LWD

I do not own Life With Derek.

A/N - Since so many people asked me to write a few more chapters, I decided to do so. Thanks for liking my writing :D This chapter has a bit of Dasey fluff since most of my other chapters were more angst. Hope you guys like it. And thanks to all those who review. You guys make my day :)

Chapter 11--

For the first time in a long time, Casey McDonald woke up with a smile on her face. Today was going to be a great day. Save for one teensy tiny little thing. The talk she planned between herself and her over-zealous step-brother. They were supposed to talk last night, and needless to say, there was no talking involved. She had to know what they were, how they were going to do it, and where they were going with this. Especially since college was around the corner. She sighed as she headed towards the shower. It was Sunday, which meant that Derek would be sleeping in like always. She had some time to organize her thoughts and maybe come up with an effective way to make him talk. After all, the one thing he wasn't was a talker.

Casey was in the kitchen with her mother discussing a new chore system when she saw him shuffling towards them. Immediately, her eyes snapped downwards as she tried to hide the blush she could feel on her face, since seeing him reminded her of last night. And she still wasn't used to the idea of making out with her arrogant, self-involved, yet utterly sweet and protective step-brother.

"Morning Derek." Nora said cheerfully. "Or should I say afternoon?"

"Nora." Derek nodded at her as he lazily headed towards the refrigerator to look for anything to drink. "Spacey."

Casey's head snapped up at the barely interested greeting he threw at her. What nerve! She could be invisible for all he cared. "Morning Derek!" She snapped hoping to get his attention. And she wasn't disappointed when he raised his eyebrow at her questioningly before chugging down the orange juice.

Nora looked at the two curiously. "Am I missing something?"

"It's nothing Nora." Derek shrugged. "Case just isn't feeling the whole family vibe thing that you and I have tried so hard to implement into our living situation." He ignored Nora's disbelieving look and focused on Casey. "Am I right?" He winked at her.

Casey felt her cheeks heat up as her fists clenched by her side. Was he trying to piss her off? "Don't you dare wink at me you hypocrite. You are the one who is too lazy to manage anything more than a half-ass-ed greeting in the morning."

"Casey!" Her mother reprimanded. Nora had never known her daughter to swear.

"Sorry Mom. It's just that I think that Derek should learn at least some basic manners."

Derek chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?"

"This has nothing to do with fun." Casey could feel herself getting riled up. "This is about you trying to say 'Good Morning' like you mean it."

Derek leaned against the counter nonchalantly. "And why would I want to do that?"

"You know why."

He crossed his arms across his chest. "Actually, I don't. Care to explain Ms. Priss?"

Casey's breath came out ragged as she tried to hold herself back so she wouldn't walk the four steps towards him and strangle his neck. Before she could snap at him, Nora spoke up. "Some days it would be nice not to go through the morning fight." She spoke as if she was talking to herself. "I think we're done, Case." Nora said as she stood up and gathered the pieces of paper lying around the counter. "And Derek, use a glass." She said before walking towards the basement.

Casey waited till the door closed before turning around to face her step-brother and give him a piece of her mind. But just as she turned, her lips were met by his. He kissed her fervently as his hands snaked around to her neck and back to hold her in place. She fought her need to kiss him back and pushed him away from her instead. She was supposed to be mad at him. "What?" He asked her confused.

"What?" She imitated incredulously. "Derek! We just had an argument. You cant kiss me every time we fight and expect things to be okay."

Derek smiled down at her as if she was the most adorable thing. "Case, that wasn't a real argument." He took a step forward as he tightened his arms around her.

"It wasn't?" She asked uncertainly.

"Nope." He mumbled as he teasingly whispered against her ear. "I just thought we should keep up the front." He bit her ear gently and smiled when he felt her shiver against him.

Casey was speechless, and not only because of what he said. "Derek!" She meant to say it as a protest but since he pushed himself against her and gently nipped the skin below her ear, her words came out breathy. "We shouldn't do this. Someone might walk in." She grabbed his arms to pull him away, but didn't have the heart to stop him. Especially since his skills were awakening a slight tingly sensation under her skin.

