OK so it's been FOREVER since I last updated this, I have reasons, tonnes of them. But I doubt you really want to read them. So thank you for your patience, and I promise I won't make you wait nearly as long for the next chapter, under a week, hopefully.

Enjoy!

After many hours of shopping, Kate finally reaches home. Lanie had left her and Alexis a few hours before in order to go to her own lesson, while Castle had just picked Alexis up for the two to grab some lunch together.

Castle may have been acting as if he wanted the alone time with his child but Kate knows that he really just wanted to give her some time to herself before the lesson. Probably because they both know that Kate won't spend tonight at her own apartment.

Laying on her sofa, Kate's mind wanders from the book in her hand. It's not one of his, but of his rival. She smiles as she imagines his reaction and then is shocked by the accuracy of it.

Shaking her head she returns to her reading, hoping that the words upon the page would banish her nerves, it doesn't.

The knot in her stomach tightens as she considers the afternoon's events; logic tells her that if she doesn't fear a bullet or a knife then she shouldn't fear a man. Not this man at any rate. But for some reason her insides are doing summersaults at the idea of being held by him as he sweeps her around the room.

She hasn't vocalised these feelings, she knows Lanie's reply and part of her fears what Alexis would say.

Her inner battle rages on as she gets abandons the book and begins getting ready for the lesson. She finds herself wanting to look nice for Castle, a thought that scares her, and eventually just goes with it. Applying simple make up and the cherry scent he seems to love so much.

Finally ready, Kate makes the journey to the hall, her mind still a raging war. She wants to analyse everything, what she wants from him, what she feels for him, what could happen between them.

She's not daft, she knows that this will change everything but begrudgingly she also realises that it's time. To long have they hidden emotions and pretended, too long have they avoided this moment and too long have they denied the inevitable.

Now, if only she could find the courage to talk to him, to take that step. Walking into the building, Kate pushes the topic away, for today there will be no talk, just two best friends learning to dance together, to a love song. While his daughter watches.

Sliding her mask into place Kate becomes the detective and turns the last corner, now only a door stands between her and the biggest challenge of her life. She knows it's going to be a rollercoaster but she doesn't realise just how wild the ride will be.

Is asking for reviews pushing my luck?

Or can I just come out and ask who missed me?

Oh and this isn't beta'd. So sorry if you found awful mistakes, there's an flu bug going around and almost everyone is ill.