Chapter Seven:

Rick arrived in Los Angeles two days after Lanie and Hayley left Key West. Using his identity of Rodger Richards, he booked a room at a hotel not far from the apartment Alexis is living. He wanted to surprise her, but wasn't sure if showing up on her doorstep was the best idea given his change in appearance. It was nearly dark and his body was still on Key West time, so he opted to grab a quick meal and turn in for the night. He wasn't sure how long he would stay in LA. He'd toyed with the idea of moving here to be close to his daughter, but thought that he'd discuss it with her before he made a decision.

The next morning, he ate breakfast and decided to do a little sightseeing to kill time until Alexis was finished with her classes. He is sitting in the apartment complex parking lot waiting for her to arrive, and wonders how she will react seeing him for the first time in nearly a year.

Soon thereafter, he spots the British racing green Mini Cooper pulling into her reserved parking space. He waits to make sure it's her before he approaches. Rick calls out to her from a safe distance, not sure if she'll even recognize him. Alexis turns to where the sound is coming from, breaking into a sprint to reach her father. She practically leaps into his arms, pulling him close to her.

"Daddy, it's so good to see you. I've missed you so much..." She sniffs back a tear as she speaks.

He holds her to him and gives her a hug. "I've missed you too pumpkin. I'm so sorry for leaving like it did..." He releases her from his hug and she pushes back to give him the once over.

"Wow dad, you look so different."

"Is that good or bad?" Rick inquires.

She gives him a look as if trying to decide herself. "Too early to tell... I'm glad you lost weight and the tan looks good... I'm not so sure about the hair and the beard..."

Rick tries to offer a grin as he replies. "It's part of my disguise..."

"Who are you hiding from dad? It's been over a year now. When are you going home?" She loops her arm through his and leads him into her apartment complex.

Rick knew what she was really asking - when he was going back to New York and he wasn't sure if he ever was. "I was thinking of moving out here... Would you like that?"

The two stopped in front of her apartment's door and she gives him a serious look. "Of course I would dad, I'd love to be able to see you every day..." Alexis unlocks her door and the two enter her apartment.

Rick looks at the apartment appraisingly and smiles. His daughter's home reflected her personality and he was touched to see copies of most of his novels in her bookcase along with several pictures of the two of them throughout the place. "Love your place pumpkin..." Rick smiles and places a kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks dad." Alexis replies as she appears to be in deep thought. In reality, she was trying to think of a way to explain to her father how she had already made a dinner commitment for the evening - with Meredith. She was sure that her mother wouldn't mind, but wasn't sure how he would react to the news.

She opens the refrigerator and extracts a bottle of water. Looking to where Rick was standing, she calls out. "Would you like something to drink dad?"

Ricks smiles at his daughter and knows that something is amiss by her actions. "No thank you. Is there something wrong?"

"No, Yes, Maybe." She blurts out nervously. "I didn't think that you'd be here until tomorrow..."

"Hey, I understand. You've already made plans for the evening. Don't worry pumpkin, it's my fault..." Rick tries, but is unable to conceal the disappointment in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow then..." He moves close to her to give her a hug, mad at himself for thinking about the fact that his daughter is an adult and has a life of her own.

"No dad! It's not what you think... Well, I guess it is what you think, but it's not like that... Mom and I go out to dinner every Tuesday... I wasn't sure if you'd want to go with us seeing as we'll all be together Thursday..."

Part of Rick was surprised to hear that Alexis and Meredith had grown closer in his absence. Another part of him couldn't help but feel angry with himself for running away from his old life to get away from Kate. Here he was a year later and nothing was resolved. He had no closure. His thoughts return to the problem at hand and simply replies. "That's ok. You go and have a good time... Tell Meredith that I said hello..."

"No. I've changed my mind. You're coming with me." Alexis resolutely states as she gives him a look that says she will not take no for an answer.

"Don't you think that you ought to warn her that I'm coming?" Castle asks, not sure how his ex will react to seeing him unannounced.

"Nonsense, she'll be thrilled to see you..." Alexis pauses as she gives him a wink. "Especially with how you look..."

"Okay..." Rick replies, not sure what exactly she meant. "Do you want me to follow you in my car?"

"You can ride with me... Unless you're afraid..." She laughs at her last comment remembering how nervous her father was when he took her out driving as a teen. He gives her the very same fearful look that he did then, which only makes her laugh even more. Alexis takes him by the hand and tugs on it as she walks to the door.

