I know, the LONGEST time for a update I think. Just kind of busy working on two very big and original projects of my own so didn't have much time. I'm not sure if anyone is still out there waiting for this but I figured I owed the story a continuation of events, especially the way I left it. Kinda have my muse on my shoulder now so I hope I update again hopefully before Sunday!

Sorry no Beta so bear with me!

Here ya go!

Disclaimer; Don't ask, don't tell, don't own… except the OC's. Totally mine!

o-Xx-o

Casey carefully watched Nora and her daughter across the room whom had seemed to be in a intricate and animated conversation. Every once in a while her mother would look back at her with glances that varied between worried, curious, and sympathetic. It was driving her crazy how she hadn't had the chance to explain to her mother what had happened so many years ago, and how Haylee came to be. Explain how she didn't need pity or anyone to worry about her because she was fine. But she didn't get a chance. Edwin kept her busy until Elliot came by just as his shift ended. Then of course there were matters of introduction and though she had told her mother some about Elliot the seriousness of their relationship had always been vague. She'd always spoken of Elliot as a friend, not intentionally, it came quite naturally as it was hard for her to see him as anything different. Her mother's eyes widened considerably when Elliot introduced himself as Casey's boyfriend looking more handsome than anyone was allowed to in dark green scrubs. Casey was beyond comprehending why she hadn't fallen in love with guy already, he seemed like the perfect man.

Nora of course was delighted with Elliot and his squeaky clean mannerism. Edwin had gone over his slight phase of protective bodyguard and into a more comfortable roll of accepting the man as party of Casey's life. If only Marty would jump at the same boat since even Haylee seemed suddenly more at ease with Elliot. Actually smiling and playing while he divided his attention between her and Nora. Casey sighed deeply as she thought about her daughter. No one mentioned anything about Haylee's dream or how she knew Derek's name. As soon as the little girl laid eyes on her grandmother it seemed like all was well and forgotten. Casey however couldn't shake the shiver that ran through her spine every time she thought of Haylee actually voicing out her father's name.

Their conversation from last night also seemed to have been put to rest, even though Casey was sure sooner or later more questions would arise inevitably but for now all was fine. Better then fine it seemed as she watched how her daughter animatedly grabbed a hold of Elliot's hand and pulled him down so she could whisper something in his ear. A grin made it onto his face and he handed her daughter the stethoscope that hung around his neck. He quickly explained a few things before she eagerly reached for it. She locked eyes with her mother and her whole face brightened. Elliot too looked at Casey and he was grinning widely at his accomplishment, which brought on a smile of her own.

After a another half hour of catching up Casey's paperwork was done and she was officially discharged. They all headed to Casey's apartment. They were barely inside before Nora cornered her and pulled her aside. The mothering but stern look she was giving Casey told her there would be no escaping the inevitable conversation. Nora excused them practically hauling Casey along. When they reached her room Nora closed it softly before turning back to her daughter. There was anger, disappointment, and concern in her heavy gaze, though the two former had Casey more on edge.

They silently looked at each other before Casey evaded her mother's stare unable to handle it anymore. The ache in her chest became a heavy burden to carry the more distant she took from her mother, all of which was necessary at the time. Now though she wasn't sure if she'd done right.

"I can't talk about it, mom." She said finally breaking the silence. The words sounded like glass being shattered in a hollow empty room, and with them Casey sunk onto her bed placing her elbows on her thighs and burying her head in her hands.

Nora wanted to clearly object and obligate Casey to explain everything that very second, but it was more than obvious her daughter was having a hard time as it was. Besides, almost everything important that had to be said, was more than obvious. It surprised her that she'd never seen it before, never realized what had been going on probably under her very own roof. All those years went by and it almost seemed like she had purposely turned a blind eye to it all when trying to understand had failed her.

It all seemed strange of course, Casey's abrupt change in plans and choice of university, she'd never figured there was any reasons doubt her trust in her daughter as Casey had always proven to be responsible. Of course the mood swings, and the way she closed herself of that summer should've alarmed her but she'd figured it had been a break up or perhaps the ending of her high school career finally hitting her. Now though it made sense. All of it, well most of it, did. Derek. It all had to do with him. He'd always been one of the only people who could put Casey on edge, drive her completely mad every chance he got and every way he could. Rile her up and cause her the occasional lapse of judgment that always let too mayhem. Not always bad, but always disastrous. Of course it had been him, it almost seemed stupid now, to not have seen it before.

