A/N: Again sorry for taking so long. With the Covid 19 situation my work and school situation have become weirder but hopefully things have calmed down and I'll get the next one sooner. I also started a new story called We've come this far, no turning back to talk about the original glee club members if you guys are interested

Stay Safe y'all

Fred blinks as he opens his eyes and groans. He doesn't need the blinking alarm clock next to him to tell him the time; the room draped in darkness already does that. Just as he suspected when he turns to see the alarm clock he finds that it's just around 5 in the morning. He blinks away the last bit of sleep as he sits up. He knows from previous experience that he isn't simply going to be able to lie back down and go to sleep. Tiredly, he gets off the bed and stumbles towards the chair he has in the corner of the room. He reaches underneath it and opens the small flap he's carved knowing his parents would never look there. He pulls out the carton of cigarette he has hidden in the flap. He opens it and curses. He only has two cigarettes left and he's going to have to get more soon. Although he doesn't get them himself he knows a guy that can get them for him. He takes a cigarette out and puts the carton back before grabbing his lighter and putting it in his pocket just in case his parents catch him. They don't, just like he figures they wouldn't. His parents aren't the most attentive by any definition. He steps outside into the cool Lima September morning. He lights his cigarette before putting the lighter back in his pocket and taking a drag. Out of the corner of his eye he sees a light turn on in the house next door but he keeps his eyes on the road. If they wanted to come out they would. A few minutes later, as he's taking another drag, he hears the front door open and a figure step outside.

"Those things will kill you, you know?"

"Mind your own business," Fred growls although there's no real malice to his words. The figure laughs as she steps closer.

"I would but minding yours is funnier." Abigail Lynch laughs as she draws her blanket closer to her and looks at her cousin. Abigail was three years older and the only person Fred had told about being gay. Fred just scoffs as he fiddles with the cigarette in his hand.

"Come on; tell me what going on in that head of yours so we can both get out of this weather." The September morning was especially brutal.

Fred sighs as he drops his cigarette on the sidewalk before stomping on it.

"He's in my class."

Abigail burrows her eyebrows as she looks confused before mouthing the word Oh. She sighs before walking over and standing next to him.

"So he's in your class huh?"

Fred nods annoyed as he turns to look at the sky.

Abigail chuckles as she looks at the sky too.

"You know you're eventually going to have to be honest with people about who you are. And that starts with being honest with yourself."

"I hate you so much you know that right?" Fred snaps at her but he knows she's right. Abigail chuckles again.

"I'm aware. Now come on go inside, get some sleep. Don't you have football practice tomorrow?"

Fred rolls his eyes at the only member of his family he could honestly say gave a shit about him. He turns around and starts heading back into his house before turning around.

"Love you."

"Love you too." Abigail watches as her cousin walks back up to the front door before making her way inside her own house.

"Eat my space dust you moron." Shawn exclaims as Superman on the screen punches Red Hood again.

Chad rolls his eyes on the other end of the headset before pressing his controller and watching as Red Hood throws a mine on the ground. "And that is why we do not get cocky too early."

Shawn groans as he watches as Red Hood's jump and shoot Superman before he throws his controller on the ground. "Ok explain to me how Red Hood defeats Superman. Explain that to me."

Chad laughs. "Batman's son, Talia Al Ghul's protégée in a way. You honestly surprised. I still can't believe you picked superman, I thought you hated him."

"I do." Shawn rubs his eyes before picking up his controller. "Fine, best two out of three? I'll beat you with Batman this time."

"Alright fine, I'll keep winning with Darkseid."

Shawn sits up straight at that. "Whoa, you can't be Darkseid. I thought we agreed no villains."

"We didn't agree on jack." Chad laughs as he takes a sip of water.

"Fine then. If you get Darkseid, I get Joker."

"Alright then, let's go."

Both boys sit up straight as their fingers fly over their respective controllers.

"So you hung out with Camilla last night huh?' Shawn asks into his headset as on screen Joker dodges an attack from Darkseid.

"Yep." Chad didn't consider himself the kind of guy to get easily frustrated but the fact that Shawn was dodging all his attacks was doing it.

