A/N: Sorry this took so long. Life gets in the way.
Alexis looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Every other time she had gone on a first date she'd picked out her outfit the day before. She was the kind of person who liked to plan and be prepared. Dating by nature put Alexis in situations that she didn't have complete control over, so she clung to the small things she did have power over, like the clothes she wore.
This time however she'd needed to throw an outfit together in mere minutes. She had quickly pulled on the hastily selected navy wrap dress, smoothing it out as she checked over her reflection. She had been wholly unprepared for tonight to turn into a date. When Kevin had called her the day before, Alexis thought he was taking her up on the offer she'd extended the night they had hooked up in the bathroom of The Old Haunt. At the time she'd never thought that he could possibly want more from her than sex, but then he had shown up expecting to take her out to dinner.
All Alexis had considered up to now was that Kevin wanted her physically. He was a handsome, established, accomplished adult, whereas she was only beginning to discover what would satisfy her and make her feel fulfilled. It felt surreal that he could want more from her than sex. Alexis wasn't sure if she wanted more from the Irish detective. After their initial encounter, she had refused to entertain the idea that his interest in her could be more than purely physical, unable to believe that a man who dedicated his days to protecting people and saving lives could want someone as young and inexperienced as her. Alexis had no choice to consider the possibility now that she'd already agreed to dinner.
She called to mind everything she knew about the man waiting in her living room: He's a decade older than her, he's recently divorced, he's extremely Irish, he's willing to put his life on the line for people he cares about, he's unbelievably good in bed, and if her dad's wild tales from the precinct are to be believed then he's smart and honorable too. The list was far from comprehensive, but everything on it she liked, apart from the divorce. Alexis had witnessed the aftermath of both her father's divorces and watched as the playboy mystery writer dated a slew of women that he barely liked or respected just looking for a rebound to restore his confidence. She hadn't been opposed to a casual relationship, but she didn't want to get invested if that's all she would be to Kevin. Tonight, she would need to deduce exactly what he wanted from her and decide if she wanted it too or if she was better off cutting her losses before it could blow up in her face.
Alexis couldn't stall any longer. She grabbed a charcoal wool overcoat out of her closet and draped it over her arm then steeled herself to face Kevin. She plastered a smile on her face before opening her bedroom door, not wanting her expression to reveal the intense scrutiny she would be assessing him with this evening.
"I'm ready," she announced, looking her handsome date in the eyes.
Kevin grinned, looking her up and down in appraisal as she walked towards him. "You look amazing," he complimented the beautiful redhead.
The way he gaped at her as she reentered the room assured her that his statement was genuine. He was only appreciating her appearance, but he did so with a reverence that seemed more than one would afford a rebound. It was a promising start, but Alexis would still need to determine his intentions.
The couple made their way down to the street and quickly flagged down a cab. Once they were in route to their destination, an awkward silence settled over the pair. They traded glances at each other as they passed through city streets on their way to the restaurant but didn't exchange any words. Alexis hoped that she'd be able to shake off the nerves enough to actually hold a conversation with him. The taxi pulled up to the Italian eatery in the West Village and the couple disembarked before heading inside and approaching the hostess stand.
"Hi. Ryan, party of 2," Kevin directed to the attractive young woman behind the podium. The willowy blonde was dressed in a tightly fitted black dress and she smiled brightly at the handsome detective as she responded. Alexis braced herself for him to flirt back with the hostess, the way she'd seen her father do with pretty servers every time they dined out, prior to marrying Kate that is. But Kevin didn't spare her a second glance, merely thanking her for directing them to their table and returning his attention to Alexis, placing his hand on her lower back to guide her to their seats, and pulling out her chair for her.
None of his behavior so far was what she had come to expect from a recently single man. Kevin was being kind and considerate and keeping his focus entirely on her. Alexis knew she shouldn't be so surprised. Every interaction she'd had with him up until this point indicated how earnest and caring he was.
"So has school started back up again, or are you still on winter break?" Kevin asked, breaking the silence.
"The new semester starts on Monday. My last term at Columbia," Alexis answered, reaching for a piece of bread from the basked that sat in the middle of the table.
"Does that mean Columbia isn't in the running for law schools? Castle has mentioned a few times that you're applying," the detective inquired.
"No, it is. I applied to twelve law programs just to be safe, but I'm hoping for Georgetown," she admitted.
