What If Chapter 21: The New New Directions, a glee fanfic

Chapter 21 New New Directions

"Have a good weekend everyone, see you Monday," Dean Winters said to his Music Theory 301 class. The students packed up to leave. Noelle, sitting at her TA table, started to pack up as well.

"Have a good weekend Noelle, thanks again," Dean Winters said.

"Sure thing, sir," Noelle replied. "And I should be thanking you. This has been such an amazing experience. I'm sad that the summer is almost over and then I'll really be going to work."

"Well, you're one of the best TA's I've ever had," Dean Winters replied. "Oh, if you want a little extra credit to put towards this semester, you can write a composition if you'd like."

"Sure, I can come up with something," Noelle replied as she put her books into her bag. "When would you like it by?"

"When everyone else's is due next Friday," Dean Winters replied.

"Okay sure, I have a few things written lyricwise that are due for a composition," Noelle replied. "Oh, Finn and Rachel called earlier. Everyone's moving out here in a couple weeks to our new brownstone off of 11th and Bleeker so I'm going to need a day to get my stuff moved over there."

"Sure, not a problem, just let me know when," Dean Winters replied.

"Cool, will do," replied Noelle as she placed her bag on the back of her chair and wheeled out of the room with him. "My friends Puck and Quinn, you remember them?"

"The ones with the little girl, right?" Dean Winters asked.

"Yeah," Noelle replied. "Well, they moved to New Haven last week since Quinn goes to Yale and they're coming to visit me this weekend. She said it would be easier for me if they came here instead of me taking the Metro up there by myself. I get to show them around. We didn't do a lot of sight-seeing when we came here for Nationals."

"Have a great time, you have a great group of friends," Dean Winters replied. "I honestly wish I had your whole show choir as my students. You guys were fantastic."

"Yeah, but everyone's gone their seperate ways for the most part. Ten of us graduated and we're all scattered across the country. I only hope Mr. Schue can find some new voices since McKinley started back today."

Will walked the hallways of McKinley, a sheet of paper in his hand. He placed the piece of paper on the corkboard, the title reading "NEW DIRECTIONS SHOW CHOIR SIGN UP". He prayed that he could get enough new faces to replace his ten seniors that had graduated.

"Hey Mr. Schue," said Heather as she and Melissa walked up to him.

"Hi girls, you want to join New Directions?" Will asked.

"Yeah, we figured we owed it to Noelle," Heather replied. "She wanted us to join last year so badly and it was already too late so we thought we'd take her place."

"Great, write your names down here and come to the auditorium for an audition at 4 o'clock," Will said.

"Cool," Melissa replied as they signed their names. "We can sing anything, right?"

"Yup, within reason of course," Will replied.

"Cool," Melissa continued. "Come on Heath, let's go practice our Supremes number with Harmony."

"Alright, see you later, Mr. Schue!" replied Heather with a wave as Melissa dragged her in Harmony's direction.

"Yo, Harm! We need you for a minute!" Melissa called. Will laughed to himself and headed for his office. As he left, a girl walked up and wrote her name down on the paper, followed by two guys, and another girl. The last person on the signup list was the shocker to Will as he looked at the audition sheet.

"What are you doing at McKinley, Unique?" Will asked him as Wade "Unique" Adams entered the auditorium that afternoon.

"I transferred schools," said Unique. "I was too popular at Carmel and I wanted out of their limelight. Besides, Vocal Adrenaline went to the dogs and Jessie St. James was using me as his puppet. I knew that here, I could be accepted for who I am and be able to perform freely."

"Yes you can," Will replied. "Well, I've heard you sing before, you really don't need to audition. We'd be more than happy to have you. Hey, how'd you like to help me and the others with the auditions?"

"Sure," said Unique, taking a seat between him and Blaine.

"Okay, first up is Heather Conroy and Melissa Baker, with some help from our own Harmony Ryker," said Will. "Go ahead ladies."

Heather, Melissa and Harmony: Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Heather: Baby baby, I'm aware of where you go

Each time you leave my door

Melissa: I watch you walk down the street

Knowing your other love you'll meet

Heather (with Melissa and Harmony): But this time before you run to her

Leaving me alone and hurt

(Think it over)

Haven't I been good to you?

(Think it over)

Haven't I been sweet to you?

