Little post ep for 4x4. Also this makes a brief mention of my previous Castle fic Price of fame but it's not necessary to have read that :)

Title: Chocolate
spoilers: kick the ballistics

Alexis was just getting out of her last class of the day. She was headed to a student council meeting when her phone beeped. The teen pulled the device out and found a text message from her Dad.

'We got Kevin's gun back. Solved the murder but Kevin's been through the wringer. Stop by; he could use a friend.'

Alexis frowned she knew how rough it'd been for everyone at the twelfth since Captain Montgomery had been killed. Seemed to be one bad thing after another. The teen cleared her Dad's text and sent a new one to the vice president of the student body telling Mark she wouldn't be able to make it. Then Alexis sent a reply back to her father saying she'd be there in half an hour.

The youth had just reached her locker when she received a reply from her father stating he'd sent a car service to pick her up and it'd be waiting out front. Alexis smiled and shook her head; her Dad thought of everything.
Glancing at the time display on her phone Alexis quickly put it away and gathered her things from her locker. If she hurried Alexis could get the driver to make a stop on the way. She had just the thing to cheer Kevin up.

Detective Kevin Ryan glanced up as Kate Beckett approached his desk.

"Why don't you head home, Kevin?"Kate suggested. "Paperwork can wait until tomorrow."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "That won't work with Gates. I'm okay...too wired to be at home anyway."

Beckett studied her friend for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

"Beckett?"Kevin called as his colleague started to walk away.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for having my back with Gates."Kevin stated.

Kate smiled. "That's what family's for."

Nearly an hour later Kevin was finally through with his report. He printed a hard copy for his files and emailed a copy to Gates. Kevin stood he had already taken the pictures off the white board and put them in the case file. He picked up an eraser and wiped the board clean. One one hand it felt good to solve a murder. On the other his gun had killed a young woman.

Kevin still couldn't shake it no matter how positive the outcome. His failure had resulted in a crime.

"Kevin?"

Ryan turned at the familiar voice and smiled seeing Alexis. The teen had a backpack over one shoulder and a medium sized brown paper bag in her left hand.

"Hey Alexis."Kevin greeted as he walked towards his friend. "I think your Dad's still here. Want me to find him?"

Alexis smiled. "Nope, came to see you. We haven't talked in awhile. Thought you might want to take a break and catch up over ice cream."

Kevin returned her smile. "Sounds good. It's still semi-warm outside. Let's go up to the roof."

"Okay."

Once on the roof they headed to the north side and sat on the steps leading to a maintenance hut. Alexis used her jacket as a cushion.

"You look tired."The teen commented as she took two small tubs of chocolate ice cream out of the bag along with spoons and napkins.

"So do you."Kevin countered as he took the lid off the container and set it aside. "Your Dad told me about Stanford. Sorry I've been a louse. I've been meaning to call you. Between work and planning the wedding it's just been nuts. You okay?"

Alexis shrugged as she opened her own ice cream and dug in. She was better with the topic now that the pain wasn't so raw. Still disappointed but she was taking it as a challenge.

"I was so sure I got in."The teen began quietly. "I couldn't believe it when they turned me down. I had everything planned."

Kevin ate a spoonful of ice cream. "I'm sorry you were disappointed but I'm selfishly glad you're staying."

"I'm worried Ashley will find somebody else if I'm not there."

Kevin glanced up sharply. "He'd be a fool, Alexis. Never mind the fact that I'd hunt him down to tell him just that."

Alexis smiled briefly. This was why she loved her friendship with Kevin it was easy and comfortable. She could tell him anything and not be judged. Changing the subject Alexis met the detective's gaze.

"You okay? Dad said this case was very tough on you."

Kevin sighed fiddling with his spoon absently as he stared out at the cityscape.. He was silent for several minutes and Alexis waited giving her friend time.

"I will be."Ryan replied quietly. "Just will take some time. Jane was killed with my gun. That wouldn't have been in Li's hands if Tyson hadn't gotten the drop on me.

If I'd been a better cop."

"Stop."Alexis ordered. "You're one of the best cops this city has. One of the best people I know. You've saved my Dad's life not to mention you caught White after he attacked me. Please don't let this haunt you."

Kevin placed an arm around Alexis's shoulders drawing her into a one sided hug. "Don't know what I'd do without you."

"Let's not find out."The teen replied with a smile. "Promise you'll keep in touch after I go to college?"

"Promise."Kevin acknowledged. "That goes both ways. Don't get so wrapped up in your new life that you forget about your friends here."

Alexis shook her head. "Never happen."

"Good."Kevin stated as he looked down at the ice cream containers . "Lets finish these before they melt."

"Can't let chocolate go to waste."Alexis commented with a grin.

"Perish the thought."

end