What would happen…
Something was wrong with her. She was weird since a couple of days.
Rick noticed a solitaire ring on her ring finger he'd never seen before but he assumed it was a family heritage so he said nothing about it.
He was about to ask her why she wasn't herself when Kate cut him off
"We're done here, Castle, go home" She continued when he didn't move "See you tomorrow"
"I was thinking, maybe we can to the Old Haunt" he said with a smile, hoping he could talk to her about her behavior
"Sorry but Josh is waiting for me and I'm exhausted. Some other day?" She asked shyly. She knew Rick didn't like Josh before but after the shooting it became worse. That's why she avoided talking about him in front about Rick.
"Sure" Rick answered with a hint of disappointment and anger maybe in his voice "But before you go I'd like to ask you something" He said, unsure if it's the time and the place to talk about it.
"I'm all ear, Castle" She replied simply
"Is there something wrong lately?" He continued before she could answer "I mean, you're weird since a couple of day and I don't know what I've done or what I'm supposed to do…"
She seemed surprised but made no comment. "Castle, nothing's wrong. You didn't do anything. I'm fine" She looked at her father's watch "And late. See you tomorrow"
"See you tomorrow"
"Hey I'm home" Rick said, closing the front door of the loft
"Hello Richard" Her mother greeted him "How was your day?"
"Fine" He just answered before heading to his office
He opened his laptop but didn't write anything. He wasn't in the mood. The whole with Kate bothering him. A few minutes later, he heard someone knock on his door but said nothing. He didn't want to be disturb. But the person opened the door nevertheless and he could see his mother entering the room
"What is it Richard?" She stated
"Nothing Mother" He said not wanting to answer the question
"Oh, Richard. I know you. I know something is wrong. Just tell me." He said nothing so she continued "Is it Kate"
"Yes it is Kate" He sighed. He couldn't hold this anymore
"What did you do?" Her mother asked
"I didn't do anything. That's the problem. She's weird, distant but I really don't know why. I'm lost and when I asked her she said she was fine. But I know she's not. I can feel it" He put his head in his hands
"Darling, Kate is a grown woman. She can take care of herself and is she doesn't tell you, maybe there is a reason" She replied simply
She was right, he knew it but he couldn't think about her. "I know… I know but I'm worried. What if she run away like when she get shot. I couldn't face it again. I could not lose her again." He hold back the tears "And this guy, Josh. I really hate him. He doesn't deserve Kate. He doesn't make her happy but she deserves to be."
"I know, kiddo, but life isn't easy. You have to face the real world. Maybe Kate is not ready to be this woman yet. Maybe she needs more time. She will make some mistakes but at the end, she'll find her way." She said trying to appease his son.
"I hope you're right mother…" He finally answered
"I'm always right. You should know that by now" She smirked
Kate opened the door of her apartment. It was quiet but she heard some noises in the kitchen.
"It smells good" She said entering the room "What are you doing?"
"Surprise" Josh winked at her and took a step closer to kiss her "How was your day?" He asked then
"Fine" She replied "Just another day with some bad guys" she smiled "And yours?"
"Fine too. Another day saving life" He grinned. He took her in his embrace "So, did anyone noticed the engagement ring of yours?"He wanted to know.
She laughed "No. At least nobody told me about it"
"Kate, I know we agreed but why don't you want people to know? I mean they'll have to know some day or another"
She step back so she could see him "Because," What could she tell him? That she doesn't want people to know because she's not sure or because she remembers Rick telling her he loves her? No she can't tell him that "Because it's my private life and for now I don't want people to know. That's it"
"Okay. Just tell them when you're ready" He kissed her and returned to the meal. "Let's eat. I know you're starving" He said with a smile.
