Recognizing the Moment

Chapter 1

AN: I wrote this piece because when I finished working on 'Between Here and There,' I just couldn't seem to get those two characters out of my head. A part of me had fallen in love. So, I dedicate these words to them, for their inspiration and for the joy they've brought me.

Kate's phone vibrated on her desk for the umpteenth time that day, its relentless pursuit of her attention having already grown tiresome by that early-afternoon hour. It was to be her final day at the office before nine days away, her first true vacation in years, and she could practically hear freedom whispering her name in welcome as she labored to tie up as many loose ends as she could. Rick was to land in the city from Albany by train at 6PM, and she was determined to get home before he arrived, the titillating thought of opening her door to welcome him driving her thoroughly dogged focus.

"Have you even gotten up from your desk, today?" her colleague asked, peeking unnoticed around the doorframe of her office. "Not that we don't love your sparkling personality around here, Beckett, but I think we can survive just fine without you for a few days."

Kate flinched in her chair, startled by the unexpected intrusion. "Hey, thanks, Miller. Nothing says enjoy your vacation like the assurance you won't be missed," she replied.

"Bring me back something tropical."

"My personality and I will see you in a week, Miller," she said with a grin as he backed away and disappeared. With her concentration successfully broken, she picked up her phone to find out what it was everyone wanted from her. There amongst several items of no urgency was a text message from Rick, who'd made his way to the station in wait for his train.

"I was going to call (you know what that voice of yours does to me) but I didn't want to disturb. I'm sure you have 1,000 things to do. Just wanted to let you know I'm still set to get in on time and I'll see you at your place. Oh, and I know it's a long shot because of your dad and dinner and everything, but there's something extra-special in it for you if you're NOT wearing that thing when I get there. Love you, Counselor."

Kate felt her body react as she read his words, that twitch he so often elicited with terribly little effort. She hadn't seen him in over a month, his schedule busy with end-of-year prep and finals, and hers filled with work on two separate cases, and her eyes ached for immersion in his, her skin for his touch, her tongue for his taste. Tomorrow they would set off together, and as she typed her "Can't wait to see you. Love you, too." reply, that delicious reality truly began to set in.

xxxx

She managed to make it back to her apartment earlier than expected, even with a necessary stop at the market for the items Rick had requested she pick up for his preparation of their dinner. Her father would be joining them for the evening, a long-overdue first introduction of the two most important men in her life, and Rick insisted upon cooking, an arousing daydream she'd conjured up countless times in the week since he'd planted the seed.

A late-spring storm had settled over the city, and the rain was falling in sheets, its steady pulse at her windows almost hypnotic in its constancy. Rick sent her another message when he arrived at the station, just a quick taxi ride from her place, though securing one in the lousy weather at rush hour would, no doubt, prove to be a challenge, so she expected he might be late. She uncorked a bottle of merlot, twisted her hair up into a knot off her neck, and set the needle of her record player to the beginning of Coltrane's My Favorite Things while she waited.

She'd changed out of her suit from work, including what Rick had hinted at in his earlier message, what he'd asked for without asking, and the charge born of his promise hummed inside her with unrelenting force. The effect he had on her mind and her body, the power he possessed, even from such a distance, was something she'd experienced with no other man, and she seized every opportunity, in person or otherwise, to make that known to him. Given the less than optimal amount of time they actually spent together, words were too often all she had.

She was set to pour herself a glass of wine when the knock at the door finally came, and she hurried to answer, the bottle absentmindedly still in hand.

"Ooo, straight from the bottle, huh? Must've been some day," Rick joked, his hair and his clothes dripping rainwater onto her doormat. "The good news is Puddle Man's here to rescue you from your doldrums."

"I must've missed that comic book release," Kate cracked. "And what exactly is Puddle Man's superpower?" she asked, eyeing his drenched form amusedly.

"His Chicken Scaloppini turns sexy Manhattan attorneys into mush," he replied with a proud air, fists at his hips, chest puffed out.

"Big talk for such a…soggy man," she purred.

"Permission for this soggy man to approach?" he said, charmingly employing lawyer-speak.

Kate crouched and set the bottle out of the way. "Permission granted," she replied, stepping into him before he had the chance to move and capturing his lips as though it'd been years, not weeks, since she'd last felt them. "God, you're so wet," she whispered with a giggle after several breathless moments of contact, pulling him in tighter against her body despite his state.

