Title: Dustbunnies and badges
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Alexis/Ryan friendship, Castle/Beckett
Notes: Grouping my Alexis/Ryan friendship fics into one spot. Many thanks to kuryakingirl for being a wonderful beta
"Sunshine and Burgers"
On a bright sunny late Friday morning Alexis Castle was grateful for two things.
Outdoor seating at restaurants.
New York City being such a dog friendly place.
Storm had really done very well with his doggie training over the last few weeks. However, he was still a puppy.
A puppy with high energy that when surrounded by new people and things was hard to keep under control.
"Storm!"Alexis chided as she pulled back on the red leash and tugged the puppy away from the waitress's feet as she maneuvered through the outdoor tables.
The waitress smiled. "Don't worry he's fine. I've had a lot worse. A boxer tried to jump over a table last week."
Alexis laughed as she put Storm on her lap. "I'll try to keep his feet on the ground."
"You ready to order?"
The red haired teen shook her head. "I'll give the person meeting me a few more minutes."
"Okay, just let me know."
Alexis nodded as she checked her cell phone for messages. Kevin had agreed to meet her for lunch today. But they'd had this planned well before the ugliness of the last case with Javier and his former partner happened.
It'd all had a happy ending but Alexis knew Kevin had been affected by it.
"Hey."Kevin Ryan greeted as he slid into the black metal seat across from Alexis. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic's hell."
Alexis smiled as she replaced her cell phone and placed her purse on the table. "No worries. Glad you could make it."
"Wouldn't miss it. I'm starved."
"Skip breakfast again?"
"I had breakfast."
"Coffee doesn't count."
Kevin laughed as Storm bounded from Alexis's lap and jumped into his. "Hey there, buddy. You being good? And I'll have you know it was an English muffin and coffee."
"That's better than what you normally eat. He's been pretty good just excited to have all these new people to play with."
The waitress returned and smiled widely at Kevin. Alexis rolled her eyes seeing that the young blonde was about to take flirting to a new art form.
"Hi there, you two ready to order?"
Kevin glanced at Alexis who still had her menu open. "You trust me?"
"Completely."Alexis replied as she shut the menu and set it aside.
"Two cheeseburgers medium rare everything on them, two orders of your famous barbeque fries and two colas."
The waitress smiled. "You got it, handsome."
Once the waitress was out of earshot Alexis burst out laughing.
"What's wrong with her thinking I'm handsome?"Kevin asked with an innocent smile. "We'll get the fresh fries that way and not the ones at the bottom of the basket."
Alexis shook her head bemusedly. "You and Javier do that a lot to get free food don't you?"
Kevin laughed as he took a sip of water. "He does it more than me. Don't tell Jenny."
"Secret's safe."
Storm jumped off of Kevin's lap and walked under the table. Some how without getting his leash tangled he sat down at Alexis's feet and curled up with a yawn.
Alexis smiled fondly down at the dog before looking over at Kevin. "He is doing well with training and he excels at fetch. Plus he listens….most of the time."
"Good."Kevin acknowledged with a nod. "Though I don't think Javier's forgiven him for chewing his leather sofa."
Their drinks arrived and after setting the sodas down the waitress placed a huge plate of piping hot fries in the center of the table.
"Burgers will be a few minutes thought you'd like the fries now."
"Thanks."Kevin commented.
"Anytime, darlin'."The waitress replied. "You want hot sauce for those?"
At Alexis's wide blue eyes Kevin chuckled and shook his head. "No I think we're good."
The teen stared at the mountain of thin cut fries heaped with cheese, barbecue sauce and sour cream.
"People put hot sauce on these?"
Kevin plucked a long fry out and held it under the table for Storm. "People put hot sauce on everything but yes that's an option for these."
"Do I want to know what the other options are?"
"Sauerkraut."
Alexis nearly choked on the fry she'd just taken a bite of. She quickly reached for the soda and took a long drink.
"You okay?"
"Yes."The youth replied. "You're lying about the sauerkraut."
Kevin grinned as he grabbed a fry Storm having finished his. "You want me to ask her?"
Alexis giggled. "All that extra attention you'll have her over the moon."
They ate in silence for a few minutes content to watch the people that passed by and enjoy the sunshine.
"Penny for your thoughts?"Alexis inquired not liking the worry lines that had appeared. They showed how tired her friend was.
"I think with inflation they'd garner a nickel."
"Dad filled me in….how's Javier doing?"
Kevin sighed as he absently swirled the straw around in the cola. "Says he's fine."
"But you don't believe him."
"When you dredge up the past that way….it's never pretty."Ryan continued with a shrug."Even early in our partnership I knew he'd gone through a lot at the fifty-fourth. He wouldn't talk about it much except to tell me he'd lost a partner. That's something you don't get over quick. Then to have IA snooping around on top of it."
"He'll talk to you when he's ready."
Kevin nodded as he met Alexis's gaze. "I would've done anything to help him and Ike."
"I'm sure he knows that."
The waitress returned and slid one burger in front of Kevin and another in front of Alexis.
"Let me know when you're ready for dessert, sweetness."
Kevin noticed Storm starting to follow the waitress as she turned away and he caught the puppy just in time. He wrapped the leash around the back of his chair and secured it with a knot.
At the lab's pitiful look Kevin shook his head.
"Don't give me that look, we can't have you traipsing around the kitchen."
Storm whined but lowered himself to the ground and rested his head on his paws.
Halfway through her burger Alexis quit setting it back on the plate. At Kevin's laugh she looked up and was rewarded with a camera whirring.
"Between the barbecue and mayonnaise you look like a clown."Kevin snickered as he put his cell phone down and handed her a handful of napkins.
Alexis accepted the napkins but was glaring at the cell phone resting on the table. "If you send that to my father you won't get to see Storm for a week."
"Loss of visitation for a week that's a bit harsh."
"Have you met my father?"
"Point. I won't send it to him I promise."
"Can't show it to him either."
"Now that's not fair."
After getting a box for the rest of her burger and paying the check Alexis stood and took Storm's leash from Kevin.
"You need a lift back to school?"Ryan asked as they walked through the restaurant and exited the main door.
"Half a day today teacher meetings."
"Always loved those days especially when it was nice out."
They had almost reached the corner when Alexis stopped. She maneuvered them out of the flow of foot traffic.
"Thanks for lunch."Kevin stated with a smile. "Nothing better than burgers and sunshine."
Alexis nodded. "Next time I'm trying the sauerkraut."
"That I have to see."Kevin replied as he turned to leave. "See you later."
Storm barked and Kevin squatted down to pet the lab. "I didn't forget you. You be good."
"Kevin."Alexis called as he stood and took a few steps back.
"Yeah?"
Alexis wrapped Kevin in a bear hug closing her eyes as she rested her head on his left shoulder.
"Be careful."
"Always."Ryan replied as he pulled away. "You better get going before your Dad sends out a search party."
Alexis smiled. "You're a good cop and an even better person….don't forget that."
Kevin nodded before turning and melting into the crowd.
Alexis watched him leave for a moment before tugging on Storm's leash to pull him in the opposite direction.
"Come on, Storm, let's go home."
end