AU: This is my take on the Heat Wave launch party scene, where Beckett and Castle are discussing the book. Beckett was clearly hoping Castle would say something romantic or beg to write another book about her. She was totally thrown off when he mentioned the case. Anyway, this is my version of what was supposed to happen.

This particular one is pretty teen, so nothing to worry about there for all you youngins :P For those of you wanting more, the temptation is growing to bump this up to an M rated story, so don't loose hope. You may get your steamy Castle moments. Reviews are much loved!

xoxo

It was the night of the Heat Wave launch party and Detective Kate Beckett was having second thoughts about her dress. When she bought it a week ago she had loved the way it hugged her curves and showed off her toned arms and legs. The royal blue colour brought the light out in her eyes and complemented her hair perfectly. It was the lunging neckline and short skirt that was giving her doubts. Castle had suggested that if she was stumped for what to wear, all she needed to do was think 'what would Nikki Heat wear?' She found the comment to be helpful at the time, but was worried that she had followed the advice a little too literally.

As she walked down the red carpet her suspicions were confirmed as reporters cried, "Hey, its Nikki Heat!" She did her best to strut it for the cameras, but upon making eye contact with Castle she knew she had really played up her 'Nikki Heat' side too much. The man was literally drooling over her. His eyes shone with lust as his jaw dropped at the sight of her. Normally she would have been somewhat offended at Castle's blatant expression, but she found herself almost enjoying it. Appalled with the thought of enjoying Castle ogle her in a tight blue dress, she found the chief and made her way over.

"You clean up nice Detective" said the chief, bearing a welcoming and appreciative smile.

"Thank you sir."

"Castle is going to be happy to see you" grinned the chief, causing a quick flash of confusion to pass Kate's face. "Have you read the dedication?"

"No." she replied, turning to glance at the books. "What does it say?"

The chief smiled knowingly. Glancing back he replied, "Go see for yourself. 'Scuse me" and left Kate to curiously gaze toward one of the many stands containing various copies of the book.

Castle watched as Kate moved away from her conversation with the chief, and made her way towards a stack of books. Itching to speak with her, he excused himself from his company and began weaving his way through the crowd. About halfway there he was grabbed by the arm by his book agent, who was dressed in a pretty off the shoulder floral gown and gold chandelier earrings.

Following Castle's gaze she asked, "That's her?"

"That's her" he replied.

Somewhat smug the book agent continued. "Huh. That was one hell of a love letter you wrote her. Geez, one night in Beson and what do I get? A chapter in Storm Fall?"

Rick attempt to defend himself. "A very hot chapter"

"And she gets a whole book? She must be a pretty special girl." Rick couldn't help but glance over at Kate. She looked absolutely stunning tonight. The dress she had chosen complimented her perfectly, while leaving some to tease Rick's fantasies all night.

As the book agent sized up Beckett she asked Rick, "Let me ask you something. When she calls you do you call her back?"

"well, yah."

"Course you do, cause she's important to you, and it's polite." Rick suddenly understood were she was going with this. He stuttered in attempt to come up with an excuse.

"I call you back" came the weak reply.

"A three book deal, and I can't even get you on the phone to tell you got an official offer?"

"there's a.."

The book agent nodded. "So… can I close the deal?" She looked at Rick expectantly.

"Paula, I don't know. This is a big step for me. I don't know if I'm ready to walk away from Nikki Heat."

The book agent scoffed at Castle. "What the one on the page? Or the one standing over there in that Erve Legee dress?" She asked, indicating Kate.

"The one standing over there" he wanted to say. Instead he replied, "The one on the page."

"Oh Rick, are you sleeping with her?" she said, shaking her head at him.

"No."

"Well then what the hell are you waiting for! Go get it out of your system and then come down to the office and sign the damn contract okay?" With a parting pat on the cheek Castle was left to admire Kate once more. He definitely had a decision to make.

As Kate finished skimming the back of the book she opened it to the dedication.

"To the extraordinary KB and all my friends at the 12th."

She couldn't help but blush at his words. He had only called her extraordinary once before, and just like now it had made her feel things she didn't know she could; especially for a guy like Castle.

She felt his presence before she saw him. He came around her with a smile that could melt a dozen hearts right then and there.

"Hey."

"Hey" she replied, becoming slightly flustered in his presence. She managed to form a somewhat proper sentence. "I was just uh…the dedication was, wow. Thank you"

Castle smiled. "I meant it. You are extraordinary."

"There it was" thought Kate. "The one thing that makes we melt in his palm every time." Embracing the warm fuzzies filling her insides she smiled happily at Rick.

