A/N: I love a good Dasey story. I really hope you'll come to like this story as well. I'm still not sure on how long it's going to be. Most likely only 5 or so chapters.

CaseyPOV

It's Christmas and time to go home.

"Is it horrible that I don't want to go home?" I ask Derek as he loads up the car with our luggage.

Derek snaps his head back at me. "Why don't you wanna go home?"

I shrug with a huff. "I don't know. I'm dreading the noise, the cramped living, the noise, Lizzie and Edwin spying. Have I mentioned the noise?"

Derek chuckles, "You do know that most of the noise was you, right?"

I punch him in the arm once we're in the car. "I think you were behind most of the noise."

He smiles and buckles his seat belt. I do the same and we're on the road.

"It won't be that bad. We won't be fighting, so that should lessen the stress."

"Yeah," I reply. "I guess so. I also dread seeing everyone from high school."

"Why?" He frowns.

"I don't know. I've grown to like that no one knows my history."

Our history, I say in my head.

Over the last few months, I must say I've grown closer to Derek. We help each other out with homework. We both clean the house and Derek doesn't even complain. Another thing is Derek hasn't pulled a lot of pranks on me. But he still pulls one on me every once in a while.

I watch the scenery outside and realize that Derek might actually be my best friend. It almost scares me how I'm okay with that notion.

"Do you wanna stop and grab something before we get home?" Derek asks as turns down the music.

"Um, sure," I say, "Anything but Smelly Nelly's."

"Pssh, I don't want to be running into anyone and be stuck there forever." He laughs and turns the music back on.

Derek pulls off the road and heads for the Denny's down a ways.

We walk in and sit down right away. It's close to 2A.M. so we're the only ones in the place besides a group of teens who look like they've been out all night. They're loud so Derek politely asks to sit on the other side of the dinner. The older waitress smiles and nods her head while she leads us to a table. She drops off our menu's and asks for our drinks, with that she's gone, leaving Derek and I alone.

"I think I'm gonna get either the hot wings or something with chocolate chip pancakes." Derek says while reading over the menu. "What are you going to get?"

I glance over the menu. "I think I'm just going to get the grand slam. Don't get anything too heavy, Derek; you'll fall asleep before we make it home."

He chuckles, "Yeah, I'll get the hot wings then. Can I have some of your chocolate chip pancakes?"

He forms that playboy smirk and I can feel myself smirking back. I place my menu down. "Hell no," I say trying to hold in my laugh.

Derek gasps, "Did I just hear a cruse word come from Casey's mouth?" He gasps again. "The world is coming to an end, isn't it?"

I throw back my head in laughter. "I must be spending too much time with you!"

Derek's only response to grin.

The waitress comes back with our drinks and takes our order.

Once she leaves Derek's phone vibrates. Derek frowns as he reads the text.

"What's up? Hot date cancelled?" I roll my eyes.

Derek groans, "No, freaking Emily. Since its winter break she knows I'm going to be home. She says and I quote, 'Want to hook up?' She's changed."

Derek shakes his head. "I haven't spoken to her since we left for college."

"Really?" Derek asks as he sips his soda.

I hug my water into between my hands. "Yeah, we lots during the first week or two. Then she said she was going to join a sorority. Once she got in she emailed me that she didn't have time to write me any longer. Said, she was too busy having a real social life for once, and she couldn't be held back."

"Case, that's messed up."

I frown, "Yeah, it is." I chuckle. "Really, we were only friends because I lived in the same house as you. She even said, maybe one day we'll be sisters. I kind of knew then that our friendship wouldn't last."

Derek groans again. "Case, I don't want to see Emily and her obsessive self. I've told her several times that I'm not interested."

"I don't know who she is anymore. I can't help you," I sigh.

Derek glares at his phone as it vibrates again. "She's turned into a slut."

"I guess it's true what they say; you really do find out who your true friends are in college." I sigh again and take a sip of my water.

"Aww! Case, did you just admit that we're friends?" Derek yells.

I glare at him. "Shh!"

"Aww!"

The next thing I know Derek is out of his side of the booth and is on my side hugging me to death. "Derek, get off of me." I state calmly.

He chuckles and moves back to his seat. The waitress then comes out with our food. Derek being Derek shovels the food in his mouth. I try not to look and eat my own food but it's hard. I can hear him taking massive gulps of food down.

"Derek, please," I plea.

He shrugs me off but does slow down. I smile slightly and eat the rest of my food.

Once we're done we walk back to the van and start up again on the road.

"How long 'til we're there?" I ask glancing at my watch. It's already 3AM.

"Only about another hour. I hope they don't wake us up early in the morning," Derek grumbles.

"I second that," I chuckle.

Derek throws a smile at me and drives on.

DASEY…DASEY…DASEY…

I feel Derek nudge me awake. I open my eyes and we're in the driveway of our old house.

I stretch and groan at my sore neck.

"Let's just go in. We can get out stuff tomorrow… Or rather later today," Derek says yawning.

"Should we knock?" I ask quietly.

Derek snorts, "And risk waking everyone up? No thank you." He then leans down and grabs the spare under the plant.

Nothing has changed.

"It doesn't feel like home does it?" Derek asks.

I shake my head and head toward the kitchen. I grab a glass of water and drink 'til its empty.

"Hey, there's a note on the icebox," Derek brings the note over for me to read.

Casey & Derek,

We have a surprise for you when you get here. But since it's late, we'll tell you tomorrow. Part of that surprise is for you guys to take the basement. Both of you.

Please behave.

Mom & Dad

"What do you think it is?" Derek asks.

I shrug and place my glass of water in the dish washer. "I'm too tired to think. I wanna go to bed."

