Casey felt the goose bumps rising on her skin as Cappie's hands began a torturously slow journey to her thighs. His lips played against hers and she was completely lost in the familiarity of his touch. She found herself for once not wishing the kiss was deeper, or his touch firmer, like she usually did with Evan and a sudden realization hit her.

An epiphany of sorts actually. She had spent the last year wishing Evan was Cappie. Every time he touched her, she wished silently in the back of her mind that it was Cappie touching her. How could she have missed that ? How could she have not realized it earlier ?

" What ? " he asked, moving to rest on his heels as he looked at her critically.

" What what ? " she answered, not understanding.

" You drifted off for a minute there. Like you were thinking about something." he smiled. " I mean I don't want to intrude on your thought process, but we were kinda in the middle of something. "

She grinned. " I was just thinking about how much I love kissing you. " she admitted.

He threw his head back and gave a bark of laughter. " Then I really don't want to interrupt. Please go back to thinking. "

She joined him in laughter. " This feels so nice. "

" Yes it does. " He agreed leaning forward again and brushing the hair from her shoulder. " I'm so glad you're here. " Then he leaned back again, this time taking one of her feet in hand, resting it in his lap as he slipped her shoe off and tossed it aside. He repeated the motion with her other foot.

He brought the foot to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on the to of it. Then he moved to her ankle, taking a moment to sucked and nibble. His eyes were locked on her with a deep penetrating stare that rocked her almost as much as what his mouth was doing to her foot. He continued up her leg, kissing and licking at her skin as he moved with a leisurely pace that drove her crazy.

She gasped as he reached the tender flesh of the back of her knee and bit down gently. Her leg jerked in his hands. He held tight and continued his route.

Once he reached the edge of her skirt, he dropped her leg and took the other one, giving it the same treatment.

She leaned back, her hands behind her on the bed, bracing her and her head hanging slack. She felt her hair brush against her back where her shirt wasn't covering her and it only added to her aroused state. Her stomach flopped and her breathing hitched as he continued to play across every inch of her legs with his mouth. It was the sweetest, excruciating, torment she had ever endured. This was something Evan truly lacked. He never took his time like this. He never teased her to the point where she couldn't take anymore. He never adored her body this way. And that is what it seemed Cappie was doing, adoring her with his mouth, worshiping her with his soft touches.

It startled her when she felt him rise suddenly, resting a knee between hers on the bed and leaning over her possessively.

He kissed her, his tongue searching, drawing her out as his arms went around her and pulled her so tightly to him, she couldn't take a full breath. There simply wasn't room between them for her lungs to fully expand. She felt him sigh against her lips as her hands moved around him.

She rested her back against the bed for a moment before he stood and brought her along with him. Her eyes questioned his, but she soon understood as his hands moved to the hem of her shirt and he tossed it quickly over her shoulder. She returned the gesture, stripping him of his still wet t-shirt. They wordlessly divested each other of the rest of their clothing, letting their hands feel the naked flesh underneath the material as soon as it disappeared.

" You are just as perfect as I remember. " he whispered, taking in every inch of her.

She did the same, letting her eyes wonder over him, so different from Evan. His shoulders broader, his waist narrower. His muscles weren't quite as defined, but his skin held the bronze quality that said he spent most of his time outside in the sun.

She made to return the compliment but his kiss stopped her before she got the chance and suddenly he was easing her back to the bed, gently like he thought she might shatter any moment. He towered over her, letting his mouth once against taste her, his pace still so incredibly slow.

Her nails racked across his shoulder as he took her breast into his mouth, while his hand rested on the curve of her hip.

He was apply the same treatment to her other breast when an buzzing sounded from the pile of clothes on the floor. He threw his head back again and looked to the ceiling. " What is it about this breast ? " he asked, taking the offending mound of flesh in his hand. " Is there a button on here or something ? "

She laughed out loud, as he closely examined her for some sort of alarm that would bring on interruptions. " Just ignore it. " she told him, bringing his mouth back to her and kissing him.

And he tried, she could tell he really tried, just as she did, to ignore the ringing of her phone. But an annoyed grunt told her it wasn't working as the damn thing continued to ring.

She pushed him away from her and untangled the phone from her the pile. Just as she pushed the talk button, he was behind her, teasing her shoulder with his teeth.

" Hello. " she managed.

" Where the hell are you ? I've been looking everywhere. " Evan's voice boomed at her from the other end.

" Where I am is none of your business. " she answered, really annoyed at having to hear his voice while Cappie proceeded to nip at her neck.

" I want to talk about this. You shouldn't have run away like that. I can explain the whole thing. " he insisted.

