Hello everyone! Here we are, at the end of an era... the end of the glee club as we know it. There's a lot going on in this chapter as storylines are concluded and new ones are hinted at, as well as EIGHT songs. I'm extremely proud that I got this far into the writing of this story, and I'm really happy you guys have enjoyed it! Don't forget to review if you did enjoy this chapter... and stay tuned for an announcement at the end of the chapter! ENJOY!
Episode 5x13: New Directions
Synopsis: April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth) recruits Holly Holliday (Gwyneth Paltrow) to try and pull off a last ditch attempt to save the glee club. Meanwhile, Tina and Finn struggles with their identity post-glee as Finn also wrestles with his feelings for Rachel; Puck (Mark Salling) and Quinn (Dianna Agron) seek closure for their relationship, as do Santana and Brittany (Heather Morris). Lastly, Will helps the kids say goodbye to the New Directions as graduation approaches and glee ends for good.
The New Directions, both old and new, conversed in the choir room. Just days before they reunited for Mr. Schue's big "100th" lesson, as they prepared to say goodbye to the club once and for all. There was love in the air, as Kurt and Blaine recently got engaged before the entire club's very eyes. However, there were fractures in that choir room as well. Quinn and Puck had hardly spoken since his fight with Biff McIntosh; the same went for Finn and Rachel, who hadn't really interacted after their duet of Borderline/Open Your Heart, and the subsequent introduction of Penny to Rachel. Things were... tense, to say the least. You could tell by the fact that Quinn sat on one side of the choir room near Finn, while Puck sat alongside Jake and Rachel on the other.
Luckily, the bubbly April Rhodes always knew how to break the ice. "So, you two are really getting hitched!" She frolicked across the choir room, plopping down in a chair in front of the newly engaged Kurt and Blaine. "When's the happy occasion?"
"We don't know just yet," Blaine responded as he looked over to Kurt with a smile. "We were gonna late until later in the year to set a date."
"We're going to enjoy a long engagement," Kurt added as the two scooted closer together.
"I'm so happy for you," April sighed. "If I've said it once, I've said it a million times; the one thing that this country needs more of is teen marriage!" The couple looked at her in confusion as she continued. "I got your wedding present!" She shot up and sat in between the two, lifting two mini flasks out of her bra. "It's a little hooch. It'll help dull the excruciating pain of your wedding night sodomy, and the inevitable divorce that you're careening towards a couple months later." She grinned as Blaine put the flask in his pocket, flashes of concern on his face, as Kurt held his to his ear, shaking it to see if it was empty.
"Okay guys!" Mr. Schue clapped his hands together, looking at April with disappointment; he clearly had not gotten over the revelation that she indeed could NOT safe the glee club. "We'll be having our secret ballot at the end of class, but before we get to that, Finn and the new generation of New Directions had a song they prepared for us!"
Finn stood up and walked to the front of the choir room. Marley, Kitty, Ryder, Unique and Jake followed, sitting on stools behind him. The rest of the New Directions sat and looked at him; Bree, Joe and Sugar, who were absent in the previous episode, had arrived for this week.
"How come we aren't in this number?" Bree snarled.
"Where were you all when we were rehearsing it?" Kitty spat back. The two had grown considerably close ever since Finn saved Bree from her biological family, but they still butted heads. Think a young Quinn Fabray and Santana Lopez.
"I was on a missionary trip," Joe spoke up, gaining a proud, approving look from Mercedes.
"Coach Sylvester had mandatory Cheerios practice everyday the glee club met," Bree explained, glaring at Kitty and Brittany. "Mandatory means you have to show up."
"I thought a mandatory was one of those chubby seals," Brittany wondered aloud, confusing the word mandatory with a manatee.
"I was on a shopping spree," Sugar spoke as she filed her nails.
"Whatever," Finn stammered as he took a seat at the drum set. He turned his attention to Artie. "Artie, when me and all the other seniors graduated, you dedicated a song to us. The new kids wanted to take this time to do the same for you."
Marley swayed back and forth on her stool. "Being in glee club helped me gain the confidence I have today."
"Being in glee made me feel accepted," Unique spoke next.
"I wouldn't know how to read without you guys," Ryder said, gaining a few chuckles amongst the crowd.
"I found a family." Jake took Marley's hand and then turned his head to look at Puck, giving him a nod. "I found my passion..." He then looked at Mike, who had taught him a lot about dancing during his time with the New Directions. Mike smiled.
"Being in glee made me a better person," Kitty concluded, smiling softly at Bree and Artie.
"This will always be our glee club," Finn spoke up. "We took care of it... just like it took care of us." He looked to the band and gave them a nod.
[New Directions and Alumni]
La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la
[Marley]
Guess this means you're sorry
You're standing at my door
Guess this means you take back
All you said before
[Unique]
Like how much you wanted, anyone but me
Said you'd never come back
But here you are again
[New Directions and Alumni]
'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you
[Kitty]
Maybe I was stupid for telling you goodbye
Maybe I was wrong for tryin' to pick a fight
[Ryder and Unique]
I know that I've got issues
But you're pretty messed up too
[Jake and Marley]
Either way, I found out I'm nothing without you
[New Directions and Alumni]
'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you
[Marley]
Being with you
Is so dysfunctional
I really shouldn't miss you
[Jake and Marley]
But I can't let you go, oh yeah
[New Directions and Alumni]
La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la
[New Directions and Alumni] (Marley)
'Cause we belong together now, yeah (Now Yeah)
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life (My life) would suck (Would suck) without you (Without you... Yeah...)
'Cause we belong together now, yeah (Together now)
Forever united here (Somehow), yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life (My life) would suck (Would suck) without you (You)
As the number concluded and the New Directions embraced their upcoming graduates and alumni, April leaped from her seat and stood in the middle of the room. For once, she appropriately waited until the moment was over until she stepped into the spotlight. "Excuse me?" Her politeness earned a raised eyebrow from Will. "I'd like to apologize," she said, looking everyone in the eye. "It's not the first time that I've raised someone's hopes and then left them on the rocky shores of disappointment and regret." She glanced back at Will, who looked down. Finn and Rachel exchanged quick glances at this comment, as did Puck and Quinn.
"What I did do, was use the last few hours of my NetJets account to bring in someone whose infectious happiness surely will make the next few days that much brighter!"
April pointed to the door as in walked the famous Holly Holliday! Or should I say, slid. The former New Directions substitute slid gracefully across the floor and gave a smirk to the New Directions, who all erupted with cheer. Certainly, the next few days would be brighter! Even Will was surprised!
"Hola, clase." She grinned as she turned to April. "April, thank you for buttering the floor for me. You know I like to make an entrance."
As the surprise sinked in, Will approached the two of them. "How do you two know each other?"
"There's a whole Facebook page for people who were guests of glee club!" Holly said, in an obvious, duh-like tone. "I'm on it, April..."
April continued, "Blaine's brother, Rachel's mom, that Mexican guy..."
