I don't own Life with Derek but I do own Lizzie's evil boyfriend David and Amanda Lizzie's friend

Couples: Lizzie/Derek friendship at first then Dizzie later. And Lizzie/David but this is basically Lizzie and Derek centric though.

Warnings: Abuse, Drugs, Sex, Cursing.

XXXXXXXX

(Last Chapter)

Tears were falling down Lizzie's face as she reread Derek's letter. He loved her; he loved her and he wasn't sorry he kissed her; he left because he thinks she doesn't feel the same. Oh how wrong Der can be sometimes! But he was right about one thing. She does need to fight her battle alone; she doesn't need a safety net.

Because she was a fighter and she's gonna fight David so he stays in jail where he belongs.

She's gonna fight for Derek; because they are an unknown friendship that turned into an unknown love.

XXXX

The next morning Dr. Kane told Lizzie she was allowed to go home that afternoon. She wanted nothing more than to call Derek and tell him the good news but the more she thought about it, the more she thought about the letter she must have reread a billon times over the night. She remembered the letter word per word and she knows exactly what he's telling her.

He was right, she didn't need a safety net; which is why she called Casey and asked her if she could pick her up from the hospital after school. Casey was so happy she was getting a second chance she was more than enthused to pick her up. She didn't even bother asking her why Derek wasn't going to. She knows her sister will ask her sooner or later what's going on with them. Casey might have changed a lot but she still is a nosey do-gooder and always will be.

She looked around her hospital room and noticed that this wasn't as horrible as she thought it was. If anything, good things have taken place here…and all of them were with Derek.

"That has to tell me something." She muttered to herself as she stepped out of her bed. Her legs were wobbly but she didn't care, she was finally getting out.

By the time Casey came, Lizzie was so antsy she walked right outside as soon as she saw her sister's face. She heard Casey calling for her as signed her release papers but paid her no mind.

When she got outside she smiled as she felt the coldness of Canada that she's known and loved for so long. It's been too long since she's really felt the wind.

"Are you ready to go home now, or do you wanna just drive around for a little?" Casey's soft voice said from behind. Casey could tell that she was having a moment and didn't want to interrupt but she was worried about her little sister.

"Can we drive for a little? I don't want to go home just yet." Lizzie answered gently and gave her sister a half smile as they walked to the car.

"So where do you wanna go?" Casey smiled as she started the car.

Lizzie paused for a moment. She knew exactly where she wanted to go but at the same time…she didn't want to go with Casey.

"Anywhere is fine." She lied.

"Want to get a smoothie?"

She could tell that Casey was making a hard effort to be there for her and she really appreciated it. This was the Casey she remembered and as much as it annoyed her sometimes, she loved her this way so much better than how she was before.

"I'd like that."

The car ride was silent but comfortable. It was kinda like things were before everything changed. Before Casey figured out boozed and sex and before David ever came into the picture. It was almost like they were the same old Casey and Lizzie who only really had each other, too bad things were too fucked up now for it to go back that way.

When they reached the mall, Casey stopped and looked at Lizzie. She could tell she was holding back tears.

"I wanted to say this before we went inside and definitely before we went home but…I'm so sorry Lizzie and I wanted you know that I really have changed, and this time it's for the better." Tears started pouring down Casey's eyes like a stream, and for a moment Lizzie saw her as blissfully beautiful.

"I know you have, and I'm so happy to have my sister back but right now I need you guys to wait for me to change back too, and even then…I wont be the same Lizzie I once was." She said truthfully and reached for her sister and wiped the stray tears away.

Casey smiled sadly and got out of the car before rushing and giving Liz a bone crushing hug.

"I love you so much." She muttered into her hair.

"I love you too Casey, no matter what." She whispered

"Promise?" Casey chocked hugging her even more tightly.

Lizzie looked straight ahead and pictured David's face smiling at her.

"I promise." She swore hardly.

XOXOXOXO

Derek paced around his bedroom for millionth time in the past hour. He was beyond nervous. Today Lizzie was coming back home, and he couldn't be happier…or more scared. He hasn't heard from her since he left the hospital, and he knew she got his letter, he just doesn't know how she reacted.

"What if she freaked out, after all I am her step brother. Fuck." He swore to himself as he looked out the window again.

"Derek!" He heard his father yell from down stairs. He sighed to himself as he walked down the stairs to see dad, Nora, Marti, and Edwin staring up at him.

