Author's Comments: Sorry for the long wait. It's that time of the month where paying for college classes is a priority. Thanks for the love, guys. I was all giddy inside from just one review. I'm really just happy people are actually reading this story. It looks like it's been an interesting week so far. Klainers finally got that box scene they were going nuts about, along with many other deleted scenes. Good for you guys. I just hope people aren't demanding more from Ryan Murphy. Just be thankful for what you have. Anyway, I'm done preaching. This chapter (and the last for that matter) takes place in mid-December and... IT'S MICHAEL WEEK! In this chapter, we have a little cameo by our favorite bronze medalist, Roz Washington! And Sam & Mercedes are going to start their little "flirtmance" earlier than the show in this chapter as well along with another non-canon flirtmance that I'll leave you to guess. This chapter is kind of like a mixture of Yes/No (3x10), Michael (3x11) and Props (3x20). That's a lot to cram in, but it's just so I can get those canon parts out of the way.

Featured Pairings: Tike (Tina/Mike), Finchel (Finn/Rachel), Brittana (Brittany/Santana), Klaine (Kurt/Blaine), flirtatious!Samcedes (Sam/Mercedes), unrequited!Flamotta (Rory/Sugar)

Warnings: Coarse language

Chapter Two
Well, I Don't Like Living Under Your Spotlight
("Spotlight" by Jennifer Hudson)

Despite how upset she was for missing out on We Are Young, Tina walked into glee club today with a big smile on her face. She had decided during the summer that she is going to change her attitude along with her look. No more gloomy Goth or shy punk. This year, she's a more upbeat, 60's swinging London Tina. Her arm wrapped firmly around Mike's, the two Asian lovers took a seat in the second row next to Santana and Brittany who were currently snuggling and giggling to each other. Tina greeted them with a smile, which they returned. She was happy to have them back, along with Mercedes.

Of course with Brittany, Mercedes, and Santana came Sugar Motta, who was currently sitting in the front row, jamming out to Drake on her iPod as Rory stole lusty glances at her. Tina still wasn't sure what to make of the girl. At times she seemed spoiled and conceited, and other times she was still that but also seemed a little sweet.

Kurt and Blaine were the last to arrive for glee before Mr. Schue proceeded with his usual announcements.

"Alright you guys," he started, calming the chattering choir room. He held up a piece of important-looking paper, "I've just got the brackets on who we're going up against at Regionals."

"That was fast," Tina commented.

"That was fast," Rachel chimed in, as if she never heard Tina.

"Well, we were one of the first in our block to finish our Sectionals, Rachel, so they gave me the notice early this year." Mr. Schue opened up the letter and read the paper aloud. "This time around, our opponents at Regionals will be Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrow's The Golden Goblets and the Dalton Academy Warblers."

Blaine frowned when he heard that New Directions were going to go against his former glee club. It would be the first time he'd be up against them in a competition and he wasn't looking forward to it. He already felt like a turncoat for abandoning them to be with Kurt, he felt even worse that he would have to face them in Regionals. But they didn't seem to be sour over his leaving, so Blaine pushed the thought from his mind.

"Looks like Blainey's gonna be facing off against his old Warbler friends," Puck smirked from his spot in the back.

"I don't mind," Blaine replied, not fazed, "It's all good, clean fun."

"That's the attitude, Blaine," Mr. Schue beamed. "Now I think for Regionals, we should open with an epic New Directions number with Rachel, Finn, and Blaine doing some of the lead vocals, followed by a classy Troubletones performance with Santana and Mercedes headlining, and ending with a solo by—"

"Me, of course," Rachel interrupted. "We want to win, don't we? I was thinking that maybe I could do a number by the great Céline Dion. I was teetering between It's All Coming Back to Me Now or maybe Because You Loved Me."

As Rachel rambled on, Tina found it more difficult to contain her lunch. Oh how she hated it when Rachel just demanded solos like she was entitled to it and Mr. Schue just lets her have them. Tina swore Rachel was blowing the curly-headed Spanish teacher on the side to get those numbers. Of course, Mr. Schue wouldn't really accept such an offer. As tempting as it is to shove something in Rachel's mouth, it was very obvious that he was afraid of the solo-hungry Jewish girl and pandered to her every need like a spineless jellyfish.

