UNDERCOVER BELLA

Chapter 8

The next day, Chloe woke and rubbed her eyes. She and Beca were spooning on top of the blankets, wearing the same clothes they had on from the night before. She had planned to leave once Beca was settled in for the night, but Beca had asked her to stay, so she did. They spent hours talking with Beca wrapped in her arms before Beca was relaxed enough to fall asleep; Chloe succumbed a short time later.

After checking the time, Chloe canceled her phone's alarm, snuggled closer to Beca, and kissed the side of her head.

Chloe didn't want to wake Beca yet but knew she had to.

"Beca?" Chloe said softly while still holding Beca. "It's time to wake up."

Beca groaned and stirred slightly.

"Come on, Beca," Chloe said, removing her arm from around Beca's waist to gently shake her shoulder. "I need to go home so I can get ready for work."

"You can get ready here," Beca said hoarsely. "I can find you something to wear."

"Thank you, I'll do that," Chloe said, smiling. "But you still have to get up so we can get ready."

"Fine," Beca said, rolling away from Chloe so she could stretch.

Chloe threw her legs over the side of the bed and clicked on the bedside lamp. She then checked her phone for messages.

Beca got up while Chloe was checking her messages and left the room. She returned a few minutes later to Chloe texting. Chloe looked up and held up a finger.

"One sec," Chloe said. "I'm texting my mom."

"Okay," Beca nodded, yawning as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Chloe finished her text and hit send.

"Okay," Chloe said. "I'm all yours."

Beca smiled and leaned over to kiss Chloe's cheek.

"Good to know," Beca said, chuckling when Chloe slapped at her. "Anyway, I put some clean towels and a washcloth in the bathroom for you. There's soap and shampoo in the shower; use whatever you want. Oh, there's an extra toothbrush in the cabinet under the sink. I'll find you something to wear while you're in the shower."

"Thanks, babe, you're the best," Chloe said, kissing Beca on the cheek before leaving the bedroom.

Beca smiled and went to her closet. She found a pair of dark gray slacks that were a little too long for her and a light grey button-down shirt. She laid them out on the bed for Chloe, returned to the closet to gather her outfit, and opened a new pack of underwear, so Chloe would have clean ones to put on.

The shower was still running, so Beca dressed and went to the kitchen. She set up and started the coffee maker so it would be ready for them to take coffee with them. She made a quick call to order breakfast from a nearby diner so they could pick it up on their way to the station.

When the coffee was ready, Beca quickly made travel mugs for her and Chloe. She made herself a single cup and sat at the counter to drink it while waiting for Chloe. The prior day's events flashed through her mind like a bad vacation slideshow.

The first image that popped up was Emily Junk's nearly unrecognizable face from the beating she received.

She mumbled click, and the next 'slide' was the look on Katherine Junk's face when she saw a beaten Emily lying in the bed. This image morphed into Katharine Junk telling Beca she wanted five minutes alone with Walp once they had him in custody.

Click and the memory of Aubrey's pained expression due to her shoulder wound popped into her head. Which then morphed into Aubrey ordering her to take Walp down by any means necessary.

Click, and she was staring down the barrel of Walp's shotgun, which morphed into seeing his body falling to the floor after shooting him.

Beca jumped when Chloe touched her arm.

"Hey, are you okay?" Chloe asked. "I've called your name a few times."

"Oh, um, sorry," Beca said. "Just thinking about yesterday and wondering what Internal Affairs is going to do to me."

Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's shoulders from behind.

"It was a clean shoot," Chloe whispered in Beca's ear. "You know you did what you had to do, right?"

"I know," Beca said, turning to pull Chloe to her. "I just wish my head would stop telling me I should have done things differently. Like maybe tase him instead of shooting him."

"He would have killed you before you could tase him," Chloe said. "I, for one, and I'm sure Brey would agree, am glad you shot him before he could shoot you."

Beca didn't say anything. Chloe leaned in and kissed Beca, pulling back after a few seconds.

"I was thinking," Chloe said.

"Uh-oh," Beca said, smiling softly. "That sounds like trouble."

"Hush you," Chloe said, lightly shoving Beca's shoulder. "It's only trouble if you don't want us to have another sleepover. One where we wake up together naked in the morning."

