Hi all :D who is suffering from Castle withdrawal so far? raise you hands o/

There was a massive blackout in my country... over 30 hours in some parts, just 22hrs for me, and it scared my muse away...So here is the new chap... i´m not too happy about it, but let me know what you think, please?

Disclaimer: nope, still don´t own it...=(

"Yeah, Boss?"

"Do you remember the trainee I told you about last night?"

"Yes…?" – He said while looking around Castle for some newbie in his or her twenties.

"Well, I think you know each other already, so introductions are not necessary."

"Castle?"

"Esposito?"

"I'm going to train you?"

"You're going to train me?"

They both said at unison pointing first to the other and then to themselves.

"Yes"

After hearing her voice, both of them turned their heads to her and Esposito gave her a confused look.

"Castle, wait on your chair while I talk to Detective Esposito for a moment, ok?"

"Sure, Boss." Castle said smiling; after all, he was under her orders now.

When he closed the door, Esposito still hadn't recovered from the shock.

"Boss, I don't get it; why am I training Castle?"

"So he can protect his partner as he should. I'm just giving him a way to remain here with me having a clear conscious."

Esposito gave her a nod, telling her he understood.

"You do remember your basic training course at the academy, I presume?"

"Yeah, most of it."

"Good, I also want to add a little of your military knowledge to the mix. It'll be your choice, just make sure he learns how to respond under pressure, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am, I'll take him to the gym."

"Great, you can make the schedules as you see fit."

…

Castle and Esposito were in the gym, both had changed. Esposito was wearing grey sweatpants and a grey sweater with NYPD plastered on his chest, he also was wearing a whistle and white snickers. He looked like a high school coach. Rick, on the other hand, was wearing black sweatpants and a white undershirt and black snickers.

"Ok, first thing is worm up. So; three series of 20 laps, sits up and 15 minutes on the treadmill. Then I'm going to test your physical condition and then we'll begin with some basics."

Rick nodded and went to the treadmill, followed by Esposito. He started to set the machine and Rick could see there was something on his mind.

"What's up Coach?"

"Uh? Nothing, I was just thinking 'bout the reasons you're doing this."

He motioned Rick to climb to the machine and start walking.

"You know why, Lisbon needs to have a clear conscience"

"Yeah, that's her reason, not yours"

Rick couldn't look at him, but he felt the intensity of his friend´s eyes.

"What's your reason, Castle?"

"You know my reason; she deserves someone who can protect her. If something had happened to her because I couldn't…"

He didn't have it in him to continue, not even think about the possibility of her being gone or injured. He felt a lump on his throat and focused his eyes on an invisible spot on the wall in front of him.

"You are in love with her."

It was not a question; it was a statement, which took Rick by surprise. Not because of what Esposito was saying, but because of the firmness and reassurance on his voice. The writer nodded and looked at him. It only took one word. 'Yes'. The detective's eyes showed some level of softness before going back to the intensity that they were showing before.

"I'm glad you finally admit it, and it's time you finally admit it to her."

"She's not ready yet."

"Bull, how do you know?"

"She…with all that's happened in the last two months…"

"And don't you think that letting her know how you feel is something that she needs right now? Knowing that someone loves you is never a bad thing, bro."

"She must know by now, I'm certainly not hiding it."

"Bro, you know Beckett; she can be extremely dense when she wants to. Just tell her, if she knows like you say, then, what's the harm?"

Rick let out a frustrated sigh.

"Can we just train? I need to stop thinking."

"Ok, fine. Just make sure you treat her right, or I'll kill you and Lanie will help me hide the body."

There was a hint of seriousness on his voice as well as a playful tone, which Rick was grateful for.

"Yes, sir" he responded on the same tone.

The morning was spent training.

After testing his physical condition, which by Rick´s surprise and utter delight, and Esposito's pure shock, was extremely well for a man his age and lack of exercise, they began the real training. That consisted on learning extreme basics forms of self-defense as well as exercises to get him in form and improve his cardio.

At noon they decided to end the session for the day and scheduled a daily session of two hours every morning starting Monday. Each went to take a shower and change into work clothes.

