A/N: This is my first ever fan fic so please dont judge too harshly (but I love constructive criticism). I am not much of a writer but this story just begged to be written.

Thanks to agentchuckles who helped me with ideas and content. You were an invaluable resource.

However, mistakes are all my own.

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or have any stake it in and am not making any money from this.


Weary and worn out by her latest case, Kate let her mind wander to thoughts of the warm, luxurious bubble bath that was awaiting her at home as she opened the door to the small store before her. Intent on remedying the one thing that was preventing her from sinking into the cleansing, relaxing water—lack of reading material—Kate entered the shop and headed straight for the crime/mystery section, not even bothering to look at what other wares the store may be peddling, intent on grabbing one book in particular—Storm Fall.

So intent was she on retrieving the book that she almost failed to notice the little blonde and pink blur that had come hurtling towards her until it nearly knocked her off her feet in its pursuit to get behind her legs.

Regaining her balance, Kate looked down, only to discover that the blur was actually a little blond haired, blue eyed, six year old girl dressed in pink from head to toe. Attempting to turn around to talk to the girl, Kate discovered that she had somehow managed to latch herself to Kate's leg and was apparently trying to secure herself between Kate's legs and the bookshelf behind her.

Reaching down to try and unwrap the girls little hands from around her leg, Kate suddenly went on alert as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large blur flying towards them and felt the little girls grasp tighten around her thigh.

Moving slightly to the side to provide a better barrier between the blur and the girl, Kate braced herself for impact.

As the large blur slowed, seemingly recognizing that the little girl was being protected, it took everything Kate had to not let her jaw drop as the blur morphed into a recognizable human being. There, standing before her, looking like any average Joe on the street was her favorite author, the author of the book she had been holding in her hands, the Richard Castle!

"Chloe! You know the rules. No using strangers as protection from the 'monsters'." Raising his arms, hands curled like claws, and pulling his face like a 'scary monster', Castle inched his way towards the two females standing before him.

"Hi! My name's Chloe. What's yours?"

As the man before her stopped in his tracks, Kate pulled her eyes away from him and looked down at the little girl who was staring expectantly back at her. "Kate."

"Daddy, this is Kate. See! She isn't a stranger." Smiling smugly at her father, Chloe let go of Kate's legs and leaned back against the bookshelf.

Looking back towards the man standing in front of her, Kate jumped slightly when a loud, high-pitched squeal sounded from behind her. Turning quickly around, Kate let out a little sigh of relief when she saw Chloe laughing enthusiastically as a teenaged redheaded girl had pulled her into a hug and was tickling her.

Turning back to face Castle, Kate was startled to discover how close he had come while her back was turned as she ran into his hand that he had outstretched like he was going to tap her on the shoulder.

"Sorry about that. My daughter can be a little…high-strung at times. I hope she didn't cause you too much inconvenience." Holding out the copy of Storm Fall that she had dropped in her rush to protect the girl, he continued. "I'm Richard by the way, but you can call me Rick. The redhead over there is my eldest, Alexis, and the little rug rat is my other daughter, Chloe, who you have already met. If there is anything I can do to make this up to you, just say the word."

Finally managing to pull herself from her stupor, Kate grabbed the book that Castle held out for her. "Hi…Rick. I'm Kate. It really was no problem at all."

"Are you sure? My girls and I are headed out for ice cream. You're welcome to join us if you'd like; although, from the looks of things you already have plans for the evening. Of course, those plans appear to be with me." With a suggestive lift of his eyebrow he moved a half a step closer to Kate. "Well, with my book anyways, so wouldn't you rather go out for ice cream with us instead?"

"No. I don't think that'd be a good idea. As you said, I have a hot date tonight. Bubble bath…wine…and you…" Punctuating each statement with a step forward, Kate touched Castle gently on the forearm before swiftly turning around with a triumphant smirk on her face and heading for the door only to be stopped by the feeling of a small hand resting against her arm.

Blushing slightly at the remembrance that Castle's daughters had been nearby for that entire exchange, Kate glanced down to see Chloe starring innocently up at her. "Thank you for trying to protect me from the monsters. You are the best human shield ever!" Wrapping her arms around Kate's waist before she could stop her, Chloe gave Kate a hug before turning her head back towards Kate. There in place of the innocent expression was the patented puppy dog look. Before Kate could look away, Chloe continued. "Won't you pwease come to ice cream with us? Pwease?"

Looking away from the girl, Kate raised her gaze towards Castle and glared at him: You put her up to this, didn't you?

In response, Castle could only give a little innocent shrug. "That is all her. I believe her grandmother has been training her well."

Looking back towards the little girl, Kate couldn't help but fall for the large, pleading eyes that were looking back at her.

"Well, how could I say no to that? Give me a sec to buy my book and we can go get ice cream."