Hey everyone! I'm starting a new story...I know I am not great at regular updating, but I had to write it out when I saw this Tumblr prompt, so here it is. The prompt is an AU where Kate is a professional ballet dancer who opened her own dance studio to teach kids, and meets Richard Castle because he is the father of Alexis Castle, one of her best dancers. Usually if I answer a prompt, I would put it in my Prompt Collection, but I could see this being multi-chapter so decided to make it stand alone. Let me know what you think!
"Alexis, isn't your ride here yet?" Kate asked. Eight-year-old Alexis Castle shook her head, looking up from where she was sitting on the ground in her baby pink leotard and black tights. Her pink tutu was glittery and her red hair was pulled up in a bun. Alexis was one of Kate's best dancers. Even at her young age, the girl had natural talent, and was also sweet and polite.
"Well, I'm sure they'll be here soon," Kate said with a smile. Alexis looked worriedly out the door.
"He's never late," she said. Kate checked her watch. He was only five minutes late.
"Would you like to come watch me dance while you wait?" Kate asked. Alexis looked up at her hopefully.
"Really?" she asked. Alexis had seen the posters on which Kate was featured, headlining in productions such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Red Shoes for the New York City Ballet. The child was enamored by them, and took every opportunity to watch her teacher dance.
"Of course," Kate laughed. Alexis stood up and ran into the studio with Kate, whose pointe shoes were laced up and ready.
"Alexis, will you press play on the stereo for me?" Kate asked. Alexis nodded, eager to help. When she pressed play, quiet piano music filled the room and Alexis sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, watching Kate with wonder. Kate followed the steps that had become muscle memory almost. She'd danced this dance almost every day for the past few years, and still, she couldn't figure out what had gone wrong that snowy evening. Still, she followed each and every step as she should, performing flawlessly.
When Rick Castle entered the dance studio, he saw Alexis' bookbag, but no Alexis. He stepped into the dance room, following the sound of the music. He saw his daughter sitting against the wall, watching her teacher. The young woman was dancing, her long legs moving effortlessly through steps that she clearly knew without even having to think about it. Her fluid movements were captivating, and he simply stood there, as enraptured as his little girl by the ballerina who was filling the room with her presence. When the music faded out to a stop, she stood there for only a milisecond before Alexis burst into applause. Kate turned a bright and gracious smile on the child, but then jumped and turned around at the deeper, louder sound of her father's clapping.
"Daddy!" Alexis said in surprised delight, getting up and bounding over to the man, who scooped her up with a smile.
"Daddy, did you see Miss Katie dance?" Alexis asked excitedly.
"I did, Pumpkin, she was wonderful," Rick said as he caught the teacher's approach in his peripheral. He turned to look at her, smiling as broadly and sincerely as if he'd known her for years. "Sorry I'm late picking her up," he apologized. "Hope she didn't give you any trouble."
"Trouble?" Kate repeated. "Not at all. Alexis is a delight." She held out her hand to shake his, finding his handshake to be warm and firm.
"Kate Beckett," she said.
"Rick Castle," he replied. "You were incredible." She averted her eyes.
"Uh, it's not a big deal," she said dismissively. "I was better a few years back," she added, gesturing to one of the posters on the wall, one advertising Swan Lake which featured Kate as the white swan, her grace apparent even in the still photo.
"Daddy, Miss Katie was a dancer in the New York Ballet," Alexis said excitedly.
"Very impressive," he said, smiling at her. "Your dancing is beautiful." He never broke eye contact as he spoke, and she could feel the flush creeping up her neck as his blue eyes sparkled.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"Again, sorry I was late," he said. "I got caught up in my writing and lost track of time."
"Writing?" Kate asked. He nodded.
"I'm a mystery novelist," he explained.
"Oh, nice," she said. He hesitated, realizing that he was quickly running out of reasons to stay. Kate was absolutely stunning, and he'd heard Alexis talk about her before. She was unmarried, possibly unattached period. What could it hurt? They were the last people here, so it wasn't like Kate appeared to have any reason to stay behind, save her attire of leotard and tights with her pointe shoes.
"Would you like to join us for dinner?" Rick asked. Kate hesitated.
"Please, Miss Katie, please come with us," Alexis begged.
Kate weighed her options. She could beg off, say she had plans. But the simple fact of the matter was, she didn't have plans. She was planning on being the last one at the studio, again, the one to turn out all the lights and shut down the computer and lock the door. She was planning on going home to shower and store her things in her bag for the next day, her pointe shoes and leotards. She was planning on eating something quick for dinner, and then curling up to watch TV or read a book, and then going to bed before eleven. It was a sad life for a twenty-eight-year old woman.
That, or she could go out to dinner with Rick and Alexis. Alexis was delightful, vibrant and bright and full of life. Rick seemed just as happy, just as much fun to be around, if what she'd heard from Alexis and observed just now was any indication. She could go out with them, and enjoy herself, and spend time with people for once, instead of just spending another night by herself in her apartment longing for days when she would've been in rehearsals and dressing rooms or chattering with the other dancers and anticipating the next dance...or better yet, on stage doing what she loved more than anything. She could pine for that, like she did every night, or she could shake it up and do something for once. So, she took a breath and smiled at the both of them.
"I would love to," she said. Rick smiled and Alexis cheered. Kate smiled back at her.
"However," she began, "I think maybe we both need to change clothes first, though." Alexis nodded and slipped out of Rick's arms to grab her bag.
"You can go in the dressing room if you want, Alexis," Kate said. The child nodded and ran off to change. Kate smiled at Rick.
"I'm going to go and change as well, I'll be back in a minute." He nodded, and Kate turned, but then stopped, looking back over her shoulder at him.
"Rick?" she said. He raised his eyes to meet hers and she smiled.
"Thank you for inviting me," she said. He smiled charmingly.
"Thank you for saying yes."
