A/N: Finally finished! I'm having mixed emotions. While I'm glad to be able to throw the complete label on this, it's still sad because this was my first Glee story and my first Samcedes story. I just want to thank all of my readers who hung around hoping I would finish this. I hope I didn't disappoint! Thanks again for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following I appreciate the love. This was my first story to reach over 100 reviews so I'll always be proud of that.
And as always REVIEWS=LOVE
ProTIP: During the song, THIS IS SPEAKING. THIS IS SINGING.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Glee, it's characters, The Tango Maureen from RENT by Jonathan Larson or any other song mentioned.
Once they were settled Will addressed them.
"Ok. Here's how tomorrow will go. We report to the venue to check in. Go to our dressing and drop our things then use our practice room to warm up. Listen to the first five choirs which are; Vocal Adrenaline, Symphonic Frequencies, Harmony Militia, Musical Reality and The G Cleft Experience. Then we take a lunch break, change and do extensive warm ups. The order of the performance for the second half of the day is; Mellifluous Mellisonant, Auditory Communication, Throat Explosion, Experiencia Música, and then us. After our performance we wait however long it takes for the judges to make a decision. Then they announce the solo competition winners, the other category winners and then the grand champions." he told them looking at his paper work.
"What other categories?" Sam asked.
"Things like best costume, best choreography, things like that. That's why the other choirs don't go home. They could still win something. Ok. I'm giving you guys an hour to get dinner then meet me at April's theater to rehearse." he told them as he left.
"We should change and then eat at the Hard Rock and then go to the theater." Puck said.
"Good idea. We should stick together so no one is late." Kurt said with approval.
"Right. Boys, out! We have to change." Mercedes said pushing the boys out the door.
"Be ready in fifteen minutes." Finn said eying Kurt.
"I'll be ready in ten." Kurt said a defiant glint in his eyes.
The New Directions had a great dinner and a grueling rehearsal. They dragged themselves back to the hotel tired but confident.
The next morning everyone followed the posted schedules that Kurt and Mercedes had made. No one was doing much talking. Kurt and Mercedes did everyone's base make-up. They met Mr. Schue in the lobby, had breakfast and headed to the venue.
They headed to their dressing room where Kurt immediately checked their costumes. He was pleased to report they were perfect. Will lead them to their practice room where he lead them in a few light vocal warm ups and Mike led them in a few stretches. The heavy warm ups would be after lunch. The New Directions headed to the auditorium to their seats.
Kurt and Rachel had been so excited when they learned that the day two theme was movie musicals. They began rattling off songs that ranged between "Step Into the Bad Side" from Dreamgirls to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray. Mr. Schuester finally decided on the "Tango Maureen" from Rent. He wanted to showcase their theatricality and choreography.
Tina, Mike and Brittany would be handling lead with Tina and Mike doing the duet with Brittany playing the elusive Maureen. Rachel, Kurt, Mercedes, Mike and Brittany staged the routine.
The New Directions settled into their seats to await the start of the competition. Vocal Adrenaline was up first and when the music began Kurt and Rachel looked to each other. They were singing "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Misérables. They sounded good but Kurt nudged Mercedes.
"They're doing too much with the performance. This is an angry song, not an I'm so happy I'm frolicking song. They're going to get marked down for that." Kurt whispered. The audience gave them a standing ovation while the New Directions clapped politely. And upon looking at the other glee clubs the New Directions noticed the other clubs couldn't find the energy to stand either.
Symphonic Frequencies was next and they did "Oklahoma" from Oklahoma. Instead of wearing simple costuming like the classic show, they wore over the top rhinestone cowboy garb. Rachel and Kurt covered their eyes. They couldn't watch the farce they were seeing on the stage. Mercedes assumed the audience was just polite with handing out the standing ovations. When Symphonic Frequencies finished their song, she saw that wasn't the case.
Harmony Militia was the next choir to perform. They did "Seize the Day" from Newsies. Sam sang along even after Puck eyed him. Sam shrugged, he had loved Newsies since Blaine had introduced the movie to him one day while they were waiting for Kurt and Mercedes. He didn't necessarily like Harmony Militia's arrangement but he figured to each his own.
Musical Reality was the next choir. They did "Be Our Guest" from Beauty & the Beast. Brittany told Santana that she didn't like the performance because it was missing the dancing forks. Santana had to agree.
