It Always Comes Back to You

by lylasgarrity

After reuniting for a night of passion during Junior Year’s Rush, Casey had sworn that it was just a one time thing, that her and Cappie would never work no matter the lingering chemistry she still has with him. She’s trying to commit to Evan, leave Cappie and his frat guy ways behind. But her night with Cappie results in an unexpected pregnancy, forcing her to rethink everything.

8. chapter 8

Author's Note:

Hi everyone! I'm really sorry for not updating for so long, I've been working on my other CappieCasey fanfic that is set in season 4. But I love this one too and have written quite a few new chapters and I love the angst that this season one pregnancy storyline brings! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!!

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I was now about 9 weeks. 9 weeks and still procrastinating about figuring out what the hell I was going to do.

I had told myself that I didn't need to figure everything out right away, that all I needed to do was try to stay sane even with the things that were being said about me on campus. Stay sane with the fact that I had been ousted from my home and was now living in my ex boyfriend's room in a slightly… dirty and gross frat house.

But it was two and a half weeks since I found out about the baby and I was going to have to decide what to do soon. Cappie was really leaving it up to me. Occasionally he'd ask me how I felt about it. And one day I would say that there was no way that we could do this and that we shouldn't get used to thinking of it as our baby. I'd tell him that I'm sure that adoption was what I was going to do.

But then the next day I'd stay up laying in Cappie's bed, unable to sleep and I'd just stare at the ultrasound photo of it, of our baby. Fine, I said our baby… I don't care if it's wrong. And then I'd come downstairs in the morning, see Cappie on the couch which is where he was sleeping now that I was taking up residence in his bed, and I knew he could see my puffy, tired eyes. I could tell by the way he looked at me so sadly, by the way he told me to just go back up to bed and that he'd bring me some breakfast up there.

Life was obviously hard lately, and completely up in the air. But one good thing was that I had people that were really supporting me. Even though... I may not have told my parents yet. I knew it was bad of me, but I wanted to tell them once I had a plan. And... once I was maybe past the twelve week mark so they couldn't pressure me back into having an abortion. I'd already decided I couldn't do it.

But I had people to talk to about it, about how hard this was and about what would ultimately be best for me, Cappie, and most importantly, it. Of course, Ash is always there for me, we talk all the time. I never doubted that she would be there for me through something like this. Even if she was living under the Frannie regime at ZBZ and totally hating the way she gossiped about me…

The gossip was crazy. The fact that it was Cappie's baby was what was making everyone stare and gawk at me I think. The Omega Chis gave me horrible dirty looks, and most of the sorority girls whispered about me and barely even tried to hide it. I guess I couldn't blame them, I probably would be doing the same thing if I weren't the one going through it. Because of course, it was a scandal. The Greek life 'It Couple' on campus breaking up because she got knocked up by her player of an ex boyfriend... yeah it hadn't gotten old yet, people were still talking about it over two weeks later.

Cappie didn't seem to care at all about what people were saying, but it was hard for me. And I knew he knew that and that he felt terrible.

Mostly I would just absolutely love to tell the people out there calling me a slut that Evan was the one who cheated... because it seemed like no one knew. Which was kind of surprising... but guys always seemed to be able to get away with stuff like that, come out of it unscathed while I'm labeled as the whore.

What also has really surprised me was how much me and Rusty had gotten closer. He has been so kind to me about this. He hadn't judged me, he didn't try and tell me what to do. He was just there to hang around with me lately. Which was really nice because I hadn't been to Doblers since everyone found out about my pregnancy. I mean… partly because I couldn't drink, but mostly because I felt like there was no way I could show my face there. I hadn't been much of anywhere actually because of that very reason. The KT house was kind of a good place to hole up though.

The only place I really went was to my classes. Because even if I was pregnant, I still wanted to get my degree here. After all the work I'd put in. And if I put it up for adoption then I'd have nothing to worry about with graduating anyways. The baby's due date was in May so I could finish out this year. I would just be… super pregnant by the end.

And, fine, I had to admit that on the list of people that were really there for me right now through this tough time… Cappie probably came in at first place.

