Fearless

By, awesometastic9

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter One

Love Story

Casey MacDonald was in love.

She never thought it would happen like this, though. She never thought she'd end up falling in love with him – of all people – but, she did, nevertheless. She did.

Casey stood alone in the snow in the college campus quad, waiting. Wrapping her arms around her torso, she shivered. It was a bleak, snowy December day, a week before Christmas; the last day before she went home to her family for the holidays.

There were no other people around. Most of the campus population went home yesterday, trying to get out before the winter storm hit. Classes let out three days ago, two days early, because of the approaching storm; no one wanted to get stuck on campus for the winter break; no one.

Casey sighed, looking around, and getting impatient.

Gosh it's cold! Where the heck is he? She thought… her brow furrowing. She had been waiting a full half-hour for him. But, it was typical for him to be late. He'd never been on time for anything before in his life. She laughed at that pure pathetic habit of his. But, that was typical Derek.

Yes. Casey MacDonald was in love with her step-brother.

She hadn't really figured it out until they both attended Queens University. Casey went for a major in psychology, and a minor in sociology. Derek got a huge hockey scholarship, and was just taking the required classes, because he wasn't sure if he wanted to major in anything. He mostly focused on his hockey career, but got by with low B's, with the extreme help of Casey.

George and Nora got them a nice apartment near campus, and they have been living together for about four months; they were still in Year One. Surprisingly, after about a month, Derek changed. He started being nice. He didn't seem interested in every girl he saw anymore, and let Casey help him with his classes. They started to get along. No one was more surprised than Casey, and slowly, her hatred of her step-brother began to fade, until, one day, Derek made his move.

Casey smiled with a wistful look on her face. She tucked her winter coat under her butt and sat down on a bench, thinking back to that day, two months ago.

Flashback

Casey was sitting on their living room loveseat, her psychology notes splayed out around her. Her brow was furrowed and she felt like pulling her hair out in frustration.

Suddenly, the apartment door's lock clicked and Derek stepped in, lugging his hockey gear.

"Hey," Casey said, looking up at him, then directly back down at her notes, her brow furrowing further.

"Hey," he replied, giving a soft smile, and dropping his gear by the door and walking over to where Casey sat. "What's up?"

"Argh!" she exploded, waving her arms violently in the air. "It's just so hard!"

"What's so hard?" Derek asked.

"This section in my psychology class, that's what so hard! It's just so much to process, so much to memorize!" Casey cried, burying her face in her hands.

Derek walked over to her, and sat down beside her on the loveseat, pushing some papers out of the way.

"Hey… it's okay, Case. Just relax. I'll help you, okay? Flash cards… whatever you want. Let me just take a shower first."

Casey nodded, face still in her hands.

Casey didn't see Derek smile – at how cute she was when she was freaking out.

Derek headed into the bathroom and Casey sighed, shaking her head.

What is up with Derek? I mean, lately… he's been really… nice? That's so unlike Derek. I mean, he lives to make me miserable! Why be nice now?

Casey lifted her head out of her hands, a frown on her face. A crazy – impossible –no chance of happening –thought popped into her head: Maybe… Derek likes me? But Casey immediately shoved that thought away. Impossible. We're family for goodness sakes!

Casey stared off into space for the next fifteen minutes, contemplating over that thought, which was totally impossible, not to mention wrong! But, why did Casey feel thrilled at the idea?

You're losing it Casey MacDonald. Los-ing it.

The door to the bathroom opened, and Derek came out, dressed in a nice, crisp, clean dark blue t-shirt and his favorite pair of jeans. He sat down in the spot he had before, next to Casey.

Casey's brow furrowed even farther, if possible. And she stared at Derek: his messy auburn hair wet and sexy – what? What did you just think Casey? Stop it! But, she couldn't. She felt dizzy, lightheaded, and an intoxicating aroma wafted towards her: Derek's body wash. Casey inhaled, and staggered upright, almost toppled right over the coffee table.

"Ah!" Casey yelled, closing her eyes, bracing for impact.

"Casey!" Derek cried, grabbing her waist and pulling her upright before she made a face-plant into the floor. He held her close as she tried to stop her erratic breathing, until she finally calmed down. It wasn't until then that Casey realized how close to Derek she was, and jumped back, embarrassed. Derek didn't move.

"Casey?" he asked, but Casey couldn't look at him.

What is happening to me? Casey thought horribly confused. Why is my heart beating so fast, still? Why are my hands all clammy, and why do I feel this urge to kiss him senseless? Oh, Casey! You have lost your mind!

"Casey, what's the matter?" Derek asked, concern in his voice and he walked towards Casey, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Casey held a hand over her burning cheeks and waved a hand at him, backing away sideways, until she reached the wall and she couldn't go any farther.

"Casey, please! Look at me!"

She slowly turned her head, pulling her hand away from her face and gasped. He was closer than she thought. Derek was standing directly next to her - almost a head taller – and was looking down at her, his eyes burning with an emotion Casey couldn't place.

"Derek?" Casey asked, mesmerized by his eyes, looking up at them, getting lost in their brown-chocolate bliss.

Oh, what's wrong with me?

Suddenly, Derek crashed his lips over hers, hungry and needy. Casey gasped, and lost complete control over her actions. She latched herself to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him back with all her might.

In that kiss, both declared their love without words, because words weren't needed.

End Flashback

"Someone's thinking about me," said a smug and sexy voice, sitting next to Casey and wrapping an arm around her. Casey was jolted out of her reverie.

"Hey," she said with a big smile. "How are you?"

"Same as always…" he trailed off, staring at her intently, and smiled cockily at her. He quickly ducked down and pecked her teasingly on the lips.

Casey sighed, eyes closed.

Derek chuckled. "Getting greedy are we?"

"Mmmm hmmm…" Casey said, opening her eyes and smiling her dazzling smile.

Derek gave a small intake of breath at her beauty and gave her another kiss, this one long and passionate.

This time, Casey pulled away, however reluctant.

"We have to head to our apartment. We have to pack to head home…" Casey trailed off, her voice coated with anxiety.

"You're worried what they'll think… aren't you Case?"

Casey nodded, closing her eyes and leaning onto his chest, burying her face there.

"It'll be fine. If they oppose, oh well. We're adults. They can't stop us." Derek said, wrapping his arms around her comfortingly.

Casey nodded into his chest, hoping he was right.

But, she wasn't sure he was.