Avenging Angel Chapter 43, a glee fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters.

A/N: Ok so I now have an awesome beta who has gone through all of my previous chapters and helped me with spelling, grammar and such. I have uploaded all the revised chapters. No major changes were made, just cleaned it up a bit. Just wanted to give a shout out to him. He is awesome.

Chapter 43

The next morning after breakfast and changing into their costumes, they pack their things and met Shelby and the other adults in the conference room. Once they were all there Shelby addressed them. "Ok guys, here's how today is going to go. We will leave after we reload the bus with all of our luggage. Take a set of sweats, tee-shirt, hoodie and white sneakers with you to change out of your costumes at the end of the day for the ride home. We will have one last run through before we head to the theater. The performances start at 11:00 and we are performing 10th in the program, in order of how the names were called yesterday. Once we have all performed there will be a two hour break for a late lunch and then they will announce the winners. If you get hungry before lunch, concessions are open but for the love of god do not get anything messy."

They all chuckle and get set for their last run through. Once that is done they head for the bus with their bags in tow, load it up, then pile on and are off to the theater.

They get signed in and settle in their seats to watch the other performances. As they watched the other groups they remained positive throughout that they were fine. They got a little nervous when the 7th group came up and the opening strands of Skyscraper started but relaxed five bars in. This girl had nothing on Rachel and her performance paled in comparison to what Rachel and the special dancers would pull off.

Once that performance was over they headed to their green room and waited. Mr. Shue stood and got the rooms attention. "Ok guys, I know we have been though a lot of changes over the last few months but you guys have what it takes, you always have. Don't let those changes get you down and just go out there and do your best today."

They all just looked at him then around at each other. Kurt looked up at him. "What changes would get us down Mr. Shue? We're good."

Mr. Shue just shrugged, "Just all the changes in coaches and how the club is run, that's all."

Mike shook his head. "Nothing but good has come from those changes Mr. Shue. We are all happier for them and a closer team now than we ever were. No one but you seems to be struggling with them."

Mr. Shue was getting red faced and was about to reply. Shelby stood and addressed the group, cutting him off. "Ok, we are good. Just focus on the performance in front of you. You worked hard for this and you will succeed. I just know it, my faith in this group is unwavering. Do me proud today and above all else do yourselves proud."

The light flickered and the bell sounded. Sue stepped up next to Shelby. "That's our cue, let's go."

They cheered and headed to the stage. Shelby turned to them. "Alright, just like yesterday we are going into the audience to watch. Meet us back in the green room when you are through. Good luck."

She pulled Rachel, Quinn and Santana to her. "Ok my babies, don't let anything distract you from your goal. No one matters but you three and this club. Shake the rest off and bring that trophy home where it belongs."

They hugged her tight and she was off. Rachel turned to the group, "Ok, San's group follow her and let's do this."

Santana's group followed her and they all got set. When their cue came they were off. The group routine was flawless. The duet was heartbreakingly beautiful. It was now time for the solo and they were taking their marks as the stage was set and the piano removed.

The dancers were set and Rachel took her mark center stage. The music started and the dancer started flowing around her.

Skies are crying
I am watching
Catching teardrops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending, like we never had a chance
Do you have to, make me feel like there's nothing left of me?

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper

The dancers flowed around the stage moving as one. They went through the dance, the beginning smooth and flowing. The boys lifting girls in the splits above them at the apex of the chorus when the lyrics said 'I will be rising from the ground'. They spun around twice and flip spun the girls back into their arms flowing freely into the next part of the dance. All the while rotating around Rachel but never blocking her from the crowd.

As the smoke clears
I awaken, and untangle you from me
Would it make you, feel better to watch me while I bleed?
All my windows, still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet

At the next chorus the girls were lifted again but held up in a waist hold lift then spun into another hold closer to boys body's then flipped back onto their feet. At the next part they sped up a little with the beat adding some dramatic spins and a push and pull style dance.

Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear, yeah
Go run, run, run
Yeah it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper, Ohhh woaah
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground

At the chorus they moved into another lift, superman style with a faster spin and release then into a series of turns, the boys moving the girls into a triple spin. The stage lights changed color with every lift.

Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper Like a skyscraper

They flowed into the last of the song into a dramatic low dip at the end. They ended just behind and surrounding Rachel. The crowd was on their feet erupting into thunderous applauds and screaming cheers. Shelby was on her feet too screaming "That's my baby" clapping along with the crowd, tears in her eyes. Sue and Judy clapping proudly beside her.

After the crowd started to calm they bowed again and exited the stage. They were all out of breath and engulfed in a group hug from the remaining Gleeks off stage. They calmed slightly and Rachel led them to the green room. They entered the room and as soon as the doors closed they were cheering madly.

Kurt rushed Rachel and spun her around. "Oh my god Rach. We watched you practice that every week but today you were on fire and the dancers were amazing. I looked into the crowd at one point and you had tons of them in tears watching you. That was so awesome."

Rachel laughed as he put her down only to be spun again by Matt. "That was great. I was out there dancing and listening to you sing. It was so intense. Thank you for letting me be a part of that Rach."

Matt released her and she was pulled into San and Quinn's arms where they just hugged each other close listening to everyone talk at once. Shelby and the adults burst into the room and made a beeline for the group. She swooped in and pulled the girls to her looking at the group. "Oh my god guys. The crowd was still going mad when we left the auditorium. That was crazy."

