Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your reviews on the last chapter. I appreciate it! I hope all of you got to see it, I know we were all cautious with the internet because of Heartbleed. I tried to keep this chapter somewhat similar to the canon Nationals (same setlist, though I did want all five Season 4/5 newbies from the show to have a part in one of the group numbers, so I changed up America a little), but of course, I did add in some Finchel! Hope you enjoy and review if you want me to keep going!
Chapter 10: City of Angels
The plane to LA was taking off from the Columbus airport, and Finn looked out the window. This was it, his last competition linked to the New Directions. He couldn't help but feel a little sad. Rachel took Finn's hand as the plane took off. "Excited to share a hotel room with me?"
Leave it to Rachel to make him feel better. "Of course!"
"Though we did manage to sneak a few shares last year," Rachel whispered.
"What are you two whispering about?" Quinn asked. She and Puck were next to Finn and Rachel on the plane.
"Do you really want to know?" Finn asked.
"Well, probably not," Puck admitted.
Finn smirked and kissed Rachel. "That's what I thought."
"Hi Quinn," a voice said. Rachel, Finn, Puck and Quinn looked up and saw Joe.
"Hi Joe," Quinn said. "How've you been?"
"I'm good, getting ready for my senior year," Joe said. "So, you're with Puck now?"
"Yeah," Quinn said. "I'm sorry things didn't work out last year. I don't think it was the right time for a serious relationship."
"That's okay," Joe said. "I started dating Sugar, but I hope we can still be friends."
"Of course," Quinn said. "Nice to see you."
When Joe left, Puck turned to Quinn. "Well, I now know he's happy with Sugar, and Finn obviously is sticking with Rachel. What about Sam?"
"I think Sam's getting back into Mercedes," Finn told Puck. Sam had been talking about Mercedes a lot lately.
"So I have nothing to worry about," Puck said.
"That's right," Quinn said.
Finn felt something against him. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Rachel had leaned up against him and fallen asleep. "Someone's tired," Puck said.
"She doesn't like flying," Finn said. "And this is a pretty long flight." He wasn't complaining though. He liked the feeling of Rachel up against him.
x
The plane landed in LA and the New Directions were bussed to their hotel. Finn, Rachel and Kurt were sharing a hotel room that happened to be next to Blaine, Sam and Artie's. During the free time, Finn and Rachel went to the hotel pool so Kurt and Blaine could have some time in the hotel room. When Finn and Rachel were at the pool, it was time for Kurt and Blaine to have a private conversation in the privacy of their hotel room.
"Kurt, there's something you should know," Blaine said. He knew that since he'd talked to Sam, Tina, Finn and Burt there was a chance that Kurt would find out at some point or another, but he wanted to be the one to tell Kurt.
"Okay, I'm listening," Kurt said.
"I was considering proposing to you," Blaine admitted.
Kurt looked surprised. "Proposing? Blaine, we just got back together."
Blaine was afraid to admit the next part to Kurt. "It was before we got back together."
"So, you wanted to get back together by proposing to me?" Kurt said.
"Yeah," Blaine said. "I wanted to get you back in a big way - but maybe now isn't the right time."
"I would like you to propose to me eventually," Kurt said. "But we just got back together."
Blaine felt better about that. "I love you."
"I love you too," Kurt said. "I just needed time to recover from what happened."
"I know," Blaine said. "I can't stop saying I'm so sorry for what happened."
"I know," Kurt said. "Let's see how living together in New York goes."
"So you're okay with me living in the loft?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah," Kurt said. "I like the idea of living with you, and since Finn's living in the loft too and Sam, Artie and Tina have to live in dorms, it would be too expensive for you to get your own apartment."
"Yeah, and we heard Rachel's stories about the NYADA dorm," Blaine said as they climbed on to Kurt's bed, both knowing that one day, even though not now, they would be married.
x
"You look hot in your bikini," Finn said to Rachel as they sat by the side of the hotel pool.
"Of course you think so," Rachel giggled.
"Well, I guess you're right," Finn said. "So, what do you think of LA?"
