Lost...

Chapter 8

Beca is driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other interlaced with Chloe's, who is looking out the window, has been since they left the warehouse. Not a word has been spoken between the two since they had gotten into the car. Only a forced half-smile from the redhead, which Beca had returned with a kiss to Chloes forhead and lips, briefly.

Beca glances over at her girlfriend. She notices the way her brow is furrowed, like she's thinking really hard about something. She notices the way Chloe's right hand is gripped tightly against the door, her thumb tapping continuosly against it. And seeing Chloe like this, so lost in thought, empty of emotion, seeing her so distant looking, it scares Beca. Because she knows that her girlfriend is going to be very mentally damaged from what's happened to her. She's going to need someone to be there for her, to clean up the lasting affects and fix the broken parts, and Beca is more than happy to be that someone for Chloe. The thing that she's scared of though, is Chloe's emotional state taking a toll on their relationship. And she is not, by any means, blaming Chloe for whatever may go misconstructed between the pairing. She is though, terrified of it resulting in losing the redhead.

Because if she really thinks about it, Chloe is basically her world, her everything, her oxygen. And if she were to ever lose that, Beca doesn't think she would be able to live. In the long run though, she thinks that they can get through anything together. The brunette knows, believes in their love enough to say that she is ready to take on whatever challenges the aftermath may bring.

"Chlo?" She sees the redhead jump at the sudden change in volume within the vehicle, and then turn her head toward Beca.

"Sorry.. uh, do you want to stop for some food? You've got to be hungry."

Chloe quickly shakes her head. "I'm fine. I'll just wait until we're home."

"Chlo, you can't just have snack food when we get home. You deserve a meal. Come on, let me take you to a Waffle House or something. "

Chloe turns to look at Beca and shakes her head again. "Really Beca I'm okay. I appreciate it but it's fine." She flashes the best reassuring smile she can, and Beca just lifts Chloes knuckles to her lips in response, then looks back to the road. For the next two hours, the only sound either of them hear is that of friction between rubber and asphalt.

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Beca pulls into the parking lot. She shudders as she glances only a few parking spaces away to where Chloe was taken, but shakes off the feeling. She's just happy to have her princess home. Beca looks over to Chloe and finds her looking at the spot also, but she is far from shaking off whatever feelings are going on inside her head.

"Chlo.. Are you ok?" And then Chloe's breathing picks up and she starts to shake her head slowly, still looking at the parking space, as if she's watching everything unfold right in front of her again.

"Hey.. Chloe hey look at me." Beca brings a hand up to Chloe's cheek, pushing slightly so the redhead will look at her. It takes her a few counts, but the tension against Beca's hand finally releases and then Chloe is looking at her. No, not at her, into her. 'God, those fucking eyes.' Beca didn't know if she'd ever get to see them again, and damn, is she glad she does.

She'd planned to calm Chloe down with words, but got stranded at sea mesmerized by ocean blues. But it seemed to be calming the redhead down, just looking at each other, like there was nothing else around them. Still holding onto Chloe's hand, she strokes her thumb across the back of it.

"Look at me Chloe. Look at my eyes. You're safe. You're completely safe with me." Chloe still looks unsure, Beca sees her eyes dart back and forth between her own, her brow furrowed. So Beca tries again, bringing the other hand up to the other side of Chloe's cheek, stroking both thumbs across the smooth skin on either side.