The Reclusive Music Producer and The Journalist

by areaderofmanythings

Chloe is Rolling Stone Magazine's newest intern, she's left Atlanta to start life over in San Francisco. Beca's a cute regular who she befriends at the part time job she has until getting hired on at the magazine. What happens when Beca isn't straightforward about who she is and Chloe refuses to talk about her past? Will Chloe ever get the cover story she's dreamed about for years?

5. Chapter 5

Many many apologies for the delay, over the course of the last month, I got sent off shore for a week for work then came home and immediately moved to a bigger apartment and had family come into town. So yeah, that's my excuse, I never intended to leave you guys hanging so long. I hope you forgive me!

Disclaimer: Yep I just checked my bank account and I still don't I don't own PP, its characters, ideas or anything else. Oh and I don't own any of the music referenced in this or any of my chapters either! However, everything else, including all the mistakes are mine!

Thanks you again to sugarlandaddict23 for working you magical beta skills on this long mother of a chapter, you rock!

So from your awesome and amazing comments I saw that you guys love long ass chapters, so here a super duper extended author's cut chapter for you guys!

---

"Miss Beale," Chloe swiveled her chair and saw her boss standing at the intern office door, "are you free for a few minutes?"

Chloe glanced at the time on her laptop, her weekend started ten minutes ago, but she'd stay to finish up some paperwork so her entire weekend would be free. It was her turn to plan a date and Beca claimed to be "down for anything"; so they were hiking Angel Island with a light picnic lunch, then taking the ferry to Tiburon for drinks and dinner at this cute little outdoor seafood café that supposedly has the best views.

"Yeah," Chloe nodded, "did you want to see the review I was working on?"

"No," he tiredly smiled, "that can wait until Monday's publishing meeting."

"Ok," closing her laptop Chloe grabbed a pen and notepad and followed him to his office.

Roger didn't seem upset, Chloe's seen that side a few times, once when the editor-in-chief scrapped one of his teams articles to make room for a fashion icon insert and twice at a few of the more lazy interns who ask him stupid and redundant questions.

Situating herself in the only chair not stacked with magazines and folders Chloe asked, "So what's up?"

"First and foremost," Roger set his glasses aside, "how's your internship been?"

"Actually pretty much like I expected," Chloe honestly answered, "there's a lot of photo copying, note taking and transcribing of interviews, but observing how a real magazine functions has been a huge eye opener."

"Are you disappointed?" He inquisitively asked.

"Nope," Chloe shook her head, "I like it here, you've slowly given me more responsibility and I feel like part of the team. It's cool seeing some of my input making its way to publishing."

Lately Chloe and a couple of the other intern's workload have significantly increased. Between making runs downstairs to photography to help choose prints and make editing suggestions or compiling background research for future articles, she's busy all day. Although if their days aren't too hectic, she does manage to sneak away a couple times a week for lunch with Beca. It's a good way to break up her day and the few quiet minutes they get together have saved her from smacking a few of her fellow interns.

"A lot of the writers and editors are impressed with you," giving feedback to interns was the trickiest part of Roger's job, but unlike most, Chloe's very receptive, thriving off any advice or constructive criticism he gave, "Jason was right about hiring you, you're already becoming a valuable asset to the magazine."

Jason was the guest lecturer Chloe met while at Columbia and he was the whole reason she'd gotten her dream job, "He's a good guy and between you two and Ashley in photography, I've learned way more than I ever could've in college."

"That's what most of your colleagues don't see," twirling his pen Roger reclined in his chair, "I know our internship program is a bit unconventional and unstructured, but it's designed that way for a reason. We're in the music industry, not National Geographic."

"I like that," Chloe grinned, she wouldn't change anything her experiences so far, "I like the unpredictability, to me that's journalism."

"So then I have the answer to my next question," the lame attempt at a joke only earned Roger a curious stare from across the desk, "I'm supposed to formally do this next week when I have all your paperwork from HR."

"Oh well I can wait," Chloe happily interrupted even though she knew what was coming next. She'd signed a letter of intent before her internship, but it was still exciting to get the formal job offer.

Roger tapped the pen against the edge of his desk, "Do you still want to work at a place where sometimes you'll stay all night to meet deadlines or I'll send you to a dive bar in Missouri to hear an up and coming band that just turns out to be complete shit?"

Chloe brightly smiled and eagerly nodded, "Isn't that all part of the job?"

Enthusiasm like that is exactly what he needs on his team, "How about if I make you rewrite an article ten times only to scrap it last minute and put you on a new project due in three hours?"

"Where do I sign?" Emphasizing her point Chloe uncapped her pen and scooted closer to the desk.

Roger stuck his hand out, "Well then, welcome aboard the crazy train Miss Beale."

"Thank you, I'm happy to be here," firmly shaking her boss's hand Chloe knew she was going to like working for him, he liked to have fun as long as the job got done, "I'm sure all the other stuff will all be explained later."

"Yeah, next week we'll sign your offer letter," Roger stated moving a few magazines out of the way trying to get to a folder at the bottom of the stack, "then at the end of the month HR will sit down and go over all that business. Now I can't remember if you get two or three weeks off to move and get settled in San Francisco, but my advice to you is start looking for apartments, good ones can be hard to find."

"I've already moved," Chloe blurted without thinking.

"Ok," Roger slid the folder he'd been searching for in front of him and flipped it open, "then HR will move your start date up as soon as the internship is over."

"Man I was hoping to travel around California," Chloe regretfully stated slumping in her chair, she should've kept her mouth shut.

"You still can," Roger laughed, "I'll just tell them you didn't have time to move yet, I've done it for tons of interns, because Jason did the same for me and my wife so we could go on our honeymoon. I like to pay it forward and one day when you're in my seat I hope you do the same."

"Wow, that's really nice of you."

"Besides, it's part of the whole new hire deal, all interns are entitled to it, even one's who knew they were getting the job beforehand," Roger warmly smiled, "Where are you from?"

"Georgia," Chloe replied, "Atlanta specifically."

Opening a drawer Roger pulled out a post-it note and wrote that down, "All the way across the country, it took my stuff like a week to arrive from South Carolina, so yours will be about the same."

Actually it only took Chloe's movers five days, but maybe that was because she had them store it for a month while she and Billie road tripped across the country, "Yeah I guess."

"Ok," Roger jotted down a few notes and stuck the post-it to his computer monitor next various other reminders for next upcoming week, "I'll tell HR Monday morning, I can probably work out three weeks for you."

"I don't know what to say," Chloe was only hoping for two weeks, but she'll take three, "thank you so much."

"Just bring me a nice bottle of wine and we'll call it even." Tossing his pen and post-it notes aside he glanced down at the open folder, "So any last complaints about the internship, everybody's got at least one, if not we'll move onto business."

Chloe thought for a few seconds and decided to joke around a little, "Well I was hoping for free concert tickets and to sit in on actual interviews with real musicians, but I got nothing except t-shirts and CD's."

Roger just laughed, because that was always the number one complaint, "Oh come on, we can't give you guys the good perks when all you do is make coffee and sort mail."

"True…"

"There has to be something to look forward too," Roger rocked back and forth in his chair, "but because you're in my division, I can tell you we get all the good stuff."

"I can't wait," Chloe laughed, "but it's not like I've sat around the whole time I've been here," she had her own perk to brag about and it came in the form of a super sexy studio musician, "I'm dating someone who knows all the happening spots," Beca easily got them into any club in town with just a phone call, "she took me to this hole in the wall jazz club last week that had a line around the block, but she'd reserved a table and we walked right in."

Roger grinned, "Well good, but you might want to tell that intern what's his name," looking over at his computer he read down a list of names attached to the opposite side of the monitor, "the one who follows you around like a lost puppy…"

"Tom?" Chloe chuckled, they'd worked together on one project and all he talked about was the ex-girlfriend he missed back home.

"That's the one…"

He was nice enough, but way to sulky, so Chloe will be glad when he's gone, "I'm not interested and I've made that very clear."

Chloe's not even slightly interested in Tom, especially when she has someone as hot and sweet as Beca. They've been dating almost two months and it's actually been amazingly perfect, she never knew dating could be this fun or easy. It's been nice to get dressed up and go on romantic dates to fancy restaurants, but she also loves how they can sit for hours in a coffee shop sharing an oversized donut with sprinkles, Beca's favorite, and just talk about absolutely nothing, yet everything. Beca's a great person, she's smart and witty, while still somehow maintaining this adorably awkward quirkiness that's just so loveable.

For once Chloe's the priority in someone's life and it's a nice, because it's something she didn't experience much of growing up. She loves how Beca will rush into the deli out of breath from running down the street minutes before her shift ends just to walk her home because the past two days all they've been able to manage are a few calls or texts. Similarly she can see the same appreciation and happiness in Beca's eyes when she goes out of her way to do something nice.

They're slowly evolving and as great as the whole dating thing is, they've yet to have a real first kiss. Yes Beca gives her these totally awesome lingering kisses and random pecks, which say they definitely aren't trapped in the friendzone, but they're only previews. It's not that Beca's shy about making a move, in fact it's the exact opposite, Beca's strong and confident, yet sensitive and very conscientious of her feelings. So she knows Beca just wants their first kiss to be perfect and that's totally swoon worthy, but it's also highly frustrating. It's been almost two freaking months and she's done everything short of pushing Beca up against the wall and smashing their lips together. Maybe she's actually going to put Aubrey's advice to use and pointblank tell Beca to kiss her so they won't have this issue again. Because one thing's for damn sure, she's not going another day without thoroughly kissing Beca Mitchell.

"So," Chloe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "what did you need to see me for?"

"Right," picking up a piece of paper from the folder Roger handed it over, "have you ever heard of DJ Titanium?"

Raising an eyebrow Chloe sarcastically laughed, "Uh yeah, they're a multi-Grammy winning producer and songwriter, the biggest creative genius to emerge in the last five years. You've got to be joking with a question like that."

"Afraid not…"

Taking the email Chloe saw it was from Jann Wenner, the founder and publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine, he wasn't joking, "They're also infamous for being reclusive and extremely private."

Roger closed the folder and tossed it aside, "I take it you're a fan?"

"Of course," Chloe enthusiastically stated, "they're brilliant, I'd kill to sit in a room with them for five minutes."

"Yeah well so would Rolling Stone," rocking back and forth in his chair Roger let out a long breath, "we've been trying for years and all we continue to get is firm no's from their management team."

Bouncing her crossed legs Chloe was excited, "So what does this have to do with me?"

"I'd like your opinion on that email," Roger gestured to the paper in Chloe's hand, "I don't buy it, but upper management wants everything regarding DJ Titanium followed up on."

Briefly reading through the email Chloe didn't believe it either, it was from a fishy email address and was barely four sentences long. They claimed to have overheard DJ Titanium and another person talking about how they were taking a year off from music once the twenty one pilots album and a few other pressing obligations were completed. But that wasn't the most interesting part, they also claimed the elusive producer was female, lived in San Francisco and had recently started dating someone, a girl to be exact.

"There's no name…" Chloe set the paper down, the thing she belied was that the producer was a girl, because that's something she's suspected for a long time, "A reputable source wouldn't approach us like this." People like the paparazzi knew exactly who to contact, this was an amateur trying to make a quick buck, "This person got the general editors email address off the 'contact us' page on our website."

"You're smart," Roger grinned, Chloe was intuitive and looked at a piece of information from all angles, she was going to do well here, "but it's already confirmed this producer is doing that album, so that information isn't new."

"Yeah, but the email also implies they recorded in town because this DJ lives here."

Roger rested his elbows on the desk to reread the information, "And?"

"Where is their management team?"

"LA…"

Chloe wrote down a few notes, "An artist that popular likes to keep a tight rein on the information released about them, so they're usually close to their management and PR teams and for that reason," she grinned, "I don't think they work here or live here."

"I agree with everything you've said," he's tired of the same endless leads that always result in nothing.

"If I had to guess, they probably have a compound like Prince in the Hollywood Hills or maybe even Malibu. People probably grocery shop next to this person every week and never know who they're standing next to."

"I like that theory."

"But you're still making me call the number at the bottom of the email right?"

Roger nodded, "Yes, but make it short, state you're an intern purely doing a follow up call and reemphasize that we're not a tabloid so no money will ever be given for information. Don't let them finagle something out of you and don't make any promises…" he paused long enough for Chloe to take notes, "Look, I don't care what the head honchos upstairs want, we are not TMZ so I don't care if we catch DJ Titanium ordering milkshakes at In-N-Out, unless we're there for an interview with them."

