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A/N: Hey everybody so here it is, PART II of my alternate season 2 finale! I want to thank all of you who have story alerted, favorited this and especially those of you who have reviewed because seeing that you like my writing enough to leave a comment about it really makes all this hard work WORTH IT. In other words, (In a very dramatic voice that could possibly rival Rachel Berry) I need reviews to live! Now that we got that out of the way, as you all I know there's one more part to this. I'll be updating soon. I hope you guys like it. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own glee, at all, even though I wish I could have Mark Salling all to myself ;)
Pretending
PART II
"Rachel, wake up. Wake up." she hears Kurt whisper excitedly as he hops on the bed with her and hovers over her. She wipes the drool off herself and looks up at him expectantly but also slightly groggy and dazed.
"Why?" she asks curiously and he grins at her.
"We're going to breakfast at Tiffany's." he replies and Rachel is out of bed and ready in less than 15 minutes. They make their way to get breakfast and talk about anything and everything, even a few things she doesn't want to discuss.
"We are going to get in so much trouble for this." Rachel squeals and Kurt just moans happily.
"Oh these bagels!" Kurt exclaims and Rachel smiles at him.
"It's the water." she explains. Looking around her, she can feel the smile tugging at her lips. She's in New York. "You're the only one besides me who understands how amazing this place is. Which is why I have a secret to tell you. When we graduate I'm coming back and I'm going to college here. This is where I belong."
"I'm so coming too. And I talked to Blaine, he's on board as well." Kurt tells her happily and she grins so hard her cheeks feel numb. This is amazing. Her, Kurt, and Blaine taking New York City by storm. She can see it now.
"Good." she says wholeheartedly, trying to ignore the constant pangs in her chest. What about Noah?
"Which leaves only one question." Kurt concludes and Rachel quirks a brow and wonders what else she has to worry about. "What are you going to do about Puck?"
"What?" Rachel shrieks almost spilling her coffee on the pavement. How did Kurt know about her liking Puck? She swears he has like a sixth sense sometimes.
"Oh, don't' act so surprised. I was up late texting Blaine when I heard you two out in the hall and when Puck expertly snuck back in. What were you two up to? What happened to dearest Finn and his oh so romantic date he had planned for the two of you?" Kurt asks his eyebrow quirking in curiosity. Rachel looks away and blushes before looking back to Kurt. His eyes still trained on her, waiting for an answer.
"I realized Finn and I aren't exactly meant to be. Simple as that." she replies as she takes a bite out of her bagel. Anything to give her more time to think.
"And Puck?" Kurt inquires and Rachel pauses, trying to keep from blushing and failing miserably.
"I may have feelings for a certain Jewish boy but…" Rachel shakes her head and trails off. Yes she has feelings for Noah Puckerman, but in the end it doesn't matter. It's not enough.
"Oh my god, Puckleberry lives!" Kurt yells gleefully whipping out his cell phone ant tapping away. Rachel looks around, putting her arms up to quiet him. She wishes she could be happy about it, but unfortunately her feelings for Puck are another set of misplaced emotions that she needs to get straight for her sake as well as for Puck and Lauren.
"It doesn't matter, Kurt. He's got Lauren and I refuse to meddle in their relationship." Rachel tells him seriously and Kurt frowns.
"Rachel, Puck was yours first. It's obvious he likes you too." Kurt tries to convince her but Rachel winces.
"Right, which is why he's with Lauren." she states and Kurt rolls his eyes.
"I bet Puck would follow you to New York. He'll be great if we need to move anything heavy." Kurt tells her and Rachel sighs. She wants to be with Noah, and maybe he would follow her. It's a lot easier to imagine Noah Puckerman leaving Lima then it is to see Finn doing the same thing. If not just because Puck has more to prove. To his father, to his family, to himself. They've talked about leaving Ohio a few times, not in length but Rachel knows its something Noah is set on doing.
"And if he doesn't see what a wonderful and beautiful person you are, well then you always have Broadway." Kurt assures her and she smiles softly before sighing.
"But I do love him." she says quietly and that is bigger than any other secret she could have ever told Kurt. His eyes widen and he looks to her sympathetically.
"And you'll find someone else, something better." he comforts her and she hangs her head a bit.
"I don't know how." she admits and Kurt turns to her.
"I do. Follow me." he commands as he starts to power walk. Rachel wonders what her best friend is up to as she goes to catch up with him.
