A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for the wait! Oh boy am I looking forward to the next chapter (will try to get it up by Friday since it would be a bit long) :3

But anyways, here is chapter 22 featuring Beca and Chloe running into each other various times in their 'busy' week in LA.

Plus the return of a former nemesis turned friend and jealous Chloe?

Songs featured are 'Baby Can I Hold You' by Tracy Chapman (also has a version by Boyzone and Ronan Keating by himself); 'Baby be Mine' by LFO; 'Water under the Bridge' by Adele; and 'Waiting' by Beyonce ft. Ne-Yo (it's an unreleased song, I think Ne-Yo originally wrote it – check the full song out on YouTube, it's worth it).

I don't own pitch perfect.

The next two months have been busy for Beca.

Sure, she actually enjoyed being toppled over by the Bellas tackling her down when they came for Emily's graduation at Barden. She used to hate it, really, but now she welcomed it. And she knew for certainty that it was because once upon a time she had let Chloe Beale come storming into her life.

Scratch that. She never 'let' Chloe do that, she did it on her own and Beca stood helpless and in awe as she watched the redhead with all her grace and beauty break down her walls and let the sun shine through, brightening up her days endlessly.

She had returned to her usual ways with Chloe, keeping in touch though messages and calls. Despite successfully moving back to LA and being much closer to her friends and family, she still rarely saw any of them. She saw Luke and Emily a lot because of work, but that was mostly it.

Ah, yes, work. It was the one thing that kept Beca busy, but she figured the sooner she establishes things and get them done, the sooner she could focus on her life too. It was the first step she was taking to reorganize everything and get things back on track.

With her connections and support from them, Beca was slaving away with starting her new label. Emily's been wrestling with the decision if she wanted to be an artist or not, and Beca respected her enough to make that decision on her own. For now, she was sort of Beca's protégé. No, she wasn't into the producing music business, but she's learning from her cousin. And Emily continued her song writing hobby and putting was now putting it into good use. Beca also tapped Kaelyn's help as well as Cynthia Rose in terms of building their talent. Kaelyn was once again Beca's expert assistant and both Cynthia Rose and Emily collaborated on some projects to speed things along. Meanwhile, Beca kept tapping into old and new artists she discovered and kept discovering. Some of her industry friends still clamoring for her to produce a track for them.

There was her steady DJ gig too. And while that was a constant, the Bellas weren't always able to make it during the nights she performed at the club, with her friends being busy with their own work and personal life too.

Yep, Beca's been slaving away with work, that's why that day she found herself wholly convinced she deserved some rest and headed out exploring the neighborhood.

Though in the end she was basically halfway between her neighborhood and Chloe, Aubrey, and Stacie's neighborhood.

That's how she found herself at the record store, skimming through a few albums when she spotted the unmistakable profile of a certain Chloe Beale, standing not far away to the left side of the store.

Beca smiled to herself, her mind going back to a day not so long ago when she found herself at a record store, Chloe singing her a song to convince her to forgive her and the Bellas after the Regionals mess.

I love you
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like I love you I love you

And as luck would have it the song playing was the same one that Chloe started singing out loudly.

But you can say baby
Baby can I hold you tonight
Maybe if I told you the right words
Ooh, at the right time you'd be mine

Beca slowly made her way through the aisles, smirk on her face, before stopping just right next of Chloe, pretending to be skimming through the same records Chloe was looking at.

Chloe eventually noticed the DJ standing right next to her and smiled without turning to face her. She cleared her throat "They have interesting stuff in the store, don't you think?"

"I think the people who frequent it is more interesting." Beca replied still smirking, keeping her eyes fixed on what was in front of her instead of at Chloe.

"Oh? Didn't know you frequent this place too. What did you say your name was again?"

Beca chuckled. "Beca, Beca Mitchell. I was actually just here looking to run into a friend of mine, gorgeous redhead, beautiful blue eyes… maybe you've seen her?" she replied and Chloe laughed.

"Okay, fine, you've got me with the compliments Mitchell." Chloe then said. "What brings you here though? Last time I check, Kaelyn started trying to schedule the Bellas coming to see you because you're supposed to be busy."

"I'm playing hooky." Beca announced with a straight face. "Seriously though, feeling a bit tired and just decided to go around and all."

"You should have called." Chloe replied. "I know how to have fun." Chloe said with a wink before turning to head towards the exit without buying anything.

"Didn't find what you were looking for?" Beca asked, chasing after you.

"I did." Chloe replied knowingly with a smile on her face. "Come on, there's this nice little café in the corner, they have the best cheesecakes."

