PREVIOUSLY: Michael Baxter found Sam Evans in a Night Club in the American South. At first he was singing, and then he was kind of stripping. Eager to talk to Sam, he managed to break through the screaming hordes of girls to offer him a payment of money so he could talk to him straight away.
After finding out what Michael had wanted, Sam, signed to re-join the New Directions.
And now the continuation:
.
HEADS UP - It's the return of my infamous Flashbacks. (And I hope you have been paying attention to my chapter headings, a little play on words, just in case you haven't.)
.
PART 6: WILL THIS BE A RIGHT DIRECTION?
.
.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
BAXTER EMPIRE INC
.
Michael's search for a few more New Directions Alumni had to be put on hold for a few days, as his eldest brother Jack, summoned him back to Texas, where he spent two whole days focusing purely on work. This drove Michael crazy, as he'd rather be out getting his team together, but work was always important.
.
Meanwhile the Detectives that Michael had hired were still out searching for the rest of the New Directions Alumni. He spent the first week signing up; Finn Hudson, Noah Puckerman, Brittany S Pierce, and Sam Evans.
He knew where Will Schuester was, who was next on his visitor list.
While he had been deep in meetings with not only Jack but the rest of his brothers, including a smug looking Rick; news had come through on the locations of Mike Chang, and Tina Cohen-Chang, and a last minute hit, Artie Abrams.
So the plan was to spend the first half of the second week getting to Will, Mike, Tina and Artie. While hopefully by mid week he'll have news on some more of the New Directions Alumni. Rachel, Santana, Quinn, Mercedes, Kurt, Blaine, Jake and Kitty were being elusive. The trail was dead cold on Rachel, Mercedes, and Kurt, while it was warming up on the rest.
.
Michael was preparing to leave his office to go back New Directions Alumni hunting, when there was a knock on the door, and in walked his eldest brothers. Jack, and Rick.
"I thought we had finished this morning?" said Michael
"We are finished," said Jack "You've been chomping at the bit to get away once you got here."
"I only have a quarter of my team signed, and we're running out of time."
"That's poppy cock," smiled Rick behind Jack "There's still 4 and a half months to go until Sectionals. The New Directions were famous for getting their set pieces together hours before they performed. You told me that a few hundred times."
They already had, had this conversation, he knew that Rick was trying to get a bit out of him. He looked at Jack. Jack knew that look.
"Enough Rick," said Jack in his commanding voice "Tell me Michael why are you building an Auditorium on your block of land at your place?"
Michael shook his head. He looked over at Rick. Rick's face gave it away.
"It's my money," replied Michael
"Oh don't get me wrong," said Jack "You can build whatever you want with your money, I don't care, but the issue that I have is, and I'm bewildered by it, is why are you building 15 tube entrances?"
"They're just temporary," replied Michael
"It's another one of his fantasies where he surprises people," told Rick "the New Directions haven't been together for 10 years and they would have a lot of issues, so Michael wants to see their reactions."
"Butt out Rick," replied Michael getting agitated
Jack turned to Rick, "Enough, please leave."
Rick sulked out of the room.
Jack turned back to Michael "Just a friendly bit of brotherly advice and then I'll leave you to your dash across America, don't play with people's emotions, this isn't a game, it's their lives."
"It's no game to me either,"replied Michael "Those things are just temporary to suit a purpose, and it'll be taken straight away. I want the New Directions back together and whatever issues they have, I want to help solve them."
"They may have to do it on their own, you can't solve them if they don't want to be solved."
"Is there anything else? I need to get going!"
"I'm proud of you for doing this whole thing, building a team, you are showing commitment, to the cause, if there is anything else you need just let me know!"
"Your best Detective," said Michael not wanting to let pass the opportunity up "I'm running out of time. I need Parker's expertise. I'll pay his hours and stuff."
"Who do you need to find?" asked Jack
"Berry, Jones, and Hummel," said Michael "Those three are my main worries."