"You two are what exactly now?" Shawn reaches over to grab an orange slice, his eyes never leaving his TV.

"We're not dating if that's what you mean." Chad whoops triumphantly as Darkseid finally manages to knock Joker down. Shawn groans as he looks at the power bars.

"Not over yet. So how do you feel about it?" Shawn breathes as he resets himself preparing to attack.

"It's her choice, if she doesn't want to date, she doesn't want to date. I still think her reasons are dumb but whatever." Chad curses as Joker starts attacking Darkseid.

"Fine just make sure you don't break up the band."

"Wouldn't dream of it. So how about you and Vic?"

Shawn gapes and has to scramble to avoid Chad's attack. "Me and Vic? There's nothing to me and Vic. Anymore that is. You know what I mean."

Chad chuckles as he successfully startles his best friend. "Fine, now how about you and what's her name, Monica."

Shawn rolls his eyes even though he knows Chad can't see him. "Ok again there is nothing between me and Monica. But ha." Shawn smiles triumphantly as Darkseid finally dies leaving Joker with the victory.

Chad smiles and shakes his head aware Shawn couldn't actually see him. "Alright, rubber match later? Got homework."

"Shawn laughs. "Yeah sure talk to you later."

"Maxine, another one of your glee club people is here." Viola yells to her daughter upstairs.

"Send him up please." Maxine yells back to her mom before punching Jeremiah, who had chosen to fall asleep on her bed, in the stomach waking him up with a start.

"I'm up, I'm up. Seriously you call a guy to your house on Saturday morning and you don't let him sleep."

Maxine rolls her eyes at him as footsteps are heard on the stairs before Byron appears at her door.

"Hola."

Jeremiah nods as he sits up on her bed.

"Sup."

"Hey." Maxine pulls out two outfits from her closet and holds them up for Byron. "Which one do you think looks better?"

Byron looks at the outfits quizzically before looking at Jeremiah who shrugs.

"Terrance from homeroom asked her to go to the movies with him this afternoon and now she's freaking out."

Byron nods as he goes to sit besides Jeremiah on her bed.

"Yes and because this one annoyed Alex I can't ask her, so I'm asking you two."

"Why?" Byron questions as Maxine just raises an eyebrow at him causing him to nod.

"Oh right that. You know just because I'm gay doesn't mean I'm a fashionista," Byron looks at the two outfits in her hand. "That one."

Maxine nods as she put the other one back in her closet. "Oh also you two are coming to the mall with me. Terrance also has friends that are coming."

Both Jeremiah and Byron sit up straight at that.

"I'm sorry what?"

"I never agreed to that."

Maxine rolls her eyes at both of them. "Oh come on it's not that bad. You guys don't even have to stay for the movie, just hang around the mall. Come on please. My parents would never let me go alone with a guy. But I mean they trust you two. Or at least they trust Jeremiah and Byron's gay."

Byron looks at Jeremiah. ""Seriously who is Terrance?'

Jeremiah waves his hand. "He's a guy in our homeroom. Wears a fedora every day. Apparently people think he's cool. I don't see it."

Byron just looks at him condescendingly. "Oh right and you wearing your headphones as an accessory are so much better."

Jeremiah rolls his eyes at him. "Go one day without wearing a leather jacket and then talk to me."

Maxine snaps her fingers to get their attention. "Guys have this fight later. Yes or no?"

Both sigh before looking at each other and nodding.

"Fine I guess we're in."

Maxine claps her hands excitedly. "Great. That was easier than I thought it was going to be."

Byron and Jeremiah roll their eyes as they watch Maxine go around her room to get ready.

On Monday morning Shawn practically runs into the choir room. He knew he would be the last one there, Chad having sent him a million texts about him being late. But he hopes thar he would make it in class before Mr. Hudson got here.

"Hey guys where's Hudson?"

"He had to talk to Coach Evans about something I think." Shawn could feel Maxine's indifference as the younger teen scrolls through her phone. "Why?"

