Did you miss me? Thanks to your nice reviews I had a surge of inspiration to get this done. I have had a very busy couple weeks so blame life (per usual). I let my imagination go with this one and it gets a little indulgent. Let me know what you think. The ending, well,...sorry not sorry. Enjoy...

7

Over the weeks of November Beca remained in close contact with Elyse. They saw each other when Beca went to Residual Heat and when they got together to work on the medley project. It was not uncommon for the two to text each other everyday, even if it was about something silly they had come across seeing or hearing.

The day after Halloween Beca had met up with Elyse at a local coffee shop near campus in the evening. The place had a total hipster vibe with countless tables where people hunched over books, laptops, and papers. Beca and Elyse became a pair devoted to their respective laptops. Over a cup of coffee they had eventually come to squeeze in front of Beca's as the brunette showed Elyse her mixing program and process. The rest of the afternoon had passed in comfortable talk of music and work. Neither felt compelled to bring up anything deeper since they had already learned so much the night before. Beca enjoyed talking shop with Elyse, knowing the woman understood her, when Beca found the blonde herself talked about musical theory and techniques.

Thanksgiving Day Beca did nothing but send Elyse every stereotypical American Thanksgiving picture she could find. From the cartoon turkeys and to the happy faces of Native Americans and Pilgrims. It was all awful and insensitive but she did it just to annoy the German woman. Elyse commented on every picture and text sent with disbelief and shocked curiosity about commercialized American traditions. Elyse would educate Beca a little every other week with a German holiday, most likely regarding a Saint of some sort. After a while Beca stopped trying to remember them and simply listened to Elyse talk about her home country. Since Germany did not celebrate Thanksgiving the way, or even at the same time, as America, Elyse simply wished her well through text.

Beca did spend the holiday with her father, who openly talked about school, the future, and the Bellas with Beca. For her part, she contributed what she could but found herself still uneasy talking about school, especially in front of the step monster. Beca did not have any negative feelings towards her step - mother anymore and mainly called her step monster in her head as a joke. Beca found they were too opposite to have any kind of conversation that lasted more than five minutes. As much as she tried, which, honestly, was not much but she said she did, Beca could not find the wonderful world of real estate interesting.

Over the course of the month the Bellas won their first competition of the year and proceeded on to the next round along with the Treblemakers. They had their celebratory party and gave each other a hard time in good spirits. Things were very different between the two groups since Beca's freshman year and she was glad for that. There was a part of her that grew tired of the constant attention the Bellas were getting though. Being back to back champions only brought more pressure for a three time championship and a performance to one up the rest. To say Beca was a bit worried about that was a little of an understatement. She did not want to tell the Bellas and especially not Chloe. The redhead lived for the Bellas' competitions and spending time with the girls.

Elyse and Das Sound Machine were almost halfway through their album which Elyse switched from talking nonstop about or refusing to mention it. After the 4th meeting to mix the medley Beca found they spent less time on it and more just talking. Not that they got bored with the music it just happened more often that they went on a tangent about their conversation topics.

At first it had been because Elyse refused to try a banana nut muffin Beca had bought one afternoon at the same coffee shop they met at the first time. It snowballed after Elyse said she did not care for bananas and went into all foods either woman did not like. The next time it was when they met on the campus green one particularly warm day and Beca shrieked because a bee flew too close to her head. Beca refused for an hour straight that she had not made such a noise and Elyse would not let it drop. This spiraled into what animals, insects, and bugs they secretly were afraid of and continued on after that.

Beca had come to accept the fact that she liked hanging out with Elyse. She was a breath of fresh air and a nice change of pace. Beca loved hanging out with the Bellas but they had developed a pattern. Living, performing, and being close made them predictable to each other. Beca did not think it was a bad thing. She liked that she knew where herself and the girls stood. Even when they had gained a new member through Barden's exchange program, the Bellas welcomed the girl and she had instantly fallen in step.

Her name was Florencia from Guatemala and she was the same year as the Bellas and actually pretty smart. Beca was surprised the girl could sing and dance extremely well but more so the fact that the Dean granted the late acceptance to the group for a somewhat PR reason. Chloe did not mind in the slightest so Beca did not argue either. Flo was good and they could use someone with some gymnastic abilities to up their set performance so it was a win-win all around. She fit in well and Beca did her leader duties in welcoming her and fitting her into the Bellas. She was a curious little thing, smaller than even Beca, and seemed to say the first thing that came to her head. Even that change eased away but day after day Beca talked to Elyse.

The Bellas noticed Beca's constant texting at times and her sudden influx in business meetings at random times of the day. They still teased her about her Tall German but Beca let the comments roll off her back. She knew they thought it was Pieter she was seeing and the fact that it was not gave her an inside edge to ignore their prodding. All of them…except Stacie. Every time the girls would gang up on her Stacie would either remain silent or use nondescript pronouns. It made Beca wary of just what Stacie knew and what the tall girl was thinking about it. There were times when Beca just wanted to confront her about it but she held back knowing she did not want to open that can of worms just yet. She liked how things were now.

