Well hello again Caskett'eers!Here's another Moment of the Castle's Always that has been on my mind recently. What if, after Kate's apartment exploded in Tick-Tick-Boom, the two decided to start exploring their relationship.

Kate is pushed to stay at the Castle loft and Rick takes it upon himself to comfort her as she works through the emotional roller coaster of losing her home and needing someone to just be there for her.

I'm taking some liberties with the timing of things versus what actually transpired in those two episodes, but I hope you'll roll with me! So here we go... Moments of Always: When Time Explodes - Chapter 1.

WhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodes

He watched her out of the corner of his eye the entire drive to his loft. Richard Castle - the man who could always come up with something, the wordsmith - really had no idea what to say.

I mean, what DO you say to a woman, a police detective, that you're likely in love with…whose apartment has just exploded around her…who is determined to figure out who just tried to kill her…and doesn't really want to go back to YOUR home with you, but was ordered to by her boss.

Still, he couldn't stand the silence, so the writer broke the unmentioned understanding that would let her sulk in peace. "Do you want me to stop anywhere on the way…home?" He looked out the driver's side window and cringed. "I mean, do you feel like eating? We could get Chinese, Thai, I'm happy to drive over to Remy's-"

"I'm not hungry," Kate Beckett stared straight out the windshield trying to ignore the man who had saved her from her gutted apartment. I will not give him credit for saving me. I would've gotten out sooner or later. Only thing he saved me from was further embarrassment since my bathrobe, towels and clothes were on fire.

She looked down at the clothes she had changed into at the precinct. They were the only clean clothes she currently owned that had been in her locker; and Castle's coat that had been wrapped around her naked body as he helped her out of the bathtub that technically saved her life in the explosion.

"Okay," Castle answered her simply. "If you get hungry once we're home," Damn it, he used that word again… "I'll fix you something. Anything you want."

"Castle, I can't even think about food right now. I need to find the son-of-a-bitch who destroyed my apartment," Rick could hear her teeth grinding as she grit them together. "It's not like I'm going to sleep. I should've just stayed at the precinct. That way I can focus on this case-"

"Captain Montgomery said you need to get some rest," Castle interjected.

"I heard him," Kate huffed, looked at her driver with menacing eyes and then looked back out the window, breathing heavily as she tried to preserve an ounce of her sanity. "That's the only reason I'm in this car right now," she grumbled like a pouting child.

"I'm sorry," Rick chanced looking toward her. He knew very well that she didn't want to be here right now; with him, right now; heading to his home, right now.

But even if she truly hated him at this moment, Rick was relieved beyond his deepest prayers that Kate Beckett was alive and in a location where he could watch over her, at least for a little while.

This case was hitting far too close to home for him. A psycho murderer was blaming Rick's fictional character, Nikki Heat - who was based on Kate Beckett, for triggering his murder spree. The killer wanted Nikki to face him, catch him.

So was Rick having a self-invited pity party, blaming himself for the murder spree and particularly for the life-threatening events that had been directed at Detective Beckett?

Yes, yes he was.

Taking her home with him was the best possible scenario in his mind. Since he had little else to offer Kate beyond his coat and a one-sided conversation as he was assisting her out of the burning building, Rick was quite proud of himself for insisting that she come and stay with him and his daughter, Alexis.

Captain Roy Montgomery had ordered her to go home and rest. Kate insisted she no longer had a home. Castle had offered his, with no room for negotiations. Montgomery agreed on Kate's behalf and gave her no other options.

She hated it when Castle and Montgomery teamed up against her. It didn't matter that they both had her best interests at heart. And at this moment, she pretty much hated both of them. She just wanted to solve this case - and to have her apartment intact once again.

MomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlways

Rick pulled into his designated parking spot in the garage attached to his building and turned off the key. He waited momentarily to follow Kate's first move. He really didn't know what to expect from her.

