AN: Here's the next segment. Just a quick reminder that these are connected one-shots. Thanks to those who have followed, favorited, and reviewed this story. Thanks to Kylie for the beta.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hansen," Kate said as she took Royal's leash. "I really appreciate you looking after him."

The older woman waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, it's no trouble, dear. Royal is a very well behaved dog and good company too."

Kate smiled and looked down at her companion. "Good boy, I'll make sure you get an extra treat tonight." Royal barked in response, his tail wagging in excitement. "All right, time to go."

"Bye Kate. Bye, Royal." Mrs. Hansen gave a wave of farewell and Kate returned the gesture before entering the elevator, pressing the button for the lobby.

"Now, first we're going to go for a walk so you can do your business," she explained to the canine, pretty sure that he could understand what she was saying. "Then, I'm taking you to meet someone that has really helped me these past few months." She chuckled as she imagined the surprise that would appear on Dr. Burke's face when she introduced Royal.

Kate had had Royal for a few weeks now, and they formed a routine quickly, one that had required a bit of help, but he was worth the effort. After Mrs. Hansen had said yes to dog sitting, Kate was able to schedule things so that she still spent enough time with him around her work commitments and while it was a juggling act, it was one she was now perfecting.

Kate would get up -or more to the point Royal would wake her up- and she would feed him and then herself, squeezing in enough time to take him for a walk before work. After they returned to the apartment, she would get ready for the precinct, dropping Royal off at Mrs. Hansen's on her way out of the apartment building. When she got home, Kate would pick up Royal and go for a quick walk with him before finally settling down for the evening. She fed him and then played fetch, or just sat with him for the rest of the night, happy to have the company.

Castle offered to look after Royal, but Kate declined. She told him that if he looked after Royal, then he couldn't help her with cases and she wasn't having that. He had pouted, but agreed. However, he did stop over by her apartment more often, usually bringing take out or homemade dinner with him, always offering her a flimsy excuse about needing to see Royal, lest the dog forget him. They would talk and play with him for a while before Castle reluctantly went home, and it was just another difference that been occurring between them as of late. Kate had noticed Castle seemed to look more and more for an excuse to have physical contact with her, from gentle brushes of their hands to fixing a strand of loose hair, he was always finding a way to touch her. Not that she minded, of course. She just hoped there would be a day where they could stop beating around the bush and dive in.

With the introduction of Royal, she felt that that day was coming soon.

A half an hour later, Kate walked into the waiting room of Dr. Burke's office, sitting down, as Royal began sniffing around, exploring the new territory. When he got to the receptionist's desk, the young secretary smiled and gently patted him on the head.

"Who is this cutie?" she asked Kate, continuing to pet him.

"He's Royal, my new dog. " Upon hearing his name, the canine trotted back over to Kate, laying down next to her feet.

"He seems very well mannered and he's absolutely adorable!" the receptionist exclaimed. A moment later, the phone on her desk rang and she answered it, speaking only briefly before hanging up. "Dr. Burke will see you now."

Kate thanked the woman before heading into the office. "Come on, Royal," she coaxed. He was engrossed in one of the potted plants, nose buried deep as he kept sniffing it. She gently tugged on the leash, getting his attention, and together they entered the familiar office, where Kate sat down, laughing when she saw Dr. Burke's stunned expression.

"Who's your new friend?" he asked shifting in his chair. Royal kept trying to sniff and nudge at the psychiatrist, but Dr. Burke kept moving away slightly.

"This is Royal," Kate said, frowning at the man's actions. "Royal, stop," she scolded, gently navigating the dog back to her, and thankfully, he obeyed, sitting down at her feet, again.

"Where did you get him?"

"His owner was the victim in a case we were working on," she explained as she patted Royal's head. "Castle and I shared custody of him for a day before he chose me at the end of the case."

"And how have you been with him so far?" Dr. Burke asked, staring at the dog uneasily.

