Disclaimer: Yoda voiceLife With Derek, own, I don't.Yoda voice

A/N: Thanks for the replies once again, and to answer one of them about Noel. I decided to use Noel at the last second, I'm thinking since by the start of the 4th Season of LWD, Noel will probably be one of the prime candidates for Casey's new boyfriend, so there ya go, and the same goes for Sally, she's Derek's girlfriend in this story. And yah, sorry about the shortness of the contest. But I promise you the chapters will be getting longer, and hopefully better, lol.

Chapter 3: I Think I Want You

Saturday 2:30-3:00pm

Casey and Derek finally reach home and pull in to the driveway.

Shortly after the intimate exchange they both shared on stage at the London Mall, they were guided by Mrs. Sullivan to the same waiting room they were in before the contest began. She had them sign some documents, and told them that their prize would come in the mail with in the week. After Derek and Casey said their thanks and goodbyes, silence befell them as they left the room. Since everything had ended, all that was left was awkwardness and uncertainty. The uncertainty of what to do next or if to do anything at all, or maybe just acting as it never happened. This is what both Derek and Casey were thinking during the car ride home. After Casey takes the keys out of the ignition, they just sit there in the car looking forward, motionless, and so quiet that after awhile the silence becomes unbearable for Derek.

"Casey I think-," Derek musters up, attempting to break the ice. Casey raises her hand, to stop Derek from continuing.

"Derek. What happened today did not happen today. I don't know what you had in mind when you did what you did, but-," Casey says. Derek interrupts her, "Wait, you did it too, it takes two to tango princess."

Casey now feeling frustrated. "That's beside the point, what I'm saying is, I have Noel, and you have Sally, kind of, and lest we forget, we are step-sister and step-brother," Casey resumes.

A big smirk comes over Derek's face. "Casey, I hate to break it to you, but I don't have the hots for my step-sister. The whole kiss thing was part of the act, it meant nothing," Derek says. A semi-hurt look appears on Casey's face. "Well, that's good then, my thoughts exactly, so let's head on in," Casey says, opening the driver's door.

Derek could see that Casey was a little upset, "Yeah, okay," he says, watching her pass in front of the car.

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Derek lies on his bed with his hands interlocked behind his head, thinking about what he had said to Casey earlier in the car. And maybe it wasn't the whole truth, maybe he thought something would develop between them, and maybe he wanted it to.

Someone enters Derek's room. "Derek. Hellllooo," Edwin says, waving his hand back and forth over Derek's face interrupting his deep thought. Derek grabs Edwin's arm, "Edwin, did I invite you in here?" Derek asks. "Not exactly," Edwin answers, rubbing his arm where Derek had grabbed it. Derek gives Edwin a look as if he's still waiting for an answer.

"Oh, that's right, uhh, Sally called while you were gone-," Edwin says.

Derek interrupts him, "Oh shit, I forgot, I'm supposed to cover her shift tonight. Edwin?"

"Yah?" Edwin says.

"Are George and Nora home?" Derek asks. "Nope."

"Damn, I need a ride to work, do you have any money?" Derek asks. "Nope, spent it all for the anniversary gift," Edwin says.

Derek puts his hands on his face, "Same here," Derek mumbles, through his hands.

A confused look comes over Edwin's face, "Why not ask Casey to take you, I'm sure she will."

Derek thinks to himself, that it would be best to let Casey brew for awhile, she might be too sensitive right now. Derek gets up from his bed and grins at Edwin, "Nah, I'll just walk this time, you know, need to stay keep in shape for the ladies," Derek laughs.

"I do know," Edwin says, flexing his right bicep. Derek frowns, spinning Edwin around, pushing him toward the door. "On second thought, no you don't, now go tell Casey that I've got to work tonight, and that she can't go anywhere until dad and Nora get home," Derek says.

"Why don't you just do it yourself, your rooms are right by each other," Edwin says, in defiance.

"Edwin," Derek says, giving him a stern look.

"Fine, I'm going," Edwin says, in defeat.

