Summary: set 11 years in the future. 27 year old Alexis has got a steady job
as a reporter for the New York Times. After she returns from a 2 week
assignment in Chile, she goes out for lunch with her family, when they
become victims/witnesses of a terrorist attack. The FBI gets involved,
and after Alexis has written an article about the attack, it turns out
the FBI wants to pay the NY Times for more press about them, and they
put Alexis in. She now has to shadow an FBI-team, led by a very
egocentric Special Agent. Beckett/Castle, Alexis/OC

Chapter 1

"And… 9. Done." Alexis smiled as she filled the last empty box of her sudoku game. It hadn't been a hard game, but it kept her from being bored. Sure, playing Sudoku for over an hour gets boring, but she also had her iPod, with the game 'bubbleshooter' on it. That was enough to keep her entertained all trip. She didn't like travelling that much,

especially when she had no work to do. But this time the travelling meant that she was going home.

She had just been in Chili for 3 weeks, to write some articles about the political crisis there. The government had really screwed up there, and most of the people were very angry. Her job was to write about what was happening around the embassies, what the government was planning, and what the people thought about it. Before she left, she had sent her last articles out, which meant she didn't have any work to do while traveling. She'd get her new assignments back in New York.

It had been a lot of fun, but she couldn't wait to go home again. She missed her father, stepmother and of course her little sister Lilly. It wasn't unusual for her to work abroad; she was a journalist, after all, but she hoped her next assignment would be in New York, so she could spend some more time with her family. Of course, they call and e-mail when she's abroad, but

still… that wasn't the same.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts, we're about to land at the LaGuardia airport in

New York. We thank you for…….." But Alexis didn't listen to the rest of the speech. She had heard it too often already. Travelling wasn't a weird thing for her as a reporter, so she could dream those 'thank you' speeches by now. She grinned as she fastened her seatbelt, patiently waiting for the plane to land.

**********

"LEXY!" Lilly's enthusiastic greeting was the first thing Alexis heard from her family when she got off the plane. This was of course followed by the 9 year old hugging Alexis, and her father hurrying towards her.

Alexis smiled. "Hey Lills." She said, while hugging her back. The girl smiled. "Lexy, How was Chile?" "I think we all want to know that Lilly." She heard her father say. Lilly looked at her father pouting. "But I really want to know dad!" Rick Castle grinned, and lifted his youngest daughter up. "Why don't we let Alexis get her stuff first, and she'll tell us all about it when we sit down for lunch." He suggested to the nine year old, while kissing Alexis on the check. "Welcome home by the way." He told her.

"Thanks dad." Alexis grinned and hugged her father. "Now, where did you leave Kate?" She said, while walking towards her

bags. "She's gonna meet us at the café, she had to finish some work." Her father replied, while putting Lilly down again. "Paperwork?" Alexis lifted an eyebrow, and Rick grinned in amusement. "No, not this time. She wouldn't want to miss picking you up at the airport just because of some paperwork."

Alexis nodded. "True. So what is it then? Another murder?" Rick shook his head. "No, not exactly. She had to fill the new

captain in about the latest case. Ryan and Esposito were both gone, that's why. But like I said, we'll meet her at the café. And then you can tell us all about Chile. I'd leave the rather inappropriate parts out though, since Lilly's around."

Alexis sighed. "Dad, you should know by now I'm not like you." Rick grinned. "Just checking." Lilly looked from her dad to Alexis in confusion. "Inappropriate? What do you mean dad?" The little girl asked, which caused Alexis to burst out in

laughter, and Castle to look very surprised. "We'll explain later, when your mum's there too." Alexis told her little sister, while her father looked at her in surprise. "Alexis! You're only back for 5 minutes, and you already found a way to kill me!"

Alexis smiled as she picked her bags up. "Maybe I'm a little more like you then you thought." She replied, with a huge grin on her face. "And I'd prepare myself if I were you, it looks like Lilly's gonna be a lot worse."

Castle sighed desperately. "I'm doomed, ain't I?" Alexis nodded. "Absolutely. But now I'm hungry, let's go." She said, while walking towards the exit, followed by her little sister. Castle sighed, and followed his 2 daughters.

*************

Kate was already waiting for them when they arrived at the café, and had ordered drinks for all of them. Coffee for herself and Rick, an Iced Tea for Alexis, and a cola for Lilly. True, Lilly was quite hyper already, but since it was Alexis' sort of 'welcome home party', Kate didn't mind.

"Welcome home Alexis." Kate smiled as the 3 sat down at the table. Alexis hugged her, and Lilly started drinking her cola. "It's good to be home again mom." Alexis said, before taking a sip of her Iced Tea. "And thanks for ordering drinks, I was really thirsty." She added smiling. Kate nodded. "No problem, I figured as much."

