What If Chapter 42: DS 6 S5 City of Angels, a glee fanfic

Deleted Scene 9 S5 City of Angels

A.N. I wasn't going to do this as a deleted scene but someone on the Glee Forever Friends Forum requested it so here we go :)

Sam stood in Will's office with Will, getting ready to head out to L.A. for Nationals.

"Hey, you wanted to see me?" Sam asked.

"Yeah," said Will. "Have a seat."

Sam sat down in one of the chairs and Will joined him.

"I just wanna let you know," Sam started, "even though I've kind of checked out of school since I'm not going to college, I'm totally committed to Glee Club, you know. I've had Artie and Blaine drilling me, like, nonstop on the rights and lefts of the choreography. I also recruited a few of the Cheerios to help fill out our numbers a bit more what with Britt leaving early and all."

"You don't have to prove yourself to me, Sam," Will interrupted. "Finn transformed this club when he joined up. He wasn't just the male lead. He was the captain of the football team. He was the coolest kid in school. I mean, a real dude, you know? He was our secret weapon at those competitions. Other schools might have had their version of a Rachel, Noelle, or a Kurt but no one had a Finn."

"Yeah, he- he made it seem pretty cool," Sam said sadly, remembering his late friend.

"And when he recruited you, he wasn't just looking for another voice in here," Will replied. "He was looking for someone to take his place after he graduated. Someone to help lead all of these wonderful misfits."

"I'm not Finn, Mr. Schue," Sam replied.

"Finn was, like, a real leader, you know? And so are you," Will continued. "I'm gonna need you to be that guy when we get to L.A. The kids want you to be that guy. They're all waiting for you to see yourself the way they see you. The new kids love you, and so do the older ones. I'm sure that everything is gonna be fine once we get there. But if the time comes and you need to step up I'm gonna be counting on you to get it done."

At that moment, Tina poked her head into the office.

"They're here," Tina said with a smile. Will smiled and he and Sam stood up and walked into the choir room. Walking in the choir room door were Burt, Carole, Noelle, and Josh.

"Hey!" Blaine said with a smile as he hugged Carole. Harmony hugged Noelle excitedly, followed by Artie. Josh was hugging Sam and Ryder.

"Hey you guys," Noelle said.

"We just wanted to come in and say," started Burt, as everyone took a seat a few moments later, "that, uh Finn really cared about you guys, more than you know."

"Finn always said that winning nationals was the greatest accomplishment of his life," Noelle replied.

"But I honestly believe that coaching you guys to winning - would have meant even more to him," Carole added.

"Yeah," Burt agreed.

"Now we're not saying go out there and win it for Finn," Josh replied. "That wasn't his style."

"Um-What Finn would have said was this is the time of your lives right now," Noelle said with a sigh. "You're never gonna forget it and in a moment, it's all gonna be over." She paused. "So no sad faces. No regrets. Just go out there and have a blast and, you know, it'd be okay if you won the damn thing!"

The glee club laughed.

"And the best part about it is that Josh, Noelle, Burt and Carole have agreed to come with us as chaperones," Will added. The glee club cheered and clapped.

"Hey Mr. Schue," started Josh. "There's one tradition that I'd like to continue before we go."

"What's that, Josh?" Will asked.

"We need a little mood music to send us off," Josh continued. Will nodded and Josh nodded to Brad the Piano Player. "Brad?"

Brad started to play and Josh started to sing.

Josh:

Hate New York City

It's cold and it's damp

And all the people dress like monkeys

Josh playfully slapped his soon to be father-in-law in the stomach, earning laughs from the Glee Club as he bopped Noelle on the nose.

Josh:

Let's leave Chicago to the Eskimos

That town's a little bit too rugged

For you and me, bad girl

As the beat picked up, Blaine and Artie both joined in.

Blaine:

Rollin' down Imperial Highway

With a big nasty red-head at my side

Artie:

Santa Ana winds blowin' hot from the north

And we were born to ride

Everyone stood up and grabbed their luggage and headed for the bus that would take them to the airport. Soon, the group was in L.A. and they were on a double decker bus sight-seeing.

Blaine:

From the South Bay to the Valley

From the West Side to the East Side

Blaine with Artie:

Everybody, very happy

Cause the sun is shining all the time

Blaine with New Directions (New Directions):

Looks like another perfect day

I love L.A. (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana)

We love it (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Yeah!)

(Artie: I love L.A.) (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Woo-hoo)

We love it (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Yeah, yeah)

We love it

Sam: I Love L.A.

Blaine:

I love L.A.

