Chapter 12 – The Confession, part I (ghost writer 77)

A/N: This was supposed to be one chapter, but I've decided to divide this flashback theme into more chapters. So the next few chapters after this one will be flashbacks directly following the one provided here.

Btw - the title has nothing to do with the first part; it will become clear later on.
Enjoy! (Italics - flashback)

"You know who I really, really didn't like?" Kate, who was very close to falling asleep, slightly lifted her head towards him. They were lying on the bed, photo albums still strewn about; Kate was on her side with her head on his chest while he had an arm wrapped around shoulders. He idly ran his fingers up and down her arm while she absent-mindedly drew patterns on his chest.
"Who?"
"Josh."
"Josh?" She pressed herself up onto her arm and looked at him in confusion.
"Yeah, you know McDreamy… Dr.-I'm-too-sexy-for-my-shirt." Kate pursed her lips to stop from smiling.
"Oh." She arched her eyebrows and went back to her original position. "He wasn't so bad," she commented lazily with a shrug.
"Gmmff… He was an ass," Rick snorted, wrapping his arm closer around her.
"You just didn't like him because you were jealous," Kate replied with a sardonic smirk. Rick reluctantly groaned in agreement.
"Well, you didn't like Gina much."
"I don't have a problem with her… now." He lifted himself onto his elbows, looking down at her.
"No, but can you honestly tell me that you didn't want to rip her arm off and beat her with it when we were still together?" He smirked at her, knowing full well how jealous Kate really was. She narrowed her eyes and bit her lower lip, taking a few contemplative moments before answering.
"Yeah… okay. I was jealous. Just a little bit." She gestured with her fingers, smiling cutely.
"Just a little bit?" Rick lowered his voice and arched his eyebrows.
"Mmm-hmmm." Kate replied with a childlike nod.
"You're a bad liar, Mrs. Castle." He leaned in closer and gave her a peck on the lips. They returned to their original positions. She let out a tired yawn and draped an arm around his waist.
"For what it's worth… I'm glad you broke up with her."
"And I'm glad you broke up with McDreamy," he replied in a sleepy murmur before planting a kiss on top of her head. Amid the soft, rhythmic pelting of rain against the window, sleep cast its hypnotic spell, dragging them into a deep, restful slumber.
Everything as it should be. As Fate intended. As the laws of love declared.

...

Rick Castle was grinning like an idiot. A happy idiot. A whistling idiot. A grinning, happy, whistling idiot in love. He stepped out of the elevator, failing for the umpteenth time to stop from smiling, and walked towards her new apartment. He was as giddy as a teenage girl while approaching her door. It was early on Monday morning and he came bearing gifts – coffee, bear claws, donuts and muffins. A full three days had passed since 'The Kiss'. They didn't have time to consider or discuss what had happened, but he couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to see her… and maybe kiss her again. And again. And again. And again. Until they were both old and gray.
As he knocked on the blue door, he fantasized about how she would leap into his arms and beg him to make love to her. Or how she would hungrily grab him by the shirt and yank him up against the door before having her wicked way with him. His pleasant thoughts were interrupted when the said door finally swung open.
However when Kate saw him, the last thing on her mind was having her way with Richard Castle against her front door. Her expression was a mixture of surprise, apprehension and alarm.
"Castle! W- What are you doing here?" She asked with a perplexed frown.
"Breakfast!" He answered as if it was obvious, lifting the cup holder and brown paper bag.
"I.. uh, you-" she stammered, her eyes growing wide. 'No, no, no!' the thought frantically rushed through her mind.
"Did you know in Medieval England, beer was served with breakfast?" He was still beaming as he, uninvited, stepped past her into the apartment. Kate reluctantly closed the door and took in a deep breath.
"- Now I didn't bring any beer-"
"Castle-," Kate tried to stop him, a hand rising to her forehead.
"- but, I did bring your favourite," he continued. He lifted up the coffee cup with a boyish grin.
"Rick-," she tried again, walking towards where he was standing at the kitchen counter.
"I didn't know what you felt like, so I brought bear claws, donuts," he rambled on, still smiling and failing to see her less-than-happy expression. "And, uh-" He searched the brown paper bag. "-oh, muffins!" He turned to look at her with childlike enthusiasm.
"Castle, I-"
"Kate?" A deep male voice called from her room. Kate momentarily closed her eyes while dropping her head. She ran a hand through her hair and pursed her lips. Rick's expression went from excited to confused; eyes darting between her and the location of the faceless voice.
After a few moments, the culprit stepped out. Josh, still putting on his shirt, emerged from her bedroom with his 'I-just-got-laid'-expression clear for everyone to see. Including Rick.
It felt like a sucker-punch, low and hard. It almost left him breathless and spinning.
Like a patient being taken off morphine, pain slowly and dully started to spread throughout his conscious being. He couldn't fathom what was happening.
"Uh… Rick, hi," Josh greeted with a surprised frown. He came to stand next to Kate, placing an arm around her waist. "What are you doing here?" He asked, oblivious to how Kate tensed at his touch or how Rick's eyes were burning holes into her.
Rick's expression was stony, even as the pain he felt became more marked. His eyes briefly flicked to Josh's arm around Kate and to then to her; the source of both his hurt and happiness. Within the space of a few seconds, Kate Beckett went from being his benign and inspiring muse to a ruthless goddess demanding his heart on a sacrificial altar.
"Uh… I," Rick started to answer; his blue eyes ablaze as he fixed them on her. Kate ducked under his intense stare and looked away. "I… was in the neighbourhood." He turned his eyes to the man holding her. "And… thought that I would pick… Beckett up." He smiled without humour and his eyes briefly shifted back to a guilt-ridden Kate. She nervously ran a hand at the back of her head and neck, avoiding his blue eyes at all cost.
"Oh, okay." Josh shrugged casually. "Listen, baby, I need to get going." He glanced at his watch. "I have some rounds to do," he continued, picking up his bag, helmet and black leather jacket. Kate only nodded in reply, not daring to look at Rick. Josh gently took her arm as he walked towards the door.
"Thank you for last night… I really, really enjoyed it," he said in a lowered tone, flashing her a knowing grin. Kate's mouth briefly pulled up in an awkward response. Unfortunately, Rick could hear everything that Josh had said.
He momentarily closed his eyes, feeling like someone had just slapped him. Hard.
Before Kate could respond, Josh pulled her in for a lingering kiss. Rick roughly rubbed a hand over his face as he turned around, unable to watch any longer.
He hated Josh. He hated the man who could kiss her whenever he liked and for how long he wanted to. But most of all, he hated him because he could take kisses from Kate Beckett for granted.
He wanted to be that guy.
But Rick Castle only got one chance. One kiss. One singular, heart-wrenching and world-shifting (clearly only for him) kiss. He couldn't believe it and didn't want to accept it.
Finally, Josh left and Kate closed the door. She leaned against it for a moment, her eyes briefly closing in regret. When she turned around, Rick was watching her, his blue eyes pained and hostile. Her heart recoiled at his expression and she was deeply disturbed by what she saw. It was a mixture of hurt and disappointment. She had hurt and disappointed him… and he didn't deserve it. To the contrary.
They observed each other cautiously for what felt like hours. Finally, Kate cleared her throat and spoke.
"So I guess we should get going, Castle," she said uncomfortably attempting to smile at him. He momentarily threw his head upward, letting out a sigh and arching his brow. His eyes darted around as he slowly nodded in defeat. 'You're not even going to acknowledge it, are you Kate?' he thought as his eyes found hers again. A rueful smile attempted to tug at the corners of his mouth, but he warded it off with a shake of his head.
"You know what… I-," he started distractedly with a frown. "I just remembered… that I had an appointment with Paula," he lied. They both knew he did. She started to say something, but was cut off when he continued. "I mean you're probably only going to do paperwork today." He shrugged and gestured with his hand. He could barely look at her as he started to walk towards the door.
Kate wanted to stop him and say that she was sorry, but it was too late. He was already closing up. As he opened the door, she spoke again.
"Rick." He turned around to face her; expressionless and unsympathetic. "I'll call you when we have something." He looked at her for a lingering moment.
"You do that, Beckett." Her name died coldy on his tongue. With that he walked out, brutally shutting the door.
It was over even before it began. He dug his hands deeply into his coat-pockets as his shoulders slumped involuntarily. Richard Castle was a pitiful sight as he lethargically walked down the hallway.
Kate Beckett, the woman he trusted with his life and loved with soul, had just ripped his heart out. He could almost feel how pieces of it fell to the ground with each step he took; the place where it once was had been relegated to a bleeding hole in his chest.
As he stepped into the elevator – now just a foolish and heartbroken idiot – he realized that there were a few things he suddenly didn't like anymore. This included early Monday mornings, impromptu breakfasts and most of all, world-shifting kisses.

X-X-X-X-X

You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding, keep, keep bleeding

Love

A/N: The next chapter will follow from here.
Thanks for reading.
P.S. - the last part is lyrics from Leona Lewis' 'Bleeding love'. (Probably obvious to everyone, but I just wanted to acknowledge that)





Chapter 11 - The Kiss (ghost writer 77)

