Chapter 18: Aftershocks

It was Brody; Louisa was sure of it. But why was he dressed in his Gabe outfit? She recognized the song: it was Aftershocks from Next to Normal. Had they performed the play? She didn't remember being on the stage. Actually, she remembered very few things at that exact moment. Her mind was very foggy.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/t8GnpG_bE88

They've managed to get rid of me,

Returned me to the grave

Ect, electric chair, we shock who we can't save.

They've cleared you of my memory and many more as well.

You may have wanted some of them but who can ever tell?

Your brainwaves are more regular, the chemistry more pure.

The headaches and the nausea will pass and you'll endure.

You son is gone forever though, of that the doctor's sure.

The memories will wane,

The aftershocks remain.

You wonder which is worse, the symptom or the cure.

Brody's performance sounded almost like an accusation. Gabe's words of sorrow sounded like she, Louisa, had done something that offended him very much. Hang on... she did do something: she had called the performance out, hasn't she? So why were they on the stage? Was that a stage? And why there was nobody and nothing else than the two of them? All she could see was Brody's face singing angrily very close to her; brighten by a strong spotlight on it. She knew she was there; she knew he was there. But where were they?

They've managed to get rid of me, I'm gone without a trace,

But sear the soul and leave scar no treatment can erase.

They've cut away the cancer but forgot to fill the hole.

They removed me from your memory, I'm still there in your soul.

Your life goes back to normal now, or so they all believe.

Your heart is in your chest again, not hanging from your sleeve.

They've driven out the demons and they've earned you this reprieve.

The memories are gone.

The aftershocks live on.

But with nothing to remember,

Is there nothing left to grieve?

Louisa woke up panting and her eyes needed a few seconds to adjust. She looked around not recognizing the room she was in or the bed she was laying on. On a second scanning, she turned her head just a bit more and saw Kurt sleeping very uncomfortably on a chair. It wasn't long after she started moving that he woke up in a jump and walked closer to her smiling:

"Good morning, boo; how are you feeling?"

"I'm... fine? I mean; I don't feel anything strange but I'm very confused."

He smiled sympathetically and reached for her hand:

"Well, the doctors said you'd be. What's the last thing you remember?"

"Doctors?"

Kurt stroked her hand kindly:

"We're in a hospital, sweetie. I'll explain everything to you later; but now it's very important that you try to remember. What's the last thing you have a memory of?"

She tried to focus and found out that her head was starting to ache.

"I remember being backstage for the show. Then something happened I can't recall and I'm getting a headache."

Kurt sighed worried but tried to hide it.

"What's wrong, Kurt? Why are we here?"

"Sweetie, Doctor Young told me that the most important thing now is to try to have you as calm as possible..."

She interrupted him starting to be very upset to been treated like a child:

"Kurt Hummel; why on Earth did you call my shrink for? You know the only way to keep me calm is stop hiding the truth from me; right?"

Kurt didn't try to hide his exasperated sigh this time:

"Listen to me, sweetie, and try to be calm. You kind of passed out last night..."

"I'm beginning to remember it... There was the curtain and I was very nervous... I was with Blaine backstage but then I went alone to check something. What was it?"

He stroked her hand as a last attempt to calm her down:

"Doctor Young said that clearly your new medication isn't working and she already gave me a prescription to try another one. A new one. You know better than I do how this kind of treatment works."

"Yes, Kurt; I know how my psycho treatment works. I know you're changing the subject. What I don't know is exactly the thing you are trying to hide from me. Come on; spill it out!"

"Goodness; when our stubbornness is directed at me it's really annoying! Fine! You had a nervous breakdown last night and passed out on the stage. Blaine called an ambulance and I called Doctor Young on our way here. You're stable but they wanted to keep you under surveillance for a bit more because of... well, recent events. Doctor Young was here last night and she said that, other than that change of medication, you're very well and must be out of here soon. This time you can even go straight home with Maggie; although I'd rather be with you for a couple of nights."

She looked at him still a little suspicious:

"That's all very kind of you and I'll take it as good news. I'm feeling well; you don't need to leave Blaine alone to be my nanny. But what's still bugging me is why I passed out last night."

"Blaine wants only the best for you too. I'm sure he wouldn't mind..."

