"Derek, are you sure you want to do this right now?" Julia asked. "I mean it's only been a day since you were released from the hospital." The writer knew the director was stubborn but even this seemed to be pushing it. He had made great strides in his recovery for only being two weeks, but it was evident the injury was still very painful. Karen had urged him to postpone but he refused to have the production stray too far from its original time line. They were already a week behind as instead of auditions the show should have been starting workshop today.

"I'm alright trust me I will let you know if I need a break. I'm not doing anything different from what I would be at home which is sitting," he reasoned. "Besides while I adore Karen's mother, I think her constant maternal nurturing would drive me insane."

Julia laughed at the remark. She knew Derek was not use to being be coddled especially by a mother figure. "Alright but I promised Karen I would keep an eye out."

"Noted," he smiled. "And in case I haven't said this to you, thank you for everything."

"You're welcome," she smiled. "Shall we get started?"

"Yes; Randy can you show the first person in."

Julia and Derek listened to over 20 actors and none seemed right for the role of the two male leads. In order for the show to work, the actors had to be able to carry off personalities similar to the real Kyle and Jimmy. So far the males had been either spot on in terms of the look they wanted but not the talent. The leads had to be able to vocally match Karen or else she would easily over power them. Almost at their wits end and ready to call for a lunch break the final actor of the morning walked in. Derek, who by this time could no longer sit due to pain, stood by the studio window when the young male with auburn hair entered the room. He definitely had the soft baby faced look of Kyle, now if could only have a voice. "Hello," Julia smiled. "What is your name?"

"Jonathan Starks," he replied.

"Alright Jonathan, what do you have for us today?" Derek questioned.

Looking to the pianist the young man began to sing a Bruno Mars song 'I should've bought you flowers.' Immediately both Julia and Derek were intrigued by the control and smoothness of his voice. Derek leaned into Julia and whispered "do you have script with you?" She nodded but asked "who is going to read with him?"

Derek waited for the young actor to finish the song and complimented "well done Jonathan, can you please wait for us outside, I need to make a phone call?" he asked

"Sure."

Once out of the room, Julia turned to the director "what are you thinking?"

"I'm going to call Karen to see if she can come by after work and read with him. I think he is perfect for Kyle if can deliver lines the way he can sing them."

"I agree but he is very green."

"We have time, he will be fine."

The writer smiled, she knew Derek could read people and she trusted his judgment more than any other director she had worked with. "Alright, let's see how he reads." A few minutes later the duo called the young man back in the room and asked if he could return at 5pm for a simple reading. Beside himself the actor stumbled over his words but managed to assure he would be back. With hope that at least one actor would be secured today the writer and director decided to break for lunch.

The afternoon was more trying for Derek as he was having difficulty concentrating. "Why don't we call it a day, Derek you don't look very good," the red head suggested.

"I can make through these last four and I'll just rest on the sofa over here until 5 pm."

"Okay but if they aren't good from the beginning I'm going to cut them off," Julia remarked much to the surprise of her colleague.

"Well, well Ms. Houston, we may just make a director out of you yet," Derek said with a laugh he quickly regretted.

Just as promised Julia ended three of the last four auditions mid song and thanked each actor for their time. The next young man walked into the studio and both Julia and Derek were confused. "Excuse me but do you not have a head shot?" Derek inquired.

"No Sir, you see this is my first audition. I just moved to New York and haven't saved enough money yet to get any."

"What's your name?"

The young man turned beet red, "I'm sorry I guess I should have started with that first," he smiled. "Cameron Nixon," his nerves getting the better of him.

"Well Cameron, Do you have an agent?" the director asked.

"No."

"How did you hear about the audition then?" Julia asked.

"My friend auditioned earlier and said you gave him a fair chance despite not having experience so he suggested I try. He is coming back at 5pm."

Julia and Derek exchanged a look, "Mr. Strickland is your friend?" the writer asked.

"Yes, I guess you could say he was my first friend here in the city."

"Where are you from?" Derek inquired noting a slight country accent.

"Iowa," a response the older man couldn't help smiling at.

"You're smiling have you been?" the young man questioned.

"Yes, I recently visited my girlfriend's family over the holidays."

"Nice; I miss it. There is nothing like wide open spaces."

"It was interesting," Derek responded. "So, Cameron what do you have for us?" Derek asked while taking in the young man's appearance. It was clear he lacked training but there was an air of confidence the older man liked. He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a button down shirt. On one of his arms there appeared to be a tattoo and his black hair was slightly raised and disheveled in the front while smooth in the back. With his piercing blue eyes, Derek knew the ladies would swoon over him. He could be someone an audience would want to root for despite his character's shortcomings. Derek sat back down in his chair and waited for the piano to begin the melody but to his surprise, the actor instead performed the Hit List song 'Broadway Here I Come' a cappella. The vocals were strong but what impressed the director more was the fact that the young man had done his homework in order to know what show Julia and Derek last work together and then pick the most compelling song to perform.

When the song ended Derek asked the actor to step out for a minute. "What do you think?" he asked his colleague.

"I like him."

"I do too; let's have both read with Karen. Do you have scene where all three are together?" The writer nodded. "Great."

Cameron came back into the studio and was asked to return back with his friend at 5 pm. Julia handed him the script and showed him the scene they would be reading. She also asked if he could relay the change of scenes to his friend. "Of course, thank you. I promise you won't be disappointed," he responded.

When the young man left the studio, Julia couldn't help but ask "Do you think Karen will be alright reading with everything that happened recently? Because I'll be honest I'm a little freaked out at the coincidences between real life and these actors?"

"This project will be hard for Karen but I think her father told her something before he left back to Iowa because she has a different glint in her eye. Just yesterday she told me how excited she was for the show to finally start to take shape. As for the actors, I'll admit it's odd. Either that or fate as Karen would like to think."

