The Fall The Rise The Worlds of the New Directions Chapter 61, a glee fanfic

PREVIOUSLY: Because of what happened to Vocal Adrenaline on stage, they dropped points, allowing the New Directions to become Regionals Champions, and continue on to Nationals. Now they must focus on Nationals.

And now the continuation:

CHAPTER 61 - THE ROAD TO NATIONALS BEGINS

After having Sunday off in which everyone who had celebrated hard the Saturday night after getting back from Regionals, most of the New Directions slept the whole morning away on the Sunday.

The only ones up early were Finn, Rachel, Quinn, and Puck. Puck was still sober after his deal with Michael early on, but he found it hard staying away from the alcohol that had been passed away, so he had left the party early.

Will had invited Finn, Rachel, Puck and Quinn to spend Sunday with him and his family and couldn't help but begin preparations for the Monday, outlining what sort of songs they needed. They needed to have 6 songs prepared, 3 for day 1, and should they make the Top 10, which they need to, 3 for day 2. They knew 2 of the songs would continue to be solos. 1 for each day.

The New Directions were strong when starting with solos. Will, Rachel and Quinn knew that certain people would love to try out and those would be Kurt, Blaine, Santana, Tina, and possibly Brittany.

"I think it's fair if they battle it out," said Rachel

"How would you do the battle?" asked Quinn "1 song or several songs."

"I think they should test themselves with their own songs, at first," said Will "And then if it came down to it, one song."

"Nationals is in Washington D.C," said Finn looking at the brochure for Nationals "Nationals is around a week or two after Rachel is due. She can't travel to D.C, with baby, so I may need to stay back."

"We've already talked about this Finn," said Rachel "You and I are the Captains, with me gone, you still need to be there. Baby and I will be staying with your mum, while everyone's gone to D.C."

"But it's our first baby," said Finn "I need to be here to help."

"Once Nationals is finished, you will help. But I understand this is moren than just me and baby which is why the bigger picture, is with you in D.C."

"It sounds like Rachel, has made up her mind," said Quinn laughing

"It does," replied Finn

"It's true, when they say never argue with a pregnant woman," said Will "I learnt my lesson over 3 pregnancies."

"I won't be going to D.C. either," said Quinn "So I'll keep an eye on Rach and baby."

Finn looked at both Rachel, and Quinn, and raised his hands in defeat.

"Fine," said Finn "But it won't stop me from calling as many times as I can throughout the time, that we're away in D.C."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," smiled Rachel "I fully expect you too."

"Now that's solved," said Will "Can we focus back on what we need to prepare for tomorrow?"

"Sorry," said Finn

"Yeah... Sorry," said Rachel and Quinn both together smiling

Will, Rachel, Finn, Quinn, and Puck returned to their planning on how best to break the 6 songs down, and who should get which lyrics or main lyrics.

They spent most of the day on the planning before heading back to the Training Center, where Will, had a meeting with Michael and showed him the plan.

Monday morning came and everyone piled into the Choir Room, which included Rory, and Wade. Rachel was around 7-8 weeks away from her due date, so all she could do was offer support and advice. Quinn had taken herself out of the running for Nationals even though she was due around the time of Hemispheres. The trip to D.C. would have been too much for her. So she also had to act as support.

Michael walked into the room, as Will walked to the front of everyone. Michael found a seat.

"So here we are... 10 weeks is all we have until we go to Washington D.C. and compete at Nationals. For most of you it's still look like you are recovering from our close victory at Regionals on Saturday...

"And I'll say that with the up most respect to Vocal Adrenaline. They gave us a good run for our money, we did superb, but they almost took us out, which means we need to do better, than superb.

"We are going to go up against 52 teams on day 1. There's only 10 places given out for day 2. And then only 1 team will represent the USA at Hemisphere's. I want that 1 team to be us. So if you thought the 1st 20 weeks was tough then think again. We have 6 songs to prepare for. 2 of those songs will be solos. Rachel and Mercedes have already had their turns. Which means 2 solos are up for grabs.

