Okay, this was a bit of a filler chapter. Inspired when reviewed.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own.

Oh, no. What had she done? It was a mistake. She made a mistake. That's what she kept repeating to herself as she made her way back to her friends. She just kissed Rick Rodgers. She made out with Castle. Why? What possessed her to kiss him? Technically, he kissed her first, but she was a willing participant in the kisses following that first one. She couldn't believe she let her guard down. Now he knows she's attracted to him. And, man, was she. She couldn't understand how it was possible, how she could want him so much after knowing him for just a few days. There was something about him, she just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Hey, girl. Thought you fell in or something," said Lanie when Kate reached the table.

"Yeah, sorry. Got sidetracked." She sat down and took a breath.

"You alright?" Lanie asked.

Kate looked over at her friend. "I'm fine," she smiled. "Just thinking."

Lanie narrowed her eyes, knowing Kate was keeping something from her. "Mmhmm…"

"Okay, got some more drinks here." Castle returned to the table with a tray full of sodas.

Lanie cleared her throat, catching Castle's attention. "You got a little…" She gestured to her mouth. Castle swiped at his own mouth. "Looks like the missing lipstick from Kate's lips."

Kate's eyes widened and her cheeks flamed as her gaze snapped up to Castle. He looked back at her with a slight smile on his face.

"Is that why you took so long?" Javier teased.

"Hey, Kate, I thought he drove you crazy," added Ryan.

"Looks like he drives her crazy in another way," chuckled Jenny.

Before Kate could reply, Castle cut in. "Guys, it was one kiss. Nothing serious. Happens all the time." He took his seat beside Kate.

"Oh, really?" She cocked an eyebrow at him.

He blinked at her. "Yeah. I mean, to people in general. Not just to me."

"Oh, bull, Rick. You hit and run all for fun. That's what you do," Javier said.

"That's not true," Castle shook his head.

"Oh, no?" He turned to Ryan. "Shall we name them off?"

"Oh, please do." Kate sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Let's see…there was Kim, Diana, Paula, Rena, Raylan, Katrina, Gina, Kyra-"

"Don't. Don't talk about Kyra." Castle almost growled.

"Sorry, man." Javier shut up after that.

"And those were not all my girlfriends. Only two."

"Okay, Paula is just a friend, but there was Raylan and the other one and Gina."

"Gina is not my girlfriend."

Ryan snorted. "She sure wants you to be."

"Is that the blonde woman I see hanging around him all the time?" Kate asked.

"Yes, but she's not my girlfriend," Castle insisted.

"And the other women are?"

"Javier's conquests, not mine."

"Javi, huh?" Lanie chimed in. "How long is his list?"

"It's not long, I promise." Javier said. "Just Diana and Rena. Kim and Katrina are Ryan's sisters who had a thing for me and Rick."

"Hold on, you made out with Kim," Ryan said.

"I was drunk, man. Let it go."

"I'm just glad that's as far as it had gone," Ryan said.

"Looks like we need to talk about these conquests," Lanie said.

"There's really nothing to talk about. They are just past girlfriends. I'm sure you have ex-boyfriends I don't want to know about."

"Alright. But I want you to be honest with me about this kind of stuff, okay?" she said. "I don't care what it is, I would like to know."

"Okay. As long as you do the same."

Lanie smiled. "Deal." She leaned in and kissed him fully on the mouth.

"Awww!" Jenny teased.

Castle looked over at Kate. She was smiling slightly at the couple kissing across the table. He rested an arm over the back of her chair and leaned into her side. "Kate…"

"Don't, Castle," she said warily.

"Just listen."

"You don't need to explain anything to me. It was one kiss. Nothing serious."

"Don't do that," he said sternly. "It wasn't just a kiss."

"You said it, not me. Look, if you're dating someone, that's fine. We can just forget about what just happened. No big deal."

"Kate, look at me." She kept her eyes glued to her drink. "Kate."

Her eyes went up to his. "What, Castle?"

"I am not seeing anyone. Gina is lost in her own little world. I don't want her like that. I just want you."

"You don't even know me."

"Believe it or not, I've learned quite a bit in just the past few days. And I want to know more."

"Why?" she whispered.

He leaned in a little closer to her. "Because you're extraordinary."

"You know, I'm not sure how many women actually fell for that, but I won't be the next one." She backed away from him, stood from her seat, threw some money on the table, and left. Castle wasn't far behind.

"How long you think those two are gonna last?" Ryan asked, watching the two exit the restaurant.

"Forever. I'm willing to bet on that," Lanie said.

(((o)))

"Kate! Wait, please!" He ran after her, trailing just a few feet behind her now.

"Just save it, Castle. I'm not in the mood to hear it. I don't even know why you're bothering me when you have so many other options."

"They don't mean anything to me, I swear. I know what you must think of me. You are not the only one, believe me, but that's not the kind of guy I am."

"Oh, like I haven't heard that before," she scoffed. She turned quickly on her heel and he nearly barreled into her. She held her ground though and poked him in the chest. "Quit badgering me and go back to your blonde and playboy ways, okay? I've got other shit to deal with."

She turned to walk away, but he grabbed her arm roughly and yanked her back to him. She crashed into his wide chest and he captured her mouth with his. One hand was pressed tightly against her back, keeping her to him, while the other hand was tangled in her hair at the back of her neck as he plundered her mouth. He didn't let up, he couldn't. Not until she understood his attraction to her. It was already so deep, he didn't think he could go back. Her hands were clutching his sides, her fingers curled tightly in his shirt, as she kissed him back just as passionately. When oxygen was needed, she pulled away from him. His lips wouldn't stop, though, trailing down her neck. She gasped when his tongue swept over a sensitive spot. But then she was pushing him away. "No, stop." His breathing was off and he was panting as he stared down at her. "We shouldn't be doing this."

"Kate," he tried.

"No," she shook her head, backing away from his warm embrace. "I can't do this. You're Rick Rodgers. You're a free spirit. You don't commit. You won't stick around for long."

"Whoa. Hold up. You said I don't know you. Well, you sure as hell don't know me. That isn't true. I don't care what people have told you."

"Really, Rick? Do you not remember how we met? You were surrounded by beautiful girls, you were cocky, and you were rude."

"That's just the face I put on. Doesn't mean that's me."

"Look, I don't care what you are. I really don't. All I know is I don't want to be thrown away like I don't matter and watch you move onto the next woman."

"Kate, that won't happen!" Castle grabbed at his hair. "I don't know what it is about you, but you make me feel some type of way and I want to explore it. Just give me one chance to show you, to prove to you who I really am. All I'm asking for is one chance."

Kate stared at him for a moment. Was he begging her for a chance to be with her? Was that really happening? What the hell was going on? All these questions were running through her mind, her gaze became unfocused, and she didn't realize he had closed the distance between them. His hands gently cupped her face and brought her eyes up to his. They stared at each other for long, silent moments. Should she believe him?

He slowly leaned down to kiss her again, but she stepped away from him. "I need to go, Rick. Goodnight." She turned away and disappeared into the night.

He sighed and watched her go. This was definitely going to be a challenge.

Reviews please.