A/N 1: Posting again?! What is this? I'm making up for being gone earlier even though it wasn't really that long it felt like it to me and I really want to get this part done to conclude last chapter and semi-set up for the following ones. I won't make this long but I want to address a few reviews, I started this story back in the summer I had the magazine article planned from the beginning way before the episode aired that dealt with it. This story isn't angst. I may touch the line a little bit but I will never cross it, if you think I have then let me know I may change it but I don't think I have so far. My goal is write something different that doesn't touch on the same subjects hence the AU with the baseball game and why she became a cop but still keep the characters true to their personality. I think I've accomplished that.

A/N 2: Sorry for the typos I was more tired than I thought when I wrote this and when I edited it. I went back through and fixed the things I noticed. So content is the same but fixed the typos read if you would like but you won't miss anything if you don't.

She quickly put the magazine back; Alexis didn't need to see the gossip and neither did she. She knew the magazines lied; they lied constantly that's how they made their money. Her experience with press at crime scenes- especially during high profiled cases- told her that they twisted facts. They didn't care about the people they write about just how many magazines they sold.

She took a moment to collect herself, "Hey why don't we get something to eat?"

"Can we get McDonalds?"

"I guess so, there is one a couple blocks over."

Alexis was in the shower when Rick called that night.

"Hey how's your trip?" Kate answered the phone.

"California was fun, the weather was so nice. I wish I could say the same for Ohio, I came in yesterday the weather was nice and sunny but hot, then last night it dropped 20 degrees and the wind picked up. At least California is consistent, not to mention my sleep is messed up because the time differences. Sorry, I don't mean to complain and be grumpy. It's just been a long trip."

"It's okay, you've seen me grouchy after long cases. Just remember you're coming home in two days."

"I am counting down the hours."

Kate looked up the stairs to make sure Alexis wasn't coming down soon. She wanted to talk to Rick about the magazine and didn't want her around to hear, "So I saw you were in the papers"

"Oh no what did they say"

"That your back with Alexis's mom. She's pretty." She said the last sentence nonchalantly trying to tease him.

"Kate nothing happened I promise! She showed up at the book signing and tried to come on to me...this isn't helping but I pushed her away. I didn't call her or let her know I was going to be in town. I made it clear I was involved with you and she finally listened and left..."

Kate let him ramble; she believed him, she really did but that doesn't mean she couldn't have a little fun and let him feel guilty for a little bit. "Rick, it's okay. Well what they said isn't okay but I believe you. I mean it stung when I saw it but I know you, I know you lo- care about me and I trust you. I also know you know I'm a cop with cop friends and if you ever did cheat they would never find your body and the investigation would be buried."

"I do not want to find out what you would do and I have no plans to." He suddenly became very quite.

There was clearly something on his mind, "Penny for your thoughts?"

"I have proof that my thoughts are worth more than a penny," Rick joked trying to lighten the mood but his voice didn't have the usual bounce in it.

"Rick I can tell there's something on your mind. Whatever it is you can tell me."

"I just…I just want you to know I would never cheat on you. Meredith cheated on me and that's why things ended with us. Well there were many things wrong but that was the tip of the iceberg. I know what it feels like to be cheated on and I would never do that to anyone, especially you."

Kate felt her face fell. All the teasing was gone, "Rick I'm so sorry. I didn't know, I wouldn't have joked around if I had." She felt bad for using it to tease him.

"How could you have known? It was a long time ago. I've moved on to bigger and better things and people. Not to mention you are better with Alexis. Speaking of Alexis where is she? Why didn't she answer the phone?"

"Oh did I not tell you? She asked if she could go get some candy from some guy but now that you mention it I haven't seen her since…"

Rick could her the lightness in her voice but he is a father and even the mention of anything remotely close to that got his adrenaline pumping, "That's not funny."

"You're right it wasn't, I'm sorry. She's in the shower but she should be down soon."

Right on cue Alexis came running down the stairs, "Did dad call? Did I miss him?"

"He's on the phone right now waiting for you." Kate held the phone behind her for Alexis.

Alexis took the phone, "Hi dad! Guess what Kate and I did today?"

"Did you defeat the Huns? Battle a shark? Oh I know! Fought Darth Vader!"

She rolled her eyes, "No, that's something you and I would do."

"Wait, did you just roll your eyes?"

