Previously: The Baxter family, the richest family in the United States and possibly the world, have announced the World Championship of Show Choirs. The youngest brother in the family was Michael Baxter, who grew up watching Show Choirs and in particular the New Directions, wanted to run his own team. And in particular he wanted the whole of the New Directions. This would be difficult as there was a implosion ten years previous due to dramas and scandals and they had all spread across the USA.
So Michael Baxter went New Direction Alumni hunting, and secured all but one of the New Directions that he wanted. The only person not to say yes was New Direction Director Will Schuester who had been really traumatized by the break up.
Now that he all the signatures that he wanted the next task was to have them all come together for the first time in 10 years. How will this go down? How much bad blood will there be? Can they even perform together again?
Only time will tell.
And now the most important first time meeting get together in the history of the New Directions. Stay tuned.
And now the continuation.
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CHAPTER 15 - THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW DIRECTIONS
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Finally the day had arrived that Michael Baxter had been looking forward to since he started his mission get all of the New Directions back together. It been a long month of traveling the country, talking to emotional New Directions Alumni, and signing them to contracts.
Now they were all flying into Dallas, from everywhere and at different times, and they were being picked up by Michael's assistants. Some had arrived a few hours early, so the plan was to show them around and book them into different hotels.
They flew in, in this order: Finn Hudson, Sam Evans, Artie Abrams, Brittany S Pierce, Mike Chang, a sober Noah Puckerman, his half brother, Jake Puckerman, Kitty Wilde, a still bushy bearded Kurt Hummel, Santana Lopez, Tina Cohen-Chang, Blaine Anderson, Mercedes Jones, who flew in with Rachel, but were separated straight away, and Quinn Fabray.
Rachel Berry had recovered well, once she got to the Health Retreat, and Mercedes had kept an eye on her the few days that they were there, but Rachel pretty much kept to herself. She enjoyed being out in the open, instead of confining herself indoors. This relaxed tenfold.
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As the New Directions Alumni were arriving and being driven around, Michael was standing in front of his dress mirror, getting himself ready for the next important stage; the first meeting in 10 years of all of the New Directions Alumni. All road led to redemption as far as Michael was concerned.
Today was make or break time. All the lead up work he done over the last 4 weeks was now in the past. This was it. He needed them on the same page, the same level, he needed them to work together like that done so many times before.
He understood that this first day would be a shock for many of them, he also understood that today was going to be spent hashing out all of the issues that had torn them apart, that was why he had counselors on hand, also body guards would be there, just in case things turned nasty with the guys, and Doctors were also on hand in case Rachel needed medical help if things got too much for her, which could also be the case for Mercedes, the same could also be said for Kurt.
They would be staying in Dallas tonight before they would fly to Lima, Ohio tomorrow on a private jet hired by Michael, so that they could start preparing for Sectionals. Sectionals were 4 Months away. 2 months had been spent on planning to find the New Directions Alumni, and then finding them. After Sectionals, would be a 10 week period before Regionals, then another 10 weeks before Nationals, then another 10 weeks before Hemispheres, and then a final 10 weeks before Worlds. So they had to use part of the next 4 Months learning to trust one another again, learning to sign again, learning to dance again, just learning all over again.
Michael had also hired dance teachers, and choreographers, just in case for some reason, no one wanted to listen to Mike Chang. Apparently some of the issues were his fault. So Michael needed a Plan B.
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He looked at himself in the mirrior
"You can do this."
There was a knock on his bedroom door.
"Yes? Enter."
The door opened and in came his eldest brother, Jack.
"Jack what are you doing here?" asked Michael stunned
"I'm here to support you. I know how big a day this is for you, what with all your idols under one roof together for the first time in years. Don't worry, I'll sit in the background. I just need to be here officially like I'm doing with most clubs to sign off."
Michael looked at Jack with suspicion "I'll be fine."
"I know you will be. It's lucky I told Rick to stay a way. He's chomping at the bit, to see if your team makes it past the first day. I told him not to be that stupid."
No pressure then," smiled Michael
"Besides I want to see inside that auditorium, that you built out back. I suspect that's where the meeting is taking place."
"It is."
"So the 15 Rubber Tube Walkways are for the New Directions then?"
"Yes, keep them away from one another until the big reveal. Don't worry they're just temporary, they'll be gone tomorrow."
"Sweet. So when is this getting underway. I understand they've arrived and en-route?"
"Wow you really do know what's going on, don't you," said Michael "So much for keeping my team tightly lipped."
