Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters. I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 42
Saturday morning they are all up and preparing for their day. After breakfast they dressed in their costumes and met in the lobby. Shelby looks them over. "Ok guys, we are going to a conference room I booked and we will have a final run through in full costume. We will then get on the bus and head over to the Cincinnati Aronoff Theater where Regionals is being held this year. Once we are there I will check us in and you are to stay together in groups no smaller than six. Let's get going."
They follow after Shelby and San takes Rachel's hand in her own. Rachel jumps at the contact slightly then immediately relaxes seeing Santana. San gives her a concerned smile and bumps her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Rachel just shakes her head. "Nothing angel."
San just looks at her not believing her. She had been quiet all morning. "Come on querida, I know you. Somethings wrong."
Rachel just sighs and leans into her as they walk. "Can we talk about it later? We have practice then we need to go."
San doesn't want to let it go but does and nods to her. She turns to her other side and shares worried looks with Quinn then they head into the conference room.
They run through the routine and is goes well. Rachel sings as good as always but something is still off with her and it worries the girl.
They are about to call practice and head out when Sue hurried in the room. She had been MIA and this was the first time they had seen her all morning. She rushed up to Shelby with a bunch of bags in her hand. "Do you know how hard it is to find what we needed on a Saturday morning in this god forsaken town? Traffic was horrendous."
Shelby just smiles and starts taking things out of the bags. "Girls, gather around." She calls out and all the girls come forward. She started passing out what looked like leggings. "These are to be worn under your dresses. A lot of you will be thrown in the air and twisted around a lot today and especially tomorrow so I want you covered."
San and Quinn notice Rachel visibly deflate and the tension she had been holding all morning release from her body. She took the leggings and rushed to the bathroom, San and Quinn hot on her heals. Finally they knew what was wrong with her. She didn't feel comfortable in the dress and the leggings obviously made her feel better. They threw their own leggings on as they waited for Rachel to come out of the stall. The leggings were thick like their training pants and came to just above the knee.
As she came out she saw her girls with looks of understanding in their eyes and she rushed into their arms. Quinn soothed her rubbing circles on her back. "Why didn't you tell us the dress was upsetting you baby, or ask for the leggings before today."
Rachel shrugged. "I honestly didn't think about it until last night while talking to mom about the costumes. Then we were having movie night and I didn't think about it again until I was put it on. I was just trying to ignore it."
San sighed. "Ok estrella, are you ok now?"
Rachel nodded into her chest. "Yes, I'm sorry. I know I should be over this by now…"
San pulled her chin up to look at her. "No, there is no set time for you to feel better completely. You are entitled to your feelings querida."
Rachel just looked down. "I should be stronger than this."
Quinn leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Would you have still performed without the leggings?"
Rachel looked up at her shocked. "Of course I would have. We've worked too hard for this to let this stop me now."
Quinn just smiled. "See, that right there. You are so strong baby, you just don't see you the way we do. Every day you show us your strength. Never doubt that you are the strongest person we know."
She leaned in and kissed her softly and San did the same. "Ok, we need to go or we'll be late."
They all headed out of the bathroom and came face to face with Mr. Shue. "Where have you been, everyone else is waiting at the bus?"
Rachel took a step forward. "We were changing into the new leggings. Sorry it took so long, we are ready now."
Mr. Shue just shook his head. "I doesn't take that long to change. What were you doing in there?"
San stepped forward and put a hand on Rachel's back. "Rachel was upset and we were talking to her to calm her down."
Shuster opened his mouth to say more, still not looking any happier at what San had said, but was cut off. "Mr. Shuster, I suggest you let them go get on the bus. This is wasting time and you need to leave my girls alone."
They all turned their heads to see Judy standing a few feet away with her arms crossed over her chest tapping her foot. Quinn recognized the jester and knew it wasn't a good one. Judy looked to the girls. "Go to Shelby and load up. Tell her we will be there shortly."
