Twice the Trouble
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Glee or any of it characters. I own nothing from any movie or other TV show that may be mentioned either.
Chapter 13
The next morning when Santana woke she found her mami in the kitchen and smiled. She loved it when she was able to have breakfast with her before going to school. "Good morning Mami."
Marisol turned from the stove and smiled accepting a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning mija, how are you this morning, how has school been?"
Santana shrugged pulling milk and juice out starting to set the table. "I'm good and school's been ok so far this year. I told you I got a new co-captain this year on the volleyball team. She's awesome and I know we are going to have an amazing season with she and I in charge. We have our first game next week do you think you can come? They're still on Thursday nights."
Marisol turned to look at the calendar on the fridge and smiled. "I can for your first game but not for the next two, I can also make it to the football game the next week to see you cheer, we'll see what my schedule looks like after that."
She excitedly ran and hugged her. "That's awesome, thank you mami."
They both turn as Mateo runs in the room and threw himself into his mother's arms. "Mami you're awake."
She hugged him close and sighed. "Yes mijo I'm awake and I don't have to work tonight so you and I get to hang out while Santi has glee then I'm taking us all out to Breadsticks for dinner."
Mateo cheered and Santana beamed then looked back to her concerned. "That's too expensive I can cook dinner when I get home."
Marisol scoffed shaking her head. "It's fine mija. We've been doing very good penny pinching and going out one evening for a nice family dinner will not break the bank. Besides, I know it's your favorite."
She just smiled as she turned to help Mateo settle into his seat at the table. "Mami my angel sang to me last night it was so cool."
Marisol looked up sharply to Santana for clarification who was chuckling. "She's not an angel Mateo she's just my friend from glee."
"Did you have friends over last night?"
Santana shook her head. "No, Rachel gave me a ride home so I wouldn't be late. I had a flat when I got out of school and my spare was flat too. She helped me carry my bags in and Mateo asked her to sing for him."
Marisol looked confused out the window seeing her car. "San your car is in the driveway just fine."
She just smiled. "I know. Rachel took my keys with her and fixed my tire then brought it back to me last night so I'd have my car."
Shocked she just looked outside at the car again before looking back to Santana. "That was nice of her. Make sure you find out how much we owe her."
"I tried but she said it was just a nail we didn't owe her anything."
Shaking her head Marisol reached into a cookie jar on the counter and brought out $20 handing it to her. "Try again; I know Burt charges $15 to fix a flat like that. I'm sure he charged her the same."
Santana shook her head. "No she said she fixed it in her garage at home but I'll try."
With a nod mami puts all the food on the table and sits. "So, other than singing angels that are also mechanics is anything else going on at school?"
Mateo bounced in his seat. "I got a 100 on my spelling test and my angel is singing at my birthday. She told me to make a list of songs I want. Will you help me?"
Marisol looked to Santana again who just shrugged and back to Mateo. "Sure, we can make it while we wait for Santana to get home from Glee."
He cheered and she looked back to Santana, "What about you mija?"
"Not really, oh we have a competition in glee today. We had to get in groups of two or three and pick a song from a movie. The winning group gets to perform it at Sectionals."
"That sounds fun baby. Who's your partner? Quinn? Britt?"
Santana shook her head swallowing her last bite. "No, Britt is doing some dance thing with Mike, Quinn is singing with Royal and I'm singing with Rachel."
Mateo sat up straight and looked at her in awe. "You get to sing with my angel? I want to go see it."
He looks to Marisol who looks to Santana. "Are your families allowed to come?"
"Yes, Mr. Shue said anyone is welcome. Rachel and Royal's parents are going to be there and I think Kurt's dad is too. I know Brittany's mom is coming. Quinn wasn't sure."
Sitting back she smiled. "Ok then we will go see this singing angel and my angel win this competition then we'll go celebrate at Breadsticks after."
They both cheered and finished up their breakfast before kissing her goodbye. Santana walked Mateo over to their Abuela's and headed off to start her day.
When she pulled up to the school Rachel was standing there leaning against her car. Santana waved as she put the car in park and got out. "Hey Rae, what are you doing out here?"
Rachel just smiled opening her trunk. "Pop your trunk San."
Santana looked at her confused until she pulled a tire out of her trunk. Quickly she popped her own and moved out of her way as she carried it over. "Thank you but you didn't have to fix the spare too. You have to let me pay you for fixing them."
Rachel just shrugged handing her the blanket she put in her trunk to protect it yesterday. "I know I didn't have too but I know you don't have a lot of spare time so I just fixed it so you had it if you needed it. The plugs cost like 2 bucks I'm not worried about it."
