Chapter Five:

Kate glanced around her apartment in disbelief. It looked like a floral shop! For the last five hours on the hour, a deliveryman had shown up at her door, dropping off two crystal vases and two-dozen roses, each time a different color.

As she stood surrounded by the sea of purple, white, pink, yellow and salmon flowers, she thought of the notes that had accompanied each delivery:

Looking forward to tonight. Rick

Really looking forward to tonight. Rick

Really, really looking forward to tonight. Rick

Did I mention I'm looking forward to tonight? Rick

And the last one, dripping with his trademark humor:

Hope I'm not breaking any rules. Rick

It was so cute. And romantic. And Castle. It was just so him. Awareness suddenly washed gently over Kate Beckett: Richard Castle was the most extraordinary man she had ever met. She considered their relationship and realized she had often treated Castle's many personality facets as if each were a different man, with each one allowed to play a significant but distinct role in her life. Had that somehow made it safer for her?

First there was the wiseass, childish, irritating, twice-divorced womanizer whom had burst into her world in a whirlwind over two years ago. He had managed to both personally annoy and professionally stimulate her. Determined not to be one of his many conquests, Kate Beckett had never, ever considered dating that Castle.

The second was the playful, loyal and surprising insightful plucky sidekick who brought her coffee every morning, finished half her sentences and worked diligently by her side as they attempted to solve her mother's murder. Essentially her partner, Kate Beckett had purposefully tried not to complicate her work life and date that Castle.

But the man who wrote those notes was the thoughtful, generous and sensitive Castle; the one who knew when to make her laugh and when to give her space; who sought her advice on everything from raising Alexis to starting a scholarship in Johanna Beckett's name; the one who understood her better and deeper than anyone else. This 'ruggedly handsome' author was her best friend who deftly knew how to read her hidden emotions and gauge her complex moods. This Rick was the nervous, unsure man who had just gotten tongue-tied asking her out, yet had once passionately kissed her with such aching desire that it still made her heart race.

Should she finally let Rick Castle in? And if he tired of dating her, which was his pattern, would he leave for good? Could she even imagine her life without him involved in at least some part of it? Kate glanced around at the roses and let out a profound, weary sigh. If only her Mom was here to guide her through this. But she was alone. And she knew she was about to trust this last Rick with all of her heart.

Kate decided she had enough psychoanalysis for one night ands tried to clear her head, instinctively brushing her arms down the sides of her outfit. She had chosen a dark green dress with a plunging neckline, accented with her favorite silver jewelry. Simple yet elegant. She liked the way the color showed off her eyes. She felt butterflies in her stomach. What would Castle think of her choice?

Castle paused to think about the extraordinary, multi-faceted woman on the other side of the door. Kate Beckett had many qualities that he adored; she was beautiful, intelligent, witty, compassionate and utterly fearless. But she was also stubborn, defensive, intensely private and truly haunted by her past. Yet those traits made him adore her even more.

But what should he make of their evolving relationship? Initially, Beckett had fiercely guarded her privacy and tried desperately to conceal her inner demons from him. For his part, Castle had struggled to keep his growing feelings for her hidden behind witty banter and juvenile flirting.

But over the last several years they had gradually forged an unbreakable, silent bond based on mutual respect, loyalty and trust. As best friends they knew each other's thoughts, supported each other through personal struggles and when in danger, had each other's backs. Always.

But was Kate Beckett finally ready to let him behind the walls she had built since Johanna was killed? And would he lose her altogether if this didn't work out? Was he really willing to risk that? Richard Castle realized that this one date had him utterly terrified.

Castle decided he had enough psychoanalysis for one night ands tried to clear her head, instinctively brushing his free hand down his lapel. He was wearing a charcoal grey sports coat and a deep blue dress shirt. He liked the way the color showed off his eyes. He felt butterflies in his stomach. What would Beckett think of his choice?

He rearranged the two-dozen roses in his arms, took a deep breath and knocked.

Kate opened the door and smiled. Red roses!

Castle stood frozen, utterly transfixed by the image in front of him. Finally the words came, almost in a whisper, "Kate, you look absolutely beautiful." Rick Castle was no longer terrified – he was mesmerized.

Kate's knees grew weak under his intense stare. "Guess he likes the dress," she thought.

"Would you like to come in, Rick?" Did she just call him Rick? Kate Beckett felt her mother's presence and smiled. She knew which Castle she was finally welcoming into her private world.