With the help of the Holden's and the Sherwood's the house is put together in two hours. The office is transformed into Dad's room, because Dad was insistent I'd take the master bedroom. I get my dad's new medication from the commissary. I even go and get a membership for the gym on post, then I start looking for a job. When I get back home Dad has fallen asleep on the couch watching The Munsters. Using the remote I turn off the TV, then I quietly go into the kitchen to put away his new medication and get started on dinner. Sticking with something simple, I pull out a small box of noodles from the cupboard along with a jar of Prego sauce. I'm making Mom's famous homemade spicy spaghetti. I am stirring the pot full of noodles while listening to A Sunday Kind Of Love by Etta James when there is a knock at the door. Sighing, I quickly turn off the stove and go to open the door. "Hey, we're the welcoming party." A redhead in jeans and a green blouse says as I open the door. "Hi." I say casually whilst shaking her hand. "We came to take you out for a drink." The blonde in an army print mini skirt and a purple Beatles shirt standing next to her explains. As I go to answer them, the buzzer on the stove goes off. "Please come in and make yourselves at home." I state as I go to the kitchen. "Katie, who's at the door?" Dad asks as he wakes up from his nap. "Sorry, name's Roxy and this here's Pamela." The blonde answers with a smile as she shuts the door. "Sorry if we interrupted you guys' dinner." Pamela states worriedly as she and Roxy follow me into the kitchen. "Wow, what smells so good?" Roxy asks as she sits on a barstool. "Homemade spicy spaghetti. My mom's recipe." I answer while draining the noodles. "So what do you say to a night out with the girls?" Pamela wonders as Roxy wipes off the bottom of the pan for me. "I wish I could, but we just moved in today and my dad needs me at home." I say distractedly as I add the spicy sauce to the noodles along with some Italian seasoning. "Go on out, Katie. You deserve to have some fun, at least for the night." Dad says as he shuffles into the kitchen. "But Dad!" I exclaim. "Katherine, go." Dad commands.
That night the three of us end up at a bar called Betty's. Apparently, Roxy owns it or something. "You'll like this place. Plus, you'll get along with our other friends." Roxy says excitedly as we pull into a parking space. Inside, the place looks like any other generic coffee shop back home, though a lot bigger. I follow behind Pamela as Roxy pushes me along by the shoulders as we approach a small cluster of people. "Roland, Trevor. I'd like you to meet Kate. She and her father just moved onto the post." Pamela says, introducing me. "Hi, guys." I wave. When we have a round of drinks in us, and all their questions have been answered, I started looking around watching everyone else. "Are you looking for some help?" I ask Roxy as I sip my wine. "Actually, one of my waitresses just quit this morning and I was short staffed to begin with. Do you know how to bartend?" Roxy asks as she takes me behind the bar. "Does serving water and other non-alcoholic drinks at a family's wedding when I was twelve count?" I ask questionably. "Not really, but I can train you." Roxy jokes. "Thank you for the opportunity. And the job." I answer politely. So as the hours go by and with the help of Roxy and Roland I am trained by the end of the night. "You're a natural!" Roxy tells me as we close up. "Why, thank you, I think?" I say, confused. "Well, if it pays the bills why complain?" Roxy asks with a smirk. As we laugh over some of the customer's antics from earlier, a man in an army uniform comes in. He's tall, and from where I'm standing I can see he's handsome. "Like what you see?" Roxy asks. "What?" I question, snapping my gaze from the mystery man back to Roxy. Before Roxy can comment, Trevor comes over with the man. "Honey, I'd like you to meet Major Rick Castle. He's my new boss." Trevor smirks as Roxy shakes hands with Castle. "You have a beautiful wife, but please tell me this lovely woman is your single sister." Castle flirts with me. "My name is Kate Beckett. I just moved here." I explain, extending my hand to shake his. "Rick, Rick Castle and can I just say how hot you look right now." Rick flirts with a wink. "Men." I groan with an eye roll as I go back behind the bar to wash some glasses.
Life goes on for the next four weeks. I take Dad to the hospital every week to get chemo and every night Castle comes in around nine. "What can I get you tonight, Major?" I ask as Castle sits down at the bar with a smile. "How about a Budweiser?" He asks with a smile in my direction as he grabs a few beer peanuts. "You got it." I say with a chuckle as some rednecks walk into the bar. "So when's your dads next appointment?" Castle asks when I set the beer in front of him. "Tomorrow morning at eight. The doctor's going to run some tests to see how the cancer is and if they need to correct treatment in any way." I explain while wiping down the bar. "I hope everything goes well for him, and you." Castle says thoughtfully and the others nod their heads. "Thank you. I'll be right back. Apparently, those rednecks can't wait for me to get them something." I say exasperated. "Welcome to Betty's. What can I get you two?" I ask as I pull my notepad from the waistband of my black ripped jeans. "Hey baby, you must be from Tennessee, because you're the only ten I see." The big burly one lamely flirts. "Wow, counting. Did someone finally get into first grade?" I snicker before walking of to the bar. "My feet are killing me and I still have two and a half hours." I complain to Castle as I fill other customers orders. "You know you can always come to me if you need anything, anything at all." Castle says seriously as we lock gazes. "I know. And I can't tell you how much it means to me." I say thankfully placing my hand on his arm. "I'm not good enough for you but he is?" Big Burly comes over, asking. "Excuse me?" Castle exclaims. "It's okay. Look don't press your luck and just go back to...Ow! No! Hey! Hey!" I cry out as Big burly grabs my wrist way to tight trying to drag me away. Next thing I know Castle punches the guy in the jaw knocking him of his feet as the whole bar turns into a giant boxing ring. Castle is to my left punching some guy in the gut as he gets attacked from behind. Pamela is being shoved around. Someone lands a blow on Castle. Roxy is yelling for people to take it outside and keep it out of the bar, while a friend of Big Burly grabs Castle's arms from behind as another comes at him swinging. Castle pushes up and kicks the one man in the chest as I get a fist in my eye trying to help Claudia Joy and Denise get out of the way. Soon enough, the cops are running in, arresting people left and right and questioning everyone else. After everything is cleaned up, the bar is put back together as much as can be for now. I walk down to the local precinct to bail Castle out.
