Hello my good people as you know I have taken my sweet as time to update and I could bore you with my excuses of school and my internet screwing up and such and such, but we both know that you are keen to read the next chapter and I should stop talking.

Anyway enjoy the new chapter.

Castle climbed into his bed and set his alarm for tomorrow in case Beckett didn't call informing him of a new case in the early morning. Despite it being a cold night he only slept in his pajama pants, the warmth of his blanket and the heat was enough for him to keep warm without a shirt on. He drifted off to sleep within minutes his body clearly needing a decent rest.

Rick was leaning against the bar of the Old Haunt enjoying a glass of highly priced scotch. He had been alone in the bar for a while now; the lights although dim gave a softening glow to the room. Sweet Cherry Pie was playing lightly in the background and a smile came upon Ricks face as his memory played images of a certain detective.

The scent of cherries took over all other smells and Rick knew she was here. Sure enough once he looked up from his drink to look behind the bar he found her. She was in a tight little black dress that showed off her figure remarkably "Castle." She whispered in a sultry voice, his eyes locked with her gorgeous green ones and then moved his gaze lower to her luscious lips covered with a perfect shade of red that made him want to kiss her senseless.

She gave him a sexy smirk and pulled a small bowl of cherries out from the lower bench behind the bar. He watched her closely; she loved to tease him, even in his dreams. She flirtatiously ate the sweet bite seize the fruit. Rick pinched the stem of one of the cherries, the soft light shining on it. Kate was studying his actions with a seductive smile on her face. Their eyes met for a second and Rick held the cherry out for her, Kate bit on her lower lip, an attempt to hide the widening of her smile. Her lips delicately opened just in front of the cherry and in one smooth action Kate took the cherry in her mouth and tugged on it giving Castle a sly grin.

Castle woke to the sound of his phone buzzing on his night stand. "No, no I'm not awake," he groaned burying his face into the pillows forcing his mind to go back to the dream. His phone continued to ring and he accepted defeat and answered.

"Why detective Beckett, I didn't think you would be awake this early after the night out you had last night."

"Well by the amount of time it took you to answer your phone I would say you're the one that is struggling this morning." She teased.

"If you must know you interrupted a wonderful dream, so forgive me for being stubborn and wanting to continue my dream."

She rolled her eyes and let out a small huff that Castle heard through the phone. "Come on Castle we have a case, can you meet us at central park?"

"Sure, I'll be there soon."

"See you there."

Castle stepped out of the cab, coffee in hand. Beckett was standing a few meters away waiting for him to walk over so they could both arrive at the crime scene together. There had been a few occasions were Castle arrived late to a crime scene and she would have to fill him in what had happened or she would tease him and let him figure it out later at the precinct, until she was done listening to his over imaginative ideas.

Although today she was in desperate need for her morning coffee and wanted to get to work on the new case as quickly as possible so she had waited for him.

"Good morning Beckett" He said as he handed her coffee to her.

She gave him a grateful smile and gently took the cup from his hand, their fingers lightly grazing each others. He quickly tucked his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out her scarf.

"Here you go, I didn't forget it" He smiled.

"Thanks, Castle."

After interrogating two suspects that both had solid alibis and questioning the victim's friends and family all day, Beckett walked into her apartment at nine twenty two and collapsed on the couch. Sure it was an early for her to be home but she was completely stuffed.

After fifteen minutes of lounging on the couch she found the energy to get up and look in the fridge, nothing that was stored in the appliance was going to satisfy her stomach.

Her phone started to vibrate on the kitchen table, she groaned "not now." Luckily enough, it wasn't a call but a message.

Hey Beckett I have a few new ideas about the fundraiser mind if I come around? If you're too tired we can organize another night to discuss them.

Kate didn't feel so tired once she read the message; she quickly constructed her reply and tried to make the house and herself a bit more presentable.

Bring me dinner and coffee on your way over here.

She smiled and started to tidy up, there wasn't for her to clean really a few stray dishes and clothes she left around the apartment.

I know you too well Detective I have your favourite Chinese and coffee is there in ten

Beckett's eyes widened. Ten? Ten minutes, I can't get ready in ten minutes? She pulled her shirt to her nose and gave a quick sniff. Shit. Better have a shower. She practically spirited from her room grabbing a change of clothes and sprinting into the bathroom.

"Beckett," Rick asked as he knocked on her door. He had been waiting outside her door for a moment or so, but his writers mind kicked in and the scenarios made him paranoid. Gingerly he turned the knob on the door surprised that was open.