Leaning casually against the doorframe, his cobalt blue eyes carefully followed her. Kate was sitting on the bed, chuckling to herself as she studied a photo album; completely oblivious to his presence. She was more beautiful than ever as sunlight, beaming through the window, kissed her skin and stroked her face. She was relaxed, happy and glowing. His mouth slowly curved up into a sentimental, lopsided smile as he observed his wife.
"What are you giggling at?" Kate's head shot up at the sound of his voice. A smile slowly formed on her lips.
"I don't giggle, Castle." She arched her eyebrows, amusement clear in her green eyes.
"Yes you do," Rick insisted as he made his way over to where she was sitting on the bed.
"No I don't," she countered, deliberately emphasizing the word 'don't'.
"Do."
"Don't."
"Do." He climbed onto the bed.
"Don't." She said the word slowly, leaning closer to him; challenging him with narrowed eyes.
"You want me to prove it to you?" He asked, arching an eyebrow. Before she could roll her eyes at him, he pounced. She wriggled involuntarily underneath the barrage of tickling he was inducing; her body helplessly captured under his fingers.
"Castle!" She laughed, struggling happily to rid herself of his tickling fingers. "Rick! Pleeaassee!" He went on to nuzzle her neck with his stubbled cheek, causing her to squirm even more.
"Okay, okay! Yes, I giggle… I giggle!" She admitted, laughing breathlessly. He stopped upon hearing her confession, smirking triumphantly.
"Told you so," he said, pecking her on the cheek before sitting back slightly.
"You don't play fair," Kate mumbled with a pout as she straigthened her disheveled clothes. Rick only shrugged and smiled.
"What are you looking at?" He asked after a few moments; the photos scattered on the bed and the few photo albums lying around catching his eye. He lied down next to her, propping his side onto his elbow.
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Just some memories." She handed him the pack of photographs she had been studying.
He took the pile from her and a smile escaped from his lips. The first photo on top of the pack was a jolly representation of the whole gang at a Christmas party a few years ago. Ryan and Esposito – donning silly Christmas hats – were grinning happily with their arms tossed over each other's shoulders in a fraternal embrace. Lanie and Captain Montgomery were smiling broadly, slightly lifting their eggnog for the camera. Rick and Kate's attention, however, was not with the flash of the lens. Standing in the middle of the group, they were not facing the camera but looking at each other. Unplanned and unintentional, of course. It was a case of major eye-sexing (as Lanie would put it) - cobalt blues locking with emerald greens in a slow, erotic dance. They were in love... and grinning like happy fools because of it.
"Ah, that was a great party." Rick chuckled at the memory. Kate crossed her legs and leaned back onto her hands, feeling the strain of being seven-months pregnant.
"I remember I had way too much eggnog to drink." A smile teased her lips as she stared straight in front of her, not looking at something in particular. Rick's eyes suddenly lit up as he recalled something. He sat up and turned to face her.
"Remember our hot-and-heavy make-out session in the storage room?" A teasing eyebrow shot up as a playful grin twinkled in his blue eyes. Kate's brow involuntarily creased as she tried to recall the memory.
Soon the recollection came rushing back. "Oh… Yeah, I definitely remember that," she replied with a mischievous smile. "I also distinctly remember how Lanie caught us… Me missing a shirt and you pants down." She let out a laugh. "That eggnog was quite potent."
"Mmm-hmm, potent enough for you to ravish me, Detective," Rick commented with a devilish grin, waggling his eyebrows at her.
"Me ravish you?" Kate looked at him, her eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. "No, no, no Writer Boy." She waggled a finger at him. "I clearly remember how you lured me down there and took advantage of my tipsy state."
He sighed leisurely. "It was fun, though," Rick replied wistfully, his mind going back to that storage room.
"A lot of fun," Kate admitted with a broad smile. He sat up beside her, lifting his knees toward his body and clasping his arms around them. He playfully bumped her shoulder with his as a boyish grin crept up his lips.
"Remember our first kiss?" Kate dipped her head and fixed her eyes on her hands in her lap; she coyly chewed on her lower lip as a shy smile tugged at her mouth. Looking up at him, a small grin graced her features.
"Yeah... How could I forget?" The soft reply came.

...

The wind swirled and howled miserably. The icy winter night was unfeeling, inhospitable and bitter as gloomy shadows washed over the city. The two occupants of the Crown Vic were sitting in the cold darkness; watching and waiting. They found a strange sense of solace in the blackness and quietness. The only sound came from the car radio - softly sounding out song requests and Christmas wishes.
Religiously, emerald eyes scanned the surroundings while cobalt blues fervently studied her. Detective Kate Beckett, stony-faced and stoic, was a study in concentration as she kept her attention fixed on one of the adjacent wharehouses. She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Tonight she was laying to rest the ghosts that haunted her. Tonight she would take vengeance. Tonight Johanna Beckett would finally get justice.
Her jaw clenched at this thought and she shifted tersely in her seat, not removing her eyes from where they were focused. Her partner, on the other hand, was studying his muse closely. They had been quiet for a full twenty minutes - no easy task for Richard Castle, the Master of Words. He knew better, though; she needed time to process the events that had led them to this moment. Despite this, Rick desperately wanted to reach out to her, take her hand in his or tuck that curly, chocolate brown strand falling on her cheek behind her ear. He wanted to hug her, hold her close, comfort her. But, as with everything with them, it was complicated and messy. For now they were (professional) partners, nothing more. He had to be content with that. Rick reluctantly dragged his eyes away from her to rather focus them on his iPhone.
After another minute or two, Kate let out a sigh and turned to look at him. Her mouth revealed a whisper of a smile as she watched him - cutely frowning as he punched away on his phone, not aware that she was looking at him. She shook her head and pursed her lips to get rid of the smile.
"Watching porn again, Castle?" Rick's head snapped up at the sound of her voice while she smirked at him sardonically. He was momentarily taken aback, but recovered quickly.
"Haha. No, Detective." His mouth curved up into a mischievous grin. "I've tried it before - the screen is too small." She rolled her eyes and shook her head, strands of hair falling off her shoulders.
"Nah, I was just texting Alexis," he continued in a softened tone. Kate nodded and turned her attention back to the window; her expression growing serious again. He watched her, wishing he could bring some comfort, some peace of mind.
"Hey... you okay?" He ventured cautiously. She turned back to face him, seeing the sincere concern etched in his eyes.
Kate took in a breath before answering. "Uh... yeah." She shrugged while avoiding his gaze. Silence once again descended. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitting softly, locking her eyes with his. Her eyes, suddenly moist, were now turned to her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. Rick leaned in and softly took hold of her chin, turning her face towards his; the proximity between them rapidly decreasing. They locked eyes again and something shifted as they did. Butteflies started to flutter and heart rates went up.
"You can and will do this... You're Detective Kate Beckett form the NYPD. The best damn cop they have," he said forcefully with a brief smile, arching his eyebrows. "And you are... extraodinary." His voice was deep and slightly hoarse. She shallowed hard and licked her lips. His eyes flicked to her mouth and then back to her emerald greens. Kate recognised the same desire in his expression than what she was feeling. 'He really is ruggedly handsome,' the thought idly rushed through her mind. He moved his hand from her chin to lay it against her cheek, letting locks of her hair fall over it. He shifted closer, closing the gap between them even more.
"Kate," he whispered; his voice making love to her name. She shivered at the sound.
"I need to get some air," she blurted out, pulling away and opening the door. In a flash she was outside the car, far away from him. From his eyes. From his hands. From his lips.
But, in true Richard Castle form, he followed her; not allowing her to run away from him like she did on so many other occassions. He kept a safe distance between them in an effort not to spook her.
"Beckett."
"This is too much...," Kate said, ignoring him, as the storm of different emotions crashed over her.
"Kate." He ventured closer. She wasn't looking at him.
"What if they get away?" She continued her soliloquy; Rick now standing closely next to her. "What if I let her down again?" She turned to look at him, eyes brimming with unshed tears. He drew her to him and placed a hand on her cheek. He met her eyes, his expression serious and ardent.
"You won't let her down." He dipped his head slightly in an effort to hold her gaze. "You could never let her down, Kate." His voice dived a few octaves as he said her name again. His eyes flicked once more to her lips and back again. A hand on her back drew her to him, while his other one went around her slender neck and in between brown locks. Before she could respond, his lips enclosed hers. It wasn't tender or deep or even passionate. It was a kiss of comfort. A kiss of need. A kiss of longing. Without warning, the walls that had kept everything neatly tucked away and out of reach, were torn down, allowing a sea of feelings to rush out.
When they broke apart, they were different. Everything was different. The world had shifted. Their worlds had shifted. And it would never be the same again.
Richard Castle and Kate Beckett would never be the same again.

X-X-X-X-X

The broken locks were a warning

You got inside my head

I tried my best to be guarded

I'm an open book instead

A/N: There you have it. I hope it was decent. I found this chapter a bit challenging, probably due to the emotions. Anyway, thanks for reading.
P.S. the last part is lyrics from a beautiful song from Lifehouse called "Broken".

PFA(Public Fanfic Announcement)

I know I haven't posted in like 2 weeks so I put up 3 new chapters. Please send e-mails I'd love to know what you think and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I love you guys, comment, follow, share, and check out below!!! 

Chapter 8 - You + Me = Us Three (ghost writer 77)

Two big brown eyes were following her shyly, curiously studying the beautiful lady in front of them. They observed how she gently caressed her swollen stomach and how her lips flickered upward occasionally. Even though the waiting area was full of pregnant women, the two eyes seemed glued on her.
The adorable chocolate-haired little girl was looking at Kate every few seconds, darting her head past her mother to watch the detective keenly. Kate, reading a magazine, noticed the little girl's gaze on her and smiled to herself. Each time she would turn to look at her little admirer, the girl would nip back behind her mother. It happened a few times and had now become an unspoken game; Kate's magazine forgotten on her lap. After a while, the little cutie got up from her seat and moved to the seat next to her mother, sitting in between her mother and Kate.
"What's your name?" The small voice asked, causing her (pregnant) mother to look up from her magazine.
"Lindy, sweetie, don't bother the nice lady," the woman said softly with an apologetic smile, her eyes meeting Kate.
"No, it's fine…" Kate smiled reassuringly at the other woman before turning her attention to Lindy. "My name is Kate, Lindy." She smiled down at the little person watching her intently while her small legs were swinging off the seat. Kate judged the little girl to be about three.
"Nice to meet you." She reached out her hand to the child who extended her miniature one.
"This is my mom," Lindy said, glancing up at her mother.
"Hi, I'm Kate."
"Hey, Laura. Nice to meet you." The two women shook hands, smiling.
"You have a beautiful daughter, Laura," Kate said, looking at Lindy again.
"Thanks. Yeah, beautiful, but also a bit of a handful," the other woman answered with a laugh while leisurely running a hand through her daughter's hair.
"What about you? You have any other kids?" Laura asked, briefly looking at Kate's baby bump.
"Uh, no. This is our first one… Well, I have a stepdaughter in college, but this is my first one." She tenderly ran a hand over her stomach.
"You?"
"Just Lindy and her baby brother," Laura answered with a smile while pointing to her baby bump.
"Are you also going to have a baby brother?" Lindy piped up. Kate let out a laugh at the little cutie's childlike innocence.
"Well I don't know whether it's a boy or a girl, Lindy." She looked up at Laura again. "We're finding out today…. That is if my husband gets here," Kate continued with a smile and a shake of her head.
"How far along are you?" Laura asked.
"Sixteen weeks... You?"
"Six months. I'm just here for a check-up. But so far, so good" Laura answered with a smile. Just then the receptionist stepped out into the waiting area.
"Mrs. Roberts?" An older, grey-haired woman called. "The doctor is ready for you now," the woman continued with a friendly smile once she had Laura's attention.
"Well, it was nice meeting you Kate."
"Likewise." Kate looked down at the little girl with a smile. "You too Lindy."
"Bye," the little girl greeted, taking her mother's hand as they walked away.
Kate smiled at the scene, her mind drifting to future visions of her with a mini-version of herself running around in the park, playing hide-and-seek with Rick and reading bed-time stories to her daughter. Her mind also unwittingly flooded with memories of her own mother, causing Kate to feel a pang of longing and remembrance. 'I wish you were here Mom' she thought sadly, running a finger over her mother's ring that hung around her neck. She was shaken from her reverie when she noticed the familiar form of her husband out of the corner of her eye.
"Hey sweetie." Rick made his way towards her, quickly placing a peck on her lips as he sat down.
"Hey… That took longer than usual," Kate greeted, linking one arm with his and weaving her hand in his.
"Ugh, Paula. You know she is," Rick replied letting out a breath with a shake of his head. "She can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."
They sat in silence for a few seconds before Rick turned towards Kate's stomach.
"Hey Junior... How are you doing today, honey?" He spoke to Kate's baby bump whenever he had the chance, talking about a range of topics - history, worthless facts that only he would know about, literature, his antics at the precinct, Alexis, cartoons, video games, etc. Occassionally Rick also whispered secrets to his unborn child on how to twist his/her mother's arm. Obviously Kate found this sweet, endearing and absolutely adorable. Her husband could be so darn cute sometimes.
"Today we're finding out whether you are a boy or a girl." He continued to speak softly to her swollen stomach. "Mommy and I are really, really excited about that, Sweet Pea." He looked up at his wife with a broad, happy grin. Kate returned a tender smile while gently stroking his cheek.
"Yes we are," she answered quietly. Just then the grey-haired receptionist stepped into the waiting area.
"Mrs. Castle? The doctor is ready for you."

