"Anything?" Ryan asked once his partner took his seat by him.

"The only lead we have is that it is connected to Beckett, but we can't tell her that, understand?"

"I understand," Ryan nodded.

"And if she asks about the case we tell her we finally have a lead."

"Got it," Ryan looked at his partner with concern. "We have to protect her."

"I know," Esposito tapped his pen on the desk. "How do we protect someone without scaring her to death?"

"I know what you mean. We've witnessed how her whole body trembles when she has a flashback. She's still damaged."

"I know, bro. Maybe we should tell Castle. He'd know what to say."

"Yeah, and he'd also try and help us. He needs to be there for Kate, not us," Ryan replied.

"True. So what are we supposed to do? We can't send uniforms to her apartment, that's too suspicious."

"We find this bastard before he tries to find her."

Esposito fist bumped his partner and nodded. They cared about Kate more than they have any other partner they've worked with. She was their leader and she even helped with their relationships and life problems. Now it was their turn. They would protect her no matter what.

…..

"It's been three days, when are you going to call him?" Lanie asked, finishing her cup of coffee.

"He could always call me…And it's been three days since you guys got a solid lead," Kate mumbled into her cup.

"He knows when to keep his distance. You out of all people should know that. And the case isn't even relevant right now."

"I know. We actually plan on having dinner at my place tomorrow."

Lanie studied her best friend for a second. "You're lyin' to me."

"Maybe a little," Kate smirked.

"Fine. I'm callin' him myself," Lanie pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts.

"Lanie!" Kate jumped out of her chair to chase her friend.

"Castle, hi! It's Lanie."

Kate stopped chasing her and crossed her arms. She took a few steps forward and snatched the phone from her friend.

"You didn't even call him!"

"I know, but you did prove to me that you do want to see him again and soon," Lanie gave a devilish look.

Before Kate could respond, cries came from the pack n play in the living room.

"And you woke my daughter up. Awesome."

"I got it!" Lanie exclaimed and ran into the living room. "Auntie Lanie has this under control," she smiled as she lifted Alyvia into her arms.

"I love when she arches her back," Kate said, carrying the coffee cups into the living room.

"She loves her Auntie," Lanie said as she swayed back and forth.

"That's why she hasn't stopped whining yet?"

"Shut up. If I can handle you, I can handle her."

"Well it sounds like you can't handle her. Hand her over," Kate put her arms out.

"I got this, Kate," Lanie replied, starting to get stressed out.

Kate leaned back into her couch and watched her friend, amused. She never thought she would be able to handle a baby and now it was funny to see someone that actually couldn't.

"Okay. Okay. You want your mommy. I got it," Lanie spoke gently to Alyvia before handing her to Kate.

"Hey baby girl," Kate smiled, kissing her daughter's forehead.

"How does that work?"

"What?"

"You touch her and she instantly stops crying."

"Lanie, she was inside of me for eight months. We have a special bond…"

"It's not fair. She should love me too."

"You're jealous of my daughter loving me more than you?" Kate rose an eyebrow.

"Yes," Lanie lied as she started to laugh.

"Wow," Kate shook her head.

"We need to go out dancing. Its been too long."

"That's so random and I'm with child here."

"Have writer boy watch her. I bet he'd love that."

"Lanie…"

"Come on, Kate. Please?"

"No, I am not asking him to watch her."

"Please?" Lanie begged, scooting closer to her friend.

"Lanie, stop," Kate laughed, causing her daughter to jump a little and making her look down. "You made me scare her."

"If you won't let Castle watch her, ask your dad!"

"My dad has to work early in the morning. If I were to ask him a couple weeks ahead, then he'd do it. But since you want to go dancing tonight, it won't happen."

"Fine. How about Jenny and Ryan? Jenny loves babies."

"I doubt she could handle a newborn."

"Alls they do is pee, poop, eat, and sleep. That sounds like such hard work," Lanie rolled her eyes.

