Sunday morning, Kate moved around the kitchen as usual. Even though it was Sunday, Kate and Alexis didn't sleep in. They were "Morning People" and that didn't change just because it was Sunday.

Kate heard Alexis's quick footsteps skipping down the stairs and across the great room.

"Good morning," Kate called over her shoulder. "Breakfast is almost- woh!"

The teen had skipped straight into the kitchen and threw her arms around Kate's waist, almost knocking the breath from the older woman and the skillet from her grasp. After securing the pan, Kate turned to drape an arm around Alexis. "What's going on?" Kate asked, suspicious but pleased by the exuberant greeting.

Alexis held Kate tighter and gushed, "I'm so happy for you and my dad!"

Kate froze, frowning. Putting her hands on the girl's shoulders, Kate held her away. "Alexis, we're not…"

"I know, I know," the girl cut in. "Nothing's official and you're not even sure if you want to be saddled with my dad. Believe me, I get that."

"I just don't…"

"Want me to get my hopes up. I know. And I'm sorry I keep cutting you off, I just wanted to say… I approve? Of all the women my dad could be dating, I'm glad it's you." Alexis quickly hugged Kate again, squeezing tight in her enthusiasm.

Kate didn't want to snub Alexis, so she returned the embrace, but she had to set the record straight. "We're not dating, Alexis. Nothing happened last night." Kate was just able to conceal the dissatisfaction in that last statement. After Alexis had 'interrupted' last night, Kate had been able to think again and she'd suggested to Castle that they go to bed. Separately.

Castle had conceded, though she could tell he was disappointed, too. She'd lain awake for a long while, remembering and fantasizing before she'd eventually fallen asleep.

"I understand," Alexis said, moving around the island to sit facing Kate as she finished making breakfast. "I really get it. And I'm sorry if I'm pressuring you."

"No pressure," Kate assured, smiling as she set a plate in front of Alexis. Her smile turned sheepish as she added, "I just don't want you to be disappointed if…" she trailed off.

"Don't worry. I won't be disappointed with you. But my dad will have to answer to me if he messes up his chances with you." Kate smiled, moving to join Alexis at the bar to eat her own breakfast. Alexis turned to face her and said, "Just tell me one thing, okay?"

"Okay."

"You like him, right? I mean, you could see yourself dating him at least, right?"

And Kate could see it. Much too easily. Movie nights with Rick and his daughter, game nights, nights alone with Rick in his room… Coming home from work, knowing he was waiting for her, and curling up with him to read a book.

When did I start thinking of this as home? Kate suddenly wondered.

Kate pushed away the uneasy feeling that that thought induced and smiled at Alexis. "Yes, I guess I do like him. He's got this charm that's annoying and endearing at the same time," Kate complained.

Alexis beamed. "I know what you mean! He thinks he's so cute."

They were just about to launch into a conversation swapping Castle stories, when they heard a noise at the top of the stairs and both women turned to watch as Rick descended.

"Are we having a 'speak of the devil' moment here, ladies?" Rick asked before he walked to Alexis and kissed the top of her head, and then moved to Kate. He rested the palm of his hand at the back of Kate's neck and bent to kiss her also, though this kiss lingered.

Kate pulled away, uncomfortable with the display of affection, even if Alexis approved. "No, as a matter of fact, we weren't." Alexis's eyes widened in shock at the lie, but she didn't contradict Kate. "We were just discussing Alexis's homework. She has an essay due Monday and I was asking her if our conversation the other night helped her write it."

"Right," Alexis added. "And it did. I'm sure I'll get an A on this one." Alexis hated the lie, but she figured she'd confess someday. And then she looked up at Kate and saw the woman wink at her, and she smiled. Her dad had moved to the far side of Kate and was leaning over the bar so he could see both women. Alexis decided to tease her dad, just a bit. "Are you getting paranoid in your old age, Dad?"

His eyes narrowed in a mock laugh as he humored his daughter. "It's not paranoia if everyone is, in fact, out to get you."

"Delusional, too." Kate quipped.

"Looks like it's time for Katie to move out," Rick informed them. "The two of you on your own are each smarter than me, but together, you're… diabolical. I can't have the two of you ganging up on me in my own house."

Both women laughed, brushing his words off for the teasing they were.

"So, what are we doing today, ladies?" Rick asked as he grabbed a piece of fruit from a bowl and then stole a sip of Kate's coffee.

