Hi guys. So, I know this episode and the one after it are two of the most controversial glee episodes of all time, and that lots of people didn't have the best opinion of Finn after them. I tried to, as Rachel says, help make some wrongs right, but since this is a canon-based fic, I do have to stick to the plot to a certain extent. I apologize in advance to anyone who these two episodes might trigger. Thanks for all your reviews on the First Time chapter and please review this if you want me to keep going!

Chapter 53: Mash Off

Mr. Schuester had just told the New Directions to meet up in the auditorium. Rachel figured this would mean that he wanted a change of scenery today, but she wasn't expecting to see the Troubletones showing up. "What are you doing here?" Rachel asked.

"Shelby told us she had something to show us. What are you doing here?" Mercedes asked.

"Mr. Schue said the same thing," Finn said.

"Let me guess, he wants to combine choirs for Sectionals. Well, it's not gonna happen. The Troubletones are here to stay. So why don't you shuffle your busted choir off our stage," Santana rambled.

Rachel wasn't interested in an argument, and Finn didn't seem to be either. "Look, you guys, we can compete without being enemies. All right? We don't have to get vicious."

"Oh, I think we do, Soft Serve," Santana snarled. "The Troubletones are three Fs: fierce, femme, phenomenal. Oh, and, guys, hurry up, go get some moist towels. We have to keep Finn wet before we can roll him back in the sea."

Rachel couldn't stand hearing her boyfriend be insulted. "Okay, you know what, Santana? Finn is in great shape, and your meanness only highlights your own personal insecurities."

"And, Rachel, your mustache is thicker than a Middle Eastern dictator's," Santana shot back. Before Rachel had a chance to say anything else, Mr. Schue and Shelby came onto the stage and sang a mashup of two songs together, and Rachel thought it sounded good. "Mr. Schue, Shelby, I think we can all admit that that was weirdly amazing. But what exactly was the point?" Rachel asked at the end of the song.

"That sometimes bringing together two conflicting things can create something totally unexpected," Mr. Schue said.

"We're not combining Glee Clubs, Mr. Schue," Mercedes demanded.

"That's not what I'm talking about. Shelby and I agree that with Sectionals coming up for both of us, it's time we all got serious with some friendly competition," Mr. Schue said.

"Each group's going to put together their own mash-up to perform head-to-head," Shelby continued.

"For the first annual McKinley High Mash-Off," Mr. Schue said.

Rachel had to admit, she always enjoyed the mashup competition. Mr. Schue led the New Directions back to the choir room to decide what to do. "Okay, guys, we have our work cut out for us this week with this mash-off," Mr. Schue said when they got back to the room. "And The Trouble Tones have a lot of powerful voices, so song selection is key here. Any suggestions?"

"What about The Clash?" Artie asked.

"The Police?" Blaine suggested.

"REM!" Mike declared.

"Spice Girls," Kurt said excitedly.

"Jonas Brothers," Puck said.

"Guys, no, no, we can't use any of those bands," Finn said, reminding Rachel of what a great leader he was. "The only thing they have in common is that they all broke up, and right now the New Directions need to feel united."

"I like what you're saying, Finn," Mr. Schue said. "It's not just about the music, but where it comes from."

"Who do you think we should use?" Tina asked.

"How about this?" Finn suggested, thinking of a band. "People think Hall and Oates are famous for their cool, puffy hair and that dude's banging 'stache, but also they're awesome for staying together over the long haul."

Rachel agreed with Finn. "Just like us, despite all their differences."

"I think we should give the solo to the new guy. Get him prepared for what's in store when the stakes get high. Rory, I think you'll do a good job," Finn said.

Rory looked nervous. "Thanks, Finn, but I don't think I'm ready for that honor just yet."

"Come on," Blaine agreed. "You're totally ready, Rory. You'll kill it. We'll all help you. It's a great idea, Finn."

"Thanks," Finn said. Rachel was glad to see Finn and Blaine getting along.

x

As Finn and Rory left glee club, Rory turned to Finn. "You really think I'll be good with a solo?"

"Yeah," Finn said. "You've got a great voice."

"Thanks a million, Finn," Rory said. "I just want you to know that no matter what, I have your back. Like when that girl with the lips was saying you look like a whale, I wanted to tell her that I think you look fine."

Finn was glad someone was bringing this up. He was beginning to get tired of Santana picked on him. "I'm just sick of her talking smack about me, you know? Have you ever heard of the term trash talk?"

"Is that when you discuss trash?" Rory asked.

"No," Finn explained. "In sports, it's when one player insults another to try and get them off their game. And Santana's trying to demean us to get inside of our heads so that we remain losers. Well, it's time to start getting inside of hers."

Santana passed Finn. "Hey there, Orca."

Finn tried to think of something to get back at her. "Hey, Santana, you look like an ass-less ."