"The three kids are upstairs, Dad is out, and Nora's in the basement. I think we're fine Case." He murmured before he gently kissed her neck, her jaw, and teased her by dropping kisses around her mouth. Casey, grabbed his hair to hold him still and practically bruised his lips as she kissed him hard. Derek responded by pushing her slightly so that she bumped into the counter. Their tongues duelled for dominance as his hands caressed the smooth skin under her shirt. How he dreamed of this. He felt their breathing become ragged as he began kissing her neck. He loved the taste of her skin. She arched against him as a whimper escaped her throat. He pushed himself against her even more in an effort to move closer towards her as his hands began roaming her body. A voice at the back of his mind told him to stop. This wasn't the time or place. But the only problem was that Casey was like an addiction. He just couldn't bear to pull away from her. The voice got louder and louder until finally..

"SMEREK!"

Derek and Casey jumped away from each other, and tried to straighten up their hair and clothes just as Marti rushed into the kitchen.

"Hey Smarti." Derek said innocently. He cleared his throat to rid the huskiness in his voice. "What's up?"

Marti looked suspiciously at the two. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing!" They both replied hurriedly before looking at each other.

"We were just talking." Casey smiled hoping that her flushed face wouldn't give anything away.

"Why are your top buttons undone?" Marti asked her. Casey looked down with a panicked look in her eyes before throwing a glare at Derek. When had he done that?

"She was showing me something Smarti." Derek smirked as Casey started violently buttoning up her top.

"Yup I was." Casey replied, surprising Derek as an evil glint appeared in her eye. "And one day, you will show a boy that same something too."

Derek's smile dropped so fast, it caused Casey to hide a giggle. "Listen Smarti, you should never show a boy anything, unless I give you the okay. Okay?"

Casey rolled her eyes at how over-protective he was. "Derek! You can't control everything."

"Yes I can."

"No you cant."

"Case, she's my little sister, so yeah, I think I can."

"I think you're over-reacting."

"I don't get it." Marti shot out as she looked at the two older children curiously. She knew they were fighting over her, but she didn't know why.

"It's nothing." Derek shook his head just as he threw a look at Casey which clearly said I'll-get-you-later-and-I'll-enjoy-it, causing Casey to roll her eyes at his juvenile behaviour. Did everything have to involve feeling her up? Not that she was complaining. "So, why'd you call me?" He turned towards his sister.

Marti pouted remembering the reason she searched for her big brother. "Edwin and Lizzie wont let me play the video game with them."

Derek groaned inwardly. He had to stop kissing Casey for this? "Why wont they let you play with them?" He could see Casey lean against the counter as she patiently watched the two siblings. And it didn't help matters when her shirt rode up to expose the smooth skin just above her jeans. He wanted his hands right there.

Marti shrugged. "I don't know."

Derek sighed. Big brother duties called out to him. "Fine. Do you want me to bully Ed 'till he gives the game to you?" He already knew the answer.

"Yes please!" She beamed at him.

"Come on." Throwing an apologetic glance towards Casey, he picked up his sister and started walking towards the stairs. He wanted to finish this off so he could have some alone time with his extremely hot step-sibling.

Casey couldn't help but smile as she saw Derek walk up the stairs with Marti in his arms. Sometimes, he was just so adorable.

--

Casey was sitting against the headboard of her bed, reading a book, when Derek walked into her room and locked the door. She raised her eyebrows at him questioningly.

"What?" He asked.

"Are you planning on doing anything in this room that you don't want to get caught for?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

Derek smirked. "You know it." He jumped right next to her on the bed.

"Crisis averted?" Casey asked as she placed a book mark between the pages.

"Kind of. Ed was right not to let Marti play the game. Blood, gore and mutilation is not much of her thing anyways."

Casey scrunched up her face in disgust. "Ew. I can't believe you guys like playing such gross games."

"Hey! It's not only us guys. Lizzie was kicking Ed's ass at it."

"Still.. It's not right for kids to play games that teach violence."

"Casey, it's not violent, it's fun."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "Well I doubt that."

"That's besides the point." He leaned towards her.

"And what's the point?"

"The point is. We are alone, in your room. And no one will interrupt us for quite sometime." He moved his eyebrows suggestively.

Casey's face broke into a wide smile. "You're right! That means we can finally have our talk!" She said gleefully.

"Ca-sey!" Derek groaned. He dropped his head onto her pillow. "That's not what I meant."

Casey giggled. "I know." She leaned over him slightly. "But I really do think that we need this."

"You're paranoid."

"Maybe." She said thoughtfully as she placed her hand on his chest and rested her chin to give him a pleading look. "But I need to."

Derek sighed. "Fine. What do you need to talk about?"

Even though she had been asking for this, she was suddenly uncertain. Derek looked at her questioningly. "Um.. What are we exactly?"

"Well Case, some people might call us homosapiens, but I think.."

Casey slapped him playfully. "That's not what I meant."

Derek chuckled. "Well, aren't we dating?"

"You didn't officially ask me."

Derek rolled his eyes. "Casey McDonald, will you go out with me?"

"I don't know." She replied thoughtfully. "Did you finish your English assignment?"

Derek sighed. "I knew there was a downside to going out with you." Casey smacked him again as she moved to sit up.

"Seriously though, what are we? I mean? Are we just dating? Because we haven't even gone out on our first date yet."

Derek sat up next to her. "You think too much. We are just two people who just happen to enjoy each others company." He paused. "I can't believe I just said that."

Casey chuckled. "It's weird, isn't it?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Look, I just think we should see how this goes. And I know that this concept maybe a bit tough for you to understand, but don't over think it." He laughed when she smacked him.

"What about mom and George? Are we telling them?"

"No! Absolutely, positively, one hundred percent not." He shook his head violently.

"Why not? They'll understand."

"I don't think so. Case, this is every couple's dream! We can see each other whenever we want with no supervision whatsoever. If we tell Dad and Nora, you can kiss that freedom goodbye."

One thing he said jumped out at her. "We're a couple?" That meant more than dating, didn't it?

Derek looked down embarrassed. "Um.. yeah.. I guess.. I mean.. We.. Um.." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, and Casey smiled at how uncomfortable he looked. "I'm not planning on seeing anybody else" He said in an attempt to sound casual. "But if you are, then I guess we could work something out." He hoped she wouldn't agree with him.

Casey smiled softly and decided to take pity on him. He was never really good at putting himself out there. "So then, we are a couple?"

Derek smirked as his confidence returned full force. "Yeah. Pretty much." He moved forward and kissed her, happy that the uncomfortable talk was finally over.

"One more thing." Casey said as she pulled away from Derek, adding to his frustration. "What about school?"

"What about school?"

"Well, shouldn't they know that you're going out with someone?"

Derek shrugged. "You're right. But then, if one person knows, I'm sure that it wont be long before the whole school, their parents and finally our parents find out."

"So we tell no one?" Casey asked feeling unsettled by the idea.

Derek saw uncertainty in her eyes. "How about this? I'll tell everyone that I'm dating someone. No one will know it's you, and we could kill two birds with one stone."

"What do you mean?"

"Our parents wont find out, and you wont be hated." He smirked at her.

"You knew about that?" She asked incredulously.

Derek shrugged. "I know everything that happens in the school. I saw how the the girls treated Kendra. But she could handle it because she practically ran the school."

"And because I'm the kltuzy grade grubber, I would pretty much have to face hell." She finished for him bitterly.

Derek shook his head. She was such a drama queen sometimes. "Listen, I've protected your rep before and I'll do it again. Besides, it's only a few weeks more 'till college. You'll survive. And until then.." He kissed her. "We have all the time in the world to have some 'fun'"

Casey rolled her eyes. "You're such a child."

He nuzzled her neck playfully. "Maybe. But admit it, you love bossing me around."

Casey giggled before she pulled him towards her to kiss him passionately. "Maybe."

--

Edwin looked curiously at his two older siblings. Something wasn't right. They were throwing insults at each other, but they were smiling while doing so. He nudged Lizzie who was sitting at the kitchen counter with him. She looked up at him confused before she followed his glance. Derek and Casey sat at the living room table, a safe distance away from them, while they argued over Derek's unfinished English project.

"Do you notice something different?" Edwin asked his step-sister.

"Yeah." She replied thoughtfully. "Is it me, or are they actually getting along?"

"Getting along? They're arguing!"

"Well, yeah.. But look at them. I think they kind of agree with each other."

Edwin nodded. "Not to mention they are working together. I never thought that would happen."

Lizzie squinted her eyes at them thoughtfully. "Maybe they're finally getting along because they'll be going off to college soon."

