Your Song (Shawn Mendes)

Chapter 29 ~ Week 8 Pt. 1

"Maria Peters strength was on full display this week and Alan took notice of that when picking his song for her and in their rehearsals." Tom introduced and gestured to the big screen.

"The song I picked for Maria is Blackbird by the Beatles." Alan said in the interview. "The idea started when she told me that the song was the inspiration for her first tattoo on her chest. When I hear the song, I hear a story of someone who has been so broken down by life yet still finds the strength to stand, and even fly, on their own. It's exactly what I see in Maria. Especially this week."

It cut to Maria in the interview chair with tears glittering in her eyes. "This week's show is the 10-year anniversary of when I was found after 14 years of being locked up." Pictures of the articles of her discovery were shown. "Most people would be questioning as to why this is bad. I should be happy about it. Except, that day was the day I fell apart. I realized I couldn't live like a normal person. I was a broken shell of a person and... I hate thinking about that time and every year, the feeling just comes back. And it definitely showed in rehearsals."

Clips of Maria and Alan rehearsing was shown. It showed Maria flinching at his touches and having to take time to center herself again. It showed a clip of her having to step outside with tears trickling down her face and pulling up a video call with Shawn. "I don't know if I can do this week, Shawn. It's all been flooding back to me and..."

"Maria, you have a strength that most warriors would kill to have." Shawn said, "It's one of the things I love most about you. You can't let him get the best of you when he isn't here anymore." Alan came out after she ended the call and gently pulled her into a hug.

"With the anniversary coming up, especially on a show day, rehearsals have been a bit difficult." Alan explained. "It's been especially hard for her to learn the trio dance but I can't help but admire the strength and will it would take to do something like that this week. And that's why I can't help but hear Maria in this song. She's the blackbird with the broken wings that the song talks about and the audience is going to see that on the stage."

The audience applauded as the video package ended and the lights shown down on Maria center stage. She wore a spaghetti strap black dress with jewels lining the neckline and a skirt that fell almost to her knees and looked to be made of feathers. Her hair had black and silver feathers woven throughout the curls. Her hands shook slightly as the familiar guitar started to play. A few caught sight of the bandages wrapped around her fingers under her signature rings.

Alan approached her, dressed in all black and began to lead her into a gorgeous contemporary routine.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Alan and Maria flowed along with the lyrics, Alan lifting her up to perform multiple tricks reminiscent of the blackbird referenced in the song. Maria could feel tears burning in her eyes as the song progressed but Alan leading her kept her head from straying too far.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

The song ended with Alan slowly dropping Maria down from a lift so she could kneel on the floor. Alan kneeled down next to her and held both her hands in his. Maria let out a small sob as the audience applauded them both. Alan pulled her into a tight hug, helping her onto her feet. They slowly approached the judges' table and the camera got a shot of Shawn blowing a kiss to Maria who placed a hand on her heart as thanks.

"Wow, I think Paul McCartney himself would love that dance." Tom commented. Maria managed a watery smile of thanks. "Now I know this is a hard day for you, Maria but can I ask what happened to your hands?" He cautiously took her fingertips and lifted them to show the bandages.

Maria bit her lip in nervousness and Alan explained for her, "Maria has a habit of pressing or twisting her rings into her skin when she's fighting a flashback or panic attack or is just nervous. Because of the week, she did it so much and for so long she broke skin multiple times."

"Well, the fact that you are even standing here today is a testament to your strength." Tom said. "Hopefully the judges think that as well."

Tom motioned for Bruno to start the comments. "Your wings are no longer broken, my darling. You are flying!" Maria cracked a small smile through her tears. "You have a strength of no one else and it showed in this dance! Just brilliant!"

Maria mouthed a thank you and Alan squeezed her tightly. Len took the next comment, "I definitely have to agree with Bruno on the fact that your strength and willpower stood out in that dance. I could sense the apprehension in you throughout the dance but if you can keep that in check, you are golden."

Maria nodded her thanks before looking to Carrie Ann. "First of all, you are a warrior, girly. I would never be able to do what you just did on that stage if I were you." The crowd applauded and Maria smiled. "Len was right, there was some hesitation during some of the steps but the fact that it was so minuscule that we could barely catch it shows the passion and strength you have for this competition and the music. Amazing work."

"All right! Let's get their scores." Maria pulled Alan tighter next to her and twisted the rings on her fingers.

Carrie Ann Inaba. "10!"

Len Goodman. "9!"

Bruno Tonioli. "10!"

Maria smiled and hugged Alan tightly, proud of their near-perfect score.