Return to McKinley
Regionals
It was not until 2:30 on the day Blaine returned to school when Mr. Shue called Kurt into his office and dropped a bomb on him.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T PERFORM MY MEDLEY?" Kurt exclaimed. Kurt was pacing back and forth- he'd finally got the best of Rachel and now she won.
"I'm sorry, Kurt. That medley was fantastic- but when I sent in the set list for regionals, I got a reply notifying me of a rule they impose upon competing teams. If a song has already been done by that group, they can't redo it even if it's in a new competition year. I'm sorry Kurt, but seeing as we already used "Don't Rain on My Parade," we'd get disqualified if we used the song in your medley." Kurt gaped at him.
Mr. Shue shook his head, "I'm sorry, Kurt. It's a real shame- your medley was the perfect show stopper. But, I did promise you the spotlight performance. If you can come up with another showstopper medley, you can still have the solo. But until you can find a good medley, I'm notifying Rachel so we have a back-up plan-"
"NO!" Kurt interrupter. Mr. Shue was taken aback by Kurt's sudden proclaim. Kurt cleared his throat. "I- I mean, don't worry about a back-up plan. You'll have your showstopper. I have another medley in mind." Kurt lied, but Mr. Shue bought it and smiled.
"Good! Well, get a move on! I can't wait to hear it!" Kurt left his office and headed for a quiet place to think- the garden.
Kurt began to scribble down songs with identical themes or similar melodies, but none of them seem to add up. Kurt was crossing off the last idea on the list, a mash up of "Dancing Through Life" from Wicked and "Human" by the Killers when Blaine entered the garden.
"Hey. Thought I saw you come out here. What's going on?" Blaine asked curiously. Kurt was completely stressed… as much as he didn't want to tell Blaine about the rejection of his medley, he figured Blaine might have an idea.
"It's the medley… there's this stupid rule that once you've done a song in a show choir competition, your group can't do it again… We did Don't Rain on My Parade already…" Kurt explained.
"You worked so hard for this! You deserve that solo!" Blaine said.
"Well, unless I can come up with a killer medley like the last one, Rachel gets the solo." Kurt said disappointedly. Blaine nodded.
"Don't be of poor spirits. I'm sure you can get this! If anyone's gonna get this, you will- I know it! I can help if you want…" Blaine said cheerfully. Kurt pondered this, and then his face brightened.
"Say that again!" Kurt exclaimed.
"I can help?"
"No, before that." Kurt said, still ecstatic.
"You can do this!"
"No… before that."
"Don't be of poor spirit-"
"YES! That! Thanks! Gotta go- I've finally got my medley!" Kurt yelled. He gave Blaine a swift kiss on the cheek and jetted off to get to work on his new medley. Blaine sat confused in the garden.
It was finally time. Oral Intensity had just finished their performance, and Kurt was sitting in the green room utterly bewildered. Blaine knocked on the door and entered in.
"You ready?" He asked with a smile. The color from Kurt's face drained and Blaine chuckled.
"You are gonna rock this, Kurt. You'll see! It's going to be absolutely show stopping." Blaine encouraged. Kurt smiled. Blaine walked around to face Kurt and kissed him. Kurt recalled last time they were there- packed crowds and blinding lights… but all Kurt could notice was Blaine's sparkling eyes as they sang Candles by Hey Monday. Kurt smiled as Blaine pulled away, and as he left the room, he gave Kurt a quick pat on the back.
Soon following Blaine, Kurt was surprised to be greeted by Rachel.
"The medley's really great… you're going to bring the house down." She smiled.
"And you're okay with that?" Kurt replied and Rachel smiled and laughed slightly.
"Yah. Go get 'em, Kurt." She said and exited the dressing room. He heard Mr. Shue yell down the hall, "Showtime guys!" Kurt took a deep breath and got up.
The music began, and the lights lifted to bring the room out of its complete darkness. A single spotlight cast itself on Kurt, who was sitting on the edge of the stage with a mic in his hand. Little particles drifted in the light and the music played slowly. Kurt sang the song higher than it was originally written- but it was just as beautiful… maybe even more so.