"How about we change things up?"

Beca looked up from her doodles on her notebook to Elyse. They were, once again, at the coffe shop and had been for the past hour. They had exchanged notes and tweaked a few things on the medley and fell into a comfortable quiet. It was a little after 5 so they had ordered sandwiches and drinks for themselves and ate in companionable silence. Elyse's question tore Beca out of her haze and, admittedly, she had hit a creative wall with the mixing.

Beca looked at her confused. "Huh?"

"I said, how about we change things up? I have hit a wall and I think you feel the same. Let us take this time to do something that is not music related." Elyse had her head propped on her hand on the table. She was staring blankly at her laptop before releasing a deep breath and closing it.

"Not music related? Like what? That's kinda my only thing." Beca shrugged and half smirked, trying to shrug off that fact. She did not have any other hobbies or interests and she, for the first time, wondered if that was a bad thing.

"Well, let us find a new thing. I have been meaning to sight see Atlanta but I have not had too much time. Will you join me to see the Olympic Park?" Beca could tell Elyse's eyes shone with hope and something else. Inside her head Beca groaned.

Beca slumped in her seat, somewhat defeated, when she could see Elyse's eyes pleading with her. Beca huffed out and checked her phone. Elyse smiled quickly. She already knew Beca's body language well enough. Beca had given in and Elyse knew before Beca voiced her excuse. "It's already kinda late, though." Her protest sounded weak, even to Beca.

Elyse's smile grew as she quickly stuffed her laptop in her bag and motioned for Beca to do the same. "It is not. Trust me." Beca followed Elyse and they gathered their trash to toss. "Besides, you are a college student. You should be use to late nights."

They tossed their trash by the door. "Wait, how late are you talking?" Beca asked, a little worried. If it was late the Bellas would surely give her grief for running off with That Tall German again. Her answer was a mischievous smile and a quick wink before Elyse sauntered out of the cafe. When Beca's brain caught up to the present and registered what she just saw, she followed the blonde to DSM's rental car.

Beca was at least glad that Elyse had rented a car recently so she would not have to travel in the Shade-mobile. This would be the first time she would be riding with the blonde, though, and a part of her was nervous about that. Usually they would meet someplace near or on campus, work for a few hours, and go their separate ways. Beca was aware of the grief she would get by leaving campus with her "co-worker" and would have to think of something to tell the Bellas because now she was just a little curious as well. She has seen a lot of Atlanta, traveling with the Bellas and spending some time with her dad but she could not say she did any touristy things. So, she would indulge Elyse and accompany her and try not to think about spending even more time alone with her away from campus.

They deposited their bags in the back seat of the black Honda sedan and climbed in the front seats. Elyse pulled out of the parking spot as Beca fiddled with the radio. "Was machst du?" Elyse asked Beca.

Beca had heard the same question a dozen times so she knew what it meant. "Nichts." Beca tried to sound out perfectly but was still a little self conscious of her pronunciation.

Elyse shook her head lightly as she navigated away from Barden. "I regret teaching you that word. Everything is something. It is impossible for someone to do nothing. So, I repeat, what are you doing?"

"Okay, I'm finding a station real quick before we get too far away."

Elyse looked curiously at Beca a moment but did not ask any more. Beca made a small triumphant noise when she found the station and sat back in her seat. "-music for the independent mind." The voice on the radio finished before a song came over the speakers. It was an indie song Beca had heard once before, from this station, but the music was not exactly important right now. She sat almost counting the seconds until Elyse asked. She always did.

"Why have you chosen this station?"

"It's the campus station. You remember I said in my freshman year I worked at the radio station? Well, this is it. The music is usually pretty good. I tune into it every once in a while."

A few moments went by as they listened to the music before Elyse spoke up again. "That is not everything, though." At Beca's questioning look Elyse elaborated. "Is there another reason you listen to the station, Maus?"

Beca looked away a little shyly. "Well…sometimes- uhh well sometimes they uhh play my songs." Beca mumbled out, looking across the street to houses and businesses.

Elyse seemed a little surprised by that. "Your songs? You mean the mixes you make?" Beca simply nodded. "How does that happen?"

Beca let the corner of her lip turn up slightly. "Well they have a music player program on a computer next to all this equipment, right?" Beca let out sarcastically. Elyse's deadpanned glare only made Beca's smile widen especially when she caught the corner of the blonde's lips tilting as well.

"Urkomisch, kleine Maus, very funny. You know what I mean."

"Well, when I told you I gave them my mixes for them to play I may have under sold how many I gave them." After a few moments Beca gathered herself to continue. "I gave them almost a hundred songs."

Elyse's wide eyes whipped to hers a couple of times so she would not let her eyes stray from the road. It looked almost comical to Beca. "Ein hundert Lieder?!"

"If that means, a hundred songs, then yes. Ein hundert Lieder." Beca mimicked, kind of liking a shocked expression on Elyse's face. At this point they had gone too far from campus and the station began to go in and out. Beca fiddled with the knob again and placed it on a popular station.

"How?"

