This is set a two years after the end of season 2

MAJOR SPOILERS SO DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW SERIES ENDS IN TERMS OF COUPLES. WHAT HAPPENS WITH CARTWILLS IN BETWEEN NOW AND THE SERIES END IS MY IMIAGINATION AS WELL AS WHO REALLY DIES OR GETS PREGNANT. (SOMEONE DOES DIE AND SOMEONE GETS PREGNANT BUT THESE ARE JUST MY GUESSES AS TO WHO)

Lastly, I own no characters of Smash.

"Kyle, are you ready to go?" Karen cooed at the young boy as she readied to leave the grocery store. Her son smiled but his attention was clearly captivated by something behind her. Before Karen could turn to follow his gaze, she heard a familiar voice.

"Karen?" the voice still gave her chills. Her stomach in knots she turned to face the one person she had tried so desperately to forget.

"Derek," she replied; her eyes fully taking in his appearance. His light emerald green eyes still bore the same intensity and standing in front of him she still felt as though he could see straight through her. Time seemed to have been good to him as aside from a few more wrinkles around his eyes he looked the same as she remembered. Not realizing how long she had gone without saying anything she was drawn out of her revere when her son reached for the man who had caught his attention.

Derek smiled, "Do you mind?" he asked extending his arms towards the child.

"Uh no," she replied, her voice a betrayal of her nerves. She handed the toddler over and watched as Derek spoke ""Hey buddy! What's your name?" He looked to Karen for a response.

"Kyle," she answered.

Derek gave her a thoughtful smile and took a minute to admire the child. Just the mention of the name immediately took him back to the young writer who had change of the course of their lives.

"What are you doing here?" the brunette asked. "In New York I mean? I thought you and Ivy had moved to London."

Not trusting his emotions Derek asked "Would you and Kyle like to grab a coffee?" Not wanting to create problems for her with Jimmy, he quickly added "that is if you think Jimmy won't mind."

"Coffee sounds nice," she said a shy smile playing on the corner of her lips.

"Good, do you need help with the bags or with Kyle?"

"He seems pretty comfortable in your arms, do you mind?"

"Not at all, shall we get out of here?" he playfully asked the young boy whose hands merrily tapped Derek's cheek.

The three walked in silence for part of the way to the small café Karen had picked. Midway to their destination, the young mother broke the silence. "Jimmy and I aren't together," she said.

Derek turned his head "I'm sorry," it all he could think of. He felt his heart beat faster and suddenly he thought he might hyperventilate.

"Don't be, it was for the best it ended. I have to say though, I got the best part of the relationship," she finished looking at her son. "He just wasn't ready to let go of his past and when I found out I was pregnant I couldn't take a chance he would slip back into drinking or drugs. He was never abusive but his mood after that day was all over the place. He saw Kyle the day after he was born and hasn't been around since."

"How have you managed? Being in London, I haven't kept up with Broadway."

Karen gave a mock look of surprise, "I'm recording an album and I teach vocals at a local school. Until Kyle is a little older I've put Broadway on hold."

They had finally arrived at the small café and Kyle was fast asleep in Derek's arms. As they found a place to sit Karen reached to take her son back, "I know he can get heavy let me take him from you."

"He isn't heavy and if you don't mind I rather enjoy carrying him."

"I don't mind at all." She answered him. She noticed a distant look in Derek's eyes as he took in Kyle's sleeping form but before she could question him he continued to talk.

"I'm glad to hear about the album but you have too much talent not to pursue Broadway."

"Without anyone to watch Kyle during rehearsals Broadway has to wait for now. But enough about me how are Ivy and the baby?"

The distant look Karen had seen earlier in Derek returned, "Ivy had a miscarriage about three months into the pregnancy. That is why we moved to London."

"Derek, oh my god I'm so sorry."

"She was so depressed, I thought if I got her away from New York it would help. In reality, it made it worse. She left me about two months after we arrived in London. Her note said I was free now to fight for the woman I really loved. I haven't seen or heard from her since."

Karen was shocked and had no idea how to respond. The silence concerned Derek so he quickly offered an apology. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't be pouring all of this on you. Tell me, what happened with you and Jimmy?"

"It's alright to be sad Derek," she said, as she reached out her hand to cover his.

Derek looked at her. He turned his hand in hers so that his palm faced up and slowly he intertwined their fingers. "That's just it, Love. I'm sorry for the loss of my child. I never knew how much I wanted to be a father until I lost the chance: and there isn't a day that doesn't go by I don't think of what it would be like to hold him. I'm sorry I couldn't do more to ease Ivy's pain; but I'm not sorry that I am free now or that fate let me run into you tonight."

Upon hearing Derek's statement the pair sat silently lost in their own thoughts.

Flashback March 2012

It had been two weeks since Derek had made his feelings for Karen known and he had given up any hope of maintaining a friendship. When he had tried to warn her about Jimmy's past she accused him of being a jealous old man. Her words and rejection hurt him deeply and his reaction had been far from appropriate. Instead of explaining his decision for expanding the role of the Diva, he intentionally shut her out from the creative process. In that moment, he didn't care if she thought he was retaliating he just couldn't stand to be near her knowing she despised him.

