This story is dedicated to my Mom, Ruth, who passed away recently after a long battle with Cancer. She was the only one in my family who knew I loved to write. Our little secret made her pretty happy because she loved to write poetry when she was younger. She told me to keep it up because it was important to have a creative outlet and not to worry about what others think of my work. She said, "Just do it for you and have fun with it." So this is for you Mom. You'll always be my inspiration.
What Kate Wants Chapter 6 The Dinner
Music played softly in the background as Rick sat alone, nervously rapping his fingers on the kitchen counter, staring at the door, willing the bell to ring. It was nearly six o'clock, everything was ready and Kate would be there any minute.
The house smelled heavenly, filled with the aroma of their dinner which was keeping warm in the oven. He'd prepared a feast fit for a queen and as usual, was quite impressed with himself.
Before she left, Alexis assured him he looked handsome in his finest suit, a very expensive dark navy Armani. Under it he wore a slightly lighter blue shirt and a navy colored tie with specs of burgundy. She'd noticed his nervousness, straightened his tie, and told him everything was going to work out great and not to worry so much. She said Kate would think he looked "hot". He thought it possible his daughter might be slightly biased.
He was as ready as he could be but still nervous as hell. This night would change everything.
Hell, who was he kidding – for him, it already had changed.
He's prepared for any objection Kate might bring to the table. Bring it on! If she needs more time, he'll give it to her. He'll wait as long as it takes - she was "it" for him. Even if she rejects him outright, tells him he's completely delusional about them being a couple, he plans to court her secretly, without her knowledge. Eventually, she'll see the light. He's like a dog with a bone. Plus he's vowed to stay her friend no matter what happens tonight. So he's got nothing to lose.
Kate stood outside Rick's doorway stopping for a moment trying to gather her courage. She'd never been more nervous in her life. Her hands were sweaty, her heart was racing. If she wasn't in three-inch heels she would have already been half way around the block by now. Her fears were kept in check, only slightly, by Lanie's pep talk running through her head, cheering her on.
So help her, if Lanie is wrong about Castle's feelings towards her, she will have no choice but to kill her.
She'd arrived perfectly on time, thanks to the driver Castle had sent to pick her up. Not altogether surprising, for she knew how thoughtful and considerate he could be to his friends. She just wondered what made him send one tonight. This felt suspiciously more like a date with each passing minute.
She deposited her bag with their dessert at her feet and checked her appearance one last time. If he appreciated her outfit half as much as his doorman did, it would be worth every penny she spent on it today. You're stalling. Quit being a pansy ass and get in there already! Lanie's voice again. She knocked on the door.
The sound snaps Rick to attention. "Game on" he said aloud, jumping up to answer the door. He took one last deep breath and opened it. Gracing his doorway was the most exquisite soul he'd ever seen. He thinks he may have said hello, but it might have been a "Yowza". He really couldn't swear to it.
She was absolutely stunning and he found it hard to breathe, let alone talk. They stood staring at each other for a couple of seconds before Kate finally broke the silence with a hello and asking if she could come in. He wasn't sure he would make it through dinner before jumping her.
When he found his voice again, and remembered his manners, he welcomed her in and picked up the heavy looking bag resting on the hallway floor. He assumed it was the dessert she said she was bringing. "Sinful and decadent", she'd teased. No kidding.
She saunters past him and he practically drools. Not exactly typical Beckett attire. Not that anything about her was typical anyway. She had to be the sexiest woman he'd ever met. He wonders what she has on underneath that dress. He would normally have stopped gawking at her by now, for fear of retribution, but he refuses to do that tonight. Plus, he figures he's safe. Nowhere to hide a gun under that dress - or a baby bump come to think of it. Although she does have a certain glow about her.
Closing the door he purposely lets his gaze linger. Let her see me look. Remember the plan. No more hiding my feelings.
