So I know these beginning chapters are pretty short. I apologize. Originally the entire beginning was supposed to be a prologue thingy. But I liked it better as chapters.

So second chapter in less than twelve hours! Woohoo! Glad you guys are liking it thus far!

The song for this chapter is Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson.

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Disclaimer:I don't own Castle or its characters. But the day that I own Nathan Fillion (in any character role)… that'll be a good day.

Chapter Two: Keep Breathing

Once Kate had escaped outside, she leaned against the brick wall on the side of the bookstore and threw her head back, relishing in the hardness on her skull, grounding her after her unsettling encounter with her favorite author. She was alarmed at how easily he disarmed her, how quickly his smile made her weak and overheated. He was trouble plain and simple and she could not afford to let herself get distracted by him. She couldn't afford to let him too close, not after…

She opened up her book as means of distraction. It was her mother's. It was her favorite book and she had read it at least once every six months. After her death, Kate had read it almost as much. She had chosen this book, despite its tattered condition and the fact that she owned three copies of it, because she felt like it would help her feel closer to her mother. She didn't count on how hard it would be to share something so personal with Rick. The gentle manner in which he had held her book, the soft way he closed it, made her feel like he understood her pain, her loss.

She looked down at the inscription and began to read it slowly, eyes clouding with tears.

Kate,

The Tibetans have a saying: "Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength."

I can tell that you have experienced tragedy. But I fully believe the Tibetans because having only talked to you for a few minutes, I believe that you are the strongest person I have ever had the privilege to meet.

Stay strong, Kate. Keep bringing justice to those who deserve it.

Richard Castle

Kate crumpled to the ground, holding the book to her chest, tears streaming from her eyes, sobs wrenching from her throat. She saw every moment of her mother's murder flash before her. The officer coming to tell her that her mother had been stabbed in an alley, her funeral, the case files, her father's alcoholism. Every moment bombarded her, reducing her to a shaking, sobbing mess. She tried to stifle her sobs with her and but couldn't stop herself.

"Kate?" She barely registered the voice until suddenly she found herself in someone's arms. She fought it at first but after the unrelenting strength, she just melted into whoever was holding her, unable to stop the overwhelming grief that was paralyzing her. She felt hands rubbing her back soothingly and a familiar voice murmuring soothing platitudes in her ear.

Rick.

She told herself to stop crying, to pull herself together. But it took several minutes for her to calm herself down, to shut away the emotions that were threatening to engulf her. When she finally calmed down, she waited a few moments, breathing in Rick's scent, masculine and like the best cologne. His arms were warm and firm around her, his chest hard and solid against her cheek. Finally she pushed herself away gently and Castle let her. He was kneeling in front of her, eyes worried and mouth drawn.

"Hey," he said quietly, mouth half cocked in a smile. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm… I'm fine. I just…," she stopped herself as she felt the tears threaten to overtake her again. "Your inscription was… moving. Truly. I just got overwhelmed. I'm fine, really I'm-"

"Fine, I know," Castle said with a hint of skepticism in his voice. "But I don't think you are. Please, Kate, let me do something for you. It's the least I can do after making you cry," he said winningly and Kate had to admit that she was sorely tempted by his offer. He was sweet and funny and while yes, he flirted unashamedly with every woman he met, she was pleased he seemed so determined to try and cheer her up.

"Okay," she said finally.

"Really," he asked, surprised by her acceptance.

"Really. I'd love to have dinner with you tonight."

"Great," he exclaimed and then softened his voice sheepishly. "How about Le Cirque at seven? I can pick you up if you'd like."

"No, that's okay. I'll meet you there." He grinned and she felt herself dragged into his smile and reciprocating.

"I'll see you at seven then," he said, turning away from her reluctantly to walk to the black town car waiting for him where she could see two heads of red hair peering through the windows. "Bye, Kate."

"See you, Rick." He got into the car and closed the door. She stood against the brick wall and sighed.

What had she gotten herself into now?