AN: Hahhah.. some of the replies were interesting.. but most of you or some of you got what the EW-ING was about. LAWL.

MaybeBaby27 hit it right on the head! I was inspired by that Friends episode.. it's such an old ep but still makes me laugh!

Disclaimer: I own nuttin...


"Oh my God. Ew."

They both raised an eyebrow, "Ew what, Casey?" Mikey asked.

Casey slowly paced backwards, "Umm…nothing," she bumped into the table, "Ow, umm… There's drinks in the kitchen." she looked at Marti, "Marti?"

"Yeah, Casey?"

"I think I need to talk to someone."

Marti laughed, "Coming."

--

Casey sat on her old bed. She was quiet while she was thinking. She annoyingly tapped her foot on the floor.

Marti sat and rested her elbow at her old computer desk. Her head in her hand waiting for Casey to actually talk, "Umm, Casey?"

"Shh." Casey ran her hands in her hair obviously thinking about something.

"Alright…" she sang sarcastically, "This is some of the most interesting conversational pieces I have ever had with someone."

Casey let out a laugh, "You're just as witty as your brother, you know that?"

Marti had a smirk of her own, "Venturi's are pretty darn witty. What can I say?"

Casey snorted, "I swear I've probably heard Derek say that same exact thing before."

"He probably has." she laughed, "So, Casey. What is on your mind."

"I don't know if it's me…" she didn't finish her sentence as she stared at the ground.

Marti sighed, "I mean if you don't tell me Casey, I'll just assume it is you."

"Ugh, you're right. Fine. But it's going to come out a bit crazy."

"Casey?" Casey looked at her, "Did you forget I am a bit Crazy? So bring it."

Casey laughed and nodded. She took a deep breath, "Umm… Did it ever occur to you that Mikey and Derek..." she trailed off once more thinking it was crazy.

"That Mikey and Derek look alike?" She finished for Casey.

Casey looked up at her wide-eyed, "You see it too??"

"Casey, I saw it the first time I met him," she laughed at her, "That's kind of funny."

She frowned, "What?"

"That you have been married to the guy for about two years now?" Casey nodded, "Yeah and you're now just realizing it." Marti laughed some more.

Casey scoffed, "That's not funny. That's sad."

"Yeah, that too."

"I mean, ugh!" she groaned, "Not only do they look alike... they are the same person! The whole Hockey and--"

"Hooters thing?" Marti asked and Casey nodded, "Yeah. I gotta admit though, when Mikey brought me, Edwin, and Lizzie there, those wings were pretty good."

Casey nodded and quickly started to freak again, "Oh my God," she ran her hands through her hair again, "I mean how could I not have seen this?"

Marti was trying to understand her behavior, "What? Are you mad or upset or something?"

Casey shook her head, "No, I'm just a bit freaked out."

"Because you married a poor woman's Derek?" Marti smiled innocently.

"Yea– I mean no!"

Marti smirked, "Of course you'd say that."

Casey raised an eyebrow at Marti, "What exactly do you know in that crazy little head of yours?"

"That you and my brother have something going on."

Casey scoffed, "What?!" she blushed and laughed nervously, "That's preposterous!"

Marti stood up tapping her finger on her lip, "Is it, Casey? Is it really preposterous?"

Casey nodded her head rapidly, "Yes, Marti. Yes it is."

"Right." she muttered sarcastically, "Because everyone goes from hating each other to hugging one another at the airport."

"What?"

"Oh come on, Casey. Don't play dumb with me."

Casey crossed her arms, "I seriously don't know what you're talking about?"

"I mean who leaves their own going away party to go home and hang out."

Casey sighed, "Apparently Derek and I do."

"Exactly. I saw you two fight earlier that day. I also saw when you left and Derek followed you. Then neither of you came back. The next morning you two were giving each other goodbyes and hugs… Come on!"

"What?" Casey shrugged, "We could've just easily just finally gotten along."

Marti snorted, "You and Derek get along in a split second?"

"Yeah, you're right." she muttered.

"Yes, Casey I am." Marti smiled proudly.

"So you've known this whole time and decided not to share this info with anyone?"

"Would you have wanted me to share this secret with everyone?"