A few days ago, as this case first offered a threat to Detective Beckett, Castle had taken a nice bottle of wine to that very apartment and insisted on spending the night. They had shared a pleasant conversation and he had learned that Beckett sleeps with a gun.

That night, he had made some witty remark, watched her close the door to her bedroom and then settled himself to sleep on her couch. He had slept comfortably, knowing she was safe in the other room.

Rick had woken early with no help from an alarm. Okay, maybe her couch cushions weren't a match for his queen-sized, name-brand mattress.

He even made breakfast; the pancakes would've been good, even without the furry bacon that was outdated in her fridge. But when he went to the door to get the newspaper for Kate, he found a dead body instead. Thus breakfast ended.

That memory haunted him, but now it was just a sidebar. Because now, that apartment where he had perused the contents of her fridge, her cabinets and even her lovely bathroom, was now a pile of ashes.

"Kate?" Rick finally asked, again unnerved by her quietness.

"What?" She asked somewhat shortly. "I figured you were going to come around and open my door for me. Far be it for me to get in the way of my knight in shining armor," she scoffed.

Rick took a breath and leaned his head to the side, not looking at her.

"Look, it's obvious you don't want to be here. Tell me what hotel you'd prefer. I'll foot the bill. I just thought you might feel more comfortable with people who care about you. But if you really want to be alone somewhere then just tell me where you want to go. I'll get word to the captain and he can send your security detail wherever needed, I'm sure."

Rick felt his heart drop as he made the offer. He wanted Kate with him, not at some hotel. He wanted to know she was alright, not at some unsecure location where the nut-case could take another shot at her.

Kate leaned back against the passenger seat and held a hand up over her eyes. "I'm sorry. Thank you, I appreciate this," she said quietly.

With that, the two looked at each other, a silent peace treaty forming between them, and offered soft smiles.

"So I'm your knight in shining armor?" Castle's smile grew a bit wider as she rolled her eyes.

"Depends? Are you gonna help me out of the car or not?" Beckett put her hand on the door handle and started to tug on it.

"Ah- you sit still now," Castle insisted.

He quickly unlatched his seatbelt and climbed out of the car, making his way to the passenger side and pulling open Kate's door. He made a wide swooping swath inviting her to get out of the vehicle.

"Thank you for agreeing to stay here," he offered as he held out a hand and was happy that she accepted it as she started to stand up beside him. "Listen, Kate, I know, I'm not a trained police officer. I don't sleep with a gun and maybe my best defense is my vast arsenal of Rapier wit. But I do hope you'll feel safe here with us, and be able to rest at least a little bit. I'm really glad you're okay."

Kate looked at him, standing close enough that she could've kissed his cheek if she had really thought about it. He wanted her to feel safe, with him. For the first time she let that thought sink in.

"Thank you for giving me an option," she left the thought open ended because she wasn't 100 percent sure of her meaning. Was it simply that Rick was giving her a place to stay without having to look for it? Or was it the option that would allow them to get to know each other just a little bit more, that she was thankful for?

MomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlways

"Katherine, my dear, are you alright?"

Kate had barely stepped into the Castle loft before Rick's mother stepped toward her and gently but firmly embraced her.

Martha Rodgers pulled back, giving the survivor a split second to breathe before ushering her into their home. "Sweetheart, Richard practically knocked down the door getting out of here to get to you. However did you survive-"

"Mother," Rick nudged Martha gently and shook his head.

Kate looked at Rick's mom and smiled. "No, it's okay. I jumped into my bathtub, Martha. It's cast iron. I knew it was durable, but this proves it. I'm not sure it'll hold water anymore, but I'll find a way to keep it anyway. Everything else around me was in flames, but I was safe, pretty much, in the tub."

"That's horrifying! But you've come away with just minor injuries?" Martha gave Kate another once-over and then lifted Kate's hand that was bandaged.