Needless to say, that upbeat 60s London smile wasn't so upbeat anymore.

glee

When she and Mike got to lunch, they sat with a few of the Glee kids, Kurt, Blaine, Mercedes, and Sam to be exact. As Kurt whined to Blaine about the ex-Warbler eating pizza for lunch ("Too many calories, Blaine!" Kurt shrieked, "You'll get fat!"), Sam was busy sending cute text messages to Mercedes, both trying their best to be discreet about his obvious flirtation. Mercedes wasn't returning the froggy-lipped blonde's advances, she was just entertaining him with equally flirty texts. The blonde's heart would light up every time Mercedes would send him a text, his bright smile evident on his ruby red lips.

"Can you believe Rachel today?" Tina asked Mike, keeping her voice low from the others.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean Rachel's constant need to demand every solo like it's her God-given right."

"It's just Rachel being Rachel, Tina; I don't think it's that big of a deal."

"Of course not, all you do is do dance numbers with Brittany," Tina shot back, "But some of us would like a solo thrown our way every once in a while."

"She's a senior, Tina," Mike defended, "You'll get your shot next year, but this year is for the seniors."

Tina was about to retort that Blaine was getting a solo in the group number when he is in fact a junior, but decided against it to avoid the argument and because Blaine was still at the table, currently being chewed out by Kurt for defiantly eating his pizza. Maybe Mike was right. Was she being stupid for getting so worked up about Rachel stealing the spotlight...again? She should be use it by now, but it seems to have gotten worse this year. Rachel's overbearing personality seems to have reached an even bigger point of arrogance and it was driving Tina insane.

She closed her eyes and counted to three, calming herself before opening them back and resume eating her lunch.

glee

Lunch passed by quickly and Tina found herself walking to History with Sam again. He was talking animatedly about his plan to get back together with Mercedes, who still dating that huge linebacker, Shane Tinsley. She wasn't really paying much attention, but from what she gathered Sam was going to join the synchronized swimming team because Mercedes loves jocks and Sam wants to wear a letterman jacket again. Tina went into a fit of giggles when she heard this plan. She laughed even harder when Sam pouted at her giggling, which made his lips look like an actual trout.

"You look like a fish!" Tina pointed to him.

"Do not!" Sam whined.

Tina tried to still her laughing as the two walked into History where Artie was already sitting at their table. Mrs. Hagberg was too busy to teach at the moment, so the class got a few extra minutes of play time while she figured out where U.S.A. was on the world map.

"You should come by and watch me swim," Sam suggested.

"Sam, I hate to be blunt but I don't think that plan's going to work," Tina smiled, still getting out most of her giggles.

"What are we talking about?" Artie asked, wanting to feel included.

"Sam's joining the synchronized swim team to get Mercedes back," Tina answered.

"Synchronized swim team?" the wheelchair-bound singer exclaimed, "Godspeed."

"Why?" Sam furrowed his eyebrow.

"Because one: being in glee club is lame enough to the student body without being in something even lamer as synchronized swimming and two: I heard the gym coach was crazy," Artie retorted, "She's some Olympic medalist or something and brags about it all the time in the teacher's lounge."

"How do you know that?" Sam asked.

"I'm an office aid and I hear her talking about it with Coach Sylvester and Coach Beiste."

"Well, I think it's a great idea." Sam said indignantly. Tina smiled, trying her hardest to contain her laughter. Ignoring her obvious cynicism, Sam asked her if she still wanted to come watch him and she agreed. Mike was going to be busy with football practice after school and she didn't really have anything better to do.

Mrs. Hagberg had finally remembered that "U.S.A." was an acronym for the "United States of America" and successfully found it on the map. About five minutes into her usual boring lecture, the bell rang and the students quickly piled out of there.

glee

When school ended, Tina made her way to the indoor pool area on the other side of the school. Truth be told, she had no idea they had a swimming pool or even a swim team, let alone a synchronized swimming team. It's as if they randomly came out of nowhere after three years she had been at McKinley High. Nevertheless, she made her way inside and took a seat in the back of the bleachers. Sam was already in the water doing laps with a few of the swimmers, while others were chatting around the pool.

And then, Tina's eyes widened when Sam finally got out of the pool. He was wearing nothing but tight, form-fitting swim shorts that barely covered his thighs. His entire body was dripping wet and Tina swore she could see the droplets fall between his rock hard, defined abs and down to shorts which showed off his big... Tina quickly looked away for a split second, a furious blush on her face, and regained her composure. She had remembered seeing Sam in such an exposed state during Rocky Horror last year, but now he seemed to have gotten more definition and his body had gotten leaner. She had guessed it was from Sam's stripper days—I mean, exotic dancer.