"No! No. I mean. No." she looked down at her feet, "So what do you think?"

"What about you and your step-brother being romantically involved?"

"When you put it like that..."

"It sounds crazy? Disturbing? Unheard of? Dis--"

"Yeah, Marti I got it." she said blankly; interrupting her.

She sat next to Casey, "I actually think it's pretty sweet."

Casey's face lit up, "Really, Marti?"

"Yeah, Derek looked like death that day he left. I still remember it. I've never seen him that down before. I know I hardly get to see him but whenever I did talk to him, he always asked about you."

Casey looked at her and smiled, "He did? Really?"

Marti nodded, "Yep. So what really happened yesterday?"

"Smarti. Out. Now." Derek leaned in the doorway.

"Oh come on, Smerek!"

He smiled with a hint of a pleading, "Now, Marti."

Marti pouted, "Fine," she walked toward the doorway, "I guess I'll go have a name-calling match with Mikey."

"Yeah, you go do that." He closed the door.

Casey stood up, "Derek, I'm sor--"

He shook his head, "No, Case. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for trying to embarrass you. I guess I was just a jealous jackass." She smiled at him, "I didn't really mean to do that… it just happened."

She nodded, "I know, I know."

He shrugged, "So…umm… you know, I don't want us to end on bad terms."

"Me eith--"She arched her eyebrows, "Wait what? End on ba--"

"Casey, I kind of understand why you married the guy."

Casey let out a laugh, "You see it too?"

"Yeah, because he's a pretty cool guy," he shrugged, "and I guess the life you have with him isn't too complicated, you know. Your parents aren't married to each other. You weren't kidding when you said he gets along with the family. It's like he belongs here." he nodded slowly; assuring himself as he looked down, "I guess I'm pretty happy for you." He looked up and offered her a smile.

"But Dere--"

He waved a hand in front of her face to interrupt her, "I know, I know. You were probably scared to hurt my feelings or something. I'm a man, Casey. I can handle it but it's okay now. You don't gotta say it. I know now. I'll be fine and as long as you're happy, I'll be happy. We'll just look back at two days ago as a perfect day. I'll always remember it."

"Me too." she frowned looking down. "Derek wha--"

"You don't really have to say anymore, Case. I'm okay with all of this. I'll come visit every now and then. When you have another successful book don't forget to stop in DC because you know I'll read it." He let out a sad smile.

"I still can't believe you actually read my book." She looked up at him with watery eyes; trying to laugh.

"Casey! What's my rule about tears?" He came over and hugged her.

"You don't do 'em." She stated and they both laughed.

"Yes ma'am." He pulled back, "You'll have a great life. Whatever issues you two have are easily fixable."

"That's what he said…" she muttered under her breath.

"What's that?"

"Nothing."

"Okay? So, Case, everything will work out fine for you," she shrugged, "It will." He assured her and she nodded, "I gotta get ready. Edwin wants to show me some movie screening he's involved with at his campus. What can I say? The kid is taking after me."

"That's not such a bad thing." she smiled.

He laughed, "I hope not." He gave her another hug, "Alright, Casey."

She nodded, "Alright, Derek."

--

"Sorry, Casey."

She looked over at Mikey from the passenger seat, "For what?"

"We didn't get to tell your parents."

"Oh, right. I guess Derek being there totally ruined that plan," she let out a laugh.

"He's a pretty cool guy, that step-brother of yours."

"Yeah," she turned to look out the window, "he's pretty great." she whispered; smiling.

--

"Derek?" Edwin called from the driver's seat. He didn't answer as he just stared out the window, "Derek?" Nothing. "Hey D!" he screeched.

Derek finally snapped out of his thoughts and looked over at Edwin, "Yeah?"

Edwin laughed, "What's the matter with you?"

Derek let out a laugh, "Nothing. I'm alright. I'm excited to see your stuff, Ed," he tried to change the subject.

Edwin snorted, "Whatever. I know something's up. What is it?"

"Nothing." Derek told him once more, "Drop it."

Edwin sighed, "Fine. So what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"I don't know."


I also wanted to add that the Mikey and Casey talk will be in the next chapter... :)