Will essentially ignored April as he went to Holly and hugged his former flame. "Holly, this is amazing!" While he was still upset with April, her plan seemed to be working; Holly was always a fan-favorite of the kids at McKinley. But, was there more than meets the eye? As he hugged her, Holly gave April a wink, who did nothing but grin to her heart's content.
Later that day, Holly and April sat in the teacher's lounge together, sipping their coffee, secretly discussing their plans to save the glee club when Sue Sylvester walked in. Just the woman they wanted to see. "Well well well, if it isn't April Rhodes, America's favorite alcoholic dwarf whore."
"Thank you, Sue!" April said as she poured sugar into her cantaloupe. "Holly and I were just playing Kill, Marry or Bone."
"Well, April, as you have absolutely no business whatsoever on this campus, normally I would have you physically removed," Sue walked over after pouring herself a cup of coffee. "However, since you seem to be hanging out with the willowy and winning Holly Holliday, I am willing to make an exception!" Sue cheered uncharacteristically, taking a seat next to Holly.
"Thanks, Coach!" Holly said softly, winking.
"You guys know each other?" April asked.
"Oh, you bet your sweet ass we do." Holly replied.
"Is Sue in that Facebook group with all the guests of glee club?"
Sue scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. The minute I met Ms. Holliday, we immediately hit it off, and we've been best of friends ever since."
"Mhm. We're auditioning for The Amazing Race."
{The scene cuts to Holly and Sue's audition tape for the Amazing Race.}
Sue: I'm Principal Sue Sylvester...
Holly: And I'm substitute Holly Holliday. And together, we are...
Sue and Holly: TEAM GORGEOUS!
Sue: As a seven-time national championship cheerleading coach, I know what it's like to work as a team. I'm looking forward to the physical challenges.
Holly: I'm looking forward to eating those half-formed fetal duck eggs!
Holly pursed her lips and leaned forward. "So Sue... um, April and I were just talking..."
She instantly shook her head. "I'm sorry, Holly, but the glee club is over."
"I know..." She looked from April and back to Sue. "But you remember my business, right? Holly Holliday Teachin' Pop-Ups?"
Sue nodded.
"I was just thinking, just because glee club is over, doesn't mean that there can't be any music at this school, right?"
"What are you getting at, Holly?" Sue asked in a sing-songy voice, as Holly returned to the table with creamer for Sue's coffee.
"I mean, there are plenty of other clubs at this school," Holly spoke gently, pouring the creamer into the coffee. "Maybe we could work a little music into some of them? I can use my pop-up lesson as an example?"
April nodded as she took a bite of her cantaloupe. "It's a proven fact when you put music into the classroom, test scores go up!"
"Oh please, dear God, shut up," Sue rolled her eyes as she bit April's head off.
Holly sighed. "Sue, we're just asking for once week."
She hesitated, but sighed herself and stood up. "Fine. You have one week to somehow shoehorn music into McKinley's extracurricular clubs. See if you can't involve William in this somehow. It'll soften the blow of the glee club's cancellation." As Sue left the two glee club guest stars looked at each other and grinned. Hook, line and sinker!
{The scene cuts to Tina walking down the hallway}
Voiceover: Tina
This time in a person's life is supposed to feel fresh and full of possibility. But unlike every other senior at this school, I seem to be the only one still waiting by the phone to be invited to the "dance." I got rejected by my backup school Ohio State, and Brown still hasn't told me if I got in yet. At this point, I'm taking desperate measures.
{Tina is shown filling out an application in a classroom}
I get it. I was adopted, and I've never been to temple. All of my friends are going to be in New York, and Mitzvah University is the only school that's still accepting for the fall semester. I wrote an essay about how the reason I'm applying so late, was because I was on a kibbutz, whatever that is.
{Tina is shown putting the application in a mailbox, as Becky glares at her}
So, here we go. Fingers crossed. I just gotta get to New York... somehow!
{Voiceover ends as Tina walks into the choir room}
Tina watched as Sam, Artie and Rachel were busy packing away the various trophies the glee club had won over the years. They surrounded them with bubble wrap, taped them together, and placed them into boxes. All their memories were becoming... well, memories. Deep, tucked away memories that they'd only recall at high school reunions. "What are you guys doing?" Tina asked as her lip quivered.
"Mr. Schue wanted us to pack away the trophies before Sue came in and had the Cheerios do it," Rachel responded as she put her roll of tape down on one of the band's amplifiers. She looked at Tina who was clearly on the verge of having a meltdown and pouted. "Aw, no, don't get upset!" She rushed over and hugged her old friend. "It's okay..."
Rachel and Tina, who had hardly spoken since Nationals of last year, were quickly interrupted by Blaine and Kurt, who rushed into the choir room. Blaine was grinning ear-to-ear. "Guys, you might want to sit down for this. I have some huge news."
Sam's face lit up as he held one of the trophies. "You guys got married, and adopted Russian twin babies. Yes!"
Rachel and Tina looked at him with confusion. Shouldn't he be the one comforting Tina and not me? Rachel thought. I thought they were dating! Kurt shared the girls look of confusion, but Blaine kept it moving. "I officially got into NYU!"
Tina's sadness quickly wavered as she and Rachel ran to him, hugging him tight. Artie wheeled over and patted him on the back, congratulating him. Everyone was so happy, but nobody was happier than Tina Cohen-Chang. "Oh my god! Guys, you know what this means? All of us, we're all going to New York together!"
"Whoo!" Sam spun around in a circle out of pure joy.
It seemed that Sam forgot two things; A, he was holding a trophy, and B, Tina was standing right next to him. The top of the trophy smacked her in the face as she went falling to the ground, passing out on impact. But, like she did a few years ago in the mall fountain, she began to imagine... something...
Tina imagined herself in Rachel, Kurt and Santana's Bushwick apartment, in her own Spotlight Diner uniform. Her hair was very 90s. She stormed out of the kitchen and yelled, "You guys, we're gonna miss our shift!" She walked into Kurt's bedroom where she found him, laying on his bed with Blaine, as the two aggressively made out. "EW!" She shrieked. The two jumped apart and yelled in confusion. "If I wanted to watch men in capris slobbering all over each other, I'd watch Monday Night Football!" She barked, stomping out of the room immediately. Her exit was followed by... a laugh track?
This was followed by Tina imagining herself, Rachel, Santana, Kurt, Blaine, Sam and Artie dancing around in a fountain, a la the Friends theme song.
The scene cut back to Tina stomping back into the kitchen as Blaine and Kurt exited the bedroom, straightening themselves out. Artie wheeled in through the apartment door, out of breath. "Man, those ten flights of stairs are a bitch. I wish this apartment had an elevator!"
"It does!" Santana leaned around the corner and spoke rudely, as she waited outside the bathroom.
"Now you tell me?" Artie asked, as the "audience" laughed once again. Kurt shook his head, as did Blaine.
Sam walked in, in only his underwear. The "audience" began to cheer. "Sam, where are your clothes?" Blaine asked.
Sam looked down at himself, hands on his hips. "Oh... I think I left them at the laundromat."
"Again?" Blaine threw his hands up in the air and chuckled, with the "audience" joining in on his laughter.
