Chapter 38

"Why would you do that to yourself?" Rick mumbled watching the early morning joggers flash by.

"Do what?"

"Go jogging." He wasn't a fan of running, knew Kate enjoyed a good run, but he preferred to skate. In fact, it was one of several activities he shared with his daughter. But not running.

"For me, it clears my head. Keeps me fit."

"Too early to jog." He commented glancing at the time. "After a night like last night, I would usually be doing the walk of shame about now, not going out jogging."

Kate smirked, "You do the walk of shame most mornings."

He laughed. "True. I would have liked taking you home last night."

"I bet."

"You looked gorgeous by the way, but I can't believe you changed back into your street clothes."

"Castle."

"Mmm." He ignored her tone of warning partially because he was distracted by a rogue spring in the car seat digging into his ass. He fidgeted as Kate slowed the vehicle to take a turn to avoid it.

Beckett smirked, "Castle, do you really think I would interrogate someone in that dress?"

"Me and the guys –?"

"Mm?"

"We were kind of hoping," he replied pressing his lips together. The damn spring was driving him nuts, more so every time she turned the car right that morning. Again, he fidgeted and tried to refocus his attention. "I mean, you washed off your party make-up, you've tried to comb out your hairdo and now your curls are forcing re-entry into the world in some crazy way." He reached out, catching a loop of hair between his fingers. "You in that dress-"

She momentarily put her hand up to his aware he was in his own little world. "Thank you," she murmured and returned her hand to the steering wheel.

He dropped his hand, looked out front. Morning traffic was already on the rise. "What happened to the dress?"

"Its locked up at the precinct." She gritted her teeth, "Its probably worth more than a small car."

"True. Certainly worth more than this one." He growled in discomfort as he shifted his ass.

"I will get it fixed." She felt guilty he was getting poked in the butt.

"Good. I will book the car into the garage when we get back to the Precinct." He said.

"Good idea."

"How did you get out of it?"

"The dress?"

"Mmm, also the corset?"

"Kapowski helped me. It was just as hard to get out of it as into it."

"Oh." He sighed, "I was dying to take you out of that dress, Kate."

She glanced to him, gave him a smile, "Mm. I know, and I would like that too."

"It will happen."

"Want it a lot."

Rick gave her thigh a stroke, "I look forward to it. And it will be special." He fell silent for a moment or two then said, "Paul Reynolds, it didn't take much for him to squeal like a pig."

"He was easy," Kate agreed.

"He crumbled. Let's hope he got the guy's whereabouts right. I could really do with some sleep."

"Me too." Beckett glanced out the window searching for a street number. "I think we're here."

"Yep that's it." Rick pointed to the building ahead to their left. "So, you have a date with me and I now owe seven and a half grand."

"I'm worth it," Beckett replied with a cheeky smile that caused him to laugh.

"Shouldn't I be saying that?"

"Yes, it was you up for sale. I would pay it, particularly now I've had a taste of the goods, my White Whale." She snickered, reaching a hand to his groin.

"White whale? Oh, you love that one." He looked down at her hand, tried his hardest not to respond.

"I'm never gonna forget that one. Castle," she cooed.

"I know. However, I would pay a lot more to date you for one day."

Kate slowed the car, aware they were close to their destination, her eyes momentarily leaving the road to look at him. "I would too."

The unmarked police car came to a halt curbside, in front of an apartment building and three other vehicles pulled up behind. Immediately Esposito and Ryan exited their vehicle, getting their vests from the back seat.

Beckett released her seatbelt and then checked her gun, "Castle, as a friend, I am asking you not to leave this car. Because your little Hardy Boy act-"

"-is gonna get me killed, I know." He finished.

"More like get one of them killed." She paused, glancing in the rear vision mirror at other half of her team "And I can't have that on my conscience. Understood?"

"What if I have to pee?"

Beckett frowned, reached to an empty coffee cup that she had left on the dash and handed it to him. He inspected the cup as Beckett got out the car.

"It not big enough." He muttered and dropped the cup to the floor between his shoes. He watched his team gather make their way to the building's entrances partially annoyed that he wasn't one of them, a real cop carrying a weapon. Beckett's team took the front entry. He sighed, resigned to the fact he had to remain within the car, then looked about his immediate surroundings in search of something to pass the time.

