AN: So, here we have another chapter! I have a four day long weekend, so I'm on a roll! This one is substantially longer (Woo!) and has quite a bit more Brochel in it :) It's also a litttttle heavy on the lyrics side, but it IS Nationals.

Thanks to all who reviewed, you guys are the best!

We are the Kings and the Queens
You traded your baseball cap for a crown
When they gave us our trophies
And we held them up for our town
And the cynics were outraged
Screaming "this is absurd"
Cause for a moment a band of thieves
In ripped up jeans got to rule the world

Nationals Revisited

May 2014

"I wonder if Taylor Swift will be there? I'm pretty sure she's single again, and man would I like to do her," Puck said salaciously as the group from McKinley were walking off the bus and toward the hotel they were staying in for the duration of their trip to Nashville for Nationals.

"Jake, can you please stop your brother from making sacrilegious comments about Taylor," Marley implored.

Jake rolled his eyes, grimaced at the hand of Ryder's that held Marley's, but complied by socking Puck in the arm and saying, "Dude, there are ladies present, ladies who love Taylor Swift."

"Kitty doesn't care, do you Kitten?" Puck asked of his once-girlfriend.

"Well, Marley cares, so just shut up," Jake said.

"Man, she's still got your balls," Puck said with a whistle.

"Okay, enough!" Finn exclaimed. "I asked you to help chaperone, Puck, which means you're supposed to act like an adult, okay?"

"Yeah, but you knew he wouldn't, which is why you brought me along to chaperone too," Mercedes added in an amused tone.

Finn just smiled, then said, "Well, we're all going to be here anyway, you two just happened to luck out with the job of helping me."

"Hey, there's Berry, sucking face with that new guy of hers," Puck pointed out.

"And there's Kurt, and Santana too!" Mercedes exclaimed, ignoring Puck's childish remark about Brody.

The New Directions, past and present members, were all staying in the same hotel in Nashville, for Nationals. It had made sense, seeing as Finn had had to organise the accommodation for the current McKinley students, so it was simple to arrange for the past students' accommodation as well. It meant that were all in the one place, for last minute rehearsals, and naturally impromptu hook ups and shenanigans.

They were staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton, a mere 2 minute walk from the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) where Nationals was being held.

Most of the required personnel had arrived at the same time, and were holding their reunion in the lobby of the hotel. Even though that had all spent considerable time together only a week or two before, there were lots of hugs and squealing.

Once everyone separated to go to their own rooms, with Finn taking his charges off to settle in.

Brody and Rachel made their way up to their room, which they were decidedly not sharing with anyone else.

"Finn picked quite a nice hotel," Rachel commented casually, as they entered their room. "The carpet is nice, so is the bathroom, and the beds looks nice, but I'll reserve my judgement until I've tested the mattress."

Brody immediately caught her drift, dropped their bags on the floor and grabbed her, pushed her up against the wall and kissed her thoroughly.

"How long do we have before you have to go and rehearse?" Brody asked in a low voice.

"Long enough," Rachel replied, then she returned to kissing him.

It turned out that they didn't need long at all, their love making was fast and furious, with clothes flying off in all directions, hands going everywhere as they tumbled into the bed, their bodies moving together quickly, and light sheen of sweat quickly coating their bodies.

As usual, Rachel was fairly vocal in her please, for indeed Rachel had trouble keeping quiet in any area of her life, and just as she and Brody finished, there came a bang on the wall behind their bed.

It was accompanied by, "Thanks for sharing, Berry!"

This was clearly Santana, but the giggles and loud laughter that followed definitely could not be attributed to only Santana.

"I guess we know our neighbours," Brody remarked, trying to ease the sudden awkward tension.

"And from the sounds of the laughter, I'm pretty sure they're all in that room, hanging out," Rachel said with a cringe.

"Oh, who cares. From what you've told me, you all have a pretty incestuous history within your club. Come on, let's go test the water pressure in the shower before you face your friends," Brody suggested.

