Chapter 8. Feelings.
I had some trouble with the songs, but thanks to my lovely friend Dana, everything worked out. I realize when this fic takes place, 1999, the songs didn't exist yet, but I hope you don't mind.
A half a week flew by. Kate slept a lot, since she didn't have to work, well, wasn't able to work actually… but today her friends were coming over. They had a good time at the karaoke night, now 2 weeks ago, and the boys had the night off seeing as it was Friday. And Lanie to, was free, so they were going to do another karaoke night, but at Ricks place this time, on Singstar. Maybe with a movie or 2.
Alexis was having a sleep over, and Martha would be out with her friends to so Rick and Kate had the place to themselves to get everything ready.
"Kate, you should get some rest, I'll take care of everything."
"No, Rick , I want to help." She smiled, "I've been doing nothing for the past few days, and I just have to do something or I will go crazy!" he laughed at that.
"Okay, but with that cast, there isn't a lot you can do."
"I can always try."
He made diner for later, just simple spaghetti, and she put the snacks in bowls, she did all the stuff she could. "I'm done, I think I'm going to get changed."
"Kate, no one is going to mind how you look. It's okay if you just stay in sweats for the day."
"No, I want to put on my new dress. I bought it for New year's eve when I thought-" but Kate couldn't think about him. It made her so mad. What he did to her, and to Rick, the poor man blamed himself for what another person did to her.
"Kate, you okay?" he asked when he noticed that she tensed up. She nodded "I'm fine. I'm just going to go change…" she said as she walked up the stairs while he watched her carefully. He sighed as he put everything away since he was done cooking and decided he should test the singstar.
So he started it all up and picked a song. The melody started playing and he started to hum along.
I won't let the night stand in my way
I know what I want, I know what I can
I'm only here to find you, you
All I need is you by my side
All I wanna do is lay down next you.
He lost himself completely in the melody and didn't even notice Kate calling his name. He sang along,
See I've made mistakes time after time, time, time
But no not today, won't leave till I find what i'm looking for
I'm only here to find you, you
All I need is you by my side
All I wanna do is dance under the moon.
Cause I all I need is one love, one love, one heart…
The chorus started again as Kate walked down the hallway and stopped in her tracks as she heard him singing. His voice had enchanted him before, but wow, she had almost forgotten how beautiful it was. When he was done she startled him with her applause. "Wow Rick. That was amazing!"
"You heard that?" he said a little nervous and staring at her dress.
"Yeah, it was beautiful! And it's not like I haven't heard you sing before."
"Well, it wasn't as beautiful as you are now." He said as she blushed and he walked up the stairs.
"Yeah, could you give me a hand?" They both laughed at that, "Zip me up I mean…"
"Yeah sure he said as she turned around and he gently took her hair and laid it over her right shoulder. He couldn't help but notice how soft her hair was, and leaned in a little closer as he took the zipper and started to zip her up.
"You know, you smell like cherries." He almost whispered in her ear. She turned her hand to find him really close to her, and she couldn't help but let her eyes flick to his lips and back to his eyes.
And of course, that was the moment their friends picked to knock on the door. Rick turned away, "I better get that." And she let out a slow breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"She okay?" Lanie asked when she joined Rick in the kitchen to help him put the food on the table. He sighed and nodded, "I think she's doing fine, but she won't really talk. She sleeps a lot, well… when she's not having any nightmares. And she reads, sometimes watches a movie with me or plays with Alexis but we haven't really talked about it, and I get that. But I'm really worried."
"Yeah, you're not the only one who's worried. But I think you need to know something, something about her mother."
He knew what this was about, "I know what happened, with her mother I mean."
"How do you know?" she asked a little worried, and maybe a bit insulted.
"She told me. After she had a nightmare…"
"Wow, that's soon! She didn't tell us, the guys and I, until she knew us for… 4 months I think."
Rick was a little honored because of that fact, but Kate interrupted by walking in the kitchen.
"Hey guys, we were thinking about doing some karaoke first and then watch a movie or two." They all agreed on that and soon they were all settled on the couches in front of the TV.
