Chapter 1:

The jet touched down in Manhattan all too soon. As they rode from the airport to the precinct, Rick held Kate's hand, but each was lost in their own reverie, wondering how this development would impact their lives. He turned his gaze to her, only to find she was staring into her lap and blushing furiously. A small chuckle escaped him, and she raised her head to look at him questioningly.

"Why, my dear Kate, are you blushing like that? Could you be thinking about some of our weekend escapades?" he asked, with a decidedly lascivious grin.

Kate grinned despite herself. He knew her too well, which was a little scary. How did he get in my head that easily? she thoughtOf course, he had also gotten in her pants. She shook her head violently at that thought, it was too crude a description of what happened. Unfortunately, he took this shaking as an answer to his question.

"No? Then what ARE you blushing about? Perhaps some delicious fantasy you'd like me to play out with you?" He seemed to be enjoying her discomfort.

She swatted him on the arm. "Would you STOP already? I have to go into work and I need to be clear headed. I can't have these thoughts distracting me." She paused, regarding him. "Speaking of distractions, I would like you to answer something for me."

He nodded. "I will tell you anything and everything."

"When we were working the SpyVentures thing, you said you wanted to take a break for the summer, get out of the city to write. How is it that you managed to balance the demands of writing the first book with helping me solve cases, yet suddenly you needed a retreat? And if that's so, why are you coming back with me?" She sat back and waited for his answer.

He blew out a breath, deciding to tackle the easier question first. "Well, it wouldn't really do to be two hours away from my girl at the beginning of a fledgling relationship. I mean, I'm good, but even I can't court a lady properly at that distance."

Kate rolled her eyes at his display of ego. She couldn't decide if she should bristle or get the warm fuzzies at being referred to as "his girl". The cautious look on his face told her he was worried about how she would react. She was so relaxed from the weekend she decided to just go with it, let him off the hook for once. Besides, given his attentiveness these last few days, she caught herself wondering what a "proper courtship" experience might be like. She smiled, and he gave a relieved smile in return.

Rick swallowed hard. He had crossed the easy hurdle. Now for the tough one. "First of all, I hesitate to mention this, but I DID have time to myself while writing the first book…Last year after I poked my nose in your mother's casefile, and you ordered me out of your life? Second, I didn't need A retreat so much as I needed TO retreat. It was clear to me that I was spinning my wheels. I have been working with you for more than a year now, yet Demming comes along and poof, he convinces you to go out with him and he barely breaks a sweat doing it. So I decided to back off. If you were happy, I had to accept that. I DIDN'T have to get my nose rubbed in it every day. I DO have to finish the book, before Gina crucifies me, but I think I will have an easier time now. I just have to strike a balance. Tell you what. How about if I drop you off at the station house. You can get some work done without me underfoot, and I can go back to my apartment and write. It will be quiet there without Alexis and Mother. Then, after you have had all day to miss me…"

Kate rolled her eyes at that.

He grinned and continued "Come over and I will cook you dinner. We can have dessert, then in the morning I will cook you breakfast."

She was (playfully) scandalized at his presumption that she would be staying the night, and told him so. "And what if I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight?" she asked, smirking.

"You'd prefer we christen that one first? That's fine by me. I will bring dinner to you. How's 7pm for you?" he asked, his innocent look a complete contrast to what he was suggesting.

Beckett raised her eyebrow at him, then smiled. "Sounds good" she replied, as the car pulled up to the precinct.

She kissed him goodbye, then exited the car and practically sashayed into the building. The sexy attitude she was radiating made him bite his knuckle just a little. God he was going to miss her today.

As Kate rode the elevator, she pressed her fingers to her lips, reliving the kiss they had just shared. It had been an amazing weekend, a mind-blowing start to their relationship. God was she going to miss him today.