Unattainable Passion

by Daizy92

Non Step Sibling Alternate Reality: Casey is a brand new lawyer and gets an interview at one of the most prestige firms in the country. A dream come true job suddenly comes with Derek Venturi, her new boss, and it's a disaster from the beginning. She's determined to work for him, and becomes obsessed with trying to understand why Derek treats her so differently. **Rated M

11. Crumbling Kingdom

Chapter 11: Crumbling Kingdom

Derek was a mess. He thought pushing Casey away would bring some form of relief, but it didn't. It was brutally quiet around the firm, and there were no accidental run-ins with Casey, she was invisible. He knew she was at work because she'd won another case. The report he got back was that it was close, it could have gone either way, but she still won it. He was always on edge, looking over his shoulder constantly for Casey.

Unsurprisingly she wasn't at the staff meeting, it made him feel like the worst villain ever. And unsurprisingly his concentration went way down, everything took him ages, a simple task would take him hours. He was on sinking sand. He would stare at the phone, itching to call her, make some excuse just to see her. He knew she was pissed at him, and he truly didn't blame her.

Ricardo came in several times, and he was waiting for him to bring Casey up, but he didn't, and it was agony. He needed to know what went down, did she take his stupid advice of giving Ricardo a chance? He eventually texted Ricardo and asked to hang out one evening. He felt like a kettle ready to blow over. He stormed in and waited , how would he bring it up without having it known that Casey came on to him? He needed to know what Ricardo was up to or he'd never be at peace.

When Ricardo got there he had a brilliant smile on his face, "so glad you called…." he gave Derek a slight smack on the back.

Derek laughed easily, for a moment he felt guilty being so annoyed with him. He wasn't a terrible guy, buy maybe he saw himself in him and he hated it. "Yeah tell me about it, I was thinking it had been ages since we kicked back, lately we haven't hung out much."

Ricardo bought him a beer, and was eyeing him for a bit, "I know, you've been quite busy, so I am just giving you space. Man we used to have the wildest times hanging out, kinda missed this." He observed him closer, "looking a little rough man. You need to go off for a bit, get some rest maybe."

Derek shrugged, trying to put on his usual unbothered self, but it was a struggle. "Turns out being CEO isn't really all that fun, but I'll survive."

"Well you're killing it," Ricardo nudged him. "I've been meaning to celebrate with you: I heard you are officially getting the firm sooner than you thought, don't know why you didn't tell me but I wanted to congratulate you."

Now he felt bad for coming arms blazing. "I didn't want to get my hopes up. You know how George is, I wouldn't hold my breath until the day of the grand meeting. But thanks man, I really wanted to tell you."

"Well damn who would have thought your crazy ass would pull it off? This warrants a celebration. We are drinking."

They toasted and for a moment their old bro-hood was revived. "So what's new with you?"

Ricardo sighed with agony, "the impossible happened, I think I'm kind of in love."

Derek couldn't breathe, he wasn't expecting that. He recoiled back, "You are in love with…."

Ricardo looked almost lamblike, "Casey, I know I shouldn't be bringing this up. I mean it's a conflict of interest but I am going a little insane over here."

"No go ahead, tell me," he said more intensely than he wanted.

"I think I have a chance with her."

His heart sank, and he drank his beer in an attempt to drown out his agony. "Finally caved huh," he said with a teasing jilt even though he was dying. "What did you do to get her to notice you?"

"Used the element of romance and mystery but it paid off. Sent her flowers and these overly cute notes."

"Oh?"

"Just told her that she was beautiful, that she made me freak out from the moment I saw her. Told her I was basically dying to kiss her and begged for an opening." His eyes lit up with obvious interest. "I can't believe how desperate I've become, what's the matter with me?"

No wonder she almost seduced him, but the worst part was those were all thought he had for Casey every day. "And you meant it right?

Ricardo chuckled, "Course I did, you really think I'd stoop that low to get a girl if I didn't want her?"

Derek stared at the table for a bit, terrified of the next question to the point his hold on his drink was at a breaking point. "So you're together?"

"No but she's agreed to hang out as friends, whatever that means."

Derek didn't feel any better, but some of the pressure on his chest lifted. "Friends? She found out you want to kiss her and she think that's code for friendship? Women," he said more bitingly than he intended.

" I really like her Derek, I'm willing to go at her pace, I know she's out of practice but I think she's worth it." Derek wanted to believe that Casey could change anyone into becoming a romantic, but he was worried Ricardo would eventually get bored of waiting around for her.

They went on to go on a total rave, and he didn't even remember making it home. He woke up the next morning with a screaming headache, and he slowly ventured downstairs. The house was empty and quiet, which he so appreciated. He sat down and ate whatever he could stomach, but the silence was cut short by the stomping of the stairs. George came down with a newspaper.

He looked livid, angry beyond belief, and slammed it in front him. "Derek what the hell is this?"

Derek jumped back slightly as he picked it up. As soon as he saw the title, he knew the firm had been torn apart for the first time in its history.

Derek Venturi's immaturity has caused a number of problems for the best law firm of the country. This party boy obviously hasn't let go some of his laid back style as he avoided meetings with lawyers, ditched court hearings and avoided his CEO responsibilities. Several witness accounts brought up concerns with rumors of affairs with his staff, and lack of true dedication to the firm. Can Derek truly compare to George's Venturi class and ruthless work ethic? Or will the most prestigious firm die with Derek's reign?

"What the fuck…." Derek muttered, everything in him seized up with insidious anger. Yes some of those things were true, but it made it sound like he was intentionally being an idiot. "Where the hell did they get that info? Sure I may have missed a couple meetings but ever since I upgraded my tech, I haven't missed anymore I swear. "

George was red in the face, smoke literally fuming out of his ears. "I went to the newspaper and they got an anonymous tip. Derek I can forgive a lot, you've been scatterbrained and I've made excuses for you. But the firm being publicized this way is more than I can take. You cannot mess up again, or…."

Derek breathed shallowly, why was everything so screwed up lately? "I….don't know what to say dad. I'm sorry." His head was spinning, how did the affair rumors' become so huge? He thought he'd nipped them in the bud, so who revealed that to the press?

George sighed, watching him intently as if he read his mind. "It's impossible to figure out where it came from. If one person at the firm told someone outside the firm, well rumors just take off from there. It would be impossible to figure out the origin."

Derek scoured over the article, "but they revealed so many things, how could someone know all that? Maybe it's coming from someone at the firm."

He cut him off abruptly. "Derek, that's not important. The point is you are allowing that publicity by being careless. We are two weeks away from handing everything to you, focus. Maybe you need some extra help with administration. You have that main report due that will overview the entirety of your time at the firm, cases won, lost, statistics. I want it done by Monday, and if you need help, ask for staff at the firm "

Derek sighed, "I am sorry dad. I'll keep that in mind, and I have those reports done already, it was so much work, I finally get why you were so grouchy all my life," he tried to joke.

George smiled a little, "Good, in the meantime, lay low Derek. Our reputation cannot take another hit, okay?"

Derek wanted to go back to bed, disappear for an eternity, he was so exhausted. He was screwing everything up, and now there was an extra weight. In two weeks the firm would be his, yet that finish line seemed to move farther away within each second. The next couple days he spent most of his time getting together his binders to present to his father, and he delegated things off to people around him just for a breather.

He went out for lunch and when he came back, he got other business done, and then it was time for the meeting. To his shock, the binder wasn't there, his heart raced, what did he do with it? He literally thought he put it in his drawer.

"Melody!" Derek called urgently.

Melody came in as quick as lightening, her eyes wide. "What's wrong?"

"Please tell me you took my binders to set up the meeting."

"No, I am sorry, I didn't," she said anxiously.

Derek couldn't believe it, he scrambled. "Okay if you don't want George to blow up and fire the entire building, we should look for it. Or we need to reprint."

Melody immediately went on his computer, and then she let out a choked sound, "Mr. Venturi, I think I may have made a horrible mistake."

Derek came over to her, and then to his surprise Melody burst out crying, "I think I deleted the file by mistake when I was transferring the data on to the usb. I am so sorry."

Derek fell back with shock, "are you saying it's not there?"

Melody scoured through everything and then she cried, "I am so sorry, I've been so tired. I've never made a mistake like this before."

Derek was screaming on the inside, but just that look on Melody's face was enough to scare him into silence. "Alright, it's okay Melody, just breathe. Help me find this binder then, it has to be somewhere."

They literally turned his office upside down, all with Melody full on crying, he desperately tried to retrace his footsteps. He had been distracted, was this another casualty to his stupidity? He was dead meat now, this could be the one thing to really be the nail on his coffin. He went to the conference room, and he knew he was heading towards his execution.

George sat there with an impersonal smile right beside his pesky HR manager. As he saw Derek's expression, he slowly stood up. "What's wrong?"

Derek pushed through the fear, so be it , if he got fired then he'd take his death with open arms. "George, something has come up and that report has been momentarily misplace. Give me to the end of the week to track it down."

Mac let out a humorless laugh, "surprise, surprise."

George turned to Mac with a raptor like face, "Could you give us a moment?" He waited for the shot, the silence filled with a rage, "Misplaced, how?"