She'd never been a bad judge of character though. Everyone was entitled to their mistakes, even Casey as big as it might have been, but the fact that her step-son wasn't around to deal with it and to suffer the consequences surprised her. Derek might've never been the perfect person, and had a tendency to screw up, something like this was something she and George had more than expected just not with Casey in the picture, but it was never wrong willed, or to hurt someone. Especially not family. To not be there for Casey and assume his responsibilities, it scared Nora.

She should've seen it before though, it was all so clear now. Those eyes might have been Casey, the first thing anyone noticed, she took one look at them and inevitably fell in love, never bothered looking for everything else that was clearly not.

"Derek, he…" Nora couldn't even finish her sentence.

It didn't seem to matter though because Casey seemed to understand every unanswered question haunting her.

"Mom, it doesn't matter." She finally said. Looking up Casey ran one hand threw her hair and though she looked exhausted she pulled herself together well. "None of it matters. It hasn't for a long time."

In those simple words Casey seemed to be saying a lot to all of Nora's questions. Nothing mattered. Not whatever happened between her and Derek, not that Derek was Haylee's father, and not even that he wasn't and hadn't been around. It answered nothing, yet said everything, and the words were final. Nora sighed reluctantly. She knew the defiance and firm look in Casey's eyes, knew that she'd be fighting a already lost battle, and though nothing about this entire situation was final she let it go reluctantly.

"You should've told me. I would've been angry, but—"

"Mom, please I-I can't." Casey had such a panic stricken look on her eyes that immediately stopped Nora from saying anything else. Casey sighed in relieve. They remained in silence for a few more moments as Casey composed herself once more. She'd gone so long without feeling anything but the love she had for her daughter and those close to her, that all this that was happening at once, was taken its toll on her as was proven yesterday afternoon. She couldn't possibly handle much more. It was almost as if she was hanging by string lately and she couldn't afford to be broken. Not with everything she'd been holding all these past years. Her resolve to be content, and that concrete wall she built to keep herself intact had to remain firm.

Suddenly there were voices and rustling going on outside her door. Before she had time to worry her door flew open revealing a frantic Lizzie followed by a rustled Marty both talking over each other.

"Oh my God, thank God you're fine I—"

"I told you it wasn't a matter of life and—"

"-was so worried, but I had exams I couldn't just—"

"—death! You can be so melodramatic, I didn't even—"

"—leave in the middle of it all, and Haylee gawd is she okay cause—"

"—get a chance to say goodbye to Rodger and he—"

"—It must've been terri—Mom what are you doing here?"

Lizzie finally let go of Casey whom she'd latched onto as soon as she was sure Casey wasn't physically hurt, only to turn around and find her mom there too.

"Edwin called, and I was due for a visit anyway."

"—Oh my gawd Case, Nora is here." Marty said finally ending what she only then realized had become a one sided conversation with herself.

"Thanks for joining us." Casey said teasingly, smiled and wrapped her arms around her step sister grateful to have her back, so soon, even if the circumstances were slightly screwed.

"Sush, I've kinda been through enough here, already I deserve a break." Marty responded indignantly.

"Told you we're both fine." Haylee said mostly to her aunt Lizzie who had calmed down considerable.

"Yes you did." Lizzie admitted planting a kiss on her niece's cheek. "And I'm happy you are."

"Sweetie, could you leave me alone with your aunts and grandmother?" Casey asked her daughter politely. Slightly pouting at being excluded between the women she nodded and went back to Edwin and Elliot. As soon as the door clicked closed all three women turned to Casey curiously. Taking a deep breath Casey spoke her voice firm laced with grave seriousness.

"How does my daughter know her father's name?"

o0o0o0o0o0o

"Dude, have you gone completely mental? What the hell is wrong with you?" Alex responded incredulously as soon as he recovered from his state of pure and utter shock. It wasn't every day that he found out his, obviously-not-in-love-with-his-pain-in-the-butt-girlfriend, best friend announced that he was getting married to said girlfriend. He'd known Derek his entire hockey career, both were drafted around the same time, this wasn't something he'd expected or saw remotely coming. He knew Amanda, he knew that despite the fact that she and Derek were in a committed relationship he was unhappy, yet so annoyingly content it was almost ridiculous. But he always figured it was something passing, just like the sleeping around, and the endless partying. Amanda was the first serious relationship Derek had been in since he decided to clean up his act, a decision that was entirely his own, and that Alex might not have accepted at first. But he supported it all, whatever his best friend wanted, and he was all up for Derek finally finding what he needed. Fortunately it all seemed to fall in place with the idea of settling down.

