One more chapter after this one. I'm going to be out of town until Sunday with no access to anything electronic. (No, not even my phone—no I'm not going to jail.) I hope you like it. Thanks for all of the great reviews. Now for the next fic. A sequel to this one or something totally different? I have some ideas. Let me know what you think.

Ch. 10

Kate had taken a cab back to her apartment only to grab her car. Her mind was running a mile a minute. If she hadn't been so upset after breaking things off with Will, she might have given Castle a chance to explain. Did she think Castle slept with Meredith? It was a possibility, given their history, but after last night with Castle, maybe it wasn't. Was Meredith trying to seduce Castle? Kate didn't know that much about Meredith, but she considered it a possibility as well.

Now, she was just embarrassed. She couldn't go back over there. She needed to calm down. It was almost as if she could feel her emotions swirling around just under her skin, and at the slightest provocation they would ooze through her pores and take control. Kate didn't like the feeling.

Driving through the city, Kate picked up her phone and dialed.

"Hello?"

"Heidi?"

"Kate, hey what's going on?"

"Can you call something in for me? I meant to call you earlier, but I was distracted."

"Sure thing. What do you need and where do I call?"

"I'm going to Avery's. Can you call it in to the Walgreen's over there? I think its open twenty-four hours."

Their discussion was brief, but adequate. Kate was running, yes, but Avery was a safe spot. Kate used to go to Maggie; Maggie was her big defender, and truth be told, Maggie's moral compass was slightly more relaxed than Avery's. But Kate figured out as she matured that Maggie seemed to "feed the fire" so to speak. That red hair trait seemed to reside on the same gene that craves conflict and violence. Justin was a virtual saint for putting up with her.

Avery on the other hand, thought things through like their mother. She had her wild side in college and Kate knew that. In fact, Avery had gone through a period of time, a very dark period, where she was pretty self-destructive. Kate knew something had happened and had her own theories about it, but she never approached Avery with it. Kate remembered her mother and father talking. She was twelve or thirteen, and she overheard her mother say that she thought Avery was pregnant. Kate took that information straight to Maggie, who was seventeen maybe eighteen at the time, and Maggie went straight to Avery to find the truth.

"Not anymore." Avery had said. She had broken up with her boyfriend about two months prior. Kate was eighteen and Avery was twenty-five and pregnant with Johanna before Kate could approach her about it. Back then Avery had been thinking about abortion and adoption, and wasn't able to decide. Abortion felt wrong to her, but the thought of being pregnant at nineteen was just devastating. On the flip side, Avery wasn't sure she could give up a baby. She ended up having a miscarriage, but the guilt of feeling so relieved rocked her.

After that Avery dated many guys. Some as much as fourteen years older than her. Divorcees and maybe some were still married. Where as Maggie had her promiscuous streak in high school, Avery had hers in college and it was much more dangerous. Avery was very careful with herself physically, but mentally and emotionally she was killing herself. The fact that Avery overcame that and became the woman she is today is why she is now Kate's rock. The voice of reason.

As much drama as Kate had been through, Avery had been through more. They both lost their mother, obviously, but Avery has always been concerned that it affected Kate more than the rest of them. She was the youngest. She was still basically at home when it happened. Avery took it upon herself to do her best to fill in the role. Kate cringed when she thought of the times that Avery tried to give guidance Kate didn't want. "You're not my mother!" Kate would scream at her.

Avery wanted Kate to move out of the house when their father's drinking was out of control. Kate stayed and Avery gave her the credit due for saving their father's life.

Kate texted Avery to let her know she was coming.

Are you okay? Avery texted back.

No. But it's nothing you can't fix. Kate replied.

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Richard Castle was upset to say the least. He was upset with Meredith and himself, but he was also upset with Kate. The only thing that helped him keep his cool was that she has had a really rough twenty-four hours. With everything she had gone through, it was understandable that she would have that reaction. He knew she was in no mood for confrontation. He sent Meredith back to the hotel and debated whether or not to call Kate or go to her apartment. He wanted to. He really wanted to at least talk this out or see her face, but just when he had decided to go, Alexis and his mother came home.

