NBC own these characters. Halloween9movie and I are just writing them.
The next morning Derek woke early, to find that, his angel in the night had gone. He looked round and saw he was somehow lying on the sofa with a rug round him.
How he got there he couldn't remember. But was glad to finally feel a little lighter with all the emotions being pent up for so long had been let out.
He showered and dressed quickly. If the Dark Lord was back, then he would be there before everyone else and scare them all as they came in to the theatre. He laughed to himself. His favourite book growing up had been the Phantom of the Opera. And here he was feeling every bit the character, driven by love and obsession.
He got to the theatre and was let in half and hour before rehearsals. He made his way to his desk in the auditorium. One of the few places where Derek felt completely at peace.
As he looked to the stage, he saw Karen, dangling her legs over the stage, lost in a book. But before he could scare her, she spoke.
"Why Mr Wills, only half an hour before rehearsals? You used to come in an hour before." She had a playful smile dancing on her face. Derek walked to where she was sat. He hopped up onto the stage and sat beside her. "Coffee?" She offered. Then she handed him a steaming hot black coffee.
When she couldn't take the confused look on his face anymore, she simply said "I needed extra rehearsal time; here mind my book I'm going to change." Derek took the book and where it lay open, was a note, "Eileen is here. Hope the sofa was comfortable; I couldn't carry you up the stairs! X"
Derek chuckled out loud, just as Eileen entered onto the stage. "Something funny Derek?"
"I just love this bit of The Phantom. Always makes me laugh." He slowly slipped the note out of the book and closed his hand round the coffee cup hiding the note.
"So how are things shaping up for the show? From what I hear, people had blisters on their feet yesterday." Eileen smiled.
"That's what I'm here for, to get the cast to reach perfection. Nothing less." "Well as long as we open on time, I'll be happy; I hate not making money and losing costumers."
"Well I can't sit here and chat." Please sit and watch, but if you'll excuse me, I have to get my notes." He got off the stage with book, coffee and note still in hand and went to his desk, as he lifted his notes, the book and note, were put in his bag.
At eight on the dot all the cast appeared in the auditorium. "Right ladies and gents, if we can stick to the timetable and changes we may actually get the show opened in no time." A cheer went round, but Derek held his arm up and the silence reappeared. "Now we have to be above perfection today, as Eileen Rand is here to watch. So everyone to starting positions and we'll take it from there!"
Karen sang her heart out; even in rehearsals she treated it as a full show. They were timing it as a full show, with costume changes, lighting cues. Everything. Her last line rang out "Let me be the star!" The lights faded and Derek stopped his stop watch.
"House lights up! Right we are ten minutes over, but that was down to a wrong set being cued. It's now 4pm. Go home, rest and we'll start same time tomorrow. You were all fabulous. Now go before I change my mind." He laughed. Everyone clapped and within minutes the company had left the building.
"Derek? This is Bombshell; the one Tom has had success with. Not the Boston preview. Yes some of your changes work and make the show run smoother, though I would rather you keep some of Toms ideas."
"Eileen, even at my worst, I still won the Tony. Would you rather it is a success or a global hit? Up to you. I mean you did say you hated to lose money. Now as I haven't eaten all day, I'm going to grab a bite."
Looking as if she had swallowed a lemon Eileen said "As long as you eat and nothing else. We can't afford another Daisy stunt."
Derek looked stunned but kept quiet. He saw her in the wings, but wouldn't let on to Eileen that Karen was there. She saved him, now he tried to repay her.
From the wings Karen watched how Eileen seemed to patronize Derek. She knew she couldn't be seen, not for Derek or Ben's sake. So she left by the stage door and headed home.
After about an hour at home, the buzzer rang, startling Karen, she had fallen asleep and was still sleepy. She buzzed them in and opened her door. In walked Derek, with food. "Hungry?" "Derek, I guess I am. I had a mad boss today who thought we were all machines!" She laughed. "Really? What is his name and I'll give him a stern talking to."
He smiled and somehow had put everything on plates. Though to be honest Karen just had been too tired to notice. "Wine?" "Not for me thanks, I'm hungry and beat, I'll stick to herbal tea tonight if that's ok?" "Darling it's your house, of course its ok. Come on sleepy head, you need to eat."
Derek guided Karen to the table and sat her down. He then realized how tired she really was, the black circles round her eyes, and her pale skin, even paler. "Karen when did you sleep last?"
"Um, two or three nights ago. But I'm fine, had to make sure you were ok first. I can sleep when the madness ends." She smiled sleepily.
"Oh my lovely angel, you don't need the extra stress of worrying over me. Though I love that you do, but if you go in exhausted, Ms Rand and Miss Lynn will get the wrong idea."
"Well I don't abandon people I care about when they need help. And I will say as much if anyone asks!"
"Karen, you have the biggest heart. But please go to bed, I'll tidy up and head home when finished."
He stood up and helped Karen to stand. "Will you be ok? I feel bad for cutting out." "Karen you're not cutting out, you're falling asleep. There is a difference." Karen smiled and hugged Derek before heading down the hall to her room.
"Derek? Thank you for dinner." She called before closing her door. Derek just nodded and started to tidy, amazed at Karen's plate being empty. Once he had everything done, he looked at his watch, midnight. If he wanted an early start, he would head home. He would live like a monk, if it meant he saw Ben. He sent a text to Tom, "Tell Ben I love him and I'll see him soon." "Ben says love you too daddy. Night. T."
Derek walked home and fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed.