Do I look like a killer to you?

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY likely_evil! The Family Castle are NPCs and not binding on any one muse, Sam is likely_evil.]

Kate knew this was a bad idea.

She knew the minute the words “oh but dear I insist” came out of Martha’s mouth. If Martha was insisting, it meant that she was really not going to take no for an answer. She was willing to bet that Alexis was the one who told her that Kate was engaged, but being told to bring your fiancé over to your ex-boyfriend’s house for some kind of giant dinner was never bound to end well. Especially when that ex-boyfriend was Castle.

As they made their way up to his penthouse, Kate tugged on Sam’s arm, yanking him back so that he was facing her. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

Sam watched her for a moment, before raising an eyebrow. “I’ve met Castle before, Kate.”

“I know. I know you have. But when you met Castle before you met him as my partner, now … things are different. And you’ve never met Martha.”

“It’ll be fine. It’ll be like meeting the Flacks.”

“Not exactly,” she muttered under her breath. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Kate. I can handle it.” He leans down to kiss her softly. “Relax.”

She sighed heavily before nodding. “Alright. Fine. I’m relaxing.” She pulled back, leading the way up to the door, raising her hand to knock. She paused just before it hit the door, turning to face him again, and Sam beat her to the punch, rapping his knuckles against the door and flashing her a look. She pressed her lips together before nodding. “Right. Relaxing.”

The door was whipped open, and Alexis flashed them both a smile. “Hey. Dad, Kate and Sam are here!”

“Took them long enough. The dinner was about to get cold.” Castle came around the counter of the kitchen a hot pan in his hand. “Come in, sit down! Let’s eat.”

( *** )

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