Disclaimer: Don't own them, make no money off of this. All it does for me is save me from going to therapy.
A/N: I've never done this style of writing before but I've found that it's helped me out of a major slump, so I'll take it.
Prologue starts at the end of season 3, and the rest of the story picks up after season 6 "Limelight." Mostly Alexis-centric
She's not surprised when Detective Beckett comes home with her father. Their home has always been open to anyone, whether a family friend in between homes, classmates of hers who needed a place to stay when their parents were out of town, young hopeful actors trying to make their way in the city. There's always been a spare room open and Detective Beckett has used it before, and while Alexis isn't shocked that she's there, she does wonder why.
Her father and the detective act like everything is alright as they plate up the dinner they've brought with them and Alexis watches them over the top of her computer, wondering what in the world is going on. She knows that Captain Montgomery was killed two days ago, but she doesn't know why, nor is she certain that it's an open-and-shut kind of deal. Is Detective Beckett in danger somehow? She's not stupid, she knows that her stay last time was not just the necessity of needing a place to sleep because hers was blown up by a psychopath. No one needs to tell her much for her to string the pieces together. So can she not go home now? Or is it something else entirely?
She doesn't realize she's staring until her dad drops a dish and it shatters on the ground. He and the detective both jump back then burst into laughter, one that is obviously not of amusement but of release. Alexis smiles; it's good to see her dad with those laugh lines around his eyes again. And if Kate Beckett is part of the reason for that, then she herself might just have to go along with it.
"Alexis, are you hungry?"
"Depends. What's in that mystery bag?"
"It's quite the amalgamation of different cuisine," he starts dramatically, showcasing his Rodgers genes. "We have the savory Indian dishes, the comfort of chow-mein, a dizzying array of pizza toppings-"
"Potluck is what you're saying then."
"I couldn't decide!"
She smiles and joins them in the kitchen, pulling three glasses down from the cupboard.
"So, where is mother this evening?"
"Oh, out fishing again I'm sure."
"And what kind of fish is she looking for?"
"From the way she dressed before she left, I would guess one that likes reflective bait."
Beckett snorts a little laugh.
"It was bright blue and by that I mean it looked like someone had dyed it with a Slush Puppy. It was covered in glitter and the hem had a whole bunch of… I don't know, she called it zazzle, all over it. I told her she looked like a lampshade belonging to Belle Watling, but she seemed to be already halfway to wearing one on her head so I don't think she heard me."
"You must respect your grandmother, Alexis," Castle warns, mock seriously.
"I do, dad. I just wish I could look at her without the big nuclear testing goggles on."
"You're sassy this evening."
She gives a one shoulder shrug and a smile.
"I've been here all day long with no one to talk to. I've been laughing at my own jokes in my head, I needed an outlet."
"Well then I'm glad it's this and not an off the chain party."
"Off the chain?" Alexis and Beckett question in unison.
"What do they say these days?"
"Usually it's just "my parents are out of town and they don't lock the liquor cabinet." But I don't know that from any kind of personal experience at any kind of party that you don't know about, okay?"
"You're as convincing as your mother."
"Hey, ouch!" she exclaims, reaching over to slap his arm. "How rude."
"I want to know about this party."
"There was no party dad," she giggles, shaking her head. "Not a house party, that is."
"Okay well as long as there was fresh air, I'm not worried."
She frowns, disappointed that she can't keep the charade going one more round. Maybe she'd laid it on a little too thick.
"So anyway, what are you two up to tonight?" she asks after a moment, taking her full plate to the counter.
"Oh, we just felt like it was time for a little mind-numbing cinematography."
"Stupid movies, excellent choice. But Detective Beckett, I have to warn you, dad knows all the words to every Ernest movie and he is not above quoting them all."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"And if he suggests Home Alone, say no and run far away."
"Why?"
"He once set up booby traps just to see if they would work, then forgot where a few were."
"Oh?"
"My mom found them. Accidentally."
"It was actually funny, we had a good laugh about it!" Castle defends, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yeah, I'm sure the pain pills she was on because of it had nothing at all to do with her dismissing your behavior."
Castle grimaces and digs into his dinner. Sometimes he has to admit, he's no match for his daughter. He shudders to think what would happen if she and Beckett joined forces.