Later that week, Kurt entered the McKinley choir room announcing that they were screwed. He'd been shopping for fabric for costumes and had found that the fabric store was out of red Chantilly lace. Further investigations (namely bribing Jacob Ben Israel) showed that eighteen empty boxes of Christmas lights were found in the dumpsters behind Carmel High.

"Wait, what?" asked Mr. Schuester in confusion.

"They're doing Gaga," Kurt explained.

"That's it, it's over," Mercedes sighed.

"They're going to pull out theatricality. They know it's the easiest way to beat us," Kurt worried. "Damn them."

"What's up with this Gaga dude?" Puck asked. "He just, like, dresses weird, right? Like Bowie?"

"Lady Gaga is a woman," Kurt snapped back. "She's only the biggest pop act to come around in decades. She's boundary-pushing, most theatrical performer of our generation! And she changes her look faster than Britt changes sexual partners."

"It's true," Brittney nodded.

Soon Mr. Schuester had decided that this week's assignment would be Gaga. Half the room – consisting of the girls and Kurt – exploded into excitement, while the other boys rolled their eyes and grumbled under their breaths.

Ryan however, wasn't really into the discussion. He liked Lady Gaga fine, although it looked like the other glee guys had something to say about it. But that wasn't what had him so out of it.

**Flashback**

The previous day

After deciding that he was going to find his mother Ryan had finally made a serious effort. He'd looked through boxes full of his baby things that his dads had stored in the basement, but had come up empty. He knew all the important records, including his birth certificate and his adoption records, were kept in a box in his parents' study. He'd even looked for the ad his fathers had placed in the newspaper and looked online if he could somehow get a copy of his adoption records. Unfortunately it would take about a month and submission of identification.

After trawling through all possible options without success for the past week, he'd debated between asking his fathers straight out or trying to get his adoption papers from the study. He decided on the latter, because he didn't want to upset either of his fathers and also because he didn't think they'd give him a straight answer.

Ryan entered his parents' study as soon as he got home from school. He'd told Burt that he wouldn't be at the shop since he had a project to take care of. He was absolutely certain that he wouldn't be caught if he did it at the right time, because his dads were never home in the afternoon. He had one problem though: he had no idea where the papers were kept. He also knew he had to keep everything in place, otherwise he'd be busted and he'd probably get yelled at and have his computer, phone, and iPod taken away.

After about half an hour of searching, Ryan finally hit the jackpot – a manila envelope containing his parents' marriage license, their own birth certificates, the deed to the house and... his adoption records. Checking his watch, he saw it was nearing 4:00, and the later it got the more likely it was that one of his fathers would arrive home. Sure enough, as soon as he thought it, he heard the front door open. Damn.

He hurriedly pulled out his phone and used a scanning app to take pictures of the papers he needed, listening all the while for any warning that someone was coming to the study. After returning the papers to the envelope and then the envelope to the drawer it had come from, he listened carefully at the door, trying to hear where his dad was. Thankfully, he heard the sink in the bathroom running. Sending up a word of thanks for his finely-tuned hearing skills, Ryan exited the study and made his way to his room. Flopping down on the bed, he pulled out his phone and opened it.

This is it. Ryan took a deep breath before opening the image of his birth certificate. He scanned through the medical jargon, noting details such as length and weight. He had to zoom in to be able to read the text on the 3.5" screen, and he stopped scrolling when he reached the section on parental details. The father's section was marked unknown, since his dads had decided not to determine paternity after the turkey baster story. He took one more breath before scrolling to the birth mother's details.

No. That wasn't possible.

He moved to the adoption file, and found the same name on the paper, accompanied by a signature authorizing the adoption. Ryan's birth mother was none other than Shelby Corcoran.

What the hell? Did she know? Ryan went over the two conversations he'd had with the woman, and things started falling into place. Those questions she'd asked in that first talk they'd had, her concern about his laryngitis in the second. He knew she'd been strangely interested in him. Then he remembered his reaction to her offer to give him vocal lessons. Oh God. He never wanted to think about that ever again.

