Kate made her stop by the precinct to check on Ryan and Esposito. They were knee deep in paperwork and Kate chuckled. "Havin fun fellas?"
Ryan grunted and shoved his paper away for a moment, resting his head on his desk. "Have I said before how much I hate paperwork?"
"Only a million times bro." Esposito grumbled, not looking up from his papers.
"Well, you boys have fun. Call me for emergencies only!" She gave them a fierce look to say she meant it and turned, briskly walking out of the precinct.
Richard was in the kitchen preparing dinner when the doorbell rang. Alexis had bounded down the stairs and raced to the door before he could even take the oven mitts off. "Detective Beckett!" Alexis chimed as she threw the door open.
Kate chuckled. "Hello Alexis. You're in a good mood."
The red head shrugged. "It's been a good day." She motioned for Kate to follow her into the kitchen. "You made up with Dad and now you're here for dinner and a movie." The girl was absolutely bouncing with joy.
"So, what movie did you bring Detective?" Rick questioned, now preparing the plates with food. Kate inhaled the delicious smell of dinner and smiled.
"The latest new movie to come out." She took another whiff of the food. "What did you make? It's smells wonderful!"
Rick laughed lightly. "It's manicotti formagio. It tastes just as wonderful as it smells."
Dinner went off without a hitch and everyone was now lounging in the living room, watching the movie. Alexis had disappeared upstairs at some point during the movie when her phone rang, leaving Rick and Kate alone. Kate looked down at Rick, unsure of how they'd ended up in their current position. She was sitting on the far end of the couch, her bare feet propped up on the coffee table. Rick's head rested in her lap, her hand lazily running through his hair. His eyes were closed, his breathing deep and even, making her think he was asleep. Hearing foot steps, she looked to see Alexis descending the stairs.
"Hey Alexis." Seeing the look on girl's face, she frowned. "What's wrong?"
Alexis moved to stand at the edge of the couch, near her father's feet. "I just got off the phone with my mom." Kate just smiled, her hand still lazily running through Rick's hair. "She says she's with this new guy."
"Does that bother you?"
Alexis shook her head. "No, that part doesn't."
Kate raised a brow. "What other part is there?" Rick stirred in his sleep and rolled onto his side.
Rick's daughter sighed. "She said she may be pregnant." Kate tried her best to keep the surprise off her face. She recalled the time Castle had told her how much Meridith had hated being pregnant with Alexis.
"I'm assuming your not happy about it." Kate offered.
Alexis face scrunched up as she thought. "You know, I don't know." She heaved a sigh. "I mean the thought of having a possible brother or sister is kinda nice." She was toying with the fabric of the couch now. "But I worry more about the guy she's with and how he'll handle it."
"Well, you're mother can't have that bad of taste in men." Alexis gave Kate a look that told her she had to be kidding. "I mean she did marry your dad at some point."
Alexis chuckled. "I don't think she married Dad for his sparkling personality."
Kate didn't catch the meaning and raised a brow.
Alexis closed her eyes and grimaced. "Please don't make me say it. Dad's already going to be paying for enough therapy as it is."
Kate couldn't contain the laughter that escaped her. Rick mumbled something incoherent and snuggled into her stomach. "I'm sorry Alexis. But I'm sure you're dad would say the same thing I'm about to say." She began running her hand through his hair again, finding the motion relaxing. "You're mother is a grown woman." Alexis opened her mouth to protest, but Kate held up her free hand. "And I know you are more of a parent to her than she is to you, but you are going to worry yourself sick if you're not careful."
Alexis nodded, smiling. "Thanks Kate. You always seem to know what to say."
"You're welcome."
Alexis said her goodnights and turned to head back upstairs. Kate turned back to the tv, almost missing Alexis's next statement. "There are times I wish I had you for a mom." Kate froze in her reach for her water glass on the side table. She hadn't expected the girl to say such a thing to her. Wow! I didn't see that coming. She looked back to see Alexis had already returned to her room. She sighed heavily and looked down at Rick's sleeping form. Mrs. Castle. Kate Castle. It does have a nice ring to it. Rick stretched and yawned, his eyes finally opening.
"Hi sleepy head." She chuckled down at him.
He rubbed his eyes and looked around. "Did I miss the movie?"
"Yep. Sleep well?" She was still running her hand through his hair and he sighed contentedly, his eyes closing for a moment.
"Mmmm Hmmm." He buried his head in her stomach, using a free hand to lift her shirt ever so slightly. She suddenly squealed in laughter as Rick blew a raspberry on her stomach. He now had a good grip on her hips, refusing to let go as he proceeded to blow on her stomach again. She was laughing uncontrollably, barely able to fight him off.
"Please…….no…more." She pleaded in between gasps of breath. Rick laughed and stopped, giving her just enough time to push him off the couch completely. He hit the floor with a thud, both of them laughing till their sides hurt. The sound of AC/DC floated from Kate's coat pocket and she sighed. "It's Esposito." She moved to retrieve her phone.
"He has his own ring tone?"
Kate ignored him and answered the phone. "This had better be an emergency Esposito." Her expression turned to one of confusion. "Lanie?" Then to one of absolute horror. Rick was up off the floor and to her side in seconds. "We're on our way." Kate slid her phone shut and grabbed her jacket and keys.
"Kate, what happened?" He was in the process of grabbing his jacket and turned to see she was already out the door. He ran after her, barely catching her in the elevator. He grabbed her shoulders as the doors dinged shut. "What's going on."
"He was shot Rick." Her voice was broken and barely above a whisper. The elevators doors opened on the lobby floor and Kate bolted for the door, with Rick right on her heels.
Kate sped through the streets of New York to the hospital, throwing the car into park as soon as she found a spot. Rick was right behind her, no matter how fast she moved. Montgomery nearly collided with them as they came bursting through the waiting room doors. "Details!" Kate barked to whoever was listening. Ryan was sitting with his head in his hands, while Lanie sat next to him, somehow maintaining a calm demeanor. Montgomery was the first to speak.
"Ryan and Esposito were dispatched to a crime scene that had already been cleared. Lanie was examining the body, while Ryan and Esposito were speaking to the victim's supposed girl friend." Montgomery looked to Ryan who was now shaking his head, his shoulders shaking lightly. "There was a commotion in the hall and then a guy came bursting into the apartment, letting loose a blaze of bullets." Kate could only stare at her captain as he spoke. She was barely aware of Rick standing so close behind her, his hand grasping hers tightly. "Ryan moved to protect the girl friend and Esposito moved to cover Lanie. The bullet hit him just below the vest." Lanie suddenly broke into tears, something Rick never thought he'd see. Kate raced to her friends side, hugging her tightly.
"He was having trouble breathing Kate. There was a lot of blood." Lanie sobbed uncontrollably and all Kate could think to do was hold her tight. Rick looked to Montgomery and then to Ryan, who hadn't moved. He spoke to Montgomery a few moments before moving to sit next to Ryan.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Ricky offered gently. Ryan finally lifted his head from his hands. He looked bad. His eyes were red, no doubt from crying, his expression was one of pain. Esposito was more than his partner, he was his brother. Rick felt his heart break for Ryan, he could only imagine how hard this was for him. He didn't even want to think what he would do if Kate was ever shot.
"Are you the Esposito family?" Everyone looked up to see the ER doctor standing in the doorway. Montgomery was the first to speak again.
"I'm his captain and we are the closest thing he has to family."
The doctor motioned for everyone to sit before he continued. The silence was thick, feeling like a dense fog had settled in the room. "I'm not going to lie, he may not recover."