Previously: Puck got to meet his son, Bobby, for the first time after Tina suggested it. Puck also wanted Quinn there so Tina agreed, and Quinn got to meet Bobby for the first time too.
Also Finn and Rachel announced that Rachel was pregnant, which at first didn't go so well, with Puck, opening up his mouth, but then everything was settled.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 40 - THE COMPETITION IS ANNOUNCED
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The next month went by so fast. The New Directions were starting to get their set list down packed. Everything was working out well for them. The only time they all bickered or argued was when they were tired from practicing all day long.
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Only a few New Directions were still using Counselling; Rachel of course, Artie, Puck, Mercedes, and Mike.
All the rest didn't need counselling but were offered it anytime they needed it.
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With almost 2 months to go before Sectionals, Rachel still couldn't find the courage to sing, or even find the confidence to be on the stage for very long. She was coming up to 2 months being pregnant but try as she might, she kept freaking out each time that she walked to the center of the stage.
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Mercedes had been showing signs of being kept inside for too long as she had been use to being outdoors for the better part of the last ten years. So Will in consultation with Michael, sent Mercedes back to her Health Retreat for a week. She had only just returned, and was already looking much better.
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Artie was still angry at Tina, and try as she might she couldn't get him to talk to her. Kitty was mostly with him, so was being very protective of him.
Her son Bobby, spent a few days at the Training Center where he met everyone else, on got on well with Joseph Schuester, Will's 10 year old son. They were virtually the same age. But he was also spending some time with Puck as well.
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Michael had again spent a week with the New Directions, and then spent 3 weeks away working. But like before he decided to get Daily Reports sent to him from his second in command, Dan Steele.
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As the 2 Month Countdown got closer, the names of the competitors would be released for all Sectionals across the world. Jack Baxter, Michael's eldest brother, who was C.E.O of the World Championship of Show Choirs Competition, decided that all Sectionals based competitions would have a photo shoot, with all 4 competing teams, and then a television interview with all 4 at different times. They also had to perform one song each that was not in their set list for Sectionals, and they weren't allowed to sing that song again at any stage of the competition should that team make it all the way to the Worlds. Sp they had to use a song wisely.
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It was the new week. The Two Month Countdown was finally here. At 9 a.m. they would be sent via text, their competition for Sectionals. At 1 p.m. the New Directions had to go to the OBC (Ohio Broadcasting Corporation) studios to participate in the photo shoot, and then the interview, and then sing their one song.
Michael turned up at the Training Center at 7.30 a.m. He went straight to the cafeteria. Th moment he stepped into the cafeteria, everyone saw him.
"Hi Mr Baxter," they all shouted together
Michael smiled "Hey guys."
Michael walked over to where Will was eating breakfast with his family, and knelt down on one knee beside him.
"Hey William,"
"Hey Michael," smiled Will "I knew you wouldn't want to miss this big day."
"I've had it marked in my diary since I found out about it," replied Michael "Who's been selected to do the interview?"
"Finn as co captain will be one, as will Santana and Blaine."
"That's a good trio to have," replied Michael looking over at Rachel; who was trying to eat something as her morning sickness was getting slightly worse. "I've been asked that the interviewers also want to interview Mrs Hudson. Do you think she's ready for that intense scrutiny again?"
"No," said Emma, who was beside Will "It'll send her backwards if she does it, we can't afford that. But that's just my professional opinion. You could always speak to Finn."
"The rules state that the team involved in the photo session must be the team used throughout the competition, right from the word go."
"Rach will be all good to go for the photo session," said Will
"Great," smiled Michael
Michael got up, and walked over to the table that had Finn, Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, and Jake at it.
"Hey guys," said Michael "Mr Hudson can I talk to you for a few minutes in private, please?"
"Sure," replied Finn
Finn got up, and gave Rachel a kiss on the head. He walked over to where Michael was standing on the other side of the room, where they were out of earshot from everyone.
"What can I do for you, Mr Baxter?" asked Finn
"As you know today is D Day," started Michael "We get to find out who our competitors are for Sectionals, have a photo session, and also you, Miss Lopez and Mr Anderson are interviewed."
"Yea," replied Finn "We've been prepping for it, for almost a week, we are all ready for today, you needn't worry about us."
"I'm not worried," said Michael "I know Mr Schuester has you all ready."
"So what's your question then?" asked Finn
"Some reporters have done a history check on the team, and have inquired about doing an interview with Rachel. Mrs Schuester doesn't think it's a good idea."
Finn looked over at Rachel "I think Rachel should make that decision, she would be angry if others made the decision on her behalf without consulting her."
"Do I have your permission to talk to Rachel about the interview?" asked Michael
"Go for your life," smiled Finn
Finn and Michael walked back to the table where Rachel was sitting. Michael sat down on the seat beside Rachel
"Mr Baxter," smiled Rachel looking up at Finn who was standing behind her "What can I do for you?"
