This chapter takes place during 4x08, "Thanksiving" (aka the 'Sectionals' episode of Season 4) and part of 4x09 "Swan Song".
Yes. ALL the au's at this point tbh. You'll see what I'm talking about; haha.

Also, from now on, all songs used in the chapters will be listed at the end; due to me feeling like it might be a little bit spoiler-ish if I list them at the start; haha.

Songs:
At the Beginning - Richard Marx and Donna Lewis
Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips
Headphones - Britt Nicole

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.

**Note: important authors note at the end of the chapter!

Chapter 09: Sectionals

Dana smiled as she hugged Santana, then Quinn; letting out a chuckle. "It's good to see you guys. How's life after graduation?" she asked. Santana shrugged and Quinn smiled back. "It's easier than high school so far." she said. "That's good." Dana said. "Have you decided what you're going to do when you graduate?" Santana asked. Dana let out a nervous chuckle. "Ah...uh, not really. I mean, I've talked with Sam about a couple of ideas, but...I don't know. I just...need to see how the next couple of months go."

Santana wiggled her eyebrows. "You and Sam, eh?" she asked, making Dana laugh and playfully swat her arm. "How are the two of you doing, by the way?" Quinn asked. Dana smiled. "We're doing really great. Sam's been such a gentleman, and he's been kind of helping me with some of my emotional issues." she said. Quinn put her hand on Dana's arm. "That's really good to hear. You two are good for each other." she said. "Hate to agree, but she's right. Trouty-Mouth's a good kid, and if anyone's good for you Dana, it's him." Santana stated. "Thanks for your vote of support, Santana." Dana said with a chuckle.

Dana frowned as she looked at Marley, placing her hands on her lips as she gave her a stern look. "W-What?" Marley asked. "Have you been getting enough sleep lately, Marley?" Dana asked. Marley didn't answer and Dana let out a sigh and rubbed her temples. "Marley, you can't do this to yourself! You look physically exhausted, and that can't be good for you!" Dana stated. "I...I'm sorry, I've just been so nervous lately. I can't sleep, I've tried so many things, and nothing's been able to help so far." Marley said.

Dana let out a sigh and sat beside Marley; hugging the younger girl. "Marls, just...be careful, okay? I'm scared something's going to happen to you." she said. "I'll be fine, Dana. I just need some rest." Marley said, smiling softly. Dana reached up and flicked Marley's head. "You better. Don't worry me so much; gosh."

"Dana!"

Dana stopped walking; her sudden stop making Sam stop as well (seeing as they were currently holding hands) and turned to the source of the voice. A grin spread on her face as she saw Jeff Sterling; her cousin, walking towards her with a smile on his face. "Hey Jeff!" she said happily as she hugged him. Jeff and Sam nodded to each other, exchanging hellos, and Dana tilted her head curiously. "Uh, Jeff? Why aren't you in your Dalton uniform? Aren't you performing with the Warblers tonight?"

Jeff let out a chuckle. "Well, I actually decided to sit this competition out. I've just been busy with making sure my grades are in order and then working on some of the other things I need done by the end of next month for school, so I figured I'd have more time this way." he said. Dana pouted. "Aw, I was looking forward to seeing you perform!" she said. Jeff chuckled. "Well, at least this way I don't have to worry about competing against you guys. I can just sit by you guys in the audience and hang out with my parents when you're on stage." he said. Sam smiled. "Hey, maybe we can continue our talk from last time." he said. "Oh, the one about Avatar?" Jeff asked with a smile. "Yes! The exact one!" Sam said happily.

Dana let out a laugh and gently tugged on Sam's arm, smiling at him and Jeff. "We better head into the choir room, the others are waiting." she said. "Alright." Sam said. "We'll see you in the auditorium?" Dana asked. Jeff nodded. "Of course." he said, waving before he started back down the hallway.

