So this is just a filler before the fun starts... sorry for being so late. I had exams... and then the post exams party... and that takes atleast two weeks to recover from. Worth it though... sooo worth it ;) anyways Enjoy! More coming up very soon.
The black locks of her unruly hair scattered across her back as Mya moved through the heavy oak doors, sister on her tail. They had both escaped from the loft early... working every angle of what was yet to come. But now they stood in the spacious living room of a certain M.E. as she got dressed in her weapon of choice. After all, it's not every day you get accompanied to a ball by a famous author... a ruggedly handsome author none the less. And when she emerged, sheathed in a black and gold number that had even the two young girls gasping, they knew everything was set to go.
"Oh my word Lanie... just... damn" Mya choked as they handed the doctor her purse as she ushered out the bedroom door. Lanie grinned at them and winked, flipping her hair flirtatiously as she got into character.
"Girl... for all we have planned for tonight... I had to at least look somewhat presentable"
"Yea... but did you have to go for sexy? You're gunna give all the cardiac surgeons in the room a heart attack... think of the irony!"
The M.E. raised her eyebrows playfully... "Well.. tonight I'm only interested in getting a reaction out of a certain detective"
Alexis perked up to that, not missing the chance to climb on the bandwagon. "Really? I thought you and Detective Esposito were still fighting?" Lanie spluttered as her face began to heat.
"I meant Kate...Detective Kate Beckett..."
"Wow Lanie... Esposito huh?" Mya shook with mirth as the usually collected woman turned to glare at her. "Guess the 'plan' may bring more than just one relationship together... considering the amount of cleavage that dress is designed to show.. I'm going to say.. together in more ways than one" The sisters chuckled as Lanie growled at their antics.
"Let's just focus on what plan at a time okay... and leave what happens in my bedroom out of this."
"Why Dr Parish! Who says we were implying anything remotely of a sexual nature?" Mya asked innocently looking at her with wide eyes.
"Yes Dr Parish...we were just merely ascertaining that the relationship between you and a certain detective may also be in need of a rude awakening is all" Alexis state nonchalantly as she ran her fingers through her hair, picking up invisible lint on her clothes.
"Ascertaining my ass... Pretty sure we are all in for a rude awakening when Kate Beckett decides to kick my butt" she deadpanned
"Ahh yes... don't worry though Lanie... I'm sure Esposito will be more than happy to help heal your boo-boo's" Mya replied as the knocking on the door and the shuffling of feet sprung them into action, pushing the M.E. toward the front door as she glowered at them. "We'll leave the bedroom door open... just in case" she winked at her as she scurried to hide, leaving the raven haired women flustered, bordering on breaking out into hysterical laughter as she glanced back at the two suspicious heads behind her kitchen counter shaking obviously from laughter. Really could this situation be any more ridiculous?
She opened the door revealing a well groomed author, suit and tie to boot- carrying a handful of roses and smiling at her appreciatively... and she nearly lost it right there. Here she was... Lanie Parish... Best friend of Kate Beckett... About to be 'escorted' by her best friends man... while his kids hid in her kitchen... Nope... nothing can be more ridiculous than this.
He hummed appreciatively at the cool slide on champagne that moved past his lips, offering some to her as they sunk into the plush seats of their limo. She looked great, him... well presentable as always.. and Rick was convinced that the night was going to be great. "You know Lanie... you look really beautiful"
"Surprised?" she asked amused as she picked at the sequences on her dress.
"No... not at all, I mean you are an attractive woman"
"Thanks Castle" she nodded and smiled at his sweet gesture.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked shuffling a bit, out of nervousness or excitement she didn't know, but she shrugged none the less, gesturing him to continue. "What happened between you and Esposito?" She winced at the question and he sensed her awkwardness, backing off to make her less uncomfortable. "Hey... if you don't want to say anything its fine"
"No... No its okay... I guess we can talk about it." she slid her finger along her glass, cutting along the condensation as she lifted her eyes to his. "We... weren't right for each other... well at that time. It was happening all too fast... and the expectations of our relationship were further along than either of us anticipated.. so we decided to cool off for a while".
"So you guys broke up... because... it just wasn't right timing?"
"I guess so.." she shrugged
"That's... well that's bullshit.."
Lanie spluttered on her champagne as she regarded him, eyes watering. "What!"
"Seriously Lanie... I saw the way you guys looked at each other. I'm an author.. I notice details. I think you guys were just too scared to admit... that maybe you were ready for more but didn't think the other was."
"I don't think so Castle...even if that was the case, Javi and I had no problems with communication.. it just wasn't the right time... simple as that"
"Do you miss him Lanie?" He asked, haphazardly and without warning, his blue eyes burning into hers, forcing the truth from her... a simple but significant nod of her head. "If you had to go back in time would you change the fact that it happened?"
