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Title: Snow
author: Cindy Ryan

The snow had intensified quickly that early Friday afternoon. What had begun as light fluffy snow was now heavy wet and accumulating. Detective Kevin Ryan glanced at his wife Jenny as they stared out the front window of their apartment.

"I'm surprised Gates hasn't found a way to drag me into work yet."Kevin muttered sarcastically

"She's not that bad."Jenny commented with a smile. "And it is your day off."

Kevin rolled his eyes."You've only met her once...days off don't exist for Gates."

Jenny laughed and motioned outside. "Alexis is enjoying the snow why don't you join her?"

Kevin followed his wife's gaze to the window. Alexis Castle was playing with a black lab puppy. The puppy Kevin had found at a murder scene nearly a year ago. He'd coaxed Alexis into dog-sitting that day and she'd fallen in love with the dog. Kevin and Alexis had ended up sharing custody. Since the detective had discovered the dog in the pouring rain Alexis had named him Storm. Now as Kevin watched the two play it seemed that Storm enjoyed snow too.

"I feel bad she's stuck here."Kevin stated as he set his black coffee mug on the kitchen counter. "We should've rescheduled dinner. We knew the weather was going to turn bad."

Jenny walked into the kitchen and kissed her husband lightly. "Everybody thought the storm wasn't coming until late tonight. Her father knows she's safe. Maybe things turned out for the best….enjoy the extra time with her. You two haven't seen each other for weeks."

Kevin smiled at his wife as he lightly caressed her left cheek. He leaned in and kissed her.

"I love you."Ryan commented softly when they broke apart.

"Love you too."Jenny replied with a smile. "Go, I'll make some hot chocolate. Dinner should be ready in a few hours."

Walking to the hallway Kevin opened the closet he took out his boots and put them on. Then grabbed his winter coat, hat and gloves. He shut the door and grabbed his cell phone and apt keys off the side table and put them in his jacket pocket after putting on the coat. Smiling Kevin left the apartment. His wife was right with their hectic lives and especially with Alexis starting college Kevin hadn't seen his friend in almost a month. They were due for some quality catch up time.
Once Kevin stepped outside he pulled out his cell phone. He took a couple pictures of Alexis and Storm. Grinning the young detective sent them to Castle, Beckett, Javi, and Lanie. Putting the phone back in his pocket Kevin bent down and gathered up a handful of snow. He packed it into a snow ball and took careful aim before letting loose and hitting his target. Alexis let out a startled shriek as the snow ball hit her in the upper back. Storm barked as Alexis whirled around.

"Want a snow ball fight, huh?"The red haired woman asked with a grin.

"Can't let you two have all the fun."Kevin retorted as he formed another ball of snow.

"Remember who my father is…king of snow ball fights."Alexis replied as she began to stock her own ammo.

Ryan laughed. "We'll see how well he taught you."

Alexis ducked behind a tree near the driveway. Storm happily ran between his two owners trying to catch the snow balls that were thrown. As each side was hit several times Kevin couldn't remember when he'd had this much fun.

An hour later they were back inside sitting at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate.

"So who won?"Jenny prompted as she sat down next to Kevin.

Kevin exchanged an amused glance with Alexis. "I'd say it was a tie."

Alexis raised an eyebrow as she took a sip. "I still think that last shot counted."

"It hit the building."Ryan replied with a laugh.

"Did not it bounced off your jacket."Alexis countered.

Jenny held up a hand with a wide smile. "Okay, okay time out. Kevin, you want to help me set the table for dinner?"

Kevin nodded and stood setting down his coffee mug. "Sure."

Alexis also started to stand. "What can I do to help?"

Jenny shook her head. "You're our guest, Alexis. Sit and relax."

The meal passed too quickly for Alexis. With being a new college student she felt like she was always being pulled in three million different directions. This, this, and this had to get done. When those tasks were completed there were twenty more that had to be completed by the next day. Alexis tried to set aside some time for fun but lately fun and friends seemed to always coincide with a study group. This impending blizzard had turned into a blessing.

There were parts of her father consulting with the NYPD that Alexis never liked and never would. The positive of that association had been the friendships her Dad had made and some of those friends had trickled down to Alexis. With Kevin it had started out as a crush on her end and Alexis had been grateful to how he had handled it. Their friendship had grown and strengthened to the point where Alexis considered Kevin an honorary Castle. Family wasn't always created by blood.

"I think Storm's due for a walk."Kevin stated after dishes were cleaned and put away. "Alexis, want to tag along?"

Alexis grinned. "Sure if you think there's actually a clear path out there somewhere to walk him."

Kevin laughed. "I heard a neighbor shoveling earlier. Might give us a little bit of a path for a few minutes."

"Sounds like a plan."The college student commented as she stood and grabbed her coat, hat and gloves from the hall closet.

"Well looks like we can go up to the corner and back."Kevin surmised as they studied the partially shoveled sidewalk.

Alexis took Storm's leash from Kevin and led the way. "Come on, Storm…race you."

Kevin shook his head in amusement as Alexis took off at a jog with Storm bounding ahead. Jenny was right this day did turn out for the best. The detective reached the corner and took Storm's leash from Alexis.

"I was thinking we need to try to set something up for us to get together."Kevin suggested. "Maybe twice a month? Unless you don't want to hang out with an old man."

Alexis punched Kevin's left arm lightly as she laughed. "You're not old….and lunch would work better for me. Or dinner on the weekends."

Kevin nodded and then Storm barked and tugged impatiently at the leash.

Kevin glanced at the dog. "Alright, alright….we're coming."

A few minutes later Storm finished his business and they walked back towards the apartment building. If it was one thing Kevin learned from being a homicide detective it was that you had to tell people things when the opportunity was there. Not to push it off till next time because there might not be a next time.

"Hey, Alexis."Kevin called catching the younger woman's attention.

Alexis had knelt down to unhook Storm's leash. She looked up to meet Kevin's gaze. "Yeah?"

Kevin cleared his throat shoving his hands in his pockets. "I know I haven't said it but….I'm proud of you….with the college thing."

Alexis smiled as she stood. "Thanks."

"I know how much you wanted Stanford but I'm glad you stayed."Ryan continued.

Alexis hugged Kevin as she said. "Me too."

end