Sam, Kurt and Blaine sat down at the kitchen table, joining Tina and Artie, as Santana stayed put. She banged on the bathroom door and yelled, "Rachel, quit hogging up the bathroom!"
"I'm never coming out of here!" She called from inside.
"That's what I said, sophomore year of high school!" Kurt said jokingly, referring to his sexuality, as the group chuckled.
Santana remained serious. Seriously angry, that is. "I'm serious. Open the g-dang door." As Rachel reluctantly did so, she revealed herself to be... orange? As orange as Syracuse. As orange as Donald Trump! Everyone in the Bushwick apartment turned to her in awe as the "audience" began to produce a mixture of laughter and gasping.
And then, the scene cut. Again! Now they sat in the Spotlight Diner, as Kurt and Rachel sat at the counter. Rachel looked miserable. "I'm never getting spray-tanned again at a Vietnamese donut shop."
Her sorrows quickly faded in this fast-paced dream world as a very familiar face walked out from the kitchen, wearing Spotlight Diner clothes. "Where do we keep the ketchup?"
"Mike Chang!" The whole gang cheered in excitement. The "audience" clapped. Why do they keep doing that? Tina thought in her dream.
"What are you doing here?" Artie asked gleefully as he wheeled over to his old friend.
"Well, I'm here to win Tina back!" Mike said happily, until he realized Tina was standing next to him. "Did I say that out loud...?" The "audience" laughed once again, as Tina smirked. Mike continued, "Also, I'm here to teach dance to the homeless, and I brought a few chums to help me out!"
Finn, Mercedes, Brittany and Puck jumped up from behind the counter and smiled happily, all wearing Spotlight Diner clothes. The gang was all here! Even Sam, who walked out from the kitchen, still not wearing any clothes. Puck turned to look at his friend as his smile turned to confusion. "Sam, where's your clothes?"
"Oh... I knew I was forgetting something..." Sam turned back around and walked back into the kitchen, as the gang all chuckled.
Suddenly, Tina began to wake up once again...
"Oh my gosh, babe, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Sam asked as he knelt next to her. Rachel was holding her up, trying to wake her up.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm great!" She began to sit up on her own as she rubbed her head. "You guys, New York? It's gonna be amazing!"
"I'm just not sold on the whole idea," Will admitted as he walked down the hall with Holly. She was wearing some kind of costume... which Will couldn't seem to identify.
"Will, this is going to work. I swear. You just have to trust me!"
"Okay... well, you know this week's lesson has the kids singing their favorite songs from years past. Maybe you can sing Forget You or Landslide-"
"That's a terrible idea!" Holly scoffed. "That might be fine for you, Will, but when Holly Holliday is in town, this hot bitch is not looking in the rearview mirror. She's looking forward."
The scene cut to Holly in a classroom, the room in which McKinley's Animal Husbandry Club held their meetings. A few of the glee kids (Rachel, Blaine, Puck, Kurt, Mike and Quinn) sat in on the lesson, as did Will. Holly put her hand on her hip and began to speak in a Southern drawl. "Hey there, Animal Husbandry Club! I'm animal rights activist Temple Grandin. Overcoming autism gave me insight into how a slaughter livestock in a more humane way!" The random students in the room looked horrified, as did Will, but the glee kids were loving every second of it. The band loved it too, who also sat in the room.
"I think in pictures, not words," Holly continued. "I'm hypersensitive to loud noise!" She winked. "But that don't mean I don't know how to party! Hit it!"
[Holly]
Girl, I can't understand it? Why you wanna hurt me?
After all the things I've done for you?
I buy you champagne and roses, put diamonds on your finger
Diamonds on your finger
Still you hang out all night, what am I to do?
{The scene cuts to Holly, Mr. Schue, the New Directions and Alumni walking down the hallway in party outfits}
[Holly with Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni] (Holly)
My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time, party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time (Party all the time)
She party all the time
{The scene cuts to Holly, Mr. Schue, the New Directions and Alumni in a club, dancing}
[Holly] (Holly with Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni)
Girl, I've seen you in clubs, just hanging out and dancing
You give your number to every man you see
(You never come home at night because you're out romancing)
I wish you bring some of your love home to me
[Holly with Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni] (Holly)
My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time, party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time (Party all the time)
My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time, party all the time
My girl wants to party all the time (Party all the time, yeah)
[Holly]
Wo-oo
She likes to party all the time, yeah
Wo-oo
Party all the time
[Holly with Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni] (Holly) {Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni}
My girl wants to (Party, yeah) {Party all the time, party all the time, party all the time}
My girl wants to party all the time (Party all the time)
My girl wants to (Party, oo-ho) {Party all the time, party all the time, party all the time}
My girl wants to party all the time, party all the time
The group cheered as the song concluded, bubbles covering both themselves and the dance floor. "How's that for a field trip?" Holly asked, causing even further celebration. Will hugged her. Maybe she was right; if the kids continued to embrace music through other means like they just did for an Eddie Murphy song, perhaps glee would live on!
Rachel knocked on the doorframe of Finn's office. "Finn?"
He looked up from his computer and gave her a soft smile. They hadn't really spoken since their Madonna duet, and things had been the tiniest bit awkward since then. "Hey, Rachel. What's up?"
She walked in and took a seat across from him. "I just wanted to apologize. I-it was inappropriate of me to perform that number with you, considering you are in a relationship."
Finn sighed. He knew this conversation was coming, and he had been dreading it. "It's okay. We were just performing a song-"
"But we weren't, Finn." Rachel's words were a strange mixture of confidence and emotion; she knew what she was about to say was the truth, but it pained her to not be able to act on it outside of this conversation. "That song... any song we've ever sang together is a testament to how we feel about each other." She took a deep breath. "I am in love with you, Finn. We're endgame. You know that, I know that." His face got incredibly red as she echoed his words from Mr. Schue's failed wedding. "We can't pretend like that duet didn't mean something to you."
Finn felt like he was a sophomore again, wrestling with his emotions he had for two different girls. "It did," he admitted. "You do, Rachel. I will always love you, but I'm with Penny."
She nodded. "I know." It broke her heart, but she was happy that he was happy. She just couldn't help but wonder if this would be the end of Finn and Rachel, for good. "I'm sorry."
"It's cool," he insisted. "We'll always be friends, you know that. And if our paths cross again..."
"I'll be there," she finished his sentence for him.
Finn nodded and smiled gently. "Yeah. Me too."
She stood up, glancing over at his computer. "So, uh, what are you up to?"
He looked down at the computer and chuckled. "Summer school. Just trying to get the classes I need to get my teaching degree, you know?" Secretly he wondered if teaching was for him, since in his opinion he royally screwed everything up for everyone, but he was still going to pursue this dream of his.
"That's great, Finn!" Rachel cried. "Very smart of you."
"Thank you!" He beamed with pride.
Rachel nodded. "Well, I'm going to go grab a bite with Quinn, so... I'll see you around?"
Finn nodded back. "Definitely. Bye, Rachel."
"Goodbye, Finn."
Rachel exited the office, and shortly thereafter, Penny walked in. Talk about a revolving door! "Hey, you!" She said happily, walking around the desk and taking a seat on his lap.
