Disclaimer: If I had owned Glee, its characters or the used songs I wouldn't be still living in the Netherlands and Glee wouldn't have ended.
Special thanks to all of you who are still following this story for your patience.
English still isn't my native language. For that I have jenmer61977 as my amazing beta.
A.N.: I'm changing things up a bit to make it fit better for what I have in mind later on in the story. I have changed all the chapters I had until now and am working on brand new chapters. I can't promise updates will come regularly but I do promise that I will do everything I can to finish both this and Changing Directions.
Previously in Into the Fire:
Before anyone can react Coach Beiste steps into the room, having heard the whole thing. She looks to her kids, putting a calming hand on Santana's shoulder. "Why aren't you guys in the choir room?"
Noah steps up to them, "They stopped us on the way there. We were just leaving."
She nods and they turn to leave with Brittany and Artie in tow but before they make it out the door Santana turns back to the New Directions and smirks. "May the best club win," and with that they were gone leaving a flabbergasted group in their wake.
Mr. Shue turns to the remaining group members. "Ok guys we can't let this deter us. We just need to campaign and find some new members but first we need to address team captains. Finn will stay on and Mercedes has told me she would like to replace Rachel. Now…"
"I really can't believe you let that happen," Before he can finish his sentence everybody turns to the normally silent Mike whose gaze is shooting daggers at Mr. Shuester.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the teacher feigns.
"Of course you don't," Mike remarks sarcastically. "But then again I shouldn't be surprised that you just let Mercedes and Quinn do what they just did. Mercedes just talked about Rachel as if she wasn't a freaking human being. She was one of us and deserves some respect. If any of us besides them or Finn had done something like that you would have had no problem suspending us."
Mercedes holds up a hand. "Now wait a minute…"
Mike rounds on her. "I will not. You were out of line. Hell, you are always out of line. The problem is that none of us have stood up for Rachel and just let you get away with everything for so damn long we stopped really listening to what was being said most of the time."
Quinn scoffs. "She wasn't even one of us anymore. She quit befo…"
"She quit because you always had something snarky to say or ridiculed her about everything and Mr. Shuester never listened to what she had to say while she always only had the best interest of the club in mind. Santana was right. If Mr. Shuester had listened to her, we would have had a similar budget and we probably would have been National Champions by now. And the fact that none of us stood up to you and made you stop being such a pair of bitches and assholes." He shakes his head sadly and Tina rubs his back then he looks at Mr. Shue. "You want to know what I regret the most? I regret letting Rachel walk out that door without telling her to stay because we needed her."
Mercedes angrily walks toward him. "We never needed her. She was nothing but a power hungry diva who…"
Right as she almost gets in his personal space Tina pushes herself in between them and body checks her to stop her forward motion. "No Mercedes, you are the power hungry diva in here. She only wanted what was best for us as a team and 99% of the time she was what was best. Mike's right, we never should have let her go."
Finn stands next to Quinn. "It doesn't matter anymore. She's dead and we need to focus on what is best for the club right now."
"Finn is right guys. We need t…" Mr. Shue starts to speak but is cut off again.
"No sir," Mike says shaking his head, "That's what you all need to do. I'm out. I won't stay in this club of back stabbers any longer. I only wish I had grown a pair when I could have told Rachel how sorry I am."
He starts to grab his things and Mercedes chuckles. "So you're leaving your back stabbing girlfriend and best friend here?" She says motioning to Tina and Matt.
Matt stands up and walks to Mike while Tina grabs her bag too. "No he's not." She says looking to Matt then Mike. "We're going with him. Good luck now that both your best singers and your best dancers are gone."
The three of them laugh as they walk out the door leaving a fuming Mercedes, Quinn, and Finn in their wake.
"Wait," Kurt packs his bag. "I'm coming with you."
"What the hell Kurt," Finn grabs him by his wrist before he can reach them. "You're my brother. Family is supposed to stick together."
Kurt shakes his head. "Funny how you always only seem to remember that we're family when it's convenient to you. Just like you only remembered how to be nice to Rachel when you needed her and that goes for all of you. I'm sorry but I can't be in the same room as Quinn after what she just said and what she did last Saturday. We just lost one of our own because her parents were gay Quinn. We should thank our lucky stars that Dave apparently is dating Santana now and that it was just us when she said what she did." He looks at Quinn. "You should be very careful with what you say in public in this town these days Quinn." With that he heads towards the door.
Mercedes scoffs. "You are no better than us. What makes you think they want you around anymore than they want us? If you walk out that door we are through."
