A/N: Guys! Here is the chapter for Nationals! It's split into a few smaller chunks of POVs for the Bellas (the ones not featured here will be in the next chapter which includes the after-party :P). It also includes a brief POV from our two future Bellas and Jesse.

So yeah, here's chapter 26 featuring the lead up to and the actual Nationals. I didn't play the songs they used to compete (because again, we've seen that so many times already). Instead I picked a song that kind of sets up the mood on what Beca – and the rest of the Bellas by extension – are feeling at the moment as they fight and turn their dreams into reality ;).

Enjoy!

I don't own pitch perfect.

Wake up kids
We've got the dreamers disease
Age fourteen we got you down on your knees
So polite, you're busy still saying please
Frienemies, who when you're down ain't your friend
Every night we smash their Mercedes-Benz
First we run, and then we laugh 'til we cry

"Oh my God, that was actually really aca-awesome." Aubrey said sounding a little surprised that Jessica couldn't help but beam proudly at her friends after they went over the final run through of their performance. In about a month or so – honestly it was more like a little less than a month – the Bellas had worked their butts off to perfect their routine and set-list for Nationals. They weathered midterms, end of semester presentations, and apparently relationship drama of sorts along the way too.

In some ways, the year had gone faster than she had even expected.

All that was really left to conquer was Nationals. Well, that and finals.

And before she knew it they were all well on their way to becoming sophomores in college.

"Good job." Aubrey said with a smile. She seemed a whole lot more relaxed the last couple of days although Jessica couldn't help but think it was mostly because of Stacie and not the Bellas at all.

Alright, maybe a little of the Bellas too.

They were all fueled by a new found flame of determination to show the world – the acapella world at the very least – what they were all made of.

"So, one last practice tomorrow?" Denise had asked just before they left.

Aubrey pursed her lips, looking thoughtful for a minute. "Yeah, maybe one more run through." she replied. "After that I think we should all rest. We need to have our energy for the final battle."

Aubrey had walked towards the whiteboard to talk to Chloe about their flight plans for a minute, leaving Jessica alone with Ashley, Beca, and Stacie. The rest of the Bellas were already well on their way out, particularly Amy for some reasons. Something about not wanting to leave a guy hanging…

"Gotta hand it to you Stace, you've gotten Aubrey to mellow down since, you know, the two of you…" Ashley started to say and Stacie looked at her curiously.

"What she means to say is that since you've been defiling the Aca-Nazi, she's a little less stressed out and she's a whole lot nicer. Finally loosened some knots I suppose." Jessica commented and Beca shook her head as if she was chasing away some thought while Stacie gave out a flirty laugh.

"I'm pretty sure she's the one who's surprisingly doing the defiling." Stacie then said.

"Okay, gross. Ew. Gross." Beca commented becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the potential mental images flashing through her head. Jessica couldn't really blame her. "Chloe!" she then yelled out, walking towards the redhead just as Stacie started teasing her about giving some juicy details.

Stacie laughed, especially when shot her a look of mixed amusement and torture. Stacie simply shrugged. "What? You guys asked. I answered."

"Well at least you're a little more defined than those two." Ashley commented, pointing at Beca who had her arms were wrapped around Chloe's waist, her face pressed against the redhead's back as she chuckled, Beca probably telling her the information Stacie almost divulged.

"Oh grow up Mitchell." They heard Aubrey say.

"Yeah, those two are more subtle it's hard to get a read on their progress." Jessica then said.

"I think it's pretty obvious, I mean, I don't see Beca hugging anyone else in public." Stacie replied and Jessica saw exactly what she meant.

They've gotten a long way from where they were at the beginning. Aubrey was with Stacie, both seemed to have an understanding of what they both felt and the Bellas could see that the tension between them have finally been addressed. Meanwhile, there was Beca. She was opening up to the rest of them more and more, becoming more confident and relaxed with who she was around her friends, with how she expresses how she feels, especially with Chloe.

And as for the Bellas as a whole?

They've found harmony.

Jessica strongly believed in that.

"Oh, hey Midnight DJ!" Flo greeted upon once again almost running into Beca who was running out of her last class of the day.

"Flo! Hey, yeah, long time no see." Beca halted, stopping herself for a moment.

Flo had to admit, for some strange reason they keep bumping into each other every now and then and she couldn't help but be amused that every time they do, Beca always seemed to be in a pickle.

But today it seemed that the dark clouds that had been following the tiny DJ was gone. "So I reckon you got the girl?" Flo asked.

Beca smirked but didn't say anything else about it. "You know, I really do have to say, you should join the Bellas next year. You'd fit right in."

"How can you say?" Flo asked.

"Because you seem to be at the right place, at the right time when I needed to run into you and get some sense into me. I know that's probably vague, but, you remind me so much of them. They're my friends you see. Also, and I cannot believe I'm saying this, but they make the Bellas feel like a family."

"Wait, you're a Bella?"

Beca shrugged. "It was kind of an on-again, off-again relationship." she replied. "See you later Flo, really have to go."

"Ah, right. Bye." Flo said as she watched Beca run off but not before Beca called back "And Bellas, next year!" and finally leaving her in a state of confusion.