Heather, Melissa and Harmony: Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Think it over

Melissa: I've known of your, your secluded nights

I've even seen her, maybe one or twice

Heather: But is her sweet expression

Worth more than my love and affection?

Melissa (with Heather and Harmony): This time before you leave my arms

And rush off to her charms

(Think it over)

Haven't I been good to you?

(Think it over)

Haven't I been sweet to you?

Heather, Melissa and Harmony: Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Think it over

Heather: I've tried so hard, hard to be patient

Hoping you'll stop this infatuation

Melissa: But each time you are together

I'm so afraid of losing you forever

Heather and Melissa (Harmony): Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart (Baby, think it over)

Stop in the name of love (Think it over, baby)

Before you break my heart (Ooh, think it over, baby)

Heather, Melissa and Harmony: Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

Stop in the name of love

Before you break my heart

"Whoo!' clapped Will and the others as the three took a bow. "Great job ladies."

"That felt weird to perform without Noelle," said Heather to Will. He laughed.

"Well I sure that whatever she's doing right now in New York, she's missing her girlfriends," Will replied. "And welcome aboard Heather and Melissa. Next up, we have Jake."

"Hi," said Jake as he walked on the stage as the girls sat down with Will and Unique.

"Do you have a last name, Jake?" Will asked.

"Um, I know it's gonna sound odd, but it's Puckerman," said Jake.

"As in Noah Puckerman?" Will asked.

"Yeah, um, we're half-brothers," said Jake. "Same dad, different moms."

"Wow, and he never mentioned you to us?" Will asked.

"It's a long story, I don't think he even knows I moved here," said Jake.

"Well he does now apparently," Harmony replied, holding up a text from Quinn. "Quinn says to tell you from Puck to break a leg and to call him ASAP."

"Great," Jake muttered as Melissa and Heather laughed. "I bet it was Ruth."

"So what are you going to sing for us Jake?" asked Will.

"Uh, Never Say Never, by the Fray," Jake replied.

"Okay, awesome," said Will.

Jake:

Some things we don't talk about

Rather do without

And just hold the smile

Falling in and out of love

Ashamed and proud of

Together all the while

You can never say never

While we don't know when

But time and time again

Younger now than we were before

Don't let me go

Picture, you're the queen of everything

As far as the eye can see

Under your command I will be your guardian

When all is crumbling

To steady your hand

You can never say never

While we don't know when

Time, time, time again

Younger now than we were before

Don't let me go

We're pulling apart and coming together again and again

We're growing apart but we pull it together, pull it together, together again

Don't let me go

As he ended the group cheered and applauded.

"Welcome aboard Jake!' said Will. "Next is Marley Rose."

"Hi," said Marley.

"Hi Marley, go ahead," said Will. Marley broke out into a rendition of "New York State of Mind", wowing everyone.

"Holy crap, it's a new Rachel," said Blaine. "Bravo!"

"Thanks," said Marley. "Who's Rachel?"

"She was the lead singer of our group but she graduated last year with her now husband and our friends," said Tina.

"Wow," said Marley. "Um, should I be honored?'

"Uh, yeah!" said Sam. "I think I speak for everyone in this room when I say 'Welcome'!"

"Yup," said Will. "Let's see, next we have Ryder Lynch."

"Hi," said Ryder. "I'm gonna sing Jukebox Hero." After he was done singing, Blaine nodded in approval.

"And I think we just found our new Finn," teased Blaine.

"Another former lead?" Marley asked him.

"Finn's Rachel's husband," Harmony said with a nudge to Marley.

"Oh," replied Marley, blushing as Ryder came down to join the group.

"Finally, we have Kitty Wilde," said Will.

"Oh dear god," muttered Sam under his breath as a petite blonde in a Cheerios uniform came onto the stage. "That's the new Quinn."

"Oh my god," replied Blaine in horror.

"Hi, I'm Kitty Wilde, I'm a Cheerio and I'm the new queen bee around here, alright?" Kitty replied.

"Hello," murmured Artie with a dreamy smile.

"Artie, you okay?" Harmony asked her best guy friend.

"Harms, I think I'm in love," Artie replied with a smile as Kitty sang her rendition of Lovefool.