Dana looked at Sam. "It looks like you guys are getting along great." she said with a smile. Sam let out a chuckle and nodded. "He's great, I've really enjoyed his company so far." he said as they started walking again. Dana let out a chuckle. "You dork." she stated. Sam playfuly bumped his hand against hers. "Oh, you know you love it."

Dana's foot continued to tap the floor as she watched The Rosedale Mennonites perform on stage. She bit her lip and shifted her gaze to her knees. She felt a hand touch hers and she looked at Sam.

"You okay?" he whispered. Dana let out a breath and nodded. "Just...anxious, nervous. Kinda feel like something's going to happen." she stated softly. Sam tangled his fingers with hers and smiled. "You'll be okay, everything will be just fine, alright?" he asked. Dana smiled faintly and nodded. "I'm just going to step outside and take a couple of deep breaths really quick. I feel like I need some fresh air." she said. "Want me to go with you?" Sam asked. Dana shrugged. "If you want. It's just air, after all." she said, before she stood and started to make her way out of the seats.

Sam followed Dana as she quickly walked out of the auditorium and down the hall. "Dana." he called; starting to jog after her. However; Dana simply continued walking quickly, making a beeline for the double doors at the end of the hallway.

As she opened the door, fresh, cold air filled her lungs and Dana took a deep breath; closing her eyes as she started to let the breath out. She leaned against the door as she held it open; resting her cheek against the cool door. She heard Sam's footsteps as he caught up with her. "Dana, are you sure you're alright? Did you just have an anxiety attack?"

Dana peeked at Sam; concern written all over his face as he looked at her. She smiled faintly. "I'm...I'm okay."

Sam frowned, before he pulled Dana close and held her in his arms. He felt her start to relax and he let out a sigh. "Dana...is it just your nerves affecting you now?" he whispered. Dana nodded against his chest. "Nerves, anxiety...and I just...what if something does happen, and we have to go with the backup plan?" she asked, her voice quiet. "If it comes to that, we'll just have to do our best to make sure we follow through. Besides; we're all here right now, and we're all okay. We can do this; you can do this." Sam stated; rubbing circles into Dana's shoulder.

Dana let out a breath and pulled away, smiling at Sam. "Okay, I feel better now, I promise. I just...needed some air." she said. Sam smiled knowingly at Dana and nodded; grabbing her hand and leading her back towards the auditorium, the door closing behind them.

Dana smiled at Skylar as they waited to start. "Nervous about your first time singing with the New Directions?" she asked. Skylar shrugged. "Not really. Performing's always felt...natural to me." he said with a smile. Dana nodded. "Well, fingers crossed it goes okay." she said. Skylar let out a low chuckle. "Yeah."

After he said that, the curtains rose and the music for Gangam Style started. Sam danced his dance solo, and Tina started singing. Dana stuck close to Skylar; seeing as he was her dance partner for this song. She did her best to keep up with Tina and the rest of the girls as they sang; and soon found herself on the back step; not too far from Marley, and close to Skylar.

As the song finished, Marley collapsed on stage and the lights went out. Panic filled Dana's body as she watched her friends carry her off of the stage; except she didn't. She stayed on the stage, completely aware of what would happen if she left. She read the show choir rule book; which was why she came up with this plan.

And now she just needs it to be put into action.

Dana looked at the band, who were watching her, and she nodded, smiling faintly. She noticed Sam in the side of the stage, waiting for his cue. Dana swallowed the lump in her throat as the music started and the lights slowly came back on; the spotlight on her. This song is one that had always calmed her down whenever she was anxious; it was one of the reasons she picked it as one of the songs for this backup plan. She then opened her mouth and started singing.

"We were strangers
Starting out on a journey;
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through

Now here we are,
And I'm suddenly standing;
At the beginning with you."

Sam started singing as he walked onto the stage; the lights coming on the rest of the way.

"No one told me
I was going to find you

Unexpected
What you did to my heart

When I lost hope
You were there to remind me;"

Sam and Dana started singing together, Sam taking one of Dana's hands into his and smiling at her.