She's wearing what could describe as slinky, low-cut and red - just as she had promised earlier. But heart-stopping and hot would also apply. Not to mention three inch matching black heels that gave him some pretty obscene ideas he probably should keep to himself. For now. He prayed she was wearing it all for him and not a late night date with Dr. Motorcycle Boy, which would pretty much kill his mood, not to mention plans.
Nah. Something told him this was for his benefit. Although, she does love to tease and torture him, he reminds himself. It takes all the restraint he can muster not to say the hell with it, push her up against the door and kiss the hell out of her. It's official. She's trying to kill me.
"Thanks for sending a driver to pick me up. That was really very sweet of you." She said willing the tingles running along her spine to cease. Her voice snapped him back to attention.
She watched him undress her with his eyes and realizes she's caught that look before. But something was different. He wasn't even trying to hide it this time. The temperature in the room grew suddenly very hot.
Turnabout was fair play, so she examined her prey calculating in her head just how far his bedroom was from where they stood. He looked fine in that suit. Sex on a stick I tell you.
Mutual attraction was not going to be an issue between them.
"My pleasure" he answered. "If I'd known you would really be wearing that dress, I would have had him pick you up earlier" he said with a smirk.
"As requested, I believe, Mr. Castle." She replied giving him a half twirl, and the full effect.
"Remind me to make more requests, Miss Beckett. You look absolutely beautiful."
"Thanks. Nice suit, by the way." She said scanning him with obvious appreciation. She was feeling braver every time he looked at her.
Then suddenly, shocking even herself, she moved closer to him. Close enough to brush her fingers along the lapel of his suit, reach up, and kiss his cheek with the pretense of a harmless hello. She took a step back and they locked eyes. Damn, his eyes are blue.
She just kissed me. Yeah, I know it was only on the cheek. Still, it's progress. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.
So, I brought dessert." She said breaking his reverie and moving towards the kitchen area. She decides to ignore his dumbfounded expression at her boldness. He looks confused. Good. "Sinful and decadent- as promised."
"Great, thanks." He stutters picturing her laid out on the kitchen counter wearing nothing but a smile. And maybe the heels.
From the view in the kitchen she takes in her surroundings. The loft looked beautiful and the dining room was set to perfection. The food smelled wonderful. Her mouth starts to water.
He asks her what she brought for dessert and she tosses him his favorite Beckett smile.
"It's a Molten Chocolate Lava Cake." She says grinning like a kid in a candy store while licking her lips. "I had the biggest craving for chocolate today. You're going to love this! There's a pocket of chocolate sauce inside the cake and I brought vanilla bean ice cream to go with it. But that's not the best part, she said excitedly. It also comes with a Black Cherry sauce that we're going to heat up to pour over it. Then we'll top it off with the fresh whip cream. Everything's in the bag."
"Wow! You weren't kidding about dessert. It does sound pretty damn sinful." He says thinking of other things they could do with cherry sauce and whip cream.
"I wasn't kidding about a lot of things." She muttered as they store it all away into the fridge. She chose to ignore his confused expression and changed the subject.
"Wow!" she says looking around. "Everything's so beautiful. You really went all out tonight. What's the special occasion?"
On the table were two dozen assorted roses, gorgeous china and candles were lit. It occurred to her that the scene was set for romance. There was music playing in the background. He was trying to impress her. There was no way that he dined like this every day. What was he up to?
"Does there have to be a reason to do something special for you?" he asked.
"No. Just curious, I guess." She replies, and then quickly changes the subject. "What smells so good? What did you make us for dinner?" she asks.
He tells her what he's made and she's downright flabbergasted.
She fights the strong desire to kiss him for how sweet he's being. No one's ever gone to this much trouble for her before. She's ten seconds away from throwing herself at him, but before that happens she knows she has to come clean with him about Josh.
She's still unsure on how to bring it up. Should she just blurt it out and watch for his reaction? Of course, if he doesn't respond the way she hopes, she'll be crushed and it would be a sin to miss out on this amazing dinner since he's worked so hard and she's starving. Maybe we should eat first. The heavy discussion can wait till after dinner. "Coward." Accuses the smirking Lanie in her head.
