Season 1, Episode 5:  The Rhodes Not Taken

Special Guest Star:  Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes

Ownership of Glee: FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

= = =

    Mr. Shue is having the Glee kids rehearse 'Don't Stop Believing' with Finn and Quinn taking lead roles. It's been a week since Rachel left to do Cabaret, and honestly, Violet never felt more free. She was definitely having a lot more fun singing — background or not. Mr. Shue, Kurt, and the other glee kids took notice of her much happier demeanor.

[Don't Stop Believing by New Directions minus Rachel]

The Glee kids had just arrived to the chorus when Quinn stopped singing. Violet could see she was looking a little nauseous. Quinn ran out of the choir room and headed for the girl's bathroom to vomit.

"Quinn, are you okay?" Mr. Shue asks, but Quinn was already out the door.

"I think she just had a bad breakfast burrito." Finn defends Quinn.

"Can we please talk about the elephant in the room?" Kurt asks.

"Your sexuality?" Santana insults. Violet rolls her eyes at Santana, and Kurt shrugs it off, continuing his thought.

"Rachel. We can't do it without her."

"Are you sure we can't do it without her? We seem to be doing just fine on our own." Violet comments.

"Kurt, that's not true. We may have to layer Mercedes or Tina over Quinn's solo but we'll be fine." Mr. Shue says.

"Maybe for the Invitationals, but not for Sectionals. And certainly not for Regionals." Artie adds.

Violet rolls her eyes once more. A week ago, they were all complaining about Rachel. Now that she's gone, they want her back? Was that even possible? Once again, Violet felt overshadowed by Rachel and Rachel wasn't even in Glee Club anymore.

"The wheelchair kid's right. Rachel makes me wanna light myself on fire, but she can sing." Puck agrees. This may be the first time ever that Violet ever agrees with Noah Puckerman.

"Rachel left, guys. She's gone. Now, if we're gonna make this thing work, we can't look back. Take five, guys." Mr. Shue sighs, walking over to the piano with Finn trailing behind him.

Meanwhile, Violet is talking with Kurt. "I'm so sick of Glee Club turning into The Rachel Berry Show. God, she's been gone for a week, and we're still talking about her."

Kurt sighs. "In all honesty, I want Rachel's talent back. I could care less about Rachel, and you know that. Besides... I know for a fact that you're much more talented than Rachel."

Violet blushes. "That's a lie and you know it." She says stubbornly.

Kurt smiles. "I'm not lying about anything."

= = =

The next day, Violet is walking with Quinn to the choir room. Quinn had just come out of yet another morning sickness episode. She was scared that people would find out she was pregnant.

"Maybe you should start making excuses like Finn does. Say you've got food poisoning, a stomach ache, or even dehydration." Violet suggests. "You'll be over all this morning sickness by the time Sectionals comes up."

Quinn gives her a small smile. "You're right. I've just been paranoid that people will find out."

Violet slings an arm over Quinn's shoulders. "Q, it'll be fine. No one in glee club will bring you down because of it. And if they do I'll kick their asses."

Quinn smiles and laughs at Violet's determination to put someone in their place. "Thanks Violet. Now we gotta get going. Mr. Shue said he's got a surprise for us in the choir room."

"God, he better not start rapping." Violet jokes. Quinn laughs as they walk into the choir room. Quinn takes her seat next to Finn, and Violet takes her seat next to Kurt. Mr. Shue smiles when he looks at his students.

"Great. Looks like we have everyone here now." He says. Standing next to him was a short, tan, blonde woman.

"Guys, I'd like to introduce you to someone very special. This is April Rhodes. She's our newest member." Mr. Shue announces.

"Wait, so old people can join Glee Club now?" Finn asks. Violet gives Finn a dangerous look that says 'shut up or I'll kill you.'

"Old, huh? You guys look like the world's worst Benetton Ad." April comments.

"Mr. Schuester, this is a terrible idea." Artie states.

"April is a great singer. And she never graduated." Mr. Shue tries, attempting to change their minds.

"We appreciate what you're trying to do, but she's no Rachel." Kurt states.

Violet gives Kurt a smile. She was trying to understand why God made such a cute boy. It was scientifically impossible.

"Who's Rachel?" April asks.

"Sh-Sh-She's kind of our star." Tina answers.

April smirks. "Your star, eh? Well, where is she?"

Violet — who's wary of their newest member — answers. "She left so she could take the lead role in Cabaret."

"Hey, Tinkles, gimme 'Maybe This Time' in B flat," April orders Brad.

Brad just nods and starts playing the piano. The cue began and April starts singing.

[Maybe This Time by April and Rachel]

April ends the song on a high yet operatic note. The entire glee club is so impressed that Kurt has been brought to tears. Violet pulls out a tissue for Kurt, who takes it gratefully to wipe at his eyes.

