Here it is...the second of the somewhat promised installments this week. It's really very short, so I hope you'll forgive me. I had a second part of this chapter, but after I had a lot of it written, I decided to push that part ahead one chapter because I thought this section would be nice as a light stand-alone chapter of its own. So, the next one should be up in the next 24-48 hours, hopefully...unless I run into writer's block for what's going to happen in the latest part of the chapter..

I just have to remark on the truly wonderful people who have left me reviews lately. I named a lot of you in the last chapter, and I believe there are even some different ones for this chapter. What absolutely blows me away is the fact that you all of you-and I think I can say all, as in ALL of the reviews and even a few PMs for this chapter-left such wonderfully detailed comments for me, saying what you like and even some things that you're wishing for. Please know that this is absolute GOLD to me and again, I'm amazed and I feel so privileged that you chose to read my story and take the time to leave such lovely comments. I wish I could write to all of you, and I do try to respond back from time to time, but if you don't hear from me, please know that I still appreciate you.

Previously: Kate spent the night with Rick, in his bed, but they just slept even though she did essentially proposition him. She realized that Alexis was comfortable with their relationship, and it made her worry a lot less about impressions in front of Rick's daughter. After breakfast, they found that they were still awkward around each other, and Kate alluded to the fact that they should try a more intimate relationship before he left on his tour. He said no; that he wanted to take it slowly and make it right, rather than rush it just because he was going to be gone. So she asked him what he planned for them to do, other than what he'd just said no to, and he said he had some ideas.

We pick up this chapter with one of those ideas.

She didn't know what he had planned, but she would never have picked that.

It was so cheesy, and it was so Castle.

He took her to the top of the Empire State Building.

"I know we're way past Valentine's day, but I knew crashing Alexis' ice skating party, with your ankle the way it is, would be out, so here we are."

"Well, thank you for not trying to stress my anterior talofibular ligament, and I can say that my calcaneo-fibular ligament would definitely not be very happy with you if you tried to make me stand on skinny pieces of metal." She smiled at him sweetly.

His eyes widened as she rattled off the medical jargon. "Wow, Beckett...that was, uh...wait a minute." His eyes went from wide to narrow in an instant, as his face gazed at her knowingly. "You had an appointment with Colin the magic muscle man today, didn't you?" Her therapist was no longer just 'Colin' to him; he was now always 'Colin the magic muscle man.'

She nodded. "You're quick, Castle. Yes, I did see Colin today, as a matter of fact. He had a cancellation and since my next appointment wasn't until next week, he called to see if I wanted the opening any sooner. Ryan dropped me off when you were at that meeting with Paula. And by the way, you know in my case, he's not really a magic muscle man. He's my magic ligament man."

"Well, tough. I like my alliteration, thank you very much," he huffed. "So he's going to keep being the 'magic muscle man'.

"So anyway, the Empire State Building? You're really big on the touristy things lately, aren't you? I mean, first the carriage ride, now the Empire State Building."

"I wouldn't necessarily say that. The carriage ride was weeks ago," he observed.

She shivered in the wintery air. "At least the carriage ride had blankets! Geez, Castle! It's cold up here!"

"It's not my fault you dress for fashion rather than warmth," he said dryly.

"Oh, shut up." Then, turning to look at him, her arms still hugging herself for warmth in the brisk wind found 86 stories above street level. She gave him an apprising look, her eyes sweeping from his face down to his feet, and then back up again. And without a word, she took a small step toward him and began to unbutton his pea coat, sneaking small glances toward his face as she undid each button.

She had to stifle a grin to keep the coy look on her face when she saw the confusion on his as he realized what she was doing.

After the first button, the only thing that was going through his mind was that he was being undressed by Kate Beckett. In public. In the winter. On the top of the Empire State Building. Granted, it was only his coat. But when Kate Beckett looked at you like that as she was undoing the buttons on a garment that you were wearing-any garment-it didn't really matter what type of garment it was. It still evoked images and feelings that were best not pictured or felt in public. Eighty six stories above the ground. In the winter.

Several coy looks later, she had his whole coat unbuttoned. And then she wasted no time in stepping flush up against him and running her arms around his torso, under his coat. "Oh, that's better. You do give off a lot of heat, Castle."

He had no choice but to put his arms around her, wrapping the open flaps of his coat around her too, as it dawned on him what she'd really been after. Warmth. "All of that...you did that just so you could get inside my coat?" He sounded incredulous, and oddly disappointed too.

"Of course, Castle. What did you think I was doing?" She raised an eyebrow at him before kissing his jaw lightly. "And since you made that crack about my jacket, I thought it was only fair that you'd let me share yours."

He glanced out over the lights of the city, and then down at the woman wrapped around him. And the feeling of that woman wrapped around him like that...wonderful. He tried to freeze the moment in his mind, so he could take it out and savor it when he was on his tour and she wasn't there. And this, all because she was cold. If this was the result, he'd have to get her cold more often. "I think I changed my mind, Beckett."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I rather like your fashion sense now. Especially your choice of winter outerwear," he told her with a sly grin. She gave the tiniest eyeroll, but then grinned back at him before she buried her head in his shoulder and hugged him even closer.

Like I said, it was short. I actually had this done days ago, but was trying to make it longer before I scrapped that idea. So the next chapter is partially written. However, reviews and comments would still be very much appreciated.