Disclaimer: I do not own LWD.

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Hockey was a violent game.

Of course, I always knew that. However, it was still the first sport that I asked to be allowed to participate in. I tried many others like baseball, soccer and even basketball, but none of them by choice. This was one thing that I wanted. Still, my parents expected me to dropout a week after, just like I had with the other sports. However, I didn't…I couldn't. I had fallen love with it. I loved the feeling of being on the ice. Loved how each movement was graceful and calculated, and yet so raw. Loved how when the game was being played, everything mixed into the background and nothing but getting that puck in the net mattered. I was wrong, yet again.

Friday had started out great. I had a good night's sleep, so I woke up surprisingly fresh in the morning. Things with Casey were marginally better, which was enough to take the edge off of me. My whole family was rooting for me and serving my every whim. I had even gotten the shower first, in honor of game day. Let's just say getting hot water in this house was a miracle. I was feeling like a King.

I had gotten to arrive to school in style, in my dad's new car rather then the beaten up Buick I was handed down for my birthday. I was greeted into the school doors to the cheers and friendly back slappings of my school mates. The school, in itself, was a sight to see with its every inch decorated in banners for the game, and every player's profile blown up and set around the school. I have to say that I looked particularly handsome in mine.

Since it was the main homecoming game, the class times were shortened to allow for the assembly just before the game. So it was great when my brain hadn't been completely fried with "useless" information, which is why I had literally arrived to the assembly with a smile on my face.

I took a seat in the first row beside Sam, happy to see that James was at the opposite end. It was only a few seconds before the principal walked onto the stage. Raising his hands, he indicated for the auditorium to calm down.

"Welcome my minions…"

Nobody blinked an eye to that, as we weren't surprised, having been used to his antics everyday.

"As you know today is a very special day…"

He was cut off by a series of hoots and whistles but after allowing the noise to die down, he continued.

"The best hockey team we have ever had is going against our biggest rival today. To say that I am excited would be an understatement. Since we have never been able to beat Valley's team, I am here to give you guys some incentive. After pulling some money from the art fund…kidding…each player, upon winning of course, will receive a season ticket for the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup…"

I cheered, alongside my teammates. Those tickets were expensive, and I don't know how he pulled it off but I wasn't complaining.

"I can see the crowd is not as happy, but if the team wins, Valley's principal has kindly offered to pay for a banquet hall for our homecoming dance to be held in."

Everybody cheered and laughed to that. Anybody who had been around here long enough knew about the ongoing competition between the principals themselves. They were always betting, and the loser often ended up doing something for the other's school.

"Thought you guys would like that. Now let's give our team the support they need!"

That was the signal for us to jog through the aisles as everybody stood and cheered. The feeling was incredible. Knowing the whole school was behind us, the team became even more motivated.

Still, just as great was the feeling of entering the ice rink with their resounding applause. Taking a few laps around, I lead my team into a round of warm ups. I didn't let it show, but I was nervous as hell. This was huge game for us, and I knew the only way we could win was to stay focused. The sound of the crowd's "booing" few seconds after indicated that our rivals had arrived.

We put on our game faces. Even Sam, who was such a happy and generally friendly guy, had the look of a hound out for blood. Marti, in previous games, had thought it was a cute puppy face, but now it seemed that he had worked on it.

The referee entered the ice last. Upon reaching the center, he blew his whistle, indicating that it was time to take our places.

I skated into position only to find myself facing my least favorite player. Ignoring him, I took my stance, but he was oh so happy to talk.

"The great Derek Venturi in the right wing position. Aww did you make a boo bo0?"

"Shut up Matheson"

"Hit a nerve, I am so sorry. Is that new pretty boy taking your position, well well they didn't value you much did they?"

My scathing retort was cutoff with the referee indicating the start of the game. From the corner of my eye, I saw James skillfully swipe the puck with his stick, and pass it to Sam. Unfortunately at the exact moment the opposing team's player Harland body checked him, while taking the puck. Having played him enough, I knew he would pass it to his other half in the dynamic duo, Matheson. Waiting for the right time, I slammed Matheson into the boards and took off with the puck. A loud cheer went up in the crowd. I skated faster opting not to shoot but rather to take a skate behind the net, hoping to give enough time for my players to get in position. Once sure that Sam was clear, I passed it to him while avoiding one of the angry defense players. From this point, I could see Sam pass it to Mike, who passed it back to Sam, who in turn passed it to me. As expected, the dynamic duo came at me, but I wasn't the best because I could shoot great under pressure, but because I knew that team players won the match. Facing the board, I hit the puck against it edge, watching it slide with the curve of the board to end up at the other side of the net where James was awaiting with stick in ready position. Pulling back, he smashed it strategically towards the net, taking the goalie completely by surprise. I watched in delight as it hit the side and landed neatly in the net.

