AN: This chapter's a little bit filler sorry, but just setting things up for drama to come! Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading and your lovely reviews. I'm away this weekend, and then back for a day or 2 before going away for another 2 weeks. I'll do my best to update when I can! :)
Derek, come on sleepyhead! You're gonna be late for your own rehearsal if you don't get up now, and you'll never live that down!" Karen jumped on the bed to rouse her boyfriend.
"Nooooooo" groaned Derek. "Can't. Get. Up."
"Can't get up?" joked Karen. "This coming from the guy who doesn't do sleep!"
"Yeah well, who needs sleep when I've got a gorgeous girl to ..."
"That's not what I meant!" Karen laughed. "Come on" she said, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of bed. "Go get your naked butt in that shower" she grinned, playfully slapping him on the ass as he stumbled into the bathroom.
Derek stood in the shower trying to steady himself. His head was throbbing and the room spinning. It was always worse in the mornings lately. The last thing he felt like today was another rehearsal. He knew he'd been pretty hard on the cast these past few weeks, snapping at them, getting irritated over the smallest things. He didn't know what had gotten into him, but he wasn't feeling himself.
He was drying himself when Karen came in to grab her make up bag. "Remember I'm meeting Julia at Bar Centro today to talk about Kyle's benefit. You sure you can't make it?"
"I really can't darling" he said. "There's no way I can get out of the investors meeting."
"Okay, well I'll call you later, let you know how it all goes. Have fun schmoozing the money! I love you" she said, planting a kiss on his lips. "Oh and have fun at rehearsal" she said, making her way out. "Be nice to the kids ... I have my spies!"
"Ana doesn't count!" He shouted after her, laughing.
When Karen had gone he sat back down on the bath, rubbing at his temple. He hated lying to her.
"Sooooo, when were you going to tell me?!" Julia teased as soon as Karen had plonked herself down at Bar Centro.
"Tell you what?"
"That you've ditched your sexy Brit for your sexy leading man!"
"What the heck are you talking about?!" Karen replied, bemused.
"Guess you've not checked out page 6 today then!" Julia said, sliding the paper across the table to Karen
"Oh great!" groaned Karen, looking at the paper. "Josh probably hired the pap and leaked that photo himself!" They both laughed.
It was a photo of Karen and Josh from the other day, outside the theater, showing Karen leaning in to kiss him. From the angle the photo was shot at it made it seem less innocent than it was. The headline salaciously read "GREED-Y FOR EACH OTHER" with a paragraph from a 'source' claiming Karen and Josh been getting very cosy recently.
"Ugh, I swear they just make that shit up!" Karen exclaimed.
"Don't worry about it sweetie. Today's news, tomorrow's bin liner."
"Gee thanks Julia!" Karen laughed. "I just hope Derek doesn't read it. You know how much Josh likes to wind him up!"
"I know!" laughed Julia. "Poor Derek!"
Derek had had a pretty miserable day so far, not helped by his headache that wouldn't shift and the page 6 article that was pretty much shoved into his face as soon as he got in. He knew it was bogus, but he had to admit he didn't like how the press were so keen to always put Karen and Josh together, and he knew Josh would be loving every second of it.
"Okay, lucky for you, we're done for today!" Derek said at 2. "Thanks for your hard work everyone. See you tomorrow, bright and early."
He rushed out. He was going to be late if he wasn't careful.
"Hey gorgeous!" smirked Josh when Karen wandered into the theater after her meeting with Julia. "I knew you couldn't resist me. I know you were the 'source too', don't lie!"
Karen couldn't help but smile. "Did I ever tell you how full of yourself you are!"
"Only every day" he winked. "Fear not though, my manager is all over that article like a rash. Apparently I'm more marketable when single!"
"Oh well, as long as you're okay then Josh" Karen eyerolled, laughing. "Come on, lets go get ready. Can't keep your fans waiting!"
"It's likely just stress Mr Wills, but seeing as these headaches have been going on for a few weeks now, I'd like to do an MRI scan of your head, just to rule any other cause out. I'll get my assistant to call you with a date for the scan. Should be in the next week or so. In the meantime keep taking those painkillers ... and take plenty of rest!
"I will, thank you doctor."
Derek was exhausted when he left the surgery. He made a decision not to mention any of this to Karen. After everything she'd been through he was still so protective of her. He didn't see any reason to unduly worry her when it was likely nothing.
He headed back to their apartment and made straight for the bedroom. He needed some sleep ... Doctor's orders!
"Derek?!" Karen called as she entered their apartment. She was tired after another great show. There was no reply from Derek so she assumed he must still be out. She poured herself a glass of water and headed upstairs. She jumped when she walked into the bedroom, but immediately calmed down when she realised that the man lying asleep in her bed was of course her boyfriend. She wondered if this was the first time Derek had ever gone to bed before her.
She quickly got changed and crawled into bed, snuggling up next to him, softly running her hands through his hair, so as not to wake him. He looked so peaceful. He clearly needed the sleep, and she was glad. She was still worried about him. His stress levels were so high right now. "Sleep tight sweetheart" she whispered, kissing him on the forehead. He didn't stir.