A/N – Another evening spent yelling at the TV while Smash ("The Dress Rehearsal") goes to the dogs (sigh). Loved seeing Derek doing his director thing (not Ivy). Kyle standing up to Jimmy was brilliant. Loved watching Julia and Derek too. Maybe before the end of season Karen will get a brain.

So, I will now continue writing. In my story I don't have to yell NO! NO! NO! every time we see Karen and Jimmy, or Derek and Ivy.

I enjoy this little world I have created and I love hearing from all of you who feel the same. Keep the love coming :)

All mistakes are mine, except for those on Smash. I had nothing to do with them…

Chapter 11 – The Winner Takes It All

Derek and Karen entered the theatre, and found the cast and crew there before them, waiting quietly to learn the fate of Hitlist. Since Julia had told them all what had happened to Jimmy, they had been expecting to hear the worst.

Karen parted from Derek, going over to Ana, flashing her a brief smile.

Derek stood in front of the assembled group, Scott and Kyle joining him.

"Good morning everyone. I'll get straight to the point. Jimmy Collins will no longer be a part of this production. Hitlist will continue. In fact, we have a preview in a few days, so I need you all to be focused and ready," Derek watched the relief and shock of his announcement sink in.

"I will also be sending out a casting call to replace the Jesse character, and we expect to start auditioning within the next couple of days. Derek, Kyle, Julia and I will be in and out while the auditions happen, so we expect you all to be professional while we find a new addition," Scott added.

"Let's get to work. I need the Diva!" Derek called, and the group scattered, quietly talking amongst themselves at the news.

Rehearsal for the preview and the opening continued without a hiccup. Ana and Karen were fitted for costumes. Ana practiced working on the silks with the group Anti Gravity that Derek had found and recruited. Julia, Kyle and Scott retreated to Scott's office to finalise the paperwork putting everything in Kyle's name so that they could file the paperwork and make Jimmy's exit official.

Karen watched Ana and Derek working on the Diva's performance from next to Derek's spot. He continued to be focused, driven and unwavering in getting Hitlist to where he wanted. She loved watching him work. She loved watching him move with that innate dancers grace. She loved listening to the gentle quiet murmur of his voice as he talked Ana and the group through what he wanted.

Derek felt eyes on him, and caught Karen watching him intently with those liquid chocolate eyes that he loved. He kept his attention on Ana, finishing up, then walking up to his spot to watch her put words into action. Karen traced her fingers up his thigh, leaning in close. They continued watching Ana, and when she had finished, Derek called for an hour lunch break.

They sat there, not talking, until the last person had gone, leaving them alone. Karen grabbed his hand, and pulled him out of his seat and backstage, ending up in the wardrobe room. She pulled him behind racks of clothes and pushed him against the wall, pinning him in place with her body. They kissed passionately.

Derek pulled away from her swollen lips, and trailed his own down her throat, while her hands crept under his shirt to the skin beneath. He loved the small noises she made when he hit her favorite spot. He inhaled her scent. She made him feel like a horny teenager again, rather than an experienced 40-year old man. He couldn't get enough of her, but he had had enough of clandestine couplings in dressing rooms and offstage.

Pushing her away from him slightly, Derek tried to catch his breath. He looked at her with a smile on his face, and saw the heat in her eyes as she moved her mouth closer to his ear.

"I love watching you Mister Wills," she whispered, low and seductive. He chuckled as she bit his ear gently.

"As much as I would love to continue this darling, I prefer you in my bed. Let's go grab some lunch and then when we go home, you can continue this delightful interlude," he said. She pulled away with a pout, then caught his words.

"Home?" she asked cautiously, pulling away from him completely.

"Is wherever you happen to be. Eventually, when you're ready, I would love it if you moved in with me, but I am not going to push," Derek told her.

Karen considered his words. She felt the same, but she still wasn't ready to take the leap to living together. She had been left homeless the last time a relationship had ended, and she wasn't anxious to repeat the scenes that had followed. Dev had literally tossed all of her belongings out of his apartment, leaving it all in a heap outside his door. Luckily for her, Ana had a spare room and was letting her stay indefinitely.

"Thank you," she softly said to Derek, kissing him on his scruffy cheek. He smiled in understanding, took her hand, and led her out of the wardrobe room.

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Two days after Jimmy's hasty exit, the auditions for the new Jesse started. Derek had allocated afternoons for them to happen. He sat there on afternoon number three with Scott, Kyle and Julia and watched another performer walk out the doors, bored out of his mind. He hated this part. He knew what he wanted, he just had to wade through all the ones he didn't want to find the gem. He also had the financial preview the next night, and was distracted with thoughts of how that was going to go. Karen and Ana were performing, and Derek was excited to show off his work.

Another actor walked into the studio and started singing "Rolling in the Deep." Derek sat up and watched the young man, suddenly not bored. The performer had the vocal power of Chester Bennington, and didn't have the clean and polished look that a lot of the seasoned performers had.

When the man finished, Derek watched as he walked out of the room.

"That's our new Jesse," Derek said without hesitation. He watched the others react to what he said, and the performance they had just seen.

