-1 New and final chapter guys! I'm very sorry for not updating lately but 2007 has not been a nice year for me. So I am ending this chapter nice and long and perfect. For all my fans that I love dearly I have a new story coming out hopefully tonight. I have a plan to type out all of my chapters and post them 2 or 3 at a time so you have plenty to read! Lol well here we go the final installment to this one.

Chapter 5: The Truth Is Inevitably the End

Cassie sat there staring at her sister go on about what she and Edwin had picked up on. How they were being nice to each other…too nice for comfort. The punch to the jaw. And the punch to the heart that Cassie gave Derek.

Derek sat there staring at his brother go on about what he and Lizzie had discovered. How he would act weird every time he left Cassie's room. The long conversation he had with Cassie in her room although they weren't exactly sure what he had said. And the pain he felt when Cassie didn't believe him.

"We know…you two are horrible at hiding it." Lizzie had told her sister with her arms crossed and a raised eyebrow.

"You should really try harder at hiding your feelings. I think it was possible for Marti to even put it together." Edwin said to his brother with his arms crossed and a small laugh with a hint of fear.

Derek and Cassie just sat there. Each in their own rooms. Thinking.

Derek was the first to speak to Edwin. "Why…do you even care." he said quietly.

"Probably because it was awkward enough to find out."

"Get out." Derek said as he pointed to the door. Edwin didn't move -which was amazement even to him- and began to speak again. "Why aren't you leaving?" Derek asked with an annoyed tone.

"Because I have more to say."

Lizzie began to walk towards Cassie as she finally began to speak. "I don't know what to do Lizzie. I am trying to get over Sam and all of a sudden Derek decides to tell me the truth? I can't deal with it Lizzie! I think I made up the lamest excuse in the world to get past the truth. All American Reject Tickets? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Cassie let out a scream in her pillow and then breathed out heavily.

Lizzie rolled her eyes and looked at Cassie. "Case, you really shouldn't have done that though. I know that you do love him back. Edwin and I have known that for a while now. It's not that hard to put together."

Cassie sighed and looked back at her. "But you realize…that the two of you together -although very cute- can cause some trouble. I mean do you honestly think that mom and George will be okay with their kids getting together? I mean…this isn't the movie Because I Said So!"

Cassie stared at her and raised her eyebrow. Lizzie sighed and continued. "You know…when Mandy Moore and that guy she likes hook up but her mom is like making out with Mandy's guy's dad?"

A blank stare again. "Never mind. Just think about it okay. If you really think it will work between the two of you than by all means be happy." Lizzie smiled and got up.

Cassie looked at her and said softly. "How do you do it." Lizzie looked back at her with a questioning look. "Love Edwin yet play it off." Lizzie looked down and then at the door.

"I…I just do." and with that she closed the door and walked off. Cassie looked at the door knob and then at the direction of Derek's room.

"Look Derek. Do you honestly think you can be the guy that Casey needs? You shouldn't tangle yourself up in this web if you don't think you can handle it."

"But I love her Edwin." he said as he punched his pillow and looked at the ceiling with a frustrated expression.

"I know…but really…think about it. I love Lizzie but I have never told her the truth about my feelings. I don't want to ruin everything. I mean…what if I do something wrong and I hurt her. I'll be forced to see her hurt everyday when I walk in through that door."

Derek looked at Edwin "You've been thinking about this haven't you. About Lizzie I mean?" Edwin looked at the door and shook his head.

"Forget about it. Just think okay? Don't jump into anything too huge." he said as he turned on his heel and held the door knob. "I don't know what it is about these MacDonald girls…they have us Venturis shot."

He opened the door and left, leaving Derek on his bed to think.

The night went by and it was about 3 in the morning. Everyone asleep and in their beds. Except Cassie and Derek. Each of them almost in the same position that they had been when their siblings had talked to them. Cassie got up from her bed and slowly walked out her room and into the kitchen. Derek heard her come out of her room and he shot up from his bed. He quietly followed her into the kitchen.

She was sitting at the breakfast table with her head buried in her hands. Derek lightly touched her back and smiled at her.

"Hey…" a short silence interrupted by Casey's smile to his response. She repeated the same phrase to him only in a softer tone. "So Lizzie talked to you?"

"Yea…Edwin talked to you about us -" Cassie was interrupted by his nod. "Oh."

"He told me that…we shouldn't be together…although…you don't love me nor believe me when I say that I do. So I guess it makes no difference." Derek turned his back to Cassie and pretended he was doing something else.

Cassie got up from her chair and snuck behind him. "Look…I'm sorry for not believing you. I just…I'm not doing so good lately and its hard to believe some things. Especially this coming from you. I mean…I don't want to hurt my mom and George if us being together will affect them."

Derek turned and looked at her blue eyes. It hurt that he thought…he couldn't be what she needed.

"Your right. We shouldn't. And to be honest…I don't want to hurt you. I can't live with that. I love you too much." he looked down but felt a hand touch his chin. Cassie lifted it slowly and looked at him.

"You could never hurt me. I'm numb because of how much I love you." and she kissed him for what seemed to them an eternity. But…unfortunately it wasn't.

It had to been a few months later…maybe a year because now Derek looked different and so did everyone else. They got older.

Derek had gone out with one more person since that night and her name was Kendra. It lasted bit longer than usual relationships he has had but its been heard that it was because he tried to get into a serious relationship and forget about Cassie. It didn't work.

Casey is currently going out with a guy named Max. She is happy with him but every now and then there are some signs that show she still loves Derek. She is trying to move on as well.

The family goes on about its normal crazy lives. Everyone acting as they should. The love between Casey and Derek is hidden until sundown.

Both of them continue to meet each other at night to spend the few hours they can together like they wanted to. Kissing….talking…hugging…just the things that lovers would normally do. Just…Dasey style.

Alright people! That was the final chapter I hope you liked it. I'm going to post my new story over the weekend when I get to my dad's house. R&R for this story though!! 3