A/N: As I mentioned, I have been away for a while due to some distractions- though I feel my writing may have improved because of these… I hope, anyway. But, here we go the next chapter- and I promise to try and update more regularly. Please don't hate me 3

cytheria-03, to answer your question… I got into IMVU, use it for roleplaying… which is why my writing may have improved, or my style may have changed a touch.

She was doing that thing again; Casey was chewing her bottom lip with the additional hair twirling. I waited patiently for an answer and when the pretty brunette sitting next to me finally did speak, it was not what I was hoping for.

"Do we really need to have this conversation, Derek?" That was the nice thing about driving; there is always something else to focus on, so when you have moments like this… lengthy pauses are acceptable and distractions are available. I took my time replying, checking my blind spot and switching lanes, getting to a comfortable speed before I replied- for once in my life, I was thinking about what I was saying before blurting it out.

"I don't see why not. We're going to be sitting in this car for a while together, we're supposed to be friends now… so why not tell me what's going on in your life?" Really; why not? She's never had any problem talking about what was going on before. "If it helps, I promise not to make any snarky remarks." I took one hand off the wheel to cross my heart.

"We started to fight a lot." She murmured, looking out her window and drawing her legs up onto the seat hugging them to her chest. It didn't look like she was going to say anymore, and I was somewhat disappointed, I thought we were going to get to the heart of the matter. Maybe everyone else had been wrong though, maybe they were all just assuming and seeing things that weren't there. For once I doubted myself; whoa, where was the usual Derek Venturi confidence? I'd need that if I ever wanted to get the truth of Casey, though. The thought of rejection from that sweet brunette caused a pain in my chest and my stomach twisted into knots… better not think of that anymore.

"About what?" I prompted, trying to keep the conversation going. Casey shrugged and threaded her fingers through her hair. She was thinking; probably planning and analyzing everything she was going to say. Rarely did Casey say something she didn't mean, except for in the heat in the moment. There was something there that she was holding back, it was obvious, even as she opened her mouth to speak, that I would not be getting the full truth from her.

"He thought I was far too concerned with someone else, and said he couldn't compete with that so he ended things." She shrugged again, as if ending a relationship didn't bother her. How long had they been broken up? Maybe she'd gotten over it in that time, or maybe it really didn't bother her.

"He doesn't deserve you." I thought to myself, or I had meant to. However, I heard the sharp intake of breath from the passenger side… did I say that out loud? "Hey, I know we fought a lot, but I could admit that you were smart." And so beautiful; damn it, Derek, just tell her. "You're also really kind." 'Coward.' Out of the corner of my eye it looked like she was smiling, but it was hard to tell with the way she was facing. I shrugged, as casually as I could manage, "And you're attractive; he definitely doesn't deserve you. You can do much better." Like me. I was too afraid to complete that thought; if they could just see me know- Derek the Coward.

"Thanks." Her legs slid off the seat and she turned a little more forward in her seat. I must not have messed up too badly.

"I don't understand, I was very precise when making the reservation." Casey was arguing with the desk clerk of our hotel. The ride had lightened up after we had stopped for food, it was like getting out of the car had aired out all of the negative energy that was floating around. She still hadn't told me everything, but I feel like just she was willing to talk try and have the conversation was a good sign. The current issue was that they had somehow overbooked and we had gotten moved into a one bed suite. "I don't want a discount, I'd like two separate beds." She sighed exasperated. "Is there at least a pull out couch?" I had a feeling if there was; I'd be the one sleeping on it."

"Sorry ma'am, the best I can do is to offer you a discount for the room. No ma'am, there's no pull out couch. We assumed because you were family, it would be alright." Ugh. Why'd he have to go and use 'family'? Casey snatched her purse off the counter.

"Well, that's what you get for assuming. We're not family." And then she muttered her way over to where I was waiting, off to the side. I knew better than to interfere with Casey's wrath. "We have to share a room." Followed by the silent implication we might have to share the bed.

"I can sleep on the floor?" I offered with a cringe as we headed toward the elevator with our bags. We were on the third floor and Casey hadn't said a word about my offer; I could tell she didn't really want to make me sleep on the floor she was nice and thoughtful like that. She had the key so I waited for her to get the room door open and… turns out sleeping on the floor was not an option.

"How is there no carpet? What kind of crap hotel is this?" I shrugged and dumped my stuff on the floor near the desk.

"The crappy kind?" I didn't want to point out that she'd been the one to pick out the hotel… she'd figure it out soon enough.

"You can wipe that smirk off your face, Venturi." She warned, moving past me to set her stuff neatly on the desk. She had already figured it out, apparently. I might have watched the view of her back as she did so. Okay, I totally watched the view. "Anyway, we can be mature about this. The bed comes with extra pillows; we'll just stuff them between us." Aww, Casey was blushing at the idea of us sharing a bed. That would absolutely be the wrong time to pull a move, at least when it came to Casey.

I think.

"Sure, that works… but only if you plan on giving up your pillows because I like having two pillows. Come on Casey, really. You said we can be adults, let's be adults? We're just sharing a bed, not sharing a bed." She grumbled something under her breath but I couldn't be quite sure what it was. "So, what's the plan for tonight?" the pretty brunette who had unfortunately snatched up my heart shrugged.

"There really wasn't a plan, this was just a stop… not a destination, if that makes sense." I feigned surprise.

"Casey left something unplanned? Mark this day in the calendar." She stuck her tongue out at me and I nudged her with my arm as I moved into the bathroom. I needed to think. This had gone on long enough and it was time I stopped being a coward and found some answers.