8. Dinner with... Gates?

Castle opened the car door for Beckett to climb out. Her four-inch heels clattered on the pavement, making tiny splashes as they dug into the raindrops starting to puddle in the dips and curves of the sidewalk.

The host of the restaurant swung the heavy glass door open for the couple, smiling as they entered. Castle's arm lay wrapped around Kate's waist as she stepped in front of him. She laughed at something he said, her nose wrinkling and the creases around her eyes deepening in elation.

"Do you have a reservation?" the waiter at the front spoke, jolting them out of their reverie.

"Ah, yes," Castle said suavely, "For Richard Castle."

The waiter glanced down at his sheet, double checking the name. Noting its appearance on his list, he beckoned Castle and Beckett, "Right this way."

Castle followed Kate and the waiter to the table, letting some relaxation seep into his aching muscles. The day had been hard, the case harder. But now, it was all about him and Kate.

"Thank you," Kate smiled as the waiter pulled out the brass chair for her. She slipped her jacket off, revealing her long, thin arms and gorgeous blue dress. Settling in, her eyes met Castle's.

"You look beautiful," Castle said softly, a reflective smile on his face as he watched an embarrassed blush creep onto Kate's cheeks.

"You're not so bad yourself, Castle," Kate bit her bottom lip and raised the menu up over the lower half of her face. Skipping past the meal choices, Kate focused on the specialty wine section of the menu.

Castle watched as she furrowed her brow in concentration. Grinning to himself, he remembered how that minuscule habit had attracted him to her in the first place.

"Castle," Kate's voice broke into the memory. "You're staring."

Castle set down his menu and folded his hands on top of the table. "I was just thinking about that time we - Oh, my God," Castle snatched the menu up and quickly buried his face into it.

Kate turned around to see what had him reacting so violently when she felt him grip her wrist. "What?" she asked, having turned back towards him.

"Hide," Castle whispered. However, his small stolen glance over the top of the menu to speak to Kate had cost him dearly.

"Mr. Castle?" Captain Gates made her way over to their table.

Kate froze at the sound of her voice. Mortified, she covered her face with the dessert menu, looking to the left so as not to be noticed.

Gates had made her way through the throng of tables at the restaurant and now stood beside Castle's. Kate's conspicuous position had Gates peering over at her, until she realized just what she was seeing. "Detective Beckett," she stated.

Kate slowly lowered the menu, guilt written all over her face. "Captain Gates," she acknowledged, not meeting her eye.

"Now what might you two be doing out on a Saturday night?" Gates asked, glancing judgmentally at Beckett's low cut dress.

"We were just getting a bite to eat," Castle said, an innocent grin plastered on his face.

"I see..." Gates said. "Detective Beckett, may I have a word with you? Privately," she directed at Castle.

"Yes, sir," Kate said.

Castle watched as Kate stood, her head bent and her walk not as confident as it normally was. He noticed her rubbing the tips of her fingers together on her right hand; a nervous habit.

As the two women disappeared from view, Castle groaned and put his head in his hands, "Stupid, stupid, stupid."


"Do you have any idea what this looks like, Detective Beckett?" Gates snapped.

"Sir, I -"

"Don't you 'sir' me," Gates interrupted, "How am I going to explain this to the commissioner? To the mayor?"

"To be honest, sir, I don't know. But please, it wasn't Castle's fault, I started the relationship and -" Kate started.

"You initiated this?" Gates asked.

"Yes, sir. It was after I had resigned from the department, and at the time there wasn't anything wrong with it -"

"At the time," Gates cut her off. Her figure now stood stiff, arms crossed across her chest. Both of her eyebrows were raised in a cross between anger and disbelief. "Detective Beckett, there will be serious consequences for this evening."

Kate lowered her eyes, her heart sinking. "Yes, sir."

"However, since I arrived late to the restaurant and you had a sudden urge to go home, we just missed each other," Gates said sharply.

Kate's stomach fluttered with the realization that she wasn't about to be fired. "Yes, sir."

"And if I ever did see you and Mr. Castle in an inappropriate relationship, I would have both of you removed from my Precinct. Understood?" Gates asked.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Kate said, trying not to sound too grateful.

"Dismissed," Gates said.

Kate turned to leave when she was called back by the Captain.

"Detective Beckett?" Gates said.

"Yes, sir?"

"Good for you," the Captain smiled knowingly.

Kate smiled back, slightly embarrassed. "Thank you, sir."


Kate returned back to the table where Castle was anxiously waiting. Leaning down to pick up her coat, Castle pounced.

"So?" he asked.

"We have to leave," Kate said simply.

"Leave what? The precinct? Did you get fired?" Castle asked.

Kate made wide eyes at Castle, "We have to leave the restaurant. Now."

"Ok," Castle gathered up his things and threw a ten on the table for the waiter who hadn't even begun to serve them yet.

The freezing air met Kate's face as she stepped outside. Turning towards Castle, she drew him in; kissing him passionately.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Castle broke away.

"She knows, but she didn't fire me," Kate grinned.

"What?" Castle nearly shouted. "That's fantastic!"

"I know," Kate breathed, "But she said that she doesn't want to see us out in public again."

"No problem, we'll just have to start ordering in," Castle tugged Kate towards him as he kissed her this time. Her scent washed over him and he breathed her in, exhilarated by the knowledge that their relationship was no longer threatened by the Captain. He pulled away and whispered, "Let's go home."

Kate followed him, her hand in his as they made their way back to the car. "You're going to have to buy her a gift, you know."

"Ooh, I know just the thing. A creepy little doll."

"Fine, but you are not showing me any pictures, I'll have nightmares for weeks."

"You're a homicide detective and dolls give you nightmares?"

Kate bumped his shoulder with hers, "Shut up, Castle."


A/N: Due to your responses, 'The Little Moments' will continue! Thank you for your support, and seeing that people are still enjoying the story, I'm happy to continue writing it.

Feel free to leave a review, and if not, happy reading!

Chapter 9 Preview: Castle brings Kate with him on a book signing, and soon realizes it wasn't such a good idea when the fans show more interest in her than in Castle's books!