"I'm in," Beca said, kissing Chloe. "Now you've got me thinking."

"About me naked?" Chloe asked, giggling and waggling her eyebrows.

"No," Beca said quickly. "Well, yes, actually. But I was also thinking that maybe you could come here for dinner once a week, and then we can have a sleepover and do…stuff that leaves us waking up naked together in the morning."

"Are you saying you only want all this," Chloe waved a hand up and down her body, "just once a week?"

"What!?" Beca yelled. "No! I am definitely not saying that."

Chloe laughed. "You are so easy, Mitchell!"

"I hate you," Beca said, pouting.

"No, you don't," Chloe said, pecking Beca's lips. "We should probably get to work. The sooner we do, the sooner you'll know what Internal Affairs has planned for you."

"Okay," Beca said, releasing Chloe. "I'll drive us since I ordered breakfast from the diner and will have to stop there first."

"I also promised Brey I'd stop by the hospital to see her on my way to work," Chloe said.

"Okay," Beca said, checking the time. "We can do both and still get to work without being late."

"You really are the best," Chloe said, giving Beca a quick peck on the lips. "Let's go."

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

After spending a few minutes with Aubrey, Beca and Chloe went to the station.

"I can't believe I forgot I made coffee for us this morning," Beca said, grimacing as she sipped her diner coffee as she and Chloe walked to the station's entrance. "The diner has great food, but their coffee sucks. And now it's cold, which makes it taste even worse."

"You got distracted thinking about me naked," Chloe said, giggling when Beca blushed.

"Maybe, but I still wish I remembered to bring our coffee," Beca mumbled, grimacing again as she took another sip of the bad diner coffee.

"Throw it away," Chloe said. "We'll get you some from the coffee cart."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Beca said as she tossed her cup into a nearby trash can.

"Detective Mitchell?" a woman's voice called out.

Beca turned to see who had called her; Katharine Junk was hurrying toward her and Chloe.

"Who is that?" Chloe asked.

"Emily's mother," Beca said. "I wonder what she wants."

"I'll get our coffee and see you inside," Chloe said, leaving so Beca could speak to Katharine Junk alone.

"Thanks," Beca said, then turned to greet Mrs. Junk. "Mrs Junk, what can I help you with?"

"I wanted to check to see if Chicago has been arrested," Katharine said.

"He, um, we," Beca stammered. She took a breath and opened the door, saying, "Come inside, and I'll fill you in on what's happened."

"Okay," Katharine said, stepping through the open door.

Beca walked in behind Katharine and directed her to a small room next to the entrance.

"Have a seat," Beca said, taking a seat.

"So, has he been arrested?" Katharine asked, sitting.

"Not exactly," Beca said. "We-"

"He got away, didn't he?" Katharine asked, sinking back into her chair.

"No," Beca said, shaking her head. "He's dead."

"Are you serious?" Katharine asked as she sat up and looked at Beca. "He's really dead?"

"Yes, ma'am," Beca said.

Beca then proceeded to tell Katharine of what transpired when she and Aubrey went to arrest Chicago Walp.

"Is the other detective okay?" Katharine asked.

"Yes, she is," Beca said. "She'll be in the hospital for a couple of days, but she's going to make a full recovery."

"That's good to hear," Katharine said. She paused and looked Beca in the eye. "And you're sure he's dead?"

"I promise you," Beca said. "He is dead."

"Emily is going to be upset that he's dead," Katharine said. "I hope she doesn't hate me when I tell her."

"Would you like me to tell Emily?" Beca asked. "I can answer any questions she may have regarding the circumstances of his death."

Katharine stood, so Beca stood as well.

"Would you mind?" Katharine said. "I know she'll be upset, and I want to be able to comfort her. If I tell her he's dead, she'll push me away because I'm the one who told her."

"I don't mind," Beca said. "Although she will probably hate me because I'm the one who killed him."

Katharine pulled Beca in and hugged her. Beca stiffened but let Katharine hug her.

"I know this is probably not appropriate to say," Katharine said. "But, thank you for that. I feel better knowing that he can't hurt Emily anymore. I've already lost one daughter to a maniac, I'm not ready to lose the other the same way."

Beca swallowed and put her arms around Katharine, patting her on the back.

