I'm back from my trip to Ho Chi Minh. As promised, here is chapter 9.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Castle in any way.
The next day, Kate woke up rather refreshed and happier than she has ever been. She did her usual routine; coffee, a short run, shower, coffee again then head over to the loft. Since it was a weekend, Kate didn't have school so she could stay and hang around longer than on the weekdays.
Kate Beckett quickly gathered her stuff and headed to the loft. She knocked on the door and was greeted by the little redhead, Alexis Castle.
"Kate!" Alexis exclaimed excitedly.
"What are you doing here?" the girl asked in surprise.
"Well, I promised a certain somebody that I'd spend time with them when I can. And now I can," Kate replied.
Alexis moved closer and wrapped her arms around Kate's legs which made Beckett lose her balance a bit.
"I love you, Kate."
The words struck her like an arrow. Beckett was so touched that she cried. She bent down and hugged the little girl.
"I love you too, Alexis. Don't you forget that," she said as she gave the redhead a soft kiss on top of her head.
What they didn't know was that Rick Castle was leaning against the front door frame, watching the two as they bonded. It moved him that they could grow so close in such a short time. Rick cleared his throat and the two pull away.
"Alexis? Why don't you go set the table for our guest?" Rick said.
"Okay!" Alexis exclaimed happily. The redhead then skipped her way to the kitchen island to set the table.
"How long were you standing there?" Kate asked with a hint of blush on her face.
"Long enough."
Unexpectedly, Rick moved closer and wrapped his arms around Kate's waist and he pulled her in. Kate's heart pounded at the sudden display of affection. When she didn't say anything, Rick spoke up.
"You're really good with her. It's um... Rather moving to watch you two interact. She's quite taken to you," he said.
"It wasn't hard, really. She's a great kid and it's good that she has a father like you," she replied.
He pulled her in closer and said, "Now... About last night..."
She cut him off by saying, "I'm sorry.. I just.."
He cut her off by saying, "I was really disappointed that I couldn't kiss you back."
A smile crept on her face. "What?" Kate asked, slightly surprised by what he said.
"You heard me," he replied.
"I don't know what to say," Kate said.
"Well... For starters, why don't you let me kiss you back."
"I don't know about that," she teased.
"Besides, Alexis is here," she added.
"She won't mind," he said.
"It's not that... I'm just afraid that I can't control myself," she whispered teasingly in his ear.
When she leaned back, he said, "What a tease."
"You had it coming, Castle," she said as she chuckled.
"Now... Aren't you going to let me in?" she asked.
"I rather just hold you," he said.
Kate Beckett leaned in. Rick's smile widen as he leaned in. Kate felt his grip loosen as they were merely inches away. Just as his lips brushed against hers, Kate managed to use that and slip out of his hold. "What the...?"
"You coming, Castle?" Kate said over her shoulder.
"Huh? Um.. Yeah.. Yeah, I'm coming!"
Then, the Castles and a Beckett ate breakfast. Rick and Kate sat opposite of each other while Alexis sat beside Beckett and eagerly told her stories from school, which Kate gladly listened to. Once or twice, Kate caught Rick Castle staring at her and their eyes met briefly before Kate looked away, blushing. Martha joined them shortly and informed her son that she would be taking Alexis out for a while. Reluctantly, Rick let Alexis go with his mother. Once the two were gone, silence covered the loft like a blanket.
"So..." Kate started.
"So..." That was all either of them could say. The tension was clear to both of them as they sat uncomfortably in their seat. "So," Rick cleared his throat, "What do you want to do now?"
"I was hoping that we could talk," Kate said shyly.
"About what?"
"About us? I mean... Where do we go from here? I mean... I kind of kissed you yesterday... So where does that leaves us?" Kate asked awkwardly.
"Honestly? I don't know."
"I thought so," she said disappointedly.
"I guess there's only one thing to do," Rick paused.
Kate looked at him, "And that is?" she asked quietly.
"Kate Beckett... Would you like to have dinner with me?" he asked.
"I always have dinner with you, Rick," she said, confused.
"No.. I mean.. Just us two," he said softly, slightly nervous.
"You mean... Like a.. Date?" Kate asked.
"Yes... Like a date," he said finally.
Rick reached out across the table and held one of her hands in his. "I've had feelings for you for a very long time, Katherine Beckett. I don't know when it started but it has always been there," he paused. "I'd really like to make this work.. I... I really like you, Kate," he confessed.
"I... I really like you too, Rick," Kate replied softly as she blushed.
His smile widen. "Is... Is that a yes?" Rick asked hopefully.
"It's a maybe," Kate replied.
"That's good enough for me."
"Good," she said as she bit her bottom lip.
"Damn..."
"What?" she asked.
"You make lip biting sexy as hell," he said.
"You like that, huh?"
"Very much, yeah," he replied eagerly.
"Well then, you have to wait for our date then."
"So I can't kiss you?" Rick asked.
She shook her head. He pouted at her. She couldn't help but smile at the sight. Richard Castle pouting was adorable. Kate got up from her seat and walked over to his. She cupped his face gently and brushed her lips across his. They both smiled when they pulled away.
"Um... So tomorrow? I'll pick you up at seven?" Rick asked.
"Tomorrow," was all Kate said before she pulled him in for another kiss.
When she pulled away, Rick was out of breath even though it was just a short kiss. Wow... Kate Beckett has just agreed to go on a date with him... And she kissed him twice! This is going to be interesting, he thought to himself. Kate got up and picked up her bag.
"Wait... You're leaving?" he asked, disappointedly.
"Yeah. I got to go shopping for my date with a ruggedly handsome author," she said as she winked at him.
"Okay," he said excitedly. Beckett blew him a kiss and left the loft. Castle jumped out of his seat and did a small victory dance. He has a date with the extraordinary, and remarkable Kate Beckett!
There! It's done! I haven't been writing much. I blame the Fifty Shades trilogy (Don't judge me for reading it. It is actually really interesting). The whole trip in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, I was reading the book. I couldn't seem to stop. But now that I've finished it, I can concentrate on this fanfic. I hope this is acceptable. The Fifty Shades trilogy is messing with my brain. I'll get on writing now.