Title: The Eye of the Beholder

Author: TracyT

Rating: T

Category: Romance, Humor

Summary: Castle asks Alexis about something he overheard

Spoilers: Punked

Archive: Yes, Please!

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Disclaimer: Not mine, but I wish they were. No profit will be made on this. It is a labor of love.

Author's Note: I totally stole the line about Castle being "confused and frightened" by female world from the movie "You Again?" I just thought it fit really, really well. Just my little take on the Josh thing. Please don't throw things at me! Casktett 4 Evah!

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Alexis Castle slowly pushed open the door to her father's bedroom. She'd been calling for him for a few minutes and he wasn't answering. Concerned she went to the door and found it ajar. She could see him standing in front of the mirror, and finally her curiosity got the better of her and she pushed the door the rest of the way open.

She held back a giggle. Her dad was dressed, standing in front of the full-length mirror, posing this way and that. He'd mess with the front of his hair and raise an eyebrow, trying to look cool. He'd turn sideways and inspect his silhouette, sucking in his gut. He'd stand fully to the front and tug at his jacket or collar.

Finally, Alexis couldn't hold back and giggled. He turned toward her immediately.

"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" He smiled at her.

"Dad, what are you doing?" She stepped into the room.

"Me?" He looked a little embarrassed now and cleared his throat loudly. "Nuthin'." He looked down, and then back up at her, clearly uncomfortable.

"Well, breakfast is getting cold, are you coming?"

"Yeah, in a minute." As she started to turn to go, he said, "Listen, maybe you can help me with something."

Alexis shrugged. "Okay, what?"

He put a hand on her shoulder as he led her out of the room. "Well, you can help me with the mysteries of 'female speak.' As you know, I find 'female world,' both frightening and confusing, so I need your insight."

He sounded so serious that Alexis had to laugh and roll her eyes. "Okay, what are you talking about?"

They took seats at the kitchen island. "Well, I was at the precinct yesterday, and Detective Beckett's new boyfriend, Josh was there."

"Beckett has a new boyfriend?" Alexis was a little surprised by that.

Castle nodded. "Yeah, he's a cardiac surgeon—and a biker. Anyway, he went down the stairs to leave, and Beckett and Lanie—Dr. Parish—were standing at the top. Lanie turned to Kate with her eyes all wide and said—and I quote—'Daaamn, Kate.'" Alexis had to laugh at his impersonation of Lanie's voice, his going up much higher to sound more female.

"What did Kate say?" Alexis asked.

"She gave this little smile and said, 'I know, right?' and then they walked away. So? Your analysis?" He looked at her expectantly.

"Well…" She wasn't sure how to tell him. "Clearly this new boyfriend is, um, pretty attractive…?"

Castle shrugged, "I guess. So all that means Lanie thought he was attractive, too?"

"Well, Dad, to be honest, I would say she thought he was really hot."

Castle didn't look happy about that. "Hot, huh?"

Alexis grimaced a bit. "Yeah. Really hot."

"And you got all that from just one word?"

Alexis shrugged. "Female speak."

Castle looked thoughtful. "Yeah," he said softly. "I was afraid of that." He got up and took his mostly untouched breakfast to the sink and put it down the disposal.

Alexis sighed.

Fin