A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed/favourite/followed. If I didn't reply to your review, I apologise, I appreciated it all the same! In this chapter – Jesse arrives in Boston! Enjoy :D

Rating: T

Characters: Beca/Jesse, the rest of the Pitch Perfect cast (eventually), plus some other characters.

Warnings: Mature situations referenced.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pitch Perfect or the songs used in this fic in any way. I'm just playing with them.


Hurricanes – Chapter 5 – State Hopping


"You're kind of weird, you know that?"

"Yes, Hallie, you've said that to me a few too many times."

"No, really. Even Casey agrees with me bro. You're going to visit your girlfriend and her apparently psycho mother, all the while hoping to every deity there is that she'll see sense and leave that place although, as you've said, she's stubborn. Ever heard a song about having high hopes?"

Jesse paused in his packing, shoving a few pairs of shorts into his suitcase on top of his jeans, and turned to his little sister. Hallie was 17 years old, with the same brown eyes he had but with long, pure black hair like their mother. She was currently popping gum, looking bored as she watched him fill his travel gear for his flight the next morning to Boston. "Hey, my hopes got me the girl," he pointed out.

"After trying hard, getting rejected twice, moping about it, and then realising she was serious about trying to win you back after singing to you at ICCA's. Yeah, you got the girl alright," Hallie replied.

"And what's this about Casey thinking I'm crazy? He's the guy who wanted to quit college to go after his girlfriend to Oregon," Jesse said.

"Where he found out she was two timing him with another woman and came back with his tail in between his legs," Hallie volleyed back easily.

"Okay smartass, what else can I do? Nothing? No, thanks, I'm not a quitter," Jesse argued, turning his back on her, perusing his DVD selection for choices. Maybe it was time to move up to musicals…but the question was if Beca would murder him in his sleep for bringing only musicals to Boston with him. He ran his fingers over the titles and settled on Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and then threw in Rambo and Blue Valentine to balance things out a bit.

"That might not be enough," Hallie quipped.

"You're right," agreed Jesse, oblivious to his sister snickering behind his back as he grabbed i-Robot, 8 Mile, The Hangover, and When Harry Met Sally.

As he was tucking the films safely in his backpack with his laptop, his father James stepped into his room, quietly asking Hallie to step out so he could talk to Jesse in private for a moment. Jesse halted his motions, frowning as he span around to look at his father. "Hey, dad, what's up?"

James sat on Jesse's bed, giving him a small smile. "Just a little talk before you leave," he said gently.

"Okay. What did you want to talk to me about?" Jesse didn't like the sound of this. And his dad had his 'calm and rational' face on, which meant he was serious about something.

Although James was smiling, his eyes were solemn. "I just wanted to talk to you about Beca, and her situation and whatnot. You've told us that she has family problems, which is why she initially pushed you away, but you never really explained them. I just wanted to know if you could tell me more about her. She seems nice, if a bit distant," he explained. He was just concerned, wanting to make sure his son knew what he was doing and in the process learning about the girl who had made Jesse so head over heels.

Jesse shifted, glancing down to the floor. "Well, you know how we met-"

"Yes, by making yourself look like a loony by singing out the car. What I want to know is her family problems. What can you tell me about them?" enunciated James.

Blowing out a breath, Jesse explained, "Before this year, Beca and her dad, Dr. Mitchell who teaches literature at Barden, were estranged since her parents' divorce in her pre-teens. Beca had little contact with him, but enough that he offered her a degree at Barden for free. They weren't on the best of terms until recently."

"Why is that?"

"Something to do with her mother. All Beca told me was that now that she was an adult, her dad could tell her the truth about the divorce and why he had to stay away from her all these years. Now that she knows what really happened, she wants to move from Boston to be with her father in Atlanta," continued the younger Swanson. "From what Beca's told me, her mother is manipulative, controlling, and very strict. The whole reason I'm going there is to support her – her mother wants Beca to drop Barden and stay in Boston and eventually work her way up to law school. Which, you know, is totally stupid because Beca has no interest in the legal field like her mother and will take way too long."

James nodded, absorbing all the information he was given. "Sounds like a difficult situation," he observed.

"Totally. Beca didn't even want me to come because I'd be under her mum's scrutiny too, but I persuaded her in the end," Jesse said.

"Jesse, you have to be careful," James warned him. "Try and stay out of the mother-daughter arguments. If this is going to play out how I think it is, then back Beca up, but don't take on the mother on your own. You don't know what she can do to you."

"So much for a relaxing vacation, huh?" Jesse joked. He moved back towards his suitcase. "I know dad. I learned the hard way to let Beca fight her own battles. Did you know she punched out a guy for me?"

"No…" murmured James, amused.

