"A Little Role Play…Browncoat Style"

"Would uh, would you like to come in for a bit? I have a really nice brandy that's been gathering dust somewhere in my cupboard…" Kate was astonished at how nervous she was feeling at the thought of Castle coming in for a nightcap, but there it was. And she wasn't ready for the evening to end just yet.

Even though they had known each other for what, two years… the reality of being romanced by Richard Castle was like nothing she had experienced. For one thing, it seemed the butterflies in the pit of her stomach never went away. Immediately after she had agreed to go to dinner with him, almost two weeks ago, being around him had become something like delicious torture. Once she'd let her guard down, it seemed she was constantly aware of the amused look in those blue eyes, and his masculine presence threatened to overshadow her logical thought. She felt like she had regressed to some adolescent phase that she must have skipped earlier. To make it worse, Rick seemed all too aware of the effect he was having on her. That first night, at dinner, he had held her hand and then brought it up to his mouth to kiss her open palm. In films, the move looked cheesy beyond words. But in real life, done by Castle, every cell in her body had reacted and she'd shivered, visibly. Since then, Rick had taken every opportunity to play with her senses, whether it was leaning too closely over her shoulder while expounding his latest theory, or blatantly letting his gaze linger over certain portions of her anatomy. Castle was bringing the full court press, finally, and making her feel more alive than she had in years. But Kate Beckett was no novice to dating, so she kept wondering why this all felt so new? Honestly, WTF, she wasn't sixteen! Get it under control, girl!

For his part, Rick was somewhat surprised by the invitation, knowing that Kate was definitely the main one putting the brakes on the physical part of their relationship. Not that he was in any big hurry either. After all, he'd waited more than two years; he could wait a few more weeks. 'Course he wasn't about to turn the invite down. "Dusty brandy sounds perfect." 'If I can look at you some more in that little white dress with the tiny strap that keeps falling off your shoulder,' his unspoken thought. He gave her an innocent smile and didn't even raise his eyebrows. He watched as she uncharacteristically fumbled with her key, and leaned in to pull that wayward strap up helpfully. Kate looked back at him for a second, watching his fingers on her shoulder. She pulled away and leaned back, inviting him in.

"So, make yourself comfortable. Feel free to snoop I guess, since you will anyway. You remember Alex and Sekhmet." The two cats were already twining around the big man's legs, little courtesans that had previously established their fascination with Rick when he had slept on her couch that one night. The little flirts had completely abandoned her to spend the evening sleeping with him; one on his chest and the other between his feet. Kate had peeked into the living room to check on him at some point, (not that she was having trouble sleeping) and had caught them in the act! Alex, the large, fluffy, muted calico, jumped to the table near Rick, butting his head against Castle's open hand, expecting to be adored. Rick grinned at the animal, giving him some affectionate rubs while looking around Kate's new living room. This was his first time actually inside the new place and he was curious to see what it would be like. His first impression was that it was cozy, comfortable and eclectic, all cool blues and greens and dark bookshelves. Watercolor paintings of Europe and classic cream colored furniture lined the walls. Rick glanced around to see Kate with two snifters, opening a familiarly shaped bottle. "Cordon Bleu Cognac? I'm impressed! On a cop's salary?"

Kate gave a small smile. "It was a gift, a thank you from years ago. I just rarely have the occasion to indulge, much less with anyone who would appreciate the quality." She handed him a glass, cradling her own in her hands, warming the dark, aromatic liquid.

"Well, I do appreciate the quality of everything here tonight." Rick gave her a look that made her swallow hard. "As well as the rarity." He took a small sip of cognac and moved closer, his blue eyes intense. She tried to step back, but the kitchen counter was at her back, so she raised her glass and took a drink. Heat blazed through her throat and down to her belly. Rick was watching, as though mesmerized. Kate sipped again, unable to look away. Fortunately for her, (it was fortunate, right?) her phone sounded and she smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, excuse me, please."

