PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions performed at Regionals, and performed their hearts out, and then along came 'Unique' and Vocal Adrenaline, and almost bet them, but not before something mysterious happened. They lost their way in the last song, and from what Artie saw it was 'Unique' who started it. And now they finished 3rd, leaving the door opened for the New Directions to take out Regionals, and go on to Nationals.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 60 - AFTERMATH
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Everyone thought that Nigel had said the wrong name, so Nigel had to clarify.
"That's right ladies and gentlemen, Vocal Adrenaline have been voted 3rd."
Everyone was shocked as 'Unique' sheepishly came forward and received the 3rd placed trophy before returning to her team.
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, we are left with 2 teams, the New Directions and Whatsit2U's. So let's get down to it. The team finishing 2nd is... Whatsit2U's. Which means the New Directions wins Regionals tonight and will represent Ohio at Nationals in 10 weeks time."
Everyone in the New Directions, started jumping up and down, upon realizing they had won Nationals. By the skin of their teeth. Finn walked forwards and waited for the Captain of Whatsit2U's to receive the 2nd placed trophy, and then was given the 1st placed trophy. He returned to his group.
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A little bit later on the New Directions were celebrating back stage. Everyone had joined them including Will's and Emma's kids.
"I still can't believe we won," said Mercedes "What the heck happened to Vocal Adrenaline?"
"I've been told that there was a major distraction in their last group song, enough for them to drop points," said Michael
"What kind of distraction?" asked Puck
"Apparently the dancers tripped up, and ended up tripping up others and ruining everyone's timing."
"How did that happened?" asked Quinn "They looked so strong up until that point."
"It just happened," replied Michael "So no one's really sure why."
"The fact is Vocal Adrenaline stuffed up when it mattered the most," said Will "And we didn't, that is why we are going to Nationals, and they aren't. Let's forget about them, because they are no longer our focus."
"Mr Schuester is right," said Michael "Let's finish here, and get back to base. Mr Schuester and I have agreed that we will give you the whole 1st week off but from the 2nd week on, it's all systems go as we need to prepare 6 songs."
Everyone looked at Finn. Finn put up his hand.
"Yes Finn," asked Will
"I'm speaking as the team captain and we don't want to have a whole week off. Just tomorrow."
"Are you sure?" asked Will
"Positive," replied Finn "We need to hit the ground running. We need as much time as we can to prepare."
"Then Sunday it is," said Will "But before we go. I would like to announce the M.V.P for tonight. It was voted by myself, Mr Baxter, Emma, Daniel, Burt, Carole, and by genuine fans of the New Directions sitting in the front row. And the winner is of a very clear majority. Mr Baxter, if you please."
Michael was given the M.V.P. trophy by one of his assistants.
"The winner is..." started Michael "Miss Mercedes Jones."
Everyone cheered and the guys wolf whistled.
"You deserve that Miss Jones," said Michael giving Mercedes the away and a cuddle "You basically got us to a point where 'Unique' couldn't get past you."
Mercedes looked at everyone "I appreciate this, I really do, but I was doing this for the team, and basically showing myself that I could sing again. But thank you everyone."
"We will have 10 more minutes here," said Will "Then we'll get going."
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Artie had wheeled himself away from the celebrations early, and had returned to the stage. The auditorium was now well and truly empty. Artie looked out at the seats. Suddenly he heard footsteps and someone sat down beside him. Artie looked to his left. It was Wade. He had changed out of his 'Unique' clothes.
"Why?" asked Artie
"Why what?" asked Wade back
"It wasn't 'Unique' who started that situation, it was you. You fought against 'Unique' to do it. I only just figured that out."
"'Unique' felt you left her behind, I didn't. I understood the trouble you got in to with Rory, after you sent that email. 'Unique' saw red. I was fighting within myself to not let her go all out."
"You do know how that sounds don't you Wade?" smiled Artie
"I'm always fighting with 'Unique', so yeah it does sound like I'm schizo," laughed Wade
"You didn't have to do that. We would have been okay had you guys won."
"I didn't do it for you," smiled Wade "I did it for the rest of the New Directions who deserved to go through, but I couldn't put up with my team constantly thinking that they were being above everyone else, when I know at the end of day it was 'Unique' that kept them in the comp, and not anyone else. I was just sick of it. They didn't care, and they should have. New Directions care, and showed everyone else support. They were professional."
"Wow," said Artie "Strong morals."
"Well, 'Unique' doesn't, someone has to have them."
They stayed there for another 5-10 minutes without speaking and in total silence looking out at the empty seats.
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"Do you think there is a place for me to go, now that I have no where else to go?" asked Wade after the time went by
"I'm pretty sure Mr Baxter wouldn't mind," replied Artie "I don't want to leave you behind again."
"Of course I won't mind," came Michael's voice from the back of Artie and Wade "I know never to break the code of the New Directions. I've learnt that the hard way this year."
Both Artie and Wade turned around to see Michael who walked out from the shadows.
"How long have you been there for?" asked Artie worried that he might have heard the whole conversation.
"Not long," came Michael's reply "Everyone's heading to the bus, and I noticed that you weren't around and so I came to find you."
