Disclaimer: I don't own Life With Derek.
Chapter One
Maybe it was the darkness, the way the moon shone just perfect through the rear-view mirror, or perhaps it was the rain that dripped gently on the windshield. Watching the miniture rivers of whatever make their way from the top of the glass all the way to the bottom, if they weren't quickly wiped away by the rush of black windshield wipers, but what he was most amazed by was the little rivers that survived. Rare, but not impossible,driving over to the curb, he looked at his side window, millions of little rivers racing their way down the glass. He began to trace them with his index finger, in the background played faint traces of a Celine Dion CD. Not that he liked Celine Dion, but the girl asleep in the passenger seat next to him. He looked over at her, her head was laying against the car seat and her seatbelt. Her hands attempted to cover her bare arms, needless to say, she looked cold. He found himself taking off his big leather jacket and draping it swiftly over her.
He sat back in his seat, sinking down into the soft, leather upholstry. The soft hum of music rang in his ears, but despite it, he knew it fit the mood. He leaned his head back on the seat and soon his eyes closed. It was definitely the night, everything about it seemed so magical, a small smile crept up to his lips and he found his hand gently pulling the keys out of the ignition. Music shut off, the only sound was a few small beeps of a "seatbelt warning", the hum of a cooling engine, and the soft patter of rain on the hood of the car. He relaxed into his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. He loved nights like this, they reminded him so much of more simple times. It seemed like he had drifted off when he felt something shaking him awake.
"Derek," the voice soothed, but the shaking didn't cease. "Why are we stopped? Are you okay?"
A bit startled, he jumped a bit, a short, small gasp escaped his lips. "Hey baby," he muttered. Staring up into the girl's pale, blue eyes. He stroked her cheek. "Had to take a breather, rest. Its late." He smiled and brought his hand up to her faded blonde hair and stroked it softly. He felt her snuggle into his arms.
"Well, we need to get back soon. Classes start on Monday, which I guess would be tomorrow," she said, her voice tired. He saw her give him a quick smile. She took his jacket from her seat and covered them both up with it. "We can take a quick break, do you want me to drive?"
Derek shook his head. "No, that's alright." He kissed her lips quickly. "You just go right back to sleep, sweetie-pie." He looked out the window, the rain had stopped. The road was dark, no other cars passed by, trees seemed to sway in the wind. It seemed a bit scary, out here in the middle of the night. He shrugged and placed the keys back in the ignition and started the car. The engine roared to life and he pulled out onto the road. "College, here we come," he laughed lightly and looked over at his girlfriend. "I love you, Crystal."
"I love you, Casey MacDonald," he breathed into her hair. "I love you." Again, this time he whispered it into her ear. His arm was wrapped around her waist. Her skin was cold, but emitted a strange, comforting warmth. His fingers swayed against it, back and forth. She arched her back and tossed in the sheets. He quickly lifted his arm from her sleeping form and rolled out off of her bed. He layed down on the floor, his arms over his head. He heard Casey turn, every night he came in here to watch her sleep, she was constantly tossing in her bed, as if she couldn't get to sleep, as if something was bothering, haunting her dreams.
Obsessed as it seemed, the only time Casey wasn't on his case was when she was sleeping. She didn't exactly look peaceful, but it was while she slept that her true self seemed to shine. He could stare at her all night, holding her close, because it seemed like she needed it. Casey was a hard, deep sleeper, thank God for that. He wasn't sure what would come of anything, had she awoken ever to find him laying there beside her. He wouldn't be able to explain anything, he would just be caught like a deer in headlights. He loved to tease her, it was the perfect way to hide his feelings for her. He could be mean to her and no one was the wiser. He stared up at her ceiling, making shapes with the shadows that were casted across it.
Thoughts raced endlessly through his mind. He sat himself up and scooted backwards across the floor until his back was against the wall. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked out Casey's window, a bird flying by captured his attention. "Free," he muttered in an almost unaudible voice. "What I wouldn't give to be just that." When you feel trapped in a world that you feel you can never escape. His legs were shaking, but regardless, he felt himself stand up. He walked over to Casey's bed side and kissed her forehead before he exited her room.
"Derek?"
"Sorry, baby," Derek breathed.
"Maybe I should drive," she whispered, pulling a long strand of blonde hair and tucking it behind her ear.
"Yeah, maybe." Derek pulled over to the curb for the second time that night. He looked at the clock, it flashed in bright, red, block numbers: 5:45 AM. He looked at them until they all just blurred together, then he reached down and unbuckled his seat belt. "Here." He opened the door and made his way to the other side of the car, his fingers grazing the car's warm surface. He looked up at the sky, it was still dark, stars still sprinkled the black blanket of sky. He looked over as Crystal seemed to fly past him.
"Get in the car, Derek," she seemed to yell, but he realized it was a demand. It was all to familiar, but he obeyed, walking over and crawling into the passenger seat.
"Let's go." He pulled his seatbelt over him, clicking it into place.
"Are you bothered by something?" his girlfriend asked, her eyes completely on the road however, except with one swift motion of her hand and red painted fingernails, she seemed to push in the Celine Dion CD and turn the volume knob to a tolerable volume. "You've been acting strange all night. It seemed like when I was awake you didn't realize I was even there." She bit her bottom lip, and for a second her eyes darted over to him.
"I'm okay," he replied in a quick drawl. "Just tired is all. Haven't slept much with it being Spring Break, and all."
She sighed and clicked the blinker over to turn. "Get some sleep when we get back to the dorm. Promise?"
"Yes, ma'am," Derek teased, mocking a salute to her. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I promise, as long as you do to."
Her lips turned up into a half-smile. "Don't worry about me," she reached over and ruffled his light brown hair in her hands. "Wow," she joked, "your hair is soft. Are you stealing my shampoo?"
He rolled his eyes. "Honestly. What do you think Crystal? It sure won't smell like your shampoo." His eyes glanced quickly out the window, the road and yellow lines were such a blur as the car whirled past them. Trying to keep up with them made his head throb. "Crystal," his voice was soft-spoken, almost a whisper.
"Yes, oh great, Derek Venturi?" She laughed slightly.
"I love you. I really do, I love you."
She glanced over at him, a small, puzzled look in her eyes. "I love you too, Derek. I love you too."