A/N: Thank you all once again for the reviews, follows and favorites. I can't believe I made it past 100 reviews. Now I'm just sitting here waiting for the follower count to cross 300! I'm on my summer break right now so expect a faster update. Are you guys by any chance interested in a M-rated chapter? It would be uploaded as a seperate story for those who do not wish to read it... I hope that something nice happens to you this week. :)
Disclaimer: I do have a picture with Nathan Fillion (met him at Facts Gent) and if you could see my face on it (and the 600 emotions that seem to be crossing my face) - you would realize that I am not affiliated with this show in any way possible.
''You look like you could use this.'' Her mom said as she handed Kate a cup of coffee. Kate dropped the pen she was holding and rubbed her tired eyes. Johanna put her hand on Kate's back and made some soothing circles in order to get her to wind down. ''You're allowed to take a break every once in a while, you know?''
''I know. Thanks mom.'' Kate tried to smile, but it just didn't quite reach her eyes. ''I'm just so tired.''
''I know, honey.'' Johanna swallowed, unsure if she sounded as confident as she'd wanted to. ''Listen, there's something that your father and I need to talk to you about. I know that it isn't the right time, but when is it really-'' Jim walked in just as Johanna pulled up a chair to sit down next to Kate.
''What's going on?''
''Remember that volunteer position I still have at the museum?'' Kate nodded, checking her father's face for signs that something might be wrong. ''Some unusual things have been happening lately and we have a feeling someone might be on the look-out for something. I can't explain it, but I know that something is wrong. The police came by yesterday to interview me and they have suspicions that someone might be- stalking me.'' Her mother looked at her expectantly, but Kate stayed silent.
Jim tried to grab Kate's hand, but she pulled back and stood up from her spot.
''Honey, I know that this is a shock to you, it is to us as well.'' Jim tried.
''We need to do something about this.'' Kate said, her fists clenched.
''The police are doing everything they can.'' Johanna tried reassuringly.
''How are you so calm?!'' Kate spat out. Johanna looked at Jim for back-up.
''We're not.'' Jim said calmly. ''We figured that a calm approach for telling you this would be the best option.''
''We know that you have a lot going on at school and with Rick away, you've been a bit on edge. We believed that it would be best for you to know this and not hide it like we usually would.''
Kate nodded. ''I need some time to process this.''
''We expected that as well.'' Both nodded at her, understanding her frustration.
''I'll be at Rick's.''
''Isn't he on tour in Cali-'' Johanna said with a confusing look on her face.
''I got his keys before he left.'' If they were surprised, they didn't show it. Kate pulled her mom into a tight hug before grabbing her study material from the table and walking towards her bedroom. The coffee her mother had gotten her forgotten on the dinner table.
The ride to Rick's apartment was short. The doorman didn't even look twice as she walked past him and walked into the elevator. Normally, he'd greeted her, but she looked like she was off to do something important and he didn't want to bother her.
She turned the key to his apartment and walked in slowly. She was still unsure why he'd trusted her with his house while he was away. Kate dropped her bag by the door and walked over to the couch where she let herself fall down.
She must have fallen asleep because she woke up at the sound of her phone ringing.
''You fell asleep on the couch again, didn't you?'' She heard him chuckle on the other side of the line.
She ran a hand through her hair and sat up. ''Well, yeah, but not on my own couch for a change.''
''You're at my apartment?'' He said, surprise evident in his voice. He never thought she'd take up on his offer.
She chuckled. ''I am. You sound surprised.''
''I am.'' He let out a nervous chuckle as well. ''How are you?''
''I'm managing.'' She picked herself up from the couch and shivered. The heater must be off, she thought. She made her way over to his bedroom.
''Missing me a lot, huh?''
''Absolutely.'' She said, letting out a sigh. ''It's been hard.''
''What happened?'' He asked.
''Hold on, let me just get a sweater. It's quite chilly here.'' Kate put the phone between her ear and her shoulder.
''You're taking a sweater from my closet?'' He chuckled softly. ''Take my San Diego Comic Con sweater. It's on the right in the closet. And maybe take a pic while you're wearing it, won't you?'' She could almost see the smug smile on his face over the phone.
