Hello! :)

Thank you all so very very much for all of your reviews and comments! I am very glad that you guys are enjoying this story so far! pPlease keep those reviews coming! :) This chapter is dedicated to my friend, castlefreak005. Thank you so much for your ideas for this chapter and the next! It really means a lot!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 5]

"Boy, that was delicious!" Rick moaned, wiping his mouth clean with a napkin.

A large silver plate where the pizza once laid was completely empty, a few crumbs here and there.

Kate nodded. "It was pretty good, wasn't it?"

"It was fantastic!"

Their waiter, Jack, trudged over to their table, a satisfied look on his face. "How was your lunch? From the expressions you both have I take you enjoyed it."

Rick nodded. "We did. Thank you."

"Let me clear this for you," he grabbed their plates off the table. "You two interested in dessert? We have a delicious Buried Treasure cheesecake. It's very popular."

"What is it?" Kate wondered. The names for the food not very specific as to what they actually were, although they were quite clever.

"It's a chocolate flavored cheesecake with whipped cream in the middle, crunched up graham crackers on top for the sand, and a x to mark the spot. The x is just cherry flavored syrup."

Rick looked at Kate with a raised eyebrow, silently asking her what she thought. She shrugged, "We'll get the cheesecake."

"Great!" Jack smiled. "I'll be right back!"

Kate couldn't help herself, maybe it was the whole pirate thing getting to her head, but she called out, "Thank you, Captain Sparrow!"

The waiter turned, took off his tricorn hat and bowed in acknowledgement. He smiled politely back at the duo, who were both grinning like idiots.

Rick glanced over and stared at the woman across from him. She was really putting effort into this and it made him jump for joy on the inside. He absolutely loved seeing the childish side of her, it was refreshing. Don't get him wrong he loved both the Detective side and the laid back side of her, but the relaxed Kate was rather incredible.

Kate caught him staring at her. She fixed her crooked pirate hat and asked, "What? What are you staring at?"

"You."

That made her blush like no other. "Oh."

"You're...perfect. Absolutely perfect, Kate."

Kate lowered her head and bit her lip, looking up under her long lashes she smiled shyly at him. "Thank you, Rick," she whispered.

He returned the smile, butterflies flying around in his stomach. She looked gorgeous when she was embarrassed. Her once semi-neat braid had more loose tendrils spilling out and her paper hat had gone crooked again.

Kate looked up at the incredible man in front of her. How had she gotten so lucky to have him in her life? Sure, he was extremely childish and immature at times. Especially today with the shopping cart and the obnoxious restaurant, but he was entirely too sweet and caring for his own good. She smiled as she thought back to the craziness of this morning, but she wouldn't have traded any of it for the world. And she was positive there was more craziness in store for her.

The two locked eyes, never straying off. His blue orbs met her green ones, both mesmerized by the other. A couple screaming children zoomed passed their table and neither paid it any attention, too lost. It wasn't until a certain pirate with impeccable timing returned with an enticing slice of cheesecake that they were forced to look away.

He gave them an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to interrupt but, uh, here is your Buried Treasure cheesecake."

Rick and Kate gave a nervous chuckle, both trying to figure out what had just happened. They avoided each other's eyes, only glancing at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. Kate met Rick's eyes by accident and she could only give him a small smile, which he quickly returned.

"I hope you guys enjoy it! I'll be right back with your check. Feel free to take your time," Jack stated before walking away.

Kate cleared her throat, a hint of pinkness remained on her cheeks. "This looks good."

Rick just nodded, still trying to process everything. Kate handed him a fork and they dug in, a small moan escaping from their lips. The cheesecake was delicious! The two ate in silence, both absorbed in the yummy-deliciousness that was the cheesecake.

Jack came back with their check, setting it on the table. "Here you go, folks. I hope you enjoyed your stay on The Jolly Roger. It was a pleasure serving you. Hope you have a great rest of your day."

Kate and Rick had each taken a bite of the cake at that moment, neither being able to speak. They gave him a closed mouth smile in acknowledgement. He merely nodded and left them alone once again.

Rick swallowed first, gasping for a breath of air. "This cheesecake is amazing!" He complimented, going in for another piece. Kate hummed in agreement, still chewing on her bite.

Soon, the plate was empty, except for maybe a few crumbs here and there. Kate groaned, full. "I don't know about you, but I am stuffed."

