A/N1: Gahh...I had trouble with the Karen and Levi scene and found myself not being able to write as seamlessly as I wanted to for the both of them which is quite worrisome seeing how Levi may play a pivotal role in the future chaps. I think it's quite apparent seeing how short their scene was but I would love your take on what kind of person you think he could be.

Chapter 25

"Is this place alright for you?" Levi asked as he pulled a chair for her to sit first before proceeding to his own. Karen took in the hushed conversations, the trickle of soft classical music flowing throw hidden speakers. Men and women dressed up to their nines. In all honest truth, Karen stood out like a sore thumb since she was dressed in nothing fancy. Karen gave a forced smile and assured him she was alright. "You don't look happy though, I can tell from your face." Levi remarked. Was her face really that transparent?

"I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion," she explained while looking at the menu, eyes widening ever so slightly as she went down the list of food the restaurant catered. She would feel the pinch in her pocket if she did spend that much on a fancy dish that she decided via the illustration that would not even be enough to fill her stomach. The measly pay she had saved up from the days of working in the cafe to cater to her expenses for dance attire, shoes and classes with Bobby and the rest were already making her feel guilty whenever she looked through her credit card bill. It did not help that the pay they were now getting for being in Bombshell though satisfiable it was still not much though Eileen had assured that would all change once they hit Broadway in New York.

"Dinner is on me," Levi stated, his voice infiltrating her thoughts. Karen glanced up, her cheeks quickly heating up when she realized that her face must have given her away again.

"You hardly know me," she pointed out then frowned. "Why would you...No, I shall pay for my own."

Levi sighed, "It's only dinner and this is me being nice."

"Nice usually comes with a price," Karen muttered just as a waiter came to take their orders.

"Red wine please for the bot-"

"Plain water or club soda instead," Karen interrupted earning her an amused stare from Levi.

"Back to the topic," Levi began after their orders were done. "Nice comes with a price you say. Who taught you that? Not everything comes with a price." He nodded in thanks when their drinks came.

"My perception has changed ever since I've been on Bombshell," Karen simply offered as she fiddled with her fingers and realizing that Levi were staring at them with fascination, quickly slipped her hands under the table to conceal her nervousness.

Their food came and they were soon digging in. Conversation was light, pausing at certain intervals to comment about work but never diving in deep enough to know the nitty gritty. Karen found herself laughing at the things that Levi said. He was witty and had the right amount of self depreciating humor that was neither cheesy nor cold. In fact she was starting to wonder if Levi Renner was in fact the same Levi that had caused multiple problems for both Derek and Tom.

"So," he began. "What's this news about creating an album for Bombshell and selling it for money?"

Karen paused in mid bite before placing her fork down and then using the napkin to dab her lips. "Album? What album?"

"I heard from someone that Eileen is planning to cut a record deal for the songs used and selling it as Bombshell memorabilia. How does she do it?" Levi badgered on, "Especially when all her funds are supposedly in escrow."

Frankly, she had no idea what he was talking about and discussing about Eileen's personal life, it wasn't what Karen saw herself doing. Silence ensued. Levi stared at her, rubbing his chin with his fingers before calling for the bill. "You really don't know, do you? How curious. Would Eileen pick you or Ivy to sing in this album, I wonder."

Karen took her IPhone out to check the time before focusing on him again, "That's entirely up to her isn't it?"

Levi grinned, "Well, yes but you are Marilyn. Are you going to give your spot to Ivy that easily?"

This conversation was just going nowhere and it was starting to annoy her that he knew something she did not especially since she was in the show itself.

"Well, it's been a pleasure having dinner with you. I've got to go now," Karen smiled politely and stood up.

"Let me take you back," Levi offered as they stepped out.

"No, it's alright." Karen flagged for a cab. "Night," She gave him an apologetic smile before slipping in, leaving him standing alone in the night.

