A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. I'm hoping to get back to updating this story once a week and right now I'm shooting for Saturdays... more than that is just crazy! Thank you for taking the time to read and review my story. I read each and every review and appreciate all of them.

Corinne (waatp) Thanks for being an amazing beta! Most importantly, thanks for taking the time out of your super busy schedule this week to beta this chapter. I truly appreciate it.

Becca (sarcasticbella089) Thanks for your friendship and support and for trusting me to beta your story.

People... you seriously need to check out the stories these ladies write! They're amazing and you won't be sorry! You'll love them as much as I do!

o~O~o
Deals and Decisions
o~O~o

Two Weeks Later…

Sawyer was quite pleased with himself as he sat in his plush corner office at Warner; his gamble had actually paid off… big time. It was a good thing it had worked because he didn't have a backup plan if it hadn't. He never had any real intention of firing Beca, because doing so would have been like shooting himself in the foot. However, if the execs had said she was a liability then he would have had to let her go. He wanted and needed her to realize what she was risking if she didn't come out of the funk she had been in. Sawyer cared about her life more than he let on; he had quite the soft spot for his tiny, fierce talent scout and he wanted to see her well.

He had been checking in with Alice periodically while the girls were at the lodge. Her initial reports were exactly what Sawyer expected. He knew the girls were out of sync and needed guidance but he wasn't exactly sure what to do. When Alice reported that the girls had resorted to sneaky tactics and stealing to get the things they needed, he initially chuckled to himself, secretly enjoying the fact that Beca was so uncomfortable. Sawyer then told Alice to "pull the rug from underneath them", which resulted in their banishment to Treasure Island for the second night.

What ultimately made the girls trip to the retreat successful was that they had finally stopped bickering long enough to start listening to one another and managed to start working as a team. The weekend had worked well and Beca was a lot calmer by the time they returned home, and even went so far as suggesting that the girls all come around for a barbeque the following week with their partners and families. While the thought of any offspring of Lilly's was potentially quite a scary thought, Beca was curious to see Kimmy Jin with her four children.

As Beca unpacked that night and put a load of clothes in the machine, she felt lucky that they'd found Emily Junk, an eighteen year old college freshman with amazing talent, boundless enthusiasm and 'giraffe legs'. Amy had sworn and even crossed her heart and hoped to die that she'd behave herself at the BBQ if Beca let her use a giraffe on Emily's first album cover. Beca said she'd think about it.

Emily was not only a very accomplished singer but she showed a flair for songwriting as well and as far as Sawyer and Beca were concerned, she was the next big thing. She had a wholesome, 'girl next door' look that could win the hearts of the public, but she had enough unique things to keep things interesting and had already expressed an interest in a complete image overhaul in a couple of albums time. While Beca didn't think that was necessary just yet, she respected her for her willingness to go the distance for the right career path. Emily was going to be the girl that all the tweens and teens gushed over and caught the eye of all the guys. She had a good sense of humor and was able to take direction well and could even manage a sensible conversation with Fat Amy when the Australian was off on one of her rants.

Emily seemingly had it all.

o~O~o

Beca's transformation didn't take place overnight and while the retreat had taken the edge off of her anxiety, she still slept with a pillow tucked firmly behind her back to replace Jesse. She had a long way to go but she was so much better than she had been only weeks before. Beca started eating better and replaced Oreos, chips and ice cream for steamed vegetables, grilled fish and chicken and green smoothies. She also added yoga, pilates and spin classes to her normal routine. She was attending classes several times a week, which was really helping her to regain focus and mellow out. She started running every morning and working out with a trainer on a daily basis; she couldn't remember a time when she had felt so good. Beca was finally learning what it was like to relax and take things with a grain of salt. Most importantly though, she was finally starting to mend her broken heart and feel like her old self again.

What made things better was that her team was once again working like a well oiled machine. They didn't cower or hide when she walked through the office in the morning. She greeted them with smiles and brought them treats from the corner bakery a couple of times a week. Her office and her staff were warm and friendly; inviting even. The girls were still plenty weird but Beca was better equipped to handle it now… and growling at them was no longer an option. She still occasionally struggled with the two ice queens but usually a glare was more than enough to end whatever their current argument was.

