Call me maybe – Castle / Beckett – AU
A/N: Hello everyone! I just have to say here that I found this awesome writing program called: ZenWriter. Seriously, you should try it some time. It helps you to keep you from distractions like: homework- Wait. That's not right. Anyway! I hope you'll guys like this one and leave a review while you are at it ;) x
Disclaimer:It's 1:18 and I can't think straight anymore. And now I'm getting slightly depressing about not owning Castle. Thanks for reminding me, disclaimer. I thought we were friends. =(
''You could have at least given me a heads up! This is your reputation we're talking about here Richard, you can't just throw that all away because of her.'' Paula said frustrated as she pointed at Kate.
''Are you actually telling me that, because I'm in a healthy relationship for the first time in my entire life that it could ruin my career?'' He said as calmly as possible.
''Yes, Castle that's exactly what I'm saying.''
''Get out.'' Paula opened her mouth to speak but Rick beat her to it. ''Now.''
''Richard, your image-''
''The hell with the image Paula, people should read my books because they like them, not simply because they like me or the person they think I am.'' He said, getting frustrated.
''That's not how this world works and you know it.'' She snapped back.
Kate took a deep breath and walked up to Castle. ''Rick, I'm leaving, you two need to sort this out.''
He grabbed her arm to stop her from going. ''No Kate, you're not. Paula is leaving.''
''You are overreacting Richard.''
''I'm not.'' He hissed. Kate gently lay her hand on his back, trying to relax him.
''How about we all sit down, huh? Do you want some coffee Paula?'' Kate said plastering a smile on her face.
''Black would be great.'' Paula replied.
''Just like her heart.'' He whispered as Kate passed him on the way to the kitchen. She had to refrain herself from laughing, it would most likely not improve their situation at the moment if she couldn't stop laughing.
As Kate was working on the coffee in the kitchen, Rick turned to Paula. ''Fine. What do you suggest?'' She offered.
''We are not giving an official statement, I don't want Kate's name to turn up in the papers and I definitely do not want my relationship with her interfere with her work. She would not appreciate that and I won't allow it to happen.''
''I guess I can live with that.''
''It's not like you really have a choice.'' He said, and she thew him a dirty look.
''This whole are they, aren't they is great for publicity though. You two are all over the newspapers. And it wouldn't hurt if you'd make another appearance in public together.'' She stated. ''We could might actually get this to work in your favor...'' Paula said looking deep in thought.
''You know what, you think about that and then you can call me when you have a plan, okay? My daughter is coming home any minute and I still have to cook.''
''Yes, Alexis. How is she?''
''Great.'' Like you really care. ''Now, will you let yourself out?''
''This conversation isn't over Richard Castle.''
He shrugged. ''I figured.'' She walked away, her heels clicking on the floor. The door slammed close and Castle waved a hand through his hair in frustration.
''Here's your coffee- Oh.'' Paula had already left. She looked at Castle who was half sitting, half standing against the back of the couch.
''She let herself out.'' He explained. She handed him the coffee and then took a sip of her own. ''I still want a copy of that picture though.''
Kate laughed. ''Well, I have to admit that it was a very nice photo.'' She said, thinking back at the moment.
''Hm. I'll contact them this afternoon, maybe see if they have a couple from last night. And I have to say that I still can not get over the fact how stunning you looked in that dress.''
''You're just saying that because you picked it out for me.''
''Nope. I was talking about the person in it. Which was you by the way.'' He said with a smug smile on his face. Rick took another gulp of his coffee and put the empty mug on the coffee table. She smiled and shook her head. Such a sap.
''You were way too nice to Paula.'' He said, pulling her flush against him, his hands on her waist. ''How did she not get on your nerves? Don't tell me you actually liked her.'' Kate, who was quite surprised by his move, quickly composed herself and put her arms around his neck.
''Oh no, I wanted to smack her.'' She stated.
He chuckled. ''The feeling was mutual, I believe.''
''However, I'm the one with the gun-''
''Like you needed to remind me of that fact.''
''What's with this fascination about me being a cop, huh? It is the gun? Chasing the bad guys? The murder?'' She said, wondering.
He shrugged. ''I would have said any of those things before hand, but now it's just a part of you and I love that.'' She went to stand on her toes and gave him a sweet kiss, leaving him longing for more.
''If it helps, I read your books because I like them.''
''And thank god for you.'' He said, pulling her in for another kiss.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
''So, you two looked pretty cozy on those pictures...'' Lanie said with a slightly evil smile on her face, sitting down on a regular chair for a change. ''And then I haven't even mentioned that you stayed at his house... for the night-'' Kate followed suit and sat down on the other chair that was present in the room.
Kate groaned.''Lanie. No.''
''Aw, come on girl! I need details.'' Kate frowned. ''Pictures don't lie Kate. You two looked pretty close at that party. Especially the one where you are dancing... But that wasn't the point. The point is, that there were signs that you haven't left his house for the evening, is that true?''