They both went to the homicide floor and Esposito went to update Lisbon on the condition of his new trainee. After leaving her office he sank on his chair while Castle sat on Ryan´s desk.

"Man, I´m hungry! Let´s go to Remy´s, my treat" said a famished writer.

"Sweet! Let´s go Espo." said a very exciting Ryan.

"Coming, bro."

They all got up and waved at Lisbon when they passed her office, she was talking on the phone but returned the greeting nonetheless.

"They just left, Becks."

"And how did Mr. Castle did?"

"According to Esposito, better than he had expected. Not that that´s saying much."

"Ha! told you it was a good idea."

"Shut up, Becks."

Jim couldn´t help to chuckle a little.

"Ok, ok I won't tell you ´I told you so´. Oh, Katie is coming, I´ll call you later, ok?"

"Ok, take care."

"You too."

She hang up. Becks could be a pain sometimes, but it was good that they had reconnected.

...

Mean time at Kate´s place, a certain Detective was giggling at her phone. Yes, giggling. Who would´ve thought?

"Dad?" she yelled from the living room. Jim was currently at her bedroom.

"Yes, sweetheart?" - He answered, after hanging up his phone.

"Do you want to go to Remy´s? Castle is inviting us for lunch with the boys."

"I´d love to."

He smiled when his daughter entered her bedroom, smiling from ear to ear.

"Let´s go then." - Said Kate.

...

Not half an hour later Both Becketts were entering Remy's and sitting on Castle's table; Kate sat next to Rick and Jim next to Esposito who was next to Ryan.

"Sorry we're late, traffic was crazy" Kate said to Castle.

"Don't worry about it. We ordered the usual, burgers and milkshake, right?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"So, Espo, how was your trainee?" - Asked Kate with a playful tone on her voice, looking at the writer next to her.

"Actually, I was shocked, he is still breathing."

"Ha ha, very funny, Coach." - Responded the trainee with a dramatic glare

"Trainee?"

"Yes, Mr. B. Castle over here is training so he can shadow your daughter as he should, and to get the new Captain out of their hair."

"Really? Well, that is good news. So, boys, what do you think of the new Captain? Katie tells me her name is Lisbon?"

Both detectives looked at each other, silently discussing how to answer, and Ryan responded.

"We actually like her. She is pleasant enough and lets us goof around when we're not on a case."

"We were worried that our boy here wouldn't be able to come back, she is very strict and by the book, but if he trains hard enough, it'll all be good." Espo chimed in

"Well, considering that Rick is not an actual cop and that the captain doesn't know any of you, she seems like a good woman." - Responded Jim.

Three detectives and a writer nodded, it seemed like Espo was going to say something but lunch arrived and they changed the subject into something less deep.

Rick hadn't wanted to think about the possibilities after Montgomery's funeral. He thought the new boss would be some Captain; scary looking, in his 60's, with a weird look on his eyes and some evil laugh, telling him he couldn't follow Kate anymore.

When he had seen Lisbon two months ago, he was relieved at first. She seemed pleasant and, yes, a little stiff. But she had kind eyes. Which is why he was shocked when he couldn't even step into the precinct without Beckett there to watch him, like he were to knowingly ruin a case or something.

Thinking back at the conversation he'd with her yesterday, a thought struck him. She'd said "it has been brought to my attention..." like if someone had convinced her that the training was a good idea, that being Beckett's partner was a good idea. Castle wondered who might it been. Kate was closed to the idea of talking to Lisbon until she was in duty and he couldn't imagine Esposito or Ryan going and talking to her. The trust wasn't there yet and Esposito had looked genuinely surprised when he was told about being Castle's coach, then whom?

He was still deep in thought when he felt a soft hand on top of his, he looked at the table, where the hands were, and was surprised to see that it was Beckett's hand on top of his. He looked at her and she had the biggest smile on her face, but she wasn't looking at him, she was looking at her father. Suddenly he began to pay attention again and heard her tell him about the mummy. 'Damn, that case is going to hunt me down until reckoning day', he thought, but any sense of anger or embarrassment melted away by the sight of his detective laughing. He just smiled like a fool and tried not to get caught in dreamland again.