"You're skinny like all the crops failed on your family's farm," Rory said.

Santana started laughing. "That is the lamest thing I didn't understand a word of. Is that really all that you can come up with? You seriously think that you can out-insult me? I'm from Lima Heights. I was raised on insults. It's how mi abuela put me to sleep at night, and she is not a nice lady. You know, she tried to sell me once? And it wasn't till I got to kindergarten that I learned my name wasn't Garbage Face."

Finn tried to think of another way. "Then we'll have to settle this another way. Uh, today, after school. Bring your Trouble Tones."

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" Santana asked.

"Yeah, I am," Finn said. Dodgeball."

x

Rachel had to admit, she was nervous to be going to talk to Shelby. She and Shelby had some nice moments while Shelby was at McKinley, but they had a complicated history, and with Shelby coaching the Troubletones, they were competing against each other, making things even more complicated. But she knew her NYADA application had to be as good as possible. And Shelby was a national championship show choir winning coach who taught at her school.

That was enough of a connection. Shelby and Rachel had different last names, and since Shelby wasn't legally tied to Rachel, she wouldn't have to put Shelby down under her parents, so maybe this would work.

But since Shelby had been here for a few months, and she was working with another group, Rachel had written the recommendation letter herself and would just ask Shelby to sign it. She went into the auditorium, where Shelby looked up from the piano. "Hey, Rachel."

"Hi. As you might have heard, I'm applying to the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts," Rachel told Shelby.

"All the girls who beat me out in the auditions when I was in New York, they all graduated from there," Shelby recalled.

Rachel tried to think of a good lead-in. "Well, my grades are perfect, and I was the lead in the school musical and I plan on winning the election for student class president, so I just need a letter, a killer letter of recommendation."

"Wait. You're asking me to write it?" Shelby asked.

Rachel got out the letter. "Actually, I've already written it, so all you would have to do is just sign, and my résumés in there as well with the letter, so... I thought that, you know, your pedigree as a National Champion show-choir coach would just make some noise with the admissions committee."

Shelby took the letter and signed it. "Makes sense."

Rachel smiled. "Okay. Bye."

As Rachel started to leave, Shelby spoke. "I'm so proud of you." Rachel stopped and turned to face Shelby. "You are truly a star, Rachel," Shelby continued. "And it's all still out there in front of you. I'm not going to be the first person to be a little jealous of all the amazing things you have lying ahead. I'm just going to be the only one who's also cheering you on."

Rachel felt so honored. "Maybe you could come to my Broadway debut."

Shelby looked like that was obvious. "Ooh, don't try to stop me."

Rachel handed the letter and her resume to Shelby. "Maybe you could write your own version of the letter."

Shelby looked at the resume. "It's such an impressive résumé. You have the musical and all the clubs and... maybe even Student Council president. I feel bad for all the kids that don't have these big-ticket items in their CVs. They don't have a chance in hell of getting into NYADA."

Then Rachel thought. Kurt didn't have a big ticket item like this. "Shelby?"

"Yes?" Shelby asked.

"Do you think if one of these things wasn't on the resume, I'd still have a chance of getting in?"

"Definitely," Shelby said. "You're so talented, and you've led your glee club to two Sectionals victory, a Regionals victory and a top fifteen placement at Nationals. And you have great grades and lots of other experience. I don't think you have much to worry about."

"Because one of my friends is also running for student council president," Rachel said. "And the fact that both of us are running - it's kind of ruined our friendship. We were hoping to go to NYADA together..."

"Well, I don't think you need this election to get into NYADA," Shelby told Rachel. "But if you think your friend does, you'll be fine without it."

"Did any of the Vocal Adrenaline kids apply to NYADA?" Rachel asked.

"When I was there, only Jesse," Shelby said. "He didn't get in though."

Rachel cringed at the mention of her ex. "Well, like I told you before, he doesn't have much heart."

x

As Finn and Rory walked through the hall the day of the mash-off, Finn felt some confidence about their number. They'd spent the past week hard at work, and he thought it was one of their best mash-ups so far. He and Rory were two of the main soloists, and he was looking forward to singing as well as showcasing their newest member. Then Santana came up to them. "Hey, Tubs, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Hey, listen here. You can't make fun of Finn anymore," Rory demanded.

"Shut your potato hole," Santana snapped. "I'm here to apologize. Rachel's right. I haven't been fair to you. You're not fat. I should know, I slept with you. I mean, at some point, I must have liked that you look like a taco addict who's had one-too-many back-alley liposuctions."

This didn't sound like an apology to Finn. This sounded like more insults.

"Whoa," Rory interrupted.

