I have not written any Castle fanfiction in a long, long time.

This is a revamp of a story I did a along time ago, set around the time Alexis and Pi broke up. Some of you might remember this story under another name. I took it down because I was feeling un-inspired. But now it's time to give it another go. I wrote this in my early twenties, so some of the stuff will definitely be cheesy. I'm doing by best to turn it around ;)

As usual, I only own what I create.

Alexis wasn't sure why she'd come to the bookstore café today.

Everything she normally liked wore her out. And it made her sad. But at least she didn't have classes at Columbia to worry about. Not for another week, anyway.

And her friends had already moved away for college. But she was quietly relieved. They had started treating her with kid gloves after... the events of the Paris abduction. Alexis did not like it. So she was already moving on.

After Paris, Alexis entered therapy for the aftermath. But it had been here that she came to the conclusion that sticking close to home would not be so bad.

For a few reasons.

Going to school at Columbia would be easier. So would living at home this year. To be able to do it brought her comfort.

She also wanted to be around for her dad's and Kate's wedding. Alexis would be damned if she missed it. For anything.

Alexis also had a feeling she was going to be upgraded to 'big sister' status in the next year. Or so. Not being around for a potential sibling? Totally not on her to-do list.

The food on display in the main display case in the café caught Alexis' attention. But she blanched. Most food had been her enemy, as of late. Especially anything with fruit. Alexis found this a last part a cruel irony. Because fruit was primarily what her boyfriend lived on.

Alexis' heart promptly did a flip as Pi crossed her mind.

She didn't even know his full name. What spark Alexis had felt for Pi died after they'd had sex in her shower. Normally, they did it on her bed. But doing it in the shower made Alexis feel used. Cheap. Dirty.

Encountering Pi in Costa Rica had seemed to be kismet. Same for the choice to bring him to Manhattan.

But now Pi was ready to settle in for the long run. But he didn't notice that Alexis wasn't into it.

Or that she was beginning to displays signs of an imminent break-up.

The sound of crying somewhere close by drew Alexis' attention back to reality. She rose from her seat and looked around.

Not too many feet away, she spotted a small child on the

After a few minutes of these deep thoughts, Alexis' ears perked up at a new noise. Nearby.

A crying child. One scared and confused little girl, sitting on the floor just around the corner of the main register. Alexis became curious when she didn't immediately see a parent comforting the little one. It seemed she was lost.

Alexis crouched near her. The girl was dressed for the cool weather outside, and even had a kid-sized muffin in hand. But she was turned around.

Alexis used the most gentle tone she could. "Hi, angel. Are you lost?"

The cries lessened slightly. And the girl gave a small nod.

Alexis tried again. "Where is your mama?"

"L-lost!" the child burst into tears all over again.

Alexis didn't miss a beat. "You're going to be okay, little one."

The girl hiccuped but her tears had quieted right back down. Alexis had cast a spell over her.

A woman's voice called out, "Lilibet? Where'd you go, sunshine?"

All at once, Lilibet brightened. When she made it to her feet, she rounded the display case. To be met by her mother. She immediately scooped her into a warm hug.

One very big jolt of surprise rocked Alexis' body as she got to her feet. Why?

Because she recognized Lilibet's mom. Her name was Alexandra.

She had been in Alexis' advanced French class last year. They got along really well, and Alexandra was even a year older. But she was also a commuter student. Now Alexis finally understood why.

Her friend was a mother. Lilibet seemed to be her miniature copy: fair skin, big blue eyes, and blonde hair. Each even had a matching but distinct lopsided grin.

Alexis bleated, "Alexandra, hi! What are you doing here?"

Alexandra secured Lilibet on her hip. "I could ask you the same. Surely you'd be back up at school now?"

Alexis groaned as she sat back down in her seat. "I don't even want to think about school. My life has been a mess lately."

"Can I help?" Alexandra said gently as she and Lilibet sat in the opposite seat.

"I just need a friend, Allie." admitted Alexis. "I feel sad. And super lonely..."

What comfort Alexandra was about to offer the younger woman faltered.

