Abyss (R) (Smash) PART 10
Title: Abyss
Author: blackpoetcat
Rating: R
Character: Derek Wills
Disclaimer: NBC owns all, just playing drama with
Summary: Everyone knows he doesn't give a shit about anything but the show. So when Derek's life capsizes, will anyone give a shit about him?
( Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9)
After the conversation, Derek spent some time just lying on his cot and trying to concentrate on what kind of books he might borrow from the jail's library. To think of the one person he had on his mind, albeit involuntarily, when he talked about women's behaviour would be sailing extremely dangerous waters and he didn't want to collide with those reefs again. But he was pulled out of his reverie quickly when O'Shaugn appeared at his cell door and announced a visitor.
Eager to get away from thinking at all, Derek looked forward to meet Bellamy; but again, he was led to the other visitor's area. For a brief moment he considered if perhaps Eileen had changed her mind, but he dismissed the idea only seconds later for fiction. She had been right to fire him and she was way too angry at him to alter her point of view about abandoning him completely in less than a day. But who else would come to see him?
Derek had absolutely no clue; therefore he was utterly surprised when he recognized his visitor and continued to stare at him in disbelief while he picked up the phone.
"Don't take it as an insult, but you are the last person I expected to come," he said by way of greeting, and saw an eyebrow rising.
"If you don't want me to be here, I can leave," Tom Levitt replied, but without the usual scorn or any sign of moving.
"No."
After all the time they had been fighting, it was a strange feeling for Derek to be truly glad to see Tom; accordingly difficult was it for him to say so.
"I... I don't want you to leave," he finally managed and tried to swallow down the sudden lump in his throat. "It's just that I didn't expect anyone from the cast at all, and definitely not you."
Levitt showed a small lopsided smile and shrugged.
"I ran into your attorney last night at the hotel and helped him pack your things. When he told me what you need, I decided to bring your writing stuff and toiletries. Already turned everything over to the officers; you'll get it as soon as they've searched everything to make sure I'm not smuggling in weapons. Or a cake with a file in it."
Derek's eyes widened, and again he had to fight with a sudden speechlessness. The pure fact that Tom Levitt of all people felt up to support him, even if in such minor matter, knocked him over.
"Thank you," was all he could say at first, then he lowered his head and bit his lower lip before he was able to ask: "Did... Did Eileen tell you..."
"That she fired you? Of course," Levitt confirmed. "She pronounced it to the cast like trumpet horns at a triumph march in ancient Rome. When we are back in New York, Gustavo Dominguez will join 'Bombshell' as new director."
Derek looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"Dominguez? Wasn't he working on a Musical version of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'?"
Tom snickered and a broad grin grew on his lips.
"He quit when Johnny Depp rejected the offer to take up his movie character on stage."
Now Derek, too, chuckled and shook his head.
"Unbelievable. He really asked him? What a fool."
"Well, at least this fool isn't charged with anything capable of destroying our show." Levitt dryly reminded Derek of his precarious situation.
"You're right," Derek had to admit, and clenched his jaw.
"So tell me, Derek," Tom started and intensified his gaze. "Is it true that you don't remember anything but drinking with that poor girl -- or are you just pretending a black-out because you don't have the balls to bear the consequences of losing control?"
Though he was taken aback by this blunt inquiry, a kind of courage he had never given Tom credit for, Derek held eye contact without the tiniest flinch and countered: "What do you think?"
Again, Levitt showed a small smile.
"I think you are an arrogant bastard who, even on the edge of years of imprisonment, still behaves like the same asshole as ever," he stated, astonishingly without getting into the angry condition Derek was used to. "Come on; try to be a reasonable human being, just for once, and give me an honest answer!"
If anyone had told Derek that he would ever have a conversation like this with Tom Levitt, of all people, he would have laughed. But not only was Tom here and had brought his stuff -- he actually seemed to be really interested in the truth. Not only out of curiosity; there was something in Levitt's eyes Derek couldn't name properly, but it made him feel less abandoned. Whatever it was, he felt suddenly comfortable with talking about the whole story and started right away, never taking his eyes from Tom's to prove his sincerity.
"Okay, yes. I really had a black-out. The last thing I remember is drinking with a blonde girl in an unfamiliar bar. Next memory is the terrible headache I had when waking in my hotel room, around forty-five minutes before rehearsal. When the police showed me a photo of that Tracy Peterson, I knew that she was the one I shared drinks with, but I can't remember anything after that, no matter how hard I try. And despite the plain evidences, like my sperm in a condom they found in her bathroom -- I don't feel guilty! There is absolutely no change in my feelings or in my eyes when I look in the mirror, Tom! Nothing more than general sorrow that a young woman is dead. And..."
For a short moment Derek interrupted his speech to inhale, he hesitated again but went on after a few seconds:
"And... I never tied up any sex partners, let alone gagged them! Not even when they asked me to do it, because I don't like it; it is not my style. So, why for God's sake would I have done it this time? It is forensically proved that she was not raped, neither by me nor anyone else. So when the sex was mutual, why would I tie her up and gag her? There's no logic in that!"