"Where are you planning to be?" Rachel asked, as she let Brody scoop her up and lead her to the bathroom.

"Study, or rather, practising," Brody replied. "Even though I am here, you know I still need to stay focused."

"I know, and I love you for it," Rachel replied. "I can't wait to watch you graduate, and I know you'll get a role as soon as you try for something."

Brody just cupped Rachel's face in his hands, and kissed, gently this time, savouring the feeling of the touch of her lips.

Afterwards, they dressed, and as Rachel was about to make her way out of the hotel door, Brody asked, "So, are you going to tell me yet whether you managed to secure a lead for the showcase?"

Rachel looked at him witheringly, an unusual expression for her, melodrama was more her style, and said, "Last time I check, I was still Rachel Berry."

Then she playfully stormed out of the room, which was much truer to her style.

Rachel met Quinn and Mercedes out in the hall, who looked at her and burst out laughing.

Rachel pointedly ignored their mirth and said, "So, I don't suppose either of you know where this room is that we're meeting in to rehearse in?"

"Yeah, it's down this way, we've already been exploring, while you were, 'exercising'," Mercedes said, smothering another laugh.

"It's lucky laughing is good for expanding your lung capacity…" Rachel said warningly, trailing off, allowing the meaning of her words to sink in. "Do you mind that we're not doing a Troubletones number?"

"Not really, no," Mercedes said truthfully. "Really, this is about what we achieved as the New Directions. I still get a solo in the group number. Besides, I have recording contract, and ain't nobody taking that away from me! Not even you, Berry."

"At least I can dance properly now," Quinn added. "Those were some of the hardest days of my life."

"We're still proud of you, girl," Mercedes said, giving her a quick hug.

"So how does this showcase thing actually work?" Tina asked, joining them as they walked across the lobby, headed to the rehearsal room.

"Each of the five winning teams will perform a set, and they will be spread out over the two days of Nationals," Rachel replied. "It's just to change things up a bit, and add a little more for the music critics to, well, critique. I'm pretty sure they just want to bring back some very talented people to entertain the audience with."

"What, like Jesse?" Quinn teased.

"I suppose he'll be here, I hadn't actually thought about it," Rachel replied. "He may be an ass most of the time, but you really can't deny that he's very talented."

The four girls entered the room to find a fairly typical New Directions scene.

Blaine and Kurt were drumming away on a piano, with Blaine pulling some spectacular over the top faces. Sam and Brittany were dancing, to a song that appeared to be playing only in their heads. Mike was quietly observing, and Puck, yes Puck was actually making spit balls.

Finn was absorbed in the paper spread out before him, it was clearly a combination of sheet music and written notes.

"All right people, we're back," Santana announced breezing into the room. "I have delivered the brats to their rooms and locked them in, though I'm pretty sure that Kitty will find a way out, and in seconds flat."

Joe and Sugar trailed in behind Santana, they being the only two who were still at McKinley from the 2012 Nationals team.

"Alright, we pretty much nailed everything during our week of practice over Spring Break, so I just thought we'd do a full run through now, and if everything seems perfect we'll not do anymore rehearsing," Finn announced.

"Shouldn't we be in our costumes then, if it's you're saying it's a full dress rehearsal?" Blaine queried.

"No, we'll take care of that tomorrow, we get a timeslot for a full dress rehearsal on the stage at TPAC," Finn answered. "Okay, places please!"

The following two days of rehearsal went well, and when Rachel awoke next Brody on the first morning of Nationals see was immediately excited. One last appearance at Nationals, it was the perfect kind of high school reunion for her.

She rose, and had showered, done her hair and makeup, and was dressed before Brody had stirred.

"Babe, you're not even performing today, what's the rush," Brody said sleepily.

"It's Nationals!" Rachel exclaimed. "Come on, get up. We're going to cheer on the New Directions. They've got to place in the Top 10 today to get a shot at the title tomorrow, you know."

