Shelby walked to Jack's classroom.

"You're leaving?"

"Rachel told you."

"She didn't have to tell me anything. So, that's it? After everything, you're not coming back?"

"I just think I'm shouldering too much responsibility."

"You were gonna leave without saying goodbye."

"No. I would never… I would never leave without saying goodbye to you."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to. It hurt too much. Look, this is a big opportunity for me. They heard about everything I was doing here and they were impressed with me. I was just afraid that if you knew, you'd… But I really wouldn't leave without goodbye. I'm sorry."

Shelby sighed, "I don't want you to go. But if this is what you want, then I can't stop you. You earned this. And I'm happy for you." She hugged him and he hugged her back.

"Uh…Shelby…"

Shelby kissed his cheek. "Goodbye, Jack. Wherever you end up, they'll be lucky to have you."

Jack picked up his bag. "You deserve to be happy, too." He then walked out. Shelby was covering her mouth, trying to keep herself from crying.

In the choir room, Finn said, "Sectionals are in our auditorium for the first time since 1963."

Will said, "We need to sing something upbeat."

"Mr. Shue, we need star power. We need Victoria Sanchez."

"Tori transferred. No one knows where that woman is."

"She lives somewhere in Cleveland. Even foreign people have Facebook."

Claire and Anne Marie were seated together at the Lima Bean.

Claire sighed, "If we don't win at Sectionals, I pretty much have nothing to live for."

"New Directions are a mess," Anne Marie pouted. "We could lose, Claire, and I can't do anything about it. Every time I open my mouth, Shelby gives me these looks like, 'Does she even know what she's doing?' I know what I'm doing."

Sebastian came by and sat down. "Maybe she's just jealous. You were ranting."

"What would Shelby Corcoran ever have a reason to be jealous of me?"

Claire asked, "What do you want, Sebastian?"

Smythe answered, "Hey, I'm just trying to have a friendly conversation."

"Yeah, well, your definition of 'friendly' must be different than ours."

Anne Marie said, "Oh, uh, congrats on the Warbler win at your Sectionals. We're up this week."

Smythe said, "Well, if anyone can whip the New Directions into style, it's Blaine Anderson. I gotta run. Take care."

Rachel went to Shelby's apartment. "Shelby? Shelby." She walked to the bedroom. Shelby was in her bed, depressed and heartbroken. "Have you ever gotten out of bed today?"

"What's the point, Rachel? Everything hurts. I just lost my best friend."

"You haven't lost him. He's just going away on a business trip."

"You don't know that."

"I know him. Jack has fierce loyalty. He's not gonna abandon us. Maybe he'll come back."

Shelby wiped her tears and sniffled. "I never should've let him go."

"You let him go because you care so much about him. You were only thinking of him. I know you miss him. I miss him, too. Come on, we have Sectionals to prepare for. Do you need me to get you some coffee?"

Anne Marie and Ian walked into a bar. The found Tori dancing for men.

Anne Marie said, "Holy crap."

Ian said, "Table for two, please."

Tori said, "Ian?" In the back room, she said, "What else was I supposed to do? After Holly left, I ran out of options. I needed to do something to get the old juices flowing."

Anne said, "Tori, we need you to come back for Sectionals."

"But I'm not a student."

"We just need you for some advice and emotional support."

Will said, "Sectionals are gonna be a challenge."

Kurt said, "Mr. Shue, all the sparkling cider in the world will not change the fact that the Titanic has hit the iceberg and now we're on a sinking ship."

Tori walked in and said, "Not if I can help it."

Finn said, "Aw, let's hear it for Tori Sanchez!"

Tori said, "It's time to get a little acoustic back in this joint. Oh!" Then she started strumming a guitar. She was singing China Anne McClain's version of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite."

Claire said, "Red Solo Cup, you are not just a cup."

Anne Marie said, "Hell no."

"You're my…"

"Friend?"

