In the Heat of the Moment

Chapter 1: Movie Night

Kate Beckett is seated at her desk working on the paperwork from the most recent case that her team had solved when a figure blocks the light of the precinct, casting a shadow on the papers in front of her. After a moment, she looks up to see who is disturbing her. "What do you need, Castle?"

"Go home. It was a long day and a very trying case. You need to rest and relax."

"I have paperwork to do. Just because Nikki Heat does not have to deal with all of this paperwork doesn't mean that it shouldn't be done. You, however, are free to go, Castle. You don't have to sit around here and watch me."

"I like to watch you."

"So I've noticed."

"And I have to make sure you go home."

"I will go home. After I finish this paperwork," she returns her gaze to the papers in front of her.

"You should come home with me," Rick says, and her head snaps up at his suggestion. He quickly continues, "Alexis and I are having movie night. Pizza, ice cream sundaes, movies… You should join us."

"No, I can't intrude on your time with your daughter," she shakes her head. "Besides, I'm working."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you joined us. Mother is out with Chet tonight so we do have a spot available."

"Castle," Kate sighs. "I think I've spent enough time with you for one day. Now, you should really be going; Alexis is waiting for you."

"It's only six-thirty; we don't start movie night until seven-thirty."

"It's Friday night; traffic is going to be terrible. You really should leave now."

"I'm getting the feeling that you don't want me around anymore, Detective," Castle smirks.

"I've had a difficult day –"

"All the more reason for you to come over and watch movies and relax with us," he studies her face, watching as she is torn between work and relaxation. "You've already caught the killer; the paperwork can wait until morning," he gently coaxes her.

"Fine. But no funny business," she tells him in a stern voice.

"I promise. Besides, Alexis will be there."

CB

"Sorry I'm a little late," Castle calls to his daughter as he and the detective enter the apartment, pizzas in hand.

"It's alright," Alexis calls as she walks to the kitchen to greet them. "Detective Beckett, it's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you too, Alexis," Kate smiles at the teenager.

"Dad invited you to movie night?"

"Yeah. But if you'd rather spend time alone with him, I can leave."

"No, it's fine. Besides, you never got to have movie night when you stayed with us after your apartment was blown up."

"Alexis, you take the pizzas into the living room and get the movie set up while Beckett and I get drinks and plates."

"Is the new Alice in Wonderland okay with everyone?" she asks, taking the pizzas.

Castle looks at Kate, who nods. "Great. It will be perfect for taking our minds off of the case we just finished." Once Alexis is out of the room, Castle goes to fridge. "What would you like to drink? I was going to have a beer."

"I'll have one too."

"Just one? After that case, I think we can indulge a little more…"

"I have to be able to get home, Castle. And that wouldn't be a very good example for your daughter. And if you think you can get lucky if you get me drunk, you better think about whether or not you want to see your daughter graduate in the spring."

He smirks, "I was only teasing. Besides, I can always hope that one day you'll return my feelings for you…"

"Castle…"

"The movie's ready," Alexis calls, wondering what was taking the two of them so long.

Castle gives Kate the two beers and Coca-cola before grabbing plates from the cabinet. She follows him to the living room, where she hands Alexis her drink and he passes out the plates. They then fill their plates before starting the movie, Alexis leaving the couch to her father and Kate.

When the movie is over, Castle collects the garbage, heading into the kitchen to get the supplies for ice cream sundaes. "I don't remember there being so much of the Mad Hatter in the original Alice in Wonderland," Kate remarks. "Not that I'm complaining because the actor did a nice job with such an unusual character."

"Johnny Depp always portrays interesting characters. He was Willy Wonka in the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. And he was Jack Sparrow in the Pirates movies; haven't you seen those?"

Beckett thinks for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't go to the movies much. When Lanie and I go, she always drags me to the romantic comedies."

Castle enters the living room, bowls and a large container of ice cream in his hands, "I will be right back with the toppings."

