First and foremost, I'd like to thank everyone who came here to give my story a chance. I hope it doesn't disappoint... I am pretty happy with this chapter.

I got the idea for this story while studying for exams (who am I kidding I was procrastinating) but I guess my laziness is your gain right?

Anyway, I'd love for you all to review this chapter and let me know what you want to happen, criticisms, praises... anything is appreciated, really.

Thanks again, and enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

Manhattan Cemetary

Kate Beckett- 4:30pm

Kate Beckett walked along the empty pathway that she knew by heart. Just around the bend, she knew, would be a gravestone baring her mother's name. Even after all of these years it was hard for her to see "Johanna Beckett" on the chiseled piece of rock that marked her burial ground.

"Hey mom." She said, choking a little on the words. "I thought I'd come by to see you today because I finally did it."

Kate closed her eyes and allowed a slight smile to grace her lips. For just a moment she pictured her mother standing in front of her, anxiously anticipating the news that her daughter had for her. This picture, however, brought too much pain... it felt too real.

"Captain Montgomery brought me into his office today and told me that I could officially call myself a detective. I can't believe I did it mom! Ryan and Espo even had a small cake in the break room for me that said "Detective Beckett" on it. I was so proud and happy that just for a moment I forgot." Kate swallowed, trying to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes. "I forgot that I wouldn't be able to slip away from the mini celebration and call you to tell you the news."

"I need to make this a short visit, Mom. You know how much I hate to say that but the boys are taking me to a bar across town for a more 'official celebration'. Don't worry, mom. I'll always remember what you taught me... 'Party like you've got nothing to lose, but remember you've always got something to lose'. I never understood those words, even though you said them practically every time I went out. I was probably too young then and honestly I don't do much partying these days."

Kate kissed her hand and placed it on the gravestone. She hated the cold touch of the rock under her fingertips. What type of morbid society did she live in that a cold, smoothed over stone represented deceased loved ones? A chilly wind blew across the cemetery as if to remind her that she needed to be on her way. "I love you mom. Forever."

With that final goodbye, Kate left the cemetery and drove home. She still had a couple of hours before she had to meet the boys but she knew she'd need just that much time to collect herself if she wanted to have fun that night.

The Old Haunt

Richard Castle- 7:15pm

Richard Castle, famous author and known playboy, sat alone in a small bar located just along the outskirts of Manhattan. Not many would recognize him at this bar, making it one of his favorite places to come to when he just wanted to escape it all.

He had just sent his publisher the final draft of his upcoming novel Storm Rising and was relatively happy with the way it came out.

"I'll get a scotch on the rocks, please." He murmured to the bar tender, knowing he would hear. He scanned the area, getting inspiration from the few people lounging there.

One of Rick's favorite pass-times was creating stories in his mind for the people surrounding him. The writer studied the man sitting on the other side of the circle bar. He's a lawyer. Rick decided, watching him further. Just got over a bad breakup with his ex and is looking to find a new girlfriend. Maybe someone to settle down with, build a life with. Rick, satisfied with the story he had just formulated, took a sip of the scotch that had been placed in front of him.

Thinking he'd gotten all he could out of the bar and it's customers for one night, Rick finished his drink and moved to get up. Before he could lift himself from the bar stool, however, he heard the sound of the bar's door opening.

Three people walked in, two men laughing at one woman who was jokingly yelling, "I'm not wearing it!" Rick almost felt the urge to laugh along with them as the hispanic man attempted to force a silver, sparkly top hat with the words "Girl of the Hour" written across the front onto the young woman's head.

Finally, like the writer had assumed, the girl gave in and allowed the men to place the hat on her head. Rick hadn't gotten a good look of the girl's face, but he could tell by the way her body looked in that short, black dress that she was stunning. He idly wondered if she was romantically involved with one of the men she was with, but quickly threw away that idea as he studied the way she was acting with them.

They were way too friendly with each other to have any sort of romantic connection. That's nice. He thought to himself, attempting to watch the group without getting caught or looking too creepy.

The Old Haunt

Kate Beckett- 7:30pm

She couldn't believe they had forced her to put the hat on. She could feel the ridiculous thing crushing the tops of the delicate curls she had taken so long to perfect. It wasn't that she was trying to impress either of her friends tonight, but for her first night out with the title "detective" she wanted to look nice.

At first she had been worried about her dress choice. The small, black dress she had chosen wasn't exactly "professional" attire and certainly nothing either Ryan or Esposito had seen her in before but as soon as she put it on, all of her worries vanished. She felt sexy and dominant... like a woman who was the youngest recorded detective in the history of the NYPD.

"So, boys. Since you forced me out here tonight, I'm assuming you're paying?" She joked with them, watching their faces drop a little. Were her acting skills really that convincing? "I'm kidding! I came out on my own free will, and you will only have to buy me one drink."

Ryan was the first to speak up. "No, no, detective. You aren't paying a dime tonight! Order whatever you want."

