So sorry for not updating! I was just busy with school work and everything but now I have a break so I'll update both this story and my other one, Kidnap my heart!

Chapter 4

[previously]

Jumping off the seat, Alexis started to pile her books up to sort them back onto their respective shelves. Swooping down to grab a book before it fell, Kate also stood up and collected her things. Together, they both slid the books into their vacated spots, before ending up near the escalator. Grabbing Kate's hand, Alexis flashed her a smile, before pulling her to step on the moving steps to finally meet her dad.

Kate's heart was nervously pounding in her chest. She was on her way to meet her favorite author! Alexis was standing in front of her, chattering away about some funny things her dad did. When they finally reached the bottom, Alexis grabbed Kate's hand before her feet could get off the escalator.

Pulling her along, the red head squeezed between the lines of people still waiting for his signature. Kate smiled apologetically at the many adults she pushed when being pulled.

Weaving between the last line of fans, Alexis stopped in front of the table, frowning in disappointment.

"What's wrong?" Kate asked. She was slightly out of breath, trying to keep up with the 7 year old child.

Alexis looked around before answering, "He's not here. He might be in the back."

Ducking under the red dividing rope, Alexis took two steps before realizing that she wasn't being followed.

"Well come on! You can't meet him standing there like that!"

Kate debated with herself. Should she go or should she stay? Ducking under the rope before she could bail, Kate straightened up and flashed the girl a grin. In return, Alexis gave one back and turned around, throwing her words over her shoulder.

"Let's go meet my dad!"

Rick almost cried out in relief. His signing was over. It's not that he doesn't appreciate his fans and all, but these things get tiring after a while. And besides, he'd much rather hang out with his cute little daughter.

'Speaking of which, where is she?'

Looking up at the last place he saw her, panic shot through Rick when he couldn't see her. She always waited for him to get her! Standing up, he nearly ran to the back, ready to call the police to find his little girl.

"What are you doing?!" Looking at the source of the screech, Rick tried to hurriedly explain.

"Alexis, she's-I can't-missing" he stammered.

"Calm down I can't get a word of what you're saying!" Gina snapped. He was supposed to be paying attention to his fans, not his daughter.

Whirling around, Rick continued to search for the store's security.

'Where's the damn police when you need them?!'

He continued this before the a voice stopped him in his tracks

"Looking for someone?"

Kate had no idea what possessed her to say that.

'Seriously? You meet you favorite author and this is what you say?'

While mentally beating herself up over that question, Rick stood there staring at her. Just staring. Albeit a little awestruck, but still staring.

Kate self-consciously pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and awkwardly stood there. It was just getting creepy now. Realizing what he wasn't saying but instead thinking, Rick tried to scramble for something "appropriate" to say. Not many women could leave a writer speechless, especially playboy Richard Castle.

Alexis, getting tired with the weird silence and staring contest, piped up from between them.

"Daddy! Look who I met! Her name's Kate and she's a cop!" tugging excitedly on her father's jacket, the little 7 year old waited for a reaction.

Snapping out of his daze, Rick spared one last glance at 'Kate' before giving his daughter his undivided attention.

Squatting down to her height, Rick admonished his daughter, "Alexis, you're supposed to wait for me to come and get you. You don't know how worried I was when I couldn't see you!"

Unfazed by this mild scolding, Alexis continued on excitedly, "But I was with Kate! And she saved me and everything! She likes reading and she also has your book too!"

Rick looked up at the now blushing Kate. She stood there, shuffling her feet while a pink blush began to stain her cheeks. Standing up to his full height, he flashed her a cocky grin.

"So you're a fan?"

Kate glared at him and opened her mouth to say something. Before she could get the words out, Rick's mind caught up to the rest of Alexis's chattering.

"Wait, she saved you?" face paling at the thought, Rick spun around to face Alexis, "What happened? Are you okay? Did he get away? When-"

"Mr. Castle, I assure you she is alright and the man is currently behind bars," Kate interrupted with her 'no nonsense' cop voice.

"Oh- Thank you. Now," switching back to his playboy attitude Rick plastered on his signature grin and turned back around to the beautiful woman in front of him.

"Can I buy you a drink?"