"I'm on the phone how do you know that?"

"Oh my god you did! You just rolled your eyes. That's it you've been with Kate too long, I'm coming home tonight!"

"Dad no you can't home tonight. Kate and I are having too much fun."

"Not only are you rolling you're eyes at her but you also don't want me home because you two are having fun without me. The betrayal!"

"Of course I miss you and want you home but it's only two days and I have camp anyways."

"You are too logical for your own good. So what did you and Kate do?"

"We got our nails done! It was so much fun the people massaged our feet and hands and painted them for us."

"Okay now I'm glad I'm here and not there. Sounds like you and Kate are having lots of fun and everything is good?" He knew there wouldn't be a problem but leaving her alone for week with someone other than his mom was something he hadn't done before. Even leaving her with his mom didn't put him at total ease. She raised him so he knew she was capable but the fact that he didn't have the typical childhood is exactly what made him nervous to leave her with Alexis for extended periods of time.

"Kate is great, how is you're trip?"

They launched into a long conversation about his trip and the craziest things his fans have done. They all said goodnight and went off bed.

It was a beautiful day the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and Rick was coming home tonight. He just had one last book signing in New York before he was relinquished from his duties.

Kate and Alexis decided to spend the day in the park; Central Park was too crowded so they went to a smaller one that was a little further away. They sat on the swings; somehow it turned into a competition of who could swing the highest. Alexis was fearless, swinging so high Kate thought she would swing all the way around. Kate had gotten so high that she started lifting off the seat, the whole swing set was would shake as she came back down.

Their laughter echoed through the park. Alexis's laughter was a screech, getting louder as she swung higher. Kate's was more rounded and carefree. She hadn't felt this light in a long time, swinging felt like she was flying like she was on top of the world. When she was a little girl she pretended she could fly, that she could just let go and land wherever she wanted. Mostly she was trying to escape Mark, being the younger sibling she was constantly picked on; he loved pulling on her ponytail.

"Hey you ready to go?" Kate asked breathy when they collapsed on the grass after playing an intense game of tag.

"Let's go!"

Rick kept checking his watch; two more hours then he was home free. His wrist started to hurt from signing his name with a generic greeting for the last 3 hours. He glanced at his watch again, groaned when not even five minutes had passed. He felt Gina's disapproving glare every time he checked the time. He was careful not to do it right in front of the fans just in between them.

"Hello, whom can I make it out to?"

"Kate, you can make it out to Kate."

At the sound of the familiar voice his head snapped up. He couldn't believe it, she was there standing in front of him, just two feet away. Suddenly he was back at another book signing several years back.

"Who do I make it out to?" he asked, not looking up as he turned to the front page.

"Kate on one and Johanna for the other," said a calm voice. Not the nervous, high pitched babbling the others did. She didn't claim to be his biggest fan or flirt with him. Curious, he looked up to see a slender woman shifting from one foot to the other, in a nonchalant manner, like this wasn't a big deal for her. Flashing her a smile, he was even more surprised when she gave a small one in response, still keeping her cool.

"Are you Kate or Johanna?"

"I'm Kate, Johanna is my mom. It's her birthday."

He signed the books and handed them back. He wish he could've found away to keep talking to her but he was forced to watch her walk away.

He was pulled back to the present by his daughter's voice, "and Alexis."

"Hey come here!" He got up from the table as Alexis ran to him, throwing her arms around him as he picked her up and swung her around. "I've missed you pumpkin. Let me get a good look at you."

He held her out and looked her up and down, "You have grown, how tall are you now? 6 feet? And how old are you? 16?"

Alexis laughed, "Dad, it's only been a week."

"Oh that's right." He looked up and smiled at Kate, "Come here."

He pulled her in and finally brought his lips against hers. The kiss was hard and urgent but at the same time soft and passionate. They hadn't seen each other for week and they felt it. The hunger and desire coursing through their kiss, right as they were about to get carried away Gina cleared her throat. They reluctantly pulled away a little breathless.

"We'll let you get back to work before you get into trouble. Why don't Alexis and I go peruse the store and come find us when you are done."

"Don't go, I want you guys to stay here with me."

Kate gave him peck on the lips, "Come find us. If you behave now I'll give you an extra reward tonight."

Kate took Alexis's hand and led her away, making sure to put a little extra swing in her step.