Disclaimer: Nop... still don't ... but i'll soon be the owner of heat rises and deadly storm :D it's something.. xD
OK, I'm reaaaally not sure about this one... Ideas just wouldn't flow... so.. be kind? let me know what you thought?
A special thanks to my friend here A.R-062 for helping me with the grammar and my freaking out sessions... you rock :D
Kate was staring at her reflection on the mirror, lost in thought, analyzing her week so far;Rick had gotten better by Tuesday afternoon and Esposito grilled him Wednesday and Thursday, sort of a payback for not picking up his phone on Monday, even though Rick had complained over and over that it wasn´t his fault he couldn´t even move an arm, he couldn´t tell Esposito that Kate was a witness…she had told Espo that she had only stayed there for an hour tops… right.
She had gotten her little unplanned revenge on training those days too; apparently, having a cold makes your reflexes a little slow for Rick´s liking when it came to fighting Kate or anyone. She had made it up to him on dinner Thursday night. Even if they still hadn´t made love yet, she had cooked for him, even baked brownies which had him over the moon; she just rolled her eyes at his childish ways.
Friday Esposito showed pity on him and Kate decided it was best for her not to show; she didn´t want to make him too sore and tired for Alexis´s concert. She had met him for lunch on Remy´s anyway.
After lunch they parted ways and she left to go shopping for a dress with the help of Lanie. Kate got to her apartment with her best friend on toe after picking her up on the way and was surprised to see a white carton box on the door; a very familiar white box, that looked like the one 2 years ago…and that sinfully beautiful red dress. She didn´t want to jump conclusions just yet but that thought flew out of the window when she heard Lanie squeal from behind her and walked passed her to pick up the box. "I think writer boy settled the dressing problem for you, Kate" she said with a knowing look. Kate shot her an annoying glare. "Nu-uh, don´t give me that look hon, you know he has impeccable taste when it comes to this stuff."
"I guess you´re right…" she said with a sigh, she hated when Lanie was right.
"Ok then," she grinned, "let´s see what he's got you!"
"Should I be worried that you´re more excited than me about this?" She said as she opened the door and ushered Lanie in.
"Just because I show my excitement doesn't mean you aren't almost flying around in a cloud of happiness, I know you better than that."
Oh, if looks could kill… unfortunately for the detective, the ME was immune to her glares.
They chatted for a while, Kate decided it was too early for trying on the dress, which was partially true, but she also wanted to make both writer and ME suffer a bit. They talked about idly things, the job, boys, even the new captain. Kate was sure there was something going on with Lisbon but she couldn´t put her finger on it. After all, nobody changes their mind all of the sudden, there is always a trigger, even if it´s a small one. Lanie just thought Lisbon was a romantic and finally saw the light. Kate blushed and the ME grinned.
…..
Lanie waited patiently as Kate took a shower and did her make-up, she help her with her hair, deciding it was better to leave it up in a bun with a few curly strands to frame her face. Finally, Kate opened the box; she was shocked as her eyes roamed the dress. She picked it up immediatelyand was so in awe that she didn´t noticed a small note that flew gently out of the box and to the floor. Lanie did and pick it up.
"There is a note, looks like your boy´s hand writing." said the ME as she handed it to Kate, who was too busy checking out the dress
The note read:
Please don´t kill me, I didn´t want you go dress shopping, I know you hate it. Remember how much I love you and that you wouldn´t leave Alexis fatherless.
Love, Rick.
She smiled, he knew her well. She showed the note to Lanie and got her phone to text him.
I won´t kill you. It's a beautiful dress, thank you. See you soon, Love u – KB
Not a minute went by when her phone dinged, indicating a text.
:D you´re welcome. I'll pick you up at 6:30, the event starts at 7. Love u 2 – RC
"What?" She asked defensively.
"Nothing…it´s cute that you´re smiling like a fool when he texts you, that´s all."
"I wasn´t…"Lanie shot her brow up in a way that clearly said 'who are you kidding here?' and Kate sighed, "Ok, maybe I was…"
"Come on, time to get dressed."