"I understand," Beca said.

Beca pulled out of the hug when her phone pinged with a text. She checked her phone; the message was from Chloe.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go," Beca said. "That was Chloe, um, Detective Beale. My Captain is looking for me. I promise to come by the hospital to see Emily in a little while. If that's okay with you?"

"That's fine," Katharine said. "You have work to do. I'll be with Emily for most of the day, so come whenever you can."

"I will," Beca said and hurried out the door.

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

Beca hurried into the bullpen and over to Chloe's desk.

"You said the Captain wants to see me," Beca said. "Did she say what it was about?"

"No, but she asked me to come in with you," Chloe said.

"Oh, okay," Beca said. "Should we just go now? Or did she give us a time to be in her office?"

"She said we should go see her as soon as you came in," Chloe said, handing Beca her coffee.

Beca took a sip and sighed, content at finally getting some decent coffee. Beca took another drink and set her coffee on Chloe's desk. Chloe took her arm to lead her toward the Captain's office; they heard yelling as they approached and stopped.

"Wonder what that's about?" Chloe whispered.

"Do you think it's about me?" Beca asked.

"I don't know-"

The door to the Captain's office suddenly opened, interrupting Chloe. Two men came out, looked at Beca and Chloe, and walked away.

"I know him," Beca mumbled as one of the men looked back at her.

"Mitchell, Beale," Captain Adams said. "Get in here."

"Yes, ma'am," the two detectives said and stepped inside, closing the door behind them.

"You wanted to see me, Captain," Beca said.

"Yes," Captain Adams said. "IAD is recommending you be suspended until they complete their investigation into the Walp shooting. The standard procedure is automatic desk duty for however long the review takes. Lieutenant Gomez is from your old station and doesn't seem to like you. I called him out on the suspension versus desk duty, and after some discussion, they finally acquiesced and agreed to put you on desk duty until you're cleared."

"Thank you, Captain," Beca said.

"Don't thank me yet, detective," the captain said. "You will literally be riding your desk until IAD says you're cleared, however long that takes. Understood?"

"I understand, ma'am," Beca said.

"It will be okay, Beca," Chloe said. "It was a good shoot and shouldn't take long to clear you."

"Anything is better than being suspended for however long the shooting review takes," Beca said.

"Beale," Captain Adams said, looking at Chloe. "Since you're down two detectives, I'm assigning Conrad and Applebaum to assist until Mitchell is cleared or Posen returns. We don't know how long either will be out, and we need to get this guy sooner rather than later."

"Agreed, ma'am," Chloe said.

"Good," Captain Adams said. "Any questions?"

Beca chewed her lip and looked at the floor. Captain Adams looked at her.

"Something on your mind, detective?"

"Um, yes, ma'am," Beca said. "I promised Mrs. Junk that I would tell her daughter Emily that the man who assaulted her was dead. Can I still do that if I'm not allowed to go into the field?"

"You don't need permission to visit the hospital, detective," Captain Adams said. "But if it makes you feel better, permission granted."

"Thank you, Captain," Beca said.

"Come on, Beca," Chloe said, turning toward the door. "I'll need you and Jesse to help bring Benji and Stacie up to speed on our case before you go."

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

"How did you get all this set up so quickly?" Stacie asked when they entered the conference room to see evidence laid out around the room.

"It's been in here since yesterday," Jesse said. "Sergeant Posen and I were going to go through everything before she got shot. Now we can go through everything and get you and Benji up to speed."

"Excellent," Benji said as he picked up a report and started reading.

"Let's start from the beginning," Chloe said.

"Actually," Stacie said, looking over Benji's shoulder. "This case was ours. We didn't know about the others, so we were treating it as a one-time thing."

"Chloe noticed similarities between your case and one she and Posen caught," Beca said. "After Jesse and I were assigned to help Chloe, we went through other similar cases she identified and found that we had a serial killer on our hands."

"Walk us through everything," Stacie said. "I'm ready to get this guy, whoever he is."

"Agreed," Benji said, setting the report on the table.

"Okay," Chloe said. "Let's do this."

One hour later, the five detectives took a break.

"I see now how the cases tie together," Benji said. "I also feel as if this Luke Daniels guy you mentioned is part of the murders or knows who is."

