Two Steps Beyond
Part 112
Once the front eight were taught the beginning of the routine, Brody left them to work on things with Brittany, while he started to teach the rest of the guys their parts. "Brody and Britt are definitely pushing the envelope." Blaine said to Rachel as he released his hold on her prior to starting over.
"They are, but it's pretty cool. When you see it at full-speed, it looks really cool. I got to see Britt and Brody work on it as well as Britt with Hunter."
"Why was Hunter doing it with Britt?"
"Because of what the guys will be doing behind us." Brittany chimed in with. "Brody needed to make sure the guys would be able to get through with what we're doing. And he couldn't do that if he was the one dancing with me."
"That makes sense. Thanks Britt."
"You're welcome. Now, let's take it from the top."
With Brody working with the rest of the group, the eight were now under Brittany's guidance. As they worked, Rachel now understood what Blaine and Sebastian had meant when they'd said she pushes hard. For the life of her, Rachel never remembered Brittany being like this at McKinley. While taking a brief pause so that Brittany could work on Hailey's turn-in with her, Rachel looked over at Santana. "Yes Miss Berry." Santana replied as she leaned against Jeff.
"When did Britt become take charge?"
"Ah, that's right. You were already out here when it happened. It happened when she and I agreed to help the Warblers. The guys putting their faith in her sparked something in her. She really doesn't want to let them down. It brought out a whole other side of her personality."
"It did. It's pretty cool. I always thought she should've spoken up more back when we were at McKinley."
"Do you really think Schuester would let her have that much input? We were lucky he even listen to Britt and Mike ever. Think about it, he was a bit of a control freak. The only time Mike and Britt had free reign were during their dance features and he'd still try and put his two cents in. Personally, I can't wait to see his face either when he sees us performing with the guys."
"And here I thought you only wanted to stick it to Finn and Puck." Rachel said.
"Oh no, I want to stick to anyone who ever doubted my friendship with these guys. Schuester is just an added bonus. And you know he'll be mortified to see us basically grinding against the guys."
"That's true."
"Okay, back to work guys." Brittany said. "Hailey's got it now."
"Sorry about that." Hailey said quietly to Nick.
"What do you have to be sorry for?"
"That I couldn't seem to get it."
"It's not a big deal, don't worry about it." After he spoke, she leant her head on his shoulder before Brittany put them all back in place. They were probably at work on the first section for about another half hour before Brody walked over and made sure the track was ready to go.
"Alright, let's see how this goes."
They'd just begun, so none of them realized they had an audience until they were done and could hear voices. "Well, why is whenever I visit this room I come to find it filled with Warblers." Cooper said as he and Lexi walked into the room.
"That's because it's some of the only use this room gets." Sebastian replied as he took Braeden out of Cooper's arms. "It's the next generation of Warblers guys." As Sebastian walked away, Blaine walked up to Lexi and took Jocelyn from her.
"How is it we just lost our kids?"
"Because they have Uncles who adore them." Cooper replied. "I have a feeling some of the guys haven't met them while most of the rest haven't seen them probably since graduation.
"Very true."
While Blaine was holding Jocelyn she started reaching out over his shoulder. "What is it sweetie?" Blaine asked before looking over his shoulder to see Brittany making faces at Jocelyn. "I should've known it was you."
"What can I say; I love both of these cuties." Brittany said with a smile while reaching out towards Jocelyn, allowing her to take ahold of her fingers. While the two of them stood there, Blaine noticed a similar situation over near Sebastian, but it was Jeff who was playing with Braeden.
"Does Jeff pick you up often?"
"He does. How'd you know?"
"Because Braeden is focused on Jeff like Jocelyn is on you."
"That's because they know them." Lexi said as she and Cooper walked closer. "Jeff and especially Brittany are familiar faces to them. Like you and Bas. While everyone else is new to them."
"Well, it's either because they're with their uncles, or everyone in this room gives off a good vibe."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"The kids are at a stage right now where new people tend to startle them. But you'd never know they haven't seen some of you in ages."
"That's because they know their uncles have excellent taste in friends." Sebastian replied. "And while B and I could honestly spend the rest of the day with them, you two better take them out of here so we can get back to work."
"We can do that." Cooper replied while he and Lexi each took one of their kids back from Blaine and Sebastian. "If you guys need anything, just yell."