"What's up?" He asked he asked hesitantly. He could see in their eyes this conversation wasn't going to be a light one.

"Derek, before the girls get here we wanted to let you know that David's lawyer got in touch with us today." Nora said. This whole ordeal has been so hard on her and for once he can say he really saw her as family because they both cared for one person like she was their own.

"And... what did she want?"

Nora, at that point was lost for words so his dad stepped in for his new wife, who was at the point of tears once again.

"The court date is in two weeks and they want you to go on the stand. Do you think you can handle that without losing control?" Dad as been a lot lighter towards his oldest since that night, he could see the pain in Derek's eyes when he finally came home.

"Yeah, I can handle it…for Lizzie. I want that bastard in jail so he can't hurt anyone else." Derek said harshly before walking back upstairs.

Everyone looked at each other in sympathy.

"I wish I could help him." George said sadly and Nora nodded in agreement.

"I hear ya daddy." Edwin said and Marti looked at her family and smiled before running upstairs after her big brother.

She ran all the way up to her brother's room and knocked real softly. She knew her Smerek loved her very much and that he never got mad at her if she tried to be around him, but she didn't want to push her luck this time. Smerek was really upset about Lizzie. She knew Derek wanted to marry Lizzie, she could see the way he looks at her.

After about a minute she heard him moving towards his door and him open it slightly. His face relaxed when he saw who was at the door and he opened it wider for Marti to enter.

"What's up Smarti?" His tone tried to be casual but she could tell he was really worn out.

Marti didn't say anything she just went up to her brother and hugged him as tightly as she could. At first she could tell his surprise and hesitation but after a couple seconds, he hugged her just as tight and lifted her from the floor.

"I love you Smarti, till the end of the world." He whispered into her ear softly, in a way only her big brother could do.

"I know Smerek, I love you too." She said back and looked at him straight in the eyes and smiled sadly as she wiped away a stray tear from Derek's face.

"No matter what." She swore.

"Do you promise?" He couldn't help but ask. He knew he was going to tell people about how he felt for Lizzie sooner or later, but he needed to know he always had the support of his little sister….the only one that really mattered besides Lizzie.

"I promise Smerek."

XOXOXOXO

As Casey pulled into the driveway, Lizzie couldn't help but take a deep breath. This was it. She was finally home, and she was finally going to see Derek again.

"Are you okay?" Casey asked her concerned. She figured Lizzie would be a little uneasy about seeing her family after the accident, but Lizzie looked like she was about to pass out.

Lizzie shook her head and gave her sister a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, it just feels like it's been so long, when it's only been a couple of days."

"A couple of days could feel like a lifetime sometimes." Casey laughed.

Lizzie laughed back, because in a fucked up kinda way, she was right. A couple of days completely changed everything Lizzie ever felt about everything.

"Aright let's go in before I lose my cool." Liz joked and opened the car door before slowly getting out and grabbing her bag.

Casey followed behind her as she walked to the front door. That is where Lizzie stopped. She didn't know if she could handle going in there. Seeing her mom and George's sympathetic glances and pity glares from Edwin with a mixture of gloating wasn't something she thinks she can handle just yet. Because everyone knows one thing Edwin loves, is being right.

"Hey, don't even worry about it. No one is going to treat you weirdly…well maybe Edwin but he's always weird." Casey tried to joke but instead she kinda choked a sob as what Lizzie guessed she was remembering why Lizzie was so nervous.

"Yeah…"

"Plus you know Derek will kick anyone's ass if they even look at you funny. He's been taking everything so hard." Casey said softly and Lizzie looked at her sister and wondered if she knew…if she knew Derek and her loved each other.

"Come on." Lizzie finally said before opening the door.

Immediately five pairs of eyes looked at her as soon as she stepped inside, but there was only one person who she was staring back at.

"Home sweet home." She muttered.

She could just tell this was going to be a long night.

"Lizzie, welcome home." Her mother was the first to reach out to her and give her a warm hug. She hugged her back

"It's good to be back." She muttered and smiled softly at everyone, who was still staring at her.

"Are you tired sweetie?" Nora asked while rubbing her arms which to be honest made Lizzie really uncomfortable.

"Nah since there was nothing to really do at the hospital all I did was sleep." She lied but tried to joke but her small smile faded when she saw everyone except Derek turn sheet white.

