PREVIOUSLY: Michael Baxter went to find Kurt Hummel, where he finds him sitting in a darkened pub that he owns, and it's run down, and basically he is too. At first he looks all at see, and looks confused. But then when Michael offers him a chance of selling the pub, he takes it by agreeing to it, only if he has 10 percent of the profits, he keeps the name, and it stays a pub. Michael agrees and Kurt signs to take part in the World Championship of Show Choirs. But he is unaware of who else is on the team.
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And now the continuation:
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PART 13 - A FALLEN DIRECTION
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Eleven years ago, Mercedes Jones, was one of the biggest stars in the World. She had number 1 hit after number 1 hit, she had massive tours, which a large amount of fans following her, and she also appeared in television shows. No only that but she a very supportive New Direction Alumni to those whi were in the group. Money was rolling in for her, and she was rich.
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And then it all came crashing down.
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She wasn't directly involved in the New Direction scandal, but she bad been there the day that the New Directions Alumni imploded.
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Mercedes took it personally, and it effected her. So much so, she disappeared from public view, and also stopping singing, and recording. It was as if she fell of the face of the earth.
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It had taken Michael Baxter's top Detective, Johan Smiters, all he had, all his years of experience, all of his contacts, who owed him 1 favor each that he had been trying to save, to find Mercedes Jones.
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Through his exhaustive contact leads, Johan found Mercedes in Seeley Lake, Montana, where she was staying at a health resort. She lived on site, while people just came and went. She often sat by herself watching people get involved in various exercises and activities, passing the time away.
Mercedes was still rich, she had spent some of her money in the early days of her going to ground, on charities. So Michael, was sure she didn't need, a $1 Million contract. He felt he had to approach her from a different kind of direction, but he was unsure what or how at this stage.
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SEELEY LAKE, MONTANA
HEALTH RESORT
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Michael turned up at the rest, and instantly recognized Mercedes, even though she was being inconspicuous, he clearly recognized her. She was sitting down on a seat bench, watching a group tackle an obstacle course.
Mercedes hadn't lost much weight, but she still looked good. It was like she was watching life pass her by, and she looked happy, but sad at the same time.
Michael was still unsure how to handle this. He had been battling the whole day after reading the notes of what Johan had dug up on Mercedes, He decided the best attack was the least effective attack for this brief moment. Winging it. Maybe this could work.
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Michael casually walked up to the bench seat that Mercedes was sitting on, and casually sat down on the other end. He didn't look at her, as he didn't want to scare her off, and he didn't say anything as he was contemplating what to say.
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They sat there in silence watching the group doing their bit on the obstacle course, and every so often he would smile when someone tripped up in a funny manner. He had realized he was smiling, and he hadn't realized Mercedes was keeping an eye on him every so often out of the corner of her eye. He wasn't paying her attention, but he was trying to figure out a way to talk to her.
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Thirty minutes had gone by and Michael was starting to feel less confidence with his winging it approach, and was about to pull the pin, when Mercedes finally spoke.
"Are you here for me?"
Michael looked ahead and said the first thing that popped into his head "What gave you that impression?"
"No one ever sits down next to me when I've been here. It's like everyone gives me a wide berth and leaves me alone."
"Maybe they aren't sure you want to be disturbed? Do you want to be left alone?"
"I've been alone for ten years. I'm use to it."
Michael just sat there staring ahead. He could feel her sadness, and her pain.
"...Although you might already probably know that," continued Mercedes after a brief pause "Which is probably the reason why you are here."
"You can't stay shut off from the world forever," said Michael quietly still staring ahead "It's not healthy."
"Hey look around," smiled Mercedes pointing to the camp "It's a health retreat after all."
Michael smiled, and kept his eyes focused ahead.
"Then YOU are here for me," said Mercedes "Then You'll know who I am then?"
Michael nodded.
"Who sent you?"
"I sent myself," replied Michael
Mercedes looked over at Michael. She looked at his suit. It was a pretty fancy suit.
"Are you a boss man?"
"You could say that."
"So that means you are treating this really serious if you're the one to be here, and that you want me for something. I don't even know who you are."
"Michael Baxter." said Michael looking ahead still
"And what do you do normally, Mr Michael Baxter?"
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Michael looked down at his shoes. He suddenly felt weird for being here. It was like this wasn't right to get Mercedes on board, in her mental condition. But she seemed fine. But this wasn't fine. This wasn't right. He should have just left her alone.
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"I work in Texas, buying and selling businesses amongst other stuff."
"So you area an investor then?"
"Yes, something like that."
"So, are you wanting me to make an investment then?"
"No, that's not what I am here for."
"So, so why are you here then Michael Baxter?"
Michael kept looking at his feet "You know what? I think I made a huge mistake in coming here, and trying to see you. It's nice to have met you Mercedes Jones."
Michael got up and went to walk away.
"Wait a minute," said Mercedes standing up and grabbing Michael's arm "Just hold on a minute. There is a reason why you are here to see me, just tell me. There's nothing wrong it asking."
