Hi guys,

Since so many of you want me to continue Love At First Explosion, I decided to give in and write a few more chapters. I've a few ideas swirling in my head which will slowly make its way onto the paper.

I have just one question: do you want me to update as soon as I have a new chapter, or do you prefer regular updates? If you want regular updates, it might take a few months until I finish this story. Just tell me how you'd like it to go on.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 5

Dead tired by the events of the night Rick opened the door to the loft, happy to be finally home. At the moment, all he could think about was getting into bed. The adrenalin that rushed through his system a few hours ago had long since gone, leaving him completely exhausted.

It was way past midnight, and the loft was already dark. No doubt his mother and daughter were already fast asleep, getting the rest he was craving right now. Rick had five hours until he had to get to work again, and being called into Harper's office was probably the first thing on his agenda that day.

Rick would have had the chance to see his two favorite ladies if he had gone home right after he spoke to Detective Beckett, but he had searched for Finn again to ask if they really had everything under control and his help really wasn't needed on scene. Normally he would have asked the Captain, but he had already gotten a lecture from Wayne, besides he wasn't a big fan of him.

Captain Wayne was a facile man. Strict and direct, but at the same time very loyal and collegial. He just couldn't stand the type of man Rick was. Wayne didn't like it if one of his firemen stood out, trying to play the hero. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the engagement and dedication, but he was a man straight by the rules, and sometimes Rick deemed it necessary to break those rules to save a life. That was the only thing that Wayne didn't like about him and he showed it every time they met.

Rick took off his leather jacket and hung it to the wardrobe, leaving him half naked again. At least it was warmer in the loft than outside, he thought.

"That must have been one hell of a date."

He glanced surprised up, seeing his mother sitting on the couch in the darkness of the loft while sipping her drink. He should've known better. His mother was a night owl. She never went to bed early.

"Let's say it was explosive." He replied dryly and scuffled further into the loft.

"So, did you...?" she wiggled with her brows.

"No," he shook his head. And even if they would have, that wasn't something he'd like to discuss with his mother. "There was an explosion opposite of the restaurant we were in."

That made Martha stand up, looking worriedly at her son. She'd probably never get used to his job. She'll always worry about him, praying that he'll come home again. "What? What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mother. I don't know exactly what happened. All I know is that there had been an explosion. I'd have to ask Finn if he learnt something knew about the cause."

"Can't you go anywhere without risking your life?"

"Come on. It's not like I've planned for this to happen." He reasoned.

"You could've done like any other civilian, calling for help and wait until they're there to do their job."

"But it's my job, too."

"It was your day off!"

Rick rolled his eyes. In situations like the one tonight, he didn't care if he was on duty or not. He didn't become a fireman because he thought it was cool. He became one because he wanted to help people. That was exactly what he had done after the explosion.

"I'm not somebody who sits back and waits for the cavalry to arrive. Not if I can help. You know that." He said, looking at his mother. They had this exact conversation in the past. Over and over. But it got less over the years. He got more experienced on the job, knew how to do his job without risking his own life. At the same time he knew that there were some situations in which he had to take small risks to rescue a person, but he'd never tell his mother of them. She was worried enough, even if she didn't show it as often as she used too.

"Alexis already in bed?" Rick asked, changing the topic to a safer ground.

"Yes. She wanted to wait up for you, but it got too late and she has a test tomorrow."

"Okay. Speaking of late, I'll go to bed now too. I've got to go to work in a few hours." He said, walking over to his mother to give her a kiss on the forehead. "You should go get some sleep too, Mother."

"I will." She replied, watching her son retreat to his bedroom.

As much as she was worrying about him while doing his job, she was very proud of him. Proud to have such a generous, strong and caring man as her son.

Rick cursed. He was late. Very late. He should have been at work for an hour now, but he had been stuck in traffic. He had to admit that he may have overslept a little. Only a little. But it seemed to be enough for traffic to get worse. He just hoped that they weren't called to go out into the field yet.

He hurried up the stairs into the bullpen, waving at some of his colleague's. "Morning, guys."

"Good morning, Rick. Heard you got into trouble last night." Mark grinned.

"Just a slight change of plans." He joked, before making his way over to his desk. His friend and colleague Dan Spencer looked up from his desk as he saw Rick arriving in the bullpen, a big smirk on his lips.