"This is the start,
And,
Life is a road
And I want to keep going

Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Life is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey;

I'll be there
When the world stops turning
I'll be there
When the storm is through
In the end I wanna be standing
At the beginning with you."

Dana smiled at Sam as they sang, and they slowly walked around the stage, dancing together. Sam grabbed Dana's hands with his as their arms stretched out; and he released on hand, spinning her around, before they spread apart again, still singing. Tina, Skylar, Blaine, Artie and Brittany made their way onto the stage; singing the final chorus of the song with them.

The song ended, and he crowd cheered. Dana looked at Tina, and Tina mouthed to her that Marley was alright and Dana smiled greatfully at her as the final song started; feeling a weight of worry lifted from her shoulders. The music for the next song started, and Sam stepped forward, singing first.

"When life leaves you high and dry
I'll be at your door tonight
If you need help, if you need help."

Blaine stepped forward, standing next to Sam, and he sang the next part.

"I'll shut down the city lights,
I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bribe
To make you well, to make you well."

Artie and Skylar joined in for the next part, Sam joining back in as well and Artie joined the guys up front; leaving the girls standing behind them.

"When enemies are at your door
I'll carry you away from war
If you need help, if you need help.

Your hope dangling by a string
I'll share in your suffering
To make you well, to make you well.
Give me reasons to believe
That you would do the same for me."

As the chorus started, the girls joined in; walking forward and joining the guys in the line, before holding their hands out to the guys and taking them.

"And I would do it for you, for you.
Baby, I'm not moving on
I'll love you long after you're gone.
For you, for you.

You will never sleep alone.
I'll love you long after you're gone;
And long after you're gone, gone, gone."

Dana and Sam stepped forward, grinning as they sang together and danced.

"When you fall like a statue
I'm gon' be there to catch you
Put you on your feet, you on your feet.

And if your well is empty
Not a thing will prevent me.
Tell me what you need, what do you need?

I surrender honestly.
You've always done the same for me."

Tina and Skylar burst through the two; belting the begining of the chorus and grinning as they and the rest of the seniors joined in. They eventually ended up in a straight line as they clapped and sang, and they then snag the final lines of the song together.

"And long after you're gone, gone, gone.
I'll love you long after you're gone, gone, gone."

As the music stopped, the crowd erupted in cheers and Dana felt a swelling feeling of pride. Sam's hand slipped into her own, and she grinned at him, then at Brittany next to her as she and the seniors bowed.

As they rushed off the stage, Dana let out a squeak as she was immediately hugged by her friends and she let out a whimper as they all hugged her tightly. When they released her, Dana smiled. "So, we killed it?" she asked, smiling. "Heck yeah we did! I mean, it sucks that Marley passed out, but...we did it! Your back up plan worked, Dana!" Tina said enthusiastically. Dana chuckled and smiled. "It really was a good idea."

Dana turned and smiled at Mr. Schue as he walked towards the group. "You're here!" Dana stated, smiling. He smiled back. "You may have saved the New Directions, Dana. If you left off of that stage, then the New Directions would have been disqualified." he said. Dana nodded. "I kinda peeked at some of the rules' book, and I read that. I figured...it's better safe than sorry for this, right?"

"Good call, girl." Artie said. Dana smiled at him, before looking at Mr. Schue. "How's Marley?" she asked. "She's okay. She's just exhausted; apparently she hasn't been sleeping, so she's just resting now." Mr. Schue said. Dana placed her hand over her chest and let out a heavy sigh. "I'm...so so relieved."

As Dana helped Emma prepare dinner, she kept thinking about Sectionals the day before. How the New Directions ended up winning, and how Finn said that they had owed the victory to Dana's plan; but she told him if it wasn't for the rest of the seniors working with her, then it wouldn't have been as great as it was.