Chloe didn't want to be that type of journalist either so she was happy her boss knew where to draw the line, "Understood, anything else?"

"Just write up all your findings and email it to me on Monday," Roger tiredly rubbed his eyes, "I follow the same procedure for every claim we get."

"How often do you get them?" Chloe curiously questioned.

"About once a month," Roger started packing his things, "It's always the same and I hate wasting my people's time running after false claims when they could be doing something productive. DJ Titanium will only do an interview when they're ready, I don't think we should hound them."

Chloe can totally see things like this rolling in every once in a while by some part-time paparazzi looking for a quick payday, so maybe there was some validity to DJ Titanium living and working here. That still doesn't mean she buys it though, but she does want to get a second opinion and what better way than with someone fully submerged in the music industry, Beca Mitchell.

Chloe just shrugged, "I think they probably just want to be left alone."

"I fully agree," Roger stated, standing up he shouldered his bag, "If it was up to me, I'd just wait for them to come to us, but the bosses upstairs want to be the first, it's all about money."

"It does make the world go around," Chloe joked.

Switching off his computer monitor, Roger shooed Chloe out of his office, "Now I need to go, my kids have requested I partake in a water balloon fight tonight before dinner."

Chloe laughed as they headed down the hall, "Well good luck with that," walking backwards she waved, "have a good weekend."

"You too…"

Plopping down in her chair Chloe picked up her phone, she'd swapped shifts with Jessica so last minute this afternoon that she hadn't had a chance to tell Beca yet. Checking the time she grinned, Beca was probably still at the studio, which meant she could surprise her almost-girlfriend at work and hopefully they could go out for dinner and a movie.

---

"Becaaaaaa…" Jesse dragged out repeatedly poking her shoulder with a finger, "Becaw!"

"What?" Turning away from the computer Beca grabbed the offending finger and twisted it, making him whimper, "Keep it up and I'll break it."

"Ok, ok," pulling his hand free Jesse shook it out trying to ease the pain, "just remember you're the one who wanted to see me, so my boredom is all on you."

Adjusting a knob on the soundboard Beca turned back to her computer, "Just give me a sec?"

He nodded and for once didn't fight her as she tinkered with some equalizers then started the playback. She'd been working on the final touches of twenty one pilots newest album the past few weeks and she was almost done. Usually she's allowed to take her time, but the band wanted to push the release date up to coincide with their new tour, so she was getting pressured everyday for the final product.

Pausing the playback, Beca slid a couple faders down and muted a background channel, "I swear I'm almost done, I've just gotta get this right."

Beca's been holed up in her studio trying to perfect songs that was already perfect all week and Jesse can tell she's exhausted. It was useless trying to tell her that though, the only time she's not working is when Chloe's around, so at least she's getting some sort of break amongst the chaos that is her life right now.

Twirling in his chair Jesse waited until the song faded and he saw the usual smile that said she'd got the outcome she was looking for. Standing up he clapped, "You've got another hit on your hands."

"Yeah, yeah…" Beca laughed, saving all her work she shut the mixing program down, "I'm so glad it's over," relaxing in her chair she rested her head against the back and closed her eyes, "I don't care if I ever hear those songs again, is that a bad thing to say?"

Jesse dropped down in his chair, "No, but be prepared in a few weeks it'll be on every radio station." Placing his hands on her arms he excitedly shook her, "Oh maybe you'll get another Grammy nomination or one of those fancy platinum records to hang up!"

"Whatever," rubbing her eyes Beca yawned, she hopes Chloe will let her and Gizmo crash on the couch again tonight, she sleeps so much better when the other girl is around.

"I know that look," Jesse waved a hand in front of Beca to get her attention and stupidly grinned, "you're thinking about your girlfriend."

Beca pushed his face away and groaned when they got into a little bit of a wrestling match, "Dude, come on stop, she's not my girlfriend."

"Yes she is," Jesse argued grabbing the hand currently being balled into a tiny fist.

"No…" Beca's other wrist was seized.

"Yes…" Jesse was just pinning the struggling hands to the armrest when a foot appeared between them, "Bro…" he yelled twisting out of the way taking a blow to the knee, "you aimed right for my junk, you know that's off limits."

"Then let go of my arms fucker," Beca's voice strained as she picked up her foot and took aim again. Breaking a wrist free she smacked him upside the head, "Haven't you learned," she smacked him again, "I always win."

Jesse ducked out of the way, "That's only because you have tiny wrists. Now…" grabbing Beca's chair he tipped it dangerously backwards, "admit Chloe is your girlfriend or you're going down."

"We've only been dating a couple months, whoa…" Beca flailed her arms around trying to reach the edge of the mixing board, "Ok, ok, ok," she stilled her movements when he tilted it further back, "I'm not her girlfriend yet, but I want to be," she rushed out, "and I kinda want to live long enough for that to happen," the chair teetered for a few seconds then eventually righted itself, "Are you happy now, I almost died."

"Very," Jesse laughed watching his best friend use her foot to slide away from him a few inches, "why aren't you with her?"

"She's working at Aubrey's until ten, after that we're doing takeout and a movie at her place."

Jesse wiggled is eyebrows, "So is that what you're calling it now?"

Beca rolled her eyes, "No dumbass much to my dismay, we're really watching a movie."

Reaching over Jesse felt Beca's forehead, "A movie and nothing more? My, my, my how your life has changed."

"I told you she's different, I don't want to rush things," Beca tiredly rubbed her face. It's not that she doesn't want to have sex with Chloe, because she does, the sexual tension is there and has been building for a long time, but she wants to wait, "I want more with her," she can feel the heat of embarrassment on her face, "I want us both to be ready for that step."

"I like seeing girlfriend Beca," Jesse said, Beca is really changing her ways and it's nice seeing her make an effort for someone, "I think that's a smart decision."

"Me too, I just don't want to mess anything up."

"You won't," the insecurity was back, but Jesse knew Beca was going to be just fine. She was happy and that's all he wanted, "but you need to think about telling her everything."

"I know…"

Drumming his knees he smiled, "So what did you need me for?"

"So I got this today…" Rolling over to her laptop Beca searched through her emails until she found a particularly interesting one from Gail and turned the screen in his direction, "and I don't know what to do about it."

Jesse squinted to read the subject line then shifted his gaze to Beca, "Adele?"

"There's more movie nerd," Beca flatly stated and seconds later he practically jumped out of his seat.

"Oh my god, I usually don't say this but," running his hands through his short cropped hair Jesse grinned like a madman, "holy shit! Beca you can't turn this down," she indifferently shrugged with an expressionless face, "this is major movie history, this is James Bond, 007!"

"And your point," Jesse began pacing the room, but it was more like bouncing and Beca still didn't know why this is a big deal, "It's just a movie."

Jesse knew she had no idea what kind of offer this is, this is movie franchise history and a huge honor for anyone involved. Only highly qualified, highly sought after powerhouse people in the music industry ever get asked to write the title song for a James Bond movie and Beca is now one of those people.

"It's not just a movie!" Jesse stopped in front of his best friend, placing his hands on her shoulders he lightly shook her, "Beca, you're now in the same category as Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Louis Armstrong, Bono and Jack White," he pleaded, voice straining at the end, "they've all written or performed songs for James Bond movies."

"Being lumped in with Paul McCartney's pretty cool," Beca admitted, "but seriously, why me?"

"Beca Mitchell, I know you hate social media and you shy away from fame, but outside the little bubble you've created here," standing up straight he pointed a finger and loomed over her, "you're famous, like uber famous, and your talent has a significant impact on the music industry."

"No…come on," pushing herself out of the chair, she wandered over to the glass and looked at the black Steinway piano sitting in the recording booth, "don't put labels on me, I don't care about that kind of stuff and I certainly didn't ask for the fame, I just want to be me."

"I know, but," Jesse moved around the mixing equipment to stand next to her, "the fact is people love you and they want you to contribute to another part of history, movie history, your mom would be flipping out right now."

Beca pressed her forehead against the glass and closed her eyes, her immediate reaction to the email was to turn it down, but now she's having second thoughts. Opening an eye she saw his reflection just smiling at her in the glass, it was like he already knew what she was thinking, "She'd think this is pretty awesome wouldn't she?"

"Yes," Jesse didn't even bring up the fact that Beca's mom worked on the License to Kill Soundtrack, hell that movie poster along with all the others Elizabeth Richardson worked on during her career still hung in Beca's Malibu beach house, "she'll be with you every step of the way, just like she always is, and if she was alive she'd demand to play her trumpet on the recording, simply because you wrote it."

Beca laughed, "Yeah and she probably wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Look I know jazz music was her passion," Jesse nudged her shoulder until she fully turned to look at him, "but being a studio musician and working on movie soundtracks and other albums was her career, it's how she made a name for herself. You need to do this Bec, share this with her, I think you'll find it more rewarding than you ever thought."

Ultimately what Beca wants is for her mom to be proud and this would make her so proud, she could see her mom's smile and feel the hug she'd be getting right now. Saying no to this would probably break her mom's heart and she just can't do that. She wants to write this song as a tribute to her mom's legacy so it has to be perfect.

"You're right," Beca lightly banged her head against the glass in thought, "I think I should do it…"

"Beca it's Adele," as if the title song for Skyfall wasn't enough, the chance to work with one of the biggest singers in history should be, "Plus, it's just one song and you'll have free reign over everything...And you know what else?"

Jesse looked entirely too into this, like a little kid on Christmas morning unwrapping the present he'd always wanted, and it made her chuckle, "What?"

"You could potentially win an Academy Award!"

"What that gold statue thingy you always have a party for every year," Beca can never get out of it, he makes her watch every single boring minute of the televised awards show.

"Yes an Oscar," Jesse jumped up and down. He'll probably never have the opportunity to score a movie that'll be nominated, but to be friends with someone who probably will is good enough for him, "A James Bond movie has never won the best original song award yet, but you could be that person."

"Wouldn't it be totally ironic for a person who hates movies to win an Oscar?"

Jesse laughed, "Yes, that's why I'm volunteering right now to accept the award for you, that way I can say I held an Oscar once, because you don't let me touch your Grammy's."

"What if I decide to send Fat Amy?" Beca joked and he actually looked offended.

"No, she'll mess up your name when it gets engraved at the Oscar party if it even gets there in one piece," Jesse was pretty sure if that happened then Shortstack would be permanently etched on the plaque for all of eternity, "I'm doing it."

Beca playfully reeled back, "That's if I even get nominated."

"So you'll do it," Jesse grinned, "I'm not going to let you say no."

"Probably, but I want to read the script first," Jesse's mouth flew open making Beca laugh, "Don't worry you can read it too," before he could say anything she sternly added, "but it won't be until after I've started my break."

Taking a break was a hard decision to make, but over the last few months it's something Beca has realized she needs. Music used to be what she lived for, what she woke up for in the morning, but now it feels like a hindrance and a burden and she's too young to be this burned out. Plus she's tired of running from her personal problems and the only way to fix that is to take a step back from the things she's purposefully put in place to preoccupy her mind. She knows her mom's death is the sole source of her sleepless nights and perfectionist like tendencies and it's time to properly deal with those issues.

Besides Beca has Chloe now and she wants to be available and present for this new relationship, because it's something that deserves her full attention. Hanging out and now dating Chloe Beale has made her realize how she's really missed out on life because her work totally consumes her. She doesn't want to miss a single minute of being with Chloe, of holding hands while they grocery shop, of talking and laughing late into the night as they cuddle on the couch or that happy, content and normal feeling she gets when Chloe looks at her. She wants to be better not only for herself, but for Chloe and their future and because of that in the words of Aubrey Posen she's, 'prepared to do the grown up and responsible things necessary to get her life in order.'

"I'm just worried Gail will push me to start producing again," Beca always has the final say, but giving her manager a little bit of information would only make it seem like she's ready to take on the piling workload again and that is stressing her out.

"Just be firm with her," Jesse crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. This break is long overdue and he fully supports Beca decision, "Use her email as a weapon," she just questionably looked at him and he rolled his eyes, it was obvious she hadn't read the entire thing, "It said you won't record until sometime next spring to early summer and they don't need an answer until December because filming starts in January."

Standing up Beca smiled, "Oh, so I'll have months to only work on the song?" Jesse nodded, "Then Gail and Adele's manager can work out a time for us to get together and knock it out."