She never let him finish that sentence:

"Kurt! Stop trying to avoid the subject. For crying out loud; you're not my..."

She stopped midway and began to stare blankly at the wall. Kurt got frightened and began to shake her. Finally, she blinked a few times and met his gaze speaking strangely calm, almost like in a trance:

"My father is here; isn't he? I saw him last night at the theater. It was what startled me; wasn't it?"

Kurt was uncomfortably fidgeting. She frowned at him:

"You know I won't rest until I know it all."

He took a deep breath and looked at her:

"He wanted to be the one riding the ambulance with you. I fought him for it and he said he'll be in town until you're out and about. Blaine convinced him not to come here and to wait for you to say you're ready to talk to him..."

They stood in silence watching each other. Kurt tried a half-smile and she nodded. He tentatively walked closer and touched her shoulder:

"Lou?"

"I'll... I'll try to sleep some more; my headache is getting worse."

He nodded and helped adjust the sheets over her:

"I'll be here if you need me."

She was feeling very drowsy; probably from the heavy medication she was under. More unconscious than not; she mumbled before falling completely asleep:

"Remember me to thank Bowtie..."

xXxXx

Rachel squeezed Finn's fingers intertwined with hers tighter this time:

"How are you feeling?"

He chuckled:

"Since when do you care about Louisa?"

Rachel shrugged:

"I care about you and you decided to care about every fit she throws."

"You know it's not a fit..."

She waved it off as nonsense:

"Potato; potahto. Anyway, are you sure you're okay to do it?"

Finn sighed but nodded. Rachel grinned at him and kissed his cheek:

"When did you become such a grown man?"

"I'm growing fonder of Brody; I'm beginning to understand his struggles."

They were getting closer to NYADA's main building and saw Brody gazing outside a window. They approached slowly and Rachel touched his shoulder, making him jump.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scary you."

"It's alright. How are you two?"

Finn sat by his side; offering a sympathetic smile:

"We're fine, dude. How about you?"

He wouldn't look at Finn while answering:

"I've been better; but it's not about me I worry about. Blaine convinced me not to go to the hospital nor call. He even promised to tell me if they had any news. He sent a text last night saying she was stable. Stable doesn't begin to cover my concern for her... She said herself that we could be friends; why are they trying to keep me in the dark?"

Finn grabbed his shoulder:

"You really got it going for my cousin; haven't you?"

Brody snorted:

"Sorry if it bothers you."

"It did; not so much anymore. But let me take you out of your misery; Kurt just called saying her doctor would probably send her home tonight. It's not 100% sure yet, that's why Blaine hasn't called you; but Louisa seems to be fine now."

Rachel was proud of how they could be civilized and even friendly around each other. She thought Finn wouldn't be jealous if she tried to comfort Brody. She sat by his side and passed her arm around him:

"Now you know Louisa is safe and sound; would you care to talk about your situation? You don't need to put a brave face for me."

He chuckled but not so amused:

"I promise you I'm not trying to put a brave face here. It's really just that, with Louisa needing assistance; I couldn't care less about me right now."

Surprisingly, Finn was the one retorting him:

"It's your graduation, dude. It is a big deal. It's understandable that you're worried; but she's in good hands right now."

"Finn's right, Brody. There are other people taking care of Louisa now and only you can run after the things you need to settle to graduate."

Finn opened one of his big-brother smiles:

"Besides, she'd feel awful knowing she harmed you in any way."

Brody replied him with a smile that soon faded into another sigh:

"I'll try... for her."

xXxXx

Blaine checked for the hundredth time if everything was in its right place. Nothing had exactly changed since one second ago; but he didn't know anything better to do. He checked once more just to be sure that Satine hadn't ruined anything that wasn't hers; but the puppy was still chewing her own toy and not even looking at Louisa's stuff.

He found it extremely sweet of Maggie to have lent her bedroom so he and Kurt could be there for Louisa on her first night back. She had even said that Satine would be more than welcomed. However, waiting per se was already nerve racking. Doing so in someone else's place while making sure your unreliable dog won't chew anything; is even worse. To his relief, he heard the sound of a key being inserted into the door that was soon followed by the image of Kurt and Louisa entering home.

Satine was immediately on a run towards her arriving master who bent down to greet her:

"Satine, my loved one; I've missed you!"

