Ch. 8 Take A Win, Take A Fall

Kate woke up and decided it was very much a lazy day. She knew that she had to call Rick, knew she had to go to work, but there was a pang in her stomach that made her apprehensive. Something was off but she couldn't quite figure it out. She slept peacefully enough so there was no startling morning.

Right away, she rose out of bed with ease and began her day. She slid out of her polka dot, cotton, sheets and padded her bare feet through her apartment. She flipped on her record player and waited for the music to start. She didn't know what vinyl she left in there, and smiled when "You Don't Own Me" by the Blow Monkeys came on. Dirty Dancing was one of the first movies she saw that made her feel grown up. She danced around her apartment singing. She quietly sang the beginning, but when the music kicked in, she really got into it.

She bumped into one of her tables and a stack of magazines fell to the floor but she laughed it off and continued dancing. She sang at the top of her lungs, "Don't tell me what to do, and don't tell me what to say, please when I go out with you, don't put me on display cause you don't own me". She turned on the coffee pot and watched it roar to life. She was so wrapped up in her record that she almost didn't hear her phone ring. She dashed to the phone and picked it up on the third ring.

"Hello?" She cupped her phone to her ear in order to hear whoever was speaking to her. Her loose t-shirt moved with her. The hem grazed her knees in its rose colored glory.

"What are you doing there without me?" It was Rick and the thought of him made her smile. "Let me guess, by the sound of it, Dirty Dancing?"

"Yes. Just enjoying one of the less appreciated things in this world, vinyl. So can you come home today or what? Has Doctor Brooks come by? Do you need me there? Why aren't you answering me?"

"Because you won't give me the chance to. Yes, he has come by and yes I can go home. But the results aren't worrisome, so no you don't have to come by."

"But aren't I picking you up?" She sat on her bed and dug her toes into the bed frame. The clicking sound in the background started to drive her crazy and all she wanted to do was shower.

"Yes. You can come in a few hours. How about ten?" The longing was clearly evident but he had to wait for her.

"Deal. I will be there. Maybe I should take off work." The thought of having the whole day with him started to pull her to that possibility and made her heart flutter.

"No. You need to go. You have to find out what happened to those women. I will see you soon enough. Wear something sexy?"

"Careful there. Tread slowly Mr. Castle." She laughed but in all seriousness, she needed him to just pick her up the only way he could.

"Will do. Bye."

"Bye." As soon as she hung up the phone she felt down. It wasn't a certain thing that she could pinpoint, it was just a cloud hanging over her. She knew she was happy that Rick was safe, that he was staying with her but, the one person she talked to for everything wasn't there. Things she couldn't tell anyone else to. Her dad was gone, has been for a while but it never got easier.

Imagine your whole life, summed up into one person, your rock, your anchor, was just taken from you. How would that feel? Well, that was what Kate was feeling. She would tell her dad that she just didn't know what was wrong and he always had the perfect thing to say.

"What would you say to me now dad?" She pulled her fingers through her hair and watched the morning light brighten up her brown hair, creating this golden light. "Thanks for my hair dad. Hell, thanks for all my features. Everyone said I was a spitting image of you and I always appreciated that. I thought you should know." She slid her body off her bed and climbed into a shower.

When she showered, she cleared her head. She tuned out her cases, tuned out Rick and what he did to her, she was free. As scarce as her time in the shower was, it was just enough to make her cloud dissipate. Now, soaking wet and ready to get to the precinct, she padded her feet to her closet.

She stood and fingered the soft fabric that her vintage clothing was made of. Her mother always tisked at her choice in clothing but her dad prided on his daughter knowing who she was at a very young age. No matter how anyone else felt about her clothing, she wore her clothing proudly. She had to go to work but she also wanted to dress "sexy" for Rick.

She flipped past her dresses and stopped on an emerald skirt that ended just below her knees. She grabbed a nice white t-shirt and closed her closet drawers. She went to her dresser and pulled out her favorite black bra and matching underwear. She dug around till she found her thinnest black belt she owned. She pulled on all her clothing and fastened her black belt around her waist. She tucked in her white t-shirt and admired herself.

This is work appropriate and sexy. Score two points for me. Her outfit was a success but her bare feet were just a dent in her plans. She went to her shoes but puzzled at the knock at her door. She hadn't invited anyone over so she was thrown off guard. She made her way to her door casually checking the time. She was ahead of schedule.

She opened the door and paused, shocked at her mother's figure.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to greet your mother? I just got back from out of state. I get back and hear Rick is in the hospital? So, I rushed right over here to see how you are. How are you?"

Irritated. You? "Ok. Just working. You?" She let her mom come in and cringed at the rolling suitcase tagging behind her. "You planning on staying here?" Kate tried not to sound disappointed but her face gave her away.

