Title: Leap of Faith

Characters: Rick Castle & Kate Beckett (couple); also features Alexis, Martha, Ryan, Esposito, Capt. Montgomery, and Jim Beckett. May feature others from episode 2.13 Sucker Punch as well.

Authors: Lisa M. (castlefanlisa) and Sarah M.
Rated: K+ or the equivalent of PG/PG 13

Disclaimer: We don't own any of the characters, we just borrowed them. They belong to ABC and their respective owners.

Note: This story is a romance and may have some alternate reality elements. Please leave constructive feedback. Thanks!

Chapter 2

"You have your ways to weasel things out of me if you want it." She smiles and kisses his cheek lightly before she lays her head down on his chest. "I'm sorry if I scared you when I was screaming your name."

"It's okay. I'm glad you were here with me and not at your place alone."

"Me too. You are an amazing guy. Alexis is lucky to have you."

"You're not lucky to have me?"

"I am…I'm just not good at keeping boyfriends for long and I don't want to lose you."

"Sweetheart, look at me…please?"

She carefully moves her head up.

"You've had me around for a good long time. I'm not leaving you now nor do I plan to leave you for the next oh what do you think forty, fifty years?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"It's kind of nice to have a constant person in your life. Someone who's there no matter what…someone who you can talk to about anything."

"I know exactly what you mean, Kate. It makes you feel safe and secure."

"I've dated and had boyfriends, as you know, but they've never…"

"Never what?" He let her gather her thoughts and just watched her.

"They've never made me feel quite the way you do. It's a more intense, thrilling experience."

"Just know that I will never intentionally hurt you."

"I trust you, Rick…and I know." She smiled and then kissed him.

As soon as they pulled apart, they saw Alexis standing there watching them and smiling.

Rick smiles. "What are you lookin' at?"

"Got three words for you two…"

Kate blushes and smiles at Alexis. "Get a room? Good morning Dad?"

Alexis shakes her head lightly. "It's about time." She goes over to them and hugs both of them.

Kate smiles and returns the hug. "So you're okay with this?"

Alexis shoots her a look and then smiles. "Am I okay with it? I'm more than okay with it. I saw it back when we were at dad's reading and you showed up in that really pretty pink dress."

Kate and Rick look at each other and back to Alexis. "You did?"

She nods. "Yes I did. I'm sure everyone in the room noticed it."

Rick smiles and kisses Alexis' forehead.

"You're the best step-daughter…I mean…daughter anyone could ask for," Kate says.

"We're going to have the best times together as a family and as mother and daughter. I love my mom, don't get me wrong, but she's well….you know."

"A little over the top? A drama queen?" Kate laughs.

"Yeah, exactly. You saw how she just waltzed into the police station like some diva. Not to mention taking me out of school so we could go shopping."

"I'll take you shopping and for facials and everything, Alexis. I promise it won't be when you have school."

"Thanks, Kate." She hugs her and then goes to have breakfast.

Once Alexis had left the room, Rick looked at Kate. "She's the best."

"You were right, you know. I should never have doubted you when you told me what her reaction would be to us being together. You've got a great kid."

"She's smart…she saw what's between us almost even before we did. Isn't it funny how everyone else can see what's there except the people involved?"

"I've got a secret to tell you. There's been something between us from the first moment we met. You know it as well as I do."

"Have I ever told you how smart you are?"

"You just did." She bites her lower lip and smiles.

"I love it when you do that. Does it mean you're thinking or you have a secret?"

"You're going to have to figure that one out for yourself, kitten."

"Katherine Beckett…how many times have I told you not to call me kitten?" He tickles her sides lightly.

Kate busts out laughing. "Rick…..stop…..pleaseee."

"No more kitten?"

"No more calling you kitten." She leans in to kiss him but pulls back at the last second.

"What….no kisses?"

"You tickled me so no kisses for you for an hour."

"An hour? But baby….sweetheart…sugar….sweetie…."

"No buts mister."

He pouts as she gets up and goes to get ready for the day. Then he decides to watch her change just to irritate her.

"I know what you're trying to do," she says as she finishes dressing. She glances at the watch on her wrist and fingers the chain around her neck.

"I know how much your parents mean to you, and I'm glad you have tangible reminders."

"Me, too." She smiles and then thinks for a moment. "I almost gave my dad mom's ring the last time I saw him, but…"

"You couldn't bear to part with it just yet?"

She nods and then stands behind him and puts her arms around him. "It's just a thing, but it's the only thing I have left that belonged to her…you know."

"You don't have to explain it to me. It makes perfect sense, Kate."

Just then her phone rang. "Beckett. We'll be right there."

"Just once, I wish murder slept," Rick muttered.

"So do I, Rick. So do I."

Rick goes to get changed and takes her hand. "I'll buy you a coffee on the way back to the station."

"Okay."

They head downstairs to grab their coats and keys.

"Got a case Lex. You know what to do if you need anything, right?"

Alexis shoots her dad a look. "Yes Daddy. I know what to do." She gets up and goes over to hug both Rick and Kate. "Be careful."

