Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews! Keep in mind that not all of the facts have been revealed yet; characters have their reasons for feeling the way they do.

Chapter 2

"So how did it go?" Kate asked when Castle reappeared at her desk that afternoon.

"She's not feeling the love yet," he said as he flopped down in his chair. "But she will…I'm almost positive."

"Uh huh," she said with a slight smile as she eyed him. "She didn't make it easy, did she?"

"Does your mother ever make anything easy?"

"Rarely; so how bad was it?" she asked.

He shrugged. "She stayed until her food and drink were gone…that's something, isn't it?"

"I suppose, but you seem to be avoiding the question."

Castle sighed. "Okay; there was a brief period of time where I thought she wasn't going to show up because she was late."

"Not entirely unusual for her," Kate remarked. "She does run late at times…especially if she isn't looking forward to something."

"Once she arrived, she admitted that she thought of not coming but decided that lunch with me was better than listening to you complain if she bailed."

"Most likely true," she laughed. "Did that make you question your judgment about starting this lunch campaign of yours?"

"No; I just chalked it up as her being uptight about the whole thing. I tried to ask her about her job to relax things but she only gave me short basic answers," Castle replied; "Unlike the fully detailed descriptions she gives you on the topic. By the time our meal arrived, she was demanding to know why I called for this lunch."

Kate smiled as she nodded. "That's definitely Mom; let's you have some small talk first and then she goes for the throat."

"You could've reminded me about that before I left."

"By now you should know without a reminder; it's not like you just met her last week."

"I know…but she's distant; I don't get to observe her and record all of her usual tactics as well as I did in the beginning before she hated me."

"She doesn't hate you."

"Okay, before she decided that she didn't like me as much as she thought," he amended. "But you're right; she did go right for the throat with the big question."

"And what did you tell her?"

"The truth."

"So much for being careful with your motive," Kate quipped.

"I told her the main reason; that I want a better in-law relationship."

"Did she accept that answer?"

"She's suspicious."

Kate nodded once more. "Typical behavior…but what exactly does her suspicion entail? Does she have something specific in mind about your reasons?"

"Not what you're thinking," he answered knowingly. "I don't think that specific reason occurred to her at all."

"Good; because I know it is a part of the reasoning behind this campaign of yours."

"How can it not be?" Castle asked; "But I didn't say anything that would hint at it; and overall the reason I gave her is the truth; I want things to be better between us."

"I know," his wife replied; "And I think it's sweet that you're willing to take on this effort…I just hope that you won't take it too badly if you don't get the results that you want."

"She's just hesitant right now," he stated. "I'm not taking it personally…except for that moment when she suggested that I have a problem with people not liking me on a self approved level."

Kate's brow rose and she quickly glanced back to her paperwork.

"Tell me you're not saying that you agree with her," her husband stated.

"I didn't say a word."

"That's the problem."

She laughed. "What do you want me to say?"

"What any good wife would say…that your mother is wrong."

"I think I'm a pretty good wife but I'm not going to say that she's completely wrong on that one…but I am curious about what button you were pushing that made her say that."

"I believe we were discussing therapy and she suggested that I get some for that problem."

Kate couldn't hold back her laughter and she quickly looked around the precinct to make sure it hadn't disturbed anyone. Seeing that no one was paying them any mind, she gave her attention back to her husband. "Oh God, I wish I could've seen your face at that moment."

"It was a low point of the meal."

"How low did it go?"

"I might've asked her how her sister was and reminded her of how they don't have much of a relationship because her sister mostly hates her," he admitted.

"Castle," she sighed.

"I know; I shouldn't have gone there…she just brought out the worst in me there for a moment."

"There's no denying that my mother is good at bringing out the worst in people at times but you just can't go there. You can't bring Colleen up; that just makes it worse…that's still a sore spot for her; especially considering their limited communication."

"I know; I don't know why I did that. It's not going to endear me to her…and apparently she forgets nothing."

Kate held his gaze. "Meaning?"

"Meaning she has a permanent record of our special chats dating back to when she lived with you upon her return from Wyoming. The pecan incident was mentioned, the hospital incident was mentioned, the Alexis debacle was mentioned….she remembers everything," Castle said with an exasperated sigh.

"She does have a very good memory," his wife agreed.

"Yeah; she does," he said with a nod as he took his list from his pocket. "Speaking of remembering; I need to add the wedding to the list."