I mean, he'd let me take his bed, insisted on it even when I told him I could just sleep on the couch. He'd picked me up a ton of things to help with my nausea. Like saltines, gingerale, peppermint tea. Whenever I was sick I could tell he felt really bad, and what he got me actually helped a little bit. He tried with the other guys to keep the smells in the house at bay too. Since… Ferret barfing on the hardwood floor inside after a party the other night made me like… violently ill. Then Cappie kind of reamed him out for it and as president he instated a new rule that if you're gonna barf you have to do so outside or you were out of the house.

So… my hero I guess?

Anyways… I was feeling lucky I had the three of them; Ash, Rusty, and Cap. Even if this was my life now, as weird as it was.

And as for the baby… well, I could start to feel my body changing too. Much to my dismay and terror.

It scared me a lot… not being able to wear some of my skirts, shorts, and pants as easily. Some of them just felt a little tight. And of course there was the fact that my boobs were bigger now, looked swollen and felt weird, like heavy or something, it was hard to describe. That was the only kind of nice thing for me I suppose. Ash had told me she was jealous because it was like a free boob job. And I wouldn't say anything to him, but I've caught Cappie trying not to look at them a few times. Particularly in an instance where he walked into his room to get something and he didn't know I was in there after a shower. I was wearing underwear but no top, and grabbed my towel as quickly as possible to cover myself. He'd apologized profusely afterwards when I was dressed but I knew he had seen my boobs.

I looked in the mirror a lot, stared at my belly, knowing I'm only going to grow more and more. That there was no way to stop what was coming. Not when I hadn't been able to go through with the abortion.

We were going to see the baby again soon too. For the 9 week appointment on Monday. And today was Friday. I couldn't lie, the thought of going there again totally freaked me out. Especially since, being someone that researches everything, I read online that we should be able to hear it's heartbeat this upcoming appointment. When I told Cappie that his face lit up, saying how cool that would be. I nodded but didn't tell him that to me it was just terrifying. And not just because I'm scared of being pregnant… no, because if I heard it's heartbeat, if I kept learning new things about it, kept seeing it grow… then how the hell was I supposed to hand it over to random people when it's born in May and just never see it again?

But… I'd try to deal with that later. I'd do something Cappie was good at; procrastinating.

Tonight, a Friday night, it was a rare Friday that the KTs weren't throwing a party. Tonight the Tri Pis were, so the KTs were gearing up to go tonight. And unfortunately that included my little brother which made me kind of sick to my stomach, knowing how those girls act. But… I had much bigger things to worry about than that.

Right now I was sitting on Cappie's bed, playing the card game Crazy 8s with Rusty. It was about 5pm, I'd finished classes for the day and then came home here, which was weird as ever to be calling the KT house home. Rusty had been here too when I got back, him having only one morning class on Fridays. So we'd gone up to Cap's room and he was playing cards with me.

Even if he was only doing so, hanging around with me instead of his brothers, because he felt bad for me… well, I still appreciated it.

"Yay! I won!", I throw my hands up as I laugh, seeing Rusty's disappointed face. I clap my hands happily.

"Dammit!", He groans, putting his head back in annoyance. "I've never been able to win against you Case!"

"And you never will", I giggle, showing off to Rusty which was making him start to laugh too. "You wanna another game that's a little easier? Like say, Go Fish?"

I give him a joking look, teasing him.

"Very funny Case", He rolls his eyes at me. "But no, actually…"

His expression goes serious now as he puts down his cards.

I look at him in confusion, unsure why he's suddenly just turned this relaxed vibe we had going into a serious conversation.

"Actually I was wondering if we could talk for a bit Case?", He shrugs slightly.

"Yeah sure", I smile. "Are you… having girl troubles? Because I'd much rather you go to your big brother Cappie for that…"

I give him a slightly grossed out look, kind of joking with him, not exactly wanting to hear about my brother in romantic… or worse, sexual settings.

"No, that's not it", He shakes his head. "But… it does involve Cappie".

I put my cards down too now, realizing this was going to be serious.

