Two Steps Beyond
Part 118
When Santana and the girls came walking through the doors at Dalton, Jacob was there waiting for them. "Wow, that's something we haven't seen in a while."
"And what would that be?" Santana asked as they headed towards the theater.
"Either of these two smiling. I take it everything has been taken care of?"
"It has." Megan replied. "Jen freaked when Santana outed her for everything she'd done to us."
"Think, if they really wanted to scare her, your brothers could've always asked Seb to join her." All three of them couldn't help but giggle.
"I'm sure Seb would've relished that fact as he's been rather composed as of late." Santana told him. "Speaking of the boys, did Blaine get ahold of you? He sent me a text to ask you something if he hadn't been able to reach you."
"He did and everything has been taken care of. And I should probably tell you this; you're going to have quite the audience."
"What do you mean?" Ally asked as they walked through the theater doors.
"The fact that they're all here." Santana said with a laugh. "Since when are there that many Warblers?"
"It's not just the Warblers; it's the Junior Warblers as well." Jacob told her. "Logan thought you deserved a full support system. And who better than us."
"I appreciate that. Now, are you sure you have no problems choosing songs?" Santana asked as the girls took seats near the Warblers.
"Not at all." Logan said as he approached. "We used to do things like this all the time last year. Random vocal battles are fun, especially when you don't get to choose the song. You're better off doing it here than there because not only do we have better acoustics, but we have a bigger music library."
"What's with the camera and monitor?" Ally asked.
"Well, we wanted video proof of Santana putting Jen in her place." Jacob told her. "Felt it would be good entertainment for a later date."
"Now, please tell me there is a lyric prompt in case you pick something I'm not familiar with." Santana said as she placed her purse and coat on a chair.
"There is. That was something Wes got when he was here. It's part of the reason why Blaine has such a vast repertoire. According to Thad, Blaine would disappear for hours singing whatever came on the screen." Logan told them. "Lovely, they're here." He said upon watching the girls from Crawford walk into the theater.
"Now, you girls don't have to sit with them if you don't want to." Santana told them.
"We know." Ally replied.
Santana was just finishing up when a bunch of the girls came running towards them. "Guess, I don't have to worry about them being alone." She said quietly towards Logan and Jacob.
"I don't think so either. I think they're all thrilled that Jen's bullshit was exposed." Jacob told her.
"Why didn't either of you do it?"
"Because we wanted to go to the faculty and neither of them wanted that. They didn't want her to get expelled." Logan told her.
"She's damn lucky they're both so sweet."
"You better not be requesting songs." Jen said as she approached the three of them.
"I'm not. So, are you ready to do this?" Santana said as got onto the stage.
"Bring it!"
Once the two of them were on stage, Logan got onto it as well and explained the rules. Seeing as this little showdown was happening at Dalton, Warbler rules applied. Clearly Jen wasn't happy that they couldn't say no to a song and that there was no changing of lyrics to fit gender. And that you couldn't adjust the song, you needed to sing it as written. Nor was she happy to hear that the Warbler council would decide the winner, though they'd take crowd reaction into account. Also if there was a draw, there would be a sing off.
"I can't believe you boys have all these fucking rules." Jen exclaimed.
"It's so that the playing ground is even. So, who wants to go first?" Logan asked.
"She can." Santana replied before glancing into the audience and looking at the girls. There was an empty seat next to them, which she assumed Logan would be sitting in as it was next to Jacob. She then looked at the Warblers, and recognized quite a few but had to do a double take when she swore she saw Wes. But then remember that his brother was a part of the Warblers this year.
"Alright, well then, Santana take a seat and Jen, take center stage. Your first song will be a rock ballad."
"What?" Logan just shook his head before hopping off the stage and taking a seat. "That doesn't show range."
"But it will show more than you realize, you're going to have to control your voice to get the message across." Jacob told her. Once the song popped up on the monitor Jen shook her head. "Remember, you have to sing whatever it is." The song was Every Rose Has Its Thorn, by Poison. She got the first verse out and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't good either. And Santana had to do her best not to giggle. But once she tried to do things with the song that wasn't supposed to happen, the composure of the audience vanished and the guys basically booed her off the stage before she was even halfway done. And while the girls from Crawford didn't boo, they clearly felt the same as the guys did. "Your turn Santana."
Santana got up from her spot on the stage floor and moved to center stage. As she waited for a song to come on the monitor she smiled seeing Ally and Megan smiling at her. If there was ever a day her voice needed to do its thing, it was today. "Okay Santana, our recent grads would approve of this greatly." Logan told her as the lyrics loaded. "Ready?"