"Got it!" Blaine replied. As Cooper and Lexi left the room, they set themselves back up and got back to work. They soon decided once they ran through this beginning section a couple more times; they'd then start learning the next segment. By the time they finished learning the opening number they were all exhausted.
"Please tell me we can take a decent break now." Flint said from his spot on the floor.
"We can." Blaine said softly. "I can't believe we learned the entire opener."
"I can, my feet are killing me." Trent said. "But it's worth it. It's pretty awesome. So Britt. Brody. Excellent job!"
"Thanks!" They both replied. Brody looked down in his lap where Rachel was resting her head. "You okay?"
"Yea, but I'm with the guys, we need a long break. Plus, I'm starving."
"Uh oh, the magic word has been uttered." Beat said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rachel asked.
"All it takes is one person mentioning food and everyone gets hungry, isn't that right Nick?" Beat replied
"Fuck off!" Nick shot back.
"Such language. Santana, are you going to let him talk to me like that?"
"Yes."
"Nice to see you have his back."
"Among other parts of him." Santana replied with a smirk that got a laugh out of Sebastian and Blaine as well as everyone else. They were all about to get up when Lexi and Cooper each came walking in, each holding a stack of pizzas.
"We figured you guys would be hungry." Cooper said.
"Um." Rachel said softly, but not so much that she wasn't heard.
"Don't worry Rach; there is a vegetarian one in this mess of boxes."
"You remembered?"
"Lexi remembered, but yea, we did." As they all got themselves off the floor and headed towards the food, Blaine and Sebastian walked over towards their siblings.
"You didn't need to do this, but thank you." Blaine said as Cooper wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"You're welcome. Now go eat, you look beat."
"We need drinks." Sebastian said.
"They should be up the stairs shortly." Lexi replied.
"Who else is here? Blaine asked.
"Donovan and Cassie. Now go eat."
Cooper and Lexi could tell how tired they all were when Hunter and Thad didn't even flinch when their siblings came walking in. Besides a brief exchange in greetings they didn't budge. "And here I thought you ordered too many pizzas." Cassie said once she and Donovan were next to Lexi and Cooper.
"I told you, I saw these boys eat when they were getting ready for our wedding. And the fact that there are more of them, we knew the order needed to compensate." Cooper replied.
"Did you get to see any of rehearsal?" Donovan asked.
"We poked our heads in a few times though they only saw us once." Lexi replied. "And from what we saw, it's going to be another amazing show. These guys don't do anything half-assed."
"That's something I do know. While I don't go home often, Thad always kept me informed as to what was going on in his world."
"Speaking of home, are you going to be there at all over the holidays?" Cooper asked.
"Thanksgiving, no. And Christmas is still up in the air."
"Well, we'll be home for Christmas so you'd have people around that you know besides family."
"True, I'm thinking of going skiing."
"Is that so?" Lexi said as she crossed her arms and glanced at Cassie.
"What?" Cassie asked.
"You're spending Christmas in Breckenridge, coincidence?"
"No, it's not. We're hoping to get a few days in together on the slopes."
"Is that so?" Cooper said this time.
"Yes, that's what's happening." Donovan said. "But I don't think my parents would be thrilled to hear I decided to go skiing over the holiday instead of spending time with them."
"Split the trip. Do a bit a skiing, and then spend time with the family." Cooper told him. "We're going to be with my parents for about a week, that's it. Blaine and Bas are actually heading home before us."
"That's because they're arriving before us." Lexi reminded him. "All of them that are going home are heading back to the city on the twenty-seventh since they want to spend New Years' here."
"Do you honestly blame them?" Donovan said. "There's a reason I don't go back to Ohio often. Just like the only reason Thad's not thrilled about it. He got a ton of flak for saying he's not going home for Thanksgiving. So, he's only going home at Christmas to appease our parents. Wait, he's also going back for the Winter Showcase at Dalton since all the guys promised they'd be there."
"I'm pretty sure that's one of the only reasons Blaine and Bas are going home as well. They know damn well if they said they didn't want to go home, our parents would come out here." Cooper told him.
"So why are you two going?" Cassie asked.
"Since Blaine and Bas are going home, it's the right thing to do. We'll be spending it together as a family, unlike Thanksgiving."
