Disclaimer: All these characters belong to ABC and Mr. Marlowe

Striding down the footpath, planting one foot in front of the other, Kate let out a sigh. Today their plans were to eat lunch at a little Italian restaurant. Sounded simple enough, and she had been there before. It wasn't anything too fancy, but the meals were delicious. Despite this, however, Kate cautiously watched the man walking in front of her. He was somewhat eager, a little too excited for a casual lunch. He was almost skipping down the path, a certain smug aura about him.

Rotating her head around, Kate scanned their surroundings. When he initially started leading them, she just figured that he was taking a short cut of sorts. But now, she realised he was leading them in the completely wrong direction.

Stopping, Kate briefly spun around and gazed over the path they just walked. "Castle, where are we going? I'm pretty sure the restaurant was back that way," she informed, pointing behind her.

He wasn't fazed, however, and simply kept on walking. "I know," he casually informed over his shoulder, his pace remaining steady.

She knew it. He was up to something. She just couldn't figure out what.

Placing two hands on her hips, Kate's feet remained firmly planted on the sidewalk. "What do you mean, you know?" she questioned, curious, but letting him know he was in trouble at the same time.

Bringing his legs to a halt, Castle twirled around and took a few steps towards her. "I might have made a slight change of plans for today," he cautiously informed, hands deeply immersed in his pockets.

"Oh, did you, now?" she sarcastically questioned, moving her arms to cross in front of her chest.

"Yep, and you're going to love it," he smiled, the self assurance in his decision now radiating through his tone.

"How can you just change the plans?" she queried. "You know Paula is going to kill you."

Castle sarcastically narrowed his eyes. "Please, do I look stupid to you?"

Oh, there were so many ways she could answer that question, but instead, she remained silent and simply raised an eyebrow.

Catching on to her unspoken taunt, Castle quickly conceded. "Ah, maybe don't answer that," he mumbled. "Don't worry, I ran it by her first. It took a large amount of convincing, but once she spoke to her guy in the press and he said he loved it, so did Paula."

"What about me? Why didn't you run it by me first?" she retorted.

"Because," he began, eyes wide with excitement, "That's why I came up with this. It's a surprise for you."

Kate chewed the inside of her cheek. "Castle, I don't like surprises."

"How can you not-" he began, astonished over her admission. Kate watched in apathy as a new wave of determination encased his face. "Now you've definitely got no choice," he informed, straightening his shoulders slightly. "Come on," he encouraged, inviting her to walk by his side.

Kate took a moment to watch him as he stood in the middle of the sidewalk, just waiting for her. She fought an internal battle with herself, the stubborn side of her wanting to tell him that he was being ridiculous, and they should just go to lunch. Her other side, however, was telling her to just give him this, and remove the unsureness she could see displayed in his eyes.

After all, he was seemingly doing this for her, which was kind of sweet. And he was right. At the end of the day, she really did have no choice.

Letting out an eye roll in defeat, Kate stepped up next to him. "Where are you taking me?"

Castle displayed a beaming grin as they fell into a synchronised stride. "I'm taking you to one of the coolest places ever. Trust me, you are going to have so much fun."

"You're not dragging me to some celebrity luncheon are you?" she huffed.

"Quite the opposite actually," he finished with a quirk of his eyebrows.

Holding the large map in front of her, Kate gazed over the exhibits they had visited. Letting out a chuckle under her breath, she turned to Castle. "I still can't believe you chose the museum."

"Why? It's the most obvious choice for a fun day out."

"You really enjoy it here, don't you?"

He turned and gave her an eager nod of his head.

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we've been here for hours. We're going to have to go soon."

"What? But we haven't seen everything yet!"

"Castle, this place is huge. There's no way we could get through it all."

Receiving a pout from him, Kate chuckled. "You're such a big kid."

"Come on, we're near The Saurischian dinosaur hall. We have to say hi to Rexy before we go."

"Rexy?" she questioned as he strode off in front of her.

Now standing in front of the T-Rex, Castle cleared his throat and pointed to the large bone structure. "Dinosaurs by far, are the most fascinating of creatures. Their unique, upright stance was a key evolutionary innovation, allowing them to hold their hind legs vertically under their hips-"

Humoured by his performance, Kate drew her eyebrows together and pursed her lips, grabbing his attention.

"That- That was my David Attenborough," he comically fumbled. Receiving no verbal response from Kate, Castle continued. "I'll keep working on it."

"You must admit though, dinosaurs are pretty amazing," Castle once again spoke, gazing over the giant room they were immersed in. "I mean, how could you not love them? They are like the real life version of dragons. Oh," he gasped, eyes and smile wide. "I've got a dinosaur joke for you, are you ready?"