Santana smiled kissing her cheek then linking her arm with Rachel's as they headed into the school. "Thank you."
Rachel blushed profusely with a breathless, "you're welcome," before shaking it off opening the door for her and she swept into the school. "Are you ready for this afternoon?"
She nodded coming to a stop at her locker. "Yes, I ran through it again this morning and I figured we could go over it again together at lunch in the choir room or something."
"Sounds like a plan. Royal said he and Quinn are practicing in the auditorium during lunch so I think the choir room is our best bet. If not there's always the roof."
Santana laughs as they head off to the gym for practice.
They rest of the day goes by quickly. At lunch they grab a few sandwiches from the lunchroom and move to head to the choir room but Royal and Quinn stop them. Royal looked to Rachel with a deep pout. "Tink, is there any way you can come to the Auditorium with us and watch our performance? Something is off and we just can't put our finger on it."
Quinn just nodded along and Rachel shared a look with Santana who just shrugged then smirks back at Royal. "I don't know Tigger. This is a competition and we are competing against each other. Why would I want to help you beat us?"
He just pouted more. "Because you love me and I'll owe you one? Come on Tink please?"
She dramatically throws up her hands and turns to head toward the auditorium. "Ok fine. Away with us all we still have to run through our own song as well. Chop, chop brother O' mine and his fair lady, time's withering away." She grabs Santana's hand and pulls her after her. "Come dear we must teach these two a thing or two about the written word put to music."
They all laughed at her antics and followed after her. Once in the auditorium she and Santana sat at the directors table as Royal and Quinn got set on stage. "The song itself is fine and we sound great but it's just missing something I don't know." Royal said as he checked the tuning on his guitar.
Rachel just nodded and sat back to listen as they start playing. Royal was sitting on a stool at the end of the piano playing the guitar and Quinn was playing the piano. They both sound wonderful but Rachel instantly saw the problem.
When the song came to an end Santana let out a breath and leaned closer to Rachel. "That is going to be hard to beat Rae."
Rachel shrugged and smiled softly. "When I fix it it's going to be impossible to beat damn it. Just watch."
She stood and made her way to the stage. "That was fantastic guys but I see what you are talking about. It's missing something."
She climbed the stairs and moved to the side of the stage grabbing the portable piano and motioned for Royal to grab the stand. She set it up in the middle of stage but it's sideways not facing the audience. She then set up two mic stands, one for the piano and the other facing it where Royal and Quinn will be looking at each other. After setting up the piano to the proper settings she called them over.
"The problem was that you were too far away from each other." She looked at Royal, "you're trying to recreate what we saw at the Theater Workshop this summer in New York when the moms took us to see what they are hoping hits Broadway. It's not going to work for this. You need a more intimate setting, a closer connection. More like the movie itself, only better."
She positioned him the way she wanted then moved around to the piano and positioned Quinn so that now they are only separated by the instruments and mic stands. "Forget about the audience and just sing to each other. No one else is here and you are never to take your eyes off one another. I guaranty if you do this it will be better than what you thought it could be."
They nodded and got set as she leaves the stage and takes her seat again. Santana looked at her curiously. "Why are they not looking toward the audience?"
Rachel pointed to the stage. "Just watch."
She turned back as they started playing and was blown away. Once they finished the song Rachel just smiled and Santana's jaw is on the ground. "Well damn."
On stage Quinn was trying to catch her breath still looking into Royals eyes. "I think she fixed it. That was the best run through yet."
Royal nodded, "I agree. That's why I asked her, she's brilliant."
They finally looked away from each other as Rachel and Santana come up to the stage clapping. "That's it. If you do it just like that I'm going to be mad when we don't win and you have to promise to console me with ice cream and pizza."
Quinn scoffed. "Like you guys aren't going to bring it. I'm sure you'll give us a run for our money. Let us run this one more time then you guys can have the stage."
They nod and moved off to the side to get their own instruments ready for their song. When Royal and Quinn were done they removed the piano and set up two stools to sit on with mics set for each of them. They ran the song a few times making a few miniscule changes and are satisfied when they are done.
Quinn and Royal had sat at the director's desk the whole time and when they finish Quinn looked at him. "They will be a problem, but we already knew that."
Royal just shrugged. "Maybe but I think we have a real chance. With the changes made today I really think we can win this."
Quinn just looked back to the stage as the girls start putting their equipment away. "I guess we'll see this afternoon."
