A Snapshot
Disclaimer: I don't own LwD
AN: Enjoy

A Snap Shot:
Window Pains 2

Derek had a very eventful summer. His best one yet to be exact. After the mutual breakup with Kendra at the end of the school year, he was ready for whatever his summer had in store for him. And it was quite a lot. First, he spent a week with Sam's family by the lake. That had been a blast. The lake, beer, boat rides, bikini clad girls, campfires at night. What's not to love? And throughout the school year, he had saved up enough money to join Ralph's family in Florida for a week. They were having their annual family reunion, and Derek was more than happy to join. And the cherry on top was that he got to spend two whole weeks in Spain. His mom had invited him to join her and he could not get on a flight any quicker. He got to spend most days catching up with his mom, and most nights... well those were definitely a blur.

Safe to say his summer had consisted of too many girls to name. But he was young and dumb and why the hell not? But it was late August, and he was sufficiently partied out. After a whirlwind of a summer and a phone full of numbers, he needed a break from all the estrogen and drama.

He had just gotten out of the first intense pre-season practice with the team that afternoon. Coach had gone extra hard since they had been off all summer. He was exhausted! However, Edwin informed him that there was a family moving in next door, including an older girl who looked about Derek's age. And so exhausted or not, Derek had to catch a peek of her, even if it was just from the window.

She was cute, which unfortunately was a big red flag for him. Any other time he'd be jumping at the opportunity to walk over and introduce himself. Give her a smile and test the waters. But not this year because this year Derek was captain of the hockey team. He had a lot to prove. He could not afford to distract himself. He had to keep his grades up and his game sharp. And he knew to do it he had to minimize distractions...

Why!? Why when he was actively trying to be good and rule out girls, does he gets cursed with a pretty brunette, right...next...door.

"You want to help the new neighbors move in? I'm headed over now," George asks, after he catches Derek peeking out the living room window, just staring at the newbies like an absolute creep.

"Not really," Derek mumbles, dropping the curtain, shielding himself from the view in front of him. But it didn't matter his eyes had already burned a picture of her long tanned legs into the back of his mind for later.

"Yeah, sure. Just stare at the cute girl from the window. That's normal!" Geroge rolled his eyes, teasing his son before he headed out to help move some boxes himself.

Derek grumbles, ignoring his father. He flops onto his couch ready to spend the last weekend before school starts doing absolutely nothing.

(Not even stare at the cute girl next door out the window. Cause that would be weird.)

He spots her at school walking with Emly the following week. Just one look and he just knows she's trouble. Seeing her in school is different. She was pretty - real pretty. He couldn't help but stare at her, and when he did, her eyes found his. Her eyes were the most piercing blue he has ever seen. And she was staring at him like he was the answer. To what? He wasn't sure. But he felt the pull between them. Until she's taking a complete tumble down half flight of stairs. It feels like he watches her fall in slow motion. He watches every step her body slides down, and every body she crashes into. She wasn't paying attention, and he likes to think that it's because she was too busy staring at him, not watching where she was going.

Regardless, he's a gentleman, so he rushes over to check on her. She immediately scoffs, brushing him off and getting up without his help.

"You alright?" he asks, trying his best not to laugh or snicker. But it was funny after all. Everyone was staring at the new girl who has made a scene, including Derek.

"I'm fine," she grits out, gathering her books that had slipped out her arms.

"I'm Derek," he tells her, giving her his signature smile. And he knows he shouldn't because of his self inflicted NO GIRLS rule. But she's there, and she's adorable, with her cheeks the color of the tulips his mom used to plant in their backyard, and he wants to reach out to touch them. And her eyes look like he could actually drown in them. So yeah, he introduces himself. He didn't have a choice in the matter.

"I'm leaving," she replies.

Feisty. And fuck if that didn't make him want more. He was messed up. Oh so very messed up. But the first step is admitting you have a problem. And the second was...

"She's Casey!" Emily supplies, rushing to catch up with the fleeing girl.

Casey.

