Disclaimer: I don't own the show or any of the characters.
Now what could I have written that involved threats of arrest and chocolate covered strawberries? Read to find out! :p
Chapter 10
Kate Beckett stood outside Castle's door, suddenly nervous. This was the second time in just a few days she had been there, which was nothing out of the ordinary, but she was worried it would be different now that they were a couple. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the negative thoughts. It was just dinner, and she had eaten over there plenty of times over the past year. Nothing would change, she wouldn't let it. She knocked on the door and waited just a few moments before Martha opened the door all dressed up. Kate looked down at her plain jeans guiltily. "Wow Martha, if I had known this was a formal affair I would have worn something nicer."
"Don't be ridiculous," Martha said smiling and stepping aside to let Kate in. "You look marvelous. And besides, I'm going out, it's just going to be the three of you tonight."
"Ah, well have fun."
The older woman waved as she shut the door behind her. Kate turned around to see Castle heading over to her from the direction of the kitchen.
"Hey" he said, sweeping her into a hug that immediately relieved a little bit more of her stress.
"Whatever you're making smells amazing." She stepped back and began to head towards the kitchen.
"Oh no you don't," Castle stepped around her and blocked the entrance to the kitchen. "You don't get to see what I'm doing until it's all done."
"C'mon Castle," she said putting a hand on his chest to try and push him aside. He didn't budge.
"Nope, it's a surprise. Alexis!" he called as he took his girlfriend by the shoulders and steered her to the couch. "Wait here." He went back into the kitchen.
Kate looked around. On the couch beside her she noticed Castle's top of the line laser tag gear and smiled, remembering the time she had walked into the middle of a laser battle between him and his daughter. Her thoughts at the door now seemed silly. Nothing had changed, and from the looks of it, nothing was going to, for which she was glad. She liked the way things with Castle were, both on duty and on the rare occasions when they got together off duty. Even if they were an official couple now she didn't want anything to change.
She heard someone coming down the stairs and saw Alexis Castle heading in her direction and smiling. "Hey detective" she said sitting on the couch next to Kate.
"Hey Alexis. You know you don't have to call me detective, Kate works just fine."
"Sorry," Alexis said, laughing a little bit. "Habit I guess."
"Oh, no worries. So I assume your dad told you to hold me hostage until dinner is ready?"
"I get to go to Owen's after dinner if I keep you in here," said the redhead, throwing an apologetic glance at Kate.
Beckett laughed. "Well I guess I won't make this hard for you. How's school?"
"Pretty good. I have a project due next week and then finals. And we have to start picking classes for next year,"
"Oh, cool. Are you taking anything exciting?"
"Well, there's the required English, math, and science, but I need three electives. They are offering this class called 'Inside the Criminal Mind' that I was thinking of taking."
"Oh neat! If you need help with it let me know."
Just then, Rick popped his head out of the kitchen. "Everything's ready, c'mon into the dining room."
Kate and Alexis got up and went over to the table but Kate stopped short when she saw what was on it. In the middle was a giant fondue pot with a cheese sauce. Surrounding that were plates of chicken, shrimp, veggies and various breads.
Castle noticed her staring. "What? You don't like fondue?" his face fell.
Beckett looked away from the table and laughed at his expression. "No, I love it, I'm just surprised. It looks great."
A smile returned to his face and they all sat down and began to enjoy the meal. A little while later the doorbell rang. Alexis got up and put her plate in the sink. "That must be Owen. Can I go now dad?"
"Sure thing sweetie"
"Thanks dad, I'll be home later," she said giving him a hug. "Bye Kate." And with that the spunky redhead was out the door.
"She's a good kid" Beckett said, dipping a shrimp in the fondue sauce."
Castle smiled. "Yeah, she is. So, are you ready for dessert? And then maybe you'll tell me what got you so wound up at work today."
Beckett's initial reaction was to deny being stressed out. "I wasn't wound…" she stopped short when Castle gave her a skeptical look. She sighed. "Am I that easy to read?" rick nodded as he got up and brought the fondue pot into the kitchen.
"Ok well, truth be told, I missed you at work today. I've gotten used to having you around when I interrogate suspects."
Castle came back to the table carrying the fondue pot, this time filled with melted chocolate, strawberries, bananas, pretzels, marshmallows, and almonds. "You missed me detective? How cute." He set everything down and dipped a marshmallow in the chocolate before popping it in his mouth.
"Castle, if you ever repeat what I just told you, I will gladly find something to arrest you for." Kate said, eyeing the strawberries. She decided 'what the hell' and grabbed one, dipping it in the chocolate.
She noticed Castle eyeing her and decided to have a little bit of fun. She slowly brought the chocolate covered strawberry to her mouth, taking a bite and making sure to get some chocolate on her lips. She then licked her lips, slowly removing the chocolate and smiled satisfactorily as Castle's jaw dropped.
"It wasn't just missing you, ya know. Two of the suspects will probably get cleared and I got to interrogate the pervert from hell."
Castle snapped out of his day dream. "What do you mean pervert? He didn't do anything did he?"
Kate was almost surprised at his concern. "No, just tried to look down my shirt. I'm hoping his alibi doesn't check out." She could feel herself getting agitated again and stuck a marshmallow in her mouth.
"Hold on there detective," Castle said, moving his chair closer and putting an arm around her. "No need to get all upset now. You're here to calm down remember?"
She dipped another strawberry in the chocolate and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Sorry. You know me, I have a tendency to not leave work…at work."
Rick laughed. "This is very true." He hesitated and she sensed there was something else he wanted to say.
"Something on your mind Rick?"
He took a deep breath. "I've been thinking, that if you wanted me to I might be able to come back to the precinct and help out with the case."
Beckett sat up and looked at him. "Are you sure you can handle it?" she remember how much of a mess he had been over the case just a couple of days ago and didn't want it to happen again.
"No, but I give you full permission to kick me off if you think I start acting up."
"Sounds like a plan Castle, it'll be good to have you back." She smiled up at him and was once again amazed at how handsome he was. How had she ended up with the famous Rick Castle? She had been such a huge fan for so long, she almost didn't feel worthy. She noticed him looking back and dropped her gaze.
Rick put his hand under her chin and tilted her face up to his. He looked at her for a second before softly pressing his lips to hers. Kate was surprised at the gentleness of the kiss, but amazed at how much passion it still held. She parted her lips and allowed him to deepen the kiss. She lifted her hand up and ran her fingers slowly through his hair.
At that moment they both herd the door open and hastily broke apart. Kate looking a little bit ashamed and Rick with a huge grin on his face.
"Hellooo" Martha said as she swept into the room. "Not interrupting anything am I?"
"No mother, we were just cleaning up."
"Oh good, now I'm going to bed, have a good night."
"Goodnight" Rick and Kate said in unison.
"Castle you want help with the dishes?"
"Don't be silly, tonight was for you. Do you really think I would let you help clean up your own dinner?"
"Hey, I was just offering. I guess chivalry isn't dead after all."
"What can I say? I'm a gentleman."
Beckett walked over and wrapped her arms around him. "I should get going. Big day tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll get your coat." They walked to the door and he handed her the jacket before opening the door for her.
"Until tomorrow detective."
"Can't you ever just say goodnight?"
He smiled affectionately. "Goodnight Kate"
She smiled back. "Goodnight Rick."
Reviews please? Next chapter out soon!