Brody allowed himself to be dragged out of bed, and soon enough he and Rachel were walking hand in hand down the hall, then out through the lobby, and down the street to the Nationals venue. It was a beautiful, late spring day, with a gentle breeze ruffling Rachel's hair a little.

Rachel and Brody met up with all the old New Directions, minus Finn, who was backstage with the current New Directions.

"You'll never guess who is here, covering Nationals," Kurt said excitedly, racing over to Rachel upon sighting her.

"Oh no, please no," Rachel said with a shudder.

"Yes, it's Cassie," Santana supplied.

Brody looked uncomfortable, but said nothing, choosing just to hold Rachel's hand.

"Come on, let's go take our seats," Quinn suggested. "They're pretty good ones, seeing as they were reserved for us. I think all the winning teams from the last five years have reserved seats in the same section."

"Can't wait," Tina muttered darkly. "I've totally missed seeing all those bitchy Vocal Adrenaline girls."

Mike smiled comfortingly at her, and they all made their way to their seats.

"I really like the costumes Finn arranged for them this year," Blaine remarked to Kurt. "They were much better than our ones last year."

"Well you sounded absolutely amazing, which completely made up for those outfits," Kurt replied. "And because of those outfits, and as we were all attending this year, I helped Finn arrange all the outfits for this year."

"Of course you did," Blaine chuckled. "Always the selfless step-brother."

"Oh look, I can see Jesse St. Stupid!" Kurt exclaimed. "He's watching Brody suck face with Rachel. Serves him right."

"And I'm pretty sure I can see Cassandra July, wheeling in down there. I was hoping, for Rachel's sake, that you'd been wrong about that little piece of information," Blaine commented. "Well, we're going to blow everyone away, which will hopefully stop Cassandra from writing insults about us."

"Shhh, it's starting!" Mercedes said, leaning over and poking Kurt, as the lights went down.

A voice rang out of the speakers, "Welcome to 2014 National Show Choir Competition. We hope you enjoy the calibre of the performances that will be delivered by all our teams this year. Today's performance order is detailed in the program you all would have received at the door. Please respect the performers by being quiet during their performances, and applause is always welcome at the close of a number. First up, from CornellHigh School, Cornell, Wisconsin: The Chordials!"

"They've got nothing on the New Directions," Rachel whispered to Brody, as they finished their set.

"When are they set to perform?" Brody asked.

Rachel rolled her eyes, knowing he hadn't managed to read through the program, he'd been too busy trying to make out with her.

"They're thirteenth," Rachel answered. "So, they're not up for a while."

After the eighth performance there had only been a couple that Rachel felt could challenge the New Directions, but she felt confident that they would make it through to the top 10.

A sudden desire to give the glee club a pep talk before they performed seized Rachel. She leaned over to Blaine and whispered, "How about we go find the New Directions back stage?"

He nodded, and at the end of the ninth performance they slipped out of their seats and instinctively found their way backstage, slipped past the man on the door with a pair of winsome smiles and, "We're with the New Directions, thanks!"

"So, in case we can't find them, I'm guessing you have Finn's number?" Rachel asked, as they walked quickly down the hallway.

"Of course. You don't?" Blaine asked, a little surprised.

"Well, no. He changed his number some time after we broke up, and it just seemed easier for me not to have it," Rachel answered.

"Fair enough," Blaine accepted easily. "Look, I think this is their door."

"What makes you say that? The big sign saying 'New Directions – McKinley High'?" Rachel teased.

Rachel knocked on the door, and after hearing Finn call, "Come in!", she and Blaine stepped inside.

The occupants of the room were all dressed in the New Directions first day costume, the girls in maroon dresses, trimmed with cream, and the guys in black pants with maroon shirts. That is, all except Finn, who was wearing a simple suit.

Everyone looked expectantly at Blaine and Rachel, who's presence had not been expected.

