A/N: Well, I was finally able to bring it together for another chapter. Hope all of you enjoy it (I seem to keep having a hard time with coming up with these chapters lately). Also, to those that were fans of "Whose Line Is It Anyway: Life With Derek Edition", I've recently began to write the sequel to it and hope to have it up within the next few weeks.

Disclaimer: Seriously now...how many of you think I own LWD?

Now, on with the show!

(Friday afternoon – 12:35 P.M.)

Lunchtime happened to be an unusually quiet affair for a few of the students in the cafeteria.

While most of the hockey players were excited about tonight's big game and making that excitement known vocally, Derek just sat there in complete silence. He was a complete train wreck. His usual pre-game jitters weren't unusual – in fact, he was completely used to that. What he wasn't used to was the rumors floating around about him and his stepsister. Sure, he had secretly lusted for her for months and recently discovered that he loved her, but now with rumors floating around that they had went on a date had pushed him into a mental tug-of-war.

"You know you will never have a chance with her."

"Don't listen to him. Why are you letting that hold you back?"

"I mean look at her. She's got a great personality, she's smart, and she's got looks to kill for. And she's your stepsister."

"Just a minor technicality."

"People will think you're a freak."

"There are no blood ties. No problem there."

"You will no longer be king of the school."

"Your true friends will stick by your side no matter what. That will plenty enough."

"You will tear your family apart. Think about what will happen to your dad, your brother, and your sister when your lustful habits rip apart the family and cause the McDonalds to leave."

"True love will conquer all. Your Dad and Nora will find a way to cope. Your family will accept it."

"Just forget it, Venturi. It's hopeless!"

"Dude, quit being such a bitch and go for it. You may never get another chance to get her."

Derek suddenly pushed his tray away from him and got up. Sam and Ralph noticed this and started to see what was wrong, but he just waved them off before making his way out of the cafeteria. All of this stress was just too much. He needed some time to himself.

Meanwhile, Casey sat at her table in stunned silence, replaying the last part of conversation with Emily over in her head.

"Casey, there's something you should know."

"What?"

"Look, I overheard Sam and Ralph talking about something that was bothering Derek and then actually had the chance to ask him about it himself" Emily continued.

"Please, I know that Derek worries about a hockey game or a dumb blonde bimbo, but I don't think that has anything to do with my problem."

"It does when you're the girl that Derek is hung up on."

"What?! Emily, is this some kind of sick joke?!" Casey snapped back.

"Yes it is. Derek told me himself."

"This can't be happening."

"It is. You both realize you love each other and are too afraid to admit it too each other."

"Huh?"

"You're both afraid of tearing your family apart, afraid that your friends and the people at school will think that you are freaks, and that society in general will shun you. Am I correct?"

Casey stared at Emily in disbelief. "I don't know what to do. This is all too much to bear right now."

"Trust me, Casey, everything will be alright. Eventually, though, the two of will need to address this issue."

Losing interest in the sandwich in front of her, Casey pushed the tray out of the way and made her way to the library. Maybe she could find a book or a newspaper to read and take her mind off of the thoughts swirling around in her head.

(Friday evening – 6:45 P.M.)

As the team made their way onto the ice to begin their warm-ups, Coach Watson pulled Derek to the side.

"Feeling alright, Venturi."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I'm proud of you for what you've done in getting your act together. You've proven that you belong out there on the ice tonight. I need you to be the leader out there tonight, okay?"

Derek just nodded his head before stepping out on the ice. He suddenly felt a calm feeling rush over his body. All the stress, the nerves, the mental distractions he had endured prior to the game melted away as he skated around. The crowd that had gathered was in a frenzy. As he scanned the arena, he could pick out the college and pro scouts that had gathered to watch the game.

'Time to give them a performance they won't forget.'

As he continued to look around, he noticed his family sitting behind the team bench, a tradition of his dad's for good luck. George and Edwin just smiled, knowing how big a deal this game was. Marti, wearing one of his practice jerseys, was jumping around and waving – which caused Derek to laugh. Nora and Lizzie, who didn't make it to many of his games, just smiled. Then there was Casey. She wore a smile too, but it seemed to be forced. Something was bothering her, but he didn't have time to figure out. He was snapped out of his thoughts by the coach calling them back to the bench for final pregame preparations.

Several minutes later, the buzzer sounded and the team exited back out on the ice for the start of the game. As Derek looked back behind the team bench one more time, he noticed Casey mouthing "Good Luck" to him.