"But before you all put your hands up to attempt to fight for a solo, I had a meeting with Rachel, Finn, Quinn, and Puck yesterday, while the rest of you were recovering, it was then decided that the judges of choosing who the 2 soloists are going to be, will be, Rachel, Mercedes, Quinn, Wade, Myself, Mr Baxter, and Rory, will be the minor vote should it be needed.

"The two winning soloists will work with Rachel, Wade and Mercedes each day so that once Nationals comes around, you'll blow the opposition away using their tips. Some of you think you might not need their advice or work. If that is the case please don't bother confirming when I read out you names, because the stakes are high. I WANT YOU GUYS TO WIN NATIONALS, and the only way to do that is with power. Apart from the 2 Solo songs, we have 4 songs, that everyone and I mean EVERYONE will get a chance to help lead one of those 4 songs.

"It may feel that is sounds like this suddenly become super serious all of a sudden, which no doubt it does, but the stakes are really high, and I don't think you guys would me to button off, I'm not like that.

"We all knew that as we go deeper into the competition the more intense it becomes. Well I can say now, it's gotten to the point where we need to be more intense than our opponents. Because if we are more intense that will give us the advantage to win Nationals.

"I'm sorry for my little rant. I'm as passionate as each and everyone of of you. I just want to see you all do well. I just want to see you all realize your ultimate goal, and that is what you all deserve after the ten yeas that you all had. And that is to be World Champions.

"So enough of my ranting let's get down to seeing who wants the two solo spots. I have written a list, if I read our your name please say yes or no. Yes I want to take part in the Solo comp, No I withdraw. If I don't read out your name and you seriously want to try then by all means let us know. So here we go."

Will took out a piece of paper from his pocket, and opened it up fully.

"Kurt Hummel."

"Yes," came Kurt's reply

"Blaine Anderson,"

"Yes," came Blaine's reply

"Santana Lopez,"

"Oh yes," came Santana's reply

"Tina Cohen-Chang,"

"Yes."

Will looked up "Does anyone else who is serious enough want to try out for a solo?"

Brittany put up her hand "Me, please."

Jake put up his hand "Me too,"

And Kitty was the last to put up her "Me three,"

"Wow," said Will "This should be really interesting, 7 people going for two places."

"I'm glad that's the case," said Rachel "Everyone wants to step up, and do their bit."

Blaine put up his hand.

"Yes Blaine?" asked Will

"How's this going to work now that there's 7 of us? We all sing and eliminate half the field and then sing again for the 2 spots?"

Will looked at Rachel, Quinn, and Mercedes.

"I think it's fair if the 3 with top votes get to sing again," said Rachel

"I agree," replied Mercedes

"Same," said Quinn

"That's the fair way to do it," said Wade

"Then it's decided," said Will looking at his watch "All 7 of you will sing, and then the 3 with the most votes will sing one last time, to get one of the two solo spots. That means you will need to have 2 songs ready in case you make stage 2. I will be fair, the time is now 9.15 a.m., I will let you have the rest of the morning to prepare both your songs, using band members, and then we will resume at 1 p.m.

"As for Artie, Sam, Finn, Puck, and Mike, I want you 5 to get together and see if you can come with song titles that we could use for Day 1 of our set list. I'll leave that in your capable hands.

"We all need to be back here after 1."

So for the rest of the morning the team split up. The ones participating in the Solo competition: Kurt, Blaine, Santana, Tina, Brittany, Jake and Kitty, disappeared to all parts of the Training Center.

The guys: Finn, Artie, Sam, Puck, and Mike stayed in the Choir Room to talk about potential songs.

Michael disappeared back to his office to do some work. He was due to head back to Texas that night for a few weeks.

Will brought Rachel, Mercedes, Quinn, Rory, and Wade together to go over the points for judging.

"Everyone is to be judged out of 10 points," started Will "If they hit the right notes, confidence, style if it 's above or below their range, along those lines. Just use your judgements. Don't play favorites either, just judge the best that you can."

"I think we've all got this Mr Schue," smiled Rachel

"I know you guys do," replied Will, "But this a serious thing for Nationals. I feel they will all come out firing but we need to pick the best."