"I'll let Parker go, but just for one of them. You choose. Make the decision."
"Berry then," replied Michael without hesitation
"I'll get Parker to give you a call to get the details. But this is just a one off though Mike, got that?"
"I understand," smiled Michael
Jack left the office, and Michael followed a few minutes after that, while he was on the phone to Jack's number one Detective. Mr Parker Mills.
.
.
DENVER, COLORADO
.
Will Schuester had moved to Denver 8 years ago, with his wife Emma, and their three children Daniel Finn Schuester, Joseph Kurt Schuester, and Isobelle Rachel Schuester. 2 years before that he had been the Principle of McKinley School of Performing Arts.
He was still in charge of the New Directions and then that horrible incident/incidences happened, which tore apart the Alumni, and their circle of friends, and because of that the pain of seeing them split apart and go their own way was too much for Will, so he quit and left Lima, Ohio, with Emma and their growing family.
The only way to get rid of the pain was by dancing and when they got to Denver, they found a perfect spot, and Will used most of their life savings into setting up a dance school.
It became popular throughout Denver and Colorado, that he soon re-coupe his money, and he and Emma were able to sit back and watch their investment grow.
.
DENVER ACADEMY OF DANCING
.
Michael pulled into the car park of the Denver Academy of Dancing. The name didn't scream out Schuester which probably was the reason why it took his detectives so long to find them. The Schuesters.
He walked into the ground floor of 5. It was a nice and welcoming lay out. He walked up to the front desk.
"May I help you?" asked the receptionist
"Yes, I would like to speak to Mr Will Schuester please."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, sorry, I don't."
"If you had rung in for an appointment," started the secretary "Then you would have been told that Mr Schuester isn't taking appointments, until next week. If you'd like to talk to his manager, then I can make that happen today."
"I can't wait until next week to talk to Mr Schuester," said Michael suddenly feeling stressed out
"Then I think the best option would be talk to his manager then,"
"So Mr. Schuester's not on site then?" asked Michael thinking quickly
"I didn't say that!" replied the secretary "He's just unavailable."
Michael smiled. He took a $100 note from his wallet, and placed it in front of the secretary.
"I need to see him in person, it's very important. This is yours if you can point me in the right direction?"
"Sorry sir I can't take your money."
Michael placed a 2nd $100 note down.
"I can't betray Mr Schuesters confidence," said the secretary looking like she was about to give up
Michael put a 3rd $100 note down.
"You're not betraying his confidence, just tell me what floor he is on, and I'll find him myself."
The Secretary looked at the 3 $100 notes, and shook her head, but her eyes were giving her away. Michael then put a 4th one down. She rolled her eyes, and checked her diary.
"4th Floor," she sighed "He's there by himself. It's his own personal dance space."
"I won't tell anyone," smiled Michael heading towards the lifts.
.
Michael made his way down the 4th Floor Hallway, after exiting the lift, he then began to hear music, and walked towards it. He got to a room where the doors were opened, and music was coming out from, and looked through those open doors.
There he was, swooning about the room, dancing in his unique way. Mr. William Schuester.
Michael's mouth dropped opened. Just like he felt when he saw Finn Hudson for the first time in person, it was the same feeling for when he saw Will. Will Schuester, to Michael, was royalty. He was about to step foot inside the dance room when he heard a female's voice...
"May I help you, sir?"
Michael turned around, and was shocked again. There standing in front of him, was Mrs Emma Schuester, Will's wife. Her famous ginger hair was her stand out. It was a bit longer than usual.
"Mrs... Emma... Schuester..." Michael heard himself saying
"That's me," smiled Emma before holding out the 4 $100 notes that he had given to the Secretary "I believe these are yours."
Michael felt really embarrassed, his face showed it by going red.
"I came in a minute after you," continued Emma "She explained what she had done, and what you did. So I'll ask you again... May I help you?"