"Okay?", I nod, questioning him a bit.

"I was talking to Cappie earlier today between classes and asking him how he was doing with everything", Rus explains. "You know, with you and the baby and him…"

"Yeah?", I nod.

"Yeah and he told me you're going to see it again on Monday at your OBGYN", Rusty says. "And that you might get to hear it's heartbeat. He was… pretty excited about that Case".

Rusty gives me a look now, his expression void of any joking.

"Okay…?", I scoff slightly. "What are you getting at?"

I shrug, feeling a little uncomfortable now.

I didn't want to hurt Cappie. God, that was the last thing I wanted to do. Despite what anyone thought, and despite what Cappie may think, he's still one of the most… sacred people to me in my life. I don't know why but that word seemed to embody how I felt about him. He was still special to me. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone.

"Well I just know that you're really trying to decide what to do Case", Rusty shrugs. "And Cappie told me that he's fully leaving it up to you. He told me he's trying to be really careful when it comes to talking about it with you because he doesn't want to sway you either way".

"Okay", I nod, raising my eyebrow at Rusty.

"But… Casey I asked him what he would want, in a perfect world…"

"Rusty", I groan slightly. "If Cappie doesn't want to sway me then… then why are you trying to?!"

I'm slightly annoyed now. Well not annoyed, more so scared. But it's coming out as annoyance to my little brother who is probably just trying to help me.

"I know, I'm sorry", He sighs. "But I just think you should know Casey! You should know that he wants to keep it with you".

I go blank then, just staring at Rusty as I hear my heart pound in my ears.

"Well… that doesn't really change anything Rus", I shrug and then look down to play around with the cards in front of me, averting my gaze away from my brother. I didn't want him to see the way this revelation was making me a bit emotional.

Tonight I had just wanted to have a semi decent night. I wanted to ignore my whole baby dilemma, pretend for a night that it wasn't happening. And sure, it would be a lot easier to pretend it wasn't happening if I didn't feel so nauseas and tired, and if my bra still fit right, if I didn't want ice cream like crazy right now… and if I was back at the ZBZ house.

But I was going to make do the best I could. I was going to watch a movie here in my pyjamas by myself while the guys are out all night at the Tri Pis' mixer.

Ash was doing Doblers and a movie night with the pledges so… I was pretty well on my own for the evening but was actually okay with it. Was happy to have some time to relax alone. But Rusty was sort of threatening that now, threatening the way I was sort of living in delusion tonight, where I'd let the cruel realities of my situation hit me again tomorrow.

"How does that not change anything?", Rusty looks almost a little angry at me, confused too.

"Because…", I search for what to say. "Because Cappie doesn't know what he wants Rus!"

I throw my hands up in annoyance and then put my hand on my temple.

"Rusty I know that you've made this amazing new friend, this… mentor of sorts. And sure, he's my ex boyfriend and also… happens to be half of the DNA cocktail currently growing in my uterus", I groan, pointing down to my stomach, still kind of irritated with Rusty. "And I'm happy for you for finding that, really! But I… I've known him longer than you have, I know him better!"

"I don't know Case. Sure, maybe I've only known him for like, two months… but I feel like I know him well! And he's not someone who would ever lie! Not like Evan. He's not a liar Casey!", He iterates passionately.

I look at him for a moment, taking this in.

The thing was… Rusty was right. Cappie had never lied to me even once. Actually I'd never even witnessed him lie to anyone. It was almost like he wasn't really capable of it. Which was the complete opposite of Evan… who I would definitely still be with if Rusty hadn't decided to show up to CRU. Because lord knows Evan was never ever going to tell me he cheated on me.

To be honest… the only reason I was here, pregnant with Cappie's baby and out of the ZBZ house, was because my little brother had told me about Evan cheating.

Not that I blamed him for anything, it's just funny. I still appreciated him more than ever for telling me. At least him and Cappie, these two people that I had come to weirdly rely on as my best friends these days, were always honest with me.

"You're right Rusty", I sigh out deeply, finally speaking after a brief silence between us. "He doesn't lie. I… I kind of already had a feeling he wants to keep it, wants the two of us to do this together".

