HELLO! I'M SO SORRY FOR SUCH A LONG BREAK IN THIS STORY, LIFE GOT IN THE WAY. I HAD THE DAY OFF OF SCHOOL AND SPORTS SO I DECIDED TO UPDATE THIS. IT MIGHT HELP TO REREAD THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS SINCE IT HAS BEEN SO LONG. I WENT THROUGH AND EDITED THE CHAPTERS, SO THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENCES IN THEM.

Kate looked up at Castle, "So what now?"

At that moment Kate's stomach decided to make its hunger known, quite loudly. Castle let out a small chuckle, "I think now we should get some food in you."

Castle gave her hand a squeeze and let go to start climbing down the rock. After he climbed down he waited for Kate to climb down. She was trying to climb down while wearing her heels, and it didn't help the sun was starting to set. When she went to take a step down her heel slipped but Castle acted quickly and reached up, grasping at her waist to steady her. Kate stilled at his touch, her face flaming. She then felt his hands leave her waist, to her disappointment, but felt his hands around her ankle sliding one heel off, then the other. Her heart swelled at his act, always looking out for her.

Without her heels on she easily climbed down the rest of the way. When she had one more step down left, he kneeled down, putting her heels back on her feet. She stepped down onto the sidewalk and looked down at him. He was so sweet, and his hair was flopped over his forehead, the cutest thing ever. She reached out one hand to help him up, which he gratefully took. Once he stood back up she let go of his hand and ran her fingers through the hair that fell over his forehead, rearranging it. She quickly drew her hand away when she realized what she was doing, a shade of pink tinting her cheeks.

She abruptly started walking towards her car, embarrassed by her silly act of playing with his hair. Castle let out a quiet laugh and jogged a few steps to catch up with her. They got into her car and Kate pulled out into the traffic. Castle thought she was going to drive them somewhere for food but they pulled up outside her apartment. Castle looked at her quizzically. "Thought I should change my clothes, get out of these ones."

Castle's mind clouded with thoughts of him helping her out of today's clothes but shook his head of those images. He wasn't ready, nor was she. They weren't ready and he knew it. He nodded his head and got out of the car and walked to the door of her apartment building where she was waiting for him.

They rode the elevator up to her floor in silence. Once they entered her apartment Castle shut the door behind himself. Kate was walking towards her room when she called out, "Make yourself at home; I'll be out in ten minutes."

Castle walked over to her couch and sat down. He pulled out his phone and started playing angry birds. Ten minutes later and he didn't hear her step out of her room; he was too engrossed in his game. Kate walked up behind him and leant down to his hear and said, "Angry Birds, really?" Castle jumped and dropped his phone on the floor, it tumbling a few times and landing under a table. Castle was about to say a witty comeback but when he turned around his thoughts left his mind.

She was wearing a black, long sleeved, curve-hugging dress; it went to mid thigh, showing off her mile long legs that were accompanied by a pair of black stilettos. Her hair pulled back like it was when she saved him after the robbers took over the bank he and his mother were in. He wondered how she could look so wonderful after not even ten minutes!

"You look stunning." He exclaimed rather shyly once he got his mind working again.

Kate's cheeks tinted pink and she looked down at her outfit. "You think so? I hadn't had much time to get an outfit together, it's pretty casual anyway."

Castle strode over to her and tilted her chin up with his finger. "You look stunning." He reiterated his words with more force behind them this time, looking straight into her eyes. Her face flamed up even more looking into his eyes. He then reached out and tucked an errant strand of curled hair behind her ear. Looking into her eyes, he got lost in the gold flecks, like he always does. He's playing with the strand of hair behind her ear. He catches himself and pulls his hand away slowly, clears his throat. "You ready to go? I should probably change too."

Castle kneeled down and grabbed his phone from under the table and turned back to her. Kate nodded wordlessly, head still caught in their intimate moment just a few seconds ago. She grabs her clutch and locks her door on the way out. Castle is waiting at the elevator holding the doors back for a lady and her two young kids. Kate and the mom waved at each other while thanking Castle. They stepped into the elevator and stood next to each other, arms brushing together. They made small talk in the elevator until they stepped out onto the sidewalk. Castle hailed a cab and opened the door for her. She slipped in with Castle right behind her. He gave his address to the cabbie and then put his arm around the back of the seats, she scooted closer. They made more small talk until he they were stopped outside his loft. He paid the driver and slid out of the cab, helping Kate out with his outstretched hand, which she gladly took. He walked ahead and went to pull his hand away, but Kate grasped it and laced their fingers together. He looked at her and smiled, slowing his step to be next to her.

