NOTE: Sorry it's taken a week or two, or three since my last update, I've had some personal issues I had to deal with. It's now sorted.
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CHAPTER 64 - COUNTDOWN TO NATIONALS AND THE INTERVIEW
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Two days after the birth of Maria Carole Emma Hudson, Rachel and baby were allowed to leave hospital. Finn had spent much of time with his wife, and new baby daughter.
"So if Maria becomes a distraction for everyone," started Rachel "Your mum says we can stay at her place. They need to focus. Nationals is less than 3 weeks away."
"I'm distracted by you and baby girl," said Finn looking at Rachel "I think I'll pull out of Nationals."
"You'll do no such thing," scowled Rachel putting her hands on her hips "We've talked about this so many times these last few days, you're going, they need you to lead them to Hemispheres. I want to go to Hemispheres."
Finn looked at Rachel, and he had no choice but to nod "Okay,"
Don't put like that," smiled Rachel "It's what's best for everyone."
Finn bent down and got close to Rachel "What's best for everyone is me spending time with the girls I love. Especially my wife who is my whole world."
Rachel smiled as Finn kissed her on the lips.
They parted.
"But I do know I need to be there to lead them to Hemispheres," said Finn
"Good man," smiled Rachel looking down at Maria, who was sleeping, "One day she may follow in our footsteps."
"If she wants to," smiled Finn "But she'll probably most likely have your lungs."
There was a knock at the door, it opened, and Emma popped her head through.
"Is it alright to come in? Your rides here."
"Yea sure," smiled Rachel
The door opened, and in came Emma carrying a car seat followed by Kurt.
"Look, who just so happened to insist on coming along," laughed Emma
"The real Uncle of my niece," smiled Kurt
"Hey little bro," said Finn
"Hi Finn, hey Rach," replied Kurt
Both Emma and Kurt gave Rachel a hug.
"How are you doing Rach?" asked Kurt
"I'm starting to get the hang of motherhood," replied Rachel "It takes a while."
"It certainly does," replied Emma "There's no rush to do it straight away."
Kurt looked down at his sleeping niece "She's got Rach's face, and your nose Finn."
"Is that a good thing?" smiled Finn
"I think so," replied Kurt
Emma looked at Rachel "Are you ready to go?"
Rachel just nodded.
"I know it may seem daunting taking a new born baby to a place like the Training Center," started Emma "But it's more than a place. You're whole family within a family. They're all there to help you through this initial stage. Not many first time parents get that opportunity."
"What if it becomes too much of a distraction?" asked Rachel quietly
"Will won't let it, nor will you. Remember the Hummels have also invited you to stay when we all go to D.C. You can always go early."
"You know Carole," said Kurt "She's so clucky."
"Okay," said Rachel sighing "I'm ready."
Rachel moved over to the small crib structure, and bent down, and slowly picked up Maria, who started to stir.
"It's okay baby girl," whispered Rachel "We're just going home."
"Hey baby girl," smiled Kurt looking down at Maria "It's your Uncle Kurt. When you get older I'll be in charge of taking you clothes shopping."
Finn laughed "You'll have to get past her mother for that job."
"Uncle Kurt can be in charge of that," replied Rachel "We all know he has great taste in current styles."
Rachel placed Maria in the car seat, and made sure she was all tucked in.
"How's the song going for the interview?" asked Finn
"Not too bad, it's just missing an element of some kind," replied Kurt
"Like who?"
"Rachel's voice, or Mercede's voice, or Quinn's voice!"
"Isn't Mercedes performing?" asked Rachel
"She's letting someone else have a crack."
"Sounds like fun," said Finn
"That's why you need to be to be there," said Rachel picking up the car seat "To help Mr Schue with the vital team work."
"You're not up to heavy lifting," replied Finn gently taking the car seat away from Rachel "You heard what the Doc said before when he gave us permission to leave, you're still recovering from the dehydration episode which caused our baby girl to come early."
"Look at my brother," said Kurt to Emma "Still the ever devoted husband, and now the doting dad."
