#inversetwilight

Beca grunted softly as she tried to move again, pain radiating through her as she bit her lip. It would’ve been one thing if she had been shot for running her mouth, hell her dad would never let hear the end of it if she had. But Beca had been trying to gently reason with the psychopath threatening her family.

“Look, dude, we’re just a group of acapella singers trying to relive our happiest moments together. None of us have ever hurt a fly, we just want to hang out and sing, that’s all. So, how about you just let us go, no harm no foul, and we all go back to our lives, pretend this whole thing never happened? No sense in getting yourself in trouble with the US Army right?”

God getting shot hurt... it was getting harder to breathe too, dammit this was really bad. She had to get out of here, she had to get off this boat...

“Becs?” 

Chloe. 

Beca managed to lift her head a little, her hooded gaze meeting Chloe’s frightened one. She hated seeing Chloe frightened, hated seeing the tears on her cheeks. Chloe’s fingers ran softly through her hair, Beca leaning into the touch as she swallowed thickly.

“You’re okay.” Chloe mumbled, “You’re going to be okay.”

Beca snorted a little, wincing as Chloe gently rolled her onto her back. Chloe’s sharp gasp caused Beca to look down, now acutely aware of the hole in her side and the blood pumping from it.

“Shit...” Beca groaned, “Are you sure about that Chlo?”

“Yes.” Chloe forced a smile onto her face as she moved Beca’s hair from her face, “You’re going to be fine, because I said so okay?”

“Kay.” Beca smirked a little, “W-whatever you say Beale.”

The click of a gun safety made the world unbearably still for a moment as Chloe’s eyes widened in fear. She slowly raised her hands away from where she had been pressing her jacket into Beca’s wound, Fergus pressing the barrel of his gun hard into the back of her head.

“What do you think you’re doing sunshine?” Fergus growled, Beca helpless to do anything to help Chloe as she watched him terrorise her.

“I’m just trying to keep her alive.” How Chloe was managing to keep her voice level right now, Beca had no idea, but she was more in awe of her than usual, “I don’t care about the rest of this, about your money, about the fact you kidnapped us alright? I just want to make sure that Beca gets through this, you don’t really want to add murder to your list of charges from tonight do you?”

There was a tense moment as Fergus held his gun steady, Chloe’s eyes fixed on Beca’s as she gave her a soft smile in an attempt to reassure her. 

“Fine.” 

Chloe’s shoulders sagged a little in relief as the gun was removed, holding her jacket against Beca again. Beca grunted as the sudden pressure caused everything to throb anew, panting a little through her nose.

“The minute there’s any funny business, we’re going to have a problem.” Fergus turned his back on them as he returned to Amy who was currently trying to find a way to get the money transferred from the Cayman islands, no longer caring about standing up to her father. Her family was in danger, that was all that mattered.

“How can we help?” Aubrey’s jaw was clenched tight against the panic welling inside her as she put her energy into helping Beca.

“I need bandages...” Chloe sighed softly, “But um, if one of you guys has a cardigan or something I can tear up that will do.”

“Here.” Aubrey pulled off her jumper without a second thought, shivering a little as the cold night air hit her now exposed skin.

Emily quickly shrugged off her jacket and insistently wrapped it around Aubrey before she could argue with her. There was no sense in Aubrey freezing to death because she’d helped Beca.

Chloe made quick work of making bandages from Aubrey’s jumper, Ashley holding Chloe’s jacket in place as she did. The Bellas were crowded around Beca in a worried circle as Beca herself fought to stay conscious. She looked to Chloe again, her hand softly reaching out for hers as Chloe tightened the makeshift bandages around her waist.

“Thanks.” Beca whispered, managing a small smile as Chloe’s eyes flicked up from her wound to meet hers, “You always take such good care of me Chlo...”

Beca’s eyelids felt heavy as she felt Chloe’s other hand cup her cheek.

"Hey, look at me..." Chloe prompted her gently, tears making her eyes sparkle even brighter as she caressed Beca’s cheek, “You have to stay awake for me Beca okay? We’ll be out of here soon, just a little longer.”

“I- I love you.” Beca didn’t care who else was listening right now, there was only a small window left to tell Chloe how she felt, “I should’ve said something sooner...”

Chloe grinned tearfully at Beca, gripping her hand tightly in hers, “I love you too. We have plenty of time Becs, it’s okay, you’re okay.”