"Man oh Man! Thomson high starts off with a sweet goal courtesy of Venturi and Stevens; it looks like we are in for some game folks!"

-- Half time

We rocked this game!

We were two points ahead, and as I looked around at my fellow teammates who were red and drenched in sweat, I knew they were nowhere near letting up the fight.

Even James, I grudgingly admitted was doing great, by putting about half the points on the board. Before, I, being the captain, could walk up to him and say "good job," something caught his attention in the stands, causing me to follow his line of vision.

It was Casey.

Walking towards the little doorway that led out to the stands, he stood there and waved her over.

Frowning I looked away and instead focused on the coach, who at the moment was discussing some new plays he wanted to try out. He had not even finished saying the last sentence when Sam began jumping like a crazy lunatic on speed.

Nodding to the coach to indicate that I understood, I turned to Sam and calmly asked "What's wrong?"

He shook his head very fast and said, "Nothing, why would you think something was wrong. Nothing is wrong, we are leading. Every thing is good. No wait, it's super."

He kept glancing at something behind me, so obviously that was a big hint that he was trying to distract me from that something. Therefore, I turned. Big Mistake. The scene being played out before me, made my heart freeze in my chest. His arms were wrapped around her waist, while hers were around his neck. They were kissing. Not like the typical horny teenagers, but like a couple discovering their first kiss. I hadn't realized the impact that sight would have on me. I felt sick, and the exhaustion of the game, which was nonexistent before, quickly replaced the energy high of leading.

The sound of the half time being over awakened my senses, causing me to finally tear my eyes away from the sight. Jumping over the side box, I skated into my position, with everybody following suit.

The game started.

Willing myself to calm down, I focused on the game. It was hard, but thank God I was far away from James, who was currently near the net while I was preventing one of the opposing players from getting there. However my luck ran out when the puck landed near James.

My job required me to go swerve behind the net and take it from the place where he was protecting it. Thus, I found myself speeding towards him, and rather than slowing down and taking the puck, my brain went berserk. Using my full body force and the built up speed from the ice, I slammed him into the sideboards.

"What the hell Derek!" he exclaimed in anger.

Ignoring him, I turned taking the puck. Apparently he had no sense of self preservation as he put his hand on my shoulder to make me turn. Something inside of me just snapped. Throwing my hockey stick on the ground, I pulled my arm back and punched him in the face. He stumbled from the force, but didn't let himself fall down. Instead he came at me, and I felt my jaw literally shake from the force of the punch.

Weeks of anger and frustration came back to me, causing me to completely block out the pain. I continued to throw blow after blow, while blocking against the ones coming at me. Our teammates were the ones who finally broke us apart, followed by the referee's whistle. Doing his exaggerated hand motions, he said, "Number two gets a three minute penalty, Number 1 gets a five minute penalty!"

The anger still boiling within me, I screamed, "What kind of call is that, I didn't beat the other team's player?!"

"You disrupted the game!"

"I didn't! If you did your job, maybe this wouldn't have happen. And really why does he get only three minutes?!"

"You started the fight!"

"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it not about who starts the fight?" I said sarcastically.

"Don't take that tone with me!"

I skated up to him, until I was right in his face. "What you gonna do, you big sissy?"

His face turned a dark shade of red, as exclaimed angrily, "That's it, you are out!"

"What, you can't do that!!"

"I can, and I just did."

"Hey you ass—"

My throat clogged up as I saw my coach shake his head, making it clear that I needed to shut up. I was just making this worse. Then it hit me, my stupidity had just gotten me kicked out of the game. I had just decreased our chances of winning, i had ignored my own advice on staying focused. Hanging my head in shame, I walked off the rink, only stopping near my coach to whisper an apology and giving a concerened looking Sam a nod indicating I was fine.

The crowd was booing at the referee, even knowing that it was my fault. I noticed as soon as I had stepped off the rink, two of the security guards had fallen in step with me. Trying to seem indifferent, I ignored them. The humiliation didn't stop there as they waited outside the lockers rooms while I took a shower and changed. Expecting for me to go the nurse, I just shook my head at them. They weren't that concerned to change my decision. Once outside, they happily slammed the doors in my face. Knowing that my dad was going to come for me soon, I waited in the parking lot, happy to breathe in the fresh air.

"You look disgusting Derek."

A chuckle arose from my badly bruised body.

"Your boyfriend doesn't look any better, which begs the question, why aren't you with him?"

"Family overrules boyfriend."

"We aren't family, we can never be. We are just two people stuck in a very weird situation."

Looking at me intently, she said, "Whatever we are, we work."

I wanted to believe she meant "more" with those words, but I didn't get a chance to dwell on it as she continued.

