Hallo guys! Thank you SO much for your reviews for Tick, Tick... Sparks. They were ALL aweshumsauce! THANKS SO MUCH :)

This is my first attempt of a longer fanfic... I have the whole thing outlined... this is the first chapter :) Now all I gotta go is write more and publish! :D

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Detective Kate Beckett sat at her desk, going through the stacks of paperwork that crowded it. She skimmed through file after file... trying to get something done.

The last few days had been rough, case after case... it seemed like she was working around the clock, and still wasn't getting anything done. She couldn't remember the last time she slept... it could've been last night, but the way she felt, it didn't matter if she had or not.

She heared the soft bing of the elevator, as the doors opened. She began to hear faint footsteps approaching, growing quiter and slower as they came closer and closer. Beckett rolled her eyes as they stopped just before the door.

How does he always know when I'm here?

On second thought, maybe she didn't want to know the answer to THAT question.

It was early, people wouldn't officially be showing up for work for another couple hours. Dawn had just cracked, as the early morning light shone through the precinct's windows. The newcomer still hadn't appeared, as Beckett rolled her eyes once again and couldn't help but to crack a small smile.

"Castle. Don't think I don't know you're there."

He groaned, stepping forward, so now he was in full was holding a small paper bag. Beckett snorted, looking up.

"What's that?" she asked, motioning to the bag.

Castle smiled. "Breakfast," He answered cheerfully. He was always happy to see Kate Beckett. It always brightened his day when she called him, informing him they had found a body. No one besides Richard Castle was so eager to tag along to a murder scene. It always lifted his spirits, no matter how sad or depressed he sometimes may be, seeing her face always lightened his mood. No matter how tired she looked, how dark the circles were under her eyes, no matter how heavy her eyelids were, ready to give in and close, she was beautiful in his opinion. She always was, and always would be.

"Oh wonderful. Not only do you come here for no apparent reason, but you bring your breakfast with you. Fantastic." Beckett said sarcastically.

Castle frowned, striding over to the chair to the left of Beckett's desk. "No... I brought it for you."

Beckett tried to hide the smile that began to appear across her face. "Umm... thanks,"

Castle smiled, reaching into the small paper bag, pulling out a square Tupperware container. Inside were two slices of toast, and a few strips of bacon. Kate grinned to herself. "It's not that fancy, but I thought you might be hungry... and I can go make you some coffee."

She took a strip of bacon, as Castle watched her in silence. She tried to ignore his bright blue gaze, burning into the side of her face. She could feel her cheeks start to flush.

"Castle."

No reply. She glanced up to see him gazing at her, in a whole world of his own.

Probably in one of his fantasy lands... that 99.9% of the time involves me in a stripper outfit. Kate thought, rolling her eyes.

"Castle!" She snapped again. Castle flinched, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "What?"

"What are you doing here?"

Castle shrugged. "I thought you might want some company."

Beckett snorted. "Well, you're most definitely not the first person I'd want company from... if I wanted company at all."

Castle grinned mischievously, a playful gleam in his blue eyes. "Are you sure about that, Detective Beckett, or are you just lying?"

Kate could feel cheeks get hot, as they turned the lightest shade of pink. She looked up from her work, sending him a fierce glare.

Castle grinned, but it wasn't until then he realized just how worn out she really looked.

"You didn't go home last night, did you?" He asked, beginning to get serious.

Beckett felt her pulse began to rise. She remembered clearly last night, before Rick left, she had promised him that she would go home to get some rest.

"That's none of your business," She answered flatly.

He clearly didn't get the answer her wanted, so he leaned closer to her, and repeated himself.

"You didn't go home last night, did you Kate?"

She slightly fliched at the sound of her first name coming out of Rick's mouth. It sounded strange... foreign, but in a way, it felt right.

That feeling made her uneasy. his gaze was so intense that it sent a shiver down her spine. She immediately started freaking out.