But, Flo reasoned, if Beca weather the storms of her first year of college with the Bellas then Flo figured she could get over her own fears and become a Bella next year.

They might, after all, just need a new voice to carry them to Nationals once again next year. The Bellas re-entering the competition had become news all over campus in a span of a few weeks, with die hard acapella fans taking bets on which Barden team would win.

And with that, Flo silently wished them a good luck.

But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight

Chloe could feel it in the air, like magic had surrounded them.

Granted it could just be her nerves about flying, something about take offs and landings always got her both excited and scared at the same time. A little known fact that only Aubrey knew.

And now, Beca too.

"Ah, Chlo, would you prefer the window seat? I don't mind switching with you." Beca said three whole minutes after they got settled down on their seats.

"I'm fine Beca, what made you ask?"

Beca smirked, raising their entwined hands up in. "I do love holding your hand Chlo, but you have mine in a vice grip." she pointed out.

Chloe let out a breathy laugh. "I'm just nervous Beca… I don't know. Could be National, because oh my God we are actually going to Nationals even after all that we've been though… and you're here, and you're a Bella, and… just, so many things." Chloe rambled, trying to unload her mind on Beca and relax. Beca kept the smirk on her face and kissed Chloe's cheek before she finally eased up a little. "But I'm glad to know that you like holding my hands." she then said.

"I'm just glad to know I have my own effect on you Beale. Relax, we've got this."

"But what if, what if we mess this up again. This is our last chance. I mean the Bellas can pick up the pieces again next year, just you know, we don't…"

"Hey Chlo," Beca said, placing a hand on Chloe's chin and gently turning her face towards her direction, "Look at me. We've got this. The Bellas have you and Aubrey's backs. And I've got you, just like I know you'll always have me."

It was Chloe's turn to smile, pressing her lips on Beca's cheeks to give her a quick peck. "Well how can I not be soothed by those words? You're turning into quite a charmer Mitchell."

"It's all because of you babe."

"Did you just call me babe?" Chloe threw back, adopting her usual flirty tone with her.

"Irrelevant." Beca then said. "We've got more important matters to talk about. More important than Nationals." Beca started to say and Chloe's thoughts were once again brought to the not so distant future ahead of them, thoughts she had buried for the last few weeks resurfacing.

"What is it?" Chloe asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Well, you see. My dad and Sheila, they're coming to New York to support us and the step-monster wants to meet you for dinner." Beca explained, not exactly being thrilled with the prospect of having dinner with her dad and her dad's wife. "But there's more." she continued. "Do you want to know what would make things more fun? My mom and my step-dad, joining us for said dinner too."

"Wow." Chloe sad to herself. "And here I was worried of dropping the news that my parents want you to join us for a late lunch slash early dinner for graduation."

"Wait, really?" Beca asked sounding more surprised than confused and panicky which was what Chloe predicted. "Guess we'll just have to survive meeting the 'rents together." she then said with a shrug and Chloe smiled.

Beca's gone a long way from how she was when they first met.

"Stop staring and swooning over me Beale." Beca then said and somehow with those simple exchanges, her worries about the future disappeared.

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

The Bellas had the day off, with the competition being the next day and all. As soon as they checked into their hotel rooms, Aubrey was quick to remind them to get some early sleep, minimize the shenanigans – "We are deeply hurt for the mistrust here." Amy had interjected during Aubrey's speech, but the blonde simply ignored it – and to enjoy the day without tiring themselves out too much. They needed the energy tomorrow to win, but they also need to be refreshed and roaring and ready to go.

Beca and Chloe disappeared as soon as Aubrey had let them go. Meanwhile, Amy quickly followed Lilly, Jessica, and Ashley to their hotel room, leaving Denise with Cynthia Rose.

"So, I guess we're paired up in a room together, huh?" Denise said as they made their way to the elevator.

"Yeah, I suppose. I heard Dr. Mitchell helped with the funds so that Chloe and Beca could get their own room. Aubrey was supposed to bunk in with Chloe while Stacie and Beca with us or something, but we're coupling off now, so…" Cynthia Rose replied, shrugging it off.

"Right." was all Denise gave out as a reply, unsure how to carry the conversation anymore.

"You know, if the dense and tense Aca-Nazi's making it work with Conrad and the heavily shielded Beca's letting Chloe in, maybe… well… maybe we can give it a second try?" Cynthia Rose then asked.

And Denise breathed in a sigh of relief.

Things were falling into place after getting uprooted in the craziest storm she's faced in her college life.

I'm comin' home baby
You're tops,
Give it to me now

"There they are!" Emily squealed, pulling on Luke through the groups of acapella teams that made it to Nationals. She spotted Beca with the Bellas at some corner backstage and she was immediately zooming in on them

"How did you get us back here again?" Luke asked, looking a little lost as to what he was doing backstage with Emily.

"Oh, my mom knows this guy who's been working this event for ages." was Emily's vague explanation. "It pays to have a former Bella for a mom."

"That's you're claim to fame now?" Luke then asked with a chuckle.

