Remember this

A/N: You guys are great, honestly. I do have a question for you though; Someone asked me if I could please not kill Johanna. Answer: I'm willing to spare her, which means this will probably stay a 'feel good' fic… but without Johanna's death- Kate wouldn't be who she is 'now'. I find it very difficult to decide. What do you guys think? [Update: Some people have been asking how/why Johanna would/could die in this universe and trust me when I say I'm way ahead of you. I know how this would play out if she dies the way I have in mind... but she's very fun to write. I might just keep her around!]

Disclaimer: I still do not own Castle. I do have a hamster named 'Stormy' after Derrick Storm? I'm cool like that.

''Two regular coffee for a 'Rick?''' The barista called. Castle quickly put away his phone and walked towards the counter, where he thanked the barista and he collected his drinks. He had no idea what Kate took in her coffee, so he just grabbed some sugar and milk and put it in the pocket of his coat.

A week had gone by since they last spoke, much to Castle's dislike. Even though he had given her his number, he still hadn't received hers. She wasn't going to like this anyway, especially his excuse. He had been held captive by his publisher because he hadn't handed in the newest chapter of the Derrick Storm novel yet. Inspiration hadn't been on his side for the last few months and his publisher- though it was almost as if she was trying to seduce him more than anything else - had decided that he had to write the chapter. In her presence.

It still pissed him off, he knew he could be childish sometimes, but did he really have to stay put till it was finished?! Unbelievable. She was lucky he had signed a contract. For the sake of keeping himself sane, he'd written a character based on Kate. However, Gina had almost killed him (okay, not literally) for trying to write another female into the Storm series. It didn't take long for him to realize that Gina was fishing for him to base a character on her for his newest book. What bothered him was that he didn't know how far she would go.

He mentally created a list for himself. To do: Find another publicist.

He saved Kate's part along with some notes and then went to work on the newest chapter. And it only took me a week! He thought sarcastically.

Gina had finally gone home that morning and Castle immediately cleaned up after her and freshened up. It was weird enough to have your publicist living in your home for a week, even weirder that he didn't feel comfortable with it. He had to admit that he's been a ladies men for a few months- and then it was out of his system. Yes, he'd still dated women but never anything serious. And then Kate came along.

He turned the corner and found himself near Veritas, the restaurant of the Beckett's. A smile crept its way on his face, he couldn't wait to see her.

''Here you go sir. A cappuccino and a regular coffee.'' She put the coffee on the table and then revealed a box with cookies. ''We have a nice selection of cookies, please take one.'' She said with a smile.

''I'll decide on that.''

She was flabbergasted. Asshole.

She managed to keep smiling till she'd turned around and she quickly made her way to the bar, where she found Madison relaxing. Kate had never been one to get angry quick, but Madison always managed to get on her nerves.

''Maddy, you are now serving table ten.'' Madison nodded absently. ''I'm getting lunch.'' Before she'd put her empty tray down, someone called her name. She turned around and found Castle standing at the bar with coffee in his hand.

''Hi. I was wondering if you have some free time?'' Still annoyed with Madison, Kate decided that some time away might be good for her. And- well- it was nice seeing Castle again. ''I got you coffee.''

''Thank you.'' She said with a soft smile as she accepted the coffee from him.

Madison looked between them. Obviously, she was missing something.

She stuck out her hand to Castle. ''Madison Queller.'' He accepted.

''Richard Castle.'' He responded with a smug smile.

''You- what?'' Madison said, her eyes wide, looking back at Kate.

''Alright, we're going- tell Jo that I'll be back in an hour alright?'' Kate said quickly. Rick got the hint and moved slightly back.

''I was only away for two weeks...'' Madison mumbled as she made her way to the kitchen. Rick chuckled.

Kate quickly put her notepad away and slightly unbuttoned her blouse.

''Ready?'' He asked as he tried not to stare. She nodded. ''Alright, let's go then.''

They walked out of the restaurant together and it wasn't till a block later that they spoke again. Both were comfortable with the silence. Kate took a sip of her coffee and Rick noticed that she grimaced.

''I forgot to offer you sugar and milk, didn't I?''

''I- uh- yes. I like it sweet if you don't mind.'' He quickly grabbed some sugar from his pocket and handed it to her. He waited patiently as she put it in the take away cup.

''You know what would be great?'' She said once they were walking again.

''What?''

''If they made coffee with a vanilla flavor. I just love vanilla.'' Noted.

''I think they already have that.''

''Really? That would be lovely.'' She said, smiling. ''Though I mustn't drink so much coffee- the sugar is killing for your hips.'' He laughed. ''I said that out loud didn't I?''

