Dear Readers, Thank You for all the lovely support when you hooked up to Emerald Sparks. This is the second installment of 'The Serpent's Kiss'— Sapphire Ice.

Please Enjoy and Review with any and all comments

DISCLAIMER: NOW THE PLOT IS ALL MINE; EXCEPT FOR THE STARTING-SETTING OF THIS STORY IN EMERALD SPARKS(Chapter one's first scene), AND THE CHARACTERS BELONG TO ABC STUDIOS, BEACON PICTURES, EXPERIMENTAL PICTURES AND ANDREW W. MARLOWE.

THE REST OF THIS STORY AND CHAPTERS BELONG SOLELY TO ME 'SAHIBA'.

This story is rated M. Please Enjoy.

Dear Readers; In case anyone is confused about the Timeline, Alexis and Kevin's meeting, dates are as follows:

31st December – Saturday (New York… Castle's New Years' Party)

1st January - Sunday (Kiss me stupid...)

2nd January – Monday (A little insight on Aaliya and Fatima's life)

6th January – Friday (A Little TLC to go a LONG way)

9th January – Monday (Alexis' Bet)

Please Note:

This Story Part has shorter chapters but is slightly longer in Context. In short nothing would make it look like less.

Serpent's Kiss:

Part I — Emerald Sparks (Contained 25 Chapters)

Part II — Sapphire Ice (Will Contain something between 25-30 Chapters)

Part III — Ruby Flames (Will Consist of 25 Chapters more or Less).

Please Enjoy.

Chapter One

The Sweetest Torture

Kevin stretched as he sat on his seat behind his desk, "I swear, what is it with you people and not completing your bloody paperwork?" he grumbled. Javier grinned chewing noisily on a red apple and tossing a Green one over to the disgruntled Irish Detective. Kevin caught it, "Quit taking advantage of innocent people, you critters", he mumbled biting the apple.

Kate snorted, "That's rich coming from you", she said as she lounged idly against her desk, sipping a cup of coffee. Kevin turned to stare at her, "Say what?" he gaped, "Hang on, what did I do?" he asked. "I was being an upstanding citizen and obeying the chief's orders of staying home and not getting shot at. Do tell what was your reason for not completing your work; Sudden forays into the normal world of Castle and hunting down suspects in a Romance movie, or was it gossiping with Lanie about green-eyed brunettes?" he drawled laconically.

Kate raised a brow at him, "Someone's pissed off?" she murmured.

Kevin allowed a shark-like grin to twist his handsome features into something straight out of a thriller film. The Sinister grin, caused Kate to look away, and Javier bit his lip warily, highly uncomfortable with the whole situation.

Kevin inwardly smirked well aware, of the effect his Ice Prince Smile did when he used it, "Hmmm…I do wonder why indeed", he said and then stood up, tossing the remains of his apple in the bin.

"See you two at the briefing room, I need to stretch my muscles", he said and walked around Kate hissing idly, "I wished you were less curious", whistling after he hissed the 'S' he walked to the elevator's and towards the gym, and hour of exercise would give him enough time to stretch his taut muscles and his need to cool down.

It wasn't like he was actually pissed off, but the weekend had left him restless with a bursting edge of 'something' crawling in his veins, it was entirely plausible, that he just really was a trigger happy fool, and actually missed his gun. A gun he'd get only after the briefing provided, he stayed in the precinct the entire day, no matter how intriguing any case came up.

Of course paper work could only be a distraction for so long, and the Captain had loudly and quite hotly forbidden him from doing the other's paperwork. Not that they didn't find ways to smuggle their files onto his desk, somehow. This was an endurance test, to simply walk away when the case screamed for more Gun-Fire than the normal.

Thankfully, he could get rid of all his frustrations in the interrogation room, as he grilled any suspects, provided the twats were difficult to pick through. If they were easy to chew the digestion would really suck.

Then again, his logic had always been twisted.

This was another distraction; he thought as he walked into the gym, heading for the lockers, he wondered absentmindedly if a couple of rounds with the punching bag would manage to burn away the extra energy practically bubbling in his veins.

Probably Not…

Still it was a start, if he had to endure one more smirking glance from Javier or one more annoying wink from Lanie and a curious glance from Kate, he'd be quite happy in killing them. The fact of the matter was, as he had spent two whole days and nights with Alexis by his side, not straying further than James' Mansion/Manor watching movies, playing with Trace' kids, getting quite amazingly teased by Fatima in so many subtle ways it was practically torture and sparring with Aaliya had changed something deep inside his heart, he was finally feeling less like someone had him by his throat, and was strangling him.

