Hi there my dear readers! :)

I am so very glad y'all enjoyed the last chapter! And to answer a question I received a few times...yes, I did have High School Musical 2 in mind while writing the sprinkler/fountain scene. I couldn't help it haha. Anyways, please feel free to leave a review and tell me your thoughts! It is greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 10]

"Come back here, you little minx!" Rick screamed, getting up and chasing after a shrieking Kate.

She was running from him because she had pushed him down flat on his butt when he wasn't looking. He landed right next to a sprinkler, getting completely soaked. As soon as she pushed him, she ran.

"Gotcha!" Rick cheered, finally getting her.

With Rick's arms wrapped securely around her waist, Kate laughed. "Yes, you got me. Congratulations."

Rick kissed her on the cheek, grinning like no other. A phone began ringing, they both turned toward the bench. Rick sighed, letting go of Kate and walking to the bench. He picked the phone up, careful not to get it wet. And he lit up when he saw who was calling.

"Hey, Alexis," Rick greeted.

"Hi, dad. How's your date with Detective Beckett going?" The teenager questioned, smirking. Rick glanced at Kate, who was twirling in a circle a few feet away, not wanting to eavesdrop on his conversation. She looked so beautiful. So peaceful. "Dad? You there?"

"Huh? Oh, the date. It's going really well! Kate is full of surprises."

The smile Alexis had on was evident in her voice. "Good! I'm glad."

Rick sat down on the bench. "So, what's up, Pumpkin? Everything alright?"

"Well, Shelby called and she needs help with a science project that's due tomorrow. I was just wondering if it'd be okay if I could go help her."

Rick smiled to himself. His daughter was way too responsible for her own good. "Of course you can go, sweetheart. Just make sure you text me when you get there."

Alexis snorted. "Duh. Oh and Shelby says that I can spend the night. That okay?"

"What about school?"

"She said that she can take me."

Rick hesitated. "Okay...that's fine."

Alexis squealed on the other side of the line. "Yes! Thanks, Dad! I love you! Tell Detective Beckett hello for me!"

"Love you, too. And I will. Bye." And he hung up, a small smile on his lips.

Kate walked over and joined him on the bench as soon as she saw him finish the call. "Who was that?"

Rick glanced at Kate. "Alexis. She's staying over at her friend Shelby's to help her with a last minute science project. She says hi by the way."

"That's nice of her," Kate commented, leaning into his side.

Rick nodded. "Yeah, it is."

"She's a good kid, Rick. You've raised her well."

He kissed the crown of her head, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "All I did was do my best with her and tried not to screw up too badly."

"She's turned out to be a smart, amazing, strong-willed young woman. You should be very proud."

Rick's arms wrapped tighter around Kate, pulling her close. "I am very proud."

Kate smiled, her chin now resting on his shoulder as she stared at him. He was so handsome. A bit of stubble was coming in and it brought her back to the good ol' days with their first few cases together.

Rick let out a sigh. Checking the time on his phone, he said, "It's getting late. We should go."

"Okay."

The two stood up, gathering their things and making their way back to the car while holding hands. Neither wore their shoes, hanging onto them instead.

"W-would you like to come over?" Rick wondered as they got into the Ferrari, tossing their things in the back seat. "I promise no funny business."

Kate shook her head, looking down. "I don't know if that would be a good idea, Rick...I should really go home."

Turning in his seat, he reached for Kate's hands. This made her look right at him. "Please, Kate," he begged. "I just want to spend more time with you. We can get a change of dry clothes and watch a movie together. Nothing else, I promise."

Kate weighed her options. She could go home alone, take a nice bubble bath and read a book. Or she could be with Rick, watching a movie while cuddled on his couch. She bit her lip, thinking. Her mouth curved up. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

Rick looked confused. "What?"

"Are we gonna sit here all night or are we going to get some dry clothes on and watch a movie?"

He beamed. Leaning over, Rick pecked Kate on the lips. "You're extraordinary."

"I know," she said as Rick started the vehicle, booking it for the loft.

"You sure know how to show a girl a good time there, Mr. Castle," Kate laughed as they reached his floor.

Rick chuckled, walking Kate to his loft. Both were still barefoot. Kate had taken out her bun allowing her hair to cascade down her shoulders in small waves. Rick's jacket hung on his forearm, his tie loose around his neck. His hair was plastered to his forehead. He opened his door, allowing Kate in first. She set her high heels and purse on a small table near the door. Rick closed the door and placed his shoes and other belonging by Kate's.

"Where's Martha?" Kate asked curiously, noting that the red-headed diva was nowhere in sight.

