THANK YOU SO MUCH! 201 reviews oh my god i love you guys! Me and the 200th reviewer (hellojo1994) had a nice little chat and she wanted to see more Finchel and some Brittany/Mike. Her idea IS the Brittany/Mike bit of this chapter, my input into this is the Finchel and the twist at the end. Sorry about the wait to update, summer had finally caught up with me and I'm going on holiday very, VERY soon so i've been busy :D! I hope you enjoy, etc, this chapters longer then normal and is two parts :) The songs: Blink182 I Miss You and Linkin Park - Shadow of the Day... Enjoy... :D
you're just another one...
The day of the funeral arrived way more quickly then anybody thought it would. When Finn woke up, still in hospital, it hit him like a smack in the face. His stomach churned with upset and nerves – he hated funerals and he didn't think he was ready to let Matt go just yet. He was that nervous in fact, that when the nurse brought him his breakfast – soggy toast – he couldn't bring himself to eat it. Not one little bite. His mom had brought him a suit to wear especially for the funeral so he got dressed with great difficulty and help from the nurses – his hand and legs were still sore after all. Then, when he was finally ready, he had to get back into the wheelchair that he'd be sat in for the service. His burns were still that bad on his legs that he couldn't walk as of yet. Finn knew he'd need serious help when he left the hospital.
Rachel was coming with him to the funeral; they were sticking together all day. After much persuasion with her dads, they'd finally decided she was right and that she couldn't miss her friend's funeral. They reluctantly told the hospital that they had their permission to release her for a day and that she would arrive back here at sometime after 9pm and then made arrangements with Finn's mother. Finn met up with Rachel in the hospital lobby and his mom took them to the van they'd rented out for the day to ensure they could easily get to the church with the wheelchairs. Rachel couldn't help but realise how hard life must be for Artie. At least we had practise using wheelchairs when we were doing Proud Mary...
The journey to the church was short and they arrived ten minutes before the funeral was ready to start. Carole helped them out of the van using the ramp and then took them into a pew near the front of the church. She helped them out of the chairs, folded them up and then stuck them at the bottom of the pew. Bowing her head, she left them together and took a seat nearer the back of the church, knowing Matt's family and friends would want the front half of the church to themselves. Mourners dressed in black were trickling through the doors; Rachel found this hard to watch.
"I'm glad you're here," Finn whispered, taking Rachel's hand and squeezing it softly.
"Me too; I don't think I could have forgiven myself if I wasn't here for Matt's final goodbye," Rachel's breath caught in her throat; Finn rested his hand around her waist and brought her closer to him.
"But you're here and that's all that matters," Finn's voice was almost inaudible.
"Yeah, that's all that matters," Rachel stated, almost as if she was convincing herself more then anyone else that she was alive. She rested her head on his shoulder and the two sat there entwined for the remaining moments before the service, watching the remaining mourners enter the church. Some of the last people to enter were the glee club and Mr Schue – Finn was happy that Brittany was wearing a yellow dress; everyone in black made him want to cry – and finally, Matt's parents. As his parents walked down the aisle; people offered their condolences but nothing they offered could make up for the fact they'd lost their child. His mom was softly sobbing into a tissue; his dad also looked broken. They settled into their seats right at the front of the church and then soft music began to play as the priest entered. Rachel recognized it to be a Kiss ballad and her heart wrenched as she realised that must have been Matt's favourite band. I didn't even know... There's so much I didn't know...
The music grew to a halt as the priest reached the altar. He turned to see the congregation and began to speak.
"I welcome you all today to a service of remembrance and a celebration of Matt Rutherford's life. Matt was a smart, talented boy, his talents lying especially in football and glee club..." Finn tuned out of the priests speech. He didn't see the point of listening, it was just a load of pointless drabble from a man who had no idea who the hell Matt Rutherford was. Finn gazed around the church, focusing on the glee club. He hadn't seen a few of them since they visited straight after the fire and some of them looked awful and sad – Tina, Quinn and Kurt especially. Puck was unfocused (Finn could tell by his eyes) and Brittany was paying no attention whatsoever... in fact, Finn realised, it looked as if she was counting how many fingers she had. When Finn looked at the other side of the church, he spied Mike sitting with his family. Finn's face dropped – the boy looked ill. Matt's death had taken him hard.
