AN: Okay, so mixed response to that last chapter. Not sure how I feel about it. I hope that people like this chapter better.

So this story is going to be 10 chapters in total - 9 story chapters and an epilogue (you'll see why as we get further into the story). 10 chapters doesn't sound like much but I have a tendency to stretch my stories too far and I'm trying to stop doing that. I actually have a surprising amount of the story already written, so mostly I'll be editing and touching up chapters before I upload them, which means that hopefully you won't have to wait long for each installment.

In better news, HOW AMAZING WAS CUFFED? I won't spoil anything in case people haven't seen it. But I will say, it's in my Top 5 episodes, easy. Fantastic stuff.

Disclaimer: I'm not worthy of owning them. I can't write awesome episodes like Terri Miller and Andrew Marlowe.

IBYL
xo

Three hours later, Kate Beckett was pacing around the precinct, trying to relieve her boredom. The precinct had been quiet today, as the only body that had dropped recently had been claimed by Karpowski's team. She'd made herself two coffees, finished her paperwork and organised her desk – and now she was on the verge of begging for a distraction. And who was a better distraction than Richard Castle? She moved to pick up her phone but smiled as she heard the elevator chime behind her. She spun in her chair and her grin widened as Castle approached.

"Well if it isn't New York's finest!" He declared as he took his seat. "Can I steal you for lunch?"

"Steal away. I'm bored out of my mind here." She said, before collecting her bag. "I'll just let the Captain know. Remy's?" She asked and he nodded in response. She stole away to the Captain's office quickly, and returned with a huge smile on her face.

"Let's go, writer." She said, pushing him towards the lift. He waved a goodbye at the boys before returning his attention to Beckett as the elevator doors opened.

"That is a nice smile." He said, raising his eyebrows. "Going to tell me why it's gracing your face?"

"I have the afternoon off."

"Any plans for your afternoon of freedom, then?" He asked.

"I found out two seconds ago, Castle." She replied, rolling her eyes.

"Well then you're free to spend it with me!" He exclaimed, pleased with himself and his powers of deduction.

"How about we see how lunch goes?" She said, not wanting to seem too eager but pleased with the idea all the same.

"Seriously? I LOVE today!" He exclaimed, practically skipping from the elevator and into the street. She couldn't suppress a laugh as he stopped, hooked her arm into his, and dragged her down the street.

XXX

"The usual?" He smiled, and she nodded.

"Absolutely." She said decisively, and he grinned.

"You're easy to please." He said with a laugh, before ordering for them and leading her to a booth. They dissolved into their usual easy banter, talking about their respective mornings. Kate couldn't help the large smile that bloomed on her face as Rick talked enthusiastically and at length about the next Nikki Heat book. His excitement was contagious and she found herself really looking forward to the next book – not that she wasn't already. But Castle didn't need to know that.

Their food arrived and they ate in an amicable silence, occasionally murmuring about how the burgers were perfect as always. When their food was finished and their table cleared, Castle looked across at Beckett.

"So, what do you say, Detective? Spend the afternoon in my company?" He smiled, a true genuine 'for her eyes only' smile, and she couldn't help but melt a little. And given the excited dance that the butterflies in her stomach were choreographing, she figured the rest of her was pleased with the suggestion too.

"Sure, Castle. What do you want to do?"

"I was going to suggest a movie but there is absolutely nothing worth seeing in cinemas at the moment, which is a feat unto itself. So, would you object to a lazy afternoon at Casa Castle?" He smiled softly and she knew she should be panicking at the idea of an afternoon alone with this particular man in his loft but she couldn't bring herself to care. She used to worry, used to run… but she had no good reason to bolt anymore. So she said the only thing she could in response.

"Sounds perfect, Rick."

His responding grin was so large that she was convinced his face would crack from the pressure.

XXX

"Do you have more writing to do?" Kate asked as they walked into the loft.

"I always have writing to do. But I don't have any lingering deadlines, if that's what you mean." He said, and she smiled.

