Author's Note: Short chapter here. I've really rushed to get this one out. It's basically just a set up for next chapter, which I'm really excited about! Please let me know what you think. Comments mean the world to me. At the end of this I'm going to ask a slightly spoilery (in regards to this story) question. If you don't want to hear a possibility of what happens next chapter, skip the last Author's Note. Enjoy!

Dinner was going good. Really, it was going fantastic. Castle and Beckett had decided on a small Italian place for their meal. They were currently sharing a pizza and a laugh over something that Ryan and Esposito had done.

The conversation was not at all forced between them. It was, as always, something that came naturally. When they fell into talking like this, everything became easy. That was the thing they both really appreciated about each other. Their current friend situation was comfortable. It was easy.

Despite that truth that both might just yearn for something more than friendship, letting go of comfort is not easy. Taking the dive and leaving that safety is something that would take bravery. Something that would take time.

Castle flipped open his phone as Alexis' name popped up on the screen. He was a dad first, always. The text simply read "Night, Dad." Castle found himself smiling at his lovely daughter.

"What's that?" Beckett asked. She was instantly curious at how quickly Castle's face had lit up. And okay, maybe she was a little jealous too…

Castle held the phone across the table and showed her the screen. When she saw the text, all feelings of jealousy quickly left and Kate smiled too.

"Castle, she's adorable." She said, before she'd even realized she was speaking out loud.

Castle looked up at her. His chest puffed out slightly with pride. "She really is." He muttered, shaking his head, while typing a quick reply on his phone.

"She looks up to you, you know." He said suddenly, putting his phone away and looking back up at Beckett.

Before she could help it, the girl was blushing. "I don't know why," Beckett mumbled.

Castle lifted his hands to the table. He rested his head on one and cocked his head to the side in mock confusion. "Why Beckett," He started with a smile. "You are brilliant, engaging, strong, successful, phenomenal, and beautiful… What's not to look up to?" He smiled a boyish smile to lighten the tension but Beckett could tell, there was absolutely no humor in his eyes.

He meant every word.

"Are you always so charming, Castle?" She asked, settling quickly on hiding behind sarcasm.

"It's what I do." He said with a wink.

Beckett rolled her eyes. She never did stop smiling. Rick took advantage of the quiet moment to pull his wallet down and throw money on the table. Kate realized fast that it was more than enough to pay for the entire meal.

"Let's split it, Castle." She said, fumbling for her wallet.

Castle ignored her and put his wallet away.

"Castle!" She repeated, finding her wallet and fishing it out of her purse.

"No way," He acknowledged. "This is on me. You've had a tough night. Let someone take care of you, Kate." His voice was so genuine, so completely and honestly sweet that Beckett decided right then to go back to his place. Maybe she would let someone take care of her tonight. Maybe she would let Rick Castle take care of her.

But as quickly as the night had taken a grand turn, it was all gone. Every thought Beckett had of a good night disappeared when the robber burst through the door of the restaurant, gun in hand, nervous and prepared to fire at anyone that stood in his way.

Kate Beckett instinctively grabbed for her gun.

Author's Note: Again, this has the possibility of being spoilery, in regards to my story, skip if you don't want to know what might happen… If either Castle or Beckett was to possibly get shot, who would you rather it be and why? I'm curious to here opinions and reasons here. Thanks for any comments. They definitely inspire me to write faster!