A/N: It's time for dinner with Jim Beckett. Still not mine.

Rick wasn't sure if the bugs he'd saved would be good evidence but he'd certainly cooperate. He left for his loft after lunch at Remy's with the whole team. The banter between Ryan and Esposito dominated but it was diverting and usually funny so he didn't mind a bit. He returned with the bugs in a small bag and turned them over to Gates who had seemed to appreciate his cooperation but he wasn't naïve enough to think they'd turned some sort of corner in their association this quickly.

He rejoined the team and found them working through the drudgery of cold cases. He saw that Kate had put a stack out for him and he was tempted to thank her sarcastically when she smirked at him but he decided to hold his peace. He perked up when he found one that he felt might be worth brainstorming and they ended up deciding to try an interview with one of the persons of interest again if they could arrange it. With Rick's heightened senses, he was good at detecting prevarication so something might come of it.

At the end of the shift, no new case had come up so they headed out to change at the loft before meeting her father for dinner. Rick tried not to get nervous but he couldn't help it. Despite meeting her father and having one agreeable conversation under his belt, he couldn't help feeling that this would be different. Although he must have known they were dating back then, he'd be the man his only daughter was living with now. That would certainly make a difference for a father or at least that is what Rick thought. He was embarrassed when Kate told him to knock it off when he'd changed his shirt for the third time so he just sighed and sat on the bed until she was ready.

Her big smile when she joined him lifted his spirits back up and she looked so stunning that he couldn't help blurting, "You're beautiful."

She blushed and gave him a rather chaste kiss before checking his lips and then brushing at one side. "Sorry, I left a little lipstick on you."

He couldn't resist that opening. "Marking your territory?"

Although she tried to glare at him the smile never left her face so she gave up. Then she rolled her eyes before declaring, "Well, you are mine and I don't share so…."

He felt so good that his earlier trepidation completely vanished. He held out his arm and she took it and they left his loft on their way down where they took a taxi. They arrived at the diner and were looking around for him for just a few seconds when they heard his voice coming from behind them. "Your timing is good, I saw you enter just a few seconds ahead of me."

Kate reached out to hug him as she said, "Dad." Her father eagerly returned the hug as he said, "Nice to see you again, Katie."

When they released each other, Jim Beckett looked more serious as he reached his hand out and said, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Castle."

Rick's nervousness came back in force as he shook the man's hand and declared, "Call me Rick, Mr. Beckett."

"Only if you call me Jim." Jim's smile made Rick feel better but he tensed slightly when he heard what Kate said next.

"I think you missed a word: again. Don't act like this is the first time you've met."

She was staring at her father so he knew she wasn't mad at him but he wondered what Jim's reaction would be.

Her father held her gaze and responded calmly. "I was just worried about you Katie. Even a cop needs help once in a while."

She held his gaze for a moment before turning and asking, "The usual table?"

"You know me so well."

That earned him another serious look from his daughter but then she continued without comment and they ended up seated at a table near the back with Kate and Rick on one side and Jim opposite Kate. The server appeared immediately so they perused menus for a few moments before placing their drink orders and then continued on to ponder their choice of meal. Rick couldn't help some glances toward Jim but when he kept seeing how relaxed he seemed, he began to settle down himself. When Kate's leg bumped his, he looked over to see her smirk at him so he gave her one of her own eye rolls and she just smiled even bigger.

Their soft drinks arrived and they finished ordering but when Rick had just finished his first sip of his beverage he heard Jim speak. "So you and Katie, Rick?"

Rick was very glad that he had already swallowed or it might have come spraying back out. When he managed to take another breath, he answered with, "Yes and I assure you I am very serious about your daughter."

Jim gave him an indulgent smile before continuing. "I'm not opposed to this in any way, I assure you. It has been more years than I care to contemplate since I have seen Katie so happy and I'm sure that you are a big part of that."

Rick was distracted momentarily by a muttered "Dad!" that came from a clearly blushing Kate Beckett.

Jim just smiled at her the same way and then asked, "Are you going to deny it Katie?"

He could see that she was trying to look exasperated but her smile was not to be denied although she did manage to huff as if she was annoyed. Jim looked at Rick again before adding, "She's cute when she tries to act annoyed, isn't she?"

Rick couldn't believe he'd said that and when he looked towards Kate he saw her watching for his reaction. She must have been satisfied with what she saw because she turned to her father and stated, "You can't fool Rick that easily, Dad. He likes to tease me sometimes but he knows to not push too often. You should have figured it out by now, Dad."

Jim's grin never faltered as he replied, "I know what I can get away with, Katie."

Her glare was slightly more convincing but still marred by upturned lips. Rick saw her face turn to shock at her father's next words.

"I always knew you two would get together once you met. You are her favorite author after all."

After giving Jim an intrigued look he turned to see Kate staring at him as if a little worried. Rick smiled at her but replied to what Jim said. "She once told me that Patterson was her favorite."

"Don't believe her, Rick. She has never mentioned any other author and she gushes about your books."

Rick was really enjoying this now. "Really?" He was openly grinning at his sheepish looking girlfriend.

Kate looked at her father then back at Rick and murmured a weak denial. "I didn't gush…."

"That's not the way I remember it."

Kate covered her face with both hands and muttered, "I am never bringing the two of you together again."

"Don't worry, Katie. I'll behave from now on."

Kate gave her father a disbelieving look until Rick spoke up in an attempt to take the focus off Kate. "Why do you think I haven't invited mother over to dinner with us? She loves to tell stories on me."

Rick didn't like the look of Kate's grin as she looked at him. "Really? I'm going to have to invite Martha over soon."

Both Becketts laughed when Rick muttered, "Open mouth, insert foot." He only pretended chagrin though as he wouldn't mind any of the stories his mother might tell. If Kate enjoyed them, he was fine with whatever his mother might come up with.