Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of its characters.
Chapter 55
At 5:00 Quinn rushed out of the house telling Judy she would see her at 8:00 for curfew and headed home to eat breakfast with her girls. Judy called in to work, made a pot of coffee and sat sipping it on the couch as she waited. An hour later the doorbell rang and she let Shelby in.
Judy ushered her into the kitchen and poured her a cup of coffee then sat across from her. "I think we need to figure out a different way to do this."
Shelby studied her for a moment. "What happened this morning? All you said when you called was that you wanted to talk this morning after the girls went to school."
Judy sighed and told her about finding Quinn at the piano, the song she sang, and the heartbreak that was killing Judy to watch. "Look, maybe I didn't go about this the right way. I know I have not been what my daughter needs or has deserved for me to be but I want to be, I want to try. I want to be a part of Quinn's life but this is not working. All this has done is break my daughter."
Shelby took a sip of her coffee. "Not just Quinn, all of them. You didn't see them yesterday. You saw them at breakfast, they were like that all day only worse. They didn't speak or interact with anyone outside of Cheerios practice and then only Rachel did. They just huddled together surrounding Quinn all day. When they got home they went up to their room, snuggle together and slept until I woke them for dinner. Even then they didn't speak."
Shelby paused for a moment thinking. "How about a compromise that I think the girls can live better with?"
Judy sat forward. "I think I would do almost anything at this point. I cannot let her keep this up. Two nights and she is falling apart. What did you have in mind?"
Shelby laid out the solution she thought would work for the girls. She wasn't 100% thrilled with the idea but she was willing to suggest it if it helped her girls. Judy was Quinn's mother even if she herself considered Quinn hers as well. Judy added her thoughts to the plan and they went back and forth finally settling on something they could both live with that hopefully the girls would agree to. They agreed to talk to the girls after school together to see if they would be ok with this compromise.
School that day was much the same as the day before. They talked little and stuck close together, Quinn always in the middle. Their friends stayed close but didn't badger for answers. At lunch time they stayed in the auditorium again but Quinn and David practiced their duet for a while. With a little time left before the end of lunch Quinn sang her song for Rachel and Santana. When finished they flung themselves at her, tears streaming, kissing and hugging her while the rest looked on with a few tears of their own. Something was really hurting their friends.
At the end of the day they all headed to the auditorium for the duets competition. When they arrived Quinn spotted Judy sitting close to the judges. She walked over with her girls in tow. "Mom, what are you doing here?"
Judy smiled sadly at her tone. "You have a competition today. I came to support you, nothing more. After, I have invited Shelby, Sue and the girls to dine with us, so I will be meeting you there after practice with Thai for everyone."
Quinn nodded taking the girls hands and led them to their seats to await being call for her and David's duet.
Shelby stood and walked to the stage in front of the group once they all arrived. "Ok guys, this is how we will do this. We will call you one group at a time to perform then will judge after everyone has gone. Wow me people. I want a performance as great as our other duet."
She left the stage and took her seat with the other judges and called the first group. "Ok, first up is Mercedes and Kurt." They sang an amazing rendition of For Good from wicked and everyone cheered wildly.
Shelby smiled. "That was great guys, I liked it. Ok, next is Sam and Marsha."
They took the stage and their marks.
Marsha/Samantha/Both
Many nights we prayed
with no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe+
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speakin' words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
They don't always happen when you ask
And its easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says hope is very near, oh (Oh)
There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) (Though hope is frail)
Though hope is frail (Its hard)
Its hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
Somehow you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you believe (When you)
(Oh oh)
(You will when you)
(You will when you believe)
(Ohoohooh)
(Oh, oh)
You will when you believe
Everyone was on their feet cheering for them when they finished. Shelby smiled brilliantly. "Excellent girls. Next up Quinn and David."
David/Quinn/Both
Don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
I've been running in your direction
For too long now
I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
If you're not there to catch me when I fall.
If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
All along all I ever wanted, was to be the light
When your life was daunting
But I can't see mine
When I feel as though you're pushing me away
Well who's to blame, are we making the right choices
Cause we can't be sure if we're hearing our own voices
As we close the door even though we are so desperate to stay
If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
And I might still cry, (And I might still cry)
And I might still bleed, (and I might still bleed)
These thorns in my side, (these thorns in my side)
This heart on my sleeve,(this heart on my sleeve)
And lightening may strike, (and lightening may strike)
This ground at my feet, (this ground at my feet)
And I might still crash, (and I might still crash)
But I still believe, (but I still believe)
This is the moment I stand here all alone
With everything I have inside, everything I own
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last time before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave
Again everyone cheered madly. Shelby leaned in to Sue. "This is going to be harder than I thought." Sue nodded and Shelby turned back to the kids. "Wonderful guys. Next Mike and Matt."
They did a nice cover of Hey world (don't give up) by Michael Franti. Brittany and Marcus did an excellent job reworking the song Carry On by Fun that they group seamed to love. Tina and Puck did Dare you to Move by Switchfoot, changing it up a bit and simply nailed it beautifully. Stacy and Artie sang Imagine by John Lennon and it was hauntingly beautiful.
Shelby was amazed at the shear talent of these kids. Choosing would not be easy. "Ok, last up is Jake and Josh."
Santana went up with them and set the music. They boys got set and the music started.
Josh/Jake/Both
This a song about somebody else
So don't worry yourself worry yourself
The devils right there right there in the details
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself
Your looking too closely
Your looking too closely
Oh no no no
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse
Your looking too closely
I will try to fix you.
Your looking too closely
(oh no no no) I will try to fix you.