"Stick that in your pipe and smoke it." April says.

Even with April's stellar performance, Violet still feels uneasy about having her in Glee Club.

= = =

Violet's suspicions about April have increased tenfold over the week. She's noticed the strange behavior in her teammates, and hasn't seen Kurt since 2nd period.

She turns the corner to see Kurt at his locker. She walks up to him at the same time Ms. Pillsbury does, and she regrets it. Kurt smells awful!

"Kurt? Hi." The doe-eyed guidance counselor greets. Kurt turns to look at her and Violet, his face looking dazed and paler than usual. Violet can also see a hint of green in his face. "Kurt, I'm a girl who knows her solvents, and your breath smells like rubbing alcohol." Ms. Pillsbury continues. Violet's eyes widen. Since when did Kurt drink?

"Oh, Bambi. I cried so hard when those hunters shot your mommy." Kurt slurs out before he pukes all over her shoes. "Oh!...." Ms. Pillsbury is at a loss for words.

Violet takes Kurt by the arm. "Oh, hey beautiful." He says, noticing her just now. Violet rummages through her backpack, handing Kurt a blue toothbrush and a travel-sized tube of toothpaste before walking him to the boy's bathroom.

"Go in there and brush your teeth four times. You reek of booze and vomit." She says. Kurt looks down at the floor in shame. "Yes ma'am."

He goes into the bathroom. After thoroughly brushing his teeth 4 times and rinsing his mouth out with mint mouthwash 3 times, he steps out of the bathroom to see a disappointed Violet.

Violet uncrosses her arms from her chest and carefully holds Kurt steady. "C'mon Kurt. I'll take you to the nurse's office." She offers.

Kurt is taking slow and wobbly steps when he starts to see black spots in his vision. He stumbles a little bit before losing his balance. He tumbles to the floor, black clouding his vision.

= = =

Kurt wakes up with a splitting headache, turning over in his bed to try and make the pounding in his head stop. He opens his eyes when he realizes he's in his own bed. "How'd I get here?" He wonders.

Just then, Burt walks down the stairs with some food, water, and medicine for his son. "Hey. You feeling okay?" He asks in concern.

Kurt nods but rubs at his head. "What happened?" He asks. Burt sits in a chair by Kurt's bedside. "Violet said you ate some really bad food at lunch today, and you broke out into a fever. She also said you threw up on the guidance counselor's shoes, and she made you brush your teeth. You fainted when she tried to get you to the nurse's office. Finn was there when I came to get you — he said he carried you while Violet was on the phone with me. You've been out for a couple hours."

Kurt hums in agreement, thankful that his crush/best friend didn't tell his dad Kurt was actually drunk. "That explains the headache and why I don't remember what happened." Technically, it wasn't a lie. But it's better than admitting you were drunk on school grounds.

Burt smiles gently. "Violet was so worried about you. She's a keeper, that one. You plan on asking her out?" He asks, knowing about his son's crush on Violet. He also was very knowing of Violet's crush on Kurt.

Kurt blushes. "I-I... we're just best friends." He stutters out.

Burt chuckles. "Son, it's okay to admit you like her." He encourages.

Kurt sighs. "She's out of my league, Dad. She's a smoking hot cheerleader... and I'm just... well... me. I don't think she's into me. Thanks for the food and medicine." He says, switching topics.

Burt sighs and gets up, leaving his son to his own devices. "You're welcome. And Kurt... Violet's a good girl. You better make a move before someone else does. Otherwise, you'll regret it." He speaks before walking upstairs and closing the door.

Kurt takes some Tylenol for his headache, and then eats a bit of soup that was prepared for him. An hour later, he's fast asleep, dreaming about the girl he's absolutely in love with.

= = =

A few days after Kurt's incident, he was back at school. Violet stuck by his side in between classes, and at Glee practice. The current topic was Quinn's change in behavior. Violet would've told them she knew, but that'd be betraying Quinn's trust in her.

"She is strange." Tina states.

Maybe Quinn is lactose intolerant." Kurt offers.

"That doesn't explain all the crying." Artie butts in.

"Maybe she just doesn't like the group." Tina suggests.

Puck, annoyed, decides to put in his two cents. "Are you all that stupid? Seriously? I bet you thought Bert and Ernie were just roommates. Maybe Quinn's got one in the oven."

Shock is all around the choir room. Violet's feigning it, but she figures Finn told Puck about Quinn's pregnancy.

"Who's the baby's daddy?" Mercedes asks.

"Who do you think? Finn." Puck answers like it's obvious.

Rachel arrives happily, and it's the worst timing to have.

