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 here 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 3

"A surprise, huh? What is it?" I asked, smirking.

She handed me some plates to set on the table. "What kind of surprise would it be if I told you that?" She asked.

I started to put the plates down, and said, "I guess you're right, but it was worth a shot to ask."

She laughed, "Don't worry, I think you'll like it. It may not be as good as the surprise you sprang on Lizzie this morning, but it's still good."

It dawned on me that she had handed me four plates. She knew Edwin was coming. I didn't think Lizzie had time to tell her about that, and there was definitely no time to mention it when we got here. She must have called one of the times she went to the bathroom, I guess. The rest of the day she and Edwin were attached at the hip.

"So, you found out about that."

She turned around and was smiling. "That was a really sweet thing you did, Derek."

"Not really, I just wanted Liz out of my hair today."

She rolled her eyes, and said, "Why can't you just take the compliment? I know you knew exactly what you were doing for the both of them when you set it up."

I sighed, "OK, yea I did. They deserve it though. Ed was like his old self today. It makes me wish I could do the same."

She looked confused. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I don't know.. When I saw them today, it was like they were never apart. But when I'm sitting here with you, it's not the same." I thought about how to word the rest of what I was trying to say, and continued, "I know things were never great between us, but I really wanted to fix things today. I just can't help but notice this.. something.. stopping that."

She nodded, "I know what you mean. It's like my mind is telling me to turn and run so I don't get hurt again, and the rest of me is disagreeing."

"I won't hurt you, Case." I stared into her eyes so emphasize the point.

"I-I know, it's just.." she sighed, "I really wish our parents didn't get divorced."

"I don't," I said quietly.

A hurt look flashed across her face. Realizing my mistake, I added, "I mean, if that never happened, I don't think I would have realized how much I appreciated you. Once you were gone, it was like something clicked in my head.."

Her face softened, and she smiled. "I see what you mean. I'm just so glad that Liz ran into you yesterday. I was a bit of a wreck after hearing you on the phone, but a wreck in a good way."

I smirked, and asked, "What did you and Lizzie talk about on the phone after she left the room, anyways?"

She left out a small laugh, "I asked her way too many questions about her running into you. Then she had to calm me down, and convince me to have you over for dinner tonight."

I felt a little hurt that Lizzie had to convince her. "She had to convince you?"

She seemed to notice, and her voice softened. "I was very nervous. I even thought about flying back to New York to see Mom, just at the idea of it. Honestly, in my mind I had built up this perfect idea of how things would go if I ever saw you again."

"How is tonight comparing to your 'perfect idea'?"

"It's different. Definitely different." I must have looked confused, because she decided to elaborate, "Different in a good way. I think I like this way better, us being able to have a nice conversation and enjoy each other's company."

I nodded, "What do you say we get Ed and Lizzie to finish getting dinner ready, while we go talk more?"

It didn't take much convincing to get them to deal with dinner. Lizzie almost seemed to be expecting it.

"So, what have the past 5 years been like for you?" she asked, as she sat down next to me on the couch.

"I started to pay more attention in school. I even went to college. Yea, surprising I know. I moved out here to Toronto for college. I've got a decent job I guess, I'm working my way up the ranks at a nearby movie studio."

"What about hockey?" she asked.

I sighed, "I played in college. In one of my games my last year I got checked hard. I guess I messed up my knee pretty bad, but I tried to just ignore it. A couple of games later my knee completely gave out. The doctor I saw said I was lucky I didn't mess it up worse, but that I wouldn't be able to play again."

A look of pity crossed her features, "I'm so sorry, Derek. That's awful."

"It's ok. I had trouble dealing with it at first, but I'm fine now. Life goes on, right?"

She nodded, "I guess so.. How have George, Edwin, and Marti been?"

"Dad is about the same. I mean, he really never dealt with the divorce. He was too focused on trying to make things normal for us. Marti has been a handful. She's older now, but definitely not the fun-loving kid she used to be. Edwin, well.. He's so different looking at him today, than he was in the past 5 years. It's hard to believe he's the same person."

"Liz was acting differently last night, but talking to her this afternoon, and seeing her tonight.. She seems so much happier."

I nodded, and asked, "How have the past 5 years been for you?"

She shrugged, "I'd like to say it went smoothly, but it really didn't. I didn't adjust to moving to New York very well. I made a fool of myself when I started school there, too. Unfortunately, the people who made fun of me weren't nice enough to stop everybody else from doing the same."

"You knew about that?" I asked, surprised.