Close to five minutes later, Castle obediently remained seated in the unmarked Police Unit but had scrambled over to the driver's side. Tired of waiting for his team to claim the suspect and return, he became rather distracted now he had the car to himself. Captivated within his own world, he pretended he was involved in a car chase and hummed an action-hero theme music.

"Pum-num-nah-nah-nah-num-nah-nah. Pum-num-nah-nah nah-nAAH. De-nah-num-nah -NAAAH." He grinned totally into it. He was having too much fun for a guy his age when WHAM!

A body heavily fell onto the car hood with a loud thud. Rick jumped in surprise as the man rolled to his stomach releasing a painful groan, "Oh God."

Castle was face-to-face with a man's round balding head. The stranger stared into the car. The writer recognized him as the man from the police sketch, a copy of which happened to be stuck to the dash. Rick looked at Nadir, then at the sketch. Yep. That's the guy. Castle did the only thing he could think of with a guy glaring at him through the windshield. He turned on the wipers. The wipers smacked Nadir's beady-eyed face. Nadir grunted and rolled off the hood to the driver's side. On his feet, he levelled his gun at Castle.

"Out of the car!" Nadir yelled.

Castle, a little taken aback, but still able to think about the situation, stared down the barrel of Nadir's piece. He thought about Beckett's clear orders not to leave the vehicle, contemplated the safer option. Beginning to panic he spluttered out, "I... She told me. Actually, I have to stay in the-"

"Out of the car now!" Nadir screeched.

"Okay! Okay, okay!" Castle raised his hands above his shoulders and fearfully replied, "Here I come. I'm coming." He watched the man, as he slowly lowered his arm to the door handle. He started to open the car door and then slammed his shoulder into it. The door collected with Nadir, knocking him back. Castle flung himself out of the car and jumped Nadir knocking him to the bitumen ground. They tumbled over the ground, with Nadir ending on top. He flung a punch at Castle landing in his left eye. Rick covered his face preventing another punch and Nadir reached for the gun just out of reach.

Above them, Beckett stepped on Nadir's wrist holding him down and finishing the fight. The detective glared down at Nadir brown eyes. "Go ahead. I need the practice."

Nadir released the gun when Kate pressed her weight into her foot. He cried out, "Ow. Ow. Ah."

Ryan and Esposito closed in to help Kate with Nadir.

"We got him." Esposito said as he and Ryan lifted the man off Castle.

Ryan said, "Get up!" They got him to his feet and hauled him away. Beckett offered her hand for Rick to help him up.

"I tried to stay in the car. I really did." He told her as he stood up, "He hit me in the face, you know."

Beckett replied, "Yeah, I saw that."

Castle said as he dusted himself off, "That, uh, 'Go ahead. I need the practice.' That was classic."

Beckett smirked and rolled her eyes. "Let's get back to the Precinct and let Joanne know we arrested her mother's killer."

"Great idea."

"Let me see, Rick." She insisted taking hold of his forearm. She stepped in close and reached her fingers to his left eye, to inspect the wound.

"It does hurt." He mumbled using a tone that told her not to be rough.

"You're being a baby." She murmured as she examined him, "You'll be okay with some ice on it." She smiled, glanced about to ensure the boys were busy with the criminal then said so only Rick would hear, "I would love to kiss it better for you."

He smiled, then grimaced, "I would love you to do that." He too checked where the boys were. "I got in a fight." He beamed.

"Jesus, Castle." Kate patted his shoulder, turned and walked towards the car.

They parted company at the Precinct when Beckett left to meet the Joanne to hand over a few possessions retained by the NYPD that were no longer needed. Castle went home quite hungry, and on the way decided to cook eggs for breakfast for Alexis and his mother. He had showered and was sporting an excellent bruise around his left eye.

Martha said, "Darling, we have a visitor.

Beckett walked into the kitchen. Castle looked up from the stove smiling.

"You have a nice shiner going," Beckett said, a smile spreading. "Oh, pretty butch, Castle."

"I know, right?" He reached out for her, "Come, grab a chair."

"Oh, no." Kate glanced to his hand on her upper arm, then shot him a look a she said, "I just came to return your mom's jewel-"

"You saved my life, Beckett. The least I can do is make you some eggs."

Beckett said, "No, really, I- I have to get going..."

Martha said, "Nonsense. You sit down right here. Tell us all about last night. We've only heard his version."

