A/N: Sorry this took so long. It has been written for a while but there were editing/email issues. Next chapter is written so should come soon. Then the chapter after that...let's just say it's gonna be good. ;)
"Kate," Martha said stepping out of the elevator, "I am so glad you came with us. That was so much fun." Kate smiled and agreed, stepping odd the elevator herself, shopping bags in tow, with Alexis following close behind. It was nearing five o'clock. The girls had been out for about four hours and after getting lunch they went stopped at a few boutiques and got their nails done. Alexis told Kate all about her classes for next semester, her friends, and Ashley. Martha described, in great detail, her next play, that was coming out in a few days. She even offered Kate great tickets, to which Kate couldn't say no.
"We should do it more often, Kate," Alexis added, smiling.
"Oh, absolutely," Kate agreed. The three girls neared the door when they heard muffled grunts and yelling coming from inside the loft. Panic flashed across all three of their faces. "Martha, give me your key." Martha fished it out of her bag and quickly handed it to Kate. She motioned for them to stay back. Wide-eyed, the two red-heads obliged. She quietly put the key in the lock and turned it with a soft click. Reaching for her waistband she remembered she didn't have her gun. Kate inhaled deeply and softly turned the handle. She lightly pushed the door open and it gave a light creak. She cursed under her breath and pushed it further open. There was more yelling and she peeked inside.
Rick, Esposito, and Ryan were sitting on the couch, completely unharmed, video controllers in their hands and in deep concentration on the game in front of them. When one of the men jostled another they let out a slight yell. Kate let out the breath she'd didn't know she'd been holding. She stood up and turned to Martha and Alexis who were looking at her confused. She motioned for them to join her in the doorway. Martha let out a nervous laugh when she saw her son. And Alexis muttered "Oh thank God." Upon hearing his daughter's voice and his mother's laugh Rick turned his attention from the game to the door.
"Hey, you're back! I didn't hear you come it."
"Our ninja skills. I have been training your family well," Kate joked, not wanting to worry Rick by telling him she thought they were being abducted.
"And you've been excluding me?" Rick gasped.
"Come on Dad," Alexis said walking over to her father, "we all know you don't have what it takes." Rick looked appalled while Alexis just kissed his cheek. The group laughed. "Ow, Dad, you're really stubbly."
"Sorry, Lex, it's kind of hard to lift my arms to shave."
"Oh," Alexis said guiltily.
"Are you two staying for dinner?" Kate jumped in.
"Depends," Espo said, lifting his head when Kate said dinner.
"What are you having?" Ryan finished.
"Pasta?" Kate asked.
"Pasta sounds divine," Martha said and the rest of the room agreed.
"Okay, I'll get started," Kate said making her way towards the kitchen.
"No don't, let me help," Rick started but was silenced by the look Kate gave him.
"Seriously? No. Stay there, I'll just enlist the help of your offspring. Alexis?"
"Of course," the young girl responded, joining Kate in the kitchen. They started rummaging through the cupboards and refrigerator, collecting all the ingredients while Ryan, Esposito, and Castle continued their video game. Martha retired to her rooming, something about running lines for her play. As Martha made her way upstairs, she called down and peaked at the girls and asked them to call her when dinner was ready.
Kate and Alexis talked quietly in the kitchen about a lot of random things. They laughed as Alexis shared stories of moments when she was little and Rick was having a hard time eavesdropping from the couch. Every time Kate's laughter rang through the house he felt something swirl through him and when it was mixed with his daughter's laughter he felt his heart swell.
"I can't believe your dad did that!" Kate laughed.
"Oh yeah, though that's not as bad as the time he tried to deep fry a turkey and burned his eye brows off." Kate had to clutch the counter for support because she was laughing so hard.
"Moment of truth here Alexis, do you have pictures?"
"Well, cameras were banned from the house but…I did manage to get one pretty good one," she whispered.
"Alexis!" Rick called from the couch.
"Uh-oh," she mumbled.
"You swore you deleted that!"
"Castle! How long have you been listening?" Kate asked.
"Long enough to know you will never see that picture and that if my only daughter disobeys my wishes and shows it to you I WILL call your dad and ask for stories," Rick threatened, laughter in his eyes.
"So worth it. Go get it Alexis." Alexis sprinted upstairs.
"Alexis!" Rick called his voice cracking slightly. "You're so lucky that I'm in a wheelchair!"
"Dude," Ryan and Esposito mocked.
"Shut up," he said looking at them.
"No way," Espo said.
"Yeah, I really want to see what you look like eyebrowless." The partners got up and headed to the kitchen, leaving Rick alone on the couch.
