I didn't mean to offend anyone with my story. I know Kate is in the wrong, maybe even more than Rick. Kate does start to see the wrong in keeping Anna away from him, as you will see in this chapter. I apoligse to anyone who was offended.

On a happier note, I decided to put the last two parts together as one chapster. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 2

After she left Montgomery's office, Kate disappeared into the bathroom, needing time to calm herself down. She couldn't let Rick find out. In the past Anna had asked who her father was, past boyfriends always had the question dropped on them. Usually, her past boyfriends broke up with her because of that and they couldn't handle her being a detective. They couldn't handle it

"Kate!" Lanie called outside the bathroom door. "Javier rang me."

"What?" Kate sighed.

"We're all worried about you," Lanie said.

"I'm fine," Kate said opening the door.

"Fine? How can you be fine when you're being forced into having your daughters father follow you around?" Lanie asked.

"Shh, Lanie. Someone could hear you," Kate whispered.

"No one else is in here," Lanie pointed out.

"Sill," Kate groaned. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Solve the case and kick his ass out." Lanie said.

Kate laughed. "He was looking at the pictures of her on my desk."

"What did you say?" Lanie asked.

"I said she was my niece." Kate said.

"And he has another kid?" Lanie shook her head.

"Yeah, but she's fifteen," Kate didn't hate the girl, she hated her father for not telling her and leaving her.

"How many more kids do you think he has that he doesn't know about?" Lanie murmured.

"Not helping, Lanie," Kate glared at her friend.

"Well, if I ever see him he better run the other way," She shook her head again.

"Good, that way he will leave sooner."

"I have to get back," Lanie said. "But you sure you're OK?"

"I will be," Kate smiled.

"Call me if not," Lanie winked and then left the bathroom.

When Kate left the bathroom, eyes turned her way curiously. She ignored them all, sitting down at her desk to get back to solving the case. Rick sat down in the seat next to her desk, watching her as Kate pretended that he wasn't there. Occasionally, she looked up to a picture of Anna, wishing to go home to her.

"Beckett, we have another body," Ryan called to her.

A women's body, wearing a yellow evening gown and a tiara, floats in the pool with a knife sticking out of her back. Death of a Prom Queen. Rick repeated her thoughts, proving her right. Funny thing is, the dress was blue in his book.

"Maintenance found her an hour ago. Kendra Pitney. She lives in the building." Kelly, one of the uniforms told her.

"Alright. Let's get her out of the water," Kate informed the uniform and then turned to Rick. "Um, you just stay here and don't touch anything."

Kate went and spoke to the man that discovered the body. What she didn't understand was why the dress was yellow, the murderer hadn't paid close attention to detail. Looking over to the body, Kate found Rick leaning over talking with Lanie.

"No, don't you even bother talking to me," Lanie told Rick as Kate walked over. "I know exactly who you are."

"Did the lovely Beckett tell you about me?" Rick grinned.

"Oh, she had a lot to say about you." Lanie glared at him.

"Really? What did she say?" Rick asked intrigued.

"She said that she told you to stay over there," Kate interrupted.

"I got lonely."

"You got a C.O.D?" Kate asked Lanie, deciding to ignore Rick.

"Not until the full exam. But this wasn't a stabbing." Lanie said.

"She's got a knife sticking out of her back." Kate pointed out.

"Lack of blood around the wound suggests she was dead before it was inserted. No foam around the mouth, so we know she didn't drown." Rick informed them, making Kate clench her teeth.

"Oh, you're good, for a jerk." Lanie said.

"That's not nice," Rick pouted as Lanie raised her eyebrows. "She was killed first and then posed. Just like the others."

"Yeah. I know. Can I have a word?" Kate asked Rick.

He followed her away from Lanie and the body. "Something wrong?" Rick asked.

"This is a homicide investigation, not a day at Disneyland. If I give you an order I expect you to obey it." Kate told him.

"I obeyed every order of yours that night," Rick informed her with a wink as she clenched her fists, her nails biting into her skin. "You don't know me very well. Y'know, in my book the dress was blue."

