What If Chapter 25: A Tragic Victory, a glee fanfic

Chapter 25 A Tragic Victory

This chapter is dedicated to the memory of Cory Monteith. This was the hardest and shortest chapter I had to write.

Puck, Quinn and Beth left for their trip a couple days after the wedding. Will, Emma, the Hummels, the New Directions, Judy, Ruth, and Sarah returned to Lima the same day. The New Directions had to get ready for Regionals. Noelle and Rachel were starting Wicked rehearsals soon and were contemplating whether or not they would be able to go to Regionals to see their friends perform. In the end, Finn, Josh, Rachel and Noelle stayed back in New York with the twins while Kurt, Santana, Mike, and Mercedes headed back to Lima for the performance.

The current members of the New Directions were preparing to perform on stage in less than an hour.

"Alright everyone, we go on as soon as the Hoosierdaddies and the Waffletoots are done performing," said Will as he and Emma walked into the room. "By the way, before we go on, Emma and I have a big announcement to make."

"What is it?" asked Blaine.

"Emma and I are going to have a baby!" said Will excitedly. The group of old and new New Directions cheered and congratulated the two.

"When are you guys due?" asked Mercedes.

"We wanted to wait until we knew that the pregnancy was going smoothly. Emma's due near the end of August beginning of September, hopefully in time to where we can go to Noelle and Rachel's opening night," said Emma with a smile.

"Oh my god, that's great!" said Kurt, hugging Emma. The lights dimmed and a bell rang, signaling the New Directions to get ready.

"Alright you guys, that's our cue," said Will. "Let's kick some butt! Everyone in!" They formed the show circle and the group put their hands in the middle.

"Ah-maz-ing!" cried the group. The group hurried out the door and to the auditorium and took their places backstage while the Alumni of the show choir took their seats in the auditorium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your final competitors of the evening...your two-time reigning National champions and winners of the Central Ohio Sectionals, give it up for William McKinley High's own NEW DIRECTIONS!"

The crowd roared with cheers and applause as the music began and the guys began to perform.

Jake:

Yeah, you could be the greatest

You could be the best

You could be the King Kong banging on your chest

Ryder :

You can beat the world

You can beat the war

You can talk to God, go banging on his door

Sam:

You can throw your hands up

You can beat the clock (Blaine: Yeah!)

You can move a mountain

You can break rocks

Blaine:

You can be a master

Don't wait for luck

Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself

Artie with New Directions (Blaine):

Standing in the hall of fame (Yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah)

'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (Yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah)

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Sam:

You can go the distance

You can run the mile

You can walk straight through hell with a smile

Artie:

You can be a hero

You can get the gold

Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke

Jake:

Yeah, do it for your people (Ha ha ha ha)

Do it for your pride

You never gonna know if you never even try

Ryder with New Directions Girls:

Do it for your country

Do it for your name

'Cause there's gonna be a day

Ryder:

When ya',

Artie with New Directions (Blaine):

Standing in the hall of fame (Yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah)

'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (Yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah)

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Ryder:

Be a champion, be a champion

Artie:

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Jake and Blaine (New Directions):

Be students

Be teachers

Be politicians (Artie: Uh uh)

Be preachers

Yeah (Artie: Come on)

Be believers

Be leaders (Artie: Uh uh uh)

Be astronauts

Be champions

Be truth seekers (Artie: Hey, yeah)

Be students (Yeah!)

Be teachers (Yeah!)

Be politicians

(Yeah!) Be preachers (Artie: Be preachers)

Be believers (Yeah!)

Be leaders (Yeah!)

Be astronauts

(Yeah!) Be champions

Artie with New Directions (Blaine):

Standing in the hall of fame (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (Artie: Flame!) (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

(Artie: Woah, oh!)

And the world's gonna know your name (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Artie:

Oh, oh you, and you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame (New Directions: Standing in the hall of fame!)

Sam (Ryder):

(You can be a champion)

You can be the greatest

(You can be a champion)

You can be the best

(You can be a champion)

You can be the King Kong banging on your chest

(New Directions: And the world's gonna know your name!)

(You can be a champion)

You can beat the world

(You can be a champion)

You can beat the war

(You can be a champion)

You can talk to God, go banging on his door

(New Directions: 'Cause you burn with the brightest flame)

(You can be a champion)

You can throw your hands up

(You can be a champion)

You can beat the clock

(You can be a champion)

You can move a mountain

(You can be a champion)

You can break rocks

(New Directions: And the world's gonna know your name!)

