Prompt: two characters that don't usually spend time together are trapped in an elevator.

Plus some Caskett sprinkled in there because I do love them.

Trapped

It had been three days... three days of no Castle. Only three days. He had bunkered down for the week - a futile attempt to finish the due chapters of his novel - and she was missing him. More than she would ever admit, out loud anyway. But to herself, sure, she could admit that she missed him.

That was, after all, the reason she was pacing the familiar hallway this cold, winter morning. She woke up, freezing cold - the heating in her building on the fritz, again - so she had been seeking warmth in a coffee shop since just after 5am. She had told herself she may as well go to the precinct, get a start on the day. They did have an open case - a victim in need of justice.

But... she missed him.

She stood at his front door, staring blankly at the deep colouring of the wood in front of her. Three days... just three days. She had no reason to be here. What was her plan? To waltz in, confessing how much she missed his presence and how she couldn't fight this deep need to see his face... to be in his space... to be with him. No - this was not well thought out. He was busy, he was working, he needed space. Not from her - just from distraction. And here she was, distracting. She can call him later, see if he's interested in lunch, or dinner. Surely, he had to break for food at some point. But not now.

She turned and headed back to the elevator. The carriage was still on this floor, and the doors opened instantly. She stepped in, pressing the ground floor button and checking the time on her phone. Still early, but at least the sun was higher, slowly warming the streets. The walk to her car wouldn't be as torturous as the walk here.

"Detective Beckett?" she heard, just as the doors were closing. A hand shot through the crack, just in time, and the doors reopened. Alexis smiled as she stepped into the elevator. "What are you doing here?" her voice was very... chipper. She mustn't have inherited her father's distaste for early mornings. That, or, she hid it better.

"I - uh - I was just going to check in on your dad... see how the writing is going." Beckett started.

"You mean the procrastination?" Alexis laughed, causing a smile to spread across Beckett's face. Of course he would be procrastinating still. "You're not going to go in?"

The elevator doors shut again. "Ah, no. Got a call from... my dad. He wants to meet for coffee."

She wasn't sure why she lied. Alexis was smart... and Beckett was sure she could see straight through her. But she didn't say anything, just nodded and looked ahead. Beckett wasn't sure if it was actually awkward, or if she had just unknowingly sent herself into a spiral over a stupid, insignificant lie. But that didn't matter. All she had to do was keep staring at the elevator wall for the next 30 seconds and then she was free.

Then, as if the universe was toying with her, the lights flickered and the elevator came to a screeching halt. The sudden loss of momentum was enough to make Alexis's knees buckle and she had to take a few short steps forward to regain herself.

"Are you okay?" Beckett asked, her hands moving to the girls' elbows to help steady her.

"I'm okay." she replied - but her grip on Beckett's arms said otherwise. "Not a fan of being stuck in an elevator... but I'm fine." she explained, releasing her grip.

"If it helps... elevators are much safer than most people realise. They have so many failsafe's... the chances of anything going wrong is -" she stopped, noticing her words didn't seem to be helping at all.

Instead of continuing with her train of thought, she stepped forward and pushed the door open button. Nothing. And again. Nothing. She pushed on the call button and only moments later a calming voice echoed inside the carriage. He assured the women that they were safe - obviously standard in his training - and asked them several questions. Were they okay? Had they tried the door open button? Did they have access to a cell phone with service? Et cetera. He organised for a team to be sent to the building to help get them out - giving an approximation of 20 to 30 minutes until their arrival from across town. He then gave Beckett the number for his direct line, instructing her to call him directly if she needed, before ending the call.

"Half an hour." Beckett repeated the estimated time frame. "You going to be okay? Just 30 minutes."

Alexis nodded, focussing her eyes on her reflection of the mirrored elevator door. "I'm fine. Not the ideal situation... but I'm not claustrophobic or anything. I'll be fine."

Beckett moved to the back of the carriage and sat on the floor with her back pressed against the wall. Alexis followed the detectives lead, sitting cross-legged in the corner.

"Should you call your dad?" she asked. Beckett looked at her, confused. "Aren't you on your way to meet him? Should you let him know you're currently... occupied?"

"Oh." that's right... coffee with Jim. "I'll just text him." she said, opening the messaging app on her phone.

Alexis didn't mean to look, but there was something about detective Beckett's behaviour that seemed... off. She could clearly see the illuminated screen of Beckett's phone in the mirror behind her and curiosity took over. She couldn't make out the text that she was typing... but she could see the recipients name in bold text at the top of the screen - Det. K Ryan. She squinted a little, focusing on the smaller text...

