"Have we got any ice-cream left over in the fridge?" Castle chirped brightly, his constant cheeriness already grating on Kate's nerves, frazzled enough as they were.

He was so annoying. And he was pretending like they hadn't fought, although he hadn't said a word to her so far.

Alexis wordlessly retrieved a carton of double-fudge chocolate chip ice-cream from the freezer and set it down on the counter in front of Castle, who used his spoon to salute her. "Thank you, m'lady."

"You're welcome. Um… Dad."

"Right. I am your father." Castle suddenly erupted into a fit of laughter. His outburst startled Kate, who jumped and knocked over his bowl , spraying drops of melted ice-cream everywhere. Castle didn't seem to mind, and continued to giggle. "Lex, I am your father. Get it? Do you get it? Lex and Luke." He was doubled over, clutching his stomach, indifferent to the mess of chocolate chips swimming in melted brown on the floor. "Like in Star Wars. Lex and Luke. See what I did there?"

"Yeah, Dad, you're a fountain of never-ending wit," Alexis replied dryly before reaching for a towel to mop up the mess. "Move a bit so I can clean this up. Ugh, it's all under the chair cushions! We'll never get it out."

"Sorry," Kate bit her lip. "It was an accident…"

"Don't worry about it," Alexis answered, but her reply seemed terse to Kate.

"Lex, I am your father," Castle started chanting. "Lex, I am your father. Lex, I am your-"

"I know, Dad, I got the memo."

"Good." Castle paused for a second, trying to remember what he needed. "Hey, can you give me some more ice-cream?"

Alexis sighed, gazing longingly at the closed door of the study, behind which Martha, Ryan and Esposito were discussing 'things'. Which of course left her with babysitting duty. Not that she minded, per say, it was just… why couldn't she be included, seeing as obviously she was going to have to do her fair share (and more, probably) of running around after the mini-Castle?"You know where it is. But don't eat Gram's. She'll kill me."

"Which one is Gram's?"

"The coffee one? I think. Maybe butterscotch."

"'Kay."

"And take it to the couch!" Alexis ordered. "Stay away from this area."

When Castle nodded and bounded over to the fridge to get more ice-cream, Kate glanced at the pile of dish towels, and then at Alexis, still mumbling under her breath as she cleaned, and back.

She should probably help, shouldn't she? It was her fault. But Alexis was… well, Alexis. And while they weren't exactly enemies, she knew they were far from being friends too. They had started off on good terms, but lately, with the whole will-they-won't-they nature of her and Castle's relationship, Alexis had regarded her with an almost wary unease- not that it wasn't warranted.

Alexis wasn't too fond of her at the moment. She might yell at her. She could. She might think Kate was being a bother and shout. Her dad had, once, when Kate was five. She was helping her parents paint their room, and she'd spilled a bucket of paint and had tried to wipe it up with tissues- really, she was only trying to help, that's all- but her dad was exhausted from work and painting the room, and he'd stood there and shouted at her until her mom had intervened and calmed them both down.

What if Alexis did that? Because Kate didn't want to have someone shouting at her. She wouldn't be able to argue back properly, she knew it, and maybe Alexis would make her cry like her dad did, and then she'd look like a baby and-

Okay, enough.

Kate grit her teeth. This was not happening. She was not scared of Alexis Castle- or any adult, for that matter. This was all just her damnlittle kid brain talking. Alexis wouldn't yell at her, because she just wouldn't. People didn't do that.

And anyway, she wasn't a kid. Just because she was in a little kid's body didn't mean that she had to think like a baby. Kate hopped off the bar stool in determination.

Eyeing Alexis cautiously, she grabbed another towel off the pile and crouched down next to the older girl.

Alexis looked up at the noise, startled. When she saw it was Kate, she shook her head in irritation, gesturing with the soaked cloth in her hand. "No, don't come here. Go sit down. You'll just make a bigger mess."

Kate halted instantly, and backed away, previous confidence forgotten. "Sorry."

Immediately, Alexis' expression softened, her eyes falling to the cloth in Kate's hand. "Wait, it's okay. You can help if you want to."

Kate approached the mess, carefully laying the dish towel down like her mom had showed her all those years ago. Alexis watched her curiously, her own towel lying unused on the floor next to her.

"Thanks for the help."

