A/N: You guys rock my world. That is all.

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Hiding my Heart

Chapter 6

"So what do we have?" Kate asked as she stepped under the yellow tape that was closing the entrance to the apartment. She had spotted Ryan outside talking to one of the tenants and Esposito was crouching beside the body talking quietly to Lanie.

"Meet Kevin Blanchard. 37-year-old attorney, who worked for Peterson & Johnston." The Hispanic detective told her as she crouched down next to him.

Blanchard was lying in a pool of blood that was rapidly spreading beneath him and on his shirt from the two shots he had taken to the chest. After years of working as a homicide detective, Kate was somewhat used to the gruesome crime scenes and dead bodies just basically didn't faze her anymore. But now, as she stared at Blanchard's lifeless eyes, with another gunshot wound in the middle of his forehead, she felt her stomach revolt at the sight. Not because it was gruesome and disturbing, but because it reminded her too much of her parents. The MO was exactly the same with a shot to the head and two to the chest and it just hit too close to home. The other two victims, who had worked at the same firm, had been killed in exactly the same way.

"It has not been a good week for Peterson & Johnston." She commented dryly and Esposito tried to contain a snort unsuccessfully. "Looks like the cause of death is pretty obvious. Lanie?" She turned to the medical examiner for confirmation.

"Yup. One GSW to the head and another two to the chest, for good measure." Her friend said and Kate nodded, thinking for a moment. "Looks like a 45, but I can't be sure. Would have to wait on ballistics for confirmation."

"Same as the others, huh?" Kate stood up and ran a hand through her hair. "Three lawyers from the same firm in a three-day span. It can't be a coincidence, right?"

"Doesn't look like a serial either. The other two, Ford and Garcia, they were working on that Senator scandal, right?" Esposito stood up as well, signaling Ryan, who had just stepped into the apartment. "How much do you want to bet this guy here was working on the same case?"

"Yeah, it's not a coincidence. What do we know about this case they were working on?" She nodded at the younger detective when Ryan reached them.

"Well, just what's been on the news, really. Senator Donovan is being prosecuted for raping that underage girl. These guys were the ones pointing the finger at him." Ryan explained and looked down at his notepad. "I talked to some of the neighbors and no one heard a thing. The lady next door said she saw Mr. Blanchard here arrive around 7, but didn't hear anything after that."

"Who found him?" She asked, picking at her cuticles. Being here was making her nervous and she couldn't pinpoint the reason why that was.

"Girlfriend. She's in shock. Couldn't get much out of her yet." Esposito chimed in and Kate sighed.

"Alright." She ran a hand through her hair again, trying to put some sort of order to her thoughts. "You guys try talking to her again tomorrow. I'll pay a visit to our dear Senator Donovan as well. There's no way this guy isn't neck deep in this." She said and the guys nodded. "Let's finish processing the scene and we can start fresh in the morning. Where are we on Ford and Garcia?"

"Still nowhere, remember? We're bringing in their assistants again tomorrow for questioning." Ryan told her, slipping his notepad into his jacket. "You look nice, Becks." He said, apparently just noticing what she was wearing. "Hot date with your friend from the other day?" He grinned at her teasingly and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't think that's any of your concern." She said, a chuckle escaping without her consent when he lifted an eyebrow at her. "Fine, yes. Go do your job now." She shoved him playfully, making him laugh. Kate shook her head, amused, and turned to Lanie, who was finishing up with the body.

"So…" Her friend stood up and looked up at her. With her high heels, their height difference was a little striking. "What's this I hear about a hot date, Detective?" She grinned and Kate groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, come on. Not you too." She complained, but Lanie just glared at her. "Okay, fine. But can we please not do this here?"

"Sure, as long as I get all the dirty details." She shrugged and Kate sighed. "Come on, walk down with me and Mr. Blanchard here."

She waited until Lanie had their vic settled in the body bag and hoisted up onto the gurney to roll him down to the car. Kate really didn't feel like talking about it with Lanie yet, but she knew there was no getting out of it. She wouldn't give many details, but she hadn't been with anyone in quite a while so it was really no wonder Lanie was so interested. The fact was that she just had never been really good at this whole relationship thing and after the fiasco her last attempt at having a steady boyfriend had been – he dumped her because she was always working and didn't have time to do normal boyfriend and girlfriend things – she hadn't really tried to find anyone. In the end, she felt like if she didn't commit to anyone, didn't fall in love and let herself depend on another person, then maybe she could be spared the heartache that would inevitably happen when that person walked away after seeing how messed up she was.

She was honestly trying not to get carried away with this thing with Rick because she knew he would eventually get bored and find another girl. Even if her messed up baggage didn't drive him away, her impossible hours at work probably would. Hell, it had already ruined their first date, she thought with a heavy sigh. Nevertheless, she was going to enjoy it while it lasted. It would turn out okay. As long as she didn't let herself fall for him, she would be okay.

