Alright, I know this took a while, but it became the chapter that wouldn't end. And remember how I said it might not be the last one, because it might get stretched into two? Yeah, that totally happened. Oh well, it's up now, and I'm fairly happy with it. As always thank you to my lovely reviewers. I appreciate your support and am glad you tend to think I'm in character. I will try not to panic about it quite so much anymore.
Disclaimer: Still own nothing, more's the pity.
xxxxx
Kate was still smirking in victory when they got into the elevator. She had to admit, it felt kind of good to be mocking Castle again. And she'd be lying if she didn't admit that the fact that he'd apparently been pining for her was oddly flattering. Still, there was something slightly surreal about the entire afternoon. She couldn't believe it'd only been an hour or two since she'd first knocked on Castle's door. This morning she'd been cursing his name, and now she was going to dinner with him and his daughter. And on top of that, hearing about her mother's murder… It was all a little overwhelming to say the least.
Beckett was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Castle glancing at her out of the corner of his eye in concern while he chatted to his daughter. Beckett looked like she might be about to start panicking. Was it too much too soon? After all, he had just told her that her mother's murder had probably been deliberate, and now he was expecting her to go out to dinner with him and his daughter. Much as he was unwilling to give up her company, if she wasn't up for it… "Hey honey," he asked his daughter, "Go see if the cab's here okay? We'll be there in a sec."
Alexis glanced between the two adults quickly, before agreeing and heading over to the doorman.
Castle touched his companion's arm lightly, "Hey, Beckett? You there?" He asked gently, getting her attention.
"Hmm?" She shook herself slightly and focused on the man in front of her, the man in front of her, who looked endearingly concerned, a small but traitorous part of her brain pointed out.
"You okay? I mean, I know you've probably had kind of a rough afternoon. If you're not up for dinner that's totally fine. We can drop you off on our way to the restaurant. Not that I want you to go of course, but we can always do this another time." Much as he wanted her near him, just so he could make sure she was okay, he knew he couldn't force her.
The traitorous part of her brain seemed to be growing, and she couldn't help feeling a surge of affection for the man in front of her. Where was her sarcastic side when she needed it? She had been considering trying to get out of dinner, but now that the opportunity was being offered all she could hear was Lanie's voice in her head, 'and face it girl, you need some fun.' She did need some fun. She'd be dealing with everything else for weeks to come. "Thanks Castle, but actually, I think that right now I think I could use a distraction. Besides, I believe you promised me Indian food."
He grinned. Hah! She was staying. "Not just any Indian food!" he told her as they walked towards the cab which had just arrived. "The best Indian food in the city!"
"The best Indian food." Kate responded skeptically. "In all of New York?"
"What's this? Alexis, is that doubt I hear in the lovely Detective's voice?" he asked his daughter with exaggerated shock.
Fifteen years as a willing accomplice to her father's tricks meant Alexis had learned to play her part well. "I think it was. In fact I think that sounded like a challenge."
"And shall we tell Detective Beckett how Castles respond to challenges?" he asked his daughter as they got into the cab.
"We take them very seriously." Alexis told Kate, maintaining a perfect deadpan.
"Very seriously." Castle repeated. His tone was somewhat less solemn.
"I see." Kate said. "You're both that convinced this is in fact the best Indian food in the city."
"Not just in the city, no, it's more than that detective." Castle told her. "This is the best Indian food in the state, no, the country. Why I would bet it's the best Indian restaurant not actually located in India. What do you say pumpkin?"
Alexis smiled at her father's hyperbole, but agreed. "Definitely the best Indian food I've ever eaten."
"Oh yes Detective Beckett, after you have eaten at Rajah's you will be unable to eat Indian food anywhere else without feeling it is somehow substandard."
"And if I don't agree?" Kate asked with smile.
"Still she doubts us daughter. What have we done to deserve that?" Castle asked in mock outrage.
"Well, I've done nothing. You on the other hand…" Alexis trailed off suggestively.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side." Castle exclaimed. Shooting his daughter a quick grin he turned back to Kate. "Alright detective, you want a challenge? If I'm wrong, and this is not the best Indian food that you have ever tasted then I promise that I will stay in the car without a fuss whenever you tell me two for the next two weeks."
"Two weeks? Without me having to threaten you, or handcuff you in place? You'll go nuts!"
"That's how confident I am. In fact, not only will I stay in the car if you ask, I'll do whatever you ask at any time." Castle leaned in, and lowered his voice by a full octave. "Think of the possibilities detective, me, docile, subservient, completely at your beck and call."