The girls were getting better about knowing what needed to be done before Sawyer or anyone else had to ask and he would happily admit that he liked it that way. Sawyer liked that they knew what moves he was going to make before he made them. The icing on the cake was that they were bringing solid ideas to weekly team meetings and really pulling their weight again. Even Amy seemed calmer and while the weird suggestion of Naked Wednesdays did not get approved, she brought a fresh approach to Battle of the Bands that Sawyer was interesting in trying the following year. Beca was secretly pleased that Amy was happy to take point for that competition and even encouraged Amy's plan of doing a Dongs In Thongs set.

Pretty soon everyone began to comment about Beca's team and how they wished Sawyer would send them away for a few days too. When Beca heard that, she chuckled. They had no idea the torture that she and the girls had endured while they were in Big Bear Lake. She was sure they all thought that they lived the high life at a local spa. Boy, were they ever mistaken!

Beca wasn't quite ready to admit that the retreat was, in fact, the best thing she'd done in months. While she still bore the rope burn from being scooped up in the bear net, there was no doubt in her mind that she'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

o~O~o

Beca's work schedule had been crazy since they got back, but if she was honest, it had always been. She loved her job so she ignored the long hours and the impromptu calls to come into the office over the weekend. Her job was demanding and often kept her at the office or in the studio until very late. She didn't mind the hours because it often meant that she wasn't thinking about her train wreck of a love life.

It was almost Midnight and after working a sixteen hour day, most of it spent in the studio with Emily, she finally decided to call it day. Beca did try and credit Lilly with discovering Emily but Lilly was having none of it, claiming that Mr. Anderson was out to get her and she wasn't sure whether to take the blue pill or the red pill. Beca had the good sense to Google his name before questioning Lilly on her latest oddball statement. She was refreshingly pleased to see it was from the film, The Matrix rather than a new avenue of weirdness.

Emily's drive and determination to create the perfect debut album impressed Beca. She hadn't complained once about the long hours or anything she had been asked to do. She wanted this just as badly as Beca did and was determined to make it in the music industry. She would text Beca late into the evening with suggestions and would listen when Beca told her that she felt Emily was trying too hard or thinking too far ahead.

Beca, noticing that the clock on her laptop, quickly replied to a few emails and finished up a few other things in her office before deciding to head home. She grabbed her purse and walked toward the elevator, saying goodnight to the one of the overnight security guards on her way out. As she waited for the elevator to arrive on the ground floor, all she could think was that she was so glad it was Friday because she was ready for the weekend, a hot bath, a good book and a bottle of wine.

Beca was officially operating on autopilot. She hardly remembered getting out of the elevator and walking to her car, let alone getting in and driving away, when suddenly she was being brought back to the present by her phone ringing. It was then that she realized she was driving down Ventura Boulevard in the direction of home.

"Hello." She responded, yawning at the same time.

"Hey Bec… you home?" Her mother's voice came through the speakers of her car loudly.

"No, I just left work. What's up?"

"Rebeca! You shouldn't be working this late."

"Yeah Mom, I know but I just signed that girl Emily I was telling you about, and well… she's good. Really good."

"No buts Beca, I'm worried about you." Anne explained, in a slightly scolding yet concerned tone. "It's not healthy for you to be going like this, you're burning the candle at both ends. You work entirely too many hours and UnGodly ones at that. If you're not at work you're at the gym or some new stand on your head class that Aubrey's talked you into going to."

Beca sighed. "Mom, I'm fine. I promise."

"You're my only child and I just-"

"-Mom… I'm fine. Why are you calling so late?" Beca was suddenly worried. "Is Daddy ok?" If her mother was getting ready to tell her that something was wrong with her dad she was gonna lose it. She was finally getting over this thing with Jesse, she damn sure didn't need anything to be wrong with her parents.

"Daddy's fine." Anne told her. "I was just calling to see if you wanted to go to brunch on Sunday with me, Aunt Gail and Aubrey."

"Sure, that sounds great. What about Dad and Uncle John?"

"They're playing golf at the country club."

Beca yawned again. "Oh… so where and what time Sunday?"

"We're meeting at the house at ten. Then we'll drive to Del Frisco's Grille in Santa Monica."

