ThirdPOV

Kennedy just shook her head once Casey finished telling her the details of what happened in the locker room. "Casey…" She paused trying to think of the right words to say. "Casey, I think you might have been right to ask Derek to be friends first."

Casey's shoulders slumped in relief. "I was having second thoughts about it."

Kennedy nodded and sat at Casey's desk. "You guys have to get to know each other again. But this time as two individuals. This time you won't have your family to blame or leaving to together to blame. This time it's about Casey and Derek; just two people."

Casey smiled at her friend and was so happy she had confided in her. "Thanks, Kennedy. I really appreciate you listening to all my crazy."

Kennedy shrugged, "Eh, it's what best friends are for. So have you guys decided to hang out or something?"

Casey nodded with a bright smile. "Yeah, he gave me his cell phone number. He wants to meet up at the coffee shop this afternoon."

Kennedy couldn't help but laugh. "Coffee and college, how cliché."

Casey throw a pillow at her but that only made Kennedy laugh harder.

Derek couldn't wait for the afternoon to finally get there. He tried keeping the grin off his face but just couldn't. He had just finished his favorite class, a film class, and was in a great mood. He never thought he'd be so excited to see his keener step sister, Casey.

When first arriving at college Derek was cocky and anticipated girls flinging themselves at him. And sure there were a few girls, but he came to discover that college was nothing like high school. After only a month in college he had all F's and no one to blame but himself.

Derek turned himself around then. He went to class and paid attention. He asked for help when he needed it. And he even helped others who asked him. College life was filling in nicely. However, it was hockey, his one passion that was faltering. Derek was on top in high school, he was the best of the best. But in college he was just a freshman who had to earn his place.

Derek saw it in the coach's faces that he was literally on thin ice. He couldn't shake the nerves when it came to game time. Practice would go without fail, but pregame was another level.

That night in the locker room had changed him again. After all the pranks and jokes he had played on her, she was the one to come to his rescue. Casey, who had no reason and who didn't ask for anything in return, helped him.

In the manner in which she helped him…..

Derek shook his head to clear his thoughts from getting carried away. That memory was too special in his mind to be tarnished by some immature flattery.

Derek approached the coffee shop and spotted Casey right away. She already had her coffee and was sitting in the corner of the room reading a rather large text book. He smiled knowing Casey hadn't changed that much.

"Hey," he smiled down at her.

Casey lifted her head and smiled, "Hey. I didn't know what to get you so I just waited."

Derek shrugged and headed to place his order at the counter. He came back and began unwrapping himself from the many layers.

Casey was excited to see him. Ever since their dinner she couldn't wait to see him again. She laughed at herself many times thinking that if the old Casey had seen her, she'd probably disown herself. But things were different now, they were adults, they didn't have their family hovering around, and they didn't live together. It was almost like starting over for the both of them.

"So, how have your classes been going?" Casey asked while closing her text book. "Midterms are almost here."

"I'll have you know that I have to maintain a 3.0*. I have two A's and three B's." Derek's order was called out at the counter and he went to retrieve it. "How are your classes going?"

Casey smiled brightly, "All A's."

"Keener," Derek fake coughed into his hand.

Casey laughed letting the comment slide. "So are you ready for your game tonight?"

Derek's stomach lurched. He had all but forgotten about his game tonight. Just the thought of this pregame ritual made him turn green.

"I guess I'm ready," He muttered.

Casey knew she had hit a nerve. "Derek? Are you alright?"

Derek hugged his coffee tighter. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just pregame jitters, you know."

Casey felt immediately guilty for bringing the subject up. She tried to think of something quickly to make him forget.

"I'd like to see your apartment!" She blurted out.

Derek looked up at her in surprise. "Okay…"

They picked up their coffee's and began walking the few blocks to Derek's apartment.

"Wow, you live really close to campus," Casey commented when they arrived.

Derek chuckled. "Yeah, athletes get the closest apartments."

Casey huffed and rolled her eyes but followed after Derek. As they took the elevator up to the fourth floor Casey noticed how nice and clean the building was. Queens really took care of their athletes, she supposed.

Derek stopped at his apartment at 4C and unlocked the door. Casey braced herself for the odor and the mess she assumed would be there. But when he opened the door, there was none.

Casey cautiously made her way in.

To her surprise the place was clean! There was no tower of pizza boxes to the ceiling, there were no clothes laying around everywhere, and there were no soda cans piling in the corner of the room. To Casey's amazement, the apartment was lightly furnished and felt homey.

"Wow," Casey gasped. "Your place is amazing."

Derek laughed knowing she was expecting a disaster. "Yeah, Nora really helped me out with finding some second hand furniture and making it feel like home."

Casey nodded as she continued to look around. "Yeah, that's the first thing I thought of when I looked around. It feels like home."

Derek grabbed them some water and sat down on the sofa. "So are you coming to my game tonight?"

"Of course, I haven't missed one," She said smiling.

Derek grinned and checked his watch. "I better gather all of my stuff. Did you want to ride with me or call Kennedy?"

"If it's okay, I'll just catch a ride with you. I'll just study for a bit while you guys are warming up."

Derek nodded and headed off down the hall to gather his things. Casey took this chance to really study his apartment. She noticed he had several pictures of the family on top of his computer desk. There was one of him and Edwin playing hockey. There was another of Derek and Marti having a tea party. The last picture was of the entire family standing next to the Prince; it was right before they moved into the dorms.

