During most of January, after she'd thoroughly welcomed Stacie back, Aubrey's sole focus was preparing for Regionals. Classes hadn't started yet which meant that they had rehearsals from Monday to Friday for as long as Aubrey deemed it necessary. She had conceded to giving them the weekends off as long as she was satisfied with their performance during the week.

The week leading up to the competition Aubrey was on full on panic mode. "Everyone, stop!" Aubrey walked away with a hand on her temple. She stopped after a few steps and took a deep breath before turning back around. "Chloe, this isn't working. Someone else is going to have to take your solo."

"I think Beca should take it." Aubrey arched an eyebrow at Chloe's suggestion. "Not because she's my girlfriend, she'll be good."

Aubrey turned to Beca and crossed her arms expectantly. "I'd be happy to, but not that lame ass song. We can change the set and do something better."

"We can't change the set four days before Regionals, don't be ridiculous." Aubrey rolled her eyes. "Fat Amy? You take the solo. Let's run it again."

Everyone groaned and Stacie moved forward towards Aubrey. "Babe, maybe we can stop for today? We've been at it for almost five hours. We're exhausted."

Aubrey looked at the other girls, they were all sweaty and looked like they were barely managing to stay on their feet. "Fine, whatever. We'll continue tomorrow."

Everyone threw a thankful glance at Stacie and left as fast as they could. Stacie stayed where she was and watched Aubrey; she was biting her lip with her hands on her hips and a deep frown on her face. Stacie ran a hand down Aubrey's tense bicep, her thumb rubbing circles on her skin. "Everything okay, baby?"

Aubrey stared ahead for a moment longer before turning towards Stacie. "I'm just worried we won't be ready."

"Hey." Stacie rubbed her hand up and down Aubrey's back and kissed her temple. "We'll be great, don't worry."

Aubrey groaned and leaned her head on Stacie's shoulder. "I'm not so sure about that."

Stacie hugged her trying to comfort her. She needed something to distract Aubrey. "How about we go home and take a nice long bath?"

"That sounds perfect." She turned around and kissed the corner of Stacie's jaw, leaving her embrace and gathering her things. "Maybe we can go to bed early."

Stacie grinned at her from the other side of the room where she was already waiting with her things. "I love spending time in bed with you."

"I meant to sleep." Aubrey rolled her eyes and walked out, grabbing Stacie's hand and pulling her with her.

"We'll sleep eventually."

Aubrey shook her head. "You're incorrigible."

Half an hour later they were soaking in Aubrey's tub. Stacie was leaning back on the edge, her legs framing Aubrey's body pressed against her front. Aubrey's eyes were closed and she ran her hands lazily along Stacie's thighs. Stacie had one arm wrapped loosely around Aubrey's waist, her fingers tracing Aubrey's abs softly.

Stacie kissed her shoulder and Aubrey sighed. "Can we stay here forever?"

Stacie smiled against Aubrey's skin and kissed her again before lifting her head to reply. "The water's gonna get cold and we're gonna get pruney." Aubrey lifted her hand to scratch the back of Stacie's head. "And we have a competition to get ready for."

Aubrey shushed her and turned her head to kiss her. "No a cappella talk in the tub."

Stacie deepened the kiss and tightened her arms around Aubrey, letting her go some time later. Aubrey settled back against Stacie's front, closing her eyes with her hand still scratching the back of Stacie's head.

Stacie nudged Aubrey's shoulder with her nose. "Hey, my mom called today. She's taking the weekend off to go to Regionals and wants to know if you want to have dinner after." Aubrey dropped her hand and shifted between Stacie's legs. "She really wants to meet you."

"Yes, of course." Her finger drew random patterns on Stacie's knee that was poking out of the water next to her.

"What's wrong?" Stacie covered Aubrey's hand on her knee and laced their fingers.

Aubrey shrugged. "Your mom is kind of intimidating."

"A lot of people think that about you, babe." Stacie chuckled and kissed the spot behind her ear. "You'll get along just fine. You can bond over how much you love me."

