I don't own anything. If I did Derek and Karen would be together on the show, but alas, I'll just have to pretend on here.

Chapter 1 – The First rejection

The final note still hung in the air, the applause drowned out thoughts about her personal life. For right now, in this moment, she was Marilyn. She was a star. The crowd continued to cheer as she left the stage. The chorus went out for curtain call to the sound of more applause. Michael Swift made his way out on stage, more applause. Finally it was her turn. Derek, who had been holding her hand, released his grip and whispered, "You're a star, go take a bow," in her ear, as she made her way on stage. The crowd stood, the applause reached the heavens and she knew that she was, at least in that moment, a star.

As the curtain fell Karen made her way to greet her new fans. She smiled and shook hands for what felt like an eternity. By the time she was finished and making her way to the dressing room the gold dress seemed to weigh a hundred pounds. As she worked her way out of Marilyn the enormity of the day seemed to sink in. She had learned blocking and choreography for an entire musical, found out that her fiancé had slept with Ivy, performed flawlessly, and was now exhausted.

A voice broke her from her thoughts. "You're still here?" he asked gently, leaning against the door frame of the dressing room.

"Oh, Derek, I just…I was just thinking." She said smiling slightly.

"You were amazing tonight." He said with a half grin that was classic Derek.
"Thank you," she said smiling a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Are you okay? You should be out celebrating." He said softly closing the distance between them.
"Honestly?" she asked looking at him with a tired smile.
"I can't imagine you being anything but."

"I can't get my dress unzipped," she said laughing easily at herself. The sound of her laughter sending shivers down his spine.
"May I help you?" he asked hesitantly, wanting so acutely to feel her warm soft skin under his fingers, but not wanting to let on that he wanted her so badly.

"Sure, that'd be great." He reached for her zipper and as he slowly unzipped the dress and saw her pale skin under the glittering gold he knew he had to have her. Smiling his ever so handsome Derek smile he asked, "Shall we go to the after party? I'm sure everyone is waiting on the star."

"Do I have to?" Karen asked halfheartedly. The Marilyn part of her wanted to go live it up. She wanted to soak up all of the success of the evening and shine like the star she knew she was, however, the Karen part of her wanted to go have a glass of wine and a long hot bath and think about what to do with her broken life.
"Oh it's not that bad Miss Cartwright. Tonight was a smashing success and you're a star. You deserve to celebrate." He said with his eyes sparkling. "How about I buy you a drink, and then you can go back to the hotel and mope?" Winking he held out a bent arm which Karen reluctantly looped her arm through. They made their way happily a nearby bar talking quietly and laughing often.

Oh the sound of her laughter does something to me. I haven't wanted someone like this since…Oh Derek, don't start thinking about that now. Just focus on the beautiful woman holding onto your arm and be happy. Maybe if you're lucky she'll see something more in me than just the self-centered director that I am most of the time. How can I make her know that she's different?

"Derek?" Karen asked her voice slightly amused.
"Yes darling?"

"What are you thinking? You're in another world. I'm pretty sure I've been talking to myself the last few minutes."
"Oh, I was just thinking about the show" he said blushing slightly. Karen caught the blushing, but wasn't sure what to make of it so she dropped it and they continued walking easily together until they reached the bar. They made their way inside and Derek announced, "Welcome the star of our show, Miss Karen Cartwright!" which was met with thunderous applause from the rowdy cast and crew. Karen, who was blushing, said, "Thank you all so much, I…I don't know what to say." She said laughing.

Derek held up his end of the deal and bought her a drink, a glass of Champaign, to celebrate the success of the evening. When she finished the drink and realized that everyone was laughing and having a great time she decided that she'd make an exit. Derek had gone to talk to Eileen so not even he would notice her absence, or so she thought. She made her way out the door and was walking down the street when she heard running behind her. She turned to look and was surprised to find Derek hurrying after her.

"What are you doing?" she asked confused by his running.

"You left without saying goodbye?" he asked sounding a little hurt.
"You were busy, my Champaign was finished so yea, I left." Karen said sheepishly.

"Allow me to walk you to your hotel?" he asked quickly adding, "I'd hate for something to happen to our star." Giving her a wink they once again laced their arms together.

When they made it to the hotel Derek walked her to her room and as she unlocked the door he brushed a stray piece of hair from her face and leaned in to give her a kiss. She quickly backed away from his advance.
"Derek, I…"
"I'm sorry, I thought…" they both started at the same time.
"I'm sorry, I should go." He said as he turned and hurried away frustrated that she had let him get that close before rejecting him…again.

I'm just getting started, but if no one likes it, I might not finish. Let me know what you think or if you'd like me to continue.