Disclaimer: Still don't own Castle. Still hoping.

It was seven o'clock the next night and Beckett was getting ready, having enlisted Lanie's help.

"What should I wear?" she queried, visibly nervous. She was pulling outfits out of her wardrobe, yet so far none had met Lanie's approval.

Lanie moved her out of the way and took over, rummaging through the rows of clothes. "We want something cute but casual. I'm thinking skinny jeans and... this top." She held up a long sleeved white and navy blue striped top with the word 'Love' written on it in red sequins. Kate looked at it in slight surprise.

"I forgot that I even bought that," she said. Lanie rolled her eyes, amazed that her friend could forget about something as important as a cute top, yet always remember schoolwork.

The two girls then set about curling Beckett's hair into loose curls and applying subtle makeup. By the time Esposito arrived to collect Lanie at 7:30, they were done.

He entered and greeted Lanie with a sweet kiss, before turning to Kate.

"You scrub up alright Beckett," he said. "Nice top."

She grinned. "I'd let you borrow it Espo, but you kind of stretched out the last one!"

Lanie laughed, before hugging her friend. "Good luck," she said and Kate nodded, smiling, before kissing her parents goodbye and heading towards the cinema.

She arrived at ten to 8 and stood there in the slight cold, wishing that she had thought to bring a jacket. When 8 o'clock arrived, Josh still hadn't, but Castle headed past her, with his arm around Sadie who, she noticed begrudgingly, had at least had the intelligence to bring a coat.

"Hey Kate," Castle greeted her, moving his arm from around Sadie. He turned to his girlfriend and, handing her the tickets that he had clearly preordered, asked "Do you want to go and find our seats?" She nodded obediently and kissed his cheek before heading inside.

Kate raised an eyebrow at him. "You've got her well trained," she commented, but Rick ignored it.

"You waiting for Josh?" he asked and she nodded glumly.

He made a sympathetic face. "You look cold. Did you bring a jacket?"

Biting her lip, Beckett shook her head, cursing herself for her stupidity.

"Here," he said, placing his coat around her shoulders. Naturally, she protested.

"No Castle, what about you?"

"I'm not the one waiting outside for my date. Anyway, I reckon I owe you for almost breaking your boyfriend's nose."

Beckett gave a slight smile. She couldn't argue with his logic and besides, though it would have killed her to admit it, she didn't really want to give his coat back to him. It was extremely cosy and warm, with his body heat still lingering on it.

Castle looked up and his face darkened. "Speak of the devil..." he muttered and Beckett looked up to see Josh (only 10 minutes late) heading towards them.

"Anyway," said Rick, "I should head back inside. Sadie will be wondering where I am. At least I've done my good deed for the day. Have fun on your date."

"And you..."

She turned away from him to face Josh.

"Hey Babe," he greeted her. "What was Castle doing?"

Kate smiled slightly. "Just waiting with me. He's here with Sadie."

"Is that his jacket?"

Beckett shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, I was cold, so he leant it to me. Wasn't that nice?"

"Mmmm," agreed Josh, looking as though he thought it anything but.

"You're late," chided Beckett teasingly.

"Oh, yeah," said Josh absently. "I forgot."

Kate raised her eyebrows, clearly annoyed, but he didn't notice. "Do you want to head in then?"

"Sure," Kate nodded and noticing how cold her voice sounded, reminded herself that he probably had a lot on his mind, vowing to be nicer to him, particularly given his current injury. After all, she was on a date with THE hottest guy in the school- so what if he was a little forgetful? Everyone has flaws and he had significantly fewer than some other people she knew. She followed him in without further complaint, resolving to have a good time.

Of course, it would so happen that their seats were next to Sadie and Castle. Kate found herself wondering why they had even bothered going to the cinema- they were clearly more interested in each other than the film. Pushing aside the envy that began to wash over her slightly, she attempted to focus on the film, hoping that soon they would have to come up for air. The film had been Josh's choice and before long she was bored and slightly sleepy. Leaning sideways, she rest her head on Josh's shoulder. He pushed her off. "I'm trying to watch this Kate," he told her and she rolled her eyes. So far it wasn't exactly turning out to be her dream date.