"No, but we both know you're going to tell me anyway," she mumbled.

"Hmm, good point," he quickly considered. "Okay, what do you call a blind dinosaur?"

Kate shrugged. "I don't know."

"I-don't-think-he-saw-us," he replied, with a look of awe on his face for extra dramatic effect.

Kate attempted to contain her laugh, but it was soon seeping out of her curved lips. "Castle, that was terrible," she chuckled.

"Yeah," he agreed with a smile, "Although at least I made you laugh," he flippantly informed, before turning to another display.

His admission caught her off guard, and with his attention elsewhere, Kate took a second to sneak a glance at him.

She sucked in a breath, and with her curiosity levels now peaked, she sunk her teeth into her lower lip.

"Hey, Castle-"

"Yeah?" he replied, turning to face her.

She paused and opened and closed her mouth, attempting to force the words passed her lips.

Letting out a sigh, she finally spoke. "Why me?"

"What do you mean?" he questioned as he directed them to the next exhibit.

"Why did Paula choose for you to go on dates with me? I mean, I know she figured it out when you hurt your wrist and all, but I didn't exactly think I was your type," she tentatively began, before quickly reviewing her words. "Well, the type that the press would believe to be your type-" she hurriedly clarified.

"I know what you mean," Castle interrupted, raising a hand in reassurance. "Being a public figure, there's a certain image you have to uphold. The person who you see in the papers going on dates, that's not me. Those women more specifically, they aren't for me. And that's why Paula chose you. For once she was trying to give me what I asked for," he sighed.

Keeping her eyes focused on the path in front of her, Kate refrained from looking at him. "And what was that?"

She waited for an answer as Castle took his time and swallowed. "Someone real."

With that, she turned to face him, and realised immediately that she made a mistake. He didn't just look at her, but through her, his seemingly genuine gaze stinging her own.

"But I also asked for someone who would tell me how brilliant I was, be charmed by my good looks. Oh, and also have a TV, so she clearly didn't listen," he joked with a teasing sigh.

With the heaviness thankfully broken, Kate sucked in a breath, before he continued. "What about you? What classifies as Detective Kate Beckett's type?"

"Ah, I don't really have a type, but most of my ex boyfriends have been from the job."

"You've only dated cops?"

"Well, since I joined, yeah," she responded matter-of-factly. "Work tends to keep me pretty busy, so I don't really have time for that extracurricular stuff."

"Extracurricular stuff?" he repeated with a humorous sense of disbelief. "Kate, these are relationships we're talking about. Love."

"Since when were you an expert?" she questioned as they made their way to the Hall of Vertebrate Origins. "Haven't you been divorced twice?"

"Yes, but they simply weren't the right women. Doesn't mean I'm just going to give up on it all together. I like to believe that there is someone out there for me," he thought out loud. "A soul mate."

Kate was quick to offer her opinion. "I don't believe in soul mates," she said, full of confidence.

"Oh, my- Your words continue to shock me!" he turned to her casually, mouth agape.

"Well, I've experienced enough in life not to believe in magic."

It was true, between her personal life and her job, she had been through a lot. Despite her honesty though, her comment was casual enough though not to draw too much attention to herself.

"That's a shame," Castle responded with an overdramatic sigh. "I guess that means I won't be introducing you to my pet unicorn then," he mumbled, before turning to Kate with a curve of his lips.

Kate looked up at him and chuckled, before slightly nudging him with her elbow. "Come on, help me find the exit."

Making their way through the crowed and seemingly endless staircases, they eventually made it back to the front of the museum.

Looking through the entry as they approached, Castle let out a sigh.

Following his gaze, Kate finally saw them. Crowded on the streets outside the front was a large mob, cameras ready, and attempting to be contained by museum security.

"Castle, are they?"

"Yep. Oh, man," he grunted, rubbing a hand down his face. "It's going to be hell walking through that. I knew we were gaining more attention, but I've never seen the press like this before. " He let out a sigh. "I don't understand. Paula said that she had a deal with them. As long as she kept tipping them off, they would keep their distance."

He looked around, seemingly weighing up his options before he straightened his posture. With a knowing smile hinting a sense of adventure, he turned back to her. "You know what? We should make a break for it."

"What?" Kate questioned, shocked at his suggestion.

"Run away. Cut them loose. Escape the shackles-"

"Castle, I know what you mean," she interrupted. "You want to run away from the press?"

"Yes," he nodded confidently.

"Why? We could always try another exit."

"Stop being too rational and live a little. It's not like you're going to be breaking any laws."