"The list?"

"Yeah; I made a list of things we need to clear up or work on."

"Did you make this list in front of her?"

"Yes, I did. I even offered her paper so that she could make her own list…she declined; she said she's got it all in her head."

"That probably doesn't bode well for you, Castle."

"She'll come around," he assured. "I told her we're having lunch again next week and she didn't give me a flat out no. She didn't exactly seem crazy about the idea but she didn't say no."

"At least not yet," Kate replied. "Don't be surprised if something suddenly comes up."

"I figured maybe you could call her this weekend and persuade her to make sure nothing comes up on Tuesday afternoon."

"You want her to continue thinking that she's doing this for me and not you?"

Castle smiled. "If it's the only way it can be done for now; I'm okay with that…by the way; she told me to tell you hello…and that if you have any complaints about anything I report; please wait and call after three to complain."

Puzzlement furrowed her brow. "Why?"

"Because by then she'll be done grading papers and by the time you're done the complaint, she'll be able to use making dinner as an excuse to hang up."

"I see," Kate said as she picked up her phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Setting a reminder to call my mother at 2:55."

"Why?"

"Just to bug her."

"You're not helping the cause, Kate."

She laughed. "She'd think I didn't care if I ignored that after three crack."

"We don't want that…but make sure she knows it was all your idea. I have enough things on my to-do list," he said as he waved the notebook at her.

"Rick; I told you as soon as you thought up this plan that you'd have your work cut out for you."

"I know; but I'm going to stick with it. She's going to learn that she's worth a little effort…even if she does make it difficult."

Kate smiled and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "You're a good husband…and a good son-in-law."

"I haven't gotten my final grade on that yet…although she did renew the threat she gave me at the wedding reception."

"Just give her time, Castle; don't push too much. Mom has always had to do things in her own time and her own way. I honestly don't think she's ever changed her opinion of you…it's just that somewhere along the way, she decided that you had changed your opinion of her."

"Then I have to show her that she's wrong."

"She hates to be wrong."

"I'll buy her a present to soften the blow," he quipped. "What's the best way to suck up to her?"

Kate shrugged. "I used to just clean my bedroom when I wanted to suck up."

"We already have a clean bedroom so that's not going to work and she admitted to not being comfortable in our home, so even if it would work; she wouldn't stop by so we could show her that we're clean," he commented. "Do you have anything else?"

"Not at the moment; I'll have to get back to you on that."

"I'll add it to my list," Castle remarked. "It just seems to be growing longer anyway."

"Don't worry, Castle; if you rile her enough, you can get her to knock two or three things off that list in one setting."

"Riling her seems dangerous."

"Yeah, well, I didn't say there wouldn't be danger involved…just that she's very chatty when she's pissed off," she replied with a laugh.

"Pissing her off is what has gotten me to this point…so once again, I have to say that you're not helping the cause."

"I'll try harder," Kate replied.

He gave a nod. "That makes two of us."

Johanna was nearly finished grading her last paper when her phone rang at 2:55. She sighed and then smirked upon seeing her daughter's name on the screen before she accepted the call. "I said to call after three," she stated; not bothering with the formality of a 'Hello'."

"I know; that's why I called at 2:55," Kate replied. "It gives me extra time before you need to hurry away to begin preparing dinner…when we both know that Dad won't be home until sometime between 4:30 and 5:00.

"Maybe what I'm making requires a longer prep time; did you ever think of that Miss Detective?" Johanna asked.

"No; I was more concerned with annoying you if you want the truth."

She sighed. "I was on my last paper, Katie; you could've waited five more minutes."

"But then my point to annoy you would be missed…I mean since when do you give me a specific time to call?" her daughter asked.

"I like to schedule complaints so they can be dealt with quickly," Johanna remarked; "Just like how I have an office at Columbia…which I admittedly don't use much; but I do go to it for an hour or two so I can handle gripes and excuses that need attention outside of the classroom."

"I know, Mom; you're the model of professionalism, you always have been."

"Let's just get to it, Katie. Whatever your husband told you about today that you want to complain about was probably exaggerated; I didn't behave badly. I allowed him to speak his piece, I listened, I didn't exactly agree but I felt I did what you asked of me."

Kate couldn't help but laugh a little. "Wow; you sound like you took some time to prepare your defense before you dove into grading papers."