"Somehow," Kate agreed and looked toward Castle who was standing just behind her, seemingly on guard to help her at any moment's notice. "Rick knocked down my door to rescue me." Kate paused and looked at him again. "I haven't shown it, sorry, I really am grateful."

Martha smiled at the two of them. "Your knight in shining armor?"

Kate rolled her eyes but then caught Castle's.

"I said nothing," he held his hands up, "Purely a coincidence."

Kate shook her head as Martha gave them each an odd sort of look, wondering what might have transpired between them.

Alexis had been just behind her grandmother when Rick and Kate came into the apartment. She retreated to a stool at the kitchen island as she noted that both her father and the detective seemed to be alright.

"Captain Montgomery ordered Beckett to get some rest," Castle began explaining, although he had already shared the information with Martha and Alexis.

"And, since I don't have a place to call my own at the moment," Kate winced at the reminder, "Castle offered to let me stay here with you," she looked at Martha and then Alexis who seemed to be a bit removed from the whole scene. "But only if that's okay with you," she looked this time particularly at Alexis.

The redheaded teenager smiled a sweet closed-lip gesture. It was that, plus her silence that brought Rick away from Kate with a quick, "Excuse me just a sec," and over to his daughter.

Martha quickly tugged on Kate's hands and brought her to the couch while Rick leaned toward his daughter and placed a quick kiss on top of her head.

"You okay?" He wondered aloud and Alexis simply inhaled and exhaled. "What's wrong? You don't mind Kate staying here, do you?" Rick did his best to keep his voice low.

Alexis shook her head quickly and also spoke softly, "No, it's not that. I know she needs a place to stay and all. It's just a little…I mean… Dad, are we safe?"

Rick looked at her and saw the concern in her eyes.

"If they're coming after Detective Beckett and she's here? And this wacko must know that you're the guy who created Nikki Heat, so is he coming after you as well?" Alexis blurted out quietly.

Rick nodded his understanding and leaned his elbow down onto the counter next to his child. "Truthfully, Sweetheart, I don't know. You know I can't lie to you about this stuff. But you also know that I will do everything in my power to make sure you're safe, right? Captain Montgomery has extra patrols watching our building and a security team specifically assigned to Beckett. Plus we have our normal building security as well."

"But wasn't that the case when you spent the night at Detective Beckett's apartment and the killer dropped a body right at her door?" Alexis wondered.

"That was my own fault, Alexis," Kate had heard little pieces of the conversation, enough to put the girl's concerns together. "My building doesn't have normal security and I sent my police detail home. Not a smart move and one that your dad and Captain Montgomery won't let me forget."

She glanced at Martha who patted Kate on the knee and then sat back as Kate stood, a little wobbly at first, and went toward Rick and Alexis.

"But if you are uncomfortable having me here, I'll go to a hotel, or I could stay with Lanie, I'm sure," Kate hadn't really considered Alexis's reaction to all of this - nor had Rick.

Alexis chewed on her lower lip for a few seconds as she thought about the situation. "No, you should stay here," she looked at Kate and then Rick who seemed to be holding his breath regarding her answer. "Gram and I got the guest room ready upstairs for you."

There was still a slight edge to the girl's demeanor but Kate decided to roll with it when Castle breathed out slowly and gave an almost typical, "Thank you Sweetie, that means a lot right now."

Kate had a feeling there was more to the father/daughter conversation that needed to be shared. But it was probably a chat that didn't need input from a needy, nearly-killed coworker, nor the grandmother who had likely pressed Alexis to accept this little life complication.

"Darling, why don't I show it to you," Martha gestured for Kate to follow her toward the staircase.

Kate smiled, thanked Alexis as graciously as she could, and then handed Castle the coat that he had loaned to her hours before.

The detective suddenly felt cold and uncovered without the garment's warmth. She hoped that wasn't a cosmic sign of attitudes to come during her stay at Chez Castle.

MomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlways

Kate was surprised to find clothes laying on the bed in the guest room. It was just a pair of jeans, some socks, a couple of tops…and some underwear. All appeared to be in her size. Again, color her surprised.

"Martha?" Kate questioned as Rick's mother was pointing out other various items in the room including a few pictures of the Castle family that Rick refused to put away. Kate pointed to the clothing items with a dip of her eyebrows.

"Oh, Richard called this lovely lady that he knows over at a boutique on Houston. They had a thing at some point in time but we won't bring that up," Martha added as an aside and Kate rolled her eyes. "She always helped him keep up with women's fashion so he can indulge his dates, or significant others, you know, with clothing or at least conversations about clothing." Martha smiled but Kate still tilted her head, still waiting for further explanation.

"He had her pick up some things for you, Dear, knowing that you would need clean clothes, besides the ones in your work locker," Martha finished.

"Oh," Kate looked back at the items. While they looked plain enough, they were still name-brand. And he had them delivered to his home after 10:00PM? Probably cost him a small fortune. "That was…very kind of him," she somewhat mumbled as her brain suddenly tried to figure out how Castle knew her sizes.

"You just make yourself at home here, Kiddo," Martha watched as Kate lifted up a bra from the items and checked the tag. "We know it's not home, but Richard will treat you like one of the family and I assure you he wants you to be comfortable here. Let him take care of you, Katherine. In his mind, that's the least he can do, you know?"

Kate looked up from the clothing following Martha's last statement. She swallowed tentatively, wondering how to interpret the line but not wanting Ms. Rodgers to misread her thoughts.

"I'm starting to realize that," Kate stated as she finally looked around the room more closely. "I'm grateful he was able to warn me about our killer. I'm not sure I'd be here right now, if not for Castle," she admitted.

The two women stood, just looking at each other for another moment before Martha offered to help Kate hang up the clothes in the closet of the room. Kate noticed other items on the shelves and hanging in that closet. It looked like costume type clothing, some little girls' dresses and some items that looked almost like evening gowns.

"Martha, thank you all again. I don't want to put you out. You don't have to play hostess to me, I promise. I'll just be here tonight and then I'll talk to my dad tomorrow and I'll either go stay with him or he can help me find a place-" Kate attempted.

"Oh, Katherine, none of that now. You'll have this same conversation with Richard if you haven't already. But it is no bother in the least to have you here. Actually, I'll be heading over to Chet's tonight, that's a whole other conversation! But needless to say, I guarantee you that Richard is more at ease having you here and being able to watch over you in a familiar surrounding. Don't overthink it, Darling. Just roll with it."

Kate had to smile at Martha's theatrics. Rick really was Martha's son in so many ways.

"I'll try," she let Martha see her smile and then pointed toward the bedroom door. "Bathroom?" Kate winced slightly. She had needed to go since they walked in the door.

Martha smiled easily as Kate stepped toward the hallway. "I'll likely see you in the morning, Dear," she called after Kate. "Gotta give that hunky security guard a good chance to pat me down!"

At that Kate left and headed toward the bathroom. Martha gathered her suitcase from her own room and headed down the stairs. She was well aware that her son was falling in love with this woman. And now he had Kate here, in his home. Could Kate possibly feel the same way about him? And if she did, would she leave to find a new place, or simply move from the guest bedroom into the master suite?

MomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlwaysMomentsOfAlways

After a few moments alone in the bathroom trying to put thoughts together, Kate wandered back to the bedroom and sat down on the bed for just a few minutes. Under normal circumstances she was quite sure she could fall asleep on this ridiculously comfortable mattress in a matter of seconds.

But with thoughts of explosions, dangers and a serial killer filling her brain, she wasn't sure her mind would settle enough for real rest.

She took a deep breath and decided it might be best to wander back downstairs. She looked down at the clothes she had on and realized that she didn't have anything to sleep in. It was a wonder Castle hadn't picked out some slinky nightgown for her to put on.

