CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT – NEW YORK, NEW YORK
"Sam, wake up, Sam!" the young blonde heard his boyfriend whispering in his ear. "We're here. Look, there's New York."
He turned and looked out the window and, sure enough, the lights from the city that never sleeps came into view. Everyone on the bus was waking up and looking out windows admiring the view. Soon the torchlight from Lady Liberty came over the horizon.
"Can you believe that we are actually here?" Blaine's gaze beamed. Sam couldn't believe how happy it made him to be in this city.
"I can. It's the first time of many, and you know what I think about it?" he asked.
"What?" Blaine asked
Sam jumped up on the seat and started singing for Blaine, but everyone else looked on.
(Give My Regards to Broadway by Barry Manilow)
(Performed by New Directions)
SAM: Give my regards to Broadway. Remember me to Herald Square. Tell all the gang at Forty Second Street that I will soon be there.
Blaine turned to stand in the aisle as he and Sam moved to the front of the bus to watch the city come into view.
BLAINE: Whisper of how I'm yearning to mingle with the old time throng. Give my regards to Old Broadway and say that I'll be there 'ere long.
Tina moves across to Sam and Blaine's seat so both girls can look out as the city comes into view.
TINA/SUNSHINE: Did you ever see two Yankees Part upon a foreign shore?
ARTIE: When the good ship's just about to start for Old New York once more?
BRITTANY: With tear dimmed eyes, they say goodbye. They're friends without a doubt.
SEBASTIAN: When the man on the pier shouts, "Let them clear" as the ship strikes out.
The bus parks in front of their hotel and they unload and get their luggage.
ALL: Give my regards to Broadway. Remember me to Herald Square. Tell all the gang at Forty Second Second Street that I will soon be there.
The group walks into the hotel which is the most beautiful one they've been in so far. Mr. Schuester hands them their room keys on the 21st floor and they head for the elevators.
ALL: Whisper of how I'm yearning to mingle with the old time throng. Give my regards to Old Broadway and say that I'll be there 'ere long.
Once all of the kids are up in the elevator that leaves Will, Emma, and Cooper to head upstairs.
WILL: Give my regards to Broadway. Remember me to Herald Square. Tell all the gang at Forty Second Second Street that I will soon be there.
The three adults headed to their rooms and saw that several of the kids were bouncing from room to room looking at the views of the city from each.
"Why don't you two get settled, and I'll get the kids in their beds," Will said and Cooper walked into their room. He turned to Emma. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you? Now that the media consultant is back home in her city and out of our hair, I could stay the night with you."
"No," she insisted. "It would be inappropriate with us being on a school trip, Will. Once we get married it will be a different story, but what message would it send the kids if we did?"
"Emma, we live together. Most of the kids know that already. I don't see how this would be any different," Will commented.
"I just think it's for the best. Three nights and you get me back. Here, we're working, Will," she defended her position.
"Okay, well I'm going to get the kids in bed," he gave up his fight. "I'll see you in the morning."
He leaned in to kiss her. She turned her face so that he would kiss her cheek instead.
"Sorry," she frowned. "Morning breath. I slept the whole way up here."
She turned and went into her room. Walking inside she closed the door, locked it and sat on the end of the bed. Tears began to flow from her eyes as she hid them in her hands. She did her best to control her emotions. Getting up off the bed, she unpacked her bags, set up the ironing board and began to get the nasty wrinkles out of her clothes. She just couldn't stand those being there. As she attempted to compose herself, she thought back to the conversation she had with Shelby in Chicago.
FLASHBACK – Chicago (last night there)
Emma and Shelby walked a block down the street to the closest coffee shop, ordered drinks, and Shelby began the conversation.
"So what's wrong with you and Will?"
Emma sat in shock. "What makes you think that there is something wrong with Will and I?"
"Because I worked at McKinley for a semester and we never did this. I'm guessing you asked me because your other choices for girl talk were Will's students or a media consultant who might turn it into a story, am I right?" Shelby questioned.
"Are you mad?" Emma hoped she understood.
"No," Shelby smiled. "I know what it's like not to have anyone to talk too. It's why I left Vocal Adrenaline the first time. I had no friends in the faculty at Carmel, and when people found out that I want to have a baby they laughed at me. That's why I chose to leave. I don't want you to feel that way."
"Thanks, Shelby," Emma stated. "And as far as how much we love each other there is nothing wrong with our relationship, but he and I are talking about a wedding in November, and there's this one huge elephant in the room that I can't get by because of my problem."
"Are you talking about your OCD?" Shelby asked.
Emma nodded her head. "This is so embarrassing, but I need to talk to someone about it."
"Emma, you'll get no judgment from me. I just want to help if I can," she guaranteed.
"Will and I have only had sex once," Emma paused to watch Shelby's reaction. She was stonefaced. "It was after he and the kids won nationals. I was so proud of him and he had been so patient with me. I wanted to give him what I knew he wanted."
"So what happened," Shelby curiously asked. "I mean without the sordid details."
"We did it, and he kept saying how much he loved it and that he forgot how great it felt and that he was so glad we could be intimate with each other finally. I jumped out of bed, locked myself in the bathroom and cried in the shower. Shelby, I know I'm a bad person, but I hated it. I love Will, but I hated having sex. It made me feel so dirty and unclean. I scrubbed my skin and private area trying to get rid of the smell and any sign of the act."
"What did Will do?" Shelby questioned.
"He was so good to me," Shelby saw tears forming in Emma's eyes as she spoke. "He sat outside the bathroom and kept asking me if I was okay. When I told him how I felt, he told me that it was okay and that we didn't have to have sex to be together. He said that he loved me, and wanted to spend his life with me even if sex wasn't part of our relationship. It was the first lie he ever told me."