"Beckett?" He called again, but he was more at ease when he heard her voice and water running. She wasn't talking but she was actually singing. Castle smirked as he pressed his ear against the bathroom door. Katherine Beckett sings in the shower.

"Hey blue eyes, tomorrow became yesterday, what was can never be felt again. I fell in love with you, over a smile so gold, I was through where'd you come from, why did you come from there."

Her voice was so beautiful. Rick had to use all his self control from opening the door, even though it blocked his vision it didn't stop him from hearing her voice or smelling the familiar scent of cherries that seeped through the bottom crack of the door.

"Got yourself a woman, do I even care I want you to want me, the way that I want you, ain't it strange how god fixed a plan To want the world to find solace in the bodies of a woman and a man Come to me close boy, take my hand and we'll fly off to a magic land."

Rick had to get himself away from the door, the singing, the smell of cherries and the knowledge that Kate was completely naked. It was more than enough inspiration for his writer's mind to conjure up all sorts of images and situations.

When he noticed she had stopped singing he had situated himself on her couch but called out again to make sure he didn't startle her when she would come out of the bathroom. The water had stopped instantly when he said her name.

"Castle?" She quickly dried herself off with a towel and dressed in black yoga pants and a t-shirt.

How long was I in there for? Oh god, how long was he listening to me? Kate started to feel the blush run up her cheeks at the thoughts that ran through her mind.

"Beckett I uh... Your door was unlocked and I knocked so I thought you wouldn't mind..." Castle didn't want to think of what she was going to say to that.

She tied her hair into a loose knot and came out of the bathroom. "It's ok Castle." She knew he would catch on and leave the conversation at that.

Rick gave her a smile "Chinese?" He held an open take away box with chopsticks, which she gladly took. "You're a beautiful singer." He said sincerely.

Kate couldn't help but blush. "Uh... I .. Um thank you." Her cheeks went darker after she stuttered out the sentence.

They discussed all the new ideas for the fundraiser and how well the organization of the event was. Surely enough they began their usual banter when the serious conversation was starting to get the better of them.

"I was thinking that we could use all the guys that work in the Old Haunt to work behind the bar and I would just close it for the night. That way they can have a night where they get more pay and tips then the regular night at the Haunt. And I don't have to worry about it"

"If it wasn't going to be such a classy and an important event I would probably get behind the bar too." She teased.

"Well, I could always bring Joy in and wait till you start to get jealous of the attention she gets."

She rolled her eyes, "Seriously I have to explain this again. I was not jealous; I just needed to prove my point more clearly to you guys. I think you should pay me for all the drinks that were brought, but the tips were enough I guess." She smirked.

"Good to know you have a backup job if you can't be a cop anymore, although as I have suggested before you could always strip." He teased

She rolled her eyes. "I prefer working with alcohol than a stripper pole."

"You could do both." He chirped

Kate let out a sign and smiled. She got up from her seat and started to walk into the kitchen, "Would you like some more coffee?"

Castle followed her into the kitchen replying with a yes. He leaned against the wall watching her move around the small space. She reached up for the sugar in the top cupboards making her top uncover a sliver of her left hip. Rick noticed that there was a mark on her skin, only to realize he had found where Kate got her tattoo.

Beckett turned around to Castle noticing his smug look. "What did you do Castle?"

"Nothing, I swear." He held his hands in surrender.

She handed him his coffee and once they sat down at the table he spoke " I know where your tattoo is"

Her eyes widened slightly "Well it's still a mystery as to what it is" Putting her clam collected poker face on.

"I'm pretty sure I'll solve it soon enough." He teased.

"In your dreams Castle."

"Actually in my dreams it's not on the back of your hip but on your... "

He stopped short when she tossed a coaster at his chest, their eyes held each others as they smiled. Then Ricks phone started to ring.

"It's Alexis."

She nodded and let him answer it taking his empty cup with her to the sink. Rick walked into the kitchen putting his phone in his pocket. "It's late and I have kept you up more than you needed to be Beckett, so I will see you tomorrow morning." They both walked to her door and she opened it for him. " Goodnight Castle and thank you for the Chinese."

"Goodnight Kate."

So what did you guys think? Long time coming I know but school is just too demanding! Will try and update faster! Thank you all! :) By the way, the song Kate is singing is actually sung by Stana Katic. True story!