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?

15. Chapter 15

I know, I know I suck, I promised this sometime after Christmas, and well it is something after Christmas just a couple months later than I envisioned. In any case I hope you took my new fic I uploaded a couple weeks ago (Flannel Sheets and Mistletoe) as a way to pay my penance...Seriously guys thank you for all the love on that fic! I never imagined it would have such an insane reaction for something that I've just been writing on and off. So THANK YOU for all the reads/reviews/PMs! I'm working on Part 2, but in the meantime you can have another installment of this.

I hope you enjoy the chapter it's been through about 3 major rewrites to get to where it is now. And it's long, not that anyone ever complains about the length ;) On another note we are coming close to the end of this fic, there's 3, maybe 4, chapters left to this fic depending on how I write. It has been amazing to write and I can't believe I'm getting to the end of my outline. I've still got a few things...planned and I'm being vague on purpose :) so stick with it to the end!

Another huge shout out to sugarlandaddict23 for cranking out another chapter for me! She rocks!

Disclaimer: The PP franchise still isn't mine, but I take full responsibility for any and all mistakes I've made!

Now...On with the show!

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A few days later…

"Where are you taking me?" Chloe curiously asked, for the fifth time, as Beca slowed the boat to a crawl.

"I told you it's a secret," Beca winked, "but I promise it'll be fun and you'll want to take lots of pictures."

"Is this a date?" There was a small break in the trees that looked just big enough for their boat to pass through and Chloe stood for a better view of the canal. "Because if so I'm not dressed for it. I'm just in a t-shirt and shorts."

"Babe," pulling the throttle back to neutral Beca stepped over to her adorably perplexed girlfriend and gave a quick kiss, "when I ask you on a date you'll know. This is just another fun outing. A date requires much more thought," she tapped Chloe's temple, "on my part."

After their weekend off from the retreat their relationship and communication jumped leaps and bounds and they found themselves sitting in Dr. Worthington's office on Monday afternoon with huge smiles on their faces. He was quick to point out the new 'air of comfortability' between them and that although he wasn't a fan of them just dropping everything, he could see now how much the downtime helped.

Then, in the next breath, they found it easier to discuss with him how the remainder of their stay at the retreat was going to go. They weren't going to bog themselves down with group activity after group activity every day anymore. Instead, they were going to slow things down and participate in a few activities that were spread out across the week. They wanted opportunities to just enjoy each other and build on what they've accomplished so far, which Dr. Worthington had surprisingly approved of. However, they all agreed to not interrupt their individual and couples sessions because they were still the most fundamental part of the process.

Oh, and Chloe also loved how Beca stuck up for them when she firmly said they wouldn't be discussing their sex life anymore. Dr. Worthington didn't really know how to reply, but when Chloe told him what happened he completely understood. Although they haven't had sex yet, the makeout sessions over the last few days, including this morning's while waiting to their coffee to brew, have been utterly fantastic and she knows it's only a matter of time.

"Ok…but you're really not gonna give me any clues?" Chloe tried to pull the pout card, but Beca wasn't buying it.

"We're almost there," reaching down, Beca picked up Chloe's camera bag and handed it over. "Get your stuff ready, you won't want to miss any of this."

Plopping down in her seat, Chloe unzipped her bag and delicately lifted her camera out and put the strap around her neck. Setting the bag back at her feet, she switched it on and checked a few settings then did a quick inspection of the lens for smudges. Lifting the viewfinder to her eye she tested the zoom then took a few test shots.

"You ready?" Beca asked in amusement.

Beca loves watching Chloe's camera routine because it never changes. It was so simple and precise and it's done exactly the same way every single time. It's kind of similar to what she does to get all her equipment ready in the studio before any recording session.

Lowering the camera so it hung around her neck Chloe looked over, "Yep!"

"Ok here we go," pushing the throttle forward, Beca steered to boat to the opening of the canal and maintained the slow speed as she navigated to their 'secret' location.

It was easy to see why this place was a 'secret' because if Beca wasn't specifically looking for the canal she would've completely overlooked it. The canal itself wasn't difficult to navigate and took them about five minutes, but it was still nothing short of spectacular with the way huge pine tree branches hung over their heads. However, the true beauty came when the canal opened up to reveal another mini-lake with a small island situated directly in the middle. This lake was super tiny compared to the one the retreat was on, they could probably swim from one side to the other with ease, but it was insanely pretty, like something off a postcard. And best of all it was absolutely quiet and completely intimate.

Chloe stood up, "Bec this place is awesome! How did you know this was here?"

"The guy who filled the gas tank up last night asked me if I wanted to take my girl someplace special and of course I said yes," slowing the boat back to neutral, Beca's hand slipped around Chloe's waist when a kiss was pressed to her cheek. "And now we're here."

"I'm your girl huh?" Chloe bit her lip to hide her giddy smile.

"My only girl and the only girl I'll ever want," Beca teased right back with a grin. "I love the way your face lights up when you see new things. Your eyes crinkle right here," her thumb brushed the small creases, "and you wear this smile," she moved to trace Chloe's lips, "that says you're totally in the moment and that you're happy. I see that smile a lot."

Chloe let out a slow breath, "What can I say, you make me happy."

Beca cracked a smirk, "And horny too right?"

"See now," Chloe buried her face in her girlfriend's shoulder and laughed, "now you're just trying to get into my pants."

"Is it working?"

"You're lucky I love you."

"I love you too…" Beca kissed the top of Chloe's head and joined in the laughter. "But in all seriousness, if seeing new things with you is always this awesome," Chloe lifted her head and smiled, "I can't wait to travel the world with you."

"You're sweet," Chloe pressed a kiss to Beca's lips then pulled back. "I can't wait to go places with you too and I can't believe it's less than four weeks until our trip to London," she bounced around with excitement, "and then Paris! A few weeks ago I thought that would never happen."

"I'm pretty stoked too," Chloe just beamed and it sent Beca's heart into flutters. "But first," her eyes flicked around the lake, "we can start our travel adventures with this place."

"I agree!" Giving a final peck Chloe stepped out of the embrace and back over to her seat so she could start snapping pictures while Beca started inching the boat forward.

The water was like glass and insanely clear and as Chloe leaned over the side she noted how she could peer through the turquoise water straight down to the white sandy bottom and see that it was scattered with rocks. It was crazy how beautiful this place was and how different it was compared to the other lake their cabin was on. And as the boat slowly crawled through the water she didn't think she could get her hands to move as fast as her mind when she focused on something new to take a picture of.

"Hey Chlo…"

Beca put the boat in neutral after they'd toured the small lake and hovered around the little island. She couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face as she watched her girlfriend, who half an hour ago, had moved to the bow of the boat and was practically laying across the front while focusing in on a dead tree that had fallen into the water.

"Hey gorgeous…" Beca gave a high pitched whistle that echoed around them.

When Chloe looked back, Beca's heart stopped because that smile, god that smile, in this lighting and setting made Chloe way more than simply gorgeous.

"What's up sexy?" Chloe lifted her camera and took a picture of Beca standing behind the wheel with a light blush tinting her cheeks.

"I umm," Beca took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, "I can't go any closer, it's getting to shallow and I don't want to hit anything."

Chloe hung her head over the side of the boat to check it out then turned back with a smile, "Can we park it here for a little bit or did you want to go home?"

"No, we can stay…I actually wish I would've worn my bathing suit."

Sitting up, Chloe looked down at her own attire, she'd been so rushed that she overlooked the whole bathing suit thing too, but it didn't matter, she had another plan. And it involved them getting very, very naked.

"Yeah same," Chloe shrugged, "but we can still hangout."

Beca quickly looked around, then pointed to the small grouping of rocks not far from the island, "How about we park it over there?" Chloe nodded. "We cruised by earlier, I think we can tie off on those boulders and not drift."

"That works for me!" Standing Chloe let her camera hang from her neck as she put her hair up in a loose bun, "That way I can climb up to the top and take some panorama shots."

"Awesome!" Beca slowly began reversing. "You do your thing and I'll just crack my book open and watch you work while I read," she gave a quick passing kiss as Chloe moved back to her seat. "We got all afternoon and I've got my books," she joked while spinning the wheel until the boat pointed in the right direction. Pushing the throttle forward again they sped off, "So don't feel rushed, I've got three books I need to finish."

Chloe just beamed at her girlfriend, "You and your books babe, I swear."

When Beca just shrugged, Chloe laughed because they both knew she was referring to the two giant bags Beca constantly brings home from their favorite bookstore at least once a month. There are stacks of Beca's books at Chloe's place so she can just imagine what her girlfriend's house looks like. There's probably a whole room littered with bookcases and books and a big comfy couch where, more often than Beca would like to admit, she falls asleep. Chloe can't wait to see Beca's home for the first time once they get back because she always equated it to stepping into the inner workings of her girlfriend's brain. She imagines it'll be stylish and modern, and overly tidy and neat, yet still inviting with a comfortable vibe because that's just how Beca's personality is.

"Don't hate on my books," Beca reprimanded wiggling a finger, "you told me my intellect is attractive and me toting around books is sexy."

"Oh it is," Chloe raised her camera and snapped more pictures of her girlfriend.

Putting the musical genius and ridiculously smart intellect aside, Chloe secretly loved how Beca was this huge bookworm, it was actually pretty freaking adorable. When she dreamt about what DJ Titanium did in their free time she never imagined they would be the type who preferred to read something off the New York Times bestseller list while hanging out with their dog. Chloe loved how Beca was just this natural homebody and she loved the fact that they could easily be homebodies together and it still be fun.

"I like the simple things in life, books, beer, and boobs," Beca answered proudly giving two thumbs up for another picture. "Specifically your boobs Beale."

Lowering her camera, Chloe let out a bark of laughter, "I still can't believe we're in the twenty-first century and you're still lugging around actual books."

The crop of boulders got closer and Beca kept her eyes trained on them as they approached.

"Nothing wrong with keeping things old school. Although it's hard to choose what I want to read sometimes…" Beca slowed the boat, "So I usually end up bringing multiple books and it weighs my bag down."

Chloe just laughed because before she even asked to have a small birthday celebration for Beca, she had ordered all her girlfriend's presents ahead of time. And one of those presents was a brand new Amazon Kindle. Beca was going to love it because now she wouldn't have to decide which books she wanted to carry, she could take them all with her all the time.

Beca killed the engine and gently turned the wheel so that they could drift the final few feet towards the rocks. When the boat was close enough she stepped up onto the edge and jumped across the small gap and onto one of the flatter rocks.

"Pass me the rope at the front," Beca instructed. Holding out her hands as it was quickly tossed to her and she secured it around a small rock. "Now the one at the back," Chloe moved fast and tossed the second one. This time she pulled the rope and slowly eased the boat so the side was flush with the rock then tied it off. "We're good…"

Chloe surveyed the work then gave a mock salute, "Permission to come ashore captain?"

Beca held out her hand motioning to Chloe's camera bag. It was quickly passed over and she set it behind her then stuck out her hand again and helped her girlfriend step up.

"It looks like other people have been here already," Beca surveyed the area with her hands on her hips, "but just take it slow babe, I don't want anything happening to you."

Stepping closer, Chloe seductively asked, "What? You don't want to nurse me back to health if I get hurt?"

Chloe was trying to pull off that whole 'I just asked a completely innocent question and I know it routine' by spinning a lose strand of hair around her finger and Beca loved it, but she also didn't buy it.

"It's tempting, like very tempting, and I love being the dotting girlfriend, but…" Beca sucked in a dramatic breath fighting to keep a serious tone, "safety first," she said before easily hopping back down into the boat.

"Always so chivalrous," crouching down Chloe smiled when Beca stepped up on a seat.

"It's only because I love you," Beca gave an easy kiss, "and I don't want anything happening to that sexy body of yours."

"I love you too…" Chloe replied with a breathy giggle. "Can you turn some music on?" Beca just smiled and nodded. Standing she reached for her camera bag and slung it over her shoulder as music filled the otherwise quiet surroundings, "Thanks! Now go read!"

"Will do!" Beca gave a little salute.

Picking up their beach bag, Beca rummaged through it until she found Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. Tucking it under her arm she snagged a towel and a beer then moved to the front of the boat where she could nonchalantly creep on Chloe. Once she was comfortable she cracked the book open and laughed seeing that her usual slip of paper marking her page had been exchanged for another one of Chloe's three paned comic strips titled The Adventures of Gizmo and Billie PT. 6.This one featured their dogs discussing strategies for getting 'the short human' out of a bear trap, but then ultimately deciding to go nap instead. It made her chuckle because it was clearly her in the rope trap high up in the tree screaming 'Help me, I'm dying, I'm dying!' What was even funnier was that they had joked about this exact scenario and she had responded to Chloe's taunts by saying that Gizmo would be the only one that would save her.

Looking up from her book when she heard snickering, Beca saw Chloe trying to contain her laughter.

"Guess Gizmo's not as loyal to you as you thought," Chloe proudly stated with the biggest grin.

"Yeah yeah," Beca waved off the remark then stuck her newly minted bookmark a few pages back. "I'll admit that's my favorite so far," she said not looking away from the page. "Although, I do miss the Sexy Adventures of Beca and Chloe cartoon you do. I love seeing what compromising positions you always seem put us in."

"Those are late night comics only," Chloe saw a smirk slip on Beca's face. When Beca looked back up, Chloe lifted her hand and blew a kiss, "Get back to reading baby."

Beca was so glad they were effectively back to their easy flirtatious banter. They had worked hard and had come a long way in such a short amount of time that it was kind of crazy how quickly they reestablished themselves as a couple. They had put so much effort into rebuilding them that it made every kiss and touch just that much sweeter. There will likely be more disagreements and they'll have days where they'll be moody and each want their space, but Beca knows they're going to make it.

As much as it pains Beca to admit, she likes the whole couples counseling thing. She doesn't necessarily always like the stuff she hears, but Dr. Worthington has a way of getting them to admit things they'd rather keep locked away and that's helped tremendously. They're really opening up to each other in ways they wouldn't normally and it puts a whole new spin on how they choose to respond to tense situations. Beca is head over heels in love with Chloe and she wants to do whatever it takes to make sure they keep growing and evolving together.

