PREVIOUSLY: After Blaine was told by Wes, the Warbler 2.0 Captain, that two of the Warblers former leaders Sebastian Smythe, and Hunter Clarington, had gone overseas to compete, that got Blaine thinking. When they returned to their training base, Finn had overheard Sam, Blaine, and Kurt talking about the theory. So to get to the bottom of it, with Will Schuesters help in keeping Michael Baxter out of the picture, Blaine went to investigate only to receive a text from Rachel to say that the team was talking about the situation, and him returning to the Cafeteria, to be involved in the conversation, which lead to a realization, that if Sebastian and Hunter had gone over, who else had gone too? And why?
Also another theory was that Michael and one of his brothers must have had a bet for his brother to become involved, and the New Directions wanted to find out the truth.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 44 - FINDING OUT THE TRUTH
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"No way," said Artie "Surely there wouldn't be a competition to see which brother gets a group together to try and win the Worlds, to best his own brother?"
"But what if that was the case?" asked Santana "We need to decide what to do if that was indeed the case."
"We stay together, and we perform," said Finn, looking over at Rachel, who seemed to be lost in thought "We are doing this for ourselves, not for any stupid bet, I want to be a World Champion."
"I agree," replied Mercedes "And I do too."
Finn saw Rachel get up, and grab her cell phone, and walk over to a corner of the cafeteria.
"But if it turned out that," said Santana "It's pure bullshit."
"Yes it is," replied Kurt "But he did get us all back together again, which means we are going to be doing this for us, and the Schuesters."
"Agreed," said Brittany looking at Santana
When Brittany usually looked at Santana, while agreeing with everyone else, it usually forced Santana to fall into line, and this was the case, as she just rolled her eyes and smiled back at Brittany, meaning she was back in agreement.
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Meanwhile Rachel had rung a number.
"Is that you Rachel," came a familiar voice
"Yes it is," whispered Rachel
"I heard a wee rumor that you married Hudson, at long last, and that you are pregnant?"
Rachel smiled "That rumor is true."
"Well congratulations, it took long enough."
"Thanks," laughed Rachel
"What can I do for you Rach?"
"Where are you, Jesse?"
"Why?"
"Because I need to know."
"After all these years where we haven't spoken, and now out of the blue you want to know where I am, now? Why?"
"Because, I want to confirm a hunch."
"A hunch huh?"
"That's right."
"Well we both know your hunches are right."
"Then please tell me where you are?"
"Tell me your hunch first, on where you think I am?"
"Jesse,"
"Rachel,"
Rachel sighed "Are you over in England?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, before Jesse St. James spoke again.
"Is it just you asking or the team?"
"Me on behalf of my team," replied Rachel
"Damn it Rachel."
"I'll take that as a yes," replied Rachel "How could you?"
"It's just about the money Rachel, I needed the money, and it's all about business."
"But you know what it means don't you Jesse?"
"The endgame?"
"Yes."
"Yes, which is what I chosen to do."
"Damn you Jesse, Damn you."
"It's not personal Rachel,"
"It is personal, Jesse," said Rachel with tears running down her face. "I thought you were my friend."
"Rachel, please don't get upset, it won't be good for your pregnancy."
"SHUT UP," yelled Rachel into the phone "Just SHUT UP. I know what's good for my pregnancy."
Suddenly the phone was taken out of her hand by Finn, who looked at the caller display while then consoling Rachel at the same time.
"Jesse?"
There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the phone, and then Jesse spoke again "Is that you Hudson?"
"Yes."
"Is Rachel okay?"
"Not really, but that's none of your concern now, is it?" asked Finn fired up
"Rachel was the one who called me, Finn."
"I understand that, but she's in a fragile state as it is. She's just upset at the moment."
"Tell her I'm sorry," replied Jesse "But I had to do what I had to do."
"Well I'm guessing you're a part of a team that could be meeting us at the Worlds."
"I can neither confirm or deny that, Hudson,"
"You confirmed it before," replied Finn
"Tell Rachel she needs to get back to singing. It'll be best for her."
"I know what's best for her Jesse... Goodbye!"
Finn hung up, as Rachel was sobbing into his chest.
"Why of all people, did you have to ring him for?" asked Finn
"I had a gut feeling," sobbed Rachel "Which turned out to be correct."
"It also made you upset."
"I'll be fine in a second," said Rachel trying to force a smile
"So what did Rachel find out?" asked Blaine walking up
"That, Jesse St. James is a member of the group as well," replied Finn "And he went some way of confirming what we know now. There was a group formed, your two ex warblers are there also, although he didn't say that, but it's just business to him."
