A/N: Hey guys! Here is chapter nine featuring complications (one gets mentioned and the other actually shows up). One will sooner or later get surgically removed, the other might stick around for a while.

Songs in this chapter are 'Wonderwall' by Oasis (I know, this song has made too many appearances in my fics but I love this song, okay!?), and 'You and I Both' by Jason Mraz.

On the bright side, Luke finds love?

I don't own pitch perfect

Stacie entered the bar and like always, there she was, on the stool towards the right corner, talking to the bar tender. "Hey Beca." Stacie greeted as she sat down right next to her and ordered her usual drink.

They've been doing this every Thursday now for the past month. Just her and Beca. Stacie was shocked when she got the first call from Beca asking her to grab a drink and taking her up on her initial offer. If she needed a friend, she would be there, and Stacie has never failed before.

She couldn't help but find it funny though that they keep meeting every Thursday night. It was just like their Barden days all over again, except that dinner was now replaced with a few drinks and the pub menu. Except that Amy wasn't exactly there either.

Well, at least not there with them the past few Thursdays.

"Hey Stace. So… where is Amy?" Beca then said, switching her phone after answering an email. Stacie would ask but Beca keeps mum on anything related to her work.

"She'll be here. Trust me, she misses you so much too. I think she's just trying to send Bumper off somewhere." Stacie replied. "So, you told me Luke was planning to visit?"

"Yeah, he said he had to work during Christmas so he'll be here before that. He's coming in next week."

"Cool. We should totally invite him for our ladies night." Stacie said and Beca made a face with the notion that their regular pub nights were actually their weird version of ladies night. Stacie couldn't help but laugh and point out what she meant when Amy finally walked in and zeroed in on Beca, hugging her tightly from behind.

Beca made an 'Oof' sound before Stacie gave Amy a look and the blonde Australian finally let her go. "Sorry, still emotional is all." Amy commented just before actively zipping her mouth shut, Stacie glaring at her.

They could talk about anything and everything in the world, not just Chloe. Not just Beca and Chloe. And not just anything that is at all in anyway related to those said topics.

"It's nice to see you again Amy." Beca then said after recomposing herself.

"The same can be said to you, Shawshank. Although I'm a little hurt you two have been having your secret rendezvous without me."

"You don't live in the city Amy, besides, I thought you were just visiting?" Beca replied.

"I am. But Bumpy and I are hoping to move back States-side soon." Amy replied and Stacie had to restrain herself from gagging at Amy's affectionate nickname for Bumper.

Amy sat down next to Stacie and ordered herself a drink, giving precise instructions to the bartender on how to make it.

And pretty soon it was much like their old days at Barden. The past Thursdays it was just mostly Stacie and Beca and they both talked about the most trivial things, just trying to get to know each other again.

Now it felt more familiar. Amy and Stacie would seamlessly take over the conversation, and Beca sat there listening, commenting on a few things. She would bring up a topic on her own at some point, and Stacie would exchange knowing looks with Amy, smiles on their faces.

They were letting Beca be on her own, giving her the space that she needed. And Beca, she was mending on her own. She was still the same Beca they got to know, and getting the chance to know her all over again brought back a sense of nostalgia to the two Bellas, although Stacie had to admit she didn't miss the tension between Beca and Aubrey back then.

Speaking of, though, it truly felt like they were back to the good old days with the exception that none of them brought up Chloe at all. But they could see it. They've known Beca well enough to know that there was something she's been meaning to ask or say. That she wanted to know how Chloe was.

"She's okay, Beca. Not peachy but you know." Stacie finally said as they made their way out of the bar a few god hours later. Beca nodded silently and ran a finger through her hair.

"Thanks Stacie." she said earnestly. "Um, hey, since Luke's coming next week and Amy isn't leaving until after Christmas, do you guys, um, well, want to have a quick tour of where I work?"

"For real Shorty? Because once we say yes, there's no turning back." Amy immediately said and Beca chuckled.

"Yeah, for real. You can bring uh, Bumper? Right? That's his name? Yeah, with you. And if Stacie wants to bring Aubrey…"

Stacie's eyes opened wide and shook her head. "Let's keep it small for now."

"Yeah, I'll find a way to keep Bumper busy without me." Amy then said.