She knew. She had to know, but she didn't tell him. Even after he'd told her about his dream of meeting his birth mother, she still hadn't told him. Did that mean she didn't want him? But she'd offered to teach him. Didn't that mean she at least wanted to talk to him? And she'd come back to the garage. Of course, that might just mean that the other garage in town was closed. Maybe she didn't know after all. He was so confused.

I think your mom would be very proud to have you as a son.

Ryan flopped back on his bed. He didn't know what to do. Should he call her? He scoffed at himself. What would he say? Hi Ms. Corcoran, it's Ryan Berry. Sorry to bother you, but I just found out that you're my long lost mother. That would go over great. He sighed. His head hurt. He needed a nap.

**End Flashback**

"I'm actually a bit surprised I'm the one who found out," Kurt grumbled. "I would have thought Ryan would be digging through the Carmel dumpsters himself in his mad obsession to win. And I'm pretty sure he's friendly with the VA coach."

Ryan's focus snapped toward Kurt. He'd listened to how Kurt had found out about VA's plans, and if he were honest with himself he probably would have gone diving in the Carmel dumpsters himself, if not for his respect for Shelby Corcoran. At least a few days ago, when all of this was still relevant. Right now he wasn't quite sure what he felt about the VA director.

All eyes were now on Ryan. "You know, I'm kinda surprised too," admitted Mercedes. "I'd have thought you'd be doing some kind of 'deep background' on them or something."

"Well, you were wrong, then," Ryan shot back. "I have been in contact with the director of Vocal Adrenaline – in an official capacity at my part-time job," he stressed, anticipating Mr. Schuester's comments about being friendly with the competition. "But I'm not about to use that to spy on them!"

"Please, that's a total lie. You'd use anything you could to win," snarked Santana.

Ryan suspected she was right, if it had been anyone else he would have tried to get as much information as possible. But even before he'd found out just who Shelby was, he couldn't quite bring himself to spy on her, and by extension, her team. But he needed to get it together if they were going to win Regionals.

"Ok guys, enough," Mr. Schue cut in before Ryan could answer back. "You need to stop. Spying on the other teams is probably against the rules. Now, let's get started on our Gaga numbers."

Two hours later, Ryan had made up his mind. He was going to go up to Carmel to check out the Vocal Adrenaline rehearsal. He needed the New Directions to win Regionals, otherwise Figgins would cut the program. Therefore he needed to do anything he could to get the team to win, and that included spying on the opposition. He just needed someone to come with him, that way he'd be able to keep his head on straight when he saw Shelby. Maybe. A little while later, he had managed to round up Mercedes and Quinn. "You need to come with me."

"Why? What crazy scheme have you cooked up now?" Mercedes questioned. "We're still not all over that whole mattress ad fiasco you got us to do before Sectionals."

"I hate to say it, but she has a point," Quinn said. "Mr. Schue almost got fired over that." Ryan had gotten the whole glee club a deal to film a mattress commercial, only to find out that glee clubs that had performed professionally were not allowed to compete. That was why they'd ended up with Miss Pillsbury at Sectionals.

"Never mind that. We're going to spy on Vocal Adrenaline's rehearsal."

The two girls looked at each other. "Didn't Mr. Schue say we weren't supposed to not do that?" Mercedes asked.

"Mr. Schue needs to look like he's upholding the rules," Ryan said briskly. "Once we come back with more information on how to beat the VA I'm sure he won't be too mad." He really needed them to stop arguing or he was going to lose his nerve.

Quinn sighed. Might as well go and keep Ryan out of trouble. "Fine, I'm in."

Mercedes sighed as well. "If we get caught, it's your fault."

They arrived at Carmel high a while later, where they sneaked into the balcony of their auditorium.

"Can they see us?" Mercedes wondered.

"If they catch us are we going to have to go to jail?" whispered Quinn.

"Stealing their ideas is not a crime," Ryan whispered back. "Your shoes are making noise!"

"They look amazing!" whispered Mercedes as she got a good look at the stage. The Vocal Adrenaline members were clad in red-orange costumes that covered their whole bodies, complete with crown-like headdresses that covered their faces.

Ryan didn't answer as he also got a good look at the stage. Shelby was pacing the front of the stage, snapping out the music rhythm for her dancers, watching their movements intently.