Unfortunately he was planning to so with Amanda freaking Waylon. And that was unacceptable.

Their third friend, Xavier, was remotely choking on his sandwich at the news but neither men paid him any attention to preoccupied glaring at each other.

"This was not what I had in mind when I imagined telling you this," Derek lied. "I kind of expected more of a, 'Congratulations, man' or maybe, 'Tying on the shackles, huh?' and maybe that ridiculous lopsided grin of yours."

Alex just continued glaring full on knowing fully that Derek must've known better than that. He seemed to be catching on though that his friend was not taking any of his crappy attempts at seeming angry.

Xavier began coughing even louder causing a view onlookers to gaze at their table, all which both Derek and Alex were oblivious to.

"Seriously man, how could you propose to her, that's like reaching for snake venom and shooting it up like heroin."

Derek's eyes narrowed, "Seriously you chose to go with that analogy?"

"You're right, do you know why those freaky little lady spiders are called black widow?" Alex didn't wait for a response, "Because they eat the male after mating, Derek."

Derek rolled his eyes and took another sip of his soda. "She'll like strangle and smother you or slowly kill you as soon as you tie the knot, either way you're done!" Alex continued frantic.

Derek snorted, "What is wrong with you and animals today?"

"Reptiles and Arthropod's. Goddamn Discovery channel, there was nothing on TV last night. But that is besides the point."

Xavier's arm finally stopped wailing when one of the waiters passing by took pity on him and handed him a glass of water.

"What you did was stupid, now you need to get out of it. Plead temporary insanity." Alex insisted.

"No. I won't do that." Derek said firm.

But Alex wasn't planning on giving up. Almost everyone that saw him at first glance found him intimidating. Well built, over six foot tall, and a overall sharp look gave people the impression that he was the last person you wanted to mess with. When you got to know him though, it was more than obvious he was just a goofball like most of the players on the team, simply the unfortunate subject of prejudice. Just like Derek he was featured as in the top five assholes, in most tabloid despite the frequent assurance of a lot people that insisted he was a good guy in interviews. There was always a source that swore the contrary. So he knew all about the façade, and in Derek's life being with Amanda just helped strengthen what many people already assumed of him. It wasn't who he was though, and Alex couldn't allow his best friend to do something as stupid as that.

"Derek." His voice dropping all traces of humor he might had earlier. "You'd be unhappy, you know that."

"This isn't just about me anymore. I really have been thinking about fostering and—"

It took only seconds of really analyzing his friend before it clicked. "—It's about her." Alex said in realization, emphasizing the word 'her' with a undertone.

Derek flinched, and really there wasn't much to be said, as it was a dead giveaway that Alex was right.

He didn't exactly know who 'she' was, other than the fact that it was the reason Derek could never be truly happy, again. One drunken night a few years ago he had spoken of her, never actually mentioning his name, but only in the manner he spoke of the mysterious woman, Alex knew Derek had it bad. It was never truly mentioned again, as it was something that Derek evaded and denied ever mentioning in the first place, but he was no fool.

Everything always led to her.

"Seriously I could've died!" Xavier finally spoke break the dead silence. "You, guys are assholes! And I can't believe you're getting hitched, man." He continued grinning like a loon. "Amanda might be a bitch but she's hot, that's what counts right."

Alex turned his full on glare to Xavier, who was much shorter than, and despite his agility on ice, the kid didn't have much going for him, but still he latched onto the duo the moment he laid eyes on them two years ago. Sometimes he was useful, other times he was guess starring in most of their assassination plots. Featured as a victim of course, like at the moment.

Neither of them said anything for a while all of them lost in their thoughts.

Alex, couldn't let his friend go through with this absurdity.

Derek, was determined to follow through with his plans.

Xavier, wasn't sure what was going on, other than that he had a near death experience just moments ago.

-Xx-

Review and I promise I'll write quicker!