I make my way down to the basement. It's noticeably colder than upstairs.

"Holy shit, it's cold as fuck," Derek hurries and drives into the twin bed on the left side of the room. He turns onto his side and pats the bed. "Wanna cuddle and warm up?"

I burst out laughing.

I move into the bathroom quickly. As soon as I close the door I gently lean against it. I breathe out a heavy sigh; that was a close one. I change into my shorts and tank top I got out of my suit case. I splash my face with some warm water to remove most of my makeup and head back out.

I practically sprint to my bed and under the covers.

"Goodnight, Case," Derek mumbles softly.

"Night, Derek," I whisper back and nuzzle farther into my bed.

DASEY…DASEY…DASEY…

We are both awakened by loud bangs on the basement. I shoot out from the bed and look around then to Derek.

He's sitting up and glaring at the door.

"Derek?" I groan.

"Yeah?" He answers glancing at me.

"I wanna go home," I flop back onto the bed.

I hear Derek chuckle he then gets up and climbs the stairs to the let the loud ones in.

"HA! I win! Edwin you owe me ten dollars!" Lizzie calls out as she stomps her way down stairs.

"Dang," Edwin groans as he snaps his fingers. "I thought for sure you guys would've killed each other."

I sit back up on my bed and glare at both him and Lizzie. Edwin just shrugs his shoulders while Lizzie looks guilty.

"So," Edwin looks to Derek. "How are the babes in college? I bet it's nice with… uh, dorms and stuff." Edwin wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

Derek just stands beside his bed and rolls his eyes. "So not talking about that Ed," Derek snorts.

"How are your classes, Casey?" Lizzie asks sitting next to me.

I shrug, "Better, now that I don't have a slut as a roommate."

I hear Lizzie gasp and Derek chuckle.

"Did you just say a cuss word, Casey?" I laugh slightly at Lizzie.

"I guess I've been spending too much time with Derek over there," I laugh even more when Derek fakes his innocence.

Lizzie and Edwin both look back and forth at us and our playful banter. "Yeah, I guess you have," Lizzie mumbles.

"Well, the real reason we came down here is to say breakfast is ready. Although now it's probably cold," Edwin shrugs.

We all leave the basement and make our way up stairs to the kitchen. George and mom are already sitting down eating their breakfast.

"Where's Marti?" Derek quickly asks.

"She's still sleeping. She stayed up waiting for you guys," George says with his mouth full. I grimace as I make my way over to my mom for a hug.

"Alright as soon as Derek comes back with Marti we have an announcement to make!" Nora yells.

I fill up my plate with eggs, toast, and some cut up strawberries. Still feeling slightly full from Denny's I don't want to overdo it. I sit down at my regular seat and begin to munch on my toast. Derek walks down with Marti wrapped around his neck.

I smile and think Derek will be great his kids.

I pause.

I'm sitting here thinking about Derek and kids. Weird.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts. "I missed you too, Casey. I missed Derek more but I missed you too." Marti mumbles as she gives me a hug before sitting down to her breakfast. I smile and roll my eyes. Derek will always be number one in her eyes… Not that I can blame her.

Mom picks up George and hers plate and moves them to the sink. The rest of the kids are still eating at the table. Mom and George are now leaning against the counter.

"So," mom starts. "We wanted to get all of you together for this announcement." Mom takes George's hand in both of hers and breathes deep. "We're pregnant."

DASEY…DASEY…DASEY…

There's nothing but silence.

"I'm going to have a baby brother or sister?" Marti practically yells knocking most of us out of our stupor.

"Yes, you're going to be a big sister!" Mom tells her with the brightest smile I've ever seen.

I force a smile and walk over to mom. "That's great, Mom," I hug her tight.

She whispers, "Thanks." I can see the tears begin to swell up.

Lizzie and Edwin are both unfazed by the news. Knowing them, they've known for the same amount of time that mom and George have. Both of them hug mom and George with smiles on their face. I turn to Derek, his face is unreadable.

I slightly walk next to him and give him a gentle nudge. Derek shakes his head; he doesn't look at me but walks over and hugs my mom.

I quickly excuse myself and head toward the basement. I need a moment to catch up with my thoughts and truly evaluate this situation. I sit on my bed and close my eyes to think.

A baby. Half Derek and half me.

A chill runs down my spine. It makes us seem more brother and sister.

"What are you thinking?" I jump and see Derek coming down the stairs.

I take a moment to answer. "I'm glad we won't be here when the baby comes. We'll be away at school. We won't be asked to take care of it. Or hear it cry constantly or change dippers or asked to give up our weekend." I pause, "Then again, we won't be here to see it grow up." The thought saddens me… somewhat. He sits beside me. "What about you? What are you thinking?"

Derek sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I was thinking the same thing you were thinking. Except, I've never thought of you as a sister," I grin on the inside. "But now with this kid on the way… I don't know."

I frown. "I don't think of you as a brother," I say as I play with my hands.

"Good," I hear Derek smile. I smile a bit too.

I stare at my hands some more. "To be perfectly honest, I might even go as far as to call you my best friend."

I hear Derek's sharp intake. I snap my head at him.

Derek just gazes at me. And I him.

He hesitantly lifts his left hand. He brings it to my face to cup my cheek. "Case," he whispers. I close my eyes and nuzzle my cheek farther into his hand. "Case, we live together, we know each other inside and out; we don't have any other good friends… Don't you think we're more than just best friends?"

I open my eyes and look into his. I pray this isn't a prank or some messed up joke. "The only thing we don't do is…"

"Kiss." We both finish.

Derek cuts his eyes down to my lips and back up to my eyes. I barely nod.

And then, he kissed me.