"So, what made you decide on law school?" Kevin questioned the young woman. "I'm sure you had your pick of subjects to pursue. Your dad has been telling all of us how capable you are for the last six years."
"Well during my second year at Columbia I worked on an Innocence Review case with one of my professors. You might remember actually, I came by to get help from you and Detective Esposito on an appeal for a death row inmate, Frank Henson," Alexis explained. "We were able to prove his innocence right before he was set to be executed, and ever since then I just knew that this was how I was meant to help people."
"I can understand that," the blue-eyed man sitting across from her responded. "I remember the moment I knew I wanted to join the force. I was thirteen and was biking home from my best friend's house after it got dark when a group of older kids jumped me trying to steal my bike and my backpack. I can still remember how safe I felt when a cruiser rolled up and the officers stopped them in their tracks before they could take my things. It was the suburbs, and I was never really in danger, but right then I knew that if I could ever make someone feel just as safe, it was something I had to do."
Their eyes connected across the candlelit table, and Alexis felt that spark she'd been lit by every other time she'd been alone with Kevin. It was clear that he not only understood her passion for advocating for those without a voice but was driven by the same desire to assist others. That was always a trait she had been drawn too. Her first boyfriend, Ashley, was dedicated to helping the environment, and was constantly starting sustainability initiatives. Pi too had been a conscientious humanitarian, devoted to making the world a better place for those who came after him. Kevin was also motivated to be a force for good, but much like Alexis recognized how dark and flawed the world could be. Their attempts to change things for the better were rooted in an understanding of how sadistic and evil people could be. They regularly faced the atrocities that people were able to commit, Kevin because of his job and Alexis by nature of being her father's daughter.
At that moment, the waiter came by the table to take their orders, severing the moment of connection between the two. They quickly requested their dishes, along with a bottle of red wine, sending their server back into the kitchen to place their orders.
"You seemed surprised that this was a date," Kevin said bluntly, changing the topic to the elephant in the room, the status of their undefined dynamic. "Is that something you're okay with?"
Alexis was shocked at how direct the older man was being. In her experiences with guys her own age, they avoided the 'what are we' conversation at all costs. She had been prepared to analyze his every word of the night as if she were the investigator of the duo, but here he was addressing their situation up front. If this is what dating a grown man was like, Alexis was beginning to think she could get on board.
"To be honest, I hadn't given it much thought," she blushed as she admitted. "I didn't think you would be interested in me, and I guess I'm still not really sure why you are."
Kevin raised his eyebrows at her statement, seemingly startled. "You're smart, and funny, and I never know what's about to come out of your mouth," he told her, and she remembered all the moments he'd been shocked by her inappropriate language. "I know we haven't spent much time together, but when we do I feel good, happier, and I'm not in a position to turn that away. So, I want to get to know you better, if you're up for it."
Alexis was incredibly flattered by his admission. His interest with her seemed to extend beyond a surface level infatuation. She had never experienced such open communication on a date, especially a first date. Usually at this point people were still putting on a façade, trying to represent themselves as better than they were. If Kevin was willing to offer up the truth, then she was going to be just a brazen and ask the questions that she needed answered to decide if she wanted to give him a chance.
"I'm not sure if I am. I really like you, Kevin. You're so wonderful, but I'm worried that it's too soon for you, and this isn't really about me," Alexis divulged to him. "I don't want to risk falling for you if you're not going to be able to take me seriously."
The brown-haired detective sighed at her explanation. He locked eyes with her, wanting her to see his conviction as he spoke. "This isn't just a fling for me, Alexis," he was interrupted as the waiter brought their drinks to the table.
The couple halted their conversation as the wine was poured into their glasses. Kevin resumed speaking once they had privacy once again, "I don't want you just because I think I need to move on. I want you because I can't get you out of my head. I've spent more time thinking about you since Halloween than I care to admit."
Alexis was convinced. It occurred to her that maybe she had made it too easy for him to sway her, but she didn't want to resist anymore. The admiration in his eyes that she saw directed at her made her swoon. Their meals hadn't even been served yet, and she was thanking the powers that be for completely derailing her plans for the night. And who knows, maybe she could still have Kevin for dessert.
A/N: I should probably stop writing drunk, but with my schedule Tuesdays are Fridays. Hope this doesn't suck.