"We just wanted to come and see you, and say good luck," Blaine began.

"We don't want you to be overconfident, but we've seen you perform, and we've seen the other teams, and we don't think you have anything to worry about," Rachel said assuredly. "So, break a leg, and we're looking forward to celebrating tonight."

With that, Rachel and Blaine quickly departed, intending to return to their seats as soon as possible, so as not to miss anymore of the numbers. However, they were stopped by Finn's voice before they got too far.

"Hey! Wait," Finn called, walking quickly after them. "Thanks for coming by like that, I really appreciate it, and I think they did too."

"You've done a great job with them Finn, they'll do fine," Rachel told him confidently, and Blaine clapped him affectionately on the back.

Soon she and Blaine were back in their seats, and the New Directions from McKinley High, Lima, Ohio, were being announced.

Brandon walked out onto the stage, and stopped at the mike stand that was positioned in the middle of the stage.

He grasped the mic, then began to sing, starting with no music.

"You and I were friends from out of space, afraid to let go," he began, his rich voice ringing clear and true. The music kicked in then, and he finished a captivating performance of Train's This Ain't Goodbye.

This was followed by a duet from Marley and Jake, Ready to Love Again, by Lady Antebellum. This was backed up by the rest of the New Directions' vocals. Apparently the appeal of singing a Country number in the home of Country was too much. The number was very good though, and the emotion with which Marley sang was very convincing.

The final item was naturally a group number, The Script's She's So Lovely. It provided the necessary dancing required to make the New Directions one of the best glee clubs to perform.

The end of their set was met with enthusiastic applause, particularly from the graduated New Directions members, who stood and clapped wildly.

"They were pretty good," Brody said in Rachel's ear.

"Pretty good?" Rachel queried. "I thought they were rather amazing."

"I just have high standards, because I've seen you perform," Brody said charmingly.

"Nice save," Rachel said roguishly, her years in New York having added a little more to her character, in that she had the ability to not always be dramatic and literal.

"I still know you'll be better," Brody reaffirmed. "But they were very good, probably thanks to whatever help you, Kurt and Santana gave."

Rachel just smiled, accepting his praise, even though she knew that there was more to it than that. It was what she always said, being a part of something special made you special. They were special kids, who'd had special people help them to become incredible, and Finn was a big part of that.

At the end of the day, the places were announced, with the New Directions claiming third.

Later that evening, as they all sat crammed into one of the larger hotel eating takeout, Rachel said to Finn, "Third is great! They're up the top end of the top ten, but they also haven't peaked. It's easier to show improvement from third, than first."

Finn nodded, and remarked about the next day being a big day for them all.

Brody watched them talk, from his place in an armchair. He was sitting in the midst of the chaos, but he felt rather on the outer. The people around him were kind of like a dysfunctional family, a family in which he didn't have a part. He, Rachel, Kurt and Santana, and even Quinn and Blaine, were the members of his own dysfunctional family, not the masses of teachers before him. Still, he was happy enough spending time with them. Rachel was happy, and as he studied her body language, and Finn's, he could tell that any lingering romantic feelings between them were long gone. There was just easy friendship, based on memories of days gone by, and respect. Respect of their talents, and respect of the others life experience.

Rachel parted from Finn, and moved over and sat in Brody's lap.

"So, we've got the fourth slot tomorrow. We're performing before the others sing for their chance at winning Nationals. Everything should go off smoothly, and we should inspire them to be flawless, and win," Rachel said dreamily.

"I think that seems pretty safe," Brody said with a chuckle. "You're a force, Rachel Berry. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you perform in that outfit too. There's something incredibly sexy about it, it's kind of girlish and feminine, but very appealing."

The next day, about eleven o'clock, found Rachel standing in the wings, wearing said outfit. It was a black dress, trimmed with a rich, deep green. It was a similar style to all of her previous competition dresses, as the style was intended to be pretty, and easy to dance in.

