Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction using characters and elements from the Pitch Perfect movie series and Sense8 by the Wachowskis and Straczynski. This is meant for entertainment, not part of either source's respective narrative. I don't own any of it nor intend any copyright infringement or profit from this. Also, I don't own any of the songs mentioned below.
AN:
Hi y'all and happy October!
Here is the next update with fluff, action, humor, and some surprise guests.
I'm so sorry for the delay! Work was crazy busy with tons of deadlines and hours for the last two weeks. I do have more related news and that is I'm going to update the next two parts on the same day. You won't see an update the next month (November 8th), but instead there'll be two updates the following month (December 8th). There is a lot I want to cover that I need more time to plan for. I'm sorry in advance.
Fun note, I have outlines for everything up to chapter 8 and a small one for the epilogue (9). Feel free to send some suggestions for chapter 9!
Thanks for reading this and your patience, let me know what you think, and I hope you enjoy!
"A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton
"This is how we do it" by Montell Jordan
"Cups (When I'm Gone)" by Anna Kendrick
CYNTHIA ROSE – 5
It's been almost a year since her life changed unexpectedly and amongst going to jail, technically having a long-distance relationship, and the occasional crazy antics (usually created by Amy, but there was that one time with Emily) everything is going surprisingly well. Of course, she also thinks they (Chloe and others) have been pretty lucky since they haven't run into BPO, or worse the man known as Whispers, in that time either. She knows that sooner or later though that luck is going to run out.
"That sounds good to me."
"Are you sure?" A groan followed, "I just want it to be perfect dude. I don't want her to hate it."
Cynthia nodded, keeping her gaze on Beca's small frame as she made a pot of coffee in her apartment. The brunette was anxious – clearly – and came to Cynthia for advice. It was early, shortly after 6 in the morning for Cynthia while Beca had just made it work in New York.
It was only slightly alarming to see Beca when she stumbled into the kitchen for her morning routine. After seeing the frazzled state of the small brunette, she continued to start the coffee maker to have some semblance of energy for the day – and some extra to help Beca with her important question.
She let out a small yawn, the last dregs of sleep slowly seeping out, so she let the brunette continue to talk and pace in her kitchen as the machine whirred. She had her phone to her ear, which looked silly in Cynthia's apartment, but fit in perfectly as she made her way to her office.
Cynthia walked next to her, trying to actively listen while keeping up with Beca's fast pace, spurred on by her nerves.
"I want to surprise her ya know? She's heard every mix, I've sent her flowers, cards, I've flown out to see her– all that, but this one has to be different. It has to be special."
Cynthia nodded again. If it was her year anniversary she'd want to do something special for Denise too. Beca seemed to slow down as she approached her office.
The coffee maker finally started to drip into the pot.
Taking a moment for Beca to situate herself in her office, which thankfully didn't have any windows so Beca could stop her charade, Cynthia was able to finally pour some coffee in her mug and was greeted with the sweet smell of expresso.
With a small sip that slightly scalded her tongue, she turned to a disgruntled Beca with her arms crossed comically. Cynthia would have been more amused if she was more awake.
"You're worrying too much. This is Chloe you're talking about, that girl loves everything about you."
After a moment of silence, Beca looked up from her hunched form.
Shuffling closer to the small brunette, Cynthia reassured her, "Give her something special and there's no way she won't love it."
This was unlike the usual brunette, but it was adorable nonetheless to see her shy and awkward.
Cynthia how fast the months passed by. It almost feels like yesterday she was wondering why the hell she was imagining a tall brunette and pouring some chemicals she suddenly knew the names of. They learned a lot about each other in the first few months (and still do). It was practically impossible not to become so close. I guess the whole shared consciousness also helped. Cynthia wasn't big on the science of it, but it was the third biggest life changing event on her list so far– right behind the moment she met Denise and the perfect time to propose in their four-year relationship.
Beca sighed and composed herself with a small smile. "Thanks Cynthia. You're a life-saver."
She grinned, "No problem, Smalls."
Beca rolled her eyes, "I don't know who's worse, you or Amy."
Turning in her chair, Beca continued, "The studio is bringing in some group for a new project. Theo hasn't told me much, but want to come?"
This is why Beca and Cynthia got along so well. While the entire group had a shared interest in music, Beca and Cynthia were usually the ones who could talk for hours about the production side of it. Emily would usually listen in, intent on learning the jargon. Cynthia currently worked at a bar and attended flight school, but she had a brief college internship for a music studio. Ultimately, she didn't like the pressure and demanding needs of the industry, it didn't flow with her lifestyle.
"You have to ask that?" Cynthia tilted her head with an amused grin.
"Hey, I just want to make sure you weren't busy."
Beca had finally unlocked her computer and perused through her email, looking for a response from Theo.
Shuffling in her seat, Cynthia took a sip of her coffee. A quick glance at the clock and the quietest groan from the bedroom down the hall let her know that Denise would be up soon. Beca didn't miss it either as she glanced down the hall, framed pictures of Denise and Cynthia adorning the wall.
