AN: Sorry for making you guys wait

Chapter 6 „Getting home"

Derek's POV

So we're sitting in the car now and Casey's being unusually silent. I look over at her and find her staring off into space with a questionable look on her face. „Hey, headcase, everything okay with you?" I am truly concerned. Her life is going haywire and all because of me. If I hadn't ran to her for help she'd still be living her blissful life going out with a gangster...

I mean, I didn't mean to flip her life upside down, but she was the only one I could run to for help. Because I knew she would help me, even if she drove me insane with her questions. I smile as the car picks up a bit of speed. Soon we'll be at Headquarters.

Casey's POV

I still can't believe what is happening. I can't believe I'm sitting in this car beside Derek and don't know our destination! I always know what's going on in my life at least. So this is beyond weird for me. But what's really eating at me is how the hell I have been way too gullible for my own good. I mean I seriously should have noticed... I sigh. I had my life planned out, everything was working fine for me... But then Derek barges in, bleeding and battered and my life starts going wrong... I don't notice how it happens but the day seems to have caught up to me and I fall asleep.

Derek's POV

Casey's fallen asleep and I don't know how it happened but her head's somehow ended up on my shoulder. I look at her, it's been waay to long that I've seen her. I should've tried to be more in her life before. But I didn't want to risk endangering her the way I am right now. But I've gotta give her credit. I've just turned her life completely upside down and she's coping with it way better than I'd thought she'd do. She used to be so different... I mean I watched her transform from keener to a beautiful woman who still has keener-tendencies, mind you but now she stands her ground.

It won't take long for us to get to the HQ. I think I'll let her sleep while I go talk to the boss. It's going to be a quick talk anyway and I'm really missing home. Great, we've just gotten inside the parking garage. I tell the driver to look after Casey while I go in.

I move towards the elevators and it scans my ID, before doing an Iris scan before letting me in the ominous elevator voice greeting me as usual „Good evening Staff Sergeant Venturi. It's a quarter to 9 PM; You're entry has been saved to you're record." I roll my eyes at it. „It's fine Sandy." The Security system's called: Secure And Neutralize Dangerous People. Because no one could come up with a different word than „people" with a „y", they simply decided that the Y didn't hold any meaning.

I purposefully stride toward the Superintendent's office and knock on the door. „Come in" his gruff voice answers. I take a deep breath and open the door. „Venturi? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be in you're covert operation regarding that „Arrow-Bullet" Ring we sent you in?" Superintendent Matthew Carlson asks looking up at me through his glasses.

„Well, someone seems to have ratted me out and I ended up shot in the process. To cut the long story short, my step-sister is endangered now and I took her with me from the hospital because she wasn't safe there anymore." I look at the elder man who's looking at me all fatherly.

„Okay...I need the long story in a written report on my desk until 9 o clock tomorrow morning. We'll deal with finding her a safe house right away." Carlson says. „There's no need for a safe-house Sir, my house is as safe as a house can get. Other than the department and my family no one knows where I live and I've modified the security system of my house myself. I can assure you it's safer than Fort-Knox." I smirk. „Good, then be it." The Superintendent just nods and waves me out of the room.

I walk back towards the car finally unwinding a little. „Have a good Night Superintendent Venturi. I will be happy to be welcoming you back Monday morning 9pm sharp like I always do." I grin, she isn't even a real woman but she's still one of my absolute favorites. I move back towards the car I left Casey sleeping in to find her awake and talking to the driver.

I open the car door. „Time to go home, Spacey." She sleepily rubs her eyes and drowsily gets out of the car. She totters over to my car and falls in falling asleep as soon as she hits the leather seats of my Apollo S. I love my car. It's an electronic car and it has it's personal Sandy. Tough, this Sandy is actually called „Ann": Yes, I am aware that It's Casey's second name.

„Good evening, Derek. You're running late as usual." I am glad that Casey can't hear her own voice, talking to me. I'm sure this is going to freak her out. But it seemed appropriate, because my car is my life...now don't get this the wrong way... It only has Casey's voice to keep me focused... A t least that's what I tell myself.

„Yeah, yeah I know as much Ann." I mumble. „Is that Casey on you're backseat? Sleeping soundly?" I roll my eyes at the car. „Would you mind cutting the crap and just letting me drive home Annie?" I ask exasperated. „Sure Sir." With that the only thing Annie does, is giving me directions. She doesn't take over unless she feels me falling asleep through her scanning system integrated into the steering wheel.

We still manage to reach home safely and Annie takes over parking the car for me. „I turned on the heating systems of the seats to keep her cozy and warm. She is knocked out flat." Annie informs me and I smile.

I carry Casey over to the front door and put the key in, pressing my hand on the scanning system and waiting for the camera to scan both our faces and my iris. The keypad comes out of the Mail slot and I type in the additional code. It's Marti's birthday. „Welcome home, Derek." It's Casey's voice again which is greeting me. „Hello Annie, would you mind switching you're voice?" I ask. „Of course not, Derek. Does this voice suit you're and Casey McDonald's tastes better?" Annie is talking in a different yet still melodic voice as she automatically switches on the lights dimming them so they don't wake the still sleeping woman in my arms. „Is she going to be sleeping in the guest room?" Annie asks. „Yes she is, would you mind setting it up for her?" „Consider it done, Derek." I smile. This whole smart-system is incredibly cool. I hardly have to do any work myself, unless I switch Annie off.

Right now all I want to do tough is fall asleep, preferably next to the brunette in my arms, but I know I shouldn't. Instead I pull up a comfy recliner next to her bed and perpare to sleep in it instead. I gently take off Casey's shoes and tuck her into my guest bed. I hope her dreams are pleasant ones, because her life is surely going to take quiet a turn. I close my eyes and happily let sleep engulf me.

AN: Yes, I am aware that there is no such technology out there yet which would make Derek's car talk to him and act like that. But in my story it does. No it's no little mistake that his car and home Smart-system are called Ann. It's Casey's second name. Anyways review. -Keisha