Chloe looked at Beca, asking a question with her eyes. Beca nodded, then looked down to the floor.

"There is something we didn't mention," Chloe said, looking at Stacie and Benji. "Luke Daniels is Beca's step-brother."

"And, what?" Stacie asked. "Beca doesn't think he's involved?"

"What? No," Beca said, looking at Stacie. "Not only do I believe he's involved, I believe he's the killer."

"We all believe it," Jesse said. "We just don't have the evidence to prove it yet."

"How about Stacie and I go through the reports and surveillance tapes?" Benji said. "See if we find something you missed."

"That's a good idea," Stacie said.

"You don't need me for that, do you?" Beca asked. "I'm supposed to go to the hospital to see someone about another case."

"We're good," Benji said.

"I'm going to the hospital with Beca," Chloe said. "Jesse will be here and can answer any questions that might come up. If he can't, I'll be available by phone. Okay?"

"Sounds good," Jesse said.

Benji nodded; Stacie thought for a moment and then asked, "Chloe, are you going to see Sergeant Posen while you're there?"

"Yes," Chloe said, nodding.

"Let her know we're all thinking about her," Stacie said.

"I will," Chloe said. "Come on, Beca. You'll have to drive since I don't have my car."

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

Once they arrived at the hospital, Beca went to see Emily, and Chloe went to visit Aubrey.

"Becky!" Emily cried out when Beca walked into her room.

"Hey, Emily," Beca said. "I have something to tell you, and you're not going to like it."

"My mom told me," Emily said, causing Beca to look at Katharine.

"She did?" Beca asked.

"She did," Emily said just as Katharine shook her head, saying, "I didn't."

Beca furrowed her brow and looked at Emily.

"What exactly did your mother tell you?"

"That the hospital called you because they didn't know who I was," Emily said. "And your number was the only one they found on me." Seeing a look pass between Beca and her mother, Emily got upset and asked, "Why? What do you think she told me?"

"Calm down, Emily," Katharine said. "Beca needs to explain something to you."

"Beca? You're name is Becky, isn't it?"

"No, it's Beca," Beca said. Squaring her shoulders and looking Emily in the eye. "Detective Beca Mitchell of the Barden Police Department."

"Detective?" Emily questioned. "So, you've been lying to me about who you are the whole time?"

"I'm sorry," Beca said. "I was undercover and couldn't tell you."

"Did the police teach you the moves you used on Chicago in the coffee shop?"

"Yes," Beca said, nodding. "They did."

Emily wiped a tear from her eye and looked at her mother.

"You knew she was a detective and didn't tell me?"

"I didn't know she was a detective until last night," Katharine said. "And I didn't know they were the same person. Whenever you mentioned Becky, I thought she was one of the hookers you were trying to help."

"I thought the same thing," Emily mumbled. She took a deep breath, let it out, and looked at Beca. "What did you come to tell me?"

"After I got the call about you, my partner and I came straight here to check on you," Beca said. "That's when we learned you had told the officer who found you that your boyfriend was the one who beat you. I suspected as much, and once we knew you identified Chicago, we went to arrest him."

"So, he's in jail?" Emily asked.

"Em, let her finish," Katharine said quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Sorry," Emily mumbled. "Please continue."

"There's no easy way to say this," Beca said. "Chicago shot my partner, and I had no recourse but to shoot him. He's dead, Emily. I had to shoot him, or he was going to shoot me. I'm sorry."

Emily froze for a moment and stared at Beca.

"You killed him?" Emily whispered.

"Yes," Beca responded. "I had no-"

"Get out!" Emily screamed, pointing to the door. "And don't come back. I never want to see you again!"

"Emily-"

"It's okay, Mrs. Junk," Beca interrupted before Katharine could say any more. She then looked Emily in the eye and said, "I am sorry for killing Chicago. But I won't apologize for protecting my partner and me from him. And sometime soon, I hope that you will see that Chicago being dead protects you, too."

Emily would not look at Beca; Beca sighed and turned to leave.

"Beca," Katharine said, stopping Beca. "Thank you."

Beca nodded and left the room. Emily emitted a loud sob, and Katharine held her as she cried.

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

Elsewhere in the hospital, Chloe was visiting with Aubrey.

