Thanks for the lovely response. I didn't really think that this story would continue, but after those requests I had to write another chapter.

I can't promise regular updates, but I will try to post a new chapter now and then.

I wrote this chapter at around 2am last night, so please have mercy with me. I'm not very satisfied with the end, but that could be the little perfectionist speaking :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 2

Kate looked from the window. Even though it was mainly cloudy, now and again the sun shone through gaps and onto her face. She sat for about two hours in front of her window and observed how the clouds passed by.

One month had passed, since her mother had died and it hasn't changed a lot in that time. Her father still drowned his sorrows in alcohol and the police still couldn't find the one responsible for the death of her mom. The only thing that had changed was her future when she threw her study in Stanford four days ago. No, this wasn't right. Her future already changed with the last breath of her mother. All other changes were only the results of Johanna Beckett's death.

Kate heard how a bottle of glass broke and closed resignedly her eyes. Apparently her father was again in search of replenishment. She didn't know what else she could do to bring him back to his old self. She needed all her strength to not end like that herself. To just give up. She simply had not the strength for the both of them and she didn't know where she could get it from. She knew nothing at all at the moment. It was as if a black hole soaked up all her life energy and could just barely keep a sparkle for herself.

She heard another bottle clattering and decided that she had to go. Just because she couldn't do anything against it, didn't mean that she had to sit here and watch how she'll lose another part of her family.

She grabbed her winter jacket and left the house, without glancing once at her father as she went by the kitchen. She couldn't endure his sight. She'd look later after him and assess the damage.

She stood in front of the house and considered the things she could do. She had nobody to whom she could go, because all her friends were in Stanford. The only friend to whom she still held contact was Maddie, but she was on a tour through Europe and was out of reach. Family friends have turned away one after the other, after her father had scared them away with his behavior. She was alone among millions.

She just started to walk in one direction without a plan where she would end at. Maybe she could come to other thoughts on the way to nowhere. From the distance she saw the small park to which her mother had always taken her. She had nice memories of her mother. Her mom had always pushed her when she sat on the swing. She had always called to her that she should push stronger, because she always got the feeling that she could fly. With every swing closer to the sky.

A hint of a smile darted over her lips when she remembered that. Even though her mom had reluctantly pushed her a little stronger once or twice, that was the most she would give in. She was too worried that she could fall off the swing.

When she was old enough to swing on her own, she swung as fast as she could, but lost footing and fell. She broke her left arm that day and throughout the day she got a stern look from her mom. What she wouldn't give to go back in time and relieve everything from that point on.

She slowly entered the park. There were only a few parents with their children. Though it had stopped raining incessantly, but the weather wasn't ideal enough yet to enjoy the day in a park. She sat down on the swing she always sat as a child, while her mom pushed her and started slightly to swing.

Absent-mindedly she let her glance wander over the park. Watched how some children played and their parents stood a little bit apart and paid attention so that nothing happened. She didn't know how long she already sat on the swing, but she noticed that more and more parents made their way home with their children. Playtime was over.

From the corner of her eye she saw how someone sat down on the swing next her, though she didn't look up. Only when a cup of coffee magically appeared in front of her, did she look up confused. That someone was a man, maybe seven to eight years older than her. He had brown hair, a friendly face and a good frame. All in all, a good-looking young man. One of the kind she'd had flirted with a month ago.

He indicated at the cup of coffee again and smiled at her. She liked his smile. She saw how his eyes started to shine with it. Still it confused her that this stranger held a cup of coffee in front of her nose, but she took it anyway.

„You looked like you could need it." His voice was strong, but at the same time soft.

Kate looked thoughtfully at the cup in her hand. Who knew what was in there besides coffee. She decided to stay on the safe side and put the cup on the ground. She wasn't her usual self and she didn't want to be an even easier target for any lunatic that lived in this city.

The stranger grinned when he saw that she put down the cup untouched. „You're right. I wouldn't accept unknown liquids from stranger, too."

Kate glanced at him and grimaced. Who was that guy? Didn't he notice that she wanted to be alone? Admittedly, it was nice of him to bring her a cup of coffee, or whatever there was in there, but that didn't mean he had the right to get on her nerves.

The stranger briefly looked to the small group of children who had remained and then turned back to Kate.

„I don't want to be too curious, but what are you doing here sitting all by yourself?" asked the man.

If he thought he'd get an answer, then he was wrong. Stubbornly she stayed quiet. If he wanted to talk then so be it, but she'll just sit there and enjoy the silence. That was, unless this stranger wouldn't start making monologues.

But fortunately the stranger seemed to understand and didn't ask anything else. They both sat in silence and watched the playing children.

„My name is Rick, by the way. I'm here with my daughter." She rolled her eyes. She had the feeling that he wouldn't stay quiet for long.

Kate sighed. It wouldn't help to further ignore him. He has proven that he could happily talk without getting answers. „Kate. My name is Kate."

Rick smiled at her. „Look at that! She can talk."

She regretted immediately that she had answered him. Unbelievable how someone could irritate her without doing much. It was time to go to the offensive. „Are you always so intrusive?"

„Only on seven days a week." That got him another eye roll.

„Wow. It must be really exhausting. It mustn't be easy to be you."

„Not really." he replied and she had to repress the urge to grin at his answer.

For a while they sat there in silence and she started to get used to his presence beside her. Somehow is presence cheered her up. Even if his babbling had annoyed her in the beginning, she had to admire him for his effort. But she still couldn't understand why exactly he was sitting next to her, trying to involve her in a conversation. He certainly had better things to do than sitting next to her on a swing.

Kate looked briefly to the sky. The clouds were still there, but you could notice how the sun bid her goodbye for the day. Maybe she should go home. After all, she still had to look after her dad.

She breathed in deeply and enjoyed the feeling of the fresh air that flowed through her lungs. Kate got up with a heavy heart. She'd have loved to spend more time on the swing, but reality called for her. She turned one more time to Rick. „Well, it was certainly interesting to get to know you, but I have to go now. And thanks for the coffee. You didn't have to do this."

Rick smiled at her. She had to admit that she really liked his smile. It was contagious. „Oh, please. I thought you could need it, even if you haven't really touched it once."

„Nevertheless. Not everybody keeps company with a stranger and offers him a cup of coffee."

Rick just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't see why it was something big. It was just coffee in a paper cup. Nothing else. „It was just me trying to bring a smile on that beautiful face of yours. I saw you entering the park and sit down on this swing. All along you had the same, sad look. My mother always says, ´If you meet a person without a smile - give him yours!´. And a hot cup of coffee always cheers me up."

Another smile formed its way on her lips but this time she didn't suppress it. This guy really knew how the get someone to smile. „Well you're right. If I wasn't so distrustful, coffee is often the best way to cheer me up again."

Kate let her gaze wander one last time to the carefree children, before she made her way home without another word. She felt practically his eyes on her, as he watched without a doubt, how she disappeared into the night.

Briefly, before she was from sight of the park, she turned around again, but the swing set was empty. She looked around and contemplated whether she'd find him among the other people. She hadn't imaged him, had she? As she started to question her own sanity, she found him. He was just leaving the park and she was glad that she hadn't gone complete crazy.

At his side was a little girl. She couldn't recognize much, but she saw that the girl had red hair. Somehow she knew those hair. Could it be her? No, this was impossible. Millions of people live in this city. How likely was it to see the same girl again that once gave her a little bit of hope back? Not much.

If you meet a person without a smile - give him yours!

She didn't know why, but these words gave her strength. She hadn't really known him, but he showed her that maybe she wasn't that alone and Kate felt how the sparkle of life energy became a small flame.

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