Alternate Always:

A/N: This began life as the draft of my very first fanfic, but I never did anything with it. So now I've re-read this, modified it and turned it into another Always fic; because I couldn't shake the question… What might have happened if the break-in at Montgomery's had been a coincidence and they'd had their movie night as planned?

I also tried weaving some of the actual 'Always' dialogue into the story (obviously in a different context) and 'writing' their thoughts/internal dialogue. So sentences in italics represent what's going on in their heads. Hope it doesn't confuse you. There's also a few F-bombs floating around... that's OK for a 'T' rating isn't it?

Disclaimer: I sincerely appreciate having such wonderful characters to borrow, and I try to treat them as I would my own.

Chapter 1

"You like John Woo?" Castle asks.

"The bloodier the better." Beckett confesses with a sideways glance.

He pauses, thinks it's now or never and asks, "You wouldn't want to join me, would you?"

"Actually, I'd love to," she answers without hesitation and there's a smile and a look, and it takes his breath away for a second.

Did she just say yes? Here I am bracing myself for a Beckett death-stare or at the very least an eye roll and she just said yes. Holy shit.

"You coming Castle?" she says with a look he can't quite decipher but whatever the look is, he knows it's deliberate, knows she's messing with him and he doesn't care.

Detective Kate Beckett is at her desk, a clear murder board beside her and a just-finished pile of paperwork in front of her. Earlier in the day they cleared a case that initially looked like it was going to stir up a hornet's nest surrounding her shooting and the death of their beloved Captain Montgomery, but to everyone's relief they discovered that the break-in at his home was in fact a random coincidence and their dead suspect in that robbery had simply been murdered by members of his former gang.

The relief amongst the team was immeasurable and they all took advantage of the unexpected early-mark; all except Kate. Instead, she has spent several hours dotting the last 'I' and crossing the last 'T' because she loves the rare feeling of going home knowing her desk is clear, loose ends are tied and that a new day will begin with a clean slate. However, as the afternoon gives way to evening she's feeling a little jumpy and unsettled. Finishing paperwork usually gives her a sense of calm satisfaction but not this time because tonight, instead of taking that sense of calm home with her and spending the evening relaxing with a glass of wine, a hot bath and a good book, she's got a date with Richard Castle.

Well, she thinks it's a date. A guy asks a girl to his house, they are going to be alone, there's probably going to be food and alcohol involved… yep, it sounds like a date and Kate is a combination of nervous and excited. She's completely lost in her own head, busy over-analysing what this turn of events may or may not mean, when she almost misses her phone vibrating on the desk beside her.

"Hey Castle, is the ceremony over already?"

"Yep, the class of 2012 has actually left the building. Watch out New York City," he says with a chuckle, then teases her. "Just checking you haven't fallen asleep at your desk."

"No Castle, wide awake," she laughs. "And before this becomes some sort of running joke with you, I've only ever fallen asleep at my desk once." That he knows about.

"Yes, and you looked adorable," he says and it causes a tiny flutter in her belly. But then he ruins it. "That is, until I saw the drool."

Kate does her best to stifle a laugh, "What do you want Castle?"

There's a stutter and a brief pause on his end and Kate starts to suspect that he's nervous. She wonders if he's calling to check that she hasn't chickened out and she briefly considers teasing him but can't bring herself to do it. If he's half as worked up as she is about their movie night…

Castle interrupts her musing, "Just wondering what time you think you'll get here?"

"Is seven okay?" she asks, looking at her watch and noting that if she leaves now she'll have an hour to shower and change. Surely that's enough time, a small internal voice whispers. You're not 'frocking up' for cocktail hour, you're just going to spend an evening sprawled on Castle's couch. "Can I bring anything?"

"Nope, just yourself." And your toothbrush, clean underwear and some work clothes for tomorrow, he adds silently. Settle Rick, you're just gonna drink some wine, eat some food and watch a movie. Baby steps.

"Okay, I'll see you at seven then."

"Until then Detective," he says softly and hangs up.