He leaned in for her ear. "Your turn later, right?" he asked, playful and palpably salacious.

She instantly wanted to show him, to guide his fingers to the truth her body already couldn't hide, but she knew once he touched her, she'd never be able to stop herself, and time wasn't on their side, her father set to arrive within the hour. "I'll shove my dad out the door the second we finish with dinner," she said in jest, plucking at the button of her jeans. "I'm sorry we don't have time for your extra-special something before he gets here, whatever it is, but I still thought you should know I'm not wearing what you wanted me not to wear." His eyes fell to her dancing fingers, and with the revelation his body released an awkward grumble of woe. "I hope that won't be a problem for you during dinner."

"Not as long as you give me an apron to wear," he quipped, evoking a laugh. "God, I missed you," he told her, his hand brushing her cheek.

"I missed you too, Professor. Now, get in here and cook us some chicken. I'd like to see if this Puddle Man of yours can turn me into mush."

The truth was, of course, he'd been there just minutes and already had.

xxxx

Rick changed out of his clothes and into something dry and set to work in the kitchen with Kate's eyes on his every move. He enjoyed cooking and was surprisingly good at it, despite having a mother who made just two things well: spaghetti and scrambled eggs. He often wondered how it was he managed to grow at all, honestly. It was an important dinner for both of them, for more reasons than Kate knew, and though making a great first impression on her father played a large part in it, more than anything, Rick wanted it to be special for her.

"Thanks for picking up all this stuff," he said. "Guess you really are good at everything, grocery lists included." Kate was suddenly there but not there, her mind clearly elsewhere as she gazed fixedly at her glass. He reached out and brushed a finger across the back of her hand. "Hey, beautiful girl, is everything okay?"

"I'm...I'm sorry, what?" She looked up and smiled, but he wasn't buying it.

"You're thinking about something. Tell me what it is. I can cut asparagus and listen all at the same time. I'm quite talented, you know."

Sometimes she forgot how well he knew her, how easily he could read her. Ever since the day they'd met on that train months ago, their profound connection was one she hadn't found herself able to explain, and even with their limited time together, given their geography, that connection remained just as powerful. "No, it's nothing, really. I'm fine. And, yes, I assure you, your talents have been well illustrated," she replied, sipping her wine.

"Don't hide behind that thing," he told her. "Your eyes give you away every time. All someone has to do is take the time to look."

She set down her glass and met his eye. "I love you, you know."

"I know you do," he said.

"I was just thinking about how happy I am to be doing this tonight, to be introducing you to my dad. It's been a really long time since I shared someone with him like this."

Rick freed up his hands and rounded the counter to meet her where she sat. He stepped into the space between her thighs, her arms circling his waist and holding tight. "It means a lot to me, too." He kissed the top of her head and remained there for a long moment, taking her in. "You're not nervous, are you? I mean, I shaved and everything."

"You already know just what my dad looks for in a man. It's uncanny," she said, tilting her head upward, her chin at his belly. "God, I can't wait until tomorrow, just you, me, and that smooth face of yours for nine days."

Rick moved to kiss her but was interrupted by the door. "So close," he sighed backing away. "Would you like me to get it?"

Kate stood and grabbed his arm as leverage to pull herself into him. "The minute he's gone," she promised before kissing him hard and fast and heading for the door.

xxxx

"I'm very impressed, Rick," Jim Beckett said as the three sat around the dining table before empty plates. "That was wonderful, and it's always nice to see Katie eating real food, for a change. I was beginning to think she didn't actually own plates." He leaned over and pinched her playfully on the arm. "Same time next week?"

"A week from now, we'll still be sipping from coconuts on the beach, Dad, but I'll see what I can do to convince him to come back and cook for us when we get home." She turned and looked at both men with such adoration, with such joy in the success of their union. Rare were the moments in her life she would label as perfect, but sitting there between them on that night certainly felt like one of them.

"Well, I'll be here as often as she'll have me, Jim," Rick said, taking Kate's hand. "And I appreciate the kind words, thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed it. It's not nearly as fun to chef it up for one, so it was truly my pleasure."

"So, what time's the flight tomorrow? I'm actually still in shock you convinced her to get on a plane, Rick," Jim said with a chuckle.

Rick pushed from his chair and began gathering up their dishes. "Just past 11AM, and I think it helped a bit that I bought the tickets first and then told her about it. Of course, I also had to promise she could pick the next vacation spot, so I'm in for it, no doubt."