"Anyways, I didn't think you would be in the mood for George's lecture so I convinced him let me take you home"

I looked at her in surprise and asked, "How did you do that?"

She smiled quirkily, "I think he thought letting me take you home was torture enough."

Chuckling, I agreed. If we weren't in this "'limbo" I would have probably stomped my foot like a spoiled child rather than be glad that she was taking me home.

Nodding, I moved towards the car. I didn't protest as she got into the driver's seat; I was not that stupid to think that I could drive safely in my condition. Buckling my seat belt, I sighed and tried to forget the night every happened.

Finally getting home, I immediately went towards the fridge for an icepack. I was leaning against the counter, holding it to my left temple, when I saw Casey walking towards me with the first aids kit. Chuckling hoarsely, I asked. "Are we going to play doctor? If yes, then you should really change into something less comfortable."

Rolling her blue eyes at me, she just directed me to a chair. Ignoring her request, I wrapped my hands around her waist, and hoisted her onto the counter. Startled, she asked "Derek, what are-"

I cut her off smirking, "It's easier this way."

Huffing, she opened the little box. While she went about setting the box in a way that provided easiest access according to my injuries, I took the time to lean closer and inhale the strawberry scent of her shampoo. I couldn't help but sigh in pleasure. She smelled that good. Turning she looked at me inquiringly, but I just blinked innocently. Staring at me suspiciously for a few seconds, she went back to her task. Taking out a cotton ball, she dabbed it with some antiseptic and began cleaning my bloody lip. Then moving to my temple, she repeated the same action. I would like to say that I took it like a man, but really I didn't, since by the end Casey was exasperated.

"Derek, stop hissing!"

Glaring, I said, "It hurts!"

Getting a new cotton ball, she sarcastically replied, "Should have thought of that before you fought."

"Hey, don't be --- Ouch, woman! Are you just enjoying torturing me?!"

"Whatever you big baby!" she said, poking my chest.

I winced, that had hurt. Of course, my skills at hiding that failed as it showed on my face, and Casey's eyes immediately turned concerned.

"Do your ribs hurt?"

Damn, I could just imagine the torture that would be soon to follow, if I said yes. So, I said, "Nope."

She rolled her eyes again, and before I knew it, she took off my shirt in one swoop.

I blinked stupidly.

"Wow, I don't know whether to applaud you or ask you about what the hell you do in your free time?"

She ignored my retort, and began checking me. After what seemed like hours of torturous poking, she gave me her diagnosis. "Well your ribs don't feel broken, probably just bruised. Your shoulder however got chafed pretty badly so I need to clean it."

"Oh no-no-no-no-no…No!"

"Yes, Derek"

I shook my head once again.

"Yes."

"Come on, it's a big area Casey, no way I am letting you near with that… acid and burning me!"

She looked heavenwards before saying resignedly, "Derek, I am not trying to hurt you on purpose. I wouldn't do this, if it wasn't necessary. We have to clean your shoulder, you guys were practically rolling around on that ice that carries God knows what on it. And your jersey, which you didn't wash because of the 'winning streak' carries enough germs for every infection possible."

Knowing it was useless; I just sighed and looked away, while tilting my shoulder towards her.

Smiling she said, "Good boy!"

I turned quickly to give her a glare before turning my head away again. The first dab had me jerking back a foot in pain.

I exclaimed angrily, "You know what! No fucking way, let it get infected! I don't care."

"Derek come on, please…" she made those doe eyes. I could tell when she made them to get away with stuff, but this was not one of those times, as she actually looked concerned.

Love sucked. Sighing, I moved closer and wrapped my hands around her waist.

She looked down, and then back up, then down again before saying. "Ah Derek..."

"What! If you want me to actually stay in one place, the least you can do is act as my support"

Giving me a small smile, she didn't push them away. My skin felt like it was on fire. One area was particularly bad, and from Casey's squeak I guessed I was squeezing too hard. Sheepishly, I kissed her cheek softly before whispering a soft, "Sorry."

Using her other hand, she stroked my cheek and whispered back. "It's okay."

She went about finishing the job, and when she looked up at my face. She appeared to be in shock. I guessed that few tears must have leaked out, as I saw her raising her hand to brush it against my cheek.

"I am sorry," she said miserably.

She looked so…I hated this. Moments like these killed me, they made me forget boundaries of our relationship, they made me think that she felt more for me as well and lastly, they made me do crazy things like this. I leaned forward and kissed her.

Unlike last time, she wasn't hesitant. She responded instantly with a need of her own. Moving her lips against mine in earnest, she didn't think twice about stopping. My need in accordance with hers made me move my hand to the back of her head and tilt to get deeper access. I was ecstatic to feel her tongue take the initiative, and tentatively trace the seam of my lips for permission. I gladly gave in.

