Okay, I am so sorry for not updating in almost forever! I am officially on mid-winter break now so I'll update more often now. But the chapters wont be as detailed, since that obviously takes too much time.

I don't own The New York Public Library, The Museum of Natural History, or Imax. And I especially don't own Life With Derek.

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"What are we doing tomorrow?" Derek asked. They arrived at their hotel as the sun just about set. The sky over their heads was dark, but when they looked out to the east, it was a light purple.

"I planned on going to the Statue of Liberty. It will take up most of the day. We can go out to lunch too." Casey said quietly, and then added, "If you want." She didn't want to seem too eager to spend time with him. Because, she certainly did NOT want to. Well, that's what she was trying to tell herself.

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Casey got up early the next morning so she could get ready. She had purchased their Circle Line Ferry tickets while still at home in Canada to ensure their spots on the boat. They had the first boat to Ellis Island, which would be departing at 9:30 AM from Battery State Park.

She had a huge tote bag that she began to fill up with necessary items. Digital camera for herself and one for Derek, two hats incase it was too hot outside, sunscreen, water bottles, her pocketbook, and other things that would help them get through the summer heat. It took her about a half hour to pack her bag, and yet Derek was still sound asleep. She took this opportunity of silence to catch up on some reading. She brought a bunch of novels with her for the long car rides when she wasn't driving.

She was about fifteen pages into her book when there was a knock on the hotel room door. Confused, Casey got up to get it, since Derek was still sleeping. She was going to have to wake him up soon if he continued to sleep. She peered through the little hole in the door to see who could be here this early.

When Casey opened the door, she gasped. Sam was standing with his hands in his pockets, smiling. "Hi, Casey. I- um. Can I come in?" Sam was very jumpy; almost like he was nervous. Casey stepped out of the way and let her ex-boyfriend inside. He walked in and went straight to sit on her bed. Thank goodness I made it early today Casey thought with a sigh.

"So, what are you doing here? In New York?" Then she slowly added, "In my hotel room?"

"I was a back up for my hockey team for the East Coast finals, and one of the guys got the flu, so they put me in! The game is here in New York, so I thought I would stop by. Is – is that alright?" Sam was cautious when he spoke, as if he was afraid to say the wrong thing.

"That's great! Good luck at the game, I know you'll win!" Casey regretted saying that with such enthusiasm. She sounded like she wanted to get back together with him. "So, what are you up to today?" Sam stood up.

"I was going to ask you that. Are you free?"

"Well, me and Derek were going to the Statue of Liberty. You're welcome to join us, but you'll need to buy a ferry ticket. Derek and I already have ours." Casey felt bad for Sam. He clearly had nothing to do. She wasn't going to just let him leave by himself.

"I was sort of hoping you and me could, you know, do something." Just as he said this, Derek sat up groggily. Casey suddenly had a plan, but she knew she'd feel guilty about it later.

"Derek, uh, Sam is going to go in your place to the Statue of Liberty, since you didn't want to go in the first place." Casey folded her hands, satisfied. Derek looked back and forth from Casey and Sam and then rolled his eyes and went back to sleep. "Alright then! Let's go!"

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Casey and Sam spent the entire day on Ellis Island, taking pictures, laughing, and just having a great time. It felt extremely refreshing to be standing in the middle of the tiny island. Casey felt as if she was in the center of the world, or the city, perhaps.

Six hours and a thousand laughs later, Casey and Sam were sitting on the ferry on their way back to the main land. Casey's cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

"Today was so much fun, Sam. I'm glad you came." She looked over at him.

"I know. I missed spending so much time with you." Casey's heart melted as the words came out of his mouth. She couldn't start having feelings for him again.

They exited the ferry once it docked and got into Sam's car. It wasn't long before Casey found herself looking at her hotel. Her and Derek would be checking out in two days, so she wanted to take advantage of the wonderful amenities that were a part of the hotel.

"Sam, how would you like to come swimming with me? I hear there's a slide." She smiled. The hotel had an indoor heated pool with a slide. She was going swimming with or without him. He nodded and followed her up to her room. She figured Sam would fit into one of Derek's bathing suits. Casey slid her key pass through the lock and opened the door, only to find Derek making out with a blonde-haired girl.

"DEREK!" Casey screamed. Derek pushed the girl off and jumped up.

"Uh, Casey. What are you doing back so early?" He smoothed his hair down and straightened his shirt.

"The ferry was a little early. And we'd thought we would all go swimming, then maybe get some ice cream. But I see you're busy." Casey said, a little hurt. She knew Derek never really liked her, and yet, she was almost heartbroken now. The blonde started packing up her things, constantly staring at Casey.

"Derek, I shouldn't be here. Your girlfriend looks really upset." The girl said, opening the door. "Goodbye."

"Wait, she's not my-" The door slammed shut on Derek's attempts to get the blonde back. "Great. She was a great kisser too." Derek sighed.

"Derek, this trip was supposed to be just you and…" Casey stopped herself before she said 'me'. "Well, you're not supposed to bring ditzy girls into this trip. This is my hotel room too, you know." Derek just stared at her. The room was silent for a few seconds before Sam spoke.

"So, who's up for some night swimming?"

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"Derek. Derek get up. Derek, now!" Casey shook the lump underneath the mess of blankets until she saw he was getting up.

