Thank you to all for reading and your feedback so far :) Enjoy!

I do not own Life with Derek.


In the morning, Derek didn't hesitate this time to kiss her neck and shoulders gently. Casey didn't stir but smiled sweetly in her sleep at the touch.

Although he waited four years to wake up with her like this, much of those years spent denying it, he quickly disentangled himself from their embrace and headed out to observe Dennis. He would do his best not to blow at the man who was providing him hospitality but he knew it would be a hard feat after all he had learned the night before.

Derek headed to the bathroom to wash up before he investigated. He noticed Dennis sitting in the living room, drinking from a Rangers mug and reading the paper.

When he saw Derek freshened up a few minutes later, he greeted him heartily.

"I can't believe it, you're up before Casey! Heck, I can't believe I am." Dennis commented amusedly, inviting Derek to sit on the couch.

It took a moment before Derek realized Dennis wasn't saying anything about the fact that he wasn't sleeping on the pullout couch or that he was sharing a bed with his daughter.

However, Derek kept up his 'nice' charade and chuckled. "I'm as shocked as you are. I wouldn't worry. She'll be out to do her keener things soon enough. Are you working today?"

Dennis nodded, tossing the paper on the table before taking a sip of his drink. "Only a couple meetings. I'll only be a few hours, then I figured I'd take Casey out. I mean, if that's okay with you?" he half-asked.

Derek laughed. "A free chance to get her out of my hair? Of course. But really this trip is about you two. I'm just here for the free stuff and hot girls." he added with his traditional smirk.

Dennis laughed and clapped him on the shoulder as he rose from his chair.

"Atta boy! It'll give you some free time to scope out your next lucky lady. Just keep your cell on you in case you get into trouble. I don't like the thought of you going off by yourself in this city with all the crazy people in the streets around town just because I'm trying to bond with my daughter and left you alone." he said more solemnly, shaking his head.

Derek smiled. "I'll make sure its fully charged too. See, you've already got the dad thing down pat. That's exactly what my dad would say."

Dennis' face relaxed at the comment. Derek, although didn't do feelings himself, could see the emotions on Dennis' face easily. Maybe it was because he was Casey's father but probably since they lay there plain as day. Whatever the case, Dennis was obviously nervous to spend time with Casey too.

"Thanks. Well I better head out. When Casey gets up, tell her I'll be back around two to pick her up." Dennis instructed, pulling on his coat and grabbing his briefcase from beside the door.

"Will do." Derek replied, pretending to reach for the paper. Once Dennis was out of sight, Derek instead reached for the mug. He inhaled the scent and nearly gagged.

Rye whiskey. Hard liquor. Forty percent. It wasn't even ten in the morning.

Was alcoholism really that bad that you had to drink so early in the morning? Derek had seen him drinking the night before near ten and not even twelve hours later he had to resort back to it? And who knew how long he had been drinking while they were asleep? It was one thing to start early in the afternoon but to start that early in the day?

Casey came out a couple minutes later to find Derek looking troubled at the sink in the kitchen, looking down at the cars through the window. He jumped a little when she touched his shoulder.

"Oh sorry Klutzilla, it's just you." he said then realized his slip. Before he could apologize for the nickname, she smiled.

"Don't. I know coming from you, it isn't meant offensively. Just like Space-Case and Spacey and whatever other names you call me isn't."

Derek smiled back at her. "Sounds like you think you know me well, princess."

"I've picked up a few things over the years." she said with a shrug, her smile more playful now.

So this was what it was like to flirt with Casey? Interesting concept. Strangely, it wasn't any different from their usual conversations.

Wonder why that could be…

"So what are the plans for today?" she asked him, digging through the bottom cupboards for something to eat. She stopped when she came across a half-dozen bottles.

Her eyes changed to ones of pain and Derek sighed before pulling her into him. She looked up at his face, awaiting the comforting words he always had.

"Case…I think you should talk to him about it…we're all just dancing around the truth. We all know what's going on. You have to let him know how you feel about it."

She shook her head, tears already threatening to fall. "I know. Just not yet. I need some positive time with him before I open that can of worms. Plus I want you there." she said, cuddling into him.

Why did this feel so right? Derek couldn't understand why he had put off showing her his feelings for so long. Everything was so natural. Holding her, kissing her, being there for her. It was like breathing, instinctual, involuntary, necessary.

"You know I'll be there. I'm not letting you face that alone. But Case, I want to ask you something…" Derek started off apprehensively.

She simply waited patiently for him to continue.

"When you noticed your father had a problem…how early in the day did his problem start?" he asked slowly.

Casey pondered for a minute. "Well…when I first started noticing the consistency, it was about three in the afternoon. He used to not drink except maybe the odd glass of wine at supper or a beer with the hockey game. But then he started drinking whiskey in the afternoon, rather than at New Years where he used to save it for. Then it got a bit earlier as the years went on, I think the earliest was probably one…? Why do you ask?"

Derek sighed, hating that he brought it up but knowing she had to get the full situation from someone, and Dennis wouldn't be the one to openly discuss it. "He was drinking this morning."

He hated seeing the pain on her face as she glanced at the mug on the counter, wrinkling her nose in distaste as she picked up the pungent scent and then glancing quickly at the clock on the wall. Her shoulders slumped in disappointment. Derek kissed her forehead, his arm slung around her drooping shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I just… thought you should know."

Casey surprisingly chuckled at this, albeit it shakily. "Derek Venturi apologizing…hmm never thought I'd live to see the day…"

Derek rolled his eyes. He knew she was just trying to lighten the mood and change the subject. After all, he had apologized quite emotionally the night before and he knew she would never forget that.

"Tell anyone and you won't live to see your nineteenth birthday." he told her in a serious tone.

She raised an eyebrow. "Your birthday is sooner, why not before then?"

He rolled his eyes, trying not to smile. Casey always had to be difficult. She couldn't just accept a threat without challenging him somehow.

"Because I need a hot dancer on my arm when I go out to the clubs…" He didn't manage to finish his sentence since she punched him in the arm. "Hey, I was talking about you, you know!"

She giggled. "I know. But if you think you're going to use me as eye candy and to boost your rep you have got another think coming. Women are not just tools that men can flash around like shiny metals. We all have sophisticated, complex personalities and-"

"Complex! Not likely. After all you are simply irritating."

"Der-ek! You're the one that's irritating! You're a shallow pig!"

"Hey there pumpkin I wouldn't be talking, you're the one with the one track mind! All you can think about is feminist theories! At least I've branched off to not just your looks but your hobbies. I'm already a great boyfriend."

"HA great boyfriend?! Who just wants to take his girlfriend to a club to parade around like some toy?"

"No one said anything about toys….my, my Casey, what is going through that little non-prude head of yours?" he asked, his grin taking up his entire face.

"Derek, I swear to the heavens if you don't quit-" she suddenly paused mid-rant. "Did you say boyfriend? Does this mean we're dating?" she asked, looking thoroughly confused as if the concept was in a foreign language.

Derek pulled her close, kissing her long on the mouth. She was breathless when he broke away.

"Obviously, Space-Case." and he headed to the bathroom to shower.