The next two days came and went. There was no time for proper interaction among the ensemble or the rest of the staff. Derek had the intention to simply drive everyone to wits end and that he did. His only reason behind it all that since Bombshell is still technically, his show there was no room for error in any sort of manner. When the last applause finally died off, tense shoulders, erect postures and the pasted smiles on everyone's faces slipped away like a hidden memory that ought to be locked in the deep recesses of the mind. Only to be opened again when the limelight was on them. Derek was now at the lobby of the theatre, shaking hands with various men in suits that smelled of expensive money and women whose jewellery promised to blind ones eyes if the stones caught the light. He charmed, smiled, joked and even humbled himself in a way that left the women wanting to care for him and the men instantly drawn to form camaraderie. It was through many years of practice that Derek was quite confident enough to say that he was accustomed to the game of socializing. Dangle the carrot and they'll come coming, he thought with smug satisfaction as name cards were soon exchanged with him with promises of wanting to be part of a show they were now convinced would be a hit once it got on the streets of Broadway. It was the lure of having your name mentioned or printed with the association of aiding somehow, be it a large sum of money or through other means that was enticing.

He continued smiling and shaking hands till he felt certain that the muscles in his face were over stretched and his arm about to fall off. He was glad that after this they were all going to take the train back to New York and have at least a few days rest before the cycle began which was most likely to drag on for a longer period now. Besides, Derek missed the comfort of his home albeit it being almost cold and empty. It was his sanctuary from the hectic lives they all lead once they got to work.

Seeing that he had to do some last minute packing up of his items back stage and gather his luggage which he had checked out from the hotel this morning, Derek bid the last group he was entertaining farewell and excused himself. He strode back into the auditorium and found himself instantly enveloped by Eileen with a massive hug. Derek pat her back as cordially as he could while some of the staff looked on with surprised and amused stares as they went about packing up. She finally pulled away with a sigh and tears in her dark brown eyes.

"Eileen, what's wrong?" he immediately asked once he noted her expression. She shook her head and wiped her eyes, "Oh, Derek. I'm just happy." Eileen gave him a wobbly smile as she calmed herself down. Derek felt the tension in his body leave and folded his arms with the beginnings of a smile on his face, "We're finally heading to Broadway."

"I didn't think it would be possible," she admitted. "Especially with the divorce going on..." her voice trailed off."I'm glad you're on board this ship, I really am."

"It's a good thing you got me convinced. Marilyn is way more interesting than what others give her credit for and I'm glad I got the opportunity to delve and am still delving into the many layers she has to offer."

Like Karen, the small voice in his head quipped. It has been awhile that he heard his conscience or true thoughts speak and he was surprised in a way that they now called his attention to her. This in reality had waned for the past two days seeing that the show needed his attention. The only interaction he had with her was to probably yell or direct her to move downstage. Eileen gave him a parting kiss on the cheek before checking out with Linda and finally, leaving the theatre.

Derek strode up the small flight of stairs and through the wings in hopes that he may somehow bump into Karen or at least see her before he made his final rounds of ensuring nothing from Bombshell was left behind. He gathered his messenger bag and drag on luggage and headed towards her dressing room seeing that she was nowhere in the hallway. Upon arrival, he could make out what sounded like the muffled voices of Tom and Julia conversing. He frowned, wondering what the Houston and Levitt team would have to say to Karen. Derek rapped the door lightly. The voices silenced in a second before Karen announced that the door was open. He opened the door to find Tom leaning against the counter where he himself had stood not too long ago with his arms folded and Julia pacing to and fro. She stopped and looked at him in surprise when she realized who it was that stood there.

"What brings you here, oh great one?" Tom asked with sarcasm dripping over his words.

"I could ask the same," he focused his attention on Karen who was playing with the folds of a single white rose that lay in front of her. His eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on the rose.

"We were discussing about certain things," Tom offered vaguely. Derek tilted his head at him, urging Tom to continue. "Remember the thought of coming up with an album for this show? Well, apparently Karen knows about it."