Shawn grins like a Cheshire cat. "Ok so my sister was a freshman when he was a senior here but she was friends with some sophomores who told her that the year before the glee club had performed at lunch to get more members and someone filmed it and you guys have to see this video, it is the greatest thing ever."

He puts down his bag and gets his laptop out before pulling up the video and turning it towards them so they can see, on the screen, their glee coach wearing a fake gold chain and rapping Jay Z lyrics.

"Oh my." Byron says shocked as the rest of them. Shawn laughs as he watches both the others reactions and the video on the screen Out of the corner of his eye he sees Finn enter the room so he quickly closes his laptop before bouncing up the steps to his seat at the top of his steps.

Finn arrives a little breathless after rushing from the locker room to the choir room. Sam had asked him to talk in the morning about one of the JV football players as they were on the verge of losing their academic eligibility because of their grades. So Finn had spent the morning with the kid and Sam working on a plan to improve their history grade. That had frazzled him a little but he was determined to finally start glee clubs prep for Sectionals.

"Hey sorry I'm late." He takes a breath as he heads to the board and starts writing however he pauses as the hair on the back of his neck starts to stand and he turns back to look at the Glee Club. All of them are paying close attention to him, even Fred and Camilla, who normally treat the class with mild amusement. "Umm, what's up guys?"

"Oh nothing much." The corners of Byron's mouth twitch betraying the glee he's feeling. "But hey you know I was thinking. You know who we could sing? Sinatra."

"Oh hey that's a good idea." The fact that came from Fred, who was smiling, worries Finn. "Hey you know interesting fact about Sinatra, he's from New Jersey but he claims New York. Like say for example Jay Z. How much do you about Jay Z Mr. Hudson."

Finn had been teaching long enough, coupled with his own adolescence to know a trap when he sees on.

"Ok what's going on?"

Chad nudges Shawn. "Show him."

Finn's curiosity piqued as Shawn smiles before retrieving his laptop and facing it towards Finn. Finn watches as his 16 year old self appears on the screen rapping to Jay Z lyrics wearing a fake gold necklace. He had to admit he found himself laughing at some of the stuff on the xreen but looking at the amusement on his students face, he knew he couldn't let them see it.

"Ok in my defense it seemed like a good idea at the time. Plus said that we had to do something to bring in new performers so we thought Jay Z was popular so we figured why not."

"Ok that's all good but what were you guys doing exactly and how did you guys think it would work?" Finn wasn't sure if he was happy that Alex was finally participating in glee or annoyed at her. But she did give him an idea.

"Oh you guys think it's easy?" With a smile he heads to the whiteboard and erases what he had previously written and writes the word group. "Alright your assignment this week is to come together as a group and perform a group number. If you need to you also have next week. And if it's good enough then we just might perform it for sectionals."

Seeing the look on the kids faces he smiles, teach them to try and make fun of him.

"Everyone understand?" Various kids around the room nod. "And remember this has to be unanimous. You all have to agree on this."

Jeremiah raises his hand. "Umm were any of your decisions unanimous?"

Finn chuckles at that. "You know one day I'm going to introduce you to five people: Rachel Berry, Kurt Hummel, Mercedes Jones, Quinn Fabray and Santana Lopez and you will understand why no decision could be unanimous. Alright now come on I want to hear suggestions. What should we sing as a group number?"

The rest of the class was pretty uneventful with random numbers being thrown out and almost all of them being shot down. Finn still smiles as he looks at the entire group of kids engaging. Also he had to remember to get the link for the video from Shawn to share in the glee group chat. He would also bring in some of the group numbers they did in their competition as inspiration but Jake was right. This was about them and not the previous versions of the club.

Finn arrives home after classes for the day end. He walks inside the house and checks his phone for messages. He has one from Sam.

Hey man thanks for your help today. I talked to Brandon's parents and they were happy with the plan we made to help him get his grades up and understood he couldn't play football until.

Finn smiles as he texts a quick message back

Hey it's honestly no problem. Tell his parents they can talk to me too if they have any concerns or questions.

He then checks his email to find that Shawn had indeed emailed him the video of the glee club singing Empire State of Mind. He quickly saved it before texting it to the Glee group chat. He didn't expect an reply knowing all of them were probably busy with school or work but surprisingly the response came fast.