"So you don't believe him?"
"I completely believe that he loves me. I don't doubt that at all. But I know, that sex is important to him. I saw how content his face was after we finished. I saw how much he loved it, and since then, he's switched to briefs trying to keep me from seeing him when he's having a hard time controlling his urges. I've caught him trying to do things himself without me knowing how tortured the lack of sex has made him."
"You fed the beast and now it wants more," Shelby began.
"What do you mean?" Emma questioned.
"Emma, there's a reason that people can get addicted to sex. It feels great. When a person goes for a long period of time without it they can forget how amazing it is and get through life without it, but let them experience it once and all those memories and emotions and feelings come back and they'll go through a sex-crazed phase where that's all they can think about. I'm sure that's what happened to Will," Shelby explained.
"It sounds like that," Emma realized. "I can't have sex with him, Shelby. As much as I love him and want to make him happy, I can't do it."
Her tears finally started falling.
"I think I'm losing him too," she confessed.
"To whom?" Shelby tried to think of the options but she couldn't think of anyone.
"Cooper Anderson," Emma whispered.
"Cooper!?" Shelby called out a lot louder than she intended too. "I mean he's hot, but I never thought that Will might swing that way."
"Neither did I, but he did do Glee all through high school, theatre in college, and now he's in the show tunes world again. You can't tell me he hasn't been exposed to it at some point in time," Emma pointed out.
"That's true," Shelby realized. "I can't think of a single guy in my business that hasn't at least experimented once."
"And if you're going to try it, Cooper is one of the dreamiest guys I've ever met and he's so sweet. He's been so helpful on this trip," Emma smiled and then frowned. "But ever since Orlando, I've had this suspicion that he and Will might be doing more than talking in their room during this trip."
"What makes you think so?" Shelby asked.
"They give each other these looks when they think I'm not watching. I know that look because I've given it to Will for years. I mean I don't think that Will is in love with him, but he's no longer got the pent up frustration that he had at home," Emma stated.
"You think he's been feeding the beast some more," Shelby inferred.
"Exactly," Emma agreed. "He just seems so calm, and for lack of a better way to say it, he hasn't been visibly excited in his pants this entire trip. I think Cooper, if nothing else, has been taking care of Will's horniness."
"So you think he's just blowing him or do you think there actually doing the deed?"
"I don't know, but does it matter? It's cheating either way," Emma said.
"It is, but you have an interesting situation," Shelby began delicately. "Let me ask a question before I make this sound bad. Have you, at any point since you've had this thought, felt like Will loves you any less?"
"No, he has actually been wonderful to me. There's no frustration, he's spending more time with me," she expressed.
"He's not having to hide his frustration, Emma. You all but told him that he's not getting sex from you, but you love him and he loves you. He's in a pretty bad position. I'm not making excuses for him, but he's a guy. If he's not releasing with you he's got to do it somewhere," Shelby tried to open up Emma's perspective. "Maybe your relationship can't be a typical one with the restrictions you are adding to it."
"What are you suggesting?" Emma wondered.
"You want every element of a marriage except sex. You know Will needs sex. I know it's an out there thought, but maybe he should have someone to deal with that issue, but still come home and be committed to you. Personally, I'd rather that be a man instead of another woman, but that's just me," Shelby suggested.
"I don't know if I can do that," Emma stated.
"Well you don't have that many choices. Will is a great guy and I know how much he loves you, but he is still a man with needs. No matter how great he is eventually he'll have to give in to those needs. Either you can make it on your terms or on someone else's."
Present Day
Emma finished ironing her last skirt when there was a knock on the door. She walked over and opened it, surprised to see who was on the other side.
"Hey Emma," Shelby smiled. "I feel bad about how we left things. If you still want me too, I'd like to help."
Two floors above them, there was a room that contained Santana, Rachel, and Quinn.
"I'm telling you, I'm sure that it was Charles Smythe," Santana insisted.
"Then why are you just telling us now?" Quinn asked. "We've been here almost five hours and it's just coming up now?"
"Look, you and I have both seen the sleazeball sneaking around the hospital. I just don't want to see him here too, especially now that Sam is in the building," Santana replied.
"Mr. Hummel took care of that though," Rachel spoke up. "The restraining order that he and Mr. Schuester took out should take care of him staying away from us."
"Santana, I know you're worried, but I really think the Hummel's have everything under control," Quinn added.
There was a knock at the door. Rachel being the closest got up and answered it. The other two girls heard her scream out in happiness.
"It's so good to see you!" The door finally opened to reveal Mercedes on the other side. Santana and Quinn both ran over to give their friend a hug.
"Okay, let me in before any of New Directions see me," she laughed. "Red Eye flights are not for me, especially in coach. It feels so good just to stand up. So tell me what's going on?"
"Kurt is better," Rachel said. "He hasn't spoken much, but Mr. Hummel finally got him to admit that Mr. Smythe was the one that hurt him."
"My mom is here building the divorce case against him. She's convinced Kurt, Sebastian, and Sam to testify against him. Plus she's found seven other guys that worked at the same strip club Sam did that have identical stories," Santana continued.
"Mary Smythe shouldn't have any trouble getting the money that she deserves," Quinn added.
"Have you thought about visiting Kurt?" Rachel asked. "I know he really wants to see you."
Mercedes stood there with a stiff facial expression. She'd wrestled with this very question during her entire flight. "I just don't know yet. The things he's done to others and the things he wrote about me. I don't know that I can forgive and forget this time."