Rick watched Kate turn away to get the phone from her purse and sighed. "Please, not a new case right now," he thought, and realized how unlike him that should sound. But honestly, the crime stories were no longer paramount to Castle, hadn't been for some time, if he was truthful. Far more interesting was the way Kate tilted her head as she listened, the way she pursed her lips thoughtfully and the glint in her dark eyes as she glanced back at him. He watched her slip those sexy, strappy sandal heels off her feet and wished he'd been the one to do that. Not wanting to eavesdrop or ogle, at least so obviously, Rick turned away to check out her book shelves. He noticed that the few books she had replaced since the bombing were grouped by themes. One shelf contained books about ancient Greece along with a biography of Alexander the Great and Homer's works, while another was devoted to Austen and the Bronte's. Several had some classic French and Russian lit. And another some Sci-Fi and fantasy. Of course, his eye (and ego) had already noted the shelves lined with his mysteries, ones he had replaced for her alongside the giant volume of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories he'd included in his house warming gift. Impressed despite himself, Rick moved over to the small collection of DVD's above Kate's TV. A few comedies and classics he noted, until…Oh my God. Kate Beckett had Blu-Rays of Serenity and Firefly! He whirled around to look at her with wide eyes. Had she suddenly gotten even sexier? Hell, yeah! Rick watched her write something on a notepad, that little strap falling off her shoulder in a maddening fashion, and drained his glass of cognac.

When she finished the call and glanced up at him, he was advancing on her in a predatory fashion. She took in his intent expression and her eyes darted around for someplace else to look. Unwisely, she settled on the open collar of his shirt and the fascinating space below his throat where the flesh looked so, well, kissable.

"Sorry about the interruption, just some uh, um…What?"

"What, what?"

"Why are you looking at me that way?"

In his husky voice, "Isn't this how I always look at you?" He was directly in front of her now, so close that she had to tilt her head way back to look up at him. She felt very small next to him without her heels on and wasn't sure if she enjoyed that or not. "Well, actually…" Kate noticed that his eyes had drifted from her face, down to her cleavage for a moment, then came back up to study her eyes again. "Something's definitely up…er, different. What happened?"

Castle grinned at her unintentional innuendo but let it slide. "I just wondered, when did you become a Browncoat? I mean, I would have thought you would have supported the Alliance." Kate blinked up at him for a minute, eyes wide, finding his train of thought and blushing a bit. "I guess I support Big Damn Heroes wherever I find them. You got a problem with me being a closet geek? "

Rick was unable to keep his enthusiasm down. "You're kidding me, right? You know this totally makes you my perfect fantasy woman, full on! What was it?

Did you crush on Captain Mal?" As he spoke, he ran his forefinger down her bare arm, watching in amazement as Kate shuddered and her skin erupted in gooseflesh. More than that, her nipples grew taut and erect before his eyes from that simple touch. They were clearly visible through the thin silk of her dress and it made thinking seriously… difficult. He forced his eyes up to hers.

Kate was trying to ignore the thrill her body had just experienced and hoping to distract Rick at the same time. "Did I crush on Mal? I'm not the one who dressed as him that Halloween! I saw you in those suspenders and coat that night! What was that? A replica? Because it looked pretty authentic."

She had backed away physically, but still met his eyes (which were like saucers). "I bet you even have that gun. You could afford something like that and it's right up your alley, 'Mr. Laser Tag'."

"You haven't answered my question. Do you have a crush on Mal, and by the way, how come you didn't let on that you knew who I was dressed as?" Castle took a step forward, drawn like a magnet to the signals Kate was sending, (or at least her body was.) "Oooh, you could have come to my party dressed as Inara! That would have been so hot."

"Which is why I didn't clue you in that I knew about your costume. You already had enough 'hooker by day' fantasy going on and I wasn't about to add 'space hooker' to the mix." Now she had a hand up against his chest, attempting to press him away, but all she succeeded in doing was feeling how warm and solid he was. She had had dreams about that chest, and now she was touching it. It felt very muscular. Ahem. Moving on.

"As for the crush thing, I, just thought the show was entertaining, and the character of Mal was … intriguing, you know, the way he would do anything to protect his crew." Castle raised a skeptical eyebrow. Kate looked up at him, finally unabashed. "Okay. Fine. He was a badass, and I thought he was hot. What's your excuse?"

"Oh, I liked the story telling and the dialogue seemed to have a kind of poetry to it. Plus, the women were hot. You ever think that Mal bears a bit of a resemblance to me? Or, maybe me to him? I mean, I've been told my eyes and the hair, not to mention the broad shoulders…"

"Castle, where is all this going? You want to embarrass me about my geekiness? You already know I'm a Frank Miller fan. And you've seen my Sci-Fi books. Besides, Esposito was the one who turned me on to Firefly and … Ryan has a hat like Jayne's. So, go for it. I can take it." Kate wasn't about to further inflate his ego by admitting the marked resemblance, and then, of course, there was the whole 'tightpants' thing. No need to go there. Not aloud, anyway.