"Hey!" He smiled and kissed her gently.
"You holding up okay?"
Finn nodded, patting her leg. "Yeah, just trying to keep myself occupied with the whole summer school thing." He motioned to the computer.
"Oh, great!" Penny cheered, hugging him tight. "You know, sweetheart, I am really proud of you. You did a lot for these kids, and you're not giving up just because Sue's shutting down the club. You're one of the strongest people I've ever met."
He smiled. "Thank you, Penny."
"I love you."
Finn didn't know what to say. That was the first time Penny had ever told him that she loved him. Did he love her back? All the same questions he had about their relationship began swirling back through his mind. It was the same thing he was asking himself when he visited Shelby in New York. What was he doing? Was he truly happy? He didn't respond; all he did was kiss her back gently.
"My life is literally over."
Tina trudged into the choir room with a large sigh. She found her friends (Blaine, Sam and Artie) once again cleaning up in the choir room as they, and the rest of the glee club, prepared for their time as New Directions to be over. She sighed and took a seat in one of the chairs, slouching over.
"What's wrong, Tina?" Blaine asked as he organized books that he had just taken off the bookshelf.
"Nothing... just the fact that I'm gonna spend the rest of my life in Lima, because I'm not Jewish enough!" She frowned. "I didn't get into Mitzvah, so I guess I'm the only one who's not going to New York." She tossed her rejection letter on the floor. Somehow, they had discovered that her name was not Tina Cohen, but in fact, Tina Cohen-Chang.
"Why?" Sam plopped down next to her, offering his girlfriend a comforting smile. "You don't need a college acceptance letter to get over that bridge."
"I can't just go there without some kind of plan..."
"Kurt did, and I think he's doing pretty great!" Blaine pointed out as he stood next to Artie by the piano. Tina sighed; he made a good point, but in her eyes, she wasn't nearly as talented or gifted as Kurt was. "It's an adventure!" Blaine continued.
"Not for me," she confessed. "You don't understand. Without some kind of direction, I feel like a giant, free-floating loser."
"Like... me?" Sam asked, turning and looking at the guys.
"And me!" Artie chimed in with a shrug.
"And me..." Blaine whispered as he walked over to the piano, taking a seat, as Sam got up and grabbed his guitar. Tina began to giggle as she realized what Sam and her friends were doing for her.
[Blaine]
You may think that I'm a zero
And everyone you wanna be
Probably started off like me
You may say that I'm a freak show
But give it just a little time
I bet you're gonna change your mind
[Sam] (Sam and Tina)
All of the dirt you've been throwing my way
(It ain't so hard to take)
'Cause I know one day you'll be screaming my name
(And I'll just look away)
Yeah I'll just look away
[Artie and Tina]
Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you've got, knock me down
Baby, I don't care
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be, you wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me
[Sam]
Push me up against the locker, oh
[Artie and Tina]
All I do is shake it off
I'll get you back when I'm your boss
[Sam]
I'm not thinking 'bout you haters, no
[Artie and Tina]
And I could be a superstar
I'll see you when you wash my car
[Blaine and Tina] (Blaine
And all of the dirt you've been throwing my way
(It ain't so hard to take on, and)
I know one day you'll be screaming my name
And I'll just look away
[Blaine, Sam and Tina] (Artie)
Go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth (Run your mouth)
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the worst you've got and knock me down (Knock me down)
(Baby, I don't care)
Keep it up and soon enough you'll figure out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me
[Blaine, Sam, Artie and Tina]
A loser like me
"That was nice..." Blaine elbowed Tina, who sat next to him at the piano, before reaching over and hugging her tight. "Please, please, please come to New York!"
"You don't need a plan, you'll figure something out once we get there!" Artie insisted. "We can get an apartment!"
Tina sighed with a smile, giving in. She was surrounded by people that cared about her, and they were right. She can do anything she sets her mind to, especially if her friends were by her side. "You guys are the best. Let's do this!" Artie and Blaine cheered, as Tina jumped up and gave Sam a quick kiss on the lips, before the couple joined in on the celebration. This quartet was going to New York!
"Alright everybody, it's time to get this voting nonsense out of the way, so that we can continue on with what you all came here for. The music!"
Mr. Schue walked into the now barren choir room as the glee kids sat in their spots. April handed out note cards for the kids to cast their votes on, as Holly and Finn sat up front by the piano.
"Y'all can use your left hand for anonymity!" April announced cheerfully.
"What if I'm left-handed?" Sam asked.
"Use your foot!" Holly responded, looking at Finn for approval, who just kind of nodded.
"Okay..."
Everyone began to vote; even Sam, who actually used his foot. Unique, who sat next to him, looked at him in disgust. "Dude, who are you putting on?" Ryder whispered to Jake.
"I'm torn. One's black, one's Jewish..."
Rachel and Mercedes stood up. "Mr. Schue?" Rachel asked in her typical, know-it-all fashion. "If I may... Mercedes and I have been talking..."
Mercedes continued for her, "We both have realized that asking you guys to vote for who's more talented is just... completely ridiculous, unproductive, and narcissistic." She put an arm around Rachel. "I mean, how could we ask you guys to choose between two, beautiful queen divas?"
"Funny enough, they did choose," Finn spoke as he and Mr. Schue finished counting the votes that the glee club had casted. "And you are both equally talented in their eyes."
Rachel and Mercedes hugged each other happily as the group applauded. As they pulled apart Rachel glanced back at Finn, who too was clapping. After sharing a brief smile, she turned back to Mercedes. "Do you think we could maybe sing a song together?" She whispered.
Mercedes nodded as the club began to cheer. "You know, I'm with Miss Holliday. I'm not singing another tired old song I sang in here before. We're too badass for that."
"Preach, girlfriend!" Holly snapped her fingers before turning to the band. "Don't just sit there. Hit it!"
[Rachel]
Fresh cut grass
One cold beer
[Rachel and Mercedes]
Thank the Lord
I am here and now, here and now
[Mercedes]
Summer dress
Favorite park
[Rachel and Mercedes]
Bless your soul
We are here and now, here and now
I'm wide awake
So what's the point of dreaming
When your life is great
Celebrate the feeling
Celebrate the feeling
Oh
Can't complain about much these days
I believe we'll be okay
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh
Can't complain about much these days
I believe we'll be okay
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh
[Mercedes] (Rachel)
We're screaming out (We're screaming out)
[Rachel and Mercedes]
I believe we'll be okay
[Mercedes] (Rachel)
Ooo, woah-ooh (We'll be okay)
Ooo, woah-ooh (We'll be okay)
[Mercedes]
Can't complain about much these days
[Rachel]
[Rachel and Mercedes]
I believe we'll be okay
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Ooh
[Rachel]
Yeaah
[Mercedes]
Can't complain about much these days
[Rachel and Mercedes]
I believe we'll be okay
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh
Can't complain about much these days
I believe we'll be okay
Oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh
[Rachel] (Mercedes)
We're screaming out (We're screaming out)
I believe we'll be okay
We'll be okay
The glee club erupted into cheers once more as Rachel and Mercedes embraced. Their song choice represented a few things; they were just as sad about the glee club ending as everyone else, but everything would be okay. For Rachel, her intent behind the song also tied into her feelings for Finn. He was with Penny, and it stung, but she had to learn to accept that truth and be happy for him. He had to do the same when she was with Brody. No matter what happened, she believed that she, and they, would be okay.
