AN: So I know I'm going against guidelines here… or so I guess? Anyways, I was wondering if you're all still interested in reading more? I know I kind of abandoned this one. Life came in the way and then when I was free enough I'd forgotten about this one and written something else. I'll give you a sneak peek and let you decide wether I should continue with it or no.

Previously….

"Ok… Do I at least get a tour of this place? I'm guessing it's way larger than my imagination"

"Large enough to hold two runways"

"That's a minimum of 2.5 miles!"

"2.8 miles. Come, let's take you around"

"And do we get to continue our game of 20 questions?"

"Er.. Yeah. Sure"

"Can I go say bye to Lexi at least?"

"Sure" he nodded but she could see the second of hesitation. He wasn't just trying to protect himself was he? No, he was protecting Alexis as well. He's always ben protective, now he's like an over protective platinum made alien on steroids. Huh?

She decides to let that be an issue to tackle for another time. Another time? seriously you've already made your mind up haven't you Kate? What? Shut up! I've done no such thing! I need to beat the shitz out of my mental self… how do you even do that?

Mental ramblings aside, she finds herself at a deep wood door with Alexis's melodic voice filtering through as she probably sings to some songs. She's responsible for Alexis's lack of normal life isn't she? Hesitant herself now, she knocks on the door timidly. The singing stops and then footsteps are heard. Then the door swings open and there she stands.

Not that she didn't see the girl earlier but now she can look at her, really look at her. She's taller than they last met. Duh Kate, last time you met her was 10 years ago… you were so dead set on getting away from Rick that you even abandoned little Alexis. She can't help herself, she just embraces the girl, who frankly goes stiff with shock before responding. Well who can blame her? Once Kate realizes her hug had turned borderline awkward she steps back and puts on a grin for the girl. "Your dad's showing me around the place and making me meet all these amazing people you just rambled about so I thought I'd say by- I mean, I thought i'd say I'll see you in a bit" Alexis nodded with a smile, her sharp mind had obviously caught on the transition from saying 'bye' to 'see you in a bit' the latter held hope. "Good" she replied with a little grin of her own. She couldn't be blamed for feeling like she shouldn't get attached to Kate.

Kate realized her little attempt probably wasn't received as well as she'd wanted it to be, so she just walked back to where Rick stood waiting for her. His face betraying absolutely nothing. She huffed inside her head and walked ahead as if she actually knew where she was going.

Always trying to act like she has the world under her command…. oh Kate you haven't changed. Rick smiled on the inside and just tapped her on the shoulder when she seemed to be walking in the wrong direction. "This way Detective"

She shot him a glare followed by an apologetic blush but got no reply because his phone started ringing. She watched his features morph for a minute second, betraying he wasn't expecting this, before he obviously covered it up to retrieve his phone and press accept. She tried not to snoop but as they say it, curiosity killed the 'Kat'.

"Agent Danberg, of course…. hello, yes…. my apologies,… no… no not at all. Yes…. yes I'm positive about it. Fine thank you. I'll talk later" And with that the talk was over. Kate counted the Yes's and No's in her head and secretly wondered if that was the most yes's n no's she'd ever heard exchanged in a single conversation. She realized Rick was studying her instead so she let an eyebrow shoot up. "Sorry about that" he mummered. "Ellie called"

"I guessed as much"

"Yes, I might have forgotten her in puerto rico in a rush to reach you before the assassins"

Beckett's mouth fell open.

Castle tried his best not to blush but he couldn't help duck his head for his foolishness, he knew he had just made a great mistake revealing so much to her. Oh don't be an ass, it's not like she didn't know already, you should've thought of this while screaming 'I love you' to her bleeding injured, almost corpse!

While Castle rambled mentally, Beckett seemed to have recovered and tilted her head slightly. "So my question. Why join SHIELD? and which way are we headed?"

"Hey that's two questions Detective. Not the rules. And we're heading to the gym, thought you'd like to see it"

"You still didn't answer my question" she reminded as she followed him down the endless halls and corridors, each just like the last, separated only by the numbers on each door.

"I needed to be fast enough" he barely whispered and then picked his pace, his footsteps suddenly hitting the ground harsher as if he were kicking into the floor while Kate stood there still for a long second, staring at him. She didn't have to ask him another question to know what he meant.