Hi, thank you for your reviews. Some of them really make my heart tell me its worth the effort. Today while I was waiting to be served, I was reading back through the earlier parts of this story – bits I wrote a while back and had forgotten, and I have to admit I enjoyed it. Fun when I can read my writing with fresh eyes. Anyway, enjoy this chapter. I've had a lot of fun doing this part and what follows. It was a good ep/story line to have a bit of extra fun in between.

Chapter 36

Castle was in front of the coffee machine, organizing a couple of mid-afternoon coffees. Double strength caffeine for Beckett with a dollop more of non-sugar vanilla, and a bit of extra real sugar for himself. It was needed. As the machine did its thing slurping and gurgling up the milk, Castle kept a vigil on Kate who was seated at her desk, more than busy with the keyboard. Man, was she pissed off at Anne Greene, the director of M.A.D.T. for not providing them with a list of charity members. With the strong instinct to protect the public from harm, Beckett had every right to be angry at the company director. There were times when confidentiality came second to safety and this was one of them.

Rick sighed with content. He privately loved it when Beckett got angry, so long as it wasn't with him. She was incredibly cute. The eyes narrowed, her brow knotted and the lips pressed. And if he was close enough he often saw the scar on her chin dimple. She was gorgeous when she was angry.

"Castle." Esposito blurted out from behind Castle who jumped a little. "What you looking at?"

Distracted, Rick turned his head and smirked at Esposito, a little worried he'd just been sprung admiring how cute his secret girlfriend looked when she was pissed off at someone else. "Oh, nothing, Espo. Just making coffee." He muttered.

"What's up with Beckett?" Espo stepped beside Castle to stare through the window at Beckett.

"She's a little mad. She didn't get what she wanted."

"You went to MADT as you planned?"

"We did." Rick replied.

"What you two staring at?" Ryan asked as he entered the break out room with a coffee mug in his hand.

"Beckett," Castle and Esposito replied. Ryan joined them and took up the same stare. His brow furrowed.

"Who's upset Beckett?" Ryan asked, "She looks pissed off."

"She is. A woman named Anne Greene, who is MADT's company's director." Castle replied. "Anne knows be because I once dated one of her friends. It got awkward between the ladies. But not because of that."

"I bet you loved that." Esposito commented.

Rick laughed, "A dispute between two head strong women? Bring on the popcorn. It was great. But she-" he pointed a finger towards Kate, "Was a fuming on the way back here. Got it in her head she has to get the list."

"Alrighty," Esposito replied, "Beckett fixated …"

"You got it," Rick replied.

Ryan poured himself a coffee. "She's giving that keyboard a beating."

Rick cleared his throat, "Yeah, imagine if she had boyfriend."

The boys laughed heartily then Ryan asked, "So how did the director get Beckett so wound up?"

"Greene insisted to Beckett that the donors on her list cherish their anonymity. According to Greene, they're contractually obligated to protect that." Castle explained, "And I understand that, but as Beckett said, it's a matter of life and death."

"So, they refused to hand you guys a donor list." Espo said.

"Yep. Anne Greene told Beckett should would need a court order so there she is tapping away. However, I have a better I idea." Castle smugly smiled as he picked up his freshly made coffees then headed towards the door.

At Beckett's desk, Rick placed a mug of coffee to her right on the desk, but didn't say a word, already fully aware it was not the time to disturb Kate. He sat on his chair. He quietly enjoyed the coffee, happy he had finally figured out the best tasting coffee for him from the machine. Now he had to just get Beckett's perfect. With a little bit of nudging later on, he would get out of her an assessment of his latest brew and he would then improve upon that next time. He was getting close to having the perfect coffee recipe for Kate.

As Ryan and Esposito returned to the breakout room Rick noticed a courier come from the elevator searching for someone. He immediately put down his coffee, got up and approached the biker, also making an effort to breathe through his mouth in case the guy didn't use deodorant. He got the guys attention and asked, "Dude, you looking for Richard?"
The courier checked the envelope in his right hand, then looked up, "Castle? Yes, Sir I am."

He smiled and pointed at himself, "That's me."

"Cool." The scruffy guy handed over the yellow envelope and held out a hand held gadget. "Sign here." He pointed at the little screen and handed over a e-pen.

"Sure," Rick signed, "Thanks, Pal," he handed back the little machine and pen, smiled and watched as the courier guy turned and headed back to the elevator.

