Hi everybody! New chapter already because I have a lot of Smash feels. I still do not know what to call the new musical. If it ends up something really dumb, it's on you. But mostly me. Maybe a little bit on you. ;)

Tom and Julia are walking arm in arm, giddy as they walk to the studio. They pass a Bombshell poster, Tom smiles. The musical was a triumph, one of his proudest accomplishments yet. He pats Julia's hand, bringing her attention to the paper causing such sentimentality. They stop in the middle of the sidewalk, letting the happy feeling wash over them. A couple of college students brush past them, also glancing at the poster as they walk.

"I saw the Boston preview. I think Karen made a better Marilyn. Ivy's good, but Karen was Marilyn."

Both Tom and Julia's mouths drop in shock. Tom starts to walk in their direction but Julia tightens her grip on his arm.

"Tom, what are you doing?" She hisses in a whisper. His face calms as he is jerked back to the present, but only infinitesimally.

"Did you hear them?"

"Yeah, they said their opinion."

"An idiotic opinion."

"Of course, but you can't just beat up a couple students for having a stupid opinion."

"Ivy earned Marilyn, she is the only Marilyn."

"I know."

"She had that Marilyn quality Karen could never capture, no matter how much Derek thought otherwise."

"I know that too."

"Karen was soft and gentle, a vulnerable version of Marilyn. But Ivy is all versions of Marilyn. She has Marilyn's golden exterior, yet she can still capture the anguish and strength Marilyn hid so well. The damaged heart covered in diamonds. Karen is the sigh, Ivy is the tears behind the smile. You can't even compare them."

"I know, Tom. I know." Tom stops his rant, giving Julia an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, it's just..." He shrugs, not knowing how to explain his frustration.

"I understand." And she does.

She's seen both Tom and Ivy's struggle for recognition. Both of them had been known, but not as they'd wanted to be. Bombshell was their big break, Ivy as the star, Tom as the director. Something they'd been dreaming of for so long, and fighting so hard for, and yet even as they'd made it, they still have to keep fighting. It's beyond frustrating to watch, and most definitely worse to be going through. So yes, she understands.

"Come on, Mr. Director man. You've got a musical to run." She says playfully, eliciting a smile from Tom, tugging him along with her. Gaining back their brisk pace, they walk on.

"What's going on?" Karen asks as she walks to Derek.

"You need to learn this number. Yesterday you were struggling, and that can't happen again."

"I wasn't struggling, I was just distracted." She says defensively, her arms crossing. He simply sighs and gestures for her to come closer. She does so begrudgingly, her arms falling to her sides.

"Fine." She mutters.

"We'll take it from the second number, where you meet the guy that becomes Ivy's- Leah's boyfriend. Remember, he thinks he's into you in this scene, and you with him."

Karen nods, they dance. Derek doesn't say much, occasionally correcting her steps every once in a while. Whenever they touch, Karen has to ignore the weird feeling she gets in the pit of her stomach. She chalks it up to missing Jimmy. Even so, there's a warmth in her chest. But Derek's not looking at her, his gaze is distant and unfocused, even as he dances perfectly. He frowns when he dips her.

"What are you thinking about?" She asks when he lets her go.

"Ivy would kill me if she saw us dancing like this. It's nothing, but still. I promised..." He drifts off in the middle of his sentence and walks further away from her. Karen shrugs.

"You're not doing anything wrong."

"But it could look like-"

"It'll look like you're doing your job, teaching me choreography, which is what you're supposed to do." He just shakes his head and steps out of the room. Karen ignores the sting, not even knowing why it stings at all.

The rest of the crew trickle in, Tom and Julia occupying the only table in the room, Derek reappearing with Ivy. He pulls her to the back wall by the window, speaking to her in hushed tones. Karen doesn't eavesdrop, she's too old for that, but she can't help but overhear their conversation. After all, when one walks closer to a juicy bit of talk, they often catch snippets of what's being said.

"You had a private lesson with Karen? Really?" Ivy asks, disbelief coloring her voice.

"I was just trying to help her with choreography, that's it. I swear." Derek says, a pleading note in his tone, Karen's not sure she's ever heard him speak like that before. There's a moment when Ivy just studies Derek's face. Karen holds her breath, though she's not sure why she should be nervous.

"Ok."Ivy says.

Karen releases the pent up air. Sucks in another lungful.

"Ok?"

"I'm trusting you, Derek."

"Thank you. I won't mess this up. I promise." He says, relieved.

He kisses her, cupping her face in between his hands. Karen feels like she's intruding, even though they can't see her. Tom huffs, and she steps away from the couple as they pull apart.