________

"Castle! Put. The. Fetus. Down," Kate demanded with a clenched jaw, using her authoritative voice as if she was scolding a naughty child. They were in the doctor's examination room waiting for Dr. Jones, Kate's gynecologist. Obviously, being the 9-year-old-on-a-sugar-rush that he is, Rick couldn't sit still for five minutes and proceeded to examine the contents on the counter which included models of fetuses at different stages of development.
"I'm just looking," he mumbled, frowning with concentration; his attention focused on the model in his hands. "It's pretty cool... This how our kid is going to look at six months." He turned to look at her with an excited grin, the model fetus in his hands. Kate only rolled her eyes and smiled. After another minute or two the door swung open with Dr. Jones, an attractive, 40-something woman walking in.
"Good morning," she greeted jovially, her stride and manner confident. She was recognised as the best gynecologist on the East Coast and obviously being Mrs. Richard Castle, Kate only received the best. Rick, upon finding out about her pregnancy, immediately did research on who the best gynecologist was in New York and found it to be Dr. Anna Jones.
"So how are the three Castles doing today?" She asked with a smile glancing at Rick and Kate before flipping through the file of Kate's recent medical history.
"Good, a little tired, but good, Doc," Kate answered with a smile, taking Rick's hand in hers. She liked Dr. Jones' direct and reassuring manner and trusted her.
"And you Rick?" Dr. Jones' looked up from the file and smiled at Rick.
"Uhmm, great," he replied with warm smile. "Really happy and excited" After a few moments his expression changed as a trademark Castle grin slowly engulfed his features.
"Dr. Jones, is it true that some women's *a-hem* sex... drive increases with a pregnancy?" Kate's head snapped in Rick's direction and her eyes grew wide as she glared at him while he fought to keep a smile off his face. He was purposefully trying to tease and embarass her a little.
"Rick!" Kate hissed, feeling heat slowly starting to rise to her cheeks. She had indeed found herself to be in 'the mood' a little more often than usual since the start of her pregnancy. Her husband, however, was definitely not complaining.
"What? I'm only asking," he replied with a shrug feigning innocence; his eyes glistening mischievously. Dr. Jones struggled to keep an amused smile from tugging her lips upward. She suppressed the grin before answering.
"Yes... that is true," she answered with a nod and an amused smile. "Some women seem to have an increased sex drive while others experience a decrease in libido... If you experience the former, be grateful and, well, enjoy it," Dr. Jones continued with a casual shrug and a smile. Kate, by now, was blushing crimson red while Rick was grinning madly.
"See, a perfectly innocent and reasonable question." He looked at Kate with a cheeky and triumphant smile while she only stared at him. But despite how she annoyed she got with him, Kate couldn't stay angry at her husband for long.
"Well, Kate, everything seems to be normal," Dr. Jones continued, slightly lifting the file in her hands. "You are perfectly healthy..." She stopped for a few moments, before speaking again; her expression more serious. "My only concern is, and we have discussed this, is the amount of rest you get... Now I know you have a job that requires long hours, but you have to try and take a little slower, Kate... You're not Superwoman," she continued, giving Kate a stern look.
"You hear that, I'm not paranoid or over the top," Rick added, mimicking Dr. Jones' stern expression. Kate glanced down at her hands and only nodded.
"I know, I know." She sighed before looking up at Dr. Jones. "I'll try to take it slower." She glanced towards Rick who still wore a serious expression.
"You promise?" he asked, arching his eyebrows.
"Yeah, ok, I promise," she conceded. He relented and smiled at her, taking her hand in his and squeezing it.
"Okay, well, are we ready to find out whether this one is a Jack or a Jill?" Dr. Jones asked after a few moments, taking a seat next to Kate.
"Oh yeah!" Rick smiled excitedly, leaning forward in his seat. He didn't care whether they had a boy or a girl, he was going to become a dad for the second time. And this time around he was going to experience it with the love of his life.
"Yes, we are," Kate replied, a broad smile spreading over her face. She knew that Rick didn't mind whether they had a boy or a girl and for the most part she didn't either. But, deep down, Kate Castle hoped that they would have a daughter - she wanted to have the relationship with her daughter she never had the opportunity to experience with her own mother.
"Alright." Dr. Jones nodded before applying the cool jel to Kate's stomach. Rick and Kate marvelled for the umpteenth time at the quick heartbeat that sounded out.
"That is so awesome." He leaned in closer in order to get a better view, his expression one of awe. Kate, keeping her eyes on the monitor, only squeezed his hand.
"Good strong heartbeat," Dr. Jones' commented absent-mindedly. "Let's hope your baby gives us a good look," she said smiling at them. She continued to move the instrument over Kate's stomach, her face a study in concentration.
After a few moments, a satisfied smile tugged her lips upward as she turned to look at Kate and Rick who watched her eagerly.
"Mr. and Mrs. Castle... say hello to your little girl."
"Wow, oh, that's wow," Rick said with a large smile, struggling to express himself.
"Congratulations," Dr. Jones said with a smile.
"Really?" Kate responded as a wide, all-consuming smile enveloped her features. "We're having a girl?" She continued as tears started to well up. Dr. Jones only nodded in confirmation, before getting up and excusing herself; giving Rick and Kate some privacy.
"Rick, we're having a girl." She turned to him, smiling through happy tears. He was grinning from ear to ear and leaned in to give her a kiss. "You're happy?" Kate asked, looking at him.
"Yes! Yes! Are you kidding me? I could do with another beautiful woman in my life... Especially if she's gonna look like you." He kissed the top of her head before drawing her into a tight hug. Kate smiled as joyful tears slowly ran down her cheeks, feeling more happiness than she ever did before in her life. She didn't need anything more than this. Than her family.
Rick broke from the embrace and moved his head towards her stomach.
"Hey there Princess," he whispered, gently stroking the baby bump, his eyes becoming moist with tears.
"Looks like she already has her daddy wrapped around her little finger," Kate commented with a laugh. Rick looked up at her with a soft smile, gently stroking her cheek.
"Just like her mom."

Chapter 6 - Bennie & the Jets (ghost writer 77)