Jake (New Directions):

I love L.A., yeah (We love it)

Oh whoa (Oh, oh, oh, L.A.)

Blaine (Jake):

I love L.A. (Oh woah)

Blaine and Jake with New Directions:

We love it!

"I'm sorry Sir, but I can't release the rooms," the concierge said to Will as he stood at the desk, Noelle and Josh standing next to him. The glee club, Burt and Carole were standing behind them looking at the hotel. Kitty looked at the door.

"Don't look now, but I think someone famous just walked through the door!" Kitty said to Unique and Harmony. They looked and saw the one person they were not expecting to walk through the revolving doors.

"Even better, it's Mercedes Jones!" Harmony said excitedly and she hurried over and hugged her friend.

"I was hoping you would make it!" Noelle said from behind the group as she and Josh joined them and the two hugged Mercedes.

"Are you crazy? I wouldn't miss this for the world," Mercedes replied. "Rachel and the others send their love."

"Ooh, I heard that you got a record contract because either Usher, Kelly Clarkson or Michael Jackson's daddy bought your album in a 7-Eleven parking lot while they were in New York," Unique said to Mercedes.

"Are you kidding me?" Noelle scoffed. "Wheezy got signed thanks to me, bitches!"

Mercedes gave Noelle an incredulous look and Noelle shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, it's true," Noelle said.

"All you did was help me with the recording equipment at NYU," Mercedes replied.

"Yes, but I also gave a copy of your EP to not only Mark, but to his buddy who just happens to be a record producer, who in turn, gave it to Sony Records, so I'm technically responsible for Mercedes Jones becoming famous," Noelle butted in, pointing a finger at Mercedes.

"Hold up," Artie stated as he pointed to the thing in Mercedes' hands. "Is that dog alive?"

"Oh, it's a faux-huahua," Mercedes replied. The group looked at her puzzled. "A fake Chihuahua."

"Ohhh," the group chorused. Tina turned to Will, who was still standing at the concierge desk.

"Mr. Schue, Mercedes is here!" Tina said excitedly. Will turned and waved.

"Oh, hey, Mercedes," Will said. Noelle and Josh returned to Will's side.

"Hi!" Mercedes said.

"I'd like to speak to a manager, please," Will stated.

"What seems to be the problem here?" the manager asked as he came up to the three adults and the concierge.

"Well, one hour ago I got a call from a Detective Sue Sylvester with the L.A.P.D saying that a 50-year-old Ohio man with a perm, and two nineteen year olds, had abducted 12 emotionally disturbed teenagers and if he tried to make a reservation, I was to contact the F.B.I."

"Oh good grief," muttered Noelle. "That woman. Hang on, Mr. Schue, I got this."

Noelle smiled at the concierge and her boss.

"Excuse me, but the woman that you are referring to is NOT a detective with the L.A.P.D.," Noelle said with a smile. "Yes, that is her name, Sue Sylvester, but she is merely a high school principal with her life's ambition being to destroy the McKinley High New Directions. You know, last month, a young man was hit and killed by a drunk driver in New York after pushing his baby sister out of the way. "

"I remember reading something about that, didn't he leave behind a wife and two infant children?" the manager asked.

"I'm the baby sister," Noelle glared at the manager. The manager's and the concierge's eyes both widened. "So I suggest you give my old high school teacher and my friends their hotel rooms unless you want Noelle Carole Hudson, the newest Glinda in the Broadway production of Wicked, to tell all of her celebrity friends to not stay here when they are in L.A."

"Oh Miss Hudson, I am so sorry," the manager replied. "I didn't recognize you. I am so sorry for the misunderstanding. We will release the rooms right away."

"Touche, Hudson," Kitty replied as she watched the manager grovelling to Noelle. Blaine's voice of surprise brought her out of her trance.

"Oh, my God," Blaine said. "That's them."

"Who?" Sam asked as Noelle and Josh rejoined the group. Noelle saw the group that was getting off of the elevator and her jaw dropped. They were dressed in all black.

"Do you seriously have no idea who that is?" Noelle butted in. "Do none of you read the show choir blogs?

"No, Gimpy, we don't," Kitty replied. "None of us read the show choir blogs. Just you and Brillo Pad over there."

"That's Throat Explosion!" Noelle hissed. The New Directions, Josh, and Mercedes gasped. It was the competition.

"And that's their leader, Jean-Baptiste," Blaine added. "Jean-Baptiste was born in Quebec to acrobatic parents. He trained at Cirque du Soleil before emigrating to Fort Wayne where he used his French-Canadian circus stylings to turn the entire show choir world upside down."

