AN: Thank you for the reviews from the last chapter. Some of you got it, some of you I had to send the cliff notes version to … but YEAH BLAINE KNOWS THE ROCK ! And yes all will become relevant in time.
I had a whole scenerio worked up for this chapter involving John totally humiliating himself in front of a VIP (wow what's new?) but then as usual the bunnies took over when I was listening to my iPod at work (Don't tell my boss)
I do have to say I am a true child of the 80's so don't kill me for my artist choice here, but we KNOW Burt is as well so …... The song is an obscure one and recent as well (2006). For the live version which is closer to the version sung here than the studio one you can check out www . Youtube . Com / watch?v=9LayH56YkEE (You know the drill) As to the version ND does – picture Finns's "Girls just wanna have fun" and roll from there
As to the format – I HATE writing song fics cause – really – how do you notate who's singing so I hope this works for you. AND I want this song for real ...
John Anderson was still lost from the conversation he had just been part of.
What on Earth had that man...Dwayne, been talking about?
Club? Dalton?
John tried to think what club at Dalton could possibly be of interest to a man like Dwayne Johnson.
John shook his head and smiled slightly to himself.
At least the man had been talking to Blaine, maybe some of his masculinity might start to rub off on the boy.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when he heards someone begin to speak from the microphone.
"I was honored when I was asked to come and support these wonderful kids and this amazing effort for the arts. Back in the early eighties, when I started up a garage band with a few of my closest friends I never thought that 26 years later we would still be making music and making a difference. I have had a life that so many people would and do envy and there are many things that I have learned along the way."
John looked towards the stage to see Jon Bon Jovi standing at the microphone with the New Directions kids seated on stools, in pairs behind him. He did have to admit that they looked both attractive and professional, if a bit mismatched.
"Everyone needs someone there for them. I have been blessed with my wonderful wife and kids. I have had the honor of having good friends in Ritchie and the guys. I have had the love of our fans out there. We make music for a living, but more importantly we make music because we love what we do. Every song we sing has a story, has a meaning and sometimes we are blessed to touch someone's life with that story.
"This song you are about to hear is one that means a lot to me, even though it is one that not many people know. I was going to sing it for you tonight, until I heard the way these kids put it together, in a way I never imagined hearing it. This was originally a rock anthem, hard and fast and full of everything rock and roll is meant to be. This version reminds me so much of what we did with so many of our songs on "This Left Feels Right" and I think it is one that we will be recording for our next album, so thank you guys so much.
"The song is called 'I Am' and these are the New Directions" Jon finished and stepped off the stage as Puck began the opening chords of the song slowly on his guitar.
John stood and listened as the teens began to sing the melodic song, alternating the lines as duets.
(Mike and Tina)
How you spend your minutes are what matters
All tomorrows come from yesterday's
(Blaine and Kurt)
When you're feeling broke and bruised and sometimes shattered
Blew out the candles on the cake like everything's a big mistake
(Rachel and Finn)
It seems you always wait for life to happen
And your last buck can't buy a lucky break
(Britt and Santana)
If all we've got is us then lifes worth living
And if you're in, you know I'm in
I'm ready and I'm willing
The voices of New Directions blended perfectly as the entire group came in together on the chorus, harmonies rich and emotion evident.
I Am
When you think that no one needs you
Sees you or believes you
No ones there to understand
I Am
I'll be there to be that someone
When you think that no one, is there to hold your hand
I Am
(Artie and Quinn)
We're just who we are, there's no pretending
It takes a while to learn to live in your own skin
(Sam and Mercades)
Say a prayer that we might find our happy ending
And if you're in, you know I'm in
I'm ready and I'm willing
I Am
When you think that no one needs you
Sees you or believes you
No ones there to understand
I Am
I'll be there to be that someone
When you think that no one, is there to hold your hand
I Am
John heard the voices fade away as Puck took the bridge and felt a tear come to his eye, much to his suprise. He didn't get emotional, didn't let things affect him, that was who he was. There was something in the way these kids connected though, something in the way they just worked together, seemingly without effort that made him stop for a moment.
And I aint got no halo hanging over my head
I aint gonna judge you, I'm just here to love you
I Am
I Am
I Am
When you think that no one needs you
Sees you or believes you
No ones there to understand
I Am
I'll be there to be that someone
When you think that no one, is there to hold your hand
I Am
The final chorus was sung accapella, slower and more emotion filled as each member of New Directions reached out to take the hand of the person next to them. Rising from their stools they stood as a group, walking towards the front of the stage before wrapping their arms around each other. They looked at each other, not just their individual pairs, but all of them with smiles on their faces and tears running down their cheeks.
I Am
When you think that no one needs you
Sees you or believes you
No ones there to understand
I Am
I'll be there to be that someone
When you think that no one, is there to hold your hand
I Am
John felt a hand slip into his. Turning, he saw Julia standing next to him with tears streaming down her face as well.
"You know what John?" she said quietly as the last notes faded into nothingness "I'm glad that he has them, because he certainly hasn't had us"
"You know what Julia?" he replied, straightening in place and feeling the tension come back to his head "Touching as that was, if he made better choices with his life that never would have been a question"