Even though I haven't recieved many reviews, that's all right. I thought I would update the next chapter anyway. Thanks to all those that did R&R. It means a lot. I'm glad you like it so far.

So the two years ago chapters will consist of one-shots between Casey and Derek's relationship while they were in Queens and getting to know each other more.

I hope you like it.


Chapter 2

Two years ago

"Can you believe that we are actually here?!" Casey shrieked with excitement as she gripped her stepbrother's arm and stared at the large college campus before them.

"Ow, Case, watch the nails!" Derek winced as he pulled away from her and rubbed the sore spot.

"I'm sorry, Derek, I just can't believe that I am finally at University! It's a dream come true! Now I can finally begin the pathway to my future!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Derek waved her off. "Let's find your dorm, so I can scope out the pathway to my future lady."

"Der-ek!"

***

"Yes, mom, I'm sure Derek won't mind." Casey said into the phone as she sat on her bed in the tiny dorm room.

"I won't mind what?" Derek asked as he walked into her room and closed the door.

Casey glared at him. He knew she didn't like him coming over without permission and not to mention just walking in like he owned the place.

"Can you hold on a minute, mom?" Casey said as she covered the receiver with her hand and narrowed her eyes at her stepbrother. "What are you doing? How many times do I have to tell you not to barge in here like that? I could get in trouble for having a guy in my room."

Derek laughed, "It's not like we're doing anything, Spacey, and besides all the girls in your dorm bring guys in their rooms. It's no big deal."

"But what if they think that we are doing something?"

"Just tell them that I'm your stepbrother." He shrugged.

"Then they would think I'm incestuous and kick me out!" She began to panic.

"Casey, relax. The girls in your dorm are all too busy partying to even care about a boy in your room, no matter how good looking he is." He added with a smirk.

"Casey? Casey, where did you go?" Nora's voice called from the phone.

"Oh! Mom!" Casey uncovered the receiver and spoke into it. "Sorry, I was arguing with Derek."

"Derek is there?"

"Unfortunately."

"Well then ask him if it's ok."

Casey sighed as Derek sat down on her roommate's bed across from her and started flipping through a magazine he found on the night stand.

"Derek, my mom wants to know if we can drive down there this weekend to visit. The kids won't stop whining because they miss us and George needs help building a crib for the baby."

"The baby isn't even born yet." Derek said as he flipped the page and pretended to read even though Casey knew he wasn't.

"It's good to be prepared ahead of time, Derek," Casey stated and then drilled him with a glare. "Are we going or not?"

Derek sighed with irritation, "I guess we can go. I still have some stuff I need to grab anyway."

Casey smiled as she spoke into the phone, "We'll be there, Mom. Yes, don't' worry, we'll drive safe. I'll make sure he does. Ok, I love you too. Bye." Casey hung up the phone and flopped tiredly onto her back.

"So I guess we're leaving tomorrow then?" Derek asked.

Casey turned on her side to face him, "I guess so. We have to leave early though, so be ready by seven the latest."

"Seven AM?" Derek threw down the magazine in a fit. "That's way too early."

"Derek, it's a long drive from here to there and if we want to spend any time with the family then we need to leave early, so suck it up and quit complaining."

"Fine, but I'm driving."

"My mom wants us to get there safely, so I'll be driving."

"It's my car, Princess."

"But I'm the safe driver, dimwit"

"I can drive safe."

"Pfft! In your dreams." Casey snorted.

"How do you think I passed my test?"

"Yeah, you drove safe that one time but right after it you continued driving like a maniac."

"Not when I have kids in the car." He pointed out.

"Oh, so you care about driving safe with kids in the car but not with me?"

"Precisely." He grinned.

"Well if you get to drive to London then I get to drive on the way back to Queens."

"Like I said before, my car."

"Which I help pay insurance for, so technically it's our car."

"Um, did you get it on your sixteenth birthday from your dad?"

"No, actually I got nothing on my sixteenth birthday from my dad." Casey's mood suddenly changed and she turned away from him.

Derek stood up, not sure what to say, "Dennis didn't get you a gift on your sixteenth?" He asked softly, feeling sorry for her.

"Just never mind, Derek." Casey said and he thought he heard a sniff. "I... I have to do some homework, so I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

"Um..." Derek rubbed the back of his neck. "Sure. See you tomorrow, Case." Derek said as he made his way to the door. She hid her face in her arms and he knew she was crying. Before he walked out, Derek stopped and looked back at her, "For the record, your father's a jerk." He said and then left the room.

***

Casey stared out the car window as the country scenery sped past outside. They'd been driving for about an hour now and Casey was becoming extremely annoyed with the silence between her and Derek, so she leaned over and switched on the radio to a station that she liked. One of her favourite songs was on and she began to sing along with it.