"You're my friend. Thank you for being my friend, Red Solo Cup."

The next day, the girls were practicing their dancing.

Anne Marie said, "Let's take what's most appealing as a group."

Claire said, "Yeah, how about something like, um…?" She spun. "Like that."

Rachel said, "Cute."

"Give it a spin and we begin."

Tori said, "Okay, God, stop. Claire, this is totally overdone. What we need to sell is sex."

"What is that?"

"That's a, it's a pelvic thrust."

"Yeah. Tori, that might be what we need."

Anne Marie said, "No. That's not what we need. It's cheap. It's selling out."

Tori said, "Look, I came back here so that you guys could win. You need to use your assets to get that advantage. This is the advantage."

"Of course that's what you think. You have to think that in order to sleep at night."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means that unlike you, I'm not for sale."

They push each other. The others stopped them.

Anne Marie walked out. "Forget it." Claire sighed.

Anne Marie started punching a bag in the gym. Shelby walked in. "That Sue's face?"

"Yep. Yours too. Don't act so surprised. After getting picked on so much, I took up boxing. I also started my own fight club, which I obviously can't talk about. What is your problem with me anyway?! Ever since I got here, you have given me nothing but crap!"

"Honestly, I was kind of jealous." Anne Marie scoffed. Shelby went on, "I felt threatened. Your sweetness and talent freaked me out. Made me question whether I was a good coach. Look, Anne Marie, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't be taking anything out on you. Now more than ever, we need to be on the same page, united."

Anne Marie nodded, "Tell me what you need me to do."

"We have an opportunity. To be remembered at this school for doing the impossible. And it all starts right here with us. I just want to be able to look across that stage at you and know that we did everything that we could. No holding back."

Anne Marie sighed, "Let's get to work."

Shelby chuckled, "All right." They bump fists. Anne Marie smiled.

Sectionals were being held in the auditorium. Blaine said, "You want to sing from your diaphragm as much as possible."

Finn said, "Oh, and if you forget the words, uh, just keep your lips moving. Hopefully nobody will notice."

Tina said, "Break a leg out there. What?"

Mike glared, "Why would you try and talk to my dad? He almost didn't let me come tonight."

Claire tied her bowtie. "Finger's caught."

Shelby giggled. "May I?" She helped her with it.

"Aren't these things supposed to come with clips?"

"Not if you're older than 12. There."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. See you on the ice, Claire."

Finn walked to Rachel. "Hey. Why aren't you wearing your suit?"

"I miss Jack too much. I really wish he were here right now."

"Sad?"

"Devastated."

Finn nodded. "Come on." They hold hands and walk together.

The announcer called, "And now, the judges for this year's Sectionals. DMV employee of the month, Brandy Englebert! From the 11th District Court, Honorable Judge Dorothy Saunders. And Tickles the Clown!" Applause and cheers. "And now, from Defiance, Ohio, the Unitards!" Harmony was singing "Buenos Aires."

Kurt said, "Oh, my God, it's the Gerber baby."

Rachel said, "This is criminal. I should be singing that song."

Applause and cheering.

Emma said, "Wow."

Will said, "Ah, didn't count on that one."

Rachel was in the hallway. She pulled out her cell phone and speed-dialed Jack. "Hey, Jack, it's Rachel. You said to call you when you reach California. You're there, right? Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know Sectionals are happening right now. I really miss you. I know what you said, and I know I said, but if you could just… I really want you to come back. After Sectionals are over, I won't stop you from living your dream. Okay, that's all I wanted to say, so…I guess…goodbye." She sighed and hung up.

A familiar voice said, "How's your show goin'"?

Rachel turned around and Jack chuckled. "Oh, my God." She ran to him and hugged him. "Is this really happening? Is all this a dream?"

Jack kissed her cheek.

"If this is a dream, I don't ever want to wake up."

Jack chuckled.

"But…I thought you were…"

"I couldn't get on that plane. Like I was gonna miss my favorite singer in the world perform."

