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DISCLAIMER
Belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot.
By the time they were finally finished, it was dinner time. The two walked down the stairs and joined the rest of their family at the table. Derek couldn't help but marvel at how carefree Casey seemed. Especially since this guy was seemingly dangerous. He had been in prison after all. For a few minutes, everyone was silent as they ate their food.
"So Nick, what happened between you and Dennis?" Derek asked meaningfully.
"We just weren't getting along anymore, and we both decided that it'd be better for everyone if I left," Nick answered.
"Really? It wasn't because you were getting into trouble?" Derek pressed. Casey slammed her fork down.
"You got something to say, Derek?" she snapped.
"Cool it, GT," Nick whispered in her ear.
"I just think it's interesting that after four years of staying with your father, your brother decides to come live with us now---especially since he's never even visited," Derek continued.
"That's none of your business," Casey told him hotly.
"Actually, Spacey, it affects my family, so it is my business," Derek retorted in the same tone. I can't believe Dad would just let this guy waltz in here after being released from prison. What if he hurts Edwin and Marti? he wondered to himself.
"You don't know what you're talking about Derek, so just back off," Casey snapped.
"Casey," Nick warned, putting a hand on her wrist.
"No Nick, I'm not going to let him treat you this way. You don't deserve it," Casey spat out. "I'm sorry, Mom, George. But I'm not very hungry anymore," she continued, and then got up from the table and left, heading for her room upstairs.
"Casey," Nick said, also standing up. "Jerk," he commented to Derek, hitting him on the shoulder, before chasing after his sister.
"Lizzie, Edwin, will you please watch Marti while Nora and I talk to Derek?" George requested.
"Of course," they agreed together. Marti started to object, but was quickly shushed. George and Nora took Derek into their basement bedroom.
"Sit down!" George barked. Slightly nervous, Derek did as he was told.
"What was that all about?" Nora demanded.
"I was just curious about him," Derek said.
"You were rude to him. What is wrong with you?" George questioned.
"No! The better question is: what's wrong with you, Dad?" Derek cried, jumping up. "In case she didn't tell you, we picked him up out of a prison! The guy is convict! What if he tries to hurt Edwin…or Marti?" he continued. George looked to Nora.
"You think we should tell him?" he asked.
"I think that'd be a good idea," she agreed.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. You knew?" Derek asked his father. "How could you keep this from me?" he demanded. How am I supposed to protect my siblings if I don't know what or who to protect them from? he wondered.
"It was Nick's idea. He didn't want anyone giving Casey any grief," Nora told him.
"What do you mean?" Derek wondered, recalling had basically said the same thing.
"Nick and Casey have always been very close, and when Nick started getting into trouble, people would---well, let's just say they weren't very nice to her, and she had to go through a lot. So when Nick was sent to prison and I married your father, he came up with the excuse that Dennis had gotten custody of him so that she could make a fresh start without any judgments," Nora explained.
"Just tell me this---would he ever hurt Edwin or Marti?" Derek asked.
"No. He's always been very protective of family---you could say too protective," Nora answered. In their room, Casey was pacing back and forth angrily.
"I can't believe him! Nick, I am so sorry! I had no idea he was going to act like such a jerk," she apologized.
"Case, it's okay. He was just worried about his younger siblings," he responded.
"Well, that would certainly be a first," she griped.
"Hey, hey," Nick said grabbing her wrist and stopping her. "Hey, Good Twin, you're not usually this uptight. What's really on your mind?" he questioned.
"I just---I wanted everything tonight to be perfect, you know? A real homecoming; and he just---" she began to say.
"Everything's great. I promise, Good Twin," he interrupted.
"Well, if things start to get not good, you know I got your back, right, Evil Twin?" she asked.
"Of course," he said.
"Good Twin," she began.
"Evil Twin," he finished.
"Thick as thieves," they chorused, linking their intertwined second and third fingers. They chuckled and then went back downstairs where everyone finished their meal in a somewhat tense silence.