Here is the next chapter. Hope you like it.

I'm in need of a Beta for both of my stories, so if you want to be the first to read my stories then message me. I need someone who can do them in a few days of having them and somone with good strong English. First to come forward, first served.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 4.

This had to be the worst part about her job. Even worse than the endless stacks of paperwork. But Kate was determined to find the murder weapon within the garbage of the dumpster. Her dumpster would have the murder weapon, not the new guys.

"Bet you didn't think you'd be spending your first day doing this," she told him with a smirk.

"It crossed my mind," Javier Esposito shrugged. "If I could find that murder weapon first then it would be a succesfull first day."

"It would, wouldn't it?" Kate grinned. "That's if you're the one to find it."

On her first day they hadn't had a murder, Kate was left waiting around while the others finished up on paperwork. She had tried to help as much as she could, but she wasn't there for the case. Then she had her first murder investigation, resulting in her going through the victims apartment, searching for something that could give them an understanding. She had found the secret stash of drugs under the floorboards, which gave the detectives the lead they were looking for.

"This could be worse," Esposito said. "You ever ended up in the sewers?"

"It took me days to get the smell out," Kate sighed, hating that case.

He nodded his head. "I regreted eating before."

Kate wondered where Esposito came from, he seemed around her age, but he seemed to have more of a history in the force than Kate did. Her phone rang, interupting her thoughts.

"Beckett," She answered.

"That's still so cool," Rick answered. Kate rolled her eyes, remembering the first time she had answered her phone with her surname. He found it cool and amusing every time she answered. "I'm not interupting you at work, am I?"

"No," Kate said. "I'm just standing in the middle of the dumpster." She looked over to Espostito, seeing him looking smug with Kate's distraction. No way was she letting him find the murder weapon.

"Really?" Rick seemed impressed, which shocked Kate. "Is it weird that I think that's kind of hot?"

"Yes, Rick," she sighed. "There is nothing hot about smelling like rubbish."

She turned away from Esposito's curious looks and grins. Using her free arm, she still looked for the murder weapon, while still on the phone to Rick. "No, but you doing your detective in training stuff is hot."

Kate rolled her eyes again. "I'm asuming you're calling for a reason."

"Two now," he said. "One, why are you in a dumpster?"

"Just looking for something," she said, knowing it was classified. "And two?"

"Secretive, I like that," she could imagine him grinning. "And two, Alexis was wondering if you wanted to come over to ours tomorrow for dinner."

Kate froze, it had been a couple of days since she last saw them. She had thought they would just meet up again the following Monday, the coming over for dinner too soon. But now he was asking and she wasn't sure how long she could go without telling him.

"Kate?" He called down the phone.

"Uh – dinner. I think I can do tomorrow," Kate said, not wanting to let the little girl down. "I finish work at five."

"Perfect," he said.

"I'll stop by after work then?" Kate questioned.

"I'll text you my address later," he said. "I guess I better leave you to your rolling around in garbage."

"I'm not rolling around in it," Kate told him.

"Your secrets safe with me," Rick said.

"Thanks," Kate shook her head. "I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you then." Kate hung up the phone after, holding it in her hand. Esposito coughed behind her and she turned seeing him with the murder weapon in his hand. Annoyed, Kate got out of the dumpster, leaving him with his smug smile and the murder weapon. Finding the murder weapon on the first day was good, but Kate had a year of experience on him.

Back at the precinct, Kate sat down at her desk with a sigh. The two of them had gotten stares from others around, they really must smell. Looking up at the clock, she realised she still had another hour to go before she could go home and shower. Making it worse, Lanie decided to come up for a visit.

"What is that smell?" She asked, scrunching her nose up.

"That would be us," Kate told her. "Spending an hour in a dustbin does that to you."

"And everyone says cutting open dead bodies is distusging," Lanie said and then turned, seeing Esposito for the first time. Kate shook her head, seeing that smile flicker on her friends face. "And who are you?"

