A/N - So, I didn't spend as much time yelling at the latest episode as I thought I would. Maybe they will finally get Derek and Karen together. And I loved the girls belting out "That's Life".

As for this story, this was a hard chapter to write. I hope you guys like what I have done with it. Let me know what you think. I like the feedback, it helps me know how the story is going, and whether you want more.

And, I have over 100 followers! That's pretty awesome, so thank you everyone!

Chapter 12 – The Storm

Roger had been unsure how to talk to his daughter after the performances last night, so he had left her with a 'well done' and told her that he would see her tomorrow. Despite telling Derek he would try and be more open minded, he really couldn't be. This was his little girl. He was flying home that afternoon, and knew that this was his last chance to talk to her face to face. He walked into the theatre, seeing her singing and dancing around the stage.

Karen had been feeling high and happy after the preview last night. She had slept peacefully next to Derek, and was now throwing herself into rehearsals with Joshua, getting him up to speed on the role of Jesse. Seeing her dad, she faltered momentarily. Derek yelled at her, saw the direction she was looking and called a break. She walked over to her dad, and they walked back out the way he had just come.

Roger saw his opportunity.

"Karen, sweetheart. I worry about you making so many big changes in such a short period of time. You had incredible reviews in Boston as Marilyn, and you were enjoying Bombshell. You were so close to everything you told Mum and I that you wanted. I didn't understand until Derek told me more about what was going on. You should have told us," he said. Karen was about to say something, when he continued.

"And then, there's Derek. I have done some research on him and while he seems to be a nice enough man, I don't know that he is a good choice for my daughter. You just got out of a bad relationship with Dev and now you're jumping into another one with Derek, who's past relationships have been far from healthy. He's a womaniser, Karen. It's only been a few months since you were telling us you were engaged to Dev, and then that he had cheated on you, twice! You're my daughter and I love you no matter what, but even you have to admit you are making some mistakes."

Karen looked at her father in shock. She couldn't believe the words that had just come out of his mouth. She knew he hadn't been pleased when she moved away to New York, but when she had come home with Dev for thanksgiving, he had seemed to accept her decision to live her life. Hearing her father talk to her like this shook her to the core, and began to cause doubt. Added to everything Jimmy had said to her, and what she had gone through with Dev, Karen was struck by insecurities in a way she had never experienced before.

"Dad… I'm not really sure what to say. I love Hitlist and part of me regrets leaving Bombshell, but I will still make it on Broadway. As for Derek, I know all about his reputation. I saw him first hand on Bombshell. But he isn't that way with me. I love him, and he loves me. I love my life here. I have a boyfriend who understands my dream, and helps me. I have friends and a life here that I love. I'm sorry that you can't see that," Karen turned from her father, and went back inside, not looking back.

Despite what she had just told her father, his words had only served to reinforce the doubts that she had had since leaving Iowa. Maybe she was just fooling herself…

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Kyle, Julia and Scott had been working steadily to increase the Diva's part. Julia had been a godsend to the writing production, having made numerous notes, and being the veteran that she was, able to make changes on the fly. Kyle was learning so much from watching her and Scott working together. They had changed the Diva to become the villain of the piece, and were changing everything else to follow that path. Finding the songs for her were trickier, since most of the second act was made up of Amanda's songs.

They had decided that they needed to talk to Derek about the changes. If they were to continue this way, they may need a new composer. The trio headed down to the theatre to watch and have a break.

Joshua was tired, and it was only his first day on the set. He was lucky that he had learned most of his characters songs and dialogue, and was now stumbling through the choreography. It seemed no matter what he did, he had two left feet. Karen was an angel, patiently working with him, while Derek was yelling in a scathing tone, and making him even more nervous.

When Derek finally called a lunch break, Karen and Ana headed down to the break room. Ana had seen the tears her friend had wiped from her face when she came back in from seeing her dad off. Karen had also seemed fragile during the rehearsals, nodding mutely when Derek called her on mistakes. However when she asked Karen what was wrong, Karen shrugged her off and insisted nothing was wrong. Ana would have pushed, but Joshua entered the break room.