"Mercedes, I don't think any of us have forgotten what he did, and I think it's safe to say that even between the three of us girls, there are different levels of forgiveness even," Quinn began. "But, it's still Kurt, and despite this summer's bad judgment, you and him were always tight."
"What do you think?" Mercedes asked Santana. She knew her view would be closest to hers.
"Oh, I don't forgive him, and I sure as hell haven't forgotten," Santana fumed. "When all this is over he and I won't be friends, at least not like we were in high school, but right now, he's hurting, he's in pain, and he feels alone. We said we'd always be there for each other. Even though I don't like the kid anymore, I don't break my promises."
"Okay," Mercedes decided. "I'll talk to him tomorrow. I'm not making any promises, but I guess we can have a conversation."
There was another knock at the door.
"I'm pretty sure I know who that is," Mercedes smiled. "I texted them the room number when I got off the elevator." She walked to the door and opened it. All four girls jumped up and squealed in delight when Blaine and Sam walked into the room.
"Blaine!" Rachel ran over and jumped on the boy wrapping her arms around him. "I have missed you so much!"
Sam was in the process of hugging Mercedes. Quinn stood there waiting her turn. He let go of Mercedes and reached out for Quinn. "It's great to see you, sweetie. I am so happy you are here."
"Me too, Quinn. This is a lot happier than that train station," Sam replied.
Quinn let him go and turned to Blaine. "So apology in person?" she asked.
"No need," he smiled. "Give me some love." Blaine hugged her.
That left Sam staring at Santana. This was a long-time needed reunion.
"Get over here, girl," Sam smiled.
Santana jumped into his strong arms. "It's been too long, Trouty."
"You have no idea. I've missed you so much," Sam confessed.
Santana grabbed his ass with both hands.
"Yep, still as firm and perfect as ever," she winked and he just shook his head because he knew it was coming. She turned to Blaine. "It's okay if I grab your man's ass, right? If not, I'm afraid you're just going to have to get used to it."
Blaine smiled. "You get a free pass, but just you."
"I feel privileged."
"So boys, how many others know that we're all here? Mike and Puck made it about two hours ago," Rachel wondered.
"Just us two," Blaine informed the girls. "We managed to keep it from everyone."
"Yeah, people have been preoccupied with finishing the tour and Mr. Schue's announcement about what musical we're doing this year," Sam added.
"What are you doing?" Rachel's interest peaked.
"Legally Blonde," Sam told her.
"Of course they would the year after I graduate," Quinn rolled her eyes.
"I think he had Brittany in mind when he chose it," Blaine said somewhat annoyed.
"What's wrong with that? She'd be awesome as Elle Woods," Santana defended her woman.
"Except you can't write the lyrics and lines to an entire show on her arm like we had to do several times in Glee," Mercedes reminded her.
"It's a great show for the girls, but there's really only two male leads, and at least four guys that would be great in them," Blaine defended his position.
"You and Sam will get them. None of the others could beat you out," Quinn assured him.
"Don't forget Sebastian. He is perfect for Warner, and I wouldn't count out Blake and Nick either. They're two sophomores that are really good," Blaine explained.
"Nick's the one dating Sebastian?" Mercedes tried to remember.
"Yeah, I think they still are anyway," Blaine replied.
"What about Tina?" Rachel had been quiet since the play was mentioned. "I mean nothing against Brittany, but if it should be anyone's year it should be hers. There's not exactly a part for her in that musical. What was Mr. Schuester thinking?"
"I think Tina could still be Elle. It's not like it would be the first time we went against stereotype in a play," Sam hoped to defend Will's decision to Rachel.
"You think she would be better than Brittany?" Santana gave Sam a pissed off look.
"She would be amazing, Santana but that's not the issue," Sam again tried to look at things with common sense. "Brittany is repeating her senior year. She has five courses that she has to pass in order to graduate. Doing the play in addition to glee might be too much for her."
"She did it last year," Santana continued to dig.
"With a 0.0 GPA!" Sam reminded his best friend. "We all missed the fact that she stopped going to class. This year, Blaine and I are going to make sure she gets across that stage so she can come to New York with us and Tina next year."
"Wait?" Quinn caught the subtle new piece of information he'd provided. "You plan on coming to New York too?"
"Yeah, I know it may be a surprise to you, but this tour has made me realize that this is what I want to do. I'm going to apply to NYADA and Tisch and the New York Film Academy," Sam revealed.
"I personally think that's awesome, Sam!" Rachel walked over and hugged him.
"Me too, Sam," Mercedes smiled. "You helped me get my break so know I'll be there to help you out anyway that I can."
"Me too, boo," Santana agreed put her arm back around his waist. Blaine noted that even when Sam and Santana fought they made up again just as quickly.
"Mercedes, you're just going to have to switch coasts after this first year," Quinn smiled. "Sounds like most of the gang will be here."
"Well let's not get ahead of ourselves," Blaine insisted. "Sam and I still have to get into school here first."
"Something tells me that would be a formality," Rachel smiled a knowing smile.
"Do you know something, Rachel," Blaine asked with so much hope in his voice.
"The last I heard from my friend, Brody, they've made their decision and they are announcing it this week while you're in New York," She had a huge grin on her face.
"So you think that means they picked me?" Blaine felt his pulse rush.
"I don't know, Blaine, but I think it's a good sign that they chose to make their announcement when they knew you'd be in town," she said.
"How did they know he'd be in town?" Sam asked.
"Please? You have met Rachel Berry, haven't you?" Santana scoffed. "she wouldn't let them forget."
"Plus, your tour has been a hot topic at NYADA and most of the fine arts schools especially after Sam's big announcement," Rachel admitted.
"Great! More attention," Sam rolled his eyes.
