Woman to Woman
Author's Note: I own nothing, but do enjoy borrowing characters every once in a while.
Kate Beckett peeped through the hole in the entry door of her loft and once she saw who it was, quickly unchained the door and opened it. "Alexis! Hi!"
"I'm sorry for not calling first Detective Beckett, but could I talk to you for a few minutes?"
"Of course, let me run up and put on a robe," she offered looking down at her long t-shirt, "Come in, I'll be right back."
Kate ran up the stairs, grabbed her robe and hurried back to find Alexis sitting uncomfortably at the edge of one of the chairs.
"Is everything okay? Can I get you a drink or a snack?"
"No, I'm fine. I just…I don't know, I've been thinking about…."
Sensing the girl's discomfort, she tried to reassure her, "You can ask me anything, Alexis, I promise."
"How old were you when you lost your mother?"
"I was about your age. It wasn't easy, but like you, I had a great dad!"
Alexis' response was just a nervous nod, so Kate kept asking questions, "Is everything okay with your mom?"
"Oh, no, she's fine. Last time I talked to her she was going to join a reality show about living in the wilderness. We're fine," Alexis reassured and smiled hesitantly.
"Is everything okay with your dad?" Kate asked, sneaking an uncomfortable glance up the stairs.
"Dad is dad," Alexis smiled, they both knew what kind of a mess Rick Castle could be, but she took a deep breath and continued, "I love my mom, but even if she lived here she wouldn't be…I mean there are some things that a girl wants to talk about with her mother that I can't—"
Alexis struggled with her word choice, but Kate interrupted. "Alexis, there is never, ever a time that you cannot come to me for anything. I don't care if it's to wallow in ice cream, discuss world affairs, practice the perfect eyeliner methods, or debate which guy to go to prom with. Nothing is off limits."
The first genuine smile of her brief visit suddenly appeared on Alexis' visage and Kate's own mirrored it.
"Thank you, Detective Beckett."
"If I'm going to guide you through the challenges of womanhood, don't you think you better call me Kate?"
Alexis nodded, "It's not that I don't love my mother, I do, but she's not the best example. I don't need lessons on how to get the perfect part or what to wear to a premiere, but I may need coaching on some of the normal, boring things."
"I'm sure she could help you more than you think, but regardless, I am happy to be here for you whenever you need me. Do you have your phone?"
"Of course," Alexis responded and held it out.
"I'm putting in my cell number and email address so you can call, text or email any time, day or night. Got it?"
Alexis stood, "Got it! Thank you so much, Kate!" She stepped into the older woman's hug and squeezed back.
"Is there anything you want to talk about now?"
"No, not really. Dad's been on the road a little more recently and Gram's always busy with her acting and social life. I guess I just needed to feel a little bit attached to someone I trust."
"You got it, kid. Like I said, whatever and whenever you need, okay?"
"Thanks, Kate! I really appreciate it. I'm going to head out, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, Alexis," Kate called out, but once the door was shut, let her forehead fall to the back of the door.
A pair of warm lips nipped at her neck and whispered, "You're going to have to tell her, you know."
To be continued….
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