"You spoil me!" Kate laughed as she ordered a round of tequila shots, much to Esposito's annoyance.

"Beckett!" He made his best 'whiney' voice, "you know what happened the last time we did tequila!"

Kate only laughed at her friend's statement. Yes, indeed she knew what happened last time. She had kept that very night in mind while she was mulling over what to order in her head.

She was saved from having to come up with a witty retort when the bartender came back with 3 shot glasses, expertly pouring the liquid into them. Ryan and Kate laughed at Esposito as he quietly asked the bartender for a lime to help wash the taste away.

"Come on, man!" Ryan playfully punched his partner in the arm, "real men drink it straight." He said, lifting his shot glass to toast Beckett's. Esposito practically snarled as he watched his friends down their shots without so much as a grimace.

"And that, boys, is why I am the youngest detective the NYPD has ever seen!" She laughed as the boys mocked her by lifting their arms above their heads and bowed down to her. "That and I kick ass." She said, turning to the bartender to order another round. She couldn't believe how care-free and confident she felt that night.

She was still laughing when she noticed a man sitting alone down the bar watching her. She was positive she recognized him somewhere, but she couldn't place it. She allowed their eyes to remain in contact for five more seconds before tearing them away. That was weird. She thought, turning back to the boys.

5 shots later and Kate was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol coursing through her system. She liked the way it made her feel.

She knew she wasn't that drunk so when the bartender placed another shot in front of only her, she could confidently say that she hadn't ordered it.

The bartender smiled. "From the man over there." He said, pointing at the man with whom she had made eye contact earlier. Kate smiled and raised the glass to him before downing it.

"Go talk to him, Beckett!" Esposito nudged her (it was a playful nudge but somehow it had enough force to get her off her seat).

"We'll be here if you need anything. Go on!" Ryan nudged her a little more in the direction of the man who was laughing at the exchange.

What the hell. She thought, straightening out her dress and confidently walking over to where he was seated. She sat down in the stool next to him, looking at her hands nervously for a few seconds before turning her face toward him.

She was about to say something clever like "have you enjoyed eavesdropping on our celebration?" but as soon as she recognized his face, the words slipped away from her tongue.

"Oh my God! You're Richard Castle!" She allowed the words to slip out before covering her mouth in horror. Had she really just said that? Smooth, Kate. He probably thought she was another one of those blonde groupies who giggled at his mere presence. She straightened up, trying to control her face.

"Well, that really isn't fair. You know my name but I don't know yours!" Rick mentally congratulated himself for the smooth line. He wasn't used to flirting with woman like this. She was sophisticated, proper, professional. He didn't want to sound like an idiot.

"I don't know, Mr. Castle, what makes you think I want you to know my name? Too used to getting all the girls?" She asked, raising one eyebrow as a challenge.

"I don't think I've ever tried to get a girl like you." He said, wanting to kick himself. Smooth, Rick. Couldn't keep up with the banter for just 2 more minutes could you.

"Oh really? And what kind of girl am I, exactly?"

"Oh, no. That information comes at a price and i'm thinking your name would be the perfect payment."

"You assume I want to know that badly?" She smirked as his expression faltered a little.

"Don't you?" He replied simply. Rick had decided almost as soon as this woman had opened her mouth to speak to him that he liked her.

"Kate." She said so fast she wasn't sure he caught it. "My name is Kate."

Rick held out his hand to shake her own. "Well, Kate. You can call me Rick."

Kate lifted her hand to shake his and was shocked at what happened. As soon as their hands made contact it was as though her heart was made of electric circuits and he had just poured water on them. It was such an intense feeling but it felt good. She never wanted to let go.

Slowly, the two shook hands, eyes never leaving one another's. Rick's thumb absentmindedly stroked the back of Kate's hand as they dumbly continued to rock their hands up and down.

Kate was the first to clear her throat and pull her hand away. "Well, Rick. It was really nice meeting you but I should really get back to my colleagues. They are the ones that took me out today."

Rick's heart dropped in disappointment. Here he was talking to the girl of his dreams and she was backing away. "If you have to get back at least take my number." He said, grabbing a napkin and the extra pen he always carried with him, beginning to write.

"You probably give your number to all of the girls, and how are you so sure that I'll call you?" She asked, giving him one last test.

"I'll have you know that I never give my number to other girls. I always take theirs. And as for you calling me, thats for you to decide isn't it?" He said, writing "Rick" above the numbers he had just written. "Please, Kate. Call me sometime ok?" He gave her the napkin, deliberately brushing his fingers along her hand one last time trying to capture the sensation.

"Maybe." She smiled and got up. She left him with one last glance and walked back over to where Esposito and Ryan were sitting.

What did you think? Should I continue? I really hope everyone enjoyed this. I really enjoyed writing it!

Thank you so much, again, for giving it a chance. I'd love to hear your thoughts!