Chapter 1 – Apicture is worth a thousand words.

"Oh my god!" Came a surprised response from the red-head currently going through Casey's phone.

"What?" Casey asked from across the picnic table they were currently sitting on. It's late September, and the trees were starting to show hints of colors. The girls decided to spend their lunch outside, since summer didn't last forever in Canada.

"Is this Derek and you sleeping together?"

"What? Let me see." Casey grabbed her phone to see what picture Sara was talking about. It was a picture of Derek and sleeping together alright, and in a very intimate position too. Casey was facing away from Derek, with her back to Derek's chest. Derek's left arm was serving as Casey's pillow and his right one held Casey at her middle, pulling her closer to himself. Casey's left hand was tucked at her side and her right one was resting on Derek's. The pale blue covers were up to their middle, but one can see that their legs were bent and intertwined.

Sara moved around to sit beside Casey, and seeing the confused/dazed look in her friend's eye, took another pick at the picture. It was extremely romantic and private, and though she felt like she should look away, she couldn't help herself. Casey looks so peaceful, she thought. And Derek look just adorable, with that semi-grin on his face. They both looked like they were on cloud nine.

Sara couldn't ever remember seeing Casey like that before. She only knew Casey for less than a month, so she couldn't say for sure, but it's very rare for Casey McDonald to be fully relaxed. She met Casey on the first day of classes, they ended up sitting next to each other in English 101. Turned out they had a few English and Psychology classes together. It was easy for them to talk to each other, and to fall into friendship. They were a little different, which helped Casey calm down and Sara to settle down, since Sara had a tendency to start ten things at once and finish none of them. They also made for a great study partners, especially since things that were a little difficult for Casey to understand, Sara understood, and vice versa.

"So, why are you and Derek sleeping together?" Sara asked after few minutes, having taken in her fill of the picture. "And why, exactly, is there an evidence of this? I mean, who took this picture?"

"Believe it or not, my mom did." Casey replied with a slight smile.

"What?" Sara almost spit out the soda she was drinking. "Not only did you two sleep together, but you did it with your mom nearby? And she took picture? Instead of, like, getting mad?" Sara's face now looked like Casey's – confused and slightly dazed.

Casey looked at Sara. She opened her mouth to explain, then signed. "It's a long story."

"We have time. Even if we didn't, you're still telling me."

"Okay but we have Sociology in an hour."

"And we won't miss it. Now story time." Sara said, grabbing her tray and pulling it closer and grabbing a fry.

Casey made a quick face, then grabbed a fry herself, and started her story.

DASEY - FLASHBACK

Less than two months ago, in late July, the McDonald-Venturi family were heading on a quick trip to visit George's Aunt Margret in Windsor, Ontario. They left late on Friday night, after Lizzy finally came home from a week-long science camp. But almost half way through, near Chatham-Kent, the car broke down. Since it got late anyways, and there didn't seem to be garage open, they decided to grab dinner and get a room near where the tow-truck dropped off their car. George would see to the car in the morning. The nearest hotel within walking distance had only one room available, but they were lucky it ended up being a family suit.

After paying and grabbing the key, George walked into the room, followed by Nora and the kids. They were glad to see two queen beds, pull out couch and a small single bed. The room also had mini kitchen, with refrigerator and microwave. Nora put her suitcase down, which mainly consisted George's and Marti's and her clothing. Derek carried in the suitcase with his and Edwin's clothes and Casey carried one with her and Lizzy's.

Marti went to the single bed and called out, "MINE," jumping up and down. Everyone, including Marti, had a long day. And between getting the car towed and getting the hotel room, it had taken them more than three hours. Everyone had early dinner before leaving, so they just wanted to go to sleep. Not even Derek thought of late night snack.

Nora handed Marti and George their night dresses and went to the washroom to change into hers. Derek and Edwin simply pulled of their shirts and took off their belts. Casey and Lizzy were in front of the mirror, combing their hairs. They both had their hair grow quite a bit, so they got into the habit of combing it before bed, so they don't have hell of time in the morning getting those knots out. By the time they were done, George had finished changing Marti and getting her into bed. Nora came out the washroom, and George went in to change. Derek had already climbed into one of the queen beds and was already almost asleep; Edwin was in a similar situation, but the on the pull out couch. Casey stopped as she looked at this.

"I can't sleep in the pull out couch, it kills my back." She said to Nora and Lizzy. "Can we get Derek to move?" She asked.

"Honey, Derek's dead gone to the world." Nora replied. "Why don't you just share the bed with him?"

"Fine with me." Lizzy said as she pulled the covers and got in the pull out couch bed with Edwin.

Casey looked at her mom and made a face. She really wanted to protest but she was too tired to argue. She went over to the mirror and knocked on George's door to let him know not to come until she was changed. She changed into her night dress, which had fluffy cotton pants and tank top which fitted her body perfectly. She looked over at everyone and realized everyone was asleep. Marti was cuddling against her pillow, Edwin and Lizzy were facing the opposite ways, and her mom was facing towards the window (and her bed). George asked if he could come out, and she replied with a soft yes. He gave Casey a small smile and said good night.

Casey got in bed, and within half minute, she knew she was on verge of sleeping. She then felt someone pull her closer and a strong arm around her middle. She realized at the back of her head that Derek was cuddling with her, but due to lack of energy and need for sleep, she passed right out without moving an inch.