Derek sat in the audience with the writing team. He had half an ear on their conversation while the other half was concerned about Karen. She had been off her game since her dad left. Derek was thinking that it was because she sad at seeing her parent leave.

"So, the Diva becomes the villain. I like it. What about songs for her?" he asked.

"We have a couple of options. Give some of Karen's songs to Ana, or get in a new composer," Kyle said.

"I say we look at both options. You never know what else might crop up, so may as well cover all bases," Derek stated.

"I can make a couple of calls, and see if we can find someone," Scott said.

"I was also going to call Richard Francis when Joshua has at least one song down, get him to come down and take a look at what we have," Derek told the group.

With everybody being happy with the decisions reached, Derek went in search of Karen. He found her in the break room, going through steps with Joshua, Ana adding commentary when needed.

"Miss Cartwright, can I have a moment of your time please," Derek asked her. She said goodbye to her companions, and followed him out. He grabbed her hand, and led her into the wardrobe room. Instead of a passionate interlude like the last time they were in here, Derek wrapped her up in his arms, holding her tightly.

"What's happened darling? You have been off all morning, since your dad left. I know your missing him, but you do better than this," he asked into her silky hair.

Karen was reluctant to tell Derek about that last conversation with her dad, so she chose to avoid.

"I know I haven't been doing that great this morning, you've been yelling at me for most of it. I'll do better after lunch," she promised him.

"I'm sorry about the yelling, I have been trying to be nicer, but sometimes the Dark Lord just slips his leash," Derek joked.

She laughed up at him, and gave him a smile. He could tell the laughter was forced, and the smile had cracks around the edges, but he let it go for now. She pulled out of his arms, gave him a kiss and left the room. He followed at a slower pace, wondering what she was hiding from.

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By the end of the day, everyone had had enough. Rather than going to Derek's place, she opted to go home with Ana and have a quiet night in. Derek was hoping Ana could get something out of Karen. He watched her walk out with worry.

Karen indulged in a long hot bubble bath, with a big glass of wine. Ana gave her time, and cooked a big indulgent dish of pasta followed by ice cream straight from the carton.

Slowly, the whole incident came pouring out of Karen and Ana was dismayed at what Karen's dad had said. She hugged Karen as more tears flowed from her friend.

"You have to tell Derek. He's worried about you," Ana told her.

"What if my dad is right about Derek though? I only got through the stuff with Dev because of Derek… I don't know what I would do if it was Derek…" Karen confided brokenly.

Ana was stunned at this side of her friend. Karen was always so strong and sure of herself.

"Derek adores you. He knows he has it good, and I don't believe he would do anything to jeopardise that. Derek is not Dev. And even if it did happen, then you would kick him to the curb, dust yourself off and go on, like a true star," Ana told her.

Karen smiled at her friend, and felt some of the doubt shift.

When the sun shone bright through the windows the next morning, Karen felt more like herself.

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Derek had an eventful night. He had been hard at work on Hitlist when he had been interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it to find Ivy, of all people.

She had waltzed in without an invitation, and made herself at home.

"It's my birthday today," She told him in a breathy voice.

"Happy birthday. What brings you here? I don't actually have a present for you," he told her.

She laughed at him, and then removed her coat. She was wearing a short tight gold dress. Derek appreciated how she filled out the dress; he was a man after all. He slapped himself mentally, and had an image of Karen pop into his head, of her dressed in a gold dress at the premiere of Liaisions, and he immediately thought Karen looked better. His preferences really had changed. He smiled, happy with himself, and Ivy took it the wrong way.

She sashayed her way over to Derek, and ran her fingers suggestively down his chest.

"I thought maybe… I'm tired of being alone, especially on my birthday. It sucks. So how about making a girls special day a little bit better?" she asked.