"I'll cut to the chase,"
"Please do."
"That station that is doing the interview with Finn, Santana and Blaine, have inquired about doing an interview with you as well."
"Why me?" asked Rachel
"They've done their research, Rach," said Finn "It sounds like they want to interview the Rachel Berry."
Rachel looked across at the other table where Mercedes was sitting.
"What about Mercedes?" asked Rachel
"What about her?" asked Michael
"She was as famous as I was 10 years ago, she should be a part of the interview as well. It's only fair."
"So what are you saying, Rach?" asked Finn smiling
"I want Mercedes to be a part of the interview with if, if they want to interview me."
"Well you are in the driving seat," said Kurt who had been listening in "You could ask for anything."
"I only want Mercedes."
"I'll get it sorted," said Michael, semi smiling, and standing up.
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After breakfast everyone made their way to the Choir Room. They were all nervous about the upcoming announcement. As try as they might they tried practicing the song that they were to sing at the Television station, but they couldn't hit the right notes. They were too nervous.
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As 9 a.m. ticked over, everyone looked at Michael, who was over in one of the corners of the Choir Room. He was waiting for the text to come as well, but he was tapping his fingers on the chair.
Suddenly his phonned beeped, he sat up straight and so did everyone else. He checked the text, and smiled.
"Well?" asked Will on behalf of his team
Michael got up and walked over to the center of the room.
"Okay, so our 3 opponents are: The Sun Flowers, The Jumping Jacks, and wow this is interesting "Warblers 2.0."
Everyone looked at Blaine
"I thought they were disbanded?" replied Blaine
"Don't forget the rules, just like you guys, anyone is allowed to join a team, no matter how old they are," said Michael
"Do you still have contacts with any of the old Warblers?" asked Kurt
Blaine shook his head "I lost all of that over the last 10 years. I guess we'll see who is there when we get to the studio."
"So now we know our competitors," said Will "We'll be able to scout them this afternoon,"
Michael's phone beeped again. He looked at the incoming text and smiled.
"You got your wish Mrs Hudson, Miss Jones can join you in the interview."
"Sweet," smiled Rachel
"What's this?" asked Mercedes looking confused
"The reporters who are interviewing Mr Hudson, Miss Lopez, and Mr Anderson did a little research," said Michael "On the team, and discovered Mrs Hudson's past, and also wanted to interview her."
"And I said," started Rachel "That you also had success as well, and it wasn't fair that I should be interviewed, so I asked for you as well."
Mercedes looked worried "You should do it by yourself, I'm okay, I don't want to do it."
"Are you okay, Mercedes?" asked Will
"No, No I'm not," said Mercedes tearing up "I was okay being in a group, and singing, and I was okay doing a solo, and I was okay staying away from the limelight that didn't involve just me. But going back ten years is not what I want to do. That's not me any more."
Sam gave Mercedes a hug. Rachel got up and walked over to them, and gave Mercedes one too.
"I know exactly how you feel," said Rachel kneeling down in front of Mercedes "I feel the same way. We are no longer those people, those stars of 10 years ago. we are who are now. We've come out of the darkness back into the light with people who know us and love us. If you don't want to do it then I won't either, but we will have support from everyone if you do this with me."
Mercedes looked at Rachel, and thought about what she said.
"Okay, I'll do it, but I'm not answering questions about what caused me to stop singing 10 years ago."
"Me neither," said Rachel turning around and looking over at Michael "We'll do this interview, but what happened 10 years ago stays off of the table."
"I agree," said Finn "That goes for Santana, Blaine and I too. That subject stays off of the table."
"I understand the subject is sensitive," said Michael "And in parts I agree, but I I tell them that a certain topic is not to be discussed, is off of the table so to speak, they are going to be circling like sharks for blood, and will be sniffing for something more. I know what reporters are like."
"I'm with them," said Will "There is an embargo on the topic of 10 years ago, I'll instruct them to say no comment on any questions that go off topic from the World Show Choir Championships."
Michael looked at Will, he was just protecting his team, and he looked pretty adamant about it too.
"Fine, I'll let them know," said Michael "But they are going to be very suspicious, and they will probably won't leave it alone."
"We're not going to saying anything," said Finn "None of us will. We've only just moved on from it, in the last few months. We don't want to revisit it again. They'll get nothing from us, so will eventually get bored."
Michael turned, and grabbed his phone, and walked out of the room.
Will turned back to the group "Okay, let's take a 10 minute break to sort our nerves out, and then we'll practice the song for this afternoon."
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For the rest of the morning, after their short break, the New Directions, practiced their song that they were going to do.