Blaine took his hands to his waist outraged:

"So that's how you greet your loving fiancé? By going for the dog first!"

Louisa took the puppy from Kurt's arms while smiling to Blaine:

"I'm the one coming out of the hospital; I'm the one who deserves the puppy. Besides, you have another helpless creature to take care of, Kurt."

While Kurt went to kiss the pout out of Blaine; Louisa sat on the couch still playing with the dog. They were soon joined by the boys; who managed to snuggle absurdly close, even for the girl's tiny couch. Blaine caught her looking and smiled:

"So, tell me, Lou: how are you feeling?"

"Tired; I must admit. But mostly annoyed by having my apartment invaded by a hobbit and his loyal flurry fury."

Before Blaine could tease back, Kurt soothingly placed his hand on his boyfriend's thigh and answered the girl:

"I forgot to tell you; Maggie was a lamb and lent her bedroom for me and my family for the next couple of days."

Louisa rolled her eyes. Blaine chuckled:

"You can have Satine sleep on your bed and I have a pizza on its way from your favorite restaurant; the one everyone else finds yucky."

Kurt was about to elbow him on the ribs, but Louisa stopped him:

"Don't blame Gel Helmet this time: I accept the dog offer and I like when people get real with me. Apparently you were the one I needed to see from the beginning, Blaine. Give me all the dirty."

Blaine got caught between Kurt's eyes pleading him to be quiet and Louisa's anxious ones encouraging him to go on. He sighed and decided to pity the girl this time:

"You'd find out eventually anyway; Brody really won't be graduating."

Louisa got up in a jump and knocked Satine to the ground:

"What?"

Kurt was fuming him with his eyes and Blaine was more lost than before:

"You didn't know about that possibility?"

Louisa didn't look at them nor stopped pacing while she answered:

"No! How did this happen? Was it my fault?"

Blaine, feeling horribly, tried to apologize while attempting to calm the girl down:

"I thought he told you that he needed to present the play he directed to get his diploma. Yesterday, he asked Carmen Tibidaux how his situation would turn out and she replied him that it remained to be seen. When I called him today to tell you'd be coming home; he said he had the answer that there was nothing that could be done until he showed a play."

The girl kept pacing around while repeating it was all her fault. She was more agitated within the second and Blaine dreaded what could come of it. Kurt got up from the couch and held her close to his body to stop the anxiety process:

"Boo, think of nothing else and concentrate on my voice. It's not your fault: Brody didn't want to find you an understudy and that's why they are punishing him."

Tears started running down from her eyes; yet she seemed calmer. Blaine approached them and started rubbing her back:

"Brody isn't worried about that. He was devastated that his play had caused you some sort of harm. He really cares about you and I'm sure he'll find a way out of it. I'm sorry to break the news for you like that; I thought that was what you were talking about."

The girl just nodded and Kurt's voice came with the explanation:

"She's sure I'm hiding something from her about Uncle Andy."

Blaine raised his eyebrow understandingly and turned to Louisa again:

"About that, all I have to tell you is that he tried to go with you on the ambulance; but after we talked to him, he gave me a piece of paper with his contact information to give to you and said he'd be waiting for you to call."

"You can tell him to shove that piece of paper..."

"Boo, he's your father! You know that eventually you'll have to solve things up with him. Now he's trying to be there for you and maybe..."

The doorbell rang interrupting Kurt's peptalk. Blaine, who really didn't want to be around such touchy subject, ran to answer it and get the pizza.

Dinner was unusually quiet filled with meaningful exchanged glances. Blaine was really uncomfortable with the situation; he tried to start small talk:

"What about a movie after dinner?"

Kurt barely looked at him and Louisa made a disgruntled noise. He swallowed another bite and tried again:

"You have a huge DVD library Lou; why don't choose something appropriate?"

She snorted:

"Appropriare for the psycho?"

Kurt went to defend Blaine:

"It's not what he meant!"

"It's what you two are thinking!"

"How can you know what we're thinking?"

Blaine shushed the two of them. The silence between the two cousins were better than their full battle mode. He eventually gave up on trying to conciliate things and concentrated on eating his slice of the dreadful Louisa's-favorite pizza. To his surprise, Kurt was the one breaking the silence:

"Louisa, you couldn't sink lower when it comes to choosing the pizza place."