"This guy is a real piece of work. Three counts of assault, one for attempted murder, one for attempted rape and a few DUI's." Esposito informed everyone. Cpt. Montgomery, Esposito, Ryan, Kate and Rick were in the observation room watching the suspect in question through the glass.
"And he has ties to a local biker gang with quite a reputation of kidnap and murder," Ryan continued while everyone kept their eyes on the burly, unkempt and heavily tattooed figure on the other side of the glass.
"Seems to be our guy," Kate commented, her brow furrowing in concentration while she slightly bit her thumb nail.
"How is this guy not in jail?" Rick commented with a disgusted grimace.
"Alright, let's go Castle." She straightened and started to make her way out the door. Rick quickly followed as he usually did. Since her pregnancy, he has once again been a regular at the 12th. Although he has denied on various occasions that he was not there in order to keep a protective eye on his wife, Kate knew that he felt a responsibility towards her safety and therefore tagged along.
"Mr. Jasper, I'm sure you are aware of why you were brought in for questioning," Kate stated as she walked through the door of interrogation room 1.
Carl Jasper, slumped in his chair, suddenly sat up upon seeing Kate. He flashed a predatory smile while slowly running his eyes up and down her body, barely noticing Rick's presence.
"Well, well… I'm not really sure why I'm here, sweetie. But now… I really don't mind," he said with a raspy drawl that made Kate shiver uncomfortably. Leaning forward in his chair, Carl fixated his eyes on her and Rick could only imagine what depravity was going through his mind. At this, his jaw stiffened and he became more rigid in his seat. He was used to suspects treating Kate like this and even though he hated it, Rick could barely restrain himself while a scumbag was mentally undressing his pregnant wife.
"It's detective and you're here for kidnapping, robbery, rape and murder, Mr. Jasper," Kate said unfazed.
"Huh, well how about that? I sure went up the criminal food chain, now didn't I, Detective," Carl said arrogantly sitting back in his seat and folding his arms across his chest.
"Do recognise these people?" Kate placed a picture of the victims, Robert and Shirley McLeod, smiling happily, on the steel table.
"Nope," Carl replied coolly after briefly looking at the picture. "But I sure would like to get to know you better. I bet you are a bobcat in the sack, Detective. Mmm-hmm," he continued in a lowered tone with a sleezy smile. "Your husband is a lucky, lucky man" He had noticed her wedding ring. At this, Rick tensely shifted in his chair, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by Kate.
"Where were you between 21h00 and 00h00 on Sunday evening?" she continued ignoring the lewd comment.
"Ah, here and there. Don't really remember."
"A witness placed you at the same garage where the McLeods stopped at just past 21h00." Kate let it sunk in for a few moments before continuing. "That's quite a coincidence you know, since we found their stolen car in your possesion."
"I have nothing to say to you." Carl's expression turned stony as he watched Kate without blinking.
"What happened, Carl?" Rick spoke for the first time, leaning forward in his chair and clasping his hands together on the table. "You had a little too much to drink. You saw Robert McLeod and his beautiful wife at the garage. And you think 'ah what the hell' a little kidnap, rape and murder should be fun," he continued looking the other man straight in the eye. Carl's jaw stiffened as his eyes darted between Rick and Kate.
"Who's Pretty Boy here?" he directed the question at Kate while nudging his head in Rick's direction. "Like I said, I have nothing to say to you." His voice dived a few threatening decibles.
"We found a lot of DNA evidence, Carl. Hairs, fibres, skin under Shirley McLeod's nails and also semen. I bet my badge that all those belong to you... Are you ready to start talking now?"
Carl remained motionless and silent, just watching her with dull, dark eyes.
"You know what, I can be a patient, but when someone is screwing with me, I get… irritable." Kate was starting to lose her patience. "And that's exactly what you're doing right now."
"You don't want to screw with her. Believe me," Rick chipped in.
"Oh, but I would like to screw you Detective – multiple times. Just say when and where. It could be fun... I promise to be gentle." Carl spoke after a few contemplative moments, his voice coarse. Rick's eyes widened and his heart thumped in his chest. He was balling his hands in fists, trying to control his emotions. '1, 2, 3, 4, 5...'
Kate was quiet for a few moments just coolly watching the notorious criminal. She came across various types of murderers, but Carl Jasper made her skin crawl with revulsion. When she spoke, her voice was calm, steady and icy.
"You don't have to say anything, because we have everything we need... We got you." Carl stiffened at the tone of her voice and set his jaw.
"Remember my face, Carl, because I'm the one who is going to put you away," Kate said, speaking slowly and making sure the words sunk in. "Because of me, you will rot in jail."
"Careful Detective, don't make promises you can't keep," he said, his eyes turning black with simmering rage. He shifted in his chair, a clear sign that he was cornered. Kate sensed this and continued.
"Oh, I intend to keep them" Kate leaned closer, meeting his threatening stare. "In fact, I'll make sure you die there."
"Is that so?" Carl responded quietly, his black eyes narrowing slightly. There were a few silent, tense moments where everything seemed to happen in slow motion.
In a blink of an eye, Carl rushed up across the table and harshly grabbed hold of Kate's neck in a fit of blinding rage. "You think you can threaten me, bitch!"
Rick immediately sprang up and leaped over the surface of the steel table and tackled him to the ground. The two men wrestled on the ground for a few seconds with Carl yelling obscenities at Kate and punching Rick in the face.
After a few seconds Esposito and Ryan crashed through the door, going on to restrain and drag the criminal kicking and screaming out the door. It all happened in a matter of thirty seconds. Rick got up panting from the floor and immediately turned his attention to a visibly shaken and wide-eyed Kate.
"Katie, are-" He quickly moved towards where she was now standing against the glass of the observation room. "Are you okay?" he asked with concern, taking her face in between his hands.
"Uh... yeah," she replied, her hand resting on her neck where Carl had grabbed her. He moved her hand away from her neck to see if she was injured.
"You sure?" he dipped his head in order to meet her eyes.
"Mmmm, yes. I'm okay, sweetie. Really." She gave him a tentative smile before Rick drew her into a close embrace for a few moments.
"Ow." Rick touched his right eye with a grimace.
"Ooh, that's going to leave a mark" Kate commented, gently touching the injury.
"Is it going to become black?" She nodded absent-mindedly while studying his face.
"Cool!"
"Cool? You have got to be kidding me," Kate said in disbelief.
"What? This is only my second black eye... ever," Rick said. "And, well, an injury gained while protecting my wife," he continued in a softened tone.
Her expression softened as a smile spread across her features.
"My hero." Wrapping her arms around his neck she leaned in for a kiss.
"What about your no-public-displays-of-affection rule?" Rick asked pulling back slightly.
"I think I can make an exception."

________

"Well the bastard just got an extra charge for the assault of an officer added to the list. He's gonna sit for a long time," Captain Montgomery said as he approached Kate's desk. She was applying an ice-pack to Rick's eye and he was milking the attention as much as he could, wincing frequently in so-called pain and demanding that she should 'kiss it better'. Unsurprisingly, Kate did not indulge her man-child husband.
"Castle, you okay?" Montgomery asked.
"Yeah, nothing the good doctor here can't fix," Rick replied, glancing up at his wife who just rolled her eyes with a smile.
"And you Beckett?" Everyone continued to call Kate by her maiden last name and Rick by his.
"I'm fine, Sir." Kate reassured her concerned boss.
"Yo, what do guys say to a round of drinks?" Esposito said in greeting as he walked towards them with Ryan following closely behind.
"Sounds good to me," the Captain responded.
"I have a black eye, so I think a deserve a drink," Rick said, before turning to his wife. "Honey?"
"Yeah, sure." Kate nodded with a smile.
"Hey Castle, what about we all go The Old Haunt for drinks?" Ryan said.
"Just what I was about to suggest," Rick replied hopping off from Kate's desk. "We have a lot of celebrating to do," he continued smiling broadly, looking at Kate who returned his broad grin. They still had to tell the boys and the Captain that she was pregnant and this provided the perfect opportunity for them to share the news.
"Am I aslo invited to this little rendezvous?" Lanie asked causing everyone to turn around. Esposito had in fact invited her in person a few minutes earlier when he went down to for a 'visit' - a.k.a make-out session - after taking Carl Jasper to holding.
"Only if you're prepared to play a drinking game with me," Esposito quipped flashing her a sly smile.
"I'm gonna smack you," Lanie retorted, arching one of her eyebrows. "In addition to beating you at that drinking game," she continued with a sultry smile.
"Alright enough talk people, let's get going!" Montgomery ordered.
Draping an arm around Kate's shoulders while walking towards the elevator behind the others, Rick whispered into her ear.
"You know what I like best about your pregnancy?" Kate only shook her head, her brow furrowing slightly. She expected Rick to say something deep and sweet.
"Your breasts. They're getting bigger... and I love it," Rick said with a smirk causing her to blush crimson red. "Rick!" Kate exclaimed quietly while gently slapping his chest.
"Ow! Hey, careful. I'm injured, remember?" he responed in mock seriousness. She only rolled her eyes with a shake of her head.
"You're such a girl, Castle."

________

The small family of friends came through the doors of The Old Haunt - the bar Rick had purchased a few years before - chatting and laughing merrily. The bar-regulars nodded at the group in greeting, aware of who they were while the employees smiled enthusiastically at them.
They went on to their special and private booth, informally dubbed the '12th', which was only reserved for them. They were also the only customers who had the privilege of drinking for free.
"Hey Bobby!" Rick called over to one of the waiters, a young, skinny dark-haired man. The young man directed his attention to Rick and quickly made his way over to the group.
"Mr. Castle, great to see you and Mrs. Castle and your friends here again. It's been a while." The young man greeted with a warm smile.
"Yeah well Bobby, tonight we're celebrating," Rick replied with a cheery smile while placing an arm around Kate who was busy talking to Lanie. "So what are we drinking folks?" Rick turned his attention to the rest of the group.
"Scotch on the rocks." Captain Montgomery always ordered the same.
"Beer," Ryan responded.
"Make that two," Esposito added, holding up two fingers.
"I'm in the mood for a 'Sex on the Beach,'" Lanie said with a smile while covertly squeezing Esposito's thigh.
"KC, what do you want?" Rick asked looking at his wife. Kate usually ordered a glass of red wine or a cocktail, but obviously she couldn't anymore.
"Uh, a virgin strawberry daiquiry," she answered.
"And for me a whiskey on the rocks," Rick quickly said in order for the others not to notice Kate's answer.
A few minutes and plenty of jokes later, their drinks arrived.
"So what are we toasting to?" Ryan asked looking at the group.
"I'll start. Let's toast to... justice," Ryan interrupted himself, lifting his glass with everyone nodding in agreement.
"To... dirtbags rotting in jail," Esposito stated to a chorus of 'hear hears'.
"To the evidence that convict them," Lanie said.
"And the cops who catch them," Rick added and the group toasted again.
"To the writers who follow them around," Montgomery added, causing everyone to laugh.
"To the victims," Kate added quietly after a few moments with a sad smile.
"Hear hear," Rick said while clinking his glass with his wife's. The whole group nodded in agreement and went on to clink glasses with one another.
"I would like to make a special toast," Rick started, glancing over to his wife. "To one of the NYPD's finest, my muse, the love of my life and... the mother of my unborn child." He looked at her tenderly while a small smile tugged his lips upward before leaning in for a kiss.
"Hear hear!" Lanie exclaimed in agreement, already aware of her friend's pregnancy.
"Beckett, you're pregnant?" Esposito asked while a surprised smile spread across his features. Kate simply nodded in reply, smiling broadly at the two men she considered to be her brothers.
"I'm gonna be an uncle... We're gonna be uncles, bro," Ryan said excitedly, turning to his partner. "Congratulations guys!"
"Yeah, congratulations. That is great news!" Esposito joined in. "You knew?" After a few moments he turned to Lanie, slightly taken aback by her moderate reaction.
"What do you think? Of course I knew, I'm the godmother," Lanie replied with a smile.
"Does that mean I'm the godfather?" Esposito whispered the question into Lanie's ear with a smirk. "I think you both are," she replied with a smile glancing towards Ryan.
"Congratulations you two... To Rick, Kate and the lucky person they're bringing into this world," the Captain said with a warm smile while lifting his glass in salute while the other three followed suit.
"Thanks guys," Kate replied, her vision blurry due to tears. "And you." She turned her attention to Rick. Placing a hand on his cheek, she leaned up for a soft, tender kiss. "I love you," he whispered while kissing the top of her head.
Somewhere in the background, Billy Joel's Piano Man started to fill the air. Rick's mouth slowly converted into a smile as he recalled the evening they sang the song in the precint before coming to The Old Haunt.
"It's nine o'clock on a Saturday..." He started, while everyone smiled and nodded in remembrance.
"The regular crowd shuffles in." Esposito joined in.
"There's an old man sitting next to me." Ryan sang, nudging the Captain with his shoulder. "Making love to his tonic and gin," Montgomery added.
"He said son can you play me a memory, I'm not really sure how it goes. It's sad and it's sweet, and I knew it complete when I wore a younger man's clothes." The two women belted out.
"Everyone!" Rick exclaimed wrapping an arm around his wife, urging the others to do the same.
"Sing us a song, you're the piano man. Sing us a song tonight. While we're all in the mood for a melody and you got us feeling alright." The little family of friends sang jovially while swaying to the music; toasting to partnerships that lasted a lifetime, moments of no-bounds happiness and new, surprising adventures.