Derek swallowed his fear, "I know this sounds crazy, but the work is done, it just got misplaced. Melody had copies of it backed up on the computer, but she may have accidentally deleted it when she was transferring them to the usb to photocopy. Melody has never messed up before okay. And I lost the hard copy, what are the chances?"

George's eyes narrowed on him, and for a few moments it was clear he was trying to restrain from shaking him a little. "You lost the hard copy..."

Derek nodded, "I had it all ready, I swear and when I came back I couldn't find it."

George just tucked his face into his hands, groaning loudly. "That's up there with my dog ate my homework. Derek…that binder couldn't have just walked away. Find it, you have to end of the week to redo it or I am sorry but that will show me you aren't ready for this. "

Derek felt his chest tighten, oh this was an impossible task. "Dad that took me weeks…."

George got up with fury, heading towards the door to fling it open. "Well hopefully it's all in your memory. You need to get some extra help because clearly you aren't keeping track of yourself. I'm through being nice and patient with you Derek, this is your last chance or you're fired, do I make myself clear?"

"Super clear," Derek managed to squeak out. He lowered his head and avoided eye contact. He could feel his disappointment like a laser, tried to stay composed but inside he was rattling like a leaf.

When Derek left the office, he was in such a confused haze that he ran right into Casey. She went sprawling back and fell down. She sat up, and started to fume." I can't believe it, I've had a horrible week, can't you watch where you're walking? I can't catch a break." And then she looked up at him and stopped. Any anger immediately vanished, "Derek." she sighed.

Derek was shocked. Casey wore an exhaustion he'd never seen before, dark circles were evident, her lovely face was etched with a weariness that made him want to take care of her. He was overwhelmed by the need to scoop her up and hold her like a lifeline. He scrambled to help her up, "so sorry Casey, I was just in a hurry. Are you okay?"

She stood up and smoothed down her clothes, she was staring at him with round eyes. She seemed perplexed. "I'm okay, how are you?"

Derek was taken back by the passiveness of her tone, considering how things were left. She even smiled a little, "Oh just fantastic….I heard you won another case, nice going."

She was staring at him too softly all of a sudden, "It could have gone the other way. It was stressful. "

"Well you killed it," he said with appreciation.

She smiled, the effect made him dizzy, "you look so tired."

"Just a little delirious, no big," he smiled back at her, a little confused by her lack of well, anger.

Casey was fidgeting nervously, noticed her sped up breathing. "If you ever need help with anything let me know, I saw the newspaper clip. I'm assuming it didn't make George very happy."

He staggered backwards, why was she being so….nice? It bothered him more than it should have. If she was evasive, angry, and irritated by him it meant she was affected by their situation, but seeing her look so unaffected made him crazy.

"Oh he was pissed, a total Hulk moment for sure. And are you serious?"

Oh, just being close to her was quenching a thirst he didn't know he felt until that moment. "Things must be a little overwhelming, I can tell you are overdoing it, so if there's anything extra I can take off your plate, let me know."

What the heck was going on with his universe ? His reality was so screwed up. "Uh okay...that's really sweet of you, thanks.."

She moved past him with a wounded sigh, "take care okay?"

Every part of him screamed to be with her a little longer. "Casey," he said with surprising desperation. She stopped but didn't turn around. He wanted to hold her for a moment, bury his face in her hair and take in the scent of lavender. "Are we cool?"

Casey looked over her shoulder, locked in on him with a stillness that confused him, "why wouldn't we be?"

Clearly she took forgetting him quite literally, and it aggravated him. He shrugged, "right, nevermind. I was just checking as your boss how you're doing, that's all."

"Then as your employee I guess all I can say is I am fine." A flicker of sadness went over her, she was pretending, just like him.

Knowing she was just going to be invisible again, going back to avoiding him made him sick. And before he knew it, he uttered, "so I have a report that got misplaced and I have to redo it by the end of the week. It's critical for me to show all the work I have done before the firm gets passed to me. I'm pressed for time, could you um help me? ."

Casey broke into that dazzling smile, "of course Derek. Do you want me to come up to your office after I'm done with my meetings today?"

Uh, yeah and do me a favor, never leave again. "Um I don't want to get any attention on us, so could you stay late this week? Melody will be helping too. I swear it'll be, um innocent but I'm desperate. If I'm coming to you it's because you're...well perfect and organized. George said this is my last chance to prove myself, or else I'm fired. Please help me," he actually sounded like a pleading moron.

Casey's smile went away and she moved closer, looking so damn caring and worried. "He really said it was your last chance?"

Derek nodded, gloominess overtook him, "I know you have no real reason to care-"

Casey moved even closer, she looked so stern and annoyed. "Shut up Mr. Venturi, I'm going to help you."

Derek lit up more than he could handle, "It's an insane amount of work, are you sure you don't mind?"

She smiled with determination, "Do you know what my middle name is?"

Derek smirked, "craziness?"

She laughed lightly, "close, impossible. I have been known to finish assignments in record time, and something about the stress makes me work even harder. You are going to finish on time, I promise."

She looked so determined, so damned certain, and he sighed with relief, "thank you Casey. I know I don't deserve this."

She shook her head adamantly, "What are you talking about? You are my boss and I want to help, end of story."

He sighed with relief, smiling at her gently. "Great, see you at 5:30, we will be here late so make sure you top up on coffee, and as a thank you I will treat you to dinner for the entire week, deal?"

Casey seemed to levitate, "okay, I'll be there."

Derek went back to Melody, feeling like the total crap storm produced something good after all, time with Casey. "Alright, it will be me, you and Casey tackling this report. I have divided it into three parts."

Melody grinned, "Casey is helping you?"

"Yeah she offered to help, this is the kind of thing she's good for, being a total keener. Um, she will be in my office, but it's important you come in from time to time. Being locked in my office just with Casey, is just too juicy of a story, you know what they will say."

Melody giggled as she got to work breaking up the tasks, "so you want me to be your witness that nothing scandalous is happening?"

Exactly. He needed the fear of knowing Melody could come at any moment so he didn't make any stupid mistakes with Casey. Melody was observing him closely, "if you change your mind and don't want me around too much, say the word. You know you can trust me to be quiet."

"What are you saying?" Derek chirped.

"You can give me the signal any time, and I'll leave you. I know you would never break a rule at the firm, but it's not a crime to enjoy her company."

He tried to keep a stoic expression, but heat radiated throughout his entire face. Now it had gotten to a point where Melody could clearly see he was pining after Casey, how soon before the rest of the world found out? "We'll be too busy working for me to get a chance to enjoy her company, I swear, this is strictly professional."

Melody just gave him a little eye roll, "alright, just keep it in mind."

At 5:30 on the dot, Casey came in with her laptop, speaking a million miles per hour, "Alright, no time to waste. Tell me what I must do and I will go that corner," she pointed to the window, "and I will get to work. Give me your list."

He chuckled as she sat down on the couch, avoiding any eye contact, "straight to business hey?"

Casey barely took her eyes off the screen, "we have four days, do you really want to waste time with idle chit chat?"

He picked up his list and went over to her, handing it to her timidly. She just took it, scouring through it, and flooded him with a million questions. She was so intense, as if her own life depended on things going perfectly. That seriousness and intensity was so sexy, it made him weak.

Casey gave a decisive nod, "I think I got it, now I say this as sweet as possible, go away."

Derek laughed, "message received. Am I allowed to breathe, hum or you know talk to myself from time to time?"

Casey folded her arms over her chest, "Derek, anything you do will distract me, just sit at your desk and let me concentrate. Get to work, or I can go back to my own office if that would help."

Derek shook his head alertly, "no, no we need to be in close quarters, I don't want to take the elevator a million times if I need anything."

Casey smiled, "alright, then let me concentrate, please," she said more gently.

For the next couple hours, Casey was in the zone, typing as if her fingers were on fire. She got up searching for the statistics, murmuring that his office was a mess again. Derek tried so hard to ignore her, but just having her close made him hum like a bowstring. She hardly looked at him, but could tell she noticed him just zoned in on her like a magnet.

Melody came in with food at one point, and Casey ignored it, muttering, "I don't have time to eat."

As cute as her tendencies were, he didn't want her to drive herself to exhaustion. He thanked Melody and brought the food over to her. "Casey, put that laptop down, now. It's an order."

Casey slowly looked up at him, "I'm not hungry, and I'm on a roll, I cannot stop now."

He smiled unwillingly, why was she so cute? "You are on a roll, you're making Melody and I look like snails. Please, just eat. I promise I'll go back to my chair and spin it towards the wall so you don't have to be bothered by my presence."

Casey sighed, taking the container from him. "It's fine, no need to do that. I'm not bothered, actually I insist you sit beside me."

Derek gasped a little loudly, "sit beside you…."

She laughed gently, patting the spot adamantly, "Yes."

Derek obeyed and immediately he felt like he was close to flames. Casey picked through her food, and then she seized him with a look, "so how did this happen, how could you lose your hardcopy and your computer file? It seems unlikely."