"And we will," said Mercedes "Don't worry, Rach, Wade, and I will have the two winners ready by the time Nationals comes around."

"I know you will," replied Will "And I appreciate that, maybe I'm just nervous because there's a lot riding on this. It'll work itself out."

1 p.m. soon came, and it was just after lunch when everyone poured back into the Choir Room. Tables were spread out across the room. They were judging tables for Will, Michael, Rachel, Mercedes, Quinn, Wade, Rory, and Emma, had been given a choice to vote, and she said yes.

Will had a small box on his desk with the names of those who were going to sing.

Will stood up "Okay, so here we are. I want to wish everyone who is singing... good luck. Sing to the best of your abilities, and prove to us you want one of the two spots. Okay, going first will be... Blaine."

Will sat down, and Blaine semi smiled, and stood up and walked to the front of the room.

#1: BLAINE'S SOLO

"Before you met me, I was all right
But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life
Now every February you'll be my valentine, valentine

"Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, will be young forever

"You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

"My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back

"We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece
I'm complete

"Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever

"You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's run away and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

"My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance

"And don't ever look back, don't ever look back

I'm a get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

"YOUUUUUUU You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on, I can't sleep
Let's runaway and don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

"My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back, don't ever look back

"I'm a get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight."

Blaine finished his song, and he smiled as everyone clapped.

"Very well done Blaine," said Will "That's a very good start."

Blaine headed back to his seat, and Kurt got up and gave him a hug "Always gets me that song, every time you sing it."

Michael's assistant collected all of the voting slips for Blaine, he was the one who was going to be added the points up.

"Next up," said Will placing his hand in the box and grabbing a name "Brittany."

"Cool," smiled Brittany standing up

Brittany walked to the front of the room.

#2: BRITTANY'S SOLO

"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

"I think I did it again
I made you believe we're more than just friends
Oh baby
It might seem like a crush
But it doesn't mean that I'm serious
'Cause to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
Oh baby, baby

"Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops, you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent

"You see my problem is this
I'm dreaming away
Wishing that heroes, they truly exist
I cry, watching the days
Can't you see I'm a fool in so many ways
But to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
Oh baby, oh

"Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops, you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent

"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

"All aboard
Britney, before you go, there's something I want you to have
Oh, it's beautiful, but wait a minute, isn't this?
Yeah, yes it is
But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean in the end
Well baby, I went down and got it for you
Aww, you shouldn't have

"Oops, I did it again to your heart
Got lost in this game, oh baby
Oops, you think that I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent

"Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops, you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent

"Oops, I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops, you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent."

.Brittany had sung surprisingly well with her song, but had a few small weak spots, but still sung well. Everyone clapped.

"Nice work Brittany," said Will "That was good."

"I know," smiled Brittany heading back to her seat "That was Britney Bitches."

Santana gave Brittany a hug "Well, done, babe."

"Thanks,"

Michael's assistant collected the voting papers from those who were judging.

"Next up," said Will putting his hand in the box and grabbing a name "Kitty."

"Go get em Kitty," said Artie

Kitty smiled at Artie and walked to the front of the room.

#3: KITTY'S SOLO

"I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake

"I'm wide awake
Yeah, I was in the dark
I was falling hard
With an open heart
(I'm wide awake)
How did I read the stars so wrong?
(I'm wide awake)
And now it's clear to me
That everything you see
Ain't always what it seems
(I'm wide awake)
Yeah, I was dreaming for so long

"I wish I knew then
What I know now
Wouldn't dive in
Wouldn't bow down
Gravity hurts
You made it so sweet
'Til I woke up on
On the concrete

"Falling from cloud nine
Crashing from the high
I'm letting go tonight
Yeah, I'm falling from cloud nine

"I'm wide awake
Not losing any sleep
I picked up every piece
And landed on my feet
I'm wide awake
Need nothing to complete myself, no

"I'm wide awake
Yeah, I am born again
Out of the lion's den
I don't have to pretend
And it's too late
The story's over now, the end

"I wish I knew then
What I know now
Wouldn't dive in
Wouldn't bow down
Gravity hurts
You made it so sweet
'Til I woke up on
On the concrete

"Falling from cloud nine (it was out of the blue)
I'm crashing from the high
I'm letting go tonight (yeah, I'm letting you go)
I'm falling from cloud nine

"Thunder rumbling
Castles crumbling
(I'm wide awake)
I am trying to hold on
(I'm wide awake)
God knows that I tried
Seeing the bright side
(I'm wide awake)
I'm not blind anymore...