"Ready." As Santana took a deep breath, Ally took her phone out as she knew her brother would love to see whatever it was that Santana was going to sing.
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Where every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure
Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you babe
And I don't want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you babe
And I don't want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God we're together
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever
I don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you babe
And I don't want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you babe
And I don't want to miss a thing
I don't want to miss one smile
I don't want to miss one kiss
I just want to be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time Yeah yeah yeah
As the track finished, Santana took a deep breath before slowly opening her eyes that she hadn't realized she'd closed some time while she was singing. When she opened them everyone was on their feet, including the girls from Crawford. Everyone was smiling widely and Ally and Megan were literally jumping up and down as Santana knocked the song out of the park. Once everyone started to calm down a bit, Jacob said they'd take a five minute break in case either vocalist needed a drink before moving on.
"What do you bet she was thinking of Nick when she was singing?" Megan said to Ally who was preparing to watch the video she took.
"Oh, I don't doubt it one bit."
"Are you going to send it to him now, or wait?"
"I'm going to wait till she's done, then send them all at once."
Once they both took the stage again, Logan walked to the front of it. "I hate to do this to you Santana, but you need to go first this time."
"No problem, I'm good to go."
"You sure?"
"She said she was fine!" Jen stated and Santana just shook her head at the response before smiling at Logan before he went back to his seat.
"This round is going to be Diva." A smile crept to Santana's face wondering if they chose this specifically for her. "Santana, you get Beyoncé."
"That's not fair."
"How is that not fair?" Jacob asked. When she didn't respond Jacob sat back and looked at Logan.
"Guys, seeing what song this is, do you mind if I have some back-up singers?" Santana asked. As the guys discussed, she looked at Ally and Megan.
"We don't have a problem with that. Ladies?" Logan asked as he looked across at Sarah.
"No problem with that as long as Jen is afforded the same."
"She will be if she requests them." Jacob told them. "Should we even ask who you want?"
"You can though I'm sure you know." Santana replied as the girls got up from their seats. As Megan got on stage, Ally walked over to Logan.
"Could you record this, I want to send it to Nick?"
"Of course." He replied before taking her phone from her.
Remember those walls I built
Well, baby they're tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make a sound
I found a way to let you in
But, I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo
I got my angel now
It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm taking
I ain't never gonna shut you out!
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby, I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby, I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away
I can feel your halo, halo, halo
I can see your halo, halo, halo
I can feel your halo, halo, halo
I can see your halo, halo...
Halo, ooh ooh...
Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't begin to pull me back to the ground again
It's like I've been awakened
Every rule I had you breakin'
It's the risk that I'm taking
I'm never gonna shut you out!
As Santana sang, one of the other girls leaned over to Sarah. "Jen is screwed; Ally and Megan weren't kidding when they said Nick's girlfriend could sing."
"No kidding. I'm hoping she'll bow out gracefully before embarrassing herself further. There is no way she can compete with this. And considering our early conversation, we're having soloist auditions on Monday, everyone is eligible including freshmen."
"Nick, your phone just went off." Hunter told him, as he, Nick, and Thad had set all their phones on a table away from the pool table.
"Thanks, it must be Santana as I haven't heard from her except for her telling me she arrived safely."
"Should we give you some privacy?" Thad asked after taking his shot.
"No, but thanks for the offer. Would you please toss it to me Hunter?"
"Sure, but don't get your hopes up as that text wasn't from Santana." Hunter said as he tossed Nick the phone. Upon glancing at the phone Nick smiled.
"This is one time hearing from my sister is almost as welcomed." When Nick scrunched his face slightly Thad walked closer to him.
"What's up, everything okay?" He asked before Nick showed him his phone.
Nick, thought you'd appreciate these - Love Ally
Btw, thanks for sending her.
"So, are you going to watch as we know they're not kinky considering your sister sent them?" Thad asked as he and Hunter were now standing on either side of Nick. "Or as I offered before, Hunter and I can give you some privacy."
"No, need. But I'll wait till I get home and watch on a bigger screen."
"If you want to watch now, you can send whatever it is to the television in here as it has the capabilities." Hunter told him.
"Sure, if you guys don't mind."
"Not at all, I'm curious as to what she could've sent." Thad said as Nick handed Hunter his phone so he could set things up. "Judging from that message everything must've gone well."
"I'd say so too considering I can't remember the last time my sister told me she loved me except for when I left for New York." Once Hunter had everything set up, the guys pulled stools over and set them in front of the television. As the video started, Nick and Thad exchanged confused looks.
"What is Santana doing on a stage?" Hunter asked.
