Valentine's Day 2011

She'd been distracted today by the case which meant she hadn't needed to read any of his books to keep the memories at bay, even if the case had been a nightmare for the both of them.

They go to the Old Haunt for drinks and are soon sat in one of the corner booths at the back of the bar with a bottle of tequila some salt and a bowl of limes and two pints of beer. "What time do you have to meet Josh?" Castle asks after knocking back the first tequila shot and biting into a lime slice.

"No idea," she replies, copying his motion before pulling her beer towards her, it probably wasn't a good idea to get drunk with Castle before going out with her boyfriend. "But he said he'd ring me when he gets off work, if he gets off work," the last bit sounded almost like she was moaning, but Kate Beckett didn't moan about anything.

"Well when he does ring I'll leave you to whatever it is he has planned," Castle said, drinking some of his beer.

"Mhum," Kate said, running her finger along the top of her pint glass, "Won't be as fun as the baseball game last year though." She looked up as she finished speaking, her eyes wide, she obviously hadn't meant to say that.

Castle smirked, "Why Detective Beckett, are you saying you enjoyed my company last Valentine's Day?"

She shook her head, "Nope. I was saying I enjoyed the game, and meeting Joe Torre."

"Did your dad like the signed stuff you got?" Castle questioned.

Kate nodded, "He did yes. He also told me to thank you for taking me, which I'm pretty sure I did."

Castle nodded, "You did; you brought me dinner at Remy's."

She laughed and then looked at her phone as it began to ring. She picked it up and said, "Hi Josh, you ready to meet up?"

Castle made to leave but she shook her head as she listened to what was being said on the phone. "Ok, I understand. Maybe some other time." She hung up and looked back at Castle, placing the phone on the table.

"Change of plans?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, "He got called into an emergency surgery and probably won't be done for a couple of hours."

"So," Castle said, holding up the tequila bottle, "Want another shot?"

She smiled and held up her glass for him to fill, "Sure, why not."