PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions Alumni finally made it back to Lima, Ohio, most of them it was the first time for them in 10 years, for Puck, and Finn they had lived there over that time.

They found that Michael Baxter had built them a 5 Floor Training Center named after them for the worlds, and they were just starting the tour, when they came to the 2nd Floor, and managed to see their newly built choir room.

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And now the continuation:

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CHAPTER 25 - THE TOUR CONTINUES

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The choir room looked exactly like the old Choir room back in the McKinley High days. The color coding was exact, the piano was in there, the white board, there was band equipment which included; drums, guitars, and other musical instruments. And then there were the seats. The seats looked exactly like they did back in the day.

There was even an office off to the side of the room like the one William Schuester use to have.

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Mercedes imagined seeing Will Schuester walk from the other into the choir room, like he used to do back in the day.

"I miss Mr Schue," whispered Mercedes to Santana

"Strangely, I do too," whispered Santana back

"Oh cool a drum set," smiled Finn

Finn walked over to the drums, and sat down behind them

"You look right at home, babe," smiled Rachel

"Won't we be needing a band?" asked Puck

"I'm way ahead of you Mr Puckerman," stated Michael "I've hired a full band for you guys for when you use this room, the dancing room, and the auditorium. Plus they will be your own personal band at Competitions."

"Wow," said Sam picking up one of the guitars

"Yes wow," said Mercedes "You've gone all out again."

"It needed to be done," replied Michael

"So are the band on call then?" asked Jake

"Yes, they'll be arriving this afternoon."

"So in organizing all of this, you will probably have us on a daily plan?" asked Brittany "Like a schedule."

"I do indeed, Miss Pierce, that's very good perception," smiled Michael

"What is it?" asked Quinn

"Well Miss Fabray," started Michael turning towards Quinn, which also made Santana notice, "You guys will be up at 7 a.m., which you will have breakfast. You'll then be here form 8 until 11 practicing your routines or if you feel like sing something by yourselves, then you can...

"...Then at 11 a.m. you'll spend an hour doing dance routines, then you'll have lunch at 12, then at 1 for the foreseeable future you all have counselling for an hour until 2 p.m...

"...From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be free time where you can whatever you want. Then from 5 you'll have tea, then from 6 p.m. until probably 9 or 10 p.m. you'll be in the auditorium practicing your routines, singing and dancing."

"That sounds like a full on day," said Sam "Only 3 hours spare time?"

"What have I brought you here to do Mr Evans?"

"Compete for the Worlds?" replied Sam

"How are you going to do that?"

"Practice, Practice, Practice," said Rachel quietly

"6 Days a week it's all about Practice, Practice, Practice. Sunday is a free day to do whatever you want. But I'm hoping when it gets closer to each Competition you'll use the Sunday to practice as well."

Everyone was quietly digesting the news.

"Shall we move on?" asked Michael heading for the door

Quinn looked at Santana who she noticed was staring at her.

"What?"

"Nothing," smiled Santana "I'll talk to you later in private!"

"Why?"

"No reason."

Quinn shook her head and followed everyone out the door.

"What are you up to Lopez?" asked Puck who had held back

"Nothing, nothing at all," said Santana heading for the door

Rachel waited for Finn to climb out from behind the drums, and she held out her hand, and he took it, and the followed everyone out of the room.

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Michael led everyone to the last room on the floor. He led them in to reveal a huge dancing room.

"So this is the room for you all to be practicing your dance moves in," said Michael

"Who are our dance instructors?" asked Jake

"I've hired a Dance Instructor, she will be backed up by Mike and Brittany."

"Where's Mr Schuester?" asked Rachel

"He declined to join up," replied Michael

"Wow," exclaimed Rachel

"It's no wonder," said Santana "After the guys treated him like shit the last time he was at McKinley."

"I didn't," said Finn

"No, but everyone else did," replied Santana "How was he when you him, Mr Money Bags?"

Michael looked at everyone who was staring at him.

"And be honest," continued Santana

"The moment I brought you guys up in conversation, that I was trying to recruit you all, was the moment he shut me down. He was clearly devastated and still hurt."

"He's our backbone," said Rachel

"You need to carry on," replied Michael "Move forward without him."

"So who is our lead Dance Instructor?" asked Brittany

"Her name is Charlotte Rose."

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Charlotte Rose was the best choreographer the world had seen, and she helped with putting dancing routines together for big stars.

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"Not THE Charlotte Rose who is the main Choreographer to the Stars?" asked Mike

"The very one. I hired her."

"She'd be worth big bickies, then," said Kitty

"Very big bickies. She's worth it."

Everyone smiled.

"Let's move to the 3rd Floor."

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Michael led everyone out of the lift, onto third floor. There was sign which said.

Performers This Way

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And another sign that said:

Visitors This Way

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Michael led the group down the corridor that was marked for Performers. They came to a door.

"Be prepared to be wowed," smiled Michael

Michael opened the door and walked in. Everyone else followed.

They walked out on to the back of a very big stage. They moved to the front of the stage to look out into rows and rows of seats in front of them which included upper decks.