"Kate, I know on the phone earlier you said you have something important to talk to me about. Well, there's something pretty important I want to talk to you about too, but what do you say we enjoy dinner and dessert or at least dinner before we sit down and talk? Can it wait until after we eat?" he asks hopefully.
"Absolutely! No problem! It can wait." She replies quickly. She pictures Lanie rolling her eyes.
"Great. Dinner's ready. Why don't we sit down?" He says moving to the table to pull out the chair for her.
They're both calmer now and smiling secretly thankful for the reprieve.
Dinner was superb. He was an excellent cook and she told him so. It was absolutely delicious. He was very happy she seemed to be enjoying the dinner. He'd been careful to only prepare dishes he knew she would like.
She couldn't help herself from taking seconds and held off on thirds only because she was anticipating the dessert. She'd been so nervous all day and with running around trying to find a dress, she'd forgotten to eat lunch and was starving. The last thing she'd eaten was ice cream this morning.
She was used to settling for take-out food. This meal was unbelievable. She wondered if he cooked like this all the time. There was enough food to easily feed four people. For appetizers he'd made Artichoke and Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Maryland Crab Cakes, and Insalata Caprese. The main course was Filet Mignon with Spiced Butter and Glazed Artichokes. The Filet Mignon melted in her mouth. For side dishes there were Asparagus Parmigiano and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
It was probably the best meal she'd ever eaten. And they hadn't even had dessert yet! She wasn't sure she would ever be able to fit in her dress again. I'm going to have to run twenty miles tomorrow to repair the damage.
At dinner, he'd offered her a glass of what she knew to be very good, expensive wine. At first she'd declined having promised herself she wouldn't drink tonight. She wanted to keep a clear head. He looked slightly alarmed, however, like he thought she didn't like what he'd chosen, so she agreed that one glass couldn't hurt and accepted it not wishing to insult him. He did offer her some sparking grape juice as an alternative, which sounded disgusting to her. Ick. She declined the juice.
It would be way too easy to calm her nerves with alcohol, jump his bones and hit the sheets. She was tempted to do just that with or without alcohol, but that's not how she wanted this to go. She vowed to make the one glass last for awhile. They needed to do some serious talking later.
Over dinner they spoke of their week apart. Out of the blue, he confessed that he'd missed her. His heart did a little flip flop when she responded that she'd missed him too. He let it go at that, not wanting her to flee. He tried to remember if he'd locked the door so she couldn't.
The conversation flowed, most of the nervousness forgotten, the food and the company were enjoyed. They were back to being plain old Beckett and Castle. She told him about the busy week at the precinct, the crazies encountered, the latest office gossip and the endless amounts of paperwork.
He told her, proud as a peacock, how Alexis was looking into colleges she might attend. The way he so obviously adored his daughter made her smile. He really was a great Dad and so natural at it.
She wondered, not for the first time, if he would ever want to have another kid, what with Alexis being almost fully grown. What would a child of theirs be like? She pictured him chasing a toddler around the house, the child looking remarkably like a combination of the two of them.
From Kate's perspective things were going along just fine until he went and brought up Gina. Like nails on a blackboard.
Rick told Kate that he spent the entire week with Gina at a beautiful hotel but that it had been grueling. He and Gina were constantly fighting and couldn't seem to get along.
Gina had overscheduled his meetings and readings and was now really mad at him for cutting out early. She was pressuring him to write faster and harping on him about his deadlines again. He said that after dinner one night Gina had a few too many cocktails in her and she expressed displeasure at all the time he devoted to trailing the detectives around instead of writing. He said she was pretty damn rude about it but that he's used to it. She rattles on when she drinks.
Queue the little green monster. She was really starting to wonder whether or not he and Gina were dating again. What did he see in Gina that he didn't see in her? Kate thought she seemed a little stuffy. What made Gina his "type"?
He was away with her all week. Were they sleeping together? Maybe their fighting was a lover's quarrel? The thought made her stomach turn. He seemed sad that they had been fighting all week.
