CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: Unexpected Company

Kate let out a deep sigh as the elevator doors opened. Lifting her bag once again, she couldn't help but lament the end of their idyllic time in L.A. Leaving Castle in the cab with a deep kiss and a promise of tomorrow, she couldn't help but feel disappointed by their brief separation. Knowing his family needed him didn't make the separation any easier. He'd pleaded with her to join him, but she felt like she needed a night to herself to put everything in perspective. She wanted just one more night to assimilate all the changes she was going to be making in her life.

Engaged to Richard Castle. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined falling in love with him. The reality of being with him colored her life complete. She felt more vibrant when she was with him. As if everything in life was just that much brighter and sharper. God, she was getting so sappy. Kate automatically checked the hallway before opening her apartment door and dragging her things inside. After turning on the lights and locking the door behind her, she began settling into her apartment. After a week away, the air felt stale and a little forlorn. After cracking open a window and turning on some music, she felt a little more settled. The sight of her things at once familiar and comforting, she realizes that her apartment no longer feels complete. It almost feels empty without Rick beside her.

After unpacking her suitcase and starting her laundry, Kate curls up on the couch with a glass of wine and one of Rick's books. Nights like this were rare. She loves spending her time with Rick. But sometimes it's nice to curl up and recharge with a good book. Feeling calm and content, she settles in and lets her imagination envision the scenes as she reads them.

Caught up in the story, she jumps when she hears the distinct sound of knuckles wrapping on wood. The knock on the door has her scowling. Did thinking of Rick conjure him up? Was he really incapable of giving her just one night? Setting her book aside, she takes a moment to reorient herself, knowing he's probably just excited by everything that's transpired. Thinking she might enjoy the interruption, she crosses to the door.

A glance through the door's peephole has her eyebrows raising in surprise. Opening the door quickly and stepping back, Kate can't help but wonder what happened to bring Lanie to her door looking so forlorn.

"Lanie…this is a surprise."

"Hi Kate. Sorry to barge in on you. I know you just got in a few hours ago, but I really need to talk."

Seeing the deep circles and strained lines on her face, Kate smiles gently.

"No problem Lanie. You know you're always welcome here. Come in, let me get you a glass of wine."

Crossing to the kitchen, Kate pours another glass while Lanie settles in. She recognizes the signs of another romantic crisis. Heading back to the couch, she holds out the wine to Lanie, ready to settle in for a heart to heart.

"Oh. My. God. Kate Beckett, is that what I think it is?" the sudden transformation in Lanie's face has her doing a double-take. Seeing the direction of her gaze, Kate flushes. The ring. She'd forgotten she was wearing the ring. Truth be told, she was unable to bear removing it and didn't see any need to while at home. Flummoxed, caught completely by surprise, she remains quiet, uncertain what to say or how to say it.

Lanie, never one to be shy, grabs the glass of wine out of her hand and sets it aside before grabbing Kate's hand in her vice-like grip, scrutinizing the ring and then Kate's face. "Tell me you said yes, Kate."

Nodding, Kate comes out of her daze. "I did. It is. We are. Engaged I mean." Huffing out a calming breath, she smiles, her joy shining through. "He asked me to marry him. God, Lanie. I'm going to marry Rick."

"Oh, honey. I am so happy for you." Jumping off the couch, Lanie throws herself in Kate's arms, tears of joy shining in her eyes. "You so deserve this." Searching her face, Lanie can see just how settled and sure Kate is. "You have to tell me everything."

With a laugh and a return hug, Kate pulls back. "I'm going to need more wine before we go there. But sit down, Lanie. We can talk about that later. What's going on? When I opened the door you looked….troubled. It's not like you. Did something happen? Is everything okay."

Eyes troubled once again, Lanie sits, grabs her wine and takes a big sip. "We had a fight. Javi and I. A big one. I don't know what to do, Kate. I don't know what I want to do. I'm just so confused right now."

Uncertain what to say, Kate sits beside Lanie and tucks her feet up and to the side, settling in for a long chat. Knowing how Lanie is, she's prepared to hear every aspect of their current conflict drawn out and dissected.

"It sounds serious. What did you fight about?"

"Everything and nothing. It wasn't about one thing, per se. It was more…I don't know. Emotional? Neither one of us knows what we want. And we kept picking at each other over it. It all started because I thought I was pregnant."

Jaw dropping, Kate pauses a moment. It's just like Lanie to drop a bombshell. Mind racing, Kate can't think of what to say, but is spared having to come up with something as Lanie pours it all out.