Kurt stops walking, turns around and sighs. "I don't care if they want me or not. I'm still out. I know that I was no better than any of you and that makes me sick. Rachel deserved better than she ever got in here. I regret letting things get as far as they did just because I was jealous of her. I knew she was better than any of us and I let that fuel my actions and I feel dirty for what we put her through. Once I walk out that door I'll be happy to be free of all of this and you."
As he walks toward them, Mike just watches him then throws an arm around his shoulders when he gets close, "You were an ass too but if you can admit that and actually feel bad about it then that's alright with me. Come on."
Tina and Matt both smile at him and they all walk out together.
Entering their new choir room Emily and Brittany gasp when they see the logo painted on the wall and the remarkable resemblance it has to Rachel.
"Wow," Artie looks around the room. "I didn't even know this room existed. With these high ceilings the acoustics must be phenomenal."
"Yeah, and look at the space." Brittany adds twirling around. "We don't need to go to the auditorium to rehearse for competitions."
"They are phenomenal," Noah agrees. "We used to come here with Rachel when we wanted to get some extra rehearsal in. She did know about this room and has been complaining to us for over a year that Shue didn't want to use it. He thought it was too big for a choir with only twelve people. We even have our own entrance, dressing and locker room with showers and direct access to the auditorium. While the other room is just a converted classroom this one was made as a choir room. Not that I'm complaining, Britt I can understand but what are you doing here?" He says looking at Artie.
"If you'll have me, I was wondering if I could join you. Maybe not as an active member but I'm sure I can be of value somehow." Artie speaks after looking at Britt for a moment. "With you two as captains and Coach Beiste as your advisor my guess is that this club will be run more fairly than the one with Mr. Shue and I'd like to be a part of that."
"Of course we'll have you but be prepared to work your asses off. There will be no more meaningless lessons. We will make our setlists for all competitions at the beginning of the year with a few backup songs and work on them until we have them perfect. This," Noah warns them pointing at the new logo, "is Rachel's legacy to this school and we will run it the way she would have done."
"Bring it," Britt grins.
"How did you come up with the name, The Trouble Tones?" Santana and Noah look confused at Emily and she points at the logo on the wall. They look from where she is pointing to Dave.
"I thought it was fitting," he shrugs with a smirk. "When we were little the four and later the six of us used to get in all kinds of trouble. The 'tones' stands for the music we're making. Mashed together you get the Trouble Tones."
They all smile. "I like it." Noah looks back at the wall.
Coach sees the opportunity to show them what she has been up to. "Good because that would mean I ordered these for nothing." She hands them each a black bomber jacket with their new logo printed on the back and just like the sports teams, the big M on the left breast. Two have the football logo with the names 'Puckerman' and 'Karofsky' and the other with the Cheerios logo and 'Lopez' on the sleeve. At their surprised looks she just shrugs.
"Actually Coach," Santana gives Coach her jacket back. "I'll need one without the Cheerio logo. I quit the Cheerios this morning."
"What? Why? You love cheerleading," Comes from three mouths.
Santana shakes her head at her friends' questions. "I used to love it when mama S. was our coach. She knew what it took to win and how to do it safely. Coach Washington has absolutely no idea what she's doing. Practices are a mess and it won't be long before somebody gets seriously injured. And trust me, if I stay on that team, somebody will get hurt and I don't want to end up in jail." They all nod in understanding.
"If you go to Quick As A Wink Printing Company they can make you a new one. See if they can remove your name so we can use that jacket for somebody else who will be on both. Take these two with you to get them a jacket. I also ordered sweatpants, sweatshirts, hoodies and T-shirts with the logo and your names for rehearsals, but those weren't finished yet. When auditions are done we can place another order for the whole team." Coach tells them.
Before they can move on they are interrupted by a collective gasp and when they turn they see Mike, Kurt, Tina and Matt staring at their logo. "Did you draw this?" Tina manages to tear her eyes off the logo to look at Dave who nods.
"How do you know Dave drew that?" Matt looks confused.
"Uhm hello, partly Jewish remember? We grew up together." Tina rolls her eyes at him.
"What are you guys doing here?" Noah asks.
"We just quit that backstabbing club down the hall. We, uhm, wanted to apologize for what happened earlier and although we can't apologize to her anymore, we can apologize to you guys for not standing up for Rachel and you guys when we should have but we will have your back when needed from now on," Mike says sincerely. He looks at Tina for a moment and when she nods he adds. "We have a feeling that in this club everybody will get their chance to shine, even in competitions so we'd like to join you."
