It was maybe a week after meeting Kate that he heard the screaming again. It woke him from his sleep, and he turned, glancing at his clock. 1:43 am. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and hauled himself up, prepared to give her the break she deserved, when he heard something new. Banging. Someone was pounding on her door so hard that the walls were shaking. "Katie!" He heard a male voice yell. "Katie, open up and let me in!" Rick ran at that point, worried she might be in trouble.
Outside in the hallway, and older man stood at her door. He was fairly well dressed, but hunched over, leaning against the wall for support, and Rick could smell the alcohol on his breath from his door. Rick walked over to the man slowly, trying not to startle him so he wouldn't shout. When he got to Kate's door, the man waved him away. "This is private business, buddy, go back to bed." He slurred, banging again on the door.
"That's just it, you are making a lot of noise, and obviously upsetting the tenants inside. Can I help you with something?" Rick answered, unsure of the situation, and unwilling to admit at the moment that he knew Kate.
The man pulled himself from the door, standing upright but still unsteady. He pointed at the door. "This is between me and my daughter, so you can go."
Rick remembered something that Kate had said, that her mother was gone and her father might as well have been gone, and he suddenly understood what she meant. "The thing is, it seems like your daughter doesn't want to talk to you."
The man blinked back at him, silent for a bit, before leaning in Rick's direction. "Who the hell are you anyway? Are you the boyfriend?" He leaned against the door again. "The father of the baby she has in there?"
Rick shook his head. "No, I'm neither, just a friend, and the neighbor from across the hall." He pointed to his apartment for emphasis. "Now, it's two in the morning, you've woken me up and probably the rest of the hall, and if you wake my daughter, there will be hell to pay. So how about you leave, and come back at a more appropriate hour, or when you've had less to drink, because you're obviously not welcome here."
The man stared at him for a bit before standing upright again, stumbling in Rick's general direction. "You, can't tell me to leave." He slurred, tapping his finger on Rick's nose.
Rick ignored the unwanted contact and just took a step back. "You're right, I can't. But I can call the cops. You wouldn't want to get arrested."
The man seemed to be thinking it over, and started backing up, turning to walk down the hallway. "Fine. But I'll be back." He banged on the door one more time, causing Carrie inside to wail even louder. "I'm coming back, Katie. We need to talk! You hear me? We need to talk!" He shouted through the door at the top of his lungs, and finally backed off, stumbling down the hallway.
When Rick was sure he was gone, he knocked on the door softly, his heart falling when he heard her whimpers through the door. "Kate, he's gone. It's Rick." He waited for a couple of minutes, listening to her cry through the door, shushing and speaking to the baby. He knocked again. "Kate, I'm still here, as long as you need me. How can I help?"
The door flew open then, and she launched herself on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing on his shoulder. He rubbed her back slowly, shushing her and whispering in her ear. "It's okay. You're okay. He's gone." She continued to cry, but pulled away, walking toward Carrie's room to get the wailing baby. Castle stayed in the hallway, unwilling to let his apartment door out of his sight, as the door was still unlocked and Alexis was fast asleep. And apparently, that night was the night for the drunk lunatics to come out from the woodwork.
Kate came back, rocking Carrie gently, tears still streaming down her face, and when she got close, Rick pulled the baby from her arms. She tried to protest, but he refused. "Go sit on my couch, do what you need, I'll get her calm and come to you."
"No, I can't, I just want to get her back to sleep." She cried, rubbing at her own eyes.
Rick shook his head. "Kate, that was scary. It was scary for me, and he wasn't directing any of that at me. You need to gather your thoughts." He wiped a tear from her cheek, and smiled warmly at her. "I've got Carrie, just go sit there so Alexis isn't alone. Please. I'm here to help."
She looked into his eyes for a few seconds before nodding. "Okay." She conceded, kissing her daughter's head softly. "Thank you." She whispered to him, squeezing his shoulder as she left, disappearing behind his door.