As they walked home they began to discuss the film. "What did you think?" Josh asked her. "Good choice?"

Kate nodded. "Sure," she replied politely. "The plot was really interesting, but I'm not too sure about the script. The main character's grammar was terrible!"

Josh looked puzzled. "I don't think his grandparents were in it. Maybe it's his mother that you mean?"

Kate struggled to refrain from rolling her eyes. As much as she hated to think it, at least Castle would have understod what she meant. In fact, if she were completely honest with herself- which she usually was- the minutes spent with him whilst waiting for Josh had probably been the best part of her night.

When they arrived at her house, she smiled at him.

"Isn't this the part where you kiss me good-night?" she asked coyly. Josh bent down and kissed her. It was not romantic or sweet. His lips were too wet and his tongue was probing and slimy. Repulsed and trying not to shudder, she pulled away.

"Night," she said and practically fled inside. Lanie was waiting for her, as they had planned a sleepover to discuss the date.

When she got in Lanie let out a squeal. "OMG, I saw you two getting lippy outside. Is that his jacket? Aww, that's so romantic!"

Beckett grimaced. "Not exactly..." Lanie raised an eyebrow expectantly and Kate flushed slightly. "It's Castle's."

Lanie gaped at her. "You went on a date with Josh and brought Castle's jacket home?"

"Josh was late and I was cold. Then Castle showed up with Barbie girl and he waited with me."

"What did Sadie think about that?"

"She went and found their seats. She wasn't there when he gave me the jacket. Anyway, they seemed perfectly happy kissing throughout the whole film. Whereas Josh wouldn't even let me rest my head on his shoulder!"

Lanie tutted sympatheticallty. "And to top it all of Josh is like, the World's worst kisser. It was like making out with a snail! I mean, he doesn't even know what grammar is!"

Lanie gave a sympathetic smile. "There must have been one bit that you enjoyed?"

Kate huffed. "Yes- waiting with Rick! I went on a date with Josh and Castle was the best bit!"

By now she was close to tears. Lanie looked at her. "You like him, don't you?"

Kate glared. "Not anymore- that's the point!"

Lanie shook her head in disgust. "I don't mean Josh, I mean writer boy."

Kate scowled petulantly. "No. Maybe..." Finally she sighed glumly. "Yes." She buried her face in her pillow.

"What am I gonna do?"

"Tell him how you feel?" suggested Lanie, infuriatingly calm and sensible.

"I can't. He's dating Sadie."

"He doesn't like her really."

"It doesn't matter!" snapped Beckett. "The fact is, she's there. Maybe I should give Josh a second chance..." she mused.

"No!" Lanie practically yelled. "Honestly Becks, don't you learn from your mistakes? Just stay away from Josh. The boys were right. You can do so much better."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Even Josh is better than being alone. Kinda..."

Lanie glared at her friend. "You won't be alone. Castle totally likes you. You just have to wait until this Sadie thing blows over- so give it like a week, just so he's totally past her- and then go get him."

Kate grinned. "Maybe I should date Josh to make him jealous."

Lanie shook her head furiously. "No, no, no. We are not going for the jealousy card. That will just backfire."

"Why?" pouted Beckett. "It's working for him!"

"No way! That just leads to confusion. One of you is always trying to make the other one jealous and you're never single at the same time, because you're both always dating random people who mean nothing to you and you never end up together. Trust me. That might work in films, but this is reality."

Kate scowled slightly. "Reality sucks!"

Lanie grinned. "Preaching to the choir."

"I just wish that I could have what you and Espo and Jenny and Ryan have. You seem to have it all sussed out."

Lanie rolled her eyes. "Please. We argue practically everyday."

"Yeah, but even your arguments are irritatingly adorable. I don't even get cute arguments."

"You will. Patience is a virtue you know."