Chapter 18

Dreams Come True

The New Directions and the Warblers were practicing for Sectionals. The Warblers were totally complaining.

Claire snarked, "Oh, so this is the thanks we get for taking you bastards in after your damn school burns down?!"

Ian said, "Claire has a point."

Anne Marie said, "We've just got to beat Vocal Adrenaline at Sectionals."

Kitty said, "I agree with Anne."

In the hallway, Spencer and Roderick decide to have Kitty help them with their dancing.

In the auditorium, Anne Marie was playing the piano.

Jesse made a comeback singing "Listen to Your Heart" with Rachel.

"Oh, Jesse St. James. What are you doing here?"

"I'm from here, remember? I'm only in town for a couple of days. My mom's getting a tummy tuck, so I thought I'd stick around and help around the house. The real question, Rachel Berry, is what are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm coaching the glee club. We're cramming for Sectionals right now."

"Rachel, it's really fun to come home every now and again, even to coach a glee club, or in my case, help your sister use her grabber tool to pull a box of cereal off the top of the fridge. Congratulations are in order, by the way, I hear you're gonna be an aunt."

"Yeah," she beamed, "and I hope I'm good at it."

"But you need to get your ass back to New York. You belong on Broadway."

"I am going back right after Sectionals. I have to get back on track."

"Rachel, you got the lead in Funny Girl. Nobody expected you to turn that down."

"Well, thank you for your input. I just have to make this decision on my own."

"Then I know you'll make the right decision. We make great music together, Rachel. We always did."

In a dance room, Will and Kitty were helping Spencer and Roderick dance. Spencer twisted his ankle.

Beiste patched it up. "Ooh, you did a number on this thing."

Sam said, "It looks like someone rubbed beets all over your foot."

Spencer said, "The x-rays were negative. It's just a sprain."

Will said, "There's now way I cal let you perform."

"I'm not missing Sectionals."

Beiste said, "The only way you can perform on an ankle like that is with a cortisone shot."

"Look, I'm not the best dancer. But I'll deal with it."

In the choir room, there were boxes everywhere. They were glitter bombs with confetti. Then the piano blew up. Will shouted, "Take cover!" He held Rachel. Kurt and Blaine hugged. Anne Marie and Ian hugged. Everyone else screamed.

"Myron shouted, "It's raining glitter!"

Kitty was shocked.

Kurt asked, "Who would do this?"

Will said, "Sue." He ran.

Claire said, "I am gonna kill her. I am gonna kill that bitch!"

Anne Marie said, "You do and you can kiss your coaching days goodbye."

Then a car blew up outside.

Ian said, "What in the name of hell?!"

This time, Sue has gone too far!

Claire wrapped some nails around a baseball bat and a golf club.

Rachel and Kurt walked in.

Rachel said, "Claire, what the hell are you doing?!"

Claire said, "I'm going to find Sue Sylvester and then I'm gonna bash her with these."

"Claire, we cannot let you do that. The last time you got violent, you almost got suspended."

Kurt said, "I have to agree. Look, we all want to see Sue's head on a spike, but this isn't gonna help anyone."

Blaine said, "The only thing we can do now is find a way to win Sectionals."

Will said, "Hey, guys. Claire, you got a minute?"

The others left.

"Claire, over these last few years, I have watched you grow. And now, more than ever, we all need you. Yes, it's good that you're outraged at Sue right now, but you need to get your head in the game and focus. This is what she wants, to mess with our heads. And you use your heart more than anyone I have ever met."

Claire nodded. "Anne Marie and Ian are waiting for me to take the plunge. I think Sectionals might be it for us. After we perform, I'm going back to college. A performer is who I am. It's who I want to be. It's what I've always wanted to do."

"When did you get so grown up?"

"I think it started last year when Finn died and I joined the football team to continue his legacy."

"You already did that when you coached a different team and won your own championship."

"Yeah, I've heard it all before. Now, what do you say we kick Vocal Adrenaline's ass one last time?"

Will chuckled and they hugged. "Oh, I'm gonna miss you, Claire."

