Perhaps read back into Ch 92 to get yourselves back into the mood of the story as this continues right on. I'm exploring character a little in these chapters. I must reiterate I don't have a dislike to any character of the show, so I'm keeping a distance from the problems. This problem comes back some time later between them – I wrote a chunk of this story three years ago and at the moment I'm aiming to make the two parts meet in the middle.

Chapter 92

When Castle came from the bathroom, fresh from the shower he found Beckett seated upon the pink velvet lady's chair that he had promptly moved into his bedroom at her request. Kate's damp hair was combed back off her face which served to enhance the green of her eyes, the squareness of her jaw. To his pleasure, every inch of her was bare. Evidently, skin to skin really was on her agenda. Those shapely legs were elegantly crossed, and her forearms modestly concealed her breasts. She was a stunning woman and happy in her skin even it not content in her mind.

He shamelessly gazed the entire length of her body finished at her eyes, noticed the hint of a smile in response to his undivided attention. Their moods had perked up during the shower but she still looked worn down even if the mood was lighter. In the shower they'd been close, attentive and affectionate. She'd been needy for his comfort, which was out of the ordinary. Although she often expressed emotions, she moved on fast. He stopped before her, admired her large hazel eyes that gazed up to his.

A smile formed. "My beautiful woman. How lucky am I?"

"How lucky am I?" She uncrossed her legs and parted her knees allowing Castle in close. "To have you."

He leaned over and placed his hands to her thighs. He bit his bottom lip, looked at her eyes aware his own expression was cheeky. "Very lucky."

"Mm?" Her hands rested upon his shoulders and he dropped to his knees on the cushion she'd left there for him.

"But I'm luckier." His right hand stroked up her thigh in a featherlike manner, and his eyes followed the motion as his smile broadened. "Friday evening. I will pick you up at seven."

"Castle," she hummed, "I live here."

He persisted, "I will pick you up and we are going out for dinner."

She leaned forward a little, coming close to his face. "What shall I wear?"

"One of those beautiful dresses hanging in our walk in robe." He bit his bottom lip then added, "I'll suit up."

"Oh." She blinked twice. "So, fancy?"

"Fancy," he confirmed.

"I can wear my new dress."

"Umm." He closed the gap to softly kiss her cheek. "I would suggest," there was a kiss to her lips, "That-" a soft kiss to her throat, "You bring out the jewellery too," he gently fondled her left breast, heard a pleasurable moan, looked up to her eyes with a smile. "Do your hair." With that said he slid his hand around her hips to her buttocks. He lifted her bottom and brought it closer. She giggled, raised her legs and rested her feet to his back.

She sobered when their eyes connected once again and she stroked the sides of his head. "Thank you for being there."

He smiled cheekily, "Down here?"

It caused her to laugh again, just before he lowered his head, "Wow, just look at that." It made him happy to hear her laughter, to feel her fingers comb through his hair, strong fingers. He pressed his lips against the bare skin just below her belly button, then just above her pubic bone. There was a gasp of pleasure, and muscle tightened then relaxed beneath his touch. "Flesh on flesh, baby," he mumbled as he went down on her.

Sometime later, with the lights out, Castle was in bed flat on his back without much ability to reposition. Luckily, he was comfortable. Using his free left hand, he swept away strands of brunette hair that tickled his nose. His right arm was wrapped around Beckett's sleeping form that was hard against his body. She was warm from making love, from when her body had crashed around his, and he'd provided her plenty of skin on skin time. Still did. He'd particularly enjoyed the minutes she'd been straddled over him, riding him. Mostly, it was how much she wanted him on nights like this that caused his heart to swell.

Quietly, he stroked the side of her head, listened to her breathe through the stages of sleep. His thoughts wandered into dwelling on where they might be in a couple of years, whether she would stay with him, would they be working at the Precinct or would she be running after a child? He understood her Mother's unsolved murder had a major impact on her life and he hoped one day it would be behind her. Although they shared nights like this, he was certain their relationship would not progress until the murder was buried in her past.