"What?" Derek looked at her in surprise as she turned to face him. "How?"

"Someone told me and I just wanted to make sure," Karen went back to rubbing her fingers against the rose petals as she gazed up at all three of them expectantly.

"And who's that someone?"

"It's best that you do not know but I think it's a great idea if you want to go ahead."

Tom rubbed his fingers at his temples, "That's what Julia and I have been trying to get out from her but for some reason she doesn't want to reveal who she heard it from. I swear the media will rip us apart if this leaks out and is not sustained."

Derek noticed an odd expression cross Karen's face at the word media but he decided not to call her out on it. "Eileen will be thrilled wouldn't she? Even more reason to get it going. I'll talk to her. Don't you worry your pretty head about this," Derek told Tom as his eyes went back to Karen.

"Alright, now. We'll see you later." Julia pulled a protesting Tom out of the dressing room, leaving both Derek and Karen alone. Karen got up and began gathering her things.

"So..." he began. Karen cocked an eyebrow at him but continued. "We've not spoken to each other since the last time I saw you."

"Yes, we have. As I clearly remembered you've been yelling me to Cross downstage, or Turn to the left not right or Miss Cartwright! We've been doing this for months now where is your head at?" Karen executed his British accent and then continued, "And I've been going yes, Mr Wills or alright, Mr Wills. I would say that is a conversation already."

Derek looked at her in amusement, "Has anyone told you that your English accent is terrible?"

"Why, I think it's quite splendid." Karen pretended to look appalled while continuing with the accent she deemed fit.

Derek rolled his eyes, "I mean a proper conversation."

As if not hearing him, Karen did a last sweep of the room before opening the door and switching off the lights.

"Aren't you going take that?" Derek asked his attention on the single rose that now lay there forlornly.

"Nope."

"May I ask who is it from?"

"Levi," she muttered and slipped out. Derek gave a thoughtful look at the rose and then with a smirk he shut the door behind him.

The train rocked a steady beat as it continued its path towards New York. The lights dimmed in the various cabins to facilitate the ambience for sleeping and the only sounds came from the hushed conversations and upbeat tempo thumping softly through earphones being plugged in.

"Don't you think it's funny that the Dark Lord seems to be around Karen all the time?" Sue asked as she looked on from where she sat. Jessica who was facing her turned to look over her shoulder and peeked. Her eyes landed on Karen who was smiling at something that Derek said.

"I find it funnier that he's even sitting beside her or not in the better cabins in the first place," Jessica remarked.

"Yeah, and she seems okay with it. I mean what is going on with them?" Sue wondered out loud. Bobby who was plugged into his earphones and noticed that their attention was elsewhere, instantly pulled off one side of his earphone, turned to kneel on his seat and peered over the head rest. Both Derek and Karen were not speaking now but simply looking at each other, analyzing.

"Do you think they're having sex?" Jessica asked Bobby. Bobby shrugged, "Your guess is good as mine too but she has denied. I don't think Karen is the sort to jump into a relationship especially…after everything."

Sue took the magazine she was reading and placed it in front of her, "I feel like a voyeur watching whatever that is that's now happening before my eyes." She peeked from behind her magazine, "Why is he staring at her like that? Look!" They watched as Karen turned to look out the window and Derek not knowing that he was being observed, give a look to her side profile which was part admiration and also a touch bit lingering.

Bobby rubbed his eyes and looked again, "Do my eyes deceive me? Did you see that?" He slid back down into his seat, surprise painted all over his face.

"I don't want to say this but I think Derek has got it bad for Karen," Jessica muttered once she turned back to face them.

"Someone just hit me with a frying pan," Bobby dragged his hand through his face. "The Dark Lord is not even capable of handling a proper relationship or even friendship for that matter." The pair sobered, fully aware of what Bobby was referring to. After a moment, Jessica playing with the edges of her blouse spoke up, "Have you forgotten the way he always stared at her back then at the studio?" Bobby peered through his fingers as she continued, "You spotted it first then Sam and then it became obvious that was why the rumors started."

