A/N: I have been MAJOR busy with editing my own book for publishing (no bragging there. Lol), so excuse me for the late delay in posting. I will do what I can, if you don't mind waiting. In the meantime, enjoy the chapter and happy FANFIC-ing :)

Ps. To those who were confused about my path… SO sorry. I went with the first part. CUTE Castle, so when Beckett stormed out of the restaurant. It didn't happen; it was a kind of alternate reality. Sorry if I confused everyone, I forgot to mention it in the previous chapter notes.

"STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!" Kate cursed herself as she stood before the mirror in her uniform.

Some old black clacks and red leather jacket, but something was missing… she just couldn't work out what it was. Her hair was brushed neatly and sat the way it was supposed to. Her make-up was not smudged, and enhanced her appearance. She didn't look any different than she did every other morning before work.

STUPID CASTLE!

It was his fault her head was all over the place. She was still reeling from the kiss she had planted on him the night before. The date had been pretty close to perfect. It was still hard to believe that she kissed Richard Castle. Not that she didn't see him at work, day after day, yell at him over and over, and roll her eyes at his stupidity. This was different, this was the man himself. The man she had stood in line and bookstores for over an hour just to get an autograph from.

After minutes of stressing that something was off, she decided to leave it alone. If it was that important she could always go home again.

As she waltzed into the bullpen, her stomach was wrecking havoc and her brain was scrambled. But she made her way to her desk, ignoring the odd stares from eyes everywhere. Something was definitely off. Why the hell are they all staring at me? Feeling self-conscience, she lowered her head and pretended to focus on the case file in front of her.

Castle approached, sending her heart rate through the roof.

She looked up and met his eyes. "Hi," she whispered nervously.

He grinned and slowly bent down to kiss her.

"CASTLE!" she barked pulling away. She jumped from her chair and shoved him toward the coffee room. Lucky for her, it was empty. She slammed him against the wall.

"WHAT?" he looked stunned.

"This is NOT appropriate behavior at work. Damn it, Castle. Why are you so insistent on breaking every rule in the book?" she didn't understand his lack of consideration. There was NO excuse for it.

He folded his arms across his torso. She saw the hurt flash across his eyes. "Why do you have to be such a tight-"

"Watch it," she warned.

Castle shook his head. "I was just going to kiss you, what's the big deal?"

The fact that he had to ask her that, made her realize how little he knew her. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all dating Richard Castle was just going to cause hassle. She watched him a moment. Okay, so he was more than easy on the eyes, but with his maturity level below 12, she felt like his mother at times.

They couldn't be a good thing.

"It's over, isn't it?" he asked bluntly.

She hesitated. "Castle…"

"Look, I know I'm a pain in the ass, I know that I act stupid, but… I want this, Kate. And you kissing me last night, you want me too, I know you do… so why don't you explain the rules to me, and don't give up so quickly."

Beckett considered this. He sure knew how to kiss, that in itself was worth keeping. "One more chance," she warned. "None of that at work though," she wagged her finger at him.

"You have to start paying attention too then," he grinned.

"What do I do wrong?" she challenged.

He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "You aren't wearing any shoes…"

Beckett's eyes popped out in horror as she stared down at her bare feet. How had she NOT noticed that?

"I'm glad I have an effect on you, Kate…" he smiled looking pleased.

Beckett rolled her eyes. Damn cocky, arrogant, son of a…

What do you think of this?

Thanks for being patient guys… you're great.

;)