"That's more like it," Derek says, shutting the door.

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Casey stares blankly at her computer screen, and has been doing that for the past hour. She managed to type one sentence so far for her English essay. It's been hard for her to focus, since her thoughts have pretty much been revolving around Derek and the contest.

Lizzie pops her head through Casey's door, "Hey Casey."

"Wh-What's up," Casey replies, knocking her out of her transfixion.

"Edwin told me to tell you that Derek has to work tonight, so you need to stay home till mom and George get back," Lizzie tells her.

"Okay," Casey says, still seeming a little distant.

"Case, is something bothering you," Lizzie asks, concerned.

"Uhh…," Casey contemplates if she should tell Lizzie or not. "No. I'm good," Casey decides it's best not to, "Why do you ask?"

"No reason. I just thought something seemed off about you," Lizzie says, not satisfied with Casey's answer.

Casey laughs, "Ha-ha, don't be silly, I'm fine."

"Okay," Lizzie says. Lizzie begins to leave Casey's room.

"Oh Lizzie, remember tomorrow is when we take the picture, so could remind Edwin and Marti for me," Casey says.

"Yeah, sure thing," Lizzie answers.

"Thanks Lizzie." Lizzie completes her exit.

Casey's cell phone rings. She picks it up and looks at it to see whose calling. Noel's name appears on the screen.

Casey quickly answers it, "Hey."

"Hey."

"I am tired, I haven't gotten far at all on my essay since I started it an hour ago," Casey says, breaking the short silence.

"Umm, Case?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we meet somewhere right now?" Noel asks.

"Well, right now I have to watch the kids, but my parents should be back soon and then I'll be free."

"I see," Noel replies.

Casey giggles, "Why do you want to meet up all of a sudden, not that I don't like it when your spontaneous, 'cause I do, it's just that your rarely spontaneous, ha-ha."

"Spontaneous, ehh," Noel says, remembering when he was at the mall earlier.

"Noel?"

"Oh, this can wait till tomorrow, when are you free tomorrow?" Noel asks.

"Probably around three or four," Casey answers.

"Okay, I'll call you around then, bye," Noel says, hanging up.

"What was that about that about," Casey says out loud, looking at her phone.

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Smelly Nelly's 8:00-9:00pm

Derek closes the cash register and Sally comes up behind him and covers his eyes.

"Guess who," She says.

Derek slowly turns around with his eyes still closed, "Please be the Russian mail order bride I ordered months ago." Derek opens his eyes, "Damn."

Sally swats him in the shoulder, "You should be glad I was free," she says, folding her arms.

"Well I guess I do get what I don't pay for," Derek smirks.

"You're just full of jokes today aren't you," She smiles.

"I guess, wait, aren't you suppose be at a concert or something," Derek asks.

"It was cancelled, two of the four bands became ill, they drank something bad I think," Sally replies.

"That sucks."

"Yeah, so we went out to eat, and then afterwards I came here to wait till you got off," She says.

"Wait as in waiting on tables," Derek asks, raising his eye brow at her. Sally laughs.

"Sure, why not," She says.

"Sweet," Derek rejoices.

Derek and Sally have just finished cleaning up and closing up.

Sally gives Derek a ride home. Still in the car, Derek asks her if she wants to come in for awhile, she accepts.

Derek and Sally reach Derek's room, right as Casey opens her bedroom door.

"Hey Casey," Sally greets her. Casey and Derek's eyes meet, and then they both quickly look away.

Casey looks back up at Sally, "Oh hey, well I've got lots of homework to do, so I'll let you both get on with what ever you were……… going to do" she says, about to turn her whole body around toward her room.

"Casey, we weren't going to do anything," Derek says, trying to dispel any weird thought Casey might have had. Sally looks at Derek questionably. Derek notices her reaction, and tries to explain, "I mean, we are just going to hang and talk, like we usually do. Right?"

"Right, and make out," Sally laughs, looking up at Derek. A worried look comes over Derek's face as he looks back at Casey, "Ha-ha," he laughs, nervously. He drags Sally in to his room, closing the door.