They avoided each other and fought fiercely over scenes. During that period he had tried to find solace in Ivy's arms. The mutual agreement with the blonde actress for a causal relationship had worked to some degree; until that fateful night. He had been sitting alone in his apartment when he was informed by the doorman of a visitor. Never did he imagine she would look for him. When he took in her appearance he could tell she had been crying.

Leading her to the living area she sat herself on the couch. She told him she had confronted Jimmy a week ago about his past. She had found a bag of cocaine in his jacket pocket and after a heated argument, the composer admitted to being in trouble with a drug dealer. He explained it was the main reason he had wanted their relationship to initially remain a secret but assured Karen everything was safe now. When she pressed him for an answer as to how he got the money to pay the debt, he was left with no choice and came clean that Derek had lent him the money.

Derek could see Karen was trying to fight back tears as she recalled their conversation but she finally broke down when she apologized for ever doubting him. Kyle had also explained to her the idea to expand the Diva role had been his, Julia and Scott's. She told him that in arguing with Jimmy she realized Derek was the only man who ever made her feel safe and the only man who had never lied to her. In fact, he had been brutally honest even when it meant she would turn her back on him.

She continued to cry and Derek took her in his arms and held her close. After a few minutes she pulled away and when their eyes locked she leaned forward capturing his lips. She told him she wanted to try. She wanted more than friendship but admitted to being scared and asked if they could go slowly. Most of all, she didn't want to hide. Derek thought he was dreaming but when her lips found his again, he realized it very real. They spent the rest of night enjoying the intimacy of being in each other's arms and even though they didn't have sex, Derek had never been so content.

The following day they arrived at the theater together and subtly let everyone know they were more than friends now. Jimmy who had been on constant mood swings for the past several weeks acted no different but Derek and Karen were careful not to throw the fact they were dating in his face. The weeks following their announcement Derek and Karen spent most of their time away from the theater together. Derek had immediately informed Ivy he no longer wanted a casual relationship. She was disappointed but seemed to understand. Derek for once in his life felt whole.

It was three days before Hit List opened on Broadway and he had spent the night at Karen's apartment. The next morning they decided to walk to the theater. When they arrived, Tom was standing on the front steps waiting for them. From the look on his face, the couple could tell he wasn't going to be the bearer of good news.

"Tom," Derek greeted.

"Derek, Karen; I don't know how to tell you this but something happened to Kyle this morning."

"What, is he alright?" Karen asked her voice in a panic.

Tom shook his head, "He didn't make it, and he was dead by the time the paramedics arrived. Julia was here with Scott, and the three were going over notes, when Kyle suddenly collapsed. They tried CPR but it didn't work. I'm sorry."

Karen felt herself wanting to collapse but Derek caught her. He held her close not sure of what to say. Finally Derek asked "Has anyone told Jimmy?"

Tom nodded no. "Scott thought it was best to tell everyone in person. Julia called me because she didn't want to tell you over the phone and both she and Scott went to the hospital."

"Thank you," Derek replied.

Ana arrived at the theater shortly after Karen and Derek and twenty minutes later Jimmy strolled in with two blonde women on his arm. As soon as he saw everyone's face and Kyle was missing he knew something was wrong. The moment he heard the news he left.

Kyle's death would change everything. Jimmy composed himself long enough to perform opening night but Karen was so guilt ridden she began to distance herself from Derek. She told him she couldn't leave Jimmy alone, she was afraid he would do something stupid. She may love Derek but she would never be able to live with herself if she didn't try to help him. Just like that Derek had lost the woman he loved.

Three weeks later Ivy told Derek she was pregnant. For once in his life he decided to do the right thing. He was going to try to make things work. He may not have been be in love with Ivy but he did care for her, he did love her in his own way. He knew one thing; he wasn't going to abandon her like his father had abandoned his mother.

End of Flashback

"Do you ever think how things might have been if Kyle hadn't died?" Karen asked her voice almost whisper.

"I use to every day," Derek answered his eyes still locked on their intertwined hands.

Karen caught the fact Derek had said 'use to' and braced herself for the rejection her next question might bring. "What made you stop thinking about it?"

"I'm here with you right now. And I know it has been a long time but all I'm asking for is a chance. I promise we can take it as slow as you want."

Karen was afraid to look at him. She never once regretted having Kyle but she too had often wondered what if. "Kyle and I come as a package deal." She told him, her eyes still not looking up. "I can't afford to start something unless I know it includes him."

Derek looked at the young boy in his arm and back to Karen, "I understand and I have no intention of starting something I can't finish. I'm in this for as long as you are."

Karen raised their intertwined hands and placed a soft kiss on Derek's knuckles. "I never stopped caring for you."

Derek smiled "Then shall I walk you and Kyle home. I would love nothing more than to help you tuck him in and give you a proper good night kiss."

The three exited the café ready to start again.