"Do you even have an idea what a big deal that was, Sam?" Rachel asked. "How many people in this world listened to your words and chose to just be themselves? You guys have been in your little bubble for three weeks and may not have noticed it, but Sam, you have a huge following. Even many of the adults respect what you did. I know all my professors have been talking about you."
"Is it bad that I just want to go home and be myself for a little while? Be able to spend time with Blaine and not have people all around us?" Sam questioned.
"Not at all," Quinn smiled. "You deserve it."
The following morning when the kids met downstairs, Will began talking to them, but noticed that several of them saw something that distracted them.
"Mr. Schuester," Michael was the first to speak up. "Why is Vocal Adrenaline's coach with Ms. Pillsbury?"
Will turned around with Cooper to see the two ladies walking up together. He turned and walked up to them. "Shelby, we didn't expect to see you here. What brings you to New York?"
"I'm not spying, Will. Emma invited me," Shelby said.
"I thought it would be good for her to come see Rachel at NYADA," Emma boldfaced lied and Shelby noted how good she was at it.
"Well, it's good to see you. I know Rachel will happy to see you as well."
Mr. Schuester led the group down the two blocks to Radio City Music Hall where they would perform. They took in the magnificent building and whispers of shock and awe about the fact that they even got to perform here went through all of them. As they entered the actual theater space, the room just made them all feel amazing.
Sunshine noticed that Sebastian was over by himself looking at the detailing in the walls. She turned to Blaine. "Did Sebastian say much when we got to the hotel last night?"
"No, actually," Blaine told her. "He said he was tired and went straight to bed."
That was all the information the feisty little Asian needed. She walked over to Sebastian and asked him how his talk went with Nick. He turned to her to give an answer and she knew immediately the answer wasn't good.
"We talked like you suggested, and you're right he does love me," Sebastian smiled weakly. "But when I confronted him about having feelings for Michael, he couldn't deny it. He said it was nothing, and so I made him look me in the eyes and say that so I would believe it. He couldn't do it."
"So what does that mean?" she questioned.
"It means we broke up," Sebastian confessed. "I told him that I still loved him, but that I didn't want to date someone that had feelings for someone else too. I don't want to worry everyday that I'm not good enough. I've already spent too much of my life doing that with my dad. I'll be damned if I let it enter my personal life too."
She hugged him. "It's probably the best choice then."
"Then why does it hurt so much?" Sebastian whispered to her so no one else could hear. He looked up and made eye contact with the one person he hoped would not be looking, Nick. Even worse, the person standing next to him comforting him was Michael.
"So it's really over?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, he broke up with me on the bus. He said I needed to figure out what I really wanted before he could be with me."
"Are you okay?" Michael made Nick look at him instead of Sebastian or the floor.
"No."
"Okay, guys come have a seat in the front two rows," Mr. Schuester called out to them. "I want to talk to you for a moment before we get started."
The members of New Directions moved down with the older kids taking their place on the front row and the younger students behind them.
"We're finally here!" he smiled. "What you have accomplished in the past three weeks is so remarkable I just want you to think about it for a moment. A month ago, the majority of you didn't even know each other. Now you have been performing together in a show that has received excellent reviews and made a huge impression on the show choir world. Behind these curtains is the stage that will determine the 2013 National Championship, and after seeing what you've been able to do in just three weeks I fully believe that you will be here once again. We are here because last year's group worked incredibly hard together and won, so it feels wrong to celebrate this accomplishment without everyone that was a part of this win being here so . . ."
The lights in the theater went out and the room was black. They could hear the front curtain opening. Eight overhead spots began to shine and the members of New Directions could tell that there were eight people standing there completely shadowed out so they couldn't see who they were. When the music began to play they all immediately knew the song, and most had a very good idea who was standing on stage in front of them.
(Seasons of Love by the Original Broadway Cast of RENT)
(by the graduates of New Directions)
The spotlight on the left end of the stage refocused to reveal Noah Puckerman standing there.
ALL: Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.
The next one refocused to reveal Santana Lopez.
ALL: Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
The next reveal was Mercedes Jones.
ALL: Five Hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.
Mike Chang's face came into view next.
ALL: How do you Measure – Measure a Year?
The next light changed revealing Finn Hudson to the group.
ALL: In Daylights – In Sunsets
Rachel Berry smiled and waved at her old team.
ALL: In Midnights – In Cups of Coffee
When Quinn Fabray comes into focus, she winks at her old friends.
ALL: In Inches – In Miles
Finally, Kurt Hummel comes into focus. Several members of New Directions, including Sam and Blaine looked in shock by how physically beaten up he is.
ALL: In Laughter – In Strife
The lights on the stage blew out to full strength and the second curtain opened to reveal the New York set. The graduates of New Directions continued to sing.
ALL: In – Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes, How do you measure a year in the life. How about Love? How about Love? How About Love? Measure in Love . . . Seasons of Love. Seasons of Love.
MERCEDES: Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes, Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Journeys to Plan. Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes. How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?
FINN: In Truths that she learned or in times that he cried. In bridges he burned or the way that she died.
ALL: It's time now to sing out, Tho' the story never ends. Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends. Remember the love . . . Remember the Love . . . Remember the Love . . . Measure in Love.
MERCEDES: Measure your life, measure your Life in Love.
ALL: Seasons of Love . . . Seasons of love.
The members of New Directions stood from their seats and applauded for their graduates. Seven of the graduates came down from the stage and began meeting the new kids and hugging their old friends many had not seen in a long time. Santana made a bee-line for Brittany and they had a very sweet reunion, Rachel went for Tina, and then Sunshine before turning to Sebastian and surprising him with a hug.
