A/N: I feel like a broken record, but you guys never cease to amaze me. Thank you so much for all your support and feedback. This chapter kind of ran away from me and it was turning out to be way too long, so I split it in half. Part 2 will be up tomorrow night, hopefully.

Hope you guys like it and enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine. I just like to borrow them and play. I promise to return them safely afterwards.

Someone Like You

Chapter 4

It was only a week later that Kate finally had some free time. The case of the 14-year-old girl turned out to be a lot more complex than she had anticipated and she and her team hit a lot of dead ends before they finally managed to find her killer. Dealing with this case had really taken its toll on her and by Friday morning, she was running on caffeine alone.

Throughout the week, nightmares had plagued her sleep and the dark circles under her eyes were barely concealed by makeup anymore. All she wanted to do was go home, spend some time with her kid and then sleep for a whole twelve hours. At least.

When she walked into the morgue that Friday morning, sipping her third cup of coffee in the last hour, she needed a break from the nightmare this case was and spending half an hour with her friend Lanie was just what she needed at that moment.

"Hey, girl." Lanie looked up at her with a smile. She was sitting on an empty gurney, cross-legged, going over her reports. "What's up?"

Kate sighed and sat across from her friend.

"Just needed a break. Want some?"

She offered the package with a few pastries she had just picked up across the street. Lanie accepted and watched her friend with a pensive look as she munched on the treat. Kate raised an eyebrow.

"You look tired." The medical examiner finally concluded and Kate shrugged.

"I am tired. It's been a long week, tough case…" she sighed again and looked away. Lanie knew how those kinds of murder got to her.

"How's Tyler?" she asked as Kate yawned.

She really needed to get some sleep.

"He's fine. At school." Kate took a sip of her coffee. "I have to go pick him up soon."

Tyler had been asking all week to go play with Alexis again, but she just hadn't had time to do anything about it. Rick had texted her a few times during the past week and she was slightly ashamed to admit that his texts were one of the highlights of her day, even if he was just saying hi or talking about something completely random, as she had quickly realized was the norm with him. The man was probably the most random person she had ever met, but she had so much fun texting back and forth with him about the silliest things. It had served as a great distraction when she had needed to unwind after spending hours trying to solve the young girl's murder.

"Have you been sleeping at all, Kate?" Lanie asked and Kate knew she was concerned.

"I've been trying to. Not very successful so far." She ran a hand through her hair and took another sip of her coffee. "I just want this case to be over."

"I know, honey. Do you have any new leads?"

"Ryan and Esposito went to pick up her cousin. One of her friends mentioned the guy had a creepy obsession with her." She bit her lip. "She was just a kid." She said softly, looking to where she knew the girl's body was stored.

Before Lanie could respond, Kate's phone rang and they both jumped at the sound echoing through the quiet room.

"Beckett." She answered without checking the caller's ID.

"Hi, Kate." She heard his voice and a small smile immediately appeared on her lips.

"Hey." She said softly. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just wanted to say hi." He told her and she chuckled.

"Well, hi." She laughed. "Can I hang up now?" she teased and his laughter graced her ears.

"Don't be mean, detective." He scolded and she almost felt like giggling, which would be an invitation to a very thorough third degree from Lanie, so she refrained from doing so. "I was also wondering if you wanted to do something later tonight. Alexis is dying to play with Tyler again. Been bugging me all week."

"Yeah, Tyler has been doing the same." She said and absentmindedly twirled her hair around her finger.

"And I kind of want to see you too, you know." He said quietly, hesitantly, and she felt warmth spreading through her.

"Kind of?" she teased and bit her lip when he chuckled quietly.

"Fine, Detective Beckett. I do want to see you. There. Happy?" he said in mock exasperation and she laughed.

"Yes, I am. And for the record? I do too." She admitted and could almost hear him smiling.

"So, tonight? You, me and the little wild creatures?" he asked expectantly and she sighed.

"It depends on what happens with this case today."

"Still nothing on the little girl's killer?" he asked quietly.

"We might have a good lead. The boys are bringing a suspect in. Let's hope he's our guy." She told him and wished with all her might that they could close this godforsaken case today.

"I hope so too." He said and they were quiet for a beat. "So… call me later to let me know?"

"Absolutely. And even if I can't make it tonight, maybe tomorrow?" she suggested and wondered to herself just how exactly this had happened – whatever this was between them. She genuinely felt as if they had known each other forever, that's how comfortable she felt with him. How was that even possible when they had only really known each other for a little over a week?

"I have a book signing at Barnes & Noble tomorrow." He sighed, sounding disappointed. "But maybe you and Tyler could stop by?"

"Which Barnes & Noble?"

"5th Avenue."

"Am I getting an autograph if I show up?" she teased and he laughed.

"I'll sign whatever you want if you show up." He told her warmly and she laughed, pleased.

"You shouldn't make those kinds of promises, you know." She said and he huffed. "Anyway, it still depends on how it goes today here. I'll call you later." She bit her lip when she looked up and realized Lanie was watching her with way too much interest.