To his bigger surprise, Louisa's reaction was to laugh out loud. Being drawn completely away from understanding, Blaine just watched as the couple of cousins got up from their places and went to hug each other.

"Boo, you are my favorite thick-head."

"And I know you have the best intentions in mind when you step over me when I'm out of my mind, pumpkin."

Blaine hid his head in his hand:

"What am I marrying into?"

Kurt pointed a menacing finger his way:

"Watch it; pretty boy. There's no turning back after putting a ring on it."

Blaine smirked:

"I wouldn't dare pissing off a Hummel..."

Louisa sat back down speaking mostly to herself than to them:

"What a family are the Hummels."

Blaine tapped her shoulder:

"I can say a much better and loving one than mine."

Kurt smiled sympathetically to him before taking his cousin's hand in his:

"We can be a mess but we're always there to support each other. Including your father..."

She looked too tired to fight and she sounded simply sad:

"Why is he only now trying to reach for me? Can't he see it's all wrong? I mean; he's the one who helped cause most of my struggles and he shows up just to trigger me on my most fragile moments."

Kurt sighed:

"He doesn't know any of that. He doesn't know you at all. He's trying to. I'll admit he's trying in the most crooked way; but he doesn't know any better."

Blaine entered the conversation with a feeble voice that was the result of battling the ghosts from his own past:

"He doesn't appear in your most fragile moments; you become fragile because he's there."

She looked from one to the other with her eyes moist:

"And what can I do?"

Kurt smiled:

"Sing about it."

"I don't feel like singing."

Kurt rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb:

"Would you let me do it?"

He didn't wait for an answer and walked to her sound system, putting in Lion King – The Musical's soundtrack in it. He selected He Lives in You and began to sing alongside with Rafiki. Both Louisa and Blaine stood astounded watching him perform. Blaine felt Lou's head resting on his shoulder and smiled.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/GsylXAaXbxg

Night and the spirit of life calling

Oh, oh, iyo mamela oh, oh, iyo

And the voice with the fear of a child answers

Oh, oh, iyo iyo mamela

Wait! There's no mountain too great

Hear these words and have faith

Oh, oh, iyo

Have faith

He lives in you, he lives in me

He watches over everything we see

Into the waters, into the truth

In your reflection, he lives in you

When Kurt was finished, the girl walked toward him and engulfed him in a big hug.

"What would I do without my wise Rafiki?"

Kurt smirked in his best diva fashion:

"Throw the world's biggest pity-party instead of the marvelous kiki you've got with me."

xXxXx

Brody could hardly believe his eyes. He wanted it for so long that got him paralyzed and she was clearly embarrassed. Nevertheless, Brody had opened his room's door to Louisa and they both stayed there staring at each other. She smiled awkwardly and said in a smooth voice:

"Can I come in?"

"Oh... Yes! Yes; off course. Be my guest."

She walked in coyly and she kept looking at him for guidance. He was also a bit uncomfortable and not so sure of what to do with his hands. He signaled her to sit on the bed; which she did reluctantly. He sat too, rather fast, and had to control himself not to grab her hand like he desperately wanted to. She smiled and begun to talk:

"I've heard you're not graduating because of me..."

"I don't know who told this to you, but it's a lie!"

She stared confused at him:

"You are graduating, then?"

He sighed:

"Not right now. They said I can present a monologue by the end of the term and all can be sat. I'll graduate with less credits or something, but that's okay. Anyway, not the point...What I meant is that it's not your fault."

She nodded understandingly but kept looking down. He stayed watching her until she finally caught him and chuckled feebly:

"You like taking big risks; doesn't you? You even broke the taboo of casting freshmen... Maybe the curse is true..."

He smirked:

"And you believe that... right..."

She looked at him seeming a little more determined:

"No; but I felt bad even so and thought I should come talk to you."

"Louisa; please don't feel bad on my account. All that's in my mind the last couple of days has to do with you."

"You should have found me an understudy."

She still couldn't see what it was all about or was she really blind to his feelings?

"Lou... can't you see how special you are? How special you are to me?"

He was intensely staring at her with eager eyes. She blushed and turned her head away to prevent him from seeing the tear she was whipping away, which he saw anyway. He exhaled and found the courage to touch her face and turn it to him:

"Please; let me be a part of your life. Why don't you let me at least try to help you?"

