For A/N, see Ch. 5.

ps- if it helps, the timing on this chapter is exactly the same as chapter 5- the two scenes are happening simultaneously. i hope that comes through. :)

Happy Reading! :D

And everyday I see the news

All the problems that we could solve

And when a situation rises

Just write it into an album

Sending it straight to gold,

I don't really like my flow, no, so

Rick sat in his study, his fingers motionless over the keyboard. With all the hustle and bustle that had been arising due to the preparations involved with the Nikki Heat film, he had little time to write. Something had sparked tonight though, and he wanted to put it down in writing, before he forgot.

But he was too late. The second he sat down, his thoughts immediately went to Beckett, the way they usually did. He was well aware, especially after the 'Most Eligible Bachelor's List' incident, that there was very little time in his day when he wasn't with, talking about, or thinking about Kate Beckett.

To him, she was extraordinary. His feelings, however, were hard to decipher. Clearly, he cared about her. Clearly he loved working with her. He couldn't imagine doing anything else, now that he had a taste of her world. Part of him wanted to give up writing as a career and train as a cop, so that he could really be her partner at the 12th. They worked so well together, that was undeniable. What better than to make it official?

He was unsure of the rest of their time together, but he was afraid that it would come to an end. I can't follow her around forever, can I?

The truth was, he wanted to follow her around forever. Be with her no matter what, and take on the world. They both had to admit, they were better together, whether it was a case, or anything else. They solved so many problems, and he didn't want to just record it into a story. No matter how parallel his novels were to his life at the 12th, it couldn't hold a candle to the reality of it all.

We can take on the world, if we are together. He thought.

There was no more time to lose. They had wasted enough. He was too invested now, and he didn't want to hide anything any longer. No matter what she said, how she reacted, he would make it work. They would make it work. They always did, why should this situation be any different? No matter the obstacle, they could do this. Now, he simply had to convince her. Simply. He sighed. He had a feeling it would be anything but simple.

Alexis came down the stairs as he was shrugging on his coat.

"Where are you going, Dad?" she asked, eyes full of curiosity.

"There's something that I have to take care of. Something that I should have done a long time ago," he said, hurriedly. He smiled fondly at his daughter. "Don't wait up, okay?"

Alexis' eyebrows raised, combing the possibilities in her head. A small smile started to creep onto her face as she realized what he was talking about.

"Go get her, Dad." She grinned at him, giving all the permission he didn't want to ask for, but knew he needed.

He smiled lovingly back at her. She was so smart; smarter than he figured himself to be most days.

"I will, Pumpkin." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and swept out the door.

WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN? O.o

Be kind, please review! :D