Derek quickly learns that Casey had a bite to her. She doesn't just melt under his stare like most girls often do. She fights back, on everything he did. And he likes it. He likes it a lot. He also learned that Casey was good, a saint practically. She followed the rules and didn't like trouble. But Derek...Derek's middle name was trouble. And he liked to make her flush. He feels like a little kid trying to get her attention. But she tends to get frustrated with him quickly and he thinks it's adorable. So he decided that it's time to play an innocent prank on her. He starts small and works his way up. His favorite prank is the glitter bomb in her locker. Messy but effective. Harmless fun.

"Der-ek!" She screams when she opens her locker that afternoon.

He was glad she knew it was him, who else could it? And he was more than happy to hear her screaming in name down the hallway. The entire school probably heard her frustrated scream. And his claim on Casey McDonald, or at least the claim to being her favorite pain in the ass, was marked.

She still had glitter on her hands and he was already thinking of his next move. How to make her say his name like that again...

Eventually Derek asks for her number. And he knows it's a bad idea, but he's already in too deep. Sam laughed at the idea saying that it took Derek long enough. But when he asks, Casey refuses to give it to him, as he expected. But Emily...Emily was Derek's wing woman. An angel! She passed the number along and promised Derek to behave himself.

Of course he said he would.

All day he contemplates what to say. His first text to Casey would set the mood, the president to their evolving relationship. He knew he didn't want to be boring. Not a 'Hey' or 'What's up?' No, he wanted it to be something fun. He thought about making her guess who he was. But he was sure she'd be expecting him.

After his hockey game, all he could think about was wanting to see her. And he knew she wouldn't be at the party, she wasn't the type to go out. But he was itching to see her. So he aimed to do just that.

Window.

That's it. That's all he wrote. That's all he needed to write...right? That was enough to pique her curiosity. To make her come to him.

It must have worked because she does come to the window eventually. He likes the way her eyes go wide when she pulls her curtains back, like she was genuinely surprised to see him there. What did she think, that he left her a note or something? Which ok in retrospect that probably would have been a cute idea. But no, she got him instead.

She looks adorable in her matching red plaid pj set and a braid down her shoulder. She was clearly dressed for a comfy night in. "What-" she starts.

"Princess," he can't get over the shock that she actually opened her window to him. He expected a fight. A reply to his message. Or even to be ignored. She would do something like that. But she must be invested in the fight, at least a tiny bit... right?

"Derek," she replies, her voice is stone, but he doesn't care. Because she's there, in front of him, and that's all that matters.

"Can I come in?" he asks. He wasn't planning on it, but there she was and the open window looked real inventing. He wanted nothing more than to swim in her space and soak it all up.

She doesn't move or appear to have heard him; she just stares at him, blinking confused.

"Please," he adds, looking down at her, hoping his eyes make her melt.

She doesn't answer but she lets out a heavy breath, stepping aside, granting him access. Success! Grinning he climbs through the wide-open window and directly into her bedroom.

She doesn't move away from the window and he knows she's uncomfortable with him in her space. But he can't help but be excited. He notices the pink walls that match her blush. The satin ballet slippers were hanging on the wall, but he knew he danced so he wasn't surprised. It was exactly what he expected it to look like.

She clears her throat and brings him out of his thoughts and wondering eyes. "What are you doing here?" she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

She is uncomfortable under his eyes. So he falls into her desk chair, pulling a teddy bear into his arms. "I wanted to see you," he shrugs. And it's true. And he's hardly ever so blunt but he did want to see her, badly. And he knows he shouldn't. He shouldn't have even asked for her number, but there's something about Casey McDonald that makes him tick and it drives him crazy. He needs to find out what it is about her. And to do so he needs to be around her.

He wonders if she believes him. Or if she think he's just messing with her. Probably the latter. But how could he convince her of the truth?

"You can't be here," she replies. She's so cut and dry he almost feels rejected. Almost but not quiet.

