CH34

Yes there is a reason for Kate's actions with Alexis. At least from Kate's point of view coming up in a few chapters. The reader gets to learn when it is part of the story. When Kate is ready to tell Castle the reader get's to learn also.

I know what it looks like. Wait a few chapters and let her explain. If it's not enough, then you can shoot me.

Hint - This is also a big turning point in their relationship. There is a big one coming soon. This one just hits closer to home. Kate doesn't let people see her heart or her past easily.

And yes Jim shows up at this time. I haven't forgotten him.

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Kate had stayed up with him and watched him work. She never said a word, didn't want to shock him and have him make a mistake.

It was interesting how it was Jack who was telling him what to do. What parts of her to fix next. Yes Rick did the work but all the right moves to make came from Jack.

Why couldn't Jill do that too? Was it because she wasn't whole? And what would this new gem do for Jill and for her? Did it used to be a part of Jill in the first place or was it from someone, something else? Did it really matter now that it would be attached to Jill?

Finally. "Ok Jack, run a scan for me." Rick had stopped and sat up straight.

"Scanning, ….. Scan complete. The installation is within operational tolerance. I would suggest that Jill do for this gem what she did for the last one. Access it slowly and let it become a part of her. A sudden surge of new information could be overwhelming and result in a malfunction or worse." Jack tells them.

"Ok, let's get you back on Kate again." Rick hands Jill over to Kate who promptly re-attaches her to her ankle.

"How do you feel?" Kate asks.

"I'm fine. I plan on following Jack's advice same as last time. Based on the experience last time I would suggest that you be ready for anything Kate. I do not yet know what this gem does to me or to you yet." Jill cautions her.

"I'll be ready. I hope." Kate responds back.

"Where's Alexis?" Rick asks Kate.

"It's long past her bedtime so I put her to bed." Kate explains.

"I suppose that explains my headache." Rick comments. Rick had been up to long concentrating hard.

"You want something for it?" Kate asks concerned.

Rick pulls Kate over to him while still sitting and holds Kate close, which places his head just about breast height. While Kate holds his head there in her hands. "Just you." Rick tells her.

Kate bends over a little to kiss the top of his head. "Then let's get you into bed. I have plans for you." Kate tells him. Then releases his head and steps back while pulling him up. Then leads him to the bedroom.

Kate woke in Rick's bed and found herself draped all over him like he was some kind of cuddle pillow. It felt great, and she had to smile. Kate also knew her night had been nightmare free.

What was it about sleeping with Castle's, Alexis or Rick that made her nights so comfortable? Kate decided not to worry about the how and just melt into the now. It felt too good to question just why right now. Maybe later she would wonder and solve the question then.

Kate had finished showering with Alexis in the morning and then did their make-up, got dressed and was headed for the kitchen. They both found Rick already there and with breakfast waiting for them both.

They discussed what to do on Kate's days off for the next two days starting tomorrow. It was late July now and they had all heard about the latest Hurricane that was headed for the Caribbean islands. It was weak now but was expected to grow in strength. While where it would go was still speculation, it was possible it would go over Cuba or Florida and then out into the Gulf where it would gain strength.

Now all this would take days to happen, places like Florida would probably be in Hurricane lock down mode if they went that way.

So Rick had suggested getting out of town but staying relatively close. Using Rick's laptop they looked in a relatively tight circle and decided on Montreal.

Rick said he would make all the reservations needed. They would fly out when Kate got home tonight.

Rick gave her another coffee to-go mug at the door along with a long soul searching kiss that had Kate weak kneed, and the Rick goosed her out the door. "Castle?" But she floated down the hallway to the elevators none the less.

Rick had finished his shower and was dressed and doing research on Montreal when Jack interrupted him. "Richard you need to turn on the local morning news."

Rick got up and found the remote and turned on the TV.

"Today's top story is about the New Jersey Senator and his admission to a local hospital. Sources have indicated that he was admitted due to a complete collapse of his kidneys. This has resulted in an emergency use of a dialysis machine.