Her voice let them know there was no room for argument and they rushed off to find Shelby. Judy turned back to Will. "Why did you come to find them? I know you were told to leave them be and let Shelby deal with anything that came up. So again why are you here?"
He just shook his head. "They were not where they were supposed to be and I just went to find them and see what the holdup was. It doesn't take that long to throw on a pair of leggings. They were gone way too long and you have no idea what they were doing in there."
"Shelby and Sue knew where they were, they just sent me to make sure they were alright. You don't need to concern yourself with anything they do. They told you they were calming Rachel down. In case you have forgotten since your talk with Shelby yesterday, Rachel has been hurt in the worst way any woman can be. Have you noticed she never wears skirts or dresses anymore? They scare her and that dress just triggered it all back to her. They were calming her fears and you should have asked Shelby or Sue where they were before taking off after them."
Shue took a step toward her. "I am still assistant coach here, I should not have to talk to anyone about my students."
Judy moved again and was just inches from him. "That's where you are wrong. Don't talk to my daughter, don't talk any of my girls. Shelby already warned you of this and I will have your job if you keep messing with them. LET. THEM. BE!"
Mr. Shue was shaking. "Are you threatening me Mrs. Fabray?"
Judy just chuckled evilly. "Oh no Shuster it's not a threat, It's a promise. Leave our girls alone or Shelby and I will slap a lawsuit on you so fast your head will spin, and I promise you, we will win. Leave them alone or face two pissed off mama bears. Don't underestimate us. You. Will. Lose." With that she took off leaving a pissed off Will in her wake.
She got on the bus and shared a look with Shelby before making her way back to the girls and kneeling before them. "Are you ok girls?"
Rachel just smiled sadly. "Yes, we are fine. Thank you Judy."
Quinn leaned over and hugged her. "Thank you mom. Is he still breathing?" She asked with a raise of her eyebrow.
Judy just laughed. "For now. Don't worry about him, Shelby and I can handle it. You just worry about your competition today."
They all nodded and kissed her cheek and she went back to sit with Shelby and Sue. Shelby looked up as she sat. "Everything ok?"
Right then Shue entered the bus and took his seat, arms across his chest still fuming. Judy shrugged and looked to Shelby. "I will tell you about it later, but I handled it."
Shelby nodded then told the driver they were ready to go. They arrived at the Aronoff Theater with plenty of time to spare. Sue and Judy ushered the kids in while Shelby signed them in. Once she returns to them they take their seats in the audience and watch their competition.
At 12:00 they head back to the green room to prepare for their turn to perform leaving Judy, Mr. Figgins and Mrs. Pillsbury to wait. They are all pretty anxious and excited.
Rachel looks around to all of them and smiles. They're finally here and have an amazing routine and set list. It all comes down to this. "Ok guys I just want to say something before we go out." The all turn and give her their undivided attention.
"I just wanted to say that I am proud to be here with you all today. We have fought tooth and nail to get here, sometimes with each other." She pauses as they all laugh. "But regardless of everything, we are here now and we will be bringing home this win. I have nothing but confidence in each and every one of you that we will be the best and shine today. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your captain and help to bring us here. Win or lose we are a family and that will never change."
They all cheered and rushed to gather her in a group hug. Once they calmed Sue walked to Rachel then turned to the group. "I have watched this club since the beginning and I know I wasn't always supportive of you. Honestly, that was never about you kids. You have truly come together as a cohesive team and I am proud to be here today as one of your coaches." The light on the wall flickered and a bell sounded. "Ok, that's our cue. Let's go out there and show them what the New Directions are made of."
The all cheered and filed out of the room. Once they were back stage Shelby called them to her. "We are going to find our seats to watch. When you come off stage head back to the green room and we will meet you there to bring you back to the auditorium for the remainder of the show."
They all nodded their understanding and she kissed her girls then left with Sue and Will to find their seats. Rachel got the groups attention. "Ok, we are doing the group number first, all of you in Santana's group need to make your way to the other side of the stage and await our cue to enter. Good luck."
