Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Andrew W. Marlowe, though they have found their own way into my heart.

"I'm starving! Should I order something in?" she asked Lanie as she headed for the kitchen.

"Of course you're hungry, after all that exercise last night," her friend teased. Kate ignored the comment.

"When do you have to be back at the morgue?" she asked Lanie.

"In an hour or so," she answered checking her watch. "Why? Got any plans?" she smiled cheekily.

"Not really," Kate said while taking the menu of the takeout place. "Castle is spending the afternoon with Alexis. He's-," she got interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Lanie grabbed the cell from the coffee table.

"Look at that! Speaking of the devil," smirked Lanie bringing the phone to her ear. "Well, well! If it isn't Mr. Castle himself! I hear you-," Kate snatched the cell from her friend. Lanie chuckled.

"Hi!" she breathed, turning away from Lanie.

"Hi, how are you?" he asked.

"Fine," she grinned. "Did you talk to Alexis? How did it go?" she continued.

"Interesting," is all he said.

"And?" she bit her lip, nervous.

"And, she wants you to come over for dinner," he said happily.

"Really?" she was surprised. She turned to Lanie, who was watching her with a smug look on her face.

"Kate? Are you still there?" he asked.

"Yeah, um, dinner? Tonight? O.k.," she answered befuddled.

"Okay then, see you at seven," he said.

"Seven… Bye." She hung up, and stood frozen in place, staring at her phone.

"So?" Lanie said, arching her eyebrows. Kate looked up, still puzzled.

"Um, he says Alexis took the news… he said interesting. And she wants us to have dinner together," she said in disbelief.

"Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"Yeah…I guess." She slumped on an armchair, feeling a little light headed.

"Well, then what's wrong?" asked Lanie. Kate bent forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and biting on a fingernail.

"It's just that…I haven't been exactly…She hasn't seen the best of me and Castle lately. I mean, I haven't treated him that well, we…" she trailed off at the loss of words. Lanie came to kneel beside her, resting a hand on Kate's arm.

"Kate, we're talking about Alexis here. The sweet and smart young woman you've known for four years. So yeah, maybe it's been weird between you and Castle lately, but you don't know her side of the story, you don't know what she really thinks about this. I mean, that girl has seen her father with more women than-" Kate shot her a glare, "well, yeah, you know…" she stuttered. "Anyway, just treat her with respect and consideration, and be yourself. She has more common sense than most people at twice her age. She just wants to protect her father. So don't worry, everything will be fine." She gave Kate a reassuring smile. "You look tired. You should have some rest."

At seven o'clock, she was standing in front of his door. Rested and wearing a turtle neck, Alexis didn't need to see the choking marks, or the hickey left by her father for that matter; she tried to slow down her heartbeat. Taking a deep breath, she raised her fist and knocked.

"Good evening Detective Beckett," said a smiley Alexis.

"Hi Alexis, good evening," Kate answered shyly.

"Please, come in," Alexis motioned with her arm.

"Thank you."

"Hello there!" came his cheerful voice from the kitchen. "I hope you're hungry," he smiled big as he circled the counter and approached her. Stopping in front of her, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Hi," he whispered. Her heartbeat picked up again.

"Hi," she smiled back. They stared at each other for a long time.

"Ahem," Alexis cleared her throat. She was looking at them with a raised brow. Kate felt herself blush.

"Right! Dinner!" exclaimed Castle. "You two have a seat," he said as he returned to the kitchen and pulled a tray out of the oven.

Over dinner, the conversation was kept casual, mostly small talk and light subjects. Alexis and Kate were seated in front of each other, while Castle sat at the head of the table. Kate was impressed by Castle's composure, not once did he try to get handsy under the table. He did, though, hold her hand once during dessert. Alexis didn't seem to mind.

When Castle started to collect the dishes and placing them in the sink, Alexis turned to Kate.

"Do you mind if we have a word?" she asked coyly.

"Of course," Kate answered. Alexis walked towards the living area. Castle started to follow them, but Kate held out her hand for him to stop and gave him a reassuring look.

Alexis sat on one end of the couch and Kate took her place not far from her.

"Dad!" Alexis called with a roguish smile on her face. "Why don't you go do something elsewhere?"

He walked towards them and looked down at his daughter, a frown between his brows.

"Alexis…" he chided. She just looked up at her father arching her eyebrows.

"I'll be in my office," he indulged with a fake grin. His eyes flicked to Kate's face before he turned and disappeared into his study, closing the door behind him.

"I don't know where to start…" Alexis turned her gaze to Kate and smiled shyly.

