I forgot to mention this, but I'm reverting back to my style of writing before I got the DVD's. Some of the dialogue will be lifted, but scenes will be shifted or dialogue will be changed to suit the story. Some will stick pretty closely, while others will deviate more heavily. However, I do have the first volume of Season 2, and watch them excessively, so it actually is kinda hard at times to not end up copying the scenes.

GLEE: A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW PART II

Chapter 2 - "Britney/Brittany"

'Toothaches suck! Ow, that hurt to say... Even though I'm only thinking it. What? Whatever. Too many Tylenol PM's and not nearly enough sleep. I had to turn down a make-out session with Quinn two nights ago, which sucked worse than the pain. Yeah, I have a toothache. It's been bothering me since Sunday, and it really kicked into high gear last night. I think it's infected. It's all swollen, solid foods are out of the question, and I got this weird bubble thing right under where it hurts. Ugh, why am I telling you all this?'

In pain, right cheek visibly swollen, Mitchell sat next to Quinn in the choir room, arms folded, trying like hell to forget about his toothache. Hopefully, this Glee Club meeting would help to take his mind off of it. Of course, there'd be no progress whatsoever if everyone persisted on talking about it.

"It's infected," Kurt said, "You're practically risking your life not getting it checked. Don't you know an oral infection can spread to other parts of the body?"

"It'll go away," Mitchell's speech was as if he had marbles in his mouth.

"Go away?" did Rachel hear him right, "Mitchell, infections don't just go away by themselves. You either need to have the tooth pulled or at least get antibiotics. Maybe both. Please get it checked?"

"This is why it was such a mistake for you to stay here with your uncle when your parents moved," Quinn was fed up, "You're incapable of taking care of yourself. And, I'm sorry Mitchell, but that man is crazy."

Sadly, Mitchell had to agree with that claim.

"What do you mean?" Dylan asked innocently.

"A conspiracy theorist named after Marvin The Martian," Quinn's deadpan explanation, "Over the Summer, Mitchell's dad got a better job away from Lima, so his parents wanted to move. Mitchell didn't. Long story short, Mitchell now lives with a man named Marvin Milburn Mason. And, everything's a conspiracy."

"Why won't you see the Dentist?" Mercedes returned to the original topic.

Quinn answered on his behalf, "He has Dentophobia."

Jack laughed.

"Huh?" Finn had never heard of the word.

"Fear of Dentists," Tina knew the term, "Well, then you should just go to the Emergency Room. At least they'll give you medicine."

Mitchell shook his head and Quinn spoke on his behalf once again, "He won't do that, either."

"Why not?" Rachel was getting really worried now.

"Yeah," Dylan followed Rachel, "If he's afraid of Dentists, then other doctors should be fine."

"Because he's convinced that they'll strap him to a stretcher and wheel him to a Dentist against his will, kicking and screaming," Quinn explained Mitchell's fear.

"You a basket full of worry, yo," Artie's two cents.

Finally, Mr. Schuester entered the room...

"Hey guys," he greeted everyone, standing in front of the piano, "Quickly, let's jump right into it. We've done a lot of numbers over the past year. A lot of bright and loud feelings, a lot of energy, a lot of over the top styled performances filled with larger than life sights and sounds. Which, is good. I'm not saying any of that was bad or anything."

"Then, what are you saying, Mr. Schuester?" Finn questioned.

"A baby learns to crawl, then walk and then run."

"I actually walked before I crawled," Rachel proudly pointed out to everyone in the room.

Santana rolled her eyes, fighting the urge to smack that midget like she did to Quinn.

"Be that as it may," Mr. Schuester resumed, "I had an idea last night. We've never really dug deep into any easy listening songs."

Huh?

"You know, Christopher Cross?" Mr. Schuester spoke a couple names, "Michael Bolton. Burt Bacharach."

Oh sweet goodness gracious, he just spoke the three-headed monster's name.

"Mr. Schuester," Kurt raised his hand, needing to speak before this easy listening mistake gained an ounce of steam, "Not to be rude, but I would just like to make you aware that there is a Facebook group that is petitioning for us to perform - wait for it..."