Mike: Oh my God where did you find this

Kurt: What was up with my hair?

Jake: Is that my brother rapping?

Mercedes: Oh wow look at how young we are

Finn laughs at the responses before texting them back

Yeah one of my students has a sister that went to McKinley around this time and he showed me this video. Yeah Jake that's Puck and also you should know that the glee kids have banned me from rapping and said that Puck and Artie are on thin ice because and I quote 'they weren't as cringe worthy' so take that for what you will.

He turns his phone off and goes to make his dinner so he can make his dinner and grade some more papers. He pauses his grading when his phone buzzes and he goes to check it

Rachel: Those were fun times

Finn smiles to himself before turning the phone off again reminding himself to call Rachel again over the weekend.

Shawn moves his food around his plate not really wanting to eat. He can feel his mom and his sister staring at him and he knows why which is why he is no rush to look up. Finally he figures he can't ignore this anymore so he looks up.

"Yes?"

Whitney Andrews looks at her only son and sighs. "So your dad called me again."

Shawn jaw tightens. "I'm sure he did."

Whitney shakes her head at him. "Ok I know you still don't like him but he is still your father so at the very least you should have one dinner with him."

Shawn sighs. "Do I have to?"

"Hey it's not that bad." Kelly is the one that answers this. "Come on I had dinner with him two weeks ago it wasn't that bad."

"Good for you." Shawn looks between his mom and sister before sighing. "I don't have a choice do I?"

"Nope." Kelly answers as she stands up. "Dinner, Thursday I'm taking you to make sure that you actually go.

Shawn rolls his eyes. "Fine."

Before glee rehearsal on Tuesday, Byron snags the chair next to Maxine.

"So hey I haven't had a chance to ask you, how was your movie?"

Maxine rolls her eyes. "Jeremiah put you up to this?"

Byron smirks. "Nope your mom did."

"Bye."

Byron raises his hands as he walks back to his seat.

Finn walks into the choir room and starts writing down songs on the board. He then turns to the kids

"Alright, so these are the first five songs we talked about yesterday that we would sing for our group number." He pauses as he counts the number of people in the room. "Wait where's Shawn?"

A cough is heard behind him as Shawn walks into the class, dragging his backpack behind him. "Sorry I'm late."

He makes his way to the top of the steps and sits down in his regular spot as Chad and Camilla's eyes follow him. As everyone else starts debating what songs they want to sing for the group Shawn leans down and whispers to Chad. "Hey dude, you want to hang out tomorrow night?"

Chad looks at him and rolls his eyes. "Sorry Kelly already texted me. You're not getting out of this."

Shawn glares at him as Camilla pipes up from behind them. "Come on, this could be good for you."

Shawn looks between them before scowling. "You both are traitors."

Victoria, who had tuned out the rest of the group, looks up at the trio. "Wait what'll be good for him?"

The trio looks up to see the conversation around them ending as most are looking at them. Shawn glares at Chad who just shrugs. "Shawns having dinner with his dad tomorrow."

Whatever reaction the rest of the club expected it wasn't Victoria and Fred simultaneously going Oh, the two of them knowing Shawn the best apart from Camilla and Chad. Alex blinks before looking at Victoria.

"Wait, what's going on?"

Victoria leans over to her although she knows everyone can hear her. "Shawn hasn't seen his dad in 7 years."

The rest of the glee club looks at Shawn who just scowls and shrinks into his seat so Chad decides to take charge. "Yeah until like a month ago where he got back in touch with his family."

"Because his girlfriend couldn't believe her new boyfriend could abandon his family." Shawn mutters causing Camilla to roll her eyes.

"That's what Shawn thinks."

"Yeah Camilla and me, and his sister and mom, think it's because he actually wants to change." Chad jumps in.

Victoria bites her lip thoughtfully. "Yeah I agree with Shawn."

"Yeah I'm on Shawn's side." Fred adds causing Chad to glare at him.

"Dude."

"What, dude comes back after 6 years and thinks everything will be cool." Fred shrugs as Shawn sits up straight.

