When Christmas vacation finally arrived, Derek was over the moon. No class. No homework. Most importantly, there would be no Greg. So, when he started arranging plans with Casey for their drive home he was surprised when she calmly told him that she and Greg would be driving down together. He was also a little furious. "He wants to meet the family." Casey explained, beaming like this was the best news she'd heard all week.

When she looked away Derek rolled his eyes, "Doesn't he have his own family to visit?" They were studying together in her dorm, a habit he'd started in order to spend more time with her and keep an eye on her. Currently though, Casey was the one studying while he glowered at his textbook.

"Of course he does." Her tone told him not to be so silly. "He'll only be there for a week and a half then I'll go visit him after the New Year."

Naturally this ruined the rest of his break fantasy. She would be gone over the last part of the break and her boyfriend would be around for the first part, leaving limited time with Casey on her own. He'd hoped that some time apart would bring her to his senses.

Then again, maybe that's exactly what Greg is afraid of. "Where is he staying, then?" She didn't answer and when he looked up Casey was staring in his direction with a pleading look. "Absolutely not," he continued when her plead transformed into a pout. "I won't even share with Ed, what makes you think I want to share with a person I don't even like?"

"Derek," she whined.

"No."

"But…"

"Not happening."

"What will it take?"

The question made him laugh, "As much as I love having you owe me one, there's some things I'm not willing to trade you. This is one of them. Have you even told Nora?" The guilty look on his face answered that question in the negative.

"I was getting around to it."

"You have less than a week away. If I didn't know better, I would think you were procrastinating on purpose. It's almost like you don't want him there."

He recognized the defiant look in her eyes as she glared at him, "I'll call her now."


That phone call ended rather quickly. "Absolutely not," Nora told her, talking over the cries of their baby brother.

"But…"

"No, Casey. It's just not feasible. We have half of George's family coming in for the holidays; I just can't accommodate another guest."

"He'll just ask me to come with him, instead." Was that a threat that she wouldn't spend Christmas with the family?

"Just tell him no. I'm sure if he really likes you, Casey, he'll understand. Derek exchanged a look with his step-sister, highly doubting Greg to be the 'understanding' type.

"Mom." Casey dragged out the word, whining.

"Look," Nora sounded exhausted and suddenly frustrated, "You've been together three, maybe four, months? You can stand to spend Christmas break apart. You will be together again in the spring and have visits over the summer. It's too early to be spending holidays together and you should be with your family. Everyone is so excited to see you both, so spending the holidays elsewhere is just out of the question and we don't have the room for an additional guest. I love you Case, but that's all I have to say about it. Now, I have to go." Casey said her goodbye and love and then she was left listening to a dial tone.

Derek did not hide his triumphant expression; Greg would not be around for the break.


A/N: I know this one is very, very short (especially in comparison to the others) but it's mostly a transitional chapter and I'd already planned the next chapter and sooo... I'm sorry. Hopefully will get the next one up soon.