Just then, Jean-Baptiste and Throat Explosion came up to the New Directions.

"Bonjour! You must be the New Directions," Jean-Baptiste said to the group. He looked over at Josh, Noelle, and Mercedes. "Ah, the riff-raff alumni as well. I know who you are, Noelle and Mercedes. You too Josh. I read all about you and your friends in New York."

"How?" Josh asked.

"Well, Mercedes is famous now," Jean-Baptiste replied. "And Noelle, I read that you and your Jewish sister-in-law are going to be the new stars of Wicked on Broadway thanks to Variety. As for you, well, show choir blogs."

Sam stepped in, offering his hand to Jean-Baptiste. When Jean-Baptiste didn't take it, Sam quickly dropped his hand and spoke.

"I'm, you know-I'm Sam Evans, and I'm the leader of the New Directions." Noelle groaned and facepalmed.

"Just shut up Sam," Noelle said, putting a hand up to him. She stepped up to Jean-Baptiste.

"You and your little contortionist friends might think you have Nationals in the bag, but you are forgetting that the New Directions have won Nationals two years in a row," Noelle replied, her arms crossed in front of her.

"Oh, I know," Jean-Baptiste smirked.

"Is there a problem here?" Burt asked as he, Carole, and Will came up to the group.

"No, we were just leaving," Jean-Baptiste replied as he and Noelle briefly stared at each other for a minute.

"You're going down," Noelle snarled at Jean-Baptiste. He scoffed and nodded his head at Throat Explosion.

"Let's go," he said to the group. The made their way through the group. "Bye! Excuse me."

As Throat Explosion left, Josh whispered to Mercedes.

"What is with the turtlenecks?" Josh asked. Mercedes shrugged her shoulders.

"That was tense," Blaine said to Sam.

"Oh, how I miss the show choir high school drama," Mercedes whispered to Harmony, who laughed.

"Noelle, I think you just started a war with Throat Explosion," Melissa murmured to her friend.

"Nah, it was already started," Noelle snarled. "And I'll tell you what, I have a better idea for a setlist than your guys'." She turned to Will. "Can I talk about it in private to you, Mr. Schue?"

Will nodded and held his arm out to his former student.

"Come on," said Will. "Tell me all about it."

"Noelle, what are we doing here?" Harmony hissed as the New Directions gathered on the stage at the theatre later that night for a midnight rehearsal.

"I hope we don't get in trouble for this," Melissa added.

"I pulled a few strings," Noelle said. "We have two hours in here. When Jean-Baptiste confronted us all this afternoon, I thought to myself, 'Ya know, if Finn were here, he would have either A, kicked someone's ass, or B, find a solution to the problem.' Now, maybe you're thinking, 'Finn isn't here.' Well, he is." Noelle opened the metal briefcase she had been holding and pulled out Finn's plaque. "I made sure of it."

Before Noelle could continue, however, a voice spoke up from the other side of the room.

"Well, well! Les Directions Nouveau!" It was Jean-Baptiste. "Uh, apparently, we had the same plan for an illegal midnight rehearsal."

"We"? Scoffed Noelle. "You're alone."

"Am I?" Jean-Baptiste replied. The other members of Throat Explosion came onto the stage from either side. "Existentially, yes, Hudson. Perhaps we are all alone. But tonight- Tonight, this stage belongs to us from midnight until dawn. You see, I called in a few show choir favors. So, we'll just give you three minutes to gather your feelings and leave."

"I pulled a few strings too, and I have it in writing from the theatre owners themselves," Noelle replied. "Unlike you, I know famous people in L.A. So I suggest you take your little band of merry men and get the fuck out of here."

"Tsk tsk, language, Hudson," Jean-Baptiste replied.

"Want me to get security?" Josh whispered. Noelle nodded.

"Who is that?" one of the other Throat Explosion guys asked Noelle of the plaque. "Your spirit guide?"

"Dolph, enough," Jean-Baptiste said to him. "Have some respect."

Jean-Baptiste turned back to Noelle, who was glaring at him with tears in her eyes.

"Look, everyone knows you're that show choir and that he saved your life, Noelle," Jean-Baptiste said. "And everyone knows it's been a very rough couple of months for you. And now everyone is just waiting and watching you."

At that moment, Josh returned with the security guard who had let the New Directions in.

"Excuse me, but Throat Explosion, you're going to have to leave," the security guard said. "The New Directions have extensive permission from the theatre owners to be here this evening. Now if you will be please come with me."

Jean-Baptiste looked at Noelle, Josh, Sam, and Blaine.