"Well, you can't keep me from being a lawyer entirely…the behavior is just a part of me…kind of like how you sometimes slip into an interrogation when you're merely visiting with family."

"I always apologize after you yell at me for that, Mother."

"I know, dear. So go ahead; yell at me, tell me what I did wrong."

"Why are you so sure that I'm calling to say you did something wrong?" Kate asked.

"Well; why else would you be calling me from work after I've had lunch with your husband?"

"Castle's right; you do have a very suspicious nature."

"Another occupational hazard…that you're guilty of yourself."

"I can't deny that," her daughter replied; "But I swear I called in peace."

Johanna leaned back in her chair, wishing they were having this conversation in person so that she could read her daughter's facial expressions. "Do you want to tell me what's going on?" she asked; softening her tone, hoping that approach would do some good in discovering what was behind this sudden need to make her a better member of her own family.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb, Katie. What's the real deal with this thing with Rick?"

"He told you; he wants things to be better between you…and as I told you Sunday when I visited; you don't seem to be combining well in the new family order."

"I don't understand what you mean by that. I was in this family before he was; I was in it before you were," Johanna remarked.

"I'm aware of that…but you know what I mean."

"Clearly I don't."

"Mom," her daughter sighed.

"I know," Johanna said as she took off her reading glasses and laid them on the desk; "I'm exasperating; your husband already told me."

"He did?" Kate asked; "Because he didn't mention that to me."

"Oh yeah, he mentioned it to me. It's fine though."

"It's not fine; that's what this whole thing is about. You have to admit that the two of you don't get along as well as you used to; there have been some missteps on everyone's part and I feel like you've built a wall…and he sees that too and wants to fix it."

"Why?"

"Why?" Kate repeated incredulously. "Because we don't want to feel like you remove yourself from the family…we don't want to feel like you're on the outside looking in."

"I don't do that; I went shopping with you last week."

"Mom; you know exactly what I'm talking about and you want to pretend that you don't. Yes, when it's just me and you, you're completely fine. When it's our combined family…you're very quiet."

"I thought that would be appreciated…considering the amount of clashing that was going on."

"No; actually it's kind of unnerving and it needs to be settled so just give this a chance, okay?"

"What about how I feel? Doesn't that matter? Maybe I've made my peace with how things are and I'm fine."

"It does matter to me," Kate replied; "But I honestly think you're going to feel better if you just let him do this. Just because you've made peace with how things are doesn't mean that there can't be improvement that you can then make more peace with, right?"

"I suppose."

Kate sighed. "I'm glad you showed up today…even if you were late."

"Traffic," Johanna stated.

"You always use that excuse."

"I live in New York City; it's not an excuse, it's a way of life."

"Okay, I'll give you that one…but you could probably leave a little earlier next time so you make it on time."

"Am I going next time?" her mother asked.

"Well…I heard that you didn't say no when it was mentioned."

"I didn't say yes either."

"But you will go, won't you…for me?" Kate asked softly. "You'll try for me."

Johanna closed her eyes, that feeling nagging her that her daughter and son-in-law were up to something besides hurriedly trying to improve the family. "Yeah, I guess so."

"I do appreciate it, you know that, right?"

"Sure."

"You're just humoring me, aren't you?"

"Well, sweetheart; one day when you're a mother, you'll realize that a mother spends half of her time humoring her child….do the words 'Of course I want to play tea party for the third time today' ring a bell to you?"

Kate smiled. "Yeah, I kind do think I recall a few tea party packed days…followed by a round of Barbies."

"I have to admit; I liked tea parties and Barbies better," Johanna replied.

"Well…you can have tea at lunch," her daughter replied; "And I can buy you a Barbie doll if it'll help."

"Am I supposed to play alone?"

She laughed. "I'd offer to play but I have a reputation to protect."

"You'll have to get over that one day."

"I know…and you're going to have to get past these things that make you a little tense when we're all together. We just want you to be happy."

"Why is it that people always say that to me while they're doing something that doesn't make me particularly happy?"

"I don't know…I guess it just works out that way," Kate replied; "But I'm sure in the end you'll be happier than you are now. It's not so much to ask is it? It's just lunch once a week."

"For how long?"

"Until everything is better."

"Okay, I'll go Tuesday and I'll be better."

"I think it's going to take more than that, Mother."