Dana let out a breath and she felt Emma's hand on her shoulder. Dana looked at Emma and she looked at her worriedly. "Dana, are you okay?" she asked. Dana smiled softly. "I'm alright Emma. I'm still thinking about Sectionals yesterday."

Emma smiled. "Dana, don't worry so much about it. Your idea worked, which was good. Trust me when I know that it was a learning experience for everyone. I have a feeling that what happened won't happen again." she said. "I hope not. I was so scared that something happened to Marley, you know?" Dana said with a sigh. Emma let out a chuckle. "Oh, I know. You two are close, and she's a good girl. I think that she also learned from yesterday to take better care of herself."

Emma then turned and turned the heat on the stove down. "Thanks for helping with dinner, by the way." she said. Dana smiled at her. "No problem. Sam and I live here too, so it's the least that we could do. If you ever need help again, just let us know, okay?" she asked. Emma nodded. "Thanks Dana."

One Week Later

Dana let out a breath as she walked into the auditorium on Thursday afternoon. She was nervous about Glee practice today; since Finn wanted her to take the lead on the new song that the Glee Club is performing. No Sam, no Tina, no Marley, no Artie. Just Dana singing lead, and the Glee Club singing backup during the chorus. When she had protested, Finn told her something along the lines of; "Dana, we haven't had you sing solo in a song since you joined the Glee club. At least see how this goes and we'll decide from there. We won't make yourself perform this live if you're not comfortable."

Needless to say, Dana ended up saying yes. Finn knew just how to convince her; if his words didn't sway her, then his facial expression when he had asked her, would have.

Dana stood in the middle of the auditorium, staring at the stage. Last week, they had all performed on here together. They had won, and they'd be getting ready for their next competition...together.

She felt someone wrap their arms around her and she let out a sigh; melting into the arms of the other person. She looked at him and smiled. "Hey Sam." she said, letting out a giggle when he nuzzled his face into her neck. "How was your last class?" he asked, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It was okay. That new spanish teacher is fairly interesting, to say the least." Dana stated with a chuckle. Sam let out a laugh. "Yeah; the funny thing is, he actually helped the Glee Club with a lesson a couple of months before you joined." he said. "Oh really? That would have been interesting to see." Dana said. "Oh it was. At one point, he and Santana sang a song here in the auditorium with lazers and a fog machine."

Dana let out a laugh and she heard more footsteps walk into the auditorium. She looked and smiled at Finn and the rest of the Glee Club. "So Dana. You ready to give this a shot?" Finn asked. Dana smiled at him lopsidedly. "As ready as I'll ever be." she said with a chuckle as she pulled herself out of Sam's embrace. Finn then clapped his hands as he looked at the rest of the Glee Club. "Okay guys; get into your assigned groups on the stage, and we'll see how this goes, alright?"

Everyone walked onto the stage, chattering with each other as they did. Everyoe was split into two separate groups that would merge together during the song. Dana was on her own singing, other than when the Glee club would sing the chorus or backup. No matter what Finn said; Dana was still a little bit nervous.

The music started, and Dana started singing as she walked over to one of the groups; the one that was currently lit up; while the other group stood on the dark part of the stage.

"She gave it her best
She tried to fit in
She tried to be cool
But she never could win
Her mom says she's great
The kids think she's weird
Honestly she wish she could disappear..."

As she sang, the group joined her and they all danced; Dana smiling as she sang.

"Why you tryin, tryin to be like the rest of them
When you know there's so much more within
There's only one you
Here's what ya' gotta do..."

Dana walked over to the other group, which lit up and she sang to them; dancing with them as well.

"Whoa, whoa...
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones..."

The second group joined the chorus; and as they sang, the groups merged together; dancing the way that Brittany, Jake, Blaine and Kitty had taught them. As Dana reached another part of the song, she danced with the girls, then with the boys. She let out a laugh; quickly covering her mouth before she started the next part.