Derek was frazzled, going over the incident more closely. It was bizarre, too weird. "I printed them off and I swore that I put them in a binder. I looked everywhere Casey. Melody accidentally deleted the files from my computer, it was two isolated stupid mistakes that of course ganged up to ruin my life."

Casey was clearly thinking through everything methodically, "Derek have you considered the idea that maybe someone may be tampering? You've had technical issues, you were smeared in the paper, and now this….I cannot believe all that is a coincidence."

Derek smiled a little, he had a slight moment of thinking that but thought he was just making excuses for his behavior. He knew the cause for his distractions, and it had nothing to do with tampering.

"Casey the way I've been lately so distracted I can't entirely blame anyone else. I've been out of it. Those reports could end up on the moon and I would tell you 'yup sounds like me."

"Why are you distracted?" she drank her juice slowly, watching him intently.

Derek couldn't keep from looking at her up and down, as if the answer was right in front of her. He had no control of it. "Don't play dumb Case." Casey blushed, he continued without pause, "I've just been distracted, hardly slept, can barely eat. You're really not seeing how so many things at once could steal my concentration a little? "

"Oh do I know it," she sighed.

The tension was too strong for either of them to believe he wasn't talking about her. After that, Casey ordered him to get back to his desk. She was focused but nice the entire time. Melody kept her word, coming in almost every half hour, as if she had timed it. At one point, Casey came over to show him her progress.

Derek stared at it with total surprise, not only was she fast, she organized it so perfectly. "You are the most insane person I've ever met. Do you know how long it took me to get the work you just did? An entire week."

She smiled faintly, as if his praise rattled her. "Well, don't beat yourself up, it's not like you have a lot of free time."

He motioned to his monitor, "oh yeah well check it out then, I suck so bad."

Casey went behind him and bent over him a little to look at it. "Oh Derek," she laughed close to his ear, shooting him with intense arousal. "One page, really? Isn't it all in your memory too, how is it taking you so long?"

Derek was too aware of her, "I told you, I am distracted. See the only one tampering with me is this idiot standing in front of you."

Casey's soft gaze made him melt, "you're not an idiot, just probably overwhelmed which is totally understandable."

He couldn't stop the smile, "well, that's the first you ever say that Case. I think you're sick."

She pulled back a little, giggling airily. "You're right I may be. Also, please let me spell check that for you when you're done, George may fire you when he sees some of those errors."

He smirked, leaning back to inspect her bluntly. She was gorgeous, smart, over the top fantastic. "Casey McDonald, turns out you are a master at everything aren't you?"

She gave his shoulder a little slap, "you're being ridiculous, now get back to work Mr. Venturi."

She went back to her corner, but he just stared after her with stupid longing. He felt a little guilty for going to her, but he made excuses for it. He needed her work ethic, or else he would never put them through unnecessary pain. However, he knew the time with her was slowly bringing him out of the brink of insanity, she made him better. The next day started the same, with Casey stony focused, but within the hour, he received so many smiles from her. The air around him was shrinking more and more.

"Why are you being so nice?" he asked when she went out and ordered him some croissants.

She put the tray in front of him, grinning brightly, "you have a problem with me being nice?"

"Yes, it's confusing, why?" he snapped with a little more with irritation.

Casey then chased her smile away with a frown, "do you want me to snap?"

Everything in him wanted to pull her down on the table and kiss her senseless. "Well, no but I just don't get why-I expected you to be cold with me, instead you're like a ray of sunshine."

She just picked up a croissant, and ate it slowly, "If I were difficult and tried to bicker it would distract us from our goal. No worries after this, I can snap at you all you want, deal?"

Casey being that nice and sweet was causing his head to swim. "Holding you to it, I haven't heard you yell at me once today, it's frightening, " he said tightly.

At one point Melody brought other things to his attention that had nothing to do with the reports, and Casey interrupted them with a frazzled smile. "I hate to be the annoying one but we have two more days, I'm not trying to boss you around but we should get a move on."

Oh she'd make a hot boss, and he was humming with pent up lust for her. "Just because I'm so desperate, I'll let you be the boss, just for today."

Casey smiled softly, and he was helpless to return a smile. He was distracted by the slight chewing of her lip, the tinge of pink in her cheeks. Melody excused herself with a slight clearing of the throat, "okay well clearly I'm not needed right now," she said with a little wink towards her direction.

Casey immediately jumped a little as the spell was broken, "Oh no you are so needed, please don't leave."

He mirrored the exact feeling, the warm moments were getting closer and closer together, and it was terrifying .Melody just gathered her things, smiling with brattyness. "I'm in earshot, no need to panic. I'm sure I'll have to ask questions soon," she shot Derek a knowing smile.

Casey immediately went back to her corner, clearly trying to cool off the intensity, and not even five minutes later, her phone rang. She shot up alertly and sent the call to voice-mail. Her phone rang several times, "Case just answer, I'm going to lose my mind."

Casey answered, whispering : "Ricky I can't talk right now."

Derek immediately perked up like an owl. Ricky. Just like that, any warm feelings deflated immediately, did she give him a chance? Is that why she was being so nice to him? She turned away and he couldn't make out anymore of the conversation. He couldn't believe his own reaction, as if someone reached into his gut and twisted it. When she turned around he just pretended he didn't hear anything. Casey mumbled an apology and he just smiled as if nothing. And then things got worse as he got several texts from George snapping at him for different reasons. As the silence went on, a bitter expression slowly overwhelmed him. He noticed Casey tapping her foot anxiously.

"Derek, is everything okay?" she squeaked.

He just kept his gaze glued to the screen, "I'm perfectly fine, I just want to finish this stupid report."

Casey sighed and put her laptop down, "you don't look perfectly fine…..do you um want to talk?"

About how annoyed he was over the fact Ricardo was just calling her all the time? Yeah, right. He laughed sarcastically, "with you? I thought you had a no nonsense rule."

She smiled a little, "I can break rules once in a while. You must be going through a lot of stress."

"What's a little stress? It builds character, I'll survive," he muttered with fake cheerfulness.

"Derek, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

Casey got up and she carefully sat in front of him. "Are you failing on purpose?"

Derek's mouth dropped, "What, no, why?"

She leaned forward, the eye contract was strong, "I am just trying to understand all of this. Either someone is sabotaging you or you are sabotaging yourself."

He smiled, clearly she was a stubborn woman. "Why would I sabotage myself and not know it?" he asked curiously.

Her gaze was drilling into him, reading him as if he was a map. "Maybe there's a part of you that wants to fail…have you given up? I know when I start to lose it, I want to quit so badly."

He smiled slowly, how did she do it to burst his annoyance bubble so quickly? "Okay I'll play. If I wanted to fail, why the hell would I be spending 24/7 trying to finish this report?"

A flicker of amusement went over her face. "You are fighting against yourself, trying to prove you could do the impossible and at the same time you don't want to succeed."

He was right, she was stubborn as hell. "Maybe you just don't want to see who I really am, a slacker, an irresponsible rich boy. Maybe no one ever truly changes."

Casey reached over, grazing his arm gently. She seemed unaware of her action and he couldn't pull back. "I'm convinced that isn't true. Don't give up Derek, this firm needs you….so much, please keep fighting," her voice came out a little shaky, thick with concern.

Derek blushed, sighing harshly. Her words clung to him, how many people had ever fully believed in him? "Case, I'm fighting with everything I've got, but maybe I need to stop kidding myself. Not all of us are meant to be great."

"You are," she said firmly. Oh, he was so screwed, he was melting into a puddle. "And if you say you are fighting then maybe think about what I said earlier. Someone could be out to get you. Maybe Savitha is a little burned you rejected her."

While he wouldn't hold it past her to do that, it seemed unlikely. "I considered that, but she has no access to me in here, how would she know every move I make?"

Casey furrowed her eyebrows in concentration, "I don't know, but things like this don't just happen. I admit it sounds crazy, since everyone here speaks so well of you but it's possible."

Derek chuckled, he would never put it past anyone to have a secret agenda, but Casey clearly had very little experience with betrayal. "You're something else, lawyer by day, detective by night, and as amusing as it is, don't worry alright? This was a wake up call, and I need to buckle up, I'll be fine ."

A crack of fear went over her face. "I really don't want anything to happen to you," she said shakily

A wave of emotion surged through and he gently grasped the hand on his arm, he couldn't stop the moment. "I swear I'll always be around to annoy you, I haven't given up.."

Casey looked away, shielding herself from showing her emotions, "Good." and then she put on that rare jokester smile as she pulled her hand back. "Have you considered letting me lock up that binder, if you are really being thoughtless, maybe you should put some extra security." Although she joked, if there was a chance she might be right he was going to be extra smart about that work. No way was he losing anything again.

Derek laughed, and he was distracted by the twinkling of her eyes. "Should you really be teasing your boss that way? You are lucky I need you so much, or you'd be written up Casey" he teased.

Casey burst out into giggles, "Alright, well talk time is over now and since you said I could boss you today, I'm using my power. Get back to work Derek," she said teasingly.

