Chapter 13: Surprises
It was the Tuesday after their big Sectionals win, Mr. Shue was allowing them to slack off during glee rehearsal when they had an unexpected visitor, the one and only Sue Sylvester.
Sue had left McKinley and the Cheerio's to focus all her attention on her current race in the Senate election, inspired by the death of her sister, she wanted to fight for the underdogs, go figure considering she messed with most of them her whole life.
She was wearing her signature red tracksuit, with an American Flag pin on her chest. She knocked on the door, startling many of the students, including Mr. Shue.
"Well hello there", she said coyly, entering the room without being invited in.
"Sue, so… good to see you. To what do we owe this… pleasure"?
"Well William and company. I heard about your little win at Sectionals, good job. I thought this would be a good time to give guys a little proposition", she smiled Will looked concerned.
"As you all know, I am running for Senate, in a cut-throat election. I was stunned, absolutely stunned this morning when I read an article about how apparently the voters find me to be cold", she shook her head at the thought. "I decided to deflect that rumor, and throw a Holiday rally in town two weeks from now, just in time for Christmas, filled with what all people love, music and children".
"I don't understand what your getting at here Sue".
"Let's cut to the chase, the budget here sucks. Your costumes are so unflattering you might as well be wearing potato sacks. Not to mention you guys have Nationals coming up, if you go, you are going to want to be the best you can be, I know a lot of you are leaving and want that win. Perform at my benefit, and I will fund anything, anything your little club needs for the year", Mr. Shue's eyes widened at the thought.
"What's the catch" Quinn spit out.
"No catch. It meant a lot to me what you guys did for me last year. If I could just hand you all the money I would, but that goes against Sue Sylvester's principals, I have to make you work for it a little. I need like 5 songs; I'll even let you have totally creative control. However I will demand that I see a dress rehearsal to make sure everything is appropriate, I still have nightmare over the catastrophes of "Push It" and the "Brittney Spears sex riot", she shuddered.
"So what do you say, do we have a deal"?
The students all looked to Mr. Shue who looked troubled.
"We'll think about it, and get back to you".
"Alright, I hope to hear from you. And William, I am disappointed by the amount of butter you still have in your hair", she smiled leaving, Will rolled his eyes.
"Mr. Shue", Kurt's hand shot up in the air immediately, Will motioned for him to speak.
"I have been wanting to get my hands on our wardrobe, we need to do this. We can pick the most expensive costumes, fly first class to LA, take limos to the competitions, we need to do this", his eyes were very wide.
"Whoa, if we take her up on this, we are still going to be practical".
"It could be fun, we sing a couple Christmas tunes, and cash money it the bank", Mercedes said smiling.
"Do you all really want to do this, get involved with Sue, after everything she's done to us?" Mr. Shue questioned. He was greeted with nods.
"I think she's changed Mr. Shue, we should do this", Finn spoke up.
"Alright, then here's the deal. We will do three group numbers, two solos and one duet. I will pick the songs, and post audition sign ups tomorrow". Everyone was buzzing with the prospect of auditioning and having a solo, even if it was just for a benefit. Mercedes however was slightly distracted due to an unnerving text she received from Sam yesterday.
To Mercedes: I'll be in town this weekend, staying with Puck. I really want to see you. Xo sam
Mercedes was looking at the text for the fifth time after rehearsal while standing at her locker, and Cody knew something was up.
"You look like you've seen a ghost" he said smiling.
"Uh something like that" she said closing her locker.
"Care to elaborate".
"Sam texted me", Cody nodded in understanding.
"What does he want"?
"To see me, he's staying with Puck for the weekend apparently". Cody flinched.
"Are you going to see him"?
"No", Mercedes said sternly, Cody smiled.
"Good, because I have just the distraction for you. I know we don't know what the song is yet, but we should sing the duet together".
"Why?" Mercedes raised her eyebrows.
"Because we have kick-ass voices" he smiled.
"I don't know it might give people the wrong idea".
"So let people talk. Who gives a shit?" Mercedes raised an eyebrow.
"Come on Mercedes, you know there is no way we won't get it" she smiled.
"Fine, only because I do agree, our voices do work pretty well together" she winked before walking to her car.
….
Kurt dragged Blaine straight to the bulletin bored to see the audition songs first thing in the morning. There were three papers posted on it.
Solo #1: Merry Christmas Darling
Solo #2: The Christmas Song
Duet: Baby It's Cold Outside
Kurt's eyes lit up when he saw the duet song choice.
"Blaine, we can actually sing it together" he squealed pulling a pencil out of his bag, immediately going to sign them up. Blaine ripped the pencil out of his hand.
"What are you doing" Blaine asked.
