Chapter 4
Title: Leap of Faith
Characters: Rick Castle & Kate Beckett (couple); also features Alexis, Martha, Ryan, Esposito, Capt. Montgomery, and Jim Beckett. May feature others from episode 2.13 Sucker Punch as well.
Authors: Lisa M. (castlefanlisa) and Sarah M.
Rated: K+ or the equivalent of PG/PG 13
Disclaimer: We don't own any of the characters, we just borrowed them. They belong to ABC and their respective owners.
Note: This story is a romance and may have some alternate reality elements. Please leave constructive feedback. Thanks!
**
Rick covered her with a blanket and watched her as she slept. He noticed the smile on her face and wondered what dream she was having that put it there.
**
Kate was making love to Rick, and it was everything she'd ever hoped or dreamed of..and more. Except for the fact that he had kept stalling until she'd all but begged him to love her. He didn't want to ruin what they had and had told her repeatedly that there was no turning back, only moving forward.
She'd shut him up but not before setting everything straight and making sure he knew this what she'd wanted for a long time.
There had only been a slight bump in the road when he noticed the scar on her back and wouldn't stop asking about it.
"Baby, what happened?" Rick asked as he traced the small scar on her back.
"It's nothing. I was grazed by a bullet a long time ago."
"I saw the file on your desk a month ago. It's more than a graze, Kate. You were shot…"
She sighed. "They removed the bullet and none of my vital organs were affected."
"I know that's not the full story."
"I put a guy away, and he wasn't happy with me. When he got out, he found me and threatened me."
"He nearly succeeded in raping you, Kate. I'd say that's more than a threat."
"He didn't and I'm fine, Rick. Can we drop this please?"
Rick looks at her and can see the tears in her eyes. "Okay. We'll drop it. For now."
She wraps her arms around his waist and tightens her grip.
"It's okay baby. We'll be okay."
"I hope so because I don't want to break up because of this fight."
"I'm not going anywhere any time soon Katie."
She kisses him softly and slowly deepens it.
He smiles and returns the kiss. "You are incredible."
"I thought I was extraordinary."
"You are. You're perfect."
"Far from it."
"You're perfect for me."
Kate smiles and snuggles in his arms.
"Before we go any further, are you sure you want this?"
"How many times, Writer Monkey, do I have to tell you yes?"
"Well, at least you didn't show up wasted and throw yourself at me."
"Let me guess…you had that fantasy?"
"Not even close."
"I have, not the wasted part though."
"There's a lot of Nikki in you isn't there?"
"You tell anyone and I may have to kill you."
"I know you would do that too. And you could make it look like it was an accident."
Kate nods slightly. "I sure could."
He slowly rubs her back and kisses her softly but passionately.
She slowly deepens the kiss and ends up losing herself in him for a few hours.
Kate slowly wakes up and smiles at him. "Hi."
He smiles brightly at her. "Hey. You must've had a good dream."
"Yeah. I did."
"Care to share it?"
"Well….at first, you kept stalling. You didn't want to make love to me until I begged you to. We ended up having a fight and I ended up thinking I was going to lose you."
"You won't ever lose me. You're stuck with me for a long while."
"Good. We ended up making love and then I woke up."
"We'll make your dream come true one day."
"You don't want to make it come true right now?"
"I'd feel like I was taking advantage."
"Not a chance of that, Writer Monkey."
"Do you have to torture me with that nickname?"
"Hey, I could have called you Kitten."
"This is true." He smiles and then turns serious. "Are you sure this is what you want, Kate?"
She nods. "It's what I've waited for since we first met."
"This changes everything, my love. There won't be any going back…only moving forward."
"I know. Shut up and love me already. You're stalling and I'm tired of waiting."
He touched her face and brushed the hair off her forehead. "You are so beautiful, Katherine Alyssa Beckett."
She was momentarily silenced, as she was positive she'd never told him her middle name. How did he..? Who had..? Oh, what did it matter? She'd stopped caring the moment he touched her.
"Thank you, Rick."
"Extraordinarily so, if I do say so myself." He grinned.