I look down again.

"But you don't want to?", Rusty questions me.

"I don't know what I want Rus!", I look up, emotional now, tears springing to my eyes.

"I'm… I'm sorry Casey", Rusty stammers out, looking a little regretful. "I didn't want to make you cry, I promise. I'm just trying to help you because I know how hard all of this is to go through".

"I know", my face softens a bit now, getting rid of any animosity for my brother because… it was true. He just wanted the best for me, was just trying to help me. "It's okay Rus. It's just that… I don't know what I want and I don't think Cappie truly does either! He thinks he does but… he wants this".

I gesture around the his room, around this house.

"He wants this lifestyle, to be president of Kappa Tau for as long as possible… to hookup with any girls he wants, to smoke weed, to drink himself silly… I mean he has a higher alcohol tolerance than anyone I've ever met!", I roll my eyes. "And he goes to strip clubs… I mean he's basically on his way to getting his 43rd lap dance free there that's how much of a regular he is Rus!"

I shake my head now, rolling my eyes and then looking down sadly.

Because if I could be honest… there was some part of me that fantasized about this with him too. Because this baby was his… someone who I had complicated feelings for, but feelings nonetheless. Someone who I let myself envision having this baby and being a family with, even though that seemed so stupid. Someone whose bed I laid in at night alone while I couldn't stop thinking about how just a few weeks ago we were in it together. Someone that made me realize that I still had the ability to come hard like that, that I could still feel that from sex. Not that it had even been worth it… because now I had to deal with being pregnant at 20. Had to look in the mirror with my top pulled up and realize that I wasn't just a bit bloated.

"Yeah I've… heard some of that stuff", Rusty sighs. "But he's a lot more than that Case! He's so nice to me, he's like fully taken care of me here when I was completely alone and petrified and missing home! I mean… you and him, you guys are all I have besides my kind of… odd but nice roommate Dale".

I can't help but smile a bit now, feeling my heart swell within my chest.

"I'm really happy he's been so kind to you Rusty", I nod. "He… he obviously has that side to him, of course he does otherwise I wouldn't have… fallen in love with him".

Me and Rusty sit in silence for a moment before he finally speaks up again.

"Casey can I say something?", Rusty looks to me.

I nod up and down, wanting to hear what he has to say. I actually really valued his opinion now. How weird was that? But my little brother was actually really smart. And… kind of all I had right now.

"I know that we don't know each other all that well", Rusty says. "Like obviously you're my sister, but it's not like we've ever been super close because we're pretty… different. And you've always had other friends, cooler friends, you would turn to. But I still feel like I know who you truly are deep down Case… and I just feel like you're not the type of person to sleep with someone, to, you know, share something like that with someone that you don't love".

I take in his words. Why was it that Rusty has only really been hanging around with me here for a month and already could see right through me?

"I…", I let out meekly and then sigh. "You're right, I'm not the kind of girl to just hookup with anyone like that. Not that I want to be talking to you about this Rusty but… I've only slept with Cappie, back in freshman year and then again in August obviously. And other than him just Evan a handful of times. I do… feel something for him, for Cappie. And it honestly makes this whole thing… a lot more complicated because it's his and because we have this… unique relationship I guess".

I roll my eyes slightly, using the word 'unique' because I honestly didn't know what other word to use, didn't really know how to describe it.

"Do you… love him?", Rusty speaks sort of tentatively.

I look up at him and then shrug slightly, pouting a bit as I feel like a little kid again coming clean about stealing my moms jewelry.

"I don't really know Rus", I sigh. "I do, but most of the time I wish I didn't".

"Why do you wish you didn't?", Rusty looks confused.

"If you were a girl would you want to be in love with a guy that just wants to party and drink and smoke…. and be with whatever girl he wants!", I throw up my hands. "I mean, that's why we broke up! Not because we didn't love each other… we just wanted different things. And I could never become president at ZBZ if I didn't get more serious. Honestly they might not have even accepted me into the sorority if I had kept dating Cappie!"

