A/N: I'm sorry that it's been so long again. I actually wrote this chapter when I was on the train awhile ago, and then I got busy and didn't type it up. Thank you so much for reading and for all the reviews, favorites, and follows!
It felt so strange to be back at this point again. This time, though, Karen had a date to the party. Derek smiled when he saw Karen in her new wine-colored dress.
"You look absolutely stunning, darling," he said.
"Thank you," Karen replied. "You don't look too bad yourself."
As they walked arm-in-arm into the room, Karen looked around. This was a different musical, but so many of the same people were here. It was hard not to have flashbacks to the night of the "Bombshell" party, both the good and the bad.
Derek seemed to read her thoughts. "This party is going to go well, love," he said, giving her a quick kiss. "The press will have all good things to say about our show. Well, mostly good things. All good things might be a bit too much to hope for."
"Yes, I have a good feeling about tonight," Karen said.
She was hopeful, at least, that nobody would be going to prison. Karen never thought that she would know multiple people who spent time in prison before her time in the casts of "Bombshell" and "Hit List."
"Karen, you look lovely tonight," Eileen greeted her. Nick was standing by her side.
"Thank you, Eileen," Karen said.
"Derek, I don't need to worry about any unfortunate surprises, do I?" Eileen asked. "I'd rather not get any phone calls about new sexual harassment claims."
"No, that's all behind me now," Derek said.
"I certainly hope so," Eileen replied as she took Nick's arm and walked off to talk to a reporter.
Derek sighed. "That's going to follow me forever, isn't it?"
"Probably," Karen said. "But I do believe that's all behind you now."
"Well, that's the important thing," Derek said.
As Karen and Derek walked by the piano, she thought about the song she performed with Veronica Moore at that "Bombshell" party. And, of course, the kiss that nearly happened right afterward.
"Are you thinking about the same thing that I was just thinking about?" Derek murmured in her ear.
"That depends, Mr. Wills," Karen teased softly. "What were you thinking about?"
Of course, Ivy, Bobby, and Jessica had to choose that moment to walk up to them. Karen couldn't decide whether to smile or roll her eyes. Ivy had interrupted that night, too, and it had taken them quite awhile to finally kiss. And even longer for that kiss to be part of a real relationship.
"Oh, did we just interrupt a moment?" Bobby asked. "Do you want us to go somewhere else?"
Karen laughed. "That's alright. Ivy and I are supposed to perform pretty soon anyway."
"We weren't purposely trying to interrupt, you know," Ivy said.
"Oh, I know," Karen replied.
Ivy just always had annoyingly bad timing. At least she seemed to be genuinely moving on now, though.
Karen and Ivy's performance was a hit, and this time there was no argument afterward.
After Karen was done performing, Derek took her hand and led her to an empty room.
Karen smiled. "Were you planning to almost kiss me again?"
"No, I was planning to actually kiss you," Derek replied.
Derek made good on his promise, and this time, they shared a lingering kiss without being interrupted.
"Hmmm….I suppose we should make the rounds and talk to reporters a bit," Karen said, reluctantly pulling away.
"Oh, I suppose."
As soon as they walked back into the crowded room, Michael Riedel walked up to them.
"So, no scandals to talk about right now, Derek? I have my tape recorder ready."
"No, the only thing I plan to talk about is the show," Derek said. "And it is going to be a success. You can quote me on that."
"Well, you have had scandals come out with your last two shows," Riedel said. "You certainly can't blame me for asking."
"Scandals are something I am planning to avoid from now on," Derek replied.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Riedel said.
Derek scowled, and Karen took his hand and started to lead him away.
"Good to see you, Michael," Karen said as they started walking.
"It's never good to see him," Derek said.
"Well the press is important for the show, right?" Karen said.
"Yes, but I'm glad this night's almost over. No matter how much I enjoy looking at you in that dress."
After they talked to a few more reporters, it was time to leave. They stopped to say goodbye to Eileen.
"See, Eileen?" Derek said. "Not a single scandal."
Eileen smiled. "It is refreshing to get through a party without worrying what terrible headlines are about to appear. Have a good night, Derek, Karen."
"You, too, Eileen," Derek said before turning to Karen again. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight, darling?"
Karen smiled. "A few times, but you're welcome to tell me as many times as you like."
"Well, you look absolutely beautiful. And you performed beautifully tonight as well."
"Thank you," Karen said. "I'm happy that we actually got the St. James this time."
"Yes, everything is going the way it was supposed to go for 'Bombshell,'" Derek said. "I suppose we were bound to get it right eventually."
Karen smiled and took Derek's hands in her own. "Yes, we were."