Figgins said, "I'm sorry, but since a student had lit firecrackers in his pants three years ago, we have a zero-tolerance no-violence policy."
Claire said, "Since when? Is that why you've suspended all those people for tossing Slushies in our faces for the past two years?"
"Slushies are not on the school board's approved list of suspend-worthy weapons."
Will spoke up, "Claire, we all saw what happened. You punched Santana in the face."
Claire said, "Oh, yeah? And how do we even know she even felt it?"
Figgins said, "I'm suspending you for two weeks. No argument."
Claire stated, "Sectionals are next week. If you suspend me now, I won't be able to beat the Cheerios' butts. Ms. Corcoran, I highly recommend you do something about this."
Will said, "I'm sorry, Claire. Sectionals are important, but you need to face the consequences of your actions."
Shelby said, "I hate to say it, but I agree."
Claire said, "Oh, please. You love to say it. Santana Lopez is fine."
Finn said, "She didn't punch her. I know it looked and sounded like she did, but she actually didn't. You know, what is it called in a movie or a play where you pretend to hit someone but you really don't?"
Shelby said, "Um, a stage hit."
"It was a stage hit. That's what it was."
Will asked, "What is your angle here, Finn?"
"The truth. If she didn't really hit her, you can't suspend her, right?"
"No," Figgins said, "I suppose not."
"Then that's what happened."
Finn and Claire were walking out of the office. Claire said, "I appreciate you sticking your neck out for me, Finn, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why."
"Well, I want Sectionals to be a fair fight, and that can't happen without you on our team."
"Well, it would actually be a fair fight with Santana off the team."
"I kind of feel bad for her. Look, we've been at it the past couple of years, but when people hide who they are, I feel like they hide something with it. That's why you act out, because you hurt inside. You may not feel like you're good at singing, but the truth is you are, and I think you're awesome."
"That's sweet, but if you think that in exchange for keeping me from getting suspended, I'm gonna come…"
"Back to glee. I have an idea for a lesson, but you need to be there."
"Did Mr. Shue and Ms. Corcoran already agree to this?"
"No, but it's up to you. Either come back to glee or enjoy your two-week vacation at Sectionals."
Jack walked to Rachel and Shelby.
Rachel smiled and said, "Jack, I didn't see you coming." Shelby turned around and smiled.
Jack said, "Just so you know, the polls are up and running and Kurt and Brittany are pretty much tied for first place."
Shelby said, "Wait, how is that possible?" Jack shrugged.
Rachel said, "Not to change the subject, but, Jack, don't you have any other neckties? Don't get me wrong. The black one is always a good look on you, but is that the only one you own?"
"I don't really have a lot of time to shop," he told her.
Shelby said, "It is a very good look for you." Jack straightened his tie and blushed. Shelby also blushed while putting her hair behind her ear.
Jack said, "I'll see you two in the choir room."
Rachel said, "What was that? What that power flirting?"
In the choir room, Finn was writing on the white board.
Mercedes said, "Can someone tell us what's going on, please?"
Finn announced, "This week, the New Directions will be singing music created by ladies and for ladies."
Santana declared, "Oh, hell no."
Finn continued, "Next week, all of us will be going to Sectionals, and one of us are gonna win. But, Santana, we're worried about you."
"Worry about yourself."
"Glee Club is about accepting yourself for who you are, no matter what people think. That's what this music is all about."
"So I don't even get a say in this?"
"Everybody in this room knows about you and Brittany. But we don't judge you for it. It's who you are. Not everybody outside this room is as accepting and cool, but we're doing this assignment this week so you know in this rotten, messed up world that you at least have a group of people who will support your choice to be whoever you want to be. That's it. That's what we're doing here."
Anne Marie said, "Kurt, Blaine, the floor is yours."
Blaine started, "Santana, Kurt and I have a song we like to sing in the car."
Kurt said, "I know it's hard. It was hard for me, too. But you can get through this."
Blaine said, "If you would just stop being so defensive."
Santana said, "I'm trying."
Will said, "Kurt, Blaine, why don't you, uh, kick us off with what you got?"They started to sing Pink's "Perfect." When they were done, the class applauded.
In the teacher's lounge, Shelby once again took one look at Jack and thought, "Wow. Jack looks really nice today." Jack poured some coffee and Shelby took a look at his…pants.
Emma noticed and said, "Oh, my God. Shelby was totally checking Jack out."
Beiste ate. Emma asked, "What is that animal you seem to be so noisily enjoying?"
