If it were any other date, with any other man, Lanie would be there with Kate. But it wasn't just a date with just another guy. No, it was Castle, and that meant no telling Lanie. When Beckett had explained the circumstances to Castle she thought he would have trouble with it. That he would be the one to struggle. But instead she's at the island with her glass of wine, alone, wishing Lanie was there to calm her nerves.
Kate was checking and double checking every detail while she waited for Castle. Her hair was pulled back and a few gentle curls were out that she positioned and repositioned countless times before taking a deep breath and reminding herself that Castle sees her everyday and one curl's placement isn't going to make a difference. She moved her focus to the strapless navy dress that hit slightly above her knees; short enough for her to expose her gorgeous legs but long enough to allow her weapon to be strapped against her thigh. It bounced around in Kate's head whether it was appropriate or not but she decided it was a must, she just wouldn't tell Castle who would most likely tease her. Unless of course he happened to find it in which case he would be preoccupied and probably find it sexy. She smiled at that, secretly hoping he found it. She opened the silver satin clutch she choose and ran her fingers over its contents before closing it again and pulling on the navy heels that accompanied her dress. Seven was approaching, and although Kate was satisfied with her ensemble, she wasn't sure if it was just right. He had said formal, sexy, but that was nothing like them and it was unnerving.
There was a brief knock at the door and Beckett could have sworn her stomach opened the door and saw Castle's jaw visibly drop. She blushed at his wandering eyes and impressed expression.
"You look absolutely beautiful."
"Oh come on, Castle it's not like you've never seen me dressed up before." she tilted her head down a bit in a weak attempt to hide the color in her cheeks.
"Yes. But now it's for me" He broke into a smile. "and that is very attractive" he offered her the flowers that had been behind his back. Kate turned around to put them in a vase of water on the island, then grabbed her key, her clutch and took Castle's extended arm. After she locked the door they headed down the elevator and passed Anthony on their way out the door. Castle had a car waiting outside the front door and Castle swiftly opened the door for Beckett letting her duck inside and then letting himself in on the other side of the black company car. Castle leaned forward to give the driver a few quick words before leaning back to join Kate. New York flashed by, bright lights dulled but visible through the tinted windows and the noise blocked out as if it was a silent movie on fast forward. Kate and Castle talked on the way there, mostly Kate trying to guess where they were going and Castle playfully refusing to tell his passion for mystery evident.
The car slowed and finally came to a stop and Castle again gave the driver a quick set of directions, then he got out, opened the door for his date and took her hand. Kate glanced up at what seemed to be a cutting edge, classy restaurant with a name that she wouldn't even attempt, it had a essence of Castle surrounding them and she could see why he choose it. They entered the building and it had a sense of elegance that surprisingly wasn't overpowering. A blonde woman stood behind a nearly all glass table tapping on a computer screen. Her solid black dress graced her curves and dipped at the center of her chest, Kate thought she looked beautiful but when she glanced at Castle he didn't even give the woman a second look, he just smiled politely and offered his name for their reservation. Kate hid the smile that she felt at the knowledge that he was so loyal to her. While the hostess tapped some more on the screen Castle unlaced his fingers from Becketts and slid it around her waist. He guided her to follow the waitress. Kate expected them to stop at one of the few available tables on the main floor but they continued to walk until they began to ascend the mysterious staircase. The hostess held a glass door waited at the top of the staircase and Kate saw a gently lit patio surrounded by iron gating. The patio was nice, and there wasn't as much background noise as Kate expected. There were a few other tables, but it was much less crowded than the main floor. Castle pulled back Kates chair and took his seat once she was seated.
"Castle, this is beautiful." he smiled "It's not too much is it? I wanted it to be classy, but I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable…" he began to babble but Kate cut him off, "It's wonderful Castle." The man who Kate assumed was their waiter approached the table, and sure enough he stopped and introduced himself "Good evening, my name is Trevor and I'll be serving you this evening. Can I start you two off with drinks?" Castle looked briefly at the wine menu in front of him and then ordered a bottle of white wine. The waiter nooded and then disappeared. "The food here is excellent, but I have to say their seafood is my favorite." before Kate could respond, Trevor brought the wine and a chiller for it. He set the small bucket on the table, removed the cork and sent a small portion of the wine through an aerator and into Castle's glass. He waited for Castle to approve the selection and then set the bottle in the chiller. "Are you both ready to order? Or can I start you with an appetizer?" Castle glanced at Kate, "Are you ready?" "I am if you are." she replied. "Okay then, Trevor. I will have the Mirin Glazed Salmon." Trevor jotted down his order and then turned to Beckett. "And you?" Kate closed her menu and looked up at the waiter, "I'll have the Shrimp Scampi, please." Trevor nodded and then took their menus. They carried on with easy conversation until their food arrived. Castle addressed the waiters, "Everything looks great, thank you." and they headed off towards the door. He smiled at Kate and lifted his fork "Bon appetit." they both took the first bite of their dishes and looked up at each other for confirmation. "I know right? It really is that good." Castle said at the sight of Beckett's face. "It's fantastic." she replied. "Switch?" he asked. Castle sought out a bite of his salmon and brought his fork to her mouth. She took it gracefully, "The glaze is nice its not too thick." she sounded surprised and then offered Castle a bite of hers. While she watched him taste it the thought passed her mind that she was sitting at a nice restaurant and doing couple things with Castle, but it didn't stay long because somehow the experience felt incredibly natural. "Ooh yours is fantastic with the Chardonnay." they continued to eat and the rest of their meal went smoothly. Trevor appeared again, "Dessert for you all?" Kate spoke first, "I don't think I could manage any myself. The dinner was excellent." Castle agreed and then asked for the check. Soon Trevor handed Castle the smooth black folder and after Castle filled it with money and a generous tip and got up to leave. The couple walked back down the stairs and out onto the street where their car was waiting.
After they got in the car Castle turned to Kate. "I was thinking we could go back to my place, no one's home. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable…" Kate smiled at him "Oh Castle trying to get me in bed so soon?" his face quickly filled with color, Beckett seemed to have that effect on him and he nervously stumbled over his words. "No, Kate wait. Uh." "Castle it's fine, I'd love to." Kate had already contemplated her answer during the night, anticipating the situation and she decided that it was Sunday and Castle was unique. She wasn't going home with someone after the second date, she was going home with Castle after three years and on top of that Kate knew that Castle wouldn't push her into something she didn't want to do. Castle quickly regained his confidence, "I knew you weren't being serious." Kate laughed at him "Oh shut up Writer Boy." He asked the driver to take them back to the loft, and soon the car took off down the streets, the silent movie playing again outside the windows.