Rusty watches as I put my head in my hands for a moment.

"Not that it even matters now because… the way I feel about him ended up getting me kicked out of ZBZ anyways", I scoff bitterly at the current state of my life, Rusty watching me with an empathetic look. "He is really good to me Rusty, he always is, especially lately since I've been feeling so bad… I just never know what the right thing to do is with him".

"It's okay Casey", Rusty looks sad for me and then leans in to take me into his arms to hug.

"What… what's going on? You're hugging me?", I question, my body staying still like a statue, not used to this at all.

"Uh yeah", Rusty laughs.

"Sorry it's just… this isn't really something we do Rus. In fact, I can't remember the last time we hugged", I shrug and then relax a bit more in his arms.

"I know that but… maybe you could make an exception since I'm trying to be there for my older sister?", Rusty says and I can't see his face because we're mid hug, but I can hear the slight laugh in his voice.

"Okay", I nod, starting to hug Rusty back. "I think I can do that".

"Good", Rusty laughs and then pulls away from me, facing me now as I give him a content smile, feeling my dimples show on my face.

There's a knock on the door then, making the two of us sit up straight and turn to the door.

"Case?", Cappie's voice carries through the door. "Is it okay to come in?"

"Yeah, c'mon in", I call out.

Cappie opens up the door and sees the two of us sitting on his bed.

"Spitter!", Cap smiles. "Hey!"

"Hey Cap!", I see Rusty smile like never before.

He really did like Cappie, that's for sure. And I could see why… the past two weeks since I've been here I can see how sweet Cappie is to him, how much of a mentor he is to all the pledges, but especially to Rusty.

"Good thing I knocked this time", Cappie looks to me with a scoff, smirking at me. "Sorry about the other day Case, I'm still not really used to sharing my room I guess".

He laughs slightly, referring to walking in on me half naked a few days ago.

"It's okay Cap", I nod, giving him a smirk back, blushing. "I can't really complain since you're giving up your room for me, letting me sleep in your bed. Even if…"

I look down at it jokingly, looking up to give him a grossed out look.

"Even if half the female student body has been in here at some point", I cross my arms, speaking sassily, liking to mess with Cappie like this. It was just… fun. I'm pretty sure I was the only one who ever put him in his place. He wasn't used to it since being president here these guys kind of treated him like a god.

"Ha-ha", Cappie rolls his eyes playfully at me. "Very funny Case. But yeah… don't worry about the bed thing. You're the one that's pregnant, not me".

He shrugs like it's obvious and no big deal to him to give me his bed.

I smile now, a genuine one, at him.

And Rusty's words ring in my ears. Knowing one hundred percent that Cappie wanted to keep this baby. Even though I was refraining from thinking about it as our baby… it was kind of the truth. It was ours. Had our DNA, would look like us, would act like us, would have our traits. Well a mixture of us. Which was pretty insane to me.

"Well it's better than my dorm room floor that's for sure Casey", Rusty laughs a bit, his words bringing me out of my thoughts, out of looking at Cappie and wondering whether to take this chance with him.

I shake my head, shake myself out of thinking and instead focus on Rusty.

"Yeah definitely", I laugh, nodding. "So uh… are you guys going to get ready for that Tri Pi mixer soon?"

"We're probably gonna have some dinner first and then get ready", Rusty smiles.

"Well Rusty and the guys will", Cappie shrugs nonchalantly, sitting down on the desk chair in his room. "I'm gonna stay home for the night".

"What?", I scoff. "Are you sick or something Cap?"

"No", Cappie looks at me like I'm crazy. "I just don't feel like going".

He shrugs like it's no big deal, looks down like he doesn't really want to talk about this.

"I'm gonna… go downstairs and help Beaver order the pizza", Rusty announces, looking back and forth at the way I'm looking at Cappie in confusion and the way he awkwardly avoids my gaze. "Last night Beaver gave the place the wrong address and the pizza never came".

"Yeah don't ever trust him with the phone Spitter", Cappie looks over to Rusty with a laugh. "Believe me, we got roped into supporting a little African village kid for a whole year because Beaver didn't know what he was signing up for".

