Thank you for all the reviews. Meredith will be back soon. Laser tag adventures as well. Enjoy this chapter.

Beta: stars90

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 10

The dress Kate was currently wearing made her smirk with the thought of Rick seeing her in it. It was a strapless long dark blue dress, a colour that looked good against her skin and with her hair. Suitable for an evening out for dinner and the theatre with her best friend and the writer. Kate finished her hair, swirling it up into an elegant bun. Then adding a little more make up then she usually did. She believed she was almost ready. The only thing missing were her five inch stilettos and a coat.

Kate left the house listening to the clicking of her heels down the wooden hallway. They were picking her up and Kate believed they would be waiting downstairs for her.

Outside the wind blew the strands of curls that had had fallen from her bun into Kate's face as she opened the door, finding the small red headed girl and her father waiting outside. They didn't see her at first, until Alexis turned around, waving as she saw Kate.

"Hey there, beautiful," she said, seeing Alexis in a blue dress that made her hair and eyes seem brighter. "Looking very Cinderella tonight."

Alexis giggled. "Thank you. If I'm Cinderella then you're Belle."

"Why Belle?" Kate asked, even though Belle was her favourite Disney princess.

"Because Belle is beautiful like you and she likes books," Alexis smiled. "You like my daddy's books."

"Thank you," Kate blushed. "Let's not add to your daddy's ego, though. I have a bigger library than just his books."

"You do?" Alexis said. "Can I come see sometime?"

"Sure," Kate told her.

Then she looked over to Rick, catching him watching her with an expression she couldn't describe. A blush filled her cheeks again, seeing him swallow and open his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her eyes travelled his body, taking in the fitted suit and the handsome face like always.

"Daddy," Alexis whined. "You're staring at Kate funny again."

"You were the one that said she was beautiful," Rick defended himself.

"Yeah, but I wasn't staring," Alexis watched him curiously.

"Let's not start an argument about this," Kate laughed, trying to hide her blush. "I'm hungry, shall we get going?"

"Of course," Rick smiled, offering his arm to Kate, which she took, and then his other hand for Alexis. He turned back to Kate. "You look breathtaking, by the way."

"You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. Castle," Kate told him.

The three of them walked towards Rick's parking spot, getting into the car and heading to the restaurant. Inside they sat down at the table Rick had reserved, Kate taking off her coat and picking up the menu to flick through.

"Kate, you know how it's your birthday next week," Alexis began, fiddling with her necklace. "Can you come over after work?"

They had spoken about her birthday, about how Kate hadn't liked to make a big deal of it since losing her mom, but before she hadn't had people around to celebrate it with. "Yeah, of course I'll be there."

"You will!" Alexis looked up with a smile. "Daddy and I are going to make a birthday cake."

"That'll be nice," Kate said, not wanting to displease the girl. "Just make sure your daddy does it right."

"Hey," Rick protested, closing his menu.

Alexis giggled. "I will."

The waiter came over then taking their orders before leaving with their menus. Alexis started to tell Kate about her day at school, telling Kate how all her friends wanted to meet her again because they thought Kate was cool being a cop and all.

"Sounds like you have a little fan club," Rick whispered to her.

"Would that make you my number one fan then?" She raised an eyebrow.

He smirked. "How about you, are you my number one fan, Belle?"

"In your dreams," Kate told him.

"Kate, can you help me colour the pictures in?" Alexis asked, still concentrating on the activity booklet the waiter had given her.

"Of course, sweetie," Kate said, picking up a red crayon to join the girl in colouring. She could still feel Rick's eyes boring into the side of her head, her cheeks blushing to the colour of the crayon.

When the waiter came with the food, he offered it to them with a smile and then left them alone. They spoke about everything, from memories to what they had done that week to random facts that Alexis came out with.

"I think we should introduce Kate to a special tradition on her birthday," Rick smiled, followed by Alexis. "Something I can finally win at."

Kate raised her eyebrows at him. "That's what you said before."

"Yeah, I'm determined," he said. "You're not scared, are you?"

"Of course not," Kate grinned. "I can beat you any day."

"Daddy, you always lose to me," Alexis said. "How are you supposed to beat Kate if you can't beat me?"

Kate laughed. "That's because he can't, we're too good for him."

"We'll both beat you on Wednesday," Alexis told Rick. "You'll lose to both of us."

