They had fallen into a strange pattern the next month. Casey would set her alarm for four thirty in the morning, and Derek would tuck her in at night, often just falling asleep with her. Some times she would wake screaming and Derek would shush her back into sleep and he would lie awake watching her, imagining what other terrible things could possibly happen to her, and how he would stop them from happening. When he fell asleep, she would always be in his arms using his arm as a pillow, and his warmth as a blanket. Lizzie and Edwin were aware of this, but Lizzie sensed something wrong with her sister, and though she was angry her sister couldn't come to her, she decided that the problem was something that she wasn't mature enough to deal with. Casey must have had a good reason to keep things from her.

When he went back to his room, he would fall asleep, while Casey stayed awake shivering uncontrollably trying to fight the urge to climb into Derek's bed, not caring who found them. It frightened her how dependent she had grown on him, and she felt horrible because of it. Derek didn't go on dates, he go strange looks in the hall's, the only thing he did for him anymore was hockey, other than that, he ate, drank, and breathed with her and her only. Sam and Teegan were always there too, sitting on the sidelines silently observing, and helping when needed, but steering clear of Casey and Derek's private bubble.

This morning was different, as would be the next ten days. Gorge and Nora had gone to the states to visit aunt Madge who had a fall and ended up in the hospital. Derek had insisted that he and Casey could stay home alone and even suggested that the Davis be made aware that they were home alone so they could keep watch for any parties, while looking after Marti, Edwin and Lizzie were staying at their friends house which left the two home alone.

Casey woke before Derek for the first time in a month and didn't feel cold, or scared, or upset in any way. Her back was to Derek, his face tucked into the crook of her neck, his breath giving her goose bumps. His right arm was under Casey's head, but his left arm was wrapped around her wait keeping her body flat against his. Casey's right arm was wrapped over Derek's around her waist with her left holding the arm under her head. Her thumb absently traced patterns in his arm watching the veins under his skin. She didn't know how long she laid there but when she felt Derek stir, and his breath speed up, her eyes closed and she slowed her own breathing pretending to sleep.

Derek woke up smelling the familiar vanilla. He had Casey folded into his body like usual and he felt warm knowing he didn't have to rush out. Her hair was falling slightly in her face and he frowned lifting his arm off of her waist feeling the cold absence of her hand while he pulled the hair way from her face letting his fingers linger a little longer at her neck and shoulders. His hand lightly stroked her arm up and down while he tucked his head back into her shoulder sighing.

Casey was trying her hardest not to react to his touch, shoving every shudder she was having back down until she couldn't ignore it. She rolled over abruptly and Derek's pools of chocolate melted with her crystal blue.

"Morning." She whispered. Derek's heart was pounding so hard he was sure she could see the nervous pulse.

"How are you this morning?"

"Great actually." She admitted while her hand draped over his waist. Derek's hand lifted and he swept three fingers under her eyes.

"You look like you need more sleep." Her eyes searched his thoroughly making him self conscious. "What?"

"I just can't believe that we are here." Derek chuckled shaking his hair into his eyes.

"Case, we've been sleeping together in your room for months."

"That's not what I meant. I mean… you changed… we- we never would have been… close like this ever…" Derek was silent for a long time, his eyes hidden. Casey wondered what thoughts were playing in his brown orbs.

"I'm-sorry; that we didn't get long in the beginning, I was a jerk, and you didn't deserve that, and it's horrible that it took… this situation to make me realize that you-"

"That I what…?" Casey asked when Derek froze. Her hand went up to move his hair and she could see the fear and intensity of his eyes.

Derek had no idea what happened, but suddenly their breath mingled and his lips were on hers not moving, just a flat pressure that he was trying to pull back from. He groaned and pulled back.

"Fuck." Was the only thing he said before jumping up and running down stairs with speed. "Derek, get it together what the hell were you thinking?" he screamed at him self when he got to the kitchen, splashing water in his face. He felt a warm hand on his back and shuddered.

"Case, I'm sorry I shouldn't ha-" Casey ducked under his arm and kissed him, he stepped back surprised while she stepped forward and then pulled back gauging his reaction.

"That. I. What?" she repeated placing a hand on the side of his face.

"That you… Mean… a lot to me?" it came out like more of a question and Casey knew if she didn't know him as well as she did, she would be offended that he didn't sound sure. But she knew him and he was never good with feelings in any way shape or form. His eyes flickered to her lips and he was trying hard to stop looking at them.