"I'm... here... to... talk to your husband..." stammered Michael again
Will was just meters away but he still felt very far away.
"That's obvious," replied Emma "So... Why?"
"Let's just say that I am a big fan of his," smiled Michael
"I'm good with faces," replied Emma "I've never seen you around here, before, and don't take this the wrong way, You don't look like a dancer."
"I'm not," laughed Michael nervously "I am just a big fan."
"You already said that, and you haven't even told me your name."
Michael held out his hand. "Sorry, my name is Michael Baxter."
"Baxter?" thought Emma "Baxter? That name rings a bell. But from where?"
Michael was about to say when they were interrupted.
"What's going on out here then?"
Michael turned around, and a big smile crossed his face. William Schuester, had walked into their conversation.
"Will," started Emma "Meet Michael Baxter, he wanted to meet you so badly that he bribed Sheila $400 to turn the other cheek."
Will smiled as he looked the stranger up and down "That's big bickies just for wanting to see me."
Michael couldn't get the words out, that he wanted to say. He was star struck.
"Apparently he's a huge fan of yours," smiled Emma
"Well Mr Baxter," said Will "Why don't you cone in to my office, and we can have a chat... that's if you can find your voice that is..."
Michael nodded and followed Will into the dance studio. Emma followed them in.
"Now Michael," started Will "Please tell me how you are such a big fan of mine when I haven't met you before? Just like my wife asked you but you didn't answer?"
Michael wasn't sure if he should just come clean and tell Will the whole truth, because after all he had been the overall leader of the group.
"I'm part of the Baxter family who is running the World Championship of Show Choirs," said Michael finally finding his voice
"That's where I remember your last name from," remembered Emma "I remember seeing a few of those advertisements on television."
"What does that have to do with me?" quizzed Will
Again Michael contemplated what he was going to say.
"Your silence is quite deafening, Mr Baxter," replied Will "Just spit it out."
Michael sighed, he had to get it out "I grew up watching Show Choir competitions. My favorite group ever were the New Directions."
On hearing the name of The New Directions, Will turned and walked away. He signaled for Michael to keep talking.
"I've decided because I loved Show Choir so much that I want to build a team and get the best singers and the best dancers that I can buy. And because I consider you one of the best because of your the way you led the New Directions, I wanted to recruit you."
Will was quiet. He still had his back to Michael and Emma. He was standing next to a chair. He put his hand on the chair to lean against it. Michael looked at Emma.
"I'm prepared to offer you a big amount of money to persuade you to join me," continued Michael
"How much?" asked Emma
"$1 Million," replied Michael
Will didn't even flinch from hearing the money amount. Emma wolf whistled.
"Now if you were to sign the contract, the moment that you do, your receive $100,000 instantly into your bank account. The final $900,000 you will receive when you come to my home in Dallas, next month, for the team's first meeting together."
Again Will stayed silent.
"That sounds like a really good deal," said Emma trying to break the silence "Doesn't it Will?"
Again Will stayed silent. He started tapping his fingers on top of the chair. But then he spoke.
"What aren't you telling us?"
"What do you mean?" asked Michael
"Don't be so naive," replied Will sounding agitated "Don't you dare lie to me Mr Baxter. There is something more you're not letting on? Just tell me."
Michael sighed. He had to tell Will the truth. "Like I said I was a fan of the New Directions in my youth, and like I said I'm building a team together to compete in the World Championship, but my dream is to re-build the New Directions, with New Directions of course."
The shock look on Emma's face said it all. She shook her had as if to say don't say anything more. Will was still standing there, in the middle of the room, with his back to them, and he was tapping on the chair, but the tapping stopped once he heard what Michael had to say.
Suddenly Will grabbed the chair that he was leaning on and threw it to the other side of the room. It went crashing into some mirrors.
"HOW DARE YOU..." yelled Will turning around, and he had fire in his eyes "How dare you be an outsider who comes in and thinks he can play with things that he knows nothing about."
