It's late in the loft as Castle sleeps upon the floor.
Above him Kate and Alexis sit talking and eating ice cream on the sofa, completely ignoring the snoring man. Upon the cushion between them a lap top sits, a dancing pair upon the screen. Alexis eyes their movements closely as Kate realises just how close she'll get to Castle.
Both their eyes widen as on the man lifts his partner and spins her above his head. While Kate's mouth hangs open Alexis turns to her.
"Are you going to let dad try that?"
"I...er...Is that actually legal?"
"For our dance I have no idea. I guess we'll find that out at the lesson tomorrow."
They watch further until Kate looks away from the screen, and down to the still sleeping man.
"Ok that one makes me so glad that he's asleep, just tell me that move can't be done in our tango."
"Ah, Kate. The dance they were doing was the argentine tango. Let's make sure dad never sees this. Although to be honest you two could pull it off I just don't like the idea of either of you getting hurt during it."
"Alexis you're so sweet, why can't your dad be more like you?"
As the two giggle happily the man in question begins to wake, confusion evident upon his face. He stretches out and despite herself, Kate can't help but imagine the muscles beneath his shirt.
"And what are you two giggling about?"
Kate almost slams the laptop closed as she refutes his statement.
"I don't giggle Castle, you may have damaged your hearing with your snoring."
"What's on the laptop?"
He eyes is carefully as Kate moves in front of it. He doesn't doubt that they were laughing about him but the nerves he sees in Kate's eyes make him want to find out just what the pair had been looking at.
"Nothing."
"So if it's nothing can I see?"
"Nope, nothing to see, and on that note I should go."
"No, stay. We can watch another movie"
"Castle, it's almost 11 and I have a long day of shopping tomorrow, not to mention our dance lesson."
"You're spending all day tomorrow with us so why not just stay over tonight."
"I've stayed over every night since Monday, my house will feel neglected."
"Somehow I doubt that. Now you know where everything is, I can get you a shirt for the night and no more resisting or I will set my daughter on you."
"But you know I can't resist her."
"No one can, trust me I've tried."
"Fine, but you make breakfast in the morning and no pancakes, I'm sure Lanie will be round pretty early when I tell her to come here."
As Castle walks away he hears his child comment on the M.E. A smile crosses his face as he agrees with them both.
"Lanie is such a shipper and Esposito too."
"I'm not going to question that, come on best get some sleep. Lanie is no doubt planning on dragging us round every shop in New York. I'll text her so she can't spew random suggestions while Esposito breathes in the background. It's just odd."
"Yeah you're right. I'll see you in the morning, night Kate."
Walking to her room, Alexis shouts a goodnight to her dad before turning in for the night. Her dreams are full of dancing and hope; hope that an evolution is about to take place. Who knows, she thinks, maybe tomorrow they'll admit to their feelings.
Downstairs, Kate takes the shirt that Castle offers and goes to change in it while he pours some wine. His eyes nearly pop as she walks back into the room wearing nothing but his shirt. He hides his reaction by handing her a glass of wine and sitting upon the sofa. When she follows suit they are relaxed, sitting together and talking.
"So, tomorrow. It's came so quickly."
"Yeah it has, will your back be ok."
"For tomorrow yeah, it'll be the basics and I'll explain about it. Are you still worried from earlier?"
"Am I that transparent?"
"No, I just know you well enough to tell. When will you stop worrying?"
"He got out once he could do it again."
"He's under twice the security and after the punch Roy got in he won't be trying again soon."
"Roy, as in the captain?"
"He helped with the second arrest, that's why his knuckles are all bruise. Had to use extra force."
"Ah, gotta love that guy."
"So no more worrying?"
"I will try, it was just so scary."
"I know but we're both fine."
"At first I thought it was Alexis, when she was screaming. Then I saw she was fine and I was so relieved and then I saw why she was screaming and I got mad. You had me so worried."
"Everything is fine now, Alexis is happily not hearing this conversation, that guy is sitting beaten up under tight security and I am right here. My back looked a whole lot worse than it was, you know that."
"You jumped in front of my baby girl; you saved her and got hurt in the process."
"I jumped in front of my friend; I did my job and saved the most innocent person I know. I've been in worse pain and at least I'll get a cool scar."
"Extraordinary doesn't seem to cover you any more, you've surpassed it. No word can truly explain how great you are. I'm glad you're my friend."
"No castle. I'm not your friend."
She pauses at the stricken look upon his face but continues to put him out his misery.
"You're my best friend, and you're pretty great too."
"Ooh a complement."
"Repeat that and I will blame this whole conversation on the alcohol"
"You can't, if you do then Lanie will know you had some and she'll not be happy. She's pretending to think that you're still taking the medicine."
Smiling at him she drinks the last of her wine and gently pats his shoulder as she heads to her room.
"Goodnight Castle, and remember no pancakes."
"I'll remember, night."
The two sleep soundly once they manage to sleep, after hours of thinking about the other. By the morning they have both came to truly realise what the other means but neither are ready to admit it.