"Actually, there's a bit more to it. Wait, did you say Esposito and Ryan are into it? Seriously? Oh, this is perfect!" Castle rubbed his hands together and grinned down at her, hoping she would play along. "Alexis is a big fan as well, and every once in a while, we have Firefly marathons. Next one just might be this Saturday! I'll let you and the boys know the details. Costumes are mandatory and Alexis is Kaylee. That leaves a few spots open for everyone."

"Castle, it isn't anywhere near Halloween time and I am not dressing up as Inara. If I were gonna be anyone, it'd be Zoe. Or River ." Rick snickered at River, but latched on immediately to the Zoe reference. "Oh, yes… that is spot on. Of course, you could definitely pull off Inara, (there was this one dress…), but now I totally see you as Zoe. Tight pants, low cut shirt, fitted leather vest… Sorry, where was I? Oh, yeah. Boots. Low slung gun belt." Rick's eyes were traveling down her body… "And don't forget that boot lace tied around your neck and dangling down …"

"Hello, back to Earth that is, 'Captain'. I thought you said your daughter was going to be there? As Kaylee. Shouldn't you be keeping this more PG?" Actually, she was surprised that she was saying that, because what she would have normally said was, I am not dressing up for some movie party. That sounds ridiculous, and I am a grown-up. Then, again, Castle must be thinking of dressing as Mal once more…the thought of him in those tight trousers and boots. Standing in classic Mal stance with his thumbs hitched into his gun belt. Yum. But, no.

"Yeah, but she'll probably only be there 'til 4 or so, for the more innocent episodes; then she's spending the night with Paige. Seems like I never have her for the whole day anymore." Castle looks away and sighs a bit. He has no idea how beautiful he looks when he does that. A vulnerable expression comes over his face, his look wistful, all expressive blue eyes, long eyelashes and strong jaw. Kate takes a long drink of cognac.

Then he turns that 100 watt grin on her, the one that requires a firm grip on something solid, and adds, "But after she leaves, we can watch the more interesting episodes, and play Firefly drinking games with some really fine sake. And if you come as Zoe, I'll have a belt, holster and big fake gun for you. Or, I could pick out your entire costume…"

"Wow, I don't think so."

"Come on, Kate, it'd be fun and Alexis would love to have you join us. I've told you that before. And then, when she goes to Paige's, the guys, maybe Lanie and Jenny can join us and we'll have more of an adult get together."

"An 'adult' get together dressed as TV characters, playing drinking games? Only you could come up with that idea."

Rick leaned over her a bit, taking full advantage of his tallness, compared to her smallness. (Sometimes it was nice to have her without those heels) "Scoff if you will, detective, but I guarantee a fine time will be had by all… if you just give it a shot. A great show, ginormous hi-def screen, fresh bao, the best sake and friends all dressed as their heroes. Or… are you really still embarrassed? Prefer to stay in the closet? I get it. Not as confident as you…"

"Fine, Castle! I'll be there, and I'll bring my own costume, thanks! I think I can manage some tight pants and a leather vest myself, no help from you required. Honestly…"

"You still need the holster and big gun?"

"Yeah, thanks. That'd be good."

"So…" Shifting gears. He should probably go.

"Rick, tonight was really … well, I enjoyed it so much. You really know how to …." Kate looked up at him the way he'd always wished she would, her hand traveling up to his face, her fingers brushing his cheek, moving to his hair. Those amazing eyes looked into his, then down to his lips. Unconsciously, her tongue briefly wet her lips.

He didn't wait for further invitation, but pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips parted slightly and Rick did his best to keep the kisses sweet, romantic. One hand rested on her bare shoulder while the other cupped her face, tilting her mouth to the best advantage. Castle was fighting a losing battle though, because the sensations were just too overwhelming. Apparently for both of them. When his tongue finally touched hers, she moaned into his mouth and arched her back, pressing her breasts firmly against his chest. The combination of all that had him pulling her to him with some of the intensity he'd been holding back; kissing her mouth hard, then straying down to her neck and shoulder. Kate was making sounds he'd never heard from her, moans and gasps and he was in heaven. His hands began to wander, caressing and squeezing as they went, avoiding her breasts and bottom with a strength of character that shocked him.