Gail hates waiting for answers, so she'll definitely hate waiting for her inevitable yes to the James Bond movie, but Beca didn't really care anymore. It's the reason she hasn't opened any emails with the subject line YOU CAN NOT GO ON A BREAK YET, because she knows exactly what they'll say. She broke the news to everyone this morning during the weekly conference call with Gail and her PR team. While her people in LA argued, Emily didn't say anything she just calmly took notes then bolted from the room as soon as the call ended. Now Emily has been avoiding her and probably thinks she's getting fired and Beca feels awful because that's not the case at all. Before Emily leaves tonight they need to sit down and have a chat so she can clarify her intentions and guarantee the other girl that she'll still have a job.

"Sounds like a sophisticated plan for someone who doesn't know if they're doing it or not…"

"Shut up…" Punching his arm Beca moved away.

"By the way," Jesse rubbed his sore spot, "I'm glad you're taking time off, you've been going nonstop since your mom died."

"Thanks dude," Beca replied falling ungracefully into her chair and averting her attention to her laptop.

"Sure…"

The last thing Jesse ever expected to hear a few weeks ago while they were at a bar was that his best friend was putting her music career on hold for at least a year. It was like a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders the minute she told him and she was pretty emotional about it. The version of Beca sitting across from him that afternoon was his old best friend, except more mature because she was finally willing to admit she needs to work on herself.

Jesse's pretty sure Beca made this decision months ago, but only recently came to terms with it. He's noticed how she's been much more relaxed and is no longer hovering along this invisible nervous breakdown line and it's all thanks to Chloe. She walked into Beca's life when it was needed the most and reopened her eyes to what's important in life, including the possibility of a healthy, long term relationship. It's nice, but also drastically different, to see her be affectionate with someone so quickly and so easily like she is with Chloe. It's part of the reason why he was dumbfounded to learn they weren't sleeping together, because all outward signs pointed to it. They're constantly holding hands or snuggling up together on the couch and in booths, and he's even caught Beca stealing quick kisses and slapping Chloe's ass when she thinks no one is looking.

"Dude," Beca glanced up from her laptop to find him staring at her, "quit being a creeper, your phone is buzzing and it's probably your warden."

"No, it's my lady," Jesse gushed leaning over the mix table to retrieve his phone, grinning he added, "I love my lady."

"Whipped," Beca coughed, "I mean what?"

Jesse unlocked his phone and instead of it being Aubrey's usual text about what time she'll be home it was surprisingly from Chloe.

Chloe [5:12PM]: Hey is it cool to surprise Beca at work?

Jesse moved around the soundboard and plopped down in the couch, craning his neck he saw Beca messing around on Gizmo's Facebook, "How long before you go?"

"Like another hour, Chloe doesn't get off until ten," Beca stated as she changed Gizmo's profile picture to one of him and Billie, "Once you vacate the premises, I'm gonna mess around on the piano."

Looking back at his phone Jesse typed out a message.

Jesse [5:16PM]: I think she'd like that…

Chloe [5:17PM]: Are you sure she won't mind me just showing up?

Jesse thought about it for a minute, Beca wasn't doing much of anything, just biding her time, so he thought why not. Besides he and Aubrey had a long discussion last week about how they weren't going to purposefully hide things around Chloe anymore. This was the perfect opportunity for Beca to reveal everything, the two will be relatively alone and this is where Beca's probably the most comfortable.

Jesse [5:19PM]: It's cool, she's just hiding out here until she sees you anyway.

Chloe [5:21PM]: Thanks Jesse!

Jesse [5:22PM]: Make her play the piano for you!

Hearing the rustling of a bag Beca turned, draping an arm over the back of her chair she stared at her best friend, "What'd the dictator want?"

"She has a name," Jesse defended shouldering his bag and pointed a finger at the smirk forming on Beca's face, "and don't say bitch."

"But it's appropriate, she called me a munchkin yesterday," Beca argued, giving him the finger he just stuck his tongue out, "Whatever, you better go, she's probably waiting for you to run her bath and fan her with palm tree leaves."

"Just remember when you start acting all lovey-dovey with Chloe," he made kissy faces at her, "that payback's a bitch…Oh wait," dropping his hands he sobered up and knowingly smiled, "you already do, guess I need to start pointing out all the cutesy things you do for her."

"Jerk…"

"Love you too buddy!"

He franticly waved at her with this stupid ass grin on his face that made Beca turn back to her laptop, "You better go pick up that bubble bath."

"Actually it's printer paper," he matter-of-factly lied placing his hands on his hips.

"Oh I forgot Aubrey Posen doesn't have time for baths, they're not efficient," Beca replied in a monotone voice.

"That's not true," Jesse defended. Opening the studio door and stepping out into the hallway he yelled, "sometimes we take them together and we drink wine, eat fancy cheese and discuss our day like married people," as the door closed behind him.

"You are so weird…" Beca shook her head as she laughed.

---

Chloe stopped in front of a simple set of black doors, other than a set of gold plated numbers there was no indication that this was Hyde Street Studios. Double checking the GPS on her phone she made sure she'd entered the address Jesse had messaged her correctly. The little blue dot said she was standing at 245 Hyde Street, but this didn't look like a recording studio at all. If she didn't know any better this plain looking door could easily pass as an entrance to one of San Francisco's many office buildings.

Looking down the street Chloe grinned, because a few spots down from where she was standing was Beca's car. Stepping closer she saw other signs that this wasn't just some random office building and that whatever was inside was expensive and closely monitored. To the left and right of the door were CCTV cameras and a few signs in various languages stating that everything was under video surveillance and trespassers will be prosecuted.

Moving over to the keypad used for automatic entry Chloe pressed the red call button and a couple minutes later a voice answered, "Hyde Street Studios."

Chloe jumped back at the unexpectedly bright and cheery, yet slightly out of breath, voice. Holding the green talk button down she answered, "Hi, I'm looking for Beca Mitchell."

"Your name and nature of business?"

"Chloe Beale and well…umm," she had no idea if it was ok to label Beca her girlfriend, they hadn't formally talked about it, but they've been exclusive since the first day they hung out, "we're dating, I'm just stopping in to surprise her."

"Oh! Jesse told me Beca's girlfriend was coming," the voice happily replied making Chloe slightly blush at how nice the reference felt, "I'm Emily by the way."

Laughing Chloe pressed the button again, "Well Emily, is it ok if I come in?"

"Oh shoot yeah hang on, I always forget which button opens the front door," there was some mild cursing in the background before Emily spoke again, "Sorry, sorry, usually this is the receptionist's job," Chloe continued to laugh as she heard the familiar buzz of the door unlocking, "Ok found it, the elevator's on the right after you step inside, we're on the second floor."

Chloe propped the unlocked door open with her foot then pressed the button a final time, "Reception's not on the bottom floor?"

"Nope, I know weird right," Emily laughed, "The first floor is the full orchestra recording studio because they need the biggest space, everything else is upstairs and…"

As the door slammed shut Chloe could still faintly hear Emily chatting away like she was still listening to the very detailed description of the studio layout. Turning to her right she found the elevator and pressed the up button and immediately the doors slid open. A minute later she was stepping out into a modern looking reception area with wood floors, a couple of chairs, some couches, and a huge Hyde Street Studio logo spray painted in bright red behind the receptionist desk. It wasn't at all what she expected considering the entrance was so bland and nondescript, but it definitely gave off the vibe of a real recording studio.

Walking up to the desk Chloe found a tall brown haired girl, probably not older than twenty-three, still talking into a call box similar to the one she'd used downstairs. Giving a wave she lightly laughed when the girl jumped back and let out a small yelp of surprise.

"Oh man, I totally let you in didn't I?" Emily rushed out, slightly frowning.

"Yep," Chloe smiled, "you're Emily right?"

"Yes and you're Chloe?" Sprinting around the desk Emily gave a quick hug, "It's so nice to finally meet you, Beca constantly talks about you."

Pulling back Chloe grinned, "She talks about me?"

Emily paused to look closely at Chloe, there was red hair, a bright smile and she was really pretty, three things Beca always mentions, "Please tell me you're the boss lady's girlfriend…" she nervously wrung her hands, "Otherwise I'm in huge trouble for letting you in."

"We're working on it …" Emily wasn't as awkward as Beca, but it was still just as endearing and made Chloe smile.

"Well in that case," Emily started pacing, shaking out her hands she contemplated what to say next, abruptly stopping she turned and pointed at Chloe, "don't break her heart."

Chloe lightly laughed, she didn't buy the tough guy persona, Emily looked more confused and scared than menacing, "I won't, I promise."

Emily slumped her shoulders, "Good, it's just Beca's my friend and…"

"I understand…" Chloe winked. Emily opened and closed her mouth a couple times letting out a few inaudible words making Chloe laugh again, "I like how you're protective of her."

"I'm sorry," Emily finally managed, "I didn't mean to be a dick about it."

"No harm done," Chloe smiled as Emily shrunk away with a relieved look, "but if it's any conciliation, I hope we firmly establish the whole girlfriend thing tonight."

Emily's face brightened, "That's amazing, you guys are already my OTP and we've just met…"

Chloe followed Emily's excited and bouncy movements around the waiting room as she tidied up and gave her entire life story. It was entertaining, Emily's a stark contrast to the quiet and mysterious type of Beca Mitchell, but Chloe sees why Beca likes the younger girl. Although a little ditzy and super hyper, Emily's genuine, a very 'what you see is what you get' type of girl who is honest and loyal to a fault. It's interesting, these last few months Chloe's learned a lot about who Beca is as a person just by the people she surrounds herself with. All of Beca's friends bring something unique to the table, Aubrey's the voice of reason and Stacie's the wild child, Fat Amy's the painfully blunt comedian and Jesse's the typical trustworthy best friend, while Jessica's the quiet one who seems to float somewhere in the middle of all the chaos. Collectively they're a handful and off their rockers ninety-five percent of the time, but they all have the same core qualities as Emily and are great people.

So needless to say Chloe loves Beca's friends and despite only knowing them for a short period of time, she feels like they've accepted her with no questions asked. When they hang out, nobody's trying to manipulate things, they bring out the best in each other and she likes that. She also loves how they lightheartedly pick on Beca about finally settling down with a "nice girl" or how they say she's good for Beca and that they're cute together.

They're a stark contrast to the friends Chloe thought she had growing up. She wasn't overly popular, throughout high school and college she easily jumped between the socialites, the jocks and the music clicks. However, things changed after her parents died, the people she once thought where her friends, kind of replaced her and her family with new people so they could continue climbing the social ladder. She'll admit she probably should've been a little more responsive when some of them tried to help, but it was a traumatic time in her life and she ended up pushing some of her more loyal friends away. Granted she didn't lose them all, there's still a few she keeps in contact with, but it's sporadic at the most.

"I'm sorry, how'd you end up here?" Chloe questioned focusing back on Emily's story.

"I went to San Francisco State University," Emily happily stated tossing a couple magazines in the trash, "and interned here one summer, they hired me permanently at the end of the summer, but offered to work with my schedule so I could finish college."

Emily really loved her job and Chloe could totally relate, "How long have you worked here?"

"Almost three years," Emily smiled, "I handle the studio's daily schedule and take care of all musicians needs. When it's not hectic, it's a pretty cool job, I love working with Beca."

Emily didn't need to go into how she was primarily Beca's personal assistant and that she handles all her boss's daily needs. Her job was unique and constantly varied, on any given day she could run errands, talk to Beca's publicist, manager and PR team, or juggle the seemingly endless recording schedule and all the problems it presents. All in all Beca's a pretty laidback boss who prefers doing a lot of the everyday things herself and that makes Emily's job so much easier. It's crazy, Beca's just so normal and funny, that she sometimes she forgets her boss is this big time celebrity.

"So," resting her hip against the receptionist desk Chloe looked up at the clock, "it's not that I don't like talking to you, but could you tell Beca I'm here? I'm sure you want to get out of here since it's after six."

Pushing a chair under the desk Emily quietly laughed because her job wasn't done until Beca gave her the ok, "Sorry I tend to get overly excited when I meet new people."

"No need to apologize," tucking a strand of hair behind her ear Chloe smiled, "I'll just wait here," she moved toward a leather sofa, "while you get her."

"I can do better than that," Emily motioned for Chloe to follow her, "I'll take you to her, now Beca can give you the grand tour," she swiped her badge to open the door, "but for now I'll just point out the basics, you know like the bathroom and stuff."

"Thanks," Chloe followed Emily through the sound proofed door and down a short hallway, "I've never been in a real recording studio."

"Well then you're in for a treat…"

Much like reception the room they were now standing in now was decorated in the same sleek and modern style, except the bright and vibrant colors had been replaced with warm and inviting tones. Emily called it a break room but to Chloe it felt more like a living room. There were leather couches and chairs situated around a couple coffee tables and a small kitchen area complete with a refrigerator, coffee makers and a microwave was in the far corner.