"And I think eventually you're going to have to tell me everything behind this sudden motivation," Johanna replied.

"You know the motivation; making our new family happier and better; more settled…this is going to be good for all of us."

"Then I'll be seeing you at the lunch table?"

"I'm not ruling that out eventually," Kate told her. "But for now, it's just you and Castle…because that's where the tension lies."

"It wouldn't if he'd quit judging me and insinuating that I lie all the time," Johanna stated. "I don't appreciate that."

"Then tell him that, Mom."

"I have before; he doesn't listen."

"Make him," her daughter replied. "This is his project, he wants things to be better; you tell him everything he does that makes you feel the way you do. Maybe he'll listen better this time."

"I'm still not crazy about this, Katie," Johanna replied; "But I told you I'd do it and I'll keep my word. I'll do it for you…like always."

"I know," she replied. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"The fact that you're saying that just drives home the feeling that something else is at play here."

"Stop being so suspicious," Kate replied. "Everything is fine or at least it will be once this stuff is settled between you and Castle. I've got to get back to work and I know you need to finish your grading. I love you, I'll call you later."

"I love you too," Johanna told her. "Be careful."

"I promise."

They said goodbye and Johanna laid down her phone on the desk with a sigh; she wasn't fooled; somewhere along the way she'd find the truth of this matter. Until then she'd just have to play along.

"Did you call her?" Castle asked as he settled down in his chair, placing the bottle of water Kate had requested on her desk while he opened up a pack of M&Ms he got from the vending machine.

"I did," she said, as she side eyed him.

"From the look I'm getting, I'm guessing she misinterpreted something and you're no longer happy with me?"

"Did you call her exasperating?" Kate asked.

Castle's gaze darted away. "I…might recall saying that."

"Really; you thought that was wise?"

"Well you say it!"

"I'm her daughter; I'm allowed to say it to her. You're her son-in-law; you only get to say it to me…in the privacy of our own home when she's nowhere around to hear it."

"You should've explained that sooner," he quipped.

"You've had two mother-in-laws; you should have something figured out by now," she remarked.

"Clearly I don't…they are a special breed of species that can't be understood from the male perspective."

"That's not true," Kate replied. "Dad always got along with Grandma Naomi; he adored her."

"Okay; your grandmother must've been a rare member of the mother-in-law species…and all of my mother-in-laws appear to be from the order of the 'peck him to death' segment of the species."

Kate narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't compare my mother to a bird of prey; she's the best one you could get out of the sorry lot you've described to me."

"Wow, that's nice look on your face. I'm not sure I've seen that one before…at least pointed at me."

"Then you better rethink your descriptions."

"I had a temporary moment of insanity; of course your mother isn't in that class…she's in a special class all of her own."

"You better mean that in a good way."

"I swear on my M&Ms."

"Castle, you better not be lying because if you start choking on one of those…"

"You'll save me right? You'll realize it's just a coincidence and not a sign of guilt?"

"Oh I'll save you," Kate replied; "But the issue of whether you're guilty or not will be thoroughly investigated."

"I'd expect nothing less of you."

"Uh huh. I was also told that you keep insinuating that she's a liar?"

He shifted in his seat. "I…um…well, I, uh…"

"You what?"

"I might've made a comment that could've been taken that way."

Kate nodded. "Wow, Rick; way to help the cause."

"I'm going to do better next time," he promised.

"Make sure you do…she does still carry a gun, you know?"

"She does?"

"She does."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind," Castle said as he pulled his notebook from his pocket.

"What are you doing?"

"Drawing a gun on my list as a reminder of what's hiding in her purse."

"Good idea," Kate replied; "At the rate you're going, you're going to need all the help you can get."

Jim smiled as he looked across the dinner table at his wife. "So, how was your lunch date?" he asked; a teasing note in his voice.

Johanna rolled her eyes and swallowed the bite of pasta she had taken. "I don't know what the hell they're up to but whatever it is, they better hope I end up liking it because if I don't…," she trailed off with a humorless laugh.

He chuckled in amusement. "Did you ask him?"

"Of course; right after he was through asking me about work and your whereabouts."

"What's the official story?"

"Basically the jist of it seems to be making me into a better mother-in-law," Johanna answered.

"Are you a bad one?" her husband asked.

