Summary: Events at Dalton have far reaching effects, especially for Kurt who learns some truths he's not ready to believe.

Rebel Yell by Stress Relief with sexy Sugar Shack guy, Blaine Anderson, on drums

Sam looked around the room and saw the effect the video had on his Glee Club. He needed to get their heads back in the game. "Ok, listen up guys. No matter what the title says, that video wasn't about Blaine. It was a throw down from the Warblers saying Here we are. What are you going to do about it? So, what are we going to do about it?"

"But they played the video over the Throat Explosion video" Brittany reminded him. "That wasn't for us."

Holly jumped in. "Yes, it was, Britt. That web site is the #1 Show Choir blog in the country and they have been pumping up Throat Explosion as The New New Directions. The outsiders that will come in, kick butt and walk away with the trophy. The Warblers just told everyone Fuck that! Oops, sorry. Screw that! We're the Warblers and we're the ones that are kicking butt!"

"Great! We're screwed" Ryder grumbled. "Why are we even trying so hard to win Regionals?"

This time Holly stepped back. She knew Sam had to be the one to bring them in. "We're trying hard because that's what we have to do to win Nationals. Yes, I said Nationals. I know sometimes we, hell I, don't believe we deserve to go but that doesn't matter anymore. When we perform on Saturday, it won't just be to win, which we will. Saturday will be our video. It's what the Warblers and Throat Explosion and whoever else are going to watch and ask How the hell are we supposed to beat that? We don't have to be the New New Directions because we are THE New Directions, defending National Champions. It's about time we started acting that way."

Suddenly, everyone felt the need to go back to the auditorium and do one more run through before leaving. Sam stopped a moment, closed his eyes and took a breath, thankful he had been able to pull that speech out of his ass. Maybe he had heard a few too many football coaches give rah-rah halftime speeches. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find he wasn't alone.

"Sammy, when are you going to tell everyone you won't be here the week we come back from Spring Break? By the way, have you heard anything from Santana about what you're wearing in the photo shoot?"

"If that was your way of asking if I'll be wearing Abercrombie in my casual shots and that they want to sign me as one of their models, yes, she told me."

Brittany grabbed his hands and began to bounce with excitement. "How are you keeping this a secret?"

"My family knows, but I haven't been able to talk to Blaine. He went into lockdown before I found out. I feel like I at least owe him that, you know. None of this would be happening if it wasn't for him. I don't know how I'm ever going to thank him, let alone repay him."

"Santana feels the same way. She's so happy, Sammy. I know you probably don't want to hear me talk about her, with you breaking up with Nari…"

Sam pulled her into his arms and gave a kiss to the top of her head "Brit, I talk to Santana at least five times a day. We're good, and Narissa…I'm sad but it's for the best. And I promise, I'll tell everyone after we win on Saturday and I won't go to New York without a plan in place. I only hope Sue's suspension was a wake-up call for Mr. Schue."

The two of them headed off toward the auditorium without ever noticing Holly had come back through the other door to get her phone. She had heard their conversation and agreed that there was cause for concern. No way was Will not going to at least try and take advantage of Sam's absence. Fortunately, she had the forethought to record Sam giving his speech on her phone. She had a feeling it would be good, but it had been so much more.

Knowing she had to get back to the kids, Holly sent Sue an email with a quick overview of the problem, a copy of Sam's speech and the link to the Stress Relief video. So much good had happened in the last half hour, she didn't want it to go to hell because Sam had a chance to make a future for himself.

When Sue got the email, she had already seen the Stress Relief video. After a meeting she had earlier in the day, she decided it was in her best interest to start following the Show Choir blog she had heard those lose…wonderful members of the New Directions talk about. She really was going to have to start watching what she said about them.

Twenty minutes later, Will knocked on her door "You wanted to see me, Sue?"

"Yes, William, come in. I was wondering if you had seen this?" She turned her computer screen to show him the Stress Relief video.

"Yes, some of my friends in the association made sure I was aware of it."

"What did you think?"

"Honestly?" Sue gave him a nod to continue "It had nothing to do with show choir. It was a few rich brats throwing a temper tantrum because they didn't feel they were getting the attention they deserved."

"Is that what you would have told your students?"

"Probably, although Sam and Sugar would have argued otherwise because of their blind loyalty to Blaine."

Sue bit her tongue. She could not show her new allegiance to certain current and former members of the New Directions…at least not yet. "What if I told you that's not what happened?" She switched her screen over to that of Sam's speech. "Quite remarkable, wasn't he? Captain took the situation and turned it into a moment to inspire. I was told you used to do that with your precious Glee Club, although I never saw it personally."

"He inspired them? How? And Nationals? They wouldn't even be in Regionals if I didn't go and pull in favors." It took Will about 30 seconds to realized he had just royally screwed up.

But Sue was ecstatic. It made what she had to do 100 times easier "I think you need some extra time to think about what you just said. I'm extending your suspension through the week after Spring Break. This is your second strike, William. You are going to have to decide if whatever vendetta you have against Blaine Anderson…"

"This has nothing to do with Blaine!"