Beca was not sure what the question was for exactly but decided to explain anyway. "I gave them a USB drive every other week and each one had about ten songs on it. By the end of the school year I turned in, maybe, ten drives." Beca shrugged nonchalantly. At the time she was just excited about the idea of someone playing her mixes she did not stop to think how obsessed she seemed.

She heard Elyse's airy chuckle from the drivers seat. "You are something, Maus. Did they play them all?"

Beca was no longer shy about the fact that her mixes had gone ignored for months before Luke, the station manager, finally took a listen. She told Elyse that and shrugged it off too. She was doing well with the Bellas, getting the musical experience and attention in a completely different way. It was not what she had in mind when she first came to Barden but it was still good.

"So they are playing them all now that you are a famous two time acapella champion?" Beca could clearly hear the teasing in her tone and rolled her eyes at that while she watched Atlanta streets pass by.

"No way. I mean acapella is great but that's two different worlds. I just let them play what they had and…" Beca stopped before she gave away anything else. Of course Elyse did not let it drop.

"Und was? And what, Maus?"

"Nothing." Beca shook her head lightly and continued to stare out the window. Elyse tried to coax more out of Beca but once the brunette began humming along to the radio, Elyse dropped it. They had made their way to Centennial Olympic Park and Beca was curious about the place. They parked and began to wander through, seemingly aimless.

It was a pretty good day despite the chill and Beca did not mind its bite against her face. They strolled along wide walkways and paths, watching as many people did the same. Some had even sat, eating or talking, or tossing a Frisbee or football. They meandered further into the park, admiring the scenery, when a rising noise could be heard ahead. They instinctively went in that direction and found themselves in a huge plaza area.

Red stone covered a vast area with many flagpoles displaced throughout held flags tugging in the breeze. They journeyed further in and discovered the sound was of shoots of water coming from the stone floor and people jumping around them. Not many people were brave enough to get wet on a chilly evening so it was mostly young teens and adults messing around. Beca and Elyse journeyed closer to get a better look at the fountains and noticed they were rings.

"I suppose that this is in memory of the park." When Beca looked confused she continued. "Olympic Park? The five rings making up the fountain? You do know that the Olympics was held here once, right?"

Beca looked at the fountain and noticed the multiple rings shape and then looked over to all the flagpoles. "Oh. I didn't know that." She shrugged. "I barely pay attention in history class so why would I look up the name to a park?"

Elyse shook her head at the younger woman. "History is important. Every person, place, and thing has a history. Some intertwine and some never mix. Do you not think, a few decades from now, what people will think of your history when you are a famous producer?"

Beca scoffed. "That's different. History is like hundreds of years ago not just a few decades."

"It is the same. This concerns you now is the difference."

"Oh god, you're not a History major nerd, are you?" Beca would have to avoid the topic at all costs if that was the case. Names and numbers blurred together for her.

Elyse shook her head. "No, I am not. I just know there is value in a history's knowledge. I know it is just as important to learn from the past as well as dream of the future."

"Ok ok. It's important." Beca said more to get the blonde to talk about something else. She hated any kind of lecturing feeling she would get from others. They strolled around the fountains and watched the water displays.

They did not shoot very high but they still flowed in a pattern that was mesmerizing. They ignored the rambunctious teens that made a game of trying to push each other through a ring without getting wet themselves. Beca stood at the end of one ring and held her hand out as a jet shot water up. The water was super cold and she did the first thing she could of and flick her hand away.

A small gasp sounded to her right. "Did you just get me wet?"

Beca whipped her head around. "Oh dude, no! Sorry. I wasn't thinking, it's just the water was cold." Elyse patted her face and front down with her hands in an attempt to dry them. She gave Beca a stern disbelieving look. "Really. That was an accident."

After she finished with what she could, Elyse shook her head. "You are lucky it was an accident then, Maus. Otherwise, I would make you stand right over those fountains and make you wet."

Standing over the fountain would make the jet shoot- Beca chuckled dryly. "You probably wouldn't want to get me wet like that."

"What?"

"What? Nothing."

Elyse eyed her with scrunched eyebrows and confusion marring her face. Beca should of kept her mouth shut. She did not know why she said it it was just the first thing out of her mouth. Her face grew warm under Elyse's continued gaze but she ignored it when there seemed to be recognition in those eyes. Beca looked around frantically for something to distract them. The sun had just gone down over the buildings of downtown and the park lights came on. Everything was basked in a yellow glow, with a little bit of blues and reds as well. Curiously Beca looked for the cause and saw it standing erect not far from them.

The lights shined in her eyes and she could of sworn a light bulb flicked on over her head. Distraction found. "Hey, let's ride that." Beca said pointing over Elyse's shoulder. The tall woman turned and her eyes shot immediately to the tall structure.

"That?" If Beca did not know any better she would say there was major hesitancy in her voice. She decided to steamroll past it.

"Yeah. All your sightseeing in one ride." She grabbed Elyse by the crook of her elbow and tugged her along. "It's gonna be fun."