Alexis had begun to space out. Noticeably. Staring into space. Blinking rapidly.

Alexandra said, "When was the last time you ate?"

"Maybe an hour ago at home?" Alexis rubbed her temples. "I haven't been able to keep much down since yesterday. So much makes me barf..."

Alexandra immediately set Lilibet on her feet and helped Alexis to her own. She even caught her when she teetered.

"I'm going to take you to the hospital. Now." Alexandra said firmly. "I think you might have a seizure."

Alexis felt hazy. "This will pass."

But Alexandra didn't think so. Lilibet was epileptic. Some of her friend's behavior was lining up with what Lilibet would do as an episode happened.

Alexandra caught Alexis when she teetered. "I will take care of you now. Easy does it."

A bigger picture was beginning to form as she scrambled to keep Alexis conscious.

The young woman made a non-committal, "Hmm?" but said nothing of use.

Alexandra was only vaguely aware of the crowd of spectators that had gathered. But someone called 911.

Things blurred for Alexandra from here until an EMT pulled her aside.

"M'am," she said gently to her. "We saw you looking after our patient. What is her name?"

Alexandra answered, "Alexis Castle. She is almost twenty and she's my classmate at Columbia. We're friends."

"Alright. Do you know how to get hold of her family?"

"I don't." Alexandra lamented. "My first thought was that she could be having a seizure. I know what an episode looks like..."

The EMT noticed Alexandra's eyes flicker towards Lilibet. "I see. Do you have a new theory now?"

Alexandra nodded. "I think she could be pregnant. Just don't tell her it was Alexandra who suggested so. Please? It'd be one last thing for her to worry about."

"Your tip is appreciated. And we will keep it anonymous if she asks. But we will be bringing her so Saint Raphael's." the EMT said. "Alexandra, will please tell me your version of events? For the record?"

Alexandra told her all that happened before the EMT went on her way. Not too many moments after, the bookstore manager also approached her for her version of events. To put down in his official records. But Alexandra happily lent her cooperation again.

Once everything returned to normal, Alexandra turned to Lilibet. She had finally finished her muffin. So Alexandra cleaned her up and tossed out the wrapper. A new adventure was on the horizon.

"What do you think?" Alexandra picked her daughter up. "Should we go check on Alexis later on, Bette?"

She slung an arm around her mother's shoulder. "Let's get a cheer-up present first. How 'bout a lion?"

"Okay!" Alexandra gave her an affirming hug. "Tell me everything you know about lions, please!"

Lilibet launched into a rambling lecture. And her mother appreciated it. Why? Because it would distract her from thinking about Alexis. For awhile.

Alexis was in and out of it during the ambulance ride.

She finally reacquainted herself with reality when she had been settled into a hospital room. She was at a standstill. Didn't have anywhere to go.

The uncomfortable mattress, the plastic bracelet on one wrist, the IV needle in one arm, and the itchy gown just made Alexis miss her own bed.

But…

"Hey, Al." came a voice from her bedside.

Pi had arrived. Already. It figured he would have been the one called. He was the first emergency number in her phone.

Pi moved closer and helped Alexis to have a drink of water.

"They told me that you took a big spill." he tried again.

But Alexis nodded vaguely and shied away. Pi had tried to touch her. She was feeling hot. And Pi was like a walking furnace. Thoughts of breaking up with him had also came rushing back.

It was Alexis' luck that they were joined by a new person.

"Alexis!" the voice calling to her was familiar, but… very out of place now.

Alexis was extremely surprised. Of all the people in world…

"Missus Ryan?" sputtered Alexis.

Indeed, standing at her door was none other than Detective Ryan's wife, Jenny. Alexis had met her a few times. She was very kind. And always dressed nicely. So today… Alexis just found it jarring that her acquaintance was in doctor scrubs, a lab coat, and sneakers.

A memo had clearly been missed. Or forgotten.

Alexis was yet taken aback. "Missus Ryan… You're a doctor?"

The blonde nodded. And… Not to be missed when she rested her hands in the small of her back was a prominent baby bump.