They all waited...

"... Britney Spears at the Homecoming Assembly."

The Glee Club all started voicing their approval of the idea. However, their beloved Director was a little less than enthusiastic with the choice...

"No," Mr. Schuester was immediately against the idea, "We're not doing Britney."

The students all - minus Mitchell and Brittany and oddly enough, Jack, - started to voice their protests against Mr. Schue so quickly abandoning the idea of doing Britney Spears. Mitchell more so because it hurt to talk. He had no idea what was up with Brittany and Jack.

"Guys, there's no discussion," Mr. Schuester laid down the law, "She's a bad role model, and the majority of her songs are inappropriate to begin with."

"She's an icon," Kurt responded, "She is the voice of an entire generation. She would be the second coming of Madonna if Madonna was dead. Everything about her is exciting and full of life. Britney Spears defines Pop Culture."

"I agree," Rachel spoke, "She has the looks, the vocal and dancing ability. She's the total package and it would be a crime for us to not perform her songs."

"Guys..."

"She's the reason I joined Glee Club in the first place," Tina stated.

"She is pretty hot," Puck added.

"Easy-listening," Mr. Schuester tried to get them back on track.

"I don't want to do Britney songs, either, Mr. Schuester," Brittany said rather suddenly, frowning while she did so, "She's caused me so much pain, singing one of her songs would make me commit suicide."

Wow, heavy. Such a comment that actually made Mitchell forget the mind-numbing pain for a couple seconds. Wait, there it was again!

"Why no Britney, Brittany?"

"I've been living in her shadow for so long, I don't expect any of you to understand," she was almost crying.

The students waited patiently, and finally she told the story.

"My name is Brittany Susan Pierce," the bombshell, "Brittany S. Pierce. She has my name, therefore she has my soul, my identity, and I fear I may never be able to retrieve them."

"Aw," Santana wrapped an arm around Brittany's shoulders. Dylan tried to comfort her as well.

Meanwhile, Jack was wondering what size straight-jacket Brittany would need when she inevitably ended up in the asylum.

"That settles it," the final statement from Mr. Schuester, "We're not doing Britney."

:::Glee Club:::

The next day had come, and by this point, Mitchell literally couldn't talk at all. Quinn was infuriated by his silly little phobia. She understood and sympathized that it was a real fear. But, surely, this whole ordeal had reached the point where he had to see that this being afraid of dentists was going to make him very very sick. Worst case scenario, the infection could spread to his heart.

Frustrated, Quinn had to admit that she was happy he couldn't talk, because she didn't want to talk to him, anyway.

"Still no dentist?" Mike asked.

Quinn made a small margin with her pointer finger and thumb, "I am this close to pulling the damn thing out myself with a pair of pliers!"

Mitchell whimpered fearfully.

Mr. Schuester entered the choir room with the Guidance Counselor, Emma Pillsbury, and a man no one noticed, but Santana certainly had a taste for.

"Guys, this is Carl Howell," Mr. Schuester introduced the man, "He's a dentist..."

"AH!" Mitchell instantly sprang up, grabbing the chair and turning it upside-down like he was training a lion.

"Thank you," Quinn looked up and then to Carl, "My boyfriend has an infected tooth."

"And let me guess," Carl saw it clearly, as he had so many times in the past, "He's Dentophobic."

"Extremely so."

Mitchell didn't talk, but his wide-eyed expression told the tale of a man that didn't want his mouth to be examined or inspected in any way shape or form.

"What's his name?" Carl asked Will.

"Mitchell."

"Okay," Carl made sure he was calm, then strangely spoke to him almost as if he were a child, "Mitchell, there's no need to be afraid of dentists. We're only here to help you. We're here to take the pain away, not make it worse. In fact, how about I pencil you in for an appointment this week? I had a cancellation call yesterday. So, there's an opening."

Mitchell shook his head, holding the chair tighter.

Ultimatum time from Quinn, "It's either that or plan on never kissing me again."

Holy canoli! Talk about putting things into perspective.