He breathed deeper, opened his eyes to the ceiling, conscious he was experiencing emotions that were stronger than any he'd ever enjoyed in the presence of other women. Kate had entered a state of deep sleep, the love of his life, in his embrace because she wanted to be there. The tough kick ass cop. Putty. The night had brought them closer together.

"I love you, Kate." He whispered.

Her breathing rhythm didn't alter.

There. He'd done it, put it out there into the atmosphere for the first time in her presence. "It's not the right time for you to hear it, but I do love you."

He closed his eyes, relaxed. He'd finally said those three little words aloud to her, words, he internally verbalised every day, what had almost spilt from his tongue on many occasions. He pondered about the day he'd be able to say it to her, when she was conscious, and without freaking her out. He wanted her to accept it.

It was a given that she had to say it first. If that happened, she would naturally accept his response.

But he'd been able to practice it aloud, just the once. A smile of content took over as he gave her unconscious body a light squeeze. Her fingers lightly flexed against his chest.

"I think I'm in a bit of trouble." His eyes still closed, he pressed his lips to her forehead. "A lot of trouble." He slid his hand lightly over the curves of her hip and buttock. Wanting more, he wriggled about until he could kiss her lips. He brushed the soft flesh of her lip with his own, "Oh God." He whispered immediately aroused.

"Kate?" His fingers combed through her hair, to bring her back to consciousness. "Honey."

She whimpered.

He pressed his lips to hers and she kissed him back so tenderly.

"Castle."

"Mm, I want you," he softly said and persuaded her to her back with a gentle push.

"You just had me." She relaxed in his control as he brought his body over hers.

"Want you again. A lot."

* * "

Late afternoon, when the front door closed, Rick sat up straight and listened. He saved the document he was working on and closed the laptop. He wasn't sure which member of his small family of ladies had arrived home, but there was one in particular he wanted to see. He'd spent a good part of his day mentally preparing and had left the precinct early for that meet. The foot falls had his shoulders drop. Too heavy. The clacks of high heeled footwear on the hardwood flooring had him question whether it was Beckett who had dropped home for something or had finished work earlier. She would have called first.

"Richard?"

He kind of smiled as he hollered back. "Mother?"

"You in the office, Darling?"

"Yes, I sure am." He sat up as his mother entered the office, wearing a smart and somewhat hideously multi-colored dress. He briefly wondered where the hell she shopped. Beckett was the opposite. Straight colors. Nothing glary.

"You're home early."

"Yeah, I left Kate at the Precinct. I was hoping to catch Alexis. We need to talk."

Martha paused, looking over her son, then asked with genuine concern. "How was Kate today?"

He rested his elbows to the desk as his mother sat in a leather chair, "Well, she was a little edgy, a little fearful of things escalating when we woke. She wants to make amends but she's worried about the reception. She settled down once she was working."

"She certainly worked herself up. Quite distressed last night."

He dwelled on the previous night for a moment, "You helped her a lot last night, Mom. She was, well, I haven't seen her so panicked. She gets anxious like we all do, but she took it to the next level and I was out of my depth."

"There was a trigger that caused her to react, Darling. She needed to express her emotions, to vent her loss and frustrations. You two were running around chasing that man for days straight and in the middle of it all she lost her home and nearly her life. Then the other night happened. She went into shock. Your daughter needs time to adjust as well. She's distraught."

"I know."

"She phoned me before," Martha confessed.

Castle breathed deeper, frustrated, "Well, she has avoided me, Mom. She has had time to adjust, she knows what Beckett has been through, but she's still a child and I'm the father."

"Yes, and she's sorry, Richard. She is afraid too."

He scratched his jaw, considered the situation, their situations, then gave his mother a concerned look. "Beckett won't tell me what happened between them. She's repeatedly apologized for last night but won't explain the details, like why she got so upset. It was very odd for her, that's all. Has Alexis said anything to you?"

Martha gave a shrug of her shoulder, "She mentioned there's been some discomfort between them, Richard. Alexis is struggling to accept that Kate may well remain here long term when she thinks that Kate is a danger to you. There's been some subtle things between them. Kate is scared out her mind she will lose you if she stays and," She held up a finger, "If she chooses to find her own place."