She didn't know him very well? She knew he was a complete jerk, leaving her alone in the hotel room after they shared a romantic weekend. Him claiming he liked Kate and wanted to take her out when they got home. Him telling her that there has never been no one like her. Then him with another girl within days after. Even when she realised she was pregnant, she went to one of his signings, deciding she was going to tell him. He hadn't even recognised her, just signed her book and then turned to his current girlfriend, Gina, who he ended up marrying, while Kate raised her child with her father.

They finally found a lead, one that managed to put a smile on Kate's face. They had found the guy, with evidence all around his apartment. When the case was closed, Kate packed up the murder board with an either bigger grin. She would still have a couple hours with Anna tonight before her bed time and Richard Castle had left, she couldn't be happier.

"Tell Anna we say hi," Esposito said.

"Yeah and we're still waiting for that rematch of hide and seek." Ryan said.

"You wanting to lose again?" Kate grinned.

"We let her win," Esposito smirked.

"Right," Kate raised her eyebrows at the boys, knowing too well that her daughter was too good at hide and seek for them to let her win.

As soon as she closed the door of her apartment, Anna was in her arms, wrapping her small arms around Kate's neck. "You finished your case!" The girl cheered.

"I sure did," Kate kissed the girls cheek. "Javier and Kevin are wanting another game of hide and seek."

"Can I come to work with you tomorrow?" Anna asked. Kate bit her lip, she had paperwork to do and she knew Montgomery was good with letting Anna stay. The girl enjoyed it when he gave her small tasks to do.

"I've got a meeting in the morning," Her dad told her from the sofa. "I could pick her up after."

"Montgomery needs you to draw another picture for the precinct actually," Kate said, thinking of the board in the hallway full with pictures from children that hand them in. A lot of them were Anna's.

Her daughter cheered, hugging Kate again. She bathed her daughter then, getting her ready for the night before they snuggled on the sofa together. Her hair was still damp and Kate combed it with her fingers, missing how their hair use to be the same length. It wasn't long before she fell asleep and Kate picked her up, gently tucking her into her own bed. She kissed her daughters forehead, whispering goodnight and then went to her room, going to bed herself.

"Can I take my police car?" Anna asked Kate the following morning. They were dressed and about to leave so Kate could get to work. Her dad had already left for his meeting. Kate was now putting Anna's hair up in bunches, smiling at how adorable she looked.

"Of course," Kate said.

"Will I get to see Lanie as well?" She asked.

"I'm sure Lanie will be up as soon as she hears your there." Kate smiled.

When they were ready, Kate grabbed her bag, keeping her gun locked in a padlock box she had brought, the amount of times she caught Anna going through her bag. They left, Anna bouncing in her car seat in excitement. Now that Rick was gone, things could go back to normal and she wouldn't have to worry about him finding out about her any more.

"Javier! Kevin!" Anna cheered as the elevator doors opened. She let go of Kate's arms, flying into the arms of Esposito.

"I didn't know you was visiting today," Esposito said, pulling on her bunches as Anna giggled.

"Surprise!" Anna said hugging Ryan.

"Now paperwork is going to be a lot more exciting." Ryan grinned.

Montgomery came out of his office, smiling at Anna. "Our little helper is back. Have you come to draw us another picture?"

"Yep," Anna nodded her head. "Look. I brought my police car." Kate couldn't help but smile as her daughter pressed a button, the cars siren going of.

"That sounds just like your Mommy's car." Montgomery told her.

"I'm helping Mommy today." Anna said.

"Your Mommy needs a lot of help." Montgomery said.

Kate sat down at her desk, bringing out all her files as she watched out of the corner of her eye that Anna was showing Ryan and Esposito her police car. Soon her daughter came bundling over, jumping into her seat with an excited smile. She gave her paper and colouring pencils for her picture, drawing quietly while Kate focused on the paperwork.

"Look, Mommy," Anna held up her drawing for her. "Its me and you catching bad guys together."

"That's beautiful, sweetie," Kate said smiling as she looked at her daughters picture.

"What about us, munchkin?" Esposito asked.

"I haven't got to drawing you yet," Anna giggled, picking up another colouring pencil to draw Esposito and Ryan.

"Where is my favourite little girl?" Lanie called from across the room. Kate laughed as Anna jumped down, running over to Kate's friend.

"Lanie! I'm helping Mommy again today," she told her.