She hated herself for crying like that in front of him. She had never allowed anyone to see her like that. But now, after hearing her Dad for the first time in months, obviously in the same state she had left him, she was feeling a bit emotional. She fought back her tears as she made her way into Rick's kitchen, getting herself some water and walking over to the sofa. She sat, leaning against the comfy pillows and closing her eyes as she leaned her head back, making herself calm down. She didn't know how much time has passed, but she heard Rick's slow footsteps making their way towards her, and she looked up to see her baby's head lolled to the side, her mouth hanging open. She smiled at the sight, thankful that Rick had been able to get her back to sleep after the whole ordeal. "Thank you." She whispered to him again, wondering if he knew exactly how much she was thanking him for, that it was more than just helping her get Carrie back to sleep.
Rick held up one of his fingers, and walked slowly down the hallway with the baby. He appeared a few seconds later, a victorious look on his face, a pack and play in his free hand. He set it up expertly, faster than Kate would have been able to, and set the sleeping Carrie down in it, pushing it slightly to the side, and then sitting on the couch opposite Kate. "I didn't think I still had that, but I figured it was worth a shot." He told her quietly.
"You didn't have to. We can go." Kate started, standing, but he interrupted her.
"Do you want to be alone right now?" He asked.
She didn't, the pounding on her door still echoed in her soul, the sound of her Dad yelling through the door still sent shivers down her spine, and the idea of her inconsolable daughter brought tears to her eyes. She bit them back and shook her head. "Nope. Not right now."
Rick nodded, grabbing her hand. "Okay. Stay and chat for a bit. You don't have to leave now." She smiled at him shyly and sat again, leaning against the pillows. They were silent for a bit, listening to the soft breathing of the sleeping baby, before Rick spoke. "So, your Dad..." He trailed off, unsure how to finish the thought.
Kate sighed, pulling herself forward and resting her head in her hands, her elbows on her knees. "I mean, we haven't known each other that long. Do you really want my whole sob story?" She asked him.
He sat forward, his blue eyes never leaving her face. "If you want to tell me, you can. I won't think any less of you." He answered truthfully.
She hadn't really let someone in her life like this, not since she lost her Mom. It made her feel vulnerable, and she hated that. But Rick had already seen her at just about her lowest, more than a few times, and he always knew just how to help, or so she had learned in the last few days. "Um, okay. Well, last January I lost my Mom." She started, biting back the tears that still jumped to her eyes when she thought of that day.
"Was she sick, or was it an accident?" Rick asked when she had been silent for a while, gently pushing the story along.
Kate shook her head. "Neither. She was murdered. The police said it was just random gang violence, and to this day, her killer is still out there."
Rick sat back, his eyebrows raising as he took what she was saying in. "I can't imagine." He finally offered.
Kate shook her head. "I never had either. You know, you hear about people being killed in the news, on tv, in the shows we watch, but you never think it could happen to someone you know." She gripped the glass of water in her hand while she talked like it was a tether, keeping her connected to reality. "My Dad and I handled it different ways. He tries to drink away her memory, and I honestly haven't seen my father like himself in a long time. I went for something more…" she trailed off, unsure of exactly how much she wanted to give up, "life affirming, I guess. And now, I have Carrie." She looked over to the sleeping bundle in the corner, and felt the corners of her mouth turn upward. "I of course told my Dad I was pregnant, and told him when she was born, but I also told him that he couldn't be in her life unless he was sober. He hasn't made an effort to meet her yet, and today I emailed him a little reminder with pictures letting him know a month had passed, which I think is what started the whole shit show that just took place outside my door." She had wrestled with herself before she sent the email, but truthfully, she didn't want to cut her father out of their lives. Maybe, if he knew what he was missing, he would come around.
Rick was silent while everything she had said sunk in. "So, how are you planning on making this work? I mean, you've mentioned school before, and you have to go back to work eventually. And you obviously can't lean on your father for support."