The traffic gods smile on her and the drive home is remarkably quick, giving her just over an hour to get ready and to her astonishment, she uses every minute of it. By the time she shaves her legs, washes her hair and does her make-up, more than half her time is gone. Just as well no other areas need hair removal she thinks, thanks to Wendy. Hang on Kate, you go to Wendy because she's the queen of Brazilian waxing. Why should that matter tonight, it's not like you'll be getting naked with Castle after one date. She gives her head a gentle shake to clear the mental images she has conjured and redirects her mind to wardrobe selection.

Fifteen minutes, seven ensembles and four underwear selections later she still hasn't decided what to wear and wishes Lanie was here to help her. Oh no Kate, Lanie must never know about this because you are being ridiculous. It's Castle for heaven's sake… yeah, and it's because it's Castle that you're so worked up. It might just be movies at his place, but this is huge.

"Ugghhhhh," Kate yells aloud in sheer frustration, and quickly chooses a matching set of deep mauve underwear, her favourite skinny jeans and a pair of black ballet flats. Then it's just a matter of the shirt, and eventually she decides on a pretty, scoop neck T-shirt two or three shades darker than her underwear. It's her favourite colour, it's girly and comfortable and her eyes look greener when she wears it. And admit it Kate, you like how it tends to fall off one shoulder and you think Castle might like it too. Pathetic Beckett, pathetic.

Castle can't decide if he should set the table or keep it casual and eat on the couch. He wants the evening to be relaxed but he also wants to impress. Beckett is coming over, not to talk about work or celebrate closing a case, she's coming over because he asked her to join him for a movie and she said yes. It seems so simple, like no big deal but it's monumental for them and he wants it, whatever it is to be right; good wine, good food, good company and hopefully just a hint that she too considers tonight to be an actual date because he sure as hell does, and he hopes it might be the first of many.

As he checks on the food in the oven and pops the salad in the fridge he decides against setting the table. Instead he stacks plates, cutlery and glasses, along with an unopened bottle of Shiraz on the counter and heads for the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later he's standing in his bedroom, towel slung around his waist as he tries to decide what to wear and he shakes his head in frustrated disbelief at the mounting pile of shirts on his bed. He's chosen jeans but can't pick a shirt because a button down might seem like he's trying too hard, but a Green Lantern T-shirt might seem like he's not trying hard enough. Eventually he goes with a plain white slim-fit Tee because it fits in all the right places and it looks good with the dark denim of his jeans. Jesus Rick, you're acting like a teenager, a teenage girl at that. Get a grip man, she'll be here any minute.

And as if some psychic force is at play, the doorbell rings and he races to answer it. Pausing briefly, he checks his hair, you really are a girl sometimes, takes a deep breath and pulls the door open.

"Kate," he says, one deep syllable that sounds steadier than he feels. As is often the case when he sees her like this, smiling and looking casual and comfy instead of all 'detective-y', most of the air leaves his lungs. God she's gorgeous. "Come in, come in."

Kate steps over the threshold and she briefly wonders if there's some sort of metaphor there; stepping into Castle's loft and possibly into something new, with him. He leans in then and surprises them both by kissing her softly on the cheek, making her breath catch and she's highly suspicious that she may have blushed just a tiny bit. Yep, definitely stepping into something.

"Hey Castle. Smells good in here," she says, mostly meaning the food but he's so close that she gets a whiff of him too and he smells amazing; all clean and spicy and just, yum. Jeez Kate, you'd swear you'd never smelled expensive after-shave, the way you're reacting.

"My famous spinach and ricotta cannelloni. Not a lot of time for cooking after the graduation ceremony, but it's easy and delicious," he says as they gravitate towards the kitchen.

"Even if you do say so yourself," she teases and tries to stop herself devouring him with her eyes, but dammit he looks hot. "So, you're the father of a high school graduate. How does it feel?"

"Terrifying," he answers with a smile, but she can tell there's at least a sliver of truth in that one word. "Her speech was perfect and naturally, I cried through most of it."