"So, when are you going to pop the question?"
Lowering her mug, Cynthia smiled.
"I have it all planned out. We're visiting her family in Vegas next month, right? I'm going to surprise her at the Eiffel Tower."
"And you guys call me cheesy."
It was Cynthia's turn to roll her eyes. Beca locked her computer and stood up, the other following.
Once they reached the conference room, Beca spotted her boss through one of the clear letter cut outs on the smoked window. His back facing her, she could tell he was pitching the idea, gesturing with one hand and talking animatedly. And although the person he was talking to was partially hidden by the window Beca spied black clothing and a hint of blonde hair.
Knock-Knock
Pushing the door open, two pair of eyes glanced Beca's way. Theo stopped mid-sentence and turned around at the sound.
"Oh, there you are Beca. This is Kommissar and Pieter. They're here for the new project."
The strangers, a blonde woman and a dark-haired man, looked down at Beca.
Yes, down.
They were tall – easily 6" – and their rigid posture coupled with their impassive expressions was intimidating. Their choice of clothing consisted of pure black and some mesh revealing toned arms. The man was fit and toned with a square jaw and dark hair. The woman was just like her counterpart except blonde and a few inches shorter, her slim features accentuated by her outfit. The blonde, who must be Kommissar, drew Beca's curious gaze a second longer. Despite the momentary stare down, Beca jumped right in.
"Hi, I'm Beca. It's nice to meet you."
She spoke professionally as she walked into the room. Pieter glanced at Kommissar, who didn't spare a glance but smirked knowingly. Beca didn't react. Four years in the music industry and she's met too many people who have underestimated her. This wasn't any different. This is her job and she's damn good at it.
While Beca launched herself into the project, actively listening and providing feedback as Theo and Kommissar introduced a new idea, Cynthia couldn't help but feel off. She knew something felt different the moment they entered the room and it had to do with German singers.
In the meantime, she found that the new project was going to revolve around an A cappella rendition of well-known songs.
"A test to how fans will react," Theo had explained. If everything went well they'd look into producing a full A cappella album.
Kommissar and Pieter, turned out, were the leaders of Das Sound Machine or DSM for short, the current World A cappella champions. Theo didn't elaborate, but he had pulled some strings to bring them out here. Cynthia could practically hear Beca hold back from rolling her eyes as they bragged.
By the time the meeting was over, everyone left feeling good about the project. The plan thus far was to have DSM record a demo with an assortment of songs and present it to the studio later.
Which led to what Beca's been doing since.
She just spent a good hour focused on replying to emails and setting up some sessions for DSM to record this week after the two-hour long meeting. Beca shut her laptop, the loud sound echoing in her office. Tired and in need of energy Beca found herself walking to the break room for a well-deserved cup of coffee.
Unsurprisingly, they have performed a wide range of songs and proudly announced that they would be able to record any song Theo and Beca decided. It took all her energy to get through DSM's arrogant tone and smirks, her tolerance failing with every scoff or exaggerated accomplishment.
Normally, Beca doesn't trust others easily. Anyone she meets she keeps them at a safe distance until they prove themselves. Yet there was something else, something different. She couldn't help but feel the Germans watching her with a predatory gaze, as if she was game.
It left her wary.
Cynthia told her just as much. There was something off about them, something that she could feel in her gut.
Beca was looking forward to getting this project over with. The sooner they were out of her life, the better.
Alone in the break room she almost rushed over to the coffee machine at the sight. As it started, her thoughts turned to her gift for Chloe. She's already spent hours working on it, and it was killing her thinking of how Chloe would react. It had to be perfect, that's all Beca knew.
She was so focused that when she turned around to grab a cup, she almost ran into two figures.
"What the hell?" Beca loudly yelled, jumping back in surprise.
There in the break room with her, was Kommissar and Pieter sporting the same arrogant and pleased smirks and black mesh as they did in the meeting.
Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, she tried to calm the loud beating in her chest.
"Jesus, you guys scared me. I thought you left already."
"Ah she doesn't know." Pieter mocked as he turned to the blonde, ignoring Beca.
"No matter, this is going to be fun." she said after a beat, never leaving Beca's gaze.
"What are you talking about?" Beca managed to say casually, already impatient with their half-formed sentences and one-sided conversation. She'll need more coffee than she thought.
"Let's see if this helps." Kommissar added with the slightest twist of her wrist.
In a flash, she found herself in a car; smooth leather touching her back and the slightest of vibrations through her feet as the tires skipped over small bumps, which meant the two Germans in front of her were also real.
"Oh shit," Beca muttered, realization dawning on her face. They both smirked as she put the pieces together.
They were just like her.
As she leaned back in her seat in disbelief, the same ominous feeling from earlier crept back into her mind as the new information filtered into her head. Gail mentioned that other sensates were BPO collaborators and while the Germans had a flare for the dark and dramatic it seemed, she wasn't sure where they stood.