"I'm the one begging you, Brody; please don't go there again. I think I'm in the frailest stage I've ever been..."

He interrupted her and cupped her face with his other hand too:

"I'm not asking you to be strong and put together. Because, honestly, who is? All I'm asking you is another chance to be us now that I know you fully."

He couldn't control himself any longer and glued his lips against hers. He, however, didn't felt hers kissing him back. He slowly pulled away and whispered:

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

She got up and patted his shoulder before walking towards the door. He wouldn't cry; he couldn't cry. To fight his tears, he did the only thing he knew might keep his feelings under control: he sang. He started to ditty Next to Normal's A Light in the Dark. He could empathize with that husband singing to his sick wife to try again. He knew he loved Louisa at that moment and he simply couldn't watch her walk away carrying that reckless kiss as the last memory of them.

She stopped to listen as soon as he begun. She paused near the door with her eyes closed and her head lowered.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/2MRRjTF_hC4

One light shines in the drive

One single sign

That our house is alive.

Our house, our own

So why do I

Live there alone?

Tell me why I

Wait through the night,

And why do I

Leave on the light?

You know—I know,

Our house was

A home long ago.

Take this chance,

'Cause it may be our last

To be free,

To let go of the past,

And to try,

To be husband and wife,

To let love never die

Or to just live our life.

Take my hand,

And let me take you heart,

Keep it far

From what keeps us apart

Let us start

With a light in the dark.

By the time Diana had lines in the song; she sang too and he could see the tears spotting her face.

Dan: (Diana:)

Night falls,

I stare at the walls. (I stare at these walls...)

I wake and wander

The halls (I get lost in these halls...)

And I ache to the bone...

(It's like nothing I've known...)

Dan & Diana:

I can't get through this alone.

Dan:

Take this chance,

And we'll make a new start

Somewhere far

From what keeps us apart,

And I swear that somewhere

In the night

There's a light

A light in the dark.

He finished but didn't have the courage to look at her. He heard her though:

"I'm sorry, Brody. It's not enough."

The last thing he heard was the sound of the door closing behind her.

xXxXx

With everything going on in her life; getting to know the rest of the cast of Spring Awakening felt to second plan in Rachel's life. It was even worse considering the rest of the ensemble have been working together for years. Making friends has never been her forte; however, it would be necessary more than a group of mean girls to turn Rachel away from her Broadway goal.

She took a deep breath and opened the doors to the rehearsal room. As the routine they've established; the other girls started giggling between themselves as soon as they saw it was her. Rachel put on a polite smile and went to get ready in a corner of the room, facing the wall.

She placed her bag and started taking out her dance material. It wasn't as if she had never felt like the new girl or the girl no one liked. She knew that becoming a star would mean standing alone for most of the time. She picked her cellphone to turn out the sound and saw Finn smiling at her from the screensaver. She smiled in spite of the situation: she definitively wasn't alone.

Before putting the phone back down; she saw there was a group message from Blaine. He was just guaranteeing that Louisa had spent the last days well and safe. She frowned: why everyone obsessed with Louisa so much?

She was withdrawn from her thoughts by the beginning of rehearsal and a new hard choreography to learn. Rachel was working hard; yet somehow, Louisa kept showing up in her thoughts until it was like the other girl was there with her. In the end, they were learning the steps together and Louisa was even helping her with some moves she was struggling with. Maybe the latin girl wasn't that bad after all...

xXxXx

Going back to work was like a new breath of air for Louisa. She already had her dose of hospitals, staying home and feeling sorry for herself. She liked being among books, friends and the quiet shoppers of bookshops. Eleanor had welcomed her back with a huge grin and kept spoiling her with fresh brewed tea and friendly compliments all afternoon. It had been a quiet day and she was ready to put the 'closed' signed on the door and go wait for Maggie in the coffee shop.

She was walking with the sign to the door when a group of people caught her attention. At first she smiled seen Kurt and Blaine crossing the street; but soon her smile was replaced by a face of absolute terror when she saw who was with them. How dared they bring her father there when they swore she could choose if and when to call him? Disgusted, she turned back and walked to the interior of the shop. However, she hadn't been able to reach the staff room when Kurt's voice reached her ears:

"Hi boo!"