"Well, Hello Miss Berry," he said.
"Just hearing from Blaine and Sam I already know I like this version of you Sebastian. I'm sorry for all you've had to go through. I feel like I should welcome you into New Directions," she smiled.
"Well you doing that just makes it official then," Sebastian smiled.
Mike couldn't be taken away from Tina's side and Finn was hugging Mr. Schuester and talking to Blake and Nick whom he remembered from them being freshmen on the football team. Puck was flirting with Sugar and a few of the other girls and Quinn hugged Joe before moving over to Artie and catching up with him. Mercedes ran straight for her sister who gave her a huge hug as did many of her friends.
It was at this moment that Tina saw Kurt standing alone on the side of the stage away from everyone. She felt conflicted. Part of her wanted to comfort him, but there was a big part of her that was still angry with him. But still, this was Kurt, the guy who'd been her friend for years. She knew her decision would surprise so many in the room, but she knew what she had to do. She left Mike's side and walked over to Kurt. He began looking around for an exit like something bad was about to happen, but instead, Tina hugged him.
"Oh, okay, this is a surprise. I wasn't expecting this," he said as he gingerly hugged her back.
"I'm glad you're okay, Kurt. I've been worried about you and the situation you got yourself in," Tina told him.
"I didn't think you would ever forgive me," he began to feel tears coming forth.
"I don't want to hold a grudge against you, Kurt. I haven't forgotten what you did, but right now, making sure you're safe is more important," she pulled away from him so she could look in his eyes as she said it.
"Something tells me everyone won't be that nice," Kurt stated.
"You were much meaner to some of the others than you were to me, but even Blaine and Sam have been checking in to make sure you're okay," Tina informed him.
"I don't expect them to want to talk to me, but when Santana told me about the history between Charles and Sam, I do want him to know that I was horrified. I never expected him to do something like that. Of course, I didn't expect him to beat me up either," Kurt confessed.
"Maybe you should tell them that and not me," Tina suggested.
"I don't think I should go anywhere near them," Kurt stated. "When I woke up from the pain killers and everything they gave me, Rachel, Finn, Santana, and Quinn sat with me and talked about the summer. We hashed out all of my diva fits and I know I was wrong, but I also know I don't deserve their forgiveness. I just have to accept the fact that I've lost their friendships forever."
"Okay everyone let's have a seat and get started," Mr. Schuester called out. All the members of New Directions, new and old, sat down to listen to their teacher.
"Wow," he smiled. "It is so great to have all of you in the same place at the same time. All my kids right here together. I hope you're ready for a very different show here in New York. How many of you have even noticed our new set?"
"It looks like the choir room," Sam smiled.
"Exactly, it's time to take this tour to a different level and remember where we came from. So we are going to incorporate the graduates into some of our regular numbers. You guys have done a great job on the trios especially considering what a short notice we had to put them together, but their time has passed. Instead, for these last three shows we are going to incorporate some more old songs that feature our graduates and some of our returning members. For example, Santana, I want to see a little Valerie action. Think you can handle that?"
"No problem, Mr. Schue, I got this," she winked.
"And Finn, I want you and the boys to do your rendition of Girls Just Want to Have Fun."
"I think we can handle that," Finn smiled.
"Mercedes, what would you think about doing Disco Inferno? I'd be willing to bet several people in the audience have seen the YouTube video."
"I'm sure the girls and I can handle that," she smiled.
"Rachel, you have to do Don't Rain On My Parade," Mr. Schuester told her.
"I'd be happy too," she smiled.
"We have several others I want to do, but I'd love for you guys to get together and decide what songs you want to bring back. So why don't you take a few minutes, get reacquainted with everyone and we'll go from there."
After several hours of rehearsal and sound checks, all the members of New Directions got on a bus that carried them down to the pier. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel and Mrs. Lopez also joined the chaperones. Mr. Schuester had arranged for them to tour the Statue of Liberty. They spent the bus ride looking at all the amazing sights around them. They got off the bus and boarded the water taxi. Sam and Blaine stood next to each other at the front of the boat taking in the sights.
"Hey boys, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Sam and Blaine turned around to see Burt Hummel standing there.
"Mr. Hummel, it's good to see you again," Blaine said nervously. He reached down to find Sam's hand and his boyfriend held on tight.
"You too, Blaine. Sam, it hasn't been the same not having you around the house either," Mr. Hummel began. "Blaine, I want to tell you that I am sorry for the actions Kurt took against you. They were inappropriate and wrong. I won't deny that. While I don't condone what you did to get him back, I can't say I wouldn't have done something different. I probably would have punched him if I were you so I guess I should be grateful. I just wanted to ask, as his father, that you end your feud with him. I'm not asking for you to be his friend again just don't make him keep paying. He's pretty broken from this Charles guy. I tell you he better hope that I never see him in person."
"I'm not going to make things worse for Kurt, Mr. Hummel. As much as I hate to say it, he and I will never be friends again, but I hate that he's been hurt the way he has. That man deserves to pay for what he did to Kurt and so many others," Blaine insisted.
"Speaking of which, Sam, I believe I'm the one that owes you an apology," Mr. Hummel continued. "I'm afraid I played more of a role in your parents leaving you than I ever would have. When I talked to your father about your liking boys, I thought I was helping. I thought he already knew and it was just one dad talking to another about how to deal with a common issue. It became clear quickly that he knew nothing about what I was saying and I knew my son had used my good nature to do something bad. Believe me, he is paying for that, but you were the one that was ultimately hurt, and I want you to know that I wish I could take my part in the whole incident back. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you, Sam. I hope you know that."
