A/N: I hope that you're enjoying the story so far! To answer some of your questions: Yes, this is a Dasey time travel, and no Casey wasn't dreaming. It's a bit of a challenge, but I wanted to place Derek and Casey somewhere other than their home, college, etc. They have to work together to survive and face their feelings towards one another head on. Please read and review. I'm always open to suggestions and opinions, also. :)

The sun is excruciating as I struggle to open my eyes.

What in the hell just happened?

I remember Casey screaming…something about her falling…me jumping in after her, and then…

I remember her dying in my arms.

Casey

Casey

"Casey!" I say in a panic, I bolt upright, gasping for air as the nightmare comes flooding back to me.

I'm expecting to find myself on the pier of New York Harbor. Someone must have jumped in after us because there was no way in hell I was going to leave her side. I wouldn't leave her to die alone. I never made it back to the surface. By the time her eyes drifted shut, my own lungs were burned past capacity and I couldn't tell up from down. I didn't even try to save myself.

Why would I when my entire world was floating lifeless beneath the ocean?

At first, I wanted to swim back up and scream for help, but it took me too long to find her the first time. What if I went back down and she was nowhere to be found? I couldn't bear the thought of her being scared and alone, knowing that she was about to die.

I kept my focus on her as she went still in my arms. I remember shaking her, praying that she would reopen her eyes as we waited for a miracle that never came.

I screamed her name under the water, using every ounce of energy I had left.

All the fights flashed before me. Every time I made fun of her; every time she told me how much she hated me. It was all supposed to be an act. I never meant any of it.

We were going to get through our awkward teenage years and then she was going to fall in love with me dammit. I had it all planned out from day one.

But I'm no longer in New York. I'm on the boat. How in the hell did I end up on the cruise when I was on the brink of death only moments ago?

The calm waters surround me as I stare off into the distance. I'm sitting by the back of the ship. I reach out to grasp the white railing that separates me from the waters below, trying to wrap my head around everything that has happened.

"Sir, are you alright?" Someone asks, a heavy Irish accent accompanying the concerned question. I turn towards the man, grimacing noticeably as I take in his hideous bushy mustache.

I glance away quickly. A snarky comment was bottling to the surface, but now was not the time to be my usual shitty self. After all, the guy seemed nice enough.

"Casey?" I mutter quietly. I fear the answer. I can't form any other coherent thought.

"Pardon?"

"Casey!?" I say louder, continuing to avert my gaze.

"Ah! You must mean the pretty lass who seemed to lose her clothing in whatever accident that befell the two of you?"

"She's naked?" I squeak, my mouth going dry.

He laughs heartedly. "Nearly, my boy, but not quite. Startled my wife, she did."

"She okay?" I ask in confusion. The man is talking like she is alive. How is that even possible? I watched her die in my arms.

"For the most part," the man answers, tugging me by the arm until I stand. My knees buckle and I fall back onto the hard wood beneath me. He continues talking like nothing happened. "She was a bit disoriented, but my Bessie took good care of her. Brought her back to our quarters to dress her properly. Our daughter is about the same size as your…Casey, is it?"

"I need to see her."

"Of course, you do," he says, once again helping me to my feet. "I told the ladies I'd look after you when you came to. You seemed to be breathing alright, so I sat nearby until you started screaming your lassies' name."

Lassie? Really?

I can't help but smirk at the man's ridiculous speech.

"Name's Declan. And you are?"

I limp alongside the man, his hand heavy on my shoulder. "Derek," I mutter.

"Well, Derek. Nice to meet you. And is that fine little Casey your bride?"

I bark out a laugh, glancing at Declan like he has lost his mind. "I'm seventeen, dude. Come on."

He furrows his brow in confusion at my sudden amusement. "Declan, not…dude," he says casually before once again brightening his voice. "Cold feet then, is it? Another man will swoop in and steal her right out from under your nose, mark my words."

"You're something else," I mutter, continuing to hold back a chuckle. "I'll…I'll…" I'll what? Go up to the Captain of the ship and marry her right here and now? Dennis would just love that. But after what happened today, I'm tempted. Trust me. "I'll get there eventually."

"See that you do, my boy."

Declan and I continue to walk down the long deck. There weren't many people around, but of what I could see, everyone was dressed like the man next to me. Maybe they were putting on a play for the passengers.

"Are you an actor or something?"

"Me? No, no," Declan says. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason," I respond, taking in the vast water around me. The entire plane ride from Ontario to New York City, I hadn't stopped gazing at the pamphlet for Carnival Cruise Lines. The swimming pools, chicks in bikinis, water slides, all you can eat buffets, and endless activities. I'm not seeing any of it.

I'm gazing at women with those little umbrella things, twirling in their hands. Guys with fancy hats and those hideous mustaches.

A blaring horn cuts through my senses and I grip my ears tight, hating the sound. I can vaguely see Declan pause, glancing at me with deep concern in his grey eyes.

I gaze upward. Four large smokestacks hovering high above me. Three of them spewing a black thick smoke from the tops. I can hear my heart pounding through the blood pumping in my aching head.