Beca smirked. "Is this you inviting me for a coffee date?"

"I wouldn't call it a date. Stacie and Bree were planning to head there and I was supposed to meet up with them in the first place." Chloe explained. "But the cheesecakes can wait if you have anything else in mind."

"Nothing else really. I'm taking you up with your offer this time Beale." Beca replied and they soon found themselves falling into their usual flow of things. At the back of Beca's head, she knew there were still a few things she needed to talk with Chloe about, there was still the whole coming clean about her memories.

But with everything life was throwing them, keeping them busy as they respectively chased away their dreams, Beca figured she could wait.

Timing was everything after all.

"Mitchell I need your honest to God help here!" Stacie complained all the while Beca tried to strain her ears, listening to some guy playing on his guitar on the corner of the street. They were seated on the outside patio of a café near Beca's office. It was one of the times the DJ was free and so Stacie took the chance.

If only Beca would stop thinking about work.

I know you know that I care about you girl
And I want you in my world
So baby be mine
And you know I know that you care about me too
So tell me what you wanna do
Baby be mine

"Is it the song and the lyrics of the song or the singer?" Stacie then asked with a sigh, resigning to her Fate.

"Maybe a bit of both." Beca commented absent-mindedly. "Sorry, you were saying." she then said, shaking her head and focusing her attention on Stacie.

"I said, would you help me? Amy's already helping out but, you know, wouldn't hurt to have the Beca Mitchell touch to things."

"Come on Stacie, I'm the one who needs your help most of the days." Beca started to say but Stacie gave her an intense stare down.

"Exactly, I think you'd owe me one. On that note, Chloe definitely deserves to know that stupid little incident of yours, so when are you planning on telling her that?"

Beca visibly gulped looking away from Stacie for a second. "Just… there's a couple of other things really… I… Look Stace, there's something I – " Beca started rambling on though she never got to finish what itw as she was trying to say.

"Stace, what on earth are you doing here?" Aubrey asked, walking towards there table with none other than Chloe Beale.

"Having lunch with my best friend here." Stacie pointed out, looking at Beca curiously. She was about to say something, she was sure of it. But Beca decided to hold back as soon as the two approached them. SO was it Chloe related?

What a stupid question Conrad, anything that rattles Beca is always Chloe related, Stacie thought to herself.

"I thought you said you had plans with Chloe?" Stacie then asked Aubrey.

"Yeah, for lunch here." Aubrey then replied with a bit of a laugh. "Well, since the two of you are already here, mind if we join you?"

"Never." Beca replied although she was saying that to Chloe who chuckled.

Aubrey quickly pulled up a chair with Chloe, settling down and looking over the menu. Stacie saw Beca take that chance to catch her attention and mouthing her reply with a smirk.

I'll help.

Stacie, who had been a bundle of nerves for the last week over because of that little request she had made to Amy and now to Beca finally relaxed and smiled back.

Thanks, she mouthed, just in time for Aubrey to place the menu down and turn to her to ask her something.

The problem of what Beca was about to say before they got interrupted being momentarily forgotten.

But Stacie knew that it was something that would be at the back of Stacie's mind for a good while.

The weekend was finally strolling in and Chloe was out for her morning run. It was a god way to take a break and keep her mind clear of everything else. Lately, things have been falling into place, into a steady rhythm.

For once there was stability.

The aches of the past heartbreaks were gone and she knows that for sure something had changed within her. She wasn't sure how, but she feels better. She's doing what she loves, starting new programs at school and starting a few outreach projects as well.

She remembers how different she was from who she was her senior year of college. She only wanted one thing, other than winning Nationals with the Bellas of course. And that was Beca.

Meeting Beca, falling for her, it was like a whirlwind of events, of ups and downs, and heartbreaks until they finally got together. And then… well… the future that scared her had disappeared. She had been relentless in focusing on being with Beca no matter what. Sure she pursued her graduate studies, she found a good job back on Atlanta while waiting for Beca to finish her studies and when she moved to LA.

But she never realized until she finally had a moment to just be Chloe all by herself that she hadn't really ben living a life that was truly hers. Everything was focused on Beca and being with Beca and letting Beca shine that she had faded into obscurity. Who she was, what she wants, and just about everything about her. Proof? When Beca was moving to New York she was ready to blindly follow.

Because she loved her, she forgot to love herself.

But now it's different.

Know she dreams and plans her future, with hopes of sharing it with Beca, maybe one day.

