A/N: Look! I updated! Yes, I'm very proud of myself too. Oh, that's not what you were going to say? Oh well. I'm very proud of myself. This part, not exactly my favorite even in this story, and definitely not overall. But still good. :D Enjoy. The last (final!) chapter will be coming VERY soon. I really hope. Okay, I'm done. Read.

Disclaimer: Not only do I not own Life With Derek (that's affiliated with Disney corportation) but I don't even own the plot for this story. Well, the spin-off part I do- but remember, this is based off of 'Wanting Casey' by NotAContrivance. AND! It's updated to at least the part where the spin-off starts!

Derek was in the kitchen, eating cereal as his Dad and Nora were bragging about their weekend. When there was a lull in the conversation Edwin asked, "Where's Casey?"

It was as if it clicked in everyone's head at once. They all looked up, having realized Casey wasn't downstairs with them, and all of them looked around as though Edwin was lying. With Derek's head hung low over his cereal, a guilty look on his face, everyone gradually turned their heads to him. "She's just a little bit mad at me." he said quietly - but everyone heard him.

Marti burst out, "They had a fight - just like I said they would!"

Nora cut off Derek's response with, "See George? That's why I didn't want them staying together!"

"No!" he shot out suddenly, "I - I mean it really wasn't any big - I mean anything big. She's really not that mad - well yes she is - but that's not why she's upstairs." He paused for a second to come up with a good reason Casey wasn't there, and breathe - knowing fully that he sounded like raving lunatic. "There was some leftover homework or some paper she had to finish. I think that's what she said anyway."

Nora spoke up again, glancing suspiciously at Derek, "Well if I know Casey she-"

"Casey what?" Casey asked, coming into the kitchen looking around interestedly, but avoiding Derek's gaze.

Before anyone else could say anything the teenage trouble-maker said hurriedly, "We were just talking about how you were upstairs doing some extra homework and that our tiny little fight had nothing to do with it." He was sure the breakfast bar heard him, since that was what he was talking to, but to be sure everyone else did he jerked his head up to look at Casey, "Right?"

She knew he was talking to the table so no one could see he was telling a big fate lie. No one but her saw his darting eyes, the dead giveaway, well, that's what always gave him away when he was lying to Casey. That and he never knew what to do with his hands – in his pockets, through his hair, scratching at non- existent itches, and stuff like he was doing now – twiddling his thumbs. Derek looked at her that second, her already knowing his lie, the truth and her intention was to rat him out.

There was something in his eyes that made her hesitate, a type of pleading, and she reconsidered. After all, the reason for her avoidance of Derek flashed into her head. The intense dancing, getting closer and closer – being able to feel each other breathing. His hot breath on her lips, the heat between them – his lips oh god, she hoped she wasn't remembering sparks in that brief kiss. No one needed to know the whole truth – she was sure of it. Not even Derek had to know the whole truth – those little exhilarating sparks (she wasn't about to deny it to herself) were completely imaginary to all other people.

"Almost exactly right. I just finished it and wanted to say 'welcome back'." She sat down opposite Derek, worried about why she was suddenly breathless, and about how she was supposed to act around him now that avoiding him was no longer an option.

He took the situation out of her hands though when he spoke, "Hey Dad, can I talk to you about something?"

George looked surprised, "Well – sure. What about?"

"I was kinda hoping it could just be one of those father-son talks."

Smiling he said, "Okay. We'll go into the other room."

"Thanks." Derek got up hurriedly and went into the next room before George was able to do anything else. When he did make it into the den Derek was pacing around, and almost at once he came around from behind and shut the door with a snap. 'Dad' went over to sit on the couch and the son followed. "Dad, I've got a problem; a very big problem."

"Okay. Shoot."

"And it's a ... girl problem."

"So you came to me?" he seemed astonished at the thought of him knowing more about girls than his son.

"Yes. Bizarre as it may seem." He stopped and stood up, starting to pace again.

"Well, what's your problem? I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong. It's like trying to fix something that's not broken." He gave a little chuckle, but Derek didn't respond; he actually seemed to be getting paler.

"There's this girl," he paced, "and I really like her..."

"Who is it?"

"I can't tell you!"

With his hands up George said, "Okay okay! This 'girl' is nameless."

"It is a girl. Oh – she's a girl." He ran a hand through his hair continuing, "She's incredible. And I was trying to get her to like me. But I messed up."

Calmly George said, "What did you do?"

"I kissed her."

"And this is bad because ..."

"At first it was great – I'm positive she kissed me back – but then she pulled away. The look on her face," he sighed, "it was horrible." Derek stopped pacing and plopped down on the couch so he was lying down, an arm over his eyes. His voice broke when he spoke next, "I don't know what to do."

"Well," George started slowly, "the only thing I can think of to do is talk to her."

He laughed, "Yeah – and what am I supposed to say? Sorry I kissed you, but I like you."

"Exactly."

Derek sat up, "You're serious?"

"Yes – you don't have to look so surprised. I'm sure that if you explain yourself she'll listen. Then your problem might just disappear." And he mumbled to himself, "Whatever it is."

"Well... it's worth a shot." He stood and as he was walking back toward the kitchen said, "Thanks Dad."

"No problem."

Derek walked into the kitchen confidently, ready to face Casey. Looking around though, he only found Nora and Marti; Nora cleaning up and Marti still eating some chips. He stopped short when he saw them, "But – where'd Ca- everybody go?"

Nora looked up from the dishes, "Hmm? Oh, they went upstairs. To their rooms I think. It is a school night you know."

Nodding his head Derek turned to the stairs nervously.

A/N: Like? Don't like? hate? Tell me! In a private message, review, or any way of your choosing. Reviews are prefered though. :D Keep an eye out for the next chapter! Review please!

-Abz