*A/N* Okay, so the next chapter will be Regionals and the "royal serving it to Vocal Adrenaline", so I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I've posted a couple of links below to songs. They are the songs that were mashed up in this chapter, so if you're not familiar with them, you might wanna give them a listen. They are true classics. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I'm currently promising another super-fluffy chapter in chapter 12, so enjoy this for now! Share the Love!
Oh, and a shoutout to sdl90. I don't know if she reads this story, but I am loving all of her work and I love that she reminded me of the quote about not having happy middles, just happy endings. We also have the same first name, so that's cool. Anywho, enjoy the story! You rock for all your reviews!
Link 1: Do You Hear the People Sing (Les Miserables) www. youtube. com/ watch?v=1VR1bOha40U
Link 2: Fantine's Arrest (Les Miserables) www. youtube. com/ watch?v=xSgxdWdJ92k
Just a couple of notes, you have to remove the spaces in the links for them to work. And, on the second, I don't start using it until when Javert first sings. Enjoy!
Chapter 10
After everything he and Rachel had been through, Finn was sure of two things: the first was that he was definitely the father of Rachel's twins – not that he'd ever doubted it; the second was that he really hated needles. The whole thing had been a nightmare that Finn was glad to have over – the Show Choir Governing Board had retracted their comments about Rachel and Sunshine Corazon was in New Directions to stay. Now, they were sitting in the choir room waiting for Mr. Schue who was on the phone in his office.
Suddenly, Mr Schue hung up the phone and walked out into the choir room. Finn watched as, on the white board, he wrote one word: Broadway. Rachel screamed, but Finn could just stare. What was going on? Were they doing a Broadway assignment this close to Regionals?
"So, I just got off the phone with the Show Choir Governing Board and a there's a new category for Regionals this year – one of our three songs has to be from a Broadway musical." Finn looked over at Rachel – she was basically bouncing in her seat. "What we need are some ideas for songs that will go well with the one we've already talked about for the guys."
"Oh my God! I can think of so many great Broadway numbers!" When Finn looked over again, he realized that Rachel was standing now. It was the fastest he'd seen her stand on her own since like January. But as Rachel started talking with Kurt about the best Broadway plays, Finn kept thinking of that one movie that Rachel had made him watch – she'd told him that it was based on a Broadway musical but that they hadn't made one that was actually a musical yet or something. It was about a bunch of people who got double-crossed all the time and about people rising up against injustice and stuff.
"Mr. Schue, I have an idea." He said, putting his arm about Rachel's waist as a gentle reminder to stop jumping before she hurt herself.
"What is it, Finn?"
"What about something from Les Miserables? Isn't it about a revolution?"
"It is actually. I think that's a great idea." Beside him, Rachel had fallen silent and was staring at him in awe. "Are you familiar with the music?"
"Not really, I just saw the movie with Rachel."
"Well, let's see what we can figure out." Rachel was still looking at him with the same goofy, proud look on her face. He smiled as he thought of how she'd come through all this – a trooper all the way. She was showing now, but it didn't matter – their cover was blown wide open and they were telling the world the truth now. He pulled her closer, his hand resting on her stomach. Rachel had started feeling the twins kicking, and since Finn hadn't been able to feel it yet, he always kept his hand there so he wouldn't miss it when it happened.
Together, the glee club started talking about the music and uploading the album onto the computer to listen to, but Finn sat quietly, listening to everyone's suggestions. After a few minutes, he pulled Rachel into his lap so she didn't have to lean over him to talk to the others.
"You don't have to let me sit in your lap, Finn. I'm probably getting heavy."
"You're as light as a feather, Rach." He said, smiling at her. Now that things were started to go right, Finn was looking forward to royally serving it to Vocal Adrenaline at Regionals.
Sure, they were just figuring out the number and choreographing it, but Finn felt pretty proud of himself for what New Directions had come up with. He, Rachel, Kurt and Puck stood downstage on the right; Sam, Tina, Artie, Santana, and Mike were downstage left and the rest of the New Directions and New Beginnings was in two lines upstage (with New Directions in front) to act as the choir as they prepared to rehearse the number all together.
"Let's try it out, okay Guys?" The music picked up for the first part of the Les Miserables mash-up and Finn stepped back closer to the choir while Kurt and Rachel stepped forward, Puck hung on the wings beside them, just in the shadows. Across the stage, the others lined up in front of their microphones.
Artie: Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Matches the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Kurt was holding Rachel by the wrist when the lights cut to their side and Rachel pushed him away, stumbling backward. Finn felt his blood rising before he reminded himself that it was in the script and that he was going to have to get used to stuff like this when Rachel became a leading lady. Puck stepped forward from the shadows.
Puck: Tell me quickly what's the story?
Who saw what and why and where
Let him give a full description
Let him answer to Javert!
In this nest of whores and vipers
Let one speak who saw it all
Who laid hands on this good man here?
What's the substance of this brawl.
Kurt:Javert, would you believe it
I was crossing from the park
When this prostitute attacked me
You can see she left her mark.