Beckett was still at her computer, still mad, as still writing up the affidavit. As Rick returned to the desk he extracted the contents of the envelope, checked the items then slipped them in his suit pocket. Ryan also approached Beckett's desk.

Ryan glanced at Castle who gave him the nod to procced, then said, "Beckett, we ran employees and volunteers. None have priors or records."

Beckett ignored him. Ryan leaned in, gave a wave and said, "Hello?"

Beckett raised a hand, shushed him, shooed him away. Ryan turned to Esposito. "What's she doing?"

Esposito replied, "Like Castle said, she's writing an affidavit for a court order."

Castle added, "That no one is going to sign." He leaned towards Becket and asked, "Did you see that list of Board members? Half the judges in town are on it."

Beckett flopped back in her seat, exasperated by the guys on her team, "What am I supposed to do, huh? Just let someone else die?" She put her hands into her hair, wishing this lousy case would be over soon.

Castle glanced at the guys as he said, "Whoa, hey, you seem a little stressed. Hey, you know what you need?"

Kate shot him a scornful look. "Don't tell me what I need."

"A night out on the town," he persisted light heartedly.

Beckett's brow tightened further which Rick didn't think was possible, but hell she looked cute, "A what now?"

He pulled two glossy tickets out of his jacket and gave them a shake a grin on his face.

"What are those?" Beckett asked.

Castle said, "The gateway to another world."

Beckett got nervous as Rick was going too fast for her to anticipate where his plan of action was headed, "Castle-," she warned.

"They hold four fundraisers a year, Kate. The last one took place a week before the robberies began."

Beckett shook her head, "No."

"It is perfect. You don't have to ask who the donors are, because they'll be there wearing their jewelry," he explained, wondering why the hell she wasn't springing onto this opportunity. Instead she looked worried.

Esposito interjected, "If the employees and volunteers are clean, then our perp-"

"Skell," Castle corrected.

Esposito continued, not amused, "...could be working the party."

"And we can work the door," Ryan suggested.

Castle nodded then said, "So, it's settled. Pick me up at eight?" He started for his coffee, wondering why she seemed a little anxious. Given a sip or two of his coffee, he paused, suddenly aware of why Kate was objecting. But just to make sure he had it right, he casually said, "Oh, it's a black tie event. That's not a problem, is it?"

Kate, who stared at Rick's eyes, trying to send him an SOS message replied, "Uh, no... No."

Castle smiled, fully conscious of her issues. He waved her farewell and headed out, leaving Beckett stunned.

In the elevator, Rick texted Kate on her special phone.

I will sort it out for you.

She instantly wrote back, How?

Trust me, Babe. Catch a cab to my place. C u at 8 pm.

As the door closed behind her, Kate discarded her bag on the couch, still a little frustrated about the overall day. It was gone six o'clock, she was hungry, wanted a drink, and in less than two hours she somehow had to be frocked up for a high society event. She was sure Rick would wear an expensive formal suit, probably a tuxedo, and fit right in. He had attended a couple events on his own since they had been dating. He had tried to have her join him but she didn't want to risk their affair being found out even though he thought they would be safe. It hadn't stopped her feeling jealous, that he was out without her and that he might meet another woman.

Apart from her trip to LA, she couldn't remember the last time she had needed a formal dress. There was a collection of bridesmaid dresses gathering dust in a bedroom cupboard, and she own a couple of standard black evening dress but nothing for a night out mixing it with the rich and possibly famous.

"Shit," she muttered as she continued across the living room towards the bedroom. "Damn you, Rick Castle." She scorned at a photo of them in a frame on her coffee table. Then a thought hit her like a freight train. She stopped dead. "Oh God." She glanced about the small living area of her one room apartment. There were bits and pieces of Castle throughout the home. Friends rarely visited, which enabled them to have the luxury of being themselves in her place. She glanced at the time. She had about ten minutes.

The private cell phone began to ting with a call. She picked up.

"Castle." She hissed.

"Kate." Rick calmly greeted, clearly taken aback by her tone, "Are you home?"

"Yes."

"You're angry."

"Yes."

"Arr… you're trying to be but you're sounding way to cute to really be mad at me," he smoothly said.

"No. I'm angry."

"Ok, well, I was calling to make sure you hide my stuff before Lanie gets there."

"No shit, Sherlock. You got a fucking camera set up in here?" She smirked to herself.

Rick started to laugh. "I would love to set up one in your bedroom."

She growled at his boyishness, "I bet you would," then smiled and said, "I gotta go. I don't know what to wear."