God the man had one of the more suggestive voices she'd ever heard. Kate glanced at Alexis, but the young girl didn't seem too troubled. Kate supposed she'd have to develop a fairly high tolerance for this sort of thing living with Castle. She turned back to the writer and shot him a smile, "With an offer that tempting what makes you think I won't just lie?"
"Ah well, I was going to suggest the honour system, but now I'm not so sure I can trust you. Now I think you're going to need proof." Castle told her with a smile of his own.
"Proof?" How on earth was she going to prove something like that.
"Yes. You'll need to take both Alexis and I to wherever you've managed to find this supposedly better Indian food. Only then can you claim your prize." Seemed rational. Plus it would be another excuse for dinner with Kate. So all in all, a good idea. Not that he was going to lose of course, but still.
"And if I agree with you?" she asked. She wasn't sure she'd had good enough Indian food lately to risk being Castle's slave for the next two weeks.
"Ah, what do I expect in return? A reasonable request. If we're right, and this is the best Indian food in the city, which it is, then you Detective, have to let me pay for your dinner without complaint. You are also required to relax and enjoy yourself for the entire evening, and accept any gesture my daughter or I decide to make towards you with good grace, and without complaining that it is unnecessary, or telling us that you can do it yourself."
"And you have to get desert." Alexis added. When the two adults looked at her in surprise she continued, "What? Their rice pudding is to die for."
"She's right." Castle confirmed. "And you have to get desert. So detective?" He asked her.
"The possible outcomes seem somewhat stacked in my favour." She pointed out.
Like he really cared about that. "That's how confident I am that I'm going to win. What do you say?" Castle asked again, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
Well, the way he'd set things up she really had nothing to lose, except maybe bragging rights, and since the alternative would be to back down from a bet… "Oh you've got yourself a deal. You'd better hope the food is as good as you say it is, or the next two weeks might just be the worst of your life." Ooh if he lost, the things she could do…
He shrugged, "I'm not worried."
The cab pulled up to their destination and they all got out of the car. Almost as soon as they walked into the restaurant a middle-aged man walked over to greet them. It was obvious that both Castles were regulars, and had been for some time. "Rick! Alexis! It's great to see you."
"Hi Sanjay," Alexis said.
Sanjay returned her greeting warmly before turning back to Castle. "It's been what Rick, almost a couple of months since you've been in? I was beginning to get worried."
Castle just shrugged, "Life of a writer, you know. The usual. Besides, I'm busier now that I actually get to go see how it's done…"
"Ah yes, your new muse." When Castle looked surprised Sanjay shrugged, "Martha told me. Dare I ask if this…" he said, gesturing to Kate.
"Oh yes. Of course." Castle said, bringing Kate forward to include her in the conversation. "Detective Beckett this is Sanjay, he owns the place. Sanjay, Detective Beckett, the inspiration for my next set of novels."
"Lovely to meet you Detective. You must be quite extraordinary to keep this one in line."
Kate smiled as she shook his hand, "I found twisting his ear is fairly effective when he acts up."
"My mother used to do that. As I recall the pain was excrutiating." Sanjay turned to grab some menus. "Let me show you to your table." As he led them to a table in the corner he added, "And please tell me if there's anything else I can do for you."
"Actually," Castle told him, "I think you should know, both your honour and mine are at stake tonight."
"Oh? How so?"
"We bet Detective Beckett that this'll be the best Indian food she's ever had." Alexis told him.
"Really? Well, I'm flattered of course, but not worried." Turning to Kate he added, "I hope the terms aren't too demanding Detective, because I'm fairly confident you're going to lose."
Kate smiled, "We'll see. The terms aren't that hard on my part, so if I lose all that I'll miss are two glorious weeks of an obedient Castle."
Sanjay laughed. "As much as I'd love to see that Detective, I'm afraid you'll need to find another way of taming him. I'm sure you're more than able. I'll leave you with your menus. Your server will be right over. Enjoy."
"Thanks Sanjay." Castle called.
Beckett flipped open her menu, "So what's good? Any recommendations?"
"Well," Castle said, glancing at his daughter. "That depends."
"On what?" Kate asked. Sometimes she swore he was incapable of answering a question directly.
"Do you trust me?" he asked semi-seriously.
"Is that a trick question?" she quipped back.
"Fine, do you at least trust me and Alexis to order for you?"
"We already know what's good, and this way you can try a bit of everything," Alexis pointed out logically.
Kate shrugged. It sounded reasonable. "Well I guess since there's a bet on the line you're not likely to poison me, so sure, go ahead. Sounds good."
Castle clapped his hands together in victory. "Excellent. Oh, you don't have any food allergies or aversions to anything in particular do you?"
"Nah, I'm pretty easy to please. Not a huge fan of olives or tapioca, but I don't think that'll be a problem here."