"And if she can't get her to stop crying just like you couldn't?"

"It's okay if they cry."

"It's not okay with me if she cries for more than three minutes."

"Ugh," Lanie threw her head onto the couch.

"You're acting like a five year old," Kate laughed.

"We need to go dancing, Kate. And I won't give up."

A few minutes later, there was a knock from the apartment door.

"I got it!" Lanie exclaimed, jumping up.

"I think you should go back to drinking tea…"

"Shut up."

Lanie opened the door to be met with Rick holding two coffees. His ecstatic smile turned into a nervous one once he saw who answered the door.

"Castle. Hi," Lanie took his arm and dragged him inside, closing the door behind them. "Look who's here, Kate."

"Hey," Kate smiled as she readjusted her daughter in her arms.

"I should have called…"

"It's fine. Lanie didn't call either," she glanced at her friend with a smirk.

"I should have brought more than two coffees," Rick said, placing them on the coffee table.

"Lanie doesn't need anymore caffeine right now."

Rick looked at Lanie who was studying him. He swallowed the lump in his throat and sat down on the couch. Why she made him nervous? He wished he could answer that.

"So what are you too up to?" he asked.

"She just woke Alyvia up and now we are just sitting here."

"We are planning on going dancing tonight," Lanie spit out, causing her to get a "shut up" look from Kate.

"Really? That sounds great! You really should go out," Rick smiled between the two girls.

"I can't. Not with a newborn."

"Find someone to watch her. I bet it won't be too hard, she's adorable."

Lanie grinned as she picked up her cup of coffee.

"What?" Rick asked Lanie because of her grin.

"You-"

"Lanie, quiet," Kate cut her short.

"Um…" Rick looked between them confused.

"She thinks you would watch Alyvia tonight, but I told her no," Kate stated, glaring at Lanie.

"I'd love to," Rick replied with a huge smile. "It'd be fun, well not yet since she's so little."

Kate's mouth went agape before she gathered her thoughts. "Are you sure? Even as a newborn, she can be a big handful."

"I'm sure. What time do you guys plan on going out?"

"8:30 pm," Lanie exclaimed before Kate could answer.

"Um… I'm not sure…"

"We are going out, Katherine. Whether you want to or not," Lanie said.

"Kate, it will be fine. I could come here or you could bring her to my place," Rick said, trying to persuade her.

"I don't know…"

"Who couldn't be better? He's had a baby. He can handle it better than anyone," Lanie responded.

"Okay fine. We can go out tonight," Kate finally gave in.

"Yes! Now that you agreed, I should probably get to work," Lanie said as she gathered her things.

"Yeah. Don't want you to get in trouble for being over two hours late again," Kate smiled.

"Bye," Lanie waved. "You better be ready at 8:30 pm and let me know where to meet you," she said before walking out of the apartment.

"Well that was interesting," Rick smiled, sipping his coffee.

"You really don't have to watch her," Kate replied.

"It's fine. I think going out would be good for you."

"If you say so."

"So, how is everything?"

"It's good. She's been irritable since last night for some reason," she answered, lifting Alyvia up to be face to face with her. "Haven't you?"

"Can I hold her?" Rick anxiously asked.

"Sure," she handed her daughter over to him and smiled because she looked so tiny when he held her.

"She needs a diaper change," he announced, standing up to go change her.

"I have diapers out here you know."

"Where?"

"Right under the coffee table," she grabbed a diaper and the case of wipes.

"Convenient."

Rick laid Alyvia on the little changing pad that Kate put down on the couch. He gently slid her purple pants off and set them aside.

"It's funny how she gets excited when changing her diaper," Kate laughed, watching her daughter move around.

"She's so small," Rick exclaimed, taking the wet diaper off of Alyvia. "Oh! Look! Her umbilical cord fell off!"

"Are you serious?"

Kate quickly knelt down by the couch to get a better view.

"Aw. She has an inny," she spoke with a higher pitch than normal.

"Looks like you can bathe her now."