"Listen, I've was thinking…"

Kate's mouth parted in anticipation. Was he actually going to admit he didn't want to leave her? That they still needed to get to know each other, write another book? Even though she had told him she'd be happy if he went off to write for a certain British agent, she couldn't help but feel neglected. Castle had seemed so attentive and flirtatious when they were together. He seemed to really like spending time with her. She had come to discover that she enjoyed their time together too. She'd be at home on the weekends praying for a murder case to see Castle, or for enough guts to ask him out for a drink. When he had told her about the book deal, she had acted relieved to be out of the job, but really all she wanted to do was beg him not to go. Maybe she wouldn't have to after all. If Rick was going to do what she hoped, maybe this could work out.

"What if the wife got onto the affair?" Kate's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Melissa Talbot? A killer?"

"Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn." he cheekily replied.

Totally taken aback Kate attempted to form a logical reply. "Well…ah, anything's possible. I didn't see it that way."

Rick gave a slight humph at her response. "You're just saying that because you've never been scorned."

"What make's you say that?" she replied tugging gently on her lip with her teeth.

"Come on. What man has ever turned you away?" Castle laughed at the thought of someone turning Kate down. They'd be out of their minds to turn down a catch like her.

Kate couldn't help but think to herself, "How bout you Castle. You've led me on, yet have never made a move."

Collecting herself she thought it best to change the subject. "So, any word on a certain secret agent who shall not be named?"

Rick held a finger to his lips. "I got the official offer."

Kate did her best to fake her happiness. "Wow. Congratulations."

"I haven't accepted it yet."

"But you're going to aren't you?"

Castle looked curiously into her eyes. "So you think I should?"

"Well, yah. I mean, is there a reason why you wouldn't?" Kate searched Castle's eyes for a glimmer of hope to hold onto. "Come on, Castle." she thought. "This is your chance, don't blow it."

Castle took a deep breath before continuing. "As I'm sure you know this book deal is an amazing opportunity for me. I've loved him ever since I was a kid, and to hear that they were considering me to write books about him was amazing."

"No!" thought Kate. "He's taking the offer!"

"But…I'm not ready to just yet to leave Nikki Heat. To leave you" Castle took Kate's hand as he awaited her response.

"Rick, I… don't know what to say."

Castle spoke gently, closing some of the distance between them so she could hear. "How about, I don't want you to leave either; I want you to write another Nikki Heat."

Kate smiled and squeezed his hand. "I don't want you to leave Rick. Please stay and write another book. Please stay with me, keep me company, and help me solve cases."

"As you wish my dear" replied Castle, as he lent in. He gently placed his lips upon hers, relishing the moment. Kate placed her hand upon the back of Rick's head and deepened the kiss, letting out a soft sigh of contentment.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to do that Castle?" teased Kate.

Castle smiled broadly back at her and lent in for another peck on the lips. "If it's been as long as I think, you've been waiting awhile." Kate nodded her agreement. Grabbing Castle's hand once more, the couple walked around the party engaging other friends in conversation, and meeting some new ones. After brief congratulations from Martha and Alexis the two decided to leave the hub of the party and make their way home.

As Castle drove to Kate's apartment, he couldn't help but wonder about what Kate had said about the kiss. She had always appeared happy with their professional friendship before, and every time Rick had attempted some sort of move she had held him at arm's length. Over time she had begun to break down some of her walls for him, but he had still never felt sure at what she wanted from him. The only reason he had enough courage to kiss her tonight was due to the threat of losing her. He still felt that there was so much more to know about her, so much more to learn. He couldn't just leave her after one book, not after the connection they had made. Though writing the other books would have been nice, he decided he was happy with his decision.

"Castle?" asked Kate, turning her head to look at him.

"Yes?"

"What are we going to do at work?"

Castle glanced over at her in confusion. "Solve cases?"

Kate smiled. "No. I meant about…us"

Castle reached out to take Kate's hand. "You really don't think the guys didn't see us at the party? You know Esposito and Ryan are going to be all over us on Monday."

"True" she laughed. "I don't know if I'm ready to just dive in to this in public though, you know?"

Rick glanced at her face once more. "I know. This is pretty new, and there's still a lot we need to learn about each other. Tell you what, how bout you go on being your usual beautiful bad ass cop self, and I'll be my usual wise ass best-selling author self, and we'll take it from there. Sound good?"

Placing her head upon Rick's shoulder she nodded in agreement. "That sound's excellent."

"Good"

"Oh and Rick?" she asked looking up at him.

"Yes Beckett?"

"Would you like to spend the night tonight?"