Okay so I have never done a life with Derek fic so I hope everyone likes it.

Summary: Life in the McDonald/Vinturi house is always an adventure, Marti is still curious, Edwin and Lizzie are still quirky, Derek is still the Jerk and Casey is still neurotic, but Casey has a secret that will change the course of her relationship with the one person she'd never expect to get help from. Can he save her before it's too late?

Warning: Mild Cursing, some graphic sexual content in later chapters. Several Inside Jokes.

Dedicated to: Michael (Tato)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the story plot.

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Casey closed her eyes, wincing slightly as the small needle broke through her skin and dug into her vain. The small glass tube sucking in blood; that would be used for some test that wanted to do; If Casey was at all honest with her self she wasn't concerned over the testing or examinations. Her mind was too preoccupied with what had happened early that morning.

She figured it was nothing too bad; she had managed to play it off as well as possible, as well as getting a little help from Derek who saved her from making the already bad situation worse. What she didn't understand was how she lost her control in such an enormous way, her body had never had such a violent reaction before and now it was like her control just vanished.

She was scared now, terrified actually. The look on her mother's face was something she just could not forget, the concern and worry in her eyes had chills running up and down her spine. She closed her eyes and sighed, the last thing she needed right now was someone other than Derek finding out that she was dying. She opened her eyes as she felt the needle being pulled out, a small Band-Aid was place d on the small wound to prevent any more bleeding.

The nurse smiled at her but said nothing, partially because the nurses in the cancer department knew that sometimes silence spoke louder than words. Casey watched her walk away as she was left in the room, Derek walked in seconds after the woman left. His eyes were on her, watching her carefully. He seemed troubled, perhaps he was still attempting to figure out what had happened earlier that morning, he sat down on the chair next to Casey's bed, he remained silent letting the silence that settled between them turn into tension.

Casey settled into the bed, resting her head on the pillow yet her eyes remained on her step-brother. If she had taken the time to see him before she'd have noticed how handsome he was. His eyes were a dusky brown with mixtures of hazel here and there, his hair was a messy silk that curled rebelliously around his face, and his mouth was pink and luscious. Her eyes moved further towards his body and to his chest that was well built, his stomach was rock hard, his hands were slim and his fingers long yet there was a tenderness to them, a gentle touch that Casey had been witness too. She watched as his fingers slowly traced his lips, both hands tangled within each other but moving in a slow rhythm around his lips. Surprisingly Casey found her self wishing she was his fingers.

Derek's lips to Casey seemed so soft and inviting. Bringing her fingers to her own lips she sighed, the rough skin that formed her lips disappointed her. Of course she wouldn't feel or look like Derek who seemed so full of life, no she was a dying corpse, what life could she possibly have? Closing her eyes she exhaled, letting her mind go absolutely dark and sleep take her over.

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"Casey"

The sound of her name had Casey waking up somewhat startled, her heart was racing furiously and her breathing was labored. Her vision was blurred and she felt disoriented. The hands that shook her gently brought great warmth to her. Her hand reached out and grasped onto the hand that awoke her. When she managed to focus her vision Derek came into view, his face was so welcoming.

"Derek" she whispered softly, her grip on his hand tightened. "Where am I?" She asked momentarily forgetting where she was and how she had gotten there.

"The hospital Case..." he answered in a soft voice, his hand came and rested on her back as he helped her sit up. Nausea hit Casey first, knocking the little wind in her out of her body and filling her with discomfort and vertigo. She felt her abdominal muscles undergo a few rounds of coordinated contractions together with the diaphragm, and then she felt as the content in her stomach quickly rose; the acid burning its way up and she could already taste it in her mouth.

"Bathroom" she managed to say before the contents reached her mouth. She had to use her hands to help keep her mouth close. Derek quickly helped her off the bed and rushed her into the bathroom, the moment she reached the toilet she fell to her knees and her face went into the bowl first as her mouth released the chunks of food that came flying out of her mouth and into the toilet.

All Derek could do at that point was gently caress her back, soothing her the best her could, but for every few seconds Casey had to breathe, seconds more were added to another fit of vomiting. He heard a Nurse come in and before he had time to react he was shooed out of the bathroom and the door was slammed in his face; the already helpless feeling growing stronger. Exhaling rather loudly he moved away from the door, frustrated with not being able to do anything for Casey.

The door opened once more and Dr. Sterwick stepped inside, he seemed rather puzzled with Casey absence, he looked at Derek who looked at the bathroom's shut door and the good doctors instantly knew where his patient had gone. Silence settled itself once again, the only sound that was heard was Casey emptying her stomach. The minutes grew longer and the silence ever more uncomfortable, Derek found that his discomfort didn't disappear until the bathroom door opened and a very pale and shivering Casey was escorted back to the bed by the Nurse.