"Ooo," Alexis breathed. "Whenever he says that, he usually has something great in mind."

"I don't know if you should tell Kate that, sweetie. 'Great' to you and me may not be so great to Detective Beckett."

Kate rolled her eyes. Does he think I'm a snob? She wondered. Or is he being one? "I'm sure whatever you have planned will be fine."

"Okay," Rick relented, snagging Kate's coffee cup again.

"Stop that!" she snapped, taking the nearly full mug gently from his hands.

"I was thinking we could all go shopping today."

"Oh," both women replied simultaneously.

Rick laughed at them, "That is the most unenthusiastic response I've ever gotten for shopping."

"I don't really like to shop," both women answered again. They each turned to look at each other and started laughing.

"Did you two script that?" Rick wondered aloud, not really expecting an answer.

"Why don't we go to the natural history museum?" Kate suggested when her laughter had faded.

"Ooo, I've been dying to see the Egyptian exhibit! And I'll get extra credit for world history if I go," Alexis said.

"Museum it is," Castle proclaimed.

Both women rose from their chairs then to clear away their breakfast dishes. But when they moved off to head upstairs, Rick halted Kate with a hand on her wrist.

"Castle?" Kate asked, confused.

But Rick just watched Alexis climb the stairs until she was out of sight. As soon as he heard the teen's bedroom door click shut, he pulled Kate into his arms.

"Good morning, Katie," Rick said, his voice low, as he lowered his head to kiss her.

She hadn't planned on letting him kiss her. But after several long moments, her body grew warm. Kate pulled away and replied, breathily, "Morning, Ricky."

Rick gave a low chuckle and moved to kiss her again, his hands fanning out across her lower back.

But Kate pulled away. "Castle," she reprimanded him, her voice closer to normal.

Rick didn't notice her look grow serious, otherwise he wouldn't have moved in to kiss her neck. "What?" he asked, skimming his lips over her skin. When he felt her body grow tense, he pulled away, concerned, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Alexis…"

"Is upstairs," he finished for her. "And she won't reappear for at least half an hour." He tried to pull her close again, but Kate resisted.

She put her hands on his arms and broke his hold on her body. "I don't think anything should happen… between us… while Alexis is home."

"That's a good idea, and I completely agree with you. But I can't even kiss you good morning?"

"I just don't want Alexis to be hurt if this doesn't work out."

Rick pulled her body against his again, ignoring her slight resistance. "But what if it does?" he challenged.

Kate allowed a small smile and relaxed into his embrace. "Don't get ahead of yourself there, Ricky. I could barely stand you before last week."

Rick narrowed his eyes at her and replied, "I know you're only saying that to hassle me, so I'll let it slide this time."

"Oh, is that right?" she challenged, her hands sliding up his chest to lock around his neck. "And what will you do to me if I keep it up?"

"I know ways of torture," he informed her, his voice low again as he moved to kiss along the curve of her neck. "That last hours… and hours… and hours."

Shivers tore through her body, but before she could do what she really wanted and melt into Castle and let him kiss her until she forgot her own name, she pushed him away. With her hands on his shoulders, holding him away from her body and breathing heavily, Kate said, "Stop. Alexis will be expecting us to be ready to go when she comes back down."

Rick sighed in defeat, mostly because he agreed with her. "Just kiss me- really kiss me- once and I'll let you go without anymore fight."

Kate studied him for a long moment, deciding. A small, sexy smile curved her lips and she countered, "Go now and I'll let you kiss me… as much as you want… after Alexis goes to bed tonight."

"You're cruel!" Rick groaned in pain, but quickly let go of Kate and moved to head upstairs.

"And you have to keep your hands off of me until then," Kate called after him.

"I can do it if you can!" he challenged before disappearing upstairs.

Kate chuckled, amazed he could still underestimate her self control after she'd been denying her feelings for Castle for over a year. Granted, he doesn't know that, Kate mused.

Kate finally moved upstairs to get ready, wondering what else the day could possibly have in store for her.

Author's Note: All of the previous chapters had already been typed up, I had just changed and/or added scenes. So the rest of the chapters may take a bit longer to get up, because I still have to write them.

I wanted to ask everyone for some feedback. In the next chapter I'm going to have Rick and Kate kiss in public and I was wondering what you think. Should they be 'caught' by Alexis or by paparazzi? I have ideas for both, but I want to know what everyone else would like to see.

Thank you all, in advance, for the feedback!