"This place is awesome," Chloe grinned stepping over to a smaller refrigerator filled with nothing but drinks, from water to juice to Red Bull, "There's Beca's favorite beer," she stated making Emily laugh, she'd recognize the Anchor Steam logo anywhere, "I keep some in my fridge for her too."

"She's very adamant that we don't run out," Emily added opening the glass door, "feel free to take anything you want…"

"Thanks, but maybe later," moving over to one of the three beautiful wooden framed doors with a pane of glass down the middle, Chloe peered through it, "What's down here?"

"Wings one and two are recording studios of various sizes, Beca's studio is the last one at the end of wing one, but this wing is mainly business offices," stepping next to Chloe, Emily pointed to an open door halfway down, "that one is mine and across from me is Jesse."

Chloe laughed because of course Jesse's door had a huge bumper sticker that said I had friends on that Death Star and a Breakfast Club movie poster. In fact all the doors had some form of music paraphernalia on them except for a large set of double doors at the very end of the hall. The only thing that one had was a large metal sign stating, Warning: Do Not Touch My Shit.

"Whose door is that?" Chloe laughed pointing to the sign.

"Beca's," Emily grinned before quickly adding, "it was a birthday gift from the receptionist two years ago, it's her catch phrase around here."

Confused Chloe turned to look at Emily, why would a studio musician have a big office like that and in a prime location. People with offices like that indicated power and major responsibility, hell her boss didn't even have an office that big and he'd worked for Rolling Stone for almost ten years. Beca did way more than just play the piano around here and those doors were a clear indicator of that.

"Why does Beca have the biggest office?" Emily just dumbly blinked at her and the complete silence spoke volumes to Chloe, "What does she really do here?" She was beginning to feel like everyone, including Beca, was keeping something from her, "What's she hiding from me?" She asked with folded arms.

Looking everywhere but at Chloe, Emily fumbled for her words, "I ummm…I-I-I…" she took a couple steadying breaths, "Ok so like…" her heart was racing and she could feel Chloe staring at her waiting for an answer, "I'm not allowed to talk about it," she cringed, glancing to her left then back at the ceiling she let out a long sigh, "and I wasn't supposed to tell you that either."

"Why not?"

A door softly closing made Chloe jump and she and Emily turned to look in its direction.

"Because she's signed a confidentiality agreement," Beca voice resonated through the room where seconds ago she could've heard a pin drop, "everyone that works here does."

When Beca stepped out of Studio A and into the hallway she saw Emily and Chloe talking in the break room. She was surprised, Chloe was supposed to be working at Aubrey's not standing feet away from her office that held all eight of her Grammy's and laughing with her personal assistant about who knows what. She wasn't upset, she was more alarmed than anything because she hadn't planned on bringing Chloe here until after she revealed everything. Now things have become slightly more complicated because she doesn't know exactly what to tell Chloe, but she knows she's got to start with the truth.

"Why?" Chloe demanded then realized her tone was probably a little to harsh because she's sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this, so she lowered her voice, "Beca please tell me what's going on."

Tossing her empty water bottle into the trash Beca slowly walked over towards the two. Chloe looked confused and disappointed and lied to and that broke Beca's heart, she never wants to see that look again. While Emily on the other hand seemed scared, like she'd accidentally revealed a huge secret and was now going to get in trouble for it.

Stopping in front of them, Beca gave a reassuring smile, "Emily it's ok, you're fine," shoving her hands in her back pockets she shifted her eyes to Chloe, who was for all practical purposes patiently waiting for an answer, "Chlo, you have to understand this isn't how I wanted you to find out."

"Find out what?" Glancing between Beca and Emily, Chloe saw the unspoken conversation going on between them and sure enough seconds later Emily groped for the door handle and nearly ran down the hall to her office, "Beca…"

"First off," reaching for Chloe's hand Beca was thankful it wasn't pulled away, "hey gorgeous."

The warm smile Chloe got sent shivers through her body and she immediately returned it. She loves how alive she feels at just seeing Beca, it makes her completely and utterly happy knowing that somebody wants her and is glad she's here. Despite everything that's happened in her life she's found a sense of safety and security in Beca, Beca makes her feel totally at peace with herself. And all it took was a beautifully simple, hey gorgeous, spoken by an equally beautiful person, for her to realize that she's starting to fall in love with Beca Mitchell.

Dropping their hands Chloe closed the small gap between them and wrapped her arms around Beca. Burying her face in Beca's neck she breathed in the familiar scent as hands rested low on her hips. It's weird, Chloe always thought revelations like this would come at profound moments in their relationship, like on a sappy moonlit walk along the beach, the first time they really kissed or even had sex, but it didn't, because none of those things have happened. Instead they're just standing here, she's confused about a lot of things and has hundreds of questions about what the hell is going on, but somehow all that makes this moment entirely perfect. She'll never forget this specific time in her life, because this is the moment she knew she was falling in love with someone. And even though she's not emotionally ready to say those three words yet, for once she's not scared and she's not going to try and stop her feelings anymore.

"Hey sexy…" Chloe exhaled, returning the greeting they've been doing since that day in Crissy Field, pulling back she smiled, "Sorry I just really needed to feel your arms around me, it's been a long day."

"Don't ever apologize," Beca softly reassured linking their fingers. A light blush tinted Chloe's cheeks as she leaned forward to give a brief kiss.

Chloe hummed in content, "I could use more of those too."

"I can arrange that," Beca smiled, it was so hard to keep their kisses short and sweet, but she wanted the first one to be perfect, "Ok, I owe you an explanation right?

"Please," Chloe nodded.

"Don't worry it's only good things," Beca lead them over to a couch and they sat down, "I promise."

Looking into grey-blue eyes Chloe let out a slow breath, "So…"

Beca ran her fingers through her hair, she hadn't planned on doing this today, but it would be one less thing to hit Chloe with when she finally reveals she's DJ Titanium, "There's a few things you need to know about me…"

"What that you're rich?" Beca's eyes went comically wide making Chloe giggle, "Bec, I figured that out a long time ago and it's completely fine you didn't tell me."

"Really?" Beca felt relieved knowing Chloe was ok with this because her financial situation has intimidated people before.

"I mean yeah," Chloe shrugged, to get her point across she needed to reveal that part of her life too, "I haven't been completely…forthcoming with that issue either. It's not something I particularly like talking about."

"I know you work two jobs," Beca interrupted, "and I didn't want you to think I was this snobby rich kid, because my money doesn't…" Chloe's hand landed on her tapping fingers, "What?"

"Bec, you didn't let me finish," Chloe always found the rambling so cute and it was another one of Beca's nervous habits that she'd picked up on not long after they met, "I don't need to work two jobs, I don't even need one…If I wanted to travel the world for the rest of my life I could."

Letting that sink in Beca rested her head against the top of the couch and stared up at the ceiling, glancing to her left she saw Chloe biting a lip with worry, "You mean?"

"I didn't want my money to define me either," Chloe averted her eyes.

Beca just burst out laughing at the absurdity of the whole situation, "I can't believe we were doing the same thing."

Chloe joined in the laughter, she was kind of glad that was out in the open, "I know right!"

Beca had absolutely no idea, she liked Chloe regardless of how many jobs she had or the amount of money she made. To her, Chloe was this beautiful and bubbly girl, who's artistic and bakes and brightens her day with a single smile.

"I didn't want to say anything," lifting her head Beca grinned, "but I always wondered how you could afford a kickass apartment in that expensive neighborhood."

Kissing a cheek Chloe laughed harder, "At least we know neither of us are gold diggers."

"True that," although Beca's still curious how she didn't see the signs sooner, but Chloe didn't drive an expensive car or wear flashy jewelry or clothes. Chloe's just Chloe, a girl she never in a million years envisioned herself with, but is nonetheless falling for more and more each day, "So I guess you've figured out I inherited most of mine?"

The initial money came from Beca's mom's estate along with other things like life insurance policies and music royalties; but really it was Aubrey's dad, a financial advisor in LA, who looked out for her best interests. Thankfully he stepped in and helped her invest those millions, because at the time she was young and had no concept of how to manage that amount of money.

Robert Posen is a smart man and Beca trusts him with all aspects her finances, both personal and the business side of her fame, including everything involved with the recording studio. In fact he and his firm had played an essential role in her acquisition of Hyde Street Studios and how it was kept relatively under the radar.

"Yep," Chloe popped the p making Beca laugh, without even thinking she rushed out, "most of mine is in trust funds that get distributed over a set number of years into an investment account. I have access to it just like any bank account." It's weird because as much as her dad called her a failure, this was one small indication that he did care about her if something were to happen to him or her mom, "I used part of the money from the sale of my parents house in Atlanta to move here and find an apartment, the rest I added back into that account and have basically been living off the interest. It's one of the few good things they left me."

Chloe may have looked away at the end, but Beca didn't miss the hurt, sad and defeated look on those beautiful features, "Chlo, did your parents die?"

The question wasn't probing or abrasive, it was actually really soft and full of understanding. In a way they could relate, Beca had lost everyone she loved too, so Chloe felt like she should at least say something instead of continually avoiding the subject of her family like she has been doing for weeks.

"Yeah," Chloe rubbed her eyes fighting back her tears, "and my little sister, all on the same night."

"I'm sorry Chlo," Beca stroked her thumb in comforting circles along Chloe's wrist. Chloe's family has always been a touchy subject and she figured it was because of a strained relationship, she never anticipated something like this, "I really I am."

"It's ok," Chloe sucked in a breath still looking at the floor, "I just don't like talking about it."

"I completely understand," Beca would never push for information, but what she can do is let Chloe know that she's here for her, "I know you probably get this a lot, but I truly mean this, you can come to me about anything, you can cry on my shoulder or use me as a punching bag and I won't ask any questions or need any explanations."

It crushed Beca's world when her mom died, so she can't even begin to imagine the pain Chloe faces every day knowing her entire family is gone. Yet, despite all that emotional burden, Chloe's still strong and confident and happy, and that's inspiring. It gives Beca even more reason to sort her shit out, because if Chloe can make it through a tragedy like that, then there's no reason she can't either.

"Thank you," connecting their eyes, Chloe saw the sincerity, and she knew right then that at some point in the near future she'd tell Beca the whole story, "sometimes I just need someone to hold me, I haven't had someone hold me in a long time."

"I can do that too," Beca reassured.

"Sometimes I just need someone with tattoos who can cuddle."

"Well I happen to have awesome tattoos and I'm a pretty damn good cuddler," lowering her voice Beca winked, "just don't tell anyone, I'll never live it down." Chloe cracked a smile and Beca reached up to wipe away a stray tear from Chloe's cheek with the pad of her thumb, "I'm in this relationship with you for the long haul," she smiled, "I want to be the best girlfriend I can for you, Chloe Beale, even if that means cuddling you at 3AM."

"So you're my girlfriend now?" Chloe's heart rate quickened at the thought.

It was pretty amazing how effortlessly Beca could steer the conversation to safer territory and lighten her mood without it seeming forced. It's happened countless times since they've known each other and it always makes her feel like Beca can sense her feelings and knows exactly how to make things better.

"You like how I," Beca gave a gliding motion with her hand, "slid that in there?"

"I do actually," Chloe grinned, "It's about time, I've been waiting on that title for months."

"But we've only been dating for…" Beca was confused and she started counting the weeks on her fingers.

Chloe arched an eyebrow and lightly laughed at the childlike antics, "Who were we kidding, we've never been just friends and you know it."

Dropping her hand Beca inched closer to Chloe, "So like we're totally an official thing now," her grin doubled in size, "or we still are or whatever, I guess the line is more defined now, I mean like only if you want to be my girlfriend?"

"I do," they were nose to nose and Chloe glanced down to Beca's lips, "and now I can totally grab your sexy little ass in public and call you babe or baby."

"Oh you totally can," Beca stressed, "and you call me whatever you want as long as it's yours."

"Smooth…but how about you shut up and give your girlfriend a kiss, she's been waiting for you to seal the deal since that day at Crissy Field?"

"Dude why didn't you say som…" Beca barely got out before Chloe's hands were on her face and their lips were hastily smashed together. The joy was only short lived when a door unceremoniously slammed shut and Chloe ripped her lips away. Through the glass Beca saw the retreating form of assistant scurrying down the hallway and into her office. Groaning she slumped against the couch cushions, "Fucking Emily…"

"Hey, be nice, she's an innocent child," Chloe laughed because with a situation like this it was the only thing she could do. Beca on the other hand was acting like a disgruntled child, grumbling, pouting and crossing her arms, it was insanely cute, "Come on grumpy girlfriend…" Linking their fingers she tugged on Beca's hand, "We'll try again later, but right now will you to tell me why Emily signed a confidentiality agreement?"

