Jessica, Bobby & Dennis POV

Jessica, Bobby and Dennis huddled next to each other on the hard plastic chairs. They stole a glance at Derek as he walked by and seeing his stoic face it finally hit them that this nightmare wasn't a dream. They had no idea what they would see upon entering Karen's room but hearing the doctor say she was breathing with the aide of a respirator they were afraid to go in alone so they agreed they would face it together.

Jessica opened the door to the still and sterile room and as she entered, she was followed closely by Bobby and Dennis. As they approached Karen's bed tears began to fall from Jessica's face. She turned into Bobby's shoulder and he embraced her in a hug. Dennis was in shock by the sight in front of him and he reached out to grab Karen's hand. Their friend was but a shadow of the bubbly girl they had come to know. Always smiling and laughing they had come to refer to Karen as their IOWA sunshine.

Jessica and Bobby had grown close to Karen through the past two years and recently Dennis had joined them. As time went by, the three had realized Karen was more of a friend to them than Ivy ever could be. It wasn't that they disliked Ivy, but they understood Ivy was insecure in her looks and talent. And Ivy's insecurities made her willing to do whatever it took to remain on top; even if that sometimes meant stabbing each of them in the back. Karen was different though, she may have been naïve in the world of Broadway Theater but unlike Ivy she was grounded. Karen knew who she was and that inner strength, gave her the ability to stand firm when it came to moral standards. For Karen, friendship was a gift and if you were lucky enough to receive it, her loyalty was fierce.

The time the four spent together was cherished. They would drink, tell stories, share gossip, joke and oh yes, sing karaoke. When Karen first started dating Derek, Jessica and Bobby were afraid the 'Dark Lord' would prevent her from spending time with them thinking maybe they were a bad influence. But they had been surprised with his acceptance of their friendship and slowly a trust was mutually earned. It went unspoken but understood that Derek and Karen's relationship was not a topic for gossip. When Dennis started hanging out with them, Jessica and Bobby made it a point to stress that he was not to report anything to Ivy. The more they got to interact with Derek and witness the love he showed to Karen; they became protective of Karen and Derek's relationship. They wanted this love story to have a happy ending. Now, as they stood next to her, tears falling freely, they promised her that whatever happened next, they wouldn't abandon her or Derek.

Karen's Parent's POV

They arrived at NYU hospital and immediately rushed through the ER doors. Out of breath they approached the receptionist and asked where they could find Karen Wills. The nurse pointed in the direction of two mental double doors that read surgery ward. Distraught and with tears already streaming down her face Karen's mother was the first to reach the waiting room. As they scanned the room they came across faces that looked vaguely familiar from their prior visit to New York. The two assumed they were Karen's friends as they were trying hard to avoid eye contact with them and their faces etched with fear. The two made their way further into the waiting area when finally they saw Derek. He was sitting alone in a corner away from everyone else. His expression was emotionless and his stare blank. They approached him and when he failed to acknowledge their presence, Karen's father placed a hand on his shoulder.

Startled Derek stood up. Karen's mother embraced him and faltered in her balance as she wept openly in his arms. "Where's my baby she asked?" Derek looked at Karen's father and then back to her mother and responded "she was taken into surgery a few minutes ago." "Surgery?" she asked in a flustered tone. "Julia told us the doctor said Karen was too weak to survive." "Does that mean she improved?" Derek looked down unable to look Karen's parents directly in the eye. "No" he said in low tone, trying to keep the conversation under control. "Then why did you say yes?" "Why did you agree, I don't understand." Now it was Karen's father who questioned as Karen's mother was weeping uncontrollably. "I agreed because the doctor said without surgery our baby wouldn't live." Derek responded. Karen's father suddenly closed the distance between him and Derek. Anger apparent in his face he grabbed Derek by the shirt and shoved him against the wall. "So you chose to save your baby instead of our daughter?" he shouted. "Is that how little you love her that you think she can just be replaced?"

Tom and Sam had tried to stop Karen's father as soon as they saw him close the distance between he and Derek but couldn't get to him fast enough. With adrenaline kicking in Karen's father's grip was strong and the fact that the two were in a corner, made it was impossible to get a firm hold to pull him off. Julia had been trying to comfort Karen's mother but to now avail. Crying hysterically she walked up to Derek and slapped him. "How could you?" "The two of you can always have more children but I have only one daughter." "She is my baby and without even talking to us, you may have taken her away from me." Seeing his wife grieving, Karen's father released Derek from his grip and walked over to where she now sat. Embracing her they sat grieving together.

The room in shock, tears filling the eyes of everyone who had witnessed the site, Derek pushed himself free from the small group surrounding him. He walked passed them and towards the door. He paused once reached it and turning to Julia, in a barely audible voice, he said "I'll be downstairs, please call me if the doctor comes out sooner than expected." Julia reached for his hand but Derek flinched moving it away from reach. His cheek swelling, eyes blank he turned and walked out. Turning to each other, wanting to comfort Derek but not knowing how, Sam stood up and followed him out the door. Tom was close on their heels.