This story is completely AU. So everything you already know about these characters and this show is wrong. I'm basically borrowing these characters for my own version of their love story.

Is a disclaimer necessary? If I were Milmar you all would get every Caskett wish you ever wanted! :)

So this story takes place during Kate's freshman year of college. Castle has had a few best sellers. Alexis is 4.

CHAPTER ONE

Kate Beckett"

Kate threw her head up and looked to the front of her class where her professor stood waiting. She noticed that all the other students had already filed out and she was the only one there.

"Professor White, I know I haven't been the easiest student this semester but I just want to thank you for being so patient and understanding."

He nodded, he wasn't much of a talker which she found a little weird since his job was to stand at the front of a classroom and lecture in front of hundreds of students. Kate handed him her test and smiled at him. "Again, thank you."

Her first semester of school was done and the holidays were here. She couldn't wait to see her family and spend time with her friends. Finals had almost killed her. She was one panic attack away from dropping out and joining the circus. The wind almost blew her over as she descended the stairs to the sidewalk. She reached down to grab her gloves out of her purse and paying little attention to her surroundings walked right into a woman. Kate looked up and immediately the woman gave her a 10-watt smile and quickly extended her arm and eagerly offered her hand to Kate.

"My names Gina, you're agent actually sent me on a wild goose chase to find you. They wouldn't give me any direct contact information so I kind of had to stalk you to find you."

"Why were you looking for me?" Kate said pointing to her chest. "

"Well, your agent told me about you. He said he had been trying to contact you but you hadn't been responding!"

"Walk with me" Kate said as she tapped Gina's arm. "Sorry I've been really busy with finals, just took my last one." Kate felt the pressure leave her body as soon as she verbalized that she was in fact done for the semester.

"Well, that must be a relief. I don't think I know any other models who are also working on a college education. You must be amazingly smart and organized to have enough time and energy to do both." Gina looked admiringly at Kate. "No, it's been horrible, I just know that my parents will kill me if I don't go to school. No matter how much success I have with my modeling they are pretty good at ignoring it and instead putting more pressure on me about school."

"Well Kate, I am here for business and since you are now on break from school I think it's only right that we leave school behind us. So I'm gonna just put it all out there for you and we can go from there. I work for a publishing company, Black Pawn, and we have an author that is going through some personal struggles and hasn't been dating. He has a book launch coming up at the end of January and we were kind of hoping to set him up so that he could kind of make a presence in the press at that time. What better way to do that than to have an up and coming model on his arm!" Gina looked over and Kate but she was focused straight ahead. Continuing to walk at a very fast pace or maybe it was the length of her legs Kate looked over at Gina. "So basically you're hiring me to be his arm candy?" Kate rolled her eyes and crossed her arms at Gina but Gina didn't flinch.

"Look, Kate. I know it sounds like I'm paying you to basically seduce this man but that's not the whole story. See Richard, he is known as a playboy of sorts but he is tired of the persona and has vowed to be single for a year. The only downfall being that his book comes out in a little over a month and the press love his playboy ways. I'm not trying to control his whole life and I respect that he doesn't want to be a playboy. However, I do need to give the press something to talk about, and that's where you come in."

"Should I be flattered or insulted?" Kate's face broke a smile and she giggled a little. "Look I'm a hard worker but I'm not a whore. I don't want this relationship to be physical at all if I accept this offer."

"That's absolutely fine, I am in no way asking you to sleep with him. It's actually my preference that you don't. Selfish reasons really." Gina's mood shifted a little and Kate could tell that she was uncomfortable. Couldn't tell what exactly was making her that way but surely it wasn't any of Kate's business anyway.

"Kate, what I really want you to do is just let the man take you out on a few very public dates, make him lust for you, which shouldn't be hard, and knowing him he will invite you to the launch party in no time. I know him and I know that there is no way he will want to show up alone to this release party!"

"Okay well I have to go, meeting a friend for lunch. This sounds like something I can definitely do. Contact my agent and we can set something up." Kate extended her hand to Gina. "It was nice to meet you and I'm sure we will see more of each other soon.

