So I've decided to start a new story. This one came into my head and I've been itching to write it. If you've read my other works, yes I know a few of them it seems like I've abandoned, but I'm still trying to update them slowly but surely. Thank you for your patience.

As for this story, I've already written four chapters of it, so I'm trying to stay ahead of the game with my postings. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One:

Walking through the park in the afternoon during the middle of the week was not something Kate Beckett usually did for leisure. It's not that she didn't enjoy it, quite the opposite in fact. A demanding work schedule however, held her back. The life of a homicide detective didn't always allow a lot of afternoons off, but Kate was sure glad she got it.

It had been an exhausting few weeks to say the least. A spike in homicides had caused her team and the twelfth a lot of headache. Back to back murders cases had kept her at the station for ungodly hours. The coffee machine took a beating, and her overall mood was not one to be toyed with. To say she was glad to have the day off was an understatement. After the case had finally been wrapped up on Thursday night, Montgomery had said that he didn't want to see any of them until Monday morning, and she was not about to question it. Esposito and Ryan had been out of there before she could even grab her coat.

As she strolled through Central Park, she couldn't help but take in the beautiful day. The weather was perfect. She missed times like these when she could walk around aimlessly, no specific destination or time constraints holding her back.

So caught up in enjoying the peaceful day, she failed to notice the man she was headed straight for until it was too late.

Running into him, she immediately felt hot droplets of liquid hit her arm, but the majority of it was now covering his sleeve. The sleeve of a suit that looked incredibly expensive and probably cost a hefty portion of one of her paychecks.

"Shit! I'm- oh my god, I am so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going—" she exclaimed, looking up at the man in dismay.

"It's okay," he said shaking his head, "I wasn't paying attention either."

"No really, it's my fault. Let me—let me at least pay for your dry cleaning or something. Is your arm okay? The coffee didn't burn you or anything?" Kate asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, honestly. And don't worry about the dry cleaning, I can handle it." He said, shaking his head assuredly.

"Well then let me at least by you a new coffee? I did spill yours after all." She said with a small, hesitant smile.

"Alright." He said, returning her smile. "Would you like to sit and join me then, if you didn't have any plans?"

"Uh, yes. Yes, that would be nice." Kate said, her smile growing.

"Great! Oh, by the way, my name's Rick." He said, shaking her hand.

"Kate. My name's Kate." She replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well then Kate, shall we?" Rick said, gesturing to the coffee shop across the street.

She smiled, following him silently.

Entering the small shop, she asked for his order before sending him off to find a place to sit. Walking up the counter she ordered his cappuccino and her vanilla latte, plus a couple of pastries for the two of them. She really did feel bad. As much as he seemed to play it off, she hoped that his jacket wasn't ruined, and that his arm really was ok.

Waiting for the drinks, she sighed softly and looked to the corner of the café where Rick sat in a small booth, gazing out the window. He was a handsome man, and Kate couldn't help the butterflies that arose in her stomach.

She was brought out of her reverie by her name being called and the coffees placed on the counter. Kate thanked the barista before heading over with their drinks and pastries in hand.

Sliding in the seat opposite his, Kate slid the coffee and pastry towards him. "I grabbed you a bear claw too. Again, I am so sorry—"

"Kate, really, it's ok." He interrupted. "No harm done. Well, except for my jacket sleeve." Rick joked, gesturing to the item now lying next to him. "Honestly, though, it's fine. Didn't really like that one anyways."

She nodded silently, taking a sip of her coffee.

"So, uh, you seemed pretty lost in your thoughts when you ran into me."

She chuckled, nodding her head. "Yeah, I was just enjoying the nice day. Usually I don't get the chance to walk through the park leisurely during the middle of the afternoon like that."

"Ah, demanding job?" He said, nodding.

Kate laughed softly. "Definitely. I'm a homicide detective actually, so the hours are pretty crazy."

At the mention of her career, a spark lit in his eyes. "That is so cool." He said in awe. "Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but you seem like you'd be pretty badass taking down criminals." Rick said, not so subtly checking her out.

She laughed, grinning at him. "Thank you." Taking a bite of her bear claw, she chewed, admiring his features. If he was going to check her out, she had no shame in doing the same.

Swallowing, she gave him a small smile. "So Rick, what do you do?"

"I'm uh, I'm a writer actually. Mystery novelist." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Anything I might've heard of?" Kate asked, tilting her head.

"Uh, well, probably not. I've only written a few books, and I mean they weren't that great...but uh, In a Hail of Bullets and A Skull at Springtime?"

A look of realization hit her face. "You're Richard Castle?" She asked, the shock clear on her face.

Not knowing how to interpret her expression, he just nodded.

"I, well I haven't actually read your books, but my mom…she used to love them." Kate said softly.

