A/N: Sorry, sorry sorry! I'm so sorry. I know, this story is so neglected! I promise I'm still alive, just buried in real life. And unfortunately I cannot tell you that my updates are going to be any less sporadic. For those of you still with me on this, thank you. Love you, mean it. You're the best. Always, Cassie

"Okay, Reagan, spill it," Eddie sighed.

"What?" he asked. She rolled her eyes.

"What is up with you?" she asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Jamie, seriously. What is the deal? You are so distracted that a guy with a gun could be standing right outside your window and you'd never have any clue. What is going on with you?" Jamie sighed, turning to gaze out the window again. He noticed that they were parked not far from the Central Park Carousel. The realization didn't help his attempts to shake thoughts of Alexis.

He missed her. He missed her a lot, more than he should've for not having seen her for a mere two days.

'Two days, Reagan, get a grip!'

"Jamie, you should just tell me. Just, tell me now and get it over with," she said. He sighed again.

"I met a girl, a while back," he began.

"Clearly," Eddie muttered. Jamie just ignored her.

"Her name's Alexis," he continued. "She's...special, you know? She's smart and funny and sweet. She can carry on a decent conversation, and she's...challenging. I like it. I like her." He gazed out the window, thinking of the pretty redhead that had come spinning into his life and created a special kind of place for herself. "I was with her on Sunday, in the park, and her phone rang. It turned out to be her step-mom, and he dad had been stabbed. She was...a mess. So I went with her to the hospital, and...I don't know, there was just something about her that I can't resist. I felt like I had to be there with her. I don't know." The car was silent; a sure sign that Eddie had been listening.

"Is he okay?" Eddie asked. Jamie nodded.

"Yeah, he's going to be fine. But I had to leave for family dinner, and then they were on my case and I went off at them, and I haven't heard from her since Sunday."

"You've got it bad for this girl, huh, Reagan?" Eddie asked. Jamie shrugged.

"Guess so," he agreed.

"Redhead, right?" Jamie looked up at his partner to find her grinning cheekily.

"How did you know that?" he asked incredulously. Eddie laughed.

"Oh, Jamie," she sighed. "You are really not as smooth as you think you are."

"Easy, Rick," Kate cautioned, her hand on his back as they slowly moved into the loft. Alexis stood back, holding the door open with her fingers as her dad and Kate came inside. "You want to go on to the bedroom?" Kate asked softly. Castle shook his head.

"No, I'll stay out here," he replied.

"You sure, Dad?" Alexis asked. Castle nodded.

"Yeah, I'm positive," he said. Kate nodded and stayed close as he made his way to the sofa. She held out her hand and let him steady himself on her as he slowly lowered himself to the seat. He winced slightly as he leaned back. Alexis appeared with two pillows, and Kate smiled gratefully at her.

"Thanks, Lex," Castle said softly. Alexis smiled at him.

"No problem." She turned her attention to Kate, gesturing to Castle's overnight bag, which Alexis was carrying. "You want this in your bedroom?" she asked. Kate nodded.

"Yes, please." Alexis went to put the bag away and Kate crouched next to Rick. She looked up at him and carded her fingers through his hair.

"How you doing?" she asked quietly.

"Never better," he joked lightly. She smiled slightly.

"You want your pain meds?" she asked.

"No."

"Yeah, you do," Kate replied easily, handing him the pain medicine and a bottle of water. He glared, but didn't argue. She ran her fingers through his hair again, and then grabbed a blanket to spread over him. By the time she looked back, his eyes were already slipping closed. She smiled tenderly and leaned down to kiss his forehead gently.

"I love you, Rick," she murmured.

"Love you, too, Kate," he whispered sleepily. Within seconds, he was out like a light. Kate padded barefoot into the kitchen after slipping off her shoes at the door.

"Is he asleep?" Alexis asked. Kate nodded and smiled.

"Yep, he's out." Alexis smiled at her.

"Will you guys be alright for a little while if I go out?" she asked. Kate smiled knowingly.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. You going to see Jamie?" Alexis blushed pink, but nodded affirmatively nonetheless.

"Yeah, I am."

"Have fun," Kate replied.

Jamie entered the same coffee shop he'd first met Alexis, glancing around in search of Alexis. It didn't take him long to find the pretty redhead, sitting at her usual table. She looked up and caught sight of him, flashing a quick smile.

"Hey," he said as he approached. She stood up and hugged him quickly, the warm vanilla scent and the warmth of her skin getting to him in seconds. She looked him over with a smile.

"Look at you," she teased. "Officer Reagan." Jamie smiled and Alexis couldn't help but be affected by the appearance of his dimples.

"Yeah, every day," he said.

"It suits you," she commented, sliding his coffee toward him. He smiled in thanks and then shrugged his shoulders.

"All part of the job, I guess," he said. Alexis just smiled.

"How's your dad doing?" Jamie inquired.

"Better. We brought him home today," she told him.

"That's great," Jamie said. "So...what about you?" he asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Come on, Alexis, I know it's not easy. I've been there. Seeing him like that is really hard," he said. "How are you doing?" Alexis paused, gazing down at her coffee in contemplation. Part of her was almost annoyed at Jamie for knowing, but a bigger part of her was grateful, not only for his perception to know that she wasn't having an easy time of things, but also for his obvious care for her that he would ask and be insistent about it.

"I guess you caught me," she admitted. "You're right, it's hard. He's my dad, you know? He's always been strong and steady and reliable. Seeing him weak and vulnerable is..." she struggled to find the right word.

"Disconcerting?" Jamie offered. Alexis nodded.

"Yeah, exactly," she agreed. "I'm trying to be strong for him, but it's not what I'm used to. In crisis, he's the strong one."

"Yeah, I hear you," Jamie agreed. "My dad was shot once, when I was in high school. Joe and Danny were both on the job already, and Erin was in law school. So I got pulled out of class and I went down to the office. Danny was there waiting for me, and I took one look at him and knew that something was wrong." He paused. She studied him, this handsome officer lost in memories. "You know, seeing my dad in the hospital like that...I know it's hard. It took months for me to be even halfway okay with my dad and brothers being out there every day." Alexis nodded and smiled slightly.

"Thank you, Jamie," she said softly.

"Anytime."