"Wait." she calls out as Kurt continues to speed walk toward an unknown location. When Kurt finally stops they both look up at the sign that reads Gershwin theatre and Wicked. Rachel isn't sure of Kurt's intent but she still cant find herself feeling better about the entire Puck situation.
"I love this show but its not helping me get over Noah." she tells him and he shakes his head.
"We have to go in." Kurt replies, his voice low and conspiritory. "Strike that. We have to break in." Rachel looks toward him, brows furrowed did he seriously just say…?
Kurt drags her around the back and she can't believe it as she watches him kick in the door. She literally can't believe it. When she asks him how he learned how to do that he shrugs and replies, "Blaine watches a lot of cop shows. I asked him to teach me, you know just in case I ever needed to know."
And Rachel isn't sure why he would ever need to know but she starts to get really worried when they actually make it inside.
"No, we can't be in here. They say if you get arrested in a theatre you can get blacklisted." Rachel whispers in a panic. She cant believe she's doing something she's not supposed to for the second day in a row. What happened to saying no to peer pressure? Kurt opens his mouth to reply when they hear someone.
"Hey!" a man shouts before he walks down the aisle toward them. "You're not supposed to be in here."
"We're extras." Kurt comes up with quickly and Rachel prepares herself. "They told us to come early."
"Yes, we're being fitted for our costumes." Rachel supports, smiling wide, hoping this man will believe them. She doesn't want hers and Kurt's career to be ruined by a stupid stunt like this.
"You're from Indiana, right?" the man drawls and Rachel shakes her head.
"Ohio actually." she supplies and he nods knowingly.
"You got some big Broadway dream about singing a song on a real Broadway stage." the man says and Rachel feels Kurt tense beside her.
"Look, we're really sorry…" Kurt starts to apologize but the man turns away.
"You got fifteen minutes." he tells them as he retreats back to wherever he came from and Rachel looks at Kurt and squeals before running full speed ahead toward the stage with him.
"I want to show you what's waiting for you, even if Puckerman doesn't wise up and see what's right in front of him." Kurt says as he surveys their surroundings.
"How?" she questions as her eyes rake over the stage, soaking in every last detail.
"Sing." Kurt sing songs and Rachel puts her jacket down and smiles. Kurt comes over and puts his arm around her, turning her toward the empty seats.
"Picture yourself in front of a full audience belting out the final song of one of the greatest musicals of all time." he advises, closing his eyes to visualize it himself.
"But there's no orchestra." she disputes and he keeps his eyes closed as he tells her dreamily to, "Make one... in your mind"
He points up at the big clock and Rachel takes a deep breath. She lets her imagination run wild and the music sounds as she turns toward the nonexistent audience and begins to sing.
I'm limited. Just look at me - I'm limited and just look at you. You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda. So now it's up to you. For both of us - now it's up to you...
Rachel pulls Kurt in her arms and faces him toward the crowd, his eyes light up and he starts to sing as Rachel goes to explore the upper balcony.
I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow. If we let them and we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you...
Kurt spins around and watches as Rachel climbs the last few steps, grips the railing and looks out off the balcony then down to him as he follows her up the stairs.
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder, halfway through the wood. Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because i knew you. I have been changed for good.
They sing together and Rachel and Kurt move downward off the stairs.
And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blame me for.
Rachel takes Kurt's hand as he sings the next verse.
But then I guess we know there's blame to share. And none of it seems to matter anymore.
He leads her onto the stage and they take one side each before pouring all their energy into the song as they face the crowd they hope will one day be there.
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun. Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood. Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea. Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
They take each others hand and smile out toward the front of the stage. Rachel knows this is where she belongs. She loves Puck, but if he doesn't want her Broadway is enough for her. It's always been enough for her.
Because I knew you… I have been changed for good…
Rachel pulls Kurt into a hug as their last note drifts across the theater. She will never be able to tell him how much this means to her.
"Thank you, Kurt." she pulls away and looks reverently around her. "I see it now. If Noah doesn't want to be with me, I know I'll be okay, because this, I mean, this stage, Broadway, New York. That's my true love."
And after saying it, she knows she means it. She knows she'll be able to get through anything as long as she has music and Broadway. And yeah, not having Noah Puckerman there with her when she gets her first Tony is going to hurt. No amount of fame could ever make her forget him but she'll survive, with Broadway by her side.
When Kurt and Rachel get back to the hotel everyone is already working and it isn't long before they disperse to take a break.