The feeling had diminished the night he realized his feeling for Alexis.

Punching the bag softly, he nodded as he listened to the familiar rustle of sand and then started actually applying himself. The steady rhythm of his jabs, and uppercuts, thrown harshly against the padded bag, allowed his thoughts to roam, and he closed his eyes briefly.

The darkness stretched out of him and enveloped him in a dream he'd buried so far into his heart he hated recalling the details now. The nightmare had emerged a second time for the first time in a decade.

Screams of terror filtered his consciousness, as he started hitting the bag harder, trying desperately to drown out the absolutely terrified voice that cried out for help. Eyes flashing at a memory he thought he'd left behind reared its ugly head and forced him to exert more pressure on the bag. The sounds of desperation crawling through him as he stood helpless on the sidelines, his sixteen year old mind stuttering to a halt as he tried to remember how to move.

Memories cascaded in his twenty six year old body as he tried to push away his sixteen year's old terror.

Closing his eyes, hands pausing and holding the bag, as he recalled the feeling This was wrong, the pain he'd witnessed, the horror he'd found. The accidental help he'd provided, the change that brought forth the iciest smile that he had the mad look of Cold Anger that practically destroyed his reasoning and morals; the fight that had taken him by surprise and changed his entire world in a single moment.

Had given him a goal, a light to follow through, the chance to change, to become someone special.

An honest man…

Even though his hands were stained Red with Blood as he'd driven the stake deep into the Heart of the Darkness that threatened to destroy him completely.

Eyes snapped opened in shock as he felt two arms wrap around his midsection.

"Relax", a voice whispered softly, "You're opening up your stitches", gentle hands pried his grip off of the bag, it took a minute for him to register Alexis stood before him, "It's okay", she whispered and holding his hand, gently steadily walked him to the bench. "Sit down", she ordered. Voice firm yet strong.

Kevin watched as she pulled off of his gloves and tenderly pried of the tape that wound around his fingers, the bandages came off next. Removed slowly patiently, blood stained against the cloth. "One day, I pray you'll find the strength to tell me what haunts you", she sighed softly.

Cotton dipped in antiseptic smeared carefully over his cut and cleaned up his hand. Kevin watched in silence as Alexis took care of him, "Kevin?" she whispered, "Do you remember that bet?" she asked.

Kevin nodded, "Yeah?" he said, slightly confused.

Make that very confused

Why is she here, shouldn't she be at school?

What bet…again?

Alexis smiled, "I'm here because, there was a fire at School", she looked him in the eye, "I'm fine", she stressed. "We were declared a holiday. So, I decided I should come over; I had nothing else to do. Fatima is at the hospital, she's got a big project thing. And Aali's at the Law Firm interning, can you believe she's already started interning. That's a woman who's intent on destroying the world", she muttered off handedly.

"Anyway, James was at the Hospital as well, and Trace went around looking for a job in New York, as god only knows what. Then there's Sam she was run off her feet looking after Theo and Lily, and I left before she could rope me in. As much as I love children no one is that mental", she muttered.

Kevin blinked, "Did I ask all that loudly?" he asked.

Alexis laughed, "You didn't ask anything out-loud", she corrected. "It's just you're very expressive when you're very confused", she answered as she reapplied his bandages.

Kevin frowned.

Am I?

Alexis sat on her knees in front of him, Kevin took in her attire, it always blew his mind, and how simple casual clothes on her made her look utterly stunning on her.

Dressed in pale Blue, almost White Jeans and a Bracelet Sleeve Blouse in Pale Blue, her white Knee Length coat, fell like a robe around her as she now sat kneeling on The Gym carpets. Red hair pulled back in a ponytail, tight and high on her head. Green Eye shadow and Black eyeliner defined her eyes elegantly as she wore his gift around her neck, the Dragon's head visible, and the rest sat beneath her blouse. Kevin found himself reaching for the gold chain.

"I—Thanks", he murmured, and pulling on the chain brought her closer towards him. "How do you always do that? Take away the Pain that haunts me?" he asked voice lower than a whisper thoroughly confused.

Alexis laughed, "like that's a difficult question to answer. Idiot—" she stressed, and knelt up, no longer sitting on her ankles, "—because I'm in love with you, you Moron. So don't ever think you're alone", she leant forward and kissed him soundly, "One", she whispered and then stood up fluidly.

