Hello my lovelies!

I am so glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter! You're all awesome! Thank you for all your support! I could not do this without you guys!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 18]

"Give up, Rick! You're no match against the two of us!" Kate called out as she ducked down behind a pillar near the entrance.

Alexis was on the opposite side of the loft, sneaking around by her dad's office. She silently motioned to Kate to go forward toward the study where they knew he was hiding.

Kate tip-toed over, doing a somersault to amuse the teenager. She lined up with the bookcase, her back right against it. The door was partially open and she could see Rick hiding under his desk, the vest and goggles lighting up the room. She nodded at Alexis who snuck over beside her, flanking the other side of the door. Kate motioned again, telling Alexis when to go.

Kate lifted three fingers. Then two. And finally one.

The girls rushed inside, running over to his desk and firing. "Gotcha!" Alexis cheered, giving Kate a high-five. "I believe that is the third time we've won..."

"And how many times have you won, Rick? Oh wait...none!" The two girls laughed as Rick slowly came out of his little cave, sulking.

"Yeah, yeah," he grunted, raising his goggles and slumping in his chair.

"Dad, why haven't we had Kate over to play laser tag before? This is awesome!"

Rick smirked up at Kate as she raised the goggles, her brown-green eyes shining. "Because she didn't know how to have fun before she met me!"

Kate hit him lightly on the arm for that one, laughing while doing it. "That is so not true! I knew how to have fun way before I met you!"

"Just keep telling yourself that, darling," Rick smirked, earning another smack from Kate.

Alexis let out a laugh as she watched her father and his girlfriend bicker. They are something else, she thought.

Kate began hitting Rick all over as he just laughed in the chair, enjoying the whole situation way too much. He yanked Kate down so she was now sitting on his lap, both laughing.

"Do I need to leave or...?" Alexis questioned, covering her eyes. "I'm happy for you, I am. I just don't want to see it."

Kate got out of Rick's lap, a pinkness highlighting her cheeks. Rick cleared his throat, standing up as well.

"I think we've had enough laser tag for one evening," Rick concluded as he started to take the vest and goggles off.

He received a dual moan from both girls. "One more round?" Alexis pleaded, giving her dad her best puppy dog look. She had the lip out and everything.

"Please, Rick," Kate begged, imitating Alexis.

He sighed, there was no way he was going to win this. They were just that good. Rick took the gear back out causing Kate and Alexis to cheer as they placed their goggles down over their eyes.

"We're only doing one more round, okay?" They both nodded. "And I get to have Kate on my team this time," Rick stated, pulling Kate beside him.

Alexis grunted, crossing her arms. "Fine..."

"Ready?" Rick asked each of them.

"Ready," Kate smirked, the large gun gripped tightly in her hands.

"Ready," Alexis nodded, already in the zone.

"One...two...three!"

"Good night, dad," Alexis said, embracing Rick in a huge hug.

He kissed her on the top of her head. "Night, Pumpkin. Sleep tight."

Alexis moved over to Kate, wrapping her in a fierce hug. "Good night, Kate. Please come over soon so you and I can kick my dad's butt again!"

Kate laughed, hugging the teen back just as hard. "Good night, Alexis. And I definitely will! That was a lot of fun!" The two pulled apart and Alexis headed upstairs. She gave one final wave before disappearing into her bedroom.

The three of them ended up playing four (not one) more rounds of laser tag. And before they knew it, it was going on ten o'clock. Kate and Rick had beaten Alexis the first round, but the teen had definitely handed it to them, winning the rest.

Kate snuggled into Rick's side as they remained by the staircase, neither wanting to move. "You're so good with her," Rick said, smiling down at the gorgeous woman in his arms.

She shrugged, replying honestly. "I just be myself and hope she likes me for me."

"She does. You're such an amazing, strong, beautiful, and selfless woman. I can see why she looks up to you. Hell, I look up to you."

Kate buried her face in his chest, her laughter vibrating against him. Her hands tangled in his shirt, wrinkling it. "How did I end up so lucky?"

"I ask myself that same question every day."