"It's nice," Rachel said. "Warm and sunny."
"Remember last year when I suggested we move here?" Finn asked.
Rachel thought for a minute. "Yeah. I'm sorry for how I acted."
"You had a point," Finn said. "You are Broadway bound."
A year ago Rachel would have said that for sure. Now she wasn't so sure. "That's what I thought back then."
"You still are," Finn said.
"I don't know, Finn," Rachel said. "However, I'm glad you realized you're so much better than cleaning pools."
"You always thought so," Finn said.
"And I always will," Rachel said as she leaned in to kiss Finn.
"Well, well, look who's here," a voice said. Rachel looked up and saw Jesse St. James. "Finn, if I were you, I'd wear a swimshirt," Jesse said. "You could stand to get rid of a few."
Well, Rachel now knew that some people would never change. "Finn's got a great body."
"You, however, look great, Rachel," Jesse said. "I heard about Funny Girl."
Finn stood up and put his arm around Rachel. "Don't make her feel bad about it."
"They must be on something," Jesse said. "Maybe it's because I wasn't trying out with you."
"Jesse, stop it," Rachel said. "I love Finn."
"I thought you two broke up," Jesse said.
"We did, but we're back together now, and we're staying together," Finn said.
"Finn?" Jesse said to Rachel. "You can do so much better. You and I could take Broadway by storm."
"Stop it," Rachel said.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" Finn asked Jesse. "Vocal Adrenaline got beaten by Throat Explosion at their Regionals, if I'm remembering correctly."
"I'm just here to scope out the competition," Jesse said.
"Well, you can look forward to another New Directions win," Finn said as he led Rachel into the pool.
"I was hoping he wouldn't be here," Rachel said to Finn.
"You know he loves this type of stuff," Finn said. "Don't worry, I'm here."
"I know," Rachel said as she kissed Finn. "Finn, can I tell you something?"
"You know you can always tell me anything," Finn said.
"I'm considering transferring colleges," Rachel said. "I'm tired of Cassandra July, tired of Brody."
"But this is your dream!" Finn said.
"I've been doing some thinking," Rachel told Finn. "Maybe part of the reason why I've been so focused on Broadway is because my dads had me in singing and dancing and acting classes and watching Broadway musicals since I was a toddler and I don't know much else."
"Are you sure you're not just talking that way because you're upset about Funny Girl?" Finn asked.
"This was the worst year of my life," Rachel said. "And what did I spend the year focused on? NYADA and Broadway."
"I think you might just be upset about Funny Girl," Finn said. "Let's just enjoy this week and then when we get home we can talk about the fall."
Rachel gave Finn a kiss. "Sounds good."
x
Meanwhile, Brittany and Santana were sitting in the hotel's game room. "I've missed you," Brittany said to Santana.
"I've missed you too," Santana said. She knew she had to tell Brittany the truth. She'd told other people that Brittany knew about Dani, but she really hadn't. It was possible that someone else would tell Brittany about her, and she wanted to be the one to tell her.
"So, are you dating anyone in New York?" Brittany asked.
"Well... no," Santana said. That was true.
"Well, I'm not dating anyone at MIT," Brittany said.
"Well, if I'm going to be honest, I am interested in someone in New York," Santana admitted. She'd already lied to Kurt and Rachel, and one of them was bound to say something to Brittany if she didn't.
Brittany looked upset. "Who is she?"
"She works at the diner with me, Kurt and Rachel," Santana said. "She really helped me adjust to the diner and we've been hanging out. She's really nice and I have fun with her."
"Oh," Brittany said. "Well, that's good."
"You're okay with this?" Santana asked.
"Yeah, I just said I was, didn't I?" Brittany said. But she didn't look like she was okay with it.
x
The week in LA flew by. Before anyone knew it, it was the night before the competition, and Mr. Schue, Finn and the graduates had just watched the team run through their setlist. Finn thought they looked and sounded great, but he had no idea what they were up against.
"Okay, I think we're going to do really well tomorrow," Finn told the group.
"I hope so," Marley said.