Jesse laughed. "Yep. I was being a pacifist and all, and this guy was begging me to hit him when Beca just came up and did it to get him to leave me alone. Didn't work out the way it should of," he said, remembering the night outside the police station.

James stood, and clapped his son on the shoulder. "You know, she's not the type of girl I would have picked for you. But it seems that you complement each other. You're different, but not too different." He hugged Jesse, ruffling his hair affectionately, and cautioned once more, "Be careful. If things go pear-shaped, don't hesitate to bring Beca back here. We'd love to have her to see who she really is, and we have more than enough room."

"I hope it doesn't have to come to that," Jesse murmured.

"Me either. But the option is there if it's needed."

Smiling in gratitude at his dad, Jesse went back to his packing with a new determination.


Jesse stepped into the airport with a grin. He was finally on his way. He checked in and headed towards security. If the movie Up in the Air had taught him anything, it was how to get through security quickly. Follow the Asians or business executives who had purpose and were speedy through the checks.

Once through, he headed for his gate.

A few hours later he was in New York for his transferring flight to Boston. While he was browsing through the souvenir shops in the break between flights, Jesse found something perfect for Beca. A pair of earrings, one the shape of a record and the other a pair of headphones. He bought them, slipped them into a little gift bag and tucked it away in his backpack – he'd get her flowers when he came out of the gate in Boston.

On the flight to Boston, he felt himself getting giddy at the thought of seeing Beca again. He hadn't realised just how long 21 days apart would be. They had been spending so much time together since they had made up that it was odd not to see her every day when the summer began. He wondered if she was going to be wearing her full war paint (as he called her makeup) and just how many of her tattoos were going to be visible. The thoughts of the petite spitfire occupied Jesse for his whole trip and before he knew it, they were touching down in Boston.

First thing he did when he got out of the plane was head for the nearest store that sold flowers. Yes, it was corny, yes, Beca was probably going to death stare him for doing something out of a movie, but the romantic within him demanded that he had to do something sweet like this.

Jesse knew that Beca was going to be waiting outside for him, wanting to avoid most of the crowds and congestion from all the incoming flights. So after collecting his baggage, he headed out, getting blasted on all sides by hot wind and searching for any sign…

Speaking of signs, did that one say 'Moviecation Weirdo'?

Jesse grinned, hurrying over to the sign bobbing over the heads of people going to and fro. He narrowly missed being taken out by a woman pushing a trolley full of suitcases and finally glimpsed Beca through the crowd.

He felt his heart stutter at the sight of her.

Her hair was free and flowing around her shoulders, her sunglasses acting like a headband in keeping her brunette locks from falling in her face. To Jesse's surprise, her eye makeup was toned down and she looked more natural than usual. She was wearing a grey tank top and black shorts with her usual Chuck Taylors. To him, she was gorgeous.

"BE-CAW! BE-CAW!" Jesse called, unable to resist, laughing as Beca rolled her eyes and smirked at him.

"Hey dork," she replied warmly as he stopped in front of her. She glimpsed the flowers clutched tightly in his hand and raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Are those for me?" she asked.

Jesse darted his gaze to the flowers and kept a straight a face as possible when he replied, "Nah, these are for me. I felt like getting in touch with my feminine side."

"Wouldn't surprise me."

"Of course they're for you, weirdo," Jesse chuckled, handing them to her.

Beca accepted the lilies gladly – mostly because she was glad that Jesse hadn't gotten something sappy like roses – and inhaled their scent. "Nice choice," she complimented. She looked up and noticed that Jesse was staring longingly at her lips. She stepped back and threatened, "We are not going to be doing a movie moment. We aren't going to do that whole romantic kiss in front of the airport after being separated thing. Or else I'll make you sleep on the couch."

Jesse pouted and widened his eyes for dramatic effect, doing the puppy dog look that had gotten him his way with people before.

Beca must have been immune for she just snickered and said, "Nice try. Come on, let's go and load you up."

Jesse nodded and wrapped his arm around Beca's waist as they headed towards the car park. "I missed you," he said.

"Me too. How was the flight?" she asked softly.

She leaned back against his arm, getting tingles and shivers all over from the contact. Her heart was pitter-pattering loudly in her chest and there was such a sense of relief that Beca couldn't maintain a surly attitude. When she had seen Jesse she had almost leapt out of her skin in excitement. Finally, there was someone she could talk to in person without wanting to throttle them (much).

"It was good. Aisle seat, no screaming kids, and the flight attendant thought I was cute so she gave me a free can of Coke," winked Jesse.

"Did you tell her your girlfriend has been known to knock out a man or two when threatened?" teased Beca, poking his side.

"And risk having to be charged for a drink? No way."

"Pig."

"You like me."

