Hello my lovely people! I am officially on school holidays, meaning that I have lots more writing time! Now we should all cross our fingers real tight and hope my muse doesn't go on holidays as well :D
I got a rather interesting review, and because it was anonymous, I couldn't reply to it privately. Basically, somebody asked why I decided to make Cassie and Kate Russian (feel free to skip ahead to the chapter if you want to guys, this could be very long winded). I knew that I wanted Kate and Cassie to have some sort of heritage that wasn't American- I think culture is a really nice way to bind people together, and I really liked the idea of heritage as a link to their mother; something that could make them feel close to her even though she isn't with them anymore. I also think culture gives a sense of place, and time; which is really interesting for a character like Cassie, who is such a nomad. I also knew that I didn't want to cheat and use Stana's heritage, or one of the languages she speaks.
Speaking with my historian hat on, Russian history has always fascinated me, particularly in the Cold War period. In early drafts, I had both Cassie and Kate being big history nerds (Cassie with an ancient history fascination, and Kate being a modern historian), and I thought that the history of the Iron Curtain put an interesting spin on Kate's quest for justice- maybe seeing the injustice that the Russian people suffered under totalitarian rule impacted on her and gave weight to Kate's quests for justice beyond what happened to her mother (she was initially interested in studying injustice from the perspective of what happened in the past). It's an interesting coincidence that Kate's trip to Kiev happened at around the same time that the Russian archives from the Cold War were first opening for historians to access (and in my head, Kate's interest area in history was the Russian history from the Bolshevik uprising).
I also really liked that having a culture other than American really added another layer to both Kate and Cassie, and I've really been enjoying learning bits and pieces of Russian culture along the way.
As usual, thanks to Tad. You're the awesomest, even if you did go to Lady Gaga without me.
Disclaimer: Don't own. If I did, I'd buy myself a pair of the shoes Alexis buys in this chapter.
Check out my Tumblr for links to shopping purchases and music used in this chapter :)
Cassie felt like she was back in tourist mode. She'd actually pulled out a map of New York City; a source of both pride and disgust (pride at her show of dedication to getting Alexis a perfect graduation dress, and disgust that she, a native New Yorker, needed a map). She'd marked out the stores Alexis had already visited in green, before mapping out the must-visit locations of their shopping trip, and the route that would best serve them in terms of maximum shopping time and minimal location changing. Cassie was even rocking flat boots for the occasion.
"Oh for crying out loud, Alexis. Can you please get ready? Sitting here stressing about the fact you have not written your graduation speech isn't going to write it. I'd be far more concerned that you'll be graduating naked," Cassie complained. She shot Martha a grateful grin when a mug of steaming hot coffee and a plate of pastries were placed in front of her. "Lexi, I am not kidding. If you're not dressed in the next thirty seconds, I'll drag you into your bedroom by your pretty red hair and clothe you myself," She threatened through a mouthful of chocolate éclair. Alexis responded with a groan, before packing up her laptop, neatly highlighted copies of famous speeches and their corresponding colour coordinated notes and rushing to her room.
Martha looked up from her survey of Cassie's outline for their shopping trip. "Looks good, kiddo. I say we try Manhattan first, then branch out to Brooklyn if we can't find her anything."
"Works for me. But she has got to stop stressing about this speech. I'm pretty sure our valedictorian was on uppers when he gave his; and everything turned out totally fine."
"Don't suggest that to Alexis. Her blood pressure is high enough as it is. I have no idea where she gets it," Martha warned Cassie with a grin.
Cassie bit into a blueberry turnover. "Martha, I would never dare do such a thing," she answered as primly as she could through a mouthful of food. "But I am about forty five seconds from coming up there and dragging you out kicking and screaming," Cassie called out towards the stairs.
"Cassie, threatening people is incredibly unladylike. I'm ready," Alexis announced sweetly.
Cassie swept up her handbag and slung an arm around Alexis in a move that was half headlock, half hug. "Lex, you're so cute. I have no idea where you got the idea that I'm a lady."
They'd been to at least eight stores. Shopping for a dress was becoming frustrating: Alexis had a very clear idea of what she didn't want, but couldn't describe what she was looking for.
"I am never going to find anything to wear. My valedictorian's address is going to be a disaster. I'm going to be a naked, speechless mess," Alexis looked absolutely heartbroken, and Cassie wasn't sure if she was supposed to slap her or hug her.
