I do apologise, I realise that it has been a while but life just kind of got in the way. I do hope this is worth it because I have suffered nights of unrest where all I could think about was the development of this story. Now if you would be so kind as to review and recommend I would be most gracious. So here is you chapter four...
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SMASH
Chapter 4 – A Revelation
After the meeting, the creative team had come to the conclusion that auditions/castings will start once the book is a bit more ready. All this meant was that Derek had more time on his hands and in all honesty he wasn't exactly spending it in the most productive of ways. He was currently throwing an oversized tennis ball up in the air, while lying down on the couch, hoping that he didn't miss a catch causing it to fall rather painfully on his face. "Oh this is ridiculous!" Derek finally stated after about the tenth throw and swung his legs 'round so he was now sitting up. Quickly, he came to the decision that he was going to go out even if it was just for a walk. He strode purposefully to his wardrobe and threw the doors open wide in search of something at least semi decent to wear.
"I seriously need to get some new clothes," Karen stated after looking into her overflowing wardrobe and finding nothing. Dev had rung earlier in the day saying he had to travel to Washington or somewhere, (she wasn't really listening), so he'd be gone for at least a week. She then came to the conclusion that she was going to go out; where exactly was a topic for a different conversation. In truth she had no idea where she was going to go, maybe just a walk, see if she can make a day of it.
It was a nice day, no that is an understatement, it was a gorgeous day; blue skies, hot enough to not wear a jumper but not too hot, according to Derek it was like the weather had gone the whole nine yards! After staring into the abyss that was his wardrobe he finally settled on a pair of jeans and a light t-shirt before finally making his way out. He was never the type of person that would walk around with headphones in but today he kind of wished he was. It was the type of day that just looked like a music video all that was missing was the music! Carrying on along the pavement, Derek had now slightly shifted to having his hands in his pocket, not because the weather had changed but simply because he genuinely had no idea what to do with his hands. Usually he was always directing or always working on something but here, now, he had nothing to do hence why his hands weren't busy.
After walking a little further and dodging a fairly large number of people, he was finally alone with his thoughts in a little side road with a few cafes scattered along it. It was peaceful but being alone with his thoughts never usually ended well for Derek. That was why he was ridiculously pleased to spot Karen walking just a little further up. He increased his pace up to a slow jog and quietly jogged up behind her. Once he was about a metre behind her he slowed to a saunter, leaned forward and whispered, "You know, my dear, we really have to stop meeting like this."
Karen jumped slightly before giving a small chuckle as she quickly recognised who it was. "You know Derek, this could be considered as stalking," she retorted playfully before slowing so he was walking next to her.
"Now that hurt," Derek stated a lock of mock hurt across his face and a hand on his heart in an exaggerated reaction. Quickly they fell into step and walked a little bit in silence, both surprised at how comfortable this felt. "So what are you doing in this little quiet street?" he asked curious, he assumed that she…well…actually he never really knew what to assume about her. They had only really known each other for about a week.
"Well because it's exactly that; 'a quiet little street,'" she replied, putting on her best British accent when quoting him. He simply laughed and shook his head before hearing her ask the same question.
"For the exact same reason,"
"Yeah, all those people chasing you must be a real nightmare!" she stated with a knowing smile on her face trying to stifle a laugh.
"You found out who I am," he said; it was more of a question than a statement but either way he was curious.
"Derek Wills, director extraordinaire and well-known womaniser," she said while skipping slightly in front, turning around and waving her arms out in front as if reading his name in lights. At this he couldn't help but laugh before a small frown came to settle on his face.
"Hey, Derek what's the matter? I thought you wanted me to know, I mean that's all you would ever ask when you came into the café," she said with concern in her voice.
"No I did, I do, it's just," he started wondering whether or not he should carry on. Karen gave him a reassuring smile, the type of smile that gently urged Derek to carry on. "It's just as soon as people know who I am, they want something, it was nice having someone not know who I am," he continued surprised as to how vulnerable he sounded.
"Hey, Derek, look at me. I don't want anything from you, I promise, just your friendship. I know it has only been something like a week, but if I'm honest I think I have seen you more than my boyfriend. And in all honesty, I would love to have you as a friend, you know if you want that is," she replied before ducking her head in embarrassment. It was strange to Karen, how much that sounded like she was asking him out and when she finally gained the courage to look at him, she was surprised to see him with a broad smile and raised eyebrows. "What?" she asked.
"You know, Love, it was ridiculous how much it sounded like you were asking me out just then!" he answered with amusement hovering in his voice. Karen playfully swatted his arm before laughing and shaking her head.
After a couple more minutes in a comfortable silence, Derek turned to Karen and said, "Yes." This only brought about a confused look from her, "What?" she asked.
"Yes, I would like to be friends," he said the amusement plain and clear for the whole world to hear and in response Karen laughed and shook her head again in embarrassment. Quickly, they fell back into their comfortable walk occasionally sharing a few laughs, and maybe even a few stolen glances if they were being honest.
It was then that Derek spotted what looked to be an abandoned building. The front door was boarded up with edges charred slightly, planks of wood covering up the windows but not so much that you could still see inside. Inside – what little he could see of it – was run down, as if no one had lived there in years, what looked to be white curtains were now discoloured with soot and years of being in damp conditions.
