CHAPTER 7

AN: I know I wrote the name 'Alexis' in the letter Rick received from Meredith. But I thought about the story and how I want to write from here, and I think it's better if Rick didn't know his daughter's name. As you probably saw on the last chapter, I avoided her name for the exact same reason. I modified chapter 3 a little, so Rick won't know her name, just that Meredith gave their daughter to adoption.

Enjoy chapter 7

On the way home, Kate thought about what Rick said a little earlier. He said he finds her hot. He meant it? No! No, she can't think about that now. She doesn't need a relationship, she has Alexis and she needs to take care of her. Her daughter needs all her attention. With that thougth put aside she entered her buiding. She couldn't wait to hug her daughter.

When she entered her apartment, her dad told her to be quiet. So Alexis is sleeping.

"She was out as soon as we left the park. I took her in my arms and she slept all the way home. So Katie, how was your date?"

"Laugh as much as you want, dad. It wasn't a date. I am doing my job, and that doesn't involve dating the guy I have to help to find his daughter."

"You know I'm just teasing you. So the story captain Montgomery told you it's true?"

"Yeah, he was right. You should have seen him dad. He didn't even saw his girl but I can tell you he's already loving her. And I gave him false hopes."

"What do you mean?"

"I told him I have to go there to talk to the manager and ask about the records. And he can help me looking through records. But I know they won't talk to me about this. There is no way they will let me look through records. But he was so lost, I didn't know what to do. And I know he's going to hate me for this."

"Oh no. Katie, you know about that. They can't tell you the information about the family that adopted the baby, or if she is still there."

"I know dad. But I couldn't tell him 'Hey, you know what? You can't find your baby, so you better move on'. Now tell me, what would you said if it was you not me?"

"Probably the same thing you said. I don't blame you. You did what you considered to be best for him."

"What if he's not seeing the things as we do? Hell dad," I even told him I would get a warant for the records. But I thought what I would do if I was him. And a little hope was needed in this case. I would tell Montgomery I can't take this case. I don't want to give him any more false hopes."

"What if you could ask him to come with you at the agency tomorrow? That way he's going to see for himself there is no way you could force the people to show you the records. And I am pretty sure you won't stop. You're going to find a way to help him. That's who you are."

"That's not a bad idea at all. Thanks dad. I'm going to call him now. Then I could spend all the time with my baby girl."

"Go and call him. I will look for Alexis." And Jim left the room to see if the baby is awake.

'Take a deep breath Kate. You can do this. You're fighting crimes everyday, why is it so hard for you to call the man?'

She took her phone and dialed the last number she called just a few hours ago.

"Hi Kate. Is something wrong?"

"Hi Rick. No, no. I called to see if you want to come with me at the agency in the morning."

"Of course I want to come. But you said you want me to help you looking through the files."

"I know what I said. You want to come or not?"

"Yes, sorry. You want to pick you up?"

"No, thank you. We will meet there at 9 am. It's okay with you?"

"It is. And thank you again Kate. See you tomorrow." Rick hung up before Kate could say anything. Million of thoughts crossed Kate's mind but was interrupted by Alexis asking for 'ma'. That's the distraction she needed.

Across town, Rick didn't even know how many days ago he found out he has a daughter, but she was on his mind every minute. He loved her since he read the letter and now he wanted to find her. He wasn't stupid. Okay, he was when he told Kate she's hot, but he knew Kate can't really help him to find his baby. He did a little research and read the laws. No one is gonna give them information about an adoption, even if they were the president. But Rick was grateful because Kate gave him hope. Kate felt guilty, that's why she called him to ask if he wants to go to the agency with her. He was a writer, and he knew how to read a person, and he learned how to do it even when he was talking on the phone. She did what he does through his books: gave hope to those in need. But he saw in Kate's eyes such a determination that made him think about what made her be like that. How she became one of the best detectives New York has. Maybe it happened something in her life and that's why she's helping others.

Rick went to bed thinking about his daughter again, but about a certain detective too.

The next morning Alexis was a little upset about Kate's leaving, but Jim distracted her long enough for Kate to get out of her apartment. She knew the streets would be crowded because everyone wants to arrive early at work and that's why she told Rick to be there at 9 am. For the same reason she left an hour earlier, even if the trip took only 25 minutes. The annoying thing in New York at this hour was to find a parking lot. She doesn't have this problem when she's working a homicide case, because she can park wherever she wants. Bu now she has to find a place where she's not blocking the way.

It seems the Universe was on Kate's side as she found a place to park right in front of the agency and next to a Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid. Kate loved cars, and that was one of them. She shared this passion with her dad who has a 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite in his garage and sometimes he even let Kate drive it, but only if he was with her. Yes, she loves cars, but not as much as her '94 Harley Softail motorbike, that her dad still doesn't agree with.

When she got out of her car she saw the Mercedes belongs to none other than Richard Castle.

"Nice car!"

"If you like this one you should see the Ferrari."

"You have a Ferrari? Wow!"

"I see you like cars. I didn't thought you do."

"Well, yeah. My dad has a 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite. I helped him fix it. I don't love only cars, but motorcycles too."

"Something is telling me you have a motorbike. Let me guess: a Harley Davidson?"

"How did you know?"

"So I was right. I know how to read people. And I can tell you there was a rebel Kate."

"Impressive!"

"I have my moments." Kate laughed at that. If Rick could chose one sound to hear for the rest of his life, it was the sound of Kate laughing.

"Rick!" Kate sounded like she called him several times, but he was lost in his thoughts.

"Yeah?" And she pointed to the door.

"Yes, sorry. I was thinking." And they proceeded to the agency's entrance.

On the way, Kate thought about apologizing, because she won't be able to help him find his baby.

"Rick? I have something to tell you. I am trully sorry, but-"

"I know, and it's not your fault."

"You know?" She was confused. Maybe captain Montgomery told him about this, but Kate didn't told him her plan about geting a warrant.

"Yes. I did a little research and talked with one of my lawyers. I found out that they probably won't give us much. But that's okay. You don't have to feel guilty. You did what I always do."

"And what's that?"

"You gave me hope. And I am very thankful for that. A few years ago I was told I give hope to people. You should have seen that girl. She looked like her world was falling apart, but she-" And then he saw the look on Kate's face.

"What happened? Is everything all right?"

"Rick, that girl- I was that girl. It was after my mom was-" but she stopped mid sentence. She didn't want to tell him her mother was murdered. At least he was still a stranger.

"It was after my mom died. She read all your books. And I started to read them too. You gave me hope and because of your books I felt closer to my mother."

"It was you? I tried to find you after the book signing ended, but you were not there. I looked after you for the next 2 years at every book signing. That's why you became a cop. To do justice for others. I know I am late, but I am very, very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. Now let's go and see what we can find."

As expected, the agency didn't gave them anything they didn't already knew. Both Rick and Kate expected that, but not the dissapointment and the guilt that came with the lack of information.

"Look Rick. I know you probably want to hire a PI, but I won't stop looking for your baby until you tell me to."

"What? No! I know we didn't found anything, but I want you to help me. I don't want a heartless PI. You can call me weird, but I think we have a connection. You understand me better than anyone did, besides my mother. And you didn't want to get rid of me when we didn't find anything. I want the best detective to help me with this case and you've already proved me you're the best."

"Thank you! We have to set a base camp. We can do it at my place if you're not bothered by a one-year toddler."

"That's okay with me, but I don't want to scare your daughter. I am a stranger for her after all."

"Don't worry. She likes everyone. Let me write you down the address and we can meet there."

After Kate gave him the address, Rick told her he would go buy them something to eat and of course, coffee and he would call her when he arrives there. He was happy she won't let him down. Maybe another detective would have done it the second he told them the story, but not Kate. She was extraordinaire, determinate and hot. They don't have much information, but he is glad that Kate is the one to help him. With that thought in mind, he went to Remy's for food.

AN: I did some research about adoption when I started this story, especially about American laws so if I gave you the impression that Rick is going to find his girl soon, I am very sorry. You're stuck with me for a while. Until next time