I'm having so much fun writing this; I'm glad so many of you are having fun reading it. I only have one chapter left to write which I should be able to get done this weekend, at the latest. (I had the first 2 chapters written around a year ago and wrote the rest of what I got done this weekend) There will be 8 chapters total and I'm going to do my best to keep the 'post a chapter a day' schedule.

Disclaimer: If I owned it I wouldn't be so excited that the first sneak peek of the next episode has already been released.

Castle had barely taken his hand from her head when Alexis scooped Kate's feline body up in her arms. After telling her father that she was going to work on a report that was due the next day, the red-head carried her up the stairs, cooing at her all the way. Kate debated resisting; being separated from Castle, even if it was only by a flight of stairs, made her uneasy. But Alexis was much quieter than Castle and she did need time and space to think through this strange situation she was in and how to get out of it.

In minutes Alexis was sitting at her computer, Kate sitting in her lap. The girl was engrossed in going over the notes she had taken, occasionally reaching down to pet Kate's furry head. Once Kate was sure there weren't going to be any sudden movements that would dump her on the floor she rested her head on her front paws and started mentally gathering the evidence.

The gypsy woman-well, whether she was a gypsy or not Kate had no idea, but that's what the elderly woman had reminded her of, that or a fortune teller at a carnival-had caused Kate's transformation, there was no doubt in her mind about that. If she thought it would do any good the detective would go to the 12th and use all the resources available to her to track the woman down.

Except there wouldn't be any resources available to her, not like this.

She wished she could communicate with Castle. He would believe her, if she could find a way to tell him what had happened.

Castle. Maybe he was the key. The gypsy, or whatever she was, had been quoting from the letter Royce had left her. Specifically, the part related to Castle.

Kate had read that part of the letter so many times that she had it memorized.

What you have with Castle is real, her former mentor had written. And you're fighting it. Risking our hearts is why we're alive. You don't want to look back on your life and wonder 'if only.'

What was it the woman had said before Kate had blacked out? Something about speaking her heart, wasn't it?

How was she supposed to do that when she couldn't speak?

She and Castle had always been able to communicate without words, but Kate didn't think that would help her this time.

So she needed to find a way to give him words.

A light, rhythmic clicking noise started directly above Kate's head. It only took a moment for the detective to realize it was Alexis typing on her computer.

Typing. Typing words.

That was it! Kate would just go down to Castle's den and type on his computer. It wouldn't be as easy typing with paws as it was with hands, but she was sure she could do it.

Her decision made, Kate jumped down from Alexis' lap and ran down the hall and down the stairs. She came to an abrupt halt when she saw that Castle wasn't in his den but was in the living room. With Gina.

Kate felt her fur shoot straight up all over her body as her back arched and a low cat-growl started in the back of her throat. Her tail slowly twitching, Kate's gaze zeroed in on the blonde woman's hand on Castle's arm.

It was an odd sensation. Kate had felt jealous of Gina when Castle had walked away with the other woman on his arm all those months ago, but she certainly hadn't felt territorial the way she did now.

When Kate let out a hiss both humans turned their heads and looked at her in obvious shock.

"Richard, what is that doing here?"

Kate was wondering the same thing.

"Kate?" Castle replied. "She's our new cat. Or, she will be, if no one claims her."

Both Kate and Castle were startled when Gina burst out laughing. "You named it after your detective? Have you told her yet?"

"Beckett won't mind," Castle stated confidently. "Just look at her. She's a purebred Persian. And not even one with a smooshed in face; then she probably would be insulted. But Kate is adorable; she even has the same color eyes!"

"Richard, she's a cat! It doesn't matter what kind, a woman like your detective won't appreciate having an animal named after her." Gina finally removed her hand from Castle's arm and shrugged. "Whatever, it doesn't matter to me. Just make sure you have the final draft of Heat Rises on my desk by the end of next week."

"It's done," Castle said. "I'll have it on your desk tomorrow."

"Good," was all Gina said.

The door had barely closed behind the publisher when Castle walked over to Kate and put his hand lightly on her head. At his touch Kate felt herself instantly relax.

And then she started purring.

Again.