"The Cracks in Our Foundation"

"The Cracks in Our Foundation"

By: singyourmelody

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters or the show or the song, "Foundation" by Kate Nash—amazing song and the definite inspiration for this fic. Title of story and section titles are taken from her incredible lyrics.

I. Everything's Fine, Except You've Got That Look in Your Eye

"It's so great, Noel. Really. I know how much you have liked Casey and for how long. I'm happy for you," Emily Davis said as she pushed her salad around her plate. She smiled a half smile, before adding a bit more dressing to her bland iceberg lettuce.

The two of them were sitting at the table by themselves after Casey had to rush off for a last minute History cram session. It was lunch and a Wednesday and Casey had just announced that she was officially dating another guy. Just like any other week. Emily was trying to sound enthused about it. Really, this was good for Casey. Noel was everything Casey could want. He was smart, sensitive, and had a bit of the poetic soul that characterized her friend. But it was lunch and it was a Wednesday and unfortunately, Noel was just another guy.

"Really?" Noel questioned her. "You don't seem too thrilled about it, Emily."

Emily raised her eyebrows. Maybe this guy was more perceptive than she thought. As she was pondering this, her eye caught the sight of a black leather jacket entering the dining hall. "Oh. . ." she said quietly. Noel quickly turned around and following her eye line, gave her a questioning look.

"Still not over him?" he asked her.

"What?" Emily squeaked. "Noel, of course I'm over him. You remember my boyfriend, right? Sheldon? Moved away recently. . ."

"Yeah, yeah, I remember him. Sorry. It's just that you looked really uncomfortable when he walked in."

"Well, that was actually more for your benefit."

"My benefit?" Noel asked, his interest peaked. "What would I have to do with Derek Venturi?" He set down his sandwich and took a sip from his glass of water.

"Hmm. Here's something you should know, Noel. Anyone in a relationship with Casey Macdonald is in a relationship with Derek Venturi," Emily stated, smirking and barely dodging the water that sprayed from Noel's mouth.

II. Thursday night, Everything's Fine

"So, Casey's got a boyfriend," Derek said as soon as the family sat down for dinner, grinning at a shocked and then furious Casey.

"Casey!" Lizzie screeched. "Is this true? How could you not tell me?"

"Well, Liz, I was going to tell everyone before Derek once again ruined everything for me," Casey retorted. "But, yes, Noel and I have started dating."

"I knew it!" Edwin chanted. "Pay up people!" He held out his hand as Nora and George reached in their pockets to find the money each owed him.

"Mom! You bet on me?" Casey questioned.

Nora tried to hide the guilty look on her face. "Well, Casey. George and I have to find something to keep ourselves occupied since our Bridge group folded up. And George has become quite the gambler. Although, how we didn't really see this coming so soon, I don't know. I had at least another three weeks before you started dating and George, you had. . ."

"Eight weeks," George said, hanging his head in shame. "Remind me never to bet on Casey's love life again. She always throws me for a loop. Remember when the whole Max thing dragged on and on? I thought for sure that it would have been over months before it actually was. Edwin cleaned me out over that one." George continued to ramble until her saw the mortified look on Casey's face. He coughed awkwardly and said, "Um, pass the peas?"

Derek could not keep the smile off of his face. "I don't know, dad. I think Casey is pretty easy to read."

"Oh really?" Casey challenged.

"Yeah. You've pretty much hit all the types by this point. First, Sam. The musician with a heart of gold. Next, Lizzie's soccer coach. The do-gooder type. Third, Max. Captain of the football team, all around jock. And now, Noel gets to join the ranks. The punk with a softer poetic side," Derek said mockingly.

"All that's missing. . ." Derek trailed off, slightly standing as if ready for a fight.

"Yeah?" Casey retorted, also rising to meet his eye level.

"is the bad boy," Derek stated, locking eyes with Casey for just a moment before grabbing his plate and heading to his room. Casey stood there awkwardly before heading to her own room.

"What just happened?" Lizzie whispered to Edwin.

"I have no idea."

III. My Fingertips are Holding Onto the Cracks in Our Foundation

"Why do you always do that?" Casey demanded as she barged into Derek's room.

"Do what?" Derek questioned, his mouth full of mashed potato.

"Steal my thunder. Take away my moments from me. I wanted to be the one to tell my mom and Lizzie about Noel and you wouldn't let me. And usually I let these things slide. Sit down Derek." Casey demanded as he started to stand up in protest. "You know I'm right, and I am sick and tired of it. Why can't you just not be in my life?"

"Well, if I remember correctly, Princess, you were the one who entered my life. No, enter isn't the right word. Maybe 'invaded' is more accurate," Derek stated, setting his plate down on his desk as he turned to stand in front of her.

"Ugh!" Casey sighed. "You don't get it. Noel is special. We connect. I don't relate to anyone like I do to Noel. He gets me. And I don't want you to screw this up. So just stay out of it!"

"Noel is special," Derek mocked in his best Casey-voice. "If Noel's really so special, then why did it take Max dumping you for you to be with him?"

"That's not fair and you know it, Derek. I didn't know Noel very well back then. And who asked your advice on relationships anyway? How's Sally, Derek? You know, that girl who you sometimes pay attention to long enough to make her think she's your girlfriend?"

"And the brainiac hits one below the belt," Derek said, his voice low and even. "Why do you even care?" he muttered as he looked away. He sank down onto his bed.

Casey took a step back in surprise. Derek didn't throw back a nasty comeback like usual. She felt something like guilt creep upon her. And suspicion. She knew Derek too well to think that this was the end of their fight. But for some reason, she didn't want to tease him or bring up his past failures.

"I-I don't know," she said. "I guess I feel responsible for your relationship. I don't want to see you mess this up the way you always do. Or the way I always do." She moved to sit next to him.

"It's kinda weird, isn't it?" Derek said quietly, a look of sudden recognition on his face.

"What?"

"How involved we are in each other's lives."

That's all for now, but there is more to come. Hang tight. And of course, review!!