A groan escaped from her as Cappie reached around and took her breasts in his hands, rubbing his thumb across her nipple as he took her free earlobe into his mouth and sucked furiously.

" Are you okay ? " Evan asked., his voice lowering.

" I'm fine. I'm wonderful actually. " she said, leaning her head back to grant Cappie easier access to her neck.

" Oh, my God ! You're with someone, aren't you ? " Evan bellowed. " Who is it ? "

" This is so not your concern anymore. " she breathed, barely able to pay attention to what he was saying.

" How is it not my concern ? You are still my girlfriend. I love you. "

" And it showed this afternoon when you were half naked with Becca. "

His voice dropped again and took on a pleading quality. " Nothing happened. I swear, nothing happened. She came on to me, but I made her back off. "

Casey leaned forward, shrugging away from Cappie's wandering hands for a moment. " It doesn't matter. I don't feel like fighting her for you anymore. She can have you. I just realized I don't want you anyway. "

" You're with him, aren't you ? " he asked, and she could tell he was gritting his teeth.

" I have no idea who you mean. " she lied, leaning back once again and letting Cappie surround her.

" I'll bet you don't. I'm coming over there. " he warned.

" Well, good luck with that. I have to go. " She wiggled against Cappie's firm chest and almost giggled as she added, " there is something pressing I should really attend to here. "

Before she had a chance to push the disconnect button, Cappie yelled out, " Bye, Evan. " in a sing song voice that really got her laughing.

She turned to face him and playfully slapped his shoulder, " You should be more careful. He's probably getting the entire Omega Chi house together to come here and rescue me. "

" Well, the way I see it is there are probably thirty, very drunk, very strong guys roaming around downstairs right now and I'm guessing if he brings a fight, they will be happy to oblige. And if it gets to out of hand, we just call campus security. " he lowered his eyes. " I'm so not afraid of Evan Chambers. Let him come. "

" Maybe you should be. " she answered, suddenly considering all the people she was involving in her problems.

" What ? " he asked, shock written on his face. " Why would I be afraid of him ? "

" I just don't want to cause problems. Maybe I should go and talk to him. " she offered, standing and beginning to retrieve her clothes from the floor.

" Casey, this is crazy. What could you possibly have to say to him that you haven't already said ? "

" I just don't want anyone else to fight my battles for me. " She pulled her shirt over her head and settled it quickly.

" Is that what you think I'm doing ? Letting everyone else fight my battles ? " He asked getting to his feet and grabbing his shorts from the pile.

" I didn't say that. " she answered, giving him a look that said he was being impossible.

" You didn't have to. You implied it. " he fumed.

" No, I didn't. This isn't even your battle. It's mine. I'm the one that needs to talk to him. " she explained, trying to calm him with a hand on his shoulder. " Just stay here. I'll be back in minute. It won't take long. "

He shook his head vehemently. " You are not going down there alone. Absolutely not. "

" I can handle Evan, Cappie. "

" So can I and that is exactly what I intend to do. I'm going to make sure he leaves you alone for good. " he announced, his chest swelling a bit with male ego.

She stopped herself before she laughed out loud at his bravado. " I don't need a hero. "

" Tough. " he insisted. " You've got one. "

He kept the serious face for a moment before breaking out in laughter. " I'll admit, not much of one. "

She laughed with him, putting her arms around his shoulders and hugging him close.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door and he broke away to answer it.

" What is it ? " he asked.

" The Omega Chi's are here, causing trouble. " The young man on the other side of the door answered.

Casey came up behind Cappie and placed her arm on his shoulder.

" Tell Evan... " he paused, thinking for a moment. " Tell him, we'll be down as soon as we get dressed. " he smiled smugly.

He shut the door and turned back to her, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her throughly. " So, This is interesting. "

" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into this. " Casey said, turning her eyes downward. " I shouldn't have come here and put all this on you. It isn't fair. Please just let me go and deal with Evan. "

" You aren't going down there alone. " he insisted. " It isn't going to happen. So give it up. "

She turned her gaze to him. " You don't understand. "

" What don't I understand ? I'm telling you I'm not afraid of him. "

" He won't hit me. He will not have the same feelings about you. " she explained with a loud sigh.

He chuckled. " He isn't going to hit me. He won't have a chance. Besides he isn't that brave. He just brought this fight to my turf. "

She chuckled as well. "Your turf ? What is this, ' West Side Story ? "

" If I go down there and everyone is singing and dancing, I'm leaving. " he laughed.

" I'm right behind you. I can't sing a note. " she joined him.