"It's been so long since we've met someone that didn't take blockers." Pieter confirmed her realization, "You have to be a new cluster or dumb."
Bristling at his last comment, she glared.
"Enough Pieter." Kommissar snapped at her partner's comment, "We simply came by to say hello to another sensate. After all we are the same."
Crossing her arms across her chest, she wasn't like them at all. They wore a lot of black and she doesn't – nope she does, well she isn't German or tall. The brunette said, "Look we aren't a new cluster and we kick ass."
The blonde smirked at her response.
"Oh, and you are the kicker of ass?"
"Yeah," Beca lamely retorted, awkwardly trailing off. Based on her expression, the other woman was clearly enjoying this.
An alarm and a phone vibrating interrupted Beca's thoughts, however, all Pieter did was reach for a small bottle filled with black glossy pills.
Those must be blockers.
"But you are so tiny. Like an elf. Or is it a sprite?"
"A troll." Pieter nodded as Kommissar glanced at him.
"That's it. You are like a troll."
Beca briefly faltered at the insult, stunned as she followed their conversation before finally glaring. The coffee machine had long stopped at this point.
"Our time is almost up for today I'm afraid. It's a shame, you interest me." Kommissar continued, taking one of the pills and swallowing it.
Beca raised an eyebrow at her response as she glowered, ready to fire back.
"You are physically flawless," Beca wasn't able to stop herself as she sized up her insulter, roaming from the woman's sculpted face to the rest of her slim body. The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop it, any comeback lost in translation.
Did she just say she was physically flawless? Chloe was going to kill her.
"Thank you."
"But that doesn't mean I like you, and I have a girlfriend."
Beca tried to put more bark into her statement, at least she didn't compliment her again.
But then the conversation took another turn.
Kommissar leaned forward until she was practically face to face with the producer. The damn smirk and dark glint in her eye never ceased.
"Darling, nothing stops me from getting what I want."
She wasn't sure how it happened, but she simply stopped; even holding a breath she didn't know she was holding. All she could focus on was what was right in front her.
The blonde was centimeters away from the brunette's face, her lips now hovering right above the corner of her mouth. Her warm breath misting over Beca's cheek. She was paralyzed, frozen to the spot and unable to do anything as the blonde continued to gently ghost her fingers over her face, her lips tantalizingly close to her own. She could feel the beginning of blood rushing to her cheeks.
Willing herself to move, she started to lean away in an attempt to break the spell the blonde had cast.
Kommissar smirked and leaned back into her seat, "That was just a taste. Till next time."
Next there was a high-pitched ringing that seemed to surround her. She swiveled her head around to find the source, but it was useless as the Germans disappeared and then she was back in the break room, the coffee machine still and her drink cold.
Everyone was busy, the week had flown by and the project was going well. Kommissar and Pieter weren't exaggerating. DSM was good, like scary good. After the first few takes, Beca understood how they were the current World A Cappella champions.
They also were a large group. Unlike the groups that Beca saw at the ICAA for Jesse's brother, DSM had up to 20 members. They couldn't fit in everyone due to time restraints, but they brought it in a handful to record.
Theo pressed the speaker, "Good, good. Give us one more take, and we can move on to the next one."
"Told you this was a good idea." Theo turned to Beca.
She rolled her eyes and put the headphones back on. "Sure." Theo would have never found out if it weren't for Beca's stint in jail that night. She can still remember his dumbfounded expression the next day.
Rachel, one of the other DSM members, was in the booth and nodded as she placed her own headphones back on.
"Making my way downtown,"
She was recording "A Thousand Miles", the soft pop sample in the demo.
"She's good, don't you think?"
With a quick glimpse to her right, the producer found Kommissar standing next to her, attention focused on Rachel as she sang.
The thing was, she wasn't really here. The blonde woman had finished her session earlier and left with Pieter back to their hotel.
Next to her, Theo wore a pair of headphones over his ears, preoccupied with recording.
"Yeah, she's good." Beca simply provided, avoiding Kommissar's stare. As long as she was focused on something else, she was not going to compliment her – she hoped. The other women enjoyed this, Beca could tell. She enjoyed the awkward compliments and feisty answers, it was like a game. Beca didn't care about it, but she hated when Kommissar would fluster her. It felt like it was only fair though if she could get her back. If only she knew how.
The Germans have been visiting her more frequently as the week progressed. It started the day after their meeting and hasn't stopped since. She got used to it quickly, however, what took some time to get used to was that no one else in her own cluster could see them. Chloe and the others kept popping in, checking on her when the DSM members were around. They were worried, understandably so, but with a nod of her head and a wave of the producer's hand she said she could handle them.
Due to their frequent visits, she also assumed that the two decided to stop taking blockers daily. Beca would see Pieter take the bottle from his jacket pocket less and less and based on her experience the pills lasted a good eight hours before they had to take another.
