DISCLAIMER

Now takes place after "Just Friends". Only George knows the truth about where Nick really is. Derek, Edwin, and Marti believe Dennis got custody of Nick, as do Emily, Sam and Max, who don't think very highly of the brother she talks about constantly because they never see him. Belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot. As far as I can tell, Casey and Lizzie share the same room.

Casey sat at her desk and drummed her fingers on the wood. She couldn't believe it. She---the studier---was sitting in a class, bored out of her mind. At least it was the last class of the day. Her best friend, Emily Davids, leaned over.

"What's wrong?" Emily questioned.

"I miss Nick," Casey answered.

"Why? He never visits," Emily said.

"Forget it. I don't know why I bother," Casey sighed in annoyance. She should've known better than to say anything. All her friends ever did was put Nick down. Of course, she supposed she couldn't really be too hard on them. They didn't know he had gotten four years in prison for aggravated assault when he had just been protecting her. Finally, the bell rang and quickly gathering up her belongings, Casey left.

"Whoa. What's gotten into Casey?" Sam Chambers wondered.

"Maybe she's got a date," Ralph Emerson suggested. At that, Sam looked at his friend frantically.

"No. She would've told me," Emily disagreed. Sam sighed in relief. Sure he and Casey were no longer a couple, but he had to admit, he still sometimes got jealous when he saw her with another guy. Derek came out of his own class and headed straight for his locker. After taking what he needed, he continued on his way out. Presently, he came to be walking beside Casey.

"Aw, what's the matter? Sad school's out?" he mocked, seeing her demeanor.

"Oh, bite me," she snapped.

"Hey, you all right?" he questioned in concern.

"Oh, I'm okay. I'm just missing Nick," she replied.

"Oh, yes. The mysterious twin who never visits," he stated. "You know, I'm beginning to think this guy doesn't even exist. I mean, I've never even met him," he continued.

"And he's better for it."

"Hey!" Casey giggled at Derek's outraged look. Derek's eyes flashed, but he wasn't too upset. At least she didn't look so down anymore. Over the last four years, Casey and Derek had discovered their bickering had gone from deliberately hurtful to more of a good-natured thing. The two walked to Derek's car and headed home. Meanwhile, at a state prison, a young man with short hair and piercing blue eyes walked through the yard, ignoring the chatter of the other inmates.

"Yo, MacDonald!" someone called. The youth turned around.

"What?" he questioned. He smiled when he saw the man. "Hey, Dude. What's up?" he asked, as the older man walked up.

"Have you thought more about what I told ya?"

"Dude, it's like I said, I'm just here to do my time. I don't want no trouble."

"What'd you get put in here for, anyways? You've never said."

"Aggravated assault and probation violation."

"Hey, you made a rhyme."

"You're a funny man." They chuckled and continued down the yard. Nick's mind wandered to his sister. Man, I miss her, he thought to himself. He couldn't wait to get out of this place. However, that wouldn't be for a couple of weeks, thanks to the charges brought on by his losing his temper. But who could really blame him? The guy had tried to rape his sister. Of course he was gonna protect her. After their yard time, they went back to their cells. Meanwhile, back at the MacDonald/Venturi household, George was on the couch, sifting through the mail, making different piles for each thing they got.

"Bills, bills, bills, bills…" he muttered. Then, "Ah, a letter from Nick." He put the letter aside. Nora, Casey, and Lizzie would want to read it later. Speaking of which, she should be back with the younger kids any minute now, and Derek and Casey would also be getting home soon too. Almost as soon as the thought had crossed his mind, he heard the sound of two cars. Soon after, the rest of his family came into the house.

"Casey, there's a letter from your brother," George told her, pointing to its spot. With an excited squeal, Casey ran to the coffee table and quickly opened it.

"What's it say?" Lizzie wondered as her older sister skimmed the letter.

"Oh, wow. I don't believe it," she finally gasped.

"What? What?" everyone asked.

"He wants to come home."