Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize from outside this story. I claim only the plot, my characters, any places, and such that I make up. And I definitely don't own "See Me Through" by Rascal Flatts.

Chapter 10:

Next Thursday 9pm

Caffeinated Open Mic Night

Derek stands off to the side of the stage leaning against the wall with his friends. "You know what? I feel fine. This should be fun."

Daniel asks with a raised eyebrow "What song are you going to play?"

"Hey, you playing that song I heard you playing in the locker room? Did you write that one?" Marks asks.

"I did and I was going to but I think I am going to play a 3 Doors Down song instead. I just have to tell Patty real quick I changed my mind." Derek says.

Patty, the coffee shop's barista playing MC again, goes on the stage and says "Hey everybody. Help me welcome the rap styling's of DJ Whack on stage and afterwards we will hear from someone who was a huge hit last time he was here. Maybe we will get another great song?"

All of a sudden Derek turns green and spins to practically run to the bathroom asking "Hey, can you guys tell Patty for me?"

Mark hands Patty a piece of paper as she comes down from the stage and him and Daniel start to walk towards the couches where all the girlfriends are. Andrew trails after them and asks them when they get to the couches "What did you hand Patty? Did you tell her?"

"Not exactly." Mark replies.

"This should be good." Andrew says as he sits next to Whitney.

Derek sits on the stool on the stage as Patty makes his introduction. "Give it up for one of Queen's starting hockey forwards Derek Venturi. He is here tonight to sing a song I am told he calls "See Me Though" for his girlfriend Casey. Lucky girl."

Hearing this Derek's eyes widen and he starts to panic. He fiddles with his guitar and clears his throat. And with no intro from him, he starts to sing in a clear loud voice but still staring at the stage floor:

"Before we met I was free

I never had to worry about anyone but me

Now that boy is gone and in his place

Is a man who needs to hold you night and day

So if I stumble, if I fall

Forgive me I'm just learning as I go alone

[Chorus]

See me through, see me through

This aching heart has come so far

To be with, see me through

With angel eyes, just look inside

At all this love I never want to lose

See me through

I know sometimes I let you down

But I'm still getting used to having you around

And if I ever make you cry

There's nothing I won't do to make things right

I'm not perfect and that's for sure

A little time is all I'm asking for

[Repeat Chorus]

See me through this mask I wear

Well, I'm almost there, you know I care

I am the man you always thought you knew

See me through, See me through

Oh see me through

yeah yeah

oooo ooo see me through

oh we're almost there, can't you see that

I'm almost girl I'm almost there

This mask I wear

Girl, I'm almost there, I'm almost there

See me, See me through this mask I wear,

I'm almost there

ooooo girl

See me through, ooo yeah"

Amid applause, he gets off the stage and runs into the someone. He looks up to see a pretty blonde. "Hi Derek, I'm Desiree. I just wanted to say that you are as good a singer as you are on the ice." she says as she puts her hand on his arm.

It dawns on Derek why she looks familiar. It is the girl from the Blue Room from the weekend of Sam's visit. Deciding to ignore the flirtatious tone to her voice, "thanks. You a fan of hockey? That's great. What was the last game you went to?"

"A couple weeks ago. Maybe you saw me there? You played amazing. Maybe we could sit and talk? Get drinks later?"

"Nope. And I have a feeling you don't want to talk hockey stats. I may have dated around like I assume you do but I have never cheated. I am a one woman guy. I am going to go sit with my girlfriend and our friends. See you around." Derek says walking off.

When Derek gets over to the couches, he picks Casey up and sets her on lap and wraps his arms around her. "Derek, not that I mind but what is this for? There was plenty of room next to me" Casey asks.

"No reason," he replies knowing that Desiree was watching and the corners of his mouth lift up as he sees the blonde leave the coffee shop in a huff.

"Ummm hi?"

The group turns their heads to see a cute short freckled red head standing next to the armrest of one of the couches.

"Hi, I'm Casey. Do I know you?"