Santana and her group headed off and Rachel's group got set.
On their cue the special dancers took the stage from both sides of the stage and took their places waiting. The music started and Rachel and her group came out taking their places as the special dancers started their dance.
[Rachel:]
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
As Rachel sang the last word Santana's group took the stage, She met Rachel in the middle
[Santana:]
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
[Rachel:]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
[Rachel with Santana:]
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
They break off and Tina and Artie move forward.
[Tina:]
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
[Artie and Tina:]
There will be an answer
Let it be
They pull back allowing Puck and Quinn to move forward. The whole time the special dancers are flowing effortlessly in and out of the group as they dance in sync together.
[Quinn:]
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
[Quinn and Puck:]
There will be an answer
Let it be, hee, Oooh
[New Directions:]
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be, hee
Uhhhhhh
Ahhhhhh
Let it be, let it be
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be, hee
As the group danced Kurt and Mercedes made their way to the front.
[Kurt:]
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow
Let it be
[Mercedes:]
I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
[Mercedes with Kurt:]
Speaking words of wisdom
Let it be, hee
[Artie with New Directions:]
Let it be, ([New Directions:] Let it be)
Let it be, yeah, let it be
Oh, there will be an answer
Let it be ([Artie:] Hee!)
Let it be, ([New Directions:] Let it be)
Let it be, ([New Directions:] Let it be) ([Artie:] Oh, whoa!)
[New Directions:]
There will be an answer
Let it be, hee ([Artie:] Let it be, let it be!)
Let it be, let it be ([Artie:] Oh!)
Let it be, yeah, let it be ([Artie:] Oh, Oh!)
[Artie with New Directions:]
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be, hee
The special dancers were all in front and finished with a dramatic spin and dip as they finished the song. They crowd was clapping wildly for them. As the crowed died down everyone but Santana and Rachel left the stage. The piano was set in place and they took their marks.
Santana started playing, Rachel shared a look with her turned to the crowd and started singing.
Rachel Santana Both
When life has cut too deep and left you hurting,
The future you had hoped for is now burning,
And the dreams you held so tight have lost their meaning,
And you don't know if you'll ever find the healing...
You're gonna make it.
You're gonna make it,
And the night can only last for so long. (can only last for so long)
Whatever you're facing, if your heart is breaking,
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on. (promise for the ones who just hold on)
Lift up your eyes and see (up your eyes and see) the sun is rising.
(The sun is rising)
The sun is rising.
(The sun is rising)
As Santana sang the next part Rachel walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder but made sure the audience could see her and the sheer passion she played and sang with.
Every high and every low you're gonna go through,
You don't have to be afraid, I am with you. I am with you
In the moments you're so weak you feel like stopping,
Let the hope you have light the road you're walking.
You're gonna make it. (You're gonna make it.)
You're gonna make it. (You're gonna make it.)
The night can only last for so long. (can only last for so long)
Whatever you're facing, (Whatever you're facing) if your heart is breaking,
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on. (promise for the ones who just hold on)
Lift up your eyesand see (up your eyes and see) the sun is rising.
Rachel walked around the piano and locked eyes with San as they sang.
Even when you can't imagine how,
How you're gonna ever gonna find your way out,
Even when you're drowning in your doubt,
Just look beyond the clouds.
The sun is rising
(The sun is rising) Just look beyond the clouds
(The sun is rising)
(The sun is rising)
Rachel turned back to the crowd, walked back over to Santana's side to sing her next part.
Whatever you're facing, if your heart is breaking,
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on. (promise for the ones who just hold on)
Lift up your eyes and see the sun is rising. (up your eyes and see)
Yeah. (The sun is rising)
(The sun is rising)
(The sun is rising)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh. Yeah. (The sun is rising)
Even when you can't imagine how,(The sun is rising)
How you're ever gonna find your way out,(The sun is rising)
Even when you're drowning in your doubt,
Just look beyond the clouds.
