Hey everyone! I'm back! Sorry it's taken so long... I've been recovering from my trip. Anyway, I want to thank all of you for your reviews. It means a lot!

Just in case it's not clear, they left Altoona and are now in Washington D.C.

I warn you that I've lost my groove a little bit, so I'm sorry if this chapter isn't very good.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!

"I want to see Dorothy's shoes," Emily stated as they pulled up to the museums in Washington D.C.

"Excuse me?" Derek asked.

"Dorothy's shoes? You know? The red sparkly ones that Dorothy wears and clicks her heels three times and says 'there's no place like home'?"

"Yeah, I got that… It was more of an 'excuse me, are you delusional?' because there's no way I'm going to go see some shoes from an old kid's movie," he answered as he turned towards the back seat.

"Oh, come on. Please?" Emily asked batting her eyelashes flirtatiously as she leaned forward in between the two front seats.

Derek gave Emily her infamous smirk and said, "I guess I can make an exception for you," as Casey rolled her eyes in annoyance at the spectacle.

"There are more important things to see here that sparkly shoes," Casey said.

"Damn, what crawled up your butt?" Derek asked.

"Don't be vulgar, Derek. I'm just saying that these museums have really important and interesting historical exhibits which would be a lot more educational than looking at movie props."

"And the keener strikes again!"

"Guys, we have enough time to see everything. We don't leave until tomorrow night," Sam stated calmly.

Sam was always the voice of reason in the group. That's not to say that he never got caught up in the mayhem. It was just that he was the most levelheaded of all of them. Casey turned around and smiled at Sam. He had always been a good friend, even during that awkward period right after their breakup. Sometimes she wished that things had worked out between them because he was such an amazing guy, but she knew that they were better as friends. Someday he would make another woman very happy.

"Sam's right. I'm sorry, Emily. I know how excited you've been about the pop culture exhibit. I'm cranky from being tired," Casey smiled at Emily.

"Hon, you don't need to apologize. I was going to go no matter what."

Everyone laughed at that, and they left the car and made their way to the first museum. Casey lagged behind the group and watched everyone walk ahead of her. She felt bugged for some reason. She watched as Derek put his arm around Emily and strode into the first museum. Hadn't they broken up? She didn't go around flirting with every guy she had ever dated, so why did Derek and Emily feel it was appropriate to behave in such a manner?

"Case, are you alright?" Sam asked as he waited for her to catch up to him.

"Yeah, I'm good. Like I said, I'm just tired. You know how I get when I don't get my full 7 hours," she tried to joke.

"Casey, I consider you one of my best friends, though don't tell Derek that. Anyway, I hope that you feel the same way (Casey nodded emphatically), then you know you can tell me anything, right?"

They had stopped just inside the museum as Derek and Emily walked on to the first exhibit. Casey was about to dismiss it again, but suddenly she felt the words come out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Did we act like that after we broke up?"

"Act like what?" Sam asked puzzled.

"Like Derek and Emily."

"And how do they act?"

"Well, they're all over each other as if nothing has changed between them," Casey answered. "Did we act like that?"

"Um… no, but we were younger and I don't think we knew how to deal with it right away."

"Good point."

"Plus, our breakup wasn't completely mutual, like theirs was," Sam added.

"What are you talking about? We both agreed that we didn't work as a couple."

"No… if you remember correctly, I still wanted to get back together with you. It may have been against my better judgment, but in the end it was you that really ended it."

"Oh… right. You know I wanted it to work, right?"

"Case, it was like 3 years ago… things worked out for the best, don't you think?"

"Yes, I suppose they did," Casey smiled. Sam stepped in and pulled Casey into an affectionate embrace. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "I'm here for you, Casey. I always will be. And I don't really know what's going on, but know that you can tell me anything at any time."

Casey's smile grew bigger. She was really fortunate to have such an amazing friend. Would she make any friends in New York? Anything remotely close to what she had with Emily, Sam and even Derek? She stopped her train of thought immediately. She promised Derek that she would not think depressing thoughts about her leaving.

At that moment, Derek walked up to find Sam and Casey in tight hug. He didn't know why, but he didn't like it one bit.