She seemed so fragile to him and he could finally see that the strong and willful Casey was now buried under the seemingly lifeless girl before him, the dark circles on her eyes didn't help her appearance any. Dr. Sterwick watched Derek; he smiled sadly at himself as he saw the disbelief in the young boy's eyes, Casey was finally showing signs of deterioration and it was shocking to Derek.

"Casey" Dr. Sterwick's voice was gentle; he came closer to her as the Nurse tucked her in. "Casey hold this for me" His hand held a pen and Casey; although confused, took hold of it. Casey stretched out her hand and went to get a hold of the pen but found she couldn't close her hand, as hard as she tried her hand would not move, when her fingers began to spasm once more she got scared. Dr. Sterwick sighed softly and put the pen down.

"I was hoping I was wrong" he whispered as he took a seat on Casey's bed. Derek watched silently holding his breath hoping that whatever was about to leave the good doctors lips was not bad news, but fate would have it that Derek would not get his wish.

"What? What is it?" Casey asked softly, she felt weak and faint.

"Casey you have a rare illness that's called Wilson's disease." His eye never left hers; he saw the momentary darkness as she processed the situation. It took her a moment to answer him and when she did speak she sounded as if she was in a daze.

"So…I don't have leukemia?"

"No Casey you have leukemia, but you also have Wilson's Disease." Derek exhaled sharply as he also processed the information the good doctor was giving, the glazed look in Casey's eyes had Derek wishing he could take her discomfort away.

"Wha-" Casey closed her eyes, a tear falling silently "What is..uh…Wilson's Disease?"

"Wilson's Disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues; this manifests as neurological or psychiatric symptoms and liver disease." He began his voice soft and gentle, "The condition is due to mutations in the Wilson disease protein gene. A single abnormal copy of the gene is present in 1 in 100 people, who do not develop any symptoms; they are carriers." He explained, watching Casey absorb it all. "If a child inherits the gene from both parents, they may develop Wilson's disease. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 6 and 20 years however Wilson's disease occurs in 1 to 4 per 100,000 people." He finished, his voice dying in a whisper.

"Can it be cured?" Casey asked through a broken voice, her eyes filled with running tears. Dr. Sterwick sighed, the look of dread on his face.

"Casey, Wilson's can be treated with medication that reduces copper absorption or removes the excess copper from the body, but occasionally a liver transplant is required." He held his lips together before continuing. "However, even if we do a liver transplant, it won't do you any good because you would need another one after if you continue the Chemotherapy. But if we stop Chemo the cancer could progress further and make things worse yet if we continue with the Chemo you'll evidently have liver failure." He explained.

"So there's nothing you can do" Casey whispered softly, the Doctor nodded and Casey smiled. "How much time?"

"In light of the new information and the extent of Liver damage you have….three months."

"Thr-three months?" Dr. Sterwick nodded softly and Casey gulped and gripped her sheets tighter, his voice echoing helplessly in her head. She wouldn't even get to meet her baby brother "Thank you" she whispered, whipping a tear away from her face, sighing she looked to Derek who seemed lost in thought. The doctor stood, smiled at Casey and walked out of the room without another word, with the Nurse behind him.

"Uh…I guess this means we can go home" Derek said, his voice dazed, he stood slowly as if he wasn't careful he'd fall of his balanced string. He walked out of her room and waited for her to get dressed. The ride home was silent; both Casey and Derek lost in their own thoughts too preoccupied to make even a bit of small talk. When they got home, Casey didn't speak; she climbed the stairs and went right into her room leaving Derek still standing at the door in her wake. Nora seemed alarmed with her sudden action and the worry on her face had Derek pasting a fake smile on his face.

"She's okay." He began "We had another argument" the understanding in Nora's eye had Derek wishing he'd tell the truth, tell her that her daughter was upset because she had three months left of her life and not enough time to live.

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Casey awoke early in the morning; it had been a month since the new prognosis and she had refused to address the situation with Derek at all, she had been going through her days as if nothing had happened, lately though she had gotten worse and Derek had become her wall of support, her symptoms were getting worse. Her body was in pain, she felt as if she had done extensive exercise the previous day her muscles ached and her body cried out in pain. It was difficult coming to a sitting position and harder still getting off the bed without support.

Once on her feet, nausea and vertigo swallowed her whole, the room spun around her and the gastric acids rode up her throat. Taking a step forward she collapsed to the ground finding her body to heavy for her. the sudden racing of her heart had her worried and the air in her lungs escaped her, her abdomen began to hurt and contract, her lungs punched out and caused a bloody cough out of her.

Casey had enough sense to bring her hand to her mouth to stop the blood from spraying out, as the coughing became violent and the spinning got worse, she found herself wishing she was already dead and done, at least this way the pain and discomfort would be less difficult. To top it off she was now developing a headache.