He looked at her incredulously. "Do you really believe that?"

"Not really."

"I think we should investigate this strange phenomenon."

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Edwin! Just because Casey and Derek are suddenly getting along, well.. sort of, doesn't mean that it's a strange phenomenon." Edwin gave her a disbelieving look. "Okay, maybe it's a little strange."

At that moment, the phone rang. "Edwin!" Derek called out from the living room which caused Casey to glare at him. Edwin groaned as he slid off the stool and headed towards the cordless phone. He couldn't wait until Derek left for college.

After answering, he walked towards Casey and held out the phone to her. "It's Max." He didn't miss the anxious glance Casey threw his brother or the way Derek's jaw tightened in annoyance, before she grabbed the phone. Edwin slowly backed up towards the kitchen, while making sure that he was close enough to hear the conversation.

"Hey Max!" Casey said brightly. "Um yeah.. Uh huh.. I don't know." She looked at Derek. "I could check. It's no problem really. Sure, you can. Alright then. Bye." She had barely hung up the phone when Derek spoke.

"What did he want?" He was annoyed.

"He wanted my history notes since he missed a few classes."

"That's all?" There was skepticism in his voice.

"And he wanted to drop by to get them."

"Cant you meet him at school tomorrow?"

Casey shrugged. "That's why he wanted them today. First period is history."

Derek nodded, trying to understand the innocence in the meeting, but failing to do so. "What time is he coming?"

Casey looked up at him skeptically. "Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you, just not him."

"Well, if you trust me, then that's enough." She said sounding stubborn.

"What time is he coming?" He asked again.

"Around six."

"I'll be out with the guys at that time." Derek said thoughtfully. "Very cunning."

"Derek! You cant be serious."

"Casey." He said sternly. "Do we need to have the 'guy' talk again?"

She rolled her eyes. "You are way too protective sometimes."

"Only sometimes." He smirked at her.

"Shall we finish this then?" Casey asked him as she tried to hide her smile. He really did know how to change her mood easily.

As their discussion returned to the project at hand, Edwin shared an understanding look with Lizzie who had joined him near the wall separating the kitchen and the living room. Something was definitely not right.

--

"You alright?" Max asked Casey, a level of concern evident in his voice.

"Yeah. I'm fine." She spoke perkily. "Everything is just fine. How could everything not be fine? You're here, I'm here. We are both friends who are having a friendly conversation."

Max laughed nervously. "Casey, I just told you that I want to get back together with you. I don't think the friend thing would work."

"But, we broke up for a reason." Casey protested.

"Yeah, a reason that I still don't know about." Casey stayed silent. "Come on, cant we just talk about it? You wanted space, and I gave it. If you don't want to get back together, cant you at least tell me why? It's not like there was someone else right?" He chuckled at the mere thought.

Casey was very uncomfortable. "No. Of course not. What a ridiculous idea." She laughed anxiously, as she hoped that Max wouldn't see through her facade.

He studied her for a moment. She didn't seem too truthful about her answer. "Casey, is there someone else?"

"Someone else? What made you think that?" She widened her fake smile. "Max! I just think that we are more suitable as friends, that's all. Don't you feel it?"

"Feel..what?" He asked confused. Sometimes it was hard to keep up.

"The friendship, silly!" Casey practically bobbled her head in glee. "We are more suitable as friends. Don't you feel the understanding and camaraderie between us?" She finished passionately.

Max chuckled. "Yeah, I do."

"Great!" Casey smiled genuinely. "So then.. " She held out her hand. "Friends?"

Max grabbed her hand without hesitation. "Friends." He shook her hand firmly. "Then I guess as friends, you wouldn't mind helping me out?"

"Sure buddy! Anything you need." Casey was feeling extremely generous since the problem was solved. And in record time without having to hear 'I told you so' from Derek.

"Well, I was sort of hoping that.. Um.. You were going to come with me after all, until we broke up, and the invitation is for two.." Max noticed how Casey's eyes held a sense of recognition. "And you did kind of promise them.."

"I forgot all about that." Casey said softly.

"It would mean a lot to them, Case." Max coaxed her.

"I know. It's just.."

"It's nothing big." Max interrupted her. "They just want you to sing one song. But if you cant, I'm sure they'll understand."