Even when you can't imagine how,(The sun is rising)
How you're ever gonna find your way out,(The sun is rising)
Even when you're drowning in your doubt,
Just look beyond the clouds.
The crowd was on its feet and cheering madly for them as they finished. Rachel and Santana took a bow then exited the stage to be engulfed in Quinn's arms. "Oh my god that was the best one yet. You two amaze me when you sing together."
They held on for a moment soaking up her love for them. Santana leaned in and kissed her softly. "Thank you bear."
Rachel kissed them both on the cheek smiling brightly. "Yes, thank you so much. That was awesome." She turned to the others. "Ok, let's meet mom back in the green room."
They headed back and were greeted with applauds from Sue, Shelby, Judy, Principal Figgins, Ms. Pillsbury and even Mr. Shue. The girls rushed to Shelby, Sue and Judy. Shelby hugged Rachel tightly and address the whole group. "You guys were outstanding. There is no way we didn't make it in to the top 10 for tomorrow."
They all cheered, hugging each other and Shelby. Once they calmed she looked to them. "Ok, slight change of plans. You all need to eat, so we are heading back to the hotel and will eat in the restaurant there and I want you all to change into your training gear with hoodie for the announcements. I don't want your costumes messed up before tomorrow. After lunch we will head back and take our seats to watch the remaining clubs. They will be done at 6:00 and the announcements will start at 7:00."
She paused and looked at her clipboard. "We are only allowed six people on stage plus a coach. I want Rachel, Santana, Quinn, Mercedes, Puck, and Kurt to go up with me when they announce us in the top ten." She looked back up to their smiling faces. "Ok, let's get food."
They all filed out and headed to the bus. After changing and having lunch they headed back and took their seats to watch the remaining performances. As they watched they had no doubt they would be in the top 10. The only group that even came close to them was Vocal Adrenaline. It was a close match in performance but they lacked the heart.
At 6:00 the judges called the performances over and headed in to deliberate the top 10 spots. Rachel turned to the group who were now all fidgeting nervously. "Come on guys you know we got this."
Mercedes looked up at her. "Yea but, what if the judges are playing favorites or something. This is our first year here."
Shelby cut in. "It doesn't matter whether it's your first or 100th time here. You guys were amazing out there today and you will be in the top 10. I can feel it."
They all sat and talked quietly for a while and gave their attention back to the stage when the judges came out to give the results.
One of the judges stepped forward. "Ok ladies and gentleman. I know you are all on the edge of your seats so I will get right to it. The top 10 show choirs in this year's Regionals preliminary are as follows in no particular order." They listened intently as seven groups were called to the stage and were starting to think maybe they didn't make it. "Number 8 is last year's regionals champions Carmel High's Vocal Adrenaline." The crowd cheered and Vocal Adrenaline's people took the stage. "Number 9 is Aural Intensity" their heads dropped as they group made their way to the stage. "And last but not least… Number 10 is… The McKinley High New Directions."
The crowd went wild and Rachel just looked over shocked to Shelby. Shelby pulled her in for a hug. "I told you."
The group stood up cheering and clapping as Shelby, Rachel and the others made their way to the stage. Once they were settle on stage and the judge shook their hands he turned back to the crowd. "Ok folks, here you have it. Your top 10 show choirs for this year's Regional Championship. They will be performing again tomorrow and adding in a new number to their routines. I hope to see you all then. Have a wonderful night."
The crowd cheered and the Gleeks on stage pulled each other in for a group hug. Rachel pulled slightly back. "Oh my god we did it."
Mercedes nudged her shoulder. "Yep and tomorrow we add in your solo and take this bitch by storm all the way to Nationals."
They all laughed hugging again and made their way back to the group. They shared hugs all around and headed back to the hotel for dinner. Afterwards they all showered, changed and snuggled down for the night. Tomorrow they would do it all again and were confident that they would bring home that trophy.
A/N: Part two of Regionals on the way, and you never know what will happen with this group at school once they come home either winners or not.