With that they both stood and moved to help the girls clean up before the bell rang. The rest of the day went quickly and after practice the girls head to the auditorium. Once there Quinn breaks from them and makes a beeline to Royal.
Rachel chuckled and Santana smirked leaning closer to her, "Someone is smitten. I don't think I've ever seen her act this way over a boy, not even Finn."
"Yea but I think it's mutual." She nodded toward Royal who had stood to greet her talking animatedly. "She's all he's been talking about since they started working together."
Santana smiled humming her acknowledgement then looked to her concerned. "He's cool right? I mean I know he's your brother and all but he'd be good to her if they do get together right?"
Rachel rubbed her arm. "He'll be good to her or he'll answer to me. I didn't spend the last two years of my life trying to keep her from the bumbling giant to see my own brother not do right by her. But honestly he's cool. If I would trust anyone to treat a girl right it'd be him. He's just a natural gentleman and I think that's exactly what she needs. He's a great guy San, I promise."
She just nodded, satisfied with that answer and they moved toward them to sit and wait for their turn to sing. They got settled and after watching Royal and Quinn talk for a few Santana leaned into Rachel again and whispered where only she could hear. "I bet you could be trusted to treat a girl right too Rae."
Rachel looked at her sharply and blushed but could say no more as Mr. Shuester came in with all the judges following. "Ok gang, everyone have a seat and once we get settled I'll call you up by groups as I draw your names from the hat." At Tina's groan he chuckled. "I promise to only use the hat for good Tina, only to choose the order." Everyone laughed and the judges got settled.
As everyone calmed to wait Kurt looked around then back to Mr. Shue, "Hey where are the parents? I know my dad is here because he texted me when he got here."
Coach Beiste pointed up. "We had them all sit in the balcony seats so that they were not a distraction. They will all come down when we are done."
They all looked up but couldn't see anyone so they focused back on Mr. Shue. "Ok guys first up will be Mercedes and Tina."
They got up and sang Count on Me from the movie Waiting to Exhale. It was amazing and the rest were all on their feet clapping for them. Brittany and Mike were outstanding singing Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now from the movie Mannequin and the dance number they did with it was amazing. Sam, Puck and Artie came out with an awesome cover of the song Give Me Three Steps from the movie Talladega Nights that had them all cheering.
Mr. Shue turned to Ms. Pillsbury. "This is really going to be hard. They are all doing so amazing." She nodded her agreement and he looked back to the kids. "Ok, up next are Finn, Kurt, and Blaine."
As they took the stage you Blaine looked mad, Kurt looked resigned and Finn was wearing is best eager puppy face glancing at Rachel then the music started. When she recognized the tune as Glory of Love from The Karate Kid part 2, Rachel groaned and it took all Santana had not to laugh out loud as she leaned in to her ear mocking her. "Awe look Rae, he still can't take a hint. Isn't it a pretty song."
Rachel slapped her playfully, 'Shut it San. It's embarrassing how persistent he is. I almost feel bad for him but not quite."
Royal leaned over Quinn to whisper to her. "You're going to feel sorry for him when I make good on my promise if he doesn't back off you."
They all chuckled lightly and turned back to the stage. The song itself was a good one but you could tell that they hadn't really practiced much. Blaine and Kurt sounded good but they were more background singers then equals in the group. Finn dominated the song and there were a few times that Rachel was sure that he adlibbed the words.
When it was done Kurt looked down in shame, Blaine just looked uncomfortable and Finn gave his best puppy dog grin to Rachel than scowled when she was sitting there clapping politely but leaning in to Santana saying something and not paying him any attention.
Mr. Shue stood and clapped softly. "That was great boys. We are going to take a 5 minute bathroom break. If you gotta do it do it fast and get right back. It's Rachel and Santana's turn when we get back."
They all stood and a few of them scrambled for the door as Rachel and Santana decided to go ahead and get set on stage so they could get started as soon as they got back. They were talking and not paying attention so when they start up the steps Finn was coming down. "Hey Rach, what did you think of my song?"
Rachel eyed him for a moment then sighed. "Honestly it seemed more like a solo with backup singers than a group number. It was not practiced and poorly executed."
Before he could react they heard Blaine's voice on stage. "Look Kurt, I love you but he is your brother. Next time you two can do a duet and I'll find someone else to sing with. That was embarrassing. You know how much glee means to me so please understand that that will never happen again."
He stormed off the other side of the stage with Kurt following and it took all the girls have not to laugh. Finn just stood there red faced as Royal and Quinn came up. "Hey Tink, I heard a weird noise in your guitar earlier. Let's go look at it and you can use mine if you need to."