She knows, she still feels the same way for Beca. It never really changed. How Beca feels for her now, she wasn't entirely sure, but she's not scared anymore. She understands, no matter what happens, the two of them share an unbreakable bond.

Chloe stopped short just as she reached the hilltop at the little park near their apartment. It was her usual spot to take a breather and rest for a few minutes before making her way back.

But that morning was different.

If you're not the one for me
Then how come I can bring you to your knees?
If you're not the one for me
Why do I hate the idea of being free?

Beca was sitting by the park bench, her legs crossed with her laptop perched on her lap. It was still quite early in the morning, and there were barely anyone else in the park except for the handful of joggers. She was listening to what Luke had begun to call her 'UK playlist' considering it only had songs from UK-based artists, some Chloe was sure she never even heard before, without her headphones.

Chloe slowly made her way to where she sat, noting the brown bag next to Beca and the two cups of coffee next to it. Beca reached for her cup without looking away from whatever she was reading on her laptop, trying her best to stifle a yawn.

And if I'm not the one for you
You've gotta stop holding me the way you do
Oh, honey, if I'm not the one for you
Why have we been through what we have been through?

"It must be the apocalypse if you're sitting on a park bench this early in the morning." Chloe commented with a chuckle as she sat next to the brown bag. "Are you with someone?"

"Hmm, nope." Beca said, her eyes finishing the last lines of the email she had been reading before turning to face Chloe. "The coffee is for you Beale. The bagels in the bag are mostly for me, you can have one, if you want."

Chloe looked at her inquisitively. "Okay, not that I don't appreciate the gesture of you ambushing me on my morning run with coffee and bagels, but what's the catch?"

"Nothing much. Haven't seen you a while. I've been busy, you've been busy… Hey, I'm making an effort here. I have meetings all day and this is my one chance to catch you. Stacie mentioned about your routine, I thought it might be a nice surprise."

"It is." Chloe replied with smile, grabbing the coffee before taking her first sip.

No, Chloe's been having a hard time figuring what's running through Beca Mitchell's mind, but then again that's how it has always been. Over time, it became easier and easier to predict Beca thanks through the things they've been through, making her easy to read.

Not now though. Beca has changed, she grew into her own person too, the person she wanted to become. She's still the same Beca deep down, Chloe knew that. Although now, the DJ has her always guessing what she thinks, what she feels, why does she keep doing the things she do…

…like her nice little surprise that morning.

But with the future being uncertain and all, Chloe's most definitely not worried.

Amy was most definitely psyched. For one thing, she definitely has a thing for plotting and planning, and scheming things.

But the things she were scheming and conniving with Beca and Stacie now was definitely something big.

While Stacie was busy with Aubrey that day – the blonde's parents decided to come for a visit to LA – it was up to Amy and Beca to hold the fort.

Beca, however was busy all day every day lately, so Amy made it a point that with the task that Stacie asked them to help her with, she had to corner the DJ at some point.

And thus, Amy started her long wait at Beca's office that beautiful Sunday morning, because apparently Beca doesn't know weekends anymore.

"There you are Shawshank!" Amy exclaimed as Beca made her way out for what was supposedly only a coffee run. Beca looked surprised but instantly smirked when she realized why Amy was there.

"I can't today Amy."

"You always skip out on things, do you have an important meeting?"

"Today? No. Thankfully got everything done the other day. Just a few paper work that Kaelyn's been hounding me on."

"How important are these papers, really, when you're actively procrastinating on them?"

"I'm only free for a quick coffee break." Beca reasoned.

"I rarely see you anymore Shawshank! And I crossed oceans to be right next to you knowing how lost you get without your incredible best friend right here. Come on, one hour, max, I promise? For that things Stacie's asking us to help her with? You know Stacie? Good friend of yours too, you totally owe her for a couple of things even when you've forgotten about them completely.

Beca laughed and Amy knew her argument was won. That's how they found their way to Amy's recently opened and totally new favorite coffee shop. Beca had been humming something on their way there, and Amy's been dying to know if it was a new song she was working on.

Then Beca started singing it.

So
I'll be waiting
'cause I can't smile until I see your smile
I'll be waiting
Nothin' else that i would rather do
I'll be waiting
'cause I can't sleep until i feel your touch
I'll be waiting
Patiently I'll wait right here for you
Waiting for you

"Wonder for who that song is for?" Amy finally asked, while waiting for their drinks. "Beautiful lyrics there Shawshank, is it Emily's or CR's or some person you work with? Is it yours?"

"No." Beca quickly answered. "It's an unreleased song I found ages ago online. Really good song."