"Flattery will get you everywhere."
He made quick work of stripping her clothes off. Kate had to hold in her laughter. She'd never seen him do anything so quickly before.
He fingered the chain and her mother's ring in his fingers. "You don't mind if I take it off of you, do you?"
She couldn't speak, so she just nodded.
"I can't believe I've made you speechless, Katie."
She sighed contentedly. "This is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced with anyone. I forget you can be gentle and a real gentleman because I'm always thinking of you as the proverbial playboy."
"You've tamed the playboy." He starts taking his shirt off, but Kate stops him.
"No…let me." She slowly unbuttons his shirt and carefully pulls it off his arms.
"Katie…"
"Yes?" She makes quick work of his pants and smiles.
"You are…wow."
"So are you."
Rick gently pushes her back on the bed and makes love to her for a while.
She smiles up at him and kisses him softly. "That was…"
Rick kisses her just as softly. "Amazing…wonderful."
"Definitely."
He lies beside her and pulls her in his arms. "So how did the real thing compare to the dream?"
She laughs. "I had a feeling the twelve year old was going to make an appearance."
"I wasn't trying to be conceited or anything, honestly."
"It was even better." She sighs and kisses him.
He holds her and runs his fingers through her hair. "Does this change anything for you as far as our friendship?"
"It changes everything, Rick, just as you said it would. If you think you can make love to me one night and leave, you're crazy."
"It wasn't just one night and that's a promise. I'm yours now, and you're mine."
"Oh most definitely."
Just then, her cell phone rings. She reaches for it. "Beckett."
"Hey, it's Lanie. I've got some more information for you on our Jane Doe."
"Great. I'll be right there."
Rick looks at her. "Who was that?"
"Lanie. She's got some information on our victim."
"Okay. Let's get ready to go then."
She nods and slides out of his arms. "Rick…promise me something."
"What's that baby?"
She quickly dresses and wraps her arms around his waist. "Will you promise me that you'll stay in the car when I ask you to next time?"
He nods. "I promise."
She smiles and kisses him passionately. "Okay good. Now, go get ready and I'll meet you downstairs."
Kate makes her way down the stairs to get her shoes and purse. "Rick, grab my badge would you?"
"Sure." He grabs her badge and heads downstairs.
She grins and goes over to him. "Ready?"
He nods and hands her the badge. "Ready."
He leaves a note for Alexis and his mom.
**
They walk into the morgue and find Lanie waiting. "Some woman from a local theater called and said one of their principal actresses hadn't shown up for work for over a week. I gave them a description of our Jane Doe, and that's our girl."
"Wow! That's great! So, who is she?"
"Her name is Alex Kincaid. She's sixteen and had been sleeping at the theater for a few weeks."
"I wonder if my mom knows her," Rick said. "What theater was it?"
"I can't remember the name right now, but when I do, I'll let you know."
"Thanks."
**
"I feel a bit better knowing she has a name, but part of me doesn't feel any better. We don't know who her family is or where they live."
"Hey, we'll get the pieces of the puzzle, Kate."
Kate nods and walks out of the morgue.
Rick looks at Lanie and follows Kate. "Hey..you okay?"
Tears stream down her cheeks. "She's a baby. She's only sixteen and had her whole life in front of her."
Rick pulls her into his arms. "Sh. We'll find who did this to her. As soon as Lanie lets me know which theater it is I'll ask Mother. She might know her."
"Okay. I'm sorry. It's just when I see you and Alexis together and the relationship you have.."
"It makes you wish you had it too?"
She nods slightly. "Yeah. I want my own little one who comes running up to me, throwing their little arms around my legs and saying Mama."
"You'll have that soon baby. I promise."
"Really?"
He nods and kisses the top of her head. "Really."
She slowly calms down and wipes the tears from her eyes.
**
A little later, they stop for burgers and shakes. "This was the best idea."
Rick watches Alexis for a bit and then looks at Kate. "Thanks, but I can't take credit on this one. It was all Alexis."
"Did you tell her we found out more about the girl?"
