A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all the support so far, the reviews and comments are always well appreciated. :) I know I said the next chapter will be up Thursday but I finished it earlier - next one will either be up tomorrow or Friday - so here's chapter 23 featuring… well…

Songs listed below. Everyone gets a mini POV at a particular part of the chapter.

Enjoy! :D I poured my heart and soul in this so I hope it translates well.

I don't own pitch perfect.

It was the perfect opening, the simple strumming of strings on a guitar, a song stripped down to its soul before becoming more and more complex as memories become entwined with the meaning behind their words.

The opening was lovely, and Beca knew how to make the song sway the way it should to build it up slowly and create something more profound, a song that would give you goosebumps as you listen to it. Music that can evoke emotions and make you feel it in your heart.

Sayin' I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you

Beca Mitchell is terrible at words. She knows that whole-heartedly. She wasn't even trying to deny it.

She messes up the delivery, she rambles and ends up stuttering the important parts of what she was trying to say.

It wasn't deserving of Chloe.

She needed something more.

So Beca thought, why not serenade her through the air waves, song after song? She did do that to express her heartache.

She started the night before, and Beca Mitchell wasn't planning on giving it up until she gets some sort of response form Chloe. She was making her move, and she'll be patiently waiting for Chloe's turn.

It's not that I want you
Not to say it, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cause I'd already know

Beca's mind was currently filled with too many thoughts, but then again, she's learned that it was just a part of life at Barden. Most of what Aubrey said yesterday were still echoing in her thoughts but she's pushed that back for now.

Now what mattered was Chloe, and this is all Beca could think of to reach her, to reach her heart. Music was what connected them, what unwittingly bound them.

Besides, it was true to who Beca was. True to who Chloe was.

And Beca tried to make it more special by mixing three different versions of the current song in just the right ways to make it work.

She wanted to create something beautiful and meaningful for her.

What would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you

And so, all Beca could hope for was for her efforts to be enough.

Girl, I'm in love with you
This ain't the honeymoon
Passed the infatuation phase
Right in the thick of love
At times we get sick of love
Seems like we argue everyday

Chloe was clutching her phone in her hand, twisting and turning it in her palms. She wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't sure how to do it.

She was certain about what she felt for Beca. But the pain from the heartbreak was incredibly traumatic. Chloe knew, she understood, life wasn't perfect. It was far from it.

But her fears were weighing her heart heavy, and she could still feel the cracks.

And so Chloe Beale started pacing in her room.

I know I misbehaved and you made your mistakes
And we both still got room left to grow
And though love sometimes hurts
I still put you first
And we'll make this thing work but I think maybe we should take it slow

It was a nice change of pace, hearing songs about love and taking a chance at love instead of the sad, break-up and brokenhearted songs taking over her favorite DJ's radio show – because of course she never could find herself to stop listening in despite not calling for requests. Chloe couldn't help but wonder if the songs were all for her, what exactly was Beca doing?

Or was she wrong on her assumptions that Beca was the Midnight DJ all along?

It was a constant back and forth, a push and pull that she was continually feeling. A part of her knew she was ready to take the leap and jump while another half was simply cautious and afraid. She's learned, she's discovered, just how fragile a heart could be.

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
'Cause we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow
Take it slow, ohh
This time we'll take it slow
Take it slow, oh
This time we'll take it slow

Aubrey was keeping her mouth shut on anything regarding Beca, so that wasn't really helpful at all. The one time she had wanted her best friend to actually be talking her ear off, she was staying silent. From the looks of it though, Aubrey had a lot in her mind. There was the problem of getting the Bellas together but Chloe could tell that there was something more, something she didn't want to talk about just yet, so she let it be.

Chloe has faith that the Bellas will pull through.

And Chloe believed that Aubrey would start talking to her about her problems when she's ready.

But not having to worry about anything else kept Chloe free to think about Beca. For the first time, she understood her. Why Beca would choose to simply run away and give up or push people away. It was easier.

But she was missing her terribly.