"I have before me a buttload of angry letters from members of the Animal Husbandry Club, their parents, state and local politicians, the National Autism Association, as well as One Million Moms. In actuality, there aren't a million of them. There's really only 100,000, but each and every one of them is an uptight bitch."
Sue sat in her office, and for once, she was not over-exaggerating. You couldn't count the amount of letters on her desk. Will and Holly sat across from her. Holly's face was full of fear, as she wasn't sure what Sue was about to say, however Will's face was blank. If anything, it was filled with sorrow.
Sue leaned over and folded her hands together. "I hardly need to tell you that this will mark the end of your extracurricular musical experiment."
Holly attempted to interject, but was stopped by Will. He put his hand across her chest, like a mother putting her hand in front of her child in the front seat of the car. "I understand. I'm sorry about this, Sue. It won't happen again."
He stood up, sighed, and made his way out of Sue's office. Holly and Sue exchanged a look; it was an acknowledgment that time had ran out. Holly, however, wasn't ready to accept that. She jumped up and followed Will into the hallway. "Will, wait one second, please." She grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes. "This isn't over yet. We can go to the hockey team and we can do Glee on Ice!"
"Please stop." Will responded, a tired look on his face. "It's finished. Glee club is over. All I want to do is get through this week and try to enjoy graduation." He sighed. "Look, don't worry about me, okay? I'll be fine... I just need to make sure Finn is going to be okay. He put all his eggs into this basket, a-and I have to ensure he can transition into something else."
"Will-"
"I've accepted it. It's done." He gave a soft smile, and made his way down the hall.
This wasn't enough for Holly Holliday, however. She stomped down the hall herself and approached Artie at his locker. He was cleaning out his belongings as he prepared for graduation in the coming days. She slammed his door shut as he jumped, looking up at her. "Artie Pants, I need you."
"Finally," Artie let out a sigh of relief. "I'm in love with you, too. Just give me a sec, I'm gonna send Kitty a breakup text..."
"What?" Holly audibly gasped in disgust. "No... this is about Will."
"You're in love with Mr. Schue?"
"No? I'm not in love with anyone." She rolled her eyes. "Get your camera equipment. Meet me in the Spanish room." She walked off, leaving a confused Artie to process the information before wheeling off to follow her command.
Puck stood in front of the football trophy case in the hallway. He admired all the accomplishments he, Finn, Sam, Mike, and Artie had made over the years... with the help of Coach Beiste, of course. And the glee club. He even considered what Coach Tanaka and Kurt did for the team. His mind even drifted to that of Matt Rutherford! Football was a huge part of his life, and that came to an end... Puck was just trying to consider how he, even being an alumni could accept the end of glee. Glee coming to a close meant a lot of closed doors...
"Hey."
Quinn approaching reminded him of yet another door that was closing, possibly forever. He sighed and glanced over at her. "Hey." He swallowed. "So... nice proposal at Dalton the other day."
She nodded. "Kurt and Blaine are meant for each other. Soulmates."
"Who's yours? Biff?" Puck asked with a gentle eye roll. He couldn't help but notice the absence of Biff following their fight in the bus lot - this was his way of finding out where he was.
"Went back to Yale. Alone."
He sighed. "Yeah. Well, I think I'm gonna blow this place too. Unless there's a reason for me to stay...?"
Quinn felt her face get bright red. She knew what he was insinuating. He continued, confidently, "I know who my soulmate is."
"You wouldn't want me..." Quinn stared at her feet. "I'm terrible at having a relationship that involves any level of honesty..." Quinn had struggled all throughout high school to be true to herself, and to whoever she was with at the time; Finn, Puck, Sam. She found herself doing the same thing with Biff, outside of high school. If she couldn't be honest with how she felt about Biff, could she really be honest with herself about how she felt about Puck?
His response gave her a tiny spark. Perhaps the one she needed. "I love you," he turned and looked at her. "Just tell me to stay. The truth is, there's only one guy that you were ever really honest with." He made a point; even with both of their noticeable flaws, they were at their best together. "Just tell me to stay. Please."
Quinn stared at her feet, not knowing what to say. Before she could respond, Puck nodded sadly and began to make his way down the hall and out of McKinley. She watched him go and then looked at the pictures in the football trophy case. It reminded her of their innocence, their brief time together sophomore year. Again, through the lies and the cheating and the very, very noticeable flaws... Puck loved her. Even now, years later, after all the crap they had been through, she stayed in his heart. It wasn't until this very moment that she realized he remained in her heart, too.
As Puck made his way to the exit Quinn rushed after him, pushing and shoving through the sea of students until she caught up. She grabbed his shoulder and he turned around, honestly shocked to see her standing there. Quinn jumped up on her tippy toes and the two embraced in a kiss. Their first kiss since their senior year, a year ago. A lot had changed since then... but one thing remained the same. Quinn and Puck. Puck and Quinn. "Quick."
She pulled away and whispered, "Stay." His eyes lit up as he picked her up and spun her, the two laughing together.
{The scene cuts to the glee club, Holly, April and Mr. Schue in the choir room, as Quinn and Puck sit on stools in the center of the room}
[Quinn]
Right from the start you were a thief, you stole my heart
And I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me that weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them
Now you've been talking in your sleep, oh, oh
Things you never say to me, oh, oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
[Puck] (Quinn)
I'm sorry I don't understand where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine (Yeah, but this is happening)
You've been having real bad dreams, oh, oh
You used to lie so close to me, oh, oh
[Quinn and Puck]
There's nothing more than empty sheets
Between our love, our love
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second, we're not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
Ooh-ooh-ohh
Aah
The number concluded with the two sharing another kiss, with the glee club clapping at the sweet and tender moment between one of the club's oldest couples. They pulled apart as Quinn turned to face the club. "I'd like to make an announcement... Puck has asked me to go out with him as boyfriend and girlfriend. You know, we never really dated... so, um, I decided to throw caution to the wind and say yes!"
Puck's eyes lit up. "Wait, what?"
"You know, you're the only guy who's actually been okay with me just being myself."
"Well, once you've seen a baby come out of a girl's magic garden, everything else is easily accessible."
The collective looks of terror amongst the glee club spoke volumes. Jake was embarrassed. Brittany's eyes widened. Finn just blinked, realizing how that could have been him seeing Beth come out of Quinn's magic garden.
"I think I love you, Puck..." Quinn swayed. "I know it's not going to be easy with me in New Haven and you here in Lima, but I'd rather do hard with you than easy with someone else."
"Wanky!" Santana called from the audience, breaking the tension.
Quinn giggled. "Santana, for once, I'd appreciate it if you kept your inevitable snark to yourself," she said teasingly.
"No, no. Look, I've gotta be honest. I really like this pairing." Santana smiled.