"Casey?" The sound of her name had her worried and disoriented, looking around she found her little sister staring at her with tears in her eyes. Casey went to speak but found her mind had gone blank. Lizzie stared at Casey with sorrow, her mouth quivered and the tears fell from her eyes hopelessly, Casey began to cough again and Lizzie watched as her sister frantically tried to hide the blood that she was expelling, hurrying to her side; she place her arms under Casey and with some difficulty lifted her up from the ground.

"Casey, I'll be right back." Lizzie said as she rushed out of the room and down the hall towards Edwin's room, she knocked urgently at his door and when he called out asking who it was she made her self known. He opened the door a little annoyed but still ready to hear whatever his step sister had to say; when he saw the troubled and worried look on her face he became concerned.

"Lizzie what is it?"

"It's Casey, Edwin." She said softly. "We were right, there is something wrong with her…" her tears ran quickly and Edwin felt a painful pang at his heart, the two were hoping they had seen nothing too important the morning she fell to her feet a month prior, but everything was now changing. "I went into her room to talk with her and she was on the ground bleeding." The two remained silent for a moment until Edwin spoke again.

"I'll get Derek" Edwin said softly.

"I'll get the moist towels" Lizzie announced leaving Edwin a bit confused. He watched Lizzie run off to the bathroom and he quickly made his way to Derek's room. Knocking on the door three times to let his brother know it was him. He heard some shuffling and clanking, along with a moan signifying Derek waking up. When the door swung open and Derek's irritated eyes glared him down, he almost forgot why he was there.

"What Edwin?" his voice had serious traces of annoyance and his eyes weren't even opened properly, his hair was a mess and he looked like he had a five o'clock shadow.

"Derek, something's wrong with Casey." The alarm that entered his brother's now awake eyes had Edwin mentally cursing.

"What do you mean something's wrong?" the urgency in Derek's voice had Edwin stumbling over his words and shaking.

"I-uh-Li-Lizzie f-f-found Casey bleeding-I don't know what-Derek what's wrong with Casey?" Edwin sounded scared and his question was partially because he knew that his brother knew what was wrong with his older step sister.

"Nothing." Derek responded quickly, but the curse that followed didn't convince Edwin. Derek rushed past Edwin and down the hall to Casey's room, Edwin followed silently. When the two entered they found Casey in Lizzie's arms, gripping onto her sister desperately as the blood continued to come out of her mouth. Lizzie held a moist towel to her sister's lips, she didn't speak but she silently comforted her sister. She had tears falling from her eyes; they fell faster the tighter that Casey gripped onto her in silent pain.

Edwin didn't speak, his own tears falling as he watched Casey suffering in Lizzie's arms, Derek by her side telling her that it would be okay. He didn't know what to do, he had thought a month ago when Lizzie had brought up the subject that it had been nothing more than the flu that Casey had been hiding, how was he suppose to handle this? This was nothing close to the flu.

His hand balled at his side when he saw Casey arch up in pain, silently screaming at whatever discomfort she was feeling. Her body was covered in blood and sweat and she looked so fragile, on the verge of breaking if Derek or Lizzie so much as touched her the wrong way. When Derek turned to him, he had to calm his breathing.

"Edwin, the drawer on the bottom left, I need you to take out a small orange bottle." Derek ordered, Edwin kept watch Casey, his body wouldn't move. "EDWIN!" Derek barked causing Edwin to jump. "I need that bottle right now." He pleaded. Edwin moved quickly, opening the drawer he nearly choked on a sob as he frantically looked for the small bottle, when he did find it he nearly fumbled with it as he rushed back to Derek, opening it and hand Derek two small pills.

He watched Derek give Casey the pills, watched as she struggled to swallow before calming down, her pale lips stained crimson due to the blood that dried there. Derek helped Lizzie rest Casey against the side of the bed, her body was limp and her head rested on the bed, her breathing was shallow. No one spoke, no one could speak. The experience was new to Edwin and Lizzie and it had gotten worse with Derek.

Derek's hand reached out as he gripped onto Casey cold hands, she held it gently, her eyes watching him with sadness and with some other emotion Derek didn't quite recognize. Lizzie let a soft sob escape her and Casey spoke then, her voice was soft and gentle.

"No" she sounded pained, her hand gripped Derek's tighter. "Don't cry" She strained, she looked over to her little sister. "You're not allowed to cry." She groaned gently, her face contorted in momentary pain. Lizzie watched her, tears streamed down her face. The more Casey watched her sister cry the more pain she felt. Tears began to fall from her eyes as well and when Lizzie's hand reached out and wiped away the tears she felt her heart ache. She reached up she held Lizzie's hand, tears falling faster. "I'm sorry Lizzie" she whispered.