''Yes.'' She blushed. ''But I know what you mean.'' He patted his, not even visible, belly. ''I need to work out more often as well.''

''Are you kidding me? You're in great shape.'' She put her hand in front of her mouth. I can't believe I just said that. ''Again, please ignore that.''

''Sorry, not happening. I'm taking it as a compliment.'' He said seriously. They kept quiet for a while, simply happy walking around sipping their coffee. That was until they heard Kate's stomach growl. Yes, he'd heard that as well. So embarrassing!

''Lunch it is then?''

She chuckled. ''I guess so.''

''What are you in the mood for? Sandwich? Pasta? Maybe some Chinese takeout?'' He tried to list as many things as possible. ''We could get some takeout and eat it at central park?''

''That sounds nice.'' She agreed.

''Chinese it is then.''

''So does this count as your idea of a date then?'' She said, while they were sitting on a bench in central park, eating their lunch. Kate what are you doing?!

''Well, this wasn't what I had in mind-'' He began.

She couldn't hide her disappointment and let the word slip out of her mouth. ''Oh.'' He noticed that a range of emotions shot through her.

Rick grabbed her hand. ''It's way better.'' He said, assuring her. She looked at their hands. ''I meant that I thought we would go for dinner, but lunch is also a great option.''

''So this is a date then?'' She asked quietly, still looking at their hands, since he had yet to release hers.

''Do you want it to be?''

She blushed. ''I don't know.''

''It's okay, Kate.'' They had both put down their food in order to talk. ''I'm your friend.'' He knew that he could never be just friends with this incredible woman but if that's what she needed at the moment, then so be it.

She seemed to relax and slowly untangled her hand from his.

''I- This just takes some getting used to Rick, you are a great guy and well- a nice friend. I'm not used to this.'' He knew there was a story there, but decided not to press his luck and let it go.

He showed his adorable smile. ''We'll work it out.'' She nodded, also with a smile. They both then proceeded to grab their lunch again. Rick finished his food first and put his empty carton next to him.

''See that man over there.'' He pointed. ''With the dog?'' She nodded. ''What's his story?''

''What?''

''Don't you ever wonder what other people's life are like or make up stories about them?'' She shook her head. ''What if he is a retired CIA agent- maybe he's undercover right now. Let's go with that. Why is he undercover?'' He pointed to the woman who was reading a newspaper a few feet away from him. ''That woman, she has the information about a drugs cartel here in town. She's been undercover for months, gathering information for this moment: the information swap. She gets the money and then she leaves. The man brought his dog because that way he would not catch too much attention. But here's the twist - she has been running the cartel.''

''I'd say well done- but it's your job, so I already figured out that you have an over-active imagination.''

He chuckled. ''True. Now what about that woman over there with the stroller.''

''The father left as soon as he found out she was pregnant and now she struggles to get through life without financial support and without the father of her daughter?''

''That was depressing - but yes, I'll take it.'' They continued to play the game until Kate's phone rang, it was her mother. Rick took the opportunity to check his mail, where he found several mails from Gina, asking him when she could expect the next chapter and if he was free for lunch tomorrow. He quickly replied that he would get her the chapter ASAP but that he had already had an appointment for lunch, it was somewhat true, he'd promised his mother that he would drop by some time that week.

Kate hung up the phone and she looked surprised. He didn't have to ask because she told him before he could.

''Mom just called me to say that they don't need me to work tonight, Madison took over my evening shift.''

''That's nice of her.''

Kate chuckled sarcastically. ''She owes me. Big time.'' Since she was free for the rest of the day, an idea struck him.

''Crazy idea.''

''Spill.''

''There is a cinema in town that plays classics and I think that I read somewhere that 'Forbidden planet' is playing this week. I'll have to check it though, but I was wondering if you would feel like going?''

''Don't you have to work?''

''Where do you think I was all week?'' He replied.

''Ah, that explains.''

''Explains?'' he said, wondering.

''Why you didn't drop by the restaurant.'' She said, slightly embarrassed.

''My publicist kept me locked up.'' He said in a way of explaining, though it didn't come out the way he wanted. ''I had neglected to sent her the newest chapter of Gathering Storm.''

''Why?''

He shrugged. ''I couldn't write.'' Even though his body screamed 'I don't want to talk about it', Kate took her chance.

''Any idea why that was the case?''

He sighed. ''I don't know.''

''It's okay, you know. We all have that sometimes- not being able deal with your regular scheme. It might be a phase and maybe it feels like life isn't on your side at the moment or maybe you just need some inspiration. It could be that simple.''

''You are right, I just need some inspiration. Derrick Storm doesn't give me the satisfaction of writing any more, though I have to keep writing him for at least another three novels. I only recently got a new contract.''

