The Wildebrams Season 6

Chapter 7: To Mentor And To Guide

By Wilde Abrams

Author's Notes: I'd like to start by apologizing for how long it's been since my last update. What started out as a period of funk after the end of Glee with the ending that none of us wanted, continued to expand after I realize that I was going to have to re-evaluate where the story was going.

I was fully expecting Kitty and Artie to get back together at the Brittana wedding. Everything we had seen between them in the episodes leading up to it, and the fact that Kevin wasn't in the episodes after that lead us to believe that to be the case. When that didn't happen, I stayed in a holding pattern with the story and kept watching to see what was going to happen. When we got the finale and Artie apparently ended up with Tina, and we don't know what happened to Kitty other than the fact that she went to New York after she graduated; I was left in an extended sense of funk for a couple of months and it was a struggle to write.

I had hoped that the Wildebrams Fic-A-Thon would help, but the general lack of interest there kinda made it worse. While we got a few great stories out of it, only a very few people participated. I've come to a slow realization that a lot of the people who shipped Wildebrams have either defected or lost interest.

But I made a promise that I would continue this story to the end, and that's something I intend to do. While this started out as a series of oneshots, I ultimately decided it would be better suited to being weaved into one long story. About a month or so ago I renamed the story from 'Wilde Abrams Season 6 One Shots', to simply 'Wildebrams Season 6'.

Along with that rebranding I went back through the previous chapters and made a few minor edits and updates. These were published last week. Other than the first one, which received a significant rewrite and expansion, it's nothing major; but you probably want to go back and read it from the beginning if you have read it before today. That being said, if you don't, you're still going to be able to follow the story just fine.

As of this writing I'm still working on the exact details of how the remainder of the season is going to go, but I do have the ending in mind and a general idea of how I want to get there. Yes Kitty and Artie will end up together in the end, although there will be some drama between here and there. I'll also be fixing a few other things that I did not like about the way things in Dreams Come True happened. Stay tuned for that.

If you haven't read my stand alone story Passion is Wonder-ful, you may want to take some time to do that, as some things in this chapter will make more sense if you do.

I've wasted enough time here with my author's notes, so without further ado here is the third installment from the episode What The World Needs Now.

# # # # # # # # # #

== Tuesday Afternoon, WMHS Choir Room

Artie rolled into the choir room with Kitty at his side. This time he sat in the front row next to her, who once again sat on Spencer's left.

Rachel called the group together and and announced that it was time to start performing the songs for the week's assignments.

As none of the students were prepared yet, Santana announced that she and Brittany were ready to show off what they had come up with with some help from Artie. After Brittany whispered into the student accompanist's ear, she joined Santana and Artie in front of the group and they performed Dusty Springfield's "Wishin' and Hopin'"

[ Brittany with Santana ]

Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'

Plannin' and dreamin' each night of her charms

[ Brittany ]

That won't get you into her arms

So if you're lookin' to find love you can share

Brittany and Santana danced around Artie's wheelchair.

[ Artie ]

All you gotta do is

[ Artie with Brittany and Santana ]

Hold her and kiss her and love her

And show her that you care

[ Artie and Brittany ]

Show her that you care just for her

Do the things she likes to do

Wear your hair just for her, cause

[ Artie and Santana ]

You won't get her

Thinkin' and a-prayin'

Wishin' and a-hopin'

Throughout the song Artie stole glances at Kitty, who tried to keep a straight face, but failed. Her cheeks turned a soft pink as she realized that while Brittany and Santana were singing to each other, Artie was clearly singing directly to her.

[ Artie with Brittany and Santana ]

Cause wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'

Plannin' and dreamin' her kisses will start

[ Artie (Brittany and Santana) ]

That won't get you into her heart (Ah-ooh)

[ Brittany ]

So if you're thinkin' of how great true love is

All you gotta do is

[ Brittany with Santana (Brittany) ]

Hold her and kiss her and squeeze her and love her

(Yeah, just) do it and after you do, you will be hers

Next to her, Spencer sat there covering his mouth, trying not to laugh, as she fidgeted in her seat. She gave him a dirty look, which only succeeded in making him laugh more. When that didn't work she swatted his shoulder.

