Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, sadly.
"Mr. Castle if you are late for my class again you will need to escort yourself out of my class permanently." Richard Castle nodded his head and walked to the only seat left in the class. The girl at the table was stunning. She has honey brown wavy hair and although her legs are spread and wrapped around the legs of the chair, she looks graceful as ever. Richard has seen her before- in the class? He set down the books he was holding and held out a hand,
"I'm Rick Castle, hi," he whispered. The girl- Kate? - looked at his hand and shook it quickly, only looking away from the professor to mumble her name.
"Kate Beckett," She gave him a small smile and pointed to his book. "105." Looking back at the professor, she moved so her ankles crossed and she was leaning her chest into the table they were seated at. Rick stared at her while he flipped through the pages of his book. Beckett, why did he know that name? As if reading his mind, she turned to face him.
"My mom was murdered in an alley two years ago." Kate pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at the professor again.
"I-I'm sorry," Kate nodded and turned to him again.
"It's fine. They got him, so, justice is served I guess?" She shrugged and rolled her eyes.
"They can say justice is served but it never really is for people that have to deal with the loss for the rest of their lives." Kate turned to him and blinked. Did he lose someone, or is it just the writer in him? He lifted his shoulders a bit and turned his head to the professor.
Rick didn't say anything for the rest of the class, but once in a while Kate noticed him staring at her and she turned away every time due to the blush that heated up her cheeks whenever she felt his eyes on her. Kate took a minute to take in what was happening in front of her. She was sitting in a classroom, in college, next to Richard Castle, bestselling author, Kate's favorite author.
When the professor dismissed them, Kate stood to leave, and noticed Rick blocking her path.
"Do you want to go grab a coffee?" Kate's jaw almost dropped but she cleared her throat in time for the shock in her body to become noticeable.
"Uh, sure, I guess." Kate looked down and cursed herself again, knowing he could probably see the red growing on her cheeks. If he did, he didn't show it, he only smiled and gestured for her to lead the way. They picked up their books and made their way out of the now empty classroom.
As they were about to make their way out the doors and onto the street, Rick grabbed Kate's arm. With a sharp intake of breath, she turned to him.
"I really don't want to sound like I'm bragging, or that I have an enormous ego, but you know who I am, right?" His eyes were something she hadn't expected from him. They weren't happy or expectant, or even scared, they were just soft. Welcoming.
Kate narrowed her eyes and bit her lip, cocking a hip and putting her hand on her cheek.
"I've seen you somewhere… Maybe… Do you work at the local coffee shop? Maybe the bookstore?" Kate let her lips fall into a straight line, trying not to laugh. Of course she knew him; anyone who has been a bookstore knows who Richard Castle is.
Rick smirked and stuck his tongue out at her. She threw her head back and laughed a laugh that made even Rick's heart leap.
"Beautiful." Kate's smile fell and her eyebrow quirked.
"What?" For the first time in a long time, Rick blushed.
"Y-your laugh. It's beautiful." Kate bit her lip and moved her eyes to the floor, mumbling a thank you that even Rick had trouble hearing. She made her way outside of the door Rick was holding open for her, and when he stepped out behind her their shoulders bumped. Kate giggled and looked up at him.
It was sunny out and the way her hair framed her face made the sun bounce off her face with extreme beauty. As they turned the corner, Kate blinked rapidly against the bright lights of camera flashes that were blinding her face. She turned to look at him and he took her in slowly. She was never like any of the other woman he's seen, or even loved before. Why is she so different? Why wasn't she freaking out?
A/N: I am really excited to start this. It's going to be a day by day fic, for one entire month. The month it is set in is January. At this time, since it's only two years since Johanna's murder instead of 13, Beckett is 21, Castle is 29 and Alexis (Who will come in later) is only 5. To make it clear Castle and Beckett are both in the same college, both planning on becoming cops. I really hope you guys enjoy! There will be a new chapter up every day!