Expectant. He knew he was tapping away at his leather bound notebook and annoying the ensemble in the process. It was a break; the second one of the day, and Derek was still waiting. Karen Cartwright, damn you for making me wait, he thought to himself while the corners of his lips turned up in a knowing smile. He'd wait on Karen as long as it took, the only woman he'd do that for.

Suddenly the door burst open and there she was accompanied with, shockingly enough, a bunch of flowers. "Sorry everyone, I forgot to do something back in Boston, you know, while I was rushing to transform into Marilyn," She had people laughing before she carried the four different dozens of flowers forward "One for Tom, who wrote some spectacular songs!" Everyone applauded as Karen gave him a few white- his favorite- roses with a hug.

"Then there is Julia, our fearless writer!" To the red head she gave orchids, Julia's favorite, and another hug accompanied with more applause. "Eileen, our wonderful producer." Daisies, a hug, and applause. Then it came time. It was his turn. He felt reminiscent of a child getting a present for no good reason.

Derek had to actually swallow the lump in his throat as Karen walked over and smiled at him, he returned it with a small genuine one of his own "Then Derek Wills. Director from hell in the best way possible and, I'm happy to say," Her eyes looked only at his as she spoke the next words "My friend." It nearly made his heart explode- with mixed emotions- he accepted the lilies accompanied with black and blood red roses "Because you're Dark Lord Derek," Karen whispered as she embraced him to applause.

For a brief moment in time the applause ebbed away and he shut his eyes, an arm wrapping around her lithe waist and returning the hold warmly. He just reveled in her hug and, all too soon, she pulled away and gave him a smile.

My friend, it sobered him up to think of it, and he nodded to Karen "Alright, touching gestures aside- thank you really- can we start rehearsals? We still have a Marilyn to make." Derek Wills was back in his wry and sardonic way.

"We're starting with History is made at night!" Karen tossed him a playful (but friendly, he reminded himself a little bitterly) wink before going to set down her bag, do some stretches, and then join the ensemble to some hugs and hushed whispers. He gave her one last lingering look, lost on her, before leaning back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and looking a little bored. "Impress me." Just like that it was off.

Tom Levitt watched as Derek, uncharacteristically, touched a rose with his thumb and a thoughtful look. The rehearsals were in full swing, the ensemble belting out "The National Pastime" now but Derek hadn't watched anything or anyone outside of his flowers and Karen. There was something different about the Dark Lord from the moment he walked in- he'd smiled at Tom and hoped he'd had a good weekend outside of Bombshell without a hint of sarcasm or venom before agreeing to what number they should start with.

The whole table had turned to him like he was a mad zombie asking if they could pass their brains over with the salt but he only looked confused "Tom has a point, it needs work." It was all too bizarre for Tom and he had been sneaking looks at the director ever since. Before Karen had walked in Derek was impatient as usual and, it seemed, expecting something more. That something materialized in Karen Cartwright's entrance and truly sweet gesture. He had watched her until she had gotten in front of him and, Tom noted, he seemed to swallow pretty hard under the leading lady's soft gaze.

Derek Wills almost seemed to be... In love? That would take a heart, he'd snorted to himself, but he watched as Derek tenderly helped and guided Karen or fingered the soft petals of his flowers. It was like watching a teenager with his first crush. Like when Tom had fallen in love with Timothy Andrews- Tim and Tom, bleh, what a tragic couple they'd have been- in ninth grade and doodled his name all over a binder in Drama 1.

But, as Derek stood up to take Karen's hands and show her another dance step she was having a hard time with, he could see the way he cradled her hand in his, the way his usual hard gaze softened to look at her with nearly half hooded eyes, and the way he'd tell her soft tips in her ear.

It was clear some feelings were returned. Karen would smile when he was whispering supportive things to her, leading her about the dance moves, or the way she would tease him and push at his shoulder or stick her tongue out. The flirtation was so palpable it nearly made Tom sick. Was this how Julia felt when Sam and he had been going at it? Probably. He looked to his boyfriend in question and saw a look of disbelief on his face as well paired with the mouthing of, what he guessed was, "Are you seeing this?"

He only nodded, mouthing back "WHAT. THE. HELL." and resumed his watchful gaze. Something was up and he wanted to know what.