Martha tenderly steered Beckett to the table. Alexis poured another mug of coffee.

Beckett said, "Alright. Um... Shall I begin at the red carpet?"

Alexis nodded keenly, "Yes, please."

Beckett took a breath then began, "So, we arrived at the venue via the sedan and it was like being at a movie premiere."

"Wait till you go to a book launch," Rick butted in.

"Dad." Alexis scorned.

"Okay, I'll do the eggs. Soft or hard?"

"Soft please." Kate replied then turned her attention to the women who keenly waited to hear her side of their previous night.

As Kate finished Rick prepared another brew of fresh coffee. The machine did its job. Rick took a minute break, leaned at the counter and momentarily stared at Kate, silently asking her if she agreed to telling the family their secret. She returned his look, blinked then nodded.

"I think it's time," she said to him.

He immediately smiled, wiped his hand over the counter top. "Mother, daughter. We need to tell you something," he said waving a hand between himself and Kate who turned in her stool and nodded in agreement.

"About time you two came out," Martha commented.

Kate looked at his mother in surprise, "You know?"

"I know."

Rick had to clarify, "You know that Kate and I are dating?"

"You and Kate?" Alexis asked in shock, "I thought it was the new owner of the apartment on level 4."

"What?" Rick asked in disbelief, "Arr, yes! The brunette with the big-"

"That's the one." Alexis cut in, "Totally your type, Dad."

"He's with me." Kate declared glancing at her small breasts that he happened to be very fond of.

"Darling, you two have been sneaking around for a while now." Martha chipped in.

"You knew Gran? I didn't have a clue!" Alexis declared, glancing between her father and the detective.

"You've been busy with school." Castle replied.

"Sneaking around?" Kate asked.

"Katherine, never mind if you've been keeping it quiet, my son is happy and I've noticed." Martha smiled, "Welcome to our little family." She stepped to Kate for a hug.

"Thank you, Martha, but we have to continue to keep this a secret within this family. I will tell my Dad but it stops there."

"Yes." Rick confirmed, "This goes no further than this room until we tell both of you it's okay. Is that clear?"

"Sure," Alexis replied, "If a teacher gives me her phone number …"

"Don't take it. They shouldn't do it anyway. I'm happily single to anyone who wants to know. Mother."

"I know, Richard. Don't share with anyone."

"We won't be able to work together." Kate explained. "We don't want to lose that."

"So, it's your stuff in my Dad's bathroom?" Alexis asked.

"Yes," Kate replied, glancing to Rick unsure about Alexis' query. "It is." She picked up Martha's plate and piled it on hers, standing up. She questioned internally how much Alexis had seen. She said quietly, "I'll help clean up and then I'm going to head off home to go to bed. We've been up, what close to 36 hours?"

"Yep." Rick agreed as he grabbed dirty dishes from the counter.

"You two go." Martha said. "I'll clean up. You did the cooking."

Rick and Kate loaded the dishwasher with what dishes they had collected. He then ushered Kate from the kitchen, took hold of her hand and led her to the office closing the door behind them.

"There's no privacy in here," he muttered and continued to the bedroom, closing that door too. Alone, he turned about facing Kate. "Please sleep with me here. Its Saturday and we don't have to work all weekend."

"Castle-" she went to say she wanted to be at home, but then she looked at him and decided it was him she wanted, his company, his presence. She bit her lip as she glanced towards the bed she looked forward to getting in.

"They know about us now so we can be ourselves here," he reminded her. "This is your home here too now."

She smiled and nodded, "This week, will you come with me to meet my Dad?" She took his other hand in hers and swung their arms. "It's time."

"Of course. Yes," he replied and leaned in for a kiss.

"Cool." She let him go to pull off her jeans and boots. Without a word, she lifted her left leg and Rick pulled off the boot. She swapped legs and he pulled off the second boot. He paired them and gave her the shoes. "Thank you."

"Want help with the rest, because I can-" he eyed off her clothing as she shook her head.

"I'm good." She replied, undid her jeans and slipped them down over her hips and thighs.

"You sure, I'm good at that."

"I know." She laughed, pushing the jeans right off. "Come for a shower?" She invited and headed towards the en-suite looking over her shoulder at him as she walked away. Seconds later, she seductively called, "Castle."

"Coming." While he followed, he pulled off his top and slung it back over the bed.