"You guys are going to be amazing," Rachel said. "Every time I've heard you guys practice, you've sounded better, and I think you'll sound even better tomorrow."
Finn smiled at Rachel, her optimism was definitely sexy. "Yeah, listen to her."
"So you think we have a chance?" Jake asked.
"Definitely," Mr. Schue said. "You guys have so much talent. Now tonight, I just want you guys to have as much fun as possible."
The group began to leave, and Ryder came up to Finn and Rachel. "Hey, I just wanted to thank you guys for convincing me to come back to Glee."
"It was my pleasure," Finn said. "Glee club is such a special place, and I didn't want you to miss out on it."
"Yeah, I'm glad to be back," Ryder said. "This week's been a lot of fun, and I'm really not mad at Unique anymore. She's a really great girl, you know?"
"She is very talented," Rachel said. "And she seems nice."
"Both those things are true," Ryder said. "Well, thanks again."
x
The next day, the New Directions headed to the convention center for the competition, and the alumni could spend some time with the current New Directions members before they had to go to the team area. Since Rachel had been assigned to mentor Kylie for the week, she decided to talk to her a little before the New Directions went backstage. "You ready?" Rachel asked.
"I think so," Kylie said.
"Hey, I know you were nervous, but you're really talented," Rachel said. "I know you're afraid to sing solos in front of a lot of people now, but you're only a freshman, and I can see you one day leading a big number one day if you're ready."
"Wow," Kylie said. "Thanks so much."
"I really liked working with you this week," Rachel said.
"I'm really glad that you recruited me for glee," Kylie said. "If it wasn't for glee, I'd probably not have friends at this school yet."
"I didn't have friends until I joined glee either," Rachel said.
Mr. Schue came up to them. "Kylie, we'd better get backstage."
"Good luck!" Rachel said.
Kylie gave Rachel a hug before going to join the rest of the glee club. "Thanks!"
When Kylie was gone, Finn came up to Rachel. "So, this is it."
Rachel smiled at her boyfriend. "Kick some ass. They sounded great yesterday. Almost as good as a Finchel-led New Directions."
Finn gave Rachel a half smile. "Well, nothing can beat Finchel."
"These guys are close enough," Rachel said. "You've done an amazing job this year, and no matter what, they win today, because they had you."
Finn gave Rachel a big hug. "I love you."
"I love you too," Rachel said. She gave Finn a quick kiss before going to join Kurt, Santana, Quinn, Puck, Mike, Mercedes and Brittany in the stands. The first few groups she'd heard were pretty good. She personally didn't think they were as good as New Directions, but was she biased? She was nervous for Finn.
Finally, the New Directions were announced, and the curtains came up to reveal Blaine and Tina center stage for their duet with everyone else behind them to back them up.
Blaine: I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
Blaine and Tina: I closed my eyes and I slipped away
Blaine: It's more than a feeling
Tina: When I hear that old song they used to play
Blaine and Tina: And I begin dreaming
Tina: 'Til I see Marianne walk away
Blaine: I see my Marianne walkin' away, hey!
When I'm tired and thinking cold
Blaine and Tina: I hide in my music, forget the day
Blaine: And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
Blaine and Tina: She slipped away
Blaine (New Directions): It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling)
Tina: When I hear that old song they used to play (New Directions: More than a feeling)
Blaine and Tina (New Directions): And I begin dreaming (More than a feeling)
Tina and Blaine: 'Til I see Marianne walk away
Blaine: More than a feeling
The duet had sounded great, and the alumni were on their feet. To Rachel's delight, so were most of the other people in the audience. The next number was one of the two group numbers, this one featuring several of the new members. Rachel was excited for them to have their first chance to sing on a National stage.
Artie: Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Kitty and Sam: Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
Kitty: On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Kitty and Unique: Never looking back again
They're coming to America
Sam: Home
Don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Artie: Home
To a new and a shiny place
Make our bed and we'll say our grace
New Directions: Freedom's light burning warm
Artie: Freedom's light burning warm
New Directions: Freedom's light burning warm!
