A/N: I re-wrote this chapter about twenty times trying to work out what I wanted to happen, but it just wasn't flowing properly. I've hit upon something that I kind of like (not really, but it sets me up nicely for the next chapter), but it's far from what I was hoping it would be.

Also, I'm starting to feel sorry for James. So I didn't make him out as big as an ass-hole as I initially intended. Because, come on. He likes Casey, and Derek is totally ruining their relationship.

I do not own Life With Derek.

Players:

Casey - keeping the peace

Derek - waging war

James - enemy force

QUEENS - CASEY'S DORM - Six O'clock

Players take their mark: Casey is standing behind James, who is angrily beginning to pace in front of the closet, and Derek is comfortably tucked in between Casey's sweaters and dresses, looking smug as ever.

"What the hell is going on here?" James nearly spits, taking a step back, and staring at Casey.

(It's going swimmingly, I tell you. Just swimmingly.)

Smirking relentlessly, Derek scratches the back of his head and takes a glance at Casey. They can all see how compromising this situation appears (and please tell me you are loving this just as much as I am).

Casey stammers at first. "James, it's not what it looks like."

Derek nods, and when James looks back at him, he shrugs. "Depends on what you think it looks like." (Why can't he tone down his amusement?)

James clenches his jaw. "I can't believe this," he mutters, and begins to walk away, but Casey grabs his arm and holds him back.

"James, Derek and I were just hanging out."

Derek follows them out into the room and closes the closet door behind him. "Call it what you will," he adds, (intentionally making things worse). "I mean, hanging out, fooling around. Your pick." (He picks the latter.)

And James pivots and meets Derek in a steely glare. "Are you serious, man?"

Derek's eyebrows lift momentarily, but he doesn't push it. (He wants to look like the calm, heroic one here, and make James show off his utter ass-hole side). "Something you should know about me, James, if you plan on sticking around in the fam: I never take things seriously." (Especially when it comes to Casey and her boyfriends).

"I don't doubt it."

James is so close to Derek that Casey has to physically wedge her arm between the two of them and push them apart.

"This is ridiculous," she starts, and stands between them (but they haven't broken eye contact yet, so there's that). "I'm not going to let this go any further. James, Derek is my step-brother. Plain and simple. I can hang out with him if I want."

To which James glances at Casey (and Derek rolls his eyes, because it is far from 'plain and simple').

"I don't mind it if you hang out. Sometimes. But I mind that you have a stupid deal with him that forces you to be with him more than me. Your boyfriend."

(Um, Derek is standing right here, too.)

And Casey raises a hand to her head. "You just don't understand. He's paying me back for the favour-"

James cuts in. "It looks more like you keep paying him back. Do you really want to go out with him everyday? This is torture, Casey!"

And Derek steps in (because he's had enough of being the third wheel). "Hey, you should know this isn't all sunshine and rays for me either, buddy. Believe it or not, Casey's company isn't what this is about." (It totally is). "I'm paying for her meals, and I don't trust her with my money. So lay off."

"It still doesn't mean you have to spend time together. It's like you're..."

Casey narrows her eyes at James. "It's like, what?"

And he exhales. "You're acting like you're dating, or something."

And Casey frowns (and Derek is dismayed), and she shakes her head. "James. It's nothing. It's just been a long time since we've been together, and we've been catching up. Right, Der?" ('Been together'. Ha.)

Derek slings his arm around her. "Right, Case." His expression is far from 'catching up', and it's bordering on the line of 'indecent'. Only James seems to catch it. (Derek has to admit the guy is at least perceptive, if anything else). "We've just been catching up." He is aware his gaze has darkened. "We had a lot of fun this afternoon. I helped her choose this outfit and everything," he adds quickly, and bites his lip when his eyes linger on her long legs.

And James gives him one more steely glare before he looks away. "Casey, isn't that going to be cold walking by the lake tonight?"

And she shifts awkwardly, looking at the length of her skirt. (For some reason, Derek is starting to believe that she knew it all along, but she had agreed to wear it, anyway).

And she shrugs. "I guess. Just let me change quickly," she says, and goes to her closet, pulling out an already put-together outfit. (Had she even planned to wear what Derek had suggested?)

James makes his way to the door, but Derek takes his time. "Need help again, Case?" (The comment makes James tense up).

And she pushes Derek away. "Just go outside," she threatens, and forces him into the hall.

And that's where things get a little more interesting.

James is crossing his arms, not budging from his spot in front of the door as Derek exits the dorm, and he looks business. And we all know Derek is no business man, so he leans cavalierly against the door frame, and puts his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing across his lips. (Cue: the fun).

Despite Derek's obvious avoidance of making things formal, James is studying to be a lawyer (yuck), and folds his hands neatly.

"I'm only going to say this once," James begins, and Derek nods, looking at the ground. "Back off."

Derek's eyebrows lift quickly, but rest once again. "Back off of what exactly?"

James tries to laugh, but he's not finding any of it amusing. "I know you like her."

He feigns shock and surprise, and then laughs loudly, clapping his hands in front of him. "Like Casey? Gosh, that's a good one, James."

"Admit it."

And Derek inhales slowly, his chest rising in pride. "No. I don't think I will."

"You're not fooling anyone. Especially me."

Derek smirks. "Well, that hasn't really been my goal. Now, Casey, on the other hand, is the one I'm more worried about."

James scoffs.

"And I think you should be, too," Derek finishes, and starts pulling his jacket on. (He's got everything and everyone right where he wants them). "Tell Casey I say goodnight," he finishes, and starts stalking down the hallway.

"I won't," James shouts after him, and Derek pauses momentarily.

He shrugs and turns around. "Have it that way," he says, and begins walking back to her door, pushing past James, and throwing open Casey's door without knocking.

She's completely dressed, but she jumps and scowls at him. "De-rek! I could have been naked in here!"

"Nothing I haven't seen before," he jokes, and ignores her jaw hanging open (because it's a lie, but it gets a good reaction). "Just grabbing my leftovers," he states, and snatches a couple of the containers on her bed, and holds them in the crook of his elbow before he goes to her (and he nonchalantly steals a glance at James), before he leans in close, puts his free arm around her torso, and whispers in her ear, "Lunch. Tomorrow. My place." It's short, but James doesn't know what he's saying, and his lips linger against her ear for a moment longer, and he revels in the fact that her body shivers when he blows softly.

And like that, he walks away, without saying another word to either of them. (He's totally won this whole dispute, and even though James has threatened him, Derek is totally going to be working overtime on Purple Fog when he gets back to his dorm).

Commence Derek's grand exit - the one where Casey is left standing speechless in the middle of her room, and James is gritting his teeth as Derek pushes past with a smile, and strides down the hall.