"Javier Esposito, but you can call me Javi," They shook hands. "Your name?"

"Lanie Parish, I'm the M.E around here," She said.

"I thought you just liked cutting open dead bodies for the fun of it." Esposito said with a grin.

Before her friend could reply, Kate cut in. "If you guys are done. Lanie, what are you doing here?"

"I came wanting to know how Monday went." Her friend raised her eyebrows, grinning.

"Is this to do with the guy you was on the phone with?" Esposito asked.

"No," Kate said.

"Yes, was it Rick?" Lanie asked Esposito, completely ignoring Kate's glare.

"Yeah. Boyfriend?" Esposito asked Lanie. Was they really talking about Kate right in front of her? She hadn't even known Esposito for a day and he was already putting his nose in Kate's business.

Lanie laughed. "If your Beckett's partner then you should know that girl likes the complicated."

"It's not complicated," Kate said. "And he isn't my boyfriend."

"Not yet." Lanie added.

Kate ushered her friend into the breakroom, not wanting Esposito to hear any more about her private life. They poured themselves a coffee, noses scrunching at the taste. A new coffee machine was really needed around here, even after a year Kate still hadn't gotten used to the taste.

"Come on," Lanie said. "Tell me."

"She's amazing, Lanie," Kate sighed. "I don't know how I got so lucky to meet her."

"Did you go on the boats?" Lanie asked her, smiling at her friend.

Kate thought about the boats, the moments when she was laughing and happy with them. Then she thought about after, the guilt of forgetting about her mom and their past on the boats together. She had been to wrapped up, too happy to notice. Her break down after made her cringe, she wished she could forget about it.

"Kate?" Lanie questioned.

"Yeah," Kate shook her head. "We went on the boats and Alexis took me into the park. Do you know how hard it is to get round a kids park these days?"

"I have no kids in my life. I have no reason to," Lanie said. "And you won't see me squeezing through those tiny gaps."

"I went around the park, playing with Alexis," Kate smiled at the memory. "But when I reached the end, where Rick waited for us. You'll never guess what I did." She groaned, still embarrassed with herself and knowing Rick wouldn't forget it anytime soon.

"What?" Lanie pressed.

"I tripped and fell."

"Oh my God, Kate," Lanie said. "Did he help you up? Did he laugh?"

Kate smiled, thinking about how he touched the back of her head, those caring eyes. "He did laugh, but he was worried."

"He likes you," Lanie grinned. "How have you managed to get a man like him and a girl like her?"

"He isn't my boyfriend. Its not like that." Kate told her.

Lanie rolled her eyes. "I'll give the two of you a month."

"You can give us as much time as you want as there won't be an us at all," She told her. Kate was there for Alexis, she did like Rick, but they were just friends. Friends, right?

The following day, the case was closed with the murder weapon Esposito found having fingerprints on that lead to the killer. Kate didn't have a problem with her and Esposito working together, but she did wish it was her that found the murder weapon. She wanted that promotion to detective so badly, but it wasn't likely for another year or two.

She had gone home the previous night, laying in the bath, scrubbing her body until the smell came out. Then she had ended up making a cake to take around tonight, keeping it contained in her bag away from her fellow cologues at the precinct. Kate wasn't sure how to feel about tonight, she was excited to see Alexis again, but going round there house was a huge step. A part of her knew that she had to tell him about her being in thearpy before she and Alexis got any closer. But Kate was afraid that she would end up losing Alexis and sharing that part of her life was something she was never good at. No one a part from Montgomery knew about her thearpy and she had wanted to keep it that way.

Now she was doing paperwork, watching the clock as it slowly ticked by. Thankfully, Esposito knew what he was doing. Perhaps he had experience somewhere else before he came here, but Kate wasn't going to pry. He hadn't brought up Rick again since yesterday with Lanie and Kate secretly thanked him for that.