Chapter 5 – Shall we dance? (ghost writer 77)

Words. Easier said than written. Richard Castle, famed mystery novelist could certainly attest to that. After being informed that his next Nikki Heat novel was due in three months' time, Rick knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. His writer's block, like an old, bad habit, was seemingly back with a vengeance and not shaken easily. 'Damn you James Patterson and your stupid ten novels a year' Rick thought bitterly with a sigh, absent-mindedly watching the blinking cursor on the computer screen. Despite being hoarded in his office for the last week, a few ideas scribbled on bits of paper and his scruffy appearance, the Master of the Macabre had nothing. Zilch. Nada. He was tired, irritable and frustrated. To further exacerbate the situation, he was also concerned about his nine-week pregnant wife chasing after dangerous criminals.
He did not notice Kate leaning against the doorframe, observing him. She knew that he was under pressure – his behaviour the last few days after the meeting with Gina was proof of that. She also knew that he worried about her – constantly. Turning up at the precint to 'bring her lunch' or to 'do research' or to 'provide his expertise'. In reality Kate actually found his protectiveness sweet and endearing, but she was aware that it was affecting his ability to get some work done. She was suppose to be his muse, not distraction.
"Hey," she said softly stepping into the study, startling him from his trance of exhaustion. Rick looked up and gave her a tired smile.
"Hey," he responded wearily. "I thought you were asleep." He glanced down at his watch, noticing that it was usually the time when Kate would be sound asleep. At this, he felt a faint pang of guilt.
"Couldn't sleep," Kate replied, slowly walking towards his desk, her hands casually clasped behind her back. She had started to show a slight bump, but it was barely noticeable. People who didn't know about her pregnancy would probably not suspect that she was expecting.
"So... any progress?" She ventured catiously. Rick rubbed a hand over his face, letting out a laboured breath.
"Nothing. I. Have. Nothing." He fixed his a blank gaze on the laptop in front of him, before looking up at his wife.
"What can I do to help?" Kate perched herself on the edge of the desk, placing her feet on his chair. His mouth flickered up for a moment.
"Wweeelll... a kiss would be nice." Rick arched his eyebrows as a teasing smile spread across his features.
"I could do that," Kate replied with smile. She lent forward and gave him a soft, sweet kiss that lasted several seconds. "Feel better?" She asked with a grin; now sitting on his lap with her arms loosely draped around his neck and shoulders.
"A little... but you know what would cheer me up even more?" Kate noticed the typical devious Castle glint in his eyes and narrowed hers, deciding to humour him.
"What?"
"A little lap dance followed by a striptease." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively with a sly smirk. Kate only rolled her eyes, trying - unsuccessfully - to keep an amused smile from her lips. Getting up with no reply, she moved over to the cd-player.
"I have something better in mind," she said while finding one of their favourite songs.
"What could be better than what I suggested?" Rick teased, watching his wife curiously.
Ignoring his reply, Kate stepped towards him while Elvis Presley's voice filled the room.
'Ooohhhh my love, my darling...'
"Dance with me." She held out her hand towards him. Rick's expression softened as a small smile pulled his lips upward. Kate Castle always found new ways to surprise and intrigue him. 'Another layer of the Beckett onion' the thought rushed through his mind as he took her hand standing up.
He drew her closer to him and resting his cheek on top of her head, they swayed slowly and silently to the music.
'I need your love, I need your love. Godspeed your love to me'
"I love this song," Kate sighed as they barely moved to the music.
"Mmm-hmmm... Probably because of Ghost," Rick mumbled into her hair. "I bet you cried your pretty little eyes out while watching that sob-fest," he continued with a smirk.
"Yeah well, at least I wasn't the one who sobbed like a 10-year old girl while watching The Lion King now was I?" Kate retorted softly, continuing their casual, playful banter.
"When did I do that?" Rick tried to sound indignant, but his voice was far too relaxed to indicate indignation.
"Last week." Kate smiled against his shoulder, closing her eyes momentarily as she listened to the music. Silence once again descended as they swayed rhythmically to Elvis' rendition of the classic love song.
'Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea. To the open arms of the sea. Lonely rivers sigh 'wait for me, wait for me' I'll be coming home, wait for me'
"Oh my love, my darling... I've hungered for your touch." Rick softly started to sing along, whispering the lyrics to his wife. Kate smiled at this and pulled back to look at her husband.
"Feel better now?"
"Mmm-hmmm, much better," Rick replied with a relaxed grin. "Thank you Mrs. Castle." He took her face in between his hands and leaned down for a sweet kiss.
"Don't mention it," she replied playfully, smiling at him.
"Well, honey, I think you and lil' Castle here need some sleep," he said, tenderly placing a hand on the slight bump of her stomach.
"You too..." Just as he started to protest, Kate placed a hand over his mouth. "No arguments. You need to get some rest," she said with serious concern. Her expression, however, changed quickly with her mouth converting into a smile.
"Besides I - we - need someone to spoon with."

Chapter 4 - Pitter Patter (ghost writer 77)

"Clean up in aisle five! Clean up in aisle five!"
Kate was shaken from her thoughts by the announcement – she was standing with a pregnancy test in her hands while considering the different product options in front of her. Nerves fluttered in her stomach as the realization set in that she was actually going to take a pregnancy test. She Kate (Beckett) Castle was possibly pregnant... with Richard Castle's baby. She was a week late and had strange bouts of nausea, finally concluding that their recent - and frequent - efforts to enlarge the Castle-clan must have yielded a result. A smile pulled her lips upward as sudden excitement took hold of her. Obviously, Rick didn't know that she suspected that a little Castle was forming inside of her. He would only be informed if she was certain – hence the three different pregnancy tests already in the basket hung around the bend of her arm. The only person that knew about this was Lanie, who unsurprisingly completely freaked out due to an overdose of happiness. She was already referring to herself as Aunt Lanie and speaking to Kate's stomach despite being informed that nothing was confirmed… yet.
Taking a deep breath, Kate placed the box in the basket - bringing the total to four - and made her way to the to the paypoint. She caught herself smiling every few seconds and thinking about possible colour schemes for the nursery, baby names, but most of all, the new role she would assume. At this thought, a broad smile spread across her features as her eyes lit up with anticipation.

________

Kate was met by loud music – more specifically AC/DC's Thunderstruck – as she walked through the door of the loft, keys in hand. She frowned slightly, knowing that her husband was probably bored and probably playing guitar hero in his office. He was taking time off from writing the Nikki Heat series since the book tour finished about two weeks ago. Usually when he was alone and bored, Rick would let the 12-year old boy inside of him loose - he had a whole closet full of remote cars and planes, Xbox-games, cool gadgets (including laser tag equipment), comic books and of course legendary action figures. Obviously, his wife - the ignorant female adult that she was - just didn't seem to get the sheer awesomeness of this sacred and treasured collection of items.
"Hellllooo! Rick?... I'm home," she yelled, attempting to transcend the booming music. When no reply came, she placed the bags and keys in her hand on the kitchen counter and walked over to the office where the noise was coming from.
Sure enough, Rick was doing his upmost best to mimic Jimmy Hendrix while head-banging furiously to the rock tune. He was so engrossed in pretending to be a rock star that it took him a whole two minutes to realize that his smirking wife was watching on in amusement. When he noticed her, he smiled sheepishly and turned the music down.
"Oh don't stop at my account... rock star," Kate said, smirking at him.
"So if I'm a rock star, that means that you're my groupie, right?" Rick replied walking over to her, on the way discarding the guitar hero instrument on the couch.
"That depends," Kate retorted as Rick wrapped his arms around her waist, clasping his hands together at the back. She in turn, leisurely wrapped her arms around his neck.
"On what?" His brow furrowed as he looked down on her. He noticed the playfulness in her green eyes and the teasing way she was licking her lips.
"Well, on if you're any good," Kate replied, slightly biting her lower lip. The flirtatious swordplay and friendly banter that had become the defining features of their relationship, only grew stronger as the years went by.
"What? Do you doubt my rock star status? Didn't you just see my amazing performance? I was awesome," he continued the joke, frowning at her in mock displeasure. Kate only rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Shut up and kiss me." He complied immediately, enclosing his lips in and around her mouth in a deep, sensual kiss. He started to fiddle with the buttons at the bottom of her shirt, but was stopped when Kate took a hold of his hands and broke from the kiss. She glanced down at her watch (her father's watch) and looked back up to him.
"Sorry sweetie, it's 16h30 and Lex will be here at 17h00. So unless you want to put your daughter in years of therapy, I suggest we postpone our little game for later tonight."
"Oh, but it's not a game KC. We're making a baby. Remember? And as far as I can recall you said that we should, and I quote, 'use every opportunity we can' to do that. I'm only complying with your request," Rick replied unfazed, trying to take hold of her again. Kate laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist once more.
"Nice try Mr. Castle, but... no."
"Eh, was worth a try." He gave her a peck on the lips before releasing her. "Tonight, though, you and me are getting naked," he continued waggling his eyebrows at her while gesturing between himself and Kate. They proceeded to walk out of the office and move into the kitchen.
"Damn, Castle, is that all you ever think about?" Kate asked teasingly with a slight chuckle. He took a few seconds to think before replying.
"Uhmmmm... yeah pretty much," Rick said casually with a shrug earning a second eye-roll from Kate.
"Have you heard anything from Lex yet?" Kate asked as she took a seat at the counter; Rick was taking out two cups from the cupboard.
"Uhh, she called about an hour ago. Said that she was just going to drop off one of her girlfriends and come straight here... Espresso or filter?"
"Uh, I-I... Can I get some tea instead please?" She answered a little flustered, the bag with pregnancy tests on the counter catching her eye. Rick frowned slightly at the request; Kate very rarely drank tea and was basically a caffeine-junkie.
"Okay," he answered with a slight shrug, not taking too much notice of her seemingly simple request. Kate watched her husband intently, her elbow propped up on the kitchen counter and her head resting in her hand. She noticed an extra spring in his step and glint in his eyes and she knew why: his little girl was coming home. Kate had partly fallen in love with Richard Castle because of the wonderful father he was to Alexis. She found the paternal side of Rick adorable, sweet and very appealing. Before she could help herself, Kate's mind drifted to fantasies of Rick softly reading stories to their baby, running around in the park with a mini-version of her and playing lazer tag with a mini-version of him. He noticed that she was watching him curiously and his mouth twitched upward.
"Thinking of me naked again, Detective?" He asked, his voice laced with humor. Kate only returned a lazy smile.
"You wish, Castle," she replied as he placed the cup in front of her.
"Uh-huh, sure. I know you have a dirty mind, KC. Not that I have a problem with that... To the contrary."
"Ok Rick, watch me closely because I'm gonna roll my eyes now." They shared a laugh before slipping into comfortable silence for a few minutes while drinking the hot beverages.
"You've really missed her, haven't you? Lex I mean," Kate stated, breaking the silence. Rick looked up at her and a warm smile spread across his features as he thought about his daughter. Rick Castle had certain smiles for the women in his life - for his mother usually a longsuffering, gentle grin; for his wife usually a sultry, teasing smirk; and for his daughter usually a warm, beaming smile that reached his eyes.
"Yes, I have," he answered quietly resting his eyes on the mug in his hands, his voice filled with fatherly affection.
"Me too," Kate said softly. She had come to love Alexis as a daughter, even though she never thought of herself as Alexis' mother. They had formed a special bond over the years and had, in fact, become close confidants.
Rick watched her closely and saw the affection manifested in her expression. Kate had been a wonderful role-model for his daughter and Alexis had the upmost respect for her stepmother. He was never worried about whether they would get along, because, unlike Gina, Kate had come to love Alexis as a daughter. He was also certain that Kate would make a fantastic mother and couldn't wait to get and see her pregnant. Noticing her husband's lingering gaze, Kate frowned in confusion.
"What?" She asked puzzled. Rick tilted his head slightly while his mouth revealed a remnant of a smile before taking her hand in his, stroking his thumb over the back of her hand.
"Nothing... just that you are going to make a wonderful mother, Katherine," he answered sincerely, his expression tender. He rarely called her Katherine and when he did it was usually reserved for moments where he revealed his heart to her. Kate suddenly felt emotional, fully aware that she might well be pregnant already.
"Thank you," she replied quietly, her eyes moist with tears. Rick tugged a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned in to give her a soft kiss. A knock on the door interrupted the intimate moment as they turned their attention to the door. Rick's eyes lit up and excitement spread across his features as he quickly made his way towards the door.
"Ah my girl is home!" he greeted as he opened the door and saw Alexis standing on the other side. He immediately gathered her up in a tight hug while kissing her head.
"Hey dad," Alexis greeted with a bright smile.
"Oh I've missed you Pumpkin," Rick said with shut eyes while he held his daughter tight; he did not let go for several moments. The two women only exchanged looks and smiled.
"Dad-"
"Mmmmhh?"
"Can I say hello to Kate as well now?"
"Oh sorry, yeah of course," he replied releasing her from the tight hug.
"Hey sweetie," Kate greeted, smiling broadly.
"Hey," Alexis greeted stepping into a firm hug.
"So, what's new with you guys?"