Quinn and Puck kissed again, leading to hooting and hollering from the crowd, until Mr. Schue stood up. "Well, in many ways, this brings us full circle. This was perfect... because that was officially the last song that will ever be sung in glee club." His voice wavered. "We all have more songs to sing, but we can't sing them in here anymore. Glee club is officially over." He looked around the room and tried to give looks of encouragement, but the revelation was too heartbreaking. "Thank you guys. It's been an honor."
Finn was angry.
He felt... responsible. He screwed up Sectionals in the first place, which led to the club's unconventional road back to Regionals. Nationals was a setlist made in his honor, and they lost, and now glee club was over. Dreams crushed. He felt it all fell on him. To burn off some steam he worked out in the gym. He hoped lifting some weights would make him feel better... but so far, nothing worked.
"Mind if I work in?"
Finn's session was interrupted by Mr. Schue, who towered over Finn as he laid on the bench press. Finn nodded and got up, standing over the bench press as Will laid down, Finn ready to spot him. Will began to work out, but decided to make some small talk as he did so. "I'm gonna store most of the choir room stuff in my apartment. I figure with Emma there, it'll be really well organized. I just need some help with the last of the trophies."
"Why do you have to move the trophies?" Finn frowned, dripping in sweat. "Why can't they just stay in the case?"
"It's not our choir room anymore, Finn."
Finn's anger began to seep through into the conversation. "But those trophies represent everything we've worked so hard to achieve! Four years! The blood, the sweat. If we take those down, it's like we're fully surrendering."
"It's not surrendering!" Will insisted, standing up after his set was complete. "We lost. It's over for good."
"Can we just cut the crap?" Finn snapped. "Just say it. You want to punch me in the face." He walked over to Will. "I know you think it's my fault that we blew it. You never would've let us lose Sectionals, you never would've let us blow Nationals-"
"Well, maybe you wanna punch me in the face!" Will snapped back. His pain and anger was starting to come through too, after being such a rock for the club the past week. "I deserted you guys. I've been beating myself up about it, too." He sighed. "But, when I talked to Emma..."
The scene cut to a flashback of Will and Emma Pillsbury talking in Emma's office. "I should've been there for them at Sectionals. I should've fought harder after Nationals. This is all my fault."
"You can't blame yourself," Emma said gently, sitting on his lap. "You can't blame anyone, really. You fought your hardest, and you made a major impression on all of those kids. I'm proud of you." She kissed his cheek.
The scene cut back to Will and Finn in the gym. "I get that you're disappointed, Finn, but I put you in charge of that club, for better and for worse, because you've always been someone who knows that with every loss comes an even greater win."
Finn folded his arms. "I'm sorry, Mr. Schue, but I'm having a hard time seeing a win here. I mean, glee club is over for good."
"That's because you're only thinking about the loss," Will insisted. "What happened at these competitions is only a fraction of the time you've spent running this club. What about the weeks, the months, of work and imagination that went into getting ready for it?"
Finn's scowl slowly turned into a proud smile. "Yeah. That part was awesome."
"No, Finn, you were locked in." He patted Finn's shoulder. "I mean, you put together an incredible number for Sectionals. You raised money for Regionals all on your own. You brought Ryder back to the club, and healed the wounds between him and Unique. You got Bree out of a pretty messy situation. You turned this group of glee veterans and new faces, complete strangers... into a family." He smiled. "You said it yourself when the kids performed that Avril Lavigne song. This glee club will take care of you."
"You came home from the army because you were looking for direction. You know what? You found it in that classroom. The things we enjoy are usually the things we're really good at. As the reigning teacher of the year, I think I'm pretty qualified to tell you that you are very, very good at teaching. And my opinion on that was formed before you enrolled at the University of Lima."
"You really think I'd be a good teacher?" Finn couldn't stop smiling now.
"A great one." He gave Finn a hug. "No matter what happened here, I am proud of you, Finn."
Will left as Finn stood in the gym alone, realizing that he was right. He was beyond upset about losing glee; upset didn't even describe his feelings on the subject. But there was an old saying that his mom used to tell him; "there's beauty in the struggle." He found his passion, something he wanted to make a career out of, in that choir room. He was going to continue to pursue his degree, glee or no glee. Nobody, not even Sue Sylvester, could take that away from him now.
[Finn]
I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer
Than I ever thought I might
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I've started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore
My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I've been runnin' round in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I'm following you girl
Cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find
And ever as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer
Than I ever thought I might
And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I've started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars forever
Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I've started fighting for
Even if I have to crawl upon your floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore
Ooh-ohh, ooh-ohh
"Finn?"
Finn turned to see Rachel, Artie and Holly standing in the doorway. "Can we borrow you?" Artie asked, motioning to the camera in his hands.
The next day Santana walked into one of the bathrooms at McKinley where she found Brittany, standing and staring at herself in the mirror. Brittany wore her cap and gown; it was graduation day. "Wow, look at you!" Santana said happily.
Brittany curtseyed in her cap and gown, giggling. "Thank you. I'm glad you stayed in town for this."
"I wouldn't miss it," Santana replied, giving her a hug.
Brittany and Santana's hug went on for a little too long. The two pulled apart and locked eyes as Santana's heart began to flutter. Hanging with Brittany this past week had reminded Santana so much of their relationship and what her life was like a year ago. She was so happy. Everything was perfect.
As Brittany leaned in and kissed Santana passionately, it felt like time stood still. It wasn't until a few moments into the kiss that Santana realized that time, indeed, had continued on. She wasn't in high school anymore, and she wasn't with Brittany. She pulled away, staring down at the floor. "Um..." She shook her head. "It's a bad idea."
Brittany sighed. "I'm sorry. It just... it feels really good to be around you. You make me feel like a girl again. Like, my body wakes up."
Santana's lip quivered. "Please don't do this, okay? I have worked my ass off to get over you."
Brittany finally pulled away from Santana's embrace. "I want to be with you, Santana. I have seen the world, and I'm sure now more than ever that I belong with you. I'm sure Dani is great, but, you can't recreate what you and I have." She glanced over at the clock on the wall and sighed. "I should get going," she said quickly, leaning in again and pecking Santana on the lip. "If you ever want me, I'm here." She gave her a quick smile before exiting the bathroom.
It was clear to Santana now that everything she was feeling, Brittany felt too. It made sense; they were always in sync, always on the same page. Brittany was the love of her life, and she would always have a place in her heart, but she was with Dani now. Was Santana really ready to go back to what felt comfortable? Or was Dani her new level of comfortability? What did she want?
She had a lot to think about, but that could be saved for the flight back to New York. She pulled herself together and made her way to the auditorium for graduation.
"Kitty, when you see me in the hall, will you say hello?"
"Of course! Someone's got to tell you that your shoes don't match your purse."
"Cheerio, please, my shoes always match!"
Unique, Kitty, Marley, Ryder, Jake and Bree stood in the now entirely empty choir room, finishing cleanup once and for all. This was it; for real this time. Graduation began in a few minutes, and with that, glee would leave the halls of William McKinley forever. It was a big moment for not just the graduates, but the newbies, too.
