Okay, here's the chapter, I'm not really sure about it, though. I edited it so much, and i feel like it couldn't really get better lol.

So i hope you enjoy, and read the a/n at the bottom for next chapter's info.

enjoy:)

It wasn't like he'd done it on purpose, really. He'd only called Sally because she was constantly messaging him, and he called her to get her out of his hair finally. She somehow got him into meeting in person. She'd always been so persuasive. And bossy.

So that was how she got there. She asked to see his room, and he obliged. He was quite oblivious to her intentions, because it caught him off guard when she practically threw herself at him. He didn't fight her off, because he was still hurting over Casey and he hadn't been with a girl in what felt like forever to him. The most awkward part of it all was that he couldn't even get it up. He was sure Sally was about to ask him what was up when Casey had barged into the apartment.

What a great life he was living. Not. Casey was now ready to take him back, and he would have said the same back to her, when Sally came out. This girl had the worst timing ever.

It was really the look on Casey's face that got him. He'd broken Casey McDonald. How was he ever going to redeem himself after this? Would he have to get in the bleachers and sing her favorite song for her while a marching band came out to accompany him in the song? It really didn't help that Sally just wouldn't leave. She was just always there.

She was taking the semester off of school for whatever reason(he'd stopped paying attention after the tenth straight minute of her talking). So she was going to spend a while in Kingston to see how she liked the town because "Maybe I could come to school here, and we wouldn't be so far away!" she had said. Did she think that just because they'd had a hot make out session in his room that he was her boyfriend again?

Casey couldn't be in the same room as the two without getting that lump in her throat. She needed out, and that was that. There wasn't really anywhere she could run, either. So these days, she spent the majority of her time in her bedroom.

About a week after Sally was back in his life; Derek was forced to find himself knocking on Casey's bedroom door.

She heard it, but pretended to be busy working on an essay, which was only half true due to the fact that she'd finished it the week before and was just revising and editing. She looked up and saw that he was in his date night clothes. She instantly looked away, afraid of giving him the satisfaction of a heavy sigh.

"What's up?" she asked softly, her fingers frozen over her keyboard, and her eyes almost shut, just barely open so she can peek out the corner of her eye to be sure he was still there.

"Is everything okay? I'm really worried about you, Casey…" he started, taking a seat on her bed. She wanted to throw a rock at him, honestly.

Didn't I just pour my heart out to you and now I have to watch as you and your first love parade around our apartment as the happiest couple on earth?! She could kill him right now.

"I'm fine, Derek." Was all she had the energy to say. What did he want from her, after all? How was she supposed to act around them? Did he expect her to praise her like everyone else in their life did?

"You've just been so distant lately, is all…"

"Well finals are coming up. You know how I get. I'm spending the majority of my time studying." It wasn't a lie. They both knew how Casey blocked out the whole world when she was cramming and studying her butt off. She couldn't afford to have one slip up. She had a scholarship to maintain, after all.

"Well, Sally and I think you deserve a break!" he said with fake excitement.

She winced hearing that he was using her ideas to get her out of this funk. Derek caught the reaction, and sighed. He didn't want to be doing this, but Sally was whining that Casey was depressed and that he didn't care enough to notice. If she only knew how much he did care.

"What do I have to do?" she sighed.

"Just get dressed, alright?" he stood up awkwardly. "Wear that white dress you almost wore to the formal, yeah?" he had a thoughtful look on his face, because, yeah, he remembered how gorgeous she looked in it when she was trying it on at the store. He walked out quickly, shutting the door behind himself.

Casey looked at him suspiciously. What was he up to?

She sighed and easily found the beautiful white dress that didn't meet the formal standards that she'd set for herself, but was still quite perfect for going out. It was a beautiful strapless cotton dress with a lace pattern all over it. It hugged her body just to her hips and flowed freely just above her knees. Casey put a slight wave to her hair and put on a light amount of make-up, focusing more on the light pink shade she applied to her lips. She finished the outfit with a pair of white flats, and studied herself in the mirror. She didn't know what she was up against tonight. She grabbed her black cardigan and pulled it on.