________

"...We had to jump over the fence to chase after the guy, because well Esposito and Ryan weren't close enough." The three Castles were hoarded in the kitchen with empty pizza boxes strewn over the counter while Kate was busy relaying a precint-related story. "So I go over first and your dad... well let's say he left a little Armani souvenir on the fence." The two women burst out laughing while Rick only shook his head, smiling scornfully.
"Wow Dad, you seem to be getting a little old for that," Alexis commented with a smirk.
"I'm not old, thank you very much. I could give you a run for your money missy," Rick replied in mock seriousness, pointing a finger at his daughter. "Besides, I thought you were on my side."
"Oh but I am Dad. Always."
"Gmmff, yeah sure. You two always conspire against me."
"Aww, poor baby," Kate commented sarcastically while running a hand through his hair.
"By the way, just to make it clear, that fence was high and the suspect was armed which is kinda dangerous, okay? Furthermore, I don't have any police training-"
"No, no Mr. Castle, you couldn't get over that fence because you're unfit and a litte out of shape," Kate interrupted, gently slapping Rick's arm with a chuckle.
"That is not true! I, I do a lot of stuff... I have taut muscles," Rick was flexing his biceps. "Feel here."
"I know how your muscles feel, Castle," Kate retorted with a smile.
"And you seem very satisfied with them, Detective," Rick quipped while slightly arching his eyebrows, once again causing Kate to roll her eyes at him.
"Anyway, jumping over a fence has nothing to do with muscles, Castle."
"Yeah it does!"
"Doesn't."
"Does."
"Doesn't."
"Oh come on-"
"Do I look like a body-builder to you?" Kate interrupted arching her eyebrows.
"Nooo... but you have a very nice bo- very nice muscles, Detective." He flashed her a teasing smirk before leaning in to peck her cheek.
"Shut up," Kate mumbled with a self-conscious smile while blushing slightly.
Alexis only watched the flirtatious swordplay between her father and Kate in amusement and smiled at the scene. Her father had never been happier with anyone else and she knew that Kate was the best thing to ever happen to their family. She loved her stepmother and considered her to be a close friend.
"Does anyone want some hot chocolate? I kinda feel like some," Alexis said, getting off from the stool where she was sitting.
"Only if you make it with the little marshmellows," Rick answered almost immediately.
"Sure Dad. Kate?"
"Uh... no thanks sweetie, I think I'm gonna take a shower." Kate wanted to give Rick and Alexis a few minutes on their own to catch up and was sensitive enough to realise that they both needed it.
"So, if I don't see you again, Lex, goodnight," she said, getting off her seat and moving closely behind Rick with her hands placed on his shoulders.
"Ok, sleep tight Kate," Alexis answered with a smile.
"Hey, you're not going to bed yet are you?" Rick asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. He took hold of her hand and pulled her closer to him. "I mean we kinda have a date," he continued in a whisper which only Kate could hear.
"Don't worry, I'll wait up," Kate replied quietly with a sly smile and a wink before giving him a quick kiss.
Kate smiled as she heard father and daughter laughing while making her way up the stairs. 'I cannot wait to add to this family.' She thought placing a hand on her stomach.

________

Twenty minutes later...
Kate was sitting on the edge of the bath tub after taking a long shower. She was holding one of the pregnancy tests in her hand and was busy reading the instructions; she hid the bag with pregnancy tests in the bathroom earlier the evening. She decided that while Rick and Alexis were busy bonding downstairs, that she would take the opportunity to find out whether she was indeed expecting. Nervous excitement churned her stomach while a broad smile threatened to engulf her features.
"Kate?" She fumbled with the box upon hearing Rick calling her name.
"Uh, I- I'm in here," she replied flustered as she scurried to hide the pregnancy tests.
"What are you doing in there? Putting on sexy lingerie? I wouldn't mind... hint-hint!" She could here the teasing smirk in his muffled voice on the other side of the door and he could basically see her eye roll. "Don't keep me waiting too long though"
"I'm coming," Kate replied before opening the door.
"Oh there are so many-" Rick commented with a sly smile before being cut off as his wife swiftly put a hand over his mouth.
"Richard Castle, you are like an impossible teenager!" Kate hissed with an exasperated laugh before removing her hand from his mouth.
"More like a really horny teenager," he quipped while feeling her up. Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes in order to lock her mouth with his.
"You smell like cherries," Rick mumbled while placing soft kisses in her neck and along her jaw line.
"Mmm-hmm," Kate commented with closed eyes before breaking from the embrace. Taking his hand, she dragged him towards the bed.
"C'mon Mr. Castle, there's work to done."
"Ay ay Detective!"

________

Positive. Positive. Positive. Positive. All four tests confirmed it. Kate Caslte was pregnant. And she was ecstatically happy about it.
But for the time being she wasn't able to share the good news with anyone. It was just past 9am on Saturday and Kate was alone in the loft; Rick and Alexis went out to take a stroll in the park, leaving her to sleep in. She would have to wait a while longer before she could break the news to her husband because she and Alexis had planned a shopping trip - a.k.a girls' bonding time - when they got back from the park. With this in mind, Kate carefully disposed of the pregnancy tests and started to get dressed, all the while struggling to keep a smile from her lips.
She was applying the last touches of her makeup when she heard Rick and Alexis entering the loft.
"Greatest movie of all time?" Rick asked as he and his daughter walked through the door; bear claws and lattes in hand.
Alexis took a few contemplative moments before answering.
"Gone with the Wind."
"Oh come on! Gone with the- oh please. That is such a girly answer," Rick exclaimed in disdain.
"Dad, I am a girl." Alexis pointed out with a chuckle.
"What are we talking about?" Kate asked as she walked down the stairs.
"Oh Dad and I are just having a friendly discussion about what the best movie of all time is," Alexis answered.
"Hey," Kate greeted her husband with a peck on the lips. "So what is it?"
"Gone with the Wind."
"Star Wars 1977." Father and daughter answered simulteanously.
"I'm with Lex on this one... Geekboy," Kate commented with a smile.
"Oh please. Star Wars is the greatest film franchise of all time, nothing beats it," Rick replied earnestly.
"Yeah well, nothing beats Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara's epic love story."
"Thanks Kate, my point exactly," Alexis added. Rick flashed his wife and daughter a disapproving look.
"Again, ganging up on me," he mumbled while taking out the bear claws and handing a latte to Kate.
"Uh, I- you have it. I don't want something now," Kate answered as Rick handed her the cup. He looked at her in confusion, not quite comprehending why she was rejecting coffee in the morning. Usually she couldn't function without her daily dosage of caffeine.
"You sure?"
"Yeah... So Lex are you ready?" Kate turned towards her stepdaughter, largely in an effort to change the topic.
"Yip, I'm ready if you are."
"Where are you two going?" Rick asked before taking a sip of the latte.
"Shopping," Kate answered with a broad smile.
"You're leaving me alone?" he asked with a slight pout.
"Don't worry, we won't be the whole day," Kate answered while taking her purse.
"Just a few hours" Alexis added with a smile. "Bye Dad"
"Bye... and behave yourself." Kate leaned in to give Ric.k a kiss on the cheek before heading to the front door.
"Always. Have fun," Rick replied with a grin. "Bring me something!" he called before they were out of the door. A smile slowly formed on his lips as he thought about two of the most important women in his life, but it quickly disappeared.
"Gone with the Wind. Please."