Sound the bugle now - play it just for me
As the seasons change - remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on - I can't even start
I've got nothing left - just an empty heart
I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight
There's nothing more for me - lead me away...
You can't take me.
Suddenly the soft sway of Sound The Bugle pumped up and turned into You Can't Take Me, except a bit faster than it was normally. It gave Kurt an extra edge. When compared to the original medley Kurt had out done himself. The medley was twice as show stopping, flowed even better than before, and got the audience pumped.
Kurt leapt up from his seat there and put the mic on the empty stand.
YAH!
Got to fight another fight
I gotta run another night
Get it out
Check it out
I'm on my way and I don't feel right
I gotta get me back
I can't be beat and that's a fact
It's OK
I'll find a way
You ain't gonna take me down no way…. NO!
In a sudden burst of enthusiasm, Kurt picked up the mic off the stand and really sang the song out. The crowd burst into applause, the Warblers, who were sitting down watching New Directions, clapped along to the beat of the song as they cheered on their former member.
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it
Don't push me
I'll fight it!
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no!
If you can't catch a wave then you're never gonna ride it
You can't come uninvited
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no
You can't take me
I'm free!
Oh, yah, I'm free!
As Blaine watched from the wings, he finally understood what had inspired Kurt's medley choice. Blaine recalled his childhood movie, Spirit, as Kurt sang the medley of Bryan Adams songs.
Why did it all go wrong?
I wanna know what's going on
And what's this holding me?
I'm not where I'm supposed to be!
I gotta fight another fight!
I gotta fight with all my might!
I'm getting out, so check it out
You're in my way
Yeah, you better watch out!
As the music inclined more for the chorus, the New Directions filled onstage. Blaine smiled as he watched Kurt really take stage.
OH! COME ON!
Don't judge a thing until you know what's inside it!
Don't push me
I'll fight it!
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no!
If you can't catch a wave then you're never gonna ride it!
You can't come uninvited!
Never gonna give in
Never gonna give it up, no…
The screen that hid the band from view lifted as the pounded out the last of the incredible show stopping medley.
I'm a soldier, now!
Fighting in a battle!
To be free once more
YEAH! That's worth fighting for!
The music melted away as Kurt held the note. Kurt was left with his fist high in the air, and the New Directions lined up behind him. The audience rose from their seats in standing ovation, and the Warblers cheered loudly for their friends. Kurt smiled, and as the man working backstage came to take away the stand and mic, Kurt called, "The New Directions!" and the crowd roared. Due to the drama of Blaine's injury, the Glee Club was too worried about him to write an original song. But Kurt agreed their next number was just as good.
The song was soft, and the New Directions used it to showcase their talent. Blaine started off on the piano.
She got out of town
On a railway New York bound
Took all except my name
Another alien on Broadway
There's some things in this world
You just can't change
Some things you can't see
Until it gets too late
Blaine looked over at Kurt and smiled at him before returning his eyes to the keys on his piano.
Baby, baby, baby
When all your love is gone
Who will save me
From all I'm up against out in this world
and Maybe, maybe, maybe
You'll find something
That's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around
And come on home….
The song picked up, and the piano died. Blaine went to join the rest of the cast while Puck took over the vocals.
I got a hole in me now
Yeah, I got a scar I can talk about
She keeps a picture of me
In her apartment in the city.
Man, they don't make sense
Some things you don't need
Until they leave you
then they're things that you miss, you say:
Puck returned in line with the New Directions when Finn sang the chorus.
Baby, baby, baby
When all your love is gone
Who will save me
From all I'm up against out in this world
and Maybe, maybe, maybe
You'll find something
That's enough to keep you
But if the bright lights don't receive you
You should turn yourself around
And come on home!
Brittany stepped forward and did a spotlight dance when Santana did the bridge. Tina echoed for Santana as she sang.
Let that city take you in! (come on home)
Let that city spit you out! (come on home)
Let that city take you down!