And know that Aubrey told her that there really was nothing going on between her and Jesse, a spark of hope had started to feel her heart with a new flame.

But Chloe knew that hope was the one thing more fragile than the heart, and all her worries would simply come back to haunt her when she thinks about it.

Maybe we'll live and learn
Maybe we'll crash and burn
Maybe you'll stay, maybe you'll leave
maybe you'll return
Maybe another fight
Maybe we won't survive
But maybe we'll grow
We never know
Maybe you and I

Chloe took a deep breath. She knew Beca was worth it, there was no question about it.

What she's afraid of was the 'what ifs' that haunted her.

What if it doesn't work out? What if they both mess it up? Would they ever be able to make it?

Real human fears.

But what if they don't get the chance to say goodbye and they part ways soon? Would she really be fine with that regret? Would she really be okay to have their story to be something that never even begun?

What if they could be everything and more?

Shouldn't she believe in that?

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
'Cause we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow

Nothing worth it is ever easy. And Chloe, she's sure what she feels for Beca was worth it.

It was the 'hard' part that she wasn't sure if they can endure.

But Chloe, she still wants to have faith, maybe that's why her grip on her phone was so tight.

It starts to get tricky, a bit difficult, but the beats keep the rhythm, the strong and steady heart of the song.

And Beca knows this, carefully tweaking the song currently on air into what it was now.

I don't know what it is that you've done to me
But it's caused me to act in such a crazy way
Whatever it is that you do when you do what you're doing
It's a feeling that I don't understand

It was like a desperate prayer. The songs she plays to let Chloe know how she felt. She chose them perfectly because they spoke of the things her heart constantly yelled out, things she would at times still be afraid to even whisper.

Time after time after time I've tried to fight it
But your love is strong it keeps on holding on
Resistance is down when you're around, starts fading
In my condition I don't want to be alone

Besides, all the songs, each and every one, they were so much more layered. They were the closest thing to capturing the way she feels for Chloe, the things that words had failed to capture.

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time
With thoughts of loving you on my mind
I can't figure out just what to do
When the cause and cure is you, oh

It carried with them emotions and thoughts of how things were, how they could be, and what might be. So Beca knew, she couldn't give this up. She had to until she runs out of songs, until music ceases to exists, no, she will never give up on Chloe.

No matter how long it takes. She knows this as the truth as the last song of her shift continued playing on air.

I get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak
I lose all control and something takes over me
In a daze and it's so amazing, it's not a phase
I want you to stay with me, by my side
I swallow my pride, your love is so sweet
It knocks me right off of my feet
Can't explain why your loving makes me weak

Another night passes. It's been two whole nights, a complete six hours, but Beca never tires. One wasn't enough, a dozen not nearly close to it. Every night the past three nights, all the songs she played were for Chloe. Were dedicated to Chloe. Were songs that made her think about Chloe and how she feels for her, with some songs even her own personal mixes, songs on playlists she's made for her, given her.

This is Beca's way of shouting into the air and let the world know her private thoughts and feelings, she wants the world to know.

She loves Chloe Beale. In all the way it matters and in every sense of the word.

She does answer requests, and she was thankful her listeners were all in on it with her without even having to tell them anything. They felt it, Beca's need to let the world know she loved someone and it touched them. It made them think of the people they love too, of songs that made them think of their loved ones and how they felt, and Beca happily obliged to answering their requests.

Some of the Bellas have called, clued in to what was going through Beca's head. Jesse kept requesting songs he thought would help too, surprisingly even Benji. Luke was having a go at it, Matt too, and everyone else at the station.

It was like everything was conspiring for her to win. The universe, it was in cahoots with Beca at the moment with her plan to win Chloe's heart, and it was building her confidence a little.

She could do this.

Chloe would call.

Or reach out somehow.

But an hour passes and still nothing and Beca, she tries to fight it off, the despair that was trying to fight its way back to her heart. Instead she thought, this was their dance, a give and take.

And Beca was adamant to wait as she hit the next song to play.