"So dish. Who's the guy?" Lanie turned to her with an excited glint in her eyes after loading the body onto the medical examiner van. "Is it anyone I know?"

"Probably not. We met a couple of weeks ago when I went for a run in Central Park. His son bumped into me. He apologized and asked if I wanted to get some coffee because it had started snowing and that was it." She gave her the incredibly abridged version and prayed she would leave it at that. Obviously she should have known better than to believe that would actually happen.

"Nuh-uh, girl. You're not going to leave me hanging like that. I want details. What's his name, what does he do, is he hot, is he good in bed, the whole shebang." She prompted and Kate sighed, leaning against the back of the van.

"You guys are entirely too curious for your own good." She glared at her, but Lanie just kept waiting for her to elaborate. "Alright. His name is Rick, he's a writer. Very good looking, yes." A small escaped when she thought of that boyish grin he had been sporting tonight when he gave her flowers. "Haven't gotten to the sex part yet. Tonight was our first date."

"How was it?" Lanie asked with a smile and Kate bit her lip, looking away. "That good, huh?" She nudged her friend and Kate chuckled, nodding.

"It was going great until Mr. Blanchard here interrupted." She said, pointing to the van behind her.

"Well, you guys are only looking into this in the morning, right? There is still time to save your night. It's still early." Lanie grinned, wiggling her eyebrows and Kate laughed and shook her head.

"No, he's probably home already. We're supposed to get together tomorrow, anyway, if I have some free time." She shrugged and Lanie sighed, walking back to the driver's side of the car.

"Well, suit yourself. Do you need a ride?" She asked and Kate nodded.

"Yeah, do you mind?"

"Not at all. It's on my way to the morgue, anyway." She settled behind the wheel and waited for Kate to get in the car. "And honey, for what it's worth? I'm really happy for you."

After Lanie dropped her off, Kate walked into her apartment and kicked off her sandals. She had pictured a completely different ending for tonight when she and Rick had been making out like teenagers in the back of that cab. Now, as she turned on the light in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water, she felt like laughing at the irony of her reality, alone at home on a Friday night at barely 11pm.

Shaking her head at herself, she put the glass in the sink and made her way to her room, dropping her purse on the bed. Grabbing her phone, she bit her lip, trying to decide if texting Rick now would sound too desperate. Sighing, she thought she should just wait until tomorrow and try to get some sleep. After all, she didn't want to scare off the guy, right? And texting him now might come off as a little too clingy. Right?

Rolling her eyes at herself for her infatuated schoolgirl thoughts, she tossed her phone back on her bed and took off her jacket, draping it over the chair. Just as she was starting to take off her blouse to replace it with an old t-shirt she could sleep in, her phone buzzed, indicating a new text message. Frowning, she wondered who could be texting her now, and grabbed her phone again. A smile formed on her lips and a giggle – an honest to god giggle – escaped her. It was him. And here she had been just a minute ago debating if she should text him or not, she thought with a shake of her head.

Good luck with your new case. Can't wait to see you tomorrow.

She grinned and quickly typed a reply, pressing the send button before she could talk herself out of it.

We're done for tonight, actually. Picking up again tomorrow morning. I'm sorry again for ruining the end of our night.

She tossed her phone back on her bed and took off her blouse, pulling on a loose NYPD shirt and a pair of shorts. She made her way to the bathroom and was about to start removing her makeup when she heard her phone buzz again. Sighing, she tried not to feel like a giddy schoolgirl as she walked back into her room and picked up her phone.

We can still save it. Wanna come over, watch a movie? It's still early.

She bit her lip, pondering what she wanted to do and what she knew she should do. In the end, she gave in and texted him back.

Are you sure? What about your kids?

She hit send and collapsed on her bed, waiting for his reply. Who was she kidding, really? She knew she wanted to see him and spend more time with him tonight after their awesome date. If Esposito hadn't called, Rick probably would still be there right now with her.

Not even a minute passed when her phone alerted her of yet another text message.

They're asleep and you're not going to bother anyone, if that's what you're worried about. Come on, please? Don't make me beg.

She chuckled and decided to throw caution to the wind. It was Friday night, a really great guy was asking her to spend some more time together after their amazing date that had been cut short because of her job.

How could she say no?

Getting out of bed, she quickly texted him, asking for his address, and threw on a more casual shirt and jeans. She was looking around for her ballet flats when her phone buzzed again. Putting her shoes on, she checked his message and replied saying she would be there soon.

She felt giddy and apprehensive when she knocked on his door twenty minutes later. The last thing she needed was to fall for this guy. Maybe this was a mistake. She had to work first thing in the morning, what had she been thinking? She had let her stupid hormones get the best of her. She knew better than that. But on the other hand, she really wanted to see him and if she was honest with herself, she knew that the chances of seeing him tomorrow were practically non-existent, given the mess this case was.

