Greetings once again. I imagine you'll want to start from the beginning of this story. I apologize for the lack of updates. I've ended a relationship (a good thing) and moved across the country for a new job. Settling in has been an adventure. Add to that my computer registry problems and the result has been that I have had no access to write! I finally have a new computer and regular internet access again. Thank you for reading and I hope you continue to enjoy. Excuse any errors as my lovely beta has not had the opportunity to review this.
Story Plot Review:
* A young homeless girl named Sara was murdered and three other runaway teens are in danger. One teen, Mia, seems to be the next target of the men who killed Sara. Mia has a very close connection with Kate.
* Although Rick and Kate were together, they separated after she miscarried due to an injury on the job. They are slowly working through their grief and are finding their way back to each other.
*We learned that after her mom died, Kate became pregnant after a drug-induced one night stand with a stranger named Brad. She gave the infant up for adoption while all her friends and family believed she was studying abroad in Kiev.
* Mia has been in and out of foster care since losing her adopted parents in a car accident. She ran away from a group home and took a younger fellow homeless teen Emmanuella, under her wing. She has been searching for her mother using the only link she has to her- a copy of an old book that was signed "To Kate" by the Author Richard Castle.
* After finding Mia's things in an abandoned building in Alphabet City, Kate is convinced that the girl is the daughter she gave up long ago and she is determined to find and protect her. She confesses this to Castle and although they are not back together, he vows to help her find Mia. Using knowledge that Mia has been seeking him out, Castle is able to draw the teen out of hiding and reunites mother and daughter again.
"This is home." Castle offered cheerfully as he unlocked the front door to his loft. After discussing with Beckett and Gates, it was decided that while Mia would be more at home with Kate. It would be safer for all involved if the detective and her new-found daughter stayed at the loft.
"I understand that you would rather have Mia at home with you, Beckett. However, until Sara's killer is behind bars, it just makes more sense for her to stay in a secure building." Gates insisted.
Kate was not happy, but understood the benefit of staying at the loft. She also had to admit to herself that she had missed what came to be her home over the past months. Kate missed the sights and the smells. She longed for how safe and welcome she felt, as if she was part of a family. His family.
"Beckett?" Castle startled her out of her thoughts, causing her to blush slightly.
"Yeah." She smiled at Mia, "You'll be safe here."
The teen simply studied her mother with interest, curious to know more about the relationship that the detective had with Castle. She smiled, making a mental note to press one or both of them for details later.
"Your room is at the top of the stairs and you should have everything you need." Castle began, leading Mia through the loft.
The young girl nodded, taking in the décor of Castle's home. She couldn't recall having been in such a nice place. It had a very cozy feeling that put Mia at rest, made her feel secure.
"If there is anything else just ask. I'm sure we can get it for you." He added.
Castle and Beckett escorted Mia to her room, the single spare in the loft.
"My mother is out for the evening and my daughter is a college student-she lives on campus." Castle spoke softly before adding, "I'm sure you'll be meeting both of them soon."
Mia smiled, interested at the prospect of learning more about the famous author, but was more eager to spend time with her mother. She looked to the detective, who was standing quietly behind the author in the doorway.
"I'll help you settle inn." Kate spoke softly as she passed her partner and sat quietly on what was now Mia's bed. Castle smiled softly at the pair and left them to talk.
"So." Kate began, not really sure where to start.
"This is some place he's got here." Mia volunteered, trying to get a conversation going.
"Yeah. Castle likes to go big. He's pretty elaborate, but can surprise you with how down to earth he can be at times." Kate smiled to herself as she spoke, thinking about the enigma that was Richard Castle.
"It is a little hard to take in. I mean, this morning I was homeless and hiding out in the public library. Now I'm sitting on what might just be the most comfortable mattress I've ever felt." Mia squeezed the side of her bed and continued to speak. "My mother is with me, and we're at Richard Castle's house." The teen was overwhelmed by the changes the day had brought.