Artie semi smiled "Mr Baxter, this is Wade, Wade this is Mr Michael Baxter."
"I know," said Michael "I met him before."
"No that was 'Unique', this is Wade."
"I'm confused."
"Many people usually are," said Wade smiling
"So is it okay for us to bring Wade with us?" asked Artie
"Yes," replied Michael "It's on the understanding that he can't join the New Directions, as he's already participated with Vocal Adrenaline, but he can act as support."
"Which is what I've always intended to do," said Wade
"Well then," said Michael, "Welcome aboard. Where are your things?"
"Some of my things are outside, the rest is at the Vocal Adrenaline Training Center. I'll wait a few days before I go get them."
"Nonsense," said Michael "I'll send one of my assistants to collect them tonight. Let's get to the bus."
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Everyone was already on the bus waiting for Michael to find Artie. Suddenly Michael walked onto the bus, as the machine picked Artie and his chair up.
"Ladies and gentlemen," started Michael "I would like to announce that we have picked up a new support person. Please welcome..."
Wade walked onto the bus.
"Mr Wade Adams," smiled Michael finishing off his sentence.
"Wade," shouted all of the New Directions together
"Hey guys," smiled Wade
Mercedes was the first to Wade, to give give him a big hug.
"Part of the condition of Mr Adams joining us as a support person," carried on Michael "Is that all conversation topic about Vocal Adrenaline and what happened tonight with their performance is off topic. I... Sorry We... don't want to hear any discussions about it."
"It's just as well," said Santana "It was a shocking result for you guys, but hey that's all I am going to say."
Everyone laughed, and welcomed Wade on board the bus.
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That night after celebrating for a few hours of winning Regionals, everyone had finally gone to bed.
Artie was wide awake, he had been thinking about the result. He felt that it had been his fault, so he blamed himself.
A yawn next to him made him blink. Kitty sat up, and turned on her side to face him.
"Artie what is wrong?" whispered Kitty "You've been acting quiet since Regionals finished. What's going on?"
"Nothing really," replied Artie
"Come on Artie, it's me. I can read you like a book."
"Sometimes I wish you didn't."
"I'm pretty sure, it's to do with what happened during Vocal Adrenaline's set. That last song, you saw it from side on, I was watching you."
"Geez Kitty please leave it alone."
"Fine," said Kitty pulling off the covers and getting out of bed "I'm concerned about you, but hey block me out."
Kitty stood up, and grabbed her clothes and headed for the door.
"Wait," said Artie "I'm sorry."
"Too late you had your chance, I'm done."
Kitty put her hand on the handle of the door.
"I feel responsible Kitty. Please... please don't go."
Kitty was fuming as she tried to open the door, but the pleading cut through her. She closed her eyes, breathed, and took her hand off of the door handle
"What did you see?"
"'Unique' caused the commotion," started Artie "She bumped hips with one of those people flipping around, which caused him to hit other dancers, which put half the team off their timing which obviously caused them to lose points."
"Why would she do that?" asked Kitty still facing the door
"Because we had a conversation before hand."
Kitty walked back over to the bed, and sat down.
"What kind of conversation?"
"She asked me what I wanted her to do!"
"In what way?"
"She felt that I had left her behind, and wanted to know what she should do without impacting on the rest of the New Directions, who didn't deserved to be punished."
"Oh my god," said Kitty turning around to face Artie "You're not saying what I think you're saying?"
"I told her she had to do what she had to do, and I couldn't say what she should do. She chose to do what she did but only because she was fighting with Wade, and Wade won."
Kitty climbed over the bed, and put her arms around Artie.
"No wonder you felt distant, and you felt responsible. After the whole Rory debacle, you were virtually told to stop using the net, or putting more people in certain situations, even though you had already put Wade into Vocal Adrenaline. You virtually left Wade behind, even though you had no choice but to."
Artie nodded in agreement.
"I should go see him in the morning, and give him a piece of my mind."
"No," protested Artie "Please don't, it's sorted. We need to let it go, and move on."
"You need to let it go and move on," replied Kitty "Stop beating yourself up about it. What's done is done."
"I know. It's just that I feel really responsible. What if there's an investigation in to what happened with Vocal Adrenaline?"
"Then I have no doubt you will step up, and explain the situation, and then we will have to suffer what consequences come our way. I will back you as long as you stop blocking me out."
"I promised," whispered Artie
Kitty smiled, and looked into Artie's eyes. "Good."
"I'm sorry for blocking you out at times,"
"I know you are. I'm here to support you, and I always will. I love you Artie. You are the only one who keeps me grounded."
"I love you too," whispered Artie "You always keep me on my toes."
Kitty looked down at Artie with a great big smirk coming across her face.
"I know that look."
"What look?" asked Kitty standing up
"Your crazy I want you look," smiled Artie
"Well I know you're tired, but you can't sleep because of your situation with being stressed out, so I'm going to help you relieve your stress."
"Bring it on."
Kitty took off her top, and pulled the covers back and got on top of Artie.
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Are there going to be any consequences for the New Directions? Or for Wade? Because at the moment there doesn't seem to be any. The New Directions have been lucky so far. Is their luck about to run out?
Stay tuned.