He knew that was coming. He shakes his head, a sly grin pulling at the corners of his lips because he was prepared. After he got out of his game he went home to drop off his gear. He spotted Lizzie and Edwin sitting at the table working on a school project. And when he didn't see Nora's car outside he knew Casey was home alone. He had no intention of going inside her bedroom, he just wanted to see her, make her huff and puff about something, and be on his way. But clearly that's not what happened.

"I knew you'd say that. Boys not allowed in your room McDonald?" he counters, but he doesn't give her a second to answer. He knows the truth. "Not like it matters anyway, Lizzie's at my house working on a school project with Ed. And your mom's not home," he explains easily.

"And how would you know?" she asks her hand lands on her hip. He knows she's annoyed with him, but she normally was, so no difference there.

He leans forward, elbows on his knees and narrows his eye like he's ready for battle. He likes fighting with her. Probably more than he should. "Cause her car's not parked outside," he explains in a hushed tone. Check mate. She can't talk her way out of that one.

He watches her flush in embarrassment and he knows that he's right. Jackpot! "Well, what if I don't want you here?"

He knows she's looking for a fight, and Derek was more than happy to provide it. He thinks that deep down she likes fighting with him too. He sat back again, shrugging easily. "We both know you do," he replies, his tongue peeking out to slowly lick his lips. He hopes he sounds confident in himself and he really hopes she wants him there. He thought she was starting to crack and give in to him. He thought maybe, just maybe, there was a chance... "Why are you coped up in your room studying on a Friday night? Why didn't you come to my game? There's an after party you know."

Casey sighs, sitting on the edge of her bed reluctantly. "I don't like hockey. And if there's a party, why are you here?" she counters.

He loves fighting with her, but sometimes it would just be nice if she didn't fight him on every word that came out of his mouth. If he were to say the sky was blue, she'd probably argue the shade, just cause.

"Well, I was hoping to convince you to come with me but..." he shrugged again feeling a tiny bit defeated. He knew that she wouldn't really go out with him… but he hoped. Casey going to a party with him? It would have made his entire weekend! But he knew better than that. He gets up, making his way back towards the open window. He shouldn't push her too far. "But I guess I'll just go...alone," he said, sighing dramatically for good measure, turning to look at her one last time.

"You could use the front door like a normal person you neanderthal," she rolls her eyes. He's not sure but he thinks he saw just a hint of a smile on her lips. Like she too enjoyed their little exchange.

"This is more fun. See you on Monday, Princess." he winks, before climbing out.

He'd consider it a successful night, even if his team lost.

He hears that Caseys is going to homecoming with Truman of all people. TRUMAN! Really? The same guy who rated her and every other girl in their school. And she said yes to him! And ok, so maybe Derek didn't have to corner her in her car that afternoon; but he had to find out if the rumor was true or not. She was smarter than that. Better than that. Better than Derek, himself, but that's not what the issue was.

But then she confirmed it. She confirmed that she was going with Truman. And it shouldn't hurt. They weren't dating - obviously. But they had a thing, didn't they? He would tease her. She'd flush pink but fight back just as hard. He'd tell her she's beautiful and she'd scoff and stomp off. They had a thing and he was enjoying it. But then…

Maybe he just had a stupid schoolboy crush on the girl who hated him, that was all. But still, it stung. And Derek wasn't used to having f...fe...fell… god, he can't even bring himself to say it.

But when she made a jab about him asking her to the dance himself - it fucking hurt. Because ok, ouch. Obviously he wanted to ask her, and he doesn't even go to those sorts of things. But he wanted to go with her. He wanted to pick her up at her house, have that end of the staircase moment where she looks absolutely gorgeous and Nora make them take pictures. And he would do all that for her. And he felt like such a sap even thinking about it. But Casey...she was worth all that. She made him want to do all that.

But he knew they weren't there yet. In no universe could he ask her out and she actually say yes. But still he didn't think she'd go with Truman. He thought maybe she'd with Emily. And maybe he'd go too and steal a dance? That what he thought would happen anyway.