Plus, after their brief run in with photographers a few days ago, Beca thinks the counseling will help significantly when the fame side of her life gets in the way. Over the last few weeks she's learned that they really are just like any normal couple, except with the added pressure of media scrutiny. Most people have regular jobs and can live regular lives and don't have to worry about cameras or fans, but they do and it adds a different kind of stress to them and their relationship. They both see that and as much as Chloe says she's ok with it and that they are in this together, Beca knows there will be days where a headline or a picture will be taken way out of context. So having an outlet, like couples counseling, to discuss everything will definitely be good for them.

Striving to maintain a low key celebrity status once the media frenzy dies down is Beca's main goal. Chloe deserves normalcy and stability in her life and in their relationship and that's exactly what Beca craves too. And it was the driving force behind ultimately accepting the teaching gig at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She's talked about it with Dr. Worthington and with Chloe and they both agree the routine will give her the fulfillment and balance in her life that she has been looking for. And secretly she hopes it'll turn into something that she'll be able to do on a fulltime basis because the more she thought about it, the more fulfilling and rewarding teaching actually sounds. In the long run, she hopes to be able to maybe do both teaching and producing with the latter on a part time, as needed basis.

"Hey Professor Mitchell?"

Marking her page Beca looked up, "What's up?"

Beca's not sure how long she'd been reading, but it was long enough to get through a big chunk of her book. Chloe had come back a couple times to grab a drink and exchange her camera bag for her sketch book and each time they shared a couple of amazing kisses that always left her wanting more. She'd almost, key word almost, forgotten what a great kisser Chloe was.

"I know you're like," Chloe set her sketchbook aside, "totally immersed in reading, but," she blew out a breath, "do you mind if we do one of Dr. Worthington's exercises."

Closing her book, Beca tossed it aside and sat up, "Like what? I didn't bring any of his materials."

Chloe loved the soft smile she saw, "It's that question game, remember last week he gave us that bag filled with slips of paper?" Beca nodded, "He said to do it whenever and this place," she glanced around as the wind rustled through the trees, "just seems ideal."

Beca remembers Dr. Worthington saying this was more of a fun activity as opposed to the homework they usually get. They weren't given much instruction, they were basically told to have fun and to be completely honest.

"I don't see why not," Beca thought it was actually a really good idea. "You want me to come up there?"

Chloe patted the spot next to her, "I kept it warm for you."

Standing, Beca stretched a little to loosen her back, "You want a beer?"

"Yes please and the bag of questions are in my camera bag."

It didn't take long for Beca to get everything together and to also safely store Chloe's sketchbook back in her bag before they were sitting side by side with their legs dangling off the side of the bolder drinking beer and eating the snack mix Chloe had made yesterday.

"Ok on three…" Balling her hand into a fist Beca started a countdown, "One…two…" they both raised their fists up, "three…" Pounding her fist against her open palm three times she made the sign for paper and Chloe did scissors, "Damn it! Best two out of three?"

"Babe," Chloe laughed taking a swig from her bottle, "you know we can't do rock, paper, scissors for every decision we make."

"But Chloooooeeee," Beca whined, "it's the only fair way to decide shit."

"Yeah for you when you win," Chloe playfully bumped their shoulders. "You are so easy to beat anyways, you always use paper first," seeing a frown she planted a firm kiss on a cheek, then whispered, "change your tactic next time."

Beca snorted out a laugh tossing the question bag into Chloe's lap, "Ok fine but you know the rules no looking, just pick and ask."

"Got it!" Shoving her hand in the bag, Chloe dramatically fished a piece of paper out. "Ok your first question Beca Mitchell is…" she cleared her throat, "what three things can you not live without?"

Picking a few M&M's out of the snack mix, Beca popped them in her mouth as she looked out over the lake in thought.

"Well jazz music of course," Beca eventually said, "then next would be my books," they both laughed, "but most importantly your love." She turned her head, "I just recently discovered that last one."

"Really?" Chloe's voice softened.

"Yeah the last month without it was tough," Beca rolled her eyes at herself, even she knew that wasn't convincing. "Correction it killed me and I just felt empty inside, like there was a huge piece of my heart missing. For the first time in months I felt completely alone again…But then when you were sitting behind me during those last minute run-throughs of the Skyfall song…" she took a big swig from her beer, "things were still tense, but I don't know, I felt better, like I was finally whole again."

During the whole recording session Chloe had seen the way Beca glanced over her shoulder every once in a while. They weren't in Beca's personal studio, instead they had been using the orchestra control room downstairs, so she always thought Beca was checking just to make sure she hadn't been pushed behind the large group of people crammed in the small space. As it turns out that wasn't the case at all, instead this larger than life music producer and songwriter had been looking to her for support.

"Were you seeking out some sort of validation from me?" Chloe timidly asked.

"Yes, because next to my mom," their eyes connected and Beca weakly smiled, "you're the most important person in my life. My music is different when you're around, its better. My mind is calmer and I don't feel like I have to make everything perfect." Chloe probably knew all this but Dr. Worthington says it never hurts to reiterate the important things, "And even though you only just recently started sleeping in my bed again, I sleep so much better when you're around, even if it's in the next room."

"Bec," Chloe leaned over and gently kissed her girlfriend, "I really don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Beca reassured. "Ok your turn to answer…"

"My three things are simple too," Chloe said. "My art, your kisses," tilting her head she gave a quick peck, "and the way you love me so completely and now that I've lived with it and without it, I know it's something I can't live without."

Placing placed a hand on Chloe's cheek, Beca stroked her thumb across it, "Well you've got it all then, because there's no way I'll ever stop loving you," she whispered before giving another slow kiss. Reluctantly breaking away she rested their foreheads together and laughed, "You know we'll never get through very many questions if we're always stopping to kiss."

When the hand started slipping away Chloe held it in place, "We've got a lot of kisses to make up."

Beca just smiled.

"How about this," Chloe grinned as she let the hand fall away, "instead of us both answering the same question let's just swap back and forth?"

"That'll work…" Shuffling through the bag Beca pulled out another slip of paper, "What's the one thing you'd like to change about yourself?"

That was a tough one because Chloe really didn't know what to choose or where to begin. She's grown more in the last year as a person and she likes who she is now despite all the turmoil and the running that it took to get here. Plus, she's in a healthy relationship with such an amazing person and it finally feels like her life is heading in the right direction.

"Honestly nothing," Chloe eventually said, "and I know that sounds selfish." Beca just looked at her with understanding eyes, "I intentionally put myself through a lot for years, but it brought me to this point and to you. I wouldn't be sitting here today," she took in a slow breath, "completely and hopelessly in love with you and with a future that even just thinking about makes me happy, if all that shit hadn't of happened to me."

"Wow, I ummm…" Beca nervously pulled the label from her been bottle, "I'm glad I don't have to answer because I can't like top that…Anything I say would just pale in comparison."

"But that wouldn't make it any less significant," Chloe reassured stilling Beca's moving fingers. "I think the point of this exercise is to listen and understand each other, not try to outdo each other."

Beca gave a weak smile, "You're right, I shouldn't over think it."

"You're fine baby I promise," Chloe gave Beca's hand a squeeze before reaching in for another question. When she opened it she couldn't help but laugh, "Well isn't this ironic," she flipped it around and her girlfriend's eyes went comically wide, "don't you think?"

Would you like to be famous? Beca had a feeling that Dr. Worthington was sitting back in his office just laughing at that one.

"Yeah, no I'm not answering that…" Beca popped more snack mix in her mouth. "Next question," she said between chews, "oh and nice Alanis Morissette reference, fitting."

Chloe smirked as she set the slip of paper aside and grabbed another.

"Ohhh this one's saucy," Chloe gave a flirtatious wink. "Of all the things you do to me while we're having sex, what's the one thing that turns me on the most?"

"Oh man," tapping her fingers against a leg Beca knew her face was bright red, "can I include like a scenario or something?"

"Nope keep it strictly sexual," Chloe teased, "and only one thing," knocking their shoulders she added, "although I'll tell you right now there are multiple things you do that drive me crazy."

"Trust me, I know," Beca shot right back.

They talk about sex a lot, it's just what couples do Jesse even said so after Beca asked in general terms if he and Aubrey discussed it as casually as she and Chloe did. So Beca has no reason to be embarrassed, but then again she's never been put on the spot like this and made to narrow down all the things she does to just one penultimate thing. Beca knows how to turn Chloe on, quite frankly she's good at it, so her overall performance isn't in question here.

"Damn…" Beca let out a slow breath as she trained her eyes on the water below their feet, "I'd have to say," Chloe was fucking giggling at her feeble attempts to make up her mind, "it's when I mess with the sensitive area that runs right here," spreading her legs she outlined the spot where Chloe's panty line usually runs along the inside of her thigh. "If I kiss it, hell if I blow on it before I've even touched you, your breathing and the way you react to me drastically changes. And if I'm going down on you and shift to lightly suck on it while I'm," lifting her left hand she curved her first two fingers slowly, "you come unglued in a matter of seconds. It's like insanely fucking hot that I can do something like that to you. I've never made a girl cum that fast in my entire life and at first I thought it was purely coincidental…"

Ok, so Chloe will admit she has a few overly sensitive and arousing areas that Beca has totally keyed in on and uses to her advantage.

"Nothing about what you do to me is coincidental," Chloe interrupted, her body heating up just thinking about it. "It's…" she lost her train of thought, "yeah…"

All of Chloe's previous partners never took the time to explore her body, like Beca has. They clearly only had one goal in mind, and although it was achieved, she never really got fireworks and all that other good stuff that comes from having great sex, but she gets it all with Beca. Beca knows what she's doing, she knows how to build the tension, and she knows exactly which spots make Chloe tick.

So needless to say, Beca has gotten Chloe off so many times by just keying in on that one spot that Chloe has lost count. In fact, the last time they slept together she was rewarded with the tiniest bruise that lingered there for days and every time she touched it, it sent shivers through her body. Fuck she was so ready for sex again.

"Am I right?" Beca smugly asked tipping her bottle back by its neck.

"Too right," Chloe exhaled.

Setting her bottle aside, Beca smirked at Chloe's flustered response. Instead of playing into it and totally taking it there, she dipped her hand in the bag and plucked another folded slip of paper off the top.

Clearing her throat Beca smoothly asked, "When did you know you wanted to be in a serious relationship with me?"

Chloe tried to focus on the new topic and not on how turned on she was, by comically fanning herself.

"I think I've always known," Chloe's voice broke slightly making Beca grin knowingly, "but ultimately the thing that sealed the deal for me was seeing you at my half-marathon."

Beca was totally confused, "But that was after our first date."

"No silly," Chloe playfully bumped their shoulders, "our first date was when we officially put a label on what we'd been doing for months, well minus the whole kissing part," they both laughed at the truth behind those words. "I'd never casually dated anyone before, you weren't pushy about anything and you made dating fun. My past relationships…just weren't like that."

"I just figured you accepting that official date meant you were interested in making things a little more serious," Beca had known since the first time she passed out on Chloe's couch that she wanted more with Chloe.

"I was, I just…" Seeing worry flash across Beca's face Chloe knew she hadn't done the greatest job explaining.

"I guess what I'm trying to ask is…" Beca tried not to sound dejected as she balled up the question and set it aside. "What did I do during the race that made you change your mind?"

"Baby, nothing," Chloe reached for a hand and connected their fingers, "I loved every minute of our first date. So please don't think that something was wrong. It and you were absolutely perfect."

"I had a lot of fun with you that night and I was so close to asking you to be my girlfriend," Beca acknowledged shyly. "But I wasn't sure how you felt, I thought you needed more time."

"I did, but I didn't, you know? I was still kinda scared of my feelings for you," Chloe confessed. "However," she grinned at the memory, "it didn't last long because you totally solidified all my doubts that day at the race."

"But all I was doing was supporting you and trying to make you smile."

"And I'd never had anyone cheer me on like you did…"

The day had started off above average as far as Chloe was concerned. Beca had showed up in place of Aubrey that morning holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a bowl of freshly sliced fruit in the other. God, she had never seen anything more adorable then Beca timidly and sleepily offering to drive her to and from the race and to bring both Billie and Gizmo to cheer her on at the finish line. However, the best part came every few miles when Beca and Jesse would appear holding handmade signs to encourage her and Aubrey along the route. Beca's were absolutely hilarious with Chloe's personal favorite being the one where Beca had been chugging a beer while holding up a sign that read, 'You trained for months to run this race while I trained to hold this sign and drink this beer!' Then just when her legs were just about dead Beca appeared again, this time without Jesse, holding a sign that said, 'Hey redhead, yeah you, I think you're cute so why do you keep running from me?' That last one gave Chloe everything she needed to power through the remaining two miles with a huge smile plastered across her face.

Yet, once Chloe got to the finish line she only expected to hear Beca cheering for her, except what she got was something completely unexpected. She found Beca just outside the finishing area, with their dogs, holding bottles of water and Gatorade, a towel slung over her shoulder and a small cooler at her feet. Chloe was out of breath and exhausted but she could careless because Beca had gone out of her way to be there for her and it was all done with a smile. Beca even helped her 'refuel and relax' after the race by setting up a little picnic near the Dutch Windmill in Golden Gate Park.

As they sat on a blanket eating fruit, pasta salad, and tuna fish sandwiches Beca just laughed while thoughtfully asking questions about the race and it was then that something inside Chloe just clicked. Chloe never knew what it was like to really have someone care about her and it made her realize exactly how lucky she was. It was right then and there that she knew she wanted everything with Beca and that a serious relationship was exactly what she wanted and needed.

Chloe stroked her thumb across Beca's wrist, "You've been this total anomaly in my life. That day, the race and the surprise date in the middle of Golden Gate Park, I've never had that with anyone. I was all sweaty and gross but you didn't care, you even let me nap with my head in your lap."

"You were beautiful," Beca cut in with a smile.

"You, god Beca, you," Chloe breathed out, "made me realize that you were just as scared and nervous about your feelings as I was."

Beca timidly chuckled, "Things were always different with you. Although, it seems like I came to the same grand revelation as you except a little earlier."

