When Esposito, Ryan and Rick came back from the crime scene around noon, they didn't talk about it. When they ate all together in the break room around 2 pm, they didn't talk about it. They didn't even ask why she was not working with them on this case. By the end of the day, she really thought, well … hope, that they had forgotten. No such luck. They all left together. When they arrived to the parking lot, Ryan said goodnight and went to his car. Kate and Rick were going to her car when she noticed Esposito following them.
"What do you want Espo?" Kate asked.
"Well, you sent me a text telling me we were getting naked tonight so I'm going home with you."
"Oh, ok. Well … I thought it would only be Rick and me but you're welcome to join if you want."She said. "You don't mind, Rick, do you?"
"Oh no, the more the merrier!" he said, playing along with her.
"You two are sick, you know that?" Esposito asked, almost running away from them.
They laughed at him before getting into the car and driving home.
As they were waiting for the elevator, Rick realized something.
"Did the text, which I really hope was addressed to me by the way, mean what I think it means?"
"Yes it does. And it was meant for you, not for Espo."
"Well, congratulations then." he said, kissing her lovingly.
They parted only when the elevator opened in front of them. All hopes of starting the celebration night right in the elevator were crushed when their neighbor joined them with his six-year-old son.
Once the door of the loft was closed and locked, Kate felt herself being lifted and instinctively wrapped her arms and legs around him to keep from falling.
"What do you think about eating something before we celebrate? I'm starving." Rick proposed.
"As long as we can make out waiting for whatever it is you want to eat to cook, I'm OK with that."
In less than thirty seconds, Rick had taken a pizza from the freezer, put the box away, the pizza in the oven and sat Kate on the counter.
"We have ten minutes." he said, already kissing her neck.
Before the timer went off, the front door opened to a really happy and exited Alexis.
"Dad! Kate! I'm in! I'm in!"
Both turned to her, trying to fix their clothes and hair.
"What are you talking about Sweetheart?" Rick asked.
"Oh … I'm sorry. I interrupted something. I told you I was going to Paige's … I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's ok Alexis. What are you so excited about?" Kate asked.
"They accepted me!" Alexis repeated, almost squealing.
"Who?" Rick asked, clearly confused.
"The language exchange program! My teacher called my when I was at Paige's and I just couldn't wait to tell you!"
"That's wonderful Alexis! I'm so happy for you!" Kate said, going to hug her, a huge smile on her face.
"Thank you so much Kate. I couldn't have done it without your help. They said my letter was perfect. You should go there, you've written most of it …"
"I just told you how to write it, it's your ideas that they liked. You deserve it Sweetie!" Kate said, still hugging the teenager.
"Dad?" Alexis asked, untangling herself from Kate.
"You … you're going to France for a year?" he asked, already knowing what the answer would be.
"Yes."
"You're going to school there, for a whole year …"
"Yes."
"That's what you really want?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's great then, if you're happy, I'm happy. I'm gonna miss you like crazy though." he said, smiling and hugging her.
"Hey, I'm not gone yet. I have to take and pass my exams first. I have to graduate otherwise they won't take me.
"Somehow, I don't think it's going to be a problem Lex. You'll graduate, I know it. Even top of your class." he laughed, kissing her head.
"You're really ok with it?"
"Of course I am. I wouldn't have let you fill the paperwork if I wasn't. I'm just gonna need some time to get use to the idea of my baby girl moving to another continent for a year, that's all."
"You know what? I think we should go out to celebrate. I also have great news to share with you Alexis." Kate smiled.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Rick Castle arrived at the precinct around eight the next day with three coffees and a box of pastries. Heading towards Esposito's desk, he was surprised not to find anybody there. Turning around looking for the boys, he finally saw them in Montgomery's office. They were facing the Captain and Rick could see the top of someone's head, said someone was probably sitting opposite the Captain. When Montgomery saw him watching in, he indicated for him to come. He left the coffee and pastries sitting on the desk before walking over to the office, hoping they would still be there when they get back.
"And here is the personal mascot of the team, Mr. Castle." the captain said as Rick entered the office. "Castle, this is Detective Lea Keller, she is the replacement for Detective Beckett."
"Nice to meet you Detective." Rick said, shaking the hand of the blond woman in her late twenties. "And nice to know I'm appreciated as a mascot Captain."
"Well, now that you all know each other, I'll let you go back to work." the captain dismissed them politely. " Oh, you have the weekend off by the way so, just use tomorrow to go on with your case and finish your paperwork. And show Detective Keller around."
As Rick had predicted, the pastries had disappeared by the time they got back to Esposito's desk.
"I swear, I had no idea so many cops were thieves. You cannot leave food waiting for more than five minutes before someone steals it. Isn't that against your ethic code or something?" Rick asked, clearly annoyed.
