AN: Whoa, there are so many people subscribed to this story now that I don't have time to count them all! So, here is one of my new favourite chapters - Rick/Kate/Alexis fun is always good to write, but I'd love to know if you guys think that I've gone a little too far. I'm aware that it is still a little OOC but I think you'll understand why I made it this way :)

To anyone like me who is anxiously awaiting the season finale, I watched the first sneak peek and nearly cried. If I'm totally honest, there were a few tears. I don't know if I can take it!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Although a t-shirt with "Shut The Front Door!" written on it is in the mail as we speak. (write?)

IBYL
xo

I fled the precinct at 3.30, apologising to the Captain who was more than happy to send me away.
"You work way too hard, Beckett. Go home." He said, and I smiled. I was going to a home of sorts. And if I decided, maybe it would be mine soon. I shook my head a little at the absurdity of it all, before jumping into my car and heading for Lex's school.

I arrived and parked about a block away due to the mile long pile-up of cars waiting impatiently for the students to leave. I loitered around at the bottom of the stairs, and silently dared anyone to ask me about my relationship with Rick. When one particularly plastic-looking woman gave me a look of utter disdain, I had to work really hard not to smile. Even though I hated all the attention, it was pretty funny. Just then I was interrupted by Alexis, who came bounding over to me and gave me a hug. I smiled and returned it, before pulling my arm around her shoulder.
"So am I flashing my badge around or were people OK?" I asked, and she shrugged a little.

"No badge flashing needed just yet. We'll talk about it in a minute." She looked sheepish and I glanced at her sideways before she wrapped her arm around my waist. "Parked around the corner?"

"Yep. This place is bedlam. This way." I said, and I steered us in the general direction of my car. She dumped her bag in the backseat before sliding into the front seat next to me. I didn't turn on the car, but instead turned to face Alexis.

"Why am I not flashing my badge at school just yet?" I asked, eyebrow raised. She blanched noticeably and I grabbed her hand. "Hey, Lex, whatever it is we can figure it out. I promise."

"If I tell you, can I tell you not as a cop, or as my dad's girlfriend, but my friend?" She asked. I nodded.

"Of course. Friends." I said, squeezing her hand.

"I have a meeting with my school's headmaster tomorrow, about some apparently inappropriate behaviour." She said quietly.

"What kind of inappropriate?" I asked, shocked. Alexis was so unflappable usually.

"I slapped someone." She said, flinching.

"Who and why?" I asked calmly. She seemed soothed by the fact that I wasn't screaming.

"School's queen bee, Trinity. Because she was saying some really nasty things."

"About?" I pressed, and she mumbled something inaudible. "Lex. Just spit it out, hun."

"You. She was talking about you. She was going on and on about how my dad shouldn't be with just anyone, and how people of a higher class should be together, and didn't he know that her mum was single again and all that kind of crap. I told her that she was an idiot, and she made some comment about how it wasn't such a loss because Dad and I shouldn't be considered high class anyway, and as she was leaving she said something about 'pig scum' so I hit her." Alexis sighed. "I put up with a lot, and usually I'm much more restrained, but there was just something about her today and I just…" She trailed off and I couldn't help but smile. She looked at me like I was insane, and I just laughed.

"Lex. You are the most adorable kid in the world, you know that? You didn't have to stand up for me against those snotty little bitches. But I love that you did. So now, I'm going to try and return the favour a little, at least." When Alexis shot me a strange look, I continued. "We're going to coffee, and we're going to figure out how to get you out of this. And, from the look on your face when you told me, I'm guessing you don't want to tell your dad." She shook her head sadly. "I'll take this one. Explain it to him. I'll make sure he doesn't even get the slightest bit mad at you, ok?"

"Thanks, Kate." She smiled.

"Anytime. Now, coffee awaits!" I said, before turning on the ignition and driving to a favourite coffee house of mine.

An hour later, Alexis and I had finished our chat, and decided that I'd talk to the headmaster tomorrow when she did – the meeting was set for 9am, so I'd just go with her to school the next morning. We'd discussed it all and I'd even managed to make her laugh about it, which pleased me immensely. Just as we wandered back to the car, Alexis stopped.

"Hey, we were coming here to talk about you, weren't we?" She asked, and I smiled. I'd completely forgot.

"Oh, right. Dead set honesty with me when I ask you this question, yeah?" She nodded her agreement and I took a deep breath. "How would you feel if I were to move in with you and your dad?"