Well, either way, it was too late to back out now, she thought when the door opened, revealing a casually dressed Rick Castle. He had a Batman shirt and jeans on and his feet were bare. His smile was infectious when he saw her, immediately reaching out for her hand and pulling her to him. Their bodies crashed together and his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Leaning down – their height difference was quite something when she didn't have heels on – he pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss.

"Hi." She whispered when they broke apart a couple of minutes later. He tucked her hair behind her ear and grinned that boyish smile of his, kissing her again.

"Hi." He closed the door behind her and started to lead her into the loft. "I'm so glad you're here." He told her, guiding her to the kitchen, his arms still wrapped around her.

"Me too." She smiled at him, leaning against the island. His loft was huge and she was sure she could fit her apartment three times over in there.

"How'd the case go?" He asked, showing her a bottle of wine to which she nodded.

"It's still going. Not much we can do tonight. We'll pick things up again in the morning." She sighed, accepting the glass from him, and took a sip. This case was really taking a toll on her.

"Tough one?" He gave her a small, sympathetic smile and she nodded.

"Yeah, it's just… it started out as a simple case and now it's snowballed into this massive, complicated thing." She shook her head, trying to dispel her thoughts, and took his outstretched hand. "I don't want to think about it anymore tonight." She confessed and he tugged on her hand, leading her to the living room.

"Let's get you to relax, then." He guided her to the couch and she let herself fall onto it with a sigh. To be completely honest, her exhaustion was starting to catch up with her. "What do you feel like watching?" He asked, walking over to his massive DVD collection.

"I'm not picky. Whatever you choose is fine with me." She threw a smile in his direction and leaned her head back on the couch, closing her eyes. When she felt him plop down beside her, she opened them again and turned her head to look at him. "So what are we watching?" He didn't say anything, just pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss.

"I love that I can do that now." He grinned at her and she rolled her eyes, letting him kiss her again before settling against his side, head resting on his shoulder.

"The Notebook, Rick? Really?" She looked up at him with a smirk, unable to contain the quiet laugh that escaped.

"Don't knock it until you've tried it." He squeezed her arm affectionately and she chuckled, resting her head back on his shoulder.

"I have seen this movie, you know. A few times, in fact. I'm just surprised that you own it." She teased him and felt his shrug.

"What can I say, I'm a sensitive guy." He said lightly and she laughed again, playing with the hem of his shirt as the movie started in the big screen in front of them.

"Sure you are." She said with a yawn and heard him chuckle as he pressed a kiss to her hair.

Halfway through the movie, Kate took off her shoes and pulled her feet up, snuggling closer to him. He kept playing with her hair which just made her exponentially sleepier until she was having trouble keeping her eyes open. Wrapping an arm around his waist, she allowed herself to close her eyes for a moment.

When she woke up again, it was dark and she had somehow ended up lying on the couch with Rick, who was snoring slightly next to her. Blinking groggily, she reached for her phone in her back pocket and closed her eyes against the harsh light when she unlocked it. When her eyes adjusted to it, she was shocked to see it was already past three in the morning.

Shit.

She had to go. Now. She had to be at the precinct first thing in the morning. Jesus, how could she had just fallen asleep, she chastised herself, trying to sit up, but found herself stuck with Rick's arm around her.

"Kate?" She turned to look at him when she heard his sleepy voice. "What is it?" He blinked against the light of her phone and ran his fingers up and down her back.

"It's late. Really late. I have to go home." She told him, smiling at his adorably confused look. "We fell asleep, apparently."

"Oh." His hand came up and he rubbed his eyes sleepily, much like a little boy. "Why don't you stay?"

"I can't. I should go home." She tried to sit up again, but this time he held her in place, placing a kiss to her cheek.

"You said yourself it's late." He took her phone from her hands and checked the time. "It's almost 3:30, Kate. You shouldn't be out by yourself so late." He ran his fingers down her arm and found her hand, entwining their fingers together. "Come on. Let's sleep and you can go at first light out. How's that?" He suggested, pulling their joined hands to his chest. Kate looked up at him, debating with herself the wisdom of staying or not. A yawn escaped her and he laughed quietly. "Sleep, Kate." He kissed her lips lightly, sucking on her bottom lip for a moment. "Stay with me tonight." He murmured against her lips and she felt the rest of her resolve disappear. Sighing, she nodded and set her alarm for six o'clock.

"Okay." She whispered, settling back against him, and pressed her lips to his neck. "Sorry I fell asleep on you."

"No problem. Sweet dreams." He said sleepily and was out again in a matter of seconds.

Kate tried not to overthink this and told herself to relax. She could worry about what this could possibly mean in the morning. Right now, as his steady breathing made her eyes grow heavier, she decided she just wanted to sleep.

A/N: Your reviews are my drug of choice. So please tell me what you think?