A/N: I wanted to get this chapter posted before I went to work, so if there are mistakes, please ignore them. I'll edit when I get home. Thank you! And thanks for all the awesome reviews. You all are the best!

"H…hey, Liz. I need to talk to you."

"Mmm, at 1 in the morning?"

"Yeah, it's really important!"

"Caseyyyy," Lizzie groans, her voice heavy with sleep. "If I knew you were going to buy me this cell phone for Christmas just so you could wake me up in the middle of the night, I would have said 'no thanks.'"

"Do you think my pajamas are ugly?"

"What? Why are you whispering?"

"I'm sitting on the toilet in the middle of the night. Why do you think?"

"Ew. Way too much information."

"I'm not…never mind. I just came in here for a little privacy so I could call you."

"And there's not privacy in your bedroom?"

I freeze at her question about my bedroom which I currently do not occupy, ignoring it completely.

"Do you think my pajamas are ugly?" I ask again forcefully. "Personally, I think they're practical and adorable."

"Casey?"

"Yeah, Liz?"

"Are you drunk?"

She's too smart. "I - - I may have had a tiny bit to drink. But that's not the point."

"You drunk dialed me to ask about your pajamas?" Lizzie asks, and I can hear how fully awake she is at this point.

"I'm not drunk," I say, defending myself. "Maybe a little inhibited. Now answer the question."

"Why? Who told you they're ugly? And besides you and Derek, who is seeing your pj's?"

"No one! I - - I was just curious. That's all."

"They're cute," she offers quickly before focusing on the underlying issue at hand. "Did Derek tell you they were ugly? If that's why you're calling, I'm going to be sooooo mad."

"He - - didn't say ugly, exactly. More like…monstrosity?"

"Since when do you care what Derek thinks? He's been making fun of your fashion sense since the day you met. Now seriously? Are we really having this conversation when I have school in the morning? What gives?"

I listen to my sisters even breathing on the other end of the line as a slow panic begins to set in. I'm not sure why I called her. It's just, Derek and I were on the sofa enjoying the best batch of brownies that I ever made (I purposely put a little extra TLC into my baking because I felt horrible for yelling at him and then refusing to give a solid yes or no answer about the party), and then without warning, he starts giving me a foot rub, which led to light teasing, which lead to a full-on wrestling match on the floor. It was nothing new. We always wrestle. It's kind of our thing.

Except this time, it was different. Our nostrils weren't flared, and Derek wasn't tugging on my hair or rubbing my face into the carpet. I was laughing. I couldn't help myself. And he was enjoying it too, even though I had just put my all-day-worn sock on his face.

I smile to myself at the memory. His expression had been priceless.

But at some point during our wrestling extravaganza, and after we were completely out of breath from laughing so hard, Derek had pinned me against the carpet. His face was so close to mine that I could see the golden flecks in his brown eyes that glowed against the light of the television. I could have sworn he looked at my lips for way too long, and I swear I saw him turn his head to the right and dip down a little.

But I can't be sure, because I totally freaked. I tried to be subtle. If it had been high school, I would have kneed him between the legs to get off me. But I just pushed against his chest lightly until he relented and backed up on his own. I tried to play it off like it was no big deal.

We had just got done wrestling, after all. But now, this nagging feeling in my head won't go away.

Was he going to kiss me?

There's no way he would ever, even if we were the last two people on earth, kiss ME.

"Earth to Caseyyyy?" Lizzie says on the other line when I fail to answer because I was once again lost in my thoughts of - - Derek.

"Yeah, Liz?" I say a little too cheerfully with a high pitch to my voice. Oh my gosh. She's so going to know something is up. I bet she can see right through this façade that I'm doing a terrible job of hiding behind.

"Whhhhat's going on?"

"Nothing!?" Damn. There's that high pitch again.

"Casey…"

"I have to go, Lizzie. I'll try to make it home soon. Goodnight!"

And with that, I end the call, cringing at what I'd just done. I called my sister. Lizzie can see through anything. She's smart and self-aware. Not to mention, she tells Edwin everything. And between the two of them, they'll figure it out. I just know it. Not that there is anything to figure out. It's not like they'll automatically know that Derek and I married each other.

In fact, Edwin would probably be impressed at our level of commitment regarding the bet.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little jealous of Lizzie's relationship with Edwin. They've always been close like step-siblings should be. Nothing like Derek and me. I'd catch myself more often than not wishing that we could be more like that and a little less down each other's throats.

You know. Like a real family.

I mean sure, I protected him from a school bully once who was five times our size…and he went against every guy that cheated on me when we were younger; aka, Scott and Truman. He even gave Icky-Vicky the evil eye and told her to get the hell out of his car when we dropped her off at her house after she was the one I saw Truman kissing.

And Derek even liked Icky-Vicky himself once; made out with her and everything. Gross.