"I-I want you to…" She stuttered nervously. "Derek, It's okay. I want you to." Derek couldn't make himself move forward again and thought that his sudden frigidness would deter her, but she moved in, her eyes on his.

"Case…" when he said her name, Casey was patient, waiting. "This, I shouldn't, we- I shouldn't be preying on you, your, vulnerable, and it's against the rules and…" he stammered confused not even knowing what he was saying anymore. He was angry at himself, any other girl, any other moment he would have jumped at the opportunity. Derek always acted without thinking. Always.

"What ever happened to 'I'm the exception to all rules?'" Casey chuckled. Leaning in. she had no idea where all this forwardness was coming from, it was like all her unresolved sexual tension was being unleashed, and she couldn't stop till it was gone.

"I am." Casey smiled leaning in more. Derek placed his hands on her shoulders. "But you aren't." Casey's face fell and she could feel her eyes stinging with rejection. Nodding slightly she moved to leave but Derek's hand slid off her shoulder and onto her wrist keeping her there. Her arm, stretched across his body shoulders touching. She looked over to him to see him looking out the window with a tortured expression before he slowly pulled her back in front of him. It took him a moment to give in, a moment for him to concentrate on her face but when he did, he didn't see any regret, any I'll feelings just pure want and need that he was sure was mirrored in his own eyes. He lifted his free hand to the side of her face, his thumb smoothing over her cheek. Without another thought he pulled her face to his, his hand letting go of her wrist to travel to her lower back.

There lips touched once again soft and light. Casey's hands smoothed up Derek's chest until she reached his shoulders. She used his collar bone to find his neck and her fingers, as light as a moth's wing, trailed across his sensitive neck till they weaved into his hair. He groaned against her mouth. Not in a pleasured way, and not in a disappointed way. He felt like he was being teased and that caused him to push her back towards the sink.

She was pinned, and for the briefest of seconds her breath hitched and her mouth stilled against his as Max's face flashed in her mind. But Derek was not Max, and Derek's touch was a completely different thing, both of their hands were calloused by sports, but Derek's hand was gentle and caring.

"We don't have to do this…" Derek forced out trying to pry his lips from hers when he heard her sharp intake of breath. He laid his forehead against hers keeping his eyes closed afraid to see what her eyes portrayed.

"You won't hurt me." Casey said her voice barely above a whisper.

"I won't hurt you." Derek assured her.

"You care about me."

"More then you know, or I can understand." Derek admitted laughing lightly while he pushed his hair back from his face. Casey laughed back and Derek smiled more at the true sound.

"I can guess." She whispered pulling Derek's face back to hers.

The kiss this time was more urgent and fun as Derek gripped her hips turning her and lifting her onto the island. Her legs spread while she pulled him as close to her as possible. He felt like he was freezing, every touch caused him to tremble pulling her closer for warmth. His hand rubbed up and down her spine causing her to arch her body into his. He kissed lots of girls but this kiss, though it was completely the same, it felt so completely different.

Casey felt like she was on fire, his hand scalding her back waking her up, making her urge herself onto him aching for warmth, aching for anything but the cold she had been in for what seemed like forever. She invited it, and for once, she felt healed completely better, able to do anything as long as he was there helping her, keeping her warm.

Their lips moved together with perfect harmony, caressing each other. Their tongues fought with each other making them feel like one, causing both of their toes to curl and their hearts to race.

"Wait, wait, Case." Derek said again mentally kicking himself for this conscience he had grown with her. Casey pouted pulling back. "What Derek."

"Are you sure about this? I mean really sure? Like, things could get really complicated, with family and people at school, I mean. You're not going to just like freak out like you usually do and think that this is a bad idea." Casey pulled back looking at him seriously.

"I hadn't really thought of any of that… Derek, your talking like you… like you want to be serious, like… relationship serious."

"Psht, no I just don't want you to freak out later and cause problems." Derek said non-convincingly trying to act casual and failing miserably. But Casey, as gullible as she is, let her face fall in disappointment before pushing Derek back and jumping off of the island.

"Your right…" she said turning her head to hide her tears that were starting to well up in her eyes. "This," she waved her hand in between them, "Bad idea." She took off upstairs and Derek could hear the shower go on upstairs and he hit his hand against the fridge door causing magnets to fall.

"Great job Venturi."