"Oh, come on," Rick complained. "You can't keep teaming up against me, that's not fair."

"You won't even tell me what we're competing in," Kate told him. "How is that fair, you have the advantage there."

"That's because it's a birthday surprise for you," he said. "You don't want me to ruin it for you, do you?"

"Yes," Kate said. "I don't like surprises."

Rick grinned. "Oh, look, our waiter is here to take our pudding orders."

Kate glared at him as he slowly spoke to the waiter, enjoying teasing Kate too much. She didn't like it when the shoe was on the other foot and she especially didn't like secrets. When she turned to Alexis, asking her, the girl only giggled, shrugging in answer.

Kate let out a long sigh. "Fine, but whatever it is I'm still going to beat you."

After the dinner, the three of them made their way to the theatre. The excitement starting to show through Alexis as she jumped about between the two adults, clutching to their hands. Kate brought the girl a wand that lit up for her to wave during the show.

"Kate?" The sound of her name made her freeze, she turned to see her old friend Maddie standing in the theatre lobby.

"Uh, Maddie," Kate forced a smile; it'd been a few years since they last spoke. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm seeing the show with my boyfriend," she smiled and then looked down to the little girl's hand Kate was holding, then up to Rick. Maddie let out a small gasp, Kate looking down in attempt to avoid the situation. "You didn't tell me you were seeing Richard Castle!"

Kate groaned inside. "We're not dating."

"You're not?" Maddie grinned. "The Kate I knew would be all over him with all those times you spoke about him."

"Maddie, little kid around," Kate said, turning to a smug Rick and a confused Alexis. "Why don't the two of you get settled and I'll meet you?"

"Sure," Rick said. "It was nice to meet you, Maddie."

"You too, Richard." Maddie grinned.

They left, leaving the two girls alone to talk, but Kate wasn't sure what about. When her mom died, Kate had cut herself of from all her friends and family before breaking contact completely.

"Richard Castle," Maddie said again. "Please tell me you're not just planning on being friends with him."

"It's complicated," Kate said, then looked to change the conversation. "How are you, Maddie?"

"Working my way up the food ladder," she smiled. "How about you?"

"Close to becoming detective," Kate said.

"You really went and did it then?" Kate nodded. "That's, um, great, Kate. I'm happy for you."

"I'm happy for you, too," she smiled.

"I shouldn't be keeping you," Maddie said. "It was nice seeing you again."

Kate took a deep breath, thinking maybe it was time to start letting people from her past back in slowly. "Maybe we should get a drink and catch up sometime?"

"Yeah!" Maddie smiled. "That would be great. Here, take my number."

Kate watched as Maddie went through her clutch, finding the small card with her number on. "I'll ring you with a date."

"I look forward to it," Maddie said. "And hearing about your explanation to Richard Castle and I believe his daughter. It better be a good one."

Kate smiled, remembering the blonde friend she once had to talk to about boys. "Yeah."

Saying her goodbyes, Kate went through the crowds in search of Rick and Alexis. Both turned to her with questioning looks as she sat down in her seat.

"She was my best friend at school," Kate explained. "I hadn't spoken to her in a few years."

Understanding flashed across Rick's face. "Did it go alright?"

"Yeah," Kate smiled. "We're going to meet up soon."

"You'll be best friends again then?" Alexis asked, quietly.

Kate saw how she had sunk in her chair, the fear of being replaced lighting up in her. "Hey," Kate pointed to Alexis's necklace. "No one can replace you, remember? I'll have my other friends like you have yours, but you'll still be my best friend."

"You won't leave me," Alexis reminded herself. "Can I come out with your friends sometimes like you're joining me and Paige?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Lanie will love spending some time with you," Kate smiled. "She keeps asking me, actually."

"Really?" Alexis's face lit up.

"Yep," Kate said.

Alexis hugged her, letting Kate kiss the top of her head. Then they settled down in their seats properly, Kate pulling out all the sweets and bottles of fizzy drinks she had brought for them.

"It's surprising what can fit in a women's bag," Rick said. "Any chance you got gummy worms in there?"

Kate dug deeper in her bag, feeling like Marry Poppins. She throw the packet of gummy worms at Rick, having brought them as she knew they were his favourites. "Happy?"

"Yes, mom," Rick said.

"Good," Kate smirked. "Then sit down and be quiet or I'll send you outside, son."

Alexis giggled. "Daddy is too old to be your son."

