Early December, Kate's Apartment
Kate wakes in a cold sweat, her heavy breath echoing against the walls of her pitch black bedroom.
It was just a dream, she assures herself. She rolls onto her side and reaches for her phone. It's late. Really late. She hesitates, but then remembers what Rick said to her a few days ago.
"Kate? Hey, is everything okay?"
"Hey, Rick. Yeah, everything's okay. I'm sorry I called so late. I should just g–"
"No, don't, don't hang up. It's okay. Did something happen?"
"Nothing happened, I just, I had a nightmare," Kate tells him. "Childish, I know, but I just wanted to hear your voice."
"Not childish at all, Kate," Rick says. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Uh, maybe another time. I have this similar nightmare pretty often, but I don't think I can talk about it right now."
"Okay, that's fine. Do you want to talk about something else?" Rick asks.
"Hmm, I know it's 2AM, but how was your day today?"
"I have many a 2AM chats with Alexis, so this is right up my alley, Kate," Rick tells her. "I actually think 2AM might be my favorite time of the entire 24-hour day."
"Uh hmm," Kate laughs. "So, what did you do today?"
"Went shopping for the party, hung out with Alexis, wrote a few chapters of my book, pretty low key day," Rick recaps.
"A few chapters? That's amazing!" Kate gasps. "Are you ready to tell me what it's about yet?"
"Oh, I forgot I was talking to Richard Castle's number one fan," Rick laughs.
"Shut up," Kate retorts.
"I, uh, I'm not quite ready to tell anyone about this story yet, if that's okay," Rick says. "But I promise, you will be the first person to receive a copy when it's finished."
"Deal," Kate smiles.
"Good. How was your exam?"
"It was fine, but I was so tired, I basically fell asleep as soon as I got home," Kate says. "Otherwise I would have called earlier."
"Well, now you have lots of time to catch up on sleep," Rick says. "Congrats on finishing another semester."
"Thanks, but I should be the one congratulating you. You're about to be a college graduate, Rick!" Kate exclaims. "I'm really proud of you."
"Aw," Rick gushes. "I honestly don't think I could have done it without you, you know?"
"You really think so?" Kate asks.
"I do," Rick says. "You made this last semester the best one by far."
"Well, I think I'd have to say the same to you," Kate agrees. "Though, I suppose it's pretty tough competition considering my mom died after my first semester at Stanford and for the rest of them I've had to babysit my alcoholic father."
"Oof, dark," Rick chuckles. "I'm glad I beat them out though."
"Just by a little," Kate laughs.
"Wow," Rick deadpans.
"Actually, if I'm being honest, meeting you might be the best thing that's ever happened to me," Kate says.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Kate says. "But don't tell 2PM Kate I told you that. 2AM Kate is a lot more sentimental apparently."
"Secret's safe with me, 2AM Kate," Rick tells her.
"Good," Kate sighs.
There's a meaningful silence as the teeter toward a conversation perhaps too poignant for a 2AM phone call.
"So," Rick breaks the silence. "What's in store for you next semester?"
"Hmm," Kate contemplates. "Probably just meet another best-selling author to hang out with."
"Ouch," Rick laughs. "It's not like we're all over the place, Kate."
"Actually, it's too late for the spring, but I'm thinking about doing a study abroad program this summer," Kate tells him. "But there's a lot that can happen between now and then."
"Wow," Castle says, suddenly sounding a little deflated. "Where-where to?"
"No idea," Kate says. "Far away from New York, I think, though."
"Oh, I see," Rick says, shortly.
"Rick, I don't mean it like that," Kate insists. "I'm sorry if it seemed like..."
"No, no, it's okay," Castle says. "I understand. You should go. It's a great opportunity."
"Well, like I said, I'm just thinking about it," Kate sighs. "But, anyway, thank you for picking up."
"Always, Kate, always."
"And sorry for calling at 2AM."
"Don't mention it. I'll see you at the party, right?"
"Yes, babe, see you tomorrow," Kate confirms.
"Later today, you mean," Rick corrects.
"Oh, yeah, hah. I suppose that's true. Okay, um, love you."
"Love you too, Kate."
"Bye."