"Yes!" Beca said excitedly. "Chicken and waffles!"

"What is it with you and chicken and waffles?"

"Oh my God Mom, they're so good!"

Anne laughed. "Ok baby, drive safe and I'll see you Sunday. I love you!"

"I love you too Mom. Give Daddy my love."

As much as she hated to admit it, her mom was right. It was entirely too late to be working and she did need to do a better job of keeping a more consistent schedule and workable hours. Los Angeles wasn't the safest of cities and she thought nothing of working until Midnight, sometimes later, then walking out to her car alone. It certainly wasn't one of the smartest things she'd ever done. She never claimed to be street smart.

She hated driving so late at night, especially when she was this tired, but that never stopped her from burning the Midnight oil. She'd lost count of the number of times she'd slept in her office and showered at the company gym on the 45th floor because it was too late and she was too tired to drive home. She made a mental note to pack a few things to bring to the office since she never really knew when she would be staying.

Beca was nothing if not dedicated to her craft. It was her goal to always turn out the best records from the best artists and it showed. There wasn't an award out there that she, and the artists she produced, weren't nominated for. Sure, she was young and still relatively new to the business but she produced good, quality music. It was often mentioned in the press, that Warner had the potential to take a chunk of the unchartered market.

Beca was a valued and appreciated producer. She had a well trained ear and was often called into the studio by other producers at Warner when they had trouble with arrangements or things just didn't sound right. The running joke throughout the office and the studio was that she was the K-9 of Warner Records. Just like a police dog was trained to sniff out drugs she could she detect flaws in arrangements almost instantly.

She looked around as she sat impatiently waiting for the light at the corner of Las Virgenes Road and Agoura Road to turn green, when something or rather, someone suddenly caught her eye. There, laying on a bench in front of McDonald's was Jesse. He was laid out flat, hands behind his head and his legs crossed at the ankle. He was drenched in sweat and wearing only a threadbare short sleeved t-shirt, torn, holey shorts and flip flops that had definitely seen better days.

Even at Midnight the temperatures were in the high 90's and steam was rising from grates in the street. Los Angeles had been experiencing one of the worst heatwaves in history and Beca knew he had to be burning up. She felt her heart lurch at seeing Jesse again after all this time and her breath caught in her throat at the state he was in. She noticed that under the neon lights of the McDonald's sign, he looked almost ghostly. She shook her head several times to rid the images from her eyes. Beca needed to remember that he was no longer her concern.

When the light turned green, Beca shook her head again and she drove away. She had come too far and been through too much and she couldn't let him get to her, not now. She'd been working so hard to forget him and most importantly, to forgive him for what he'd done. She couldn't let him back in now.

"FUCK!" Beca yelled as she hit the steering wheel with her fist. She didn't make it four blocks before she found herself turning around to go back. Sure Jesse was a total fucking douche canoe and she didn't owe him anything but she wasn't a heartless bitch. She couldn't leave him there in the worst heat on record not when she had someplace for him to escape it and cool for him to sleep.

Beca pulled into the McDonald's parking lot and cautiously took in her surroundings before getting out of her car. If she got clubbed in the back of the head and she actually lived to see another day, her mother would never, ever let her live it down. In fact, if her mother knew what she was currently doing, she'd have Beca committed for sure.

o~O~o

Jesse laid on the bench staring up into the night sky. It was an amazingly clear night and as much as he would have liked to see the stars it just wasn't something that happened in Los Angeles.

It was so uncomfortably hot. Jesse could feel the heat rising from the ground and he was sweating in places he didn't think he'd ever sweated in before. He needed something to do to keep his mind from frying in the intense heat; he was hungry, thirsty and the uncomfortable bench was playing havoc with his back. The familiar tune of the song he'd written just a few days earlier played through his mind. Without thinking, he began singing.