She wondered if Lanie was right. Maybe she should come right out and ask him about his marriage to Gina, and to Meredith for that matter. Maybe she should just get it over with and ask him about last summer too when she knows for a fact, he and Gina were dating again.
She did want to know why he had two failed marriages. He's a great guy. Couldn't those women see this? She's not naïve enough to think that he was the perfect husband and there are always two sides to the story, but from what she could see those women were stupid. Their loss could be her gain, she thinks.
While she was reflecting, he'd changed the subject to something else so she decided to ask him about it later. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear his answer right now anyhow. They were having such a nice time and she didn't want to ruin the mood.
She thought it a little odd that he had asked her a couple of times if she felt ok, if she was still running, and if she had been taking care of herself. It was sweet, his concern for her health, but she was starting to think she should go check her makeup. Maybe she looked too pale?
She told him about the case they'd been working on and how it had been wrapped up early last week. He hadn't really missed much of anything except paperwork. She filled him in on the lives of their co-workers, office gossip etc…
Rick had been studying her closely as she spoke throughout the meal. She seemed to be enjoying his cooking and for this he was pleased. She practically lived on take-out food and didn't eat healthy. He made a vow to ensure she does from now on. She could be eating for two, who knows. He was dying to come right out and ask her but didn't want to ruin the mood. There would be plenty of time to talk after dinner. Besides, it was like solving a puzzle and he was looking for clues. He started making a mental list.
She had, at first, politely declined the wine but then changed her mind saying that one glass was all she would have. She basically stuck with the water. She was eating - a lot more than usual. She mentioned having "cravings" for chocolate today but he's seen her eat her fair share of chocolate before so maybe it was nothing.
She sure didn't look pregnant, but maybe she just got the news and wasn't very far along. She did have a certain "glow" about her, but maybe it was just the lighting - or the fact that she was simply smokin' hot. Her breasts didn't look any bigger than usual. He pulled his eyes away from that area because if she noticed, she would kill him. And that dress. Wow! There was no baby bump under that dress of hers that he could see. He had all of her curves memorized and there were no new ones so far as he could tell.
She hadn't mentioned Josh once tonight yet, he thinks tampering down a grimace. Just thinking that name makes him mad at himself. The baby she might be carrying could have been his if he'd just been a man about it and told her how he felt about her months ago. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous. The only baby she should be carrying should be his.
During dinner, they had both caught the other staring a few times. There was the usual banter and flirting but a lot went unsaid, both waiting for the right moment and hesitating to take the conversation a step further. They were both still determined to have the heavy talk after dinner.
They finished dinner and both agreed they were too full to even consider having dessert until they digested. They retired to the living room to relax, finish their wine and talk some more. Kate was still on her first glass, but was wishing for the bottle. Their big talk was looming not so far off in the distance. Rick's nerves were starting up again but he tried not to think about it, choosing instead to discuss the tickets he scored for them at an exclusive club in the city called Provocateur.
If all went well, they could go celebrate. If it didn't go well, they could still go and a little dancing would be a distraction.
They hung out for a little while longer and then they both knew it was time. The reason they were both here was upon them. "Kate, do you mind if we move this conversation to my office?"
"Not at all" she said following him. He watched her quickly turn and grab the bottle of wine, bringing it with her as they strode into his office.
Kate sits in the office chair thinking of how to casually bring up whether or not he is dating Gina again. Awkward. She takes a sip of wine and hopes he brings up whatever it is he is obviously dying to talk to her about first. He's really fidgety right now and it's doing nothing to settle her nerves. She takes another sip of wine.
Ricks pacing the office floor, not looking at her, running his fingers through his hair trying to come up with a sensitive, cool, calm and collected way to ask Kate if she is pregnant with Josh's baby - without her throwing the bottle of wine at him for nosing into her personal business. With that thought, he moves to Kate and gingerly takes the bottle out of her hand and places it just out of her reach on his desk.
Tension fills the room, blood pressures rise, anxiety hits new heights…
"So, you wanted to talk?" she asks. I hope he goes first.