"Not by much," Chloe agreed, "but I'm glad it happened the way it did. It made me quit denying things and fully embrace how quickly I was falling for you. I mean that picnic was so simple, but it's one of the most romantic things anyone has ever done for me."

"You know," Beca's face and neck flushed bright red as she tossed a small rock into the water, "I never thought of myself as the type of person that would ever want to sweep a girl off her feet, but then I met you and you made me want to try until I got it right."

"And you have," Chloe kissed the corner of her girlfriend's mouth. "You're such a closet romantic and I love it. You put thought and effort into everything, even picnics after I'd just run thirteen miles."

Beca smiled, "After totally kicking Aubrey's ass, I might add."

They laughed as they shared another brief kiss and Chloe honestly felt light and happy to be talking so candidly with Beca.

"So does that answer the question?" Chloe teased before picking up her beer and taking a swig.

"Yes, totally," after sipping from her own bottle, Beca couldn't help but add, "I like this game."

Ok, so it's not really a game per say because nobody is actually winning. Plus one of Beca's favorite things ever, a competitive Chloe Beale bouncing around excitedly in anticipation waiting to pounce on the win, isn't there. Instead they're having like a therapy session, but without the watchful eye of Dr. Worthington analyzing their every word. They're just being honest and listening, which was probably Dr. Worthington's main goal.

"Me too…" Rubbing her hands together enticingly, Chloe then dove in for another question. "What's the biggest lesson your father ever taught you?"

"I never really had a dad," Beca tried to keep her distain at bay for her loser of a father, "so I can't say that I actually learned anything from him."

Picking up the snack mix bag, Beca jiggled it around and picked a pretzel at the very bottom. Chloe recognized the action for what it was, an avoidance of topic. She knew Beca had only met her dad a handful of times and was impartial to the idea of him being a father figure, but he was still her father. Chloe freely admits to having no relationship with her own dad, but there were still instances where he was a father and a somewhat positive figure in her life. Unfortunately, it took two solid months of therapy for her to realize that.

"I take that back," Beca's strong voice made Chloe jump, "he taught me that single moms can do it all and that when you tell someone you love them that you should mean it. He and my mom were together for four years," Beca weakly wiped her nose with the back her hand, "but when he found out she was pregnant, he packed his shit and left. He said he never really loved her and that kids weren't part of his 'plan' yet."

"Your mom told you all of that?"

"No, she never told me anything, she never said a single bad word about him to me." Beca took in a deep breath, "After she died I was going through some of her things and I found the letter he wrote her when he left. It was heartbreaking. He put his fucking career before the family he wanted but didn't want right now. He wrote one letter, but she wrote him dozens about me as I was growing up."

It wasn't just dozens of letters, there were boxes of letters and pictures and updates to him about her. There was at least one envelope, sometimes more, for every month of her life starting from the day she was born until the month her mom died. And every single letter was never opened and all marked, return to sender, in the same messy handwriting that she uses every single day. But the worst part about the whole thing was that his address never changed. It's still the same fucking office number on the campus of USC that he has today.

"He teaches at USC you know," Beca fiddled with the beer bottle in her hands, "he's the chair of the fucking English department. He gets rated a four out of five on that rate my professor website and…" she kind of wanted to throw her bottle against the rock and shatter it into a million pieces, but instead she calmly set it down, "And his students love him, but he hates the fact that I even exist."

Chloe didn't know where this was coming from but she understood because she had similar feelings about her own father, so she continued to let Beca vent.

"I mean, I wish my mom had just thrown all those fucking letters out," Beca let out an annoyed and frustrated breath, "because then I could just be like all those other kids whose dad left."

"When was the last time you saw him?" Chloe quietly asked looping her arm through Beca's and pulling her girlfriend closer. The tension was radiating off of Beca and she simply kissed her shoulder.

"I never told anyone this, but I went the day I graduated from USC," Beca sighed, she shouldn't have done it, but she needed some kind of closure. "I just dropped in, cap and gown in hand and everything, and told him this would be his last chance he'd ever get to talk to me."

"How did he react?"Chloe bit her lip.

Beca remembers exactly how he reacted, he was stunned and speechless for the first full minute. She'll never forget the expression he wore when she knocked on the door and he looked up from the huge manuscript he was examining with his hands on his desk and a pencil in his mouth as he examined one of the frayed pages. It was totally ironic because that's exactly how she looks when she's going over her music. She has the exact same posture and crease between her eyebrows and everything.

After the initial shock wore off, he righted himself and they shared few a brief minutes of tense small talk until her eyes landed on a picture of his current wife and two small children. When he keyed in on that he did everything in his power to divert her attention and get her out of his office.

"He gave me the equivalent of a congratulatory pat on the back and wished me well in all my endeavors in life. It was all very scripted, like something he'd say to any of his students," Beca can remember just standing there looking in his eyes, which were the same shade of blue as hers, and seeing them silently begging her to leave. "Then after I sarcastically asked about his new wife and kids he quickly started ushering me out of his office by making up some excuse about a research paper deadline. And right before he closed his door he had the nerve to say I was beautiful and looked just like my mom."

Now that was the last thing Chloe expected to hear and she honestly didn't know how to respond. Beca was someone's secret and that was horrible, even Chloe's asshole of a father, who hated the fact that she existed still at least acknowledged her to friends and family and coworkers. It makes Chloe furious that Beca, who is a beautiful person and incredibly smart and talented, was treated like that.

"Beca I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Chloe said kissing her girlfriend's temple.

"It's ok," Beca heaved a heavy sigh of relief, it felt good to finally tell someone that story, "because I had my mom and she was awesome."

"And you turned out amazing because of her," Chloe quietly said trailing her hand soothingly along Beca's back. "So…" she wanted to ask more, but knew now wasn't the time, "I think it's your turn to ask me a question."

"Right," Beca quickly dried her eyes then took a sip of beer before shuffling through the bag. "Ok, so," her eyes scanned the question and she burst out laughing, "I swear to god this is what it says," she flipped the paper around, "how can we improve our sex life and make it more exciting?"

"That's easy," Chloe wiggled her eyebrows, "we just need to be having sex again."

"Ain't that the truth," Beca exaggerated making Chloe giggle. "Ok, your turn," she plopped the bag in Chloe's lap, "ask away gorgeous."

Chloe chewed on a couple pieces of snack mix as she dug out another question.

Swallowing Chloe asked, "What three words would you use to describe us as a couple?"

Beca's reply was instant, "Perfect, loving, and committed."

"I'd hardly say we're perfect. If we were, we wouldn't be here."

"Ok how about perfectly imperfect? Because I kinda feel like there are aspects of our relationship that are perfect, but there also things we're working on."

Chloe nodded thoughtfully, "That actually makes much more sense and I agree." She set the bag of questions in Beca's lap and as she lifted her beer bottle to her lips she quickly took it away to say, "Although I'd also add cute, because we are so cute together."

Beca gave a lopsided smile, "We are aren't we?"

"Oh totes!" Chloe answered enthusiastically. "I mean did you see the comments our latest Instagram picture got? And this morning it had over fifteen thousand likes!"

The black and white selfie Chloe posted yesterday was simply captioned, 'The girlfriend and I,' and was of them just being them. Beca was stretched out on the couch, book on her chest, with a huge grin plastered across her face while Chloe was resting between her legs stretching to kiss the tip of her nose. They'd shared the quick warm cuddle while discussing dinner options and before Chloe got up, she held out her hand and snapped the picture. Chloe had been so focused on kissing Beca and then standing that she never fully saw the extent of Beca's smile until twenty minutes later while she was standing at the stove waiting for their pasta water to boil. Beca wore her I'm-totally-and-completely-in-love-with-you smile and it melted Chloe's heart because it had been a long time since Beca had looked at her like that.

And according to the eight hundred and twenty-seven comments it received just overnight, their fans thought they were cute too.

"I do like that picture of us," Beca casually said. "It kinda sums up everything I feel for you."

Chloe pressed a kiss to Beca's cheek, "I love the way you were looking at me," a deep blush covered her girlfriend's face.

"I want to look at you like that for the rest of my life," Beca softly confessed as she pressed a kiss to Chloe's lips.

"I love that I captured that moment and can look at it forever. But…"a slow grin stretched across Chloe's face, "don't think I didn't see your comment."

Beca pulled back and laughed, "Well, you were invading my personal space like a champ!"

"I didn't hear any complaints!"

Beca just playfully rolled her eyes, "Because I could totally see down your shirt."

"Perv," Chloe exclaimed as she lightly slapped her smugly smiling girlfriend.

"Oh whatever, you saw me checking you out and you liked it," Chloe's mouth hung open in shock and Beca knew she had effectively won. Lifting the bag she plucked a new question off the top, "Where do you feel the most at peace?"

Chloe's surprised face morphed into a loving smile, "Simple, when I'm with you and in your arms." She shyly tucked a strand of hair behind an ear as grey-blue eyes radiated with love, "I feel really safe with you and I've never had that with anyone before."

"Me either…" Beca couldn't help but give another relaxed kiss. "You know, we're kinda hopeless."

Chloe grinned, "No one I'd rather be hopeless with baby!"

"You're way too enthused about that," Beca deadpanned.

"Just for that," Chloe picked another question from the bag and read it, "you sweetheart, get another sex question!" She laughed when Beca groaned in displeasure.

"If you must," Beca murmured.

"Have you ever slept with someone and never knew their name?" Chloe asked setting the slip of paper in the stack behind them.

Beca just barked out a laugh, "Unfortunately yes and it wasn't one of my shining moments…Luckily she wasn't like a super sketchy hippy or into freaky shit…"

"So you actually tell your one night stands your name?" Chloe curiously questioned.

Regardless of what Aubrey thinks or says, it was rare for Beca to randomly hook up with someone. She used to say it only happened when things got super stressful at work, but she's recently come to realize, thanks to Dr. Worthington, that she was just trying to fill a loneliness void. So it wasn't like she was a serial one night stander, like Stacie.

"Usually we're on at least a first name basis, but I still never take them home, too much DJ Titanium shit hanging around," Beca quickly clarified. "But I don't know, this time neither of us ever got around to it."

Ok, so now Chloe's interest was piqued, "How did it even happen?"

"Jesse ditched me at our favorite bar so I stayed to finish my drink. As I was paying my tab this chick came in asking for directions back to her hotel," Beca tapped the side of her bottle. "Long story short, I ended up walking her home since I was going the same way and I guess I had just enough booze in my system to make my feeble attempts at flirting sound halfway decent."

"I can see that, when you're on your game, you easily fluster me," Chloe winked making Beca blush again and she'll never get over how cute that is.

"But I've never been smooth with girls in my entire life," Beca halfheartedly joked, but was completely serious.

"Oh that's far from the truth and you know it. You hit on me in a bathroom, where you were quite forward, and look where we are now," Chloe grinned knowingly. "You have this uncanny ability to make me weak in the knees even if I'm only taking your order at the deli."

"But what exactly do I do?" Chloe just started laughing making Beca furrow her brow, "Dude, I'm legit being serious right now! I've never had the opportunity to ask a girl I've hooked up with about this."

"In the beginning for me, and I'd imagine for other girls too, it's your confidence and the way you carry yourself," Chloe honestly said. "Sometimes you can be all mysterious, like you're undressing me with your eyes while we talk and it means you know exactly what you want but you want me to keep guessing, which by the way," she winked, "that's totally fucking sexy. While at other times there's a softness and quietness to you, like you've let your guard down a little. You're gentle and caring and extremely thoughtful. When I see that side, which," she smiled, "is pretty much a regular thing for me now, I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy and loved. You're," she waved her hand, "the whole package really. It's the sweet with the sarcastic, the charming with the brash, and the goofy with adorableness. And you know how to turn on and off all those switches so easily that it just makes me and other girls swoon." Leaning over, she gave a soft kiss on her girlfriend's perplexed cheek then whispered, "And it's how you're still totally oblivious to everything I just pointed out."

"What does that even mean?" Beca huffed out.

Chloe bit her lip as her eyes flicked down to Beca's lips then back up, "It means you have no idea how attractive you are."

"And that makes me smooth?"

"More than you ever realize…" Driving her point home Chloe lifted Beca's hand and placed it right above her rapidly beating heart. "There are multiple reasons why I call you sexy all the time and it's just because you're hot."

As Beca swallowed thickly, Chloe still wasn't completely sure her girlfriend understood the ramifications of what was just said.

"An-and that's why you think this girl casually kissed me and told me she wanted me in two very inappropriate ways, like Stacie Conrad levels of inappropriate," Beca stammered out in a rush, "twenty minutes after meeting?"

"Probably…" Chloe shrugged letting the hand fall away, "I mean, you ended up in her swanky hotel room right?"

"Well yeah," Beca was still kind of waiting for the yelling to start, but it just didn't happen. "I mean the sex had been good, but nothing to write home about. She wasn't even upset when I bailed right after." A finger smashed against her lips, silencing her rambling. "What?" she mumbled against the finger.

Chloe chuckled, "There's no need to feel guilty, all that happened way before we met. If it's any consolation, I had a similar experience."

Pushing Chloe's finger away, Beca narrowed her eyes.

"Well, well, well," Beca grinned while her girlfriend uncharacteristically blushed, "I never pictured you the one night stand type."

"Oh shut up," Chloe chided. "The only difference between you and me was that I did give a name, just not my real one." At this Beca's head fell into her lap laughing and she weakly smacked her girlfriend's side as she tried to contain her laughter too. "I was a freshman and the Trebles used to make all the acapella groups fake ID's, they said I looked like a Natalie."

"Whoa hold the phone," Beca shot up, leaning in closer, she really scrutinized her girlfriend's features looking for indications of lying, but instead found nothing. "Chloe Beale, as in Chloe, I'm a straight A student, Beale had a fake ID? From what state?"

"Nebraska," Chloe regretfully sighed.

Leaning away, Beca ran her eyes up and down her girlfriend's body with reverence, "A wholesome Midwestern girl," when their eyes locked she winked, "I'd do you."

"Perv," Chloe gave a light shove then started laughing harder at the whole situation. "I still can't believe I used it. Usually the Bellas just snuck me in the back door of wherever we were, but this time I wanted to drink."

