew she should stop but didn't because she didn't want to.

She pulled away to catch her breath and recognized the look in his eyes because she's seen it before.

"Beca, I—"

"Don't move," she breathlessly cut him off as she got up and paced away coming back seconds later with a condom in her hand. She tossed the condom on the coffee table then slipped off her sweatpants.

Jesse hated himself a little for turning off the lights himself before they started watching the movie because you can't watch a movie unless it's dark.

AN: So, sex is gonna happen, duh. It's not graphic nor very detailed or anything, and is important plot development wise. I thought I'd give you a heads-up, in case you'd rather not read a sex scene. I highly doubt it but I don't know if there are any 13 year-olds reading this. So yeah, jump to right after my next note if you ain't on board for sex stuff.

Sitting back on his lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, kissing him while rubbing herself against the fabric of his jeans.

"Can I touch your boobs?" he mumbled against her lips.

"Sweatshirt stays on," she pulled away briefly then chuckled at the disappointment on his face. "I'm sorry but the room isn't that dark," she said before finding his lips again, moaning when he cupped her breasts. She unbuttoned his shirt and helped him removed it then reached for the condom before unzipped his jeans. He groaned and took the condom from her then helped her lay down on the couch before he stood up.

She removed her panties while he put on the condom.

Beca took off her sweatshirt, staying only a bra and tried not to look at his dick. She didn't need mental pictures. It was dark but the TV was illuminating enough for her to see.

He leaned in and kissed her while massaging her breasts.

"Jesse, please?" she mumbled, feeling his chest.

He nodded and slowly parted her legs.

She audibly gasped when he entered her. He kept eye contact and rested his hand on the couch for support as he thrust. The way he was looking at her made her feel warmness in her stomach. She knew the feeling very well and also knew that it was bad news. Holding his gaze was hard and overwhelming so she forced her eyes shut.

"You okay?" he asked, "Am I hurting you?" Jesse rested his hand on her cheek.

"I'm fine, don't stop," she opened her eyes.

He nodded, frowning a little then tucked some locks behind her ear and leaned in and kissed her briefly. She took a deep breath then pushed him up and climbed on his lap when she couldn't keep looking into his eyes. It felt like he was making love to her and it was quite confusing.

"Wow," he breathed out as she rode him steadily, "Bec, I don't think I can hold for long," he said as he threw his head back and squeezed her thigh. He rocked his hips in a way they moved in sync.

"Almost there," she answered as she clenched his hair. Her knees were killing her but it was worth not having to look at him straight in the eye. He must have noticed because he swiftly laid her down and crushed his lips against hers and kept thrusting, grunting as her moans got louder with each thrust until she screamed his name. He rested his head on the crook of her neck, moaning her name as he came inside of her.

AN: Baba Booey.

They laid on the couch for several minutes until Jesse got up, picked up his boxers from the floor and started to make his way to his room to get rid of the condom. Beca sat up and stole a glance at his bare ass as walked past her bedroom, (She forgot to turn the lights off after getting the condom.) She then adjusted her bra and reached for her panties and wore them back then walked to the kitchen, and pulled a beer and made her way back to the living area, trying to wrap her mind around what had happened.

They're friends and not fuck buddies nor were they more than friends. She knew it, he knew it so why did she feel like it wasn't just sex?

She decided that it was because she hasn't been dating for a while and that Jesse was kind and caring. And if she was being honest, they sometimes acted like a couple. Yep, that was it. That's what confused her. She took a seat on the armchair, feeling a sense of relief that she found an explanation.

Hearing her phone chime, she leaned over and picked up from the coffee table then looked up when Jesse walked back to the living area, wearing sweatpants.

"Can we talk?" he asked as he took a seat on the couch, running his fingers through his hair.

"Just a sec," she said as she unlocked her phone's screen to read the text she got.

"Okay," Jesse rubbed his knuckles, thinking.

'Hi, if you're free tomorrow can I take you out for dinner?' she read Luke's text.

"What's up?" he asked when she kept staring at her phone.

"Remember the doctor? Your nemesis?" she asked without looking up.

"Yeah," he watched her type back a reply.

"He just asked me out on a date." She looked up after hitting send.

"Did you say yes?" he asked.

"Yep." She nodded and watched him as rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from her.

"We should work on our self-control," she tossed her phone on her coffee table.

"Yeah, self-control," he nodded, sounding different.

"You alright?" she asked.

"Yep," he tilted his head and looked at her. "Have fun on your date," he picked up his jeans and shirt and got up.

"You don't wanna finish the movie?" she asked, trying to read him. She didn't get why he was acting weird.

"I'll be back in a second, um, I forgot to wear a t-shirt." He said over his shoulder.

She reached for sweatpants and wore them back before she picked up her sweatshirt and wore back.

Jesse took more than a minute before he came back. He looked like he washed his face.

"I'm gonna make more popcorn," he said as he made his way to the kitchen.

"You said you wanted to talk," she followed him to the kitchen.

"I was going to tell that we should find a way to stop sleeping with each other," he shrugged. "I guess, now that you're gonna go out with the doctor he'll keep you busy and you won't need me to occasionally fulfill your needs." He deadpanned.

"I'm just going on a date with him," she frowned.

When he didn't say anything back, she shrugged and made her way back to the living area.

They continued to watch the movie in silence. It wasn't awkward, but it felt weird not to hear Jesse drop random trivia along the movie.

Beca occasionally stole glances at him. He was intensely watching the movie and mouthing the lines. She leaned against him and he threw his arm over her shoulder, absentmindedly placing a kiss on her forehead.

He sighed loudly when they got to the end and 'don't you forget about me' started playing.

"This is the greatest ending to any movie ever." He started to say. "This song launched Simple Minds in the US. Could have been a Billy ldol song, but he turned it down. Idiot. Perfectly sums up the movie. It`s equally beautiful and sad.

Beca felt happy when he talked to her. "That is fascinating." She looked at him: he was concentrated on the movie.

"Right?" he glanced at her.

"Tell me, what does Judd Nelson eat for breakfast?" Beca asked.

"Oh, well, like all misunderstood rebels, he feeds on hypocrisy," Jesse answered her, sounding more like himself.

"Sure," Beca smiled.

"And black coffee to help with his morning dumps."

"You`re an idiot." She chuckled softly. He shrugged and rubbed her arm, clenching his fist when Bender threw his in the air.

AN: I'm gonna elaborate Jesse's reaction in the next chapter. I think it's pretty obvious and I'd like to hear what you think is up with him.