" I love you. " he said, suddenly serious.

" I love you, too. "

" You're sure this is what you really want ? Once we talk to him, there is no turning back. It could very well get pretty nasty. " he asked, considering her carefully.

She paused for a moment, looking over his shoulder at nothing in particular, fighting the smile as she watched the panic spread across his face.

" I'm kidding. " She let the smile go finally and added a snicker as relief replaced the panic. " I'm right where I want to be. "

He kissed her softly, a tender, sweet kiss that said so much more than any words he could have uttered.

A knock sounded again and he turned from her and pulled the door open quickly. " Yeah, yeah, we're coming. " he answered.

" There's trouble, Cap. One of the pledges got in Chamber's face and he knocked him out cold. " the guy on the other side of the door said with an edge of urgency to his voice. " He doesn't look so good. "

Cappie darted out of the room, dragging Casey behind him by the hand. " Where is Chamber's now ? "

They raced down the hall and continued down the stairs. " Outside. " the guy answered. " Beaver took him out. Got rid of most of his buddies, too. "

" Which pledge got hit ? " Casey asked from a step behind.

" Spitter. "

She stopped dead in her tracks and Cappie turned to her, pulling her close. " He'll be fine, Cas. He just got knocked out. I'm sure he's okay. " he assured her.

Her world spun in front of her suddenly and she could barely hear him over the pounding in her ears. " Where is he ? " she demanded in a cold quiet voice.

" In the den. We took him in there trying to get him to come around. "

" I can't believe he hit my brother. " She fumed as she raced off, this time dragging Cappie.

A huge crowd of men surrounded the leather sofa in the corner of the den and she had to elbow her way through until Cappie raised his voice above all the others and told them to move aside.

He was stretched out, one side of his innocent face swollen and mis-shaped. His body looked broken and crumpled where they had laid him on the couch, one hand hanging down, knuckles dragging the floor, the other resting on his chest.

She went to him quickly and knelt beside him. " Rus, " she whispered as she gingerly touched his red, puffy cheek.

" We were going to call an ambulance when we couldn't get him awake. But we don't know if we should. " the guy who had lead them offered.

" Why shouldn't you ? " Cappie demanded, coming up beside Casey and kneeling as well.

" He's underage and he's been drinking. We're already on probation for stealing that machine for the volcano. " he reminded him. " We'll be on suspension for sixty days if we have to call for help. "

He paused and watched as Cappie dragged his hand through his hair roughly. " I didn't want to do anything without your say so. "

" Did he hit his head ? " Cappie asked, scrutinizing Rusty carefully, trying to determine the extent of his injuries.

" Well, it hit the floor pretty hard when he fell. " one of the crowd offered.

Casey's eyes stayed glued to her brother's face as she listened to the exchange going on around her. She was sure that Cappie would tell them to call the ambulance any second now. Being on party suspension wasn't near as important as her brother's health.

The seconds past, ticking by slowly without him saying a word and concern started to grip her.

" Cappie ! " She exclaimed suddenly as she turned her face towards him.

" Alright, I know. " he told her. Before calling, " Call the ambulance. " over his shoulder.

The words were barely out of his mouth when a soft groan came from the couch and Rusty opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the harsh light.

" Wait on that ambulance. " Cappie yelled, with more than a little relief in his voice, which really annoyed her.

" Rusty. " Casey breathed, " Are you okay ? "

" I don't know. My head hurts. " he struggled until he was finally sitting with help from Cappie and Casey. " What happened ? "

" You apparently walked right into Evan's fist. " Cappie smiled, patting him on the shoulder. " You have got to start watching where you're going. "

" Oh yeah, I remember, " Rusty managed. " He came in here pushing people around screaming 'Where's that slut ? '. I tried to stop him from going up stairs but I guess he got me first. "

Casey stood wordlessly and started for the door. Cappie stopped her by brushing past her with a murderous look on his face and a determined stride in his step. Suddenly she found herself rushing after him, afraid of seeing him like Rusty had been moments before, in a broken, heap of twisted limbs, limp and lifeless.

" Cappie ! " she called finally realizing that she could never match his speed, he was practically running.

He halted in mid step and turned towards her. " He's gone too far, Casey. " he spat, leaving her no room for protest. " This isn't just about you anymore. " Then he turned again and was gone before she could say another word.

She stood in the dimly lit hallway leading between the front door and the den of the Kappa Tau house. Her eyes shifted from one direction where her brother lay hurt and bleeding, was he bleeding, she couldn't remember, and the other where the man she loved was confronting her ex-boyfriend. Her hands went to her eyes as she stood motionless, confused about what to do. She couldn't leave Rusty. How could she ? He was her brother. Whether she admitted it or not, she loved him. He was the baby. Always had been. Every instinct in her told her she had to protect him, stay by his side.