(But… was there a tiny part of her that made that jab because she wanted him to ask? No. Impossible... right?)

He felt her eyes on him when he finally walked away and he just doesn't get it. He doesn't get her. She is hot and then so very cold and he doesn't know what she's thinking. But apparently Truman, Turman seems to get it.

At practice that afternoon he plays hard. A little too hard. Coach threatens to bench him for the next game if he keeps it up. But it's not his fault he's frustrated and annoyed and okay maybe a little bit upset.

"Dude! You have got to get over this Casey thing!" Sam groans in the locker room after practice. "You cannot take out your sexual frustration on the team!"

But the thing is, it's not sexual frustration. Derek doesn't have any sexual frustration cause he always has an outlet. Always. Even then. It was more than that. It was 'I want to slam my head into a locker to make this stop' kind of frustration. And so Derek restrains himself from doing that. And he also stops himself from shoving his annoying best friend into the nearest locker.

It was fine. Everything was fine. He was fine!

He decided to go to the dance because of course he does! He's not going to miss seeing her all dressed up, looking like an actual princess. But he's not used to dressing up so he throws on a white button down and dress pants. He's uncomfortable in the clothes, rolling up his sleeves to feel a bit of normalcy. He looks stupid. He knows he does. Like a kid playing dress up. But still, he can't just show up in jeans and he knows it. He's already going to stand out because he never goes to those things. Well that, and because he's Derek fucking Venturi.

"Woah!" Marti gasps when she sees him. "You look pretty, Smerek!" Marti smiles and it lights up the entire room. At least he has her.

"Thanks, Smartie!" he smiles, ruffling her hair. At least someone thinks he's pretty.

At the dance, he spots her in Truman's arms. He has to blink back the punch in the gut that it gives him. He shouldn't be there. If Kendra finds out he went to the dance and didn't go with her, even after she begged, there would be hell to pay. But he didn't care. They were history and he was very much interested in someone else.

Without giving it any thought, he finds himself stalking right up to the pair because he has to dance with her, or at least try. At the very least, she has to see him and know he came... (And that it was for her. It was his vision of a grand gesture.)

Dancing with Casey felt like a dream. Mostly because Derek doesn't dance, so yeah that was odd and dream-like. But also because it was perfect. For half a song it was perfect between them. They bantered and they swayed and she felt so soft against him. And her smile, god did she smile at everyone like she smiled at him? Because he sure as hell felt special to be on the receiving end of it. And she said he looked good, it was the first time she recognized him as the tiniest bit desirable. And she sounded so happy that he came. He almost felt like she was flirting with him. Something shifted between them as they swayed. He wasn't sure what, but he felt it when they touched...

Derek's over Casey. Ok, well no. Not at all. But he's letting her go. After months of pinning and trying to get her attention, he finally gave up. Mostly because after homecoming, she had started dating Truman. Really dating him. So if she wanted Truman, he'd leave her alone. Derek had to watch them walk down the hallway, Truman's arm around her waist. It made him sick, but he left it alone. He put as much space between them as he could. It was for the best. He was losing himself to the idea of her, getting in trouble at practice. So, it was probably for the best, a blessing in disguise, even though he hated it.

(But he couldn't help but make snarky comments about Truman to Casey every once in a while. He couldn't go stone cold silent. That just wasn't his style.)

So, a party is exactly what Derek needs to get out of his funk. Ralph was telling one of his stories when Derek feels eyes on him. He's mostly used to it. But his eyes dance around anyway, looking for a distraction. Just a small distraction, nothing serious. He had reinstated his NO GIRLS rule again after the whole Casey debacle. And then his eyes land on her, she's smiling at him and heart betrays him by fluttering against his ribcage. She's with Truman now, he reminds himself. He's not allowed to feel that way about her anymore... But she's there and she looks beautiful and she's smiling at him like he means something and he misses her.