"Kate, no bad feelings about the murder weapon, right?" Esposito said as she packed her bag up, the clock finally hitting five.

"No, but don't think I'll let you get the next one," she grinned. "See you tomorrow, Esposito."

He nodded his head in goodbye, a smile on his face. Kate didn't see them becoming friends anytime soon, but perhaps they could work well together and grow to respect each other. She was relieved that he didn't treat her any differently from anyone else. When Kate first joined the precinct here, everyone treated her as the fragile girl, but she soon proved them wrong. Now everyone respected her here, even for a uniform.

Sitting in her car, she paused trying to think about what tonight would bring. Dinner with Alexis and Rick. Kate couldn't wait to see Alexis again, to see her smile as Kate turned up. To see where they both live. The strange feeling in her stomach reminding her that she had to tell Rick.

When she reached Rick's apartment, she felt her mouth drop open. Of course she always knew that he had money, but she had never thought about how his apartment building would look like. It made hers look small and depressing. She couldn't imagine what the inside looked like. His was at the top, making Kate look up to see how it was more of a loft than an apartment.

The man in the lobby smiled as Kate entered as if he knew that she was coming. She gave a small smile, hugging her arms closer to her body. Kate felt a little out of place here that she didn't quite belong, but a little girl was counting on seeing her upstairs and Kate wanted to se her too. The lift was even a grand affair, Kate doubted it hardly ever broke down like her one at her apartment.

Outside his door, she paused, her knuckles clenched ready to knock. Taking a deep breath, she knocked. There was an excited shout of a voice behind the door and then a few seconds later it opened. Alexis and Rick both stood before her with smiles on their faces. Kate found herself smiling, the troubles she was facing disappeared.

"Kate!" Alexis hugged her. "You came!"

"I sure did," Kate said, hugging the girl back. "How could I miss dinner with you?"

Alexis took Kate's hand, pulling her into the loft. "We're having spaghetti and meatballs. Daddy is cooking."

"You like spaghetti and meatballs, right?" Rick asked her.

"Yeah," Kate grinned. She looked around the loft in complete awe. It was a lot bigger than her small one bedroom apartment and it screamed money. She couldn't help but admire the pictures on the walls and his bookshelf that lead to another room. "Your place is amazing."

"Do you want to see my room?" Alexis asked, pulling on Kate's hand towards the stairs. A loft with stairs. Now Kate was really shocked and impressed.

"Actually," Kate said pulling the cake in the container out of her bag. The things she could fit in her bag. "Why don't you go put this in the kitchen while I ask daddy something quick."

"Okay," Alexis said. Kate watched as she took the cake, skipping of into the kitchen. Rick was watching her curiously, interested in what she possibly have to ask him.

"Do you have somewhere I can put my gun?" She asked biting her lip.

"Really?" Kate sighed at the tone of his voice, he was a complete boy. "Uh – I have a desk that locks. Alexis knows not to go in there."

"That'll be fine," Kate smiled, following Rick into his office. Her eyes scanned his bookshelfs, noticing all the crime and thriller novels, including his own. "You have so many books."

"This is where the magic happens," Rick grinned. She couldn't believe she was standing in his study, where he writes his books and comes up with his ideas. Inside she was squealing, but on the outside she was calm – trying to be calm. "Here, you can put your gun in this one."

Kate reached into her bag, bringing out her gun and badge. She shook her head seeing Rick's reaction, biting her lip to hide her smile. Papers of what was likely future book ideas were stacked in the draw, now along with Kate's gun and bage. He closed the draw, locking it and then putting his keys back in his pocket.

"Kate! Daddy!" Alexis called from outside the office. Rick was right, the girl really did know not to come in here.

"I have so many questions to ask you," Rick grinned. "Its so hot how you have a gun."

"Come on," Kate said. "Your daughter is wanting us."