Elyse followed Beca automatically and when Beca was turned around, her eyes would shoot upward at the mechanical contraption and back to the floor constantly. "Would it cost expensive?"

Beca shrugged. "We'll find out. Don't worry its my treat." Beca's eyes looked up to the very top of the ferris wheel on steroids. It was alight with colorful lights and just glowed warmly in the downtown's night like a beacon. It sat right across the park by a road next to the city's center but it still reminded Beca of carnivals.

They made their way through the paths, across the street, and found the entry area to get on. Only a couple of people stood in line before them, Beca weaved through the partitions to the pay counter. The man behind the counter smiled warmly at them. "Hi. Welcome to Skyview Atlanta. How many?"

"Two." Beca said eagerly, rocking on the balls of her feet.

"Ok. That'll be $26."

Beca let out a low whistle. "Geez. Okay." She pulled out her debit card from her wallet and handed it over to the man. Elyse stepped up beside her.

"If it is too much we do not have to do this."

Beca waved her hand flippantly. "Nah, don't worry bout it. It's my treat. It's like the same as movie tickets anyway."

Elyse stared off but mindlessly responded. "You hate movies."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean the Bellas didn't drag me along to watch some Nicholas Sparks vomit inducing, tear fest." The man handed back the card and their tickets and directed them to the line and bid them a good night. They shuffled through the partitions before a man next to a standing camera stopped them.

"Picture for the couple? Part of the experience, no extra charge."

"Uhmm- no, well, we're not…" Beca stumbled. Would it be rude to deny it really hard in front of her or just not say anything? Ignore the guy, that's it, just don't say anything. Make Elyse do the talking. She's been pretty quiet.

"Yes, thank you." Beca heard Elyse's almost quiet reply. What? That's not-she wasn't- I didn't think she'd go with it. Dammit. I hate pictures. Beca grumbled in her head.

The man smiled and pointed behind them. "Please stand at the line so the camera will focus better."

They both turned stiffly and Beca hissed at Elyse quietly. "Why did you say yes?"

"Why did you say no?" She shot back.

"About the picture? Cause I hate taking my picture. I always look stupid."

"It is just a photo." Elyse said as they stood next to each other at the appropriate spot. The pair looked like they were getting their mug shots taken. Beca stood as tall as she could, for some reason, but the guy would not take the photo.

"Uh…how about you loosen up some? You're both kind of tense. Maybe smile?" He said hesitantly.

"I'll show you tense." Elyse muttered under her breath as she glared at the man. Beca could hear her of course which only made her confused.

That is when she noticed Elyse was pretty rigid and it reminded her of her past Kommissar mode. There seemed to be tension rolling off the blonde and Beca did not understand why. She just wanted to show the German Atlanta like she wanted to. The Skyview would do that even in the dark. The view would be just as good with all the lights. Maybe it was because Beca paid for her? So far they have paid separate when eating out. Was that it? Beca did not know and she felt bad that maybe she was the cause of Elyse's sour mood. So, she did the only thing she could think of. She reached out and held Elyse's hand. Her hand felt cold against Elyse's warm one and it instantly reminded her of Halloween.

Elyse seemed to tense at the initial contact but soon relaxed a little. They locked eyes with each other as Beca asked softly. "Bist du gut?" She had been spending a lot of time with the German and some words stuck so it was easy to speak in simple sentences, at least. The hand around her tightened slightly and Elyse smiled softly.

"Wenn du meine Hand halt, dann ja. Es geht mir gut, kleine Maus." Beca smile slightly as the familiar confused looked crossed her face whenever German was spoken a lot. It was not eclipsed by the smile on Beca's face when she noticed Elyse was no longer tense.

"You know I didn't catch most of that but I could tell you said you're fine. And you called me tiny mouse again." Elyse smiled brightly at Beca then.

"You are getting better at understanding, Maus. Sehr gut, very good."

Beca rolled her eyes playfully but she was interrupted before she could say something. "Okay, all done."

The two woman snapped out of it and looked at the man by the camera. They did not even know the photo had been taken. Beca stepped forward causing Elyse to as well, not breaking their hold, and a part of Beca felt relieved. The man explained the photos will be given at the end of the ride to give them time to print. It was fine with them since they were being escorted up the small flight of stairs to an awaiting carriage. A woman held the door open and gave them the whole safety talk.

Beca noticed the hand in hers tighten slightly but she held it back and kept quiet. The enclosed pod was roomy for just them two. It was circular with a padded bench that wrapped around the edge of the opposite sides. The space across from the door was empty so people could stand if they wanted. Luckily, no one was waiting behind them so once they entered they were told it would only be a minute.

"You two beat the rush. We'll get going now and I'll let you two ride alone." The woman said with a, not so subtle, wink and shut the door behind them. Beca would of been terribly embarrassed if it was not for the fact that Elyse seemed way too tense. Beca moved to sit down before she fell over when the thing started moving. She was a bit clumsy. Elyse did not let go but followed Beca.

"Umm, are you okay?"

"Yes." Elyse sat next to Beca, stiffly. Whatever the deal was it was not working on Beca. She could see the tension in the blonde's body when Elyse swallowed thickly.

