A/N: I felt so cool, because I had 3 reviews, (how geeky am I?) So here is the second chapter, quick update, I know but I'm planning on holding the next chapter. (Also because my laptop's getting fixed and I only have my sister's for one day.) Thanks to all who are with me in this story :)
Enjoy!
Kate sighed. She sat up, a vivid nightmare interrupting her nap.
She had been exhausted when she came home, flopping down on the couch as soon as she was through the door.
The academy had been tough all day. It was prep time, nearing the end of the semester, so as well as the theory they did, there was a lot of physical. Mile runs, obstacle courses, all combined with the pounding headache she had woken up with, Kate was regretting last night.
Last night.
"Damn." Kate cursed, dragging her body up. She had to get her phone back from Rick, but still didn't know where he lived.
Kate shrugged it off. She would worry about that later, all she really needed was a shower
Kate clutched the piece of paper tight in her hands.
"Dad?" She called out, making her way to the lounge. Her father was sprawled out on the couch, a bottle of whisky in one hand and the remote in the other. She lightly shook him. "Dad, wake up."
Her father groaned in response and Kate took the bottle and remote out of his hands, placing them on the table behind her.
"Dad, I'm going out." Kate whispered. Her father sat up, waking up slowly.
"Kate." His breath smelled of whisky, not as strong as it had first been, which was a sign he was getting better. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I'll be back in a few hours." She felt guilty that she was leaving him, but was also looking forward to seeing Castle again.
"Kate, have fun." Her dad slurred. Kate pecked him on the cheek.
"Thanks, now get some some sleep."
Kate made her way out the door, grabbing her purse on the way. She clambered into the cab, slipping the paper in her purse. She didn't really need it, she had already memorized his address.
Kate knocked on the door, hesitant in her actions. The door swung open, not a moment later, revealing the tall figure of Rick. His face lit up, a smile planted on his face. His eyes scanned her face, never floating down, unlike all the other sleazy guys, she noted. She felt self-concious in her dress, more covered than last nights, but still stopping just above her knee.
"Kate, hey." Rick smiled, stepping aside. Kate stepped into the loft, greeted by what looked like a couch fort. She shrugged out of her coat, thanking Rick when he hung it up.
"Sorry about the mess. Alexis and I were having some fun." The way he said it made her insides clench. His voice was filled with nothing but love and care. She felt selfish for wanting him to talk about her like that.
Kate had forgotten that Castle had someone else in his life. The way he described her sounded like he loved her a lot. If they made couch forts together, then they were perfect for each other.
"So my phone?" Kate asked, breaking the silence.
"Oh right. It's in my-" Rick was about to reply when Kate heard a small voice call out. "That's Alexis. Do you mind grabbing your phone while I see what she needs? It's in my study, down the hall, second door on the right. It's probably on the desk or something." Rick hurried his sentence, dashing up the stairs.
Kate nodded to herself, following his directions until she was at the door. She pushed it open, finding a large space. There were books lined up against the wall, and a desk, holding a laptop and loose papers. Kate spotted her phone on the laptop.
The screen was on, and Kate couldn't help but look at what had been written.
"In a Hail of Bullets, by Richard Castle." Kate mumbled under her breath. She scrolled down the page, her eyes drinking in the words.
This was good, really good. It was something that she would've loved to read.
"Find your phone?" A voice spoke. Kate turned, face flushed, to see Castle leaning on the doorway.
"Yeah. Listen I didn't mean to-"
"Relax. I needed someone to read it. Someone with a different perspective, what did you think about it?" He asked casually.
"Meh, it was alright, but that's coming from a girl who loves mystery books." Kate said, not wanting to admit that she liked it.
"Just alright?" He gasped, clutching a hand to his chest melodramatically. "I'm attempting to get it published, but as you can see." Rick said more seriously, motioning to the pile of papers, and a framed paper on the wall. Kate stepped away from the desk and closer the frame.
"Seriously, you framed a rejection letter?" Kate asked, studying the words.
"Aha, it was my very first rejection letter, it makes me work harder."
"Work harder? Castle, you're a writer." Kate said, eyebrows raised.
"Writers have to work hard too. Anyway enough of this, dinner's ready and I was hoping you would stay." His voice was bordering on hopeful and Kate couldn't help but nod. "Great! You can meet Alexis!"
Castle grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the room. He pulled her to the dining table.
"Pumpkin! I want you to meet someone." Castle shouted up the stairs.
Kate heard a squeal, followed by a flash of red hair, jumping into Castle's arms.
"Kate, this is Alexis. Alexis, this is Kate." Rick introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Alexis said shyly, reaching her arms around Kate, while still being attached to her father.
