A/N: I hope you guys know that I wouldn't change Alexis' character without good reason, so for those with lil faith in me, SHAME ON YOU, and for those who KNEW there had to be another reason. YAY! This one is for you :)

This chapter is SLIGHTLY longer than my average. Enjoy!

Alexis was studying on the sofa when Castle entered the apartment. He could tell she was still bordering upset, and he wanted to help, his heart ached as he imagined his baby girl giving up her life for motherhood. The stupid decisions that young ones rush into, he thought. He approached her with caution and sat beside her on the sofa, his hand reaching for hers.

She looked skeptical.

"I have something to tell you," he said seriously. It was rare for Castle to be serious with his daughter, but when it was, it usually involved a bombshell the size of Grand Canyon.

"Dad…" she looked worried. "I can't deal with anymore… please tell me mom hasn't decided to move to New York, because while I love her, I-"

Castle shook his head. For once this didn't involve her mother's insane spontaneous decisions to wreck havoc on her daughter's life. "No, darling, this one involves me… I did something I'm sorry for."

Alexis watched his with care and for slightly withdrew. "You know, don't you?" she asked bluntly. Her face was panicked, as if she expected her father would go off the rails. She dropped her study book on her lap and folded her arms across her chest.

"First, I want to say sorry… I am SO sorry that I invaded your privacy. I panicked. Which is NO excuse, I know that, but I didn't know how to help you and I figured if I knew, then I could help. You weren't talking to me, and pushing you seemed the wrong choice… so I-"

"Dad," she interrupted. "What are you talking about? My privacy? What do you mean you invaded- by asking questions?"

Castle shook his head. "No, I kind of snooped through your room."

The horror on her face took a moment to register. "YOU WHAT?" she yelled.

He withdrew. "I'm sorry. I wanted to help."

"By going through MY things, how did that help?"

Castle shrugged. "I thought if I found some evidence then-"

"I am NOT one of your police cases, dad, I'm your daughter! I can't believe you betrayed my trust." She picked herself up from the sofa and dropped her book on the table, before making her way up stairs. He leaned back against the fabric of the sofa and sighed heavily. He was expecting that. He should expect a mood like that for the next 9 months. But he was still lucky, and he didn't forget that, what he knew was that Alexis was not most kids, and even when she lost her temper, it was done with maturity and elegance. He appreciated her for all that she was.

For a long time he sat in the loungeroom, contemplating his next move.

Was he supposed to give her space?

Go and tell her you will support her in whatever decision she makes, Beckett's voice echoed in his mind. Maybe she was right. He stood from the sofa and made his way up stairs, he took his time, hoping that each moment he took longer, would calm her down somewhat.

He knocked softly on the door, and waited for a reply.

He got none.

He knocked again.

"What do you want dad?" she called out.

"Can I come in?" he asked hopefully. Castle wasn't used to the silent treatment from his baby girl.

"If you have to," she groaned from her bed.

He pushed open the door and approached the bed.

"I really am sorry, kiddo."

"Fine," she said. "You're sorry. Is that all?"

"No," he said positioning himself beside her. He reached out to take her hand but she pulled it away, causing his stomach to flitter. Was she ever going to stop being mad? "Listen to me, despite what I did, I love you. You are my rock, kid. I wouldn't be where I am without you. You're my reason for living…"

She rolled her eyes.

"Fine, don't believe it. It doesn't matter, what matters is that you know how much I love you, and how important you to me, you need to know that no matter what you do I will NEVER stop loving you. I will support you, even if I don't like the decision you're making. If you make a mistake and you have to deal with the consequences then-"

"Dad," she interrupted. "You're doing it again, stop rambling. What are you talking about?"

"The baby," he insisted.

"I don't want to deal with it right now…" she explained.

"I know that, but you have to make a choice, you can't keep holding off. I mean, we have to talk about it…"

"WHY?" clearly, Alexis was frustrated.

"Because we need to know what steps to take."

"Why does that matter?"

"Alexis, I know you're scared but you have a choice to make now, whether you keep it or… there are other options, you can adopt to someone who is less fortunate than-"

"GOD!" she screamed. "I'm NOT pregnant!"

Castle pulled back as if he had been slapped. He wasn't sure whether relief had occurred already, or was on its way. "You're not?" he didn't understand this situation too well.

"No," she insisted. "Dad, how on earth did you reach that conclusion?"

"I found the test in the trash bin," he said simply.

"See," she folded her arms across her chest. "This is what comes from snooping."

"So you're NOT pregnant?" he asked again.

"No, dad," he sighed with deep relief. His baby was okay. "It was Hannah's."

"Hannah's pregnant?"

"Yes. I got upset because she has wasted her life. She wanted to do so many things and now she can't, she'll be tied to a baby. She wants to keep it."

Castle nodded, pretending to be interested. All he really cared about was that his baby girl was still safe. He wasn't ready to let her go yet, not to the world, and not that way.

"I love you."

"I know, dad. I love you too. Even if you snoop," she hugged him then and he embraced it.

"I won't snoop anymore," he promised.

"I'd like to believe that," she smiled.

"Me too," he laughed.

"Just so you know… I'm still me, dad. I have plans for my life, and I intend to follow through with them, and in case you're worried. I'm a virgin."

The word made his shutter.

"Good to know," he smiled.

It's not the end… unless you want it to be… I'm guessing most of you signed up for this because you thought it would involve a K-9. You are correct. In the next chapter we have a hurdle involving Malcolm and a police conference... what will Beckett do?

Post a review if you will… let me know you want more… :)