Mitchell slouched his shoulders in defeat, put the chair down and took his seat next to her. This was his way of saying that he would agree to see the dentist. Despite the unbelievable fear. Ahhh... gave him the shivers worse than the time he was little and Freddy Krueger happened to be on TV when he turned it on...

"AAAAHHHHHHH!" a six year old Mitchell ran through the dark house, screaming, "THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE HANDS! FATTY COUGAR'S GONNA KILL ME IN MY SLEEP!"

"All right, that's taken care of," Mr. Schuester said, "Now, the real reason Dr. Howell is here is to talk to you a little about dental care. Take it away."

Carl took a step forward and held up a package of blue pills in his hand. However, before he could, Santana had a little something to pass along to the group, specifically Dr. Howell, "Can I just say, you are seriously, like, the hottest dentist I have ever seen? I mean, you can drill me whene..."

"Santana!" Emma piped up, effectively stopping the cheerleader from saying anything more.

"I like to think of these as truth pills." Carl said to the group.

"I thought you were supposed to inject the truth syrum?" Jack raised his hand politely.

Carl chuckled, until he realized Jack wasn't joking. He then cleared his throat and continued, "No, these aren't that. They're just capsules that release a blue dye when you chew them," he explained as he started passing them out and the kids popped them into their mouths, "And, this dye will only stick to plaque. So, we'll be able to easily see the bacteria on your teeth."

They all stopped chewing. Mostly all of them were good to perfect. Except for Rachel and Brittany, which caused Finn to cringe, and maybe throw-up just a little in his mouth.

Quinn smiled confidently at Mitchell to show him her teeth, expecting him to do the same. All he could muster was a crooked tight-lipped curve, a line of blue oozing from his mouth and down his chin. Look, it was just a really bad week all around for the boy.

"I've never brushed my teeth," Brittany announced, "I just rinse my mouth with soda after I eat."

"I brush every day," Rachel couldn't believe it, "Multiple times, after every meal. I even floss between classes. How is this possible?"

:::In The Hall:::

"Do you want me to go with you?" Quinn asked.

Mitchell shook his head no.

"Look, I'm not going to think anything less of you if you're too afraid to go by yourself. To be honest, I'm so happy that you are going, that nothing else is going to upset me."

"Hey look," Puck walked by with some football friends, "It's Mitchell the Mute!"

Mitchell wanted to retaliate. But, honestly, he was in no position to do so. At least for now, he just let it slide off his back. Being teased wasn't the end of the world. Especially since people didn't mess with him as much these days, anyway, because of being linked to the ever-popular Quinn Fabray.

Quinn was not happy with Puck. Ever since Mitchell and Quinn had seemingly moved to another level in their relationship, Puck had been extra snotty to them at every chance he had. At first, it was almost funny, then it became just annoying. But now, it was outright aggravating...

"Hey, all I'm saying is... It didn't take me this long to reach home with her."

"Hey, all I'm saying is... It's friggin' nauseating. I mean, did you see them hugging and kissing in the auditorium?"

"Hey, all I'm saying is... One day, they're both gonna wake up and realize how pointless their relationship is."

"Hey, all I'm saying is... Seriously, I can't be the only one that knows they're doomed."

"Hey, all I'm saying is... It's easier for me to stomach Jack than the two of them."

"I have an idea," Quinn said cryptically, "While you're busy at the dentist, I'm going to talk to Puck."

Mitchell gave her an 'Are you sure about that?' look, and she answered with a simple nod. It was no secret that Puck wasn't over Quinn yet. But, Mitchell had to wonder if anything good would come of confronting him about it. Wouldn't it just fuel his fire more?

Of course, there was a good chance that Mitchell wasn't thinking clearly due to his tooth troubles.

On his way to the nurse for - hopefully - a couple more aspirin, Mitchell passed by Miss Pillsbury's office, casually glancing through the windows and spotted Michelle. He stopped when it became apparent that something was wrong with the girl. But, what? She hadn't been in Art since Monday, but he had figured she was just sick or something.

It wasn't his business. After catching eye contact with Miss Pillsbury for a brief second, Mitchell went back on his way.