"Babe, it is going to be fine. We haven't left the East Side yet. We have the rest of Manhattan, and all of Brooklyn to go. If it gets really bad, we even have my wardrobe. Please, stop stressing," Cassie implored her.
"C'mon, kiddo. You've been running on empty for days. Don't think I can't hear you clack-clack-clacking on your laptop at all hours of the night," Martha added. "We are going to get some food in your system, and we're going to find you something to wear, I promise," Martha soothed her.
"Alright," Alexis finally relented.
"Fantastic, because I am starving," Cassie announced. She linked arms with Alexis, watching Martha take her other arm, and they frog marched Alexis out of the store.
"You ate like, four pastries before we left? How can you possibly be hungry again?" Alexis questioned.
"Kid, I'm always hungry. I've got hollow legs or something."
Alexis pushed her plate away with a satisfied grin. "Ok, I think I can keep shopping," she decided, beginning to stand.
"Whoa, hold your horses. We need to sit, and discuss styling," Cassie ordered, gesturing for Alexis to sit down. "We've established that your grad gown is dark green with some yellow; so no blues, or reds. You don't want a full-length gown. What else? Is there a style you want to avoid? Are there any cuts that don't look right? Talk to me."
"I don't think I want to wear anything pastel. No browns either,"
"I think we avoid green if we can. You'll look like a tree."
"Can the old lady interject?" Martha butted in. She ignored the raised eyebrows from both girls. "You don't want to look back at this dress and think about how dated it looks. You want to wear something classy. Something that will stand the test of time."
"I say little black dress," Cassie suggested. "And a statement shoe. Oh, how I love a good statement shoe."
Alexis seemed to inflate with the encouragement. "Ok, let's do this then," she agreed.
Martha insisted on paying the bill, waving both girls away with bejewelled hands.
"Where to next?" Alexis asked.
"I haven't actually been to this place, but I've heard amazing things. 11th Street East. Get off the subway at L at First Avenue," Cassie instructed, ignoring Martha's barely suppressed groan at the idea of using the subway.
Cassie smirked at the sign next to the counter. Her one disastrous experience working in retail made her wholeheartedly agree that unattended children should be given an espresso and a free puppy.
"I've got a good feeling about this place, ladies," Martha announced, her eye immediately caught by a rack of truly fabulous dresses that looked like they belonged to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Cassie turned to Alexis; hand coming up to squeeze her shoulder. "We've got some good ideas going on. Let's do this," Cassie said encouragingly.
Alexis looked around the store, eyes flashing. "Divide and conquer," She ordered Cassie.
They finally had it narrowed down to two dresses. Alexis was tossing up between an eggplant halterneck number with a high neckline, and a gorgeous little black dress with a peachy coloured sash.
"I can't decide. I love both of them," Alexis deliberated, holding both dresses up in front of her, studying the mirror critically.
"How's the halterneck going to go under your academic regalia?" Cassie asked. "Don't look so shocked, once upon a time I was an honour roll student," Cassie defended herself against Alexis's surprised look. "Just because I have elected not to go to college, does not mean I am unintelligent. JK Rowling even thinks that I'm a Ravenclaw."
"Oh, good God," Martha muttered, taking a seat in the boyfriend chair that was so kindly provided near the change rooms.
"Pottermore?"
"I got selected for beta testing, got sorted and never went on again," Cassie admitted.
"Me too."
"What house are you?" Cassie asked, eyeing both of the dresses at the same time.
Alexis sighed, "I'm a Hufflepuff. But JK Rowling got sorted into Hufflepuff too!" she defended quickly.
Cassie bit her lip, but didn't laugh. "I didn't say anything. Hufflepuffs are just and hardworking. There's nothing to be ashamed of there, even if you are a badger."
"Intellectual snob."
"Edward Cullen."
"Oh for Pete's sake, ladies. If you're going to keep arguing, I'm leaving," Martha declared from her very comfy chaise lounge.
"She's such a Slytherin," Alexis stage whispered to Cassie. Cassie nodded vehemently, her technicolour hair (now shades of green and blue like a mermaid) flicking with the movement.
Alexis turned back to the mirror. She felt the fabrics of both the dresses. "As much as I like this one, I don't think the fabric will breathe very well under the gowns we have to wear," Alexis admitted, looking at the eggplant dress lovingly.
"I gotta be honest with you, sweets. I think that one is a little old for you anyway," Cassie disclosed, grabbing the dress and handing it back to the sales assistant.
