Disclaimer: I don't own Castle or the characters… I just like to play with them. Nothing dirty. I mean not yet. Wait did I say that out loud?

Enjoy.

Much love, L.

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She was coming for dinner.

Richard Castle told himself that it was nothing more than dinner, but it sure as hell felt like more.

He buzzed around the kitchen, trying to busy himself with this or that to hide his giddiness. Alexis walked in with the usual smile on her face. "So she's coming?"

Richard smiled back at his daughter. "She's coming."

OOOOOO

Kate Beckett called Lanie up, flustered. She was standing in front of her closet, discovering the fact that she had no idea what to wear for a date with Castle.

Well, not a date. Of course it was not a date. What was she thinking?

Kate was saved from her thoughts when Lanie knocked on her door. Kate answered and followed Lanie back to her bedroom. Lanie was silent for a moment before turning to Kate.

"And you're sure it's not a date, hmm?"

Beckett nodded quicky. "What?" She scoffed. "Why would I go on a date with Richard Castle? That would be...would be..." Kate fell silent as she couldn't think of a word. Wonderful? Fantastic? What she'd been dying to do ever since he started working with her?

Lanie let a smile escape her lips as her friend retreated into silence. She knew Kate liked Rick and Lanie was beside herself that Kate would trust her to help her dress for her date.

Yes, it was a date, Lanie mused to herself. They just didn't know it yet.

OOOOOOOOO

Rick heard the knock on his door right as the clock struck 7. He was opening the door even before Kate had a chance to put her hand down.

"Good evening, Detective," he said as he gestured for her to come in.

"Oh please, Castle, Kate is just fine." she smiled slightly.

Rick watched her and smiled to himself. She was so gorgeous and didn't even realize it. She stood in his apartment in nothing dressier than jeans and a sweater and he couldn't stop staring.

He didn't even hear Alexis and Martha approach until a voice came from the stairs. "Richard, close the door! Are you waiting for Kate to leave already?"

Kate turned slightly to Martha and chuckled. "Yeah, Castle, I didn't know I was that unwelcome considering you invited me to dinner." Martha tutted as Alexis came around from behind her to give Kate a hug.

"Don't punish my dad too much tonight, Detective Beckett. Martha and I won't be around to save him."

Kate raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Grams and I are going to the museum and then out to dinner. Dad just insisted on a night out for us."

Kate raised her eyebrow in Castle's direction but said nothing.

Martha defended the last few steps to give her son a kiss on the cheek. "We'll be back late, don't wait up." There was a hint of humor in her voice but Rick chose to ignore it as he finished saying goodbye to Alexis and ushered the two women out the door. "Have fun," he said with a smile.

"Bye Detective Beckett!" Kate heard from Alexis as Rick finally shut the door.

Kate smirked as she followed Rick into the kitchen. "Wow, it smells positively wonderful!" She said, closing her eyes and sniffing the air.
She hadn't had a home-cooked meal for a long time, and she was looking forward to enjoying Castle's mad cooking skills once again.

Castle smiled at the compliment. "We are having chicken alfredo with garlic bread and sauteed vegetables. And any beverage you would like. "Would you like anything in particular?"

Kate pondered a moment before asking for a glass of wine. Rick reached into a cabinet and produced two wine glasses. As he worked to get a bottle of red wine open, Kate watched and pondered. He was wearing a deep blue button-down shirt that brought out his eyes. And one of her favorite pairs of jeans on him, ones that hugged his backside and left her wondering what it felt like to grab it.

Rick finally got the bottle of wine open, and after pouring them each a glass, insisted that Kate sit behind the counter and wait until the cook was finished.

She didn't complain but merely sipped her wine as she watched him place huge portions of pasta and two slices of bread on each plate.

Kate bit back a remark and merely flashed him a smile as he sat down next to her.