:::Glee Club:::

By this point, Mitchell couldn't even feel the pain any more. Though, obviously, it was still there. His mouth was still swollen and he could barely chew. This also meant no lovin' from Quinn. Which was actually worse than the infection. It sucked, but he only had one more day to wait until Dr. Howell would be able to see him. So, just as long as he could do that, he would be fine.

"I feel so bad," Tina frowned, looking at Mitchell.

Mitchell was just kind of in a daze, so Quinn spoke for him, "If we can just get to tomorrow, everything will be back to normal."

"He's gonna have one less tooth," Dylan said, Mitchell's head dropping, "So, not entirely back to normal."

"That's right," Jack found a bit of twisted delight, "Which begs the question; Will the Cheerleader remain attracted to the Toothless Wonder?"

"Jack!" Quinn dressed in a stern expression.

"All right, guys," Mr. Schuester entered the room, a bunch of papers in his hands, no doubt more material for the week's easy-listening assignment, "I have a few more ideas for our..."

"I have something to say," Brittany stood, taking the floor, "From now on, I'm demanding all the female and male solo's."

Everyone just kinda looked at her. Even Mitchell did so, a brow curved.

"When I was at the Dentist's Office, I experienced an out of body experience where I trumped Britney Spears' talent. Therefore, Brittany S. Pierce - me - became the true Britney Spears. And, I see no reason why that can't happen in real life. As much as I despised her, I now have her as the driving force of my ultimate talent."

"Wait a minute, I thought you..."

"No, she's serious," Santana spoke up, "I was there. Which, now that I think about it, I don't know how are fantasies combined. But, they did. Our minds were shared and I agree, Brittany and I should get all the..."

"Just me," Brittany said.

"What about me, Britt?"

"Snooze ya lose," Brittany said, "And it's Brittany, bitch."

Mitchell didn't hear that right, did he? No, he must have been in a bigger daze than he realized. He then nudged Quinn and made the motion of popping a lot of pills and then drawing a question mark in the air with his finger.

"No," she answered for him, "You didn't take too many pills. This conversation is actually happening."

"Okay," Puck was getting a little freaked out, "What the hell's going on?"

Kurt took the opportunity to speak, "What's going on is Britney Spears has broken our Brittany out of her everyday electric-blanket thick fog of insanity and supplied her the confidence to perform a solo."

Brittany pumped her fist, "Damn straight!"

"That's good," Mr. Schue said, "Brittany, I'm happy for you. I am. But, we're not doing Britney Spears at the assembly. I'm sorry, it's just not happening."

"God!" Kurt stomped his foot, catching everyone by surprise, "What is your problem?"

"Kurt, calm down," Mr. Schuester warned.

Not a chance, "Glee Club is about popular culture. And, guess what? Britney Spears is pop culture. To ignore that is just plain stupid and lazy teaching."

"Last chance, Kurt," Mr. Schue was drawing a line, "I understand you're all not happy. But, the assignment is easy-listening this week. At the assembly, we're doing easy..."

"Damn it!" Kurt had heard enough, "Are you deaf like the Haverbrook Director? We're all here telling you that this is something we really want to do."

"I'm too new for this," Dylan was uncomfortable.

"I'm your teacher, Kurt, you need to..."

"I don't need to anything!" Kurt exclaimed, the gasket blown, "But, what you need is to stop being so frickin' uptight all the time!"

What tooth? What infection? For a moment, Mitchell was so blown away by the display in front of him that he honestly forgot about his problems.

"I'll see you in the principal's office, Kurt. As for everyone else, class is dismissed."

Kurt composed himself and followed Mr. Schuester out of the music room. Everyone else was too stunned to move, let alone say anything. Well, except for Jack...

"Seriously, I wish I had some popcorn. That was frickin' awesome!"

:::In The Halls:::

"I want to talk to you."

"Why? Finally realized what a mistake you made with Mitchell? 'Bout time, I say."

As she said she would, Quinn chased down Puck to have a conversation with him. It concerned not only Mitchell, but their relationship from last year. There were residual issues and feelings that needed to be taken care of.

