I find this on my PC a few week back. It was the first ever 'big' Life with Derek fanfiction I'd even seen and got my shipping Dasey and Lizwin. I do not know who work it is and I cannot find it on her at all. So after thinking about it I am putting it up on her for other to see too. If this this your work, why, O why did you take it down? Say and I shall take it down. So my MY Disclaimer: I do not own this work of fanfiction, nor do I own Life With Derek.

Chapter 2

Everything around me seemed to disappear. There was Casey on the phone. Was she in Toronto? Lizzie's side of the conversation made it seem that way. How long was she here for? Did she live here? My mind was buzzing with questions.

I was a little hurt when she said, "Lizzie, can you take me off speaker?"

I looked up at her, and she gave me her most sympathetic look as she shrugged her shoulders. She told me to wait a minute, and went into the other room.

Being alone in a room never seemed as bad as this was. I had no idea what they were talking about, or why Casey didn't want to talk to me. It felt like she was taking forever to get off the phone. Maybe I could distract myself by counting the lines on my palm? That might work.

I almost finished one hand, when Lizzie came back in the room. I looked up expecting to see pity on her face, but she was smiling.

"What's up?" I barely managed to say.

"Are you busy tomorrow?" she asked. Her face practically begging me to say I wasn't.

I shook my head, and started to clean up our plates from dinner. I didn't want her to see how much I hoped she was going to mention Casey.

"Good. You're going to take me sight seeing."

I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice as I said, "Oh. Uh, sure."

She came over and started to help with the dishes. We were both quiet as we cleaned up. I couldn't tell if she was hurt by how disappointed I sounded, or if she just didn't have anything else to say.

As we finished up, she said, "I had fun today, Derek. I can't wait for tomorrow."

I nodded dumbly, "Me either. It should be great." My tone was less than enthusiastic.

She sat down at the table, and let out a little laugh. "It will definitely be great."

Her reaction seemed a little odd. What wasn't she telling me? My confusion obviously showed on my face, because she seemed to notice it.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you the best part. We're gonna have dinner at Casey's place after you take me around town." She was grinning ear-to-ear when she mentioned Casey.

I'm glad I had a counter to lean on, because I started to get a little dizzy. I was going to see Casey tomorrow. The girl I haven't gone a day not thinking about for 5 years.

Lizzie came up behind me, and gave me a pat on the back. She handed me a piece of paper with her cell phone number on it. "Call me when you wake up tomorrow, and I'll head over here, OK?"

I tried to say 'Yea', but I couldn't make the sounds. I simply nodded, and she left after saying goodbye.

Once she was gone, I made my way over to the phone. It seemed like it took forever to get a response, but finally I got one.

"Hello?" A groggy Edwin asked from the other end.

"Hey Ed, You're coming out to visit tomorrow."

He grunted, and said, "You're not serious? I've got things to-"

"-Yes I'm serious." I said, cutting him off.

"Before I'll even consider it, you've got to tell me why."

I chuckled, "No, I won't tell you why. It's a surprise."

He sighed, "A surprise huh? The last time you 'surprised' me, I woke up with my hands glued together, Derek."

"Oh, I'm positive you'll like this surprise."

After some convincing he agreed to come, but threatened to hire a collection agent on all the money I owed him over the years if he didn't like the surprise. I smirked to myself thinking about how much he would like this surprise.

It was going to be a day to remember, for sure.

The next morning...

I called Lizzie and she said she would be here at around 10am. Last night Ed said he would get here around 10:30am, so I would have to stall Lizzie somehow.

She showed up exactly at 10, in an obviously cheerful mood. I wondered if the idea of reconnecting with me was what had her so chipper. I know it was helping my mood. I have never been a morning person, but I actually woke up early this morning by choice. I was too excited about seeing Edwin and Lizzie's reactions to each other, and having dinner with Casey.

I invited her in, and started trying to make small talk. After a while she was getting annoyed.

"Derek, c'mon we gotta go. I want to see as much as I can today!" She was tapping her foot impatiently and was nearly yelling.

I couldn't think of a reason to stay here longer. I really was out of practice on my lies.

Thankfully the phone rang. I quickly shushed Lizzie, and went over to answer it.

"Hey, Derek here." I said.

"It's me Edwin. I'm a little early. What apartment number were you again?" he asked, sounding frustrated.

"217." I said absent-mindedly.

Lizzie looked at me, trying to figure out what was going on. I hadn't even thought about her knowing the apartment number. Obviously she had to know it.

"Hey uhh, I gotta go. See ya in a minute." I hung up before he could respond.

She gave me a little glare, and asked, "What's going on, Derek?"

I shrugged, "Just a friend stopping by for something. Nothing big, I just didn't want to leave before they got here."

Her face softened a little, but still looked at me like she didn't believe what I said.

I started to get myself a glass of water, when there was a knock on the door.

"Can you get that? Don't worry, they don't bite."

She rolled her eyes and opened the door.

