A few minutes later Kate and Betty were sitting on the back porch of the old building, which was decorated just as festive as the lobby. Along with a bottle of that scotch, Kate was already familiar with, Betty had brought out an old photo album with her.

"Rick and I already admired those earlier," Kate said looking at a picture that showed a young Betty with her husband infront of the hotel.

"That's me and my Edgar, I think it was taken on the weekend we opened this hotel."

"You look very happy," Kate commented.

"We were, oh look at this one," Betty showed Kate a picture of Edgar, holding a beautiful Jack-o'-lantern in one hand and a small puppy in the other.

"Is that Norman with him?" Kate asked with a smile.

"Yes we found him that Halloween. It was Edgar's favorite Holiday, and he always said Norman protects the house from all the evil ghosts and ghouls that come out at night. But enough with the pictures, why are you sitting out here with me, when there's a handsome young man in your room."

"Well..." Kate blushed a little, she certainly hadn't expected that question. "It's complicated," she explained.

"It always is, which is why we have this," with that Betty wanted to pour Kate another drink, but Kate stopped her.

"No thank you, I'm trying to stay out of trouble tonight."

"Nonsense, It's Halloween, you have to get into a little bit of trouble tonight. "

"I wish it was that easy, but Rick and I, we're..." Kate hesitated. What exactly where they? "We're friends, it just wouldn't work, it couldn't..."

"That's what I always told myself when I first met my Edgar. You know he had to ask me 31 times before I finally agreed to go out with him."

"Wow, he must have been really crazy about you to stick around that long."

"You have no idea dear," Betty said with a laugh. "But..." she continued in a more serious tone. "If I could do it all over again I would say yes the first time. Don't waste time overthinking matters of the heart, every once in a while it's alright to just do what you want to do."

"I'll keep that I mind," Kate replied with a smile.

"And trust me, the way that boy looks at you, he wants..." Betty started but she was interrupted by a scream that was followed by loud barking.

"Shut up you little..." Rick hissed as he stumbled onto the porch - followed by a growling Norman. He had gathered all his courage to save Kate, but just when he had been about to step on the porch he had heard his name and had figured that she wasn't in immediate danger, and that it wouldn't hurt to find out why she was talking about him. Norman, however, didn't appreciate him spying on the two woman.

"Castle?" Kate couldn't help but laugh at the sight of him almost falling over the pumpkins as he tried to escape the little dog.

"Norman, what has gotten into you!" At the sound of Betty's voice Norman immediately stopped.

"It was my fault, I must have scared him," Rick explained giving Norman a disapproving look, that resulted in another growl.

"Down boy!" Rick took another step back and bumped into a wobbly table, causing the the Jack-o'-lantern on it to fall, but he was quick enough to catch it before it crashed onto the ground.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized.

"Don't worry nothing happened," with that Betty picked up the small dog to prevent further accidents.

"Did you make all of these?" Rick asked, admiring the Jack-o'- lantern as he put it back onto the table.

"I had a little help," Betty explained with a smile. "But I think the two of you have some things to talk about, so I'm gonna give you some privacy..."

"No, there's really no need..." Kate tried to stop her from leaving, but Betty had already made up her mind.

"Don't overthink it," she said, giving Kate a stern look. "I'll be inside if you need me."

"What are you doing out here? I thought you were too afraid to leave the room," Kate asked as soon as they were alone again.

"You left your coat when you stormed out, I thought you might need it," he held up the garment for her to see. "And I didn't want you to get eaten by a werewolf...or psychopathic bulldog..."

"Thanks for the coat," she hadn't even noticed how cold she was until he had mentioned her coat.

"Anytime," Rick replied, putting the coat around Kate's shoulders before he sat down next to her.

"You know she's not a ghost, right?" Kate said, trying to distract Rick from the actual issue.

"Yeah, still not convinced. And you can't deny that there are strange things going on tonight, especially in our room."

That was working out well. Kate sighed. "I'm so sorry Castle. This hotel, the drinks, I shouldn't have..."

"Why the hell not?" Rick interrupted her.

"Castle you know why," Kate replied, looking at the ground to avoid eye contact.

"I couldn't help but overhear some parts of your conversation with Betty," Rick continued in a much softer tone.

"You mean you were eavesdropping." Kate corrected him.

"Yes, yes I was but the point is," he hesitated a moment as he tried to come up with the courage to say what he wanted to say. "I'd ask 32 times."

Kate laughed "You're serious?"

"Don't act like you don't know that I am," he said, giving her a gentle nudge to show her that he wasn't mad at her.

"So shall we give this haunted house another chance, go back to our room, see what happens?"

"Still afraid that the ghosts are gonna get you?" Kate teased him.

"Better safe than sorry," he stood up and offered her his hand.

"Thanks," as her fingers intertwined with his , he fastened his grip and pulled her up to him, leaving them only inches apart.

"Sorry, I didn't..." He apologized.

"Just blame it on the ghosts," Kate wasn't sure what it was. Betty's advice, Castle's confession, or even the drinks. But she was done wasting time. She brought her free hand up to his collar and clutched the material, before she leaned in...

Rick could already feel his breath on her lips when...

"Castle look! " She gasped, abruptly breaking the contact.

"What´s wrong?" Rick turned around. Whatever it was zombie, vampire or werewolf, it would pay for interrupting their moment. But as he saw what had spooked Kate, he knew that his chances of a romantic night had just gotten very slim.

XOXOXOXO

First of all: THANKS FOR THE NICE REVIEWS :) They always make my day!

And I hope I get more even though I ended it here lol.

...But the next chapter will be up very soon, I gotta finish this in time for Halloween after all ;)

Peace, Love and Sunshine Laura