That's how she finds herself running down to the lobby to ask about when dinner starts in the dining area for Kurt and Mercedes when Puck comes by and sweeps her past the front desk and out of the hotel. She'd be worried about Mr. Schuester finding out but, surprisingly he's MIA again so she simply looks to Puck and narrows her eyes.
"You planned this." Rachel says suspiciously and Puck smirks mischievously.
"Maybe."
That's when she thinks about how keen Kurt and Mercedes had been on getting her out of the room and out into the lobby. "You definitely planned this." she concludes and he shrugs as they walk through times square.
"Alright, alright you caught me but I figured, I'm the ambadassador of this club and how does that look on me that you and Kurt snuck out before the Puckerone did?" Puck questions playfully and Rachel shakes her head in mock disappointment.
"Oh, you must feel so ashamed." she says sympathetically, touching his arm to comfort him.
"It's just not right, babe." he shakes his head sadly before looking at her with a wicked glint in his eyes "Which is why we're sneaking out."
"And where exactly are we going?" Rachel wonders as she loops her arm through his.
"Hm… well I was thinking see some sights maybe take a stroll through central park?"
"Central Park?" Rachel asks excitedly.
"Yeah, what do you think?" Puck asks, measuring her reaction and she makes sure she lets her enthusiasm ooze out.
"I think it sounds great."
"Okay then."
They start off on their journey and spend a few hours goofing off and hitting some stores and taking pictures before they finally reach Central Park. It's their last stop before it gets dark and they have to get back but Rachel sighs happily as they sit together on a wooden bench.
"This has been fun. I'm so glad we came out today. This was a lot more fun then being cooped up in the hotel room." Rachel gushes and Puck shrugs easily.
"Yeah well I know you love New York and everything so I figured why the hell not? Plus, I've always really wanted to try one of these dirty water hot dogs. I heard they're the shit." Puck says holding up his hot dog for good measure before taking a bite.
"So what's the verdict?" Rachel waits patiently as his face screws up in thought and he grins.
"The definitely are fucking delicious." he concludes and Rachel laughs as he holds the hot dog out and offers it to her. "Wanna bite?"
She scrunches up her nose in distaste and shakes her head as he eats the last of it.
"I wasn't gonna give you any anyway." he grumbles and she giggles despite herself. "Oh you think its funny, Berry?" he challenges, leaning in and she shakes her head.
"No. No its not funny." she replies between laughs as he starts to run his fingers down her sides and tickle her senselessly. He shifts her on his lap and she starts to poke him in order to defend herself. They always say the best defense is a good offense, right?
"Okay that's not fair." Puck says as Rachel inches toward the one place she knows he's ticklish: his neck.
A few minutes go by and they're both so out of breath and exhausted from laughing so much they don't realize until they're faces are barely a few inches a part that Rachel is strewn across his lap. Rachel feels her body react to his and she blushes furiously. She opens her mouth to start rambling on about something to distract herself from how his body feels under her when she feels the first cold drop of water fall on her nose. They both look up just n time to see the onslaught of rain come falling down. Rachel hops off Puck's lap and he takes her hand as she pulls him out and starts spinning.
"Rachel what are you doing?" Puck chuckles as Rachel stops and looks at him.
"Dance with me." she says, his smile falters a bit and she can practically hear the wheels turning in his head.
Rachel looks up into his eyes and she can tell he's debating. He probably thinks this about the lamest thing in the world but she can't not do it. Dancing in the rain, there's just something so theatrical about it.
"Come on." she pleads as she lets go of his hand and backs up a little. He smiles before she turns and starts to run and he takes off after her, catching up within a few seconds.
He wraps his arms around her from behind and she twists her body to see him. He puts a hand on her waist and grabs her hand with his before spinning them around. She's surprised he's actually doing it but as the two of them twirl under the sheet of rain she feels like nothing can touch her. Like everything is right in the world.
Then she gets a text from Kurt warning her that her and Puck better come back soon and they both grab each other's hand before running back to the Marriott.
When her Rachel and Puck finally get back they separate, promising to see each other soon, and when Rachel goes to change out of her soaked clothes she catches Santana and Brittney leaving the room. Santana nods while Brittney waves happily and Rachel smiles softly at the both of them before going into the girls' joint room. She's about ready to leave when she sees Quinn come out of the bathroom, sporting a brand new haircut.
"Hello Quinn." Rachel says hesitantly. She knows Quinn isn't happy with her, she wasn't when she was in the same position as the ex cheerio. Wanting someone who didn't want her. She's pretty much in the same boat right now, just not with the same person
"Rachel." she replies bitingly and Rachel winces.