"Lieutenant Richard Rodgers, ladies and gentlemen. Has his first date after an eternity and he ends up running into a burning building!" Dan exclaimed and some of the other colleague's whom stood close to them chuckled at that.

"Yeah, yeah. Joke as much as you want too."

"How was the date?"

Rick sighed. "You know, I don't wish anyone something bad, but if you ask me the explosion could have happened a bit sooner. Maybe around the tenth minute into the date?"

Dan grimaced. "That bad?"

"That woman was one big catastrophe. I fell almost asleep!" Rick exclaimed.

"But she looks hot, doesn't she?"

"That's the only positive trait in my opinion. I'm sure she's not that bad, but she just isn't the one for me. We're in no way compactible."

"At least you tried. You got over yourself and your fears. It's a start."

"I'm not afraid of women."

"Really?" Dan stated, lifting his brow unimpressed.

"Yeah. I just don't have enough time between work and being a dad. Besides, I guess I just haven't found the right one."

"You and your fantasy." Dan said, shaking his head at his friend. "As much as anyone hopes, your soulmate isn't just going to pop up in front of you on your way home. You have to go out there."

This time it was Rick who shook his head unbelievably, smiling at his friend. "O ye of little faith!"

"So tell me about that explosion."

Rick put his bag away and sat down, already having changed into his work clothes at home. "It was right opposite of the restaurant we were in."

"The little Italian one?"

"Yeah. The food is really good. Anyway, the explosion was in an apartment on the third level. I have to admit that I may have seen worse, but Detective Beckett definitely has to search for a new apartment. It's completely ruined."

"Detective Beckett?" Dan asked confused. His friend had never told him something about a Detective Beckett.

"Detective Kate Beckett. She works for the NYPD. It was her apartment that exploded."

Dan smirked. "Is she the one you carried out of the building being half naked?"

"Yeah. Wayne wasn't really amused by that." Rick replied, ignoring the Jap about him being half naked.

"I already heard about that. Wayne was less than happy with you."

Rick rolled his eyes. "Wayne is never happy with anyone."

"You should've seen him storming in here this morning. Went straight into Harper's office." Snorted Dan.

"He was already here?"

"Yes. First thing today."

"Maybe I should be lucky that I overslept then."

Dan nodded. "You definitely should."

"Rodgers!"

Both Dan and Rick glanced towards the Captain's office where Harper stood, looking at them. "My office."

Rick sighed. As much as he knew that he wouldn't get into much trouble with Harper, he still didn't look forward to this conversation. Besides he knew exactly that his action got his Captain in some trouble with Wayne, maybe even with Chief Aiden. Harper was his friend. He didn't want him to get reprimanded because of him.

Harper motioned for him to sit down, looking stone-faced at Rick. Almost cautiously, Rick sat down and waited for his Captain to speak.

"You're late."

"I got stuck in traffic. I'm sorry."

"Captain Wayne stopped by this morning."

"What did he want?" Rick asked, but he already knew the answer.

"He wanted me to lecture you, possibly even suspend you."

Now Rick had to gulp. His Captain would never… "What was your response?"

"That I'd take care of it and scold you for your reckless actions." Harper exclaimed annoyed by Rick's actions, before his face softened. "So consider yourself scolded."

Rick looked surprised up. "That's all?"

Harper sighed. "What did you expect? He stormed in, yelled, vented, and yelled some more."

"I reckoned that I'd get a full lecture."

"Would it work?" He asked, but he already knew the answer. "We both know that it's going to happen again given the circumstances, and we both know too, that I'm going to have your back again. I'll always defend you. You're one of my best men. But there might come a time where I can't protect you anymore. You have to be more careful. If not for doing me a favor, then at least do it for your daughter. She doesn't deserve to grow up fatherless."

That one worked. Of course Rick thought of his daughter every time he entered a burning building. She was always on his mind. In difficult situations, she was his motivation. He fought every day to come back home to her.

She really shouldn't grow up without her dad. Even with her fourteen years, she still was his little princess. And he was her hero.

That was what she called him when she was little. Her hero.

And heroes always came back home to their families.

So this chapter was purely Rick. Next chapter, Rick and Kate meet each other again :)

Please leave a review on your way out.

Have a nice evening :)