"I am a little hungry though." She jumped in trying to quickly change the subject.

"Well dinner is almost ready." George said timidly and Liz smiled at him.

"Okay thanks. What are we having?"

"Tacos!" Marti chirped making everyone smile.

"My favorite." Lizzie smiled and looked over at Derek who smiled to her. She knew it was his favorite too.

XOXOX

After dinner everyone decided to stay and watch a video together. Since Marti was there they picked a movie everyone liked…"Yours, Mine, and Ours"

"Oh my god I love Drake Bell in this he's so cute." Casey commented through out the movie.

"I love that Miranda Cosgrove is in it too. They are so good together; perfect brother/sister chemistry." Lizzie said as she shifted between Casey and Derek. Ever since she got home, both Derek and Casey haven't let her out of their sight, they were just trying to be sneaky about it…well at least Derek was.

"I'm just surprised you kids didn't make up some plan to try and get George and I to break up after we just got married." Nora laughed and so did everyone else.

"Well who knows, maybe Casey and Derek fought all this time to try and get you guys to split." Edwin teased making everyone laugh more.

By the time the movie ended everyone was play fighting about whose family they were most like.

"Oh hell no, The McDonalds are more organized and structured. The Venturis are free spirits." Derek commented making Edwin nod in agreement and even Marti.

Before Casey could defend herself, Nora jumped in.

"Yes, you guys are right. We are more organized but we were no way near little Navy Seals."

"That's for sure." Lizzie muttered to herself and Derek looked at her strangely and she just shrugged.

"Alright gang I think it's time we get off to bed. It's been a long night." Nora stated and glanced over at Lizzie. She smiled and hugged her daughter softly.

"It's good to see you home Lizard, I've missed my baby around so much." Nora whispered into her ear and kissed her softly on the cheek.

After Casey, George, Edwin, and Marti hugged Lizzie goodnight, Liz shifted nervously and looked at Derek who looked just as uncomfortable. After a couple seconds he gave her a quick hug and ruffled her hair.

"Night Sport." He muttered and walked upstairs.

Casey looked at Lizzie with confusion as everyone stared at the stairs on amazement. They thought when Lizzie came home Derek would be back to normal.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" Casey couldn't help but ask.

Lizzie shrugged. She had no intention of telling them what's on Derek's mind, because she doesn't even know what he's thinking at this point.

"Probably girl troubles." Edwin suggested and Casey noticed how Lizzie turned a little pink before shrugging and then she too walked upstairs.

"Yeah…probably." Casey muttered to herself before the rest of the kids followed after Derek and Lizzie.

"There couldn't be anything going on between Derek and Liz…right?" Casey thought to herself as she closed her bedroom door.

XOXOXO

Lizzie shot up from her bed for about the millionth time in the past two hours. It was already midnight and she still couldn't go to sleep. David's face kept coming into her head and all those words of love that she used to love now only bring her pain. How can she go through seeing him again?!

When she noticed the tears streaming down her face she knew she couldn't stay in her bed any longer. She got up and put on her warm slippers and slowly crept out of her room.

When she found herself in front of Derek's room she took a deep breath and softly knocked.

It didn't take long for him to answer. His eyes showed nothing but concern for her as he quickly let her into his room.

"What's wrong?" He asked gently stroking her hair. He couldn't help it. When he saw her today all he wanted to do was run to her and kiss her and tell her how much he loved her…but he couldn't; at least not yet.

"I couldn't sleep too many memories." Lizzie admitted and closed her eyes at the feeling of bliss of him touching her.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Lizzie shook her head.

"No right now. I was just wondering if I could stay here tonight. I sleep better when I'm not alone." She was stuttering at that point. She was afraid he would say no.

"Of course. Here let me move everything so you'd be more comfortable." He rushed quickly to make his bed perfect. His heart was beating so fast. He knew she wasn't talking about sex but just being close to Lizzie gave his heart such a rush and he knew Liz was the only girl to ever be able to do that to him.

"Thank you." She whispered as she got into his bed as did Derek. They were far apart and Lizzie couldn't have that. She moved closer to him so that they could both feel the other's body heat, so that their lips weren't farther than inches away.

"Goodnight." He whispered and kissed her cheek.

She smiled and leaned in closer to kiss his lips.

"It will be now." She stated as she wrapped her arms around him and they fell into a peaceful sleep.

TBC