Later that day, Castle's Loft
If there was one thing Kate would never doubt about Rick, it was that he really knew how to throw a party. She had decided to arrive early to "help set up", but quickly realized that her good intentions were rendered a bit of a silly thought when she walked into a ritzed-out loft. Purple and white streamers, lights, and balloons tasteful covered the main floor and staircase. Classic party platters sat on the bar ready to be consumed, and the main dishes were just being pulled from the ovens.
"Oh, Kate!" Martha cheers as she sees the young woman. Castle's mom was descending the staircase, presumably after putting Alexis down for a nap. "How are you doing, my dear!?" The red head asks as she pulls Kate in her a hug.
"Happy to be done with school for a little while," Kate tells her.
"Yes, I'm sure. Richard tells me you're quite the excellent student. No surprise there!"
"Thanks," Kate smiles. "Where is Rick?"
"Probably putzing around with his outfit," Martha quips. "Richard! Katherine's here!"
"What? Kate?" Rick peaks his head out from his bedroom, only half dressed, as Martha had guessed. "Kate!"
He drops his shirt from his hand and wraps her into a hug.
"How's my college graduate?" She asks as she plants a kiss on his cheek.
"They don't tell you how hot those robes are," Rick says. "Even in the winter, I was sweating my butt off."
"What did you have on underneath that was so warm?"
"Kate, you wound me," Rick says. "I had on just the robe."
"Oh, of course," Kate laughs. "Silly me. Let me see."
"My graduation outfit? People will be arriving soon..."
"You in your robes, perv."
Rick grabs her hand and re-enacts his look from the ceremony, in his purple robe and black grad cap, with nothing underneath. Then, he puts on a party appropriate outfit as guests begin to arrive. Kate knew that he didn't have much family, but he had tons of friends who all treated him like he was. She loved seeing that, the way he was being celebrated for his accomplishment with people who genuinely cared about him, not about who he was or how deep his pockets were. He joked about how crazy some of his book launch parties were, but it was clear to Kate that he had felt that most of the people at those parties weren't there to celebrate with him, just take advantage of his celebrity status. So, a few hours into the party, Kate was so happy to see him constantly being congratulated by the newest group of arrivals. Yes, the party was spectacularly decorated and the food was excellent, but Kate had a feeling that the people she'd met today would have just as well cracked open a beer and shared a bag of potato chips if it meant being there for Rick. This was a different side of him she was not prepared to see, but it warmed her in a way she never expected. Of course, it was still a Richard Castle party, so there were lots of drinks and dancing and laughter flowing, and Kate definitely felt herself teetering on a good buzz.
"Kate Beckett!" Kate hears a familiar voice call out from the crowd that was collecting at the front entrance. She looks up and sees Lanie with Javi on her arm.
"Hey, Lane!" Kate cheers gleefully as she pulls her friend in her for a hug, than does the same to Javier. "Good to see you again, Javi. Rick will be excited you made it."
"Where is Writer Boy?" Lanie asks
"Bathroom, I think," Kate says. "You can go wait in there, if you'd like." She gestured to Rick's bedroom, which was serving as a coat room at the moment.
"No, I'll just hang out with you. Javi, could you get us a drink?" Javier nods and heads off to the drink table while Lanie and Kate grab a spot on the couch.
"So, Javi is still 'keeping you company' I see," Kate jokes, reminding her friend of the wording she so often used whenever their relationship was brought up.
"He's good at it," Lanie shrugs. "Gets me drinks when I ask." Lanie smiles and grabs the glass that Javier hands her as he joins them.
"What about you and Rick?" Lanie asks.
"What about us?"
"I mean, where do you see it going?" Lanie clarifies.
"I don't know right now, Lane," Kate tells her in all honesty. "I'm still figuring that out, but I know that I really like him."
"You really like him?"
"Okay, I more than like him," Kate revises. "But I don't what that means yet."
"Well, if he ever steps out of line, he knows he'll have me to answer to," Lanie tells Kate. "But I can tell that you're happy with him. There's a glow."
"Thanks," Kate says.
