Chapter 4. New Year's Eve

This chapter is going to stop when the clock hits 00:01. So enjoy.

"Sorry Rick, but I'm not going to make it tonight. Have fun without me."

Within seconds of her message she got a reply. "Kate, is everything alright? Why can't you make it? It won't be as much fun without you…"

She quickly typed a text back. "Rick, I'm fine. I just changed my mind, Okay? I'm just staying home with a good book and a glass of wine. Tell the rest of the guys will you? Thx."

And with that, she put her phone off, got herself a glass of wine, plopped down on the couch and opened her book.

Rick frowned. Changed her mind? Why would she change her mind? He thought to himself. Alexis and his mother were ready for tonight. He would first ask her friends if they knew what was up with them, but from her text he got that the other's didn't know. So he'd call her. And if she tried to ignore him he'd go to her place and find out himself. He knew something was wrong with her.

When he heard his doorbell, he was so glad they were all here.

"Hey! I'm glad you're all here." He said. "look, I'll just get to the point. Kate isn't coming, do you know why?"

"No… I thought she was going to be here already… she didn't tell me anything." Lanie said as she looked at the boys. From the looks of it, they didn't know any more than he did.

"Okay, I'm going to call her. She told me in a text she changed her mind and that she's fine but I think there's something more going on. But meanwhile, make yourself at home." He said as Alexis came running down the stairs. "Javi! Kevin! Lanie!" she smiled as Javi kneeled down so she was at eye level with the 6 year old. Alexis ran over and hugged him and hugged Kevin next. Then Lanie lifted the girl in her arms.

"Where's Kate?" Alexis asked as she played with Lanie's curled hair.

"I don't know. I think she'll be here soon." Lanie said.

"I'm going over there. She isn't answering her calls and it goes straight to voicemail. So her phone's off. I think she's trying to ignore us, but I don't care. I'm worried." Rick said to all of them as they settled in the couch.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Lanie asked as she put Alexis down and she went to play with Ryan and Esposito.

"No, I think it's easier if I just go alone. I hope I'll be able to convince her and be back before diner. But if I'm not, just start without me." Rick said as he put on his coat and took his keys.

He stood outside of her apartment building. he looked up at her floor and looked at her window. The lights were on. That's good, that means she's home! He thought. He was so glad she hadn't lied to him. He took a deep breath and grabbed his phone and tried to call her again. Nothing… her phone was still off. And because her apartment didn't have a doorman, he could just walk in. he took the elevator up to her floor to think what he was about to say, or what he was about to discover. He raised his hand and knocked on her door.

He heard her footsteps approach the door. When Kate opened the door he could see the little smile she had on her face drop for a second before she spoke. "Rick, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at your loft?"

"You ask me? Why aren't you there? We were all looking forward to it. We all want you to come! So why don't you?"

"Rick- I… I barely know you…"

"And that's an excuse how exactly? Rick questioned, "Come on Kate, we're all worried!"

"Why would you be worried?"

"Because you're my friend now. Because I care about you." She found that to be the point to look down at her feet. "What's wrong Kate?"

"I'll need another glass of wine to tell that story." She said as she turned around and walked inside.

They sat down on the couch, opposite of each other. "So tell me Kate, why did you change your mind?"

"Will, my boyfr- ex-boyfriend, came over." Rick started to get the story already. But he didn't know even half of it yet. So she continued. "He was supposed to be in Boston yesterday and today, but he came back to spend New Year's Eve with me. And I told him that we were going to spend it with you and your family. And he got mad…"

"Why? Did you tell him he could come to?"

"Yeah I did. But he didn't like the idea of me being friends with you. I told him of the night we met and about yesterday, but he didn't care because he was jealous."

"Jealous of what?" Rick asked, but he had a pretty good idea.

Kate smiled at herself as she looked down at her glass of wine in her hands. "Of you and I." She said, and as soon as she realized how it sounded she added: "I know there's nothing to be jealous about. We're just friends and I told him that. That we just talked about your books and stuff like that. But it was then that he realized to you are Richard Castle."

He had a puzzled look on his face. "And why is that a problem?"

"Because… let's just say that a few years ago all my friends and me had a crush on their idol, and you were mine." She blushed and he smiled at that. Cute, he thought. "And he knows that. And he knows about your reputation from page six." At that he sighed. Yeah… that was a problem that occurred sometimes. But it helped him sell books, so Paula, his publisher, made him do it.

Kate continued, "I told him there's nothing between us but he got mad and told me that I couldn't go to your place tonight. So I broke up with him."

At that Rick looked at her with a frown. "Just like that?"

"Yeah… I realized I didn't love him. And he kept me away from so many things. I- I had a hard time about a year ago, and he loved me… and all I wanted was to be loved again. So we got together… but I never really loved him. What I loved were your books!" she smiled.

"I noticed." He smiled as she stood up from the armchair and sat next to him on the couch.

"I'd rather have you as a friend than him as a boyfriend keeping me away from my friends." She said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders but she winced.

"Kate? Did he hurt you?" he asked, worry clear in his voice.

"No, well he grabbed my arms at one point but nothing big." She said and looked as he pulled up the sleeved of her t-shirt a bit so he could have a better look at her arms.

"Kate, this is nothing! If he ever comes near you again, I'll kill him." He said in a serious tone. He really cared about her. And if anyone hurt her, he would kill them.

"I'm the one with the gun Rick." She smiled and she hugged him back. "Thanks for coming, although I told you not to."

"It's what friends do. Always." He smiled.

"So? Are you coming back with me for diner? I made the dessert by the way…" he smiled as she thought for a moment. She felt good around him, so why not.

