Season 3, Episode 17:  Dance With Somebody

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

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Mercedes and Violet are at Mercedes's locker, staring at a picture of the late Whitney Houston. Mercedes and Violet begin to sing an a cappella version of Whitney's 'How Will I Know,' being joined by Santana, Kurt and Rachel.

The five glee club members walk to the library, where they sit down at a table.

The performance continues and ends in the auditorium, where there's an empty spotlight, symbolizing the emptiness that Whitney Houston left in their hearts.

[How Will I Know by Mercedes, Pezberry and Vurt]

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"It was written for Diana Ross." Mercedes argues with Rachel.

"No, Mercedes, you are wrong, okay? The Bodyguard was originally written for Barbra Streisand." Rachel counters.

Will walks into the room. "Actually, Rachel, it was supposed to be Diana Ross and Steve McQueen, back in the '70s."

Mercedes smiles. "Thank you, Mr. Shue."

"I've been doing some research to prepare for this week's lesson." Will says and writes one word on the board:  WHITNEY.

"Oh, my God, yes." Violet says.

"It's about time we did a Whitney tribute!" Mercedes claims.

"Are we sure that's appropriate?" Sam asks.

"You did not just ask that." Santana states.

"I just mean, didn't Whitney kind of have a lot of problems?" Sam inquires.

"She had a hard life, Sam. And?" Violet counters.

"Look, this week isn't about passing judgment on Whitney. It's about celebrating her legacy, honoring her memory, her accomplishments." Will says.

"Which I will happily list for you." Rachel states.

"But I also want you guys to use her songs to get underneath your own feelings. To express and explore what's really going on with you." Will says.

"I don't get it, Mr. Shue. What's really going on with us?" Santana asks.

Will sighs. "Well, for most of you, these next few weeks will be your last here at McKinley. Lots of changes coming up, lots of... saying good-bye. To your friends, to your significant others, to the last four years of your life. For a young person, all that transition can be overwhelming. So it's easier to focus on other things. Like not being able to say good-bye to Whitney Houston." He explains.

"What are you talking about?" Santana remarks.

"Santana, it's okay. I get it. You're hanging on to Whitney because it's difficult to handle the upheaval in your own lives." Will assumes.

"We're hanging on to Whitney because she was incredible and we love her, so don't put your baggage on us." Santana retorts.

"You guys, Mr. Shue's attempt to understand us, though misguided, doesn't matter. What matters is that I start rehearsing Whitney's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" immediately. It is the Mount Everest of anthems." Rachel claims.

"Good luck with that one Rachel." Violet says genuinely.

Nobody can recreate Whitney's version of the 'Star-Spangled Banner.' Not even Rachel Berry.

= = =

Kurt and Violet are at Kurt's locker. "How thrilled am I for this week's assignment? I'm going to Between the Sheets to find music. I got to figure out what song I want to do. I could do "So Emotional," which was obviously written for me, or "One Moment in Time," which was also obviously written for me." Kurt rambles.

Violet just smiles at his adorableness. "Well, you can't really go wrong. It's Whitney." She says.

Kurt nods. "I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. I could do one for the assignment this week, and then one for my NYADA audition. You'll come with me, right?" Kurt asks.

Violet sighs. It'd been two weeks since Kurt mentioned NYADA. Honestly, she wasn't ready to say goodbye to him yet. "Well, I can't today." She says.

"Okay. Boo." Kurt pouts.

"Well, just text me when you're done." Violet tells him.

Kurt smiles. "Will do."

Violet gives him a kiss before she walks down the hallway.

= = =

Brittany sings 'I Wanna Dance (With Somebody),' and has Santana join her for the second half of the song.

[I Wanna Dance (With Somebody) by Brittana]

Everyone cheers for the couple.

"Obviously, I like dancing with Santana best, but you guys are all still cool dancers. And Quinn, you're still dancing in my dreams. And you can fly and breathe fire." Brittany says.

Violet steals a glance to a somber Quinn, and reaches over to hold her hand as an act of sisterly love.

Quinn takes Violet's hand and smiles.

= = =

Rachel sighs as she stands next to Kurt at his locker. "Oh, my God, I've been practicing Whitney Houston's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" all night, and I still can't sing it." Rachel whines.

"You're just realizing this now? I'm surprised anyone's attempted it after she nailed it to the wall." Kurt says. His phone buzzes and he smiles when he gets a text.

"Oh, I know what that is. Finn sends me cutsie text messages all the time. Usually, they're puns about my boobs, but I still appreciate the effort." Rachel says.

"It's not from Violet." Kurt reveals.

Rachel pales. "Th-Then who is it?"

Kurt shrugs. "He's just a guy. I met him at Between the Sheets. Oh. His name is Chandler. He's-he's nice." He says.