Noah and Santana look at each other in what looks like a silent conversation until Santana shrugs saying 'we won't be running this club in her memory if we don't forgive them.' Noah nods. 'You're right. Asian Fusion and Matt can stay but Hummel has to go. I don't trust him.'
"Okay. You three can join us. We could use another choreographer and Tina's voice is the closest that comes to Rachel's." Noah points at the two Asians. Tina smiles shyly at her thanks to his compliment to her voice. "Kurt, thank you for your unspoken apology but we don't want you joining us. Even though you know exactly how it feels to be bullied you've been nothing but a bully to Rachel in that choir room from the moment you set foot into it. And we don't want that in our team."
"I understand." He looks at the floor in shame as he leaves the room.
Noah grins satisfied about being able to 'steal' not two but five members from the New Directions in just thirty minutes. "Like I said to Britt and Artie, be prepared to work your asses off. Things will be different here."
Again they're interrupted, this time by principal Figgins. "Good afternoon children, Coach Beiste. You did a wonderful job here." He looks around the room nodding his approval. "Anyway, the reason why I came here is that I want to hold a memorial for Ms. Berry and Ms. Sylvester a week from today. I wanted to ask if you children would like to perform some of their favorite songs."
"I think it would be better if the New Directions took care of that," Mr. Shue, who had noticed Figgins pass his choir room and followed him, sees an opportunity to recruit new members for the New Directions. Not seeing the furious looks on Coach Beiste and his former student's faces. "I mean they are just starting out and only have three members."
"That's where you're wrong Will," Coach Beiste smirks evilly. "Thanks to you five new members just joined us, we are now with eight. Two more and we're able to kick your butt at sectionals and trust me, we will."
Figgins who's been looking between the two coaches like a tennis match, looks at Mr. Shuester. "You can ask if they want you to perform at the memorial but... the team with Mr. Puckerman and Ms. Lopez have total control. They have been friends with Ms. Berry their whole lives, so they know what she would have liked." When Shue tries to protest he holds up his hand. "No William, my decision is final."
"I'm sorry but you'll have to sit this one out buddy. I don't think my kids are willing to work with yours," Coach turns to principal Figgins with a smile. "We would be honored to perform at the memorial Sir." Figgins nods with a small smile and takes his leave, Will following quickly behind in a huff.
"I'm done with all these interruptions. How about we pay a visit to Quick As A Wink to pick up our rehearsal clothes and place an order for our new members here, get some food and relocate this meeting to my house?" Noah suggests. They all nod and after cleaning up a bit they jump in their cars.
Coming downstairs after she has taken a nap Rachel goes in search of her mothers. She finds Shelby sitting at the official dining table behind her new laptop while Sue is doing some Tai Chi exercises outside.
"What are you doing?" She sits down next to her mom.
"Hey sweetie," Shelby kisses her daughter on the cheek. "I was doing some research on homeschooling and online studying. I think the best option is that we start homeschooling you."
Rachel smiles. "That's what I was thinking too."
"Emily said they would make sure you'd be enrolled in a school where they're placing us," the mother explains. "I'll call her to inform her about the change of plans."
"Thanks mom," the singer beams, kissing her mom on the cheek.
"Ma, Becca pizza," Noah yells as they enter his house. On the way there they had picked up their rehearsal gear and ordered jackets and rehearsal sets for the five new members, duffel bags and stickers also with their names to go on their lockers. The jackets can be picked up tomorrow while the rest would take until the end of the week. Since they will be rehearsing for the memorial the next few days where there would be no extensive dancing that's no problem.
"Oh my god, Little T. is that you?" Deborah squeals upon entering the kitchen, enveloping the girl in a tight hug. "God, we missed having you around. Look at you all grown up. Sorry for the mess but I haven't been in the best state of mind this last week." She apologizes to the rest of the teens.
Noah sets two bottles of soda and glasses on the table. "Now eat so we can get started on the rules of the club and ideas for the memorial."
"Okay first order of business, auditions." Noah opens their first TTM (Trouble Tones Meeting) "No more everybody who auditions automatically gets accepted. They have to be able to sing, dance or play an instrument. Preferably two out of three. We vote who gets in and who doesn't." They all agree. "Artie, can you set up a camera so we can watch the auditions back?" The boy in question nods.
"Maybe we can film all our rehearsals too so we can see where improvements have to be made?" Tina suggests.
"Tina, that's genius." Santana praises the Asian girl. They all agree to hang a flat screen TV on the wall in the choir room and watch their rehearsals back during free period and lunch.