"Wow, that was great," said Will. "Well, that's everyone on the list, and everyone's in. Welcome aboard you guys!"

Noelle sat on the platform at Grand Central Station, waiting for the 3:15 train from New Haven to arrive. The train rolled in and Noelle grinned as it came to a stop and commuters got on and off. She spotted Puck's trademark mohawk and grinned.

"Puck! Quinn! Over here!" said Noelle with a wave as Quinn, Puck and Beth in her stroller came into view. Puck was lugging his and Quinn's bags.

"Noelle!" cried Quinn excitedly as they rushed over to her and gave her a hug.

"Aunty Noey!" cried Beth, holding her arms out from the stroller.

"Hi Bethie! Oh you grew so much in the last two months since I saw you!" said Noelle as she leaned over and gave Beth a huge hug.

"So how do you like New York so far?' Quinn asked as they headed out of the station.

"I love it here so much," said Noelle. "I miss everyone, but Finn, Rachel, Kurt and Josh will be here in a couple weeks to our new place. Come on, I'll hail us a cab."

Noelle whistled and screamed "TAXI!" and a cab pulled up in front of them. Noelle climbed in the backseat first, and her wheelchair and Beth's stroller were loaded into the trunk, along with the bags. Quinn and Beth sat in the back while Puck climbed in the front seat.

"75 3rd Avenue on the NYU Campus," Noelle said to the driver. "Third Avenue North."

The Driver nodded and pulled out into traffic.

"It's going to be a tight squeeze in the dorm for the weekend, but we should be okay," said Noelle. "You sure you don't want to get a hotel room?"

"It's just you right?" Puck asked.

"Well yeah, I have a whole room to myself," said Noelle. "But I have a queen bed. You guys can take it and I can sleep on my futon. We'd have to find Beth a playpen or something though."

"She sleeps with us in the bed some nights, it's fine," Quinn replied.

"So how's New Haven so far?" Noelle replied.

"It's gorgeous, you should see the Yale Campus, Noe, it's amazing," Quinn gushed.

"Yeah, Gateway is a pretty nice school too for a two-year," Puck replied. "And there's an on-campus daycare so I can drop Beth off there while we're both in classes."

"Cool!" said Noelle as the cab crossed 25th street. "Hey, after we get you settled in and get some food, you guys want to go to a movie? There's a movie theatre across the street. I can give you the campus tour tomorrow and then we can spend the day at FAO Schwartz with Beth."

"That sounds like a great idea, what's playing?" Puck asked.

"I know they're still showing Ice Age 4," said Noelle. "We could take Beth to see that."

"She loves those movies," said Quinn. "We saw Brave a few weeks ago, that was really cute."

"I'm just looking forward to Wreck-It Ralph and Hotel Transylvania," replied Noelle. "Those come out in the fall."

The cab pulled up in front of Noelle's dorm.

"Okay, that will be 8.59," said the driver. Noelle handed him twelve dollars.

"Keep the change," said Noelle with a smile as Puck got the wheelchair to the cab door and Noelle climbed in.

"Thank you miss," said the cabbie as Quinn and Beth got out and Quinn put Beth in the stroller. Puck grabbed the bags and closed the doors and Noelle led them inside.

"Hey Maggie," said Noelle to the girl at the security desk.

"Hey Noelle," said Maggie.

"These are my friends from Lima I was telling you about," Noelle replied. "Puck, Quinn, this is my RA, Maggie Nelson. She's from Cleveland!"

"Cool, what's up?" said Puck.

"Hey," Quinn replied.

"Oh, hi!" said Maggie. "It's nice to meet you. And who is this cutie?" Maggie got up and leaned down to Beth's level.

"I Beth," Beth replied and everyone laughed.

"Hi Beth, oh she's adorable," said Maggie. Maggie got back up and handed Noelle three guest passes.

"Here are their guest passes," Maggie said. "They're good until Sunday night."

"Cool, thanks Maggie," said Noelle. "Hey, do you know if the hall has like a roll-out bed or something we could have for Beth temporarily? Puck and Quinn are taking my bed and I'm gonna sleep on my futon."

"Yeah, I can get you something for Beth ," said Maggie. "After Matt gets here to take over the desk, I'll bring it up to your room."

"Cool, thanks Maggie," said Noelle. "Come on guys, I'll give you the grand tour."