The entire cast sang 'down' and finally Rachel couldn't help but smile as Blaine said:
For God's sake turn around!
Now everyone in the audience was clapping along. They stood and burst into applause and cheers as the guitarist held it's solo. The New Directions danced back to their formations, and the music suddenly slowed as Blaine sang:
Baby, baby, baby
When all your love is gone…
Who will save me
From all I'm up against out in this world?
Once again the music picked up, and this time the whole cast sang the chorus as they danced.
and Maybe, maybe, maybe
You'll find something
That's enough to keep you!
But if the bright lights don't receive you,
You should turn yourself around
And come on home!
Yeah, come on home!
The song ended swiftly and the lights went out. The audience burst into cheers and applause, and the New Directions exited stage. Rachel rambled on to Finn that even though the Warblers performed "Stop and Stare" by One Republic quite well, they definitely won because they showcased most all of their talent- she didn't even mind at this point that she didn't get a single solo.
As they all piled into the dressing room congratulating each other, Mr. Shue gave a speech about how even though not everyone got a solo; everybody grouped together as a family.
"And don't forget how Kurt totally rocked it!" Mr. Shue finished and they all cheered as Kurt blushed in the corner. Blaine, who was sitting on his left with his arm around Kurt's waist, squeezed him as if to say, "Congrats."
"And of course, newbie Blaine did well too." Rachel said with a smile.
"Does this mean you won't be solo-thirsty anymore?" Blaine retorted jokingly. Rachel laughed.
They all chatted eagerly while waiting for the judges to decide on a winner… Kurt was breathing swiftly and Blaine laughed.
"Don't worry."
"How can I not? If the judges didn't like me that means we loose!"
"How could anyone not like you, Kurt?" Blaine said. Kurt blushed, but this encouragement did not ease his anxiety.
"Kurt- look at me." Kurt obeyed and looked up at Blaine. "You are amazing." Kurt was caught of guard when Blaine gave him a swift kiss. No one seemed to notice as they all were distracted by the stagehand calling the teams out to be told the standings. If they didn't win, no nationals…
Blaine gripped Kurt's hand tightly as he led the frozen-faced Kurt out on stage. On their left, the Warblers had joined the New Directions on stage.
"Brilliant performance, guys."
"Yah, gotta say you guys were totally awesome!" Warblers Jeff and David congratulated them. Kurt nodded in response because he was to scared to say anything.
"Well you guys will be tuff to beat. One Republic is always a pleaser. I miss you guys down there." Blaine said and they smiled back as they took their positions. Finally Oral Intensity strut in without a word of good luck. Slightly offended by their sureness of winning, Kurt cowered away even more so. The three judges came onstage.
"Well everyone did well but only one can be the winner." They started. Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand and Blaine chuckled to himself at the cuteness of Kurt's nervousness.
"In second place…" Kurt held his breath… if they were called that would mean they wouldn't go to nationals- at the same time he did want the Warblers to win. Blaine pulled Kurt close, as they announced:
"Ladies and gentleman… the Dalton Academy Warblers!" The crowd cheered. A little disappointed, but still happy they placed, the Warblers gladly accepted the second place ribbon and trophy and held it high.
"Now the moment you've all been waiting for-"
"Just get on with it!" The other judge nudged the speaker.
"First place goes to…"
Rachel closed her eyes tightly, Kurt held his breath and was beginning to turn blue, Brittany looked curiously around the area bewildered, and Blaine looking down at Kurt kindly, they announced the winner.
"NEW DIRECTIONS!" Rachel's eyes popped out of her head as she pulled Finn into a tight hug, Puck and Lauren did a little victory dance, Mr. Shue gladly excepted the first place trophy and ribbon from the judge and held it high up in the air for them to see. Confetti fell lightly from the ceiling and Kurt grabbed Blaine and kissed him tightly. The rest of the world melted away, and as they pulled away, still holding hands, Kurt heard Jeff say,
"Finally!" At the sight of their kiss. Blaine laughed and the Warblers clapped for the New Directions. Everyone gave Kurt a hug of thanks as they proudly left the stage with their win.