I was touched at his protectiveness because it was so rare, though. I guess he's not all bad if you really stop to think about it. He always came through when I needed him most.

And now, I needed to come through for him.

Still clutching my cell to my chest, I open the bathroom door and walk down the hallway towards the living room. Derek is exactly where I left him. He's still sitting on the couch with his elbows on his knees, hunched over in slight defeat. He's not really watching the television. He's just poking his fork into the hardening pan of brownies like he's angry about something. What does he have to be angry about?

"Derek, can I talk to you?"

That got his attention. His head snaps up to look at me. Obviously, he had no idea I was standing right behind him. He drops the fork and gives me his full attention, his face softening from the hard scowl that was present only moments ago.

"Sure, Case. What's up?"

I move to sit beside him, making sure to leave a large gap between our bodies. "I think that if we're going to go public with…um…you know. Whatever this is," I motion between us, not quite sure what to call our little ruse. "We should set some ground rules."

Derek lifts his eyebrows in surprise. "So, you're saying 'yes' to this Friday night?"

I nod. "If you still want me to go with you."

"Yeah. Obviously," he half smiles, narrowing his eyes. "I just asked you a few hours ago, so the offer still stands."

"Good!" I nod a little too enthusiastically before clearing my throat. "So, about those rules…"

"Of course. You can't seem to do anything without rules," he sighs, putting one arm behind the couch and crossing one ankle over his knee as he smirks in my direction. "Has anyone ever told you to live a little dangerously, Princess? Rules were made to be broken, after all."

"You're the only person who's ever told me to 'live a little dangerously,' and I never listen to you!"

Derek shrugs at my small outburst, despite the dimple in his cheek deepening as he grins at my expense. "Well, can't fault a guy for trying to loosen you up."

"Rule number one," I start, tapping my fingers against the cell I still have clutched to my chest. "No making fun of me in front of your friends."

"I think I can restrain myself for one night," Derek says a little too easily. "Done."

"Rule number two. No hitting on other girls and making me look like an idiot for being with you in the first place."

"I only have eyes for you, Case," he says almost immediately. We both freeze, looking at each other in surprise. I wonder how we ever came to be in such a situation that would require him to utter those words to me. Life sure loves throwing curve balls at your face. He straightens his back. "I mean…for the night of the party, that is."

I nod, blowing out a puff of air with my cheeks. "Where was I?"

"Mmm. About to state rule three, I'm sure?" he grumbles, getting me back on track.

"Oh, right. Rule three. No drinking to the point of blacking out because I'm not carrying your butt home."

"It's a party, Casey. People drink. Otherwise, everyone would be sitting around, bored to tears, second guessing their life decisions."

"I didn't say you couldn't drink at all. Just no drinking until you're so drunk that you can't even stand up."

"Fiiiiine. Shit."

"Der-ek!"

"What?!"

"Rule number four. No attitude about the rules!"

Derek's previous agitation is quickly replaced with wide eyes as his lips pull upward, trying desperately to hold back a laugh. He fails miserably.

"What's so funny?"

"I can't believe that after all these years, you and I still try to co-exist." And now he bursts out laughing, his face lighting up. It's so contagious that I can't help but chuckle along. "There were never two people put on this earth at the exact same moment that could be more different that you and me!"

"Yeah, I know!" I break out into full laughter, reaching over to grab Derek's upper arm before saying, "and…and we just so happen to get stuck together for life."

Derek and I pause to look at one another, letting that last bit of information sink in. But surprisingly, we aren't disgusted by it. We're amused, basking in our mutual misery. A snicker escapes his lips, and then we explode, laughing once more. "We not only get stuck together because our parents are selfish and want to torture us!" he pauses for effect. "We marry each other!"

Cue more fits of giggles.

"We're…we're so stupid," I say, falling to my knees on the floor, hunching over. "We hate each other so much, that we actually got married. I mean, who does that?"

"It's official," Derek says falling to his knees beside me, sobering before saying, "we've driven each other crazy."

I look up at this, pursing my lips together to try to hold back my giggles. Our faces are only inches apart, Derek's eyes dancing with laughter, as the same memory pops into our heads simultaneously.

In perfect unison we say, "it wasn't a far drive!"

"That's the worst joke ever!" I say, falling back against the plush white carpet, taking a deep breath. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard.

"Damn Edwin," Derek mutters, bracing both hands against the sofa for support as he stands. He holds his hand out to me as I continue lying on my back. "Come on, Case. Let's go to bed."

"You mean the bed that we now share? Together?" I ask, further pointing out our insanity.

"Oh no," he shakes his head despite the smile still playing at the corner of his mouth. "No more talk of our crazy shit for tonight. I'm done laughing."

