Several weeks went by, and everything at work and at home was great. Beca and Chloe worked well together at both places. They had their minor disagreements, but nothing unusual for any people living in the same space - especially people who were together virtually all of the time. Beca had been so careful for so long about keeping things clean to keep Jesse happy that it got on her nerves when Chloe would leave cereal bowls in the sink without at least rinsing them. It would have been preferable if she would just put them in the dishwasher, but the redhead rarely did that. Beca finally snapped about the dishes one Saturday morning when she came out of her room to a sink full of bowls, pans, and mixing accessories. Chloe had made muffins to take to a family in the building - she, of course, knew everybody. She had lived alone for long enough that she didn't even think about how a sink full of batter-covered dishes could cause someone to get irritated. They dealt with that minor skirmish - and maybe a half dozen others - without any permanent scarring.

But….

Beca never brought up Jesse's outing of her. Chloe truly wanted to give her friend the time she needed, but the redhead also wanted to know more. She acknowledged that a good part of that desire was selfishly motivated - hoping that there may be a future between her and Beca. There was also just the natural desire, though, to know what a friend is going through. Beca was somewhat lighter now that she lived with Chloe. Her connection with Jesse had been completely severed; Beca moved the rest of her stuff out and returned her key. But she still seemed to live under a cloud. Chloe encountered her many times at home and in the office where the producer seemed weighed down or trapped in a fog. There didn't seem to be much progress on that front for Beca, which worried Chloe. It probably was because Beca STILL wasn't dealing with her realization about her sexuality. If she hadn't even brought it up to Chloe, it was highly unlikely that she had talked to anyone else about it.

The issue once again was taken out of Beca and Chloe's hands. One Friday, Beca was preparing for an appearance for one of her artists. Why that was her job, she didn't know. The studio had an army of stylist, publicists, designers, wardrobe consultants - but they didn't seem to have anyone to get them all on the same page. Beca complained to the higher ups. The higher ups realized they had screwed up, so they naturally blamed someone else. Then they announced they would hire someone to do that, but - until they did - the junior producers would be responsible for organizing the teams for their individual artists. This was why Beca was standing in Stacie's office. The taller brunette was rifling through outfits, pulling aside options that might work for Beca's singer. Stacie was well known around the workplace for being … pretty open-minded about her sexuality. She was an open book - even when nobody asked her to share. She had her share of flings with artists and employees alike. Gender was not an issue to her. As she pulled a particularly nauseated bedazzled pantsuit off the rack, she said,"Beca,you should come out with me tonight. Several of us are checking out the new gay bar by the stadium."

Beca - who had been mindlessly scrolling through Instagram a second before - now jerked her head up and stared at the other woman. She stammered,"Uh… what … why … why would I … go there … with you?"

Stacie looked over at the brightly blushing producer and answered," 're newly gay, right? Well, more like you have newly realized you're gay. I never see you with anyone except Red. I figured you could use a fun night with some hot potential hookups."

Beca shook as she stared at Stacie in disbelief. She didn't even try to correct her statement. She was floored by what was happening."How… Where … " She lowered her voice,"Howdid you know I was … you know …?"

"Gay? Aside from the flannel?" Stacie laughed."Idon't know how I found out. I think maybe Cynthia Rose might have said something. You know how news travels." She shrugged and turned back to the clothes rack."Ithink that I've got a pretty good assortment of outfits," she announced as she turned back to Beca."Nowwe…." Stacie furrowed her brow as she stared at the empty doorway."Where'dshe go?"

Speedwalking back to her office, Beca kept her eyes glued to the carpet. She felt like everyone's eyes were on her, judging goes the bisexual. She broke up with her boyfriend because she had a thing for women. How didn't she know? Just look at voices in her head clamored for attention - all of them judging, angry, hateful. When she finally got back to the suite of offices where she worked, Beca was in a right state. Chloe looked up from her computer, aiming to greet her friend. Instead, she saw an unhappy face glaring at her.

"Hey Becs, what's wrong?"

"Can I see you in my office? Now." Beca demanded without breaking stride. She burst through her door and threw herself into her desk chair. Chloe crept into the office, wondering what was happening."Closethe door." Beca ordered. Then she pointed to one of the chair across from her desk. Chloe slowly made her way over and sat down. The women stared at each other for a minute: Chloe's face a mask of confusion, Beca's simmering rage.

Beca finally spoke in a harsh voice."Youjust had to tell everyone. Had to spread some juicy gossip?"

"What are you talking about?" Chloe asked. She couldn't even begin to think what Beca was referring to.

"Psssh, like you don't know," Beca scoffed.

"I truly don't know," Chloe remarked. Bewilderment covered her face.

Beca leaned forward and loudly whispered,"ThatI'm bi." She suddenly stood up and began pacing behind her desk."Well,I guess the rumor is that I'm gay." Beca glared over at Chloe."Whodid you tell?"

Chloe's eyes widened in shock as she understood what Beca was asking."Noone!" The redhead tried to convince Beca with the sincerity of her response."Ididn't tell anyone anything. I swear!"

"Then how did they know? How does everyone here know?" Beca waved her arms towards the hallway."CauseI just had Stacie ask if I wanted to go to a gay bar to find a hot hookup. Cause I'm newly gay." The anger and betrayal coursed through her veins. She couldn't believe that Chloe - who had been so kind and understanding, who had said that this was Beca's story to tell - that Chloe had just spewed the information out there for everyone to if Sammy finds out and fires me? What if artists won't want to work with me? What if someone tells my anger was quickly becoming panic.