''I might.'' She said, a smile making a way onto her face. She put the phone on his bed and put it on speaker. Kate opened his closet and began rummaging through his clothes. Rick waited patiently until she found the sweater. ''Got it.'' She immediately put it on and let herself fall on his bed, the phone still on speaker.
''You back?'' He asked.
''Yeah.'' She stretched out and pulled the phone closer to her. ''Tell me about your week.''
''I think you might be avoiding the subject, but I'll oblige.'' He went on to tell her about the crazy groupies he'd met and how some women wanted him to sign their chests. She'd laughed, he'd probably enjoyed every single one of those crazy requests. He told her about Gina having his ass for not having more chapters ready and how she'd almost sold him to the highest bidder at a charity event. Kate laughed at his stories and relaxed as she listened to his voice. ''So, what about you?''
''Listen Rick, I love you, but this is something I'd rather discuss in person.'' She said it so smoothly that he almost didn't catch it, but he did. His heart skipped a beat and he took a second to collect himself before
''I- okay.'' He swallowed quickly, pretty sure that she'd let it slip out. ''You're still picking me up from the airport Saturday?''
Kate stretched again and let him sweat for a second. ''Definitely.''
She heard him clear his throat. ''Are- are you on my bed?''
''Maybe.''
''Are you going to give me a straight answer at some point?''
''It depends.''
''Okay, I see how this is going.''
''Are you really, Castle?''
''Dammit Beckett.'' She laughed at his frustrated tone. ''Are you trying to get me to jump on the first plane back to you, because if you are… it's definitely working.''
''We both know that Gina would have your ass, so there's no way that's going to happen.''
''Don't challenge me, you know I would.'' He said softly.
She did, she believed him.
''Just a few more days Rick, you'll manage. I might not, but you will.'' She said teasingly.
''Good to know we're on the same page then.'' They stayed quiet for a moment and Rick wondered if she'd fallen asleep on him. Kate on the other hand had walked over to the bathroom, made a silly pose with her tongue out and clicked on her camera. After a few pics she was satisfied with the result and walked back into the bedroom, letting herself flop onto the bed.
''Castle?''
''Yeah.'' He said softly.
Kate took a deep breath. ''Don't doubt for a second that I don't love you.''
''I'm booking my ticket, now.'' Rick on the other hand, let go of a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
Three days until Rick would be back in town. Kate found it quite hard to deal with her mother's stalker situation.
Eventually she'd ended up at the library where she found Lanie at her usual study corner with Javier sitting next to her. Both studying?
''Good afternoon Kate-'' Lanie started, but then she looked at Kate's face. ''Honey, what's wrong?''
Kate immediately stiffened and swallowed quickly. ''Nothing.''
''Javier, go get us something to drink, will you?'' Esposito simply stood up and walked away.
''Come on, sit down next to me. I haven't seen you look this sad since- well, ever.'' Sometimes they both forgot that they didn't know each other for that long. ''Does it have to do with writer boy?''
Kate chuckled. ''Writer boy, damn I miss him.''
''You and me both, our night out with the group was legendary and I don't just throw that word out for every small occasion.''
''I'll see if he wants to join us again some time.''
''Oh, please do.'' Lanie said, nodding enthusiastically. ''But I'm pretty sure he would join you to the end of the world if you'd ask him.''
She blushed and tried to hide her face in her sweater. ''I know.''
Lanie closed the book in front of her and leaned her head on her hand. ''So, if writer boy isn't bothering you… what's going on?''
''There's some stuff going on at home that I'm not supposed to talk about.'' Lanie simply waited for her to continue. ''The NYPD is still interviewing suspects and trying to find the right angle-''
''The NYPD is involved?'' Lanie frowned. ''You should ask Javier, he just joined the police academy. He might be able to help you out with the procedures and stuff if that's interesting to you.''
''Really? I had no idea.'' Kate waved a hand through her hair. ''I might just do that.''
Javier joined them again and handed the ladies their drinks. Kate took another quick glance at Javier before taking a sip of her drink. What made him decide to join the academy?
The past three days had been a blur to him. He'd been put in a car and been driven around for most of the time. That was until he needed to sleep and he made it to his hotel, then he'd actually have the choice to do something, anything that he wanted to do. It wasn't until the next morning that he would realize that he'd passed out again with most of his clothes still on. Kate would kill him if she saw him like that. Thankfully, he was done for now.
He looked for her face in the crowd and found it quickly. She hadn't seen him yet and before he could walk over to her, he felt someone tap on his shoulder. Rick turned around to see an elderly lady holding out his book. How convenient, he thought.
''Excuse me sir, but are you Richard Castle?''
''I am.'' He pulled out a sharpie from God knows where. ''It's always nice to meet a fan.'' Rick took the book from her and signed his name. She quickly said her name and he added it to the dedication.
''You look way better than the photo on the book jacket. My friends told me that you were kind enough to sign their copies earlier this year at the Molenaar Charity event.'' Castle, unfortunately for the woman, had already zoned out. More people were making their way over to him and he groaned. Not externally, more like an internal groan. Instead he just put on his smug smile and play his charming alter ego like a fiddle. Selfie here, selfie there. Did someone just ask if he was Pedro Pascal? Before he knew what was happening, he felt someone tap on his shoulder again.
''Excuse me sir, but are you the Richard Castle? Can I please have your autograph?'' Rick turned around to see Kate standing in front of him.
He held out his sharpie, with a teasing smile on his face. His brow raised. ''Where would you like it?'' Oh, two could play this game.
She leaned in and whispered in his ear. ''Where would you like it?''
''Somewhere inappropriate for me to say out loud in public.'' He whispered back in her ear. He then proceeded to place his hands on her face and pulling her in for a passionate kiss, immediately slipping his tongue between her lips.
Losing each other in the kiss and well, the groping, became a bit too much for the crowd he had gathered. Two women looked at each other with wide eyes. ''Damn, I want to know what she said to get that kind of treatment.'' A few others nodded in agreement. They seemed to respect his space and started to leave him and Kate alone.
They didn't snap out of it until another announcement was made over the speakers. Kate quickly wiped her lip balsam from his face and ruffled his hair back in place. Rick, still unable to talk just picked up his bag with one hand and grabbed Kate's hand in the other. They were unable to wipe the big smiles of their faces the entire way home.
As she turned the key to his apartment, she felt his breath on her neck. She shivered and actually had trouble opening the door now. Rick laughed softly and assisted her hand in turning the door handle. He gave her a quick kiss on her shoulder before gently pushing her into the house.
He looked around quickly and saw that his apartment was surprisingly clean. ''Did… you clean my house?''
She shrugged. ''I clean when I get stressed.''
''See, this is why are such a good match. I make a mess when I'm stressed.''
She held up her finger threateningly, a teasing smile on her face gave her away, however. ''I won't be your cleaning lady Castle.''
''Wasn't even considering it.'' He shook his head. ''The outfit however.'' She'd grabbed his ear before he'd even had the chance to get all smug about his comment. ''Apples! Apples!''
''How about we figure out how this works before we get into cosplaying stuff.''
He let his jaw drop, still rubbing his ear. ''You'd do that?''
She laughed at how easy he was sometimes. ''Yeah, wouldn't you?''
''God, I love you.'' He exclaimed as he tried to pull her closer. She laughed and hugged him tightly. ''Too much?''
''No, not at all.'' She said, pulling back to look him in the eyes for a second before adding ''Just enough.''
''Will you tell me what's troubling you?'' She stiffened in his arms. He felt it and started swaying them slightly, pressing his lips to her hair.
''Can't we just enjoy tonight.'' She said softly, muffled by the way her face was pressed into his chest. ''I missed you. A lot.''
''Okay. Yeah, I can do that, but you have to promise me that you'll tell me once you're ready.''
''Will do.''
He pulled back slightly. ''Using the future with will means that the promise you just made isn't definitive.''
''I am going to tell you when I'm ready. Happy now?''
''With you here in my arms? Always.''