"Sweetie, I wasn't going to so you can wipe that face of pure terror away. I just came as soon as I could. I just hadn't had a time to go home yet." Johanna sat down on Kate's easy chair and enjoyed the aroma of the fresh coffee, Kate hadn't had a chance to pour.

"What look?" Kate eased right beside her mom and laid her head on her shoulder.

Johanna wrapped her arm around Kate's shoulder and kissed her head. "Is he ok? I mean what happened?"

Kate did something she never thought she would ever do, she cried in front of her mom. She looked up at her mom, with her big, brown eyes tearing up. "I was scared. I didn't know if he would be ok or not. He was in a coma for three days, it felt like three months. He was attacked and he said he doesn't remember anything and I haven't gotten anywhere. I feel like I am failing him. Whoever did this is still out there. How can I catch him? I also have another case that is stressing me out like no other. I, I am really glad you came here." Kate dug her head into Johanna's shoulder and just let her mom console her.

"Oh, my baby. You will find out who did this. But know this," She lifted up Kate's chin so Kate had to look at her, "you could never fail that man. He thinks the world of you, a lot of people do. And that case, the one that's a stressor? You will solve it, I know you will. But, if you need to cry, please cry." Johanna held her daughter in her lap and flashed back to when Kate was three and was upset that she couldn't play outside. Johanna held her the same way she held Kate now, in her arms, rubbing her back and kissing her head.

"I love you mom." Kate's cries became softer and less willing to happen.

"I love you too kitten." Johanna rubbed Kate's leg and smiled. Stuck in the past, that's my little Kate. But at least she looks somewhat modern.

"Mom?" Johanna released her and wiped her daughter's tears off her cheeks. "I also have to confess something." When Johanna nodded her on, Kate felt like a lovesick teenager. "Rick is staying with me until he is better and I am flustered. I have had him over for a couple nights, but this is big. A huge step. What if I go about it all wrong?" She waited for her mom's response hoping the words would reassure her.

"Honey. There is no wrong way to go about it. When love comes from your heart, is it ever wrong?"

"Yeah. It's called crimes of passion." She laughed and was struck with a look, that mom look, that would make anyone pause and evaluate themselves. Kate forgot that out of everyone she knew, her mom was the least likely to laugh about serious situations.

"You will be fine. But I am quite tired. I think I will go home now. Don't you have to go to work anyway?" Johanna slid from underneath Kate, sending Kate back into the chair. She picked up her suitcase and rolled herself to the door.

"Ok. You're right. Thank you for being here for me mom." Johanna was rigid, clearly still finding out how to be a parent to Kate. Kate closed the door at her mom's departure and was left thinking of what just took place.

Did I really let my mom comfort me? Man was I desperate. One glance at the clock left Kate to make a hasty decision. She pulled out her black, t-straps, not sending thought to be casual at all.

Five minutes later, she was out the door counting down the time till she could see Rick.

On Kate's way out her front door, she ran into a woman coming off the elevator. "Oh my, I am so sorry. I was rushing and I didn't mean to." Kate leaned down, right away, and picked up the few items she had knocked from the woman's hands.

"Dear, don't you make no fuss about me. I wasn't looking either." The old woman smiled when Kate stood up.

"Hi. I'm Kate." The woman couldn't have been more than sixty, at the most. Her brown curly hair showed little sign of gray and her body looked sturdy and strong. She pulled her hand back after the woman shook it. "Do you want me to help you carry those things?"

"No. I have it. Beatrice, by the way. Is Kate short for something?" The old woman was taking Kate in and was pleased.

"Kathryn. And I could help you, it's no trouble."

"Well, I like Kate and Kathryn. I just moved in. On the fifth floor and I have this but maybe later we could have some tea."

"Sure. I guess you're my new neighbor."

"What a small world. And may I say, that outfit looks straight out of my closet when I was about your age. Nobody dresses like that anymore. Thank you."

"I like vintage and nobody seems to appreciate it, so thank you. I would love to grab tea later but I was just off to work."

"Oh, of course. We'll talk more about your good taste in clothes. But one last, quick question, where do you work?" The woman was teetering the box and trinkets stacked in her arms.

"I am a homicide detective. NYPD." She flashed her badge and laughed when the woman's face grew shocked.

"You? But you are this little, nice thing. You get down and dirty?"

"I don't see it that way. I see bringing closure, happiness." Kate's cheeks were pink, she was sure of it.

"Well, I guess. Thank you for keeping my city safe. Well, dear, go to work and I'll find you later for tea." She waved to Kate before making her trek down the hall.

"Bye." Kate waved and smiled to herself as the elevator took her down.

"So, Kate is keeping you? Why didn't you ask me?" Alexis kicked her feet up on the edge of Rick's bed and tossed another Swedish Fish to him.

"She didn't ask me, she told me. Besides, can you really argue with her?" He shoved the fish into his mouth and smirked.