"You're welcome." Kate rocked on her heels as the ice-cream turned the paper-white towel tan, still feeling guilty.

"We got most of it, so I don't think it should stain. I hope it doesn't, anyway."

Kate felt worse. "I… I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to. My hand knocked it and it just, it was an accident, I-"

"Don't worry about it, really." Alexis gently pried the dish towel from her hands and soaked up the last few drops. "Accidents happen." She glanced at Kate, smiling slightly. "I don't think anyone could be mad at you. You're so small. How old are you anyway?"

"I think the doctor told us, but I don't remember exactly." Kate shrugged, playing with the hem of her makeshift dress.

"Maybe three, four? Five, if you were very short. Were you?" Alexis asked.

"I don't know."

"But you must know in general?" Alexis persisted. "Were you the shortest in your class, or in the middle?"

"Don't remember."

"What about on school photo day? Front or back?"

Kate floundered, trying to recall. "I, uh, maybe front? But I don't really-"

"Didn't the doctor tell you how old you are?"

"I really don't remember."

"Oh. Okay." Alexis dropped her line of questioning. She stood up suddenly, reaching her hand out to Kate. "I'm going to my room. Wanna come? Maybe we could find you some different clothes. Preferably in your size."

Kate stared at her hand, unsure. Should she?

"Aw, you're such a shy kid!" Alexis laughed, making her feel even more uncomfortable. "Is this a new thing, or were you always…?"

"I wasn't shy," Kate retorted angrily. "Well, maybe- maybe a little," she amended. "I grew out of it. I was, but just a bit."

"It's different from how you are- or were, I guess." Alexis moved her hand closer. "So, you coming?"

"Okay." Kate agreed, but there was no way on earth she was holding Alexis' hand to go up the stairs. No way. She skirted past the hand, trying to subtly pass Alexis without offending her.

Alexis looked confused at first, but then her expression cleared, and she followed Kate up the stairs, making a mental note not to baby her.

At the top of the stairs, Kate paused, allowing Alexis to lead the way into her room. She didn't want to just barge in.

Alexis pushed open her room door, and then walked over to her closet and pulled out a huge cardboard box from the top shelf, labelled simply 'Alexis- old'. "Here we go."

"What is that?" Kate asked curiously, moving closer.

"It's a few old clothes and toys from when I was little that Dad and Gram don't want to throw because they've decided it has sentimental value," Alexis explained as she unpacked the box. "Stuff I used to wear all the time. There's not much choice but I thought we might find something." Kate gingerly touched the pink and frilly baby clothes Alexis was tossing out. "Let's see… too small, way too small, too fancy… hey, would this fit you?"

"I'm not wearing that," Kate said firmly, shaking her head. "I have to grown back up sometime, you know." And if she wore that, she would never hear the end of it.

"I guess it is a little… not your style," Alexis admitted, folding away the pink and white princess t-shirt. The faded lettering- 'Just waiting for my Prince Charming'- was just visible. "Okay, how about this?"

Kate sized it up. Not bad. A plain blue buttoned shirt. Nothing girly or childish or fancy, except for a little yellow flower on the pocket. "Yeah, I like it."

"It's kind of like what you wear at work, but your size," Alexis said, tossing it to her. "Now for pants. I don't think we kept as many…" She held up a pair of light purple pajama shorts. "These?"

Kate wrinkled her nose.

"There's nothing else, though," Alexis told her. "And the shirt isn't long enough to wear as a dress."

"How about those?" Kate asked, spotting a pair of what looked like jeans.

"No, those are from when I was ten." Alexis combed through the clothes again, shaking her head. "Sorry. Guess you're stuck with the purple shorts."

"Why would you even own purple shorts?" Kate complained, picking them up and holding them at arm's length.

Alexis didn't answer the question. "Go change. Uh, you don't need help so… I can wait outside, right?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Kate muttered distractedly, holding up the outfit against her and trying to decide whether she would look worse in that, or the humongous shirt she was currently wearing. She heard how rude her short reply sounded and added "Thanks!" as an afterthought, just before Alexis closed the door. Alexis either didn't hear, or didn't answer.

After staring at the clothes for a minute longer, eventually she decided to wear them and, leaving her old shirt in a heap on the floor along with the belt, she observed herself in the mirror.

Not bad. Could be better, definitely. Way better. But alright for now.