The other three men on the table were enjoying the tale of how Beckett had found writer-monkey plastered against the floor of the elevator when they noticed that the hand Kate had patted with her on was still under her touch. Not only that, but Castle was grinning like the biggest fool in love. Reminding Ryan of how he was the first weeks after starting seeing his Jenny, which made him to slowly shake his head. Esposito on the other hand, was trying to get the writer's attention so he could mock him, but he was lost looking at Beckett. 'That poor bastard doesn't know what hit him', he thought, he was glad for his friends, apparently both had started to see the light, or at least a ray of it.

Jim wanted to know more of the stories of the precinct so both Esposito and Ryan started to tell him the craziest ones which made Kate remove her hand from Castle's and continue to eat while listening to the boys and remembering those moments. That she missed the sense of her hand in contact with Rick's, well, that was something she had finally accepted. She was getting ready to tell him how she felt, but after the surprise she had for him on Monday. It would make the day a lot more fun.

After finishing with lunch, Ryan and Esposito went back to the precinct. Rick decided to go home, not wanting to temp his luck by going to the 12th for no reason.

"Do you want to join me? Alexis will be there with Ashley and I don't want to be the third wheel, we'll watch movies and eat pizza. What do you say?"

He had his puppy eyes ready if he saw the hesitation on her face, but she just turned to look at her father, who gave her an almost imperceptible nod, turned back to Rick and nodded.

"Really? Just like that?" Said Castle with disbelieve and shock on his voice.

"Yes. We've no plans and I would love to see Alexis, it's been a while."

"Oh, I knew you just wanted to hang with me for my daughter" – he faked a pout – "that's ok, I'm use to it..."

"I think you can survive, Castle." She patted his chest lightly and went to hail for a cab.

...

They arrived at his loft roughly around three and were greeted by a happy Alexis, giving each a hug, even to Mr. Beckett. "This is a surprised, detec-kate", said the girl, smiling. "Come, I was reading while waiting for Ash, I have ice cream" She took the detective's hand and dragged her to the kitchen where there was a copy of the last Harry Potter.

"Oh, Deathly Hallows"

"I didn´t know you were a fan, Kate" said a smiling red head.

"Guilty as charged", she blushed a little, "Murder-Mystery is my favourite gender, but sometimes a little fantasy is in order."

"I totally understand that, happens to me too"

Alexis began to serve some ice cream to Kate when Rick and Jim entered the Kitchen. Alexis asked both if they wanted ice cream and began serving them as well.

Kate went to Rick and whispered: "Alexis is happier than usual"

"You noticed, uh? She gets like that when Ashley is coming." He whispered back

"Oh, yeah... love can do that to you."

Rick looked at her and was about to respond when the bell rang which caused a certain girl to almost squeal in delight and springing out of the kitchen to answer the door, which caused all three adults to laugh.

"I´m guessing Ashley is her boyfriend?" - Asked a smiling Jim.

Both Castle and Beckett nodded.

After introductions were made they all settled on the living room to watch a movie. The young couple settle for the floor and Jim for a sofa, leaving Beckett and Castle on the main couch.

They started sitting next to each other, almost no contact, but as Iron man 2 progressed, somehow Kate ended up snuggled to Rick´s chest, and Rick´s arm around Kate´s shoulders.

Through the second movie (Due date) Rick fell asleep, the training finally catching up to him, and even though Kate noticed she didn´t wake him, she wouldn´t admit it under the threat of death, but she was way too comfortable to move. When the credits were rolling Rick slowly began to wake up, but his body hurt too much for him to move, making him groan.

"Oh. My. Gosh. I can´t move."

"It´s the training, you´re not used to moving so your body is punishing you for that" responded a very amused Kate. "Plus, you shouldn´t be moving much in your old age."

"Hey! I´m not that old!"

Everyone laughed except Ashley, he knew better than to mess with his future father in law, which actually caused more laughs from the girls.

After both Alexis and Kate mocked Castle a little more they decided it was time for refreshments and went to the kitchen while the boys put the Wii console with Rock Band.

"Hey, Kate?" - Asked Alexis when they were on the kitchen.

"Yes?"

"Uhm, you know I have a concert in two weeks for school, right?"

