Chapter One:

Casey sighed heavily as she collapsed onto the couch, completely exhausted. She looked around her new apartment with a strong sense of accomplishment. After a month of having crates and boxes hauled from her old apartment in Toronto to her new one in Montréal, she had unpacked the last of her belongings. Every last book had been meticulously organized onto the shelves (first alphabetized by the authors last name, then by date of publication); every piece of furniture found its perfect place in the apartment (the writing desk facing the window to catch the early morning light, the small TV hidden within the shelves of books).

She couldn't afford much, not after having just finished law school, but it was enough for her. With one open main area that served as a kitchen, dining room and living room all in one and two doors leading into the bedroom and bathroom respectively, the apartment was small, but cozy.

She had moved to Montréal to pursue work: better said she was offered a high-paying internship with Ogilvy Renault Law Firm under the environmental law branch. Casey was pleased to hear from the firm and seized the opportunity, even if it meant having to move further away from home again. She hadn't expected much coming out of law school, because for the first time she hadn't been top of her class. Even so, Nora and George couldn't have been more proud of her achievements.

As she closed her eyes, her thoughts began to drift: she thought of Lizzie and Edwin; they were seniors in college now. Where had the time gone? It seemed not long ago they had graduated from high school. Casey began to recall her days at college - they held the best and worst times of her life. And Derek.

Casey snapped her eyes open. No, she would not think of him. She jumped up off the couch and rubbed her eyes as if to push back the memories of him. She rubbed and rubbed until blue eyes were red and tears began to sneak out of the corners of her eyes. She let out another heavy sigh. How was it that he still could get to her after so many years? Why? It wasn't fair.

C'mon Case, get a grip. He isn't even worth your tears, not anymore.

Before she could shed another tear, she quickly changed into her pajamas and slipped into bed. She told herself, it was late and she was tired. She pulled the pink comforter tight around her as she bit her lip. Her vision was shrouded by the darkness, a small comfort to her. If she couldn't see anything, there would be nothing to remind her of him. The night enveloped her into its arms as her eyes became heavy.

"DER-EK!" Casey's shout rang through the house. She stomped out of the bathroom clad in nothing more than a towel and threw open the door to her ever-detested step-brother's room with a loud BANG. And there she saw him, the bane of her existence, sprawled out on then mess that he claimed was his bed. The custom smug smirk was fixed upon his face.

"Yes, sister-dearest?" He didn't look up from the magazine he was reading.

"First off, I'm am not related to a mutant like you, so don't call me that…"

"Yes, sister dearest," he cocked his eyebrow, a signal indicating that this could only end with a battle of wits.

Casey growled.

"DER-EK! What did you do with my things?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Oh, don't act all innocent. You know full well what you did with my shampoo! You put green dye in it, Derek! GREEN!"

"Oh, yeah, that. Yeah, I did do that, didn't I ?," That insufferable boy was proud of it? How was it possible? Casey huffed by the indignation of it all.

"DER-EK!"

"Wow, it must be a record: three DER-EKs," he imitated her high-pitched shriek, "in just under a minute. Congratulations."

He moved to shake her hand. Unable to suppress her anger any longer and with clenched fists and jaw, Casey was about to lunge forward, just as her towel began to slip, did she remember she was in no attire to fight, physically at least. A glare would have to do, for now anyway.

Derek just lay on the bed, laughing at her antics.

"You're going to regret this!"

"What are you going to do, talk me to death? Oh, I'm shaking," he taunted, his brown eyes twinkling with mirth. Languidly he stood up and stalked towards her, looking her directly in the eyes. "As far as I can see," he stepped closer, backing her against the wall, "You're in no position to fight with me right now. So why don't you just," Casey's back hit the wall, she flinched, but still remained in place, unable to break eye contact with Derek's intense stare, "walk away, before you hurt yourself."

He paused, enjoying the power he held over her in that moment. Her blue eyes were wide with fear, her arms crossed across her chest, holding the towel in place, which was dangerously slipping lower. Water droplets rolled off her shoulders, tracing down her chest only to disappear under the white towel. Her jaw was tense, her pink lips pressed tightly together. Yes, he had won the battle. With another smirk, he returned to his bed and picked up a comic book that he had abandoned before.

"Well, what are you waiting for, sister-dearest? Casey? Casey?"

"Casey!"

Blue eyes snapped open. After a moment of regaining her senses, she heard the frantic pounding at the door and a distant voice calling her name from the other side of the door.

A/N: sooo...chapter the first is complete. How did you like it? I love reviews, they are always welcome. I'm aiming for 6 this chapter, do you think you guys can manage? I know you can! After important revelations, there will be more Casey's POV, a sort of insight/interludey-type thing. Most of it will be in third person though.

Also special thanks to bsloths, who left me a lovely review. S Girl, xhighflyerx, thank you for your reviews as well!