For all this time
I've been lovin' you girl
Oh yes I have
And ever since the day
You left me here alone
I've been trying to find
Oh, the reason why

I watched you go
Takin' my heart with you
Oh yes you did
Every time I try to reach you on the phone
Baby you're never there
Girl you're never home

Chloe was on the edge of her bed, a new song playing, hear heart moved by every note. She smiled to herself at the thought that this song was for her.

That perhaps all the songs the last few days were for her.

Aubrey still won't budge, especially about what she ended up talking with Beca when she dropped by at the hospital. But Aubrey was hopeful, and she could tell that she was all on board for 'Team Beca'.

But truth be told she was already partially on board when Beca punched Tom.

So if I did something wrong please tell me
I wanna understand
'Cause I don't want this love to ever end

Beca punched Tom. She risked her precious talented hands getting a fracture. She stood up for her.

Actions speak louder than words, Chloe knows this. Maybe that's why Chloe was growing more and more confident with the idea that Beca might just have feelings for her.

It was there, it had always been, fostering the growth of hope in heart in the past and in the present.

And I swear
If you come back in my life
I'll be there 'til the end of time
(Back to me, back to me, back into my life)
And I swear
I'll keep you right by my side
'Cause baby you're the one I want
(Back to me, back to me, back into my life)
Oh yes you are

It's always been in the subtle details, Chloe thought. The way that Beca could never really put up a fight for whatever she asked of her, the way she looked at Chloe, smiled when she was with her – or perhaps for her? – when she was around. It was in the way that she had let her in, despite her own fears and vulnerability.

Beca had let Chloe see all of her. Know each part of her.

She had trusted her with her heart.

And Chloe was sure if she reached out Beca wouldn't even turn her down. She couldn't before, she wouldn't now.

But what would she say?

Aubrey did clue her in when she told her what Jesse said, that she had also broken Beca's heart.

It was a clear motive as to why the last few weeks were a parade of melancholic songs.

But now what?

So if I did something wrong please tell me
I wanna understand
'Cause I don't want this love to ever end

Chloe tried moving on despite knowing in the depths of her heart that she could never and now a part of her knew that perhaps, in some way of form, Beca found out and knew about this.

And if that hopeful 'if' about the way Beca feels for her was true, then she had truly hurt her.

So how could Chloe even begin again? What should she say?

She broke the heart of the cautious girl who trusted her, all because she was too blind and too quick to jump to conclusions. All because at the moment that she felt herself get hurt, she couldn't see past her own pain to get behind the truth.

But she was only being human.

And I swear
If you come back in my life
I'll be there 'til the end of time
(Back to me, back to me, back into my life)
And I swear
I'll keep you right by my side
Cause baby you're the one I want
(Back to me, back to me, back into my life)
Oh yes you are

So now, what should she do? How do they start again? Where do they even start again?

In every masterpiece, in every work of art, especially when it comes to music, there were ups and downs. A song itself is something intricately woven together of moments high and low, of different sounds coming together to make a melody. And Beca somehow knew that love was a little something like that.

So many quiet walks to take
So many dreams to wake
And we've so much love to make

It's halfway through the second hour of the third night and Beca busies herself with thoughts about other matters. She didn't want to get disheartened, she didn't want to think about failing once more that night. No, she didn't want to let doubt creep back and silently build her walls. She doesn't want to push people away anymore, especially not Chloe.

So instead she focuses on the good memories

I think we're gonna need some time
Maybe all we need is time...
And it's telling me it might be you
All of my life...

Those simple days, lazy afternoons, and quiet moments with Chloe. She focused on the bright smiles, the laughter, all those warm moments.

She can't have herself lose faith now.

So yeah, she had to have faith.

I've been saving love songs and lullabies
And there's so much more
No one's ever heard before...

She busied her mind with trying to weigh an important decision regarding the Bellas. She knew that no matter what, for as long as the Bellas pull it together, with or without her, they'll win.

They had it in them.

And Beca knew she had an even bigger decision to make. But a part of her already knew the answer to that. She just really had to sleep on it. Maybe a few times to be safe and sure it's what she wanted.