I can't help but giggle now.

"It dug into our monthly beer budget", Cap laughs a bit. "But hey! Who says the Kappa Tau's don't care about philanthropy?"

I give him a cross of my arms as I narrow my gaze at him as if to say 'seriously?'

"Yeah you guys are just a bunch of modern day Mr. Rogers' Cap", I roll my eyes at him but I can tell by the way he's smirking at me happily that he knows I'm playing around with me. And that he likes it.

"Well see you guys in a bit!", Rusty smiles, waving to Cappie and then to me.

I give Rusty a look, making my eyes wide, trying to psychically beg him to not go, to not leave me all alone with Cappie. He was kind of our buffer. But unfortunately it seems we don't have sibling telepathy, because instead he just nods at me and turns to go walk out the door to Cappie's bedroom.

"Well uh… how are you feeling today Case?", Cappie asks me seriously.

"Still pregnant", I scoff with a shrug and he nods, returning the awkward smile I give him. "But yeah not too bad… just a bit nauseas and tired like usual. But I haven't thrown up today… yet, so that's good".

"Yeah it is", He gives me a genuine smile. "Are you okay with pizza? Because I can get you something else if you're not into that or if it'll make you feel sick?"

"No I'm happy with pizza", I smile, feeling a feeling in my stomach at the way he's looking out for me even after the way I frequently push him away. "Thanks though Cap. And… thanks for getting me that ice cream from McDonalds the other night. I know it was really late at night and stuff but I just wanted it so badly, like so badly and-"

"It's totally fine Casey", Cappie shrugs like it's no big deal, cutting me off. "I was awake and… it makes me feel better, to be able to help you out in any way I can since I'm obviously… not going through it quite like you are".

He nods, explaining.

"So… you're doing all this because you feel guilty?", I let out in a soft voice, looking at him meekly.

"God no", He looks at me like the very notion is crazy. "Seriously that's not it at all… I just want to help you. I mean yeah, I do feel a little guilty and bad that I had a big part in doing this to you but-"

"I don't want you to feel bad for me!", I let out. "Seriously, you should just go to the Tri Pi mixer, do what you usually do. And if you want to bring a girl home, I'm fine, I can take my stuff go sleep at Rusty's dorm even though his roommate is… a little creepy to me. It's fine Cappie, I don't need your pity!"

"What are you talking about?", He shakes his head in confusion. "That's not what's going on here at all, I don't feel bad for you, I just want to spend time with you! Jesus".

He rolls his head back in annoyance now.

"Oh…", I let out awkwardly, looking down, feeling a little bad now.

"Is that so hard for you to believe?", He gives me a look.

"No", I shrug. "I'm sorry. I think… I think that it would be nice to spend time together, if that's what you want".

"Yeah it's what I want!", He says kind of irritated at me.

"Well fine!", I revolt back, hands on my hips. "Spend time with me then!"

The two of us lock eyes, intensity palpable between us now. Until eventually I shake my head and laugh a bit at the insanity of this.

"Why are we yelling at each other?", I shake my head with a groan.

"I don't know", Cappie starts to laugh now too and then let's out a long sigh. "Why don't we just… try and have a good time tonight okay?"

"Okay", I give him a small smile, nodding. "I'm sorry I questioned you… I was going to spend tonight alone, I was happy to actually. But if you want to tag along-"

"Yeah I'm up to do whatever you were doing to do", He nods.

"Okay well I was going to go to Blockbuster and rent a movie for the night", I say. "And make microwave popcorn… and maybe eat some ice cream".

"Sounds like a fun Friday night to me", He smiles.

"No it doesn't", I give him a playful narrowing of my eyes. "C'mon Cap… a fun Friday night for you is you being drunk at the end of the night with at least one girl going home with you".

"Well it wasn't always like that", He gives me a playful glare back. "Don't you remember? We had tons of movie nights just us back in freshman year in our dorm rooms".

"Yeah", I look off, smiling at the memory. "You're right… that was pretty fun".