"What do you see?" Julia asked him, knowing how Derek worked.

"He has the vocals to stand against Karen and Ana, he has a rawness that matches the character and the production, he's not bad looking and he's available," Derek responded.

"I'm not sure exactly what we're looking for, so if Derek is happy, I say we go with his choice," Kyle said, showing Derek a lot of faith and trust.

"I am putting a lot on the line, and in light of the circumstances we find ourselves in, I am almost reluctant to call it this early. Are you sure?" he asked Derek.

"The last time Derek reacted like this, he found Karen," Julia piped up. Scott looked at her in surprise, and then looked at Derek.

"In that case, I have no objection. However, we do still have a few auditions to see, so we shall finish them, and call it done. I'll call his agent later," Scott said.

As the next performer was called in, Derek sank back in his seat, and let his mind wander with all the possibilities this new Jesse could give, and what changes would need to happen.

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The morning of the showcase dawned bright with possibilities. Derek was sound asleep in Karen's bed, so she slipped out quietly to make coffee. He had been working hard to get everything together, and was exhausted.

The coffee was nearly done when she felt his arms come around her waist, and felt his lips land on her neck. He was barefoot and bare-chested and had managed to sneak up on her.

"I missed you," he mumbled into her neck.

She turned around, putting her arms around his neck, was about to kiss him… when the buzzer went off, announcing someone was downstairs at the door.

Derek was pouring himself a cup of coffee while Karen answered the annoying buzz. He was puzzled at the sound of man's voice on the other end, until Karen let out a shriek of surprise and horror.

"Dad!"

She buzzed him up, and turned to Derek in horror. She was standing there in Derek's discarded shirt. He was in his jeans and was drinking coffee nonchalantly.

"Forget about something love?" he asked her cheekily.

"How could I forget my dad was coming to town? He can't meet you like this!" she said in a panicked rush.

"Doesn't appear that we have much say in the matter," Derek replied at the knock on the door.

Karen opened it to see her dad, with a big smile on his face, happy to see his daughter. He was puzzled at seeing her in just a shirt, and as he entered the apartment, giving her a big hug, he saw Derek leaning against the counter sans shirt. He frowned over her shoulder, and Derek found himself straightening in the face of parental disapproval.

Pulling away from her dad, Karen moved over to Derek's side.

"Dad, this is Derek Wills, my boyfriend. Derek, my dad Roger," Karen introduced them nervously.

"Nice to meet you, Mister Wills. In my daughter's apartment. With no clothes on," Roger said, disapproval evident in his voice.

Karen blushed. Derek felt embarrassment for the first time in a long while.

"I'm sorry Mister Cartwright. I was looking forward to meeting you, and I'm sorry it was like this. I was hoping to make a better first impression. If you'll give me a moment, I'll go and finish getting dressed," Derek put his coffee cup on the bench, and went into Karen's room, closing the door behind him.

"I'm sorry Daddy. I forgot you were coming in today. It's been so busy down at the theatre…" her voice trailed off. She looked everywhere but at her father.

Roger looked at his little girl. He knew she was a grown woman, but it was times like this he missed the little girl with the pigtails, the torn knees and the missing teeth.

"It's okay sweetheart. You are all grown up now, and you can make you own decisions, good or bad. Don't fault your old dad for making him nervous though, it's my job after all," Roger said fondly.

Karen grinned at her dad, and gave him another hug. Derek came out, fully clothed. He saw the obvious love between father and daughter, which would never change. He felt envy and sadness for a moment, and looking at Karen, couldn't help but wish for a little girl with her mothers eyes looking up at him with such unconditional love.

While Karen went into her room to change, Derek stood in front of her father being sized up. He was silent, refusing to be the one to go first.

"Derek, is it? I hope you are treating my daughter better than the last Brit she dated," Roger said.

"Well, considering I punched the last Brit she dated, I would certainly hope so," he replied.

Roger was surprised to hear that little bit of news. Karen had never mentioned that in her weekly calls home. Derek went up in his estimation.

"You're the director. Weren't you on Bombshell?" Roger asked.

"I was. I left after having creative differences. Actually, it was Karen who bought Hitlist to my attention in the first place. She has an eye for picking projects," Derek replied. Before Roger could respond, Karen came back out.

Seeing a possible escape from this awkward situation, Derek made a move.

"Right. I will leave you two to catch up for a bit. Feel free to bring him to the theatre and show him what you're up too. I will see you in a while," Derek quickly gave Karen a chaste kiss on the cheek, nodded to her father, and ran.

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Derek entered Scott's office and found Julia and Kyle along with the new guy. He leaned casually against the doorframe.

"This is our new Jesse, I presume. Derek Wills," he introduced himself.

The new recruit stood up and offered his hand in greeting to Derek.

"Joshua Hamilton, nice to meet you," he replied.

"Are you all signed up and ready to get started?" Derek asked.

"Yep. He is good to go," Scott replied.

"Then, we should introduce you to everybody and start getting you caught up," Derek walked out of the room, and everyone followed.

When they entered the theatre, everyone was hanging around quietly listening to Karen singing "Broadway".

