Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own the show, Castle, or any of its characters.
Author's Note: So, I thought this would just be a quirky little chapter to get a feel for where each character is right now. I want the romance to be real, so it will be a progression. Hope you like it! Please review if you want. =)
After it seemed like everyone was finished eating, Martha stood up to begin clearing the table. Kate stood and began to gather the plates.
"Nonsense dear," Martha took the plates from her, "in our home, a guest never is imposed upon with doing chores."
"Martha, it's really no problem-" Kate started.
Castle grabbed her arm mid-sentence. "Trust me, you aren't going to win this one," he whispered.
Kate nodded in defeat, sat back down, a sipped a bit more on her wine.
"So Detective Beckett, any juicy stories from the precinct lately that you would like to share?" Alexis spoke up.
"Well, I'm sure your dad told you all about the haunted house case right?" Kate asked already thinking of another story to tell the young Castle.
"Haunted house? What are you talking about?" Alexis asked confused.
Kate gaped back at Castle, shocked. "You didn't tell her? I was sure that you weren't able to resist after all of the," she air-quoted, "ghost scares."
"Wait, ghosts? Involved in a murder? Dad, why didn't you tell me?" Alexis accused.
Castle lifted up his hands in innocence. "Well there just never seemed to be a right time. When I got home after the case, you were torn up over Ashley and I didn't want to insult the seriousness of the situation by bringing up ghost stories. And then we got caught up in that zombie movie that I just completely forgot about it."
Kate whirled around back to Alexis. "Well, this seems like the right time to tell it, don't you think?"
Alexis smiled and nodded, "Definitely."
"Well before we get into that, why don't we move this over to the living area?" Castle suggested. "Mother, do you want in on this?" He asked as they moved from the dinner table.
"Oh no dear, I think I have kept that poor man waiting long enough." Martha replied.
"Who, the bank manager? Mother, it's been no longer than twelve hours."
"Well, I don't want to keep him waiting too long." With that, Martha glided up the stairs waving good night to the clan.
Castle turned to see Kate and Alexis already getting settled on the couch. Castle sat next to Alexis with Kate on the other side of her. The girls were facing each other while Castle flipped on the television deciding to try to watch a show without the volume while hiding the fact that he was very interested in how Kate was going to tell this story.
"So, I am assuming you have probably watched Ghost Wranglers with your dad a time or two…" Kate began.
Alexis nodded, signaling her to continue.
"Well, the star of the show, Jack Sinclair, was the victim in that case."
"Jack is dead? How did it happen? What's going to happen to the show now?" Alexis spouted off.
Kate shrugged, "I'm not sure. Anyway, you father was convinced that a demon murdered him. I told him there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of the weird things that were happening. And who was right?" She looked at Rick, "Me."
Castle looked at her out of the corner of his eye and smirked.
"Weird things? What weird things?" Alexis questioned.
Kate turned back to Alexis and started, "Well first off…" She proceeded to tell Alexis all about the case, including the ghost scares, the secret room, and the perfectly human killer, being very animated in the way she used her arms and hands. Alexis was completely consumed with the story as soon as Kate started, occasionally asking questions for more details.
Castle listened intently while seemingly watching whatever was on the television screen. He sometimes would smirk at the way Kate would make fun of him with his daughter, talking about all of his ghost and demon theories.
"See, so there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for the murder. You're dad just didn't want to give up the hope that there was something supernatural going on in that mansion."
Alexis turned around and smiled at her father, who then shrugged and put his arm around her. "No wonder why you didn't tell me this story. You knew I would make fun of all your paranormal insights." She teased.
Castle smirked and said, "Who's up for a movie?" choosing to change the subject.
Kate smiled and rolled her eyes, but sank further down in the couch, getting comfortable.
"Actually, it's really late. I have school tomorrow, so I should probably pass." Alexis stated, getting up.
Oh great, Kate thought; leave me here alone with Castle to deal with whatever these feelings are? I don't think so.
"Actually, she's right. I didn't realize how late it was. I should probably get going as well." Kate said, checking her watch.
"Oh…alright well some other time I guess." Castle sighed, getting up to kiss his daughter's head. "Goodnight sweetie."
