A/N- I hope you enjoy this little fanfic. I just finished my first fic No More Fear and wanted to keep writing. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer- not mine- boo:(

Chapter 1 Baby Steps

It was almost 9:30 a.m. and Kate Beckett was just leaving Dr. Burke's office. She glanced at the clock on her cell and checked for any messages. She had one text- from Castle.

Good morning Sunshine! Want some breakfast with your coffee?

She noticed it was from only 5 minutes ago. She replied back-

No thanks- just my coffee ;) on my way in now

She caught herself smiling just thinking about him. He was so thoughtful and caring. She laughed at how ironic it was that she was going to therapy and spending the whole time convincing herself that she is ready to move forward with a relationship with him, pushing away her constant doubts about if she's able to love him, when all it takes is one simple text to make her day. One text, and she is rushing to get to work. One text, and she practically running down the sidewalk to see him.

She used to want to go to work because of her drive for justice, her need to help the families of the victims, but now it was more. Those other reasons were still there, but her need to see him had changed something in her. He had brought some part of her alive that she had thought to be dead for a long time.

She wondered if he would always be able to make her feel this way. . .well he had for the last four years, so why would she expect that to ever change?

That's when she made her decision. Today she would take a step towards letting him know how she felt. Maybe not a huge step, but a baby a step nonetheless. A baby step. Now she just had to find the perfect opportunity before she lost her nerve.

When Kate stepped off the elevator she saw Espo, Ryan and Castle huddled at her desk looking at something on his phone. "What's up guys?" asked Kate.

"Ahh. . . Admiring my newest acquisition," beamed Castle as he held out his phone for her to see the picture.

"What is it?" asked Kate.

"It's a hand carved, hand stitched, custom made poker table that just so happens to be being delivered to the loft as we speak!" sang Castle.

"Don't you already have a poker table?" Kate questioned.

"He did," added Espo as he walked away, "But I am kindly helping him dispose of it!"

"So when do we get to see this new table, Castle? Kate asked once they were alone.

"Well Detective, it just so happens that I am planning a little get together to christen her this Saturday. Can I expect your attendance?"

Kate saw this as her chance, she leaned in close and fingered the collar of his purple button down and said, "It's a date." Then she sauntered into the break room feeling pretty confident that she got his attention with her 'step.'

It took Castle a few seconds to react to her bold move. As soon as the shock wore off he chased after her, "Did you say date?" he uttered.

"Do you have a problem with that Castle?" Kate asked.

Not sure how to respond, Castle decided to turn the tables and he got up close in Kate's personal space. He was sure that he heard her breath catch as he leaned in and said, "It's just that my idea of a date with you does not include playing poker with a bunch of guys."

Kate's head swirled as he got so close, she could feel his breath on her cheek and he smelled so damn good. His blue eyes were looking right at her as he spoke and she could barely breathe. She cursed him for taking back control in this game that they were playing. This was supposed to be her step. Kate closed her eyes and gathered the courage to respond.

"Castle," she barely got out, "Well maybe we can compromise." He stopped dead in his tracks, intrigued with what she had to say.

"Exactly what type of negotiations are you talking about?" replied Castle.

Kate was knee deep in it now and let the momentum swing carry her, "I'll tell you what, you can plan the next date and I will make sure I hang around long enough for us to play a few hands of hold em'- just the two of us."

Kate couldn't believe that she just said that- a second date? Things were spiraling out of control. So much for a baby step. Her heart was pounding and she thought she needed to sit down.

Castle gave her a cocky wink and said, "It's a date," as he walked out of the room back towards her desk.

Kate had to hold on to the back of the break room couch as she regained he composure. She couldn't believe how far that her little step had taken them. It definitely wasn't her intention to make a date with Castle, let alone a second one. She made herself a promise to plan out the rest of her steps from now on, before she got herself into too much more trouble.

Kate was still smiling from her encounter with Castle when Espo poked his head in and announced, "Let's roll, we've got a fresh one."

Beckett headed back to her desk to grab her coat, but Castle was already holding it out for her and helped her into it. She noticed that he kept his hands on her shoulders a little longer than necessary. She looked down at his hands and then back up to him. Castle gave her one of his award winning smiles and said, "After you my dear detective."

Kate had to bite her bottom lip to fight back a smile as she walked to the elevator with Castle's hand on the small of her back.

As soon as the foursome arrived at the crime scene they saw Lanie standing over the body with her blue gloves and clipboard. Lanie glanced up to report the details she had so far. It appeared to be a mugging gone wrong. The victim was a Caucasian male, mid to late thirties. He had some scrapes and bruising on his left cheek and there was what looked like rope burn on the right side of his neck. He still had his wallet, but it was obvious the killer had been after something because the pockets on his jeans and coat had been turned inside out.

Kate asked the M.E., "What do you think could have caused these marks on his neck?"

"Not sure," responded Lanie, "But I will swab the wounds and send it straight to C.S.U. I'll let you know when I hear something."

Castle, who was now wearing a blue gloves too, was looking through the victim's wallet. "Look he's a computer tech for a law firm in the city. His name is Jason Nash, he's thirty four and lives on the lower east side. I would say he's married and has a little girl."

"Man, how do you know all that?" asked Ryan. Castle held up the wallet and a family photo with the victim, a blonde, who seemed to be his wife and a little girl with red hair and blue eyes.

Kate noticed how Castle looked at the picture closer and was sure her was reminded of a younger Alexis. Then he turned his attention back to the marks on his neck.

Castle looked around the scene and asked, "Did they find a computer with him?"

Lanie shook her head in a negative side to side motion.

"Well call me crazy," started Castle and Kate raised her eyebrow curious to what kind of theory he could have already developed, "but I think the killer was after his laptop, or information on it. Nash must have put up a little fight and when the killer pulled off his messenger bag it left the rope burn on his neck."

"But why the pockets then?" Kate directed to what only seemed to be Castle.

Castle thought for a minute, "A thumbdrive?"

"Not bad Castle, not bad," praised Beckett. Castle smiled and took a bow for show.

Kate called back to Lanie, "Call me when you've got something," as she and Castle walked towards the Crown Vic. Before they got in Castle yelled back, "Oh and Dr. Parish, poker night at the loft this Saturday. Be there or be square. And feel free to bring a date- Beckett is!" He ducked his head and got into the car and immediately flinched as Beckett was shoving him back into the door.

"What was that?" scolded Beckett.

"That was me making sure you don't try to act like this morning didn't happen. I am going to hold you to your word," answered Castle.

"Oh, I'll hold you to something," grumbled Kate.

"Promise?" laughed Castle, but his smile quickly faded as Kate pinched his ear, "Apples! Apples!"

Please review and let me know what you thought! And while you are waiting patiently for more chapters read my first fic No More Fear :)