"Yes, you wanted to talk about something too?" he asks. Maybe she should go first?
"You go first" they say simultaneously.
"Oh, no, you can go first" they both say.
"No really it's ok, I can wait" she says at the same time he says, "You can start, I don't mind waiting".
They both realize they are being silly, someone has to start talking. They are putting off the inevitable and so then they both blurt out simultaneously,
"Are you still seeing Gina?"
"Are you pregnant with Josh's baby?
"What!" They both screech, eyes locked, wearing matching shocked expressions.
Kate immediately springs up from her chair and starts pacing. She looks pissed.
"Are you pregnant with Josh's baby?" he's stupid enough to repeat.
"I heard you the first time! No, I'm not pregnant! Why would you think I'm pregnant?"
Rick's watching her pace with his mouth hanging open. He looks dazed and confused. Did she say she thinks I'm with Gina? Huh? I didn't see that one coming.
"No, I'm not seeing Gina! Why would you think I'm seeing Gina?" He screeches back. Why is she so mad?
Confusion runs amouck…
And then it clicks. She just said she's not pregnant, it finally registers, and his brain starts to do a happy dance and he breaks out into a wide grin. It also registers that from the face she's making she's plotting his demise. His happy dance might be perceived as premature so he tries to cover his happy face with a serious face. He vows to make this right.
"Why on earth would you think I was pregnant? Are you insane?" she yells.
She's looking down at her dress, starting to freak out. He thinks I look pregnant in this dress? He thinks I'm pregnant. With Josh's baby. She sits down to ponder this.
Oh my god. He notices her reviewing her outfit and starts shaking his head, panic setting in. Uh oh. I know that look. Danger! Danger! Warning Will Robinson! That's the "you think I look fat look". Married, divorced twice, remember. No, no, no, no! Must fix now!
"You said you had something important to talk to me about!" he exclaims, "I thought maybe that could be it! That maybe you were pregnant. You look perfect - you're beautiful! You've been distracted lately. I thought they might be mood swings! You didn't drink the wine! And you ate – a lot!"
She looks positively mortified, her mouth hanging open as she gapes at him.
"So, I would be wrong then?" he asks sheepishly. She shoots him a death-ray glare and then sits back down ignoring him. She gives him the silent treatment.
Again, he remembers her asking him if he was with Gina. Why would she think that? "Why would you think I was still with Gina for godsakes?" he voices, happy to be able to change the subject.
She decides to talk to him again. "I don't know. You seemed so upset that you weren't getting along. You spent the whole week with her at a hotel. You told me you went out to dinner and drinking with her. You're having what some might assume to be "lovers quarrels". You were back together with her all last summer! Oh, and, now I remember…you were once married to her!" she spat that last part out a lot louder than the first part.
"Oh, my god! You're jealous!" he gloats with a big fat smile.
"No, no, I'm not jealous! And stop gloating, you idiot."
"Yes you are! You're jealous." he accuses.
"Look, I'm not seeing Gina or anyone else for that matter." He said. This gets her attention. "She means nothing to me. At the moment, there is someone I'm interested in, but unfortunately she's seeing someone else. I have yet to convince her to see the light and change her evil ways. She appears to be immune to my charms."
Ok, so he's not seeing Gina, but there's still someone else. Who the hell is she? I'll rip her eyes out. She tries to play cool but can't hide her frown. "So the famous Rick Castle charm is not working out too well for you right now?"
"Not so much. No." he mutters.
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about then? You're planning to have a new girlfriend soon. You need me to give you relationship advice or something?" She tries to remember where she put her gun.
"Something like that, yes. But I need you to do something for me first." He hedges.
"I need some more wine." She tells him.
"Won't it hurt the baby?" he jokes. She is not amused. He hands her the bottle.
"So what do you need me to do for you?"She asks in spite of herself.
"You have to break up with Josh."
"What?"
"You have to break up with Josh."
"Why do you keep repeating yourself?"
"You keep saying "what?"
