AN: So, here's a new story. As with all of my fics, suspension of disbelief is needed. Anyway, here you go!
Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.
Kate Beckett hums to the tune blasting from the speaker overhead, her body swaying back and forth. It's three days until Christmas and she's definitely in the holiday spirit.
"Kate?" a barista calls from the counter, pushing her drink toward her.
The brunette tosses the young man a grateful smile, her fingers gripping the Styrofoam cup. As she walks, she sips, holding back a moan at the delightful taste of the hot beverage. Nothing like a double hot chocolate during wintertime.
She begins to walk out, one hand grasping the cup as the other begins to push the door open. Her mind is so focused on not spilling her drink that doesn't notice a figure approaching, and winds up crashing into it.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," a male voice says, scrambling to retrieve her now empty cup.
"It's fine," she starts, reaching for the container herself. Really, it's just hot chocolate. "I should've been paying more attention." She grabs it, but so does the stranger. Glancing up, her eyes widen at the sight in front of her. The man stares at her with striking blues eyes, a boyish, but sheepish grin on his face.
"Let me get you another one," he insists standing up and throwing the old container away. 'It's no trouble."
She blinks, a little surprised at his kindness but accepts it anyway.
"Er, thank you…"
"Alex," he replies. "And you?"
"Kate." They approach the counter and he asks her which drink. Once she answers, he asks,
"Are you new around here?" She frowns. "Sorry, it's just that I frequent this coffee shop a lot and I've never seen you."
Ah, now she understands.
"I've been away at college, so this is my first time home since then."
"College, huh?" He grins. "May I ask which one?"
Kate glances at the stranger warily, sizing him up. He appears to be about five years older than her, maybe more.
"Sorry," he grumbles as a barista calls his name. "Just making conversation."
Shrugging, she gives him an apologetic smile before saying, "Stanford. I'm in my first year."
"Stanford? Wow!" he exclaims, eyes wide. "That's quite a feat."
Heat creeps up her cheeks at his praise. Normally, she would just shrug, but for some reason this Alex is making her feel some extra pride.
As he hands her the new beverage, their fingers brush, and Kate almost drops the cup again as an electric shock passes through her. However, she chalks it up to her imagination.
"Thank you, again, for getting me a new drink," she says as they exit the shop.
He waves a dismissive hand. "It's no problem. It's least I could do after knocking into you." Another wide smile graces his lips. "Maybe I'll see you again?"
"Perhaps," she concedes, lips twitching, feeling a little more comfortable. "I am here for Christmas break."
"Well, I hope we meet again." He gives her a little wave goodbye before heading off in the opposite direction.
She kind of hopes they do, too.
It turns out they meet again, both days before Christmas to be exact.
"So, what are you doing for Christmas?" she prods, grabbing her order off the counter.
"Um, just spending it with my mother," he answers, tone indicating that's all he'll share. "You?"
"It's just going to be my parents and I. Mom of course made food to feed an army of hundreds," she jokes as they walk along the street. She and her mom had been prepping for Christmas the past few days. Everything, except the ham, sits in the refrigerator waiting to be served. She smiles, already imagining the smells that will fill their house tomorrow. "So, it's nice you can spend Christmas with your mom."
"Yeah," he murmurs, staring ahead, seeming lost in thought. They stop in front of her home and he gives her a soft smile. "See you soon?"
"Yeah, see you soon," she supplies. As she walks up the steps, she turns, tossing him a warm smile. "Merry Christmas, Alex."
"Merry Christmas, Kate." He winks before walking off.
Biting her lip, her turns and enters her home, looking forward to the next day.
The following day is filled with the usual holiday cheer at the Beckett home. Her mother rises early to begin cooking, with Kate aiding her. She's always loved this, spending time with her mother. She may be a teenager, but she can let go of being 'cool' for Christmas.
As she stirs the herbs in with string beans, her mother mashes potatoes in back of her. When the young Beckett turns around, she notices her mother stare off into space, seemingly lost in another world.
"You okay, Mom?" she asks, concern in her voice.
"Oh, I'm fine, Katie. Just thinking about what to do for New Year's Eve," she answers. Kate frowns, realizing her mother isn't being truthful, but doesn't press.
"Oh yeah, I almost forget," Kate starts. "Maddie invited to me to go out with her New Year's Eve, so I won't be home." Her high school friend had called the day prior, begging the brunette the join her at a club in order to celebrate the coming of the New Year.
Her mother raises an eyebrow. "Oh, well, be safe, dear." She smirks as her daughter groans.
"Mom," she whines.
"Just make sure you have everything you need and don't drink too much."
Kate scowls, turning back to the vegetables. "Yes, Mother." She hasn't been in a wild child phase in a while, Stanford proving to be too much work to spend much time partying and hooking up with guys. Not that she had done much of that before college, either. However, the evidence of her motorcycle in storage would have her parents arguing otherwise.
"Only looking out for you, Dear," her mother hums, as she licks the potato covered spoon.
The young Beckett rolls her eyes, grinning when she begins to hear Christmas music play in the living room.
"Alright, let's get this holiday started," her father says, entering the kitchen. "How are my two favorite women this morning?"
"Great, Dear. You can make it better by setting the table." Her mother hands him a bunch of silverware and plants a kiss on his cheek. "Merry Christmas."
He chuckles, giving Kate a quick peck on the cheek before going out to the dining room.
They sit a few hours later, their stomachs almost full from the delicious meal.
"Who wants dessert?' her mother asks. There's a chorus of 'me' emanating from the two Becketts. She chuckles before entering the kitchen.
"How's school going, Katie?" her father asks.
"Great, the courses are interesting so far," she answers, polishing off her plate.
"I'm glad to hear it. I still can't believe it, my little girl in Stanford!" He beams as only a proud father can.
"Yeah," she murmurs. "The kids seem pretty nice." She hasn't really found any friends yet, but she hopes to remedy that by the end of the year. "How's work?"
"Busy, as always. Settled a few cases, so that's good." Leaning forward, his voice lowers to a whisper. "Between you and me, I think your mother's working on some big case, but won't tell me what it is." He shoots her knowing look and she laughs.
"It would explain why she was so distracted earlier. I doubt she'll tell me anything, though," she answers, her voice matching his. "But, maybe I can try to cajole something out of her." They exchange a chuckle, knowing how carried away her mother can get with a case. The stop talking once her mother reenters the room, holding a plate containing a delicious looking Yule Log.
As they eat, Kate's mind briefly flits to Alex from the coffee shop.
She hopes he's having as good a holiday as she is today.