"Ok this is not a meeting about my family situation. Can we talk about Glee now?" He groans before turning to the board for the first time since arriving. "Woah who put Shawn Mendes on there. I'm not singing Lost In Japan."

"Oh and Coldplay is that much better." Shawn turns to Brandi who just rolls her eyes at him causing him to smile.

"Hey Viva La Vida is a classic."

"Playing a little fast and loose with the word classic aren't you?" Fred questions with a smirk.

Chad laughs and Shawn turns to him with a wounded expression and Glee Club goes back to normal. Except for Finn who keeps replaying the conversation in his head.

Shawn pauses as he contemplates whether he really needs the books in his locker. Getting rid of Chad and Camilla had been easy enough after they had spent the whole week bothering him but this one was going to be tougher. Victoria Salazar plays on her phone as she leans against the locker next to his. Sighing he runs a hand across his blond hair before walking to his locker and opening it like she's not there. Victoria puts her phone in her pocket and studies him.

"Why didn't you tell me that your dad was back?"

Shawn just shrugs as Victoria rolls her eyes before slamming his locker shut leaving him just enough time to pull his hands out. She then slides in front of his locker as he takes a step back.

She glares at him while he keeps his stare level until her eyes soften.

"You know of all people I'm not going to judge you."

Shawn just nods as Victoria moves and lets him get the books from his locker.

" However I do think that this is a good idea for you."

Shawn opens his mouth to protest and Victoria holds her hand up.

"I'm not saying that in a you need to forgive your dad way. I'm saying that in a you need to heal way. You've been holding on to this for so long that it might be time to forgive him. And yourself."

"Would you?"

A look of hurt flashes in Victoria's eyes as Shawn immediately recoils and goes to apologize however Victoria holds up her hand again.

"Well I don't have the option right now. You do. So don't let this chance go because of your pride."

She squeezes his shoulder and walks off as Shawn just leans against his locker and sighs. When did his life become so complicated?

Shawn sighs as he looks at his phone during Wednesday's glee club. His sister was texting him the plans for the dinner that night. Seeing Finn walk into the room he quickly shuts his phone off.

"Hey guys. So umm before we begin, Camilla you wanted to perform something."

Camilla nods and gets up out of her seat. As do Chad, Victoria and Fred who all come up in the front. Seeing this Shawn inwardly groans. Another therapy session.

"Hey so I know this isn't the whole class, like the assignment says but we did want to perfrom something."

(Hey Brother- Avicii)

(Chad)Hey, brother, there's an endless road to re-discover
(Camilla)Hey, sister, know the water's sweet but blood is thicker
(ALL)Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

(Fred)Hey, brother, do you still believe in one another?
(Victoria)Hey, sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?
(Fred and Victoria)Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

(Chad and Fred)What if I'm far from home?
Oh, brother, I will hear you call
(Victoria and Camilla)What if I lose it all?
Oh, sister, I will help you out!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

(Chad and Camilla)Hey, brother, there's an endless road to re-discover
Hey, sister, do you still believe in love, I wonder?
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

(All)What if I'm far from home?
Oh, brother, I will hear you call
What if I lose it all?
Oh, sister, I will help you out!
Oh, if the sky comes falling down for you
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

Shawn smiles despite himself as the four go back to their seats. He catches Freds eye and nods as Freds nods back at him. He squeezes Chad' shoulder as he sits back down causing Chad to smile. He was feeling a lot better than he had this entire week.

Despite all that he was still uneasy as his sister drove him to the restaurant he was supposed to be having dinner with his dad. Groaning he was slow to open his seatbelt and get out. His sister looked at him with sympathy.

"I'll be across the street. Text me when you want to leave."

Shawn nods as he finally opens the door and exits the vehicle. He opens the door of the restaurant and scans the room before finding his dad and walking over to him and sitting down. Scott Stanley resembled his son in many ways from his sandy blond hair to his blue eys.

"Wasn't sure you would come."

"Could say the same for you." Shawn fires back as Scott smiles.

"Alright, fair enough. Let's order first and then we can talk."