"I know, he's an old man, isn't he?" Kate teased.

"I'm not that old," he protested.

The Lion King started then, the three of them turning in their seats to keep quiet. Only Rick opened his sweets too hard and the poor people around him got showered with gummy worms. Alexis and Kate had to stifle their laughter with their own sweets, exchanging an amused look between the two of them.

In the car on the way back to Kate's, Alexis had fallen asleep in the back seat, the night having drained her. Kate watched her sleep peacefully as Rick stopped the car outside her apartment building.

"Are we still on for tomorrow?" Rick asked Kate.

She turned to him, finding him watching her with a soft look that made her smile. "Yeah."

"Great," he smiled. "I look forward to meeting your partner at work."

Kate raised an eyebrow at that. "Partner at work?"

He swallowed hard to Kate's amusement. "I meant 'meeting your work partner.'"

"Hmm," Kate said, leaning her head against the car seat. "Nice try."

"Kate, you really do look beautiful," she turned to him again, blushing. "I don't even think beautiful covers it."

The way he was looking at her and speaking sent a shiver down her spine. She found herself shifting closer to him, her eyes travelling to his lips again as the memories of their kiss replayed. Then she paused, biting her lip.

"You should get her home," Kate said. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

He looked away again, closing his eyes for a second. "Yeah."

Kate watched him, then leant forward to kiss his cheek. "Thank you for tonight and do thank your mother again."

"I will," he smiled. "Goodnight, Kate."

"Goodnight, Rick," she said, getting out of the car before closing the door behind her. He drove off, Kate waving as he left before making her way into the building.

Laying on her bed, Kate groaned as Lanie went through her wardrobe helping her find the perfect dress for tonight. Her friend was currently dressed in a red dress that fitted her with a bit of skin on show, but left enough for the imagination.

"Kate, you almost kissed the man again," Lanie said. She had demanded that Kate tell her everything about last night, knowing there was more to it that Kate had left out. "Get over your fear, girl, and get with him. He's going to be all over you tonight when we find the right dress."

"I think we both need to speak to Alexis before we start anything," Kate said, knowing about Rick's past with Meredith and a few other girlfriends. "She's afraid as well as me."

"I'm sure Alexis will be happy about it," Lanie said. "It's a chance to see her best friend more, and you'll be there for her."

"Yes, but I'll also be there for Rick," Kate said.

"You're already there for him, too," Lanie said. "Now stop the worrying and get your skinny butt over here. I think I've found the one."

Kate sighed, getting up to walk over to her friend in the closet. Lanie held up a black dress with a grin, followed by a wink. "Go put it on."

Taking the dress, Kate disappeared back to her bedroom to change into the black dress, feeling how the material clung to her and came to rest at her mid-thigh.

"That is the one," Lanie grinned. "Now you do me proud tonight, okay?"

Kate rolled her eyes, starting her hair and makeup, secretly hoping that the dress did impress Rick. She went for darker eyes tonight with her hair tumbling down her back in curls.

The two of them left after, catching a cab to the bar they were meeting the boys at. Her palms were starting to get a little sweaty with what the night would bring. This was the first time she was out with Rick without Alexis around and the first time Esposito was going to meet him. It's not like she needed his approval, but she hoped they got on.

It was just Kate and Lanie at the bar first, the two of them ordering a round of drinks for the four of them, deciding the boys would be happy with beers. They sat at a table in the corner of the room, talking as they waited for them to show up. Esposito was first to arrive.

"Look at you in that dress," Esposito greeted Lanie, Kate sipping her drink to hide her smirk. "You're one hot sexy lady, Lanie Parish."

"I could say the same about you," Lanie grinned, giving Esposito that look of hers.

"Good to see you too, Espo," Kate said.

He nudged her softly with his elbow. "I didn't know you owned anything other than leather jackets and boots."

"I still have the jacket," Kate pointed to the back of her chair.

"It's a nice change, though," he smiled shyly. "You look beautiful, both of you do."

Kate raised her eyebrows, exchanging a look with her friend. Esposito went and sat next to Lanie, picking up his beer as he smiled at both ladies. "Where's your Writer Boy then?"

"He's coming," Kate said looking up to the clock on the wall. "He said he was going to get Alexis into bed before coming down."

"Did you enjoy your night out last night?" He asked, remembering how Kate was watching the clock and talking about it.

