Isn't it amazing? You get two chapters in two days! This chapter is dedicated to all those lovely people I got to chat with on the Castletv chat (Until now my computer wouldn't let me join the chat, it has issues with java) And also to Christy who always helps me with this story when I need it.

It was two days after Father's day, and what Alexis said was still bugging him. The only time he could stop thinking about it was when he was immersing himself in the world of Nikki and Rook, which was a good thing as that meant he spent a lot of time writing. He prided himself on the fact that he knew Beckett pretty well and it was driving him insane because he couldn't figure out what she wanted to say that day. It didn't help that his 'buddies' weren't replying to his messages.

While writing a scene where Rook and Nikki realize that they are missing an important piece of evidence from their case, it suddenly occurred to him that maybe he was missing a major piece of information as well.

If I am right, then what could I have missed? He thought about it for a while longer before he looked at the clock and realized that it was almost four thirty, the time he usually called Alexis.

He picked up the phone, dialed her number, then waited eagerly until she picked up. They talked for a good thirty minutes as she told him all about that teacher she was getting along with so well, who was starting to sound a lot like Lanie the more she spoke of her. He talked about how his book was going, but didn't really mention Gina much as she was mostly gone all the time now that she knew he was actually working on the book. During their conversation, Castle casually slipped his thoughts about maybe he was missing something big in regards to Beckett and Alexis smiled, glad he couldn't see it.

"You might be right about that, but what could you have missed?"

"I don't know, pumpkin, but it's driving me crazy thinking about it!"

Time to put our plan into motion. "Why don't you just ask her then?"

She could hear him sputtering on the other end, as if he'd never thought about that. "Oh yeah, sure. I bet that will go over real well. What should I do? Call her up and ask about it? Something tells me she would just hang up on me then go back to whatever she is doing with Demming."

He sounded so sad when he said that she almost gave in and told him that Kate broke up with Demming that day but she knew it wouldn't do any good to tell him right now. "Why don't you just send a text message or something? That way she can reply whenever she has the time."

"It'll be easier for her to ignore me too..."

"Dad."

"Fine, fine. I'll send her a message okay? Now enough about me, I want to hear more about you." So they talked a little longer until Alexis made him promise once more to text Kate before they both hung up.

While he did promise her that he would send a message, he didn't exactly specify when he would send it so it ended up being four more days before he actually got up enough courage to send it. Sure it was only a text message, but he was dreading the inevitable dismissing text message or the equally painful no reply at all.

"How are things going without me? The precinct hasn't burnt down in my absence, has it? Any interesting cases lately? It's completely boring up here. All Gina lets me do is write, she even took my phone away until a week ago! Is that illegal?"

Kate Beckett stared at her phone, not knowing what to think of the text message she had just received. Kate had been sitting at her desk staring at her phone for a good five minutes or so before Alexis passed by and decided to see what was up. Carefully coming up behind the detective, sneaking a look over her shoulder, unknowingly doing something that her father did all the time.

"Hmm, is that illegal? I guess not since she really did it for his own good." Being lost in her own thoughts, Kate was thoroughly shocked when the younger girl suddenly spoke up.

"Geez Lex, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Sorry Kate... So?"

"So what?"

"What are you going to text back to him?"

Kate thought about it for a minute. "I don't know..."

"How about just the truth?" Someone was calling her name down the hallway. "Ah, I got to go, I'll see you later!"

Kate watched as Alexis rushed off down the hall to help out one of the officers then turned back to the phone in her hands. There was a part of her that wanted to write back but the rest of her was afraid to hear all about how he and Gina are getting along.

Then again, she didn't want him to think she was ignoring him. But he probably expects her to ignore his message anyway. And in fact, she should ignore him after he ignored her and walked right out that day but then what if this was the only chance she got to talk to him? No, there would probably be a chance to talk to him when he got back and Alexis went home. But did she really want to wait until then?

Why do things always have to be so complicated between us?

After finally sending the message, Castle put his phone on the far edge of his desk and started writing again, determined not to obsessively check for new messages like he did when he sent a message to Esposito a week ago.

He had gotten a whole paragraph written before his phone signaled he had a message, causing him to jump up, almost toppling his laptop, to grab it.

"Just wanted to let you know I have a few things I need to take care of so I won't be back tonight. I will know if you slack off though, so don't even think about it."

Gina. Damn.

He typed back a short reply reassuring her that he would be writing, then sat back in his chair with a sigh. A short few minutes later, another text arrived but knowing that it was most likely Gina replying, he didn't show as much enthusiasm while checking his phone this time.

"Despite what you think, we can actually function without you so no, it hasn't burnt down. Esposito came close when he decided to mess with your espresso machine though. You're missing out on all the good cases. There was one where a woman went after her husband with a butcher knife, it looked like a wild animal had attacked him."

He had to read it over two more times before realizing that his eyes weren't playing tricks on him and that she had actually replied to him. And she didn't tell him off for disturbing her and Schlemming.

Despite all the trouble he had thinking of what to say in the first place, not to mention actually sending it, it was easy to think of what to say this time.

"Please don't tell me he destroyed it? Actually, do tell me so I can order you guys another one. Can't have you guys drinking that horrid stuff you were drinking before. I wish I had been there for that one! Did you guys really think that an animal had done it?"

And so they talked for a long time, about anything and everything but what they really wanted to talk about. They danced around the subject of him leaving, and completely avoided talking about Demming, which was completely okay with Castle as he didn't want to hear about him anyway.

They weren't talking about the things they really needed too, but they were talking and that was progress.

Alexis walked into the decently crowded Remy's and immediately spotted Lanie in what was quickly becoming their favorite spot. Depending on how busy they were, the three women would try to meet up for lunch every other day but that didn't always happen.

"Kate isn't with you? Did she get a case or something?" Lanie asked as Alexis slid into the seat across from her.

"Nope, she just said that she had a lot of paperwork to do and asked me to bring her some food back."

The waitress came over and took their orders, leaving Lanie to wonder about the knowing smile the younger girl was wearing.

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say that she isn't actually doing paperwork?"

"Nope, he sure took his sweet time but dad finally texted her. After a little bit of encouragement, she replied and they've been talking for a while now."

Lanie took a sip of her drink before commenting with a smirk. "Phase one: Complete. Time to start phase two."

Yes, I know normally people don't use correct grammar when texting but for the sake of the people who are reading this story, I figured it was best to not use normal text speak.

These last few chapters have been kind of short but the next one will be longer since there are quite a few things that are going to happen. (Insert evil laugh here)

We are getting to the good parts!