"I know everything about all of my brothers doings, so don't feel I'm picking on you. You've spent some big money up to this point, but it's yours, and you're doing reasonably well."
"Gee thanks."
"So are you ready to go then? Get this thing moving?"
Michael turned back to the mirror and looked at himself. It was now or never. This was so important to him, that nothing else mattered at this point. He was ready for the first days fireworks.
Michael took a deep breath "I'm ready."
"Let's go then," replied Jack
Michael and Jack left the room, and then the house, and walked towards the big auditorium. Instead of heading for the tunnel tubing that had been erected, they headed to a side entrance. Before they got there, Michael pulled out his phone and texted one of his main assistants who was in touch with all of the drivers driving the New Directions Alumni around.
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'IN POSITION... NOW
LET'S GET THIS STARTED
GIVE THE WORD FOR
DROP OFFS.'
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Michael and Jack, then walked into the auditorium.
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Jake Puckerman was the first to arrive. He was driven onto the section, and drove past the big house that Michael owned. The car stopped right next to a tube tunnel. Jake's door opened. He saw a big massive body guard.
"Mr Jake Puckerman?"
"Yes?"
"This way please."
Jake got out of the car and looked around
"This way please, sir." continued the body guard.
Jake followed the guard into the tubing tunnel. The moment they both walked in, a door slid into place.
"What's going on? asked Jake
"I'm sorry sir, I can't answer any questions. You will be with Mr Baxter shortly. He will answer all your questions then."
"Fine, lead the way then."
Jake followed the body guard further into the tubing tunnel, until they reached another door, there was a seat that was beside the door.
"Please take a seat Mr Puckerman, Mr Baxter will see you soon."
"This better be worth it," said Jake sitting down
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Next to arrive was Sam Evans. The car pulled to a stop at the tube tunnel. The car door opened.
"Mr Sam Evans, this way please," said his body guard
Sam got out and looked around.
"Wow, big place Mr Baxter has."
"This way Mr Evans."
Sam followed the body guard into the tube tunnel, and the door slid into place. Sam followed on without speaking.
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The third to arrive was a bearded Kurt Hummel, his hair was still ruffled. The car stopped beside his tunnel tube, and his door opened.
"Mr Kurt Hummel, this way please."
Kurt got out, and looked direction into the tube tunnel.
"Am I going in there?"
"Follow me, please sir."
Kurt shook his head, and followed the body guard into the tube. As soon as they both entered, the door slid into place.
"What a weird place, where are we going?"
"This way please Mr Hummel,"
"Yeah... yea..."
Kurt followed the Body Guard onward.
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The fourth to arrive was Tina Cohen-Chang. Her car door pulled to a stop near the tube tunnel entrance. Her door opened.
"Miss Tina Cohen-Chang, this way please."
Tina got out, and looked at her body guard.
"So what now?"
"This way please Miss Cohen-Chang."
Tina looked into the tube tunnel.
"You are not serious?"
"This way please."
Tina rolled her eyes, and followed the body guard into the tubing tunnel. A door slid into place.
"Is all of this really necessary?" asked Tina
"Mr Baxter will answer your questions, soon."
"Oh he's going to," said Tina continuing to follow the body guard.
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The fifth to arrive was Santana Lopez. She had been complaining ever since the car had left the airport. The car pulled to a stop near a tube tunnel.
"So we're finally here then driver?" asked Santana looking into the front seat at the driver "It's about bloody time. No information, not even small talk."
Her door opened.
"Miss Santana Lopez."
"That's me."
"This way please."
Santana got out of the car and looked at her body guard.
"You've got big muscles. Who may you be?"
"Miss Lopez this way please."
"You don't do small talk either? That's just great. Where's Mr Baxter?"
"I'm taking you to him now. Follow me please."
Santana looked into the tube tunnel.
"Through there? Are you serious?"
"This way please, Miss Lopez."
Santana walked into the tunnel following the body guard. The door slid into place.
"There is no need for something like this," whined Santana "I'm going to give Mr Baxter, a piece of my mind."
"You do that, ma'am."
"Don't call me ma'am, EVER."
Santana continued down the tunnel.
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The sixth to arrive was Brittany S Pierce. Her car pulled to a stop near the tube tunnel.
"We've stopped?" asked Brittany "Cool."
The door opened.
"Miss Brittany S Pierce?"
"That's me."
"Please follow me."
Brittany got out of the car, and looked around.
"What a huge place."