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself
I will try to fix you
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself
I will trrrrry to fix yoooooouuuu
Music break
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face and I-I
I can be wrong about anybody else (tear stream down your face)
So don't kid yourself kid yourself(I promise you I will learn from my mistakes)
It's you right there right there in the mirror (tears stream down your face)
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself (and I-I)
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bone
And I will try to fix you
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself (I will try to fix you)
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself (I will try to fix you)
You don't wanna hurt yourself hurt yourself (And the tears come steaming down your face)
You don't wanna hurt yourseeeeelf
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will trrry to fix you
I will try to fix you
The group was on their feet before the song even ended and cheered wildly for the boys as the song ended. Mercedes and Kurt looked at each other then back to the stage in awe. Mercedes shook her head. "Well damn."
Kurt chuckled. "That about sums it up."
Santana rushed over to them and they scooped her up. "That was better than the track you laid the other day guys. Awesome."
Jake put her down. "Thanks San."
Santana shook her head. "You guys did the hard work, I just helped with the sound."
Shelby stood. "Outstanding boys. You have all given us a very hard job to do, so take a break and give us just a bit to figure this out."
The rest of the group joined the others on the stage. Rachel moved to the middle of the group. "You all did amazingly well. They are really going to have a hard time picking just one."
Mercedes smirked, "Girl please, I'll bet you money I can tell you who won."
Rachel smiled. "Ok, let's take a club vote and see if we can figure out who they will pick, just for fun."
The all agreed and grabbed some paper writing down their picks. They all handed their papers to San and Rachel since they didn't compete. Rachel and San tallied the vote and San smile. "That was who I thought would win the whole time."
Rachel agreed. "Yes after hearing them all, and they were all amazing I would have to agree." She turned to the group. "Ok, we have written down the group pick and I will tell you after the judging is done if we were right."
They all nodded then sat together on the stage talking quietly while the judges deliberated.
Shelby looked to all the judges after looking at all their picks. "I think we got it. It's a four to one vote. So this is the one."
They all looked at it and then each other trying to figure out who choose the other one. Ms. Pillsbury shrugged. "Sorry, I'm just not a fan of that song. Someone once sang it to me and I just don't care for it. That said, the children did a wonderful job with it and I support your decision."
Sue smiled. "Well, old serenades aside, let's tell them who the winner is."
Shelby nodded and they all moved to the stage. "Ok guys, the winner of the duets competition is… Jake and Josh with Looking too closely/Fix you."
The group cheered for the boys then looked to Rachel and she just smiled. "That was the group vote as well."
Shelby looked at her confused. "Group vote?"
San smiled. "Yea, everyone voted while you guys were deciding and came to the same decision."
Shelby just nodded with a smile. They truly were a team and not the self-centered group of individuals they had been before. San walked up to her and nudged her shoulder. "That was who I was talking about the other day too. They're great."
Shelby put an arm around her. "They really are, and the music track for it was amazing. You did good baby."
San just blushed and leaned her head against her shoulder. "Thanks."
Shelby kissed her head and moved to Rachel. "Ok baby girl get them all in their seats and let's announce the set list then get out of here."
Rachel nodded and turned to the group. "Ok people. Take your seats again and I will announce the set list." Everyone scrambled off the stage and took their seats leaving only Rachel, San, Quinn, and Brittany on the stage.
Rachel grabbed her folder and looked out to the group. "Ok, the first set list is as follows." She paused reviewing her notes on who was singing what. "The solo is Quinn's This is My Now. The duet is San and I with the sun is rising. The group number is a song called Proud by Heather Smalls that will vocally feature, Mercedes, Marsha, Stacy, Artie, Matt, and Mark. There will be dance features as well from Santana and Jake, Brittany and Mike, Myself and Josh, and Tina and Puck."
She looked out over the group. "Are there any questions with the first set list?" They all shook their head so she continued. "Ok then. The second set list is my solo Skyscraper, Josh and Jakes Duet Looking too Closely/Fix you, and the group number is Music of my heart by Gloria Estefan and N'Sync. Featured singers are, Santana, Samantha, myself, Josh, David, and Puck. Featured Dancers are Quinn and Marcus, Stacy and Jake, Marsha and Matt, and Brittany and Mike."
Again she looked up. "Any questions with the second set list?" They shook their heads no again. "Ok, Monday come ready to work, full gear. We have a ton of work to do and it will not be easy. Not only to we have two new group numbers with a lot of choreography but we have to continue to practice the other songs from regionals as well. The new solo and duet will not have a lot of choreography if any. We will discuss the new duet this weekend and let you know on Monday."
She looked to Shelby and she nodded so Rachel sent them home. "Ok, that's it for today. I want to thank the judges for your help and congratulations again to the winners of the duet. Everyone have a good weekend. See you Monday."
They all cheered and headed out. Judy had already left after the winners were announced to get their dinner. Rachel turned into her girls and gathered Quinn to her. San wrapped around Quinn's back and they just stood there for a moment. Shelby and Sue came up to them and Shelby rubbed Rachel's back. "Come on girls, let's go get some dinner at Judy's."
They nodded, kissed her cheek then gathered their things. They all headed to Judy's house. Rachel let Santana drive the Nova, she just wasn't in the mood to drive. "Do you think she'll let you stay tonight since it's the weekend or maybe we can stay with you?" She asked Quinn hopefully.
Quinn just shrugged. "I don't know but I will ask after dinner."
Rachel smiled and turned back around as they pulled into the drive.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in Judy's decision. I wanted to get the Duet competition out of the way first. Next will be the talk with the girls to let them know what Judy and Shelby agreed on.
Josh and Jake: Looking Too Closely/Fix You mash up by Kylan Road. Look it up on YouTube it's awesome.
Quinn and David: Brave by Idina Menzel.
Sam and Marsha: When You Believe by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.