Casey was walking down the halls of school when she was grabbed and pushed against the lockers and her mouth captured by the now familiar lips of Derek. People stopped and stared at the stepsiblings. A few started to cheer. Comments like "It's about time" and "Finally" were audible. But Casey didn't care; all she cared about was Derek and the heat of his body next to hers and his delightful lips on hers.

Casey woke up.

"Damn. It was just getting interesting." Casey grumbled, reaching for her Dream Diary and turning her light on. She looked up at her own head and then down to her heart. "You know, sometimes I wish you two would just get along. I don't like him. Right?"

Unable to convince herself, she couldn't sleep any more that night. In the morning she looked a mess and refused to look at Derek. She was going to talk to Paul about these dreams, and this time she wasn't going to let slip who they were about.

"Hey Paul, I have something important to talk to you about."

"Makes a change." Paul smiled.

"Ha, ha, very funny. But this time it really could be."

"Do tell."

"Remember those dreams I talked to you about? The ones you said could be my subconscious telling my conscious something I've been trying to deny feeling?"

"Uh-huh. Been having them again?"

"Repeatedly, every night."

"Sounds like you're in big time denial about something. Talk to Truman."

"They're not about him. They're about…someone else."

"Oh really? Who?"

"I can't say. I know who he is but I'm not ready to admit who he is yet."

"Fair enough. Are the dreams similar to the ones you had about Truman?"

"Yeah, only more so. More heated."

"I see. It sounds like you like this boy a lot more than you liked Truman."

"But I never liked Truman. My subconscious liked him. And this time I think both like this guy."

"Well talk to him, whoever he is. You never know he might be feeling the same way."

"That's not even an issue. It's what he'll think of me."

"Casey, you've got to be yourself because the people who matter don't mind and the people who mind don't matter."

"This is bigger than Truman, bigger than Max, bigger than Sam, bigger than Kendra, bigger than Sally."

"First three you went out with but who…oh my god…it finally happened. Derek's the one you've been dreaming about?"

"You see my dilemma."

"Alright here's what I want you to do…"

Casey bit her lip all the way home. Derek, who was driving, glanced at her with concern.

"Is everything alright, Case?"

"What? Oh yeah. Fine."

"You've not been sleeping well have you? Dreaming about Truman again?"

"Not Truman."

"But you have been dreaming about somebody?"

"Why are you so interested?"

"Dunno. Just am. Come on, spill. Who's the guy?"

"It's really none of your business who I like."

"So there is someone."

"So what if there is? What's it to you?"

"Nothing. I'm just curious." They lapsed into silence. "Let's make a pact not to fight this weekend."

"So I shouldn't get the tape out?"

"It didn't work that well last time."

"It would have worked if you'd stayed on your side."

"Uh I did stay on my side. You crossed all sorts of lines."

"Like the one you crossed a week ago when you kissed me?"

"Okay, majorly random."

"I just thought it was about time we talked about it."

"What's to talk about?"

"Why did you do it?"

Derek was quiet for a moment, he seemed to be weighing up options. "This doesn't leave the car, but there's something happening to me."

"Like what?"

"I couldn't help it. I hate hormones."

"Who doesn't?"

"Exactly." Derek laughed.

"Hormones making you feel different?"

"For you, yeah. It's not love or a crush or anything like that, so don't worry."

"Then what is it?"

"Lust."

"I see."

"Do you?"

"Better than you think." She replied quietly. Inside she was dancing a very dorky little happy dance. Then she pulled herself together. "There's a dancing competition in a week, on TV, and I need a partner."

"But I can't dance."

"Won't matter. What I have in mind requires more than just dancing. I can teach you the steps and hormones will take over the rest."

"What kind of dance is it?"

"The tango. Lots of heat."

"I'm beginning to like the idea of dancing with you."

"I thought you might."