AN: Well I guess we will see if Nerdy kills me or not after this. Usually I send him the chapters for proofing and also to give him a heads up but this one just wants to post.

If you want to hear the version of the song used here go to YouTube and enter watch?v=ecklqEo9QQc – you know the drill. Beautiful song and as much as I love the techno remix it didn't fit with the chapter so I was so glad to find this one on youtube.

Don't own any of this so don't sue …

John found himself walking back through the same dimly lit halls that he had followed Blaine down earlier, his thoughts reeling now that the adrenaline and the urgency of the situation had worn off.

He honestly hadn't thought about that time in his life for years, he never allowed himself to. There were so many feelings involved, so many different overwhelming emotions and John never did do well with emotions. Now it seemed like he was just numb.

He never noticed Barbra Bush's private physician passing him on his way to check over his son.

He didn't hear her words of encouragement expressed by the odd woman who had spoken to him in the basement.

He didn't feel the hand that Colin Powell clasped to his shoulder as he passed him at the entry to main hall.

The only thing he saw once his eyes adjusted to the lighting was the worried face of his wife, seated at their table, hands held in Leroy Berry's.

He heard whispered murmurs and questions as he walked across the dining room.

"Can you believe ..."

"I hear that Kurt ..."

"Is that young woman ..."

"I heard that Blaine's dad ..."

None of them really registered and he sank heavily into his chair, rested his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands.

He felt his wife's hand resting between his shoulder blades and heard her quiet voice as she said "Are you alright John? What happened? The things that I am hearing are just confused. John …. John … John, can you hear me?"

He turned his face towards her, head still resting on his hand "I don't know Julia … I was there and I don't know how to explain..." his voice trailed off

"Are you OK? Are Blaine and Kurt?" She asked

"Blaine and Kurt are fine, or at least I think so. The waiter that was here earlier apparently tried to assault that pretty blond that was doing the announcements, but he's in custody now. God Julia …. Blaine, and then Kurt … SHIT" he exclaimed at the end.

"What is it John? You look like you saw a ghost"

"I think I did Julia, but now isn't the time to talk about it, honestly I don't think I can, not again. Later though, I promise. There are some things you need to know." he said, leaning over to rest his forehead against hers and wrap a hand around the back of her neck "I promise sweetheart."

Julia's breath caught in her throat as she heard the raw emotion underlying his words. "Whatever you need John" she said quietly "I'm here"

Their quiet discussion was interrupted when the microphone hissed in static from the stage.

"If I can have your attention Ladies and Gentlemen" the sandy haired man standing on the stage said "I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and thank you all for the support you have shown this evening. My name is William Schuster and I am the director of the McKinley High New Directions. First I would like everyone to put their hands together for some of the strongest, most talented young people I know – the New Directions." he said indicating the group of young people standing to the side of the stage.

Mr Schuster paused as the applause rang through he dining room, along with a few piercing whistles and shouts.

"Three years ago this group didn't exist, the glee club had been disbanded and I volunteered to take over as director. We started out with five kids, all extremely talented but extremely rough. Over the course of that first year we increased to twelve, due to everything from genuine interest to blackmail." Several of the teens burst into laughter at the last statement

"Many times over the years it appeared that it wasn't meant to be. Between the attempts from the outside to tear the group down to the internal fighting that comes in a high school group I worried from day to day as to why I even tried. But these kids … these wonderful kids proved me wrong at every possible moment."

"The first year we made it to sectionals, just to have our set list stolen. It looked like we would have nothing to perform but these guys pulled it off, in less than an hour and managed to win. We lost at regionals but we proved to ourselves that we could do anything if we tried."

"Last year we tied with the Warblers at sectionals, kicked their butts at Regionals, and made it to Nationals in New York. We didn't win, but the fact that we made it to that level amazed me. These kids have grown so much over the years, they stand by each other no matter what the cost. They are an example of why the arts are so important and why we are here now."

"One of the most important lessons that can be learned in life is on of respect and tolerance. These kids have taught that lesson to me. Puck and Finn used to be some of the main tormenters that Kurt had to deal with, now they are two of his best friends and strongest supporters. Tina faked a stutter her freshman year to avoid talking to people, now she is a confident young woman and one of our strongest singers. Rachel Berry, the diva who thought no one could ever reach her talent now willingly stands and sings background to her friends. Quinn and Sam stood up to all of us when we made a performance more important than singing at the local homeless shelter for Christmas this year. There are so many more stories that I could tell you, but let's just say that these kids have become a solid family, one that never would have existed in the outside world of high school. They all have something to teach us."

"This song is one that they chose especially for tonight. It's not one we have performed before but it's one that I hope you all listen to and really take in what it is saying and what these kids are asking you. It is my pleasure to welcome back to the stage both the New Directions and the Warblers."

John sat quietly, fingers interlaced with his wife's, (when had that happened?) as the piano and drums started a haunting melody, flute wafting over all in a beautiful counterpoint. He just sat and took in the strings as they pulled into the mix and the young Asian girl sang.

The Warblers and the rest of the New Directions took up a counter melody, humming behind the beautiful girl. Her voice was strong and vibrant, filled with emotion and you could tell how deeply she felt what she was singing.

After a short musical break he finally took note of the lyrics and they cut him to the core. The young Latina, (Santana?) took up an echoing of the melody and the entire group came in on the chorus, voices swelling into a crescendo.

Still so many answers I don't know (there are so many answers)

Realize that to question is how we grow (to question is to grow)

So I step out of the ordinary

I can feel my soul ascending

I'm on my way

Can't stop me now

You can do the same (yeah)

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

It's never too late to try

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

You could be so many people

If you make that break for freedom

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

(yeah) We need a change (Yeah)

Do it today (yeah)

I can feel my spirit rising

(change, yeah) We need a change (yeah)

So do it today (yeah)

'Cause I can see a clear horizon

What have you done today to make you feel proud? (to make you feel proud)

So what have you done today to make you feel proud?

'Cause you could be so many people

Just make that break for freedom

So what have you done today to make you feel proud?

John turned and pulled Julia into a bone crushing hug, burying his face into her neck as he wept. He may not know yet what he needed to do, but he knew he needed to do something.

Small note - but one that I don't really understand myself ... as an adult I have never been a crusader, not until recently when Glee started to change my focus on the world around me. I haven't voted since Regan was elected ... (Yeah I'm old) ... but there are some scary things out there today in the world, especially in the political oceans of the US right now. LOOK at what is around you, speak out and work to change things for the better.