It was almost 9:30am when George woke up. He wasn't quite sure what exactly woke him up, but he figured it had something to do with the way he was being chased by wild animals around his office. Wonder why exactly I was dreaming of that, he thought to himself. Then he almost gave himself a heart attack when he looked to his right and saw Derek and Casey in a very intimate position looking like they're both on cloud nine. He couldn't help but stare at them. Casey was facing him, with her back to Derek's chest. Derek's left arm was serving as Casey's pillow and his right one held Casey at her middle, pulling her closer to himself. Casey's left hand was tucked at her side and her right one was resting on Derek's. The covers were up to their middle, but one can see that their legs were bent and intertwined.

George was jerked out of his thoughts when Nora placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Am I still dreaming?" He asked, giving Nora a good-morning kiss.

"Not that I know of." She replied with a smile. "Why don't you take a bath while I'll get the kids up and get them down for some breakfast?"

Without saying anything, mostly because he was quite sure he lost his voice, George silently did as Nora asked. After George went into the washroom, Nora grabbed the camera from her purse, turned the flash off, and took a picture of Derek and Casey. They looked adorable together. After putting away the camera, she went over to Casey's side and gently shook her awake.

"What?" Casey whispered, her eyes still closed.

"Wake up, honey." Nora said. "Be careful not to wake up Derek."

"What?" Casey asked again. "Derek?"

Casey opened her eyes, and without moving, tried to see what her mom meant. Then slowly, she came to realize her position on the bed with Derek. She nodded to her mom to let her know that's she's awake and she'll try to get up. She slowly moved her legs so that they weren't tangled with hers anymore. Then she moved her right arm and tried to move his arm. She got his hand to move by like in inch or so when he grabbed her tighter then it previously was. His legs seek-ed out hers and intertwined again. Evidently, he did not want her moving at all. Feeling that she was being watched, she looked up to find Edwin and Lizzy watching her along with her mom. Her mom titled her head to ask a silent question. Casey mouthed the words: he's not letting me leave. Edwin and Lizzy continue to stare while Nora walked on the other side of Derek to tell him to let go. It was amusing for everyone (except Casey) to see that Derek murmured no and tighter his grip just a bit more. Nora walked over to Casey's side and leaned in.

"Why I don't get the other three ready and get our stuff together. I'll wake up Derek last and while he changes, you can go take a bath. He can shower at Aunt Margret's house."

At Casey's nod, after a moment of pause, Nora left to get the kids ready. Not really wanting to see everyone looking at her, or to really make an eye contact with anyone, she tried to turn around in Derek's arms so that her face ended up in the curve of his neck. Subconsciously realizing that Casey wasn't trying to get up, Derek loosened his grip. Casey, her body wanting more than her mind, moved a bit closer to him. She didn't know when she fell back asleep. She woke up when she felt the heat around her slowly move away; she opened her eyelids half way to see Derek leaving the bed. She was fully awake now, but she closed her eyes and didn't move until she felt Nora gently pet her head.

DASEY - END FLASHBACK

"I honestly don't know what to say." Sara said as she finished up her lunch. "Actually, I do have a few questions."

"Just a few?" Casey asked sarcastically.

"What happened after? I mean, with you two."

"Nothing. Everything went back to normal. I was perfectly nice and mature and willing to comprise and sit in the middle for the rest of the ride, and Derek was being a rude, stubborn jerk and made me sit in the back with Lizzy and Edward, while he sat in the middle with Marti." Casey replied with a face.

"Nothing changed?" Sara admit, she was a bit disappointed. Once, a few days after first day of class, they randomly ran into Derek on campus. And after their usual banter, once they parted ways, Casey told Sara all about her family and Derek. She also requested that, "Sara, please don't fall hopelessly for Derek." Casey wouldn't be able to handle it. To which Sara had replied: "Don't worry, there's no chance." Because even though Casey couldn't tell, and neither could Derek from what Sara could tell, they had something. And it had potential to be something extraordinary and beautiful, Sara had thought then. And she remembered that now.

"No. And why should it? It was a random, insignificant, once in a life time incident." Casey said, because it was true. It shouldn't matter that a very small in a corner of Casey's heart wished something had changed between her and Derek.

"Based on what I know of your relationship so far, it wasn't random and it sure as heck wasn't insignificant. Not if it involved you and Derek and cuddling all night." Sara said as she started to gather up what was left of their lunch and their stuff. "I mean, seriously, didn't you guys talk about it or something?"

"It's Derek. We handled that night as we handle all other important and life changing stuff in our life." They started walking towards their class, which was in the closest building to their picnic table.

"Which is how?"

"We don't talk about it. And pretend it never happened."

Sara said nothing. Although, knowing Casey, and somewhat Derek, through what she heard from Casey, she can't say she was surprised. Casey tended to over analyze everything and Derek tended to ignore it. Though the fact that Casey didn't seem anxious about this, was a little surprise. But then again, this did happen almost two months ago, Sara reminded herself. On the other hand, this is Casey; the situation could've happen 4 months ago, and she should still be obsessing about it. I'll just have to figure out why, Sara ended her thought and turned to Casey. "Excellent strategy, really."

"Thanks." Casey opened the class door and held it open for Sara.

"Just one more question." Sara said, standing on the threshold. At Casey's questioning look, she asked, "Why do you have that picture on your phone, Casey?"

Casey just stood there. By the time the question asked had comprehended, Sara was long gone, and she had ended up holding the door open for almost half her class. Looking around with a frown in brows, she entered her class.