"All right, everyone. Now that we're all focused, I wanted to introduce you to our new cast member. For the role of Nick, Ivy's love interest, Lyle West!" Tom announces, the room bursts into applause as the young star walks in. Ivy squeals and runs to hug him. Karen walks to Derek's side, noting that Derek looks a whole lot moodier than he did a few minutes ago.

"Lyle! I didn't know you were going to be in this! Why didn't you tell me?" Ivy asks happily when she pulls away, though she keeps her arms around Lyle's neck. Derek scowls.

"I wanted to surprise you. Congratulations on winning your Tony! You certainly deserved it." She hugs him again, then steps back as Tom calls for attention.

"Lyle, welcome. Ok, let's get started for today."

The workshop goes well, Karen and Lyle practicing their dance scene together for part of it. He's very smooth, very talented. Karen hadn't been expecting less, and yet she'd been surprised. What truly surprised her the most was how much Lyle would fawn over Ivy.

"It's almost as if she's the TV star and he's the star struck fan. Wonder what it is between them."

She'd muttered under her breath as he'd gazed starry-eyed at Ivy for the fifth time that day. Derek had heard her and grunted in agreement.

Afterwards, Derek walks over to Ivy's side as she chats with Lyle, his arm wrapping around her waist. If Lyle noticed the slightly protective gesture, he doesn't show it. Karen joins the group.

"We need to catch up sometime." Lyle is saying to Ivy as Karen walks up to him.

"Hi Lyle, I'm not sure we've met. I'm Karen Cartwright." She says, holding out her hand, he shakes it once, smiling.

"Oh, yeah. Hit List, right? Still haven't seen that."

"Would you like to? I could get you seats." Derek says.

"I'd love to. Ivy, would you like to see it with me?" Lyle asks, turning back to Ivy. Derek's hand tightens on her waist almost imperceptibly.

"Sorry, but I'm still Marilyn at night." She says, he laughs.

"That's right. Oh well, we can't deprive Broadway its Marilyn. Anyway, I've got to run, but I'll see you at Hit List." Lyle says to Karen. He kisses Ivy on the cheek, shakes Derek's hand, never wincing as Derek squeezes harder than necessary, and nods to Karen. Then he's gone.

Derek walks down the street with Ivy, she hums contentedly under her breath. She can tell he's brooding, but she won't address it.

"I didn't realize you and Lyle were so close." He says suddenly.

"So that's what's eating at you. I was wondering."

"I thought you and Lyle only met once?" He asks.

"We did." He frowns, she's avoiding his silent question. He doesn't actually want to ask, but he can tell Ivy knows, her smirk gives her away.

"Ivy."

"Derek." She teases, he sighs. "Something you want to ask?" She asks airily.

"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" He grumbles.

"Most definitely. But I'd enjoy it more with some food." She stops talking as they walk into a cafe, focusing only on her food. Finally, when she can no longer ignore the heavy scowl on her grump's face, she addresses him.

"Just say it, Derek. Your forehead wrinkle is practically screaming." Ivy says, he relaxes his face.

"Well you're avoiding the question."

"You haven't asked me anything."

"Fine. Did you-"

"No." He sighs in relief. Ivy laughs.

"Your jealousy is cute-"

"I'm not jealous."

"I'm not finished." She gives him a look, he huffs, his glare practically burning a hole through the poor, innocent table. "As I was saying, your jealousy is cute, but as unfounded as it is, I'm actually glad you feel that way right now."

Derek's gaze jerks up from staring at the table, Ivy's face is serious now.

"Keep this feeling in your mind every time someone catches your eye. Because you've put me through much worse than jealousy." Derek winces, Ivy reaches for his hand. He grabs onto it, she squeezes reassuringly.

"Sorry, I didn't want to bring that up, we've put that behind us, but I just wanted- I don't know. Sorry."

"I understand, and I'm the one who's sorry. For all of it." Derek says. She smiles sweetly, pulling him up from his chair.

"I know."

"I want to kiss you." He says, staring at her pink lips.

"I know that too, but we should really be heading home, I have to get a few things before I go to Bombshell."

"You're going to take a nap." Derek guesses.

"You caught me."

"Maybe I'll join you." He says, holding the cafe's door open for her. She smiles, patting his cheek in thanks as she passes him, grabbing his hand and pulling him along.

"Maybe you can. But we're actually going to sleep. I'm tired."

"Is it the baby?" Derek asks, concerned.

"Probably. Today hasn't been too bad though."

"When are we going to tell people?" Ivy bites her lip, walking slower.

"I'm not sure."

"We're going to have to tell people sooner or later."

"I know. Just, not yet."

"Ok." She looks up, worried that he's upset. He simply smiles gently at her.

"Let's go take a nap." He says, she relaxes.