"No matter what, you will look beautiful."

"Rose colored glasses."

Rick chuckled, "Might be."

"I'll see you soon, lover boy." Kate hung up, picked up the photo frame then commenced a rapid collection of all evidence of Castle. There were post it notes scattered about the place, clothing in the bedroom, personal things in the bathroom and dishes in the kitchen all of which implied two. She hid everything into a box and concealed that in the coat rack by the front door then threw dishes in the dishwasher and turned that on. She finally hurried to the bathroom for a shower.

"Wow," Lanie exclaimed as she followed Kate into her bedroom. She gazed about unaware Kate nervously glanced over her room hoping she had hidden every hint of Rick's existence in the room. "You have really made some changes in here, Kate."

Beckett smiled and replied, "Been adding a bit here and there." She adjusted the towel wrapped around her body then brushed her fingers through her curly wet hair. Some of the changes Lanie saw, were little gifts from Castle that no one would be able to label as his contributions. He'd bought shelving for her large array of shoes, mainly because he was afraid he would break his neck tripping on one, on the way to or from the bathroom.

Lanie pointed and Kate followed her gaze. The pink antique chair. Kate raised an eyebrow, and tried to remain nonchalant about her pink chair. She had forgotten that the rush to clear up. It was sitting there bare, but for a light pink cotton throw rug over its back.

"The chair. Oh my … Kate where did you find that chair?"

"Umm, a little place up State near my Dad's cabin."

She watched as Lanie approached the chair positioned in the corner on her side of the bed. She was a little taken aback when Lanie sat upon the seat. It was a piece she didn't care to share with anyone other than Rick.

"It's gorgeous, Kate." Lanie's fingers stroked the velvet. Kate's mind was filled with memories of herself and Rick busy on the chair. "So pretty."

"I love it," Kate commented.

"You know girl, if you played your cards right, you and writer boy could be making out on this chair like it was built for."

Kate coughed, "I don't think so, Lanie." She felt her cheeks blush.

"You know if he saw this chair…"

"Lanie, I have to find a dress to wear."

Lanie's eyes rolled. "Girl, you have this chair, which is perfect for …"

"Lanie. Focus. Dress. I have about forty five minutes left before I have to pick him up."

"He's not coming here?"

Kate's brow furrowed, "No way. Castle can't come here. He'd think it was an invitation …"

"And he would see the chair." Lanie stood up to join Kate who faced her wardrobe. The doctor scanned the dresses hanging. "Geez, Kate, we need to go shopping."

"Good idea."

She took a couple of dresses that Beckett handed her, then stepped back to the bed and sat upon the edge of it. "I don't think these two are contenders."

Kate glanced over her shoulder. "No, I will give them to charity." Beckett frantically tossed dresses out of her closet. One by one, Lanie inspected them as Kate held each up for viewing. There was a bright pink dress with puffy sleeves.

Lanie screwed up her nose then said, "No, no. Uh-uh. That one goes to the thrift store."

Beckett held up another dress this one bright and loud.

Lanie burst into laughter, "Whoa, Karma Chameleon."

Beckett tissed then replied, "The girl at Saks said fluorescent is in."

"Well then Kate, she was on commission."

Beckett threw that dress aside then showed the next one draping a sequined dress over her front.

Lanie said, "Uh-uh."

"Too Showgirls, Lan?"

Lanie nodded. Beckett sighed in frustration and dropped the dresses, suddenly stressed out to the maximum about going out in public with Rick. He was on the social lists, he was accustomed to going to these sort of functions and she didn't want other women judging her.

Beckett drew a panicked breath then said, "You know why he's trying to do? He wants to humiliate me."

"He wouldn't do that."

The doorbell buzzed. Kate glanced down at her body still wrapped in the white towel, no make-up on and her hair was damp.

Beckett said, "Lanie, can you get that, please?"

"Alright. But you better not be wearing your prom dress when I come back." She stood and headed out of the bedroom to answer the door. Alone, Beckett gazed into her closet and let out a frustrated groan. She wished Rick had given her a heads up on the invitation with enough time to buy a new dress.

Lanie returned to the bedroom carrying a large white box that appeared to be heavy.

"Who was it?"

"Delivery."

Kate turned her back on the cupboard with a mental note to herself to go shopping soon, and asked, "From who?"

Lanie said, "Let's find out. Courier didn't say."

She handed Beckett the box. Lanie opened the plain card on it. No signature.