Then just before they were due to leave for lunch Michael walked back into the choir room, and three of his assistants followed him in with 3 racks of what looked like specialized clothes bags hanging on them.
"What's this?" asked Will
"I know you that you guys are professionals," started Michael "And I know know you wouldn't turn up in every day clothes to specialized events, but I am your benefactor after all. So where ever you go from now on, to any specialized events, you will all be wearing these suits."
Sam was the first over to the clothes rack, and found the bag with his name on it. He unzipped it, and looked inside, and then he wolf whistled.
"Wow you've certainly gone all out. How did you get our sizes?"
"Remember a couple of months ago," smiled Michal "When I got all of your sizes. Well this is the result."
"There's even one for you Mr. Schue," said Kitty examining the rack that she was closest to "As well as Mrs Schue."
"Well your Team Manager certainly needs to look the part as well," said Michael
Rachel looked tentative at getting to hers, she was 2 months pregnant, and already showing.
Michael saw Rachel's apprehensiveness "Mrs Hudson, I've had my people fix your one up in the last couple of days. It should fit perfectly now."
Rachel smiled "Thanks, Mr Baxter."
"Let's have lunch first," said Will "And then we can get changed and get going."
After the group had a nosy at their special gear, the New Directions had lunch, and then they got fitted into their smart looking gear. They looked very professional once the were all dressed up.
They then all returned to the Choir Room for one last team meeting.
Will, and Michael walked into the room followed by Emma. They looked really smart too.
"Okay," started Will "This is officially the beginning of our start to the road to the Worlds. What we do today in front of the camera's and the public is what we need to represent ourselves us. You guys are returning to the stage for the first time in over 15 years, for most of you. This is your come back, our come back, the New Directions come back.
"Today is about meeting our competition, so let's do what we have always done, when we are in front of our competitors by treating them with the respect that they deserve. If they don't respect us then that's fine, but that's their problem. Karma will come round for them. But we need to respect them.
"So let's show not only Ohio, and our competitors, that we are contenders to be World Champions, but also the World. Mr Baxter, is there anything that you would like to say?"
"No, you've said it all," smiled Michael
"He usually does," replied Kurt "That's Mr Schue for you!"
"Can we do a Show Choir circle?" asked Rachel quietly
"Let's do it," said Will "Everyone huddle in."
Everyone got up and gathered around in a circle. Will put his hand in first, before everyone else followed. Michael, and Emma also put their hands in as well on top of the others.
"One... Two... Three..." said Will
"AMAZING..." shouted everyone
They all lifted their hands in the air.
"I have organized transportation to the studio," said Michael, "In the form of a bus. A very comfortable touristy type bus. It should be outside as we speak."
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Everyone made their way down to the bottom floor, where they boarded a very stylish bus. On the side of the bus were the words:
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NEW DIRECTIONS
World Championship Show Choir Competitors
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Everyone was excited as they headed to the Ohio Broadcasting Corporation studios.
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They arrived at the studio and all piled off of the bus. Michael, Will and Emma led them into the studios.
They made their way to reception. The receptionist looked up.
"Oh good, you must be the New Directions."
"Yes we are," said Michael "I'm Michael Baxter, their benefactor."
"Hi Mr Baxter," said the receptionist "The other 3 groups have arrived. They're currently doing their photo shoots, I'll get your liaison person. One second."
"I didn't think we were late," replied Michael
"No you guys are on time. The other 3 groups were given their own times. You all have specif times, that have given to you do certain things like the photo sessions, and the media interviews. It culminates in every group singing a song, before finding out the group order for Sectionals."
"Wow," said Finn behind Michael, Will, and Emma "We get to find out or order early."
The receptionist got on the phone. A minute later, their station liaison walked up to them.
"Hi guys, I'm Jacky Voote, your liaison for today."
"Hi, I'm Michael Baxter, the benefactor of the New Directions."
"Welcome, Mr Baxter," said Jacky "Welcome New Directions. Your photo area is ready for you guys. Follow me."
The New Directions followed Jacky out of reception, and down the corridor, passed several larger rooms that were being used by the other groups, to one that was readied for their arrival. A photographer was awaiting them.
"This is Rodger Mannering," said Jacky "He will be your photographer for today. He will be doing group shots, and individual shots."
"Hi," said Rodger "Welcome. Shortly we will be taking photos, but first I need you guys to be made up, so that the cameras can find you all photogenic. Over there are the make up ladies. Go do your stuff."
The New Directions made their way over to the Make Up Section, and they all got their faces done.
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So now they know their competitors for Sectionals. The Sun Flowers, The Jumping Jacks, and Warblers 2.0. They can now get ready for them. But first coming up next is the Photo Shoot, and the Interview. Followed by meeting their competitors.
The fun continues next.