But all in all, no matter what the future brings, she was actually glad that she found herself at Barden. She met the Bellas here. She made friends here. Most importantly, she met Chloe here.

Something's telling me it might be you
Yeah, it's telling me it must be you
And I'm feeling it'll just be you
All of my life...

Chloe was what she never planned, something she never so coming.

It's you..
It's you...
I've been waiting for all of my life...

And Chloe had become the dream that Beca didn't even notice she was chasing.

I don't know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you'll make a better me
Every day I love you

She wants to. She just wants to go to Beca, reach out and do something.

But something was weighing her down. Her worst fears, her nightmares, they were chasing away the dreams.

But Chloe knew she couldn't just simply sit down, no, not any longer. Her whole body wants to move, tire herself down.

I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Every day I love you

The strong pitter patter of rain outside was providing a steady rhythm along with the song. It's been raining every night for the past couple of days and Chloe couldn't help but think that the heavens were crying for whatever reason.

Or perhaps it was just a cleansing, a time to clear all thoughts and breathe in new life.

It was two in the morning and she felt uneasy. Sleep won't visit her, not one bit. And she started pacing frantically in the living room. It came as a bit of surprise to see Aubrey outside her room as well, sipping on a cup of tea by the kitchen counter, her mind burdened by her own thoughts.

They acknowledged each other's presence but kept to themselves. Aubrey's phone was tuned in on the Midnight DJ's radio program, making Chloe think that whatever she does, she can't escape Beca, her thoughts about her, or the way she feels about her.

'Cause I believe that destiny
Is out of our control
(Don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul

"Would you stop it with the pacing Chlo? You're making me feel dizzy." Aubrey finally said, disrupting Chloe's thoughts.

And here she thought that the only thing she could feel and hear, and breathe, and see was all related to Beca. It caught her a bit off guard to hear Aubrey's voice above it all, piercing through the cloud of all that was consuming her.

"I didn't know you were watching me." Chloe replied with a sigh, keeping her best to stay still as she turned to face Aubrey.

"You're being an idiot." Aubrey said bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Chloe then asked, a little thrown back by Aubrey's comment.

"I said, Chloe, that you're being an idiot. You can go all emotional in a dark corner somewhere, adopt an alternative look or something, or you can keep suffering in silence for all I care, but you're being an idiot. She's made her move, it's time you make yours."

"I'm sorry, but I don't see you moving yourself." Chloe replied.

And Aubrey sighed. "It's different. You have something already started, something you were already slowly but surely building. I don't have any. Whatever move I make will depend on what happens next, what happens on Friday at least."

Chloe tried to rebut Aubrey's response to her but she couldn't come up with anything to say. She was right. They didn't have to start from scratch, Beca Mitchell has become one of her best friends and she had to believe that at the core of everything else was that friendship.

That they have solid foundations no matter how many times their house ends up collapsing.

And that Beca will help her rebuild it.

It's a touch when I feel bad
It's a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Every day I love you

She missed Beca, she missed the times they spent together and she really was being an idiot considering the girl who walked out and ran away, the girl she had to chase and reassure everything was going to be alright between them not so long ago may very well be the one chasing her now.

There was something definitive with what Aubrey said that Beca was making her move after all.

Beca was chasing after her now.

Something Chloe could only ever dream of.

Every day I love you more
Every day I love you

She couldn't stop the silent tears from trailing down her cheeks as she came to that realization. Aubrey gave a lighthearted smile, "Why is it that nine out of ten times, you're the first one who cries?"

"Oh shut up Bree." Chloe said with a nervous smile as she wiped her tears away.

Beca Mitchell loved her too. And it made Chloe's heart swell.

They were words that she didn't pen herself but she knew if the ink hadn't dried on the page by then, she would have written them down herself.

This was her way, this had always been the way Beca knew how to speak.

Through notes and lyrics.

Through music.

