What if Rick had lied when Demming had asked if there was anything going on between him and Kate.

Kate turned and left and Rick started to get to his feet to follow after him but Demming stopped him.

"Castle," he said, "Can I ask you something? You and Beckett, is there, uh, something going on?"

"Me and Beckett?" Rick asked, playing for time.

"Yeah," Demming said, waiting for an answer.

Rick stared at him for a moment. There could be only one reason that Demming was asking him if there was something going on between him and Kate, and that was because he wanted to see if he had a shot. Demming was staring at him, waiting for an answer, but Rick's mind was racing. He knew there was nothing going on between him and Kate but if he was being honest with himself he wished there was, and he didn't know if he could cope with seeing Kate with someone else.

"Yeah," Rick said, his mouth moving without him even thinking about it. He saw as Demming's eyes widen slightly in surprise, he clearly hadn't been expecting that answer.

Rick tried to keep his face neutral, he needed to sell the bit, but he was suddenly very very worried about Kate.

He looked around and was pleased to see that she hadn't come back and heard what he'd said.

"Oh," Demming said, snapping Rick's attention back to him, "Never mind then I guess."

Demming then turned and left. Rick watched him go and breathed a sigh of relief, the robbery detective had believed him, that was good, but now he had to hope that Kate didn't find out about what he'd said, he had a feeling that she would not appreciate it.

Debating what to do he chose the safest option he could see, which was to make himself scarce, and hope that Demming didn't say anything to Kate. The case would carry on, and they'd keep working together on it, but hopefully, Rick had put Demming off asking Kate anything about dating so it wouldn't come up.

-/-

Later that evening, as he was sitting playing poker with Alexis, who was kicking his ass which he wasn't happy about, there was a knock at the door.

"Don't peak," Rick said, placing his cards on the table and getting up, "I'll be right back."

He kept half an eye on his daughter as he headed for the door, just to make sure that she didn't sneak a look at his cards.

There was another knock just as he reached the door and Rick pulled it open to find Kate with a still raised fist standing in front of him.

"Detective," he greeted, "What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you this evening?"

Kate slowly dropped her fist but before she could answer Alexis appeared at Rick's shoulder. "Hi, Detective."

"Hi, Alexis," Kate greeted, "Do you mind if I come in and chat with your dad for a bit?"

Rick frowned slightly. She was being nice to Alexis but there was something in her voice that made him think she was hiding something. He swallowed hard, he had a horrible feeling he knew where this was going.

"Of course," Alexis said. She looked at the two of them, "I'll go up to my room, give you some privacy." She looked at her dad. "I'll pack up the cards and chips later?"

"Sure thing pumpkin," Rick said, dropping a kiss to the top of her head before she turned and headed up the stairs.

"So what's up Beckett?" Rick asked, stepping to the side and letting Kate walk through the door.

Kate however ignored him, her eyes on Alexis' retreating back. Once they both heard the door shut Kate rounded on Rick.

"So I had a very interesting conversation with Detective Demming earlier," she began.

"Oh?" Rick said, "About the case?"

He was filibustering and he knew it, but he really hoped that Kate really was here to talk about the case, and not his conversation with Demming earlier in the day.

"Can I offer you a drink?" he then said.

"Cut the crap Castle," Kate hissed, "What did you say to Demming?"

"Nothing," Rick said, just a bit too quickly.

"Castle." Her voice was low and threatening. She took a step closer to him. "Did you tell Demming that there was something going on between us?"

"No," Rick said.

Kate reached up and grabbed his ear.

"Apples, apples," he cried out.

Kate let go and continued to glare at him. "If you didn't say anything why did he ask me how long we'd been seeing each other?"

"Um," Rick stuttered. Kate continued to stare at him. "I never said we were seeing each other," he said in a rush.

"Castle." Her voice was a low growl now.

"He asked if there was something going on between us," Rick admitted.

"And you said yes?" Kate asked, her voice incredulous.

"Maybe," Rick said. Kate lunged for his ears again and Rick ducked out of the way. "Ok fine yes, I told him yes when he asked."