Kate rolled her eyes. ''I had something to drink and I ended up staying with him. And it's still none of your business if anything happened between us.''
''Nu-huh! It is definitely my business, you can't take that privilege away from me, I'm the best friend!'' Lanie started, but Kate had already giving up and started laughing. ''If you think this is funny, it's not Kate-''
''Yes, it is.'' She said, still laughing. ''And why are you so determined to find out what happens between me and Castle anyway?''
''Because Kate, I've never seen you so happy and if he happens to be the one then I need to-''
''The one? Hey wow, kind of jumping the gun here, aren't we?''
''I don't think so.'' Lanie said honestly.
''He's a great guy and I lo- like him for who he is.''
Lanie gasped. ''Did you just almost-?''
''Nope.'' Kate denied.
''Yes, you did!''
''If I give you some details, will you please let go of that last one.'' Kate said, changing her techniques.
Lanie narrowed her eyes. ''I might.''
''What do you want to know.''
''First kiss.''
''On my couch, the night he visited when he should have attended a ball but chose to bother me instead.''
''I knew it. Dammit Kate, you really have been holding out on me.'' Lanie grabbed the magazine and opened it on Kate and Rick's article. ''Okay. Where did you get the dress?''
''Which dress?''
''The dress you are wearing in these pictures.'' Lanie said waving the magazine in front of Kate. ''Don't think I didn't read the article. Did you really get that dress without me? I thought I was your to-go person for shopping.'' She said with a disappointing tone in her voice.
''I did not get it.'' Kate simply stated.
''Huh?'' Lanie questioned. ''Oh, you mean-''
''Yes, Lanie, Rick got it for me.''
''Marry him.''
''Would you please stop that?!''
''Sure honey, maybe when you open your eyes.'' If only you knew, Kate thought. If only she knew.
''My lunch break is over, I'm going back to the boys.'' Kate replied quickly.
''Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that.''
''Bye Lanie!'' She yelled while exciting the morgue. Lanie gave her a last glare and then quickly replaced it with a grin on her face. The girl was in way too deep.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
''There is some left over Chinese in the break room if you want it.'' Esposito said while passing Kate on his way to the interrogation.
''Thanks Espo.'' Kate replied. ''When did you get it? I though you guys were tracking down the cousin.''
''We didn't. Your boy dropped it off.'' He grinned and then walked into the interrogation room, leaving Kate standing in the middle of the precinct. She shook her head and walked to the break room. Kate looked around in the room and found the entire table covered with boxes. Apparently, Castle had found the need to buy dinner for the entire precinct.
She grabbed two unopened boxes and walked back to her desk. Kate sat down and opened her drawer to put away her gun, she was only doing paper work for the next couple of hours anyway. When she opened her drawer, however, she found a red rose with a small note attached to it.
Figured that you guys might need something to eat, since I know that you'll forget. Until tomorrow. x -Rick
She grabbed her phone and searched through her most recent calls, she picked his name and brought the phone to her ear.
''Good evening miss Beckett. I was expecting your call.'' He said and she could practically hear him smiling through the phone.
''Hey Castle, thank you for the food.'' and the rose, she added in her mind.
''Didn't want to intrude in your work place again, but you sounded like you needed it when you called me this afternoon.''
''You could have waited you know, I wouldn't have mind that.'' She said, kind of disappointed that she could see the results of him having been there, except for him actually being there in the room with her.
''You know I would have, but I'm stuck in this extremely boring meeting at the moment, which has gone on for way too long and I have to say that I'm kind of hungry-''
''You're in a meeting right now?'' She asked before he could finish.
''Well, no- I walked out when my phone rang, it would be rude to answer it while people are talking to me and I'm not listening anyway.''
''Castle, hang up and get your ass back in there. I'll call you when I get home tonight, okay?''
He chuckled. ''Promise?''
''I promise.'' She said honestly. ''Behave.''
He sighed. ''I'll try.'' She chuckled and hung up the phone, taking a last glance at the rose in her drawer and closed it again. If the boys saw it, things would not end well. And she had already had her daily dose of 'annoy Kate by asking about her private life' served by Lanie.
She saw Ryan and Esposito leaving the interrogation room, the cousin of the victim cuffed and well, pulled along with them. Ryan gave her a nodded and continued to walk to the elevator, most likely securing their suspect to lock up for the evening.
Kate took one last glance at the drawer and smiled. She turned back to her screen and started her paperwork, the sooner she had it done, the sooner she'd be able to go home and have some sickly sweet talk with him before going to bed. Perfect way to end a day, she thought to herself.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
She couldn't wait. It simply became too much for her. She hadn't seen him in over twenty-four hours and it was driving her crazy. Kate would have gone home to her apartment after she'd finished up on her paperwork, but found herself driving to his loft instead. She could surprise him, right? He wouldn't mind. Maybe Alexis was home? She could talk to Alexis for a while, she reasoned to herself. This is just stupid. Kate groaned and just turned around to head home when the door suddenly opened up and revealed the teenage girl.