"He was with Ivy," Bobby stated.

"I get where Jess's going with this," Sue eagerly leaned in. "Though you are right that he was with Ivy. Not once did he even give that look to her. Yes, he was touching her, giving her kisses on the cheek or knuckles but with Karen his screaming at her slowly mellowed out and hell, if I'm not wrong he was always doing things that had her interest at heart even though that left certain casualties in his war path."

"You took the words right out of my mouth and made it better, sister." Jessica said with a smile and gave a high five to Sue.

Bobby shook his head, "I think it is bullshit. A leopard never changes its spots."

"Why are you such a party pooper about this?" Jessica ran her fingers through Bobby's hair. "I thought you were all for the drama."

"Oh, I'm all for the drama don't get me wrong but to witness Karen get pulled in and spit out by none other than Derek himself," Bobby sighed and rolled his eyes. "'She deserves better."

"Aww baby, you're truly Team Karen whether you like it or not," Jessica playfully pulled him into a side hug and tousled his hair.

"Who woulda think?" Bobby muttered grumpily as Jessica and Sue burst out laughing.

They parted ways at the train station, Ivy simply snubbing all of them and pulling Sam and Dennis away as they waved knowingly. Bobby, Jessica and Sue gave Karen a huge hug before they piled into a cab leaving her alone with Derek.

"Would you like to share a cab?" Derek offered, seeing that she only lived 20 minutes away from him.

"Sure," she gave him a small tired smile as he flagged for one. He took her bags and placed them in the trunk and then proceeded to open the door for her. Karen took a deep breath. "It's good to be back." Derek sniffed. That is if you don't mind the smelly state the cabs were in. Even Karen's signature scent of vanilla was not strong enough to musk the sour smell of cheese and what naught that now surrounded them. Karen as if sensing his discomfort wound down her window so that the cool breeze could pour in, allowing some ventilation to occur. She stuck out her head and suddenly yelled, "Hello, New York!"

"Bloody hell, do you know how late it is?" Derek called and pulled her back in. Karen grinned at him and settled down but continued looking out. Seeing that Karen was occupied with the scenery, his mind began drifting off till a soft knock on his shoulder jolted him from his thoughts. Derek turned to find that Karen had dozed off. Laying a gentle hand on her head, he slowly adjusted himself so that she could lay within the crook of his neck. Karen made a soft snuffling sound and once she was comfortable, a happy sigh came out from her lips. Her warm breath tickled the vein that was now throbbing on full alert within his neck and her vanilla scent tantalized him at every breath he took. Derek's arousal was soon making itself known at every second she breathed against his skin. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist to distract himself from what his attraction to her was asking him to do.

"Mister, you look like you're in pain," the taxi driver's voice came. "No puking in the back of my cab!"

"I can assure you, it's nothing of that sort." Derek gave him a terse smile.

"Whatever man. Dirty my cab and you're outta here."

Oh, your cab isn't clean to start with.

Derek gazed down at Karen who was still sleeping soundly. He liked seeing her like this. Her long dark lashes against her alabaster skin, rosy lips parted slightly. Karen could not look more innocent then she already was.

The cab stopped once they reached her place and Karen as if sensing it woke up slowly and instantly pulled apart when she realized she had been sleeping on his shoulder.

"Alright, mister. Pay and out you go." the taxi driver commanded gruffly.

"I beg your pardon? I specifically told you the address of two places," Derek stated, prickled.

"Not when you're going to vomit in my car," he replied and stuck his thumb out to signal them to move.

Derek glared and paid for the ride before they got out to gather their luggage.

"Prick," he muttered as the cab sped off.

"Are you sick?" Karen asked with concern her brown eyes.

"What? No." Derek replied annoyed and pursed his lips. "Anyway, it's probably best that I send you up. Seeing that Dev...Have you even spoken to him since the last time we saw him?"