"I cannot believe that Sue Sylvester finally shut us down," Jake said in awe as he looked around the empty choir room. No books, no trophies, no pictures of Lillian Adler. Nothing. He took a seat as he took it all in. "She won. She actually won..."
The moment was interrupted by Tina, who ran in wearing her cap and gown. "You guys, you're gonna miss my big moment. Get your butts to the auditorium!" She barked, before running back out.
"Was there any worry that she wouldn't graduate? You know, being that she's Asian and all?" Bree muttered.
Kitty rolled her eyes and pushed her playfully. "You bitch."
"Hang on a second, guys," Marley spoke up, clapping her hands together and taking a deep breath. "Sue Sylvester didn't win. Maybe she took away glee club, but, she'll never take away what we had. We were apart of something incredible," she smiled.
Ryder spoke up, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It was more than that. We helped each other become better people in this room. No one can ever take that away from us."
Jake opened up his arms. "Come here, guys."
The six newbies embraced in a big group hug, laughing as they shared what might be their final moment altogether. Like Will told Finn, they were a family; nothing would change that. Ever.
{The scene cuts to the newbies, alumni, Mr. Schue, Miss Pillsbury, and Finn sitting in the stands as they watched the ceremony begin. Sue stood on stage alongside Figgins, who would announce the names one last time.}
Principal Figgins: Artie Abrams!
[Artie]
Lookin' forward from center stage to graduation day
Time to get the future started
What we leave, what we take with us, no matter what
It's something we're part of
Principal Figgins: Blaine Anderson!
[Blaine] (Artie)
We learned to fly
Together, side by side (Side by side)
[Artie and Blaine]
I just hope the rest of my life
Will feel as good as my
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany]
High school musical
Who says we have to let it go?
It's the best part we've ever known
Step into the future
But hold on to high school musical
Let's celebrate where we come from
The friends who've been there all along, just like
A high school, high school musical
Principal Figgins: Tina Cohen-Chang!
[Tina]
Improvisation without a script
No one's written it
And now we have the chance to
Principal Figgins: Sam Evans!
[Sam]
But someday, we'll be lookin' back, memories we'll have
[Tina and Sam]
All the songs that we lived through
The best of times
Principal Figgins: Joe Hart!
[Tina and Sam]
So why leave them behind?
Why can't the rest of my life
Be like my
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany]
High school musical
Who says we have to let it go?
It's the best part we've ever known
Step into the future
But hold on to
Principal Figgins: Becky Jackson!
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany]
High school musical
Let's celebrate where we come from
The friends who've been there all along
Alright
Principal Figgins: Sugar Motta!
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany]
High school musical (Musical)
Who says we have to let it go?
It's the best part we've ever known
Step into the future
But hold on to
Principal Figgins: Brittany S. Pierce!
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany] (Brittany)
High school musical
Let's celebrate where we come from (Yeah, yeah)
[Tina and Brittany]
All together makes it better
[Artie, Blaine and Sam]
Memories that last forever
[Brittany]
I want the rest of my life to feel just like a
[Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam and Brittany]
High school musical
"Ladies and gentleman, I present to you the William McKinley High graduating class of 2013!" Figgins shouted into the microphone. The audience roared with cheers as the seniors threw their caps into the air. Artie, Blaine, Tina, Sam, Joe, Becky, Sugar and Brittany embraced in one final group hug. They did it!
It was the day after graduation. Will stepped into his office to clean out his belongings for the school year when he found a note, sitting on his desk, with his name on it. Confused, he picked it up and examined it, before opening it up and reading it.
Will Schuester, you are formally invited to the real final glee club meeting.
Where? Auditorium
When? Right now
Dress code? Jeans and a sweater vest. Tie optional.
Will walked into the seemingly empty auditorium, looking around quite confused. Was he being Punk'd? Was Ashton Kutcher going to pop out at him at any given moment? The cautious Will Schuester approached the desk in the middle of the stands as he found a big button with a sign that said "Press Me" nearby. As he took a seat the spotlight shined on him. What was going on? He pressed the button as a projector turned on, with a film beginning to play on stage.
The movie began with Rachel and Finn standing next to each other. "Hey... so, we don't actually know your name because this video was made before you were born. But, you are the son or daughter of our teacher."
"Will Schuester," Finn said. "Many of us don't get to know our dads, or in my face, father figure, as men until we're older. Past middle age, maybe a little beaten down by life."
In come Mercedes. "We wanted to tell you about what your dad was like when he was a youngin'."
"When he could dance like Fred Astaire!" Mike said.
"And sing like Michael Buble!" Marley added.
"He was an amazing teacher..." spoke Jake.
"Your dad and I almost hooked up... which means I could've been your mom!" Holly said, giving Will a chuckle. "Hit me up when you need your first tattoo. I know a guy."
"If it wasn't for your dad, I wouldn't have been prom queen... and I still would've been living my life with a fake stutter." Tina pointed out in the next scene.
"Back here in the Dark Ages, it was still crazy for girls to love girls and guys to love guys," Santana explained as she sat with Brittany. "Your dad made sure that we felt safe loving whoever we chose."
Brittany added, "He does this magic trick where he pulls a duck out of a hat... you should have him show you sometime." God, I'm going to miss her interesting brain, Will thought.
Fade to black, fade back, and there was Sam, in a Will Schuester-esque outfit. "Your dad had a passion for teaching. He really loved that moment where he connected with a kid." Will laughed once again as Sam continued, "He was prone to overemotional, yet often inspiring pep talks."
"To put it simply, I was not a particularly nice person!" Puck popped up. "Then your dad came along and I became a man who was kind a relatively large portion of the time!"
"I can say without a doubt that your dad saved my life," Kurt admitted. "Little Hepburn and Tracy wouldn't have a daddy if it wasn't for your dad! Those are the names of my kids who aren't born yet either."
"We used a surrogate," Blaine added as he stepped into frame.
"I donated the egg!" Quinn jumped in next to them.
"In this whole wide world, you'll never meet a man more accepting, and open to nature in all its wonders than your father," Unique's words brought a tear to Will's eye. "He's a gem."
"The best thing about your dad?" Sue wondered. "That horrible perm of his... no. No matter how talentless, misshapen, ugly, miserable or sexually ambiguous you are... he will still love you unconditionally."
"Your dad made sure everyone at this school understood what it was like to see this world from this chair," Artie was next, holding the camera and pointing it at himself. "He helped me see all that I could be, even though I was in it. He is the most genuine..."
Kurt. "Honest."
Puck. "Kind."
Santana. "Generous."
Brittany. "Sand dollar."
Rachel. "Amazing man any of us have ever met."
Finn. "He loved and looked after every one of us with as much care and concern as he does for you."
Rachel nodded. "We love your dad. We love him very, very much. No matter where we are or what we're doing... he's with us. We have his name tattooed in our hearts."
