So, Adaptability, this'll be a toughie. I do think that they'll cope well though... we hope.

I do want to apoligise for the swearing in the last chapter and hope you're not offended by it, it was just something I imagine people at their age doing, hell, people my age do it! (Yep, including me. I know, it says a lot, doesn't it!) Anyway, I will * swearing as I did then but if it makes you uncomfortable, please tell me and I will stop.

So, the homework. Bring. It. On. Hehehehehehe, I have big plans.

"Who has an unnerving suspicion that they're going to crash and burn this week?" Ollie asks, and everyone comically raises their hands.

"Although saying that, I have a feeling that I'm going to feel that EVERY week, even when I'm voted off I'll still be pissing myself every flippin' Monday for decades to come!" Ace jokes over-dramatically, holding his hands on either side of his head, surrendering as he goes to refill his glass.

"Bit much?" Ollie responds, scratching his head which nods subtly. Ace shrugs.

"Probably," he admits, shutting the fridge door and bringing over a bowl overflowing with pretzels and crisps. He settles,cross-legged on the floor, and offers the crisps around, Pierce taking some greedily. From the corner of his eye, Jason notices how Penny's looking at him, studying him almost.

This is a very different Jason to the one who arrived. Shows how people change, doesn't it?

"Want one Penny?" He swivels round, and Penny takes a couple gratefully.

"Chesney?" He offers, looking at Chesney.

"No, but thanks for the offer." She declines, shaking her head so her fridge shakes back and forth. Ace nods and places the bowl in the middle, brushing crumbs off his lyric sheet.

"Let's get down to it," Ollie announces, swallowing his last crisp and clapping his hands together. He lifts up the slightly creased paper, shaking it out. "Who actually knows the song?" Penny, Cindy and Jack hold up their hands, making Ollie relax slightly. "So, how about you teach us all the song and we'll just follow your lead?" The boy suggests, and the they all nod, murmuring agreements.

The group rehearse until the early hours of the morning, perfecting their choreography and vocals to a flawless standard, and each one sleeps with the feeling that tomorrow they'll do the song justice.

"What?" Jenna explodes, leaning forward in her seat.

"You have GOT to be kidding me," West sighs, running both hands through his blonde hair.

"Sorry, repeat that. I must have misheard. You didn't say that we're NOT DOING Choices, did you?" Jaia says, her tone harsh and irritated.

Robert bites his lip, looking at the aggitated group in front of him, on the edge of their red chairs. He noticed the bags under their eyes, the fire and sense of betrayal in their voices, the hurt in their eyes. Robert Ulrich sighed.

"You guys heard correctly. Now, please follow me." One by one, each person gets to their feet and follows Robert out hte door and down the hallway, having a suspicion of exactly where they're going but unsure of what they'll do there. Pierce hangs back and waits for Jack and Ollie, who look the most stressed of all of them. Those two in particular barely slept last night, their minds whirring with stressed thoughts. Pierce tries to stop taking such short breaths and ignore the diziness he's feeling and focus on his friends.

"I hate Adaptability week!" Jack groans, throwing an arm around each of his friends shoulders. Pierce nods.

"Tell me about it," He sighs, "How are you guys?" Pierce stumbles and knocks against the left side wall.

"Dude, are you okay?" Ollie asks desperately, trying to help his friend back onto his feet. Jack nudges Ollie and takes over, getting him to floor level and propping his pale body against the wall. Pierce puts his head between his knees, trying to get rid of the overwhelming dizziness. From one side of him, Pierce faintly hears Robert's voice approaching and Pierce tries to stand up but fails, resuming his previous position.

"Right,give him some space. Jack, Ollie, you stay here. Talk to him quietly, calmly until he feels better." Robert orders, his voice calm and even. He stands from his crouching position and takes the rest of the group onto the stage.

A few minutes later, the dizzy spell ends and Pierce gets to his feet, supported by Jack and Ollie.

"Sorry to scare you guys," He apologises, colour already coming back onto his face. "I forgot to take my meds this morning in the rush and the whole Adapting thing went to my head. I got too stressed and that's why I had a panic attack. I'm so sorry,"

"At least you're better now. Come on, lets go kick ass." Jack re-assures before making their way down the long corridor. They knew where they had to go, but why was still uncertain...

Emily stands with Cindy, Penny, West, Ace and Chesney in the corner, talking quietly with anxiety written all over their faces.

"I want to know what's going on, I hate this." Cindy complains, rubbing her sweating hands together. She sighs, glancing towards the doors on the opposite side of the stage before the contestants are blinded by a bright light. Ace tries to squint into the light and decipher who turned it on while Jaia and Jenna stand up from the floor. West stands closer to Cindy, as if he's protecting her. Cindy gives the back of his head a questioning look before peering over his shoulder as five people amble down the aisle and take the centre seats. With the click of Ryan Murphy's fingers, the spotlight switches off and reveals a glee star, standing at the head of the auditorium. Rather than joining Ryan, Robert, Zach, Nikki and Erik who perch in their seats, scrutinizing the group, the guest judge flies down the seating and leaps onto the stage. All contenders watch in awe as Kevin McHale cocks his head at the tech guys, and with a shout of 'Hit it!' the homework assignment begins, the intorduction of the song deliberately elongated for Kevin to give his view on Adaptability.

"Adaptability: It's going to be hard but it's something that comes with life. To overcome it, you need to put on a brave face and stand strong; don't forget who you are or why you're here. Keep that in your head, and change can't hurt you. You," He says, stopping his pacing and pointing directly at Ollie, who looks slightly perplexed. Kevin gestures for him to come forward, arm outstretched to greet him.

"Let's do this,"

Kevin:I don't know why
You think that you could hold me
When you couldn't get by by yourself

Ollie: And I don't know who
Would ever want to tear the seam of someone's dream

Jaia:Baby, it's fine, you said that we should just be friends
While I came up with that line and I'm sure
That it's for the best

Cindy:If you ever change your mind,

don't hold your breath

Jack:'Cause you may not believe
That baby, I'm relieved

Penny:When you said goodbye, my whole world shines
Hey hey hey

Emily:It's a beautiful day, the sun is up,

the music's playing

Ace:And even if it started raining
You won't hear this boy complaining

West:'Cause I'm glad that you're the one that got away
It's a beautiful day

Pierce: It's my turn to fly, so girls, get in line
'Cause I'm easy, no playing this guy like a fool

Jenna:Now I'm alright
Might've had me caged before, but not tonight

Chesney:'Cause you may not believe
That baby, I'm relieved

Pierce:This fire inside, it burns too bright

Emily:I don't want to say "so long", I just want to say "goodbye"

Cindy:It's a beautiful day and I can't stop myself from smiling

Jaia:If I'm drinking, then I'm buying

West:'Cause if you ever think I'll take up

Ollie:My time with thinking of our break-up

Jack:Then, you've got another thing coming your way

Chesney:'Cause it's a beautiful day

Jenna:Beautiful day

Penny:Oh, baby, any day that you're gone away

Ace: It's a beautiful day