Seeing Richard Castle for the first time in a decade? Yeah, she could totally handle that...right?
(Rick & Kate met in college AU)
Please note: most ages/birth dates have been changed from canon. Prologue + 12 chapters + epilogue
Prologue
April 2009
Shifting her weight between her right foot and left and then back again, Kate Beckett closed her eyes. She inhaled a long, slow breath through her nose and pushed it out evenly through o-shaped lips. She had absolutely had no reason to be nervous. In fact being nervous at that moment felt completely irrational, yet no matter how many times she told herself that, her stomach still fluttered uncontrollably every few moments.
Balling her hand to a fist, she dug her knuckles into the fleshy part of her abdomen just below her ribcage in a futile attempt to dissipate yet another clench. Get a grip Kate, she coached, closing her eyes and taking in another deep breath. She had to get a hold of herself if for no other reason than she would be in line for at least another…well she wasn't entirely sure. Dipping her fingers into her back jeans pocket she procured her phone and clicked the home button to bring up the display. 10:41 meaning she had been in line for just over an hour. That certainly explained why her toes were beginning to cramp up in her boots. Sighing, she shifted to her left and lifted her right foot, rolling the ankle clockwise a few times then switching directions. Putting her foot down, she shifted her weight again and mirrored her actions on the opposite side.
Not a minute later the hum of the crowd in which she stood began to hush and a booming male voice could be heard. "Attention everyone waiting for the Richard Castle book signing," the man began. Though she couldn't see him, she presumed he was using a bullhorn or other auditory enhancement device in order to be heard over the ambient noises of the New York City streets. "We will begin the signing as soon as Mr. Castle arrives, which should be in about 15 minutes. Just a few things to go over: First, please make sure you are standing against the building so we don't obstruct the sidewalk. Second, please make sure if you are in this line that you are wearing your gold wristband. This is a sold-out event and if you do not have a wristband, you will not get in. Third, please be aware Mr. Castle will not be taking pictures with fans at this event; this event is autographs only. Thank you."
Per instruction, Kate pressed herself tightly against the exterior wall of the Barnes & Noble building. She adjusted her shoulder bag so it hung more comfortably in front of her. Fifteen minutes, she thought as her stomach flipped again. Well, probably more like half an hour since she was about one quarter of the way down the line of chattering Castle fans that Saturday morning.
"Wrist bands, please; we need to see your wrist bands."
Kate shook her left arm so the gold band she picked up the prior evening fell from beneath the sleeve of her jacket. She displayed it to the bookstore employee as he walked past; the man nodded in acknowledgement and continued down the line.
"Oh this is just so exciting!"
Kate turned to her left to smile politely at the gushing woman. She stood nearly a foot shorter than Kate in her heeled boots, her hair thin and graying, a well-worn pocketbook clutched tightly to her breast. "Richard Castle! We're really going to get to meet him!"
"Yeah," she said with a polite laugh.
"I only started reading his novels recently. Well, about a year ago. My sister gave me one—the first Derrick Storm—and I fell in love. Since then I've read everything he's done. He's just such a great storyteller! And handsome too! Do you think he's as handsome in real life as he is on his book covers?
"Even more so," Kate said barely above a murmur
Despite her apparent age, the woman clearly didn't have hearing trouble for she gasped. "You've done this before?"
"A signing? No, but I've met him."
The woman's eyes grew wide and her expression turned to one of reverence. "How? Where?"
Kate quirked one side of her lips in a half-smile. "It was a very long time ago, actually."
The woman clasped her hands in front of her as though she was praying, or blessing Kate. "Oh how exciting! Maybe he'll remember you."
"Maybe," Kate said, her gut clenching so tightly that time she actually turned away from the woman so she could not see the grimace on her face.
Digging the heel of her hand into her abdomen once more, Kate shut her eyes. Of course the woman would have had no way of knowing she hit Kate's greatest fears on the head. She'd been going back and forth for days—weeks even, but still couldn't decide what was worse: Richard Castle not recognizing her and treating her no differently than any other fan or Richard Castle recognizing her their encounter turning awkward.
As she stood chewing on her bottom lip contemplating that exact dilemma, the breeze kicked up and blew a chunk of her hair straight into her lip gloss. Great. Delicately, she began removing the strands and smoothing them back into place. She was so distracted, in fact, that she failed to realize the line was moving until she felt a little nudge from the woman behind her, who said, "Move up dear."
Kate mumbled a thank you as her heart lurched. Up ahead, she could see a line of fans filtering into the store which meant the man of the hour had arrived. Kate Beckett squared her shoulders and stepped forward in line. Seeing Richard Castle for the first time in nearly a decade? Yeah she could totally handle that.
Right?
A/N: That's all for now kids! And, as promised, this fic is pretty darn fluffy if I do say so myself. Updates will be Saturdays and Wednesdays. Reviews are appreciated! Thanks! :)