"I can see that. Soon you'll have to come play doctor with me," Lanie said and Kate dropped her pen, looking up at her friend in shock. "Relax, girl, as if I would really let her see what I do."

"Do you help people get better?" Anna asked her.

"Yeah I help people in some way," Lanie said as Ryan and Esposito laughed.

"Why don't we go have some juice and biscuits while Mommy works?" Lanie asked Anna.

"Can I show you my picture as well?" Anna asked, picking up her picture and then taking Lanie's hand.

"Of course," Kate watched as the two disappeared, then she focused on her work, wanting to get as much done to be able to go with Anna and her dad. Lanie came back with Anna after a while, having to go back to work and soon the little girl was getting tired. She moved to Kate's lap, resting her head on her shoulder as Kate stroked her cheek, deciding to have her break now. It always made her laugh how Anna managed to fall asleep surrounded by the chaos, but the excitement of seeing everyone drained the poor girl. Soon she was asleep, Kate turning her head to watch her.

"This is something I never thought I'd see," Kate froze looking over to find Rick sitting in the seat her daughter sat in not long a go. She gripped her daughter, wanting to hide her shaking hands. No, no, no, this wasn't happening. Kate looked over to Esposito and Ryan, a beg for them to help her, but they were sat staring in shock.

"Is any one of you looking to go on a break?" Kate asked the boys opposite her.

"I think we're both in need of a break," Ryan said.

"Good, you can watch Anna in the break room then." Kate told them.

"Anna? That's a pretty name." Rick said. Ignoring him, Kate followed the boys into the break room, laying her daughter on the couch.

"Are you going to tell him?" Esposito asked.

"No." Kate said.

"He's just seen his daughter and has no idea," Ryan said.

"I don't want him to find out," Kate told them. "Just watch her and if she wakes up then entertain her till he's gone."

Kate left the break room, coming back to her desk to find Rick sat in her chair, going through her files. "What are you doing?"

"It's a novelist's habit. Poking through other people's mail, checking their medicine cabinets." Rick said moving back to her daughters seat. Kate sat back down, moving the files away from him.

"Why are you here?" Kate asked him.

"I just came by to give you this. It's a little something to memorialize our brief partnership and hopefully to make up for leaving you that night. I got a phone call, telling me my daughter had fallen and broken her arm. I had to go," Richard explained. She was shocked, but he still could have left a note. Kate took the present as he handed it to her "Don't look so suspicious. Go on. Open it." She opened it, finding a copy of Storm Falls.

"I got you an advanced copy. I even signed it to you. Not that you're a fan." He said and she looked up smiling, grateful for it.

"Thanks. That's actually kind of...sweet." She was shocked at the gift, but then she remembered how he didn't remember her at his signing when she was pregnant with his child. "But I'm not forgiving you."

"I didn't think you would," he grinned. "I have one last question and then I'll leave."

"What?" she asked frowning.

"Who's the little girl?" He was really grinning now. "I know she's not your niece."

"Its none of your business." She said irritated.

"I knew it! She's your daughter, isn't she?" Kate couldn't find any words, she was afraid that he would work it out. "Looks like I wasn't the only one with a daughter kept secret that weekend."

Kate let out a long breath, he thought Anna was someone else's kid. Did her daughter look older than she was? "Fine, she's mine."

"She's beautiful just like you," Rick said and for a moment Kate actually felt bad that he didn't know Anna was his. Was it wrong? She shook the thought away before she said something she'll regret.

"Um, thanks?"

"Well, it was nice to see you again, Detective Beckett," he said leaning in to kiss her cheek. She watched as he walked away, her emotions betraying her. As she turns back to her desk, she checks her files. He... she gritted her teeth that same familiar emotion back.

She slammed the library doors open, angry at herself and him. Not only did he make her look bad, he had played her again to get what he wanted before leaving. "Richard Castle! You are under arrest for felony theft and obstruction of justice."

He sat at the library table, looking smug with himself. "You forgot 'Making you look bad.'"

"You know for a minute there you actually made me believe you generally felt bad for leaving. Cuff him." Kate ordered.

"Ooh. Bondage. You know what my safeword is," Kate rolled her eyes, turning so he couldn't see the blush on her cheeks.