"Manly tears of course."

"Nope, great big fat girly ones," he admits as he raises the unopened wine bottle and she nods. He's pouring the wine when he adds, "I can't believe she'll be gone in a few months. I know she's not going far but..."

When he hands her a glass she sees the sadness in his eyes, and without thinking about it, she takes the wine from him and gives his hand a gentle squeeze. It's meant to be comforting, a gesture of moral support, but there's a crackle of electricity in their touch and just like the time he took her hand when he dropped Royal the dog off at her apartment, their eyes meet and they have a moment.

Actually it's more like three or four moments that set their fingers tingling, their hearts racing and the sexual tension in the room soaring. Apart from their hands, they aren't touching anywhere else but they are close enough to feel each other's body heat, witness their pupils dilate and sense the others' tightly wound body language. When Castle begins gently rubbing the pad of his thumb across her fingers she gives a barely audible gasp, but he hears it and suddenly drops his gaze from her eyes to her slightly parted lips.

God I want to kiss her and if she does that lip-biting thing I'm not going to be able to help myself. And then, as if on cue, she does it; takes her bottom lip between her teeth and he watches, enraptured as she bites down firmly before gradually allowing the flesh to slide free of its brutal entrapment. I wonder if the way she punishes that lip has left some sort of callous. I so want to run my tongue over it and find out.

He unconsciously tugs on the hand he's still stroking, gently pulling her closer and she doesn't resist, just leans in slightly, her gaze a little wide-eyed but unwavering and then suddenly the moment is shattered by a loud buzzing from the kitchen. They spring apart immediately, more than a little startled and Castle stumbles to the oven to switch off the screeching timer, signalling that their dinner is cooked. Oh Jeez, she's been here five minutes and I already can't keep my hands off her. Yeah well Rick, she didn't seem to mind. Just be yourself, and make it your adult self, not your horny teenager self. Yeah, like there's a difference when she's around.

"Cannelloni al Castle," he manages to croak as he pulls the food from the oven, surprised he manages even a single word. "Hope you're hungry."

You have no idea. It's a response she's used before but this time she doesn't say it out loud. Instead she smiles, nods enthusiastically and takes an enormous steadying breath. "I'm starving."

It takes them both a little while, but focussing on serving dinner provides sufficient distraction to allow some equilibrium to return and by the time they settle themselves on the couch, plates and wine glasses in hand, they have pulled themselves together.

The conversation over dinner starts with... dinner; compliments for, and questions about recipes and secret ingredients and he admits he puts pumpkin in the spinach & ricotta mix. Eventually though, they relax and really begin to talk; teasing, joking, laughing and even though there is an undeniable sizzling tension surrounding them, sparks of electricity every time their fingertips brush or knees bump, it's easy and familiar and he can't remember them being this relaxed in a very long time.

"I have dessert. Ice cream. You want some?" he asks as they take their dishes to the kitchen.

"Movie first? I can't fit another thing in just yet," she smiles, rubbing her stomach for effect.

"I'm not surprised. You can certainly eat Beckett," he teases, but can't tear his eyes away from the brief glimpse bare Beckett belly he just saw. "I've seen you devour a hamburger faster than me. I'm not sure where you put it though."

"Gee, thanks Castle. You sure know how to charm a girl," she says from her position near the island bench, where she is now resting her elbows as she watches him bending over the dishwasher. His jeans are slung low, his shirt is riding up and she has to literally shake her head to stop herself leering at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean..."

"It's okay Castle. I'm just teasing you." And looking at your butt!

He looks over at her then, grinning widely because he's fairly sure he catches her staring at his ass, which seems like a fair trade-off because the way she's leaning on the counter is giving him a fairly spectacular view down the front of her shirt. So, Kate Beckett wears purple lace... good to know. I wonder if she's wearing a matching set? Jeez Rick, don't let your head go there unless you're planning a cold shower before the movie.

Kate refills their wine glasses while he wipes down the benches and as she carries them to the couch she looks back towards him in all his domestic glory and for the second time that day says, "You coming Castle?"