Chloe only used the ID one time. Afterwards she felt extremely guilty and threw it away.

"Oh so that makes it better?" Beca lifted an eyebrow.

"We were celebrating our finals win and I didn't want to miss all the fun," Chloe remembers how easy it had been, the bouncer didn't even look twice at her ID before waving her in with the rest of the group. "I got free drinks from the bartender and we also hooked up later on that night. It was a onetime thing and I swear to god that's the whole story."

Chloe's nervousness made Beca shake her head with humor, "Dude chill, you're braver then me using a fake ID like that."

"Really?" Chloe's eyes sought out Beca's.

"Yeah," Beca nodded. "There's no way I'd ever get away with it, you know with my nervous fidgeting," lifting her hands she lightly shook them, "and shit."

"That's true, you're a horrible liar," Chloe laughed as Beca shrugged while rummaging around the snack mix. "It's your turn to ask another question?"

Chloe watched in amusement as Beca tossed a pecan in the air and caught it in her mouth, then dusted her fingers off and picked another question.

Opening it, Beca quickly read it then suspiciously glanced over, "You still want to play if it's another sex question?" Chloe rolled her eyes and reluctantly nodded. "Well it's you're lucky day, it isn't," she got a light shove for that. Taking a quick swig from her beer, she eventually asked, "What's one question you've never asked me but have always wanted too?"

"Like I have free reign to ask you anything?" Chloe stated wanting to make sure.

"Yep," Beca finished off her beer and set the empty bottle behind her, "go for it…"

Chloe held her breath, she knew this was personal, like extremely personal, and she wasn't sure what type of reaction it'd get. It was kind of one of those looming last mysteries about her girlfriend that she had always wondered about but never felt like there had been an opportune time to ask.

"Your tattoo," Chloe carefully began, "the three part one," Beca's hand immediately covered her forearm, "what does it mean and why did you get it?"

Carefully taking Beca's hand, Chloe moved it to her lap and she began tracing the plain black cursive words, with pain comes strength, that were tattooed along Beca's inner forearm. These tattoos had some type of deep personal meaning for Beca and it's one of the big reasons why Chloe has always hesitated about asking.

Just by the size, it was very clear these tattoos weren't meant for the world or even Chloe to see daily. They were meant for Beca and only Beca. And Chloe can't help but feel like she's just invaded Beca's privacy in a monumental way.

Chloe tore her eyes away from the writing, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's ok," Beca said, not completely confident that she sounded convincing. "I told you a while ago that you could ask about them, it…" taking Chloe's hand she intertwined their fingers, "it just kinda caught me off guard…"

"Ohhh…" Chloe bit her lip in worry, but then relaxed when a kiss was pressed to her temple. "Babe, it's ok, you don't have to answer."

Pulling back, Beca locked eyes with Chloe's, "No, I want to."

"You sure?"

"Positive," Beca nodded. "Ok, so…it reads just like a sentence out of a book."

Detangling their fingers, Beca peeled her t-shirt off, leaving her clad in just her bra and shorts. Picking up Chloe's hand she pressed it against the tattoo just below her left collarbone. Chloe's hand was soft and warm against her skin and it eased the apprehension she was feeling.

"Through darkness comes light…" Beca then moved Chloe's hand to her ribcage, "through fear comes love…" finally settling Chloe's hand on her forearm she whispered, "through pain comes strength."

They just sat in complete silence as Chloe digested the phrase.

"So, like the history behind it," Beca glanced to her left, "is…complicated."

"But it obviously means a lot to you."

"Actually more than anyone ever knows or realizes, even Jesse."

Chloe felt honored, she was about to be privy to something that even a best friend didn't know the reason behind.

"So you know my dad was never around…" Beca took in a shallow breath and chose her next words carefully. "The first time I met him I was ten and I've analyzed that interaction a lot after my mom died and I'm not entirely convinced it was accidental."

Beca can vaguely remember her mom using a different parking lot then they normally used when she had her Wednesday afternoon piano lessons at USC. One minute they're wandering across a giant courtyard and the next they were standing face to face with her father.

"He wasn't happy was he?" Chloe cautiously asked as Beca fingers rapidly tapped against her leg.

"No, I can't remember what was said, but I know they were both angry," Beca recalled like the interaction happened yesterday. "She eventually introduced him as Andrew Mitchell and he barely even acknowledged me."

Chloe knows exactly what it's like to not be wanted, except the difference between her and Beca was that her parents said it to her face. Thankfully, Beca's mom had enough sense to shelter her from the person who didn't want her.

"After she died I always wondered why she never mentioned Andrew Mitchell was my dad," Beca said breaking Chloe's train of thought. "But then I found all those letters and I saw how they were all marked return to sender and then it dawned on me," she took in a deep breath trying to keep her emotions in check, "she never wanted me to know that he didn't care. She'd rather I knew nothing about him then have me go through life knowing I had a shit father. And I'm actually kinda grateful for that because I had her and she was proud of me."

Lifting their joined hands, Chloe gently pressed her lips to them, "So how does the tattoo come into play?"

"He fucking showed up at her funeral," Beca closed her eyes.

Beca can still picture him in his expensive suit, signature bow tie, and shiny shoes standing in line waiting to offer his condolences. It may have been ten years later and she may have only found all those letters days before, but she recognized him the second they were face to face. It was almost like he was hoping to slide in unnoticed by her and pay his respects just like any other of her mom's acquaintances. She has tried not to hold resentment, because she had a lot of shit going on, but looking back over that whole interaction and his totally passive way he treated her in the few brief seconds they interacted, she just can't.

In Beca's eyes, him showing up and making one final appearance was his way of closing that chapter of his life and never looking back.

"He gave me this stupid condolence card, you know the ones that are very generic and can be bought at any corner drugstore." Beca swiped at the back of her eyes with her free hand felling herself getting worked up. "Inside he wrote that quote, then listed the book it referenced then signed it 'With my deepest sympathy, Andrew…' He just fucking wrote Andrew. He couldn't even write Mitchell because then he would've acknowledged the fact that we wererelated."

"Bec, I'm…" Chloe was at a loss for words, Beca was doing everything in her power to contain her emotions, but she could easily see the hurt and anger. "You know what, whatever I was going to say won't replace the fact that he's a shitty human being."

"He is," Beca ran a hand along her face in frustration then dropped it with a sigh. Chloe just softly smiled in understanding and all her bitterness vanished. "That didn't really answer your question did it?"

Chloe just chuckled pressing a kiss to Beca's cheek, "Kinda."

"Let me add this, because you know me and my love for books."

"And boobs…"

"And beer…" Beca answered making them both smile.

Dipping her head, Chloe placed loving open mouth kisses trying to sooth away the very pain the statement inscribed just below Beca's collarbone described. As she slowly inched across the words she felt and heard Beca's breath hitch.

Raising her head Chloe said, "I think that quote embodies everything that you've been through. It's your mantra," her fingertip traced the delicate cursive writing down Beca's side making the sensitive skin twitch with each swoop and curve she made. "And where your words fail these," lifting Beca's arm she pressed a simple kiss to the through fear comes love inscription, "prevail…Am I right?"

"How did you know that?" Chloe's eyes drifted to meet Beca's.

Chloe had discussed with Dr. Worthington at length how Beca needs to hear the typical I love yous, but that her girlfriend also needs her to validate them by expressing her own feelings and emotions behind them. So she knows she can follow up Beca's question with a simple 'because I love you' and Beca would accept that and they would move on but Chloe wants to give the answer Beca needs to hear.

"Because I know you better than even you think I do," Chloe leaned back with a small smile gracing her lips. "I watch you even when you think I'm not looking. I can tell just by the tone of your voice or the way your shoulders tense whether you're happy or sad. I know the signs that say you're exhausted and you don't want to sleep but need to. I also know when you place your hand just below your collarbone as you listen to jazz music you're thinking about your mom…" She paused, carefully formulating her next words, "And even though we were in a rough place a few weeks ago and we fought, you were scared that you'd lose me, but when you looked at me, I could still tell that you loved me."

"I never stopped loving you," Beca whispered.

"The point is, I see you Bec," Chloe cradled her girlfriend's cheeks in her hands, "and you don't let many people see you the way I do. But most of all I love you, I'm the one who gets to love you," she stressed. "I love you," she repeated, "I'm in love with every single thing about you."

Chloe's eyes were shining, but not in an amused or happy kind of way. What Beca saw was this deep seeded love like she's never seen or felt before. It's the kind of love and understanding that she had somehow missed all those other times Chloe had said I love you. Of all the people Beca has known in her life, Chloe has been the only one who deeply and profoundly understands her. Chloe sees her for everything that she is and that doesn't scare her. What scares her is losing Chloe and losing the love she feels and has for this woman.

"I want to spend my life with you," Chloe softly spoke, afraid that if she raised her voice it would kill the moment, "I want everything with you Beca. I want us to be that cliché couple who decorates the house for every holiday and goes on bike rides every Saturday afternoon. I want a marriage and a family with you."

"And I want to give you all those things," Beca's voice lightly wavered under Chloe's intense gaze.

"Then I'm not going to stop you…And I'll never push you away again."

"You promise?"

Chloe held up her hand and wiggled her pinky, "I promise."

Linking their pinkies, Beca lightly laughed as she locked her pinky with Chloe's and it brought her back to the first time they had done this. They hadn't known each other more than a week and Beca had stopped into the deli for dinner and before leaving she asked Chloe if she wanted to go to the farmers market the next morning. Chloe had jokingly said she looked too exhausted to get out of bed in the morning and bet her lunch that she wouldn't make it. All Beca did was simply hold out her hand, like Chloe had just done, and took the bet.

"Care to wager something?" Beca jokingly challenged lifting an eyebrow.

"Nope," Chloe coolly replied tugging on their joined pinkies, "because I'm never letting you go."

"Well in that case we both win…" Smiles stretched across their faces and Beca knew this was one promise neither of them would break. "We're good right," she asked dropping their hands, "I mean we still have stuff to work on, but like our relationship is back on track right?"

Chloe just thoughtfully nodded, yeah they were going to make it. After this exercise and the last few days she's never been more sure of the strength in their relationship and their commitment to each other.

Looking out over the water and taking in the peaceful surroundings Chloe smiled, "More so than ever, I think we are."

"Good…" Picking up the plastic bag with the questions Beca gave it a shake, "There's still a ton left. Did Dr. W want us to do them all at once?"

Chloe took a sip from her beer, "Nope, he suggested breaking it up. But let's use one of those colored papers as our," she used air quotes, "'final question'."

"Sounds like a plan," reaching in Beca fished around for a bright green one sitting at the bottom. Pulling it out she made a big show of opening it then clearing her throat, "What is one spontaneous thing neither of you have done? Then do it."

Scooping up their discarded questions, Beca crumpled them up, along with the one in her hand, then shoved them down her empty beer bottle.

"Ok miss world traveler, it's time for you to think," setting the bottle aside Beca then leaned over and tapped the side of Chloe's head with a grin. "I haven't done half the shit you have, so it's going to be pretty difficult for me to come up with an activity both of us haven't done. So it's best that you start naming things you haven't. And for the record," she reached for Chloe's beer, "I'm not skydiving," she strongly stated then tipped the bottle back and finished it off.

"I did that in Cape Town anyways," Chloe blandly said, "it was cool, but Dubai was much better." She had to play this cool and lure Beca into her master plan otherwise Beca will know she planted that question. "Oh, how about white water rafting?"

"After having kayaked, I'd be down to try that," Beca tossed a few pieces of snack mix in her mouth, "but where are we gonna do that at? No rivers around…Just a big ass lake."

"You're right…" Chloe played off her lack of ideas by shrugging, "I don't know babe this is hard."

"I would suggest streaking," they both burst out laughing as Beca reclined back on her elbows and looked out at the water, "I mean you've got me halfway," she motioned to her bra and shorts, "naked anyways."

"That's it!" Chloe yelled excitedly, "Skinny dipping in a lake! We're going skinny dipping."

"What? Dude no," Beca vigorously shook her head, "just because we did it once in the pool at my beach house, at night and in private, doesn't mean I'm willing to do it now on a very public lake."

There was no way Chloe was going to let Beca talk her way out of this, Beca had walked right into the whole setup just like Chloe planned. Chloe was going to play this little scenario off like it was purely coincidental they drew that question and not like she'd purposely planted it there last night. She just wanted to build the tension between them to show Beca that she was ready to have the sexual side of their relationship back. She'd been dropping major hints and all but jumping her girlfriend the last few days and in response she's gotten nothing. Either Beca really was totally clueless or was playing a game until she broke and begged for it. And quite frankly, Chloe was almost to the point of begging for it.

Chloe's plan all along was to get them to find a secluded spot on a far corner of the lake, but then Beca brought them here. This place was perfect it was intimate and romantic and so far they'd been here a couple hours and had seen no one, so it was completely secluded.

"Look I'll take my clothes off first," Chloe happily stated.

"Why does that statement not surprise me?" Beca laughed as Chloe started lifting her t-shirt. "You've always been pretty confident about," she circled her hand in the vicinity of Chloe's body, "all that."

The edge of Chloe's t-shirt was quickly tugged from her grasp, "Awe babe please?"

Chloe tiptoed her fingers across Beca's taut abdomen and let out a low curse. She hadn't had the opportunity to really take in Beca's form while they were having the whole tattoo discussion, but now Chloe can definitely see that Beca's workouts are paying off. It had been almost two months since she has seen this much of her girlfriend's skin and she loves the progress that has been made.

Beca looked healthier, her whole body is more toned and lean and slightly more tan than Chloe remembers. Whatever Beca's been doing in the time they've been apart works because she looks stronger and more fit. But it wasn't outrageous, it was still delicate with just the right amount of definition and it was a welcome surprise.

Taking in a slow breath, Chloe ran her fingers up and down the barely there outline of Beca's abs, then stopped after realizing she'd spent an inordinate amount of time exploring the warm skin.

"Sorry," Chloe cleared her throat as she pulled her hands away.

"It's ok," Beca had to admit she missed the way Chloe touched her.

