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I rewrote this chapter (not all of it, but some) since I wasn't really happy with it before and took some of your suggestions into account. Thank you for leaving reviews containing constructive criticism.

O-o-o-o-o

Conversations with Rick were easy. Kate found that she enjoyed talking to him immensely. In spite of his fame he was very grounded. And very funny. Kate couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so much. And he didn't even try. It was just that he always surprised her. She never expected the things he said next. The best part was that he made her forget about Josh and about all the problems she would have to face now that she was a single mother.

And they were quite talking the same language where raising their daughters was concerned. This was something very new for Kate since she had never before connected with any parent of Claire's friends.

Most of Claire's friends moms were stay-at-home-moms who's main topics were how to make the best carb-less meals, which hobby was the trendiest for their kids to learn next or when they would get their next manicure. Kate found them boring and overprotective. They wouldn't even let their kids climb in the jungle gym without calling out words of warning for them to be careful, causing their kids to not being able to trust in their own capabilities. They didn't allow their kids to have any sugar at all which Kate found ridiculous. Not that she gave Claire as many sweets as she wanted but of course she was allowed to indulge in them sometimes.

It wasn't like Kate had a problem with stay-at-home-moms or that she thought they were all shallow or overprotective or something like that. She'd probably just not met the right ones. She even could understand the appeal of staying at home with your kids. But her career had always been important to her. And it still was. It wasn't the most important thing anymore but she still wanted to do her job.

And she did think stay-at-home-moms were just living another life. They didn't need to think about how to balance work and family which was Kate's main challenge in life and therefore ever on the forefront of her mind. Kate had just never fitted in in the conversations the other moms at the playground were having.

She hadn't met that many fathers at the playground and if so they were mostly focused on their kids, joking around with them or being a little over-challenged with watching their kids and having friendly conversations with other parents.

And not even she and Josh had been in agreement with each other most of the time. Mostly because Josh just hadn't cared about most things.

So it was very nice to talk to Rick about their kids and just agree in the simplest of things, like letting their daughter's choose their own outfits because it would hurt no one if their pants didn't match their shirts. Kate thought it was important for Claire to learn some independence and choosing her clothes was something she could do by herself as long as she dressed weather-appropriate. The other moms at the playground had given her derogatory looks when Claire had chosen something that really didn't go well together. It was very nice to hear that Rick let Alexis do the same. His daughter though often asked about his opinion about her outfit, something Claire would never do. Her daughter loved every little independence she was granted and wouldn't give it up for anything. Sometimes she resembled Kate just a little too much for her taste.

„Meredith is one of those mothers too" Rick said when Kate told him about the judging she got from the other mothers. „When she was there in the mornings she loved picking out Alexis' outfit. And I think Alexis valued what little time her mother spent with her so she never protested about anything Meredith picked out. When I let her dress herself she usually asked if it looked good together because when Meredith came home and Alexis would wear something that didn't match she'd tell her so and Alexis would think her mom was disappointed in her and of course she didn't want that."

„That's terrible" Kate said. „At least Josh never cared about that. I don't think he even noticed."

Before she could think too much about her ex again Kate quickly changed the topic. She really didn't want to think about him. She was having a good time right now. And she wanted that to stay this way as long as possible. She'd soon enough have to deal with all her dark thoughts about Josh.

When dessert arrived Kate was laughing again about a funny story Rick had told about him embarrassing himself in braiding-class (a workshop he attended to learn how to braid Alexis' hair). Their chocolate cakes were placed in front of them. Claire squealed in delight and Kate smiled. They looked delicious and chocolate was something Kate could really use today. After they'd finished their burgers Rick had insisted that they got dessert and Claire had been on his side immediately. Alexis though had reminded him that too much sugar before bed wasn't good. Kate couldn't stop laughing about his pout. Kate had agreed with Alexis of course but had ordered dessert for Claire and herself nonetheless, deciding they really deserved some chocolate after today.

Just as Kate had finished her cake and put her fork down her phone rang. She picked it up without checking the caller's ID.

"Beckett" she said.

"Hey Beckett. A body dropped. I'll text you the address" Montgomery told her over the phone.

Kate's eyes grew wide as she looked over to Claire. "I'm on call tonight" she said. It wasn't a question but she had totally forgotten about it and was just now remembering.

"Yes, you are" Montgomery said. "And I understand that today was stressful for you but Ryan and Esposito already had a twenty-four hour shift and…" Kate interrupted him, knowing that there was no way she could and would expect Ryan or Espo to cover for her tonight. They had to deal with a very urgent case all day yesterday and last night and had to wrap it up today. They definitely deserved a break and probably needed to catch up on some sleep.

"No. Yes, sir. They have tonight off. I just need to find someone who can watch over Claire tonight. I'll be at the crime scene as fast as I can."

Then they ended the call and Kate ran her fingers through her hair. Where was Claire supposed to be tonight? In all the excitement she'd totally forgotten that she was on call tonight and wasn't even supposed to see her daughter tonight. Josh was on shift tonight too so she'd arranged for someone else to watch Claire until morning when she'd pick her up to take her home, have some breakfast, play a little and then take her to preschool. They'd always tried to not let Claire sleep out of home too often. Even Josh had agreed that it would definitely be better for Claire if one of them would be there for her in the evening and at night.

But who was supposed to watch Claire tonight?

Oh right. The plan had been that Josh picked her up from preschool, spent the afternoon with her and took her to Lanie right before his shift.

"Sorry. I've got to call someone" Kate apologized to Rick while she pulled up Lanie's number on her phone. While doing so she noticed the address Montgomery had sent her but ignored it for now.

"Hey Lanie. It's Kate" she greeted her friend when the line connected.

"Hey girl. What's up?"

"Can I bring Claire by in the next 15 minutes?" Kate asked.

"Um… I called Josh when he didn't show up with her two hours ago. He said that there had been a change in plans and that she was with you. I thought about double-checking with you but then I thought that if Josh said she was with you the two of you surely changed your plans. So I decided that I'd get an early start on my vacation. You know I'm off for the next few days to visit my parents. I hit the road about one and a half hours ago."

Kate let out a frustrated breath. Great. What was she doing with Claire now? She couldn't take her to the crime scene for obvious reasons. Plus it was late. Even if she only would have needed to go to the precinct it would still be bedtime for Claire.

"Why? What's up?" Lanie asked.

"Change of plans" Kate huffed. „Sure. You could say that. There was a development, yes. But I can't go into detail now. I'll call you tomorrow maybe" she really didn't want to talk about the hell of her afternoon right now. She didn't have time now either. „Enjoy your trip" Kate added honestly.

"Sure, okay, tomorrow" Lanie agreed despite the fact that Kate could hear questions in the tone of her voice. But since she'd promised to talk tomorrow Lanie didn't press right now.

"Bye Lanie" Kate ended the call and pushed a lock of her hair out of her face, sighing.

"What's wrong, mommy?" Claire asked. She'd been busy eating her cake but now that she was finished she'd picked up on her mother's stressed tone of voice.

"Nothing baby, I just need to find someone to watch you tonight. And daddy, Lanie, Ryan and Espo are not available tonight" she explained.

"What about Mrs Rodriguez?" Claire suggested. The woman was their neighbor next door and sometimes watched Claire when Kate couldn't find someone else.

Kate shook her head. "She is visiting her family in Mexico, remember?"

"What about grandpa?" Claire asked.

Kate's eyes clouded with her daughter's question. How much she wished that she could depend on her father to be there for Claire at any time. But he was still struggling with alcoholism and Kate never knew what state he would be in when she called him. Sometimes he was sober and then he wouldn't start drinking while he was with Claire and they had a great time. But just as often his words were slurred and Kate always felt frustrated and disappointed for the next few days.

But she didn't have any other options anymore so she pulled her father's contact up.

"We'll see" Kate said and hit call. It took a while until the line connected. Claire looked at her expectantly, Rick with a curious expression and something in it that she couldn't read. Alexis didn't seem to have caught up on what was going on and looked between the other's a little confused.