"Where's Beca?" Aubrey asked. "I thought she was coming back with you."

"She did," Chloe said. "She went to tell Emily Junk that Walp is dead. Emily's mother came by the station this morning and wanted to know if he was arrested. So, Beca told her what happened yesterday."

"Is Beca okay?" Aubrey asked.

"I'm not sure she is yet, but she seems to be getting there," Chloe said. "I went to check on her last night and was worried she'd get inside her head and wouldn't get any rest. So I stayed with her and made sure she got some sleep."

Chloe thought for a moment and sighed.

"I'm glad she was able to get Walp before Walp got her," Chloe said, teary-eyed. "I don't even want to think about how I could have lost you both. And Beca feels so guilty and keeps second-guessing herself over how she could have taken him down that wasn't lethal, like using her taser instead of her gun."

"After he shot at us through the door, I knew the taser wasn't an option, so I ordered her to take him down by any means necessary," Aubrey said. "We both knew what I meant."

"I wish she would believe she did the right thing," Chloe muttered.

"I know," Aubrey said softly, taking Chloe's hand. "I couldn't see what was happening with her and Walp, but I could hear everything. She gave him at least two chances to put down his gun before firing her weapon." Aubrey paused before adding, "I think you should suggest she see a psychologist. It helped me; a lot."

"That's not a bad idea," Chloe said.

Chloe was about to say something when someone tapped lightly on the door. She and Aubrey looked over to see Beca standing there.

"Hey," Beca said. "Is this a private party, or may I join you?"

Chloe smiled as Aubrey responded, "Come on in, Mitchell, we were just talking about you."

"Something good, I hope," Beca said, stopping at Chloe's side.

"Always," Chloe said, kissing Beca. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Beca said. "Although Emily is none too thrilled with me right now. I think she will be when she realizes Walp won't be around to beat on her anymore."

Beca stopped talking and looked at Aubrey.

"How are you feeling, Sarge?" Beca asked. "You look better than you did this morning."

"I'm doing well, thanks for asking," Aubrey said. "I was able to get some rest. It was nice, but I'm so ready to get out of here."

"Did the doctor say how long you have to remain here?" Chloe asked.

"At least two more days," Aubrey responded. "They want to start physical therapy to make sure I don't have any issues with movement in my arm and shoulder. They'll give me exercises to do once I go home."

"So, how long before you can come back to work?" Chloe asked. "With Beca on desk duty for an undisclosed amount of time, we need you."

"I'll probably be on desk duty with Beca until the doctors clear me for active duty," Aubrey said.

"The Captain reassigned Stacie and Benji to help with the case for now," Beca said, smirking. "Chloe can send them and Jesse out to work the streets while you and I do the brain work at the station."

Chloe scoffed and glared at Beca.

"That sounds about right," Aubrey said, laughing and nodding her head in agreement.

"I kind of hate you both right now," Chloe said, looking at her watch. "We should get back to the station, Beca. I want to see if the others found anything new we need to look at."

"I'm ready whenever you are," Beca said.

"Brey, I'll come by again on my way home, okay?" Chloe said.

"Would you mind stopping by my place and getting me some clean clothes?" Aubrey asked. "I don't want to have to wear the bloody ones I came in wearing when I'm released."

"I don't mind," Chloe said. "I'll see you later."

"I want to come back and try to talk to Emily again," Beca said, looking at Aubrey. "I'll stop by to see you while I'm here if that's okay with you?"

"I'd like that, Beca," Aubrey said, smiling. "I'll see you both later."

~~ Bella Undercover ~~

Chloe and Beca discussed their next "at-home dinner date" as Beca drove them to the station.

"This weekend works great for me," Chloe said, smiling as they pulled into the station's parking area. "Let's plan for Friday night; maybe I'll even stay over Saturday."

"Sounds like a plan," Beca said as they exited the car. "Oh, and my dad wants us to come to Sunday dinner since it's been a while. He also said Luke wouldn't be there."

"Okay," Chloe said, taking Beca's hand and walking toward the station.

"I'll let him know we'll both be there," Beca said.

As soon as Beca and Chloe entered the bullpen, Jesse excitedly ran over and blurted out, "We think we may have found something worth checking out."