"Yeah and it turns out she knew her. She said Alex dropped out of school less than a month ago. She was…"
"Don't say it. Please don't finish that sentence, Rick. She was pregnant, wasn't she?"
He nodded. "Yeah, 'fraid so."
"Just when I think this case can't get worse, I find out not one, but two people were killed."
"I'm sorry but we thought you'd want to know."
"I can't believe Lanie didn't find that out."
"She wasn't very far along if that helps."
"Not much."
Rick reaches for her hand and rubs the back of it with his thumb. "It's okay sweetheart. We'll get the person responsible."
She nods slightly. "I just hate telling families that their daughter was killed and that she was pregnant too."
"I hope I never have to be told that."
"It was bad enough for me when they told me about Mom…"
"I can't imagine how painful that was."
"I wouldn't wish it on my own worst enemy."
He looks at her and slides around to sit beside her. He wraps his arm over her shoulder and strokes her hair lightly.
She leans into him and closes her eyes for a second.
"I'm right here. I'm not going to leave you."
She kisses his cheek lightly. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Do you ever just want to leave your career…your life and start over?"
"Sometimes."
"I'm ready to take my job and…"
"You being a tough-as-nails cop is what made me fall in love with you. What would happen to Nikki Heat if you changed careers?"
"She could too, you know. Stripper by day…or night." She smiled.
"Maybe."
Kate looks at him. "Maybe I just need to get away for a while..once this case is done of course."
"That sounds like a good idea. Just some peace and quiet."
"Yeah. I'm thinking Fiji."
"That sounds like a perfect idea."
"Of course, since there are beaches…"
"Yes…."
"I'd need someone to put sunscreen on me."
"I'm sure one of the cabana boys would do it for you."
She glares at him. "Richard Patrick Castle…you'd really let someone else put their hands on my back when I'm not looking?"
"Well…no…of course not."
"Yeah right."
"I was going to say I'd be your cabana boy…man."
She laughs. "Okay now that I can live with."
"I thought you might say that."
"One minute I want to kill you and the next I want to kiss you. How do you do that?"
"I'm just that good apparently."
"You are just that good."
"Once we get this case solved we'll take a couple of weeks away and just enjoy Fiji."
"Sounds good to me. But I am going to pay you my share of the hotel and tickets."
"No you aren't. You save your money."
"But…"
He puts his finger to her lips. "Sh. No buts. I'm going to take you on vacation."
She smiles and kisses his finger lightly. "Okay."
He reaches in his pocket and hands her a couple hundred dollars. "This weekend, go shopping. Get anything you need for vacation."
"Rick..I…I can't take your money."
"Kate, please…I want you to take it and treat yourself to a shopping spree."
"Okay. Can Alexis come if she doesn't have plans?"
"That girl was born to shop. I'm sure she'd love to."
She finishes her shake and gets out of the booth. She goes over to where Alexis is standing, talking to some of her friends, waits until she gets done talking and then smiles. "I've got something to ask you, Alexis."
"If it involves clothes or shoes, I'm there." She smiles.
"You hit the nail on the head. I was wondering if you'd like to go shopping this weekend?"
"Definitely…well as long as my dad is okay with it."
"Yeah he's all for it. Besides, this will give us some girl time."
Alexis smiles. "What day do you want to go shopping?"
"Saturday okay with you?"
"Sure. Are you staying with us again or will you come pick me up?"
"I'm not sure just yet. Let's see how this week goes."
"Okay."
Alexis wraps her arms around Kate's waist and hugs her tight.
Kate smiles and wraps her arms around Alexis. "You okay?"
She nods just slightly. "I'm perfect."
Rick looks at Alexis. "What's wrong?"
"Just don't want Kate to leave us."
Kate smiles and kisses Alexis' head. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon if I can help it."
"I'll make sure of that." Rick smiled. "I plan on keeping you around for a long time." He kissed her and reluctantly broke the kiss.
"Mmm that felt nice. You know I've had boyfriends before, but I can honestly say none of them ever made me feel as special as you and Alexis do."