He wanted to ask so badly why she changed towards him, why was she being so kind to him when he hurt her? But he didn't want any reason for things to get more tense. However, things just continued being syrupy sweet between them. Would he make it out of this alive? The intensity hit the roof when Casey was emptying out the paper shredder. They had been chatting and she got distracted when she slipped and fell, the tray of shredded paper flew out of her hand and the strands went everywhere, like confetti. She looked stunned, and just the sight of her lying there, was too much to handle.

Derek burst out laughing, "Classic klutzilla."

He crouched down to help her but she laughed in big shudders, "Oh can't I ever keep my dignity around you?" she could hardly breathe.

She looked ridiculous, and he noticed some paper ended up tangled up in her hair. Maybe he was staring at her too much, because when her amused gaze met his, her laugh trickled away. He reached for her hand and pulled her up. He was looking at her softly, and before he could stop himself he reached over. Casey was completely fixated on him, he slowly tugged at the threads of her hair.

He ended up saying, "I just realized I've never had a dull moment with you..."

Her crystal eyes turned astonishing soft, and she blushed. "We bring our the best and worst of the other but I think we just click anyway."

"Must be it. ….I think we are entirely ourselves together," that realization freaked him out.

There was a comfort he'd never experienced anywhere else, he didn't feel like he had to pretend with her. To his surprise, she floated closer, and slowly traced his cheek, "I've never been myself with anyone before...you're the first to see every side of me."

Her touch sent a thrill up his back. He thought for sure he was dreaming. "Well then I'm lucky," he broke out in a little sigh.

He waited with bated breath, and the stroking became deeper, slowly going to the side of his mouth..."you have the cutest little dimple," she whispered, "you're so frighteningly handsome Derek."

The heat radiated on his face, could have sworn she was moving closer but he didn't get a chance to respond because Melody came in. Casey pulled her hand back quickly. If she was thrown off by their peculiar situation, which probably looked puzzling, she kept it in check.

"Casey, what happened?" she said with amusement.

Derek laughed , suddenly standing up as if nothing, and helped Casey up. "You missed the funniest Casey moment ever, she's a mess, a walking tornado. Just slipped and the paper went flying everywhere."

Casey hadn't quite recovered from that moment, and she blushed, "as you can see Derek found it amusing."

Melody giggled, "At least she's a beautiful mess."

Casey's eyes went round, "Melody!"

Derek chuckled, he really wanted to say it was true. What if Melody hadn't walked in? That was close...it was undeniable that she still wanted him, and it made him happier than he wanted. For the rest of the night, that tension vibrated like a flame, but he was enjoying the burn.

---

The next day, he looked forward to seeing Casey all day, but was completely surprised when Casey came in with Ricardo beside her. "Ricardo," Derek stood up with surprise, "what are you doing here?"

Ricardo looked annoyed with him, "Clearly you don't know the meaning of friendship, why didn't you tell me about your situation? I would have helped. I found out through George," he said bitterly.

Derek forced a smile. "Oh, I didn't think you'd want to since administration has never really been fun for you."

Ricardo glowered at him with annoyance. "It isn't, but you are in trouble, I would have made an exception. Let me help Derek."

He wished he had a reason to kick him out, but he had none. So he just gave him a list of tasks, "we will need to be focused, alright?"

Derek scanned to Casey and she waved at him shyly, was she also as annoyed as him to have their time stolen? She avoided everyone and promptly got to work. It was eerily quiet, and while Ricardo was set on working, it was clear he was very aware of Casey. He caught him looking at her once in a while, and Derek just tried to ignore it. It was particularly bad one time when Casey got up and went to the file cabinet to get other information. He saw Ricardo literally stop typing to look at Casey, and she smiled back at him softly. Slowly his insides were starting to boil. He no longer had Casey all to himself, and if he had know his time with her would be cut short, he would have made every second last with her.

The silence was killing him. "Let's put some music on, this is too boring for my liking, and I rather not fall asleep."

Casey seemed all too thrilled by the thought, and when the music came on, it was hard not to notice the little sway of her walk as she moved around in time with the music. She was like happy feet, and he was certain if they weren't around she would have danced around like the first day of work. That seemed like a lifetime ago. Casey was extremely beautiful these days, and he also couldn't stop from looking at her either. He tried to pretend like he wasn't, hiding behind his laptop. He guessed he couldn't blame Ricardo for falling into the same temptation.

Ricardo smirked at him when Casey reached up for something, clearly making a comment about her hot body, he could read him too well. For such a quiet night, it was charged with unnamed emotions. At one point Ricardo noticed Casey's pen had run out and he went over and handed her his "lucky pen" from his coat pocket.

Derek overheard Casey murmuring, "that's sweet of you."

He looked over and for a moment she was giving Ricardo that smile of hers, that sweet but beckoning smile. The one she'd given him for the last few days, and the jealously blew up. The sick feeling got worse as Ricardo murmured, "you look so beautiful, it's hard not to notice you…."

Casey laughed nervously, "Ricky, we can't, not here….we have a deadline."

Ricardo smiled at her vibrantly, "I know, that's my only comment of the night alright? Just couldn't not say anything to you."

Was Casey seeing him now? Everything in him turned to liquid. He couldn't' make a scene of jealousy, but he wanted to kick Ricardo out with every part of his being. Ricardo had the total lovestruck look, and it seemed Casey wasn't indifferent to him. He was stewing, feeling helplessly annoyed, and for the rest of the night he was subjected to all the eye gazing.

At one point Casey got up to go chat with Melody. He let go of a sigh of relief for a moment, but Ricardo was watching him intently, "Are you okay? Looking a little grey buddy."

Derek smiled faintly, and he couldn't help but say, "just peachy, a little brain dead and exhausted. Ricardo, if you wanted to just spend time with Casey, you could have just said so."

Ricardo looked surprise, "you think I'm just here for her? I mean of course I noticed her, but I got a lot done. Come and see." He turned his laptop over to him and it was true he got a lot of work done. And then he surprised him by saying, "I have to go out of town tomorrow, I wasn't able to reschedule so I won't be around to help out, which is why I worked my ass off today."

Derek felt relief, that meant he had one more day with Casey. However, he was so done with that night. If he had to suffer another moment of soft eye gazing, he would explode. He told everyone they were finishing earlier, Casey seemed surprised, "Derek, are you sure?"

Derek smiled, "Yeah I am sure, we all need some sleep. We have one more day tomorrow to finish this and we all need a breather."

They all walked out of the firm together, and when Ricardo and Melody were out of sight, Casey turned to him. It was cold, and she wrapped her arms around her in a protective hold. "Derek, what's wrong? You've been extremely irate all day," she said with concern.

Derek made a big show of looking for his keys, "I'm swell, just go home Casey."

She wasn't letting it go, "Derek," she urged softly.

He didn't want to show his jealousy but he was worried it was dripping out of him. "Casey, leave. I'm not in the mood to be all chatty, alright?" he said with agitation.

"You're angry at me," she accused, she looked deeply upset, "I didn't invite him to come along, and you are acting as if I spent all night flirting with him."

Derek cast her a glare. "It's never fun to be the third wheel Casey. He is acting like a starving puppy, just stop toying with him, either tell him off or give him a chance."

Casey kept the eye contact, her cheeks were flushed, "I was just being polite, and anyway why do you care when you're the one who threw me into him, remember?"

Derek scoffed, "Well, yeah but I didn't expect to have to look at it, it's deeply sickening. You're with him now aren't you?" He couldn't keep in the anger, annoyance, even betrayal.

Casey moved closer to him, eyeing him curiously. "No, I'm not with him now. Again, why do you care if I was?"

Derek just walked away, relieved to hear she wasn't with him, but he got caught being a total weenie. "I'm done talking about this Casey, just make up your mind it's annoying. Good night."

Casey gripped on to his elbow, and moved in front of him, "Derek, is this what tomorrow will be like?" she said with a wobbly voice. "I'm sorry if I lost focus today but we had such a nice week together, can't we keep the peace, just for one more day?"

Derek felt regret immediately when he saw she was about to cry. He was being so stupid and unreasonable. He took out his handkerchief and handed it to her. "I'm sorry, it has nothing to do with you okay? I just don't do well under pressure. You've done an amazing job Casey, don't cry please."

She wiped at her eyes with frustration, "okay, but no attitude tomorrow, swear it Derek. A hostile environment is not good when we are down to the final deadline."

Derek sighed, he couldn't stay upset with her, more when she was right. If Casey was emotional, they'd get nothing done. "I swear, I'll be all angelic and sweet tomorrow, I just think I need sleep. I'm sorry Casey, I'm a little stupid right now."

"I forgive you, and I understand you're under a lot of stress. I am here for you though," she responded softly.

Derek put his arm around her, and smiled at her, "I know, thank you Casey."

"I am feeling very positive we will finish on time," she offered a cheery smile, even though it didn't reach her eyes.

Derek just ushered her to her car. Damn her, she could melt him so easily. "I know we will, now get out of here and get some sleep."

She gave him a little salute, "yes boss, goodnight" and she winked at him, making him laugh. As cute as that was, it wasn't enough to burst that funk he was in.