The time they went on just looking at each other felt like an eternity for Derek. He couldn't read anything in Levitt's face. For the first time since they were acquainted, the composer hid his emotions too well to be read, a completely new experience for Derek. And not one he was enjoying right now -- quite the contrary! To be forced to wait for a reaction was far more unnerving than any confrontation they'd ever had.
Finally, Tom not only smiled, but said quietly: "I see. And I believe you."
"You... you really..."
To hear those words from his long-time opponent was more relief than Derek could have imagined. He closed his eyes for a short moment and took a deep breath before he locked eyes again with Levitt.
"Thank you, Tom. You have no idea what it means to me that you don't condemn me."
"Wait, I didn't say that," Levitt protested, but in a teasing manner. "You have done more than enough to deserve condemnation. But in this special matter... I think you have way too much experience in using women just for sex and dropping them instantly afterwards. In my opinion there is no reason why you should have acted so atypically, even totally drunk. No, I honestly believe that you are not guilty."
Tom smiled encouragingly and Derek was utterly grateful that he had actually been gifted with a supporter, especially with one he never would have counted on.
"Tom, I don't know what to say; how to thank you..."
"We'll find a way when you're back," Tom grinned. "You can be sure I will remind you!"
"Of course," Derek replied, but let out a sigh instantly. "I will not be back, even if I get free. Eileen... She fired me for good and even threatened to get a court order to keep me away from 'Bombshell'."
Now it was Levitt's turn to frown.
"I know she's extremely pissed; but I didn't think she was that pissed." He squinted and then suddenly looked at his watch and winced.
"Speaking of Eileen -- I have to leave or I'll miss the train! No need to enhance her fury."
"No; least of all by having to explain where you were. Or did you tell her?" Derek inquired, though he was pretty certain of the answer.
"Of course not! She would have skinned and roasted me on the spot," Tom answered. "So, keep your tail up, we'll stay in contact. But to be on the safe side, give your letters for me to Mr. Bellamy, I'll tell him where he can send them. Better not let Eileen getting wind of it."
"Definitely not; in her current mood she is liable to fire you, too," Derek agreed. "Thanks again, Tom; and -- break a leg!"
"You too. Bye, Derek."
"Bye, Tom."
***
Long after he was brought back to his cell, Derek still smiled -- even more when he finally got his toiletries and writing equipment. When the library's trolley appeared, he picked a novel which promised some fun instead of the drama he would have preferred before Tom's visit. There was no real change in his situation, but to know that someone believed him and cared about him felt like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Continued in Part 11
Author: blackpoetcat
Rating: R
Character: Derek Wills
Disclaimer: NBC owns all, just playing drama with
Summary: Everyone knows he doesn't give a shit about anything but the show. So when Derek's life capsizes, will anyone give a shit about him?
( Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9)
After the conversation, Derek spent some time just lying on his cot and trying to concentrate on what kind of books he might borrow from the jail's library. To think of the one person he had on his mind, albeit involuntarily, when he talked about women's behaviour would be sailing extremely dangerous waters and he didn't want to collide with those reefs again. But he was pulled out of his reverie quickly when O'Shaugn appeared at his cell door and announced a visitor.
Eager to get away from thinking at all, Derek looked forward to meet Bellamy; but again, he was led to the other visitor's area. For a brief moment he considered if perhaps Eileen had changed her mind, but he dismissed the idea only seconds later for fiction. She had been right to fire him and she was way too angry at him to alter her point of view about abandoning him completely in less than a day. But who else would come to see him?
Derek had absolutely no clue; therefore he was utterly surprised when he recognized his visitor and continued to stare at him in disbelief while he picked up the phone.
"Don't take it as an insult, but you are the last person I expected to come," he said by way of greeting, and saw an eyebrow rising.
"If you don't want me to be here, I can leave," Tom Levitt replied, but without the usual scorn or any sign of moving.
"No."
After all the time they had been fighting, it was a strange feeling for Derek to be truly glad to see Tom; accordingly difficult was it for him to say so.
"I... I don't want you to leave," he finally managed and tried to swallow down the sudden lump in his throat. "It's just that I didn't expect anyone from the cast at all, and definitely not you."
Levitt showed a small lopsided smile and shrugged.
"I ran into your attorney last night at the hotel and helped him pack your things. When he told me what you need, I decided to bring your writing stuff and toiletries. Already turned everything over to the officers; you'll get it as soon as they've searched everything to make sure I'm not smuggling in weapons. Or a cake with a file in it."
Derek's eyes widened, and again he had to fight with a sudden speechlessness. The pure fact that Tom Levitt of all people felt up to support him, even if in such minor matter, knocked him over.
"Thank you," was all he could say at first, then he lowered his head and bit his lower lip before he was able to ask: "Did... Did Eileen tell you..."
"That she fired you? Of course," Levitt confirmed. "She pronounced it to the cast like trumpet horns at a triumph march in ancient Rome. When we are back in New York, Gustavo Dominguez will join 'Bombshell' as new director."
