Disclaimer: I do not own the show, Castle, or any of its characters.

Author's Note: Here is chapter two, enjoy!

Not a second after Kate walks through the door, she is enveloped into a giddy hug by Martha. Kate laughs and looks at Castle as Martha leads them both to the dinner table.

"Wow, Martha. You really outdid yourself." Kate looked impressed.

"Well a brush of death really has an effect on someone. So, tonight we feast."

Castle looked around, "Where's Alexis?"

Martha nodded towards the other room, "She's…"

Castle nodded and slipped out. Martha gestured to the wine glass in her hand. "Would you…?"

Kate smiled, "Please." She grabbed another wine glass and followed Martha to the kitchen.

"So, what was that look about today?" Martha grabbed Kate's wine glass and began to fill both of them.

Kate knew instantly to what she was referring but chose to ignore it. "What do you mean?"

"Kate, what do I look like, a fool? When you stormed in there, you only had eyes for Richard."

"Well I…"

"Kate, don't try to excuse it. I saw it," Martha playfully elbowed her. "Judging from that look, it seems you really care for him. Maybe even a little more than care…" Martha raised her eyebrow. "If you wait too long to tell him, he might not be there to tell." Ever the drama queen, she swooped up both of her glass and glided back into the dining room, leaving no time for Kate to respond.

Kate grabbed another wine glass and began to fill it. She then grabbed both of them and returned to the dining room just in time to see Castle coming out of his office with his arm around Alexis. She smiled and handed him a glass.

"Oh, thank you. And I never got a chance to properly thank you for saving my life."

"Oh, there's no need Castle. We're partners. It's what we do."

Castle lifted his glass to toast with Kate, "Yes, some of us more than others of course."

Kate smiled, but stopped half way into the toast, "Wait, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Only that this is the eighth time you've saved my life and I've saved your life nine times."

Kate shifted on her feet. "Ok, first of all, I can't even believe you're taking score. And second, there is no way you've saved my life more than I've saved yours. Nine? Please." She began to walk to the dinner table.

Castle followed, "Well, let's review shall we? The first time I distracted that mad gunman with a champagne bottle, and yes that was a save, even you admitted it. The second time," he continued as they both sat down, "a serial killer put a bomb in your kitchen while you were taking a shower. I had to brave the hellish flames to pull you out of your bathtub. Won't be forgetting that any time soon. And the third time-"

"Oh Richard alright we get it. You have a brilliant memory. Now finish this conversation after we eat. Some of us do not feel like hearing about almost dying after the day we've had." Martha interrupted him.

Kate smirked at him. "Yes, Castle. How very insensitive of you."

Castle gave her a tart smile. Kate bit down a laugh.

"What would you like to talk about, Mother?" Castle asked.

"Oh well I have this new play coming up soon."

"Oh, are you playing one of the lead roles?" Kate asked curiously as she sipped her wine.

"Well, not exactly." Martha replied.

"Grams, I thought you said you were a shoo-in for it." Alexis offered.

"Yes well, apparently not. The director called me this morning to tell me that I would be playing the glamorous role of the nanny."

"Wow. I don't know, Mother. This one might be a stretch for you. After all, you don't even wash your own clothes, let alone someone else's…let alone a child's." Castle teased.

"Yes well that is why it's called acting my dear. Anyway, today wasn't a total waste. A certain bank manager gave me his card. Told me to call him whenever I had the chance."

"Leave it to her to pick up a date in the middle of a bank robbery." Castle smiled at his daughter, who nodded and rolled her eyes.

"Hey now, there is nothing wrong with seeing potential and going after it." Martha defended.

Castle and Alexis both playfully rolled their eyes.

Kate sat in silence, watching the interaction between the family. She couldn't help but notice how she fit right in. They didn't act differently because she was around. No one felt the need to compromise their usual banter because they had a guest. It was like she was already a part of this family. She smiled to herself.

Castle caught her smiling and lifted his eyebrows in question. She smiled, wordlessly telling him that he would find out later.

Author's Note: I would like this to turn into a multiple chapter story. If you would like to see that happen, please let me know. =)