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For the first time since meeting all of the New Directions Alumni, and apart from when Will Schuester had his melt down, Michael felt really guilty. This was wrong. Everything felt all wrong. Everything just felt like... unworthy.
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"I can't offer you anything, as you're rich enough already, and just being here, seeing you like this, is heart wrenching enough."
Michael used his spare hand to wipe away tears from his eyes, he wasn't sure why all of a sudden he was being emotional, Mercedes pulled him around to face her, and for the first time he looked at her, and she just gave him a massive hug, and that's when the water works exploded.
"This place does wonders," said Mercedes hugging Michael tight "I've been here a little over 7 years, just sitting here, watching the world go past, just sitting here being at peace. The Universe gave me a sign. You turning up here means I'm ready to face the world again. You just need to tell me why you are here. When you are ready of course.
Mercedes waited for Michael to let out all of his tears that he had been holding in all this time. Then she helped him to sit down.
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"I'm so sorry about that," said Michael trying to pull himself together "This is so silly. I'm not usually this emotional."
"Like I said," started Mercedes "Look around you, it's this place, this place is the clearer of the soul. It wipes away any pain that you may have. It took me a whole 48 hours when I first got here to cry away all of my pain, and trust me, I had a lot of it. Speaking of pain, you had a lot of it too, but it wasn't all yours. You must have received a lot of pain from a whole lot of people around you. Why are you holding onto their pain?"
Michael sighed, and looked back at Mercedes "The pain is from all of your friends!"
"What do you mean?" asked Mercedes confused
Michael for the first time since he started the campaign to get the New Directions Alumni back together confessed everything
"I am from the Baxter Family who is one of the richest families in the U.S, probably not just the U.S. but most of the world too, we decided to run a competition called The World Championship of Show Choirs. A professionally run competition for anyone who had competed in the past, to do so again. Now I grew up watching Show Choirs, in particular the New Directions. I wanted to build a team together, myself. I also knew that the New Directions, had separated, you guys were my idols, So I wanted to get you all back together..."
As Michael kept talking, Mercedes who had been listening intently, stood up, and walked a few paces forwards, and she kept her back to Michael.
"...The purpose was three fold. Firstly, for my benefit, because like I said, you were my idols growing up. Secondly, for your benefits. And thirdly to sort out what happened that drove you all apart ten years ago. My number 1 goal was that I had a team who deserved to be World Champions, who could be World Champions...
"...Now I knew in order to make that happen, were two things. Deceit, and Money. Deceit, by not allowing everyone else to know I was planning on bring everyone together, in case they didn't agree to sing on because they couldn't stand being around the others. I wouldn't have a team if that was the case. So I had to be deceitful, but along the way a few people guessed at what I was doing, so when they did ask, I really couldn't lie...
"...You're going to ask who they were, I know that. Finn Hudson, was the very first person I met, and he asked straight away, he was kinda okay with it. Brittany S Pierce, I knew, knew what I was up to, but she didn't say anything. Will Schuester, I tried recruiting, but he was too effected, and said no. That was painful in itself. Quinn Fabray knew, and you. You are the only one who knows the whole story...
"...The only way to get people to sign was to offer a monetary value of $1 Million per person. Where they would get $100,000 instantly they signed the contract, and then get the rest, the $900,000 they get once they turn at my place in Dallas, Texas next week for the first initial meeting, and it is there, where I will have everyone discover who is in the team, and I'm expecting fireworks. Big fireworks..."
"...But here's the crux, and I've told no one else this, but like I said, Miss Pierce will probably know, once they learn about each other, they'll threaten to quit. But they can't, I've instantly put a clause in their contracts, that most of them didn't even read, to say that if they were to quit, then they would OWE ME $2 Million, basically no one could pay me back. Except you of course. So they have to stay together, and be forced to deal with their issues, and to get that out of the way, and hopefully work together as a team to become World Champions..."
"I managed to get Finn Hudson, Noah Puckerman, Brittany S Pierce, Sam Evans, Mike Chang, Tina Cohen-Chang, Artie Abrams, Quinn Fabray, Santana Lopez, Blaine Anderson, Kitty Wilde, Jake Puckerman, and I have just come signing Kurt Hummel yesterday, to be here today and then tomorrow I'm off to see Rachel Berry tomorrow. Rachel is the final part of the team puzzle that I want for the Worlds. And that's it in a nutshell."
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Michael waited for the back lash to begin from Mercedes. He deserved to have a backlash, especially because he totally blabbed his whole story to a New Direction Alumni who hadn't signed yet. It'll probably destroy everything that he had created over the course of a month.
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"You do know?..." said Mercedes after a few minutes of silence, she was still standing and looking ahead "That I could basically buy out all of their $2 Million contracts and they'll basically be free to go. I do have the money to be able to do that."
"Not until now, I didn't," replied Michael "But I wouldn't begrudge you if you did."
"And you do know the shit is going to hit the fan once they find out that they have been duped?"
