CHAPTER 5
Mr. Schuester and Emma had returned to the school to look for Vance. They had been too late to get tickets into the Regionals competition, but had heard about the New Directions' success, so they wanted to thank Zane in person. Upon entering the choir room office, they didn't see him there. Instead, they found Sue waiting for them.
"Sue, what's going on? Where's Zane?" asked Mr. Schuester.
"He left before the competition began. I guess that rape accusation just became too much for him. But good news, he led your group to victory, and now look where they are: a third Regionals trophy and one step closer to another Nationals win."
"Zane just left, just like that? Without even saying goodbye?" said Mr. Schuester.
"I wouldn't worry about, Will. The fact of the matter is that when too much pressure is put on someone, they just snap."
"But I wanted to talk to him about what happened with Brittany", said Mr. Schuester, and Sue's eyes fell when she heard Brittany's name.
"I already straightened things out with him. It turns out your best friend is just a phony with anger issues, and that he did molest Brittany. As you know, I have a large amount of this school under surveillance. What you see here may disturb you", said Sue, and she turned on the television in the room, where Mr. Schuester saw the video footage, sound included, of what happened to Brittany. He slowly sat in a nearby chair, feeling ready to punch something. As soon as he saw Brittany smashing Zane's face with the paperweight, Sue turned off the television.
"So, what, you just showed him this?"
"And I paid him $5,000 to leave town and never come back, which he accepted. He did write a goodbye note to you, though, thanking you for your continued friendship. You must have meant a lot to him", said Sue, and she handed a small note to him, which he took but didn't read.
"I would have given him of a piece of my mind", said Mr. Schuester.
"Yeah, you would have, but he probably didn't want to get greasy and start following in your footsteps", said Sue.
"I just can't believe it. He was my best friend, and he goes off and hurts one of my students behind my back?"
"Be glad he didn't do much worse. I've already set Brittany up with Emma for counseling, so she'll be in good hands", said Sue, and she suddenly groaned lightly and placed her hand on her belly.
"Sue, are you okay?" asked Emma.
"The baby's kicking, that's all. Another week or so, and I'm set to give birth."
"Congratulations, Sue. You're going to be a fantastic mother", said Mr. Schuester.
"Well, that goes without saying, but thank you. Now go and let your kids know you're back", said Sue, and they went into the choir room to greet the Glee club. Sue kept her eye on Brittany, who was smiling and welcoming Mr. Schuester back half-heartedly. He in turn was looking at her sympathetically, even as they hugged it out.
INTERLUDE
Alexander entered Principal Cooper's office after rehearsals, knocking lightly. Cooper looked up at him, somewhat surprised to see him.
"Can I talk to you, sir?"
"Of course. Please, come in", said Cooper, and Alexander sat in a seat opposite him, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"
"I may never fully understand why you chose now of all times to tell me that I might not live to see my future, but I understand why you told me anyway."
"You do?"
"Yeah, it took some thinking. I just want to make it clear, though, that no matter what, I won't regard you as my father, and you can't regard me as your son."
"I don't see why that has to happen."
"Nobody else needs to know about me and my… problem. If people find out that I'll eventually lose my mind and die from it, even you wouldn't want that kind of attention, right?"
"What are you saying? You mean if they know I parented a kid with psychological issues, that would reflect negatively on me?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. I may not care much for what you did in the past, but I can tell that you're a noble man at heart. As for me, I am going to resign from the Glee club, to distance myself from them so that I won't hurt them."
"Those people care about you. You don't think they'll want to help?"
"None of them are dying or are at risk of losing their minds. Therefore, they won't know what to do. They're better off going to Nationals and carrying on their legacy as champions and winners at this school without someone like me holding them back."
"You have the potential to go all the way. I don't think leaving something you enjoy is the right answer."
"Like I said, you're not my father, so you can't force me to decide anything. This is my decision alone, and I'm doing it not only for myself, but for you and the others in the Glee club", said Alexander, and he left the office quickly before Cooper could argue further.
INTERLUDE
Sam had found Tina alone in the library, her nose buried into a Physics book.
"Tina, can I talk to you?" said Sam.
"Yeah, sure, what's up?"
"I just wanted to say that… I am so sorry for what happened to you. I should have been there for you all the time, and I wasn't."
"What are you talking about? You got to me in time to take me to the hospital."
"It's not just that. I never understood what a girl goes through when she's pregnant. But after seeing what happened with you and your parents…"
"It's different with every woman, Sam. When we're adults, it's easier and there are fewer consequences. When we're still in high school, we still have to worry about figuring out our futures and knowing what we can do to make our lives better. It doesn't matter that you didn't understand, because you can't, and you probably never will. But that's okay, because now that I've had time to think about it, you're probably not supposed to. I never understood what it meant for men to go through this. When I first explained that I was pregnant, and you told me you were the father, I was only thinking of myself."