[ Artie (Brittany and Santana) ]

You gotta show her that you care (Ooh-ooh)

Just for her (Ooh-ooh)

Do the things (Ooh-ooh)

She likes to do (Ooh-ooh)

Wear your hair (Ooh-ooh)

Just for her, cause (Ooh-ooh)

[ Santana ]

You won't get her

Thinkin' and a-prayin'

Wishin' and a-hopin'

[ Artie (Brittany and Santana) ]

Just wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'

Plannin' and dreamin' her kisses will start

[ Artie (Brittany and Santana) ]

That won't get you into her heart (Ah-ooh)

[ Brittany ]

So if you're thinkin' of how great true love is

All you gotta do is

[ Brittany with Artie and Santana (Brittany) ]

Hold her and kiss her and squeeze her and love her

(Yeah, just) do it and after you do, you will be hers

You will be hers, you will be hers

Roderick watched the performance politely, and Jane, Mason and Madison sat there looking confused.

As the song ended, the New Directions and their advisors began to applaud. Brittany and Santana grinned broadly, Brittany crossed her legs and curtsied. Artie smiled at Kitty.

Santana spoke up as the applause died down, "And that's how it's done kids. When you have enough experience singing with specific performers, you get to the point where you can practically read each others body language and thoughts. That little performance was put together in just under two hours."

Several of the New Directions gave her a surprised look.

"And the 'Problem' performance some of you saw us do with Quinn a few weeks ago only took about three," Artie added.

"This time seems like as good a time as any to let you know that now that the wedding planner is engaged," Santana announced, gesturing to Artie.

"I didn't know Artie was engaged," Madison whispered to her brother. "I wonder if Kitty knew?"

Mason shrugged.

"That Britts and I have finally set for date for our wedding," Santana continued, ignoring the twin Cheerios.

"It's two weeks from this Saturday," Brittany added. "We hope you can all join us in our celebration."

Everyone applauded, but Mason, Madison, and Roderick shared a glance, wondering why they were being invited to a wedding for someone they barely even knew.

== Tuesday Afternoon, WMHS Choir Room

The first glee club members to perform were Kitty, Madison, and Jane, who performed Say A Little Prayer. The male glee club members, alumni advisors, and co directors sat and watched with interest.

[ Madison and Jane ]

Say a little prayer for you

[ Kitty (Madison and Jane) ]

The moment I wake up

Before I put on my make-up (Make-up)

I say a little (Prayer for you)

While combing my hair now

And wondering what dress to wear now (Wear now)

I say a little (Prayer for you)

[ Kitty with Madison and Jane ]

Forever, forever

You'll stay in my heart

And I will love you

Forever and ever

We never will part

Oh, how I love you

Together, together

That's how it must be

To live without you

(Madison and Jane: Would only mean)

Heartbreak for me

[ Kitty (Madison and Jane) ]

I run for the bus dear

While riding, I think of us dear (Us dear)

I say a little (Prayer for you)

At work, I just take time

"That song sounds familiar," Artie heard Brittany say.

"That's because it's the song Quinn made us do for our glee club audition, six years ago," Santana reminded her.

"Oh yeah, That's right! We performed that one so long ago it barely even feels like us singing," Brittany said.

The song finished and the girls received polite, but less than enthusiastic applause, and a concerned look from Mercedes.

Kitty turned her head away and scowled.

== Tuesday, Late Afternoon, WMHS Hallway

Later that afternoon, Mercedes was walking down the hall when she saw Kitty, Mason, and Madison chatting next to the locker that the twins shared.

"Hey y'all," she said. "Don't forget about our session tomorrow morning, just you guys and me."

The twins smiled broadly and mumbled confirmation, clearly excited about getting mentoring from someone with the number 89 rank on iTunes. Meanwhile Kitty turned to face Mercedes, and excused herself from for fellow Cheerios. She began to follow Mercedes down the hall.

"So," she said. "Who's going to be this time?"

"I don't follow," Mercedes said.

"Well when you were here last time you spent the most of your time working with Marley," she reminded her with a snotty tone, "and then just gave the rest of us some general pointers. I was just wondering who you're going to single out this time?"