"Mother is out with some new man. She's been gone since yesterday afternoon...so, I don't think we'll be seeing much of her around here any time soon." Kate chuckled at that. He grabbed her hands, smiling. "I'll be in the shower. You are more than welcome to do the same. The guest shower is loaded with everything you'll need," Rick nodded toward the stairs. "And I'm sure Alexis will have some clothes you can borrow."

Kate reached up and cupped his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Their lips met, both sighing into the kiss. It was short but sweet. "Now, get," Rick said, giving her a little push toward the stairs.

She gave him a look, the same look she had given him at Sprinkles. That smoky, haughty look. Rick gulped, nodding slightly before retreating to his bedroom. Stripping himself of his wet clothes, Rick turned the shower all they way to hot and stepped inside. The water pelted down, hitting his body. The burning hot water felt good on his skin. He quickly washed his hair, rinsing it out, bubbles spiraling down the drain.

Turning off the faucet, he got out and grabbed a towel, placing it around his waist. Making his way to the bedroom, he got a pair of clean boxers, gray sweats, and a white t-shirt. Changing quickly, he grabbed his wet clothes and went to the living room not seeing Kate. She must've been in the shower still because he could hear water running.

After putting his wet clothes in the laundry room, he heard his phone beep. Walking over to the front door, he picked up his phone from the small table and read the text message. Alexis had arrived at Shelby's safe and sound. He replied fast, telling her to have fun and that he'll see her tomorrow afternoon. Then Rick decide to get things set up for the movie. While the popcorn popped in the microwave, he put together a fort for the two of them, placing as many pillows and blankets in it as possible. It was very squishy and soft, a perfect balance.

Upon hearing footsteps on the stairs, Rick looked up to see Kate. Her hair was down, a bit curly from being wet. She had on a pair of Alexis' plaid pajama bottoms that ended at her ankles. The gray shirt she wore had the Batman logo on the front.

"Hello there," Rick greeted. "Feel better?"

Kate made it down the stairs. "Much better. A shower was just what I needed."

"Good!" The microwave beeped, signaling that the popcorn was ready.

Taking a deep breath, Kate asked, "Are you making popcorn? It smells good!"

"Yes, ma'am." Rick went over and opened the small door, taking out the popcorn and dumping it in the large bowl.

Kate meandered to the kitchen, leaning on the counter. Her arms braced against the cold marble. "So, what movie are we watching?"

Rick poked her in the nose gently. "That is up to you. I will watch whatever you'd like."

Kate peered over her shoulder to look at the fort he made and smiled. She saw the flat screen and all of the DVDs that covered the shelves. Trudging over, she knelt down and began skimming through her options. Wanting to pick the best movie possible, Kate took her time deciding.

Rick with the bowl of popcorn in hand, sunk down into the fort, making himself comfortable. He was just in reach of Kate. Raising a foot, he tapped her on the ass and then looked away as if he had no idea what just happened. "Rick..."

"What?" He asked, innocently.

She didn't turn around, her focus on the movies. "Did you just kick my butt?"

Stuffing his mouth with a handful of popcorn, he replied. "I have no know what you're talking about."

"Uh-huh, sure."

Rick giggled to himself, eating the popcorn a handful at a time. "Are you done yet?" He wined, kicking her gently on the ass a few more times.

"If you kick me one more time I'm going home," she teased, reaching up to grab a DVD.

He immediately stopped, pulling his foot away. He mumbled, "Sorry." The detective put the disc in the DVD player and hit play, the previews starting. Climbing into the makeshift fort, Kate cuddled into Rick's side and began to eat some popcorn. "What are we watching?" He asked her, his arm over her shoulders.

Kate poked him in the side. "You'll find out soon enough, Mr. Impatient. It's a good one, I promise."

Rick tried his best to be patient but he couldn't, so he began tickling Kate's sides, trying to get her to spill. "Tell me!"

"Okay, okay," she gasped, hitting his hands away. "Star Wars! We're watching Star Wars!"

"You picked Star Wars?"

Kate snorted, catching her breath as she went back to hugging his side. "Duh. Who doesn't like Star Wars? It's a classic."

"You'd be surprised," he declared. "Okay, please tell me you picked the original. I love all six films but I'm not a very big fan of the prequels..."

"Yes, it's A New Hope. And I agree, it's the best one out of the six." Kate then grabbed a large handful of popcorn and shoved it all in Rick's mouth. "Now, shush it's starting."

There you go my dears! :)

I hope you liked it! Please leave a review with your thoughts! They are always welcome! And who knows, if you review more y'all may get updates faster...hehehe. I am trying to get to at least 80+ reviews by the time I post the next chapter, so help me out peeps! lol. And if you don't mind spreading the word about this story that would be awesome and greatly appreciated!

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