"Castle, they're only going to chase us," she sighed, looking back to the eager pack. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Don't over think it."

"That's not what I'm doing."

"Oh, I get it," he taunted, lifting his head up and placing his hands in his pockets. "You're chicken."

Kate dryly rolled her eyes at him. "I'm not chicken, Castle," she reinforced.

"Nah, it's okay. I understand," he mumbled with a shrug of his shoulders, pursing his lips and awaiting her reaction. "You're just no fun."

Kate chewed her lip. She knew exactly what he was doing, trying to bate her into agreeing. That wasn't a surprise. But what did surprise her however, was the part of her that was urging her to agree. The part of her that she had buried over the years, that was now speaking out, encouraging her to just let go and say yes.

She didn't know what it was about him, but something in the way he looked at her with that mischievous grin, teasing glint in his eye, finally persuaded her. The last thing she wanted was to let him win, give him the satisfaction of successfully weaselling his way into convincing her, but-

"All right, you're on," she breathed, now fully determined.

She watched as his head flicked to hers, with a look of genuine surprise on his face. "What?"

"Let's do it," she reiterated with a firm nod of her head.

"Really?" he further questioned, still unable to believe she agreed.

"Yep, so let's go."

Kate pursed her lips as his face broke out into a large smile. "This is going to be so awesome," he grinned, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

Looking around, Castle quickly assessed the area. "Okay, but if we're going to do this, we need to be smart about it. Instead of just running, we need to think of a way to sneak past them somehow..."

Kate kept her gaze on him as his eyes lit up and he turned to her with a smile. "There's only one place to go."

She raised her eyebrow, unsure of where his thoughts were running to and waited for him to enlighten her.

"The gift shop."

Fixing the soft dinosaur cap on his head, Castle turned to Kate. "Are you ready for this?"

"Castle, we look ridiculous," she replied, standing in front of him and sporting a woolly mammoth cap.

He attempted to contain his chuckle as he looked at her, undoubtedly adorable in her- No. Concentrate, Castle. He needed to concentrate on their mission.

Clearing his throat, he waved his arm for her to follow. "Just have a little faith," he whispered.

"Faith has nothing to do with this," she replied just as softly, following his actions.

"Don't worry. We've totally got this," he reassured in a hush, cautiously making his way to the front entrance.

"Castle, these caps are about three sizes too small. They hardly fit our heads and I'm pretty sure we're only drawing more attention to ourselves," she firmly whispered, slouching over. Straightening her back, Kate looked at him. "Wait- Why are we whispering?"

"To ensure that no one overhears our top secret plans," he replied, eyes darting.

Kate stepped back and scanned the area. "Castle, I don't think anyone can hear us."

Castle shot her a look and took another step. "Stop complaining. Our caps are our cover, so you have to show them some respect." Channelling his inner James Bond, he pressed forward, leaning against the wall.

He was making progress, ninjas around the world would have been proud, when he was suddenly jerked upright by a tug on his collar.

"This isn't a spy movie, Castle," she informed with a roll of her eyes.

Straightening up, Castle offered her a nod. "Okay, sorry, I got a bit excited. Let's go."

Making their way over the threshold of the entry, they hurriedly walked side by side down the concrete steps.

Passing the mob of paparazzi, they both began to power walk. "Act discrete," he whispered, keeping his head as low as possible.

"I am acting discrete!" she retorted.

Finally reaching the last step, Castle cautiously lifted his head and took a chance to sneak a glance behind them.

"We actually did it," he smiled, proud of their efforts. "Man, those guys are so dumb," he chuckled.

His joy was soon cut short however, as his eyes locked with those of a shortish man holding a camera.

He could see him squint, taking a few steps forward to grab a closer look.

"Hey, is that them?" the man at the top of the stairs yelled.

Suddenly, the whole group of press turned around and faced them.

"Uh-oh. Castle-" Kate began to warn.

"Richard Castle, Detective Beckett?" a woman called, now determinedly striding her way towards them.

"Castle, what do we do now?"

The hoard were now jogging their way towards them, cameras flashing and questions thrown their way.

"Mr. Castle, is it third time lucky?"

"Detective Beckett, have you tamed New York's Bad Boy?"

"Rick, give her a kiss for us!"

Watching as the mass hurriedly began to close their distance, Castle looked over to Kate and made a split decision. "We run!"

Grabbing her hand, he spun around and darted to his right, pulling her to follow.

"Where are we going?" she yelled, as they sprinted hand in hand.

"I don't know, just keep running!"

Weaving through the crowd, he dodged them around the various obstacles that came their way, refusing to release her grip.

Amongst the shouts of people yelling at them to watch out and questioning what was wrong with them, Castle could still hear the questions from those chasing them.