After talking it out (without the gory details) he decided to wait until morning to go after her. Maybe she needed some time to think. He was definitely thinking. Did I screw this up before it even got started? We shouldn't have slept together so soon. Ugh! We should have dated first. Why couldn't he just stop with kissing? Because she didn't want to and he couldn't say 'no' to her. This was all going to blow up in his face. He could feel it.

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Kate walked through the door to Avery's house to the tinkling of piano keys. Avery was playing the piano. Debussy, I think. Kate and Avery had the musical talent in the family. Andrew appreciated music, but fought lessons growing up tooth and nail. Maggie tried the viola—it was a disaster, and if you ever heard her sing…well, the only thing that kept Kate from laughing was Maggie's violent streak.

Kate sat down on the piano bench next to Avery. Avery stopped playing and looked at her. Looking down at the prescription bag in her hands she said, "What's that?"

"Plan B."

"You sure you want to do that? Last time…." Avery shivered.

"I know I need to have the option."

"You have forty-eight more hours."

"Yeah."

"What did Castle say?"

"Oh Avery, I've screwed things up so bad."

"How so?"

Kate went through the evening with Avery, from the restaurant with Will to getting back on the elevator at Castle's. They moved from the piano bench to the couch in the family room. Avery thought for a minute. "So you left without giving him a chance to explain? That's pretty adolescent, Kate."

"I know. I feel terrible. I was 100% reaction. No thinking. God, how does that man make me lose my faculties?"

"Well, that would be love. But you are going to have to figure out how to let your brain in." Avery chided. "You have to call him."

"I can't. I'm just mortified of my behavior. I don't think my voice will hold tonight."

"Then text him. You have to let him know you aren't angry. You can't let him worry all night."

"Okay."

"I also think you should sleep on it before you take those pills." Kate's head whipped around to her sister. "Kate, I don't think you're capable of remembering the last time, but believe me when I say this: I was completely afraid you were going to kill yourself. Please sleep on it."

"Okay." Kate said with emphasis. "I'm going to text him now."

Avery grabbed the pharmacy bag from her. "I'll put these away in my bedroom. Tell Castle to come by for breakfast in the morning. We'll be going to church, but I don't imagine you'll be going. Y'all can talk."

Kate grinned. Avery went to Emory University in Atlanta for her Bachelors and Masters. She came away with more than the degrees. She found her Good Ole Boy husband (who happened to be brilliant) down there, and she brought back an accent as a souvenir.

"Shut up!" Avery quipped to Kate, knowing exactly why she was grinning.

Kate pulled out her phone. I'm sorry. She typed. I was overwhelmed. I should not have left that way. Kate hit the send button.

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Castle's phone chimed letting him know he had a text message. He was lying across his bed, trying to go to sleep. When he saw it was from Beckett, he sat up straight. Crap.

"I'm sorry. I was overwhelmed. I should not have left that way." Castle pondered this. She didn't sound angry. She sounded apologetic.

No. You shouldn't have. Apology accepted. He texted back. Are you alright?

"Getting better. I'm at Avery's. She wants you to come over for breakfast."

To meet the firing squad? Absolutely. What time? Castle was almost positive Avery was not happy about the current state of affairs. It had barely been twelve hours since she told him not to hurt her. And even though he didn't do anything wrong, Avery might not see it that way.

"Avery's mad at me. Not you." She knew him so well. "Be here at 7:30 am."

Normally Castle would have balked at the time, and as it was he involuntarily bristled at the idea of arriving somewhere at that time. But he needed to see her. She could have said 4am and he would have been there.

Okay, see you then. Address?

Kate texted him the address and said "Until tomorrow." Oh, look at that. Hopeful. He smiled at the fact that she threw his words back at him. Rick set the alarm on his phone and drifted off to sleep.

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Avery woke Kate up at around 3:30 a.m. "Kate, wake up. I need to talk to you for a second and you can go back to sleep."

"Yeah?"

"I have a patient who's in labor."

"I thought you weren't on call."