"Next point," Noah continues. "No more bullying. We don't have to like every team member or become best friends but we do have to respect each other and have each other's backs in and outside the choir room. If we want to include elaborated dance routines, we have to trust each other and if we want the respect and support of the student body we have to act like a team."
"I know I'm not exactly the one to talk seeing my behavior towards Rachel and I don't plan on bullying anyone but what are the repercussions of bullying among team members?" Dave asks.
"As long as you know it," Noah smiles at the boy's self-reflection. "How abouuut, a ban from rehearsal for a week and if it happens again suspension for the next performance and if they still can't control themselves, they're off the team?" They all nod their agreement.
"Okay next, solo's. Santana and I might be your captains, but that doesn't mean we automatically get the lead on every song we perform. Anyone who wants a solo can audition singing the song they want a solo in and we vote as a team who gets which solo." Noah clarifies.
"Oh my god, you're going all mama C and mama S on us aren't ya?" Tina groans, already knowing what would come next. Using the names she used to call Shelby and Sue when she was part of their little group while Santana and Noah never stopped calling them that.
"Yes we are." Santana smirks. "As you all know by now performing is hard work and to be able to sing and do extensive dance routines like we want to, you need to be in shape. So as soon we can organize, we all are going to work out daily in the morning." She looks at their Coach. "We were hoping we could use the swimming pool for an hour every day and maybe twice a week either the track or the weight room for thirty minutes in the mornings before school starts."
"I don't think that will be a problem." Coach replies. "It seems like Figgins likes you two, if you would come with me, we might even convince him to let you all out of physical education. The Cheerios and football players also don't have P.E so why should the Trouble Tones have to if you're gonna work out and dance extensively like the Cheerios do?"
Noah smiles, "Thanks Coach that would be awesome. Tell us when and we'll be there. Now next point, grades. Everybody needs to keep up their grades at least at a B-minus. I know school requires a C-minus for extracurricular activities but if we want Figgins to give us permission to skip classes in order for extra rehearsal time before competitions, we need something to back that up. I know it will not be easy but if we help each other we can do it. If anyone needs help with math, they can come to me or Mike, for science or Spanish, San is your girl and so on. We'll make a list of everybody's strong classes."
"Does anybody have any questions?" Santana looks around her friends who are shaking their heads.
"I do," Coach Beiste raises her hand. "How are we gonna get the word out of a new glee club and when are we holding auditions?"
Both Noah and Santana look at each other. 'Why don't we use Rachel's idea to get the word out.' Noah tells her silently. 'I really loved that idea, let's do it. Are you explaining it to them or should I?' Noah tells her to do it.
"Uhm guys, some of us might be smart but we're not mind readers. Care to share?" Tina asks impatiently so Santana smirks at her and tells them the original plan Rachel came up with.
"That idea is awesome. But that jam session for old times Britt ask me for the other week wasn't really just a jam session?" Tina looks a little hurt they lied about that.
"No," the Jewish boy admits. "Sorry we lied to you T. But we were afraid that you would be loyal to the New Directions and wouldn't want to join and we needed you and your fiddle."
"I would have joined you anyway. I have been just as unhappy there as you guys were. My loyalty lies with you guys, they don't deserve my loyalty. But it is all in the past now. Just don't do anything like that again." The Asian girl looks sternly at her childhood friends.
"We can use the momentum from the memorial on Monday and have our 'jam session' the Friday after that. If we can find someone who can design a poster, we could project that same poster as our background once students start entering the auditorium and hang it on the bulletin board together with a signup sheet."
"I have been interested in graphic design for a while now. If it is okay with you guys, I would like to try my hand at that." Tina suggests. When they all agree she asks Dave if he could email her the logo.
"As for auditions, I was thinking of a week from Wednesday and Thursday. That way we have the memorial to show what we can do and gives us time to draw up a contract and the rules. Are there any questions so far?" Santana looks around her teammates. When everybody shakes their head no she continues. They all wave at her to continue. "We'd like to create some departments and assign some of you to them. We could only think of four at the moment, though we'll probably discover other things as we go. As expected, we'd like to make Britt and Mike responsible for choreography, Tina for costumes and Artie for filming and editing our performances. Noah and I will be responsible for music and song arrangements. For all of our new members that are brought in we'll have to see if they have any strong suits for any of these departments to help out, until then we all help out where needed. Anyone can apply to be a part of a department but just because you are not officially part of a department doesn't mean you can't give your opinion or input."
They all share a look then Matt smiles, "Sounds like a plan Cap. I say let's get started planning this memorial and make it as amazing as possible for our Rachel and Coach Sue." And with that they put their heads together to make an unforgettable memorial for Rachel and Sue.
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