"You're lucky I do with an ego as big as yours," smirked Beca, leading Jesse towards her car. She popped open the boot as Jesse eyed it in approval.

"Nice little Rav 4. And it's black. So you," he grinned.

"It's awesome. Gets me where I want and I don't look like a kid going for a joyride because of the seat height," shrugged Beca. She instantly regretted mentioning her height as Jesse jibed, "Well, if you weren't so short, people wouldn't suspect you."

Beca glared at him. "You can't do short jokes."

"I'll get a good one, one day, I promise," Jesse vowed dramatically. He bent and fished out the gift bag before he placed his backpack with his suitcase. "I also got you a little something."

"An ear spike?"

"No, open it," Jesse encouraged softly, handing it to her and standing closer so he could watch her reaction closely.

The moment Beca opened the box, her eyes widened and any guardedness that was there dropped. She gasped reverently as she held the earrings up – stunned by the sweet gesture. Jesse knew her so well to get her jewellery that was associated so close to her passion. He also knew her well enough not to get her gold either, but a muted silver. "Jesse," she mumbled, unable to voice anything other than, "They're really cool. Thank you."

She looked up into his bambi eyes (they were that huge and deep brown) and saw him smiling. Beca loved his smile. He was looking at her in utter adoration.

"Put them on," he urged.

She did, taking out the ear spike and stud and replacing them with the new pair. She checked her reflection in her car window and beamed. They looked awesome! A rush of gratitude made her whirl around, grab Jesse's shirt and pin him up against the car door. Beca enjoyed his look of astonishment for a second before pressing her lips hard against his, flinging her arms around his neck. He reacted quickly, one hand on her hip and the other cupping her face as the kiss turned into a languid make out session – one full of promise, tenderness, and restrained passion.

They finally parted when the need for air was too great.

"It's official. I'm going to get you more stuff so I can get more kisses like that. I want more hello kisses and more goodbye kisses," Jesse said, lips redder than normal and tingling. He felt warm all over and he was glad his jeans were suitably restricting so the evidence of his feelings wasn't obvious. There was a quality about a demanding/happy Beca that was just so hot.

"Hmm, who knew that acappella nerds were so good with their mouths," Beca flirted, breathless herself. Jesse was a damn good kisser.

Jesse's eyes darkened at the thoughts of how else he could be good with his mouth. Beca saw this and blushed. "Oh, I didn't mean that," she said quickly.

"Oh yes you did Mo Chuisle," he murmured lowly, smiling as he kissed Beca's jaw line and down to her shoulder where he brushed soft kisses over the rose tattoo there.

Beca's eyes closed as little threads of desire pulsed in her veins. His touch was driving her crazy and if she was uncertain as to how she felt about him at all, it was banished with seeing him and touching him and being treated so wonderfully by him. She couldn't remember the last time someone from outside her immediate family had gotten her a gift. "You're into PDA's aren't you?" she muttered, trying to get her head back on straight.

"Absolutely," Jesse murmured, stepping back and meeting her gaze. "You're going to love it."

Remembering that her mother thought Jesse was a friend, Beca felt slightly guilty when she mentioned, "We can't be obvious around my mother. She doesn't know I don't have a boyfriend, and I knew if I told her what you are to me she would have banned you as a distraction."

Jesse's face fell slightly. "So this means we can't suck face in front of her?"

Beca grimaced and she punched his shoulder. "That is such a gross way to describe kissing. But essentially, yes."

Jesse was thoughtful as he replied, "You know what this means, don't you?"

"What?"

"We'll have to go to watch a movie at some point. We'll go right up the back where no one can see and face battle until the movie finishes," he grinned as if he had solved the mystery of all time.

Beca rolled her eyes. "Face battle. Still not an appropriate substitute for kissing. You got that off Facebook."

"I plead the fifth."

"Just get in the car, dork."

Jesse saluted and cried, "Yes ma'am!"

As she started the car, her stereo began to blast 'No Diggity.' Beca and Jesse shared an amused look, and they began to sing together in perfect harmony as Beca drove them away from the airport.

"Shorty get down, good Lord
Baby got 'em up open all over town
Strictly biz, she don't play around
Cover much ground, got game by the pound
Getting paid is a forte
Each and every day, true player way
I can't get her out of my mind (what)
I think about the girl all the time."


A/N: The fluff is strong with this one ;)

If anyone is confused about the whole 'Mo Chuisle' thing, it comes from the film Million Dollar Baby. If Jesse called Beca 'Million Dollar Baby', I'm sure he'd call her 'Mo Chuisle' (which is pronounced macooshla) and means 'my darling/blood/pulse' in Irish. Reviews are always wonderful and appreciated. I hope that the flirting and romance was pulled off right.