TITLE: Take Me As I Am
AUTHOR: ponderer
SUMMARY: They were going to win because they were different.
DISCLAIMER: I want for nothing.
SPOILERS: Post 1x04 "Preggers". Title comes from Au Revoir Simone's song, "Take Me As I Am".
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Seriously, what am I going to do without Glee until April? I'm sure most of you thought of the same thing.
Honestly, this episode was amazing on so many episodes. The music killed me. Cory's acting killed me. Schue's tears killed me. Basically, it all killed me. So, I'm going to try my best and do right with what the brilliant Ryan Murphy gives us every week.
Also, I'd like to thank everyone that has been reviewing. We Gleeks need to stick together, because this hiatus is going to suck. Until then, I give you:
Sectionals
--
Don't Stop Believin' - Artie
Artie was one of those guys that had eternal optimism. Even though from the waist down he was forever paralyzed, he couldn't help but see the upside. He would never complain about how his feet hurt from standing after a long day at work. He would always have a place to sit. The list was endless.
But, when Mercedes spilled the beans about Puck being the father of Quinn's unborn child, he felt his optimism drop. Because if Finn found out the truth, it would most likely be over for sectionals. And then Glee would cease to exist. And Artie didn't want to think about what would happen after that point.
So, he stayed upbeat. He smiled. He laughed. He sang his heart out. He thought of Finn and how hurt he would be and how it would be the right thing to clue him in, but held his tongue. It was better this way; give them all something to hope for.
--
Defying Gravity – Kurt
He knew that once Rachel found out about the baby drama, it would be over for the whole group. Whatever friendship they all gained with one another would diminish. Kurt didn't want Finn to get hurt; the complete opposite actually. He longed for Finn so much it hurt.
But, his number one priority was the whole team. And if that meant keeping the truth from Finn for just a bit longer, he would. That also added a new job of keeping Rachel quiet, and so far, no one had succeeded in that task.
It could be harder than winning sectionals.
--
And I Am Telling You – Mercedes
Big mouthed Mercedes knew she did wrong by Finn. And by Quinn and Puck. And the whole group. She exposed the secret that wasn't hers to tell. And with that weight heavy on her shoulders, she blew up when her chance at having a ballad for sectionals was taken from her, too.
She wouldn't stand for that; that was for damn sure. She was better than that. She didn't watch Dreamgirls seven times straight for nothing.
And it felt good to see everyone staring at her while she sang. The words flowed out of her in a beautiful melody and it was the best feeling. She wanted to repeat the performance until it became boring (although it would never fall off her radar).
Rachel hugged her, saying the job was hers.
Mercedes felt relief, joy, elation, and guilt. But she swallowed, smiled, and took a deep breath. This was her moment to shine; for a good reason.
--
True Colors – Tina
She knew that this was her big chance of being in front of a large group. She didn't bother stuttering anymore. Although Artie didn't rat her out, Tina chose to tell everyone instead. And it felt amazing to be free of that secret, once and for all.
And when Artie smiled at her, shyly pushing his glasses up his nose, she felt even better.
--
Smile (Charlie Chaplin) – Finn
Mr. Schuester was right again, Finn knew that. He swallowed back his fear and frustration and pain and sucked it up. He sought out the nearest computer and searched for free lyrics to the Rolling Stones song that was playing continuously throughout his brain, while his foot tapped nervously on the tiled floor of the computer lab.
When he destroyed the Cheerio's copier, he felt only an ounce better about the whole situation. He tried to block it all out, humming a tune to himself to keep his mind occupied elsewhere. And it worked while he drove too.
Then he got to the parking lot and saw how red his eyes were and how his head hurt and his hand was bruised from beating the crap out of Puck's face. Then he thought of Rachel and how upset she was when she told him the truth; how broken she looked – as if she could anticipate how angry he was to become. And she didn't try to stop him when he rushed back into the choir room. And how she didn't try and follow him when he left.
How he owed her so much for her honesty, her bravery, her loyalty.
He owed her this, at least.
So, smiling, thinking of her own, he walked into the green room holding up their sheet music for a sure winning song.
--
Don't Rain on My Parade – Rachel
She was a born star, Rachel was always sure of that. She would make it big on Broadway, become the next Barbra Streisand or Bette Midler, and live happily in New York among a large group of friends and adoring fans.
And winning Sectionals was a step closer to her dream.
What hindered her was her growing love for Finn. And her new friends in Glee. They were more important than her dream right now.
So, she did the right thing by telling him the truth, even when it wasn't her place. And yes, she didn't do it all for the right reasons, but someone had to do it. She wouldn't stand idly by and watch him take care of a child that wasn't his – unless after, he still wanted to. She just knew he needed to understand he had a choice.
Then he quit, quit all of them, leaving them in a dead end. And it was just another heartbreak on her list, but she understood. That was what hurt the most.
But, Finn wasn't the type to sit and not help. It wasn't in his nature. He was a knight, the leader, her Danny Zuko. He came back, telling her she was the star, to not mess it up. And then he smiled, a real Finn Hudson smile.
When she sang on the stage, it was a dream come true. Hundreds of eyes were on her and she was singing with no hint of coming mistake or nerves. Finn was there. When she closed her eyes, she could feel his presence, his smile, his touch – his kiss.
They were going to make it. She could feel it in her bones.
--
No Air – Will & Emma
There was a pull to Emma that Will could never deny. While he was so proud of the kids for their hard work, for doing everything on their own, made his heart swell so much he thought he would burst, it still felt like it was breaking. He could practically feel Emma slipping away. His mind wasn't completely on the performance in front of him.
So he ran. As if in slow motion, the song keying in his mind as he raced through the halls to her office. Finding it empty, he felt the silence. It was too loud.
But, she wasn't gone. She was right there, holding a box full of her photo frames and guidance books and flowers. And she was perfect and patient and kind and suddenly he was right in front of her, guiding his mouth to hers.
And finally, he could feel like he could breathe again.