"I heard you. I just can not believe you. You want me to break up with Josh?" She repeats. He nods in agreement. "Why? Why should I break up with Josh?" She asks. She needs to go home. She's getting a headache. And she's going to kill Lanie.
"I was hoping you'd ask that. You don't love him. And he doesn't love you. He's all wrong for you. You're making a mistake. And I have something I'd like to show you. Something I wrote."
"He's not the right guy for me? I'm making a mistake. Well then by all means go ahead. What else have you got? Get it all off your chest. You're on a roll!" she says sarcastically, lifting her glass, finding it empty and placing it back on the desk.
She then picks up the bottle, takes a swig, and gives him the evil eye, willing him to have the balls to call her on it. The nerve of this guy. I should break up with Josh because he's not right for me but I have to give him advice on his new love interest. Bastard. What the hell was I thinking wanting to get into a relationship with this guy?
Her reaction amuses him but he thinks maybe it's time to make his intentions more clear before she shoots him. He's in love with her. Can't she see this? Man, she's so damn cute when she's mad. "I'm going to show you a story I wrote about this couple, who really aren't a couple yet. But the guy wants there to be." He hands it to her.
"Great, now he's got me proofreading his work." she thinks.
She glances at the title, back up at him, and then quickly scans the first couple of lines. He watches her intently and sees the moment it finally sinks in. She looks up at him for confirmation and they lock eyes.
"The title of this story is…"Always". She says aloud, and then she re-scans the first couple of lines. "And the two main characters appear to be named Kate and Rick." She says looking up at him again with a smirk. Her previous anger apparently subsided along with the sensation to maim him. Those feelings are quickly replaced with some sort of warm, gooey substance running through her veins. She feels like an idiot.
"Well, I thought about changing the names, but figured you were just too smart for that so I left them." He said.
"This is about us?" she asks carefully.
"Yes, Kate it is. Please read it."
"How about you read it to me. After all, you are the author." She's blushing and clearly a little embarrassed about her earlier display.
He grins at her, takes back the document and starts to read…
"Oh, wait. I almost forgot." He says stopping to turn on his murder board. It lights up the room. "Props!" he announces smiling.
There are numerous digital photos lit up on the board and they all seem to be linked in a trail, some sort of timeline from what she can make of it. There were pictures of past significant others, pictures of their friends and lots of pictures of them together looking pretty damn happy. He's beaming, once again, very proud of himself. At the end of the trail is a big photo of the two of them smiling.
"So I bet you're wondering what this is all about?" he asks.
"I can't wait." She says part mesmerized, part mortified. It is after all, his murder board.
"This board tells the story of us, using facts. I know how much you like facts, being a detective and all."
She sits back and upright in her chair, eyes never leaving the board and takes it all in.
He's using a murder board to explain the dynamics of our relationship. Huh. Why the hell didn't I think of that? Ingenious. We are both very twisted and deserving of each other.
She pretends to be appalled but secretly is quite impressed. Not that she would tell him that. I should go ahead and tell him about Josh now so I can just jump him. She moves off the chair to get a closer look at the board and possibly jump him.
"Oh my God, is that Josh? Castle is that Josh's High School graduation picture?" She laughs. "And Demming's Academy photo?"
"Yes. It was all I could get on such short notice!" he defends. "May I continue now?"
"Wait a minute Castle. Where's the photo of Tim?"
"Tim! Who the hell is Tim?"
"My third grade boyfriend, Timmy Reynolds."
He gives her the stink eye. She sits back down.
"Sorry. Yes, please. Do continue. You have more wine, right?"
"As I was saying, you and Josh are not in love. And I can prove it."
He takes a deep breath and begins to read. He didn't dare look up at her while he read…
"Always"
This is the story of Rick and Kate. From the time they first met there was a connection. You couldn't deny the chemistry. But they were meant to take different roads together. What started out as a forced union slowly developed into a great partnership and friendship.