Well, that thought made her smile. He would do just that, wouldn't he?

Maybe she could ask Alexis to borrow a pair of shorts, or a sleep shirt…not that she would fit into anything the girl would own. But maybe Alexis could see if Martha had anything.

Now she was cringing again.

Maybe if she pilfered through the closet a little more there would be something of Gina's or Meredith's left in there that might fit? That had her cringing for other reasons and she wasn't sure if the thought of Rick's ex-wives made her nervous…or angry.

She looked toward the closet. After seeing the various sides of Richard Castle she had come to a conclusion a while back. Those ex-wives must've been the culprits, at fault for the failed marriages. Who in their right mind could fall out of love with a man who would give every part of himself to them?

At least that's what she imagined…much like the way he was treating her; and how she could appreciate that side of him.

She sucked in a shaky breath. Now where did that thought come from? Kate shook off the unintended sidebar daydream, although wouldn't it be better to worry about some kind of relationship with Castle versus catching a serial killer?

Kate sighed to herself. Coming back to reality…she was going to have to ask Castle for a pair of sweats or a t-shirt.

With that thought she opened the door and started down the staircase. Better get this over with as quickly as possible. Note to self, find time tomorrow to buy some new jammies and bathrobe. And towels. And slippers. And… oh hell, she needed everything.

Kate was so deep in thought that she nearly knocked into Alexis coming up the stairs.

"Kate?" Alexis said her name a little more loudly than necessary to catch Kate's attention.

"Oh!" Kate stopped with a start and stood up a little straighter, grabbing the wall to avoid a fall. "Alexis, I'm sorry. Obviously lost in my own world here."

"You okay?" the teen wondered kindly.

"Yeah," Kate nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate you asking. Just thinking about having to get all new stuff and find a new place…" Kate voiced with a bit of sadness.

"That sounds like a shopping spree or two is in the works," Alexis tried to joke but then she made a regretful face. "I'm sorry. That sounded…yikes…that sounded like something my mom would say."

Kate accepted both the shopping spree comment and the apology with a smile. But she had to ask, "Your mom? Not your dad?"

Alexis thought for a split second. "Well, Dad would make that comment as a joke to lighten the mood. Which is how I meant it. My mom would say it simply because that's how her brain is wired. Lost something in a near fatal fire? Guess we'll have to go shopping to replace it!"

Now Kate's face tightened. "Ouch."

"Yeah," Alexis pulled her lips into a frown. "Not how I meant it. Again, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Kate took in a breath and found herself smiling more sincerely at the younger woman. "It's true, honestly. Hopefully," she blew a breath out through her lips, "once all this settles down, I'll be ready to do some shopping."

Alexis reached up and placed a hand on Kate's wrist, trying to make it a soothing gesture. "In the meantime, you'll let Dad or me or Grams know if you need something, won't you? I mean, if you're going to be staying here we want you to be comfortable. So ask for anything, really."

Kate could feel the girl's heartfelt meaning and reached up to put a hand over Alexis's and give it a squeeze. "Well, hopefully I won't be in your hair for more than a day or two. But speaking of…do you mind if I use some of your shampoo and conditioner…do you happen to have an extra hairbrush and a hair dryer too?" Kate laughed a little bit, as did Alexis as the reality of the situation began to dawn on them.

"Of course," Alexis agreed. "Tell ya what, I'm heading to bed, so I'll put some bottles and stuff out on the bathroom sink. You just use whatever you need."

Kate thanked her, gratefully and began to step down the stairs again but Alexis stopped her with another squeeze of the hand.

"Wait, did you say you'll only be here a day or two?"

Kate nodded, wondering if that was a problem. "I'll probably go to my Dad's or Lanie's while I find another apartment," she commented.

"Oh," Alexis seemed just a bit disheartened.

"Oh, Sweetie, it's nothing to do with you, I promise!" Kate emphasized. "I just don't want to disrupt your life or your dad's or Martha's," she explained.

