A/N: Posted this on tumblr a long long long time ago but figured I post it here because why not?
"Can we play this game tonight?" Jo asked holding out the Scrabble box towards her parents.
Rick and Kate exchanged looks. "Where did you get that sweetie?"
"It was in the back of the game closet," She shrugged. "It looks dusty."
"That's because we haven't played it in a long time."
"How long?"
"Since before we were married."
Her eyebrow furrowed, she looked just like Kate, "Why not? You guys love playing games."
"Because." Castle said, as if that was a good enough reason. He knew by now that their daughter was never happy with that answer but he hoped that it would be enough this time.
"Why not?" She repeated. Their daughter was five years old but very inquisitive and stubborn. Something she had inherited from both her parents.
Ricked sighed, "You can explain this to her."
Kate laughed, "Before your dad met me he was undefeated in this game. Neither grams nor Alexis could beat him."
"What does undefeated mean?"
"It means nobody could beat him. He always won."
Her mouth formed an "o" and her eyes widen when she heard that. "Not even Lexi?! But she's so int…intel-" she pouted as she tried to think of the word she had learned the other day.
"Intelligent," Rick filled in for her.
"You taught her that word?"
"She saw me typing yesterday and asked about it."
Jo pulled on her mom's sleeve, "I wanna hear the rest of the story."
"I'm sorry. Anyways so daddy always won. Until he met me. We played and I won and you know how daddy is when he looses."
"He throws worse tantrums than me."
"'Hey! I'm right here. I can hear you."
She climbed into Rick lap and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry I still love you daddy."
He tightened his arms around her, "I love you too. Now let mommy finish her story."
"Daddy wasn't happy when he lost, so he stayed up all night trying to beat me but he couldn't. So he wanted to play again and he lost again."
"I told you she was smarter than you daddy."
"You were right, mommy is definitely smarter than me."
"Did you guys play again?"
Kate and Rick smiled at each other as they remember what they played and how the night had ended.
"No we didn't. We put it in the closet and played a game where we both win."
"What game can two people win?"
Rick looked to Kate with a look of horror.
"You know what why don't we try playing this again. I can teach you." Rick suggested trying to change the subject.
"Okay! But I want mommy to teach me so I can beat you."
"Just for that I think it's time to bring the tickle monster out." He threatened, wiggling his fingers towards her.
She shrieked and tried to run but Rick was faster. He tickled her until she couldn't breath and was yelling uncle. He turned to Kate, a mischievous look on his face.
She slowly backed away, her finger pointing at him and glared at him, "Don't you dare."
Rick winked at Jo before they both jumped at Kate.