They said goodbye to Maggie and Noelle led them through the first floor.

"This is the mailroom, and this is the practice room for the music students," Noelle replied. "There is also a dance studio in here for the dance majors."

"This is cool," replied Quinn.

"The dining area has it's own entrance outside around the corner, and there's also a bagel shop that you saw when we got out of the cab," Noelle added. "And here's the elevators." The four piled in to one and rode up to the third floor. Noelle led them down the hall and to her room.

"Here we are, Chez Hudson," said Noelle as she opened the door.

"Nice digs, Hudson," said Puck with a smile.

"Thanks," said Noelle. "I had Mom and Dad ship my stuff out here a few days after I got here. It's not really home, not until I get to the brownstone. There's the fridge and microwave, help yourself to whatever's in there. And the bathroom's right there if you want to freshen up."

"That actually sounds like a good idea," said Quinn, pulling out a change of clothes.

"There's fresh towels in the linen cupboard in there," Noelle said.'

"Okay," said Quinn. As she closed the door, Noelle's computer dinged.

"Oh, I got a Skype call," said Noelle. "Hey, it's Finn!" She answered the video call and Finn, Rachel and Kurt's face came on the screen.

"Hey guys!" said Noelle, "look who's with me!"

"Sup Hudsons? Sup Hummel?" said Puck, looking into the camera with Beth.

"Hey Puck! Is Quinn there too?" Rachel asked.

"She's in the shower, we're all going to see Ice Age 4 in a bit after dinner," replied Noelle. "We literally just got back to my dorm. Hey, is everything finalized with the brownstone?"

"Yup, Rachel and I just put the down payment on it," Finn replied. "It's ours! We'll be there on the 20th."

"Sweet," said Noelle. Just then, Quinn came out, showered and changed and saw the two were skyping with their friends.

"Hey guys," said Quinn excitedly. "Rachel! You got so big! How are my favorite godfetuses?"

"Kicking like crazy," Rachel replied, showing off her belly. Noelle squealed as she saw a foot kick the inside of Rachel's belly.

"Oh my god look at the tiny little foot!" squealed Quinn. "Hey, have you picked their names yet?"

"Yes, we have," said Rachel with a smile.

"Well, tell us!" said Noelle excitedly.

"Well, our boy is going to be William Christopher," Finn said with a smile.

"Dude, he's going to love that," said Puck.

"And our girl is going to be Reagan Emma," Rachel smiled.

"Aw, love them!" said Noelle.

"Cool," said Puck.

"HI UNCA FINN!" Beth yelled.

"Hi Bethie! We miss you!" said Rachel. "We'll see you soon, okay?"

"Otay!" said Beth. "Momma, I hungry!"

"I guess that's our cue to go get food, we'll call you guys later, okay?" Noelle asked,

"Okay, bye!" said Finn, Rachel and Kurt, waving. Noelle ended the call as they waved goodbye and Puck and Noelle got ready to go out. While Noelle was in the bathroom, a knock came at the door.

"Hi, Puck and Quinn, right?" said the girl as Quinn answered the door.

"Uh, yeah?" Puck said dumbfounded.

"I'm Noelle's friend Lucy, Maggie asked me to bring this for your little girl?" Lucy held up a small fold-up cot she was carrying.

"Oh, okay, cool, thanks," said Puck, taking the cot from her.

"No problem, see you later!" said Lucy, walking down the hall with a wave. Puck set the cot up in the corner by the bed and after Noelle came out of the bathroom, the group left.

After they got something to eat in the dining area, they headed across the street to the movie theatre.

"One child and three students for Ice Age 4," said Noelle, pulling out her NYU ID. Quinn and Puck did the same with their IDs from Yale and Gateway.

"That will be forty-five dollars," said the cashier. To Puck and Quinn's protests, Noelle handed the cashier her credit card.

"My treat, you guys," said Noelle. "You can get the popcorn and drinks."

"Okay," said Quinn. They walked over to the concession stand and got two large popcorns, a kids pack for Beth, three sodas, and an assortment of candy and then went to get their seats. They sat in the handicapped section, Noelle parking next to Quinn's seat and Beth's stroller next to Noelle.

"Well that was a fun movie," said Quinn as the four strolled out of the movie theatre later that evening.

