I don't own anything. Enjoy the last chapter.

Chapter 6

After our meeting with the creative team Derek and I went to my place to talk to the super about changing the locks. We drove mostly in silence, talking occasionally about the show. As we pulled up to my building he parked the car and hurried around to open my door. We had decided to go drop off my bags before going to see the super. As I opened the door I could tell something was wrong. I stopped as I was walking through the door and Derek ran into me as I stood in the doorway, my jaw on the floor.

"Sor-" he started as he saw the amount of flowers and balloons his jaw joined mine on the floor.

"What the bloody…" Derek started, his hand instinctively going for mine. We stood in shock for a few moments staring at my poor apartment, which looked like a flower shop had thrown up in it. Flowers and balloons covered every empty spot in my living room. I slowly walked in, with my hand still firmly in Derek's, and opened one of the cards off the closest bouquets to read the card.

"Karen, I love you more than words. Please forgive me, love Dev," I read to Derek, the words making my stomach churn.

"That bloke has serious issues" Derek said his face full of concern, "let me help you clean this up." He said sweetly, his thumb making circles on the back of my hand.

I stood in the middle of the mess with tears streaming down my face. How could I have allowed someone like Dev into my life and why hadn't I seen him for what he was earlier?

"Now now darling, don't cry." Derek said pulling me into a hug and kissing me gently on the forehead. "We'll get this cleaned up and he'll be out of your life for good."

"I just…I feel so stupid" I said through the tears. "How could I have let someone like him get so close to me? What does that say about me? Why didn't I notice that he was completely crazy?" I said a sob welling in my throat that I swallowed hard against.

"You had no way of knowing. Everyone was fooled by the bloke. You can't blame yourself for this Karen." He placed his fingers under my chin and gently lifted my head until our eyes met. "Karen, this is not your fault, Love and I won't let you sit here and blame yourself. Yes he's crazy, but that's on him, not you and don't ever forget it."

"Thanks Derek. Why are you so nice to me?" I asked, not sure that I really wanted to hear the answer, but needing to know.

"I like you Karen Cartwright. You're different from the other girls. There's something about you that reminds me…" He stopped and took a deep breath while I was holding mine, "You remind me of Becca in some ways. She was sweet and kind, like you." He said his cool green eyes never leaving mine and in the process convincing me that he might actually be telling the truth. What if I was the one that could change Derek Wills from a womanizing heartbreaker, into something kinder, and gentler, something that I had already seen in him? "She never had anything bad to say about anyone. It was so opposite of everyone else in the theater business…" his voice trailed off and the sadness returned to his beautiful eyes.

"Was she in the business?" I asked, trying to figure out more about this mystery woman.

"No, she was a school teacher." He chuckled as he continues, "she taught kindergarten in the Bronx. She would have loved you." He said, his voice returning to its previous seriousness. It was my turn to hold him while tears filled his eyes. I don't think he actually let any fall, but they were there glistening like sad diamonds in his striking green eyes. I stood on my tippy toes and kissed his forehead gently and then held onto him for dear life. I knew the pain that came from deep loss and I wanted to offer whatever comfort I could. Derek took a deep, steading, breath and said, "Let's get this place cleaned up, shall we?"

"Sounds good to me," I said, unwrapping my arms from him and grabbing one of his hands with mine, "thank you Derek." I said, looking into his eyes.

We spent the next hour throwing away flowers and popping balloons in the living room. When we finished we made our way to the bedroom to look for flowers there. There were none, but before we could leave Derek grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. I could feel my heart beat speed up as he pulled me to him and placed his perfect lips on mine. The kiss started gentle and gradually got stronger as we made our way to my bed. His strong hands caressed my back. We spent the next hour getting to know every nook and cranny of each other's body. It was better than any time I had spent with Dev. Now all I had to do was pray that he hadn't used me like he had used so many women in the past.

OK, I know it's not the best ending in the world, but I just couldn't see the story anymore and I wanted it to have some sort of ending. I hope you enjoyed it.