Alexis grinned, and Castle bent down to kiss his wife on the check. "Don't I get a welcome home?" He asked her. Kate shook her head and sighed. "Unfortunately, you haven't been gone for 3 weeks." "Your words wound me detective. You wouldn't

want our daughter to grow up without a father would you." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't know Rick. You might have a bad influence on her." Rick grinned. "True, but Alexis turned out fine as well." While Rick and Kate were talking, Alexis bent down to Lilly, and whispered something in her ear.

Kate was about to reply, when Lilly interrupted them. "Mommy, what does 'inappropriate' mean?" Alexis burst out in laughter, Kate lifted an eyebrow in surprise, and turned to Rick, who seemed taken by surprise. "Why don't we talk about your sister's

trip instead, and I'll tell you what it means later." He told her, trying to change the subject.

"But Lexy said you'd tell me when mommy was there too." Lilly pouted. Kate looked at Castle with a big grin on her face. "Did he now? Well, we don't want him to break his word now, do we?" She asked, sounding as innocent as possible. Rick looked

at his eldest daughter, his eyes begging for help. But before Alexis could say anything, Kate interrupted. "I wouldn't try that Rick. She was probably the one who reminded her."

Rick looked from Alexis to Kate, and then back to Alexis, who was grinning sheepishly. "You didn't…" he started, but Alexis interrupted him. "Oh come on dad, we all know you'd be quite disappointed in me if I didn't." He shrugged. "True, but still. Teaming up against me, my own family!" He said, trying to look hurt. He groaned when Lilly started poking him.

"Dad, you'd tell me what 'inappropriate' means, remember." She said, still poking him. Rick sighed, accepting the fact he had lost this round. "Okay honey, but you'll have to stop poking me first." Lilly kept poking him, while debating with herself. Finally, she stopped. "Okay." She sighed. "But just hurry, I also want to know what Chile was like." She said, looking at Alexis.

Kate and Alexis smiled at each other, and Rick nodded. But before he could start explaining, he was interrupted by a loud bang, and glass an rock flying around them. "Get down!" He shouted, while he pushed all of them under the plastic table. "Cover your heads!" Kate shouted to Lilly, who, for once, obeyed without questioning why. Rick and Kate had already covered their heads, as had Alexis, but she was the only one who had her eyes open, to watch what was going on, and to check when the worst was over. 'Somehow, I'm guessing I just got my new assignment.' She thought, looking at the damage the explosion had left behind.

"You wanted to see me ma'am?" Alexis asked, as she walked into the office of her boss. She nodded. "Yes, Alexis. Please sit down. And haven't you learned by now you can cut the polite crap?"

Alexis grinned. "Sorry Denise." She sat down, wondering what was so important that she had to come to her office, instead of waiting to tell her later. Denise Collins had been Alexis' best friend since college. They both started at the New York Times together, and both of them got offered the position of chief-editor. But since Alexis preferred being a regular reporter, Denise got that position. But she and Alexis were still great friends, and Alexis usually got the assignments she wanted

to do.

"Alexis, do you remember that article you wrote last week? About the bombing at the cafe?" "Of course. Lilly has still got nightmares about it." Denise nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. It must've been awful for her to see. But back to the original subject; the article." Alexis frowned. "What about it?"

Denise nodded towards the door, and Alexis turned around. In the hallway she could see the same FBI agent that had been present at the crime scene last week. And he was clearly flirting with Amy, one of her co-workers. Alexis looked at her boss, who seemed pretty annoyed with that fact; Not because he was actually succeeding at it, but probably because she considered it impolite.

"Miss Swann, Have you finished that article yet?" Amy blushed and shook her head. Denise grinned. "Well, get to work then. You can socialize when your work is finished." She nodded and quickly went back to work. "Mr. Kensington? I thought the FBI had something they wanted to talk about?" The man looked up, excused himself and walked into the office.

"Good afternoon madam." He said, kissing her hand. Denise sighed and pulled her hand away. "Leave the charm sir, this is a business meeting." Kensington nodded, and Alexis tries to suppress a grin. It looked like Kate wasn't the only one who didn't like the guy.

"Alexis, I take it you have already met FBI special agent Giorgios Kensington?" Alexis nodded. "Yes. He was present at the crime scene I wrote about." "No [filtered] Sherlock." Kensington muttered, which was followed by a glare from both Denise and Alexis.

"Mr. Kensington, if you want me to accept the FBI's request, I'd advice you to shut up, so I can inform Alexis." He nodded, and sat down impatiently. "Hurry up though." Denise sighed and ignored him."Okay, where was I… Oh, right. Well, it seemed the FBI likes the press writing about them, and they are willing to pay for more. But, as every good reporter knows, research should be done."

Alexis nodded slowly. "Okay… so what has that got to do with me?" Denise sighed. "Well, I figured… since your dad has been working with the NYPD for so long, and you're one of our best reporters…" "So you want me to write those articles." Alexis asked her friend, who nodded slowly. "Actually, yes." Alexis smiled. "Shouldn't be a problem, right? So, what do you want me

to do?"