Looking at his watch he saw it was 2:30pm. "If you don't mind I think I am going to lie down for a few hours."

"You really shouldn't be here at all," Julia scolded. "It's obvious you are in pain; when did you last take your medication?"

"Don't scold, I'll get enough of that from Karen when she arrives," he requested. "I hate taking the bloody medication, it makes me drowsy."

"Fine I'll drop it. Do you mind if I work in here though?"

"Not at all," he responded before closing his eyes.

What seemed like only minutes of sleep had actually been hours and Derek was awaken by the feel of soft lips on his cheek. His eye's slowly fluttered open and he gave a shy smile at the beauty before him. "Hey," he managed to say, his voice rough from sleep and his brow burrowed from the sharp pain he felt as he tried to raise himself.

"Hey," Karen responded with a look of concern. "You should have called it a day Derek. The doctor told you not to over exert yourself. Plus you haven't taken your medication."

"Don't be upset," I promise when I get home I will rest. "And if the pain had been unbearable I would have taken the medication. Please give me a smile it's been a long day," he pouted. Not able to stay angry Karen smiled as she leaned in and kissed his lips.

"Julia was telling me about your two candidates I think it's intriguing," she stated.

Derek gave a light chuckle, "I see Ms. Houston must have also divulged my thoughts on what you would really say," he retorted. "I don't recall you ever referring to fate as intriguing."

Karen and Julia couldn't help but laugh. "It's not fair that you know me so well. Fine, I think its fate and I can't wait to meet them. Plus it will be refreshing to be the veteran for once."

"Right; a veteran at the tender age of 27 with one Broadway show under her belt," the director sarcastically teased.

"You forget Tony Award winner," she beamed. "Plus there must be some rule that one Broadway show with you as a director equals the experience of 7."

"You mean like cat or dog years?" Julia busted out in laughter.

"I can see how this process is going to go, I'm going to be completely out numbered," Derek replied with an eye roll.

The two women continued to laugh at Derek's reaction when the studio door opened and Cameron and Jonathan entered the room. "Hello, did we interrupt anything, we can wait outside?" Cameron stated.

"No, we were just talking," Julia answered. "Cameron Nixon, Jonathan Strickland this is Karen Cartwright. She will be playing our Samantha/Sam ."

"Oh my god you are even more beautiful in person. I've seen you on television promoting your album. It's amazing by the way and I also saw you in Hit List. I am a huge, huge fan," Jonathan informed.

"Thank you," Karen graciously replied.

"Alright, well now that we got the rambling and gushing compliments out of the way; shall we get down to business?" Derek voiced.

"Right of course, sorry."

Karen glared at her boyfriend knowing exactly what he was trying to do. He not only was testing the two actors to see how they would handle his sometimes brash directing but he was also setting the prelude to what eventually would be the revelation that the actress and director were together.

Twenty minutes after their arrival; Derek and Julia were both impressed. The two young men were naturals and quick to pick up direction. The duo called Karen over and after considering her input they extended an offer to both on the spot. Ecstatic Cameron approached Karen who was sitting on the table next to Derek, "hey," he greeted. "Jonathan and I were wondering if you would like to go for a drink to help us celebrate."

Karen smiled, "I'd love too but I can't today I'm sorry. I promised my son and boyfriend a quiet evening at home," the actress replied. She was careful to leave out the fact Derek was her boyfriend because she knew he hated broadcasting their personal life at work. To her surprise though a familiar British voice interjected.

"You can go if you'd like, Love. I can watch Kyle and when I get tired your mother is there to help," he smiled looking between Karen and Cameron.

Jonathon who had just joined the group asked "So what's the plan will you be joining us?" he asked, not catching the warning eye of his friend.

Karen gave a small laugh and sly look to Derek. Julia who had been silently watching shared in her amusement. Derek had accomplished what he wanted. He had subtly warned the two young men that Karen was taken while still managing to appear as the thoughtful boyfriend.

"I appreciate the invitation but as I was explaining to Cameron I will have to pass this time. I already had plans to enjoy a quiet evening with Derek and my son. But maybe next time," she smiled.

Turning beet red Jonathon stumbled for words "I'm sorry. We didn't know the two of you were together and I feel like such an idiot going on and on about how beautiful you are."

"She is beautiful I can appreciate that," Derek assured. "And Karen is my girlfriend not my object. We have been known to go out without each other," he laughed but quickly regretted the act.

Noticing the change in her boyfriend's expression she piped in "Hey it's time to get you home it's been a long day and someone promised to take their pain medication."

Bracing himself in order to stand he really had no strength to argue with her "I think you're right Love, I'm starting to feel like crap," he grimaced.

"Go ahead you two I'll give the rest of the details to Cameron and Jonathan."

"Thanks Julia. We'll see you guys Monday she waived to the two actors."

Once the pair was out of earshot the two men asked if everything was alright. Julia explained the events that had recently happened as she saw no reason not to; the details had been on every newspaper and she was surprised the two didn't know. Both understood and asked one more question before they left for the night. "Do you think Mr. Wills will hold the fact we flirted with Karen against us?"

Julia couldn't help but laugh at the sincerity with which the two asked. "He's fine, don't worry about it. Neither Derek nor Karen is prone to insecurities and it's a common occurrence for the two; if it's not men hitting on Karen, its women hitting on Derek. They've had to learn not to be jealous or possessive."

Relieved the two men exited the studio. "Well, maybe she has friends?" Jonathan joked with Cameron.

"Yeah, we could hope. But man, Derek Wills is one lucky man," the young man remarked shaking his head.

Jonathan patted his friend on the back, "I guess you're going to have to find another woman of your dreams."

"Guess so."