A/N: Chapter 4. I'm really sorry for the delay! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

ThirdPOV

Casey didn't remember the walk back to the dorm. She was on auto pilot the entire way. Kennedy had already fallen asleep when Casey had arrived. After setting down her purse she quickly washed her face, brushed her teeth and changed into her pjs.

Once in bed Casey couldn't help but feel selfish. Sure, she wanted Derek to succeed but what she really wanted was that feeling. That feeling when she felt heat crawl up from her neck and explode into her cheeks as she… as she…

Casey was blushing now at the thoughts she was having. She shook her head and removed her blanket. That's when the "what if's" started floating around in her head. What if Derek didn't accept her idea? What if people found out they were step-siblings? What if their parents found out?

Casey let out a frustrated sigh and grabbed her phone. After playing a quick game of candycrush she checked to see if anyone had text her.

She saw one missed text from Derek.

D: I don't need til Wednesday. I accept.

Casey was left breathless. Her heart was pounding and butterflies did back flips in her stomach. She grabbed her pillow and screamed into it. Once done she made sure Kennedy was still sleeping and flipped on her side. It was as if a weight was lifted off Casey.

She was so relaxed that she slipped into a dreamless sleep.

DASEY

The next morning Derek woke up to the sound of knocking. He blindly made his way towards the door. Through the peep hole he saw a blushing Casey holding grocery bags.

Derek quickly awakened and began fixing his hair. Then realized what he was doing and rolled his eyes. Casey had seen him in the mornings. Nothing new. But he still couldn't help checking his breath before answering the door.

"Hey," he grinned and held open the door wide enough for her to pass through.

Casey dropped the bags on the kitchen table and turned back to him with a grin of her own. "Morning," she said simply.

Derek shut the door and walked over to peek in the bags.

"I thought I'd make you breakfast." Casey said with her back to him as she began to unpack eggs, milk, and other several things.

Derek just stood there watching her back as she went to work. He couldn't help but let his mind wonder. He never had a best friend or girlfriend who took care of him. Sam was his best guy friend but he was sure Sam would've never made breakfast for him. Sally was the only true girlfriend he ever had and although she would've made breakfast, he knew she wouldn't do what he was asking Casey to do.

Even his own mother had never taken care of him like Casey had. In high school Casey would always end up bailing him out of his own mess. Casey was there when his grades were failing and wasn't going to graduate. Casey was there when D-Rock didn't have a lead singer. Casey was there when the kids were sick and needed taken care of.

In that moment of thinking, Derek knew he owed Casey much more than he could ever give her.

He stepped behind her until she finally turned around.

As Casey turned she noticed Derek's expression first, she had never seen him look so serious. Then he did something she never thought he would willingly. Derek hugged Casey.

Casey was stiff for the first couple of seconds before hugging him back.

Derek then leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you."

Casey knew he was sincere and felt the hot wet tears burling her vision. She hugged him tighter. Eventually they pulled away and Casey quickly turned away from him to hide her tears. She quickly got to work on his breakfast.

Derek took his cue and went to get dressed. After going through this closet of clothes a few times Derek finally settled on jeans and a university t-shirt. He even looked in the mirror before heading out and trying to comb down his hair. He shrugged when it didn't lay flat.

Opening his bedroom door Derek noticed the smell of pancakes filling the air. He hurried into the kitchen to find Casey just setting the table.

"Wow, it smells amazing in here," Derek smiled brightly. "I can't remember the last time I had a good breakfast. I usually grab a breakfast burrito from the cafeteria on my way to class."

Casey frowned at his confession. Derek of people needed a good breakfast, he needed his strength for hockey and school. She quickly served herself and sat down.

Derek followed and loaded his plate with pancakes, bacon, and some fruit Casey had cut up. He poured himself some milk and dug in. He moaned with delight as the first bite of soaked syrup pancake reached his mouth.

Casey laughed at the way Derek was just filling his mouth with her food she had made. It used to make her sick just at the sight of Derek eating but now she felt proud. Proud of herself, because Derek was enjoying his breakfast.

Together they did the dishes just like last night for dinner. When all was said and done Derek became nervous. He wanted to talk to Casey about their agreement. But he was afraid Casey might either take her offer back or not want to talk about it and shut him out.

"Case?" Derek whispered to grab her attention.

"Yeah?" Casey answered him back as she placed the last dish in the cupboard.

"Can we talk about our agreement?" Derek couldn't look at her but knew she was looking at him.

"Uh, sure," Casey tossed the dish rag aside and followed Derek in the living room.

He took a seat at one end of the sofa and she on the other end. Derek rubbed the back of his neck in nervousness.

"Uh, just give me a minute to collect my thoughts please." Derek asked in a whisper.

"Sure," Casey mumbled as she began to fidget with her hands.