Rachel heard the announcer say, "And now, the 2012 Nationals winning team, from McKinley High, the New Directions!"

Rachel watched Santana step out and stand in the middle of the stage. Rachel was singing back up, with Quinn, for Santana's solo, and unlike their junior year, she was happy to do it. It was a solo Santana more than deserved.

"I will not make the same mistakes that you did. I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery. I will not break the way you did, you fell so hard. I've learned the hard way to never let it get that far," Santana sang with great feeling, the room quiet and still, captured by the power and passion of her voice.

Rachel and Quinn then stepped on the stage, and harmonised with Santana for the chorus, "Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk. Because of you I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt. Because of you I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me. Because of you I am afraid."

Santana continued, with Rachel and Santana backing her up, and by the time she reached the bridge the audience was completely enthralled with her performance, "I watched you die. I heard you cry every night in your sleep. I was so young, you should have known better than to lean on me. You never thought of anyone else, you just saw your pain. And now I cry in the middle of the night, for the same damn thing."

When Santana hit the big note at the end Brody was particularly impressed, he had known Santana was impressive, but he had never seen her give such an enthralling performance.

"Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk. Because of you

I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt. Because of you I try my hardest just to forget everything. Because of you I don't know how to let anyone else in. Because of you I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty. Because of you I am afraid. Because of you, because of you," Santana finished, the last lines a perfect mix of sensitivity, passion and pain.

The audience stood and applauded, and it was only then that Rachel realised that a few tears were rolling down her cheeks. It turned out not only her own solos made her cry.

She quickly composed herself as Quinn and Santana left the stage, and Finn walked out to join her. It had actually been a unanimous decision for one last 'Finchel' duet.

Therefore, it had been absolutely irresistible for the two of them to choose one last ballad to sing together.

They had taken U2's Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, and turned it into a duet.

"Tough, you think you've got the stuff. You're telling me and anyone, you're hard enough," Finn began.

"You don't have to put up a fight, you don't have to always be right. Let me take some of the punches, for you tonight," Rachel continued, the 'Finchel' duet chemistry already showing in full force.

"Listen to me now, I need to let you know. You don't have to go it alone," Finn sang, taking Rachel's hand in his, and looking her straight in the eyes, recapturing some of the old feelings he had for her, and some of the new ones, the ones of friendship, to convey emotion for the song.

"And it's you when I look in the mirror, and it's you when I don't pick up the phone. Sometimes you can't make it on your own," they sang together, their familiar voices blending together once more, the both of them associating the lyrics with their break up. Neither of them felt the agonising pain that they had at the time though.

"We fight all the time, you and I...that's alright. We're the same soul," Rachel sang, walking away from Finn on the stage, as if it pained her to be near him.

"I don't need...I don't need to hear you say, that if we weren't so alike, you'd like me a whole lot more," Finn sang sincerely, as the New Directions all filed out onto the stage behind them, harmonising, and dancing subtly.

"Listen to me now, I need to let you know, you don't have to go it alone," Rachel sang, walking back to Finn and letting him pull her close to him.

"And it's you when I look in the mirror, and it's you when I don't pick up the phone. Sometimes you can't make it on your own," Rachel and Finn sang, with the New Directions backing them up.

"I know that we don't talk, I'm sick of it all," Finn sang, sounding as though he was really pained.

"Can - you - hear - me - when – I…Sing, you're the reason I sing. You're the reason why the opera is in me...," Rachel sang, her magnificent voice belting out the high notes perfectly.

Jesse St. James sat in the audience, and was once again awed by her voice, and he knew that, whether or not Rachel knew it, Finn really was the reason why she sang, and sang with so much emotion. She had been born with the gift of singing, but her love for Finn, and her relationship with him, had taught her how to weave emotion into her singing.

"Where are we now? I've got to let you know, a house still doesn't make a home. Don't leave me here alone...," Finn sang, really looking as though he was pleading with Rachel not to leave him.