"You know you didn't have to do that, right?. And I'm going to pay you back. Every penny." Castle promises as he receives his belongings from a fat officer at property. "No need, Castle. You were just defending me." I say, smiling shyly with my hands in my back pockets. "Why don't we get some coffee before I walk you home?" Castle asks while he places his hand at the small of my back as we exit the police station. "I'd like that." I say blushing. The cold November wind is raising goosebumps on my bare arms and my purple short sleeved V-neck, gray sleeveless deep V-neck vest, and my piping hot coffee do nothing to help. "Where are my manners? You must be cold." Castle says as he shoulders off his army jacket. "No, don't do that. You'll just end up cold." I say while patting his chest with my free hand. "But what about you?" He asks, zipping his jacket. "Oh, I have the perfect solution." I whisper as I wrap an arm around his waist and cuddle into his side as we continue down the road. Castle just wraps his arm around my shoulders as his face brakes out into a grin that has his eyes crinkling. Soon, I find myself pleasantly warm and the rest of the walk comes to an end way to soon for my liking as we show our ID's to the guard at the main gate. "What would you say to me walking you home?" Castle asks as we are allowed to pass into the post. "I'd say, how about next time?" I offer. "Then I'd say, see you tomorrow night and I'll walk you home." Castle promises as he gives me a hug and a kiss to my temple. "What on earth did I ever do to deserve meeting you?" I question while hugging him back and burying my face in his neck. "You're you. The kind, sweet, devoted daughter and police detective." Castle offers as we break apart. "Thank you. For everything." I say quietly as I start walking on home.
The next morning I'm sitting out in the hospital gardens waiting on my father, when a coffee cup appears in my line of vision unexpectedly. "Coffee for your thoughts?" Castle asks sitting down next to me. "Thank you. He's been in there for almost two hours, it must be bad news." I say worriedly. "No news is good news. At least, that's what I've always been told." Castle states. "So how is work?" I question, trying to change subjects. "Some guy in training went to throw a fake grenade and ended up tossing it behind us. Luckily, the thing was only filled with baby powder." Castle says with a smile. "How did he throw it behind everyone?" I ask seriously. "No idea. But this whole team is brand new. Well, except LeBlanc. We're trying to limit their exposure to the real deal as much as possible right now until I know I can trust them." Castle explains. "Smart. That way you know how they will react and you know that they won't make that mistake again," I agree. Castle and I sit there for another thirty minutes, just talking about his work. Sometimes I even tell him about a case I have worked back home. He is really interested in Ryan and Esposito. The way we worked together and how we treated each other. "Oh, before I go, Alexis wanted me to ask if you could come over for dinner again this week?" Castle hesitantly asks as he nervously rubs his neck. "Well, if Alexis wants me to come over, I will. Besides, I've missed playing with my girl." I tease while batting my lashes at him. Castle just shakes his head and walks off with a smile as my dad comes out of the hospital. "How did it go?" I ask standing up. "Not good, Katie. Apparently, I have kidney failure because of the radiation. Plus I've got a cold." Dad states somberly as we walk to the car. "But the chemo is working right?" I ask. "It doesn't look like it." Dad sighs. "Do you still feel up to going to the BBQ for Jeremy Sherwood?" I ask. "We said we'd be there. It would be rude not to show." Dad says.
Dad shrugs off my help once we get to the Sherwood's', saying he can do it himself. So I let him without trying to argue, and just go over to Denise. "Thank you for coming." Denise greets me with a hug. "No problem. How is everything?" I ask as I look around. Emmalin and Jeremy are huddled together talking. T.J. and Finn are playing football with Katie and Lucas. A man on crutches is talking to Trevor as they drink beers. Frank is at the grill flipping hot dogs and burgers as Claudia Joy comes out with a bowl of what looks like potato salad. Dad has wandered over to a chair set in the shade as he talks with Michael. Pamela and Roxy are standing by the drinks table putting out more cups and napkins. Suddenly, I hear, "Kate! Kate! Kate!" and barely have enough time to turn around before a redheaded ball of energy collides with my legs. "Alexis, I was just talking to your dad about you earlier." I say, smiling as I kneel down to hug her. "Daddy said you're coming over for dinner again. Can we color like last time?" Alexis asks as she wraps her arms and legs around me. "Why else would I put up with your daddy, besides seeing you?" I ask jokingly.