They glance at each other, he raises an acknowledging eyebrow and she smiles, switching off some of the lights before making herself comfortable and waits for him to join her. As he approaches he watches her, barefoot and cross-legged on his couch, slowly sipping her wine and he can't help himself, he studies her. She looks younger when she's relaxed and casual, softer. And tonight, tonight she just looks...

"Staring, Castle. Didn't we come to some sort of agreement about that?" Kate asks, feigning annoyance but she turns and grins widely at him so he knows he's not really in trouble.

"Hmm. You apparently, are of the opinion that my staring is creepy, and I may have agreed to stop doing it." Except you look good enough to eat and I can't take my eyes off you.

"Just come and sit down, Castle. I won't bite."

Yeah, but I might; your neck, your toes, everywhere in between... no, no, no and no. Stop it Rick. Pure thoughts, keep thinking pure thoughts. Hah, you haven't had a pure thought about this woman since... forever. You're a grown man for heaven's sake, pull yourself together and sit down... I wonder how close I can sit without freaking her out? My preference would be both of us horizontal, her head on my chest... or mine on hers. Bad idea; now I'm thinking about other horizontal positions which involve nudity. Start the movie Rick, distract yourself.

"The Killer or Hard Boiled?" He asks, hoping she hasn't noticed the sudden huskiness of his voice.

"Surprise me."

He chooses Hard Boiled and flops down next to her, remote in one hand, his wine in the other. Their bodies are close, close enough to lean into each other if they want to, but far enough apart that physical contact would have to be a deliberate.

Initially, they find themselves absorbed in the film, her occasional startle and his intermittent squealing a source of frequent laughter and teasing, but eventually they both end up spending more time sneaking covert glances at the other than they do actually watching the movie. Inevitably their eyes meet and when they do, their gazes lock and they both experience a deep sense of deja vu; a couch in a Los Angeles hotel room, gentle and heartfelt words, lingering gazes and the same potent yet terrifying force drawing them together. They felt it then and they can feel it now, the inexplicable pull and the powerful physical reactions; raised pulses, sweaty palms and tentacles of desire unfurling low in butterfly filled stomachs.

"I came back out of my room that night in L.A." she confesses, certain his mind has drifted back to the same memory as hers, watching him as her admission registers across his face, in his eyes.

He stuns her then with a confession of his own, "I was pretty sure I heard your door open just as I was closing mine, but I was too afraid to look."

"Why?"

"Because it wasn't the right time, Kate. You were grieving and you were still with Josh and..."

"And you were looking after me, like you always do."

"Yeah, I guess, but believe me Kate, I was tempted."

"Me too," she whispers, her eyes downcast, and it's barely audible. Oh, I was so tempted and I wasn't even thinking about Josh. God, I've never cheated on anyone in my life but that night... shit!

His arm is stretched along the back of the couch and he reaches for her, places a finger under her chin to lift her face and encourages her to look at him; and she does. There's shyness there and he thinks it's cute; not that he'd ever utter the words cute and Kate Beckett out loud in the same sentence if he wanted to keep all his body parts. There's also something else there and he's hoping his instincts are right because, what he thinks he sees, what he hopes is there, is longing.

His finger leaves her chin then, and he gently tucks a wayward curl behind her ear before cupping her cheek in his palm; and they don't make a sound. She leans into his touch, lowers her eyelids briefly when he strokes her face with his thumb and then they let their emotions pour out through their eyes; both of them seeing some of their own feelings mirrored by the other.

When he suddenly detects a subtle twitch of her lower lip, their silence is broken, "Oh God, please don't bite your lip again."

"Why not?"

"Because it makes me want to kiss you."

As usual, I had trouble stopping once I got started and a one-shot has morphed into three chapters. The next one will be up tomorrow or the next day… providing anyone wants to read it of course. Please review and pass on your thoughts.

There will be both a 'T' and a 'M' version of the final chapter because I couldn't help it… I love writing smut!