The shower was running when he left two towels on the vanity. Kate was naked, adjusting the faucet to a temperature that she liked. She glanced around to see his naked form, primed to have her.

"Really?" She inquired, her eyes not leaving his erection.

Kate stepped into the shower, beneath the water. She turned about and stretched out her arms inviting Rick in. He stepped into the shower, reached around Kate and picked her up against his body. She squealed in surprise then laughed grabbing him around his neck.

"Castle."

"Shut up woman and kiss mm like you'll die tonight."

She sobered, looked into his eyes then smiled, "Okay." She kissed him hard. Imaging it would be the last time she ever kissed him.

He woke her with a finger that lightly swept back strands of dark hair from her face. A smile broke when he saw her eyelashes half blink and her fingers moved. He then kissed her temple, listened to her breathing pattern alter, a moan of delight she was coming to escaped him. Another press to her temple.

"Katie?"

"Mm?"

He watched her pretend to be asleep. He couldn't restrain from asking, "You sleeping?"

"Yes," she squeaked and smiled.

He smirked. "Ok. Well, sleeping Kate has an hour to get ready in that dress before the car is due to arrive."

"That dress is at home," was muttered as she tightened up in a ball to sleep more.

"Dress is here."

"Car?"

"Fifty-nine minutes it will be here."

"Make up? Hair?"

"All here, Honey."

She opened her eyes which made him smile more, "You slept like a baby all day while I collected the stuff from your place."

"You expect me to be ready in fifty-nine minutes? In that dress?"

"I do."

"Where are we going?"

"On a date. Fifty eight minutes." He rolled off the bed dragging the bedsheets off Kate who was now fully awake. She hurtled herself to the bathroom like she was going to be sick.

She yelled out moments after, "I need help getting in the dress."

"I know. I will help you."

"I read about this place in one of the New York magazines." Kate said as the waiter left their table. "Everyone mentions the ambience and how romantic it is."

"One if by Land, Two if by Sea." Rick said staring at his beautiful girlfriend. She wore the red gown, and tonight her hair was up. She wore the diamond earrings he had gifted her to go with the dress along with his mother's necklace again. "It was once Aaron Burr's carriage house."

"Its lovely," she said as she gazed about at the flowers surrounding them. They were warmed by dual fireplaces and lulled by the mellow music of the resident pianist.

"If I could tear my attention away from you."

"Castle." She smirked aware he teased, and felt her cheeks heat up. "Where did you find this dress?"

"Oh, I saw it a couple of weeks ago in a window when I was walking to meet you somewhere. I went back the next day to have a good look at it with you in mind. Then I had to find the shoes to go with it."

"How did you know my size?" She teased, well aware of how much he knew about her.

"I'm a writer, I observe. You have size 9 feet and he held his hands apart, "about this size for a dress." He smiled then laughed with her.

The wine had hit Kate a little while back. She was relaxed and listened to the piano being played by a bloke in his middle forties. Another couple, a little older than them, danced by the black grand piano in time to the ballad he played. She was familiar with the tune but it wouldn't come to her what piece he played.

She looked at Rick, reached out for his hand that rested on the table.

"Will you dance with me?" She asked.

Rick's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Of course. After last night, I didn't think for a second you would like to-" He stood up and held out his hand. "Would you like to dance with me, Kate?"

"I would love to dance with you." She accepted his hand and stood, ensuring the fabric of her dress was safe of her stilettos and chair. The dress was worth a fortune. She would always keep it and care for it.

She walked with him towards the piano where he then smoothly gathered her into his hold. She didn't know the music the pianist played, and she lost all awareness of other people in the restaurant. The noise of the kitchen was out of her mind. She was brought softly against his body with a palm pressed to the small of her back her right hand in his. His forehead lowered to her hairline and his eyes penetrated hers. Castle led the dance, slowly rocking them to the ballad, careful not to tread on her toes, and trusting him she became the submissive partner. She felt the warmth of his body, his breath on her face. His hand at her back was warm, his embrace secure but soft enough for her to freely move with him. The scent of him and his cologne was glorious. The wine had relaxed her. Images of his making love to her that morning came back and the motion of dancing so close with him brought on a wave of emotions. When she looked up at his eyes again she whispered, "Kiss me."