"Please stick a sock in it or ship yourself back to Scotland," Santana continued. "I'm trying to apologize to Lumps the Clown. I am sorry, Finn. I mean, really, I'm-I'm sorry that the New Directions are going to get cshed by the Trouble Tones. I'm so sorry that you have no talent. I'm sorry that you sing like you're getting your prostate checked and you dance like you've been asleep for years and someone just woke you up. Have fun riding on Rachel's coattails for the rest of your life. Although, you know what, I would just watch out for her come holiday time, if I were him, because if I were her, I'd stick a stent in one of those boobs and let the Finn blubber light the Hanukkah lamp for eight magical nights."

Finn couldn't take this anymore. Santana had taken this way too far, and as he watched her walk away, he tried to think of something that would get her to stop. She'd poked at all his insecurities and that was not okay. Then it came to him. "Hey, Santana, why don't you just come out of the closet?" Then he saw Santana stop, and he continued thinking. He knew she was into Brittany. It made sense. Santana was cruel to others to try to scare others from being cruel to her because of her sexuality. "You know, I think I know why you're so good at tearing everybody else down," Finn continued. "It's because you're constantly tearing yourself down, because you can't admit to everybody that you're in love with Brittany and she might not love you back. That must hurt, to not be able to admit to everyone how you really feel. You know what I think you are? A coward. See you at the mash-off."

"Finn, what just happened?" a voice said. Finn turned and saw Rachel.

Had Rachel heard what just happened? Now Finn was beginning to think - had he said the wrong thing to Santana?

"What did you hear?" Finn asked.

Rachel looked upset. "I heard it all."

"What I said or what she said?" Finn asked.

"Both," Rachel said.

Finn turned to Rory. "Rory, can I talk to Rachel alone?"

"Sure," Rory said as Finn and Rachel went into an empty classroom.

"Rachel, she's been going after me lately," Finn said. "You've seen her. I don't know what I did. I know she's not a very nice person in general, but lately it feels like she's been going after me specifically. She's been making fun of literally everything about me and I just... I reached a point where I couldn't take it anymore and I just had to say something. I wanted her to see how she was making me feel."

"I get that you're upset," Rachel said. "It's upsetting me too, the way she's been treating you. But remember when I was upset about you and her having sex and I wanted to make you feel just as bad as I felt? It ended up being the biggest mistake of my life."

Finn remembered what happened then. "Yeah, that sucked."

"Do you think people know about her and Brittany?" Rachel asked.

"Well, I think it's pretty obvious," Finn said. "But it is possible that some people don't know."

"Yeah," Rachel said. "I don't know who else heard what happened with you two in the hall, but it is possible some people who didn't already know heard. And even though Santana's not the best person, she should get to decide for herself when people find that out."

Finn did feel bad about what he'd said now. It was true that the things Santana said to him had hurt, but things like that being said about him in the hall wouldn't change his life. "I guess I took things too far."

"We'll see how things play out the next few days, and if something happens, we'll deal with it then," Rachel said. "I don't know if anybody heard who would use it the wrong way, but you should apologize."

"Okay," Finn said. "Thanks for talking with me."

"Of course," Rachel said as she gave Finn a hug. "Ready for the mash-off?"

Finn gave Rachel a half smile. "We're going to kick butt.

x

Finn and Rachel were the last people to arrive for the mash-off. Finn was hoping they'd get there a little early so he could talk to Santana about what happened earlier, but since everyone was already there, now probably wouldn't be a good time. "Welcome, everyone, to day one of the first annual McKinley High Mash-Off!" Mr. Schue declared. "Okay, a couple of ground rules. Everyone, therwill be no heckling of any kind, okay? All right, here we go. Finn will represent the New Directions; Santana, the Trouble Tones for the rock-paper-scissor face-off to see who will perform first, all right? Let's get it going!"

Finn went to the center of the stage for rock paper scissors. "Let's do this. One, two, three!" He did paper, Santana did rock.

"Okay, paper covers rock. New Directions, take the stage!" Mr. Schue said.

Rachel ran over to Finn and kissed him on the cheek. "Kiss for the winner!"

The New Directions changed into their costumes and took the stage for their mashup.