"Kitty," Mercedes said. "Did it ever occur to you that I spent the most time with Marley because Marley needed my help the most? That girl was on the cusp of greatness! She just needed a little bit of confidence, and a few tips. You see confidence is my thing!"

Mercedes smiled.

Kitty didn't.

"I'm sorry if you feel that that was unfair, but when the alumni come back, it's our role to seek out and help the people who need the most help to improve the overall group performance. Marley needed some help with her vocal technique, but mostly what she needed help with confidence, and that my friend is something that you already have an spades, as you so aptly demonstrated when you sang that song for Artie."

"You didn't seem that impressed with the song at the time," Kitty reminded her.

"Kitty," Mercedes said, "All I said was that it wasn't ready for Nationals, and it wasn't, but I never said that it wasn't a good performance."

"You're damn right it was a good performance," Kitty told her. "I kicked that song's ass!"

Mercedes chuckled and admitted, "You did indeed!" remembering the younger woman's solo performance of 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm yours)' by Stevie Wonder.

"Actually," Mercedes said, putting her arm around the younger girl's shoulder. "I'm kind of glad we're talking because, I wanted to talk to you about something. Girl, I've been thinking that perhaps you're the one I need to be spending time with this time."

"What do you mean?" Kitty asked, confused. "We just agreed that I kicked that song's ass! I could do it again if I wanted to."

"Oh I have absolutely no doubt about your performance skills. From the little bit that I've seen this group interact and perform, it's pretty obvious that you're the New Rachel."

"The new what? Why the hell would we need a new Rachel? She's right here in the Choir room," Kitty responded in confusion.

Mercedes chuckled, remembering that Kitty had not joined glee club until after the fiasco that Sam had told her about the first week of School his senior year.

"Every glee club has one or two standout performers. When I was in school that was very clearly Rachel Berry, although it pains me to admit it, and Finn Hudson, Kurt, and I were close seconds.

"But part of the responsibility of filling that role is being a good leader to your fellow glee club members, something that Rachel always struggled with back in high school. She needed Finn to balance her out.

"Kitty you are very much the undisputed leader of this group. You're a triple threat. You're good at singing, at dancing, and at motivating people. That's why they wanted to recruit you so badly. Rachel told me how you helped her pick the setlist and motivate those young kids into working together as a team so that they could win Sue's invitational.

"One thing about having a Rachel Berry in our group is that it very much kept us on our toes pushing us to always do better; and I think that is something that your New Directions never really had, and probably factored into why you didn't win Nationals."

Kitty nodded. "Both Blaine and Sam thought they were leaders, but the group in general didn't follow them very well other than when Mr. Schue was out sick during Guilty Pleasures Week."

"Exactly," Mercedes said. "Blaine is too much of a self obsessed diva, worse than Rachel at times, to be a real leader; and Sam I love him to death, but Sam just isn't a natural leader he thought he was."

Kitty nodded.

"What we need from you is to try to set your own wishes and desires aside and think of what's best for the overall team. I said before that you're a triple threat, and sometimes it's tempting to want to hog the spotlight. But it's not always in the best interest of your team to do that. Sometimes that means that you'll be center stage and get the solo, but other times it will be best if you take a step back and support someone else while they get the chance to shine."

She nodded again. "I did that in All Out Of Love for the twins." But she knew she hadn't with "Say A Little Prayer" which was what Mercedes was getting at.

"Yeah," Mercedes said with a mischievous grin. "But somehow I suspect that had more to do with the words of the song reminding you of a certain someone-"

"-What is it with everyone's obsession with my relationship with Arthur?" She asked, irritated. "Our relationship is between the two of us and no one else!"

"We just know that you make each other happy," Mercedes answered honestly.

"We did. We did make eachother happy. But he broke up with me, and I know he's sorry and apologized for that, but it doesn't really change anything. He violated my trust and hurt me, and I'm not going to trust him the same way any time soon."

"Fair enough," Mercedes told her. "We've all been there."

== Late Tuesday Afternoon, WMHS Auditorium

That afternoon Glee was held in the auditorium. Up on stage Mercedes, Brittany, Santana, and Rachel were dressed in pink sequin 1960's era dresses, hair, and makeup.