Stuck in elevator. Help on the way. Won't be long. Cover for me?

Beckett tucked her phone into her pocket and smiled at Alexis. She could see the girl was studying her... and it was unnerving. Her expressions were very similar to Castle's - and Beckett felt as though she was made of glass... completely transparent to the girl.

"Can I ask you a question?" Alexis's voice seemed... unsure. "A possibly, most definitely inappropriate question?"

Being raised by Richard Castle, Beckett was impressed that the girl knew what inappropriate meant. Something her father seemed to struggle with on occasion.

"Um..." Beckett considered the request. The 'possibly, most definitely inappropriate' part was cause for concern, but all past interactions with Alexis had been pleasant. "Sure." She decided.

"Are you and my dad... you know...?" She didn't want to say the words out loud. In fact, she wasn't even sure why she was asking. She knew her father had... partners. A significant percentage of them not ideal matches, too. But the thought of him and detective Beckett... together... just didn't sit right with Alexis. There was a lot riding on their relationship... on their partnership - his safety being a major priority! She just wasn't sure if sex was worth risking the dynamics of their working relationship. Something she knew she shouldn't have an opinion on. And honestly, she didn't want to have such strong opinions on, but when her dad was out there risking his life every day, she couldn't help but be concerned.

Beckett stared in disbelief. Surely there was some misunderstanding here and Alexis wasn't bluntly asking her if she was sleeping with Castle.

"You just seem kind of bothered by my presence right now," the girl explained. "I just wanted to say if this is some sort of... I don't know. 7am just seems more... sneaking out than dropping by, you know?"

"Oh god. No." She shook her head, hoping she wasn't protesting too much. "No, it's not like that."

Alexis nodded her acceptance of the detectives unconvincing denial.

This is going to be a long 30 minutes...

After several minutes, the awkward silence got the better of her, and she decided that surely talking couldn't be any worse than the silence. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she spoke up. "I've always gotten the impression that Castle tells you everything, anyway. Wouldn't you know if... you know what, never mind."

"Dad is a notorious over-sharer, yes. But he doesn't kiss and tell. Not with you, anyway." She looked at the detective, who was staring ahead, trying to avoid unnecessary eye contact. She couldn't resist setting a trap. "Besides... he knows I would never approve."

Beckett's head snapped in the girl's direction, her eyes curious and concerned. Alexis smirked having received the exact reaction she expected.

Seeing Alexis' reaction - that infamous Castle smirk that she definitely inherited from her father - Beckett realised what she had done.

"I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

Before Alexis could respond, Beckett's cell started to ring. She pulled it from her pocket and looked at the screen. Alexis smiled, seeing the familiar face on the screen.

"Hey Castle." She answered the call, placing her phone on loud speaker.

"Are you stuck in my elevator?" He skipped the pleasantries, sounding equal parts confused and smug.

"How-?" She looked up to the roof of the elevator carriage, noticing the small red flashing light. Of course there was a security camera in the elevator.

"Eduardo called the loft to let me know Alexis was okay and that he had been in touch with the team coming to free you guys. He mentioned how it was a good thing you happened to stop by this morning..." he trailed off, hoping she would offer up some explanation.

"And of course your first thought was to call and bother me, instead of calling your daughter to check on her." She hoped the playful tone of her voice was enough to tell him she wasn't actually criticising his parenting.

"Self preservation, Beckett. If I call her, she will get up me for not writing. And she's much more terrifying than you are."

"I heard that!" Alexis growled.

"Hey pumpkin, I love you." He chirped in a sing-songy voice, before returning to a more dramatic tone. "You have me on speaker and you didn't warn me? The betrayal!"

"Hanging up now, Castle. Go finish your book." She smiled as she tapped the small red icon, cutting him off before he could say anything else.

They settled into the silence, both going through their phones searching for something to fill the time.

"Can I just say one thing?" Alexis spoke up after several minutes.

Beckett stopped tapping at the keypad on her phone, turning her attention back to the girl beside her. "Of course."

"I like you, Detective Beckett. You and Detectives Ryan and Esposito have all made a really positive impact on dad. He genuinely enjoys doing what he's doing. And I know a lot of that is because of you," she said.

"He's a great addition to the team. We all enjoy having him there."

"I know dad can be... impulsive. And kind of reckless sometimes." Beckett nodded her agreement to the girl's statement. "But you have his back and I know... I know that he is as safe as possible when he's with you."