"God, I'm down here on my knees
'Cause it's the last place left to fall
Beggin' for another chance
If there's any chance at all
That You might still be listenin'
Lovin' and forgivin' guys like me

I've spent my whole life
Gettin' it all wrong
And I sure could use Your help
'Cause from now on

I want to be a good man
A do like I should man
I want to be the kind of man
The mirror likes to see

I want to be a strong man
And admit that I was wrong man
God, I'm asking You to come change me
Into the man I want to be

If there's anyway for her and me
To make another start
Could You see what You could do
To put some love back in her heart?
'Cause it goin' to take a miracle
After all I've done to really make her see

That I want to be a stay man
I want to be a brave man
I want to be the kind of man
She sees in her dreams

God, I want to be Your man
And I want to be her man
God, I only hope she still believes
In the man I want to be

Well, I know this late at night the talk is cheap
But Lord, don't give up on me

I want to be a givin' man
I want to really start livin', man
God, I'm asking You to come change me
Into the man I want to be"

Tears ran down his face. He did want to be a good man, the problem was that he'd always been bad. He'd been born into a life that was a struggle from the moment he was born, he'd committed crimes to stay ahead of the game and keep his brothers fed. He felt remorse and a hint of shame over his actions but knew he couldn't turn back the clock. He refused to hate his mother but he no longer felt compassion for her at all. He didn't know if being good was something he could actually do. Could a leopard change its spots?

Meeting Beca was one of the best things to ever happen to him and he was still amazed, even now, that she'd taken such a shine to him all those months ago. He'd messed up the one thing in his life that was good. Beca brought something to his world that he never knew he needed. Now that she was gone, he knew exactly what he was missing and he was powerless to change it.

o~O~o

As Beca walked toward Jesse she took note of how terrible he looked. He'd lost weight and clearly hadn't eaten or showered in a while.

"Jesse." She called his name as she approached him. "Jesse." She said again using the toe of her shoe to poke him in the leg.

His eyes shot open and he started moving at the sound of her voice. "Beca?"

"Yeah Jess… it's me." She said gently. "I saw you laying here and wanted to check on you, make sure you were ok."

"What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" She asked defensively, folding her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here?"

"I have nowhere else to go." he said sitting up on the bench making room for Beca to sit.

"I'll stand thanks." She said acknowledging the gesture. She was wearing a newly acquired black and grey Badgley Mischka dress that she really liked and didn't want to ruin by sitting on a filthy bench. Typically she'd never spend five hundred dollars on a dress and another seventy five to have it tailored just to wear to work but when she saw that the style of the dress was called "Emily" she had to have it, especially since Emily seemed to be her good luck charm lately.

"Where's Casey?" She asked, gulping hard.

"He's been staying with some chick he met a bar." Jesse told her, taking in her appearance. She always dressed nice and that night was no different. She was wearing a short, tight dress that he'd never seen her wear before and she looked absolutely amazing. He noted that, she too, had lost weight, her hair had a lovely sheen to it that he wasn't sure had been there before and her eyes were sparkling. He wasn't sure if it was just the bright glow from the Golden Arches, but she looked great, healthy even.

"Oh, that's nice." Beca said, rolling her eyes. "That's just like Casey to leave you for a strange piece of ass and a place to stay. To hell with you, right?!"

"Bec-"

"-No Jesse… You always looked out for the both of you but he gets away with being selfish!"

Jesse shook his head. Beca had a point. Jesse had asked if Casey could stay with them and Beca had agreed to take him in, no questions asked. It had been Casey's choice to turn the offer down "Beca, come on… at least I know he's taken care of."

"Doesn't make it right."

"I know but what am I supposed to do?" Jesse asked her. "I can't make them let me stay."

Beca shook her head. This argument was getting them absolutely nowhere. "Is that duffle bag yours?" She asked pointing to the bag under the bench.

Jesse looked around then down at the well worn bag. "Well, I don't see any other fucking homeless ass bums laying around… do you?"

"Really?" Beca barked back at him. "I'm here trying to help you and you're going to take that tone and attitude with me right now?!"

Jesse froze. The last time she yelled at him he had been a total fucking dick and now he realized that he had just done the exact same thing. "I'm sorry. I just… I… Why are you here?"

"You know what? Nevermind… forget it." Beca said throwing her hands up in the air, her Louboutin's clicking on the pavement as she stormed off toward her car. She didn't need his bullshit. He could stay on the street as far as she was concerned. She tried to do the right thing and once again he threw it in her face.