Rachel noticed Finn wasn't paying attention, and brought him back out of his trance with a poke to the side. He snapped his head back around and noticed Matt's dad was going up to the altar to speak.
"Matt... Matt was my baby boy. I loved him so much, as all parents love their children. He was beautiful, he was talented and he had true friends. I always used to go into his room to see him dancing to his new favourite song, or hear him practising vocals for glee club. He took vocal lessons, he went to dance classes and he gave 100%... and that's my boy. Now he's gone, Anne and I are putting 100% effort into making sure his legacy lives on. A boy like Matt shouldn't be forgotten and because he's gone doesn't mean he's left my life. We love you Matt, rest in peace wherever you are..." His dad begun to cry at this point and another family member – maybe Matt's granddad? – went to support him as he left the altar. Finn felt Rachel move beside him and noticed she had tears trickling down her face. He used his sleeve to wipe them away and he tucked her under his arm, making her feel safe and comforted.
A movement from the left side of the church caught Finn's attention and he noticed the glee club standing up and taking positions on the altar. Mr Schue came to the front and began to speak.
"As a glee club, we offer our condolences to Matt's family. We loved Matt very much and his death has effected us deeply. Matt was one of our best friends, a talented showman and a loving guy. This performance is to ensure you that Matt will never be forgotten, because glee club will carry his memory forever. We hope you enjoy the performance..."
An eerie silence crept across the gym as they waited for the music to start up. The beat began to echo around the church and then Artie began to sing...
Hello there, the angel from my nightmare
The shadow in the background of the morgue
The unsuspecting victim of darkness in the valley
Mercedes joined in, her powerful voice filled with emotion for her lost friend.
We can live like Jack and Sally if we want
Where you can always find me
Puck took over from Artie, his voice unsure at first but growing as he gained confidence.
We'll have Halloween on Christmas
And in the night we'll wish this never ends
We'll wish this never ends
The glee club as a whole took on the encore, continuing the simple choreography they had performed throughtout.
(I miss you...)
(I miss you...)
Tina joined Puck and Mercedes, their voices mashing together perfectly.
Where are you and I'm so sorry
I cannot sleep I cannot dream tonight
I need somebody and always
This sick strange darkness
Comes creeping on so haunting every time
Santana also joined in, her voice hitting each note perfectly.
And as I stared I counted
The webs from all the spiders
Catching things and eating their insides
Kurt added his voice to the ensemble, his tears saying it all for the group.
Like indecision to call you
and hear your voice of treason
Quinn joined in for the final two lines, her voice emotional and perfect.
Will you come home and stop this pain tonight
Stop this pain tonight
They finished the song together as a group, holding hands together.
Don't waste your time on me you're already
The voice inside my head (I miss you...)
Don't waste your time on me you're already
The voice inside my head (I miss you...)
[x3]
(I miss you...)
The group received tumultuous applause, many of the people crying and smiling at the same time as they filed off the altar. Finn and Rachel clapped the loudest of them all, proud of their friends amazing performance and proud that they'd come together at such a difficult time.
A sharp thought passed through Rachel's brain. "Where was Mike?" she whispered to Finn.
Finn shrugged in reply, "I don't know, but he's over there" he answered and nodded his head in his direction. When the church fell silent, another beat began and Mike stood up.
"Maybe he's doing his own tribute..." Finn hissed, receiving a nod from Rachel as a response.
There was no introduction for Mike's piece. He just came to the altar and began to dance, singing softly at the same time. His movements were slow and drawn out, as if it was almost painful for him to perform them.
I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way
The entire performance was powerful and emotion filled. Mike's movements were exact and particular, as if he had chosen them to express and share his raw pain and emotion about the situation.
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
Pink cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way
Mike sung softly, his words eerie and reminiscent. The church watched, enthralled by this incredible display.