Rick patted him stomach. "Me, too." He reached in his back pocket and fetched out his wallet, placing the amount due and a generous tip in the small folder with the check that Jack had brought over.

"Castle, let me pay for my half," she said, getting her purse and wallet out.

He wouldn't accept it though. "Nope, this is my treat. I brought you here, I'm paying for it."

"Just take the money," Kate argued, sticking out her half in bills.

"No. Seriously, this is my treat, okay? I want to do this."

Kate was hesitant. "A-are you positive? At least let me pay for my-"

"Kate." He gave her a look and she stopped fighting, placing her money back into her wallet. "It's not a big deal, really." he gave her reassuring smile, letting her know that he didn't mind buying her lunch and that he was happy that she agreed to allowing him to accompany her in the first place.

She rolled her eyes but chuckled, reaching over the table and lightly smacking him in the arm. "That's for being such a gentleman," she joked.

"So," he began, "Want to hit the arcade?"

"Come on, you big baby. Go!" Kate complained as she stood by watching her partner shake in apprehension as he slowly took one step at a time.

Kate and Rick had moseyed around the arcade that the restaurant had for a good five to ten minutes before Rick eagerly saw something that he just had to do. It was a giant stern with a staircase that led up to a deck. A single plank of wood was hanging off the side, and beneath it was a sea of multicolored, plastic balls. Rick practically ran up the stairs when he saw it and now he was debating whether or not he should do it at all.

She shook her head, "Just jump, Castle! A four-year-old could do this!"

"Beckett, it's high!"

"It is not! Now jump! People are waiting!"

He rapidly shook his head, not wanting to do it. Kate groaned and snuck up on him, balancing on the board. Lifting two hands, Kate pushed Rick's back which gave him enough momentum to fall off. Kate smiled but then she felt a hand yanked on her wrist.

This couldn't end well.

They went tumbling down into the ball pit, balls splaying out around them. Kate landed directly on top of Rick, his back breaking her fall. Unfortunately for Rick, he landed flat on his stomach. He let out a strangled groan when she pressed on his back to hoist herself up, but she was unable to maintain her balance and ended up falling next to him. This time she was laying on her back.

Rick turned over on his back and cocked his head in Kate's direction. He had the biggest smile on. "That. Was. Awesome!"

She shot him a confused look. "I thought you were scared of this...you actually liked it?"

He sat up, grinning like a madman. "I did! Can we please go again?" He eagerly asked.

Kate laughed at him before sitting up herself. She innocently picked up a plastic ball and fiddled with it before chucking it at Rick and making a run for it. "Last one to the top is a stinky old pirate!"

Rick got a feral look in his eyes. Kate was scampering to get out of the pit; she pushed balls behind her attempting to slow Rick down. He lunged for her, his strong arms wrapping themselves around her petite waist. "Gotcha, you little minx!" He growled, pulling her back behind him allowing him to get ahead of her.

She laughed, struggling to get up. She swam through the plastic balls, gaining on Rick. He reached the edge and jumped out, a few balls following him to the floor. She was right behind him; Kate quickly got out of the pit and was running up to the writer. He glanced over a shoulder to see Kate directly behind him. He let out a girlish shriek and ran as fast as he could.

"Castle, get back here!" Kate called, the smile she had on was clear in her voice.

The two raced up the stairs, getting weird looks from other people. A few kids were cheering the two adults on, excited to see them playing and having fun. It was a nice sight to see, especially with most adults just standing around and watching. Kids all around stopped what they were doing to watch the duo compete with one another as they ran.

"I win!" Rick cheered when he reached the top of the deck. He raised his arms in the air, his hands in the shape of fists.

All of the youngsters let out a cheer when Rick won. Kate cheered along with them, laughing while doing it. Rick did a dance making Kate bend over in laughter, tears streaming down her face.

He looked at her, leaning closer to her. With his mouth directly next to her ear, he breathed, "You're a stinky old pirate."

Kate chuckled and then pushed Rick hard, causing him to fall into the pit with a high-pitched scream. She watched as he tumbled into the multicolored balls, a proud grin making homage on her lips. With her arms crossed, she called down, "Takes one to know one, Castle."

There you go! :)

I am telling you guys, I am having way too much fun with this! I hope you guys liked it! Please leave a review with your thoughts and comments! :) They are greatly appreciated! Until next time!

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