Conclusion
The team is having their "after the case" celebration at The Old Haunt. They are having a great time toasting how wonderful it had been having someone new to hang out with. They all agree that they wish Rick could have made it but they all knew his reasoning for not being there was the result of how much he really cared about the responsibility placed on him with the twins
Kate is sitting alone quietly contemplating all the things that went down. Not just about the cases but actually meeting the real Richard Castle. Not the jerk she thought she knew. But meeting the father, son, caring neighbor and friend.
But what is really bothering her most are her own emotions. She had a crush on the writer many years ago. But so did every other fan girl that went to get his autograph. Now she is trying to rationalize the importance of the recent events. Overhearing him talk about his daughter and how she is the most important part in his life. Hearing him admit to not having a string of girlfriends waiting in line. Then the accidental physical contact with him not just one but twice. She didn't want to separate from him the second time. Then sitting with him at the memorial service.
The theory building that occurred. She gets flushed thinking about that happening. Ever time she spoke he spoke. They finished each other's sentences. Then the eye contact. I wonder if he felt it too. I wonder what everyone else thought about that?
Lanie sits down with Kate "Hey girlfriend. What's the matter? You're sitting here like you just lost your best friend. And since I'm your best friend you have me worried"
Lanie. I don't know what to do"
"Do? Do about what?"
"Castle"
"OH yeah! Castle. We are all wondering how you are planning to handle that situation"
Kate is staring at her long term BFF "What are you talking about, Lanie? What situation?"
"Kate! I heard about the eye sex at the memorial service between you and writer boy"
"Lanie! I have no idea what you are talking about"
"Kate. The boys both told me that you and Castle got into some type conversation like there was no one else around and you two looked like you were just about to grab the other and hit the floor and get it on"
Kate turns red as a fire truck "Lanie? They told you about that?"
"They told me that all three had to get up to leave just so you two could be alone and finish whatever you had started. They were not going to get in your way"
Beckett places her head into her hands "OH Lanie. I don't know what to do. When that happened, I had just told Tom that it was not working out between us then this thing happened with Rick."
"Kate, how does Castle feel?"
"I don't know. When we all went to his place in the Hamptons, I told you what I heard about how important his daughter was and all"
"Right"
"I overheard more than just that"
"Oh?"
"I heard him and Alexis talk about me. Alexis asked him why he didn't ask me out on a date"
"What did he say?"
"He told Alexis that he would like to but I was dating Demming and also I hated his guts"
Lanie laughs "Well we all hated him back then but Kate. I think he really likes you. I could see it in his face whenever he looked at you."
"Lanie, he is this big famous mystery writer and I am a nobody. He wouldn't want me"
"Kate everyone can see that he does want you. His eyes glaze over when you show up in a room"
"But he is also focused on the girls and he said he didn't need distractions right now. I would just be a distraction"
"Kate I think you are a distraction to him more if all he gets to do is dream about you. If you were there with him, it might be better"
Kate sits at the table trying to determine what to do. She finally gets up, bids everyone else good night and heads home. ALONE
Lets See what a new day brings
Friday afternoon Kate Beckett is sitting in the 12th precinct finishing up on the paperwork for this case. This has to be one of the most unusual murders she has ever investigated.
She hears the elevator bell chime and she quickly glances up from her desk to see one cute red headed teenager exit onto the floor. Alexis looks around the bull pin until she spots Beckett.
"Hey Alexis" Kate speaks "What are you doing here? I thought you were heading to do a campus tour at Rice University or somewhere?"
"I am Detective Beckett. I am on my way to the airport right now, but I wanted to see you for a few minutes before I go"
"Sure, why don't we go into the break room? If you need to talk, it's quiet in there"
"That will be great detective"
The two women go into the room where Kate gets a cup of coffee from the machine that Alexis' dad just had installed. Beckett closes the door and the two women sit at the table
"What's up Alexis? Is there something wrong?"
Alexis looks at her hands for a minute before she finally speaks "Detective, I don't think you are aware of something that has happened with my dad"
Kate quickly interrupts "Alexis, is he OK did he get hurt or something?"
"No! That's not it, detective." Alexis takes a deep breath before she answers Beckett.
"Then what is happening to him?"
"Detective Beckett, I have never seen him smitten before"
"What do you mean smitten. Smitten by what?"
"Not a what. A Who. He is smitten by you"
"What did I do?"