Damn, he was losing it so badly. He should have never pushed her into Ricardo, but he couldn't retract now. Staying on the sidelines was the right thing, by why oh why did it suck so much? He thought of Casey touching his face, calling him handsome, and he had to admit he was addicted to the way she looked at him. Like hell he wanted her touching Ricardo that way, just the thought was like a plague. Then his mind took a turn to imagining her kissing Ricardo, and it was a nonstop nightmare. He didn't sleep at all.

The next day he was making his rounds through the firm, when he heard Ricardo on the phone with someone. He stopped abruptly, hiding behind a wall.

"Come on babe, no I haven't forgotten you...I miss you. I told you we will meet tonight, don't worry, you get all my attention peaches...I've been busy, you know that, but hopefully we can celebrate tonight."

Peaches? He couldn't imagine him giving Casey such a corny nickname, and his blood boiled as he hung up. There was no way in hell that was Casey, because she was going to be working with him. Derek couldn't stop himself as he came around the corner. Ricardo stared at him with round eyes, and Derek just summoned him to his office promptly.

He turned around with a fury he couldn't control, "Hey, so who the hell is peaches? I thought you wanted Casey."

Ricardo sighed heavily , looking rattled that he got caught. "I do Derek, but in the meantime, she doesn't seem interested. We are just friends right now, what am I supposed to do when it's clear she's not attracted to me, wait for her?"

Derek knew he was fuming , "Yes, more so because you got in her head already, if you don't actually want her enough to lay off the other woman, do you really think you can handle a relationship?"

It hit him that since the kiss in elevator, he hadn't even looked at another woman, and even though he was desperate to forget Casey, he couldn't just sleep with someone else now, so why couldn't Ricardo hold back from being sleezy, wasn't Casey worth it?

Ricardo stayed quiet for a long time, "I'm not a saint, you know that. I am just trying to distract myself in the meantime, but I swear I have feelings for Casey."

He tried to soften up, but the hard edges of his face gave him away. "I get trying to distract yourself, but you really think screwing around will make Casey want you more? If you claim to love her, you have to start making steps to change for her."

Ricardo sighed and finally shot him with an assertive look, "Derek, once and for all just cough up the truth. You like her. Your concern for Casey is clearly a little over the top."

Derek was shaking, he couldn't stop the words. "Like her? Don't be crazy I don't like her, I could never like her. I love her!"

The words stormed between them and he couldn't believe he belted that out. Ricardo gawked at him. "You do?"

Derek took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He wanted to take it back, but it was useless. "It's not like I'd do anything about it but yes I...uh do."

Ricardo immediately gave him a teasing smile. "The unattainable Derek Venturi has fallen in love, wow...I suspected you were attracted to her, but love?"

Derek blushed, trying to keep himself cool and collected, "Yes, alright, you got me."

Ricardo grinned, "well I can't blame you for that. Do you want me to back off? I mean clearly you're way more into her than I am."

Derek shook his head violently. He couldn't be with her, there was too much in the way. "no...no all I want is your word you'll treat her well. I can't be with her, I mean look at me, I'm a mess in every way."

Ricardo sighed. Then he pulled out his phone as he got a notification. He looked surprised and glanced up at him, "are you sure because she just accepted to go on a date with me."

Derek's world was crumbling more and more and that was the last of it. He felt winded, as if someone stole the breath out of him. "Oh. Well um congrats. I'm happy for you."

He wasn't convinced at all. "You look like you're at a funeral. Derek if you love her then you gotta give it a go. I won't go on this date if you feel so crappy about it. I'd be happy to step aside for you."

It struck him as weird that Ricardo was so quick to back off for him, when Max in the past had no problem getting involved with his girlfriend the majority of the time. Maybe he didn't cut him enough slack. Derek sighed, "all I want is for you to be serious. Don't play with her, swear it. She's not the cheap thrills type, she's...different."

Ricardo looked pensive, clearly battling it out with himself. " I just think you're being an idiot. Why fight such an insane attraction? You think I haven't noticed the way she looks at you, she clearly has a thing for you too."

Derek snapped, "yeah, well I'm her boss, what the hell am I supposed to do about it? I can't give in to this, plus...I'm screwed up."

Ricardo sighed and pat his shoulder supportively, "Yeah it's complicated but it's not impossible. I don't want to be a jerk but resisting her is clearly not helping you here. You are falling apart without her, and your work is suffering."

"Am I? " he couldn't even deny the fact. He was falling apart at the seams.

"Maybe you need Casey to get your focus back," he said with a little smirk. "Just think about it okay. Say the word and I'll back off. You're my best friend Derek, it's a bit of a male code isn't it?"

He was so tempted to accept it, but he couldn't. "You got her all hopeful," he argued, "look I appreciate it, but it isn't up to me anyway, if she wants you then that's her choice. Just go, please, I need to get back to work." As Ricardo was about to leave he piped up, "not a word of this to anyone, got it?"

He smiled at him, "secret safe with me."

Derek slumped back in his chair. As annoying as Ricardo's involvement was, he was right, how much longer could he resist this? If he did give it a shot...could he actually get to the point of being able to give her everything she deserved and somehow preserve her image so she didn't get smeared ? He wanted to give in, but just the thought of committing made him dizzy. He loved Casey way more than he ever loved Savitha, and if that failed...fuck, no, he couldn't. He literally couldn't breathe at the thought. He wouldn't handle going through that again. But as he thought of Casey, of her sweetness, her ferociousness to help him, it eased the pounding of his heart a little. Oh, what to do now?

---

Casey loved Derek. Loved him so much that finding out he was in trouble was too much to bear. She knew helping him was risky, and she was being stupid by being this close to him after throwing herself at him that way, but when she saw that newspaper story, fear overwhelmed her. She had to put aside her feelings to help him, she couldn't let George fire him.

However, she underestimated her own stubbornness to be guarded. The sweet tug she felt in her chest whenever he looked at her, whenever he smiled, oh it sent her spinning. Things were going so well, in fact, that she was getting swept up in those hopeful feelings. She couldn't allow it, it would bring her nothing but heartache. He seemed thrown off by her behavior, but she just couldn't find it in her to stay angry. That video shed a light on him, and she understood him now. She simply loved him, there was no crime in that, was there? She could love from a distance, right?

Turns out, no. When they had that moment with the paper shredder, she was moments from just pulling a full McDonald moment and confessing her feelings had it not been for Melody. She was dying for him, it was pathetic, undignified. She talked to Ricardo through texts only, but she wasn't ready to try anything yet. When she brought it up to Melody, she was really surprised and cautioned her that Ricardo could not be trusted for anything serious. She knew that deep down, but she was so in need of a distraction, even if it was a bad one.

She didn't expect Ricardo to be helping yesterday, and she hated that her time with Derek ended abruptly. She felt Derek's annoyance, and couldn't help but confront him on it. Was he maybe having second thoughts about pushing her into Ricardo? It was dangerous to stay in that place of hope. Which is why she took Derek's advice about making a choice, she didn't want to be vulnerable to Derek anymore. So she agreed to go on one date with no expectation of it going anywhere.

She also expected her last day with Derek to be tense and awkward. She was wrong again. When she got to his office, Derek had a whole feast set up on the table. He was chatting with Melody, looking completely...smiley.

"Hey superstar is here," Derek said with enthusiasm, shooting her with a smile that made her weak all over.

Casey stood there with her mouth gaped open, "um what?"

Melody was grinning from ear to ear, "Mr. Venturi has been such a sweetie all day, just go with it."

Derek took her jacket and hung it up, all with that blinding smile. "Why wouldn't I be? Today is the last time I have to look at this stupid binder, and I had the best team ever. This is my way of saying thank you. Eat up ladies, and we'll get started."

Derek just left and Casey followed him with her gaze in complete astonishment. "I didn't expect him to be all smiley..."

Melody giggled as she loaded up her plate, "wanna know something?" she asked in a whisper, "he told me today that all my work was pretty much done, and that I could leave after dinner."

Casey felt a tremor go through her entire body, "uh, but we all left early yesterday, how could he even think we could lose you?"

She gave her a sultry look, "He was working hard all day on that report, ignored everything else, so if he thought he didn't need me anymore it's for a reason. Plus maybe he wanted some quality time with you."

Casey ate slowly, trying to come to grips with that. She couldn't trust herself with Derek alone, more if he was all smiley and charming, "I can't be alone with him, he drives me crazy."

Melody shot her a scandalous smile, "uhuh, and I am sure you love every moment of that. I noticed you dolled up, looking fierce. Just go with it Casey, it's not like you get many opportunities to be with him, no shame in enjoying it."

Casey blushed incriminatingly, she did go a little bit more out, wore a maroon dress that went to her knees, styled her hair with a bunch of curls. Who knew when would be the next time she saw him. "Melody, swear you'll keep that to yourself...I'm just worried of anyone finding out that we were here alone."

Melody gasped a little, "Oh gracious yes. My loyalty is to Mr. Venturi alone, and I would never betray that trust." Casey let go of an anxious sigh.

When Derek came back in she tried not to stare at him too much but it was difficult not to. He went to his desk, and she went to the table and put together a plate for him. Casey brought him the plate, "You should eat too, let's celebrate," she said with a weak smile.

