Chapter Two:

Words: Story: 765, Total: 773

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After cake and presents, there wasn't much time left, as it had already gotten dark and it was still raining heavily. Sam and Emily left about an hour after she read Derek's card, and Casey had to admit, her mind was focused on Derek's words. She had eventually written it off as a misprint, as a mistake.

It was surprising to Derek, to see Sam at Casey's party. They had broken up a few months before, but apparently had remained friends. This still pissed Derek off, somehow, even though Sam wasn't drooling over Casey anymore, didn't mean there weren't feelings there. And it was the feelings he had hated. He had only recently found out why.

Casey walked up the stairs to Derek's room, quickly knocking on the door, before barging in. She froze when she saw Derek sitting in only his boxers on his bed. Her eyes traveled over his body once, before she spoke, embarrassed.

"Um…Can you…put on…pants?" She asked as she shut the door behind her. Derek quickly threw on a pair of black pajama pants and a white t-shirt. He opened the door to find Casey staring at the floor on the other side.

"It's alright, Case. I'm not naked." She blushed, but wondered at his tone. Why did he sound so sincerely kind? She just nodded and came into his room. "I'm taking this is about your birthday present.

"Yeah. Why the secrecy, Derek? The suspense is killing me, since I figured you'd give me a gag gift, but it wouldn't be a gag unless you gave it to me in front of Sam and Emily." He smiled, really smiled, up at her.

"Don't worry too much, it's not a gag. I'm really hoping you like it. When I first saw it, it reminded me of you." He went to his desk where a store-wrapped present sat. He handed it to her, motioning for her to sit on his bed. "Sit down and open it already!"

Casey complied with his wishes, trying hard not to glance up when his weight made the mattress slant. She put her hands on the triangle tabs of wrapping paper at the ends; gently tugging until they gave, then she couldn't control her eagerness, and ripped the rest of the paper away. She was amazed at the present staring up at her.

It was a carved wood box, inlaid with semi-precious gem stones and crystals. The box had two doves sitting facing each other, their eyes blue lace agate, and the carved triangle zigzag pattern around the lid was inlaid with vibrant swirling dark blue crystals.

"They reminded me of your eyes." Derek spoke softly as he ran his finger over the pattern. "Some are lapis lazuli and others are blue celestilite. The lady at the store said something about truth stone and good communications. Something new age, like that. I just thought it was nice. So, do you like it?"

All Casey could do was nod; she was too overwhelmed to speak for a moment.

"Derek, this is…amazing. I love it." She couldn't believe Derek, who had always made fun of her had gotten her something this wonderful.

"Open it up." He said, gently commanding. Her gasp of surprise was very loud as she pulled out a beautiful silver necklace, with a spiral pendant that had an emerald in the center.

"But Derek, you can definitely not afford this! It's very beautiful…but Derek, honestly, how much did it cost you?" He shook his head.

"It wasn't that expensive, Case. Besides, you needed it. It suits you."

"Derek…Thank you. I never thought that you would do this for me. You've made my birthday better, and it was a pretty good birthday to start with. Thanks." Casey began to give Derek an awkward hug, but was surprised when Derek pulled her into a real hug, gently stroking her back as he whispered into her hair.

"Tell me you know I never mean the things I say. Tell me that we can pretend to hate each other tomorrow. Tell me this is all it takes for you to see the truth." She pulled away suddenly.

"What are you talking about, Derek?" She asked softly.

"This." was his only words as he bent forward and captured her lips in a sweet but very passionate kiss. "You'll hate me tomorrow, Case, but at least you'll know I love you." He kissed her again before she could protest. After he kissed her the second time, he gently coaxed her out of his room, with a promise of, 'we'll talk tomorrow'.