Rachel raises an eyebrow. "And what did Mr. Between the Sheets say then?" She inquires.

"Nothing. We just joke around. It's sweet." Kurt admits.

"Mm-hmm. Okay, all right." Rachel says and then takes Kurt's phone. "'Are you an astronaut? Because your smile is out of this world.'  Oh! Are you kidding me? Kurt, you have been going at this with him for two days now?" Rachel says in shock.

"It's nothing. It's-it's just fun. He makes me feel good." Kurt reveals.

"Violet is supposed to make you feel good." Rachel reminds him.

"You said that Finn sends you cute text messages every day? Does he compliment you? Constantly trying to get in your pants?" Kurt questions.

"Yeah, he's an 18-year-old boy." Rachel answers.

"Have you ever heard of lesbian bed death?" Kurt asks.

Rachel shakes her head. "No."

Kurt sighs. "I read about it online. It's when two lesbians date for long enough, they become like sisters."

"Oh." Is Rachel's reply.

"And Violet and I are like an old married couple - a fabulous old married couple, like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. But I don't think we've had an unscheduled make-out session in, like, a month." Kurt laments.

"You schedule make-out sessions?" Rachel questions.

"The point is: I love Violet and-and Violet loves me, but she doesn't exactly make me blush with her texts right now. W- What's the harm of someone making me feel special if it's all innocent?" Kurt asks.

"Okay. Would you show Violet those text messages?" Rachel inquires.

"Of course not." Kurt answers.

"Oh, well, then I guess it's not that innocent." Rachel replies before walking away.

= = =

Will smiles in glee club that afternoon "Hey, some great Whitney songs so far this week, guys. I'm really proud of the way you guys have been conjuring up the emotions you feel towards her as we begin to move on and say good-bye."

Joe raised his hand. "Mr. Shue, I've been going with Quinn to her rehab this week. We started working on a Whitney song together that we'd like to share. Not sure how it's gonna help anyone say good-bye, but it's a song we both really dig." Joe says.

Joe and Quinn sing 'Saving All My Love For You.'

[Saving All My Love For You by Joe and Quinn]

Everyone smiles in awe at the two and cheers for them.

= = =

Santana and Rachel sing 'So Emotional' the next day.

[So Emotional by Pezberry]

Everyone cheers loudly.

= = =

Kurt walks in to his bedroom. "Hey, I got the cheese plate. Our Being Bobby Brown marathon can officially begin." He says.

Violet's holding Kurt's phone, looking heartbroken. "Who's Chandler?" She asks.

Kurt pales. "Why are you going through my phone?"

"I'm not going through your phone. It's just that it keeps buzzing because Chandler won't stop texting you. 'When we go to New York, let's go to the front of the Plaza and reenact the end of The Way We Were.'" Violet reads.

"Give me that." Kurt tries but Violet backs up a bit.

"'Can you sing into my voicemail? I want to make your voice my ringtone.'" Violet reads.

"Give me my phone." Kurt says.

"There are literally dozens of texts between the two of you. Do you know how many times you've texted me in the past two days? Four. And three of them were about finding peach-colored shoe polish." Violet says coolly.

"Why are you getting so upset? This is, this is all innocent." Kurt argues.

"This is cheating, Kurt." Violet remarks.

"This is texting. Okay, he is just a guy that I met at the music store. Nothing happened." Kurt justifies.

"You like this guy." Violet deducts.

"I like the way he makes me feel. I mean, when was the last time that you complimented me or told me how special I was?" Kurt bites back.

"Are you kidding me right now? Who was behind you — other than Blaine — when you had all your stuff going down with Dave? Who was the one that encouraged you to transfer to Dalton for your safety? That doesn't make you feel loved?" Violet asks.

"You don't know what it's like being your boyfriend, okay? You are the alpha! Do you know how many times I've watched you serenade me, and I felt meek because you were amazing?" Kurt questions.

"Then talk to me. Tell me that you're unhappy, but don't cheat on me." Violet answers softly.

"I feel like I have taken crazy pills! I didn't cheat on you! I'm, I'm really sorry if this made you upset, but it's, it's, it's okay." Kurt tries.

"It's not right... but it's okay." Violet comments and then walks off to her own room.

= = =

Violet takes out her frustration in glee club the next day. "This song is for anyone that's ever been cheated on." She says bluntly.

Kurt sighs. "This is insane. I didn't cheat on you!" He says.

Everyone looks shocked.

"Cheetahs have the fastest land speed of any living animal." Brittany comments.

Violet sings 'It's Not Right But It's Okay,' with New Directions — minus Kurt — providing backup vocals.

[It's Not Right But It's Okay by Violet]

The applause she gets feels more forced than anything. She shakes her head in disappointment at Kurt and leaves the choir room in tears.

Never in a million years did she ever think Kurt would pull a stunt like this.