Mercedes introduced it as "a little old-school inspiration." Mercedes sang lead vocals and Rachel and the others sang background to the song Baby It's You by the Shirelles, something Rachel called a "Motown girl group."

[ Brittany, Rachel, and Santana ]

Sha-la-la-la-la

Sha-la-la-la-la

Sha-la-la-la-la

[ Mercedes (Brittany, Rachel, and Santana) ]

(Sha-la-la-la-la)

It's not the way you smile that touched my heart

(Sha-la-la-la-la)

It's not the way you kiss that tears me apart

Oh, oh, oh, many, many nights roll by

I sit alone at home and cry over you

What can I do?

I can't help myself

Cause baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

(Sha-la-la-la-la)

You should hear what they say about you (Cheat, cheat)

They say, they say you never, never, never been true (Cheat, cheat)

Uh-oh

[ Mercedes with Brittany, Rachel, and Santana harmonizing ]

Doesn't matter what they say

I know I'm gonna love you any old way

What can I do when it's true?

I don't want nobody, nobody

[ Mercedes (Brittany, Rachel, and Santana) ]

Cause baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Baby, baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

(Cheat, cheat)

(Sha-la-la-la-la)

(Cheat, cheat)

Uh, oh, many, many nights roll by

I sit alone at home and cry over you

What can I do?

I can't help myself

Cause baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Don't leave me alone (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Come on home (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Baby, baby, it's you (Sha-la-la-la-la)

Baby, it's you

The song finished to a round of applause and Kitty listened to the group talking on stage.

"Thank you, Mercedes," Rachel said

"Hey, even mentors need mentors," Mercedes reassured her.

"I appreciate it," Rachel told her. "And you're right, I do miss New York."

What the hell? Kitty thought from her seat in the front row.

"I think about being in my dressing room and listening to the crowd settling in..." Rachel continued, shaking her head. "But I just I can't. I can't do it."

Something fishy was going on Kitty thought, and she was determined to figure out what it was.

== Tuesday, Late Afternoon, WMHS Auditorium Backstage Area

That afternoon during Glee Club it was Sam's turn to perform. As before Kitty sat between Artie and Spencer.

[ Sam ]

Why do birds suddenly appear

Every time you are near?

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

Why do stars fall down from the sky

Every time you walk by?

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

On the day that you were born

And the angels got together

And decided to create a dream come true

So they sprinkled moon dust

In your hair of gold

And starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the boys in town

Follow you all around

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

On the day that you were born

And the angels got together

And decided to create a dream come true

So they sprinkled moon dust

In your hair of gold

And starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the boys in town

Follow you all around

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

Aah, aah, aah, ooh yeah

Close to you

Aah, aah, aah

Aah aah aah

Oh, close to you

As Kitty watched the performance she couldn't help notice that Sam was directing his performance directly at a noticeably uncomfortable Mercedes. Kitty, of course, knew that Mercedes and Sam had dated in the past. But she also knew that if social media was to be believed, Mercedes was happily dating a Christian music singer whose name slipped her mind at the moment. It looked as though Sam was making a play to get back with his ex, and judging from the uncomfortable looks on the faces of the new kids, she wasn't the only one who noticed.

== Tuesday After School, The Lima Bean

Kitty pulled up in front of The Lima Bean in her car. After she put the car in park she paused for few moments wondering if she had made the right decision agreeing to help Artie with the wedding planning.

Although she would never admit it, Kitty, like most girls had been planning the details of her own wedding in the back of her head since she was little. Although she was mad at them for a while, Brittany and Santana were her friends and she was happy to do whatever she could to help make their wedding day special.

Unfortunately, that meant also having to spend a great deal of time with her ex. Things between them were better since their sit down chat the other day, but she still harbored some upset feelings towards him because no matter how much she might try to deny it, the memory of their breakup still stung her like a jellyfish when she allowed herself to think so it.

She sighed, open the door and went into the establishment. She spotted Artie off in the corner with his laptop. She waved at him and went to order her drink at the counter before joining him.

"You did a great job this morning with your song," Artie told her.

"Really?" She asked in disbelief. "I'm not sure Mercedes thinks so."

"What makes you say that?" He asked.

"Afterward she and I were talking and she gave me this speech about a leader needing to take a backseat to the members of their team sometimes. Yeah, she thinks I'm the leader." She rolled her eyes.

