Author's Note: This is just a short scene from Derek's perspective as he suddenly sees Casey in a new light. Enjoy and please review!

Disclaimer: I could only wish they were mine.

Silence In Blue

A few moments ago, Derek could only sit in disgust as he took note that everything in the theater was blue. The midnight blue wall coverings matched the equally midnight blue velvet curtains hiding the the contents of the stage. Furthermore, the pamphlets that had been passed about were a lighter shade of blue, as were the lights he noticed the tech guys were tweaking for the show and lastly so was his mood. He'd been dragged forcibly against his will to the show as punishment for dinging the car. Not only had he had to give up several dates, he was now being subjected to dance.

But now, despite the blue costumes of the background dancers, and the eerily mix of fog and pale blue lights, Derek sat mesmerized by the starring lithe, twirling, prancing figure on the stage. Never in a million years would he admit he was enjoying having been dragged to one of Casey's dance recitals but, watching her move across the stage, he had to admit that he was.

It was different from watching her practice at home; usually because she was whining and complaining and just plain annoying him. But on the stage, in her costume, with the music and the lighting, she looked almost ethereal. He didn't even know that he knew that word but somehow, he thought it seemed fitting. And he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her as she moved, and twisted, and leapt and spun to the music. His eyes took in the curves and planes and contours of her body as her muscles worked and rippled.

He held his breath along with the audience as she did one of her more spectacular moves. And he got a clear look at her face. She looked so alive, so passionate and yet so serene as she danced and Derek knew she had never looked more beautiful. He realized then that he'd never really looked at her before. She was his pain in the butt step-sister. He'd never needed to take notice of her and he hadn't. Until today. And he decided he must have been blind.

When her performance was over, he jumped to his feet to applaud before he could catch himself. She saw him cheering with the family and he noticed her face take on a slightly bemused look before beaming them her unadulterated smile. After the recital, she made her way to them, smile still firmly in place. She took a moment and turned her attention to him, a familiar, predatory glint in her eyes.

"So, you seemed to enjoy yourself today, Derek," she teased. He could tell she was loving the possibility of lording his sudden interest in girly dancing over him. A cutting retort was on the tip of his tongue when she suddenly tilted her head just slightly to the left in anticipation of his reply and he was struck by the full sudden realization of just how blue her eyes were. He decided he suddenly didn't trust any words that would come out of his mouth at that particular moment so he remained silent. He continued to remain silent even as he followed his family out of the theater and to their cars, deciding to cast the blame for his condition on those damned blue lights.

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So that was Silence In Blue. I hope you guys liked it. It was short, I know, but it was just a little scene I had in my head. As always, reviews are welcome!