A/N I'M SO SORRY! I completely forgot to post this last week! First hubby got sick and ended up in the hospital for a few days, and then I ended up in the ER with Norovirus, and it completely slipped my mind that I hadn't posted! Seems like as soon as I get caught up on this story, I immediately Fall behind again!
Anyway, Kurt makes a statement about the shooting, Bee has a nightmare, and New Directions compete in Sectionals.
Reviews always welcome!
…
Getting Back to Normal
Kurt cleared his throat as he faced the reporters, Blaine at his side Wednesday afternoon. They'd left the kids with Wes and Annie, not wanting them to relive any bad memories.
"I would like to begin by thanking each and everyone who voted for me. It means a lot that so many people believe in me and what I stand for.
"Unfortunately there are still people out there who are afraid of where things are heading. They wish to hold on to their hatred and sense of superiority.
"Last night, one of these cowards shot at my family and me. They had no care that there were children present. They had no care for the people in the audience. They cared only about maintaining the status quo."
He held up his bandaged wrist. "This mark on my skin was their attempt to, at the very least, scare me off, and at the worst, take my life, which they deem worthless. This is not a mark of shame, however. This scar is a badge that I will proudly wear to show the world that I am not afraid. I will not back down.
"The world is changing, for the better, and those who fear change will always try and stop it. But you, the voters, have spoken. You've stated that you are ready for the future we can build together, and I am privileged to know that you have chosen me to guide us into that future!"
The crowd cheered and clapped. He waited for them to settle down before he continued. "Now, I was not the only one injured last night, and I want to thank everyone who has sent well wishes for my stepmother and daughter. Both of them are doing well, and will recover fully. I would also like to recognize my friend, Dave Karofsky, and his son, Xander, who helped subdue the gunman and prevent anyone else from getting hurt. Xander received an injury to his hand that required surgery. He is in good spirits, and expected to make a full recovery as well.
"Once again, I thank you all for your belief in me and your support."
A few of the reporters shouted questions, but the Secret Service members held them back as Kurt and Blaine made their way out of the conference room. Kurt waved at them before the doors were closed behind them.
Once they were alone, Blaine pulled him into a tight hug. "You did a great job, babe!"
Kurt squeezed him back. "Thank you. How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine. I wasn't the one who got shot last night."
"You know what I meant!"
Blaine just smiled at him. "Yes, I know what you meant. I'm fine, really. I knew when we went into this election that there would be a lot of stress and drama. I just maybe didn't think there would be this much drama. But I'm so very proud of you, Kurt. I had no doubt you'd win this election, and I have no doubt you will make a big impact in Congress."
Kurt smiled and kissed the shorter man. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
…
Lizzie and Bee wouldn't return to school until Monday, but Blaine returned to work on Thursday. Sectionals were just over a week away, and New Directions were hard at work. They'd changed out their set list, deciding to open with Come Alive, since they hadn't gotten to perform it at the cancelled Invitational. They still planned to close out with Brendan's original group number. They were also planning to do two other songs, and were still working out some issues with their choreography.
Thankfully, the newest members of the team, Colt, Tanya, Tianna, and the others all seemed eager to impress, and worked hard to fit in with the rest of the group. It also helped that Colt and Tianna were amazing acrobats as well as dancers. They had some surprises up their sleeves.
...
Bee woke up from a nightmare early Friday morning, and rushed into the nursery to reassure himself that Audy was alive and not seriously hurt. Kurt found him there, singing to his younger siblings.
He picked up his son and sat with him for a while as the boy cried quietly on his shoulder. "I'm so proud of you right now," Kurt had told the boy.
"Why?"
Kurt lifted the boy's chin so he could look into his eyes. "Because you didn't lock yourself away from us again. You didn't let this steal your voice again. You've come so far in the last year and a half. I know you find it hard to deal with somethings. I'm sorry my running for office has put you in certain situations I know have made you uncomfortable, but you've handled everything so well, I sometimes forget how sensitive you are."
Bee snuggled closer again. "I don't like being scared all the time. I want to be brave, like you and Dad."
Kurt hugged him tightly. "Oh, baby, being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared. It just means that you don't let the fear keep you from living your life, and facing whatever it is that you are afraid of. I think you are very brave, and I am so proud of you!"
…
The day of sectionals arrived, and nerves were running high. Many of the students who had been there the year before couldn't help but think about the accident as they boarded the buses. Kurt had thought about leaving Lizzie and Bee home with Wes and the babies, but had changed his mind after convincing himself that the chances of another accident were slim to none.
New Direction had drawn the second spot, right behind High Jynx, who drew first. After New Directions would be the new group from Westerville West High, followed by The Pixie Chicks, the Monarchs, and The Nightingales, in that order.
