AN: Sorry for such the long wait. I didn't know how hard it would be to get this chapter out. I was easily mistaken when I called the park chapter the hardest. This one was certainly harder. It's giong to be taking a more angsty spin now, but please, continue reading and reviewing because the angst? Won't last for long. I promise.

Thank you so much for all the reviews. It's definitely pushed me to keep going. And this chapter was just so aggrivating that I was about ready to give up. Thank you keriberi2003 for your continued support and kind words. I can't thank you enough for your help.

Disclaimer: I'm still here, dreaming.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Derek, maybe it's time we go home." Casey laughed as she looked at his soaked form and then down at herself.

They'd been playing in the rain at the park for almost an hour now, and they were soaking. Casey had thrown his jacket under one of the covered pavillions so it wouldn't get ruined and then embraced the rain with open arms. Derek had been more hesitant to do so before he saw Casey dancing and heading towards the slides. He ran to catch up and by the time he got there she was just going down one of them. Derek was there to catch her. They then spent their time acting like children, running around the park and throwing their caution to the wind.

"You know, for once Casey, you may be right." Derek grinned at her as she gave him a look of disbelief. She was just about to walk away in a huff, still obviously acting like a child, before he gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his wet arms. "You know I'm kidding. Forgive me?" He leaned down and kissed her still pouting lips softly.

"Fine. But only because I know the truth." Casey looked at him sheepishly.

"Of course you do, and what might that be?" Derek looked at her with a smirk on his lips.

"That..I could beat you home." Casey laughed as she saw his smirk turn into confusion before she started running.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Nora and George were taken aback as they watched their two children, now young adults, throwing the front door open, soaking wet. The two were laughing and out of breath.

"Good evening, Case. Derek. How was the park.. and the rain?" Nora looked at the floor as she saw the puddles slowly forming on it. George laughed as he knew what his wife was thinking.

"Well, I think Casey here has finally learned how to have fun." Derek replied grinning at Nora, earning him a slap to the chest.

"It was really fun mom, but I think I'm going to go shower and get ready for bed."

"Alright, sweetie. Just put your clothes in the hamper and I'll wash and dry them tonight. Tomorrow is packing day, so, we need to get everything done. And then you're supposed to be going to Emily's in the afternoon. We'll work out all the other things tomorrow morning, alright?"

And then Casey's world came crashing down. Packing day. How could I forget that?.. She nodded and looked towards Derek cautiously, seeing his eyes down on the floor.

Before his eyes could meet hers, she ran upstairs. Her thoughts were screaming at her. In just two days she would be in the States, starting a new life. She would be leaving her home, her family, her Derek. Oh god. He's going to want to come with. But he can't. We both know that.

Casey ran into her room, trying to get as little water as possible not on the floor. She quickly grabbed her pajamas and a towel and headed to the bathroom for a warm shower.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Is everything okay, Derek?" George asked uneasily as he noticed his son unusually quiet.

"What? Oh, yeah, Dad. I'm fine. I think I'm going to go make some hot chocolate for Case and me." Derek walked in a slumber past his father and Nora to the kitchen. He forgot about reality. He forgot that what happened at the park was unethical. He forgot that she had a future that was planned to be without him. He forgot that he had a future that was planned to be without her.

Derek went through the motions as he prepared the warm drinks for himself and the girl he loved. Walking quietly upstairs, he heard the shower turning off. Knowing it would only be a few moments before she would emerge from the bathroom, he placed the mug in her room on her desk and scribbled quickly on a piece of paper.

-------------------------------------------------

Casey came out of the bathroom feeling content and warm after the lasting shower. Her pajamas felt even more comforting than they usually did. She paused in the doorway, eyeing the mug sitting on her desk with steam still rolling off it. She smiled lightly as she approached it and found it sitting on a note.


I know what you're thinking. This can work. Don't close up on me now.

Casey closed her eyes slowly, replaying the park's events. Repeating in her mind Derek's words of affection and love. Opening her eyes again, not wanting to let the memories go yet, she saw a pack of pictures on her bed with a blank scrapbook album beneath it. Moving to her bed with the mug and note in hand, she began working on the scrapbook. Then she heard the shower turn on.

------------------------------------------

Derek heard her go in her room. So he knew she got the hot chocolate and the note. Now he just had to wait. He had to give her time. He knew she'd want and need it. He decided to shower and get out of his wet clothes that were making a trail all around the house.

As he purposefully walked by her room, he noticed her cutting and gluing things. He stared for only a few short seconds before pushing past his urge to go in, and going to the bathroom. She never even looked up.