"I thought that just came with territory", said Sam, and Tina rolled her eyes and took his hands in hers.
"Sam, just listen to me, okay? I'm not going to let this baby get in the way of either of our futures. I'm going to get a job somewhere to help pay for whatever we need. My dad gets a steady income as a lawyer, and you work at Burt's tire shop. We are going to work together to give this baby everything. We are going to introduce it to the world, we are going to help it grow up, and we're going to look back on this whole thing knowing that we made the right choices."
"You know, it's weird, but I was thinking about telling you the same thing. I want everything you just said for us and the baby. After everything that's happened, I feel ready to be a father, and I want to help you to take care of our child. I already have plenty of experience", said Sam, and Tina laughed lightly.
"Sam, did the guys in the Glee club discuss abortion when I was in the hospital?"
"Yeah, they did. Some of them thought you were an idiot."
"You're not going to name names, are you?"
"Now, why would I do that?"
"Well, from what I hear, you've got kind of a big mouth."
"Very funny", Sam smirked.
"Okay, I'm going to go look for some job openings. There's always one somewhere."
"I'll help you", said Sam, and he took her hand as they walked out. As they walked through the city, talking with various businesses about openings, Sam and Tina shared "Feel This Moment" by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera. They finally came to a stop at a tap-dancing studio, which was hiring. As they went inside to take a look, they saw Matt teaching students various choreographies. Matt caught sight of them and welcomed them inside.
"Hey, everyone, take five, rest your feet", said Matt, and he turned back to them.
"What are you doing here?" asked Tina.
"Oh, I teach some dancing classes after school. How about you?"
"Tina's looking for a job, and she was wondering if there were still any openings", said Sam.
"Well, you'll have to talk to my boss, Charlie", said Matt, and he pointed them in the direction of a mid-thirties man, who was tall, Caucasian, with blond hair, and wearing extravagant clothing, complete with a small ascot. For a split second, Sam and Tina were almost certain they were looking at a blond Kurt.
"Well, whatever works", said Tina, gulping loudly as she approached him.
"May I help you, young lady?" asked Charlie, in a very airy voice.
"Yeah, I'm looking for a job, and I know quite a bit about dancing."
INTERLUDE
Blaine had visited Vance at the local detention center, where they sat across from each other between a glass. They each picked up a phone to talk to each other, and Blaine couldn't help but feel sorry for Vance.
"How are you holding up?" asked Blaine.
"I took the heat for everyone else so that they wouldn't have this engraved on their permanent records. So, I'm good."
"You know I had no choice but to turn you in, right?"
"Blaine, you obviously have a lot to learn about loyalty and honor. I got you into a school that could have helped you get to your precious boyfriend faster, and then you turn around and defecate all over my kindness and hard work."
"If you hadn't tried to sabotage the New Directions, we wouldn't be here."
"Always the passive-aggressive one, aren't you? I have to admit, when they announced the New Directions as the winners, I started to think that I underestimated your friends. They truly are the most formidable bunch of talented idiots I've ever had the misfortune of meeting."
"Well, you see, Vance, that's exactly the mindset that cost you Regionals and landed you here."
"Well, not to worry. My parents are coming down to post bail, and my court date is scheduled for next month. I would be honored if you were there to get me out of this whole jam."
"As much as I would like to, I can't. I've seen you for who you really are, and I just want you to know that this has only helped me to see my relationship with Kurt in a whole new way. So, for that alone, thank you", said Blaine, and he hung up the phone and left. Vance hung up his phone as well, watching Blaine leave.
"You're welcome", he said, and he allowed the guard to escort him out.
INTERLUDE
In the choir room, the New Directions were gathered around the piano awaiting Mr. Schuester to present someone the MVP award.
"Well, everyone, per a landslide vote, it has been decided that this year's Regionals MVP is… Ms. Tina Cohen-Chang", said Mr. Schuester, and everyone applauded as he gave Tina the trophy. Happy tears came up in her eyes as she took it and addressed them.
"I just wanted to thank you all for being there for me and helping me to become a stronger person. I am going to go through with my pregnancy, kick my alcohol addiction, win Nationals, and graduate with you. This was a team effort, and right now, I want to share this honor by dedicating it to the tireless efforts of two of our unsung friends, Matt Rutherford and Sugar Motta."
Matt and Sugar looked at everyone in surprise, having not expected Tina to do this.
"So what do you guys feel like doing?" Sam asked them.
"I feel like celebrating", said Sugar, and soon, in the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion, Matt and Sugar led the New Directions in celebrating their Regionals victory with Kool & The Gang's "Celebration". In-between the performance, Joe and Hannah solidified their relationship in front of a romantic fireplace, and Alexander half-heartedly walked out, certifying his departure from the New Directions, which nobody noticed.