He smirks and can almost feel his eyes narrow and darken in her direction. He doesn't make a move towards like his entire body aches to. Instead he tips his beer bottle up in her general direction before bringing it to his lips. By the time he puts the bottle down, she's out of sight. And he thinks that maybe he imagined her. Afterall, he hasn't seen her at a single party all year long, why would she be at Ralphs?

He really does convince himself that his mind had conjured her up, that we was a little more buzzed then he thought. Until he sees a mass of brown hair out the corner of his eyes later on that night. She's beelining it towards the front door, and before he knows it, he's moving after her. He's a magnet pulled towards her, ever since she moved in. And he tried his best to fight it, but he couldn't help fall for the gravitational pull.

She almost makes it to the front door when he catches her arm. "Casey," he breathed out. Because she's real. He's not crazy or drunk. And she's really there. At a party. And he can't think straight.

She doesn't look at him, eyes trained on the ground. "Let me go, Derek" she grits out.

Her voice is unsteady and red flags go up immediately. Why does she sound like that? Something was wrong. Something must have happened. "Woah, what's wrong?" he asks, his hand trailing down her arm to her hand. He badly wants to hold her hand, how easy that would be. But Truman. Truman Truman Truman.

"Derek, please. Let me go," she begs him. And then she looks up at him and it hits him like a shot in the heart. She's crying. CRYING. Derek doesn't cry. Even Martis tears. Tears. He freezes because he doesn't know what to do. Never has.

"Shit," he curses. He drops his hand giving her the space she needs, but the second he does, she's bolting through the front door.

"Case-" he calls out. But he knows she doesn't hear him. Derek turns around looking around the party, looking for a reason. And then he finds one.

"Truman!" Derek calls, a smile across his lips. He's not happy. But he's happy to finally have a reason to hit Truman.

Truman pulls away from the blonde, disoriented like he's coming out of the ocean for air. "Wh-"

Before he gets the word out, Derek's fist cracks against Truman's jaw and it feels like Christmas and his birthday all wrapped into one. Everything that follows is a blur of bodies and noise, none of it really registers and that's ok. Derek's numb to it all. He knows Truman throws a few punches himself, a few of them landing. But he doesn't feel it, not yet. Eventually Sam and Ralph pull Derek away and get him out the door.

"Derek, what the fuck?" Sam asks, shaking Derek back to reality.

"He was kissing some blonde! And Casey..." Derek trails off, running a hand through his wild messy hair. Casey. Fuck. Casey must have seen it all. "I gotta go."

She's ok. Caseys ok. Well not okay, she just caught her boyfriend cheating on her. But she was alright. She'd get through it. And she was so done with Truman's lying ass. So Derek… yeah, Derek was ok too. Well, except for the fact that Truman did land a few punches, so they were starting to hurt. He was sure to have a few bruises on him the next day, Battle scars. But it was nothing that paying hockey didn't prepare Derek for.

(She did realize what that meant... right? That Derek punched Truman in her defence? That was crystal clear?)

Casey had to ask if he liked her. He's not sure why Casey really had to ask. He was so obvious he was sure the entire school was aware. But he's gathering that for someone so smart, she was just a tiny bit oblivious, so he ignored her blindness and confirmed it for her.

But more importantly she said that she might like him too. And he's pretty sure there's not a question about it, but casey doesnt give him a straight answer. And that's ok. Because the possibility is all he needs.

He spots her at one of his games the following week. She doesn't wear his jersey or paint his number on her cheek or like the other girlfriends do. (Not that she's his girlfriend...not yet anyway.) It's not a grand romantic gesture, but he takes it as one because she really doesn't like hockey. It's too much violence for her - he gets it. He doesn't expect her to do any of that. He's just happy she showed up. And he's pretty she he's the reason why. She even texts him that night telling him how well he played. She also makes sure to insult his slap shot, to keep the balance of the universe and all. He recognizes that as Casey flirting with him so yeah, they were getting somewhere and he was happy about it.

He takes things slow with her and doesn't push. He knows she just got out of whatever the hell the Truman thing was, so he's careful to tiptoe between wanting to be around her all the time and giving her the space she needs. But it's a delicate balance he struggles with.