"Beca! Wait…"

She spun around. "Why? So you can continue to treat me like some doormat that you wipe your shitty shoes on? Oh wait! You don't have a door!" She yelled. "You're a fucking douchebag Jesse! I don't know who took a piss in your fucking Cheerios but it sure as hell wasn't me and I certainly don't need or deserve this shit from you!" She said as she opened the door to her car. "Good luck."

Jesse knew she was right, he was a douchebag. For whatever reason she felt compelled to stop and check on him and he'd been a complete ass to her. He ran his hands through his greasy hair. "Beca… I'm sorry. Please wait?" He pleaded.

She turned and glared at him. "Why should I?"

"I'm sorry. Yes, the duffle bag is mine." He said actually having the decency to look ashamed of himself.

"So… why should I give a fuck about it now?" She asked putting her hands on her hips.

"I… uhh…" Jesse couldn't give her a reason why she should care.

"A fuck has to be earned Jesse! I can't go down the street with a bucket of fucks and hand them out to everyone. If I feel you've earned it, then I'll give you a fuck but right now… you haven't earned a fuck!"

Jesse lost his eyebrows in his hairline and made a note to self… she doesn't have a fuck-it bucket! Got it. She was tiny, she was fierce, she was beyond pissed off and right now, he was actually kind of scared of her. "Look… I'm sorry." Jesse said again. "You caught me off guard. You're the absolute last person I ever expected to stop and ask how I was doing."

"And yet I did… even after everything you've done." Beca told him finally lowering her voice. "Look… I've had a long day. I just left work. My feet hurt, I'm dying for a glass of wine and a hot bath but I stopped to check on your sorry ass because despite everything that's happened, I do care."

It was hotter than hell outside yet, chills ran up his spine and he wasn't entirely sure what to say or do. "Beca… I…"

Beca put her hand up to stop him. "Are there drugs in the bag?"

Jesse sighed. "Beca, I can't afford a place to sleep, I certainly can't afford drugs."

"Jesse, I'm not a druggie but even I know that there's more than one way to pay for drugs." Beca told him. "A good piece of ass will get you just as much drugs as a fist full of cash."

"Bec-"

"-Yes or no Jesse?"

"No, there aren't any drugs in my bag." Jesse huffed as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Do you want to look?"

"No. Unlike some people I know, I don't go through things that aren't mine."

Her statement was like a knife to the heart.

"I deserve that." He told her.

"Ya think?" She asked turning around to get in the car. "Come on."

Jesse turned looking confused. "What?"

"I said, come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

"Umm… Bec, we broke up, remember?"

"No, we didn't… you left."

"You kicked me out… remember?"

"Oh, believe me…" She said with a slight chuckle. "... I remember but I can't leave you out here to cook in the sweltering heat. Unless, of course, you tell me that you want to stay on the bench in the heat, in which case, I'll happily get back in my air conditioned car and drive home to my comfortable home and have a cool glass of wine and something good to eat." Beca told him.

"I... uhh…"

Beca rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "You can stay in the guest house tonight, and we can talk about your living arrangements in the morning."

Jesse's eyes grew wide with shock. "Are you sure?"

"Last chance… my house or the bench? What's it gonna be?" Beca asked him.

If he was honest, he didn't know what to do. He had been a total shit her just now and she was still willing to help him. Was she even human? He glanced at the bench as it had been his bed for the last four nights.

"Hello… Earth to Jesse!" Beca started waving her hands to get Jesse's attention.

"Oh… yeah, what?"

"Oh my God! Are you seriously considering the fucking bench right now? I'm melting out here!"

Jesse grabbed his duffle bag and walked toward the car. "Thank you."

Beca didn't say a word. She simply started the car, cracked the windows because, damn if he smell like like a dead skunk and started driving. She couldn't get home soon enough.

o~O~o

The drive to Beca's house was painfully awkward and quiet… not to mention long. Jesse didn't know what to make of Beca's sudden act of kindness though he really shouldn't have been surprised. She really was one of the sweetest people he'd ever met. He didn't want to be her charity case but he could use a hot shower, clean clothes and a decent night's sleep.

He had tried calling her several times since they broke up and she promptly bitch buttoned him each and every time. "I tried to call." Jesse said finally breaking the silence. "I left you a bunch of messages."