"Signing us up" Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Kurt…".
"What"?
"I don't think that's a good idea", Kurt's smiled faded.
"Why"?
"You know why", Kurt doesn't answer him, he just keeps staring.
"I don't think Sue is going to want two boys singing a love song to each other at a rally trying to get her votes".
"It will show she is compassionate", Kurt defended, he was really upset about this.
"I don't want to make Mr. Shue have to tell us no, he'll feel too guilty".
"Then let's give him a reason not to", Kurt said.
"Kurt, this is isn't in the safety of a school or competition, there are going to be so many different people at this thing. I just want to keep us out of trouble".
"This is like prom all over again" Kurt sighed.
"Kurt you know if we could I would jump at the chance to sing this song with you. I think we should stick to solo's".
"I only want to sing with you", Kurt said. Blaine felt like such a bad guy, but he wanted to keep Kurt safe. He sighed using Kurt's pencil to sign up for both the solos, hoping he had chance for at least on of them.
"Are you sure" Blaine asked hopefully. Kurt just nodded his head and walked away from the sign up sheet. Blaine ran a hand through his hair, hoping Kurt would get over this soon.
…..
"Finn are you ready to try this now" Rachel asked. She was currently sitting in Finn's living room after just showing him the original version of Baby It's Cold Outside. Rachel wanted this duet, of course she signed up for the solos as well but she wanted to sing with Finn, because their opportunities to do so were running out. Rachel was slightly worried. Cody and Mercedes were also signed up, and they had won the duet's competition previously. Jenny has signed up to sing with Artie, which also made Rachel nervous.
"I dunno about this Rachel. I googled this song, isn't it about date rape?" Finn said seriously. Rachel rolled her eyes.
"BLAINE" she called out, knowing perfectly well that Kurt and him were currently in Kurt's room. She received no answer.
"BLAINE" she called again. "Don't make me come in there" she shrieked. Kurt's bedroom door flew open from upstairs revealing a very disheveled Blaine looking extremely annoyed. Due to her extensive pitch, she had a great ear, and she heard the faint sound of a zipper, she blushed at the thought of what she could of possibly interrupted.
"What?" Blaine demanded.
"Uhhh, sorry. I was just wondering if you could help me demonstrate to Finn the iconic duet of Baby its Cold Outside. He is having trouble grasping the concept". She could vaguely here Kurt whispering "Don't you dare".
"I'd be much more comfortable singing it with Kurt" he admitted, Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Fine". Both Blaine and Kurt bounded down the stairs. They sang the number just as well, if not better than the first time they sang the duet in the Dalton Academy common room. It was fun no pressure, they felt comfortable to be flirty and silly in front of their friends. When they finished, Kurt noticed the look of jealousy in Rachel's face, and he couldn't help by smile to himself.
"Dudes you should totally try out, that was awesome", Finn said happily, Kurt shot Blaine an "I told you so look".
"We think it would be best to not even bother, Sue isn't going to want two boys singing together for her rally, Mr. Shue is going have to say no", Blaine said.
"You think it's best" Kurt corrected.
"But you have to at least try, that was better then what I can do" Finn said. Rachel made a scared face.
"I think Blaine's right" Rachel said. "He's just thinking realistically" she added, earning dirty looks from Finn and Kurt.
"Oh yeah, and what do you think your dad's would say if they heard you" Finn said angrily, Rachel's eyes widened.
"Why are you getting so upset about this"?
"Because Rachel, Kurt is my brother and Blaine is my friend and I want them to be able to sing whatever they want where they want it, and you of all people should understand", Finn said.
"Sorry I'm trying to look out for my friends" she said storming out of the room. Blaine and Kurt are speechless.
"Uhh Finn I appreciate standing up for me. But you might want to go talk to Rachel before she burns your letterman jacket", Kurt said quietly.
"Right" Finn said running out the door. Blaine plopped down on the couch looking up at Kurt who was looking down at the ground.
"You really want to sing this duet?" Blaine said quietly. Kurt's blue eyes looked into Blaine's.
"Of course I do. But I don't want to push you", Kurt said.
"I-I-I can't do it Kurt" Blaine said quietly looking down at the floor. Kurt quickly made his way over.
"I'll drop it" Kurt said wrapping his arms around Blaine's waist and resting his head on Blaine's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I'm such a coward", Blaine mumbled.
"Hey stop that. You are far from a coward Blaine" Kurt kissed Blaine on the temple.
…
"Rachel please get out of the car", Finn said knocking on the window of Rachel's car who had her arms crossed giving Finn an angry look.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you" Rachel turned to look at Finn and rolled down her window.