"I am. Your family is on the way, and your case has been assigned to me because I am an OBGYN." said Jenny. "Before we go on… Is this your boyfriend?"

She meant Pi.

Alexis responded, "Yes. He can stay. Please: what is going on?"

Jenny pulled a swivel stool up to the foot of the bed and eased herself on to it. "Your case has been brought to my attention because you are presenting with hypoglycemia. Do you know what that is?"

Alexis thought about it for a beat. "Isn't that when someone's blood sugar is too low?"

"Yes. And I have to level with you: you would have gone into shock if your blood sugar had been lower." Jenny said honestly. "There is also a bigger part of this that needs to be addressed."

But Alexis didn't say anything. She already had a feeling knew what it was. But she did not want to say it first.

Even Pi was quiet.

Jenny said to Alexis, "It has been suggested anonymously that you could be pregnant."

Alexis' heart cartwheeled.

She had been thinking about the possibility of a pregnancy, but kept it at the back of her mind. Too many other things to deal with.

But... Feeling ill, the lack of will to eat, the vomiting, the food sensitivities. Alexis had chalked everything up to stress from planning her break-up. The possibility freaked her out. But it made sense.

Pi was not feeling as rational as Alexis. Not at all. He had visibly blanched when Jenny had mentioned pregnancy.

A father? Him? Not something he wanted. Ever.

Pi would not deny to getting Alexis pregnant. But he couldn't support a family. Not the way he lived.

Alexis finally said to Jenny, "My cycle has been late, but I thought it was because of... other things..."

Pi finally spoke. "M'am, what if Alexis isn't pregnant? And this is all just a lot of stress accumulation?"

Jenny responded, "Not unreasonable."

Alexis asked, "I am not doubting that I am pregnant. Do you have a way to confirm if it's true? Fast?"

Jenny was reassuring. "I can go get an ultrasound machine right now. And it won't take long. Would you like me to get the ball rolling now?"

"Yes. Please. Thank you."

"Alright." Jenny stood. "I will be back in a few."

As she exited, Jenny noticed that Alexis made no move to hold her beau's hand. Or that Pi didn't even try to move towards his girlfriend. But she made no audible comment.

Not too many minutes later…

Alexis' middle was exposed and the centermost area was covered in ultrasound goo.

Her eyes were fixed on Jenny's magic ultrasound machine. She had no idea what (or where) should have been looking where the screen was concerned. But it distracted her from focusing on how Pi hadn't even tried to touch her or move close to her since the first mention of a pregnancy.

"Alexis," Jenny said in to to the quiet after a few moments. "Look."

She did. Jenny was pointing to the middle of the screen. At one area in particular: a gestational sac.

They were looking at a baby.

Alexis' heart rose into her throat as a hundred feelings ran through her.

It was not lost on her that she was young, and in college. But… She was already unable to imagine a life where she wasn't raising her little one. Major life changes were ahead.

She would tackle them. Even if she had to do it without Pi.

Alexis turned to him. "Do you have anything to say?"

Pi just remained silent.

Alexis immediately rubbed her eyes. A break-up was coming. Soon.

Jenny read the room. She had seen this exact scenario before. A lot.

So Jenny printed a few sonogram images for Alexis. And engaged her in the shutting down process of her machine. Jenny even cleaned her up from the ultrasound gel. Alexis realized the doctor was keeping her occupied. She appreciated it.

When it was over, Jenny said to Alexis, "You are also presenting with acute morning sickness. We can talk about that later. I'm betting your family is here by now."

Alexis' heart skipped a beat. "Could you please fill them in first?"

Jenny promised she would and made her exit, taking the ultrasound machine with her.

Alexis marveled over her sonograms momentarily.

Pi? Zero outward signs of interest.

"How can you be so calm?" he said when he did speak. "A baby? What about us?"

Alexis' words came out in a sneer. "Are you serious right now? I didn't get pregnant by myself. And... I'm freaked out, but..."

"What?" Pi said in trepidation.

"God only knows what my family is about to say to me, but I already know I want to do this. Be a mom."

What Alexis didn't mention was that the choice had been immediate. Or that she didn't want to be like Meredith. Who had walked away.