She went to the bathroom and changed, the dress fitted perfectly, hugging every curve in all the right places. How did he know her size, was beyond her. Kate came out of the bathroom and stood in front of the full size mirror.
" Honey, you look great, he is going to get a heart attack when he sees you."
Kate bit her lip nervously. "Are you sure?"
"Positive."
The dress was a one piece, long sleeved, with a very moderate cleavage with a V shape and a low cut on the back. It was a semi dark tone of purple, with diamond cut stones along the front, arranged in a way that wasn´t overly shiny, but classy and elegant. The bottom fell like a cascade to below her knees, it wasn´t very puffed or wide, just enough to be comfortable to move.
Kate stood there, in front of the mirror, thinking of how lucky she was that she had Rick in her life. After the death of her mother and Montgomery´s, even Royce´s, she never thought she could feel like this, this feeling of completeness and pure happiness.
Before her mind could take her any further, Lanie's voice returned her to earth. She had found shoes that fitted perfectly and it was almost time for Rick to pick her up.
At exactly 6:30 p.m. there was a light knock on the door. Kate´s heart was pounding rapidly on her chest; she felt like a teenager on her prom night. Lanie took one last look at her friend and gave her the Ok sign. She picked up her bag and headed to the door to give Kate a few moments to compose herself.
As she opened the door she gave the author a once over, he looked nervous which she found adorable, and he could really put off a tux. Kate was one lucky girl, she thought to herself.
"Looking good, writer-boy."
"Thank you, Lanie. Is Ka…"
By the look on his face, Lanie just knew Kate was behind her. She smiled and said her brief good bye to them, not that any of them noticed. Kate was standing there near her sofa, shyly looking at Rick. Not because she was on her way to her boyfriend's daughter's concert, but because of the way he was looking at her. Those blue eyes could look into your soul, and the love they portrayed was overwhelming.
"Kate," Said he with a sigh.
That was all his mind could process at the moment. He never thought a simple piece of fabric could hug so perfectly a human figure or make it look like a goddess. He was constantly lost in her detective´s beauty on a daily basis; one could think he was used to her perfection. But no, the sight before him left him breathless and short-circuited his brain.
"Hey"
Was she blushing? Yes, she was. A huge grin covered his face. Suddenly his brain was back and could form proper speech.
"Hi. You look beautiful, love." His voice sound huskier than he had intended, but his brain had just restarted, he couldn't ask for more.
"You don´t look too bad yourself, Rick."
He was dressed with a very classy, and expensive looking, black suit, Do Rego&Novoa probably, with a white shirt underneath and a purple tie that matched perfectly with her dress. Truth was, he looked extremely handsome and she was finding very hard to formulate a straight thought, especially with the way those baby blues looked at her… Not that he would ever find out that, not by a long shot.
"Why thank you, Detective. Shall we go?" He asked, as he offered his arm to her in a most chivalry, dramatic way.
She just rolled her eyes, a small smile escaping her lips as she took his offer.
She closed the door behind them and left.
Once downstairs Kate noticed a car similar to the one Rick had used on their first date, it was a Mercedes Benz 300, still looked like brand new and this time it was black. At her questioning look Rick whispered in her ear "I thought a limo might be too much." "This is perfect, Rick." "I´m glad you think so, love." She couldn't help to smile every time he called her that. She wasn´t one for endearments but with Rick… well, everything was different when it came to him.
They reached the car and he opened the door for her, she got inside and he followed. "Where is Alexis? And Martha?" she asked when the car began to move.
"Since she is performing, she and mother went a little early to prepare both mentally and physically."
"I bet she is nervous. I know I would be."
"A little, yeah. She has never performed for this big of a crow. That is why Mother is there, since she´s had some experience with those types of things."
She laced her fingers with his before saying "I think is a great idea."
They were in a comfortable silence the rest of the way and surprisingly enough, Kate snuggled on Rick's shoulder. Since the cabin, she had found that showing affection to him wasn´t as uncomfortable as it should be, even if they had the no PDA rule at the precinct, outside was a different story. But again, with Rick everything was different.