He put Quinn in front of him and grabbed both Santana and Rachel guiding them up the stairs past the fuming boy. Puck called to Finn seeing him getting angry. "Dude that song was… Well it was something. What movie was it from?"
This finally got his attention away from Rachel and he walked over and sat by the other boys. Royal gave Puck a grateful look and moved slightly away from the girls as they made it to the instruments that they all have waiting. Rachel looked to him. "Why didn't you tell me earlier if my guitar sounded funny Tigger?"
Royal smiled and just shook his head. "As if I'd ever do that to you, give me more credit than that. I was just trying to get you two away from him. Your guitar is perfectly fine Tink, I promise."
Rachel just smiled sheepishly and kissed his cheek. "Sorry, thank you Tig."
He nodded and took Quinn's hand. "Ok get set. We are going back to our seats. I see the others starting to come back."
He pulled Quinn behind him and they start setting up the stools and checking the tune on their instruments. As they waited for Mr. Shue to tell them they could start they sit on their stools and talk quietly. Rachel looked over to Santana shyly. "Are you sure that this is a good song choice?"
Santana looked to her shocked. "This is not the time to be changing songs Rae. The song is great. I wouldn't have agreed to it otherwise. What's wrong?"
Rachel sighed. "It's just kind of personal and I feel like I shouldn't have picked it."
Turning to her she took her hand. "Listen, the song is amazing and we're awesome singing it together. Yes it is personal, for a lot of reasons, but it's also perfect for the same reasons. Don't start second guessing yourself now. We got this."
She just smiled with a nod and they looked up as Mr. Shue started talking. "Ok gang, we just have two more to go so let's get started with Rachel and Santana."
Rachel took one last deep breath and they share a look as they sat on the stage on stools close to each other. Both had acoustic guitars and started playing as Rachel started singing.
Santana/Rachel/Both
I am movin' through the crowd
Trying to find myself
Feel like a guitar that's never played
Will someone strum away
And I ask myself
Who do I wanna be
Do I wanna throw away the key
And invent a whole new me
And I tell myself
No one, no one (don't wanna be)
No one but me
You are movin' through the crowd
Trying to find yourself
Feelin' like a doll left on a shelf
Will someone take you down
And you ask yourself
Who do I wanna be
Do I wanna throw away the key
And invent a whole new me
Gotta tell yourself
No one, no one (don't wanna be)
No one but me
Your life plays out on the shadows of the wall
You turn the light on to erase it all
You wonder what it's like to not feel worthless
So open all the blinds and all the curtains
No one, no one (don't wanna be)
No one but me
We are movin' through the crowd
When the song ended the auditorium erupted in applause, everyone cheering madly. Rachel and Santana shared an exited hug and moved to put up their guitars. At the side of the stage Rachel pulled her in for another hug and kisses her on the cheek. "Thank you so much for singing that song with me San. It was amazing."
Santana held her for a moment to compose herself then pulled back and smiled, "Anytime Rae."
They hugged again and made their way to their seats once again as Mr. Shue stood. "Wonderful ladies, truly amazing. Ok last but not least Quinn and Royal."
After sharing a hug with both Rachel and Santana they climbed the stage and got set up. Royal noticed Quinn's hands shaking as they got ready and he looked to Mr. Shue asking for a moment then pulled her to the side of the stage. "What's the matter? You're shaking like a leaf." He asked as he took her hands pulling her closer.
She just sighed and looked out to the crowd. "I don't know. I mean I know my mom is probably out there in the balcony and Rach and San just blew that away and how do I compete with that? They are both so good and I'm just me."
Royal pulled her almost flush with his body and released one of her hands to lift her chin to look up into his eyes. "You, are so much more than you give yourself credit for. You asked me a few weeks ago what I see when I look at you. I see a gorgeous young woman that makes me want to drool."
She tried to turn her head away not liking hearing that came from him but he held firm. "But underneath all of that gorgeousness, I see you. You are just as beautiful inside. You're smart and funny. You're talented in so many ways and I see you going so far in life. I see the nerdy person within that loves to read and who likes to just sit in the quiet sometimes writing her poetry. The girl that watches Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter while giving a commentary the whole time about what is wrong with them from the stand point of the books. The girl that loves so fiercely and protectively that sometimes it overwhelms you and you don't know how to let it out. I see you Quinn. You cannot judge yourself based on my sister, Santana, or anyone else because you are you and that's all you need to be. Please just try to see you like I do, even if it's just for a few moments and come sing with me."