That was his mom. That was his mom. He began to panic internally. What if she saw him? What was he supposed to do? Should he pretend that he didn't know? This was a bad idea –

"Ryan? Are you okay?" Quinn nudged him when he didn't answer.

Ryan snapped out of his mini panic attack to find the two girls looking at him worriedly. "I'm fine. Just – just shocked that their costumes are so good, that's all," he lied. Get it together.

"Boy, you're a terrible liar," Mercedes whispered. "But never mind that. Look."

"- you're letting the costumes do all the work. Theatricality isn't about crazy outfits! It's not enough to douse yourself in gasoline, you have to light yourself on fire to make it work!" Shelby gesticulated passionately. "Being theatrical doesn't mean you have to be nuclear explosion. It can be like, like a quiet storm. You have to radiate emotion, express what's deep inside you. That's what theatricality is truly about."

"God, she's good," Ryan whispered, almost to himself. His two companions nodded in agreement.

"Do I have to demonstrate? Funny Girl, E-flat." Shelby motioned her students off the stage and moved toward a prop mirror as the musicians started the intro.

Ryan watched intently as she moved, approving of the song choice. He'd dreamed of his mom being a singer, a performer, like him. Someone who could understand his passion for music.

Funny

The guy said honey

You're a funny girl

That's me

Ryan was mesmerized from the first line. Shelby Corcoran had an enormous stage presence. She filled up the enormous stage, drawing all attention to herself. Her movements were natural, not overstated or overdramatic. As she had said, it was like watching a quiet storm. Every syllable was filled with emotion, every gesture enhancing the performance. No fancy costume was needed, just the performer.

And that performer was his mother.

Ryan stood, moving toward the entrance to the balcony, his eyes never leaving the stage. But he was pulled out of daze by Quinn's voice. "What are you doing? Get back here!"

Quinn grabbed his arm, pulling him back to his seat. "You're going to get us caught!"

"What?" Ryan blinked, focusing on her.

Mercedes rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with you? You can't go down there, they'll see you, then they'll see us, then we're all going to go to jail!"

Ryan returned his gaze to the stage. They were right. Not about the jail part, at least he didn't think so, but about the getting caught part. Besides, as much he loved being in the spotlight, he didn't want to talk to his – Shelby with an audience present. It was going to be confusing enough with just the two of them. And he couldn't start thinking of her as his mom, what if she didn't want that? So he settled back down in his seat between Quinn and Mercedes, locking his eyes back onto Shelby.

The fella said a funny girl

Funny

How it ain't so funny

Funny girl

"Okay guys, that was better. We'll work on it some more tomorrow." Shelby ended the practice, watching as her students exited the stage. Her kids had improved technically but they still weren't getting the concept of theatricality. Costumes only went so far, they needed the emotion in order to win. Even Jesse wasn't getting it. She finished writing down some notes, and then started to put her things together. Then she exited the auditorium and headed to her car.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost missed the soft voice that called her. "Ms. Corcoran?"

Shelby turned, looking for the source. She spotted a lone figure standing against the building near her car. "Ryan? What are you doing here?" Shelby was completely surprised, although in retrospect she supposed she shouldn't be. She'd known there were some rather un-stealthy, uninvited guests during rehearsal. She hadn't been expecting it to be Ryan though.

After the VA rehearsal Ryan had managed to get up enough nerve to talk to Shelby. He managed to get Quinn and Mercedes to leave without him. It hadn't been too difficult, since it was getting late and neither of them wanted to walk home in the dark. Ryan had noted that Shelby's Range Rover was still in the parking lot, meaning that she was still in the building. 26 other Range Rovers, apparently belonging to the VA members, had been there earlier, but all were gone now. Ryan had waited for them all to leave and then had taken up position near building to wait for Shelby.

Shelby took in her son's appearance. It had been just over a week since she'd seen him, and she noted that he looked like he hadn't been getting much sleep. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

Ryan hesitated, not meeting her eyes at first. Shelby started to get worried. What's wrong? Is he sick? What do I do?