"Yes, your father told me about it, congratulations by the way."

"Thanks. Well, after the concert there is like a gala to raise money for the charity, and I was wondering, if you weren´t busy, if you would want to come?"

To say that Kate was surprised at this was an understatement, but she was also very honoured to be asked.

"I´d love to. Alexis, thanks for inviting me."

The girl smiled and continued to gather the beverages.

The rest of the night continued with Rick rocking out on the guitar, Alexis and Kate on the mic, Ashley on the drums and to the surprise and delight of all, Jim on the bass. They ordered pizza and by 9 Ashley had to go, he had a curfew to meet. This was the cue for both Becketts to leave, too.

"Are you sure you have to leave?"

He asked her when they were cleaning up and carrying the dishes to the kitchen while Alexis and Jim were talking on the living room.

"Yes, Rick. I don´t live here, you know"

"But you can stay in my bedroom," - Beckett glare – "I-I could stay on the couch and your dad could use the guest room."

"It´d be too complicated. I´ll be fine, I´m with dad, I´m not alone."

He had that concern in his eyes and the ´ I´m not convinced´ look. He was worried about the nightmares, she could tell. And, frankly, she was worried too. She didn´t want to upset her father. But it would be worst if she had to stay, explaining him the reasons.

"I´ll call if something happens, ok?"

He considered her offer and since she had that look on her face that said: it´s my last and only offer. He accepted.

...

That night she only woke up once, not screaming, just silently crying. She felt frustrated; apparently she could only sleep if she had a certain writer next to her. That´s when it occurred to Kate. In her haste she forgot to give back the t-shirt she borrowed from Castle. After putting it she crawled back to bed and drifted off to sleep again, this time without nightmares.

Rick just woke up the next morning with cramps and sore muscles all over his body, cursing at Esposito for putting him through that and relieved that Kate hadn´t called in the middle of the night, he just hoped it was because she had had a pleasant night asleep and not because of her pride.

He lay there in his bed, thinking about the last couple of days without Kate with him 24/7. He missed her, really missed her, and they hadn´t been apart for 12 hours. He had it bad. He decided a text was in order, just to...eh...who was he kidding? He wanted to hear from her. As soon as his arm could move in order to pick up the cell from the nightstand, that is.

"Hi, did you sleep well?"

A few minutes later a response came.

"Hi, I did."

She wasn´t actually lying, she did sleep well, just after wearing his shirt... a fact he didn´t need to know. EVER.

"Good, I´m glad :). So, what do u have planned with ur dad?"

"I think going to a game, lunch and idk. Do u have plans?"

"Trying to get out of bed without seeing starts, for one, then shopping with Alexis and Mother."

"You? Shopping?"

"Yeah, Lex needs a dress for the concert. A concert that you´re attending, right?"

"Alexis told me last night, I´ll be there."

"Good =) . Ha! I can get up! Just not walk, yet...

"Poor old man, should I get you a cane?"

"Funny =( ...mock me, in 2 months you´ll see."

"Is that a dare, Mr. Castle?"

"Eh, yes? I´ll let you know after my first lesson :D"

"Coward..."

"No, not coward just... survivor?"

The conversation ended a little after that, each had appointments to tend to.

That weekend was kind of an unspoken agreement. She needed space, she wasn´t exactly a very clingy person, she ran away from clingy relationships, and she needed time to process the last couple of weeks and the next step. She realized the ball was in her course and that he was waiting for her to make the next move, not pressuring her, taking time. Should she be scared that he knew her so well? And why wasn´t she scared? Just, terribly happy? Right; love, but she had loved man before. Still, if they got too clingy she would feel less and less in love with them until they´d broke up... but not with Rick. She actually missed him. Ugh, so much thinking is giving me a headache, she thought, and I'm not even dating him!

...

On Monday at 7 am sharp Rick was already in the gym changing in his workout clothes when he heard steps coming his way, thinking it was Esposito he continued to remove his button down shirt.

"Hey, Coach, today you´re teaching me a few moves ri..."

All words escaped his mouth and brain when he saw a certain someone with a sexy smile and all ready to train.

Remember that reviews are love :D

-AC