Lizzie shook her head, she didn't know what was wrong with Casey, but she did know her sister was suffering, yet she didn't have to suffer alone. "No Casey." She whispered, pressing her forehead to her sister. Casey's finger gripping Lizzie's arm gently, her body quivered as she cried. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you." she cried, suddenly embracing her sister. Casey felt her heart break, she let go of Derek and held her baby sister tightly. She had not known that Lizzie's hug could feel so reviving, so warm and so important.

Edwin reached out and gripped Derek's hand. When Derek turned to face his brother he saw the little scared boy that Edwin had been when he was younger and it broke his heart. He pulled his brother closer and let him cry on his shoulder, hushing him silently. Stroking his hair, knowing that like he had needed the extra hand so did Edwin.

When Lizzie pulled away her small hand wiped away the tears that fell from Casey's eyes. She wanted whatever it was that was hurting Casey to go away. She didn't need to speak for Casey to know that she wanted to know what was wrong, so she nodded.

"I'll tell you both" she whispered, her eyes falling on Edwin whose eyes had never left her. "Not here though." She continued. "We're going to the park today." She informed Derek who nodded at her. When the door to their Parent's room opened alarm sprang into Casey, made a movement that meant be quite as he stood up.

"Lizzie, Edwin." He began silently. "Not a word to dad or Nora." He said getting up and helping Casey to her feet. "Clean up your face and go get ready." He whispered. The two nodded and sneaked back to their room but not without first giving Casey one last glance. Derek held Casey, her hands gripped his shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked when he finally turned to her, she simply smiled and nodded.

"I am now." She whispered, her eyes looking into his and the look she was giving him made his knees weak, he had the sudden urge to bend down and kiss her but held back, sitting her down on the bed.

"Can you manage on your own?" he asked softly, bending down so that his face was leveled with hers. She smiled at him and nodded. She was so beautiful to him, her hair was a mess around her face, eyes still full of life and her lips were so inviting, so tempting that he wasn't sure how much longer he could control his impulses.

Cool it Venturi

For the past month Casey had become like a drug to him, he needed to be near her, needed to hold her. Frankly he didn't like how she had become so beautiful, how one look from her could jump start high heart into a wild frenzy and have his stomach doing summersaults. He didn't like how the simple brush on her hand against his skin could have him craving her beneath her withering in pleasure. He didn't like how he was falling in love with her when she had a very short time to live.

He gave up denying his feeling for her a month ago, but he could verbalize them, Casey deserved to love who ever she wanted to love. But it hurt every time she wasn't near him; it enraged him whenever he saw another guy come near her with their lust filled eyes. She was worth more than sex; she was worth a lifetime, even if a life time was only two months.

Pulling away he sighed, smiling at her. She seemed so fragile to him, so broken but still so beautiful. "I'll go to my room now, let you get ready." Casey nodded and with one last look walked out of her room. He exhaled sharply as he walked down the call. "I'm going nuts."

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When Casey walked into the kitchen yawning and stretching she had a perfectly natural pink hue to her skin. Lizzie and Edwin had to hide the shocked looks on their faces as she took a seat and began to dig into her cereal, Derek followed just as nonchalant as Casey, taking his seat and eating. Had they not seen the scene earlier they would not have known there was something wrong with Derek.

"Hey mom." Casey called out with her usual cheerfulness. "I'll be kidnapping Edwin and Lizzie today." She announced, Derek scoffed and Casey glared.

"Don't pay the ransom Nora, it's not worth it." Nora chuckled and placed her cup of hot chocolate on the table. She looked at Casey and smiled.

"What for sweet heart?" She asked stroking her hair gently, a move that had Casey's heart aching in sadness. Smiling softly Casey looked at Nora, she looked so beautiful and even more so when she was pregnant.

"We're discussing something secret" she winked at Nora making it look like it had to do something with the baby. Smiling Nora kissed her daughter's cheek.

"Alright sweet heart." She said before turning away and walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs to Marty's room where the six year old slept. Casey let out a long and shaky breath. She turned to Edwin and Lizzie.

"You ready to go?" Nodding the two stood from their chairs and walked out of the kitchen. Casey looked at Derek a moment and he felt the wind get knocked out of him. She was looking at him with such tenderness that he felt time had stopped, it only continued ticking when she spoke to him. "Let's go" She stood from her seat leaving him momentarily motionless. How the hell, he wondered, was he possibly going to live without her after she had gone away?

That was a question no one would ever be able to answer.

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Okay guys sorry it took so long but I was brain frozen for a bit, the next chapter will have a bit of development in their relationship romantically but it's not until the chapter after that that any really good thing will start happening. REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jme