Then he took a deep breath and finally met her eyes. And she knew immediately that somehow, he'd figured it out. "Miss Corcoran?" Her son pulled a folded sheet of paper out of his jacket pocket. "I'm your son."

The pair stared at each other for a moment. After what seemed like an eternity trapped in their staring match, Shelby reached out and took the sheet of paper Ryan held in his hand. Finally breaking eye contact, she looked at the paper. His adoption record, or a copy at least. With her name and signature at the bottom. She looked back up at the owner of the record, to find his chocolate brown eyes staring intently at her. He didn't seem to want to break the silence, so after a few more moments, Shelby spoke. "When did you find out?"

Ryan let out a breath. "Yesterday."

Shelby studied him. Was he mad? "Are you o –"

"No. I'm not okay. I'm so not okay. I'm nowhere near ok. I don't... why..." Ryan faltered, trying to get his thoughts in order. She knew. He'd thought that maybe, possibly she hadn't known. "You knew all this time? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Ryan," Shelby started toward him, only to stop short when he stepped back. "Let me explain –"

"I told you that day what I was looking for," Ryan interrupted. "You couldn't bother yourself to tell me who you were?" He was starting to question his decision to confront her, he needed to get out of here –

Shelby's eyes filled with tears. This was wrong, this wasn't how this was supposed to go. "Ryan, please, just listen to me," she pleaded. "Let's not do this here. Come with me, we'll go have dinner, I'll tell you anything you want to know," she offered desperately, hoping that he wouldn't leave. She needed him to understand. "Please."

Ryan stopped when he heard the desperation in Shelby's voice. He thought it over for a moment. He had blindsided her after all, and he did want to hear what she had to say. "Ok," he relented.

Shelby almost sagged in relief at his answer. "Thank you. Let's go, I'll buy you dinner and we can talk."

A few minutes later the pair got into a secluded booth in the back of a small diner. They'd placed their orders spent the time until their food arrived avoiding each other's gaze, neither of them knowing quite what to say. They had spent the car ride over here in complete silence as well, both mother and son trying desperately to compose themselves and gather their thoughts.

Again, Shelby decided to step up and break the oppressive silence. "What do you want to know?" Crap, that sounded so impersonal.

Ryan was silent for a minute, and Shelby was about to say something again when he spoke up. "Why didn't you tell me? I don't understand. You spent all that time at the garage, I told you all about myself and you didn't tell me the most important part about yourself."

Shelby's tears had started up again at his betrayed tone, but she blinked them away quickly. She took a deep breath, composing her answer as she did. "It was part of the deal I made with your fathers when they decided to hire me as their surrogate. I signed a contract. It said wasn't allowed to contact you until you reached 18, or until you contacted me yourself."

Ryan didn't say anything as he processed the information, anger and frustration at his fathers welling up inside him. They hadn't told him that. Didn't they think that maybe he should have a say in whether he could contact his mother? He wasn't a child, he could make his own decisions!

Then a new worry occurred to him. "You signed it. You agreed. You didn't want me, did you?" he asked quietly, preparing himself for the answer.

Shelby wished desperately that she could have denied it. But she'd decided on the way here that she wouldn't lie to her son. He deserved the truth, especially after the way she'd kept her identity from him. "No, I didn't."

Ryan visibly deflated at her answer. It had been one thing to worry that his mother hadn't wanted him, but it was another thing entirely to hear her say it out loud. He couldn't meet her eyes, and so he was surprised when Shelby suddenly grabbed his hand over the table.

"Hear me out," Shelby said firmly. "When I signed that contract, I wasn't pregnant yet. I needed the money your fathers were offering to get to New York, to try to make it on Broadway. They seemed like nice guys so I went for it. I was twenty-one at the time, Ryan, I wasn't ready for a kid. I had all these big dreams... I thought it would be okay for me to give you up, since there was a family who wanted you and could take care of you." She looked at him intently. "But I was wrong. I fell in love with you when we saw your first sonogram," she continued, voice thick with emotion. "You know, I used to sing to you every night? You used to stop kicking whenever I did, it was the only way I could get to sleep sometimes."

Ryan's eyes were burning as he listened, but he couldn't cry. If he started he didn't know if he'd be able to stop. "Did you