"The reason I got mad was because I know the only reason you agreed with Blaine is because you feel threatened, and want that duet for yourself. I thought we were past this whole needing to be better than everyone thing", he looked at Rachel seriously.
"I-just want to sing with you one more time" she said quietly. Finn shook his head.
"Why do you keep acting like I'm dying, we have plenty of more opportunities to sing together, graduation is still pretty far away".
"Because Finn, it's almost Christmas and I just sent out all my applications for college, and I know we agreed not to speak about where we were going to apply, but mailing them, felt so real" her eyes were brimming with tears. Finn unlocked Rachel's door and opened it, lifting her up out of her seat and hugging her.
"Whatever is meant to happen will happen" he said into her hair. He held her until it got dark and he knew his parents would be home soon. He kissed her on the head before she got back into her car. He watched her drive away and stood there frozen for a while. He felt really bad about everything Rachel was going through, he rushed back into the house. Blaine and Kurt were in the middle of an intense cuddling session, but Finn didn't care.
"Hey, can you guys help me with something" both boys shot up at the sound of urgency in Finn's voice.
"Everything ok?" Kurt asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, I just need your help" he bolted up the stairs to his room. Blaine and Kurt followed behind him intrigued.
…
"Mercedes why are you so nervous" Cody asked amused. They were currently sitting in the auditorium for Friday's auditions for Sue's Christmas show.
"I don't get nervous" she said through her teeth, but in reality she was nervous about what everyone would say about them, and hoped they wouldn't start a rumor about them. She really liked Cody, he was a great friend, he made her feel better, and she didn't want to lose him.
"Good" Cody said smiling at Blaine and Kurt who had taken the seat next to them.
"You better bring it Mercedes, I do not want Rachel to win this thing", Kurt said smiling.
"Oh you know we got this" she said laughing. The rest of New Directions made their
way into the auditorium followed by Mr. Shue.
"Alright let's get this party started" he said sitting in the front.
"Let's do duets first. Rachel and Finn your up". Blaine gave Kurt's hand a reassuring squeeze.
The duets were alright. Rachel and Finn would have been great if Finn hadn't been so awkward on stage. Mercedes and Cody were lacking a spark. Artie and Jenny were cute; they incorporated Artie's wheel chair really well. But Blaine was frustrated, because he knew Kurt and him could do better.
"Well that was good guys I guess we will start the first solo-"
"Mr. Shue" Blaine got up and everyone looked at him intrigued, especially Kurt.
"Yes Blaine"?
"Kurt and me want to audition" Kurt's face lit up, but Blaine saw the flicker of conflict that crossed Mr. Shue's.
"Umm ok, why didn't you sign up then"?
"Please Mr. Shue" Blaine gave him a look of desperation.
"Alright let's see what you can do". Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and led him on stage.
"Blaine are you sure about this?" Kurt whispered.
"100%" he smiled.
The boys killed it of course, and everyone in New Directions gave them a standing ovation. The rest of the auditions went well. Mr. Shue made an announcement that the list would be posted the next day, which made Blaine extremely nervous.
"Let's go get celebratory coffees boys" Mercedes said smiling at Cody, Blaine and Kurt. They all walked out of the auditorium laughing until they ran into Sam who was waiting outside the door.
"Mercedes" he looked annoyed.
"Hi", she said quietly.
"Hey man what are you doing here", Blaine said trying to break the tension.
"Told Puck I'd meet him here, I'm spending the weekend with him and some of the others. Mercedes you were great up there" he said trying to meet her eyes.
"Thanks" Cody stepped forward, "I'm Cody", he extended his hand.
"Uh hi", Sam said shaking his hand tentatively.
"Cedes can we talk alone" Mercedes flinched at her nickname.
"Uh no we all have plans" she said.
"Mercedes please" he walked forward trying to grab her hands.
"She said no man" Cody said taking a step in front of her.
"What are you, her boyfriend or something?" Sam questioned. Cody opened his mouth to correct him, but Mercedes was quick to answer.
"Yes he is". All of the boys had confused expressions.
"Oh" was all Sam said.
"It was good to see you" she said before walking away, Kurt and Cody following her. Blaine stayed back for a bit.
"You ok"?
"Yeah, of course" he gave Blaine one of the fakest smiles he had ever seen. Blaine sympathetically patted Sam on the arm before going to catch up with everyone.
…
Kurt was clutching Blaine's hand for dear life as they made their way to look at the list. They never held hands in the hallways, but Blaine knew Kurt was nervous so he figured it would be ok just this once.
"You ready"? Blaine asked before looking. Kurt nodded his head.
"Ok here it goes", they took a step forward to look at the list.
Solo #1: Jenny Erickson
Solo #2: Noah Puckerman
Duet: Blaine Anderson and Rachel Berry