"You don't seem impressed," Kommissar prodded, walking around Beca until she forced the brunette to meet her eyes.
Beca almost paused midsentence as she stared transfixed at the blonde, "She has the right voice for this song. Pieter's works for other genres."
The other woman hummed and added, "And me?"
Beca knew Kommissar would nail this song perfectly.
Just as she was about to answer with whatever tumbled out, compliment or not, Rachel had just finished recording and Theo removed his headphones.
"Let's take a short break before the next one. Beca, what'd you think?"
She blinked, and thankfully resumed her work, "A solid take, we're good on that one."
The man nodded and turned to his laptop for a moment. "I have to go to a meeting, can you run the next session?"
This wasn't uncommon for Theo to ask. "Yeah dude, I can take care of it."
"Great, thanks mate. I don't know what I would do without you."
He gave her a pat on her back and thumbs-up as he left, following Rachel out. It was only her and Kommissar in the room. She tried to keep herself focused on anything else besides the other woman in the room.
"Your boss. He talks a lot about you."
Beca gave a brief answer, "He knows what I can do."
"Enough for a promotion?" The blonde returned.
Beca stiffened at the words. She's been working with Theo for the past two years. He knows what she's capable of, but he hasn't mentioned a promotion yet.
"Well think nothing of it. Besides I'm not here for him. I am here for you."
Beca quirked an eyebrow and didn't reply back. She felt a small sting of resentment at Theo but set it aside for the moment. Call it a hunch, but she's been curious about DSM's angle. The looks, the "game", what was it all leading up to?
"When Pieter and I run into another sensate we make them an offer. One that many have taken."
She paused, taking a seat in Theo's chair.
"We would like you to join our cluster."
"What?" It came out sharper than she thought and just as confusing and unexpected as well.
Beca was dumbstruck. She latched onto this new piece of information, any worry she was going to compliment her flew out of her mind. Why are they offering this?
"Do you not hate the hiding? I see you talking to your cluster when you think you are alone. Join us and you will be able to live free."
It's true, she hated the habits she's developed since all this happened. But as true as it was, she was hardly convinced.
"What about my cluster?" she tentatively asked, curious.
Kommissar tilted her head slightly, "You would leave them. BPO has power and contacts all over the world, it would be too much of a risk to take in a whole cluster. We take in the individuals, the ones we are fortunate to meet and offer safety."
"How do you expect me to take that? I can't – I won't leave them."
The brunette was standing now, too caught up in her emotions to notice, with her arms in an x shape and visibly upset.
"But can they keep you safe from BPO, from the man known as the Cannibal or you may know him as Whispers?" she countered, her voice low.
She clenched her jaw and dropped her arms across her chest, it was easy to see she was frustrated. Stacie wasn't any closer to getting blockers, and luck and habits can only get them so far, and the longer they did so the more uncertain their future was.
But that wasn't worth joining them.
Unexpectantly Rachel swung the studio door open and popped her head in, attracting both women's attention. "I'm back, are we ready for the next session?"
The producer glanced at Rachel, "Yeah, go ahead and get into to the booth. I'll cue the track in a second."
The singer nodded, doing as she was told and picking up the headphones once more. Beca glared at Kommissar, as much as she could that would tell the blonde exactly how she felt.
"You can take your offer back, I would never leave my family." she finished, completely serious. Dropping her stare, she took her seat once again and faced Rachel, completely focused on her work.
However, the other woman didn't flinch, instead she had one last thing to say before she left.
"You will join us. It is only a matter of time."
The bar was empty, as expected an hour from opening. Cynthia was at the counter, wiping it down after she set all the chairs and barstools. There were times she enjoyed coming in early, it let herself focus on one task at time and stop any stray thoughts.
Unfortunately, this was not one of those times.
All she could think about was Das Sound Machine. The meeting from before didn't sit well with her. She always had a good sense of people, whether they were trustworthy or not, and the Germans only spelled trouble.
It started to weigh heavier on her mind when Beca came to them angry and ranting about the "gorgeous German lady" and explained what happened.
As Cynthia finished wiping down a glass, the rest of the group collected in the middle, taking any open chair.
"No, absolutely not." Chloe spoke up the moment Beca finished, a hardened expression on her face as clear as the contempt in her voice.
"I'm with the ginger. They could be working with the enemies." Fat Amy agreed not a second after.
"It has to be a trap." Flo added while the others murmured their own agreement.
"Guys, I'm not joining them." Beca argued back. She looked down at her beer, and continued, "But she made me realize something."
She brought her head back up and glanced at everyone's confused faces.
"She was right about one thing. We can't keep hiding like we are." She almost balked as she said it.
"What do you mean?"
The small brunette sighed and found a concerned Emily looking straight at her.
"We need to make our own blockers or something. Look, we're lucky we haven't met anyone else but it's not going to help against them. They'll find us if we don't."
She didn't have to clarify who she was talking about.
