A/N: Hey everyone! It's almost the end of 2014… wow. That was hella quick. Well, I hope you all enjoy this late Christmas chapter. This little short story should be complete before New Year's Eve… So, enjoy! x

Xxxxx

Chapter 4: Bittersweet

Her eyes fluttered open as she hears a familiar phone ring from a distance. Oh. Mine.

Her eyesight adjust to the new sunlight shining through the curtains. She climbs out of the wonderful king size bed picking up Rick's shirt to drape over herself as she follows the ringing. Kate reaches for her phone and picks up with a raspy voice, "Beckett."

"Yo, body dropped." Great.

"Espo, isn't today my day off? What time is it? And location would be great," Kate mumbled as she searches franticly for a pen and notepad.

"Yes, but Captain said to call you anyways, short of people. Uh, it's just 10 past 6. Aren't you usually up by now?"

"Oh, I… um," Kate stuttered, searching for her words as a blank drew.

"Doesn't matter, but located right in the middle of Broadway."

Kate jotted down the location and threw her notepad back into her handbag, "Jeez, Alright. I'll be there soon."

She makes her way back to the king size bed with an adorable man snoring lightly and sleeping peacefully. She grinned and shakes her head. Instead of waking him, Kate took out her phone to snap a picture before writing her number and a small note for him to wake up to. Quietly, she manages her way to find all her clothing except her panties. She slips her note on his nightstand adding a P.S. to keep an eye for her underwear. With that, Kate quietly leaves the huge and luxurious loft.

Xxxxx

Rick wakes up suddenly feeling cold. He glances to his right only to be disappointed. Rick rolls onto his back burying his face into his hands and lets out a frustrated sigh. He removes the covers and slips into his slippers and robe. He almost knocked his nightstand in the process. A piece of paper fell. Rick rubbed his eyes. Oh. It's from Kate.

Rick,

Good morning Handsome. You look so cute when you sleep. Last night was amazing. I would like to do that again sometime. ;) I'm sorry I just left without saying anything, again, but a body dropped this morning and my precinct is short of people at the moment, so I had to go in. Have a great day and please tell Alexis I said hello. Here's my card by the way, so I don't leave you stranded about our New Year's Eve. See you soon?

xoxo my panties are somewhere… couldn't find them this morning.

Kate.

Rick chuckled, "Thank god this wasn't a dream."

He picks up the card she left behind and punched in her mobile written on the back. He sends her a quick text.

It's Rick. And we shall on New Year's Eve. ;)

Xxxxx

Rick has been trying to convince Kate for the past hour to join him and his daughter for Christmas, and so far, Kate declined every attempt, "Kaaaate, please."

"Rick, I've told you. I've got the night shift today."

"Alexis wants to see you, but. Can't you get another person to cover for you?"

Kate laughed, "Rick, please don't use your daughter to get me to see you again."

Rick whined over the phone, "I am not."

"You so are. And I've got to get back to my job. Wish Alexis a Merry Christmas for me, and I'll swing by before she leaves for California to give her a gift."

"Kate, I miss you."

"Rick, I'll see you after Christmas, okay? Bye." Kate hung up not wanting to deal with anymore Christmas. She let out a small sigh, sipped her coffee and went back to her pile of paperwork. Her team had just finish solving another open and shut murder. Esposito rolled his chair over.

"Beckett, you look a little pissed."

Kate quirked an eyebrow and was slightly smirking, "Really now?"

"After that phone slam. I'm sure you are."

"Well, a friend of mine is asking me to go over tonight for Christmas Eve."

"Why aren't you going?"

"Javi, you know why."

"You should go, Kate."

"Don't."

"Kate, I know you, you should…"

Kate glared at him, "Javi."

Esposito shook his head and rolled his chair back to his desk. He looked up again to find Kate squinting at some files like the conversation never happened. His face turned sour, and he opened back up the file he was currently working on, violently.

Kate continued to work on the stack of paperwork until her captain stepped out his office and called her in. Kate stood up and walked into his office, "Sir?"

"Close the door," Montgomery says as he sits back down on his chair, "And take a seat."

Kate obeys, "What's up?"

"I want you to go home tonight."

Kate stands back up, "Excuse me?"

"You heard."

"Sir, with all due respect, I'm not leaving this precinct tonight."

"You've done enough, and besides I took one of your off days."

"I…"

"Go home tonight, Kate. It's an order."

There was an eerie silence before Kate spoke vulnerably, "Sir you know why I take the night shift during Christmas."