"I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake

"Yeah, I'm falling from cloud nine (it was out of the blue)
Crashing from the high
You know I'm letting go tonight (yeah, I'm letting you go)
I'm falling from cloud nine

"I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake."

Kitty did well, but wasn't as strong as Blaine, everyone still clapped her.

"Nice job, Kitty," said Will "You gave it a good go."

"Thanks," smiled Kitty

Michael's assistant once again collected the voting slips

"Next up," said Will putting his hand in the box grabbing a name "Kurt."

Kurt smiled as he stood up, and walked to the front of the room.

#4: KURT'S SOLO

"Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement.
Has the moon lost her memory. She is smiling alone.
In the lamplight the withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.
Memory - all alone in the moonlight. I can dream of the old days

"Life was beautiful then.
I remember the time I knew what happiness was.
Let the memory live again.
Every street lamp seems to beat a fatalistic warning.
Someone mutters and a streetlamp sputters and soon it will be morning
Daylight - I must wait for the sunrise. I must think of a new life
And I mustn't give in.
When the dawn comes tonight will be a memory too.
And a new day will begin.
Burnt out ends of smoky days
the stale cold smell of mon ing.
A streetlamp dies
another night is over
another day is dawning.
Touch me - it's so easy to leave me. All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun.
If you touch me you'll understand what happiness is.
Look
a new day has begun."

Kurt was really good and strong, it was obvious he wanted a solo song. Everyone applauded him.

"Thank you," smiled Kurt

"Very well done, Kurt." said Will "That shows how much you wanted that solo."

Kurt went and sat down, Blaine gave him a hug.

Michael's assistant collected the voting slips.

"Next up," said Will putting his hand in the box and grabbing a name "Santana."

Santana walked to the front of the room, and looked at everyone.

"I'm thinking of with drawing after seeing the others had their go, and hope to get a solo shot at Hemisphere's. But I don't want to be seen as a quitter, as that's not me. So I'll go ahead and sing what I've prepared.

#5: SANTANA'S SOLO

"For you there'll be no crying

For you the sun will be shining
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's all right I know it's right

"And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you I love you I love you
Like never before

"To you I would give the world
To you I'd never be cold
'Cause I feel that when I'm with you
It's all right I know it's right

"And the songbirds keep singing
Like they know the score
And I love you I love you I love you
Like never before Like never before."

Santana finished her song, and everyone applauded. She had sung well. She returned to her seat, and received a hug and a kiss from Brittany.

"Great work, Santana," smiled Will "I enjoyed that. Raw and emotional. Well done."

Michael's assistant once again collected all the voting slips.

"Okay we have two more people remaining," said Will putting his hand in the box and taking out a name "Going next is... Jake, and going last is Tina. You are first Jake."

Jake got up and walked to the front of the room.

"It's quite an honor standing up in front of you legends trying to win a solo spot. So here we go."

#6: JAKE'S SOLO

"Much as you blame yourself, you can't be blamed for the way that you feel
Had no example of a love that was even remotely real
How can you understand something that you never had
Ooh baby if you let me, I can help you out with all of that

"Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
And all your trouble
Don't be afraid, girl let me help
Girl let me love you
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let me love you
A heart of numbness, gets brought to life
I'll take you there

"Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you baby, oh
Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you, let me love you, oh

"I can see the pain behind your eyes
It's been there for quite a while
I just wanna be the one to remind you what it is to smile
I would like to show you what true love can really do

"Girl let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you, let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Girl let me love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you, girl let me love you baby

"For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats
For every heart that beats
Heart that beats
Heart that beats
Heart that beats
Heart that beats

"Girl let me love you
Let me love you baby, love you baby
Girl let me love you
Let me love you baby, love you baby."