Kate smiles. "We will be. Call if you need anything, okay?"

Alexis nods. "Okay. See you two later."

Rick kisses Alexis' cheek. "See you later."

He leads Kate down to the car and opens the door for her. "Where are we headed?"

"It's actually um…near my apartment."

"Okay. Your apartment coming up."

**

They navigate the morning traffic and arrive at Kate's apartment to find Lanie waiting for them just ten or so feet from the front door.

"What've you got for me?"

"Female, around fifteen or sixteen. No I.D. and very little else…just the clothes on her back."

Kate sighs. "Another homeless teen."

"'Fraid so."

Rick steps up and glances at the body and nearly jumps back. "She looks a lot like Alexis, Kate."

"Yeah, she does."

"I feel the need to call her and make sure she's okay. I don't care what I interrupt."

"Go ahead. Then you can catch up."

**

He pulled out his iPhone and dialed Alexis' cell. "Hey, sweetie, it's me. Just making sure you're okay."

"Hey, Dad. I'm fine. It wasn't that long ago that you guys left. What's up?"

"Homeless teenage girl was found near Kate's apartment. I don't mean to scare you, but she looks a lot like you."

"I'm sorry. Hope you two can solve it quickly. Tell Kate I'm okay?"

"Of course. Love you."

"Love you, too."

He ends the call and goes to find Kate.

**

"Hey, how's Alexis?"

"She's said to tell you she's okay and she hopes we solve it quickly."

"I wanted you to see these marks on her neck. She was strangled."

"It looks like someone used rope, and did it after she was dead."

"Mmm…not sure if it was pre or post-mortem yet, but she was definitely strangled."

"How can anyone do that to another person? She was someone's daughter, Kate. She mattered to somebody at one point, didn't she?"

"I never said my job was easy, Castle. I hope someone can identify her but without I.D…"

"It's nearly impossible."

"Yeah, it is."

"Where are Chip and Dale?"

"Huh?"

"Sorry. I forgot to tell you my inside joke. I mean Ryan and Esposito. If you tell them my nickname for them is Chip and Dale, I may have to kill you."

Kate grins. "Chip and Dale huh? That's a good one. Who's Chip and who's Dale?"

"Ryan is Chip. And Esposito is Dale."

"You are funny." She looks around to see if anyone is looking. She quickly kisses his cheek and continues her investigation.

Rick notices a ring on a chain. "Kate….look at her neck. She's got a ring on her necklace. Think the inscription, if there is one, will help?"

Kate looks up and smiles slightly. "And this is why I need you around me." She carefully reaches around and unclasps the necklace. She carefully slides the ring off and looks inside. She shakes her head lightly. "No initials or anything."

"The ring had to belong to someone though. It looks pricey too."

Rick pulls out his phone and turns on the camera. "Hold it up so I can look around online for it later?"

Kate nods and slides it on her gloved pinky finger and steps closer to him. "How's that?"

"Perfect. It looks good on you."

Kate blushes and turns her head away. "Castle…..be careful."

"I always am…well for the most part."

"Uh huh. Just keep telling yourself that."

"What, you don't believe me?"

"Never mind." She sighs and bites her lip.

"Oh I figured it out!"

"Did you now?"

"It means you're thinking and trying to figure something out."

"Hmm…whatever you say, Ricky."

"You didn't confirm but you didn't deny it either…which means I'm right. Right?" He grins.

"You're something else, you know that? Right now, I'm inclined to go with annoying."

"Just don't finish that sentence with 'big brother'. I'm definitely not your big brother and if I were, well, let's just say we wouldn't be…"

"If you finish that sentence, Rick, I'll kill you."

"A guy makes one comment and the woman in his life automatically puts her mind in the proverbial gutter. Can't I catch a break once in a while?"

Lanie shakes her head. "If his name is Richard Castle, then no."

Kate nods. "Lanie is right. But if you behave the rest of the day, there might be a treat for you later."

"Might be a treat huh? What kind of treat?"

"I don't know yet. But you have to behave."

He pouts "But Katie…."

"Oh don't get Mr. Pouty Face on me and no 'But Katie' either. Behave or no treat."

"Okay. I'll do my best."

"Good boy. Now go see whatever else you can find. And wear gloves or you'll contaminate the crime scene."

He pulls a pair out of her pocket and kisses her cheek. "Thanks."

Kate looks at Lanie. "What did I get myself into?"

"I'd say a heap of trouble, but then you'd tell me not to say 'I told you so', so I'd say you've gotten yourself into a romance…and a good one at that."

"Shut up."

"Hey, you know it, he knows it….the whole world knows it. If they don't they're blind and stupid."

"A woman gets a best friend and then said best friend turns on her. That's not fair."

"Honey, how long have I been telling you that you two belong together?"

"Oookay! You're right but don't you dare say I told you so. Gloating even from you is not attractive."

"Fair enough." She smiles. "So back to our case?"

"Yeah is there anything else you've got for me?"

**