Ivy reached up and pulled Derek's mouth to hers. She moved her body in tight to his. She didn't notice that Derek wasn't really responding to her.

Derek found himself thinking that he preferred Karen's kisses, rather than Ivy's. He stood still, and remained a passive participant.

Ivy pulled back, and looked up at him quizzically.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked him.

"Yes, actually. I don't want to be kissing you," he told her flatly. She gave him wide eyes filled with confusion and hurt.

"Wow. Well, that is pretty definite. I feel like a fool," she said, quickly grabbing her coat and shrugging back into it. She headed for the door, and paused before it.

"Why don't you want to kiss me? You seemed interested last time we talked," she asked quietly.

"Last time we talked, which was weeks ago I might add, I was in love with someone, but didn't think I had a chance. Now I am with her, and have been for the last few weeks. She makes me happy, and I can see a life with her," Derek said quietly.

"Who is she?" Ivy asked.

"I think you know who, Ivy."

"Karen."

"Yes." Derek answered.

"I won't bother you again. I'm happy for you Derek, I really am. I just wish I knew what it was about Karen Cartwright that she always beats me," Ivy said sadly, opening the door and leaving.

Derek shut the door and thought about what she had just said. To him, at least, it was clear what Karen had over Ivy. They were both beautiful and talented, but Karen had a generous heart and spirit, she filled his days with laughter and sunshine. Ivy had helped him pass the time, which he knew was cruel, but she wasn't his heaven, Karen was.

Derek sat back down on his couch, fired up his laptop and got back to work, putting the incident out of his mind. He would tell Karen about it tomorrow.

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Derek spent the day working with the cast to get "Original" perfect, since Richard Francis was coming in the next day. When they finished, he was happy with the progress they had made.

He spent a quiet night in with Karen, and finally told her what had happened in his apartment the night before.

"Ivy kissed you? What did you do?" she asked quietly. Inside she was thinking, oh my god, my dad told me this would happen…

"I didn't kiss her back or do anything else, and she left as quickly as she came," Derek told her.

Karen looked at him, doubt on her face. Derek caught the look, and started to get angry and defensive.

"Oh, don't give me that look. I am not going to cheat on you. I haven't looked at another woman in months, and I spend all my time with you. I don't want anyone else but you," he said, his accent thickening.

"I believe you. I'm sorry. It's just… Ivy, of all people," Karen said quietly.

"You have to get past this Ivy stuff. She is not better than you in any way, hasn't that been shown enough to you? You beat her as Marilyn by working your arse off, the only reason she is Marilyn is because you left. As for me, I don't want her, and she is not a threat to you. I love you," he said.

Karen saw that this was the chance to tell him about the conversation with her dad, explain to him why she was feeling so insecure and fragile, but she still stayed silent. She changed the topic.

"Did Jimmy have any other songs that we could use? There was stuff on that USB drive that I haven't seen in the final draft," she mused out loud.

"I forgot about that. You are brilliant love," Derek said, grabbing his phone and firing a quick message off to Kyle. He knew what she was doing, but decided to let it go for the moment.

"We still may have to give one of your songs to the Diva, though I am hoping to avoid that. Scott's looking for another composer," Derek said out loud.

Karen knew it was a distinct possibility that she would lose some of her songs, but there was no other way around it. Hopefully they could find a good composer. Jimmy had really stuffed them around, both during and after. Karen was thankful he was gone though.

Karen watched Derek go into troubleshooting director mode, and felt those insecurities twitching. She still said nothing.

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Richard had loved Hitlist. It was fresh, exciting and relevant. He loved the chemistry between the two leads, and liked that the whole cast was new and untarnished. Scott was thrilled with Richard's words, and invited him back for a full run through in a weeks' time. He knew he was pushing it, but he knew Derek could pull it off.

Derek and Karen were both very focused on the show, and didn't spend much time together in the lead up to the first full run through. Karen tried not let her doubts plague her, trying to convince herself that everything was going to be fine.

