08/02/2008 22:52:00

Flashbacks are in italics.

Disclaimer: Just keep reading, just keep reading, but just remember that I do not own Finding Nemo or LWD.

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"Stop it!" Lizzie exclaimed, trying to sound as menacing as she could. Edwin poked her side for the fourth time, this time lingering to tickle her.

"Stop!" she shouted again, trying and failing to hide her laughter.

Edwin scooted closer to her on the couch, and bumped her knee with his. "I didn't do anything," he stated innocently.

Lizzie glared at him, bumping his knee back and pointing to the TV. "Just watch the movie please."

"Fine," he groaned, turning his attention back to the movie.

After 5 minutes, Edwin smiled and turned to shake her shoulders. "This has got to stop!"

"What now?!" Lizzie cried throwing her arms up in frustration.

"We've been sitting here for the last forty-five minutes, the greatest movie of all time playing on the TV screen and nether of us has watched for longer than five minutes at a time."

"Okay, first of all, Finding Nemo is far from the greatest movie of all time," she stated after holding up one finger. She held up a second finger and then poked him in the arm. "And two, maybe you haven't been watching the screen for longer than five minutes at a time but I have."

"Uh huh. Sure," Edwin said sarcastically, smirking at her. He paused his eyes locked with hers. "How many times have I scratched my ear in the last five minutes?"

Lizzie gave him an incredulous look, her eyebrow rising in curiosity. "How would I know?"

He glared at her, holding his tickling hand up and wiggling his fingers in her face

"Edwin, don't! I really wasn't looking."

He dove in to tickle her stomach, pushing her back against the couch so she was pinned under him. She laughed loudly, trying desperately to push him away. Suddenly remembering how ticklish he was, she struck back, reaching for the spot on his lower back. He was taken off guard and she easily pushed him onto the floor.

She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand as she looked down at him. "Are you okay?"

He groaned in response, his body frozen in a grimace. Then he smirked and reached up pulling her down with him and holding her arms to her sides.

"Ah! Ed-winnn!"

"How many times did I scratch my ear?"

"Fine!" She gasped out, making another desperate attempt to get free, before she relaxed and narrowed her eyes at him. "Six."

"That's my girl!" Edwin said, releasing her arms and moving to sit up. "Now watch the movie."

Lizzie rolled her eyes, smiling at him from under her lashes as he shook his head at her. They stayed on the floor, leaning their backs onto the couch next to each other.

"Hey Lizz— oomph!" Edwin groaned, holding a hand to his middle after being cut off by a playful punch in the stomach.

"Just watch the movie, Ed."

He rolled his eyes and threw his arm over the couch behind her. After a few uneventful minutes of watching the movie, Lizzie felt a gentle pull on her hair, and looked over at Edwin. His eyes remained glued on the screen, but she could detect a slight smile pulling at his lips. She was going to tell him to stop, but his finger twirling in her hair was actually quite relaxing. She threw him another glance before she rolled her eyes again and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Just as Nemo was reunited with Marlin, the front door banged open, causing them both to jump. Casey slammed the door shut, grumbling under her breath as she violently threw her shopping bags to the floor. Edwin and Lizzie exchanged a knowing look before turning their attention to Casey as she flopped down onto Derek chair. She gave a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms as she sat stiffly.

"My my Casey, whatever seems to be the problem?" Edwin asked.

"Derek's a moron," She spat.

"Casey's complaining about Derek? I'm shocked," Lizzie deadpanned, turning her attention back to the movie.

"Casey?!" Nora called, coming in from the kitchen.

"Hey Mom."

"Don't you 'Hey Mom' me young lady," Nora replied, standing in front of Casey. "Where were you?"

"The mall with Emily," she replied, looking up at her mother in confusion. "I thought you said last week that it was fine?"

"That was before you were grounded."

"Oh my gosh!" Casey replied slapping herself on the forehead. "I totally forgot. Derek distracted me— again. I'm sorry, Mom."

Nora shook her head, looking at her eldest daughter in disapproval. "The whole reason behind you being in trouble in the first place is because of Derek, so I really don't buy that excuse. Go to your room Casey."

Casey gasped incredulously, clearly not used to not being trusted. "But Mom—"

She was cut off by the door swinging open and slamming closed. Derek flung his leather jacket on the floor before he noticed 4 pairs of eyes staring at him.

"With how many violent entrances we have in this house, you'd think the door would have fallen of the hinges by now," Edwin muttered to Lizzie out of the corner of his mouth.

"What?" Derek said, raising his eyebrow at the glare Nora was giving him.

"Did you forget something?" She asked sternly.

"Cell phone," Derek started patting himself down, pretending to check his pockets. "Keys, wallet, List of pranks to pull on Casey… nope I've got everything."

"We're grounded you reject!" Casey growled, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Why, Spacey! I didn't see you there," Derek exclaimed, sitting on the arm of his chair and grinning at her. "Get out of my chair."

Casey rolled her eyes and pushed him off the arm, before standing up and starting up the stairs.