"Sush it you," said Finn smiling at Kurt
"Okay," said Rachel holding up her hands in defeat "Let's just go."
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Back at the Training Center, the New Directions were practicing for their one off performance at their Television Interview on the Monday which would mark the 2 Week countdown to Nationals.
Will was watching them perform in the Auditorium and once again the performance didn't feel just right. He couldn't put his finger on it.
"Stop, stop, stop, STOP," shouted Will after yet he felt like the performance wasn't going right "Just STOP."
"What is it this time?" asked Puck
"It's still not happening," said Will "Not the way I like it."
"There's something missing," said Wade sitting in a seat beside Rory in the middle row.
"I can see that," replied Will "But thanks though Wade."
"What's missing?" asked Kitty
"I still don't know," said Will
"Mercedes is missing," came Rachel's voice
Everyone looked to the back of the Auditorium to see Rachel, holding onto the back of a chair, Finn holding the car seat, and Emma and Kurt.
"Rachel, Finn," yelled everyone
All of the New Directions females who were on the stage; Santana, Brittany, Tina, and Kitty ran off of the stage, and went towards Rachel
"By all means," said Will looking flustered "Let's have a break."
The girls surrounded Rachel.
"How are you?"
"How's Maria?"
"Welcome home,"
"Can I hold Maria?"
"How are you feeling?"
Rachel was stuck in the middle and was starting to look overwhelmed.
"GIRLS," shouted Finn from outside the circle "Just give Rachel some space."
The girls looked at Finn.
"You don't need to shout," smiled Brittany
"Just back off," replied Finn "Please."
"It's okay, Finn," said Rachel
"It's not."
Maria started crying
"Now see what you guys have done!" snapped Finn "You've woken Maria up."
Rachel walked up to Finn, and placed her hand on his arm.
"You need to settle down. I'm fine, and baby girl is fine. Everyone's just excited. It's always going to be like this. You just need to chill."
Santana walked up and gently picked up an upset Maria, and started cuddling her. Finn looked at Santana, and was about to open his mouth when Rachel pulled him away.
"I know this is all new to you, it is for me too, we just have to let this happen, because it might not be around for too much longer. Please babe, we're home now."
"Okay," said Finn throwing his hands in the air to admit defeat "I can't help being over protective."
"I know that," replied Rachel "Just focus on something else to help delay your anger. If I need you I'll call."
"Okay,"
"Welcome back guys," said Will walking up "How are you Rach?"
"I'm better," smiled Rachel still keeping her hand on Finn's arm "I hear you're having trouble with a key song?"
"I'm not sure what's missing," replied Will "You said Mercedes?"
"That's right, and maybe you're missing a bit of Finn's vocals, isn't that right babe?"
Finn nodded "Yes."
"Maybe we could try Finn?" asked Will "If you can spare him?"
Rachel looked at Finn with that special look, which seemed to make him smile.
"I can help," replied Finn
"Well then come on up," smiled Will "Santana, when you're ready."
Finn walked up to the stage, Santana gave Maria back to Rachel.
"Kurt you too please," said Will
Kurt smiled as he was hiding at the back. He walked up to the stage.
Will returned to where he was positioned earlier, as Rachel walked up to where Mercedes was sitting, she was sitting beside Quinn.
Will looked over at Mercedes.
"If this still isn't working Mercedes by adding Finn and Kurt, I have no other choice but to add you in!"
"Mercedes understands that don't you Mercedes?" smiled Rachel looking down at Mercedes
"Sure," said Mercedes semi smiling at Will
Will went back to focus on the group. Mercedes looked up at Rachel.
"Man, Motherhood has turned you into a controlling bitch," smiled Mercedes
"Sorry Cedes, certain things just get on my wick since Maria was born."
"It's called post pregnancy hormones," replied Quinn
Mercedes stood up, and took Maria from Rachel, and hummed to her as the New Directions began singing on stage. They sounded much better with Finn and Kurt joining in. They still have sounded better had Mercedes joined in but because it was just another song for the interview, they decided to give Mercedes the break.
