I watched 'You've got mail' and it gave me an idea. Set sometime during season 1, obviously.

I own nothing.

Oh and I've not forgotten about 'Date night' It's just taking slightly longer than expected.

She hadn't even taken her coat off before she was leaning over the computer to flick the switch. She could feel the excitement bubbling up inside of her as she heard the familiar ping that signalled she had internet connection. She sat at the desk and began unbuttoning her coat, not taking her eyes off the screen. It was 2am but that didn't matter. She waited for what felt like minutes, feeling herself slowly deflating, until 'ping'

POE1809: Hey. I was getting worried ;o)

There was no one to witness the smile that lit up the room.

NY31516: Concern for my well-being? You do surprise me ;o) Just got in from work, long day.

POE1809: I'll say Long day! It's 2 am! What exactly do you do?

NY31516: Nu-uh no specifics remember.

POE1809: What if I guess? Will you tell me then?

There was no way she would tell him she was a homicide cop! She had no idea who this guy was but she was having fun chatting to him and didn't want to scare him away. She didn't have time to reply.

POE1809: Doctor/Nurse? Flight attendant? Bounty hunter?...Hooker?

NY31516: Ha! Keep guessing writer boy!

He'd told her that he was a writer, she hadn't asked, but he was so far unpublished. She had found that hard to believe after some of the stories he had told her.

She hadn't intended on chatting online but her insomnia had other ideas. They had met on the Crimespace website. Although she spent her days catching killers she was also quite partial to reading about them and this was a website where she could talk to people with the same interests. It was difficult to discuss it with her best friend considering she spent her days in the morgue. He had commented on the latest Michael Connelly novel and she had disagreed with his critique, it had been a long day and she had been drowning in her own fatigue, she typed off a quick response to him and had then forgotten about it until the next morning. His response had actually made her laugh and before she knew it they were discussing everything from Whitman to Harry Potter. She was a cop, she wasn't stupid, she'd heard too many stories of girls getting far too involved with someone they'd met on line, some ended bad, some ended tragically, so their rule was No specifics; all she knew was that he was an unpublished writer. She had no idea whether that was his actual job or just a hobby. All he knew about her was…nothing…and everything. She felt she could tell him almost anything, he knew her favourite food was Italian, he knew she had a tattoo, but not of what, he knew that she was way too fond of Strawberry milkshakes and he knew that she was an only child. That was probably more than any of her colleagues at the 12th knew. Above all though, he made her laugh. He told her stories that were sometimes beyond belief, in fact one story involved being arrested, she didn't ask for too many details on that one through fear of not being able to resist looking up the file.

It had only been 6 months but she was starting to plan her day around their chats, she had tried to log in at the precinct but there were too many people about, plus the captain had stuck her with a writer/wannabe cop for the foreseeable future and he needed babysitting constantly.

POE1809: Still there?

NY31516: Sorry. Just thinking. So you know why I'm still awake, how about you?

POE1809: Writing. Let's just say I've been inspired. :o)

NY31516: That's great! Maybe this will be the one!

POE1809: I have a good feeling about this one. I guess I just had to meet the right person to inspire me.

She felt her heart sink a little bit, he'd met someone? They'd never discussed whether either of them were seeing anyone but given the hours they spent online it was pretty obvious that his situation was the same as hers. Almost celibate. Anyway, she didn't know him, what did it matter? It really didn't. Did it?

NY31516: I should let you get back to it then.

POE1809: I'm taking a break, it's very much deserved, I've got 3 chapters down today, that's more than I've done in 6 months! How was your day?

NY31516: My day was long. I started at 7am, that was 19 hours ago! I have a new 'colleague' and he's taking a bit of getting used to so everything is just slower you know?

POE1809: I do know. I started a new 'job' a few weeks ago and I sometimes feel like I'm in way over my head. I'm not a huge rule follower but I'm starting to realise that in this line of work I kind of have to listen and do as I'm told, the big kid in me wants to stick his tongue out but I don't want to jeopardise the position I'm now in.

POE1809: Oh and 19 hour days? Seriously….WHAT DO YOU DO?

She smiled, unaware that her eyelids seemed to have begun their descent.

NY31516: Not a chance :o) You read any good books lately?

POE1809: *pretending not to have noticed the swift change of subject* I have as it happens. Have you read any of the Derek Storm series?

Hmmm. Should she tell him that the author of that very series of books is her new 'colleague'? No specifics she told herself.

NY31516: I'm aware of it. I think I may have read one a few years back. I heard the author is a bit of an ass.

POE1809: What makes you say that? Are you judging a book by its cover again?

NY31516: And when have I ever done that?

POE1809: Trixie Belden

NY31516: The picture freaked me out!

POE1809: I rest my case. Judging a book by its cover.

NY31516: Touché.

POE1809: So, Richard Castle. I always thought he seemed like a real stand-up guy

NY31516: Well you clearly don't know him then.

POE1809: And you do?

Shit!

NY31516: No, just things I've heard and read, that's all. There's no smoke without fire.

POE1809: Well maybe you'll meet him one day and he will change your mind?

NY31516: Would you look at the time, I have to be up early again in the morning

POE1809: And there's the swift change of subject again. I get the hint; I have an early start too.

She felt bad now, she almost felt like they were having an argument, Damn that Castle, he ruined everything.

NY31516: Sorry, It's been a long day, did I already mention that? And I get really cranky when I'm tired. I hope the writing continues to go well. Speak tomorrow?

POE1809: Of course and please don't apologise :o) Tomorrow NY tomorrow x

She logged off and wandered through to her kitchen. She hadn't eaten since the previous morning and her stomach was beginning to growl in protest. As she pulled a box of cereal down off the shelf she pondered on her 'online buddy'. This was the first conversation that they'd had that had left her feeling uneasy, she didn't like it. She had enough of Richard Castle at the precinct and now he was affecting her personal life.

She had to get rid of him.

Reviews will definitely make me update faster :o)