Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. I'll tell you if I add any new ones.

Derek quickly made his way out of the hall. He had to get as far away from Casey and Sam as possible. If he was being truthful with himself he really had to get away from all of them.

He got into the drivers seat of his rented car and just sat there leaning his head against the wheel.

He wasn't sure exactly what had happened in that kitchen. He had gone to see what she wanted for supper as requested by the rest of the family and there she was trying to put up that banner and not really having much success with it.

He hadn't really thought about what would happen but helping her just seemed like the nice, normal thing to do, at least normal for people that weren't Derek and Casey.

Next thing she was turning and he was trapped between her and the island and there bodies were touching and┘

Derek let out a groan. He knew that if she hadn't of moved he was going to kiss her. What he should be doing right now instead of rehashing all of this is thanking her for doing something before he made a huge mistake.

Put aside the fact that she was in a very serious relationship with Sam. Sam, his oldest friend, the guy that stuck with him through thick and thin all though school. The guy that went along with all his stupid schemes and didn't think anything less of Derek when he had learned that he had failed the first grade.

Yeah, let's put aside the fact that they actually look happy and that Sam obviously loves her and is definitely a good guy.

So if he did that, if he put all that aside he was left with the fact that this was Casey. The girl that drove him crazy from the moment she entered the house with all her new rules and all her organization and the way she planned everything in her life down to the last detail. This was the girl that constantly got him in trouble and loved it. This girl didn't have a fun bone in her body. She certainly couldn't take a joke.

So why did he almost kiss her in that kitchen. Why did he think about the way she smelled all day while he was shopping? Why was she the reason he decided to get his parents that stupid gift? Why was he driving himself crazy with all this?

He slammed his fist onto the dash when suddenly the passenger side door opened. He peaked over to see Marti get into the car.

"What is with you? Why are you damaging a car that isn't even yours and pouting out here when everyone is inside about to get food? The Derek I knew would never run away when food was on the offer." She smiled at him in a way that reminded him of the sweet little girl he had left behind. But he had to remember that this wasn't the same girl. She was a young woman now and bound to have changed.

"I would have come back when the food got here." He smiled at her.

"You still didn't answer my question." She folded her arms and waited.

"Smart ass. I just needed a breather. I'm not really used to being around anyone but myself for long periods of time." He reached out and tickled her softly. "Satisfied?"

She put on a stone face and tried really hard not to laugh. "I may be younger then you but I know bullshit when I hear it. You are Derek and you like crowds. In fact one time you thrived on them so try again."

Derek sighed realizing that he really couldn't outsmart Marti anymore. "Fine I just needed some air. I have my reasons and you don't need to know them. So drop it, ok?"

She scowled at him and then unfolded her airs in defeat. "Fine I'll drop it. For now." With a smirk on her face she got out of the car and walked back to the hall. Turning back at the entrance and waiting for him.

He sighed again and got out of the car. Walking in with her and seeing that everyone was waiting for them.

"Hey we ordered a bit of everything so everyone should enjoy." His father said as he walked over and slung his arm around his shoulder and pulled him toward the table that everyone seemed to be sitting at.

Derek sat down between George and Marti and watched as everyone started talking at once. They asked him questions about the places he had been and the things that he saw. Questions he was happy to answer. His work was his life and he loved it.

Everyone asked question. Everyone that is except Casey who seemed rather quiet and just leaned into Sam's chest with her eyes half closed.

She only looked up at him once when he was talking about a building he had seen in India that had been shaped like a lotus flower. When he described the beauty of the building he could feel her eyes on him. He had to concentrate not to stumble over his words. But soon she looked away.

The food arrived and George hadn't been exaggerating when he said there was a bit of everything. They had Chinese, Pizza, Wings, Ribs, Pasta. Everyone ate their fill and got ready to head home.

Casey looked at the clock. 2:12 shone at her from the alarm clock next to her. She hadn't slept at all. Sure she had gotten ready for bed and lay down but sleep just eluded her yet again.

Quietly as possible she got out of bed and checked to see that Sam was still asleep. It was easy enough to get up without waking him as she was a very heavy sleeper unlike her.

She leaned in and softly kissed the top of his head and then moved out into the hall. Automatically her eyes went to Derek's closed door. She knew he was sleeping in there instead of the couch because he and his father had talked about it earlier.

Feeling better knowing she wouldn't have to pass him on the couch to get to the kitchen she made her way down the stairs.

The house was quiet and she kind of liked it that way. It wasn't just the water she came down for it was the peace. Just being here made her feel better, knowing that the people she loved were all safe and peacefully sleeping always brought a smile to her face.

She turned on the light over the sink so that the whole room wasn't lit up and then she got a glass from the cupboard. Normally she only drank water when she got up at night but milk just sounded more appealing.

She filled the glass and then returned it to the fridge.

"Don't put it away I want some."

Casey jumped and almost spilled the milk everywhere. The glass started to fall but Derek got there first and caught it. In the process spilling a bit of it on his shirt.

He stared down at the wet spot. "Hope it doesn't stain."

Casey finally caught her breathe and reached out and touched the spot while he laid the milk glass down on the counter.

"I think that it's like water. It doesn't really stain but it might smell if you don't wash it for a few days." She rubbed at the stain with her hand trying to get it out.

Derek laid his hand over hers so she would stop rubbing his chest. "It's ok. I'll wash it tomorrow."

Casey couldn't take her eyes off his hand that rested over hers. She didn't try and move it away. She felt frozen.

She could feel his heart start to beat faster right under her hand and could feel her own start to match it.

Neither moved for a minute just standing there until he reached out his other hand and tilted her head up so she would look into his eyes. But she just couldn't. She looked down again.

Again he tilted her head up. "Casey, look at me."

"I can't" She said softly.

"Please." Slowly she looked up into his eyes. What she saw there scared her and drew her in all at the same time. She swallowed visibly unconsciously chewed her bottom lip. She watched his eyes move down to her lips and then quickly back up to her eyes.

His hand softly touched her cheek. "Casey." It was almost a whisper.

"Derek." She sighed.

He moved his face closer. She could feel his hot breathe as her eyes closed. She felt his both his hands drop. Knowing he was only inches from her. When nothing happened after a few seconds she opened her eyes and she was alone in the kitchen.

Casey grabbed the counter for support and closed her eyes again.

She was in so much trouble.

Once she had pulled herself together she dumped the milk and turned off the light making her way back up to her room. She couldn't help her eyes from wander to his door.

One part of her wanted to barge right in and demand he pick things up where they left off in the kitchen. Another part of her wanted to got in there and thank him for stopping before they made a mistake. But she knew she wasn't going to be going in there. Not for either reason.

Instead she opened her bedroom door and quietly got into bed. She felt Sam move closer and pull her too him. She let herself cuddle into him and when she was sure he was asleep she let the tears fall.

Hope you guys are still enjoying the story and I'll bring you more soon. Review and give me any suggestions about the final pairing of the story because I haven't figured that out quite yet.