I sipped from the champagne flute in my hand and savored the bubbles tickling my nose. I set the glass down and looked at Kate sitting next to me in back of the limo as our driver turned off of Broadway and cruised the final two blocks up 54th street to the Ziegfield and the premier of my movie Nikki Heat.

She looked tense, barely lifting her gaze from her own untouched champagne. I tried to hide my grin, knowing it would irk her. "What's the matter, Detective," I asked, drawing out all three syllables on that last word. "You wouldn't, by any chance, be nervous?"

Beckett blinked once, then rolled her eyes before turning to look at me. "No! I'm just thinking about how much your little ego parade is costing the city!" The small smile on her face softened the dig.

"Well, this movie premier is actually making the city quite a bit of money, between the permit fees, the overtime for the NYPD, the catering and decorating, etc. And I'll have you know that I had nothing to do with the planning of this event; I'm merely an innocent bystander, swept up in the grandeur just like you." I downed my champagne and looked at her as I continued. "So you should be thankful the studio is holding the world premiere here in New York. I know the Mayor is pleased. He sends his regards, by the way."

Beckett did a quick double-take before looking back at her champagne. "That was, um, nice of him. Please tell him 'thank you' for me."

I grinned as the limo slowed to a stop and the driver set the parking break. "Oh Kate, there is no need for that. You can tell him yourself; we'll be sitting next to him during the movie." I grinned this time, and looked at her as she stared at me, open-mouthed. "I hope you are ready", I said, "because, as The Joker would say, 'It's SHOWTIME'!"

Beckett started, then gulped her champagne in one motion; she set the glass down with a thunk and looked at me. "This is the last time I let you talk me into anything this insane!"

I laughed and patted the top of her hand. "Kate," I said in a quiet voice, "you need to be here, you deserve to be here. This movie would never have happened without you." She turned to face me and I stared into her green eyes for a moment before continuing. "You look amazing, you are amazing, and everyone will love you." I stumbled over those last words a bit, than continued quickly to mask my discomfort. "Besides, everyone is here for me!"

With those words, I rapped twice on the door of the limo, signaling that we were ready to exit the car. The valet pulled the door open and I swung my legs out, set my feet on the red carpet and stepped from the limo. Even I was not expecting the explosion of flashbulbs that followed. It lasted for almost two minutes before it lessened enough for me to see again. I reached in for Kate's hand and whispered "It's a bit crazy out here - just remember that you are still Detective Kate Beckett and you will fine."

She took my hand and stepped from the limo; the dizzying light-show repeated itself. "Crap, Castle," Kate whispered out the side of her mouth. "How do you deal with this?" I looked at her for a moment then broke into a big smile. "Deal with it Kate? This is the reward for a job well done! Why do you think I prefer being a writer to a cop?" I turned away to avoid her angry gaze, and I knew I would pay for that later, but dammit it was true. I love this.

I offered Kate my arm, and after the barest hesitation she took it. We strolled the red carpet, and I took in everything I could. The voices of the paparazzi calling out "Rick!" "Kate, over here!" "Richard, this way please!" "Detective Beckett!", trying to capture our attention for their cameras. The cheers and applause of my, of our, fans. The warmth coming from Kate walking so close to me, her wine Marchessa dress contrasting nicely with my white tuxedo jacket and black slacks. I sneaked another glance at her and admired the long sweeping train that evoked thoughts of Hollywood long passed.

Our walk down the carpet and along the rope line lasted 10, maybe 15 minutes, and I remembered how much fun this was. Kate's grip on my arm told me how little she was enjoying all of this, and I sighed inwardly for a moment. "Kate, just relax and enjoy this. There is nothing these people can do to stop you from being a great detective. It's just one evening and then tomorrow you can turn back into a pumpkin. At least until the sequel."

At my mention of a sequel, she whipped her head around. "No! I will not do this again, It's crazy here." She gestured at the crowd, the reporters, the TV cameras, the red carpet the lights. "This is not me."

I nodded at her and waved at the Entertainment Tonight reporter. "Of course this isn't you, but if you think about this as a crime scene it'll be easier. Just pretend the velvet ropes are police tape and all of the service people as beat cops helping out. You'll do fine!"

We stepped into the theater and out of sight of the cameras just in time for her to grab my nose between two fingers and twist. "Castle," she said exasperated, "this is so not like a crime scene."

"Apples! Apples! Apples!" I said as I winced with a familiar pain. "I'm just trying to help you put things into perspective so you can relax. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I want you to enjoy this."

She shook her head as we walked toward the concession stand. "I'm here because I was told I had to be here." That hurt, and the sting must have shown on my face because she quickly continued. "I'm happy for you and the movie, but I'd rather be at home with a good book and a glass of wine."

"Well, Kate, you're just going to have to wait until I write one for you!" I grabbed two flutes of champagne from the glass counter, looking longing at the Jujubes. "You think we can get a box of those," I asked Kate. "I could use a bit of a pick-me-up right about now." She just looked at me and took the offered glass from my hand. "Right now, Castle, I bet you could get them to show an episode from 'The Lone Ranger" serial before your movie."

I laughed and guided Kate into the theater towards the front row. "How did you know? I wanted 'Superman' but there was some studio thing, so..." The audience broke into applause as we walked to our seats, and I just had to wave at folks. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. Kate just blushed and kept walking. I sighed again and made my way to our seats, knowing this was going to be a long night.

"Ricky!" The mayor called out, standing to shake my hand. "And Detective Beckett - it's good to see you again. Still looking lovely, Detective." I shook his hand and watched Kate's blush deepen. "McCheese! Glad you could join us. Beckett has been looking forward to this for weeks now."

Kate looked aghast for a moment, then recovered her manners and shook the Mayor's hand. "Thank you, your Honor. It's a pleasure to be here." I laughed at Kate's obvious discomfort and the Mayor joined in. "Don't worry, Detective Beckett. Rick told me how you feel about these events and I understand. You are doing fine, and once the movie starts it'll be dark for at least 90 minutes of peace and quiet."

"McCheese, do you really think they can hope to capture my words in a mere hour-and-a-half? This film is at least two hours!" He and I share another laugh as Beckett sinks into her seat. I sat down to join her as the lights darkened and the opening notes from the "The 1812 Overture" rang throughout the theater. Kate grabbed my arm and whispers "I'm gonna kill you Castle!"