"No. When she wants her way, she can be pretty scary." Alexis popped a fish into her mouth. "But, have you given any thought to what we talked about last night?"

Rick's eyes flashed in amazement. "I have given thought and I don't want to freak her out. I mean we are just now going to be spending a long period of time together. I haven't even moved in with her. How am I supposed to ask her to marry me?" He signaled for another fish and happily caught it in his hands.

"I don't know but you love her. She loves you. What more has to be done? And for the whole moving in thing, why can't you ask her after a couple of days? I'm sure she'll say yes. She loves you, you big oaf." Alexis whipped out a package of Sour Patch Kids and cheerfully stuffed her cheeks.

"Yeah and I love her. Duh, but that doesn't mean we are jumping the marriage wagon. And we have only been dating for a few months." He reached for the Sour Patch but she pulled it away from him. "Don't hold out on the sugar."

"Time doesn't matter. When you know you know. You know?" She still withheld the kids and kept them tight against her.

"I know but how do you?" When she didn't answer, he pressed on. "A boyfriend?" She tilted her head down and her cheeks blushed.

"I am not saying anything. But, ask her! If you don't, I will, for you."

"No you won't!" He quickly reached for the bag and snatched it out of her hands.

"Not fair. But fine, if I have to wait, I guess I can. When does she get to pick you up?" She pulled out a bag of gummy bears. She pulled out a few and then traded bags with him.

"Ten. How many more bags you got in that bag?" He tossed some bears in his mouth and smiled.

"Three more. Worms, cotton candy, and two packages of Candy Buttons. Which one is next?"

"Worms and don't you have work today?" He set the bears next to him and focused on opening the worms.

"No work. Day off, thank you. I thought we could spend the whole day together but I was wrong. Is she taking off work to be with you?"

"No. She is busy figuring out who attacked me." He flashed her a look of panic but then broke into a smile to dismiss it.

"Rick! She can't! I mean, sure I want them to suffer but what if they come after you again? Or me? Or Kate? She is determined and strong willed but you have to deter her!" Alexis now stood, panic fresh in her eyes.

"I can't tell her to not find who attacked me. Think how that sounds! If we are lucky, she won't figure it out."

"And if we aren't? Rick, you could lose your job." Alexis sat in a heap on the chair, placed next to his bed.

"Alexis! Calm down ok? It will be fine, you will be fine. He won't strike twice. Besides, I fixed it."

"Yet, he still came after you. Did you find out what he wants now?"

"No. He didn't leave much time to talking. He came up behind me and then the next thing I knew, I was looking at Kate." He set the food aside and rubbed his face.

"Rick, you have to promise me that you won't tell Kate. You can't." Alexis was pleading with him and he knew she was on the brink of tears.

"I can't promise that. I'm sorry Alexis." He looked into her deep blue eyes and waited for her backlash.

"What do you mean you can't promise that? Rick, you could lose your job and go to jail! How could you tell her? She is a cop!" Alexis stood steaming and threatened to leave.

"I can't lie to her. If she asks, then I have to tell. You know that. So, sit down and calm down and don't be mad at me." He pointed to the chair and she reluctantly sat.

"Fine. But don't incriminate yourself. Now pass the worms." She held out her hand and smiled when he threw it at her.

"Nice outfit. Are you dressing up for me?" Esposito smiled while he sat perched on her desk.

"Nice try. Did you find her bag at the crime scene?" Kate was shuffling through her messages and tossed them aside.

"Yes. Why?"

"There might be something in it. Hey, I have to call Lanie but get me that bag." She watched him walk off and he whistled at her.

"Just saying." He winked then walked back to his desk.

"Hey Lanie, have anything for me?" Kate waited while she talked and she closed her eyes.

"Just that the girls were killed the same way. There aren't any fibers or hairs there's nothing. But I think I can get our gun."

"Really? I'll be down there in a few. Bye."

"Bye."

Kate was packing up her stuff when, Ryan walked up.

"Hey Kate. I talked to her last night and she wasn't freaked out at all. She thought my worry was cute. You believe that? Thanks. Where are you going?"

"Lanie has something. And I am happy for you Ryan."

"You look good." He smiled and his cheeks blushed.

She smiled to herself and decided on making him feel even better. "Thanks." She kissed him on his cheek and rubbed his arm, before walking off.

He reached up and touched where she kissed him and smiled to himself.

Esposito walked up and tapped him on his shoulder. "Dude, what just happened?"

"She kissed me." He rubbed his cheek once more then dropped his hand. He walked off with a big grin on his face.

"Dude, get over yourself."

"Sometimes you rise. Did you do what she asked you?"

"Yeah, it's on its way. Sometimes you fall." Espo sat down and picked up the message off his desk.

Ryan rose and smiled once more before saying, "Sometimes you win."