Fearless

By, awesometastic9

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter Two

Fifteen

Casey headed back to Derek and hers apartment, very quiet as she walked.

Derek snuck glances at her solemn expression every once and a while, his brow furrowed with concern. I hope we'll make it through the visit home. I really, really, really, hope. Casey's already freaking out.

And, somewhere in Derek's mind, he knew that this might not go the way he wished. It could mean the end of him and Casey, forever. Not because of their parent's probable rejection and outrage, but because Casey might see it from their point of view: that it was wrong, incest, not politically correct, or whatever the term was. Derek couldn't help the feeling of unease in the pit of his stomach.

Derek unlocked the door for Casey and let her inside first, and she smiled softly at him in thanks, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Casey went to her bedroom – Derek and her still had separate rooms, but sometimes they stayed in the same bed for the night, whenever Casey felt stressed and vulnerable. Derek was always there for her - and always would be – and she pulled her suitcase out from under her bed. She walked over to her closet and began packing.

Derek stood, watching her, leaning against the doorframe with a thoughtful expression on his face. Casey didn't realize he was there for a few minutes, but when she turned around, she stopped and looked at him quizzically.

"Derek?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. "Why aren't you packing?"

He chuckled, despite the tense mood radiating from Casey.

She's really worried and anxious. Gosh, this might not turn out well, this trip home… Derek thought.

"I really don't have much to bring, Casey. Just a week's worth of clothes since I can wash, and a few bathroom stuff," he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Still, we're leaving soon, Derek," she looked at her digital clock on her bedside table, "In about two hours."

Derek began walking towards her with a passion-filled expression, full of want, and unending love.

Casey took a step back, but stopped when Derek reached her.

"I'd much rather do this," and he crashed his lips to hers. Casey responded a second later, but not immediately. This did not go unnoticed by Derek.

He pulled back and looked at her with a frown.

"Casey, what's wrong?" he asked.

Casey's lip began to tremble, and she covered her face in her hands.

"Derek, I'm just freaking out. What will George and Nora think? Lizzie and Edwin? Marti? Oh, I just can't stand it…" she began to cry.

But, Derek couldn't comfort her; because it felt like there was a gaping hole in his chest.

So, Casey doesn't want to overcome this… she cares what they will think despite what we think and feel about each other. She doesn't want me anymore. Oh, I've never felt so broken…

Derek took a step back from her, releasing her from his arms. His expression was beyond pained. It was tortured.

Casey looked up, removing her hands from her face, and looked at Derek with red-rimmed eyes.

Derek looked away, and walked out of the room.

"I'm going to go pack."

Casey looked after him with regret over her reaction to the situation. She felt like this couldn't work… because everyone would think it was wrong. Casey didn't totally feel that way. She loved Derek with her whole being, but she couldn't help feel that they weren't destined to be together. She wasn't worthy, and that was because the world had decided this for her. And who was she to argue with the world?

Derek put his suitcase and the two Casey had in the trunk of their car, and got in the driver's seat. Casey climbed in beside him and Derek backed out of the parking space.

Derek began the long drive home in silence, lost in his thoughts, while Casey was lost in her reverie of three years ago, when she was fifteen and first met Derek. There were so many, and most of them unpleasant: the bickering, the fighting, the screaming, the angry jibes, the sarcastic remarks, and the pranks. But, still, Casey realized that she knew – somehow – that Derek wasn't as bad as she consciously thought. In her subconscious, Casey may have been falling for him long before she realized it.

All that wasted time spent fighting. We could have had so much… Casey thought; her thoughts were filled with sadness and regret.

Derek snuck glances at Casey every few minutes, reveling in her facial expressions. Even though she had wounded him, he couldn't just forget what he felt. He was in love with Casey. Nothing would ever change that.

Derek sighed miserably, closing his eyes for a brief second. He opened them almost immediately, realizing he was driving. Very dangerous to drive with your eyes closed. He chuckled to himself.

Casey glanced at him, and he smiled at her, but she quickly looked away, her face flushed and a frown hiding her smile. Derek sighed again, and looked back at the road.

Ten minutes later, Casey spoke for the first time.

"Are we there yet?" was her glib question, and she realized how stupid and pointless that sounded. She knew this road like the back of her hand.

Derek replied anyway. "Yeah, about 20 minutes; we're on the outskirts of London."

Casey nodded. "Right."

And 20 minutes later, Derek pulled smoothly in the driveway, put the car in park, and turned to Casey.

"Casey - " Derek began, but Casey cut over him.

"Let's just get the greetings over with." She mumbled, and unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car. She headed up the walk, and Derek was quickly following, not wanting her to fall; he noticed the walk was coated with a thin layer of ice.

And all the while, Casey's heart was pounding with fear.