Here's the idea: Take 3 completely unconnected words (the more incongruous the better) submitted by someone else and make a maximum 1,000 word story based on them.
Three Story Words: Substantial, Moss, Convent
Words Submitted by: DeadPigeon
Chapter Rating: T
Word Count: 583
Story Completion Time: 40 minutes
"Let's find a place to sit down." Castle doesn't want to have this conversation walking down 72nd street. It unnerves him. Makes his bad knee throb. He needs something under him. Something substantial that will ground him.
He takes her leather clad hand and pulls her across the crosswalk. Doesn't let go until they reach the entrance to the park. Steps on the word 'Imagine' written in mosaic in the shadow of the Dakota. Imagine is what he's been doing. He doesn't want to do that anymore.
He walks past benches, past low retaining walls. Plenty of places to sit. He doesn't want to have this discussion at all really and if he stops he'll have to talk. He's the one that brought it up in the first place but now he wishes he hadn't. Doesn't want to think about it. He keeps going and she follows.
"Rick."
Kate snags his hand, over with his procrastination. She guides them to the closest 'sitable' surface that isn't the cold ground. The moss covered boulder is not much better. All blunt edges.
She waits.
"I'm ready when you are."
He says nothing.
"Castle, it's freezing. Either start talking or let's go."
She stands.
"Wait."
She sits.
"I've just never had to discipline her before, Kate. I don't even know where to start. It's not like she's 6 and I can just take away her TV privileges. She's 18. What do you do with an 18 year old girl?"
"Well first you should talk to her. Give her a chance to explain. See if she comes clean."
"I don't *want* her to come clean. If she starts telling me details…" He shakes his head in horror.
"It can't possibly be as bad as you're imaging."
"Says you. You didn't talk to Mrs. Schliemann. You don't know what she said it… it sounded like."
"It may not have even been her. There were other people at the party. And you said it yourself – she is 18. Have you ever given her 'the talk'?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course I have."
Kate raises both eyebrows in disbelief.
"Or HAD it done. Same thing."
"Not really. She needs to hear from you that she needs to respect herself enough to make the right choices."
"It's not just about the 'did she'."
"I know. I know it's not. It's about the 'with whom' so soon after breaking up with Ashley."
"She's just never been out of control before. I don't know if she is now but… I am. I don't know how to fix this, how to protect her."
"Talking to her would be a good start."
"Will you talk to her, Kate?"
"Yes." He smiles. "But I'm not going to." He frowns. "If Alexis wants to talk to me then I am *always* there for her. But you are her father and *you* need to be the one to handle this."
She's right. Dammit.
"What do I say?"
"Ask her what happened. Listen to her answer. Really listen. And don't judge her. Then do what you think's best."
"Can I not just put her in a convent until she's 30?"
"No."
"Fine. You always shoot down my best ideas."
She stands and tugs at his hand. "Come on, Castle. I'm cold and my ass is asleep."
He brushes off what may or may not be imaginary flecks of moss that stick to her slacks.
"Can I wake it up?"
"Buy me a coffee and we'll talk about it."
A/N: More words. More, more, more, more, more.