"I'd much rather do that at night. So… maybe before I drop her off."

"You could always do it now and then start giving them to her at night," Rick suggested.

"Are you trying to get the chance to see her first bath?" she asked with her eyebrow slightly raised.

"Well now you know my kryptonite."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Come on."

…..

Several hours later, Kate was doing her makeup in her bedroom mirror. Alyvia was laying in the middle of her bed amazed by the ceiling fan, which made it easier for her to get ready. Once she was finished she checked herself out in the mirror behind her door. She pinched the fat on her stomach and sighed.

"As much as I love you, Alyvia, I wish you never made me inflate like a balloon," she glanced over at her daughter who was kicking her feet. "But that doesn't matter," she checked the time on her watch. "Oh! What matters is not being late with Aunt Lanie."

Before she picked Alyvia up, she made sure everything was packed in the diaper bag. She also made sure to grab the soft purple blanket that she wished was hers. She flung the diaper bag onto her shoulder and lifted her daughter up.

"Let's go visit Mr. Castle."

About twenty minutes after getting into the car, Kate and Alyvia were let into the building since the doorman recognized her. Once they arrived in front of Rick's door, she hesitated to knock. She was beginning to think twice, but before she kept thinking, she finally knocked.

Almost instantly, Rick opened the door with a smile that got even bigger with the view of Kate; definitely the way her dress fell on her new curves.

"Come in," he waved before he started to drool. "Mother is out of town and Alexis is in the shower. She was excited when I told her that Alyvia was coming over for a little while."

"I bet… Where do you want me to put everything?"

"Oh! Let me take it," Rick quickly took everything from her except the car seat.

Kate set the seat on the floor and knelt down. "I can't believe you're still awake," she smiled, gently unbuckling her daughter.

She quietly pulled the car seat bar back and lifted her daughter out. She held her on her chest and rubbed her back.

"This is the longest she has been awake."

"How long?" Rick asked while he took bottles out and put them in the fridge.

"At least three hours."

"Wow. That's good though. It means she will sleep longer."

"She would pick the time to stay up when I'm going out," Kate laughed. "Wouldn't you?" she asked Alyvia.

Just as Kate was about to sit down, more knocking came from the door. Rick quickly opened it to be greeted with Lanie.

"Ready?" she asked, full of excitement.

"Uh… yeah," Kate hesitantly kissed her daughter before getting up. "She just ate an hour ago, so she should be good for awhile. I also changed her about an hour, so she might need a to be changed soon. And there are pajamas in the bag. If you need anything, call me."

"I will," Rick smiled, scooping Alyvia into his big arms.

"See you, baby girl," Kate kissed her daughter's forehead before walking over to Lanie.

"Let's go!" Lanie took her hand and pulled her.

"Bye," Kate laughed before letting her friend yank her out of the loft.

Rick closed the door and locked it. "We are going to have lots of fun and it doesn't matter if you're still a tiny thing."

"Dad, do we have-" Alexis stopped when she saw Alyvia in her dad's arms. "Aw, she's here," she walked over and rubbed the baby's little hand. "Hey Alyvia."

"Hello," Rick imitated a baby voice.

"Dad," Alexis rolled her eyes. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course," he handed his daughter the baby.

"She's light."

"I know."

"Really light."

"What should we do? I mean little babies don't do much yet, but we could still include her."

"Let's watch a movie," she answered, carrying Alyvia over to the couch with her dad not too far behind. "How come I never got a sibling?"

Rick coughed, caught off guard with this question. "I never found anyone else to want to have a kid with."

"Oh."

"And I'm kind of old now."

Alexis patted her dad's cheek. "We know."

"Hey!"

"Put in the movie, oldie."

…..

It has been only an hour and a half since they started clubbing. So far they've hit five clubs. And they have taken at least one or two shots at each of them. But now, while Kate was sitting at the bar, she could feel the alcohol starting to talk.

"What are you doing?" Lanie shouted, drinks in hand.