"For now his chosen word to describe me is 'exasperating'. I am an exasperating mother-in-law."

"Exasperating?"

"Yes…and you know, I always got very good grades for my vocabulary skills in school. I remember very clearly that the definition of exasperating is, intensely irritating, annoying, infuriating."

Jim's jaw tightened. "You should've told him that word was originally invented to describe son-in-laws."

Johanna frowned. "I wish I had thought of that."

"I'm going to have to think twice about taking Rick to anymore ballgames. What happened when you got crowned with that label?"

"I told him, good, that means I'm doing the mother-in-law thing right."

He laughed. "That's my girl."

"God I wish Elizabeth was still here…I'd take her with me and let him see the mother of all mother-in-laws."

"You know, I think she would've had your back on this one. I don't think Mom would've been too crazy about him…and she would've made it known…in a very exasperating way."

She smiled. "I know…I miss her. I could use her assistance…even if I had to wheel her out of a nursing home, I would've."

"I'm sure you wouldn't have had to ask twice."

Johanna wished she had the option of asking for her mother-in-law's assistance…her own mother's as well. But she didn't have those options; she had to navigate the mother-in-law jungle alone, with only the remembrance of their examples. "He reminded me that Katie has a harmonious relationship with her mother-in-law."

Jim scoffed. "So you're supposed to enter the competition now?"

"Apparently so; not that I can hope to live up to the lofty standards Martha Rodgers has set. She's a much more harmonious being than lowly, exasperating me."

"If it makes you feel any better; I'd take you over a thousand Marthas any day of the week," her husband stated.

A smile touched her lips as she brushed her foot against his leg. "That does make me feel better; and just so you know, I'm the real winner of the husband lottery. Katie thinks it's her but it's definitely me."

Jim nodded. "I am quite a catch."

"And not at all conceited about it," she laughed.

"Of course not, conceit would mar my image; but just so you know, I won the wife lottery…and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise."

Johanna smiled, warmth filling her as she took another bite of her dinner. That feeling of gratefulness that she had gotten to reclaim her life with him still burned brightly deep within her; the time she'd been home hadn't faded into taking a single moment for granted. She still cherished every second. "He also said that when I feel something is implied that I'm delusional."

"Not always," Jim said with a shake of his head. "Only about five percent of the time."

"Thank you; that's what I thought," she replied. "I mentioned that I didn't understand why he can't accept the things I say and he pretty much said that I lie all the time."

"Definitely not taking him to anymore ball games," her husband remarked.

"Don't do that on my account," Johanna replied. "Rick's problem is with me, not you…remember you got the free pass."

"Anyone who has a problem with you has a problem with me," he declared. "If he's going to be sharing these opinions of you, I might have to take him to one more game so I can share some opinions of him…and if you need to tell him that, please do so."

It was silent for a few minutes as they ate but finally Johanna spoke once again. "He made a list."

"A list of what?" her husband asked.

"Areas that need cleared up and improved."

"Seriously?"

"Uh huh; he offered me paper to make my own list."

Jim laughed. "Like you need paper for that. I could pick some random date from our history and ask you what I did on that day to piss you off and you'd be able to give me a detailed account about the argument and how amends were made."

"Probably so," she replied with an amused smirk.

"He actually made a list though?"

"Oh yeah; all kinds of past grievances are on it…including Martha; because as I was told; that is more me than her."

"What is this, some kind of therapy?" he asked.

"It does have that vibe, doesn't it?"

"What's he going to do next, bring in a shrink?"

Johanna met his gaze. "That's the day you'll need to have bail money on hand because I will take the gun from my purse and fire warning shots…I won't hit him; but he will learn a valuable lesson."

"Don't worry, sweetheart; I'll have your bail money ready and your defense planned."

"That's just one of the many reasons why I love you, honey."

He smiled. "You'd do the same for me."

"In a heartbeat; I'd break you out of jail without batting an eye if I had to."

"That's mutual," he replied. "What else happened at this lunch?"

"Let's see…there was a crack about me wanting Katie to still admire me the way she did was she was a little girl and there was a comment about my sister still hating me."

Jim's jaw tightened once more. "Is that right?"

"Yeah…I didn't mind the comment about Katie too much; it was the one about Colleen that kind of hit me. I guess I brought it on myself though; he was on this spiel about therapy and I said maybe he needed some for his issue of needing people to like him in the manner he specifies."