Stacie pursed her lips, she didn't have to be reminded. Since BPO has partnered with her company she's tried to get any trace of the formula, but it was difficult to do so without risking everything. But with DSM…
"What about their blockers? You saw them, right?" Stacie inquired, gesturing towards the small brunette, an idea forming.
Beca shrugged indifferently, "Yeah, the other dude had them."
Stacie stood up with a grin, "If you can get some, I can recreate the formula."
Beca nodded along. She was right, most of the time she was three feet away from his jacket. It shouldn't be too hard to take them.
Emily tilted her head while Lilly mimicked her. Flo looked at Amy who stood up and cheered.
"Aw yeah, finally! We can show those Germans who really kicks ass. Even if it is just swiping some pills." She added anti-climatically.
The brunette chuckled at the Australian's energy, but paused when Chloe spared her a worried glance, "Becs."
She voiced her concerns to Beca the day she met DSM. She was ranting and pacing back and forth in her kitchen. Stacie, Emily, and Amy also decided to join. Like everyone else, she didn't trust them. Amy had said she was jealous and it looked like she shot daggers from her eyes. The brunette wasn't able to get a word in without a heated gaze thrown her way. She wisely kept quiet after the third time. She's stubborn, but not that stubborn.
"I'll be fine," She reassured her, leaning towards the redhead. It didn't ease the other woman's concerns as far as Beca could tell. But a moment later, the redhead nodded and kept her voice firm.
"I don't have a good feeling about them, you can't be alone this time okay? One of us will be around whenever they are." She said it like she did that day too.
Beca found the familiar sky-blue eyes meeting hers, clear and focused. Most of her life she's been alone. Always stuck to herself in high school and even college. But now? She has no idea who else she would want to be stuck with – in her head or not. Even if it was to swipe some pills.
She smiled and nodded.
"I got your back Sawshank. I'll be so quiet you won't even know I'm there," Amy announced.
"And us!" Emily started with Lilly at her side.
"Don't count me out." Stacie chuckled, a smile forming. Cynthia threw a "Yeah!" from the bar.
"They won't get by us." Flo stepped next to Stacie, with a grin.
The somber mood from earlier seemed to have lifted, replaced with the perhaps the slightest bit of relief Beca's felt since she walked into that conference room.
She wasn't expecting this when they decided on this song. Well she didn't expect a lot of things to happen, but still. They were going for a diverse sample, one that included familiar songs from different genres and she didn't think she was going to regret her choices, until now.
Kommissar swung her hips and had both of her arms above her head, fingers pointing at her as she sang, - to see whether or not Beca would break under the pressure.
She could hear Pieter's track play over her headphones, a few bars into "This is how we do it".
"South Central does it like nobody does,"
"This is how we do it,"
And she wasn't alone. Next to her, Theo listening and working at the panel while Pieter sat on the couch at the back of the room, his jacket laying across the arm. Cynthia was the lucky one to keep watch on her and the DSM members today and calmly sat across from Pieter, one leg over the other.
By the time the DSM leader finished singing per Theo's request, she willed an indifferent expression on her face as the blonde stepped outside the booth and sat next to Pieter on the couch.
Theo shucked off his headphones and spun in his chair with a satisfied smile. "Great take. I think we're just about done. We might need -"
Then Beca felt a warm hand on her shoulder that made her jump at the touch.
Looking to her side, she saw said blonde smirking as she towered over the small brunette. Confused and the slightest hint of panic, she glanced back at a smirking Kommissar, who also sat on the couch.
This – this was new. How-?
"Are you okay Beca?" Theo interrupted. Pieter and Kommissar played along, curious and concerned expressions as everyone looked at her. She caught Cynthia's attention, trying to tell her what was happening. She couldn't stand and excuse herself, it would draw more attention to herself.
"Um – yeah I'm fine." She stuttered out, sharing a panicked glance with her friend. Cynthia raised an eyebrow and shifted her body forward. She tuned out whatever Theo was saying, focused entirely on how Kommissar was doing this.
"Did you like that?" Kommissar asked, smirking and ever so gently dragging the tips of her fingers from her shoulder to her uncovered forearm and back up. She could feel the goosebumps forming right behind them.
"Your hands are so soft," she muttered. Thankful the other woman didn't hear her, she whispered a little louder, "How are you doing that?" She thought they could only feel the others if they were in their own cluster.
"We have two more sessions scheduled. We'll bring in both of you and two others. Do you need anyone else?" Theo added.
The figure on the couch turned to Theo, "No, that works perfectly."
In the meantime, she whispered in the brunette's ear before pulling away, "You simply have to want it." And the exchange brought a flush to her face.
"You lose again tiny mouse." The second Kommissar disappeared.
Chloe was going to kill her.
"I don't know what she's doing, but Chloe is going to kill you." Cynthia added unhelpfully and Beca wanted to roll her eyes and glare.
Beca wished she could just run and never come back. Maybe she'll fly to Greenland? Does anyone go there anymore?