"I'm not, but I delivered her other two children and I told her if it was possible I'd be there for this one. It's only possible if you can stay until I get back."

"What time will the girls get up?" When Kate arrived last night everyone was asleep but Avery.

"Lily will be up first at about eight if you don't wake her. I won't make you take them to church."

"Thanks."

"What time is Castle getting here?"

"Oh, I told him 7:30."

"Well, I might not be too long; this is her third natural delivery. You'll stay?"

"Sure. Why not? I've got nothing better to do." She muttered turning over and going back to sleep.

"Thanks Katie. See you in a bit."

"MmmHmm."

Castle was right on-time in the morning. There was a post-it note on the door that said "side door-left."

Avery lived in a very nice house in Forest Hills. Castle just took a cab; he hoped Kate would give him a ride home. He walked around the side of the house, spotting Kate's car in the driveway. Avery had a three car garage. Wonder what she puts in there. He found the French doors and sure enough the left side was open.

Castle walked into the breakfast room and he heard Kate singing. He didn't recognize the song but it was kind of jazzy and very sultry. She had her back to him. Her hair was in a loose ponytail (a style he really liked on her) and she was wearing a denim looking robe that was hanging open.

"Hi." She said without turning around.

"Hi." He bounced back, walking towards her in the kitchen. "How'd you know it was me and not 'Jack the Ripper.' Pretty bold giving directions and leaving the door open."

She flashed a look over her shoulder and jerked her head to the side. "Security system. I saw you. Jacob was very…protective."

"Nice house."

"Yes it is. I'll give you a tour after breakfast and when the girls wake up." She was mixing eggs, milk and cinnamon in a bowl and she had a stack of thickly sliced bread on the counter.

"French toast?"

"Yep, and bacon. Just getting it ready. I'll start cooking when I hear them. It'll be a surprise. I got here last night after they were in bed."

"Where's Avery?"

"Delivering a baby. Actually she should be here any minute. She called an hour ago and said she was wrapping it up."

"Everything went well?"

"That's what she said. Third baby, boy, nine and a half pounds."

"Whoa."

"Yeah, no kidding." She couldn't stand it, this dance around what they really needed to talk about. "I'm sorry you know." Her back was still to him. She walked to the sink to wash her hands.

"I know."

"I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for what I saw, and I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I just…I don't know. With everything…I just couldn't."

She turned to face him. He still couldn't get over how young she looked without makeup. She was wearing a green t-shirt that was so long he couldn't tell if she had on anything underneath it. Castle took a step closer. "Well, you probably weren't too far off base."

Kate's eyes flashed anger and she had that wrinkle in her brow. "Let me clarify. Nothing happened, but Meredith wanted something to happen." He gave her the whole story—including the gory details this time, but also telling her in no uncertain terms that Meredith knew where (and with whom) he stood. Kate walked closer to him so that she was inches away.

"So we're good?" She asked.

"Together? We're great. I mean you're extraordinary and I'm, well, me," Kate rolled her eyes. "How could we not be great together?"

Kate reached out and fisted her hands in his sweater, pulling him towards her.

"Uh, Kate? I was thinking." She placed a light kiss on his neck. Why is he so irresistible to me?

"Yeah?"

"I think we should date." She placed another kiss on his jaw and he swallowed hard.

"Date? Okay. I don't see a problem with that."

"I think we should date before we…" He cleared his throat. "Again." Rick didn't say "have sex or sleep together" because it was more than that. He wouldn't say "make love" because that made him want to gag. He was at a loss for words. She had that affect on him, especially when she was this close.

"Before we…what?" She said to him right before she kissed him lightly on the lips. She knew exactly what he meant, but she wanted him to say it.

"Before we wrestle." His eyebrows flicked upwards playfully. "Naked."

"Right. Whatever you say." Kate leaned in and kissed him hard. She instantly opened her mouth to his and he kissed her back. His hands slid under the robe and he picked her up and placed her on the counter. Kate wrapped her legs around him and he quickly found out that she wasn't wearing shorts under the shirt-just underwear.

