A/N: I've been putting off posting this because I'm really sad that this is the end. I have REALLY enjoyed writing this story and Pieces. When writing Pieces, I had always planned to end it that way and then write a sequel, so there wasn't that feeling of bereavement. This series has been my "baby" for nearly a year now. :(

In a way, though, this epilogue is my favorite part of the whole story. I hope you've all enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it. And this will certainly not be my last Dasey fic, I'm actually already working on one right now, but I probably won't have it up for a few more weeks at least.

Anyway, thank you so much for the support and compliments!

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Picking Up

Epilogue

Casey folded the last of her shirts into a box with a satisfied smile on her face. She couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic about leaving home, even though she could hardly contain her happiness at moving in with Derek.

"You almost packed?" Nora asked, coming through the door. Casey nodded.

"I'm sorry if this is weird for you, mom," Casey said, sitting on her bed. Nora sat next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Sweetie, the only thing bothering me is that you didn't feel you could come to me about it. You know that you can always talk to me, Casey, no matter what it is. I will always support you, unless you're doing something harmful of course."

"I know, mom," Casey replied. "And I know I should have talked to you about this sooner, but honestly I wasn't even sure of everything myself. I left for England because I was confused about my feelings and scared of what might happen. I didn't even understand it myself, so I couldn't talk to anyone about it."

Nora nodded. "It's not just that, though. Why didn't you tell me about Mr. Krueger? Why didn't you tell someone before things got out of hand?" Casey shrugged.

"I guess I wanted to prove that I could handle it. I'm supposed to be an adult now. I can't rely on you and George for every little thing now."

"Casey," her mother said gently. "You can always rely on me. When you're fifty and I'm… well, old, you can still rely on me for anything."

"Thanks, mom." Casey put her head on Nora's shoulder. "George didn't tell anyone else about Dave, did he?" Nora shook her head.

"I don't think so. He just told me last night." Casey smiled.

"Good. Lizzie knows, but I don't want Edwin or especially Derek to find out." She paused. "Where is Derek, anyway? We're supposed to be moving my stuff today."

Nora shrugged. "He went out the door about twenty minutes ago. He said he had something to take care of."

---

"Excuse me, can I help you?" The brunette receptionist had a sharp nose and beady eyes. Derek grimaced at her.

"Uh, no thank you. I'm good." He walked past her toward an open door. Slipping into the next room, he ignored the bubbly blonde secretary.

"You can't go in there!" She called after him, but he straight-armed the wooden door without a backward glance and slammed it behind him. The man behind the desk glanced up.

"I'm sorry, do you have an appointment?" He asked, his voice icy. Derek smirked.

"I don't need an appointment."

The man raised one eyebrow. "And you are?"

"Derek." The man's pupils widened in recognition and then contracted again in fear as Derek's fist connected with his face.