Not really my favorite chapter but I had to say something about the musical and since I have no idea of what's the next step for the show... I love reading your reviews, so please let me know what you think !

Eileen had called earlier that day. She seemed serious, something was probably wrong with the show. But Tom and Julia had decided not to worry too much until they meet in her office with Derek. She had promised she would explain everything there. They had also decided to walk to her office instead of taking a cab, it was something they hadn't done for a long time and it was really a shame. They loved to walk arm in arm through Central Park, talking to each other about everything that popped into their minds.

"So, how did things go with Sam last night ?"
Tom responded to that question by a face that was telling much more than words could ever do. Julia laughed, she was glad his relationship with Sam was going so well. He deserved it. Maybe he could even top his five-months record.

"And you, what did you do last night ?"
She blushed. Maybe she shouldn't have led him to the subject of their respective evenings.
"I walked around town and ended up at Michael's."
If she couldn't tell her best friend, who could she tell ? She just had to stop being so afraid of what his reaction might be. But maybe this was actually the problem. It was so hard to tell Tom because she knew his reaction mattered to her. He was a part of her brain. If this part didn't agree with the other one she was stuck. And she could sense that something in him would never let go of the fact that Michael wasn't good for her, no matter how hard she would try to change that.

"Have you slept with him ?" She could see that he thought she had, and how could she blame him ? If it hadn't been for Artie and Monica, she probably would have.
"No."
"But you don't seem to scream at the idea... you would have wanted to. Am I right ?"
It was her turn to look at him with a face which was far more expressive than words. That night on the sofa she had really wanted Michael and she was still startled by the intensity of this feeling.
He sighed.
"Just promise me something. Don't do it to make sure you haven't thrown away your marriage over nothing. Do it because it's what you want, because it's what you think will make you happy. Not for some reassurance."
They were both staring in each other's eyes. She nodded and he knew he could trust her. They shared a hug and walked the distance that was left in silence.

Julia and Tom went directly to the couch of Eileen's office while Derek quietly sat on the chair next to it. They had their habits now. Eileen had let them alone because she had to have a phone conversation with some big Broadway guy and she couldn't postpone it. She said it wouldn't take too long.

"So I hear you're living together now, you're like the perfect couple." Derek had his smirk on, he was probably in a good mood. Which was weird seeing all that had happened with Ivy's drug overdose and him having to be there for her, whereas everyone could see that he had a thing for Karen and that it wasn't going to just go away now that Dev had finally let go of her. His personal life looked like a mess, which was ironic because he had always avoided having a personal life like if it was the plague. And now there were probably some bad news about the show as well.

They both rolled their eyes.
"Just until I'm finished with buying my apartment and putting some furniture in it. You promised to help, remember ?" She had a bright mocking smile on her face.
"Yeah, yeah... I will." He couldn't remember how he got into this, she had probably caught him off guard. He wasn't really big on helping others.
"Careful Derek, it might look like you care..." Tom liked teasing Derek, even if he would never admit it. As far as people were concerned, he hated everything about Derek. Admitting that he was finding their verbal fight a little bit enjoyable was out of the question.
It was Derek's turn to roll his eyes. "Yeah, I'm a terrible human being without any normal feelings." He tried to mimic Tom as he was saying that. Julia hid a laugh and Tom started pouting but they were interrupted by the arrival of Eileen into the room.

They all straightened up and looked right at her. She didn't seem really happy. She went to sit at her desk and couldn't seem to find where to start. Now they all seemed worried.

"Jeez, are you going to tell us what's wrong or just sit here and watch us ?" Derek wasn't really known for being a very patient man.

Eileen took a deep breath. "I'm stopping the musical for now-"
Tom's eyes widened. "But why ? We did great in Boston !"
"Yes, we did but-"
Derek joined the protest. "But what ? We have been working our asses off for the past few months and, even if I admit everything is not perfect, what we have is pretty damn great !"
"Yes, that's not the problem-"
Julia couldn't believe what she was hearing either. "Then what is it ?"
They were all too surprised to let her finish what she had to say.

"Would you all just stop interrupting me and actually start listening to what I have to say ?"
She paused and they kept silent.
"We are having a bit of a legal difficulty. Ellis is claiming the idea of the musical to be his and Jerry is backing him up. I don't really know what they want but I think they are trying to shut down the musical. I don't want to give them the satisfaction of actually stopping it but I think we shouldn't go forward with the show until we get some more informations. Every day we are spending rehearsing is costing us a lot of money and I don't want to waste it. But I want to assure you of something : this doesn't mean we're ending it, just that we need some time to figure it out. I promise we'll get Marilyn on Broadway."

They were all startled.
"That sneaky little jerk" was all Julia was able to say.
"You were probably right about him from the beginning, Julia, I should have listened to you." Tom couldn't understand why Ellis would do something like that, but maybe he was just trusting people too much.
"But is he right ? Is it his idea ?" Derek was still trying to figure out what the situation was exactly.
"He might have been the one suggesting to do a musical about Marilyn, but just as he could have been suggesting to put the bowls in the left drawer instead of the right one. It's not really what makes a musical. He didn't write anything, or thought of any songs. I can't believe this might actually go somewhere."

Eileen was beginning to feel more hopeful now that she had three other persons on her side.
"Yes, I'm not sure it could go somewhere either. I'm just worried of the part Jerry plays in it. If it was only Ellis it wouldn't be a problem, especially with the whole Rebecca debacle."
"What do you mean the whole Rebecca debacle ?"
"Well, that he tried to poison her with peanuts. That would easily destroy his credibility."
"He was the one who put the peanuts in her smoothie ?" Julia couldn't believe it, she had always felt that he couldn't be trusted but this was so much bigger than what she thought.
"Just go to the police so we can go on with the show." Derek wasn't even understanding what the problem was.
"I'm really not sure that's the best idea. I will just try to find out a little more about what they are up to. Until then we're stopping it. I'll tell everyone tomorrow morning in rehearsal, don't be late."

They all let it go, knowing that in the end it was Eileen's call.