Chapter 9: Nationals

Journey—live at the Grove, tonight, 9pm

"Mr. Schue! Look!" Puck said as he and Quinn were standing in front of a tarpaulin that bore the invite for a gig of "Journey". "I'm sure you'd want to come here," They were in LA, because this year's Nationals will be held there.

Will laughed as he put his hands on Puck's shoulders, "Well, that might be a good idea—"

"But I have a better one," Finn said.

"And what is it?" Will asked.

"We should do a Journey song on Nationals!" Finn said, "I mean, let's scrap one original song and replace it with a Journey one..."

"I thought you didn't wanna do Journey anymore?" Will asked.

Quinn laughed, "Only because we haven't found a good song...But now I think we do..."

"Yeah?"

"After all these years?" Quinn said, "I mean, we've been at this, together, all these years...I think it's only fitting."

"Yeah," Puck added, "It would make a really good impact."

"So...everyone on?" Will smiled.

"Yes!" They said altogether.

"Let's win this!" Rachel exclaimed and they all laughed.

xxxx

All my life

It was just you

All my dreams

They all came true

With you I feel brand new

with you I'm safe, it's true

Oh you, oh you

Oh you, oooh you

You made all these come true

The crowd cheered as Quinn, Puck, Rachel and Finn bowed their heads after that 2-way duet. The four of them all worked on that original song together. And then it was the Troubletones' turn, with Tina and Mike dancing on the sidelines, plus the rest of the group as back-up vocals.

We all crushed,

we all burned

through it all, we all learned

We lost, we fell through

but yes, we're here,

standin' in front of you

Oh we made it,

we made it big

we're all stars

we won't collide

Yes we made it

yes we did

There were tears in Mr. Schue's eyes as the song ended—and he knew there would be more, for the rest of the group went up. Puck and Quinn were holding hands. Finn started to sing.

Finn: A faded wedding photograph
You and me in our first dance
Our eyes are closed
We're lost in one sweet embrace

Rachel: Since those days the world has changed
Our love remains the same
God knows we've had our share of saving grace

Puck and Quinn: And I'm proud of all the blessings
You have given me
The mountains we have climbed to get this far
You learn to take the laughter with the tears
After all these years

Santana and Brittany: You make it feel brand new
After the fires that we walked thru
Against the odds we never lost our faith

Sam and Mercedes: In a house we've made our own
Where our children all have grown
Precious moments time can not erase

Mike and Tina: Make a livin' up and down the gypsy highway
Seasons that we've beared to share apart
Somehow in my heart I always keep you near
After all these years

Finn and Rachel: After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years

All: After all these years
You stood by me
The days and nights that I was gone
After all these years
You sacrificed, believed in me
And you stood strong
Cause with our love there's nothing left to fear
After all these years

The crowd stood up and clapped. The New Directions were hugging one another, knowing it's their last chance to do this all together in a competition since most of them are graduating. Mr. Schue went up to them and hugged them. "I'm so proud of you," he said, "Whatever happens tonight, I'm proud. Look at all of you."

Quinn was crying, "Oh, Mr. Schue," She said and hugged him. The rest of them followed suit.

"Hold up," Artie said, "Winners."

They all laughed.

xxxx

"And the 2012 Show Choir Nationals champions are..." The announcer said, "From Lima, Ohio, The New Directions!"

"Oh my god," Rachel said.

"We won!" Artie cried, "We won!"

"Come on, Mr. Schue!" Mike said, pushing Mr. Schue to get the trophy.

Mr. Schue took hold of it and cried and laughed at the same time, "You guys made it," He said, "You—"

"No, Mr. Schue," Rachel said, "We all did. Including you."

"Awww," Sugar said, "Group hug!"

And that's what they did.