"Twinkle, twinkle in your eye
Listen to this lullaby
The sun is shining in the sky
I see love it's in your eyes
This aint' the first time you felt like this
This ain't the first time, this aitn' the first time
This ain't the last time you'll feel like this
But it'll be fine
If you can just, smile..."

Finn watched the group from the stands, taking notes with a huge grin on his face. However; he noticed a woman walk into the auditorium, staring at the stage and stopping when she had a full view of the stage. The woman has short auburn hair and wore a pair of sunglasses over her eyes.

Finn looked back at the stage and the song finished. He stood up and clapped as the club cheered and laughed. He walked towards the stage, standing in front of it and high-fiving Dana. "You guys did awesome! Now, I have some notes I'd like to talk about you guys with..."

"Dana?"

The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the woman who was looking at Dana on the stage. She walked forward; stopping close to where Finn had previously sat. Dana gave the woman a skeptical look. "Uh...yeah?" she asked, unconciously stepping closer to Sam.

The women let out a shuddering gasp; covering her mouth with her hand, and then removing her sunglasses. Her eyes are a green color and they were watery. "Dana...I'm your mother."

Those words made Dana freeze.

"My...mother?"

No; no no no; nononononononono...she can't be. Why is she here? Why why whywhywhy...

"Dana? Are you...?" Sam started; but he was cut off when Dana gritted her teeth and glared icily at the woman, nearly screaming; "What the fuck are you doing here?!"

Everyone jolted at her tone. No one in the Glee Club; not even Sam or Finn, had ever heard Dana so...angry,before. Her hands were in fists and she was biting her lip. Sam could swear that he saw faint tears in her eyes.

The woman stepped closer to the stage; Dana tensing more as she did. "I...saw your glee club's performance. I...didn't think you were still here in Lima, to tell you the truth...I...I wanted to meet you, Dana."

"Shut up! I mean it; why the fuck are you here?! Don't you dare use me as an excuse! You didn't come to Lima for my father's funeral... you didn't even come back for your own sister's funeral! You may have given birth to me, but she was my mother! She was the one there for me my whole life, while you took off to Seattle. You were never there for me!"

"Dana, sweetie-"

"Don't you call me that! You don't have the right!" Dana shouted; tears streaming down her face. "You lost the right to call me that when you didn't come for your sisters funeral! You lost that right when you left me and dad!"

Dana was visibly shaking; and she squeezed her eyes shut so that she could get that woman out of her line of sight. She bit her lip as she heard the woman take a deep breath. "Well then...I'll come back when you calm down."

"Don't you dare! Don't you ever come back! I don't want to see you ever again!" Dana screamed; visibly shaking as she did.

The next thing Dana heard was hurried footsteps and the door to the auditorium closing. She heard footsteps surround her. She felt arms wrap around her; Sam. She shook her head; letting out a sob as her knees suddenly felt very weak. "Why? Why did she have to come here?" she asked; turning and sobbing into Sam's chest as he held her, leaning into him. Sam just hugged her and she felt more arms hug her. Yes that's right.

Despite their problems, this group; this glee club? That's her family.

Sorry for not updating in like, a while, wow. I've still been chipping away at this fanfiction off and on over the last year or two, and i have a few chapters written up in advance! (in fact, this chapter has been finished since late 2016 and i never published it because i wanted to have more chapters written in advance haha; but i'm fixing that now!)

In other news; I'm working on transitioning this fic over to Archive Of Our Own! I'm under the same username / penname, and the fc has the same name! I might rewrite parts of it here and there, but I'm gonna work on posting as much as I can up over there soon!

I'm hoping to work on this fanfiction more soon. I honestly have this fic outlined from where it's at in Season 4, all the way to the end of the series at the end of season 6! kinda funny how that works, huh? Either way, I'll be trying my best to get this fic written up and finished! I'll even be rewatching seasons 4-6 as I work on it!

Any and all feedback is appreciated! I appreciate all of you so so much for sticking with me and this fic for as long as you have- updates or not!

I hope you guys have a good day / night!