A/N: I know I just updated, but I've been on a roll lately! Already have ten chapters of this written! So, just to celebrate (and because, obviously, I want to get to that UST ASAP) I thought I'd post another chapter!

Thanks to the reviewers Balyndaba and shyesplease (I've read your stuff! I like it!), and to Balyndaba, desibookworm, and twilightobsession20 for favoriting and Balyndaba and Nollypoo for following. Every time I have an email from FFNet in my inbox, my heart leaps with joy like a hyperactive young child. Or a hyperactive older child. In any case, THANK YOU!


Chapter Three: Be Ready

If Derek had expected her to come up with something on the spot, he would've been sorely mistaken. As soon as he'd offered it, Casey knew she intended to think long and hard about how she might use this particular favor.

When she'd dropped him off in front of his building she hadn't yet thought of anything, and his smirk was beginning to falter.

When he'd confronted her the next day in the café/coffee shop of the Student Union building (how he knew she'd be there, she had no idea, although it was part of her weekly routine to split her time on Sundays between home, the café, and the library) it was even more hesitant.

Finally, after asking (in person or via text) at least once a day for nearly a week (during which he had a hearing with QU security and was granted an official warning – no fines or penalties necessary – which may have contributed to a bit of guilt on his end, if he was anything approximating human) his grin had officially slipped to a grimace. Perhaps it was the guilt, but he seemed more eager than ever to be rid of his debt. She was reminded – with a surge of malicious delight – just how fun it was to hold something over his head. Like when she'd faked how bad her ankle was hurt… ah, the good times back in high school. (She chose not to remember the downsides of that particular venture.)

He finally approached her, the next Friday afternoon, in her usual library nook.

Completely disregarding basic human decency rules for libraries, he tossed his backpack on the table with a thud and clatter that surely would've been heard several shelves over, and vaulted over the arm of the cozy couch that had been placed in this particular nook to claim his new territory, his whole body splaying out in a lounging posture, forcing Casey to shift all the way to the edge of the sofa to avoid his wet sneakers.

"Der-ek!" No matter how much she wanted to yell, she kept her voice to an angry whisper (because she actually cared about following the rules of basic human decency) as she glared daggers at her stepbrother. "What do you think you're doing?!"

He had affixed her with a determined – almost desperate – smirk. "I figured it out. I figured out how I can pay off this stupid debt."

"Shh!" She pointed to the sign on a nearby shelf that reminded students to keep their voices down in consideration of others. "How did you even find me here?"

He grimaced and rolled his eyes, but his voice lowered (still not a whisper, but a low rumble that she'd accept for the time being). "Asked that hot blonde you room with." The 'hot blonde' in question was Casey's suitemate Alicia. Casey had met her during the two stage productions she'd participated in last year. It was weird to hear Derek describe the girl, who Casey had mostly seen wearing all black tech crew wear, as a 'hot blonde,' but (she rationalized) Alicia was, indeed, blonde, and had a habit of wearing PJ shorts and tank tops while hanging around the suite.

Derek shrugged off the outrage of Casey's question and continued, "Look: you like Gable right?"

Casey felt her cheeks go pink. Wesley Gable, the TA of her Psych 101 section, was only the undisputed most lusted-after student on campus. He was kind, smart, funny, a member of both the campus activity board and one of the most well-respected fraternities on campus, and a starting defender on the hockey team. Also – of course – incredibly attractive. Any heterosexual female at Queen's would be lying if they said they weren't interested. "…maybe."

He narrowed his eyes at her in a look that said 'that is the least believable lie you've ever told, and we all know you're a horrible liar' – but he didn't jibe her. "Well, what if I told you I could hook you two up." It wasn't a question, despite being phrased as one, it was more of a potential statement.

Casey blinked in disbelief. She was opening her mouth before she could stop and think about her actions. "Yes."

Hmm… maybe she should've considered her other options first. She didn't like seeing the (relieved?) look of satisfaction coupled with Derek's newly cheeky grin.

"Lovely." He brushed his hands together as though cleaning them and stood. "Productive meeting, Princess. Good talk."

He was already picking up his bag again when Casey came to her senses. She turned around, rising on her knees on the couch to face him. "Wait!" She recognized the volume of her own voice and blushed as she lowered it again, but she'd at least gotten his attention, as he stood looking at her with an expectant raised brow, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. "How is this going to work?"

He pointed at her. "This is what I now have to figure out. How we can turn you from Klutzilla to…" his hand lowered and he shot her a withering smirk. "Well, anything even slightly resembling a desirable female, is going to be a personal triumph." If arrogant delinquent was a fragrance, Derek would be the spokesperson. "But it's a task I will bravely attempt."

She glared at him, though she still hadn't quite come to her senses enough for the glare to hold much bite.

Derek took a couple steps closer, and blatantly looked her up and down – and Casey had to stop herself from cringing or pushing him away. "…I think it's doable…" The melodramatic doubt in his voice made her lips thin. "Just know that you'll have to follow my advice to the letter. Are you willing to do that, Princess?" His words were patronizing, but she could also sense the challenge in them.

Casey hesitated. But she never backed down from a challenge. Especially one issued by this particular insufferable bastard (in the colloquial, not literal, sense of the word). Sitting up straight, jaw set determinedly, she nodded.

"Great. My place, 8 o'clock." He walked backward a few steps, nodding his goodbye before turning. When he was a good ten feet away he tossed, over his shoulder, in a voice loud enough that Casey was sure others in the library must've heard; "And at least try to wear something sexy."


A/N: This chapter's title was once again mined from a song I listened to while writing. Derek in his badass/asshole-dom seemed fitting of some of my 'this music makes me feel like a rebel' tracks. This particular chapter was 'Tighten Up' by The Black Keys. It was hard to pick a lyric from the song, 'cause they didn't really fit, but at the same time the song just felt like it embodied his strut, in a way. Am I wrong? Lemme know with a review.

And this chapter's fun fact: there are actually no fraternities or sororities at Queen's University (yes, I did briefly attempt research). But, since it's a common trope in Dasey college fics, and I'm trying not to get so caught up in research-based holdups (I lose hours to this stuff), I figure I'll keep it, and try not to get sucked into a search for the perfect frat name. (Then again, if you have suggestions, I'm very open!)

Also, I just realized (as I'm watching through every episode of LWD) that I had the whole time frame off. At this point Nora and George would've been married for around 3 years, maybe 3 ½. But oh well. It wasn't clear in the show until season 3. In other words: not my fault.

Review?