I wasn't going to post this because it needed a lot of editing and it definitely doesn't follow Season 2. But one of my teachers went into labor today and we had the entire class to do whatever, so I enlisted my friend's help to proofread this while I wrote another chapter. Chapter 2 is complete and I should upload it soon!

THIS DOES NOT FOLLOW SEASON TWO. This takes place two years after season 1's finale.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Except Amber.

Derek Wills was excorting his date in the party, introducing her to friends and producers of the music business. For some reason, his thoughts tonight were on Karen Cartwright, a name and face he tried to put out of his mind long ago.

But he couldn't seem to forget her. Not her voice, not her face, not even the girl's name. She was like his drug of choice, he had been addicted ever since she walked into that audition and sang 'Beautiful'. Derek still went to the show sometimes, in disguise so no one noticed him, just so he could hear her sing.

He had heard she had been offered numerous different roles and parts, both for live theatre and television, but she wouldn't take anything while Bombshell is still up and running.

Honorable, he knew, but also stupid. Yet the majority of the cast and crew had stayed with the project as it continued to bloom even after two years. He and eventually Ivy were the only ones that had left.

Amber Richards, a blonde that vaguely reminded him of Ivy, noticed he seemed pre-occupied with his own mind. She used her hand to move his jaw until his eyes were facing her. "What's wrong, Director? Am I too much of a bore?" She teased.

"Are you his latest star?" Derek froze at the voice. No, it couldn't be. But when he turned around, he was face to face with Karen Cartwright after two years.

He knew he shouldn't of gone to this bloody party. And yet, seeing the talented brunette made the unsufferable small talk he had been doing for the past hour worth it.

Amber stood up straighter as she glared at Karen, sizing her up as competition, clearly offended. She leaned more into Derek, making the message clear: he's mine. "Excuse me?"

Karen ignored her and looked at him instead. "Derek. Long time, no see. You look good."

Derek toasted her with his champagne glass. "And you as well, love."

Amber looked insulted Derek was even talking to this intruder. "I'm sorry- who are you? And how did you even get into this party dressed like that?"

Derek finally took appearance of what she was wearing. Her Marilyn wig and costume for the last act. Flashes of him zipping that dress, calling her a star, and promising her he understands love looped through his mind before he could stop it.

Derek couldn't help but feel an overwhelming need to defend his star against his latest conquest.

Because no matter how many other 'phenomenal' dancers he worked with, no matter how great people promise the newest auditionee would blow his mind away, no one would ever compare with Karen Cartwright.

"Same Derek I see, still sleeping with your leads to make them happy. Does he tell you that you are a star? That you're different?" Karen asked Amber. "Eventually, you'll reallze what he's doing to you. He'll lead you to thinking you are headed for a committed relationship, but once you figure it out, he'll drop the act and move on to the next star to seduce."

Derek narrowed his eyes at Karen when really, all he wanted to do was pull her close and never let go. "Would you bloody stop harrassing my date? If this is what you are like now, maybe I made a good decision in leaving." He saw the hurt flash in her eyes before they were void of any emotion and he hated himself for it. He had always loved her eyes, bright and wide, always shining.

But he knew he needed to protect her from himself. She doesn't need him in her life. He would just end up hurting her.

Still, Derek couldn't help it when his voice naturally softened, like it did when talking to her, and only her. "Just tell me why you are here, Karen. I'm sure you didn't want to crash the party dressed as Marilyn," he joked, trying to make her at least smile. "I wouldn't want to crash it anyway. It's bloody boring."

She didn't smile though. Instead, her eyes filled with tears. "We were... going to celebrate another great performance. Bobby had a new bar he wanted us to try downtown. Jessica and I went to my apartment to find some clothes, and while we were there, my parents called to ask how the show was, like they always do. I was talking to my phone, when she screamed and the line went dead."

Derek let go of his date and finally took Karen in his arms when her tears began to slide down her cheeks. He kissed the top of her head, rubbing her back as she let out muffled sobs into his suit, tightening her hold on him.

"They were hit by a car. Luckily, they are okay. The driver of the other car was drunk when he hit them. He's got a broken leg, but Mom and Dad only have scratches and a bruise or two," she explained in between her sobs.

"It's okay, Karen, it's okay. They are fine."

"I was so scared, Derek, so scared. They told me not to come to Iowa, that they were fine. Once I found out they were okay, all I could think about was coming to find you."

"Shh, love. Calm down, you are making yourself more upset, they are okay. I've got you, just let it out." Derek whispered into her ear. Karen pulled away enough to see his face and Derek wiped away the remaining tears staining her cheeks. "You okay?"

She nodded, looking shocked by the look in his eyes. He didn't hide anything from her this time, letting her see the feelings he had for her loud and clear in his eyes. "My, um..." she seemed to lose her train of thought. "Make-up is probably messed up."

He put his hand on her cheek, smiling slightly. "You look amazing, darling. Your makeup looks good, even though I think you look beautiful without the stuff." Derek sighed, "has it really been two years?"

Karen nodded. "Yeah. Why'd you leave us, Derek?" The way she said 'us', he knew she wasn't not talking about the musical. She was talking about herself. Why did he leave her? A question he asked himself everyday.

Derek stared into her eyes for a few more seconds before sighing again and pulling away from her, untangling his fingers that somehow got laced with hers. He looked over at his date who was staring at the two of them, her eyes wide. "Amber, I'm not really in the party mood right now and besides, I need to make sure Ms. Cartwright gets home okay. You should stay and continue to chat to people, make connections."

Amber's eyes grew even more comically wide as she looked at Karen, no longer seeing her as competition, but an idol. "You are Karen Cartwright? Omg, I love Bombshell! I've seen it three times and planning on going again!"

Karen smiled. "Thank you. Did you know Derek was the director and choreographer for it all the way up until it went on Broadway?"

Amber turned to Derek in disbelief. "You were on Bombshell? Why the hell did you quit that?"

"Can I not make a decision without everyone questioning me?"

"If it's that stupid of a decision, then no. Seriously, why would you quit Bombshell?'

He glanced at Karen. "I had my reasons."

Karen stared at him. "You left because of me?" She whispered, feeling a lot more offended and disappointed then she probably should have been.

Derek sighed. "It's complicated, Karen."

"No, it's not. You left Bombshell because of me." Karen turned to Amber who was watching the two of them like a tennis match, her eyes alternating between Derek and Karen with every remark. "It was nice to meet you, Amber, but I have to go. Good luck on your show."

Karen walked off, towards the exit, before Derek could even begin to explain why he left two years ago.

"Go."

Derek turned his head to look at Amber, but his eyes were still following Karen. "What?"

"Go after her. I'll find a ride home. I'm a sucker for love," she shrugged in explanation to Derek's confused look as he finally actually looked at her.

"I'm not in love with Karen."

"You say that, and yet you haven't taken your eyes away from where she just walked off. Talk to her, okay, Derek? If not for yourself, then do it for her. She needs to know why you left."

Amber walked off after giving her input, not waiting for Derek's response. Derek sighed, his eyes automatically landing on Karen's departing figure.

When she got to the door, she turned, locking eyes with Derek. Even from the distance he could see the tears spreading through her eyes. Everything else disappeared and he could only see the young woman he made cry. The same woman stole his heart years ago and didn't even know it.

Derek took a step forward and that broke the spell they seemed to be under. Karen just shook her head at him ("Don't follow me," her eyes begged him) and left.

Please review! This is my first Smash story!

Hannah :)