Puck took Rachel's wrists this time and Finn felt himself flinch again. He knew Puck was just acting – it would probably be easier when they were all in costume and everything. It helped that Finn knew the main reason Puck had taken her wrists was so he could help her up and down when she fell to her knees.
Puck: She will answer for her actions
When you make a full report
You may rest assured, Monsieur
That she will answer to the court.
Finn was watching carefully as Rachel fell gently to her knees, Puck taking most of her weight. It would be obvious to a crowd too, but Finn didn't care and anyone who did would have to answer to him.
Rachel: There's a child who sorely needs me
Please Monsieur, she's but that high
Holy God, is there no mercy?
If I go to jail she'll die!
Puck pulled Rachel to her feet, but kept her wrists in his hands.
Puck: I have heard such protestations
Every day for twenty years
Let's have no more explanations
Save your breath and save your tears
Honest work, just reward,
That's the way to please the Lord.
Rachel let out a strangled cry as the lights went down on the four of them and went up on the other side. Finn stepped forward to stand in the shadows where Puck had been standing while the others sang. He had to admit, he was pretty impressed with Rachel's acting – she was good at the whole distraught chick thing – so good that he made sure to check on her before taking his place.
Santana: Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Mike: Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
All: Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Matches the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
As the lights rose on their side, Finn stepped forward and stood between Rachel and Puck, causing Puck to drop Rachel's hands.
Finn: A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman's tale
Puck: But Monsieur Mayor!
Finn: You've done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail.
Puck: But Monsieur Mayor!
Finn: Can this be?
Where will she end –
This child without a friend?
He was standing right behind her when the lights went down and in the semi-darkness, he snaked his arms around her waist, but she swatted them away.
Sam and Tina: Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!
All: Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Matches the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
The lights came up on Finn, Kurt, Rachel and Puck for the last time but now Kurt had stepped back into the shadows as Finn and Rachel stole the scene.
Finn: I've seen your face before
Show me some way to help you
How have you come to grief
In such a place as this?
Rachel: Monsieur, don't mock me now, I pray
It's hard enough I've lost my pride
You let your foreman send me away
Yes, you were there, and turned aside
I never did no wrong
Finn: Is it true what I've done?
Rachel: My daughter's close to dying
Finn: To an innocent soul—
Rachel: If there's a good above
Finn: Had I only known then…
Rachel: He'd let me die instead
Finn: In His name, my task has just begun
I will see it done!
Puck: But Monsieur la Mayor!
Finn: I will see it done!
Puck: But Monsieur la Mayor!
Finn: I will see it done!
The lighting went down across the stage as the song ended, but the moment the lights came back on, the glee club erupted in cheers.
"So, does someone wanna tell me how Kurt got picked to play the guy who tries to hook up with Fantine? That just seems weird." Finn asked, looking from Kurt to Mr. Schue. Kurt seemed to think it was pretty funny too.
"I'd say it's because Rachel could take him, but I know better after that punch he threw at Jesse St. Jackass." Puck added and the whole glee club was laughing then. New Directions, and in some ways New Beginnings, was a family in many ways and Finn loved that they were like this – close enough to watch out for each other but equally capable of stabbing each other in the back. It wouldn't be New Directions without the drama. As everyone left the stage, Finn held back, his hand closed around Rachel's as they stood side by side. She was looking out on the empty seats, looking a little sad.
"What's wrong, Rach?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me. What's going on? You look really sad all of a sudden."
"It's just –" She stopped and looked up at him before crossing and sitting on the edge of the stage. Finn wasn't sure what was going on but he went and sat beside her anyway. "I feel like everything's ending and the future's not what it's supposed to be."
"My mom always told me that there are no endings – just beginnings. Maybe things are changing, but it doesn't mean they're changing for the worst. I think we've got a pretty good handle on all this parent stuff, how about you?"
"How do you figure that, Finn?"
"Because we're handling things together and besides, I love you and that's what counts."
"You can't feed twins on love."
"No, but I swear to you now – I'll take care of you and the twins no matter what. I'm gonna be there taking care of the three of you until the day I die."
"I don't know what it is, but I always believe you." Rachel said with a sigh, resting her head on his shoulder. Finn wrapped his arm around her back and rested his other hand on her stomach as they sat, starring at the empty auditorium and at the dreams that the stage sang to them. It was then, sitting there in the silence, that Finn felt one his babies kick for the first time and he looked down, smiling.
"I think my son just kicked your daughter." Finn said, smiling as he leaned down to kiss Rachel.
"He does that a lot. She usually throws a tantrum shortly after and decides to kick my vital organs." Sure enough, Finn felt movement on the other side of her stomach.
"I think they take after us." Finn pulled Rachel into his lap and held her princess-style as he kissed her over and over. "Let's go home, Rach."
So, for those inquisitive minds, the les mis cast list as glee characters are portraying is below (in order of appearance):
Enjolras: Artie
Javert: Puck
Bamatabois: Kurt
Fantine: Rachel
Combeferre: Santana
Courfeyrac: Mike
Jean Valjean: Finn
Feuilly: Shared by Sam and Tina
I know it doesn't strictly fit the vocal roles, but seriously? Finn had to play Jean Valjean...