Summary: The McDonald-Venturi household begins to undertake extensive means to bring up everyone's grades. (Takes place after Grade-Point: Average)

Disclaimer: No I don't own Life with Derek…wish I did though, I'd make episodes that had some fanfic flair to them.

Chapter 2:

"Ok, Casey, you have the number for the hotel and Mrs. Jarvis said she would come over with Emily to check up on you guys." Nora glanced up from her packing, "How weird is it that Mrs. Higginbottom cancelled last night? She was so eager to come over and baby-sit before."

Casey hoped her mom didn't notice the blush creeping up her cheeks as she supposed what probably had happened. "Honestly, I have no idea why she cancelled. Did she give a reason?"

"No, she just said something had come up and she couldn't come over. She seemed very distracted by something. Oh well, I guess I need to finish this packing before George gets back from the office."

"Do you need me to grab anything for you?"

"No, Casey, I think I got it all. Did you read over the list of projects that everyone has this weekend?"

"Um, yeah. Derek and I are suppose to help Marti with her make-up work, but what is this about Edwin and Lizzie? Dance lessons?"

"What? Oh, that. Apparently the public schools here are attempting to teach the kids about grace and such with ballroom dancing lessons. Lizzie said there will be a dance competition to determine their grades. She and Edwin are very nervous about it, but you took dance lessons for so long…"

"I will help them, but please, don't bring up dance lessons. That's part of the past I'm still attempting to forget."

"But-"

"Drop it, Mom. I'm going to go check on Derek and Marti. They have been quiet for too long."

When Casey reached the landing, she paused. Derek and Marti were laughing as Derek twirled the six year-old around the kitchen.

"Faster, Smerk! Faster!" giggled the child.

Derek puffed, "Smarti…if I go…much faster…we might…whoops…" The pair fell into a heap on the linoleum floor. Casey stifled a giggle as she watched Marti attempted to untangle herself from her older brother, especially when the girl accidentally jabbed him in the stomach.

"OK, Marti," Derek groaned, "I think it maybe awhile before Air Derek lifts off again." Derek heard a noise from behind and whipped his head around.

Casey walked over to him. "Need a hand?"

"Sure," he grunted as she helped him up.

"Mom just said the Emily's mom will be checking in on us, not Mrs. Higginbottom. Do I even want to know what could have dissuaded her from checking in on her 'favorite kiddies'?"

Derek smirked, "Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. You have got a lot to learn, Case. Otherwise, what self-respecting male will want to be around you?"

"You are such a Neanderthal sometimes. I think you need to learn some things too."

"Do you now? Well, I propose a challenge. I bet I can teach more stuff about being laid back and cool than you can about perfection and grade grubbing. You in?"

"Do I look like I would back down from a challenge like that? Name the terms and I'm in."

"When our parents get back Sunday night, we will evaluate who has learned more from the other and the teacher will receive an award that will be determined later. Deal?"

"Deal."

What do you guys think? Keep the reviews pouring in. If I get 5 reviews on this chapter, I'll update again. Let me know if ya got any ideas too! Pink