"I like your new haircut." Rachel compliments and Quinn nods curtly.
"Thanks." the blonde says before brushing past Rachel and heading toward the other room, but before she can get far Rachel twists around to look at her.
"Quinn?" Rachel calls out and she turns around just as she reaches the door. Her eye brows go up, waiting for Rachel to say something and Rachel takes a deep breath before saying what she has to say.
"I just wanted to say… I'm sorry." she tells her sincerely and at first Quinn is unresponsive so Rachel presses on despite Quinn's silence. "I should have respected your relationship with Finn and moved on instead of pining after him the way I did."
"Damn right you should have." Quinn replies bitterly and Rachel nods, knowing she deserves almost every bit of Quinn's venom. "But, its not all your fault either." the blonde admits and Rachel is stunned at her admission. "You cant help what you feel and Finn wasn't exactly guiltless either."
"Thank you for understanding." Rachel feels a weight lift off her shoulders as Quinn nods at her. "I want you to know that I wont be pursuing Finn any longer."
"Yeah I heard, manhands has got the hots for Puckerman." Quinn sneers before watching Rachel deflate at her barb. She winces before correcting herself. "I mean, Rachel."
"Thank you." Rachel replies and Quinn puts her hands on her hips.
"Don't think this means we're gonna be besties or something because its not." But Quinn smiles despite her words and Rachel nods before smiling back. "Plus, maybe Finn's gonna need someone to pick up the pieces?" Quinn wonders hopefully and in that moment Rachel sees the girl that hides behind the harpy like attitude. She's just a regular girl who wants to be loved and appreciated, just like her.
"Yeah, maybe." Rachel replies as they both make their way to the room where all the others are working.
But instead of finding a song in the making they find the coach of Vocal Adrenaline standing in the middle of the room. That's the first thing Rachel notices. The second thing is Puck and Lauren are on opposite sides of the room, not that she's happy about that or anything…
"Guys, what is he doing here?" Quinn demands, squinting her eyes viscously at the man standing in the middle of the room.
"Yeah, shouldn't you be off making your kids barf up their dinner?" Rachel insults and Dustin Goolsby scoffs at her and laughs openly.
"I just thought the New Directions would like to know where their coach has been these past two days." the man says innocently and Rachel puts her hands on her hips in contempt.
"Mr. Schuester has been filling out paper work for nationals." Finn says and Goolsby shakes his head. Rachel does her best to avoid Finn's gaze.
"Is that what he told you?" Goolsby chuckles before looking each and every one of the New Directions in the eye. "Your glee club director has been out auditioning on Broadway while you sit cozied up in your hotel room attempting to put together a contemplation of mediocre songs that will not even place you in the top forty."
"Don't believe a word he says. He's only trying to put us in a funk before the competition. Didn't your Vocal Adrenaline freaks tell you about how well it worked the last time?" Puck retorts before Finn even gets the chance to speak up. Rachel looks at Puck and smiles proudly at his leadership skills.
"Don't believe me? Check the Broadway blogoshpere." Goolsby smirks before heading toward the door. His hand falls on the handle before he turns toward them one last time. "Oh and good luck at Nationals. You'll need it."
He lets out an evil laugh before walking out and closing the door behind him.
"You don't think…" Mercedes trails off as she meets the eyes of the others. Rachel isn't sure what to think. She wants to believe its isn't true, but she of all people knows how strong the call of Broadway is, its alluring and like a siren. Her and Kurt exchange a nervous glance. They both know the effects of the Broadway stage.
"Should we check?" Santana asks and Rachel watches as she and everyone else nods. Finn, slowly but surely pulls out his phone and gets on the internet to surf for information.
"Where would I find a blog about Broadway?" he questions and Kurt rolls his eyes playfully.
"You're such a boy. I'll show you." he says as he leans over the back of his step brother's chair and snatches his phone, typing the html of the website. His eyes widen and Rachel's do too and it's a domino effect until every member of the New Directions looks like googly eyed freaks. Its seems like hours before Kurt finally tells them what they all feared.
"Quote: 'One William Schuester was seen at the August Wilson theatre holding auditions for Crossroads: an April Road musical. After an amazing performance of Still Got Tonight, William Schuester was told by a Broadway exec that he had seen a lot of talent in his day but that he, William Schuester had the it that every star longs to have. It is assumed that William Schuester will be taking the lead in the musical that has been written and starred in by April Rhodes…' Unquote." Kurt reads before falling silent along with the others. Rachel isn't sure what to say, but she doesn't have much time to think before Quinn is speaking.