________

"We may have something in that size Miss Castle. Would you like me to show it to you?" A friendly boutique assitant asked, knowing full well who the Castle women were.
"Yes please," Alexis answered looking at Kate.
"Oh you go ahead sweetie, I'll wait here."
Alexis and Kate were making their rounds in the boutiques and shops after catching up over lunch. Alexis told her about Harvard, her favourite subjects, her plans for the future and student life while Kate listened on with keen interest. Kate, on the other hand, informed her about everyone at the precint, placing specific focus on Javier and Lanie's budding romance and her father's book tour. She didn't mention anything about her and Rick's plans to 'enlarge' the Castle family or the small matter of her pregnancy - a fact she only discovered a few hours before.
Walking through the shop, Kate spotted the baby section and moved towards it. She was unconsciously rubbing her stomach as she looked at the miniature clothing. She stopped at the shoes section and removed a pair of small, white slipper-like shoes. 'So adorable' She was smiling, not aware that Alexis was standing a few feet away and watching her.
"Uh Kate?" Alexis ventured closer, a tentative smile pulling her lips upward. Kate's head snapped up at the interruption and she smiled at her stepdaughter.
"So what are you doing in the baby section?" Alexis asked, already fully aware that her father and Kate were trying for a baby; Rick had told her and she was over the moon upon hearing the news.
"Uhmm," Kate started with a smile while focusing on the small, white shoes in her hand. "I, well-"
"You're pregnant?" Kate took a few moments before answering, not taking her eyes off the item in her hands.
"Yes, Lex, I'm pregnant" she answered softly, looking up while a beaming smile spread across her face. Alexis' eyes grew wide as a bright smile engulfed her features.
"Oh my gosh! This is sooo amazing!" She wrapped her arms around a laughing Kate, practically bouncing off the ground. "I'm going to be a big sister! I can't believe it. Congratulations!"
"Thanks sweetie" Kate replied. "It feels so unreal, but, wow, just amazing"
"When did you find out?" Alexis asked, her blue eyes glistening with excitement.
"This morning actually. While you guys were out."
"And you're sure?"
"Yep. I took four pregnancy tests and they were all positive."
"And Dad? He doesn't know yet?"
"No, I'm planning on telling him later today."
"You know he is gonna be totally out-of-his-mind happy, right?"
"Mmm-hmm," Kate replied with a broad smile while imagining how excited Rick will be upon hearing the good tidings. As she glanced at the small shoes in her hands, an idea as to how to tell him popped into her head.

________

"Hey you're back earlier than I expected," Rick greeted as Kate walked through the door. He was lounging on the couch, watching Star Wars (1977) partly out of boredom and partly to prove his point that it was the greatest movie of all time.
"Well my shoes were starting to kill me," Kate replied. She noticed the remote-controlled miniature Ferrari next to the couch and smiled to herself. 'Boys wll be boys.'
"Where's Alexis?" he asked, sitting up.
"Uh, she's meeting some of her friends for coffee."
"Oh, okay... so we have the afternoon for ourselves?" he waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively while she only flashed him her longsuffering look.
"Before we get to that... I have something for you." Kate pulled out a gift bag and held it out towards him. He quickly got up with the enthusiasm of a 12-year-old.
"Really? Is it Halo? Oh, oh! Or is Unchartered: Drake's Fortune? 'Cause that will be so totally awesome!" He rambled on in anticipation like a kid on Christmas morning.
"No, but I think this is going to be even better," Kate replied with a smile as he took the bag from her.
"Well, very little is greater than that," he commented absent-mindedly while searching the gift bag and pulling out two white, baby shoes. "Baby shoes," he commented flatly, as his brow furrowed in confusion. "Kate, what am I suppose to do with baby..." He looked up at her in confusion and saw a serene smile spread across her features. His eyes grew wide as the realization set in. "-Shoes?"
"Uh." A smile tugged his lips upward as he watched her. "Katie, are- are you...?" He moved closer, failing to stop a broad smile from forming on his lips.
She only nodded in confirmation, matching his broad smile. He lifted her up in a tight embrace, swinging her around both laughing happily.
"Oh wow! Really? This is... ah - you were right much better than anything else," Rick said with a chuckle, taking her face in between his hands as delirious happiness descended on them. "I... love... you... so... much," he said in between kissing her.
"I love you too," Kate replied smiling.
"You're pregnant. We're pregnant... Woo-hoooo!" He threw his arms up in the air.
"I take it you're excited," Kate commented with a laugh, watching her thrilled husband in amusement.
"Are you kidding me? I'm freaking ecstatic! This is the best Christmas present ever. Thank you." He gave her a soft, lingering kiss before bending down to stand on his knees.
"Hey baby, it's Daddy... I just want to say that I love you already and can't wait to meet you," he whispered to Kate's stomach while she tenderly ran a hand through his hair.
"What about me?" Kate asked in mock indignation.
"Oh and Mommy also says hi."

Chapter 3 – Don't let me go (ghost writer 77)

Chapter 3 – Don't let me go

Richard Castle ran as he never did before in his life. Bursting past people and almost crashing into objects, he sprinted down the corridors of St. Mary's hospital, all the while replaying Esposito's words in his mind.
"Rick, we're at St. Mary's… Kate's been shot."
Numbness arrested his senses while dread and horror engulfed him as the sentence sunk in. He did not let Javier finish and dropped the phone before rushing out the door.
On his way to the hospital, Rick's mind went back to the morning's events; he and Kate had an argument about his latest book tour just before she left for work. She was not happy that it would be four weeks long and he was upset that she would not be joining him. For the past few days, they had both been edgy – Rick was under pressure because of his book launch and Kate had difficulty with the case she was working on. Eventually, it all came to a climax and blossomed into a full-blown fight that morning. Now, all of that did not matter. It was insignificant and trivial and pointless.
'As long as she's okay. As long as she's okay.' The thought ran through his mind like a fervent prayer. He came to an abrupt halt at a nurses' station causing the occupant to jump a little at his sudden presence.
"I'm looking for a Kate Castle, or Beckett or Detective Beck-" he spurted out; his voice cracking with fear and his eyes wide with intense anxiety.
"Castle!" Rick quickly spun around at the sound of his name and saw Esposito and Ryan in the waiting area. Ignoring the nurse's attempted reply, he hurriedly made his way to the two men.
"Is she okay? Where's Kate?" Panic stifled his voice as the questions followed each other in quick succession.
"The doctor is examining her, but-" Esposito started to answer, but was interrupted by Rick.
"You said she got shot. Is- is she okay?" Rick asked, his eyes darting between the two men pleadingly.
"She's fine, Castle. She had her vest on, but a bullet grazed her upper arm, so they're just looking at that," Ryan answered, patting Rick's shoulder.
"Don't worry bro, Beckett is a tough cookie," Esposito added, plastering a smile across his face even though it did not reach his eyes. A corner of Rick's mouth unwillingly curved up when Javier referred to Kate as a 'tough cookie'.
Rick let out the breath he had been holding and bent forward, resting his hands on his knees while his head hung downwards.
"Oh thank God" He breathed, closing his eyes momentarily. "Wha- what happened?" he asked standing up.
"We went to arrest the perp and the stupid SOB – without warning – opened fire. Unfortunately, a civilian got in the way and well Kate jumped in front of her and…" Ryan's voice trailed off, clearly still affected by what happened.
"She saved the woman's life," Esposito continued, his voice suddenly full of emotion.
"Shit..." Rick commented, his face contorting at the thought of his wife being shot at. "And the bastard who did this? What happened to him?" he asked, fury suddenly rising from the pit of his stomach.
"He got a bullet in the head," Ryan answered flatly.
"Beckett shot him," Esposito added grimly. Rick sighed and ran a hand over the back of his head and neck, turning his eyes to the floor.
"I- I'm gonna go see where is," he said quietly after a few moments while the two detectives nodded in response.
As he approached the nurses' station for the second time to find out where Kate was, he noticed a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. When he saw her, Rick once more abandoned the nurse mid-sentence, and quickly made his way towards his wife who was standing a few metres away down in the corridor. She had just come out of the examining room and became aware of someone walking towards her. A considerably paler Kate let out a relieved breath and smiled tentatively as Rick swiftly walk/ran towards her. Upon reaching her, Rick enveloped her - without words - into a tight embrace; pulling her slender frame impossibly close to his larger one.
"Thank God," he murmured into her hair while placing quick, tender kisses on her head, forehead and temple. Pulling away slightly, he framed her face with his hands and locked his eyes with hers.
"You scared the hell out of me, KC," Rick stated simply; his voice quiet, but filled with raw emotion. Kate diverted her eyes to his chest with a sigh and rested her hands on his forearms.
"I'm sorry, RC. I didn't mean to scare you," she replied softly, gazing up at him and noticing his strained expression. "Or, you know, get shot at today," Kate added sarcastically with a slight smile in an effort to lighten the mood. Rick did not return the smile, but instead leaned forward to meet her lips in a soft, but lingering kiss.
"C'mon, let's get you home." He placed an arm around her shoulder and a hand on her injured upper arm causing Kate to wince in pain.
"Ow!"
"Oh! Sorry!" Rick exclaimed, immediately releasing the hold he had on her arm. "Please don't hurt me," he added after a few moments. He gave her his best puppy-dog look, causing Kate to role her eyes at him as per usual.
"You're forgiven. Just remember, you have to be nice to me now. I'm not a well woman." Kate smiled at him despite herself; a flicker of playfulness back in her voice.
"I'm always nice to you," Rick replied with a slight pout, taking her small hand in his and giving it a squeeze. Even though his facial features indicated a smile, his eyes betrayed the fear that had gripped his heart.
Katherine Castle was his 'one-and-done' and Rick knew that if he lost her, it would devastate him beyond recovery.