They walked into the loft finding Alexis reading on the couch. She looked up and smiled at her dad but then her smile turned to a confused expression when she saw Detective Beckett. Castle motioned towards his bedroom letting them know he'd be right back. With Castle out of the room Beckett didn't know what to do. This relationship, is it a relationship, she thought, with castle is brand new and she can't make sense of what it is yet in her own head. How is she supposed to explain it to his daughter?

Alexis broke the silence, "Detective Beckett, please sit down."

Kate smiled at Alexis and sat down on one of the chairs. "You know you can call me Kate, Alexis."

There was a silence.

"Okay, Kate. I have something to say." Kate raised her eyebrows in a silent go ahead. "My father is serious about you so I advise that if you aren't serious too you should leave."

Kate was taken aback by her directness but if she wanted a relationship with Castle she needed to have a good one with Alexis too. She wanted one. "Look Alexis, I know I haven't been the easiest person, especially with your father, but I do care about him and my feelings run deep. We've talked it through and I want a relationship with him, I'm in it for the long haul. Please know that."

Alexis nodded, "Good. Don't hurt him, you're his weakness. But I'm glad you guys are finally doing this." Alexis flashed a smile and Kate couldn't help but smile right back.

At that moment castle stepped out of his room in dark jeans, a blue button down, and a black blazer over. Kate smiled back at Alexis and then stood up and walked next to Castle at the doorway. They turned towards Alexis but before he could say anything Alexis cut him off. "So is this some sort of date?" She had a mischievous look on her face. Castle replied with a 'no' but Kate responded with a 'yes'. They both started fumbling over their words, then saying the other response. Both their faces took on a light pink blush but Kate cleared her throat and spoke up with a more demanding voice this time.

"Yes, this is a date." She gave a shy smile to Castle, whose smile was splitting his face.

"Yeah, a date." He responded. "Alexis, make sure you lock up and turn the lights off before you go to bed. I'll be back later."

Alexis nodded, looking back down at her book. "Okay, by Dad. Bye Kate."

"Bye Alexis."

They were sitting in the cab, side by side, Castle's arm around the back of the cab and Kate's hand resting on his knee, drawing patterns. They pulled up outside an Italian restaurant. Exactly what she was craving, how could he do that? Always sense what she needed or wanted. She was grateful for it. They stepped into the restaurant and were immediately seated at a cozy table for two on the upper level, overlooking the Hudson River and the skyline.

The waiter came and took their orders, leaving them to themselves.

"Wow Castle, this place is beautiful, how'd you get us in here on such short notice?"

Castle shrugged his shoulders, "I know a guy." She smiled; she knew that would be his response.

They fell into flirty banter until their food arrived. She took a bite of her spaghetti and let out a quiet, appreciative moan at the taste of the food. Castle was sipping his wine but choked a little when he heard her moan. He set his glass down and wiped his mouth with his napkin. Kate looked at him and chuckled.

"You got a problem Castle?" Her voice was laced with innocence but her expression was flirty and mischievous.

"No." He replied in a shaky voice.

"Good because I'm really enjoying myself." She slid her bare foot onto his ankle and up to his calf.

Castle almost jumped out of his seat at the touch of her foot on his leg. He looked at her and saw the playful look in her eyes. He couldn't believe this was happening right now, any of it. He composed himself and continued to eat his meal, just as she did, pretending she wasn't sliding her foot up and down his leg.

Castle stood up and set a generous tip down on the table and held his arm out for Kate to take. She looped her hand through his arm and they started down the stairs and towards the door.

"Castle? What about paying for the food?"

"Don't worry, its covered."

They stepped onto the street now lit up with all the streetlights and lights from the ever surrounding buildings.

Castle turned to her, "I have an idea," She stayed silent, waiting for him to elaborate. "Do you want to go dancing?"

AGAIN, SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING FOR MONTHS, I'T WONT HAPPEN AGAIN! I'D ALSO REALLY APPRECIATE IF ANYONE WOULD GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS THEY'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE STORY. PLEASE REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!