"It stops now, Puck," she said in a serious tone, "You have to get off mine and Mitchell's case."

"Guess what, not gonna happen," he turned to walk away.

Quinn swiftly stepped in front of him, blocking his path, "Why not? Why can't we be friends? I still..."

"Don't say it, 'cause it's a lie," he was hurting, that's what this was about, "You don't give a shit about me anymore."

"That's not true, and you know it."

Puck took a deep breath, feeling like punching the wall, "I got a damn vasectomy for you!"

"I didn't ask you, too," she said, "And, honestly, I have no intention of having sex again for a long time."

Puck grinned, "I'll be sure to tell Mitchell. I'll bet he..."

"Puck, what happened?" time to be completely serious, "Where's the guy that willingly gave me away last year? You had me, I wasn't going to go anywhere. But, you gave me away."

"Only because it was obvious that's what you wanted."

"Exactly. Where's the guy that put Mitchell and my happiness before his own?" she asked, "Where's the guy that I said would make a great father someday? Why did he go away?"

Puck sighed, "I didn't realize it would be this hard to get over you, okay? I mean, I got over Santana and Mercedes in like an hour tops. Hell, I got over Finn punching me even faster than that."

"You know what would help?"

"Binge drinking?"

She laughed, "No. If you'd let me be your friend. If you'd be nicer to Mitchell."

"I suppose," he groaned.

"Good," a sense of accomplishment for Quinn, "I'm glad we had this talk."

Puck shrugged, "Do I actually have to be nice to him? 'Cause, realistically, I'm not nice to anyone."

"You never learn, do you?" they started down the hall together.

"Hey, your dad didn't come back, right?"

"Why?"

"Your mom's still single," Puck smirked, "Sweet!"

"Oh my god! No, Puck. Don't even..."

"Relax, I'm just joking."

"Good."

"Kinda."

"Puck!"

:::The Dentist's Office:::

Fear at an all-time high, Mitchell was laying/sitting in the dentist's special chair. Dr. Howell was just looking over an x-ray.

"Well, good news and bad news," Dr. Howell started, "Which do you want first?"

Mitchell still couldn't talk. So, there was a bit of an awkward silence that lingered for far too long.

Carl just went ahead with both versions, "Listen, the good news is other than the one tooth, your other teeth are fine. Well, I'd suggest a cleaning at a later date, but don't worry about that now. The bad news is... That one tooth's gotta come out. Can't be saved. See," he pointed on the screen, "It chipped at some point, wore down a little, and made a cavity that cleared a path right down. Now, I'm guessing it was pure luck that you didn't have this happen sooner. But, you probably bit down too hard on a piece of candy or maybe a little soda got in there and the rest is history."

"Now," he rolled the seat over to Mitchell and began preparing his instruments as well as the laughing gas, "I'm gonna get that sucker out right now for ya. Plus, start you on antibiotics for a week. By then, you should be good as new. Minus the tooth, of course," Carl smiled.

Stupid perfect dentist with his stupid perfect dentist teeth.

Suddenly, the gas was in effect and Mitchell's world was blurring...

:::Britney Fantasy:::

Night had fallen over the scene, but there was more than enough illumination in the air. Coming off of a dirt road, brought there by a horse and carriage, Mitchell Mason and Quinn Fabray had arrived. Mitchell wearing a black bowler hat and nice clothes that included suspenders and a long coat with the tails hanging in the back. Quinn looked elegant in her beauty, outfitted in a Victorian crimson red dress, black lining her eyes and her hair immaculate.

Once the ride was done, they got off the carriage, Mitchell holding his hand up to help his bride-to-be down the step, "This is thrilling," she said with an excited smile, "Your final show. How will you top the previous ones?"

"It's a surprise," he replied as they started walking hand in hand. Behind them, a group of burly jocks, lead by Karofsky, were carrying in the couples' things.

There read a sign reading... The Schuester Circus.

"Welcome, welcome, one and all," a barker named Artie sat at the gate, "Welcome to the greatest show on Earth!"