"Well she has a point," Artie told her. "And you pretty obviously are the leader." Kitty gave him a confused look. "Rachel told me about how you helped her last week, and from what I can tell from watching things, they all clearly look up to you.

"The fact is, if glee hadn't been canceled, you would almost certainly have been captain last year too," he told her.

She furrowed her brow, and responded, "You have got to be kidding?"

"Not at all," he informed her. "There were only 5 members who weren't graduating. Marley was definitely a great singer but she lacked confidence and charisma to motivate others. Jake had both in spades, but he also had a poor attitude and focus at times. Ryder lacked focus and wasn't as strong a performer. Unique, well I suppose she could have done it, but I don't think the others would have respected her as much as a leader.

"You were one of the strongest overall performers in the group. You were strong at both singing and choreography, which not a lot of people are. Yes you pushed people away with your snark, but when it was time to get to work, you got serious. You tended to push us till we got better. You have a boatload of charisma, and you have all that leadership experience from Cheerios."

"I see," she said, clearly not thinking that way before.

"My advice," he told her, "is to do another number, possibly with the whole group this time, and make sure that Mercedes can tell that you are having the other members of the group featured."

She noded and smiled. "Thank you."

"No problem," he responded, reminding her of one of the reasons she fell in love with him. He always seemed to be supporting her in some way, something she didn't have a lot of experience with before.

After a few moments of silence, she broke it by saying, "Why don't you show me your wedding plans so far.

He smiled, noded, and turned the laptop screen so she could see it.

"Well, it sounds like the them is going to be 'Heaven'..."

== Early Wednesday Morning, WMHS Choir Room

The following morning Mercedes entered the choir room where the new New Directions were gathered. Mason, Madison, Spencer, Roderick, Jane, and Kitty.

"Okay everyone," Mercedes began, "I'm a mentor not a teacher so I want you all on your feet so I'm looking at you not down on you." She gestured for them to all get up and join her around for piano.

"As I told Kitty yesterday, my role here is to give you all some individual mentoring and as much as I'd love to spend time with each of you individually, we don't really have the time to do that to a significant degree, but what I can do is give you all some general performance tips.

"I took the opportunity to view the videos of your Invitational and from Jagged Little Tapestry week. You guys were good, but you didn't really take any risks, which I think is holding you back from being great.

"How many of you have taken a look at the New Directions YouTube account?" She asked. Mason, Jane, and of course Kitty held up their hands. "Good, I'd suggest the rest of you do the same thing at your earliest opportunity. Artie's managed to tape or secure recordings of virtually all of our competitions, and the vast majority of our performances here. There is a lot to learn from, all in one place there.

"First of all I want you to get past an illusions that you may have that being in a show choir is any different from any team sport. It's Not. As Kitty can tell you, our former coach Mr. Schue, regularly reminded us that we were a team."

Kitty smiled and noded.

"Just like in football and cheerleading, it is absolutely vital that you get to know each other VERY well, so that you can play to your collective strengths and you can predict what each of your teammates will do. That will help you immeasurably when learning songs and choreography.

"Every performer has his or her own strengths and example, I am an accomplished vocalist and when I was in glee club my specialty was 'park and bark' because i struggled with choreography. I've gotten better over the years, but it's still something that I struggle with sometimes.

"All of you are going to have to figure out when each other's strengths and weaknesses are. During competition you should try to play into your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. But that's not always possible, so just like in sports you should each work to improve on those weaker areas. That's something we spent a great deal of time working on when I went here.

"I don't know you guys all that we'll yet, but I'm just going to put out there that if there is anyone on this room whom you don't like or have issues getting along with, then you need to put that aside. Nothing is more important than the music and the performance. The New Directions, when I was in high school, had internal drama that you would not believe, but we never let it interfere with our performance."

"You mean the way the alumni keep making glee club about them instead of about us?" Jane asked sarcastically.

Kitty gave her a dirty look.

Mercedes just pursed her lips, because she knew that the girl had a point but didn't want to get into it now, and continued.

"Anyway, your basic vocal technique is the foundation that everything else is built on. If you don't sound good, nothing else matters. The most fundamental pieces of advice that I can give you is to make sure to maintain proper breath control and support it from your diaphragm.