"Kate, I've heard you all day on that phone with someone who wants to spend Christmas with you. Go. Enjoy it. How often does Christmas occur?"

"I've already declined."

"And so what? I bet they'll be thrilled to see you."

Kate gives her captain a small smile and whispers, "Sir… I rather not."

"There will always be people on duty who will keep an eye on the city. And this year, it doesn't include you. Now the last time I will say this before I get someone to escort you," he points to the door, "go home."

"Yes sir," she reluctantly answered.

She leaves Captain Montgomery's office and goes back to her desk. She packs up the paperwork in a neat pile before putting her belongings into her shoulder bag. She glances back at Esposito to find him giving her a genuine smile and a wave, "Merry Christmas, boss!"

"Merry Christmas, Espo."

She rides the elevator to the parking garage, gets into her car, and drives off to the Castles.

Kate nervously stands in front of the door. She can hear muffled laughter and Christmas music. She takes a shaky breath, her gripping tightening around the gift she bought Alexis, and rang the doorbell.

It's okay, you can do this Katie. It's just… "KATE! Merry Christmas!"

Kate chuckles, "Merry Christmas, Alexis."

Rick pulled her into a long hug while the smile on his face brighten just like a little boy, "Kate."

Kate sunk into his warm embrace, "Rick, Merry Christmas."

He let her go, "I thought you had to work."

"I did. I uh… My captain told me to go home."

"Oh, please, come in."

Kate nodded shyly. She walked into a Christmas fiasco. There was a huge Christmas tree all decorated beautifully with a train set circling it. The lights were hung up, there was even fake snow and icicles hanging from the ceiling.

Rick headed off to the kitchen with Alexis hot on his heels, "We were just about to make some hot coco," he reached for the cylinder container, "would you like some?"

Kate was having a hard time maintaining her emotions. She hasn't been this up close with Christmas since her mother passed away, "No thank you."

"Okay then, I'll make a cup for Alexis and a cup for me,"

Rick sounded like a little boy, and it warmed Kate's heart to see him and his daughter celebrating such a wonderful holiday. It made her regret all the Christmases she missed with her parents because she went out with stupid boys. She knew she couldn't stay here much longer; she would become a sobbing mess. She couldn't ruin Christmas for Rick and Alexis.

"Oh Alexis, I got you a gift."

Alexis crossed over the kitchen into the living room where Kate was currently standing, "Kate, you didn't have to."

"It was something I thought you would love. You like reading?"

Alexis giggled, "Of course. My dad's an author."

"Well, when I was your age I loved reading as well, and here's a little something I used to keep," she opened up the box, "It was my mother's, she wrote the books she loved and I used to write down every book I read into this journal. Now I'm sure you probably already read some, but I wanted you to have some suggestions just in case your father's choices," Kate glanced back at Rick giving him a nod, "aren't as amazing. It's not an ideal present, but I thought you would want to have it."

Alexis studied the journal carefully, "Kate, thank you so much. I promise to value it since it was your mother's as well."

Kate gives her light nod, "I hope you enjoy it."

Alexis bolted up the stairs to put away this precious gift.

She headed over to Rick trying her hardest to hold those walls up, "I think I should go."

Rick could see the sadness haunting her eyes. He was completely and utterly speechless. How could she be so beautiful yet she's hurting inside?

He would like if she would stay to open gifts, but he felt she would be tortured with emotions. Rick didn't want to see her hurt on Christmas; it would break his heart. He'll talk to her later, "Okay."

He wraps his strong arms around her, kissing her hair, "Alexis. Come and say goodbye to Kate, she's going home."

"Oh, you aren't staying for gifts?"

"No. It's been a long day for me."

Alexis pouts a little, but covers it up quickly with a smile, "It was great seeing you, Kate. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" She leans in for a hug. Kate wraps her arms around Alexis. Alexis lets go and heads over to the tree, giving her father and Kate some time.

"Rick, I'm sorry. It's just…"

"It's okay, go home and rest."

"Thank you."

"Always."

He pulled her against him before brushing his lips on hers. Kate bit her lip, ducked her head and slipped out of his embrace. He grabbed her wrist and whispered into her ear, "I found your panties."

He loosened his grip on her and she walks away without answering back.

Xxxxx

She curls up into her pyjamas as her exterior guard drops and all she could do was cry uncontrollably until she fell asleep.

Xxxxx

Don't hate me, please… It will be all good. I promise. Next update before the end of 2014. x

-C