The event was at the school auditorium, and then there would be a little party on the gym that was next to it. According to Rick, this was an annual thing raising funds for a different charity every year. This year was for kidsneedto read; according to Rick it was to supply children´s books to libraries in need and encouraging kids to read more. It had a website and everything.
After they entered the auditorium they went to search for Martha, knowing that Alexis would be behind the curtains with the final touches. They found Martha and Ashley sitting in one of the first rows. Introductions were made and Rick let his fatherly side out the minute formalities were out. "How is Alexis? Is she nervous? Should I go in there?"
Martha interrupted him before he could jump to where her daughter was "Richard, calm down, you'll give yourself a panic attack. She is fine, I just came from there, gave her a few tips. Besides, Ashley here is ready to go to her rescue if the nerves attack, aren´t you boy?" asked Martha in a gentle tone to the boy besides her
"Yes, ma'am."Was Ashley's reply. It was a little quiet but he was very sure of himself.
"Yeah, ok." He slumped back to his seat and Kate squeezed his hand. "She'll be alright"
"I know, it's just…" there was an uncertainty and a bit of shame in his eyes.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" she looked him straight in the eyes.
He sighed and lowered his voice to almost a whisper "I just felt like she didn't need me anymore…" it took a moment to understand that point. "You mean because he asked Ashley to be there for her?" He nodded."Oh, rick…you don't have to worry about that. I've seen the way she looks at you, you're still her number one man, you just have to share that spot with someone else now. She is growing up after all." "I know, I know… I just keep seeing her at 6, with her pigtails, a big smile and a book with her."
She smiled, she always had loved his fatherly side, but it was breaking her heart a little. "I know it's difficult Rick. But even if she's grown up, she'll always be your little girl, when she'll need someone she'll call you. Believe me, I know."
"How do you know?"
"I'm a daughter too."
He smiled and fell in love with her a little more, if that was even possible, and gave akiss to her forehead, squeezed her hand and quietly whispered his thanks. To which she responded with their word, their promise. "Always."
Not long after that, the lights dimmed and the curtains began to move, leaving room for a big stage, lights focused on a boy and a piano. "That's one of Alexis's friend, Nate, good kid." He whispered to her. She observed the boy a little longer, he couldn't be more than Alexis's age, had brown hair and light eyes. He was tall and skinny and had a cute face.
When he started playing, he suddenly looked much older and more mature. The skills of his hands were one to admire and he played the instrument with passion and heart. She closed her eyes to enjoy the very familiar melody of Beethoven's For Elise. After a few applauses he took a bow and focused on the piano once again to perform a very complicated piece, one she didn't recognize but loved nonetheless.
The concert went like that for a while, after Nate there were other kids, some from Ashley's class and some from Alexis's and some youngsters. Finally it was Alexis's turn.
She was dressed in a beautiful grey, strapless and long dress, her hair was curly and down. She had a light make-up that matched her dress and made her look a few years older. She was stunning.
She went up there with her violin in hand, but before playing she grabbed a mic that was a few feet in front of her and spoke. "This song is for the one man that has always been there for me since I can remember; my dad." She smiled and looked directly at him for a moment before continuing. "Since I was very little, I've always loved books and I've had never had problems in buying them. But not every kid is as lucky as I am. That is why kids need to read is very important. It gives the opportunity for kids to develop their imagination and sometimes even help themselves. With your help we can make that happen. Thank you, dad, for bringing me the magic of books."
With that, she went to the center of the stage and began playing the most beautiful melody that Kate had ever heard. She looked to him and noticed a big smile on his face, his eyes filled with pride and love and, yes, tears. With the hand that wasn´t holding his, she gently removed the tears that had fallen down his cheeks, cupping his face and giving him an 'I told you so' look before focusing on Alexis again. In that moment, he couldn't feel more loved.
In case you didn't know.. the charity is a real thing. Sponsored by Nathan in a convention if i recall correctly... www dot kidsneedtoread dot com it's a really cool charity if you want to help out :D
Oh and.. please review :D the next one will be better! ( i think, he.. )
-AC