I'm really happy with my first post-Vacation-With-Derek fic, "Home," but I wanted to explore another way Dasey could realistically happen in canon. Also, I've never done an Edwin-POV fic, so I thought that would be fun. This is a kid who has balanced his dad's checkbook since he was ten years old—he's smart.

This fic is full of Lizwin fluffiness. It's more friendship than ship-ship, but you could certainly take it that way. It's obvious from the show that they have just as close a bond as Casey and Derek, but it wasn't as evident in the movie, so I wanted to have them be a little more (okay, a lot more) cuddly than usual.

The story picks up directly after Vacation with Derek ends.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I have been good to this show—I watched it legally on Disney Channel (mostly), purchased the DVDs (why no Season 4?), talk(ed) about it constantly (Free publicity!)—so they owe me the right to write fic. Right?

Edwin Venturi, Matchmaker

Gran closes the door of the lodge after saying good night to the last guest and comes over to our little circle of benches and chairs we made as the party died down. Nora and Dad are nestled on a couch, talking quietly with Marti strewn across them, dozing with her head in Nora's lap and her feet dangling over Dad's knees. I'm leaning against the wall with my arm slung around Lizzie's shoulders. She's got her head leaning against mine and we've been whispering … she had huge news to tell me and with all the dancing, this is our first quiet moment. She kissed Oscar. I'm happy for her. It was her first kiss, and Oscar's an okay dude.

There's nothing strange about this scene, except for the two family members who are on a bench between our parents and Lizzie and me. Casey is sitting with Derek's head in her lap, and she's playing with his hair as they giggle and tease each other.

I can't believe they're acting so chummy. But they did have a good night. They danced together practically the whole time and haven't fought all day. I saw Jesse slip out the door about an hour ago, and Casey doesn't seem to miss him. No idea where Roxy went, either, but I doubt Derek cares.

Knowing what I know, this is a big step for them. The last time they were touchy-feely like this was one night early this summer, when they curled up in the hammock together to pore over the Queen's course catalog.

But I don't get my hopes up. After all, I've known about Derek's feelings for years, and he still hasn't acted on them, so why should tonight be any different?

I nod surreptitiously to Lizzie and jerk my head toward them. Her gaze flickers to them and then back to me, and her eyes say, "Major progress!"

That's one of my favorite things about Lizzie. We're constantly talking even when we're not talking. She had her suspicions about Derek liking Casey, but I was the one who told her it was true.

Lizzie gets all the credit for being the observant one. But I notice things, too.

Derek seemed to use me as his punching bag most often when Casey was on a date or having some sort of boy issue. It started with Scott/Snot and it's only gotten worse over the years. He's never come right out and said how he feels about Casey, but he's danced around the idea enough so that I get it. I think he knows I know, but we both know I'm a dead man if I bring it up.

There is way too much knowing going around in our family. But I'm not gonna be the one to change the status quo.

Lizzie and I can't figure out how Casey feels. I think she senses her connection with Derek and it scares her, which is why she'll never act on it. But I don't know if she's self-aware enough to realize that what Derek means to her is something romantic. Lizzie agrees. She says it's going to hit Casey like a ton of bricks one day. I think it's either gonna come all at once like that and overwhelm her, or not at all and she'll live her life in denial. Which is a shame, because Lizzie and I kinda like the idea of them together. They just fit. It's hard to explain, but we can see it. I just hope Derek and Casey can see it one day, too.

Gran settles down on the couch next to Dad, lifting Marti's feet so she can sit. Marti stirs and rolls over, making Nora wince as she's jiggled around. I don't even want to imagine what being pregnant feels like. Good thing I'll never have to find out.

"Thanks again, everyone," Gran says, and we all murmur some version of 'you're welcome.'

We sit in comfortable, tired silence for a few moments until Casey clears her throat. Derek looks up at her, not moving his head from its apparently comfy spot. We all follow his lead.

"I have an announcement to make." She smiles at Gran, and I exchange a confused glance with Lizzie. I wonder what's going on.

"After my performance with Jesse tonight, Mrs. Blue's son approached us and offered us a job dancing in a Broadway show in New York."

My mouth drops open and I can see Lizzie's face register the same level of surprise as she lifts her head from my shoulder. Gran, Nora, and Dad are all smiling, so they must already know. Marti sits up, rubbing her eyes.

