PREVIOUS: Sally is staying with Casey and Derek in a week. How has this affected Dasey? Well let's see: Derek expressed his feelings to a shocked Casey who didn't even hear it. Instead, is Casey actually giving Truman another chance or was her declaration some sort of tactic meant to help her in her quest for Derek? Let's find out!

CHAPTER 12

Derek/Casey

His expression was full of pain. Hurt seemed to be radiating off him. It suddenly fell upon me that I hadn't listened to him. What the heck did he say? More importantly, what the heck did I say and what had I done to him and consequently to myself?

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

I couldn't take it. I was not losing her to him; just to watch him hurt again. She had just told me that, contrary to what I'd thought after eavesdropping on their phone conversation, that she and Truman weren't over. Knowing this, I probably shouldn't have done what I did next but I was desperate and I still don't see that I really had any other choice.

Like lightning, Derek's face went from pained, to angry, to frenzied; all the while starring at me. He then moved so quickly I didn't even see him coming. But then his lips were on mine and his arms were wrapped around me. This kiss was different than the others. Instead of light and sweet, it was hot and rough and desperate. I lost myself in the moment of pure passion. Our lips moved in perfect sync, as if we were one single person.

When we finally pulled apart we were both breathing heavily and neither of us was smiling. I had known even before we started that it was wrong because of her boyfriend and because of our family, but I didn't regret it and I could tell that she didn't either. I knew that this was my last shot. I had told her and shown her how I felt and if I let her get away this time, it would be over for good. I was not about to let that happen without a fight.

"Derek, what about Sally?" That had possibly been the best moment of my life but a certain blond shadow hung over the perfection. I knew in my heart that if I kept letting this happen, when I knew he had a girlfriend, in the end, I was only going to feel worse.

"What about her? You really didn't hear what I said did you? I don't care about her that way! The only reason I'm letting her stay here is because I would feel horrible dumping her and making her sleep in the street all in one phone call," I brushed my lips lightly against hers before letting a smile creep across mine and saying: "The only girl I care about is standing right in front of me." When her expression didn't change I began to panic as my smile quickly faded. And then, out of nowhere, she threw her arms around me.

I think it was smile, that familiar Derek smile I couldn't help but always smile back to, if only on the inside, that finally did me in. It was hard to believe that Derek had just said those words to me, the ones my heart had been longing for, but this time I found the strength to let myself hear them. I felt horrible for trying to fight what I thought he had with Sally with what I definitely didn't have or would ever want with Truman, if that's even what happened. I wanted to enjoy the cloud nine feeling and ignore everything else, but I knew that Derek deserved more. I swallowed the tears of what might come of what I'd done and gently sat down on the couch, motioning for Derek to join me. I looked into his eyes, a sure fire way to calm myself that I'd picked up during the past few days, and let everything out.

I sat there, next to this girl who'd come to link herself to me not by blood but by heart, in shock. Lately all I'd wanted was one look inside Casey's heart, mind and soul and here she was not just giving me a look but trusting me with everything. She told me about the real reason she'd stayed behind, and consequently what her relationship with Truman had really looked like. This lead Case to her encounter in the park and the fear that threatened to devour her brought on by Truman's future presence at Queens. Her tears began to flow as she tried desperately to explain what had gone through her mind when she'd ignored my revelation to lash out with some made up bright future with the boy who caused her never-ending grief and confusion. This truth in particular seemed to frighten her, afraid of how I would react, but in reality she had nothing to worry about. On some level it bothered me, but even I could see that he had really messed her up and the anger I felt towards him more than overpowered anything I might have held against Casey. It had taken me long enough to realize that I needed her as so much more than a step-sister. I took her hand in mine and squeezed it for support, letting her know that everything was ok.

"This morning I told you that I would always look after you and protect you. Don't you ever forget that. I want you to come to me for anything." She smiled at me and leaned in just as the phone rang. We looked at each other and laughed as Casey got up to go answer it.

"Hello? Oh hi mom. How is Washington? Yes I'm feeling better. Derek took great care of me. Yes, it was just a flu bug. Yes I'm sure that I'm fine." The conversation continued with a mixture of travel anecdotes and unnecessary concern before I passed Derek the phone. It was then that I started to notice that something was wrong. His answers were monotone, even when talking to Marti.

The minute he hung up I asked him what was wrong. Minutes ago everything had been perfect. Was our relationship, if it had even really gotten that far yet, destined to be ruined by phone calls?

"With everything else that happened today, I completely forgot about your miraculous recovery. You want to tell me why one second you need help getting on to your bed and the next you run out the door?"

Oh god, I'd forgotten about that. And I'd thought telling him about Truman was going to be hard.

"Look, I'm sure how you're going to take this but it started with a dream…"

So? Thoughts? This chapter is mostly filler; a Dasey foundation for all that is bound to occur with Derek, Casey and Sally living under one roof while Truman is still expecting Casey to give him another chance.

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Midnight Trills :)