"Derek, I'm ready." She sighed as she left her room, and walked into the kitchen. She didn't expect to see him and Sally in deep conversation as she walked in. Both of their eyes widened as they saw her walk in.

"Wow, Casey…you look…" Sally was in awe at the beauty before her. Casey had always been beautiful, but in that dress there were no words to describe. "So lovely…" she finally finished.

"Yeah…" Derek whispered. He wore a gray cotton Henley, very similar to the white one he wore the night they'd first made love, and the same denim jeans he wore that night as well. Sally wore a plain black dress that hugged her curves, and wore her hair up in a tight pony tail.

Casey only shrugged and forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"I'm so glad you decided to join us, Casey! You're going to have a blast, I swear it!" Sally was being overdramatic, and it made Casey sick to her stomach when she reached for Derek's waist to hold onto him.

"What are we going to—" Casey started, but was interrupted by the doorbell. She cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Who could that be?"

Sally only squealed in delight, and clapped her hands. She motioned for Casey to go and get it. Before she walked out of the room, she caught the heavy sigh and look of sadness that Derek tried to hide.

Still confused, Casey walked to the door. Of course they would set her up on a date. For the love of god, she wanted this night to just be over with so she can sulk all night once it was all over. She sighed deeply before she opened the door, and once it was opened, her eyes widened. None other than Sam, her ex-boyfriend/friend/Derek's best friend was standing there at the door.

Casey's sadness was quickly forgotten as she gasped.

"Sam?!" she shrieked.

"Casey!" he smiled warmly at her and threw his arms around her body, and she his neck. He easily lifted her off the ground and gracefully spun her. He set her down and gave her a good looking at. "You look beautiful, of course." The smile didn't leave his eyes.

Casey only blushed. "You look handsome, too." She sighed happily. He wore a black button down shirt that's sleeves he'd rolled up to his elbows and a pair of black denim jeans.

"Well, I heard something about a double date, and that you were my girl for the night, so I had to dress up, because I knew you'd pull something as lovely as this." He took her hand and spun her around. Sam was charming as ever, and seemed like he'd matured some since the last time she'd seen him, which was at graduation.

"So that's what they were up to!" Casey was angry but still smiled that at least this 'date' was with someone she really cared about.

"Guilty!" Sally's voice cut into their conversation. "Sorry it was so subtle, Casey, but we just wanted to get you out for a while."

Casey didn't even want to deal with them right now. She was too happy for another familiar face and a person to distract her from her home life for the brief moment.

"Dude, Sal, its finals, this is normal for Casey!" Sam grinned at his beloved ex-girlfriend. Casey only smiled and wrapped her arms around Sam. His arm found its way around her shoulders.

"I guess as long as I'm with this lug tonight, I'll be fine with it," She squeezed him gently.

"Let's not get too cozy now!" Derek walked into the room, and eyed their arms around each other. Sam detached himself from Casey found his way over to fist bump with Derek.

"Well, if it isn't Scrappy." He grinned.

"My good pal Sneaky." Derek smiled that genuine smile that Casey hadn't seen for a while.

"Not so scrappy anymore, though! How's hockey going, man?" Sam squeezed Derek's arm for emphasis. He laughed a little and swatted away Sam's hand.

"It's okay, I guess. I'm considering going into film, though!" he faced Casey briefly and looked back at his friends surprised face.

"Derek? I didn't know you were changing your major!" Sally exclaimed, coming up to Derek and putting her arm around him. He fidgeted a little, embarrassed by the sudden display of affection from her.

"Uh…yeah…Case kind of helped me with my money situation…" he glanced at her again, and she was looking at her feet, avoiding his gaze.

"Well, that's our Case…" Sam placed his arm around her shoulder again. "Always thinking of others!"

All she did was shrug, and look up at Derek. He had a very unreadable expression on his face, but he didn't look away from her.

"Yeah…very thoughtful…" Derek sighed, looking down at Sally, who had lightly shook him to remind him that she was in the room as well.

"It's good to see you, though, Sal. I didn't even know you and Derek were together again." Sam looked between the two confused.

