Author's Note Megan, about the Sam thing, you're good. I actually was trying to express that Casey was getting worn down, and at the moment couldn't be bothered with what she wanted to originally say to Sam. I hoped I would keep it secret till later, but it made me so excited that you saw it! I wanted Casey to be on time originally, but my mind suddenly skewed into Derek going on his own tangent and passing up the school. I think it worked out better that way anyways. . Lizzie was the one who wanted to start investigating. Derek did things for reasons that only involved himself which confused her on why he asked Casey to help tutor him. Then Casey screamed bloody murder and neither one of them would tell her what it was all about. Of course I didn't show her asking Casey because it's in Derek's POV. She told Edwin and asked for his help so he talked to Derek. Hope that helped! (It's not too important to the plot so I put it in the author's note. Ps. I don't like my title at the moment, just like my first LWD story I plan to change it. If anyone has a neat idea for one, I am up to suggestions. R&R!!

Disclaimer Pish-posh. Owning life with Derek would be like owning the Eiffel tower. Too magnificent and captivating to figure out what to do with it. Or wait…Was that Derek's manliness? Either way, the statement holds true. I don't own it.

Derek started to head towards Casey's room when a hand coming out from his room pulled him back. It was Casey. She shut the door quietly and turned to look at him.

"I lie just fine you dimwit."

"No you don't." Derek chuckled at her. She was still worked up about him saying that she sucked at lying. If she wasn't so 2D, then maybe she would become better, but he liked her not being able to lie to him. It gave him an advantage.

"No matter, because what you say isn't that important. It's not what I wanted to talk to you about." Casey smirked.

"What is it then?" Derek questioned, rolling his eyes.

"I don't want you to come anywhere near me. I don't want anything to happen." He pushed her forward and up against the door. His eyes didn't leave hers as he locked the door.

"Nothing?" Casey looked at his lips then pushed him away.

"Nothing."

"You're so frustrating!" He stated loudly.

"Like you aren't? I'm trying to get what I want you to do to happen, and all you can think about is yourself."

"I'm not thinking about myself. I'm thinking about you."

"Sure, but you don't care about what I want." Derek started to say something, but she cut him off. "I don't care what you want either. Do you see why this won't work? Besides, I wouldn't belittle myself to getting with you!"

"Why?"

"Because we are steps. We can't."

"Yes we can."

"You just don't get it do you? I suppose you never will. You're so thick headed and stubborn."

"I am not thick headed." Derek said pointing an angry finger at her. Casey looked away. "How can you do that? We started to have something, I'm not sure what, but something was there. I can't quit now, how come you can?"

"You just want me for convenience."

"Where did you hear that?" He asked instantly.

"I heard you say it to Lizzie."

"I was talking about you tutoring me, which I still want you to do."

"No. We'll just end up doing this." Casey made a gesture with her hands.

"No, we won't. We'll fight all this out when you're not tutoring me."

"I don't want to fight with you. I want nothing to do with you. Once you get that through your head we'll have a happier house." She tried to turn to leave, but Derek pressed himself on her so she couldn't move.

"It's you that doesn't understand. Think about it. Me and you?"

"Derek." Casey shook her head. She was too sensible for him, and he wanted to act on whim. It was something he was used to.

"Casey."

"Derek, get off of me."

"You'll leave."

"Yeah, that's the point. I have to think."

"You always have to think!"

"So? You never do."

"I do too. Just because it's not annoyingly obvious doesn't mean I don't."

"You're the one that's annoying." She tried to cross her arms but ended up poking his sides. Derek smirked as she glared at him with frustration.

"Why don't you just give it a try?" Casey sighed.

"I hoped it wouldn't come to this. If you don't leave me alone about it then I will tell Sam."

"Fine. Tell him. I don't care." Derek did care, but he, unlike Casey, was good at lying.

"I'll tell Mom and George." He hid his fear.

"They won't believe you."

"Are you willing to chance that?" She smirked up at him when he didn't respond.

"What if you came to me? Would you still tell if we ended up talking about it?" Derek smiled, already knowing that she probably wouldn't tell Nora and his dad anyway. Might as well play her game.

"I suppose not. But I doubt that'll happen." Casey tried pushing him off but he held her tight against the door.

"One more thing before you go."

"What?" She asked lackadaisically. Derek's lips collided with hers and her head tilted out and in to his. Casey took advantage of the distraction and pushed him away from her. She turned, unlocked the door and left. Too bad I already saw her smiling. He smirked to himself. Casey will come back, she always did. Maybe she would come back at night. I shouldn't count on chance. I have to do something to make her come to me. Casey is a challenge and I plan to conquer this challenge and put her up as a trophy in my mind. No wonder I have been trying so hard. She is playing hard to get. Well, Derek Venturi accepts her challenge.

Derek walked over to his desk and started jotting down notes to himself. He would be sure to forget if he didn't take this precaution.

1. Find her journal and read recent entries.

2. Leave reminders of me in her room.

3. Become friends with her.

4. Make sure she still tutors me.

5. Is there a five?

Derek took the paper and shoved it in his drawer, then headed downstairs to watch TV. He didn't expect to see Casey down there, but he saw Lizzie and Edwin watching a hockey game. Derek plopped into his chair and took the controller. They didn't object because they knew he wasn't going to change it. Holding the remote just made him feel powerful. Oh how he loved to be in control.