Author's note: this is the second of the new/rewritten story line. I just wanted to add that I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get back to. I lost sight of my original storyline along the way and then lost interest in the story. But I'm reworking the parts I didn't like and hopefully making the story better. Thank you for sticking with me and prompting me even though it's been so long since I've worked on this story.

Over the next week, Kate found it was a lot easier letting the Castles include her in their lives than it had been fighting them. And she found it wasn't that difficult a sacrifice. She joined them in games, she watched more movies with them, and she even helped Alexis with her homework, though neither Kate nor Alexis had intended it that way. Alexis had been reading a book for English and when Kate mentioned that she had read the book too, they had started a discussion that led Alexis to a perfect topic for her subsequent essay. That led Alexis to the idea that Kate might also have a few ideas for a world history essay.

Though she spent a lot more time with the Castles, they also gave her all the alone time she needed. Kate had lived alone for many years, and she always feared that she would miss that independence when- or heaven forbid, if- she ever moved in with a man. The Castle clan gave her space when she needed it, and welcomed her with joy when she joined them in any of their activities. She found herself joining them more and more often as time passed, her joy in getting to know Alexis, and even Rick, greater than she could have imagined.

She tried giving them their family time too, knowing how important it was for a kid to spend time alone with her parents while they were still around. But more and more often, when Kate tried giving them space, Alexis would come up, knock on her door, and entice Kate downstairs with a movie or a game or even a sweet treat her dad had picked up on the way home. Not that she needed enticing anymore; she just didn't want them to ever think she was becoming a third wheel.

Kate sat in her chair, her feet tucked under her, reading Heat Wave for the fifth time. She was getting into her favorite part of the book when she had the random thought that she wasn't alone in the room. Sure that that idea was ridiculous- it was the middle of the night and every one had gone to bed hours ago- she tried to continue reading but the feeling wouldn't go away. She finally looked up and started when she saw Rick leaning in the door way. She also noticed he looked surprised that he'd been caught, but he tried to cover it by moving into the room and heading to his desk.

"That's interesting," he commented before she could.

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

"Your lips don't move when you're reading the naughty parts."

To hide her blush, she smiled just a little. "You know what's even more interesting?" He cocked an eyebrow in response, then waited for her to continue. "You when you're trying to avoid an awkward question."

"Whatever could you mean, Detective?" he paused in turning on his laptop so he could make eye contact and give Kate an innocent look. Failing to do so would have given his lie away.

"How long were you watching me this time?"

He grinned and replied unapologetically, "Since you started reading chapter nine." Then he started teasing again, "You started out moving your lips as you read, but as the chapter progressed, you stopped."

She was able to laugh at herself, grinning in response to his smile. "I didn't even realize I did that. No one's been in a position to point that out to me in a long time."

"Glad to be of use, Detective." He replied charmingly, but then frowned when she stood to leave. Her hand paused on the way up to put Heat Wave away when he called, "Kate." She turned back to look at him and waited for him to continue. "You don't have to leave. You can stay."

"Aren't you going to be working? I don't want to be a distraction. I did invade your office."

"You won't be a distraction," he assured, smiling because it looked like she might actually stay. "I prefer to have company while I work. Alexis and I often work in the same room."

Kate took a step back toward her chair then hesitated. "Are you sure?" she almost hoped he'd give her an out, unsure as to how she felt about sitting around quietly in the same room as Castle.

"Sure I'm sure. You sit over there and read as long as you like, and I'll just be working over here."

"Okay," she smiled, moving back to her chair. "Thanks." Kate curled back up in her chair, turning though so her profile would face Castle, instead of having him in her line of sight.

Kate stopped overanalyzing when she heard the tapping of the keys on Rick's laptop, glad that his attention was no longer on her. She started reading again and soon forgot all about the man sitting across the room.

Rick, meanwhile, was glad that Kate's attention seemed to be totally engrossed in her book; otherwise she might notice that he never once looked down at the computer screen. And when he finally did look, the results looked something like: aeigkcnr neoa a;tehiadlktne ahicsntn;ei ethht;klad jviwlek … Only there were several pages of it.

Instead of working like he'd claimed, he was studying Kate's profile. Rick had definitely noticed a difference in Kate this past week. Previously, she had been the 'Phantom of the Loft,' hiding in her room and going out of her way to avoid him and his daughter. He acknowledged that he couldn't possibly know everything she was going through, but knowing Kate and what had happened, he could guess. Kate was a very independent person, used to being alone, and she was suddenly in the uncomfortable position of depending on someone else to keep a roof over her head. And she was stuck until insurance could be cleared and her home rebuilt. Rick also knew that Kate's behavior wasn't because she was resentful, but she was uncomfortable suddenly having roommates, one of which never failed to let her know he was very attracted to her. Her avoidance wasn't dislike, but discomfort and uncertainty.

So he had given her space and tried to keep her as comfortable as possible as long as she was living with him.

Rick grinned and thought, Kate and I are living together. Then he rolled his eyes at himself.

He was glad that she finally seemed to be relaxing, and thrilled that she was spending so much time with Alexis. The girl needed a strong woman in her life, especially someone so much more serious than the other women in her life.

As he watched, Kate's lips began to move as she read. Though, at the same time, her eyelids began to droop and her long blinks gradually slowed until they didn't open again. The book fell against her chest and her head tilted against the back of her chair.

Castle watched for a long moment, her chest rising with every breath, until he decided he shouldn't wait any longer to send her up to bed.

Rick stood and approached quietly, studying the pale skin of her eyelids, the lashed dark against her skin. There was a single dark freckle- a 'beauty mark'- against one cheek. He had to restrain himself before he reached out to put his fingertip to that small spot.

Though, when a strand of hair fell over her face, he decided it would be down right rude not to move it for her. Rick gently brushed the strands off her face and watched mesmerized as she nuzzled her face into his touch. He dropped his hand to gently rest on her shoulder and nudge her.

"Kate?" he said, removing the book from her lap as she stirred. "Kate, wake up."

She lifted her head, looking confused until she spotted rick standing over her. "I must have fallen asleep. Sorry."

He smiled. "It's fine. You don't snore. But I figured I should send you to bed before you spent all night in that chair. The last time I tried that, I couldn't turn my head for a week.

She suddenly made a face and put her hand to her neck. Tilting her head back and forth, she said, "I see what you mean. Thanks."

"You're welcome," he replied, smiling and watching the graceful curve of her neck as she swung her head around. "Come on," he added and held out his hand to her. "Let's get to bed."

Kate eyed his hand suspiciously for a moment before she looked up and saw his smile. She smiled back, and put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

They walked silently through the loft, and up the stairs, side-by-side. When rick stopped at the top floor landing, Kate turned to face him.

"Good night, Kate," he said. Then before she could react, he leaned in and kissed her, right on the corner of her mouth.