AN: I run out of ideas for this chapter, because life and college got in the way. It's so hard to divide between all of them, but I think I found my rithm. Thank you for sticking around and I hope you love dialogue heavy fanfics and short chapters :D

Enjoy chapter 6!

CHAPTER 6

Previously

Kate knew it would take her about 30 minutes to get ready, and another 20 minutes to get there. But when she entered the diner, she saw that Richard Castle was already there. 'Better get this done, Kate. You can do it'. She took a deep breath and made her way to the booth the author was in.

"Hello Mr. Castle. I am detective Kate Beckett. We discussed on the phone one hour ago."

"Ah, yes, yes. Hello detective. Please, take a seat. And you can call me Rick. Mr. Castle makes me feel old."

"All right sir-I mean Rick. Captain Montgomery told me a part of the problem, but I wanted to hear your story, to see if I got everything right and if I can help you."

"Montgomery told me you're one of the finest. You're probably wondering why you have to help me instead solving crimes. Let me tell you this: I didn't insist on you, but I am very grateful you accepted this case. Thank you in advance."

"I didn't solve the case yet, but you're welcome. So, tell me about this."

"Well, Meredith, my ex-girlfriend, broke up with me after 2 years of relationship through a text message. After another 2 years she sent me a letter, I have it right here if you need it. In this story she told me she was pregnant when she left me but didn't told me because she didn't want to get together again. She knew that if I found out about the pregnancy I was going to propose and start a family, properly. I was going to propose anyway, on the same day she left. I think I drifted away from the subject, I'm sorry. It's hard to have everything on you for so long and then to filter the information you really need."

"Don't worry. Every piece of information is important when I am building a case. Please, keep going."

"All right then. About the letter. She told me I have a daughter, and Meredith gave her to adoption here, in New York. So, my mother and I went there to find my baby, but they said they had problems with some servers and don't have my daughter records. I wanted to look through their records in the archive, but I don't have any authority. The same day you arrested me I tried to drown my sorrow in alcohol."

"Alcohol doesn't help, believe me; it just makes everything worse."

"You're right, but I wasn't thinking straight at that moment. I just wanted to wash the pain away." Wait, Kate said she knows, but how? He needed to know, like he always did.

"How do you know that?"

"I really don't want to talk about this."

"I am sorry. I don't have any right to ask you."

"It's okay. Now tell me about the adoption center, and the people you talked to. Everything could be helpful."

"The name of the adoption center is 'Alliance for Children Adoption'. I talked to the receptionist, but I really don't remember her name. I think it was Linda, or something like that, and to the manager. Eric Crown. He seemed so surprised about the servers; I don't think it was staged."

"Staged? Do you think someone would want to do something like that to you? And who?"

"I can't think about anyone right now, but my writer's mind is doing all sorts of scenarios, sorry."

"Okay. Well, in this case I have to go to the adoption center and question them myself, maybe they would tell me more than they did to you. If they are not ready to talk, I will have to get a warrant."

"So all I have to do is wait." Castle was disappointed. Castle? Where did that came from? Well, it is his name, but Kate was using the last name only with her colleagues, who were cops. He's not a cop. 'That's not the point, Kate. Castle, Rick, the writer, how do you want to name him, is still upset; maybe you could do something about it.'

"For now, you have to wait. I just need to talk to them. After that, when I would look through the records, I could use some help."

"Really? Thank you so much!"

"Yeah, really. But don't make me regret this. And if you do something, I'll let you know Mr. Castle, that I carry a gun."

"I find that hot, and scary at the same time. Wait, did I said that out loud? Anyway, thank you so much for helping me. You have no idea how much it means to me."

"I didn't do anything, so don't thank me yet. I need you to tell me your ex-girlfriend's name. I'm sure I would need it at the adoption center."

"You did. You accepted the case. Oh, right. Her name is Meredith Harper. And she told me the baby is around 1 year old." Rick saw Kate wrote the name in her notebook.

"Tomorrow morning I am going to the adoption center. If everything goes according to the plan, in two days we have to search in their archives. I told you I could use some help, but if you have something else to do-" Rick interrupted her.

"No!" Okay, that was louder than intended.

"No. The only thing I want right now is to find my daughter."

"All right then. Here is my business card. On the back you have my personal number if needed. I will call you tomorrow after I speak with the manager."

"I can't thank you enough, detective!"

"It's Kate. You can call me Kate. Now, if you excuse me, I want to go home to my daughter. Have a nice day, Rick."

"Oh, you're a mother. That's so cool. Go, spend some time with her. Until tomorrow."

"You can't say something normal?"

"I'm a writer and 'until tomorrow' sounds more hopeful."

"Well, I'm a cop. I don't need hope." And with that she left the place.

"Have a good day, Kate!" Rick muttered to himself.