"Oh, yeah," Lanie grinned. "Theatre with the man and daughter."

Kate glared at her friend, she had already heard the best friend version and was now teasing her. "It was great, the show was amazing."

Esposito nodded his head. "Good. I heard Karpowski got a lead on the case just after we left. The husband killed the wife."

"Really?" Kate was shocked, the husband had really seemed devastated with the news and had an alibi. "What lead did she get?"

"Wife was cheating on him," Esposito explained.

"Then I found his fingerprints on her neck," Lanie said. "He strangled and then pushed her, hitting her head on the side of the coffee table."

"At least the paperwork won't be too bad then," Kate smiled, knowing if she got it done then she could get home sooner and maybe see Alexis.

"Your man is here," Lanie whispered. "Make me proud, girl."

She looked up, shooting Lanie a glare before turning to search for Rick through the growing crowd. Already his eyes were on Kate, a smile lighting his face that prompted another smile out of her. Kate ran her lip through her teeth, taking in the sight of him in his blue shirt and his brown hair tousled from the wind outside.

Then Kate watched as a woman walked up to him, tall long legs and blonde hair. Her hand clenched onto the edges of the table, watching the woman talking to him. Rick spoke to her for a second and then they separated, not before she could hand him a slip of paper. Now Kate's teeth clenched shut, her pulse quickening as she turned away not being able to meet his eyes. Did she really think he would wait for her? It was just a number, she told herself.

"He just threw the paper away," Lanie whispered, reassuring Kate before the writer joined them at the table. He didn't keep it? Kate found her body starting to relax again, her fingers releasing their grip on the table. Knowing she couldn't run away or hide, she turned to greet him with a smile.

"Hey," he said. "Sorry I'm a little late, she wanted a story."

"It's fine," Kate said and then looked over to her friends, who were both watching her cautiously. "Rick, this is Javier Esposito, and you've met Lanie."

"So you're her partner at work," Rick said, leaning over to shake his hand. "It's good to finally meet you."

"You too, bro," Esposito said. "I've heard a lot about you and that daughter of yours."

"Oh, really?" Rick sat down in his chair. "It's good to see you again, Lanie."

"Hmmm," Lanie said, watching him closely. "Javi, let's go get some more drinks."

Their drinks were still half full, but Esposito didn't protest and followed Lanie to the bar. Kate turned to face Rick, finding him watching her with a bemused look.

"The woman recognised who I was," he explained. "Wanted me to buy her drink, but I declined, telling her I was meeting friends."

Avoiding his gaze, Kate looked down, but felt his hand take hers under the table. "You don't have to explain."

"I don't," he said. "But I can see the jealousy and doubt on your face."

"I'm not jealous," Kate protested, hiding behind her hair so he couldn't see her blush.

"Sure," he teased before turning serious. "Kate, I like you and I'm sitting here patiently waiting for you. No other woman has anything on you; don't doubt my feelings for you."

She looked up to him, squeezing his hand softly. "I think I'm almost ready."

"Really?" The hopeful look on his face made her smile.

"Yeah," Kate told him. "Can you be patient for a little while longer?"

"It'll be hard, what with seeing you in that dress," his gaze travelled over her again. "I think I'll manage, though, it'll be worth it in the end."

Kate leaned in to kiss his cheek again, lingering by his ear as she whispered. "You'll know when the time comes. I'll put this dress back on for you."

He sucked in a breath as she pulled away, keeping her hand still in his under the table as she sipped her drink. It was evil of her to tease him like that, but she couldn't resist and now the way he was looking at her only teased her. The thoughts of him peeling the dress from her body caused goosebumps to dance across her skin. Her grip on his hand tightened as the blush filled her cheeks. Now he really did grin.

Lanie and Esposito returned with the drinks, watching the both of them curiously. Even when they returned, her grip on Rick's hand didn't change and she felt his thumb rub over her hand soothingly. The four of them sat around the table together, talking like they had all been friends for a long time. By the end of the night, Rick and Esposito had become 'bros' according to Esposito, leaving Kate with a happy smile.

I hope you liked the chapter. Caskett soon, very soon. I'm so excited about the next chapter since badass Beckett and other things. Please do review.

Guys, the competition between Kate, Rick and Alexis is for fun. I dont't understand how someone could make a negative out of that. Maybe Rick will win at something soon, you'll just have to wait and see. And if he does win, just imagine how much he would rub it in their faces.