There is no way I'm feeling something for... Richard Castle!

She looked up, fighting to hold eye contact with him. She didn't want to show any weakness... that would just give him more confidence... something of which he didn't need.

Regaining her composure, sure answered Rick truthfully.

"No, I didn't go home last night, Castle. Happy?"

A hurt look flashed through his blue eyes, which made Kate's heart melt.

"No, I'm not happy. You promised you would go home."

Beckett put the whole thing in perspective. The look in his eyes may have melted her heart, but she still had a brain. She couldn't believe him. This was work. Life wasn't as carefree as he intended it to be. She had responsibilities.

"Castle, do you see all these files? It's this thing called work. Which I'm behind on right now. Which means I have to spend more time on it so it will get done. Understand?"

She spoke as if she was explaining something to a preschooler. She found the excuse to look away, back to the paperwork. She felt Rick's blue gaze soften, but it still burned the side of her face.

"I didn't know you were the kind that broke your promises," Castle sighed sadly.

This stung Beckett like a bee. She felt her face flush even more than it already was. Castle was amused by this, but didn't show it. Beckett always kept her promises. Always. So why should her promises with Castle be any different?

"Castle I-" She began, but was interrupted.

"It's okay, I understand," Castle put his hand on Beckett's shoulder. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she felt a wave of comfort wash over her. She cocked her head to the side in confusion. Castle of all people... understood? Rick chuckled, "Beckett, I may act like a nine-year-old on a sugar rush, but there's that 'grown-up' hidden in there somewhere." He said tapping the side of his forehead, seeming to read her mind.

Kate snorted. '"I doubt that," She couldn't help but to laugh when Castle made a pouty face. "Anyway..." he began, getting serious again. "I will forgive you..."

Beckett's face lit up. She forgot the fact the she was supposed to be annoyed... Normally she never let her emotions show on her face of solid granite... so this was rare, and something she couldn't disguise. When she realized Rick obviously noticed, she looked away quickly.

Rick was loving every second of this. "On one condition,"

Her heart sank.

Of course, typical Castle. Does this condition involve me peeling of my clothes?

She turned to glare at him, only to find that grin of his plastered on his face, the one that made her heart skip a beat.

"You have to go to the movies with me."

Oh, God. The movies? Sitting in those chairs... inches apart... for an hour or two? She liked the sound of a movie... but she didn't think she could be that close to Castle... in a movie theater. Things could get...

And he probably had something planned afterward... which probably involve the two of them stripping down to nothing and getting in bed.

"Castle." She said fiercely.

"Please? I'll even ask Alexis if she'd like to come too... so you won't feel so-"

"Castle!" Beckett groaned. "Can't you just freaking forgive me?" She pleaded, but she had a feeling he just wasn't going to give up.

"Nope." Rick smirked. He could see the determination in her eyes, trying not to give in to him. She was fighting the fact that she wanted to go, which made him want to do a happy dance (:P).

"No movie... no forgiveness."

Beckett bit her lip. Any other time she wouldn't care if he didn't forgive her. So when did she start caring...?

"Fine," she sighed, She had to force herself not to show the smile that crept onto her face when Rick's eyes brightened. "But you have to promise me. Don't show up at my door with flowers or anything like that. We're not going out-"

Castle's eyes widened happily at Kate saying 'going out'. Beckett felt her heart flutter, which made her want to pull her hair out.

"As. Friends." her voice was so intense Castle flinched in his seat. "Are we clear?"

Castle shrugged. "Sure." he answered, amused by her serious-ness.

"Good." She couldn't ignore the tingly feeling in her stomach.

Oh God, I honestly can't be falling for him!

'I'll pick you up at eight."

"I'll be ready."

Castle... being Castle, decided to test the waters. With a big grin, he started. "It's a-"

"Did you not forget I'm armed?"

~*~

Thanks for reading (: please tell me what you think! Even if you absolutely hated it.. tell me :D