"I'm not. It was a false alarm. I think it was just stress. But for a few days I thought I was. I didn't tell Javi and he saw the pregnancy test box on my counter before I had a chance to take it. God, Kate. We were both so freaked out by the whole thing. I mean, I love kids, and I want kids, at least I think I do, but not like that. Not unplanned. Not when everything is so uncertain. And not when I'm not sure about my relationship with the daddy. Me and Javi - we've been having a lot of fun together, but it's not serious. Not like what you have. And this just pointed it all out. He said all the right things. He did all the right things. And we sweated out the test together, and it came back negative. So I took another and it was also negative. And each time, we were both just so relieved. When I finally got my period, we were able to relax. The whole thing just freaked him out. Me, too, honestly. But it raised all kinds of questions with both of us and we started sniping at each other over nothing. And now it's just…..." running down, Lanie falls silent.

"I don't know what to say, Lanie. That's a lot to deal with."

"It just made me think. And question everything. We'd just been drifting along, having fun. The sex is great. I mean, really great. And that's important. And he makes me laugh. But we aren't serious. We aren't even exclusive – well, we are, but we say we're not. And that says it all, doesn't it? We even fought about that. So this put our feelings for each other under the microscope. And we started asking questions that neither of us know how to answer. And, I just don't know. But neither of us really wants to commit. And now I'm asking myself why I'm letting myself just drift along like this instead of getting serious about someone. I mean, I want that – at least I think I do. I want what you have. But I don't if he's the one. Or if I'm even ready for that. So we're on a break. And I don't even know how I feel about that."

"This isn't like you, Lanie. You always seem to know what you want."

"Oh, honey. It may seem that way but you know me better than that. I'm no different than anybody else when it comes to some of this stuff. I'm really good at knowing what I don't want. But when it comes to what I do want, it's a lot harder. I've never been sure of Javi. And he doesn't seem to be sure about me either. So what are we doing?"

Taking a sip of her wine, Lanie looks at Kate again and sees how relaxed, how content she is. She sees the concern, and the desire to help. But under it, she sees that Kate has found some answers of her own.

"Anyway. I know we'll probably drift awhile longer. But I think our break is going to become permanent. I just can't see myself drifting with him anymore. I just needed to bounce this off someone. So here I am. And just telling you makes me feel better. I don't have the answers. I know you don't either. I'm not sure I want them at this point. But at least now I feel better."

Smiling, Kate thinks about all the times they've sat analyzing yet another sticky relationship issue.. "I know what you mean, Lanie. How many times have we sat here doing just this. We may not solve anything. But we always feel better."

Giving in, Kate leans over and hugs her. "It'll all work out how it's meant to."

"I know, Kate." Pulling back, Lanie looks at Kate again. "Enough about me. You have to tell me everything. I never in a million years thought I'd see you sporting his ring this soon. So what gives?"

"God, Lanie. I'm so in love with him." Blushing furiously now, Kate laughs at herself. "And that sounds so sappy. I never thought I'd be able to admit that to myself, let alone anyone else. But I am. And I did. And it's just…it's right. I know it is. One minute I'm running as far and as fast as I can. Then I'm telling myself its just the sex. And then I looked at him and I knew. I just knew. And I felt so calm. Everything I'd been freaking out about just…disappeared. And I accepted that this was it. He's everything I need and nothing I expected. And when I'm with him, everything is right, even when it's not. And I sound like an idiot." Laughing at herself, she shrugs, accepting the new her.

"No. You don't. You sound like you finally figured it out." At her surprised look, Lanie grabs her hands and gets serious. "I mean it, Kate. He brings out the best in you. And you bring out the best in him. It's not like you need him to define who you are. You are your own person. And so is he. But it's like you're the best version of you when you're with him."

Nodding, Kate can't help but agree. "I know Lanie. I feel it." At Lanie's sassy look, she smiles knowingly. "Get your mind out of the gutter Lanie. That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Mmm-hmm." Nodding, Lanie agrees. "But you've got to admit. You two scorch the sheets when you're together. I've seen the potential between you for years. Now that you've cut loose, it's got to be smoking hot."

"I am not going there!"

"No fair Kate! I share with you!"

Laughing now, Kate responds. "Yeah, but I don't ask you to. And sometimes I'd rather not know."

"Yeah. That's what they all say. But I noticed how carefully you listen when I talk."

"Shut up and drink your wine."

"You sure are bossy now that you're engaged to a best selling author."

"Oh, please."

"Girl, you've got to give me something. At least tell me how he proposed." Grabbing Kate's hand, she inspects the ring again. "This is gorgeous. That man has the best taste."

"I know. Right? "

"So the proposal?"

"All right, fine. So, we were..."