The last group of the morning was The G Cleft Experience. When the boys came on stage in leather jackets and the girls in the infamous Pink Ladies jackets the performance showed promise. Halfway through it was proven that the G Clefts worried more about costuming than actual performing.
Mr. Schue led them back to Applebee's once again for lunch. They ate lunch quietly and made their way back to their dressing room. They began to change and the room was silent: everyone lost in his or her own thoughts.
Rachel had questioned their costume choice the moment it was voiced. She was afraid it may be seen as too sexy but Kurt reminded her that they were wearing authentic ballroom style attire: the judges couldn't take off points because of the authenticity of the costumes.
That crisis averted Brittany had picked out the best dresses to tango in. For herself she a black sheath dress with a slit on the left side to her upper thigh. It had one strap over the shoulder and it wrapped around the dress like a sash in a red leather type material. Kurt styled her hair in vintage waves added a red flower and the perfect shade of red lipstick.
Brittany thought that Tina's dress should be different from hers and the other New Directions girls. For Tina she picked a black wide strap all lace mermaid style dress. The front of the dress was about mid-thigh while the "mermaid" back almost reached the floor. Kurt styled her hair in a sleek side pony with a red flower and red lipstick.
The rest of the girls wore a ruched black mermaid style halter with a semi-low back. Each girl had a side bun with a red flower and red lipstick.
All of the girls wore black mid-heel dance shoes. The boys wore black suits with black shirts and red ties with a red flower in their lapels.
After dressing they made their way back to their seats. The first group up was Mellifluous Mellisonant. They performed "Buenos Aires" from Evita and it was good not great.
Auditory Communication was next and their song selection was "All for One" from High School Musical 2 complete with board shorts and tank tops.
Throat Explosion went psychedelic and performed "Pinball Wizard" from Tommy, the rock opera by The Who. While the audience was on their feet for them the New Directions made their way backstage.
They stretched while Experieneia Música performed "Deception" from The Lion King II.
New Directions entered into their show circle and today there were no heartfelt speeches or tears. Finn put his hand in the center and they all followed suit, Mr. Schue being the last.
"New Directions on three." Finn said. They all raised their hands with a cry of New Directions, they each had a look of fierce determination in their eyes. Mike and Tina put on the coats they would be wearing for the beginning of the number. They knew they were taking a risk by doing the 'show version' of the song. But they had all agreed that it was a good idea.
Tina stood at one end of the stage near the fake equipment, she was pacing, seemingly waiting for someone. Mike entered from the other side of the stage.
"Hi, Maureen called me to try to fix the equipment," Mike said dropping the bag he was carrying.
You're Mark?" Tina asked with disdain.
"Joanne? Maureen said she'd be here," Mike said shrugging.
"Well, don't hold your breath," Tina said rolling her eyes.
"This is so typical," Mike said rolling his eyes as well.
"I told her not to call you," Tina said dismissively.
"Oh well, can I help anyway?" Mike said not letting Tina's attitude effect him.
"I've hired an engineer," Tina said.
"Well nice to have met you then," Mike said turning away from Tina and heading back toward the stage wings.
"Wait! He's three hours late," Tina said not wanting to ask for help but having no choice. Mike put down his bag and began to fiddle with the knobs.
"The samples won't delay but the cable..." Tina started to sing.
"There's another way," Mike sang as Tina stood in front of the unplugged microphone. "Say something, anything," Mike vocalized.
"Test, one, two, three...," Tina sang unimpressed.
Anything but that," Mike sang back to her.
"This is weird," Tina sang shaking her head.
"It's weird!" Mike sang nodding his head in agreement.
"Very weird!" Tina reiterated her voice showing her discomfort.
"Freakin weird!" Mike exclaimed his singing voice strong.
"I'm so mad that I don't know what to do," Tina sang as she walked across the stage. "Fighting with microphones. Freezing down to my bones, and to top it all off I'm with you!" Tina sang gesturing to Mike.
"Feel like going insane? Got a fire in your brain? And you're thinking of drinking gasoline?" Mike sang with a knowing look as he circled Tina.
"As a matter of fact...," Tina sang confusion coloring her voice as she side stepped Mike.
"Honey, I know this act . It's called The Tango Maureen," he sang as he moved into tango position the music paused. "The Tango Maureen. It's a dark, dizzy merry-go-round...," Mike sang as he danced a solo tango.
