I own nothing, characters belong to NBC. Co written by Halloween9moive

I always love the smell of old theatres, something calming about them. Still can't get over Tom calling me. Though if what I've heard is true, my heart aches, Ivy, the baby. Derek had told me the day after the Tonys he was going to be a dad, he was so happy! It was a boy, Ben I think. Now, well now he's not talking to anyone. I bet in his head, he's thinking its payback for his past deeds. Then again, actors are the worst gossips. Only Derek and Ivy know the truth.

I open the door, there she is, my muse, my Marilyn. She's just sitting on the stage lost in thought. A sight for sore eyes. That girl can still, after everything make me smile. Jimmy had let me know when he left prison that he was giving Karen a fresh start. He felt they both needed it after what happened with Kyle. Let's see if I still have it.

'Miss Karen Cartwright!' I bellow. If she was a cat, she'd be hanging from the roof! Derek roars with laughter.

'Mr Wills!' I shout through laughing. 'I can't say I've missed that!'

Derek walks to the stage.

'Sorry darling just wanted to see if I was still the Dark Lord.'

'Guess you still are. Any clue why Tom wants to see us?'

'No not a clue, must be important, he threatened to drag me out of bed. Why are you laughing?'

'Oh Derek, even Tom must have had a passing thought about you in bed'. I smile. 'Oh. Oh! Right, well, erm big no, capital N'. He laughs.

'Well I could tell him you're a great kisser!' My head says Fantastic!

'Why Karen, you should have been to drunk to notice. But thank you, I think'. Derek says blushing slightly.

'You know I can hear you right?'

The red curtain across the stage parted a little and the suited figure of Tom Levitt emerged from within

'Voices carry in a place like this' he said in an uncharacteristically sombre tone

'What's the matter' Karen said, picking up instantly on the vibe

Tom made his way silently down to where Derek and Karen were sitting. He put his hand inside his jacket pocket and produced an envelope. Tom tried to look Derek in the eye, but he found that he just couldn't do it; after all he had helped keep the secret.

Tom handed the envelope to Derek, who still had no idea what was going on. Derek peeled open the envelope and took out the letter within. His eyes widened as he read it, his blood boiled as he read every condescending word she had written for him. A tear rolled down Derek's face and landed onto the letter, how could she do this to him.

Karen reached out for the letter but Derek held it out of her grasp.

'What is it?' Asked Karen

'Well' Derek dried his tear away with his hand before continuing 'Ivy has taken my son and she isn't bringing him back'

'What!?'

Derek rose from his seat, he towered over Tom his face painted a picture of desperation and rage. He held the letter up to Tom.

'How long have you known about this'

'Two weeks'

'Two bloody weeks, I just saw her yesterday everything was fine... did you put her up to this'

'No of course not'

'Oh of course you did, you just couldn't help opening old wounds and spreading your lies'

Derek stormed off up the steps and out of the theatre, leaving Karen confused and Tom sulking.

'What's this all about Tom?'

'I did what I had to do, she wasn't happy. She is taking Ben and moving away.'

'That doesn't justify taking a man's son away from him'

'Maybe it does'

'What's that supposed to mean'

'It means... I'm exhausted and clutching at straws'

'What about the legal ramifications of this, Derek could get the police to track down Ivy, he could press charges for kidnapping'

'But we both know he won't'

'Doesn't change the fact that this is a felony and wrong... why is she doing this'

'The love just wasn't there anymore and she felt she had to get out of his life'

Karen stood up to face Tom, she was so angry that Ivy had done something so... Ivy again

'I get that friends look out for each other but when your friend is doing something that will destroy lives, it's your duty to stop them going over the edge. You know how long Derek has wanted a family.'

Karen was about to leave when she noticed Tom's suit. Tom never wore a suit, not a proper one any way, tie, cuff links the works.

'What're you all dressed up for'

'I just came from a Bombshell meeting... let's talk about it later'

Karen nodded and made her way up the steps, when she reached the top she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. On the floor behind the last row of chairs was a crumpled up ball of paper, she fairly sure she hadn't seen it on the way in and assumed what it was.

Karen picked up the ball of paper and uncrumbled it. Karen knew she shouldn't read it, it was none of her business but she just couldn't help herself.

'Dear Derek, I've given this to Tom to give to you. As we're no longer a couple, I've decided to move away with baby Ben. If he ever asks, I will tell him who you are, but until then you'll just be a name. Harsh I know, but I need my career more. Go to Karen with my blessing. Ivy'

"Go to Karen with my blessing" Was this her fault? What had Derek told her?

Hearing Tom making his way up the steps, Karen folded the letter and put it in her handbag before exiting the theatre.

Derek raced back to his apartment. All of Ivy's stuff that she had when she moved in was gone. For the first time ever his home felt like a strangers. Empty of all emotion and love, just nothing. He went to sit down; there between the cushions was Ben's favourite teddy. Every emotion hit Derek like a tidal wave. Sure they had split as a couple, but only just yesterday, they had agreed to co parent Ben and get on the best they could.

"Ahhhh you fool Derek everything you touch, just slips right out of your grip. Ivy is right, take the boy away! Take everything away!"

From outside his door Karen heard him shout and a lot of noise, she took out the spare key and turned it in the private elevator. As the doors opened, she saw an over turned table and chair. Derek on the floor clutching a teddy bear as if his life depended on it. Karen knew words wouldn't help, so she got on the floor beside him and held him.

Hours had passed and neither had moved. Karen had guessed Derek had fallen asleep. It was the ringing of Derek's phone that made them both move. Derek groggily got to his feet and fished the phone from his pocket.

"What?"

"Derek it's Eileen, have you been drinking?

"Drinking?! No! For heavens sake Eileen, I do occasionally fall asleep! What do you want?" He spat into the phone.

"My office. Now! Find Karen" She shouted and hung up.

"Oh joy, Eileen is on the warpath. Karen? Karen why are you sitting on my floor?" It all started to come back, finding the apartment empty, throwing stuff, then a vice grip on him. Now he realised where the grip came from.

"Derek. There was no way I was leaving with you in that state." Derek looked at her as if she had gone mad.

"Darling, that was very kind, but right now Eileen needs to see us both. Any more bad news, you can find me in the loony bin. Move, chop, chop".

As Karen got up and moved to the door she saw the Dark Lord was back for blood. She closed the door behind them.