"No Detective, I think you're probably safe." Castle replied, before turning to his daughter to confer. "So we'll need to get naan."
"Oh definitely. Plus some of the rice."
"One of the vegetarian dishes."
"Aloo Gobi or the Chana?"
"Either. What about chicken?"
Kate watched in amusement as they systematically went through the entire menu, weighing the pros and cons of each favourite before settling on a final order just in time for their waitress to arrive. "Can I get you anything to drink to start?" the young woman asked.
"You can, but I also think we're ready to order as well." Castle told the woman after glancing at his companions for confirmation.
"Of course sir, but let's start with your drinks."
"Wine, detective?" Castle asked with a grin. "Or are you worried the alcohol might make you succumb to my roguish charm?"
"Actually I was thinking alcohol might push you from irritating to tolerable."
Castle smirked in appreciation. "White or red?"
"You picked the menu, and you know what's good here. You decide." Kate told him.
"Alright." Castle agreed. "We'll get a bottle of the house red."
"Excellent choice sir." Their server said.
"And I'll have a mango lassie." Alexis told the woman.
"Certainly. And I believe you said you were ready to order dinner."
"Yes," Castle confirmed. Opening his menu with a flourish he proceeded to order enough food to feed twice the number of people at the table, at least in Kate's opinion.
Alexis must have noticed her facial expression because she quickly reassured the detective with a laugh. "Don't worry Kate; we're not expecting you to eat it all. Half the fun of coming here is the leftovers."
"Which you then eat for a week?" Kate asked.
"Nah. Indian never lasts near that long in our house."
The two women handed their menus to the waitress, Castle's lengthy order having finally come to an end. When they were alone again Castle turned to his daughter, "So pumpkin, anything exciting happening this week?"
Kate listened to their conversation, watching both parties with interest. They certainly weren't excluding her from the conversation by any means. On the contrary both of them seemed to be trying to draw her out and include her as much as possible. And Kate found herself relaxing, even if she wasn't making up the bulk of the conversation. Watching Castle with his daughter was like seeing a whole new side of the man. Well, maybe not a whole new side. He was still irritating, and immature, teasing and prone to extreme verbosity, but somehow it was different. For a start, it was obvious the pair adored each other, that the paternal affection she saw glimpses of from time to time wasn't a fluke. In fact, she wondered if it mightn't be a more accurate reflection of his character than the persona he more often displayed. Despite claiming to be shallow, there was certainly more to Castle than what you saw on the surface.
"Do you think we'll have our kitchen back by tomorrow?" Alexis was asking her father.
"We'd better." He told her. "It's the second Sunday of the month."
"What's the second Sunday of the month?" Kate asked curiously.
"It's the day that falls exactly seven days after the first one." Castle told her seriously, wincing when she smacked him.
"Okay fine, why is it so important you have your kitchen back for the second Sunday of the month?" she asked, rolling her eyes.
"Taco night." Alexis told her.
"Really?" She asked surprised.
"Yes, detective. I can cook. No need to act so surprised. Despite what you might think, I am a fairly responsible father."
"At least most of the time." Alexis confirmed.
"Aren't you supposed to be making me look good?" He asked her jokingly.
"Oh, I rather suspect she is." Kate told him dryly while Alexis nodded in agreement.
Castle sighed overdramatically. "Such criticism. It's a good thing I'm not insecure." Ignoring the pair of snorts he continued. "Taco night, my dear detective, is a tradition started years ago when Alexis was little. On the second Sunday of every month, unless one of us has a very important prior engagement that can't be changed, we buy all the fixings and have tacos for dinner."
Kate smiled genuinely. "That sounds like a nice tradition," she said softly.
"It is a nice tradition. That's why you should come." Castle told her.
"Oh no," she stuttered, "I don't need to intrude on your time together again." She told him.
"Don't be ridiculous." He told her. "We have people over for it all the time; you're not intruding."
"Besides it's more fun with more people," his daughter confirmed, wondering if her father realized how obvious he was being about wanting Kate Beckett around. Probably not. Of course since the detective seemed to be equally oblivious it wasn't really an issue.
"Beckett, must we go through this every time? I'm not exactly known for my tact." Castle told her. "If I didn't want you there I wouldn't have asked." He wanted to spend more time with her, wanted to make sure she was okay, enjoyed her company, even when she was smacking him. At least she wasn't boring. Why couldn't she see that?