= = =

Kurt sings Whitney's 'I Have Nothing,' and he sings directly to Violet.

[I Have Nothing by Kurt]

Violet — even though she's still disappointed in him — claps for his performance.

If this song is an apology, he did a damn good job.

But she's not ready to accept it just yet.

= = =

Kurt and Violet are sitting in Emma's office.

"I'm a little confused as to what we're doing here." Violet says.

"Well, um, Kurt said that you two might need a little couple's counseling." Emma states.

"Are you qualified for that?" Violet questions.

"Not really. Or at all. But Sam and Mercedes came to talk to me, and you know, I-I think they found it pretty helpful." Emma reminds.

"Yeah, I'm-I'm pretty sure they broke up." Violet reminisces.

"Gosh, they seemed like such a good fit, too, right? Brutal honesty is the cornerstone of any relationship. I want you to feel like this is a safe space for you to air your differences." Emma tells the couple.

Violet nods. "Okay. Well, uh, first... Kurt has been texting this guy, and I got really upset."

"Violet, I sang you a song to express my regrets." Kurt tells her.

"Okay, if we're here, to be brutally honest, there are a few things that I'd like to change." Violet comments.

"I am actively listening." Kurt tells her. Emma gives him a thumbs up.

"Well, for starters, Kurt has a tendency to snap his fingers at wait staff. The cheesecake's on its way, Kurt, you don't have to snap your fingers, it's not gonna make it come any faster." Violet starts.

"Okay, I hear you, and that's something I'm willing to work on." Kurt tells her.

"Also, please stop slipping bronzer into my moisturizer." Violet states.

"You look good with a little color." Kurt retorts.

"I only use lotion on my legs. It looks weird if a person just has tan legs." Violet argues.

"Okay, Kurt, wouldn't you love Violet just as much if she didn't have tan legs?" Emma asks.

"And while we're being perfectly honest, I don't like that with every conversation, we end up always talking about NYADA. What song you're gonna sing, what outfit you're gonna wear to your callback, how amazing New York is. New York is the only thing we talk about now, Kurt, and it's like... well, it's like you can't even wait to get out of here. How's that supposed to make me feel? In a few months, you're gonna be gone. With this brand-new life, these brand-new friends, brand-new everything, and I'm gonna be right here. By myself. Once again, feeling like I'll be forgotten and unwanted." Violet rants.

Kurt looks at her with sad eyes.

Violet sighs and looks down at her lap. "You're right. I have been distant. And I'm sorry. But I'm just... trying to practice what life is going to be like without you. You are the love of my life, Kurt. And I'm pissed off that I have to learn, for the next year, what being alone is gonna be like." She tells him.

Kurt reaches over and grabs her hand. "But you're not gonna be alone. I'm gonna Skype you every day, and you're gonna come visit me in New York every weekend as far as I'm concerned. But I promise, you aren't gonna lose me, become forgotten or unwanted." He promises.

Violet looks over at him with teary eyes. "I love you so much." She tells him.

"I love you, too." Kurt says and hugs her.

Emma smiles, knowing that she didn't really do much. She's watched them talk out their differences and move past the rough patch.

= = =

Violet smiles as she walks up to Kurt the next day at his locker. "I love your jauntily placed cap, like a Russian Czar." She says.

Kurt's phone buzzes. "It's not Chandler. I swear I told him not to text me anymore." He promises.

Violet smiles. "I know. It's from me."

Kurt looks shocked. "How unscheduled of you. But what about Glee practice?" He asks her.

"No one will be there. Mr. Shue said it wasn't mandatory, so Rachel's prepping her NYADA piece, Finn's at the shop, Quinn's getting physical therapy, Puck's driving to Gomer for a sale on chlorine. Everyone is going their own way. Come on. Let's blow it off." Violet comments.

Kurt smiles as he takes her hand and kisses it. "But it's Glee. I mean, we only have so many left together." He tells her.

= = =

The New Directions gather in the auditorium with Artie and Mercedes, singing Whitney's 'My Love Is Your Love.'

[My Love Is Your Love by Artcedes]

Kurt and Violet smile as they sit next to each other, holding hands.

If they can make it through a rough patch in their relationship, they can make it through a long-distance relationship.

= = =

2596 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. How Will I Know - Mercedes, Pezberry and Vurt
2. I Wanna Dance (With Somebody) - Brittana
3. Saving All My Love For You - Joe and Quinn
4. So Emotional - Pezberry
5. It's Not Right But It's Okay - Violet
6. I Have Nothing - Kurt
7. My Love Is Your Love - Artcedes

This was an emotional rollercoaster for me.

Rest In Peace Whitney Houston
1963 - 2012

Next update:  Choke

2 episodes to Prom-A-Saurus
3 episodes to Props
4 episodes to Nationals
5 episodes to Goodbye