{The movie faded as Rachel stepped out onto the stage}
[Rachel]
Just a small town girl
Living in a lonely world
She took the midnight train
Going anywhere
{Finn walks out onto the stage}
[Finn]
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train
Going anywhere
{Kurt, Mercedes, Artie and Tina join Finn and Rachel on stage}
[Kurt]
A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
[Kurt and Mercedes]
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
{Quinn, Santana, Brittany, Puck and Mike come out onto the stage}
[Kurt and Mercedes]
Strangers, waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows
Searching in the night
{Sam, Joe, Sugar, Jake, Marley, Ryder, Kitty, Unique and Bree come out onto the stage}
[Kurt and Mercedes]
Streetlight, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding
Somewhere in the night
{Mr. Schue joins the New Directions and alumni on stage}
[Mr. Schue]
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
[Mr. Schue and Artie]
Paying anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
[Tina]
Some will win
[Artie and Tina]
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
And now the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
[Finn and Tina] (Artie)
Strangers, waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows
Searching in the night (In the night)
Streetlight, people (People)
Living just to find emotion
Hiding (Hiding)
Somewhere
[Finn, Rachel and Mr. Schue]
In the night
[Rachel and Mr. Schue with New Directions and Alumni] (Artie)
Don't stop believin' (No, woah)
Hold on to that feeling
Streetlight (Yeah)
People, oh, oh, woah (Yeah, yeah)
[Finn and Rachel] (Artie)
Don't stop (Don't stop)
Believin'
Hold on to that feelin' (Hold on)
Streetlight
People, oh, oh, woah
[Mr. Schue, New Directions and Alumni]
Don't stop
The giant group of glee students, old and new, embraced Will in a group hug on the auditorium stage, as Holly and April watched from afar. "You done good, Holly Holliday," April said proudly.
"You too, babe," Holly put her hand on her hip and smiled. "Our work here is done. We did it flawlessly, and looked flawless while doing it."
"Amen."
"Do you wanna go get drunk, rob a bank, and sail around the world on one of those gayboy cruise ships?" Holly asked. "We'd be the only women there and get all the attention!"
April gasped. "I thought you'd never ask!"
The two walked out of the auditorium, hand in hand, as the glee club continued to celebrate together for what would be the last time in a long time.
Will walked into the choir room to gather the last of his belongings when he saw Sue sitting in the center, with two wine coolers in hand. He managed a smile. "Here for one last verbal beatdown?"
She motioned to the drink in hand. "These are my last two Razzle Dazzle fruit punch wine coolers from my cellar," she said, handing him one as he took a seat next to her. "The company went out of business in the 80s. I've been saving them for a special occasion."
"What could be more special than the glee club's funeral?" Will asked sarcastically. He looked at her and tipped his glass to her. "You finally won."
The two teachers nodded, as Sue took a sip of her wine cooler. "Honestly, I don't get the way you see the world, William, but I've gotta give you this... whatever it is that you did in this room, you changed a lot of kids lives for the better. And your own." She took a breath. "As you know, I find both of your spouses intolerable and bony, but at least this one is kind to you." Will chuckled; he had never heard Sue's opinion on Terri until now, and he was honestly kind of glad she felt that way, even all this time later.
"I am not gonna miss this," he said.
"Oh, I am," Sue admitted. "Nobody ever went the distance with Sue Sylvester the way you did, Will. Except maybe the goofily tall Finn Hudson, but, he's still got a ways to go." She patted him on the back. "My whole life I've been searching for a worthy adversary. I'm going to miss the fight." She took another sip of her wine cooler.
Will stared off into space. "I could've done more. There's still so many kids out there..."
"Who says you can't? Listen, William, you were a horrible history teacher and an even worse Spanish teacher. If you're going to be any good to anybody, you need to be coaching a glee club. Which is why I got you an interview for the open slot at Carmel High."
Will's heart dropped. Ever since Jesse St. James left, Carmel's glee club had dropped off the face of the earth. He didn't even know who coached it this past year, let alone that they left. "Vocal Adrenaline?"
"Think of what you could accomplish with a real budget!" Sue insisted encouragingly. "Without somebody like me constantly trying to take you down."
Will was shocked. "That's really amazing, Sue, but they're our mortal enemies."
"There is no "our" anymore, William." That stung, but sometimes the truth hurts. Sue motioned to the room around her. "We're in the middle of the new computer lab." She looked at his face, which was full of grief. "You did what you could here, and that was much more than I will ever care to admit... but it's really over." She stood up. "It's only an interview," she said, in regards to the Vocal Adrenaline gig. "You could always just blow it."
Will looked up at Sue and the two shared a smile. As Will took his first sip of the wine cooler he quickly realized it would also be his last. He grimaced at the taste. "Oh, God, that's awful."
"Yeah, that's why they went out of business," Sue agreed, taking the drink from him as she made her way out the door. "I'll give you a minute."
Sue left Will alone in the choir room. It was the first time the room had been empty since the original kids did Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat all those years ago. Who would've thought that they would move on to do such great things. Performing on Broadway, going to prestigious schools like Yale or NYADA, pursuing dreams of becoming a teacher or a designer or a director... he was so proud of all of his students, but mostly he was proud of himself. When he started glee he was just a man who was trying to recapture the glory days. Now, he stood a hero, a father figure, to countless kids across the country, who all shared the same dream as him. The difference between he and them? They were all able to achieve their dreams... and he made it possible. Perhaps his words to Finn should be applied to his own life: With every loss comes an even greater win. He stood up, embraced the choir room of William McKinley High School one last time, and departed.
The story will continue in...
Season 5B: New York
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!
glee
Season Five, Starring Cory Monteith
STARRING
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
Matthew Morrison as William Schuester
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
Alex Newell as Wade "Unique" Adams
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
GUEST STARRING
Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray
Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman
Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes
Erinn Westbrook as Bree
Samuel Larsen as Joe Hart
Vanessa Lengies as Sugar Motta
Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones
Heather Morris as Brittany S. Pierce
Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang
Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday
Lauren Potter as Becky Jackson
Phoebe Strole as Penny Owen
Jayma Mays as Emma Pillsbury
Iqbal Theba as Principal Figgins
SONG(S) PERFORMED:
Avril Lavigne - My Life Would Suck Without You: Performed by Marley Rose, Wade "Unique" Adams, Kitty Wilde, Jake Puckerman and Ryder Lynn with New Directions and Alumni
Eddie Murphy - Party All The Time: Performed by Holly Holiday with Will Schuester, New Directions and Alumni
Glee Cast - Loser Like Me: Performed by Blaine Anderson, Sam Evans, Artie Abrams and Tina Cohen-Chang
Oh Honey - Be Okay: Performed by Rachel Berry and Mercedes Jones
P!nk - Just Give Me A Reason (feat. Nate Ruess): Performed by Quinn Fabray and Noah Puckerman
REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling: Performed by Finn Hudson
High School Musical Cast - High School Musical: Performed by Artie Abrams, Blaine Anderson, Tina Cohen-Chang, Sam Evans and Brittany S. Pierce
Journey - Don't Stop Believin': Performed by Rachel Berry, Finn Hudson, Kurt Hummel, Mercedes Jones, Will Schuester, Tina Cohen-Chang and Artie Abrams with New Directions and Alumni