"Well, that's enough small talk. We better get going if we want to get to the restaurant on time!" Derek chimed in cheerily, clapping his hands together. Anything to get out of that conversational disaster.

If the drive over to the restaurant wasn't bad enough, actually being at the restaurant was a living hell.

Derek didn't account on Casey and Sam to be so…friendly…with one another. The whole drive over, they were laughing and poking fun at each other. He was glad to see a smile on Casey's face again, but dammit did he want to be the one to put it on her. What made things worse was Sally trying to hold his hand while he drove. He just rolled his eyes, and took it so she wouldn't start a scene in the car. We didn't need that right now. So he held her stupid hand, and caught the look on Casey's face that she tried to brush off quickly before Sam noticed.

While they were finally seated in the restaurant, Casey and Derek were already annoyed with one another. Derek obviously had no right to be, but Casey deserved to at least be respected enough for Derek to not do the whole PDA thing in front of her. Didn't Derek not do PDA? Sure he made an exception for Casey on campus because nobody knew about their pasts, but did he really need to do this now?

"So, Casey, how's the dating life?" Sam teasingly nudged her. Derek coughed a little, and shook his head lightly at her. Of course. She rolled her eyes.

Wait, actually this could be fun…

"Well…" she began, casually picking at her salad. "There was this one guy…for a while." She let a smile creep on her lips.

"Oh, that sounds promising!" he beamed. Obviously him and Sally were oblivious, because even Sally seemed pretty into her story. She smiling towards Casey, with her hand on Derek's arm, because obviously she couldn't stand for him to not know she as there.

"Not really!" she shook her head. "We had really hit it off, too…he was amazing…" she broke the façade for a while to reminisce on the special moments that she and Derek shared with one another.

"Well, what happened?" Sally cut in impatiently

"It's what didn't happen." Casey was back in on her little game. She made a fake sympathetic face. "When it came right down to it, he just wasn't ready for a serious relationship."

"That's too bad! You really deserve someone who can really prove themself!" Sally nodded, and looked at Derek with a smile, throwing her arms around his neck. "Just like me and Der!" her voice was dripping with sweetness.

"Yeah…just like Derek…" she sighed, and shook her head.

"Well what was so bad about the guy, Casey?" Sam was back in the conversation. Casey smiled, and pat his shoulder, getting an evil glint in her eyes that Derek noticed. Oh boy.

"Let's just say…he always came up a little short." She measured with her pointer finger and thumb just how short she meant. Many things happened. Sam burst out laughing. Derek's drink spewed out of his mouth. Sally screeched because she was in Derek's line of fire.

"Casey!" Derek exclaimed. She giggled, embracing his obvious embarrassment. He quickly tried to pat off Sally with his linen napkin. She only brushed him off with a smile on her face.

"Casey, you sly kitten!" she beamed at her. Casey only shrugged. "I can't believe you just said that! I love it!" she exclaimed.

"Me too, Case!" Sam flung his arm around her shoulder, and brought her into a side hug. She was on top of the world.

"Casey, that was way inappropriate…" Derek muttered looking down at his plate of food, trying his best to hide his blushed face.

"I thought it was awesome!" Sam laughed, saving her.

"Yeah, well some of us are trying to eat here. I bet she wouldn't talk like that if y'all weren't here." Derek looked up at her with a glare. How dare she talk about his size like that. It's not like they knew she was talking about him or anything, but she really shouldn't lie like that!

"Derek, don't you think that betting is bad for you?" Casey interjected, catching him off guard. Was she really doing this now?

"Awe, man! D, you were always the best at bets! I never could beat you, man!" Sam was way too oblivious for his own good, but Casey really couldn't blame him. All Sam knew of was the old Derek that they all used to know.

Derek gave his friend a look that said "Would you just shut up, please!".

"Don't make that face, Derek!" Sally added. "We all knew how you were with bets. You refused to lose!"

Derek ducked his head, afraid of catching Casey's reaction.

"Yeah, Case, you remember how he was with bets, right?" Sam nudged her.