"I approve completely!" Martha added from her chair.
Cassie snapped her fingers at Martha, still lounging. "C'mon, look alive. We have shoes, a handbag and jewellery to get yet!"
They were in heaven. Heaven lined with shoes. Martha had insisted that the only place to find appropriate footwear was the Upper East Side, and Cassie was barely containing her drool at being surrounded by such pretty, pretty high heels.
Alexis smiled gratefully at the assistant who was stepping away to bring her several styles to try on. "Cassie, I have a bone to pick with you."
"Moi? Whatever could I have done?" Cassie asked innocently, inspecting a pair of plaid pumps and nearly weeping when she saw the price tag.
"True or false? You were the one who made my father look like a rotting corpse; a disguise, I'll inform you, which allowed him to defeat me at an epic battle of laser tag that has been ongoing for over a decade," Alexis was giving an interrogation so freakishly similar to one Kate would give, it was almost scary.
Cassie raised her hands innocently. "I did nothing. Nothing. The zombie makeup was done in order to ensure that justice prevailed. If your Dad chose to use his powers for evil, then that's on him."
"Darling, that make up was fabulous. Where did you learn how to do that?" Martha asked.
"Make up isn't really all that different to art. It's just painting, with a face as a canvas," Cassie answered. "Nobody ever really taught me anything. I just experimented and figured it out."
"You wanna come run a stage make up course at my acting school?" Martha mused.
Cassie shrugged. "I guess I could. I used to do makeup for the girls before they went to work at the Moulin often enough."
The shop assistant came back with the shoes Alexis had asked for. She slipped her feet into a pair of black wedges, before standing and strutting in them.
"No. You look like a Clydesdale, darling," Martha decided. Alexis modelled several other pairs of shoes, all of which were instantly dismissed by either Cassie or Martha.
"Oh, those are it," Cassie sighed.
"They are perfect," Martha agreed.
Alexis looked down at the Swarovski crystal encrusted heels with a tiny, longing smile. "You really think so? I'm not going to tumble over in them, am I?"
"There is no question. You lit up the second you put those shoes on," Martha insisted.
"Cinderella is proof that the right pair of shoes can change your life. Those are life changing heels," Cassie insisted.
Alexis's hesitation was momentary, and most probably for Cassie's benefit. "I'll take them," Alexis announced to the shop assistant. Cassie resisted the urge to shake her head. She wished she had that kind of cash to drop on a pair of shoes.
"Alrighty, mi amore, I think you might finally be set. You've got a dress, you have a truly fabulous pair of shoes, and your jewellery is purchased. See, you have nothing to panic about," Cassie said as they trotted out of the Christian Louboutin store.
"I still don't have a Valedictorian's address," Alexis reminded her.
"You don't have a Valedictorian's address because you're overthinking it. You need to get out of your headspace, darling," Martha informed her breezily, every inch the acting coach. "You need to stop thinking, and start to feel."
"Gram, you make it sound so easy. But I'm no actress. I have to intellectualise everything!"
"Have you ever thought that could be your problem?" Martha asked with an enigmatic grin. "Oh, look at the time. I have a Lecoq master class in an hour, and I need to prepare!" Martha enveloped the girls in perfumed hugs, and disappeared into a cab in a flurry of silk and jewels.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Kid," Cassie announced with a lilt in her tone.
"Wanna do sushi?" Alexis asked.
"So keen for sushi. I'm about to pass out I'm so hungry."
Alexis looked at the spread that Cassie was setting out across her dining room table. "We cannot eat this much food."
"We're not going to. I messaged Katie and your Dad and told them to get their asses here," Cassie informed her with a grin.
"I'm certain that there is a method behind your madness."
"Always. There is always madness. Sometimes method. You know, however it goes," Cassie ruminated. "But in this case, there is something from column A, and column B," She paused to dish out soy sauce. "I don't know if you've noticed anything new, different and exciting, but I kinda have. Kate is like, way less jaded right now. She hasn't given me too many ins and outs as to exactly why, but I'm suspecting your Dad has something to do with it. I saw them talking at the end of the zombie case," Alexis pulled a face at the memory of having the living daylights scared out of her from Cassie's makeup job "And it was like all the crap between them got squashed down."
"What do you mean squashed down?" Alexis wondered.
"Oh, I mean, clearly, they haven't discussed all their issues. There was nowhere near enough theatrics for that. But, it's like they cut the crap. They've stopped the bullshit hurting each other because they can. It's like the past few weeks haven't happened or something."