"Maybe he can hang out with Aubrey?" Beca offered.

To which Stacie and Amy both burst out laughing. "Yeah, no, not going to happen Beca. Totally bad idea." Stacie then said before giving Beca a quick hug. "We'll see you around, okay?"

"Yeah, sounds good." Beca replied, before Amy took her turn to give her a tight embrace.

"She's finding a way to start again, huh?" Amy then asked once Beca had gone. "Do you ever think things would ever go back to the way they were?"

"Maybe. Lately I'm just thankful for what we have." Stacie replied and shrugged. "We'll see you at dinner tomorrow?"

"Of course you will. I'll make sure Bumper's on his best behavior." Amy the replied before parting ways with Stacie too.

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now

Beca ran a hand through her hair. The heaviness she's feeling had slowly been lifting the past few weeks. She's having fun talking with Stacie, at least she's got a friend here too. And now Amy's there too. For a good while at least. Luke and Emily may be far but they keep in touch, Beca's been thankfully counting the days for Luke to come and visit too. She's just glad that the day had come.

Beca had been busy working on a few projects and she's been thankful for it. It keeps her mind off of Chloe. She's also been thankful just to hear that Chloe was okay.

'Okay' was a light word to use but 'okay' was better than anything that would denote a terrible state. 'Okay' meant healing.

"I was wondering why you wanted to meet here." Luke said, slumping down next to Beca on the couch she was sitting on. "Discovering new talent?"

"Something like that." Beca replied as she sipped on her cup of coffee. They were at a little café not far from central park. Every Wednesday night or so, they hold an open mic night and a fresh faced singer had been wowing the crowd. Beca heard, and Beca's been watching his performances for the past three weeks. "He's pretty good. I like the song choice too."

"I would assume you do." Luke replied with a smile. "The flight's good by the way, thanks for asking."

"I didn't ask." was Beca's reply, her attention still on the performer and his song.

"Exactly my point."

Back beat, the word is on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now

"So, uh, tomorrow I'm hanging out with Stacie and Amy at the bar near my place." Beca started to say.

Luke smiled. "Are you now? I guess somethings never change, Becky." He commented in his natural smug tone. "Am I invited?"

"Of course you are. Why do you think I'm telling you this?" Beca retorted. "Anyways, I was planning to show you around my office and studio. So I extended the offer to them too."

Luke was beaming this time around and Beca couldn't hide the mix of amusement and annoyance she had with his stupid smirk. "Things falling into place then? That's good."

"Enough about me Luke. Why don't you brag about your amazing success? I know you've been dying to. So tell me, how's work?"

"Well, considering I just interviewed the man you're working with on his next album, I say good." Luke then said with a light smile and Beca couldn't help but smiling too.

The world was turning again when once it had stopped.

Except for one last thing haunting her.

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don't know how

Luke was staying at a nearby hotel, not wanting to 'inconvenience' Beca by staying at her flat.

Which of course meant that he was back to his old ways with the ladies, but to each his own.

Once home Beca found that the song was still stuck in her head, for some reason her thoughts kept circling back to some radio program and song requests. "I should probably ask Luke about that." she muttered to herself, remembering that she once was a radio DJ at Barden, or so her friends said, and that might be of relative importance.

But Beca was tired. The days were long, and the nights even longer. She didn't mind, it was a part of the success she had been actively reaching.

If only her thoughts didn't always go back to some certain redhead every now and then.

Luke had said that Ghost was fine. At least the dog was enjoying his new space, Luke having moved to a bigger flat closer to the heart of the city. He's become an overnight sensation – or should she say day? – and picking up many listeners on his radio show and interviewing big names in the music industry too.

But that meant that he's getting less and less chance to see Chloe, who seemed to be moving on with her life too.

Which was good, moving on in a sense of things.

Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall

But the song from earlier was now stuck in her head with thoughts of Chloe filling her mind. Funny how she said she had to let Chloe go, set her free, and yet it would seem that she herself wasn't free of her, as if something had a tight clutch on her heart reminding her that she could never escape it. The thoughts of Chloe or the silent beating of her heart with the way she made her feel.

Maybe, maybe it's because Chloe was her wonderwall?

Beca wasn't sure, and she didn't know the answer.