"It is not a problem. We'll see you tomorrow," Pieter took the lead this time, throwing a smirk at the other producer and followed Theo, who must have offered to walk them out.
The door shut, and it was just Cynthia and Beca in the room.
An awkward silence enveloped them, and Cynthia tapped a finger against her arm.
"So, what was that?" She directed to a mortified Beca.
"I don't know dude. She was right there," she pointed at where she sat on the couch, "and then she was right next me! I could feel her touching me. I don't know how she did it."
"Yikes. Well, look at the bright side, you won't have to work with her after this week."
"You have no idea how relieved I am. I don't know what it is, Kommissar just gets in my head."
She rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. Based on the recordings they got for the past two weeks, she was sure they wouldn't need any retakes for the next two. Which meant she wouldn't have to see their faces again on Saturday, hopefully. She mentally crossed her fingers.
On top of that she wasn't able to get any blockers today either.
She first thought it would be easy; wait for Pieter and Kommissar to leave the room when they took breaks, and take some, but they never went anywhere without it. And Kommissar kept her a bumbling mess in between. And the next thing she knows she's still empty handed.
She looked around the empty studio and spotted a black jacket lain across the couch arm. She froze. This was perfect.
"Dude, they left it."
She stood up, ignoring Cynthia, and rushed over to the jacket. Fumbling over the pockets she felt for a bottle on the side and pulled it out.
The bottle was smaller than she thought, the black pills a stark contrast against the clear glass. She also noted that unlike other bottles she was familiar with this was bare of any information. Just a simple glass bottle full of pills.
Odd that one of the only things that can help them would come in something so small.
She snapped her head toward the door, relieved it was just her and Cynthia in the room still, and twisted the cap off. Soon enough a handful of pills tumbled into the palm of her hand and she thrust them into her own jacket pocket before she screwed the lid back on and into Pieter's jacket.
She placed his jacket back where it originally laid and proceeded to pack up her laptop and notes.
Cynthia was still beside her and gave her a pat on the back as she smirked.
"Nice B! Now we just have to get them to Stacie and we're home free."
"And I won't have to see Kommissar ever again." There was a rush of relief as she said it.
"Luisa."
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she stopped in her tracks. She suddenly turned around, finding Kommissar standing across from her and the sound of the door closing shut.
Confused and shocked, Beca barely stammered out a "What?" as she focused on the other woman. Did she see her take the blockers? How long had she been standing there?
"My name. It's Luisa. And I am not easy to get rid of."
"Why are you telling me this?" She immediately asked, almost breathlessly. She stuffed a hand in her jacket to reassure herself the pills were still there. This was the first time that Kommissar – Luisa – said anything about herself. The same woman who's been teasing her for the last two weeks and suddenly finds it in herself to tell Beca her real name.
"I thought you would enjoy knowing one fact about me. It is only fair. You see, it's been a long time since I've met someone as feisty as you, tiny mouse." She said without interruption and walked over to the couch, finding what she was looking for.
The brunette wanted to roll her eyes at the annoying nickname as she composed herself again. To her right, Cynthia also noticed the sudden entrance and stood straight with her arms crossed.
Beca sighed instead of responding. She was drained. Tired of dealing with her and the so-called "game" Kommissar talked about.
With the jacket in hand, she faced the brunette once more. "Have you reconsidered our offer?"
Beca stared at her, a comeback on the tip of her tongue, but she hesitated for the briefest moment. She remembered their offer – to join their cluster at the expense of leaving her own – and she thought her answer was pretty clear. Apparently, it wasn't enough.
She spared a glance at Cynthia, as if to strengthen her resolve and back to Luisa. "No. I have not reconsidered your offer. Like I said, I would never join your crazy cluster."
"Choose your next words carefully. I do not give second chances." Kommissar said in an unexpectedly serious tone.
She marched forward, facing the producer who only glared at her with every step. "Your cluster can't protect you when the Cannibal comes, and he will come for you. And when he does, you will wish you were dead."
Beca took a step back involuntarily as the other woman continued to stride forward, her steps echoing in her ears. There was a moment of indecision coupled with dread as she processed what she was saying. It was true, her cluster didn't have much to fight back and Gail warned them. God, did she warn them. She still remembers what Gail briefed them on that day, about the sensate that hunted his own kind willingly and what he did to one of their own. It was horrifying.
She stared straight through the German, remembering the memory as if it was yesterday. It sent shivers down her spine and a bolt of fear throughout her whole being.
But if it meant being with the people she loves until the end, then so be it.
"I know your face, your name, where you work. I can follow you anywhere, Beca Mitchell. I ask again are you sure?"
Finally, the blonde stopped right in front of her and Beca gasped as she bumped into a wall behind her. She didn't even notice she was walking backwards.
Despite the paralyzing fear and the intense stare the other woman was giving her, she wasn't going to give in. She looked up at the taller woman and brought both feet level again, new found confidence washing away the dread as she thought about her friends and family.