Damn it.

"Alright, Detective. Good luck with your suspect."

"Thanks." She smiled, saying she would talk to him later and hung up.

She found Lanie looking at her curiously and looked away from her friend's inquisitive gaze. If only the boys could call right that moment so she could escape the inevitable interrogation that was about to happen.

"Who was that?" she asked casually and Kate sighed. Lanie had never been one to beat around the bush about anything.

"Just a friend." She shrugged and Lanie lifted her eyebrows skeptically.

"It didn't sound like just a friend to me." She said knowingly and Kate rolled her eyes. "Come on, dish. Who is he?"

"What makes you say it's a he?" Kate tried stalling.

"Because you were flirting like crazy, maybe?" Lanie replied with a laugh and she blushed. "See, you're blushing. It's definitely a guy. Spill. Who is he and why haven't I heard about him before?"

"He's just a guy I met last week at the hospital when Ty broke his arm." She said when Lanie lifted an eyebrow again.

At Lanie's inquisitive look, she elaborated and told her friend what had happened that day, excluding the fact that she was ridiculously attracted to him and felt like they had known each other for ages.

"Wait, isn't he the author of those books you love so much?" Lanie asked and she nodded. "Wow. Does he know you're a fan?" she smiled teasingly and Kate felt herself blushing again.

"No. He just knows a admire his work, but that's all." She said softly.

"He must really be one hell of a guy, huh?" Lanie said with a smile.

"Why do you say that?" Kate asked confused.

"You should've looked in the mirror when you were talking to him, honey. You looked happy. You didn't even sound tired anymore." She explained gently and Kate shrugged.

"He's a friend." She brushed it off and Lanie shook her head.

"Fine, you keep telling yourself that, Kate." She rolled her eyes. "For what it's worth, I'm happy for you."

Kate looked away and bit her lip, thinking. If she was honest with herself, she was pretty damn happy Rick had appeared in her life as well.

"Ty, my boy. How are you doing?" Esposito greeted when Kate walked back into the bullpen with her son.

"Hey, Uncle Javi." The boy grinned and dropped his backpack on his mother's chair. Walking over to Esposito's desk, he bumped fists with the detective happily. "Catch any bad guys today?"

"Yes, we did, as a matter of fact." He leaned closer to the boy and whispered loudly. "Your mom over there? She was awesome today, man. But don't tell her I said that."

Tyler looked proudly at his mom and Kate shook her head at her partner with a small smile.

"I'm just going to finish up my report here. Can you keep him entertained for a little while, Esposito?" she asked and he nodded.

"My pleasure. Come on, mini Beckett. Let's find your Uncle Kevin and annoy him." He put an arm around Tyler's shoulders and led him to the break room where Ryan was making himself a cup of coffee.

Kate chuckled quietly and busied herself with the paperwork in front of her. They had booked the girl's cousin just a couple of hours ago after he confessed everything. He said he had been in love with her since they were kids, but she had never reciprocated his feelings. He got angry and raped her. When she wouldn't stop crying afterwards, he slit her throat. He was barely eighteen and had just started college at NYU.

It was just sad seeing two young, promising lives thrown away like that, Kate thought and shook her head. Informing the family had been the worst part as the killer was her first cousin. With a sigh, she tried to concentrate on the report to finish it as quickly as she could.

A couple of hours later, she turned off her computer and stretched her body with a groan. She was so ridiculously exhausted that she couldn't even think straight. Checking her watch, she was surprised to see that it was nearing 6pm and she should get Tyler home soon. He was probably hungry.

Trying to decide whether they should stop somewhere and get something to eat before going home or not, she stood up and started gathering her things. She was putting on her coat when her phone rang. It was Rick.

"I forgot to call you back." She told him as soon as she answered. "I'm sorry."

"Did you catch the killer?" he asked, amused and curious.

"We did, actually. It was the cousin." She picked up her purse and looked around the bullpen, trying to locate her son and her two partners.

"Damn." He breathed and she agreed wholeheartedly.

"I know."

"So does that mean we get to see you guys tonight?" he asked hopefully and she smiled, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.

"I would love to, Rick, but I'm exhausted. If we went over there or if you guys came over, I'd just pass out on you and embarrass myself again." She said, fighting a yawn and failing spectacularly, much for his amusement.

"As much as I would love to have you fall asleep on me again, detective, you should probably get some rest." He told her softly and she bit her lip as that warm feeling in the pit of her stomach spread through her.

"Thanks. I just…"She took a breath and rubbed her eyes sleepily. "I'm just so tired that I can't even think straight anymore." She explained, making her way to the break room where she had spotted her three boys.

"Don't worry about it, Kate. I get to see you tomorrow, though, right? You'll come to the book signing?" he asked and she bit back a smile as she entered the break room. He wasn't even using Alexis and Tyler as an excuse to see her anymore.

"I promise. What time is it supposed to start?"

"Around 3."

"Okay, so should we get there early to get in line?" she got herself a glass of water and took a sip, handing Tyler his backpack.

