I just wanted a little fluff before we find out who was killed and why

The day is going to finish much more like what Richard Castle has wanted. It will be just him and his lovely lady alone for dinner. Even though she is living in the loft now, he still enjoys just taking her out on a date.

While she was in orientation in DC, they could go places and not be plagued by any unwanted intrusion such as reporters from the Ledger or book groupies. Most of Richard Castle's fans were not even aware he was in DC with Kate. In fact, he has spent the last two weeks of Kate's training out of the country.

Now back in the City, they were being a little more careful as to where they were seen. But all of that is fixing to change. After Friday's press release they can be out in the open without fear of being discovered.

Over the last five year he and Kate have been spotted many times at places when they were just working on cases. The Chinese place that also delivers. The pizza by the slice that was just around the corner. Several hot dogs were consumed while standing on the curb just bought from the street side vendor cart. Or even a pretzel stand, just to name a few of the places

At a number of the other places they did frequent, it is just been assumed that the writer and his cop muse are there case related When they went to a sit down place such as Remy's for burgers or The Golden Egg Café at breakfast the other guests did not recognize them as being on a date since they would spend a large amount of the openly discussing the case they might be currently working on.

The higher profile the place is, the fewer times they have been able to visit as a couple. It is too easy to be recognized and questioned about the relationship. Since she went to DC, no one in New York has seen them together.

But Richard Castle does like to take his girl on dates to those special places and still have a little privacy. So he decides that tonight will be the last one of their real dates on the sly so to speak. They do enjoy acting like they were meeting each other like a secret romance. Well it is a romance and for now it is still a secret

So the moment he stepped outside the Old Haunt, he called and made reservation at Roland's Pacific Rim Café. This is one of the hardest places in SOHO to get into. But as usual "He knows people" In this case Roland himself. This is one café where he knows they can be alone and eat in peace. Away from the nosey neighbors and reporters

But not all plans that Castle dreams up go exactly as he intended. This one will turn out that way.

Since his last visit here this place has become the In Place to see and be seen. This definitely has become a much higher profile establishment. One where the paparazzi hang out looking for a picture and a story.

Castle arrives before Beckett and when he goes inside he asks the hostess to keep an eye out for Beckett and when she gets there to escort her thru the back hallway to the private booth where the two of them can eat without serious distractions.

What Castle had not considered, when he called Kate to meet him there, is the fact she is driving a bright red Jaguar. Now if you drive a red Jaguar, you normally are wanting attention and not trying to avoid being seen. Rick calls Kate and tells her to park the Jag in the remote lot across the street from the restaurant and wear something to hide her face, if she sees anyone who looks like they might be a reporter

Kate pulls into the lot across the street as Castle suggested. She drops the car off to the Valet and pulls the hood of her coat over her hair and crosses the street. The picture takers start clicking as soon as she walks toward the door and steps inside. Fortunately, Kate believes that they have not gotten a picture of her face and they cannot connect her to Castle YET.

Once inside, Kate reaches the hostess desk. Jennifer, the hostess, knows Kate on site and tells her that they will be taking the private hall to the back. Kate follows to the table where Rick is waiting. Once Kate arrives at the private booth, she removes her coat and sits beside her man

"Kate, I am sorry. I had no idea this place had become so popular. The paparazzi out front got my picture. Did they get you?"

"No. I don't think so. I covered my head with my coat. You know, Rick, this is kind of fun though. Playing like we are out cheating on a spouse or something"

"Yeah, it is" Rick takes Kate's hand, pulls her into a kiss. "I have missed doing these secret kisses lately"

"What? Are we going to have to revert to the handshakes again?"

"No! Definitely not. After Friday the entire world will know and then you know what? I don't care anymore"

Kate puts on that smile that Rick loves so much just as the server steps up. "Mr. Castle, Ms. Beckett Great to see you again. Let me tell you about this evening's specials. First off we have the Fresh Sea Bass, flown in just this morning from the…"

Neither one of these two hear any more of the specials. They know what they want this evening and it is not on the menu at this or any other restaurant.

After they finish their dinner Kate turns to Rick. "I guess I need to go make the walk of shame and head out to see if I can try to avoid the reporters."

"Kate, you wait here and I will leave first and then you leave a minute or two later. Then I will see you at home"

Castle walks out the front of the Café and is bombarded by paparazzi. He politely waves as the pictures are taken. He hears several of them yelling

"Who did you come with?"

"You on a date?"

"Where's your date?"

After Castle steps into a taxi, he texts Kate to tell her he has left and she can follow a minute later

After Beckett gets the text, she steps up from the table and leaves by the side exit door. Again, she covers her head and rushes across the street to the Valet and gets into her car and leaves thru a back exit from the lot

Once home to the loft she goes inside to find candles lit in the bedroom and soft music playing on the stereo. There is a pair of silk lounging pajamas on the bed. Kate steps into the bathroom and changes clothes.

She thinks 'he's up to something. It can't be to propose. He already did that'

When she enters the study, she sees Rick dressed in matching pajamas and he is holding two glasses of wine

She looks at Ricks face and sees a frown

"What's the frown for?" Kate says with a touch of worry in her voice

"I heard that you were spotted at a well known café this evening in a secret dinner rendezvous with some mystery writer" Then he smiles an evil smile

"I have no idea what you are referring to" Kate replies knowing where Rick is going with this "You must be mistaken. I was at the movies with Lanie. You can call her and ask"

"I already did. She said she has not seen you in days. So tell me. Have I lost you to this novelist?"

"I cannot lie to you. Yes! I have been in love with him from the first moment I read one of his books. He captured my heart and I can't let him go. I will be living with him for the rest of my life"

"Well Kate. Is there anything I can do to save this relationship?"

Kate walks over to where Castle is sitting and places herself on his lap and surrounds his shoulders with her arms "Just never stop loving me"

"That is not a problem, Katherine Houghton Beckett"

The evening ended just the way he planned

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