"Well, I have a friend from high school whose parents run a daycare. They've offered to help me out at a discount, which is really helpful. I actually head back to work on Monday, and I start taking classes again next semester." She had taken this semester off, knowing it would be more difficult with a newborn and no plans and very little support. "The only reason I can afford this place is from the life insurance money. Ideally it would go toward school, but I can't live at home, so…" She shrugged. She was a fighter, and so was her daughter. They would make it through this.
Rick leaned forward again, catching her hand. "Well, if you ever need help, if you need someone to take her last minute, I'm right across the hall. I mean that."
She smiled softly. "Thanks." She glanced again toward her sleeping daughter. "I really should get home." She could see him start to protest, and held up her hand. "I'm better now, I'll be okay. It's late, and I should get out of your hair." She walked over to the pack and play and slowly lifted Carrie, who curled up to the warmth of her mother's chest. Kate walked to the door, and turned just before she left. "Do you want to come over for dinner tomorrow night? You and Alexis, so I can properly say thanks?"
Rick smiled back at her. "We'd like that. Goodnight, Kate."
"Goodnight, Rick." She went through his doors, meeting his eyes one last time as she closed it quietly behind her.
Wednesday night dinner became a normal thing for them, as that was Kate's usual night off, and she found herself bonding with the writer and his daughter. They started switching nights, one week she would cook and the next week he would return the favor, and it was a weekly ritual they had all grown to look forward to. Carrie was five months old before Kate changed that arrangement, finally cashing in on a night of free babysitting, so she could go out for her twenty-first birthday. When Rick and Alexis knocked on her door that night, Alexis clutching onto her DVD copy of Beauty and the Beast, he was floored when she answered the door dressed in a simple green dress,that ended at her knees and hugged her curves in ways he had never seen before. "Hi, Kate!" Alexis squealed, hugging her legs and running into the apartment. "I brought a movie to watch with Carrie!" She waved it around in the air, and Rick didn't think Kate could have really seen what it was if she tried.
Kate smiled at the young girl. "I'm sure she'll love it." She turned back to Rick, who was still in the door. "Are you going to come in?"
He followed his daughter in, finding her kneeling in front of the swing, chattering excitedly at the baby who was nestled there. Carrie smiled back at Alexis, squealing excitedly. Kate and Rick watched the children interact with smiles on their faces, her leaning against his arm. She turned to him suddenly. "How do I look? Is it too much?" She twirled slowly, looking up at him, her hazel eyes searching his face for an explanation.
Rick grinned as he got to check her out, chuckling as she twirled. "Great. Seriously, you look fantastic." He had always known she was beautiful, he could see that every time he looked at her. Her usual outfits were comfortable so she could play with children. And her work uniform was too big for her, the shirt baggy, not revealing anything that was hidden underneath. But he had never seen her dressed like this, her hair done, a small sexy dress, her back straight with confidence after receiving his compliment. No, Kate Beckett was more than just pretty, she was hot.
She beamed at him. "Thanks!" She grabbed her purse off the counter, pulling out a slip of paper and handing it to him. "This is where we are going, so if you need me you can reach me there." She glanced again toward the children in her living room. "I won't stay out later than 11 if possible, I wouldn't want Alexis to be up too late."
Rick grabbed her wrist, stopping her from talking. "Kate, it's your birthday. Alexis can sleep on the couch if she needs to. Just have a good time."
She smiled. "I will." If she was worried about leaving the baby behind, she didn't let it show. She reached up and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much, Rick."
"Anytime." He answered her. He watched her walk over to Carrie, lift her, and shower her with kisses before putting her back in the swing and waving goodbye.
Rick walked into the living room, admiring Kate's own Disney movie collection. He gathered his excited little girl in his arms. "Alright, pumpkin. What do you say we put in that movie?" And with that, his fun night began. They watched three different movies, all with a plethora of musical numbers, which Alexis performed for him, and Carrie watched with glee. She was definitely a music fan, flicking her attention between Alexis and the screen every time there was a song. Rick found it fascinating, and loved that her personality was showing from such a young age. Eventually, he got Carrie to sleep, despite the concerts Alexis was putting on. And by ten, Alexis was asleep on the couch, her head in his lap.