(You can be a champion)

You can be a master

(You can be a champion)

Don't wait for luck

(You can be a champion)

Dedicate yourself and you gonna find yourself

(You can be a champion)

Artie with New Directions:

Standing in the hall of fame!

The crowd roared with excitement as the girls came on stage.

Harmony and Tina:

I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone

I crashed my car into the bridge

I watched, I let it burn

I threw your stuff into a bag and pushed it down the stairs

I crashed my car into the bridge

Brittany, Harmony and Tina with New Directions Girls:

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care!

Brittany with New Directions Girls:

I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone

I crashed my car into the bridge

I watched, I let it burn

I threw your stuff into a bag and pushed it down the stairs

I crashed my car into the bridge

Brittany, Kitty, Tina and Unique with New Directions Girls:

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care!

Heather and Melissa with New Directions Girls:

You're on a different road, I'm in the Milky Way

You want me down on Earth, but I am up in space

You're so damn hard to please, we gotta kill this switch

You're from the 70's but I'm a 90's bitch! (New Directions Girls: O-o-ow!)

Brittany, Harmony, Tina and Unique with New Directions Girls:

I love it!

Harmony and Unique:

I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone

I crashed my car into the bridge.

I watched, I let it burn

I threw your stuff into a bag and pushed it down the stairs

I crashed my car into the bridge

Brittany, Tina and Unique with New Directions Girls:

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care! I love it, I love it!

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care!

Heather and Melissa with New Directions Girls:

You're on a different road, I'm in the Milky Way

You want me down on Earth, but I am up in space

You're so damn hard to please, we gotta kill this switch

You're from the 70's but I'm a 90's bitch! (New Directions Girls: O-o-ow!)

Brittany, Kitty, Tina and Unique with New Directions Girls:

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care! I love it, I love it!

I don't care! I love it!

I don't care! I love it, I love it!

I don't care!

I love it!

The crowd roared to their feet as the girls ended and Marley and Ryder sang their original song.

Marley (and Ryder):

I can't stay here

I am not the girl who runs and hides

Afraid of what could be

And, I will go there

I need time, but know that things are

Always closer than they seem

Now I'll do more than dream, yeah

(I'm gonna fly)

(Gonna crash right through the sky)

Marley (Ryder):

Gonna touch the sun (Touch the sun)

Show everyone (Show everyone)

That it's

Ryder and Marley:

All or nothing

This is my life

I'm not gonna live it twice

Marley (Ryder):

There's no in-between (No in-between)

Take it to extremes (To extreme)

'Cause it's

Ryder and Marley:

All or nothing

Marley:

Or nothing at all

Ryder:

I can't give up

Can't just let it burn

And watch the fire

I started turn to dust (Marley: Yeah...)

Ryder and Marley:

And now, please don't judge me

Take my hand and say

You'll always wish me well

And send me luck

(Ryder: 'Cause that would)

Be enough, yeah!

I'm gonna fly

Gonna crash right through the sky

Marley (Ryder):

Gonna touch the sun (Touch the sun)

Show everyone (Show everyone)

That it's

Ryder and Marley with New Directions

All or nothing

Ryder and Marley with New Directions harmonizing:

(Ryder: 'Cause) This is my life

I'm not gonna live it twice

Marley (Ryder):

There's no in-between (No in-between)

Take it to extremes (To extreme)

'Cause it's

Ryder and Marley with New Directions:

All or nothing

Ryder and Marley (New Directions):

At all! (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Nothing can stop us now (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

There was never a shadow of doubt

Ryder with New Directions (Marley):

(That) I'm (I'm!) gonna fly (Gonna fly!)

Gonna flash right through the sky

Marley with New Directions (Ryder with New Directions):

Gonna touch the sun (Touch the sun)

Show everyone (Show everyone)

That it's

Ryder and Marley with New Directions:

All or nothing

(Ryder: 'Cause) This is my life

I'm not gonna live it twice

Marley with New Directions (Ryder with New Directions):

There's no in-between (No in-between)

Take it to extremes (To extreme)

'Cause it's

Ryder and Marley (New Directions):

All or nothing

At all (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Yeah! (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

(Marley: 'Cause it's) All or nothing (Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Marley:

At all!

Nothing at all! (New Directions: Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Yeah

Ryder and Marley with New Directions:

All or nothing

At all! (New Directions: Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Ryder and Marley:

All or nothing

As the song ended the crowd leapt to their feet in excitement as the group took a bow.

Then, to everyone's shock, Harmony collapsed in a pitch of black.