"Oh no you don't!" Derek shouted as he switched the station and heavy metal music began to play.

"Der-ek!" Casey snapped as she turned to glare at him. "I was listening to that!"

"Well I'm listening to this." He smirked as he started head banging and drumming his fingers on the steering wheel as he continued to drive.

Casey cringed as a guy growled to a tune and screamed lyrics that she couldn't understand.

"This is so ludicrous. How can you stand listening to a guy screaming nonsensical words and snarling like he's possessed?"

"I understand what he's saying." Derek smirked.

"Oh really?" Casey raised her eye brow at him.

Derek nodded, "He's saying Aaahhh!! Aahh! Rawr Rawr! Aaaahhh!!!" Derek mimicked as he grinned over at her.

Casey rolled her eyes as she leaned forward and turned the stereo off.

"I'd rather listen to nothing again." She said as she sat back against her seat with a frown.

Derek shrugged, "Suit yourself, Princess."

***

The visit with their family had been a pleasant one. It'd only been two weeks since they'd seen them but already it felt like an eternity had passed. The kids were taller, Nora's stomach was wider, and George was a nervous wreck. Derek had helped him build the baby's crib, which turned out to be a lot harder than he thought it'd be. They had broken the news to Casey and Derek around the dinner table Saturday night that the baby would be getting Derek's old room and George and Nora would be moving back into Casey's old room, which shocked both college students.

"Where will we stay when we visit?" Casey asked.

"Well there will be the bedroom downstairs of course." Nora replied.

"Yes, but there is only one room. You don't expect us to share a room do you?" Derek asked.

"There is no way that I am sharing a room with Derek!" Casey shrieked.

"Then Casey can have the room and Derek, you'll just have to sleep on the couch or with Edwin."

"What?! That's so unfair! Why can't I have the room and Casey can sleep on the couch or with Edwin?" Derek stood in objection.

Edwin began choking on his food, "What?!"

"Or with Lizzie." Derek corrected with a shrug.

"Eew! I am not sleeping on a couch!" Casey shuddered in disgust. "Who knows what is on that thing and besides you should be a gentleman."

"Casey, since when have I ever been a gentleman?"

"Well you can start now."

"By sleeping on a disgusting couch or with my disgusting brother? No way!"

"Hey! I resent that!" Edwin shouted in offence. "I'm not that disgusting... anymore at least."

"And you like the idea of me having to share a room with you?" Derek asked his younger brother.

"Not really... so that's why I guess you'll have to settle for the couch." He smiled.

Derek shook his head, "No, you will have to settle for the couch."

"You can't take my bed!"

"You can sleep in my bed, Smerek." Marti offered.

Derek smiled at his little sister but shook his head, "No thanks, Smarti, I can't kick my baby sister out of her bed."

"Oh, but you can kick your little brother out of his?" Edwin asked as he folded his arms across his chest and glowered.

"Exactly." Derek said as he shoved a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

George sighed with his head in his hands, "Look, the move isn't going to happen for another month or so, so for now you can all stay in your own rooms and we'll decide what to do when that time comes."

"Fine." Derek sighed. "But I still say that I get the bedroom in the basement."

"Derek..." His father scolded.

Derek raised his hands in surrender and everyone finished eating their dinner in silence.

***

"Do you have to leave already?" Nora asked as she squeezed her daughter tightly, never wanting to let go.

"Mom, I have classes, remember." Casey said as she hugged back. "We'll visit again, don't worry."

"What about in the next two weeks?" Marti asked from in Derek's arms.

"You want us to come visit you every two weeks?" Derek's eyes widened.

"I don't know if we could do that..." Casey started to say.

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Nora exclaimed.

"But gas is expensive..." Derek tried to say.

"If gas is a problem then George and I can help pay for it."

"B-but every two weeks... isn't that a little much?"

"Please, Smerek, please, please, please, PLEASE!?!" Marti begged.

Derek sighed and looked to Casey for help.

"It... It's not that we don't love visiting you guys but..." Casey was trying to explain.

"Can you just try? For the first couple of months at least?" Nora asked with pleading eyes. "We could really use your help. With the baby coming and all, George has been under a lot of stress... and it's just not the same without the two of you here."

Casey sighed as Derek shook his head at her.

"I guess we can give it a try." Casey finally gave in.

"Yes!" Marti and Nora both exclaimed.

Derek glared at her but when Marti gave him a big kiss on the cheek he couldn't help but smile, "All right then, I guess we'll see you in two weeks."

And in two weeks they did. It soon became a ritual for Casey and Derek to visit their family in London every second weekend. They got so used to it that they didn't mind each other's company on the long drive there and back. In fact, they started hanging out even when they didn't have to and unfortunately that was when the trouble soon began.


Next chapter will be the present again. Please Review and tell me what you think. You guys are Awesome!