For a few brief seconds, Beca contemplated lying down and just letting Chloe's hands wander. She missed the way those smooth fingers worked across her body, leaving tingling trails in their wake. In a way it showed appreciation with just the tiniest hints of possession, like she was totally Chloe's. And she was and it was so fucking hot.

"You think it's deep enough to jump from this height," Beca diverted her attention from the growing sexual tension down to the water, "because I'll only do it if we can jump from here into the water."

"I mean you parked the boat here for a reason right? So it has to be," Chloe tipped forward and rested her elbows on her knees to gaze down and try to determine how deep the water was. "Oh, I know! Go check the boats depth gauge! If it's more than five feet, we're doing it."

"Ok fine, but only because I actually want to go swimming." After climbing to her feet, Beca held out her hands and helped her girlfriend up, "And because I need to cool off after having your hands all over me," she winked.

"So it's not because you want to see me naked?" Chloe taunted as Beca carefully made her way back down to the boat.

"Well that's certainly an added bonus," Beca called over her shoulder as she peered down at the depth gauge. "Dude," she did a double take, "it says it's like close to ten feet here." She hung her head over the side, "I swear it doesn't look that deep."

"I think the other side is shallower," Chloe lifted her shirt up and then peeled it off and dropped it beside her feet. "If we swim to the other side we can probably stand."

Pushing off the side of the boat, Beca stood and the second she looked up she saw Chloe lowering the zipper on her shorts and her eyes went wide.

"Oh so like we're for real doing the whole naked thing?" Beca asked as her heart pretty much stopped. "Because I'm ok swimming in just my bra and underwear."

Chloe watched Beca swallow hard, "Yes we're for real doing it." She added a wink as she shimmied her shorts down and she swears she heard the breath leave Beca's lungs over the music, "Can you turn that song up?"

Beca just numbly nodded as her fingers fumbled with the volume knob because she refused to tear her eyes away from Chloe. She doesn't want to miss the show that's currently being performed by her beyond sexy girlfriend. God, Chloe was purposely sliding her shorts down her legs at an agonizingly slow pace while bending over just slightly so that her boobs are smashed together and pushed up on full display. It's all done completely on purpose and fuck if Beca was this turned on just by Chloe teasing her, in that matching bra and panty set, she can't imagine how she'll react once they're gone.

"I can tell you know," Chloe ran her fingers up and down her bra straps as she righted herself making grey-blue eyes follow. "I can tell what you're thinking," she smirked as she slowly lowered one strap so it was loosely hanging off her shoulder, "I'm turning you on…" She was getting just as turned on seducing Beca as Beca was getting by simply watching, "And don't deny it, I know your signs…" She teasingly lowered the other strap. "Your breathing is unsteady and there's a light red flush to your skin. You're getting all worked up and I've barely done anything."

"I swear to god Chloe," Beca closed her eyes briefly as she tried to take in a steadying breath, then opened them as she released it, "the horny teenage boy in me about to come out if you don't stop."

The song changed to Liam Payne's Strip That Down and Beca steeled her nerves because as Chloe started doing that little sexy dance she always does that makes something inside Beca completely unravel. And yep, just as Chloe rotates her hips and does this slow twirl before locking their eyes again, Beca gets a raging dose of hormones straight to her core.

Now, Beca had been fully convinced a few days ago when Chloe said she had and she quotes, "an open invitation to tap that ass whenever she wanted," that it had all been just a joke. But now, standing here practically drooling and shamefully watching her girlfriend run her hands up her body to swoop her hair up into a messy bun, Beca is a hundred percent sure that Chloe had meant it.

There's no doubt in Beca's mind that she's totally ready for them to have the sexual part of their relationship back. She's been ready since that day on the obstacle course and then even more after their discussion on the dock last week. She wasn't getting mixed signals from Chloe anymore, in fact she had been was getting very clear and sometimes blatant signals that Chloe was ready too.

Except the thing preventing Beca from acting on those signals was that she doesn't want to come off as a horny asshole. Chloe deserves so much better than something fast and frantic without much finesse. Their very first time together was gentle and fun and just incredibly special and she wants something similar for them after everything they've gone through. She just hasn't found the right moment so they can, in Stacie's words 'seal the deal.'

But Beca will admit that a part of her world has been off kilter since they'd stopped having sex. She finds it kind of ironic because Stacie constantly said she needs sex to function properly on a daily basis and the saying always made Beca laugh. Now though, Beca totally gets it because her sexual frustration is at an all time high. She's about to internally combust if she doesn't get off soon and a part of her thinks it's not solely getting off that's she's seeking. She just needs, well misses, the physical intimacy and connection she always got by being with Chloe.

"This song is," Chloe blew a kiss and winked drawing Beca back into the present, "ridiculously sexy…"

Letting out another slow breath, Beca smirked as she crossed her arms and rested her hip against the side of the boat. She was about to flip this whole one sided game back in her favor.

"It should be," Beca paused for dramatic effect, "because I wrote it about you." Chloe's movements stilled, "Liam just added all that One Direction nonsense to personalize it. Everything else, every word and every beat, is all me," she said over the music, "and it's all about you."

"You produced it?"

"Nope, well in a way yes, but just for the record DJ Titanium goes nowhere near a 1D artist," Beca laughed mockingly. "However, my underwriting name Dr. E.R. Muzik doesn't mind. We never met, I just sold him the song in a pretty little top ten package," she used her hands to draw a box, "all ready to go. All he had to do was have anyone hit record while he laid down his vocals…However, I will admit that song," she hiked a thumb in the direction of the radio as the interlude kicked in, "made me a lot of money, like a lot."

Chloe didn't know how to react, between the revelation and the cocky, yet sexy arrogance, she was speechless.

"T-this," Chloe pointed to nothing but air, "is about me?"

Beca practically leapt out of the boat and back up onto the rocks and as she made her way closer, Chloe saw that confident sexy swagger that always did unspeakable things to her. Barely thirty seconds ago Chloe thought she had Beca wrapped around her finger, but now the tables had turned. She never had a single thing written for her, let alone about her, so never in a million years did she think that there would be a top ten hit on the radio floating around for everyone to hear.

"For real, this is about me?" Chloe questioned once they were face to face.

"Yes because," Beca placed a hand on Chloe's hip and guided her girlfriend closer and spoke lowly, "you know since the day I met you yeah you swept me off my feet…Yeah you opened up my heart and then you threw away key," in time with the lyrics. Adjusting her position she placed her lips right next to Chloe's ear and whispered, "It's absolutely one hundred percent," Chloe's hands gripped her shoulders, "about you…"

"How many people know it's me?" Chloe all but stammered out.

Beca could feel Chloe lightly trembling in her arms.

"Three…Me, Cynthia Rose because she found me the dude to record the demo, and Luke. But Luke," Beca clarified, "only knows because to really sell the song he likes to tell the story behind them."

Leaning back Chloe wrapped her arms around Beca's neck, "And what's that?"

"That I waited patiently while we were just hanging out," Beca's head inched closer. "That I kept my eye on the prize," they both smiled at the reference, "and didn't look at anybody else." Stealing a quick kiss she slowly exhaled, "And that after our first date your love," she lowly whistled, "damn it hit me hard. And well the rest is history," she rolled her eyes at her own supreme level of sappiness. "Because I'm gone," she gave another kiss, "totally and completely in love with you and there's no turning back."

Placing her hands on Beca's cheeks, Chloe adoringly smiled as tears stung the corners of her eyes, "You know earlier I said that the impromptu date in Golden Gate Park was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me?"

"I vaguely remember," Beca teased.

"That's now the second most romantic thing. This song," which Chloe realized was almost over, "kinda holds the number one spot now."

"Yeah well, you've always been my number one spot," Beca gently said, "in every aspect of my life."

Using the pad of her thumb Chloe softly stroked blushing cheeks, "I'm honored you proclaimed your love for me in a song."

"Which I wrote after our first date," Beca added offhandedly but with a smile, knowing there were dozens more floating around and would probably be hundreds more.

"Baby," Chloe bit her lip and lightly stomped her foot, "you need to stop or you're going to make me cry."

Beca just laughed, "Well I wanted to let you know that I loved you then and I love you now."

"I love you too…" After pecking Beca's lips, Chloe put on a pervy grin, "Now as awesome as that little detour was, it hasn't stopped me from my main goal." Taking a step back she lowered her bra straps making Beca's eyes grow darker, "It's time to get naked!"

"So like, am I getting laid tonight?" Beca blurted somewhat humorously but in a totally hopeful manner. However her face dropped when Chloe just stared her down expressionless. "I just thought, you know," she scratched the back of her neck nervously as she shuffled around, "look I was just trying to be cute and sorta funny by asking that question ok." She was beginning to ramble because that gaze was unrelenting, "Come on, I wrote you a song and like I just totally swept you off your feet," she threw her arms out and shrugged then dropped them.

"Bec…" Chloe hid her smile as her adorable girlfriend just continued the little tirade.

"I'm just gonna be honest here," Beca rubbed her forehead, "I swear to god the second I see your boobs and get a glimpse of your," she swirled a finger in Chloe's direction, "nakedness or whatever, I'm like really, really going to need to get laid. Otherwise I'll have to do it myself and so far my imagination hasn't lived up to having the real thing and it leaves me more frustrated than ever…" she was cut off when a hand covered her mouth. "What?" She mumbled from behind them.

"Baby," Chloe was finding it extremely difficult to hold back her laughter back. "Professor Mitchell," she playfully scolded using her new favorite name, "look at me…" Grey blue eyes snapped to hers and she dropped her hand and instead placed a finger under Beca's chin and gently tilted it up. "I never said you weren't getting laid," she giggled as a half smile slipped on Beca's face. Stepping closer she delivered a slow lingering kiss then pulled back and winked, "Getting laid is very, very, likely in our future."

Beca gasped, "Oh my god, you were totally fucking with me just now weren't you?"

"Guilty," Chloe innocently shrugged.

"So I am getting laid?" Beca grinned hopefully.

"Maybe…" reaching behind her Chloe unhooked her bra and slipped it off then stepped around Beca and picked up her shorts, "depends on how fast you get naked."

Looking over the edge and down to the boat Chloe casually tossed her clothes over the side then did the same after stepping out of her panties. She proudly nodded at the way her clothes scattered across the front of the boat thankful that none of them made it in the water. Flipping around, she burst out laughing as Beca almost fell over stepping out of her own clothes while her bra was already off and dangling from her teeth.

Dropping the bra onto her pile of clothes, Beca scooped everything up into a ball and haphazardly threw them over Chloe's head without even looking where they fell as she proudly winked.

"Damn that was fast," Chloe said amusedly.

"Well titties were in my face!" Beca replied out of breath. "That's instant motivation."

When Chloe threw her head back and laughed Beca's heart melted and despite them being naked in front of each other, for the first time in months, she felt extremely comfortable and happy. She let her eyes briefly scan her girlfriend's body and damn was the first word that came to mind. Fuck, Beca had missed seeing the perfection that is Chloe Beale naked and totally confident about it.

"God you're so incredibly cute," reaching for Beca's hand, Chloe intertwined their fingers and tugged Beca closer. As she pressed a quick kiss to Beca's cheek she seriously couldn't stop laughing and eventually Beca joined in, "You so need to cool off! I guess that means you're ready?"

Sobering, Beca peered over the side and down to the water one final time. The drop wasn't that big maybe five feet and she could see straight through the water down to the rocky and sandy bottom. So it's not like she's jumping into a deep dark abyss where she could potentially land on something sketchy. However, she will admit that of all the places for them to do something crazy like this, this is kind of the perfect spot.

Standing up straighter, Beca looked back over at Chloe, "Yeah, let's do it."

"Together or separate?" Chloe questioned excitedly.

"Oh you conned me into this so we're jumping together," Beca gripped their joined hands tighter just to emphasize her point. Chloe was wearing the biggest grin she had ever seen and it made her laugh again, "Dude, you're totally into this aren't you?"

Chloe just eagerly nodded.

"Well Beale, you wanted spontaneous," bouncing up and down in place Beca started hyping herself up, "so we need to jump or I'm gonna realize how fucking crazy this is and chicken out."

"On three…" Chloe began a slow countdown, "One…"

"Are we jumping on three or after," Chloe just rolled her eyes as Beca continued to squirm.

"Two…"

"So which is it?"

"Beca!"

"What?"

"Just fucking jump!"

"Ok, I can't believe we're doing this but," Beca bent her legs and yelled, "one, two, three, jump!"

They both simultaneously pushed off with huge grins on their faces and for Chloe, it was like everything was happening in slow motion. A split second before they hit the water she saw how happy Beca was because it mirrored exactly how she felt. It reminded Chloe of the way she feels when she finishes a painting or takes a picture and it's exactly how Beca looks when she's listening to jazz music.

After they hit the water Chloe really couldn't believe they'd actually gone through with it. When she guiltily wrote that question on a colored post-it note and added it to Dr. Worthington's bag of questions, she never imagined Beca would actually agree to do it. Then again, Beca had constantly surprised her in just about every activity they had done while at the retreat. Literally, Beca had jumped into everything since they've been here and it shows that Beca is really in this for them.

Sinking to the bottom, Chloe let her feet hit the sand then she pushed off and popped up out of the water. Using her hands she brushed wet strands of hair out of her face and when she opened her eyes she was greeted with an equally wet and smiling Beca.

"Jesus fucking Christ Beale," Beca began slightly out of breath as she treaded water, "you didn't warn me it was cold."

Chloe gave a soggy giggle, "Yeah sorry," she innocently shrugged, "it just slipped my mind."

From that one look, Beca knew Chloe totally didn't tell her that little fun fact on purpose. This water was cold, colder than the other lake water they'd been swimming in for weeks, but it was refreshing and kind of exhilarating.

"This is like one of the craziest things I've ever done," Beca barked out a laugh, "and I'm friends with Fat Amy and Adam Levine."

"I can imagine," Chloe grinned, banking that knowledge to ask about later.

"You know when the cold water hit my naked body," Beca splashed her girlfriend, "I was like holy shit get me out, but now it's kind of liberating in a way."

"You've really only skinny dipped that one time with me?" Chloe asked kicking her feet out behind her then let them fall, absorbing how the water felt against her. "Me too," she finally confessed with a tiny blush after Beca nodded, "I played if off but I was super nervous that night."

