PREVIOUSLY: Rick Baxter, one of Michael's older brother, did a bet with Michael all those months ago, to say he could form a show choir team, and could beat Michael at the Worlds. After being harassed by Rick, Michael accepted the bet. But little did Michael know, that Rick was going to form a team choc full of the New Directions opponents from the past. Which included Jesse St. James, 3 ex Warblers, Sebastian, Hunter, and Skylar, two of Rachel's tormentors from NYADA, Cassandra July, and Brody Weston, and two former friends of Will's, Holly Holliday, and April Rhodes.
So when the New Directions learned of that situation, they were not happy, but they had to get on with it.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 46 - RACHEL'S DREAM
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It did take a week or so for everyone to get over the fact that Michael's brother, Rick, had built his own Show Choir team of almost every Main opponent that the New Directions had competed against in the past. Emma and some of the counselors, who were still dealing with certain New Directions, Rachel, Mercedes, Puck, and Artie in particular, said it was only natural for anxieties to come back.
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So two weeks after finding out that one of their potential World's opponents was a team full of their previous opponents, and some people Rachel had battled against, the team was no longer anxious, and were starting to get rid of mistakes that had been creeping in to their Sectionals Set List.
Rachel who had stood up for herself and the team, against Michael's brother, Rick, was trying very hard to find her song voice, but as the weeks kept ticking away, her major anxiety was either being in front of people, like in the Choir Room, or in the center of the stage in the auditorium, and that was still holding her back. She was clearly getting frustrated.
As was Finn. He could see Rachel trying to break free of her chains which were keeping her down, and he was worried that it would effect the baby.
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Finn sat down with Will and Emma to discuss his concerns as the month co8untdown approached.
"So, what's up Finn?" asked Will as they all sat down in one of the counseling rooms that was free to use
"We're nearly a month away from Sectionals," started Finn "And after that business with finding out about the Western Europe team, I thought Rachel was starting to relax, but she's not, and she's trying to do everything possible to try and perform with us at Sectionals, but every time she freezes up, and stresses out, I keep fearing it might be hurting the baby."
"I understand how you are feeling," said Emma "And I have to agree. Too much stress isn't a good thing when one is pregnant. But I have been keeping an eye on Rachel, and she has a check up every day, the baby is fine Finn, and doing well, even early in the pregnancy with just 2 months gone!"
"Finn," started Will "You and I both know how determined Rachel is. When she use to want something, she got it. It'll be the same again this time around. She'll be determined enough to start sing again, in front of people."
"But she's pushing herself too hard," said Finn "I just want her to relax, if she relaxes, I reckon it will happen a lot faster."
"In theory, it sounds good," smiled Will "But in reality that will be completely different. I think it's going to have to take time. You may not want to hear that Finn, but you're going to have to go with it."
Finn sat back in his chair.
"Just keep doing you've been doing, Finn," said Emma, "Just keep guiding her to be on stage as many times as you can, eventually one of those times will kick her system into breaking the hold that her fears are holding on to her for."
"Just promise me," started Finn "That if the stress starts affecting the baby, you will order her to rest."
Emma smiled "Of course Finn, I will make her rest if the stress starts affecting the baby."
"Okay," said Finn standing up "Thank you for listening to my concerns."
"Finn, Rachel will be fine," said Will "Once she breaks free of what's holding her back, she is going to back to her old self in no time. She's come a long way already from when I first saw her a few months ago, at the lake house."
"I know," smiled Finn, "I definitely know."
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So as the days began to count down into the last month towards Sectionals, the New Directions began to make sure that their Set List was 100 percent performance ready. Rachel watched from the seats with Will, and sometimes Michael who kept going backwards and forwards between them and his job in Texas.
Emma and the children Daniel, Joseph, and Isobel, would sometimes join Rachel and Will too, to also watch the rehearsals.
In the breaks Rachel would always try to get to the center of the stage but would usually end up by-passing it as her fears came on strong, or Finn, Kurt, Sam, or even Mercedes would take turns to guide her to the center of the stage, but she would start to freeze up and shake.
Everyone was getting word for Rachel, as the days counted down towards Sectionals. But Rachel wasn't worried. She knew that sometime soon she was going to get through her fear. She wanted so much to perform at Sectionals, as she knew the moves of the two group songs. Every so often she would join in a rehearsal just to practice the moves.
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Finally it came down to one week to go until Sectionals. Everyone was nervous. They had spent 4 months getting to this point. They were confident in their own abilities and they knew they were better than the Wall Flowers, and the Jumping Jacks, but it was the Warblers 2.0 they were more concerned about. They had time to get better. n But the New Directions knew they themselves had a very good set list.
For half of that week the New Directions nerves were starting to get the better of them as they kept mucking up dance routines and words, and Rachel was getting worried herself. Mercedes was starting to look more and more tire, she was starting to miss some key notes.
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Finally after 2 days of mistakes creeping in, Will, had, had enough.
