A/N: You guys have no idea how much this story consumes my every thought. I'm completely obsessed. It's pathetic really. Anyways I prolly won't be able to write anything new for a bit. I have a lot of work to do before school starts again. Sorry! Anyways I know this is kinda out of left field but it's gonna switch to Casey's POV for a bit. Oh and this chapter is gonna be kinda long.

Casey POV

The next morning as Derek and I sat side by side, eating breakfast, I couldn't help but think about how much our relationship had changed in the last few days. Normally by this point in the day we'd be fighting like cats and dogs. I guess what I'd told him about my past made him regret being so mean to me. Truthfully I had enjoyed the bickering. It was the one time I didn't have to pretend to be perfect, but telling Derek my secret felt even better, even if I knew I shouldn't have.

I suppose the other reason for the change would be Kendra. Derek seemed to have matured somewhat since she got pregnant, or maybe he was just scared out of his mind. Either way he didn't find the same childish, idiotic things to be funny anymore. He said Kendra wasn't returning his calls and I was worried about what would happen. I wanted to stop her from having an abortion, but she'd never understand unless I explained everything and that was something I could never do.

Suddenly I heard Lizzie run down the stairs screaming, "Uncle Carl!" She flung open the front door to reveal the man from my nightmares dressed in jeans and a red t-shirt, with a charming smile hanging off his face. He picked Lizzie up in his arms and spun her around in greeting. Just looking at him you'd never know what he was capable of. You'd probably like him. I, however, knew better.

Then he turned his gaze on me and I could feel myself begin to shake. Derek reached under the table and grabbed my hand. It was warm and comforting and then the monster spoke. "Hey Casey honey." I would have vomited right there if Derek hadn't been there squeezing my hand.

Derek's POV

God I wanted to wipe that disgusting smirk off his god damn face. The way he looked at Casey made me want to get up and rip his head from his body, but I stayed where I was, sensing that Casey needed me. He spoke to her, but my anger blocked his words. All I could tell was she didn't like it.

Suddenly he appeared to notice me. "Who's this?" he asked looking back and forth between Casey and myself.

Since he hadn't addressed me I found no need to answer, and just glared at him, which seemed to unnerve him. "That's Derek." Lizzie finally informed him. "He's our stepbrother."

Realization lit his face and he seemed to calm down. "Oh George's son. I've heard a lot about you." He was trying to buddy up to me, but sorry pal, the fish weren't biting today. I just continued to let my hatred for him ooze out of my eyes.

Casey's POV

I was practically paralyzed with fear as Uncle Carl spoke to Derek. I realized what a horrible thing I had done. I should have never, never, NEVER told Derek what had happened. If Uncle Carl found out not only would I be in serious trouble, but so would Derek.

Derek left no room for interpretation on his opinion of Uncle Carl and I silently cursed myself, hoping he wouldn't catch on.

"So what are the plans for tonight?" asked Uncle Carl.

Lizzie piped up right away, oblivious to the tension in the room. "I have a soccer game tonight and everyone is coming to watch. You wanna come too?"

"Sure." He smiled. "Are you going Casey?" Now with his attention back on me I stopped worrying about Derek and tried to remember how to speak.

"I have a lot of studying to do." I tried to sound as normal as possible. Uncle Carl had already agreed to go and I didn't want to be anywhere near him.

"Too bad. I'll miss you." He gave me a suggestive look. I worked hard to keep from gagging as Derek squeezed my hand even tighter. This time I felt that it was not so much to comfort me, as it was to keep himself from flying out of his chair and punching Uncle Carl in the face.

Derek's POV

An hour later everyone but Casey and I had left for the game. We were sitting in her bedroom and she looked like she was gonna be sick. "Casey why let him have this control over your life? Why let him scare you like this? Just tell your mom and this could all be over!"

She looked at me, horror-struck. "No Derek! You can't tell! I'm keeping your secret aren't I?" Damn. She had a point there. But her secret felt a lot more dangerous and I wasn't sure what the right thing to do was. I had to laugh to myself at that. Since when did Derek Venturi worry about what was right? Hadn't I made all my decisions in the past based on what I wanted? Then again that was what had got me into trouble with Kendra.

Casey's POV

I had finally convinced Derek not to say anything for the time being and had told him to take a walk around the block to calm down. He had reluctantly agreed and been gone only five minutes, when I heard a knock on my door. "Back already Derek?" I asked as I looked up and the door swung open. To my utter disappointment and horror the figure in my doorway was not Derek but Uncle Carl.

"I- I thought you went to the game." I stuttered. I could not believe after all these years I was once again alone with Uncle Carl. I had no idea what would happen and I was terrified.

"I changed my mind." He was still acting calm and friendly like he did with the rest of the family.

"Um… well… Derek should be getting back soon…" I only said it to try to scare him away, hoping he wouldn't want any witnesses. Unfortunately for me, it seemed to have the reverse affect.

"Speaking of which, what's with you and that Derek kid?"

I looked at him warily. I did not like this not one bit. "Nothing."

In a flash he had grabbed me by the neck and pushed me up against the wall. He had my feet a few inches off the ground so I couldn't breathe. I clawed at his hand on my throat and simultaneously attempted to kick him in the groin but he grabbed both my arms with his other hand and pinned my legs to the wall with his body. Damn he was strong. He wasn't putting on a show anymore. He'd let out the darkness; the darkness that only I ever saw.

"That had better be true Casey." He growled. His breath was hot against my face. "You know damn well that you are mine and no punk ass teenager is gonna get in my way. You're MINE! Do you understand?" I nodded as I gasped for air. He let go and I collapsed onto the floor, gasping. "You better keep him out of this if you don't want him to get hurt." And with that he turned and left the room.

I jumped up and locked my door behind him; unsure of whether he'd come back for more. I slide back onto the floor and let myself cry myself to sleep as images of my life played through my mind; images of Uncle Carl, images of my mom and dad, images of Lizzie, and lastly images of Derek Venturi, who I knew I could never give up despite Uncle Carl's warnings.