Chapter 12

Two weeks later, Kate was packing her suitcase for the trip to Boston. Lanie was sitting on the bed, watching her and offering helpful suggestions. Well, Lanie thought they were helpful. Kate didn't think much of Lanie's "Less is more" philosophy regarding lingerie. "Girl, I don't know what you're stressing about. You've already gone away with the man, and you've had so many 'sleepovers' you might as well be living together. Speaking of that, have you made any decisions yet?"

Kate huffed as she closed another drawer. "Not for sure, although I am leaning toward 'yes', if for no other reason than so I can stop spending so much on cab fare back and forth."

"Wow, that's really lame. You know Castle would take care of that for you with his car service, if you let him. Granted, that would make it easier for you to say 'no', and that's not in his best interest. Kate, you know you want to share a little love nest, don't even deny it. Now what really has you twitching about this weekend?"

"It's Alexis. Rick found out that the summer program is giving them the weekend off, so he asked me if I minded if she joined us going up to Boston. I am just nervous, this will be like a first family trip for us."

"Kate, Alexis is a smart girl with a big heart. You know she likes you, respects you enough to ask your advice on things. She knows you're good for her father. You're helping him grow up. It will all be fine. But that explains your difficulty in wardrobe choices…."

"Yeah. Rick has booked a suite, so we will have a bedroom separate from Alexis. It's just going to be so weird, I don't know how comfortable I will be getting romantic with Rick while his daughter is in the next room."

Lanie nodded her understanding. In the end, she opted for a dark blue cami set to go beneath her navy cotton cocktail dress (in the event they went someplace nice for dinner, which was pretty much a given). She also packed a white blouse and red Capri pants, denim shorts, black slacks, and some short sleeved blouses. She put in her dress heels, choosing to wear her comfy shoes. In the side pouch she placed all the lingerie, nightshirt, slippers, toiletries and her bathing suit. Alexis had let it slip that the hotel had an indoor pool.

Satisfied that she had all the bases covered, she zipped up the case and her shoulder bag and hauled them out to the living room. Since Rick and Alexis were due to pick her up, Lanie helped her downstairs and waited with her. There was no mistaking the pearly grey town car that rolled to a stop in front of her building. Rick exited the car and greeted Lanie warmly, before wrapping Kate in a hug. He reached for her bags, but when he turned around with them the driver relieved him of the luggage. "Sir, if we're going to make your flight we really should be going."

Rick nodded and ushered Kate into the car, where Alexis sat, beaming. All three waved at Lanie as the car departed. Alexis hugged Kate hello, and the two chatted about the Princeton program. Rick took Kate's hand but no more of her attention for the rest of the ride to the airport. He sat gazing out the window, listening to the conversation and smiling. Alexis and Kate had pretty much always gotten along, largely because of his daughter's maturity level. (Which exceeded his own, on occasion, and no one, himself included, could figure out how that worked.)

Upon arrival at the air terminal, the driver loaded all of the luggage onto one of the waiting carts. An airline representative escorted them to the VIP check in point. Ordinarily the attention would have ended there, but this young man waited while their IDs were verified and their larger bags were tagged for the cargo hold, then walked them through an express security checkpoint and all the way to their gate. Kate's protective instincts were starting to poke at her conscious mind, especially when the fellow shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. It was at that point that his motive became clear.

"Mr. Castle, sir, it has been an honor to help you today. I'm almost ashamed to trouble you with this, but I am a huge fan and I was wondering if I could get an autograph." Rick complied with the young man's request, even offering a few tidbits of advice when the employee confessed he was an aspiring writer.

Kate relaxed and exchanged a glance with Alexis, who shrugged good naturedly. It was all old news to her, and she turned away to have a seat in the waiting area. Kate joined her and the two resumed their chat.

Rick concluded his conversation and headed over to where "his girls" were sitting, deep in conversation.