He gave her bodice a tiny squeeze as he searched about them, only saw a bunch of other diners minding their own business, a few waiters doing their job, and he smiled softly when his eyes returned to her, "We're in public."

"There's no one here but us and a pianist," she replied, reaching her left arm around his shoulders.

He inhaled deeper, peering into the top of the dress, aware there was nothing beneath it but Kate, "What if someone has recognised me?"

"Then we're blown, but you have to kiss me," she urged, "because you brought me here on a date, Mr Castle, and we won't ever have this night here again."

"I'll bring you back here."

"Another night, but its right now." She smiled gazing into his blue eyes.

"Oh." He realised she wanted the romance in their evening and that was fair enough and mutual. He playfully squeezed her against him.

She gasped, then requested, "Kiss."

"Yes, ma'am." He kissed her. Both seemed to forget where they were. Her arms lifted around his neck and his arms loop about her waist. And they danced to the music the pianist created until he called his final tune to play.

"So beautiful," he whispered then kissed her right shoulder as she partially turned her head to see him. He knew she wasn't accustomed to a man's undivided attention. An entire evening together without interference and interruption had, to Rick, been beneficial to them. They had agreed that date nights would be done without mobile phones. He would carry one to order a taxi or sedan to/from their date. She stayed still, processing what he was doing, how the kisses felt, how his hands felt holding her bare arms. Then he began to untie the corset of the red dress, gently tugged at the laces releasing her body of its constriction.

"This dress. It's gorgeous." Kate said peering down upon the stones sewn to the fabric. "Are these real gem stones?"

"Of course. I listed this dress into my insurance policy," he said, trying not to laugh when Kate gasped in disbelief.

"No way!"

"Seriously."

She wriggled about, "Can we get this off? I'm busting to use the bathroom."

"Hold still." He gently said as he took hold of the top of the dress. He pushed it over her hips then guided it down her body until she could step out it. She then made a run for the bathroom. She hadn't been since before they had left the house. He lifted the dress up to lay it over the trunk at the end of the bed.

"It weighs a tonne." He called out.

"I know."

Rick undid his tie and left it on the dresser as he walked out of the bedroom. On his way to the kitchen he extracted the cuff links and slipped them into the right pocket of his pants. He was a happy man. He had taken his girlfriend out on a date that had been a splendid time. She had looked gorgeous in the gown, the damn expensive gown she couldn't go to the bathroom in, the dress she had danced with him in. He fetched two champagne glasses and a small bottle of champagne from the fridge. Kate's fridge had fresh food in it lately, since he'd been dating her so when he stayed over, he had something to cook. The lid was unscrewed and he set the bottle down to breathe. His shirt was unbuttoned half way down his chest and he rolled up the sleeves. Beckett kept her apartment warm. The glasses were filled with golden bubbly liquid. When he saw movement, he looked up. Beckett was standing in the doorway of her bedroom. She wore a sheer black silk robe, the stockings, and panties she been in all night. His tie was hanging around her neck. Her hair was down, her nipples were hardened. He smiled, the image of her burned into his memory forever.

"Feel better?" He inquired.

She giggled. "A lot."

He picked up the glasses, walked towards her meeting her half way across the living room. He passed her a glass.

"You know we're making love." He said, casting his eyes over her almost naked form.

"Haven't we been making love all evening, Ricky?" She stepped forward, closing the space between them.

"All evening?" He pressed her to tell him more.

She bit her lip, gazed passed him to the ceiling her eyes glistening, "You woke me so sweetly," she offered up, "You dressed me in that stunning dress, took me out for a beautiful dinner."

"It was a good meal," he concurred at which she laughed. He took a sip of his drink.

"You danced with me, slow danced." She glanced down to his hand that brushed her left nipple. "Writer boy, you are so romantic."

"I'm not finished yet, Kate."

"How so?"

"Well, I woke you with a stroke of my finger, a press of my lips," he paused, licked his lips, made sure he looked at her in a way that would make her feel he wanted to consume her, "And at the end of this day, our day, I will put you to sleep with a stroke of my finger, a press of my lips."

"Wow," she whispered, "Castle." She hooked a finger behind the buckle of his belt and tugged him to follow. "Come to bed, Ricky. Tomorrow is Sunday."

Rick checked the clock on the wall, "Actually, its Sunday," he corrected, caught the look she gave him and forgot everything to follow her.