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So for the next few days the New Directions practiced the song as well as the songs for Nationals before the day came which marked the Two Week countdown for Nationals.
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The New Directions along with Will, Emma, Wade and Michael, who had returned after being away working for the last few weeks, all turned up at the Ohio Broadcasting Studio. Rachel back at the Training Center with her baby, as well as Quinn, Mercedes, and Rory.
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The New Directions were then asked to perform their song which would be taped and shown later on once they found out what numbered position they would be performing in, at Nationals.
So they performed their one off song for the cameras who recorded them.
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NEW DIRECTIONS
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FINN: "Mustang Sally
H'uh, h'uh
"Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
"Oh Lord, what I say now
Mustang Sally, now baby
Oh Lord
Guess you better slow
Your Mustang down
"H'uh, oh yeah
You been runnin' all over town, now
Oh, I guess I have to put your flat feet
On the ground
Ha!
What I said, now
Listen!"
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride hu'h."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
Alright."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride."
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KURT: Well, listen
One of these early mornins', yeah
Woow!
Gonna be wipin' yo weepin' eyes
H'uh!
What I said, now
Look-a-here!
I bought you a brand new Mustang
A nineteen sixty-five, h'uh!
.NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride hu'h."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
Alright."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride."
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PUCK: "Now you come around
Signifyin', now woman
You don't wanna let me ride
Mustang Sally, now baby Oh Lord!
Guess you better slow that Mustang down
H'uh! Oh Lord!
Listen, you been runnin' all over town
Ooow!
I have to put your flat feet on the ground
H'uh!
What I said now, yeah
Let me say it one more time y'all."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: "All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally, ride."
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NEW DIRECTIONS MALES: All you wanna do is ride around Sally."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride hu'h."
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NEW DIRECTIONS: All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
Alright."
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NEW DIRECTIONS FEMALES: "Ride Sally ride."
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Once they finished their performance they were then shown into the waiting room where Kurt, Mike, Jake, Brittany and Tine were all miked up ready for their interview with Nigel Hanham. They were the ones who hadn't been interviewed yet, and the rules had stated that everyone has to be interviewed over the course of their championship run.
"Just answer to the best of your abilities," said Will checking on Kurt, Mike, Jake, Brittany and Tina one last time "And you won't go wrong."
"You guys are the lucky ones," smiled Sam "You're being interviewed live."
"Cool," said Jake
"Not really cool," said Michael "But that's down to interpretation."
This liaison person came to take Kurt, Mike, Jake, Brittany, and Tina to the Interview set.
"I hope this doesn't go too bad," said Michael to Will "I've researched Nigel Hanham, he's top notch. He will go after anything that he finds secretive, so I hope he hasn't done too much research."
"We'll soon find out," said Will "I'm sure they guys will be able to handle it."
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Once Kurt, Mike, Jake, Brittany, and Tina were all settled in, Nigel Hanham walked into the room. He went straight to the couch.
"One minute Mr Hanham, until we go live," said the floor manager
"Good. The sooner we get this over with the sooner I can go back to enjoying a nice relaxing space," smiled Nigel "Are you guys ready?"
Kurt, Mike, Jake, Brittany, and Tina all nodded.
"I hope you guys can use your tongues live, better than you use them now."
"That's no way to speak to your guests," snapped Brittany "That's bordering on verbal bullying. I don't condone that."
Nigel sat down smirking "Some one who has a voce, good for you, is it Miss Pearce?"
"It is."
"30 seconds," said the floor manager
"Well good on you Miss Pearce for having the guts to speak up. This won't be a flop after all."
Kurt shook his head.
"Do you have something to say, Mr Hummel?" asked Nigel
"Not really," said Kurt
"10 seconds," said the floor manager
Nigel looked at the camera.
"In 5... 4... 3... 2... and 1... you are going live... Now."
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of Ohio, and welcome to a very special live presentation. Of course you all know who I am, I am Nigel Hanham, OBC's number 1 reporter. In 2 weeks time we have the 3rd round of the New World Championships of Show Choir Competition which is the Nationals round. Every country who is competing will have a team representing them in the 4th stage at Hemispheres.