Kevin blinked and stared at her, looking around he gasped, "Alexis!" he hissed, "Anyone could have seen that", he cried out. Alexis snorted, "That's the thrill of it", she said.

Thoroughly confused Kevin shook his head, and stared in a daze, "Sorry what?" he asked. Alexis smirked, "I'm calling on that Precinct Dare. You lost remember, so avail to this dare now", she explained.

"The Dare my idiotic sweet boyfriend, and love of my life is, to see how many kisses we can give each other. At the end of the day, the one who gives the most is the winner, and the loser will have to do whatever the winner wants. The Game's afoot", she said.

Kevin gaped, "Are you mad?" he asked. "We're in a NEW YORK POLICE STATION", he yelled and then hissed, "There are trained Policemen, Detectives and Dogs everywhere (in more than one sense), we'd get caught in seconds flat", he tried to reason.

Alexis snorted, "Giving up already?" she asked.

Walking around him she headed for the door, "Well that makes me the winner then. Oh by the way—", she twirled around and pinned him with a smoldering look, "—they're waiting in the briefing Room for you. Ball's in your court Detective; either Play the game, or—" she left the statement hanging and left him alone walking away with a casual smug wave, and a toss of her hair.

Kevin stood up in shock, and looked down at his hand, newly bandaged and cleansed. The area around him devoid of bloodied bandages and his boxing gloves, staring at the carpet where Alexis had been kneeling he touched his lips with his bandaged hand.

What the Bloody Hell Just Happened?

XXXX

Alexis tossed the gloves on Javier's desk, and dumped the bandages in the bin, and hissed teeth clenched tightly, growling low she ignored Kate's startled look and Javier's shocked gasp. "I will murder him, the bloody brat!" she muttered dangerously and stalked off in anger.

Ignoring Javier's calls and Kate's worried question, she walked to the Evidence Room and started the annoying yet soothing process of categorizing documents and evidence again. Calmly controlling her breathing she ticked off a few things and peered in a few boxes, oddly aware that the bloodied hand in the ice-box, needed to be shifted to the morgue, and the bloodied handcuffs, need to placed in a plastic bag, why the officers had not done that in the first place, seemed to calm her irrational anger and flare her irritation all at the same time.

Sighing loudly she all but almost chucked the pen across the room, only to pause as she looked up to see Kevin standing in the doorway. "What do you want?" she growled low, and turned away from him.

Kevin walked towards her, "I wanted to apologize, but seeing that you're being irrational and the need for you to take out your anger on stationery makes me wonder, maybe I should come at another time", he spoke warily.

Alexis scoffed, "Do what you want, it's not like you give a fuck what I think", she swore. Kevin sighed, "It's not like that at all Alexis", he murmured. Alexis tossed out a laugh, the sound dry as all hell; "Bullshit!" she hissed and walked towards the archives, ticking methodically against the sheet of paper.

Alexis ignored Javier's wary tone as he excused himself from the room, and further ignored Kevin's monotone.

Fucking hell… I need to calm down.

Alexis sighed as Kevin came up behind her, so close and yet still carefully distant. Anger clawed through her and she spun around, eyes bright with anger, she enjoyed his flinch as she lashed out, "I'm your girlfriend", she hissed, "As childish as that word is—haven't I earned your trust yet?" she asked. Kevin bowed his head, "I do trust you", he muttered.

Alexis laughed, the sound dead and cold, "You have a funny way of showing it", she snapped. Pulling his chin up to stare at his shame filled eyes, "Tell me something", she began, "Have I not helped you with your nightmares? Have I not trusted you with my heartbreak? Have I not been there since the moment we fell, these last few hours, these minutes where, to anyone else would be the shortest time, but to me it feels like an entire life has passed without my awareness?" she urged and reached out to cup his cheek, her left hand gripping the pen.

"I need you Kevin, 'Kay', I need you. I simply wish you would need me just the same. So when you suffer alone not because I can't reach you, but because you choose to ignore my hand extended, how do you think that makes me feel?" she asked.

"It hurts", she whispered.

Tears pooling in her emerald orbs, she looked away and then turned to him with a detached hopelessness. Patiently watching as Kevin snapped, his shame filled eyes changing as a kaleidoscope of emotions flashed through his eyes.