"Yes, I did realized that, I'm prepared for that."
"And you do know once they see each other, after all this time, then that's going to like shit hitting the fan as well?"
"Yes."
Mercedes turned around and walked towards Michael. He was expecting to be slapped in the face.
"You're a devious man, Mr Baxter," started Mercedes "A devious but a thoughtful, and kind man, and it'll do them good to be forced to come together and to hash out their past. I love them all but they cost me 10 years of my life."
Michael couldn't believe his ears "You're not mad?"
"Look around Mr Baxter," said Mercedes pointing to the area that they were in "This has been my home for a long time. I've had time to enjoy the outdoors, and I feel the Universe has help me get through my pain. Of course, I'm not mad. But the others will be mad. I hope you are well and truly prepared for that."
"I am."
"So ask me."
"Ask you what?" asked Michael confused
"If you me to join the New Directions again, ask me."
"Do you want to rejoin the New Directions after everything that you've been through?"
"It will help me to re-adjust to life back in the real world."
"Wow," said Michael "I wasn't even sure you would want to come back to the New Directions."
"Well like I said, I need to get back to the real world, and I need to be around the New Directions, who tore us apart, so I calm them heal, not only them, but also me towards them. I also feel like I want to sing again, for the first time in years, and I need to start again with the New Directions, with my friends."
"So you want to participate then?" asked Michael
"Yes."
"So, I'm not quite sure if I should ask the next question?"
"Just ask."
"Am I offering you a $1 Million contract? Even though you have all the money that you could ever ask for?"
"Simple answer is... yes," replied Mercedes "Yes, you can offer me the $1 Million contract. Longer answer is... I can use the $1 Million to put in place help like counselors, and body guards just in case things get out of hand at the very first meeting."
"That's already sorted," replied Michael "It's already in place."
"Okay then. How about a place to train? We're the New Directions... We're from Lima, Ohio, sure we won't stay in Texas. No disrespect to Dallas or to Texas."
"That's sorted too, Miss Jones," smiled Michael "I wanted to wait until everyone was together before I said what the plans were... But because it's you I'll let you know now. I have rebuilt the old McKinley High School into a part dormitory where everyone will live on site... Part cafeteria where everyone will eat... Part auditorium where everyone will train their big dance routines and group numbers... Part Counselors where everyone can go to and ask for help if they need to sort out more of their issues... And best of all Part Choir Room where everyone will be practicing and can can sing their own songs, individually and/or 2 or more, and just to feel comfortable like it was back in your high school days. Just to feel you belong."
"Wow," said Mercedes "That sounds great. But what about down time?"
"They are free to leave and have down time, but where they go, a minder will go with them. They may not like that, but they did sign a contract, albeit deceitfully, so they basically belong to me for a year. They may thin that I've cheated them into it, but it's for their own good, as I am trying to rebuild their lives. I want them to be World Champions. They deserve to be."
"What's a little deceit at the end of the day," smiled Mercedes "So I guess I'll donate my $1 Million to charity."
"Are you sure you want to sing after hearing all of that?"
"You are going to need someone on side first and foremost," said Mercedes "I'm your person. And they need to do this, to go through this, to experience it, again, and to fix themselves, and sort themselves out. I also need fun in my life again Mr Baxter, I need my old friends back together. We need to sort this mess out, as soon as possible, and then look towards competing. So... Where's my contract?"
Michael grabbed his briefcase and opened it. He still couldn't believe after everything he said, Mercedes still wanted to be a part of it. He took out the contract and gave it to Mercedes. She took it and looked at it, and then signed her name. Michael got on his phone, and reworked a text.
"Normally I'd give $100,000 to start with but because you know the whole story, you now have a $1 Million in you bank account, to do whatever you want with. Donate it to charity, or even buy this place."
"I've already brought this place," smiled Mercedes handing the contract back to Michael
"Of course you have," replied Michael "This could be a good place for the New Directions to spend a few days at."
I was just thinking that, great how our minds think alike Mr Baxter."
"That's right... Where are you going to be for the rest of the week?"
"Here I guess, I need all of the positive energy I can muster, before I head into the very big severe negative storm that will be. So I want to fight that head on."
"I'll get someone to pick you up from here, and escort you to Texas then."
"Sounds like a plan," smiled Mercedes
Mercedes gave Michael one last hug, and then Michael left.
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Just a small heads up - The next chapter is on Rachel Berry, and I'm betting everyone is expecting her to be at least okay if not affected just like everyone else. But this why I have a heads up. Next chapter is going to be very emotional... Please be prepared for that while reading among other things. I could say more, but don't want to spoil anything else. This all ties in together. And the way I'm writing at the moment its just flowing. I'm still in the middle of it, so it could take at least another 24 hours or so. But I will get it out as soon as I can, as I know there are people chomping at the bit for me to release chapter after chapter as soon as. Sometimes I can do that when my story flows, other times other things come up, and it stops the flow. Anyway I just wanted to have a small heads up. So please be prepared.