Quinn just stared at him for a long moment with tears threatening to fall and finally nodded squeezing his hands pulling them into her chest. "I… I don't even know how…" She took a breath looking out to Rachel and Santana who were watching them concerned then back to Royal. "Ok, let's do this."
Royal smiled brightly kissing her cheek and pulled her back to the stage and released her behind the piano. He gets set and looked into her eyes. "Just look at me. We got this."
She nodded still reeling from his words and soft peck on the cheek. "I'm ready."
He nodded and they started playing, never taking their eyes off one another.
Quinn/Royal/Both
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
Oh-oh
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly,
Eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me
And erase me
Ant I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
Mmmm ooooh
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly
Sing your melody
I'll sing along
Oh I'll sing along (Along Ohooohooohh)
Take this sinking boat (I don't know you)
And point it home (But I want you)
We've still got time
Falling slowly
Sing your melody
I'll sing along
As they finished they are panting hard as the auditorium around them explodes in cheers, everyone clapping and yelling madly. Royal could even hear his papa Hiram whistling loudly for them. Quinn comes around the piano and rushed into his arms as he pushed his guitar behind him and pulled her in.
He dropped his lips to her ears. "I told you. You are amazing."
Quinn smiled pulling back slightly, "No, we are."
He just laughed but could say no more as they are rushed in a group hug by the rest of their friends. Mr. Shue picked up the mic as they all calmed. "Ok guys that was so amazing. Give us just a bit and we will let you know who the winner is."
With that he sat and all the judges started deliberating. The kids on the stage just started taking about all of the songs and debating who actually won. They all looked up as the parents started to file in the side of the auditorium. It looked like almost all of the parents had made it but before they were all in Mr. Shue stood again and smiled. "Ok guys, by unanimous vote the winners are Quinn and Royal with Falling Slowly and we will be using that for our duet at Sectionals."
They all cheered madly and Quinn and Royal pulled each other in for another big hug. The parents all crowded the stage too and found their respective children. "I swear we leave you with Rachel for a little while and you can't even find it in yourself to tell your mamas you are in a competition."
Royal spun around and rushed to Shelby and Heather, "Mom, Ma, When did you get here?"
Shelby smiled opening her other arm to intercept Rachel too, "We got in an hour before the competition started. Why didn't you tell us you two were in this?"
Royal just shrugged. "We figured it was just for placement thing for Sectional and if we won you'd see us then."
Heather popped him on the back of the head and scowled at Rachel. "And if we had just seen Sectionals we wouldn't have seen Rachel and her friend there sing her song."
Rachel moved to her and kissed her cheek. "Well, you would have seen me sing it at Sectionals if Tigger hadn't cheated."
Royal, Shelby and Heather all looked at her shocked but it's Hiram that asks. "How in the world did he cheat? I've heard him and Quinn at the house practicing that song for weeks now."
Rachel just smirked with a shrug. "He asked me for help at the last minute today and I was sweet enough to help him at the detriment to my own performance."
They all just looked at her and Royal dropped to his knees. "How ever will I make this injustice up to you Tink? Tell me what I can do to make it better."
Rachel sighed heavily. "I told you, pizza and ice cream is a must. Nothing less will suffice."
Royal bowed over her hand dramatically causing everyone to laugh uproariously as Mateo pushes his way through to them looking upset. "I think you and Santi should have won Rachel. You're still an angel to me."
Rachel just melted and pulled him to her and hugged him tight. "Thank you Mateo that makes me feel so much better."
Everyone chuckled some more and Santana pushed him playfully, "Hey, what about me? You're my brother."
He just shrugged looking up to Rachel adoringly. "You're just my sister. Rachel's an angel."
Santana's jaw hit the ground in disbelieve and everyone is laughing again. Leroy moved in beside Santana. "It's ok Santana I thought you sounded superb. Now, I just got off the phone with Breadsticks and they have set aside the party room for anyone who wants to join us for a celebratory dinner. It's on us so please come."
Hiram turned to Maribel. "I insist that you join us Mari. It's been too long since we've spoken and I still want to catch up."
Maribel looked to Santana and Mateo who were both nodding excitedly. "Ok, we'll meet you there."
The group all cheered and made their way out.
A/N: I know I know it's been so long since I updated. All I can say is I promise that no matter how long it takes to update I will finish my story.
Songs:
Rachel and Santana—No One by Aly and AJ—from the movie Ice Princess.
Quinn and Royal—Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova—from the movie Once—in the style of Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox from American Idol. Watch the live version.