"Rick, are your playboy days over?"

"Can you confirm your relationship?"

"They're still following us, Castle," Kate informed. Letting out a puffed chuckle, Kate pulled on his hand. "Come on, you've gotta run faster!"

"I am running faster!" he managed to huff, admittedly becoming a little breathless. "Just not as fast as you obviously! Maybe if you slowed down a little?"

"Not a chance!" she chuckled. "This was your idea and we haven't lost them yet."

They ran past a fruit stall, Castle almost colliding with a display of oranges before he caught a slight opening to their left.

"Quick, go down here."

Making a sharp turn, Castle tugged her to follow as he led them to a discrete alleyway.

Using the opportunity to catch their breaths, they both stopped and leaned against the large brick wall. Standing side by side, they remained there, sucking in rapid breaths as they waited to see if their pursuers followed.

"Oh my God, I think I broke my lungs," he heaved, turning his head to face Kate, his cheek resting against the rough surface. "I'm seriously about to die."

Instead of getting a glare or an eye roll from her however, she turned to him and laughed between breaths. Mirroring his stance, her chest was rising and falling, but her smile was wide, teeth flashing.

Castle watched in awe as she laughed, soaking up the honest joy she was emitting while displaying one of the most glorious, care free smiles he's ever seen in his life.

Captivated, he laughed with her, both heads resting against the brick wall and facing each other.

"I think we lost them," she heaved, her head remaining still.

"Yeah," he sighed, before suddenly becoming aware of the warm mass enclosed in his palm.

Looking down, he found his hand sealed to hers, both encapsulated in a firm grasp.

Castle's breath caught. It wasn't about the touch. No, it was about crossing the unspoken boundary they had set between them.

Neither was applying any pressure, but there they were, simply holding hands, and she hadn't let go yet.

But then neither had he.

Lifting his head to face her, they took a moment to catch up with what was occurring, before they both released their grip, almost too casually.

Pushing herself off the wall, Kate took off her cap and cautiously poked her head around the corner. "Looks like the coast is clear."

Following her actions, Castle cleared his throat. "Great, and it's getting dark, so we should probably get going," he informed.

"Yeah," she agreed, turning back to him. "So, I guess I will see you."

"Ah, I'm going to call the car service. Did you want a lift somewhere?" he casually asked, combing his fingers through his hair.

"Thanks, but I'll just catch a cab," she assured with a final nod of her head, before they went their separate ways.

Sitting at home, Castle stirred his mug of coffee, entranced as the shades of liquid mixed and swirled with each other before finally becoming one.

"You up for a game of laser tag after dinner?"

"Dad?" Alexis further pressed.

Lifting his gaze from the warm liquid in front of him, Castle turned to his daughter who was now sitting next to him. "Huh?"

"Challenge you to a game of laser tag?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "But after dinner," he clarified as he brought the porcelain to his lips.

Alexis curiously watched him before narrowing her eyes. "What's up with you?"

"Nothin'," he casually dismissed.

"Dad, something is clearly up," she highlighted, before suddenly coming to a realisation. "Oh- it was date day today, wasn't it? You saw Kate today and now you're distracted. I believe that is a rather interesting coincidence."

"I'm not distracted, I'm just tired. Big day at the museum."

"Right. You know, from first impressions she actually seemed really nice," Alexis almost haphazardly mentioned. "Not half as terrible as you first described..."

"Yeah," he encouraged, waiting to see where she was going with the conversation.

"And now you're thinking about her..."

"I'm not-" he sighed. "What's your point?"

"I think you're starting to develop some feelings. Well, that's if you haven't already."

"Good to see that my genes in subtlety have been passed on," he sarcastically noted.

"Come on, Dad. You sure you aren't having a change of heart?"

"Alexis, I-" he began, before he was cut off by the shrill ringing of his phone. "Oh, looks like I'm saved by the bell," he smiled, rising to his feet as he followed the sound.

"Daaaad!" she sighed, as he made his way to his office.

Taking a quick glance at the caller ID, Castle let out a sigh before answering. "Hey, Paula. What's up?"

"What's up?" she mocked on the other end of the line. "You just love making my job difficult, don't you?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"You know Rick, you have done some really stupid things in the past, but this one would have to be by far the stupidest thing yet."

"Paula, I'm seriously lost here."

"Look, I've got to make a few phone calls to try and clean up your mess, but call Kate and get her to be at you're place at twelve tomorrow. I will discuss it with the both of you then," she completed, before hanging up.

I know I pretty much say this at the end of every chapter, but thank you to everyone for reading/alerting/reviewing!

BareWriter