"I said no. I will never leave my friends – my family because I'm scared. I'll be there for them and they'll be there for me, I trust them." She stated with a firm tone and narrowed eyes as if to say, 'was that clear enough for you?'
Luisa breathed in and out through her nose, her gaze unmoving, as she replayed what the smaller woman had told her. Beca didn't falter, simply waiting for her reaction, and Cynthia was as still as a statue, visibly shaken.
Luisa took a step back, an angry sneer upon her features.
"I will make you regret that decision."
Then she left, the door slamming behind her.
With the blockers clenched in one hand and the other grasping air, she turned to look at her friend. Cynthia was speechless. She wasn't sure if Cynthia was thinking about Gail's story, about Luisa, her threat or all of it. It was a lot to take in.
The whole encounter left the brunette with a sense of certainty though.
She turned back to the door and smirked. She finally beat Luisa at her own game.
They were celebrating really.
When Cynthia and Beca returned to the group that day, smiles adorning their faces, everyone dropped what they were doing and asked what happened. Beca shrugged and said it was nothing, but Cynthia expressed how badass she was.
Next, Beca sent the blockers to Stacie, keeping two when Stacie advised that it would be a good idea. "Just in case." She said.
She decided to keep one on her nightstand, the black drug standing out next to her favorite headphones, and the other on her person at all times. The idea was that they were close by if she ever needed to take them.
So yeah, they were celebrating. Stacie had just received the package and cheerfully let everyone know she could recreate it in the next few days. The other goods news was that DSM finished recording a day early. Luisa, Pieter, and two others from DSM came in and recorded their parts all in one go. They didn't tease, throw annoying smirks, or…anything. It was odd compared to the last few weeks, but Beca didn't complain.
With the recording done a day early, this left the brunette with Friday off – today and it felt like this huge pressure was lifted off her shoulders and she could finally take a deep breath. It felt like everything was going back to normal and all she wanted to worry about right now was her year anniversary with Chloe Beale.
They were in their respective apartments, lounging on the couch as they watched a rom-com that the redhead insisted that Beca needed to see. There was half a bowl of popcorn left, as they had already finished their drinks earlier. Except Beca wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to the movie. She was focused on something else.
"Hey Chlo?" Beca interrupted one of the lead's declaration of love in the airport.
"Hm, yeah?" Chloe turned to face her.
"Next week is June."
"Yeah?" Chloe said, waiting for her girlfriend.
Beca was nervous. She's never been the one to give gifts in the relationship. She just never met anyone that she considered it was worth it.
If Amy was watching her, she'd probably get a hard pat on the back and a "You got this!"
She stood up to a 6" German, she can do this. She cleared her throat, summoning all the courage she could muster.
"It'll be a year on the 9th. When we first met."
Chloe would be lying if she said she didn't know. She totes knew and was mentally counting down the days. She even circled it on the fridge calendar.
"I have something for you and if I wait any longer I don't think I'll do it." Beca clarified, finally getting to the point.
Chloe gasped and covered her mouth with her hands, eyes bright.
"It's not a mix or anything like that…but uh I hope you like it."
She gingerly took the yellow cup the redhead had finished earlier and placed it upside down on the table.
She started to clap and lift the cup, and soon the movie became long forgotten. With the rhythm set, she started to sing.
"I got my ticket for the long way 'round,"
"Two bottle 'a whiskey for the way,"
Chloe couldn't help but be drawn into Beca's performance. This was better than anything she ever expected. It reminded her of when she first heard Beca's voice. The mesmerizing alto voice in the background of every mix, except this time it was just Beca front and center.
She didn't move a muscle, didn't express anything except pure adoration and love for the small brunette as she continued to clap and move the cup, her sweet voice carrying throughout their apartments.
The redhead didn't think she could smile wider when Beca finished.
The sudden bravado gone, Beca said in an uncertain tone and crooked smile, "So how was it?"
She didn't say anything at first, instead Chloe leaned forward and held Beca's hands in hers and said the only two things she knows are true. "I love it and I love you Beca Mitchell."
She captured her lips in the next moment. She wanted Beca to know how much she means to her, how much she loves her, how much she cares that she's safe. Chloe deepened the kiss, one hand on Beca's jaw while the other pulled her in by the neck.
They broke apart and met again in a span of seconds, catching their breath and continuing despite the lack of air between them. Beca moved her hands to her hips and pulled her closer. She didn't want to stop, didn't want to think about tomorrow. All she wanted – all she needed - was right here.
After one breathtaking kiss, Beca leaned her forehead against Chloe's.
"I love you." She whispered, sincerity and love spilling out in between a breath.
Beca met her lips a second later and then they were in their own world.
It was a calm Saturday afternoon where the restaurants were almost full, couples were linked hand in hand, and loud cars zoomed past. Unlike the city, the sky was almost clear, a single small cloud drifted to the west as the sun shone down.