He smirked sexily, "wow, celebrating the fact you won't see me anymore, are you?"

Casey fumbled for words to say, "celebrating one last night of hard work."

Derek grinned and ate his food happily, he called Melody over to sit with them. Derek then gave Melody a gift bag as a thank you, when Casey cast him a questioning look, he mentioned that Casey's portion was the only part left to do, which is why Melody was free to go.

"You finished your side?" she said with admiration.

Derek nodded happily, "I pretended the firm wasn't even there today, take that George."

"Wow, I'm impressed," she said airily.

After they all ate up, Melody left. She felt like was left with a hungry lion or something, because it felt like he was eating her up with his gaze. Casey immediately cleared the plates, but he was honed in on her.

"You look so beautiful tonight," he said it so quickly, almost offhandedly for a moment she thought she dreamt it.

Casey nearly choked, "what?"

Derek shrugged as he cast her a little wink, "didn't hear me did you...fine I'll say it again if you want."

"No!" Casey shouted louder than she intended, she was blushing wildly. "What's going on, why are you being so ...so sweet?"

Derek stared at her softly, "it's the truth Casey, and after everything you have done for me you deserved a compliment." He took out a bag from under his desk and gave it to her. "I know we aren't done yet but go ahead and open it."

Her fingers trembled as she opened the bag, it was an extremely fancy pen, she smiled as she inspected the gold material. It was beautiful. "I know it's just a pen, but that way you don't have to take lucky pens from anyone."

Casey's heart raced as she glanced at him, "It's perfect, thank you Der." The sweet moment lingered, and the message underneath was so obvious, he didn't want her going to Ricardo for anything.

God she was dying, she needed to speak or she'd do something stupid, " Derek, um, I just wanted you to know that I took your advice. I am going out with Ricardo, just for a date, nothing serious."

Derek dropped his fork, and his gaze went up, shocking her in place, "I know, he told me."

"He did?" she mumbled.

Derek got up, and moved around the desk, hovering over her. "Are you sure you want that?"

Casey looked away, feeling a welt of heat go up and down her neck. "It's just one date, he's been sweet, why not?"

He laughed darkly, and she wouldn't look up at him. "Sweet? Casey you're talking about a guy that has dated half the city...but I guess if anyone could change him, it would be you."

Casey blushed and looked up slowly, "really?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, sighing with a little eye roll. "Your romantic nature has a tendency to rub off on people."

Casey swallowed, pushing herself to say the next words, "If that was true, then I wouldn't have been alone for so many years...and you wouldn't have rejected me."

Derek moved closer, he was staring at her with electric heat, "who says you haven't rubbed off on me? you have, I'm just an idiot."

Was she finally getting to know what Derek was like in seductive mode? Because it was too magnetic. She blushed, completely surprised. Her breathing hitched, "Derek, we should get to work, I'm getting anxious about the time...and you're being too distracting," And she was wilting on the spot faster than anything.

Derek smiled, "alright, you're right. Shall we?"

For the next two hours, a blaze remained between them. They worked quietly, side by side, and she didn't know how she managed to finish without falling apart. He was busy making sure nothing got missed, and when he was happy with everything, she collected all the information and printed it out. She organized the entire binder, and when she thought she had it perfect, she brought it to him.

"Look Derek, it's finished," she beamed.

Derek looked over it with stunned surprise, it was pitch quiet as he flipped through the pages. "I can't believe it, you really did it," he said in a gravelly tone.

Casey smiled with nervousness, "we did it Derek."

Derek got up and he stared at her with moving intensity, "no, you really don't get it, you did it, you saved me. Thank you Casey."

Casey felt jittery and then she murmured, "It's no biggie."

Derek smiled, "it's a huge biggie," and the moment was too charged, too crazed and he moved until he was within breathing space. "Thank you," he whispered again.

The delicious current went through them, and she sighed, "Anytime."

Derek slowly moved, and she stayed frozen. Afraid that if she made any sudden movements he'd bolt. He slowly pulled her into a hug. Casey was shocked, and she just melted in his arms for a moment. He felt so good, and she had to force herself not to move in for more. He was breathing in the scent of her hair, she felt it, and almost died from the toe curling shiver. As she pulled back, their gaze connected with high voltage intensity.

"Alright, well I'm going then, bye Derek." She moved towards the door in a hurry.

His voice halted her. "I take it back, don't date him … "

Casey stopped in her tracks, her heart was racing and slowly turned around, "Derek... .why are you doing this to me, you're the one who-"

Derek groaned and for her elbow to bring her closer. "I know and it was stupid of me. I found him flirting with another girl today, as much as he wants to change, I don't think he's the guy for you."

She wasn't surprised at all. "Well, I didn't expect him to just wait around for me, and well it's not serious. "

Derek looked agitated, "You have nothing in common with him, do you actually feel something for him?"

Casey could feel the emotions bubbling like a volcano, and she let go: "No, I don't feel anything for him. I want you Derek, but that is never going to happen! I can't stand this anymore, believe it or not I don't like being overlooked, and I made a choice to move on. Stop toying with me Derek, it's not fair."

Derek shook as he reached for her, clasping her shoulders tightly. "You really think I'm overlooking you? All I see is you Casey, damn it I want you so much it should be considered illegal..."

The agony went over her, just knowing he wanted her too but nothing could be done about it was destroying her. She moved back away from his grasp. "Well I have to leave then, because this hurts, being close to you but not being able to move is killing me. " She bolted from him, trying to escape the desire to jump him.

"Casey-"

"I can't handle this anymore, can't you see that?"

He caught her hand and swung her back into his solid frame. His breathing was rattled, and he let down any pretenses. The way he looked at her was deeply earth shattering.

"I was jealous, there I admit it. It kills me to see you look at him that way, to see you smiling and flirting with him, because I'm not allowed to receive that from you. I hate the thought of you ever kissing him, because I can't just kiss you whenever I want. I know I have no right to feel this way and that I've acted like a moron this entire time. I was just trying to do the right thing, but I can't stand seeing you with him."

Casey moved until she was up against him, she was unable to stop the emotional response. "I can't stop thinking about kissing you either, but we both know nothing will change, will it?"

He caught her face in a slow grasp, surging her closer until she could feel his heart against hers. His eyes glazed with heady passion, stroked her jaw slowly, and waited as her heart torpedoed inside her body.

" I know that I am a risk to you in every single way. I wish I had the strength to walk away, but you need to know that I am completely crazy about you, you're all I can think about. I'm doomed Casey, I can't hold back anymore. I know I'm not any better than him, but I am pretty sure I want you more. I know I'm messed up but I know how valuable you are."

"Really?" she could barely contain the desire to faint.

He stroked her cheeks gently. "Clearly pushing you away has made me a lunatic, and if this week showed me anything it's that having you around makes me sane. If you choose him, I'll understand. But if there's a crazy part of you that wants to start something with me, I won't push you away again. I know it's risky but I swear I'll keep you away from scandal..."

Casey was shot with emotion, the sincerity in his eyes, the greediness of his desire was too intense to smother. She smiled and slowly wrapped her arms around him, moving him back until he was against a wall. He didn't fight it. Her arms went up and linked around his neck.

He gave her the opening she wanted, and she couldn't stop the glow of a smile she gave him. "I think it's really sweet that you care about my career so much, it means you are not as messed up as you think you are. I'm crazy about you too, and I can't resist this anymore. I want you Derek, I think you're worth the risk. "

Derek smiled, blushing a bit. Oh the feel of him was delicious, they fit perfectly together. She was about to kiss him, but he touched her mouth in a soft halt. "Case, I need to know, what do you truly expect from me? I feel you're not getting just how screwed up I am. Don't know if you noticed but I'm not exactly boyfriend material. I am not opposed to trying but I'm a proven flight risk."

Casey sighed with defeat, why hold anything back? "I want whatever you are able to give me. I want a chance to know you, I don't need a boyfriend right now, I just need you. We could see each other secretly, would that be such a crime? " and she kissed his cheek, causing a trembling moan to escape his lips.

She scanned his face, saw the crackle of pure passion emanating from him. "Do you really think getting involved with me is wise? I'm far too dangerous for a princess like you," he murmured thickly. His breathing accelerated, his mouth moved closer to her. Felt his finger twirling in her hair, he had no clue how sexy he was being.

Casey smiled with all the seductive power she could muster. "Probably not wise at all. I know who you are though, there's no expectation okay? We can take it one day at a time. All I want is for you to answer one question."

"What's that?" He asked with a slow smile.

"I know you're attracted to me, but do you care about me?" She was dying to ask if he felt something for her, but knew she had to waltz around to see where he was at.

He smiled sweetly, causing her heart to plummet. " You know I do….if I didn't care, I would have given in to you on day one without thinking of the consequences. You are more than just a hot girl, you've got everything any guy could want. Do you care about me?"

Casey refused to backtrack now, she slowly traced his face, "I've dreamt of working here for 15 years Derek, so if I want you enough to put that to risk, can't you see how much you mean to me? "

She saw the exact moment Derek laid down his arms, his defense, and he wrapped her up in an all consuming embrace. The battle was lost. "Oh Case, you little daredevil, I'm no match for you, you win."

