Kate kept to herself on the cab ride home, sitting as close to the door as possible. She watched the city flash by, her thoughts a jumbled mess. I'm not ready for love, I can't do this. I trust Castle, he's a great guy, but I'm not ready for love. She chewed on her lower lip. But the sex is AWESOME!!! Hot, steamy, make you scream his name sex. She felt a slight blush creep into her cheeks. But sex isn't enough and you know it. She sighed heavily.
Castle could tell something was wrong. Kate was sitting as far from him as possible, her gaze never leaving the window. He watched as she bit her lip, then blushed, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Kate?" His voice barely above a whisper, afraid she would startle if he spoke to loudly. She shook her head, a couple strands of hair coming loose from their position and falling into her face. She didn't brush them away. He called to her again, this time reaching out and touching her cheek softly. "Kate?"
She felt his warm touch against her cheek and sighed deeply. She couldn't deny the emotions his touch created. No, I can't. I refuse to let my heart be broken when he decides to date the next hot blonde that flounces by. The cab came to a stop at her apartment and she shoved the door open, ignoring Castle as he calls her name for the third time. She didn't stop as she shoved the doors to the lobby open and strode inside. "Go away Castle." She picked up her pace as she heard Rick closing in behind her. He wasn't fast enough, as she slid into her apartment and shut the door in his face.
"Kate!" He called through the door, sounding exasperated.
"I'm serious Castle, go away." She leaned her head against the door, knowing he was probably staring at the door in confusion.
"What's wrong Kate? I'm worried about you." She could hear the worry in his voice, true concern dripping from every word. Hearing it, made her sigh deeply. I can't and I won't. NO!
"Go home before I call Esposito to come arrest you for harassment." She tried to sound angry, but it came out more tired than anything. She pushed away from the door and headed to her room to change. She tossed her phone on her bed and removed the pins and clips holding her hair up. She ran her hands through her hair, hoping to remove some of the knots and tangles. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up, reading the text message. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong." She groaned and furiously typed a message back. "Give me some space Castle!" She tossed her phone on the bed and changed into her sleepwear, then proceeded to crawl under the covers and fall into a fitful slumber.
Kate nursed her cup of coffee as she stared at the latest case file. A husband and wife murdered at their lake house. The crime scene had been clean, no finger prints, no murder weapon. She had a nagging feeling that it was the best friend of the husband, who happened to have a previous relationship with the wife. I could really use Castle's insight right now. Realizing what she'd just thought, she chastised herself. Shame on you. You told him you needed space and he's giving it to you. You can't have both. She heard Esposito clear his throat and glanced up. "What's up?"
"We found Raphael, the husband's friend. He's in interrogation room one. You want this one?"
"Nah, you can take a crack at him." She set the case file down and watched him disappear into interrogation room one. Why do I feel like this? She rested her head in her hands.
"Detective Beckett?" Kate startled at the voice.
"Alexis?" Seeing Castle's daughter, suddenly made Kate fear that something was wrong. "Is everything alright?"
Alexis nodded, smiling. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure." She stood and motioned them into the empty break room. "You're sure everything is ok?"
Alexis chuckled lightly. "I promise, I'm fine and Dad is……ok."
Kate looked up from getting a bottle of water from the fridge. Alexis was smiling sweetly, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. Handing the bottle to her, Kate took a seat opposite and smiled. "Alexis, you can tell me anything you need to."
Alexis smiled and visibly relaxed. "Alright, Dad's been awfully quiet lately." Kate tried to keep her face blank, hoping her emotions wouldn't show. She motioned for Alexis to continue. "He's been in his office ever since last night."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Alexis looked at Kate quizzically. "Isn't he working on the new novel?"
"Detective Beckett, this is different. He hasn't touched his laptop or anything to do with the novel." Kate wasn't sure where this was going. "He hasn't had breakfast or lunch, I'm worried."
"Alexis, I……"
"I know you have every right to not tell me about your love life. I'm just your average teenage girl, but I do know that Dad came home last night looking….." Alexis paused, seeming to be searching for the right word. "…..lost. He looked pitiful. He won't talk to me either, or gram for that matter."
Kate sighed. "Alexis, I'm sorry that I may have caused you worry, but I'm sure your Dad is fine." She stood and patted Alexis's shoulder. "If he's still not fine by tomorrow, call me."
"Really?" Alexis seemed hesitant.
"Really." She walked with Alexis to the elevator, waiting for the doors to shut before she let out a frustrated sigh. It's not bad enough that I can't sort out these feelings, now I've got Alexis telling me that her father is pouting because I told him I needed space. She stalked back to her desk, finding Esposito leaning against it, smiling. "Please tell me that Raphael did it."
"Raphael did it. Confessed almost immediately."
Kate eyed him curiously. "What did you do to get him to confess so quickly?"
Esposito chuckled and smiled wider. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Kate rolled her eyes and picked up the case file.
"Since you are so smart, you get to close the case properly. Paperwork and all." She grinned and shoved the file into his hands. "Have fun." Esposito watched in surprise as she sauntered to the elevator, jacket and keys in hand. "Call me for emergencies only." She called to him as the elevator doors slid shut.
Kate had had another fitful night. She had today off from work and thought she was going to go out of her mind. By ten am she was getting frustrated. It was as she checking her phone for missed calls or messages, she thought of talking to Lanie. Hitting the speed dial, she listened as the phone rang. "Hello?" Came Lanie's sleepy answer.
"Hey Lanie."
"Kate, hi"
Kate sighed. "Can I come over?" There was a pause and Kate groaned. "Please Lanie. I need someone to talk to."
She heard Lanie sigh. "You'd better come bearing breakfast."
Kate showed up at Lanie's door twenty minutes later with a bagful of breakfast. She knocked and was surprised at how quickly Lanie answered the door. She held up the bag. "Breakfast is served." Lanie chuckled and stepped aside to let Kate in.
"So what's up girl?"
Kate moved into the living room and set the bag on the glass coffee table. Lanie excused herself to get some plates from the kitchen, leaving Kate to look around. It had been some time since she'd been at her best friends place and she began to realize that Lanie must make some good money as an M.E. "Hey Babe, what's all the……" Came a voice from Lanie's bedroom.
Kate turned to see Esposito standing in the bedroom doorway, wearing nothing but a pair of blue boxers. OH MY GOD! Kate couldn't keep her jaw from falling open. "Esposito." Was all she could manage. Esposito seemed frozen in place, his eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights. Kate felt horrified and amazed at the same time. Dear god, he's built….NO he's like a brother to you, get your mind out of the gutter……but look at…..NO! NO! NO! Kate finally managed to gather a coherent thought and began to chuckle. "I always kinda took you for a briefs man Esposito."
She couldn't seem him blush, but knew he was. He finally managed to move as Lanie reappeared with dishes and silverware in hand. She looked to Kate and then back to Esposito. "Sorry." She stated in Kate's directions.
"It's alright. Next time we talk at my place though." Lanie chuckled as Esposito disappeared back into the bedroom in embarrassment.