"Madison, care to give it a try?" She asked.

"Whoah..." the younger girl let loose, but the note flated too soon as she ran out of breath.

Several people chuckled. Her brother put his arm around her for support.

"Okay that was good," Mercedes said, unconvincingly, "but Kitty care to show her how it's done?"

Kitty smiled and belted out, "Here I am! Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I-I-I'm Yooouuuuirs!"

Most of the group smiles and applauded. Jane got an irritated look and crossed her arms in front of her chest because she was tired of Kitty being their teacher's favorite all the time. First Rachel and now Mercedes.

"That was great!" Mercedes told her. "See what she did there? Correct posture: Back straight, ribs expanded, shoulders squared, throat relaxed. She used her diaphragm to support drawing her breath instead of pushing it out. Thanks Kitty."

Kitty smiled and noded.

"After that is chemistry. Mason and Jane, you two oozed chemistry in your "Would You Still Love Me Tomorrow/Head Over Feet" duet last week. But Kurt was right, the lack of even the simplest choreography killed the performance."

They noded in agreement. As irritated as she was, Jane knew she was right.

"Which brings it to the next piece," Mercedes continued. "You need to actually be doing something with your bodied and facial expressions. If your audience just stares at you, they are going to get bored.

"I understand that you didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the invitational so you went back to basics, and that worked for you, but don't expect to get away with that for sectionals. You need to begin preparing ASAP, and have to go all out if you want to win."

Jane got a self satisfied and vindicated look on her face. Seeing this, Kitty turned away and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"The next important thing is to make your performance visually interesting so your audience doesn't get bored. That's done through both choreography, and costuming.

"Do you have a costume committee yet?" They shook their heads. "Well you are going to need one. I'd begin putting one together ASAP. There are still a lot of things around here from the old days, but you're going to need things that fit properly and that are more timely so I wouldn't depend on that too much."

"May I say something?" Jane finally said. "I get that all of you are trying to help us, and we all appreciate it, but why is it that you keep pointing to her," she gestured to Kitty, "as the example of what to do and what not to do." Kitty got an offended look on her face. "First Rachel, and now you. We were ALL supposed to get a say the performances. There is more than one way to do things, and-"

Kitty open her mouth to say something snarky, but Mercedes held up her hand to silence her.

"Yes Jane," Mercedes responded. "There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way to do things in performing to entertain an audience, but there are certain things that work for you or against you with a competition audience and judges, and that's definitely something that you're lucky you have Kitty for. She can definitely help you prevent a major mistake that could cost you a performance."

"No offense," Jane said, "but didn't her New Directions loose Sectionals AND Nationals?"

"How do you loosed sectionals and nationals?" Roderick wanted to know.

"Your competition cheats and gets disqualified," Kitty answered matter of factly. "Look, newbies, we lost because we made some of those mistakes. But if you listen to Rachel and I, WE won't!"

"Every generation of the New Directions had made mistakes in competition," Mercedes told them. "Google "the kiss that missed" for a huge one."

"What about the diaphragm exercises?" Jane asked. "I could have done just as well as her."

"I never said that you couldn't," Mercedes told her. "But I just met all of you. I already knew Kitty from two years ago, and knew that she could show you what I was looking for. It's nothing personal."

That seems to satisfy Jane, but she clearly wasn't happy about it.

"Two years ago," Mercedes continued, "I told her generation of New Directions that the reason that they lost sectionals was fear. Their performance of Gangnam Style, while okay, was rather boring and they didn't really take any risks with it. It was choreography heavy, but musically boring and there was no real individuality to it.

"You need to be willing to take risks not only with choreography, but also vocally. I haven't heard any vocal runs or ad libbing from any of you, and I know you're more than capable.

"Look to Kitty and her experience, but don't be afraid to shine yourselves because you will be the senior members next year."

Kirty tried her best to suppress the smirk on her face as Mercedes complemented her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sam watching them through the window. Clearly she was right and he was still smitten with Mercedes.

The mentoring session went on for another half hour or so with Mercedes having each of them sing something and the rest of them offering feedback. Fortunately it was relatively drama free.