"I'm... sorry," said Michael shocked at Will's outburst "It's not like that."
"From where I'm standing it is like that," fumed Will "WHO the HELL do you THINK YOU ARE?"
"Will, calm down," said Emma shocked
.
Emma hadn't seen Will this upset in 10 years. Since the whole incident with the New Directions Alumni. She hadn't been there in person, although sometimes she wished she had, because she still didn't know the full story, and all she knew was what Will had actually told her, and that it had, had a huge effect on him. Their marriage almost fell apart over it.
.
Will held up his hand to let Emma know not to say anything more.
"I'm not trying to judge," said Michael "But I believe the New Directions as a whole, could win the Worlds. After all they've been National Champions 5 times."
"You should have left it alone," growled Will
"But you were the one that got them together, and worked your magic, and turned them from misfits into Champions. That is why I want you. They need you."
"That's pure BULLSHIT," yelled Will "UTTER BULLSHIT... They don't need me, they basically said so themselves ten years ago. THEY... DON'T... NEED... ME."
"I need you," said Michael quietly
"TELL ME," snarled Will walking up to Michael "And TELL ME the TRUTH. How many do you have signed so far?"
"Four."
"WHO?"
"Finn Hudson, Noah Puckerman, Brittany S Pierce, and Sam Evans,"
"Finn..." said Will quietly as if reliving a memory, then he spoke up "DO they know about each other or what you're trying to do?"
"Only Mr Hudson, and Miss Pierce know what I'm trying to do."
Will turned around and walked back to the middle of the room. He looked in pain. Michael went to take a step forward, but Emma, who now had tears rolling down her face, grabbed his arm, and she shook her head.
They saw Will kneel down, he was still fuming and his whole body was shaking with anger.
.
Will could hear the voices flooding back, the ones he had suppressed for over 10 years.
.
FLASHBACK
.
Voices but not people could be heard in this flashback.
.
"It's your fault Mr. Schue!" came one voice
"Why is it mine?" he heard himself asking
"Because if you hadn't of started the New Directions then none of this would have happened..." said another voice
"You're to blame Mr Schue..." said a third voice
"I hate you Mr Schue..." said a fourth voice "
.
"I hate you Mr Schue... I hate you Mr Schue... I hate you..."
.
END OF FLASHBACK
.
Will shook his head to clear his mind, and to get the cobwebs out. He stood up and turned back around. He had tears in his eyes.
"I think you better leave Mr. Baxter."
"But..." stammered Michael who couldn't believe that this was happening
Will stormed up to Michael "I spent 10 years... 10 years... Getting away from their blame... I spent 10 years running away... All it takes is a visit from you... a do gooder... who wants to see his idols back together... but doesn't know the whole story... Yet in YOUR REALITY you think it'll be easy to make them one again... Oh how WRONG YOUR ARE going to be... Now... I WANT YOU TO GO..."
Michael gulped and nodded. He had outstayed his welcomed, and he had made the situation worse. He turned to go.
"You should have just left EVERYTHING alone..." continued Will
"I believe people need a hand in sorting their issues out, sometimes," said Michael quietly "I'm sorry if I've caused you a lot of pain..."
"Just go," said Will turning away and walking towards the other side of the room.
.
Michael walked away feeling defeated, deflated, disgusted, destroyed, and deconstructed.
.
Michael left the building feeling as if his world had been turned upside down. He was contemplating quitting the whole thing all together. After all if William Schuester was hurt and reacted like that, then how many others would also do the same? On some level he felt this is what he wanted to see. Issues out on the table. But he wanted it in a proper setting. Not like this.
.
Is it all over before it even began? Is this the last time we will see Will Schuester? If the New Directions get back together and that's a big if, how are they going to survive without their biggest mainstay in their life? What more secrets and pain are out there? Will we ever get to the real problem of what tore the New Directions apart? Stay tuned, only time will tell.