"Please follow me Miss Brittany Pierce."
Brittany looked at the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Wow I get called a ma'am. Lead the way kind sir."
The body guard led Brittany into the tube tunnel. The moment they walked in, the door slid into place.
"Wow this is exciting. How long does this thing go?"
"A few minutes walk."
"Well lead the way kind sir."
The body guard walked off, Brittany followed him.
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The seventh to arrive was Blaine Anderson. He looked bored with the car ride. The car pulled to a stop next to the tube tunnel. His car door opened.
"Mr Blaine Anderson?"
"Yes."
"This way please."
Blaine slowly got out of the car, and looked around. He yawned. He looked at the tube tunnel.
"This way please Mr Anderson."
"In there?"
"Yes sir."
"I'll follow you."
The body guard walked into the tunnel, followed by Blaine. The moment they walked through further, the moment a door slid into place.
"What is this thing?"
"It's a tube tunnel sir, I'm taking you to Mr Baxter."
"Well take me to him then."
"This way sir."
The body guard walked further into the tunnel. Blaine followed albeit, slowly. He didn't look interested.
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The eighth to arrive was Artie Abrams. His car pulled to a stop outside the tube tunnel. His door opened.
"Mr Artie Abrams?"
"Yes that's me."
"Just a second."
The body guard went to the boot, and took out Artie's wheel chair. He got it together, and then wheeled it around to the door. Then he helped Artie from the car into the wheel chair.
"You know how to assemble a chair then?" asked Artie
"My specialty, sir." said the body guard
The body guard pushed Artie towards the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?"
"Yes sir,"
"Why?"
"Because I'm taking you to Mr Baxter now, sir."
"Oh okay. Let's go then."
The body guard pushed Artie into the tunnel, and then the door slid into place.
"Is that necessary?"
"Ask Mr Baxter. I can't answer any questions."
"Sure. You're just doing your job."
Artie was pushed down the tunnel.
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The ninth to arrive was Mercedes Jones. Her car pulled to a stop outside the tube tunnel. Her car door opened.
"Miss Mercedes Jones?"
"Yes."
"Follow me please."
Mercedes got out of the car, and looked at the body guard.
"Are you here for me?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you to see Mr Baxter."
"Cool. Is Rachel here yet?"
"I can't tell you that Miss Jones."
"But I know everything. And I'm worried about Rachel."
The body guard put his hand to his ear, as if he was receiving instruction.
"Miss Berry will be arriving shortly. She is okay. She needs to take her own tunnel."
"Tunnel?"
The body guard pointed to the tube tunnel.
"Really now?" smiled Mercedes "Has everyone got one to walk."
"I'm sorry Miss Jones, I cannot tell you that."
"Okay then. Take me to Mr Baxter."
"This way please."
The body guard walked towards the tube tunnel. Mercedes followed him, and they went in, and as they did the tube tunnel door closed into place. It was dark.
"How far away does this thing go?" asked Mercedes
"It's okay Miss Jones, not far, you can hold onto my hand."
"Please."
Mercedes felt for the body guard's hand and took it. He then led her into the tunnel further.
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The tenth to arrive was Quinn Fabray. Her car pulled to a stop near a tube tunnel.
"Are we finally here?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Was that Mr. Baxter's house that we past?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Wow, flash," smiled Quinn to herself.
Her car door opened.
"Miss Quinn Fabray."
"Yes?"
"Follow me please ma'am."
Quinn got out of the car and looked at the body guard.
"Are you taking me to see Mr Baxter?"
"Yes Ma'am I am."
"Please stop calling me Ma'am. It's either Quinn..."
"Follow me sorry Miss Fabray."
"...Or Fabray," smiled Quinn "Lead the way."
The body guard walked towards the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?"
"Yes Miss Fabray,"
"How quaint, lead away."
Quinn followed the body guard into the tunnel. The door slid into place.
"Wow going all out aren't we Mr Baxter?" said Quinn to herself
She followed the body guard further into the tunnel.
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The eleventh to arrive was Noah Puckerman. He had been sober for a month, he looked better than he had ever before, and he was carrying a guitar. The car pulled to a halt outside a tube tunnel. His door opened.
"Mr Noah Puckerman."
"That's me."
"Follow me please, sir."
Puck got out of the car, and grabbed his guitar. He looked at the tube tunnel. He then looked at the body guard.
"Do we go in there?"
"Yes sir."
"Cool, get to go exploring. How far does it go?"
"You will find out sir, just taking you to Mr Baxter now."