''You could write something different in your free time? Maybe just to clear your head?'' Oh, you have no idea. He thought to himself.

''I'm working on it.'' Some time while talking, Rick had slid closer to Kate, but neither seemed to notice.

''And if you ever need any help. I'm just a phone call away.'' She said, honestly. ''Thinking of which, I believe that you do not have my number yet.'' He handed her his phone and she typed in her number.

''That's great- thank you, Kate. Same goes for you.'' They both looked away from each other for a moment. ''However, now that you mention it- Are you coming with me to see Forbidden Planet? Because you hadn't answered that question and I couldn't possibly go on my own-'' He shook his head. ''That came out wrong- I meant to say: Would you come with me? I'd love some company.''

''For a writer you have a magical way with words.'' She said, teasing him. A soft smile appeared on his face.

''You do that to me.''

''Oh, really?'' He nodded. ''Yes, I'll come with you to Forbidden Planet, but I have to go home and change first.''

''Why? You look great.'' He said, checking her out.

''Yes, but I also like to be comfortable and not feel like I have to work any minute. I also have some stuff that I need to take care off before we go, so I'll need some extra time.'' He nodded. ''What time does the movie start?''

''Let me check.'' He made a quick phone call and then turned back to Kate, who was staring at him. It made him self-conscious. ''It starts at eight.'' He then looked at his watch. ''So we have well- plenty of time. Five hours to be precise.''

She chuckled. ''It's funny.''

''What?''

''I don't want to go home.''

''I know what you mean.'' He said, sincerely. He watched her and saw her shiver. ''Are you cold?''

''I- forgot my jacket when we left and we've been here for a while.''

He immediately took off his jacket and put it around her. ''Why didn't you say so?''

''Because I figured you might do this.'' She pointed towards the jacket. He smiled sheepishly at her. ''We have to go now though.''

''We don't have to. We could just take a plane and go to Europe if you want, I have the money if that's what you're concerned about.'' She laughed and somewhere she knew that he would do it for her in a heartbeat. He'd probably have an entire plan lain out already.

His heartbeat sped up at the sound of her laugh and he couldn't help it but smile.

''I'll think about it.''

He held up his hands. ''That's all I'm asking.''

''You've been asking a lot lately.''

He shrugged. ''I have a lot of questions that require an answer.''

''Kate! How was your afternoon honey?'' Johanna said, holding up a tray of drinks. She only then noticed her daughter was wearing a jacket twice her size. ''Is that-''

''Yes mom, this is Castle's jacket. Get over it.'' Kate mumbled, trying very hard not to blush. ''It was very cold and he let me borrow it- we're seeing a movie tonight so I'll give it back to him then.''

Johanna had such a smug smile on her face that Kate was almost ready to give up her date with Castle. ''I'm not judging.''

''Yes, you are.'' Kate replied in a sing-song voice.

''No, I'm not.'' Her mother copied in the same voice. ''But listen, I'm happy for you. You finally look relaxed and you've definitely made a friend.''

''He is a friend.''

''For now.''

''Mom!'' She hissed.

''These drinks are not going to serve themselves!'' Johanna said cheerily. ''Let me know when you leave - because I'd like a word with him.''

''What? Why?''

''Because if he ever gets bored again, we would be very happy to have him here as a waiter. We made three times the usual that night, not to mention the tips!''

''Are you serious?''

''No, but it's funny to see you squirm.''

Kate groaned. ''I hate you.''

''Love you too, now go get some rest. Can't have you all grumpy when he picks you up tonight.'' Kate narrowed her eyes and walked towards the bar, where she found her dad in his usual spot.

''What's up with you?'' He said, immediately noticing Kate's mood.

''Mom is teasing me about Castle and it's freaking annoying.'' He nodded. ''And it's like - he is my friend, why would I ruin that with something else?''

''So you do like him?'' He asked, since he'd already detected the jacket around her shoulders. ''Because you shouldn't have accepted his jacket if you don't like him. It gives a man hope, we are weird like that.''

''Fine. I like him alright?!'' She said, slightly losing her calmness. ''He makes me feel normal okay? Like I could actually be myself. He's great- but I don't know if he's what I need right now.''

''You'll figure it out.'' Her dad pulled her into a one armed hug and gave her a kiss on her head. ''You always do.''

She nodded and then quietly left the room to go upstairs. Johanna made her way over to her husband as soon as Kate had gone through the doors to the kitchen.

''Jo, stop traumatizing our child.'' He smiled softly while looking at his wife. ''She reacted just like you did, when I befriended you. It still amazes me how much she is like you.''

She chuckled. ''Yes, I've realized that myself as well. We're in for quite a ride.'' Jim hummed in agreement.