INT. QUINN'S LOCKER / WMHS HALLWAY – DAY
Quinn stood at her locker, visibly distraught, tears slipping down her cheeks. Finn spotted her down the hall and called out, picking up his pace.
"Quinn! Quinn. Hey, what's with the silent treatment? Whatever I did, I'm sorry," Finn pleaded, but she ignored him until he caught up.
She turned sharply, eyes glassy. "Elena's pregnant."
The words made Finn blink, confused. "What? Why are you telling me this?"
Quinn took a shaky breath. "Because... it's yours."
Finn froze, his mind spinning. "Mine? No... no, that's... we never—"
"Last month. Hot tub," Quinn interrupted. "And after that happened, I invited Elena over, and she got in the hot tub too."
FLASHBACK – EXT. FABRAY HOT TUB
Finn and Quinn sat in the hot tub in swimsuits, laughing and talking. Quinn splashed him playfully, smirking as he relaxed. Suddenly, Finn's expression shifted to panic.
"Oh no. Oh no. Oh—"
"Think of the mail! Think of the mail!" Quinn's voice urged in real time, her tone half-teasing, half-alarmed.
FLASHBACK – EXT. FINN'S CAR
Finn, behind the wheel for the first time, hit a mailman. Carole shouted, "You killed him! What are you going to do?!"
FLASHBACK – EXT. FABRAY HOT TUB
Finn couldn't stop himself. "Oh..."
BACK TO PRESENT – INT. WMHS HALLWAY
"But we were wearing swimsuits!" Finn protested, his voice cracking.
Quinn's tearful voice was firm. "Ask Jeeves said a hot tub is the perfect temperature for sperm. It helps it swim faster. And Elena knows it's yours."
Finn stared, horrified. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. Is she going to keep it?"
Quinn said quietly, worry clear in her voice. "She doesn't know yet if she's going to keep it. And Elena isn't planning on making you involved. She's scared. And... I thought you should know."
Finn stood frozen, the hallway noise fading around them, unsure what to do with the bombshell he had just been handed. He swallowed hard, glancing at her. "Are you... mad at me?"
Quinn hesitated, the conflict clear in her eyes. "No, Finn, I'm not mad at you," she admitted, though her tone was tight. Inside, she knew Elena would be furious — she had begged Quinn not to do this — but in Quinn's mind, this was the only way she, Santana, and Brittany could be part of the pregnancy without raising suspicion. It was a calculated move, one she felt she had to make, even if it risked Elena's trust.
INT. RYERSON HOUSE – DAY
The camera lingered on Sandy Ryerson's unsettling doll collection. Sandy, draped in a Japanese kimono, carefully made tea, lifting a porcelain doll for inspection. Sue Sylvester stood beside him, clearly disturbed.
"I've been collecting since 1961," Sandy said with pride.
Sue's lips curved into a tight, sarcastic smile. "Now, isn't this just lovely and normal?"
"They're my everything," Sandy replied, just as the kettle began to whistle. "Tea time!" He chuckled, mimicking the kettle's sound.
Sue gave a curt nod. "Right."
Sandy turned to her. "So, to what do I owe the honor of your presence?"
"I just thought I'd stop by and say hello, buddy," Sue said smoothly. "Boy, the only thing missing from this place is a couple dozen bodies, limed and rotting in shallow graves under the floorboards."
Returning with tea, Sandy gestured toward the couch. "Please, have a seat on the Casting Couch."
Sue sat, glancing at the dolls with barely concealed distaste.
"Oh, it's so wonderful to finally have some Sandy time," he said. "I have my bridge game on Fridays, and Saturdays I'm fully committed at the local cat rescue."
Sue's expression hardened. "Sandy. Let's cut the crap."
Sandy's eyes welled up. "I'm living in a cocoon of horror! Yesterday, I ate nine cans of aerosol whipped cream!"
"Sandy, we have similar problems," Sue said, leaning in. "You need to be back in the spotlight. I want to offer you the school's Arts Administrator position."
Sandy perked up. "You mean control of music, art, drama—and Glee Club?"
"Yes," Sue confirmed. "William is running it into the ground, and there's one lynchpin holding that group together: Rachel Berry. How do we steal her away?"
Sandy's eyes gleamed. "Figgins will never allow it."
Sue smirked. "Don't you worry about Figgins."
FLASHBACK – INT. FIGGINS' OFFICE
"I'm never letting Sandy Ryerson back in this school," Figgins said flatly.
Sue stepped behind his desk, pulling up a Mumbai Air commercial featuring Figgins on the computer. As the ad played, she leaned in. "I'd hate to think of this video making the rounds at school. Or better yet, YouTube."
BACK TO RYERSON HOUSE
Sandy sipped his tea. "Alright, I'm in. What's the plan?"
Sue's eyes narrowed with satisfaction. "Hold onto your Easter bonnet, Sandy. Four words: Liza. Minnelli. Celine. Dion."
"Oh... yeah," Sandy said with a grin. "I'm yours."
INT. WMHS HALLWAY – DAY
Rachel Berry stopped in front of a bulletin board, her eyes locking onto a flyer. It read: "Be a LEAD in our High School Musical! Audition for CABARET! Must audition with Celine Dion song of your choice." Smiling to herself, she signed her name and stuck a gold star beside it.