Michael who had just returned after being 3 weeks back in Texas working, Rachel, and Emma were sitting in the auditorium seats. So to were Burt, and Carole, who wanted to be there at Sectionals as main group supporters.
"Stop, stop, STOP!" Shouted Will "Everyone bring it in, and have a seat,"
All of the New Directions came together after being strung out across the stage. They all sat down on the floor.
"Where do I start?" asked Will to himself, walking up onto the stage "This is not like guys. We are a few days out from Sectionals, and of all the times to start coming up with major nerves is now. You guys should be use to this. You've done it before, you did it at the the television studios, so it's not about not singing. I can't let this continue, not after two days straight. You are allowed to be nervous, don't get me wrong, but it's something else all together. What's going on? Can someone share any insight?"
Finn put up his hand.
"Yes Finn?"
"I can't speak for the rest, but I know it's not just me who feels this way, I feel this is hugely important to everyone here, not just us, but to you, Mr Schue, Mrs Schue, Rachel, and Mr Baxter, as well as my Mum, and Burt.
"We were apart from each other for 10 years. Mr Baxter brought us all back together. I feel what if something goes wrong on Saturday? Where to next for us? I've got Rach, and a baby on the way, but everyone here is my family again, and I can't do another 10 years again, without seeing everyone, I just can't."
Everyone else agreed. Will looked around at Michael who seemed to be contemplating what Finn had said. He then looked over at Emma who gave him, the 'You got this,' look.
Will looked at his team, he could remember when they were teenagers, and then when they were young adults before the ten years exile happened. He too didn't want to lose contact with any of them again. But this wasn't suppose to be the talk until at least the Worlds.
He sat down in front of the New Directions who all looked worriedly at him.
"Guys, I know where you all coming from, I feel that way myself. We've only been back together for 4 months or thereabouts, but look how far we have come in that time. We've fought back from the Raven incident, those of you who were effected were offered counseling some still use that, wile others are strong enough not to continue with it.
"But we are the New Directions, we don't think about anything about What If's or the past, what we do think about is the future. We use to think about getting to Nationals, but now it's the Worlds, and I for one believe we can get to the Worlds, you guys are that good. But if for some crazy reason we bow out at Sectionals, it'll be because we've done the best that we could, and some one else has done better but the only way we could do badly is let our emotions and our worries and our nerves, get in the way, and stuff it up for ourselves.
"You guys are the best of the best, I know this, you guys are better than the last few days. Put the worries at the back of your mind, and let's address them when we get to the Worlds. Do you guys want to go to the Worlds?"
"YES!" shouted the New Directions all together
"Do we want to lose at Sectionals?"
"NO!"
"Are we better than what we've been practicing like the last few days?"
"YES!"
"Then I want you all to stop worrying about what happens after the competition, because we are going to go all the way to the Worlds, do you all hear me?"
"YES!"
"I promise that whenever this competition finishes for us, we will all sit down and talk about what we need to do next. But let's focus on getting everything right for Sectionals first. Is everyone with me?"
"YES!"
"Let's get back into it then."
Will got up and Michael walked up to the stage.
"Before you guys get back into practice, I would like to follow on from Mr Schuester, if I may?"
"Go for it Mr Baxter," smiled Will
Everyone stayed seated.
"I heard what Mr Hudson had to say, and I understand what everyone else is feeling. You guys have only lost Sectionals once in the New Directions history but that was because of the Warblers cheating, and the collapse of Miss Rose on stage. I don't see you guys losing Sectionals not with the Set List and the personnel that you've got. So please stop worrying. I have 100 percent faith in you.
"On the matter of what might happen whenever the competition finishes for you guys, I'm working on an incentive that might interest all of you guys. You have all proven how reliable, dedicated, you all are to this, and that impresses me. But I will not tell you what it is until you've gotten to the Worlds, and that's why it's an incentive. So prove to me that you want to know what this incentive is, or that you want it."
Michael smiled and walked back to his chair leaving everyone stunned and wondering what the incentive was.
Both Will's pep talk, and Michael's incentive talk did the trick, as once the New Directions got back to practicing, their practices sharpened up considerably, and there were hardly any mistakes.
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Two night's out from Sectionals, Rachel had once again tried to force herself to go to the center of the stage but as usual kept freezing up. She was now totally frustrated.
"It's okay Rach," said Finn comforting her after her latest attempt "It'll sort itself out soon enough."
"But I need to do this by this weekend," sobbed Rachel in Finn's arms.
"Why?"
"Because Mercedes, I think she may not last."
"How do you mean?"
"Her voice is giving out on her for doing too much high notes for her solo, and her body is shutting down, because I think she's picking up a flu."
"How do you know, she sounds fine to me."
"Let's just say it's intuition from the pregnancy. It's heightened. So I need to come right before Saturday."
"It's two days away, babe. Please don't push yourself. I'm sure Santana, Tina, or Quinn could take Mercedes place if she does go down."
"They haven't practiced Solos at all Finn," said Rachel "Everyone knows I can come up with at a moments notice."