"Tonight, you have our condolences, New Directions," he started, "but let's just be very, very clear." He started to walk away from the group. "Tomorrow, you will not have our mercy, pity or restraint. We are Throat Explosion. Expect us!" He raised his arms in the air and Throat Explosion was escorted out by security.

"Finally, alone at last," Noelle muttered. She put the plaque back into the briefcase and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Come on guys, we've got a lot of work to do and so little time," Noelle said to the group.

Noelle sighed as she smoothed down her dress the following day. It was a big day for not only the New Directions, but for Noelle and Josh as well. She glanced at herself in the mirror once more and headed out of the bathroom.

"Hey," Josh said as she came out of their hotel bathroom. "Wow, you look, wow."

"You like?" Noelle asked as she twirled in her white dress. Josh grinned as he straightened his bowtie and smiled.

"Yes, very much," Josh replied. He kissed her. "You ready to go?

"Yeah," Noelle said. "I've got Finn's plaque right here." She opened the briefcase up and stared at Finn's picture for a moment before closing the briefcase shut and looking up at the ceiling.

"Don't worry, Big Bro, we're going to bring home that third National title tonight."

Josh smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

"Come on, let's get going or we'll be late to surprise everyone," Josh said excitedly.

"Thank you for agreeing to do this today," Noelle murmured as they headed down to the conference room to meet up with New Directions, Will, Burt, Carole, and Mercedes. "I wish Rachel and the others could have come, but it would have seemed pointless."

As they entered the conference room, Noelle gasped at the sight in front of her. Rachel, Quinn, Beth, Kurt, William, Reagan, and Santana, along with Mr. and Mrs. Koontz, were standing in a semi-circle with everyone else, the officiant that Noelle and Josh had hired standing next to Will.

"Oh my god!" Noelle cried out. She turned to Josh speechless.

"How?" murmured Noelle. "Quinn, I'm surprised that Doctor Greene let you even fly!"

"She said I was all good to fly here," Quinn smiled. "Besides, I wouldn't have missed this for the world, and Beth and I would have been lonely with everyone here."

"To be honest, we've had this planned for weeks," Burt replied. "Ever since you and Josh told us that you were thinking about getting married somewhere in L.A., Josh and I decided we would surprise you and make sure everyone was here. And when you told us last week that you were probably going to elope while we were here, I had Carole call Rachel and everyone cleared their schedules to be here for not only your wedding, but Nationals as well."

"Oh my god," murmured Noelle as she hugged Burt and Carole and then the others. "You guys are the best."

"Are we ready to begin?" the officiant asked. Noelle and Josh nodded and everyone gathered around the bride and groom.

"Wait, hold on a minute," Noelle said. She opened the briefcase up and pulled out Finn's plaque. Rachel smiled as Noelle handed her the plaque.

"He was supposed to be Josh's best man, so it's only fitting that he be here in some way," Noelle said to the group. Josh nodded in agreement and looked at Sam.

"Thanks for standing in his place, Bro," Josh said to Sam. Sam smiled.

"I'm honored," Sam said as Noelle returned to Josh's side.

"Okay, let's begin," said Noelle to the officiant. He cleared his throat and the officiant spoke.

"Today is a celebration," said the officiant. "A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right?"

The group laughed and nodded. The officiant continued.

"You're standing in front of a lot of people, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment? Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier — our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right."

The officiant looked at Noelle and Josh, who had joined hands. "That's why you are both standing here."

He turned to the people surrounding them.

"And that's why you all are here to watch them stand here and recite their love for one another. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure."

Rachel sighed as she held Finn's plaque and looked to the ceiling. Quinn put a hand on her shoulder and Noelle took her free hand and squeezed Rachel's.

"Noelle and Josh's love story began before some of you had joined this glee club," the officiant continued. "Although Noelle and Josh met in the biology room at McKinley High, their love story officially started in this city, when the New Directions went to their very first Nationals. Noelle was confined to a wheelchair at the time, and one of her life goals was to set foot in the Pacific Ocean. Josh made that come true. Josh and Noelle, along with Noelle's parents, headed down to the beach by Santa Monica Pier. Josh then carried Noelle into the water and helped her stand up for the first time in three years. Then they danced and shared their first kiss. A few days later, they started dating. They had their ups and downs all through high school, and made it through the good and the bad and got engaged as Noelle was being put on a train to New York City. And that brings them here, a time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead to all the moments that are still to come. I'm here — we're all here — because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, getting a big hug when you get home from work…These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience. And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love — it's meant to be felt, not described. But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways — and even though love can look different from one person to the next — we all know it when we see it. And we see it here."

