SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

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DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Canadian Television, Disney, and Amy Sherman-Palladino. I only own the plot.

Tristan blew out a breath and tried to concentrate on the teacher. However, his mind was on a certain brunette. Man, I can't believe she's actually still interested, he thought to himself. It looked like the private school social structure had once again come in handy. Meanwhile, from the back of the room, Chrissy stared at him longingly. One of her friends nudged her arm.

"Are you checkin' out the total hottie?" she questioned.

"Yeah," came the confirmation. "Too bad he went for the geek," she continued.

"Lame. What does he see in her?" her friend wondered.

"Apparently they're old friends or something," Chrissy replied.

"So, what are you going to do to snag him?" her friend wondered.

"I don't know yet. But I'll have a plan by tomorrow," Chrissy responded. Soon after, the class was done and they went to the next one, which was gym. They quickly changed into their P.E. clothes and went to the gym.

"So Chrissy, I hear you have a thing for the new kid," Kendra commented casually as they stretched. Yeah, she and Casey didn't hang out all that much, but they were still friends. And friends looked out for each other.

"Yeah, he's hot," Chrissy answered. "I just can't believe he went for that geek, MacDonald," she continued.

"So Casey's studious. It doesn't make her a geek," Kendra defended.

"Yeah. Hello? I study a lot too," Amy added.

"Are you kidding me? She's like the biggest loser in the school. Everyone knows she's a total embarrassment to Derek, and that he's had to sacrifice a lot for her and her loser family," Chrissy continued.

"Hey! Don't about them like that! You don't even know them," Amy defended.

"Yeah. She's a sweet girl, and she cares about others," Kendra agreed.

"Whatever. Well, Tristan seems to like the punk look, so I'll just dress like that to snag him and show Casey what happens when a loser tries to be cool," Chrissy said dismissively.

"Yeah. Casey's such a geek. Did you see what she was wearing two days ago? She looked like she was stuck in the middle ages or something," one Chrissy's friends giggled.

"Bess, history's not your strong suit is it?" Kendra asked.

"What are you talking about?" Bess asked in confusion.

"Never mind," Kendra sighed. After the last class, Casey was walking down the hallway when she was grabbed from behind. Her yelp was muffled by a hand.

"Sorry, Mare," Tristan apologized.

"You can snag me any time," Casey said softly and then they began to kiss. There was the sound of someone clearing their throat. With a groan, the two pulled apart and Tristan laughed at the disapproving look thrown at them. At the end of the day, Casey, Tristan, and Derek traipsed into the MacDonald/Venturi household.

"Hey, kids," George greeted.

"Hi, George," Casey responded. "This is Tristan, the boy I was telling you about yesterday," she continued. "Tristan, this is my stepfather, George Venturi."

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Venturi," Tristan said, shaking George's hand.

"Uh, nice to meet you too," George answered, looking from the boy's outfit to his stepdaughter's. This is the boy she was trying to impress? he thought to himself. He didn't look a thing like he had imagined.

"So, Tristan, are you staying for dinner?" Nora invited.

"Uh, let me talk to my dad first," Tristan answered.

"Okay," George agreed. Tristan pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. Then, "Dad, Casey's mother just invited me to dinner. Is that okay?" He listened for a few minutes. "I can? Thanks." He hung up with a grin.

"We're good to go," he announced. Casey laughed and gave a small clap. When it was time, Tristan and Casey helped set the table. Then, George and Nora called the others to the table and they all sat down.

"So Tristan, I take it you're the one responsible for Casey's change in clothes style?" George asked.

"George!" Casey exclaimed.

"Yes," Tristan confirmed at the same time. "It's okay, Casey. Any good father or father figure would be concerned," he added. "Don't worry, Sir. Our courting process only has a few more rituals to go through and then we'll be done," he assured.

"Providing that Magdalene doesn't get in the way," Casey added, causing Tristan to scoff and shake his head.

"Huh?" the Venturis questioned.

"Oh, some girl's taken a liking to me. A Chrissy something-or-other," Tristan responded dismissively.

"Chrissy Summers? Yeah, I saw her. That was pretty bold, man," Derek commented.

"It was ridiculous. She's so not Tristan's type," Casey stated.

"Why don't you let him speak for himself, Spacey?" Derek sneered.

"Man, no wonder Casey can't stand you. You're a complete jerk," Tristan commented with a shake of his head. Then, "So Mare, how do you put up with him?"

"Oh, I just remember that he's a public school boy and that means he's merely a poser James rather than a true James," Casey responded.

"Hey!" Derek protested as Tristan laughed. After dinner, the boy helped with the dishes. He glanced at her. Man, she's gotten even more gorgeous than I remember. And she looks totally hot in that Cure shirt, he thought to himself. Finally, it was time for the boy to go home. George took him in station wagon. In the kitchen, Casey looked at her mother nervously.

"Well, how'd he do?" she questioned.

"Oh, I like him, Casey. I completely approve," the woman assured. Casey squealed in delight, gave her mother a hug, and then ran upstairs, where she started searching through her closet for something to wear. As they drove down the street, Tristan gave George directions on how to get to his house.

"So Tristan, it's apparent that you have feelings for Casey," George commented.

"Ah, here it comes," Tristan stated knowingly. George looked at him. "The 'Casey's a good girl and if you hurt her, I'll hunt you and put you down like a rabid dog' speech," he continued. George stammered.

"Well, uh---that's not quite what I was going to say, but yes. That'd be the gist of it," he finally stated. Then, "You've sat through this conversation before?"

"No, not really. I just know dads," Tristan answered. "Casey keeps in touch with some of her friends from Fletcher and she talks about you all the time. She's really happy you're in her life," he continued. George pulled the car over and cut the engine.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yeah, I mean, don't get me wrong, Dennis was a great guy and all, but all Casey ever wanted was someone who was there for her, and from what I've heard and seen here tonight, that's you. Your opinion really matters to her," the boy told him. For a moment, the man couldn't speak. He had had no idea. He loved Casey and Lizzie like they were his own of course, but to hear that he was held in such high esteem was overwhelming. Then, he cleared his throat.

"Um, how about some music for the rest of the ride?" he suggested.

"Uh, yeah, sure. As long as it's none of that namby-pamby pop princess stuff," the boy agreed. George laughed and turned on the radio. Tristan gave the rest of the directions and a short time later, they were at his house. George turned off the radio.

"All right. Here you are," he stated.

"Thanks for the wonderful night, Mr. Venturi. Hopefully, we can do it again real soon," the boy told him. Then, he jogged up to his front door, which opened to reveal his father. George watched as the other man slung his arm around his son in a friendly fashion and they went inside, talking. With a soft smile, George turned the radio back on and headed home.