Javi started with an old rock song and Lanie went next singing Taylor Swifts new song '22'. She thought the mood fit the song. They were all up for a party and just wanted to forget about everything. And Javi thought out loud, "If we're going to party, 'Die Young' must play at least once!" and everyone agreed as he took out his iPhone and selected the song as the beat started to play. They all had a glass or 2 to drink, so they weren't drunk, yet… but enough to go wild on the beat. They might have been just with 6, but they knew how to party as Lanie and Kate danced together as Kevin and his girlfriend, Jenny, who they already knew but got to know a lot better tonight, danced and Javi and Rick were just dancing somewhere in between as they all sang along with the chorus.
'I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms,
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young'
They all fall down on the couches when the song ended. Another round of drinks and a duet from Kevin and Jenny that sounded so sweet. Than it was Kate's turn. She had no idea what to sing, until her eyes scanned the screen and saw one song she liked. It expressed all her emotions about what had happened to her, not only a few days ago, but also now almost 1 year ago.
Rick studied her as she picked the song and the melody started playing. He listen carefully as he realized what song was playing. Try by P!nk.
'Ever wonder about what he's doing
How it all turned to lies
Sometimes I think that it's better to never ask why'
He looked across to see Lanie with a worried gaze directed at Kate. Javi was next to her with his hands on Lanie's shoulder as he met Rick's gaze. He saw the same worry reflected in them as the chorus started and Kate sang along with so much emotion and power in her voice.'Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try try try
Gotta get up and try try try
You gotta get up and try try try'
Rick studied her carefully as the last chorus started and he could see a tear rolling down her cheek. He stood up as the song ended and pulled her in for a hug. The others soon joining them and each hugged Kate. "You okay Kate?" Rick carefully asked as she settled herself next to him on the couch again.
"Yeah I'm fine Rick. Just needed to get my thoughts out."
"About what happened last week?"
"About everything" she answered and looked at him, suddenly not sad anymore. She felt better, but she knew that wasn't going to last long.
"Who wants to watch a movie?" Rick asked everyone as they all agreed he got up and got them some snacks while the others picked the movie. Lanie came to help him again. "Rick, about before… I had to say something else, but we got interrupted. And the thing is… I don't know if you know this already, but you need to be there for her. Alright?" she questioned as he nodded quickly with a worried look. He had no idea what this was about, well he had an idea…
"In 2 days it's the 9th." Lanie carefully started and saw that Rick didn't know where she was going with this. "Rick, it's the day her mom got murdered exactly one year ago."
Rick carefully nodded as he glanced over to the couch were Kate was sitting, chatting with Javi about what movie to pick.
"Yeah, she told me. I can't believe I didn't think about that. And yes, I'll do whatever she wants me to do. I'll be there for her." Rick spoke as he grabbed the snacks and Lanie the drinks and walked back into the living room.
They had watched 2 movies. It was now 1:30 am and Javi, Lanie, Kevin and Jenny packed up their stuff to go home. Kate was asleep with her head on Rick's shoulder. She had been out since the first movie, but Rick was scared to move her, he didn't want to wake her up.
As he said goodnight to the gang from the couch, Lanie added, "If there's something wrong, or you need advice, or Kate needs anything… Call me, okay?"
"Yes, of course." Rick smiled as he said goodbye once again.
Once the gang was gone he looked back at Kate, sleeping so adorably against him. He carefully got up, hoping not to wake her up, and lifted her with the blanket still wrapped around her, in his arms. He carried her to the spare bedroom she had been sleeping these past few nights and carefully tucked her in. Smiling at the sight of Kate turning onto her side and putting her hands below the pillow, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Kate." And walked out of the room, closing the door as he was greeted by his mother who came home earlier.
"You really like that gal, don't you?" she smiled as he slowly nodded.
"She's not like Meredith. Kate is real. I like that." He smiled and wished her goodnight as he walked downstairs to his own room.
"I can see that." Martha smiled to herself as she re-entered her room and went to bed. Glad that her son had fallen for Kate. Now she only hoped it would last.
I'm totally not sure about this chapter. I feel like the inspiration drained out of me. That's what I get from 2 weeks without Castle. I hope to get some reviews with ideas, or just comments. Tell me what you think, and sorry for the 1 day delay. I hope I made it up to you all by making this a 2000 words chapter.