"I'm serious." Aubrey turned and straddled Stacie's legs, linking her fingers behind Stacie's neck. "She's the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and a board member of another one."

"It's not a board meeting, it's dinner. As my mom. She just wants to get to know the girl I love."

"And who's having sex with you."

Stacie grinned and buried her face on Aubrey's neck. "Great idea."

"Stacie," Aubrey whined.

"Aubrey." She pulled back and tucked a strand of hair behind Aubrey's ear. "My mom knows I have sex, it's fine. She's gonna love you." Stacie kissed her. "And if she doesn't we just have to sneak around for three years until I get my Conrad shares and my trust fund." Aubrey glared at her. "I'm kidding, it'll be fine."

Aubrey turned around and crossed her arms. Stacie squeezed her waist and kissed her shoulder. Aubrey relaxed a little, uncrossing her arms and lacing their fingers together. "Do you really think she'll like me?"

"I know she will. She knows how happy you make me, that's all she cares about."

After a few minutes Aubrey groaned. "Now I'm more worried about the performance, what's your mom gonna think if we suck?"

Stacie tightened her arms around her. "No a cappella talk in the tub."

Stacie walked across the hall and knocked on the door. "Beca!" She didn't wait for a response before she was knocking again. "Becaw! Becaw!"

The door was yanked open and Beca appeared behind it looking annoyed. "I'm going to kill Jessie for telling you about that."

Stacie smiled adorably. "It's funny." She looked down at Beca's outfit. "You're not ready. We have to be at the bus in fifteen minutes."

Beca walked back into her room. "I'm like eighty percent ready, chill."

Beca started brushing her hair and pulling it up. She tied the scarf and closed the blue shirt, frowning at Stacie's reflection as she impatiently tapped her foot leaning on the door. "Beca, we can't be late and you can't walk very fast in those shoes."

"Relax, dude, you can just tell your fascist girlfriend that it was my fault."

"It is your fault!"

Beca finished putting on her shoes and stopped in front of Stacie. "Why are you just standing there? We're late."

Stacie glared at her back and closed the door, catching up easily to Beca and passing her without saying a word. Once they were outside she slowed down until Beca caught up to her panting.

"Dude, slow down. I'm sorry."

Stacie smirked down at her and shook her head. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"As ready as anyone who's rehearsed a million hours can be."

"It wasn't that bad."

Beca glared at her. "It was almost as bad as hearing you having sex constantly. Do you guys have an off switch?"

"Not really." She chuckled. "How are things going with you and Chloe? You've been spending a lot of time at the apartment."

Beca shrugged but Stacie noticed her cheeks redden slightly. "We're fine, she's cool. I like hanging out with her."

"Do you love her?"

"I don't… We haven't been together for that long, I don't know."

Stacie grinned and shook her shoulder. "Oh my god, you totally do!" Beca shrugged her off and walked faster. Stacie laughed and sped up too. "It's a good thing!"

"What's a good thing? You're late," Aubrey said testily.

Stacie looked at her phone and rolled her eyes walking towards Aubrey next to the bus. "Two minutes, babe. Is everyone else here?"

"Yes, everyone else had the decency to be on time."

Stacie smiled and kissed Aubrey. "I'm sure you left some room in your carefully planned schedule in case Beca was late."

Aubrey pursed her lips. "Maybe."

Stacie took her hand and pulled Aubrey onto the bus, taking the seat in front of Chloe and Beca. Fat Amy closed the door and started the bus as soon as they were seated and they started their short trip to the competition.

Aubrey's leg bounced up and down and Stacie covered her knee with her hand. "Hey, it's fine. We're ready for this." She let go of Aubrey's leg and cupped her cheek. "Wanna make out to take your mind off it?"

Aubrey chuckled and pecked her lips quickly. "I don't think my lipstick will hold."

"That can be fixed."

"Stace," Aubrey said in a low voice and held her back by the shoulder.