In history class, when he takes the seat behind her, his pen always ends up twirling around a piece of her hair absentmindedly. She either hadn't noticed, or didn't seem to mind. It was enough for him.

Every once in a while, heis eyes find her in the hallway. He can't look away when they lock eyes, even with feet between them. He wants to close the distance between them, but doesnt. He just stares, and she smiles at him and he reminds himself that it's enough.

He was walking her to her car one afternoon, not for any particular reason, just to spend a few extra minutes with her. He knew he wasn't allowed to ask her out yet. So the short walk to the car was the move. He wasn't expecting it when she slipped her hand into his. It was so innocent, it really shouldn't have had an effect on him, but it did. He glanced down at their intertwined fingers and could not help but smile.

"Oh really?" he asks, his voice just a bit too smug.

And instead of pulling away annoyed like he thought she would, she pulled his hand up to her lips and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes and suddenly innocent little casey did not seem so innocent. "I never did thank you," she shrugs like it's no big deal. But it is.

If a kiss on his knuckles felt that good, he could not imagine what kissing Casey would be like.

He can't fathom going another day without kissing her. He just can't. So the next afternoon, after walking her to her car like he had been doing all week, he pressed her up against it. She let out a little gasp in surprise, but did not move to push him away. Her body was so soft against his. It was the closest he had been to her since they had danced together. She smells like spun sugar and he needs to taste her. He placed one hand along her waist, a few fingers teasing the bare skin between her shirt and jeans. His tumb skimming just under her breast. His other hand was cupping her face, tilting her up to just the right angle. It's cute the way her arms curl wrapped around his neck, it's like she needs to hold onto him. And he feels the same.

He almost wants to ask if he can kiss her, cause she seems like the type of girl who'd enjoy that. But his tongue feels heavy in his mouth and he can't form words. He just sees those blue eyes staring up at him expectantly. And her pink lips begging to be kissed. He hopes hes not about to fuck it all up when he leans into her, pressing his mouth to hers softly at first. Like he was testing the waters. Casey kisses him back, and before he knows it he's sucking on her bottom lip and she lets out the softest little noise that all the blood in his body rushes south because - shit. Who knew a kiss could feel that good?

Reluctantly, and because they are in public, he pulls away from her mouth. "Can I see you tonight?" he asks. He knows his voice is his voice low and gruff but he can't help it. He can hardly speak. And he needs more of that, in private.

Her eyes drift down to his lips, then back up to his eyes. "Maybe," she breathes out.

A grin pulls across features and he wonders if she's as affected as he is. He likes that Casey doesn't just give into him. That she makes him work for it and stand's her ground.

"So, you'll leave the window open?" he asks, his thumb tracing her bottom lip.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see," she murmurs, and before he has time to think about it, she's pressing him back down to meet her in another kiss.

So yeah, she's into it.

In a strange turn of events, Casey asks him out on their first date. He takes it to mean that she's ready to make things a little more official. Their first date is at Smelly Nellies after a game that she actually attends. He finds himself playing harder that night, and they end up winning. So all in all, he was having an amazing night. He feels her foot rub against his shin under the table the entire time, but she still fights him on everything he says, so business as usual, with a couple of added perks.

He follows her eyes to the blonde waitress that took their order, Sally. "Do you know her?" he asks. He knows that chances are slim but she's looking at Sally so intensely that he figures she just might.

She flushes, embarrassed that he caught her staring. She shakes her head no. "Do you?" She asks, a hint of laughter in her voice.

Oh. He wants to laugh, but he knows why she's asking and he knows he deserves it. "Fair, but no. I think she's new."

"Sorry," she says after a beat. "I've just heard too many rumors."

"Don't believe everything you hear." But then again most of those rumors were definitely true. He had a reputation for a reason.

"Well," she started playing with her napkin absentmindedly to avoid his eyes. "Is it true you hooked up with Kendra after homecoming?" she asks and she almost sounds hurt by it.

