A/N: I'm so grateful for the response so far! I'm doing a happy dance every time a story alert or favorite shows up on my email! And almost faint if it's a review! So here it's chapter 2 as promised! I'll try to update ch. 3 tomorrow but since I'll be in classes since 7 til 6 I won't make promises!...

Disclaimer: I don't own castle! Just the two books a poster and a notebook that just got in the mail (does a happy dance)

Kate did not go to her apartment after saying good bye to everyone, she went to the morgue.

"Lanie?"

"Hey, girl. Spill, how is the new boss?"

"Nice to see you too, how'd have you been? I'm fine, Thank you" – she said with a mocking voice.

Lanie rolled her eyes very Beckett style - "I've been fine. Now, details" – she said with an exasperated voice.

Kate told her best friend about Lisbon, the warning about Castle, leaving for three months and finally, really fast, her dinner plans for that night. At which point Lanie's jaw was on the floor and her eyes out of their sockets.

"Wait a second, you're leaving for three months AND having a date with Castle, and I'm hearing all of this a few hours before the event? I'm gonna smack you, girl!"

"Ok, first, it's not a date…

"Keep telling yourself that, you might believe it" – Lanie interrupted while crossing her arms on her chest

"And second – Kate continued after glaring Lanie – I haven't told anyone, except Castle and my dad"

"And of course, you had to tell castle first because you have no feelings for the guy"

"He is my partner, Lanie, of course I had to tell him first"

"Riiiiight. Be in denial if you want, maybe the three months apart will knock some sense into you"

"Whatever you say"

"Girl, look, you now I love you and all but this is ridiculous. It's obvious you at least like the guy and he is in love with you. Plus, you are not with Josh anymore. I don't get what is getting in the way"

Kate was quiet for a minute or two, analyzing the words of her friend. What was getting in the way? He was her partner, her friend, she couldn't risk that, not for a romance that may or may not last. Plus, he wasn't in love with her, no way. But she was in love with him. She knew, for a while, it was one of the reasons of her break up with Josh. It wasn't fair to any of them and she hadn't lie to Rick – 'Castle! Not Rick, Castle!,' she yelled at herself – they hadn't seen each other often enough.

Kate sighed loudly. She couldn't lie to Lanie, she owned her that much.

"Fear"

"What?"

"it's what's in the way, fear. I'm afraid of losing my partner if things go south. I love him and…What if he doesn't love me back? Or just sees me as a friend? It's too much of a risk, Lanie"

"Oh, honey, come here"

She hugged Kate and looked at her straight in the eyes

"Now you listen to me Beckett. That man loves you, it's obvious to everyone. You need to be the one who takes that step. He won't, he is too scared to lose you if he pushes you. If you're not ready now, I understand but he won't wait forever. There is only so much a person can take before the pain is too great, and you now that."

"You're right. I… I'll see what to tell him over dinner tonight"

"That's my girl. Now go, you have to pack and I have plans in a few"

"Ok, thanks Lanie, and tell Esposito hi for me" – she said smiling

"No problem" – Lanie answered with a huge grin

…

On the other side of town, Rick Castle; master of the macabre, best seller novelist and plucky sidekick extraordinaire was going crazy. On one hand he was happy that he was making dinner for Kate, on the other, well, he wasn't going to see her for three months, months. Why this did always happened in the summer? When he was a kid, summer was the best time for him, no school and a lot of time to write, read and chase after girls. Now, well, now he was beginning to hate the summer. There was always something that kept them for being together those months.

Tonight was his only chance to let her know how she felt without being too obvious. So, details. He was very good with details, those were important for his books, and he knew this dinner couldn't be romantic in the traditional way but he would show her that he cared. It was all in the details.

He thought about what to do for dinner, she said nothing too complicated and she loved this pasta a la carbonara with a smooth red wine, her favorite meal. For dessert he would make brownies and buy some ice cream.

He must've been too out to notice a certain red haired girl walking into the kitchen where he was and didn't notice the playful smile on her face when she spoke.

"Oh, father…" – she said in a sing song voice.

Nothing… Ok, this was going to take some extreme actions.

She went to his side quietly and began to talk to him.