"And lots of those times back then I hadn't even gotten to see you naked yet so it'll be just like freshman year Case. You, me, movies, snacks, no sex. Promise", He smiles at me, his eyes lit up.

"Okay", I nod sheepishly, unable to stop the blush that comes over my face. And because I feel like maybe I'm acting just a little too into this right now, a little too into him, I go back to sparring with him. "But just so you know I am not watching Old School again, got it?"

I put a finger up to point it at him, trying my hardest to be menacing.

Cappie just laughs and nods up and down, looking amused too, I think him finding me cute right now.

"Of course. We can watch whatever you want", He puts his hands up like he's under arrest. "Whatever chick flick you want I'll be up for it since you're the one that has had to deal with being so sick lately".

"Exactly", I nod with a bit of a giggle.

"Well… you wanna eat when the pizza gets here in a few minutes and then we can go to Blockbuster? I can drive", He offers.

"Okay yeah", I confirm with him, kind of surprised that this is actually happening. It was just sort of the last thing I was expecting. Not that Cappie wasn't always nice to me, I just assumed I'd be on my own tonight. I wouldn't have blamed him for wanting to go out. Although I could tell he was reigning himself in a lot lately, either coming home early from Doblers or just not looking as into the parties at the KT house as he usually was.

Not to mention… I don't think he realized I was noticing, but he'd actually been going to all his classes from what I could tell. That's why he had come home later than me and Rusty, because he was actually at class. And I saw him carrying around his book bag everywhere, a book bag that actually had books in it.

I wasn't sure exactly why he was seeming to be trying at school right now, and it's not like I would say anything about it, but I couldn't help but be happy about it. Just because I knew how smart he really was, how much he was wasting his life with stupid stuff most of the time when he had such a sharp mind if he would just use it.

The doorbell rings then and we both sit up.

"That should be the pizza", Cap smiles. "You know your little brother is awesome. He's a really good addition here, he's really smart... he takes care of some of the less… capable guys".

Cappie says the word capable in a way that makes me laugh.

"Less capable meaning Beaver?", I raise my eyebrow with a giggle.

"You said it, not me", He jokingly shrugs.

"Well… he's kinda like you that way Cap", I say and then see the confusion on his face in response so I decide to elaborate. "Too smart for this place, but sweet enough to want to take care of everybody in it. And… a good leader".

I smile at him genuinely now, feeling my heart rate rise in my chest at the way I was being honest with him right now, complimenting him even, void of our usual play fighting.

"Thanks Case", He gives me just about the most touched look I've ever seen on him.

"Yeah…", I nod, shrugging like it's no big deal. "Well I'm starving, you wanna go eat?"

I try to change to subject so we can end this slightly charged moment between us that's making me feel a little uneasy… like we're getting a little too close.

"Yeah let's go", He smirks and the two of us get up to go downstairs.

"Oh and Cap", I hold onto his arm, stopping him from going down the stairs, him giving me his full attention. "Tonight, you and me spending time with each other… it's not going to end with me naked in your bed okay?"

"C'mon not everything I do is done with that in mind", He gives me a playful role of his eyes.

"Okay good, just checking", I put my finger up to him jokingly, giving him a cute grin, knowing he's amused by this.

"Although you will end up in my bed, technically", He shrugs, continuing to joke and annoy me as we walk down the stairs now.

I just look over to glare at him.

"And you may have started sleeping naked for all I know", He shrugs, keeping up his antics.

"Cap!", I laugh and I give him a light swat on the arm. "Don't make me regret saying yes to this".

"Okay, don't worry. My lips are sealed and I'm going to be professional and respectful now", He grins mischievously at me.

"Yeah sure you are", I speak sarcastically and then roll my eyes dramatically so he doesn't miss it. Then we walk on into the KT's living room which is loud and bustling with all the guys that I've now come to know pretty well at this point.

But I can't help thinking that there's no way I'm going to regret saying yes to this, to him tonight. Because like it or not, every single night I've evet spent with him seemed to be the most fun I've ever had with someone.

Even if I didn't want to admit that.