Kate glanced up to watch him approach. She expected to see his ego preceding him by two steps. Instead he looked…apologetic. She winked at him to reassure him, then turned her attention back to Alexis.

Minutes later they were called to board the shuttle flight to Boston. When they landed at Logan, they retrieved their bags and headed toward a uniformed gentleman holding up a placard: R. CASTLE.

The driver loaded their bags in the trunk and drove them to the hotel. At check-in, the clerk greeted him warmly. "Welcome back, Mr. Castle. It's so nice that you could join us again. We've prepared your usual…." She trailed off as she consulted her computer screen, then glanced from him to Kate and Alexis. Her professional mask slipped for a microsecond, then was back in place, but not before Kate noticed it. "Erm, we've prepared Suite 1211 for you." She beckoned a bellhop. "Ray, please show Mr. Castle and his guests to their room. Mr. Castle, Ma'am, Miss, I hope you have a wonderful stay, and please don't hesitate to call the desk if there's anything you need."

Kate held her tongue as they rode the elevator and entered the room. The bellhop put their luggage in the sitting room, then left after accepting a tip from Rick. Alexis gathered her bags and headed toward the room with the single bed. Taking advantage of the private moment, Kate approached the author, who seemed to be contemplating how to wrangle his luggage AND hers into "their" room. She laughed and rescued him from his own misguided gallantry, taking her bag out of his hand and simultaneously kissing him. She motioned toward the bedroom with her head and he followed. Once inside, she dropped her bag on the luggage stand and regarded him. "Your usual room, eh? How often do you stay here, anyway? And before you answer, let me assure you, I know it's often enough for that clerk to have cultivated a nice little crush."

He studied Kate's face, looking for danger signs of jealousy. When he realized she was busting his chops, he chuckled. "Yes, I noticed it too. Actually I used to come up here quite often, but with a certain detective always demanding my assistance in crime fighting, I just don't have the time." He backed away from the threatening glint in her eye. "Now, sweetie, you should know, I was smart enough to request a room WITHOUT a balcony, so I won't be 'accidentally' plunging to my demise. Now, how shall I appease you?" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, still at a safe distance. "Aha!" he cried, and left the room. Curiosity got the better of Kate and she followed. He crossed to the table where the room service menu lay, and folded it open to the page he was seeking. He executed a mock bow as he held the menu out to her.

Kate accepted the folded menu and stifled a laugh. "Dessert" was printed on the top line in fancy scroll.

She smiled. "Lex?" she called. "Time for a chocolate fix!" Alexis appeared in her doorway immediately, one earphone bud still planted, the other dangling and bouncing. Rick grinned. Kate had managed to find the one word Alexis could always hear over her music. Apparently the two had bonded as fellow chocoholics. They agreed to order the two most decadent items they could find, then share them, leaving poor Rick to choose for himself. He opted for a slice of cherry pie, and cast a sly look Kate's way as he ordered.

After gorging on dessert, they all decided to turn in. Alexis went back to her room, Kate and Rick retreated to theirs. Kate went into the bathroom to wash up, changing into her nightshirt in the process.

Once Rick finished cleaning up, they crawled into bed and snuggled, too tired and full of dessert to attempt anything else. With the lights out, Kate could feel Rick start to relax against her. "Can I ask you something?" she asked softly.

"Hmm? Sure, honey, anything and everything." His response was groggy.

Good, his guard is down. This dress you're having made, what's so special about it?"

He was quiet for so long Kate feared he had drifted off to sleep. When he finally spoke his voice was completely alert. "Katherine Beckett, are you using Jedi mind tricks on me? Nice try." He began to stroke her hair, her neck and arm, until she began to relax. "No more questions, just go to sleep." He whispered in her ear, then started humming. She not only heard it in her ear, she could feel it, where her back rested against his chest. She sank into the blessed relaxation of slumber.

Castle felt her muscles go slack as the sleep claimed her. He softly kissed her shoulder and hugged her to him, pleased he could keep the secret from her for a little longer.