"Jesse St. James?" exclaimed Puck "That's some serious competition."
"I think we need to go to Mr Baxter now, and tell him our information," said Santana "We've got the proof."
"Agreed," said Mercedes
"It's up to Blaine," replied Finn "Blaine do you think you have enough evidence to be satisfied?"
Blaine nodded.
"I think we should all go," replied Kurt "En Masse."
"Agreed," sobbed Rachel "Sorry I can't help it, it's the hormones,"
"This should be good then," smiled Santana rubbing her hands with glee
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Michael and Will was in Michael's office watching the events of the afternoon, as the Ohio Broadcasting Corporation was broadcasting the package which was filmed that day.
They had made some awesome work of the Photo Session, with each individual photo having a name, and how many Secondary School Show Choir appearances each person had, and if there any collegiate appearances, but no one had that.
Then they showed the group photo which was also a good shot of the New Directions.
They were watching the interview with Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel and Mercedes, where there was a knock on Michael's office door.
Michael had already placed the program on record, so he could always get back to it. He answered the door. Finn, and Blaine, were standing waiting. Everyone else were behind them.
"What's going on guys?" asked Michael "What's with the entire team turning up?"
Will turned around in his seat. Surely Blaine hadn't found the information already.
"We need to see you Mr Baxter," said Finn
"This sound's intriguing, especially with the entire team here."
Michael walked back into his office, followed by Finn, Blaine, and then the rest of the team.
"What's happening guys?" asked Will
Quinn stepped forward in between Finn and Blaine, she had been chose because of her history as a lawyer.
"Mr Baxter," started Blaine "When I spoke to Wes, the captain of the Warblers 2.0, and the old Warblers, earlier on this afternoon, he said something to me which made me think."
"Yeah, I was going to hit you up about that," replied Michael "But I got side tracked. What did he say?"
"A few of the old Warblers have joined Vocal Adrenaline, but that's not the point."
"What is the point then?"
"Two former Captains, Sebastian Smythe, and Hunter Clarington, headed overseas to Western Europe."
"They were our sworn enemies," butted in Santana behind Finn, Quinn, and Blaine "In case you didn't know."
"That's okay Santana," replied Quinn "We have got this."
"So what if they went overseas?" asked Michael "They have nothing to do with us. That's good."
"It's not good," said Finn "They aren't directly involved with us. But they will be down the line!"
"How so?" asked Michael
"We've received confirmation earlier," started Quinn "That some of our former opponents whether it be the old Warblers, or Vocal Adrenaline, have gone overseas to be given a chance to compete against us."
"That's absurd," replied Michael "The only way that will happen is if they would meet us at..."
"That's right," said Finn finishing off the conversation "The Worlds!"
"They would need to be guaranteed a place at the World's, we all know you guys have got what it takes to get there."
"Oh my god," said Santana sounding frustrated "He still doesn't get it, we may need to spell it out for him."
"Santana shush it," replied Quinn
"Okay so obviously you guys want to say something to me," stated Michael "So let's stop beating about the bush and just say what you need to say."
Santana pushed her way past Finn, Quinn, and Blaine. Finn tried to grab her, but she pulled away too fast.
"I want to talk frankly," snapped Santana "I know how to talk that way."
"By all means Miss Lopez," replied Michael "Go for it. You and I always do."
"You got us back together because you said you were a fan of ours, you also paid us which helped mostly, so you did that. Obviously someone wanted to go against you and form a team of their own just like ours but with opponents of ours that we have faced in the past, know full well that when we found out, and they were probably secretly hoping that it wasn't until the Worlds itself, that they would get inside our heads like they're use to doing, and whoever did that would also do what you did, and pay them for going to Western Europe among other things."
Michael sat there listening intently.
"Do you guys have any more proof apart from what you were told about Sebastian and Hunter?" asked Will "Because to me that's hearsay."
"Yes," said Rachel from behind Santana, Finn, Quinn and Blaine "Jesse St. James."
"Wow really?" asked Will stunned to hear the name.
"That's 100 percent positive," replied Finn "Both Rach and I spoke to him earlier, he virtually confirmed it himself."
Will looked over at Rachel, Mercedes was hugging her.
"We believe," started Quinn "That you, Mr Baxter, may know of someone who would have done that exact same thing as you did with us."
Michael sat there really still. He then blinked.
"I need to make a call."
"I bet you do," replied Santana
"What is that suppose to mean?" asked Michael
"That's enough, Santana," said Finn
"No he needs to know," replied Santana
"And we'll tell him," said Quinn
"Get it over and done with," said Michael "Just come out and ask me what you want to ask me, and get it over with."