"So you want to see them together to see a change in the dynamic?" Alexis confirmed.
"Oh, my young Padawan learner, I love it so much when we're on the same wavelength."
The sushi had been outstanding. Alexis gave Cassie a furtive look. Something had totally changed. Cassie gave Alexis a mischievous look. Time for Plan Something Really Witty and Intelligent (they hadn't been able to agree on a name) to commence.
Cassie quickly excused herself from the table. Moments later, she reappeared with Vera in hand, and joined everybody in the living room, where Alexis had directed them to move. She sat herself on the floor. A few twists of the tuners later, Cassie had the guitar in tune, and began to pluck out a melody.
"You play guitar?" Castle asked.
Cassie nodded. "Since I was six years old. Had to do every cool thing my big sister did," Cassie shot Kate an evil grin. She began to strum a riff, resisting the urge to stick out her tongue at Kate.
"Did not pick you as an AC/DC fan."
"Oh, I'm not, really. Their stuff is really fun to play live, but I had my first experience of the awesomeness that is Bon Scott when I was in kindergarten. Katie went through this crazy hard rock phase when she was like sixteen, seventeen. I was the only kid in my class who knew every word to Enter Sandman."
"Jeez, Beckett. Child abuse much?" Castle joked. Kate jabbed him in the ribs swiftly with her elbow.
"You cannot talk, Dad. You used to sing me to sleep with Guns'N'Roses," Alexis interjected swiftly.
"You are joking! That is hilarious!" Cassie gasped. She immediately began to play the riff to Welcome to the Jungle.
"It was the only music I knew all the words to!" Castle defended himself.
"And you accuse me of child abuse," Kate muttered darkly.
"I have nothing to complain about. I was a totally cool kid. And you and your greaser boyfriend only locked me in the bathroom like, three times, tops," Cassie started playing the opening chords of Smells Like Teen Spirit, tongue between her teeth, waiting for Kate's response.
"Ty vedeshʹ sebyauzhasno mnogo, kak kto-to, kto ne khochet, chtoby mesto, chtoby spatʹ nochʹyu," (You're acting an awful lot like somebody who doesn't want a place to sleep tonight,) Kate growled.
Cassie smirked. "Vy nikogda ne khoteli udaritʹ menya. Vy by golodatʹ." (You'd never kick me out. You'd starve.)
"Why do you have your guitar with you, anyway?" Kate asked, desperate to change the subject from her teenage delinquency. She was blushing way too much, and she knew she'd never live Castle's teasing down.
"Oh, last night after work I ended up jamming with the boys. They're playing pretty much any and every gig they can get at the moment, and I was helping them shift their repertoire from Aussie pub rock to The Wedding Singer and bah mitzvahs. Ended up crashing there and headed straight here in the AM." Cassie explained easily.
"You slept there?" Kate echoed.
"Urgh, not my brightest idea, I'll admit. Those boys have no idea about basic sanitation. But there was no way I was going to attempt to get my ass home from the ass crack of Brooklyn at 4am."
"So you went from bar music to wedding singing? How did that go?" Alexis asked. Cassie was relieved she was sticking to the plan.
"It was fun. The boys are all about changing up the classics, so we got a couple of sweet sounding covers."
"You just walked into that. You have to play something for us now," Castle challenged. Kate nodded along, her face mirroring Castle's tone.
"Well, there is no way you guys are getting a Cassie Beckett original. Your brains will explode from all the awesome," Cassie informed them decisively. "However, we fooled around with a stripped back, acoustic feel on this song. The boys hated it, but I thought it was pretty sick, and it goes a little something, like this," Cassie pulled a face before beginning to sing.
Baby, can't you see
I'm calling
A guy like you
Should wear a warning
It's dangerous
I'm fallin'
There's no escape
I can't wait
I need a hit
Baby, give me it
You're dangerous
I'm lovin' it
Cassie exchanged a look with Alexis. Her smoky cover of the Britney classic was having the desired effect. Cassie flicked her eyebrows before continuing.
Too high
Can't come down
Losing my head
Spinning 'round and 'round
Do you feel me now
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic
It's getting late
To give you up
I took a sip
From my devil cup
Slowly
It's taking over me
Too high
Can't come down
It's in the air
And it's all around
Can you feel me now
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic
Don't you know that you're toxic
Taste of my lips and having fun
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic
With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic
Cassie sneaked a look at Kate and Castle. If she could bottle that sexual tension, she'd never have to worry about working behind a bar again. It was blatantly obvious that they'd both forgotten that there were other people in the room.