Kyle had gone through the forgotten Hitlist songs, and found several that the team thought would work well with the Diva and in the show. They had worked to incorporate them, and Derek was pleased with how it was turning out.

When it came to the day of the run through, Derek was nervous. It was Julia who talked to him, she being more familiar with his methods.

"It's not like you to doubt yourself," Julia said to Derek.

"I haven't put this much on the line in a long time. There is a lot riding on this. Even I am allowed to have a moment or two,' Derek replied.

"I think it is a bit more than that. You and Karen… is everything all right there? Things seem a bit strained," she asked gently.

Derek looked at her thoughtfully. There really was more to Julia Houston than what met the eye. She was proving to be a very good friend.

"Ivy came to my apartment a few nights ago. She kissed me. I didn't kiss her. She left. Nothing else happened. I told Karen and she didn't take it well. She hasn't been herself since her father left, but I can't get anything out of her. I'm just not sure what else to do. It's not like I am familiar with this relationship stuff. In the past, if this happened, I would just walk away. I'm not doing that here," he said.

"Wow. No wonder things are strained. Ivy and Karen have been battling each other for everything since the Marilyn auditions, and Karen has won every time. With you though, you do have a past, and with Ivy being Karen's main competition…" Julia winced at the implications.

"I can't change who and what I did in the past. I am however, trying to change what I do now and in the future. None of that matters without Karen though," Derek said, feeling lost.

Julia put her hand on Derek's arm in comfort. He gave her a small smile.

"You may not be able to control what is going on in your personal life, but you can control what is happening on stage. Run the show. Maybe if you can focus everything on that, it might become clearer," Julia said.

Derek took her advice.

"Kyle! We're going to run the show," he called out.

Kyle looked at him in amazement, and started calling out directions to people.

Derek watched people scurry around, doing as he directed.

He sat back down, next to Julia, and waited for the lights to go down.

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Derek couldn't sit still. Through the whole performance, he was moving around the empty theatre seats, watching it all unfold from different angles. By the time they had finished, he was sprawled in a chair, his mind moving at a million miles an hour, trying to figure out just what was needed.

He called out some technical directions for Kyle and the musicians, adding a reprise and smoothing out a couple of hiccups.

Then he looked straight past Karen, at Ana.

"You. I need you. You remember the opening of 'Broadway'? Good. I want you to walk through the throng, aim your gun, then at the end, I want a gunshot and darkness. We are going to tell the story through flashbacks," Derek said.

He moved with Ana through what he wanted, motioning to others to come in and getting fluid movements.

When he was satisfied that they knew what he wanted, he sat back and watched them do it.

"No piano! I want this a cappella," he called to the musicians, as they played the opening bars.

Karen walked over to Derek. She had been watching him surreptiously through rehearsals since the Ivy incident. Watching to see if he made any slips and revealed that he hadn't changed. Karen was feeling paranoid whenever she saw Derek anywhere near another woman.

"That's my song. It's my favorite. Don't give it to Ana," she pleaded with him.

"I'm sorry, but I already have. You'll see, this works better, and we still see you sing it a few scenes later," he replied, not really focusing on her.

When Ana had finished, Derek looked over at Kyle and Julia.

"What do you think?" he asked them.

"I think its brilliant," Kyle said. Julia just smiled at him and gave him thumbs up.

Derek smiled, knowing all was right with his production now.

Karen looked at Derek, and all the others cheering at a successful run through, and felt numb.

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The next run through, complete with new beginning, went off without a hitch. Ana had apologized to Karen for taking another one of her songs, but Karen blew her off, saying it was fine, and it made the show better.

Ana didn't believe her for a minute.

Karen was hurt by Derek giving Ana her song. In her doubt filled state, she wasn't thinking clearly, and was suspicious of the way Derek touched Ana when he was guiding her through the new opening. She didn't like Julia touching Derek earlier, or the easy talking and touching they had. She did however suck it up like a professional, and got on with the show, giving a flawless performance.