Gina watched as Kate hailed a cab and slid in. She couldn't help but think about how Rick would immediately find this girl attractive. She was tall, slim, big beautiful eyes and long wavy hair. She looked like a model, but Gina could also see the intellect that was there. Kate wasn't a bimbo, which Gina didn't know if she loved about her or if it would make things harder for her. She knew that her short lived fling with Rick was over and had been for months but she couldn't help but get a little jealous over the women he brought around. This one she had hand picked herself so she felt a sense of responsibility. That's the real reason she chose Kate. Sure she was beautiful but when Kate's agent mentioned that she hadn't returned his phone calls because her school schedule was so packed, Gina knew she was the one. Rick was done with the bimbos and barbies. He was only 26 but Gina knew that he wanted more with his life. So she took it upon herself to find Rick some temporary arm candy. No harm in that right? Rick would be pleased with her find, well hopefully he would never know she was behind it.

"Sorry, I know I'm late."

Kate pulled her jacket down off her arms and threw it into the booth and slid in.

"No worries babe, how was your final?"

Josh extended his hands over the table seeking hers out. With a bit of hesitancy Kate accepted his offer and laid her hands into his.

"Josh have you been home in the last week? I mean we aren't even together anymore and I can't get you to leave my apartment. I love you and all but you need to spread your wings a little and maybe go out with your friends or get a job!" Kate wasn't trying to be pushy or rude and she loved Josh, she really did.

"Wow, you just sat down and you're already starting in on me. Yes Kate, I have been home in the last week but I prefer your place over mine. Mostly because you're there."

Josh ignored her frustration and quickly got up and slid into her side of the booth pressing a kiss against her lips. She pulled away visibly annoyed with him.

"Babe what's been up with you lately?" Josh wasn't an idiot. He knew things were tense between them.

"What's wrong? Well, where should I start. First of all you don't ever leave my apartment. If I wanted to live with you then I would have gotten a place with you when you asked me to. I like my personal space to be just that. MY personal space." Kate's body temperature was on the rise and she tried to take a few deep breathes but she could tell that this wasn't ending now. "You know Josh, I broke up with you over two weeks ago and you still won't leave. I love you, I do, and I want you to be happy. But this... THIS..." She pointed back and forth between her and Josh "it's not working for me." She felt a tear escape her eye. Why was she getting emotional? This was something that she was very decided about. She had been ready to move on from this relationship for a while.

"Kate if you're serious and you want us to be over for good then I'll accept it. I will. I'll move on. But if you want this then we are done. No going back. I'm going to have to completely separate myself from you. No contact. I can't be around you and not be with you. You're all I've ever known." His feelings were clear and she could tell he wasn't suggesting totally and completely cutting off contact between them. He was demanding it.

"Josh, I just can't do it anymore." Now she was half speaking, half sobbing. "I think we both care about each other but I think that it's time to go our separate ways." Kate's sobs were slowing and she lifted her head to look at him. As soon as their eyes met she could see the heartbreak in his.

"I don't accept it but I'm going to go ahead and go. You can pack my things up or I'll come do it one day when you'll be out for a while. Whichever you prefer." Josh stood pulling his jacket up over his arms. He leaned down placing a kiss on her forehead.

Kate grabbed his hand as he went to turn away; she softly placed a kiss on his knuckles. "I am so sorry Josh, I love you, but I just know in my heart that this isn't what I want anymore."

He jerked his hand away from her and she could see the tension in his face. "Kate, don't act like you give a shit about me. This is all about you and always has been. You're selfish in and out of this relationship. I don't know why I stayed with you and I don't know how I ever loved you. If this is all we meant. You, breaking up with me in the diner that we had our first date in 3 years ago. Classy, Kate."

Josh turned and quickly fled the diner. As soon as the door shut Kate felt relief, sadness, what was it? The tears weren't present but she was surprisingly relieved and surprisingly very sad. She was sure that when this time came that it would be hard. It was hard but she also knew that this is exactly what she needed.

Can I start by saying I have never written any fanfic before. This is a first attempt. I'm always coming up with great story ideas but I am not much of a writer so they don't go anywhere. I just thought I'd give it a shot and what better way to practice than to just sit down and write. I do have this mapped out a little so we will see where it goes. Please review with any comments. I am not easily offended and will take any criticism, preferably constructive because I am trying to get better. Also give me some chapter ideas if there is anything you want to see. I guess I should see if there is any response to the first chapter before I start to think about continuing on.