From now on all chapters are marked AU
Part 9
Wes smiled as his boys made their way out onto the stage all looking happy and ready to perform. They'd watch New Directions perform and was as always impressed. Blaine and Kurt had given the guys the thumbs up wishing them good luck. Now they were all seated in the audience waiting for the Warblers to perform their program. A program Wes had to put together in the last minute. He'd worked so many nights David and Thad had told Blaine they feared he'd collapse. But Wes pulled through it… like he always did. Blaine told Kurt that he could swear to GOD that there was one thing Wes never learned how to do… and that was break. Kurt had reminded him of the graduation day to which Blaine had answered:
"Yeah but that was one time in 19 years Kurt. How many times have you and I fallen apart?" Kurt had to admit that Wes either was glued together with super-glue or just broke when no one was there to see. Well back to competition.
"And now from Dalton Academy in Westerville the Warblers", the announcer said and New Directions waited in anticipation to see what Wes could come up with on such short notice. The stage was completely dark and then the Warblers sang (All, Nick):
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
The audience cheered because doing that part in different harmonies sounded FFF, fucking freaking fantastic! A single spotlight came on and you could barely see the shadows of the Warblers standing in the same kind of formation that they did at the start of Hey Soul Sister last year.
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Siyo Nqoba
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (x6)
Nick stepped forward and started to sing while the Warblers moved in time to the music.
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun – Nick stepped into that single spotlight, blinking.
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high – The lights started to light up slowly.
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
It's the Circle of Life – The crowd stood up cheering as the a cappella group broke out in different harmonies again, few of them singing in Zulu, and the lights came on with full force. New Directions cheered the loudest of all.
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
The Warblers held out that last note but then went completely quiet. The audience hesitated wondering if something was wrong… but then the basses began doing low almost throat sounds and the others began sounding oooh or aaah as Nick moved back and Thad moved forward with an evil smirk on his face and fixing his tie(Warblers, Thad, Jeff):
Spoken: I never thought hyenas essential
They're crude and unspeakably plain
But maybe they've a glimmer of potential
If allied to my vision and brain – Thad smirked at the audience as the boys started doing the backups (listening to the song, it's easier than describing the sounds). Thad moved over the floor looking really evil and Blaine grinned like crazy at it. Thad moved around among the Warblers as he sang:
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are, pay attention – He "hit" Jeff up the head as the blonde Warbler swatted at the air.
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
And where do we feature? - Jeff stepped forward when he asked this and Thad patted him on the head.
Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared! - Thad threw his arms out to the side while the boys flocked around him
It's great that we'll soon be connected
With a king who'll be all-time adored – Thad looked smug and grabbed the collar part of his blazer looking "important".
Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is – Thad spun around facing the boys and they spread out around him.
You won't get a sniff without me!
So prepare for the coup of the century – The boys actually danced here, moves that made Mike Chang proud of being allowed to teach them those moves… in secret of course. He'd taught the Warblers a bit about dancing because Wes had taught him something about singing that summer and Mike promised to pay him back somehow.
(Oooh!)
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
(Oooh... La! La! La!)
Meticulous planning
(We'll have food!)
Tenacity spanning
(Lots of food)
Decades of denial
(We repeat)
Is simply why I'll
(Endless meat)
Be king undisputed
(Aaaaaaah...)
Respected, saluted
(...aaaaaaah...)
And seen for the wonder I am
(...aaaaaaah!)
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
(Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Be prepared!
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared -
Be prepared!
The music died off again and the audience started to cheer like crazy again but then the boys started to sing, in eight way harmony (Warblers, Nick, Jeff):
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
With all its living things
Nick walked out centre stage with Jeff. Nick looked sad and Jeff danced around a bit. Nick sighed and sang:
So many things to tell her
But how to make her see
The truth about my past? Impossible!
She'd turn away from me
Nick walked slowly back into formation and Jeff watched him sadly and turned to the audience.
He's holding back, he's hiding
But what, I can't decide
Why won't he be the king I know he is
The king I see inside?
All the boys ran up to him and they all sang together:
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings
The world, for once, in perfect harmony
With all its living things
Can you feel the love tonight?