Judy took her turn hugging the girls when Shelby stepped back to hug the others. Sue stepped up and just smiled. "Well cap, I have to say, that was not atrocious."

Rachel just laughed and hugged her. "Thank you coach, coming from you that is high praises."

Sue just smirked and walked back over to Shelby and addressed the group. "Ok you sloppy babies, it's lunch time and since we have two hours we are going out and getting a decent meal. No more hotel restaurant garbage. Let's load it up. To the bus we go."

They all cheered and filed out after her. They ate at the Trattoria Roma Ristorante. They had both vegan and non-vegan foods that all the Cheerios girls loved. They hadn't had that many options at the hotel restaurant. They ate talked and had a very good time.

Once lunch was over they headed back to the theater and got settled to await the results. The judges came back on stage and called attention to them. The judge from yesterday stepped forward again. "Ladies and gentleman we would like the groups from yesterday to please join us again on stage and we will start the countdown from 10th place to 1st."

The groups all headed up and took their places on the stage. Once they were all settled he started calling out the group placement. It was down to the top three now and he turned to all the groups. "Ok, I now want all the groups that have been placed to leave the stage. Thank you for coming today and congratulation in your placement and for all your hard work."

As they left the stage he turned to the crowd. "I now want the rest of the members of the remaining three groups to join your teammates for the rest of the awards." All of the other made their way to the stage and stood with their respective teams.

He took out an envelope. "Ok folks here are the remaining results. In 3rd place… Aural Intensity." The crowd clapped and they were given their trophy. "Now we are down to two. Your 2010 Regionals Champions who will be moving on to represent us at Nationals is… The McKinley High New Directions! Meaning second place goes to Vocal Adrenaline." The crowd erupted in cheer and applauds and the Gleeks went crazy on stage cheering and hugging one another. Josh and Jake came up behind Rachel and lifted her on their shoulders walking her over to accept their trophy.

The room went crazy Judy, Ms. Pillsbury, and Mr. Figgins were clapping and screaming madly along with them. The boys gently put Rachel back on her feet and Shelby pulled her in for a hug then released her to Santana and Quinn. They were all on cloud nine.

After the other groups left the stage and the crowd started to leave the Gleeks just stayed where they were as the announcing judge came over to congratulate Shelby and the kids. He shook Shelby's hand. "I must say I was rather impressed not only with your singers but with your choreography and musical arrangements. I usually don't do these kinds of competition but I was in town and a friend of mine who normally judges got sick Friday and asked me to fill in. Who does your choreography or do you do your own?"

Shelby just beamed. "I can do choreography but I didn't do this routine." She turned her head and called the girls over. They came over and just looked at her expectantly. "This is Rachel, Santana, Quinn and Brittany. They are all sophomores. Rachel did the choreography and created all the dances, Santana did all the musical arrangements. Quinn and Brittany helped out with a little of both. These four also trained the others to do the choreography and dances."

The judge was shocked but shook their hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is John Andrews, I am one of the directors at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts." He handed them all a business card. "When you are ready to look at colleges give me a call. That was one amazing routine you guys pulled off. I am very impressed at the level of skill it took high school students to create and train others for such a routine, and the musical arrangements were outstanding. Your voices are phenomenal. But Rachel, that voice of yours, wow. Please call me."

They all stood there in a daze. They thanked him and shook his hand again. Rachel turned to Shelby when he walked away. "Did that really just happen?"

Shelby just laughed at their dumbfounded looks. "Yes my babies. That really just happened." She laughed again as they all squealed and jumped up and down hugging each other.

Sue and Mr. Shue came over to them. Sue watched them like they were crazy, Mr. Shue just looked curious. "What is this all about?" He ask.

Shelby just smirked. "One of the judges asked about the routine and I introduced him to these four and told him what parts they played in creating or training the others in it. Turns out he's one of the directors of NYU's Tisch. He gave all the girls a card and told them to call him when they are ready to look for colleges, and he loves Rachel's voice."

Mr. Shue's jaw hit the floor and Sue just beamed. "I knew they were good."

Shelby just laughed. "Yes you did. You pulled them all together and helped make them a team."

Sue just shook her head. "No, those four were already becoming a team. I just gave them the opportunity and leeway to do so. Rachel was playing behind the scenes puppet master long before I figured her out. She just needed a boost. I think her legs were just too short."

Sue and Shelby laughed then ushered the kids off the stage with Mr. Shue trailing after them. They met up with Judy, Figgins and Ms. Pillsbury in the green room then headed off to change for the ride home. Once they were changed they all hung their costumes up on the bus.

Sue and Shelby told Judy, Figgins and Ms. Pillsbury about the judge from Tisch. They all were very excited for the girls. Judy said her goodbyes to the girls, Shelby and Sue. She had to leave from the theater to head back for work but promised she'd be there for their Cheerios Regionals the following Saturday. After she drove off they loaded up and headed for home.

Once they made it back they unloaded the bus and returned the costumes to the choir room. Monday Sue would send them all off for dry cleaning before they were put away. They put their new trophy in the case and just looked at it for a moment. After they locked up everyone loaded up their things in their own cars or their parent's cars, hugged each other bye and headed home.

Tomorrow would they would return to school Regionals Champions.

A/N: Ok this was a short chapter but that's how it goes sometimes. Up next the schools reaction to their win and maybe some fluffy stuff with our girls.

Jen, the last time I checked I was male. No worries. :D