Finn: What I want you've got
It might be hard to handle
Like the flame that burns the candle
The candle feeds the flame
What I've got's full stock
Of thoughts and dreams that scatter
You pull them all together
And how I can't explain
Oh yeah!
Well well you... (New Directions: I can't go for that)
You make my dreams come true (New Directions: I can't go for that, I can't go for that)
Well well well you (New Directions: I can't go for that)
Oh yeah, you make my dreams true
New Directions: I can't go for that, I can't go for that
Rory and Tina: On a night when
Bad dreams become a screamer
When they're messin' with the dreamer
I can laugh it in your face
Twist and shout my way out
And wrap yourself around me
'Cause I ain't the way you found me
New Directions:
And I'll never be the same
Oh yeah
Finn: Well 'cause you
(New Directions: I can't go for that)
You make my dreams come true
(New Directions: I can't go for that, I can't go for that)
Well well well you (New Directions: I can't go for that)
Oh yeah, you make my dreams come true
New Directions: I can't go for that
I can't go for that
Finn: Oh Listen to this, ow!
Ooooh ooh ooh oh
Finn and Quinn: I'm down on my daydream
But that sleepwalk should be over by now
I know!
Yeah you!
New Directions girls (New Directions Boys): I'll (I'll do anything)
That you want me to
(I-I-I'll) Do almost anything
Finn: You make my dreams come true
New Directions Girls (New Directions Boys): I'll (I'll do anything) (Finn: Oh Yeah!)
That you want me to
(I-I-I'll) Do almost anything
Finn: You make my dreams come true, oh
New Directions: I can't go for that
You make my dreams come true
I can't go for that
I can't go for that
Finn: I've been waiting for, waiting for,
(Quinn: I can't go for that)
Waiting for, waiting for, waiting for,
Waiting for, waiting for
New Directions: You make my dreams come true
Quinn (Finn): I can't go for that (O-oh-oh-wao)
I can't go for that
Finn: You make my dreams come true

x

The next day was the presidential debate at McKinley and Rachel couldn't stop thinking about her conversation with Shelby from the other day. When she'd tried to talk to Kurt at the dodgeball game, she hadn't had any luck. After some thinking, she knew what she had to do. All the other candidates had given their speeches, and now it was Rachel's turn. "Hello, I'm Rachel Berry, and I have campaigned for president on a crusade for school book covers, a plan to save the school thousands of dollars," she read. "While I still consider this plan an inspired stroke of political genius, I hereby withdraw my candidacy and urge you all to vote for Kurt Hummel. He's the only candidate here today who never went negative. He's the one who deserves to be president. That's why I'm casting my vote for Kurt Hummel. Vote Hummel, McKinley. Vote for Kurt."

She took her seat before Figgins announced the debate was over. When it was done, Kurt came up to Rachel at her locker. "Why'd you do it?"

"I should have withdrawn from the race when I got the lead in the musical," Rachel admitted. "You needed the résumé boost to get into NYADA. You're already so spectacular. But being senior class president will just put you over the top."

Kurt gave Rachel one of those old smiles that they seemed to just have for each other. "Only Rachel Berry could perk up an old boring high school debate with such a riveting twist."

"Drama queen. I know," Rachel admitted. "But I just... I hated you hating me."

"Me, too," Kurt said. "Scowling gives you forehead lines, and I'm way too young for Botox."

"I guess I was just, you know, focusing on my dream of going to New York and getting into NYADA, but... then realized that part of that dream is going there with you," Rachel said. "So, now I am all about helping you win. Consider me your campaign slave. I'm gonna hug you now, okay?"

"Thank you!" Kurt said, giving Rachel a hug. Rachel hadn't realized how much she missed her best friend.

x

After school, the Troubletones performed their mashup. As Finn sat listening to them finish it up, Rachel leaned over to him. "They were good, but I still think we were better," she whispered.

"Yeah, they're great, but I agree, ours was better," Finn whispered back.

Then Santana ran up to Finn. "What did you just say to her?"

Finn looked at Santana. He still hadn't gotten a chance to apologize. "I said I thought you were great."

"You're lying," Santana snapped.

"No, he literally just said that," Rachel protested.

"Did you tell her, too?" Santana shouted. "Everyone's gonna know now, because of you!"

Finn knew what Santana was talking about. He tried to think of something to say to make her feel better. "The whole school already knows, and you know what? They don't care!"

"Not just the school, you idiot... everyone," Santana said with anger.

"What are you talking about?" Finn asked as Santana slapped him across the face.

"Whoa!" Mr. Schue said. "It's after school, but Santana, come to Principal Figgins's office first thing tomorrow morning."

Santana raced out of the auditorium. Finn felt like he'd said the wrong thing again. He got up and followed her out, Rachel following behind. "Santana, I'm sorry about what happened in the hall the other day," Finn began. "I wasn't thinking."

Santana turned and faced Finn. "Hell yeah you weren't thinking! You know what? Reggie Salazar's niece overheard us and told him. He made a new anti-Sue ad that outs me!"

Oh no. This was bad. This was far worse than Finn could have imagined. He didn't think that anyone would have been paying attention. "I'm so, so sorry," Finn began. What else was there to say, really?

"I hope you're happy, Finnegan," Santana said. "You wanted to make me feel worse than you felt. You got what you wanted." She darted out of the hall and out of the building, leaving Finn and Rachel standing there.

"I feel like crap," Finn told Rachel. "I just - it isn't right for that commercial to air."

"It's not," Rachel agreed.

"Well, what should I do now?" Finn asked.

"You did something wrong, you now need to find a way to make things right," Rachel told Finn.

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