As soon as the kiss had deepened, she moved her hands from around my neck to place them on my chest. Hesitantly she began exploring, the torture of her gentle caresses made me moan out loud. Wanting to feel her skin as well, I pushed off the flimsy sweater she was wearing, happy to find a tank top underneath.

Not being able to resist anymore, I moved out of the kiss to place my lips on her newly exposed collar bone. Trailing tiny kisses up to the curve of her neck, I licked the same spot I had on Wednesday. I was happy to find that it still made her moan, so happy that I felt a little possessive, and I bit down, only to have her arch into me. The feeling of her pressed up against me was like being in heaven.

She voiced her approval with a moan of her own. I was beginning to like the sound of that. Moving back up from her shoulder, I kissed her again. In the heat of the moment, I found my hands moving under her shirt. Hesitating when the realization came, I moved to remove my hands not wanting to in any way force her. However, it was unnecessary as her hands covered mine through the shirt and gave a gentle squeeze. Swallowing hard, I slowly began tugging upwards. I was in complete awe as slowly her smooth skin came into my vision. I felt my throat go dry as I saw the black silk that was encasing her breasts. I couldn't help but sigh in appreciation.

Brushing my lips against the shell of her ear, I whispered, "I told you, black would suit you more."

I grinned as I saw the blush spread across her chest and reach her face. I was making her uncomfortable, but damn I wanted to stare. Actually I wanted to touch; so I did. I reached out and traced the skin above the line of her bra. Feeling her breath hitch, I couldn't help but smirk at her response. Moving forward, I touched my lips to the center of her neck and trailed down to the valley in between just above the front clasp. Just as I was reaching to undo that said clasp, the moment was broken.

"Derek… Casey… we are home!"

Stumbling backwards, I quickly took Casey off the counter. In alarm, we scrambled around the kitchen, both looking for shirts. I found my shirt first, and watched as Casey too pull her tank top over her head. We both slid to our places at the opposite ends of the kitchen, just in time to see Marti running towards me in full force. Catching her before she toppled my already bruised enough body, I raised her up to eyelevel to find not her normally gleeful face but one full of tear stains.

Worried, I asked. "Smarti, what's wrong?"

"They said you got hurt."

"Who said?" I asked, while glaring at Edwin, who spoke up quickly.

"I swear it wasn't me Derek. All I had done was take Marti with me to get a drink. She overheard some guys ahead of us talking about you and the… you know… f-i-g-h-t."

Turning to look at Marti who was currently trying to disappear into my shirt, I said. "Look Marti, it's nothing, I am fine. Come on, you really think anybody could just hurt your big bro?"

Whimpering she shook her head.

Nodding emphatically, I said. "Right, so why are you crying? You are a big girl now. And big girls don't cry but they do get to eat ice cream at night."

I looked towards my dad, knowing that giving Marti ice cream this late was a death wish. However, he knew I needed some thing to take Marti's mind off of crying, so he just nodded. Still carrying her, I began taking out bowls.

"So who else wants ice cream?"

A chorus of "I do's" followed, except one.

"Ah I am not in a very ice creamy mood, so I am just going to go finish my homework," said Casey. I didn't need to turn to see that she was fleeing in panic. I wasn't worried though as I had realized something through this "ordeal": Miss Casey McDonald was attracted to me. I smirked. Just because we were never meant to be, didn't mean I couldn't have fun with this new development.

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Author's note: Sorry, I really did have 90 percent of the chapter written up, but I had to fix a lot of things, then my new beta Carie Valentine (THANKYOU SO MUCH) helped me out a lot and gave great suggestions on what to improve. Hopefully, I did.

Huge thanks to: Half-elf, tvFANatic26, Seed-of-Flame, DereksGirl,Amanda031, Kitty (LOL ok 90 chapters …nooooooooo… basically at most 5 more), sballLuvr5, -6BOGUT6- (Hope that was good parts), forgetMEalways, Lavalampgirl (as promised, DASEY parts)iluvhsm-Sprntrl-LWD-Sville1... (You didn't ask anything but I am still writing to say, you just too cute in your reviews, keep them coming! ), EvilFaerie17, christine, funnechickgkpinkgrl (I don't know if you got my message, but yes it was House, my new addiction), EdwardxBellaatruwriterCarie ValentineInulover4eva (first love you! Second, yup molecular bio notebook, its great how DNA can make a person think of another person whose name starts with a D…),Cursive Obsession

Oh also special thanks to Seed-of-Flame and DereksGirl, for being so sweet and willing to beta, I just picked the first person who said they would, so no offense to you guys.

Oh another thing:

I don't know if Muffin Is Injured or flowersinmyhair still reading, but I dedicate the making out part to them. I hoped I reached "way hotter" and hopefully made up for the lack of action in the janitor's closet.