"Why don't you let me start then," Kate said. Alexis nodded. "I…, okay this is not easy," she mumbled. They smiled at each other. Kate took a deep breath and started again. "The relationship between your father and I has been complicated from the start. I've always admired him, but he also knew how to push my buttons and drive me crazy. I'd say… we developed a sort of friendship that grew into something more. I didn't realize, or wouldn't want to look at it for what it was. The last year has been very difficult for me. I'm sure you understand. Dealing with my shooting, your dad's feelings and my own wrecked self, it got to be too much. I needed time."

"I understand," Alexis said sympathetically. Kate gave her a kind smile.

"I know I haven't treated him the way he deserves, especially these last few months, and I really didn't want to hurt him."

"I know my father isn't perfect," Alexis said before Kate could continue. "I remember how he was, dating a different woman every week, always in meaningless relationships. A womanizer," she punctuated sheepishly. "But I see how he's changed, these last couple of years. And I believe…, I know it's because of you. I've seen how he looks at you, and I see how happy he is now. But…I wish you wouldn't judge me for still being a little skeptical and cautious, just for now."

"Of course not, I understand," Kate said.

"I just…" Alexis said, her brows furrowed in concern, "I don't want to see him get hurt. He deserves to be happy."

"I understand you feel you have to protect him from getting hurt, and I respect that. I admire your loyalty to keep the people you care about safe." Kate reached out and placed her hand on top of Alexis'. "But know that I care a lot about your dad, and I care about you too. The last thing I want is to hurt him again. I've been learning how to be a better person, and I may not be there yet, but I believe that I'm headed that way." Alexis took a deep breath.

"I've been worried lately, with what my leaving to college and leaving him alone…I guess it's a good thing you will be here, that he will have someone."

"I promise," Kate stated, looking Alexis straight in the eye.

"Detective Beckett?" she smiled shyly.

"Call me Kate," she said sweetly.

"Kate, would you mind if we continue this another time. It's getting late and it's been a long day, but I definitely want to continue this conversation."

"Sure! Anytime you want. You just have to call me."

"Thank you," Alexis said gratefully, and stood up. "Take good care of him," Alexis smiled.

"I will," Kate promised.

"Goodnight Detective, sorry, Kate. Night dad!" she called to the office.

He opened the door and stepped into the living room. Alexis was already half way up the stairs.

"Night pumpkin!" he said. Alexis turned briefly and flashed a smile, before disappearing down the hallway. Castle came to sit next to Kate.

"How did it go?" he asked her.

"You have an amazing daughter," she smiled.

"I know," he breathed happily. He then scooted closer to her, until their thighs were brushing, and stretched his arm behind her, over the back of the couch. She directed him a quizzical look. He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers before thoroughly kissing her.

"I've been wanting to do this all evening," he gasped, their faces barely an inch apart. She softly kissed his lips again.

"It's late. I should go," she whispered, her eyes closed.

"I don't want you to go. Stay," he breathed in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I know, but I can't," she murmured. "Not with Alexis in the house, not today, not so soon." He nestled his face in the crook of her neck and closed his eyes. "Tonight went well, more so, but let's not push things," she told him.

"I don't want you to go. I can't…" he whispered. He pulled back and laced his fingers with hers. "It hurts, literally hurts," he whined, bringing their joined hands to his heart. She ran her other hand through his hair. His eyelids closed at the touch. She then stood and pulled him up with her.

"What if you leave and I sneak you back in later?" he muttered hopefully. She let out a laugh and almost had to drag him to the front door. She opened it and turned to face him.

"I will see you tomorrow, okay?" she said, placing her hands on his chest. He leaned in and kissed her upper lip. She walked him a step back. He was looking at her with puppy-dog eyes. Stepping backwards into the hall, she grabbed the door and gently pulled it closed.

But she didn't leave. She didn't want to; didn't want to be alone. Instead, she rested her forehead against the door and took a second to compose herself. At his side, he leaned back against the same door and closed his eyes. After a moment his eyes snapped open. He didn't hear her heels against the floor. He didn't hear the elevator. He quickly turned around and swung the door wide open. She almost crashed into him. He caught her and held her upright. Their gazes met, they saw the longing in each other's eyes. They threw themselves to one another. Just like the night before. He kissed her deeply, arms wrapped tightly around her waist. She put hers around his neck and molded her body to his.

"Twenty four hours later," he panted between kisses, "here we are again."

"Castle?" she gasped.

"Yeah?" he breathed against her neck.

"Shut up," she said with a groan.

"I'll sneak you out in the morning," he murmured as they stumbled to the bedroom.

Hope you liked it!