"I did promise them, didn't I?" This was definitely a dilemma.

"They are looking forward to it." Max could see her resolve failing.

"But wont it be weird? With me being your ex and everything?" She asked him worriedly.

"Don't worry about it." Max replied flippantly. "They love you anyway."

"I don't know." Casey said hesitantly. "Are you sure your parents want me?"

"Yeah. They absolutely do. So what do you say?" He urged her.

Casey nodded. "I think I can prepare something. As long as you're sure."

"I'm sure." Max stood up and grabbed his jacket as he headed towards the door. "Shall I pick you up around seven then?"

"Alright. I guess my parents wont mind."

"Thanks a lot Case." Max opened the door and stepped outside.

Casey gave him a small smile. "No problem. What are friends for?"

"Definitely for this." Max chuckled as he held up her history notes.

Casey closed the door and leaned against it as she let out a small sigh. Explaining this to Derek is going to be a bit tricky.

--

Derek stared at his so-called recently acquired girlfriend who just happen to be his step-sister with a dumbfounded expression on his face. "Let me get this straight. You are going to sing at your ex's grandparents' wedding anniversary as a favour for the parents of that same ex-boyfriend?" His face broke out into a grin. "This is a joke right?"

"Uh.. no?" Casey said as she nervously played with the teddy bear she held in her lap. She looked back at Derek who kept staring at her with a look of complete denial on his face. "It's not a big deal." She tried to convince him.

"Not a big deal? This is.. not a big deal?"

"Yeah." Casey smiled encouragingly.

"We decided that we're a couple a few hours ago, and already, you're going out with another guy. This has to be a new record."

"Derek! I'm not going out with him. We're just friends."

He looked up in frustration. "Do all of my girlfriends have to go out for a 'friendly' night out with their ex's?"

Casey rolled her eyes at how big of a drama queen he could be. "Like I said.. This.. is.. not.. a date."

"Believe me Case, it's a date."

"No it's not. I already promised his parents. And you know me, I cant break my promises."

Derek stood up from Casey's computer chair and began pacing the room, occasionally throwing a glare at Casey who sat silently on her bed. She knew better than to interrupt Derek's train of thought.

Derek finally turned towards her as his mind made a decision. "Alright. This is what we're going to do. You're going to tell your precious Maxy that you're dating someone. Then, he wont hit on you. That is assuming he is as gentlemanly as you say he is. And don't forget to mention how I could knock him out with just one punch." He finished as he puffed out his chest in pride.

"I can't do that." Casey protested ignoring the insult she could have thrown at him.

"And why not?"

"It's too soon."

"Too soon?"

"I broke up with him a few days back, how would it look if I started dating someone before the 'time period' had elapsed?"

"What 'time period'?"

"The appropriate time period needed between relationships to grieve."

Derek looked at her expectantly. She couldn't be serious. "Grieve? Case, no one is dead. You don't need a time period."

"Yes you do. Otherwise it would hurt the other person's feelings."

Derek sighed. "Fine, what's the time period then?"

Casey bit her lip as her mind did the non-existent math. "About three weeks should be fine."

"Three weeks?" Derek asked incredulously. "Where do you get this stuff?"

"Everyone knows about this rule Derek! Not all of us serial date, you know." She finished bitterly.

Her tone got his attention. He sat down next to her as he prepared to act against his better judgment. "One song huh?"

"One song." Casey agreed as she tried to hide her smile.

"Fine. But I'm dropping you there and picking you up."

"But Max already agreed to do it. And I don't want to bother you."

"You, alone with him in his car bothers me. I'll drop you." He said a note of finality in his voice.

"I'm not property Derek." Casey said sternly.

Derek chuckled. "Exactly why I'm not going to let him try anything on you."

"He wont."

"We'll see about that."

"Why are you making this a big deal?" Casey asked gently. Was he really that hung up with the Sally situation?

"I just don't trust ex-boyfriends." Derek mumbled as he felt embarrassed by his vulnerability.

Casey hugged him then and rested her head in the crook of his neck. "Well, not all ex-boyfriends are the same. Besides, why would I go out with Max, when I could go out with you?"

"Was that a compliment?" Derek questioned with a smirk as he moved his arms around her.

Casey smiled. "Don't get used to it."

Derek chuckled. "I wont."