"You're wrong," Tina's voice interrupted as she avoided Mike's dancing.
"Your heart she is mangling," he continued singing as if she hadn't interrupted still dancing.
"It's different with me," Tina sang to Mike as he looked at her with pity and amusement.
"And you toss and you turn, cause her cold eyes can burn, yet you yearn and you churn and rebound!" Mike sang coming to a stand still beside her.
"I think I know what you mean," Tina sang turning to face Mike.
"The Tango Maureen," they sang together.
"Has she ever pouted her lips and called you, Pookie?" Mike sang the question.
"Never!" Tina sang in response.
"Have you ever doubted a kiss or two?" Mike asked his voice taking on a knowing lilt.
"This is spooky," Tina sang looking at Mike as the music paused. "Did you swoon when she walked through the door?" Tina sang her voice conveying her angst.
"Every time." Mike said commiserating with her. "So be, cautious," Mike sang his advice.
"Did she moon over other boys?" Tina sang her voice fearful.
"More than moon," Mike sang sympathy coming out in his voice.
"I'm getting...nauseous," Tina sang sadly. She turned to face Mike and they toss their coats to the side and began a simple tango across the stage.
"Where'd you learn to tango?" Mike asked admiring her ability.
"With the French ambassador's daughter in her dorm room at Miss Porter's. And you?" Tina said as she executed a series of complicated leg moves and took over leading the tango.
"With Nanette Himelfarb, the rabbi's daughter at the Scarsdale Jewish Community Center. It's hard to do this backwards." Mike said stumbling a little.
"You should try it in heels!" Tina said spinning Mike out and away from her. Mike looked around and the New Directions had entered paired up and ready to tango.
Mike moved back beside Tina in the front of the stage. The row behind them held Kurt and Santana and Puck and Lauren. Behind them were Sam and Mercedes with Rachel and Finn. Quinn and Artie were in the back row. Brittany stood off to the side.
"She cheated," Tina sang lamenting her misfortune.
"She cheated," Mike sang agreeing with her.
"Maureen cheated," Tina sang resigned.
"Freakin cheated," Mike sang angry enough for the both of them as they led the New Directions in a more complicated tango. Brittany meanwhile flitted through the dancing couples dancing with everyone.
"I'm defeated. I should give up right now," Tina sang her voice defeated.
"Gotta look on the bright side with all of your might," Mike sang his voice encouraging.
"I'd fall for her still anyhow," Tina sang as Brittany danced closer to her and Mike.
"When you're dancing her dance, you don't stand a chance. Her grip of romance makes you fall," they sang together as Brittany danced between them.
"So you think, might as well," Mike said.
"Dance a tango to hell," Tina finished as Brittany danced away.
"At least I'll have tangoed at all," they sang in unison as they watched Brittany take the spotlight. The music paused. "The Tango Maureen. Gotta dance til your diva is through," they continued to sing in unison as they danced between the New Directions. "You pretend to believe her, cause in the end, you can't leave her," they continued to sing together as Brittany danced in the front of the stage sensually. "But the end it will come, still you have to play dumb. Til you're glum and you bum," they sang as they danced toward the front of the stage. "And turn blue!" They said looking sadly at each other.
"Why do we love when she's mean?" Mike sang as he dipped Tina.
"And she can be so obscene," Tina said as Brittany pantomimed kissing Santana. "My Maureen," Tina sang as she and Mike finished their tango.
"The Tango Maureen," they finished the song together as the New Directions freeze in the background. They stare longingly as Brittany sauntered off stage to end the performance the roar of the crowd let them know their risk had paid off. Brittany returned to the stage and the New Directions took their final bow of this competition season and left the stage. They were proud of themselves. The judges announced a two hour break and then they would make the announcements.
Two hours later still dressed in their costumes all the glee clubs returned to the auditorium. On the stage was a table full of trophies and the nervous energy in the room was tangible. The judges came on stage and the room became silent. The head judge approached the microphone.
"This year's National Show Choir Competition has been one of the best ever. The show choir board wants to congratulate you all for making it this far. We will be announcing the solo competitions, the choir awards and the National title in that order. Good luck to you all." he said as he stepped back to be replaced by another judge.