"Dad, Detective Beckett has never seen Pirates of the Caribbean," Alexis informs her father.

"What?" he turns to the detective.

"Am I missing something?" she looks between the two.

"Yes. It's like one of the biggest movie franchises ever."

"Well, not as big as Harry Potter. Or Twilight," Alexis adds.

Kate's face remains blank. "Please tell me you've heard of Harry Potter and Twilight," Castle says.

"Harry Potter is the wizard," she shrugs. "And isn't Twilight the one with the vampires and werewolves?" Alexis nods in confirmation. "Lanie dragged me to one of those movies."

Castle smirks, "Really?"

"She wanted to look at the hot guys that are way too young for her. I didn't really understand the point of the story."

"Maybe you should read the books. They are so much better than the movies."

"The books normally are," she says. It takes a moment for his words to sink in. "Wait, you've read those books. Aren't they for teenage girls?"

"I read them for research. To see what the kids were into these days," he quickly defends himself. "Literary research. That was it."

She nods, smirking. "Anyway, I pretty much stick to the mystery genre."

"Don't you get enough mystery at work?"

"Dad, why don't you get the rest of the toppings? I'll start Pirates of the Caribbean so Detective Beckett can experience something other than mysteries," Alexis offers.

Castle returns moments later and begins to scoop ice cream for the three of them. As the movie begins, they top their ice cream with different sauces and whipped cream. Captivated by the movie even just moments into it, he watches as both females stare at the screen, occasionally remembering the ice cream in their hands and putting a spoonful in their mouths without taking their eyes from the screen.

An hour into the movie, however, he finds both women to be sound asleep. Sighing, he silently puts the ice cream and toppings back in the fridge and turns the TV off. He carefully lifts Alexis up and carries her up to her bed; she mumbles something about Beckett as he sets her down and tucks her in, but she quickly falls back into a deep sleep when he kisses her forehead.

Rick then heads back downstairs, staring at his muse and weighing his options as he watches her sleep. He could wake her up so that she could go to her own apartment, but she may get hurt at the late hour on her way home, especially since she'd be half asleep. He could also carry her to the spare bedroom and let her sleep there for the night; he would, of course, be in danger the next morning when she woke up and found out that she had spent the night at his house, but it kept her out of danger, which was the only thing he cared about.

Castle gently tucks one arm behind her knees and the other behind her back, hoping not to wake her as he lifts her up. As he takes a step, a karate chop hits his throat, cutting off his air momentarily. This causes him to drop Beckett as he reaches for his throat, coughing as he struggles to breathe.

"Castle, what are you doing?" Kate hisses, suddenly wide awake.

Able to breathe again, he answers with another question. "Did you do that?"

"Yes. You shouldn't have touched me."

"I was going to put you in bed; I'd thought it'd be more comfortable than the couch," he continues to rub his throat. "Are you okay?"

"What?"

"I dropped you. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I have to go home, Castle."

"It's late. You should just stay here for the night."

Kate glares at him, "I am not staying with you."

"It's dangerous out there. I don't want something to happen to you."

"I'm a cop, Castle. I have a gun. And as I just demonstrated, I can take care of myself."

"I have a spare room. You don't have to go to work in the morning."

"I am not staying, Castle," she repeats.

"Please, Kate," he whispers.

She shakes her head, turning to head for the door. "I'll see you Monday, Castle. Have a good weekend."

He watches as she walks out of his loft, knowing deep inside of him that it wasn't a good idea for her to leave.

A/N: This is my first Castle fanfic. I normally write Mac and Stella from CSI:NY but I haven't been very inspired with them lately, especially when she is leaving the show. Anyway, I decided to try writing Castle and Beckett. This takes place somewhere is season three I guess but ignores at least the issues with them splitting up in the finale. It kind of completely ignores Demming too. I'm not sure how long it will end up being, but I've currently got fourteen chapters written. Please tell me what you think so far. Thanks.