"Why?"

Dipping her head back into the water, Chloe ran her fingers through her hair with a sigh, "I don't really know…We'd seen each other naked tons of times, but that time was just different than when we have sex." Lifting her head she saw grey-blue eyes trained on her, "I'm extremely proud of my body, you know that," she was given this entirely loving smile which she easily returned, "but I don't know for some reason I felt super vulnerable and exposed in front of you."

Beca will admit she felt a strange vibe from Chloe that night, but it didn't last long so she didn't acknowledge it. It was one of the first times they had been naked in front of each other without it revolving in some way around sex. It was easy to be naked around each other during those times, but Beca can't remember a time before that night where Chloe even walked past her naked when going from the bathroom to the closet after a shower. Beca never thought much of it simply because she was the same way. People need their space and privacy, so it wasn't a huge deal.

So that night when they had shot sideways glances at each other while undressing next to the pool, Beca never said a word. Although she will admit that after that night something clicked and things were different but she really had no idea why.

"You were great though," Chloe quietly added averting her eyes. "You just took my hand and led me quietly across the pool to the glasses of wine you'd poured. And we spent the evening talking and laughing as we watched the moon play off the ocean." It was almost like Beca instinctively knew how to calm her down without even knowing she was nervous. "You just made me feel really comfortable and safe, even more than you normally do, and before long I had no idea why I was so scared about being naked like that. You didn't ogle me or make sexual comments and you didn't make fun of any of my flaws. I just remember being there and thinking there's no way you're real, there's no way this amazing person is my girlfriend because I shouldn't be this lucky. But you're you and you just continued to be unlike all the other judgmental and self-absorbed people I'd ever been with in the past."

"How could I ever be judgmental towards you? You're absolutely gorgeous and you're smart and…"

"But that night you still taught me that it's ok to be totally bare in more ways than one in front of the person you love."

Beca quietly asked, "I did?"

"Yeah, you did. Even the way you made love to me that night was different," Chloe added easily, their eyes connecting again. "You were careful and gentle, more so than normal, and you made sure everything that happened was what I wanted and needed. And as cliché and corny as it sounds, it made me want to cry."

"I don't think that's corny at all," Beca said then let a gentle smile slip on her face.

"Bec, that night was one of the best experiences of my entire life," Chloe stressed and it felt like her emotions were just flowing out of her now, "and I think it's because I let you see me a little differently even though you probably didn't know it…But then I went and fucked it all up a few weeks later."

Beca swam a closer, "Please don't say that."

"But it's the truth."

"And we've moved on and are stronger," Beca easily corrected. "I felt something different that night too," she admitted taking one of Chloe's hands as they continued to lightly tread water. "But I wasn't sure what it all meant until right now. All I knew was that something clicked and what had always been really good between us was suddenly like ten times better."

Chloe smiled in acknowledgement then pulled her bottom lip between her teeth only to release it seconds later with a slow breath, "As everything was happening I remember every detail and all the words and laughter we shared. But at one point, when things were really getting intense," she blushed, "you had this bead of sweat rolling down your neck and you were out of breath, but you looked down at me and we locked eyes and you said."

"God I love you so much…" Beca interjected, her face flushing at the memory.

"Yeah and it was so simple, yet it had this whole new meaning for me, and I remember thinking this moment is beautiful, you," Chloe kicked her feet so she inched a little closer, "are beautiful and that this is what it's supposed to feel like. I mean fuck, that was the most emotional sex I've ever had with you and Bec I want that feeling for the rest of my life."

Beca has loved each and every single time they've been together, but Chloe was right, there was something unique about that time. It definitely brought them closer and all the sex they had after that night had been exponentially better.

"After I brought you to, well you know," Beca rolled her eyes at herself. They were being very candid with each other right now and she felt so immature because she couldn't say orgasm. "I remember the way you clung to me, it was just very personal and more intimate than ever, if that makes any sense."

"It does and Beca, I'm sorry I didn't express what was happening inside me," Beca just gently kissed her and Chloe's heart melted. "It's only in the last few months that I've really processed things and am able to interpret what that night meant to me…"

"Hey," Beca softly broke in, "please don't feel guilty about that ok?" Chloe simply nodded. "We were both in different headspaces then and when moments like that happen, sometimes talking isn't needed." Chloe shifted her eyes away, "And if you're afraid we won't have that strong of a connection next time, I think you'll be surprised."

Chloe couldn't do anything but kiss her girlfriend again.

"So you're not even the slightest bit worried that things may be different?" Chloe asked after pulling back.

"Nope," Beca lightly shook her head. "And umm…" she sucked in a breath then hesitantly let it out. "I know we joke about it a lot, I mean I practically begged for it ten minutes ago, but in all seriousness, I'm ready to like, you know, try again or whatever you want to call it whenever you are."

The statement was so simple that it made Chloe's insides churn excitedly. They do a lot of teasing, a lot, and she'd concocted this whole skinny dipping thing with hopes of leading to sex, but there was just something about the shyness in Beca's tone and how carefully the words were chosen that put things into perspective. They were both ready and it was kind of exciting.

Chloe's expression softened, "Yeah?"

Beca nodded, "Yeah…"

"Me too…" Chloe pecked Beca's lips again. "I love you."

"I love you too…"

"So what do you want to do now?" Chloe asked after a brief lull in their conversation. "I successfully got you naked and in the water, my job is done," she grinned.

Beca eyed the boulder up and down like it was a challenge, "Want to jump again?"

"Duh…" Chloe answered.

"But first…"

Beca plunged under the water and Chloe just waited and watched her girlfriend swim down then flip around, push off the sand and kick her way to the surface. God, Beca was so beautiful it was insane. Chloe just unabashedly stared and wondered what she'd done to have someone like this in her life for probably the millionth time.

"I can tell what you're thinking," Beca shot back Chloe's exact words from earlier after surfacing, "because I'm thinking it too."

A sly grin slipped on Chloe's face, "Was it how we should comeback with a couple pool floats and lunch for a picnic on that little beach over there," she pointed in the direction of the island.

Beca's mouth just hung open, "Well no, but that is a great idea. Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of…" she grinned before poking one of Chloe's boobs, "tag you're it!"

Closing the small distance Chloe playfully dunked her girlfriend's under water and yelled, "Nope, you're it!"

Chloe tried to swim away, but it was fruitless because Beca easily snagged her ankle and pulled her right back. There was a whole lot of laughing as they struggled to tag each in between a few kisses that would send them underwater. Chloe eventually broke free by flipping Beca's wet hair over her face and swimming a fast freestyle past the boat and to the other side of the boulders.

Eventually, Chloe got to a point where she could stand and when she looked behind her she expected to see Beca following close behind, but instead she was nowhere in sight. Out of breath Chloe stilled her movements and just listened, except she didn't hear anything but the music coming over from the boat. She knew Beca was up to something and she decided to beat Beca at her own game.

Trying to make as little noise as possible, Chloe worked her way across the shallow sandbar to one of the rocks she had used earlier to take a panorama picture. Gently pulling herself up she kept herself as low as possible until she was at the top and had a bird's eye view of the entire scene. Sure enough once she peeked over the far corner she saw Beca gripping the edge of a rock. Beca was barely moving, but had this huge I'm-going-to-catch-you type grin on her face with just the tiniest hint of laughter floating through the otherwise silent surroundings.

Ducking down, Chloe carefully positioned herself on the side of the bolder that would pretty much block Beca's view, but still gave her a fairly big advantage. Once she saw Beca she was going to pounce and beat her girlfriend at her own game.

Chloe had missed the aspect of their relationship where they could just have fun together and it be easy. They always had fun, Beca was good at making her smile and laugh even during the most mundane tasks. After everything that had happened it was so easy to forget all of the good things and all the fun times they'd shared.

Things are slowly getting back to normal and it feels great and as painful as this whole ordeal has been Chloe is glad she's gone through it. Not many people would go to such lengths to fight for her, like Beca has, so Chloe will never take anything for granted. She knows what she has, Beca's the love of her life, her everything really, and she never wants to live another day without this beautiful person by her side.

With her back pressed against the rock, Chloe held a hand over her mouth as she silently laughed watching Beca slowly ease into view. When Beca was able to stand Chloe saw the adorably confused face her girlfriend was wearing as she scanned the area.

Beca waded a little further out and that's when Chloe heard, "Where the fuck did she go?"

Popping up Chloe moved quickly and quietly across the rock and launched herself at Beca yelling, "I'm right here!"

All Beca did was yelp in surprise as Chloe catapulted into her unsuspecting arms, sending her stumbling backwards and underwater with a huge grin on her face. Beca wasn't the slightest bit upset she'd lost because Chloe's laughter and overall happiness, even while they were underwater, was infectious. It just radiated deep into Beca's soul and it feels like it's been forever since she has been this content.

"You're crazy," Beca laughed out of breath after she had regained her footing and was able to stand. "You're the craziest and most spontaneous person I know, because nobody other than you would ever get me to do shit like," she was at a loss for words so she just widely gestured around, "this!"

Beca's hair was matted to the side of her face and she was breathing hard, but wore this look that Chloe interpreted as saying her girlfriend was ready for whatever came next. Chloe loved that look, the smile was the key though, it was relaxed and at ease and loving. Beca was happy probably happier than Chloe had ever seen her.

Chloe kicked her legs out in front of her and floated. With her eyes never leaving Beca's, she playfully taunted, "Did I scare you?"

Beca smirked, "The only thing that scares me, Chloe Beale, is if you suddenly just stop being you."

Dunking her head underwater then back up, Chloe slicked her hair back as she floated, "So you like doing stuff like this?"

"As long as you're the instigator, sure," Chloe's perfect body drifted closer and Beca let her eyes freely roam noting how it practically glistened in the sun. "And trust me, I know you instigated this particular activity."

"Oh really?" Chloe's eyebrow shot up as a set of hands slowly slid along her shins guiding her closer, "And why do you say that Professor Mitchell?"

"Well for one, you own a pack of multicolored post-its, you've used them repeatedly over the last few weeks," Beca grinned as Chloe flipped to her stomach and steered herself with ease through the water. "And second, I may be a brand new college professor, who has yet to teach a single class, but I can recognize your unique handwriting from a mile away. And that bright green post-it with loopy writing had your name written all over it, my love."

Once Chloe was back within an arm's reach of Beca, she set her feet back on the ground and kept everything but her head and neck underwater.

"Are you accusing me," Chloe placed a hand over her heart, "of rigging the game?"

Beca nodded with a wink, "Yep…My only question now is what other activities you wrote on those other post-its?"

Chloe slowly crept closer, "Would you believe me if I said they were all the same?"

"N-no…nope," hands found Beca's waist and she bit back a moan as they started freely, yet subtly, roaming upward with practiced ease. "But I do think most of them involve getting me naked in some way."

"Oh well, can't really fault a girl for that," Chloe said innocently as she bit her lip. She swears she heard the tiniest whimper when one of her hands drifted up and her thumb grazed the underside of Beca's breast. "Getting a college professor naked is now something I can mark," lifting her other hand she did a little checkmark motion, "off my bucket list."

Capturing the hand, Beca intertwined their fingers, "Ever wanted to sleep with a college professor?"

"Oh totes," Chloe glanced down at her girlfriend's lips and back up as she leaned in to whisper like she was revealing a huge secret, "although that's a relatively new revelation."

"Oh yeah?" Beca quirked an eyebrow.

"Yep," Chloe smirked, "because all the professors I've ever met were old and married and men, but this one. Damn," she let out a puff of air, "she may be new but she's like, super duper hot, and talented, and she can have me pretty much wherever and whenever she wants."

"Even while skinny dipping in a lake?"

"I gave you an open invitation days ago," fingers ghosted over her neck making Chloe shiver but she never broke their gaze.

"So then you won't fault me for this," Beca surged forward and connected their lips and they began a frantic and needy kiss.

They'd shared a handful of heavy kisses over the last few days and had a couple intense makeout sessions, but this kiss was completely different from all the others. Beca could tell Chloe wanted her and Beca wanted her girlfriend too.

"You are like a drug Chlo," Beca panted out with her forehead pressed against her girlfriend's, "I swear, I can't get enough of you."

"I know I say this a lot, but god I love the way you kiss me and fuck, the way you make me feel," sliding her arms around Beca's neck Chloe nuzzled their noses together, "is unreal. Even when you're just smiling at me," Beca was breathing rapidly, she could feel the rise and fall of each breath against her own chest, "I've never had someone love me the way you do."

"And I'm constantly finding new things about you to fall in love with," Beca stammered out as she began trailing her lips along the underside of Chloe's jaw. "Every day when I wake up," her lips moved easily against Chloe's soft skin, "and I see you or I think about you, my heart flutters uncontrollably and I wear this goofy grin. I just…my world revolves around you."

"Even when we were apart?" Chloe tilted her head and she heard a hum of affirmation, "But I've been neurotic about trying to fix me and us."

God, Chloe was so easily turned on by the way Beca's mouth and tongue were working against her in this mind numbing pattern that she'd forgotten how much she missed.

"That doesn't mean I didn't think about and love you constantly," Beca mumbled as she continued her assault.

"All we really needed was…this," Chloe sighed out losing her train of thought feeling a smile grow against her skin. "Fuck…" she groaned as a tongue lightly glided along her sensitive pulse point, "god I need this…you."

"Mmmm, me too," Beca pulled away with a smile her hands slipping to the dip of Chloe's back. "I can give you way more," she inched them lower and in the process it drew Chloe's body in closer to hers, "let me…"

"Babe I'm trying to be serious for a second," Beca leaned into kiss her again and a quiet shut up was incoherently muttered against Chloe's lips making her laugh. "We were really rocky three weeks ago," she barely got out between kisses, placing her hands on Beca's shoulders she gently separated them, "we were barely even a couple."

Beca took in a steadying breath, "And we've worked through a lot of shit to get where we are now." Trying to sneak in another kiss she was stopped making her frustratingly sigh, except wearing a soft smile, "What? You're working through your past, I'm working through mine, and we're being open and honest with each other in the right kind of ways. Like we should've been doing from day one." Tucking a strand of hair behind Chloe's ear, she was finally allowed to press a tender kiss to her girlfriend's lips. "We still have things to work on, every couple does, but we're us again, except stronger, like the 2.0 version of Bhloe."