Rachel and Noelle laughed as they walked arm-in-arm ahead of their husband and fiancé respectively down the sidewalk along Bleeker Street. Rehearsals had just finished and the four were headed to the daycare to pick up William and Reagan. The four stopped at the corner of 11th and Bleeker, waiting for the light to change. They had the walk sign as they crossed the intersection when all of a sudden Finn cried out.

"Noelle! Look out!" screamed Finn. Noelle felt herself being pushed out of the way while Josh and Rachel screamed in horror as a car horn blared. Noelle hit the ground hard and groaned as her head and legs collided with the pavement. Noelle heard a thud and hysterical screams from Rachel, followed by a loud crash. Josh rushed to Noelle's aid as a crowd of onlookers started to frantically dial for help.

"FINN! NO! FINN!" Rachel cried. "Someone help please!"

Finn looked up as Rachel held him in her arms. Blood was seeping out from his head.

"I love you Rach," said Finn. "Forever yours faithfully."

"I love you too," said Rachel. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me." Rachel sobbed as Finn closed his eyes. Josh had Rachel move out of the way and he tore open Finn's shirt, starting chest compressions.

"Damnit Finn, don't die on us!" cried Josh as he started CPR, sirens blaring in the background. Noelle and Rachel were sobbing hysterically. "Dude, hang in there! Come on, Bro!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the the 2013 Regional Show Choir competition is the New Directions!" said the announcer. Backstage, Harmony was being assessed by Will and Emma as the others accepted the award.

"Harmony, can you hear me?" asked Will.

"Finn," moaned Harmony. "Something's happened to Noelle and Finn." Just then, Will's phone rang.

"Hello?" Will asked. "Wait, Josh, slow down, what happened?" A pause. "Okay, I'll let everyone know, keep us informed. Oh, and the New Directions just won Regionals. Okay, bye."

"What is it? What did Josh want?" asked Emma as the New Directions, old and new, gathered around them.

"You guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news in our victory, but Finn and Noelle were hit by a drunk driver," said Will. The group gasped.

"Oh my god, we have to get to New York!" said Santana.

"Is everyone okay? What about Josh and Rachel and the babies?" asked Kurt.

"Josh, Rachel and the twins are okay," said Will. "The twins were still at daycare, and the four of them were walking along Bleeker Street and crossing in the crosswalk when a drunk driver came out of nowhere and hit Finn. He pushed Noelle out of the way of the car. Noelle suffered a few scrapes and broke her wrist, but she should be okay."

"What about Finn?" asked Kurt. "WHAT ABOUT MY BROTHER?!" He grabbed Will by his collar.

"Josh performed CPR on Finn, but Finn's in surgery right now," said Will. "They don't know if he's going to make it."

"That's it, we're on the next flight out of Dayton, all of us," said Kurt. "I have to call Mom and Dad."

"They already know," said Will. "Josh said they're heading to the airport now."

It seemed like hours had passed. Josh was nervously pacing the waiting room of the surgery ward as Noelle bounced Reagan on her knee carefully. Her left wrist was in a cast and you could see the cuts from where she had hit the gravel. Rachel was shaking hysterically as William slept in the stroller. Just then, Burt, Carole, Kurt, Santana, Brittney, Mercedes, Mike, Will, Emma, and the rest of the New Directions hurried into the hospital.

"Oh my god, what are you guys doing here?" asked Noelle, hugging Harmony, Melissa, and Heather.

"As soon as Josh called and told Mr. Schue what happened, everyone wanted to come to New York to be with you guys," said Harmony. "My parents paid for everyone's plane tickets and send their love and prayers."

"Your parents seriously are the coolest ever," said Noelle, sobbing into Harmony. "I just want my big brother to be okay."

"Finn's a fighter, Sweetheart," said Carole, pulling her daughter into a hug. Just then, Puck, Quinn, and Beth rushed into the waiting room.

"We got on the first flight out of Orlando as soon as we heard," said Quinn. "How is he?"

"We don't know," said Josh. "He's been in there for hours." He shook his head as he said this, and Josh started to cry.

"Oh Babe, god, don't cry," said Noelle, hugging Josh. "Please don't cry, Finn will be okay, I know he will."

Just then, the doors opened, and a doctor came out in scrubs.

"Family of Finn Hudson?" he asked.

"That's us," said Rachel, standing up. "I'm his wife."

"Mrs. Hudson, I'm sorry, but we lost him on the operating table. His heart wasn't strong enough and there was just too much damage internally."

"No," whispered Rachel, clutching onto Carole as everyone started crying in disbelief. "NO! Finn!"