"He asked you? FINALLY!" She squealed and I laughed.

"Finally, really? We've been together for two weeks."

"No, you've been together for three years." She declared.

"You sound like your father. But I wanted to make sure you were cool with it?"

"Honestly, I think it'd be a win for me, as well as for my dad. I like having you around Kate. You make things fun, and you look out for me, and it's kind of awesome to have someone who's not my dad to talk to, you know. Like with what happened earlier – my dad would've been ok with it eventually, but it's really nice to have someone else… someone else to trust." I smiled and pulled her into a hug.

"Well it looks like I have some good news to give your dad as well, then."

"You'll say yes?" She asked, excited.

"How could I say no after a speech like that?" I said gently, before sliding into the car. Alexis grabbed my hand and patted it gently.

"C'mon, Kate. Let's go home." She smiled, and I laughed.

"Sounds good, sweetie. Sounds really good." I cranked the car on and headed into the road.

XXX

We arrived at the loft and greeted Rick, before Alexis excused herself to do her homework. I took Rick into his study and pushed him on to the couch there, before perching next to him.

"We need to talk about a couple of things. One is good, one is not so good. So, we'll go with the not so good one, and then calm you down with the good, OK?" He looked so nervous, but nodded.

"Alexis got into a little trouble at school today." At his shocked look, I put my hand up to cover his mouth. "You are not going to talk, you are going to listen. Alexis hit someone, one of the girls in her year at school, after the girl confronted her in relation to you and me. She made some snide comments about me, and Alexis reacted. She's been called in to see her headmaster tomorrow, and she is scared. Mostly of your reaction, but since she did such a good thing for me I decided to return the favour, so we came up with a plan together. I am going to go to her meeting with her tomorrow, and straighten it all out. And if the other girl and her family decide to be more unreasonable, I'll talk to the boys." I removed my hand from his mouth. "You can talk now."

"Will she be in trouble?" He murmured.

"Probably, but I'm hoping that I can smooth it over – it was only a minor incident anyway." He took a deep breath and shook himself a little, as if to clear his head.

"Thank you, for being there for her."

"It was my pleasure." I said, genuinely. And it was.

"You said there was good news too?" He asked.

"Oh, right. Looks like I'm going to need some help packing." I said quickly, and he scooped me into a hug before kissing me soundly.

"That would be my job." He said proudly, and he spun me around the room. "And I'm really happy and excited and I can't wait to show you just how excited I am, but first I'm going to go talk to my daughter quickly, and tell her that I'm not mad at all." He kissed my cheek before slipping out of the room and heading up the stairs. I smiled, and my eyes flitted around the room. I belonged here now. I was part of a really beautiful family. And yes, moving in was probably fast, but we're not about to get married or anything. We're two people who are very happy together, and want to spend our time together. That was my story and I'm sticking to it.

That night, Rick and I were lying in bed together, simply enjoying each other's company. Rick was yammering about where all of my stuff would go, and generously offered to put a couch and a few other things in Martha's old room so that if I ever felt like I needed some time, I'd have my own little space. I kissed him gently and smiled, and we sat in silence for a while pondering our own thoughts.

"Hey, Kate?" Rick interrupted quietly, and I smiled.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I was thinking…"

"Dangerous, but continue." I smirked and he poked his tongue out at me.

"Shush you. I was thinking that instead of telling everyone that we were living together, we'd just invite all the important people over for a poker night and let them figure it out. Most of them are detectives, after all." He said, and I smiled.

"So everyone would consist of…?"

"Esposito, Ryan, Lanie, the Captain, my mother and your father." He smiled. "Wait, does your dad like poker?" He asked, nervous.

"Yes, Rick, he likes poker. How do you think I learnt to play?" I grinned.

"God, if he's half as good as you I'll have no money at the end of the night." He groaned good-naturedly and I smiled.

"I love your plan, Rick. It sounds great. Although my money is on Lanie noticing first, not the two headed monster." He laughed.

"Well she is nosy like that. Although I wouldn't put it past my mother to pick it up quickly. She is fond of sticking her nose in other people's business." He grinned and I did too, before leaning up to kiss him gently.

"Come on, Rick. I need some sleep before tomorrow, and then we can start packing my stuff and planning this poker night." He pulled me close and flicked the light off.

"Good night, Kate. I love you." He murmured, and I smiled.

"I love you too, Rick. And I'm glad I'm here." He kissed my hair and minutes later his soft snores echoed around the room.

I think I am turning into a fluffball. Agree?