The show was a smash. Richard loved it. To celebrate the massive success on their hands, they had a cast party.

Derek watched from the sidelines. He saw Kyle and the lighting guy getting closer in a corner. Ana and the new guy Joshua were deep in conversation. Scott and Julia were sitting together in the audience seats, chatting and holding hands.

Derek was also watching Karen closely. She was onto her fourth cup of grog in under two hours, and showed no signs of stopping. She was flitting from group to group, laughing and flirting with everyone, though not in that sad way of some drunks. She was still Karen, just happy drunk Karen.

When he saw her stumble in her high heels, Derek moved in. He didn't want her hurting herself.

"Come on darling, I think you have had enough," he wrapped an arm around her waist to stop her from falling.

Karen struggled against Derek, both physically and emotionally. She had the words of Jimmy and her dad running through her head.

"No. Let me go," she slurred slightly, swaying on her heels. She kicked them off, making her shorter than Derek. The people nearby realized something was about to happen between the star and the director, and they started to pay attention to them. Before long, everybody was watching the scene play out. Ana came closer to see if she could help Derek with Karen.

"I am not letting you go to just fall on your face," Derek told her.

"Why do you care if I fall or not? You can just make Ana the star. You already gave her my song…" Karen blurted.

Derek and Ana looked at her, stunned. Ana saw that the alcohol was loosening Karen's tongue, so she decided to use it to push Karen.

"Is this about what your dad said last week?" Ana asked her friend. Karen finally pulled free of Derek, teetering even in bare feet.

"He thinks my whole life in New York is a mistake! He thinks Hitlist is a waste of time! He thinks you… Mister Director, are a cheating, lying scumbag! He thinks I am an idiot for thinking a man like you can change. Maybe I am. I thought Jimmy could change and he didn't, so why would you?" Karen slurred her way into a rant that silenced the room, and had all eyes on her.

"And you know what, maybe he was right! Ivy kissed you! Women come onto you daily, beautiful women who aren't afraid of the sex. What the hell could a man like you want with someone like me?" her insecurities finally burst out.

"I want you because you aren't like the all the others. You actually see me, rather than the director. You don't want me for what I can do for you. Yes, I push you but that is my job as director and yours as actress. At home, you are the one who pushes me, who guides me, who shows me exactly what I have been missing. Yes, Ivy kissed me, but guess what! I was thinking about you! That's all I bloody well think about," Derek yelled back at her, moving in closer to her. He wasn't one for public displays or declarations, but he really hadn't been left with much choice.

"You make me want things I haven't thought about in years. Things that I never thought I could have. A home filled with laughter and love, a family, a life… I wanted to give them to you too. I have had enough of being alone and used," Karen looked at him with sorrow filled eyes, but Derek continued.

"As for bloody Bombshell, they were holding you back, and wasting your talent. Eileen couldn't see beyond proving a point to her ex-husband, and Tom was trying to prove he could be a director of my caliber. Julia was the only one who wasn't actually out for anything other than putting on the best show possible. We agreed that work was work, and home was home. Giving Ana a few lines of a song to make the show better was not a mark against you," Derek continued.

"Hitlist is your baby Karen. It is the platform of you and your friends to make a name for yourselves on Broadway. I thought that was what you wanted. You were the one who kept telling me that Ana was an incredible actress who deserved a big, juicy part. So guess what, her part was made bigger! You are the star, despite the fact that you took your sweet time deciding what you wanted," Derek paused for breath, and watched Karen's reaction to his words.

Karen took in everything that Derek had just said. He wasn't going to leave her! He wanted a family. He wasn't trying to replace her. Having Derek rant straight back at her had Karen sobering a little.