Lanie read, "Bibbity-bobbity-boo?"

Beckett rolled her eyes, "Cinderella. It's from him."

Lanie said, "Oh, please. It's a dress. Now open it up, girlfriend."

Beckett mumbled as she lifted the large lid, "Oh! I knew he was arrogant, but this, this is complete..."

Beckett let the lid fall to the floor, then carefully pulled the tissue wrap aside, leaning in with Lanie, both inquisitive as to what was within. Lanie gasped when she sighted the contents.

Beckett tilted back, and with widened eyes, squeaked, "Oh."

"The greatest dress in the world," Lanie whispered.

Kate's fingertips lightly brushed the red and clear stones sown into the red dress. "The gems on it, Lanie," The ladies gently unfolded the gown from the box. It was of significant weight. Handmade. Stunning dress.

"It's gorgeous, Kate."

"It's so heavy," Kate said as she excitedly held the dress to her torso.

"Oh my God, Kate, it's a damn fine dress."

"What else is in the box?"

"Let's find out." Lanie reached into the box to lift out a red corset and heeled shoes. "He knows your size or he had a damn good guess."

Kate nervously looked from Lanie's eyes to the red satin stilettos and the gorgeous corset. Castle was well aware of what her sizes were. He'd already bought her clothing but nothing as extravagant as this number. "He's had plenty of women, Lanie. He would know my size looking at me."

"He got the heels right? Size 9?"

"Mmmhmm." Kate swallowed, aware she had just been gifted with a dress worth thousands of dollars. It brought on a whole new level of anxiety, completely independent of the anxiety she felt about the fund raising event they were going undercover to. She pushed it all down and focused on undercover. The evening was an undercover operation. Back to the dress, she looked at Lanie, "I think I might need help getting into it, Lanie."

"You've gone pale, Kate."

Kate paused, the anxiety once again on the rise, "Lanie, this dress is worth thousands."

"Could it be a rental?"

Kate shook her head as she cast her eyes over the fabric, the quality. Compared to the dresses she had hired in LA, the was out of the ball park, "He purchased it." To Kate that meant he intended for her to enjoy the dress, like a piece of jewelry.

"I told you he likes you." Lanie held out the corset. "Put this on first. You know he fantasizes about you."

She glared at her friend. "Shut up, Lanie. Maybe I fantasize about him, you know." She laid the dress on the bed then took the corset from her friend.

"Do you?"

"No." She glanced at Lanie whose expression told her she didn't believe a word. She sighed, "Ok, yes, I fantasize about him."

"That's better." Lanie smiled.

"About killing him." Kate smiled cheekily.

"Oh, c'mon Kate. Even I have to admit he has guest starred in a couple of my fantasies."

"Really?"

"You really looked at him?"

That's the second Kate couldn't hold her emotions in check any longer. She felt her cheeks brighten and her eyes must have glistened because Lanie laughed. It was the moment she would have dearly loved to share her secret with her best friend. That she was with Castle and he was making her so damn happy. But instead she took a deep breath then admitted, as she dropped the towel pulled herself into the corset, "Yes, okay. I have had dreams about him." She smiled at Lanie and turned about so Lanie could tighten the corset. "He is pretty hot." She confessed.

"You really need to let yourself have some fun with him." Lanie softly said as she drew in the lace. "I won't do this too tight."

"Thank you. I want to breathe." She fell quiet while Lanie set the corset in its proper place and adjusted the tie. Somewhere she had a need to share her secret with her best friend but she and Castle had made a pact not to tell anyone for now. It didn't ease the discomfort she felt as she cast her eyes down on the bodice of the piece. It was all she would wear beneath the dress as she knew the dress was going to be a tight fit. With nothing said she tugged the corset to where it was most comfortable before Lanie tied the bow.

Kate quickly fixed her hair and applied make up while the women talked. Kate received a text from Castle to tell her he had called his driver and booked the sedan that would be out front for her at 7.45. No need to catch a cab.

"He's ordered a car," she said and put the phone down. "He's really good like that, Lanie. Always considerate."

"I tell you, girl, you are crazy not to date him."

"Not ready, Lanie," she quietly replied and reached for the dress. "The car will be here in ten."

It took them longer to get her in the dress and manage to button it up than anticipated. As she stepped before the mirror, fully dressed and ready to leave, she couldn't help but feel pleased with what stared back at her. She was not going to feel out of place with the other guests. She would blend in.

"Its beautiful Kate. You look divine."