Noelle smiled at Josh as the officiant spoke again as he looked at Burt and Carole.

"I've never met a father who was willing to give up his daughter, so instead I ask, do I have your blessing for this marriage?" the officiant asked Burt.

"Yes," Burt replied. "I give my blessing for this marriage." Josh and Noelle smiled at Burt.

"We now take a moment to remember the people who could not be here with us today," the officiant continued. While they may not be physically be here, Noelle and Josh can feel their love and spirit."

Noelle sighed as she looked up to the ceiling briefly before returning her gaze to the officiant.

"Having acknowledged the deep value of marriage, and recognizing marriage as the convergence of your individual and joint destinies as well as the greatest support for them, do you both choose to marry, to speak the words that will bind you as husband and wife, allowing you to become most fully yourself in each other's presence for the rest of your days?" the officiant asked Noelle and Josh.

"We do," Josh and Noelle replied.

"You have known each other for years, through the first glance of acquaintance to this moment of commitment," continued the officiant. "At some moment, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with when we're married and continued with I will, you will, and we will – those late night talks that included someday, somehow and maybe – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. Just two people working out what they want, what they believe, what they hope for each other. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, 'You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.' "

The officiant looked at Noelle and Josh.

"Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, singing and dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. You have learned that love and friendship count for more than wealth, good looks or position. And you've learned that marriage is a maze into which we wander – a maze that is best got through with a great companion. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, Josh is my husband, Noelle is my wife."

The officiant turned to Josh.

"Josh, if you would recite your vows?" he asked Josh. Josh nodded and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Noelle, I vow to love you and care for you," Josh started, 'as long as we both shall live." Josh took a deep breath, trying not to get choked up. "I don't know if that will be in ten years, twenty years, or even sixty years from now, but I'm in it for the long game. I take you, with all of your faults and strengths, as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help,

and will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life. You are a precious gift to me. My lifeline, my soul mate, my hope and my joy. I cherish you with my mind, body and soul. How blessed I am to be able to say that you are mine, to be able to love you and live with you for the rest of my days. I vow to be a good husband to you, always putting you first in my life, always there to comfort you in your sorrow and rejoice with you in your victories. May our hearts and souls become one as we unite this day. I love you."

Everyone got teary-eyed at Josh's vows and Noelle smiled. She wiped away the tears that were falling down her cheek and the officiant nodded to her as Josh put the paper back in his pocket. Noelle pulled a piece of paper out of her bosom, making everyone laugh.

"Josh, there was a time I didn't think I would ever smile again," Noelle started. "I thought I would be in that wheelchair for the rest of my life. But then you and the New Directions came along. And you helped me become a better person by helping me live life to the fullest. This last month and a half has not been easy. I blamed myself for Finn's death. I should've been hit by that car but Finn saved me. He sacrificed his life, his marriage and his parenthood so that we could have ours. From this day on

I choose you to be my beloved soul mate, to live with you and laugh with you; to stand by your side and sleep in your arms; to be joy to your heart and food to your soul; to bring out the best in you always; to be the best I can be, just for you; to celebrate with you in the good times; to struggle with you in the bad; to solace you when you are down-hearted; to wipe your tears with my hands; to care for you with my entire being; to share with you everything that I have; as we treat each other with tenderness, compassion and love. I love you."

As Noelle put her vows away, she saw Rachel and Quinn sobbing, as were Carole and the other girls. The officiant looked at Sam.

"Do you have the rings?" he asked Sam. Sam nodded and pulled two gold bands out from his pocket and placed them on the officiant's book.

"The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love, said the officiant as Noelle and Josh took each other's ring. "Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken. Josh, as you place the ring on Noelle's finger, repeat after me. With this ring..."

"With this ring..." started Josh.

"...I marry you and bind my life to yours..."

"...It is a symbol of my eternal love..."

"...My everlasting friendship..."

"...And the promise of all my tomorrows."

Josh slid the ring on Noelle's finger and the officiant turned to Noelle.

"And Noelle, if you would do the same," the officiant continued. "With this ring..."

"...With this ring..."

"...I marry you and bind my life to yours..."

"...It is a symbol of my eternal love..."

"...My everlasting friendship..."

"...And the promise of all my tomorrows."

Noelle slid Josh's ring on his finger and they smiled at each other as the officiant spoke again.

"Go into the world and fulfill your dreams," said the officiant. :Love, support, and help one another as you grow. Seek out opportunities to be good to each other. May the seeds of your love, now planted in marriage, continue to grow. May your life together be as a pebble dropped in a pond — an example of love and unity spread outward to your family, your friends and to the wider circle of the world."

