A/N: I just wanted to say sorry, because there were supposed to be some spaces and pauses in chapter one, but I think my computer hates me. I will try again. Thank you all for reading it, and for the reviews. I hope you enjoy where I take them next.
If I write some language and some factual mistakes, I am sorry. I just want to focus on them, and I hope you can too!

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything (unfortunately)

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Kate had officially had enough windows shopping for the day. Going to the academy and having your own apartment at the age of 20 was not what you would call a cheap lifestyle. Still, she managed to get by somehow. Her budget, though, did not allow for much shopping. She missed having a new top or a new pair of pumps in her wardrobe, but Kate Beckett was not one to feel sorry for herself. She strode around the corner, and into a Starbucks. A coffee was all she needed right now. Swinging the door open, she saw that there was a line. Nothing she wasn't ready to handle though, she really needed that coffee.

Finally, it was her turn "Grande skim latte with two pumps sugar free vanilla, please" she asked the all-smiles-girl behind the counter.

"I'll pay for that" she heard a voice say behind her. The soft, but sturdy sound was familiar. She spun around, and saw them.

"Rick! Oh, and Alexis! Hi" Kate smiled a bit, before she registered what he said. "And, no, I'm paying my own coffee, thank you" She gave the cashier a stern look, the listen-to-me kind.

Rick let out a small laugh "No, I'll take it". He turned to the girl as well, and gave her the most charming smile Kate had ever seen. No wonder he is called a womanizer, she said to herself, but quickly stopped her train of thoughts. What is it with this man? One smile and I'm all starstruck!

"No way I'm letting you pay! I am perfectly fine paying by myself, thanks. So-" he cut her short.

"Kate, why can't you just let me pay for you?" he started. When she was about to interrupt, he continued "No, just listen, okay? I am sure that you are more than capable of paying for yourself, but can't a guy treat a girl to a coffee in this town? It's the least I can do after my little princess here knocked your papers all over the park!" He gestured towards Alexis, who was putting up her best puppy face. That sneak, she thought, he probably put her up to this. Still, Kate couldn't help but give a small nod and whisper an okay.

Rick ordered a coffee for himself and a small piece of cake for Alexis before he paid the girl, who was now all over him. Kate rolled her eyes. Well, she could definitely see the Richard Castle, playboy extraordinaire and award winning novelist, using his charm to get what he wanted.

After getting their orders, Rick gestured to a table, asking if she would join them. When she hesitated, he gave her his puppy dog eyes. She smiled a little, before she had to give in. Besides, she did not want to leave Alexis. She had started looking a bit hopeful, and though Kate usually had no problem turning down a guy, she had problems doing it to this sweet, little girl and her father.

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"DAD!" Alexis squealed when her father tried tickling her while taking a bite of the cake. Kate could not help the smile that tugged at her mouth. She did not remember the last time she had such a good time. Not since her mother died, anyway. "Stop it! Stop it!" she was twisting and turning, trying to get away from him. "Okay, okay, take it." She gave him the fork with a piece of cake on it.

"For me? Aw, that is so sweet of you, pumpkin" he exclaimed, faking surprised. "So Kate, what is the story behind all those papers in the park the other week? You don't seem like a secretary, and besides you are young, so I'm guessing college?" He looked at her with expectant eyes.

Kate felt a bit unsure about what to say. She had not talked to anyone about her choice of education, except for her therapist. She had just met the guy; was she ready to say it? Or, more importantly; was she ready to answer the follow up questions? Kate could not understand what it was about him, but somehow she felt like it was okay to tell him. Maybe because his books were what got her through the day, or perhaps it was his daughter that made him seem so harmless and good. Well, whatever it was, she decided to tell him. "Well, I'm, uh, in the police academy right now, actually" she turned her gaze to the table.

"A cop, huh? Wow" he answered. Oh great, she thought, so much for trusting your instincts, Kate, she thought, preparing for the worst. "I would have pegged you for a model or something. Guess my people reading skills are fading huh?" he smiled at her again. She could not help but smile back. He must have sensed her unwillingness to continue. It was actually sweet, and just like she wanted. That is why she could not understand why she did what she did next.

