The Reunion
Disclaimer: I don't own LWD.
AN: Enjoy

Chapter 1:

She's late. She's never late. Never. But she is today…which she should be freaking out more about. But her sleep deprived body couldn't think straight yet. She fell asleep on top of her coffee table while rereading her client's files -which she had memorized word for word by now- at about 4am. And when she woke up at 7:35, she didn't scream, or get up and run around, getting ready. She simply shook her head, rubbed her eyes and stretched her achy muscles before heading towards the shower. She was usually out of the house by 8am. But not today. There was just no way.

She took her time in the shower, nearly 30 minutes on this particular morning. She leaned her shoulder against the cool tile shower wall while letting the steaming hot water sooth her body as best as possible. Her skin was bright pink and raw from the heat, but she didn't care. She closed her eyes for a second or two, leaning her head against the shower wall as well because she couldn't fight it. No matter what she did her eyes kept fluttering closed. A whimper escaped her by the simple thought of getting out and facing the day. She tried to talk herself up; convince herself that it would be okay! But it was no use. Her mind and her body were both dreading yet another late night in the office. She was so burnt out and nothing seemed to shake her out of it.

She forced herself out by turning the water off. She left her body exposed to the steam that filled the room and nothing else. Eventually she managed to move her shaky limbs out of the shower before she wrapped herself in a giant fluffy towel and made her way to her closet. She stared at all the suit jackets, pencil skirts and dress pants. She didn't feel like wearing that today. And she didn't need to see a client, so she convinced herself that it was okay to dress casual. She pulled on a black v-neck sweater and a pair of dark khaki-colored slacks. She even opted for a pair of flats because her feet ached from the heels she had been wearing every day. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and barely recognized herself. It was nothing to her usual standard of office attire but she couldn't bring herself to care.

She had heard him come in somewhere during the middle of her shower. She should be a little surprised by the sound of someone else rustling around in her kitchen, slamming cabinet doors and such, but he had a set of keys. He seemed to come over all the time so she didn't bother to acknowledge him until she was dressed and mostly ready.

She peeked into the kitchen and spotted him leaning against one of the counters, munching on a piece of toast that he must have made himself. He always makes himself comfortable when he's there. She doesn't even mind it really.

"Laundry?" She asked while not bothering to say good morning…there was nothing about this morning that was good. She wasn't half awake yet.

Derek always did his laundry over at Casey's house. One day he was trying to convince her to do it for him, but Casey simply showed him where the machine was, and left him to it. And even when he moved into his fancy bachelor pad in the center of Toronto (which just so happen to be only a twenty minute drive from her place) earlier that year, he refused to do his laundry in the basement that was provided by his building. Nope, he still brought his stuff all the way to Casey's and did it there. Because he was cheap, or something.

Maybe it was an excuse to see her? With her busy schedule she never really got much time to be around Derek, even though he was the closest thing she had to 'family' in a fifty mile radius.

She didn't even wait for an answer before strolling past the kitchen, and into the living room to collect a few files she had left on the coffee table the night before. She spotted his leather jacket thrown lazily over the arm of her couch and smiled. Some things never changed.

"Yeah," he nodded to himself in between his bites of toast. "Brought you coffee," he added before holding out a paper cup to her when she walked back towards him and the kitchen.

She whispered a "thanks," giving him a polite smile while accepting the cup. She brought the caramel-flavored coffee to her lips and moaned in delight. "You are a god!" She praised after closing her eyes as the rich flavor erupted on her tongue. She hadn't realized just how bad she had needed coffee. She wasn't going to make any, she had no time. She was just going to get some on the way into the office.

When she did open her eyes again she decided it was too early to see the smug look on Derek's face.

"Just remember that," he replied, amused by her reaction.

And just like that she was awake. Well, awake enough to fight with Derek; to function like a normal human being. But still she couldn't make herself rush out the door. She stayed there a little longer; after all she hadn't seen him in a few days. Indulging herself in an early morning fight with him was only right.

She rolled her eyes in his direction, "I hate you!" She spat with no real emotion attached to the comment, except irritation. But that wasn't new. His presences alone was enough to irritate her and set her skin on fire.

"Liar." He teased back before sticking his tongue out. He hopped onto her kitchen counter, like he usually did, before swinging his feet in front of him like a child. "You're running late." He pointed out after peeking at the time on his wrist.

"Brilliant observation, Einstein." She replied dryly while leaning against the opposite counter. She continued to drink her coffee, enjoying it for all it was worth.

"Did you even sleep?" He asked, his voice dropping the obnoxious tone. He was weary of the answer.

"Like three hours?" She asked herself. With a shrug she frowned before looking at the floor. That was always easier than looking at Derek head on.

"Casey," he started while drawing out her name like it was a chore.

"Please don't." She stopped him, her face scrunching up in discomfort. "I don't have the time for this today, Der." She fought while trying to hold off the inevitable. Her eyes flicked up to meet his for a second.

"Fine. But you're burnt out." He point out.

Her blue eyes lost their sparkle. She didn't even bother with makeup anymore. It took too much time. Time she didn't have. And her body seemed to hunch over; she couldn't even stand up straight. He hadn't seen her in a few days. But she looked a lot worse than before.

"Come over tonight?" He offered.

He watched her mouth open, seconds away from rejecting his offer. But he wouldn't have that. "It's Friday! You don't even work tomorrow!" He reminded her.

"Oh... is it? I hadn't noticed." She sighed before running a hand over her pale face. "I don't even know what day it is. Or if I missed someone's birthday. Hell, I don't even remember if I ate last night." She admitted, biting her bottom lip, flushed with embarrassment.

"Come on. Come over, we'll order in, and I'll pick a fight. It'll get your mind off work." He sweetened the deal. He hopped off the counter and stepped in front of her before pulling at the ends of her hair like a kid on a playground.

"Okay." She sighed before finishing the last of her coffee.

"Yeah?" He asked excitedly as he bounced on his feet.

"Yeah," she promised. "I actually have to talk to you about something." She shuttered with another blush covering her cheeks. She brushed passed him, throwing away her empty coffee cup in the process, and headed into the living room to gather her things before heading out. She lost track of time around him, making her even later than she already was.

"Alright..." He spoke cautiously, "So, should I expect you over any time before midnight?" He teased while following her into the living room.

She smiled after pulling on her black jacket. "If you're lucky." She winked before throwing her bag over her shoulder. She waved a quick goodbye before walking out into the world.

AN: This idea originally came to me while I thought I was writing a snapshot, which will be featured later on. Then I managed to spin the whole story around it. Hope you enjoy!