Pi repeated, "But what about us? I thought we were going to have adventures together!"

Alexis came right back at him. "You can't even get back to Amsterdam. What is your name? You've never told me, and since we made a kid together..."

He caught Alexis' drift. "I at least owe you that. My name is Pieterjan VanTilburg. I've gone by 'Pi' for as long as I can remember because it's easier to spell."

"Okay. Thanks for being honest." Alexis heaved a sigh. "Pieterjan, you can't leave the country. How could we have adventures? I liked you."

He sighed at the past-tense. "But...?"

"You haven't even shown any interest. Only panic. For that, I can't say there's a longterm 'us' anymore. Do you want the truth?"

Pi shuffled his feet. "You're just going to tell me, anyway..."

Alexis met him with an unflinching expression. "My ex-boyfriend cheated on me. I hooked up with you and brought you home because I was looking for a rebound. That's all. I also never meant for it to go this far. My apologies."

"Don't be sorry. I like you, Alexis. I probably always will." Pi told her. "But if it has to happen like this, okay. I want a wife who can live the nomadic lifestyle. Doesn't look like she's you."

"I'm inclined to agree." Alexis admitted. "Look… I also need to tell you something else."

Pi held back a sigh. "What's left? You don't feel any attraction? You dig girls, or you're starting to?"

Alexis blushed spectacularly.

The second guess was actually on the nose. She was wildly attracted to Alexandra. Had been, since they met. But she didn't know how to handle it. Or what her friend would say.

"If you find someone and she makes you happy," Pi told her. "Then I'm happy for you. I mean it."

Alexis was at a loss for words. The breakup was happening in front of her. But calmly.

"What about," she pointed to her middle. "This little one?"

Pi prepared to leave. "I'm not father material. Trust me on that one, Alexis. The kid is better off with two parents who love each other. I don't want to disappoint the kid."

Alexis' heart fell out of her chest. "Too late. Nothing will ever fix that you don't want to be involved."

"I do hope you find happiness with someone else. And I wish it didn't have to be this way."

He tried to physically so comfort her so he could at least feel her. But Alexis just turned away.

"Have a good life."

Pi made his exit.

Alexis burst into tears the moment door closed. She'd been through plenty of break-ups, but this one was the worst.

Ever.

Some time passed. Alexis wasn't sure how much.

"Knock-knock." said yet another new voice as they knocked at the door.

Curious, Alexis turned to see who had come calling.

Her heart jumped into her throat when she turned. Alexandra and Lilibet had arrived now.

"May we come in?" Alexandra asked tentatively.

"Of course." Alexis wiped her tears and sat up. "Come in. I am so happy to see you both."

Mother and child were taken aback to see that their friend had been crying. But Lilibet kicked off her shoes as they got close. And even reached for Alexis.

Her friend reached back.

Alexis asked Lilibet, "Can I hold you? I would really like a hug."

Lilibet moved to her the moment Alexandra put her on the bed. She hugged Alexis with all her might. And she liked her. Very much.

Alexis addressed Alexandra when Lilibet had settled herself. "Uh... Pi and I are over. He got me pregnant."

Alexandra's heart skipped a beat. Her speculation had been completely correct.

"Pi didn't take the news well?" guessed Alexandra.

"No, he did not." sighed Alexis. "The man does not want to stick around."

"What a punk. I am so sorry he broke your heart. I understand your situation. Completely."

Alexandra sat on the bed with Alexis and wiped her freshly-fallen tears for her.

"You won't be alone because you're my friend." she told Alexis. "I care about your well-being."

Alexis' heart lightened a tad. "You're so sweet. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Are you and Lilibet able to stay? Just for a little while?"

"Yes." Alexandra moved closer to her. "For you? Absolutely."

They made quiet conversation about little things. Just to talk.

Lilibet watched the grown-ups.

But Alexis began to feel a dash of relief.

Her day was by no means over. At all.

Her heart also ached tremendously from the breakup. It would take awhile to get through.

But Alexis no longer felt like she was in a free fall.

And she was grateful.