"Yeah, that was cute!" said Noelle. "Did you like that Beth?"

"Yes!" said Beth as they walked across the street back to the dorm.

"Good," said Noelle as Puck held the door open and Noelle wheeled inside, the others following.

"Well, I guess that's the last box," said Rachel, as Finn and Burt finished loading up the Uhaul truck a week later. Finn nodded and shut the door. Carole was crying unconditionally.

"I love you guys so much," said Carole, hugging Rachel, Kurt, Finn and Josh. "You all be careful, okay?"

"We will," Josh replied, hugging his future mother-in-law.

"Look out for each other," said Burt. "Take care of my baby girl, Josh."

"Yes sir, I will," said Josh, shaking his hand. Kurt and Blaine were saying goodbye to each other. Rory and Sam were hugging Finn and Rachel, and the other New Directions, including the newbies, had come to see them off.

"Bye guys," said Will, hugging Finn and Rachel. "I can't wait to meet these babies. Especially my namesake."

"We'll bring them home for Christmas, don't worry," said Finn with a laugh.

"Bye guys!" said Harmony, hugging them. "Tell Noelle to call me, will you?"

"Sure thing, Harms," said Rachel. "Hey new New Directions, it was nice to meet you. Listen to the upperclassmen. They know what they're doing. And Upperclassmen, don't hog the spotlight, let the newbies have a shot. And for God's sake, win sectionals before we come home!"

The group laughed and cheered as the three boys and Rachel piled into Finn's van, towing the Uhaul behind them as they drove out of sight as Josh started to sing.

Josh:

So this is what you meant

When you said that you were spent,

And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit

Right to the top,

Don't look back

Packing my bags and giving the academy a rain check

Noelle was rolling down the hallways of the music building, a grin on her face as she hurried off to the dorm to start packing her things up.

Noelle: I don't ever want to let you down

I don't ever want to leave this town

'Cause after all,

This city never sleeps at night

Noelle and Josh: It's time to begin,

Isn't it

I get a little bit bigger, but then, I'll admit

I'm just the same as I was

Oh, don't you understand

I'm never changing who I am

Sam and Blaine were standing in the choir room with the other upperclassmen and the new members as they looked at the trophies and the picture of the original New Directions in the trophy case, the upperclassmen flashing back to all of the memories.

Sam: So this is where you fell

And I am left to sell

Sam with Blaine: The path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell

Sam:Right to the top,

Don't look back

Sam with Blaine: Turning to rags and giving the commodities a rain check

Sam and Blaine with New Directions: I don't ever want to let you down

I don't ever want to leave this town

'Cause after all,

This city never sleeps at night

Noelle packed boxes up left and right, putting linens in one box, and books and pictures in another.

Noelle, Josh, Finn, Kurt and Rachel: It's time to begin,

Isn't it,

I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit

I'm just the same as I was

Oh, don't you understand,

I'm never changing who I am

The New Directions were passing out sheet music to each other, preparing for their first sectionals as a new bunch of singers.

New Directions: It's time to begin,

Isn't it

I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit

I'm just the same as I was

Oh, don't you understand

I'm never changing who I am

Rachel smiled at everyone as they drove through the New York State countryside.

Josh and Finn: This road never looked so lonely (lonely)

Sam and Blaine were looking at the new group of students and smiled at each other, fist-bumping.

Sam and Blaine: This house doesn't burn down slowly (slowly)

To ashes, to ashes

Finn drove the van across the Brooklyn Bridge as Rachel smiled at him. Kurt was snapping pictures with Josh.

Finn: It's time to begin,

Isn't it

I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit

I'm just the same as I was

Now don't you understand

I'm never changing who I am

Finn pulled up in front of the music building at NYU as the door to the building slowly opened. As the group got out, Josh grinned as Noelle wheeled out and saw them. She grinned and wheeled up to them in a hurry.

Finn, Noelle, Josh, Kurt and Rachel: It's time to begin,

Isn't it

I get a little bit bigger, but then I'll admit

I'm just the same as I was

Don't you understand

I'm never changing who I am

Josh: (Am, am, am

Am, am, am, am)

"Well it's about time you guys," said Noelle. "I've been packed for two days! Let's go get my stuff and go to our new home!"