"Yeah, I got them."

Beca had gotten each and every message Jesse left. She listened to them so many times that she could recite each one word for word. Each message sounded heartfelt and made her miss him even more than she already did.

"Hey. It's me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for the way I left things. I shouldn't have walked out on you the way I did. Forgive me?"

"Beca, please pick up the phone."

"I was wrong. I said I was wrong. Beca, I love you. Please call me back."

But she also knew that she couldn't be so quick to take him back. He needed to prove himself and maybe this was the way things were supposed to happen.

She turned onto Peacock Ridge Road and made her way to the end of the street before pulling through the gated entry, and driving down the long winding drive and into the garage. Without saying a word, she got out of the car and headed into the house. When Jesse didn't follow, she walked back to the garage.

Leaning against the door frame, she reached down to remove her heels. "Are you getting out of the car?"

Jesse shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Oh yeah… I'm coming."

He followed Beca through the house and out to the guesthouse. She unlocked the door and let him in.

"There should be clean linens on the bed and in the bathroom."

"Thanks." He said looking around. She had changed quite a few things but then he supposed she had to, a lot had been destroyed as a result of the parties he threw.

"There's snacky stuff in the cabinets and sandwich stuff in the fridge. There's a small box of your stuff in the corner. Your phone charger is in there." She told him. "Silvana just put a new bottle of laundry detergent and fabric softener in the laundry room." She said, opening the laundry room door. "Get settled in and we'll talk in the morning."

As Jesse started throwing the few items of clothes he had in the washing machine, Beca turned and headed back toward the door.

"Beca…"

"Yeah…" she said turning to face him.

"Thank you."

Beca nodded and smiled a smile that didn't quite touch her eyes. "G'nite."

Beca left Jesse to make himself at home in her guest house. While things between them were over, she couldn't, in good conscience, leave him out on the street. It was against everything she believed in. She believed everyone deserved a second chance. They also deserved a roof over their head, a place to sleep and food in their belly. So if that meant that she helped Jesse out for a bit until he was back on his feet, then so be it. Beca knew if she thought of it as a business arrangement, then maybe she wouldn't fall for him all over again.

When she got inside the house, she locked up and set the alarm before going upstairs to shower. After finally washing off the day, she poured herself a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers then snuggled down into her bed. She reached for her laptop and drafted an agreement between herself and Jesse that outlined the parameters of this new living arrangement. She was the daughter of a judge after all and she wasn't going to allow herself to be taken advantage of again. She didn't know if Jesse would agree to everything but if he was smart and wanted a cheap place to stay then he'd at least think about it long and hard before he made a decision.

o~O~o

The next morning Jesse woke to the sound of Beca talking on the phone out by the pool. He stretched and reached for his phone. Shit! It was no longer morning. It was afternoon… three o'clock in the afternoon to be exact. How long had he been asleep? He hadn't felt this good in months.

He got up, made his way over to the window and peeked out. Beca was laying on a chaise lounge near the pool wearing a barely there blue strapless bikini that matched her eyes. He loved the relaxed look on her face; it was a lot different from the last time he'd seen her. He thought back to the night they met all those months ago.

She was beyond talented, sexy and desirable. He was sure that she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and she came to him. She wanted him… ok, so initially she didn't want him in that way but eventually she did. She was good to him too. She'd taken him into her heart and her home and he'd destroyed both without so much as a second thought.

Was it possible that maybe she could find it in her heart to forgive him and possibly give him a second chance? He knew she had a huge heart but he also knew that he'd broken it. He'd lost her trust and without trust did they really have anything at all?

He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard Beca laughing. "Aubrey, you can't be serious right now?

He missed that sound; her laugh was infectious. He missed her smile. He missed the way her skin felt against his. If he was being honest, he missed everything about her. He felt himself getting hard, just thinking about her and for the record, he knew it was not just morning wood, this was all Beca's doing. She did this to him. Every. Single. Time. She always had and she always would. No other woman had ever had this effect on him.

"Ok fine Aubrey. Yeah… I'll talk to you later. Love you too! Bye."

Jesse watched Beca lay her phone on the table next to her, plug her earbuds in and roll over onto her belly. He groaned as she unhooked her bikini top to avoid a tan line across her back and went to sleep in the afternoon sun.

