Considering the massive amount of time between my last post and the one before it, I have decided to give you this now, with the promise that after Thursday my college stuff should ease up for a week or so, so I will try and update quite a bit during that time.
As usual a massive thank you goes out to reviewers and I just have to say that although for this story I've made Josh nice, I just saw the scene when we see him and I don't like him. Maybe I'll write a story where he dies, tragically.
I don't own Castle, which for Josh's sake is probably a good thing.
Enjoy!
All traces of breakfast are gone by the time the trainers arrive, Kate has changed into work gear and Castle has phoned Alexis' school to inform them of her being absent for the morning. Martha has been and gone, her dramatic flair making everyone smile as she tosses a comment at her son before leaving.
"Well, I shall be back tomorrow, Alexis you must tell me everything then, Kate you have full permission to hit him when he misbehaves and Richard, darling. Try not to make a fool of yourself."
With a last nod to the other occupants of the room, she leaves prompting Esposito to speak.
"When you misbehave, she has such faith in you doesn't she?"
"Well, she raised me, she knows better than anyone how much trouble follows me around and you're not really going to hit me. Are you?"
He turns towards Kate as he speaks.
"Well now that I have permission, I guess it depends on how you behave."
The trainers arrive shortly afterwards and are quite taken by the loft, everyone smiles at their reactions, mentally remembering the first time they saw it. They both push aside their awe as Castle introduces everyone.
Pointing out each individual he gives a name and an occupation.
"Well this is Adam and Joel, the crew doing the documentary on us; the pair beside them are Javier Esposito, homicide cop, and Lanie Parish, M.E."
They nod and smile in greeting, each person trying to read the new faces.
"This lovely teen is my daughter Alexis and the woman beside me is Kate Beckett, homicide detective and muse." He sees the glare she sends his way. "Not that she is ever called that, inspiration is more acceptable."
The trainers laugh at her obvious control over the famous author and the man steps forward to introduce them.
"I'm Palo, Latin champion of 2010 World Title; this is Elizabeth, The ballroom champion of 2010. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Palo is tall and his muscles rival Esposito's. The man has an accent, Italian Castle guesses. The woman however is not as tall, with brown hair and when she speaks he guesses her to be English.
"Shall we get down to business; we have been informed that one pair will be working with Palo and one pair with me. Which pair would that be?"
"Well Detective Beckett and I are doing ballroom while I believe that Esposito and Dr Parish have decided on Latin."
He looks round for confirmation and notices his daughter rolling her eyes at his startle reaction to the woman's brisk no nonsense attitude. Turning to Kate he confronts her on this, trying to hide his smile.
"Look, now she's doing it. You've poisoned my child against me. How could you?"
"Quite easily, you didn't make it very hard, just a few conversations about boys. It's amazing how not overreacting is so good."
Her face splits into a grin as his face reacts to her words. Behind him Alexis also bursts out laughing, before taking control of the situation.
"Oh Dad you can be cool too, Kate's just brilliant at it. Now shouldn't we get back on topic?"
"In a moment, you called her Kate." He turns to the woman in question. "She called you Kate, why can't I?"
"Castle, seriously. Get back on topic."
Turning back to the highly amused trainers he discards the conversation but vows to seek answers one day.
"Right so, will you be keeping your dance choices secret or will you share it with your friends seeing as they're dancing a different style."
"Both?"
Lanie interrupts him, having already thought it through and spoken to Alexis about it.
"I'll be telling Kate what dance we're doing and probably the song but no details about moves, I think that's fair and doesn't get in the way of gossip. Also Alexis should get to know that details on both, seeing as not only she'd get more out of it. She's the Castle that can keep a secret."
Alexis beams happily at her words and almost runs over to hug the woman, while Castle just stares at her. Shaking her head Kate addresses the trainer.
"So what happens now?"
"Now we sit and talk, decide on a dance or an angle for it, possibly a song which we could start from. Or perhaps if we talk about the dynamics of the partnerships, a direction could be chosen."
They all sit down in the living area, Lanie and Esposito curled up together on one sofa while Alexis takes a chair, leaving the other sofa to Kate and Castle, The trainers take stools from the kitchen, stating that it's best. Unspoken agreement makes Kate and Castle the first pair to scrutinise. Lanie speaks first on the matter.
"Those two are so cute; they can practically read one another's minds. And they finish one another's sentences. They don't even realise they're doing it."
"Not quite the best place to start Miss Parish, perhaps a basic recount of them meeting would be a better choice."
