When Kate arrived at the precinct, the Captain told her that the father was waiting in interrogation. She put her things on her desk, gathered some files and went in. She got out less than thirty minutes later, a big smile on her face. She had her revenge for the morning interruption. She was going to give her report to the Captain when some uniform was taking the father out of the interrogation room. He couldn't help but flinch when he saw her. She smiled. She had made her point.

"Good job Beckett" the Captain said when she gave him all the paperwork. "Take the rest of the day off. I'm sure you have a lot to do before tonight."

"Not really, Rick said he would handle everything"

"Rick, uh?" Montgomery smiled

"Yes Sir, Rick" she answered, blushing

"Good for you. Have a good day Detective. See you tonight" he said, going back in his office

While she was packing her things, her phone rang

"Hello"

"Hey Katie, Richard called and wanted me to tell you to go to his place when you get off work" Jim told her

"Why didn't he call himself?"

"I don't know. He was pretty uncomfortable when I found him alone in your bed this morning"

"Dad ! What were you doing in my room?" she exclaimed, making Ryan and Esposito look at her, smirking

"I was just going to wake you, I didn't know that you had already left"

"Why would you do that? I can wake up on my own!"

" Anyway, he wanted me to tell you so here you go, he wants you to go to his place"

"Ok, I'm going now, the Captain gave me the rest of the day off. We'll talk tonight" she said, hanging up before putting her coat on and going for the elevator.

By the time she reached Castle's building, the sky was dark, announcing yet another thunderstorm. She hurried up the stairs and knocked on his door. A few seconds later, she heard someone approach the door. She tried but couldn't repress her laugh when Richard Castle opened the door with a broom in his hand.

"Trying to fly again Castle?" Kate asked

"Maybe you don't know Detective, but you can actually clean the floor with these things!"

"Oh I know, and I practice quite regularly. The question is how do YOU know about that?" she said, still laughing

"I'm not sure I want you to come in if you're going to be mean to me" he pouted, opening the door to let her in

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to be mean" she said, putting her arms around his waist and leaning up to kiss him "I was just … surprised" she admitted

"Why? Did you think I had a house that cleaned itself?" he asked

"No, I thought you would have people doing these kinds of things for you"

"Well, apparently you still have things to learn about me Kate. I don't like having people in my house"

"Well, I guess I should go then" Kate said, picking up her purse

"Don't be stupid" he said, taking her hand. "You are not people. You never will be people. For as long as I will live you will be the most precious person in my life. I know it's way too early to think of that but I can tell you that one day you will be my wife and the mother of my children"

"Good to know that we have the same plans" she simply said before kissing him. Of course, they both knew what she meant by that.. "So, why did you ask my father to tell me to come here?"

"Oh yeah. What do you think of having a party here tonight?"

"You know that there is already an event you HAVE to attend tonight right?" looking at him, completely confused

"Yeah I know" he said, smiling to her. "But I mean after the fundraiser. These things usually end quite early, like 11pm at the latest. And you asked for it not to be personal but just about your mom's work, so … I was thinking maybe we could have something here after, to decompress after this hard week and maybe have something a little more personal to honor your mother. Hey, don't cry, if you don't want to it's okay, it was just an idea and …"

"I would love to do that" Kate said, looking at him in the eyes. "Thank you so much for thinking of things like that"

"So you're ok with it?"

"Of course I'm ok with it! Why didn't you tell me earlier about it?"

"I was … kind of scared of your reaction" Rick said, looking at the floor

"Am I that scary?"

"Sometimes yes" he answered "but I like you anyway"

"That's good to know" she laughed "Do you want to go somewhere for lunch? Or do you have to stay here and take care of your dusty floors?" she asked, pointing to the broom he was still holding.

"Lunch is good, I'm sure I could get Alexis to clean for me…"

About an hour later, they were walking on the street when Kate suddenly stopped, making Rick crash into her.

"What? Do you want to eat here?" he asked, looking at the few available tables outside the restaurant.

"No, the other side of the street would be better" she said, already trying to cross the road

"Okaayyyy" Rick said, trying to follow her.

Kate got in the first restaurant she saw on the opposite side of the street, Rick almost running behind her. A waiter came to ask them where they would like to sit. "By the window" Kate answered.

"Really Kate, by the window?" Rick asked, not understanding why she would like to be seen eating with him. He knew she wanted her friends to know about them but she did say that she didn't want the press to find out right then. Still totally confused, he followed her and the waiter. He was even more surprised when she took the chair that was completely facing the window. "Kate, do you want the press to know right now?"

"What? Why would you ask something like that. Don't you know how I feel about all of that?"

"I know, that's why I ask. Do you realize that you took us to a rather fancy restaurant – not that I mind, just to be clear – on the most crowded street of New York and that you wanted to be seated by the window, window that you are actually facing"

"Oh … I didn't realize that"

"What's going on? You don't seem fine. Are you ill? Do you want me to take you home?"

"No I'm fine thanks" she answered, smiling and quickly squeezing his hand. "let's just order food, I'm starving"

"You didn't eat breakfast?"

"Well, you didn't bring it to me" she said, pointing a fork at him.

During their lunch, Rick got more and more worried. Kate seemed to be fine, at least physically, but she didn't take part in the conversation. And she spend most of her time looking by the window. When their dessert arrived, he had more than enough.

"Kate, what's going on?"

"Sorry" she said "I'm a bit … distracted"

"You can say that. I'm not interesting enough for you. After just a few days I'm wounded" he said, putting his hand on his chest as if she had shot him"

"Don't be stupid, I'm sure nobody can ever be bored with you. Maybe annoyed and ready to shoot but certainly not bored" she laughed, taking his hand once more.

"Then what is it?"

She took a sip of her wine before answering. She took a last look through the window before answering. She probably shouldn't have. She ended up almost spitting her wine on Rick.

"What?" he nearly yelled this time

For an answer, she simply pointed above his shoulder by the window. He turned around and understood her reaction quite quickly. On the other side of the street was her father. Apparently he had been eating there with a woman. A woman he was now kissing rather passionately.