Unexpected Visitor

"So…," his warm voice drawled out, all sensual and suggestive. "Are we still on for tonight?"

Kate bit her lower lip, and reached up to twirl her finger around one loose strand of hair. She could just picture him sitting in his office, leisurely leaning back in his chair. "Hmm," she hummed out in agreement. "I'll even wear that little black number you said you liked."

"Really!?" he enthused.

"Uh-huh," Kate said, all sultry, clicking her tongue, now knowing just what that did to him. She could practically hear Castle shivering with anticipation on the other end. He was too easy. But before he could respond, they were interrupted by someone knocking—rather frantically—on her front door. "Um… Castle, I gotta go. Someone's at my door."

"Oh, okay," he said. "See you tonight."

"Yeah," she smiled, beaming happily, eyes scrunching with joy. "I can't wait."

"Bye."

"Bye."

She hung up and quickly pocketed her cellphone. Brushing her hair back from her face, Kate hopped of the stool at her kitchen counter and rushed to the door. She opened the door and was startled by the flash of fiery red hair that invaded her vision.

"Alexis," Kate raised her eyebrows in surprised, nearly gasping in astonishment. Never in a million years would she have expected Castle's daughter to come knocking at her door.

The redhead barged in, heading straight for Kate's living room, and began to pace back and forth. Kate heaved in a deep breath, anxious flutters danced up her spine, and closed the door, slowly turning around to face the young woman, not sure what to expect. Alexis wrung her hands together, and shook her head, ice-blue eyes glancing around frenetically.

"Alexis, what is it?" Kate cautiously approached the girl.

"Look, Detective Beckett," she started to ramble. "I know we haven't exactly been close this past year, and I certainly haven't been your biggest cheerleader with my dad… but I know how he feels about you." Alexis stopped pacing, her gaze snapping up to find Kate's wide eyes. "And… I'm fairly certain you feel the same."

Kate opened her mouth, prepared to give the girl the cliff notes version of the last couple of weeks, but Alexis cut her off before she could even get a word out.

"I really like you, Detective," Alexis continued, her voice a hodgepodge of desperation and determination. "Out of all the women my dad's ever been interested in—and sadly, that includes my Mom—I like you the best. You're good for my dad. And unless I've been reading things completely wrong, I'd wager he's good for you, too?"

"He is," Kate managed to squeeze in.

Alexis let out a breath of relief. "So… you like him, right? I mean… like, like him."

"Yes, I do." Kate confirmed with a decisive nod. "I care very much for your father, Alexis. He's very important to me."

"Good," Alexis's shoulders sagged with relief. "Good, because… he… when I left home, he was on the phone, flirty with some tramp," she sneered. "So… you've got to make a move now, before it's too late."

Kate had to fight back a chuckle that wanted out, but was unable to hold back the small smirk the quirked her lips upwards. She shook her head, and waved off Alexis's plea. "There's no need, Alexis."

"But… but I thought you said you felt the same way?" Alexis questioned, looking befuddled and confused. "I… I thought you'd be willing to fight for him."

"Alexis," Kate said, stepping closer, and putting her hands on the girl's shoulders to steady the panicked teen. "The woman you heard your dad flirting with on the phone…"

"Yeah?"

"Was me."

Alexis stared at her for a long moment until realization dawned. Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh," she gasped out. "Oh God." Her pale skin immediately began to flush a rosy pink. She ducked her head down, bashful. "Um… so how long have you two been…?"

"Seeing each other?" Kate finished, giving the girl a tentative smile.

Alexis bobbed her head.

"Since your graduation," Kate answered. "In fact, I was hiding in the closet when your grandmother burst into his room to tell him about your hangover."

Alexis shuddered, clenching her eyes shut. "Eww… too much information."

"Sorry," Kate shrugged, flashing the girl an apologetic look.

"So… everything's good… between you too?" Alexis hedged, wary. Her concern for her father's happiness written all over her young face.

"Yes," Kate assured her. "Never better… in fact, he's coming over tonight, so… you can have the loft all to yourself."

Alexis smiled at that, and then grimaced at what was implied, shuddering at the mental image it probably brought to mind. Kate suddenly realized what she'd said, and winced, giving the girl a comforting pat on the back.

"Sorry," she said.

"No. No, it's okay," Alexis reassured her, holding up her hands to forestall any more apologies. "I… I'm just glad he's happy. It's been a long time and he… I think he deserves to be happy. And I'm just glad that it's with you, because you're… well, I think you're the best thing that has ever happened to him."

"Besides you, that is," Kate replied with a warm smile. "Your father loves you very much, and I know he'll be thrilled to have your approval."

Alexis nodded. "He—No… both of you have it," she said decisively. They stood there for a moment in an awkward silence. Alexis nervously glanced around Kate's apartment. "Wow! This place is great. I love what you've done with it."

"Thanks," Kate smiled. "Why don't you sit down, and I'll make us some coffee… and I don't know, maybe we could just talk? Would you like that?"

Alexis scrunched up her face in thought, an expression very similar to that of her father's that it made Kate smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that."

"Great!" Kate pursed her lip, and gestured towards the sofa. "Why don't you sit down? I'll go start a pot."

prompt from castlefanficprompts on tumblr: Early season 5 Alexis hears her dad flirt with a new girlfriend on the phone she rushes to tell Beckett and tells her to make her move and then Kate tells her she's the new girlfriend.