Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek

CHAPTER6

Two days later they boarded the plane and flew home. Casey's round trip ticket had been switched to Derek. They both felt odd about this but didn't mention it to anyone, especially each other.

Four days after arriving home from New York Derek called up the attic stairs with menace in his voice. "Edwin! My room. Now." Wide-eyed Edwin looked at Lizzie and gulped. Lizzie rolled her eyes as Edwin jumped up and headed down the stairs.

He entered Derek's room with caution. "H-h-hey there bro? W-what's h-happening?" Edwin stuttered.

"Close. The. Door." Came the ominous response. Edwin gulped again and closed the door.

"Did you really think you would get away with that little stunt in NY?" came Derek's patronizing voice.

"W-what stunt Derek?" Edwin asked innocently.

"Edwin, Edwin, Edwin. I see I've taught you well to deny, but that doesn't work with me. I'm talking about almost running Casey down and in the process bumping into me."

"Oohhh that. Well you see Lizzie was chasing me and.." Edwin hopped from foot to foot.

Derek held up his hand. "Excuses! You're giving me excuses."

"No, sir."

Derek smirked. "That's what I thought. Now let's talk about how you're going to make this up to me."

"Yes, sir. Wait. What?"

"I've brought home some laundry so I think you can start there."

Edwin hung his head. "Right away."

Derek sighed and laid back on his bed with a smile on his face. It was good to be king.

Christmas, then New Years came and went. All their high school friends were home too so the house was always full.

It was the night before Casey would be leaving for Queen's and Derek for New York.

"Déjà vu," commented Casey from Derek's doorway when she saw he was laying on his bed reading a magazine rather than packing.

Derek smirked but his words were not venomous, "Why would I need to be worried about packing when you can freak out for me?"

Casey smiled but exclaimed, "Der-ek!" like she knew he was expecting her to do.

"Fine Derek. I'll help you pack, but I'm not doing all the work while you just lay on the bed. And I'm not staying up all night either so let's get moving."

Derek muttered to himself, "As long as it's déjà vu at the end of the night I don't care how long it takes."

Casey turned the radio station. 'Cause no one loves you more than I do. They don't see you like I do, baby. Derek blushed behind Casey's back as she started to sing along. She was killing him.

Packing turned out to be a bigger job than she anticipated - well that was probably because Derek couldn't keep his hands to himself. He kept unpacking what she packed. Several "Der-ek's" later it was 3am.

"I am so tired," Casey exhaled as she toppled on Derek's bed and laid down. Casey breathed in and Derek's smell washed over her. Her stomach tightened and her eyes became wet. Déjà vu. She had been shocked when Derek announced he was transferring to NYU. She still hadn't pried the reason out of him. Derek interrupted Casey's thoughts by plopping on top of her before rolling over on the bed.

"UUGGHH," Casey grunted.

"Sorry Case didn't see you there," Derek teased.

"Der-ek," Casey exclaimed and Derek laughed.

"Thanks Case for the help," whispered Derek. Casey's stomach flipped. "Stay a little bit. We haven't really had a chance to catch up over break," a pause, "Lay down here with me, please."

Casey's body seemed to have a mind of its own as she laid down beside him and put her head on his shoulder. Her stomached somersaulted as she closed her eyes and breathed him in. Derek tightened his arm around her and pulled her close. Just for a moment Casey told herself expecting Derek to talk. After a few moments Casey noticed Derek's breathing changed, "Derek?" He didn't answer and she sighed. Looking up at him she kissed his chin and said softly, "I don't want you to leave me." Then she closed her eyes and fell asleep too.

Derek woke as light streamed through the window. It took him a few minutes to wake up enough to realize that Casey was snuggled up against him. He smiled, then frowned as he realized he was would be leaving her soon. He looked down at her. She was so peaceful and beautiful. "Oh Casey," he murmured into her hair, "why do we keep missing our chance?"

Derek was gone when Casey woke, totally gone from the house, from her life - again. She felt sick, but put on a bright smile and made it through the day.

AN: Thanks again to those reading, alerting, and reviewing (though I know more people are reading than reviewing!) I would really appreciate your comments, suggestions, etc.