Beca let her annoyance slide for the time being, strictly because of the girlfriend reference. She was Chloe Beale's girlfriend and that made her ridiculously happy, "Would you believe it's because I own this place?"

"Twenty minutes ago I'd say no," Chloe made a big show of taking in the room again, "but, now…" she nodded in thought, "I see it and it's fitting."

"Why's that?" Beca inquired purely to see what Chloe would say next.

"You love music," Chloe started making Beca grin, "orchestra and piano music are your specialty," along with songwriting, which she's been catching Beca doing more of lately, "and that's what's recorded here right?"

"Yeah," among other things Beca thought.

"So it makes total sense, it's everything you love," Chloe confirmed, "And I don't think many people your age own a recording studio so I think you don't want a lot of people to know that."

Not exactly the response Beca expected, but it's enough for her to agree with, "So are you mad or upset because I didn't tell you?"

"Nope," trust is a big part of Beca's personality, she's an extremely humble and giving person who never asks for anything in return, so Chloe can see why Beca didn't tell a lot of people this little fact, it could lead to the wrong type of people hanging around, "but are you really a studio musician?"

Now, there's the question Beca's been waiting for, "I wasn't kidding when I said I help Jesse out sometimes and I do write orchestra arrangements," this is the perfect opportunity to lay everything out, but it's still not the right time, "but I can also add owner and producer to that list."

Chloe can't believe her girlfriend, yes that's right she can now say that, was not only a musician, but a totally hot recording studio executive, "You're a producer too?"

"Sometimes…"

"Producers are sexy…"

"So are redheads named Chloe," Beca said twisting a strand of red hair around her finger.

Beca Mitchell had so many layers and Chloe loved pulling each one back, "What other awesome stuff are you keeping from me?"

The brunette winked, "Guess you're gonna have to stick around and find out."

Playing with Beca's fingers for a few minutes they sat quietly while Chloe contemplated if now was a good time to ask about the DJ Titanium lead, "So I hate to do this, but my boss got this tip and I'm supposed to follow up on it and…"

"You can ask," Beca interrupted with a smile, "I don't mind," although she was worried because work for Chloe meant Rolling Stone Magazine, she was still interested to know if this tip was about her and if so why Chloe thinks she chooses to remain anonymous, "Ask away."

"Ok…" Chloe briefly explained the situation and all her theories, while Beca expressionlessly listened and nodded. At the end she sighed, "I think it's farfetched, but have you heard any chatter about DJ Titanium living and working here?"

Beca's heard lots of theories about where she lives or works, last week Emily told her it was Rome and two months ago Tokyo. It just adds to all the other absurd theories that constantly swirl around about her, although this story hit to close to home. She remembers that afternoon with Jesse and she thought they were relatively alone at the back of that little hole in the wall bar, but apparently they weren't. She needs to be more careful about what she says out in public, otherwise the safe haven she's created in San Francisco will become non existent.

"I mean there's always talk," Beca said in a neutral and steady tone, "but I haven't heard anything and we have a lot of musicians roll through here. Besides San Francisco is a small music town, if they were here somebody would know."

"Yeah I think that too," Chloe said, "I also think LA or New York are more probable."

"Why are they so fixated on finding this person?" For the first time ever Beca has the opportunity to find out why Rolling Stone constantly badger her for interviews.

Chloe just shrugged, "I'm not sure, part of me thinks they want to be the first to break such a huge music story, but the other part of me thinks they just don't like that someone repeatedly tells them no, even the president of the United States hasn't said no."

Beca never thought of it that way, "Do they ever look at it from the human perspective? Maybe this person doesn't want anything to do with fame or fortune," she was being completely honest and soon Chloe will understand why, "maybe they just want to live a normal life, have a normal relationship and make music because it's all they know how to do."

"Unfortunately not, to them it's all about the money…" Chloe snuggled into Beca's side and an arm looped around her shoulders pulling her closer, "Once they get the interview they'll fixate on someone else."

"And what's your opinion on the whole anonymity thing?" Beca asked lightly tracing patterns along Chloe's upper arm.

"I think there's an extremely personal reason behind it, they don't want to be found, and I think we should respect that," Chloe smiled, she liked talking to Beca like this, it was nice to have a sounding board, "I want to put a face to the name just as much as everyone else, but what society forgets is that their music is what really matters."

To know that Chloe thinks like that, is encouraging and a sign that once Beca finally does come clean, Chloe will look at her as a person and not just a celebrity, "I think you're right."

As Chloe looked around the room she thought it was odd how invested Beca was in her responses about DJ Titanium. Things weren't adding up, Beca knew something and she can't decide if it's upsetting or not to know she wasn't trusted enough to be told. Then again she is a journalist for a major music magazine, so Beca could just be protecting a friend or colleague, and she really can't find fault in that.

Pushing the thoughts away Chloe tilted her head and kissed Beca's jaw, "So, like am I going to get to see an actual studio with all the buttons and wires and computers and knobs you twist and sound proof rooms and…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…" Beca laughed detangling herself from her new girlfriend. Standing up she stretched, "Pump the breaks pretty lady, you know I can't show you my swag until I've at least offered you food."

"I see your swag," swatting Beca's ass Chloe made a point to stare at it, "And it's real nice…" Shifting her eyes she saw a blush run up Beca's neck, "So I wouldn't be opposed to seeing your other swag."

"Good to know," it's insane how fast Chloe can take an innocent word and make it sound so dirty. Swallowing the lump in her throat Beca can't believe how flustered this girl makes her in such a short amount of time, "So was that a yes to food?" Chloe nodded, "Did you want to order takeout that way I can show you my swag?"

"Yes please," Chloe said, standing she pressed a kiss to Beca's lips, then wandered over to the drink refrigerator, "I've never had a date in a recording studio."

Swinging the door to the office wing open Beca shouted, "Hey Junk! Get your ass out here and bring my favorite takeout menus with you."

"So is Emily your assistant?"

"Yep, along with whatever else she told you, despite the flighty appearance she's an extreme multitasker," motioning Chloe closer Beca whispered, "You want to see something funny?" After Chloe nodded she pounded on the glass and yelled, "Also I forgot Benji's here," swiftly shutting the door she grinned at Chloe, "Benji's this bass player that only hangs out in Jesse's office to crush on Emily. Now watch," opening the door she held out her hand and began a five second count down, at two they heard a loud crash as a dazed and bright red faced Emily stumbled out into the hallway, "She's a tall drink of water but clumsy as fuck."

---

"Want to see something awesome," finishing off her beer Beca set the empty bottle on the ground next to the piano bench she and Chloe had just sat down at.

"That depends," Chloe grinned, "How many of your other girlfriends you've showed this to?"

Unbuttoning the cuffs of her shirt Beca pushed the sleeves up, she hadn't played this song in forever and she wanted to share it with Chloe, "I only show this to the special redheaded ones."

Giving Beca a light shove Chloe laughed, "Are you trying to lure me in with your piano skills?"

"Hey! Chicks dig my piano skills," Beca joked back, "it's a real panty dropper."

"Enlighten me Beca Mitchell," Chloe demanded leaning in just a little bit closer, "I want to know how you'll make my panties drop."

It wouldn't take much for Chloe to get to that point, she always thought musicians were hot, but this one took it to a whole other level. That smile, those clothes and the way Beca carried herself was so much hotter and sexier than any musician she'd ever seen. Then add in that intellectual brainpower and the incredibly sweet and romantic things done for her and she's fucking enamored with Beca Mitchell.

"Simple," stretching out her left hand, Beca purposefully flexed her fingers with a smirk. Now she's only had one beer, but it was on an empty stomach, so she's totally being less tactful than she'd normally be with girls. Shifting her weight she placed her lips next to Chloe's ear, "because I'm talented with my fingers."

"And forward too," Chloe shivered, turning her head they locked eyes, "but I like that, your confidence is a major turn on."

The sexual tension was rapidly growing and Chloe was completely ok with it. Although she doesn't like to rush into it, she loves sex and she's a big believer in the role it plays in relationships. So being compatible in the bedroom with someone is an absolute must for her and the person she's with needs to be just as into it as she is. However, something tells her there will be no problems with Beca, because they have this undeniable chemistry that she's never felt with anyone.

Resting her hand on the piano fallboard Beca tapped her fingers, "Like I said before," her eyes flicked to Chloe's lips then back up, "I can be as forward as you want."

"I bet you can," teasingly brushing their noses together Chloe hovered her lips close to Beca's, "but before we test that theory…" she unexpectedly pulled back with a grin, "I want to see these fingers at work to see if you'll have a shot with me."

"In that case all you need to see is my left hand," the hand in question was picked up and closely examined making Beca grin, "It's what creates all the magic."

"Is your mouth writing checks your body can't cash?" Chloe questioned tracing the faint lines on her girlfriend's palms.

"If you're unsure I'll allow a free trial offer," Beca liked playing the flirting game, except this was the first time it had really turned sexual and she was finding it harder and harder to control herself. She wanted nothing more than to kiss the hell out of Chloe, but their first real kiss needed to be perfect, even the setup, "after that you can cash all the checks you want."

Chloe innocently looked away from the hand and with a semi-straight face said, "Who the fuck still writes checks?"

Beca let out a snort of laughter, because that wasn't the answer she was expecting, "Did you want to use a debit card then," she tried to deadpan, but when Chloe looked at her they both burst out laughing, "I can't believe I just said that."

Kissing a cheek Chloe continued to laugh, "You are so cute."

"Badass…"

"Whatever you say cupcake…"

"Dude no, I'm your girlfriend not a delicious dessert," Beca screeched.

"Hmm," Chloe swept her eyes along Beca's body, "that's debatable, I won't know until I try…" She got replied a light jab to the side for that, but the blush running up Beca's cheeks was worth it. "Anyway babe," stressing the word Beca gave her this lopsided smile that said she was ok with that label, "are you gonna get this show on the road?"

If someone would've asked Chloe six months ago if she'd ever be in a new and amazing relationship, with thoughts of sex and love and happiness, she would've said they were dreaming. Because six months ago when she set off with Billie across the country on their road trip, she was content to live the rest of her life alone, but then one night she met Beca, in a bathroom of all places. And Beca is slowly putting the broken pieces of her heart back together and making her whole again without even knowing it. When she's around Beca she no longer feels like she's damaged goods.

"Sure but," Beca tangled the fingers of her right hand with Chloe's left, "I wasn't kidding, I only need my left hand for this."

Tightening her grip, Chloe set their hands in her lap, "Will I know this?"

"Probably not," Beca said looking down at the keys and setting her hand in place, "this was part of my senior recital at USC."

Chloe had no idea what to expect, but what she saw and heard next was unbelievable. This wasn't elevator or department store music, this was a complicated classical showpiece meant for places like Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center. What Beca was playing with one hand is something most people can barely play with two. She's never seen anyone play the piano so elegantly, it was effortless, and to say Beca was talented was a complete understatement, Beca was a genius. This must have been what Jesse was talking about when he told her to get Beca to play the piano.

Beca's fingers moved with such determination and skill, depressing each key with precise pressure needed to control the dynamics and tones or to emphasize key changes. A pinky stretched to depress a black key and a thumb hit the same note an octave higher, while still somehow carrying out a wildly intricate pattern in between. Watching each finger curve slightly as they glided from note to note, through measure upon measure for five solid minutes, had her wondering if that same proficiency and expertise would be applied to her body. Something tells her Beca knows exactly what to do in bed to bring the heat up between them and drive her insane, yet still keeping things calm and gentle and kind when it's called for.

The final note sounded almost as abruptly as everything started and it jarred Chloe from her fantasy.

"Did you like it?" Beca asked after the resonating sound died in the room, "I was a little rusty."

"That was rusty!?" Chloe finally managed to squeak out while staring at Beca in disbelief.

Beca gave a wary smile then shifted her eyes to the keyboard, "That bad?"

"No, holy shit Beca," Chloe cupped Beca's cheeks making the other girl look at her, "that was beyond words good, I've never seen anyone play music with one hand like that."

"Yeah?" Chloe nodded and Beca let out a relieved sigh. The solid two minutes of silence after the song ended were nerve wracking, "That took almost my entire senior year to learn and memorize, my piano teacher said it was the crowning moment in my recital."