Kate opened the door to thank Alexis, but she was gone. Hadn't she said she'd wait? Did something happen? Slowly, Kate reached the top of the stairs, which looked ominously huge, now that she was about 2 feet 8.

Again, she scowled at the injustice of it all before cautiously starting to make her way down. It wasn't that bad, actually. Just a little tiring.

The TV was blaring loudly- Scooby Doo? Seriously, Castle?- so the living room was her first stop. Castle was staring fixated at the screen, but he looked up and grinned when she entered.

"Hey."

"Hi," she replied awkwardly, unsure if he was mad at her or not. She shifted her weight from side to side.

He noticed- of course he did- and motioned her over. "Do you wanna watch?"

"Scooby Doo?" A scornful glance at the screen confirmed it. "I think I'll pass."

The big Castle would have changed the channel or thought up some witty retort to defend the show, starting their usual light banter. This Castle did neither, just shrugged and continued watching.

"I would watch with you," she hurried to appease his non-existent hurt feelings. "But- I mean, this show is for babies and little kids and it's stupid." God, it wasn't meant to come out that way! "I mean, it's not stupid. But it's for babies. Not smart people. For stupid people. But it's not stupid. I mean- ugh, never mind!"

Shit, shit, shit. This wouldn't go down well.

He shrugged again, seemingly unaffected. "Your loss. Nice outfit, by the way."

She had to admit, he was being pretty mature what with her insulting him and all-

"You really should watch with me." He cast a sidelong glance at her. "You could learn some things from them."

Feeling the irritation spiking, Kate took a few deep, calming breaths. "Sure, Castle, that's why I have the best record in the precinct."

"Yeah?" he challenged. "Well, they fight better than you do."

"They fight better than me?" She cast an incredulous look at the TV to see these 'incredible' combat skills. And scowled.

The four idiots were running in panic from a guy who was so obviously in a mask it wasn't even funny.

"Haha. Funny. Look how much I'm laughing," she recited in a monotone. "Oh God, Castle, stop. My stomach. Ha. I can't take it anymore. Hilarious."

He grinned widely. "I thought it was."

God, did he ever stop being a jackass? "Just shut up and watch your program."

"Aww, did I hurt Katie Watie's feelings?" Castle cooed. And then immediately, his expression froze. "I- Sorry. I'm sorry, that was mean. I don't know where that came from."

"You didn't hurt my feelings," Kate lied icily. "I know I can fight better than those guys. You too, actually."

"No, you couldn't." He sounded- and looked- confident.

Her eyes narrowed. What was he up to? "I could. And you know I could."

"Do I?"

She huffed in annoyance. "What do you want?"

"I want a match. Right here, right now. Winner takes all- pride, fame, glory, dignity, superiority-"

"Okay, I get it." She sized him up as he stood. Castle, literally a foot taller than she was at 3 feet 8, had to be about 15 to 20 pounds heavier, she knew. He could knock her down with a feather.

"Nope, not doin' it."

"Why, you scared?" he taunted, his eyebrows wiggling. She wanted to tell him they looked like little caterpillars.

Instead, she nodded. "Yes Castle, I'm scared. I'm way shorter and way lighter and you could hurt me."

He looked shocked. "I wouldn't!"

"I know," she said, "but it's dangerous. We can when we're both older again." She couldn't resist adding, "Anyway, you know I'll beat you then."

He snorted. "Yeah, okay."

"Come on, Castle, you've never had any defense training. I have."

"But I'm a guy," he pointed out, and she raised an eyebrow to say 'And your point is?' "I'm bigger," he elaborated. "And stronger. And faster."

"Who says?"

"I have more muscle mass- scientifically proven," he added smugly, before she could say a word.

Scientifically proven her ass.

"But I'm a cop." She folded her arms. "And I'm younger than you, and I've had defense training and I'm in better shape."

"And I eat healthier and I'm not addicted to coffee like you."

Kate continued as if he hadn't spoken. "I have a gun and I have a team of people working under me."

"I'm richer!" Castle retorted. "I make more money than you."

"I have better instincts and- and…" What the hell were they doing? She knew they should stop even as she spat out the words, even as she thought up more reasons.

Castle was continuing with his list. "And I have laser tag and I have a graphic novel! And plus I'm friends with the mayor! Your boss!"

