AN: Wrote this during writer's block for "Dreaming." It was supposed to be a one-shot but it became a little too long for that. It takes place just post-college.

Disclaimer: I do not own Life with Derek

Slow Dance

Part 1

Casey was irritated and a little embarrassed. Well, she should have expected it. She grunted under her breath as she eyed him critically. Here she was trying to take things seriously - make the best of the circumstances, and he, well, he was his usual slackadaisical self. He couldn't even dress appropriately. She looked him over and inwardly groaned at the old-looking new T-shirt, ragged jeans, and dirty old shoes. Shoes, she thought, she had thrown out a couple weeks ago when he bought new. Apparently he was a dumpster diver, too. Gross. He had also resurrected that old necklace he wore in high school, well, he probably wouldn't call the leather rope thing with the silver hoop a necklace, but what would you call it?

Really, though, he may have looked shabby, but his hair was its usual perfect mess, and he smelled great. Casey had long ago realized even a sweaty Derek smelled and looked good. Casey narrowed her eyes at him remembering her irritation. At least she had dressed appropriately in black yoga pants, a tight pink halter, and her heels. She looked around at the other couples and dejectedly came to the conclusion that Derek probably was her best option, not that she was going to let him know that.

Part 2

"Der-ek! Stop stepping on my foot and loosen up. We've danced together before. Why are you making this so difficult?" Casey whined and shook him a little, her pony tail swinging.

"Because this is stupid." Derek muttered under his breath. Apparently Casey heard him though as she slapped the back of his head. He couldn't get away with anything when it came to her.

"He's your best friend. Can't you try your best out of loyalty to him? Where's your team spirit?" She said channeling cheerleader Casey.

Casey's fake peppiness churned his stomach. Derek growled. "Team spirit's for the rink not the ballroom, Spacey." Casey's eyes rolled as Derek continued, "Besides this is your best friend's idea, not Rob's."

"Same difference. It's Blair and Rob's wedding." Casey was sure Derek didn't have a romantic bone in his body.

"Only a girl could think of something so evil as a choreographed wedding party dance." Derek spoke into Casey's ear as he noticed the instructor was shooting them death glares.

Casey unknowingly shivered at Derek's close proximity, and was suddenly aware again of the other couples in the room. She moved away from Derek. "Why are you so close?" She tried to sound annoyed, but it didn't quite come out that way.

"Because we're dancing Casey." Derek sneered and pulled back. He wasn't really as awkward at dancing as he was letting Casey believe. It was that he was afraid of what he was feeling, and what he might do if he really performed the dance as instructed. The scent of the vanilla body spray she wore was slowly driving him crazy with longing. The way she brushed her body against his flipped his stomach. He noticed that her small hand fit in his perfectly and made it him wonder why she didn't notice it as well. When his hand was on her waist it took all his willpower not to slide it down further and crush her too him. He stepped on Casey's foot again, but this time on accident as he was letting his thoughts wander.

"Der-ek!"

Derek dropped his hands from Casey's waist and hand and took a step back. "I can't do this." Tension filled the space between them.

Sensing frustration, the instructor clapped his hands. "Let's take a break people. Five minutes. Then we'll run through this one more time." Groans sounded throughout the large square room that had one whole wall lined with mirrors.

Casey was close on Derek's heels as he headed for the water fountain. She never knew when to just let things go. "You are embarrassing me in there." She hissed and poked him.

He knew she was just pushing his buttons but he was so filled with tension that he couldn't help but snap. "Leave me alone."

Stung by his harsh words, Casey shoved him. "I can't Derek. We're supposed to be dancing together." Is that what she thinks we're doing? Derek couldn't help but wonder.

He whipped around to face her, and his voice was sharp. "You want to dance? Fine. We'll dance." He said roughly grabbing her arm and pulling her back out to the floor. He pushed her into place and the teacher, noticing them, pushed play on the CD player curious to see what would happen next.

Casey's astonishment allowed Derek to place her right hand on his shoulder while his left arm encircled her waist. His right hand held her left hand firmly. Casey's blue eyes were still wide and her mouth formed an "o" when the music started playing but her feet automatically moved as Derek starting dancing. Their bodies pressed together as they waltzed, and Casey found she couldn't tear her eyes away from Derek's determined face. She felt light-headed and her body was on fire where his hands touched her. She tried not to gasp for air but failed. His steps were perfect and effortless. He spun her out and pulled her back close to him causing her lithe body to again momentarily touch his strong, chiseled core as they glided across the room. Her mouth closed, and she beamed at him with desire in her eyes. Elation filled her soul, and her heart thumped to the rhythm of the music. When he dipped her, she was so close to the floor that her hair touched, yet she had never before felt so secure in her partner's arms. The song ended with their bodies crushed together, his forehead resting against hers. Derek's breath was ragged, and he was sure everyone could hear his heartbeat over the music. The butterflies in his stomach were in a frenzy. Derek could see the longing in her eyes and knew his gaze mirrored hers. Barely an inch separated their lips, and if he hadn't heard Rob whistle, he probably would have forgotten himself and kissed her.

"That was passion people. That's what we're here to create for Blair and Rob's wedding. Great job Derek and Casey." The instructor was elated and a bit too enthusiastic even for Casey.

A sweaty and disconcerted Derek walked abruptly away from Casey and banged through the door leaving the studio. This left a befuddled and embarrassed Casey in the middle of the floor. The other couples looked at each other, but none of them were confused. After all, they were all mutual college friends who had been dealing with Derek and Casey's "tension" for the last four years.

"Casey, honey," Blair, her blond best friend, moved to the middle of the room and touched her arm. "Let's go back to the apartment. I think you'll feel better after a hot bath." Still dazed, Casey followed Blair out, her brain having a hard time processing the moment she and Derek had just shared. She felt like there was more to it than just dancing, but she squashed down the conclusions her was brain was trying to jump too.

AN: Please review.