He wanted nothing more than to be able to lay next to her and touch her beautiful alabaster skin. He had given up the right to do that when he walked out without so much as a fight. She had told him to get out… so he did and he never even looked back. Sure he'd hung around hoping that she'd come after him but instead she'd called Luke. Luke… it was always about Luke.

Jesse knew he should have made his presence known but he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was the entire package and if it killed him, he was going to do whatever it took to get her back. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him and her wanted her to know that.

He walked to the laundry room switched the loads, grabbed a pair of clean boxers and shorts then went to shower. He'd quickly showered the night before to remove the top two layers of dirt and grime so as not to ruin Beca's Egyptian cotton sheets but it was the first shower he'd taken in a while that he could really scrub himself clean and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

o~O~o

Twenty minutes later, Jesse found himself, once again, taking in the sight of the woman that had stolen his heart. The woman that he feared he'd never again get to be with. He shook his head and wondered how he should even approach her at this point. Things were far from good between them and just because she had been kind enough to take him in the night before didn't mean that things were going to get better or that he'd be welcomed to stay. She did say that they would discuss his living arrangements but he had no idea what she had in mind.

Grabbing a towel, he decided to make his way out to the pool. If he stayed holed up in the pool house he'd never find out what her plan was. He quietly walked over to the chaise lounge next to hers. He hated to disturb her but didn't want her to be startled when she woke up and saw him laying next to her or swimming in the pool.

"Hey." He said softly as he put his towel on the chaise.

"Hey." She responded groggily as she reached around her back to secure her bikini top. "You sleep ok?"

"I did… thanks."

"Hungry?" She asked, needing an excuse to go inside for the contract she'd drawn up.

Jesse smiled. "Always."

Standing up, she pulled on a pair of cut off shorts and said, "I'll be right back."

Jesse watched as she walked inside. Laying back on the chaise, he wondered when they would broach the subject of his living arrangements but decided he wasn't going to bring it up.

When Beca got inside she wondered how things were going to go over with Jesse once she filled him in on her proposition. She didn't mind helping him out but he wasn't going to mooch off of her any longer. He needed to get his shit straight sooner rather than later.

Beca made homemade chicken salad sandwiches on seven grain bread and placed the plates on the serving tray. She then placed a plate of celery and carrot sticks, a bowl of ranch dip, a bag of veggie chips and a pitcher of sweet tea on the tray as well. Reaching into one of the kitchen drawers, she pulled out the envelope with Jesse's name written on the outside of it. She carefully removed the enclosed piece of paper and read over them one more time before putting them back in the envelope and putting it in her back pocket. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed some napkins then picked up the tray and made her way back outside.

She placed everything on the table on the morning porch, took a deep breath and called Jesse over, it was now or never.

"Jesse… food's ready."

"Be right there." He called over his shoulder.

Beca put some carrots and some celery on her plate and sat down at the table. The conversation they were about to have could go bad if not approached with extreme caution.

"Wow! This looks great." Jesse said as he sat down.

Beca took a deep breath, there was no sense in beating around the bush. "Jesse, we need to talk."

"I know." He sighed. "Thank you for stopping last night and for letting me stay. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

"I'll be out of your hair soon. I don't want to impose."

They sat in silence for a several minutes. Beca knew she needed to continue the conversation but the words just weren't coming to her. She stared at the food on her plate like it was going to tell her exactly what she needed to say

Jesse finally broke the silence. "Beca… I'm sorry." He said softly as he looked directly into her eyes. He'd apologized before but for the first time, he truly meant the words he said.

The apology was unexpected and caught Beca completely off guard. When she was finally able to to put more than two words together she finally replied. "You know, if you had said that a couple of months ago, things would've been different."

Jesse suddenly felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He knew he should have apologized but his pride had gotten in the way and he was pissed because she had yelled at him. In her defense, she had every right to yell at him. If he was completely honest, she had every right to kick his ass to the curb. What had surprised him was that even after everything he'd done, she dropped the charges. What he didn't know was that she dropped the charges so she wouldn't have to see him in court.

"If it helps, I wish I hadn't left. The last couple of months have been terrible." Jesse told her.

