A/N: I hadn't planned on writing this chapter for a few days but I couldn't help myself, I got so many wonderful reviews. Thanks. As for the chapter, I like it as a whole but I don't know . . . I feel like it could have been better. Hope you all like it though.

It's really late, or really early - depending on how you look at it. Sorry if it isn't up to par or has a lot of mistakes . . .

Enjoy and review

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 17: Addiction

Casey woke up happier than ever the next morning. At some point in the night, she turned over and was now facing Derek. Both of his arms were still wrapped around her and her hands were on his chest. She thought that she had never had a better nights sleep before in her life.

Opening her eyes slowly, she looked over at the clock on her desk across the room. It was way too early to be up. Sighing, she placed her head back on Derek's chest and ran her fingers slowly along his bare arm. Feeling him stir besides her, she stopped moving so that she wouldn't wake him.

Derek felt the movement across his arm and began to wake. He prayed that it was Casey besides him and not a pillow in his arms. Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the top of her head, her long hair spilling over his shoulder. Without realizing what he was doing, he lifted one of his arms and began to run his hand through her hair. Over the years her long dark hair called to his fingers, and now they were tingling as they were running through her soft locks.

Moving her head so her chin rested on his chest, Casey looked into Derek's eyes. "Good morning," she smiled up at him.

Dipping his head slightly, Derek kissed her forehead and whispered, "Yes, yes it is." Waking up to Casey in his arms is something he wanted to do everyday. He had never had a better nights sleep, never felt so warm or peaceful. It was the best morning of his life.

Casey adjusted herself and buried her face into the crook of his neck. Breathing in, she was overpowered by the most intoxicating scent. It was a mixture of Derek's body wash, aftershave and something else. She couldn't put her finger on the last thing, but she decided she liked that smell the most.

"Mmm, you smell good."

Smiling, Derek pulled Casey closer to him. Her head was now against his cheek and her hair was covering half of his face. He as well was hit with a very fascinating scent. It wasn't her normal coconuts and apples, but it was just as good, if not better.

"You too," he said while taking in a deep breath, wanting more of the overwhelming smell that filled his senses.

"Derek," Casey said while pushing off of him a little. "I haven't taken a shower since Saturday morning. I must stink." She felt the blood rush to her face as she realized that she slept so close to him the night before. He probably thinks I'm gross.

Pulling her back to him, Derek shook his head. "It's the best thing I have ever smelt in my life . . . Better than coconuts and apples." Realizing that he hadn't taken a shower in 2 days either, he spoke again. "And besides, you like the way I smell."

"Yeah, you're point?"

"I haven't showered since Saturday morning too," he said smirking at her.

Burying her head back into his neck from slight embarrassment, she realized that the unknown fragrance was purely Derek. Relishing in his scent once again, Casey decided she didn't care how she smelled, she was just happy that Derek liked it.

Laying together for a little while longer, Derek noticed that Casey made no attempt to get into the shower yet. She had class about an hour before him, so she was usually up much earlier than he needed to be. Groaning, he realized that although the sun was out, it was not shining through the curtains as brightly as it did when he would normally roll out of bed.

"Case, what time is it?" He really didn't want to know, but he thought if it was early enough, he mind be able to get a little more sleep with Casey in his arms before she had to get up.

"Too early," she whined, adjusting herself into a better position.

With her now being able to see Derek's face, she brought a hand up to move his hair from his eyes. Turning slightly so he could get a better look at her, he felt like he couldn't breathe. Casey's eyes looked tired, but they still held this sparkle that Derek felt was engrained into his memory. She looked adorningly at him, making his heart skip a beat. If he ever had any doubts about how she felt about him, he knew all he had to do was look in her eyes. How could I have not seen it before? The love was pouring out of her through her eyes.

Moving his head a little closer, Derek kissed her sweetly on the lips. After a few moments, he moved back and opened his eyes, only to find that Casey's were open as well. "I love you so much Case."

Barely above a whisper, Casey replied was a small smile gracing her lips. "I know, you wear your emotion in your eyes." Leaning in, she captured his lips for only a few seconds. "And I love you too."

Derek pulled her closer to him, turning her over so that they could form the perfect fit from the night before. Casey fell into a state of complete bliss. The love and warmth radiating through her body from Derek made her not want to ever leave the bed. The overpowering sense of happiness and the feel of Derek's breathe against her neck slowly started to drift her back into sleep. Snuggling more into Derek's embrace, her eyes began to close slowly just as her alarm started beeping.

Derek smiled when he heard Casey moan a no as she leaned over and hit the snooze alarm. Pushing her hair off of her shoulder, Derek found that his lips were instantly attracted to the tantalizing skin, kissing anywhere they could. Settling back against him, she felt Derek mumble something into her neck, as he began to kiss his way towards her shoulder.

"What?" Casey managed to choke out through the moans that were making their way out of her mouth.

