You're One Thing, I'm Another

By, awesometastic9

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter Three

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Ten Years Ago…

Derek left.

He severed all contact with his family, and withdrew his life savings of five thousand dollars. Well, not exactly his "life savings". George and his biological mom – but more Nora - put all that money away for him to use while he was in college and after. George had given Derek his account number and password, with just him on it the night before. So, now it was only Derek's; to do with as he pleased. But, he didn't trust that George and Nora hadn't kept the passwords the same, so he took it all out, closed his account, and opened another one once he had gotten to Italy.

Yes, Italy.

Derek finally got his Europe trip, but it was a ten year trip, not just one summer full of bliss with his friends. No. Derek was all alone, in an entire new country – an entire new continent – and knew he had to make it on his own, because there was no way he could live with Casey in his life anymore; not after she rejected him like that.

Sure, maybe it wasn't the right time! But when has Derek Venturi ever been the King of Perfect Timing? To ruin her life? Yes. But to make it happy? Occasionally, but maybe not enough. Maybe…

Maybe… I wasn't nice often enough. I thought – being Casey – that she would have read through me and my façade; my mask, and saw that I really loved her… from the moment I met her, I wanted her mine.

Derek sighed, reliving that night painfully in his head as he sat in his seat on the plane to England. He had lived ten years in Italy, trying to drown out her memory in other girls and alcohol. Sure, it worked – for the first two years – but, the day of the anniversary that he left, her face when he said those three words – popped in front of his face when he was trying once again to drown her out in booze.

From then on, he couldn't shake her, and every other girl reminded him of her; she was everywhere… he couldn't escape. So, he did something he thought Casey would be proud of: he enrolled in university. He basically took the same classes as he would have in Queens, except he also took extensive Italian classes, too, and became a film producer. He now speaks Italian fluently, and made a big name for himself.

But, he was never happy; he never dated, and didn't touch the drink ever again. Well, until he saw Edwin again.

Pushing away that painful memory of Casey the night he left, he drove headfirst into another; when he saw Edwin a little over two years ago.

Derek was working on location in Spain – Barcelona, actually – when he was assaulted by this photographer who looked strangely familiar and a bit like him.

"Security!" Derek called, in English, because he was filming an American documentary and all his stars spoke English. It felt weird, talking his native language after all those years on and off and of mostly Italian, and some Spanish, Dutch, Swedish and a bit of Russian. When you travel the world – excluding North America – you need to be well rounded in your languages.

"Derek!" he then called, after being hauled away. "Derek! It's Edwin! Your brother!"

That made him stop.

"Release him," Derek said to the guards, and they reluctantly did.

Edwin brushed off his button-down shirt with a frown at the flunkys, then turned to Derek who was looking at him, mad and surprised.

"Derek! Man! Where have you been? I-"

Derek slapped a hand over his mouth. He leaned close and said,

"Listen here, brother. I don't want to hear from you ever again. I left for a reason. I do not need you to bring that reason back. You don't tell them you found me, or I will make sure they never find you. I'm gone. Now get off my set." He pushed his roughly away, and the flunkys grabbed his arms and pulled him out.

The last thing Derek heard from him,

"How could you just leave her like that Derek? How could you just leave us?"

That first question haunted Derek every second since then, and he lost himself in drinks once more. But, not girls. No. Not the girls.

Derek silently drifted off the sleep, the question still ringing in his head.

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The plane touched down in London an hour later, and when Derek got off the plane and into the main terminal, he got another shock in the form of "family".

Lizzie.

He would have recognized her anywhere. And… she had a jersey with the name: Venturi-MacDonald on her back.

Before he could stop himself, he walked halfway to her and called out her name.

She spun around, and gasped at the sight of him. Then she left her team, walked over and smacked him in the face.

"How dare you leave us! And now you come back?"

"Liz, I'm not back, I'm in England."

She just glared. "What do you want? Did you come to find me? Huh? Want to ruin our lives again by coming back into it then leave again? You know you almost killed her with that stunt, Derek. You almost killed her!"

"Who the heck are you talking about?"

"Casey."

Derek was speechless. But, somehow he found his voice. "I doubt that. She's the one who did kill me."

"Oh that's rich. You almost killed our whole family Derek! Nora almost lost Harper, George has had three heart attacks since then, and Edwin was inconsolable! And don't get me started on Casey! She blamed herself all through college! She barely came home! And now she's off in New York City, and only keeps in touch over the phone!"

"Well, it is her fault! She should blame herself!" Derek screamed.

"Why? What could she have done to you?" Lizzie spat. "What could Casey have done to the Great and Mighty Derek Venturi that would justify that?"

Derek just stared at her.

"Right," Lizzie said, turning back around. "I knew it. This was just another one of your immature pranks. But, this time, Derek – you went too far." She then stopped and turned around.

"But, know this Derek. At least now she's happy. She found someone. Her soul mate. And, he's better than you would have ever been for her."

Derek gaped. "Oh, yes, Derek. I know. I know why you left; I was just hoping you'd actually say it. But, no. Derek Venturi doesn't admit weakness or fault. He's perfect. Now, do me and my family a favor. Don't even try to talk to them ever again. Oh, and its better your baby sister Harper doesn't even meet you. Sure, she knows about you, but it'll be better for all of us if we never see your face again. Casey's better; I'm better. We're all better."

And then she stalked off to join her team as they boarded their plane.

It was then that Derek made a split second decision; he grabbed his bags and took another flight.

One, he never thought he'd take.

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A/N: another cliffie! but, ya'll can guess where he's going, right? lol. please review! and I'm gonna update lots of stuff soon.

-awetast9