"I'm really glad you're here. I guess I'd better change. I have to get on that stage." She ran off, happy as hell.

Shelby looked at her cell phone. "I should've told you when I had the chance." She sighed heavily.

Jack showed up at the doorway. "Hey, cutie." Shelby turned and Jack went on, "You know, I was afraid I wasn't gonna get the chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight."

"Jack…" They walked to each other and Shelby jumped on him, they were hugging. Jack spun around.

"Wait, shouldn't you be in LA right now?"

"I didn't get on."

"I didn't think you were gonna show up."

"Well, I figured I had to finish what I started."

"That's great." She wiped a tear and cleared her throat.

"Shelby…" "Jack…" They chuckled. They hugged again and when they looked at each other again, they leaned forward again, but it was interrupted when someone knocked.

Will said, "Hey, sorry, guys. Five minutes."

Jack said, "Well, I guess there's nothing left to say. Except…break a leg." Shelby kissed his other cheek, then said, "Has anybody ever told you that…you're really handsome?"

"It's come up."

Shelby chuckled. "You're a really good teacher, Jack. I've never met anyone with so much passion before. I like you, Jack. I really like you."

"Really? You do? I really like you, too."

Shelby chuckled and hugged him again. She sighed, "All right. We'd better get on that stage."

"And now, from Cleveland, Ohio, the Dulcet Dazzlers!"

Claire said, "We got this, right?"

Anne Marie said, "Yeah, we do." They bump fists.

"And now, from McKinley High, the New Directions!" Rachel and Claire started performing "Stir It Up" by Patti LaBelle and Joss Stone. Everyone was thrilled. Even Shelby and Jack were watching and they were impressed. Then they started singing "Friday Night" by Todd Carey and "Finally Falling" from "Victorious." (What a waste of a TV series.) The audience stood up, clapped and cheered. Will and Emma stood up as well. Shelby held Jack's hand. He looked down and their fingers intertwined. Everyone was clapping and cheering. Anne Marie and Tori shook hands. Finn and Blaine did the same. Quinn hugged Puck.

The New Directions were cheering over their victory. Tina and Quinn waltzed in together. Quinn said, "Come here," and hugged Rory.

Shelby and Anne Marie shook hands. Anne said, "We gave it our best shot."

"Yeah, we did." They hugged. Claire hugged Rachel from behind. "Congratulations, R&B," she told her.

"You too." They hugged.

Mike picked up Tina and grunted happily. She chuckled. He said, "I can't believe it. He actually came! He stood and…"

Mike's father stood in, "Michael. May I speak with you?" Outside he said, "Dancing is your talent and your dream. If this is your path, son, your mother and I will help you follow it however we can. Apply to the best dance schools."

"Dad," Mike hugged him. "I think I missed the deadlines."

"No, you didn't," Tina said. "I filled in your applications just in case. I did have to forge your signature, though."

"I love you so much." They hugged. She chuckled.

Tickles walked up to the mic and said, "As an award-winning clown, I'd like to say it's nice to see so many kids with talent. In third place, the Unitards!"

Applause and cheers.

Kurt said, "Harmony, I just wanted to tell you that you were really amazing."

Harmony said, "And just think I'm only a sophomore and I'm already this good. Next year's gonna be a bloodbath." Kurt looked at unease.

The clown announced, "In second place, the Dulcet Dazzlers! In first place, the New Directions!"

"What?!" Claire shouted. Shelby shouted, "Yes!" She and Jack hugged. Anne Marie and Ian leaned forward and hugged themselves. Rachel and Claire hugged, too. Tina and Quinn hoisted Claire on their shoulders. "Whoa!" she exclaimed. Will mouthed, "For you." Emma clapped.

Shelby found Jack in his classroom packing up and getting ready to leave.

"Looks like I'm going to be missing their victory party. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I really missed you."

"I really missed you, too."