They made small talk over dinner, Kate asking about the next Nikki Heat novel and Castle asking how her father was doing. After Kate had finished her plate and emptied her wine glass, she sat back and smiled contentedly. The atmosphere didn't seem as awkward as it was when he answered the door, but she did notice that he hadn't cracked any bad jokes or even attempted to make her laugh.

Castle finished his story about Alexis and an awkward date with her boyfriend before retreating into silence.

That's when Kate saw it. Something in his eyes flashed for a moment then disappeared, but Kate was positive she had seen it. Was it...admiration? Wonder? God forbid...love?

Kate looked down at her plate to break his stare. "Dinner was wonderful, Rick. Thanks for inviting me."

"You're very welcome," he replied. "I, however, refuse to believe the evening is over until I get a dance from my favorite Detective."

Kate laughed. There it was. He had finally made her laugh and she admitted to herself that it eased the tension from the look she had seen before. "I will oblige, I suppose." She replied with a smile.

Castle turned on some smooth jazz, something Kate didn't recognize. He offered a hand to her and she took it, getting up from her chair. He placed a hand in the small of her back and took her right hand in his left. They swayed slowly to the music, Castle's cheek against her temple. She heard him whispering something and realized it was the words.

Call me irresponsible
Yes, I'm unreliable
But it's undeniably true
That I'm irresponsibly mad for you

Kate blushed madly even though she was quite sure he didn't actually mean the words. As the verse repeated itself, she could hear the words louder, as though he was actually admitting them to her.

You go ahead, call me irresponsible
I admit I'm unreliable
But it is undeniably true
That I'm irresponsibly mad for you

Kate blushed even deeper than before, if that were possible. She broke away from him, holding her fingers to her forehead as though she were massaging a headache away.

"You know, Castle, I think I forgot to fill out some paperwork earlier this afternoon. I think I should head down to the station and fill it out. Before tomorrow."

Rick took a step toward her and stared down at her, slightly happy that she didn't want to lie to him while making eye contact, as her eyes searched the wood floor. "I don't mind, Kate. If you would like to go, just tell me."

She looked up at him, his eyes soft and searching hers. "I..."

His head dipped a bit lower toward hers as he placed his hands on her waist, scattering her thoughts like they had taken flight. What was it about this man that made her utterly speechless?

Her mind didn't even try to think through the fog as his mouth connected with hers. His lips moved over hers slowly, as though making sure he wouldn't get biffed on the side of the head.

He broke the kiss, making eye contact as soon as she opened hers. "If you would like to go, Kate, I'll be waiting, if you return." He lifted one of his hands to her cheek, caressing it gently before letting both of his arms fall to his sides.

It was Kate's turn to speak but she still couldn't find her words. Finally, she spoke, her voice so soft Rick had to strain to hear it. "I want to stay, I… I just don't know, Rick. I can't do one night flings and be ok with it. I need slow, and I need the whole wine-and-dine thing even before I can begin to have anything happen. And I need time."

She stepped toward him and planted a light kiss on his lips. "Let me have time. I will come back."

Richard Castle was speechless and finally let a smile break out on his face as he shut the door behind Kate. He could do slow. He could do wine-and-dine. And he would give her all the time in the world, as long as she would come running back to him.

A/N: Well… How did you like it? It was intended as a one shot, but now that I wrote the end, I have no idea if I will continue. I guess you guys should decide! Oh and criticism is always welcome-I KNOW I left some mistakes in there. :]

The lyrics are from the song "Call Me Irresponsible." I think it's the perfect song for Richard Castle… and it's one of my favorite songs ever. I don't own that song, but I thank Sammy Cahn for the lyrics, and Bobby Darin for the version of the song. :] (thank you to marycarlyn for bringing that to my attention!)

I know it's not the most original of stories, but it finally put my raging "Caskett fluff beast" to bed for a while. Let me know if it put yours to bed, too ;] That was not actually intended to sound dirty. Hope you guys enjoyed!