AN: WOW! Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter, especially those who alerted or favorited it, and a huge thank you to Bonnie Radcliffe, huddy-lover-gregandlisaforeva, LittleLizzieZentra, SomeKindaWonderful, and AudreyJ1, who reviewed! Every author talks about how great it is to get reviews, and now I understand how they feel!

Bonnie Radcliffe- She has to wake up around 4 or 4:30, I'd say. I have friends who get up at 4 to work out. Personally, I think they're crazy! But somehow, it seems like a Beckett thing to do :)

LittleLizzieZentra- Although I had most of this fic planned out, your comment about Castle leaving for the Hamptons did inspire me to change around a couple things. I think you'll understand why he did it next chapter, possibly the end of this one if you squint!

This isn't all that long, but I think it conveys what I wanted it to. I will get the next chapter up as soon as I can! Don't worry, I'm just as excited to see where this goes as you all are!

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle. If I did, I would make Nathan Fillion write me notes from Castle. Also, Castle and Beckett would be together already! I don't own When the Day Met the Night either. Don't sue me. Just enjoy the story!

Smiling slightly, she opened the envelope. Inside was a note. She took a deep breath and began to read...

Chapter Two- The Letter

"Kate,

By now I'm sure you have figured out who sent the chocolates and the rose. I know that you don't like Valentine's Day. Truth be told, Valentine's Day has never been all that special for me either. At least until I met you. Four years ago was the first Valentine's Day I didn't find myself dreading. It was the first Valentine's Day that almost made me happy. Of course, at the time I didn't quite realize why, but I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather be on the fourteenth than here at the 12th with you and the boys.

By the next year, you had warmed up to me a bit more and I realized something that worried me a little bit. I had just about enough information to write the books, yet still I stuck around. I told myself that I needed more details. Looking back, I'm sure I that I knew I was lying to myself. Into our third year of partnership, everyone knew it wasn't about the books anymore. Esposito, Ryan, Lanie, Montgomery…my mother and Alexis…I was beginning to suspect that even you could tell I had ulterior motives. I, of course, had yet to admit it to you. That year was full of some pretty intense cases. The freezer, the dirty bomb. And then your shooting. I couldn't take anymore when that happened. Finally I allowed myself to accept what I've always known. You said you remember nothing from the shooting? Well, let me refresh your memory.

I told you I love you. I said it. I said I love you, Kate. You were bleeding, dying in my arms and I knew it was now or never. I had to tell you how I feel. I've always loved you, Kate. Ever since I met you I have loved you. Your strength and your beauty are captivating. You have truly changed my life. I never tire of watching you, whether in action or relaxed and comfortable. I would be perfectly happy to just sit back and watch you for as long as you would let me. I can think of no better way to spend my life than just being with you.

Please, I ask for one chance. Just let me prove to you that I am your "one-and-done". Today is Valentine's Day, but because neither of us like Valentine's Day I propose that we have an "anti-Valentine's Day". Meet me at my house in the Hamptons at 5:00 tonight. I promise that this will be an anti-Valentine's Day you will not ever forget. I know you aren't going to want to come to the Hamptons, but please, give me a chance. I'm in love with you, Katherine Beckett. I always have been and I always will be.

Always,

Rick."

Beckett's hands were shaking. She read the handwritten letter through at least five times, memorizing every line and loop of Castle's script. Her eyes felt wet and she wiped away the tears before they could fall. All the letter did was confirm what she knew, but how amazing it was to see it handwritten in front of her. It was such a heartfelt confession. Just the sort of thing one would expect from Rick Castle, she realized and smiled. She read the letter over again. He loved her. He really, completely was in love with her. She stopped at the part where he invited her to the Hamptons. An anti-Valentine's Day…leave it to Castle to find a romantic way around the romance! Beckett felt a chill go up her spine as she realized where her feet were suddenly taking her, but she banished the anxiety and rushed into the captain's office.

"Sir, are you going to need me at all after four? I think I have plans…" Beckett finished in a rush.

"No, you are free to leave, Detective Beckett. In fact, take tomorrow off as well." Beckett began to protest, but Gates raised her hand. "I insist! You have a good time tonight." Gates' knowing smile led Beckett to believe someone had already ensured she was free tonight. She smiled.

"Thank you, sir. I'm sure I will."

Beckett returned to her desk and gathered her things. She made it home by three. She showered, making sure to use her cherry-scented body wash, knowing it would drive Castle crazy.

"Wait, what? Did I really just think that?" Shaking her head to clear her mind, Beckett dried off and set to work on her hair and makeup. When she was satisfied with her curls, she headed to her closet.

Beckett sighed. Castle had neglected to specify how formally she should dress. After trying on several outfits, she finally settled on dark jeans, heeled boots, and a nice shirt. She packed a simple black purse with the essentials. She added a toothbrush. Then she snorted in contempt and removed it. As she left the bathroom she paused and let out a breath of air. Shaking her head, Beckett allowed herself to put the toothbrush back in. Before she could doubt herself again she hurried out of her apartment and jumped into her car.

Her heart was pounding uncontrollably. She took a few deep breaths to try and slow it before slapping the steering wheel in annoyance.

"Come on!" she shouted out loud. "This is Castle. My partner. My friend. Calm the hell down!" She told herself. As her heartbeat slowly returned to normal she pulled out of her spot and drove a few blocks to a small drugstore. She stepped inside to buy herself a diet Coke and a pack of gum. As she waited for her change, she glanced out the window. There was a liquor store across the street.

A moment later, Beckett found herself buying a bottle of wine to take to the Hamptons. She hardly gave herself time to wonder just what she was getting into before she cranked up the radio and sped out of the city.