Oh, I would take the stars out of the sky for you
Stop the rain from falling if you ask me to
I'd do anything for you, your wish is my command
I could move a mountain when your hand is in my hand

Beca found a cover of the song by famous British artist for some talk show somewhere online and she couldn't help but add her own Beca Mitchell touch.

"Please Chloe, please hear me." Beca kept muttering to herself as the last hour of her show was winding down.

Oh, words cannot express how much you mean to me
There must be some other way to make you see
If it takes my heart and soul, you know I'll pay the price
Everything that I possess I'd gladly sacrifice

It would be another round lost, Beca could already see it coming. It would be another loss.

And she knew, she knew she had to do something to reach Chloe. There must be a way to do so, she's got to find a way.

Beca was clenching and unclenching her fists nervously wanting to grip anything within her reach. Her laptop was thankfully ready, her mixing program up and running. It wasn't hard really, to find the perfect song to play. Beca's been tweaking and mixing them since day one, she just wasn't aware that they were all for Chloe. Or maybe a part of her was, she just wasn't ready to open her eyes to see it.

But now she sees it, very clearly.

Oh, you to me are everything
The sweetest song that I can sing
Oh baby, oh baby
To you I guess I'm just a clown
Who picks you up each time you're down
Oh baby, oh baby
You give me just a taste of love
To build my hopes upon
You know you've got the power girl
To keep me holding on
Oh, now you've got the best of me
Come on and take the rest of me, oh baby, yeah, oh

And Beca knows, she hasn't done everything in her power yet, there still must be something she can do to reach her, to have her realize that all the songs were for her because together they make the perfect harmony, like all the songs and mixes Beca's been playing. She'll do anything she had to just to have Chloe hear her voice.

Her voice… Beca thought.

"That's it!" Beca exclaimed.

"What are you still standing there for?" Aubrey asked as the current song on air was reaching its tail end.

"What do you mean?" Chloe asked confused.

"Oh for the love of God Chloe, must I do everything?" Aubrey muttered as she made her way towards Chloe pulling her by the arm as they made their way towards the door.

"Bree, are you out of your mind? It's pouring outside!" Chloe protested pulling Aubrey to halt.

Then the song on the radio changed and Chloe found herself staring right back at Aubrey a little surprised.

You shout it out,
But I can't hear a word you say

"There's your sign. And I hate that I know that stupid story. But there's your sign." Aubrey said.

And Chloe smiled watching her best friend disappear for a brief moment. Aubrey handed Chloe's own phone to her after rushing back to the last place she's seen it. "In case something else happens. Don't wanna miss anything." she said. Chloe obliged, placing her own set of buds and keeping her phone safe in her jacket's pocket.

I'm talking loud, not saying much
I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet
Shoot me down, but I get up

Her heart was racing as she rushed out the door, the cold spring rain greeting her without warning, she was freezing but she did care.

She didn't even mind forgetting her umbrella. The rain was refreshing, and she welcomed it.

All she could think of in that moment was that first real interaction, that first moment she was able to peer into Beca's soul.

It was that song that first brought them together.

And it was bringing them together again now with the unmistakable Beca Mitchell touch.

They were the perfect mix.

The most beautiful symphony.

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away

A part of Beca felt it then. Why else would she stare into the eyes of a naked girl – who technically jumped her in a way because she was singing – in her shower not so many months ago.

Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away

It was like magic rushed through her veins in that moment, the same kind of magic buzzing inside of her now.

You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Beca was biting her nails, bowing her head down. She felt like her heart was going to explode at the next thought that popped into her mind. Like her heart was matching the beats of the song.

It wasn't enough, no, not just yet. One last final push.

Because she wanted to be fearless. She wanted to prove that she's all in on this.

You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium

Beca turned the dial down and turned the mic on. "Now I know DJ's don't usually speak in the middle of a song… right, forgot this…" Beca started to say before ripping the device that Stacie built for her off of the mic.

"Chloe Beale, if you are listening, then you know what I have to say." Beca once again started, this time with her own voice. And she's never felt so free.