Mitchell and Quinn walked by, each passing along a nod of acknowledgement to Artie as they did. The next second, Mitchell and Quinn were making their way through the crowds waiting to get in, the guards Puck and Finn having all they could do to keep them back...

"Where's Harmon's tear gas when you need it," Puck commented.

Then Jack Harmon appeared, a top hat upon his head, "Mr. Schuester said it was inhumane and not good if we wanted repeat customers."

"There's nothing we can do," Finn said, "They're all riled up to see Mitchell."

"Mason better bring it tonight, or we're gonna have a riot on our hands."

Inside the very large tent, Mitchell and Quinn went their separate ways as the time had come for Mitchell to be prepared. Make-up and such, which he wasn't fond of but understood that it was good for the show. He sat in the chair, a beautiful blonde girl with chocolate brown eyes waiting for him.

"About time, Mitchell," she said, having been waiting for him, "I wanted twenty minutes, now I only have ten."

"You're the artist, paint a picture."

"You're so damn cute," she remarked, beginning the process, "What if you leave that prude," she straddled his legs, which was awesome yet horrible at the same time, "And let this real woman take you for a ride?"

Uncomfortable, "No can do, Britney. Mitchell Mason is a one woman man. Sadly, even in my own frickin' fantasies."

Britney sighed, annoyed, getting off him, "Fine, your loss."

Time for the music to start...

Suddenly, Mitchell was walking past his fellow performers, "There's only two types of people in the world."

There was the World's Finest Singers, Rachel Harmon and Jack Harmon. The Gothic Princess, Tina Cohen-Chang. The Succubus, Mercedes Jones. The Man of a Thousand Characters, Kurt Hummel.

"The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe."

Mitchell walked through the backstage area, giving a quick kiss to Quinn. He was now awaiting to be introduced by the man in charge, William Schuester.

"Well, baby, I'm a put on a show kind of guy. Don't like the backseat, I gotta drive. I'm like the ringleader, I call the shots. I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot. When I put on a show."

The music stopped abruptly.

"One and all, welcome our main attraction for your viewing pleasure, the Amazing Escapist, Mitchell Marcus Mason!" Mr. Schuester yelled into the microphone that hung from above, standing tall, arm extended towards his performer.

The music kicked back in as Mitchell walked out, the spotlight directly following him, the people cheering loudly, "I feel the adrenaline movin' through my veins. Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break. I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage. Better be ready, hope that you feel the same."

"All eyes on me, in the center of the ring, just like a circus. When I crack that whip, every gon' trip, just like a circus. Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor, just like a circus."

The music stopped.

"And now presenting, his escape!" Mr. Schuester gestured to something underneath a black cloth as it was pulled off, revealing a nine foot deep Chinese Water Torture Cell.

Quinn gasped in fright, hands over her mouth, "Oh no!"

From the crowd, Carl and Emma watched, with Carl being the first to comment, "He's pulling out the Houdini."

Emma's face scrunched, "That... sounded... unpleasant."

The music resumed from where it left off...

Mitchell continued to sing as Rachel and Jack came out to dress him in the straightjacket, equipped with a couple padlocks, and a chain was lowered from the ceiling, "There's only two types of girls out there. Ones that can hang with me, and ones that are scared. So baby, I hope that you came prepared," the jacket was on and tight, now for the chain to be tied around his ankles, "I run a tight ship, so beware."

"I'm like a ringleader, I call the shots. I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot. When I put on a show."

Music stopped yet again.

Standing next to a mechanical crank device, Finn started to worry, though Puck wasn't at all, "Dude, what's your problem?"

"What if something goes wrong?" Finn started to sweat, "Everyone'll blame us!"

"Who cares," Puck started cranking, "It's just a stupid Britney fantasy."

Music came back as Mitchell started being lifted by his ankles into the air, other performers - Brittany, Dylan, Santana and Mike - entering and standing completely still, heads bowed while Mitchell sang upside-down...

"I feel the adrenaline movin' through my veins. Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break. I'm like a performer, this dance floor is my stage. Better be ready, hope that you feel the same."