Stacie nodded. "Not now."

She turned to face the front of the bus and wrapped her arm around Aubrey's shoulder, pulling her against her side and kissing the top of her head. Aubrey took Stacie's free hand and laced their fingers, leaning her head on her shoulder and she started to feel more relaxed that she'd felt all day. She hadn't seen Stacie all day before they were set to meet at the bus. She knew the odds of them being late if they changed together were high, especially considering how Stacie felt about Aubrey in her uniform.

They rode in silence the rest of the way, Aubrey trying to focus on Stacie's hand. She kept tangling and untangling their fingers and running her nails along Stacie's palm.

She straightened up when they pulled into the parking lot and Stacie gave her hand a quick squeeze. "Ready?"

Aubrey nodded. "Let's do this."

Aubrey got out and gathered the rest of the Bellas next to the bus before ushering them into the building. The first team was already onstage getting ready for their performance and the audience were in their seats.

Stacie stopped next to Aubrey and took her hand, bouncing excitedly on her toes as they watched the Sockapellas' performance. She looked at Aubrey's disgruntled expression and smirked. She didn't think the use of sock poppets was particularly creative, it was like a low budget Avenue Q, but she knew Aubrey would hate it.

"Guess we won't have a problem beating them," Stacie whispered in Aubrey's ear leaning closer. Aubrey smiled halfheartedly at her but didn't say anything, tightening her hand around Stacie's.

When they finished Stacie let go of her hand and squeezed Aubrey's waist. "We're gonna rock this, babe."

Aubrey kissed her cheek before turning to the rest of the group. "Hands in."

Stacie followed Aubrey out of the auditorium, wrapping her arm around her shoulders once they reached the stairs. Aubrey was ecstatic about them moving on to semifinals, which Stacie was happy about too, more for her sake than her own. Also because she didn't think it would have been the best time for Aubrey to meet her mom for the first time if they had lost.

"We should go find your mom."

Stacie nodded, pushing Aubrey against the wall and letting the rest of the Bellas pass. "I haven't congratulated you properly yet."

Aubrey grinned and pulled Stacie forward by the collar of her shirt crashing their lips together. Stacie steadied herself with her hands on Aubrey's waist, completely losing herself in the kiss. She ran her fingers down the seam of Aubrey's shirt, flicking the end and pressing herself closer.

"Guys, public place."

She didn't know which one of the Bellas had said it, they did it often enough and she was too focused on Aubrey to care. She felt Aubrey's grip on her shirt tighten and she bit down on her lip. Stacie hummed against her lips and tilted her head to deepen the kiss when they heard shouting from the bottom of the stairs.

They broke the kiss and turned towards the commotion. The trebles were fighting some older guys and it looked like Amy and Beca were joining them. Aubrey pushed Stacie back and started down the stairs as Beca punched the guy arguing with Jessie.

Aubrey and Stacie shared a glance. "What is your idiot friend doing now?"

They both hurried towards Beca and Fat Amy who were now fighting for the Trebles' trophy.

"Guys, stop it!" Stacie tried to grab Beca but they were moving too much.

Beca tugged hard on the trophy, breaking off a piece. The force sent Amy stumbling backwards letting go of the trophy and sending it sailing towards the window, crashing through it loudly.

The Trebles and Fat Amy all ran away, leaving Beca holding her chunk of trophy as a police officer walked towards her. Aubrey looked between the cop and Beca and stopped Stacie from joining Beca. "Go find your mom."

Stacie nodded and disappeared. Aubrey got in between Beca and the cop. "Is there a problem, officer?"

The cop looked between Aubrey and the window as if he was trying to figure out if Aubrey's question was serious. "It seems that your little friend here-" He pointed at Beca who was still frozen behind her. "-threw that trophy through the window."

"Right." Aubrey crossed her arms. "Well that's not really what happened, sir. You see, she was trying to protect a friend because they were being harassed."

