Soo… I know it has been a long time since I've updated. I tried to get this chapter written about 5 or 6 different times, but I didn't like where it went each time. I'm still not very happy with this chapter, but I know writing is a learning experience, and I can't try to be this amazing writer I sometimes pretend I am in my head. I hope you enjoy this next installment… hugs, ~L :]

Oh and I don't own Castle… I can't believe I keep forgetting to put my disclaimers up!

The invitation was waiting on her desk underneath a cup of steaming hot coffee. Castle was nowhere to be seen, but when Kate opened the envelope and saw the card, she understood why he chose not to be present.

The card told her to be ready at 7 to be picked up in front of her apartment. She was to dress as though she were attending a cocktail party. It was a Friday, with the date that night, and she was not on call so Kate knew she would be able to stay out late with him and truly enjoy herself.

The day seemed to go quickly for her and 7 pm arrived before she knew it. Lanie had helped her with her makeup and her dress-this was possibly the only time Castle had not had a dress delivered to her door. Kate looked in the mirror once more before taking the elevator down to the lobby. She paused before stepping outside, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. It wasn't like her to get nervous, but this feeling of an official date with Richard Castle, no less, caused the butterflies to flutter in her stomach.

The wining and dining was what she wanted, after all. Kate knew that Castle could have any girl be wanted, and he chose her. Kate Beckett. The first few moments she had spent with him came to her mind, causing her eyes to roll and a chuckle to escape before she opened the lobby doors and stepped outside. True to the invitation, a black car sat idling in front of her building. The driver exited the vehicle and held the door open for her, gesturing toward the interior. She smiled and entered the car, but was surprised to see that Castle was not inside. As soon as the driver had taken his place up front she tapped on the glass separating them. "Yes?" He asked, after the window had been rolled down.

"Is Castle joining us?" Kate leaned forward on the seat expectantly. "Is he hiding in the trunk?"

The driver shook his head. "He arranged to be escorted separately from you tonight, Ms. Beckett."

Kate's brow furrowed at the address but let it slide. "Could you tell me where we are going?"

The driver only shook his head once more. "Mr. Castle stated explicitly to not dignify that question with a response."

Kate mumbled that what he had just said was a response, but decided not to pick a fight. She thanked him and sat back, thinking and attempting to enjoy the lights of New York through the windows.

The drive to the restaurant took the better part of an hour, and Kate was wishing by the end that Castle had ridden with her. The landscape had changed to flat plains once they exited the city, and with nothing to distract her she was famished by the time she arrived at the restaurant.

The driver opened the door for her to exit the car, and she came face to face with a small restaurant, the outside, nor name, betraying what type of food they served.

The hostess escorted Kate to the table where Castle was waiting. He stood, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her on the lips. "You are beautiful, my Kate. I missed you."

She blushed a little at his declaration but smiled back at him and sat down. "I didn't know what you were in the mood for, so I got a little of everything. Their seafood is excellent here, as well as the selection of meat. And the portions are decently sized." Rick winked after his last comment. "I also went and ordered red wine, but I told the waiter to surprise us as to what kind."

"Everything looks amazing, Rick." Kate couldn't stop smiling at him and their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity until Kate cleared her throat. "I know I'm famished. What would you like to eat first?" She asked, surveying the dishes that were laid out.

Rick, studying her face, told her he wanted her to choose anything she wanted- this was wining and dining her, after all. As Kate moved to spoon some of the mussels in almond sauce onto her plate, she noticed Castle's intense stare. After swallowing hard she moved her eyes up to his once again. "I'm going to need to powder my nose if you keep looking at me like that, Castle."

Castle kept the eye contact and leaned in closer across the corner of the table that separated them. Kate knew it must have taken a lot of talent to avoid the variety of dishes in close proximity that could stain his shirt. "You are too beautiful for me not to look at."

Kate blushed furiously. She knew he had his goofy side, his flirty side, and his parenting side, but never had she ever seen him so serious and so intense. This side of him made her question why she didn't give in to his advances sooner.

She decided to respond to his compliment by shoving the bowl of mussels in his direction. "It's amazing, you have to taste it."

Rick decided not to remind her that she hadn't even taken a bite before making that exclamation. Instead, he used his fork to spear one of the pieces of seafood on her plate and smiled mischievously at Kate as he chewed. Her mouth hung open in surprise a brief moment before she said, "Do that again and you risk having both of your legs broken." Rick couldn't help but smile at the return of his favorite Detective.

OOOOOOOO

A bottle of wine and a three-course meal later, Castle walked Kate up to her new apartment, disappointed to have the evening come to a close so quickly. After he had suspended his serious airs and lightened the mood dinner went smoothly, as did the ride back to her apartment (which, he was happy to say, included a very hot make-out session for the majority of the ride).

