Sorry for the delay, crazy day at work. This Chapter is totally Caskett. Enjoy!
B-C-B-C
She wouldn't admit it, but she was nervous. When they stood in front of Castle's door she held on to him a bit more than she had before. He noticed it, but didn't say anything. He opened the door and gently guided her in, sensing her hesitation, he wrapped his arm more securely around her waist.
"Kiddo! I'm so glad you're back on your feet," Martha greeted Kate the minute they stepped in and immediately embraced her in a soft hug, careful not to hurt her. "How are you feeling?"
"To be honest? As if I've been run over by a truck," she managed a smile, still nervous and searching the room for Alexis. "Where's Alexis?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"I'm right here," Alexis exclaimed as she came running down the stairs and stopped right in front of them, for a moment she hesitated but then Alexis wrapped her arms around her father's partner and sighed, "I'm so glad you're here!"
"Thank you," Kate got out and swallowed down the lump in her throat. She was overwhelmed by this friendly and warm welcome. Martha and Alexis had always been more than nice to her, but right now they treated her as if she was part of their family. A feeling she hadn't felt in a very long time. As a matter of fact she knew exactly when she had felt like this for the last time. It was the day before her mother had been murdered. And the thought of family gained a bitter aftertaste. But here, right now, with Castle having one arm still wrapped around her and Martha and Alexis welcoming her to their home, the thought of family warmed her heart.
"So, I believe we have some dinner prepared," Castle finally pulled her out of her thoughts, "Would you like to eat down here with us or are you too tired?"
"No, I think I'll be fine down here with you guys. Besides I'm tired of eating alone."
"Good!" Martha nodded in approval, "Eating alone only makes one grumpy."
They moved to the dinner table, Castle still right at her side and she was surprised that instead of being annoyed by it, she thought that it was rather sweet.
Dinner was lovely. Alexis and Martha did most of the talking and Kate enjoyed the light hearted conversation. She noticed that Castle watched her attentively and before they got to dessert, he got up and moved to her side, "I think this has been enough action for today. Let's get you to bed," if she hadn't been tired as hell, she would have put up a show to fight him on this, instead she nodded and got up on shaky legs. She wasn't as fit as she would have liked pretended to be and immediately his arm was back around her.
"Thanks for the dinner and for taking me in," she smiled at Alexis and Martha.
"Anytime kiddo," Martha replied and Castle recognized her term of endearment for the second time tonight and smiled.
He guided her slowly up the stairs and towards the guestroom, when she suddenly stopped and looked at him.
"I have nothing with me! All my clothes are at my place!"
"No need to worry! I took care of it," Castle replied.
"Please don't tell me you've been nuzzling through my underwear!" she pointed her finger at him in a warning.
He couldn't help but laugh, he sure would have liked that, "No, Lanie got your stuff and brought it over."
"Okay, your luck!"
He got her settled into the room and went back downstairs. Once she was alone, she let herself sink onto the bed. She took in the room. It looked different from the last time she had stayed here. Her view wandered over the books, DVD's and CD's that were placed on one of the cupboards. She looked at the bouquet of flowers on the nightstand and had to realize that Richard Castle was probably the most caring man she had ever met. She wondered how she could have missed this for such a long time. Sure, she had figured out rather quickly after they had started working together that there was more to this man than his smart-ass-attitude and she had caught glimpses of his caring side, whenever he had worried about Alexis. But when she found his caring aimed at her, she was startled to finally see the real Richard Castle. And she suddenly realized, he had always been this way with her, she just had chosen not to see it.
Castle was putting the dished into the dishwasher, when Martha rubbed his back and made him look at her. "How's she doing?"
"She tries to play it cool, but she's pretty beat."
"Did I tell you how proud I am of you!"
He frowned at her, "Why?"
"Whenever it came to women, you have been pretty selfish. Fair, but selfish. But with her," she pointed upstairs, "You changed."
"I just don't want her to get hurt."
"Call it what you want. But I know true love when I see it." Martha patted his shoulder, "Now go upstairs and see if she needs something."
"Aye, aye!" he tipped his forehead and headed up stairs.
"Come in," she called out, when she heard the soft knock on her door.
Castle poked his head around the door, "Are you decent?"
She laughed, "Yep, you have permission to come aboard."
She lay in bed, cushions tucked around her. She moved a bit, so that he could sit down next to her.
"You're okay?" he asked, gently tucking a strand of her brown, golden hair behind her ear. How she longed to lean into his touch, but she didn't.
"Tired, but okay," she replied.
"You need something?"
She shook her head, "I'm good."
"Okay than I'll let you go to sleep. If you need anything, I'll be next door. Just call." He stared at her for a moment before he finally forced himself to break their eye contact.
"Goodnight, Kate!"
"Goodnight."
He was at the door when she stopped him by calling his name, "Rick!"
He turned around to look at her.
"Thank you!"
He smiled, "Always!"