Shawn nods as they both order and sit in silence as they wait for the food to come. Neither one wants to break the silence until Shawn sighs and decides that he should go first.

"So what's going on with you?" Shawn asks as his dad looks up at him.

"Chicago's nice I suppose, work keeps me busy. How about you?"

"Schools going good." Shawn says as Scott smiles and nods.

"Great. Now why don't you ask me what you really want to ask me."

Shawn sighs as he drops his head before he looks back at his dad. "Why didn't you stay?"

Scott sighs as he looks at his son. "I'm honestly not sure that I have a good reason. I just woke up one day and realized that I didn't know how to be a good dad. So I decided to leave."

Shawn scoffs at that response. "Yeah, that didn't stop you the first nine years of my life. Or for Kelly's life." He pauses as he looks around the restaurant before sighing and getting up. "You know what? I'm sorry this isn't going to work. I have to go. Thanks for the food."

Scott nods as he watches Shawn grab his things. "Alright, I'll see you around."

Shawn nods barely acknowledging him as he fiddles with his phone to tell his sister to pick him up.

He walks outside looking for his sister's car. He finally finds her bright red car and walsk over to it. He sits in the car, avoiding his sister sympathetic eyes as she drives him home as he starts breaking down. His sister keeps looking over at him while driving but he just shakes his head at her. Finally reaching home he makes a beeline for his room. He opens his phone to check his messages to see messages from Chad, Camilla, Fred and Victoria all telling him to call them as soon as he can. He throws his phone on the bed and lies down, committing to texting them tomorrow or just talking to them in Glee club. He hears something land on his window. He smiles but he still isn't in any mood to talk. So he grabs his phone and sneds Monica a quick text.

Shawn: Hey not tonight. Talk to you tomorrow.

Monica: Alright that's fine, have a good night

Shawn: Good night

Shawn lies on his bed for a few more minutes before getting up and getting his guitar

(Ships In The Night-Matt Kearney)

(Shawn) Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea

From Her bedroom Monica looks out her window to see Shawns bedroom light on

(Monica)If it's just you and me
Trying to find the light

Like ships in the night letting cannon balls fly
Say what you mean and it turns to a fight
Fist fly from my mouth as it turns south
You're down the driveway, I'm on the couch

(Chad)Chasing your dreams since the violent 5th grade
Tryna believe in your silent own way
'Cause we'll be OK. I'm not going away
Like you watched at fourteen as it went down the drain

Fred lies down on his couch as he watches TV. He looks behind his couch to find his parents

(Fred)And pops stayed the same and your moms moved away
How many of our parents seem to make it anyway
We're just fumbling through the grey
Trying find a heart that's not walking away

Byron walks downstairs and pauses as he sees his dad sitting on the couch with a picture of his mom
(Byron) Turn the lights down low
Walk these halls alone
We can feel so far from so close

Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me
Trying to find the light

Like ships in the night
You're passing me by
You're passing me by
Like ships in the night

(Chad) And I'm at the airport waiting on a second plane
Had to pack and you had cramps and I was late
Headed to a red carpet they won't know my name
Riding in silence all that we wanna say

About to board when you call on the phone
You say, "I'm sorry. I'll be waiting at home."
Feels like we're learning this out on our own
Tryna find a way down the road we don't know

(All)Turn the lights down low
Walk these halls alone
We can feel so far from so close

Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Tryna prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me
Trying to find the light

Like ships in the night
You're passing me by
You're passing me by
Like ships in the night

(Maxine) And I'm gonna find my way
Back to your side
And I'm gonna find my way
Back to your side

(Jeremiah)Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me
Trying to find the light

(Fred and Shawn)Like ships in the night
You're passing me by
You're passing me by
Like ships in the night

Byron sighs as he watches from the kitchen as his dad looks at the picture of his mom as he starts crying. Sam McCarthy was not a man to show emotion easy, however it was approaching the 10 year anniversary of his wife's, and Byron's mom, killing. He walks out of his kitchen and sits down next to his dad. The two sit in silence for a few minutes before Byron turns to his dad.

"Hey dad. Tell me about mom."