"A chicken stuffed in a duck jammed in a turkey. A turducken. It's like a barnyard in a bite."
Emma said, "So I take it things are going well."
Will asked, "Why are you so tired?"
Beiste said, "I need to keep my strength up. I've been working hard as a student election adviser and my nights have been a lot, well, busier lately."
Will said, "Well, if you need our help."
Beiste said, "I could use your help running the election ballots."
Will said, "We are so happy for you, Coach."
Beiste nodded.
In the choir room, Claire was singing a rousing rendition of "Te Amo" by Rihanna. She was dancing with Anne Marie. Quinn was intrigued. Claire put her finger under Rachel's chin in a loving way and Shelby smiled at that. Everyone was moving to the beat. Anne Marie was flawless, but Shelby was somewhat annoyed with it. Will was impressed with their performing. Kurt and Blaine also loved it. Even Santana seemed to be enjoying herself. Clapping ensued. Ian was tapping Anne Marie strummed a guitar and she sat on the piano. Artie loved it. Applause.
Shelby was on the phone with an angry business man. She said, "What? No! How can you possibly be sold out? This watch is a one-of-a-kind. No, you don't understand. I need this watch by Christmas. I'll pay for it with my credit card. Do you have any idea who you're talking to? My name is Shelby Corcoran." There was a dial tone. "Hello?" She pounded her cell phone on her desk. Rachel walked in and said, "I think they still would've hung up if you used my name."
Shelby smirked. "How much of that did you hear?"
Rachel said, "Enough. What was that all about, anyway?"
Shelby sighed. Rachel went on, "Or is that none of my business?"
Shelby turned her laptop and Rachel saw a picture of a black watch with a diamond circle. Rachel exclaimed, "Wow. That watch looks more expensive than the car you drive. Why are you trying to buy this?"
"That's the thing," Shelby said. "I'm not getting it for me. I want to get it for Jack."
"Shelby, that is amazing." She hugged her, and Shelby smiled.
"That watch was very special to his grandfather. But it's worth a fortune, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford it, but…"
"You're doing this for him so that he can have a keepsake for his granddad. That is really romantic."
Finn asked Santana, "What do you think of the assignment?"
Santana closed her locker, "Do you realize you're basically forcing me? Why are you so worked up about this?"
"Because I don't want you to die. A few weeks ago, some kid who made one of those 'it gets better' videos killed himself."
"I'd miss me too much."
"Look, if anything were to happen to you and I didn't do everything I could to stop it, I'd never be able to live with myself."
In the choir room, Finn and Jack were singing for Santana. Jack sat in front of her and smiled at Rachel, who smiled at him. Santana started to tear up. Jack stood and Santana stopped him. "Thank you." She hugged him.
"You're welcome, Santana."
Shelby saw Jack in the hallway. "Oh, God, there he is." She looked in a reflection of a window and fixed her hair. She took a breath and walked toward him. Jack, on the other hand, put breath spray in his mouth in a huff. He exhaled and walked towards her. "Hi," he said.
"Hey," she said. "So, uh, that was, um, quite a performance."
"Yeah, I've never seen Santana so teared up before. I never thought she would hug me." They chuckled.
"Jack, um, I was wondering, uh…do you want to, maybe…I don't know, heh. Do you maybe want to get a drink sometime? Just the two of us."
"Really? I mean, uh, sure, yeah."
"Great," Shelby was beaming. "So, uh, tomorrow night, my place?"
"Yes."
Rachel smiled and made a fist with her hand in triumph.
In the gym the day after, everyone was ready to vote. Many students voted for Kurt. Santana voted for Brittany. No surprise there.
Will said, "Shelby, would you mind helping us count the ballots after voting is over?"
Shelby said, "Actually, I can't. Uh, I have a date tonight."
Emma smiled, "Really?" she said. "Who with? Is it someone we know?"
"You could say that." She walked away. Will smiled and pursed his lips.
Beiste said, "I think I have a pretty good idea who it is."
Will said, "Us too."
Rachel and Shelby were hard for Jack. Rachel was really happy for Shelby, but on the other hand, she still had feelings for Jack. Still conflicted by her feelings for him and Finn, she knew she wanted to be with Finn, but could't help but still feel something for Jack.
All the girls were all singing "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain in the choir room. Claire took off her glasses in the middle of the performance. Everyone applauded and Quinn hugged Santana, who in turn announced, "Okay, update, y'all. I told my parents last night and they were actually okay with it." Applause. "I still have to tell my abuela."