"Yes, you've heard right....I am returning to Glee Club. In lieu of flowers, please send all donations to a socially conscious charity of your choice." Rachel says.

"This is a hot damn mess." Mercedes whispers.

"Oh! My God!" Santana exclaims quietly.

Rachel laughs awkwardly. "Uh, I'm sorry; I thought I'd be welcomed back with a tad more enthusiasm."

"Sorry, Glee Club has just been rocked with its first scandal." Kurt interjects.

"Quinn's knocked up." Mercedes announces.

"And the baby daddy? Finn." Violet informs.

Rachel's good mood is gone, and she storms out of the choir room in hurt and anger.

= = =

Later that afternoon, Violet walks into the choir room on behalf of Mr. Shue's request. "Hey Mr. Shue. You wanted to see me?"

He smiles when he sees her. "C'mon in Violet." He invites.

"If this is your way of trying to get me to convince Rachel to come back, it's not gonna work." Violet says quickly.

Mr. Shue chuckles. "No it's not. I was wondering if you'd be willing to be April's understudy for 'Somebody to Love' tonight?" He asks.

Violet lets her bag drop to the floor. "Are you messing with me?" She asks carefully.

Mr. Shue chuckles again. "No, I'm not. Violet I meant what I said last week. Everyone deserves their chance to shine. But what I didn't realize was that I wasn't giving you a chance to shine yet. You've helped me a lot with the choreography for Invitationals, and I think you'd do very well with this song. You have an incredible range — you proved that to me when you auditioned." He explains.

"But what if everyone thinks I'm going to be the next Rachel Berry?" Violet asks suddenly. That's something she'd never want to happen to her: being called Rachel Berry.

"Believe it or not, the entire club talked to me earlier this morning before class. They all told me that if anyone deserves to have a shot at singing lead tonight, it should be you. They see how tirelessly you work, and how poorly you've been treated by Rachel. I realized that I've been giving April a second chance instead of giving you guys a chance. You truly deserve this Violet. Take your opportunity." Mr. Shue encourages.

Violet's heart warms at the thought of the 11 kids of Glee Club convincing their teacher to let her perform a lead part.

"Mr. Shue... I'd be glad to be April's understudy."

= = =

That night, the entire auditorium was packed for the Invitationals. The Glee Club was in the choir room, warming up before the performance. Violet was still warming up, but she was dressed for 'Somebody to Love' instead of 'Last Name.' She was still uncomfortable about singing with April, so she opted out of the performance. Despite Mr. Shue not liking it, he agreed to let her sit out.

Mr. Shue smiles as he walks over to the kids. "The house is packed... you guys are going to kick butt tonight. Your first performance in front of a real audience. I can't wait. You guys are going to love it."

The New Directions smile at Mr. Shue. Truly bright genuine smiles.

Mr. Shue notices someone's missing. "Where... Where's April?"

April arrives, drunk off her ass. Violet rolls her eyes at April's behavior.

"Yee-haw!" April laughs. "Right on cue, as usual. Hey, roller-boy. Handsome. Oh, I like that color. Have you been working on the, uh, moves we talked... You've got something right there, on your... Will it back up?" April says as she looks at Puck. "Uh, oh... Honk! There's my boy." She laughs.

Mr. Shue looks aghast. "Are you drunk? You promised me you'd sober up for this." He chides.

"When? Last night? Well, I was drunk. You can't hold me to that." April says, swaying a little as she talks.

Ms. Pillsbury enters the room. She clears her throat to get Mr. Shue's attention. "Will." She calls him over.

With Mr. Shue busy talking to the guidance counselor, and April being too drunk to care, Kurt goes over to Violet and sits next to her. "Thank you, by the way, for not telling my dad I got drunk the other day. That was... probably the most embarrassing thing I've ever done. I won't do it again, I swear."

Violet smiles. "You're welcome. And I'm glad you learned your lesson. By the way, flirting with someone while you're drunk is not usually the best thing to do."

Kurt blushes. "I will never live that down." He groans.

Violet giggles gently and hugs him. "Good lock for your performance." She says and kisses his cheek as an extra means of good luck.

Kurt smiles, having newfound confidence about going out to perform.

= = =

Violet stands in the wings of the stage, watching the performance of 'Last Name.' April was a stunning performer, but she felt that April took too much away from the others.

[Last Name by April and New Directions minus Violet and Rachel]

After getting their very much deserved applause, Violet heads back into the choir room with the Glee Club. She congratulates them on their performance, waiting as they all change into their 'Somebody to Love' outfits.

    Mr. Shue walks in, a bit of a sad look on his face. "They loved us! We're a hit." Artie says happily.

    "Wh-Wh-Where's April?" Tina asks.