"I don't-" The carriage jolted forward suddenly. "See, I don't believe you. Do you not like ferris wheels?"

"They are fine." Elyse stated curtly.

"Well, this is a giant ferris wheel so it's not terrible." When no response came and the carriage began to tilt and climb higher, Beca tried again. "Look, if you didn't wanna get on you should've said."

Beca peeled her fingers away from the blonde's and carefully moved to stand by the window. There was a little irritation floating in Beca's system because of the blonde. She just wanted to show Elyse a touristy thing. That's what she wanted to do and suddenly I'm getting the silent treatment? Well, two can play that. Beca folded her arms across her chest and planted her feet so she would not sway too much with the carriage. The steady incline stopped suddenly and Beca figured someone else was getting on or off. Beca took a moment to drink in the sight of downtown Atlanta glowing in lights and sounds. She fought the urge to take a peek at the blonde who remained seated quietly.

Faint noises of the city floated up to the metal carriage into Beca's ears and it was static noise and blaring deafness compared to the silence in the compartment. The carriage moved again and Beca had to shoot a hand out against the window to steady herself. Geez these things really need a kick to get going.

Finally Beca heard a sound from Elyse. "Be careful, Maus." The words seemed strained like they were pried from her vocal chords. Beca scoffed.

"I'm not going to fall out. It's enclosed. I'm more in danger of tripping over my feet."

"Still…" Elyse tried but grew quiet for a moment. "I am sorry." The words felt tiny in the vastness of the carriage. Beca finally looked over to Elyse with curiosity.

"What?"

"I am ruining the evening and you simply wanted to help." Elyse stared somewhere along the foot of the bench across from her. Beca was so confused. The really confident and witty woman was…shy? No, more defeated or…scared? No, she wouldn't be scared. There's nothing scary up here. It's just us two in a confined space hundreds of feet in the air... Wait.

Beca's eyes bored into Elyse's downcast face. She needed to know. "Elyse. Are you-" Beca faltered when Elyse looked up to her. Her features were rigid and stoic but there was deep emotions in those blue eyes. Eyes that seemed to glow from the city lights outside their window. It clicked for Beca. Elyse was uncomfortable being here. Not here with her or anything but up in the air. She's scared of heights? How is- why did- of all the- Dammit, Beca, the one thing you pick and it terrifies her. Good fucking job.

"Elyse. I didn't-" Beca took steps forward to try to console the blonde but the carriage stopped again, probably for the same reason last time, but Beca was vastly unprepared for it. The swaying caught her off guard and sure enough she stumbled forward, losing her balance. It seemed to happen in slow motion but instead of the sting in her palms from the floor there was softness.

Beca focused and saw Elyse grasping one of her hands while the other was firmly holding onto her elbow. She half stood in an awkward angle and their faces were so close together. This is embarrassing. Beca slowly began to gain her footing and Elyse followed without losing her hold. Her grip softened, however, as they stood together.

"Sorry." Beca mumbled.

Elyse smirked. "It seems you were right. The danger comes from your own feet." Elyse lightly chuckled at Beca's embarrassment.

"Yeah, whatever." Beca suddenly remembered why she walking over in the first place. She locked eyes with Elyse and she seemed more relaxed. "Nice to know my almost injury brightened your mood." Beca mockingly glared.

Elyse laughed a little louder at that. "Never, Maus. Your lack of grace is endearing."

"Whatever. Your lack of tact is infuriating." Elyse only smiled proudly and Beca rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry too, though." Beca said with eyes downcast. "I didn't realize you would hate doing this." A finger underneath her chin raised Beca's eyes back to blue ones. "You should've said something." Beca said more sternly.

Elyse smiled lightly. "True. You looked so excited though. Besides, I am fine. Now." There was a light squeezing of Beca's hand and that is when she realized they were holding hands. When did that happen? God, she's just like Chloe. No personal space. However, Beca did not let go or loosen her grip.

Suddenly with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Beca stepped away tugging the blonde with her. "Don't be so sure. I am going to torture you a little."

Elyse realized Beca was bringing her back to where Beca stood previously and planted her feet. "No, Maus."

Beca smiled sweetly. "Come on. It won't be bad. Please?" When Elyse loosened up a little and shuffled forward, Beca knew her tone was totally working. "Come on."

Beca turned towards the glass and kept her hand connected with Elyse's so she followed. They had stopped at the very top so Beca knew this was going to be a huge challenge for the blonde. Beca stood a few inches away from the glass. She could see her reflection and a very hesitant Elyse reflected behind her. Beca noticed Elyse's eyes focused on the back of her head or looking straight up. Beca smiled at the reflection even though Elyse would not see it. She tugged the blonde closer behind her.

She could feel the nervous energy behind her like a wall. "It's okay. Take deep breaths. Calm down." Beca knew her advice was stupid. A person could not get over a fear of heights simply by breathing but Beca got another idea. She would distract the German woman so that it would not matter how high or close to the edge they were. It worked when Beca almost fell on her face but this time it would not be embarrassing on Beca's end.