I could hear Edwin talking as the door was opening. "Derek, I'm here.. now what is this surprise-"

He stopped talking when he saw her. I couldn't see their faces, but I imagined both were sporting blank stares.

Lizzie spun her head around to look at me, as if to ask if it really was Edwin. I simply nodded in response, as a smirk formed on my face.

I faintly heard her whisper, "I've missed you so much," before she pulled him into a hug.

The smile on Ed's face was priceless. I hadn't seen him look so happy in a long time.

I cleared my throat, and said, "Sorry to interrupt kids, but I believe we have some sight seeing to do."

I didn't really want to interrupt their moment, but I didn't think we'd ever get out of the house if I hadn't.

As we headed out to my car, I kept my distance from them. They deserved some time to catch up, and I had already figured I'd just be driving them around today.

We went to a few of the interesting tourist spots. The CN Tower, the Skydome, among other things. I had seen it all before though, so it wasn't as interesting for me. They seemed to like it.

They seemed to have picked up right where they left off. Instantly they were as close as they had been. I usually would have been annoyed for being ignored, but I didn't mind it today. I know that when I see Casey later, there's no way anybody else will hold my attention.

Our last stop of the day, was a quick run around the Zoo. About half way through it Lizzie had grabbed Ed's hand to drag him somewhere. They held hands the rest of the time there. They only stopped to get into the car as we were leaving. I thought about making a comment about it to them, but if I ruined another moment between them I would never get the chance to talk to Casey alone.

It was time for dinner now. I was starting to get nervous now, so I let Lizzie drive. When we finally got there, Ed stopped me before I got out of the car.

"Derek. Thanks."

I nodded, "Don't mention it Ed. Now, I gotta go have a heart attack when I see Casey."

He chuckled, and gave me a pat on the back. "From what Liz told me, Casey has thought about you alot too, bro."

I couldn't stop the hope in my voice. "R-Really?"

He nodded, and continued, "She didn't want me to tell you, but.. yea. Just don't worry about what's gonna happen. Just be yourself, Derek."

I sighed, "I haven't been myself in a long time. If my 16 year old self saw me now, he'd prolly beat the crap out of me."

He shook his head while smiling. "Your 16 year old self didn't know how much Casey meant to him."

Neither of us said anything else, we just started heading inside. The first thing I noticed was how clean the place looked. Lizzie had said Casey changed, and I'm glad some things were still the same.

Lizzie started to lead us into the living room, but stopped me before I went in.

"Ed and I are gonna watch some TV. I think you should go to the kitchen and go see Casey." She pointed the way, and gave me a playful shove.

I quietly made my way there, and was greeted with a sight I had often imagined. Casey was standing at the counter, chopping some vegetables. She looked absolutely amazing. Her hair was shorter, and her face had gotten a little thinner.. but there was no doubt it was her.

She didn't notice me, so I just watched. After she finished the vegetables, she started frantically moving around the room doing a million things. I smiled at the sight. I never knew how much I missed the little things like that. I figured I should give her a hand, so I finally walked into the room.

"Need a hand, Case?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could.

Her head instantly snapped to look at me. "Derek!" she yelled and ran at me.

I just laughed as she hugged me, seemingly trying to crush the air out of me. Afterwards she backed up and started to blush. It was a little amusing.

She sat down at the table, and looked up at me. "5 years, Derek. 5 years."

I sighed, "I know. I really wish you would have called. You never gave us your phone number, but ours never changed."

She was fighting back tears. "I didn't think you would want to talk to me. I know we didn't fight at the end, but all those months of pranks and hate.."

I gently placed my hand on her arm to comfort her. "I never hated you, Casey. I told you I would miss you, but even I didn't realize how much till you were gone."

She wiped a stray tear away, and looked into my eyes. "What do you mean?"

I broke eye contact and got real interested in a speck of dirt on the table. "I don't know. It was like I had such a challenge every day with you, that when it was gone.. nothing else seemed worth it. Everything was easy."

She nodded, and I continued, "I'm so sorry about those things I did or said to you. I really am."

"It's ok. I look back on them fondly now, actually." I gave her a confused look, and she continued, "I think it was kind of the same thing for me. Before we moved into your house everything was simple. Then I had to deal with this overbearing jerk of a step-brother-"

I laughed, and said, "-Don't go easy on me, now."

She smiled, and said, "As I was saying before I was interrupted.. I had to be on my toes living with you. Nothing else I ever did, or have done since, compares to how alive I felt back then."

I chuckled, "I never thought about it like that."

She smiled, and said, "I really did miss you, Derek. I don't know how many times I sat there wanting desperately to call you, but never having the nerve."

I smirked. "I knew you couldn't live without me."

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile. "..and I thought this nice Derek was going to stick around."

"He is around most of the time, you just bring the 'Old Derek' out in me."

She shook her head and laughed as she went back to dealing with dinner.

"So, are you gonna help me with dinner or what?" She asked.

"What's in it for me?" I said playfully.

She giggled, and said, "A surprise."