"Come on, guys. Seriously, it's no big deal."
"Then why don't you want us to see them?" Kate smirked. That seemed to shut Castle up but after a long moment of silence he spoke.
"Fine. But just so you know," Rick lowered his voice, "I will get even."
Kate walked over to the couch, her eyes never leaving Rick's. She was a few inches from his face and she whispered, "Bring it." Rick opened his mouth for a reply but Alexis came bounding down the stairs, Polaroid in hand, and Kate was gone.
He cringed as Alexis handed the photo over to Kate but she didn't laugh. Okay, she did laugh, but not as much as he had expected and she added, "Not half bad Castle." Ryan and Esposito, on the other hand, looked like they were going to pass out they were laughing so hard.
"Kate I can't believe you," Rick said. Kate suddenly got very worried, thinking she'd pushed it too far. Rick wasn't used to their banter, this could easily be too much for him, Kate thought. But it wasn't.
Rick half smiled. "Turning my own daughter against me; I have misjudged your skills."
"The last time I hope," Kate laughed.
"Don't worry Dad. I still love you."
"I love you too, Pumpkin. Now help me into the kitchen, I am lonely over here." Alexis moved to go help her father from the couch into his wheelchair.
"How much longer do you need that thing?" Espo asked.
"Two or three more days. The doctors just want to make sure I don't tear any of the stiches in my back by walking around. I can stand up a little though."
"Oh. At least you're making progress," Ryan said.
"Yeah, but I'm still kind of blank with the memories, though." Ryan and Esposito looked at Kate. She was laughing not but two minutes ago. When they turned to her, she was still smiling but her eyes were glazed over as she stared at the stove. The timer went off, pulling Kate out of the fog.
"Dinner's ready," Kate said pulling the pasta out of the oven nonchalantly, but secretly trying to change the subject.
"Yo, Beckett that smells great."
"Yeah, since when do you cook?"
"Just because I don't cook for you two doesn't mean I can't cook," Kate stated. "Alexis, can you go and get your grandmother?"
"Sure, Kate," she said scurrying up the stairs. Rick couldn't help but notice the ease in which Kate moved about the kitchen. She knew where things were, she knew how to use things. Rick knew she'd come over for dinners before but he figured it had to be more than that. He'd ask his mother later. But he also noticed the relationship Kate had with his daughter and mother. It was one to be admired. Meredith never got along with his mother and was barely there for Alexis. Rick half-smiled to himself thinking Alexis was right and that Kate was good for them.
Kate walked over to Rick after ordering Esposito and Ryan to put plates on the table.
"What are you smiling at?" she asked. Rick quickly stopped smiling and responded with a cool "Nothing."
"I disagree. Nothing is a dear friend of mine and that was not nothing." Rick smiled again.
"Fine, I was thinking about the pasta. I'm really hungry and it looks amazing."
"That so wasn't it," Kate sighed, giving up and wheeling Rick to the head of the table, seating herself on his right.
"Oh, doesn't it smell lovely," Martha stated dramatically as she descended the staircase, Alexis following behind her. They seated themselves at the table, Martha on Kate's right and Alexis across from Kate. Esposito seated himself next to Martha and Ryan next to Alexis.
"This looks great, sweetheart," Rick said to Alexis, kissing her on the forehead.
"Thanks Dad, but it was mostly Kate."
"Of course, excellent job Kate, but I'm assuming you don't want the kiss."
"No thanks. I'm good," Kate laughed, secretly really wanting the press of his lips against her forehead…against her lips…trailing down her neck. Kate felt her face redden and her eyes flicked up to meet Rick's. There was something familiar behind them as he watched her. It wasn't the look he usually gave her but the look where he saw through her. Kate held his stare, getting lost in the blue of his eyes. Rick felt the thing he'd been feeling since he woke up, but he still didn't know what it was. The slight blush that spread across her cheeks did not go unnoticed but he thought it was adorable, having a few ideas what flashed through her mind, the same things that had been flashing though his since he met her.
The rest of the table sat there awkwardly as Rick and Kate sent love eyeballs to each other. Alexis gave her grandmother a look, the older woman just smiled and nodded. Ryan made a 'eww' face to Esposito who reciprocated by making a gagging motion.
"Well," Martha said breaking the silence, causing both Rick and Kate to jump. "Let's eat." The group began digging into their plates. Kate threw Rick a quick glance. He caught it but she averted her eyes so quickly it made him think he'd just imagined it. For the rest of the meal an embarrassed Kate didn't look at Rick directly.