Look, I must feel bad - 2 chapters in one evening! I hope you like it. Sorry she's doing stuff with Tom - but there would be no story otherwise. And to the people who liked that it was in England - look - it's actually still in England. Don't give up hope - obviously, Caskett IS meant to be - but maybe fics have to be reversed - since they're together on TV, they have to have lots of drama in the fics. But you should know from my other fic I am a HUGE Caskett shipper, so in the end... Not giving anything away now, though.

Thanks so much for reading, it means so much to me that you do, and since I want to be a writer, I appreciate it all the more. It is amazing when you take the time to review, so even if you just have a moment, just tell me what you think. Even one word is awesome. (And to all those who write me lovely long reviews, I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!) Take care, you're awesome, keep loving Castle, good luck with the 5 week hiatus... I will write lots over the holidays (I hope) and so will all the other lovely writers I know, so I'm sure we'll all manage somehow.

Hugs and Loveballs, Zanna (and finally the author's note is over so you can get to the story :P) xox

Kate leaned against the wall and stared at the screen of Tom's Mac. It was the latest one – some people really did have everything. He had put on a rom-com for her benefit, which she didn't have the heart to tell him was pointless – she just wanted to make fun of it. He got up to get some food, and when he sat back down, he was so close they were touching. She didn't mind – it wasn't gross or anything. But it didn't do anything for her, not really. He put his arm around her. She tried to relax into him – she managed to fake it enough that he didn't notice how tense she felt. He seemed happy.

When the movie ended, it wasn't really late enough to go to bed. She didn't really want to go up to her room anyway – she'd be alone, and thinking about Rick with Maddie. Tom turned off the laptop, and turned to face her. She knew what was coming – she'd hung out with enough guys. It was always awkward. You didn't know what the other one was like, or what they liked. She let him move his face in. At least he hadn't been eating cheese crisps. She had only eaten a mint. He kissed her. He wasn't bad – at least he'd done it before. First timers were even worse.

She kissed back. It was kind of fun. She hadn't pictured Rick once. Well, now she had. But only once. Tom, she was kissing Tom. He was cute, he was nice, he was funny, he was hot... His hands were sliding over her back, and soon they were under her top. She kept it going – if she pulled away, she'd just have to leave. She moved in closer, and slid her hands under his shirt as well. She could feel the muscles on his back. He felt nice. She felt him fiddling with the clasp of her bra. She let him keep working at it. She wondered how far she would go. Not much further...

She was on her back, and her shirt was undone. He was still kissing her. He was better than good, she was actually pretty turned on. It was fun. She shouldn't have been so negative. She kissed him with much more energy – he noticed, and she felt him smile under her mouth. She could see there was some strain on his pants. She ran her hand over him, once, then slid off the bed, fastening her bra and doing up her top.

"Cruel," he laughed.

"This is only the second date. You've known me a week. I think it's reasonable." She smiled at him. He caught her eye.

"Want to hang out tomorrow?"

Kate thought about it. "Yeah," she said honestly. "I do."

Tom grinned. "Great."

Kate had to sneak back to her room – it was quite late now. She got ready for bed, and checked her phone. No messages. She tapped one out.

Goodnight, birthday boy.

The reply was instantaneous.

Birthday man. That's the whole point.

Men don't go to school.

This one does.

Nope. If you're at school, you're a boy.

All man. Want me to prove it?

Kate paused. Did he mean what she thought he meant?

Fine. Since it's your birthday, I'll concede.

Shame. I'd have enjoyed convincing you.

Shut up with the dirty talk.

Speaking of dirty, how was the date with Tom?

Good. He's great. Did you do something with Maddie?

Yeah. We went to the movies. It was fun.

Cool. Maybe we could double :P

Maybe. Rick stopped typing. He wanted to say he'd rather it was just her and him. He backspaced.

Sure. That'd be fun.

Kate wondered if that was how he really felt. She wanted it not to be. Even though she was with Tom now. Even though she was happy to be with Tom. Although maybe she was only happy to be with him because Rick was off limits now he seemed to be with Maddie. She hated this – why did everyone have to be with someone anyway? It had only been a week. Was it just a condition of being a fairly good looking teenager that you always had to be in a couple?

Did you have a good birthday?

It was alright. The best bit was cleaning up your sick.

Was that on your birthday? Ouch. Sorry!

No problem. You looked great, it made up for it.

Thanks. I remember – did you carry me?

See – MAN!

I already conceded. Although – after midnight. Not your birthday any more.

I'll never be a child again.

That sounds sad. I'd be happy.

You seem like you're trying to escape. I have no idea where I'm going. Adulthood's scary.

I'm going to be the first female chief of justice. That's scary.

That's cool. I think you'd be good. I just want to write...

Don't worry. You still have two years left.

Okay that's kind of scary too. Two more years here?

We'll survive. We've got each other.

My little shred of America.

This little shred's getting sleepy.

Maybe it was a little too shredded last night?

Nice play on words. Yeah, maybe. Goodnight.

Sleep well x

You too x

Kate told herself it wasn't wrong to put a kiss. It wasn't that kind of kiss. She wanted it to be. But it wasn't, it didn't mean that to him.

Rick told himself it wasn't wrong to put a kiss. It wasn't that kind of kiss. He wanted it to be. But it wasn't, it didn't mean that to her.