She smiled. "I really feel like a Princess, Lanie. Undercover Princess."

Martha opened the door and gasped when she saw Beckett in a beautiful red and gold evening gown. She checked Kate from head to two, "Stunning. Simply stunning. Come in, come in." She waved Kate into the left, backing up, "Richard, your date is here," she hollered over her shoulder.

"I'm not his date." Kate meekly replied, a hand lightly pressing to her abdomen. She was oddly nervous about seeing him, about him seeing her in a dress he chose.

Martha gave a dismissive wave of her hand, "I can't wait for him to see how lovely you look, Katherine. Oh! Hang on. Hang on."

Martha rushed off in the room leaving Kate standing before Alexis. Kate shyly looked at the younger red head.

Alexis said, "You look incredible."

Beckett stood looking uneasy in the expensive dress then fidgeted, "Really?"

Castle approached in a black dinner suit his smile broadening the closer he came. Kate felt all the oxygen leave her lungs, he looked that handsome. He came to a halt to the left of his daughter. "Really. You clean up nice, Detective Beckett."

Beckett instantly stood a little taller, aware he was behaving in front of his family, "Thank you, Castle."

Martha returned with a beautiful diamond and ruby necklace draped over her fingers she held out for Beckett to see. She said, "I was nominated for a, uh, Tony once, and..."

Beckett held up her hand, "Oh, no, Martha, I couldn't-"

"Yes, you can." Martha stepped behind Kate the jewelry circling her neck, "Let me see ..." she leaned around to assess the jewelry that Kate touched, her eyes on Rick who seemed calm. She fidgeted.

"Oh! It's brilliant." Martha stated then looked at Kate's eyes, "So, where are you guys headed tonight?"

Behind his mother and out of her eyeline, Castle waved trying to message Beckett not to tell her where they were going.

Beckett who glanced between mother and son, said, "Uh... Uh... Uh, we're going to the, uh, Waldorf."

Martha replied, "Uh-huh," and shot Rick a triumphant glare.

Kate thought Castle looked deflated. It was time to make a more, "The car is waiting Rick. Shall we go?"

"Let's do." He turned to Alexis, "I'll see you tomorrow, Sweetie. Have a good night." He kissed her forehead.

"Have fun undercover, Dad."

"I will. Can't wait. Feel like I'm James Bond."

Three sets of eyes rolled and Kate turned and walked out of the loft. "Good night ladies," she called back. She heard Rick follow, his house keys jangling as he hurried after her. Yes he did look like James Bond but a bloody good sort. Seeing him in a tux had turned her on so much so her body had other ideas about what they should be doing for the evening. Behind her she heard Rick following, the sexy grunt of his approval.

He crept up behind her and wrapped his left arm about her waist restraining her from continuing on. She laughed and tried to escape his grasp. She paused. "Castle."

"Mmm?"

She felt the vibration of his laughter, "We have to go." She reached to the wall and managed to hit the down button. "Stop making me laugh. I can't breathe."

The ride down the elevator was way too fast. The second the doors closed, and they were alone, shut off from the rest of the world, Castle swept in on his prey gently maneuvering her to the wall. With is face an inch from hers, his eyes looking straight into hers, he draw in a deep breath, absorbing her perfume, her scent.

"Miss Beckett." He began.

She excitedly glanced between his lips and eyes, and unconsciously bit her bottom lip. Her breaths were rapid. "Do you know how handsome you are?" She seductively asked touching his chin with a finger.

"Keep doing that and we won't get to the party." He responded his gaze on her lips.

"You bought me a dress."

"It's gorgeous on you. You should have been a model." He closed in the space between them and whispered into her right ear, "I want to kiss you, my beautiful creature."

"Kiss me, quick." She ordered and reached her palms to his cheeks. She got the kiss, and his hands slipped to her buttocks. It was a damn decent kiss. It only stopped with the elevator gave its familiar little bump when it reached the ground floor lobby.

When the doors opened, Rick ensured their arms were linked so Kate wouldn't trip.

As they walked to the entrance she paused them and stepped so she was in front of him, "You need to wipe your lips, Castle." He had red lipstick smeared over his lips.

"Not yet. We have a ten minute ride to the event. I haven't finished with you yet."

Kate squeezed his arm as they resumed the short walk to the waiting sedan. It might be an undercover operation they were embarking upon, but she really felt like they were on a real date, and she wanted as much of that as she could fit in before the job and their secret took precedence.

TBC