"I hear the north of Canada is beautiful in the winter," Jim suggested with a wicked smile.

Rick looked back over his shoulder as he made his way towards the kitchen. "Hey, now, please don't give the woman any ideas."

"You know, I've heard that, too," Kate chimed in. "I'm think I'm going to look into that."

"Oh, you Becketts are a cruel lot," Rick called out, going to work on the mess he'd left behind. "Guess I need to watch my back when I'm with you two."

"No, no, just a bit of fun with the new guy," Jim assured him. He looked to Kate and whispered an "I like him" before excusing himself to the restroom, and she sat and watched Rick quietly as he tidied up the kitchen. How many times she'd done that before. How contented she felt just being in his presence, how consumed with gratitude and comfort.

"I'd offer to help you in there, but I'm enjoying the view too much," she said. "I assume you're fine with that justification."

"The very minute, Counselor," Rick replied, calling up her earlier pledge.

Jim returned before the conversation could move any further, lucky for both. "Okay, you two, I hate to eat and run, but I should leave you to your packing and your last-minute business."

"Sure you don't want some coffee, Dad? We can-"

He crossed the room to her and gave her a hug. "I'm good, Katie. You guys do your thing. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip. Your mom and I used to love going down there. Just make sure you call me when you get back so I know you're safe."

"I will, Dad. Thanks again for coming tonight. It meant a lot to me."

"Me too, kid," he said, hugging her a second time. "Love you."

"Love you, too, Dad."

Rick stepped out of the kitchen as Jim approached. "Um, Kate, you know, I'm going to run to the market down the street and get us some juice for breakfast. I forgot to put that on my list. I'll walk your dad out."

"Okay," she spoke softly to herself as she watched the two head out, thinking nothing of it.

"Thanks again for a great meal, Rick," Jim said as they stepped into the elevator together. "I really enjoyed meeting you. I'm just sorry it took so long to coordinate."

"It was well worth it, seeing how happy Kate was."

"Oh, I'm fairly certain you're mostly to credit for that happiness, Rick." The car began moving downward towards the lobby. "Honestly, I don't ever remember seeing her like this."

Rick took a deep breath as they reached the end of the ride and the door slid open. "Mr. Beckett, I'm sorry, may I talk with you for a minute?" he said as they stepped out.

"Sure, Rick, though the 'Mr. Beckett' is a bit formal. Is something wrong?"

"No, no, it's nothing like that, sorry." He pushed his hands down into his pockets and readied himself as best he could. He hadn't done what he was about to do the first time around, but that wasn't Kate, and everything about her, about them, was different. "Okay," he began with a firm exhale, "here goes. Before I ask you this, I want you to know that I love your daughter more than I thought I could ever love anyone, and she means more to me than anything in this world. I know she and I have only known each other for a few months, and you and I have just met, but I'm absolutely certain that I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy, and I'd be honored to have your blessing to ask her to be my wife."

"Wow, I can't say I was expecting to hear that tonight," Jim said.

Rick drew his hands nervously through his hair. "So, I did actually manage to say all of that out loud," he replied thankfully. "Good."

"Oh, I heard every word, Rick. You know, I've listened to Katie go on and on about this wonderful man that dropped into her life for a while now, and now that I've finally met you and spent some time with you, I understand why she feels the way she does. Sometimes it's just that easy. Sometimes you just know." He paused notably in thought. "Her mom and I…well, it didn't happen quite this quickly for us, but something in me always knew, I think. But, that's a story for another day. My daughter deserves everything good, Rick."

"That's all I want to give her, sir," Rick said.

Jim looked him in the eye and extended his hand. "I believe it," he said with a firm shake, "and for that, you have my blessing."

Rick walked back through Kate's door a short time later with a container of juice and a single red rose in hand, the juice merely his contrived cover for a few moments alone with her father. She met him in the entryway, his path inside blocked by the force of her body against his, his mouth pulled into a fiery, unrestrained kiss. "Missed me, huh?" he said smugly, tapping the tip of her nose with the flower.

"We haven't seen each other in over a month. You want to waste time talking or do you want to do this?" she asked, sliding a hand below his belt.

His eyes floated from her lips to her eyes and he began to slowly move forward, bumping her backwards with his waist as he went. "I definitely don't want to waste any more time," he said, knowing far more than she.