Kate dropped her hand and then sighed heavily. "And why exactly did you say Castle?" she asked, "There is nothing going on between us, so why would you tell Demming there is?"

"I fancy a drink," Rick said, making his way over to the kitchen.

Kate stared after him and then followed him. "We're not done Castle," she told him, "Why the hell were you thinking?"

"Wine Detective?" Rick asked her, avoiding the subject as he held up a bottle and two glasses.

"Castle, I need answers, not wine," Kate told him firmly ok.

"Ok, just one for me then," Rick said, pulling the cork and pouring himself a glass.

Kate took a deep breath. She needed answers but blowing up at Rick wasn't going to help, and with Alexis upstairs she really didn't want to start shouting at him. "Castle," she said, keeping her voice under control, "Why did you tell Demming there was something going on between us when there isn't?"

She held his gaze as he took a drink from his glass. "Sure I can't offer you one?" he said again, gesturing to the empty wine glass and bottle that were now sitting on the kitchen side. Kate just shook her head. "I don't know," Rick said honestly, "He asked and I answered without thinking ok. It just came out."

"It just came out," Kate said slowly.

"Yeah," Rick said.

"Really Castle," Kate said, "I thought you of all people wouldn't have a problem with firing early."

Rick stared at her and then his face split into a smile as Kate smiled back at him. "Why Detective Beckett," Rick said, "I never."

Kate laughed and Rick realised that she had forgiven him. Then he decided to push his luck a little. He lent in and whispered, "I can assure you I have no issues with firing early Detective."

Kate swatted at his arm and then rolled back on her heels and kept laughing.

"I am sorry," Rick said, "I can go and tell him I misunderstood what he meant if you want, tell him there's nothing going on between us."

"It's fine," Kate said, resting a hand on his arm for a moment, "I can sort it out myself."

Rick felt his face drop slightly but then quickly rearranged his features. He wasn't quick enough however but Kate saw it. "What's wrong Castle?" she asked, "And if you say nothing, I'll pull on your ear so hard you'll look like a one-sided Dumbo."

Rick clapped his hands over his ears but Kate just stared at him, waiting for him to speak. "I don't want you to work it out yourself," he admitted, "I told Demming that there was something between us because part of me wishes there was."

Kate stared at him with shock clear across her face.

"I think I will take that wine Castle," she said in a quiet voice.

Rick quickly grabbed the bottle and poured her a glass. Kate drowned it and then placed the glass back on the kitchen counter.

"Castle," she started to say, but Rick cut across her.

"I know I'm just the annoying shadow who follows you around." He was glad to see Kate smile slightly at his words. "And I know we've talked about this before, but that was a long time ago." She nodded along with him. "But like you said yourself, you've gotten used to me pulling your pigtails, and I'd like to think that you now see me as more than my playboy image." Kate unconsciously nodded again. "And I didn't want to see you with Demming when I'd rather you were with me."

Kate blinked a few times, processing his words. "Castle," she said softly, "As much as I appreciate the thought I don't know if it's a good idea." She saw his face drop and felt bad. "I don't want to lose you as a partner Rick," she said honestly, "Because yes, I have gotten used to you pulling my pigtails, and I don't want to lose that."

"But there's no guarantee that would happen," Rick pointed out, "For all, you know it could all work out."

"I can't Castle ok," Kate told him, "But if it makes you feel better I won't go out with Demming ok?"

"Thank you," Rick said. There was something in her eyes that made him think that she was at least going to think about what he'd said, and then maybe one day she'd act on it.

"Can I invite you to stay Detective?" Rick then asked her, "I'm teaching Alexis how to play poker."

He saw Kate chew the inside of her mouth for a moment before she smiled at him and nodded. "Sure thing Castle," she said, "But I can't stay too late."

"Of course." He then turned away from her and shouted up the stairs. "Alexis, do you mind if Beckett sticks around to help you learn."

"Sounds great," Alexis said as she came to the top of the stairs. She bounded down them and came to a stop by Rick and Kate. "You can help me keep kicking dads ass Detective."

"Sounds perfect," Kate replied with a smile. Alexis led her towards the table and Kate looked over the redheads head and winked at Rick. "Coming Castle?"