"I can see why," anyone who can play like that deserves to just be handed a diploma no questions asked. Beca's more talented than she ever let on and Chloe's positive she could listen to Beca play the piano the rest of her life, "What's it called?"

"Chopin's Revolutionary Etude," it was actually a left-handed study in C-sharp minor from Opus Ten, but Beca didn't think Chloe cared about the finer details, "written in 1831 for Franz Liszt."

Chloe had heard of those composers, but wasn't overly familiar with their work, "Can you play more?"

"Loads," Beca admitted, Chopin was one of her favorite classical artists because it was very intricate and widely considered the most difficult, "but jazz is what I really love, I used to play it with my mom."

"Play some for me…"

The pleading tone and puppy dog eyes almost had Beca caving, but she had something else in mind, "I will after we eat, but first let's play a game until Emily comes back, you name a song, any song and see if you can stump me, I bet you can't."

Chloe eyed Beca as she took a sip from her beer bottle, "Something tells me being a musical genius is an unfair advantage."

"Maybe," Beca playfully punched the theme song to Jeopardy on the piano keys, "but it's also not every day I'm sitting next to my hot girlfriend," she grinned, "so there's a high probability I'll be distracted, you could come out with the victory."

"Ok I got one!" Setting her bottle on the side of the piano Chloe smashed Beca's fingers against the keys, "How about Trouble by Coldplay?"

"Please Beale," shaking Chloe's hands off, Beca quickly moved her fingers into position and started playing, "can't you come up with something less known," she deadpanned over the music, "every piano player knows that pick something difficult."

Closing her eyes Chloe rested her head against Beca's shoulder and listened to the music reverberate around Studio A. It was pretty cool being in a real recording studio and with someone who knew every single piece of equipment and could explain the whole process. This was Beca's world and she'd noticed a different kind of calmness to her girlfriend as they wandered around the rooms. It's the same thing she sees when Beca's over at her house or at the deli, they're the places Beca's most comfortable, they're like second homes. Yet when they step outside those comfort zones it's like this invisible wall goes up and Beca's extremely careful about what she says and does. She's still funny and charming and sweet, it's just more guarded in a way, but that all vanishes the second Chloe takes Beca's hand. Then the transition happens, the wall comes down and Beca settles back into the person Chloe sees everyday.

"Since you're not giving me any suggestions, I got something," Beca abruptly changed the song, "see if you can guess this."

It took Chloe all of five seconds to recognize Passenger's Let Her Go, it was a huge hit and one of her favorite songs by DJ Titanium. She could listen to that song and album for hours, but the way Beca played it made it seem so much better. Beca knew every intricate detail of the song and now she can't decide which version she liked better this or the original.

Lifting her head Chloe grinned when Beca winked at her, god she wanted to kiss her girlfriend so bad right now.

"Can you sing for me?" Nudging Chloe out of her trance Beca smiled, "I'd like it if you did, I'll cue you," Chloe hadn't sang much around her and surprisingly she got a nod of agreement. Concentrating on the keys she prepared for Chloe to take over at the second verse, "ready, one, two, three."

"Staring at the ceiling in the dark, same old empty feeling in your heart…" Chloe hesitantly sang until Beca playfully tapped her ear with a finger and she belted out the next part with more confidence, "Well you see her when you fall asleep," Beca nodded in approval, "Never to touch and never to keep."

"Caused you loved her to much and you dived too deep…" Beca joined in and they grinned at each other as they continued to sing.

Singing one of her own songs wasn't something Beca normally did, but Chloe's voice was flawless and it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. Their voices harmonized perfectly and she loved being able to stare into Chloe's eyes so unabashedly and not have to look away. They're so beautiful and it made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, like she could spend a lifetime getting lost in them.

Their voices resonated through the room as the song came to an end and Beca couldn't bring herself to say a single word once they were finished. Singing one of the songs she wrote with Chloe might actually be one of the best things she's ever done.

"Oh my god you can sing!" Chloe excitedly yelled making Beca visibly jump, "How high does your belt go?"

"Dude, whoa," Beca almost fell off the piano bench at the unexpected invasion of her personal space, but Chloe grabbed her shoulders at the last second "You've gotta let the song chill before you decide to scare the shit out of me."

"Sorry…"

Beca laughed, steadying herself on the bench, "You're not sorry."

"No, no I'm not," Chloe tried to press a kiss to Beca's cheek, but missed and got the edge of her mouth instead, "Why didn't you tell me you could sing?"

Beca shrugged, she felt like an admission like along with everything else she was good at would be bragging, so genuinely she leaves it out of conversations, "I don't know, besides your voice is so much better than mine…"

"We sounded good together," Chloe admitted.

"Yeah," Beca smiled, fingers tapping the edge of the fallboard again, "I like singing with you, hopefully we can do it again sometime."

"Me too…" Finishing off her beer Chloe set the empty bottle on the ground, "Can you teach me something?"

"Sure," Beca cleared her throat, "Any requests?"

"Something easy, I've never played before."

"Easy it is…" Cracking her knuckles Beca quickly stood, she was going to go with James Taylor's Fire and Rain, but at the last second decided to switch things up, "This will work easier if I actually help you so," she patted her vacated spot on the bench then placed her hands on Chloe's hips, "slide over."

"Ok," Chloe excitedly stated as she shifted into position. Her breath caught in her throat when Beca stepped behind her and unexpectedly pressed their bodies together. She felt like she was going to pass out as her hands were taken and set into place, Beca's hands felt entirely too good on her, "What are…" she weakly mumbled, but she's not sure how audible it was considering Beca's breath was coming in short puffs against her neck, "What are we playing?"

"Adele's Someone Like you," Beca simply stated feeling Chloe relax against her, "It's pretty basic, so lets start with your right hand…" She gently placed Chloe's fingers on the A, C sharp and E cords, "So it goes, thumb, middle, pinky, middle and we do that four times," she repeated slowly pressing each finger so Chloe could get the feel for it, "then for the next cycle just shift your thumb here," she moved it to the G sharp, "then repeat. Got it?"

Chloe nodded even though she barely registered anything other than how all of her girlfriend's curves felt pressed against her back, "Thumb, middle, pinky, and middle…right?"

"Yeah," Beca helped Chloe repeat the two sequences a couple times, "Now let's add the left hand, it's even easier."

"Ok," Chloe's not sure what she's just agreed to, she's not even looking at the keys anymore she's watching the concentration and how beautiful it looks on her girlfriend's face, "Bec?"

"Yeah?" Twisting her head Beca almost had to take a step back from Chloe's intense gaze. Involuntarily shifting her eyes to Chloe's lips and back up she asked, "D-did you need me go over it again?"

"No…" Breaking the embrace Chloe abruptly stood and flipped around to face a bewildered looking Beca. She was tired of playing this are we going to kiss are we not going to kiss game, "I want…" Looks like she's going to have to go with the Aubrey Posen method of being direct and to the point to get what she wants. Stepping over the piano bench she took one of Beca's hands in hers, "I want you to kiss me."

Beca grinned and closed the distance between them, "But I want it to be perfect for you."

Chloe's arms found their way around Beca's neck, "I know you're a perfectionist."

Beca's perfectionism tendencies with music sometimes bled over into her everyday life and that was one of her biggest downfalls. It's something she constantly works on not doing, but also something she can't really help, "Wait, how?"

"You kiss me, but you don't kiss me, kiss me like I know you want to," Chloe began, "I can see the little shadow of doubt in your eyes and your body language changes right before you switch it up and give me one of those amazing lingering kisses."

"Oh…sorry."

"It's fine, I understand," inching her head closer Chloe smiled, "but I don't want you to worry about making things perfect when you're around me, just be you, that's who and what I want," she felt like she'd gotten through when Beca nodded, "You can hold my hand, kiss me, slap my ass," they both laughed, "do whatever you want when you think it feels right, don't worry about being perfect, just go with whatever's happening at that moment."

"Ok…"

Slightly tilting her head Beca felt her heart beating out of her chest as Chloe's eyes fluttered shut. This was it, their lips were barely connected and as she shifted her weight she quickly contemplated how to proceed with this kiss that wouldn't show how eager she was. She wanted to start slow, keep things sensual and loving, and build up to the hot and heavy make out sessions she's been dreaming about. They were finally going to have the kiss they've been trying to do for so long and she wants to see fireworks and have the powerful sonic reverberations make the studio door bang open so hard and fast that it shakes the glass that looks into the control room, and makes Emily scream with embarrassment…

Wait what? Beca tears her lips away from Chloe's with a groan, for ten precious seconds they were kissing, but they'd been interrupted again. Except instead of it being her dog, an erratically stopping cable car or a spilt cup of coffee, instead it was a tall, clumsy, over enthusiastic personal assistant.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Emily apologized dropping the bag of Chinese to the ground.

"I'm so sorry," mouthed Beca to a totally embarrassed Chloe who just shrugged and bit her lip, "Let me handle this."

"I didn't mean to see what I saw," Emily rushed out, "that's twice in one night."

After softly kissing Chloe's lips Beca flipped around and stifled a laugh, because instead of fleeing from the room Emily was frozen in place with her hands covering her eyes, "Em, you're fine."

"No, no, no," parting her fingers Emily peaked out of them so she could gauge how angry Beca was, but the only thing she saw was amusement, "You two were about to kiss or were kissing, I don't know I couldn't tell and like you guys are like my favorite couple even though I just met Chloe and…" she took a couple breaths, "Please don't fire me, I just wanted to let you know your food is here."

"Whoa," Beca held her hands out silently telling Emily to calm down. She tried to hide the smile that appeared when Chloe's hands slipped to her hips, "Nobody's getting fired, drop your hands please."

Doing as told, Emily breathed a sigh of relief and raised her eyes to stare at the wood paneling above Beca and Chloe's heads, "Do you want me to leave so you can continue kissing your girlfriend?"

It was really hard to maintain a since of decorum when Emily's letting out random anxious squeaks every time she looks at them and Chloe's fucking full on laughing while casually tracing these mind numbing patterns on the exposed skin between her shirt and jeans. How the hell is she supposed to act natural when that's happening?

"Please," Beca nodded biting her cheek as Emily abruptly turned and stepped away, "Can you please set our food next to the Neve 8038 console?"

Emily bent and picked up the bag, which thankfully had remained upright when she dropped it. Stepping over to the glass she asked, "Is that the contraption with all the thingamabobs that you're always messing with?"

"Yes," Beca snorted out a half laugh, "then go home, I tell you every week on Friday's you can leave early if you want."

"Ok," Emily hurried back through the door, but stopped and spun around, only to find Beca and Chloe still staring at her, "I almost forgot," she let out a nervous laugh, "Gail wants to know…"

"Not tonight Emily," Beca sternly interrupted pointedly glaring at her assistant, jaw clenched.

Beca knows exactly what Gail wants and it's inconsequential to what's going on right now and it can wait until Monday so they're not going to discuss it. Plus Chloe's here and she doesn't want to explain how Gail Abernathy-McKadden is her manager because she's DJ Titanium, that's a conversation she's just not prepared to have tonight.

"But she…"

Holding up a hand Beca stopped Emily's next sentence, "I said no, we'll talk about it Monday."

Emily's shoulders slumped and she lowered her eyes, "But you said."

"I need to talk to you outside please," turning to face Chloe, Beca put on her best smile, "Will you give me like five minutes?" Cupping Chloe's cheeks she gave a quick kiss, "I swear after that, I'm all yours."

"Take your time," Chloe had watched the whole ordeal closely, there was something else Beca wasn't telling her. Whoever this Gail person was made Beca tense up and have an edginess to her tone that made her want to ask if everything was ok, "I'll just practice chopsticks or something on the piano."

"Ok," dropping her hands Beca backed away, "I'll be right back."

Chloe purposefully waited until the brunette was closing the door, "Oh and Bec?"

"Yeah?" Beca stuck her head back in the room and smiled.

"You and I," Chloe pointed between them, "we're soooo kissing once you're done."

Beca grinned, "I look forward to it."

---

Once the door shut Beca leaned against it and waited, she wanted Emily's undivided attention for what she was about to say. She just stood there unnervingly quiet while the other girl purposely avoided her by arranging their food on the small coffee table.

"I told you this morning, no more work shit after five or on the weekends," Beca's calm voice reverberated around the room finally making Emily turn to look at her. She felt bad by the hurt expression, but she needed to set a precedent now otherwise her whole I'm-taking-a-break thing wouldn't work, "Especially when my girlfriend's here."