From the opening face-off, the game immediately became an intense affair. Michael Power/St. Joseph's had lived up to their reputation as one of the province's best teams. They also played a very physical style of hockey, which knocked the Thompson High players for a loop (and on their butts) in the beginning. However, after an early time out and some encouragement from their coach ("Quit being scared and start putting them on their asses!"), the team started to find its rhythm.

Michael Power/St. Joseph's scored the first goal of the game mid-way through the first period. Early in the second, they scored another goal, putting Thompson behind further. However, Derek and Sam got their team back into the game mid-way through the third period. As Sam closed in toward the goal, he noticed two defenders closing in. Fortunately for him, he noticed that Derek was wide open for a shot. Sam managed to get the pass off before getting knocked to the ground. Derek immediately fired a shot past the goalie's leg. Several minutes later, Derek returned the favor, setting up a nice shot for Sam that tied the game up.

Early in the third period, Derek set up another goal, getting a pass off to his teammate Brandon before a defender tried to knock him four rows into the crowd to give Thompson High its first lead of the game. Several minutes later, Michael Power/St. Joseph's tied the game back up. During the play, Derek took a vicious hit to the midsection as he closed in toward the person controlling the puck. He could feel the pain rip through his midsection as he pulled himself off the ice.

With one minute left in the game, Coach Watson called a time out. As the Thompson squad made their way to the bench, he noticed Derek favoring his midsection.

"You okay, Venturi?"

"I'm still breathing, aren't I?" Derek replied back.

"Good, because I need you for this final play! We're not playing for overtime, we're playing to win!" Derek, along with the rest of his teammates, listened as their coach drew up a final play.

Michael Power/St. Joseph's had control of the puck as the teams came out of the timeout. As their opponents made their way down the ice, Derek kept his eye on two in particular. He could tell that the player controlling the puck was planning on passing it to this person. As this person attempted to pass the puck, Derek skated between the two, intercepting the puck. Immediately he passed the puck off to Sam. Sam skated quickly down the ice, dodging defenders along the way. Seeing a defender closing, he made a pass down the ice to his teammate Dave. Dave skated quickly toward the opposing goalie, who was positioning himself to stop the impending shot. As Dave raised his stick, the goalie shifted to the right side of the goal – exactly like he was hoping for. He then fired the puck off to his left side, right to where Derek was approaching. Derek quickly raised his stick and hit the puck with a perfectly time slap shot that sailed toward the left side of the net. The goalie made a desperation lunge to stop the puck, only to watch it sail just above his outreached glove and into the net.

The crowd erupted into cheers. 18 seconds left. Derek immediately shouted out for his teammates to get back on defense. Michael Power/St. Joseph's quickly charged down the ice, trying for one last shot to send the game into overtime. However, the Thompson defense wouldn't give them any openings, and the time ticked away to zero. As the final buzzer sounded, Derek dropped to his knees, overwhelmed at the moment as his teammates closed in around him to celebrate. His team had just defeated one of the best teams in all of Ontario and he had played one of the best games of his life, scoring the game winning goal in the process. As the celebration calmed down and the teams gathered up to shake hands, Derek took a quick glance over where his family was sitting. All of them were smiling and cheering at the moment – none of more so than Casey.

(11:25 P.M.)

Derek moved gingerly as stepped out of the shower. His body had taken an incredible toll during the game that night. His legs felt like jelly due to the energy he exerted during the game. He was sure that his ribs were bruised pretty badly due to that one hit that he took.

'Damn, that guy hit like a freight train. Thankfully, I'll have a few days to rest up' he thought as he dried off. Sliding on a pair of underwear and his pajamas, he exited the bathroom and decided to call it a night, seeing how everyone else in the house had did the same thing. Just as he reached his door, he heard some commotion from downstairs. Curiosity got the better of him as he made his way downstairs. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he noticed the only light that was on downstairs was in the kitchen. Sitting at the island was Casey, who was just staring into a bowl of ice cream. "Hey."

Casey nearly jumped off the stool at the sound of his voice. "Der-ek! God, you nearly gave me a heart attack" she hissed.

"As much as that would amuse me, I think we've all had enough excitement for one night" Derek mused as he took a seat. As he did so, he grimaced at the pain in his midsection.

Casey immediately went from a look of annoyance to a look of concern. "Are you okay?"

"Hurt my ribs. Don't get to excited – I'm not going to kill over or anything like that."

"Well, that just ruined my night" she said. After a few moments of awkward silence, she spoke again. "So, did you hear about what's going around the school?"

"Case, I'm king of the school. There are a lot of things that go around that place. You have to be more specific."