She didn't turn and took several deep breaths trying to calm down. Blaine was the one calling this time:

"Come on, Lou; it's us."

A deeper and sadder voice reached her this time:

"No, boys; it's me."

Unable to control herself anymore; she turned and saw that Andrew didn't wore the same relaxed complexion he had on Thanksgiving. She tried to smile but her muscles didn't want to respond:

"Hello, boys. Good Afternoon, Andrew."

Her reaction caught him by surprised and he gave a little chuckle:

"I came to say goodbye. I've heard you're out of danger and, since you don't want to talk to me anyway, I better go back to work."

He nodded and was moving out when she felt her blood beginning to boil and the words escape her lips before she could prevent it:

"Why you never come to say hello?"

Blaine looked awkwardly between them and begun to drive Kurt up to the mezzanine and telling her they'd wait there. Andrew watched the boys' entire way up the stairs before turning to her again:

"So here is where you work?"

"Are you going to pass judgment about here too?"

"No... no. I'm in town just to... as you put it 'try to say hello'. Better late than never, right?"

She shrugged:

"It's what they say..."

"But what do you say, Louisa? I came here to try to listen to your voice..."

She sighed defeated and he tentatively took a step closer.

"You see, I've learned that weekend at your Granny's that you were attending NYADA and ever since I've been following the university's blog to see if I could understand you a little better. You can't imagine how happy I was to learn you were casted on a play. I went after if; I've even bought the script."

She gave him a more-sarcastic-than-polite half-smile:

"It's a great play."

"Yes! Yes, Louisa; yes. It's an excellent play; a very difficult one too; may I add. I understand a thing or two about theater. I guess I never told you, but I was Jean Valjean in a High School production. But I didn't come here to talk about me. I've came to talk about you; about how brave you are to have accepted a part like that."

She rolled her eyes and he took a deep breath trying to calm down:

"I know I hardly know you. I know I've been absent for several years; but I never gave up on you. I never forgot you and I never will. I wanted to be here for you when you walked up that stage. Now I realize it was foolish of me..."

He looked at her waiting for a reaction that never came. He chuckled a little embarrassed:

"Well... I guess I'm always taking the wrong ways towards you. I wanted to hear you sing. Especially Maybe..."You see; I bought Next to Normal's soundtrack too and that's my favorite song."

Louisa kept staring at him not sure of how she felt at that moment. Blaine, being the show-off kiss-ass he was, sat on the upstairs piano and begun to play Maybe on it. Andrew laughed at first; waving it off as silly. However, his face turned serious as he begun to sing Diana's part.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/k0Sv1zWtv1I

Diana:

Maybe I've lost it at last

Maybe my last lucid moment has passed

I'm dancing with death, I suppose

But really, who knows?

Could be I'm crazy to go

They say you should stay with the devil you know

But when life needs a change and the one devil won't

You fly to the devil you don't

Maybe I'm tired of the game

Of coming up short of the rules, of the shame

And maybe you feel that way too

I see me in you

A girl full of anger and hope

A girl with a mother who just couldn't cope

A girl who felt caught and thought no one could see

That maybe one day she'll be free

Louisa chuckled completely sarcastically this time. He kept singing. Taking advantage of the well-rehearsed and perfectly fitted lyrics of the song; she started singing back Natalie's part to him. The trick thing about that musical is how realistic it is: their song was transforming into a confession and they could talk, or sing, about their true feelings for the first time in years.

Natalie:

It's so lovely that you're sharing

No, really, I'm all ears

But where has all this caring been for sixteen years?

For all those years I'd prayed that you'd go away for good

Half the time afraid that you really would

When I thought you might be dying

I cried for all we've never be

But there'll be no more crying

Not for me

Diana (Natalie):

Things will get better you'll see (Not for me)

You'll see (Not for me)

You'll see (Not for me)

You'll see (Not for me)

You'll see...

Maybe we can't be okay

But maybe we're tough and we'll try anyway

We'll live with what's real

Let go of what's past

And maybe I'll see you at last

We tried to give you a normal life. I realize now, I have no clue what that is.

