Here is chapter 5!
Disclaimer: I do not own castle.
The hospital doors burst open. Beckett and Castle rushed to the waiting area and saw Jim Beckett pacing back and forth. Kate ran to her father.
"What happened? Is mom okay?" Kate asked.
"She's fine. Your mother just fainted. She's fine now," Jim replied.
He then spotted Rick behind her and told Kate the room number. Kate thanked her father and rushed to see her mother.
"Rick."
"Jim."
"I'm surprised to see you here. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was worried about Kate. And of course, I'm worried about Johanna as well once I heard that she was in the hospital."
"Really? Huh... Okay then."
After an awkward pause, Rick spoke up. "I better get going."
"What's the rush? Why don't we visit Johanna first?"
"No.. I didn't mean to intrude.."
"No. Please.. It's the least I could do for someone who save her life once," Jim said.
"W-what are you talking about?" Rick asked nervously.
"C'mon, Rick. Don't lie to me. I know that you were the one who saved her in that alley way."
"H-how did you...?"
"I have my sources," Jim replied.
"You cannot tell Kate or Johanna."
"Why not? They would be very grateful."
"I know they would. But.. It was an accident. I didn't even know that it was Jo until I saw the news."
"You're not answering the question."
He sighed. "Kate's feelings would change. She would think that she would be in debt and she'd try to pay me back any way possible."
"I don't want that for her," he added softly.
"Very well then. At least come and say hi. You came here all the way with Katie. Please?" Jim asked.
"Alright then.."
They soon reached Johanna Beckett's room. Jim Beckett entered the room first. Rick stood outside and watched the Becketts laugh and make jokes to lighten the mood. Rick smiled when he saw the joy in Kate's eyes as she smiled. Her hazel green eyes then met his ocean blue ones and her smile grew bigger.
The next thing he knew, Kate Beckett had gotten up and was right in front of him.
"Hi," he said lamely.
"Hi yourself," Kate replied while trying to hide her giggle.
"How's your mom?" he asked.
"She's fine. The doctors are going to keep her here for observation for the day. She should be able to come home later at night."
"That's good to hear."
"Hey.. Thank you, Rick for coming with me. I really appreciate it."
"Always," he said the words she said the previous night.
Her smile widened. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. Startled at first, Rick Castle quickly recovered and hugged her back. It felt good to be in his arms. Kate Beckett felt safe and contented. She rested her head on his shoulder because she was wearing her heels.
Rick knew that he was going to regret what he was about to do but he had to. He pulled away from the hug and looked into Kate's eyes.
"I have to go..." he said softly.
"But.. but you just got here," Kate said.
He looked down for a moment. He looked back up with a smile that made Kate's knees grow weak.
"You should spend time with your mom. She could use the family support," he said.
"I have to go back anyways. Mother's babysitting Alexis so I could be here with you."
"Oh.. okay then. Hey Rick?"
"Yeah?"
"I.. Thank you again."
He smiled. "If you need me, you know where to find me." He waved and headed back to the loft.
She almost said it! But something inside of her stopped her. As she watched him walk out, she wondered why and how she felt this way. She shook the idea in her head and walked back into the room smiling. Always, huh?
Rick debated with himself on whether he should enter the loft. He rested his head on the door and shut his eyes. He shook his head and walked away from the loft just to bump into none other than Kate Beckett. Before he could say a word, Kate lunged herself towards him and she started kissing him senseless. Rick's eyes snapped open to find himself still near the loft, with his head resting on the door.
"What the hell?" Rick muttered.
He took a deep breath and shook the image from his head. No, no. He cannot have images like this in his head. Kate Beckett was his friend. No more, no less. Rick banged his head against the door. Shit, he was in denial and he knew it. He took another deep breath and entered the loft. He shut the door behind him and rested his head on it.
"Daddy! You're back!" Alexis exclaimed. Rick smiled at his daughter.
Meanwhile with the Becketts, Jim had just left Kate and Johanna Beckett because he had to work. Kate stayed to keep her mother company. They shared jokes, stories, anything to lighten the mood.
"So how are you and Rick?" Johanna asked.
"We're fine. Same as ever. Why do you ask?" Kate asked.
"Oh nothing.. It's just that you two seemed pretty cozy when you were outside. Plus I heard that you are staying over at his loft."
"Okay, first of all, I don't know what the doctors gave you. I'm pretty sure that you imagined whatever you saw. And second of all, I'm only staying over for a couple of days until my apartment is ready."
"Plus, I get to spend more time with Alexis," Kate added.
"You're in denial," Johanna pointed out.
"And you're hallucinating," Kate said. "Why is it so important to you, mom?"
"I've never seen you so happy before. Plus, Rick's a good guy. He's better than your past boyfriends."
"But he's just a friend. I'm pretty sure that he doesn't feel the same way anyways," she said softly.
"Oh honey.. He does. You just haven't seen it yet. But in time, you will."
"Does he know that?" Kate asked.
"I don't think so. But do what your heart tells you to. Okay?"
"Okay..." Kate whispered softly.
"Now, get out of here. Go spend some time with him and Alexis."
"No. I'm not leaving you. What if something happen when I'm gone?"
"Nothing is going to happen."
"Mom.."
"Katie!" Johanna said with a firm voice.
Then there was a knock on the door. Kate's head turned to face the door and she instantly smiled when she saw who it was from the small window in the door. She got up from the edge of the bed that she was sitting on and answered the door.
"I figured that you wouldn't want to leave your mom. So, I brought the party to you," Rick said with a smile.
Then a little redhead came up from behind him and tackled Kate's legs.
"Kate!" Alexis exclaimed.
Kate bent down slight and carried the red head.
"Hey lil' Red!" Kate said. Her gaze shifted from Alexis to her father. Castle was watching her with those blue eyes and a loving smile.
Kate put the girl down and Alexis rushed to the other Beckett in the room.
"Hi! I'm Alexis Castle," Alexis introduced herself with confidence.
Kate and Rick watched her proudly. Johanna's smile widen and introduced herself. Watching the two interact was beautiful. Alexis was being herself and she was so confident. Rick and Kate watched her like proud parents. Then, Kate's proud smile faded and she started to frown. Rick noticed that it was her thinking face. Rick Castle then took Kate Beckett's hand and lead her out of the room.
"Alright.. What's wrong?" Rick asked.
"Why must something be wrong?" Kate asked back.
"You were frowning. Now, it's either you were thinking or you just realized something. What's on your mind?" Rick asked again.
"Nothing's wrong. It's just that... It's very sweet of you to come but.."
He cut her off, "But nothing. I wanted to. Besides, Alexis wanted to meet your mom."
She chuckled. "Right, bring your daughter in the conversation. It makes it even harder to stay mad at you," she joked.
His smile faded, "You were mad? Is that why you frowned?"
She smiled and shook her head. "I'm not mad.. I'm touched. Really. It was really sweet of you." Before she could stop herself, Kate Beckett leaned up and gave him a soft lingering kiss on the cheek. She blushed when she pulled away.
"I'm sorry," she tried to apologize.
"No, it's fine. That's payment enough," he joked.
Kate Beckett giggled. She then took his hand, intertwined their fingers and headed back inside.
There! Chapter 6: coming soon. Just have to add in a few finishing touches. Reviews will make my day.