Ryder: Everywhere around the world (Marley: Everywhere!)
They're coming to America (Marley: They're coming to America!)
Every time that (Marley: flag's unfurled)
They're coming to America (Marley: Ooh!)
Jake: Got a dream to take them there
New Directions: They're coming to America
Jake: Got a dream they've come to share
New Directions: They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today (Artie: We're coming!) (Marley: We're coming!)
Today (Jake: Today!) (Ryder: Oooh!)
Today (Unique: Today!) (Artie: We're comin', Oooo!)
Today (Kitty: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!) (Artie: Today)
New Directions: They're coming to America (Unique: Coming to America!)
They're coming to America (Artie: Oh-woah!) (Artie and Kitty: Today!)
They're coming to America (Unique: America!) (Today)
They're coming to America (Unique: Today, oh!) (Today)
(Ooh!) (Unique: We're coming) (Ooh!) Today
Today! (Unique: They're coming to America)
(Ooooh!) Today! (Artie: Today!)
Two great numbers were down, and there was one to go. This last number was one of Finn's favorite songs, and Rachel knew Finn had been so happy that Blaine and Kylie had selected it for the setlist. It was also heavily featuring all four seniors, which was nice because all four of them would get some time to shine in their last competition.
Sam: I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
Blaine and Sam: I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
Blaine: These city walls
Only to be with you
New Directions: But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Artie: I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burnt like fire
This burning desire
Tina: I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held (Artie: I have held!) the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone (Artie: Cold as a stone!)
New Directions: But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Blaine and Tina: I believe (Artie: I believe) in the kingdom come (Artie: Ooh)
Then all the colors will bleed into one (Artie: Bleed into one)
Bleed into one (Artie: Ooo) (Tina: Yeah...)
Blaine: But yes I'm still running (Tina: Yes I'm still running) (Artie: Yes I'm still running!)
Sam: You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Oh my shame (Artie: Ooh)
You know I believe it (Artie: Believe it...)
New Directions: But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Blaine, Sam, Artie and Tina: But I still haven't found what I'm looking for!
Whatever the results turned out to be, the New Directions had put forth their best effort, and Rachel was proud of Finn and of all of them. At this moment, she was so proud to be an alumni of this organization.
The rest of the performances were good too, but as far as Rachel was concerned, no one deserved the title more than New Directions. Sure enough, the New Directions were in the top three, along with Throat Explosion and the Amazonians, and as they stood there waiting, Rachel's heart was beating at a million miles per hour for Finn.
The Amazonians were announced as the third place team, and then Rachel gripped Kurt's hand as they waited to hear the winner. The MC said that the New Directions were second, and that first place went to Throat Explosion.
x
"Are you sure you're okay?" Rachel asked Finn for what felt like the millionth time. After their defeat, Mr. Schue had told Finn to take tonight off to go out with Rachel for dinner. Rachel had told Finn that she'd pay tonight, and he knew that was because she felt sorry for him.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Finn said, leaning across the table and taking Rachel's hand. "I just wanted to win."
"I know you did," Rachel said softly. "And I think you deserved to win."
"Sure, that Canadian guy who was the lead of Throat Explosion was good, but..." Finn didn't know what to say. Jean Baptiste was good.
"Second place is still pretty good," Rachel said. "It is better when we finished 12th our junior year."
"Remember how everyone blamed it on our kiss?" Finn asked.
"I think that kiss made the performance even better!" Rachel said. "I think we lost because that Light Up The World song was... not good."
Finn managed to laugh. "Hey, our duet was good. It makes me kind of sad that both times we did a duet, we lost."
"Both times, we were robbed, in my opinion," Rachel said. "But look, no matter how many trophies there are, we've all won, because we're part of something amazing."
"I won you from glee," Finn said.
"And I won you," Rachel said. "Let's just enjoy our last night in LA."
"Of course," Finn said.
Chapter 11 preview: New Directions and alumni return to Lima for the graduation of the Class of 2013. Rachel hears back from Funny Girl about whether she got to be the understudy.
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