"My girls," he mumbled. "Will be the death of me."

She dismissed him with a wave of a hand. "You adore being in the presence of women."

"That I do. Well, when Alexis decides to accept my calls, I will have a chat with her."

"She will. I told her to speak to you."

"She needs too." He straightened up when he heard one of his phones ring.

"Speaking of your girls." Martha said. "That might be Alexis." She leaned in to peer at the screen of the phone that was closer to her. "That's the big one wanting you."

"Yes. My Kate." He reached for the phone. "On the bat phone, so its personal."

His mother handed him the secret phone with the screen lit up showing a photo of Beckett he'd taken in LA. He accepted the call, "Hello, Honey."

"Hey Castle. Are you writing?"

"I was. Mom has just come home."

"Say hi for me."

"I will. Any bodies?"

"No. New York is quiet."

"So, you coming home then?"

"Well, I was wondering whether you and Alexis would like to meet somewhere for dinner? Maybe we spend some time together in a neutral place."

He cast his eyes over his mother who waited, contemplated Kate's tone, her invitation, the step up to resolve things between them. "Would love to, and it's a good idea, but Alexis hasn't come home yet." He paused, breathed in deeper, then continued, "Kate, I need to talk with Alexis about her part in what has been going on."

"Castle, we'll sort it out."

He heard the struggle in her voice, "I over reacted, she's a teenager and I've never lived with a boyfriend and a family to source on."

"Don't do that, Kate. This situation is very new to you. Alexis has had this before. She's had women move in with us."

He heard Kate draw in a harsh breath, clearly not happy to hear his statement. While she had been chasing a career to solve her mother's murder, her personal life had taken a back step. Had things been different she might have been a mother by now.

"You still there?" He asked and heard her grunt a response. "Don't take the fall on this, Kate."

"But I'm a cop. I'm dangerous and .."

"Beckett," he firmly cut in. "Don't make excuses for her. I'll swing by and collect you, and we'll go out somewhere."

"Just you." She sounded disappointed.

"Just me." Rick replied as casually as he could manage. He glanced at his watch. It would be an early supper but perhaps they could also catch a movie. "Be out front in what a half hour?"

"Okay. Bye." Beckett disconnected the call.

Rick quietly placed the phone on his desk feeling disappointed. "That was abrupt."

"What's up, Richard?" Martha asked in concern.

He scratched his head then he pointed at the phone. "Subtext tells me she doesn't want to come home. Alexis doesn't want to be at home. Kate asked if Alexis would come out with us in a neutral zone. She sounded disappointed that Alexis wasn't home. What the hell has happened here?" He sat back exasperated about the situation. "Beckett even conceded that Alexis was right, she just doesn't like being on the receiving end."

Martha remained still. Castle waited for something but she didn't give away a thing.

"Mom?"

"Let it slide, Darling."

"I get the feeling it's going to escalate."

"They will settle down. Both have your wellbeing in mind."

"Hopefully, things will blow other." He stood, the back of his knees pushing back the office chair. "I'll go clean up. Show the lady a good time." He gave his mother a smile he kept for her.

"They both adore you, Richard. Always remember that."

"I will, thank you. I will talk with Alexis before she goes to bed tonight. Please tell her to be home if she calls you again, Mother."

Once Castle had walked along the pavement towards the 12th Precinct as far as he could go, he made the call to Beckett's personal phone. It was a surprise, but she picked up in the first ring. He stepped in close to the wall to get out of the way of other pedestrians.

"Hello?" She quietly greeted.

"Hey, Beckett. You alone?"

"Kind of."

"The boys are closes huh? What you wearing?" He asked with a smartass grin.

"Same as what I left the house in, Castle," she patiently replied. "Child."

He scoffed. "That's disappointing. Well, I'm downstairs."

"I'll be down there in a minute."

"Turn to your left when you come onto the street. I'm down half a block."

"Okay. Logging out."