"Harassed?" The cop deadpanned clearly not believing Aubrey. Aubrey nodded. She started getting really worried about not being able to get the cop to back off. "Well, I don't see anyone here that looks like they might have harassed your friend."

"They ran when the window broke."

"Right, well I'm going to have to take your friend to the station."

"What? Why? It wasn't my fault!" Beca yelled from behind Aubrey.

Aubrey grabbed Beca's arm and kept her behind her. "I'm sure that's not necessary, sir."

"It's okay, Aubrey. I'll handle it." A tall brunette woman in a black pencil skirt and white shirt stepped up to the group. "Samantha Cornad, I'm their legal representative. Can we have a word?"

The cop narrowed his eyes and looked between the girls and Stacie's mom, finally nodding his head and stepping away with her.

Beca watched them walk away and then looked at Stacie who had stepped behind Aubrey and was hugging her from behind. "You didn't say your mom was a lawyer."

"She's not." Stacie chuckled. "But she hangs around them enough to play the part."

"Your mom's a badass," Beca said.

"Where do you think I get it from?"

Beca rolled her eyes. A couple of people from the school had joined the police officer and Stacie's mom, as well as Gail and John.

Aubrey tensed in Stacie's arms. "This better not cost us our place, Beca."

Stacie nuzzled the back of her head. "My mom's got it, babe. Don't worry."

They were joined by the rest of the Bellas, all looking nervously at the group of people discussing Beca's fate.

Chloe got closer to Aubrey and tugged on her wrist. "You defended Beca."

"I was defending a fellow Bella. It's my job as captain." Aubrey pressed herself closer to Stacie seeking the protective cocoon of her arms. Stacie obliged and squeezed her tighter even as she smiled widely at Chloe's implication.

Chloe was about to say something else when Stacie's mom walked back towards them. "Well that's done. Ready for dinner, sweetie?"

"Wait, I'm not getting arrested?"

Stacie's mom waved her hand dismissively. "They backed off when I offered to pay for the damage."

Aubrey shrugged Stacie off and stood up straight nervously. Stacie looked at her, knowing she wanted to know about Gail and John but she didn't feel comfortable yet. "And the a capella dudes?"

"I convinced them it was better to let you girls handle discipline internally."

"Thank you, Mrs. Conrad," Aubrey said.

"Aubrey, honey, call me Sam." She looked at the group of girls who were currently staring at her in awe.

Stacie's mom was the definition of a cool mom, something most of the other girls weren't really used to. Beca was sure her parents wouldn't have gotten her out of this with less than a slap on the wrist. Although she was sure Aubrey would take the whole discipline thing seriously, and going to jail was starting to sound like an appealing option. Still, Beca didn't know how to react.

She stepped up to Stacie's mom shyly and ran her hand along the back of her neck. "I don't know how to thank you. I'll totally pay you back."

"It's fine, I'll take it out of Stacie's allowance," she replied with a wink.

"Hey!" Stacie frowned and then shrugged. "Baby, you'll have to feed me for a while."

Aubrey shook her head and kissed Stacie's cheek. "Beca can feed you. Let's go." She turned towards Chloe. "Are you still good getting everyone back to Barden?"

"Of course. Have fun." Chloe squeezed her elbow. "She's super cool, relax. Smile."

Aubrey bit her lip and nodded. "Thanks, Chlo."

She tried a smile before turning around to catch up to Stacie and her mom. Her smile turned genuine when Stacie stopped to look for her, smiling when she found her across the room. Aubrey hurried over to her, Stacie's hand finding hers with an ease that she would have never managed in front of her own parents.

She looked at their hands. It was not a big deal, they'd done it a million times. And they'd been hugging in front of of Stacie's mom, and she had kissed Stacie's cheek, so it wasn't like holding hands was scandalous. But the rest of the girls were there and it was easier to act like they usually did. But now that it was just them, Stacie holding her hand felt like a big deal.

Stacie stopped and tilted her head. "Is everything okay?"

Aubrey squeezed her hand and smiled up at her. "Everything's great."