DISCLAIMER

Okay, so I just now realized that I had forgotten to put this chapter in and will now correct my mistake. The rest of the chapters will have the previous reviews. I apologize for this error.

Sam, Max, and Emily stared at Derek, Casey, and Nick.

"Prison?" the others chorused. Casey stood up and threw her tray of food in Derek's face.

"What the heck!?" he questioned, jumping up.

"How dare you?" she seethed. "You don't know anything about Nick," she continued.

"He was in prison," he reminded her.

"For standing up for me. He violated his probation to protect me…his sister. Something you don't know anything about. You don't care about anything or anyone!" she cried.

"Now, hold on, Casey! I care about Edwin and Marti, and---" Derek began.

"You know what? Forget it, Derek," Casey interrupted. "You know, after four years of bickering and fighting, and whatever, I think we were at least starting to get along, but I guess I was wrong," she continued.

"Hey, we are getting along. I playfully insult you, you playfully insult me. It's what siblings do," he said, taking her arm.

"Sibling? I don't see a sibling. I just see a dumb boy who doesn't know when to keep his big mouth shut," she continued, yanking out of his grasp.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait. You're right. I spoke before I thought. You know me---I get verbal vomit," he said, taking her arm again.

"Don't touch me," she snapped, backhanding him. Nick stood up.

"Whoa, GT," he said.

"I never thought I'd have to say something like this again," she commented, not seeming to hear her brother.

"Casey, what are you talking about?" Emily asked.

"You're dead to me, Derek. We're no longer family," Casey told him ignoring Emily. "Come on, Nick," she continued. With that, the two left the cafeteria.

"I---I can't---what just happened here?" Derek wondered.

"You just ticked off Casey…again," Sam answered.

"Well, yeah, that I understand. But her reaction---kinda overkill, even for her," Derek said.

"Well, you were rude, dude," Max reminded him.

"I was thinking of Edwin and Marti. I mean, this guy was in prison. And yeah, Nora said he wouldn't hurt them, but how does she really know? It's been four years since she's seen the guy. He's probably changed---a lot," Derek insisted. In the halls, Nick grabbed Casey's arm.

"Hey, you know---you didn't have to do that---you know---with Derek and everything---"

"Hey, you're my family," Casey interrupted. She took his hand. "Nick, we made a promise to each other a long time ago. A promise that no matter what happened, we would never betray each other---we would never dime each other out," she reminded him.

"Case," Nick said.

"We would stand by each other and have each other's backs, and I'm not sure how you feel, but me---Nick, I can let go of everyone else---Dad, Mom, even Lizzie---but you! I can't even---there's no way---no matter what I'm doing in life---there's only one person that if I even try to imagine the rest of my life without and I completely lose it---is you. I can't function without my older brother. I spent the last four years being Miss Priss because I missed you so much. If I were to lose everybody else in my life, I would be fine. But if I were to lose you---" Casey continued.

"It would be like a knife going through your heart," Nick interjected softly.

"Yes!" Casey exclaimed. "Finally! Someone who understands!" she approved.

"You know, Case, I have to admit, it was the thought of you that kept me sane for the four years up I was locked up," Nick commented, squeezing her hand. "I mean, you're right. Life without each other---it's weird. Even when I started getting into trouble, you were always with me. Through everything," Nick said, his voice thickening with emotion. And that had meant so much to him---her standing by him.

"I really wish you had let me hurt him," Casey admitted.

"I couldn't. It wasn't your way. I mean, I was the Evil Twin and you were---" Nick began.

"The Good Twin," Casey finished. "I have to admit, I didn't feel like being very good when I found out what happened," she confessed.

"Hey, it was fine. I got out," he reminded her.

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have had to give up something you love. I know how much football meant to you, and that---that monster destroyed that for you," she stated.

"Don't worry about it. I can play with you…even if you are terribly uncoordinated…" Casey rolled her eyes at her twin's attempt to make her laugh, but allowed him a small smile. He pulled her close. "I wouldn't have made it without you. You're my strength."

"You're my strength too. It's like we said when we were little---"

"Thick as thieves." They laughed. Then, Nick drew Casey to his side, and they leaned their heads in close, their eyes holding shared pain.