Seriously, Beca knew all the right things to say and Chloe couldn't agree more, "Well everyone loves a little Bhloe."

"But nobody loves you more than me," Beca laughed as she slowly ducked her head, "and if someone says otherwise, I'll gladly," her tongue darted out wetting her lips, "beat," she cupped Chloe's cheeks, "their ass."

"I thought you were a lover, not a fighter," Chloe teased, their breath mingling.

"Correction I'll fight for you, but I'm only your lover…"

"And an amazing one at that…"

"But we're so out of practice…"

After the whole little exchange, Beca just blindly followed as Chloe slowly dragged her through the water. It was kind of beautifully perfect the way they traded kisses back and forth and refused to let go of each other as they worked their way towards a small alcove situated amongst the boulders. Any other day, she'd be commenting about how the spot was such a romantic cliché, but right now the heat was rising so fast between them that she didn't really need to comment. The only thing Beca was focusing on was the way Chloe was kissing her and how Chloe's boobs were pressed up against hers in a way that was driving her completely insane.

"There are so many things I want to do to you Chloe Beale," the words came out in a massive slur between heavy kisses but Beca didn't care. Her hands were wandering along Chloe's body, teasing places she hadn't teased or lingered on in months and judging by the heavy breathing and quiet sighs Chloe was enjoying it too. "It's pretty unbelievable how bad I want you."

"Then take me," Chloe barely got out as a shiver rocked her body when thumbs grazed her hardening nipples, "nothing's stopping you."

"Fuck, you're so sexy," Beca murmured feeling like she was going to combust at any second.

"Beca?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh screw it," Chloe rushed out stopping their backwards motion. Easily hooking a leg around Beca's waist she let the other slip easily between Beca making them sink deeper into the water.

For a few seconds Chloe just slowly, agonizingly slow really, rolled her hips against Beca's who canted up to meet her. If anyone were to see them it'd just look like they were locked in an embrace as they lazily floated together while slowly kissing. Underwater though was a totally different story as they slowly began working themselves up.

Chloe is struggling to keep her actions even and slow and deliberate when all she really wants to do is grind down on Beca hard and fast in order to gain some relief. In any other scenario they'd be laughing about how ridiculous it was that she was this close after just a few minutes of barely doing anything. Except right now it's no joking matter, she's gone months without sex, months without sex with Beca to be exact, and it's fairly evident how bad they both want and need this. But she also wants to savor the moment so she reluctantly steels her nerves and lets Beca maintain their pace. Their eyes are locked on each other's while her fingers interlock at the base of Beca's neck so she can lean back ever so slightly to increase the friction in just the right place.

And Chloe finds that this position in water combined with Beca's new found flexibility from doing yoga three times a week has made it much easier to achieve. Every few strokes Beca would give a deeper grind and their clits would hit just right and Chloe fought back a whimper by biting down on her lip. Fuck Beca knew what she was doing and Chloe had forgotten just how good a lover Beca was.

"I love the way you feel against me," Beca moved a hand higher, brushing it along the underside of Chloe's breast she lifted it up to lightly suck on it then capture the nipple between her teeth before releasing it. "I love the way I can feel how desperate you are…" she ducked her head and did the same thing to the opposite breast, "and I love how your reactions…" she dragged her tongue up the valley between her girlfriend's peaks where she felt and heard Chloe's breath hitch, "are doing the exact same things to me."

Chloe's back connected with a rock and Beca took full advantage of the situation by wrapping Chloe's other leg around her waist. God it was insanely hot how Beca could read her and always maintained this sense of control that wasn't overbearing or one sided. It was very giving, kind of like Beca's just hanging on to the dominance card until Chloe decides she wants it back. Except most of the time, like right now, Chloe finds she's completely ok with Beca taking the lead because Beca's a very receptive, generous and conscientious lover, and Chloe's more than willing to let that consume her.

And allowing someone to take care of her needs before their own is something Chloe's constantly struggled with and it's also something she'd never had with another partner before. Chloe has never felt that kind of love from anybody except Beca and Beca's just incredible in that aspect, both in and out of the bedroom.

"Sex with you is…" two of Beca's fingers lingered on Chloe's lips, tracing their outline. The tip of Chloe's tongue darted out and lazily licked them making Beca smirk before leaning in closer, "It's unlike anything I've ever experienced…" Chloe's tongue rolled over her middle finger as she dragged it slowly away, "And I've missed this buildup…" Connecting their lips, she explored her girlfriend's mouth slowly and thoroughly before pulling away and leaving them both breathless, "And I've missed the way you taste and the sounds you make."

Despite how close they are Beca still managed to trail a hand down between their bodies with relative ease hitting every curve along the way.

"And I'm not gonna lie, I've fantasized about you and this moment every day for months. I know exactly what I'm gonna do to you," Beca's fingers barely grazed her intended target making those bright blue eyes darken with desire, "and a huge part of that involves taking you home, laying you down on our bed and throwing your legs over my shoulders and just eating you out until you're screaming and begging me to stop." Chloe was trying to control her breathing, but it was fruitless at this point. "I want to make you cum Chloe, I want to leave you a sweaty mess, panting and…"

"Damn Bec," Chloe gasped as fingers reached their target. "When the fuck did you get so bold?" She was barely able to get out coherently.

"I can be as bold as you want." Beca tossed out the very saying she'd used when they first met in the bathroom at the deli.

Fingernails made the slightest bit of indentations on Beca's shoulders as she faintly ran her fingers through Chloe's folds. Beca watched bright blue eyes flutter shut as Chloe's head tilted back to rest against the rock. With another stroke Chloe let out one long steady stream of air through slightly parted and swollen lips that was laced with this whimper of pleasure.

Beca stilled all her movements, "Is this what you want?" Chloe's eyes shot open and bore into hers. "Or is it this," she began a slow rhythmic pattern, "tell me…"

"Quit over thinking it," Chloe practically begged her hand clamping down on the one buried between her legs preventing it from moving away, "and fucking get on with it!"

"I love your assertiveness," Beca dipped her head down and she trailed a string of sloppy open mouthed kisses across Chloe's chest. "It turns…" she lightly sucked on a nipple then released it, "me on," she sucked again but this time longer while adding a couple quick strokes making Chloe hum in content and arch ever so slightly against her, "you, turn me on."

Lifting Beca's face back to hers, Chloe delivered a brief, yet heated kiss, which she ended with a subtle tug to Beca's bottom lip. She then wiggled her hips against Beca's fingers.

"Your kisses alone are enough to get me off right now," Chloe answered.

"You always say I'm a good kisser," Beca quirked and eyebrow.

"Fantastic," Chloe breathily laughed. She loved how this woman could just make her feel all warm and fuzzy and fucking giddy even during the most intimate of moments. Beca Mitchell was absolute perfection and she was all hers. "You're it for me Bec."

"That's awesome," they shared another loving kiss and Beca smiled against Chloe's lips, "because I never want anyone else."

"Now where were we?" Chloe squirmed against Beca's hand again as a finger slid inside her.

Beca grinned, god the whole scene was like something out of one of her fantasies. Beca had never seen anyone hotter than the way Chloe Beale looked right now. Her girlfriend's skin was lightly flushed, her face was slowly contorting in pleasure depending on how Beca moved her fingers, and if Beca dared to look down then she'd catch a glimpse of those perfect boobs floating in the water with taut, rock hard nipples inches away from her own begging to be sucked. Chloe's body was unequivocally the stuff dreams are made of, and for all practical purposes, it was hers for the rest of her life.

Hips lifted up to meet the palm of her hand and Beca dipped down and press a kiss directly above Chloe's heart.

"I love you," Beca whispered out against the warm skin as fingers threaded through her hair and held her lightly in place. "I love you so much," she repeated.

"I love you too…" Chloe brought Beca's face up to hers and delivered this painstakingly slow kiss making sure she completely showed just how much love she had for this woman. Her breath hitched when they parted, "I love you too," she whispered cradling her girlfriend's face. "I want this, do you want it?"

Never breaking eye contact Beca inched a hand up the smooth skin of Chloe's torso, "Yes…"

Dropping her legs from around Beca's waist Chloe planted her feet on the ground and connected their lips again. Throughout the kiss Chloe made sure to run her fingers over every inch of skin she could reach. She'd definitely need more time to memorize all of Beca's dips and curves again but for the time being she'll take what she can get because she loved the feel of Beca's body desperately arching against hers in this way that said 'I need you now.'

Chloe would be lying if she said she hadn't thought about this happening when she wrote out those multi-colored post-it notes late last night as her girlfriend slept soundly beside her. She knew it was pushing it and she had felt slightly guilty about orchestrating scenarios, but now she's glad she did and it's not because they are about the have sex. It's because once they quit teasing each other and jumped into the water naked, it's like they emerged fresh and fully ready for a new start. They had another moment where they actually expressed to each other, through words instead of actions, how they were both ready for this step again.

When they first tried to sleep together after the obstacle course it had been different from this, Chloe had felt Beca's love, but they hadn't said I love you to each other in months. She had felt ready except as she stood in the shower waiting for Beca to come to her, the sexual haze wore off and Chloe knew they needed to cool it. So as much as it pained her, she just let the moment die because she wanted them to be in the headspace they are right now.

And yeah now, fuck as Chloe pulls Beca in closer and whispers out another frantic I love you right before her hand begins working Beca's clit this time, Chloe has never been more sure of what she wants in her entire life.

Chloe leans further into the kiss making Beca respond back harder and with a tiny hum of surprise. Chloe loved this, loved how their tongues tangled together and how easily they were getting lost in the kiss and each other. However, the next thing Chloe knows is there were a few jumbled curse words between frantic kisses as they struggled to maintain their stable footing. As Chloe tightly grips Beca, she knows staying upright is a lost cause and she barely able to acknowledge what's happening a second before they are taken underwater.

There's a mass of arms and legs and bubbles and Chloe's pretty sure she stepped on Beca's foot after taking an elbow to the ribs, but she didn't care. Because amongst all the commotion and water and splashing and gulping for air, there's laughter between Beca's adorably cute and overly dramatic groans of pain.

Finding her footing again, Chloe stands and pushes her hair out of face and they just quietly stare at each other with embarrassed, guilty and amused expressions. But then in the next instant, they are laughing again and Chloe knows Beca is perfect for her and when the time is right, Beca's the person she'll marry.

"Well," using a hand Beca wipes the water from her eyes as she chuckles, "we were totally going to do it or were partially doing it or whatever," she let out a wet huff, "but," she hit the top of the water and watched the little ripples, "it's like nature cock blocked us."

Chloe snorted out a wet laugh, "No, it was perfect."

Beca's eyes flipped to Chloe's and a half smile grew, "It kinda was, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Chloe bit her lip because anytime she gets to experience a rush like that with the person she loves, even if it was brought to a screeching halt, was perfect. "Damn Bec, your hands and mouth…did you want it as much as I did?"

"I think my reactions to you were blatantly obvious," Beca lowered herself so only her neck and head were sticking out of the water and looked over at her girlfriend. Somehow they'd worked themselves away from sheltered alcove and back out into the open. "You were, are" she quickly corrected swallowing thickly, "so fucking hot, I was this close," she held up her hand with her thumb and forefinger barely separated, "to totally having my way with you."

"What stopped you?" Chloe absentmindedly questioned, flashing back to how those fingers were expertly toying with her barely two minutes ago.

"Well going underwater kinda killed the mood," Beca plainly stated.

"Oh…" Chloe giggled, "yeah sorry I spaced."

Stroking her arms back and forth, Beca blew bubbles in the water as she stared at her girlfriend who was flushed and absolutely beautiful.

Lifting her chin, Beca softly smiled, "And as much as I totally wanted to fuck you up against that rock," she pointed and Chloe turned to look, "I'm kinda glad we didn't." She let out a nervous laugh, "Look as much as I joke about needing to get laid, and I do, like so unbelievably bad."

"Me too," Chloe confessed.

Beca broke out into a grin, "I really want our reunited first time to be romantic and proper."

Chloe's heart melted at the thoughtfulness, "I'd like that too."

Beca swam a little closer and took her girlfriend's hands in hers, "I want us to take our time and spend the whole night making love. After all the shit we've been through," she swallowed the lump in her throat, "we deserve that. There will be times for this," she waved her hand around indicating their present location and situation, "later."

"This little secluded spot is amazing," Chloe answered her eyes landing back on Beca, "but what you described sounds so much better."

"Then come here my love," Beca cocked her head and winked with open arms, "we both need to cool off." Chloe swam over without saying a word. "Now turn around," she instructed, "and settle into me like we do when we take a bath together." Chloe shimmied down to counterbalance them as they kicked out their legs. "Now if we both just relax and let the water do its job this should work. At least I think it should, I saw it Dual Survival once."

Giggling, Chloe just relaxed and rested the back of her head on Beca's chest as they just floated. Taking a hand she intertwined their fingers and lifted it to her mouth to place a kiss on it before settling it close to her heart.

They were kind of basking in an afterglow, similar to how they feel after making love, but without actually having done much of anything except work themselves up to the point of maximum frustration. However, Chloe wasn't going to complain because being this close to Beca, after having a relatively intimate moment after so long, felt incredible. It was just nice and she loved being in Beca's embrace, she loved how her girlfriend's chest rose and fell against her back with every breath, and she loved the feeling of soft gentle kisses being casually pressed to the top of her head.

Closing her eyes, Chloe just absorbed Beca's whole calming presence, she'd never had anyone have this effect on her and she missed it. She could've had this through her darkest moments the last few months and yet she chose to run and be stupid. But from here on out she will have it.

"Is it bad that I don't want today to end?" Beca quietly asked toying with a strand of red hair.

"Nope," Chloe happily sighed, "because today has been perfect. I got you naked and to go skinny dipping," Beca's chuckle shook her whole body, "I beat you at tag," they were both laughing now, "and we had a super-hot makeout session," she felt a kiss pressed to her shoulder, "and I'm in your arms." She smiled pulling Beca's arms around her tighter and snuggled further into the embrace. "So why would I want this to end?"