Elyse stepped right behind Beca to avoid having to stand at the edge herself. Beca did not mind since it would be easier this way. Without a single thought regarding her own preference to personal space, Beca reached her left hand back to connect with Elyse's just like their right hands. She could feel Elyse's breath push out against her hair and it sent tingles down her neck. Beca held warm hands in her own and could faintly feel Elyse's warmth behind her. Memories of Halloween flitted through the corners of her mind, subconsciously making Beca yearn for its full return. Beca brought their hands up to the window and splayed her fingers against the glass. The movement brought Elyse flush against Beca's back and they both sighed at the contact.

The carriage jolted again to the side and Beca felt Elyse tense. "Think of something else. Anything else." Beca voiced quietly, amazed that her voice was working at all. The body's warmth and softness behind her was very distracting. Elyse's hands spread over Beca's hands for a long moment, they stayed, then they slowly drifted to her wrists. Even slower they trailed to Beca's elbows, drawing goosebumps in their wake. Beca's heart rate sped up and she closed her eyes, focusing on the new and curious feeling coursing through her. As Elyse's hands continued, up to Beca's shoulders, Beca wondered how she could feel the effects of those hands everywhere against her body even through her jacket.

Elyse's right hand moved Beca's hair behind an ear before both hands journeyed down her sides. The tingling was delicious and Beca forced her body not to temble. Her eyes remained clamped shut as she felt a hot breath against her neck as Elyse nuzzled close to her. There was a firm grasp on her hips before she felt hands encircle her waist. When it seemed Elyse was content with this position, Beca dropped her hands over the ones at her waist. It took a few long moments before Beca could drag her brain from its warm and content depths to speak.

"See. It's not so bad." Beca opened her eyes to stare at their joined reflection in the glass. As if feeling the look, Elyse cracked her eyes open. They instantly looked down but slowly went back to lock with Beca's. Beca felt almost proud of the relaxed look on Elyse's face even though they were both at the edge looking down. "You're not going to fall."

Elyse's eyes stayed on hers and a small smile played on her lips. "Du mögen sich irren." Beca's lips tugged up in a gentle smile, resigned to the fact that Elyse will speak German when in the mood and may not translate. It seemed it was something the blonde did to not speak what she truly meant but Beca had no way of finding if that was true. Instead of pressuring her into explaining, Beca leaned against Elyse. The arms tightened slightly and Beca could not be bothered about it. She felt perfectly comfortable and safe, which was odd for her and also because she was suppose to be helping the blonde.

From the way she felt Elyse relax around her, Beca knew she succeeded. It definitely did not go how she planned but she barely had a plan to begin with so it was okay. She ignored all the reasons she would normally hate this close contact and melted into the feeling. The carriage stopped two more times on their decent and it barely registered to the pair.

"So beautiful." Beca felt the words more than heard them. It tickled her neck and ear from where Elyse had settled. Beca opened her eyes from when they shut on their own again. Elyse was looking out toward downtown and Beca relaxed more.

"It is." Their eyes locked in the reflection for a second before they returned to the city lights and towering buildings. They were close to the end of the ride and a part of Beca wanted to go another round. She did not say anything about that though. "I'm glad you finally got a good look at the view. I was thinking you found the bench and floor more interesting." Beca teased, as the carriage stopped so the previous one could be emptied.

Elyse scoffed and loosened her hold on Beca. She stood to her full height but remained close. "Rest assured I found a more interesting sight. At least I did not want to meet the floor with my face." Elyse shot back which earned her a glare through the glass.

Beca turned and lightly pushed Elyse away. The blonde feigned hurt and backed away but her laughing ruined the effect. "It's not like you've never tripped in your life." Beca responded to keep the conversation going. The carriage jerked again to bring them to the ground to unload. Elyse's posture only tensed to remain upright from the movement but there was still a smile on her face. Beca was happy for that.

"I did not say that. I seem to have more grace than you when walking, that is it." Elyse shrugged.

Beca narrowed her eyes as the doors opened. The same smiling woman greeted them but Beca barely heard what she said. "Yeah, right. You got the grace of a stalking cat…and can be just as scared as one too." Beca added when she passed Elyse to get off.

She was slightly shaky as she descended the short stairs but when she made it to ground, Beca felt solid again. The same seemed to go for Elyse but she hid her emotions a lot better. Her calm and collected features proudly on display as she thanked the woman at the door and joined Beca. The brunette hurried forward to leave when she remembered the camera guy.

He was standing nearby and when he saw the women he smiled brightly. "Oh right, you're done. I got your pictures here." He shuffled through a few bins on a table and pulled a small white envelope out. He handed it to Beca. "Thanks for riding the Skyview, ladies. Have a good one."

They both thanked the man, said goodbye, and proceeded to exit. The envelope was a little thick but Beca refused to open it. She really did hate pictures of herself and would be happy to not look at this one. After a few minutes of walking back to the park and following the outer path, Elyse spoke. "Are you not going to look at the picture?"

