A/N: Something fluffy and humorous after a bit of angst. Not my favourite chapter but hope you guys enjoy it!


The drone of traffic buzzed in her ear as Beckett pressed her forehead into the cool rubber of the steering wheel. Her legs jiggled, softly knocking her knees into the rim of it. Abruptly, she sat up and tugged a hand through her still damp hair, grabbing her phone with the other. Before she could second-guess herself, she swiped it open and hit the speed dial. It felt like it rang forever, each tone dragged and stretched out.

"Hi," he answered softly. She grinned as she heard his voice, chest swelling.

"What? No goofy answer?" She chuckled, relaxing back against the seat.

"I might be running out of those," his voice lightened. She could feel him smiling and her own beam widened.

"Come on Castle, you never run out of ways to be goofy."

"What can I say? My imagination is boundless," he countered. They lapsed into silence for a moment. "You rang," he sighed finally. His voice was permeated with relief. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel. She didn't want him to have that kind of doubt... she just didn't know how to prove it to him. Prove to him that she was there to stay.

"Of course," she murmured softly.

"Where are you?" he hurried on.

"In my car."

"Where?"

"Outside," she grinned.

"Very funny, outside where?"

"Outside the loft," she rolled her eyes. He was silent for a moment.

"Why?" he questioned suddenly. Her smile faltered.

"Should I leave?"

"No! No, I meant why are you in your car and not in here?" he laughed. The hurt that had filtered in drained away.

"I'll be up in a second," she grinned, pushing the door open hastily.

"I can't wait."

She hurried through into the building, relishing the warmth and waving to the doorman.

"Do you want to hang up then?" she laughed.

"I thought you were going to hang up."

"This is ridiculous, we're not teenagers."

"Then just hang up," he challenged. Kate slipped into the lift, pressing the button frantically.

"Fine, I will," she went silent, pressing her lips together tightly to hold back the mirth.

"I can hear you breathing," he chuckled after a few seconds. With a peal of laughter she hung up and rapped lightly on the heavy door.

It swung open a moment later to reveal Castle, dressed in pyjamas and a robe, hair mussed and face beaming.

"You're just in time for dinner," he announced as he stepped back to let her pass, "hope you're hungry. Mother's made quite a feast." He helped her out of her jacket as he rambled on. As soon as he had hung it carefully on one of the pegs, he made to lead her to the kitchen. With a huff, Kate reached out and hooked one hand around his elbow and the other around his neck. In one fluid motion she swung him back round and brought her body towards his, pressing herself against him as she rose on her tip-toes and captured his mouth in a deep kiss. She sunk into him as he slipped an arm around her waist and her fingers tangled in his hair.

"Woah," he exhaled as she pulled back, bumping their noses together, "what was that for?"

"I missed you," she smiled against his lips, rolling his earlobe gently between her fingers.

"Yeah?" he whispered, kissing her softly.

"Yeah," she traced the seam of his mouth with the tip of her tongue then bit down on his lower lip, drawing a soft gasp from him. As he tried to draw her closer, she danced away, dodging his grip and flicking her hair at him with a smirk.

"What's for dinner? I'm starving," she sauntered towards the kitchen. Pausing, she glanced back over her shoulder, eyebrow raised. "You coming Castle?"

He stood there for a moment, fingers pressed to his lips, eyes wide. Then with a grin he hurried after her.

Kate faltered as she neared the kitchen. In her haste to tease Castle, she hadn't quite considered the fact that his family was here. That Martha at least knew… and there was every chance Alexis did too. In a moment he was by her side, hand squeezing her hip comfortingly as he steered her forward. She leant into him, letting him ground her. He always had.

"Detective Beckett!" Martha's copper curls appeared from behind the counter, followed by her beaming face as she rose, an elaborate dish gripped in her hands. Kate eyed it warily for a moment. Her experience of meals in the Castle household had taught her that the matriarch's cooking was more than a little unpredictable.

"Martha," she smiled nervously, "that smells fantastic." In truth it did.

"I didn't know you would be joining us," the older woman admitted, absentmindedly slapping away her son's hand from the food.

"I'm sorry… I know it's short notice. Is that ok?"

"Of course, of course! The more the merrier," she beamed, spinning away to the stove.

"What's for dinner Gram? It smells amazing," Alexis came swinging down the stairs, bouncing and grinning. She faltered as she spotted Kate sat uncertainly on a stool. "Detective Beckett! Hi!"

"Hey Alexis," Kate smiled softly. She relaxed a little as she watched Alexis bound up to her father and press a kiss to his cheek before hopping away to help her grandmother. It seemed the girl knew nothing. Not yet at least.

"You ok?" Castle murmured in her ear. She started, not noticing him slide up behind her. She let herself relax back against him for a moment, a content hum in the back of her throat as he nuzzled his nose into her hair, his fingers rubbing soft circles on her waist.