Kate woke up late, and went to shower. She put on skinny jeans and a long sleeved purple top that hugged her body tightly. It really showed off her figure – but she was young, and she liked the way she looked. Tom did too – she could see it in his face. She was wearing heels too, high heeled brown boots. She was pretty much his height when they were on. Rick still had a couple of inches on her – but she told herself that wasn't important.

She found Tom in the common room. He beckoned her over, and she sat on his lap. Just then her phone buzzed.

Do you still want to read my novel?

Kate glanced at the message, but didn't answer.

"Who was that?"

"Phone company," she lied smoothly. Tom didn't suspect anything.

"What d'you want to do today?"

"I dunno. What is there to do here?"

Tom smiled. "You like swimming?"

Poorly disguised attempt to see her in a swimsuit. Oh well. She did like swimming.

"Yeah. There's a pool here?"

"Of course. Meet you back here in ten minutes?"

"Sure."

Kate got up, and went back up to the girls corridor. She met Shannon on the way – she was with Alice.

"Hi, Kate," they said. It was creepy, almost in unison. But Kate smiled.

"Hey. How's it going?"

"Fine," said Alice with a sly smile. "Saw you got pretty drunk at the party on Friday."

Kate made a face. "That's how we Americans roll."

Shannon gave Alice a look, then smiled more genuinely at Kate.

"I thought you looked amazing. We're having a dance practice later – d'you want to come?"

Kate glanced at her phone. It was 12pm.

"When later?"

"Oh, not til eight – after dinner."

"Okay, sure. That'd be fun," Kate said.

"Where are you off too now?" Alice asked.

"Going swimming with Tom. I didn't even know there was a pool here."

Alice made a face which said 'commoner' then she and Shannon left. Maybe Alice wasn't so nice after all. That was a shame. Kate had liked her before. She went into her room. Bikini, or all-squashing racing suit. Normally she would go straight to the bikini – but this was England. Would they consider it really slutty? Oh well. It was only Tom. She pulled out the bikini, grabbed a towel, and went back to the common room. Tom was waiting for her.

The pool was at the back of the school, in a separate building. It was big. Kate was actually looking forward to swimming. Tom showed her where the girls changing room was, and she slipped on the bikini. It was red. And when she looked at it in the mirror, it was pretty minimal. Too late now, she thought as she went out to the main room. Tom was wearing black speedos which left nothing to the imagination. He looked good. When he saw her he looked like he was going to drool. She dived into the pool and swam a couple of lengths. He stayed sitting at the edge.

She got out, and went over to him.

"Just watching, huh?"

"Letting you warm up. And seeing how fast you are."

Kate had been taking things extra slow. She had seen this coming.

Tom grinned.

"Race you?" he said.

Kate winked. "Sure. But you should warm up too."

"I think I'll be okay," Tom said smugly.

"Suit yourself," Kate answered, "But don't come crying to me if you pull a muscle."

Tom laughed. "Four lengths, dive start, first with both hands on the side. On three – you can count."

Kate smiled, and prepared to dive. Tom got ready too. She counted, diving into the water as she yelled 'three'. Tom jumped slightly before she did – she had wanted to be fair. But her dive was longer. She swam full speed, feeling her muscles burn as they had their first proper work out in weeks. But she was miles faster. She hit the end a good three seconds before him, and smiled at his astonished face.

"Maybe you should have warmed up?" she asked, giggling.

To his credit, he laughed too. "Maybe I should have..." he said. They swam a little more, then messed around. Tom got out a ball, and they batted it back and forth over the little flags that hung over the pool. Kate was aware that Tom watched her very closely when she jumped. But it was more flattering than anything else.

When they were changed and dry again, Tom walked her to dinner. She'd replied to Rick in the changing room, saying she'd love to read his novel, and she'd get it from his room after dance practice. They ended up sitting at the same table to eat – Tom's friends Ryan and Javi had made friends with Rick. Alice, Shannon, Jenny and Lauren were there too, and Maddie. The other girls were actually being nice to her now. Which was good.

Everyone was talking about why Ryan was called Ryan, when really his name was Kevin.

"So why are you known by your surname?"

Ryan shrugged. "My Dad's called Kevin too. It was complicated. And my middle name's Benedict. So I went for Ryan."

"It suits you," said his girlfriend.

"You would say that," joked Javi. "It's just weird. What's everyone else's surname? Demming.. Rick, what are you?"

"Rodgers."

"It just doesn't work."

Kate thought about it. "I was called Beckett at school a lot – because I did lots of sport, I guess. I kind of liked it better."

"It's powerful," said Tom, "But I like Kate. Katie."

Kate smiled at him. "Then let's stick to that. I'm happy to be Kate here."

They carried on talking and eating, then Kate and Shannon left to get ready for dance. She was hardly out of the dining room when her phone buzzed.

Looking good today, Beckett.

She laughed. Shannon looked at her enquiringly, but she shook her head.

"It's just an old friend being silly."

It wasn't really a lie. If she was saying old because of age, Rick was older than any of the others. She and Shannon changed into their dance clothes. Kate wore sport leggings and a sports bra – she was kind of intimidated by Shannon's leotard, but Shannon smiled when she saw her.

"Wow, you look great. And your abs..."

Kate grinned. "I do sit ups when I can't sleep."

Shannon laughed. "You'll probably have a thing or two to teach us."