Beca shook her head. "No way. I hate pictures of me."

Elyse hummed in recognition but eyed the envelope anyway. "I do not have that problem."

"Of course you don't." Have you seen you? Oh thank god I didn't say that out loud.

Elyse scrunched her brows slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." Elyse quickly grabbed the envelope from Beca's hand and held it in the one farthest from Beca. Right on cue Beca tried to snag it back but could not. "Dude, give it back."

"Why? You were most likely going to throw it away but I want to keep it." Elyse stuffed the envelope as best she could in her back pocket. Beca would not reach for it there.

"No. I have the worst luck with photos. It's probably really bad."

Elyse kept walking with her head up. "I do not care." She eyed Beca then. "You know I am in the picture as well, right? And I am the tourist. I want my tourist picture."

Beca could not argue with the blonde's logic. She could not tell Elyse to throw away a traveling keepsake. Personally, she did not do keepsakes when travelling, seeing as they were just clutter but she held her tongue on that. To each their own. She just wished she was not in this one.

"I could've just got you a postcard or magnet or something." Beca grumbled.

"Ah, well, we will have time for that too, Maus." Elyse smirked.

Beca grumbled but followed along with Elyse down the paths of the park. It seemed the night air did nothing to deter people from coming out. A noise gathered and bright lights shone around a bend and the women became curious. They proceeded on and doubled their pace when they heard music.

As the path turned around a small hill, they came in sight of a staged pavilion. It was a large stage with granite seats at an decline facing the stage. It reminded Beca of where the Bellas had Hood night her freshman year, but much bigger. Despite the stage, the band set up was small. The equipment and instruments cluttered up front directly in the middle of the stage and a mob of people stood transfixed in front. Elyse and Beca made their way down an aisle and stood away from the crowd. As a song finished, a man holding a guitar stepped up to the microphone.

"Again, thanks for coming out tonight. We're Caramel Queen Dosage, playing the classics, here's one more." He stepped away and the band started up again. A woman at a synth piano led the drummer in with soft chords. When the guitar flowed in as well the crowd hollered their approval and began swaying with the beat. The man that spoke earlier returned to the microphone.

"I want to break free
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies,
You're so self satisfied I don't need you
I've got to break free"

Beca bobbed her head and tapped her fingers on her thigh. She has not heard the Queen song in a long time but she still got enveloped in the beat. She eyed the five members as they played fluidly and enjoyed themselves. She wondered if that is what the Bellas looked like. Just music nerds doing what they love.

"They're good." Beca mindlessly commented.

"Yes. Though, I am unfamiliar with the song." Elyse replied with the same distracted tone.

"Really? It's Queen. The band with Freddie Mercury?"

Elyse nodded. "I know of Queen but not all their songs."

"God knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true, hey
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure
When I walk out that door
Oh how I want to be free, baby"

"I like this one." Elyse finished her thought. The instrumental part began. The heavy snare and bass thumped heavily and Elyse looked at Beca when she heard humming. Elyse could tell Beca did not think she was being heard so the blonde discreetly leaned closer to hear over the music.

"I can't feel my face when I'm with you
But I love it, but I love it, oh
I can't feel my face when I'm with you
But I love it, but I love…"

"What?" Beca faced Elyse with curious eyes when she noticed the blonde rather close to her.

Elyse only stared back. "Nothing. You were singing something else."

"Oh, yeah, I iust…" Beca stammered and flippantly waved her hand. "A song came to my head with the beat." She mumbled.

Elyse nodded as she faced the stage again. "I know it." A couple beats passed before the blonde spoke again.

"She told me 'Don't worry about it'

She told me 'Don't worry no more

We both knew we can't go without it

She told me 'You'll never be alone"

Beca was caught unaware by the blonde singing that it took her a few moments to gather herself. She joined in when the live band began singing.

"I can't get use to living without living without

Living with you by my side

I don't want to live alone, hey

God knows, got to make it on my own

So baby can't you see, I've got to break free"

Their voices melded together in harmony and contrast to each others. Both women could not keep the light smiles from their face or the eyes locked on each other. As the song drowned out they remained smiling at each other.

"You have a good ear, Beca." Elyse said with a small smile. Beca remained focused on the lightness of her blue eyes for longer than she could recall. Beca smiled shyly and opened her mouth to say something.

"Becs?"

The pair turned their heads to the intruding voice. Beca's eyes widened slightly and could feel her face get a little warm. "Jesse? What are you doing here?"

The young man hesitantly stepped closer to the pair, quickly eyeing Elyse curiously, before focusing on Beca. "Hey. Not much we're just here for the bands playing. What about you?" He asked again taking a quick look at the tall blonde.

Beca could not help but feel a little embarrassed about getting caught with Elyse. She was not doing anything wrong but no one knew about their friendship; not the Bellas and Jesse definitely did not need to know. "Oh uhh nothing much. Not much so the same as you. I just ran into a friend from work." Beca cringed on the inside. She was acting like such a spaz.