The minute Rick met her he knew Kate was different. She was special. She didn't take any of his crap or put up with his antics. He'd met his match and he knew it. She only saw him as her sometime partner and friend and he'd accepted this. But he always had hope. Hope that someday she'd realize he wanted more. He wanted everything with her and he could wait.
He flirted and teased and sometimes she'd tease back. He'd do and say almost anything to make her smile or laugh. She thought he was just playing with her but he'd have followed through on any one of those innuendos if he'd thought for a second she really wanted him the way he wanted her. He wonders if she ever thinks of him that way. Before he makes a real move he needs to be sure she's all in. He doesn't just want an affair. He wants the whole shebang.
She's under the misconception that he's a playboy. He knows his reputation in the media looked bad, but it was all a load of crap. He knew she was smart enough not to believe everything she read but some of it was still pretty harsh. The truth was he was a pretty monogamous guy. He wasn't a cheater. In fact, both of his Ex-wives cheated on him. When he was younger and single he admits he was no saint but since he's been around Kate he's grown up. Mostly.
Fact is, she's the only woman he wants and if Kate was his, he would only have eyes for her.
They've spent a lot of time together. He learned she wasn't just hot, but beautiful - inside and out. She was funny, intelligent, generous, caring, honest, and loyal. Sometimes, she could be too serious, but then again, most times he was too silly and impulsive. She kept him grounded. And he seemed to amuse her. Theirs was a nice balance. His mother was right about them - Yin and Yang. They complimented each other.
She was a first rate, kick-ass cop. A one-woman, crime-fighting, mystery-solving, dynamo. She was extraordinary and he'd never met anyone else like her. He'd had no choice but to put her in his books. She was born for the pages. She was hard-working, dedicated, and she made him want to be a better person. He understood how important her job was to her. He wouldn't change a thing about her.
He wanted to take their relationship to the next level but there were always these pesky little obstacles…
They worked together. At first, she thought it was all a game to him. He was just a cop wanna be. She didn't always take him seriously. But he worked hard to convince her otherwise and eventually, he thinks she started to believe in him. Somewhere along the line they became real partners. Damn good partners. Could they continue to be partners if she rejected him?
He's thought this over for some time and believes they are both professionals and they would work it out. They've had each other's backs right from the beginning. That wasn't going to stop now. Rejection or not.
He wasn't sure how she felt about him. He's not one to brag, but he'd never had to work this hard in the romance department. He convinced himself to be content with just friendship so long as he could continue to spend time with her. She became his best friend. They let each other into their lives. Would they still be able to remain friends should she not feel the same for him?
He's vowed to be her friend no matter what happens between them. He wants her to be happy. He knows he could be the one to make her happy, but if she disagrees, he'll still always be her friend. He'll take whatever she will give him.
Bad timing. They've both had past relationships with unresolved issues left lurking in the present. He knew of her relationships mostly from what he picked up around the office. She didn't talk about any of the men from her past and he never had the nerve to ask her about them. She never even questioned him about his past, including his two failed marriages. It just wasn't her way.
He wondered what the real story with her and Demming was. That guy just kept popping up like a bad penny. He hated to admit it but Demming was an alright guy - for the competition. Rick got up the nerve to ask her to go away with him last summer. He'd stepped over the line and she chose Demming. This hurt like hell so he took off for awhile.
He couldn't watch them together. He told himself he would get over it but he needed a distraction. He had company for a day or so, until the woman from his past, Gina, confronted him about it. He didn't lie to Gina. He told her how it really was and she left. Gina knew she was just a substitute while he licked his wounds. He didn't love Gina and she didn't deserve to play second fiddle. She'll always be just his friend and editor. He spent that summer alone, in a pity party of self-doubt. Kate had made her choice. He only wanted her to be happy so he removed himself from the picture.
But he was weak, he missed her and he couldn't stay away. He returned, albeit to an incredibly rocky reunion. Demming appeared to be gone, thank God, but he had to work pretty damn hard to get their relationship back to where they had left off before the summer. He never found out why she and Demming broke up. The guys wouldn't dish about her that way. Plus they were weary of Rick's intentions.