"Oh, there's no need to be gentle." She smirked.

"How'd you find me anyway?"

"I'm a detective. That's what I do."

"My mother told you, didn't she? By the way, the rose petals in the Tisdale murder? They're grandiflora, not hybrid teas." Kate wasn't going to admit to his mother telling her, having a conversation with his mother was awkward enough.

"I'll make a note of it."
"Yeah, you probably should since it means Kyle Cabot is innocent."

Kate wasn't going to let his comment get to her, she was going to go back to the precinct and wait for her father to pick Anna up and then complete her paperwork. She planned on spending her day off tomorrow out with Anna, the two of them deserved quality time together.

Seeing Rick meet with his family at the precinct wasn't what Kate wanted to see, not when her daughter was asleep in the break room, unaware of the family she wasn't a part off. But she had chosen not to tell Rick.

"Hello, Father." Alexis greeted her dad – her dad. The girl was beautiful, with her fathers blue eyes and fiery red hair.

"Hello, Daughter." That word coming from Rick's mouth sent goosebumps across her skin.

"I wish I could say I was surprised. It's my fault. Really. He never had a father figure." Kate flinched, the words hitting her deeply.

"Oh, that's not true, Mother. I had lots of father figures. I see you've met Captain Montgomery and Detective Beckett." Rick said.

"And they have agreed to drop the charges, if you agree to behave." Martha – her daughters grandmother – said.

"No more interference with this case, Mr. Castle. Do we understand each other?" Montgomery said and Kate bit her lip to hide a happy smile.

"Yeah. But you still got the wrong guy."

On exactly the worst moment, Anna came running out of the break room, jumping into Kate's arms. The little girl was crying and Kate rocked her back and forth, looking up to Esposito and Ryan.

"She had a nightmare, woke up wanting you," Ryan said, his eyes widening at Rick's family. Esposito raised his eyebrows at Kate.

"Hey, baby girl," Kate cooed, rubbing the tears from her daughters cheeks. "It was only a nightmare."

"I dreamt that the bad guys got you," her girl sobbed, burying her head in Kate's neck.

"I'm right here, aren't I?" Kate said as her daughter nodded. "And what does Mommy do to the bad guys?"

"Kicks their but," Anna giggled as Kate wiped the last of the tears away.

"You bet I do." She kissed the top of her head.

"And who is this?" Martha asked, causing Kate to freeze in the spot. She was too worried about her daughter, forgetting that they were there.

Anna popped her head out from Kate's neck. "I'm Anna."

"Oh, doesn't she have the most beautiful eyes," Martha said. Kate swallowed the lump in her throat, behind her she could hear the boys walking away trying to hide their laughter with coughs. "Its nice to meet you, Anna, I'm Martha."

"I'm Alexis," The girl added, Anna's half sister. God, Kate was going to need a glass of wine when she got home.

"Let's not forget me," how could we forget the father? "I'm Rick."

For a second, Kate watched Rick, noticing how he smiled at their daughter completely unaware. A strange feeling stirred inside her stomach, was she really starting to feel guilty? "She really looks like you, Kate." Martha said.

"Doesn't she?" Kate smiled at her daughter. "This little monkey needs to get her stuff ready for Grandpa to pick her up."

Anna giggled. "I helped Mommy at work today." She let the others know.

"Did you?" Alexis asked.

"Yeah, I sat next to her and drew pictures for Mo-Mont -" Kate laughed, her daughter still struggled to say Montgomery, the word to complex for her.

"That's Captain, little miss." Montgomery said.

"Yes, sir," Anna said with another giggle.

"As one last job for you today, Officer Anna, I need you to find your police car and picture before you leave." Montgomery said. Kate watched the excited smile appear on her daughters face, she loved it when she was titled Officer.

"Yes, sir," Anna said again jumping out of Kate's arms. The girl turned to leave, but then turned, hugging Kate again. "Love you, Mommy."

"Love you, too, baby girl." Kate watched as her daughter skipped off to find her belongings, pretending to shoot Esposito and Ryan as she passed them. This was her family, here at the precinct and her grandpa.

"Oh, you have such a wonderful daughter," Martha said with a laugh.

"She really likes it here," Alexis said watching Anna.

"She's our mascot." Montgomery said with a smile.

