A/N: So very sorry for the late post, work took over everything these past weeks. I hope you enjoy this and thank you all for reading!

Chapter Four

He texted her when he left his loft asked if she wanted him to meet her at the Resturant or at the Precinct, but she said she'll just meet him there. So, he finds himself settled in a booth waiting for her. He's typing a message to let her know he's arrived but she's already stepping through the door, he smiles on auto pilot, starts to wave but then quickly withdraws his hand, feeling like a teen meeting his date for milk shakes after school. He still can't believe she said yes.

She slides into the booth opposite him, the smile on his face so wide and genuine it makes her heart flutter and she can't help but smile in turn, "Hi."

"Hey," he greets back, clears his throat when he catches himself staring at her. Definitely not smooth Rick, "I'm glad you came, I promise this burger will be worth it."

She chuckles, "I know Castle," she shrugs, "It's kind of a cop place."

"Really?" the thought excites him, like he's somehow gained inside information.

"It's close to the precinct, we can order out and as you said best burgers. I'm pretty sure half the precinct lives on them."

"Okay, then you know it won't disappoint."

She lifts an eyebrow at him, "I'm not here just for the burger Rick."

He swallows, this is the first time she says something like that, openly admits she's interested in him and he's not sure he can handle this version of her, "Umm so, do you usually stay this late at the Precinct?"

She grins at the way he gets flustered, "I guess it depends on who you ask. Captain will tell you I live there, but I don't. Sometimes I stay a little when there is an open case or paperwork to get done."

He smiles knowingly at her and he's willing to bet it's closer to what the Captain says, "Will for one I'm grateful, gives us the chance to catch up, without me being arrested or under questioning," he gives her a pointed look.

"Oh your blaming me for that now?" she narrows her eyes at him. She's still mad about that.

"You could've been nicer you know, specially that first time. I was really happy to see you," he's joking but not really.

"I had a job to do. I didn't really know you weren't involved, I had to clear you first. And the arresting you part? You totally deserved that," She defends.

"Yeah okay," he grins, keeping his gaze on her for a long moment, "Can I just say that it's so cool that you're a homicide Detective. I still can't get over that."

She smiles weekly, remember that he doesn't know the reason behind that, not that it matters now anyways, "It wasn't even in the plan back then. I don't even think there was one at the time."

"How old were you back then?"

"Umm I think nineteen, why?" she asks as she grabs one of the straws and plays with the white wrapping.

"No way. Come on."

"Yes," she gives him a questioning look, "Why?"

He grimces, "I was twenty-eight."

"And?"

He shrugs, "I don't know, you were nineteen" he stresses, and continues off the confused look on her face, "I was twenty-eight. I'm not loving the age difference, especially when we were that young. It just seems like a lot. Jeez Kate I asked for your number! That must have been…a little creepy."

"You still asked me out again now," she blurts out before thinking, can feel the faint blush as she realizes she's calling this a date. She knows he noticed by the way that grin takes over his face.

"I'm hoping it wasn't as creepy as it was before. All grown up and mature."

"Oh, my maturity was the problem huh?" Her lips pursing in that way they always do when she's mocking him.

"Who said anything about you?" He quips.

She chuckles, looks down at the straw between her hands when she sees that crooked smile take over his face, like he's proud he made her smile, "It wasn't by the way."

"Hmm?"

"It wasn't creepy. I was just...not in the right place."

He wants to ask a thousand thins. Why? How about now? but their waitress interrupts and he feels the words lodged in his throat.

"Kate sweetheart, how are you? It's been a long time since you and the guys ate in."

She grins at the woman, "Hey Karen, I'm good thank you. It's really good to see you. How's everything?"

"You know, same old same old," she sighs but then turns her eyes to Castle, gives them both a knowing look, "I didn't know you and Ricky knew each other."

Before Kate can answer he interrupts, "What, no hello, no how you doing Ricky? Come on Ren you know my fragile ego can't take being the center of attention."

"Oh, I know all about you and your ego Ricky, you don't have to tell me."