"The only thing you did was show up in our lives. Ever since the 4th of July weekend, you are all he talks about"
"Me or my alter ego, Nikki?"
"No detective. He talks nonstop about Katherine Beckett and all the accomplishments she does. How she solves crimes. How she finds the killers. How great she looks"
Beckett is sitting at her desk stunned by this revelation "Alexis! I promise that I didn't do anything to bring this on."
"Oh I know you didn't do it on purpose, but I will assure it has happened"
"I'm sorry if this is causing problems to happen at home. I don't want any problems between you and your dad"
"Don't worry, detective. Everything is great at home. But you should see my dad. He acts like the boys in my school when they see a new girl show up."
"Alexis, I am sure you have seen him act like this many times before with other women"
Alexis has a grin like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland
"No detective. First off, there have been very few women in my dad's life. But even when he went out with one I have never, ever seen my dad act like this. So I would like to suggest if you aren't doing anything tonight, you drop by and see if you might just catch a movie marathon with him. I promise you it will be the highlight of his evening. Grams is in the Hamptons. The twins are at their grandparents so he is going to be alone for the weekend. I will bet you he would like to have some company"
Beckett looks off for a moment as she tries to come up with a comment or answer to make this all go away. But nothing comes to mind. Then a smile appears on her face
"Alexis. I might just do that"
"Call me and let me know when I can come home" the young red head quips
Flustered Beckett states "Alexis!"
"Good bye Detective" as she gets up and heads back downstairs "Have a great weekend"
Kate Beckett sits for a minute looking at the finished file on her desk, she stands up, grabs her jacket and rushes to the elevator door
In his empty apartment Richard Castle has arranged the pillows for maximum comfort, set the lights in the room for perfect viewing ambiance. Adjusted the surround speaker system for maximum special effects and prepared a perfect bowl of movie theatre buttered popcorn. No microwave stuff. He only uses the real deal complete with his own personal popping machine.
He has sat the bowl down on the coffee table in front of the couch. He took his shoes off turned on the television and BluRay players. He inserted the disc and is just about to press the play button when he hears a knock on the door.
Looking in the direction of his own front entry he wonders who is stopping by at this time of evening. He didn't order Chinese. He is not expecting his dry cleaning delivery. He has no idea of who it could be.
Making sure he is properly dressed, he swings the front door open wide. Not expecting anyone at all, he is taken completely by surprise when all he can see is a pair of high heeled boots connected to long slender legs with a pair of arms surrounding a grocery sack. The sack appears to have long brunette hair.
"Can I help you?" Castle asks
Then he sees Katherine Beckett's face appear from behind the bag. "Anyone interested in a root beer float?"
Totally stunned and at a complete loss for words, Castle finally says "Yes! Yes please. What did I do to earn this visit?"
"Someone told me that tonight was movie night and if I came by I might get to see a really great feature film, but I had to bring my favorite sinful pleasure. So here I am"
Rick tries to recover as he is taking in the sight of Kate Beckett in his doorway. He invites her in "Please! Please come in. Let me take this to the kitchen."
Rick takes the sack from Kate and walks into the kitchen. 'What is happening here?' Is all he can think 'Why is she here? Oh she is so beautiful!'
He sets the sack down on the counter "Hey can we do the floats after we watch the show?" As he turns his head to ask.
He gets a jolt of electricity passing thru his entire being when he feels her body press into his back as her arm reaches around him and removes the ice cream from the sack
With her lips a mere inch from his she replies In a sultry voice "I'll put this in the freezer for later" and she carries the container to the refrigerator
She then asks if he has the soda and popcorn ready. He can barely stutter a "yes" as he reaches into the cabinet to take out a glass and pour her a drink.
He can feel his blood pressure rise as he watches her walk over toward the couch. All he can see are those long slender legs of hers filling her skinny jeans. She sits down on the couch and with his hands trembling he barely makes it to the table without spilling her cola.
"So Rick what is showing tonight at the Castle Theatre?"
"UH...I…UH…I was thinking about having a marathon watching an old TV show. I don't know if you'll like it. It's one I've never seen before called Nebula 9. Would that be OK with you?"
Kate Beckett never takes her eyes off Castle. She reaches down and unzips her boots and takes them off, then pulls her long legs up under herself, curls into the arm of the sofa then turns toward her host and in a voice he cannot remember her ever using around him.
"I think you will enjoy this evening a lot. I know I will"
Gulp!