"Am I interrupting something?" Derek asked annoyed.

"Nope, we're done here," Sam said as he pulled back. "Right?"

"Yeah… um, Derek? Where's Emily?" Casey asked.

"I left her by those damn shoes."

"You left her alone in a huge museum, filled with thousands of people in a strange city? Are you crazy?" Casey shrieked.

'There's the Casey we all know and love,' thought Sam as he grinned at the two arguing.

"You had fun, admit it," Sam said as they sat in the restaurant, waiting for the girls to come back from the bathroom.

"I said it was okay, man. Let's just leave it at that," Derek answered. He hesitated as he tried to figure out how to broach the next subject. "So, uh, you and Casey, is there something going on there?"

"Really? You're really asking me that right now? Of course not, dude! That shipped sailed a long time ago."

"Well, you guys looked pretty cozy earlier today."

"It was a hug. Ok, let me ask you this: is there anything going on with you and Emily?"

"No, and you know that."

"Yet, you guys flirt like there is."

"We're just comfortable enough around each other."

"And me and Casey are comfortable around each other too. Dude, if there was something going on between me and Casey, I hope you know I would tell you, but there isn't and there never will be. I love her (Derek's eyes bugged out at the declaration), but not like that. She's a really good friend and I care about her as a friend."

"I was just asking," Derek shrugged.

"Uh huh… since when have you been this protective of Casey? I mean, I know that you've always looked out for, but you seem to have taken it up a notch lately."

Derek was getting ready to answer when the girls finally came back to their table. It would have been a lie if he said he wasn't a little relieved. He wasn't sure he completely knew the answer to that question.

"I am exhausted!" Emily exclaimed.

"Me too, why couldn't we have just ordered room service?" Casey asked.

"Do you know how expensive that it?" Derek answered. "If someone wasn't so opposed to fast food, we could have been relaxing in the room."

"Uh, hello? Where you not there that day in health class when they showed us Supersize Me? I'm not trying to die prematurely."

"I don't think eating fast food one during a road trip is going to kill you, Case," Sam interjected.

"You'll all thank me for this in like 20 years."

"Whatever, keener."

"I don't know if I can make it through the fireworks," Emily said.

"What? But we have to go! How often can you say that you've seen a fireworks show in Washington D.C. surrounded by amazing historical monuments?" Casey asked.

"No offense, Casey, but I think you're the only one who cares," Emily responded.

"Fine. Don't you want to see pretty lights go boom in the sky?" Casey asked as if she was talking to a child.

"I'm going to be nice and blame that on exhaustion," responded Emily slightly perturbed.

Sam and Derek tried to hold in their laughter, but Derek couldn't help but guffaw loudly.

"You girls need a nap," he added between laughs.

"And a time out!" Sam said as he too struggled to get his laughter under control.

"Apparently, we're not the only ones that could use a nap," Casey whispered loudly to Emily.

"I know, right?"

"I'm so glad we decided to go back to the hotel to rest a little," Casey said.

"Me too, you guys were acting ridiculous… I don't think I've seen guys your age laugh so hard that they almost wet themselves," Emily added.

"What do you mean 'almost'?" Derek joked.

"Ewwww," the girls answered in unison.

"Come on, let's try to find a spot," Sam said to move them along.

The fireworks were taking place right by the Lincoln Memorial, and it was packed. Bodies were huddled together closely, and they immediately felt the added heat from all the body heat. Sam led the way, followed closely by Emily, Derek, and lastly Casey. She seemed to be hesitant to move through the crowd.

"What's the matter?" Derek said as he rolled his eyes.

"It's just that… I'm already hot and sweaty and I don't really care to add to my discomfort," she said as she wiped her forehead for emphasis.

"Quit being a princess," he said as he grabbed her hand to lead her forward.

As soon as he grabbed her hand she tried to wrench it away, but Derek just held on tighter. They caught up to Sam and Emily, and they eventually found a spot big enough for all four of them to stand. Casey was very aware of her hand still in Derek's, but she wasn't feeling that earlier eagerness of pulling it away. For some reason, she was kind of hoping that he wouldn't let go anytime soon. Unfortunately, Derek soon realized that he was still holding her hand and reluctantly let it go. Casey ignored the slight disappointment she felt and looked to the sky in anticipation.

