Chapter 6

"You are such a tease!" Rick exclaimed. "We are so finishing that later." He said as he followed Kate to the glass building they were standing next to, their hands still linked between them. Kate was smiling to herself as they walked.

"What is this place?" He asked as they stepped inside.

"Chelsea Piers Sports Center." Kate answered as they stopped at the front desk.

"May I help you?" A man asked behind the desk.

"Kate Beckett. I registered for an open climb for two." Kate said, looking back at Rick who was watching her. "Ever rock climbed before?" She asked him.

"Once. I really enjoyed it, but since Alexis I haven't done a lot of stuff like this." He answered.

"Here you are." The dark haired man said, handing Kate a receipt. "Your harnesses are included in the cost, but in order to rent shoes and chalk you need to bring this back to the Rock Wall office. Have a nice climb."

"Thanks." Kate said walking toward a door with a sign that read 'ROCK WALL'. The couple walked through the door. Rick stopped in awe. The rock wall was 55 feet in the air. He didn't register Kate speaking to someone.

"Rick. Snap out of it. Here's you harness, shoes and chalk." Kate was holding him out a handful of stuff. He grabbed it from her quickly watching as she grabbed her stuff, they moved off to the side in order to pull on their gear.

"How many times have you done this?" He asked.

"I used to come every Saturday, but then senior year started and the homework doubled so I had to stop. I've missed it so much." She answered pulling her shoes off and the rented climbing shoes on.

"Every weekend." Rick let out a low whistle. "Let me get this straight," He started counting on his fingers. "You're smart, you're beautiful, you're active, is there anything you're not?"

She thought for a minute, "Hungry." She smiled. "You ready?"

"I don't know." Rick said looking at himself. "Am I wearing this right?"

"Yeah. Come on." She laughed and led him toward the wall. Five minutes later they were both ascending the high wall. Kate stayed slightly ahead of Rick, but most of the time she would stall and wait for him to get his footing. "Having fun?" She called down to him.

"Loads. You?"

"I always am."

"The view is great by the way." She could hear the smile in his voice, before she turned to see him checking out her ass. Stalling by covering her hands in more chalk, she saw in her peripheral vision Rick line up with her.

As he continued to climb he asked, "You comin'?"

"Yep." She said and saw Rick shrug and continue his journey. After checking him out Kate called up, "Not so bad yourself, Ricky." And she started to climb again, as he barked out a laugh. Not too long after her comment she became level with him once again.

"Race you to the top." He whispered.

"I'll win." She retorted.

"3-2-1-Go!" He said. Kate started and kept an eye on Rick in her peripheral vision. She passed him but lost her footing, allowing him to get a step ahead of her, but she was able to place her right foot strategically to give her more leverage. This advantage helped her catch up with Rick, they stayed level for while, before he lost his footing, catching himself he started back up the rock wall. Finally they both reached the top.

"I so won that." Rick said as they stripped themselves of harness and shoes.

"Did not." Kate laughed.

"Tie?" He asked extending a hand.

Kate looked at with narrowed eyes, then grasped Rick's hand, "Tie." She agreed as she tried to let go of Rick's hand, but he didn't release hers instead he pulled her close, and kissed her gently.

"I told we were finishing that later." He said after they broke apart smiling at her.

"Not exactly how I thought we'd be finishing that." She teased and started for the door.

Rick matched her stride, and grabbed her left hand. "How did you picture it?" He asked.

"Use your imagination writerboy." Kate smiled as they walked across the lobby, feeling and hearing Rick's sharp inhalation of oxygen.

As they wandered the streets looking for a place to have a late lunch, Kate asked, "Who's Alexis with?"

"My mother takes care of her when I'm not home."

Kate hummed and looked up the street.

"Why do you ask?"

"Dunno. Just wondering." She glanced over at Rick.

He stopped abruptly and looked at Kate. "Kate,"

"Hmm." She asked stopping and turning to watch him.

"Do you want to meet her?" He asked, meeting Kate's gaze.

"I'd love to." Kate nodded.

"Let's go." Rick said excitedly.

"What? Now?"

"Why not? We're not having any luck finding a place to eat and I want you to meet her and you want to meet her." He started back up the street.

"Rick. Wait. Where are you going?" Kate caught up with him.

"I parked the car over here." He stopped.

"Rick, we've been out on two dates, known each other 2 days, played half a game of 20 questions. And now right after our second date you're introducing me to your five year old daughter." Kate said a little hysterically. Rick grabbed her hand.

"Kate, I want you to meet Alexis, because I trust you and I really like you." He said squeezing her hand.

"What I meant when I said that I want to meet Alexis was that I want to meet her after I know you for a while." Kate said calmly. "It would feel like we're moving too fast." She whispered.

"Oh. I understand. You can meet her another time. When ready Kate." He wrapped her in a hug. "We can it as slow as you want."

"Thank you." She whispered against his shoulder.

"Always."

I am going to use the Jedi mind trick on you. So prepare yourselves.

'You want to click the REVIEW button.'

Please REVIEW. :)