So, this is my first story in quite some time. Please review and give me constructive criticism. I'm always looking to improve my writing to give y'all better stories!

Disclaimer: If I owned LWD, I wouldn't be writing about it.

Once Eli was gone, the situation got awkward. Like, "This is the first time I've seen you in 8 years" awkward. Casey nervously smoothed her skirt again, cleared her throat and excused herself to the bathroom. She walked all calm and collected like while Derek could still see her, but as soon as she rounded the corner, she ran as fast as her 4 inch heels would let her.

Bursting through the bathroom doors, Casey ran her hand through her hair and began to pace. Thoughts swirled through her head, but they were going so fast all she saw was Derek's face. The way he looked at her, it was so...familiar. It was like high school and the first years of college all over again.

She stopped pacing and stood with her hands on the counter. God, why is he here? Raising her eyes, Casey looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a bit messed up, but her cream colored blouse and blue pencil skirt were still perfectly in place. Well, at least I look damn good. Combing her hair back down, Casey took a deep breath and stood up tall. Okay, Casey, this is your first professional challenge. You can do this. Just don't think about the fact that it's Derek, as far as you know, he's just some photographer you have to work with for a couple of weeks max. Don't think about what happened, just get through this assignment. Flashing her winning smile at herself, Casey walked out confidently, ready to face the present.

So, this is where she's been all these years. Derek slumped against Casey's desk, still processing the situation he was in. He thought back to the last time he had seen her, on a rainy night back at their old house. She wouldn't even look at him then as she carried her bags down the stairs.

"What are you doing?" He asked. He knew he'd hurt her, more than any other member of their family, but was it that bad that she had to leave? Where was she even going to go?

Still, she wouldn't look at him. She just silently stood by the window, waiting for the cab that would inevitably come get her. "Casey..." His voice was soft and broken, wanting a better explanation than the one she had to give. He walked over and turned her so she would face him. Resting his forehead against hers he asked, "Why are you leaving?"

"Don't..." She pulled away, blinking back tears. Her cab pulled up and she grabbed her bags. Derek followed her out in the rain, determined to get answers. This just didn't make sense.

"What do you think you're going to prove by doing this, Case?" She shut the trunk of the cab and stood staring at the ground with her arms crossed. His voice was rising, trying to be heard above the rain. "Is this because of me? Cause I would love to know exactly what I did to royally screw this up..."

"The world doesn't revolve around you, Derek Venturi!"

"Then what, Casey?" He truly wanted to understand what was going on in her mind, "What could possibly get under your skin enough to make you decide to leave everything?"

"I'm just done with all of this, Der. There's nothing for me here! I want more, so that's what I'm going after and I...I don't owe you this explanation, I don't owe you anything." With that she opened the door and slid into the cab.

"Just, at least tell me where you're gonna go." Derek caught the door, and Casey looked at him with her blue eyes, pleading to let her go. He relaxed his grip for just a moment and she shut the door as fast as she could. His hands still rested on the top part of the car, and he looked at her through the window. She turned her head, telling the cabbie where to go. The car started to pull away. Realizing what this meant, Derek slammed his hands on the cab and turned away, growling with frustration. "Casey..." He ran his hand through his hair and stared after the cab.

Derek stood up from Casey's desk, wondering for the millionth time if she had looked back and saw the broken mess she'd left in the rain that night. He sighed and decided it would be best to leave her be for now. Walking out of the office, he smirked slightly. He'd found her, and for now that was all that mattered.