Thanks as always for the reviews and story alerts. :)

Title: Plans
Author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: season five

Detective Kevin Ryan did a double take at the young red haired woman seated across from him at a coffee shop in Manhattan.

"Costa Rica?"Kevin repeated as Alexis smiled. "You can't go to Costa Rica."

"My Dad already approved it."Alexis Castle replied. "After a bit of convincing."

After everything Alexis had been through the last few months it was nice for Kevin to see his friend excited and happy. The timing just sucked. First time fatherhood Kevin needed all his friends around him not a couple hundred miles away.

"Going to miss you,"Kevin began. "Who's going to help Jenny and I with buying baby stuff?"

"They have internet access in Costa Rica."Alexis replied with a grin. "You can Skype me anytime you want. I'm sure Lanie, Kate and my grandmother would help."

Kevin absently petted Storm who was asleep under the table. "Not the same."

"I know."Alexis replied as she reached across and lightly touched her friend's right arm. "You're going to be an awesome father."

Kevin took a sip of coffee before returning her smile. "Think so?"

"Don't sell yourself short, Kevin."Alexis responded."You're one of the most kindest, caring people I know. You have good instincts; trust them...you'll be fine."

It was times like these that Kevin realized how fortunate he was to have friends like Alexis. How close he came to losing her in Paris still made his blood run cold and gave him the occasional nightmare. Anything could happen at anytime. That's what scared Kevin most about becoming a Dad. That he couldn't protect his child

"Thanks."Kevin acknowledged returning her smile. "Did I show you the latest color scheme for the nursery?"

Alexis nodded as she scooted her chair around the end of the table and closer to Kevin. "You showed me the green one."

"Green?"Kevin repeated with a green. "That was four color choices ago."

Alexis laughed as Kevin pulled out his cell phone and opened the picture albums.

"This is our latest idea."Kevin stated as he clicked on the picture. "What do you think?"

"Not sure I would go with that wall paper."Alexis commented.

"Really?"Kevin asked.

"Doesn't quite go with the paint color."Alexis replied. "What about this?"

As they went through different design websites Kevin couldn't help but think once more how remarkable Alexis was. Richard Castle was lucky to have her for a daughter and Kevin was lucky to count her as a friend.

end