Kate Beckett walks into her apartment. Today seems to last forever. Walking past her answering machine, noticing two new messages Kate Beckett presses the play button and listens. Kate sits on her bed as her dad's voice fills the room.
"Hey Kit-Kat." Kate smiles at the childish nickname. It didn't bother her as much as when he first reverted to calling her that. She was in therapy then and her therapist assured her it was just his was of dealing with the past.
"I'm just calling to check up on you. You work too much. I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be at a weekend retreat this weekend. I'll be back on the fifteenth. I love you." The message ends playing the time stamp from yesterday morning. Kate has to agree with her dad as she erases the message. But she's been determine to keep herself busy and work is the only thing helping right now.
"Girl," Lanie's voice filters into the room. "When you get through listening to this message you turn around, get changed, and meet me at the Marquee-" Kate sakes her head and erases the message before the rest could play. Lanie had already given her hell today because she never showed up at the club last night. Kate stands up and moves to her closet to change into her lounge clothes. Slipping on an old t-shirt and pair of sweatpants, Kate moves to brush her hair out.
"Alright, it's almost six o'clock so I'm going to pick you up at seven. You got that Katie? That gives you an hour to unwind and get changed. I'm thinking we'll get some dinner, head back to my apartment and then just cuddle." Kate pauses in her actions as she listens to his voice filter through the room. "I hear it's suppose to snow tonight. Oh gotta go. I'm about to pass a cop and you know how they hate for you to talk on you phone and drive. I love you and I can't wait to see you later."
Kate finds herself standing over the answering machine by the end of the message. The time stamp plays and a wave of sadness washes over Kate. That night had happened over a year ago. Kate presses the save button not quite ready to erase his voice.
Kate walks out of her bedroom and collapses onto the couch. Slowly the tears fall and soak her t-shirt. There's a knock on the door and Kate quickly wipes her tears away. She peeks out into the hallway and opens the door for Lanie.
"Girl what are you doing in that old t-shirt? C'mon we're going out," Lanie orders.
"What's wrong with this shirt?" Kate protests. "Lanie I don't feel like going out tonight. I just want to stay in a relax for once."
"When was the last time you went out? And going to work doesn't count." Lanie was met with silence. "Exactly! Girl you gotta get out of this apartment and move on with your life."
"Can I move on tomorrow?" Kate pleads.
Lanie studies her friend and knows that she won't win this argument. "Fine but tomorrow, you and I are going out." Lanie kisses Kate on the cheek and leaves the apartment.
Kate turns after locking her door and walks to her couch once more. Kate looks at her t-shirt that is two sizes too big. Notre Dame is on display across her chest. Kate smiles at the memory as tears threaten to escape again.
"I'm going to make up some breakfast," Richard Castle smirked as he pecked her lips and climbed out of bed.
"Alright," Kate smiled back and wrapped the blankets tighter around her. They were the only ones in her apartment. Castle walked to the kitchen and began pulling out pots and pans. Kate sat in bed for a minute before slipping out of the covers and into his Notre Dame t-shirt. It was large enough to cover almost her entire body coming to rest on her thighs.
"Anything I can help with?" She whispered in his ear as she leaned over his shoulder. Castle jumped at the sound of her voice.
"Well you could-" Castle spun around to look at her and instantly forgot what he was about to say. Kate smirked at the new power she had over him.
"I could what?" She asked raising her arms over her head bringing the hem of shirt higher on her thighs.
Castle cleared his throat and closed his eyes to focus his thought. "First, you could stop that or we may never get breakfast." He said gently pushing her arms down. "And second, you could keep me company," He grinned.
Kate shook her head as the memory faded. Lanie is right, Kate determines. She needed to move on with her life. Kate grabbed the phone ready to swallow her pride. Dialing the number she knows all too well, Kate waits for the familiar voice to answer. The other end of the line picks up and Kate braces herself.
"Hey it's me," She volunteers. "Do you want to get together and we can talk?" She asks before he can respond with a greeting of his own.
"I'm a little busy right now." That's when she hears the other woman in the background.
"Who's that?" Kate asks before she can stop herself.
"That's my wife Tina."
Kate can hear the happiness in his voice. She was crazy to believe he was going to pine away for her. "Oh I don't think I have met Tina."
"Probably not," he chuckles.
"Well either way, I'm happy for you Will."
"Thanks, how are things with the monkey?" Kate smiles about ready to tell him it was over with her and Castle when Will interrupts. "Oh hey the baby is waking up. I'll have to catch up with you later. 'Kay?"
"Yeah okay no problem." Kate hangs up and grimly thinks that Will was now definitely off limits.