So this is for everyone who has reviewed and supported me through this :) You are amazing and I wouldn't have gotten this far without your words. So I hope you enjoy this next chapter :)

When Kate came downstairs Alexis was just opening the door to greet Ashley, she noticed she wasn't as enthusiastic as she should have been. When Ashley leaned in for a kiss she just stood there not moving or saying a word.

"Alexis don't leave the poor boy standing outside." Kate said smiling a little.

"Oh yeah, right." She shyly moved to one side. Ashley stepped in and noticed both Rick and Kate stood at the bottom of the stairs watching them.

"I hope you didn't mind me coming today?" Ashley said shyly. Even though he had grown to be like one of the family he still felt like he was intruding on their time together.

"No not at all." Kate said. "I was the one that suggested you come over today."

He nodded and then all was silent in the loft. Alexis was still stood by the door, Ashley wasn't sure what to say, Kate was silently watching Alexis and Rick was stood watching Ashley.

Ashley turned towards Alexis and noticed she was silent, he was used to it be she was even more quiet than usual.

"Is everything okay?" He asked unsure.

Alexis was looking at the floor staying silent before she looked up towards him and stared in his eyes. "I think we need to talk." She said quietly.

Ashley stood there momentarily before nodding silently. "Okay." His heart had started to beat faster and he was amazed at how controlled his voice was.

"Rick we should leave them for a minute." Kate said as she was about to move towards Rick's office.

"No!" Alexis said forcefully. Kate stopped and turned to face her, she bit her lip and stared at her. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" Alexis said shyly.

Kate dropped Rick's hand and walked into the kitchen with Alexis. "Are you sure?" Kate asked her cautiously.

Alexis looked at the floor unsure of how to say what she was going to tell her. "I'm sure Kate." She said quietly. "I don't care if you and dad are just in the room but I…" She looked up and stared Kate in her eyes. "Kate…I need my mom with me."

Kate looked at Alexis and suddenly she had tears in her eyes. "Alexis…I honestly don't know what to say."

"Please just tell me that you'll stay with me no matter what."

Kate slowly nodded her head and Alexis wrapped her arms around Kate hugging her. "Thank you."

While they were both in the kitchen Ashley stood awkwardly in the living room with Rick. They both stood hands in their pockets unsure of where to look. After a few seconds of silence Ashley looked at Rick.

"Is she going to break up with me?" Ashley said. He knew that Rick would be honest with him and he was sure that if Alexis was going to break up with him, Rick would have gotten him by now. Or he would at least be giving him a stern look but he wasn't doing anything.

Rick suddenly looked at him. "Ashley all I'm going to say is it's been a tough couple of days for her and she's going to need someone with her." Ashley nodded his head. "In my personal opinion no she isn't."

"Okay." He felt his heart rate return to normal. "Has this got something to do with her mom?"

Rick looked at him and nodded his head. "Yes."

At that moment Kate and Alexis walked in, they both looked like they had been crying and Alexis looked a little better. Alexis took a breath and then lead Ashley to the couch, he silently took a seat and watched Alexis sit next to him. Rick turned to watch Kate who stood silently next to him.

"Kate…" He said quietly. "Should we not be disappearing at this point?"

She looked at him and shook her head, deciding to instead hold his hands firmly in hers.

Alexis looked at Ashley and released the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. "Okay I'm just going to get this is over with." She said. She closed her eyes hard before opening them. "While I was at my mom's wedding reception…" She paused. "Ikissedsomeoneelse." She said fast.

Ashley looked at her and was unable to say anything. Rick turned to look at Kate who didn't seem shocked.

"Did you know?" He silently whispered. She looked at him and slowly nodded.

"What?" Ashley said silently. He was sure of what he heard but he needed to make sure he heard it correctly. He had felt his heart break a little and took a deep breath.

"I kissed someone else." She said painfully. "It was an honest mistake I swear."

Ashley stared at her suddenly losing his voice. He cleared his throat slightly and looked at her managing to stay calm, there must have been an explanation. "A mistake?"

"Well he kissed me, but I pushed him away." She said watching him. "But I feel awful."

Ashley moved and Alexis thought he was going to walk away but instead he moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. She had managed to keep hold of her emotions but when he took her into his arms she started to cry.

"Don't worry even though I'm a little surprised to say the least I understand." He whispered into her hair. "We'll get through this." He slowly stroked her hair.

As Rick watched this he knew that he'd never find someone good enough for his daughter but Ashley sure came close. As he watched them he felt his phone vibrating, he picked it up and noticed Ryan was ringing him. Kate saw this and looked at him.

"Are you having some sort of secret affair with the boys I don't know about?" She asked.

"You're the trained detective you tell me." He winked before picking up the phone. "Hey Ryan."

"Castle? Hi, I got your text what's going off?"

Rick walked into the kitchen and tried to keep his voice low. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

Ryan looked at his phone funnily, no it certainly wasn't his end his reception was fine. "Erm…Castle are you whispering?"

"Just answer the question."

"I'm working I suppose why?"

"Because I need help with something and you and Jenny are involved in my little plan."

"Right so what is this plan?"

"I can't tell you because someone is listening to me right now. What I want you to do is ring Esposito up and get him to tell you. Okay? Can you do that?"

"Castle are you high? Have got drugs and not sharing?"

"No I have not!" He said louder than the whole conversation. "Just do it please?"

"Okay I will."

"Great see you tomorrow." He hung up happily and turned to see Kate facing him looking suspicious her hand on his hips.

"Now you have Ryan and Jenny dragged into this little plan?"

"Who said its little?" He said. "Like everything else in my life I do things BIG!"

She laughed. "You are such a kid."

"Hey would a kid be able to do half the things I've done?"

"Well actually probably."

"Okay then legally."

"No."

"I thought so." He smirked. "So is there anything else that you and Alexis are keeping quiet? I'm not going to be a grandfather am I?"

Kate looked at him. "Oh my god no!" She turned to see Ashley and Alexis still silently hugging each other. "At least I don't think so. I hope not. I'm not old enough to be a grandmother."

Rick laughed at her and walked to wrap his arms around his with her back against his chest. "They are perfect for each other." He smiled watching Ashley and Alexis too.

"I know. Just like us." She smiled as she leaned against him.

They stood there Rick slowly moving his hand up and down her stomach and Kate lazily moving her hand up and down his arm. Watching as Alexis curled up close to Ashley who was comforting her the best he could.