Beca's eyes were focused straight ahead on Jesse and missed the stiffening posture of the blonde. Jesse quickly glanced back to Elyse again and smile slightly to Beca. "Cool. I actually wanted to talk to you. About Barden acapella stuff." He said more for the blonde's ears and the message was received between the two. Beca, however, remained oblivious.

"Uhh okay, that's cool. We can talk." Beca said quickly. As long as he did not bring up Beca's present company. He could talk to her about movies for all she cared right now.

"I must go, Beca, it is late." Elyse's response was clipped and flat. "It was good to run into you. Have a good evening." Before Beca could say a farewell, the blonde was gone. There was a sting of dissapointment at the thought and a cold feeling of guilt in her gut. Beca decided quickly to text Elyse to apologize as soon as she could.

"Sooo, Becs, what are you really doing here?"

Beca snapped her attention back to Jesse real quick once she registered the question.

"Huh? What, what do you mean? I told you." Her voice wavered making it sound completely unconvincing she was as innocent as she portrayed.

Jesse flashed her a small smile before eyeing her playfully. "Come on, Becs, I know when you're lying. Your eyes can't keep still, they just, dart all over and make you look crazy."

"I don't look crazy! And I'm not lying. We just- I just ran into her here." Beca shrugged as casually as she could but really could not make eye contact for long. She looked over at the stage hoping to appear bored to the conversation.

Jesse turned to face the stage as well but held his smile firmly in place. "Sure. And how did you get to this park late in the evening?" He slyly eyed Beca and noticed her look of concentration.

"I called a cab. Yeah, I felt cooped up in the house and needed fresh air. So I took a walk. Well, I took a cab to…here then I- I walked." Beca's voice began to sound less sure as she was running out of steam. She was facing Jesse, who remained facing the stage, but could see he was not buying her story. "I heard the music and ran into El- my coworker."

Jesse nodded his head as if he understood but Beca could still see his cocky smile. She hated the fact that she was trying really hard to convince him of her lie and he was smugly ignoring that. She frowned, blew out a frustrated huff, turned towards the stage, and crossed her arms tensely. "Just say it."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Say what?" He asked almost too innocently.

Beca rolled her eyes. "Say you don't believe me. Ask me what I'm really doing here. Repeat yourself a hundred times until I finally snap at you for bothering me and we fight and not speak to each other for a long time." Beca shrugged but there was nothing casual about it. Her arms wrapped around herself more protectively than in anger.

Jesse was at a lost for words. He did not think Beca was going to open up about how she really felt. She was right. He would push her to open up to him and she would shut him out for it. This time she beat it to the punch and owned up to one of their big issues. He saw how it was affecting his ex girlfriend and he felt bad about that. Jesse did not want to crowd her just yet though so he remained looking up at the band playing.

"I'm sorry. I know it probably doesn't mean much after all this time but I- well, I didn't want to make you feel pressured to talk. I just…" Jesse took a deep breath and hung his head. "I just wanted to be that person, you know. I wanted to be the person you turn to. The only one you can really talk to. The one that you look at with a sparkle in your eye." He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. "You know in the movies where the guy or girl has an epiphany and realizes the person they really want to be with? I wanted to be that guy for you."

He fell quiet as the words sunk in and Beca contemplated them for a long minute. She looked at her ex's profile and saw his sad eyes and slightly ashamed features. The corners of her mouth quirked up slightly. "You're such a weirdo." His confused eyes met hers. "How was I suppose to get all that? I don't watch movies." She said lightly. They shared a smile and chuckled, which turned into light laughter.

He partially sobered as his light eyes met hers. "I am sorry, B. I shouldn't have those kind of unrealistic expectations."

She cupped his chin to retrieve his dropped gaze back onto hers. Her smile was sweet and sad. "Hey, look, you're a romantic, movie-nerd that sings in a college acapella group. That's cool. It worked for me. You're a great guy, Jesse, I know that. There is a girl out there that's going to drop everything and run to you and…carry a boom box and…have flowers and…probably make an embarrassing speech in a public place. Just for you." They shared wide smiles.

His eyes darted between hers as he seemed to think on her words quickly. He smiled sadly as he understood the underlying message. "But you're not that girl anymore."

She shared his smile quickly. "I don't know. I- I don't think so? I expected-" Beca began to turn away but stopped midway as if frozen by her fast thoughts.

What did I expect? When we broke up I was sad and bummed but should I have felt worse? He's right. Right? Shouldn't love hurt? But like in a good way but also, a bad way when you're apart. I feel comfortable with him. That's good. I was attracted to him. He's attractive. Was? Do I still want to kiss him?

Beca turned to look at Jesse who was watching her curiously. I should feel butterflies and hear angels and want to write poetry or some unoriginal representation of love, right? I should feel tingles. That's what people say. Our first kiss was tingly. What's different now? Beca's wide eyes met his brown. Fuck it.

Beca closed the distance quickly and crashed her lips against his. Jesse took half a startled step back but quickly regained his balance. His hands immediately went to Beca's waist to hold her in place. Jesse's surprised face noticed Beca's eyes shut tight before he finally closed his as well.