Kate looked up from his chest, getting up on her tip-toes and kissing him. Rick smiled into the kiss, their mouths molding together. He took his time tasting her, his lips sweeping over hers in a very soft, very delicate kiss. But Kate was growing impatient, needing more and wanting more. She bit on his bottom lip and took it between her teeth, tugging on it. Rick groaned, his tongue slid over hers, delving into her, sucking up every bit of her that he could taste. Kate moaned into his mouth, the sensations on overload.

When oxygen became a necessity, they pulled apart. Both of them were breathing heavily, their desire filled eyes locking. The kiss may have started out sweet but it quickly grew hot in seconds.

"Would you like to move this party to the couch?" Rick wondered, still holding onto her tightly.

Kate hesitated, not sure if her staying over another night was the best idea. She had things at home that she needed to take care of. And she didn't want things to get carried away. "I think I'm gonna head home, it's getting late and I don't want to over stay my welcome."

He raised a hand to her cheek, his thumb stroking it. "Just know that you are always welcome here. My home is your home."

Kate nodded, looking down. "Thank you. I just don't think tonight will work out."

Rick sighed, dejected. "That's okay. I understand."

She lifted his face up so he was looking at her. "What about tomorrow?"

The smile returned to his lips. "Tomorrow would be great."

Kate kissed him briefly. "My place or yours?"

"How about yours? It'll give us some privacy and I'd really like to be with just you, no distractions."

"Sounds perfect," she grinned, hugging him tightly. Her arms wrapped around his middle with her hands bracing his back.

He set his head on top of hers, his cheek resting against her hair. "Do you have to go? I'm going to miss you."

"I know. I'll miss you, too. But I'll see you in the morning, okay? I'll come pick you up on the way to work and we can stop for some coffee."

Kate started for the door, grabbing her high heels and putting them on. She braced one hand on Rick's shoulder, helping herself stay balanced. Grabbing her belongings, she opened the door.

Rick leaned against it, his arms crossed. "I miss you already," he pouted.

Kate smiled softly, kissing him soundly on the lips. They were now eye level with one another because she had her heels on. "I do, too," she whispered against his lips. "I'll call you if anything comes up."

"I know you will. You always do."

Kate stepped back and began walking toward the elevator. "Until tomorrow, Rick."

He stepped out of the loft, watching her as she pressed the down button for the elevator. "Good night, Kate. I love you."

"I love you, too," she returned, blowing him a kiss before she disappeared into the lift.

Closing the door, Rick trudged to his office and sank down in his chair. She was gone a whole ten seconds and he missed her like she'd been gone for ten weeks. He'd never felt the need to be with someone twenty-four seven before. That is, until he met Kate.

Rick needed her like he needed air to breath. She was his everything and she was gone. Just for the night, he reminded himself. ''ll see her tomorrow morning. I can do this.

His phone beeped from out by the front door where he placed his things. Standing up, he walked back to the entrance and picked up his cell phone off the small table. It was a text from Kate.

Miss you! :( wish it was morning already! I love you so much, sweetheart! xoxo -KB

He grinned at the sweetheart, surprised that she had put that in the first place. He was about to reply when he got another text from her.

& yes, I did just call you sweetheart! ;)

Rick laughed, smiling. He typed a reply, fingers zooming on the keypad.

Miss you more, baby! (if you're calling me sweetheart, I'm calling you baby. It's only fair) & I love you, too! Always. xoxo -RC

He sighed as he headed back into his study, setting his phone on his desk before going into the bedroom. Rick stripped, donning a pair of navy boxers with a white undershirt. He plopped down on his bed, missing the beautiful detective like crazy.

Kate smiled in the taxi cab after reading Rick's text. He would say that it's only fair that if she got to give him a pet name, then he got to give her one, too. Silly man...

The drive to her apartment flew by as her thoughts were consumed with a certain ruggedly handsome writer. She paid the driver and got out, heading inside. Once on the elevator, she hugged herself, missing him terribly. She'd never been this depressed about not being with a man. She would see him in the morning, it's not like he's gone for months at a time. Get a hold of yourself Kate, she told herself. It's only one night. You can do this.

Opening her front door, she shut it with a sigh. Throwing her things on the kitchen counter, Kate set off toward her bedroom and changed into a pair of leggings and a large shirt. She crawled into bed, missing Rick like no other.

Yay! :)

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