"Hey, we got backstage, what else do you – oof!" Emily was saying when she all of a sudden bumped into some guy in Treblemakers' jacket.

"Oh gosh, I'm… uh, just, wow, you're really pretty… I mean, sorry for bumping into you… I…" he started mumbling.

"Um, hi." Emily responded shyly.

"Uh, I'm Benji." he introduced himself.

They were just standing there like idiots just as the Treblemakers were called. Jesse quickly pulled on Benji as he passed by with his group, said hi to both Emily and Luke before they hit the stage. Luke was sniggering behind her when they finally reached Beca and the Bellas with Beca giving Emily a curious look.

But whatever. They were there. At the ICCA Nationals. Nothing could ever beat that experience, the one she dreamed of when she becomes a Bella one day.

But of course Emily had no idea of what the future had in store for her.

Four a.m. we ran a miracle mile
We're flat broke,
But hey we do it in style
The bad rich
God's flying in for your trial

Jesse was getting goosebumps. This wasn't what he thought the world of acapella would bring him at all.

And he was also pretty sure that the cute girl from the team that went before them smiled at him as they passed each other by.

Benji was with them, as it should be. He and Beca were still friends despite messing things up epically a few times, and Luke had already promised that once he starts their sophomore year he'll get a program of his own.

Things couldn't get any better than that.

But of course Jesse knew, it only would.

He knew at the very moment the lights landed on him and the Trebles on stage.

It was show time.

But when the night is falling
You cannot find a friend (friend)
You feel your tree is breaking
Just then

Lilly had to admit, the Bellas had very many train wreck performances, with sectionals and regionals included in the mix.

This was not one of them.

They were killing it on stage, setting the world of collegiate acapella competitions on fire.

And it was about damn time they got it right, trailblazing with their sick beats and great talents on display. The Bellas were finally in sync, they were one unit. They were a family.

And Lilly couldn't help but be proud of them.

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

This whole damn world, could fall apart
You'll be ok, follow your heart
You're in harms way, I'm right behind
Now say you're mine

It was one hell of a rush, one that Beca never could imagine to even be real. She finally got the chance to perform with the Bellas on stage in an actual competition.

And they were nothing short of awesome.

The crowd was still cheering them on, chanting their name as they exited stage left, the Bellas were all jumping around, screaming in a frenzy, including Chloe who was hugging Aubrey as they chorused they've finally done it.

And Beca couldn't help but smile.

Something new was taking a hold of her, and she wasn't going to deny that it's all thanks to her beloved redhead.

The stage manager was asking them to return to their seats outside, to let the remaining performers have their space. "Hey." Beca said, catching up to Chloe.

"Oh my gosh, Beca! That was amazing!" Chloe exclaimed as she pulled Beca into a tight hug. And Beca savored every minute of it.

It was a while before all of the other teams finished their performance, and for some reason, despite Jesse and Benji's incessant chatter about Emily – it looks like Benji's developing a crush on her – from somewhere behind them, and Amy and Stacie's critical assessments of the last teams – Stacie was starting to sound more and more like Aubrey, which was a little scary, Beca had to admit – Beca couldn't take her eyes of Chloe was still beaming with pride and happiness and excitement and magic.

Yep, magic. Because Chloe Beale was magic and Beca will fight anyone who says otherwise.

It was at that moment that some far away dream, some once strange thought had started to take root in Beca's mind.

Beca reached out to grab Chloe's hand, automatically, their fingers locked onto each other, like it was supposed to be. They fitted perfectly together and Beca couldn't help but think that that they were built to be that way.

Chloe looked over to her to give her a small smile. Her grip tightening on Beca's hand as they were about to announce the winners.

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

There was only one logical name to be called as champions so it was not a surprise when the Bellas won, the room igniting with cheers.

Beca's mind goes back to that night when they were in her dorm room, it was New Year's Eve, and it was just her and Chloe with the wonderful colors of the fireworks casting soft light glows inside.

It was like that at the moment.

Except this time Beca didn't just stand there like nervous idiot, she grabbed Chloe's hand, turned her around and placed her lips upon hers, sealing their win with a passionate kiss before peppering Chloe's face with soft kisses.

Because it was then that Beca fully realized, she's won more than a national title with her friends.

She did so when she met Chloe.

Song featured in this chapter: 'You Get What You Give' by New Radicals

Considering this is the Nationals chapter, one might wonder what comes next… after all, I still have 4 chapters to go.

Well, it's not exactly graduation but something else… we do have their victory party in the next chapter.

Also, I am planning to take a break with the fic writing for a while although I have one other fic in mind that I plan on getting to eventually before a longer hiatus. The events of that fic focus on what comes after the second movie and it could potentially be a sequel. There will be plenty of angst, mostly because I'm taking a lot of elements from my other fics and incorporating them into one new thing – the idea started from a combination of what if scenarios for past chapters I've drafted from my other fics. It will follow the same pattern of this one, most likely 25-30 chapters and with songs ;)

But again, that won't be for a while since I wanted to take some time to focus on other things. So I hope you guys still look forward to that! :D Thanks for all the support, you guys have been an awesome bunch of readers! :3