Esposito tells the story, everyone interested at his version of events. He doesn't go into details and keeps it brief and focused on them.
"Well there were murders based on his books so she brought him in for questioning and the verbal sparring was pretty cool. He annoyed her and she ignored his remarks. They kind of solved it but then he stole the file so she arrested him but then realised he was right and they hadn't really solved it. Then they figured it out and she went to get the guy but he wanted to follow so she cuffed him to the car. He escaped and got held hostage by the guy but fluked his way out of it.
"They spent most of the time arguing with one another and then insulting each other after he started following her around for 'research'."
Elizabeth takes the lead for the trainers, taking in the story and the interactions that she has seen between the pair. She begins to almost interrogate them all.
"So basically she's in charge despite his disobedience. Are there any significant events where he's been in charge?"
"Apart from the verbal sparring, not that I can think of. Personally I think he likes being told what to do. He's almost as whipped as Ryan and they're not even dating."
At this moment Castle decides to try and defend himself.
"No one could be as whipped as Ryan, and besides I'm not."
"Right then what do you bring her every morning."
"Coffee...and a bear claw, but that's just so she isn't mean to me."
"Yeah, bro, we all totally believe that."
Without a reply to counter his friend's he turns to Kate, his eyes trying their best to plead with her, and also his daughter. Alexis chooses that moment to interrupt.
"Dad, he's right, although I don't think you're quite as bad as Kev."
"Kev? When did he become Kev?"
"Tuesday, he took me to lunch remember?"
"Vaguely, did you inform me at the time?"
"No, you were busy, Roy told you once you came out. They took me to Remy's."
He turns to Kate, still confused.
"Castle, how can I know any more about this than you, I was kind of busy at the time."
"Oh yeah, busy. Wait they?"
"Jenny, she had come to meet him for lunch and they decided to drag me along to distract me. They are so cute together."
"So we approve?"
"Yes, we approve."
Elizabeth laughs at her latest revelation.
"So Mr Castle is it safe to assume that you are in general dominated by women."
"I...er...Am I?"
"Yes Bro, you are definitely dominated by women, those two especially."
"I should be glad that mother is not here then."
Smiling Elizabeth decides not to follow that line of questioning further and swaps onto more relevant questions. Ones which require very brief replies.
"So, in your work you have to travel around the city a lot. Who drives?"
"She does, I'm never allowed."
"Ok, Detective Esposito mentioned remarks, what kind of remarks does he make to you."
"Remarks that his daughter will not be hearing."
"Ah, do you argue often?"
"No." "Yes"
"I'll take that as a yes. Can you each think of a word to sum up the partnership?"
"Complicated." "Intense" "Sexy" "Fun" "Rewarding"
Everyone turns to Castle at his word, and he explains himself at their stares.
"What? It is. Together we catch bad guys, achieve justice. You give me inspiration to write and you're great for Alexis. And I'd like to think that I make things a little better for you too."
"Of course you do. If it weren't for you I'd never know Alexis."
They all laugh at this and so in the moment they miss the meaningful looks passing between the almost lovers. In that second they realise the emotions each feels for the other and they can see it reflected back in the eyes that they are currently getting lost within.
When the moment ends, attention is focused upon Elizabeth which gives the pair time to compose themselves and consider what has just happened.
"Right so the dance for you two has to be quite strong, emotional. We'll have to work on you taking the lead Mr Castle but we should take a look at the Argentine Tango."
"The Argentine Tango?"
"Yes, the Argentine Tango seems almost perfect for you two. Technically a Latin dance, it can be seen as two things. A battle of wills where they are fighting one another for dominance or two people becoming one."
Alexis reacts to the words first almost jumping up with joy as she realises just how perfect it is for them.
"It is perfect. I've seen it on TV and I totally agree. You'd well pull it off and I doubt anyone else could do it as good as you two. After all you are always arguing and the dance is a silent way of that."
The duo look at one another, each trying the image out in their heads. Both know that it's basically decided seeing as Alexis is so enthusiastic. Slowly Kate nods and Castle turns to Elizabeth and nods his agreement. This sends Alexis into even more joy and within seconds she is hugging Kate.
The hug is gentle and brief and soon Alexis has moved on to trying to squeeze all the air from her dad's lungs. When she eases up, Castle stretches out an arm and drags Kate in too. He is gentle also, being very mindful of her back and the embrace is also brief as the trio turn to their friends. Smiling knowingly Lanie makes the first step to deciding her dance.
"Well, we need something fast, fun and sexy because we are far too hot for ballroom."
Review, Please.