"No, you don't but I wanted to say sorry for my roommate. I'm Sandra by the way."

"Don't worry about it. Hey, you are the one Sam met that night right?" Seeing her nod, Derek says "So you're the Sandra Sam said he had been e-mailing and talking to. You want to sit with us?"

"That would be great. Desiree was my ride here."

Andrew scoots over to give her some room to sit and speaks up, "here sit. Whitney and I can give you a ride back."

One Week Later

Wednesday (the day before the Maple Leafs Game)

8:30 am

Derek walks towards kitchen and on his way he spots Casey on the couch with her laptop on her lap. He walks behind her and kisses her cheek. "Good morning Babe."

Derek pulls a mug down from the cupboard. "Thank God for automatic coffee makers. You want a cup, Case?"

"Good morning. Thanks, I would love one. I am having lunch with Sandra by the way. She seemed nice. She needs someone to help her to a new dorm room."

"Thats great Casey."

"Hey, do you mind if we don't have date night tonight? Since we are going to be gone for a couple days, I want to catch up on few things before we go."

"Yeah that's okay. I got it cleared with my coach to skip Friday's practice so I don't have to be back until Saturday afternoon for practice for our Sunday game. So it is definitely a go for seeing the family this weekend. You called Nora and told her we are coming right?"

When she doesn't answer him, he says "hey Casey? You okay?"

"What? Sorry. Derek, remember how you sang a new song last Thursday on open mic night?

"Of course I do. I wrote it. The second one I have written in a long time. It was supposed to be a way to goof off but instead Mark had the MC announce the title of the song so I couldn't sing something else. Pushy bastard. It was so much easier singing about food in high school. Thanks for being there by the way. What about it?"

"Well then why did you record yourself and put it on you tube? I wouldn't have noticed it but Whitney sent me a message asking me about it. It is up there along with the first song. I mean I know you made that channel to post the videos you make for class and contests but you never are in front of the camera."

"What are you talking about Casey? I didn't put my songs on there. I have a hard enough time playing for anybody let alone the whole world. I want to direct and produce."

"That's why I am confused."

"Very funny, Casey. Now I am going to take a shower."

Derek stops as he hears himself singing coming from the speakers on her laptop.

"Now that boy is gone and in his place

Is a man who needs to hold you night and day

So if I stumble, if I fall

Forgive me I'm just learning as I go along"

Turning around and sitting next to her, he takes her laptop and sure enough there is a video of him singing and playing his guitar.

"Well that's me alright. I mean, I recorded myself playing the two songs I wrote and saved it to my laptop but I only did that for myself. I never posted this. At least I don't think I did." Derek's face lights up with clarity and points to the screen. "Oh wait it says I posted it on Friday. That's the night I played poker and drank with the guys. I remember now. Sometime that night we must have thought it was a good idea."

"Do you think any of the family has seen it yet?"

"Nah, they would have call if they did. I will just take them down."

"No wait!" Casey stops his hand. "Look at how many views you have had so far and the comments. This is really great. Besides you wrote them about me right?"

"Yeah so?"

"Well I say they stay up."

"Fine, Your High Highness. They stay up, for now. But I reserve the right to take them down for any reason." He gives her a kiss and heads to the shower.

Casey replays them with a smile that had a hint of a smirk to it.

****End of Chapter 10****

This might seem like a filler chapter but it will be important later. I try to edit/spell check these but if I didn't catch something sorry.

Thanks for reading. Hope you like it. Sorry it took so long. Had to work the evening shifts this week and so it was hard to get it all done. But on the bright side I uploaded it finally and 11 and 12 only need to be edited and they can be posted so expect those by Thursday night at the latest.

Special Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter: Ace5492, Kpfan72491, Dark-Supernatural-Angel, merdarkandtwisty

Since I usually post updates in the evening, it is exciting to wake up or get home at night to reviews. Totally makes my day. You guys are amazing.

Up Next:

Chapter 11 Maple Leafs Game

Chapter 12 Heading to London