"I'm going to enjoy my last few minutes as a teacher."

"Wait, what? You resigned, too? When?"

"Pretty much after you did. After you left, I didn't feel like I had a purpose here anymore."

"Well, we can't go back to Figgins now. After I turned down the promotion, the administrator told me that if I didn't come back, I can't have the job at all. But it was almost worth it to see you one last time."

Shelby put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him.

Jack was surprised, but then he closed his eyes. Shelby put her hand on his cheek. Jack ran his hand down her arm. "Wow," he said. "You really know what you're doing."

Shelby chuckled, "For the first time in my life, I have no idea what I'm doing. Jack, I want you to come to New York with me."

Jack was stunned by this. "You're not serious."

"I've never been more serious about anything. You bring out the best in me, Jack, and I can't go another minute, another second without you." She put her arms around him and then kissed him again. Jack hugged her. Shelby moaned.

"YES!"

Shelby and Jack stopped to look. Rachel was standing in the doorway. "Oh, God. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." They smiled. "I'm gonna leave you two alone now." She ran off excitedly. "Yes!"

Jack chuckled, "I think she approves." "Really? What gave you that idea?"

They kissed again.

The next day Rachel said, "I'm just hoping that the admissions board at NYADA see it as my artistic, rebellious attitude."

Claire said, "Good luck with that." She stood up.

"Claire, I really gotta say thanks. If it weren't for your radical song selections, we would've wound up at the bottom of Sectionals this year."

"It was a team effort, but I'll take the credit."

Rachel nodded, "We're kind of like sisters now, aren't we?"

"Heh. Yep." Claire sat down again. "What do you think about community college?"

"Oh, no, I have my sights set on NYADA."

"No, I know. I meant for me. They have a drama department and I really like to perform. I mean, I'm not the singer that you and Kurt are, but…it's something that I've always really wanted to do."

"Yeah, of course, that's perfect for you. Especially since you won't have me to compete with. You're a lot better than you know."

They stood up again. Claire said, "Well, I'll see you."

"Well, if you need help with your Yale application in two years…"

Claire nodded and they left. Rachel closed the door.

Shelby walked in. "That girl's got a real future."

"She's stronger than she knows." She smiled. "So…"

"So what?"

"Shelby's got herself a boyfriend."

Shelby laughed and blushed.

"Does he make you happy?"

"More than words can express." She sighed. "Rachel…I felt like I was floating."

"Almost like you were...defying gravity?"

"Well, hey, let's not get carried away here." They laughed.

"Well, I'm happy for you."

They walk out.

An extremely happy Jack ran to Rachel, picked her up and hugged her. "Rachel!"

"Aah!" She chuckled. "Oh, Jack."

"You didn't think I was gonna leave without saying goodbye to you, did you?"

"Never even crossed my mind."

"I can never thank you enough for what you did for me."

"Come to my Broadway debut and we'll call it even."

"It's a deal."

Rachel chuckled and he kissed her cheek.

Shelby walked in, "Hey. Clean thoughts, babe. That's my sister you're kissing."

Rachel said, "Take good care of her, Jack."

Jack said, "I will." He walks and says to Shelby, "I'll wait for you in the car." He kisses her cheek and heads out.

"Wow, he must really like you."

Shelby chuckled, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a black case. "This is for you." Rachel took it and opened it. "Shelby, I can't take this."

"It's yours now. It's a family heirloom. I want you to have it."

They hugged. Rachel said, "I'm gonna miss you like crazy."

Shelby said, "I'm gonna miss you, too." She kissed her head.

"Bye, Shelby." She walked.

"Bye, Rachel." As soon as Rachel walked away, Shelby said, "Thank you."

Mercedes said, "We were better."

Brittany said, "I don't know."

Santana said, "It was that damn Tori Sanchez."

Quinn talked to them, convinced them to come back. They did.

In the auditorium, they all started singing Cher's "Love is the Groove."