In the auditorium, the announcer said, "Northwest Ohio, are you ready for Sectionals? Let's meet our judges, first, our vice-comptroller, Donna Landries!"

Donna stood up and said, "My glaucoma!"

Kurt said, "Can't believe she's back."

Anne Marie said, "Wait, you know that bitch?"

The announcer continued, "Actor and comedic legend, Jay O. Sanders!"

Ian said, "That guy's still around?"

"And Westminster 2014 Kennel of the Year, Miss Butch Melman and her champion poodle, Trixie!"

Trixie barked.

"From John James Institute for Rehabilitation, the Falconers!"

The curtains opened.

"And now, from Carmel High, Vocal Adrenaline!"

They were singing "We Built This City" and "Hey, Mickey."

Claire said, "Oh, no."

Anne Marie said, "You have got to be kidding me."

When they were done, they shot two guys out of cannons. The whole crowd was shocked.

Ian said, "I don't think that was legal."

In the choir room, Will said, "Okay, everybody, gather up. Welcome to the most sacred of traditions. But tonight, it's not my place. We are all here because of Rachel."

Rachel said, "Well, a few months ago, I came back here with a mission. I needed you guys to help me get my groove back. And I did. But now, the world is opening to me and all that matters to me is you all and the strength. So go out there and enjoy it because you all have earned it. And I know this may be the last time New Directions performs together, so bring it on home."

Blaine said, "Okay, guys, everyone's hands in."

They all said, "Amazing!"

In the gym locker room, Spencer was about to take the shot, but Roderick came up with a better idea.

The announcer said, "And now, from McKinley High, the New Directions!"

They were singing "Take Me to Church," then Sia's "Chandelier."

Myron was in costume dancing. Spencer was singing and swinging from an actual chandelier. Then he got on his crutches. They all performed "Come Sail Away."

They clapped and cheered.

Ian said, "Go, Myron!"

Anne Marie said, "Whoo!"

In the teacher's lounge, Donna said, "Can I just say I cannot believe I got roped into this again? The Vocal Adrenalines were like on steroids. You gonna point a cannon at me? Hell no! And what's up with that bird school? Is that a public school? Is that where my tax dollars are going? And don't get me started on those New Directions. Ooh!"

Jay said, "Donna, I'm gonna stop you right there. The new New Directions might not be able to catch up with the old New Directions, but how about that one girl with the Pam Grier afro? That girl had it going on."

Butch said, "Technically, I'm not even supposed to be judging. The invitation was sent to Trixie, so really it's up to the dog."

Donna said, "Wait, this dog is a dude?"

"He is."

Jay said, "Well, I know who I'm sending to Regionals."

Donna said, "Well, can we just vote, please?"

Onstage, the announcer said, "And now, in third place...from the John James Institute for Rehabilitation, the Falconers!"

Applause.

"And now, the winner of this year's Sectionals is...the New Directions!"

Everyone clapped and cheered. Will and Rachel hugged. Spencer and Alistair hugged. Myron jumped on Kitty. Rachel and Kitty hugged. Anne Marie and Ian kissed. Rachel and Claire hugged.

Rachel found Jesse sitting in a chair after everyone left.

Jesse said, "Feels like 100 years ago. I forgot the smell in here."

"Do you ever miss it?"

"Oh, yeah. Give me a medley, a mash-up or a tribute any day. We got bigger fish to fry. I don't know if you have an apartment in New York, but no strings attached."

"I'm going back to NYADA. I think it's a step in the right direction. Don't be mad."

"No, I'm not mad. Sad that I won't get to spend every night on stage with you, but I'm proud of you. You listened to your gut. And NYADA better watch out because the Berry is back."

Rachel hugged him. "Thank you so much for understanding."

They kiss.

"All right, I'm gonna go. I'll see you soon."

In the choir room, they all celebrated and put every trophy back in the case.

Will said, "It may be the end of a chapter here, but this is a new beginning for all of you."

Sam said, "Let's hear it for Mr. Shue, Rachel, Kurt and Blaine, everybody!"

Blaine said, "And let's not forget Claire, Anne and Ian."

They all clapped and cheered. Claire and Anne Marie hugged.