== Mid Thursday Morning, WMHS Choir Room

Artie, sat in the choir room with Kurt, and the male members of the New Directions were going over some sheet music when Mercedes rushed in.

"Sorry to break up your boy time, boys," she told them. "But we have a crisis, and I need to recruit you guys."

They all gathered around Mercedes to hear what she had to say.

"It's Rachel. Now, we all know that she needed to come back here and lick her wounds, and I think it's great that she got the glee club up and running again." Kurt cleared his throat in annoyance. "And you're doing a great job, too, Kurt," she added, "with, you know, whatever your thesis is.

"But what I do know is Rachel's destiny is bigger than this place. And it's not just that she's scared to try again, it's almost like she's forgotten that."

"- Yeah, but how are we", Spencer responded before being interrupted by Roderick.

"- How are?" They glared at each other.

"- How are we supposed to remind her?" Roderick finished.

" - Yeah?" Spencer added.

"Well, we have to make her homesick," Mercedes answered simply.

"But isn't she home now?" Mason asked.

"We need to make her homesick for New York. It's where she belongs. Artie is already in," Artie noded, Mercedes and he had talked earlier over brunch, "and I put in a call to Blaine. I'm sorry if that's awkward for you, Kurt. But if you guys will follow me."

She gestured for them to follow her.

"Okay," Spencer responded

"Yeah," Roderick mumbled.

Kurt silently rose to his feet and followed the group out of the room. The look on his face was one of trepidation almost as if he were on his way to his execution.

None of them noticed Kitty standing at a locker outside of the choir room door with a confused look on her face. She knew in her gut that something was up when Mercedes arrived. But, no amount of flattery was going to distract her from saving the glee club.

== Thursday Afternoon, WMHS Auditorium

Later that afternoon Kitty was understandably curious as she sat in her seat in the auditorium and listened in on what was going on. When she texted him about it, Artie told Kitty that she was recruiting them to sing Rachel another song to help her get her confidence back.

Kitty watched Mercedes lead Rachel into the auditorium and the two of them sat down.

The guys were all up on stage and dressed in formal-wear complete with top hats. Blaine was seated at a different looking piano than normal, and the stage and background were decorated in a decidedly New York theme.

"Mercedes," Kitty heard Rachel plead as she saw the stage. Clearly she felt she had better things to do.

"I told you I came here to mentor and to guide," Mercedes told her sighing, "New York is endgame for you, Rachel. It just is. You know, sometimes you need a little bit of inspiration to remind you and light the way."

Mercedes lead Rachel to a seat in one or the front rows. Kitty, Madison, Jane were already seated, along with Santana and Brittany.

Blaine began to play Christopher Cross's "Arthur's Theme"

[ Blaine ]

Once in your life you find her

Someone that turns your heart around

And next thing you know you're closing down the town

[ Artie ]

Wake up and it's still with you

Even though you left her way across town

Wondering to yourself "Hey, what've I found?"

[ Roderick with Alumni and New Directions Boys (Roderick) ]

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City

(I know it's crazy but it's true)

If you get caught between the Moon and New York City

(The best that you can do

The best that you can do is fall in love)

[ Mason ]

Arthur, he does as he pleases

All of his life, he's mastered choice

And, deep in his heart, he's just, he's just a boy

[ Spencer ]

Living his life one day at a time

He's showing himself a really good time

He's laughing about the way they want him to be

[ Blaine with Mason, Alumni and New Directions Boys (Blaine) ]

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City

(I know it's crazy but it's true)

If you get caught between the Moon and New York City

[ Blaine ]

The best that you can do

(Spencer with Alumni and New Directions Boys: The best that you can do)

The best that you can do is fall in love

[ Artie with Mason, Alumni and New Directions Boys ]

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City

[ Spencer ]

I know it's crazy but it's true

[ Artie with Mason, Alumni and New Directions Boys: ]

If you get caught between the Moon and New York City

[ Artie ]

The best that you can do (Blaine: The best that you can do)

The best that you can do (Blaine: Is fall in love)

[ Roderick with Mason, Alumni and New Directions Boys: ]

When you get caught between the Moon and New York City

[ Artie ]

Oh, I know it's crazy but it's true

[ Roderick with Mason, Artie, Alumni and New Directions Boys ]

If you get caught between the Moon and New York City

[ Artie ]

The best that you can do (Spencer: The best that you can do)

[ Blaine ]

The best that you can do

[ Artie with Blaine ]

Is fall in love

The song ended and there was applause.