"Did you make a bet with one of your brothers that your team could win the Worlds?" asked Quinn
Michael looked at Quinn, and thought through the question.
"It's not like that," replied Michael
"Yes or no?" asked Quinn
"But I'm saying it wasn't like that," said Michael
"Just answer the damn question, Mr Baxter," said Puck
"YES... Yes I did agree to the bet."
There were groans from all of the New Directions
"But I was originally in it just to get you guys back together."
"But you still made the bet didn't you?" asked Quinn
Michael rolled his eyes and was clearly frustrated "I did, yes. But you guys need to understand, that I have a long history with my brother, Rick, who's always goading me into doing bets because he's jealous at what I do. The results I get."
"So it was your brother Rick who you made the bet with?" asked Blaine
"Yes but after goaded me into it. I was just trying to focus on finding you lot, and bring you all together and focusing."
"So what did he bet?" asked Santana
"That he could also get a group together to compete against you guys at Worlds."
"That means you knew he was going to build a team in order to challenge us at Worlds! Is that correct, Mr Baxter?" asked Quinn
"Yes," said Michael knowing full well that he was defeated
"Wait a minute," said Will, "It was Nick who came to me a day after you did that first time. I didn't realize it until now."
"What did he want?" asked Kurt
"He wanted to recruit me," replied Will
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FLASHBACK
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It had been a day after Michael had seen Will the first time that Michael had tried to recruit Will, but it had backfired because of all the memories that came flooding back of the incident with Raven. Will was still upset, and was packing his car to head to the lake house. A car pulled up in to the drive way. The passenger side door opened, and out got Rick Baxter. He was a stranger to Will.
Rick made his way over to Will. "Mr William Schuster?"
Will looked back at the stranger "Who's asking?"
"A concerned benefactor!"
"What sort of benefactor?" asked Will placing a bag in the boot
"Some one who could use your talents!"
"Talents being"
"Your dancing, singing and managerial skills."
"Have you been talking to a Michael Baxter?" asked Will still traumatized from the meeting the day before
"No," lied Rick "I've never heard of him. Who is he?"
"Someone who came to see me yesterday, wanting my exact same abilities."
"Oh yes? What was that for then?"
"He wanted me to manage my old team. I said no, because it brought back a whole lot of bad memories."
"Why did he want you to do that for?" asked Rick
"To help lead them to the stupid World Championship of Show Choir Competition."
"Okay, so what if I gave you a fresh team to take charge of, for a fresh challenge?"
"Where would this team be situated?"
"Europe!"
"Why Europe?"
"I can't tell you that until you sign a contract. But it worth it for you financially."
"Nope that's not going to happen" replied Will "I can't go against my old team."
"I'll pay you more, if that helps?"
"Please leave now. I'm not interested."
"Fine, I'm going," said Rick holding up his hands in defeat.
Rick walked back over to his car, and got in the passenger seat, and then the driver drove off.
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END OF FLASHBACK
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"That would be Rick for you," said Michael "I was talking to eldest brother Jack after meeting with you, and Rick was there. He must have seen the opportunity to try and recruit you... But luckily for me, you turned him down."
"Are we all going to continue to say nothing about about Mr Money Bags betting on us" asked Santana
"I WASN'T intentionally betting on you. It was just for trying to get my brother off of my back."
"I believe you," said Rachel
"I do too," replied Finn
"So you weren't aware he was going to get all of our opponents from our past, together, and take them over to Europe, to compete against us?" asked Quinn
"I would have told you if I was aware," said Michael "If I had of known, seriously, but you have to admit that's a great ploy to play against some opponent."
"I think that's an inappropriate comment to make," said Quinn "Because supposedly we are your team. We do have feelings."
"I agree," said Santana "It was inappropriate,"
"Look," started Michael "I apologize for that comment. I promise that I will get to the bottom of this and find out if it true or not."
"It is true," said Rachel
"How are you going to find out?" asked Santana
"I'm going to give my brother Rick a call."
"I think we should be all in on that," replied Quinn "You owe us. And you may find out certain information, and intentionally keep it from us, whether it be for our benefit or not."
"I agree," said Will "You need to make it up to the group.
Michael looked at everyone, and sighed. He knew he was beaten.
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So what's going to happen? What other mystery is there? And who else is going to be part of the group that competed against the New Directions in the past.
Stay tuned to find out. All that and much more coming up.
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SMALL NOTE: We are three chapters away from the start of the World Championship of Show Choir competition - the first stage - SECTIONALS. Nearly there. The following two chapters tie in to that, as its a flow on effect.