Karen followed him out, taking his arm as they walked through the bustling streets of Boston, it was no New York but the excitement from opening night still danced in both of their eyes. Karen was finding it difficult to keep up with Derek's 'london walk' but managed to keep her pace until they got to the hotel. The warmth of the hotel lobby was welcome to the couple who's noses were slightly red from the nippy weather outside, Derek lead Karen to one of the tables and took her coat as she sat down.

"Thanks," Karen whispered as he sat himself down across from her.

She couldn't help but stare at him, he was gorgeous not that she didn't know that already but she was just unfolding this new side of the big-shot Broadway director. He ordered two martinis for them, oblivious to the flirtatious looks that the waitress was giving him consecutively earning a feeling of jealousy from Karen.

"What did you want to talk about, darling?" Derek asked as the menus were taken away, Karen could feel her heart beating through her fingertips, as she shakily tapped them on the hardwood of the table. Might as well get it over with, Karen she thought to herself.

"Wh- what did you mean," she started, her voice revealing the nervousness in her head. When she saw confusion grace his features, she took a deep breath and started again.

"What did you mean when you said that you understand love?" she whispered, staring deep into his forest green eyes.

Derek looked at Karen, she was beautiful, still so sweet and innocent even after the huge amounts of pressure everyone- including himself had forced on her. She looked absolutely petrified while asking a question that he thought would be an obvious answer. He loved her. He had loved the woman since the first time he had laid eyes on her, and when she was finally given the recognition that she deserved on the stage that he created playing the part that she was meant for he couldn't be prouder.

"Darling, I think you know why I said those 4 words before you went on that stage" he whispered lowly so that only she could hear him, genuinely giving her a smile.

Karen took an audible deep breath as he continued, making it obvious that she was thinking something completely different to what Derek had tried to imply, weighing down his options on what he could do in the heat of the moment he sighed, Karen was worth the risk and he had waited long enough for this. Standing up in one swift motion he stepped to the other side of the table and helped the gorgeous brunette to her feet, lightly tracing a finger down her cheek he leant down and kissed her- both of their emotions were heavily weighing down on the kiss and he was nervous. What if he had made a huge mistake? What if she didn't feel the same way?

Karen was shocked, Derek was kissing her. Derek Wills was kissing her. She was pulled out of her head and realised that she wasn't making it up, Derek was in fact kissing her. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, never wanting to let go. She never would have believed that Derek actually felt something for her, dreamed yes. But in real life? never. When they both broke free for air they just stood there, grinning like idiots happy just to be with each other.

"I had no idea.. you-" Karen wanted to ask him even more questions but her voice just wouldn't follow her brain.

"I'm just really happy." she whispered, her cheeks blushing like crazy instantly giving her away.

Derek stood there and just watched the beautiful woman in front of him try and figure out what to say, she was portraying exactly what he was feeling inside. He didn't know what to say, he was just awestruck on the acceptance that she had given him of his implied feelings.

"As am I, love." he whispered back, kissing her cheek as he went back to his side of the table. As he sat down he felt his phone buzz and Tom's picture came up for the caller ID.

He put the phone on speaker and answered: "Yes, Tom?" he asked the annoyance coating his voice.

"Derek. It's Ivy. You and Karen need to come to the hospital, now." Tom said, he sounded frazzled and nervous, before Derek could ask what had happened the phone line cut and the new couple were forced to helplessly wonder what had happened.

"Derek, we have to go.." Karen said, worry filling her eyes, Derek left some cash on the table, put his arms around a teary-eyed Karen and lead them out the door to find out more about what had happened to Ivy Lynn..

AN: I was so happy to see the reviews that were left from the first chapter! I'm really loving writing this story so far and I'd love to hear any input from all of you! Also, I'm sorry to leave you in a cliffhanger but I think it's necessary for the chapter that's coming up :) Derek and Karen are just adorable. #Cartwillsforever