I don't want to look at Derek, but my curiosity gets the better of me. Just as I suspected, he's bolted upright and shifted away from Casey, expression controlled. But I can tell what he's actually feeling. It's panic.

"Are you taking it?" Lizzie asks tentatively.

Casey smiles. "I'd like to," she says.

"I'm asleep five minutes and Casey decides she's leaving?!" Marti wails, groggy.

"You can't," Derek blurts out, and all of our heads swivel toward him in unison. It would be funny if this wasn't such a serious moment.

"Why not?" Casey challenges, predictably getting defensive. "The contract is for one year. I can defer Queen's and come back when I'm finished."

Derek, ever the fidgeter, stands up and begins pacing in front of their bench.

I'm the one who helped Derek fill out his college applications. I'm the one he sent on recon missions to find out where Casey was applying. Miraculously, the one college that accepted him was the one Casey chose to attend.

I don't know his plan beyond that. Obviously, he wants to be around her all the time and the idea of going to separate colleges terrified him because he knew he'd lose her, tentative friendship and all. But what did he really think was going to happen? She's going to meet new guys at Queen's or in New York … the only way Derek is going to guarantee Casey all to himself is if he tells her how he feels. Which he refuses to do.

In short, my brother is screwed, and he has no right to be angry right now. But Derek doesn't care about stuff like proper reactions to things.

Derek still doesn't have a reply for Casey's "why not" question. This makes me nervous, and I squeeze Lizzie's shoulder as Derek keeps pacing. She dips her head at me, and I know she's telling me to just wait and see what happens.

Derek finally settles on: "You just can't." And then he adds, "Since when do you want to be a dancer?"

Casey stands up, facing Derek, forcing him to stop pacing. This is not good. They're bracing for one of their knock-down, drag-out, stare-down fights. It's not fun to watch.

"I love dancing!" Casey hisses, and Gran makes the mistake of raising her hand. Actually raising her hand.

"Derek, please sit down. You're ruining Casey's good news," she says.

My attention shifts to Nora and Dad, who are having a conversation with their eyes that I imagine is something like, 'Do we let her interfere or tell her to leave them be?'

The thing about Casey/Derek fights is that you can't get in the middle of them without becoming collateral damage.

Nora, Dad, Marti, Lizzie, and I know this, which is why we're sitting here quietly and letting the fight play out. We know better. Gran doesn't.

"Thank you, Gran," Casey says triumphantly, glaring at Derek.

Derek steps forward and Casey matches his step by retreating slightly. They have this dance down to a science. "Letting your grandmother fight your battles now? New York is going to destroy you if you can't stand up for yourself."

"What do you think I'm doing right now?" she asks, standing on her tiptoes so she's taller than Derek. "I don't care what you think. Go away if you don't want to hear about my news. I bet everyone else is excited for me, aren't you?" She looks around at all of us and we nod slightly, not wanting to commit to being too excited.

I guess this is pretty big news, and it would be a cool opportunity for Casey, but … she's crazy. She's gonna leave school a week before the semester starts? They already made all their payments and stuff. I know, because I helped Dad do the online paperwork. She's not gonna see a cent back of that nonrefundable tuition. Not to mention, she's not a freaking dancer! Yeah, she's taken classes, but like Derek said, since when has she wanted to be a dancer? You have to train hardcore for years for that kind of stuff. I know. Lizzie is obsessed with Billy Elliot.

Derek interprets our half-nods as apathy and runs with it. "See? They all think it's a stupid idea!"

"Derek …" Dad warns, but that's as far as he gets because he knows saying more will be futile.

Gran crosses her arms. "I happen to think Casey is capable of doing anything she sets her mind to, young man. I don't appreciate the way you're talking to my granddaughter."

Derek lets out a huffy breath. "Look, you're cool for an old gal, but you get no say in this. You haven't even seen Casey in years. You barely know her."

Gran's face crumples and I feel bad for her. She only means well, and just a few hours ago she was calling Derek her grandson.

Nora glares at Derek. But she doesn't comfort Gran, because her eyes tell me she agrees with him. Instead she says, "Maybe we should all take a breather, here. This is pretty big family news, and if Casey decides to take this job everything will change. So maybe we should go to bed and talk more tomorrow."

