Sorry, guys. This is a bit short, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when writing it. Thanks for all the amazing reviews!

-Nina K.

The date!

"You own a Ferrari? Seriously, Rick?"

"Of course I do!" he paused and grinned at her. "Do you like it?" he asked, opening the door for her. She took the seat and put her seatbelt on.

'What a gentleman' she thought "I love it, but ain't that a bit too much?"

"Nah... We need it because it's fast and we have to be there on time."

"And where is there, exactly, Mr. Castle?" she asked, teasing him.

"Just wait and see, Katie... wait and see!" Gosh, he was so excited about that. He hadn't been in a real date since long before Meredith. He wanted it to be special, she was special. He needed to surprise Kate.

He drove through the New York traffic to an empty warehouse just outside town. "Really,Rick? Are you kidnapping me? Because I could always call Ryan and Esposito and let them do their job." his eyes widened. 'What a tease, Kate.'

"No. As I told you before" he pulled over "just wait and see."

They stayed in the car, as Rick annoyed her about being a fan of his books for a good 15 minutes until the warehouse's brick wall lit up in front of them, becoming a screen. The light was coming from a huge projector in the back.

'We're going to watch a movie!' she thought. "How did you...?

"I know people who know people" he replied simply, understanding what she meant. She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder as 'Love Actually' started. In the middle of the movie, she noticed they were holding hands, but didn't let go. She didn't want to fight what she felt when she was with him. She neither wanted nor needed to be Detective Katherine Beckett around him, just Kate.

He squeazed her hand, slightly, letting her know he had noticed it too.

She smiled when she felt butterflies in her stomach, as he put his arm around her and pulled her closer, in a kiss. By then, they had forgotten about the movie and could only focus on each other.

"I think I'm in love with you." he whispered in her ear.

"Me too." she replied and kissed him again.

The drive back to the loft was quicker than they wished it would have been. He rested one hand on the wheel and the other on her thigh, his fingers intertwined with hers, as her thumb caressed his.

When they arrived at the loft, Alexis was already in bed and Martha left for her rehearsal as soon as she saw them coming in. It was about midnight and they wondered what kind of 'rehearsal' that was.

He kissed her good-night and each headed to their rooms, both reliving that night.

Kate woke up when she heard sobbing coming from the room next to hers. She stood up and checked her father's watch, which was on the night stand. 'Crap!' she thought ' It's still 3 a.m.'

She walked to Alexis' room and slowly pushed the door open. Lex was curled up in a ball in the middle of the bed, fisting the comforter as she cried.

Concern spread across Kate's face as she rushed to the girl's side.

"Hey, Lexie. What's up, girl? Why are you crying?"

"I had a nightmare."

Kate moved the covers to the side and layed on the bed, pulling Alexis up so the girl's head would be resting on her shoulder. She held her tightly in a hug, not ever wanting to let go.

"You wanna tell me about it?" she asked and the girl shook her head. "Was it that bad?" a nod came this time. "You know, Lex. My mother used to say that the worst dreams should be shared so that they won't seem so bad as before."

Alexis tightened her grip around Kate's waist, not wanting to let go, either. "In the dream, you left daddy and I, just like mommy did."

Being compared to Meredith was like a suckerpunch to her heart. Kate didn't know what to say. She couldn't even believe she was a mother figure to Alexis. "Lex... I - I will never leave you. It doesn't matter if your father and I are not together, you can always count on me. I'll always be here for you. If I'm working and can't come, you can just call me, okay?"

"Okay. Pinky promise?"

Kate laughed. "Pinky promise, sweetheart." She stood up and tucked Alexis in, before leaning to kiss the girl forehead. "Now, you sleep. You've got school tomorrow." She said, before heading back to the guest bedroom.