It's been awhile I know...but life's been crazy. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this next chapter! Make sure to leave comments, suggestions, ad predictions (:

-S

Chapter 26

After the couple had finished their shower, they both got dressed and ready for the day. As Kate finished doing her hair, Rick was in the kitchen making her a cup of coffee for work.

A couple of minutes, later Beckett came out of the bathroom looking gorgeous as always, ready for work. Castle walked over to her and gave her a kiss. He handed her a travel mug with freshly brewed coffee.

"You're a lifesaver babe." She said as she took a sip of the delicious drink.

"I know." He said smugly.

Kate playfully slapped his chest. They both headed over to the door to say their goodbyes.

"I'll text you later okay? Hopefully this case won't be too grueling."

"Alright. Maybe if you aren't too busy over these next couple of days I could bring you and the boys lunch or we could all go out to Remy's or something."

"That sounds great Castle." She said with a smile. "I gotta get going, but I'll talk to you later."

They lean in and share a brief kiss, neither of them wanting to part. Reluctantly, Kate pulls back.

"I really gotta go. Love you."

"Love you too." He replies. She leans in and gives him another quick peck before heading out the door.

The beginning of the week goes by fast. The group managed to all go out for lunch at Remy's on Tuesday, but other than that, Kate and Rick haven't had much time to spend together. They've been texting constantly and Kate always calls him on her breaks, but she wishes she could spend a little time with him. Wednesday morning he brought her in a cup of coffee, but couldn't stay long. Ryan and Esposito got a hit on a suspect and the three of them had to leave.

Now being Friday afternoon, Kate hoped to spend the night with Castle. They had managed to wrap up the case and spent the day finishing the paperwork. She'd sent Castle a text a little while ago telling him that she'd be done at 5 p.m., wondering if he wanted to go out to dinner. He had yet to reply, but she figured he was writing.

When 5 p.m. finally came and he had yet to reply, she decided to give him a call. It rang several times but all she got was his voicemail. Figuring he was probably zoned out on Nikki Heat, she left a message.

'Hey babe, it's me. I just got done with work and I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight. I'm just leaving work now, so give me a call when you get this. Love you.'

Kate hung up, grabbed her purse, and headed home. Beckett found herself sitting in her apartment, alone, still not having heard from Rick. She was started to worry a little. He always replied to her. Even if he was writing or busy, he'd send her a quick text. They'd talked last night and everything was fine. She hadn't heard from him though since then. Castle usually sent her a good morning text, which he didn't do today.

She checked her phone again for the hundredth time and decided to try calling him again. After she listened to the phone ring several times, it went to voicemail again.

'Hey Rick….it's me. Uh, I haven't heard from you all day, so uh…just call me when you get this.'

Kate grabbed her purse and decided to head over to his place.

She knocked on the door, waiting for him to answer it. After about thirty seconds, the door opened, but it wasn't her boyfriend who answered.

"Why hello darling, come on in." Martha said, opening the door wider, gesturing for her to come in.

"Thanks Martha. Is Rick here?" Kate asked, looking around.

"I'm afraid not dear. I just got home a little while ago, but he isn't here."

"Do you know where he is?"

"I'm afraid I don't dear. Is something wrong?"

"Well I just, I haven't heard from him all day and I've left him a couple of messages…."

"I'm sure he's just out somewhere. Both he and Alexis were gone when I got home. I believe Alexis went to a movie with her friends though. You might want to try the bar. Brian might've called Richard needing an extra hand there."

"Thanks Martha, I'll go there."

They both exchanged their goodbyes and Kate headed to the Old Haunt.

"Hey Detective Beckett, how are you doing?" Brian the bartender greeted as Kate walked in.

"I'm doing good thanks. And I told you, call me Kate." She said with a smile. "Is Rick here by any chance?"

"Yeah, he's been here for a couple hours. He's down in his office."

"Thanks Brian." She said before heading towards the basement door.

Kate walked down the steps slowly. When she got to the bottom, she saw Rick sitting at his desk, looking miserable. His shoulders were slumped and he stared into a glass of whisky.

She approached him slowly and stopped beside his desk.

"Rick?" She said cautiously.

He looked over her at surprise, obviously not even realizing she was there.

"Kate…what are you doing here?"

"I tried texting and calling you, but you never answered. I went over to the loft, but only Martha was there. She said I might find you here. So…here I am."

She walked closer and went in between his chair and the desk, sitting on the edge. He sighed, resting his head against her stomach. Kate bit her lip and ran her fingers gently through his hair.

"Babe, talk to me. What happened?"

He just shook his head and pulled her into his lap, burying his face in her neck. She hugged him tightly and felt Castle sigh against her neck. After a few seconds, she pulled back slightly and gently held his face between her hands.

"Rick, what happened? Talk to me babe. Please."

The gloomy look in his eyes broke her heart.

"Meredith." Was all he said.

"Meredith? What about her?"

Castle sighed and Kate swore she saw tears forming in his eyes.

"Meredith came to visit today. She surprised Alexis. She…Alexis." Rick couldn't even finish. He just shook his head and put his head on her neck.

"She's gone." He finally whispered. "Meredith wanted to spend time with Alexis, so she invited to her to live with her for a while this summer. In California."

"How long?" Kate asked.

"A month. I've never spent more than a week away from her. How am I supposed to go a whole month Kate?"

"I'm sorry babe." She hugged him tight and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Alexis just packed a bag, said goodbye, and left. She didn't…I didn't even get a chance to really talk to her. Am I a bad father Kate? For not wanting my daughter to spend a month with her mother?"

Kate pulled back and spoke softly but seriously. "You, Richard Castle, are an amazing father. You would do anything for Alexis. You love her more than anything in the world, and anyone who's seen you two together knows that."

Castle nodded and rested his forehead against Kate's. "I'm sorry I didn't answer your calls or reply. I was just so…out of it ya know?"

She kissed him lightly. "'It's ok babe, don't worry about it. How about we go to the loft, and you pack a bag for a couple of nights and stay the weekend at my place? Help get your mind off of it a little?"

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her sweetly. "You have no idea how much I love you." He said against her lips.

"Not as much as I love you." She replied, leaning in to kiss him again.

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