It's a noble effort, but even Nora knows that when Casey and Derek are circling each other like panthers ready to strike, no one will be calming down until it's over. But she's smart, though. She said the only thing that could rattle Casey.

"Nothing has to change!" Casey blurts out in a whine. "It's one year! Everything will go back to normal when I'm done. I can live with Dad while I'm working and then join Derek at Queen's for sophomore year."

"Yeah, right," Derek snorts. "You're gonna get on that stage and everyone will fall in love with you. You'll be booking jobs left and right and never want to come home."

Neither Casey nor Derek seems to realize that this is a compliment. I squeeze Lizzie's shoulder again and she nods, agreeing with me.

"That's not true!" Casey cries, getting worked up. "Like you said, I'm not a dancer! It's just a great opportunity. You always push me to try new things!"

Again, a compliment that neither of them acknowledges.

Gran butts in with, "I thought dancing was your dream," but she says it so quietly it's a miracle they hear her.

"It's Jesse's dream," Derek snarls, and it's clear how much he hates saying that name.

Casey sighs, emotions ebbing again. She can be on the verge of tears one minute and ready to murder you the next. "It's okay, Gran. I know you feel guilty about not letting Mom try acting. But I'm not my mom. You don't have to feel like you should push me to do this."

Gran looks at Casey, clearly pondering this revelation. Huh. Who knew Gran and Nora had so many issues?

Derek talks before Gran can formulate a response. "So it's settled. You're not going, then?" Derek tries to keep the hopeful note from his voice, but I hear it.

"No. That's not what I said." Casey's fully focused on Derek again, eyes flashing and nostrils flared. She's ready for more combat. "I think I'm going to go, if only to get away from you."

This might hurt Derek more than anything she's ever said to him. Two years ago, he would have felt the same way. But this past year? They've grown so much closer. I think Derek thought that if this was all he was ever going to get from her, at least he was getting her friendship. He doesn't let his emotions show now, however, because he's too busy balling his fists and gritting his teeth. "Good. I didn't want to share an apartment with you anyway."

"Maybe I'll just quit Queen's all together. Go to school in the States."

They're both speaking out of anger, not meaning what they're saying. I hope. But still, it worries me.

"Guys …" Dad tries again, weakly, knowing it will do no good. Nora takes his hand and Marti rolls her eyes. To her, this is just Derek and Casey fighting again.

But I know better. I can see the tension in Derek's shoulders. He's facing away from me but I can tell from his stance that he's really angry. And I think the anger is masking the sheer terror he's feeling at losing Casey for good, for real.

"Liz," I whisper under my breath.

She looks at me, worried too. "I know," she whispers back.

The words are out of my mouth before I'm even sure I want to say them. But there's no going back now as I ramble, "Derek, you have to … it's literally now or never … You have to."

Casey snaps her gaze over to me, eyebrows knitting in confusion. "What is Edwin talking about?" she asks Derek while watching me. I'm sure my face is beet red.

Lizzie is stamping on my foot so hard it hurts. But neither of us moves.

Derek slowly turns around to face me, and I can feel Casey still looking at me as I meet Derek's eyes.

He doesn't say anything, just glowers. I'm more confident now. He's mad, but not so mad that he's about to strangle me. So I keep talking. "I mean it, bro. I'm saying this because I care. This might actually be your only chance."

Something in Derek's face changes and I can see him thinking over his options. He gives me a look that I can't interpret and turns back to Casey.

My stomach is in knots. Lizzie reaches over to grab my hand while continuing to crush my foot in anticipation.

"Case?" Derek addresses her softly. His whole demeanor is different, defeated. He knows I'm right.

She's still ready for battle, but she's been thrown off by my interference. "Yeah?" she asks just as softly. I'm sure she has no idea what's coming. I don't either, actually.

"Do you trust me?"

That's not what I expected Derek to say. Casey doesn't reply.

"Case, do you trust me?"

Casey glances to me again but I keep my expression neutral. "Um, yeah?" she says, which is not quite a yes but not a no, either.

"Then there's something I need to do." He steps forward. My breath catches in my throat and I feel Lizzie's entire body freeze next to me.

And then he does it. He takes one more step forward until their noses are almost touching, and then quickly closes the distance by kissing her.