AN: We're officially halfway through this story. I'm still getting some mixed reviews, but that last chapter got a really good reception so I'm pleased :) This one is a bit fluffy and cute, so I hope you like it. Next chapter should (hopefully) be up tomorrow.

IBYL
xo

Disclaimer: If I owned them... well, read my stories (current and previous). They'd be married with babies by now.

When they got into the elevator at the loft, Kate started to get nervous. Sure, Alexis and her had always gotten along, but what if she didn't approve? She was sure that Rick noticed something because he leant down and kissed her sweetly.

"Calm down, Kate. It will all be okay. They know I was on a date with you anyway." He murmured softly, and she smiled.

"I should really be more concerned at how well you can read me." She responded, and he laughed, before taking her hand and pulling her out of the lift towards his front door. He slid the key into the lock and flung the door open.

"Hey Dad." Alexis called from the breakfast bar, before turning around. "Kate!" She exclaimed, running over to give her a hug. Kate smiled and welcomed the embrace, ignoring the knowing look on Rick's face.

"Hey, Alexis. Glad to see you finally took my advice." She teased, and Alexis laughed, while Rick raised an eyebrow in question. "Told her that I leave the detective title at the precinct, Castle. She can call me Kate." She explained, and he couldn't help but grin in response.

"So you're here, and you have a bag. I'm guessing the date went well?" Martha asked as she swanned into the room, ever the graceful dame. Kate laughed.

"Yeah, it went well."

"See Richard, I told you to go with your gut." Martha said knowingly. "Lovely to have you here, dear." She said to Kate, before wandering away.

"You're together now?" Alexis questioned innocently, and Kate nodded.

"Yeah, pumpkin." Rick said, and his daughter smiled brightly.

"About time." She said simply, before heading back to pack up her homework. "Now that you're home, I'm going to bed. Night Dad." She said, kissing both adults on the cheek softly. "Night Kate." She smiled and made her way upstairs. Kate couldn't wipe the grin off her face.

"You have the best kid in the world." She said honestly, not realising that Alexis had just started to make her way downstairs again to grab a glass of water. Alexis beamed at the compliment, before turning on her heel and softly padding to her bathroom to grab a drink from there.

XXX

Kate and Rick went to bed not long after Alexis, and Kate politely declined the offer of the guest room, making Rick beam in delight. They were tucked up in bed together, Kate resting her head on Rick's chest softly, when he decided he couldn't hold his tongue anymore, and had to ask.

"Don't leave or get mad, okay? But… why are you sleeping in here tonight? I'm not complaining, you know I'm thrilled. I'm just curious." He said, and she sighed.

"I like the idea of being next to you. Especially in case either one of us has a nightmare again. Some of the best sleep I've had in weeks was against your shoulder, Rick – I'd really like some solid sleep." She said honestly, and he smiled.

"Well then, I'm more than happy to be of service." He said with a smile, before throwing his arms around her and holding her close. "Sweet dreams, Kate." He murmured against her hair.

"Night, Rick."

They lasted until almost 3AM before Rick awoke from his nightmare, breathing heavily. Kate was awake instantaneously and was stroking his chest softly, murmuring soft words of comfort in his ear. He settled down again before turning to Kate, his apology shining in his eyes. She shook her head silently, telling him there was nothing to be sorry for – and like always, he understood. She made him lay back down again and kissed him softly, before lightly tracing patterns across his chest to soothe him. When his breathing evened out a little, she tucked her head back into his chest and continued to draw patterns until she slipped into dreamland herself.

XXX

The next morning, Kate blinked as she woke up and adjusted to her surroundings. She soon realised where she was and smiled, noting with a grin that Rick was still asleep. She checked the time and realised she had a little while before she had to wake up, so simply enjoyed watching the man in her life being blissfully silent. He had a ghost of a grin on his face, and she smiled at the childish expression. He had obviously sensed her interest in him as his eyes fluttered open.

"Morning." She said softly.

"Hey." He grinned more, making her laugh. "I thought staring was creepy?" He asked, and she suppressed a giggle.

"I'm observing. Making sure you're okay." She said, and he grimaced.

"Sorry I woke you." He said softly, and she pulled a face.