Sam waved at her with a big smile on his face, and she half-heartedly returned the gesture, hoping her red face wasn't obvious. Sam was currently walking with two swim geeks as they laid down the basics of the swim team. Before Sam could add anything to the conversation, a loud, obnoxious voice boomed through the building. A tall, black woman with short blonde hair in a red tracksuit who looked like one of those crazy Real Housewives was walking towards him with an intimidating stance.

"Samuel Evans," she declared, "I'm Coach Roz Washington and you are one strange looking kid. I have never seen lips like that on a white child." This made Tina laugh, because it was sort of true. "And one of your nipples is higher than the other."

Who cares about his nipples? His abs are what's important, Tina found herself thinking before mentally slapping herself for thinking such a thing. Mike has amazing abs.

As Coach Washington ripped the Trouty Mouth a new one, Tina received a text message from Mike asking where she was.

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:03PM)
Tina? Where are you?

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:04PM)
I'm at the school swimming pool, watching Sam practice.

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:04PM)
Why are you with Sam?

Tina was surprised Mike would ask a question as if he was implying something.

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:06PM)
What are you trying to say?

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:08PM)
I'm saying why are you with Sam of all people?

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:09PM)
He's my friend! Why do you think I'm with him?

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:10PM)
It just seems a little inappropriate.

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:11PM)
Why? Nothing's going on Michael Robert Chang!

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:10PM)
If nothing's going on, why are you getting defensive about it?

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:13PM)
Because my boyfriend is obviously implying that I'm sleeping around with my friend, which I'm not, thank you very much

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:15PM)
Well it seems strange that my girlfriend is hanging with someone who is trying to break up another couple

This had Tina boiling. How dare Mike stoop so low as to call Sam a home wrecker? Well he kind of was, but that's not the point! He's supposed to be Sam's friend and he's acting like a total jerk! Sam didn't do anything wrong... technically. It doesn't matter. Mike's in the wrong and that's that.

To: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:17PM)
I'm so over this, Mike. I'm done talking to you

From: Mike Chang (Dec 13 4:18PM)
Fine then. Find your own ride home.

And that officially ended the text argument. Tina was so pissed that she had half a mind to throw her iPhone into the pool, but thankfully thought against it. Throughout Sam's practice, Tina tried to distract herself by watching Sam's performance, which was actually pretty good. That Coach Washington, albeit loud and crazy, was good at choreography. Maybe Mr. Schue could learn a thing or two from the proud Olympic athlete. Once they were done, Sam immediately went over to Tina in his new letterman jacket (and still in his tight swim shorts).

"What did you think?" he asked hopefully.

Tina couldn't resist that nervous, boyish smile of his and answered immediately. "You did awesome."

"Thanks," Sam laughed bashfully, and Tina thought it was the cutest thing ever.

"Hey, uh, I told Mike that you were going to give me a ride. I guess I should've asked first, but I wanted to see you practice and all." Tina stated. She didn't want to tell Sam that she and Mike got into an argument over him, so she felt it was best to lie and pretend they didn't have a fight.

"Sure, of course," Sam said without question as he pulled on some sweatpants and the two headed out of the building. "Wanna get something to eat? All that synchronized swimming really takes it out of you."

"I'd love to," Tina smiled.

"Wanna invite Mike?"

"No, he said he was tired from football."

"Okay."

glee

The next day, Tina walked into glee with another huge smile on her face despite not being with Mike at the time. They still hadn't talked to one another because of the Sam argument, and there was no way in hell she was going to apologize for hanging out with her friend. And Sam was such a perfect gentlemen to her last night. He had taken her to Burritos, a new Mexican restaurant that opened up by the Hudson-Hummel home where Sam was staying. They had talked for what felt like hours on end about a lot things and Sam even made Tina laugh with his Clint Eastwood impressions. It was a great night, one that she hadn't had in a long time that didn't involve chicken feet and Mrs. Chang.