"I'm good," Kate nodded.

"You're tipsy!"

Kate threw her hand up. "Nah."

"Come on. Let's dance some of it off," Lanie dragged her friend onto the dance floor, catching many eyes of eager men.

They danced together for about five minutes when Kate's eyes fell on a mysterious man. He was sitting at the bar, in the seat she was just in, watching her. She couldn't make out all of his facial features, but he freaked her out. She decided to go see who this mystery man was.

The closer she got, the faster her heart pounded in her chest. It was so loud that she could hear it in her ears and it threw her off. When she was only a few strides away from where he sat, nobody was there. She quickly scanned the bar and found the figure walking toward the exit. Without thinking, she ran after him.

Once outside, the cold air hit her hard. She saw the man enter an alley. With her feet thinking before her mind, she ended up entering also. As she turned the corner, she was met with the mystery man from the bar.

"Hello… Katherine."

His voice made her almost collapse to the ground, but she put her hand on the cold brick wall instead. The voice… this voice…

"Yes, it is me," he spoke in a low, creepy tone.

Her head was spinning. How could this be happening? How could he be here?Without warning, she found herself throwing up. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and dry heaved when nothing else was coming out. With her mind racing and her vision blurring, she finally looked up at him.

"How's the baby?" he asked. "I hope to meet her… soon," he smiled, even though it was too dark to see, before running away.

She slid down the cold, damp, brick wall and curled herself into a tight ball. She didn't care if the ground was disgusting. She didn't care if she was in a dress. She was petrified and it was cold outside. The only thing that mattered was getting herself to breathe normal.

Moments later, Lanie came around the corner. She fell to the ground next to Kate.

"Honey? What happened?"

"My… my… Alyvia,"

"What about her?" Lanie questioned, using her phone for light. "Aw, man. You threw up."

"He… he… the… he's back."

Seconds later, Lanie was pulling her onto her feet. It was awkward for her to carry her friend who was inches taller than her, but she had to.

They hailed a cab and got in. She turned toward Kate and used tissues in her purse to try and clean her up.

"Where are… are we going?" Kate asked, trying to find the door.

"Relax, Honey. We are going to Castle's, okay? We are going to talk about what happened once we get there."

Twenty minutes later, Lanie was helping her friend down the hall toward Rick's loft. She gently knocked on the door and waited impatiently.

Rick ran to the door and unlocked it. When he opened it, he almost lost his balance. Seeing Kate with mascara running down her face, her hair a mess, and what he guessed was vomit on her dress, frightened him.

It took him a few moments, but he found his voice. "What the hell happened?" he asked, urging them inside.

"I found her outside in an alley like this," Lanie answered, letting Rick carry Kate toward the couch.

"Where is she?" Kate asked, frantically looking over the room.

"She's in my room, asleep," Rick answered, trying to get her to sit down.

She pushed his arms away and stumbled into his office. She stood in the doorway to his bedroom, holding onto the doorframe for support. The view of her daughter sleeping peacefully, on her stomach in the middle of the giant bed, made her feel more relieved. She finally walked into the room and carefully climbed next to her.

"Kate, she's okay," Lanie spoke, standing next to the bed.

"He said that he was going to see her soon," new tears fell out of Kate's eyes.

"Who said?" Rick asked.

She looked between him and her best friend, their outlines blurry from her tears. She couldn't even register being on Rick's bed right now or why they were looking at her with fear written all over their faces.

"Who said, Kate?" he tried again.

"Her biological father," she bit down on her lip to stop the loud cries from escaping.

AN: Yes, this is the longest chapter I've ever done. I couldn't stop writing! And don't think meeting the man behind the incident is too fast, I still have a big story behind that.

Oh! And I actually went on my email for this account and saw how many people have this on their alerts. Thank you for reading this fic. It means a lot. I'd love to read your thoughts and reactions though, so I know what to include in upcoming chapters. ENOUGH OF ME. HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS.