Hey guys! Sorry this took so long. I just finished my exams. Hope you guys enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Castle.
Kate Beckett woke up with a jolt. She looked around and saw that she was in an unfamiliar room. She turned to the night stand and saw the picture of her and Rick. Then she remembered that she was staying at the loft. She smiled to herself. Beckett got up, showered, got dressed and then headed down for breakfast. When she went down, the kitchen was bursting with laughter. She then took a whiff the aroma of bacon and coffee. She walked down and sat at the counter.
"Morning, sleepy beauty," Rick teased.
"Ha ha, very funny," Kate said sarcastically.
"So... What's for breakfast?" Kate asked.
"Eggs and bacon and a piping hot cup of joe," Rick said as he fixed her a plate of eggs and bacon and a cup of coffee.
"Sounds good," Kate said as she drank the coffee.
"Mmmm... Wow.. Tastes good too," she added.
"I only brew the best coffee in town," Rick said confidently.
"Mmm yeah... Maybe next time I should just come here for coffee then. Tell me, Rick... Do you deliver?" she teased.
"I could try," he said jokingly.
They laughed. Alexis, who was helping her father, walked away from the stove and sat beside Kate.
"Morning, Kate!" Alexis said happily.
"Whoa! Geez.. Alexis. You scared me!" Kate exclaimed.
"Oh.. Sorry.." Alexis said.
"Nah, it's fine. And good morning to you too, little Red."
Then the front door burst open and Rick's mother, Martha Rodgers, walked in the loft.
"Richard? Alexis? I'm back!" Martha announced herself.
"GRAMS!" Alexis exclaimed as she jumped off the stool and ran towards her grandmother.
"Hey kiddo! How are you?" Martha asked.
"I'm awesome!" Alexis replied excitedly.
Alexis then took her grandmother's hand and brought her to the kitchen. Kate smiled at Martha.
"Good morning, Martha," she greeted the older red head.
"Katherine.. My, my.. what a surprise. You look great," Martha said.
"You do too," Kate said with a smile. "How long has it been?" Kate asked.
"Too long, darling. You seem well. How are your parents?" Martha asked.
"Oh, they're great."
"I heard about your mother. Is she alright?" Martha asked.
"She's better. After all, it's been 7 years. The scar sometimes bring her nightmares but she manages."
"Is that why you're staying in New York?"
"Yeah... I'm here for my family and my other family. You, lil' Red and a silly writer boy," she teased.
"Excuse me? It's writer man."
"Oh darling, I'm touched. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Martha," Kate replied.
"So, any plans?" Martha asked.
"Yeah, actually. I'm planning on attending the New York Police Academy this fall. Now, I have time on my hands and I plan on spending it with both my families," Kate answered with a smile.
"Oh a cop? What are you taking?"
"Homicide. Maybe I'll be a detective."
"Oh good. Detective Kate Beckett. Has a nice ring to it. Good choice, darling."
"Thank you, Martha."
"Gosh.. I remember when you were little. You and Richard used to be so close, that we could barely separate you two."
"What happened back then?"
"Richard and I had to move to a small apartment. We stopped being neighbours. Then you two grew distant from each other. A few years later, you two happen to meet again in High School."
5 years old Kate Beckett ran up to 8 year old Rick Rodgers. Rick was sitting on the steps of his house, watching the men carry out his and his mother's belongings and loading them into moving van.
"Hi Ricky!" Kate said as she sat beside him.
"Hi Katie.." he said softly while looking at the ground.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm moving, Katie."
"What does that mean?" said little Katie Beckett.
"It means I won't be able to see you anymore," Rick explained.
5 year old Katie wrapped her arms around him which took him by surprise.
"I want to come with you!" Katie exclaimed.
Ricky pulled away and looked at his 5 year old best friend.
"Katie.. You cannot come with me. You have to stay here with your mommy and daddy. We'll see each other soon. Okay?"
"Okay... Pinky promise?" Katie said as she held up her right pinky finger.
Ricky smiled and wrapped his ring pinky finger around hers and said, "Pinky promise."
They pulled away and hugged each other. What they didn't know was that Martha was there the entire time and saw and heard everything. It warmed her heart to see the two of them so close.
Present day Martha was snapped back into reality by 25 year old Kate Beckett.
"I'm sorry... What darling?" Martha asked.
"I was saying... Would you like to join us for breakfast? Writer boy's cooking," Kate teased Rick as she offered his mother.
"Kate, stop calling me that!" Rick whined.
"Or what? You and I both know that you won't do anything to hurt me. You love me too much," Kate teased again.
Rick's eyes twinkled as he smiled when she said that. He wasn't sure if she knew what she just said but it made him smile.
"Well, you're right about one thing, Kate," he mumbled to himself.
"What's that, Rick?" Kate asked.
"Nothing," Rick said with a light chuckle.
"No, you can't say it's nothing. Nothing is a dear friend of mine. C'mon, out with it."
He chuckled. "I promise you that it's nothing."
"Fine then. So anyways.. Join us, Martha," Kate said.
"I'd love to, kiddo."
The Castles, a Rodgers and a Beckett enjoyed their breakfast. The dining room was filled with laughter from Rick's lame but funny jokes. Martha watched as Beckett teased Castle. They looked so happy. It was like nothing changed over the years. Rick Castle, formerly known as Rick Rodgers, and Kate Beckett were closer than ever. It was like Rick never moved away. Martha sat there and watched as she admired the two.
Then, Kate's phone buzzed indicating that she just received a message. She whipped out her phone to read the message. Her smile faded onto a frown. Rick noticed right away.
"What's wrong?" Rick asked.
"I'm sorry. I have to go," Kate got up from her seat, "It was nice seeing you again, Martha."
Rick got up from his seat. "Kate?" he asked, concern.
"I'm fine, Rick. I'll call you later," she gave him a weak smile. She took her jacket and walked out of the loft.
"Daddy? Is Kate okay?" Alexis asked.
"I don't know, pumpkin," Rick said softly.
"Richard.. Go," Martha said.
"What?" Rick asked.
"Clearly you're worried about her. Go. I'll take care of Alexis," Martha offered.
"Thank you, mother!" With that, Rick left the loft and ran after his friend.
He ran out of the building just in time to see Kate walking down the street. He chased after her.
"Kate!" he called out.
She spun around and asked, "Rick? What are you doing?"
"I'm worried about you," he said honestly.
"That's sweet of you, Rick but I'm fine. It's nothing," Kate replied.
"Kate.. I know when you're lying."
"It doesn't concern you, Rick!"
"But it concerns you. What happened?"
"Fine! You want to know so badly? Fine then. It's my mom. She fainted and now she's at the hospital. I have to go see her."
"I'm coming with you."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because... Just like you.. The Becketts are family. I'm coming with you."
She gave him a weak smile and nodded. She hailed a cab and they both headed to the hospital. While in the cab, Rick noticed how Kate's hands were shaking. Rick reached out and held her hand. She looked up and smiled at him. He smiled back and they held hands the whole ride to the hospital.
That's chapter 4! Chapter 5 coming soon. Review please!
