5YL Let the Encore Commence

Part 51

Once the New Directions arrived at the rehearsal site, one of them looked over at Mr. Schuester. "Since the Warblers are student run, whose running this rehearsal?" She asked, as the others quickly chimed in with similar questions.

"Although it wasn't stated, I'm assuming Blaine expects me to do so, which isn't an issue." Will replied as they headed towards the doors. "Now, you all remembered your music in case I need to refer to certain sections."

"Of course, we did, but you should be hoping the Warblers did the same." One of the guys said. "Considering how they act, they probably thought they were passed needing it."

"While I might not care for their attitudes, the Warblers are usually prepared, so I'd gather they remembered their music." Will said, before sighing ever so slightly as he heard the indisputable harmonies of the Warblers coming from down the hall.

"Clearly, we're not the first one here." Another one of the girls stated as they all heard them.

"Did you really expect us to be when they only had to travel a couple miles unlike us."

"Enough, as the rehearsal venue was chosen based on its similar acoustics to the actual venue." Will told them, though even he wasn't thrilled by how far they had to travel. The sarcastic responses which followed, let him know the New Directions didn't really accept that answer. "Also, try to behave, as this rehearsal is already going to be stressful, we don't need in fighting."

"Well, tell them not to act better than us, and there won't be an issue." One of the guys said to him, something the others clearly agreed with. The closer they got, the clearer the Warblers became and begrudgingly, they had to admit they sounded good.

Upon walking into the space, they saw the Warblers situated on risers, with a man before them. "Since when do they have a coach?" One of the girls asked as they made their way down the aisle."

"As of Regionals, they didn't." Will said as they came closer, their presence not taking the Warblers out of the moment. They were nearing the front of the stage when the Warblers finished and he heard the man speak.

"Seriously guys, that is exactly the sound Blaine's hoping for."

"Is that so?" Will replied, causing the man to turn, and for Will to come face to face with Wes. "I know you, don't I?"

"We met in passing, Wes Montgomery."

"You, were part of the Warblers when Blaine was there."

"He wasn't just a Warbler, he was head of the council." One of the Warblers chimed in, earning him a glance from Wes as Skylar shook his head.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was in town, thought I'd see how the Warblers were coming along with their part for the benefit." Wes's response, had the Warblers exchanging looks, as clearly he wasn't going to state his actual reason for being there.

"Oh, well, I'll take it from here."

"Excuse me?" Skylar stated while stepping forward. "But, who put you in charge of this rehearsal." The moment he stepped forward, Will recognized the young man as the one he'd had words with at Regionals.

"Not to take away from how you guys do things, but in this case, it's best to have a director in charge." Will replied, causing Wes to look off toward the wing where Shelby was standing, finishing a call with Derek.

"Who said there isn't someone here to do just that?" Wes replied, much to Will's surprise. "I mean, do you really think Blaine would leave something this important to him up to chance?"

"What would you know about what Blaine wants?" One of the New Directions said, earning a chuckle from the Warblers. "I'm serious, not to mention, what you guys were singing sounds nothing how it's supposed to sound."

"Do you want to answer her question Mr. Schuester, or should I, at least pertaining to the first part?" Wes replied as he stood looking at them. "Regarding the latter, I'll refer that statement to the lady in charge."

"He knows, because he and Blaine have been friends since high school." Will told her.

"Still, doesn't mean he'd know for sure."

"I can happily vouch for Wes here, in that he knows exactly what Blaine wants, and expects regarding this number." Shelby said as she made her way onto the stage. "Long time no see Will."

"Shelby? What are you doing here?" Will said to her.

"Blaine asked me to oversee rehearsal to insure the two groups sound like a cohesive unit." Shelby told him. "With limited rehearsal time once all the parts are brought together, he didn't want to risk any issues." She then turned towards the Warblers. "Guys, you proved Wes wasn't exaggerating regarding how good you sound. So, if you wouldn't mind going to take a seat, I'd like to hear the New Directions on their own before combining the groups."

"Not a problem." Skylar replied, before motioning for the guys to make their way off the risers.

They were in the process of making their way off, as the New Directions set their belongings down, before taking their places. "Blaine does realize I'm more than capable of leading a joint rehearsal." Will said to Shelby and Wes as he made his way onto the stage.

