I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, DISNEY DOES! Also sorry for any Dasey implications, my sister thought it might make the story a wee bit more interesting. Plus I happen to be a Dasey fan at heart so most of it just slips, but don't worry it will be Nasey in the end!

Chapter Five: A Good Brother?

Derek rested his chin on the table. No one could know that he was feeling bad for Casey. His original plan was to go on as if nothing had happened, because nothing really had happened but she didn't know that, while at school. But by lunch, Derek had seen so many tears in her eyes that he had broken that rule at least twice. After their first class, Derek had pulled her aside to ask her if she wanted to just go home. When she shook her head, Derek had simply nodded his head and walked off. After their second class, Derek had held her in his arms while she cried. And when Casey had complimented him on "being a good brother," he had made up some excuse to walk away.

"Dude, are you okay?" Sam waved his hand in front of Derek's face. Derek looked up; Sam and Ralph were staring at him with concern. They really didn't know why Derek was acting like this.

Derek smirked, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Derek struggled to push all images of Casey's sadness out of his head. It was a hard process, but eventually they were gone. Derek snuck a look over at her table and immediately regretted it. Casey looked so depressed and Emily was rubbing her back looking completely lost. Derek sighed and once again turned to distract himself from feeling sorry for his step-sister.

"So Sam, you going to that party Friday night?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Casey leaned up against Derek's locker waiting for him to make his way over. School was out now and waiting around wasnot something she wanted to do. Everything had reminded her of Noel. When she walked into class, every one asked her if she was okay. Teachers looked at her with concern written all over their faces. Even Paul tried to get her to talk about it. Why couldn't people get it through their heads? For once, Casey didn't want to talk about it. She wasn't ready. She just clung to his note, reading it slowly over and over, memorizing his every word. She thought back to all the memories they had together. Savoring each one like a child would savor a piece of chocolate.

"Case?" Derek was peering down at her, concern in his eyes. That was another thing Casey didn't understand. Why in the world did Derek care? He had never been concerned about her feelings before, so why now? And he seemed to be the only one who didn't beg her to talk about it. The only one who sensed that maybe she just needed to be left alone. Casey hated to admit it but Derek was actually being sweet.

Derek waved his hand in front of her face, "Casey? Are you ready to go?"

Casey nodded. She was more than ready to go. She had been ready to go since the moment they got there that morning. But she didn't tell him that. Because Casey McDonald didn't want to talk, at all.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………Derek walked quietly behind Casey when they got to the house. As he opened the door, he gave Nora a look to warn her not to bring anything up. Nora nodded. She sighed as Casey walked up the stairs to hind in her room again.

Nora turned to Derek, "Is she doing any better?"

Derek shrugged, "Why would I know?" And with that he pushed past Nora and headed up stairs to his room. As he closed his door, he could hear her crying in her room. Derek sighed and fell back on his bed. He hated this plan. He couldn't believe that he had allowed Noel to do this. Maybe it would be best to just tell Casey the truth. On one hand, if he told Casey the truth she'd probably kill him and hate him for the rest of his life. On the other hand, maybe Casey would thank him for telling the truth and just be mad at Noel. Derek nodded to himself and stood up, completely ready to ruin Noel's plan and tell her the truth. Then his phone rang.

Derek groaned as he reached over to answer it. "What do you want, Noel?" he whispered.

Noel sighed, "How is she?"

"Horrible," Derek practically growled. "How else would she be? You know a good brother would totally beat you up for this."

Noel laughed, but Derek could sense the sadness in it, "Good thing you're not one of those. Right, Derek?"

Derek stayed completely quiet. His anger radiated through him so much that Noel could sense it over the phone.

Noel felt tears creep into his eyes again, "Derek, I'm sorry. I couldn't see any other choice." He hung up the phone.

Derek shook his head. Noel was right; it wasn't time for Casey to know. He had to give it more time.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Noel leaned up against Casey's locker; a small smile playing across his lips. Casey smiled as she walked up, she couldn't believe how great he looked. Casey walked up to him and kissed him. Then suddenly Noel was gone. Casey ran around the school looking for him, screaming his name, begging him to come back. Whenever she would see him, he would smile at her and then the minute she stepped towards him he'd disappear. Until finally Casey collapsed on the floor crying, hearing Derek call her from a distance.

"Casey, it's okay. Wake up, Casey." Derek had heard her crying and rushed into her room to find her asleep, calling for Noel. He instantly sat down beside her, all sane thoughts completely leaving him. All he could think about was how to comfort her.

Casey opened her eyes to see Derek sitting on her bed. "Derek?" For some strange reason, she felt like pouring her feelings out to Derek. After refusing to talk about it with any one, one bad dream makes her want to talk to Derek?

Derek peered into her eyes, "Casey, are you going to be okay?"

Casey burst into tears, her head falling against his chest. She just couldn't take it anymore.

"He's gone, Derek. Noel's really gone. I can't…"

"Shh." Derek wrapped his arms around Casey's shoulders, pulling her closer to him. He felt so bad for being a part of her pain. All because of a stupid plan that has only resulted in him and Noel causing her more pain than any guy ever had. Derek closed his eyes, wishing as hard as he could that everything would work out.