Blaine approached Rachel and Mercedes, cleared his throat and asked, "So, what did you think?"

"Look, you guys, uh, despite your valiant effort, I just, I'm not ready to go back," Rachel said.

"Well," Mercedes told her. "I am not leaving until you are."

"What the hell?" Kitty mumbled. That's why she's here? To lure Rachel away? She stared at Mercedes, giving her the evil eye before turning her head away again, fuming.

== Late Thursday Afternoon, WMHS Choir Room

Kitty had finally decided to confront Mercedes about her real intentions. Mercedes was looking through some sheet music in the choir room when Kitty strode in.

She looked up and saw the younger woman entered and greeted her with a smile, "Kitty, I've been meaning to -"

"-What are doing here?" Kitty asked, with more force than was needed, but knowing Kitty's personality, Mercedes seemed to take it all in stride.

"I was just looking through some Burt Bacharach songs for this week's lesson -"

"Why are you back at McKinley?" She clarified.

This time Mercedes definitely noticed the forcefulness of the question. She pursed her lips, but chose not to respond to it.

"Like I said when I got here," she responded calmly, "I'm here to mentor all of you and help you prepare for sectionals."

"Then why are you trying to get Rachel to abandon us?"

Mercedes gave her a confused look.

"We we still need her! We're nowhere near ready for sectionals, let alone regionals or nationals. She promised me! She gave me her word that she wouldn't abandon us like everyone else did! She promised me that if I came back, we would see this through to the end together! Now, not even a week later, you're trying to get her to leave us?"

"Sweetie, what are you talking about?" Mercedes asked, confused.

"I know about the Broadway play audition," Kitty informed her.

"How...?"

"I have my sources."

"Artie-"

"-Don't bring Arthur into this, just because we dated. I've survived Sue Sylvester's regime here at McKinley by being resourceful. It doesn't matter how I know. The point is that I do know."

"Kitty did you honestly expect Rachel to stay here the whole life?" The older woman asked.

"Of course not," Kitty told her. "We all know that the stage is her true calling and destiny or whatever, but she gave me her word, and I accepted it when I decided to rejoin glee club. I knew it wouldn't be forever, but I expected a lot more than just a week! And I know this isn't a career for her, especially since she doesn't even have a teaching degree. But we need more time and it's not right for you to be urging her to abandon us so soon!"

"Kitty," Mercedes said putting her arm around the young woman who shirked it off. "Rachel is having a lot of issues with confidence right now, and the longer it is before she gets up onstage again the harder it's going to be for her to do it. I think it's admirable what she's doing here helping you guys with glee club, and that's why you have other alumni and I here to help. But Rachel is also our friend and we're not being very good friends if we don't encourage her to embrace her destiny and chase her dream.

"She failed big time. Everybody knows it. But one failure shouldn't define her, and right now it seems like it is. Back in high school I had my share of confidence issues as well, and she helped me with them on more than one occasion. Right now I am just returning the favor.

"I promise you that we're not going to leave you high and dry. This audition is a long-shot for her, but she needs to get her name out there again, and she needs the confidence that a successful audition will get her. It's very unlikely she's going to get this role, but even if she did the alumni are not going to just abandon glee club like we did a year and a half ago. On that you got MY word!

"You better not!" Kitty said bitterly and stormed off.

# # # # # # # # # #

Author's Endnotes: So what did everyone think of the next chapter? Hopefully it was worth the wait. Up next is Chapter 8: The Meaning of Family, followed by Chapter 9: The Engagement Party, all from What The World Needs Now. Beginning with Chapter 10 we move into Transitioning for 2-3 Chapters and then of course, the wedding episodes which will also be 2-3 chapters.

As you can see there is a lot more coming. The more reviews and favorites I receive the more motivated I am to write. Don't forget to subscribe so you are notified as soon as new chapters are available, and if you haven't already, check out my website WildeAbrams dot com and follow me on Twitter at WildeAbrams.