The talk between Castle and Alexis

Please let me know what you think. Feedback is very helpful.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX

That case was so cool" Castle said as he opened the door to the loft. He looked around to see if anyone else was home. Coast was clear. He relaxed a little. He and Kate walked in and hung up their coat.

"Yea, time traveler phftt! That guy was delusional." Kate said "I never saw lightning, or heard it thunder when he was disappearing."

Castle looked at Kate and wrinkled his forehead

"Lightning?" he asked

"You know in Terminator. There was lightning when Kyle jumped through time, and in the book Lightning by Dean Koontz. When Stephan time jumped to save Laura, there was always lightning." She looked at Castle

"What?" She raised her eyebrow at him.

"Nothing, I just didn't know you were a fan. I didn't know you read Koontz or watched Terminator." He said.

"I had all of Koontz books, until my apartment blew up." She added.

"Oh" Castle sounded dejected.

"Castle, relax! You are still my all-time favorite writer. I read your books until they were worn, and tattered. I replaced all your books. I only replaced Lightning by Koontz.

"Good! You're my one writer girl. You know that thing he said. Do you think I could write serious books?" he asked

"Your books are serious. I think you can write in which ever genre, you choose."

A knock on the door halted their conversation.

Castle checked his watch. "That must be our dinner, I ordered Chinese on the way home."

Kate headed to the kitchen to get drinks and plates. Castle headed to the door to retrieve the food. He paid the delivery girl and gave her a tip.

"Thanks Mr. Castle" she smiled

"See you, next time Anna" Castle nodded as he closed the door.

"What happened to Charlie? Wasn't he the one Hung used? Kate called out from the kitchen.

"He broke his collar bone skateboarding. Anna is his sister. She is filling in for him while he recovers."

"Oh" Kate shook her head. Castle knew everything about everyone. He listened, he studied people. He wanted to know their story. It didn't matter if they were a janitor or a CEO of a mega Corp. He remembered them. She thinks it's one of the many things that make him a great writer. He writes about the details, he writes their story.

Castle walked into the kitchen with the bags of food.

"Do you want to sit and eat on the couch? Or….

"No!" he said a little too loud.

"Let's eat in here tonight." He said softer.

Kate understood. He was distancing from anything having to do with Pi.

"Here is good" she said "Let's eat"

Castle ripped open the bags and set the containers of food on the bar. Kate poured them a glass of water and they sat side by side enjoying the time together. Each of them thankful the other was sitting beside them.

"I've missed this" they both said

They locked eyes and smiled. Castle picked up Kate's hand and kissed it.

"I was thinking" began Castle

Kate waited for him to continue.

"I was wondering. Would like to bring your couch from your apartment, and put it in the office. We are going to combine our stuff and I want you to have your things here."

"Where are you putting the couch that is in there now?" She asked him

"Donate it, place it in the alley for starving artist or Detective Ryan to score…I just don't want it in my office." He stated.

"Maybe you could ask Alexis if she wants it for her place."

He nodded. "Okay, I can't write in there until it's gone."

Kate gave him a hug. "I know"

"I want us to shop for a new Sofa in the living room too."

Kate slid off her stool and began to clean up from their dinner. Castle slipped off his stool and began to help. He wiped the counter after Kate cleared the containers. She put the left overs in the fridge. They worked well together no bumping into one another.

Castle looked at his watch. I think Alexis should be here soon. She had sent him a text while they were working the case. She said she would be there around eight 'o clock. It was ten till. Castle was starting to get nervous.

They heard a soft tapping on the front door. They looked at one another. Castle shrugged and headed to the door.

"Alexis! Why didn't you use your key?" Castle was about to close the door as Alexis stepped through when Pi appeared from behind her.

"Pi, lovely to see you again, and so soon." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Dad!"

"Fine" Castle said through clenched teeth. "Come in, sit take the couch."

I really want you to take the couch in my Office. The sooner the better. He was about to ask if he had voiced his thoughts, when Kate gave him the look. The one that says knock-it-off. He backed off and went to sulk in the chair near the kitchen.

"Why don't we all sit in the living room?" Kate suggested breaking the tension in the room.

Alexis nodded at Kate and mouthed a silent thank you. She headed over the couch and Pi followed her and sat down.

"Dad" began Alexis in a shaky voice. "I'm sorry I broke your rule about being in your office without permission. I never meant for….I wasn't planning on…anything…believe me the last thing I ever wanted was for you to see….." her lip started quivering she was trying to hold it in. She looked up and saw her Dad's tortured face. She saw the pain she caused him. She broke out into sobs.

Everyone froze. Castle looked at Kate as if to say what do I do? I'm so angry, but that's my little girl sobbing her eyes out. Kate nodded toward Alexis and Castle went to her. Alexis stood and wrapped her arms around her Dad's waist. He started crying then Kate started crying and Pi looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

This was not going well.

Alexis was trying to speak she would mumble something unintelligible, and then she would cry harder. It seemed to go on for hours. She finally pulled free from her Dad and sat back down.

"I know that I've made a mess of things." Hiccup "I…I know you think" hiccup that I'm too young to be in….a relationship" hiccup "But…I have to try…Dad, I know I will regret it even more if I don't." She looked at her Dad. Her eyes were pleading with him to understand. She was trying to understand her need to pursue this.

"I do think that you are too young to move in with someone. I think you need to stay in the dorms at least another year. You are still trying to discover who you are, and who you want to be." Castle knew she already made up her mind. He had to try. When you're a parent you want to prevent your children from making the same mistakes you did.

Castle ran his hands through his hair. He didn't know what he could say to convince Alexis she would regret this. "Okay, if you insist on doing this. I won't support you financially. I will continue to pay for your education. The rest is on you."

"I understand, I think that is only fair." Alexis said. "Dad, I am sorry how I handled this." I didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't hate me"

"Alexis! I could never hate you. I'm may not agree with what you are doing. I could never hate you." Castle knew it was over. He was resigning himself. His little girl was flying the nest. As she said in her graduation speech everything changes. Things come to an end. People move on. He never dreamed it would be with the likes of Pi.

"We are going to go." Alexis stood up and Pi almost leapt off the couch to join her. Alexis came and gave her Dad a hug. Then she went and hugged Kate.

Pi didn't say anything he kept his head down and headed to the door.

Kate and Castle walked over to the door as they headed out. As Alexis was going out the door she handed Castle a slip of paper with her address.

He looked at the address and said.

"I was going to ask you if you need a couch. Kate is moving in and we are doing some redecorated. I can have it delivered."

Alexis nodded, "Sure", she paused as if to ask him about the couch and decided she would just leave it alone. "See you later" she kissed him on the cheek and left.

He stood for a moment watching her head down the hall. Then he slowly closed the door.

Kate was there waiting. He took her into his arms and held onto her. He realized he was moving on as well. His future was making a life with Kate.

" I'm exhausted. Let's go to bed."Kate told a weary Castle

"I think that's a very good idea." he paused a moment and asked "Are we having three kids or two kids and counting Alexis makes three?"

"Oh, we are so not having that conversation right now. Bed!" She laughed as she headed into the bedroom.