"Cool, dude. Lead the way."
The body guard walked into the tube tunnel, followed by Puck. When they got in, the door slid into place.
"Wow it's dark now."
"Can you handle it sir?"
"Of course I can dude. Lead the way. But don't go too far ahead."
"Yes sir."
Puck followed the body guard further into the tunnel.
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The twelfth to arrive was Mike Chang. His car came to a stop outside a tube tunnel.
"Are we here yet?" asked Mike "It's been quite a long drive."
His door opened "Mr Michael Chang?"
"It's Mike, just Mike Chang."
"Follow me Mr Chang."
Mike got out of the car and looked at the body guard.
"This way please sir."
The body guard headed towards the tube tunnel.
"Do we have to go in there?"
"Yes sir."
"How long does it take."
"Not long sir. Mr Baxter will be waiting for you."
"It's about time," said Mike
Mike followed the body guard into the tube tunnel, and the door slid into place.
"I take it, that's for us preventing us from escaping?"
"I don't know sir, follow me."
Mike followed the body guard further into the tunnel.
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Next to arrive, was Finn Hudson. His car pulled to a stop beside a tube tunnel. He was half asleep. His door opened.
"Mr Finn Hudson,"
"Yes that's me," said Finn yawning
"Follow me please sir."
Finn slowly got out of the car, and looked at the body guard, then he looked around, and saw the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?"
"Yes sir."
"Cool, lead the way."
The body guard led the way to the tunnel, but was soon overtaken by a very over excited Finn.
"Can I lead the way?"
"Sure go for it?" laughed the body guard
Finn went into the tunnel, followed by the body guard. The door slid into place.
"Oh even cooler," said Finn
"Continue on."
"Are we going to see Mr Baxter?"
"Yes sir."
Finn continued on into the tunnel.
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2nd last to arrive was Kitty Wilde. Her car pulled to a stop outside a tube tunnel.
"Are we here yet?"
"Yes Miss Wilde."
"Finally. That was quite a trip."
The door opened.
"Miss Kitty Wilde."
"That's me."
"Follow me please Miss Wilde."
Kitty got out of the car, and stretched her back. She looked at the body guard.
"Are you here for me?"
"Yes ma'am."
"At the insistence of Mr Baxter?"
"Not sure Ma'am. But I'll take you to him now?"
Kitty looked at the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Is that for real?"
"Yes ma'am. Follow me ma'am."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Fine."
Kitty followed the body guard into the tube tunnel. The door closed into place behind them.
"Was that necessary?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Fine."
Kitty continued on into the tunnel.
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Rachel Berry was the last to arrive. She had been very quiet. She hadn't talked since she was separated from Mercedes, and she was now starting to rock backwards and forwards. The car stopped beside a tube tunnel.
"Are we here?" asked Rachel finally speaking
"Yes Ma'am."
The door opened.
"Miss Rachel Berry?"
"Yes?"
"Follow me please ma'am."
Rachel got out of the car, and looked at the body guard.
"Are you here to protect me?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Are we going to see Michael Baxter now?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Lead the way."
The body guard headed towards the tube tunnel.
"Are we going in there?" asked Rachel feeling scared
"Don't worry," said the body guard holding out his hand "I'll protect you."
Rachel smiled and took his hand. They walked through into the tunnel, and Rachel squeezed his hand even tighter when the door slid shut into place.
"Don't worry Miss Berry, you are safe with me."
"Thank you kind sir."
The body guard gently led Rachel into the tunnel. They soon came to another door. There was a seat beside the door.
"Have a seat please Miss Berry."
"Okay, but you'll protect me still?"
"Yes ma'am. No one's getting to you."
"Thanks."
Rachel sat down on the chair.
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Inside the auditorium, Michael was seated where he wanted to be seated. Above the stage. All tunnels led onto the stage. His phone beeped. He looked at the text.
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'ALL OF NEW DIRECTIONS HAVE ARRIVED
ALL ARE IN PLACE
READY FOR YOUR WORD TO OPEN THE DOORS.'
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Michael looked around at where Jack was sitting. He was sitting further up the back in the shadows. All the rows were hanging above the stage. The only viewing was looking downwards not level, or upwards. Michael took a deep breath, and sent the text.
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'OPEN THE DOORS
I REPEAT
OPEN THE DOORS.'
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"Here we go," said Michael to himself.
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Coming up. The moment that you have all been waiting for. The first time the New Directions Alumni have seen each other in ten years. Stay tuned.