They joined Alexis outside, the girl taking Kate's hand again to pull her up the stairs. Rick shouting up at them that dinner would be ready soon. Kate smiled, feeling like a little kid going round their friends house again.

"This is my room," Alexis said, standing outside the door to her bedroom. "My mommy decorated it for me, but daddy helped me decorate it myself."

Kate nodded her head, smiling. "Should I be scared?"

Alexis giggled. "No."

She opened the door, Alexis pulling her inside. Kate could see – without knowing the mother – that the pink touches behind the pictures was the decorating of her mother. Those girly touches didn't seem completely Alexis, even though the girl was quite girly. The star stickers on the ceiling was Alexis, as well as the pictures on the walls and the jungle animal bedding.

"Do you like it?" Alexis asked.

"Its amazing," Kate said. "Do the stars glow in the dark?"

"Sometimes the dark scares me," Alexis said. "Daddy got me the stars so the dark didn't seem so scary."

She smiled, Kate used to have a nightlight to protect her from the darkness. "I see you like doing experiements." She pointed towards Alexis shelves, which was full with boxes of kids experiements. Another shelf full with books and then on her desk was an antfarm. For a young girl, Alexis was smart.

"Me and daddy do them together," Alexis took Kate's hand again, pulling her towards her bed. The girl picked up a stuffed monkey, showing Kate. "This is Monkey Bunkey."

"Oh, he's nice," Kate smiled. "I have an elephant called Ellie."

"You do?" Alexis smiled. "Daddy got me Monkey Bunkey when I was born."

"My daddy got me mine, too," Kate said. She wondered where her dad was right now, whether he was sobering up or drunk. They hadn't spoke in a few weeks, Kate had been mad at him for breaking his promise once again.

Rick called them for dinner, both girls walking down holding hands. Alexis showed her to their dinning room, begging Kate to sit next to her. She sat next to Alexis, smiling as Rick came in with the three plates, setting them down.

"You defiantly can cook," Kate said after taking a bite. "I think this is the best spaghetti meatballs I've ever had."

"Not as good as your brownies." Rick grinned.

"How long did they last?" Kate asked them, watching as Alexis giggled.

"Not even till night," Rick said with a laugh. "And I only got the one."

"I didn't eat them all at once," Alexis said. "I offered you another one, daddy, but you said I could have it."

"I did, didn't I?" Rick sighed. "Anyway, detective in training, what's your story?"

Kate looked between Rick and Alexis, noticing them both watching her curiously. They wanted to get to know her more, but what could she possibly say about herself? She finished her mouthful with a loud gulp.

"What do you want to know?" She asked.

"I want to know how a women like you ended up training to be a detective," Rick said. "Usually beautiful, smart women end up becoming laywers."

Kate looked down, allowing her hair to fall across her face to hide the blush that glowed on her cheeks. He thought she was beautiful and smart? She found herself smiling before she could hide it. Instead of answering, she decided to take another bite of her dinner.

"How did a man like you end up becoming a crime novelist?" She tried to change the conversation. He watched her curiously, knowing she had avoided answering his question with a question.

"Daddy likes to write," Alexis said. "Do you like to be a cop?"

"Yeah," Kate said. "I like catching the bad guys." That was part of the truth, she did like bring the bad guys down, giving the family justice, but it was deeper than that.

"Is your mommy scared that your a cop?" Alexis asked, making Kate clench her fork. She had expected a question to come up about her mother or father at some point, but she was never prepared for it. "My grandma told me she would worry if daddy was a cop."

Kate stared at her plate, not knowing what to say. If her mother was around then she would likely worry about Kate. When she had first told her father that she wanted to drop out of college and join the police academy, he hadn't liked the idea and had worried. That was just before he started drinking. If her mother was around then wouldn't she be proud that Kate brought murders to justice? She hadn't solved her mothers case, but her mother would still be happy for other families, right?

"Kate?" Alexis concerened voice made her look up. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry."