"I have a motorbike!"

"I have a Ferrari!"

"I can do my job without help and inspiration," she spat out the word, "from people I don't even know!"

"I can make friends easier!"

"I'm not old!" She was fuming now, and going for the low blows. "I don't have a potbelly and a teenage daughter and I don't have two crazy ex-wives…" How had this moved from combat skills to general life?

"I have a family who lives with me!" Castle shot back. She swallowed. He was going for the kill, too. "And your team likes me better than you because I'm not a stick-in-the-mud like you are!"

"I'm not reckless!"

"I'm not boring! And I'm fun!"

"And I have a brain!" she yelled back, feeling tears pricking the backs of her eyes. "I don't hang around where I'm not wanted! I- I'm not stupid!"

The shout rang around the huge room- huge, but now it was feeling small and closed and cruel. Castle, too, had run out of words and was panting in the center of the tiny, spiteful room.

Neither spoke. The silence stretched on, each stunned at the barbs, the low digs, the speed with which the fight had escalated to maliciousness.

Finally she heard Castle let out a breath and dared to glance at him, biting her lip. He had looked up then, too, and their eyes met briefly. Her sigh turned into a deep, shuddering breath when she registered the wounded distress and uncertainty in his, and she knew he could see the hurt confusion in hers.

"I'm sorry," she offered eventually, just to break the silence, her voice tightly controlled.

Castle looked up at her, but didn't answer, and instead flopped down onto the couch, TV forgotten. "What's wrong with us?"

"I don't know," she admitted quietly, curling up next to him- but not touching, careful and still wary enough to keep her distance. "I think it's just because we're kids, maybe."

He didn't comment on her calling them kids, which she was glad for- it had slipped out unintentionally. "I don't remember being this mean."

"You weren't mean." She shook her head. No. He had been mean. But so had she. "We were both mean."

"I made you cry." He looked disgusted with himself.

"I didn't-"

"You were about to, Kate, don't pretend. And it was my fault." He stroked the arm of the couch with one finger, seeming deep in thought. After a second, he continued quietly, "I brought up your family".

She swallowed, feeling the familiar tightening in her throat and pushing it away because she was not going to cry right now. "I brought up your ex-wives first. And I called you old."

"Not as bad… Kate?" When she didn't answer, he nudged her gently. "Kate?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

"I think we should try not to be so mean to each other," Castle proclaimed after a pause. When she nodded- why would she disagree?- he was silent. Then: "Do I really have a potbelly?"

"No. Maybe. Just a little one. But even Esposito does." After a moment, she asked too: "Do Ryan and Esposito really…?" She couldn't finish the sentence. It hurt. Even if it was true, even though she could be a stick-in-the-mud.

Castle shook his head vehemently. "No way. I think they might even like you better. Whenever we fight they're always on your side. Remember that summer?"

Her fears slightly abated, Kate nodded. Then slipped her arm through his and squeezed in a sudden show of friendship.

Castle didn't say a word, but she saw the corner of his mouth quirk upwards. "Hey, do you wanna hear what they're talking about?"

"Who?" she asked, confused at the sudden change of subject.

"Them. Esposito, Ryan, Gates, Mother… and Alexis joined them a few minutes ago. Just before you came down." He gestured to the closed study door, then raised an eyebrow at her in question.

She smiled. "You kidding? They're talking about us! Of course I want to hear. How?"

"There's a vent halfway up that wall," Castle explained, pointing. "If you stand directly under it, you can hear what goes on in the room." She didn't need to voice her agreement at his plan- they were both already running eagerly towards the spot.

"Can you hear?" Kate hissed, her ear pressed against the wall.

Castle shook his head, his brow furrowed. "No. But stop talking. I can make out muffles…"

She took a step away from the wall, hands on hips. "This isn't working."

"Maybe we're too short," Castle suggested calmly, also turning away. When he scurried away, Kate couldn't help but feel irritated. What was he going to do to fix the height problem? Suddenly conjure up a pair of 3 feet tall platform boots? Have her stand on his head- or the other way round? Extendable Ears? A magic carpe-

Oh. He was- he was carrying a chair.

Good solution.

He carefully set it down directly in front of the vent, and the moment she was standing on it ("ladies first", he said), Kate froze.

