Castle and The Originals

Chapter 10

"Hey girl." Lanie slid into the booth. "Who else is coming."

She knew it would only be the two of them, but with the amount of food on the table one could assume a few more people would be joining them.

"Shut up, I'm making up for the last month." Kate shoveled a tortilla chip into her mouth. It was loaded with salsa, queso, sour cream and guacamole. "Apparently these two love two love Mexican food."

This was Kate's third visit to her favorite Mexican dive in the last two days.

Lanie quickly ordered a drink and begins to dig in. "It seems like I haven't seen you in forever."

Kate just nodded; her mouth was full. Not being allowed to cross the crime scene tape until hours after a scene was processed meant that she and Lanie hadn't interacted much the last few weeks. They had spoken regularly on the phone, but with Esposito leading their investigations he and Ryan were usually the ones being briefed on any autopsy findings. Normally the women would get together every other the weekend or so, but with Alexis's impending departure most of Kate's free time had been devoted to the teenager.

"I know, what's going on with you?" Kate had finally managed to swallow.

Lanie knew what her friend was implying. She had confided in Kate concerning her relationship with Javier.

"Things are good." Lanie couldn't help but smile.

"Just good?"

Lanie wasn't like Kate; it didn't require a cattle prod and threats of painful torture to get her to open up.

"Actually things are really good. He and I have had some pretty serious conversations about our future." Kate smiled at her use of the word our instead of the. "I blame you for that."

"Me, what did I do?" Kate continued to inhale the food as she listened intently.

"He has really embraced this leadership role and in extension he seems to be figuring out what he wants in life. Plus he sees you and Writer Boy and Ryan and Jenny; I think he's just now realizing he wants that too."

Kate was happy that Esposito was getting his turn to lead and she trusted his ability explicitly, but there was still a small twinge of jealousy. She dropped hand below the table and rubbed her belly a few times. It was her small way of reminding herself that the sacrifice was well worth it. Before she raised it again she grabbed her cell from her pocket and shot off a quick text.

K: Juan and Jose

Remembering what Lanie had said when they were in Kate's bedroom a few weeks back Kate wanted to hear about Lanie's feelings. "And you? Are you any closer to knowing what you want?"

Lanie blushed slightly. "Yeah, you were right; you and Castle don't have the monopoly."

Kate's cell vibrated and she couldn't help but giggle at his response.

R: Qué?

Lanie watched her friend beam from across the table. "How many more days?"

She knew Rick was to be out of town for a while but didn't know the exact dates.

"Six more." Kate whined and puts the phone on the table in case her husband texted her again. "He's only been gone for three and I can hardly stand it."

She propped her elbows on the table and held her head in her hands.

"God, I'm such a girl." Kate said.

"You're a girl in love. I think it's sweet."

R: James and Johanna

K: Middle not firsts