They finally reached the door to her apartment and Kate leaned back against it casually, twirling a piece of her hair and smiling. "I really enjoyed tonight. Thanks, Castle."

He leaned in closer, smiling. "I'm glad I could impress you, detective."

Kate made the mistake of looking into his eyes and seeing the blue depths darken. She ran her hand up his chest slowly until she found the back of his neck and pulled him to her, finding his lips. She moved her mouth over his slowly, using her teeth to nibble his lips until he deepened the kiss, stroking his tongue against hers. Castle's hands found purchase on her waist, trying to pull her even closer. One hand gripping his neck, her other hand moved to his hair, tugging gently. After a few more moments Kate broke the kiss, breathing hard. "Want to come in?"

Castle grinned and kissed her passionately in response. He released her so she could open the door, but once they were inside and the door closed he claimed her lips and held her captive between his body and the door once more. Her leg stroked up his calf as the fiery kiss resumed and hooked onto his thigh, pushing her center against his arousal. Groaning, his hands reached down to cup her bottom and hoist her up, allowing her legs to lock around his hips. He tore his mouth from hers to trail kisses along her jaw and down her throat, using the hand tangled in her hair to pull her head to the side and give him better access.

He had made his way down her neck and had one of his hands up her shirt before he pulled his head away and looked into her eyes. They reflected the desire he felt and he kissed her on the lips lightly before speaking. "Kate, we need to stop."

Kate leaned her forehead against his. "Rick, I want this."

"Not like this," he argued. "We've had a bottle of wine and we're both inhibited, even if only slightly. This isn't the time and this isn't the way I want to do it."

Rick slowly lowered her until her feet touched the floor. She released the grip she had on his neck and pulled her top down. She wouldn't make eye contact as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Kate, look at me."

Her eyes didn't lift to his and he lifted her chin, coaxing her eyes to meet his. Seeing the hurt in their depths caused him to feel guilty, but he wanted to make the experience perfect for her. "I want to," he clarified. "I just don't want to feel as though I'm taking advantage of you."

He stepped back and followed her when she walked to the kitchen on shaky legs. "I suppose we could watch a movie and have some popcorn," she said over her shoulder as she reached into a cabinet. "Do you have to be home tonight?"

Rick shook his head and watched as she gracefully moved about the kitchen, gathering whatever she thought they would need. After the popcorn was done Rick sat on the couch while Kate pulled out her box of DVDs. "I haven't been able to rebuild my collection up yet," she admitted. "Although the ones I do own now could all be considered classics."

"Hm. Do you have Psycho?"

Kate made a face. "We deal with murder and mysteries all day and you want to watch a murder mystery film?"

"Psycho is a classic! Of course I want to watch a murder-mystery film, I am a man after all!" He could have sworn Kate muttered 'boy' under her breath but popped the 1960s murder flick into the DVD player nonetheless.

She sat next to him on the couch after grabbing a light blanket from the hall closet and returned right as the opening began to play. Kate pulled her feet up onto the couch and leaned her head against his chest. His arm rested along her shoulders while his hand rested on her waist, under the blanket. Soon, her breathing slowed and her body relaxed, showing Castle that she had fallen asleep. His hand moved in small circles at her waist and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, pausing there for a moment. He breathed deeply, enjoying the scent of her cherry shampoo and the smell of something that was uniquely Kate. Before he could filter his thoughts he whispered, "I love you, Kate Beckett."

He thought he felt her body tense momentarily, but figured that she hadn't heard him as he wasn't in severe pain or missing a limb. Moving her off of his chest gently, he stood and picked her up, one hand cradling her back and the other cradling her knees. He found her bedroom without much trouble, and laid her on the bed. Kissing her on the cheek, he noticed her eyes were open. "Hey," he whispered.

Kate smiled tiredly. "Want to stay? You can make breakfast."

Castle chuckled and made his way to the other side of the bed. "Sure."

He climbed in after taking off his tie and dress pants. Kate raised an eyebrow when he did so, but stayed silent, enjoying the view. She realized she was still in her dress, but was too comfortable to change out of it. As he pulled the blanket over them, she snuggled up to him and whispered goodnight. No sooner had he whispered the same did a snore come from her place in his arms. He chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her, falling quickly into a restful slumber.

How did you like it? I was glad it was almost 2000 words, I feel it made up for the late update :] I think I know where the next chapter is going, so I may be able to get that up by the end of this week… (I'm hoping and praying!) I would like some ideas from you guys, as to what dates they should go on, what should happen, etc etc, because I have been totally unimaginative with this story and need some help! I hope you enjoyed this and I'll see you in the next chapter!