She caught the luminous beauty of his smile before he laid soulful kisses all over her face, not leaving any part unclaimed, as if he was engraving them into her skin. The tenderness surprised her, adding a level of emotion their first kiss didn't have. She swayed into him, crooning for more until his mouth found hers and melted her with a sweet , searing kiss, a sigh of relief. They were suspended in time. She clung to him as the sweet kisses coiled into playful tugging and diabolical nibbles. She was devastated by the intensity of her need for him. She melted into his arms, seeking more of his delectable mouth.

Derek placed her hands on him, as if he needed her touch. She ran her hands up and down his chest, caressing and soothing. His arms tightened, lifting her into him as the kiss became violent passion in a single moment. The heady movement of his mouth playing, teasing her, opening her up to the sensuality of his tongue caused sensation to spread through her limbs, making her weak. It was sinfully sublime. There was a difference from the first time. They were both on equal ground, they knew what the other wanted and there was freedom.

She poured out all her love for him in those glorious kisses. His soft sighs and moans kindled her blood. He moved suddenly and she followed the momentum as he sat down on his chair and was hastily pulled on top of his lap. She shifted until she was straddling him. He grinned as she blushed over their new position, more so because she was wearing a dress, and even though she wore stockings it was deeply intimate.

"Oh this is much better, hi," he teased as his gaze went over her with appreciation. "Don't be shy now, Case, come here." He slowly reached for her lower back and settled her more deeply on him. "Yes, right there," he sighed deeply.

It was impossible not to notice how turned on he was. She intertwined her hands with his hair, and leaned over him. The swirling longing gathered in the pit of her stomach, the need to have him take everything took over. She enjoyed watching that teasing smile disappear as he became more and more nerved by her closeness.

"Am I close enough?" she teased.

Derek didn't respond, just dragged her head back down and caught her mouth with blistering intensity. Their kisses became implosive. She fell into him, the abandoned pleasure of tasting him, inhaling him, and filling up on his oxygen sent her humming, desperate for more. She had been deprived too long and wanted everything he had to offer. He was magnetic, and kept her mouth hostage as he buried his hands in her hair, absolving her into him. No distance existed.

He took a breath, and she already missed him, he took a fistful of her hair, moved it aside and left hungry kisses on her neck, followed the neckline of her dress until it ended. She moaned softly as he wickedly teased her with his tongue. His hands roamed over the front of her body, sweeping over her neck, stopping to cup her with deft boldness. She let out a strangled cry, and melted against his touch. He resumed the heady exploration down her stomach, tracing her bellybutton, all while he ravished her with heat-rippling kisses. Eventually his hands glided over her legs as he moved against her bluntly, repeatedly, and she was dying of pleasure.

Derek noticed the zipper on the back of her dress and slowly unzipped it, all while he watched for her reaction. She blushed helplessly, as his hands fanned over her back, his touch felt like fire against her bare skin, and let out a helpless moan.

"You're the sexiest woman alive," he murmured, "and that's with clothes on…..I can only imagine the hotness underneath it all. You're probably a knockout, a total babe, " he teased the skin of her back in circular motion.

Casey gasped, he was making her crazy, "have you really imagined me that way, how could you truly know?"

He laughed in a smothered way, "since the moment I saw you, a guy just knows Case….."

From the very beginning? Somehow it just made her longing so much more intense. "You really are a sexy jerk, do you know that?"

"Guilty as charged," he smirked. She hummed as he explored her shoulder with lingering kisses.

An unknown, dark side of her was being ignited, and she needed to be in control for a moment. She pulled at his collar until one of the buttons popped free. Oh he looked so seductive, a little rumpled, sizzling with unspeakable sensuality. His smile was so nerve rattling, he really was pure fantasy come true. She kissed his face disappearing in the hollow of his neck. She rolled on him over and over again, riding his thigh more urgently. His scent made her crazy.

Derek groaned as his hands circled her hips possessively, his eyes looked burnt, dark shadows of flame. "Case-you gotta reign it in or I won't make it out of here alive. Damn," he looked dazed and absorbed with her.

Casey gripped his collar desperately, unwilling to let the moment stop. "I know this isn't the place to get all physical but don't stop yet. Please you owe me for all the late night work I did."

Derek smiled and kissed up her ear, nibbling her as he whispered, "Oh I am so thankful, but you couldn't handle just how much right now."

She dissolved, "try me, I am tougher than I look," and she kissed him again.

Derek growled as he gave in and they kissed wildly. They kissed for what seemed hours, and it was clear neither of them wanted to slow down. It was painful not to seek more, to refrain from tearing his clothes off. The rhythm below unleashed to full on rocking, heavy breathing spiked, they were both caught in lustful sounds of pleasure as they touched each other with intent desperation. It got to the point where it felt like she'd die if they didn't have sex.

He buried his face in her neck, breathing raggedly, shaking for a couple moments. "Should we go to a hotel or is that too fast for your romantic little mind?" he groaned.

Her face was flaming, she was hot, and it hurt to stop so badly. "Oh God, yes, I may be romantic but I'm also human."

He smiled at her, and slowly pushed her back, zipping her up lazily. They stood up, and she was so weak he had to put his arm around her. She didn't even make it to her coat, because he was pulling her back for more deeply, sensual kisses. She couldn't stop and surrendered for a few minutes. She giggled, "Stop it Der, or we'll never leave," she said sternly.

"Sorry, alright let's go," he winked.

"Don't forget to sign out first," a sliver voice broke through the moment like icicles.

Casey froze. Derek just stared at her with round eyes, as the voice finally registered. She sprang away from him, and Derek immediately stood in front of her as if he was trying to protect her image somehow.

She shivered as Derek spoke, " Uh, hi. I wasn't expecting you."

"Clearly," George said with a stormy undertone. Oh the fear that overcame her was incomparable. "Derek, I was coming here to see if you needed any help, since I've been told you were stressed. Turns out you didn't need me for that, found yourself another method of stress relief I guess," he said with a painful laugh.

Someone told him he was stressed? Casey didn't have time to question that. She quickly smoothed down her dress, and bravely stepped out from behind him, standing beside him. Her cheeks burned, her hair was a mess, and Derek looked like he'd been thrown to wolves, his hair in disarray, clothes out of place, the buttons of his shirt were popped open, it looked so incriminating, yet she didn't feel guilty at all.

Derek shot her a look of surprise, he looked pale, terrified, "Dad...Casey and I were working, and we managed to make the deadline. We weren't just messing around the entire time."

George's gaze went to her, shoving his hands in his pockets awkwardly, "prove it."

Derek refused to move away from her, but pointed to the binder on his desk. He went to it, and opened it. Derek wouldn't look at her, clearly he was wracked with guilt. They stood there in painful silence as George looked up at them at last.

"Derek, this is pretty impressive, but don't think I can just overlook this. You broke your code." His voice was drenched in treachery.

Casey couldn't stand the way he was looking at Derek, with utter disappointment. She spoke up with surprising courage, "I seduced him George, this is all my fault. You see, I've been attracted to Derek since the moment I met him, and when we finished that report, I guess I didn't think, and I kissed him. He tried to resist me, but I was insistent. Please don't blame him, plus it's past work hours, he didn't technically do anything wrong."

Derek gasped, shooting her with a look of total surprise. "Casey-what are you doing?"

George stared at them as if he was figuring out a puzzle. "Didn't do anything wrong? He got involved with his employee at the firm, tell me again how he didn't do anything wrong?"

Casey moved away from Derek with more confidence. She couldn't let Derek's concerned eyes prevent her from doing the right thing. "It was my fault, please George, I am to blame. Derek has killed himself trying to get this work done because he cares about this firm. Don't let this mar your image of him, please don't fire him , fire me if you'd like."

Like lightning Derek was beside her, pulling at her arm, "don't listen to her, she's lying." He cast her a deeply annoyed look, "I'm the one who couldn't stay away, she's just being annoying by trying to look out for me. Dad I'm responsible, this is awkward for us, of course, but she didn't do anything wrong."

"Derek," she said sternly.

Derek suddenly whispered in her ear, "Case, for the love of god, shut up. I've got this." and he turned back to his father with total dominance. "Don't you dare fire her, she is the hardest working lawyer I've ever known, and it's because of her I finished on time. I would be in the grave without her."

Casey stared at him, he was so angry, so protective, and when his gaze met her, he softened a little, "it's true, I would be."

George cut off the tender moment with a hand gesture, "I don't deny that Casey has proved her worth, but this cannot go on Derek. You are already the face of drama and gossip, do you really think the firm could withstand you and Casey having an affair openly?"

Derek responded without fear, "it's not open, you just happened to catch us. We were caught up in the moment after working so hard, but Casey and I can be discreet, I promise."

George groaned lividly, "are you saying you are just going to continue this? You couldn't even keep your lust in check to take your conquest away from the firm so I have very little faith in your ability to keep this a secret."

Derek blushed, "I am sorry dad, but…..I like spending time with her."

Oh the look he gave her was a destroying one. "Well I forbid it or you will have serious consequences Derek."