__________

"I'm gonna take a shower. Why don't you order us some Chinese or something," Kate said, flashing her husband a tentative smile. Instead of making a typical Caslte suggestion - laced with sexual innuendo - of taking a shower together, he only meekly nodded in agreement. They had just arrived home, both feeling weary and emotionally drained; albeit careful not to reveal what they felt to one another. The ride home had been quiet with both of them engrossed in thought. Kate replayed the events of the day in her mind, while Rick was contemplating the 'what ifs'. She also noticed that he was was touching her more than usual, almost as if he was making sure that she was really alive and well.
Kate dragged herself upstairs to their bedroom; grateful to have a few moments alone with her thoughts. She stepped into the bathroom and started to remove her clothes which reeked of gunfire and blood. Ignoring the tears that began to blur her vision, she slowly undid the buttons of her shirt while staring at nothing in particular on the wall. It was only when she was standing under the scorching hot current of water that it hit her - she took someone's life today and almost lost her own. As the realisation set in, uncotrollable sobs tore through her body until she was sitting on the shower floor clutching at her knees for comfort.
Meanwhile...
Rick sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the faint splashing of water coming from the bathroom. He only came in a few moments before, not to interrupt Kate, but just, frankly, to be nearer to her. Not for her sake, but for his own peace of mind. While absent-mindedly scanning the room, a large wedding photo of them on the wall caught his eye. Looking at the two blissfully happy people in the picture, Rick's lips briefly pulled upwards. They had so many dreams and plans for the future – taking long vacations on exotic islands, buying a house along the French Riviera and, eventually, raising a family. They also made promises. 'For better or worse. In sickness and in health. 'Til death do us part.'
"Til death do us part," Rick murmured out loud before being shaken from his thoughts at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Kate, wet-haired and clothed in a bathrobe, stepped out and saw her husband sitting on the edge of the bed. They looked at each other for a few seconds before she went over to sit next to him in silence. After a few moments, Rick took her hand in his and weaved their fingers together.
"You almost died today," he said softly, looking down at their intertwined fingers while gently rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.
"Unfortunately for you, the guy was a bad shot." Rick's head snapped up and he stared at her for a moment.
"Richard, I'm fine-" Kate started in a softened tone seeing his reaction and placed her free hand over their interwined ones.
"Esposito told me that you jumped in front of someone," Rick interrupted her, his eyes drilling into hers. He was bizarrely angry with her that she put her life at risk for a stranger.
"Yeah... If I hadn't, she would have been shot. I was doing my job-" Kate nodded slowly, her eyebrows knitting briefly as she spoke.
"You could've gotten killed," he retorted angrily, looking at her intently. Kate's expression softened, as her eyes drifted downwards. A few moments passed by before she looked up at him again, her eyes suddenly moist.
"I know what happened. I, I know better than anyone how close I came to dying today... But, Rick." She placed a hand on his cheek. "-I didn't. I'm right here"
"I should have been with you today-" He looked up at her, his expression serious.
"You're here now," Kate interrupted, taking his face in between her hands. "I don't need you to save me or protect me or stop bullets for me... I need you to love me," Kate continued in a whisper, her plea barely audible. "Just love me, Rick." She leaned in for a slow, deep kiss.
He broke from the kiss and started to tug at the belt of her robe; his movements slow and deft. Keeping eye contact, he slid the robe off her shoulders to reveal her bare skin. He moved towards her neck and shoulders, placing feathery kisses on her collar bone, up her neck and along her jaw line; all the while pushing her down onto the bed. The usual playfulness and laughing were replaced by silence and gentle caresses.
After a few minutes, they were both naked with Rick hovering over his wife. He studied her lovely features closely while tracing the outline of her jaw with his fingers. Kate slinked her arms around his neck, pulling him down towards her.
"I love you," Rick said softly as Kate wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. The traumatic events of the day seemed to disappear in this moment as they slowly moved in unison, making love.

Tonight they were not Richard Castle or Detective Beckett, but simply Rick and Kate - friends, partners and lovers.

_________

"Wow, I didn't realise I was that hungry," Kate commented after taking the last bite of her chow mein. Rick, with his elbow propped on the counter and his head resting on his hand, was watching her. They were in the kitchen sitting at the kitchen table top, finally eating the Chinese take-out he had ordered two hours before. Kate had one of Rick's dress shirts on, while he was only in his Sylvester and Tweety boxer.
"Why do you think I almost ordered everyting on the menu?" Rick grinned at her; the usual playful glint in his eyes seemingly recovered. Kate only shook her head at him and smiled, before growing thougthful again. He noticed the change in her demeanor and frowned.
"Hey, what's going on inside that pretty lil' head of yours?" He took hold of her hand, smiling slightly at her.
Shaken from her thougths, Kate returned a tentative smile, unsure how to proceed.
"Uh, well,.. life is short and... we can't predict what's going to happen next," she started, running a hand nervously through her hair. "Sooo... I, I was thinking that we should maybe... you know start to." She took a breath before continuing. "Add to the Castle family." Kate looked up at him expectantly, biting her lower lip and arching her eyebrows slightly. A grin teased Rick's lips, not sure that what he was hearing was real.
"Do you mean we should get like a puppy or a kitten?" He asked, playing dumb while Kate gave him a longsuffering eye-roll. "Or, Detective, is this your way of saying that you want to make little Castle babies with me?" A teasing smile spread across his face as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Kate stepped closer to him and moved her arms around his neck as a bright smile engulfed her features.
"Yes, I'm saying that I want to make beautiful little Castle babies with you... Starting right now." She broke from his hold and dragged him, by hand, laughing up the stairs.

_________

Picture, you're the queen of everything, as far as the eye could see under your command.

I will be your guardian when all is crumbling, steady your hand.

P. S. the title of the chapter is a from a beautiful song by the Fray, 'Never say never' and the lyrics at the end of the chapter was taken from the song.

Chapter 1 - Where we belong (ghost writer 77)

A/N: I love stories where Rick and Kate are married and really wanted do one myself; even if it's just a fluffy one-shot. And this is exactly what it is. Please forgive me for the crappy title, couldn't think of anything cute.

Nikki kicked the gun out of his hand-
"Nooo."
Nikki… landed a powerful jab on his jaw.
"Urgghh… Even worse."
Nikki…. took off all her clothes and jumped him-
"Ha… wait 'til Kate sees this."
Rick Castle was sitting in his study in front of his laptop attempting to get some writing done for his fourth Nikki Heat novel. Gina was already setting deadlines and hassling him about it. But he was struggling to find inspiration; this usually happened when his muse was not around to lend a helping hand. He did not go with her with the precint a lot anymore, since he really did not need to any longer and also because he needed to get some work done. 'Mrs. Castle, you really need to get you sexy ass home,' he thought as he looked at his watch. It was 22h46. Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard the front door opening and smiled instinctively at the sound.
Kate walked through the door wearily, taking off her jacket and dumping her bag on the kitchen counter. She let out a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of her neck, trying to ease the aching muscles of her shoulders. It was a long and macabre day and she needed some R&R and was sure that her husband would provide that. She was relatively certain that he was not asleep yet and the light streaming through from underneath the door of his study, confirmed her suspicions. He rarely went to bed before she came home.
"Rick!" she called, walking over towards his study.
"In here!" His muzzled voice rang out. She opened the door and saw him feet up on the desk and laptop in his lap. He was wearing his favourite pair of boxers that had the Tasmanian Devil on it and a casual dark blue t-shirt. She also noticed a gameboy lying on top of his desk.
"Such a man-child," Kate thought, smiling slightly at the scene. Even though his 9-year-old-on-a-sugar-rush-antics got on her nerves a lot of the time, she found this kid-like side of Rick Castle sweet, adorable and – inexplicably – irresistible.
But tonight she needed more than entertainment and laughs; she needed her husband to provide her a shoulder to cry on after the day she had endured. Murder was hard, but the murder of a child was unbearable.
"Hey sexy," he greeted jovially as his mouth slowly curved into a broad smile. He put his laptop on the desk, got up and walked towards her.
"Hi." Kate returned a weak smile. "Sorry I'm late," she continued, moving to him. He pulled her closer and leaned in for a sweet, but lingering kiss.
"Ah… that's okay. Someone around here needs to work and since it's clearly not me…" Rick flashed another broad grin, but saw the strain on her face and the weariness in her eyes. She was still processing the events of the day and he knew that today must have been particularly difficult. They were working on a case of a 10-year old girl who had been raped and brutally murdered. He knew Kate took cases like this to heart and saw the results of it in her taut reactions.
"Long day, huh?" he asked frowning slightly with concern.
"Yeah, something like that." Kate arched her eyebrows and averted his eyes as she broke from his hold to sit down on the couch. She was with him, but her mind was somewhere else. Rick sat down beside her, watching her intently.
"So… how did it go? Did you get any breaks?" He ventured cautiously, seeing the haunted expression on her face. He knew Kate Beckett (now Castle, of course) well and after years of studying how the different emotions revealed themselves on her face, he had a good idea of what every expression meant. But the one she wore now, he did not see it often. Maybe only the times when her mother's murder was discussed.
"We got the guy…," she started in a subdued tone, fixing a blank stare on the coffee table. Even though he sometimes took things too lightly and made inappropriate jokes, he knew when to keep quiet. And this was one of those moments.
"It was the mother's boyfriend," Kate continued with a clenched jaw as she looked down at her lap. She was unconsciously clasping her hands together, recalling the reaction of the little girl's mother upon hearing what happened to her daughter. She momentarily closed her eyes at the memory.
"Oh," Rick replied quietly. Cases like this were always difficult to process and despite being hard-as-nails, Kate was struggling to come to terms with it.
"You know sometimes I really just hate this job." She looked up at him, blinking away tears. Rick rarely saw her this vulnerable and instinctively moved closer, placing a protective arm around her shoulder. He could almost feel his heart break into a thousand pieces upon seeing the sorrow in his wife's eyes.
"Katie… I'm sorry," he said softly, pulling her to him and kissing the top of her head. He only referred to her as 'Katie' when she was feeling vulnerable or sad and needed comfort. Kate relaxed against him and took in a deep breath, taking in the faint scent of his cologne that still lingered. She felt the tension in her body melt away, feeling the familiar sense of safety when she was with him. They sat quietly for a few moments before she stirred and sat up.
"At least we got the SOB… And he's going away for a very long time," Kate said, running a hand through her hair while fixing her gaze on the couch.
"Good. I'm glad. You know in cases like this, I'm all for the death penalty." He commented grimly before growing thoughtful again. "Hey, you okay?" He lifted her chin and raised his eyebrows, looking at her with concern. She took a few moments before replying.
"Yeah… I am." A smile slowly spread across her face before she continued. "I have you."
"Mh-hmm… You're a lucky girl." Kate raised her eyebrows at the comment, sensing a barrage of bantering coming on.
"Oh really? And why's that Mr. Castle?"
"Well, Mrs. Castle, it's not every woman who can say that they're married to a ridiculously handsome, filthy rich and impossibly talented writer." He flashed her smile while Kate rolled her eyes at him as per usual.
"Trust you to come up with that kind of fiction," Kate said as she stood up.
"Ouch, thanks honey. That's how a wife supports her husband," Rick replied, placing a hand on his chest in mock indignation.
"Yeah, yeah. C'mon Mr. World-Famous-Writer, let's go to bed. I'm tired." She started to make her way towards his office door.
"Ok let me just-" Rick got up and moved towards his desk to pick up the gameboy.
"Richard, don't even think of bringing that gameboy to bed," Kate said over her shoulder as she walked out of his office. He looked up at her with a pout and reluctantly put it back on his desk.
"Spoilsport," he mumbled while following her out of his office. "Why do you always have to be so strict?"
Turning around to face him, Kate replied in a sultry voice.
"Because you like it when I'm strict, Mr. Castle." Rick's eyes grew big and he swallowed hard.
"Oh, you have no idea Mrs. Castle."