"So why are we singing it then?" Amy asked feigning innocence hoping that Beca would give her the answer she was looking for.

Please say it's because Red's on your mind, Amy thought.

But Beca never was able to give her an answer to that. Soon as Amy asked, she heard the familiar sweet voice of the redhead in question. Beca looked surprised but quickly shrugged it off, adopting her signature smirk as Chloe made her way to join them.

"You totally owe me." Amy managed to whisper, trying to claim her genius for the whole incidental run in.

Beca simply chuckled and immediately turned her attention to Chloe.

And Amy smiled, the way they talked, how they were relaxed with each other's presence, just the way they both smiled…

Yep, they're totally still in love, Amy noted to herself just before she began scheming on a new plan involving Beca and Chloe.

Chloe couldn't believe her luck when she saw Amy and Beca at the coffee shop. It was supposed to be a quiet afternoon alone, Chloe was planning to finally finish the book she had been reading at the new coffee shop everyone she knew was raving about, but plans change suddenly sometimes.

"So what are you guys doing here?" Chloe asked as they settled down at a table near the window.

"It's a secret Red." Amy then replied with wink and a coy smile that reminded Chloe of her usual demeanor when she was trying to pull something off on the Bellas.

But, whatever it was that brought them there, Chloe wasn't going to complain. At least she gets to spend more time with Beca.

And Chloe was happy about that.

What she wasn't happy about was what happened next.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here. Why do I keep running into you in place meine kleine maus?" Luisa, aka the Kommissar of the one and only Das Sound Machine, said as she approached the table.

And Chloe's blood was ready to boil, memories of how Beca would act like complete fool in front of the tall Valkyrie of a German acapella singer surfacing to the forefronts of her mind.

"Luisa, didn't know you're in LA." Beca then replied simply.

Which, if Chloe was being honest, threw her off a bit. "Luisa?" Chloe repeated, sounding incredulous that Beca and the DSM she-wolf were on a first name basis.

"Ah, well if it isn't the redheaded lover? Or I do believe it is ex-lover? How are you?" she replied before turning to face Beca again, cupping her cheek. "Tiffany does send her regards. The last I saw you, little elf, was at that party at Marseille."

"You were with her in France!" Chloe exclaimed, she couldn't help it. Beca looked absolutely surprised by her reaction, or maybe a little scared? Amy was quick to reach over to Chloe to keep her restrained before she jumped to conclusions and jump on the Kommissar to unleash her wrath.

"It was a party of a common friend. Relax Chloe, we're friends." Beca quickly calmly said.

"But Beca… she… they… nemesis! The DSM! Das Sound Machine!" Chloe began with her incoherent babble.

"Oh-ho, looks like our little redhead is afraid I'm corrupting you little DJ." Luisa said with a grin as she placed her hands on Beca's shoulder.

Beca turned to look up. "You're not really helping." she then said flatly before excusing herself from the table.

Luisa and Beca, friends?

That was the most farfetched idea Chloe could ever conceive of.

And of course now her brains is running a thousand and one thoughts on how Beca and Kommissar's adventures in Paris. Which totally was not helping…

-break-

"Relax, Beca, I'm only having my fun. Who knew teasing your Chloe is more fun than teasing you?" Luisa then said as they made their way away – as far away as possible – form the table.

"I'll relax when you stop giving Chloe an aneurysm." Beca then said.

"Haven't told her I presume? You really ought to do that soon. If it's how she feels for you that you're worried about, I think it's pretty clear, don't you think so?"

Beca chuckled. The way Chloe was acting now… it most definitely resembled how she acted when it was only the two of them, after Beca has made a complete fool of herself in front of DSM by endlessly complementing Luisa and making her jealous. "What are you waiting for?" Luisa then asked.

"Nothing." Beca replied honestly. "Maybe just, really it's more on trying to figure out what to tell her. I think I'm overthinking it for sure, but I'd rather do this without rambling for once and be clear about everything. Be honest. And truthfully, I still don't know how to tell her what happened in London. What jogged my memory, you know?"

Luisa sighed. "I suppose I do. But anyways, I'll be in town if you need me. Go calm your love down." she then said. "Beca? Do remember, you have nothing to fear. Chloe, the way she feels for you, it's clearer than a sunny day."

Beca smiled and nodded. "Thanks." she replied before turning to make her way back to their table, figuring out how to get Chloe to stop huffing and rolling her eyes at her.

But if anything, what Luisa said was true. Beca could see it.

What Chloe felt for her was truly clearer than the day itself.