That question he decides needs a straight answer. Because homecoming was a touchy subject. "No. I was only there for all of 5 minutes, with you," he stresses, his legs reaching out under the table to trap her feet between them, squeezing her for a second. He wants to emphasize his words. "I haven't touched Kendra since we broke up in June," he adds for good measure. He doesn't want Casey to worry about him and other girls, he's sure that partly why she had avoided him so bad. But he wasn't Truman. He didn't go around cheating and breaking hearts. Did he have an extensive list of names? Yes. Was he actively pursuing anyone besides her? No, definitely not.

"Should I be worried?" she asks, and she tries to make it a joke, but it's clear that it's heavy on her mind.

"Nah. Kendra wants me, but she doesn't want me."

"What?"

"Sex," he replies plainly.

Casey blushes she cannot fathom the concept. You'd think she wasn't surrounded by teenage boys all day in school. "So, who is the last person you hooked up with then?" she asks, clearing her throat.

She had a lot of questions, questions he wanted to ask as well, just to turn the tables on her. But he knew the answer. And he didn't want to hear about Truman French. "You mean, besides the hot brunette I'm on a date with?" he grins, putting the emphasis back to her because that is what was important.

She stares at him with a pointed look and doesn't justify him with a response.

He sighs, giving in. "Anna Maria," he replies in his best spanish accent. "And she's from Spain, so nothing to worry about. I promise." He hopes he sounds convincing enough.

"Spain?!" Casey gasps in rumors clearly didn't mention his summer travels.

"I had an interesting summer," he shrugs. "And then I decided 'no more girls, I have to focus!' And then you just waltz right in and mess everything up." he teases, but its true.

"I didn't do anything!" she argues and suddenly she's back to normal.

"Yeah, right!" he smirks.

When the check comes, Derek pays for dinner. Casey argues that because she asked him out, she should pay. Derek bargains with her, allowing her to pay for dessert instead. Casey gives in, thinking that they might go out for ice cream. But instead of driving to an ice cream shop, Derek finds an empty parking lot. Dessert was really the cotton candy taste of Casey's lips, and she seems to be ok with that turn of events. They steam up the windows of The Prince. Although things were getting hot and heavy, he was still surprised to feel her soft hand slip under the hem of his tshirt. She crossed a line Derek had been very cautious about. He was more than happy to have the skin to skin contact. Even more so when he feels her nails graze down his back and he forgets how to breathe.

She leaves him notes in his locker between classes and he thinks it's the cutest goddamn thing in the universe. She's such an old soul sometimes he thinks she was born in the wrong era. The notes are innocent. But sometimes they allude to something more… Regardless of what they say he keeps them all in the glovebox of his car.

I like that shirt on you.

You + Me + Sushi?

No more visible hickeys Venturi!

You smell really good today.

Moms got a date tonight. Come over.

He sees her at her locker, and creeps up behind her to scare her. Just because they were dating did not mean that he was going to stop being a pain in the ass. In fact it meant that he would be a bigger pain in the ass.

He cages her in with an arm, his other arm curling around her middle pressing her body flush against his. She jumps and squeals and its music to his ears. "Hello beautiful," he mummers, pressing a kiss to the back of her exposed neck as her hair was up in a ballerina bun.

He feels her entire body shiver against him. Casey's neck was extremely sensitive he had learned. He took full advantage.

"Der," she breathed out, the name shakily on her tongue.

And fuck, she had absolutely no right to say his name like that when they were in public. Granted, he loved all the variations of ways she said his name; the soft 'Der' was very different then her annoyed 'Der-ek!'s. But still, he was unprepared for the effect her voice could have on him. "My house tonight?" he asks speaking into the crook of her neck cause he's paralyzed and really can't bring himself to move.

Casey must be too because she barely nods in response.

He shows up at her window every once in awhile when he knows Noras gone. Lizzie catches him once, Casey completely freaks out, but Lizzie doesn't seem to care at all. One night that Nora's home he leaves a single daisy on her window sill, knocking and disappearing, just cause.

