Yes, I'm still on a Life With Derek kick [and Dasey, of course].

No, I don't own the show or the characters; I'm just a fan; No copyright intended.

…

Knock knock knock. At the knocking at the door, Derek Venturi looked up from his armchair, confused; he wasn't expecting anyone.

"I've got it!" a voice cried out from upstairs. He rolled his eyes then; she was expecting someone apparently.

"Woah, woah, woah," Derek said as his stepsister Casey descended the stairs. "What the hell are you wearing?" Casey stopped and looked down at her outfit, confused; she was swearing simple low-heeled sandals, a skirt, and a top with a buttoned-over vest.

"Clothes?" she responded, confused at his outburst. "Why do you care what I wear?" she scoffed, turning to the door, where an impatient knockwas heard. Derek grabbed her wrist and turned her towards him. "Let go!" she exclaimed, pulling her wrist free and pushing him away. He stared at her, eyes burning in anger as she glared at him before she opened the door; he watched her face turn from a burning anger directed at him to a pleased happiness directed at whoever was at the door.

Derek surveyed the guy, not recognizing him; he obviously recognized Derek though, because his eyes widened slightly when he caught sight of his sneer.

"Derek," Casey said, turning to her stepbrother, "meet Romero, my date tonight," she said, looping her arm through his.

"Romero?" he asked, trying to hide the laughing smile that wanted to burst forth, "That's a… interesting name."

"I was born in Italy," he said in a light accent, nodding at Derek.

"Uh-huh… and how come I don't know you?" he asked, studying the guy; he was tall, maybe Derek's height, with dark wavy hair and dark, piercing eyes; he was lightly tan, with long lean muscles from what Derek could tell. He was dressed nicely, in pressed dark khaki pants and a button-up shirt.

"He goes to the private school on the other side of town," Casey said, glaring at Derek.

"Yes, and I met Casey at the Inter-School Competition. We hit it off right away." Casey smiled happily as Derek rolled his eyes.

"Ugh."

"Der-ek!" she hissed at him, making him smirk; he enjoyed riling her up.

"Whatever," he said, slouching back to his armchair. "Have fun… I guess." Casey waved at him before she and Romero disappeared. He watched the door for a moment, contempt burning in him; but it was only for a moment before he jumped up and grabbed his keys, slipping his leather jacket over his shoulders.

He was going to follow them.

…

Derek tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he watched them go and come in the restaurant before they made their way across town. He followed at a distance, but he figured he wouldn't be seen; they seemed too wrapped up in each other to notice his close proximity on their date. He watched them window shop for a bit, holding hands, nothing more.

This guy was the perfect gentleman, and it bothered Derek more than he would ever admit.

Grimacing, he turned around and began the drive home.

Their date was too boring for him to spy on anymore.

…

Casey smiled as her and Romero walked up to her front porch.

"I had a lot of fun tonight," she told him, already feeling herself falling for him. He was such a gentleman, and seemed like a good guy to her; better than some creeps she had dated.

"As did I," he said with a light smile, reaching for her hand. "Can I… come in?" Casey looked at him, surprised at his words.

"Uh, no," she said, pulling her hand away. "Not tonight… Besides, my family is home." She backed up to the door, his dark eyes piercing her.

"Oh. I see."

"I'm sor-" Casey was cut off by a brisk hand slapping her across the face. She stood there, mouth agape as her brain tried to process what had just happened. Then, the pain came on, full force; soon, the tears started too. She looked at him with her watery eyes, seeing his face hard.

"Do not cross me," he told her, holding her chin. "Do you understand?" She gulped and nodded shakily as he smiled; even with that, she could still see the malice in his eyes.

"Please, just let me go in," she whispered, her cheek burning and eyes teary.

"Stop crying, and then I will allow you to enter your house." She sniffled and tried to stop the tears, but to no avail. They continued to fall. "Tsk, Casey, I thought you were a better listener than that." Quickly, he raised his hand and slapped her again, making her cry out this time.

…

Derek had been lying on his bed, trying not to let the thought of Casey on a date bother him. He knew she would be home soon, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't waiting for her. He grimaced to himself as he saw headlights pull up into the driveway. He moved to his window, waiting. He couldn't see anything, and for that he was grateful.

He didn't want to see them kissing.

But then, after five minutes of no sounds, he heard a surprised cry.

And it sounded like Casey.

Bolting down the stairs, Derek was at the front door in an instant it seemed; he ripped it open to find Casey standing there, tears in her eyes and her cheek bright red, the beginnings of a light bruise forming on her delicate cheekbone already. He sneered at the guy and soon had his arm in a tight grip and twisted, almost to the breaking point. Romero was staggering under the pressure on his arm, his knees ready to give out.

"You ever touch again, hell, come near her again, and I swear you will regret it." Casey looked at Derek as he spoke these words, shocked to hear Derek of all people defending her.

"Derek," she said softly, "Stop."

"What?!" he asked her, turning his head to see her, still gripping the Italian's arm. "Are you seriously stupid enough to defend him after he hit you?" Casey lowered her eyes and shook her head.

"No, I just don't want to see you hurt him. Don't stoop to his level Derek." Derek thought about her words and pushed the guy down, letting go of his arm.

"I mean it. Come near her, and you'll have to deal with me." Romero looked at Derek, then at Casey.

"Casey, baby-girl, you know I didn't mean it." Derek looked at Casey, hoping she wouldn't fall for this.

"I think you should go," is all she said, letting Derek lead her into the house. He flipped the guy off over his shoulder before he shut the door and locked it. Neither step-sibling spoke as he led her to his room and sat her on the bed before he left; he soon returned with a warm rag, placing it to her darkening cheek.

"You okay?" he finally asked, making her shake her head and sniffle as she tried to hide her tears. "Hey, Case, its okay, don't cry. He won't bother you anymore. I'll make sure of it."

"It's not that," she said softly, taking the rag from him and holding it herself. "I just… I thought he was different; but he wasn't."

"Case-"

"How stupid am I Derek? I guess… maybe… I'm just meant to be alone. Or to end up with a douchebag like him."

"No you're not," he said, sitting next to her. "You're just… going through a rough patch." She shook her head and looked away from him.

"Why are you being so nice to me Derek? You hate me."

"Space Case, I don't hate you," he said, not looking at her either. "I sure as hell don't like you, but I don't hate you."

"Then why-"

"Casey," Derek said, looking at her then and turning her face to see him, "its… weird, what I feel for you." Casey looked at him in confusion, and he just shook his head. "You need some sleep Case. Want me to help you to your room?"

"No," she said, fresh tears welling up, "I don't… I don't want to be alone right now. Can I… Can I just stay in here for a bit?"

"Sure," he said softly before standing up and finding some pajama pants for her. He handed them to her, which she looked apprehensive about. "They're clean, don't worry." He turned his back to her so she could change; when she was done, she looked at him.

"Thanks." He turned and smiled at her; she was in his pants and a tank top she must've had under her shirt. He sat back down, the two of them side to side. "So, you don't hate me?"

"Sometimes I wish I did. But no, I don't." Casey smiled at that and looked at him.

"Hey Derek?"

"Yah."

"Thanks. For everything." She leaned up and kissed his cheek, surprising the both of them before her head found its way to his shoulder, her eyes closing almost immediately.

She was soon fast asleep.

He looked at her and frowned before he kissed her forehead and closed his own eyes, drifting off as well.

…

This is gonna be a twoshot, so see ya'll next time!

Thanks for reading.

-JustMe133

PS - Since I won't post/update till after Valentine's Day, I hope everyone has a fun one! [Or, happy Single Awareness Day, whichever one you prefer]