"Are we going to be performing in front of people?" asked Blaine

"From time to time you might," replied Michael "I haven't decided yet. But I wanted you guys to prepare on a proper stage, and prepare well."

Rachel walked away from Finn, and walked to the middle of the stage. Mercedes Finn, Santana and Kurt focused on her.

"There's the Berry of old," whispered Santana to Kurt "Always trying to make herself look like a star."

Suddenly Rachel seemed to stiffen up, and then she began shaking. Finn began walking over to her.

"Rachel," he said quietly

"I... I... can... can't... do... do... it."

"Do what?"

"It's... it's... too... scary."

"Why's it scary, Rachel?"

Everyone now had turned to see Rachel freaking out.

"Too... Too... Much... Much... Pressure... and... expectation..."

Rachel started sobbing. Finn gently grabbed her and put his arms around her.

"Listen to me Rachel... Breath Rach, 1... 2... 3."

Rachel breathed in.

"Out 1... 2... 3."

Rachel breathed out.

"Again... Breathe in and out."

Rachel breathed in, and out.

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"That's it," said Puck quietly in the middle of the group "We're really screwed now."

Quinn punched him in the arm.

"Shut up you idiot."

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"It's going to be okay, Rachel," Finn whispered in her ear "Don't focus on the now, let it come back naturally. It may seem scary at first, but you're RACHEL BERRY. The best singer in this damn world."

Rachel stopped shaking and smiled

"What if I can't get back to that point again?" asked Rachel

"You will, it just takes time, come on let's go."

"Okay."

Finn quietly and gently moved Rachel away from the center of the stage. He looked across at Michael.

"Can we move on please."

"Sure," smiled Michael

Finn led Rachel, and the rest of the group out of the auditorium, and towards the lift. By the time Rachel got to the lift, she seemed calmer.

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The lift arrived on the 4th Floor. Michael walked out, and everyone followed him.

Down one end of the floor there looked to be around 20 doors.

"Down there are your dormitories," said Michael pointing to the other end of the floor "We will have a look shortly, but first follow me."

Michael led everyone to the door closest to them and he opened it, and walked in. They all followed and was instantly hit by some very yummy smells.

"Welcome to the cafeteria," said Michael looking at his watch "This place is obviously where you come for your meals. Your first meal is in half an hour, so that's good timing.

"Smells like, fish, chips, and eggs," said Jake

"Probably is," smiled Michael "There's also sandwiches and drinks."

On one side of the cafeteria was where the counter was which also had hot plates, and cold storage areas, and on the other side were tables.

"Do the staff sleep in this building too?" asked Artie

"No they have their own homes, they the are well paid to cook for you guys!"

"Is it free?" asked Puck

"Of course. Free for you guys. This is for you guys."

"Are we allowed to cook for ourselves?" asked Santana "If we wanted to."

"I'm sure that could be arranged," smiled Michael "Lunch will be ready soon, so we have enough time to finish the tour. This way."

Michael walked out of the cafeteria, the others reluctantly followed. He walked down the other end of the hall to where the dorms were.

"You all have your dorm rooms complete with a Queen bed, a small lounge, a small kitchen, a shower, a bath, and a toilet. But if you wish to share a room with your significant other as there's 3 of you couples that have re-united you can, but you can still have your own room, just in case. Your gears have all been delivered and are in your rooms.

"If you want to have a look you can once we finish the tour but these will be your dorms for at least the next year hopefully. Let's go up to the last floor."

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Michael led the team out onto the 5th and final floor. He headed for the first door, and opened it. Inside they saw what looked like a waiting area with 16 different doors all throughout the office.

"This is where you come to have your counselling sessions. You all have your own individual counselors. They will keep me informed on how long you need counselling, but what you discuss with them will stay between you and your counselor. Next room."

Michael closed the door and walked to the 2nd door.

"When I'm here this is where I will be if I'm not around you guys. I'm hoping to be here at least a couple of days every week. But my number 2 will be in charge while I am not here. Follow me."

Michael walked to the 3rd door and knocked on it. A minute later a guy in a blue suit, with a moustache walked out.

"Guys, please meet Dan Steele, he's my 2nd in command, and in charge while I'm not here. Dan please meet the New Directions.

"Hi," said everyone

"Hi," smiled Dan "I've heard a lot about you guys from Michael. I'm looking forward to working with you all."

"If I'm not here, Don is the one to organize a Minder for you to leave the building with. Just talk to him about it, and he'll organize it.

"So that's it, that's the tour. I hope you will all enjoy your time here. This afternoon will go like this. Lunch 1st. then your counselling sessions at 1, then you can hav hour break at 2. Then tea at 5, and tonight we will begin nutting out a plan on the way forward, in the Choir room. That's all for now."

Michael turned to Dan to start talking to him, and everyone walked towards the lift. All very hungry. After all ready digesting a lot of information.

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So now that's the tour over and done with, it's now down to the real stuff that they were brought together to do. Singing, Dancing, Performing, and working towards the Worlds. Their journey, their proper journey, starts now.

Stay tuned.