"Without further ado, third place in the male solo competition is Ethan Marshall from Musical Reality for his rendition of Jason Aldean's Night Train. Second place goes to Kurt Hummel from New Directions for his performance of Madonna's This Used to be My Playground." the judge said. Finn was the first on his feet clapping for his brother. New Directions hooted and hollered for Kurt as he went to collect his trophy. Kurt shook Ethan's hand and waited beside him.
"This year's Best Male Soloist is Artie Abrams from New Directions for his performance of The Beatles' Let It Be." Artie couldn't believe it. He wheeled toward the stage and up the ramp they had constructed for him. He took his trophy and rolled beside Kurt who hugged him. The New Directions were clapping loudly and probably obnoxiously but they didn't care. The male winners left the stage to rejoin their glee clubs.
"Third place in the female solo competition goes to Rachel Berry from New Directions for her rendition of Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were." To say that Rachel was shocked was an understatement. After hearing Mercedes she'd at least hoped for second place. The fact that she was in third was unheard of but she would be gracious even if she had to fake it. Rachel accepted her trophy with a show face Shelby would have been proud of.
"Second place goes to Santana Lopez from New Directions for her performance of Alicia Keys' Fallin'." the judge said. Santana strutted across the stage grabbing her trophy the way. She could tell that Rachel's smile was fake but Santana didn't care as she accepted the hug that Rachel gave her.
"At least we both beat Sunshine because you know Mercedes won this thing!" Santana whispered. When the two girls pulled apart Rachel's smile was real.
"And this year's Best Female soloist is Mercedes Jones from New Directions for her performance of Whitney Houston's One Moment in Time. Congratulations on a sweep of the category." he said as Mercedes came to the stage. Sam had been on his feet before they'd finished saying her name. The three girls hugged and returned to their seats. Sam kissed Mercedes soundly when she sat back down beside him.
A third judge came to the microphone. "The award for Best Staging goes to Throat Explosion for Tommy." he announced as the director of Throat Explosion collected the trophy.
"The award for Best Costumes goes to New Directions for Circus." Will accepted the award on behalf of his club.
"The award for Best Choreography goes to Vocal Adrenaline for My Way." Goolsby strode onto the stage and took the award that belonged to the New Directions. Will was once again overcome with the urge to punch Goolsby.
"The award for theatricality goes to New Directions for Tango Maureen." Will ran to the stage and accepted, he hoisted the trophy over his head while the New Directions cheered from their seats.
The head judge headed back to the microphone. "Our choirs have been ranked from ten to one. They have been judged on the following: song choice, song difficulty, choreography, interpretation of song and theme and overall theatricality. The rankings are as follows:
10. Symphonic Frequencies
9. The G Cleft Experience
8. Auditory Communication
7. Musical Reality
6. Mellifluous Mellisonant
5. Experiencia Música
4. Harmony Militia
Would the members of Vocal Adrenaline, Throat Explosion and New Directions come to the stage." the judge finished. The New Directions rose to their feet. They stood beside Vocal Adrenaline much to their dismay. "Give all three of these groups some applause. In third place is Throat Explosion." All members of New Directions froze, they knew they were about to either prove everyone right or wrong. They so wanted to prove them wrong. "Second place goes to Vocal Adrenaline."
The New Directions erupted. Finn lifted Kurt off his feet in a hug and then he fused his lips to Rachel's. Brittany hugged Santana tightly before kissing her. Lauren hugged Puck but pulled away quickly, he pulled her back and into a kiss that she didn't pull away from. Mike pulled Tina close and kissed her. Before Artie could roll away to the trophy Quinn kiss him lightly on the lips. He was momentarily shocked but it passed and he smiled at the former head Cheerio.
Sam hugged Mercedes tightly and lifted her off her feet as he twirled her around. He kissed her when he put her back on her feet. She could feel the love coursing through him as he kissed her. Mercedes would never have believed that she would be standing on this stage in this position: even if someone had told her the future. And to think it all started with Kurt's plan, Operation Find Sam's Dream Girl.
A/N2: There is no epilogue but be aware that Seasons 3-6 don't happen. In the universe of this story, Sam doesn't move and he and Mercedes are in the same grade. They graduate move to LA where she becomes a Grammy award winning singer and he becomes head artist at Marvel because he creates a new comic crossing the Avengers and Avatar. You can use your imagination to fill in what the rest of the New Directions are doing. I didn't care enough to think about it.