Lessons to Learn (Chapter 1)
Title: Lessons to Learn
Rating: NC-17
Genre: AU
Pairing: Kate Beckett/ Richard CastleDisclaimer: I do not own Castle. This is purely a work of fiction.
Chapter 1
Kate Beckett walked into the building feeling confident and ready. It was a new year, a new college, and a new bunch of classes. As usual, she got all the attention as she walked down the corridor. Every guy leered at her like she was all they wanted and every woman envied her great looks. She’d gotten used to it by now, so much that she was even immune to it, capable of ignoring the shy whistles that came from guys who pretended to be bold. She walked on straight to the office to collect her schedule, and then to meet the people she’d be spending the year with.
As she set her laptop bag down on the table,
“You must be Kate Beckett” said a friendly voice behind her. She turned around to find a slightly short woman, with a bright welcoming smile on her face.
“That’s me”
“I’m Elena”
“Nice to meet you Elena” said Kate, shaking her hand.
“They told me we’ll be having someone new joining us this year. Welcome”
“Thank you” said Kate
“All set for a new year?”
“I think I am. Should I be nervous?”
“You aren’t?” asked Elena
“Not really” said Kate
“Then that’s good, don’t worry, you’ll do great!! Which classes do you have?”
“My literature class begins in…”
She looked at her watch and said “2 minutes. I better get going!”
“Have a great first day here Professor Beckett” said Elena
“Thank you professor Elena” said Kate as she grabbed a book and ran out the staff room to her first lecture.
Kate Beckett’s first two lectures at the university went great. She had a short break now and then her last lecture for the day was with the senior year class. Kate had experience in teaching only freshmen, never seniors, and she had to admit, she was a tiny bit nervous about handling a class of seniors. Elena was seated on her table beside her chair when she entered the staff room
“Hi, how were your classes so far?” asked Elena
“They went well, I have one more class, with the seniors”
“Ahhh, I taught those students last year”
“You did? How are they?”
Elena smiled. Kate chuckled nervously “it’s just that, I know they can be a very ‘hard to please’ bunch of students. It’s their final year, and they’ve got enough of assignments and projects on their hands, and if I don’t manage to keep their attention, I could end up having a horrible teaching experience and them a bad learning experience”
“Now now, you’re just being paranoid. They’re a lively bunch, and I’m sure they’ll be great to you. From what I’ve heard about you, prof. Beckett, is that your way with students is quite different. I’m sure they’ll find you to be a great teacher. ”
“Thank you Elena. That’s really sweet of you”
“I should however warn you, these students are bold and often are not afraid to speak their mind. One particular student you should be aware of is Richard Castle”
“Richard Castle.” She repeated, as if she were studying it.
“Yes, that boy is a prankster, and one of the most popular students in class. He’s smart and very talented, but also very outspoken.”
“Useful information. Thank you Elena”
“Anytime” said Elena with a smile.
Kate Beckett introduced herself to the class, and set a few rules straight for them. She made it clear to them about how she will not tolerate late-comers and late submission of assignments. She also made it pretty clear to them that no joke will remain private in the class,
“If you have a joke to share with a friend, you will share it with the entire class.” She had said.
“And more importantly, I believe that learning should be fun, so you guys are going to help me try and make literature a subject that you enjoy studying”
The class already seemed to like her. She began to take the roll call before starting with her first lesson, and right when she was nearing the end, she noticed someone at the door.
It was a student, clad in a white shirt and blue jeans, a satchel hanging low on his side, his hair looked a little ruffled, and Kate couldn’t help but notice the slight scruff on his jaw. She immediately mentally scolded herself and addressed the student
“Are you in this class?”
The student looked utterly confused
“Well, these are my classmates, but I’m not sure who you are.”
The class began to laugh, and in the moment Kate took to look at the class with a death stare, she noticed from the side of her eye, he was totally checking her out.
“Your name?”
“Richard. Richard castle”
“Mr. Richard Castle, you’re late”
“And you are?”
“I’m your new professor, Kate Beckett”
His eyes widened and he gulped.
“Since it’s the first day, I’ll let you go, but from tomorrow onwards, as I’ve just explained to the class, I will not take in any late-comers”
“I apologize” he spoke, and gave her a slight smile.
“Take your seat Mr.Castle”
Richard quickly walked up to his desk, it was a little at the back, but close enough for Kate to keep an eye on him.
“Open your books to pg.4, and as I speak, feel free to make your own markings and notes. If at any point in time you have any questions, raise your hand and I will try my best to answer them”
Kate was just about to begin, when she spotted Richard saying something to his friends sitting around him, and they all seemed to laugh at his comment.
“Mr.Castle, do you have something to share with the class”
He looked at her confidently “Not really prof. Beckett”
Kate looked at the guy sitting beside him and said “Alton, Richard here was clearly not present when I informed the class about the rules. Do you mind telling him what he needs to do?”
Alton laughed and told Richard about her rule of sharing all jokes with the class. Rick face palmed himself and then hesitantly stood up. All heads turned to look at him.
“I was just telling my friends how nice it is that our college has begun to hire super models to teach us”
Chapter 2- link here- http://caskettastic.livejournal.com/2721.html