"And this has nothing to do with the fact that Blaine and Bas are taking your kids with them to Ohio so you can enjoy your time in LA together." Donovan couldn't help but laugh slightly at Cassie's comment.
"If we weren't going home, we never would've let them take the kids." Lexi said. "I still don't even know how to thank them."
"But she's still going to be calling them or my parents all the time."
"I promised you that I will control that impulse Coop."
"I know, but I won't make you keep it." Cooper said as he wrapped his arms around her. "Being away from them is going to be as hard for me as it will be for you." The four of them were so caught up in their conversation they didn't even notice Santana walk up to them.
"Excuse me."
"What can we do for you Santana?" Lexi asked.
"I was wondering if either of you had heard back from Tasha yet. The girls and I were talking and then we spotted you guys so, yea. Has she gotten back to you yet?"
"She has actually." Cassie said before she put her hand in her pocket and pulled out a card. "Tasha said to just call this number and she'll be able to help you girls with whatever you need."
"Are you serious?"
"She is." Donovan replied. "I was there when Tasha gave it to her."
"So, our request wasn't that odd?"
"It was odd, but not the strangest thing she's heard." Cassie told her. "The only thing you girls need to bring with you is one of the Dalton ties so they can match color."
"Oh my god, how will we ever thank her?"
"Just pick up the phone and call her." Cooper said. "That's all Tasha will need."
"That's a bit lame Cooper."
"It might be, but he's right. Tasha is more than happy to help you guys." Lexi said. "She's actually going over to Blaine and Bas's next week to try and help them figure out a way to update the Warbler uniform."
"What are you girls planning to wear?" Donovan asked. "Unless you don't want to tell me, that's fine as well."
"We're going to wear a female version of the Warbler uniform. Something Britt came up with and actually wore a few times last year when she was with the guys." As Santana spoke Donovan and Cooper looked at each other. "I take it you both saw pictures." They both nodded. "So, we're wearing something like that but the skirt is going to be something we can dance in as for the rest of it, you'll have to wait and see." She said with a smile before walking back towards the others.
"They're going for naughty school girl, aren't they?" Cooper asked and both Cassie and Lexi nodded.
"Those are some lucky boys." Donovan added.
"Hey."
"Come now Cass, that's a fantasy for most every guy. You can't fault Coop and I for that."
"You're right, I can't." She then wrapped her arms around him and got up on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear. "What do you think?"
"That's definitely acceptable."
"We won't ask." Cooper said.
"That's probably a good idea." Cassie told him. "So, how about we go and eat and let these guys get back to work?"
"Sounds good to me." Lexi replied and soon the four of them headed downstairs.
"Seeing the four of them together smiling like that means trouble." Hunter said as Thad sat down next to him.
"Agreed. Those weren't just happy smiles; those were…..you know."
"Exactly." Hunter and Thad were soon joined by a few of the others as they all relaxed before getting back to work.
"Hunter." The guys all looked up and saw Brittany standing above them.
"Yes Britt?"
"I was wondering if you would help me with something."
"Depends, what is it?"
"Last night I got an idea for part of the finale and I wanted to show it to Brody. So, since I'm showing him I was wondering if you'd be my dance partner."
"How new is the idea?"
"It's similar to what we've been doing, but I think I came up with a way to make it a bit easier for the other girls to do. And hopefully, the other guys will be able to do what you do."
"That's something I can do, just tell me what you need me to do." Hunter said as he got up off the floor. Once he was up, Brittany took his hand and walked him away from the others.
"Jeff!" Thad called out. "Come here!" Jeff looked towards them and headed over. "Do you know what's going on with Britt and Hunter?"
"Are they working on the finale?"
"Yes according to Britt."
"I say you watch and find out." Jeff replied before taking a seat next to the others. "I can tell you, I'm glad I don't have to do what the guys are going to be asked to do."
"Which guys?" Dave asked.
"Britt's partner is Hunter; Santana is paired up with Brody. Hailey is dancing with David and I think either Thad, Wes, or yourself are dancing with Rachel."
"Why not you guys?" Trent asked.
"Because we're singing during that part and there is no way to do those dance moves and sing at the same time." Jeff had barely finished as the guys all gasped slightly at what they were watching as Hunter and Brittany danced. "See what I mean."