"Night Dad." Alexis turned to give Kate a hug. Kate wasn't exactly used to displays of affection but wrapped her arms around the girl anyway. "Thank you," Alexis whispered in her ear.
Kate pulled back, smiled down into those crystal blue eyes, and nodded.
Alexis then turned and headed up the stairs to her room.
Kate looked at Castle, who was staring, mesmerized, at her. She looked down uncomfortably. "Well, like I said. I should go." She grabbed her purse and jacket and headed for the door. Castle followed her. Just as she reached out to grab the doorknob Castle took her hand. Surprised, she reeled around and came face to face with him. He was much closer than she expected. Their closeness brought her back to earlier today when she found him and he had almost stolen a kiss. She also remembered how she felt when he started to lean in, before they were interrupted. She wanted him to kiss her. Her heart had fluttered with just the thought that he might. So why, all of a sudden, was she cautious about it?
Not letting go of her hand he said, "I'm really glad you came tonight. I think Martha and Alexis enjoyed having you," a pause, "I know I certainly did." He gave her that irresistible smile of his.
"It was fun… I …enjoyed it too." Kate stammered for words. She was lost in his eyes. They were trained on hers, filled with care and longing.
Castle leaned a bit closer; "Maybe we could do it again sometime."
"Maybe." Kate said and darted her eyes down to his lips.
Castle saw this and took it as a sign. She wanted him to kiss her. His eyes glanced down to her lips as well. They looked soft, luscious, and were glistening with the slight pink gloss she had put on earlier. He glanced back up to see her eyes glazed over with yearning. Slowly, he started to lean in again, just like he had earlier that day. He could feel Kate's heartbeat becoming heavy. He imagined his own was doing the same. He rested his hand on her cheek and she leaned into it, closing her eyes. His other settled on her waist. Her hands clenched his jacket and pulled him closer until they were nose to nose. They could feel each other's breath coming out in hot wisps. Castle glanced once more into her eyes, making sure there was no hesitation in them. Seeing none, he started to move his lips through the gap to meet hers.
"Oh and by the way Dad…" Alexis bounded down the stairs just before their lips met. Seeing them practically jump out of each other's arms, from shame or embarrassment she wasn't sure, she finished slowly, "tomorrow after school I'm going over to Chloe's house so I'm not sure what time I'll be home."
Red faced, Castle turned to his daughter, "Alright sweetie. That sounds fine."
With one more skeptical look at the couple, Alexis ascended the stairs once again.
Looking back at Kate, Castle smiled ashamedly. Kate nodded and inched towards the door. Clearing her throat she said, "I should really go now." After an awkward moment where neither of them quite knew how to proceed, Kate turned around and opened the door. She waved back at Castle, who was still speechless, and said, "See you tomorrow."
Castle waved back and nodded still with that dumbfounded look on his face. What just happened? He had no idea what was going to happen with them now. Defeated, he disappeared into his bedroom.
On the elevator Kate was still reeling from the last five minutes as well. She could not believe that Alexis had almost caught them kissing, or maybe something worse if she had come down a few minutes later. The thought made her shudder. What was she thinking? She couldn't let herself slip like that again, especially with people around. She had enough to deal with in trying to sort out her own feelings about their relationship; she didn't need the input of anyone else. No, she would have to deal with this on her own, including the awkwardness that was sure to follow tomorrow. She wondered what Castle was thinking right now. Was he regretting it just as much as she was? She scoffed, yea right. He was probably angry with his daughter for ruining his moment. In fact, he would probably try again the next chance he got.
Walking to her car, she made a decision to make sure there isn't a chance again until she sorted out her feelings. She didn't want to lead him on, and of he kissed her before she understood this thing that was going on between them, she knew she would regret it later and end up hurting him.
Getting in the car and revving up the engine, she realized that she was going to have to think long and hard about her decision before she let him in on it. Hopefully, she thought, he wouldn't make this harder than it already was on her.
Heading to her apartment she thought, whom was she kidding; of course he was going to make this hard on her. Isn't that what he'd been doing since they first met? Gearing up for the challenge, Kate knew that deflecting his passes was going to be harder than she thought.