"So in two weeks time, 50 teams, one team from each State, will be performing to get one of 10 places to go to the 2nd Day of the competition where they will again perform to be in with a chance to be the team to represent the United States at the Northern Hemisphere competition.
"This brings me to the team who will be representing this great state of Ohio at Nationals, and that team is of course, none other than the winners of Sections and Regionals, The New Directions.
"We are live today, because just started in our nations capital is the live positional draw of where each team will be performing at Nationals. We won't be boring you with the live draw, but the moment we find out the New Directions position, we will bring you that numbered position. Shortly you will be seeing the team performing a song, but now we will be speaking to 5 members of the team. So let's welcome them.
Please welcome... Mr Kurt Hummel."
"Hi,"
"Mr Mike Chang."
"Hello."
"Mr Jake Puckerman."
"Afternoon Ohio."
"Miss Brittany S Pearce
"Hi," said Brittany giving Nigel the evil eye
"And last but not least Miss Tina Cohen-Chang."
"It's great to be here Mr Hanham," smiled Tina
"So there we have it, the last 5 members of the New Directions left to be interviewed. Some could say the least important and ineffective members as they always try to shy away from the spot light."
"Would you say that, Mr Hanham?" asked Brittany
"No, I'm just saying what others might," replied Nigel
"Instead of reporting what other people think, how about actually saying what you, yourself are paid to say. Do your own work for once."
Everyone looked at Brittany in shock, including Nigel who had his mouth wide open.
"What?" asked Brittany "He's a damn good reporter when he's actually on his own crusade, not other people's hear say."
Nigel looked at the camera "I guess I've been put in my place. Let's get started with the interview. I understand the draw has just begun. Mr Hummel, let's start with you. Where do you think the best position New Directions could be to possibly challenge for a top 10 spot?"
Everyone looked at Kurt.
"Well the field is 50 teams strong so obviously any one in the last 10 will probably be viewed with more of an interest as they'll be the freshest in the viewing public's eyes and minds," started Kurt "But the judges are professionals, they seemed to mark smart. But I have full on belief in my team. We can get into the top 10 from any position possible, whether it's early like the first 10 or 15, middle from 25 onwards, or towards the end of the competition. We believe we can make the top 10, and we believe we can win Nationals, if we didn't we shouldn't be competing."
"Wow what an answer," said Nigel "That could be perceived as arrogant or cocky."
"You can perceive it however way you would like to twist it," replied Kurt "We are 5 times National Secondary School Champions. Most of us know what's it like to win. We have experience, we've proved it at Sectionals, and Regionals. You can spin it as arrogance but to us it's all about experience."
Nigel smirked again "You guys are certainly on edge."
"It's reports like you who try their best to twist and spin things," started Tina "And expect to get away with it. You're sitting there right now, thinking you have done well to get a reaction out of us, and the audience can see we are all on our edge and think we're stupid. But we know what we are capable of, and we won't let you spin things. Just stick to what you think you know, or the lack of it."
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In the Viewing room Michael put his hand over his face.
"This is going very well," said Santana
"Indeed," said Will "They're only standing up for themselves. I fully support their anger."
"You would," smiled Michael
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"On that note," said Nigel putting his finger to his ear to listen to whoever was talking to him "The first ten positions have been announced and the New Directions are not any of those ten teams. Let's carry on. Mr. Chang. What is the feeling like withing the New Directions heading into Nationals?"
"Kurt alluded to it," started Mike "Confidence."
"So would you say the New Directions were confident heading into Sectionals and Regionals?"
"Of course," replied Mike
"Did you have confidence in each other when you guys got back together after 10 years of being apart?"
Nigel knew something, that was the feeling. Mike looked at Jake, Brittany, and Tina before looking at the cameras.
"It's only natural that after 10 years of being apart, that the confidence would be lacking until we knew we could all sing and perform again. It's called being rusty. We just needed to trust in one another that once we got rid of that rustiness the confidence would flow and it did. The results of Sectionals and Regionals showed."