Derek looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"Dominguez? Wasn't he working on a Musical version of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'?"
Tom snickered and a broad grin grew on his lips.
"He quit when Johnny Depp rejected the offer to take up his movie character on stage."
Now Derek, too, chuckled and shook his head.
"Unbelievable. He really asked him? What a fool."
"Well, at least this fool isn't charged with anything capable of destroying our show." Levitt dryly reminded Derek of his precarious situation.
"You're right," Derek had to admit, and clenched his jaw.
"So tell me, Derek," Tom started and intensified his gaze. "Is it true that you don't remember anything but drinking with that poor girl -- or are you just pretending a black-out because you don't have the balls to bear the consequences of losing control?"
Though he was taken aback by this blunt inquiry, a kind of courage he had never given Tom credit for, Derek held eye contact without the tiniest flinch and countered: "What do you think?"
Again, Levitt showed a small smile.
"I think you are an arrogant bastard who, even on the edge of years of imprisonment, still behaves like the same asshole as ever," he stated, astonishingly without getting into the angry condition Derek was used to. "Come on; try to be a reasonable human being, just for once, and give me an honest answer!"
If anyone had told Derek that he would ever have a conversation like this with Tom Levitt, of all people, he would have laughed. But not only was Tom here and had brought his stuff -- he actually seemed to be really interested in the truth. Not only out of curiosity; there was something in Levitt's eyes Derek couldn't name properly, but it made him feel less abandoned. Whatever it was, he felt suddenly comfortable with talking about the whole story and started right away, never taking his eyes from Tom's to prove his sincerity.
"Okay, yes. I really had a black-out. The last thing I remember is drinking with a blonde girl in an unfamiliar bar. Next memory is the terrible headache I had when waking in my hotel room, around forty-five minutes before rehearsal. When the police showed me a photo of that Tracy Peterson, I knew that she was the one I shared drinks with, but I can't remember anything after that, no matter how hard I try. And despite the plain evidences, like my sperm in a condom they found in her bathroom -- I don't feel guilty! There is absolutely no change in my feelings or in my eyes when I look in the mirror, Tom! Nothing more than general sorrow that a young woman is dead. And..."
For a short moment Derek interrupted his speech to inhale, he hesitated again but went on after a few seconds:
"And... I never tied up any sex partners, let alone gagged them! Not even when they asked me to do it, because I don't like it; it is not my style. So, why for God's sake would I have done it this time? It is forensically proved that she was not raped, neither by me nor anyone else. So when the sex was mutual, why would I tie her up and gag her? There's no logic in that!"
The time they went on just looking at each other felt like an eternity for Derek. He couldn't read anything in Levitt's face. For the first time since they were acquainted, the composer hid his emotions too well to be read, a completely new experience for Derek. And not one he was enjoying right now -- quite the contrary! To be forced to wait for a reaction was far more unnerving than any confrontation they'd ever had.
Finally, Tom not only smiled, but said quietly: "I see. And I believe you."
"You... you really..."
To hear those words from his long-time opponent was more relief than Derek could have imagined. He closed his eyes for a short moment and took a deep breath before he locked eyes again with Levitt.
"Thank you, Tom. You have no idea what it means to me that you don't condemn me."
"Wait, I didn't say that," Levitt protested, but in a teasing manner. "You have done more than enough to deserve condemnation. But in this special matter... I think you have way too much experience in using women just for sex and dropping them instantly afterwards. In my opinion there is no reason why you should have acted so atypically, even totally drunk. No, I honestly believe that you are not guilty."
Tom smiled encouragingly and Derek was utterly grateful that he had actually been gifted with a supporter, especially with one he never would have counted on.
"Tom, I don't know what to say; how to thank you..."
"We'll find a way when you're back," Tom grinned. "You can be sure I will remind you!"
"Of course," Derek replied, but let out a sigh instantly. "I will not be back, even if I get free. Eileen... She fired me for good and even threatened to get a court order to keep me away from 'Bombshell'."
Now it was Levitt's turn to frown.
"I know she's extremely pissed; but I didn't think she was that pissed." He squinted and then suddenly looked at his watch and winced.
"Speaking of Eileen -- I have to leave or I'll miss the train! No need to enhance her fury."
"No; least of all by having to explain where you were. Or did you tell her?" Derek inquired, though he was pretty certain of the answer.
"Of course not! She would have skinned and roasted me on the spot," Tom answered. "So, keep your tail up, we'll stay in contact. But to be on the safe side, give your letters for me to Mr. Bellamy, I'll tell him where he can send them. Better not let Eileen getting wind of it."
"Definitely not; in her current mood she is liable to fire you, too," Derek agreed. "Thanks again, Tom; and -- break a leg!"
"You too. Bye, Derek."
"Bye, Tom."
***
Long after he was brought back to his cell, Derek still smiled -- even more when he finally got his toiletries and writing equipment. When the library's trolley appeared, he picked a novel which promised some fun instead of the drama he would have preferred before Tom's visit. There was no real change in his situation, but to know that someone believed him and cared about him felt like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Continued in Part 11