"Thanks, I needed that." Jaiden straightened up into a kneeling position and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Stacie smiled up at her and propped herself onto her elbows, watching the younger girl closely. She could tell Jaiden had been stressed from the moment she walked into the door and if there was anything that Stacie knew, it was how to relieve stress. She had drug the brunette into the shower and took things from there, knowing exactly what to do to get Jaiden's mind off whatever her problems were.

"You can hang around for a bit if you want." Stacie offered, watching as Jaiden put her bra on and pulled her shirt over her head. The freshman glanced back at her briefly before finding her pants, which had been abandoned halfway to the bathroom.

"I've got to get back upstairs. Beca's genius girlfriend got alcohol poisoning last night and you probably know how that goes." She declined politely as she slid back into her skinny jeans and fastened her belt. Jaiden looked around aimlessly for her shoes as Stacie watched on in mild amusement. One thing she had noticed about Jaiden was that she was far worse at hiding her emotions than Beca was.

"So what's your damage, kiddo? You're not that great at hiding it." Stacie arched an eyebrow and waited for her latest partner's reply. Jaiden shot her a sideways look and slipped on the single sneaker she had found so far.

"This isn't a relationship, remember?" The older of the two rolled her eyes and sat up in her bed.

"Wow, you're even more defensive than Beca. Whatever, I won't push. Just let me know if you need anything." Stacie relented, winking after her last word. Jaiden couldn't help but smirk as she leaned down and pulled her second shoe out from under the older brunette's bed. Sliding it onto her foot, Jaiden stood up straight and started towards the door.

"Thanks, Stace. I'll let you know." She replied finally. Jaiden could feel the older girl's eyes on her as she opened the door and stepped out and knew that eventually, some form of the truth was going to come out to the Bellas. The group was close, which had been made apparent by the party the other night, and it was only a matter of time before they all picked up on the strained relationship.

Jaiden only hesitated for a few seconds before heading back into the stairwell and onto her sister's floor. Her hair was still wet from the shower and she took a moment to comb her fingers through it, hoping Beca would just assume that she had taken a shower in their bathroom. She had also picked up on the fact that Beca was more than a little bothered by her sexual escapades with Stacie. Careful not to make too much noise, Jaiden opened the unlocked door and crept back into the dorm, only to find Beca sitting on the couch.

"Where the hell were you?" The shorter girl asked suspiciously. Jaiden glanced at the ceiling, willing herself not to be confrontational, before shutting the door behind her and shrugging.

"Downstairs…" Jaiden let her voice trail off, hoping she wouldn't have to elaborate. Her eyes widened in realization and then a frown crossed the DJ's face.

"Jay, you shouldn't be-"

"What Beca? The last thing I need is you telling me who I can and can't have sex with." Jaiden interrupted tiredly. Beca tensed, ready for a fight. To her surprise, Jaiden sighed and sat down on the couch next to her.

"I'm going to give you 15 minutes to say whatever you want, okay? And then I'm going to say whatever I want for 15, and then we'll be done for today. Sound fair?" Beca nodded at the proposition and took a deep breath before beginning.

"I guess I just want to ask you to stop acting like we aren't family. I'm your older sister and I'm going to look out for you, or at least try to. I know this is college and it's the time to do new shit but…I don't know, I guess I'm just being too protective." Beca admitted. "It just hurts that you act like you don't love me."

Jaiden waited for her sister to continue, but found silence resting between the two of them. She looked up from her hands, which had been clasped between her knees, and looked at Beca with soft eyes.

"Is that it?" Beca nodded and leaned back on the couch. Jaiden paused for a second and then slid closer to her. Before the smaller girl could even react, her sister had wrapped her arms around her. Beca relaxed immediately and threw her arms around the younger girl and pulled her closer, unabashedly desperate for the physical contact.

"I'm sorry if I act like I don't love you." Jaiden muttered, a touch of shame in her words. Being reserved with Beca was one thing, but she did love the older girl, and she knew she was loved back. Jaiden felt Beca's face nuzzle into her neck and realized that this was the first time that they had hugged in years. Regret filled her mind at the realization and she rubbed a hand up and down Beca's back softly.

"I'm so sorry I didn't stop him." Jaiden felt the smaller girl burst into a bout of sobs suddenly and froze. Beca's body shook as she broke down seemingly out of nowhere, and Jaiden found herself at a loss for words.

"Please stop crying." Jaiden said finally, pulling back from her sister. She kept a hand on each of Beca's shoulders and studied the older girl's tear soaked face. Mascara had left long, black streaks down her cheeks and Jaiden reached up with one hand and wiped at them.

"God, sorry, I don't do this." Beca apologized quickly, sheepishly, and sniffled a bit despite herself. "I just realized that I've missed so much of your life and there really was more I could have done to get you out of there. I could have taken Dad's car and came and got you the second you told me what he was like-"

"Don't do that." Jaiden shook her head and cut Beca's rant off.

"How can I not?" Beca blurted out with a rueful, bitter smile. Fresh tears sprung from her eyes again as she shook her head at herself and glanced up at the ceiling; another trait she shared with her sibling. "Every time I think about it, it's just so clear how much a failed you. I was supposed to protect you and I couldn't."

"Stop, please. You're…you're making this so hard. You always make things so hard for yourself, Beca. I'm saying right here, right now, I forgive you. I love you." Jaiden's voice was stern, but not harsh, and she suddenly appeared to be the older of the two. Beca searched her sister's eyes for any of sign of insincerity and found none.

"I love you too." Beca breathed out, nearly throwing herself back into Jaiden's arms. The 18 year old hugged her tightly and rested her chin atop Beca's head, patiently waiting for her to calm down.

Hey guys. Unfortunately, I'm at a blank on where to take this story. I've really enjoyed writing this so far, but I'm totally out of inspo at this point. If anyone has any ideas, my inbox is open, but until I come up with something, this story is on hiatus ):