And this takes us to the present obstacle. Josh. This obstacle was taller than Rick. Also, he's not really such a bad guy, depending on your taste. You'd probably want to set him up with your sister, if you had one, but still not the right guy for Kate. Why? You ask. Isn't it obvious?
On paper, they were the perfect couple. But the reality of it is that Josh doesn't love her. He doesn't appreciate her for the amazing woman she is. He doesn't get her. He doesn't understand what makes her tick. He isn't there for her. He leaves her for long periods of time. He puts his own job before making her happy but doesn't have a clue as to what her job means to her. What kind of relationship is that? He clearly doesn't love her.
Plus, she and Josh have no chemistry. Ok, some might argue there is some minor chemistry, but not like the sizzle Rick and Kate have. There's no comparison. She's never really relaxed around Josh. He doesn't make her laugh. She's not having fun. He doesn't make her sparkle. As determined previously, Josh doesn't really love Kate. And since everyone knows that in order for it to be true love, it has to be mutual, therefore, Kate can't be in love with Josh either.
Rick on the other hand, is very much in love with Kate. She's everything to him. He'd spend the rest of his life showing her what she means to him. He wants to have a family with her. Even if the child she may be carrying wasn't his own, he'd still vow to be the best father that baby could ever have.
They'd raise the kid together, along with as many other children she wanted to have. He envisioned them growing old together. And as he promised, he'd be there for her - Always.
So the facts are on the table… Josh can't be Kate's "One and Done" because Josh doesn't love her and also because she's already Rick's "One and Done" or as Alexis put it, "Kate's your lobster". Therefore, Kate should break up with Josh and be with Rick because everyone knows you can't have more than one "One and Done". It's just not done. I'm also fairly certain that same theory also applies to shellfish. It's really that simple. Oh, and I'm in love with you. Just in case I wasn't clear enough.
So what do you say Kate? What do you want?
When he finished reading he looked up at her. She had tears in her eyes but wasn't saying anything. He braced himself for her objections. He had prepared himself for them. He was about to hit panic mode when she smiled at him, rose from her chair, and then promptly launched herself at him. He took this as a good sign.
She kissed him passionately and he returned the kiss with everything he was worth. There were hands and lips and tongues all at once and very little breathing. They held on tight to each other enjoying the ride and the freedom to finally show each other how they really felt. Her hands were everywhere all at once and he was on the verge of throwing her over his shoulder cave man style to get her to the bedroom when his conscious smacked him in the head.
"Kate, wait! What about Josh? We can't do this yet. You have to break things off with him first."
"I did already. I broke up with him a couple of weeks ago." She said as she peppered him with kisses.
"Weeks ago, oh, ok good." He said kissing her again. He was having problems focusing. "Wait a minute! Did you say weeks ago? Why didn't you stop me? You let me go on and on telling you to break up with Josh, telling you who you're supposed to love. Even though I know how much you love being told what to do."
"That's what I came here tonight to talk to you about. I'm sorry but you were so damn cute with your story and your pictures. I didn't have the heart to interrupt you. Not to mention you threw me with all of this." She said gesturing to his props. "Honestly, Castle. Only you would think to woo a girl with a murder board. " She said.
"You know, we really need to work on our communication skills." He said.
"Yes, I'll admit to that. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." He said kissing her all along her neck.
"Why now Castle?"
"I missed you all week. You were all I could think about. And then I had this dream. Wait till I tell you about this dream…"
"Tell it to me later Castle. Take me to bed. Now."
"It was a really good dream." He said.
"Really Castle. We're finally going to do this and you want to talk? Now? You really do love the sound of your own voice."
"Kate?" he said getting her full attention. "I love you." He pulled her close and proceeded to kiss the stuffing out of her.
"I love you too." She said when they came up for air.
"So you don't want dessert?" he asked.
"Oh, we're going to have dessert alright Castle. Follow me." she said as she pulled him out of the room and headed straight towards his bedroom.
The End
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