Title: Barden State Penitentiary

Author: Jamiexh

Rating: R

Summary: New inmate, Chloe, joins a prison gang, the Bellas, for protection while serving her sentence. After befriending the most feared inmate, Beca, Chloe's life begins to change.

Chapter 7

…

"Harder," Beca instructed Chloe, who grunted in reply. "Again. Harder."

"I'm going as hard as I can," the redhead whined.

Beca sighed and let go of the heavy bag. "You're going to need to give it all you got if you want to learn how to fight. We agreed on this. If I'm trying to get out of here, I can't go back to the hole. So, you need to know how to defend yourself. We've been at this for three weeks now."

"I know. It's just…it's a rough day today okay?"

The shorter girl looked at girlfriend's pain expression and pulled her in close. "What's wrong?"

"Today, is…it's been one year…since…"

"Since your parents and your brother died," Beca asked quietly.

"Yeah," Chloe sobbed.

"It's okay," Beca soothed. "Come on, let's go to our cell. We'll talk about this there."

The shorter girl quickly led them both through the throng of inmates.

"Aw, make your girlfriend cry, Beca," Shelia taunted as they walked through.

"Piss off, Shelia," Beca spat back.

"Make me."

Beca let out a low growl and was about to walk up to the Society member when Chloe squeezed her arm.

"She's not worth it," the redhead whispered. "Remember what's at stake."

Beca grabbed onto Chloe more firmly and continued on their way to their cell.

"Red's made you soft, Mitchell," Shelia called out.

"You're just jealous that I have someone who wants to be with me," Beca spat back. "Who isn't just using me for sex and then discarding me. I'm in a real relationship, which is something you couldn't get."

Shelia snapped and ran towards the two Bellas. But, the guards saw and grabbed her before the fight could break out.

"Let go of me," Shelia yelled at the guards. "This isn't over, Beca."

"Come on," the short brunette told her girlfriend, pulling her into the cell.

"What was that about," Chloe asked Beca once they got there.

"It doesn't matter," the other inmate replied. "This isn't about me, it's about you."

"Beca," the redhead started.

"Shh," Beca silenced her, pulling them both onto Chloe's bunk. The shorter girl held her girlfriend close to comfort her. "Tell me about them."

"Who?"

"Your family. You're thinking about them. Talk to me."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say what you're thinking."

"I disappointed them. All of them."

"No you didn't."

"I did," Chloe said, raising her voice. "My mom, dad, and brother were so proud of me. They were driving to visit me in med school when they died. I was going to be a doctor and make something of myself. Instead, I'm here. I'm in prison."

"You made a mistake."

"Point is the same."

"Tell me about them," Beca asked. "I want to hear about them."

"My mom. Well, she was the most loving person I know. She was always there for me growing and supported me with everything. Dad, well, he was proud; he was the protector. He interrogated all of my dates growing up. Nobody was good enough for his little girl. And my little brother, Andrew, he had so much promise. He played baseball. And he was pretty good. But, more than that, my brother was my biggest fan. Any event in my life that mattered, he was there. He was always there cheering me on," Chloe sobbed.

"Hey, hey," Beca soothed. "Everything you've said to me is positive. Nothing points that they would hate you, or be disappointed in you. You made a mistake, but you're paying for it. They would understand. I can see that. After all, how can anyone really be mad at you?"

"You know, dad never approved of anyone I ever dated. But, I think he would have approved of you."

The shorter girl held Chloe tighter and kissed her cheek. The redhead cuddled closer to Beca as they lay there until dinner.

…

Beca never left Chloe's side that entire night. She was there for her every second and when night rolled around she let her sleep in her bed with her. The short brunette just lay cuddled with the redhead and stroked her hair gently. Once Beca was sure that Chloe was fast asleep, she kissed the taller girl's cheek and whispered, "I love you." After that she cuddled closer to her girlfriend and let sleep overtake her, all while blissfully unaware that her other two cellmates saw the entire exchange.

…

Aubrey and Stacie waited until the next day when Beca was in the shower to speak to Chloe alone.

"Chloe, have a seat," Aubrey ordered.

Cautiously, the redhead took a seat on her bed as the Bella leader approached her with her second-in-command in tow.

"What's going on," Chloe asked.

"We need to know what your intentions are towards Beca," the blonde announced.

"What?"

"Beca is growing very attached to you," Stacie explained. "We need to know where this relationship is going, because you have the potential to destroy her."

"I would never hurt her," Chloe stated firmly.

"Maybe not intentionally," the brunette said. "But, she really likes you. And if you break her heart..."

"We're afraid of what she might do," Aubrey continued. "She is dangerous. She's killed before, out of survival and to show strength. But, she's not as strong as she lets on. We've seen her cry herself to sleep at night. She sobs silently so no one knows, but she still sobs. That's part of the reason we've wanted her to get out. She's not ruthless, but if she keeps getting pushed by Shelia, she'll be a stone cold killer. And they'll give her death with how many problems she's caused. And with politics, I don't know if her godfather could pardon her then, without losing his career."

"But she would lose her life," Chloe replied.

"That world is more complex than you think," Beca answered, walking into the cell. "Sacrifices would be made."

"But, how is that fair," the redhead asked.

"It's not," the short brunette replied. "But it's what is deserved. How did we get on this subject?"

"We were just talking to Chloe about what your life could have been like before you started to be good," Stacie told her.

"Bullshit," Beca called her out.

"We don't want her to hurt you," Aubrey answered honestly. "We heard what you said to her last night."

Beca paled. "You heard that?"

"What did you say to me," Chloe asked.

Beca kissed her gently. "I'll tell you again when I'm ready for you to hear it." She turned to Stacie and Aubrey. "I know you care, but this is about me. This is my choice. And I've decided that my chance at freedom is worth the risk of getting my heart broken. I'm happy right now. Please don't ruin this for me."

Aubrey pulled the shorter girl into a hug. "We won't."

"Thank you," Beca smiled. She turned to Chloe once again. "Don't hurt me, okay."

"I won't," the redhead promised.