SHOUTOUTS/ANSWERS

Thugalet: Thanks. Here you go.

Kbw121691: Thanks. Hope this is soon enough.

DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot.

The next morning, Derek couldn't get what he had seen the previous night out of his head. So Casey played hockey, he thought. So, what had happened? He had heard her talking with Lucas and it was obvious something had happened that had caused her to stop playing. But what? With a sigh, he headed downstairs. He didn't know what to think. If Casey had played hockey before and had been good, what had made her stop? He couldn't even imagine not playing, so what had happened to her? In the kitchen, Casey was making breakfast and dancing slightly to the music that was playing.

"Hey, what's up?" a voice asked her. She turned around to see Marti.

"Nothing much. Just making breakfast," she answered.

"Cool!" she said.

"Oh, and what are you making this time, Spacey?"

"Oh, bite me." Derek's jaw dropped at the un-Casey-like response.

"Hey, it smells good in here," a voice noted.

"Well, it's almost done, so sit down and I'll serve you guys shortly," Casey said. The others did so, and promised, they got their food shortly. After breakfast, they gathered up their things and went to school. During classes, Emily noticed that Casey wasn't quite acting like herself.

"Okay, Casey, spill. What is going on with you?" she demanded during lunch.

"I don't know what you're talking about," the other girl said.

"You've been totally spaced out today, and I didn't even see you taking notes during class," Emily said.

"I guess I'm just a little distracted," Casey allowed.

"So, tell me, who's the guy?" Emily wondered.

"Lucas," Casey answered.

"Isn't he one of the guys on that team that's come here?" Emily asked.

"Team USA," Casey supplied. "And yes, he is," she confirmed. Then, she laughed softly and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and Emily stared at her in surprise. Wow. I've never seen Casey act like this before, not even with Max or Sam, she thought. After lunch, they went to their next class, where Casey kept up her strange behavior. What no one at SJS knew was that on Team USA, Lucas was acting the same way.

"Luke! What is going on with you?" Charlie questioned.

"Sorry, Coach C. Casey and I talked last night and---I don't know---all of my old feelings cropped up," Lucas responded. Charlie rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Coach. I'll try to keep my head in the game."

"That's all I ask." Lucas went back out on the ice as Adam walked up to Charlie.

"So, what's up with him?"

"Apparently he and Casey had a talk."

"Well, it's about time." Charlie nodded. They knew that what had happened to Casey had hit both of the teens hard…especially when Casey had pushed Lucas away, even going as far as to break up with him. After the practice, the kids were dismissed.

"Don't forget to do your homework!" Charlie shouted after them.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," came the response. Adam laughed. Oh, those crazy kids, he thought. At the end of the school day, Derek and Sam went to their hockey practice. Presently, Casey and Emily walked in.

"Wow. Derek's looking really good," Emily noted. Casey rolled her eyes.

"Oh, brother," she muttered. Then, she noticed a trio coming in. "Luke!" she called. The boy grinned.

"Hey, Pretty Girl," he greeted.

"Here for a little recon?" she asked. Then, "Hey, Coach C, Coach B."

"Hey, Case," Adam and Charlie chorused.

"And yes, we're here for recon," Luke answered. "And I wanted to see you," he added.

"I shouldn't have pushed you away. I'm so sorry. Can we start over?" she asked.

"No," he answered. Her face fell. "We can just pick up where we left off," he added. With a small exclamation, she smacked him in the chest.

"Two minutes, intent to injure," he laughed. She wrinkled her nose at him. She didn't see how they could realistically just pick up from their break up, but who was she to look a gift horse in the mouth?

"So, who's the hot shot on this team?" Adam asked.

"Well, the best players are Sam Chambers and my stepbrother, Derek Venturi. Derek's grades are a bit iffy though," Casey told them.

"Hmm," the coaches said together. That was something to think about. As they were playing, Sam and Derek became aware of the newcomers.

"Whoa! Dude! It's Adam Banks and Charlie Conway!" Sam excitedly whispered to Derek.

"Oh, man. This is so cool!" Derek said in the same tone. Then, noticing his stepsister near them, "What's she doin' with them?" Sam followed his friend's gaze to see Casey talking with the group. The boy with the two coaches said something and she threw her head back in laughter. When practice was finally over, the team ran up to the two coaches.

"Whoa!"

"This is so cool!"

"I can't believe you're actually here!" Adam and Charlie each shook their heads.

"They remind you of anyone at that age?" Adam muttered.

"You guys were good," Lucas told them.

"It's gonna be hard choosing," Charlie said.

"Well, I'm totally dedicated to hockey," Derek said.

"How are your grades?" Charlie asked.

"Well…they're not the best," Derek admitted.

"Well, we'll have to review everyone before making a decision," Adam said. "Um, if we could talk to your coach?" he requested.

"Of course. Come into my office," the man said. The three walked out as the team headed for the locker room.

"So, what's there to do for fun around here?" Lucas wondered.

"Oh, I'll show you! Come on!" Before Lucas could even respond, Casey had grabbed his arm and started off, Emily close behind, laughing.