"The bigger questions should be what is she doing on stage at Dalton?" Thad said just before the music started. The three sat there, watching and listening to Santana sing. At one point Thad and Hunter looked across Nick at each other and smiled seeing the daze their friend was in. He was completely mesmerized by her performance. As it neared the end, Nick's phone went off again, this time the text informed him that Santana had won the sing-off and truly put Jen in her place. "Should we let you compose yourself before Hunter starts the second one?" Thad asked.
"No, I'm good." Nick replied as he couldn't wipe the smile off his face if he tried. When the second song began the guys all looked at each other upon noticing the sisters on stage with Santana. But once the second song began, Nick got completely lost in it. He reminded himself as he listened that he was going to need to thank his sister for sending these to him.
"I don't think it takes a genius to know who she's thinking about as she sings." Thad said softly before nudging Nick gently. While he knew Nick heard him, not a word was said.
"She was incredible." Hunter said once the video ended. "And I agree with Thad, there is no doubt she was thinking of you when she sang. You're a very lucky guy."
"I am, aren't I?"
"You are." Thad told him. "Now, Hunter and I are going to go get something to drink so you can call your girl."
"I don't…"
"Call her." Hunter said before the two of them headed out of the game room. "I think it's safe to say he was blown away."
"Definitely." Thad told Hunter as they headed towards the kitchen.
Once they were out of the room, Nick took his phone off of the table and sent a quick text to his sister thanking her before giving Santana a call. He was beginning to think voicemail was going to pick up but he soon heard her voice on the other end. "Hey."
"Hey yourself." Nick replied. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"Not at all. I was just getting into the car which is why it took me a second to answer. I thought you were going out tonight."
"I did, I'm at Hunter's. But he and Thad decided I needed to call you."
"And why is that, were you grumpy?" She asked in a flirtatious tone.
"Quite the opposite actually, I'm extremely happy."
"Now you have me curious Nicky, what has you so happy considering I'm not there?"
"Well, my sister sent me a few videos she felt I needed to see."
"She didn't."
"She did, and I must say you were incredible. Thad and Hunter agreed."
"They saw?"
"Yea, and you have nothing to be embarrassed about, you were amazing. We actually watched the videos on the big screen. You killed both of those numbers, but I can't help but ask why you were singing on stage at Dalton."
"I will tell you all about it once I get back to the city. But I will tell you, things are going to get better for Ally and Megan."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, and so you know, I behaved though I wanted nothing more than to slap that bitch."
"Well, I'm glad you restrained from slapping her. Though know I was prepared as Dave called his Dad just in case."
"Thanks for the faith Nicky."
"It wasn't that I didn't have faith in you, it's that I know your emotions can often get the better of you. Now, where are you off to as I'm assuming you were just leaving Dalton?"
"I'm heading home, though I don't know why considering I just have to head back to Westerville in the morning to get the girls."
"Excuse me?"
"Yea, after everything that's gone on I decided they both needed a fun day out so we're all going to spend the day together before going over to your parents' place for dinner."
"You're going to brave dinner with my parents without me, you're quite brave my dear."
"It's not just your parents; Jeff's family will be there as well. It seems both Moms want to take advantage of their girls actually being home."
"I wish I could be there with you."
"I know, but I don't doubt you'll find a way to make it up to me."
"That can definitely be arranged. Now, are you still taking the flight Sunday morning as planned?"
"I am which is why your Mom is letting me stay in your old room tomorrow night. She didn't think it was right for me to have to drive all the way from Lima in the morning."
"That was nice of her."
"And it has nothing to do with your recommendation."
"Okay, maybe I might've called her and mentioned that your flight back was early Sunday."
"I'm glad you did. I wasn't looking forward to leaving Lima at the crack of dawn. And sleeping in your room sounds like the perfect way to spend my night, though I'd prefer if you were there with me."
"You're not the only one. Remember; don't mention to either set of parents why you came home."
"Don't worry, I won't. I had a chance to talk with Ally and Megan and they both made it pretty clear they don't want either set of parents to know and I'll respect that. But I also told them if anything else should happen, they need to report it immediately and they agreed."
"Thank you. You really didn't need to do this for me and Jeff. I appreciate it more than you realize."
"I'm glad to have been able to do it. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, you know that, right?"
"I do. That goes both ways."
"I know. Well, I should probably let you go as I'm sure Thad and Hunter are all set to give you a hard time about how long we've been talking."
"They can't bitch since they insisted I call you."
"Alright, but I still need to go. You realize you've talked for almost my entire drive and I don't want to walk into my home on the phone. So, I'll call you in the morning."
"I can't wait. I miss you."
"I miss you too Nicky, night."
Songs: I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, written by: Diane Warren
Halo, written by: Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart and Knowles