"Fine, actually. We get along great. He's helped me a little too." She smiled.

"How so?"

"Well, after a long day, he helps me relax. I actually find that playing fetch is a great de-stressor. Also, he's very energetic and makes me laugh a lot."

"So, he lets you have fun?"

"Pretty much, yes. Also, Castle has been over to my apartment more because of him."

"Really?" Burke asked calmly, but he seemed intrigued.

Kate rolled her eyes. "He's always asking to see Royal and sometimes I think he wants to spend time with me, too."

"What makes you think that?"

"He always brings dinner with him and we spend more of our time talking than playing with Royal. Also, it seems like he wants to stay longer, but he doesn't." She sighed.

"Why don't you ask him to stay then? Maybe not over night, but still longer than he thinks he should be there."

Kate frowned, wringing her hands together. She had been asking herself the same question lately.

"I'm not really sure, to be honest. I think I'm still a little hesitant with letting him in," Kate explained. "However, maybe I'll ask him next time he visits or I'll just find an excuse to make him stay later. I want him to." She then looked down at Royal, who was panting happily, head angled up at her. "Royal has made me feel less lonely. He's shown me what it's like to come home to someone. Although with Castle, there would be less slobber and shedding." She chuckled. "Not that you really do much of that either." She smiled at Royal, who barked in response, causing Burke to jump slightly in his seat.

"Royal is definitely good for you," Burke said, clicking his pen, his thumb repeating the action continuously. Kate scrutinized him and realized he seemed nervous.

"Is something wrong?"

"I um," he started. "I have a small fear of dogs."

Although, from the way he was abusing his pen, Kate was pretty sure the fear was more than "small'.

"Why didn't you say anything? I would've made Royal stay outside."

"It's fine." The doctor waved a dismissive hand. "I actually was curious how you were with him and he's well behaved. I can put my fear aside for a bit, as long as he doesn't bite." He grimaced.

"Don't worry, he' doesn't. He's a good dog. Aren't you, boy?" she cooed, gently scratching Royal's head. "Yes, you are." Doctor Burke laughed loudly and grinned. "What?" She couldn't figure out what was so funny.

"Nothing, it's just that this is the first time I've seen you so relaxed. Royal certainly has done wonders for you. Based on your behavior, I should recommend owning pets to all of my patients."

"Except for fish, maybe." Fish were boring, in Kate's opinion.

Burke shrugged. "Whatever works for them."

"I guess so," Kate hummed. "But yeah, Royal's great and I'm happy he chose me."

"So am I. You're improving and it shows."

"Yeah." She sighed. If only she could improve enough to be the woman Castle deserved. She hoped that would happen soon. She knew it was all up to her, though.

Burke looked at his watch and wrote something on notepad.

"Looks like our time is up," he announced. "It was good seeing you Kate; you're definitely making head way.'

"Thank you, Dr. Burke," she responded attaching royal's leash to his collar. "I'll see you next session."

"Goodbye, Kate. Goodbye, Royal," Burke said. Royal was once again trying to nudge him and Kate rolled her eyes. The dog could be so damn persistent sometimes. After a gentle tug on the leash, he was following her again. When they exited the office and went into the waiting room, the secretary gave them a little wave as they left.

Kate entered the elevator, rubbing Royal's neck as they traveled down.

"I think that went well, don't you?" She was met with the response of a hand lick and she snickered. "Me too. Now, let's go home and get you fed. I'll give you the stuff you like, the food Castle bought, okay?" Royal wagged his tail happily and Kate could've sworn his mouth formed into a smile. As they exited the elevator, Kate pulled her cellphone out and texted a familiar number. A second later, she received a response.

"Well, Royal," she said. "Looks like I'll be cooking for three, again."

AN: There you go! I'm going to keep these in chronological order of the episodes, so you'll see some slight changes in upcoming events. As always, constructive criticism is welcome.