Martha had plans for dinner but Alexis had no objections, even if she was still a little wary of Kate. Rick refused to let her help as he cooked, insisting that she sit there and relax.

"I would offer you wine but..." he chuckled nervously.

"Only nineteen, not old enough yet." Kate finished with a smile.

"I don't usually do this, you know. Invite barely adults round for dinner." Kate chuckled.

"You didn't strike me as the type. Besides, you wouldn't want to set the wrong example." Rick nodded.

"Exactly. Actually, I rarely invite anyone over at all. Since my divorce, I don't think there has been anyone to invite." He shrugged.

"Meredith right? Alexis' mother?" Rick nodded.

"She fell pregnant quickly and we were very young. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We were together for three and a half years before I found her in our bed with her director." Kate gasped. "Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction too." Kate reached out and covered his hand where it rested on the counter.

"I'm sorry." Rick shook his head.

"It was for the best. Besides, I got that angel, over there, out of it." Rick smiled, motioning to the couch where Alexis lay, with his head. "I don't regret it." Kate smiled sympathetically.

"That doesn't mean you can't be sad about it." Rick smiled, lifting the hand holding his to his lips and gently kissing her knuckles. She blushed.

"Thanks for your concern, but honestly, no regrets. Come on, dinner's ready."

Rick cut up Alexis' food before setting it in front of her and going back for his own and Kate's plates. Kate watched in fascination as Alexis stared at her food but didn't move to touch it.

"You not hungry, Sweetie?" Kate asked gently. The little girl looked up at her with impossibly blue eyes.

"Daddy says we don't eat until everyone is seated." She told her slowly. She quickly dropped her gaze to her lap, where her tiny hands twisted nervously. "I really am sorry for your jeans. I didn't mean too." Kate smiled reassuringly, gently taking the tiny hands in her own.

"Alexis, I'm not mad." Kate assured her. The little girl looked up at her curiously. "You're poorly and daddy jostled you. It upset your tummy, that isn't your fault." Alexis smiled softly.

"Thank you Kate." Alexis smiled. Rick came over and set down the plates he was carrying before ruffling his daughter's hair while winking and mouthing 'thank you' at Kate, eliciting a shy smile and a small headshake.

"Now Pumpkin, if you don't want to eat all of it, that's okay." Alexis nodded and started eating while Rick turned to Kate. "Do you need to call your dad, let him know where you are?" Kate shook her head.

"He uhh, he won't notice anyway." She murmured, keeping her voice low enough to not draw the four year old's attention. Rick frowned and gently took her hand in his across the table, stroking the back with his thumb. "I'm okay, Rick." He nodded.

"I know. But that doesn't mean I can't try and offer you some small comfort." Kate smiled softly.

"Thank you. Now, eat before your dinner gets cold." Rick chuckled and started eating, making Kate smile.

When Rick went to settle Alexis in bed, Kate took her jeans from the dryer and made her way into Rick's bedroom, where he had told her to change earlier. She pushed the door to and pulled off his sweats, folding them neatly and placing them on his bed. She managed to put one foot in her jeans before she heard a soft gasp from the door.

"Rick!" She exclaimed pulling up her jeans and and spinning to face him as she did them up.

"I, I'm sorry. I, uhh, I needed the bathroom and this one was closest." Rick stammered, trying hard to keep the sight of her bending over in black lace out of his mind. "I'm really sorry." He clamped his hand over his eyes and all but ran to the bathroom.

Kate blushed furiously.

Rick was attractive, that much she knew, had known since she'd seen the picture on the back cover of his book. But he was such a sweet caring person, a wonderful friend, a loving father. He was what she hoped would become a really good friend to her. But eight years her senior, she wasn't trying to take that friendship further. And the day they met, she'd bent over in front of him in her underwear. Kate groaned and left the room. This was going to be awkward.

"Listen, Kate, I want to apologise." Rick started as he sat across from her on the couch.

"Again?" Kate asked gently.

"I should have knocked." Kate shook her head.

"I should have closed the door."

"I still should have knocked."

"It's your house, Rick. Don't worry about it." Rick smiled weakly.

"I'm still sorry." Kate nodded.

"Okay. Y'know, if I'd of known I was gonna get ogled, I would have worn something sexier." Rick's eyes slammed shut.

"Kate, don't." He groaned. Kate held up her hand with a smile.

"You're right, I'm sorry." She chuckled. Rick looked at her for a moment before huffing a note of laughter. "I, uhh, I better go. It's late and I have to make sure..." she trailed off, her smile slipping. "I have to make sure dad hasn't drunk himself to death." Rick sighed.

"Give me your phone." She gave him a look but handed it over anyway. "There's my number." He said, handing it back. "Call me if you need to. Even if it's three in the morning and you just wanna know someone's there, okay?" Kate nodded.

"Thanks, Rick." They exchanged smiles before he walked her to the door. "Thank you, for everything." She leaned in and gently kissed his cheek before walking down the corridor to the elevator. Rick waited until the door closed to gently run his fingers across the space she'd kissed with a soft smile.