She was crying? Kate wiped the tears away from her eyes, annoyed with herself. She had tried so hard to keep herself together in front of them. The question had caught her of guard, even though she knew it was coming and now she was thinking about her mom again. She couldn't bring herself to look at Rick, fearing that this could be the last time she was going to see Alexis.

"It's not your fault," Kate told Alexis, forcing a small smile. "My mommy passed away a few years ago."

"Oh," she looked to see the sadness on Alexis' face. "I didn't know. I'm so sorry, Kate."

Alexis hugged her, allowing Kate to hold her for a second. Closing her eyes, she held onto the girl, letting her bring her back from the darkness. "It's OK."

She let her go, sitting up to wipe the remaining tears away. Kate couldn't believe she was sat at their table crying. When she looked over to Rick, she found him watching her with the same concern as his daughter. The way he watched her made her wonder whether he had figured out her story. She gave him a small smile, turning back to the dinner.

Alexis had changed the conversation, talking about how she and Rick had gone shopping to get her school supplies. The girl was getting excited, already packing her bag ready for that first day that was still a few weeks away. Rick had disappeared with their plates, bringing out a slice of Kate's cake for each of them. Their faces as they bit into her cake made her smile, them claiming that she knew how to make good cakes and that she should cook more often. Really, Kate hardly ever cooked and her cupboards were usually empty.

After the pudding, the three of them had sat in the living room together watching a film. Alexis had sat inbetween Kate and Rick, she not saying anything as Rick's arm stretched along the back of the sofa. Some point, Alexis had laid her head on Kate's lap, where the girl had slowly drifted to sleep, allowing Kate to play with her hair. She watched her with a small smile, seeing how peaceful she looked asleep. It reminded her of when she had first met Alexis, finding her asleep under those clothing rails.

"I'll take her upstairs," Rick said, picking Alexis up from Kate's lap. Kate watched as the two of them disappeared upstairs. The red head girl snuggled up into her fathers chest. Not sure what to do, Kate sat watching the end of the film they were watching. She knew what was about to happen, Rick was going to come back down and she was going to have to tell him.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs, Kate's stomach twisting with the fear of the chance of losing Alexis after just getting to know the girl. Rick sat back down on the sofa, giving them both some space.

"I should have told you about my mom sooner," Kate said after a long silence. Her hands reached for her mothers ring on the necklace, fiddling with it to help her. "I haven't spoken about this to anyone."

"You don't have to tell me, Kate," Rick said, moving closer as if to comfort her, but he paused. "I understand."

"No," Kate told him. "If you're going to let me see Alexis again then I need to tell you. I'm currently in therapy, have been for over a year."

He sat quietly for a moment, Kate unable to meet his eyes. "I appreciate you telling me, but I'm not going to stop you from seeing Alexis. Kate, you're not going to affect Alexis in anyway if you're in therapy or not."

"Really?" Kate looked up, tears building in her eyes again. "I know its silly and I've only just started to get to know her, but she's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"I'm glad she is," he smiled. "She's so happy to have met you as well. After her mom, Alexis hadn't attached herself to anyone like that. She couldn't trust anyone enough, a part from me and my mom, then you come into her life."

Kate had seen the divorce in the papers, but she didn't know much about Alexis' mother. Had her mother really hurt her daughter so much to stop her from trusting people? They were both lost and found each other. Kate helped the little girl find trust again, to find a friend and Alexis was helping her to find herself again. "You don't have to worry about me hurting her. I'll always be here for that little girl."

"This is already strange," Rick said making them both laugh. "I hardly know you, but I've seen you with my daughter, I've seen how much she means to you. I know that I can trust you not to break my daughters heart like her mother did. Its weird, but I do believe you will always be there for her."

"We'll be there for each other." Kate said with a small smile.

Hope you liked the chapter. Please do review. I'm not sure when the next chapter is going to be, hopefully soon. Remember I'm in need of a Beta.