Beca lifted her other hand to grab the front of Chloe’s top, pulling her closer until their foreheads rested together, “I’m scared Chlo...” Beca’s voice was wobbling a little as a stray tear slipped down her cheek.

“I know.” Chloe continued to stroke her cheek as she sniffed softly, “I know. Me too... but we’ll be okay. Just a little longer baby I promise.”

Beca whimpered in pain as Chloe shifted their positions until Beca’s head was in her lap. She ran her fingers through Beca’s hair in a slow rhythm, heart pounding in her chest as she cradled her, never taking her eyes off Beca for a second.

“I’ve got you Beca. You’re okay.” 

Beca could feel herself slipping away, fighting desperately against the heavy weight of sleep trying to drag her under her. Chloe was right, it would just be a little bit longer. A little longer and then she and Chloe could be together. A little longer and they’d all be safe again. 

“I’m cold...” Beca sighed softly, grimacing as she moved closer to Chloe, “And tired...”

Chloe sucked in a shuddery breath as she forced another smile onto her face, “Not much longer Beca. I know you’re in pain, not much longer...”

“Here girl, I’m too warm anyway.” Cynthia-Rose gently draped her jacket over the now shivering Beca, Chloe giving her a grateful look.

“Thanks.” Beca could barely be heard as she sank deeper into Chloe’s arms, “M’trying Chloe... it’s hard...”

“You’re doing so well.” Chloe kissed Beca’s forehead, tears running down her cheeks, “You can do this Beca, c’mon.”

“M’sorry...” Beca murmured, the last thing she registered before she passed out being the soft way in which Chloe’s lips pressed against her temple.

-----

Chloe sat with her head in her hands, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. It had been a long twenty four hours since the army had pulled them from the yacht and Beca had been out of her arms for almost all of them. She hated this, she hated sitting and waiting for someone to tell her that Beca was going to be okay. When she had passed out Chloe had tried everything to get her to wake up again, even as the sound of helicopter blades thundered overhead. Help might be here, but Chloe still had to make sure that Beca was okay.

“Hey.” 

Aubrey sat next to Chloe, handing her a coffee that she had fetched her from the cafeteria.

“Any news?”

“No.” Chloe shook her head a little, sniffing as she managed a small smile for Aubrey, “No nothing. I hate this.”

“Me too.” Aubrey sighed softly, “She’ll be okay though. This is Beca ‘effin Mitchell we’re talking about.”

Chloe giggled softly as she let her head rest on Aubrey’s shoulder, “She told me she loved me Bree... after so long she actually said it. And now she might- she might-”

“It’s okay.” Aubrey wrapped her arm around Chloe’s shoulders, frowning softly as she hugged her, “You’ll have time. It’s what the two of you deserve. You’ll have time.”

“I’m looking for family of Beca Mitchell?”

Chloe’s head whipped around as a doctor approached them, wiping hastily at the tears on her cheeks, “That’s us, is she okay? Can I see her?”

“She’s okay.” The doctor nodded, smiling warmly as Chloe sagged in relief, “It was touch and go for a little while there, but she pulled through. Your girl’s a fighter.”

“You’ve no idea.” Aubrey chuckled tearfully, Chloe shaking and speechless as she hugged her, “So can we see her?”

“One at a time.” The doctor nodded, “She’s exhausted. She’s been asking for Chloe?”

“That’s me.” Chloe mumbled, “I’m Chloe. Is it okay if I-?”

Chloe turned to Aubrey who silenced her with a gentle shake of her head.

“Go. I’ll tell the Bellas she’s okay.”

Chloe moved quickly as she followed the doctor, practically throwing the door to Beca’s hospital room open. Beca looked a little startled but a soft grin quickly spread across her face as she saw Chloe in the doorway.

“Hey.” Beca croaked, wincing a little as Chloe all but dive onto her bed and wrapped her tightly into her arms, sobbing into her shoulder. Beca frowned a little as she lifted her arms to rest around Chloe, turning her head a little so she could kiss her temple.

“Hey... it’s okay weirdo. I’m fine, just like you said I would be.”

“I love you.” Chloe wept into the crook of her neck, “God, I was so scared Beca... I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” Beca kissed her head again, exhaustion pushed aside as all her attention went into comforting Chloe, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I know.” Chloe sniffled, “I’m really glad you’re okay Becs.”

“Me too Chlo.” Beca mumbled into her hair, “I’d’ve been really mad if I’d died before I got to kiss you.”