"What do you want? I'm sleeping, if you didn't notice." He went back under the covers.

"Derek! It's two in the afternoon, and I want to go! We have a lot to do today!" Casey pulled the blankets off the bed. Derek was in his boxers and a t-shirt. Casey could actually understand why Derek was so tired. Last night, they were all up late swimming, laughing and saying goodbye to Sam. Casey was sorry to let him leave, but she knew she could never get back together with him. It was like Derek remembering to do his homework. It just couldn't happen.

Man, he has great legs. Casey tried pushing the thought out of her head but failed, as Derek got out of bed and stretched. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I was up so late last night that you knew I wouldn't get up until at least three today." He smiled.

"Well, Derek, I'm not going to act like your mother. You have to get yourself up sometimes. Now move it! I have a lot planned for today." Casey had been waiting for day three in New York since she planned this trip.

Fifteen minutes later, Derek and Casey got into their car and were headed off to The Public Library, and the Museum of Natural History. Casey loved the educational experience that she could get from these two buildings.

The Public Library is incredibly beautiful. Casey thought as she walked through the different rooms.

Man, this is incredibly boring! Was what was going through Derek's mind as they walked around.

After a long two hours in the Public library, Casey and Derek headed off to the Museum of Natural History. Casey was extremely excited; she had researched it so much back home and came to the conclusion that this museum would be a perfect attraction to visit. Well, perfect for her, anyway.

"What are we doing at a museum? Museums aren't fun!" Derek complained.

"This isn't just a regular museum. There's much more things to do here. So stop complaining, Derek." Casey wasn't completely back to 'normal' with Derek. She was a little hurt when Derek was with the other girl.

The entered the museum and walked quickly over to the butterfly conservatory. That was the first stop on their 'to-do list' Casey made up. They were also going to the planetarium, an Imax movie, and visit some of the other exhibits that they happened to stumble across.

The butterfly conservatory was so beautiful. When a pretty blue butterfly landed on Casey's shoulder, she didn't need to ask Derek to take a picture. He was way ahead of her.

"Casey, that butterfly is really gross!" Derek laughed, but took a picture of Casey smiling with the butterfly relaxing on her shoulder.

"Nah, it's really pretty. The color of it is so unique!" She turned her head so she could see it. Derek couldn't stop staring at her. The way her hair is blowing and the way she's smiling is driving me crazy…I have to stop thinking like this!

After the butterflies, Derek went to pick out an Imax movie. They wound up seeing Roving Mars, which Derek loved but Casey thought was boring.

Then it was time to go to the planetarium. Derek was looking forward to the dark room. He needed to catch up on some sleep, he told himself. They entered the air-conditioned dome and took their seats. Before they knew it, they were looking at a man-made night sky. Casey's eyes sparkled with the reflections of the stars.

Forty-five minutes later, Casey and Derek left the Museum of Natural history; both exhausted. Casey drove to the hotel and took a long shower. When she got out, she found Derek watching something funny on the television. She laid in her bed and watched whatever it was Derek was watching until she dozed off to sleep.

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"Casey, rise and shine!" Derek said, a little too loud, ripping the blankets off Casey. "Today's going to be a great day, so get a move on it!"

"Derek!" Casey whined. She wasn't planning on getting up anytime soon. Today was going to be relaxing. Just some shopping before driving to Pennsylvania. "We don't need to get up so early, you know." She slowly trudged out of bed and made her way to the bathroom.

"Oh, really? I guess you don't want to go shopping then?" Derek said, awfully cheery.

"Derek, what is wrong with you? Since when do you want to shop?"

"Never. I just know how much you like to shop. So, are we going, or not?"

"Yeah, we're going." Casey smiled at Derek. He had become so much more mature these past few months. Maybe it was the thought of going to college that changed him, or maybe it was the fact that he was going to be living somewhat on his own. But whatever it was, Casey couldn't help liking the 'new' Derek. Of course she would never admit that.

Derek and Casey went in and out of various stores. Derek bought mainly hockey items, while Casey came out of the stores with clothes and jewelry.

"Uh, Case? I'm just gonna go in here by myself. It's a…a guy thing. You understand, right?" Casey looked at the store Derek was pointing to. It was very sporty looking. Casey would have no problem shopping on her own for a few minutes. She walked into the store next door to the one Derek was in and started shopping.

Meanwhile, Derek made sure Casey was in her store, so he could walk across the street to the jewelry store.

Whispering, he said, "I'm looking for a charm. It's for…this girl. Maybe something with the statue of liberty, or something. Because she really likes the city." The man behind the glass counter nodded and pulled out a tray filled with tiny gold and silver charms.

"She would like this one." Derek picked up a charm and quickly paid. He hurried back across the busy street to find Casey just coming out of the store.

"That store wasn't really my style." Derek looked in the window and saw black, punk clothes everywhere. He laughed unexpectedly.

"Ready to leave the Big Apple?"

"I guess so. I just feel there's so much more that could have happened." Casey sighed and looked at the ground.

You have no idea what I wished could have happened. Derek blushed at the thought. Stop it, Derek.

So, after four days filled with flirting, shopping, learning and fun-filled memories, Derek and Casey drove towards their next destination: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Who knows what could happen when a city with history and great sports meets Derek and Casey!