Aubrey couldn't help but give out a whistle, something she wouldn't do but the situation called for it. Beca was definitely going all in at the moment as she listened to Beca's own voice on air.

"You're not allowed to come crashing in, barreling your way through my defenses and uprooting my monotonic life and then just leave."

Her voice was loud and clear. Unwavering.

"You might want to hear this." Luke said as Emily grumpily answered his video call. Emily started screaming minutes after Luke turned up the volume on the stereo in his room. He couldn't help himself but snigger at the fact that Emily was fangirling and the fact that Beca just stepped her game up unexpectedly.

"I won't let you."

Her voice rang true to every single word.

"Are you in?" Cynthia Rose heard someone say from the table. She was in a late night game that was running way past late. "Oh, I'm all in." she responded a huge smile on her face. She was feeling lucky.

Especially as she listened to Beca from her earphones, giving up her Midnight DJ identity and practically telling the whole world of Barden that she was in love with Chloe Beale.

"You're the greatest thing that happened to me and… God, I don't know why I'm starting to get emotional right now…"

And now she was fighting a sob. It was almost like her feeling were too overwhelming. That she just couldn't keep it in to herself any longer.

What else could be said?

Nothing, because apparently Beca Mitchell has found her voice. She's found who she is.

The badass DJ running the best radio show at Barden.

And the girl pouring her heart out right at that very moment.

Jessica and Ashley simply stared at each other, mouths agape. It was an unexpected turn of events. And they say nothing good ever happens past two in the morning.

"But… But… you're the reason behind every song, I hope you know that."

You can almost detect the smile in her tone as she said it.

Lilly smiled.

No, not because the boy who had tried to harm Chloe was still suffering from the song that now haunts him every day. Not because he was nearly crying wishing it to be over.

Lilly brought the binoculars down and smiled because Beca was finally doing what she should have done from the start.

"You're my symphony."

And because her words chose not to fail her this time.

Dr. Mitchell smiled. He couldn't help but be proud.

Beca was changing, and she was changing for good.

And in the end all he really ever wanted was for the best for her.

"And I was lucky to have met you. I can't believe I almost didn't."

Dr. Mitchell chuckled as he leaned back on his favorite chair right next to his old radio, knowing only full well the story behind Beca's own words.

Denise had already begun drifting off as what she assumed the last song of the show had begun to play.

But she was stirred awake upon hearing Beca's words, finding herself at a loss for words herself with Beca's big gesture.

"I was chasing away some other dream when you crash landed right in front of me so unexpectedly."

Her words were reaching not just Chloe but all of them now. They all could feel what Beca was feeling.

It was a late night study habit, but she couldn't help but tune in to the Midnight DJ, so might as well be productive.

But Flo couldn't focus on any of her notes right now. All she could focus on was on what her favorite DJ was doing.

And she couldn't help but feel a little pride that she ended up knowing the DJ in person herself.

"You changed me and you keep on bringing out the best in me."

She even had a special view behind the story of the words that were echoing in every nook and cranny of Braden right then.

The Trebles were having a late night emergency meeting but Jesse kept true to listening to Beca's radio show faithfully. That's why he couldn't help but fist pump when Beca started her declaration of love – as what he is now calling it – for Chloe Beale.

He was proud of his best friend. It still stung a little, true, but he was just too happy for her.

"And I… I won't just give you up without a fight."

Determination was in Beca's voice. That much was clear.

"Isn't that the girl you serenaded before she slapped you? Her voice sounds familiar…" Donald started to say.

"Shush!" was all that Jesse gave out as a reply, hanging on to every word that Beca was saying.

Stacie and Amy were clutching onto each other for dear life, grinning from ear to ear, standing on Amy's bed where they were sitting on earlier.

"… I… Chloe, I lo- Chloe?"

Beca's voice was gone after that.

And thus began the screaming and shouting, the jumping, and the rest of the racket that they made that ended up waking up the rest of the dorm that early morning.

Chloe was out of breath as she burst through the door to the station. Beca was standing inside the booth, leaning over the mic, the noise she made startling Beca a little.