This isn't the Cruise ship that I'm supposed to be on. There is no way in hell.

"Where am I?"

"Excuse me?" Declan asks, placing a hand on my shoulder to calm me. "Let's get you inside, Derek. You've had quite the excursion."

"Why are you talking all weird and shit? Where am I? What is today?"

Declan breathes heavy, clearly thinking me insane. "It's April 11th, my boy. You're on the RMS Titanic."

I gaze at my reflection in the fancy mirror, trying my best to remain calm. I pinch my skin for the tenth time, close my eyes tight, and will myself to wake up. But nothing happens.

I'm still in the same room with Bessie as she continues to dart back and forth around me, dressing me the way 'any respectable young lady' should be dressed.

The skirts are heavy, and I can barely breathe from how tight she cinched me into this thing. My lungs are still burning from my near drowning experience. If it wasn't from the pain I have with each breath I take, I would think that I had imagined the entire ordeal to begin with.

I look at the door once again, hoping to see Derek burst through at any moment.

It remains closed.

"Stop pinching yourself, Missy," Bessie scolds me, swatting my hand. She literally just hit me. I can't tell you the last time my own mother swatted my hand.

Hmmmm? Try never!

"You have such lovely skin, my dear. You'll be covered in bruises if you don't stop."

"Sorry," I say half-heartedly, though I have the sudden urge to slap her back twice as hard.

However, when I woke up on the deck of this ship, she and her husband did their best to soothe my fears. I thought I was dead. I was totally freaking out, screaming. I could see Derek lying nearby, completely lifeless, and I was panicking out of my mind.

They soon reassured me that I was alive and well and that Derek was breathing just fine. They would bring him to me once he woke up. But considering my state of 'undress'… I had to 'scurry' off and put on proper clothing.

I had been wearing a short sleeved pink shirt and jean shorts! The way they were talking, you would think I was naked. I'm a feminist, dammit. Talk about being shamed the moment you open your eyes from drowning.

I breathe deep, trying to regain control of my boiling anger.

Once again, I glance towards the door.

"Now don't you worry, Casey, dear," Bessie says, realizing how much I wanted to see Derek. "Declan will bring your young man here the second he comes to. I promise ya that."

That was the dozenth time Bessie referred to Derek as 'my young man.' I should have corrected her the moment she said it, but I didn't have the heart to. Derek nearly died saving my life. I was still trying to figure out what that meant. Only a short time ago, I was furious at Dad for bringing him along on my vacation.

But Derek was the one to jump in and save me. Or try to save me, that is.

There is no way we are still alive. Either that, or every person on this ship is clinically insane. There is no way we are on the...

It's 2007. The freaking ship sunk 95 years ago. Give me a break.

"Casey!"

I turn around at the sound of his voice, relief instantly washing over me. My heart is beating out of my chest and the only thing I can think about is seeing Derek. I have to gaze at him with my own two eyes and make sure that he is okay. I don't even care if he ends up being a total jerk to me.

"Case!"

He calls my name over and over. I run to the door, open it wide, searching the hallway until I see him turn the corner. I can't hide the smile on my face. He looks terrible. His lips are beyond chapped and his clothes are wet and torn. His hair is sticking up in all directions, but all I can think about is how gorgeous he really is.

Did I really just think that?

Hell has officially frozen over.

Not one hour ago, I wanted to punch his freaking lights out. And now look at us.

It only took a near death experience and apparent time travel for me to see past Derek's asshole exterior and into the gooey warm center at his core.

Derek spots me, halting his steps. The visible relief is apparent as his body relaxes. His eyes roam over me, a slow smirk lighting up his face. I suddenly realize how ridiculous I look, and I wait patiently for a stupid comment to come flying out of his mouth.

But there is none.

I stay by the open door, afraid to move. What if his attempt at saving me was a momentary lap in judgement and he regrets the whole thing? After all, he wouldn't be stuck in some alternate universe on a doomed ocean liner if he hadn't jumped in after me. It was all my fault.

I'm convinced I have an inner ear issue that effects my balance. I should get that checked out when I get home.

If I get home.

Derek is moving towards me at an agonizingly slow place and I want to scream for him to hurry the hell up. He finally pauses only inches from where I'm standing. His dark eyes are drinking me in, and for a split second, I swear I see his gaze glass over with unshed tears. But Derek would never cry.

I'm not sure he is even capable of crying.

"Case," he says softly. Derek lifts a hand, placing it on the back of my head before drawing me towards him. I collapse against him, wrapping my arms around his waist, holding tight as my head fits perfectly within the crook of his neck. I breathe deep, taking in that familiar scent that only belongs to Derek. It reassures me that somehow, we are still alive.

We continue to hold one another, and I became very aware of the fact that this is the first time Derek has ever dared to hug me.

"They make such a nice pair, don't you think, Declan," Bessie says in a hushed whisper.

I pull back to gaze up at him, realizing for the first time that we have an an audience.

Derek and I laugh, but not before he lets out a low groan accompanied by a very exaggerated eye roll.