"What? No more questions about it?" she furrowed her brow, and looked at him. Oh, stupid, why couldn't you just let it go? Kate scolded herself.

He just raised his shoulder slightly "What can I say? You have a private life, I can stay away. Besides, I have an imagination, you know. I can live with the picture of you in a uniform". He gave her mischievous grin.

"No, daddy, you can't stay away. He is super curious, so he just says that to sound nice" the little redhead seated between them stated. She spoke better than most five-six year olds. Guess it is one of the perks growing up with a novelist as your father.

"Is he, now?" Kate narrowed her eyes, and looked at him.

"Hey, no fair! Two against one, this is not acceptable. Are you turning my own daughter against me, officer?" He gave her a look of innocence, but she saw he had problems hiding a smile to spread over his face.

"No, she isn't, silly. I said that because it is true." Kate could not help the small laugh that escaped her. It was the first time she had laughed in over a year.

After making small talk and to Kate's surprise laughing some more, Alexis was getting impatient. "Can we go now daddy? To the playground? Please please, pretty please?" She was putting up her cutest face, and Kate could see that Rick had problems saying no. Then he turned to her.

"What do you say, Kate? Join us in the park for a stroll?" His expectant eyes stared at her.

"Oh, Rick, I probably should—". She stopped when she saw the disappointment in his eyes. Those big, baby blues were asking her to say yes. "Well, okay, but just a short one. I wouldn't want to impose."

"Yes!" He exclaimed "and you are most definitely not imposing. I asked you, didn't I?" The smile that light up his face was not what she had expected. Maybe she thought it would be cocky, but it was actually sweet. That sweet smile made the corners of her own mouth pull up.

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They were walking along one of the small roads in Central Park. Alexis was running around, playing further ahead. Some cold winds made Kate draw her shoulders up to her ears, trying to hide her bare neck.

"Are you cold?" he asked the second he saw it. Wow, nothing gets past this man, does it?

"No, it's okay" she said, never one to admit being uncomfortable.

"Here, take my coat" He shrugged it off, and offered it to her.

"Oh, no, I don't—". He stopped her.

"Come on, I don't need it" He reassured her, before reaching around her and placing it at her shoulders. One of his hands rested on her arm a couple of seconds more than necessary, before pulling back. Kate could feel a small blush rise in her cheeks, but she tried hiding it. Kate, gather yourself, she scolded, you are acting like a teenager meeting her crush for the first time. She could not help the inward eye roll she gave herself.

"So, I told you what I am going to be doing in the future. What do you do for a living?" she asked, wondering if he was going to reveal that part of himself.

"Too old for college you mean? Heh, I guess that is obvious when you have a five year old, right? Well, I'm a writer, actually. You've probably never heard about me, though" he tried shrugging it off, obviously not wanting to go deeper into that topic. She was just about to say something, when she was disrupted.

"Hey daddy, look!" Alexis was jumping up and down, pointing at a cute, little dog sitting by its owner. She ran over and grabbed his suit jacket in her small hands. "Daddy, can we please get a dog? Please please pleeeaaase?" she begged.

"We'll see, sweetie". Alexis was obviously a tad bit disappointed, but gave him a nod, and ran off again. Kate checked the watch on her wrist.

"Oh, it's late" She started "I probably should get going. Thanks for the coffee, Rick, I... well, I had a good time". She surprised herself with how much she was sharing with him, but something just felt safe, and right.

He looked a little indecisive for a second, but then he turned to her, looking straight into her eyes. "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?" Kate was a bit shocked, and when she hesitated, he continued. "Nothing too fancy, just a small place, some nice food and a good wine. What do you say?" He looked a bit insecure, and Kate just wanted so bad to see that cute smile of his.

"Oh, Okay, I mean yes, I would like that" She blushed a little. He looked like he had just won the lottery, a thousand watt smile lighting up his entire face. Oh, God Kate, what are you getting yourself into?

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A/N: Well, that's it for now, but I hope you'll stay tuned. I am open to critique and helpful corrections.
I don't know how often I will update, but I will try to do it as often as possible (I know how sad it is to find a story that is not completed and has not been updated in, like, a year, so I'll do my best)