For her part, Kate was definitely in heaven. The months of anticipation, wondering what it would be like to kiss Rick Castle did not lessen one bit what the actual reality was. That first kiss had been the stuff of dreams. Repeated dreams. Gentle and tentative, progressing slowly into hungry and heated. And skillful. He was a sensual man, that much had been obvious from the beginning, but the way it translated to physical reality was kind of mind-blowing. She found herself giving up some of the control that she usually took in sexual encounters. For some reason, she enjoyed letting Rick be the guiding force in the directions things took, when normally she would be in the driver's seat. Something in the back of her mind whispered that maybe; just maybe, it was because she trusted him enough.

.

After all, how many men had waited almost two years to make love to her? Tonight, when she felt his tongue in her mouth, his hands on her, she finally let go and moaned. She melted against his chest, clutching his shoulder and bicep to keep from buckling at the knees. The feel of his mouth on her neck and his hands beginning to travel brought her around to reality, however. If this continued for much longer, he'd end up in her bed tonight, and that was not on the agenda. Kate was still being cautious. Just because she wanted him more than any man she'd ever known, well, that only made her more skeptical of her ability to be rational.

"Oh…god, Rick…" Kate reluctantly pulled away from his mouth, from his body. Her eyes felt slightly unfocused, but she managed to look up at him. His eyes were darker than she'd ever seen, shining with a dangerous intensity. He'd been staring at her neck, but shifted to her mouth, then her eyes. 'Desire'. She put a name to his expression. And on Rick Castle, that look was deadly. She could lose herself in those eyes, seeing the hunger there, feeling it gather in the center of her.

"Castle, Rick… I'm sorry. I'm …God, I want you, too. More than you can imagine. But, not tonight, not yet. And anymore of this and I won't have the will to say no." Kate touched his mouth with her fingers, glad that she didn't see anything like anger in his face, only acceptance.

Castle swallowed hard, and nodded his understanding. He'd definitely gotten more carried away than he'd intended. A moment away from…don't go there. When he spoke, his voice was so low that it seemed to come up through his chest. "It's fine. I meant to keep things …well, light. But you're so…damn, Kate. I'd better go." Rick pulled himself together a bit, smiling ruefully, and made for the door. Just before he got there, however, he turned back with a grin. "There's just one thing I really wanted to see tonight, since I was here."

Kate was still struggling to gather her equanimity after stopping their make-out session, but she mustered up a smirk and replied, "Just one thing? Really?"

Castle obliged her by glancing appreciatively at her breasts, "Well, several things, truth to tell. But this one thing isn't actually on your body." He glanced down her hallway. "I was hoping to get a glimpse of the 'Santo Sanctorum'."

"Are you referring to my bedroom?" Kate had to smile, both at his ability to rebound and his incorrigible, well, 'Castleness'. She gestured down her hall with a welcoming sweep of her arm, grateful that she'd made her bed and straightened up after getting ready for the date. "I'm not inviting you in, you know." Still, it was a little bit thrilling, having Rick see where she slept. (And there was her inner teenager again.)

"Oh, I am aware. Just satisfying the itch of curiousness. And feeding my personal fantasies…" "Hey, ouch!" Rick winced as Kate smacked him smartly. Then he peeked through her bedroom door and took in the view silently. Subtly feminine, tasteful and calming in a subdued blue, but her bed drew his eye. Oh, yes. It was a large, dark copper antique iron bed, complete with barred headboard and footboard. Rick now had more than a backdrop for his fantasies, her whole bedroom was a fantasy come true. And she didn't even seem to be aware of it. He turned around with a knowing smile and proceeded to head back toward her front door.

Kate was surprised that he was leaving so easily, she had expected to have to pry him from her room with threats and possibly a crowbar. "That's all you wanted? Just that quick glance? No testing the mattress, no seductive comments or not so subtle innuendo? I'm shocked."

Rick picked up his coat from the back of a chair and opened her door, turning to her with his best Cheshire Cat grin and said, "One thing my mother taught me, 'always leave 'em wanting more.'" He leaned in to kiss her cheek softly, then whispered into her ear, "Bye the way, love the bed. Hope you keep your cuffs in the nightstand." Castle sauntered off toward the elevator, leaving her reeling from the feel of his hot breath in her ear and the implications of his words. Just inside the elevator door, he turned with a smug smile and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Ooh, that man.!"