"Hey, dad, so… I was thinking of marrying Ash tomorrow, because, well, I'm pregnant and all…So, is that…"

She never got to finish because a very shocked Castle quickly turned his head to face her with a terrified look on his face.

"Wha-What did you just say?"

His voice was a few octaves too high.

"Finally, I got your attention" – she said, grinning like crazy

"Oh, you're mean. You almost gave your old man a heart attack" – he said as he placed a hand on his chest, breathing heavily, causing Alexis to roll her eyes.

"Tell me, father, what were you thinking that caused you to black out from the world?" – She asked while smiling knowingly.

"Uh, well, Detective Beckett is going away for the summer, tomorrow, so I offered to make her dinner tonight. I was thinking of what to cook for her, and well…"

"Say no more, want help?"

"Thank you pumpkin, I would love some help" – he said as he kissed her temple gently and pulled her in for quick a hug.

"So, what are we making?"

"Her favorite, Carbonara and I'm baking some brownies for dessert"

"You are making the brownies?" – She asked, quite shocked, eyebrows rose.

"Yeah, why?"

"Oh dad, you're so in love with her" – she said, giggling.

"What makes you say that?" – His voice went up an octave.

"You're baking brownies for her, dad, you never do that. And shadowing her when you have more than enough research, risking your life for her, staying late at the precinct just to make sure she leaves, making sure she eats and has her coffee every morning. Should I go on?"

Alexis was grinning and Castle was baffled.

"I…I…well…How did you become so observant?"

"I'm a girl; we have a six sense for this kind of stuff. So, are you going to tell her tonight?"

"No? I'm going to wait until the moment is right. We…She has been through a lot with the captain, and her mom's case solved. I don't want to overwhelm her…"

"You're right. Just, don't wait too long, ok? She may meet someone, again"

"Ok, pumpkin, I won't. Now, help me with the carbonara sauce, will ya?"

They began cooking and baking, but Rick's mind was on the last thing his daughter had said. She might meet someone. He couldn't watch another Josh or Demming on Kate's life again, it hurts too much. He had to know where they stood, if there was a chance for a 'them' somewhere in the future so he could move on with his life if he had to. He didn't want to. Couldn't imagine his life without Kate, but he couldn't imagine watching her going off to the sunset on another man's arms.

Once everything was set he said good bye to Alexis and went to Beckett's apartment. He texted Kate to make sure he was cleared for landing.

"Hello my lady, Is your castle up for visitors on this fine evening? ;)"

A few minutes later a message appeared on his phone:

"A Castle? Really?"

"Too much? =("

"To say the least"

"Sorry. So, dinner is ready, can I come over?"

"Sure, I'm done packing anyway and it's almost 6"

Five seconds later the bell ringed. 'No way' she thought. Sure thing, when she opened the door there was a writer on the other end, with bags on one hand and his cell phone on the other.

"Castle?"

"Were you expecting anyone else?" he said with a grin

"I thought you were at your loft"

"Well, I was, but I was ready and didn't want the food to get cold. But I thought it would be better if I texted to see if it was ok for me to stop by earlier"

After a beat of Beckett just staring at him, he spoke:

"Kate?"

"Uhm?"

"Can I come in? It's kind of heavy" he said gesturing the bag.

"Oh yeah, sure, you know where the kitchen is"

She stepped out of the way and he went straight to the kitchen. Now that she was not in shock at his latest surprise she noticed him, like really noticed, and liked what she saw. He was wearing jeans and a long sleeve, V neck, dark blue sweater with a white t-shirt underneath. The color brought his eyes and he looked very handsome. 'No! Kate, don't think like that about him, not yet' She thought.

When Rick saw Kate he stopped thinking. She looked amazing and she wasn't even wearing something extravagant. Dark blue jeans and a V-neck, long sleeve, hazel blouse. Very casual but elegant, her hair was lose and her soft curls felt perfectly on her shoulders. Yes, she was the most beautiful woman on earth.

Now that he was in the kitchen taking the containers from the bag he had time to think his next move. He needed her to know how he felt and if she felt the same. He could wait for her over the summer but what if she came back with another Josh? No way. If she didn't feel the same he had to know so he could move on over the summer. Yes, he would still be her plucky side-kick even she turned him down. A friendship was better than nothing. And her happiness was the priority here.

