She woke up in a state of pure bliss. Even with her issues with her, now, ex-boyfriend the night before had been one of her favorites by far. Stretching she rolled out of bed, seeing that her roommate had already checked out but Karen couldn't imagine going just yet. The next rehearsals weren't until Monday and that meant she had nearly a whole Sunday to relax.

She padded across the room, grabbing her iPhone on the way, and slipped into her bathroom. Seventeen missed calls from Dev. "Take the hint, I don't want to talk to you," She said in a sing song voice "Now music.." she added and put her songs on shuffle before stripping and hopping into a long and self indulgent shower.

Afterwards, well after a shower full of loud singing and insane dancing, she put on a white sundress, a denim jacket, a pair of boots, and a fedora- that was only after her hair was dried and curled properly. Assessing herself in the mirror she smiled, Dev really was missing out. She looked stunning but she blamed the post-show glow.

Grabbing her messenger bag, Karen all but skipped out the door, stopping abruptly when she saw someone familiar sleeping on the couch in the small sitting area her room was diagonal to. It was Derek! His head tipped back, eyes closed, and his coat draped over his torso as a makeshift blanket. Alarmed wasn't even the word to cover how she felt, he was supposed to be in some penthouse suite not sleeping there like some bum... Her thoughts were cut short as she took note of his serene face, an appearance she'd never seen on him before. It mesmerized her for a few moments before she realized that she was gawking like a fool.

She blinked then moved forward "Derek..." it was too soft, apparently, as he didn't stir "Derek wake up..." she tried, a little louder, but he only scrunched up his face briefly and shifted under his coat "DEREK!" she finally hollered and he jolted awake, his eyes snapping open and searching the source of his rude awakening.

When his eyes locked with Karen's his semi-hostile face was put at ease and a smile graced his lips, not fading as he stretched in a cat like manner "To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss. Cartwright?" he asked sitting up, his coat sliding to his lap, before rubbing a hand over his face.

"You're sleeping on a couch in front of my hotel room and you wonder why you are seeing me?" She asked with a laugh before, deciding to throw caution to the wind, sitting next to him. "Why ARE you sleeping on a couch in front of my hotel room?" She asked then.

"If I told you," He leaned back against the couch "You'd never believe me." he rested his temple against his knuckles, looking over at the brunette vixen. He wore a toothy grin and he looked a bit worse for wear, for reasons she was dying to know, so she shrugged "Try me."

Derek chuckled, unable to help himself, and sighed "I was walking around after the show last night, I stayed at the theater and played the piano for a little while, but then I came across someone that belongs to you," her face registered it instantly "And he wasn't happy to see me. Apparently I was walking in front of your hotel, he screamed that I knew what room you were in… which I didn't until he spat it at me… because I was sleeping with you and you with me. He's not a coherent drunk. Nor does his charm last, he started insulting you and calling you a few tasteless names. So I did the only polite and reasonable thing and I beat his ass a little then tossed the sod in a cab and sent him packing," he stretched again and then remembered "Oh and I'm sleeping here to make sure the prick didn't decide to come back and bother you."

Karen was in shock. Not because of Dev, after almost screwing RJ and then actually sleeping with Ivy she was positive he was capable of anything, but it was Derek. Beating Dev up, sending him off, AND guarding her for the entire night? He was such a... gentleman. It was alarming.

"Thank you Derek, that was really sweet and considerate of you," All he did was nod and smile in response "Will you come have lunch with me?" she wanted to reward her, for lack of a better word, hero and she did have plans to go find somewhere to eat lunch.

Now it was Derek who was shocked but it only took him a few moments to ponder "Certainly darling. Mind if we swing by my hotel? It's pretty close." he assured her, looking over her beautiful and simultaneously sexy outfit "That and I have to look as good as you." She laughed then, rolling her eyes.

"You'll NEVER look as great as I do but let's go." She got up, starting down the hallway and moving to the elevator. Smirking Derek followed her, happy and cocky as ever- it was going to be a good day.

Second Karen x Derek story I've decided to upload here on FanFiction. My first one, a little one shot I adore, made me feel a little confident about the stories I already was in the processes of writing. So here's "It started in Boston."

Thanks for reading and I hope you review!

- Breckin