"Please stop putting pressure on yourself. Mercedes will be right. Let's got to bed, and sleep and see what tomorrow brings."
"Okay," said Rachel
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An hour later, both Finn and Rachel, were asleep. Rachel was cuddled up on Finn's chest listening to his heart beat while sleeping.
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RACHEL'S DREAM
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Rachel found herself walking through what seemed to be white smoke. She suddenly heard her own voice.
"You're useless."
Rachel turned around 180 degrees.
"That's right I'm speaking to you. You're useless, Rachel Hudson."
"No I'm not," came another voice which sounded just like her.
"Yes you are..."
"No I'm not..."
"You were very good back in your time, but this is a vast different time. You're no longer relevant."
"I don't believe that."
"Yes you do, otherwise you would take charge."
"Take charge of what?"
"Take charge of you're destiny."
"No, you are not. You're not even in control of the New Directions destiny."
"I've been told I shouldn't worry about them, but I have to worry about myself first and foremost."
"You and I both know that's not what we do. It's about what's best to get us to forward, and who will help us become starts, and that's the New Directions."
"Leave me alone."
"No, you leave me alone."
The real Rachel grabbed her head.
"Enough," shouted Rachel "Enough."
Suddenly the smoke cleared, and Rachel found herself on a stage looking out at rows full of empty seats. Suddenly a whole lot of other Rachel's filled those seats.
"You're a fake," cried out one
"You're useless," cried out another
"I'm not," shouted the real Rachel
"You are too, you can't even sing. You can't even help yourself."
"You say you can perform," yelled out another fake Rachel "But you always freeze up every time you get to the center of the stage. You're no longer the Rachel Berry of old. You are a HAS BEEN."
The fake Rachel's started laughing at the real Rachel. Rachel placed her hands over head and knelt down.
"Stop it, LEAVE ME ALONE."
"Mum, focus," came a girls voice
Rachel opened her eyes and looked beside her. There standing beside her was little girl.
"You need to focus, Mum."
"Who are you?"
"Who do you think I am?"
Rachel looked down at her stomach. The baby bump was no longer there, and she didn't feel pregnant.
"Are you my daughter?" Rachel heard herself asking.
"I'm who you wish me to be," said the girl "So I guess I am."
"What are you doing here?" asked Rachel
"You brought me here, so you tell me."
Rachel shrugged her shoulders "Are you my sub conscious?"
The little girl smiled "If I am, then who are they?"
The little girl pointed at the seats where the Fake Rachel's were seated, and they had stopped laughing.
"I think they are my sub conscious too."
"Why are they laughing at you, and belittling you?"
"I don't know."
"Yes Mum, you do, you do know why? You just have to say it out loud."
"I can't."
"Why not Mum?"
"Because if I do say it, then it'll be true."
"Not saying it, you're letting it be true, Mum."
Rachel looked at her sub conscious daughter
"Please Mum, you need to say it. If not then I can't help you."
Rachel sighed "I feel that I am no longer any good, because I haven't sung for over 10 years. I doubt myself too myself. I feel that I am no longer the best."
"You are the BEST, Mum," said the girl "You are part of a group that is the best of the best. They make you the best, and you make them the best. You don't need to doubt yourself
"Doubting yourself only makes them win," continued the girl pointing at the fake Rachel's. "And the real World. You never let them win before, so why should you now?"
The little girl started skipping around Rachel "You are Rachel Berry-Hudson, you are better than this, you are a star. Say it Mum."
"I am Rachel Hudson, I am a star, and I am better than this."
"Say it with confidence, Mum,"
"I am Rachel Hudson, I am a star, and I am better than this."
"Stand up, and tell it to them," yelled the Girl still skipping around Rachel.
Rachel stood up and looked at the fake Rachel's.
"I AM RACHEL BERRY-HUDSON, I AM A STAR, AND I AM BETTER THAN YOU ALL."
Suddenly the fake Rachel's disappeared. Rachel's dream daughter stopped skipping, and looked up at her mother.
"Mum!"
Rachel looked down at her daughter, "Yes, baby?"
"You can sing, you can do this, and you are going to be a great mum, as will Dad. He'll be a great Dad ."
Rachel knelt down and gave her daughter a hug. "Thank you."
"Mum!"
"Yes?"
"It's time to wake up. Wake UP... NOW..."
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END OF RACHEL'S DREAM
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Rachel sat up bolt right in bed. Her face was sweating and she was breathing hard. She looked down at her stomach. Her pregnancy bump was still there. She put a hand on the bump and felt a small kick. Rachel smiled.
"Baby," came Finn's voice "Are you okay?"
Rachel looked down at Finn, who was groggily looking up at her.
"Go back to sleep, Finny, I'm fine."
Finn fell back asleep, Rachel smiled, and got out of bed. She knew what she needed to do.
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What does her dream really mean to Rachel? Have the New Directions really cut out the mistakes? What will happen next?
Coming up next: Is SECTIONALS. The first of the big competitions.
NOTE: It's going to be a long chapter. So be ready for it.