Kate felt the vibration of the table as her next 'date' took his seat. And as she turned to face him, the smile melted clean off her face.

"Why, Detective. What a lovely coincidence."

Through gritted teeth Kate formulated her response. But when she opened her mouth her anger beat her brain to the punch.

"Castle what the HELL are you doing here?" She gripped the sides of the table so hard that her knuckles were turning white with fury.

"What do you mean 'what am I doing here'? I'm looking to establish friendships with New York's most dignified women, and hopefully find that one, special girl." As he spoke he leaned his side on the table, crossed his legs, and positioned his head on his folded fingers. He flashed her a slight twitch of his eyebrow.

Kate let a frustrated groan and flopped back in her chair. As if her night weren't bad enough, he just had to show up.

"Castle. Please. I'm really, really not in the mood for you right now" she said as she massaged her aching temples.

"Come on now, Beckett. Are you ever in the mood for me?" In that playful little tone of his, he tried his hardest to get her to smile. Unfortunately, it was completely backfiring on him, as she just continued to scowl and stab the table repeatedly with her index finger.

"Look Castle," she said dropping her voice to a whisper as she leaned over the tabletop, "so far this has been one of the worst nights of my life. So, if you could just sit there and shut up, I'll promise not to kill you. And believe me, killing you would make me very…very happy right now."

Rick contemplated his options as he observed her face. She definitely wasn't lying. From the focused, dry stare in her eyes he could judge that she was by no definition of the word, pleased. She was tense, for sure. And in looking around the room he could understand why.

Being careful not to make any sudden movements he folded his hands together and leaned in to meet her halfway. Their faces were now just inches apart. His voice just barely a whisper.

"Let me take you away from here."

Kate's brows arched nearly to her hairline in question.

"Excuse me?" She questioned surly. She did not, however, move from her place, leaning on the table.

"Don't – don't take that the wrong way, please." He tried to wrangle his words as she continued to stare at him with an exasperated look in her eyes. "What I mean is…let me take you somewhere else."

Both of their eyes shifted around the room. Kate struggled to let herself relax and release her death grip on the wood. She listened intently as she could when he continued.

"Look you are too good for five minute dates with the geek squad. Why don't we just leave, and go to some restaurant, and you can try to enjoy yourself."

Kate looked on at his desperation. There was some vague sincerity in his voice. And if she were perfectly honest with herself she really was itching to escape this place.

She began to poke at the table again in concentration.

"Think fast, Detective - the clock's ticking. Only two minutes to go before I leave and you're stuck with another Castle wannabe."

Rolling her eyes she replied. "I can't just get up and leave Castle! It'll throw the numbers off for everyone."

"Haven't been in math class recently have you now? I seem to recall that you are a woman," he said gesturing to her, then to himself, "and I am a man."

"Very good, Castle. Looks like someone knows their biology. But what exactly does that have to do with anything?"

Rick could only dignify her sarcasm with an equally sarcastic laugh. "Well there needs to be an equal number of men and women. So if one woman, you, leaves, and one man, me, leaves, then everything's still equal right?"

Kate sighed and bent down to get her purse and coat. "Fine, Castle. It's not like this night was going anywhere, why should I possibly think there was even a shred of hope for it?"

Quickly he stepped behind her to help her into her coat as they exited the venue.

Suddenly she stopped in the doorway and turned to face him, wedging her finger into his chest. "Just remember Castle, I don't go anywhere without my gun."

And just like that she was off, through the door, leaving him, and a certain medical examiner who witnessed the whole exchange, utterly astonished.

Alright, I just have to send a huge hug to every single person who's been reading this story! You guys are so great! I had no idea that this would be such a popular story! I really hope you still like it, and where it'll go.

Also, a monster-sized thank you for all my CastleTV chat friends for all their love and support! No way I'd be able to write this without you guys!

Once again, it's not my property. All borrowed with care from ABC.

Thanks again for reading! Let me know if you're still into it!

Lots of Love,
Tappin