"Well, at least they left the coffee bro." Esposito noted.
"Yeah. I'm sorry but I didn't know we would have company so I just took three."
"It's ok Mr. Castle. I don't drink coffee anyway."Lea smiled. "My mom was completely addicted to the black stuff and … I don't know but I think I don't drink it just to prove to her that you can function properly without a single drop." she laughed.
"You should totally talk to Beckett and try to have her cut back on coffee. It's costing me a fortune!"
"Speaking of Beckett, do you know where she is?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, why is she being replaced?" Esposito asked. "No offence." he added, turning to Lea.
"None taken."
"Bro, it's weird. Yesterday she was here but she didn't work with us on the case. Today she's not here at all and she is replaced. What's going on?" Esposito continued.
"You know what? Why don't you all come to the loft for dinner tonight? With Jenny and Lanie of course. You too Lea. It will be the occasion to know you better. I promise you'll have all the answers you need." Rick proposed.
"Sure, Jenny as something she needs to tell her anyway."
"Bro, there are devices called cell phones now, it's really useful when you need to talk to someone. Maybe you should get one …" Esposito said seriously.
"Well, that's not the kind of things you tell over the phone." Ryan simply replied.
"Anyway, since you don't have a case today, I'm just going to go. I need to go furniture shopping." Rick declared.
"Dude, we have a case," Esposito reminded him. "Did your 'no clothes' night erase your memory? The body we found in the hotel lobby yesterday?"
"Right … I might come back this afternoon then. But I really need to go furniture shopping. Use Detective Keller, she's part of the team now. See you! Oh and dinner's at eight in case I don't come back." Rick said, already walking to the elevator.
"So, what about this body found in a hotel lobby?" Lea asked, curious to work on her first real case as a detective.
O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O
Rick was cooking when Kate came home. She left her things in the hall and met him in the kitchen. He had not gone back to the precinct after all, preferring to prepare his surprise for Kate.
"Hey! How was your day?" he asked, kissing her when she was within reach.
"Fine. Interesting but long." she answered. "How was yours?" she asked, getting herself a glass of water.
"Kate, what's wrong?"
"What? Nothing, why?"
Honey, I know you and I can tell well something is bothering you. What is it?"
"Nothing, you'll think I'm stupid." she mumbled.
"Come on Kate, tell me." Rick almost pleaded, turning the stove off.
"It's just … at the doctor's the nurse said she needed to do some more tests. She drew a lot of blood Rick. What if something is wrong with me? What if …"
"What if they just want to be sure to give you all the vitamins and other stuff and make sure they suit you?"
"Rick, I'm serious!"
"So am I. Why do you think there is a problem? Did the doctor or the nurse seemed concerned?" he asked.
"No … not really. I kind of freaked out when the nurse told me she needed more blood." she admitted. "I have to go back on Monday. Will you come with me?"
"Of course I will if you want me to." Rick said, kissing her forehead. "But I'm sure everything will be fine."
"I hope so. I really set my mind on having a mini you." she laughed, burying herself in his chest. "At what time did you tell the others to come?"
"Around eight. Oh and I invited Lea too. Your replacement. Might be a good occasion to learn more about her."
"You're perfect, you know that? you think about everything." Kate said, kissing him quite heavily.
"I have a surprise for you." he said when they pulled apart. "Follow me."
He led her to his office and opened the door, letter her go in first.
"Rick! What did you do?" Kate asked, eyes wide open, taking in the scene in front of her.
"I bought you a desk so you can work from home if you want."
"But why did you rearrange the whole office? It's your room, I don't want to disturb you when you're writing." Kate said, touched by the gift but uncomfortable at the same time.
"You will not disturb me Kate. You'll never disturb me. In fact, I'm sure I'll have more inspiration than ever before if we're both working at the same time in the same room."
"That's really nice Rick but …"
"No but. Please. I really want you to be there with me. I know you said you 'd prefer to go to the precinct to study but I want you to have somewhere here too if some days you prefer to stay in. Please. Let me do that for you." Rick asked, almost begged.
"Ok. Thank you. But you have to promise to kick me out if I disturb you. I don't want you to lose your genius in writing. I need your books to go on. They're like a drug for me. And if you can't write because I'm here, you have to promise you'll kick me out."
"That's not going to be a problem Kate."
"Promise!"
"OK, I promise." Rick laughed. "I'm sure we'll both enjoy the cohabitation though." he said, winking at her before kissing her.
Just as she was starting to respond to his kisses and caresses, the doorbell rang.
"What is it with people and timing these days? Really!" Rick whined, making Kate laugh as she went to their bedroom to change.