Jake sung his heart out, and tried his best but he wasn't as strong as the others, and somehow he knew that. Everyone clapped his effort though.

"Great try, Jake," said Will

Jake smiled as he went back to his seat. As Tina got up, Michael's assistant collected the voting slips.

Tina looked all serious as she stood in front of everyone. she knew Blaine, Kurt, and Santana were currently the top 3, and had to sing the song of her life to get amongst them. She took a deep breath.

#7: TINA'S SOLO

"For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all.

"You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

"You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

"You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

"I'm everything I am
Because you loved me."

Tina sung the solo of her life, and everyone knew it including Santana, who knew she must have just snuck into the Top 3, but with Tina pulling out the song of her life, that was her chance gone, for this round.

Everyone gave Tina a standing ovation, and she stood there smiling, and not believing the fuss that was being made.

"Where the hell did that come from, girl?" asked Santana

Tina shrugged her shoulders "Pass, I wanted it so bad, it just came out of nowhere."

Michael's assistant collected the voting slips, and quickly added Tina's points up and wrote on the tally paper before giving it to Will.

"That was great Tina," said Will "I have goose bumps."

Rachel, Mercedes and Kurt walked up top Tina, and gave her a massive hug

"Alright calm down," said Will "I've got the top 3 right here. Everyone settle down.

Everyone sat back down.

"The top 3 are... Kurt, Tina, and Blaine."

Everyone clapped.

"So we should have small break before we get down to the Top 3 performing," said Will

Blaine stuck up his hand

"Yes Blaine,"

Blaine looked at both Kurt and Tina.

"Both Kurt and Tina sung as if their lives depended on it, and I felt they were the stars. Therefore I'd like to withdraw and let Kurt and Tina take the two solo spots at Nationals."

"No, Blaine, No," said Kurt "You fight for the spot."

Blaine shook his head "No, you both deserve it. I want to trade my place for a lead spot in one of the the group songs."

Finn, Sam, Mike, Puck and Artie looked at one another and smiled. Finn stuck up his hand.

"Yes Finn?"

"We've got a song which would be perfect for Blaine to lead. It'll be the last group song of our Day 1 set list."

"What is it?" asked Blaine

Sam got up and walked over to Blaine with the title of the song on a piece of paper, Mike did the same with Will, and Puck did the same with Michael.

"You're kidding?" asked Blaine recognizing the song

"Nope," smiled Finn "We needed this song which will definitely help get us into the Top 10, we just need to work the rest of the group into the song, but you'll be leading it."

"It's a very good choice of song," agreed Will "One that no one would think we were capable of pulling off."

"But can you pull this off?" asked Michael "Didn't the Warblers do this one year when they were facing you guys if my memory is correct?"

Everyone turned and looked at Blaine, Blaine smiled.

"That is correct," said Will "And I'm pretty sure if we work with the band, and Blaine, we could work things in with the rest of the group."

"So that means Kurt and Tina are the confirmed soloists?" asked Santana "And Blaine gets a lead in a group song?"

"Why are you so upset about that Lopez?" asked Kitty "You've had leads in so0ngs at both Sectionals and Regionals. You're asking for more?"

"She's competitive Kitty," said Brittany "Sandbags knows that she's had it fair so far, it just brings out the best in her."

"I can defend myself, Brit," said Santana "But thank you though."

"Okay," said Will "I know some of you are disappointed with not being able to get the solos. There's still plenty of songs left that everyone can have a shot at, at Nationals. We can work it out. It's just going to take time. It's good to be angry, and anxious, and passionate, but we're still a team. Let's have a half an hour break before we get back into it."

Everyone ended up leaving the room for a time out.

What's with all the tension? Is it rising or something? How will it play out?

Stay tuned for the next chapter.

NOTE: I do not own the lyrics or copyrights to: TEENAGE DREAM, OOPS I DID IT AGAIN, WIDE AWAKE, MEMORY, SONGBIRD, LET ME LOVE YOU (UNTIL YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF) and BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME