AN: Thank you all for the reviews and the support. I know I said I would write more after my projects, but the motivation is not always here, so I'm very sorry I made you wait, but as I promised, this story is gonna be finished by Christmas.

Enjoy chapter 10 :D

CHAPTER 10

They solved the case fast and Rick got along with Espo and Ryan, and that didn't happen before. Well, they didn't have a civilian consultant before, but that's not the point. The point is that Montgomery was happy, the commissioner was happy, and because the commissioner was happy, so was Kate's team. But especially Rick, who got an idea about new book…or books, who knows? Kate was reluctant at first, but then she got used to it.

After a few cases, Castle (that was his cop's name, and he loved it) got a chance to wear his Kevlar vest, but Kate wasn't so happy to let him on the field, not after Harrison Tisdale took him hostage and pointed the gun at him. But it wasn't her choice. He signed the papers, after all, but she did care of him and didn't want anything to happen to him. Rick was an important person for Kate and Alexis, who was beaming every time she saw him, and Jim saw that. He tried to make Katie see it too, but she said they are just friends, nothing more. When she wasn't at the precinct, he would have texted her to let her know about the cases and came to bring her lunch, and of course, her favorite coffee.

When they had the frozen body case and Castle made a comment about the 'cold' case, Kate knew she has to tell him about her mother. And not only to stop him from saying disrespectful things but because she trusted him. So, she showed him her mother's ring for the life she lost and her father's watch, for the life she saved. He was so grateful that she shared this with him. It was something huge for her. Since her mother died, she put up a wall, and no one succeeded to break it down or to climb it, but Kate had to admit, Castle was very close. After the case, Kate invited him to the diner. That was the second time Rick met Jim. Now he knew what Jim had to go through and Rick admired him more than the first time, but when Kate went to put Alexis to sleep, he didn't know what to tell the man. After a few minutes, Jim broke the silence.

"You know, since you came into Katie's life, she's smiling more. Yeah, she was smiling before, since she got Alexis, but she wasn't really happy. And I don't know if you realized, but my granddaughter likes you. She's asking about 'ik' every time Katie's home with her. And I don't think it's about the presents you got for her. Altho, I guess that helped a little. But Rick, you have a way with kids."

"Thank you, sir! Alexis is a great kid, so I didn't have to put so much effort. I love to be around her. And with Kate, I don't think I did something as great as you say."

"Don't 'sir' me. I may be a grandpa, but I'm not old."

That made Rick chuckle. "Of course, I'm sorry."

"Don't need to. But I'm right about Katie. She didn't have much fun until you came into her life. She's looking forward to Alexis's playdates because she loves when her baby is happy. But what's amazing is that she is a part of the playdates, and she's happy because of you. Both of them are. And I want to thank you for that. She needed someone to bring back that part of her. I am responsible for that missing part. I wasn't around when she needed me the most, and I still feel guilty." He saw the look of realization on Rick's face and decided to tell him. " I know she told you what happened to Johanna. She trusts you, and that's why she told you about the most important case of her life, and about Alexis' adoption. She was so scared at first to tell me. I like to think that Alexis brought us closer. Katie cares about you, Rick. It's not easy for her to share things, especially these things. And I know you're not an idiot, so you trust her and care about her too. If I had to guess, I would say that's the reason you're still around."

"You're right! I'm so lucky because I can call her my friend. And Alexis made me enjoy every day magic."

'I know you want to be more than friends' Jim thought but didn't say anything about it. He knew his daughter wants that too. Why can't these two idiots see that they like each other? And something inside Jim told him Rick is way better than that squared-jaw FBI agent who left his daughter for a job. Then Jim looked at his watch and got up. He forgot about the meeting he had with his friend.

"Can you please tell Katie I had to go? I have a meeting in about 20 minutes, and I forgot about it. Sorry to leave you like that, but this is his last day in town."

"Don't worry about it. I will tell Kate. Have a good evening, Jim."

"You too! It was nice to talk to you. I hope I will see you soon."

"Me too!" And Jim left, leaving Rick thinking about what the older man told him. Of course, he cared about Kate. He did enough research in the last weeks that could help him write 50 books. But that wasn't about the books anymore. He liked Kate and Alexis owns a big place in his heart but didn't dare to tell his partner about his feelings for fear of being rejected. That has to change and has to change today. That's when Kate comes out of Alexis's room. He took another sip of wine, for courage and got up from his chair.

"Kate, I have to tell you something."

"Where's my dad?" They said at the same time.

"Oh, right. He said he has to meet a friend."

"Ah, yeah, I remember. He told me yesterday about it. What did you want to tell me? And why are you so nervous all of a sudden?"

'Thank you, universe' Rick thought. Or maybe it wasn't a good idea to drink the wine to gather the courage to tell her.

'Oh, for god's sake Richard, be a man and tell her.' Great, now his mother co his thoughts.

He took a deep breath but when he looked into Kate's hazel eyes he was lost. What if Jim got it all wrong and she's going to reject him? 'But how can you know if you don't tell her?'

He took another deep breath. That seems to calm him down. 'Why can't I find the words I need? I'm a writer, I'm paid to use words.'

"Kate, I like you. I really, really like you. I know we haven't known each other for a long time."

"Rick-"

'Oh boy, here comes the rejection.'

"You don't have to feel the same, I know that-" but Kate stopped him mid-sentence. With a kiss. Kate Beckett was kissing him.

"I think that means you like me too, right?" That made Kate chuckle.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Now I can take you to a real date, not just going out for a quick lunch."

"And here I am, thinking we just had a few dates."

"Ha, ha. I want to be just us, and Alexis. Not your dad, Espo, Lanie, Ryan, or Montgomery. Just the three of us."

"That could be arranged." And she kissed him again.

A week later, Rick was planning the perfect date for them. Kate told him Alexis would stay with her father this time but thanked him for thinking about her baby and for wanting to be a part of her life too.

Then all his plans went down because of that Baylor guy. When he pointed the gun in Kate's direction, both Rick and Kate froze. But Rick was faster than the guy and saved Kate. They got the killer, but Rick was still shocked.

"That's why I didn't want you out on the field." Kate approached him.

"Hmm? Sorry, I was thinking. Kate, what if he shot you?"

"Shot me? What if he shot you? I'm new at this dating thing, but if something happens to you, both I and Alexis would crash down. Did you think for a second about that?"

"Yes. That's what I did it. Because Alexis needs her mother, and I need you, Kate. I'm new to this dating thing too, but I need you so much."

It was that moment that Kate knew he's gonna be her one and done and she all but jumped in his arms. They were still at the precinct and tried to hide their…relationship? From Kate's colleagues, but now both of them needed this, to be in each other arms. After a few minutes, Kate got a text from her father.

"Thanks, dad." Muttered Kate, but loud enough for Rick to hear her. What he saw left him breathless, just like Kate was.

'Katie, please meet me at the Presbyterian Hospital.

Something happened to Alexis.

Dad'