Alexis smiled softly, "I wouldn't worry about that, Dad finds ways to disrupt my life all the time!" They both laughed. "Besides, he mentioned that it would probably take you till Christmas to find another place. And I was just starting to think that it might be kinda cool to have a sane person's point of view around here when Dad starts decorating for the holiday. If Gram is moving out, please don't leave me alone with him, Kate. I'll be buried under fake snow and Christmas ornaments. Wouldn't you rather be here to celebrate the holidays instead of coming to investigate a murder at North Pole, New York?"

The two of them laughed again, but Kate was a little stuck on the first part of Alexis's declaration. Castle was expecting her to stay…with them…till Christmas? Add that to the list of discussions they needed to have.

"Just think about it at least, please?" Alexis finished her thought. And when Kate nodded, the younger girl added, "G'night, Kate." Alexis squeezed her hand once more and then moved toward the second floor.

"Goodnight, Alexis. Thank you again," Kate added as a little aside, meaning more than just the hair care products that Alexis was gathering for her.

Kate took another couple of steps toward the first floor and spotted Castle in the kitchen. He appeared to be making coffee at nearly midnight.

But, she realized, if he had nearly as many thoughts circling through his head as she did, coffee might be exactly what he needed.

"Planning to pull an all-nighter Castle?" She asked as she stepped off the bottom step and headed toward the kitchen table.

Rick turned around and looked at her. "You didn't change clothes?" he wondered quickly and Kate gave him a skeptical look.

"What'd you want me to change into, Castle, that skimpy negligee that's hanging in the closet?"

Rick's eyes widened at that thought but quickly caught onto her skepticism. "I forgot to ask for p.j.'s, I'm sorry!" He apologized whole-heartedly.

"I figured you just thought I slept in the nude," she teased a bit further but felt heat rising into her cheeks as Rick tilted his head and gazed at her.

"That's only in my dreams," he cocked an eyebrow in her direction, earning him the typical Beckett eye roll which he was more than happy to see.

She was very happy he didn't push the issue much further, nor did he call attention to her blushing face. They had discussed his various dreams about her in other sarcastic and joking conversations.

For some reason, this time, Kate just felt a little…vulnerable.

"You want coffee?" Castle carried on as if that little chat hadn't even occurred.

"No thanks," Kate considered. "I think I'll just grab some water and find something to change into. Do you think Martha might have something I could wear? You've got a comfy bed in the guest room, Castle. I think I might just be able to get to sleep."

Rick caught the nervousness in her voice. In the pregnant pause following her question, he wanted to step toward Kate, pull her into his arms and let her know that his bed was even more comfortable…perhaps that's where she should sleep.

He closed his eyes for a split second, letting that idea roll completely out of the way before he smiled at her. "I hope you can, Kate. You need to rest." And before she could say anything else, he added, "You don't want to wear anything out of Mother's closet. I'll go grab a tshirt and some sweats for you."

With that he wandered toward his bedroom as he tried to figure out which of his recent thoughts was more alluring: Kate Beckett sleeping in the nude…or Kate Beckett sleeping in his clothing.

He resolved himself to be the responsible adult that this particular situation required. He grabbed a faded maroon t-shirt from his dresser drawer and a pair of pajama pants with a drawstring. Hopefully they wouldn't swallow her thin body completely.

After all, as long as Kate was able to sleep comfortably in his home, it didn't matter what she was wearing.

WhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodesWhenTimeExplodes

Afterthoughts... There's still more to come! If you enjoyed this first chapter I hope you'll stay tuned for the second one. Will there be more after that? We shall see!

If you liked this one, feel free to leave me a little 'like'; a story follow; or share your thoughts/comments with me, please! Your reviews feed my muse! ;)

Thanks for reading and KTCLF! (Keep The Caskett Love Flowing!)

-adcg