"Party pooper." I pout, but put my hand in his and let him easily drag me to my feet before we start down the hallway. "Rule number five," Derek says, putting both hands on each of my shoulders and squeezing. "Stop thinking so much and start having a little fun. Otherwise, we'll never make it the next sixty years without one of us shoving the others corpse into a body bag."

"It's all your fault. If you weren't such a…"

He shoves me as I stumble into our bedroom.

"Caseyyyyy."

I can't sleep. Stupid Casey just had to wake me up to ask a stupid question.

I throw my covers off in a huff and leap out of bed, peeking out into the hallway to make sure Marti isn't around. I can't have her asking questions, because she'll never stop. I tiptoe lightly to the attic stairs, taking them at an agonizingly slow pace so they won't squeak.

Even though Derek and Casey no longer live here, aside from visits on holidays (and I'm sure a little bit this coming summer), Edwin insists on staying in the attic. He said it's his sanctuary where he can bask in his 'me time' away from the fam.

Simon, our new baby brother who just turned six months old, sleeps in our parents' room. They can't very well have an entire floor between themselves and a newborn. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure Mom doesn't want to move back upstairs like when we first moved in, and back into one of the rooms that now lay vacant. She's still having a hard time with Derek and Casey being gone. Personally, I've loved the peace and quiet. I'm sure all of us do, even Mom. But she still misses them.

I open Edwin's door, closing it behind me. I can hear him snoring away.

"Edwin," I whisper, but only get more snores in response.

"Edwin," I say a little louder, taking both hands and moving his body side to side.

"No, Mrs. Higginbotham. I don't want to take a bath!"

"Edwin. Wake! Up!"

"Wha…what's happening?" He sits up like a shot, leaning back on his hands as he looks around in the dark. The streetlamp from outside gives him just enough light to see me. "Lizzie? Who died? Somebody better be dead because if I don't get my beauty sleep, I'll never get that date with Amber."

I roll my eyes before climbing onto his bed with my knees. "Casey called me."

"And? She better be dead."

"How could she be dead if she called me?"

"I don't know. I can't tell you what thoughts run through a ghosts mind and if they have the capability to make phone calls."

I choose to ignore his stupidity just this one. "She called me to tell me that Derek thinks her pajamas are ugly. Don't you think it's a little weird for her to care about something like that?"

"I gave up a long time ago trying to understand the reasoning behind half the things they do."

Edwin lays down on his side, tugging on his blankets until I lift my body enough to give him slack. He closes his eyes, sighing in contentment as he attempts to go back to sleep.

"Edwin!"

He grumbles. "What?"

"You don't think that…um…could there possible be…"

"Something going on between Derek and Casey?" he finishes like there's nothing wrong with what he just said.

"Could there be?"

"Oh, for sure," Edwin says, leaning up on one elbow before flicking on his lamp and then looking at me. "They're totally in love."

"What?" I ask in shock. I hit his arm in reflex. "You can't say that!"

"Why not?" he shrugs. "It's the truth."

"And after four years of observing the entire family, you never thought that maybe once, you could have shared your suspicions with me?"

"Oh, they aren't suspicion. They're fact."

"Did - - Derek say something to you?" I ask hesitantly, narrowing my eyes and bracing myself for impact.

"Not in so many words. But there was this one time when Scott, you know, that prick you had a crush on that coached your soccer team."

"I did not have a crush on Scott," I lie.

"Yeah, you totally did," he finishes, moving on quickly so I don't have another chance to deny the obvious. "Well, I'm only telling you this now because Derek and Casey didn't want me to say anything to you when it happened and ruin your perfect Scott fantasy. But Scott cheated on Casey with three other girls."

"He what?" Edwin was right. I didn't want to hear this.

"Yup. And anyway, Scott told Derek about it, thinking he wouldn't say anything since they were both cut from the same cloth. Then Derek told me, and he was a total wreck! I mean, stressed and freaking out. It was right then and there that I could see how bad he had it for Casey. Every time after that, I just sorta put two and two together. The fights, the looks, the sabotaging the others love life. It didn't take long before I realized how mutual their feelings were," Edwin shrugs like it's no big deal. It's a very BIG deal! "They fight because they can't have what they want."

"But they live together," I cringe, scrunching my face up in disgust. "Alone."

"Yeahhhh. I don't want to think about what's going on without being under the watchful eye of the fam. Now I know I'm not going to get any sleep tonight."

"Do you think Mom and George know?"

"If they did, I'm sure they wouldn't have forced them to get an apartment together. They are kind of clueless, you know."

And with that, Edwin flicks his lamp off, turning onto his stomach in an attempt to go back to sleep, leaving me to reel alone in the dark. Derek and Casey? In love?

No. No, Edwin had to be wrong. I would have seen it, wouldn't I? Maybe I was so blinded by the fighting that anything but the constant bickering and noise slipped right past me.

Reluctantly, I stand up, making my way back to my room. I needed to get down to the bottom of what was going on.

And fast.