"It's almost like we're…" Alexis started.
"Family." Rick and Kate said in unison.
"Exactly. And you know I love my mom, right Kate?"
"Yeah although you've told me you don't always like her behavior."
"It will be nice to have a step-mom someday. That is if you and my dad..you know."
"There's no 'step' about it, sweetie. I'm just as much a mom to you as Meredith is…or appears to be, anyway."
"Thanks, Kate. I feel better talking about all this with you."
"You can talk to me any time."
Alexis smiles. "I'll definitely come to you for some girl talk sometime."
Kate nods and pulls Alexis in her arms. "You can come to me anytime. Especially if your Dad is giving you a hard time."
Rick shakes his head. "I never give her a hard time, do I Alexis?"
Alexis laughs. "Only all the time."
"I suppose I do huh."
Kate shoots him a look. "You suppose?"
"Okay…I know so."
Alexis grins. "You better know so mister."
"I know one other thing too…"
Kate looks at him. "What's that?"
"I love both my girls."
Alexis and Kate look at each other then to Rick. "Awww."
Kate leans in for a kiss. "You're so sweet."
"Do you ever miss the playboy in me?"
"Not very often. Why do you ask?" She grew suspicious.
"I just was wondering." He grins. "You look nervous now."
"It's understandable considering you threw that at me out of left field, mister."
Alexis watches the exchange and smiles. "I'm going to leave you two to figure this out on your own. I don't want to be caught in the middle."
Alexis smiles at her Dad and Kate. "I've got homework to do. You two have fun. I'll see you back at the apartment."
Kate hugs her. "See you later sweetie."
Rick hugs Alexis and kisses her forehead. "Be careful and text me when you get home."
Alexis nods and gathers her stuff. "Okay Daddy. Love you."
"Love you too kiddo."
Rick turns to Kate and smiles at her. "What do you want to do now?"
"Let's just go for a walk for a while. Maybe sit in the park and people watch."
He smiles and gets her jacket for her. "Sounds good to me. I will even get us some coffee or hot chocolate."
"Whipped cream?"
"Of course."
Kate wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him.
**
They enjoy the calm night as they sit next to each other on a bench in Central Park. They watch as people walk by, and Castle makes up stories about the different couples.
Kate laughs. "You're always doing that."
"It's in my genes, I can't help it."
"I never said I didn't like it."
"You implied it, Katie. You are always radiating subtext. How am I supposed to know when you're mad and when you're not?"
"You know me well enough by now, Rick..don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess I do."
"It isn't something you have to guess."
"Okay I do know you well enough by now."
Kate smiles and climbs up on his lap. She snuggles in to keep warm.
"Come on. Let's get some hot chocolate or coffee and then we'll head back to my place."
"Will you start a fire?"
"Yes I will. I'll even get a blanket for us to cuddle in too."
"Perfect."
She stands up and starts walking away.
Rick looks at her and runs after her. He slides on a chunk of ice and gets knocked out.
Kate turns and runs towards him. "Rick….come on Castle. Wake up."
It took a few minutes, but he stirred and opened his eyes. "What happened?"
"You slipped and fell. Are you okay?"
"My head hurts a little and my pride's wounded, but otherwise I'm fine."
"You're sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" She asked, still concerned.
"I'm sure, Kate. I'm talking and I know who you are. I'm fine, I promise."
"Okay." She smiled.
He'd noticed she smiled a lot more lately and hoped he had something to do with the overall subtle changes in her.
Rick wraps his arm around Kate's waist and holds on to her. "You want coffee or hot chocolate?"
"Coffee. But we can fix some at your place. I'm sure you're frozen solid after your spill."
"I wouldn't mind some body heat to warm me up."
"Don't worry. I'm going to cuddle with you."
He kisses the top of her head lightly. "Good."
They make their way back to the apartment. Rick opens the doors for her and let's her in first.
"Go get changed and I'll fix the coffee, ok?"
Rick nods slightly. "Okay. I'll be back."
Kate watches as he makes his way upstairs to his room.