Derek had had weird dreams while drunk before, but only ever on things like tequila or those cheap mock-liquors that resemble moonshine rather than something you should buy in a bar. He had never had a dream this bizarre, or real – and never on something like Jack Daniels. Besides, although drunk, he honestly didn't think he'd had enough to make this up.

Casey had wound her body into his, and was rubbing up against him and the vision before him whilst it looked and smiled like Casey was behaving like one of those star-eyed groupies. He was fairly sure this was really happening, but something was obviously wrong with the situation because much as he wanted Casey to be up close and personal with him, he would like it to be more realistic.

Casey McDonald did not "do" for one night stands.

"Casey?" He asked as if trying to prove to himself this wasn't a hallucination.

She smiled up at him and ran a hand up the front of his t-shirt. "You're horny and I'm available, and I seem to remember you saying something about you finding me attractive. Have sex with me."

He stared at her, his drink-addled mind struggling to comprehend what she was suggesting.

Fortunately, common sense prevailed.

"No."

Casey frowned and he started to see her innocence again although it was more of a pout than a lip wobble. "It's okay, Derek. It's…it's what I want."

The moment of clarity persisted and he pushed her away. "No Casey."

"Y-You don't want me?" She stammered, her expression hurt and dejected – and something else...Disappointment?

Before he could respond, her look changed to one of panic and her colour to one of green and she bolted for the bathroom located just off the foyer. In seconds, he could hear her being noisily sick.

Derek followed her to the room and leaned up against the door post as she hung over the toilet bowl.

"Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?" She gasped and wiping her mouth, flushed the toilet.
"No."

"Then I'm not okay. Call me a cab. I think I've embarrassed myself enough tonight." She turned away continuing to mutter something about Mata Hari and vomit.

"Stay here tonight." Derek insisted. "You have stuff in your suitcase to tide you over and it's been months since we spoke."

"I'll probably vomit in the guest room."
"I have a solution for that." He said, feeling suddenly sober. "You can sleep in my room."

"What?"

"I'll sleep in the guest room. You love the master bedroom and you know where the bathroom is. You don't like the guest room. You said it was too pretentious."

"Derek. I could sleep in a prison cell and I'd think it was heaven right now."

"But I want you to sleep in the master."

"And I want you to sleep with me."
"No."

"Der-ek!"

"Case-y."
She vomited again and then groaned.

"Bad day?" Derek asked, sliding down the door frame to sit beside her.

Casey shook her head. "No more than any of the past four months. You know me. I think too much."
He smiled and then moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. She resisted.

"Derek. I stink of sick."

"I've done worse to you. Stay."
"If you'll sleep in the same bed with me."
"Will you jump me in the middle of the night?"
She snorted. "You wish."

And he knew she was sobering up.

Casey awoke the next morning in the familiar bed, a massive hangover hammering her head flat and Derek hanging off the bed as far away from her as he could. She groaned, though even she wasn't sure if it was because of how she felt or his ridiculous positioning. She winced.

"You've only got yourself to blame." He said from his point of safety across the mattress.

"What happened to your hangover?" Casey asked with a touch of jealousy in her tone.

"I woke in the night and downed painkillers. Consequently, I opened my eyes a few minutes ago with nothing more than a warm fluffy feeling of love for my fellow man." There was the normal Derek smirk.

"But not lust for your step-sister." Casey stated and he realised she was still harbouring some bitterness there. "It's hard Derek." She said quietly. "Hard trying to move on."
"We have to. But I know what you mean."

"I know we have to, but last night I decided your first idea was right. Maybe we should just get it out of our system. One night in the name of…lust." She mis-quoted. Derek didn't miss that bit, even in his hungover state.

"When did I suggest a one night stand?" he looked shocked and slightly nauseated, and Casey tried not to read too much into that.

"In the coffee house. When we agreed to…separate."

Derek rolled already rolling eyes. "That was a joke, princess. I didn't mean it."

She pouted. "You don't want to have sex with me."

He laughed. "Casey, stop pouting. You aren't a sex kitten, so stop trying to act like one. Wanting to have sex with you is not the issue. I'm not going to sleep with you because last night we were both drunk and this morning we're both pissed. If I even kissed you in that state, the following morning you'd take a cleaver to my man bits and I'd be talking like a Bee Gee for the rest of my life."

She looked rejected. He shuffled across the bed and took both of her hands in his.

"I don't do one night stands with strangers, so what the hell makes you think I'd do that with someone I…care about? No. Casey. I won't do that to you."

"You care about me?" Casey was astounded that he was ready to admit that. He nodded.

"It's just that I missed you." She said her eyes fixed his as she moved closer. "Hold me, please."

His mind was screaming for his body to pull away, but his heart had other ideas.

It had been a long four months.

"I missed you too." He said squeezing her tightly to him and burying his face in her hair.

For several minutes they lay there, wrapped in each other, eyes closed and breathing softly.

"I'm sorry about last night." Casey murmured.

"S'ok. What were you drinking anyway?"
"An Alta Rioja. Your mum sent it to me after her last trip to Spain." She groaned. "I think I had a whole bottle. I can't believe I was so irresponsible."

