The Auction: Chapter 5

She couldn't help but feel butterflies as she sat next Castle, watching the lights of the city pass by as their driver took them to the spot Castle had not-so-discreetly handed him the directions to before they got in the car. He smirked at her when he told the driver to keep their destination a secret, and she couldn't help but smile, realizing that usually she'd be annoyed at this side of him, but tonight…tonight was different. She loved the fact that he had set and planned their whole night with her mind. She could tell he was excited about his plans, but also noticed the nervousness that would flash every time he would quickly glance at her now and again as if trying to gage her reaction to where they were headed. So far, she had kept a straight face the entire way, which only caused him to squirm more.

"Now, Beckett, if you're not happy with the date I've planned out, don't hesitate. You can tell me."

Feeling sorry for him, she gave him a smile, "Don't worry, Castle. I'm excited to see what you planned for our very first date."

Apparently this didn't help him anymore because he only gave her a half smile. Feeling sorry for him, she placed her hand over his which had conveniently been located in between them, as if he was unsure whether to make a move or not.

"Castle, I'll love it." She gave him a brightening smile and he relaxed, squeezing her hand in thanks.

She scooted closer to him and pointed out some of the buildings, making small talk with him knowing that it would help calm him and her both down, and make the night more relaxing and enjoyable for them both.

Castle smiled, knowing that Kate was trying to help calm down him and make him less nervous, and truth be told, it was working. Sitting there for the last fifteen minutes had been torture as he constantly kept checking over to see if she'd give him of a hint of how she was feeling regarding to where their driver was taking them.

He wanted this night to be perfect and he knew that all started with Kate's happiness. Even if this was only to get him out of a date with another over-zealous fan, he took it seriously, and he hoped by the end of the night, so would she. So when she broke the ice by holding his hand and scooting closer to him, he had nearly jumped for joy. He wanted to show her just how serious he was about the two of them being together, and that to him, this wasn't a game and she wasn't just a conquest. He had been wanting a night like this since the day he first met her and now that she had finally agreed to it and said yes, there was no way he was going to mess this up and blow his only chance.

He loved the way her eyes lit up as they passed lights and people setting up for Christmas. Snow flakes brushed by and began to fall more frequently as they continued their drive down the street, and her smile continued to get wider and wider. It took no expert to catch up on the fact that Beckett was a fan of snow and realizing that made him more than happy because it fit right in to the date he had planned, and was something he had secretly been banking on.

He watched out the window and marveled at the way she opened up to him with ease, sharing stories of how she had visited certain places and shared her history with such ease. Before, getting Beckett to open up about her past was no easy task, and it still wasn't when it concerned different aspects of her life: her mother's murder being a keen example. And so he reveled in the fact that she was so at peace and comfortable talking to him at this moment because he knew this wasn't something that would happen every day and something he could never take for granted. He stored every word she said, every story she told, not for his own satisfaction, but in hopes of one day being able to build on those stories and perhaps create their own together. With that thought in mind, he realized that tonight would be their first story of many.

The car stopped and he got out, walking over to her side of the car and opened the door for her. She got out smoothly and took his offered hand, snuggling in closer after he closed the car door as they made their way down the sidewalk.

"So, do you know where we are?" He asked, a slight teasing in his voice.

"Of course I do. Just up that way is Central Park." Beckett nodded her head in the direction she was referring. "And straight ahead of us, Times Square."

"Right. But we are actually going to take 49th Street, which means we will be heading in neither of those directions."

Beckett looked at him quizzically, but complied with ease. "So you're idea of the date was having me catch a cold as we walked there in the snow?" She asked, teasing him.

"Well, I did get you a scarf and gloves for a reason." Castle told her, smiling. "And, in case you're still worried, our destination is only five minutes away from here. Six tops. But," Castle began theatrically, "I am never one to take risks without at least some benefit in mind." Kate snorted at that. "So while we pass these delicious restaurants along the way, be thinking about what you would like for dinner."

"Does this mean that the great Richard Castle doesn't have this entire date planned out after all?"

"Not at all. I already have reservations at a restaurant not far from here, but am more than willing to cancel to go to whatever restaurant suits your fancy."

She smiled at that and moved in even closer to show her gratitude, realizing this was going to do one hell of a date. But with Castle, how could she expect any less?