The fire. His lungs were filling with smoke, but he didn't care he just coughed it out. The once beautiful red stage curtains were discoloured with soot and quickly bits were falling of the ceiling. But still, he couldn't move - he was stuck. His leg was no doubt broken and his companion was still losing consciousness.
"Derek? Are you okay?" Karen asked after turning around and finding Derek frozen in the middle of the street just staring. She walked a bit closer to him to find him shaking slightly, sweat starting to settle on his brow and his breathing became laboured almost on the verge of hyperventilating.
"Derek!" she shouted, still trying to regain his attention but it was to no avail. At the sound of his name Derek would look at her, but it wasn't that look that showed he was still with her - it wasn't even a look that showed he even recognised her.
"Derek," he whispered his breathing now laboured and his once eloquent ability of speech now flawed with forced coughs and a ragged voice. "Derek, you need to go!" he shouted, with the last bit of energy he had left. The beam that was lying on his back finally taking its toll; Derek knew that there was very little chance that both of them were going to come out of there alive but he also knew that this man lying in front of him wasn't just anyone. It was his brother…
"Derek!" Karen shouted again hoping to be more successful. It had been about five minutes since she first saw him unresponsive to her calls but it felt like hours and by now she certainly knew what was going on. She had seen it before in her uncle but she never thought she would ever have to deal with it again, especially with her boyfriend having one of the most boring, tightrope-walking, straight speaking jobs she had ever seen. Now she knew what to do.
One last time Karen shouted his name, the only difference is she took hold of both his arms firmly and gave him a firm shake. His eyes darted to her, but it was filled with terror, guilt and anger but he wasn't looking at her – he was looking through her. After one last shake he finally looked at her, she whispered over and over again that it was alright.
"You are okay, do you understand?" she asked but still she got no response so she tried again. "You are okay, you are fine," she repeated and this time she got a timid nod from him. She could tell that he was in no condition to talk or to even be out on his own. As mothering as it sounds, she was afraid that he could potentially walk out on to a busy road without even realising it and she was not about to lose a friend. Instinctively, she took his hand in her own and carried on walking, only this time more purposely. She had a destination now.
After a couple of minutes Derek spoke up, "Where are we going?" His voice sounded unfamiliar to himself, it was hoarse, timid – weak.
"Home," she simply stated and carried on walking with such conviction that Derek found it hard to believe it was the same Karen that was just laughing and joking less the half an hour ago. Then again he wasn't exactly the same Derek that was laughing and joking less than half an hour ago.
"Exactly which home are we talking about here?" he said attempting to re-gain of the situation; whatever the situation actually was, but his question seemed to be falling on deaf ears and that's when he knew. Karen knew what was going on; she saw what happened to him, she knows something that even he doesn't.
Karen carried on walking with determination and refused to ease up until they were safe behind closed doors and she could find out what the hell happened. Derek had stopped asking questions, not that she answered any of them but at least he accepted that he wasn't going to get any answers. At least that was what she hoped anyway until he stopped dead in his tracks. She turned around slowly fearful of finding him with the same distant look as earlier.
She breathed a sigh of relief when he was still looking at her but she only grew more confused. Patiently though she waited – waited until Derek provided an answer, "I can't go out there looking with you dragging me across the street!" he exclaimed.
"Well, what do you want me to do? Leave you and hope you don't wonder into the middle of the street?" Karen questioned, determination and exasperation laced in her words. If the truth were to be told, Derek would say no, no I don't want you to go and leave because I know they would come back, but he wasn't going to do that. He never would; that would mean that he is weak, that he can't handle things. He could! So he keeps telling himself…
"Well, do you?" Karen questioned again after witnessing a silent Derek. In response he shook his head slowly but then quickly spoke up. "Fine, but at least let go of me. We'll grab a cab and go back to my apartment," he replied still trying to scavenge his 'dominance' or what little of it was left. Relenting, Karen agreed and they walked out of the once peaceful street and on to the busy pavements that was New York. Finding a cab was no problem and in less than five minutes the pair was making their way back to Derek's apartment.
"You know, don't you?" he asked timidly while he sat on the couch rubbing his hands together.
"What that Marilyn production has been put on hold?" Ivy replied handing Tom a glass of water before settling beside him. It had been a couple of weeks since they had last spoken and the last things that he had said to her were to not worry she'll have her chance soon.
Tom nodded before apologising and quickly getting up to leave leaving Ivy flabbergasted still sitting on the couch. Well, there's not much else to do now really just stick it out and hope for the best, she thought before turning on some music and doing the washing up.
"Do you want a drink?" Derek asked Karen trying to gain some normality back.
"Derek I think you have PTSD," Karen blurted out once they were in the safety of his apartment. She had seen all the signs before in more people than she could care to count, (it wasn't only her uncle), and she knew what to look for. Derek stumbled back slightly before going and sitting down on the couch in the living area. He didn't know what to say; he wasn't sure whether he should jump up for joy for knowing what he does or sink back because he does know what it is.
"Are you sure?" he finally asked looking up with such pleading that she had to do a double take just to make sure she had gone back with the same man.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure but I think you should get checked up," she replied before turning to go to the door.
"Where are you going?" Derek asked after he spotted her walking towards the door.
"Home, I figured you could use some time by yourself," she simply stated but he stopped her and called her to sit down with him.
"Stay, please," he whispered while looking up at her.