"I don't care, Rick. Still the best night's sleep I've had in ages. So answer me, you okay?" She said, and he smiled softly.

"Yeah. It was a lot easier to wake up and hold the tangible proof that my nightmares weren't real in my arms." He said, and her face softened.

"I wish you didn't have to do this." She said, and he pulled her to him and kissed her soundly.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kate – you're worth it. All of this will fade eventually, and I have you to help now."

"That you do." She murmured softly, before rolling out of bed and leaning over to plant a kiss on his lips – one that she soon lost control of. Before long, she was stretched out on top of him and they were making out passionately. When they pulled away for air, Kate noticed the time.

"Oh crap, Rick, we have to get ready for work." She said, and he groaned.

"But this is a thousand times better." He moaned, and she grinned.

"Well hey, quicker we get up and get ready, the quicker we can break the news to the guys at the precinct." She said with a wink, and he smiled.

"Shower's yours. I'll go make breakfast and shower after. Deal?" He said, regretfully rolling over so that he could head for the kitchen.

"Deal." She confirmed, pressing her lips against his one more time before spinning on her heel and walking into Rick's en-suite.

Half an hour later, she was eating breakfast happily, laughing as Alexis and Rick bickered over the correct syrup-to-pancake ratio. Rick, being Rick, smothered his pancakes in maple syrup, which Alexis thought was disgusting. The argument continued until Kate simply couldn't take it anymore, rolled up one of Rick's pancakes and shoved it in his mouth, which left Alexis spluttering with laughter. It was infectious, and Kate and Alexis were literally rolling around on the floor while Rick pouted. Getting up and wiping the happy tears from her eyes, Kate smiled and wrapped her arms around Rick's waist.

"Shut up about the syrup, okay babe?" She directed, before resuming eating. Alexis kissed Kate's cheek, and her Dad's, before taking her last bite of breakfast and heading for the door.

"See you tonight. Stay safe." She called out as she picked up her bag.

"Will do, pumpkin!" Rick called in response, and she shot them one last grin before leaving the loft. Kate finished breakfast and Rick kissed her soundly. "My turn for the shower. What do you need to do in the meantime?"

"You got a mirror in your room?" She asked, and he nodded. "Well while you shower, I'll do my hair and make-up."

"Girly things, got it. Come on." He said, taking her hand and leading her to his bedroom, kissing her cheek before heading for the bathroom. She beamed, before going about her morning routine.

20 minutes later, Rick had finished his shower. When she heard the bathroom door click open she looked up to ask him where he kept tissues, but quickly lost her train of thought.

He was only wearing a towel.

And he looked far more amazing than she'd ever suspected. To put it simply, he was ripped.

Why did he hide that under button-downs all the time? And when did he have the time to work out?

She noticed the amused look on his face and realised he'd probably noticed her staring, making her blush. When the red colour tinged her face, he laughed softly, kissing her.

"You like what you see?" He asked, a gentle teasing tone in his voice, telling her there was no need for embarrassment. She grinned.

"Ah… yeah, you could say that. When the hell do you find time to work out?" She asked.

"Exercise is a really good solution for writer's block. Going for a run, doing weights – it's an easy way for me to clear my mind. Focus myself. And… I didn't want to let the precinct down, let you down. I figured if I kept fit, made sure I was able to keep up with you at least a little, I'd be less of a liability." He said, shrugging, and Kate grinned, leaning up to kiss him.

"That's sweet. Next question, then: why do you hide under the button-down shirts?" She asked, subconsciously ogling him again and making him laugh.

"I don't know. I've always worn button-downs. Why, you want me to wear tight t-shirts?" He asked, chuckling, and she frowned.

"On second thoughts, no. There are enough women fawning over you. They figure out how built you are and I'll never, ever get you to myself." She said, trying to hide the jealous, childish edge in her voice, but Rick caught it. He pulled her up from her chair and pressed his forehead against hers.

"They'd never even come close to you, Kate." He whispered softly, and she blushed at the sheer sincerity shining through in his voice. Not having anything useful to say in response, she simply kissed him, trying to relay everything she felt for him into her actions.

If the dazed, happy look on his face as they pulled away for air was anything to go by, she succeeded.

Brighten my day?