Karen was on fire. She thought at least. Sure, she needed a little refresher on some moves and blocking but Derek was more than happy to oblige and direct her without a single moment of hesitation. Bobby and Jessica had teased her- "Oooh, Derek's got a new boo in Miss. Iowa here!" "What would their celebrity couple name be? Deren? Karek? We'll have to find a good one and make shirts!" "I vote for Deren! Can I get my shirt in a v-neck and have it say TEAM DEREN?"- but she ignored it with a knowing smile. They meant well, as always, but she couldn't help enjoying the day. Sleeping in a bit in Boston, picking up flowers, and hitting it off with everyone in the cast AND crew?

Karen couldn't remember having such a good day and, she noticed, it was without complications from a boyfriend. Dev was pretty much gone, she'd gotten more phone calls though, and it hadn't upset her life like she thought it would. She wasn't stoked to see him but, as she looked over at Derek and caught his eyes with a smile, she had protection and a friend to help her out.

The break for lunch couldn't be more warmly received if it was an announcement for free alcohol and people scrambled out like their lives depended on it. Bobby and Jessica asked her out but she declined, promising they would go out for dinner tonight instead, and then she walked over to Derek, not noticing the way Sam and Tom looked at them, with a smile.

He looked up, having been gazing of in space before, and smiled back at her "So we're really going to do this?" he asked, allowing his smile to grow a little as she pouted.

"You promised!" She pretended to whine and then grabbed at his upper arm "C'mon muscles. You can do this and it won't be too hard." she added, successfully getting both a chuckle from him and him to stand. They walked out of the room, not realizing how misconstrued their conversation had been received from Sam and Tom who were now convinced they were doing it. Even though Sam kept saying "Not Iowa, she's smarter than that!"

After a short ride in the lift, Derek and Karen were walking toward the subway "If he causes a problem I'm going to pummel him, I'm just warning you now." he warned her as they descended the steps, Karen's hand holding onto his bicep to keep her balance, and he gave her a serious stare.

"Please try to refrain from violence, Derek," She started with a sigh as she dug out her Metro card from her purse "I want to get all of my stuff out as peacefully as possible. Plus Dev should be at work. With RJ..." She mumbled the last part and rolled her eyes as the Brit followed her through the turnstile.

He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and frowned "In the off chance he is there I'll do my best to contain myself but, if he screws up, I can not be held responsible," She gave him a look "I've always had a hard time controlling my temper. Consider me the British Hulk." He added a terse smile and was pleased to hear her small laugh before the subway sped to a stop in front of them.

Karen opted for a seat; she was brave in his eyes, while he leaned against a pole and faced her with his arms crossed over his chest. The subway was moving no more than a few seconds before Karen inquired "Are you sure I can stay with you?" It was a question he'd expected, she was independent through and through, but he nodded.

"Yes and I'll hear nothing more about it. You're going to stay with me, free of charge, until you find a place that's safe and sound and... away from Dev." He added the last part with a knowing look before turning his eyes out the window and watching the dark and a few lights zoom by.

The actress took this moment upon herself to study her companion. He didn't look as peaceful as he had the morning before when she'd found him asleep across from her room rather he looked a little strained. What for? She wondered as her eyes scanned his attractive five o'clock shadow and his devil may care hair. She looked at his vivid green eyes and was amazed to find flecks of gold littering them and a light brown circled around his pupil. It was then that she realized his eyes were looking directly into hers and she could see the amusement dancing in them before she took in his smile "Having fun?" He asked.

She had to restrain herself from jolting at his voice and her cheeks flushed a bit as she was caught exploring his face "I was until you interrupted me, Wills." He was going to respond but their transit stopped and Karen started out the door with him following her.

It was a comfortable and quiet walk to Karen's-no longer- apartment. She stopped briefly at the stoop, seeming to debate with herself for a second, before she charged on with a set look of determination. Derek watched the ordeal, amused again, before getting the door for her and punching in the button for the lift.

He caught Karen fidgeting in his peripheral vision and he let out a small chuckle "Stop fidgeting like that," she was wringing her hands and changing her weight from one foot to the other without realizing it and she stopped to look at him "You'll be fine. You've got the British Hulk remember?" he said and she smiled. He was right. It was going to be fine. That was what she kept repeating as she unlocked the door- it'll be fine, it'll be fine- but it stopped dead as she saw Dev and RJ on the couch. Naked. Looking directly at her and Derek.

Author's Note;

By the way, I'm a mighty big fan of cliffhangers. (; Hate me as you will but I think the two updates in one day make up for both my abscence from before and this mega cliffhanger. I've recently started entertaining the idea of a new story between Karen and Derek but it might take a little work and I am intent on seeing this story through. (Also, off chance, if anyone rps Smash drop me a line. I'd love you so.) Now I'm off to do... Nothing really. Ah summer vacation. 3

Love always,

Breckin x