„Hello?" came Jim Beckett's voice through the phone. The fact that it had taken so long for him to pick up and that he hadn't checked the caller's ID weren't good signs. But Kate held on to hope for now.

"Hey dad. It's Kate. How are you doing?"

"Great" he called way too loudly and Kate closed her eyes for a moment, fighting back her disappointment once again. "Whaaasuuuuup?" he asked cheerfully and Kate willed her upcoming tears of frustration back. She turned away a little so Claire couldn't see her expression.

So he'd been drinking again. Something in Kate crashed every time she had to be witness to his drunken state. An instant wave of disappointment went through her and sent unwelcome tears to her eyes. She swallowed them down. She always tried to not get her hopes up again but it just didn't work. She always hoped and most times got her hopes crushed.

She intentionally didn't look at anybody at the table, not Rick and not the girls either. She fought hard to school her features but after all that had happened today she was afraid that she wasn't doing a good job at it. But she really didn't want Claire to see her like this, so empty of hope and full of disappointment.

"Nothing" she responded. She needed to end the phone call as fast as possible. The disappointment was evident in her voice. But her dad wouldn't even catch it in this state. Which was a pity because Kate really wanted him to feel guilty right now. She knew that was very self-centered and bitter of her but that was just the way she felt right now. "I just would have needed you to watch Claire tonight. But I don't think tonight is a good time. Bye dad"

Kate looked up from her phone and started another effort to pull up a brave face for her daughter but she saw that Rick was distracting her and Alexis by telling them a short story. All the while he was throwing concerned glances her way. Again Kate was amazed by his observations skills and thoughtfulness and took the moment he was giving her to collect herself.

She massaged her forehead, soothing the upcoming headache with the press of her fingers. This being a single-parent thing started off great. Not.

Rick told the girls to imagine how his story could continue and turned to her again when they were deep in conversation.

"You know, Claire could stay with us a little longer. If you don't find someone else to watch her" he offered. „I mean, if you don't want to that's completely okay. I would totally understand. We don't really know each other and I'd understand if you didn't trust me yet. But the offer stands if you want to take it."

Kate hesitated. On one hand she didn't have anyone else to watch Claire. On the other hand they'd just met today and her brain told her that she shouldn't trust him after only knowing him for a few hours.

Rick noticed her hesitation.

„We could even stay here. It's Alexis' bedtime soon but I guess it wouldn't be that bad if we prolonged it" he suggested. „Or Claire could come to our place and you pick her up as soon as you finished your job." He pulled something from his pocket. „That's my card, by the way." He handed her the piece of paper.

Kate bit her lip. It was very nice of him to offer to watch Claire. But both, the cop and the mother in her told her that she shouldn't trust him, no matter how nice he seemed or how good they connected.

Kate looked over to Claire and saw Alexis yawning. She recognized the tiredness in her daughter's eyes too. She could ask him to accompany her to the crime scene and wait with the kids in the car or ask him to wait at the station. But that would be totally boring for them and on top of their tiredness Kate couldn't see that going well. She didn't know how Alexis reacted to tiredness but Claire tended to get tantrums or start crying about the most ridiculous of things. Which was why Kate tried to strictly keep the bedtime constant or at least have her home at the time.

Kate sighed. What was she going to do? She fumbled with the paper in her hands and looked down at it. Something about the address looked familiar. Kate looked at it more closely, then pulled her phone up again.

„Wait" she suddenly said. „That's your address?"

„Yeah, why?" he responded a little confused.

„Because my crime scene is in the same street" Kate said. This was making things easier. All in all she would probably need about an hour at the scene. She'd be able to pick Claire up at his place in no time.

„Then let's pay and catch a cab" Rick said and immediately waved for the waitress. „We can wait in the cab or go up to our place. Or we can go to one of the little coffee shops that are in our street. However you feel the most comfortable. "

O-o-o-o-o

Kate instructed the officers to take the suspect to the holding cell. Normally she'd take his official statement right away. But she needed to pick up Claire. After contemplating for a few more minutes during their cab right she'd decided that going up to his place would be better than waiting in the cab or in a coffee shop. Both Claire and Alexis had been visibly tired. And Rick's contemplation of all options he could come up with to find one she was comfortable with made her trust him more. He'd watched Claire the whole afternoon already and had gone to the effort of finding her instead of calling child services. She felt like she could trust him with her daughter for another hour. So she'd given him her card too so he could call if anything was wrong and headed for her crime scene while they went into the building next door.