Derek was struggling with himself in his mind. He didn't want to take for granted the gift Casey had given him by offering herself to him. But on the other hand the Derek that was in love with Casey was greedy for more. He wanted to thank her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her and never let go. But he knew she wasn't ready for that.

Derek pushed his feelings aside once more and looked at Casey. "Case, I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. You always seem to be saving my ass from disaster. I know I'm taking a lot from you so if you ever need anything, you just name it. You've always been the exception to everything."

Casey sat there stunned. Derek had not only thanked her but offered himself as well.

"I don't know what to say," Casey whispered. "I know you would do the same if it was me."

Derek nodded and smiled. "Yeah, yeah I would."

Casey smiled back, "So, do you think there should be any ground rules? Or anything like that?"

Derek frowned, he didn't like the sound that. He didn't like the sound of anything coming between him and Casey. "No," Derek shook his head. "I think we should play it by ear."

Casey nodded in acceptance. "Okay, so what should we do now?"

"I really need to study," Derek stated.

"Oh," Casey said deflated. "I guess I'll head back to the dorms then."

"No!" Derek's outburst startled Casey. "I mean, I was hoping you would help me. I kind of need a study partner for biology."

Casey smiled at the thought of spending more time with Derek. "Okay, I'll just run back to my dorm and grab my stuff."

DASEY

Casey could not grab her books and supplies fast enough. As soon as her bag was packed she practically ran into Kennedy.

"Whoa! Where's the fire?" Kennedy chuckled at her own lame joke.

Casey giggled, "I'm going back to Derek's to study."

Kennedy's eyes widened. "First, give me some details!" Kennedy pushed Casey back into the dorm.

Casey couldn't keep her cheeks from blushing. "I did something crazy…" Kennedy's eyes widen in anticipation. "I offered to help him with his pregame jitters…"

It took Kennedy a moment to catch on to what Casey was implying. But when she realized just how Casey was going to help Derek she couldn't hold back her squeal.

"CASEY!" She yelled.

Casey tried to hush her friend but giggled anyways. "He said he needed help with biology—"

"I bet he does—"

"Kennedy," Casey narrowed her eyes at her friend. Kennedy just smiled like nothing. "So I'm heading back over there now."

Casey finally got away from Kennedy and was walking back to Derek's apartment.

Once there she knocked at waited for Derek to answer.

"Hey," he greeted her with a smile. She followed him into the kitchen where he had set up a study station. Casey smiled at how serious Derek had become about his studies. "There wasn't much to drink here so I went down to the store and grabbed some soda and that green tea you like." Casey was once again caught off guard by Derek's thoughtfulness. Derek noticed her silence and her staring. "What?"

Casey shook her head and mumbled her thanks. She quickly pulled out her notes, flashcards, textbook, and laptop to set up beside him.

After two hours of studying Derek called for a break. Casey had only agreed due to her back. She was positive that it was the chair. She rubbed her back as she stood.

Derek noticed, "Hey what's wrong?"

"Your chairs suck," Casey smiled and winced at the same time. Derek guided her to the sofa and asked her lay on her stomach. Casey complied without question.

Derek then began to softly work his fingers into her back. Through Casey thin shirt Derek could feel the heat her body was radiating. Derek had to truly control himself and he massaged Casey's lower back. No matter how much he wanted to slide his hands down to her perfect round…

Derek shook his head to clear his thoughts.

Casey wasn't fairing so well either. Although the massage was amazing, but because it was Derek who was giving her a massage she began to feel hot. The same butterfly sensation was back again and began to head south.

Derek then removed his hands. "Better?" He asked.

Casey took a deep breath to collect her thoughts, "Yup, thanks a lot."

Derek smiled and suggested that they move into the living room to continue studying.

Casey tried to study, she really did, but she couldn't stop glancing at Derek. Even though Derek had stopped touching her long ago she could still feel his hands on her back. What worried her even further was that she wanted him to touch her again. Not just in this manner but also like he did in the locker room.

She stared at him as he re-wrote his notes as a study method. She loved that Derek had become a bit more serious and mature. But she also loved that he was still the same cocky Derek. She loved that Derek knew her better than anyone, including her sister and mother. Granted the only reason he knew her so well was to get under her skin back in high school, but now…

Casey loved that he had given her the space that she thought she wanted from him. Even though Derek had never told her he missed, she knew he did. And she loved that too.

Love. She was using that word a lot.

Did she love Derek?

Casey shook her head to clear her thoughts. They had only began talking a couple of days ago. How can you spend four years disliking someone and then love them?

Was it always there?

Casey glanced at Derek again and knew her answer.

Casey nudged Derek snapping him out of his studies. Derek looked up, "Can I ask you a question?"

Derek nodded, "Sure, what's up?" Thinking it was about biology.

"Can I kiss you?"

A/N: Brave Casey!