Here's chapter eight! This chapter and the next were originally one extremely long chapter, but I decided to break it up. So, chapter nine will be up soon! I hope you enjoy, and as always, please review! :)

A special thanks to those who gave me ideas: "I'm Widget" (from Fanfiction) along with "SinginPrincess" & "Tsurwolf" (from Castletv .net). Also to "Jethro25" (from Fanfiction) for a dialogue consultation. Thanks guys!

After Castle left the precinct , he wondered aimlessly around the street of New York. He met a few fan girls who asked for his autograph. He granted them their wish, but just going through the motions, not paying attention.

When Castle finally arrived home he sat on the couch, lost in his thoughts.

"Hey kiddo, why so down?" Martha had come in and Castle hadn't noticed.

"Beckett."

"What did you do now?"

"Hey! Why do you assume that it was me who did something?"

"Richard, dear, I've met you both. And although I've only known detective Beckett for a short time, I know that it would be you who would screw it up."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, mother."

"So tell me what you did. I am a life coach remember. I'll tell you what to do."

"Yes, I do. And I also remember that last time you had one of your sessions, three of my best bottles of champagne mysteriously disappeared."

"Well, how about I take the price off the session we're about to have?"

Castle was just about to say something when Alexis arrived home from school. "Gram, I'm home."

"We're in here, darling."

"We?" Alexis bounded the corner. "Dad? What are you doing home so early? Why aren't you off saving the city from killers?"

"Girl troubles." Martha piped up.

"I knew something was up. You've been sulking around here since Kate stayed for the movie. What's up?"

"I did something that I probably shouldn't have. Now she won't even talk to me about it."

"You could send her flowers and a card. It's simple, but a nice gesture. I think she'd like it."

"Yeah? Maybe." He thought flowers and a card were too cheesy. Not what she would be expecting from him.

"You won't know until you try." She gave her dad a hug. "I have to do my math assignment and then I have study group."

"Okay. Thanks sweetie. I'll think about it."

"Flowers are nice. Whatever the situation is, flowers won't make it worse." Martha put her two cents in before she went out to rehearse a play with some friends.

Castle picked up his phone and called the only person he thought that could help him.

"Parish"

"Lanie, hi. It's Castle."

"Hi. I'm still working on the autopsy. I'll call you guys when I'm done."

"No, Lanie, wait. I'm not calling about the murder. It's more of a personal call."

"I am in the middle of doing an autopsy on the vic, this had better be good or you will soon be joining her."

"It's about Kate." He hesitated, but he needed answers.

"Go on." She was intrigued he had called her.

"Tell me what to do."

"Excuse me?"

"She hasn't spoken to me since Saturday. I'm sure she's told you all about it."

"She did."

"Well, I talked to her at the crime scene this morning… she pretty much ignored me."

"Yes."

"Well, how do I fix it? You're her best friend. You know her better than anyone. If anybody knows how I can fix this, it's you. So…?"

"Castle, listen. I'm going to tell you something, and if she ever finds out I told you, I will kill you. Kate threatens you about shooting you, but I dare you to try and call my bluff."

Castle gulped. "I'm listening."

"Ever since her mother died, and Will left, she's never let anyone in. She talks to me every now and again, but I can tell she holds back. I don't push her, but you do. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's just that she's not used to it. She's always in control of her emotions and follows her head, not her heart. She's changed since you've been shadowing her. She laughs more, and she just seems… happier." Hearing Lanie say he made her happier couldn't keep the smile off his face. "She doesn't need someone who is going to let her down, or try to overshadow her. She needs someone who is going to make her laugh, challenge herself, and just let her have fun. And… and I think you're that guy. She's let you in to her life, and her past. She doesn't do that. It took me a lot longer to get where you are now." She paused, waiting for him to say something.

"Castle?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Talk to her, and be direct. Don't make jokes; this isn't a joke to her. She needs to know that you'll be there."

Castle nodded.

"Try something simple. Maybe, flowers."

"Alexis mentioned that too. You think she'd like it?"

"I don't remember the last time she got flowers, but she's a girl. I'm sure she'd like them."

"Okay, thanks for the talk."

"White Orchids."

"Huh?"

"That's her favourite."

"Thanks Lanie, I mean it. And I promise that she won't know we ever talked."

"You had better keep your word, Castle."

"I will. Thanks again."

"One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Good luck. You're going to need it. She's stubborn as hell."

"I know. Thanks." He hung up the phone and decided on flowers and a card.

There was nothing to be done at the precinct. They were waiting for Lanie to finish with the autopsy, so Kate for once, decided to go home. She was in the middle of a relaxing bath when her doorbell rang. She thought it could be Castle, and that he couldn't possibly see her in a towel. But it could also be something important. She got out, wrapped a towel around her self, and proceeded to her door. If Castle stood there when she opened it she would not be pleased. When she opened the door she was glad it wasn't him… well, not in the flesh.

"I have a delivery for a…" the young man paused as he read the card. "Detective Kate Beckett. Is that you?"

"That's me."

"Then these are for you."

"Me?" Kate was shocked. She stood holding a beautiful bouquet of White Orchids. "Thanks?" It was more of a question because she was still stunned. Kate closed the door and found there was a card attached to the flowers. She opened it and read:

I'd be lost if I lost you.

- RC

She instantly recognized the lyrics from the song Castle made fun of her for only a few days ago. She immediately picked up her phone and hit the number three on her speed dial.

"Parish."

"He sent me flowers, and a card."

"Kate?" Lanie was surprised to hear her best friend at the end of the line. "Who sent you flowers? Castle?" She tried to sound surprised.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And what? What am I supposed to do? He sent me White Orchids. How'd he know?"

"He has a way of finding things out." She quickly changed the subject. "What does the card say?"

"I'd be lost if I lost you. Signed RC."

This time it was Lanie who was stunned. She had told Castle to be simple. She didn't expect he'd come up with this. "Wait, isn't that a lyric from – "

"Yeah, it is."

"Does he know that song was your mother's favourite, that it was the song your parents danced to at their wedding? I mean, how'd he know?" This time Lanie wasn't trying to act surprised – she was shocked as hell.

"No, he didn't know. Well, I never told him, if that's what you mean. It was playing in the car on Saturday. I just told him I liked the station, not the song in particular."

"Girl, wow! He's a lot different then I thought."

"Yeah." Kate already knew what Lanie's next question was going to be.

"So, are you going to go over and see him?"

"I have to right? I mean, nobody has ever…" She trailed off. "I can't just ignore him."

"Call me whenever you sort it out, or well, just call me after."

"I will. Did you get the results for our vic yet?"

"Yes. But that can wait. I'll get Ryan and Esposito on it, and I will give them strict instructions to not disturb you unless it's a matter of life and death."

"It just might be, I'm not at his place yet."

Lanie laughed. "Remember what I said about natural causes."

"I remember. I'll talk to you later."