"Yeah…how can I forget?" she sighed. Honestly, she got herself into that one and deserved the result of that conversation. The table got awfully quiet, and they continued at their food.

"Are you guys in a fight or something?" Sam's curiosity go the best of him. He had to ask because he knew them both well enough to know when there was some tension.

"Aren't we always?" Derek saved them. Casey sighed, and silently thanked him with a look. He nodded.

"Well, lighten up, guys! We're her to have a good time!" Sally grinned, clutching Derek's arm again, and leaning up to kiss his cheek.

"Yeah, Derek, lighten up! Live a little!" Casey faux teased him, trying to look away from the display in front of her.

"Says the girl who's been locked up in her room sulking alone for the past week…" he snapped back, because he was already annoyed enough with Sally all over him. He knew he shouldn't have touched that subject, but she was pushing his buttons, and Derek never backed down from a challenge.

To his surprise, Casey didn't fight back at all. Her mouth just popped open in shock, and she shook her head at him, going back to her food. Low blow, Venturi. If this was how he was going to fight, then she'd rather keep to herself and not try to provoke him.

Derek knew he was wrong, and he got that bad feeling in his stomach. The subject quickly changed to Sam talking about his life in Texas. He was going to university there in Austin, which Casey was quite impressed with because she knew what it took to get into a school like that. Luckily Sam was actually a really good student, so it wasn't so hard for him to get into a good school. He was studying psychology, which was cool, because even though he was really shy in high school, he knew his way around the human mind and how it worked.

Casey was quite pleased with Sam. He really was getting into his studies at university, and it was nice to see. She was really impressed with how well he was handling being away from home. He had a pretty big family, too, so she could imagine how much he must have missed them. The way he spoke about his studies made it seem as if he was pretty unfazed by the distance.

"It must be hard being so far, though…" Casey spoke her mind.

"It was at first, but man is Austin filled with some weird people! It kind of makes it hard to even come back to Canada, you know?"

Casey giggled. "I guess I get that. Maybe you were made for Texas, eh?"

The rest of the dinner consisted of Casey and Sam catching up. Derek and Sally were in their own conversations, and would randomly join the other's conversation when they heard something interesting. Casey didn't talk to Derek, and he knew she wouldn't so he didn't aim any comments her way.

"So tell me what's going on with you and Derek." Sam asked later that night.

After dinner, they all went back to the apartment. Sally whisked Derek away to his room as soon as she could. The helpless look on Derek's face was priceless. Now Sam and Casey were sitting on the couch talking with the television on low while they caught up some more. Sam was staying the night before his flight to London the next day so he was already dressed in his night clothes, as was Casey in her oversized sweatshirt and tights.

"What do you mean? Haven't we always been like that?" she shrugged, taking a sip from her cup.

"Oh, c'mon, Case. Just tell me. Y'all have been pretty bad, but not as bad as you were tonight…" he shook his head with a smile.

"Sammy, he pulled me out of my room two weeks before finals. Am I not allowed to be upset?" she cocked an eyebrow up at him with a grin. "You're lucky I'm even out here with you right now."

He scoffed and shoved her shoulder lightly. "Casey, we can go on and on all night about this. I can make it more awkward and ask him myself. We all know how Derek loves to speak his feelings." He rolled his eyes.

"Sam…it's way too complicated to even talk about." She looked down at her cup, because how on earth did her life end up like this? Pining after her stepbrother after he took her virginity over a stupid bet he had with his friend and then still confessing her love to him while his real love was in his room naked?

"Maybe I can help un-complicate it?" he shrugged. "Casey, you're my friend. I care about you, just tell me." He nodded.

So she did. It took a little while to finish explaining it. She was happy when Sam didn't react as if the two were disgusted. All he did was nod his head for her to finish, because this was something that everyone was waiting on. The punch-line was about to go down. The whole bet thing. And when she mentioned it, Sam got this look on his face. She could've guessed it was anger, but she'd only seen Sam angry once and that was when him and Derek were fighting over the whole male code thing.

"What an ass…how are you…?" he couldn't find his words, because he didn't know his best friend was capable of doing something so…fucked up.