    "You were right, Mr Shue. She'd massacre Mariah in a diva-off." Kurt states.

    Mr. Shue sighs. "April is amazing. But she's not in the glee club anymore." He reveals.

     Everyone is surprised.

    "It-I, uh... I screwed up bringing her here. It was about me and Glee Club is supposed to be about you guys. You don't need her to be great." Mr. Shue says.

    "But we need her for the second act." Mercedes says matter-of-factly.

    "No, we don't. Because we have April's understudy... Violet." Mr. Shue announces.

    Violet beams sheepishly at her teacher. She's about to speak when lo and behold, Rachel Berry walks into the choir room. She hadn't heard the part of the conversation where Violet was given April's part.

    "Excuse me? I think I might have a solution. In show business, when a star can't perform, her understudy steps in. I'd be happy to go in for April, if you'd let me." Rachel says meekly.

    "Since when are you willing to be an understudy?" Violet asks calmly but loud enough for Rachel to hear.

    "Since I quit the play." Rachel reveals.

    "Really? Why?" Kurt asks.

    "I realized being a star didn't make me feel as special as being your friend. If I'd let you down when you needed me the most, I'd never forgive myself. I know all the words to the song." Rachel explains.

    "You don't know the choreography. And besides... we all agreed this morning that Violet should take April's spot." Quinn interjects. Santana nods in approval of her friend's statement. Rachel acts like she doesn't hear Quinn.

    "Then we're still going to have to give her a lot of help out there." Finn says as he gives Rachel a smile.

    Mr. Shue gives Rachel a smile. "Go get in your costume." He says. When Rachel goes to the bathroom to change, he looks at Violet.

    "Violet? You ready?" He asks. She inhales and exhales deeply to calm her nerves. "Ready."

    When Rachel comes back in her costume, she walks over to Mr. Shue. "So I get to sing lead with Finn?" She asks.

    Mr. Shue sighs. "Sorry, Rachel. But all of us voted that Violet would take April's place tonight. And it's final. Finn and Violet are taking the leads tonight. Be happy for your sister. Okay?" He says. Rachel nods and gives him a fake smile. She goes to take her place... in the back.

    Violet is behind the wings with Kurt, pacing to try and calm her nerves. "What if I screw up?" She asks. "I should've let Rachel take my place."

    Kurt stops her pacing by putting his hands on her shoulders. "Violet Dorothy Berry, don't think about yourself like that! You will not screw up. You know this song inside and out. This is just your nerves talking. Don't let them get the best of you. You'll be great." He says and then kisses her cheek.

    "What was that for?" She asks. Kurt smiles. "A good luck cheek kiss," he says. He walks to the back of the stage, holding in his jealousy. Despite the fact she's singing with Finn Hudson tonight, Kurt is proud of her.

    Finn walks up to Violet with a smile. "You ready to kill it?" He asks.

    Violet nods. "Just don't step on my toes Hudson." She says with a smirk.

    Finn smirks back. "Not a chance." He says. They all take their places on the risers set onstage, ready when the curtain rises.

[Somebody to Love by New Directions - Leads:  Finn and Violet]

    When Violet sings the first few opening notes for her part, the Glee Club takes a minute to take in their shock... well, those that joined after Finn. Rachel couldn't help but feel jealous hearing her sister's voice. It was angelic and had an airy tone to it.

    When they finished, they got standing ovations. The group as a whole took a bow. Side by side, Finn, Violet and Mercedes took center stage. They got the loudest cheers for their significant roles in the song. Kurt and Mr. Shue had never been more proud of Violet than in that moment in time.

= = =

After changing out of their costumes, Rachel pulls Violet out into the hallway to talk privately. Violet hopes Rachel is going to congratulate her on the performance, but boy was she wrong.

"Look Violet, I don't know what all went on while I was gone from Glee Club, but one thing's for certain: I'm the star. Sure, the others voted for you to take April's place, but we both know that it's because you're my sister. I hope you enjoyed your moment in the spotlight Violet... because that was and will be your first and last performance as a lead vocalist." Rachel spits before turning on her heels and walking away. Violet just stands there dumbfounded.

That night, Violet smiles as she's showered in compliments by both Burt and Kurt when they arrive back at the Hummel house. She prepares for bed like usual, but when she knows Kurt's fast asleep, she mulls Rachel's words over in her head.

    Violet silently cries herself to sleep that night, heartbroken that her own sister thinks so little of her.

= = =

3514 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Don't Stop Believing - New Directions minus Rachel
2. Maybe This Time - April and Rachel
3. Last Name - April and New Directions minus Rachel and Violet
4. Somebody to Love - New Directions (Leads:  Finn and Violet)

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Next up is Vitamin D.