"I have Never wanted That!" he almost yelled. Biting his lip, he cupped her face, "If I win I want your patience, I want your honest reactions, and above all else I wanted your trust. Promise me, you and I will be friends, even after I disclose all my past histories that shame me, hurt me, and have caused me enough pain and humiliation. Promise you will not judge, and will not be turned against me. Promise we'll stay with each other through thick and thin. For Better or for Worse, Till death and through hell, that will follow", he begged.

Alexis nodded, "You know I will. I swear on my Soul, My music and on my Life. On Everything and Anything", she swore. "I promise", she repeated.

Kevin nodded as he listened and then leaned in and kissed her, the kiss was soft and sealed a promise that spoke more than just a pledge to a bet that needed to be won, but of something sacred and Holy, Blessed and Pure.

"One", Kevin whispered against her lips as he pulled back. "Your turn", he murmured.

Alexis grinned, and kissed him playfully nibbling on his bottom lip, "Two", she teased and almost laughed as Javier came into the room, "Oi where are you two?" he asked.

Kevin cursed softly, "Back here, in the archive section", he muttered.

Alexis pushed back creating a healthy distance between her and Kevin and listened in amusement as Javier tripped over the ice box with the bloodied hand, and his cursed words in Spanish. "I'll have someone take that to the Morgue", he mumbled finally turning the corner and warily stepping forward.

Alexis almost snorted as she saw Kevin leaning casually against the shelf a casual morose expression on his face as he stared at her with a woebegone expression. Alexis feigned disinterest as Javier looked back between the two of them.

I should have taken Drama rather than Psychology.

No one would think we were making out in a dusty room, the way we're acting.

Priceless…

I think I get why he was called The Ice Prince.

Kevin's ruthless acting skills are amazing!

Javier cleared his throat nervously, "Have you two cleared your differences?" he asked. Alexis sniffed, "Ask your partner, if he keeps acting like a brat, then there's very little I can do to stop him, now is there?" she ticked off another thing on the clipboard. Her eyes dancing with mirth, caused Kevin to smirk and Javier who was facing her to wince.

Kevin snorted, "Well then we'd be best friends since I've shot my IQ down to your level haven't I?" he tossed back. Javier groaned and turned to him, his entire body screaming. 'Idiot' in bold capital letters, Kevin shrugged, "What? I came to apologize she's the one acting like an over-spoilt Rich Princess", he sneered.

Alexis growled, "Excuse me!" she snapped. "I'm not the one who doesn't even know how to take care of one's own wounds. Opening stitches because he can't bloody well scream for help. Pompous Twat!" she cursed, and turned away to smother her giggles.

Javier sighed, "Come on bro, just apologize what's the big deal?" he asked.

Kevin, stalked forward, "The deal is", he drawled, "that I have apologized twice already", he grabbed Alexis' shoulder and spun the redhead around, "The Little minx just won't take my apology", he hissed.

Javier watched too stunned to actually move.

Alexis glared at Kevin, somehow the joke had ended and Kevin beckoned her urgently.

"I wasn't lying you know, it does hurt to watch you be purposely obtuse", she barked harshly, practically spitting the words. Kevin growled, "And I promised, I wouldn't do anything like that again. What will it take for you to believe me?!" he threw back.

Alexis pushed him back, both hands above his heart. Kevin stumbled back crashing hard into Javier's torso.

"Your Fucking Trust!"

Alexis ignored Javier scandalized shocked expression as the curse left her lips, and walked past both detectives. Reaching the part of the room, where the icebox sat she paused to see Kate and her dad standing in the doorway. Kevin followed her, and either remained oblivious to the two or was ignoring them, "I already told you", he began as he spun her around, his grip on her arm hard and strong, "I do trust you. More than anyone else in the world", he ignored Javier's growl and Kate and Rick's expression.

"You saved my life Alexis. I swear I will never betray your trust like that again, you have to believe me. I made a mistake. I won't repeat it", he promised.

Alexis sighed, "You really swear?" she asked. Her hand coming up to grip Kevin's and easing his grip slightly, "You Promise", she asked, half aware of her voice seeming vulnerable. Kevin pulled her in a hug, "I promise", he whispered.

Alexis snorted, and pushed him away, "Prove it!" she hissed and scowling walked past her dad and Kate.

"Alexis!" Kevin called out desperately but she ignored him. This wasn't just a Dare anymore; this was something stronger, deeper. Something in Truth and she'd kill before she'd let anyone including herself stain the principles of it in anyway.