The officiant turned to the group.

"Throughout this ceremony, Noelle and Josh have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words spoken and with the giving and receiving of rings. So by the power vested in me, by the State of California, I pronounce you to each other, husband and wife." He looked at Josh with a smile and motioned to Noelle. "You may now kiss the bride."

Josh swept Noelle up into his arms as he kissed her and the New Directions, old and new, whooped and hollered as everyone else clapped and cheered.

"And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this marriage, I would like to present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Koontz!"

"And now, raise the roof for last year's national champions from Lima, Ohio, the New Directions!"

The audience at Nationals roared with applause. The New Directions were a crowd favorite to win, that was for sure, and Noelle hoped she did Finn justice with the new setlist. The New Directions started to sing and Noelle smiled at her friends' and her parents' reactions.

"Noelle, are they-?" Rachel asked. Noelle smiled and nodded.

Blaine:

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone

Turned on some music to start my day

I lost myself in a familiar song

Tina with Blaine:

I closed my eyes and I slipped away

Blaine (New Directions):

It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling)

Tina (with Blaine):

When I hear that old song they (used to play) (New Directions: More than a feeling)

Blaine and Tina (New Directions):

(Blaine: And) I begin dreaming (More than a feeling)

Tina (and Blaine):

'Til I see Marianne (walk away)

Blaine (with Tina and New Directions):

I see my Marianne (walking away, hey)

When I'm tired and thinking cold

Blaine with Tina:

I hide in my music, forget the day

Blaine (with New Directions):

And dream of a girl I used to know

(I closed my eyes and she slipped away)

Blaine and Tina with New Directions (New Directions):

(She slipped away) She slipped away

Blaine (New Directions):

It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling)

Tina (and Blaine):

When I hear that old song they (used to play) (New Directions: More than a feeling)

Blaine and Tina (New Directions):

(Blaine: And) I begin dreaming (More than a feeling)

Tina (and Blaine) with New Directions:

'Til I see Marianne (walk away)

Blaine with New Directions:

More than a feeling

The crowd leapt to their feet and roared with applause and cheers and clapped to the beat as the New Directions continued on to the next song.

Artie:

Far

We've been traveling far

Without a home

But not without a star

Sam with Harmony:

Free

Only want to be free

We huddle close

Hang on to a dream

Kitty with New Directions (New Directions):

On the boats and on the planes

They're coming to America (They're coming to America)

Kitty with Harmony and New Directions:

Never looking back again

They're coming to America

Sam (Unique):

Home (Home)

Don't it seem so far away (Don't it seem so far away)

Oh, we're traveling light today (Oh-oh)

In the eye of the storm (In the eye of the storm)

In the eye of the storm

Artie (and Kitty with New Directions):

Home (New Directions: Home)

(To a new and a shiny place)

Make our bed and we'll say our grace

(Freedom's light burning warm)

Freedom's light burning warm

New Directions:

Freedom's light burning warm

Sam with New Directions (Unique):

Everywhere around the world (Everywhere)

They're coming to America (They're coming to America)

Every time that (and Unique: flag's unfurled)

They're coming to America (Ooh)

Artie (and Kitty) with New Directions:

(Got a dream to take them there)

They're coming to America

(Got a dream they've come to share)

They're coming to America

Sam and Unique with New Directions:

They're coming to America

Harmony and Sam with New Directions (Unique):

Today (Artie: We're coming) (We're coming)

Today (Today) (Artie: Ooh)

Today (Today) (Artie: We're comin', ooh)

Today (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) (Kitty with New Directions: Today)

Sam (Kitty with New Directions):

They're coming to America (Unique: They're coming to America) (Today)

They're coming to America (Artie: Oh, woah) (Artie and Kitty with New Directions: Today)

They're coming to America (Unique: America) (Today)

They're coming to America (Unique: Today, woah) (Today)

Kitty with New Directions (Artie):

(We're coming) (Unique: Ooh) Today

Today (Unique: They're coming to America)

(Ooooh) Today

(with Artie: Today)

Sam (Kitty and Unique with New Directions):

My country 'tis of thee (Today)

Sweet land of liberty (Today)

Of thee I sing (Today)

The crowd roared again and as the group started singing their last song, Carole gasped and looked at Noelle.

"This was Finn's favorite song," Carole murmured as she put a hand to her heart.

"They're singing all of his favorites," Rachel added as she put her hand on Carole's other hand. Carole squeezed it and smiled as she wrapped her arm around her daughter-in-law. As the group sang, everyone had different flashbacks of Finn. From when Will discovered Finn singing in the locker room showers, to the Finchel wedding, to graduation, to winning Nationals two years in a row. Even the birth of the twins and Finn holding them in his arms etched in Noelle's mind. Noelle remembered that first time they had sung together for everyone in the choir room, and to Finn standing up for her when she had been slushied.