Casey just shrugged, relieved because now someone else knew how she was feeling and keeping things bottled up just wasn't her style. She didn't even feel a little big guilty telling Sam about what happened, because of all people he deserved to know. He was the best friend and apparently the rebound guy that Derek wanted for her if he's the one who set this whole thing up.

Sam unexpectedly pulled her into a tight hug on his laps. And he just held her, because he didn't know how she was still standing with her head so high after all this shit that was happening to her.

"I don't even know how you do it, Case." He murmured into her neck, holding her closer. All she could do was hold him back, because she needed the comforting from a friend. She didn't cry, because she was all cried out and she really didn't want to make it awkward for Sam, because he was being as sweet as ever right now, and that was what she loved him for in the first place.

"You still love him don't you?" When did he get so smart?

"Unfortunately." She pulled away to look at his face. He still held that look of bewilderment that his friend was capable of something like this.

"He's an idiot, Case. Anyone who is dumb enough to let you slip out of their grasp isn't worth your time…" he shook his head. Casey grinned, and brought her palm to his cheek.

"What does that make you?" she couldn't hide the amusement in her voice.

"Hey! I tried, but we both knew that relationship was doomed. I couldn't handle you. I really tried though." He shrugged and brought his hands to her hips that were now straddling his own. "God, did I try." He smirked. Casey laughed, and brought her forehead to the crook of his neck, and sighed. She enjoyed the feeling of being held, because she wasn't sure when she'd ever trust someone to do that with her again. Sam had always been extremely nice, and that was probably why it didn't work out. She did need someone who would put up a challenge. She really did miss having a nice guy around, though.

"Sammy?" she had no idea where this was coming from, but it could be harmless.

"Yeah?" he murmured, almost asleep under her warmth. She sat up to look at him again, and he stared back at her lazily. She brought her palm to the side of his neck and took a deep breath.

"We're just friends, right?"

"Right…"

"So if I kissed you right now…you wouldn't run screaming, and never talk to me again, right?" she asked hopefully. She didn't want to sound needy, though, but she just wanted to be kissed right now. Not taken to bed, just a kiss.

"Case, where is this coming from?" he gave her a look. She can barely see his face, but the light on the table next to Derek's recliner lit up enough for the scene.

"Nowhere…haven't you ever just wanted to be kissed?" she asked. It was a weird question, but nobody ever really admitted that they just wanted to be kissed, and that was what she really wanted right now.

"Would you ask just any guy to kiss you?" he grinned, because that got a laugh out of her.

"No! I know you…I would only kiss somebody that I know, Sammy…" she shrugged. "I'm sorry to bring this on you, I know it's way too awkward of a request." She was a little embarrassed with herself, because she was probably just acting like this because she was so sleepy. It was 3 in the morning after all.

To her surprise, though, Sam grabbed the back of her neck, and slowly brought her face to his. The kiss was simple, and it felt nice. He deepened it a little, and she took his lead. He never kissed her like this in high school, but their relationship was a really long time ago, he was bound to get better at this.

"Just friends?" he whispered into her mouth to be sure. She nodded, and pressed her lips to his again.

From a distance, a pair of brown eyes were watching from the darkened hallway. He had just gotten up to go get some juice after a few failed attempts on Sally's side. He had stepped in on the scene just as Sam had pulled her face to his. He didn't want to watch for too long, because the scene was very intimate, and he was too jealous for words. He stomped back to his room, and sat on his bed, next to a flustered Sally.

"Why are you mad?" she asked angrily as she flipped through the channels. She had been trying for the past few hours to get him in the mood, but his body wasn't having it. He blamed it on being tired, but she knew there was something else. He used to be up on her like a rabbit. Now he seemed as if he couldn't stand for her to be in the same room.

"The lovely couple is making out on the sofa." He glared at the television.

"It's good for Casey to be with Sammy right now. Even if it's for a night. She deserves to be treated right by a nice guy." She nodded her head.

"Why is this your business, Sally? You know how I hate for you to get involved like that." Derek rolled his eyes. She sat up, and faced him.