She sighed and took inhaled deeply before plunging right back in with the author and his uncanny ability to see into your soul. "No.. I wouldn't change it"
"Then when you still crave his company.. and when you wouldn't change the past... how can that be 'not the right time'?" He watched her face carefully... saw the emotions that flickered across her features as he spilled words before them. "I think Lanie.. that if you care for Esposito as much as the details say that you do... then a little fear shouldn't hinder your happiness... especially since ultimately it's what you both want"
She sighed heavily as she ran her hand through her hair. This is not how the plan was meant to go. "Look at you writer boy... we're not even there yet and already you're sprouting stories and fishing out details.."
"Hey" he shrugged good naturedly "Just filling my literary quota for the night!" He smiled and crinkled his eyes, creating a feeling of comfort that allowed the M.E. to sink further into the leather.
"Thanks Castle" she said, appreciation seeping though her words.
"No problem" the corners of his mouth turned upwards as he diverted from the seriousness of their previous conversation... bringing the M.E. to fits of laughter through his antics. And as their phones began to ring Lanie smirked to herself. Oh yea.. it was going to be a fun night.
The precinct was quiet... eerily so, as Kate Beckett moved to stack her completed array of paperwork. She craved coffee, but knew that the secret vendetta that the espresso machine had on her, would only cause frustration and not relief. Dammit.. Where was Castle when you needed him... not that she really needed him.. ever. Nope. She didn't need him to heal the ache in her chest ever since his presence was no longer around her...didn't need the smell of him to rid her of thought.. and most certainly did not need his childish mannerisms to make her laugh like she hadn't in years. Nope. Definitely not.
But she knew.. she knew secretly that the reason behind her frustrations was that he was not here... and the emptiness of the precinct seemed so deafening to her for the lack of one famous author. Dear God... when has she become so attuned to him? Why had she become so attuned to him? Fiddling absently with the button of her blouse she closed her eyes and ran through the curls of her hair. She needed to get a grip.. and fast. Before she began showing the utter mess of feelings she became whenever he was around..or in this case, not around.
And then her inner ramblings were disturbed by the ding of an elevator and exaggerated whispers as two girls stumbled across the bullpen floor, disturbing the emptiness. They laughed easily in each other's presence; moving side by side as they cut their way across the room. And then the oldest turned in her direction, face lighting up; her dimple accentuated as she threw an excited gaze her way. "Detective Beckett! Hi!"
"Hey girls" Kate replied warmly as they made their way to her. "What are you doing here?"
"We're here for dad" Alexis replied, looking around the empty room "We figured he'd be here with you..."
"No...he left early today"
"Oh..." Mya shrugged and pulled out her phone "Well I will just call him then... check where he is"
He picked up on the third ring, the excited composure already leeching through his voice, causing Mya to fake suspicion at his whereabouts. "Hey, where are you? Lex and I are here at the precinct but you... well conveniently aren't... its Friday night... out classic movie marathon awaits"
"Errrrrmm" He looked at Lanie, understood the widening of her eyes and the shake of her head as clarification that their little outing should...remain a secret between them... for now. So he replied, nonchalantly as possible with slight boredom laced in his voice to throw them off his tracks... though he never knew that they created them. "Yea... I'm sorry M, I'm out at the moment... I didn't know we were still doing the Friday night thing...I had plans..."
"Oh" She looked at Alexis and caught the twinkling of her eyes, turned just in time to stop herself from laughing. "Well that sucks"
"I'm really sorry sweetheart... tell you what... I'll make it up to youuu.."
She arched her eyebrow excitedly "Gear's of War trilogy, HI-DEF TV... chainsaw usage allowed?.."
"errr YEA!"
"I get to be alpphhaaa?"
He paused for a second. "fine."
"GREAT!... we won't wait up then" She hung up, scratching the material of her jeans as she did so, getting herself ready to set the scene. "So...Dad's out Lex"
"Well that sucks... Now what?"
"I dunno" she looked up with a fake look of genius and turned to the brunet detective. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Errrr... nothing of importance" She shrugged already noting of her finished paperwork... and the lack of her usual entertainment.
"Great! ... coffee?"
Kate paused for a second... coffee... with the Castle twins? Would they ask weirdly perceptive questions just like their father? Crap. She couldn't bail though, no matter how much she wanted to... not when Alexis was looking at her with those blue eyes... Dammit Castle genes. "Yea sure"
"Great!" the red head exclaimed turning to her sister with a new found excitement. "Hey we should invite Lanie... you know, make a girls night of it"
'Oh thank god' Kate thought, 'Lanie will save me from their Castle like awareness and cute innocence". "Yea.. okay I will call her"
But then her hopes were ruined...destroyed when the usually faithful M.E. announced somewhat nervously that she too 'had plans' and was not available. She sounded giddy, almost childlike... and in normal circumstances Kate would've been suspicious, called her out on her stammering and sudden bursts of laughter. But she was too preoccupied, too full by the fact that she now had to endure the perceptive stares of two teenage girls whose father she most certainly and undeniably loved... Crap.