In medicine, dialysis (from Greek dialusis,"διάλυσις", meaning dissolution, dia, meaning through, andlysis, meaning loosening or splitting) is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood, and is used primarily as an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure.

There has been no word on if the Senator is going to step down from his position due to this illness at this time."

"Let's see how they react to a shot across their bow." Rick comments to himself and he turns the TV back off and goes back to his research.

Once done. "Jack we are going to need a new disguise and an appointment with the Senator in Massachusetts the day after we get back. No doubt they will need another shot across the bow. …. How goes the money relocation?"

"They have managed to find the next two locations it was sent to. However the last one was over a day ago. It is possible that they have come to a conclusion that they will never catch up and have stopped trying." Jack tells him.

"Yea, with that much money at stake. Not likely. Keep moving it around Jack.

How long can you keep this up until you run out of locations to hide it?" Rick wonders if he needs a new plan.

"I will run out of banks about the time of Halloween." Jack tells him.

"Not likely we will be done by then. These people have too much at stake to give up that quickly. Ok remind me a week or two before that day comes and we'll find something to do with it." Rick tells Jack.

"Understood." Jack responds.

"Now what do we do about this mole in the 12th that is keeping tabs on Kate?" Rick ponders out loud.

"Maybe it is time to visit and old friend and get a complimentary tour." Rick wonders.

And after picking up what he wants he heads for his car for a drive to the 12th.

Kate was nowhere in sight when he got off the elevator. Probably a good thing since he would likely go over and kiss her sense less.

"Roy old friend, how is your day going?" Rick asks entering his office watching him do paperwork.

"Rick, what brings you here?" Roy gets up and shakes his hand.

"Can't a friend just come in and check up on him?" Rick counters.

"He could but since I know you, you have an ulterior motive and it's probably going to get both of us in trouble." Roy counters.

"Ahhh the good old times." Rick gets all misty. "I was wondering if you would like to give a friend a tour of your haunt, since you finally made it here."

"I think I can spare you a few minutes." Roy relents, mostly to get away from the paperwork even for a few minutes.

He takes Rick around each floor showing various rooms and what they do. With Rick leaving little somethings behind as he goes.

Finally they are downstairs outside the morgue when Roy takes his leave and heads back to his office. Rick opens the door and goes inside finding Kate with Lanie going over the case about Elizabeth.

"Ladies." Rick announces himself.

Kate whips around surprised. "CASTLE?"

Lanie senses a moment is needed. "I need some supplies so I'll be right back." And goes out the door Castle came thru.

After Lanie is gone. "Castle what are you doing here?" Not sounding mad, just surprised.

"Would you believe I came down to see you because I missed you?" Rick asks stepping up to her.

Kate just stares at him with. 'I don't believe a word.' on her face.

"Fine, I came to visit Roy and see how my old friend was going these days. And asked him for a tour of his digs. He left me outside the doors and went back to his paperwork." Rick admits.

"So you didn't come here to see me?" Kate asks not sure if she is upset or not.

Rick places his hands under her arms and lifts her onto an empty exam table. "Not that I'm not sorry I found you though." And kisses her.

Breaking from the kiss. "Well I guess I won't shoot you then." Kate breathes into his lips.

Rick kisses her again and soon his tongue is asking for entrance. Kate lets him in and is kissing him back while their tongues explore every nook and cranny and soon switch to dueling tongues.

Kate's hand finds its way down and finds that she is having an effect on Castle and she starts rubbing him outside his pants.

Rick's hand has found its way to one of her breasts and is trying to get her nipple as hard as he can.

Kate moans into the kiss and is so lost in what they are doing to each other that neither notice Lanie return. "Would you two like me to come back later or do you want to go get a room?" Lanie asks them.

Kate jerks and breaks from the kiss and takes her hand back and turns a brilliant shade of red. Having been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, literally.

Kate takes a moment to find her voice. "Lanie, this is Richard Castle. Castle this is Lanie Parrish. She's the ME here and my best friend." Kate introduces them.

