I think (read: hope) my writer's block is over. Castle is back on television. Yeah!

Chapter 8

After Kate's conversation with Alexis, a little over a week had passed. Kate and Rick had fooled Lanie and the boys around a bit, but nothing serious. Kate thought about it. How come Ryan and Esposito didn't notice anything? They're detectives, for god sakes. Or do they already know?

Kate shrugged it off and walked into the precinct. She saw Ryan, Esposito and Castle together in the break room, obviously discussing something. When she came closer, she saw the newspaper and heard what they were saying.

"Bro, you're number 3 on the Bachelor list. Not bad, not bad at all!" Esposito said.

"Yeah. And even though I'm not single, I'm honored," Castle said. They still hadn't noticed Beckett, which actually surprised her a bit.

"And the best part," Ryan said, "is that number 2 from the women asked for your number!" He then realized he shouldn't bring Castle on any ideas. Him dating someone else was bad enough. But he didn't know how to turn it back, so he shut up.

"Well, guys, that's all really great, but… like I said, I'm not single anymore. Our relationship is serious, and I really, really don't want to screw it up, you know? She's, aside from Alexis, the best thing that has ever happened to me. She's special, we're special and I'm not going to throw it away."

Kate then cleared her throat. "Wow, you're really working hard on the case, aren't you, guys?" She joked.

Ryan and Esposito jumped up, muttered something like an apology and walked towards their desks, trying to find something that could lead to the killer. Kate sat down with Castle and once the two male detectives were out of hearing distance, she started talking.

"So, it's serious, huh?" She asked, still a bit unsure.

"Oh, come on, Kate you know it is." He looked around and then took her hand in his. "I meant it. You really are special, and I really don't want to screw this up. I can't promise anything only that I'll try. If you try as well."

She squeezed his hand. "I know you meant it. And I'll try. Promise." Then she released his hands and left the break room. She noticed that Esposito was gone, but shrugged it off. Probably using the men's room, or so. But he wasn't. He was calling Lanie.

"Hey, handsome," Lanie greeted him.

"Chica. I have a question. If number 2 on the bachelor list would ask for your number, would you do so?"

"Yeah, duh! Of course! What idiot wouldn't?"

He was silent and then she understood.

"Tell me he didn't."

"Sorry, babe. He did. It really is serious, and I don't think there's anything we can do."

"I'm first going to kick his butt, and then I'll kick Kate's. Damn, if they'd just gotten it together already…"

"Yeah, I know. Look, I've gotta go back. Love you."

"Love you too."

Later that day, they finally solved the case. They got a lead, followed it, and totally unexpected it led to their killer. Castle had already gone home while Kate did some paperwork. Around 09 pm she finished and decided to head over to Castle's place.

She rang the bell and waited. When the door opened, she was met with a slightly familiar scene. Castle was wearing his laser tag outfit, aiming his gun at her. When he saw who it was, he lowered it and put his glasses on top of his head.

"Ah, déja vu," Kate said, smiling. "Look, sorry, I didn't know you were having father-daughter time with Alexis. I'll leave you to it."

"No, no, stay! You could join us."

"Oh, no. It won't be long 'till she leaves for college. Spend time with her."

"Dad? Who is it?" Alexis' voice came.

"It's Kate," he answered.

Then Alexis also appeared in the door opening. "Kate, come in! You should really join us! It's fun."

Castle gave Kate a look that told I told you so.

"Really? You wouldn't mind, Alexis? I understand if you want to spend some time alone with your dad before you leave," Kate said, still unsure.

"Oh, please. I spend enough time with him. You belong with us now. You can be with me against dad. It's going to be fun. Please?" She asked, putting on the same puppy dog look her dad sometimes used.

"Okay. I'm really looking forward to make him beg for mercy," she said with a sly smile, and then brushed past him.

Not very long after, it was dark again, with the exceptions of a few laser lights, and 3 people were creeping through the loft. Kate and Alexis had shortly discussed their tactics, and were now waiting for the right moment. Kate spotted him first. She motioned Alexis and nodded. Alexis counted silently to three and then they attacked him.

"Haha! That's it Voltar!" Alexis yelled.

"You're dead! We win," Kate added. Then she laughed. "God, this was fun! I never, ever imagined playing laser tag after my teen years. And here I am, having the time of my life."

"I'm glad you liked it, Kate. And you make one hell of a partner," Alexis said and they bumped their fists. "But… I'm tired, so I'm going to head to bed. Night Kate, night Dad."

"Night, Alexis," they said in unison.

Castle then turned to Kate. "Wanna play another round, detective? I want revenge."

"I'd love to, Rick. But you won't win." She put her glasses back on. "Rebels will always win, Voltar. Get used to it."

Castle turned off the lights and they started their game. After about an hour, Kate had won 3 times and Castle only once. She was listening carefully to hear if he was close by. But he spotted her first, without her knowledge. She was close to the couch. But when he wanted to tackle her, she turned around and shot him. He was startled and tripped, which caused him to fall on her and together they fell on the couch.

"You really thought you could beat me, Castle? Come on, you should know better than that."

"Beginners luck, Kate. Beginners luck."

She smiled and reached up to kiss him softly. They'd already dropped their guns and glasses on the floor. Castle pulled back and removed her vest, then removed his own. He leaned down to claim her lips again.

"You know, how much I love this, I think we should keep it at this. Slowly, you know? I don't want to rush you," Castle said, a little bit afraid of her reaction.

Kate smiled, touched that he cared that much about her to stop himself (and her, if she had to admit) until they reached the right time.

"I think you're right," she then said.

"However, you're allowed to stay the night and cuddle with me," he said, sitting up and pulling her with him.

"I'll gladly take your offer. Lead the way."

He took her hand and they got up, walking towards his room. When they entered, Kate first stood there in awe. It was beautiful, and really Castle-like. While she admired his room, he took an old shirt of his, and a pair of boxers, and handed them to her.

"You can change in the bathroom, I'll go after you."

"Thanks, Rick."

When they were both finished, they got into bed. At first they were at respectable distance, but then she scooted closer to him and spoke.

"Thank you, Rick."

He was confused. "For what?"

"For making me laugh, making me feel at home, putting up with me, sticking around no matter what I do or say, just everything. You're too good for me."

He put his arm around her, pulling her flush to his chest and kissed her hair. "I'm glad you feel at home here, Kate. I'll do everything to put a smile on your beautiful face. And that I would be too good for you, it's not true. And you know it. Stop worrying and sleep, okay?"

She pulled a bit back, and kissed him softly, as some sort of answer. Then she snuggled closer again, and they both fell asleep with identical smiles on their faces.

So, I hope you liked it. And I'll try to post another chapter soon, but I can't promise anything.

Please review, I'd appreciate it!

-xxx-