"I know," Emily sighed plopping down onto the couch, "it's just, Gail's pressuring me because you won't answer her emails, she said I'd be replaced with some high efficiency group of German professionals called Das Sound Machine if I didn't get more proficient at my job."

Pinching the bridge of her nose Beca slowly exhaled, "Don't listen to her, you work for me, she has no say in who I fire," Emily face dropped, "which you won't be, I promise, you do a great job for me," she pushed off the door, "and I have answered her, she just doesn't like what I said."

Resting her elbows on her knees Emily placed her chin in her hands, "But you can't just ask me to clear your schedule for the next year with no warning. Some of your artists have been waiting months Beca, months."

"Oh my God," pacing the room Beca forcefully ran her hands through her hair, why are Jesse and Aubrey the only ones who thinks taking time off is a good idea, "I'm not some fucking puppet on a string who follows everyone's instructions, I'm not doing it anymore, I'm tired and I need a break."

"I understand," standing Emily hesitantly approached Beca to stop the pacing. It's rare that Beca gets angry so she really doesn't know what to say, "but Gail won't like it…" Apparently those five words weren't a good idea either, because Beca just rolled her eyes and shoved a chair out of her way, "Sorry, let me uhhh, let me rephrase that, what do you want me to say to her?"

Gripping the edge of the soundboard Beca looked out the glass to Chloe who was randomly banging keys on the piano, that presence alone calmed her. Tearing her eyes away she turned to Emily who had opened the notepad app on her phone, "Tell her I don't care what she likes, that it's my prerogative to turn down work and specifically tell her that I don't care if these decisions diminish my popularity or ruin my career," she paused giving Emily time to get everything down, "Then finally tell her I'll come back when I'm ready and to not pressure me."

"I'll tell her that," Emily nodded locking her phone. For the first time she saw the beaten and tired Beca everyone whispers about and it made her feel guilty for pressing so hard, "I'm sorry, I guess I shouldn't have avoided you all day, but I thought I was getting fired."

Turning her back to the window Beca dragged over a chair and dropped down into it. Looking to her left she saw an upset Emily, "It's ok and don't worry I promise you're not losing your job and neither will Gail…" As annoying as Gail is, she feels a sense of loyalty to the older woman, because she was her mom's agent, "You've been with me a long time and I just…" she spun in her chair letting out a long sigh, "I just need to slow down and believe it or not I'm involved with someone I really care about."

"I like Chloe," smiling Emily felt relieved to finally be getting an explanation, "she's nice and different from the type of girls I thought you'd date."

"I know, she's pretty amazing," Beca smiled, "and I don't want to screw it up, I want to be the best girlfriend I can for her, I feel like she needs me as much as I need her."

Beca's been on a relative low in recording these last few months, so to Chloe it probably seems like she's been working a normal schedule and she doesn't want future work get in the way of what they've started. She just wants her life and someone to have her undivided attention, she doesn't want music and a hectic schedule to be what she lives for anymore.

Pulling another chair out Beca motioned for Emily to sit, "Plus there's issues in my life I need to fix and I can't unless I take a break."

"Oh my god," Emily's face paled, "are you going to rehab?"

That's the last question Beca ever expected and it made her laugh so hard that she was gasping for breath, Emily's so naive sometimes, "I love ya kid."

"Oh my god you are going to rehab," Emily cried slumping in her chair.

Twisting Emily's chair so they were facing each other Beca shook her head, "No, I'm not, I don't have a drinking or drug problem, I just need to decompress, if that makes sense," when Emily shrugged she decided to be honest, "Look, I need to deal with my mom's death, because for years I've been doing the bare minimum. I also want to start working out and being healthier," ever since watching Chloe cross the finish line in the half marathon, all tired and happy because she'd accomplished something by hard work and determination, it's made her want to experience those feelings too, "but mainly I want have fun and enjoy life again."

Hearing it put like that Emily totally agrees with the decision, "It's nice seeing you putting yourself first for once, I've been worried about you boss lady."

"I'm going to be fine, this is what I need," it took Beca a long time to make a decision like this and as she turns to look at Chloe she realizes she never would've gotten here if that beautiful and caring woman hadn't of walked into her life.

"I support you," Emily nodded.

"This is good, this is a good thing," Beca repeated as Emily launched into her arms for an unavoidable hug. Awkwardly patting the taller girls back she asked, "Like are we good?"

Pulling back Emily waved her phone around, "We are and I'll email Gail tonight."

Lowering the swinging appendage Beca laughed, "No, you'll do that on Monday. I want you to enjoy your weekend, because that's exactly what I'm going to do."

"You're an awesome boss."

"You're not getting a raise," Beca deadpanned.

Emily laughed as she stood to leave, "Can I say bye to Chloe?"

"Sure, she'd probably like that," Beca stood and made her way towards the recording booth door. When Emily placed a hand on her arm she turned, "What's up?"

"Not to bring her up again, but Gail won't like what I say and will more than likely want a face-to-face to try and convince you otherwise."

"I know," Beca had already anticipated that, "tell her at the end of the month I'll be at my mom's beach house in Malibu and that while I'm there I'll drive into LA to meet with her, until then she'll have to wait. In the meantime, tell her to work on a press release."

"Good, that gives me ammo for my follow up emails. Oh…" getting an idea Emily snapped her fingers, "Did you want to go over what you want stocked in your beach house fridge?"

"Let's worry about that like next week ok?" Pushing the door open Beca laughed and Chloe immediately stood and turned from the piano to smile at her, "Hey gorgeous."

---

"So I brought us some water along with our beer," kicking the door to Studio A closed Beca stopped in her tracks.

Chloe wasn't on the couch messing around on her phone anymore, she was bent over the integrated mixing board messing with some faders. Beca let her eyes roam Chloe's body, it's so unfair how hot her girlfriend is, even the strands of hair tucked behind an ear are perfect. And she has no doubt that what's underneath those clothes is probably just as rocking as everything else.

"Thanks," Chloe answered not looking away from what she was focused on.

Setting the drinks down next to their dinner Beca moved closer, "Those adjust the volume of specific inputs like piano or vocals."

"This is so neat…" Chloe moved the switches back in place, "Do they adjust them while recording?"

"Personally I don't like to, I prefer to do multiple takes until I get a few solid recordings. I layer the best pieces from each track into a master file and then mess with the sound."

Chloe curiously looked over at Beca, "How does all this work?"

"The room we were playing the piano in is called the live room, basically the band sets up and we connect microphones to every instrument and it's all fed into here," Beca pointed to the computer. "Then I'll assign each individual input to a channel, for example, I prefer drums and bass on channels four and five, vocals on one and two and lead guitar on three," she pressed a couple buttons making them light up, "Then once I'm satisfied with a few takes…"

"How long does it take to record a song?"

"Depends," Beca smiled, "if I don't make any changes or the bands in a rush," she lobbed her head back and forth, "a few hours or a day, but when we try new things sometimes days or weeks. It's the mixing that's the long part, that could take me weeks or months."

Chloe stared down at the channel selections, for someone who was secretive about owning a recording studio Beca knows way more about the ins and outs of producing than what Chloe's being led to believe. She one-hundred percent believes that Beca owns this place, but she also believes that Beca's not just a "sometimes" producer, she thinks her girlfriend is a full time producer and probably a pretty important one. And deep down she knows that's why Beca's being protective over the knowledge of who and where DJ Titanium is. She has reason to believe that Beca's some type of technical adviser to the elusive music producer, which totally makes sense, because Beca's music writing and creating capabilities are flawless.

"This is confusing," Chloe waved at the twenty different inputs on the mixing board, she had no idea how anyone kept everything congruent, "One wrong adjustment could ruin it all."

"It's all stored and controlled in the computer," Beca laughed at how cute Chloe was being, "So if Jesse's being a dumbass and does this…" mashing her fingers down she pushed things out of place making Chloe giggle, "then all I have to do is this," typing in her password on the computer she selected the last save and all the dials, knobs and levers, snapped back into place, "and tada!"

"This control thing is huge, I can't imagine working on something like this."

"The full orchestra room downstairs is even more insane," Beca switched the power off "there's even a giant movie screen setup so they can play the score along to the scene."

Standing upright Chloe appreciatively looked Beca up and down. The sleeves on the plaid shirt had been rolled up instead of the haphazard way Beca had pushed them up earlier while they were playing the piano, and she could see those sexy tattoos. The right arm only had a grasshopper while the left wrist had a pair of headphones, but on the inside forearm, down close to the elbow, was the phrase, with pain comes strength, in simple black cursive writing. She hadn't asked the meaning of any of them yet, but she couldn't wait to discover the others hidden beneath those clothes. Like the one barely visible under Beca's shirt, because another button slipped out of place revealing it and a simple, thin gold necklace. She could only see the first few letters below Beca's collarbone, but the cursive font exactly matched the one on her girlfriend's arm, and she had a feeling the two were somehow related.

The fact that Beca Mitchel was the whole package along with being a musician, recording studio owner, producer and whatever else she does, makes her total eye candy and it was doing things to Chloe that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Just when I think you can't get any hotter," Chloe tiptoed her fingers up Beca's forearm, "you go and get all producer on me and damn," she fanned her face, "your hotness just jumped tenfold."

"Oh yeah," Beca raised an eyebrow. Pushing her hip off the mixing table she situated herself in front of Chloe and palmed her girlfriend's hips, "well you're the hottest fucking girl I've ever seen and it's not just your looks that I find sexy."

"Really?"

"Really," Beca nodded, "I love your intelligence and how we can talk for hours and never get bored and I love how caring and thoughtful you are. I can't even begin to count how many times I've fallen asleep on your couch, but when I wake up you've always given me a pillow and blanket. Then if you've left for work or to run, you always leave me some type of breakfast or snack and a text letting me know when you'll be back…" She took a step closer, "You're also sensitive and kind and a social butterfly and that's just to name a few things," they smiled at each other and the moment felt so intimate that she spoke quietly, "I notice everything you do Chloe Beale, from the way you smile at me from across the room to how you elegantly twist your hair up into a bun or bite your lip when you're reading something interesting," Chloe blushed and it made her heart race, "you're absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out."

Chloe's arms instinctively looped around Beca's neck, she never thought Beca paid that much attention to the things she does, so this revelation was heart stopping, "Nobody's ever said things like that to me before."

"Well the assholes before me were stupid," Beca stated making them both laugh, "you're my girlfriend now so…."

"That I am," Chloe interrupted with a grin as Beca backed her up against the mixing board.

"So they're SOL."

"They are," Chloe was perfectly content at letting Beca take the lead right now, "I just wonder how my kisses will stack up with everything else."

"Do you want to find out?" Their bodies were completely flush and Beca could feel the heat between them as her fingers wiggled their way under Chloe's shirt to rest on the smooth, warm skin of her back, "I might be too much to handle."

"Try me," the slight hesitation was back because they were actually going to go through with a full on kiss, it was written all over Beca's face. It's all suddenly become very real, Chloe's not overly confident in her abilities because it's been a long time, but standing here, feeling safe and protected in Beca's arms, let her know without a doubt that this was right, "Give me your best shot."

"I can do that," Beca grinned as Chloe eyes fluttered shut, angling her head she whispered, "I'm just waiting for another interruption."

"Beca…shut up and kiss me."

Their breathing was rapidly going in an out of sync as Beca slowly ducked her head. When their noses brushed together she let her own eyes slide shut and finally connected their lips. She timidly kissed at first, inching that much closer to press her lips solidly against Chloe's, just barely holding back until they both were comfortable with where this was going. Tilting her head, she started slowly until Chloe confidently started kissing her back and their mouths began moving in perfect unison. The only sound in the room was Chloe's soft sighs and their rapid breathing each time they broke away for air and reconnected their lips. It was a beautifully perfect moment, one Beca knew she'd never been able to create.

As Beca's tongue ran over Chloe's bottom lip asking for entrance, fingers drifted to the hair at the base of her skull and nails lightly dug into her sensitive skin. Their tongues lightly made contact for the first time and that was all affirmation she needed to deepen the kiss. Things naturally intensified and progressed from there, shifting her weight she pressed her body further into Chloe's which earned her a small moan of appreciation. The sound made her inwardly smile, that's one of the best sounds she's ever heard, and she wants to be the one to pull that out of Chloe on a daily basis.