Karen shook her head and let herself into the apartment. They took the lift up. Karen continuously biting her lips and fiddling with her fingers, all clear signs that she was nervous. Derek stretched out and grabbed her hand, startling her. "Calm down, Karen. You're better than him. Remember that." He began tracing soothing circles against the top of her hand. The doors slid open and Derek let go of her, letting her walk down the hallway towards her home.

"What the..." Karen dragged her luggage faster when she found about three boxes labelled under her name stacked outside the door. Flipping out her Swiss knife that she hung around her keys, Karen sliced through the duct tape to reveal clothes or what was left of them in one of the boxes. Karen hissed under her breath and stood up, scrabbling for her keys but not getting them quite as her hands shook with silent anger.

"Karen, don't." Derek said softly, knowing what she was about to do. Without paying heed to Derek, she managed to unlock the door to find RJ still dressed in her office attire, bent over the kitchen top, eyes closed and mouth hung open while Dev scrunching up his eyes with full concentration pounding behind her.

Oh god. Derek stood behind Karen and in that moment he wanted to pull her away from the dreadful sight but she beat him to it.

"Having fun?" Karen asked loud enough for RJ's eyes to pop open and gasp her name out loud. She scrambled behind the countertop top to cover up while Dev pulled away, trying to sort himself.

"Karen, Karen..." Dev began as he walked towards her while zipping up his pants.

"Do not touch me," Karen said coldly. "You couldn't wait till I got back before you dumped my things outside? And only three boxes? I clearly remembered that I had more things than that."

Dev stared at the ground, "I thought you were never coming back so I threw some of your things."

"You did what?" she exclaimed. "Have you ever considered for once, that the things you threw may have a huge sentimental value to me?"

"I'm sorry," Dev muttered.

"Sorry? How is dumping me out of the house without any sort of discussion and boning RJ at that damn countertop being sorry?" Karen shot back with every ounce of energy she had left. "For god's sake RJ, stop hiding there! You were already spotted screwing him." A muffled noise came behind the counter but she did not stand up.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again, "You and I are done. I want nothing to do with you."

"Then go! This house isn't under your name in the first place," Dev spat back.

Derek watched as Karen's body instantly slouched at those words as if Dev had just kicked her in the gut. "Karen, let's go," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her away.

"I knew it, the both of you..." Dev sneered. Derek shot him a deathly stare that told him to back off. "Have fun with your wonderful and powerful director." To Derek's surprise Karen instantly flipped Dev her middle finger before she allowed herself to be led out. Karen slammed the door shut and peered at the boxes then began picking up the first two boxes. "Let me help you," Derek took one box from her and with much difficulty juggling their drag on luggage and boxes; they finally got all three down. Without a word, Karen immediately flopped onto the small flight of stairs outside the apartment, her head in her hands.

"What a nightmare," he heard her mutter to herself. "Looks like I'm going camping tonight."

Derek sat beside her, "Camp where may I ask? In Grand Central Park?"

"Maybe," Karen muttered behind her hands.

Derek sighed, took out his phone and dialed for a cab.

"You're leaving me already?" Karen looked up with forlorn eyes, "Thanks, I guess."

The cab came and Derek carrying one of her boxes placed it into the trunk and proceeded to do the same for the others. "C'mon now. You can sleep in one of the spare rooms that I have at my place."

Karen looked at him warily but was already too tired to complain thus she dragged herself and went in without restraint.

The mood in his apartment was a somber one once they reached. With Karen quietly dumping her dirty clothes from the previous week into the laundry bag, Derek carrying her things up to the empty room which was next to his and both taking their shower respectively.

Derek stood near the ceiling to floor windows in his living room, a hand nursing a glass of scotch as he looked out, admiring the city lights that speckled like colored stars in the night. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the air condition unit working its cool magic around the apartment. He was thinking about Karen when he spotted her reflection on the window glass as she came down the stairs quietly. Derek watched as she walked towards the kitchen in a big frumpy t-shirt that ended near her thighs and thus encentuated her long legs. She helped herself to a glass of warm water and carried it with her towards the living room. Derek turned to face her, taking in her damp curls that hung around her face and how young she looked now that the makeup was scrubbed away.