"Never said he didn't, but you don't know the exact sound he's looking for." Shelby told him. "I do, as I sat down with him before he'd even sent the music off to everyone."

"According to one of the New Directions, their take doesn't sound the same as what the Warblers were doing when they walked in." Wes said to her, and immediately she raised an eyebrow. "Is this true Mr. Schuester?"

"Our take is slightly different, but I'm sure we can come up with a compromise regarding what we believe it should sound like." Will replied.

"No, there will be no compromise." Shelby stated. "Blaine was rather specific in his notes, what he expects, specifically in regard to tempo."

"Just listen to my kids, and then we can talk." Will said, prompting Wes to roll his eyes as he walked away from them, as he went to get the New Directions in position.

"He did not just say that." Wes muttered to Shelby as they headed into the audience.

"He did, which is precisely why Blaine wanted me here." Shelby said to him, hoping to reassure him. "He doesn't seem to grasp that it's not only the Warblers his idea is impeding, but the rest of you, and Blaine."

"There's no creative liberties in this, this is Blaine's take on the song, not his."

"I know, Wes, I know." Shelby said to him. "Trust me, when all is said and done, things will be as Blaine wants." Wes nodded, before looking at his phone as Chole had sent a text saying she was on her way back as she'd gone to get coffee.

With the arrangement out in front of her, Shelby was instantly shaking her head as the New Directions were covering the intro, which was solely the Warblers. Then, she began to hear one of them singing, which shouldn't have been happening as the initial lyrics were being sung by former Warblers. Easy as it would've been for her to stop them there, she decided to let them finish, instead making notes pertaining to their denoted parts. They were about halfway through, when Skylar tapped Wes on the shoulder, as the tempo they'd chosen was quicker than what Blaine had stated, to which Wes could only reply, that he knew.

Once they finished, Shelby looked over at Wes who was clearly unimpressed by what he'd heard, even if they sounded good. "So, what do you think?" Will asked her, as she continued jotting down notes. "Shelby."

"It was nice, if you're performing it elsewhere, but for this, not so much."

"What do you mean, they sounded great?"

"I never said that didn't sound good, but, that's not how it's supposed to sound Will." She replied as she rose from her seat. "That doesn't even come close to the tempo Blaine denoted in his notes, as he was specific where the metronome needed to be set."

"It felt a little slow, so…"

"You're not the only one's singing." Skylar chimed in. "Did you really expect us to simply go along with what you and your group felt was best?"

"Skylar, let Shelby handle this." Wes said to him, though he completely understood where his frustration was coming from.

"Wes is right, leave this to the adults." Will said, shocking not only Skylar, but Wes and Shelby as well.

"Respect is a two-way street." Wes was quick to remind Will. "He's rightfully frustrated, as that wasn't close to what Blaine expects." He was in the midst of his response, when Chloe came walking in and could sense the tension in the room. Shelby then looked at Wes, before placing a hand on his forearm, which caused him to take a deep breath.

"While it might feel a bit slow to you, you need to do it at the tempo Blaine specified." Shelby said as she made her way onto the stage, and then made her way towards the metronome. After she started it, she looked at Will. "That, is where the song needs to be and there is no negotiating." She then pointed towards her notes which Wes happily handed to her. "Now, what was with you guys covering the Warblers parts, as per the score, the opening features their harmonies."

"We didn't see the harm." One of the New Directions replied.

"It's not your part, so you worked on it was for naught." Shelby replied. "Not to mention, you were missing the bass, which sets the tone." She then looked at Will. "Who told them to learn the lyrics, as now that individual hasn't learnt their harmonies."

"We did it for rehearsal purposes." Will replied. "She knows her part Shelby. I'm sure the Warblers did the same."

"We did not." Skylar told him. "We focused on our harmonies knowing they are the basis of the number. But I'm not surprised you didn't grasp that, after all, acapella isn't your thing."

"Enough!" Shelby stated firmly, knowing the situation could easily escalate, as she did, Chloe joined Wes, handing him his coffee.

"Clearly this is going as Blaine expected." She said softly, to which he nodded as Skylar and Will essentially glared at one another.