Kurt was eager to see Nick's a Cappella group compete. He'd heard them sing before, at the Trunk or Treat and other events, but had never heard them in competition before, and couldn't wait to see what they could do.
They came out with a bang, literally. Their first song was Born To Be Wild, which had the crowd cheering. They followed it up with Gaga's Applause, and finished it out with We Are, by that new group Kurt couldn't remember the name of. The crowd loved the group's dance moves and perfect harmonies.
New Directions were introduced next, and Kurt held his breath as the music began, and Danny stepped into the spotlight.
You stumble through your days
Got your head hung low
Your skies' a shade of grey
Like a zombie in a maze
You're asleep inside
But you can shake away
Johnny added his voice on the next verse.
'Cause you're just a dead man walking
Thinking that's your only option
But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day
Sun is up and the color's blinding
Take the world and redefine it
Leave behind your narrow mind
You'll never be the same
Next, Xander joined in, as the dancer joined them on the stage.
Come alive, come alive
Go and ride your light
Let it burn so bright
Reaching up
To the sky
And it's open wide
You're electrified
When the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And you know you can't go back again
To the world that you were living in
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
So, come alive!
Alyssa was next, followed shortly after by her twin, Alaina.
I see it in your eyes
You believe that lie
That you need to hide your face
Afraid to step outside
So you lock the door
But don't you stay that way
No more living in those shadows
You and me we know how that goes
'Cause once you see it, oh you'll never, never be the same
We'll be the light that's turning
Bottle up and keep on shining
You can prove there's more to you
You cannot be afraid
The boys rejoined the song at this point.
Come alive, come alive
Go and ride your light
Let it burn so bright
Reaching up
To the sky
And it's open wide
You're electrified
When the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And we know we can't go back again
To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
So, come alive!
Tianna, one of the newest members of the team, made quite an entrance as she did flips and back handsprings across the stage, while Colt and a couple of the better dancers who also happened to be on the cheer squad did basket tosses behind the singers.
Come one!
Come all!
Come in!
Come on!
To anyone who's bursting with a dream
Come one!
Come all!
You hear
The call
To anyone who's searching for a way to break free
Break free!
Break free!
When the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And we know we can't go back again
To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
(Hey!)
Tianna's voice was clear and strong as she carried the song through to the end.
When the world becomes a fantasy
And you're more than you could ever be
'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open
And we know we can't go back again
To the world that we were living in
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open
So come alive! (Come alive!) (Yeah!)
The crowd roared with their approval. It took a few moments for them to settle down before the group started their second song, Born this way. The crowd must have approved, as they gave yet another standing ovation. Their third song was another newer song, this one by Ed Sheeran, called Living The Life, Which the audience really loved as well.
Now it was time for Brendan's original song, and Kurt could feel the anticipation building. If the crowd had thought the first few songs were a powerful comeback, they were in for a real shock. Brendan took the darkened stage, and what might have seemed to be a laid back tune began to play.
Life comes rolling at you
And you don't always know what to do
But you can't let it get to you
Start running when you hit the ground
They might try to pin us down
But they're never gonna catch what can't be found
Suddenly the stage was flooded with light, and New Directions were flying across the stage on rings suspended from the rigging, or tumbling and flipping as the music swelled into a much more upbeat tempo. The group as a whole began to sing.
You can try and catch us
But you can't catch what can't be found
You think you've got us cornered, but look around
Before you blink we'll be moving in New Directions
Some of the dancers were using trampolines as they flipped and twisted in the air, all in perfectly choreographed synchronicity. The energy on the stage was incredible, and the joy on the kids' faces as the song continued pulled the audience in.
Don't know what tomorrow brings
Or what kind of arrows they may sling
Only know what the music sings
And we'll get through this alive
We'll Survive
We'll Survive
No matter what they try
We'll Survive
Moving in New Directions
By the end of the song, the entire audience was shouting in amazement and singing along with the chorus.
…
After the other teams performed, Jane approached Blaine backstage.
"It's not fair," she said with a smile to show she was only teasing. "How do you find all that talent?"
Blaine laughed and hugged her. "I can't help it if all the talented kids want to join New Directions. They just know that we're the best, and they want to be part of it! Besides, your girls are just as talented. Your interpretation of I Need A Hero was amazing."
"Uh huh," She laughed. "My girls are great, but in case you didn't notice, none of them were doing a trapeze act on stage. There is a reason for that."
Blaine laughed, and hugged her again as the teams were called out to the stage for the awards. Jane Addams took third place, and High Jynx came in second. No one was surprised when New Directions were announced the winners.