"Sure. Should I change?" she asked uncertain.

"No, what you have on is beautiful! And everyone is just dressed casually. You are going to be the prettiest of all!" he smiled as she took her leather jacket of the couch and put it on. "if we leave now, we'll be back just in time for diner." And with that they were out of her apartment.

As they walked into the loft they saw everybody, except Javi and Alexis, who were playing hide and go seek, sitting at the table. Just talking but not eating yet. "Look who I brought with me!" Rick smiled as Kate stepped into sight.

"Hey Kate! Why didn't you want to come?" Lanie said as she stood up and walked over to Kate to hug her.

"Do you mind if we don't talk about that tonight. I'm here now, that's all that matters." Kate sighed. "So, who's ready for diner?" Rick said as Alexis and Javi walked into the room.

"Kate!" Alexis exclaimed as she ran to Kate who squatted down to hug the little girl. "I'm glad you're here. I was afraid you weren't going to come…"

"I'm here now sweetie." She said as she picked her up. "Ready for diner?" she smiled as they all sat down to eat.

"Diner was delicious Rick!" Lanie said.

"You'll have to thank my friend Joe for that. He made this meal specially for me. But I did make the dessert. But that's for later." they all sat down to watch a movie after diner. Esposito and Lanie took one of the two couches, Ryan took the armchair while Alexis sat on his lap, Martha, Kate and Rick took the couch opposite of the TV. Alexis got to pick the first movie. She picked Another Cinderella Story. She loved that it was different from the original and was one of her favorite movies. Esposito and Ryan had soon gotten bored and they were playing a game of cards. Martha joined them soon as Alexis joined Lanie at the couch. Kate and Rick sat closer and closer and by the middle of the movie, Kate was leaning into him as her head rested on his shoulder and his arm was around her waist. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable with him, but since she met him, he had been a really good friend to her.

She could feel his eyes on her every few minutes. And once she turned her head to catch him, but instead she noticed how close he actually was to her. His face was just about in inch away from hers. "Sorry," he whispered trying not to get anyone else's attention, "I just like to… watch you I guess." He chuckled and backed away. "Thanks… I think!" she smiled back.

"Don't worry, I'm not a psychopath."

"I hope not."

After the movie it was already 11pm. They all sat down at the table for dessert. "You all enjoy, I'll get dessert." Rick said. "I'll help you." Kate offered as she followed him into the kitchen.

"I made chocolate mousse, thought you might like it…" he said as he took the dessert glasses out of the fridge. "You're right! I do love chocolate mousse. I used to make it all the time before…" and then she stopped, realizing what she was saying and that he didn't know about her mother.

"Hey it's okay. You don't have to tell me." He said as he saw the sad look in her eyes. "I'm glad you came though. It really wouldn't be as much fun without you. And you saw how happy Alexis was to have you here."

"Thanks, for coming to my apartment I mean. I know I didn't ask you to, but I'm glad you did." She said as she put the dessert glasses on a tray. "Now let's eat dessert and watch that ball drop." She smiled as she walked back to the table.

"Rick dessert was absolutely delicious!" Kate smiled as they took the empty dessert glasses back to the sink. "Thanks." He chuckled, "Glad you liked it." He was staring at her. She had this beauty that he'd never seen before. No wonder she had a boyfriend. That asshole, leaving her here alone on a holiday. He thought as he thought about their earlier conversation. And he couldn't help but imagine how her ex was like. And how he would have helped her through that ruff time he knew nothing about. He, if he was her boyfriend, would have done a much better job at it. He thought about it, but he was her friend, not her boyfriend. Not yet anyway… No. No I can't think like that. She's my friend, she needs a friend. He thought to himself as his thought were interrupted by his daughter running into the kitchen.

"Come on daddy! It's almost midnight!" the girl exclaimed as she took a hold of Kate's hand. Rick came after them after grabbing a bottle of champaign and apple juice for Alexis for when the clock would turn to 00:00 and the new year would start.

Kevin already turned on the TV to the right channel as everyone took their, now filled, glass of the coffee table and sat down to watch the last minutes on TV before going outside to later watch the fireworks.

"You're supposed to give someone a kiss at midnight!" Alexis said as they all walked out into the cold winter air on the balcony. "I'll give you a kiss." Ryan smiled as he picked up the little 6 year old. "I think I found the person I want to kiss tonight to." Javi laughed as he turned to Lanie who couldn't help but smile.

"I'm good right here." Martha said as she looked at her son and Kate looking at each other. "Well I guess that leaves us together." Rick almost whispered at Kate as they started to count down the seconds to the new year. "5… 4… 3… 2… 1…" they all shouted together as they heard fireworks start. "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" they all laughed as Ryan gave Alexis a kiss on the cheek and Alexis gave one back. Lanie and Esposito didn't mind sharing their new relationship with everyone and went for the lips while Rick turned to Kate who looked at him with a slight nervous look. He leaned closer to her and when Kate though he was going to kiss her, he turned his head slightly to press his lips to her cheek.

"Happy new year Kate." he said in her ear.

"Happy new year Rick." She said back to him and hugged him tight. "Thanks again."

"Always."

So… I thought about making them kiss right there, but then, a better idea came into my head. Next chapter will continue from this point. (I think I'm just going to take 2000, with all new technologie of course, as the new year bcs Johanna was murdered on the 9th january 1999, for the people who might not know.)

Also, I'm stuck with chapter 6. (I wrote 5 in a day, so that won't be a problem, but…) as long as I don't get half of chapter 6 done, I can't promise to make next week's update.

I'd love to hear what you think about it! Please review!