"Yeah. It is a lot to take in." Kate agreed with the teen. She took the young girl's hand and squeezed it, "but I'm so very glad you are here." Mia smiled, allowing herself to be pulled into Kate's arms once again.
"I've got so many questions. I don't even know where to start." The teen admitted.
"How about we get some sleep tonight. We can start fresh tomorrow morning and spend the day getting to know one another." Kate could see how warn out her daughter was getting and wanted to give her permission to let her guard down and rest.
Mia nodded, stood to pull the sheets back and paused. "Um…I don't have any…" She motioned to herself. She only had the outfit she wore.
"Of course!" Kate understood. "I'll be right back. I'll bet Alexis has something here that will fit."
A few minutes later Kate returned and the author was with her. He smiled softly at Mia and handed her a nightgown. "There are towels in the bathroom and everything else you might need to get ready for bed, including a spare toothbrush in the middle drawer." He hesitated for a moment and looked to Kate, but decided to speak anyhow. "If you're up for it, tomorrow I'll take you shopping so you can get some of your own things."
Mia smiled, unsure how to respond. Nobody had ever offered her a shopping spree before. If she'd come to her previous foster parents without night clothes they would make her sleep in nothing. It made her slightly uncomfortable to accept his offer.
As if reading her mind Kate reached out to squeeze her arm. "I think that would be a great idea. Castle once helped me when all my clothes burned up in an explosion." She offered the information to her daughter.
Castle smiled to Beckett, letting slide that the only "helping" she allowed after her apartment was blown up was a Macy's gift card that he swore someone had given him and insisted that he'd never use.
Mia nodded at the pair, smiling gratefully to Castle. "Thank you for everything. It's been a while since anyone really cared that much." She admitted.
Kate swallowed back the lump in her throat and nodded. "Well, you're not alone anymore." She held back her emotions and gave Mia another squeeze.
"Sleep well, Mia. You're safe here and I will be here in the morning." Mia nodded.
"Goodnight." She spoke to both adults before taking the nightgown and heading to the bathroom.
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Kate had no idea what time it was by the time they made it downstairs, but she felt the exhaustion in her bones. It was clear that she wasn't hiding her current state very well if Castle's expression was any indicator. He reached up to squeeze her arm.
"How are you holding up?" He questioned.
She gave a wry smile. "It's all a bit overwhelming." She looked down at the floor, unable to maintain eye contact as she was besieged by her thoughts.
Castle maintained contact with her by rubbing her arm slowly and soothingly. He said nothing, waiting for her to speak again. He'd learned a long time ago that letting Kate take the lead when she needed to talk was the best approach. She would decide when she was ready to talk. Sure enough, soon she did.
"I just don't know…I didn't know…" She struggled to find her words.
"How could I have let this happen?" Kate finally expressed.
Castle pulled her to him, rubbing soothing circles along her back. "You did not let anything happen, Kate." He spoke as he lined her brow with soothing kisses.
"This is not your fault." Castle insisted, "You found Mia, you opened your arms to her, and now she is upstairs. She is safe and warm and she'll never be alone again."
"You can't know that." Kate spoke, her voice shaking with tears.
"Yes, Kate. I can." He insisted. "Even if something happened to you, she would have me." Kate pulled back to look into his eyes as he spoke.
"and if something happened to both of us, she would have mother, Alexis and Jim; not to mention the boys and Lanie." She stared at him meaningfully, unsure of how to respond.
"Kate, you are family. You will always be family and I will always be here for you." She was quiet, lost once again in his blue eyes.
"I love you." She said it before she could think about it, before she could filter it.
Castle reached up to caress her cheek. It was a loving and intimate gesture and it nearly broke her. She felt as if she'd been wandering in the desert and he was water. She was desperate for his touch, had been for such a long time. She leaned into his touch, bringing her hand up to lace her fingers with his against her cheek.
Kate closed her eyes and released a sigh. She felt his hand move to the back of her neck and smiled softly as his lips touched her own. Finally, she thought to herself. After such a long time, Kate Beckett finally felt home again.