But maybe one day she will.

"Luke! Oh my God, I've missed you so much!" Amy said, instantly jumping into Luke's arms and giving him a tight hug.

"Are you going to attack everyone you haven't seen for a while like that? I heard from Beca you crushed the wind right out of her lungs." Luke had joked as soon as Amy had let her go. Amy gave him a look that gave him the obvious answer before turning to face Stacie. "Lovely seeing you again Ms. Conrad. How's your terrifying when she's angry girlfriend doing?" Luke then asked.

"She's fine thanks for asking. Not so mad at you anymore I'd guess considering she wants me to invite you to dinner before you leave." Stacie replied with a chuckle before giving Luke a hug herself.

"I'll think about it." Luke then replied before turning to face the building before them. "So, should we just crash in and enter? I say crash in and enter. Beca said she'll send someone to get us when she's ready but I like surprises more." he said with a wink.

"Plus we can always snoop around and figure out the secrets behind Beca's work. She's keeping a tight lip about the people she's worked with the past months." Amy then said.

"Yeah, what's up with that?"

"You mean to tell me she didn't tell you she's working with Justin on his new album?" Luke answers oh-so nonchalantly as they made it through the lobby with no problem, Beca having told the receptionist that she's expecting guests today.

"Wait, Justin who? B or T?" Amy then asked specifically. "There's a difference on how we're going to react I hope you know."

Luke smiled knowingly and kept quiet about it until they reached Beca's floor, her office door opened to make sure she could get a view of everyone working for her, see that they're working hard and not just fooling around.

Stacie and Amy's chatter and speculations ended when they saw the said Justin walk out of Beca's office, still talking to the DJ.

"Again, just wanted to give you my personal thanks. The tracks we worked on sound awesome. I'll see you around Mitchell." Justin said.

Beca chuckled and waved goodbye as the one and only Justin Timberlake walked past Luke, Stacie and Amy. He gave a courteous nod at their direction, an action that Luke reciprocated with a nod of their own, as the two ladies watched the superstar walk into the elevator with his people and leave.

And in exactly three seconds Stacie and Amy completely filled the floor with their screaming.

"Guys, guys, would you calm down." Beca then said, highly amused by their antics. Luke couldn't help but laugh as the two former Bellas chorused, asking Beca the essential questions about working with Justin, about the songs she produced for his album, and all.

And of course Beca kept quiet about it all.

Instead she ushered her friends to her office, showed the view of the city she has from there, before giving her the grand tour of her studio.

Luke was mostly just soaking it in. Stacie quite amazed by it. Amy was running around all over asking if Justin touched this or that before 'soaking up his remaining essence' to which Beca wasn't quite sure of how to respond.

"Well at least you guys aren't clumsy. Remind me to keep an eye out for Legacy when I show her around. Emily's pretty and talented but she's clumsy as hell." Beca then said as she slumped down her swivel chair, giving it a quick spin.

To which Luke, Stacie, and Amy all froze and turning their full attention back to Beca.

Did she just… she said Legacy… didn't she? Luke thought.

It was a slip. It could be just a slip.

And Beca stared at them confused by their bewildered looks. "What? It's true, Emily is pretty clumsy." she said to them, completely missing the point.

Yeah, it was just a slip. But a slip nonetheless. Amy was quick to recover but Luke and Stacie exchanged looks, both dying to ask Beca if she even realized it.

But just as Luke was prompted by Stacie to speak up, they were interrupted. A tall girl, a bit morena with dark brown hair walked into the studio, her soft brown eyes completely mesmerizing. She looked up and spared Amy, Stacie, and himself a quick glance before turning to Beca to address her. "So turns out that kid you've been keeping an eye out on still isn't represented by anyone. I say we swoop in before anyone else does."

Beca nodded thoughtfully and before she could properly introduce her assistant to her friends Luke decided to step in and waste any time. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Walker. Ah, Luke Walker. I'm Becky's – I mean Beca's – step-brother." Luke quickly said, trying not to stammer.

The girl nodded. "Kaelyn. Kaelyn St. Anna." she said before turning back to Beca. "So I'm guessing you're busy for the rest of the day?"

"Yeah. I know you've got things covered so I'm not worried." Beca said with a pleading smile and Kaelyn sighed.