"Will, I need you and the New Directions to do it again, this time per Blaine's instructions, which means his tempo, coming in when you're supposed to, and, no lyrics, focus on the harmonies. For while Skylar was a bit blunt, he was correct. The harmonies the Warblers and New Directions are providing, are what the others performing are counting on. With this being acapella, you are the musical accompaniment." Before they were even a third of the way through, Shelby was stopping them, as she didn't like what she was hearing, and it was evident Will didn't approve. "Warblers, will you please take the stage. New Directions, make your way to the top two risers as the Warblers are in front."

"Of course they are." One of the New Directions said causing Shelby to take a step forward.

"One more word out of you, and you will not be participating in this number at the benefit. Do I make myself clear?"

"Mr. Schue, she can't do that?"

"Shelby, isn't that a bit extreme?" Will replied.

"No, it's not extreme as we do not have the time for petty jealousy." Shelby said in response. "And for the record, I do have that sort of power, that goes for all of you." She continued, making sure to look at all of them, including the Warblers. "Not that I owe you any justification, but the Warblers are out in front as they will be on stage first. You won't coming onto the stage, till you join in."

"Excuse me?" Will asked. "How do you know this as Blaine said nothing about this to me?"

"Because he discussed this with me." Shelby replied, causing Chloe to stifle a giggle as she wasn't taking anything, from anyone. "Skylar, is everyone in the right place?"

"Yes." Skylar replied.

"Good." Shelby then looked back at Wes. "Would you mind turning on the camera so we have playback?"

"Not at all." Wes told her.

"Alright, now let's try and do this together." Shelby said to them. "And New Directions, take your lead from the Warblers. Because like it or not, they are on point regarding what Blaine requested." Much as had occurred at Dalton, Wes found himself singing softly to himself once the moment presented itself. A moment which had him slipping his arm around Chloe, embracing the moment. Yet the moment the New Directions came in, things came to a halt. "There is something to be said for subtly, which you weren't." She told them after stopping them and then looking at Will. "Also, what point of blending with the Warblers, don't you seem to grasp as you came in with the intent to overpower them."

"Pull back a little." Will said to them, earning him a glare from Shelby. "What?"

"You do realize there is going to be someone singing in this moment, right? If they come in that loud at the benefit, they will drown the person out."

"You mean Blaine." One of the New Directions stated, as Chloe pressed a kiss to Wes's cheeks, all too aware of who was going to be singing in that moment.

"No, I said, person, as all of you, aren't the only one taking part in this number."

"This is why we had someone singing the lyrics." Will said to her.

"What good would that have done given how loud they were when they just came in?"

"They simply need a reminder Shelby."

"A reminder they won't get when it's showtime. Did you even teach them how to properly build, because coming in that loud, there is nowhere else to go?" She then decided to have them all come in on the first note, to see if they could not only blend, but not overpower the Warblers. While this was happening, Wes's phone went off in his pocket.

Is it the disaster B predicted?

Aren't you supposed to be on vacation?

We are, but he's distracted and won't admit it. So?

It must be bad if you're texting me.

Disaster, or no?

Semi-disaster, but Shelby has it under control, promise.

He's not going to like that.

Just tell him, he sent the right woman for the job at hand.

This is Blaine we're talking about.

And I trust you to ease his concerns.

S.A-S is typing…

Normally it wouldn't be, but you know what this means to him.

I do, which is why I'm not giving you or him, false hope.

Go enjoy your vacation, we've got this.

Fine, but don't be afraid of speaking up, Shelby will listen to you.

I know. Now go reassure your husband, I don't doubt your ability to do so.

Angel/Devil-horned emojis

Once Wes chuckled, Chloe tilted her head ever so slightly. "Do I even want to know who that was or what garnered such a reaction?"

"Sebastian, as Blaine's worried about what's going on here."

"Clearly he knew deep down, he was taking a chance." Chloe told him.

"I know, but, it shouldn't be distracting him to the point Sebastian's texting me." Wes said before looking back at the stage, where Shelby was building the harmonies with the two groups. "Here I thought I was being pessimistic when I told the Warblers this could be a long day."

"No, you were being realistic based on what Blaine said to you." She then kissed him on the cheek once again. "I'm really looking forward to hearing this put together, especially based on what your Mom had to say yesterday."

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"Of course not." Chloe told him. "She merely said you being at Dalton, brought back a lot of wonderful memories, and began talking about your Warbler days. I have a feeling, she's not going to be the only happy parent in that room."