"I do, Mr. Hummel. You and Mrs. Carole have been so good to me and letting me stay with you last year. I knew you didn't know what you were doing, but thank you for apologizing. I think I'm in a better place now. Will is a great father, and I have Blaine to get through everything."
Burt put a hand on Sam's shoulder and looked him in the eye.
"Do you know how proud Carole and I are of you, Sam. We've see you grow up in front of our eyes this summer. We watched you stand up for yourself and for Blaine. You've been the son that any man should be proud of. Your parents are asses," Burt stated. "Will is a great father figure for you, but Carole and I are still here for you if you need anything, and that goes for both of you."
He made eye contact with Blaine and the boy knew Mr. Hummel was serious. "I know talking to Kurt probably isn't an option, but I want you to know I do believe my son is sorry for what he's done. I know he's told me he wants the opportunity to apologize."
Blaine couldn't talk. Sam could tell he was holding back emotion he hadn't dealt with yet.
"Thanks, Mr. Hummel. We'll think about it," Sam determined.
After Mr. Hummel walked away, Sam wrapped Blaine up in his arms and let him hide his face in his chest so he could collect his emotions.
Across the boat, Finn stared at his two friends being so open with their emotions in front of everyone.
"You okay, Finn?" Rachel asked as she walked up to her ex.
"This is the first time I'm actually seeing them together," he pointed out. "I know their together, but it's taking me a while to get used to seeing them together. In my head, I just see Blaine with my brother. It's hard to see him with anyone else."
"You missed a lot of stuff that happened," Rachel told him. "Blaine was happy with your brother until the end, but I don't think he's ever been happier than the way Sam makes him feel."
"It isn't weird for you to see Sam with a guy, though? I mean I never thought he would be gay. He never had those thoughts when we were in high school," Finn remembered.
"Like Sam said, you can't choose who you fall in love with. He didn't get hung up on the details, Finn. He knew what he felt and didn't let it stop him," Rachel explained. "Have you even talked to them yet? Sam is one of your closest friends, so is Blaine, but Sam has been through so much with his family. He could use his friend."
"I know. It's just after talking to Puck and Mike, they seem to have gained all these new friends, and you told me how close he and Sebastian are now, which still really surprises me. I guess I don't really know where I fit it. Plus, he's like Mr. Schue's son now. That's kinda weird too," Finn explained.
"Is it weird because Sam is legally his son now or because you always thought of Mr. Schuester as a father figure and Sam's taking your place in his eyes?" Rachel asked.
"I guess that could have something to do with it," Finn admitted.
"No one is ever going to be able to take your place with Mr. Schue. You'll always be the guy that helped him build New Directions. He'll never forget that," Rachel said as she hugged her ex.
"Maybe you're right," Finn realized. "I should talk to Sam and Blaine."
"Good boy," Rachel teased.
As the water taxi got ready to dock at the Statue of Liberty, Blaine finally pulled away from Sam and looked him in the eyes.
"Am I a horrible person because I can't talk to Kurt? I mean I can't, Sam, and I don't want too. I just can't forgive him for what he did," Blaine held back tears.
"No, baby, it's not bad, and you are the most amazing person I know," Sam comforted him. "The only reason you're even upset is because you have a heart and you know Kurt is hurting and part of you hurts for him. It doesn't mean that you have to want to be around him again. You just want to know that he's going to be okay."
"But how can I do that if I don't even want to see him. I can barely look at him without being both angry and sad for him at the same time," Blaine explained.
Sam knew that Blaine would react much differently than he said he would during the tour. Blaine had put up this brave front, but he knew when his boyfriend came face to face with Kurt the emotions would overtake him. He knew that he had to relent and do this for Blaine.
"I'll go talk to him for you."
"Sam, you don't have to do that. I know you're just as upset with him as I am," Blaine stated.
"Maybe so, but it's also my job to take care of you, and this is something that you need so I don't mind doing it," Sam smiled.
The taxi docked and everyone began exiting the boat and stepping on to the island where Lady Liberty stood.
"You don't have to do it right now, do you?" Blaine asked.
"I can do it whenever you want. Do you want me to stay with you right now?" Sam wondered.
"Yes, and I don't want you going anywhere alone," Blaine demanded.
"Who said anything about you two being alone?"
The voice belonged to Mike Chang. The young couple turned to see him standing there with Tina, Quinn, Puck, Brittany, and Santana.
"Seriously, we're watching the two of you and the new kids are keeping an eye on Sebastian," Tina mentioned.
"Which I'd be scared of by the way. After seeing Sunshine and Lindsey again and meeting Lily, I wouldn't want to mess with those bitches. They're like three mini-me's," Santana smirked.
"What about Kurt?" Sam asked.
Many of them were surprised that he cared, but Quinn answered. "The adults are watching him plus Finn and Rachel. He's taken care of."
"Well, maybe," Santana pointed for everyone to look. "It looks like he about to have the first of several uncomfortable conversations." Everyone turned to look to see Mercedes walking towards him.
"Hey, Kurt," she quietly announced her presence. He turned toward her voice and immediately felt defensive.
"Is it your turn to tell me what an awful person I am," he asked.
"Well that depends," her voice changed to diva-Mercedes at the sound of his tone. "Am I talking to the bitchy Kurt of this summer or am I talking to my best friend from high school?"
"It's me, Mercedes, not the evil fairy clone as Santana dubbed my newest personality," Kurt told her.
"Good then," she smiled. "Let's take a walk."
Kurt and Mercedes began walking around the path at the foot of the statue.
"So is it okay if I just start with a question like, 'what the hell happened to you this summer?'" Mercedes asked and Kurt actually laughed at it.