"I know. If it's the stuff I'm thinking of, it's worth a fortune. That's criminal."

Casey rolled her eyes at him and Derek grinned. "Good quality hangovers are the best." He kissed the top of her hair. "Have you got plans for today?"
"You mean apart from wallowing in rejection and self-pity?"

"This isn't rejection Casey. This is me trying to be grown up and sensible. My heart is fighting my mind tooth and nail right now."

"It still feels like rejection." She didn't comment on his use of the word "heart" rather than "groin" or some euphemism. Casey knew that the attraction between them was a mixture of lust and familiarity. She didn't want to remind herself though.

"I know. I'm sorry." He brushed the hair from her face. "Stay with me today. We'll get caught up on our TV series-viewing, catch up with each other's lives…"

"…say goodbye?" Her voice was timid. Derek closed his eyes and leaned his forehead into hers.

"It's not goodbye…just learning how to distance ourselves without an argument."

Casey made a simple breakfast (her stomach not up for anything else) and they ate it in silence in the kitchen. Derek glanced frequently at her but her eyes remained firmly down as if she was intently studying the toast on her plate.

"Are you not talking to me now?" Derek asked.

Casey smiled weakly. "I guess the embarrassment has kicked in." She explained.

"Sweetheart, you've been embarrassing yourself in front of me for so long now I would have thought you were immune." He ran a finger along her arm. "I've seen you make some really embarrassing mistakes – throwing yourself at me isn't one of them."

She grinned. "I never thought I'd ever hear you say that."

"Me either. Come on. Let's go veg in the den. We have four months worth of shows to watch."

Casey followed Derek into his den but hung back as he fussed around switching on the television and closing curtains etc. When he had finished, he flopped onto the couch and held a hand out to her. She took it wordlessly and felt him pull her down next to him, his arm around her. The only comfortable position for Casey now was to cuddle into him and rest her head on his shoulder and she cursed him for his affectionate gestures. It was like rubbing salt into open wounds, but not something that she could pull away from.

They watched a couple of episodes of their favourite shows in the quiet companionship they had developed over more than a decade. Derek's arm around her left his fingers able to hold her right hand with his own, and he left the remote on the seat beside them so that his left hand could play with the fingers on her left hand. When they did speak it was talk of Casey's writing and touring, Derek's games and touring, and the prospect of him being signed for a more major team shortly. He would be in Toronto more, and that pulled at Casey's heart because he would be nearer and yet so much further away.

"I curse my dad sometimes and praise him at the same time. I wouldn't know you if he hadn't met Nora, but why did he have to marry her?"

Casey sniggered. "I doubt he was thinking about his son's sex life when he made that decision."

"You're doing it again, Casey and it's bugging the hell out of me. You're one of my best friends. This is not just about how hot you look in skinny jeans and lycra."

She laughed and he saw the sparkle in her eyes that he'd missed so much.

"I look hot in lycra?" She asked.

"I know! You must be the only person in the world that it works for."

"Idiot!" She chuckled. He grinned at her.

"Stop it with the sex talk okay? I'm used to my Casey all innocent and virginal. I got enough of Casey the vamp last night."

"Or not…" She added with a smile.

Derek said nothing, just raised a thumb to trace the line of her lips gently. They locked eyes and their smiles froze. All Casey was aware of was Derek's hand close to her face and the sound of her own heart.

"You're beautiful and smart, and I miss you so much." He whispered.

Casey traced his lips with her own fingers and felt the slight rush of air as the gesture made him gasp. He took his hand from her face and used it to pull her fingers gently away, but only to replace them with his own mouth. And it was Casey's turn to gasp, against his lips. He kissed her softly a couple of times.

"We shouldn't…" They both said at the same time and Casey giggled. Derek pulled her onto his lap.

"Fuck it! We're going to!" He said. Casey's eyes widened.

"Kiss…I meant." Derek backtracked. Despite her plan of yesterday, he noted she looked relieved.

"I'm in if you're in." She announced and let him slide his fingers into her hair, as he moved forward to kiss her again.

By the time, early evening came the television had long been forgotten and there was only one thing that could separate the two of them…the loud growling of Derek's stomach. Casey pulled away from him.

"Doesn't that thing ever sleep?" She asked.

"I believe we skipped lunch." Derek said. "What do you expect?"

Casey sighed. "I suppose that's my cue to go make dinner?"
"Or we could order in."

"Nah! I'll warm up one of my meals. Come with me?" She asked, unwrapping herself from his embrace and standing up with some difficulty.

Derek followed her into the kitchen and sat on the work-surface while she zapped baking potatoes and then heated up a Casey casserole for both of them. He stole kisses when she came close enough and she looked shyly at him while the microwave whirred.

"What happens tomorrow, Casey?" He asked.

"I go."

Derek looked away. "Okay." She raised an eyebrow and he relented. "It isn't okay…but, you're right."
"Tomorrow is hours away, Derek."

"I know."

"We have all evening."
"We have all night."

She nodded.

Derek looked at her. "This won't happen again, will it?"
Casey shook her head. "I'll do a better job of staying away." Derek was looking thoughtful. "Why?"
He shrugged. "I guess I'm finding it hard to be a gentleman."