"Nice to meet you too." Kate replied, a smile instantly appearing.
Castle sheepishly smiled. "Sorry, she's a hugger." He put Alexis down. "Why don't you go set the table?"
The red head nodded. "Okay!" She yelled excitedly.
Kate was embarrassed. She couldn't believe that she had been jealous of a 6-year old, his daughter in fact.
Rick followed after Alexis, but stopped noting that Kate wasn't following. He turned to her, face red and hesitant.
"Alexis is your daughter?" Kate asked.
Rick's stomach dropped. Unlike all the other girls, Rick had bought home, he thought Kate was different. Most of them ran as soon as they heard he had a daughter.
"Sorry, I didn't tell you before. I thought you knew that Alexis was my daughter. If you want to leave then that's perfectly fine." Rick said chivalrously. Kate stepped forward.
"She's absolutely adorable. It's just the way you were describing her, I thought that she was a girlfriend or something." Kate said quietly.
Rick's smile was back on his face, as his eyes sparkled. "Miss Beckett, do I hear a hint of jealousy?"
Kate felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "I am not jealous."
Castle leaned in. "Many ladies have fallen victim to the charms of the Castle's." He whispered lowly.
Kate bit her lip, walking to where Alexis had headed. "So about that dinner?" She asked, facing Castle.
He all but ran, following her through the door and to the table.
Alexis had finished setting the plates down, the only thing she hadn't grabbed were the drinks.
"All done dad!" She said, smiling a toothless grin. Kate smiled as Castle kissed his daughter's head.
"Thanks a lot pumpkin."
The dinner consisted of a lot of talking. Kate had quickly learned that Alexis was a fierce talker.
"...but Gracie didn't even do anything wrong. Connor was the one that stole her scissors. It wasn't her fault that the sand bucket accidentally landed on his head." Alexis said innocently.
"Why did Gracie have scissors? She's 6." Rick asked.
"Dad, they were safety scissors. And we were doing arts and crafts." Alexis said in a 'duh' tone.
"Yeah, Castle. Just because you weren't allowed scissors 'til you were 10." Kate laughed, winking at him.
Castle pulled a face. "Actually I was 8. And no fair! You two can't gang up on me."
Kate reached over, giving her a high-five.
"You two are going to be the death of me." Castle sighed.
This was the first time a dinner like this had gone smoothly for Castle. He'd admit that he had brought home many female 'companions.' But they never made it to dinner, all scared off by the fact they he had a daughter.
"Desert anyone?"
After dinner, Alexis was passed out on the couch in a food-induced coma, while Rick and Kate were clearing up.
"I think Alexis is passed out." Rick said, as he no longer heard his daughter's excited squeals.
"You know it's your fault." Kate said, putting a plate away.
"How?" Rick asked.
"She's in a food-induced coma, and because of desert seconds, she's probably going to get a stomach ache." Kate stated, turning to face him.
He was closer than she expected, only a step away from her. His hands made their way around her, to rest on the bench. He leaned in close, and Kate's eyes fluttered close, her breathing hitched. "Well if she's in a coma, she won't hear what's coming next."
"What's coming next?" Kate breathed. She could feel him, closer than ever.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Rick pulled away with a smirk and Kate fought the urge not to hit him.
Face flushed, Kate made her way out of the kitchen, and to the door. "Dinner was great, but I should be going."
Rick followed after her, catching her just as she was slipping on her jacket. She reached for the door, but his hands covered hers. He turned her around, crushing his lips to hers.
Kate gasped, the motion involuntary. She balanced herself against the door, her knees growing weak, as the kiss intensified. "Castle." She gasped in surprise.
He pulled back, his eyes dark, and swirling with desire. "Goodbye kiss." He nodded. The action had surprised him too, and he didn't know if Kate had been okay with it. His fears were washed away when Kate threw her arms around his neck. She leaned in, her lips meeting his. They pulled away when they needed to breath.
"Goodbye kiss." Kate agreed, biting her lip. She opened the front door, then turned around, adjusting her jacket. "This was fun. Alexis is great." She breathed.
Rick leaned against the doorway. "Yeah, it was fun. Come by any time, Alexis loves you by the way."
Kate bit her lip, before smiling at him. "I might just take you up on that offer." She leaned in close, placing a quick kiss inches away from his mouth. "Night Castle."
He smiled. "Night Beckett." Her eyebrows raised at the nickname, but she didn't say anything, instead opting for a wave.
A/N: Quick question, do you guys prefer him being called Rick or Castle? I like when she calls him Rick, but Castle is more original to the show.