Disclaimer: Still don't own Life with Derek.

Chapter #6--Dumbstruck

Things continued at pretty much the same pace for the next few weeks. Derek would get in Casey's face and Casey would get in Derek's. And every encounter just seemed to up the tension between them.

And when they weren't fighting or teasing each other, Casey was often thinking about it. The whole thing completely confused her.

Was Sam right? Did Derek actually have some sort of feelings for her (sans Derek's inane air quotes)? Was this all some sort of elaborate joke to him?

And to make matters worse, she was even less sure what the whole thing was to her.

What did the rush she got every time he was close to her mean? Was it just anger and excitement at facing another battle of wits against him or was it something more? If it was something more, did that something go beyond the purely physical?

However, all her questions about Derek came to a screeching halt one afternoon when she found herself with something else to think about.

She and Derek came home from school to find her mother, father, and a pretty blond woman sitting in the living room drinking tea.

"Oh, Casey, you're home!" Nora exclaimed, obviously both flustered and extremely relieved. "You're dad popped in for a surprise visit." "Isn't that great?" she said with what Casey only assumed was supposed to be a smile.

"Dad!" Casey exclaimed, smiling widely and throwing herself into her father's arms.

"Hey, Dennis" Derek called.

"Good to see you Derek," Casey's father said warmly.

"You behave your self around him," Nora whispered to Derek, fully aware of what had been going on between him and Casey for the last month.

"Chillax, Nora," he whispered, giving his stepmother a smile and patting her on the back.

"Dad, what are you doing here!" said Casey. "I thought you weren't coming to visit us for another two weeks."

"Well, actually I'm not Case," he said. "But I have a business dinner in the area tonight and I just couldn't wait to introduce you to Linda."

"Linda?" she questioned, looking at the pretty blond woman, who up until now she hadn't actually given much thought.

The woman was short, well dressed, and looked to be about ten years older than her and Derek. Derek, it seemed, had already noticed her and apparently was continuing to do so. She shot him an icy glare before continuing to give the woman the once over. He smiled at her, seeming genuinely pleased with her reaction.

"Yes, Case," said her father. "This is Linda. She's a new lawyer at our firm and also my new girlfriend."

Casey was dumbstruck.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Casey," said Linda, extending her hand. "I've heard so much about you."

Casey shook the hand in front of her and mumbled something that she hoped was polite. She was still in shock from the revelation.

She was vaguely aware of Derek's voice, saying something stupid. Something along the lines of "Nice Dennis" and some other comment about the blond.

"Case?" her father asked, "Are you okay?"

"Oh, um . . . Sure Dad," she said, doing her damnedest to smile.

"I know that this is kind of a surprise, honey," he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I just wanted to give you a little heads up before Linda and I take you and Lizzie out in a couple weeks. I really hope that you guys will get along and that you'll sort of help with the introduction to Liz."

"Of course, Dad," she said. "I'm sure if you like Linda enough to introduce her to us she must be a pretty nice person."

"Thank you, Casey," said Linda warmly. The woman looked genuinely grateful, as if she had been expecting much worse. "I really do hope that we'll get to be friends."

Again, Casey did her best to smile.

"Dennis," said Linda, hesitating slightly, "we probably should get going soon or we'll be late for our dinner with the client."

Casey saw her father nod.

"Will talk more about this later, kiddo," he said, kissing Casey on the forehead. "I wish I could stay tonight and I'm really looking forward to our next visit."

"Me too, Dad," said Casey.

She was vaguely aware that her mother and Derek said goodbye to her father and the blond woman and saw them out the door.