Disclaimer: I don't own anything Castle.

Upon their return to the suite Alexis stepped into her father's arms and held on tight. Kate slipped past them to her room but she saw Castle looking over Alexis's shoulder mouthing "Thank You".

Kate could hear the murmur of voices outside the room for a long time after she left the two Castles hugging it out in the living room. She started to think about all that she and Alexis had talked about. Why did I come here? What was I expecting to do? Help him and Alexis and that would suddenly make him reach out to me and thank me every which way for helping them? Dr. Burke did tell me to reach out, but I have the feeling that he meant slightly smaller gestures. It's New Years tomorrow so perhaps the least I can do is plant a nice kiss on those sweet lips of his and maybe find out if he has any desire to be with me at all. That way, I can start the New Year off with purpose; getting over Castle or getting into his pants before the end of the next year. She shook her head and noticed that the murmuring had stopped. She decided that it was safe for her to venture out with the pretext, just in case, of getting a cup of coffee.

Castle was alone in sitting on the sofa, rather, that, sofa.

"Where's Alexis and how is she doing?"

"She went to go take a shower and she is a little shaky. She didn't really tell me much only that Ashley didn't really want her back he just wanted to show her off with his friends. He commented to his friends about how far they had gone."

"Boys are idiots."

"That they are at times and while boys will be boys I hate it when they take down someone like Alexis with them. He was her first true love and I don't blame her for thinking he wanted her back but I really wish it hadn't happened to her. "

"It's all part of growing up and learning life lessons unfortunately. Lucky for her she has a great dad to help her out."

"Thanks Kate. I still don't know what else is going on with her but at least I know she is here and safe... I was thinking of ordering up some comfort food tonight unless you really wanted to go to the W hotel."

"Comfort food is fine. Depending on when we leave, maybe there is another night that we can go to the W hotel."

"I am ordering broccoli grilled cheese for Alexis and macaroni and cheese for myself. What will you have?"

"Tomato soup?"

"With alphabet pasta?"

"In a five star hotel?"

"I'll ask because I know that's how you eat it, right? It's the least I can do for your help this afternoon." He gazed into her eyes with such intensity that is not usually reserved for tomato soup and alphabet pasta.

She was flailing on the inside but she carefully replied, "Yup, thanks for remembering."

The food arrived in due time and they flipped through the hundreds upon thousands of channels on the television. They settled on watching Fly Away Home an old favourite of Alexis. When the movie was over Alexis got up and said, "I guess I'll call it a night".

"It's only 9:00"

"I know but I'm exhausted." She kissed him on his cheek and moved to Castles room that he had given up for her.

Kate got up as well, "I need to hit the hay too; I got up way too early this morning."

Castle lay on the couch where he was sleeping that night since he gave Alexis his room. He lay there in the darkness thinking about the day. Alexis had told him about Ashley at least but that was the tip of the iceberg. I hope that she will open up to me a little – let me know what is going on in her head. Kate was right, she did come back to me. His thoughts moved to Kate when he noticed the silence of the suite was broken with a duet of sniffles and choked back sobs. Castle like any male faced with crying females had a few moments of panic. But he collected himself by putting on one of the fantastic terry cloth robes (it's close to a towel right?) and called down for a tray of hot chocolate.

A/N: Happy New Year :)