"I'm fine Castle," she gave him a reassuring smile as he slipped into the chair beside her.

"Richard, make yourself useful! Lay the table," Martha called across the room.

"I'm being a good host," he whined, "I'm entertaining the guest." Kate stifled a giggle as he smirked lecherously at her.

"I'll help," she hopped to her feet.

The meal went easier than Kate had imagined and by the time the starters were being cleared away, she had no idea why she had been so apprehensive. In reality it was no different to any other time she had eaten at the Castle household. It was something she had always enjoyed. They were so free and joyful, shouting over each other and teasing. Castle and Alexis messed around, playing with their food or pulling silly faces while Martha tried fruitlessly to hold some dignity about the affair. It was so different from the quiet meals she had with her father. It reminded her of a different time.

"You've outdone yourself Mother," Castle announced as they lay down their dessertspoons.

"That was fantastic," Kate agreed, leaning back in her seat, feeling warm and content. That had something to do with Castle's hand rubbing a gentle path across her thigh under the table.

"I try my best," Martha shrugged modestly, topping up everyone's wine glasses.

"Well, after all that hard work, we'll tidy up here," he stretched, clambering to his feet. "You too Alexis," he called to the girl's retreating back. She turned with a sheepish expression.

"I would… but I just have so much reading to do for Lanie tomorrow," she reasoned. He sighed.

"Fine, fine. Go," he waved his hand, laughing.

"I think I shall excuse myself too," Martha stood with a flourish and with what Kate could have sworn was a wink; swept out, wine glass in hand.

"Sorry to get you stuck with clearing up," Castle smiled sheepishly, "if you want you can just sit while I get this done. It won't take long."

"I want to help," she smiled, stacking up the plates around her. Together they carried the piles of empty dishes through into the kitchen.

"I'll wash, you dry," he threw her a towel and she caught it deftly, watching him with an amused smile. He glanced at her, arms deep in soapy water. "What?"

"Nothing," she grinned, hopping up onto the counter beside him, "just refreshing to see you so… domestic."

"I'm a highly evolved male," he chuckled, "you should see me work a washer dryer."

"Oh, that's hot," she teased, taking the first of the clean plates from him to dry. He paused, eyebrow raised.

"What if I did it with my shirt off?"

"How about you forego clothes altogether?" she smirked, tongue curling behind her teeth.

He grinned; shuffling in front of her and nudging her legs open with his hips.

"That could be arranged," his soapy hands trailed up her arms, mouth grazing her jaw. Beckett sighed at the feel of his lips on her skin. It had only been a few hours but it felt like days. Her fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his t-shirt, tugging him closer with a soft moan as their lips met. Castle's strong hands came up to tangle in her hair, gently nudging her head backwards so he could dip his tongue into her mouth, coaxing yet another quiet groan from her. Her legs wrapped tightly around him, yanking him closer still, jarring their hips together.

"Oh my god," the sound ripped into their frenzy and Castle tore himself away, heart hammering. He knew that voice. Alexis stood a few feet away, eyes wide, face red, an empty glass clutched in her trembling hand. "I'm sorry- I- uh- I was just getting some water- I uh- I'll go. Sorry." With that she span round and fled, leaving the pair flustered and shocked. Castle stood there, silent, mouth agape for long, long moments.

"No," he groaned, "no, no, no." He tore at his hair. Kate sat on the counter awkwardly, trying to sort out her clothes. She didn't know what to say. "No, no, no, no, no…" He chanted again, hands over his face. Slipping down onto the tiled floor, Kate padded cautiously over to him. Carefully, she smoothed a hand over his shoulder. He stiffened slightly at her touch then relaxed into her caress. Relieved, she slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her forehead into his chest.

"That was not how I would have chosen for her to find out about us," he muttered. Her heart thrilled a little at the mention of 'us'. Focus on the issue at hand Kate.

"It wasn't ideal… no," she admitted, and then she blushed as she remembered exactly the kind of compromising position they had been in when they were discovered. His groan told her he recalled all too well too.

"I need to talk to her," he sighed, gently pulling her arms from around him. She nodded.

"I should go."

"No," his hand curled around her wrist and he widened his eyes at her, "don't go. Please." She smiled as she nodded again. Of course she'd stay. He stared at his fingers on her arm for a few seconds; thumb pressed against the pulse point, letting the steady thrum calm him. Then he sighed, nodded and steeled his resolve.

"Here I go," he chuckled humourlessly, letting her go and turning slowly to make his way to the stairs. Kate watched him go silently, and then shook her head. Making out with Castle in his kitchen had not been her finest hour.


A/N: Perhaps not the most original way for Alexis to find out... but it just sort of happened. Also, I wanted to create a scenario, even a small one, to show that Beckett isn't going to just run at the first sign of trouble. Let me know what you thought. I love all your reviews- they're my biggest inspiration. :)