AN: I hurt my hand...but I still needed to get this out and updated :)

Disclaimer: I don't own nothing.

"Why didn't you come to my wedding?"

"I told my Dad and Nora that I was busy that day. I had a client that requested a project and I was assigned to do it..."

She snorted, "A project you were assigned to do.."

"I'm serious, Casey! I couldn't make it. Like my missing presence made any difference in your wedding."

She stifled a bitter laugh, "Oh, don't turn this around on me, Derek."

"Well I'm trying to tell you I honestly couldn't make it."

"You could've at least called me and told me yourself." she muttered.

He stared at her in disbelief, "Are you kidding? Because it's not even that serious. You're married now, it's over. We can't turn back time and make me magically appear in the crowd. Why are you still pushing it?" he was getting worked up and she knew it.

She shrugged, "Sorry."

He softened his tone a bit, "Did you want me there, Casey?" he really wanted to know why she was being so bitter.

She quietly groaned to herself, "You're right, Derek. I'm married now. Wedding is over and done with. I shouldn't have pushed it. Sorry." she took a seat on the waterfront; her feet dangling off the edge.

He took the seat next to her, "You could tell me what it was like?" he offered.

She smiled a different kind of smile. He couldn't really read it. She looked at the water, "It was beautiful, Derek. I was so scared something would screw up."

He laughed, "That's new." he said sarcastically.

She nudged his shoulder, "Shush."

He let out one more laugh then settled, "Okay, I'm done. Continue."

"Nothing went wrong, for the most part." he raised an eyebrow at the way she said that. He let it go. "Everything went like it was supposed too." she said a bit sad. He frowned at the way she talked about her own wedding, "You should have seen Marti and Lizzie, Derek. They are just so grown now. And Edwin. Oh, Edwin looking more and more handsome."

"Yeah, he told me he's had a bunch of girlfriends," he grinned. "Finally."

"Taking after his big brother..."

"Yeah," he chuckled, "So go on."

She nodded, "The reception was fun and tiring. Mom and George getting down on the dance floor. It kind of freaked me out," she let out light snicker. He shuddered at the thought. "I guess that's about it. Kind of sad because now I'm realizing you really didn't miss much."

He laughed, "Well see how things work out? I could have been stuck at a boring wedding and I probably would've made some inappropriate comments on things that would've ended up pissing you off."

She snorted, "Yeah. Maybe you're right?"

"I'm always right, Casey," he announced proudly.

She snorted, "Keep telling yourself that." They both laughed but it quickly got silent. Finally, "Are you ever going to get married, Derek?"

"After your horror stories and experiencing a divorce?" he looked down and shook his head, "Maybe not."

She turned to see his unconvincing face, "Really?"

He shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not."

"There are those maybes again." she rolled her eyes.

"Well Mrs. Casey Wilder," he cringed slightly to himself, "you answer for me."

"Casey Wilder," she laughed to herself, "You haven't called me that all day."

"Yeah, I'm still used to the McDonald part, but I guess I'll learn to start saying the Wilder part."

"Yeah." she nodded, "I don't think I could answer any better than you have already." She looked at him seriously, "To tell you the truth, I love the 'Maybes', Derek." she stared directly into his eyes. Reading them.

He nodded slowly, "Me too."

Casey's cell phone rung. She answered it while Derek looked back over the waterfront, "Hey, Katie. Yeah, yeah. I'm coming. It's 4:15 already? I know, I know. I'll be there. Okay. Bye."

"I'm guessing you have to leave now?" he pouted.

She smiled, "Yeah. But hey, you said you live like really close here right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I really have to pee. Also I wanted to see where you live. We still got time." still smiling.

He stood up and reached out a hand. She grabbed it and brought herself up. He nodded for assurance, "Yeah, we still got time."

--

They literally walked across the street into Derek's building and up to his apartment. Casey hurried to use the bathroom like she needed to.

When she came out she stared at Derek's life through the stuff in his home, "Man, Derek. This place is pretty sweet."

"Yeah. I got pretty lucky." he walked into his kitchen.

She looked around at the brick walls filled with professional photographs and all his little collectibles. She was a bit surprised, "Derek?"

"Yup?" he raided his fridge for a drink.

"Your place is a lot cleaner than I would have expected." she laughed.

He shrugged, "Maybe I lied about being untidy." he grabbed a beer, "You want one?"

"Do you have water?" he nodded and gave her one, "Thanks."

They both sat down on his couch. Awkward silence ensued for a few minutes as Casey stared into space. "What's on your mind, Casey?" he took a sip of his beer.

She finally made eye contact, "Are you happy, Derek?" he choked on his drink. "Sorry."

He coughed and tried to clear his throat, "Am I happy?" voice a little raspy. She nodded. "I guess I could be happier."

"How?"

He shrugged, "I guess in the sense of being happier with the people involved in my life? I mean I talk to the fam a lot so it's not like I am miserable without them. But..."

"But...?" she stared at him seriously.

"The people I don't talk to often, you know..." he trailed off staring at his beer, "I don't know. I guess I could just be a lot happier than I am these days. I don't know how to be or if I'll ever be." he laughed and looked up at her, "But there's always those 'Maybes' right?"

She laughed, "Yeah. And we just love the 'Maybes'."

He let out a slight laugh, nodding slowly; looking down at his beer again, "Yeah." it was silent again. Finally it was his turn, "Are you happy, Case?" he asked seriously; looking at her.

She gave herself a pity laugh, "No." she shook her head, "No. I'm not happy, Derek."

He was kind of taken aback by her answer, "No?"

"No," she laughed again, "I don't think I have been happy for a while. It's sad because I don't know why and I don't know if I ever will."

"Why do you think your unhappy?"

"What are you my shrink?" she joked.

He let out a laugh, "Just trying to get down to the root of your problems because I am Dr. Phil."

"You're hair looks fantastic!"

"Yeah. Rogain works wonders." he grinned.

She laughed, "See. This is refreshing. This," she motioned her hand between both of them, "this is the happiest I've been in a while."

He raised an eyebrow; blushing, "Really?" she nodded; smiling.

"And to answer your question, Dr. Phil, I guess I'm like you." he raised an eyebrow, "I could be a lot happier with the persons I don't talk to often."

He looked down, "Casey?"

"Yeah?" she put a hand on his thigh, "Stop looking down every time you call my name. It makes me nervous!" she joked.

He looked up, "Sorry."

"So, what?"

"How do you really feel about me?"

I couldn't resist. I know you guys are going to want to kill me for this. But please don't because I heart you all.

Reviews would be lovely, even though I know you guys hate me for the cliffhangers hahah.

Next chapter will have flashback and the present situation.