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
He drew out the last movement more so then the others, as if he was surprised he'd gotten through it. The last enchanting word left his lips and as the music halted the whole church stayed silent for a moment, as if they couldn't believe it was over. Then the place erupted, the applause loud with more people reaching for tissues then before. Mike waited at the front, watching the tear filled people with empty eyes.
"That, that was for my best friend. I'm going to miss him, so much... That performance was the least I could do. I love you Matt!" Mike's words reverberated around the church and then, taking a few strides towards the door he left. The priest stepped up to the altar again, breaking the powerful silence.
"And now, a Bible reading from Matt's head teacher, Principal Figgins..."
Brittany couldn't be bothered listening and she was worried about Mike. That was the first time she'd seen him in two weeks and he looked really ill.
"Santana!" Brittany spoke a little too loudly and received glares from people surrounding her.
"What?" Santana hissed.
"Should I go see if Mike's okay?" Brittany asked, her face scrunched up in worry.
"If it'll make you feel better. Come back when everything's sorted!" Santana replied, and then she turned back to the altar. Brittany slipped out of the pew quietly, trying not to disturb the service. She pulled the big wooden doors open with some difficulty and then nipped out, trying to shut them as silently as possible. Mike was nowhere to be seen when she got to the car park, but as the church was in the middle of the country, next to a river, Brittany figured Mike couldn't have gone very far. She wobbled down a small grass bank, not wanting to fall in her heels or get her dress dirty. When she got to the bottom of the bank, she saw a figure hunched by the river about 100 meters away. The figure had his back to her, so as she grew closer she didn't scare them away.
When she got right behind them, she realised it was Mike by his clothes. He was hunched over a rope, several boxes of tablets and a gun.
"Mike..." she whispered softly, obvious distress in her voice. He jerked, spinning around quickly with the gun in his hand.
"Back off!" he spat, only to see it was Brittany. She stepped backwards, misplacing her foot and slipping in the mud, landing in the river bed. Mike had sort of fancied Brittany for a while now, but that was all blown to pieces after Matt died.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Brit... I didn't know it was you, I didn't want to scare you!" Mike apologized, extending his hand and helping her up.
"Mike... what are you doing with a gun and stuff?" she trembled, peering around him to see the bullets on the floor.
"I'm not killing anyone, no worries," Mike laughed emptily and Brittany started to feel a little creeped out.
"Mike?" Brittany asked softly, "You're not gonna kill yourself are you?"
Mike looked stumped – he didn't expect Brittany to click what was going on.
"I can't take this anymore, Brit! The pain of waking up every day and not having him there, the ache when I turn around to see I'm alone again and the fear that if I do carry on, I'm going to be left again!" Mike whimpered, sitting down on the bank and putting his head in his hands.
"But, that's silly. You're not alone cause you have me – and glee! You're not gonna be left, because if I'm gone, then there's Finn, Rachel, Santana, Tina, Artie, Quinn, Mercedes and Puck there to help you through it. And I know you miss Matt and we all do – obviously you the most – but you're strong enough to get through it. I'll be there every step of the way..." Brittany settled next to him on the bank, reaching over and chucking the tablets into the river. She was surprised to see Mike let her, so feeling brave, she threw the rope away as well.
"I guess I have you Brit..." he murmured into his hands.
"You've always had me Mike, you just forgot for a while and that was sorta silly!" she smiled at him.
"Yeah... silly..." he seemed to struggle to get around the words, "Hey! You'll be ruining your dress!"
"It kinda got ruined when I fell into the river..." Brittany laughed, almost bringing a smile to Mike's face.
"I guess... sorry about that..." Mike whispered, still toying with the gun with his feet.
"It's alright..." Brittany whispered too, neither of them sure why. She lent over to him, capturing his lips in a soft kiss. To his surprise, he found himself returning it and he placed his hands on her waist. They broke apart, Brittany smiling and Mike sure of his decision.
"I won't need this gun then!" he exclaimed, and he kicked it into the river.
And as he kicked it, it went off, firing up the bank.
He gasped, spinning around to see if Brittany was okay.
And that's when he noticed the blood stain leaking across her yellow dress.
OOO hope you liked the twist. Please review :)?