"Used to?" He asked gently.

"Yeah, she uh, she passed away." Kate said, looking down at her cup of coffee.

"Oh, Kate, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"No, no, it's okay, you didn't know." She said shaking her head. "She used to talk about them though sometimes. She really liked them, so I can't imagine they were that bad like you said." Kate said assuredly. "I'll have to read them sometime."

"Well you'll have to let me know what you think," he said, giving her a smile. "Although if you don't like them, try not to break my heart too much."

Kate laughed, patting his arm. "I'll make sure to go easy on you."

Nodding his head, they sat in comfortable silence for a few moments.

"Are you working on anything new?" She asked curiously.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Castle looked down with a grimace. "I'm actually kind of in a stump. Bad case of writer's block I guess."

She nodded, considering her next words. "Well I'm sure you'll come out of it soon. And you know, if you have any questions about procedural things or whatever, maybe I could help?"

"That would—that would be great. Thank you, Kate. Really." Castle said, sincerely.

"Of course." She said, smiling.

After that, their conversation took off. They discussed Kate's job in greater detail, with him trying to wheedle case information out of her, and her laughing and telling him she couldn't disclose that to a civilian. Despite his pouting, she held strong, only giving him basic overviews and tidbits.

Their conversation had then turned from her career to random things, like their favorite restaurants, movies, and music. She hadn't felt this light and carefree talking to someone in a long time. They joked and teased each other effortlessly, and Kate couldn't remember a time like this with a person she'd just met.

Before she knew it, two hours had already passed. Looking at her watch, Kate couldn't believe how fast time had gone.

"Did you have somewhere you needed to be?" Castle asked, nodding to her watch.

"No, I just couldn't believe we've been sitting her for two hours talking." Kate said, shaking her head with a laugh.

Nodding, Castle hesitated before saying, "Well if you didn't have anywhere to be, would you like to join me for lunch? I don't know about you, but I'm pretty hungry."

Grinning, Kate nodded her head. "There's a great diner a couple of blocks from here that serves amazing burgers."

"Perfect."

Standing up, Castle guided her out of the café with his hand on the small of her back. Kate tried to hide her blush, the tingles traveling up her spine.

As they exited, his hand fell back to his side, and Kate couldn't help but sigh softly at the loss. Silently they walked to the diner, both sneaking shy glances at each other.

Sitting down in a corner booth, they both grabbed menus. A few minutes later the waitress came to take their order before heading off to another table.

Neither of them knowing what to say, they sat awkwardly for a few moments.

Clearing his throat, Castle looked over at her. "So, uh, can I just say that I'm really glad that you ran into me today…literally."

Kate smiled, looking down shyly. "Yeah, me too. Well except for spilling coffee all over you," She chuckled.

"Completely worth it." Rick said nodding.

She laughed, shaking her head.

After that, the conversation picked up again. They ate their burgers, Rick saying more than a few times how good it was. Kate chuckled at his enthusiasm, glad that he was enjoying it.

After finishing, they continued to talk, both enjoying the other's company immensely. Castle's story about his latest research encounter was interrupted by the chirp of his phone. Glancing at it, he regretfully looked at her.

"Everything okay?" Kate asked, gesturing to his phone.

"Yeah, I just uh—have to go pick someone up. My…my daughter." He said hesitantly.

"Daughter?" She said, surprised.

"Yeah, Alexis. She's six, going on thirty." Castle chuckled. "Sometimes I think she's the adult in the family." He said, his eyes lighting up as he talked about her.

"She sounds great. Do you have a picture?"

"Oh, yeah, here." Rick said, finding a photo on his phone.

"Wow, she's beautiful, Rick." Kate said sincerely, a small smile on her face.

"Yeah, she is." He said grinning. "Listen, I'm sorry I didn't mention her earlier, I just—"

Shaking her head, she interrupted him. "It's okay, I understand. Don't even worry about it."

Nodding, he glanced at his phone before looking at her. "I've really enjoyed coffee and lunch with you…would you like to do this again sometime?" Castle said, hopefully.

Grinning, Kate grabbed his phone and put her number in it. "I'd love to."

Smiling, Castle couldn't help the grin that overtook his face.

"Now go, pick up your daughter." She smiled.

"Okay, okay. Walk you out?"

Kate nodded, standing with him and heading towards the door. Once again, he guided her by a hand on the small of her back.

Stepping outside the diner, they both smiled at each other shyly, neither knowing what to do next.

Castle cleared his throat before speaking. "Well, I uh, I had a really great time today. Hopefully we can get together again soon."

Smiling, she moved a step closer to him. "I'd like that."

"Until next time then, Detective." Rick said, leaning in to kiss her cheek gently.

Thoughts? You know I always love to hear them.

-S