"David said something similar before we came home. I just hope Sebastian is able to reassure Blaine that everything is alright."

"If anyone can, it's Sebastian."

"That's what I said, yet he texted me Chloe, so…"

"Probably because deep-down, he needed the reassurance too, so as not to give Blaine false hope."

"I hope so."

"If I've learnt anything since getting to know them, is that while Sebastian will do everything in his power to make Blaine happy, he's not going to lie to him to do so.""

"True, and he's been given plenty of opportunities to…"

Wes's train of thought was brought to an abrupt halt when Shelby stopped them once again and turned towards Wes and Chloe. "Wes, you know the lyrics, correct?"

"I do, why?"

"I would appreciate it if you would sing them, so they can learn the subtleties necessary for acapella." Once Shelby spoke, Wes saw the Warblers all shaking their heads, yet he hoped they knew the comment wasn't directed at them.

"Guess Nick saying everyone shouldn't come home, isn't such a crazy thought now." Wes said to Chloe after telling Shelby it wouldn't be a problem.

"I could've sung them." Will said to her as Wes made his way back onto the stage.

"I know you could've, but I asked Wes."

"Shelby."

"Will, if you'd followed Blaine's directions, we wouldn't be having this problem."

"What problem?"

"The New Directions have no concept of dynamics pertaining to this song!" Shelby declared. "Did you not hear that last passage? They completely overpowered the Warblers once again!"

"Maybe they should sing louder." One of the New Directions stated.

"Why, so when it comes time for Blaine to sing, has to basically scream?" Shelby replied. "There is no build with you guys. You know what, don't sing this time. I only want to hear the Warblers and Wes."

"What about the soprano parts?" One of the girls asked.

"I'll cover them.

"You?"

"Don't." Will stated before Shelby even had a chance to respond.

"Wes, will that be an issue for you?" Shelby asked as she finally picked up the tea Chloe had brought back for her.

"No."

"Good, then let's do this. Skylar, count it off."

Since Wes tended to practice when she wasn't home, Chloe couldn't help but smile as she listened to him sing, something he didn't do too often. There was something about listening to Wes with the Warblers proudly backing him, Chloe couldn't help but record a bit of it, then send it off to Sebastian for reassurance.

After watching the video, Sebastian made his way inside and slid up behind Blaine who was making them drinks. "What if I told you I have proof, that Shelby has everything under control?" Blaine glanced back at him before returning his focus to the drinks before him. "Do you doubt me Killer?"

"It's going to take more than words from Wes, to reassure me that I didn't make a big mistake."

"I have proof."

"What type of proof?"

"Video from Chloe, which she describes as a teaching moment." Sebastian whispered into his ear as he tightened his hold around his waist. "Shelby got Wes to sing, he's backed by the Warblers, and Schuester doesn't look happy." Slowly Blaine turned his head, allowing Sebastian to catch the smirk on his face. "Why B, you really do have a dark side." Sebastian teased, causing Blaine to chuckle. "And to think, there was a time you were wondering if I'd love you with your Dark Side."

"You're ridiculous."

"You asked the question back in the day." Sebastian reminded him before pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You really don't mind, he's upset, do you?"

"If he's upset, Shelby put him in his place." Blaine said before attempting to turn in his arms. "Bas." At the sound of his name, Sebastian loosened his hold, ever so slightly. "If she's upset, my instructions clearly weren't followed."

"I know. I merely asked as this isn't a side of you that comes out too often, that's all." The next thing Sebastian felt was Blaine's lips against his. "Now, about that video."

"Still want to see it?"

"I do, as I want to put it in context." Blaine then kissed him once again. "Thank you."

"For?"

"Knowing what was bothering me, yet not dismissing how I felt, and reaching out to Wes."

"Given the previous news my Dad gave us, there is no reason for you to not be enjoying yourself to the fullest. So, if reaching out to Wes again gave you peace of mind, then that's what needed to be done. And, I know what this means to you, I get your concern as I don't want it screwed up either."

"I hate that I was right."

"You know Mr. Schuester's tendencies, it was understandable. But now…" Sebastian said as his hands slipped to Blaine's ass. "Your focus can go back where it belongs, to me."

"Is that so?" Sebastian nodded, before giving him a kiss. "Is that selfish?"

"Not in the slightest, as that's where I want my focus to be too."