Natalie:

I don't need a life that's normal, that's way too far away

But something next to normal would be okay

Yeah, something next to normal, that's the thing I'd like to try

Close enough to normal to get by

Diana:

We'll get by

Natalie:

We'll get by

As the tears flooded her face by the end of their song; Louisa walked towards her father and gave him a hug. Andrew begun to ugly cry on her arms:

"Oh, Lou; does this means I'm forgiven?"

She broke the embrace and cleared her own face:

"This means you've took the first step of the right lane."

He grinned:

"Will I be hearing from you soon?"

She smirked:

"Maybe..."

He chuckled amused this time and waved her goodbye.

xXxXx

Finn had been shocked at first when Rachel was the one inviting him to join Kurt and Blaine in a night at Callbacks to cheer Louisa up. However, he got completely action less when his girlfriend walked in the bar and engulfed the Brazilian into a friendly hug. Apparently, the others were as astonished as him by Rachel's reaction. She broke the embrace and took Louisa's hand:

"I know that's not that clear to read from me, but I'm truly glad that you're okay."

"Thanks, Rachel... I guess..."

Kurt grabbed both of the girls and dragged them to their seats:

"Come on, Rach; Lou isn't familiar yet with your diva's change of mood."

Finn sat down with the feeling he had just entered a madhouse. A cool madhouse though. That was probably why he felt so at ease when Brody approached their table.

"Excuse me; I don't want to interrupt the family bonding time. It's just that I'm here with a group of friends and it wouldn't be polite not to stop by and say hello. I'll go back to my friends now. Good night everyone."

Kurt pursed his lips surprised:

"Brody is really changed..."

However, the strangeness of Brody's gentleman ways were completely over shadowed by Rachel asking Louisa to follow her to the girl's room because they needed to talk. The three boys on the table watched them crossing the whole room together and the silence between them remained until they saw the two of them walking out again.

Rachel drove Louisa closer to the stage and went to talk to the guy in charge of the karaoke. She whispered something to the man that nodded approvingly. Louisa stood where she was while Rachel skipped back towards them and sat by Finn's side, stealing a peck from him. He turned to her confused:

"What was all that about?"

She smirked sassy:

"I was just helping my friend and you cousin. Watch."

He turned to the stage where Louisa was being announced.

"Hello again, Callbacks. My name is Louisa Hummel and it's my pleasure to sing for you. The song I chose is from the Broadway musical First Date and it's called Safer. I hope you like it"

Louisa began to sing the soft melody and Rachel almost squeaked by his side. His girlfriend kept staring between the girl on the stage and the boy in a few tables away with his group of friends.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/sdZ74TDRIxo

I know that I have issues

I face them, I swear.

Think I overcome them

Then turn - they're still there.

Wish that I was different

I'd like to let go.

But when I try to change

There's my past, saying no.

Maybe it's all 'cause of dad,

His new kids, his new wife

Or why not just blame mom

Who's been nuts my whole life...

When you've felt so alone since

The moment of brith

And you're struggled to find

Your own true sense of worth

When it seems there is no one

Across this whole earth

To depend upon, you carry on

Just like you always do

'Cause it's safer to rely on you.

Oh, it's safer to rely on you.

Brody seemed mesmerized by the performance; he was drinking Louisa's every word. Lou, on the other hand, stared a lot in Brody's direction and it became obvious, even for Finn, that she was singing to him.

Seen a million movies

All selling true love.

Fantasies I'm not sure

That I'm worthy of.

Caution to the wind

My heart's been on display.

Still the end result is

It's not gone my way.

So when I date some new guy

Who's a deadbeat or jerk

At least I'm not so crushed

When it all doesn't work...

When you once, unafraid,

Wore your heart on your sleeve

And the ones that you loved

Chose to just turn and leave

Every day it gets harder to

Somehow believe

You will survive, so you strive

Just to keep up your guard

'Cause it's safer to hold every card.

Oh, it's safer to hold every card.

I feel out of control

I feel safe on the ground.

I go building up walls

Yet I wish to be found.

A true contradiction to which I am bound

As I keep on spinning around and around...

And I look at the people

Who've worked it all out

And I wonder why I'm still

A bundle of doubt and sometimes

I wanna just stand up and shout...

"Just commit and deal with it

Before your life flies by...

Don't let your life fly by ..."

But is it safer?

Maybe it's safer

If I don't try

If no one is safe from their own feelings; it looked like Louisa was learning to deal with hers.