Hello! Sorry for the huge delay in this update but I was moving half way across the country which tends to take up a lot of time! Here is the next chapter, just a side note, I'm not condoning affairs and I don't think they are right, but they do happen! This story is just for fun, and yes Karen is kind of out of character, but I don't think it's that far fetched since her character totally changed from season 1 to season 2.

Ok sorry for the rant! R&R! I'll have another chapter up soon : )

A couple weeks went by and the creative team had been putting everything together for Gatsby. It was all coming together nicely. Karen agreed to play Daisy and they found a great new actor to play Jay. Both Karen and Derek had been busy, but rehearsal was starting today. There was knot in Derek's stomach. He was nervous to be working with Karen after what they had agreed to. Nothing had happened yet, but it consumed his thoughts. He figured it was like a friends with benefits situation, which was not ok. It wasn't ok at all. But he wanted her, more than he ever wanted anyone his whole life. He couldn't explain it when it came to her. Ever since the first time her legs straddled his body on his couch in his apartment, he was done. After that, it was like an electric shock went through his body every time he touched her. That's why he had always found excuses to teach her dance steps by touching her body and lingering too long afterward.

Now it was starting all over again, with a few major exceptions. They had been through a lot together and now they were friends, or something. Most importantly, they admitted their attraction to each other. It was like an atomic bomb waiting to explode, but like an awesome atomic bomb of insane pleasure. They never talked a lot about sex but somewhere deep down Derek knew that the two of them together would be fantastic. It would flow, they would want to do the same things to each other because they operated on the same wavelength of thought. It would be endless and passionate and needy. Great, he realized he was almost at rehearsal but probably shouldn't be standing up in public right now. He told he driver to drive around the corner to the coffee shop so he could get himself under control. Derek forced himself to think about the long day ahead and work, think about work.

He walked into the rehearsal studio and quickly glanced around. Thankfully Karen was not there yet, just Tom, Julia, his choreographer assistant Josh, and the stage manager. "Morning everyone," Derek said to the surprise of the people in the room.

"Morning Derek," Julia smiled at him. Tom just glanced suspiciously; he knew Derek being happy was an odd occurrence. The ensemble members filed in, along with Karen and Eric, the new actor playing Jay Gatsby. Derek flashed a wicked smile toward Karen when he caught her eyes across the room. He excused himself from conversation he was having with the piano player and walked over to her while she was stretching. "Hello darling," he greeted her with a seemingly innocent hug. It was the first time he had any physical contact with her in months. They pushed their bodies into each other, briefly relishing the moment. He felt that shock again, he didn't want to let go but he had to. She looked amazing, better than ever with soft curly hair loosely pulled up with black leggings and a white slim fitting v-neck. He wanted to see that outfit on the floor by her bed.

"You ready for this madness to begin again?" Derek asked her smiling.

"Oh I'm ready…for everything." She smiled and walked away to introduce herself to Eric since they would be working together a lot. Derek raised his eyebrows at her comment. He knew exactly what she meant.

Today's rehearsal was mostly about learning the songs, which was never a problem for Karen. She was always spot on. The other cast members almost fawned over her because of her reputation, but Karen wasn't a diva. She was gracious to everyone because it wasn't that long ago she was in the same spot as they were. It created a much more pleasant work environment for everyone. Hopefully, this show would not be jinxed like Bombshell was. Derek already had enough to worry about.

The end of rehearsal came a little too quickly. Derek could listen to Karen sing all day and all night. His vision for the show was going off the charts and he had too many ideas to keep track of. He would definitely be working late tonight.

He walked into the elevator and saw Karen running to catch it. Of course he held it open for her. And just like that they were alone. Karen stood in front of Derek with her back facing him. He leaned over her to push the button for the first floor, his breath catching on her neck. When he brought his hand back he instinctively rested it on her hip and pulled her closer to him. She made sure to press her back against his front, encouraging his physical contact.

"You look gorgeous Karen, now more than ever," Derek said softly into her ear, breathing steadily on the back of her neck. He saw the goosebumps form on her skin.

"Mhmm, I missed you Derek. I really did," she said leaning back against him, letting him support her full body weight. It just seemed natural, their bodies fit together like a puzzle piece. She missed his presence, his smell, his hands touching her. The elevator dinged way too soon and they pulled away, walking out together.

"Don't forget Derek, let me know when you have some free time." Karen said hinting at their conversation from a couple weeks ago.

"We'll figure out something darling," Derek said smiling as he got in his car. He really did want to be with her but he was also enjoying the buildup. You only get one first time with someone and he wanted the first time with her to be amazing. He was sure the right time would come eventually.

Derek spent most of the evening jotting down the ideas that had flooded him in rehearsal after hearing Karen sing. Ivy and Emma kept him company. He enjoyed being with them, but him and Ivy lacked a certain chemistry and he believed she was beginning to notice it too even though neither of the brought it up.

"Derek, I want to go back to work." Ivy said in a matter of fact tone.

"Ok, well I'm sure that wouldn't be an issue. Don't you have plenty of offers after being a Tony winner?" he smiled at her.

"Yeah but are you ok with that?" Ivy asked.

"Yes Ivy, I'm working so you should be able to if you want. I don't think I have the right to keep you from that," Derek told her. "We could always hire a nanny."

"I was thinking the same thing. I just miss performing!" Ivy said. "Are there any roles in Gatsby for me?"

"Sorry sweetheart, all the roles are already cast." Derek said looking up at her from her notes. "But, I'm sure it'll be easy for you to find something once everyone finds out you're looking."

"Right, how was rehearsal today? How's Karen?" she questioned.

"Everything went pretty well, Karen will make a great Daisy."

Ivy just shrugged in response.

"Are you still jealous of Karen?" Derek asked.

"I don't know Derek, there has always been something there with you and Karen. It's just weird for me, and everything is different now. It's always been a love/hate relationship between Karen and I." Ivy said.

"That's true, but everything is way different now." Derek didn't elaborate because he had a tendency to dig himself into deep holes when he talked too much. "It'll be better when you're working Ivy, it's part of who you are."

"Yeah you're right, I'll start putting the word out tomorrow. I'm gonna put Emma to bed." Ivy said. Derek kissed his daughter goodnight and they left the room. He and Ivy made excellent friends, but maybe they weren't the best couple. It was so confusing and frustrating. He went back to his work because directing is the only thing in his life that always made sense. If only he could hire someone to direct his own life. It was a nice thought anyway.