The only problem was...he didn't know how to approach the topic without sending Beckett running for the hills. Well, honesty was the best politic, he would just say it, but after dinner. Yes, after dinner. A voice that sounded very similar to Esposito (what the hell?) echoed in his head "Coward" but before he could argue with said voice another one outside his head talked to him.

"Castle, hello, earth to castle"

"Wh-what?" – He said dumbfounded

"I asked what did you brought. What were you thinking?"

"Oh, nothing, just crept out cuz apparently my subconscious has Esposito's voice"

After a 'what on earth are you talking about' look from Beckett she decided to let the matter drop.

"So… Dinner?"

"Oh, right, I brought your favorite. Pasta a la Carbonara with an exquisite red wine and for dessert brownie with ice cream"

"How did you know?" – She asked a little shocked since they hadn't share a meal that wasn't Chinese take out or burgers at Remy's.

"Oh, come on, Beckett, give me some credit. I've been shadowing you for the past three years. Plus, I pay more attention when it comes to you."

She could feel a light blush creeping to her cheeks, hoping he didn't noticed, she began to get the plates from the cabinet.

"Well, thanks, it's just what I needed"

"No problem, Kate" – he said smiling. A warm smile that melted Kate's heart a little bit.

After setting the dishes, food and wine on the table they began to eat, he was nervous about her thoughts of the pasta. Granted, he had cooked that dish before (it was one of his and Alexis's favorites) but still. He looked at her expectantly while she ate the first bite. She closed her eyes and a little 'hum' sound of appreciation came from her mouth. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Oh my gosh. Castle, this is the best Carbonara I've ever tasted. I didn't know you could cook like this"

"Why, detective, are you complimenting something I've made?"

"Well, yes, I am" – she said with a sly grin

"Thank…Wait, what?" - He said, stunned, clearly not expecting that.

She laughs at his reaction. 'He looks so cute when he is stunned. Wait, no, damn it, Kate get a hold of yourself!' she thought.

"What you heard, Castle. This is the best carbonara I've ever tasted, you deserve the compliment. Of course, now you're going to have to teach me how to cook it"

"Oh, I most definitely will. Hold on, you cook?" – a tone of disbelieve in his voice.

"Yes, I cook. Don't look so surprise"

"Sorry, you can understand my confusion with the sophomore temple on the fridge and me being the one that has to feed you at work"

"You think you're sooo funny, don't you?"

"I have my moments"

"I do cook. My mother used to teach me every weekend until I went to college. Her specialties were desserts but I can cook a little of everything I just don't have the time or energy. I bake a mean chocolate soufflé"

"I'll have to try it sometime" – he said with a sly grin.

The rest of the meal went smooth, they talked about various things; Alexis's college choices, Ashley's romantic setups, memories of Kate's childhood on the cabin and some memories of Rick's childhood. When dessert came, she was very impressed with the brownie, asking Castle where he had bought it. Needless to say that when he said he had baked it she had a hard time believing it.

"Come on Castle, this is perfect, no way you could have baked it!"

"Well, I had some help from Alexis but the main parts where all me. I'm wounded that you don't trust my word" – he said while pouting.

"I can show you the recipe if you still don't believe me"

She narrowed her eyes at him, analyzing. But she found nothing but pure honesty on his eyes, and something more she couldn't quite place.

"Ok, fine, I believe you. And yes, you will show me that recipe. I could use it on the summer"

At the mention of the summer Rick felt a knot on his stomach. He had maybe an hour to talk to her and he still had no idea how he was going to approach the big elephant in the room. He decided to play it by ear and begged that he had a good hearing. Gosh he was a nervous wreck, thank the heavens his poker face was good.

After eating dessert he began to clear the table and do the dishes, despite her telling him that there was no need. He insisted, saying that he wanted to be nice and it was all he could do to help for the big trip the next day. She complied.

"So, Beckett, Are you going by car or plane?" – He said while sitting on the couch besides her

"Plane, I'm not very good at road trips"

"I see, need a ride to the airport?"

"No, my dad is taking me, we need some alone time after everything"

'This was it,' Rick thought, 'no more time, it's now or never'

A/N 2: Remember! reviews are love! :DDDD