He let her finish, knowing it was her favorite, and that she was singing it to her father, who was sitting in the audience. Her dad clapped loud and hard when she finished, and she flushed in joy.

"Yes. Well done Miss Cartwright. Nice to see you're ready for the show tonight. Now, I have a new member to introduce. Joshua Hamilton," Derek announced.

Joshua looked around, taking it all in. When Karen introduced herself, he was struck by her beauty and was blown away by her voice. He thought Ana was cute as well, when she introduced herself with a big smile.

Roger grabbed his coat and bag, and headed out while the introductions were taking place. Derek saw him and walked out with him, excusing himself quietly.

"What did you think?" Derek asked her father.

"That's what she left Broadway for? I'm not sure I see it," said Roger.

Derek paused, and considered where Roger's view.

"I can understand why you are cautious. She left a show that was about to go on Broadway and make her a star, which is what she has been working towards since she opened her mouth and that incredible voice came out. She didn't leave Bombshell for me, either. I don't know whether she told you this or not, but the team in charge of Bombshell had no faith in her when she took to the stage in Boston, and during the preparations for the Broadway runn, they had her doubting herself, her talent and her dream. She left because she needed too," Derek confided.

Roger considered everything Derek had just told him, along with conversations with Karen from the past few months. He knew Derek was telling him the truth.

Derek pulled out a ticket for the show that night and handed it to Roger.

"I hope you come along tonight. It would mean the world to Karen, and maybe you'll be able to see what she does," Derek said, and left the man to climb in his cab and think.

Derek turned and walked back into the theatre. He had a show to direct.

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The room was packed with people. From those dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewellery willing to give their money to the Manhattan Theatre Workshop, to those who had come in support of their friends and colleagues, and even those who had come to spy out the competition.

Karen was nervous. She was being accompanied by a piano and nothing else. Her nerves weren't as bad as when she took to the stage in Boston, but still she took a deep breath and listened to Scott talk about the production.

The lights dimmed and she took to the stage. She sang "Broadway" with all the passion and feeling she could muster and when the final note faded, she was greeted with rapturous applause and acclaim.

She smiled, bowed and left the stage. Ana was performing the Diva's song in fifteen minutes, and she wanted to make sure she was okay.

Derek worked the room. This was one part of show business he hated. A necessary evil. Exchanging meaningless pleasantries with those who liked to see and be seen. Supporting the arts was their cause of the moment.

When the lights dimmed, he watched Karen walk onstage. She closed her eyes as the opening notes played. She opened them as she gained confidence and the song took her away. Derek spied her father, and moved to stand next to him.

Roger had always loved listening to Karen, and this time was no different. In light of what Derek had told him, he kept an open mind and watched her closely. He saw her get lost in the song, and was so proud of her when the room broke out into applause for his little girl.

Karen found Ana back stage, finishing makeup and adjusting her costume. Kyle was with her, having escaped for a moment. They all enjoyed a few moments of peace, before Ana was called to the stage.

Karen made her way into the audience, looking for Derek and found him with her dad. The lights went down, and Ana started playing the piano, while dancers writhed over the piano. Ana strutted down a table, and then went into the air. Karen was enthralled with the silk work, and thought Ana just killed it.

Karen stayed with her dad, who was planning on heading back to his hotel now that he had seen the performances. Derek gave her a squeeze and went off to talk shop with more investors.

Scott and Derek eventually came together, and were joined by Eileen Rand. She ignored Scott and made snide jabs at Derek. When she eventually left in a flutter, Derek and Scott just looked at each other.

"She's an old friend. However, she is very old school in her views of shows and productions. She won't understand this show, and that will make her feel threatened and old," Derek commented quietly.

They were soon joined by Ana and Kyle, Scott telling her that she had helped secure them some much needed funding, and telling Kyle that his show was being raved about already.

Richard Francis of the New York Times came upon the happy group, and stopped for a chat.

"Derek, I am impressed. The more I see of this show of yours, the more I am intrigued," he said.

"That's what I want to hear," Derek responded and introduced his companions.

"Ahh, the sprite in the air, I look forward to seeing more," he commented upon meeting Ana.

"That was her song from the first act, and she's all over the second," Kyle said.

"I can't wait to see that. Derek, give me a call this week. I would love to come down and see more," Richard and Derek shook hands, and then he left.

"Well this has certainly gone better than I thought it would," Scott said, grinning broadly, and so pleased with the way this evening was turning out.

"How am I going to make the Diva bigger?" Kyle started to freak out. He couldn't believe he had said that. This was the first major change that he made without Jimmy, and wasn't sure it was the right one.

"Don't worry about it. We'll talk with Julia first thing tomorrow, she'll have some ideas, and we will get it sorted. That man, he is all we need," Scott said. He was making quite the impact upon his return to New York, and he had this little production to thank for it.

As the evening wound down, they all went their separate ways. Derek and Karen went back to her place with Ana, where they turned in quickly. They all had a lot of work to do tomorrow now that the showcase was over, and Derek had to put the new guy through his paces. They only had a few weeks before opening.