He was high up, now being lowered closer and closer down to the cell, the performers now dancing expertly, "All eyes on me, in the center of the ring, just like a circus. When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip, just like a circus. Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus."

Now hanging inches above, Mitchell gave the cue, "Let's go!" and he was dropped in.

"Let me see what you can do," Brittany half-sang in a sexy throaty voice, dancing with the others, "I'm runnin' this."

"Like a circus," the other sang.

"Yeah, like a what?"

"Like a circus."

Then it happened, Mitchell started singing while his entire body was submerged in the water cell, the air bubbles plainly visible as he squirmed while performing, "All eyes on me in the center of the ring, just like a circus. When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip, just like a circus. Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus."

Oh god, would he make it? He was struggling, deadset on singing while trying to escape. His face began changing colors, his lack of air obviously hurting him and his chances of success. It was any small wonder how he was able to sing in the first place.

"All eyes on me in the center of the ring, just like a circus. When I crack that whip, everybody gon' trip, just like a circus," he busted the sleeves, now finally able to move more, but he wasn't out yet, and his eyes began rolling into the back of his skull and his movements started to slow significantly, "Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do. Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor just like a circus."

He didn't make it. The music had finished and the Amazing Escapist did not escape from the Chinese Water Torture Cell. He had pushed the boundaries too far. And the cost was his life.

The crowd stunned into silence, Quinn sobbing as she ran to the cell, pounding the glass on her knees, Mitchell was no longer moving, simply floating lifelessly in the water. Tearful, filled with agonizing sorrow, Quinn tilted her forehead against the glass...

Then softly smirked when no one could see, and whispered, "It's time."

Mitchell's eyes opened and he smiled, finishing his escape and climbing out. The people cheered louder than ever before as he stood triumphantly atop the cell, arms high in the air.

:::Dentist's Office:::

"Wakey, wakey," Carl said as Mitchell slowly woke up from the anesthesia, "Hey, how about a souvenir?" he held up a little baggy with the bloody tooth inside.

"Ashum," Mitchell mumbled, smiling contentedly, eyes glazed, "I loof Koowin."

"Rock and roll," Carl smiled, cleaning everything up.

:::Glee Club:::

The next meeting was an eventful one to say the least. Not only was Mitchell set to debut his one-less-tooth-mouth, but Rachel Berry also had something to debut. A brand new look. Honestly, Mitchell found an extreme amount of difficulty in not looking at her. She was sporting an outfit reminiscent of the Baby One More Time video, which Mitchell had that dream about last year.

"Stop looking at her," Quinn scolded her boyfriend, and he complied, "God, Berry, do you always have to make a spectacle of yourself?"

Jack couldn't stop staring, either.

"I like it," Puck added.

"Okay, seriously," Finn threw a jacket over Rachel, but she quickly shrugged it off and stood, "You're killing me here, Rachel. How do you think it makes me feel knowing every guy in the school - even the ones here - are all hot and bothered for you?"

"I'm a little hot and bothered myself," Santana raised her hand.

"I'm with you," she stated, Mr. Schuester watching silently in the background, "I love you, Finn. And I'm sorry that I have the confidence to dress like this now. But, I like the attention, okay? For once, I'm not thought of as a sixth grader. For once, guys are actually looking at me with smiles instead of trying to fight their gag reflex."

Brittany moved her tongue around her mouth, searching for that taste, "Oh, I thought something was different."

"I haf am annoucet," Mitchell said through muddy speech, raising his hand, "Why der sill pay. My mout if heawewing," then he smiled, revealing the space where the tooth was gone and the amount of swelling that had thankfully died down.

"He still can't talk right," Quinn said then smiled and held his hand, "But, it's a start."

"Good for you," bleeding sarcasm courtesy of Puck, though he quickly corrected himself, repeating the same three words, but this time at least taking the time to fake being genuine, "I mean... Good for you, Mitchell."

"Speaking of announcements," Artie's turn, "I'm proud to say that Coach Beiste let me join the football team."

"Awshoom," Mitchell mumbled.

"But, you don't have legs," Mercedes said, then corrected herself, "I mean... Crap, sorry."