Casey stands there in the hallway. Marti walks up to her, "Casey, have you done it yet?"

Casey snaps her head down at Marti, "No, no," Casey says, rapidly. "Marti where did you hear this from," she asks.

Marti looks at her confused, "You told me."

"I did?" Casey says.

"Yessssss, you said you were going to ask Derek to help us with the gift," Marti says.

A relieved expression comes on to Casey's face.

Marti looks at her waiting for an answer, "Well."

Casey bends down to Marti's level, "Yep, he agreed, so tomorrow we'll be ready."

"Great," Marti says, enthusiastically. Casey laughs as Marti runs to her room. Casey stands up and turns towards Derek's door, and stares at it for a second, then continues to her room.

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Sally takes a seat on Derek's bed, resting on her hands to prop her upper body up, while Derek sits in his computer chair leaning back staring up at the ceiling.

Breaking the silence, "So that was weird," Sally says.

Derek moves from his leaning position to an upright one, "What was?"

Sally nods her head towards the door, "In the hall way."

"Oh that just Casey, being….well…you know, Casey," Derek explains, as if it's a rational explanation.

Sally shakes her head, " No, not that, I'm talking about you."

Derek looks at Sally, like he's been caught. "Me?"

"Yah, it was weird that you were trying to explain yourself to Casey," She says.

"And?" Derek asks.

"And. It's weird 'cause you never do that, especially with Casey," Sally looks at Derek for a reply.

Derek starts to laugh nervously. "What are you talking about, I sometimes do that, so she won't barge in whenever she wants. It's all about communication in this family," Derek says.

Sally stares at Derek for a few seconds, "Hmm."

Derek waits, hoping that she bought it.

Sally smiles, "Your right, communicationis key."

Derek grins, "Exactly."

A thought pops into Sally's head, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, my friend Jill is having a party tomorrow night, and she wanted me to come."

"Cool," Derek says, not quite catching her drift.

Sally gives in, "So will come with me?"

"Oh. Of course," Derek smiles.

Sally grins, "Great, and let's ask Casey if her and Noel want to come, the more the merrier."

Sally looks at Derek for a reply, and his facial expression gives off a look, like he's just witnessed a person's head blow up. "Uhh, Derek?"

Derek returns back to normal, "Are sure you want them to come? More than likely it'll just be people from school."

"So? You always bring me to your friends parties."

"I know, it's just that-"

"Just what?"

Derek looks at her trying to think up something, but in the end caves in.

"Alright, let's ask Casey."

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Casey still can't focus on her essay, her mind keeps revolving around the little incident in the hall way.

She stops typing and ponders on the thought of calling Emily, and telling her everything about the contest, but decides against it, not knowing what reaction she might have.

Casey let's out a groan, "Ugh."

She gets up from her desk and walks to her bed and falls on it. Then an idea pops up in her head.

She moves the left side of her bed and moves up closer to the wall behind the bed. She puts her right ear up to the wall, trying to hear what Derek and Sally are doing, just as Casey thinks how weird it is, Derek and Sally make open her door.

"Hey Casey," Sally says. Casey gets startled and falls off the bed.

Derek let's out a little laugh, "What are you doing?"

Casey stands up, "Oh, I was uhh….uhh….trying to reach my pencil, it fell behind the bed," she says, still a little shaken from her fall.

"Oh." Sally says. "Derek and I wanted to know if you and Noel wanted to come to a party with us tomorrow night."

"Sure. I've got to see what Noel's doing, but I'm game." Casey says, still feeling as if she had been caught.

"Awesome, well then, see you tomorrow." Sally says.

"Okay cool, good night," Casey smiles.

Sally and Derek leave the room, and just before Derek closes the door, he gives Casey a suspicious look.

Casey thinks to herself, oh great, what did I just agree to, now it will be even weirder. This is turning into a great week.

A/N: The next chapter will be better, it'll have some confessions, revelations, and cat fights...well maybe not cat fights...hmm...well, you'll find out in due time.

Lates and Happy Holidays!