"Chloe?" she had a said sounding a little breathless. She was nervous, Chloe could tell. She was trembling a little as she opened the door from the booth and took one step out.

But Chloe wasn't going to let anything ruin the prefect moment. She was shivering herself, and she wasn't entirely sure if her heart was banging loudly against her chest because of Beca's presence or because of running through the rain.

But she didn't care.

She tore the earbuds from her ears, shoving them into her jacket pocket, crossing the room in one swift moment to reach her, to reach Beca. She's waited for this moment for so long.

She wasn't going to wait any longer.

Chloe had this effect on her that always leaves her mesmerized, but Beca already knew that.

What she didn't know was how true the songs were.

Her knees had gone weak as soon as she felt Chloe's touch, she was real. She was truly there. Beca had succeeded. And she felt like she was going to cry and smile and laugh all at the same time. Her heart just couldn't keep all of it locked up.

What she didn't know was just how intoxicating Chloe really was. She never realized it until the redhead had pulled her close, one hand on the small of her back and another resting at the back of her neck as she joined their lips together.

It was a brief moment, and Beca was already craving for more. "Chlo- I- " she tried to say, her voice soft and gentle as she found herself in Chloe's arms.

"Shh." Chloe said joining their lips once more, smiling into the kiss.

And Beca couldn't help but smile too. "But Chlo- I- " Beca tried saying again.

"Beca, shut up." Chloe whispered the words on her lips, and how could Beca even argue?

She never really could refuse Chloe on anything even if she tried. And right now, she didn't want to try. Her heart was heavy and weary, her heart was tired but she kept on pushing to move on and fight.

And now it finally had its first sigh of relief, lifting the heaviness that had surrounded Beca for days.

Kissing Chloe Beale takes her breath away, slow, unrushed, and passionate. Savoring every moment in case it was just a dream after all, in case the soft lips moving against hers, the shaky breaths mingling with her own, the uncertain hands tracing her silhouette, in case all of that was just an illusion. Her heart felt a wash of relief as she felt the tight embrace getting tighter, the need to be close greater, the thirst and hunger for the other completely taking over. All as the rain poured heavily outside, a reminder that with each other they found shelter in the tumultuous storm. They were each other's home, and Beca had been so blind to it, she almost missed it. And maybe, that was the one 'almost' Beca was glad she never found an answer to because she wouldn't know what to do if she actually missed the chance to come home to Chloe Beale.

Chloe Beale was her song. The way she made her heart beat was the sound of drums, her voice was the melody of the piano, the softness of her touch, the smile in her eyes were the strum of the guitar and the lyrics that words fail to capture. She was the color to her greyscale world, the rush of blood through her veins that made her felt alive, the air that allowed her to breathe. Music was Beca's life and blood and Chloe was its very soul, the notes that make her feel. How could she have been so foolish not to see it? Not to see that Chloe Beale was at the center of the dream she was chasing all along. Something she never expected she'd find at Barden.

And Beca's heart understood that things truly happen for a reason and everything she's gone through finally made sense.

Songs included in the chapter: 'More than Words' by Extreme with a version by Frankie J and another one by Westlife (they're all pretty good); 'Ordinary People' by John Legend; 'Weak' by SWV with a version by JoJo; 'If You Come Back' by Blue; 'It Might Be You' by Stephen Bishop; 'You to Me are Everything' by The Real Things with a cover by Pixie Lott (that I was listening to while writing this); and 'Titanium' by David Guetta ft. Sia

I was listening to a mix of other songs as a source of inspiration for this chapter but it was my usual playlist anyways and there were about 200+ songs on them so I'm not going to list them all down. :P

PS: Now y'all know now why I didn't use the song in the earlier chapters with the shower sing and simply mentioned it ;)

Hoped you enjoyed! I did say my plan for the angst was to build this payoff up, so I hope you guys found it worth it. Expect a Bechloe talk, shenanigans, and cute moments next chapter. Thanks for being such amazing readers and inspiring me to write this! :P