Kate had to admit he was probably telling the truth and it wasn't some sort of pity invite, or something he'd felt compelled to extend out of politeness. And she was surprised by how much she actually wanted to go. Spending time like this with Castle and his daughter should have been awkward, but it wasn't, it was… nice, like a blanket around her shoulders or a mug of hot chocolate. Even if she'd never really be a member of their little club of two it was nice to be included on the periphery, to be part of a family circle, if only for a little while. She and her dad were doing better lately, but it wasn't like this, and she had to admit this was something she wouldn't mind experiencing it again. It was easier to believe that everything would be okay, if she could just have this feeling every once and a while. She took a breath, "What time do you want me to be there?"
Castle grinned in victory. "Five."
"Want me to bring anything?"
"Nope. We've got everything under control. At this point we've worked out a system. You don't have to bring anything but yourself Detective."
"And your appetite." Alexis added.
"Yes, and your appetite."
Their food arrived then and their conversation was disrupted by all the flurry of plates arriving. Not that Kate was sorry; her stomach was about to start growling any second now and she had to admit everything did smell good. Ignoring the expectant looks of the other two people at the table Kate took her first bite. It really was good. She should have known.
"So?" Castle asked?
"It's good." Kate was forced to admit. "Really good."
"By the end of the meal she'll be a convert." Castle told his daughter.
"She never really stood a chance."
Castle grinned when Kate sighed. She was clearly enjoying her dinner. She'd let out the slightest murmur of pleasure after her first bite and the sound had been enough to take his mind down some paths he really shouldn't be thinking about sitting across the table from his daughter. Which, he would like to say, was not an easy task when the lovely detective also sitting across from him looked like she did, all happy and content. Stupid Beckett and her overly expressive eyes distracting him when he was supposed to be distracting her. And he didn't even mean that like it sounded. Although if she happened to be distracted that way, he couldn't really say that he'd object… God he was shallow. At least it looked like he was going to win his bet. Although if he'd lost it would have been an excellent excuse to tease her about dominance fantasies… Not helping yourself here Castle, he thought to himself.
"Oh Dad," Alexis said suddenly. "Drama club is going on an end of the year trip to Six Flags. I need you to sign my permission form."
"Sure sweetie." He told her. "I trust this one doesn't need chaperones?"
She snickered, "No. And I think it's for the best that you don't volunteer don't you?"
Kate was intrigued, "What happened the last time he chaperoned."
"Oh nothing," Alexis told her. "He's a great chaperone, that's not the problem. It's what happened the last time he went to Six Flags," she clarified.
"I'm sure Detective Beckett doesn't need to hear that story." Castle told his daughter quickly.
"Oh, now I think I definitely do." Kate said. If Castle looked embarrassed it had to be a doozy.
His daughter, the traitor, turned to Kate with a conspirator's smile. "Well, apparently Dad was thinking of setting one of his books at an amusement park."
"I still might, it was a good idea." Castle muttered defensively.
"Anyways," Alexis continued, "Dad decided he needed to do some hands on research about the best way to kill someone at an amusement park while on a ride, without just pushing them off.
Kate interjected, "Too clichéd for ya Castle?"
"Exactly detective."
"Anyways," Alexis continued, "Some of the questions he was asking the attendants were creepy enough…"
"Oh they weren't that bad!" Castle interjected. He admitted that he hadn't been at his best, but he didn't think it was as bad as everyone made it out to be.
"You asked one of them if there was a compartment on the rollercoaster outside of the seating area that was big enough to stuff a body!" Alexis pointed out. It had been one of the more embarrassing experiences of her life. She was at least going to get the pleasure of embarrassing her Dad in front of his partner.
"It's not like I was actually going to kill anyone! It was for a book!"
"Which you didn't clarify until after they went to call security! And then on the next roller coaster you kept trying to get out of the safety restraints to see if you could in theory get enough manoeuvrability to kill your seatmate."
"I didn't hurt anyone." Castle muttered.
"Yeah, but we were escorted from the park." Alexis told him.
Kate couldn't suppress her giggles. "They didn't make allowances for a famous author? I'm shocked. Actually, maybe it was because of that. Didn't want people scared away from the park after you killed someone there in one of your books. Now I'm interested how far this hands-on research goes, especially since I've become a part of it."
"Well, I am dedicated to my craft." Castle told her, as he wondered if there was any way to stem the now almost inevitable stream of embarrassing stories from his daughter. He knew he should have sent her to boarding school.
"I'm fairly certain he hasn't actually killed anyone." Alexis was telling the detective. "Or joined a cult, or really any secret society of any kind, but we have been banned from a few places over the years."
"Oh, this is going to be good, where else?" Kate asked. Castle resigned himself to his fate. Why had he thought that his daughter and his partner spending time with each other was a good idea again?
"Oh, well, you know, the usual, a couple of restaurants who's owners didn't appreciate questions pertaining to the ease with which one could kill someone in an oven, and how long it would be until somebody noticed. The meat-processing plant certainly didn't appreciate all the specific questions about its meat grinder. Then there was the circus, the movie theatre, the private marina, the petting zoo…"
"The petting zoo?" Kate asked in shock. "How'd you get kicked out of a petting zoo Castle? Anger the goats?"
"Actually it was one of the llamas." Alexis corrected. "Dad thought a victim being trampled by an incensed llama would be an interesting method of killing someone so he wanted to see how hard it would be to tick off a llama, and how one would behave once you did it. In his defence, I certainly don't think he expected it to jump the fence and come charging after him."
Kate grinned, "I assume he got away."
Alexis nodded enthusiastically. "He can be pretty quick when he wants to. And luckily there was a handy tree nearby. He was able to hide there until one of the employees was able to subdue the poor thing."
Kate let out a peal of laughter; the mental image of Castle hiding in a tree from a mad llama would be enough to keep her happy for a week. Suddenly something struck her, "Oh, please tell me there are photos."
"Just give me your e-mail address." Alexis told her.
"Hey!" Castle exclaimed. Really, that seemed to be taking it a bit too far. Sending photos to the police station of him up a tree while an incensed llama circled below seemed particularly cruel.
"Quiet llama-boy," Kate told him with a grin.
Alexis grinned as she stood, "Sadly the stories about Dad hiding from obsessed fans at his book signings will have to wait until after I get back from the washroom."
"Can't wait." Kate told her.
"Oh yes, hurry back." Castle added sarcastically.
Kate grinned as she watched Alexis walk away. Turning back to Castle she added more seriously, "She's lovely Castle."
Castle smiled back. "Yeah, she is." Then he shrugged self-deprecatingly. "Not sure who she gets it from of course."
"You're good with her." She told him. "And she clearly adores you."
"I'm sorry, what was that detective? Did my ears deceive me or was that a compliment I heard?"
"Shut up Castle."
"I think it was. I wish I had a tape recorder. As it is, I'll have to settle for recording it in my journal."
"You know you're right, maybe Alexis did just inherit her maturity from her great grandparents in some sort of genetic throwback."
"You don't really think that. I don't believe you. I think you like me."
"Oh yeah, you're wonderful. And what's this I hear about you running from rabid female fans? I thought you welcomed the throngs of female admirers. Or was their cup-size not large enough for you?" She wondered if the wine was getting to her. But there was still no way was Kate about to tell him she was enjoying his company. Even if he was being sweet, she wasn't sure she was quite ready to let him off the hook completely.
Castle grinned and let her get away with the change of subject. "I'm happy to tell you that I love women in all shapes and sizes detective. And I admit that one of the perks of being a famous author is the constant stream of women throwing themselves at you, particularly the ones who want me to sign either their skin or their undergarments." Kate shook her head at that as he continued. "On the other hand, the ones who run after me with a scrapbook full of our wedding plans I'm less thrilled with, and in those scenarios Detective I'm not ashamed to say that sometimes I hide." He shuddered internally at some of the fans he'd come across. He hadn't been kidding when he'd told her once that deranged fans were an occupational hazard. There was a reason his address and phone number were both unlisted.
"Very manly. Don't you have security?" The cop part of her couldn't help being concerned. She'd seen what some of the crazies could do. That was her occupational hazard.
"Sometimes the crazy ones are a little harder to pick out. They hide it well. Besides, detective, you're a member of my fan club so you must have observed that there are levels of insanity. Tell me, which one do you fall into?"
Beckett tried not to blush. He would bring that up of course. She cursed the day she let it slip that she was a member of his fan club. "Oh come off it Castle. I just joined because I was curious about the new book and I wanted to see what you'd done with the character you based on me." That was her story and she was sticking too it.
"Now why don't I believe you?" He asked as he leaned closer.
"I don't know? Your over-inflated ego?" she retorted.
"Esposito mentioned you owned every single one of my books. I think you're a bigger fan than you're letting on Kate. Any scrapbooks in your bedroom I should be worried about?" He knew the use of her first name would get her. And sure enough he watched as the corners of her mouth tightened and she tilted her head towards him in response to the challenge.
"You do realize it's more likely I have the kind plotting the best way to kill you, don't you?"
He ignored that and kept going. "No, you're not the type. But I think you pre-order my books so you get them the day they come out. Then, I think you take the first free couple of hours you have and curl up in bed with a glass of wine. Then you relax, and let me tell you a story. And for the next little while nothing exists for you but the characters I've created and my words in your brain."
"In your dreams Castle." She was impressed with how steady her voice sounded. He might even believe it.
"Oh detective, you have no idea. In my personal favourites you read right before you go to bed."
She went to smack him upside the head, but he anticipated her, grabbing her hand and holding it above the table between them. "What's the matter Detective, too close for comfort?"
Actually, minus whatever he imagined she wore to bed it really was, but no way in hell was she confirming his suspicions. "No. I just don't believe in encouraging delusions." she told him. Looking down at their hands and smirking she added, "You know Castle if you wanted to hold my hand you should have just said something. I think you're the one who's the fan."
He smirked in appreciation. "Somehow from this position I think arm-wrestling would be more appropriate detective. And I will readily admit that I'm a fan. You're the one who insists on denying the obvious."
"Umm… guys?" Alexis said tentatively as she walked up. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked. It sure looked like it from where she was standing.
Both adults turned to look at her, and immediately dropped their hands. "Just Detective Beckett's competitive nature surfacing honey. Nothing that can't wait. So, what's everyone want for desert, I assume we're having it." Castle said, looking pointedly at Kate.
Much as she regretted losing an opportunity to have her consultant at her mercy for two weeks Kate had to admit she'd lost the bet. "Yes, Castle. You win. It was the best Indian food I've ever eaten so when our waitress comes back you can ask for desert menus."
"Hah! Yes!" He said gleefully. "What about you honey?"
"Actually Dad, I wanted to talk to you about that…" Alexis started.
"Oh?" Castle asked.
"Well, I just got a text from Taylor. Apparently Paige's boyfriend just broke up with her this afternoon, and it's two weeks before their one-year anniversary."
"Ouch," said Kate.
"Yeah," Alexis acknowledged. "So we were thinking that to cheer her up we'd have a movie night at Taylor's house. Maybe a Harry Potter marathon or something. But we really wanted to start it soon. I was wondering if you guys would mind horribly if I skipped desert and just headed straight there. I still have stuff there from the last time I slept over so I wouldn't even have to go home. And I'll be back in time tomorrow to get my homework done before dinner. Do you mind? Please say you don't mind. Talor said Paige's really upset."
Castle felt a bit overwhelmed by the barrage of information, but he rallied quickly. "Umm… no I guess that's fine. If you're sure you don't want desert. How're you getting there? Do you need me to…"
"Mel lives really close to a subway stop remember? And there's one right around the corner from here. You guys stay. After all, you won your bet and Detective Beckett needs to have her desert."
"If you're sure." He told her.
"I'll be fine Dad. It's not even eight o'clock yet. It's still light out." Then she turned to Kate, "I'm sorry to leave like this…"
"Don't worry about it." Kate told the girl with a wave of her hand. "It sounds like you've got a bit of an emergency situation going on. A movie marathon sounds like just what your friend needs. A word of advice though."
"Yeah?"
"If you decide not to do Harry Potter make sure you steer clear of romantic comedies."
"Good point. Thanks Detective."
"Alexis, I'm giving you advice on movie marathons. I think you can call me Kate."
"Alright. Thanks Kate. Sorry again for cutting out like this."
"Again, don't worry about it." Kate grinned, Alexis really was a sweet kid.
"Be safe! Call me when you get there!" Castle called after her. "My little girl's attending post-break-up movie marathons now," he remarked to Kate, somewhat depressed at how grown up his daughter was getting.
"Trust me Castle," Kate told him. "Times like that a girl needs her girlfriends. Sometimes the best thing post break-up is a good old-fashioned girl's night in."
"You sound like you're speaking from experience."
Kate shrugged. "I've been at my fair share, both as the one doing the comforting, and the one being comforted. It's a girl thing I guess."
Castle shuddered. "Ah the girl things. The very things I don't understand. I live in constant terror of making some sort of fatal error."
"You have Martha." Kate pointed out. "This seems like exactly the sort of thing she'd be good at."
Castle shrugged, "Sometimes too good. Still, I wouldn't mind a second opinion sometimes." He told her with a significant glance.
Well she hadn't been expecting that, and uncharacteristically she hesitated. "I'm hardly an expert. It's not like I have children."
"Martha never had a daughter. Besides detective, you've got that whole empathy-sisterhood thing going on. You know what you're talking about. And like I said, Alexis adores you."
The smile slipped out before Kate realized. "Well, I suppose I could offer an opinion. For Alexis' sake of course."
"Of course."
At that moment Sanjay approached. "I couldn't help noticing Alexis had to leave early. Is everything all right?"
"One of her friends is having boy trouble. Apparently an emergency movie night is in order." Castle told him.
"I see. My daughters seem to be having those all the time. As long as they're happy and safe I try not to get too involved. Will you two be staying or do you have to leave as well?"
"Nope, you're stuck with us. Detective Beckett has conceded defeat, and now as part of the terms of the bet is required to stay for desert." Castle told his friend happily.
"Oh, Excellent. I wish I could say I was sorry for your loss Detective, but I admit I'm not, even if it means Rick was right. And I am pleased my honour has not been sullied. I'll get you your desert menus."
"Thanks Sanjay" Castle told him.
After considering their desert menus for a couple of minutes, Castle asked. "So, what'll you have Detective."
"I was thinking coffee," Kate told him.
But he dismissed that. "Doesn't count as desert. What else?"
"I can't decide between the rice pudding and the mango ice cream."
"Get both."
"Not that hungry."
"So we'll order both and split them. You really should try both anyways."
"Fine."
"Don't be too gracious in your acceptance. Besides, as part of the bet aren't you supposed to be letting me do things for you without complaint?" Castlehe asked her.
She sighed, before pasting a fake smile on her face. "Splitting two deserts is such an excellent idea Castle. I'm so glad you thought of it."
But for some reason that just didn't sound right. "Okay, well that's just creepy. You can go back to being Kate now."
"Thank you," she told him, ignoring the use of her first name. "And I still want coffee."
"Just regular coffee?"
"Sometimes regular coffee all I want. You don't always need to have some fancy frappuccino with extra foam Castle." Kate pointed out.
"Yes, but even you have to admit, the coffee at the station is terrible. And last I checked you like the cappuccino just as much as anyone else."
"Okay fine! I admit it Castle. I like the fancy coffee machine! Are you happy now?"
"Yes." He told her. But to her surprise he didn't look smug about it. "I just wanted to do something nice for you detective. It wasn't meant to be something to lord over you for the rest of your life. If you'll notice Ryan and Esposito didn't seem to mind."
"Maybe if you didn't take such perverse pleasure every time you were right," Kate muttered.
"Oh like you don't do the same thing. Difference is, I can be gracious about it if I want to."
"Oh shut up."
Luckily their desert arrived before he could come up with a suitable retort. Kate stuck a spoon into the rice pudding and took a bite. "Oh, this is good."
"Yes, yes it is. That's Alexis' favourite," Castle told her.
"But not yours?"
"I prefer the gulab jamun."
"So why didn't you get that?" she asked him.
"You wanted these two." He said with a shrug. He'd thought that was obvious.
She glanced at him quickly, before deciding that she really should just be gracious. "Thanks Castle."
"Don't worry about it. It's just desert."
She sighed, "That wasn't what I meant."
He just smiled.
They lingered a while over coffee before Castle finally paid the bill.
"The food really was excellent." Kate told Sanjay on their way out.
"Thank you Detective. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again soon. In the meantime why don't you take a take-out menu? We deliver Tuesday to Saturday evenings."
"Thanks."
"Rick. Always a pleasure. Your cab's waiting outside."
"Thanks Sanjay. See you soon I'm sure."
Castle opened the door for Kate before getting in himself. Giving the cabbie her address he settled in.
"You know, given where we are it would make more sense to drop you off first." She couldn't help pointing out to him.
"I'm escorting you home Detective. And according to the terms of our little wager there's not a thing you can do about it."
Kate sighed, but he was right, he'd won the bet fair and square. Technically he could carry her up to her apartment to spare her feet if he wanted to. Not that she was going to give him any ideas. "Thank you for dinner Castle."
"Anytime Detective. It was my pleasure." They fell into silence as he continued. "Hey Detective?"
"Hm?" Kate asked.
"Are we okay?
"Whaddya mean Castle?" She thought they'd been doing pretty well so far considering everything.
But Rick wasn't so sure. "I mean, is there anything we need to talk about?"
Kate tensed up immediately, "Castle, I don't know what I'm going to do about my mother's case. I'm not ready to figure that out right now. I need more time okay? I know why you did it, and I'm not sure that I'm really mad anymore, but…"
"Oh, no. Of course. I didn't mean… I would never try and pressure you. I meant about me following you around again. Is there anything we need to discus? I mean, if I show up at the station nobody's going to shoot me on site are they? How much penance am I going to need to do?"
"Well, I don't know about Lanie, Ryan or Esposito. That's between you and them. Between you and me… Well, let's just say I've found out your little secret." When he looked confused she continued. "You let your mother live with you even though she drives you up the wall, your daughter is lovely and amazingly well-adjusted, you spend your Saturday evening taking me out to dinner, to make me feel better. Face it Castle, despite your best efforts, you're a nice guy," she told him with a grin.
Secretly pleased with her assessment, but unwilling to tell her he smiled back, slow and sinful. "Trust me Detective, I'm not always quite so nice."
She grinned and patted him on the shoulder, resisting the irrational urge to move closer. "No I know. Sometimes you're irritating as hell. This is me. Thanks again for dinner Castle."
"I'll walk you to the door."
Kate went to object, but realizing it was pointless she just shrugged. He fell in step beside her, pleased with the evening's results. She looked at ease, happy. He knew there'd probably be hell to pay later, and things certainly wouldn't be easy. But when the time came he'd deal with that. At least he wouldn't be worried about her for the one evening. He liked this side of Beckett, when she let him see it, the softer more playful side. He wondered idly if she knew how distracting her smile could be. She probably did in general, but not in his particular case or she'd have started using it against him more often long before now. She turned to him when they reached her door, and he was amused to realize she looked almost nervous, like she didn't quite know what to do with him. Well that made two of them, because he certainly didn't know what to do with her. He leaned in slowly, enjoying the way her eyes widened in suspicion, and the now familiar citrusy smell in her hair, and kissed her on sweetly on the cheek.
When he pulled back he was pleased to see she was smiling again. "Should I be worried that was just a distraction for something else?" she asked him.
His smile widened, "Believe me Detective, you're quite enough of a distraction as you are." When she just grinned, and turned to unlock the front door he continued, "Until tomorrow detective."
She watched as he walked back to the cab before she went in. "Until tomorrow." She whispered to herself.
As she wandered up to her apartment Kate was struck with the thought that she probably should be more upset than she was. And when she finally let herself think about it she admitted that she probably would be. On the other hand, if she had Lanie as a sounding board, and Castle to distract her, and both of them to make sure she didn't go crazy, she might just get through this after all. But, as she collapsed backwards onto her bed, she decided that like Scarlett O'Hara, she could think about all that tomorrow. Right now she was just going to let herself enjoy what had turned out to be a lovely evening out. She couldn't even help the foolish grin and the blush that appeared on her face when she turned and noticed Storm Rising sitting on her bedside table.
xxxxx
Castle walked into his now silent apartment. He guessed the Broadway show had ended early tonight. He headed for the kitchen to grab a glass of water, determined to ignore whatever disaster he found there. To his surprise it was relatively neat. Huh, maybe there was hope for mother yet.
"So how was dinner?" He should have known she'd still be up.
"Good." He told his mother. "Alexis had to cut out early to attend some sort of movie-marathon after one of her friend's boyfriends broke up with them two weeks before their one-year anniversary."
Like Beckett, Martha winced. Yup, this was definitely some sort of female ritual he didn't quite understand and probably never would. "Poor girl. Well, at least we know she's got good friends." Then Martha continued for what she was really after, "And Detective Beckett?"
Castle shrugged, "Kate? I think she's okay. She didn't kill me. And she liked Rajah's, admitted the food is the best Indian in the city. I'll keep an eye on her though. Make sure she's alright."
"You do that son. Just don't go overboard." Martha cautioned remembering the poker night. "Even if she does have to deal with her mother's murder, she's by no means a weak-willed female."
"I know that mother." Castle told her annoyed.
"Do you?" Martha asked, just to make sure.
"Yes! Just because she's probably strong enough to handle this alone doesn't mean she has to does it?"
Aha, progress. Martha thought to herself, pleased with what she'd gotten her son to admit. "Well, you've finally got the right attitude darling. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing more of that woman. I like her. She can hold her own, and she can handle you."
"Well, you'll get your chance sooner than you think," Rick told his mother. "We invited her to taco night tomorrow."
"And she accepted?" Well that was interesting. Actually, Martha couldn't decide what was more interesting, the invitation or its acceptance. Clearly she'd have to get more details from Alexis.
"Yes mother, she accepted. What do you think I coerced her into it?" Castle couldn't help asking, feeling mildly insulted.
"I wouldn't put it past you. But I knew that woman would forgive you once she heard your reasons. She's a sensible girl, and she's fair." Martha couldn't help getting in another dig, "Fairer than you deserve."
"As always mother, thank-you for your support." Castle told her sarcastically. "And she hasn't forgiven me yet, but she did believe me, and that's a start." Plus she's decided I'm a nice guy, which despite what people say, definitely doesn't mean you finish last.
"Well, you just keep working on it son."
"That was my plan. Night mother."
"Good-night Richard."
Martha grinned, Kate Beckett might not realize she'd forgiven the man heading up to his room to change, but it was dead obvious that was the case. Not that Martha was going to tell her son that of course. Every woman deserved her secrets, and Rick deserved to worry about it a bit more.
On the other hand, Martha thought to herself, it might be fun to give them a little push. If the opportunity presented itself of course.
xxx
TBC