SCENE SEVEN

Scene begins exactly as scene ended, with Richard Castle and Kate Beckett at Castle's apartment looking over the contents of the folder from the bank. It is evident from their surroundings that not much time has passed since the last scene. However, Castle and Beckett seem to be wrapping up their discussion of the case. Beckett stands up.

Beckett:

Castle, it's getting late. I should get going.

Castle stands up and takes her hand.

Castle:

Oh, no you don't. You're staying right here, where it's safe.

Beckett smiles.

Beckett:

I appreciate your concern, but I'm telling you, I'll be fine. I already went back to my apartment this afternoon, so if they wanted to kill me, I'd already be dead.

Castle's eyes widen in shock.

Castle:

You went back to your apartment? Alone? But they could have been waiting for you, Kate. You could have been ambushed–

Beckett sighs.

Beckett:

And that's exactly why I let you think I left the city. Because I knew you'd worry. But I'm fine, Castle. No snipers waiting in the wings, no bad guys hiding in my closet. The apartment hadn't even been touched. Maddox's probably been busy finding whatever it is we're looking for, and I needed to grab my spare. (She lifts up the back of her shirt slightly, reaches into her back pocket, and pulls out a gun.) See? I'm fully capable of protecting myself.

Castle frowns.

Castle:

That's not going to protect you from a bullet. (Beat.) You can have my vest.

Beckett frowns.

Beckett:

Castle, there is no way I'm wearing your "writer" vest.

Castle:

It'll keep you safe.

Beckett:

And what about you?

Castle smiles slightly, pleased that Beckett cares about his well-being. Noticing this, a small smile creeps on Beckett's face as well. She blushes slightly and turns her head slightly. After a moment's pause, Beckett lets out a sigh and looks back at Castle.

Beckett:

Tell you what: I get the gun, you keep the vest, and we both watch each other's backs.

Castle smiles.

Castle:

Deal. (Beat.) But the offer to stay here for the night still stands.

Beckett smiles but turns towards the door. Castle follows Beckett. When the two of them reach the staircase, Alexis bounces down the stairs happily.

Alexis:

Hey Dad, do you think–

Alexis stops at the foot of the stairs, seeing Kate Beckett. Alexis's eyes widen in surprise, and she seems taken aback by Beckett's presence. For a moment, Alexis's eyebrows crease in worry, but she seems to catch herself. Alexis takes a moment to regain her composure and smiles slightly at Beckett.

Alexis:

Detec– (She corrects herself.) Ms. Beckett. I didn't expect to see you here.

Beckett turns toward Alexis.

Beckett:

Alexis. Hey. (She looks to Castle.) Your Dad and I, we were just working on a few leads for a case– (She looks back at Alexis.) –but I'll be leaving soon, if you needed him for something.

Alexis fakes a smile. When she speaks, her voice is slightly elevated and overly chipper, as though she is forcing herself to say the words happily.

Alexis:

Oh no, it was nothing. How about I walk down with you?

Beckett shakes her head.

Beckett:

That's all right. I wouldn't want to bother anyone.

Alexis:

It's no trouble at all. (She walks over and loops her arm around Beckett's. Her voice goes lower, and she speaks softly.) Really. I insist.

Alexis leads Beckett out of the loft. Scene shifts to the two of them waiting for the elevator. Alexis is no longer hiding her upset and has stopped linking arms with Beckett. Beckett bites her lip, knowing that something is wrong but not sure what it is. The elevator door opens, and the two of them get in. The door closes behind them. There is a moment of awkward silence before Alexis speaks again.

Alexis:

So this case you and my Dad are working on. It's dangerous, isn't it?

Beckett pauses for a moment before nodding.

Alexis:

It has to do with those people who shot you at the funeral, doesn't it?

Beckett pauses again before answering:

Beckett:

Yes. Yes, it does.

Alexis turns towards Beckett, her expression grave.

Alexis:

Be honest with me: this isn't just some other case, is it? My Dad could really get hurt chasing these guys, couldn't he?

Beckett turns towards Alexis with worry.

Beckett:

Alexis, is that what you're worried about? Because I can't tell you that it will be safe or that there's no chance your Dad will get hurt–

Alexis:

Then don't let him do it!

Beckett blinks in surprise.

Alexis:

I've already told him I don't want him to do this, but he won't listen. He won't back down, and if he keeps doing this, something might happen, and he could get seriously hurt. And if anything happens to him…

The elevator button dings, and the door opens. Alexis steps out, and Beckett follows her lead. The two of them walk into the lobby of the apartment complex. Alexis stops in the middle of the lobby. She crosses her arms and begins to chew her lip nervously. After a moment's pause, Beckett speaks up.

Beckett:

Listen, Alexis, I can talk to you Dad for you if you want. But I don't know if that's going to change anything. Your Dad's never been one to follow orders. Once he's made up his mind about something, he's going to do it.

Alexis turns around to face Beckett, her face fuming.

Alexis:

But it's not just his to make! He's got me and Gram, and whatever he decides is going to affect us too. He can't just go chasing after something and leave us behind. (Her voice lowers and becomes grave.) Look, I know that you made your decision to chase after your mom's murderer, and that's fine. That's your choice. (Her voice cracks.) But my Dad has a family to worry about, a family that just can't lose him.

Beckett's face fills with concern. She places her hands consolingly on Alexis's shoulders.

Beckett:

Alexis, I know you're worried about your Dad, and you have every right to be. But I want you to know that I will do everything I can to keep your Dad safe. (She inhales quietly.) I love him. And I would never want him to get hurt.

Alexis looks up at Beckett and frowns.

Alexis:

Yeah. That's what they always say.

Alexis turns around and storms back to the elevator. Beckett watches her leave, a look of anguish clear on her face. Scene ends.