"Of course not, Kate. I'll put your name on the list and you should be able to get through, don't worry." He told her and she smiled, excitement taking over. Even if he didn't know, he was her favorite author and the fact that her name would be on the list to get through to see him was kind of awesome.

"Alright. We're heading home now. I'll see you tomorrow, Rick." She waved goodbye at Ryan and Esposito and led Tyler to the elevator.

"Very much looking forward to it, detective." His voice was soft and warm in her ear and she felt a shiver run through her body imagining what it would be like to hear his voice when he was whispering in her ear personally.

Oh, boy, she really needed to pull herself together because those kinds of thoughts would not get her anywhere.

"Good night." She managed to say and hung up, taking a deep breath.

The man was driving her crazy and they were only talking on the phone. Just imagine what it would be like to…

No.

She was not going there.

Kate managed to sleep for glorious eight whole hours. They had gotten home, after stopping at Remy's to eat something, and she made sure Tyler took a shower and changed into his pajamas before she soaked in the bathtub for an hour. Relaxed and considerably more sleepy, she hung out with Tyler for a little white, cuddling on the couch with her little boy while they watched TV. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep and woke up about an hour later with Tyler telling her to go to bed. She tucked him in first and then fell on her bed, not even bothering to pull the covers over herself.

Eight whole hours. It was amazing.

The next morning, she made her son breakfast and they lazed around the apartment for a few hours. She wasn't in the mood to go on a cleaning spree – she would do that tomorrow – so she just read Rick's latest book, which she still hadn't had a chance to finish reading, even though she had bought it a couple of weeks before. And she would obviously take it to the store for him to sign.

As three o'clock drew closer, she decided to go get ready. When 4pm rolled around, they were making their way to the bookstore, amazed by the sheer amount of people that were lining up to get their books signed. The line was turning over the corner of 5th Avenue with East 45th Street and Kate was incredibly relieved they wouldn't have to suffer through hours of waiting. Sometimes she forgot he was a famous guy.

As they approached the front of the store, a blonde woman stopped them from going in.

"I'm sorry, but you have to get in line, ma'am." She told Kate in a demeaning tone.

"Oh, um… Rick said my name would be on the list?" she said, but it came out like a question. What if he had forgotten? "I'm Kate Beckett and this is my son Tyler." She told the woman and saw that there was a spark of recognition in her eyes, as the blonde looked at her from head to toes, as if assessing her worth.

"Ty!" They heard a child's voice exclaiming and Kate saw a blur of red and pink run towards them. "Hi, Kate." Alexis said excitedly when she reached the front of the store, stopping right next to the blonde, now scowling woman. "My dad was wondering where you guys were. Come on, I'll take you to him."

She grabbed Kate's hand and pulled her and Tyler inside the store, not even bothering to get the blonde woman's consent. Kate looked back and fought back a smirk at the look on the blonde's face. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of Rick as he was taking a break in a more secluded room.

"Finally." He told her when his eyes fell on her and she smiled. She had actually kind of missed him. Was that strange?

"Hello to you too, Rick." She narrowed her eyes at him and he smiled that boyish smile that she loved.

"Hi." He whispered softly and kissed her cheek, his hand on the small of her back pulling her closer.

"Hi." She murmured, trying to look anywhere that was not his lips.

"It's so good to see you." He told her quietly, still standing way too close. "We should be finished in a couple of hours here. Do you want to stick around?" he asked with those puppy dog looks and she rolled her eyes.

"I'll just browse around, maybe read a little." She said and he nodded, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Are we doing anything after this?" she asked, fighting the shiver that desperately wanted to run through her body at his touch.

The lines between them were so blurred she wasn't even sure what was appropriate anymore. How had this happened? She didn't even remember when they had started crossing those lines in the first place. What the hell was he doing to her?

"Maybe we can go somewhere, get some dinner with the kids?" He suggested and she nodded, acutely aware that his hand was still resting comfortably on the small of her back.

"Sure, sounds good. Movie later?" She suggested as well and he grinned happily.

"It's a date, my dear detective."

He leaned in and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She didn't know if she was relieved or disappointed when his lips touched her cheek, albeit a lot closer to her lips than he usually did.

This was getting way out of hand.

His blue eyes sparkled when his gaze locked on hers and she smiled, biting her lip.

"I'll see you in a little while." She whispered and felt him caress the small of her back before nodding and walking away. "Hey, Rick?" She called and he turned back to her. "I still want my autograph." She said teasingly handing him her copy of his book.

He grinned and took it from her hands, immediately opening it and scribbling something on the first page. She watched excitedly as he signed it, trying to read whatever it was he had written. Before she could see it, however, he closed the book and handed it back to her with a wink. Then he walked away, back to his fans.

She opened it, her heart hammering against her chest, and smiled widely at his words.

To my dear Kate,

Santa was late this past Christmas, but he has finally delivered.

-Rick Castle

Did that mean what she thought it meant?

God, that man…

Thoughts?