Grinning, Beca craned her neck and kissed the corner of Chloe's mouth, "I'm pretty sure I let you win."

Smacking a forearm Chloe laughed, "No way, I won fair and square."

"Ok fine…" Beca dragged out although she wasn't the slightest bit upset. She was in love with the prettiest girl ever so she'd gladly lose every competition to see that amazing smile. "I guess that means you want a prize for winning?"

"Oh totes!"

Beca hesitated just slightly, "How about a date with me tonight?"

Chloe's heart fluttered at the idea, but that didn't mean she was going to miss the opportunity to do a little teasing.

"A date huh?" Sitting up Chloe turned to face her girlfriend, "I'm not sure that's a good enough prize."

"Well, I am pretty awesome." Beca winked. "My presence alone is the best prize ever."

Kicking her feet out behind her, Chloe rested her hands on Beca's shoulders and pretended to really contemplate the idea. They hadn't been on a real official date since Malibu and Chloe would be lying if she said she hadn't missed them. She missed the extra attentiveness Beca always showed and the refined romantic touches that were added to even their most basic afternoon lunch dates.

"Gloat much," Chloe teased.

Beca felt a wave of nervousness swoop in and swirl in her stomach, "Seriously, go on a date with me, it'll be simple. Even if you hadn't won I was still going to ask."

Seductively grinning, Chloe lowered her voice as she inched closer, "I think you're looking for an opportunity to mack on me."

"I've macked on you twice today," Beca answered victoriously, "and it has been awesome…So how about it gorgeous?" She wiped a strand of red hair off Chloe's forehead. "Want to go on a date with me?"

Chloe delivered a sensual kiss, then pulled back slowly and smiled.

"I've never been able to turn you down," Chloe whispered her eyes flicking down to swollen lips then back up, "so woo me Beca Mitchell."

"I've…god you still make me so unbelievably nervous," Beca's cheeks were burning. "I've just missed dating you and like I know I'm about to sound totally unoriginal and stuff," oh fuck she was rambling again, "but planning things and surprising you is just something I love to do. I love doing fun and romantic things with you and I want us to get back into that routine."

"Bec, I want that too," Chloe interrupted with an easy smile. Gently placing a hand over her girlfriend's mouth she simply added, "And you don't have to be nervous, it's just me."

Beca loves the domestic side of their relationship that they've sort of reestablished and rekindled in the last few weeks. She loves napping on the couch while Chloe cooks and loves waking up to a gentle kiss on the cheek with a sleepy good morning whispered in her ear even if she doesn't get up for a few hours. Regardless of what it is, it always puts a smile on her face, but what she really loves is just knowing that Chloe's there. Maybe Chloe's not like right next to her, but that she's there floating around the cabin sing in a bedroom or painting the sunset on the back porch. To Beca, it feels like they've kind of picked up right where they left off so adding dating back into the mix just seems like a natural progression.

"That's easy for you to say. I mean have you seen you," all Beca got was another kiss and it instantly put her at ease.

Linking their fingers, Chloe swung them under the water, "Just take your time, meticulously plan it like you always do, and then tell me when you want me ready to go."

"That's simple," half of the planning was already done, Beca just needed to do the preparation part, which was minimal considering they didn't have to travel farther than the edge of the lake in front of their cabin. "Be ready a little before sunset and dress casually warm, but not to warm, I'm gonna do a campfire plus you'll probably want to snuggle."

"Oh you know campfires go great with snuggling with hot girlfriends while drinking wine," Chloe wiggled her eye brows enticingly making a grin stretch across Beca's beautiful face. "What's for dinner, are we doing those hotdogs you bought?"

"Nope," Beca laughed because she had bought those as a simple distraction when they were at the grocery store and because she liked hotdogs.

Beca never said anything but she'd gone back to the grocery store last night while Chloe was at her session with Dr. Worthington. After searching the internet off and on for a sophisticated, yet simple, campfire meal she came across these tinfoil pack recipes. They were easy, all she had to do was combine the ingredients in a tinfoil boat, seal it, and stick it on the fire to cook and then bam instant dinner in minutes. What Beca was planning on making was a healthy alternative to hotdogs as well as super creative and unique and Chloe was going to love it.

And to top it all off, the checkout clerk told Beca there was going to be fireworks tonight at eight, for what reason she can't really remember because she immediately started planning their date around it. So add that to a warm campfire, a nice dinner with wine, and more than a little making out, and they pretty much have an ideal date. Beca had even gone so far as to make sure they had a big blanket to stretch out on along with a few pillows.

"You'll love dinner, I promise. If not, we can make hotdogs," Beca added, although she was fairly certain the shrimp and salmon with a pineapple salsa and roasted vegetables was going to be a hit.

"Ok, deal!" Bouncing around, Chloe was so excited she just couldn't stand it. She had no idea what could be done on a campfire but she's willing to see, "I'll be ready."

"I'm just using that little fire pit down near the dock so you don't have to wear shoes and Billie and Giz can come too." Beca laughed when Chloe flung her arms around her and peppered kisses over her face.

"You're seriously the best," Chloe excitedly said between kisses, "including them is so sweet."

"Anything for you gorgeous," planting a firm kiss on Chloe's lips Beca tipped them back and purposely plunged them underwater. Popping back up a few seconds later they grinned at each other, "You ready to head back?"

Looking around then down at her hands Chloe shrugged, "Yes and no, I mean I've had tons of fun here with you, but my fingers," she wiggled them in between them, "are getting all pruney."

"Mine too," Beca said examining her own hands, "but…" she sighed, "seeing as how I'm a college professor now…" damn that was still surreal to say since formally accepting the gig at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music the day before coming to the retreat. "I unfortunately need to start constructing my lesson plans. Once we head to London to record the James Bond song things will be hectic. Plus, I don't want anything to interfere with our vacation and New Years in Paris."

"You're going to do great babe," Chloe smiled.

"Rob says the school needs a syllabus so they can add it to the academic website under my name and picture." Beca will admit it was kind of cool knowing her actual name and not DJ Titanium was going to be plastered on something other than a tabloid website. "So I at least want it to seem like I'm a semi put together teacher."

The nervousness was evident in Beca's posture and voice but Chloe knew her girlfriend was just over thinking and stressing out on the smallest details.

"You don't need to worry, you're a great teacher already. Hell, you taught me how to drive a boat and I knew nothing about boats," Chloe gently said. "But you're going to be teaching college students, who already have an in depth knowledge of music, how to build on what they already know. You'll get the hang of it."

"Yeah well, ever since I released that statement on my website that I was doing this Rob says the school has been inundated with requests for all kinds of information," Beca annoyingly stated. "And now," she stressed in worry, "there's a fucking waiting list for both the classes I'm teaching and apparently that's a first in school history."

Chloe knew her girlfriend was still hesitant about this whole opportunity, but she honestly thinks this will be just the thing Beca needs to center her life and give her complete fulfillment away from the spotlight. Beca was stressing out and as cute as it was, Chloe knew if she was in her girlfriend's shoes she'd feel the same way. Although Chloe knows the newly minted Professor Mitchell was going to be a hit and she couldn't wait to see it.

"Bec that's so exciting!" Chloe gushed, "Please tell me you're somewhat excited for this?"

Playfully rolling her eyes, Beca couldn't help but smile and relent, "Alright, yeah I actually am, but a fucking waiting list! I mean no unneeded pressure to do good there."

Reaching out Chloe shook Beca's shoulders, "You're the most popular professor on campus and you haven't even taught a single class yet."

"Psst," Beca blew off the comment by waving a hand, "that's just cause they haven't experienced my lameness yet."

"I predict lines down the hall during your office hours," Chloe proudly stated.

"Office hours?" Beca's face dropped, she totally forgot about that. "Damn, I have to have those don't I?" Chloe just nodded with a huge grin. "Do you think people will really come in for help or just to have one on one time with a celebrity?"

Chloe thought for a few seconds, "I think there will be a few curious students with ulterior motives, but I think the majority will actually want some of your insight into their music." Giving a quick kiss she added, "If I were you, to prevent students from wasting your time with the ones who really want help, I say the first day you do like a question and answer session with each class. Let them be curious and ask you whatever they want within reason."

"See…" Beca winked, "I knew if I kept you around long enough you'd be useful." Arms snaked around her neck and they shared a brief kiss. The tidbits of valuable advice Chloe always offered, at just the right time, was just another reason why she loved her girlfriend so much. "Seriously though, thank you for like holding my hand through all this. I'm gonna need you a lot more."

"And I'll gladly hold it through everything," they were back in their own little bubble again and Chloe loved it, "just like you've continually held mine."

Giving another quick kiss, Beca regretfully detangled herself from their embrace, "So can I ask you one more serious question?"

Chloe started slowly swimming backwards towards deeper water, her eyes never leaving Beca's, "Anything, you know that."

"Before I ask and before you say no, I just want you to think about it," Beca had been toying with this idea since Gail had presented it to her not long after accepting the teaching gig. "Like I want you to seriously think about it," she swam closer, "and you don't have to give me an answer right now."

Judging by Beca's twitchy nature and avoidance of eye contact this was probably huge and it could affect them and Chloe didn't like the sound of that,

"Babe…" Chloe righted herself and started treading water, "you're kinda scaring me."

"What?" Beca's eyes shot to Chloe's in alarm. "Oh shit, dude I'm being vague again, I'm sorry."

"It's ok," Chloe allowed a nervous giggle escape, "what's up?"

They were in deeper water now and Beca was struggling to keep her head above it because the thing weighing her down was what she was about to ask rather than simply being tired. Considering how things ended the last time she asked Chloe to write an article about her, she's not a hundred percent confident that she won't get immediately shot down. Her only saving grace right now is that she's actually asking as opposed to demanding like she did when they were fighting.

Chloe deserves this article and Beca's not giving it to her because she feels bad that Chloe quit Rolling Stone for her. Nope, Beca's asking Chloe because right now Chloe's the only person, reporter or journalist, that she feels comfortable with. She wants her very first interview to be with someone she trusts rather than a complete stranger who will ask mundane questions about her life that can be read on the internet.

"Did you maybe want to write an article about me and about this teaching thing I'm doing?" Beca asked hopefully then held her breath.

"Bec I don't…" Chloe's sentence was cut off seeing a hurtful expression and downcast eyes.

"I'd really like for you to…Just please think about it," Beca dunked her head underwater to clear her mind. Reemerging she slicked her hair back and opened her eyes, "I feel bad about what happened but I'm not giving this to you so I can feel better about what happened or so you can redeem yourself…I'm comfortable with you and…"

They swam closer to the rocks and held onto them as Chloe contemplated the question.

"Regardless of where I work Beca," Chloe began her tone even and calm, "we're involved and people will see that as you giving me a big career push."

"I'm not," Beca held her breath then slowly let it out, this wasn't going as planned, "I honestly want my first interview to be with someone I trust and I want it to be about something totally unrelated to DJ Titanium. I just want to be Beca Mitchell, teacher and regular person."

"But to the fans they're one and the same," Chloe countered, "you can't not talk about DJ Titanium. I know DJ Titanium doesn't define you, but trust me whoever writes your first article can't just omit considerably the biggest aspect of your life."

"Yeah you're right," pushing away from the rock Beca silently floated, "but you're the only one who really knows me."

Ok, so yeah Beca did make a very valid point and as much as Chloe hates to admit it she probably is the only one who could justifiably write the kind of article that Beca wants.

"Look, Gail says I need to do this and as much as I hate to admit it, I agree with her," Chloe was ripped from her thoughts hearing Beca's voice again. "I don't want a typical article, I want people to see that there's someone behind my persona and my music. I want my fans to see that I'm just like everyone else. That I'm lame," Chloe smiled, "that I'm goofy, that I tell stupid jokes and that I love you with everything that I am."

"And that you're very sweet and an incredible girlfriend," Chloe added.

"Well I wouldn't go that far," Beca rolled her eyes although deep down she knew it was true, Chloe told her all the time, "I've still got this badassness that I'd like to maintain."

"Well how about that you're cute, unbelievably sexy and like a really, really good cook, but an awful baker," kicking away from the rock Chloe glided across the water and pecked her girlfriend's slightly pouting lips.

"But…" Beca was inundated with kisses, "like that day…" she couldn't get anything out as she was kissed again, fuck she loves Chloe's kisses and affection, "I was trying to surprise you, and I was in a rush!" She was finding it hard to kiss and keep her head above water, plus Chloe's boobs were back in her face. "Ok I give I'm not a baker!" She kicked her legs trying to stay above water while placing a hand over Chloe's giggling mouth who just licked it, "Dude!"

"What, I've licked a whole lot more on you and you know it," Chloe laughed as pink tinted her girlfriend's cheeks.

"You're ridiculous, but I love you…"

"I love you too…"

"So, can you please think about it?"

Chloe bit her lip as she lightly treaded water again, "Yeah I'll think about."

"Thank you," Beca figured she wouldn't bring it up again, she'd just wait until Chloe came to her.

"You're welcome…" Chloe gave a hesitant smile.

They started swimming back toward the boat and after pushing herself up on the swim platform, Chloe happily sighed as she watched Beca do the same. She hated to get out of the water because there was something entirely freeing about swimming completely naked, but Chloe had a date to get ready for.

"This has been fun," Beca commented leaning back on her hands and squinting up at the sun.

Chloe's eyes shifted and she fully took in Beca's naked form. Chloe watched the way water drops trailed down the middle of her girlfriend's chest all the way to her stomach and pooled in her belly button. Yeah, Chloe wanted their first time back together to be special, but being faced with a view like this, a naked Beca Mitchell who is completely comfortable with that fact, how was Chloe supposed to contain herself. She wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to take this whole not having sex with her extremely hot girlfriend thing.

Clearing her throat, Chloe mimicked her girlfriend's relaxed position, "It has but I'm even more excited for our date."

"Me too…" Craning her neck Beca gave and easy kiss, "But before we go lets jump off the boulder a few more times."

"Wanna see me do a handstand?" Chloe excitedly asked.

"Yes! And I totally want to try a cannonball," pulling her feet out of the water Beca stood and held her hands out, "lets do this gorgeous!"

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