Artie was fine with the slip-up, "No worries. Finn and I looked it up in the rule book, and there's nothing that says a player in a wheelchair can't join."

"You should see him," Finn said, "He's like a battering ram."

"And I'd like to thank Britney Spears for providing me the courage," Artie said.

"What's with all the Britney fantasies?" Puck felt left out.

"It's perfectly logical," Artie explained, "The only ones that have had the fantasies are the ones who've gone to the Dentist. With Britney at the forefront of our minds lately, coupled with the fact that the anesthesia Dr. Howell uses can induce vivid dreams, it only stands to reason we experienced surreal dreams about Britney."

"Awshoom," Jack teased, prompting a glare from both Quinn and Mitchell, "What? Too shoon?"

"I guess Britney's music really does boost confidence," Dylan mentioned.

Kurt wanted to say something, but restrained himself.

Mr. Schuester stepped forward, having heard everyone talk, "You're all doing good simply because of Britney's music?" they nodded, "New found confidence? Everything?" they nodded again.

"Though I risk expulsion by saying this," Kurt took a risk, "If this doesn't prove to you how powerful Britney Spears' music is, and how badly we now need to perform her songs, I don't know what will. In fact, I'll say that if it doesn't, then nothing will."

This all reminded Will of his recent troubles with Emma. Maybe pushing a few boundaries wasn't such a bad idea after all. With a deep breath, he made it official, "Okay, if you all really want to do it that bad, we can perform Toxic at the assembly."

Everyone cheered.

"And, guess what, I'm gonna join you!" he blurted, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to prove something to Emma while keeping the kids happy in the process.

Uhh...

:::The Assembly:::

Mitchell was a little bummed that he had to sit this one out. But, he'd get over it. The gymnasium was filled with students and faculty. Even Sue Sylvester joined the festivities. Though, it was probably safe to assume she wasn't aware of New Directions performing a Britney song. Wait, scratch that, looked like Becky just got the scoop.

Shouldn't be anything overly promiscuous. At least, maybe Jack's choreography idea would cool things down a bit. Oh, lights low, they were about to start. From his seat, Mitchell watched.

"I love Britney Spears," Jacob's voice echoed.

The performance continued, everyone watching quietly. If nothing else, they were captivated. At least in Mitchell's mind they were. Oh, Mr. Schuester with the moves. Nice. Apparently someone else though so as they whistled. Then the chorus kicked in and everyone started getting into it more.

"I wanna be that hat!" Lauren Zizes whined.

"Take it off!" Jacob exclaimed, getting all too excited, "Yes! Yes! More! Oh god, please! I LOVE YOU, RACHEL BERRY!"

Holy frickin'...

"MR. SCHUE, LET ME BE YOUR BRITNEY!"

Great coogily moogily, what the hell was going on with Jacob and Lauren down there? They sounded like they were... Oh good god, why did Mitchell look over there? Bad images. Very bad images.

The next thing Mitchell knew, the fire alarm was pulled and everyone was bursting out of the gym, practically stampeding over Sue Sylvester. Mitchell just stood there, shaking his head, realizing that this Britney idea really was a mistake.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I was originally going to do a Quitchell duet, the Boys Co-Ed Remix. But, last minute, the imagery of the Circus video gave me the idea and I went with that instead. I'm glad I got this out as soon as I did. What helped was I had worked on it before. I just want to quickly comment on the Chinese Water Torture Cell escape. First off, Harry Houdini, if ya don't know, Bing it. His legacy is legendary. Second, the mish mash of Victorian clothing, the escape itself, the mention of Houdini, doesn't add up. It's not accurate time-wise, I realize this. It's just a Mitchell Britney fantasy, so it's an anachronistic, hybrid, hodge-podge of a dream. I'm just saying that so nobody tells me the Cell wasn't invented until after the Victorian Era ended. I'm aware.

By the way, and I guess this is just more of a challenge than anything. If the mood should strike for anyone, I'd be curious to see the Schuester Circus be expanded upon.

Grilled Cheesus is next, an episode very near and dear to my heart. So, true believers, it has got to be perfect.