"I don't really feel like going inside yet," Casey sighed as they pulled up to the hotel.

"It's almost midnight, and you look like a wet dog from all the sweat. Where exactly were you planning on going?" Derek asked.

"Oh how your words flatter me so," Casey responded sarcastically. "I just want to enjoy the night a little longer… maybe sit by the pool or something."

"Aren't you tired?" Sam asked.

"A little… but I'm still a little wound up."

"Well, I'm going to bed. We still have the other half of the museums left tomorrow and then more driving. I will kill you all if I don't get sleep right now," Emily said.

"It's only the pool. I can go by myself."

As they walked into the room, Sam and Emily immediately got ready for bed (or in Sam's case fell onto the bed upon entering) while Casey went to find her bathing suit. As she gathered her things to change in the bathroom, Derek walked into the bathroom first with a change of clothes. Almost two minutes later, he walked out wearing his swim trunks and a t-shirt.

"What are you doing?" Casey asked.

"I'm going with you," Derek stated plainly.

"Um, why?"

"You really think I'm going to let you go to the pool by yourself at midnight?"

"Actually, yes I did."

"Well, you thought wrong, princess."

Casey walked past him into the bathroom as she muttered a "whatever" under her breath. In a few minutes, Casey and Derek walked out of the room, leaving a snoring Sam and a passed out Emily.

"Do you remember the time when you helped me lie about my science project, and we made up that whole dog dying story?" Casey asked as she started laughing.

"Oh yeah! I don't think I've ever had a lie get that out of hand. What about the time when Dad bet me I couldn't be nice for a week? I swear, that had to have been the hardest week of my life," Derek responded.

"Yeah, I remember. You were the one that helped me realize that I needed to break up with Max."

"Oh come on! We were supposed to be thinking about funny stories! Now you've ruined it by bringing up mushy stuff."

"It was not mushy! I was just stating a fact!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he said as he splashed her in the face.

"De-rek!" she responded as he splashed him back.

Soon, the pool was filled with loud splashes, shrieking and laughter. Derek picked up Casey and threw her into the pool while Casey tried to dunk him under the water. Derek was happy that he was able to have this time with her to himself. He would never admit, but he enjoyed the private moments they shared when she would let loose a little bit. It was like she was truly being herself and he was the only one that got to see it. But he still enjoyed uptight, keener Casey. She was the one that was easier to annoy and prank.

Eventually, they both ran out breath and swam to the edge of the pool. After drying off and gathering their things, they decided it was really too late to be up any longer and started walking back to the room.

"Thanks for coming with me, even though you didn't have to and I really didn't want you to."

"It's whatever," Derek answered.

Casey smiled and rummaged through her things to get the room key. Derek pulled his out before she could find it, and help it up in front of her face. She looked up and met his eyes instead of the key and was suddenly struck by the depth of his eyes. She had never noticed how much emotion they held, or the unique shade of brown they were. Soon, she realized that his face was a lot closer than it had been. Before she knew it, she could feel his breath on her face and her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation. Derek didn't really understand what was going on or why it was happening, but he felt himself moving closer to her. As soon as her eyes shut, he lost all coherent thought and leaned in to brush his lips against hers. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion; Casey leaned in further to deepen the kiss, while Derek moved his hands to rest on her hips. The kiss became more passionate, and soon Derek could feel her tongue lick his bottom lip. He let her tongue roam in his mouth while he too began to explore her mouth with his. Hands were touching skin, their bodies were on fire and neither seemed to want to come up for air. A door at the end of the hall shut loudly, and they quickly jumped apart as though they had been burned. Whoever had shut the door walked to the elevator, got on, and left a shocked Derek and Casey staring at each other.

"That NEVER happened," Casey said firmly.

"What are you talking about? I have no recollection of the last few minutes of my life," Derek answered playing along.

"Good."

They entered the room quickly, got ready for bed and thought of what "didn't" happen as they tried to fall asleep.

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