(13th April 2013) A/N: So elishevah has gone ahead and translated this fic into French with my permission. Here's the link if you guys want it :) fanfiction DOT net /s/9195899/1/Deuxième-Chance

Disclaimer: Don't belong to me :(

Prologue

The ringing of the cell phone startled Castle who was busy trying to make a new high score in one of his games. "So close!" he muttered disappointedly while his partner gave him a wry smile and answered her phone. That's it, enough for now. Glancing over to his partner who seemed to be frowning and consulting her calendar, Rick Castle quit his application with a press of his thumb. Wait, why was Beckett referring to her calendar?

As far as he knew, Kate didn't have anything on. The case was closed, there were no body drops (so far), and Kate was busy with paperwork.

"Yes, I am. Oh, what happened now? How is she?"

Castle looked at her quizzically. Didn't sound like a new body. Personal call, maybe? His musings during the lull in the conversation on her part was cut off when she began speaking into her phone again.

"No, no, Jim's left already. Alright, I'll be there in thirty minutes. Thanks, bye."

Jim? What has Papa Beckett have to do with this? And so it was something personal then. "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah, it's a personal thing. Gotta go talk to the captain," Kate replied as she glanced at her report while standing. Hmm, she was almost done with that particular report. That was good. With that, Kate strode purposefully into the captain's office.

A few minutes later Kate was out of the office and back at her place. "Everything alright?" Castle asked.

"Yeah, I just need to finish this report then I'm heading out for the day. You're free to go if you want."

Giving him a quick smile, Kate turned back to her report, skimming for a few seconds to refresh her mind on her previous progress, before writing away furiously. Wow, it seemed like she was in a real hurry to finish up and get out of the bullpen.

"Okay, in that case I'll head out now and grab a few things Alexis has been bugging me to buy. Give me a text if you need anything, alright? Anything at all," Castle told her as he picked up his jacket hanging on the back of his seat.

"Thanks, Castle," she replied, lifting her head for a brief moment and giving him another smile. Castle noticed the distracted glaze was still in her eyes though. Oh well. He'd just text her later in the day and check in on how she was doing. With that, Castle nodded to the boys, telling them, "Have fun with paperwork. I'm going off for the day."

Not five minutes later, Kate Beckett was done with her report and sent it in. She cleared her desk and was breezing out of the precinct doors before she could get another call.

It was two hours later when her phone rang again. "Detective, are you home? What're you up to?"

"Hey Castle. Yeah, I am, but err, now's not really a good time. Can I text you later?"

There it was again, distraction lacing her voice. Even though Castle couldn't see her face, four years of tagging along was enough for him to be able to imagine what her face would be like.

She'd have that small crease on her forehead between her eyebrows; her hair was probably messy from the countless times she ran her hand through it. He was about to concede and hang up when he heard it. In the background – it was faint, but he was pretty sure of what he had heard. Was that a child crying?

"Beckett, do you have a kid there with you?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice. Big, tough detective had no problems chasing and pinning down suspects in her four-inch heels but brought down by a kid? It was always the little things. He continued, "Look, I'm really good with kids. I'll be over at your place in twenty."

Kate stared at her phone, flabbergasted. He just informed her that he'd be over in twenty and hung up. Didn't she have a say in this? He just informed her. What was he thinking, taking liberties and inviting himself over. Oh this was bad. But, Kate would deal with that later. At the moment, she had a five year old who was throwing a tantrum to deal with.

True to his word, Castle was knocking on her door twenty minutes later. "Hi," he greeted when she opened the door, a great big beaming smile plastered on his face. "You can't just pop over like that, Castle," she told him. His smile faltered for a moment.

He thought she'd be thrilled to have him over helping her. He was really good with children, and Kate knew that. She was frustrated and annoyed at him, as usual, but there was something more. Castle had to take a beat to look past her façade to notice it. Was Kate Beckett actually sulking a little as well?

Confused, Castle asked, "Kate, is everything fine? Look, I'm just trying to help you out here." Kate gave him a look. Grinning at her, he continued, "Besides, I gave you a heads up twenty minutes ago."

Kate turned her head to check on whoever it was in her apartment. Looking back to Castle, she rolled her eyes and told him, "I'm almost desperate enough anyway. But Castle, don't judge, and no questions until later alright."

She bit her lip hesitantly, before adding, "And you're sworn to secrecy until I tell you so. Or else you can just leave now."

Tilting his head, he told her, "Now you've got me all curious, Detective. Scouts honor. Now are you going to let me in?"

Sighing dejectedly, Kate stepped back and swung the door open, inviting Castle into her apartment. Closing the door behind him, she led him to her living room, which seemed to be turned into a sleepover land? Kate's sofa bed was pulled out so it was converted into a bed and there were pillows and blankets laid out. It reminded Castle of the slumber parties Alexis used to have with her friends.

Amidst the fluffy comforters was a small girl with light brown hair. Her back was facing him so that was all Castle could see. Kate sat down next to her, inviting Castle to follow her. Smoothing a hand over the girl's head, Kate told her, "Arri baby, can you say hi to Mr. Castle? He's someone I work with."

The little girl swiveled her head to look at Castle and he sucked in a breath. Her wispy brown locks framed her face as her pale pink lips broke apart to murmur a soft "Hi Mr. Castle" before burrowing her head into Kate. But what caught his breath were the shockingly green eyes that had stared at him. Eyes that he'd been studying for the past four years.

She was like a replica of Beckett. With the exception of light brown hair and greener eyes, sure, but the rest of her features just screamed Beckett. From her dainty little nose to her cheekbones and that pink little mouth in a slight pout. Her cheeks were slightly pink, most probably a lingering remnant from crying earlier. She was a perfect clone of Beckett, with the exception of being much younger. Much, much younger, but she was still a mini Beckett through and through.

Kate pressed a kiss onto the top of her head, before turning to Castle and finishing the introduction. "Castle, this is my daughter, Arriana."

A/N: Thoughts? The only way I'd know yours would be if you reviewed ;)