Before he hung up he heard the clatter of the keyboard. She'd be down soon. He pushed the phone into his pocket and waited a bit up from their regular sandwich bar. It was peak time and people were in a rush to catch transport home for the evening. No one took any notice of him, while he waited. Caused him to wonder how many people from the Precinct recognized him, perhaps realized he was with Beckett. It might cross their minds but because most people didn't care, they didn't take much notice of the lives of others. This mostly allowed him to skate about with his life predominantly in obscurity much to his relief. It was barely two minutes gone when he saw Beckett in her jeans and leather jacket, descend the stairs to the sidewalk in search of him. He'd left her just after they had got for lunch. As she closed in on him he saw her skin remained pale, that she appeared tired. It made his chest buzz when a smile broke over her face the second she sighted him. He began to walk falling in beside her.

"Hey." He greeted, gently nudging her hand with his.

"Taking a chance meeting me here this time of day, Castle." They continued to walk side by side.

"Friends can go for burgers." He tapped a sports bag hung over his shoulder. "Or murders. We could be on our way to a murder, even though we're not." He grinned as she gave him a look, "Good huh?"

"Cute, Castle." She commented, "Where we going?"

"Booked you in for a treat."

"Let me guess, a surprise?"

"Nope. Just hard work for you. Get our brains on something different."

"Nice, Castle. Hard work for me."

"Yes, but I know you will have fun."

She paused in her step, taking hold of his arm, "Please don't tell me you've booked a hotel room."

"Kate? Really? We can do that at home. No. This is something that will have you thinking and exerting yourself." They continued on.

"Are you saying I don't think or exert myself during sex?"

Castle laughed. "Never. You're the complete opposite. And stop winding me up." He gave her a gentle nudge with his shoulder and saw her give him a mischievous smile. "You could say I will have you climbing the wall."

"That sounds like sex."

"Get your mind out the gutter, Beckett."

As instructed, he held the rope firmly, his gaze held high up a wall. So far, there hadn't been an ounce of pressure placed against it. An aid stood by his side, guiding him on how to manage the situation that he was quickly getting a hand on. Beckett now attired in active wear, was in the midst of scaling a rock climbing wall. It was the first time Castle had been present to watch her do it, as she had ventured to these places two times with Esposito on nights when he spent time with Alexis. It amused him how her limbs appeared longer, if that were possible. She was about half way up the highest rock climbing wall, currently hanging there with her right hand gripping a piece of rock, her left fingers hunting for leverage on another piece. A leg momentarily dangled in the air. She was right into rock climbing and caught up in the task at hand. Compared to some of the other participants, Beckett made it look moderately easy. With a lighter body, she maneuvered the wall easily to some of the heavier set players. When he observed closer, he saw the degree of core strength and concentration she applied to scale the wall.

The guy helping adjusted the rope so it stayed out of Beckett's way. Rick stepped with him. "How fast has she gone up the wall." Castle said. He also was amazed at how high the wall was.

"Moderately well. She's capable for someone who doesn't practice very often."

"She rarely does it. This is the third time I know of. She wants me to have a go."

"Why don't you?"

"It's not me. She likes this sort of challenge and she enjoys it," he replied with a smile. He watched Beckett successfully manage a second hike up a different section of the wall. Unconsciously he held his breath in anticipation when she momentarily hung by her hands then lodged and used her feet to push herself higher. Tonight, this hour or so was for Kate. He wanted her to take time out away from everything. Her slender body swung in a controlled motion and with her right hand, she reached the highest point. Fingers grabbed the rock, then her body and feet followed the momentum. It was done easily. Positioned at the top she looked down to the men. She wore a huge grin. "I will climb down, Castle," she called.

"Okay. We've got you." Rick nodded, very conscious of the rope. If she did lose her grip, he was going to have her secure. The descent was reasonably quick. It was when she stepped back to the padded floor, she turned about with the first unforced smile he'd seen in days. He saw the exertion spent in the perspiration over her skin but she was also pumped.

"You're beat?" He asked.

"Yes." She stood still for the harness to be removed from her body. "I'm ready for something to eat. I'll go get changed."

"Okay, I'll be out front, Beckett. We'll go for cheese burgers."