"You have been grossly unfair to me, to Ana and to the rest of the people here. This diva attitude is fine on stage, but quite frankly, I thought you were above this petty crap. You know who you are, Karen Cartwright. You are a Broadway star in the making, Iowa girl, a loyal friend to the masses. You are creative, brave and loving. You need to remember that," Derek finished.

Karen could feel the tears sliding down her face. She could also feel her stomach protesting the lack of food and too much alcohol.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I…" her words were cut off as she bent over, and emptied the contents of her stomach on the stage.

As people recoiled in disgust, Karen was dying of embarrassment. Derek swept her up in his arms, and carried her out, while Julia found a janitor's closet and made an effort to clean up.

The cast looked stunned and confused at the total breakdown of their star. The party broke up soon after, everyone wondering what the next day would bring.

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Karen woke with a raging headache and feeling absolutely disgusting. She was disorientated, unsure of where she was. When she finally cracked her eyes again, she recognized the familiar grey tones of Derek's bedroom. She sat up, and saw that he had left aspirin, a glass of water and a bottle of Gatorade on the bedside table. She swallowed the pills gratefully, and went into the bathroom to clean up a little.

Derek was sitting at his kitchen counter, drinking a coffee and reading the New York Times review. Karen came down stairs, silent in bare feet, wearing one of his shirts. Derek sensed her gaze on him, and motioned with his head to the fresh pot of coffee, and the assorted breakfast pastries still in their box.

Karen poured herself a cup, forgoing milk and sugar, and took a sip. The warmth spread through her, and the caffeine gave her a much-needed jolt of wakefulness.

"So, I'm guessing I made quite an idiot of myself last night," she said quietly to Derek.

"I wouldn't call you an idiot, but yes, we did cause quite the scene," Derek replied neutrally.

"I'm sorry," she said. She looked at him with pitiful brown eyes. She knew how much he despised public displays and she had thrust him into a doozey of one. Derek let out a big sigh, walked around the counter, and pulled his girlfriend into his arms.

"I know you are. I'm sorry too. I know I am rusty at this whole relationship thing, but aren't you supposed to come to me?' Derek asked her.

"I should have. I just… I couldn't…" she mumbled into his chest.

"Well, from what I gather, your father doesn't approve of me, or Hitlist, or you leaving Bombshell, and generally any decision you have made since leaving home. Is that about the gist of it?" he asked. He felt her head bob in agreement.

"Your father is a traditional man. He wants you to meet a nice boy, get married, have babies and give up this crazy Broadway dream you have. He didn't want you to get involved with a bad man like me. He certainly didn't want you to get your big break and throw it away on a non-traditional risky show," Karen pulled away from Derek and looked into his green eyes filled with understanding.

"Welcome to growing up darling," he finished.

"You're right," she said softly. She looked at this man, and knew that he was her forever, and that as much as she loved her dad, she wasn't going to let him interfere with her relationship anymore. Derek was her choice, always.

"You'll find I often am love," Derek joked.

"Did you really mean everything you said last night? Do you really see me that way? Do you really want a family?" she was asking in the cold light of morning, making sure that what he had said wasn't part of an alcohol fueled fantasy.

"I did. You are the first person in a very long time that makes me want those things. I'm also happy to wait. You are just starting your career, you are young, and I see no reason to push you into anything. We will make our own decisions in our own time," Derek said.

Karen took in his words, and their meaning. He really was an amazing man.

"I owe a lot of apologies," she said.

"Yes you do. I accept your apology, but you have to come to me with all of this. I can't help you if I don't know what's going on. Isn't that what I've been doing for months?" he asked.

"You have. I just… I love you with everything I am, and if you did to me what you have done in the past…" she trailed off.

"Karen, you have to trust me. The same way I trust you. I can make no guarantees of the future, but I don't want to be that person anymore, and in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been for months," he said.

Instead of answering with more words, Karen let actions speak louder than words. She kissed him, softly, and let her eyes speak for her. When he looked at her, she felt forgiveness from him, and knew they were going to be okay.