The drive took about thirty minutes and to Rick's credit, he only slammed on his imaginary brake pedal once. Alexis seemed to delight in his discomfort, which oddly made him feel more at ease. They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and Alexis decides to park her car herself rather than use the valet.

Meredith had a standing reservation at this restaurant every Tuesday night and the hostess immediately recognizes the young woman. "Ms Castle, it's so good to see you..." The young hostess gives Rick the once over, not recognizing her guest. "And who's the handsome man with you?" She purrs.

Alexis smiles with pride. "Mindy, this is my father." Rick gives the young woman a smile and extends his had which she shakes.

Mindy leads the pair to the their table and tells them that their waiter will be with them shortly. Rick thanks her and she blushes a little as she walks away. Alexis grins at her father's embarrassed reaction to the hostesses less than subtle reaction to him. "I think she likes you dad."

His face turns a brilliant shade of red at her comment and he quickly changes the subject. "So how's the food here?"

The waiter arrives before she could answer and takes their drink orders. He was pleased to see that she ordered a sparkling water and he opted for a beer. The two made small talk about nothing in particular when Meredith enters the dining room and nearly screams at the sight. She runs to the table as fast as her five inch stiletto heels would allow her to move.

"Oh my god! Is that really you Ricky?" She squeals as she nears their table.

Rick rises up from his seat to greet her. "Surprise?" He asks.

She wraps her arms around him and squeezes, doing her best impression of a boa constrictor. "How long has it been Ricky? Three, Four years?" She releases him from her grasp and looks at him smiling. "You look good Ricky... Real good." The hungry look she gives him scares Rick and causes Alexis to laugh out loud.

"Mom! Quit hitting on dad." She comments between laughs.

"I'm not hitting on him." Meredith replies. "I was simply admiring the view." She smiles and takes her seat facing him at the table. "So Ricky, what have you done with yourself? And where have you been? Alexis has been worried sick about you..."

The guilt that Castle already felt was only amplified by Meredith's questions. At that moment he was glad that he didn't drive there because he would have been trying to find some reason to leave. He deserved to face his daughter's wraith for his actions, but not his ex-wife twice removed.

"I've know where dad has been and I know why. I understand why he did it." Alexis replies in defense of her father. "He came a long way to see me and I'm happy to see him." She gives Meredith a look that conveyed the topic was closed.

The remainder of the evening was spent with Alexis talking about school, or Meredith talking about her latest project. Rick stayed out of the conversation as much as possible. His daughter avoided any conversation regarding New York, or Kate Beckett. To her credit, Meredith honored her daughter's demand that she not mention Beckett. This had been agreed to when Alexis first learned that her father was coming to California to see her.

They enjoyed their meal and kept the conversation flowing. Meredith kept giving him sympathetic glances that puzzled him. Did she pity him?

The conversation finally slowed as they were enjoying their desert and coffees. Rick decides to add something to the conversation. "You'll never guess who showed up at my favorite bar in the city..."

Alexis tenses a little, afraid that Beckett somehow found out about where her father was from either Martha, Gina or Paula, the only people besides her that knew where he was living. "Who dad?"

"Lanie and Hayley. The had flown down for a weekend and were with another couple... I heard Lanie talking about me to her friends and decided to set the record straight..." Rick replies.

Alexis was shocked that her father would reveal himself to Beckett's best friend. He had to know that she'd run straight back to New York and tell her where he was. She wondered if her father really wanted to be found. "How'd that go dad?"

"Strange. At first Lanie was pissed-off at me, but the next day she apologized to me while we were out on my boat... Hayley must have set her straight..."

Alexis listened intently to her father, while Meredith only heard one word. "Did you say that you have a boat? What type?"

Rick smiles at her question. It was typical of her. "It's a sailboat. Endeavor 40. Helps me fill the time..."

She reaches across the table taking his hand in hers. "Maybe you could take us out on it sometime... I've always wanted to go sailing..."

"That sounds like a great idea dad." Alexis chimes in. "The semester break is in two weeks and I promised grams that I'd come to New York for Christmas... Maybe mom and I could come to Florida a few days early..."

The thought of having Meredith in his home was unnerving to him. He could tell by her looks that she was more than willing climb into his bed again. Getting Meredith into bed was never a problem. No, the problem was she wasn't the woman that he wanted in his bed and she never would be. Rick pastes a smile on his face and replies. "Sure thing pumpkin. It sounds like fun..."

The meal ends and goodbyes were exchanged. Meredith wraps her arms around Rick and whispers into his ear about how much she misses him and he could come to 'see' her anytime. Castle gives her a sad smile and places a kiss on her cheek. Soon he and Alexis are back on the highway.