I'm intoxicated now
I think you'll love it now
I think I'm ready now
I think I'm ready now
I'm intoxicated now
I think you'll love it now
I think I'm ready now
Cassie let the last note of the song ring out. She bit her lip and caught Alexis's eye. The plan was a total success. Both Castle and Kate were eating out of the palm of their hands.
"So… What did you think?" Cassie asked innocently, chewing on her lip as she waited for a response.
"That was not what I was expecting," Castle admitted, when he was finally able to tear his gaze away from Kate.
"Oh yeah? How so?"
"Well, based on what I saw at the Old Haunt…"
"You know, both our perceptions were coloured that night. Don't assume that I'm a one dimensional artist," Cassie interrupted him hastily. She hadn't spoken a word to Kate about what had gone down the night that Castle had gone on his Slaughter motivated bender, and she really didn't want to bring it up again.
"I think I liked the song that you played for me the other night more," Kate interjected quietly. Cassie shook her head gently at Kate. There was no way she'd be playing anything like that tonight. And there was also no way that Kate was going to turn the table on her.
"What, this one?" Cassie asked cheekily. She giggled when she heard the groans that echoed over the song's intro.
You're insecure
Don't know what for
You're turning heads when you walk through the door
"Oh, God! Make it stop!" Castle whined. Cassie only wrinkled her nose at him, deliberately making her tone more obnoxious as she continued to mock serenade him
Don't need make up
To cover up
Being the way that you are is enoughEveryone else in the room can see it
Everyone else but you
Cassie turned to her big sister, a cheesy grin lighting up her face, giggling when Alexis chimed in for the chorus.
Baby you light up my world like nobody else
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed
But when you smile at the ground it aint hard to tell
You don't know
Oh Oh
You don't know you're beautiful
Cassie continued to play the melody of the song, but couldn't keep singing because of the chronic case of the giggles she'd developed.
"I'm sorry. The boys have a bat mitzvah lined up, so we were screwing around with this song," Cassie attempted to justify herself. "And you know what? The cover they came up with actually isn't that awful."
"How can it not be that awful? That band is worse than when Alexis went through her JT phase," Castle whined.
Cassie played a few chords threateningly. "You don't talk smack about JT. You just don't,"
"Dad, we talked about this. You don't talk smack about JT, and I won't say a word about your unrequited love for Molly Ringwald," Alexis added, blue eyes steely.
"You have a crush on Molly Ringwald?" Kate asked incredulously. "How do I not know this about you? Is Pretty In Pink or Sixteen Candles your favourite?"
Alexis flicked Cassie a secretive wink. Just like that, Plan Something Really Witty and Intelligent was back on track, and the girls could spend the rest of the night observing their subjects in their natural habitats.
Cassie tied a bandana into her hair and checked her phone. Nothing. She shot off a text.
"You're ass deep in a case, aren't you? Haven't seen you for nearly two days."
She slicked on a bright coat of lipstick and tossed it into her handbag. She was out of the elevator and halfway to the subway before she got a response.
"Yeah, this one's taking all my attention." Kate's response was succinct, and it instantly got Cassie's feelers up.
"I'm on mid shift. I'll swing by later tonight with food for the troops."
Cassie stepped off the subway and was just about to sign on at work when her phone buzzed.
"You really don't have to. I'm sure we'll crack something soon. I'll see you at home."
Cassie leaned against the wall off the elevator. She hadn't stopped from the second she'd stepped through the door at work, and she was quite looking forward to a long, hot shower. She'd think about feeding Kate later. Cassie brightened when the doors of the elevator opened on her floor.
"Hey, Castle," She greeted cheerfully. She frowned when he pushed past her without a word. Cassie locked eyes with him as the doors of the elevator gently closed. His haunted expression said it all.
Cassie's stomach dropped. Fumbling through her bag, she ripped out her keys as she dashed towards her apartment door. She shoved the key in the lock, and burst through the front door. She'd had several visions of what would await her behind the door. Her imagination hadn't even come close.
She dropped her bag with a heavy thud on the hardwood floor. "Jesus Christ, Katie," her voice slipped out in a strangled whisper. "Wasn't once enough?" Cassie's insides tied themselves into knots at the macabre shrine.