The scene looked a little too real to Brody, and he was pretty sure he'd need to have a chat with Finn, just to be safe.

"And it's you when I look in the mirror, and it's you that makes it hard to let go. Sometimes you can't make it on your own, sometimes you can't make it, the best you can do is to fake it. Sometimes you can't make it on your own," Rachel and Finn sang together, holding one last note together, perhaps for the last time.

The audience stood again, and applauded their emotion filled duet. Even Cassandra July looked at Rachel with begrudging respect. It was much easier for her to appreciate Rachel's talents when she wasn't dancing, and when Brody wasn't right next to her.

Artie then wheeled to the front, and kicked off their final song, "Ouh! Ouh! I took my baby on a Saturday bang. Boy is that girl with you, yes we're one and the same."

"Now I believe in miracles, and a miracle has happened tonight. Hee! Ah!," Rachel continued.

They had decided chosen Black or White as their group number to revisit because of what it meant to them all, and the message it conveyed.

"But, if you're thinkin' about my baby, it don't matter if you're black or white," Blaine sang with his usual swagger.

They continued with their energetic rendition, which was mainly fuelled by their love of performing together.

It was likely that nothing would ever beat their Nationals winning performance of 2012, but the enjoyment they got from performing together, and performing well, gave them almost as much pleasure.

They left the stage, feeling absolutely elated, and once they'd finished laughing and congratulating each other backstage, they made their way back to their seats in the audience, just in time for the current New Directions to take to the stage for their shot at the titles.

Their set structure was very similar to the first day, but instead of Brandon singing a solo, Ruby had a solo, singing The Voice Within. Marley had another duet, but this time with Jake, Just Give Me A Reason. Then Kitty lead the group number, Part of Me, accompanied by Ryder, Marley and Brandon.

"What do you think?" Rachel whispered to Brody, her voice tense. She desperately wanted to see the New Directions win.

"I think it'll be close, but that little blonde's solo will give the a really good shot at winning," Brody said truthfully.

Rachel linked her hand in his and squeezed it, and as she hoped, he squeezed it back comfortingly.

When it came time for the winner to be announced, Rachel sat, holding one of Brody's hands, and one of Kurt's, watching anxiously as Finn stood with the New Directions, lined up with the other teams.

When the words, "And the Nationals winner for 2014 are the New Directions!" left the announcer's mouth, all the members of the New Directions, past and present, exploded with joy. They had worked hard and they had won.

Over the top of the cheering the announcer said loudly, "I have one more winner to announce. Unbeknownst to anyone, the judges were also judging the performances from the winners from the last 5 years, and it seems only appropriate that the winners of that are also, the New Directions!"

Brody chuckled as Rachel threw herself wildly at him, amused at her, and at how clichéd the whole situation was. He knew he'd say nothing mocking to Rachel on the matter though, he would do nothing to mar her enjoyment.

He kissed Rachel thoroughly, then watched happily as she raced around, hugging all her friends.

As he stood off to the side, as Rachel hoisted the trophy they had been awarded with Santana, Cassandra wheeled up next to him.

"I see now what you see in her," she admitted reluctantly. "The passion, the dedication, the love for performing. I was her once, and now I'm just…this."

"So, you'll lay off her now?" Brody asked hopefully.

"Oh God, no. I still loathe her, I just see that she's not a waste of space, I respect her ability, but I will never like her," Cassandra said frankly.

Brody smiled ruefully and said, with a shake of his head, "Nice catching up, Cassie."

Cassandra watched as Brody walked over to Rachel, and put his arms around her, picked her up and twirled her around, sharing her happiness.

No, she would never like Rachel, she was too jealous of her for that.

AN: Thanks for reading! Please review :)

I'll update after 13 reviews :)

I chose thirteen because this chapter is set in Nashville, where Taylor Swift lives, and 13 is her favourite number, haha)