INT. WMHS AUDITORIUM – DAY
Rachel stood center stage, performing "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion with perfect precision. Sue Sylvester and Sandy Ryerson watched from the judges' table.
"Wow," Sandy said, clearly impressed.
Rachel straightened. "What's next?"
"Congratulations, Miss Sally Bowles," Sandy announced. "You've just landed the lead."
Rachel gasped and bounced on her heels, overjoyed.
INT. FIGGINS' OFFICE – DAY
Principal Figgins sat behind his desk, while Will Schuester, Sue, and Sandy filled the room.
"This is a joke!" Will said, glaring at Sandy.
Figgins adjusted his glasses. "William, Sandy's never been formally charged with anything. And honestly, my firing of him may have been rash. This is a wonderful thing—how many times have you complained that I don't care about the arts program?"
Will turned to Sue. "This was you. You've always been out to get me."
Sue smirked. "If I was out to get you, you'd be in a Mason jar on my shelf by now."
Sandy leaned forward, feigning sincerity. "William, relax. I'm here to help."
"Oh really?" Will shot back. "Is that why you stole my best singer?"
INT. WMHS DANCE STUDIO – DAY
Rachel, dressed in tights and a leotard, stretched at the barre, practicing ballet. Elena sat in the corner, tying her sneakers after Cheerios practice, listening to the conversation between Rachel and Will.
Rachel glanced at Will. "An opportunity arose for me to showcase my talents and I took it. How is that any different from when you quit Glee to form your boy band?"
Will replied, "Because I didn't do it out of spite."
Rachel's eyes narrowed. "I'm offended by that accusation. I've always been a team player. Just admit it, Mr. Schue, you don't like me very much."
"That's not true," Will insisted. "I am your biggest, and sometimes your only fan."
Rachel softened only slightly. "Look, I know who I am, okay? I can be abrasive, bossy, conceited... but I'm hurt you judge me on that instead of my talent. I know it sounds awful, but I'm the best one in there. I try the hardest and I want it the most."
"Everyone knows that," Will said. "But they're scared of it. They think they can slack off because you'll pick up their weight. We can't win Regionals like that. Everyone has to think they're a star."
Elena muttered under her breath, "Couldn't hurt you to learn a little humility, Berry."
Rachel shot her a glare, but kept talking.
INT. FIGGINS' OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Sue sat across from Figgins. "We're giving everyone a chance to think they're a star! Providing opportunities. Opening doors. Find your voice, stomp that yard, all that crap."
Will turned to Figgins. "What does she have on you?"
Sandy stood abruptly. "Enough! I tried to play nice, William, but clearly, you'd prefer to be adversaries. So be it."
INT. WMHS DANCE STUDIO – LATER
Rachel packed her dance bag. "I'm not quitting Glee... I'm just looking for a reason to stay."
"Oh, like me taking the solo away from Tina?" Will asked.
Rachel's voice cracked. "Everyone's getting something out of Glee. You're getting them out of their shells. Except me. I'm still getting my lipstick flushed down the toilet. Still don't have a boyfriend. Tina's great, but why do you have to hurt me to make her feel good?"
Elena crossed her arms. "Maybe because the world doesn't revolve around you, and he's trying to make a team, not the Rachel Berry show."
Rachel shot her another glare, then turned back to Will.
"Just come to rehearsal," Will urged.
Rachel left, looking thoughtful, while Elena shook her head and muttered, "Drama queen."
INT. WMHS AUDITORIUM – DAY
Tina stood center stage, singing "Tonight" from West Side Story while Will watched from the wings, clapping encouragement. Elena sat in the front row, legs crossed, quietly mouthing the lyrics along with her.
Tina nailed the first verses, but her confidence faltered near the end, and she missed the last note. Will came up, still clapping. "That was great, Tina. Good job!"
Tina shook her head. "You don't have to say that. I was sh-sh-sharp. I c-c-can't do this."
"Hey, look at me," Will said gently. "Have you noticed the more confident you are, the less you stutter? I need you to be great at Regionals. You can do this."
Tina sighed. "You have to give this song to Rachel. She's better than me, and you know she'll quit if you don't. I'll have to t-take one for the team."
Elena leaned forward. "Or, wild idea, you could believe in yourself instead of handing her the win. Just saying. You've got a great voice, Tina, and you deserve to show it off."
Tina offered a small, appreciative smile but still turned and exited. Will exhaled, watching her leave.
A moment later, Finn walked in slowly, his shoulders slumped as if weighed down by unspoken thoughts. Elena caught the unsettled look in his eyes, and her stomach tightened—she could already guess he believed she was carrying his baby. The guilt over Quinn's lie and the truth she'd kept from him twisted in her chest. Her frown deepened, and with a quiet inhale, she rose from her seat, slipping out before their eyes could meet, too unsettled to face him just yet.
Will stepped forward. "Hey, Finn. What's up?"
Finn opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, his face crumpled, and he moved into Will's arms. Will hugged him tightly, his eyes instinctively flicking toward where Elena had been—only to find her already slipping out of the auditorium, her retreat a quiet escape from the tension hanging between them.
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