A/N: at long last ... sequel time! blame my failed hard drive for the wait, this would've been up a month ago otherwise. the first version, i think, was probably better, but as i was rewriting it i noticed a rather gaping plot discrepancy that i was now able to fix. every cloud has a silver lining. ;]

disclaimer: story title/summary and all chapter titles are, again, Bon Jovi songs. and i don't own Castle, as much as i would like to.

this chapter isn't really a chapter, it just kind of sets things up. but i digress. enjoy! :D

Chapter 1 - Open All Night

Beep.

Kate Beckett smiled and closed her eyes as she inhaled the popcorn's buttery scent that was currently wafting through her apartment. It was going to be a good night. A particularly nasty case had just been successfully wrapped up, and she managed to make it home in time to catch the late showing of The Wizard of Oz on TV. She'd wondered why so many channels insist on showing movies multiple times in a night, but she certainly wasn't complaining; The Wizard of Oz had been one of her favorite movies when she was a child, and remained one to this day. She'd thrown on a wifebeater and plaid pajama pants, and popped a bag of popcorn.

Yep, it was going to be a good night.

Kate made her way over to the microwave, pulled the door open, and removed the bag. She pulled two opposite corners apart, carefully avoiding the scalding steam that came pouring out. Picking out a piece, she again closed her eyes as she went to place it in her mouth.

Ring.

Her cell phone.

She sighed and opened her eyes. Damn. Of course, one night of happy childhood memories was too much to ask for. Letting the piece of popcorn fall from her fingers back into the bag, she reached for her phone, which was sitting on the counter. Upon seeing who was calling, her brow furrowed. Rick Castle? Why the hell would he be calling at 11:06 at night? They weren't dating or anything; nothing of particular consequence had happened since they cleared the air. Kate, however, certainly wasn't considering anyone else, and she was almost positive it was the same on his end. So, though she would now admit to herself that she has feelings for the man, she couldn't help but be a tad annoyed.

She answered the phone, glancing wistfully at the TV. "This better be good."

"Yeah, it's not so much good as it is material for a fatherly crisis."

She noticed he sounded rather frazzled. She put down the bag of popcorn. "What's wrong?"

"Alexis's boyfriend broke up with her."

Kate was confused. "Okay," she said slowly, "well, you're her father. You should know how to comfort her. I mean, you've helped her through situations before, right?"

"Let me clarify: my teenage daughter was just dumped by her first boyfriend."

"Ah," Kate said, finally understanding, "that is pretty bad. I see your problem."

"Look, I hate to do this to you, but my mother's out for the night and I think Alexis could really use a woman's point of view ... do you think you could come talk to her?"

"Sure," Kate said, all thoughts of the Wizard of Oz gone from her mind. "I'll just change and be right over."

"Change?"

"Yes. Clothes. I'm in my pajamas."

Rick rolled his eyes. "Do you think I care what you're wearing?! My little girl is in her room crying her eyes out, I'm desperate!"

Kate sighed and looked down at her bright red flannel pants. "Okay," she said reluctantly, "I'm coming."

He sighed. "Oh my god, thank you!"

"Don't thank me now, I haven't helped her yet!"

He laughed. Kate struggled into her coat with her free arm, and continued. "Give me 10 minutes."

"Done. Oh, and Kate?"

She stopped moving. "Yeah?"

"I never care what you're wearing. Not just when I'm desperate."

She blushed, extremely glad they weren't having this conversation in person. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Mr. Castle."

"I'm serious!"

She heard the smile in his voice, and rolled her eyes in amusement. "Then thanks. See you in a few."

"I look forward to it."

She hung up the phone, and picked up the remote to turn off the TV. Dorothy was in the middle of belting out Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but Kate didn't give it a second thought. Alexis needed her, and Rick didn't care what she was wearing. Smiling, she finished pulling on her coat, stepped into a pair of old sneakers, and left her apartment. It could still very well be a good night.

funnily enough, i didn't even remember that A Chill Goes Through Her Veins referenced the Wizard of Oz until AFTER i rewrote the entire story. i just love it and thought Kate should too. :D reviews = love!

idea behind chapter 2: Kate and Alexis need bonding time.