The next morning, Castle hopped out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown and raked his fingers through his hair. He was never sure what to do with himself on weekends so he didn't bother getting dressed. A day in his PJs with his daughter Alexis sounded like a nice idea.
As he left his bedroom, he found Alexis curled up on the sofa, still in her pyjamas, watching television.
"What are you watching?" he yawned, slumping down on to the sofa beside her.
Alexis shrugged, "Just the news."
"You know most kids your age watch cartoons in the morning." He yawned again.
Alexis gave him a playful poke. "Shall I make you some coffee?"
"Yes please," he said, putting a pillow over his face to shield himself from the sunlight.
But something on the television made him uncover his eyes.
"Department of Health officials have placed the New York Fire Department Headquarters at the Metrotech Centre under quarantine after what appears to be an outbreak of a mutated flu virus. So far, only staff and civilians inside the FDNY Headquarters appear to have been affected. Only time will tell how the virus mutated and who might be susceptible to the infection.
The Department of Health have issued a statement saying that the virus is completely contained within the building and there is no need for additional infection control procedures."
Just then, he heard the muffled sound of his phone ringing. He slipped his hands between the sofa cushions but his phone wasn't there.
"Dad," Alexis said from the fridge. Castle looked round to see her pull his phone out from the salad drawer.
"How did that get there?" he asked.
"I think you probably put it there when you went searching for a night time snack," she smiled. She glanced at the screen. "It's Beckett," she said, before throwing it to him. He caught it easily and couldn't help the little glow of pride he felt when he managed not to drop it.
"Your friendly neighbourhood sex god here," he greeted. He could practically hear Beckett roll her eyes. "Seen the news?" he continued.
"About the flu outbreak?" she asked.
"Yeah, looks like something out a horror movie with all the guys in hazmat suits running around, don't ya think?" Castle said excitedly.
"Uh, yeah," she agreed half-heartedly. "Listen, we've got a new suspect for the biologist's murder."
"But it's Saturday," he whined.
"Murders don't solve themselves on the weekends, Castle. Are you in or aren't you? We can manage without you."
"Your words still hurt, Detective," he said.
"I'll see you soon then," she said curtly, but he knew she was smiling.
And she hung up.
"Could you make that coffee to go, please," he asked Alexis, before hurrying in to his room to get ready.
Just ten minutes later, he was showered, dressed and in the kitchen.
"Have you seen my jacket?" he asked Alexis.
"Yeah, Dr Parish called last night to say you left it in the morgue."
"So I did."
"Can I get you anything to eat with your coffee, sir?" Alexis asked, sliding his coffee flask across the counter towards him.
"No, thank you, that will be all."
"That's four dollars and fifty cents please."
"In your dreams," he laughed, reaching for the coffee. Alexis snatched it away and hid it behind her back.
"I believe you owe the Alexis Coffee Company some money," she said, raising her eyebrow at him.
"Give it," he said, running around the counter. But by the time he was on the other side, Alexis was standing at the opposite end with a roguish grin on her face.
"My coffee, please,"
She slid the coffee towards him. "You still owe me for that," she said. "And I charge hourly interest."
Taking his coffee, he headed for the door with Alexis following him.
"Have a good day," she said, hugging him.
"I will," he said, pulling her in to a one-armed bear hug. "See you later,"
"Love you, Dad."
"Love you, too, Lex."
If he had known what the next six hours would bring, he might have taken a little longer saying goodbye.