"I think it's a great question to start with actually," Kurt proclaimed. "There's no way for me to answer it that doesn't make me sound like a pretentious ass though."
"That's because you were a pretentious ass," Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you try me though?"
Kurt took a deep breath. He'd yet to talk to anyone, even Finn, about this subject. But Mercedes was the one person that wouldn't judge him mid-story. She'd listen to everything he had to say before passing judgment.
"I think there has always been a part of me that's felt like I needed to fight for everything I've got. I mean I've been fighting and defending myself all my life. You've seen it first hand, and I think there was something with that which made me react the way I did," he turned to her. "I'm not trying to make excuses, but that's the only thing that really makes sense to me. When I didn't get into NYADA the entire plan I had for my life ended. I was lost and I didn't know what to do next. Blaine took me to LA to visit Cooper and I just realized to an even higher level how much I wanted to become an actor. Something happened to me and I just went into this funk of depression that I couldn't get out of. Then, I got that letter. Everything just intensified for me, and I lost perspective on reality. All that mattered was getting to New York."
"That's why you left without saying goodbye to Blaine," Mercedes assumed.
"It honestly was what I thought was the right thing to do. I was wrong, but I thought a clean break was best for us because I honestly didn't plan to go back to Lima ever. It was on the trip to New York that I regretted giving my father that letter to give Blaine. I should have done it in person, but it was too late to do anything at that point. Once I got settled at NYADA, Rachel told me she was going home for the weekend for Brittany's party. She told me it was the perfect moment to apologize to Blaine, but I was ashamed of how I left things so I decided not to do it, but at the last minute dad got me a plane ticket and I came home. I think he wanted me to make things right as well."
"So you came home with the right intentions?" Mercedes seemed to realize.
"Until I saw how disgusted Blaine's face was when he saw me. He gave me this look of hatred and just total disbelief, and I knew it was more than his anger of me leaving. My first clue was that song Sam sang. Hell, if I hadn't wanted Blaine back so badly, I would have swooned at his voice. Then I saw how Blaine looked at him. That night, my suspicion was confirmed when I heard them kissing. The rest of my time in Lima I should claim temporary insanity for. I don't have an excuse, Mercedes, I just wanted Blaine back so badly that I honestly thought I could bully him into it, but instead I turned him into an angry vindictive person who wanted to just get me back."
"Which he did with creativity," she remembered.
"Yeah, it definitely shut me up. Which led me into the arms of a dangerous man that I completely fell for," Kurt's eyes filled with desperation.
"Well you did the right thing by turning to your friends and letting us help you," Mercedes put her arm around him.
"Thanks, Mercedes," he said.
About 30 feet away, a young man in his late twenties leaned against the railing talking on the telephone. He was very attractive, brunette short cut hair, brown eyes, and an obviously muscular body under his clothes.
"Did you get the pictures I sent you?" he asked.
"I did," the voice of Charles Smythe filled his ear.
"Your little play thing is surrounded. He's in a group of thirty something people. I can't get to him, but there are a few other things I think you might find interesting. Look at the third picture I sent you."
"Is that my son?" Charles asked.
"Yeah, he's here with this group. I assume you want me to make sure nothing happens to him, correct?"
"That boy chose his mother over me. He's made his choice," Charles insisted.
"Well check out the last photo. I think you'll remember Sam. We worked at your strip joint in Kentucky at the same time. I believe he ran away right after you broke him in," the spy snickered.
"Let's make sure nothing happens to him. When the smoke settles we're going to have to leave the country. He would certainly be a fun toy to take with us," Charles laughed.
"Got it," the spy understood. "Are you sure you don't want Sebastian off limits. He is the heir to your entire fortune."
"Let me handle my son," Charles sneered. "You just keep waiting for an opportunity to get to Kurt. Make him see that he wants to come back to me or he is going to become a liability."
The group of adults walked by as the one spying on them hung up his phone and walked in the opposite direction.
"Can we talk, Will?" Shelby asked. "In private."
"Sure," Will agreed. "Why don't you guys go ahead to the shop inside and we'll meet you there."
Emma, Cooper, The Hummel's, and Mrs. Lopez all went ahead leaving the two rival coaches to talk.
"Is this about competition?" he asked.
"Not really," she gave him a forced smile. "It's about Emma."
He turned watching Emma walk away with concern. "Is something wrong with her?"
"Not her, but your relationship with her, yes," Shelby revealed. "I'm not here to judge, Will, but I think you're smart enough to know that I'm not just here to see Rachel."
"Emma said something to you in Chicago, didn't she?" Will assumed.
"She needed a girlfriend to talk to about some things. I mean, have you ever thought about the fact that outside of you, she really doesn't have that many friends?" Shelby pointed out.
"I never thought about that. I guess I'm glad that you were around. I'm a little worried about what she said to you," Will confessed.
"She definitely gave me more details than I probably wanted, but it's nice that she trusts me so much," Shelby began. "She told me about her problem with sex, and how you've tried to be supportive, but she's worried that your eye may be wandering. She knows you love her, but she knows you miss the physical interaction."
"I guess that makes me a horrible person," Will looked down at the ground.
"Believe it or not I actually defended you," Shelby said making him look back up. "Love should be enough, but the physical act of love is part of that and without it you guys are going to have problems. She thinks you are having some kind of a sexual relationship with Cooper."
Will's shocked expression told Shelby everything she needed to know so she continued.
"I don't blame you. He is a beautiful man, and you should know she's actually relieved that its not another woman," Shelby told him. "She doesn't want to lose you Will, but she knows you have a crazy strong sex drive that she can't fulfill. I think she'd rather allow you to have a fuck buddy than lose you completely."