"Derek, your sister needs you! How can you just sit around and let her be depressed while you're here having a great time." And that was what made Derek snap finally. After a whole week of putting up with this girl, it was time for her to leave.

"Okay, first of all, she's my step sister, not my sister." His voice was dangerously low, and that scared Sally. "Second, I didn't know we were having a great time, Sally. All I see is you being extremely needy and a little on the pathetic side trying to get in my pants."

She gasped, and her evil eye got just a little eviler. "Derek!" she gasped.

"And third," he cut in, "I don't like that you set Casey up with my best friend. I honestly don't know how you talked me into that."

And it finally hit her. How he tried to talk her out of a double date with Casey. It wasn't because he didn't want his best friend with Casey, it was because he didn't want Casey to be dating anyone else. The way he looked at her during dinner and in the car through the rearview mirror should've given it away, too. She knew what jealous Derek looked like, and at the time she tried to play it off to him not wanting Sam to be with Casey again. And the last clue that should've snapped her into it was not him being mad that they were making out, but the fact that he just corrected her with the whole step thing.

"You're in love with her." Sally stated. Derek cocked an eyebrow up at her and rolled his eyes.

"What are you talking about, Sally?" he shook his head, trying to get out of the conversation.

"You are! Derek, I knew that you didn't care about your morals, but falling for your sister?" Sally gasped. He sat up again, and glared down at her.

"Sal, I'm going to stop you right there." He got up, and gathered her clothes to throw them at her. "First of all, she's my step sister. Not my sister, not my blood. We met when we were 15 and 16. Our parents just happened to fall in love. So don't try to make me seem like a monster, Sally."

She was hastily putting her clothes on, glaring at him. "So you do love her? But it's Casey! You used to hate her! The way you would speak so negatively about her…" she was shaking her head, not believing what was happening.

"Oh, shut it, Sal. You've spent the past visit praising her to make her feel better. Don't tell me that that was all a lie." He put his hands on his hips, waiting for her to leave. "I never said I hated her, either."

"This is so wrong." She scrunched up her face. "I can't believe I was willing to take you back."

"Take me back?" he laughed a little. "Girl, we didn't have a messy break up for you to have to take me back." He was going to add that he didn't even want her to come back, but he figured that would be putting salt on the wound, so he kept his mouth shut.

"Shut up, Derek!" she screeched.

"You know, I used to like you for being so head strong and independent. Now it's just a little annoying and it kind of seems, if it isn't Sally's way, then there's no other solution." He shrugged. She just scoffed, and gathered the rest of her things.

She walked to his door, and looked back at him. "I'm glad I'm leaving, that way I don't have to sit around and watch the incest fest." Before she could open the door, Derek made sure to laugh as loud as he could. He knew that would really get her.

There was one thing about Sally that Derek knew would always push her buttons. When she's mad, and I mean mad, she hated for anyone to smile or laugh to lighten the mood. She felt as if it was meant just to mock her anger. This time it really was meant for just that. She just growled, and barreled out of the apartment. Derek stayed in the hallway to be sure she didn't say anything to Casey or Sam when she passed them. Luckily she didn't.

When Casey poked her head in the hallway to ask Derek what was up, he was already in his room, both glad to be rid of her and contemplating his next move.

I didn't really think the chapter was going to be this long. i felt like it wasn't much, until i saw the word count lol.

Sorry to anyone who liked Sally, but I didn't really like her character in the show, so that's why i wrote her like this.

How'd y'all feel about the Sam thing? I know it was way out of character for Casey to do that, but don't you think she deserved something? i always loved Sammy, so i had to bring him back for a bit. I wrote him going to Austin, because i'm from Texas. Not Austin, but i really wish i was from there. I have a friend going to UT right now, and i get so jealous because he's there lol. ANYWAY, back to Sam, he leaves next chapter, don't worry. We're going back on the Dasey track.

Next chapter will be the last one. wehhhh, then we'll be done. but i'll probably start writing another one soon!

Get ready for next Chapter, y'all.

thanks for your feedback, i love it so:)