A/N: After some careful thought about writing drabbles and dribbles (exactly 100- and 50-word pieces, respectively), I've decided to combine them into one, open-ended story. They will NOT be consecutive chapters, just a mish-mash of short pieces, usually based on songs.

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A/N: This drabble is based on the Kutless song "Draw Me Close."

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Casey sat at the counter, hair hanging down her back in waves. Derek, sidling up behind her, enveloped her in a big hug.

"Derek! What the heck?" Casey, startled, whipped around to face him.

"I don't know. I just wanted… a hug?"

"Riiiiiight. So what's up? You didn't come into the kitchen just to hug me." Casey looked at him expectantly.

"Well … no."

"So what is it?"

"Case … I want to know if you're always going to be there."

"Planning on it. Why?"

"Because … you're everything I want, and I want to know that you're near me."