"She shouldn't have to compromise like that, Shelby?" Will insisted.
"Maybe so, but is it fair for her to expect you to compromise your need for sex?" Shelby suggested. "I know I'm a little more sexually liberated. I've never let a man tie me down, but not being intimate would be a deal breaker for everyone I know. The fact that you would give it up tells me what a great guy you are, Will, but facts are facts. You're a man and if you go too long without it you're going to do something stupid. That's why I suggested that you look at your relationship as one that isn't typical. You commit to her completely, and she allows you to have a friend on the side provided it's only one and you don't become a man whore and take advantage of it. She's going to talk to you about this and I don't want you to get blindsided by it."
"That's not really much of a marriage is it?" Will asked.
"Stop thinking like it's typical. There's nothing typical about Emma. Will, do you love her or not?" Shelby asked a question in response to his.
"I love her more than anyone in the world?"
"And are you willing to do anything to make it work?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered.
"Well then listen to her. She's a smart woman. You might be interested by what she has to say."
An hour passed and it was time for the group to head back into the city. They got on the boat and set off for Manhattan. Sam stood with Blaine and the same group from earlier. As they sat joking around he noticed that Kurt stood at the front of the boat alone. His parents and Finchel were right there but Kurt was alone.
"I'll be back, okay?" Sam asked Blaine.
He and the others saw who Sam's attention was geared toward.
"Are you sure about this, boo? You don't have to do the right thing here. No one would blame you," Santana determined.
"He wouldn't be Sam if he didn't do the right thing," Blaine reminded her. "He just can't help himself."
He looked at Sam and smiled, "you know you don't have to do this for me, right?"
"I know. I'm actually doing it for me if you're okay with that," Sam admitted.
"Go," Blaine relented. "I love you, Sam."
Sam just winked at his boyfriend to let him know that everything would be okay. He walked in Kurt's direction, passing Rachel and Finn along the way. Both of them turned, looking on in concern. Sam just walked up next to Kurt and leaned on the railing of the ship next to someone he never thought he'd talk to again.
"Remember when you and I used to be pretty good friends," Sam asked like nothing had changed.
Kurt turned to see that he did recognize the right voice. Shock didn't closely define how amazed he was that Sam was talking to him. He didn't know how to react, but then Sam turned and gave him that million dollar smile that he was known for and Kurt realized he wasn't there to hurt him.
"Life was a lot simpler then, wasn't it?" Kurt replied.
"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Sam agreed. "You and I haven't seen each other since the train station. Lot's have changed since then."
"Yeah, I've heard a lot of things have changed in your life and I'm responsible for most of it. Sam, I take full responsibility for what I did. I never thought your parents would disown you nor did I know anything about your past with Charles. I guess we both got used by him," Kurt apologized.
"Kurt, when my family lost our home, you were the first one there to help me. I know who the real Kurt is, and I hope he's coming back to us and the asshole that visited this summer is gone," Sam turned to Kurt. "But you're right, we do have Charles in common and that puts us on the same side again."
"Are you saying you forgive me?" Kurt asked.
"The best I can give you with that is I'm trying to get there, but regardless of how I feel about this summer, we were friends for a long time before that, and Charles Smythe hurt both of us more than either of us deserved. If you'll help us make him pay for his wrongdoings it would show me that I'm talking to my old friend and not the stranger that outed me to my family," Sam told him.
"I'm totally on board, Sam," Kurt smiled. "I've already given my statement to Santana's mom." Kurt stopped talking when he noticed that Sam was staring at something over his shoulder. "What is it, Sam?"
"That guy over there has been taking pictures of us, and I think I know him," Sam informed him. He motioned to Mr. Hummel and he walked over to Sam. "Stay with Kurt."
Sam started walking toward his target and when he saw Sam walking towards him he started looking for a way out. He began walking away.
"Dylan!" Sam yelled out making the guy stop walking and several of his friends take notice. "What are you doing here? Why are you taking pictures of me and my friend?"
The young man that had spied on them all day tried to run away, but quickly realized he'd been encircled by the members of New Directions and more were running in that direction when they saw something happening. He began to run, but Mike and Puck were there to stop him. He turned and ran into the younger boys. Trying a third tactic he found himself face to face with Santana, Lily, Lindsey, Tina, and Sunshine who pushed him back towards Sam.
"Let me guess," Sam stated as he turned Dylan towards him. "You're a long way from the strip club in Kentucky where we met, so if you're in New York you must still be assisting Charles Smythe."
"I know you," Kurt came forward. "You're the courier that always brings stuff from Charles's office to the apartment."
"Yeah," Sebastian spoke up. "I've also seen you at my home with my father. I'm guessing you like being one of his conquests."
Mr. Hummel and Mrs. Lopez walked forward asking the three boys walking out of the way.
"Dylan, is it?" Mr. Hummel asked leaning down to the scared young man on the floor. "Let me introduce myself. I'm U.S. Congressman Burt Hummel from the great state of Ohio, and your boss has been taking liberties with my son. In addition to that, Mrs. Lopez here is the attorney for his soon to be ex-wife. She has made several discoveries about your husband's business practices that I'm sure he doesn't want made public. So why don't you tell him to forget my son and Sam Evans by forgetting he ever knew them. Then, he should agree to the divorce and the settlement because if he doesn't there will be a federal investigation into what he does as a businessman, got it?"
"I can't," Dylan almost cried. "If I go back to him with a message like that, and him knowing I was discovered, he'll kill me. I have to run away now."
"No you don't," Mrs. Lopez insisted. "You could help in a federal investigation to take him down and give you freedom from his reach. The choice is up to you."