"You can deny it all you want, I don't believe you. Although you never bonded with this group due to your decision to abandon them at the beginning of the year, this is about Blaine and you are taking it out on Sam. The rest of those kids are innocent bystanders. What did Blaine do that you are willing to throw away everything for?" It was a question she knew wouldn't get an answer, but had felt the need to ask. "Think long and hard about this, Will. Because as the saying goes, three strikes and you're out."

Back in the auditorium, Finn sat in the last row and watched as the Glee Club packed up for the evening. This last run through, the one after Sam's speech, had been perfect. Sam was always the one he saw as the leader of the New Directions when he and Rachel left. It probably should have been Artie or Tina, since they were originals, but Artie's true passion was directing and Tina was…was...he'd think of something other than crazy later. And then there had been Blaine. Yeah, that one could wait for therapy.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked him.

Finn knew he was coming, but didn't realize it was that late "Hey, thanks for coming to get me."

Kurt had about 14 different comebacks, but since all of them would be considered snarky, he bit his tongue. If he was going to get Blaine to believe he was the Old Kurt again, everyone else had to believe it too. "No problem, I was on my way home from work anyway. Plus, I wanted to check on how things were going with Mr. Schue suspended. I didn't know they had Holly working with them. She must have done something. I saw their last run through and they looked better than I've ever seen them."

"It wasn't Holly. It was Sam…and maybe a little Blaine." Shit! He had to go and mention Blaine.

"Blaine? How would Blaine help them? Why would Blaine help them? He's a Warbler."

Finn pulled up YouTube on his phone, handed it to Kurt then went to talk to Sam and Jake. He didn't want to listen to Kurt's comments…good or bad.

Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door
Last night a little angel came pumping on the floor

"Oh, my." Kurt felt his knees begin to buckle, so he subtly (he hoped) sat down in one of the chairs. Blaine may miss the Old Kurt, but the New Kurt had no problems with the New Blaine. He had to admit that in the beginning he missed Blaine's bowties and hair gel, but the mop top beating…uh, pounding…oh,um, banging…thrusting…

"Kurt!"

He was once again thankful he had been able to hold back, especially when he discovered it was Brittany trying to get his attention. They had been working on rebuilding their friendship. It started when she was nice to him at Sugar Shack after he cut his hand. He talked to her again after the Schuster Reception and for some reason told her about what Blaine said in the bathroom. Brittany reminded him that she hadn't forgotten the horrible things he said to her after Sectionals, but she would help him try to get his magic back so he could be Old Kurt again. Then she proceeded to drone on about Blaine loving Sebastian, but he tuned that part out.

However, now that Blaine had finally dumped that asshole, having Brittany in his corner was even more important. He could use her to help clear a path to Blaine through his inexplicable friendship with Santana. Once he and Blaine were back together, he would find a way to get rid of that bitch.

"Hey, Britt. Did you see Blaine's video?"

"Oh, yeah. We all saw it but we didn't enjoy it as much as you are." Brittany very slowly lowered her eyes.

"Wha…Oh! Oh, Brittany…I'm so sorry." Kurt had never been so happy he carried a messenger bag.

Of course, Brittany's giggling wasn't helping "It's ok, Kurt. All of the girls thought Blaine looked sexy. Well, not Sugar because that would be creepy."

Sugar, the cousin. Not going to be able to get rid of her "I still bet she found him sexy, but not in that way. More like My cousin looks so hot I have to keep all the girls away, especially since he's getting over a break up. But I have to say, Blaine doesn't look like he's too broken hearted."

"Shouldn't it be keep all of the boys away? And you can stop trying to get information, Kurt. I haven't heard any more about the Sebreak. Sam's not talking and Santana is working crazy hours right now getting ready for the…oops, sorry, I said too much."

"That's ok, Britt. I remember what it was like interning with Isabelle. I'm sure the advertising department is just as bad."

"No, she works at Teen Vogue now. Blaine's godmother moved her there."

"Blaine's godmother works at Vogue?"

"Duh, like you didn't know. I mean you worked there and didn't you and Blaine use to talk about Vogue all the time?" Brittany gave him a kiss on his cheek and then left Kurt sitting there wondering what the hell had just happened. He gave a quick look down and determined it was ok to stand since Finn was headed toward him, which was good. He needed to get home and figure out what he was going to do with the information Brittany had just given him.

Unfortunately for Kurt, he'd have to wait. Not only had Sam and Jake followed them home, but Puck was in the living area, waiting with Carole "What's going on?"

"Thanks for coming" Puck said to the arrivals, ignoring the annoyed tone of Kurt's voice. "I'm leaving town for a month and thought it would be easier to tell all you guys at once."

"Going back to LA?" Jake asked.

"No, Paris."

"Paris! Why the hell would you be going to Paris?!" The guys all knew Kurt's voice could hit higher octaves but…Damn!