Tina sat next to Sam who was sending yet another text message to Mercedes. She didn't know why, but Tina started feeling a little jealous of Mercedes. Mike never sent her flirty messages or do what Sam was doing for Mercedes and woo her. Well, technically Mike did woo Tina with his amazing dancer abs and stole her from Artie, which was something Sam was trying to do with Mercedes and Shane, but still. She deserved a little appreciation if she wasn't getting that from being in New Directions.

Mike entered the choir room with a sullen look on his face. Bravely, he walked towards the open spot next to Tina and set down right next to her. After a few minutes of awkward silence, he turned to her and muttered out an apology for being a jerk last night.

"Can you forgive me?"

Tina sighed and nodded her head. "Of course." They hugged out and Mike linked his fingers around hers as they waited for glee to start up.

Mr. Schue walked in with yet another vest and tie. Seriously, the man was obsessed with vests. He looked like an elder Jonas Brother.

"Alright guys, I was brainstorming some ideas for a set list for Regionals and—" Blaine excitedly raised his hand. "Yes, Blaine?"

"Mr. Schue, before we start I have a song I'd like to sing, please."

"Sure, go ahead."

The band members started up their instruments to the a funky beat that Tina instantly recognized as a Michael Jackson beat. Before long, Kurt, Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany were up and joining Blaine in his funky groove.

Blaine
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'

Admittedly, Tina found the performance amazing and Blaine was doing an excellent job at performing, as painful as it was to believe. However, she was still annoyed by Blaine singing yet another song for glee. Tina had once asked Mr. Schue if she could perform her favorite Evanescence song, but he turned her down because they were too busy thinking up a song for Sectionals. Half the time, the kids goofed off in glee, so she never understood why she couldn't get to sing. Before she knew it, Blaine was reaching the end of his song.

Blaine with New Directions
Lift your head up high
And scream out to the world!
I know I am someone
And let the truth unfurl!

Brittany, Santana, Kurt, and Mercedes were doing great with the back-up vocals and everybody was jamming to Blaine's amazing performance.

Blaine with New Directions
Help me sing it, baby!
Mama se, mama se, mama coo sa!
Mama se, mama se, mama coo sa!
Mama se, mama se, mama coo sa!

Once the song was over, everybody, even Rachel, erupted into applause. Sugar was whistling, pumping her first, and jumping up and down, a sight that pleased Rory. Santana and Brittany were patting Blaine on the back as Kurt and Mercedes were taking a bow.

"Wow, Blaine, that was amazing!" Mr. Schue lauded as he patted Blaine's back. "What brought this on?"

"Well, Kurt and I were talking and, um, he suggested that since the Jackson Medley was so well-received by the audience at Sectionals, that we should do a Michael Jackson tribute for Regionals." Blaine smiled at Kurt who returned it with a small smile of his own. The choir room erupted in even more applause at the thought of getting to do Michael Jackson.

"Great idea guys!" Schuester exclaimed.

"Yeah, that sounds awesome!" Finn beamed.

"I never got the appeal," Rachel said bluntly, silencing the choir room.

"Excuse me?" Santana asked her, completely scandalized. "What are you going on about, Gayberry?"

"I just never got the appeal," the perky Jewish girl replied, "Give me Bernadette Peters any day, but I just never got the hype."

"If only I hadn't drank all of my Starbucks before coming here, I would've tossed it in your face and then be disappointed that it wouldn't nearly have been scalding enough."

"I listened to Michael Jackson when I was baby and still had functioning legs," Artie chimed in. "My first words were 'Hot damn'."

"You guys, gears are turning in my head and I think this Michael Jackson tribute will be outstanding for us," Schuester beamed. "So, I just decided right now that since we're all excited to do a Michael Jackson medley, we should give people more opportunities for a solo at Regionals."

Tina instantly perked up at this information, her heart beating fast with delight and hope. Even better, Rachel looked super pissed at the news and even elbowed Finn in the ribs for clapping at the suggestion. Maybe Tina can finally have that moment in the spotlight again. But of course, it seemed that every moment that made her happy in glee, ended up crashing and burning. As soon as Mr. Schuester opened his mouth, Tina could already tell what he was going to say.

"I was thinking that instead of a solo for Regionals, we could do a duet between Blaine and Rachel!" Everyone seemed to like the idea of another Anderberry collaboration since their voices meshed so well together with their duets from West Side Story and Rachel's Trainwreck Extravaganza. "How about you guys sing Smooth Criminal?"

"Yeah! We should do the 2Cellos version," Blaine suggested, "That would be really classy."