One such couple found themselves walking down a street with townhomes on each side and empty of people and cars as possible.
This wasn't uncommon. The brunette usually took this path, so she and Chloe could enjoy a peaceful walk without any strange looks. Kommissar was right about another thing. She hates the sneaking around, even the habits they built up over months and months to allude attention. She's relieved, no more DSM, no more threats, they got the blockers, and everything was going to be okay.
"Today's nice, don't you think?"
The warm hand latched onto hers squeezed gently and Beca turned to look at Chloe. She was smiling, the same sweet one that Beca will never get tired of.
She smiled and nodded, "I guess, but it's not as nice as this pretty girl I know."
Chloe smirked back, "Who is she? Do I know her?"
Beca shook her head, playing her role.
"No, you wouldn't know her. She lives in Atlanta." She gave the other woman an exaggerated eye roll.
Chloe played along. "Then how'd you meet her? You live in New York, she lives in Atlanta, what happened?"
She sighed, looking up as if she is thinking, "She was having a hard week and decided to fly out here. I ran into her at a bar one night. And get this - she made me sing Miley Cyrus!"
"No!" She faked gasped, a hand over her chest.
"Yeah!" The producer shook her head, "And then she jumped into my shower and wouldn't leave until I sang Titanium."
The redhead giggled. She couldn't keep it in anymore. Beca laughed too before trying to compose herself again.
Noticing her que, Chloe managed to make out another question. "Are you going to see her again?"
"Maybe. I hope she doesn't mind me visiting next week."
Chloe almost tripped as she stopped walking. The brunette blinked and spun to look at the redhead.
"Chlo?"
"Oh my God! You jerk." She playfully shoved the brunette, "How long have you been keeping that from me?" She continued, hooking an arm through Beca's.
Beca chuckled and smirked. They hadn't flown out to see each other for a while, at least a few months. It wasn't that they didn't want to or feel like they need to, it was because of their busy schedules. Deadlines here and there, important meetings this week or the following, and the next thing you know it's been three months.
As she was about to answer, she spotted a glimpse of black in front of her.
Looking straight ahead was a tall figure in black that suspiciously looked like Pieter. The figure disappeared as soon as they appeared, and she swore she saw the faintest hints of a smirk. The brunette stopped, if Pieter was around, Kommissar is never far. She hadn't seen them all day, figuring they already left the city and took blockers.
She looked behind her, expecting to see a tall blonde figure. However, instead she saw a group of figures in hazmat suits with stacks of black accessories clamber out of a white van. In the seconds that followed, it was like an action movie. As soon as they were out of the van they ran straight toward the small brunette and for a moment she hesitated.
Who -?
"Beca!"
Chloe gripped her arm hard and pushed her in the opposite direction, and also out of her thoughts. The redhead was scared, that much was sure. All the brunette could sense from her was panic and worry. She needed to get away– like now.
The men got closer, much too closer for either of their likings, when Beca started to run, adrenaline giving her a burst of energy.
She didn't get far.
Then she felt a pinch in her back and an intense pain coursing through her. She immediately fell to the ground as stiff as a board, her face making a loud thud against the concrete. She could feel every muscle and nerve tightening with each electrical pulse and all the sounds she could make were groans or incomprehensible sounds.
"Stay on the ground!"
"Clear!"
Immediately the pain stopped, and, in the midst of warnings and commands, she remembered what was going on. She tried to stand, to move her legs – anything - but she couldn't move. Her body ached, and exhaustion took over. With whatever energy she had left, she looked to her side.
Chloe was next to her, her body sprawled on the ground as their eyes met. Beca's heart ached at the sight. The redhead seemed rigid, most likely feeling the same sensations she was, but there was something else. There was fear.
They weren't getting out this, not by a long shot. BPO can do whatever they want to her, but not Chloe. Never.
Storm blue eyes met sky blue one more time and, in that glimpse, Chloe understood. Reluctant and fearful, the redhead disappeared.
Looking back up, there were a handful of figures in hazmat suits, each pointing a taser at her. Their helmets were tinted, effectively hiding their faces.
In front of her was Kommissar – Luisa – arms crossed and looking down in disinterest.
Luisa kneeled, her arms no longer crossed as she met Beca's eyes. The brunette looked for any emotion– anything to see if she was proud of herself. To her surprise, there wasn't a dark look or that damn smirk; there wasn't a hint of emotion, only a stone-cold gaze.
"The game is done, you made your choice."
There was a slight pinch in her neck and followed by a sudden coldness filling her veins. Beca locked her gaze with Luisa, glaring back as much as she could while she started to feel the effects of whatever the men had injected.
She started to feel dizzy and turned her head to search for a new voice. One that she couldn't fully process as it was disoriented and slow but followed it nonetheless to an older gentleman with white hair. Next, the coldness swept through her entire body in a matter of seconds and in its wake, her sight became blurry, the edges of everyone's face moving.
Then she let go.