Casey felt a bit home sick looking at the picture. Everyone looked so happy.

"I love that picture," Derek said coming up behind her causing Casey to scream and almost drop the picture.

"DER-EK!"

Casey held on tightly to the frame and stubbed her toe on the computer desk.

Derek couldn't help but laugh. It had been a long time since he heard her say his name like that.

"Sorry," he chuckled.

Casey narrowed her eyes at him, "Yeah I bet you are."

"You ready?" Derek asked while picking up his bag and skates.

Casey nodded and they headed to the arena.

As soon as they arrived and split off Casey received a text message from Kennedy.

K: Are you already at the game?

C: Yes, Derek took me. Are you still coming?

K: Would hate me if I didn't come? That cute boy in bio finally asked me out!

C: OMG! No, you go ahead and have fun!

K: Thank you! I'll see you later tonight and give you all the details!

Casey giggled at Kennedy's excitement. Casey supposed she would have to ask Derek for a ride back to the dorms. She really didn't want to walk back in the dark.

Casey then started to notice the arena had become full. Her eyes focused on the home team bench. She didn't see Derek though. Just as she was about to leave her seat she saw him coming from the locker rooms and took his seat. Derek was slumped over with a towel around his neck. Casey knew from experience it was the pregame jitters.

The game was finally over. Casey had a massive headache from all the stress Derek had just put her through. Even though Derek played right wing he knew how to defend himself, but today he didn't. She lost count how many times Derek was checked. Queens won, but on by one point. There was no doubt this was Derek's worst game ever. She felt horrible for him.

She waited for the crowd to clear out before she made her way down to the locker room entrance. She almost thought about risking the walk home to her dorm. She didn't want Derek to feel humiliated in front of her. But Casey wanted to be there for him just in case he needed something.

Derek looked broken as he walked out of the locker room. He slid his feet as he walked toward her and hung his head.

Casey started to say something but Derek shook his head and handed her the keys to the Prince. "How about you give me a ride home?" Casey just nodded her head and grabbed his skates off his shoulder.

The short ride back to Derek's was spent in silence. When they arrived Derek gritted his teeth trying to get out of the Prince. Casey offered to take his bag but he shrugged her off.

Once inside the apartment Derek dropped his bag by the door and headed off down the hall. Casey heard the shower running and wasn't sure whether or not to stay.

She then thought of a great idea. She ran to his refrigerator and looked. Casey blew out a breath of relief and started pulling out everything she needed.

Derek was trying to wash away the smell of failure. He had never had such a terrible game. He tried to calm himself down but the frustration was building. Derek knew he was good, but he knew if it weren't for these pregame jitters he could be great.

He took his time seeing as how he could barely move. His abs and ribs suffered the most, he knew the next day there was a guarantee his whole stomach would be black and blue.

The game kept replaying in mind over and over again. There was no backup plan for Derek. Hockey was his life and his career, it was all he wanted.

Finally Derek gave up and stepped out of the shower, hobbling to his room to get dressed.

Derek walked out of his room and that Casey was still there. He didn't even notice the aroma coming from the kitchen. He took a big inhale and all the stress and frustration that was with him before was now gone. Casey had made him dinner, his favorite.

"Chicken alfredo?" She asked while plating some.

Derek's shoulders slumped in total relaxation and gratitude. "Fuck yes," he muttered.

Casey smiled brightly mentally patting herself on the back for a job well done. Derek immediately sat down and shoved his face. Casey couldn't help but laugh at him. She fixed herself a plate and sat across from him.

"Oh my goodness, that was amazing," Derek moaned while rubbing his full tummy. He looked at Casey as she was clearing the plates. "Thank you," he said.

Casey smiled "Your welcome."

Derek moved to help Casey with the dishes. Casey beamed at him and began washing the dishes. They were almost done when she decided to bring up the game.

"So, do you want to talk about it?" She whispered. She didn't want to ruin this feel good family moment.

Derek let out a sigh and dried the last plate before looking at her. "I don't know what to do anymore." He made his way to the soda and sat down. Casey followed him and sat in the arm chair.

"I have no backup plan, Casey," he continued. "Hockey was always the plan."

Casey felt hurt for him. She knew how much hockey meant to him. Derek without hockey was like a fish without water.

She then realized something…

Derek had had the best game of his life when they….

Oh boy.

Before Casey went any father with her thoughts she needed to think about this. And so did Derek. She looked up at him again and saw a defeated man. Casey had to help him. It was the only way his pregame jitters would stop.

"Derek, I think I may have a plan." Casey said not looking at him.

Derek frowned in confusion, "I'm all ears."

Casey took a deep breath, "Now I am going to suggest my plan and then I'm going to leave." Derek tried to say something but she held up her hand signaling him to stop. "I want us both to have time to think about this. Derek, we just became friends and I don't want to jeopardize anything we've already built."

Derek nodded but didn't say anything as he waited for her to continue.

"Derek, I think we should make what happened in the locker room a sort of pregame ritual. You played your best game that night because you weren't under stress."

Casey hands were shaking as she tried to continue. "Now, your next game isn't until Wednesday, that's two days from now. I want a text massage sent at noon on Wednesday stating your answer."

With that Casey hurried out of the apartment and headed toward her dorm.

A/N: Soooooooooo, how are you all liking the story?! Please review!

* I'm going by the U.S. standards on a 4.0 scale.