]

When Castle let himself into the loft around midnight, he was still smiling, replaying Kate's physical reactions to his touch, and that kiss. So hot… He was startled to see Alexis sitting at the kitchen counter and apparently, she was surprised to see him, as well. "Dad! I didn't think you'd be back tonight…"

"Whoa, why not, pumpkin? Don't I always tell you beforehand if I won't be home? Is everything OK?" Rick searched his daughter's face for some clues, but just found her wide-eyed and slightly embarrassed.

"Yeah, Dad. You do, unless it's a case or something. But you were out with Beckett and …I know how you feel about her." Alexis looked away.

"Well, and so? Sweetie, do you have a problem with me seeing Kate? Is there something you want to tell me?" Rick had thought they had gone over this, but maybe he'd missed something.

Alexis looked uncomfortable, "Of course I don't have a problem with Kate. I really like her. You know that. I just thought that, well, you guys are adults and all…and you've been dating for a couple weeks now. Plus, you've known her for like, years. I know we're getting into "ew" territory now, but I'm not a little girl anymore. You don't have to pretend for my benefit." She stopped there and watched her father carefully. He was clearly taken aback, his mouth trying out syllables but unable to articulate actual words for a minute.

Rick realized this was a topic that needed to be broached now, as uncomfortable as he felt even thinking about it. He took a moment to gather his thoughts even as he moved to sit next to his girl. "Sweetie, I'm not pretending or hiding anything from you. Kate and I are taking our relationship seriously, and slowly. The kind of step to which you are um, alluding is too important to rush. I… well; I think I should share something that Kate told me at the end of our first 'official' date. I was kissing her goodnight…"

"EW! Dad!"

"I know, it's gross, but just hear me out. Anyway, before I could get too carried away, Kate stopped me and said something that really hit home for me, and I think it might be useful to you at some point in the very distant future, preferably in a galaxy far, far away. She looked me in the eye and said, "If this is going to work, you have to know that I believe in taking things slowly. I'm not 'playing' hard to get. I am hard to get."

Rick watched his daughter take in those words, and the meaning in them. "She was letting me know that it was on me to prove that I was worthy of her, not in an arrogant way, but because she had that much self-respect. That's a concept sorely missing in our present "reality" show culture.

Alexis nodded, clearly impressed. "I like that. No playing games. And if a boy isn't willing to wait and prove himself, then he obviously isn't worthy."

"Exactly. Now, having said all that, at some point in time we will be taking the next step. Well, I'm pretty sure, anyway. So, when that time comes, we will do our best to be discreet and not gross you out too much, but like you said, we are adults. Adults who have known each other for years." Rick looked at Alexis seriously and asked, "Will you be o.k. with that?"

She seemed more relaxed than she had been earlier, like some doubts had been cleared away. When she looked up at him, her eyes were clear, "Yeah. I'll be fine, Dad. I just want you to be happy, and I think she makes you happy."

Rick put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her under his chin to kiss the top of her head. "You make me happy; anything else is just the cherry on top."

Alexis rolled her eyes a bit but smiled; she never had to doubt her father's love. "So, when all this" she made air quotes, "happens, will Kate be spending more time here? I think I'd like that."

Her dad grinned down at her and said, "As a matter of fact, I'm working on that as we speak. I believe someone mentioned being in the mood for some serious Firefly action Saturday? Well, guess who I just found out has the same excellent taste in space cowboys?"

Alexis looked just as amazed as he had earlier this evening. "Beckett has seen Firefly?"

"More than seen it, she has Blu-rays of both it and Serenity. Evidently Esposito and Ryan are Browncoats, too. So, how would you feel if Kate came over for our mini marathon? Do you mind sharing? If you'd rather not, it's fine. I just thought that…"

"Dad, that'd be great! It could be a lot of fun. I just would never have thought…she really is full of surprises, isn't she. No wonder you like her so much. Wait, is she going to dress up? That, I have to see!"

"I know, right? I'm not totally sure about that, and she will probably try to back out a few times, but I'll do my best."

"Yeah, I'm sure you will. And, you won't be lonely when I go to Paige's later. That's cool. Well, now that you're home, I guess I should get to bed. Love you, Dad." Alexis started up the stairs. "Now you can go back to grinning like a fool the way you were when you walked in."

"Hey, I resemble that remark! Love you, pumpkin." Rick Castle looked fondly after his daughter for a moment, and then went straight to grinning like a fool. A happy, happy fool.

Ryan had a Jayne hat?