"Lanie, it's a pleasure." Rick shakes her hand. "I should let you two get back to work. I'll see you when you get home." Rick tells Kate and then gives her a quick kiss that Kate returns.

Lanie turns on Kate as soon as Rick is out the door. "So were you going to do him on the exam table? And what does he mean 'When you get home?'" Lanie asks with her arms crossed.

Kate is dead and she knows it. "No we weren't going to have sex on your table." Kate tells her, not sounding very convincing though. Since Castle had left her still on fire.

"And the 'See you at home' part?" Lanie questions looking Kate over like she had a chance of getting out of here without an answer.

"I, …. I may have moved in the other day." Kate whispers out.

Lanie squeals loud enough to break glass and yanks Kate down off the table and hugs her as tight as she can.

"Oh sweetie I'm so happy for you. Alexis loves you, you know that?" Lanie tells her after letting go of her.

Kate blushes again. "I know Lanie, and I love her too." Kate finally admits to her.

"And Castle?" Lanie plunges on since she had Kate talking, and without alcohol.

Kate nods her head. "I love him too."

Lanie looks like she is about to burst she is so happy. "And have you told him that yet?" Lanie asks knowing Kate.

Kate shakes her head.

"And why the hell not? Do you want me to chase him down and drag him back here?" Lanie asks because she will.

"No I'll tell him." Kate tells her.

"When? On your death bed?" Lanie pushes.

"Where flying out to Montreal when I get off work tonight. I'll tell him before we get back." Kate tells her.

"He's flown you out to the Bahamas, then down to Nassau and now to Montreal. Girl you better hurry up or he's going to start thinking you only want him for his money." Lanie chastises her.

"It's not about the money Lanie. You know that." Kate counters.

"Girlfriend, I know that but does Castle know that?" Lanie gives her a glare.

"I know, I know. I'll talk to him." Kate relents.

"And have you talked to him about your mom?" Lanie digs a little more. Praying Kate will talk to him.

"We'll talk Lanie. I promise." Kate tells her.

"Don't tell me girlfriend, tell you. Otherwise you'll leave it until it's too late." Lanie advises, praying Kate will listen.

Kate sighs, knowing she's right. "I've already told his mother, I'll talk to Castle while we are in Montreal. I promise." Kate tells her.

"You better or I'm going to slap you silly girl. …. And Kate, have fun." Telling Kate as she shoos Kate out the door. "And I expect details girlfriend."

Kate only made a little progress on their latest case before going home. Unlocking the front door she is immediately greeted by Alexis who slams into her and hugs her. Kate swoops the girl up into her arms. "Where's your father?" Kate asks her.

"He's in his room packing for our trip. I'm already packed." Alexis tells her.

"Good for you. I guess I better get started packing too." And Kate starts to put Alexis down but Alexis holds onto her.

"Kate?" Alexis whispers out.

Kate looks into her eyes while still holding her. "What sweetie?"

"I'm glad you are going with us. I love you." Alexis tells her.

Kate kisses her cheek. "I love you too."

"Do you love dad too?" Alexis asks afraid of the answer.

Kate looks at her and strokes her cheek with her free hand. "Yes I do sweetie." Kate tells her.

Alexis responds by wrapping her arms around Kate's neck. "I think dad loves you too." Alexis whispers to her.

"I need to talk to you and Castle while we are in Montreal. It's important to me." Kate tells her.

"Are you going to tell dad that you love him?" Alexis asks hoping.

"That is part of it, but there is a lot more to it than that." Kate tries to explain.

"Is it important to you?" Alexis asks curious what it is.

"Yes, it's very, very important to me." Kate's tears start.

"Then it's important to us too, because we love you." Alexis tells her seeing the tears.

Kate starts to melt into a puddle all over the floor. Kate starts giving her multiple kisses. "Oh sweetie!"

Kate can feel her heart pounding in her chest trying to get out. Kate just hugs Alexis tightly while still holding her. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her. Anything.

Kate found herself on the same private jet as last time. It was a quick flight from New York to Montreal.

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