Thank you for all the reveiws. Alexis is 6 coming up for 7. I've messed up the times and age slightly, but its an AU so its not that big of a problem. Also I'm sorry if any British words are shown, just let me known and I'll change them to the correct American term.

Posting will slow down as I'm aranging Beta's and I have a lot of College course work at the moment. Also I need to plan this story more.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 5.

Kate had gotten to know Alexis and Rick for a few weeks now. Going over for dinner during the weeks and meeting them on Monday on her day off. These last few weeks had been amazing to Kate, getting to know the girl more and even getting to know Rick. It seemed she and Alexis only grew closer. The girl was bubbling with excitement and nerves to start school the next week. With Alexis going to school, their time would be limited, but they had planned to meet up after Alexis had finished.

"We spoke about you telling Rick about your therapy in our last session," Wellington said. "And how he believes in you to being there for his daughter."

"We did," Kate confirmed.

"Do you believe in yourself, Kate?" He asked. Wellington had told her that she didn't have to have the sessions if she didn't want them, they weren't compulsory any more, but she wanted to continue. Kate didn't want the chance of ever hurting the girl, these sessions helped Kate more than she shared.

"I believe that I would never hurt that girl," Kate said. "I will always be there for her."

"Do you want to know what I believe?" Kate looked up to him, waiting for him to share. "I believe that you sharing with Rick and opening yourself up to them more is you starting to believe in yourself. You believe that with them you can move on, you believe that Alexis will find you. Before you had hoped, now you believe."

Kate didn't know what to say, after talking with Rick, she had started to believe Alexis would be the one to find her. Now she knew they weren't planning on leaving her, abandoning her, any time soon. That Alexis wanted Kate in her life as much as Kate wanted her in hers. The fear of losing Alexis had disappeared, replaced by this belief that she could belong with them and move on from her mothers death.

"How about we talk about Alexis," Wellington suggested. "She's starting school next week and then turns seven in October?"

"Yes," Kate said. "She's so excited and nervous. Alexis has already come to me with plans of her birthday."

"Is she having a party?" He asked.

"At the moment she's conflicted on who to invite," Kate laughed. "She doesn't know anyone at the school she's starting yet."

"I'm sure she'll make friends and then know who to invite," Wellington said, squibbing in his book. "What about Rick?"

"What about him?" Kate asked.

"Your relationship with him," Wellington said.

"We're just friends," Kate said. "He's great and everything, even in his annoying moments, but that's all it is between us."

She watched as he carried on writing in his book, wondering what their relationship had to do with anything. Catching her look, Wellington closed his book. "Well, I look forward to hearing about your week with Alexis next week. You sure you don't want to change your appointments to every other week?"

"I'm sure." Kate said.

"I wanted to practice swimming before starting school," Alexis told her. "My school has a swimming pool."

"It does?" Kate asked her.

"Yeah," She said. Kate knew she was going to a private school, it didn't really surprise her that the school would have a swimming pool. "Its really big."

"I'm sure your get used to it after a few swims," Kate smiled. "Alright, you have your bathing suit on underneath, right?"

"Right," Alexis confirmed.

"Strip down then, little girl," Kate grinned. "Don't worry, I have mine on underneath as well."

"When I came swimming with daddy, he used to have to get me changed outside," the girl said, undressing. "Men aren't allowed in here."

"No," Kate said. They were both in the women's changing room, deciding to meet Rick outside after. "I'll help you get changed after."

"Thank you," Alexis smiled.

Kate undressed herself, revealing her black bikini underneath. It had been a while since she had last gone swimming, she had to dig through her closet to find the bikini. Alexis had rang her the night before, asking if they could go swimming. She hadn't wanted to let the girl down, even if she didn't have a bikini, she would have gone out and brought one.

"Where do I put my clothes?" Alexis asked. She turned to see the girl was in a cute little bathing suit with polka dots.

"Here," Kate opened Alexis backpack, allowing her to put her clothes in. "Then we'll put them in a locker together."

"Daddy used to leave our clothes by our chairs," Alexis told her.

Kate folded and put her clothes away in her bag. "Daddy will put his clothes in his locker."

"I hope he remembers my armbands," Alexis giggled, taking Kate's hand as they left their changing room. They put their bags in one of the lockers, Kate putting the money in and then tying the band around her wrist. Outside the weather was still hot, the last week of August and week before the kids go back to school.

"It's busy," Kate said.

"Don't worry," Alexis told her. "I won't leave you."

Kate smiled. "And I won't leave you."