"Uh, I don't maybe she deserves a break Beca? Kaelyn looks like a hard working employee." Luke started to say.

"She's my assistant." Beca corrected.

"Right, well, I'm saying, won't she like to join us, maybe? You know, for the drinks at the bar?" Luke then continued to say.

"I think I can catch up with you guys later. We pretty much have a light schedule today, just a few things of importance really." Kaelyn then said before giving Beca a look to which her step-sister simply shrugged.

Luke smiled and nodded. "Hope to see you later, yeah?" he asked and Kaelyn nodded. Once her assistant was gone, Amy wasted no time in teasing Luke for acting funny.

"Does everyone in your family act like that when they see someone they really, really like?"

"Oh shut up." Luke replied, covering his face with his hands.

The purpose of his visit was to visit Beca and see some of her friends. Not Beca's assistant.

But you know what they say about the unexpected…

It's been what? Four months?

And it still feels like a massive black hole exits in her chest.

She's moving forward, barely. With whatever strength she had left.

She was facing tomorrows one day at a time.

But life without Beca… she just never thought of that to be possible. Not even when she was faced by the possibility that she could have died with her accident.

But this, this was a different kind of dying.

Aubrey was there to nurse her back, but try as she may no wounds could ever be closed. They leave permanent scars.

But she knew she can't waste away forever, she knows Aubrey won't let her hear the end of it if she does. And as painful as it may be, she does see it.

Beca had a point.

The first month was impossible.

The second she realized that despite the pain in her chest she was starting to be able to breathe again. She cleaned up their apartment, placed every trace that Beca left behind in a box that she kept in the back of her closet, not knowing what to do with it exactly.

The third she tried smiling again. She wanted to ask Luke whenever she saw him how Beca was doing, but Chloe knew she needed to heal on her own.

Some days, she gets by. She puts a smile on her face and tackles on the day with all her strength. She lets herself tire down, the only way she really could sleep in the night, back in her room, back on her bed. Because the sheets, they still had Beca's scent. Because everything seemed to be tainted with it and only when she doesn't think of it anymore because she had no energy to do so does she get any peace.

And the fourth month?

The fourth month was knowing that there was something missing in her life but she was being able to function again. Her head getting the clarity she needed, finally getting Beca's point. She was stuck in just going on about everything to make Beca's life better while she adjusted to her new reality that she had stopped living her own life.

It was all about Beca.

And though Beca had to break her heart, she wasn't mad.

In a way Chloe felt like that was the only way that Beca could show her she cared too.

But what happens next?

They haven't spoken since then, and it felt like they were starting up their own lives now. Without each other. Chloe wanted to be hopeful, but the last time she was, her worst nightmares came true.

She doesn't really know what to do.

Cause you and I both loved
What you and I spoke of
And others just read of
And if you could see me now
Well I'm almost finally out of
I'm finally out of
Finally deedeedeedee
Well I'm almost finally, finally
Well I'm free, oh, I'm free

Chloe heard the voice echoing through the halls of the school she worked in. She finally found who it belonged to when she reached the music room. The new drama teacher, Elias Moore, if she remembers his name correctly, was still there, strumming the strings on the old guitar, playing a song and singing along.

Elias noticed her immediately and placed the guitar down. "Hey. You're Chloe Beale right? I don't think we've been properly introduced before. I'm Mr. Moore, but please call me Eli." he said in his rather smooth and gentle manner.

"Good to finally meet you Eli." Chloe said before turning around to leave.

"Uh, hey um, wait. Ms. Beale. Chloe!" Eli said, running after here. "Truth is I was kind of just waiting for you. See I wanted to talk to you about maybe doing a collaboration between the music club and the drama club for the Christmas play."

"You couldn't have waited tomorrow?"

"Well, it's the end of the workday, and if you're not busy now…" Eli said. "Maybe we can talk about it over coffee?"

"I don't know about coffee." Chloe said, hesitating.

"Come on Chloe, what do you have to lose? Besides, I'm still new around and I have yet to find a good coffee place around town."

Chloe gave a nervous chuckle. "I suppose it can't be helped then." she said, Eli's words reaching through her.

She's already lost everything.

So what more does she have to lose?