I promised TheBucketWoman another Nasey fic eventually, so here you go, my dear!

I was listening to the Gavin DeGraw song "Just Friends," and this came to me…it's technically a songfic, but the lyrics are things Noel says instead of separate from the story. It's also very soap opera-y, so be prepared!

This is dedicated to EarnedDisillusionment, resident Gavin expert. LLtPM, Jess! You rock!

--Brandi

Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek or Gavin's song rights. Sniffle.

Broken Trust

"I saw you there last night, Casey!" Noel was livid as he stood in the McDonald-Venturi living room.

"Noel, it wasn't what it looked like—I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea," Casey began, looking panicked.

"I don't want to hear it. I've heard the rumors, and I didn't want to believe them. But you were acting so in love!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Noel. I'm not in love with him." Casey was on the verge of tears now.

Noel pushed his palms into his eyes, frustrated. "I can't do this right now. I have to go."

Casey put a hand on his chest to stop him from taking another step towards the door. She was doing her best not to let the tears fall, but a few leaked from her eyes anyway. He fought the urge to brush them away.

"We're just friends, I promise," she said pleadingly.

Noel didn't want to hear it. "You had your hands all over him and he had his fingers in your hair. I watched you!"

Casey was sobbing now. "No, you have it wrong. You're my boyfriend, you're the one I care about. Please."

"You're just saying that because you got caught. You thought I wasn't going to be at that party last night, remember? But I walked in and there you were, standing in the dark."

"We were dancing. It was a party. Everyone was dancing."

"I've never seen anyone dance with their stepbrother like that." Noel's eyes flashed with anger at the word 'stepbrother.' How could she do this to him—her attentive boyfriend of three months, who did nothing but treat her like a princess?! They fit together like a glove; how could she not see how much he loved her?

"Nothing happened! We were just dancing!" She was growing hysterical, and chased after him as he took another step towards the door. Throwing herself on her knees in front of him, she grasped his hands and put them to her face. "I love you, Noel. You. No one else."

"All I ever wanted was you, Casey. All of you. I don't want to share you with him."

"You don't have to share me, because there is nothing going on!" She got up and tried to hug him, but he pushed her away. "Noel!" she gasped.

"I have go, Case. I wasn't going to say anything, but this isn't the first time I've had my suspicions about you two. I'm sorry it has to end like this." And with that, he stormed from her house, leaving a despondent Casey to wipe her eyes on her sleeve.

GDGGDGGDG

Later that night, Noel lay in bed tossing and turning. He couldn't believe it was over with Casey. This wasn't supposed to happen. Regardless of her obsession with her stepbrother, she was his. She had never given him any indication that she wasn't completely devoted to him…except in the case of that one guy. Noel couldn't even say his name, he made him that angry.

He sat up and made a decision. If Casey could promise to give up this horrible fixation, he would consider taking her back. Because he didn't want to lose her.

He tiptoed out of his room, crept out the front door, and drove slowly to Casey's house. He realized this was stupid; she was probably asleep. But he knew he wouldn't sleep unless he talked to her face-to-face.

Sneaking around to the backyard, he climbed up the tree by her window and tapped on the glass. He could see Casey jolt awake and peer towards the window. He waved with one hand while holding onto a branch with the other. She came over to open the window, and he climbed inside.

"Oh, Noel, you changed your mind!" she whispered gleefully, reaching for him.

But he wouldn't let her touch him. He knew if they hugged or kissed, he'd be a goner. No, he was a man on a mission.

"You know ultimatums aren't my style, Case," he said, fixing her with a stern look. She winced, but nodded for him to continue. "But I don't have a choice, because I don't want to lose you. How could you do this to me? You know I trusted you…" He was getting off track. She stood there fidgeting, but looked hopeful. "I'll forgive you, and we'll put this behind us, if you say that I'm the only one. No more of…him. I'll give you one more chance."

Casey heaved a sigh of relief. "Of course! You're the only one, Noel. I'm so sorry I made you think otherwise." She moved to hug him and this time he accepted.

"We were just friends," she murmured, and Noel tensed. She looked up at him in earnest.

"Okay, Casey. I believe you," he replied, and relaxed. But Noel had a sneaking suspicion this wouldn't be the last time she'd be begging for his forgiveness. No use harping on that, though. He'd take things one day at a time. Tonight, she was his.

They stood in her bedroom, bathed in moonlight, and content in each other's arms…for now.