''Kate! Hey, what are you doing here?'' Alexis said, wrapping Kate in a hug.
''Well, honestly I wanted to see you.''
Alexis gasped. ''You came for dad, didn't you.''
''Yes, but seeing you is a big plus.'' Kate tried.
The girls laughed and Kate kicked of her shoes. ''I do have some company, I hope you don't mind.''
''Sorry! I didn't know that! I'll go-'' Kate said on her way to pick up her shoes again.
''No, Kate, it's just a date, with Jake.'' She mouthed, while slightly blushing.
''Oh, I see. Has your dad met him yet?''
''No...''
''Alexis.'' The girl grinned and her and grabbed her hand pulling her along to the couch in the living room.
''Kate this is Jake, my- friend?'' He blushed slightly and stood up, straightened up and put on a smile. ''Jake this is Kate, my dad's... friend.''
''Very nice to finally meet you Jake, I've heard a lot about you, it's nice to finally put a face by the name.'' Kate said with a small smile on her face which was a pretty intimidating look for the eighteen-year-old boy.
He swallowed. ''Pleasure to meet you madame.''
''So what are you guys up to?'' Kate tried, ignoring that Alexis was still slightly flustered and her hair was messed up. And not to mention that Jake was trying to adjust his pants every five seconds.
''We were just watching a movie.'' Alexis said, not very convincing. ''You know what, we'll just go upstairs, you can wait here for dad if you want to.''
''No!'' She shut her eyes, very subtle Kate. ''You guys can just stay here, I'll just-''
The door opened and revealed a very tired Rick, who threw his man bag on the table next to the door. ''Honey, I'm home.'' He yelled up the stairs, waving a hand through his hair, hoping that it would freshen his look.
Rick looked up and found not one, not two, but three sets of eyes looking directly at him. He did a double-check and started to process the looks of the people and trying to link the names to them. He should not have stayed up last night to write that last chapter, the sleep was taking over his brain.
Kate. He realized Kate was there. He smiled and she stood up, walking over to him.
She leaned towards him and whispered in his ear. ''Alexis is with a date, behave.''
''You know, that's the second time you've told me that today.'' He said, slowly making his way towards the others.
She put her hand on his chest, to stop him from moving any further. ''Yes, and it is still proper, so do it.'' He winked at her and stepped away.
''You must be Jake?''
The boy stuck out his hand and waited for Castle to take it. ''Yes, sir. Pleasure to meet you.''
''We'll see about that.'' He mumbled and Kate elbowed him. He made a whining noise and then looked back at Alexis, who had suddenly found great interest in the lamp next to the couch.
''I really have to go home now though, I just wanted to meet you, sir.''
''Very nice of you.'' He said monotone and Kate threw him another glare. ''How about you come over for dinner some time, I would love to know all about your intentions with my girl.''
Alexis groaned. ''Dad.''
''See, this is what I was trying to prevent.'' Kate mumbled to herself just loud enough for Rick to hear.
Alexis pulled Jake along to the door, while Kate pulled Rick into his office.
''What are you doing?'' He questioned.
''Giving them some privacy!''
''Why?'' He said, wondering.
''Because- They are saying goodbye.''
''I know that!- I'm trying to un-know that!'' He looked over her shoulder and he could see the boys arms around Alexis waist. He shivered and then looked back at Kate. ''How am I going to unsee that!''
''Come here, you big baby.'' She opened her arms, motioning for him to come closer and he excepted the hug immediately.
''My girl is growing up so fast. It feels like yesterday I brought her to kindergarten and now- the boys-'' He shivered once again and pulled her even closer.
Kate chuckled. ''Afraid that she might have picked up some habits from you?''
He nodded. ''Pretty much.'' They stayed silent for a moment and Rick looked over Kate's shoulder where he found Alexis walking up the stairs to her bedroom. It looked like she wasn't very pleased with him this evening. Not that he blamed her, he'd acted like an ass.
''So, why are you here? Not that I don't enjoy you being here, but still, I can't help it but wonder.'' He said, the beginnings of a smile forming on his face.
''Honestly?''
''Always.''
''I just wanted to- Um- see you again?'' She said, kind of embarrassed with herself.
''Right answer.'' He leaned down and gave her a short kiss. He then moved her hair behind her ear, his thumb softly caressing her cheek. Kate smiled and gave him another kiss, this one lingering as he went for another one.
He pulled back slowly. ''It is kind of late isn't it.''
''Yes, probably.''
''You're here now, might as well stay.'' He suggested, a sly smile finding a way onto his face.
She laughed. ''Can't argue with that.''