I know it has been years since I last updated this story, but I came across it the other day and, while I'm not sure if anyone still reads smash fanfiction, I wanted to finish what I started. I own nothing, the characters belong to Smash.

After Karen's birthday celebration, time seemed to be on hyperdrive as the creative team together with the young actors and ensemble worked nonstop to keep their aspirations of opening on Broadway this season alive. Sam had been a God sent to Derek as he helped mentor some of the less experienced members of the ensemble to keep up with the pace of learning new routines. Having the extra time allowed Derek to work with Frank and Leo on perfecting how he could weave modern technology into the show. So much of Kyle and Julia's vision revolved around the ability of the audience to participate and interact with the cast. The difficulty was allowing the interaction without harming the musical's integrity. Yes, the creative team wanted their audience to feel vested in their production and they wanted each show to be unique because of the crowd's participation; but the last thing they wanted to happen was for the crowd to be disappointed if the show strayed from what they called for. There needed to be some way for the director to be able to manipulate how he wanted the crowd to react so that regardless of the outcome they would feel they played a part in its determination.

It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon when Leo provided the perfect solution. Having never really interacted with the young man prior to Bombshell's implosion, Derek was surprised by his intelligence and understanding of scenes needed to flow. Derek made a mental note to discuss with Julia his desire to make sure Leo got the recognition he deserved. The young man had brilliantly suggested creating a social media account for a persona that could act as a narrator. The persona would be linked to Amanda and the Diva in some way, and it would be his need or desire for input that would guide the audience's response. Derek was excited and immediately called Julia and Kyle over to his office. Once Leo explained his idea, Julia and Kyle in unison responded with "the manager."

"The manager played by Dennis, would first be introduced through Amanda, the fresh raw talent he wants to sign and whom he sees as his ticket back to relevancy." Julia continues. "Yeah, but in wanting to promote his new talent, he has to face the wrath of the Diva." Kyle adds. "He is torn between wanting to be loyal to the Diva and wanting to become iconic which he believes Amanda can provide to him," "The manager can ask for the audience's advice." Derek stated. "Do you think you can write two different versions of the ending?" Derek asked. Julia and Leo's eyes widen, "you mean let the audience pick who lives and dies?" the red head can't help but smile as she asks the question. "That's brilliant!" Kyle exclaimed.

"Thank Leo here, it was his concept." Derek gave the young man a pat on the back. Julia and Frank looked on with pride as their son turned a bright shade of red. "Now the only question is, can Karen write a second song as impactful as the first finale." Kyle questioned. Julia and Derek both looked at each other. "I think she already has," Julia was the first to respond as she remembered the eerie song she had played for Derek and her one evening after dinner. "Broadway Here I come," Frank asked knowingly. "Yup," Julia answered. "Depending on audience response, the song can either be used earlier as the signature song of the Diva or played at the end as the "Diva's farewell" Kyle finished. "Exactly!" Derek confirmed. "Better yet, what if the story started in flashback?" the director thinks out loud. The Diva walks out, lights are dim, her back faces the audience singing the beginning of the song. She then turns around and points the gun at the audience and bang! The theater goes black until Rewrite this story starts."

The team is stunned into silence. In a matter of minutes, they witnessed Derek take Hit from great to iconic. The Director lost in his own thoughts and didn't register the astonished looks on his creative team's faces. It wasn't until he heard the bubbly voice of one Karen Cartwright that his thoughts were broken.

"Hey guys!" the woman at the center of their discussion greeted. The singer who had to miss the morning session to attend a meeting with her record label stopped mid-sentence when all eyes turned to her. Not sure what to make of the attention, the singer gave a nervous laugh "uh do I have something on my face?" she asked. "Why is everyone looking at me?"

Derek couldn't help but chuckle. "We're sorry darling but Leo here just provided us with the solution to our audience dilemma and your masterpieces have made it a reality." "Really, wow! It seems I missed a lot." she smiled. Over the next 30 minutes Derek and Leo filled Karen in on what they envisioned while Kyle and Julia worked on rearranging the opening act. "How does he do it?" Kyle inquired. Julia looked at the young writer and knew exactly what he was referring to. "I don't know, to be honest" she smiles. "This is the first time I have ever borne witness to how he works but I can tell you, it's a moment that will change Broadway history." she informed.

"What do you mean?" Kyle asks. "If we can pull this off, Broadway will never be the same. Letting the audience decide the ending of a musical but texting or tweeting comments during the show, that is iconic." "Do you think we can do it?" "If anyone can lead us there, it's Derek."