Mike sat back feeling confident that he responded well to the question. Nigel smirked again.
"You said that the team needed to trust in one another again because of the rustiness, correct?"
"Correct," nodded Mike
"Isn't it true that no one trusted you, yourself, Mr Chang? The first few weeks of the team being brought back together because of some incident that happened 10 years ago that you were involved in?"
Mike looked at Nigel in shock and was about to answer when Brittany did.
"What happened 10 years ago happened, and is in the past, we as a group wanted it left in the past so we can more forward as a group, and win the World Championships of Show Choirs. That's our main focus. Not the past."
"It sounds as if you have all the answers Miss Pearce," said Nigel "Isn't that frustrating for your team mates because you take the spot light of of them?"
"Ask them if it's frustrating?" asked Brittany
"Is it frustrating guys?" smiled Nigel
"Brittany doesn't get the spot light often," started Jake "Because of all the big egos in the group, but she knows her job as does th4e rest of us, and we all do it well. So when she gets a chance to be in the spot light she deserves it. She shines. She is shining now. And before you twist MY words Mr Hanham, we don't control the group, the big egos don't control the group either. The New Directions as a whole, control the New Directions. So each and every single member of the group, the whole 15 of us, have a job to do. Without the other 14 the New Directions wouldn't be able to survive. We are heading to Nationals because that is who we are. We are the New Directions. The New Directions are us."
Jake sat back.
"Well said," said Kurt and Tina together
Nigel was shaking his head clearly frustrated that the information that he had gathered was not working. He put his finger to his ear again.
"The next 10 positions have been drawn so the New Directions aren't in those positions. So 20 places down, 30 to go. Luck seems to be falling your guys way."
"We don't believe in luck," said Brittany
"Of course you don't," said Nigel rolling his eyes at the camera
"You're so belligerent," snapped Brittany "It's amazing you've gone far as it is."
"Oh please Miss Pearce, do explain how you've come to that conclusion," smiled Nigel
"Nope," said Brittany shaking her head "You're belligerent is too much for any of us to handle. It'll just go over your head or make it even bigger."
"Come now Miss Pearce, I'm giving you the floor to tell the people of Ohio what you really think of me."
Kurt, Mike, Jake, and Tina all looked at Brittany, hoping that she wouldn't say anything too ugly. Brittany sat there, before sitting forward.
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. In the viewing room, Michael was shaking his head, having his phone at the ready to call his lawyers.
"Calm down Brit," said Santana to herself "You've said enough already."
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Brittany looked at the camera feeling all eyes on her and then looked at Nigel
"You are an award winning journalist Mr Hanham. All of your years of experience have gotten you to this point right here right now. Even through your stints of pigheadedness, but that's our case as well. Our years of experience with singing and being 5 time National Secondary School Champions have got us to this point in time as well. Some of us have the same pigheadedness as well. We all have experience Mr Hanham. We're ready for Nationals. We're ready to win Nationals. That's all it needs to be said I think."
In a roundabout way Brittany got herself and the New Directions out of trouble. Nigel knew it. He was starting to like Brittany.
He was about to open his mouth when he pressed his fingers to his ear. He listened then looked at the camera.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Ohio, your state champions the New Directions have been drawn. Their position number at Nationals is... 27th."
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27th Place - is that a good position to perform from? Only time will tell.
NOTE: I do not own the words or copyright to MUSTANG SALLY.
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2ND NOTE: Thank you to all those people who took the time to get in touch with me to see how I am and when I was going to post again, like I said earlier, I had personal problems to take care of, some which stopped me from writing and gave me a short term writers block. I am grateful that I have such a loyal and passionate fan base that I have built over the course of this studio. I know you all have been waiting patiently for the next chapter, and finally managed to get this out.
While my personal problems have been sorted, it's going to take a week or so to get back into the full swing of writing, so I'm hoping my chapters won't be so sporadic.
I do hope you enjoyed this chapter.