But poses serious problems… we have to… acceptable solution… Beckett needs to…

"I hear them, I hear them!" she whispered excitedly, helping Castle onto the chair with one hand, the other holding the chair for balance. "Listen!"

"I've told you a hundred times and I'll tell you again, she's welcome to stay with us!" Martha's voice held a hint of aggravation.

"No prizes for guessing who she's mad at," Castle chuckled, earning an angry "Shh!" from Kate.

It was Iron Gates who answered, as Castle predicted. "As much as I appreciate that, Martha, as I've told you several times, she is a four-year-old now and you can't take care of two small children yourself! Add to that," she continued grimly, "those two small children happen to be the one partnership in the precinct who get themselves into more trouble than the rest rolled up into one. It's just not a good idea. Castle himself is one thing, but the two of them together will be a disaster."

"With all due respect, sir, there's nowhere else," Ryan's voice spoke calmly.

Kate nervously chewed on a hangnail. They were talking about her! And deciding where she should stay… She couldn't help feeling like a bit of a nuisance for them, to have to decide who should have to take in the annoying troublesome four-year- old.

Gates sounded frustrated at Ryan. "But you must realize that she shouldn't stay here?"

"Yeah, I do." Now there was a hint of apology in Ryan's voice. "Sorry, Martha, but you've got your acting classes in the afternoon, and Alexis has school in the morning. You don't want a babysitter, so only one of you would be there with them at any given moment. It's not fair to Alexis either. But," this last comment was directed at Gates, "there's nowhere else."

"Why can't she stay with one of us?" Esposito asked. "We haven't considered that."

"Yes, I have," Gates replied. "Ryan has a one-bedroom apartment. And you both work. End of story."

"Not really," Esposito countered. "I can hire a babysitter. There's plenty of space at my place. And Lanie could help out too- she doesn't work such long hours. Her apartment's tiny but it's close to mine- walking distance."

Alexis' voice cut in. "I do get that they'd be more trouble together and you want to keep them separated…" she started, "but aren't you all forgetting that it's much easier to keep two kids occupied than one?"

"Honey," Castle curled his lip in a sneer when Gates used the term of endearment, "we do understand that. But in the afternoons, you have homework and it's not fair to you to be expected to babysit them."

"Okay, I'm going in," Kate informed Castle angrily, jumping off the chair. "This is ridiculous." Pushing open the heavy wooden door, she barged into the room, arms crossed. How dare they decide things for her? Who did they think they were? "What the hell?"

"Hey, Beckett." Esposito, sitting on Castle's desk, looked worn out- no wonder, after a half-hour long meeting with Iron Gates involved.

"You didn't think to maybe ask me?" she snarled, ignoring his greeting. "It's my life and it affects me most and I-"

Esposito didn't wait for her to finish- he just bent down, picked her up and set her down on the desk next to him. "Okay, you're right. You're in too."

"Seriously?" She was shocked at how easy that was. She'd been expecting to have to argue for hours- well, minutes- before being included.

Martha sighed, rolling her eyes, which Kate took offense at before she called out "Richard, you can stop moping there by the door and come in too."

Castle bounded in gleefully. "So, where's she staying? Can she stay with us, Mother? Please? Pretty please?"

Gates glanced at Kate. "You heard the arguments?" When Kate nodded, she didn't look surprised in the slightest. "What do you think?"

"I don't think… I- I don't really…" Kate floundered. She had no idea. She didn't particularly want to live with any of them, if she was being honest.

"It's only for a week or so," Ryan reminded her, but still she stayed silent.

Esposito tapped his leg thoughtfully. "How about this. Beckett comes with me in the evenings, and sleeps at my place at night, so it gives Martha and Alexis a break at that time. In the mornings, I drop her off here and Martha looks after her, because let's face it, no one else is free unless one of you wants to take a few weeks' leave." The last part was directed at Gates. "And in the afternoons, either Lanie or Alexis can babysit since Lanie doesn't work most afternoons and I don't think she'd mind."

"And on the weekends Jenny and I or Esposito could take them both out to give you guys a break," Ryan said to Martha.

"It's fine with me," Martha said. "Alexis?"

"I don't mind either."

"Beckett?" Ryan asked.

"Um, sure?" It came out more like a question. "I guess. I mean, I don't really mind anywhere."

"It's settled then."