"I do everything I can, I promise you that."

"I know. I just, I worry about what happens if things get... complicated."

Beckett inhaled deeply, nodding her understanding. She understood Alexis's concerns, as they were very close to mirroring her own.

What happens when the inevitable happens, when one of them is distracted, doesn't have their head on the job, and something goes wrong?

"No sugarcoating?" the girl asked, watching the detective sorting through her thoughts.

"Things get complicated, that's life. But, no matter what, I have his back. That won't change."

"Promise?" Alexis asked, her voice soft, almost pleading.

Beckett knew this was something she she couldn't guarantee. She couldn't foresee the future, she had no way to know that there wouldn't be a fallout. That, after all, was why she had kept Castle at an arms length all this time, afraid of the fallout.

But there was something about Alexis's vulnerability that seemed to shine a light on the one thing she knew to be true: she would do everything in her power to make sure Rick came home to his daughter at the end of the day, regardless of where they may stand.

She nodded, "I promise."

Alexis didn't say anything, she just pulled at a loose thread on her uniform as she nodded, accepting Beckett's promise. After a moment, she leant her head back against the wall and let out a sigh.

"You should tell him why you're here," she said, not making eye contact.

The statement took Beckett by surprise. She knew why she was here... but Alexis didn't. Did she?

She racked her brain for something to say, but came up empty. The smirk that grew on Alexis's face with each silent second that passed reaffirmed that, yes, she was that transparent.

Suddenly, the carriage illuminated and an uneasy tremble and grind launched both Beckett and Alexis into action, rising to their feet and waiting anxiously to see if they were being rescued, or about to plummet several stories to the ground.

Alexis reached out her hand, grabbing Beckett's arm. After what felt like forever, the elevator began to descend. They came to a stop and the doors opened, revealing the two technicians that had 'saved' them, Eduardo, and Castle standing there, waiting.

"You should be writing," Alexis ordered, dropping her hand from Beckett's arm as she strode out of the elevator.

"I had to make sure you were alright!" Castle defended. "What kind of father would I be if I didn't check in?"

"How long have you been standing here, waiting?"

"Since Beckett so rudely hung up on me," he joked, turning his attention to his partner as she exited the elevator carriage.

"Sorry about that," she said with an apologetic smile. "It was for your own good."

Castle looked back to his daughter, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "You're alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Dad," Alexis reassured him.

"All is forgiven, then," he aimed at Beckett and smiled. "You want a lift to school?" he asked, returning his attention to Alexis once more.

"No thanks. Besides, Detective Beckett needs to talk to you." Alexis gave him a kiss on the cheek and shot Beckett a mischievous grin before leaving.

Beckett's stomach filled with butterflies as Castle looked to her, anticipation thick in the air.

"Everything okay?" he asked, kick starting the conversation she didn't actually plan on having today.

Instinctively, her mind started going over the possible excuses. Case related advice, questions about his book and writing progress, maybe even needing advice from the perspective of a father...

But Alexis's encouragement stayed at the forefront of her mind.

You should tell him why you're here...

"Beckett?"

"Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?" she blurted.

He looked surprised, genuinely confused, and she desperately wanted to backpedal.

"Are you asking me on a date?" he asked.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" The smile on his face was more than enough evidence for her: he was very amused right now.

"Yes."

"Hmm... I might be busy," he toyed with her.

She rolled her eyes. "Castle."

"I would love to have dinner with you tonight," he finally answered.

She smiled, relief filling her and easing the swarm of fluttering in her stomach. "Good," she said softly, taking her bottom lip in between her teeth to try and restrain her smile a little.

"I think you've just given me the motivation I needed to get back to my chapters."

"Glad I could help. Now, off you go. Would be a shame to have to cancel," she smirked.

"I'll see you later, I suppose."

"I'll text you with a plan."

Castle started to walk toward the elevator, but came to a sudden halt at the door. He turned back to face Beckett.

"I might take the stairs," he quipped, before taking off, bounding up the staircase excitedly.

She stifled a laugh, shaking her head. As she turned to walk away, she noticed Eduardo standing behind the concierge desk, smile beaming.

He flashed his teeth and gave her two thumbs up, causing her cheeks to flush a soft shade of pink.

Waking up to a broken heater, a freezing cold apartment and getting trapped in an elevator would usually be a definite sign that today was not going to be pleasant...

But nothing could shake her confidence now. Today was going to be a good day, the start of something great. Nothing could bring her down from cloud nine... nothing.