Denise looked from Alexis to Kensington, and then back at Alexis, seeming quite uncomfortable. "Well, basically what our dad did for his research. Follow an FBI team, and see what they go through every day."

Alexis nodded slowly. "Right… And what team would that be? Not Will's I hope." Denise shook her head. "No, it's not Sorenson's team. It's…" She sighed. "His." She finished, pointing at Kensington, who was currently listening to some song on his iPod, completely ignoring the 2 women.

Alexis laughed. "You're kidding, right?" When she saw Denise's serious expression, her smile faded away. "Denise… You've seen him! I told you about how he treated Kate! And you expect me to work with a guy like that?!"

Denise shook her head. "No, as a friend, I don't. Hell, as a friend, I wouldn't even have let him into the building! But we need the money, and they have specifically asked for the reporter who wrote the bombing article. So as your boss, I do expect you to work with him."

"I'm in the room!" Kesington said, but the women ignored him. Alexis sighed. "Guess I haven't got much of a choice." Denise shook her head. "No, you don't. But just give it a chance okay? If it's really impossible, you don't have to do it."

"And you!" She shouted, kicking the chair Kensington was sitting on. "You better make sure she's being treated well! Because if she isn't, I don't care how much money you pay, she can quit, and you can forget about the press!"

Kensington nodded. "Okay, got it. No need to be so aggressive." Denise glared, and turned to Alexis, handing her a piece of

paper. "This is all you need to know for now. Good luck girl." She said hugging her friend. Alexis smiled. "Don't worry Denise, I'll be fine… I hope."

Kensington sighed loudly. "Are you girls finished with your goodbyes? We've got to get going! Work to do, case to solve…"

"People to yell at…" Alexis softly added, which caused Denise to burst out in laughter.

********

When they arrived at the FBI office, Alexis already was quite annoyed. Not only didn't Kensington answer the questions she asked him, but he also tried not to say anything at all. He acted rude, and Alexis started wondering what was wrong with the man. And more importantly, how she was ever gonna live through this.

'Maybe I should ask Kate how she survived my dad…' Alexis thought, when they arrived at the FBI headquartes. It looked a lot like the FBI offices she sometimes saw in TV shows. Behind one of the desks, she recognized Kayleigh Ogawa, and the other man who had been present at the crime scene. They were probably playing some kind of videogame, because when Kensington glared at them, they quickly closed the screen, and the girl went back to her own desk.

"Ogawa, Doyle, I'd like to introduce you to the reporter who's gonne write about us." Alexis sighed annoyed. "I've got a name

you know!" Kensington shrugged. "But I've only hear it once, a week ago, and I didn't remember it."

Kayleigh walked towards Alexis and shook her hand. "Kayleigh Ogawa, but you already know that." She said, smiling. "It's nice to see you again miss Castle." Alexis smiled. "It's nice to see you too Special Agent Ogawa."

Ogawa smiled and went back to her desk. The man walked forward and grinned. "I'm Special Agent Matthew Doyle." Alexis smiled and shook his hand. "Alexis Castle." "Well miss Castle. I wish you the best of luck with your articles." He said, before returning to his desk as well.

Kensington sighed. "And I'm Giorgois Kensington, but that's not important for now. What is important, is how far we are with locating that mobster!" He turned to his team. "Please tell me you weren't just playing that videogame!"

"Of course not boss." Matthew said, taking a piece of paper from the printer. "The warrant is coming this way, we'll have it first thing tomorrow morning." Kensington nodded. "Good job Doyle. Ogawa, how about you?"

Ogawa got up from behind her desk, grabbing a few pieces of paper as well, and stumbled towards them. "Wo! Ooops, sorry sir." She apologized, before handing him the papers. "The latest activities from the mobsters. Including a list of the main gang members and drugs dealers. Like Doyle said, we only have to wait for the warrant."

"Okay. When the paperwork's finished, you can go home." He said, taking a seat behind his desk. Alexis coughed. "Emm, what about me?" She asked. Kensington sighed. "You're here as an observer right? So, observe."

Alexis frowned. "Why should I waste my time watching you guys do paperwork?" Kensington looked up, seeming quite annoyed. "Fine. Either observe, or go home, but be quite, I have to concentrate." He said, turning back to his paperwork. Alexis shrugged. "Fine. Bye guys. Oh, how late should I be here tomorrow?"

Doyle grinned. "7 am probably." "Or just hand us your number, and we'll call!" Ogawa chimed in. Alexis smiled and handed them a piece of paper. "QUIET! Some people are trying to work here!" Kensington shouted.

Alexis sighed."Okay, see you tomorrow." She said waving, before she walked out of the building, towards her home.