Kate walked in a few minutes after eleven. Rick waved at her from the couch, and moved slowly, trying not to jostle his daughter awake. He met her in the kitchen. "So, did you have fun?" He asked her, leaning against the island.
She nodded. "I did, thank you." She held out a bottle of wine. "They didn't even ask me for my ID when I bought this. So disappointing." She chuckled. "Would you like a glass?"
Rick laughed at her softly. "Sure. Why not." She pulled some glasses from her cupboards, regular glasses, as she didn't have any wine glasses, and she poured them each a glass. Rick took a sip of his before speaking. "So, I have to say, you don't look to drunk for your twenty-first birthday."
She grinned, and shook her head. "I have a rule. I don't go out and get blackout drunk anymore."
"Anymore?" He asked, his interest piquing.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, it was part of my whole life-affirming phase. I made some decisions that I'm not exactly proud of."
She quickly glanced toward Carrie's room before meeting his eyes again, something that Rick noticed that he wished he hadn't. "Carrie?"
She scrunched up her face. "Sort of. I mean, I'm proud of everything I've done with her, how far we've come and everything, but, let's just say that I didn't want to get pregnant at nineteen."
Rick nodded. "I get that. It must have been hard, especially with everything else you were going through." He took another sip of wine. "You are doing a fantastic job, though."
Kate smiled. "Thanks." She played with her hands. "Sometimes, though, I just wish I could give her a father." Rick stayed silent, letting her figure out what she wanted to say, having learned that she comes forward easier if he doesn't pry where she doesn't want him to. She looked at him then, her sad hazel eyes meeting his. "I'm afraid for the day that she asks me why everyone else in her class has a Dad and she doesn't. I'm afraid that she'll ask me who he is, and I won't know what to say. I'm afraid that she'll miss something growing up without one present." She stopped, taking another sip of her drink, and gripping the cup like a vice. "I mean, as much as I can't stand my dad now, at least growing up we got along. I want that for her. We are supposed to want better for our kids, and I just feel sometimes like we are getting off on the wrong foot."
Castle stopped her there, his hand on hers, squeezing it gently. "You don't think I want that? I have full custody of Alexis because Meredith didn't want to fight for her, would rather have a career as a movie star than a career as a mother, even though I tried to tell her she could have both." She smiled at her. "I know it seems daunting right now, but it gets better. It gets easier. And that little girl will never resent you." He pulled her in for a hug then, kissing her forehead gently and squeezing her tight. "Over the years, she'll find male role models to look up to, just like Alexis has found some female ones, my mother and you."
Kate pulled away. "Alexis looks up to me?" She asked, heat rushing to her cheeks.
Rick nodded. "Yeah, she does. She loves you, Kate, and Carrie. She thinks Carrie is hysterical." He had found Alexis a few days ago, trying to curl her hair with her fingers so it would look more like Kate's. And she always asked questions about her, and looked forward to their Wednesday dinners more than anything, bouncing at the door a half an hour before they were supposed to leave.
Kate smiled. "Well, I love her too. She's a sweet kid. You've done a good job."
He felt the corners of his mouth turning up as his chest puffed with pride. "Thanks." He looked toward her, still asleep on the couch. "I should probably take her home now, get her into bed."
Kate squeezed him one last time before releasing him. "Okay. I have an earlier shift tomorrow, so I should head to bed anyway." She told him as he went to the couch, lifting the five year old and holding her so her head rested on his shoulder. Kate opened the door for him. "Goodnight, Rick. Thanks again."
Goodnight Kate. Happy birthday." He turned to look at her one last time, his eyes dancing with mirth. "You should dress like that more often."
She smiled and shook her head, waving and closing the door behind him.
A/N: A lot of people are worried about her funds, which I sort of addressed here, but I don't talk about Castle's (because it wasn't pertinent). My personal headcanon for this is that he has used his money first to pay off his debts, and get Alexis in a nice school, and had to pay for a divorce, and that they are sort of between places at the moment until he finds something nicer, hence why they are living in the same building.
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