"When's your next deadline?"

"Ages away. I'm really far ahead. I'm close to the end of this book and I've outlined the next one briefly."

"Dare I ask, where have you found the time to write?"

"Haven't been sleeping, remember? Insomnia equals lots of writing time." He said, and she looked concerned. She tried to mask it quickly but Castle was too quick, and he put his arm around her shoulders. "Kate, I'm okay. A little insomnia never hurt me. And besides, I slept last night, didn't I?"

"Yeah, I know. But I don't like that you have this problem because of me."

"Beckett, I'm the master of the macabre. Nightmares kind of come with the job description." He said, trying to make her smile. He succeeded, but only a little.

"I still don't like it. It's not your job." She said, and he looked down at her forlorn face sadly. He spun her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Kate, listen to me very carefully. The time I've spent with you and the boys in and out of the precinct – some of the best of my life. Probably equal with raising Alexis, because with you guys I feel like part of a family - a weird, totally dysfunctional family, but a family none-the-less." He said, smiling. "The guys couldn't really care less about my money, and my fame – the only time they're interested is when I buy a bar or a cool game. And I have the good booze for poker. Do you have any idea how great it is to just be one of them? And you. God, Kate, you're just extraordinary. You're sassy, and smart, and absolutely stunning and most importantly, you aren't scared of me. You needle me, and we bicker, and it's honestly the most fun I've had in years. You're my best friend. Seriously, if having a few nightmares means that I get to stay with you, with my second family, and spend time solving crimes then I'm happy to push through it." He smiled, and Kate couldn't help but smile in return, before she wrapped her arms around him in a tender hug.

"Thank you for being in my life." She whispered softly, trying to convey just how much his little speech meant to her.

"Always." He said, a few beats later, making her smile brightly into his shoulder.

"You're my best friend too." She murmured into his shoulder, and he grinned before placing a kiss in her hair. She couldn't help the tingle that spread down her spine at the feel of his lips on her scalp. She stayed curled in this embrace, simply enjoying being in his arms.

"I could get used to this." He murmured softly, and her eyes widened as he held her tighter. "Shit, did I say that out loud?" He pulled away from her apologetically and she frowned at the loss of contact. "I'm sorry, don't kill me, you know that I have no filter and I…" he stuttered fearfully and Kate couldn't help but smile at him.

"You're adorable." She muttered softly, and his jaw dropped suddenly.

"I'm… what?" He asked, still shell-shocked.

"You're adorable." She whispered. He'd closed his jaw but was still dumbstruck, and Kate could no longer resist the now-infamous magnetic force between them. She took a step closer to him and leaning up, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her, brushing her lips against his softly. Although it took Castle a second to realise what was happening, he soon wrapped his arms around Kate's waist and moved his lips over hers softly. When they finally had to break for air, Kate couldn't help but smile at how perfect it felt. She looked at Rick, who was grinning stupidly.

"I have never been so glad for my unfiltered thoughts." He said, and she giggled.

"Neither have I. And as someone who's put up with a LOT of your thoughts, that one was by far one of the best." She laughed as he feigned hurt, before kissing her again. When they broke apart, Rick was smiling.

"Go out with me?" He asked tentatively, and she smiled.

"Like a date?"

"Yeah, like a date." He said, brushing her arm softly and giving her goosebumps.

"When?" She asked, and he took that as her agreement.

"Is tonight too soon? I wasn't thinking anything too fancy… just something fun."

"Okay, Rick. Tonight. Something fun… I think I can swing that." She said, smiling. "What should I wear?"

"Something comfortable." He said, and she rolled her eyes at the lack of help.

"Well I'm going to go home and get ready." She said, excited. He kissed her as he walked her to the door.

"I'll pick you up at 6. No arguments."

"See you at 6, Rick." She said, kissing him once more before leaving the loft and sternly telling herself not to skip away from his door. Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Richard Castle was doing the victory dance to beat all victory dances.

So, date night! Who's excited?