You needn't look too far
Stealing through the night's uncertainties
Love is where they are
The Warblers grouped together again and all sang with big grins:
Now we found our way
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
The Warblers bowed their heads and the crowd went wild cheering loudly for them. The boys started to grin and jump up and down and Thad darted off to the side and pulled Wes out on stage and in the front of the Warblers. The Warblers started to clap their hands and cheering for him and Blaine and Kurt hooted along with the wolf-whistling boys of New Directions. Wes grinned and bowed to the audience before gesturing to his boys and they took a bow as he clapped his hand for them alongside the audience.
"That was amazing!" Blaine yelled hugging Nick as he and Kurt ran backstage. "You guys nailed it!"
There was a lot of hugging between the two glee choirs as ND congratulated the Warblers on a job well done. Wes stood a bit to the side watching them with a fond smile on his face. Will walked over and stood beside him.
"How much did you want to run out there and join them", Will asked calmly.
"It took all the willpower I could muster to stay offstage", Wes said with a small smile. "But the boys were having fun and that's what this was all about. It doesn't matter if we win or lose. For the Warblers it's all about having fun… as a family."
Will smiled and thought of it. Sometimes "his" kids thought more of the winning part than the having fun part.
"I think you'll go all the way this time", Wes said waking Will from his musings.
"Excuse me", Will asked and looked at the boy at his side… no young man.
"I think you will go the whole way this time Schue", Wes repeated. "You are going to win this Regionals. I know it… my boys know it but they don't care." Wes turned to Will and they locked eyes and Will was touched by the warmth in the younger man's eyes.
"It will be worthy winners", Wes said and Will smiled and held out his hand to Wes to shake. The Warbler looked confused.
"Thanks", Will said. "For believing in my club as well as yours… and for dropping your studies to come help us sort this whole mess out."
Wes took the hand and shook it warmly. Grinning from ear to ear and they hugged patting each other's backs in a brotherly way.
"Hey!" They heard David call and they turned to see the two glee-clubs watch them with smirks on their faces.
"I don't like this", Will whispered to Wes and Wes chuckled.
"Oh don't worry, the Warblers won't touch you or me if they know what's best for them", Wes whispered back. Then he looked at David.
"Yes what can I do for you Mr. Mitchell", he asked calmly. David looked stern but then grinned and motioned for Wes to come over here.
"Aw get over here you big softy!" he said pulling Wes into a hug that all the Warblers, Blaine and Kurt joined in to.
"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you!" Trent said happily.
"Yes you would", Wes said. "You guys did all the work I am so proud of you that I don't have words for it."
"Well find them fast because they are going to announce the winners", Nick said dragging Wes on stage. "And I have a good feeling about it this time!" Wes just laughed and looked at Will who just grinned back.
It was time and Wes had never been so nervous in his entire life. The boys were all standing so close to each other that he thought that one misstep and they'd all fall. Wes was standing in the front holding Lewis, the freshman, in front of him in a supporting way. The poor boy was so nervous he was about to faint. The announcer was taking it so slow and Wes had to close his eyes and take a calming breath. Then he opened his eyes again.
"So let's see who the winner is", the announcer said calmly and opened the envelope. Wes locked eyes with Will and mouthed:
"Congratulations."
"It's a tie!" the announcer yelled and Wes' head snapped around.
"What?" he exclaimed as did everyone else.
"Congratulations to the Warblers and the New Directions both of you are going to Nationals!"
At first nothing happened... but then... The cheering that happened on stage was so loud the announcer had to cover his ears but Wes didn't hear any of it. He was in shock and was vaguely aware of Lewis hugging the daylights out of him and the boys jumping up and down in happiness. The New Directions were doing the same. Wes closed his eyes and a single tear found its way down his cheek, a tear of joy and pride. He noticed Will hug his kids and all of them jumping up and down. Wes broke out of his trance and joined in on the celebrating hugging. He noticed the ND join in on the hugs as well.
"You did awesome!" Blaine cheered into his ear hugging Wes close. "All this was made possible because of you!"
"No no", Wes said ruffling Blaine's hair. "Because of all of us." Suddenly he felt hands everywhere on him and he was hoisted up from the floor.
"Hey! Whoa put me down!" he exclaimed and Blaine laughed. Wes looked around at the guys holding him up.
"Let's hear it for our coach", Thad shouted. "Hip hip hooray!" They threw him up in the air and caught him and did so a few times. Wes started to laugh at the hilarity of it all and noticed that Will got the same treatment he got. Had you asked Wesley Montgomery then if he knew what it meant to be happy he would have said yes… and now nationals awaited them and this was a happy ending… but things, of course, would not stay that way.
TBC