Rick returns from the bathroom and officially greets Lanie and Javi, continues to make the rounds with his many different friend groups, and they all maintain a steady buzz as the afternoon party turns toward the evening. Alexis woke up from her nap and joined the party for a little while. She loved showing off her new skill, walking, to the masses, but as it became louder and more crowded, Martha went upstairs with her again. Kate followed them to Alexis's room and played with the toddler for a few minutes while she chatted with her partner's mother. There was an energy so infectious about Martha Rodgers that Kate loved to be around. Though the woman was so different from her own mother, Kate still felt that maternal bond that she'd yearned for since losing Johanna nearly two years ago.
"I realize it's only a few months, but the way my son talks about you, Kate, I feel like I've known you for years," Martha tells her. "I just know you make him so happy, so I am grateful to you for that. He'd been so glum prior to meeting you. I honestly didn't recognize him, but now he's brighter than ever."
"Oh, Martha, he's the one who's lit up my life," Kate says. "Before I met him, I never realized how much I was struggling. It's great to see so many people celebrating him today. He deserves it."
"Well, I honestly didn't know that I'd ever see the day he graduated college," Martha admits. "And I know you've played a huge role in that as well."
As the evening party progressed into a night party, guests continued to arrive and depart in waves, but the drinks kept flowing, the delicious snacks filled bellies, and the music kept the blood pumping. It was, all-in-all, a great day, Kate thought. She'd met so many new people, which was typically exhausting for her, but today, it felt so natural. Rick seemed at ease in his hosting role, but despite entertaining so many people, he still took the time to check-in with her, which she very much appreciated. He also made sure to check on Alexis and ensured that his mother was getting her much deserved reprieve. Kate felt as though she was witnessing a well-oiled machine, the way he flowed between his responsibilities. It was so flawless, she had to laugh thinking about how disorganized he Rick was at times.
It wasn't until Rick and Kate had successfully ushered the last round of guests out the door that they realized that their steady buzz had turned to drunkenness. As Rick locks the door, they turn toward each other and giggle as they slide down the wall to sit on the floor.
"That was a lot of fun," Kate says through her giggles. "Did you have fun?"
"Was very fun," Rick says. "Did you have fun?"
"I already said 'that was fun', silly goose," Kate laughs.
"Oh, right, I am a silly goose," Rick chuckles. They sit in silence and take in the aftermath of the party.
"So, uh, what now?" Kate giggles.
"I don't know, what do you wanna do?"
"This is your day, babe. We can do whatever you want."
"Hehe, babe. I like when you call me that," Rick says, leaning his head into Kate's shoulder.
"Oh, yeah?" Kate bites her bottom lip.
"Yeah."
"So, should we clean this mess up?" Kate asks.
"Probably should," Castle shrugs. "At least, a little. Then we should do something else."
Rick stands up and pulls Kate to her feet as well. "Something like..." Kate kisses him softly, grabbing his face in her hands and pulling his lips to hers. "That?"
"Hmm, I was thinking more like..." Rick leans into Kate's neck and reaches behind her back, lightly pulling the zipper of her dress toward her shoulder blades. "This?"
"Oh, yeah, and maybe this?" Kate says, pulling Rick's shirt free from his waist and unbuttoning it to reveal his chest.
"Okay, but we really should at least get the leftover food in the fridge," Kate laughs before they get too engrossed in their ensuing make out session.
"Right, right, right," Rick says, stumbling into the kitchen. The couple quickly organizes the platters and pans, but just as they're starting to pack food away, Martha begins making her way down the steps with a snot covered, teary-eyed Alexis.
"Wexis!" Rick slurs, dropping the plate he was holding, causing it to break on impact. The sound of the crash startled the toddler into all out screams. Kate hurried over to help clean up the broken plate, but Rick's divided attention and inebriated state led him to act too quickly.
"Rick, be caref—" Kate implored, but it was too late.
"Fuck!" Rick yells as he slices his hand open. Alexis's cries grow louder, as Martha unsuccessfully tries to comfort her and Kate unsuccessfully tries to tend to Rick.
In moments, things descended into chaos, only to be made worse when Kate's phone rings. Her blood turns cold and she's suddenly sober as she answers the call.
"Dad?"
"Katie? Katie?" Jim slurs on the other end of the line. "Katie, where are you?"
In that moment, Kate realized her recurring nightmare was coming true.