"Derek, go to your room," Nora stated.

"Casey's the one who pushed me!" he griped, getting up off the floor.

Nora sighed rubbing her forehead tiredly. "I'm sending you to your room for leaving the house while you're grounded."

"I was at a hockey meeting," he said, grabbing the remote from Lizzie's hand and relaxing into his chair. "Coach said I couldn't miss it."

Casey froze halfway up the stairs her jaw dropping in disbelief. She knew she shouldn't have been shocked by Derek's lie but she was. She whirled around narrowing her eyes at the back of his head.

"Ok you're fine then," Nora sighed as walked to the dining room table and sat down. "But next time please call me."

"Will do," He stated smirking as he looked over at Casey. She smiled back, running her tongue along her teeth mischievously, keeping her eyes glued to his as she spoke.

"Hey mom?" she said, her voice carrying a sugary sweet tone.

"Yeah sweetie?" Nora replied, looking up at her daughter.

"Emily and I saw Derek at the mall this afternoon. So unless his hockey meeting involved sticking his tongue down some random blonde's throat— I'm pretty sure he's lying."

"You bitch," Derek mouthed to her, his eye narrowing at her.

"Derek!" Nora exclaimed, having missed his mouthed words to Casey, but still glaring at him just the same. "Go to your room!"

"Yeah ok Nora," he replied sarcastically, chuckling as he turned back to the TV.

"Derek Patrick Venturi!" Nora shouted, causing all people in the room to look at her with wide eyes. "Just because your father is not here right now does not mean you get to disrespect me. Now go to your room!"

Derek shot out of his chair and ran up the stairs, pushing Casey up ahead of him. Lizzie and Nora stared after them as Edwin rolled on the floor, holding his side from the cramps his laughter was causing. Nora turned her glare onto him and he shut up immediately, his eyes going wide in fright as he sat up. Lizzie had to suppress a giggle at Edwin's expression, and she only burst out laughing when Nora left the room, mumbling about having a headache and taking a nap.

"Whoa," Edwin breathed.

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Once they were out of sight upstairs, Derek gently pushed Casey against the wall, his body pining her to it, his hands pressed against the wall on either side of her head. He glared at her bitterly as she smiled up at him, looking completely unaffected by his proximity.

"You need something?" she asked sweetly, her eyes wide and innocent.

"What the hell is the matter with you?! The way you've been acting lately, the stuff you've been pulling, it's—it's not you."

"Being body snatched is something you'd think I'd recall, and since I, well, don't, I'm guessing this me." She snipped, moving to cross her arms, but settling for putting her hands on her hips when she realized that his body pressed against hers was preventing it.

Derek's eyes searched her face, the anger in them now mixed with something unidentifiable.

"No. It's not you. It's me. You're acting like me."

Casey laughed in his face, her head falling back to rest on the wall. Derek recoiled at her reaction, putting a few inches in between their bodies. Casey took the opportunity to put her hands to his chest and shove him away from her completely.

"I'm nothing like you."

"Coulda fooled me," he replied, under his breath, turning to walk to the bathroom.

"Yeah well at least I don't chicken out by running to the bathroom when things don't go exactly as planned," Casey stated angrily.

Derek scoffed at her, turning around and crossing his arms defiantly. "Okay in case you forgot, you're the one who runs away from things that freak you out— not me."

"Oh really? Then you obviously don't remember the day we 'met' do you?" she retorted, using finger quotes as she stepped closer to him.

"Well at least I'm not a fake, like some preppies I know."

"I am not—"

"And what the hell, Casey?" He interrupted, taking a step closer to her. "Anytime I come close to bringing up anything about… you know… you freak out and now here you are… casually bringing it up just cause you can't think of anything else to say to me."

"I can think of plenty of things I'd like to say to you," she stated menacingly as she took another step closer to him, poking him in the chest. "I even have a few things I'd like to do to you."

"Hmm…" Derek smirke,d glancing down at her finger still on his chest, as he walked forward, backing her into the wall again. "…kinky."

"In your dreams, Venturi," Casey sing-songed, before moving her lips to whisper in his ear. "In case you didn't notice from the Claire incident this afternoon; It's game on, and I'm gonna win." She pulled back to look into his face, smirking at him before pushing past to open her door.

"You're getting to be quite the tease,McDonald. But here's a word of advice," he stated moving close to whisper against her lips. "You might want to try it on someone that actually cares." Derek pulled back, smirking at Casey's surprised and flustered face. "I. Always. Win."

He winked at her, backing up into his room and slamming the door behind him. He leaned against it waiting to hear her door slam before the smirk slid of his face. His head fell back against the door and he reached up to rub his hands over his face in frustration. He took a deep breath and moved to lay on his bed.

Derek couldn't believe that she mentioned the day they 'met'. Especially after the incident at the wedding and her constant avoidance of the subject ever since. He hated remembering the day their parents told them they were getting married. As if his father remarrying wasn't bad enough, it also happened to be the day he met the people that would be his new step family. Well, met two of them anyway.