"Beca," Chloe began - well aware of the tenuous hold that Beca had on controlling herself."Iswear. I never told anyone. I don't know how people know. But it wasn't me."

"Who else was it?" Beca shouted."Therewere exactly two people who knew. You and Jesse. You're the only one who works here!"

"I know, but it wasn't…" Chloe countered.

"STOP LYING!" Beca bellowed. She breathed heavily as all the emotions exploded outward."You… I trusted you! You made it sound like you cared. That you would give me time to figure things out! And instead," Tears poured out of Beca's eyes."Youtold everybody everything! Who was it? Was it Ashley and Jessica and Flo? Or did you tell Amy? Or was it Stacie? Or Aubrey? You're close with everyone. That must have been some awesome shit to share!"

"I don't know anything to tell them!" Chloe hollered back. She was also crying, devastated that Beca could believe that Chloe would do such a thing.

"What? You heard what Jesse said," Beca shouted back.

"Yeah! And that's all I know," Chloe retorted."Younever said anything else about it. I heard him accuse me of turning you into a bisexual, and then … nothing."

Beca blinked, processing what Chloe said."Areyou mad because I didn't give you any more exciting details to share?" she finally spit.

"Stop being an asshole," Chloe barked as she jumped out of her chair. Beca stepped back in surprise."I'msorry that this got out, but I didn't do it. I would NEVER do anything to hurt you. I HAVE never done anything to hurt you. All I've done is offer you love and support and … a home … and friendship. You have known me for a very long time, Beca. And you should know me well enough to know that I am not the kind of person to betray a friend. And it hurts … so much … to hear you blame me." Chloe was in tears when she finished talking. Her arms were crossed tightly around her torso.

Each women remained standing on opposite ends of the office, silently staring at the other. Neither knew exactly what to do next. Finally, Beca grabbed her bag."Ineed to get out of here. Think about things." She started to walk towards the door.

"Will you need a ride home?" Chloe asked softly.

Beca held the doorknob, looking out into the common office space."No,"she finally answered."I'llget an Uber."

"Okay." Chloe kept her arms crossed, hugging herself, trying to keep things together. She was worried about Beca, about what her mental state was right now."Iknow you're angry. But, please, text … or call me … if you need help."

Beca nodded in acknowledgement and walked away. Chloe dropped into a chair and began to sob.

It was well after 2am when Beca stumbled through the front door. She dropped her bag just inside and toed off her shoes. She shuffled towards the kitchen. She was exhausted - the kind of emotional and physical fatigue that comes from a day of crying and grieving, where you feel like someone has squeezed every ounce of strength out of you. Grabbing a glass, she got some water. She startled, almost dropping the glass, sloshing water onto the floor when she heard a voice coming from the darkness in the living room.

"Beca?" The voice was raspy and anxious. It was clearly Chloe - a fact reinforced when the mussed head of red hair popped up over the couch. Then she hopped up and quickly walked into the kitchen, grabbing Beca in a tight hug."Oh,God, I was so worried about you."

"I'm fine," Beca mumbled."Justtired."

"I'm sure," Chloe answered, She rubbed Beca's arms."Whydon't you get ready for bed?" The redhead guided her friend towards the bedroom. Beca was barely functional as she dropped onto the bed. Chloe fussed around her, helping to get the brunette ready. She took off Beca's jacket and tossed it over to the chair. Then she grabbed one of Beca's night shirts from on the dresser - a big t-shirt that Chloe recognized from some giveaway at the studio. She slipped the flannel off of Beca's shoulders, flinging it to join the jacket."Ummm,"Chloe paused."Weprobably want to get these jeans off." She blushed a little as she continued,"Andthis tank … and your bra … you know."

Beca wearily looked at Chloe. An almost imperceptible smirk appears on her face."Ifyou had wanted to get me naked, there were better ways."

Chloe snorted and breathed a sigh of relief at the sign of Beca's usual self."I'llkeep that in mind for next time." Then she winked."IfI go out to turn the lights off and check the locks, can you do the last steps here?"

"But then you won't be undressing me," Beca replied with a pout.

Chloe looked down at Beca, forcing herself to stay strong."Whilethat may be a very appealing proposal," Chloe said with a slightly shaky voice."Ithink tonight we should worry about getting some rest." She turned and walked into the living room, trying to purge her mind of pictures of Beca getting undressed a few feet away. By the time Chloe made a lap of the apartment, checking locks and lights, and returned to Beca's door, the brunette had changed and slipped under the covers."Yougot everything you need?" Chloe asked from the doorway.

"No," Beca answered."Canyou lay down with me … just for a bit …please?" She was so pathetic that Chloe's heart melted. She climbed into bed and turned onto her side, facing Beca. She opened her arms, and Beca scurried over. She buried her fact against Chloe's shoulder. Soon, the redhead could tell that the other woman was sobbing. She held her tightly, rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry," a weak voice uttered after several minutes."I'mso sorry I was an asshole."

"Thank you," Chloe replied as she continued to hold Beca."Iforgive you."

"I'm so tired," Beca groaned.

"Just sleep, honey," Chloe whispered."Letthis day be over."

Within a few minutes, both women were sound asleep, wrapped up together.