"This is good, right? Mr. Schuester fulfilling his dreams. We should be happy for him, right?" the blonde asks, her voice laced with sadness.
"This is beyond good. It's great for him. He always said he wanted to be on Broadway now look, he's there." Rachel tells them, her tone bittersweet. Of course, she's happy for Mr. Schuester but at the same time she also wishes he didn't have to go. He's been the greatest teacher any of them could have ever asked for. She just can't believe that he's leaving.
"But what about us?" Puck wonders and the others don't provide an answer so Rachel does.
"We'll either get a new director or glee club will be over." Rachel says mournfully and she meets eyes with Puck, Santana, Quinn, Brittney, Kurt, Mercedes, Sam, Tina, Mike, Artie, Finn, even Lauren all of whom have become like her family.
"No, glee club could never be over Rachel." Mercedes smiles and the others nod in agreement. And Rachel is happy to be a part of this. To be a part of their family, no matter how dysfunctional and crazy it is. Nomatter how many times they've all swapped boyfriends or girlfriends or had it out, she's grateful for every person in the room. Despite everything, these are the people who matter to her the most and she knows they'll be able to get through this.
"So it's settled. We're all for Mr. Schue's Broadway dreams?" Tina prompts and Rachel nods vehemently.
"I'd say so." she replies and Puck looks at her and smiles softly.
"Yeah, I'm in agreement." Artie says happily and Tina, Mike, Brittney, Mercedes, Sam, Finn, Santana, Quinn and Lauren all agree, not needing to say more.
"So, uh, songs for nationals." Finn mentions and Rachel clears her throat to get everyone's attention. Yes, they have to focus on writing these songs so they can win! It's the least they can do, for Mr. Schue.
"Alright. So what do we have so far?" Puck questions, rubbing his hands together and smirking
"Well, I've been working on this song since we did that New York mash up. Maybe me and someone can perform it so we can all see if its good or not." Finn suggests and Artie, Mercedes and Sam nod.
"Okay so, who wants to test it out with me?" Finn wonders, his eyes immediately falling on Rachel. She stays quiet, nudging Quinn slightly before looking down at her notepad.
"I'll do it." Quinn offers and Finn looks at Rachel sadly before nodding.
"Yeah, okay." he agrees just as the door opens. Rachel looks over toward the door and sees Mr. Schuester's head peeking out from behind a huge stack of pizzas as he closes the door with his foot.
"Alright guys, who's up for some real New York City pizza?" Mr. Schuester asks lightheartedly. But the smile on his face falls as soon as he meets everyone's eyes. Rachel feels her throat get tight as he looks at them. She's really going to miss having him as a teacher, there's no doubt about that.
"We heard." Quinn says solemnly and Mr. Schue shakes his head.
"Heard what?" he wonders, completely oblivious. He wasn't going to tell them, not until after nationals of that Rahcel is certain. He didn't want them to be distracted or upset before the competition, so he was planning on waiting until after it was all over.
"About you leaving to be on Broadway." Mercedes tells him and he lets out a deep breath before setting down the stack of pizzas in his hand. He definitely was going to wait.
"Look, I haven't made up my mind about anything." he assures them and Rachel's thankful when Kurt speaks up first, it seems like she needs a minute to find her voice again. She knows its in their somewhere.
"We did." Kurt replies. "And we're happy for you."
Rachel is relieved when her voice floats freely through the air.
"You've inspired us in so many ways so, this is just another." she tells him genuinely. He looks pained as he surveys the room and he sighs.
"I don't understand. Who told you guys?" he questions and Tina tells him.
"Goolsby." she says simply and Rachel and the others watch as Mr. Schuester stews silently.
"Mr. Schue are you okay?" Mike asks in concern and Mr. Schuester looks up at and meets the eyes of every single one of them.
"I'm not going." he tells them, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "I'm staying with you guys. I had my moment on that stage and it was glorious. But you and I, have some unfinished business to take care of." His face sets in determination and Rachel can't help but be ecstatic. Mr. Schuester is staying with them and they are going to defeat Vocal Adrenaline, no matter what.
"Now get your notebooks out. Time to get to work. Come on, this is nationals people." He claps his hands together and Rachel laughs freely as Puck gets up and envelopes Mr. Schuester in a hug. Her as well as the rest of the New Directions get up one by one to join him and as she looks down to see Noah's hand find hers she smiles brightly against Santana and Quinn's shoulder. This is it, its their time. They are so going to win this thing.