"I'm going to go to bed now," she announced, her voice sounded strained to his ears as if she was clinging on to something and afraid to let go.

"Night," he said softly and watched as she went up the steps. Deciding to stay up a little longer, Derek switched on his laptop and took out the various name cards he had collected. He went through the cards, deciding which potential benefactors were important and making a list on his laptop. After awhile Derek decided to call it a night, he went up the stairs and was about to head into his room when he heard sobbing. Concerned, he immediately went into Karen's room. She lay curled up on her side facing the windows, muffling her sobs with the pillow that she clung to.

"Darling..." Derek looked at her helplessly before sliding in beside her. He propped himself on his elbow, watching but not touching. He knew why she was crying. Exhaustion, being pushed out of someone you loved dearly's life and being visually sexually confronted with the main reason of breaking up with that person. It would be a wonder if she continued staying strong like she did in Boston and Baltimore.

"Shh..." he placed a calming hand on her arm and began rubbing against her skin gently. His eyes followed the movement of his knuckles and then stopped when he noticed a light scar near her elbow but slightly hidden under her arm. Slowly, his tapered fingers travelled there and lightly traced the outline of it. Karen soon quietened down, "What are you doing?" she whispered hoarsely. Karen rubbed her face and turned to face him, her eyes and nose red. "I'm a mess," she muttered before rubbing her face again.

"A mess but a fine one," he joked, earning an eye roll from her.

"Ever the charmer," Karen said softly.

"Are you ok now?" Derek asked as he lay his head down so that they were now face to face. Brown to hazel green eyes. She nodded, her eyes still not leaving his face.

"If you don't mind me asking," Derek began. "Where did you get that scar?"

"Wha-Oh this?" Karen adjusted herself so that she now lay on her back and stretched out her arm from under the pillow. "I fell somewhere, it was real bad, dark and all that's why I get panic attacks if I'm in a really dark room."

"Couldn't you go out?" Derek asked, confused.

"Nope. Broke my arm. I was young and wanted to explore the castle. I was on a trip with my parents in London." Karen mused, "It was beautiful."

Derek drew in a sharp breath and propped himself up so that he was now looking down on her, "What castle?" he demanded.

Karen frowned, "It's only a castle, Derek."

"Tell me, Karen," he said urgently. Karen's eyes took on a faraway look as she tried to recall then they refocused again.

"Warwick?" Karen offered, "Why?"

Derek touched her face and stared at her in wonder. His pulse was thumping erratically as he quested down her cheek towards her chin. "Do you remember anything else?" he finally asked.

Karen laughed nervously and held on to his wrist to stop him from continuously touching her face. "You are scaring me. Why don't you go back to your bed and sleep? We both know we need it."

Derek pried her fingers away but did not come back to touch her. "I'm asking you again. Do you remember anything else?"

Karen frowned and looked away, "It was dark and I was screaming. I wanted to give up and then when I almost did, the trap door opened and a teenage boy found me. He told me to..."

"Stay calm and that help would arrive soon," Derek said it in sync with Karen. He watched as her doe eyes stared back at him warily before they widened in shock when realization hit her. Her eyes blinked slowly as she continued staring at him, wordlessly.

"Karen, shocking as it may be. I believe I'm the teenager that found you," he said quietly, his heart and mind still doing a rapid dance as he found himself looking at Karen Cartwright in another light.

A/N2: Well readers, you've guessed it right ever since Chap 11 brought this mysterious teenager to light. Originally, I planned for the both of them to discover this in another situation which meant waiting for future chaps but seeing how long I've already dragged the 'suspense' I thought it was best to finally answer all your suspicions lol. Alrighty, as usual reviews appreciated (: