Here is chapter 16, enjoy !

When Kate came back to the precinct on Tuesday morning, she was immediately called in the Captain's office.

"Take a seat Kate." Gates said, closing the door of her office. "I thought about what you told me the other night, and I think I came up with a plan that will make everyone happy." She continued, smiling at her star detective.

"Ok."

"So, we still have a month before the summer holidays can begin. Until then, you can go to the crime scenes, with your vest on, even if there is no apparent danger. Are we clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Then, if the vest doesn't fit before you leave for summer break, you stay here. Your summer break will be of four weeks, take them whenever you want as long as it fits the rotation schedule. When you come back, you certainly won't be able to put your vest on, so you'll stay here. Esposito will be appointed temporary leader of the team. A new member will be added to the team until you come back to us in full capacity. Are you ok with that?" Gates asked, smiling softly.

"Yes, it seems perfect. I uh … I wondered if I could take my summer break in July? Because , well, I feel really tired right now and …"

"Don't worry Kate, July is fine. And the exhaustion doesn't last forever, just the first two or three months." Gates explained.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

Kate Beckett was happy. She was getting married to the man of her dreams, she was pregnant with his child, she had been back to work for two weeks and had only one more week to go before her summer break, and she was enjoying her weekend off in Central Park.

When they had seen how good the weather was that morning, Rick and Kate had decided to spend the day in the park, having a picnic and taking a walk. They were currently finishing their lunch under the shade of a tree.

"Well, if the weather stays like that for your month off, it's gonna be awesome! We can spend all days outside, taking in the sun." Rick said, getting everything back into the backpack he had brought.

"Yeah. I think what we planned is good. Two weeks in the Hamptons, two weeks at my dad's cabin. I can't wait to be there. I think it's the first year I'm so happy to go on vacation." Kate laughed. "Is Alexis coming up for Independence Day?"

"I don't know. She was supposed to but now that she's met Jackson, she seems to make plans only with him." Rick grumbled.

"Hey, grumpy daddy, it's normal, she's growing up, deal with it." Kate scolded, getting up. "Maybe he could come too."

"What?"

"Jackson, maybe he could come up too." Kate repeated.

"Why are you taking his side against me all the time?" Rick asked, pouting.

"Come on Rick, I'm not taking his side." Kate laughed, taking his hand and starting to walk. "It's just … she seems so happy when they're together. And she said they are just friends, so what's the big deal?"

"Just friends? Have you seen how he looks at her? It just feels so wrong!"

"Rick, she's going to be 21 this year. She has the right to have a boyfriend."

"A boyfriend? I thought you said they were just friends." Rick said, turning back to her.

"Well, that's what she told me but we both knew it would get to something more." Kate reasoned.

"and how do you know it has changed?"

Kate didn't need to speak. Rick simply followed her eyes and understood right away. Alexis was there, sitting on a bench, kissing Jackson Gates! When they broke apart, both had huge smiles on their faces. Kate reacted just in time to grab Rick by the shirt.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, hands on her waist.

"I'm going to see them." He simply said.

"No you're not, you're going to leave them alone. And we're going to walk back home and make the most of this beautiful sun. Now let's go." Kate declared, pulling him by the arm.

On their way back to the loft, Kate felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

New message from Alexis: Thank you. IOU

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

"Alexis is coming for dinner tonight." Rick said, putting his phone back on the coffee table and letting himself fall on the couch.

"Wow, you seem really happy to see her." Kate said, laughing lightly from behind her book.

"She's bringing Jackson with her." He simply said, as if it were the good explanation for his behavior.

"Well, I think that's a good idea."

"Kate, you have to stop defending him." Rick said, rather angry.

"Hey! What's your problem here Rick?" Kate asked, getting up to go and sit next to him. "Why do you hate him so much?"

"It's not him it's … I … I don't want Alexis to get hurt again."

There, he had said it. He was scared for his little girl. Kate melted in front of him, she always did when he acted as a protective father.

"She's gonna be fine Rick, she's a strong girl." Kate reassured him, taking his hands in hers.

"I know that, but she was so sad when she saw Max and that other girl. She was so hurt. And knowing that she gave herself to that …"

"I know. Believe me, I wanted to kill him too. But that's part of life. Unfortunately, it looks like you have to get hurt to be able to grow up. And Jackson is different. He seems more down-to-earth than Max was."

"But he's 24 and she's just 20!" Rick almost whined.

"When you were 24 I was 16 so find another excuse."

"Don't say that! It makes me some kind of pervert!" Rick said, a smile coming back on his face. "I just don't want him to bring her into something bad, something illegal or …"

"Rick, he's the son of a former military and a Captain in the NYPD! And he's studying to become a teacher for special need kids. Why does he look suspicious to you?" Kate asked gently.

"Don't ruin my thoughts with your logic." He grumbled.

"I completely understand that you can be worried. But what if he is the love of her life? Do you want to be responsible for her being forced to live with second-best?"

"No."

"I know it's scary. And I know it can seem rather soon after what happened with Max but did you see them this afternoon? They looked so happy to be together. And I'm really convinced they will work."

"What, you're a psychic now?" Rick asked, laughing.

"I don't know, call it whatever you want. But I'll remind you of this very day when they get married."

"Kaaaaate! Don't talk about Alexis getting married, please!" he whined.

So ... what did you think of this chapter?

Ready for a meet-the-over-protective-dad dinner?