Sam:

I have climbed highest mountains

I have run through the fields

Only to be with you

Blaine with Sam (Blaine):

I have run, I have crawled

I have scaled these city walls

(These city walls)

Only to be with you

Blaine with Sam and New Directions:

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

Artie:

I have kissed honey lips

Felt the healing fingertips

It burnt like fire

This burning desire

Tina with Artie (Tina):

I have spoke with the tongue of angels

(I have held) (Artie: I have held)

Hand of a devil

It was warm (in the night) (Artie: In the night)

(I was cold as a stone) (Artie: Cold as a stone)

Blaine and Sam with Artie and New Directions (Tina):

But I still (But I still) (and Tina: Haven't found)

What I'm looking for (What I'm looking for)

But I still (But I still) (and Tina: Haven't found)

Wat I'm looking for (What I'm looking for)

Blaine with Tina (Artie):

I believe in the kingdom come (I believe, oh)

Then all the colors will bleed into one (Bleed into one)

Bleed into one (Ooh, yeah)

Blaine (Tina):

But yes, I'm still running (Yes, I'm still running) (Artie: Yes, I'm still running)

Sam (Artie):

You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains

Carried the cross and, oh, my shame

Oh, my shame (Ooh)

You know I believe it (I believe it)

(New Directions: You know I believe) (Mh, I believe it)

Blaine with New Directions (Artie):

But I still haven't found (Still haven't found)

What I'm looking for (Yeah, yeah, hey)

But I still haven't found (No, no, yeah)

What I'm looking for (Oh, no, no, no)

But I still (Blaine: Still) haven't found

What I'm looking for (Blaine: What I'm looking for) (What I'm looking for)

New Directions (Blaine and Tina):

But I still (But I still) (and Blaine and Tina: Haven't found) (Artie: Ooh)

What I'm looking for (Sam: What I'm looking for) (Blaine, Sam, and Tina: Looking for)

Artie, Blaine, Sam, and Tina with New Directions (Tina):

(Artie, Blaine, and Sam: But I still) (But I still) haven't found (Artie: Haven't found)

What I'm looking for

As Sam held up Finn's drumsticks at the end, Noelle leaped to her feet in a standing ovation and the crowd followed suit.

"YES!" Noelle cried as she leapt to her feet. She hugged Rachel, and then her parents and Josh.

"And in fourth place, from Lake Tahoe, Vicious Harmony! And third place goes to our bronze beauties, the Amazonians!"

Rachel, Noelle and Josh stood on stage with the New Directions and Will as the trophies were presented.

"Are you all right, Mr. Schue? You never looked this nervous before," Rachel asked Will.

"Uh, yeah," Will said. "Just, uh-Just a lot riding on it this time."

"And now, the pivotal moment is here. For there can only be one champion show choir per nation.

Second place goes to the New Directions! Which means the winner of the National Show Choir Championship is Throat Explosion!"

And just like that, time stopped for the New Directions, Will, the alumni, Burt, Carole and the Koontzs as Throat Explosion celebrated being victorious. The audience was booing at the results and Noelle looked over at Marlee Matlin and they shared a knowing look that read, "We need to talk before you leave."

"Noelle?"

Noelle had been sitting outside the theatre, waiting for Josh as he used the bathroom before they would head over to In-N-Out for a lunch date with Mark Ballas and Sabrina Bryan. She turned at the sound of a male voice and saw Marlee Matlin and her interpreter, Jack. Marlee had been one of the judges.

"Oh, hi Marlee!" Noelle signed to Marlee as she spoke. "How did you like judging the competition?"

"I loved every minute of it," Jack interpreted as Marlee signed. "I saw Mark the other day at one of the shows and he told me he had judged your first Nationals. He was surprised to hear that I was judging this time."

"I was too," Noelle replied as she signed back with a smile. "I'm actually meeting Mark and Sabrina for lunch over at In-n-Out; I'm just waiting for Josh."

"That's great! Give them my love." There was a pause as Marlee's expression turned a bit somber and thoughtful. "I was so sorry to hear about your brother," Jack said as Marlee continued to sign. "He was a very talented kid. He's a hero in my eyes for saving your life."

"Thank you," Noelle signed back.

"I know you are disappointed with the results," Marlee continued to sign, "and for what it's worth, I voted first place for you guys. The New Directions should have won."