"You know which one, Derek. Even you aren't that stupid."

"Oh, that stupid one where I'm supposedly dating my own stepsister?"

"And the last horse finally crosses the finish line."

Shrugging off her sarcastic remark, Derek immediately smirked across the island. "I mean, gross. Me…and you…"

Casey immediately jumped into the routine. "Ew, gross. I mean, you're disgusting, stupid, and probably STD-ridden…"

"And you're annoying, nerdy, and kill all types of joy…"

"I mean, our parents are married…"

"What the hell were those people thinking? There's no way that could work out."

"Right." With that, both teens settled into silence. Casey, just sitting there playing around with her ice cream, and Derek, rubbing the sore areas of his arms and legs. After a few moments, he got up with the intent of getting something to drink. He barely made it past Casey until something made him say something neither was expecting.

"What if they're on to something?"

Casey immediately spun around and looked at Derek. His back was facing her. "What?!"

Derek mentally cursed himself for saying that just then. Now he had two voices going in his head.

That little old man: 'Ah, it looks like a storm's a comin'."

Derek's inner idiot: 'Fuck this, I'm going to the basement! Outta my way, get the hell outta my way! Don't look at her!'

Derek tried to avoid looking back at Casey. However, he knew that she was staring at him and eventually, his back started to feel like it was on fire from it. Slowly, he turned to face her.

"Derek, what did you mean by that?" Derek noticed the tone in Casey's voice. He knew when he was pushing the wrong buttons. Now was one of those times.

"I…uh…" He couldn't make the words come out. He had never been great at expressing those types of emotions to anyone. How did he expect expressing them to his stepsister to be any easier? "Damn it!"

"What?!" Casey asked in annoyance, getting right up in his face. "What in the world has gotten into you?" Derek knew that when Casey was angered or annoyed, it was hard to talk to her. So he did the only thing he could think of that would take the edge off of her.

He grabbed Casey's face and crashed his lips into hers. As he kissed her, he felt her body go rigid. Good. A shocked Casey wasn't a volatile Casey, which meant he might be able to say what he needed to say. Breaking away, he was greeted by the sight of a completely stunned Casey. All she could do was stare at him with her mouth hanging open.

"Now, to answer your question – YOU are what has gotten into me. You butt into my life, challenge my status as overlord of everything in my life, invade my thoughts on a daily basis, and drive me crazy at every chance you get. Yet, if you were to disappear off the face of the earth, I wouldn't know what to do without you. Since the concept of your stepbrother being in love with you is probably the last thing you want on your mind, you've got 15 seconds to either hit me or cuss me out before I leave the room." Derek waited for Casey's respond.

Several seconds later, Casey let out a light laugh. "Ha-ha-ha." Then it started getting louder. "Ha-ha-ha!" Soon, she was in the middle of a full-blown fit of laughter.

Derek just looked at her with a nervous look on his face. 'Oh shit, she's finally snapped. I pushed her over the edge.'

Finally, between her fits of laughter, she finally spoke. "Oh…my…God! I can't believe this!"

Now it was Derek's turn to ask questions. "Believe what?"

"I can't believe that Emily was right."

'What is she talking about? Oh crap…' Derek thought before he remembered his conversation with Emily a couple of weeks back. "I take it that Emily happened to tell you a little something concerning me." Casey nodded her head. "And?"

"She told me about why you had been acting weird lately."

"And?"

"She told me it was about a girl."

"And?"

"That girl was me."

"And?"

"She told me this while I was freaking out about my feelings about you."

"Huh? What type of feelings?"

"The type that would make me do this." With that, Casey leaned in and kissed him. Derek responded back, returning the kiss and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her in tight. He wanted to push further, but realized that it was way too soon to try and make his fantasies reality. At least being able to hold and kiss her wasn't a dream. After what felt like an eternity to them, they broke the kiss.

After a moment to catch his breath, Derek finally spoke. "This is definitely a new one."

A/N: So, they both know how the other one feels. As I look at this, it's a vast divergence from what I had originally planned (with what I had planned, this story would've reached 20 chapters by the end). With the way it's going now, I honestly think I've only got about 3-4 chapters max left in this story. Keep in mind, George and Nora (along with the rest of the school) haven't found out yet, so that will still happen. Plus, I'm looking to include a reality scene that will be on par with the fantasies/dreams that Derek had, a nice little epilogue planned that I refuse to let die, and some Truman bashing for all you anti-Trasey people.

As always, don't forget to leave a review. Stay classy and be safe.
- the OD