Whether that makes sense or not…

She wouldn't let anyone destroy the sacred bond she had with Kevin, not even the detective himself. Closing her eyes, she walked to the Evidence Room on the Second Floor, and began the Process of Filtering and Ordering things in the correct order. Her thoughts still shuttered with Rage.

Two to One…

XXXX

Javier whistled, "What exactly did you do to Piss of Alexis anyway?" he asked cautiously. Kevin sighed, "I was careless", he muttered and ignored Rick's confused curious glance and Kate's pursued lips. Walking towards the briefing room, Javier nodded, "Yeah, I got that… I meant what did you do? What idiotic careless move—Mr. Perfect have you done—to cause The Castle Rage to suddenly rear its ugly head?" he asked.

Kevin snorted, "Eloquent. Are you planning on exchanging your job with Rick's", he asked deflecting the question smoothly.

Javier snorted, "No way, there's no way I'd give up my badge and gun to go traipsing after a Pen and Laptop. I hate Paperwork enough as it is, bro", he shuddered dramatically. Kate sniggered and Rick coughed, "You're just a Trigger Happy twat", he muttered. Kevin snorted, "That's true", he said and walked into the briefing room, greeting The Captain and walking all the way to the back o the room, bypassing several officers and detectives as his thoughts ran in ten different directions. He really needed to apologize and prove to Alexis he wasn't lying, that her trust in him and his trust in her would remain stronger than anything.

Listening with half an ear at the briefing he sighed, he had honestly no idea when he'd drifted off to his memory, and opened his wounds again. Kevin bit his lip, and called up every ounce of patience he had to sit tight and stay put rather than leave with an exaggerated huff and find Alexis, like a mad man.

"Is that okay with you Detective Ryan?" a voice asked.

Kevin looked up in shock, "Yes", he said. Thoroughly confused, and unaware to what he'd said 'Yes' to in the first place. Javier laughed, "Course he's gonna say yes, he's got the whole day to find new ways to apologize and calm the storm", he teased. Kate snorted, "That's probably both a blessing in disguise and a disastrous ending for him", and she laughed.

Kevin blinked, "What?" he asked, he watched absently as the room cleared of the all the other officers, leaving behind Javi, Kate, Rick and Montgomery. Rick sighed and walked over to him, and expression of sympathy and worry clouding over his stern features.

"I don't know what you did to piss of Alexis, but I know her and she's one to hold a grudge. I've already warned you that day before Christmas, when you went on the shopping trip, so if you're planning on apologizing, I would advise you to be really extravagant", he said.

Rick then stepped in closer, and whispered, "I know how much you need her. I know she needs you too. This friendship you have with, I don't like it, but I do honor it, so quit hurting her, and get your act straight", he hissed and Kevin swallowed and nodded quickly. "I will, you have my word. If that means anything amongst Castle's", he muttered.

Rick laughed and clapped him on the back, "It means a lot to us Castle's. Now just relax, breathe in and breathe out. Since, you're staying back; You can find interesting ways to keep apologizing till it sinks in to Alexis' skull", he teased.

Kate giggled, "That means work really hard okay, cause when we clock off after six we want to see you two laughing and being all happy with each other, okay?!" she asked.

Javier nodded and shook his hand, clasping the bandage covered hand gently, "I don't like seeing you two fight. The whole thing feels wrong, even before your sudden LOUD friendship with Lex; the two of you were always polite to each other. This—whatever this is, please fix it", he begged.

Kevin nodded, flushing under the continuous pressure, "I promise I won't disappoint", he all but garbled and dived under their arms, and rushed out of the room. Walking hurriedly towards the stairs he practically flew down to the second floor and crashed right into Alexis. "Wha—" Alexis shrieked and Kevin just barely caught her and using the wall, steadied the both of them.

The corridor lay bare with no stragglers, as Kevin felt warm lips on his own, "Three", she hissed as she bit hard on his lip and walked past him, climbing up the stairs in her black high heel boots and tossing a smug grin back at him.

Kevin groaned, and tugged at his hair, "Ugh Javi! Why do you always have to be so fucking right at the worst times?" he cursed and slid down the wall, sitting cross legged on the floor and banging his head against the wall, in slow desperate movements practically crying, his day just went from bad to worse.

Talk about the sweetest torture…

XXXX

Please Review… Love you guys a lot se bhi zyaada

Translation:

English: a lot se bhi zyaada to Hindi: More than a lot!