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "Bringing Colleen into it was a low blow. Was your statement solely about him?"

"Yes."

"Then he had no right to bring up Katie or Colleen; that was just being cruel…and whatever little 'build a perfect mother-in-law' experiment he has going on is now over; you're not going back for more," Jim stated. "Between the remarks about being exasperating and a liar and then throwing your sister in your face, that's enough. You're not going to sit and take that from anyone."

"I have to go back," Johanna replied.

"No, you don't; I said it's done."

"I have to go again, Jim."

"Give me one good reason why you should."

"Because I have to find out what they're up to…because whatever this is, you know Katie's a part of it; that's why she cajoled me into going in the first place and that's why she called this afternoon and gently insinuated that she wants me to go again next Tuesday. They're up to something…I don't know what it is and there's a fifty percent chance that I won't like it but there's something going on. They think I'm stupid and won't notice; that I'm in my early sixties and probably slowly getting feeble minded. Well I've got news for both of them; I'm nowhere near being feeble minded. I'm still sharp, vital and active; age has not caused me any harm yet and I have no intention of allowing it to do so. I am of completely sound mind and body."

"Damn right," Jim stated; "So am I."

"We both are; and neither one of us is stupid. I know when someone is up to something; I worked in the legal system and raised a teenager…I'm pretty much an expert at knowing when someone is up to something and trying to hide it."

"You're right," he replied; "You've got a lot of experience in that area."

"Do you think they're up to something?" she asked; "Honestly; don't just say what you think I want to hear."

Jim met her eye. "Of course they're up to something; why else would this suddenly be an issue?"

"My thoughts exactly; but what could it be?"

He shrugged. "I don't know…I'd say it's about the books but you're already in there, Erica."

She smirked at him. "I'm glad he's got a better opinion of Erica than he does me. Oh and I almost forgot to mention that he seems to think it's bad that I'm glued to your side when we're visiting their home."

"Where are you supposed to be? Swinging from a chandelier?"

"Beats the hell out of me, honey; but I told him I'm always glued to you and I like it that way."

"So do I; in fact, I prefer it that way. What's he trying to do; change you?"

"I don't know; but it doesn't feel like it's the 'I just want to have a better in-law relationship' like he claims. I feel like things are fine…he acts like I'm hostile to him. I'm not…am I entirely comfortable with him, no…but how can I be knowing what he thinks of me? And yet it's like he blames me for everything."

"And now suddenly wants to reform you and work through a list that you're most likely getting blamed for."

"Yes," Johanna said; a note of relief in her tone. "I'm so glad you see it too."

"Hey; I'm on your team all the way, sweetheart. It's me and you against the world as always; I'm always going to be on your side; especially when you're justified and I do feel you're justified in feeling the way you do."

"I just hope I figure out what they're up to quickly so I can put an end to this Tuesday lunch business," she remarked.

"You'll figure it out," Jim assured; "And no matter what; I'm behind you."

She smiled. "You're being very sweet tonight, darling."

"I'm a good husband," he said with a grin.

Johanna nodded. "You are…and you shall be rewarded later."

He bumped her foot under the table. "That wasn't my motive but I accept the implication of what that reward might be."

She laughed softly. "I know you didn't have ulterior motives; you just love me for who I am and I'm always grateful for that."

Jim reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm always going to love you for who you are…I wouldn't have you any other way."

"I'm glad," Johanna murmured; because she had a feeling that there were still a lot of people who would like to change her.

Monday evening found Johanna at her desk, a stack of test papers in front of her that she was grading as Jim worked at his own desk across the room.

"How are your kids doing on their tests?" Jim asked as he glanced away from his computer screen to give his eyes a break.

"I'm not finished yet but so far I have ten A's, ten B's, two C's and one kid who wrote in an 'all of the above' selection on certain questions," she answered.

"Are you serious?" he laughed.

Johanna picked up the paper and crossed the room to show her husband. "See for yourself," she said as she handed it to him.

"The kid has guts," Jim stated with amusement. "I like how you circled those areas and wrote 'nice try'."

"He'd be disappointed if I didn't make a comment."

Jim glanced at the name on the paper. "Brady…isn't he your repeater?"

"Sure is…I have to admit, when he does manage to pass, I'll miss him. I like that kid."

"You like them all," her husband replied with a smile.