Beca rested a hand on the mixing board for support while the other clutched her girlfriend's hip because kissing Chloe was exhilarating and was singlehandedly the best experience of her entire life. She seriously couldn't get enough of Chloe, it was like all their failed attempts had built up to this moment and now was getting released in one spectacular kiss. Their mouths moved perfectly together, tongues ever so slightly massaging each other then backing off, and then there was that fucking ridiculously hot lip biting trick Chloe does when she pulls away to take the tiniest of breaths. Every, single time it makes Beca instinctively lean in further to chase after those perfect lips so they can start the game all over again. This is something Beca doesn't ever want to stop, she'd give up every Grammy, every number one hit, fuck she'd even give up music if it meant she could kiss Chloe like this for the rest of her life.

Feeling herself losing control, Beca knew she needed to cool things down before they took this to a place neither of them were ready for yet. As much of a turn on as having sex on the edge of her soundboard, in the middle of her private studio, with the hottest girl on the face of the planet was, this isn't where their first time should be. Chloe deserves something special and perfect and in a place where they can take their time and not rush what will be a beautiful moment.

Moving her hands to cup Chloe's cheeks, Beca leisurely stroked them as she slowed their kiss to a standstill. With one final lingering kiss she rested their foreheads together in a way that didn't break the embrace or kill the moment, but signaled that was the end. She could feel Chloe's rapid puffs of air against her lips and it made her grin.

Peeking her eyes open Beca was met with a slightly flushed Chloe Beale and a small smile pulling on her lips. Slipping her hands back to Chloe's waist she couldn't resist leaning in for another short kiss and this time she definitely tasted the coconut flavor lip gloss Chloe had put on earlier.

"How was that?" Beca asked nudging their noses together.

"That was…" Chloe didn't have enough words to describe that kiss, it was everything she'd ever imagined and so much more, "That was pure perfection."

To simply put it, that was single handedly the best kiss Chloe's ever had and she can't believe she was so worried about her lack of practice. Beca had been gentle and loving and everything in between and it was so incredible that her fourteen year old self was dying to rear her head and squeal in excitement. She'd been so thoroughly and expertly kissed that if she wasn't resting against the soundboard with Beca's hands keeping her upright, she'd have melted into a warm pile of goo on the floor. Beca had complete control of the entire situation from the moment she stepped back into the room through the entire kiss to just this very second. Chloe likes when a girl has the kind of confidence that's not overly imposing or pushy, but can step in without any hesitation and take over. It's a huge turn on, but what's an even bigger turn on is how Beca Mitchell has that presence and so much more.

Sure Chloe likes steering conversations into insanely flirtatious territory where Beca is a red faced, adorably cute blubbering mess, it's something she's extremely good at it. Yet despite those actions she's not into the whole relationship scenario where one person is the top, while the other is the bottom, in her eyes it's pretty unrealistic, because she loves giving just as much as receiving. So she can see how her confident, independent and outgoing personality can be a little bit confusing, therefore she needs someone who can read all her signals. And not only was Beca Mitchell able to read them, but she totally ran with them.

"I was really going for the wow factor," Beca joked, "but if you need to reevaluate your answer I'll quickly volunteer," she raised a hand in the air, "because that kiss was absolutely mind blowing."

"Was I ok?" Chloe couldn't help asking.

Beca enthusiastically nodded with a grin, "Hell yes, but if today was an off day, then holy shit I can't wait to see what it's like when you're on."

"What if I said I hadn't kissed anyone in over two years?" Chloe grinned moving to link her fingers with Beca's.

"I'd say who cares," shrugging like it was no big deal Beca winked, "I kinda wouldn't mind kissing you all day to help make up for lost time."

"Oh we're definitely kissing more, way more," now that they'd jumped that hurdle, Chloe was ready for so much more. With one single kiss Beca had unknowingly healed a tiny piece of her heart and gave her hope for a happy and loved filled life, "you're a fucking fantastic kisser Beca Mitchell, I can't wait to do everything with you." Leaning forward she pressed their lips together and smiled, "Why has it taken us almost two months to do this?"

"Because we're stupid," Beca mumbled against their lips making them both laugh. Abruptly standing upright she grinned, "I should've kissed you that night you first made me dinner, after we spent the day at Crissy Field. Remember how we were drinking wine after you put the chicken in the oven," Chloe nodded and smiled, "you were playing with my fingers while we sat on the counter, I almost kissed you then."

"I know," Chloe simply stated, "I wanted you to kiss me and you almost kissed me on our first date too. It was late and we were at that place that serves those Irish Coffees."

"The Buena Vista Café," Beca interrupted with a smile, it was the best date ever, "we also shared that giant piece of apple pie topped with ice cream."

It wasn't part of Beca's original date, after the book lecture and chat with the author, they went to dinner at a small, but intimate, Italian restaurant. From there they were making their way back home when she suggested dessert and drinks because Chloe didn't want the night to end. Beca was the one who knew about the small café with the great views and that was open late. They stayed until after midnight talking and laughing and at one point she thought Beca was going to kiss her, but the waitress chose that time to set their pie down.

Chloe nodded, "We did, I really, really loved our date, it was simple and fun and I'll never forget it."

"Me either…" Beca smiled giving a brief kiss, "But if you knew I wanted to kiss you then why didn't you say something?"

"Bec, I probably have a dozen other times I've noticed too," Chloe simply stated, "I wanted to give you time to work it out for yourself, I didn't want to push you if you weren't ready, if that makes any sense."

"It does, I-I'm not to good with certain social norms so to speak," letting out a puff of air Beca decided to be candid, "I haven't had much experience with relationships so sometimes I miss cues that are normal for you and the rest of the world because I spent a lot of my middle and high school life with music instead of socializing."

"I'm aware…"

Aubrey Posen's theory about spelling out exactly what was wanted from Beca in certain quote "romantic situations" was fully proven tonight, but Beca didn't need to know that. Chloe had done the initial pushing while they were playing the piano, but after the green light was given, it was like Beca knew exactly what to do and it was kind of amazing. So far this is the only time she's had to use Aubrey's tactic and she hopes to keep it that way, because she doesn't mind being patient and let Beca come to certain realizations on her own.

"So if it seemed like I didn't want to kiss you…I'm sorry," Beca frowned because that's the last thing she wanted, "because I did, I just wasn't sure if you wanted to, but you helped me tonight and there shouldn't be a problem from now on."

Dropping their hands Chloe placed hers on Beca's cheeks, "Hey, don't ever apologize for that, I understand. But I want you to know if you ever have any hesitations or reservations that you're not sure of, because you've never encountered them you can ask me, I won't get upset. I want us to work and the only way to do that is if we're honest with each other, can you do that for me?"

Honest was the word Beca feared the most, because she wasn't being one hundred percent honest about who she is with Chloe. She needs to come clean and soon, just not tonight, "Sure, but I'm not going to be perfect."

"Me either and I'm not asking you to be."

"Thank you," Beca said in relief.

Beca was so happy that Chloe was ok with what she considers to be one of her biggest idiosyncrasies. She's so lucky to have found someone as understanding and easygoing as Chloe because she's sure more of these conversations will pop up over the course of their relationship.

"Are you ready to eat," Chloe asked. She's willing to talk more if Beca wants too, but they'd just had a pretty significant breakthrough for their relationship that will help them progress more cohesively as a couple and she gets the feeling Beca also needs time to process that, "because I'm starving."

"Me too," Beca grinned, "because I want to get to more kissing."

Pecking Beca's lips Chloe stepped aside with a laugh, walking backwards she said, "I don't know what I've gotten myself into with you," before dropping down onto the couch.

"Oh we're just getting started," Beca winked picking up a potsticker, "we haven't even gotten to the good part yet…" taking a bite she wiggled her eyebrows, "just wait until I get you naked."

Blowing a kiss, Chloe winked reaching for the beer bottles, "I look forward to that, make sure you clear a weekend because I'm not letting you get dressed."

Beca dramatically fell onto the couch clutching her heart, she was such a sucker for pretty girls with red hair, "You read my mind and I think I've died and gone to heaven," cracking an eye open she pointed at her girlfriend and point blank asked, "Please tell me you aren't one of those stingy girls who's not down for shower sex, because FYI I totally am."

Passing a beer over Chloe laughed, they'd gone from barely kissing to kissing to talking about their future sex life, it was such a weird turn of events, but one she was ok with, "You are such a goofball and yes I'm in your words 'down'," she used air quotes while trying to hold a beer, "for shower sex, but it's a no to hot tubs."

"Noted," sitting up Beca took a swig from her bottle and eyed Chloe, "Wait are you one of those freaky girls, cause I hooked up," she held up a finger, "I use that term loosely, because we never got to the hook part, with one of Stacie's friends who's an astrophysicist and she turned out to be a real freak with a capital F, I made an exit through a bathroom window and down a fire escape half naked to my car."

"Wait," Chloe whipped her head in Beca's direction, egg role in hand, "how does Stacie know an astrophysicist?"

"Dude she's like getting her PhD in nuclear submarines or some shit, didn't she tell you," Chloe just shook her head while chewing on her egg roll and Beca laughed at the surprised expression, "that bitch is super smart, graduated top of her class, she's got like top secret clearance and does research at some navy base across the bay, that's why she can never work mornings."

"That is freaking insane," Chloe said in awe.

"I know right," reaching for the container of fried rice Beca opened the lid, "next time I see her, I'll ask if she can give us a tour, she's offered before but I've never gone. Jessica and Aubrey went together, but only because they thought Stacie was lying. Turns out they didn't end up at the strip club like Aubrey thought they were being conned into going to."

Chloe excitedly clapped, "That would be awesome, I've never been to any place like that."

"Me either…" taking a bite of rice Beca grinned, "Oh I meant to ask earlier in the week, would you like accompany me to the Outside Lands Music Festival in a couple of weeks?"

Grabbing Beca's arm Chloe excitedly bounced around, that was yet another ticket she missed out on at work, "No way, yes I'd love too!"

"Yes way," Beca deadpanned dodging a hand slap so her food wouldn't spill, "The studio sponsors one of those VIP cabanas next to the main stage, so not only will you be with me, but I've also got you all access passes. Feel free to do your reporter thing too, I cleared it with the press office, I hope you don't mind."

"No, babe thank you so much for thinking of me," Chloe kissed a cheek.

"Of course, I gotta lookout for my girl," Beca grinned stealing a forkful of Chloe's mo shu pork.

Finishing off her egg roll Chloe asked, "What about Aubrey and Jesse?"

"They'll be there," Beca answered after swallowing her bite, "I make Aubrey close down the deli for the weekend. We have one big giant party, it's catered and there's unlimited booze."

"Doesn't all access, booze and people like Fat Amy and Stacie spell trouble."

"Yes…yes it does," Beca has no idea how anything can top what happened last year, "I wasn't allowed to reserve a cabana this year until I had to paid for the VIP golf cart Fat Amy crashed while chasing after Bumper."

"First off, who's Bumper?"

Beca groaned, mainly he was a huge asshole, but he loves Fat Amy nobody can deny that, "In her words, he's her on again, off again, maybe, sometimes, not really a boyfriend, boyfriend."

"Ok you've got to tell me how she crashed the golf cart?"

"Well first off she stole it," Beca matter-of-factly stated before picking up another potsticker, there's no way she and her friends should be allowed to come back to the festival year after year, "The rest has to do with Stacie accidentally hitting him in the junk with a wiffle ball bat."

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Thanks for reading!

Whew that was a long one! But it was a chapter that I just didn't want to split up

Like it? Love it? Hate it? Leave me a review or drop me a PM to let me know what you guys think or how I'm doing, I'm all ears! It really gives me great feedback to know what works or what doesn't. you guys really help me shape the chapters if I know what you guys are thinking!

So, I hope you liked the length, I never intended for it to really be that long, but like I said up at the top, you guys said you liked looooonnnnnggggg chapter, so I complied. Plus I felt really bad for leaving you guys hanging for so long, between work and life, I was so busy last month. In fact I didn't even get a chance to answer any of your reviews, but I did get the PM's if you sent me one. So for that reason, I'm so so so sorry I just didn't have time, but I did read each and every one of them and I love you guys for leaving me even a simple "I loved it" to long and detailed ones. They all mean so much, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I can't tell you how much I appreciate each one and I will try my best to respond in this next chapter!

In case any of you want to see the music Beca was playing on the piano go to youtube and search the following stuff:

1. Francesco Libetta : Chopin Godowsky Revolutionary Etude (the guy playing the piano is wearing a blue shirt) OR you can just search "Chopin Revolutionary Etude left hand" and the guy in the blue shirt is the first hit on the page

2. Let Her Go piano cover by Constantino Carrara Music, it has something like 7+ million views and is an awesome piano cover.

Have no fear, more of the Bellas will be involved in the next chapter because it'll be the Outside Lands Music Festival.

Until next time...