Casey knew there was no other way out of this, she had to walk away for Derek, it was the only option. "It's okay Derek, you don't need to lie for me. I deserve to be fired. "

Derek shot his father a murderous glance, clearly yelling at him through the silence that if he even considered, he'd never talk to him again. George quickly intervened, "I can't fire you for something the CEO participated in, but I was wrong about you. I thought you were different, turns out you're not any different than all the power hungry women out there. You probably only want him because he's the boss and you wanted to climb up the ladder."

The words speared her, and Derek was outraged , "don't say that again I am the one that lured her here, I caused every close encounter we ever had. This is all on me, I seduced her. I mean look at her dad, you really think she looks like the type to just seduce her boss? You know me, I couldn't resist going after her."

Casey knew this wouldn't end well as George studied his son with a mixture of disappointment, and anger. She slowly moved away from Derek with a strength she didn't know she had. " George, no one is better for this firm than Derek. He has been incredible even with all the chaos he's proved his work ethic. I surrender, wave the white flag, you win George, you never wanted me to begin with. I will always want Derek, and I can't stop it, which is why I quit.." She literally didn't wait, just bolted out of that office, slamming the door behind her.

She ran fast but Derek caught her, spinning her around to halt her. He seized her shoulders tightly. Torment was on every surface area of his face. "Casey please… don't do this. "

She kept her gaze glued on the ground, she would not be swayed. "You won't talk me out of this, I quit."

Derek tipped her chin up, holding her captive to his screaming gaze. "Well I reject your resignation, what happened to giving a two weeks notice? You have clients counting on you."

Casey unraveled like yarn spilling from it's core. "I have a feeling if I stayed you would eventually convince me to stay. I won't let my attraction to you be the reason George gives up on you. I won't allow it," she said with conviction. "But I'm not foolish enough to believe I could hold myself back if I stayed. I want you too much and I can't resist this anymore."

He looked hauntingly sad, no sign of his usual charm anywhere. "I know Casey, this is exactly why I pushed you away, I never wanted you to get hurt. I failed, I made a selfish decision in coming to you for help and now you're jeopardized. I can fix this, please don't quit."

She hated that he felt so responsible for everything. She broke her rules when he asked for help, and ended up seeking out those intimate moments with him, she was just as much to blame.

"I'm a big girl Derek, I can take my own risks and I knew what was at stake. I'm not upset that he caught us," and she reached for his cheek, he closed his eyes at the contact, breathing heavily. She waited until he was looking at her again. "I'm upset because he said I was money hungry, I swear on anything Derek, I wanted you for you. Please don't regret anything, I got to work in the top firm because of you. You believed in me, how could I ever resent you? I got way more than I ever dreamed."

Derek groaned with displeasure, "What did you get?"

Casey shrugged, sending him a shy smile. "I got a little piece of you, you are an amazing guy Derek Venturi and I hope you realize it someday. I know I will hear great things from you."

"Case- please, " he sought for her hand, and she should have pulled back but she couldn't. "You gave me that push, because of you I am where I am. Let me talk to him."

Casey stared at him softly, her eyes became hazy but she willed herself not to cry in front of him. "Derek , believe me, if you hadn't kissed me, I would have snapped and kissed you at one point. Staying will hurt you, I have to go, a physical affair is not worth you losing your status. "

His eyes flashed with intensity. "To hell with my status , what will happen with us, will I never see you again?" He choked out a painful murmur, a franticness went over him. "Case, you mean more to me than just a passionate hook up I swear…..you are the only one I've ever dared to hope for more with, please believe me."

"Really?" she gasped out.

He nodded with defeat, pulling her hand up to kiss it. She was about to die, fall apart. "Don't leave me Casey, please, don't go."

And her heart flatlined. He had hope with her. The reality of their situation burned her. "Oh Derek, as sweet as that is, I wish you hadn't said that."

It was a cruel joke of the universe to hear those words now when she was faced with having to leave so he wouldn't get hurt. She had to leave his world, she was bringing him misfortune. She would have taken anything he offered gladly but George would never accept this, would use his attraction and interest in her as a weakness. He was clearly ready to fire him because of her. It was eating at her, tearing her soul apart. She didn't want to give up on him.

With a vapid strength she pulled her hand back. "I have realized you were right, I'm not your type. No matter how many times I tell myself I'm no longer a romantic, I am, to the core. You aren't ready to take on someone like me. I was fooling myself. There is no future here for me.."

A look of frail sadness went over him, "You're wrong Casey, you're exactly my type, which is why this whole thing terrified me. But I get why you have to leave, you are better off without me… I'm sorry, I just screwed up everything for you."

Casey broke, I could never be better without you. I just have to do this for your own good. "Der, no, no guilt please. I believe I'll be okay because of you I got confidence in my ability. I know I can be a great lawyer anywhere and I'm more than happy to walk away just to know that you are okay. Bye Derek."

A moment of painful silence surged through and he looked so sad. "I'll miss you Casey, who will annoy me now?" Derek muttered as he wrapped her up in a hug, felt the desperate tension of his embrace. "I know I could never find anyone like you," he murmured into her hair.

She trembled violently from the weakness of heart going through her. The world was crumbling around them mercilessly, but in his arms she felt the peace she'd searched for her whole life. " I'll miss your sweet jerkness more than anything. I have to go, I'm sorry," she choked out as she pulled back slowly.

Derek's eyes were grief stricken. "No, I'm sorry Casey. I have no words right now, this sucks so badly."

Casey moved away and Derek followed her to the elevator, and it was surreal, those short steps felt like an eternity of torment. He looked at her as if she was betraying him for choosing to leave, and it killed her. As the door opened, he pulled her back and kissed her with a sad softness.

Casey looked around alertly, afraid of being speared alive by George. "I don't care, let him catch me. Just one more kiss, please. " his voice was guttural, tense with emotion.

He kissed her with a simmering, emotional vitality. The memory of his lush mouth would haunt her. The slow, burning kisses were being imprinted into the fabric of her heart. It took all of her self control to move back. She smiled while everything in her broke into pieces. Her heart raced painfully as the door closed painfully slow. Those dark beautiful eyes would haunt her for the rest of her life. He didn't even smile back, and she hated it because she wanted to steal his smile and take it with her, and now she would never get it again. As the door closed, she combusted into tears of misery. She would miss this firm, so much, but she didn't truly lose anything except her heart, guess he was not returning that.

---

Derek felt like his entire soul got sucked right out of him. Casey left, she was gone. He hated her for making the right choice, for being such a goody-too-shoes, for sticking up for him that way. He'd never be the same again, and would always regret the way he ruined her life. But he couldn't actually hate her if he tried. She stole something from him. Everything in him was screaming to go after her, to send responsibility to hell but he was a trainwreck, and he took her out with him. He messed up her career, fuck he was am idiot.

He hazily went back to his office. George sat at his desk, looking through the report, "Did she leave?" he asked without emotion.

Derek moved with a heaviness, and slumped down in front of him, "yes she's gone, forever," he uttered harshly.

George sighed heavily as he stared at the binder "this is really good Derek."

Derek rolled his eyes, he was still shaking like a volcano. He really thought he'd finally be happy, but just as quick as their affair began it ended. "That's all you have to say? You let Casey quit and you're just playing nice now? That report was mostly her."

George got up and opened up the liquor cabinet. He poured a drink out for him and brought it back. "That woman has guts talking to me like that."

Derek nodded, chugging the drink back surlily. "Casey isn't a weakling dad, she's strong, smart, amazing, and beautiful. Can you really blame me for being attracted to her?"

George shook his head, warming up with a slight smile. "No I don't. I'm sorry she quit Derek, but it's for the best, and she will get a good reference from me and you. This won't ruin her reputation, I promise, she will have a fantastic career as a lawyer, but she cannot stay here. She made the right choice."

Derek bolted him with a searing look, feeling protectiveness curdle through him. "Casey isn't going to be the loser in all this. I have made so many mistakes dad, and I know you're disappointed in me, but I am going to get her back, I swear to god."

George looked at him with surprising tenderness, "it's not possible, this cannot end well for you. You can't lose everything for one woman Derek. You are the CEO, this little fling would have killed the firm, your entire future."

And it was at that moment he realized he could care less about the firm and being CEO. The solution hit him over the head, and he stood up with the remaining strength he had left.

"I am not cut out to be a CEO, I failed in every way, I was a fucking tornado for the past two months and screwed up so much. If I stayed with Casey gone, I'd never be happy knowing that I destroyed her dream, I'd just spiral to become the worst CEO in history. And having Casey around will also be my downfall because I can't fight this anymore.. I want her too much to play a game of chicken with her. I fail in every scenario, so I'll stick to the choice where Casey isn't hurt. I refuse to let her give up on her dream."

George was utterly shocked, standing up quickly, "Derek don't finish that sentence. You didn't fail-"

Derek smiled, while he felt more dead than ever before, he lost the only light in his life. " I did fail, failed hard. I'm deliriously in love with Casey, fire me."

---

Author's Note: 2 in 1 Chapter, hope you enjoyed all the crazy emotions. As this story works towards the ends things will skyrocket for the next couple chapters, so stay tuned :) Please let me know any thoughts.