"Well," she said with a coy grin of her own; "I could do without a few of those snobby overachievers but that's just between us."

He chuckled. "I don't blame you but your secret is safe with me. What's the deal with Brady?"

Johanna perched on the edge of his desk. "I think he's still a little young for his age..."

"Still in his party phase?"

"Not as much as last semester…at least so far; but he does like to have a good time. He's a good kid; I feel like the potential is there, he just doesn't always embrace it. He's not good with tests…most likely because he doesn't study enough…and his essays are always clearly written in a hurry."

"But you think he has potential?"

"Yes," Johanna said sincerely; "He's very bright; just not great with tests and his essays need improvement…but when we start doing case work for the mock cases they have to go through, he's really good. He's learning the skills, it's just not translating to the tests the way it needs to."

"He's better at the hands on stuff," Jim stated.

"Right; I think it's easier for him to focus his mind on the meaty stuff than the more mundane stuff. I'm just not sure how to get him through the tests and essays. I haven't finished marking this paper yet but so far he's managing a D, which is better than he did last semester."

"Well, sweetheart; I think that's more on his part than yours because I know you always offer your students plenty of encouragement…especially the ones you're extra fond of…and I'm sure you're fond of this one; if I remember correctly, he brings you an apple from his job at the grocery store."

Johanna smiled. "He does."

"With you in his corner, I'm sure he'll get through eventually…I know you won't give up on him."

"You're right about that. How is your deposition sorting going?" she asked with a nod at the computer.

Jim sighed. "Honestly; almost every person involved with this case has a slightly different story about what really happened…and I'm not sure which ones are lying yet. Do you want to trade? I'll grade your tests, you find my liars?"

Johanna laughed. "Nah, I think I'll pass; maybe some other time."

He grinned and patted her knee. "Maybe you should offer me some encouragement, Mrs. Beckett."

She smiled. "You're in need of encouragement, are you?"

"Desperately."

She leaned towards him and caught his lips in a kiss. "How's that for encouragement?" she asked, her fingertips caressing the line of his jaw.

"It's a start but I'm going to need more," he told her.

"I better get to it then," she quipped but before her lips could touch his, her phone chimed from across the room, making her sigh in response.

"Never misses," Jim muttered.

"It's like people know when we don't want to be interrupted," she stated as she picked up her paper and moved back to her desk to grab her phone.

"Who was it this time?" her husband asked; "Katie or Maggie?"

"It's a text from Rick," she stated.

"What's he want?"

"It says, 'Just reminding you about lunch tomorrow; same time and place as last week. Don't be late; people give me pity looks like I've been stood up," she read and then she sighed. "I had almost managed to forget about that…I was also hoping that he had forgotten."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to, Jo."

"Yeah, I do. I promised Katie…and I have to figure out what they're up to," she answered as she composed her message in reply to him.

"Thanks for your timely message that killed the moment I was trying to create."

Jim crossed the room to her side. "No matter what it is; you still don't have to go…tell them I said you couldn't go."

"Like anyone would believe that I'd let you tell me what to do," Johanna remarked.

"It was the best excuse I could come up with on short notice," he replied as he pulled her into his arms.

Her phone chimed and she raised her hand so she could see the message without leaving the circle of Jim's arms.

"What kind of moment we're you going for?"

Johanna smirked at the screen and reluctantly pulled herself out her husband's embrace. "If you have to ask; you have no business being married to my daughter."

"Katie might not like that message," Jim laughed as he read over her shoulder.

"She'll get over it," she replied as the phone chimed once more.

"My deepest apologies; I figured you probably scheduled that like you schedule phone call complaints."

"No; I don't schedule everything…but I can pencil in time to kick you," she responded.

"No need for that; my apology is sincere. See you at lunch tomorrow."

"Don't remind me," Johanna typed back before laying the phone down. She sighed deeply and returned to Jim's embrace. "It's just not our night; you've got liars to find and I'm being tormented by relatives."

Jim hugged her tightly. "I say we just put all of our work away, turn the phones off and go upstairs and hide."

She laughed softly. "What are we going to do while we hide?"

"Console each other," he replied. "Were both in desperate need of consoling."

Johanna pressed a kiss to him lips. "You're right; we need to hide and be consoled…tomorrow can take care of itself when it gets here."

A/N: Lunch number two coming up in the next chapter!