They found Rick waiting for them by a table, in his hands were Alexis's armbands blown up and her goggles. Alexis grinned, "He did remember them." He looked up hearing Alexis, smiling at his daughter and then his eyes travelled to Kate. She grinned, pleased with the look that he was giving her, noticing what parts of her body his eyes lingered on.

"Something wrong?" She asked him.

"Uh, no," Rick cleared his throat. "You look good."

Kate bit her lip, her eyes roaming his body now. He looked good, too. Her gaze lingering on his chest, it was even more defined then she imagined, but soft and smooth. "You look good, too."

Her eyes flickered up meeting his, a grin on his face. "I'm glad you approve."

"Daddy stop staring at Kate," Alexis told him, Kate smiled at Rick. "Can you put my armbands on, please."

"Of course," Rick mumbled. He helped her put the armbands on, putting the goggles on the top of her head. Alexis flexed her muscles with a giggle.

"Can you swim, Kate?" Alexis asked her.

"Yeah," she said. "My daddy taught me when I was around your age."

"My daddy taught me, too," the girl giggled, taking Kate's hand again.

They walked towards the pool, stepping into the water that had warmed up due to the sun. Kate smiled, keeping hold of Alexis's hand as the water got deeper, coming up to Alexis' chest and Kate's thigh. Soon the little girl couldn't stand and she clutched onto Kate, Rick standing close to them. He trusted her with his daughter, trusting her with helping her in the changing rooms and helping her in the water.

"I can float," Alexis said, slowly letting go of Kate. The girl floated, kicking her little legs to stay above the water. Kate looked below her, seeing how she was only just above the ground. "Do you want to see me swim?"

"Yeah," Kate said, watching as the little girl started to kick of. Her swimming was coming on, she could almost get the hang of it, she just needed practice.

"Was I good?" Alexis asked.

"You was great," Kate told her. "I think you're almost ready for swimming at school."

"That's thanks to your amazing teacher," Rick said.

Kate raised her eyebrows, ignoring his comment. "Alexis, do you want to swim over to the shallow side?"

"Yeah," She said. "I'll race you?"

Kate smiled. "Sure."

The girl took of without another word, her small paddles making her move slowly through the water. Rick raised his eyebrows at Kate, questioning her in how this race will work out. Kate shot him a look, swimming after the girl in small strokes, making sure Alexis was in front.

Alexis stopped, pausing to rest for a second and then she started again. The girl was determined to swim to the shallow side. Kate followed behind, smiling as Alexis made it. Rick swam, catching up with them.

"Oh," Kate said. "You beat me."

Alexis giggled. "You swam really slowly."

"Its been a while since I've swam," Kate said. "I need to start practising again."

"I think someone's a bad loser," Rick said.

"Well, I still beat you," Kate told him with a grin.

"I wasn't racing," Rick said.

Alexis stood up next to the side in the water, where it now came up to her chest. "Daddy you always hate losing."

"Does he?" Kate asked, grinning at Rick.

"Yes," Alexis said. "Grandma beat him at snakes and ladders one time and he wanted a rematch until he won."

"Snakes and ladders?" Kate's grin widened. "We should play scrabble some time, Rick."

"No one has ever beaten me at scrabble," Rick grinned.

"Oh, really?" Kate said taking a step towards him. "Next time I'm round that's going to change."

"You think so?" He said, moving closer to her.

"I do," Kate grinned. "No ones ever beaten me before, either."

"I look forward to that challenge." He looked down at her.

"What are you doing?" Alexis giggled. "You look like you're about to kiss."

Kate felt the blush heat her cheeks, she took a step back, looking away from Rick. God, how had that just happened? What was Alexis going to think of them?

"Kiss?" Rick questioned. "I thought she was your friend."

"She's your friend too, daddy," Alexis said.

"Rick is my friend," Kate said. "But you're my best friend."

"I am?" Kate looked over, seeing Alexis's face light up.

"Of course," Kate smiled. "Why wouldn't you be?"

Alexis made her way through the water, wrapping her wet arms around Kate. "You're my best friend, too."

Kate smiled, wrapping her arms around the girl. "Now, I want to know, do you have those goggles for a reason?"

"I go under the water sometimes," Alexis told her.

"Do you?" Kate asked. "That's impressive."

"Yeah, look," Kate watched as Alexis pulled her goggles down, dipping her head under the water. When she came up again, Kate applauded the girl. "Can you go under the water?"

"Watch," Kate grinned, taking a deep breath before sinking under the water. She tickled Alexis' tummy and then broke above the surface again. "See."

Alexis giggled. "Daddy can go under the water as well."

"Can you, Rick?" Kate asked him.

"Easy," He said, Kate not liking the mischievous look in his eye. He disappeared under the water, Alexis looking at Kate with a grin like she knew what he was about to do. Kate saw his figure swimming towards her and she splashed backwards, getting away from him. A laugh escaped her as he grabbed her ankle, pulling her under. When she came up again, she rubbed the water from her eyes, glaring at him.

"Did you have to?" She asked.

He grinned. "How could I not?"

"You're unbelievable," Kate shook her head in attempt to hide her small grin, she'll get him back.

"Are you alright, Kate?" Alexis asked her.

"I'm fine, sweetie," Kate smiled. "Want to see something, Rick?"

"What?" He asked, an eyebrow raised and a smirk pulled.

Kate disappeared under the water, moving to stand up close to him. She kept her face emotionless, playing him too easily. "I think if you paid closer attention underwater you could have seen my tattoo."

"Your tattoo?" His mouth fell open.

"Oh yeah," Kate said, taking a step closer. "Would you like to see?"

He just stared at her, Kate trying hard not to grin. Taking his silence as an answer, she swooped her leg out under him, watching him go crashing into the water. Alexis laughed behind them. Rick emerged from the water, running a hand through his wet hair. Kate grinned at him.

"How did you?" He asked shocked.

"I'm a cop, Rick," she grinned. "I can take you."

"That was so cool," Alexis said. "Can you teach me to do that?"

"I think we'll stick to your swimming right now," Kate smiled. "Want to swim?"

The girl nodded, pushing of from the wall to swim. Kate looked back to Rick, finding him watching her with an emotion she couldn't quite put. She winked, taking of after Alexis. They swam for a while, Alexis ending up on Kate's back. Rick ended up pretending to be a shark, the girls swimming away from him, Alexis screaming and then laughing.

When they got out, Alexis got dressed with Kate, allowing her to help the girl get dry and clothed. She smiled, knowing how much Alexis and Rick trusted her. They were soon both dressed and meeting Rick outside.

After the three of them went to get an ice cream. She sat with them on the bench, catching the dribbles of ice cream that melted in the sun. Alexis managing to get it all around her face. Kate smiled at her, she couldn't be happier.

When she closed the door behind her, the day finally coming to a close, Kate opened up the fridge making herself a sandwich. She was going round again in a couple of days for dinner with them. Kate had only got to know them for a few weeks and she already felt like she knew them for months, maybe even years. Things could be going too fast, but Alexis wanted to see her more and she didn't want to let her down. That, and Kate wanted to see her. Rick trusted Kate, trusted her with helping Alexis in the changing rooms and with her. Maybe it was because she was a cop or maybe because he had gotten to know her.

Kate had started to realise that Alexis was finding her. Spending the day with them had taken the pain away, numbed it, but as she got home it always came back. She should go visit her mothers grave soon, tell her about Alexis. Perhaps it was time to check in on her dad, see if he was still drinking.

She rang his number, staring at the wall opposite her. These phone calls were always hard, she never knew what she was expecting. Would her father make another promise to break again in the future? Kate still hoped with every promise only to be let down in the end.

"Kate?" Her dad picked up.

"Hi dad," Kate said.

"How are you?" She asked, gripping her mothers ring in her free hand.

"I'm good, Kate," her dad said. "I haven't touched a drop in a couple of weeks now."

"That's good, dad," Kate said.

"I'm going to try this time, I promise," Kate closed her eyes, knowing how much his promises meant.

"I'm proud of you already," She said.

"How about you, Kate? What have you been up to lately?" He asked, changing the conversation.

"Oh, just work," Kate said, not wanting to mention Alexis and Rick yet until he had sorted himself out. Let him be sober for a couple of months first.

"No new man?" Her father asked.

"No," Kate rolled her eyes. "I'm just going to focus on making detective right now."

"How's that coming on?" He asked.

"Great," Kate said. "We had a new guy join us."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Dad," Kate sighed. "No, he's more like a partner than anything. Friends."

"I see," her dad said. "I have to get going, Kate, I have a counselling session."

"OK," Kate said. "I'll talk to you soon."

Her dad hung up, leaving Kate to stare at her phone. She was happy that her father was trying again and she hopped this time he would see through. Kate sighed, picking up the book she was reading on her coffee table. Her phone buzzed and she looked over finding a text from Rick.

Thanks for today. Alexis had fun. I'm still holding you on that scrabble game.

Kate texted back, Good. I had fun too. You're on, loser.

You mean winner.

Loser.

We'll see about that.

I finished rewatching season 6 today, so the scrabble came from Law & Boarder obviously. I now have a headach, I apologise if I didn't proof read well. Please do review. Next chapter will be soon.