Kate chuckles, and he glares at her.

"I see how it is."

Karen ignores him, "I'm telling you Kate, you have to keep this one in line," she tells her before.

She blushes, "Trust me. I'm trying."

"Why are women so mean to me?" he pretends to talk to himself.

"To balance out the ones offering up their chests for you to sign maybe," she bites

He grins, "Does that make you jealous?"

"In your dreams."

"Ah Detective. If only you knew."

She blushes at his leer but still manages to hold his gaze, watches the blue of his eyes darken before Karen's chuckle breaks their staring match.

"So, shall I put an order in for your usuals?" She asks both, still grinning.

"Please," Castle replies and Kate nods.

"Alrighty, coming right up," she smiles and goes back to checking on other customers.

He's still grinning at her "So you weren't kidding when you said you knew the place."

She smiles, "Yeah, Karen has always been very good to us. Part of the reason why everyone loves eating in when they can manage."

"I'm here all the time with Alexis, how come we never ran into each other before?"

She bites at her lip debating whether she should tell him at all, "I actually did see you here once."

His eyes widen at that, "Oh my god! Why didn't you come say hi?" he asks exasperated.

She shrugs, "I didn't think you'd remember me. What? just walk up to you and say hi remember me the girl who spilled her coffee all over you ten years ago."

"Yes! and of course I'd have remembered. I did when you dropped in at the party didn't I?"

"First of all, I didn't drop in at the party, I came to question you," she grins when he narrows his eyes at her.

"Which does not bode well for our budding relationship by the way," he interrupts dramatically.

"There is no relationship."

"We'll see."

She rolls her eyes at him, "Anyways, I just didn't know that you would."

He shakes his head at her in mock disappointment, "Good thing the universe is persistent."

She throws the straw at him, "Eat your food Castle."

Karen drops off their food, and they start eating in silence, before Castle suddenly huffs "I can't believe you thought I'd forget you."

Apparently, they are still on that, "It was a long time ago."

"But…we talked for hours, every time I walk into an airport you're all I think about," he insists because she has to understand.

She feels the burn of his gaze all over her skin, his confession twisting her stomach in knots mostly because it's the same way for her. And it wasn't even just the damn airport.

"I wrote about you." He adds softly, can't seem to get a hold on himself anymore.

"Umm yeah…you told me," she says confused by the the by this sudden switch in conversation.

"No. I mean after we met the first time."

"You did?" her brows frown in surprise.

"Not like now, not as a Defective of course."

"As what then?"

"Not as a character, but just…you," he shrugs, "Sometimes I do that when I want to remember things…moments. But I just didn't know enough…" he trails off, can still remember how much he wanted to know more, how it bothered him that he walked away from her with so little. Still does.

"And you do now?"

"No, but I really want to."

She doesn't know what to say, it just feels all too intense, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to know what it meant to me. That meeting you was special. I know you think I'm this womanizing guy," he sighs because the words are not coming out right, "I'm just saying that I'm not as bad as the media makes it seem. My team and I tend to exploit that kind of image for my books but…it's not really who I am."

She pushes a hand through her hair, trying to buy herself a little time to respond. She doesn't even know how he was able to tell that's was one of the reasons she's been reluctant about him. Them. It scares her how good he is at reading her, even when she's trying not to let him see. His word sooth her worries though because she can see that he means it, "That's good to know Castle," hopes her smile shows him that she does believe him.

Cristalskies: Thank you for very much. Sigh. Italy 3 so gorgeous.

Jenine99: Thank you very much, that's very kind. Sorry for the late update. :)

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life's a mystery: So, glad you like it would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

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Guest 1: Thank you so much for the awesome review. I hope you like this chapter.

sasans: Thank you for the review Maybe not before the dinner but more of their first meeting is coming for sure

Lb: Thank you so much, glad it shows, it's important for me that they still seem like themselves

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Guest 2: Thank you for pointing them out! Will take care of those 3 and thanks for the review, very much appreciated. I do know about the replies method, I honestly just like doing it here more.

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