A/N: So I barely heard from you guys in the last chapter. That bad, huh? :-/ Just keep in mind that I'm going to need some feedback from you guys to learn what works or why it doesn't in order to improve. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) Beta by Anika and Iris.

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Arriana whined about going to school on Monday morning but quickly wised up when Kate threatened to cancel her birthday party. It would be an understatement to say that she was on her best behavior for the rest of the week.

Castle dropped by the precinct whenever he could, but he didn't get to see the team very much. After attending Tuesday's dinner for the orcasalone, he was once again thrust into the spotlight with rumors surrounding his marriage. He good-naturedly answered the press' questions about the whereabouts of his wife, telling them she was busy at work, before tactfully steering the conversation toward his books. After all, he was there to promote his books; not his personal life.

Following Tuesday's solo appearance, Wednesday and Thursday were soon filled with last-minute interviews that Paula nabbed, telling Rick to ride on the publicity wave while it lasted. According to her, it was all in the name of his books.

Kate was equally busy at work, solving back-to-back murder cases with the boys. It seemed that whenever Castle dropped by to give Kate a cup of coffee in the middle of the day, just a little pick-me-up to keep her going, the murder board showed the team's progression on yet another new murder case.

Friday evening was the first time Kate returned home early throughout the week. Castle found her asleep in the tub when he got back with Arriana. He gently woke his wife – surely she would want to start getting ready for the dinner they were attending that night, it was one relating to young writers, and would comprise of a lot of notable figures from his industry. There was a red carpet, and Paula had warned Rick about the number of interviews lined up.

When the press realized he was bringing his wife along for the dinner, Paula's phone went ringing off the hook, with everyone trying to book an interview on the red carpet. "Tell Kate to play nice, will you?" she asked Rick, knowing that Kate's tolerance for the press wasn't very high. And instead of the standard five or six interview stops, he was lined up for more than ten stops. Most of them would want to talk to Kate as well, and all Paula could hope for was Kate's patience and for her to be on her best behavior.

"Sorry, I must have dozed off," Kate apologized, giving a tired yawn.

Arriana's birthday party was the next day, and Rick didn't want Kate to be too tired for that. "Hey, you sure you won't be too tired? I could just attend tonight's dinner alone. You save your energy for the twenty five kids tomorrow," he offered.

Kate stood up, pulling out the plug to start draining the tub. "No, it's okay, I'll go with you tonight. Besides, Paula told me it was the best way to shut the press," she continued tiredly, stepping into the shower to rinse off.

"Paula talked to you?"

"Yeah, she called me earlier today, checking to see if I was attending tonight's dinner. She also told me to play nice with the press and answer their questions with short but polite replies, and then turn the attention back to you so you can talk about the book."

Kate's answer had been mildly sarcastic, and he knew his wife didn't like being micromanaged like some bimbo arm candy, but she would tolerate it all and try her best for him.

"Uhh, thanks? I know you don't like it, but-"

"-but it's part and parcel of Rick Castle," she finished, stepping out of the shower and reaching for the towel he held out. "It's okay, Rick. I know that your fame was part of the package that came along when I married you."

"Kate?" he grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving the bathroom. "Thanks all the same," he continued, giving her a sincere smile.

Kate knew that her exhaustion coupled with the paparazzi were what caused her to appear brusque and curt with her husband, but she wanted him to know that it wasn't his fault; she didn't hold it against him.

"Always," she replied, kissing him before leaving to get ready.

The red carpet walk took longer than they were used to – much, much longer. Rick and Kate answered the questions patiently while Paula hovered nearby; ready to cut in when she deemed they had answered enough questions, only to guide them down the carpet for another photo or interview.

Kate smiled through it all, masking her annoyance and exhaustion, playing the doting wife who was there to support her husband.

Rick could read her tells all too well though, the slight clenching of her jaw when yet another interviewer asked if they found it hard spending so little time together; the way she kept looking down the line to gauge just how much of the red carpet was left; the slight relaxation of her shoulder as she smiled – a half genuine one, at last – when Paula stepped in to usher them along; the way she tightened her grip on his hand when they stepped up to the next interviewer; but most of all, the way her smile became more and more forced as they progressed down the line.

The casual observer wouldn't be able to tell the difference, but Rick knew what he dubbed the publicity-smile when he saw it. After all, he spent years studying Kate and her various facial expressions.

"All right, last one," Paula told them, gesturing at the last interviewer in line.

"Oh thank God," Rick whispered to Kate's ear, earning a genuine bubbly laugh from her. They both knew that Rick was a veteran with these sort of things, but to hear him complaining about it to Kate just set her a little at ease. It was his way of showing her he was human too.

She gave him a tender look – one so personal and intimate she hardly showed it in public, least of all at a red carpet event, and for a second the rest of the world melted away, leaving only the two of them. She knew he was trying to cheer her up, and she really appreciated it. She could always count on her partner to have her back; he always knew exactly what to do.

She kissed him lightly on the cheek, giving him a full smile before gesturing her head toward the interviewer, asking him to come along already.

After their final interview, Paula instructed the couple to pose for a final set of pictures before ushering them through the door.

"Great, that went well, that went really well. Kate, the last kiss before the final interview? Perfect! Good job, the two of you," Paula congratulated them. His publicist then handed them their tickets and bade them a good evening.

They mingled with the other guests, meeting a number of famous authors as well, to Kate's delight. There were the usual speeches while the food was served, and Kate was beginning to pick up on the routine of all these fancy dinners she had attended with Rick.

They didn't linger too long, making their leave as soon as it was socially acceptable. It had been a long night, and the sitter, Lydia, had already put Arriana to bed by the time they got home. She left a small present with the Castles, asking them to give it to the birthday girl in the morning.

After a quick shower the couple retired to bed. Kate seemed more subdued than usual. It might have been the lingering effects from their night out, but Rick checked in on her anyway.

"You all right there?" he asked as she turned off her bedside lamp.

"Yes, just tired, I guess, from today, and to be honest I'm a little apprehensive about tomoroow."

Frowning a little, he clarified, "Arri's birthday? Don't worry, Kate, I've confirmed the food, venue, decorations, security, even the goody bags."

Kate laughed tiredly, cutting off her husband.

"It's not that, Castle, I trust you with the party and planning and all that, I'm sure it'll be wonderful. It's just… twenty-five kids, you know? I've never dealt with so many children before."

"Badass Detective Beckett afraid of a class of children?" he teased, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Don't worry, Kate, between the two of us, how hard can it be?"

Kate grunted in response, because, seriously, how hard can it be? Was he challenging the universe or something?

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Goodnight, Rick."

A/N: So, what did you think of Caskett on the red carpet? I'd really love to see it on the show. Hope my version didn't disappoint. Review!