There was a moment's quiet. "Oh." Casey said eventually.

The microwave pinged and Casey darted to the machine and retrieved the food. She plated it up with the potatoes she had micro-waved beforehand.

They ate at the breakfast bar again, forgoing the wine because they didn't want a repeat of last night. They ate in silence as if Derek's admission gave them food for thought. Every now and then they would look at each other with gentle smiles, and Derek reached over to take her hand. For a moment, Casey felt as though this was something more than just attraction, but it was a difficult enough situation without her hoping for impossibilities.

"What are you thinking?" Derek asked as he cleared the plates and loaded the dishwasher. Casey coughed because she honestly didn't think she should repeat her thoughts right then. This was about so much more for her.

"I'm thinking I'm ready for more kisses." She said, weakly. Derek smirked and helped her off the stool. When the kitchen was clean again, they made their way back to the Den but Derek paused by the door.

"Are you okay?" Casey asked with concern. He shook his head.

"No."

"What's wrong?"
"I'm about to do something really stupid." He said, kissing her.

"Which is?" Casey felt a shiver of something but wasn't sure if it was fear or anticipation.

"Let's…" He started and then stopped.

"Yes. Let's." Casey affirmed quietly.

"You don't know what I was going to ask." He protested.

"The answer's yes, Derek. Now let's get on with it before I change my mind."

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers.

"You'll regret it tomorrow."

"No I won't. I made this decision yesterday."

"When you were drunk."
"I haven't changed my opinion since and I'm sober now."
"We can't Casey."

"Yes. We can. Let's go upstairs." She took his hand and led him back towards the stairs. He stopped.

"It's been a while. I'm not prepared. I don't have…"

Casey frowned not understanding what he was saying.

"I haven't got any condoms."

"Oh!" And now Casey felt a fool because she hadn't thought to bring any. Typical inexperienced… she cursed herself.

"Are you on the pill?" Derek asked. "Only I know I'm clean. We get tested regularly and I've never had sex without protection."

"The pill?" Casey asked blankly…and then lied. "Yes."

"The decision's yours." He said and meant it.

"Come on Derek. Let's go to bed."

Derek woke in the early hours of the morning with Casey once again entwined around him. This time, however, she was naked and so was he. Her hair tickled his chest where it fell on his bare skin and her breath warmed his neck where her lips rested.

He tilted his head to look at her in the pale moonlight of the snowy evening and the sight tore at him.

Tonight had been a mistake.

It had been a mistake not because it hadn't been perfect but because it was perfect. It had been a mistake not because she was the wrong woman but because she was exactly the right woman – the only woman. And it had been a mistake because now he wouldn't be able to let go of her.

She stirred and her hand stroked his ribs sleepily, a warm smile on her lips even though her eyes were closed.

"Are you okay?" Derek murmured.

"Perfect." She said dreamily and then when he chuckled softly, she added "Don't laugh at me."

"I'm not. I'm laughing at this. You and me."

"Because this is so funny?" She huffed.

"No. Because this was so inevitable." He kissed her. "I just wish…"
"…that it had a future. No you don't. I'm too high maintenance. You've been doing the job too long. Time to bail."

"Casey. It isn't like that."

"Please Derek. Let me think it is. It will be easier to go then."

"Stay today."
"Why? So that we can make it even harder on ourselves?" She shook her head. "It ends in the morning…I promise."

He tightened his grip on her. "Okay. But I have you now. And there are still a few hours till dawn."

She smiled. "That's what I'm counting on."

"Really?" Derek said and his eyes grew dark. "And how do you suggest we fill the time?"

"You'll think of something." Casey lifted herself up slightly so that she could look down on him and the motion of her body was very distracting.

"The vamp's back then?" He said running a finger down her spine.

"She never left."

Derek rolled them both over. "Oh? What happened to my innocent step-sister?"
"She got ravaged."

"Is she up for some more ravaging?"

"Bring it." Casey giggled in a way which Derek wanted to store away as his new favourite sound.

And with a kiss they both tried to forget the approaching dawn.

Casey woke at 5am. They had finally fallen asleep about three after making love again but she had set her cell phone to vibrate on the night stand at five, knowing that it wouldn't wake Derek. Fortunately, they had moved away from each other slightly and she had only to lift his arm and slide out. She quickly grabbed her clothes and stuffed them into her suitcase, then grabbing her purse she made for the door.

Where she stopped.

Casey glanced back into the room at the bed and the sleeping figure of her ex-lover and tried not to cry. Then she sighed, put down her bags and crossed silently to his side. Looking down at him sleeping was hard because she wanted him to wake and pull her into his arms again. She wanted to be told it was all a joke and that they could do what they wanted – they could be what they wanted. He wasn't in love with her but she wanted this…relationship. And she couldn't have it.

Pulling herself together, promising herself that she could cry as much as she wanted when she got home, Casey leaned over Derek's sleeping form and brushed her lips against his head.

"I love you." She whispered.

And then she turned around and left.

AN: Before you ask, remember you've seen them in the future so the answer should be obvious. No - She isn't.

Next stop: The Present day.