Stopping for a moment, Derek tore his lips away from the sweet tasting skin in the small area where Casey's neck met her shoulder. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"I didn't know you could make breakfast."

Nipping at her neck, a little out of not being able to control himself and trying to act mad at Casey's lack of faith in him, he didn't expect the soft moan that escaped Casey's lips. Licking the place his teeth just bit into, he wanted to entice the same sound to come out of her. Pleasantly surprised by what little attention could bring, Derek made his way up her neck to her ear, tracing the outside with the tip of his tongue.

Shivering under his touch, Casey wiggled her way out of his grip and turned to face him. As he tried to catch her lips with his, she ducked out of the way, giggling as her lips found his neck. Attaching herself to a particular place that made music to her ears, she began to suck, knowing it would leave a mark. My mark on my Derek. Just as she was about to pull away to admire her results, the alarm started beeping again.

This time it was Derek that groaned and hit the alarm. But to Casey's dismay, he got off the bed and pulled Casey off with him. Pulling her into a hug, Derek told her to get into the shower while he made breakfast. Watching him walk out of her room, Casey felt a small frown form on her face. She wished that she was the type of person who was willing to miss class, because she wanted to stay in bed all day with Derek.

A little while later, Casey was back in her room after her shower. Looking through her closet, she found herself looking for something she thought Derek would like. Passing over most of her clothes, she settled on a form fitting hunter green shirt and a black shirt. It wasn't spectacular, but she knew he would like the green.

Making her way into the kitchen, she saw that Derek was still in his pajamas, standing in front of the stove. She quietly snuck up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, placing feather light kisses across his shirtless back. Feeling him shudder, Casey smiled into her kisses.

Turning around, Derek wrapped his arms around Casey's waist and lifted her slightly, bringing her lips to his. Walking her to the table, he plopped her down into a chair before turning back to the stove. He placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her and turned to grab the glass of apple juice from the counter. Grabbing his own plate and drink, he sat down across from her.

Looking up, he noticed the surprised look on Casey's face. Rolling his eyes, Derek began to eat. "I bet you were expecting one of my famous bowls of cereal or amazing toast."

"Actually, yeah I was." Casey finally brought the fork up to her mouth and began to eat. "I don't understand it . . . You can't handle baked chicken but you can make eggs? I didn't even teach you how to make eggs."

"I think that's the point Case." She noticed the slow blush begin to rise in Derek's cheeks. "I'm able to concentrate and pay attention when your mom cooks. But with you, it's a completely different story."

Casey felt herself blushing at Derek's confession. She hadn't realized how much of an effect she had on him. She began to think of the effect he had on her. Just one look in his eyes and she melts, one touch and her knees buckle, and now with just one kiss she's all his. He brings out all of these conflicting yet comforting feelings. She feels lost and found at the same time, she feels like she's drowning yet safely on the sand, she feels like she's floating on cloud nine and well, pretty much just floating on cloud nine.

Derek noticed that Casey was spacing out. She had that look on her face like that night in the kitchen a few weeks before. Derek finally knew what was on her mind that night, like he knew what was on her mind right now . . . him.

Smirking, he grabbed a piece of egg off his plate and threw it at Casey, knocking her from her thoughts. She tried to scowl at him, but she couldn't help the smile from forming on her lips. She grabbed the piece of egg that fell into her lap and threw it back at Derek. He was about to throw it back, but Casey suddenly got up.

"I have to get going or else I will be late." Casey walked out of the kitchen and towards her room. Gathering her books, Casey made her way to the front door. "See you la-"

She was cut off when Derek came up behind her, spun her around and planted his lips on her own. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her body up against his, making him fall back into the wall. After a few minutes Casey murmured against his lips "I really don't want to leave."

Breaking the kiss reluctantly, Derek leaned his forehead against Casey's. "My Casey doesn't cut class."

Jumping for joy on the inside, Casey cocked an eyebrow and smirked. "Your Casey?"

"Yeah, you have a problem with that?" Derek said before lightly kissing her again.

Looking him in the eye, she shook her head no. She had absolutely no problem being his.

Pulling herself off of him, she kissed his cheek and was about to pull away when Derek wrapped his arm around her. Keeping Casey close, Derek whispered in her ear, "Are you trying to drive me crazy wearing green?"

Completely red, Casey tried to put on her best innocent face and shrugged. Kissing Derek one more time, Casey grabbed her jacket and left the apartment for her first class.

When Casey left, Derek cleaned up the kitchen and made his way to the bathroom to take a shower. Although he was encompassed by coconuts and apples, it wasn't the same anymore. He missed what he smelt that morning. After stepping out and drying himself with the towel, Derek went to the sink to brush his teeth when something caught his eye. Turning his head to get a better look, he saw a rather large hickey forming on neck.

All through his drawing class, Derek couldn't seem to get Casey off of his mind. He saw her in front of him, felt her lips on his own. He was glad that he was allowed to draw whatever he wanted that day, because he was pretty sure that anything else would somehow turn into Casey.