"I never meant for you to see this," Kate rasped, moving quickly to close the shutters that housed her impromptu murder board.
"Don't try and hide it," Cassie demanded. Her shock faded, and anger bloomed in her chest, hot and heavy. "Do you have a fucking death wish, Katie? You've already been shot in the chest over this. Let the case go!"
"I can't," Kate confessed, the shrug of her shoulders undermining the severity of the seriousness of the situation. "I can't let it go. And I can't forget."
"You have to. I've already lost one significant woman in my life to these bastards. I won't lose another."
"Don't you see?" Kate demanded. "Don't you see this is why I have to do this?"
"No Katherine. No, I don't see why you have to risk your fucking life like this. Please, explain it to me," Cassie's rage had turned sarcastic, and she desperately willed the hot tears in her eyes to go away.
"Mom didn't get to see you graduate high school. She didn't get to take you shopping for your first training bra. She never had to give you the talk about the birds and the bees, or explain to you how a tampon works. Mom will never see either of us walk down the aisle. She'll never see us graduate college," Kate reminisced. "Those bastards took something from us that day. They took so much from you. Something we can never replace. They have to face justice for that," Kate's growl was deep.
"And then what happens, Katie? You slay the Dragon, and what? Mom is still going to be dead." Cassie bit her lip, tilting her head upward to try and combat gravity as tears spilt down her cheeks. "Our mother was murdered, Katya. Murdered. It was brutal, and awful, and it chills me to the bone that she was slaughtered in an alley, alone; but it is what it is, and we can never change that."
"You can't do this, Katie. You can't. They are going to kill you. They've already gotten close. You have no idea what people have sacrificed to keep you safe. And you're throwing that in the face of the people who love you the most." Cassie gave up the fight, and looked her big sister in the eye, not even trying to staunch the flow of tears leaking down her cheeks. "Don't you understand? You are all that I have left," Cassie reached out and grabbed Kate's hand. "I am begging you here, Katie. Just leave it alone."
"Are you saying you knew that Castle cut a deal for my life? Like I'm some kind of prize animal?" Kate demanded, her voice dark with unknown emotion.
"He has an entire board like this one saved on his computer. I found it by accident, and after he explained what Montgomery had done for you, the lengths that he was willing to go to in order to keep you safe; he swore me to secrecy," Cassie admitted. "And I'd do it again. If it means that you're alive for all those milestones Mom is going to miss out on, I would do it again in a heartbeat."
"You have no right to decide that. None at all! This is my life we're talking about," Kate snapped.
"But you have the right to decide to leave me completely alone in the world? Fuck. No, Katie. He didn't do this because he has some control freak issues. He did this because he loves you more than anything, and this was the only way he could keep you safe!" Cassie refused to react to Kate's hiss of anger.
"People live their entire lives looking for the kind of love that you're too chicken shit to accept! It is right there, in front of you, but you're too busy being a fucking martyr to a dead cause that you can't see it!" Cassie drew a breath, scraping a hand across a wet cheek. "Katie, I would give up everything for the kind of love that is right in front of you, but you just won't take it."
Kate slammed the shutters of the window closed. She stormed toward her bedroom and swung the door shut with a thud. Moments later, she re-emerged, dressed head to toe in black. She wordlessly stepped over to the safe, slipping her service weapon into her concealed shoulder holster, and clipping her badge to her belt.
"Katie, please," Cassie begged, eyes swimming with tears; the mirror of her fourteen year old self walking into Kate's tiny apartment all those years ago. "You're all I have left. You're all that I have left," she whimpered, curling into a ball on an armchair and smashing her head against her knees.
Kate stepped over to Cassie, running a hand through her hair. "Everybody I've gone up against in this case has ended up dead. The odds are ever in my favour," Kate's attempted at light heartedness fell flat against the ringing echo of Cassie's sobs throughout the apartment. "I will be fine," Kate reassured her. She dropped a kiss on Cassie's head. "I'll see you tomorrow," She promised. Kate walked out of the apartment without a backwards glance.
So... you don't even have to press a button now to leave me some feedback. You even get a special message when you do (I'm not even joking. Leave a comment if you don't believe me). And I really do think you should leave me some feedback- this chapter was about ninety different types of challenging for me to write, and it would mean the world to me if you could let me know if you liked it or not!
Also, brookemopolitan dot tumblr dot com for all music, dresses and gorgeous SHOES!