"Thank you, that really means a lot to me," Noelle replied, signing. "I'll make sure to tell the New Directions when we get back to the hotel."

"Also, Noelle, between you, me, and Marlee, I think Throat Explosion played dirty," Jack said to Noelle as he signed to Marlee. "I personally heard one of the guys say something about bribes when I was in the men's restroom a little while ago."

"They bribed Joanna and Jackee?" Noelle signed to Marlee. "Did they say anything to you or give you money?"

"No," Marlee replied signing. "They must have known I wouldn't sway since we have a personal connection. Maybe you should make a mention to the National Show Choir Board. Jack and I will too."

"Thanks for the info, I'll inform Mr. Schue when we get back," Noelle signed. She hugged Marlee and Jack as Josh came out.

"Hi Marlee!" Josh said as he waved and hugged Marlee.

"Hi Josh," Marlee signed. "It's great to see you both! Don't let me keep you two from Mark and Sabrina. Have a great time and tell them I said 'Hi!'."

"We will," Noelle replied as Josh nodded.

"Wait, let me get this straight," Will stated that evening after Josh and Noelle had returned to the hotel from In-N-Out. Everyone was gathered in one of the conference rooms. "Throat Explosion cheated?"

"Yes," Noelle replied. "Marlee told me they bribed Joanna and Jackee. Marlee told me she wasn't bribed because they knew her loyalty lied with us because of her connection to Mark and DWTS. Her interpreter, Jack? He overheard one of the guys in the men's room backstage laugh about them bribing just so we would lose. You saw how pissed off the crowd was. We were supposed to win. The announcer was even shocked."

"So what do we do?" Quinn asked. "Can we prove it?"

"We file a formal complaint with the National Show Choir Board," Noelle replied. "I've already called and left a message. Do you remember the last time we were here in L.A.? And the lady who praised me for Complicated during the Prelims?" Will nodded as did the alumni, Artie, Tina, Burt and Carole.

"She's the president of the National Show Choir Board now," Noelle replied with a grin and everyone's eyes widened. A knock came at the conference room door and Sam opened it to reveal a tall, thin, older woman.

"Excuse me, New Directions?" the woman said.

"Tracy, how good of you to come!" Noelle said, greeting her old friend. "I see you got my message."

"Yes, yes, and New Directions, might I give my deepest condolences to you all on the loss of young Mr. Hudson, he certainly was a talented man," Tracy replied. "And Rachel, I'm so sorry you had to lose the love of your life, my late husband died almost the same way."

"Thank you," Rachel whispered sadly.

"Anyways, after I got your phone call, Noelle, Marlee Matlin and her interpreter Jack called me and also told me what Throat Explosion had supposedly done," Tracy replied. "I wanted to personally tell you that the show choir board does not condone bribing or any illegal activity whatsoever, so this matter will be thoroughly investigated. It may take some time though. If we find out the bribing did happen, your show choir will be awarded first place. I wish I could give it to you right away, but we have to make sure the bribing actually happened."

"As long as Throat Explosion is brought to justice, it's all good," said Blaine. "They also verbally threatened us too."

"Yeah, they even insulted Finn," scowled Tina.

"It's true," Noelle added as the New Directions nodded.

"Well, that will definitely also be held against them," Tracy said. "That's bullying."

"You're telling me," scoffed Kitty as she crossed her arms. "It's too bad we're probably getting disbanded before you come to your final decision on this whole matter."

"What's she talking about?" Tracy asked Noelle.

"Remember that crazy cheerleading coach from Ohio that went on a rampage a few years ago on National TV?" Noelle asked. Tracy nodded.

"She's currently the principal and she said the glee club is disbanded if we didn't place," Kitty added. "And second place is not good enough for her, let me tell you that."

"I'll see what I can do to speed this up," Tracy nodded to Will.

"It's over," Noelle said a few days later as she returned to New York with Kurt, Josh, Quinn, Beth, the twins, Rachel, Mercedes, and Santana. "Harmony just texted me. Sue Sylvester's disbanding the glee club after graduation next weekend. Mr. Schue wants everyone back to say goodbye to the glee club."

"We better start packing then," Santana said. "Come on, Wheezy."

"Would you mind putting Billy and Reagan down for their naps?" Rachel asked Santana, holding out Billy.

"Sure," said Santana, taking her nephew. Mercedes took Reagan from Kurt. While the two of them headed upstairs with the twins, the others stayed downstairs, trying to figure out what to do. There HAD to be a way to save the glee club, but how? And even if the show choir board gave the New Directions first place, there was no way Sue would back down from her decision. This was a matter of money.