"Oh come on, y'all. I prepare food for children there." Avery had walked in the same door Castle had and was greeted by the sight of a man's back with her baby sister's feet crossed at the ankles behind him. She was glad to see that everything was okay, but she was also glad she came home when she did. "I'm guessing things are all right between you two."

Kate looked around Castle to Avery and said, "We're great." She had given Castle some space so he could calm down before facing Avery.

"Did you talk about the other thing?" Kate's face got very serious. Castle noticed and it helped his condition emphatically.

"What other thing?"

"No." Kate replied. "And I wasn't planning on it."

"Kate, I think he could provide valuable input, and he is involved."

"Avery…come on." Kate whined, a sound Castle was not used to.

"Kate. You know I'm right."

"Okay. Go get it. I can't believe I let you talk me into this." It was a topic they had discussed the night before and best to get it over with before the kids (particularly Johanna) woke up. Avery left the room and came back with a prescription bottle. She handed it to Kate.

"What are we talking about here?" Castle was getting concerned. Kate was clearly agitated and Avery looked worried. Kate pushed Castle back and hopped off the counter. She went and sat down at the table. Castle and Avery followed.

"This is the 'morning after' pill." She sat the prescription bottle down on the table. "I picked it up on the way in last night."

"That's what this is about? Kate, I'm fine with that."

"It's not that simple. I can't take any hormonal form of birth control. It gives me crippling migraine headaches. They incapacitate me for three to four days and I'm in excruciating pain. Maggie is the same way."

"We used to have to hide any sort of pain medication from them. They would just keep taking it until they overdosed. Imitrex lessened the intensity, but they were still hurting." Avery chimed in.

"I haven't been on the pill since high school." Kate stated looking at the table.

"Okay." Rick said, still somewhat confused. "We'll use condoms. I'll never forget again. I swear."

Kate smiled at him. "Thanks, but not exactly where I was going. Two years ago, when I was with Will, the condom broke and I went and got this pill. Actually its pills, but whatever. I figured that 'It's only two pills. How bad can it be?'"

Avery took over. "It was the worst I've ever seen. Kate thought she was dying. She couldn't stand the light or any noise. Will didn't know what to do, so he called me. When I got there Will was holding the ibuprofen bottle in his hand. He didn't know how many she had taken. As it turns out she took ten. 2000 milligrams. Not enough to damage anything permanently, but scary just as well. Luckily she didn't have any acetaminophen in the apartment. When the vomiting started it took her over the edge."

Rick looked at Kate and could tell she was embarrassed by the conversation. It showed weakness and that was unacceptable to her.

"When she threw up the head ache was unbearable. That's when she remembered she had a gun." Rick went pale. "She had the safety off and it was loaded. She was in so much pain all she could think about was ending it in any way possible. Will was thinking he was going to have to shoot her in the shoulder to keep her from killing herself. I convinced her to wait. I had some morphine with me and gave her a dose. I followed that with Imitrex and it solved the problem. But I have never seen anything like it before."

Rick reached out and grabbed the bottle off the table. "No." He said. "It's not worth it."

"Castle," Kate spoke up. "the possible alternatives?"

"What. That you might get pregnant? We'll cross that bridge when…if we come to it. That story…it's ridiculous that you would even think about taking this again."

"I would take Imitrex with it and Avery would have morphine."

"Kate this is ridiculous. I know that now may not be the right time and hell, I may not be the right guy, but what you are talking about doing for the possibility of getting pregnant. That's crazy. No way."

Kate thought about it, raised her eyebrows and nodded her head. "Okay." She sighed. She stood and took the bottle from Castle depositing it in the trash can.

A small voice came from the doorway. "See Kate, I told you she was hee-uh. I saw the caw in the dwiveway." Everyone turned to the voice just in time to see Kate Moore run to her aunt. "Aunt Katie!"

Kate hugged them both and smiled back at Castle. It was another surprise. There was playfulness about her with her nieces. "You guys want some breakfast?"

"Yeah," Lily answered. "Fwench toast?"

"French toast it is." Kate responded. She headed for the kitchen, her greatest admirer watching her from the kitchen table.