Chloe giggled as she lifted her head to look at Beca, stroking her cheek with her thumb again as she moved herself from on top of her to next to her, forehead resting against Beca’s.

“I wouldn’t have been happy either...” Chloe gently nudged Beca’s nose with hers, “I’ve waited a long time to kiss you Mitchell.”

Beca grunted a little as she rolled onto her side, fingers running into Chloe’s hair as she ignored the pain that radiated in her side, “You’re such a weirdo...”

Beca closed the gap between them as she pressed her lips into Chloe’s. It was softer than she wanted it to be, but getting shot had put a dampener on her stamina so this would have to do. Still, it was perfect, it was right, it was something she should have done far sooner than this.

“I love you.” Beca whispered as she pulled back a little, “When we get back to New York, I’m taking you on a really fancy date and we’re getting our own place... no way I’m sharing with Amy anymore.”

“I love you too.” Chloe giggled again, kissing Beca’s cheek, “But I don’t need fancy dinners or anything else... I just need you.”

“Dork.” Beca grinned, snuggling into Chloe’s arms as she sighed happily, “Kinda glad I got shot now... I got everything I ever wanted because of it.”

Every flannel shirt was on someone else’s back. Every lock of wavy brown hair wasn’t a lock of Beca’s wavy brown hair.

Every pair of jeans ripped at the knee, or scuffed boot, or scary (sexy) ear-spike, belonged to someone else.

Chloe started to wonder if she was being pranked until she finally spotted Beca at the very end of the bar.

Chloe couldn’t stop the frown that spread across her face, or the way her eyebrows pulled together.

She never was very good at hiding her emotions.

Beca - who was still trying her best to get the bartender’s attention so she could get served - was currently being hit on by a beard in a flannel shirt.

He was smiling, leaning against the bar with his own drink, looking down at her. He was clearly talking about something that he found fascinating, and didn’t seem to be picking up on Beca’s ‘please leave me alone’ face.

Beca turned her head away from him, looking back towards the booth where they were sitting, and seemed to deflate with relief when she saw that Chloe was looking at her.

She gave Chloe a look that said ‘Dude, help me’ and Chloe was only too happy to oblige.

“There you are!” Chloe said, brightly as she got within earshot of Beca and her new friend. She placed a hand on Beca’s back and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “You’ve been gone for hours.” Chloe pouted, her arm draping around Beca’s shoulder now. She felt Beca relax against her, as she reached up to take Chloe’s hand.

“So dramatic, babe,” Beca said, following Chloe’s lead. “Sorry dude,” Beca added, turning back to the guy, “this is my girlfriend Chloe.”

“Girlfriend?” He said, frowning, “you didn’t-”

“Chloe, this is Matt-”

“-Mark-”

“He’s really into IPAs.”

“Nice to meet you Matt,” Chloe said, brightly. “I hope you weren’t hitting on my girlfriend,” she added with a wink.

“It’s Mark,” he said. “You never said you had a girlfriend.”

“Was I supposed to?”

“I mean… It's only polite. Some guy starts talking to you, you should let him know you aren’t available. Kinda wasted my time,” he said, looking like a kicked puppy.

“Sorry dude, I thought you were just being friendly,” Beca said, with a shrug. She turned back to Chloe. “Can you get this guy to serve me? I never have any luck in this bar.”

“Sure babe,” Chloe said, leaning forward slightly, grinning as the bartender spotted her. She waved him over.

“You know what,” Mark said, looking more annoyed now. “I don’t believe it.”

“Don’t believe what?” Beca asked.

“Don’t believe you two as a couple. I mean she doesn’t exactly look…”

“Look what?” Chloe asked. Her smile was still on her face but there was something dangerous in her eyes now. “Look gay?”

“I just think you guys are doing that thing that girls do when they want a guy to leave them alone,” he said. “And that’s not fair. I’m a nice guy, you should give me a chance.”

Beca rolled her eyes and Chloe focused her attention on the bartender again.

“I dunno what to tell you dude,” Beca said. “Can I get two bottles of Bud Light please and a,” she turned to Chloe, “Vodka and Diet Coke?” Chloe nodded with another smile. “Vodka Diet Coke please.”

“Sure thing,” the bartender said before moving away to get their drinks.

“Look,” Mark said, speaking up again in what was clearly some last ditch attempt. “Prove it to me.”

“What?” Chloe asked.

“If you’re really a couple, prove it. Kiss or something.”

“Dude you’re being gross,” Beca said, shaking her head and turning away from him.

“Come on,” he said. “I think you’re lying.”

“Fine,” Chloe said, her hand coming to rest on Beca’s jaw. “If it’ll make you leave us alone, we’ll kiss.”

“No,” Beca said, sounding disgusted as she turned away to face Mark again. Chloe moved her hand and tried not to let this sudden stab of rejection show on her face. “No, we’re not gonna put on some show for you. We don’t owe you anything. Look, dude, either one of two things is happening. Number 1, you’re harassing a couple and being kinda homophobic in the process-”

“-I didn’t say anything homo-”

“-Or two,” Beca said, cutting him off, “I’m lying to you in order to make you leave me alone. In both of these scenarios, I don’t want to spend any more time with you. If I have to lie about a relationship to get you to leave me alone that should kind of indicate to you that this thing we have might not be going anywhere. So can you, like, fuck off?”

He straightened up. “Fine.” He finished his drink and put his glass back on the bar with a thump. “Bitch.”

“Thanks for that,” Beca said to Chloe once Mark had left.

“No problem,” Chloe said, taking her drink and walking back to the table.

“Wait, dude, are you mad at me?” Beca asked.

“No, of course not,” Chloe said, smiling sweetly. “Babe.” Chloe squeezed herself into the booth again, leaving Beca standing, looking at her in confusion.

“What did I do?”

“Uh oh,” Cynthia-Rose muttered.

“Our Mom’s are fighting again,” Emily said.

“Chloe?” Beca asked, ignoring them.

“You couldn’t have just kissed me? You had to go on a whole tirade and break that guy down because the thought of kissing me was so bad?” Chloe asked.

“Are you serious right now? He was being gross, I’m not putting on a fucking show for him to jerk off to later tonight,” Beca said.

“You were fine with calling me babe and letting me put my arm around you and stuff,” Chloe said.

“That’s different,” Beca said. “Look, can we go outside or something?”

“Why?”

“Because I wanna have an adult conversation with you, and I don’t want Amy live-tweeting it.”

“Fine,” Chloe said, taking a large swallow of her drink before setting the glass down and following Beca out of the bar.

It was cold outside, and Chloe immediately wrapped her arms around herself.

On instinct, Beca pulled off her jacket and wrapped it around Chloe’s shoulders, and Chloe felt herself soften immediately. The scowl in her face disappeared, and she closed her eyes as Beca tugged the jacket so it covered her better.

“What just happened?” Beca asked. “I feel like I missed something.”

“I’m sorry,” Chloe said, softly. “I didn’t mean to snap at you like that in front of the girls.”

“Did I do something?”

“No,” Chloe said. “Not really. It’s just… I guess I got a little caught up in our act. And when you turned away it felt like… it was like the idea of kissing me was so awful that you would rather chew this guy out than do it. And you hate confrontation, so you must have hated the thought of kissing me more. I’m not mad that you didn’t want to kiss me. It’s just… the way you said no. Like… like you’d just tasted something bad. It kinda hurt my feelings.”

“Chlo’,” Beca said, softly, “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come across that way.”

“You don’t need to say sorry,” Chloe said. “You have every right to reject me, I’m just a little drunk and emotional tonight.”

“Chloe, you realise you’re like my favourite person in the whole world, right? There isn’t a universe that exists in which I don’t want to kiss you,” Beca said, holding onto the ends of the jacket around Chloe’s shoulders, pulling her forward slightly. “I just didn’t want our first kiss to be like that. I didn’t want it to be surrounded by people gawking, for the benefit of some lowlife. I want it to be real. I want it to mean something. I don’t want it to be the only one.”

“But you do want it?” Chloe asked, her voice so small and hopeful that it almost broke Beca’s heart.

“Of course I want it. God, you have no idea… you’re everything to me, Chloe Beale. And when we kiss, it’s going to be the start of something amazing,” Beca said, pulling her even closer.

“Sounds like you’ve thought about this,” Chloe said, her eyes inevitably dropping to Beca’s lips.

“I have. A lot. For a long time,” Beca said.

“Why did you wait?”

“Why did you?”

Chloe laughed, and Beca felt it against her lips.

“Is this happening?” Chloe asked, as Beca pulled her a little closer.

“I think so,” Beca said, grinning. “Just promise me that this kiss is the beginning of something, not the end.”

“Hmm. That all depends on how good a kisser you are Mitchell.”