Puck looked at a smiling Finn and Sam. The three of them where anxious to hear Kurt's response to what came next "Seb's dad hired Dmitri to go back to Paris with Sierra and help with her move to New York. I'm going with them. Manual labor mostly, but Dmitri's going to give me some stories about his time in the Russian mob…I mean army, for my screenplay."

"Bro, that's awesome." Jake came around to give his brother a hug, but the others in the room were focused on a visibly shaken Kurt.

"Sierra? As in Sierra Russo? The internationally known, award winning designer for Dior? What do you mean back to Paris?"

Carole was confused by Kurt's reaction, especially since they were talking about Sebastian's sister. "Kurt, Sierra was at Cooper's soft opening when Blaine made his announcement about Julliard. I met her. She's a lovely woman and her daughter Isabella is adorable."

"She was at Breadstix? I would have seen her!"

Finn shook his head, mainly so he wouldn't laugh. He had been right about Kurt being obsessed but he still didn't have a clue why. "You had to stay in back because Blaine didn't want you interfering with his announcement. Remember? Sierra and her mom left right after that so they could get the baby home."

If they were expecting another outburst they were disappointed because Kurt stormed out of the room without saying a word. "What the hell was that?" Jake asked.

"I don't know but I'm about to find out. Noah, spend some time with your brother. And you two…" Carole pointed back and forth between Finn and Sam "…have a seat and start talking."

"Sam, can you give Mom and me a minute?" Sam nodded leaving Finn with Carole. He had wanted to call to Sebastian anyway.

Puck got their attention and told them that he and Jake were leaving as well. After a round of hugs, Carole's patience was gone. She sat down on the couch, patted the cushion next to her then in her best mom voice said two words "Start talking."

"I'm leaving town too, but next week, not tomorrow like Puck."

"You're going to Paris? You don't have a passport. Hold on, does Noah have a passport?"

"Puck has a passport. He got it when he lived in LA to go to Mexico. And I'm not going to Paris. Cooper is sending me to New York."

"Why would…oh, you're going to keep Kurt away from Blaine. Aren't you?"

"No, Cooper has people for that but I am going to keep them updated on what Kurt is up to. Mom, I'm not saying why, it's not my place, but I owe Blaine. I'm not going to let Kurt fuck up Blaine's Julliard thing because he thinks the two of them belong at NYADA together. Sorry about the language."

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Finn, I have no idea what you do for Cooper, and I probably don't want to, but you have been happier lately than I have seen you in a long time. Now, answer something for me. Does any of this have anything to do with Rachel?"

While that was happening downstairs, Kurt was pacing around his room, trying to get his bearings. There was so much information to process. First of all, Sierra Russo was in Ohio. How the hell did that happen? Oh yeah, the bastard brother. He took one of the throw pillows from his bed and threw it across the room. That son-of-a-bitch had everything Kurt ever wanted. Everything! Well…Kurt sat down on his bed and picked up the picture from his Junior Prom…at least Sebastian didn't have Blaine any more. Maybe he should ask Sam how Blaine was doing? Yeah, like Sam would tell him anything. Another person he'd have to get rid of when he and Blaine were back together.

Speaking of Blaine, what the hell was this about Blaine's godmother working at Vogue? What was her name? Bobbie? Betty? Something with a B, he knew that. He couldn't remember anyone with a name like that who would have the power to move Santana from advertising to Teen Vogue. He'd have to work on Brittany to get that information. Maybe he could try to see Isabelle when he was in New York. He left under good terms. At least he thought he did.

Deciding there was nothing he could do about those things at the moment, he pulled out his folder with the sheet music of possible songs for his NYADA audition. Madame Bitch Tibideaux told him she expected him to go outside of his comfort zone…No Broadway. Fine, he could do that. The problem was finding a song that would not only get him accepted, but would have the same effect on Blaine as Being Alive did. No matter how many times Rachel told him that Blaine was going to Julliard, he knew better. NYADA was their dream. Blaine would be there.

He studied the sheet on top of the file. This was the song he was leaning toward singing. It was one of Blaine's favorites…although he had no idea why.

How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking
Every breath with you

You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

Kurt was about to begin the next verse when he was interrupted by a ringtone that made him cringe. The last thing he wanted to do was deal with Cooper, but there was no getting around it. He still owed the asshole $9,782.18. "Hello, Cooper."

"Yeah, Hummel. I've got good news for you. Being the wonderfully generous boss that I am, you can have the week after next off like you asked."

"Really? What's the catch?"

"You have to work a double shift the next three days. You're training your fill-in."

"The next three days? I'll miss the New Directions Regionals."

"Choice is yours. What's it going to be?"

"Fine. What time do I have to be in for this training?"

"10AM, don't be late. I've got a surprise for you."

Notes:

I took Throat Explosion's description from canon (and amped it up a bit).

Sam's speech: I know for canon purposes the Season 4/5 New Directions couldn't win, but could they have at least tried? (opinion)