Disclaimer: It's been nine chapters…need I repeat "I do not own Life with Derek".

BtW: XOXO means that the conversations are in different locations but are at the same time.

A/N: Okay…I told you I would be updating soon. And some more prewritten chapters will be waiting for reviews. I only have 15 for nine chapters…which is kinda sad…but thanks to those who review nonetheless. It's much appreciated. So here we go:

Chapter 9: Conversation

Derek gave Casey a quick peck before a disgusted gasp could be heard. They looked over to the door to see Emily and Sam standing in the doorframe looking shocked and disgusted.

"Why you little…" Emily began glaring at Casey, who tried to explain but her newly-found dried throat made her cough uncontrollably.

"Derek? Dude, what the hell are you doing with Casey?" Sam's eyes darted back and forth between Casey and Derek.

"Uh…" Derek racked his brain for some excuse, but the fact they heard Casey say 'I love you,' and Derek kiss her…well, it was a hard topic to cover up.

"You love him?!" Emily cried, stomping her way over to Casey's hospital bed. Casey's eyes shut tightly; Sam noticed Casey's fear and immediately took Emily's forearms and pulled her back slightly.

"D, can I talk to you?" He asked bitterly, his eyes narrow. Derek nodded and reluctantly let go of Casey's hand and got up to follow Sam.

Once they left Emily turned back to Casey.

"How could you? You know I like him! You know that I've liked him since freakin' kindergarten!"

"I know Em-"

"And you love him? What, in between the fighting and never-ending arguments you found this 'love'? What, did Marti dress up in her ridiculous cupid outfit and shoot two little arrows at you guys to make some despicable incestuous love? Hm?!"

Suddenly the room echoed with a loud crack noise.

XOXO

"Why'd you kiss her?" Sam asked pushing Derek's shoulder slightly.

"Well, incase you missed the 'I love you' bid; that's the reason."

"Don't give me your stupid attitude. Why did she tell you she loves you? She hates you! You hate her! Dude, I told you I liked her still, and what do you do? You kiss her!"

"First: She said because it's true. Second: She doesn't hate me, far from it actually. Third: I do not hate Casey. Don't ever try to pull that shit with me because that is the world's biggest lie EVER! And finally: you told me you liked her after I already loved her!"

"Oh, you think you're just going to get away with it like that? You think turning on your best friend is so simple to end?"

"No. Because there's nothing I need to get away with. Because this guy standing in front of me isn't a best friend, he's a blonde kid trying to act tough. Because it doesn't matter whether you tell people because they're leaving. Got it?!"

"You-" Sam was cut off by a loud crack from inside the room. The sound was sickening and was followed by eerie silence.

XOXO

"Well, I called Emily and Sam, they should be here by now…" Nora said to Lizzie, who paid no attention.

"We're leaving?" Lizzie asked out of the blue.

"Yes…we're supposed to go tomorrow morning but I guess it'll be put off until the afternoon. Shame, really. I thought it would be so easy…but of course Casey has to stop the process." Lizzie stopped abruptly at the mention of her sister in that context.

"What do mean 'has to stop the process'? It's not her fault. It isn't like she planned on being in the hospital!" Lizzie yelled and heads in the hospital cafeteria turned their direction to the pair.

"Lower your voice, Lizzie. We're in a hospital, not a zoo." Nora said, digging through her purse for something.

"Yeah, we are in a hospital, but you seem to have forgotten why. Casey, you know your daughter? Yeah, she's in the hospital because of an injury. Now, I actually feel bad and care about my sister's wellbeing; but you…you're her mother and you don't even care…" Lizzie shook her head coldly before making her way back to Casey's room.

XOXO

"Hey, Dad…what's with you and Nora? You guys are acting really…strange." Edwin asked curiously as they sat at a small round table.

"Uh…they're leaving." George admitted quietly.

"They're what?!" Edwin shouted, standing up.

"Ed, calm down… the day we forgot to pick you guys up…Nora saw a certain stepbrother and stepsister…kissing." Edwin's eyes widened.

"Casey and Derek?!"

"What? No…you and Lizzie…why would Casey and Derek be kissing?" Edwin fell back into his seat, embarrassed beyond belief.

"They wouldn't…I guess. I was just wondering…yeah." He finished, not wanting to bring up Lizzie and himself.

"But what happened?"

"I told you…nothing, Casey and Derek have no reason to kiss-"

"No, no, no…between you and Lizzie." Edwin blushed and bowed his head further.

"Oh, um…that." Edwin chuckled nervously. "We kissed." He stated in a hurried voice before shooting up and practically running away.

Edwin gained more speed and went to the direction of Casey's room but as he was running he bumped into someone.

"Sorry." They both said in a monotone voice. When Edwin looked up he was shocked to see Lizzie.

"Lizzie. Uh…"Lizzie avoided all eye contact with Edwin…it was just too…weird.

"Yeah…well, I'm going back to Case; someone needs to supervise those two teens." Edwin chuckled, as did Lizzie.

"Listen…Liz, about the other day…at school-" Lizzie felt her stomach drop; Figures…he wants me to forget about it. Duh! What, did I actually think he cared? Lizzie kicked herself mentally.

"Yeah, no worries, consider it forgotten." Lizzie said coldly before she began walking again.

"What? No, Liz…I was going to ask you why you kissed me. Why would you think I want to forget it? Do you?"

"No…I just thought that you wouldn't exactly be happy with the thought that your stepsister kissed you and her mother saw."

"Liz…if you want to forget about it, consider it done…but I don't want to forget it." Lizzie bit her lip and smiled.

"I don't want to forget…" She smirked, "I want to repeat." She leaned him and kissed him tenderly. He wrapped his arms around her waist as hers wrapped around his neck. They broke apart and Edwin rested his forehead on Lizzie's.

"Lizzie…I think I lo-" Edwin was cut off with a sickening crack noise from Casey's room. The noise sent shivers up and down the tweens' spines; they jolted apart and listened, they hears nothing but silence. The only sound heard was the breathing of Edwin, Lizzie, Derek and Sam.

The four of them rushed to the door to see Casey standing and fuming while Emily was cowering on the floor, her face in her hands while she backed up to the wall, hitting it; silently begging it to expand.

A/N: Hehehe I have some chapters I will be holding hostage until reviews roll in…so if you want the chapter to set free, you will have to review!!