Kate turned to Rick, he was watching Anna with a smile. Her daughter had found her police car and was now rolling it on the ground, on her way to the break room to get her picture. "She sure is something special." Rick said.

When Anna left, Kate had put the paperwork away, focusing on the murder instead. She was annoyed at herself for letting Rick get to her, but then it was the victims that had gotten to her. It wasn't long until Kate had a lead to go on, discovering Rick there as well. Shaking her head, she allowed him to follow her. When they got back to the precinct, they waited for Ryan to come off the phone.

"So your daughter is the mascot around here?" Rick asked her.

"See the board over there," she pointed towards it, not sure why she was telling him. "Every picture Anna makes goes on the board."

"Does she come here a lot then?"

"I bring her once a week, usually when its just paperwork days," Kate told him. "She's a good kid, she knows to stay away from people if they're on a case."

"And she even has her own police car like her Mommy," Rick grinned. "That's cute."

Kate rolled her eyes. "You should hear her say Esposito, that's cute."

"Sure is," Esposito grinned.

"Want to know what's cuter?" Kate asked Rick, leaning in closer to him as he nodded. "When she was younger, she used to drop the 'c' in castle, making it sound like asshole. Cute, huh?"

Ryan snorted into his phone, apologising to the person on the other end. Esposito deciding to go make himself a coffee. Kate turned to Rick with a grin.

Rick chuckled. "I think the police car was cuter."

When Ryan hung up the phone, they had their murderer and now needed a warrant for his arrest. Kate imagined getting home to her girl before dinner, maybe they could even go out to eat.

Harrison Tisdale was arrested after chasing him down the fire escape and watching as Rick stupidly chased after him as well. Kate couldn't believe him, but she wasn't going to lie, she found him taking Harrison down entertaining, even though the safety on Harrison's gun was on.

"Well, I guess this is it," Rick said.

"I would say it was nice seeing you again, but it wasn't." Kate said.

"Ouch." Rick mocked being hurt, Kate rolled her eyes. "You know, we could go out to dinner."

"No, I'm already ashamed to have been one of your conquests," Kate told him. "I won't make the same mistake twice."

"That's too bad. It would've been great." Rick said.

Kate leaned forward, whispering in his ear, "You have no idea." She turned walking away, a small grin playing at her lips.

She pulled out her phone, dialling the home number. Kate had set the ringtone to a song Anna would know, letting her know it was Kate and she could pick the phone up. Being a detective did leave Kate protective.

"Hey, baby girl," She said as Anna picked up.

"Mommy! Have you finished work?" She asked, the hope filling her voice.

"I sure have," she laughed as her daughter cheered. "I just have to pop back to the precinct quickly and then how about we go out for dinner tonight? You, me and Grandpa."

"Can we go get tacos?" Anna asked.

"Anything you want." Kate said with a smile.

The following day, Kate had to go back to the precinct quickly to finish of some paper work. After, she and Anna were going to go to the park together, something she was looking forward to.

"Beckett, can I have a word?" Montgomery asked looking distressed.

"Sure," Kate said following him into his office.

"I just got of the phone with the mayor. It seems Rick Castle's found the main character for his next set of novels, a tough but savvy female detective" Montgomery said.

"I'm flattered?" Kate was shocked more than anything. He was basing his next character on her? Was this him trying to make up for leaving her? Or what?

"Don't be. He says he has to do research."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes."

"No way."

"Beckett listen. He..."

"No, sir. If he stays then its guaranteed he will find out. I don't want him a part of my daughters life."

"The mayor is happy with the idea. I couldn't say no, Beckett. Anyway, he thinks your kid is someone else's." Montgomery said looking sadly at Kate.

Kate ran a hand through her hair, a few years a go she would have been happy with this opportunity. Believed that they could have been a family together. But now after everything, after going through the pain of him crossing her off as another achievement and moving on forgetting about her, she didn't want this. Rick may be biologically Anna's father, but he wasn't her dad. "How long?"

"Well, that's up to him."

Kate turned around, looking out the window to find Rick, waving at her with a smile.

Hope you liked the chapter. I'm thinking about having Rick find out in a few chapters. I might post another chapter tonight or tomorrow since its the weekend.