Halfway through his class, he realized it would only be a little while longer until he would see Casey again. Thinking about being near Casey made his lips curl into a smile. Unfortunately for him, the dumb blonde from the first day of class thought that the smile was for her.

Making her way over to him, she started snapping her gum while running her finger along his arm. Over the past few weeks he learned her name was Gloria and that she was very interested in him. He had told her numerous times that he had a girlfriend and that he was not interested in her, but she didn't seem to take that as an option. She had told him she will believe it when she sees this supposed girlfriend.

Pushing her off and telling her as nicely as possible to leave him alone, Derek continued his drawing of Casey, seeming to take more time on her lips than he ever had before. They captivated him and he couldn't get them off of his mind. He thought about how they moved when she spoke, how her teeth lightly touched her bottom lip when she said his name. They were the most remarkable lips he had ever laid his eyes on. And it warmed his heart to know that they were all his.

His class ended a little earlier than usual, so he rushed out of the classroom, headed for his next class. Remembering that this class was with Casey, he picked up his pace and made his way across campus towards the lecture halls. Entering the building, he felt himself pushed up against a wall. Thinking it was Casey, he closed his eyes in anticipation of her lips.

"I know you want me," came from a familiar voice close to his ear. But to his disgust, it came from Gloria. He didn't notice her trailing behind him the whole time he was walking to history, as his mind was preoccupied with a certain someone else.

Grabbing her by the shoulders, he pushed her arms length away from his and glared as her. "I thought I told you I was not interested. I am with someone else, someone who's not you."

Shrugging his hands off her shoulders, Gloria stepped a little closer to him and smiled what he thought was supposed to be a sexy smile. It actually made him want to throw up. "I can see it in your eyes Derry, you don't love her. We can just have a little fun, it doesn't have to mean anything. You don't even have to tell that little brunette of yours." It sickened him at the nickname she insisted to call him by. It also sickened him that she thought she knew him. She didn't know how wrong she was about what was in his eyes.

Casey watched the whole scene play out from across the hall. She wasn't worried. She knew Derek loved her and didn't want anything to do with this little slut in front of him. She actually found it quite funny that she couldn't take the hint. Casey saw the disgust in his face and the roll of his eyes.

Taking pity on the one she loved, Casey made her way over to the poor boy cornered by the floozy in front of him. Slipping into the small space between them, Casey grabbed the back of Derek's head and smashed her lips into his. Bringing her other arm up and around his neck, she pushed him back to the wall and brought her body flush against his.

She hadn't realized how much she missed this, how much she missed him. It had barely been 3 and a half hours since she last saw him, but now she thought it had been too long. Darting her tongue out of her mouth, she just needed to taste him. Mmm, peppermint and Derek. It was all too intoxicating.

Derek couldn't help but smile into the kiss. Casey was taking control and he loved it. Her lips, tongue, body . . . it was all driving him crazy. He had been daydreaming about this since the second she left the apartment that morning. He didn't realize that his heart was aching for this all day. His lips were throbbing for her succulent lips, begging for them since the last time they had them.

Needing air, the kiss broke and their chests were heaving onto the other's. Opening his eyes to see a pissed off Gloria walk away he smiled at Casey. "Getting even again are we?"

Shaking her head no, Casey tried to regain her breathe. "I think I'm addicted to you Derek Venturi."

Derek grabbed Casey's hips and spun them around, slamming her into the wall that he was just leaning on. Licking his lips, he leaned in and began kissing Casey again. He thought how right she was. Casey was his addiction and he was not planning on ever giving her up.

This kiss was passionate and breathtaking. But whenever one broke for oxygen, the other attacked once again. Thinking his lungs were going to collapse, Derek pulled his lips away and nudged Casey's head out of the way to find her neck. Kissing, sucking, licking, biting . . . Derek couldn't seem to get enough. He decided that she tasted too good, like a child's first piece of chocolate. She was definitely his new favorite snack.

"I wouldn't want you to go through withdrawal," he mumbled into her skin.

Feeling Casey's chest vibrate from the moan she was trying not to let out, Derek began to suck on the spot that she seemed to enjoy the most. "Mmm, Derek," coming from her lips made him suck a little harder.

After a few moments, they heard someone clear their throat. Looking towards the person trying to get their attention, Derek noticed it was one of his teammates. "Class starts in a few minutes Venturi. Wouldn't want you to be late." Motioning to Casey's neck he said with a laugh in his voice, "Nice work by the way."

Looking at Casey's forming hickey, which matched his perfectly, he snickered. "I guess we were still getting even." Seeing the questioning look on her face, he pulled down the collar of his shirt a little to show Casey's hard work.

She leaned up and kissed it lightly. Bringing her face to his ear she whispered, "Are you just copying me or trying to drive me crazy?" Furrowing his eyebrows down at her, she tugged at his shirt. "Green Derek, it really does suit you."