"I call I Want You Back for The Troubletones," Santana declared proudly.

"Does that even count?" Sam asked. "It's Jackson 5, not Michael Jackson."

"Oh, please, Salamander Lips! MJ sang it, we do it."

"Um, Mr. Schue," Tina called out over the chattering New Directions member, which silenced them to hear what the former Goth had to say. This was probably the most they've paid attention to her. "Can we audition for that duet?"

"Audition?!" Rachel shrieked. "B-but that was supposed to be my solo! It just got cut to a duet and I'm perfectly fine singing with Finn or Blaine because our voices blend so well together, but I have to sing. I'm applying to NYADA! I have to have an extensive résumé!"

"I'm only asking because some of us would like to sing at Regionals too, Rachel," Tina said defiantly.

"Tina!" Mike hissed, but she completely ignored him. He was already walking on thin ice with her; she didn't need to deal with him trying to pacify her.

"Tina, sweetheart," Rachel looked up at Tina with her brightest smile that was meant to be genuine but seemed extremely fake. It made Tina want to punch her in big-nosed face. "I appreciate your dedication and I'm truly flattered that you would want to follow in my footsteps as the lead vocalist, but I'm afraid that will not do this year. We have to be in tip-top shape and I just think that I'm more qualified. And plus, this is my last year here. I need to make the most of my senior year, as do all of the other seniors."

"Sorry, Tina, Rachel's right," Mr. Schue said solemnly. "It is the seniors' year. Maybe next time."

The choir room then commenced with its usual chatter as Tina sat there, shocked, with Mike looking at her with a look of disappointment and Sam sending her a sympathetic glance. It's the seniors' year? Seniors' year? Blaine is not a senior, damn it. He is a junior and he hasn't even been in New Directions as long as Tina has. She was one of the original glee club members back when there were six and people were hurling abuse and slushies at all of them. There was no way in hell some hobbit with Sandy Cohen eyebrows was going to come in and hog the spotlight. The group gets enough of that bullshit with Rachel. Maybe next time? Hell no, or hell to the no, as Mercedes would say. There was no way Tina was going to live in Blaine and Rachel's shadows anymore.

She stood up from her seat and...

"NO!" Tina said defiantly, so loud that everyone stared at her in shock. Tina herself was surprised at her impulsive stance, but she didn't care. This needed to be said. She walked to the front of the choir room and turned towards Rachel, who looked frightened and was pressing her side to Finn like that would protect her.

"Rachel, how dare you talk to me like I am your inferior," Tina said automatically as if she couldn't control herself. "I am just as important in this group as you are. You use that senior excuse to get what you want, but in truth, you're really just a spotlight hog." The usually-kind Asian beauty turned to Mr. Schue, who was just as shocked as the others. "And Mr. Schue, how can you stand there and pander to her every need? And agreeing with her? How can you say that me not getting a solo is because I'm a junior when Blaine is a junior himself and he hasn't even been here as long as I have?"

Mr. Schue didn't say anything because he knew she was right. Blaine held his head down, feeling guilty and ashamed. He had never wanted to come to New Directions to cause trouble. He just wanted to be with the person he loved and sing.

"I have lived under Rachel's shadow for so long, that I will be damned if I have to live under Blaine's too."

And with that, Tina marched out of the choir room, leaving everyone stunned and immobile.

Author's Comments: OMG! I loved this chapter! Damn that last part felt good to write. I feel like I felt Tina's pain just now. Anyway, back to reality. What did you guys think? I hate that I made Mike out to be a jerk, because admittedly of all the canon couples that I can stomach on the show, Tike is the one I tolerate the most. But this fic isn't really going to follow that many canon couples; in fact a lot of crackships will happen. Also, as much as I love this pairing, and I'm sure some of you do too, don't get too attached to the Sam/Tina pairing, or as I like to call it "Samtina." It's not something I'm looking for in terms of endgame for this fic (although, like I said before, I am in love with the pairing), but things can change. You know, I made this fic because I was tired of all the Blaine solos and ironically, he was the only one who got to sing in this chapter. I did decide, however, not to write the full song because I did that in the last chapter for We Are Young and it just seemed to be too much like filler. So I'll try cutting the songs short when necessary. Anyway, tell me what you think! Want me to keep going?

Featured Songs:
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson. Sung by Blaine with New Directions.