Thankfully the case turned out to be very easy. She hadn't been at the crime scene for more than five minutes when the husband of the victim turned up, crying guiltily. He'd stabbed his wife with a kitchen knife during a fight, had fled the crime scene but had come back, driven by guilt. He'd confessed to the murder, showed them where he'd tried to get rid of the murder weapon and that'd been that.

Now he was on his way to the precinct where he would be put into a holding cell until tomorrow morning when either Ryan or Espo would interview him and take his official confession. After it had been clear how this case was going to go Kate had called Montgomery again to ask for a day off tomorrow. She really needed time to just breath a little and spent time with her daughter. Today had just been way too much for one day.

When Kate came into the building where Richard Castle lived in the doorman asked her for her identity card before he checked with his notes and let her go upstairs. Obviously Castle had told him that he expected her and told him to let her up. She could have gotten up there with her badge anyway but it was nice to know that he'd notified the doorman of her arrival.

Once she was upstairs she knocked and didn't have to wait long before the door was opened.

„Hey Kate" he said quietly. „Come on in. But quiet. The girls are asleep."

She nodded and followed him into his very spacious loft. He lead her to the living room where both Claire and Alexis where sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. A blanket was placed above them, big enough to keep them both warm.

„Claire hit her toe on the coffee table and cried and wouldn't stop" Rick explained. „I figured she might be tired and asked them if they wanted me to tell them a story. I didn't even got five sentences into the story before she fell asleep, Alexis following soon after."

Kate looked at her sleeping daughter while he spoke. Despite the fact that she'd decided to trust him she'd been anxious to get back to her daughter. Seeing her peacefully asleep brought a wash of relaxation and calmness over her.

„Thanks for watching her. You're a lifesaver" Kate said quietly, sincerely.

„Don't worry about it. I'm glad I could help" Rick told her with a smile. „Do you want something to drink? Coffee? Wine? Beer? Water? Anything else? Or do you want to just grab Claire and go?"

Kate thought for a second. She could use a coffee. Now that she thought about it she hadn't even had the time today to have coffee. She always had time for coffee.

„A coffee please" she said.

„A coffee, coming right up. How do you take it?"

She told him and he went to the kitchen and started the machine. Kate followed him, keeping her daughter in her line of vision thanks to the openness of his loft. She was laying on her side, her face to the back of the couch, her feet pointing towards Alexis' feet. Even from the distance Kate could see that her breathing was even. She was peacefully asleep. The sight calmed Kate. No matter how hard the day had been. As long as she got to see her daughter sleep peacefully she knew everything was going to be okay. Eventually.

A few minutes later Rick placed a perfectly brewed coffee in front of her, sitting down beside her with his own coffee. Kate turned towards him. She'd watched her daughter sleep the entire time he'd prepared their coffees.

„Thanks" she said, trying to smile but she knew it fell short. She was tired and exhausted and just stressed.

„You are welcome" he told her smiling. He then took a sip from his coffee. She did the same.

„Mh" she hummed. „Wow, this is good coffee." She didn't remember ever drinking coffee that was this delicious. It could be that her judgement was slightly off since she was totally coffee-deprived because she had her last one around noon but this was still good coffee.

Rick chuckled about her enthusiasm about coffee. „I know" he grinned. He loved his espresso machine. It had cost a fortune too. But it was definitely worth the money.

They didn't talk much while they sipped their coffees. Kate was grateful about it. She had liked talking to him earlier but right now she enjoyed the silence. He seemed to sense it and didn't say anything either. Plus they didn't want to make too much noice anyway since neither of them wanted to wake up the kids. So they just sat at the kitchen counter and sipped their coffees in comfortable silence.