She laughed, "Yea, I did. It was nice, in a screwy sort of way."

"So, you were talking about high school?" I asked, urging her to continue.

"Oh, right. I had trouble making any friends, and my Mom was going through a tough adjustment to the divorce herself so I couldn't really get her help. When I got to college, it started to get too overwhelming. There were a few times where I wasn't sure I'd make it. Everything worked out OK, though."

It was painful to hear her talk about all of that. I felt selfish thinking about how much the divorce changed our lives, but never really considered how difficult it must have been to move hundreds of miles away from most of the people you knew.

"What do you do for a living?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I'm working as a paralegal at a small firm. The pay isn't the best, but the hours are great, and I really do enjoy the work. I'm planning on working towards a law degree starting in September."

"That's pretty cool. Dad would love to talk your ear off about all that stuff."

She laughed. "I wouldn't mind seeing George and Marti again."

I didn't want to sound pushy, but I couldn't help it. "You've got to come visit with me sometime. I know Marti would be so happy to see you."

Her face brightened, and she nodded. "I'd love that. Maybe Liz and I can go down there with you soon. I've got some vacation time saved up, and she's not starting classes for another few weeks."

"That would be great." I pulled out one a business card from my wallet and handed it to her. "That has all my numbers on it. If you can set up the time off, I'd be happy to go with you."

She examined the card carefully, "Business cards, huh? Fancy, Derek."

I chuckled, "Not really, I know a guy who makes them cheap. It impresses people when I have a nice little card to give them, instead of just giving them my name or number."

"I bet girls go for that alot, don't they?" She sounded a little annoyed.

I smirked at her. "I guess they do, but I don't go on many dates anymore."

She gasped dramatically. "The Derek Venturi, not dating much? I'm shocked."

"Hah. Hah. Funny, Case. I just don't feel like putting all the effort into dating, when the one girl I want to date I don't think I have a chance with."

"There's one specific girl? Who is she?" she asked, more interested than I thought she'd be.

I don't know how I can answer that. If I told her I wanted to date her she might freak out. We've just barely gotten to know each other again.

I shrugged, trying to avoid staring at her as I said, "Just this girl I knew. She's too good for me, though."

She shook her head, "You sell yourself too short, Derek. You were a great guy, and you still are. Why don't you just ask her?"

If only she knew. "I don't think that's the best idea."

She was getting annoyed now. "Why not? She's not dating anybody, or married, is she?"

I gave up, much more of that and I was gonna snap and do something more than just spill my guts. "I don't know, Case. Are you dating anybody, or married?"

She looked confused, but then made the connection. Her eyes shot open, and she looked away. She was staring off into space, seemingly deep in thought.

I sighed, "Casey, I'm sorry."

That snapped her out of it. "Wait, What are you sorry about?"

I avoided looking at her, and said, "I didn't mean to lay that on you. I don't want to make things weird."

She didn't respond, so I started to stand. As I was about to walk away, I started, "I'll go see how dinner is-"

She grabbed my arm, cutting me off. "Sit down, Derek."

I wasn't about to argue, so I sat back down. She didn't move away, and didn't even look upset or uncomfortable.

She looked me in the eyes, and said, "I'm sorry I didn't say anything, but you caught me off guard."

"It's OK, I didn't expect a positive response."

She laughed, "Who said it was a negative response?"

What? Could she mean what I think she means? No, I must have misunderstood.

"What do you mean?" I asked as calm as I could.

"I've thought about it, too. Even before yesterday. I just kept pushing it out of my mind. I never thought I'd ever see you again, let alone you even be interested in me. I thought you would still see me as your grade-grubber stepsister."

I couldn't believe she could be interested. She's Casey. The amazing and unattainable former stepsister of mine. Here she was, saying she had thought about us dating.

I smirked at her. "If I remember right, it was your grade-grubbing ways that got me to pass that class."

"I guess it was. So, where do we go from here?" she asked.

I draped my arm over her shoulder like I used to, and said, "Well, I think I should offer you the priveledge of a date with me."

I almost expected her to pull away, but she just smiled and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Funny, Venturi. Now, be serious."

I looked down at her and smirked. "OK. Casey, would you like to have dinner with me this Friday?"

She smiled, and said, "Of course I would."

We sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying being near each other. I was starting to get hungry, and when I looked over towards the kitchen, I saw Lizzie standing there grinning from ear to ear watching us. She didn't seem surprised at all. It was almost as if she planned the entire thing.

Maybe she did, but I didn't mind. For the first time in years, I was happy.