Beca looked up truly concerned and wondering if she did the right thing by bringing him home with her. If he was having trouble with his dealer or street thugs the last thing she needed was to bring that into her home. "What happened?"

As Jesse rehashed the details of the what he'd been through Beca winced and squirmed. She had dealt with a lot but it was nothing in comparison. Her heart went out to him. "Do you want to continue to stay here?" She asked him.

Jesse was genuinely taken aback. What had he done to deserve such kindness? Even last night he'd been awful to her and she still let him come home with her. Granted, he hadn't slept under the same roof as she had but he was in close proximity and that had to mean something.

"I'd like that." He told her. After all, he had no where else to go. He thought that maybe if he took care of the lawn and the pool and did some odds and ends around the house he could earn his keep while keeping a roof over his head.

"There's conditions." She said while picking at the crust on her bread.

"What kind of conditions."

Beca took a deep breath, it was the moment of truth. "You have to go to to rehab."

"Beca…" He started. "I've been on the streets since you kicked me out, I can't exactly afford rehab."

"Once again Jess, you left! But I never said that you had to pay for it. I just said that you have to go if you want to stay here." Beca told him. "Despite everything, I only want what's best for you. I want to see you get a recording contract. You have drive and determination, you're talented and you deserve it. I want to see you succeed but you have to want it and most importantly, you have to work for it. It won't all just be handed to you."

Jesse rubbed his forehead. "Beca..."

"I did some calling around this morning." Beca told him. "Passages Malibu has a place for you if you want it."

"I don't know what to say."

"Do you want to continue living like you have been or do you want to work toward your goal of becoming a recording artist?"

"I'll go." He told her. "I'll do it."

"Jesse, look at me." Beca demanded quietly. When their eyes met she said, "I want you to do this because you want to do it, not because I want you to. If you're doing it for me, then it won't work."

Jesse shook his head. "I'm doing this because I don't want to end up like her."

"Like who… your Mom?"

"She gave birth to me, that doesn't make her my mom. It makes her my incubator."

"Bambi made some mistakes and she died because of them. You're still young and there's still time for you to learn from her mistakes and turn this all around."

"That's true."

"Do you want to hear the rest of my proposal?"

"Sure."

Beca took the envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Jesse. She watched as he looked at the envelope for several minutes before finally deciding to look at what was inside it. He slowly flipped the envelope over, lifted the flap and removed the piece of paper inside. He read the it several times before folding the piece of paper and putting it back in the envelope.

Without saying a word, Jesse got up and walked to the guest house.

"Great. I pushed too hard and now what?" Beca thought to herself. "Now I guess he's leaving."

Beca sat at the table beating herself up for trying to tell Jesse what to do with his life. Clearly, he wasn't ready to make any life altering decisions after one decent night's sleep. She had clearly screwed up this time.

When Beca heard the door to the guest house close, she looked up. Jesse was standing there, with his bag in one hand and the envelope she had given him in the other.

Jesse walked over to the table, dropped his bag on the ground and sat down. "I signed your contract."

"You did?" Beca asked confused.

"Yeah… I'll go to rehab. I'll get a job. I'll pay rent. I'll do it all."

Beca reached across the table and touched his hand. "Is this what you want?"

"I'm ready to go."

Beca smiled. She wasn't going to get her hopes up but maybe there was a chance for them after all.

As they sat and enjoyed their late lunch, they talked, finally catching up on everything that had happened since their split. Beca felt awful about all Jesse had been through since she kicked him out. She had to remind herself that she was justified and that everything that happened was a direct result of the lifestyle he chose to live. With any luck at all, rehab would help him to see the error of his way and set him on a more positive path.

That evening, after taking Jesse shopping for some new clothes, shoes, toiletries and a new duffle bag, Beca dropped him off at the rehab facility.

She watched him walk through the doors and pause. Her heart flipped a little as she was sure he was about to change his mind but he turned and waved a goodbye before walking over to the reception desk.

Beca watched him sign in and walk away with a staff member before she drove off. She didn't mind admitting that she felt good about him agreeing to her proposal but she knew that she shouldn't get her hopes up too much.

A leopard didn't change their spots at all.

Or did they?