But she could talk to Evan before things got really bad outside. She had never seen Cappie look the way he had a moment before. His eyes were so dark, so filled with anger. Cappie never got angry. She wasn't sure what he would do now that that part him of was unleashed.

She made her decision and took off towards the front door as fast as her feet could carry her, pushing several drunken male bodies out of her way as the stood plastered to the living room window, watching the events unfold from a safe vantage point.

Cowards, she thought hastily. These were Cappie's brothers. People who should have had his back. And here they were hiding inside their big house.

She burst through the door and halted as her eyes fell to the lawn. Several people were standing around in a large circle yelling loudly and poking there chests out at each other, like a bunch of peacock's on parade. If it hadn't been such a frightening situation she would have thought it funny actually. The dynamic of the male ego displayed before her in living color. Testosterone on high alert.

She moved behind the crowd, ducking this way and that, trying to avoid flying elbows and huffy steps as the voices continued to shout. The noise was so deafening she couldn't make out any particular words and she couldn't image how they could either. Mostly, she guessed, they were yelling to hear themselves yell. It was a massive riot on the front lawn of one of the most popular Frat houses on campus. She was surprised the Campus police weren't already on the scene.

At last she caught a glimpse of orange t-shirt and she could hear Cappie's voice, more defined because it was familiar. " Leave this alone, Chambers. " he was yelling. " Do you have any idea what an ass your making of yourself ? She doesn't want you anymore. "

Casey came up between them and put her hand on Cappie's arm, stopping him, just as he started to lunge for Evan.

" You're going to try and pick a fight with me now ? " Evan blasted over her shoulder. " I didn't think she meant enough to you to fight for her. You didn't bother last time I took her from you. "

" Take your disciples and go home, Evan. " Casey tossed over her shoulder, her eyes still firmly fixed on the man in front of her, her hand still firmly on his arm.

" I'm not leaving without you. " he said, firmly.

" Oh, yes, you are. " Cappie hissed, taking a step closer.

" I'm not leaving with you, Evan. This is where I want to be. " she told him. Then she caught Cappie's eyes and managed to hold his attention for a moment. " We need to break this up now. The police will be along any minute. " she said, in a strong, calm, steady voice. " This has to stop. "

Cappie looked around as if seeing his surroundings for the first time. He took in the large group of people and the yelling. " It really takes a big man to bring all these people to fight his battles for him. " he spat at Evan. " Call 'em off, Chambers. This is between you and me and I want the chance to kick your ass before the cops come. "

Evan puffed up his chest and smiled smugly. " You think I need all these men here to fight you. " Casey watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to judge him. He turned to all the guys around him and raised his voice over the den of noise. " Omega Chi's, " he called, " Go home. We don't want any unnecessary trouble. "

The group seemed to halt instantly in whatever they were doing and looked at him as if trying to decide if he was serious. When he repeated himself, they began to take off in the direction of the Omega Chi house, if somewhat reluctant to leave their illustrious leader on his own in enemy territory.

" Everyone inside. " Cappie called in a loud authoritative voice.

The remaining men started towards the front door a bit dejectedly, realizing that the fun was over and all the bad guys were leaving.

The one they called Beaver came up to Cappie and touched his shoulder. " You sure you don't need any help ? " he asked, his voice gruff and harsh.

" No, I got this. There isn't really anything to help with. I'm done here. " Then he turned and started to follow everyone else inside.

" So what ? " Evan shouted, " That's it. You're just going to walk away. "

He halted his step, turned back to Evan and took Casey's hand from his arm, where it still remained until that moment.

" No, " Cappie answered.

He stepped up to Evan, close enough that they were nose to nose. She hadn't noticed before how much shorter Evan was until then.

And then it happened in the blink of an eye. One moment Evan was standing, staring back at Cappie as if daring him to make a move and the next he was on the ground clutching at a nose that was suddenly spurting blood all over the front of his shirt.

" That's for Spitter. " Cappie said, standing over him. He watched as Evan struggled unsteadily to his feet before raring back and hitting him again. " That was for making disparaging remarks against my girlfriend's character. " He leaned over where Evan had fallen once again to the ground and told him in a low, very serious voice, " Stay down until I get inside or I'm sure I can think of another reason to hit you. "

Evan looked up at him with blood still spouting from his nose, but he didn't try to get back up.

Then Cappie took Casey's hand and lead her inside.