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"I really think you'll like her Derek. Edwin and Lizzie get along perfectly and Marti liked both Lizzie and Nora," George said, smiling at a sullen Derek. "I haven't meet Casey yet but I'm assuming she'll be just as likeable as her mom and sister."

At the sound of her name, Derek's heart began to pound in surprise and longing. Of course his almost stepsister, a girl he'd probably see everyday, would bare the same name as—as… He couldn't even let himself finish the thought. He shook his head, inwardly laughing bitterly at how much his life sucked.

"Casey's the name of Nora's other daughter?"

"Haven't I said her name before?" George asked, looking at Derek pointedly.

Derek shook his head, looking back down at the spoon he was rolling around between his fingers. "I only knew them as Nora's girls."

George shrugged, glancing around the restaurant again.

"They're really cool people, D," Edwin said, resting his crossed arms on the table. "Give 'em a chance."

Derek sighed, rubbing his forehead before sitting up straight, and looking at his sister. "You like 'em too, Smarti?"

Marti shook her head vigorously. "But only on days when Daphne isn't around, cause she hates them."

Edwin and Derek exchanged a knowing glance, and suppressed their laughter at the knowledge that Daphne's thoughts were commonly known as Marti's true feelings.

George opened his mouth to scold her, but the smile that broke out on his lips interrupted him. He straightened his tie, ran his hands through his hair and stood up. "Here they are."

Derek turned to look behind him as an attractive, athletic looking woman glided towards them, an equally athletic looking younger girl at her side. He glanced back at his Dad and rolled his eyes at the dopey look on his face.

When Derek stood up he noticed for the first time the other woman following behind Nora. He froze as his eyes locked onto an all too familiar looking brunette who's body language showed all signs that she was just as shocked to see him as he was to see her.

Suddenly he could feel nothing but the numbing cold running through his blood stream and the vibrations of his beating heart causing his ears to tingle. The taste of his blood filled his throat as he bit down on his tongue, the sensation adding to his sudden nauseous ness. He realized that it had only been a little over seven hours since he last saw her, and she somehow managed to look even more breathtaking to him than she ever had before.

He watched numbly as his Dad and Nora started the introductions, their voices mere whispers to him. It registered in the back of his mind that if nothing else he should have at least said hi, but as hard as he tried he couldn't have wiggled his finger at that moment, let alone move his hand or tongue.

"Nice to meet you Derek," Casey stated calmly, breaking him out of his stupor as she put out her hand for him to shake, her eyes focused on his.

Derek's look of shock turned to one of disgust as his stare alternated between her outstretched hand and her face. Casey's body was completely relaxed but her eyes were pleading with him to go along with it.

When he had woken up this morning, he thought he would be going back to his house. The house that he shared with his Dad and Edwin and Marti. He though he would be leaving the daily heartbreak known as his ex-girlfriend. Now he was standing in a restaurant meeting his Dad's probably fiancé and her two daughters, Lizzie, a shy little tomboy, and Casey, his—

Oh God.

Nausea overtook Derek and he took one last glance at Casey before pushing past her and her family. He heard his father calling his name, but he kept moving forward until he had locked himself into the bathroom. He ran to the toilet and retched, emptying the contents of his stomach.

After he was finished he forced himself off of the ground, moving to the sink to splash water onto his face. He reached blindly to his right and grabbed a paper towel, drying his face with it. After a moment of looking into the black that was the back of his eyes, he opened them and felt rage surge through his body at the sight of his reflection looking so pathetic. He grabbed the trash bin by his feet, throwing it against the wall, the contents spilling out around the bathroom.

He growled in frustration, violently tugging on his hair before he turned and punched the stone wall.

"Fuck!" He gasped out, holding his throbbing hand tenderly against his chest as he leaned back against the wall. He felt his throat tightening and he sunk down to the floor, letting his head fall back against the wall. As the pain throbbed in his knuckles, his need for a physical outlet disappeared and he let out a single chocked sob. He hugged his knees, letting his head fall forward against them as he finally let himself cry. And for the first time he could remember, he didn't care if anyone heard him.

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After twenty minutes alone in that restaurant bathroom, he had pulled himself together and walked back to the table. Once his father had finished scolding him for his behavior, Derek put a smile on his face, introduced himself, and insulted Casey.

He shook his head to bring himself back to the present and groaned angrily at himself for letting the memories take him over.

Derek turned onto his back, tiredly looking up at the light from the setting sun playing across the ceiling. He took a deep breath and reminded himself once again of his simple promise to himself from two years ago—

Don't ever let her get to you.

He laughed bitterly at himself. Who the hell was he kidding?

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So you got another hint of something from their past. I know I didn't reveal much, but I'm gonna torture you and unveil the facts slowly.

.:grins evilly:.

Oh and I've been sick with the flu all day so I'm not all with it and there are most likely a few grammatical errors. When I feel better I know my OCD will kick in and I'll need to fix everything, but until then, I am just not coherent enough to care to fix them.