He knows he has to stop sneaking into Casey's bedroom. Because Casey is good and innocent and sweet. And he's ruining all those things. But he can't help but be around her. And the sneaking around thing... It's kind of hot. She's all "Der-ek you can't be here!" but her hands are curled around his shirt and she is pressing herself against him like a cat in heat. It's the best kind of mix messages, so he goes with it.

That is until Nora threatens him with going out with Geroge. Then he decides he's done risking it all. He'll only come over when he's prepared to be a good boy. Like when they actually need to study. And turns out having a smart girlfriend really makes studying a lot easier. She has like five different approaches to studying, and gives the best rewards when he does something right. And being that he has to keep his grades up, it all works out in his benefit.

But sometimes it's hard to watch her. His eyes linger on her long legs stretched out in front of him on her bed. The way her face scrunches up in concentration when she reads complicated concepts. She's beautiful, obviously.

But it's more than just her beauty that keeps him on his toes. It's the way she cares about everyone and everything. And he's beyond lucky to be on that list. She gets so passionate, he doesn't tell her but he loves being on the receiving end of her rants. Because it's amazing how much she cares and he listens to every word. Even if it's a rant about sexism in the dance company. He was always ready to listen.

Dating Casey is different than any other girl. She really doesn't like parties, opting to stay in instead, and he finds out that he doesn't really mind it. She sets up a tea party for Marti one saturday afternoon, just cause. Like, who does that? It blows his mind how she can be that thoughtful. It also makes Marti fall in love with Casey immediately, which of course makes Derek fall just a little bit deeper for Casey. Marti deserves it, and Caseys an angel for dealing with a bunch of 8 year olds in tiaras. She even wears a princess dress and it drives him absolutely insane. He decides to dress up too to see if he has a similar effect on her. (Spoiler alert- he does.) After the tea party is said and done, the living room cleared up, he asks her to dance, like he did at homecoming. This time he doesn't worry about a thing as she lays her head on his shoulder and they sway.

They start to spend more time at his house, when they think they will do a little less textbooks and a little more… hands on learning. Unlike Casey, Derek was allowed to have his bedroom door closed. And Edwin never dared come inside. And in the privacy of his room, he was allowed to study all things Casey. There he didn't need to be careful of who saw what, or who was home. When he got her alone, he couldn't keep his hands off her, and she didn't seem to mind.

He desperately wanted her in all of the worst ways. But he moved slowly. Casey always set the pace, and wherever she drew the line, he followed. Granted, he tapped dance on that line, but still, he never crossed it. Thankfully he was always allowed to kiss her. And her skin was so soft, it demanded to be kissed - everywhere. And Derek would do just that. And when she would arch her back into his body, exposing miles of her throat to him, he took the hint and sucked on her pressure point just below her ear. Anything to make those tiny noises escape her. It became a game to him and he was competitive.

And Casey, she wasn't as timid as he thought she'd be. Either innocent Casey had been holding out on him, or something about him brought the boldness out of her. He quickly learned that Casey liked to bite and he really wasn't surprised by it when he put the puzzle pieces together. He liked being bitten by her. He liked the marks she left all over. Bite marks and scratches... you would think they were doing a lot more than what they really were. But he loved it and didn't care what the boys in the locker room had to say. She was also the one who made the first move and pulled his shirt off. Removing clothing was something he never pushed on. Not that he had a problem with it, she could strip him all the way down if she wanted to. (It was just nice knowing that the want, that need… yeah, it was mutual.)

Casey McDonald drove Derek crazy since the day she moved in next door and made him break his no girls rule.
And he was very glad she did.

AN: Back by popular demand, Window Pains 2.

QQ: I assume that you, my dear reader, have read all, if not most of my 325 Snap Shots! Do you have a favorite?
Dasey + babies? Wedding ones? Dasey!Doctors? Dasey!Cops?
(I also hope that if you've seen me evolve as a writer.)