The time came for Santana to come out to her grandmother. But when she told her, she did not take the news well. She asked her if it would've been better if she kept it a secret. Even if she had, she would've found out on her own eventually, anyway, and he bitch still would've resented her.
In Rachel's room, she and Kurt were discussing something important.
Kurt said, "So, looks like Brittany and I are still tied. Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Rachel Berry, what's on your mind?"
"Shelby and Jack really like each other. She asked him out."
"Really? So she has no idea that you two dated?"
"Wait, you know about that?"
"Come on, Rachel, it was so obvious. You seemed really happy with him."
"On the one hand, I'm happy for Shelby. But on the other hand… I can't do that to Finn. If I tell Jack how I feel, I risk hurting Shelby and Finn."
"Rachel, I get it. You don't just get over someone like Jack over night. You've been crushing hard on him ever since you saw him."
"Well, this isn't about me. What's up with you?"
"I might win, but by a long shot."
In Shelby's apartment, she was rummaging in her closest trying to find the appropriate outfit. Of course, she wore a black dress. She put her hair behind her ears. Her heart was racing.
There was a knock on her door. "Oh, man." She went to the door, took a breath and then opened it. Jack was standing there wearing a suit.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi. Am I underdressed?"
"You look perfect."
They were having dinner. "So, do you think your brother's gone stir-crazy at the hospital yet?"
"Justin looked up to our grandad. It hit him more than the others."
"So, you want to watch a movie after this?"
"I don't think there are a lot of good movies this year."
"What are you talking about? The Deathly Hallows finale was top of the charts. The First Avenger was pretty cool, too. Not that I'm really into comics, but still."
"Actually, I was kind of hoping we could celebrate Burt Hummel winning the campaign against Sue."
Shelby thought to herself, "Come on, you're a grown woman. Just tell him." She took a breath and walked to sit down next to him. "Jack, um, there's something I have to tell you. These last few weeks…you've been doing a really great job."
"You really think so?"
"I do. Really."
"Well, I had a lot of fun." "Me too. But what I really want to say is…I…" They were leaning forward slowly and Jack's phone rang.
"You should get it. It could be important."
He answered it and stood up. "Hey, bro. I'll be right there. I'm sorry, I have to go."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine. Justin just wants to talk to me about business."
"Is this about that job you took over the summer?"
"I might be getting a promotion."
"That's great!"
"Not a lot of people have faith in me, but it means everything that you and Rachel do."
"You're my best friend, Jack. You deserve the best."
They hugged. Shelby was thinking to herself, "I feel really safe when I'm with you." Jack was thinking to himself, "I never want to be without you." Then he said out loud, "Good night, Shelby." He walked. Shelby said, "Good night, Jack."
Jack was sitting in the auditorium depressed. Rachel found him and walked down the stairs to sit next to him. "Jack!" He sighed. "Are you okay?"
"No. Heh, no, Rachel, I'm not okay. I just got promotion in LA."
"Really? Wow, Jack, that's great."
"No, it means I'll be away from you."
"There's still time. You can still make the most of it. You've been so patient with Shelby. You've really gotten to know her. You swept her off her feet. I'd say you're in."
"The game is over, Rachel. Look, I really appreciate everything that you've done for me. But it's plain to see that…she's a music lover and I'm a money saver."
"Jack, you are so much more than a mathematician. You can sing, you can dance, you can play guitar. You're more talented than you know. I know I'm selfish, but this time I want to be. Please tell me you'll stay."
Jack kissed her cheek. "Call me when I get back to California, all right?" He stood up and walked. Rachel started trembling and she covered her face, beginning to sob softly.
In the choir room, Will announced, "Okay, guys. Shelby and I just wanted to say that you really inspired us.
Shelby said, "When you perform at Sectionals, it will be with more empathy and a deeper understanding of each other."
Will said, "That's right." Applause.
Artie asked, "Where's Rachel? She never misses applause."
Finn answered, "She's dealing with stuff."
Will said, "Anne Marie, will you bring us home?" There were scattered claps. Will and Anne did a high-five. She picked up a guitar and said, "So, I picked a song that gives me strength and gets me through. The struggle continues, but now that Santana's out, she knows she's not alone." Santana smiled and Anne started strumming her guitar. Then she started to sing "Constant Craving." Shelby glared at her. Claire was singing the same song. She was walking down the hallway. Kurt was getting ready to fill in his application for NYADA. Jack was packing his bag and getting ready to leave. Rachel was walking with a tear rolling down her left cheek. Applause was met after the song ended and Claire walked to Anne Marie. They hugged.