"Ok."

"Hey Mom, can I ask you something?" Ivy says, walking up to Leigh's dressing room, leaning against the doorframe as she watches her mom remove her stage makeup. The show is done for tonight, and Ivy is exhausted. Leigh, looking in the mirror as she wipes off the heavy concealer, smiles at Ivy's reflection.

"Go ahead."

"What was it like, being pregnant with me while still working?"

"Tiring. Very, very tiring. And I wasn't even performing then, just recording an album."

"Do you think you could have performed though?"

"Of course, but it would have been bad for publicity. Nobody wants to see somebody pregnant onstage."

Leigh pauses, suddenly suspicious.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm just wondering." Ivy says, very nonchalantly. Leigh narrows her eyes.

"Are you and Derek trying?" Ivy opens her mouth, but Leigh interrupts before she's even said a word.

"Don't get pregnant Ivy, not this early into your career. You can't stop yet. You haven't made a big enough name for yourself to take a break."

"So having a kid is 'taking a break.' I was just a hobby, something you made because you had some free time."

"That's not what I meant."

"But it's what you think." With that Ivy walks away, makeup still fully on.

"Ivy, wait-" Leigh says, following after her. She almost catches up to her, but Ivy slips out the backstage door.

"Miss Leigh, I am such a big fan! Can I have your autograph?"

Leigh stares helplessly at Ivy's retreating back, walking so fast even the crowd can't stop her. She sighs. Then she smiles, ever the breathtaking vision of grace. A camera flashes.

"Of course. Anything for a fan."

"Thank you! I absolutely love you!"

The smile dims a moment, then brightens again.

"Thank you very much, I appreciate it."

The playbill is autographed, the person is replaced.

"Hi Miss Leigh! I adore you!"

"Hi Miss Leigh, can I have a photo with you? You're so amazing!"

"I love you!"

"I love you!"

"I love you!"

She's in a taxi, being driven away from the roar of a loving crowd. She's grateful for them, loves every second of that recognition, but the relative silence in the car is blissful. She pulls her phone from her purse. The tap of her fingers against the screen is quiet, but so loud to her ears.

You're overreacting.

Text delivered.

Read.

Ignored.

I didn't mean it like that.

Text delivered.

I'm sorry.

Read.

I love you.

Ignored.

She waits for the ding of a text.

The silence is deafening.

Ivy crashes into Derek as soon as she's through the apartment doors. He's on the couch, reading a script, when she practically jumps him. Her lips are hot on his, insistent. Her cheeks are wet to the touch, makeup smearing on his hands.

"Ivy, are you ok?"

"Don't talk, just kiss me."

"What's wrong?" She growls, kissing him harder. It's more teeth than anything, but Derek's not complaining.

"I can't drink, so you're the next best thing." She says, biting a trail from his ear down to his neck. It's rather distracting.

"Next best thing?" He says, more amused than offended. She groans in frustration. Derek almost loses coherent thought just from the sound. Still-

"Ivy, talk to me. Come on." She leans back, still on his lap. She sniffles.

"You want this baby, don't you?" She asks, calming down. But an oncoming storm waits in her eyes.

"Of course I do. So much." To his confusion, the storm darkens further.

"And you want me too, I'm not something to forget about when you tire of me. Not just something to have when you've got some spare time to kill."

"Never." She kisses him. Slower, but not softer. She nips his bottom lip.

"You want me." She whispers against his mouth. He pulls her face away to look her in the eyes. He stares into the depths of the storm, a chaos of emotions and thoughts he can't quite figure out. He doesn't try though, he just says the words that resonate in the core of his being.

"You're everything I want."

She kisses him, the honest truth of his words ringing through both of them.

"Please, just, kiss me. Please." She pleads, her hands twisting the fabric of his shirt. His answer is silent. He kisses her.

It's early in the morning, and Derek is very content. He's wrapped up in his sheets, and Ivy is wrapped up in his arms. It's not a bad way to wake up. Not bad at all. Ivy's phone shrieks, disturbing the calm. They both groan. Ivy slips out of his arms and gingerly walks on tiptoe, the floor cold to her feet. Derek just enjoys the view. Ivy searches for her phone, forgotten in the heat of last night. It's in the doorway, lying in a pile of clothes.

"Mom?" She asks groggily, still half asleep.

"What!?" She asks sharply, suddenly alert. Derek sits up, concerned at the alarm on her face.

"Ok. We'll be right there." She hangs up the phone. She rummages through the closet, throwing some clothes on the bed. She races to the bathroom, a flurry of sudden, frantic busyness.

"What is going on?" Derek asks.

"Get up," Ivy's panicked voice says. "We have to go to the hospital."