"She basically wrapped herself around him and slid down his body before he pulled her up against him." Thad said. "There is no way I could do that."
"Think about it man, it would be Rachel, she's tiny. I'm sure you'd be able to manage."
"Uh Jeff, Hunter had her hoisted over his head at one point."
"I know." Jeff told them. "I've actually seen them do a bulk of the finale. Safe to say there is a good reason why the dance partners are the way they are."
"So Rachel gets screwed because the others can all dance and let's not forget, have huge arms." Trent said. "While we've all seen the guys shirtless before, I had no idea how ripped Brody and Hunter were."
"I can dance Trent." Wes said as he, Blaine, and Sebastian joined the group. "And if you didn't noticed how ripped they were you obviously didn't pay attention."
"Do you think you could hold Rachel up the way Hunter did Britt?" Dave asked.
"I think I could. I guess you don't think you could."
"I'm not sure."
"If you don't have faith in yourself, how is she supposed to trust you?" They all turned at the sound of Brody's voice. "That's why Hunter is Britt's partner, they already have that trust. And since that's the case, why don't we all get back to work." Before they all got caught up in getting back to work on the opener. Brody gathered David and Wes along with the girls so they could work on some things with Brittany and Hunter.
"Guess my lack of faith was disturbing." Dave said with a laugh.
"Considering you'd be holding Brody's girlfriend, that's a safe assessment." Sebastian said. "And don't think I didn't catch that reference either."
"Is it wrong to volunteer for this sort of dance duty?" Beat asked.
"Yes, since you prefer simplicity." Blaine replied. "You'd only be doing it to get close to the girls."
"Maybe, but it's just not the same with the girls. While I'm not going to lie and say I don't find them all attractive. But, they're starting to tread into sisterly territory, though hot sisters."
"I think the guys are happy to hear that."
"True, but they also know I'd never go after one of their girlfriends. You don't do that to your friends regardless of how hot the girl is."
Once the guys all came walking over the other got up off the floor. "Aren't the girls joining us?" Sebastian asked.
"They'll be here in a minute." Brody told them. "Brittany's showing them something. So, let's get set for when they get here." As everyone got in place Brody walked over to Jeff. "I know it might not be any of my business, but she could probably use a massage tonight."
"I was thinking the same thing, so don't worry."
"I'm not worried; I know you'll take good care of her. But don't be surprised if she crashes when you get home. Her adrenaline is going."
"I noticed that as well."
When the girls all came over, each of them gave their boyfriends a kiss before taking their spots. "What was that for?" Nick asked as he looked at Santana. "Not that I'm complaining."
"We all just know it must be hard to watch us being handled the way we are, that's all. So it was just a little reminder that we're yours." She then gave him another kiss before walking over to Jeff. Since they'd taken a break and begun to work on other parts, everyone was a bit anxious to run through the opener. While it was going pretty smoothly, they all knew too well that what often happened during breaks. So considering they were going to have quite a few breaks in-between practices they knew they needed to really get this stuff into their memories.
By the time they were all ready to call it a night, it was clear that they were all going to go home and do nothing but relax. They were all gathering their things when Brittany and Brody walked up to them all. "We just want to thank you guys for all your hard work today." Brittany told them. "I know it's more than you're used to, but you all did really well."
"Helps when we have great teachers." Hailey said. "You both had so much patience with us all. Probably more than we deserved at some points."
"Hailey is right. You two deserve so much credit." James told them. "This was a whole new experience for some of us you and guys made it feel as though it wasn't out of our reach or comfort zones."
"That's cause Britt had to deal with Beat last year." Jeff said with a laugh.
"Yea, yea. Funny Jeff, though it is true." Beat said.
"And while I know this doesn't need to be said, I'm going to say it anyway. Everyone go home and get some rest." Blaine said. "I have no doubt we all pushed ourselves today so we need to take care of ourselves as we've got another day of rehearsal tomorrow."
"What are we going to work on tomorrow?" Trent asked.
"Besides going over the opener again, we're going to start teaching the second number which is the ballad." Brody told them. "So it won't be as hard on your bodies."
Once they started to make their way downstairs to head home, Cooper and Lexi just looked at each other as they all passed by them on the stairs. Clearly unaware the two were sitting in the living room. "They all look beat." Cooper said.
"True, but they're also all smiling which means it was worth it."