This story is completely AU. So everything you already know about these characters and this show is wrong. I'm basically borrowing these characters for my own version of their love story.

Is a disclaimer necessary? If I were Milmar you all would get every Caskett wish you ever wanted! :)

Chapter 5

When they got to Kate's building she released his hand and got into her purse searching for her keys. She slid the magnetic keychain over a sensor and pulled the door open. Mentally taking note that she would need to ask Josh for his back. The elevator ride up they discussed dinner option and decided that Chinese take out was both of their number one options.

When they got into her apartment they both shed their jackets and Kate took his from him, hanging both of them in the closet

"Make yourself at home, I'm gonna go grab a menu from the kitchen."

After pulling out the menu for her favorite Chinese delivery place she sat next to him on the couch and handed him the menu.

"Pick what you'd like, I pretty much get the same thing every time. Wonton soup with a side of lo mein noodles. Simple, but it's my favorite thing ever. " Kate drew her legs into her body and wrapped her arms around them. She was sitting at the opposite end of the couch waiting for him to choose.

"That's it? Well I'll place the order then because I like a little bit of everything." He said.

After calling and placing the order, in which he ordered enough to feed 10 of himself. She decided that she should use this time to ask him some personal questions since all they had talked about was her all day.

"So you have a daughter? Who I must admit is the most precious thing I've ever seen." Kate stated.

"Yeah.." a smile spread across his face just thinking about Alexis. "She is the coolest kid ever. Seriously, I was so scared to become a parent. However, when I held her for the first time it just clicked. This person was sent to me for a reason. She has made me cool again. In a different way though, because clearly I was already cool. She makes me want the best of everything, not for myself, but for her. I want her to have every opportunity to excel. Which shouldn't be too hard, because she is already smarter than me and she is only four." He let out a proud chuckle.

Kate could see how proud he was to even talk about Alexis. The fact that he had a child kind of intimidated her. Being only 19, she didn't know if she could handle dating a man that had already started a family.

"Does the fact that I have a kid scare you?" Rick asked. It was almost like he could read her mind.

"I wouldn't say it scares me, but it's different." Kate replied.

"Well, she's awesome, and you'll love her. Probably more than you'll ever like me. She likes to win the affections of anyone and everyone who shoes interest in me. Its like a competition and she always wins. I think it's the red hair, something about the red hair people love." He was on a tangent, clearly in his own head about why his daughter was so loveable. It was probably the cutest thing Kate had ever witnessed. She could feel herself turning softer just being around Castle. He might be a little bit older than her but he was definitely a child at heart, and didn't take himself too seriously at all.

"I cant wait to meet her…" Kate said. Shocking even herself when she said it.

"Well, meet her again I guess because the first time didn't really count. It was more of a quick run in." She giggled.

The knock on the door interrupted their conversation and Castle jumped up to get it. Paying for the food, and offering up a generous tip to Jon, the delivery guy.

"Bye Becks, see ya soon." Jon yelled out before walking away.

"Bye Jon!" Kate said from the couch throwing her hand up to wave at him.

"Becks, huh?" he mocked as he started toward the kitchen with the bags when Kate realized it.

"Hey, bring that in here. I am not the formal kind of girl. We'll eat in here, out of the boxes. Oh, and he frequents my apartment, like I said it's my favorite." She said, rising to her feet. She shuffled off to the kitchen and grabbed some silverware, the bottle of wine they had stopped for, and two glasses.

"Wine, and Chinese food. Castle, this is actually the perfect end to my day."

"Well I'm glad that this date actually ended up perfect for you." He said in a cocky but joking voice.

"Yeah, yeah. Sit down and dig in with me. I don't want to look like a pig, chowing down by myself."

Eventually the eating slowed and Kate sat her bowl of soup on the coffee table and grabbed her wine glass to take a sip.

"You know I'm not even old enough to drink, right?" Kate asked teasing him a little bit.

"Yeah I meant to ask your exact age, but I was pre occupied with your eyes and I forgot." He laughed, leaning forward to place his food on the table. Switching it out for his wine as well.

"I'm 19 by the way…" She shoved him playfully and took another drink before placing her glass back down and grabbing the remote. She turned the tv on and went straight for the on-demand movie options. They battled back and forth for a while before finally choosing dirty dancing. Kate chose it because it was her all time favorite, and Rick openly announced that he had agreed simply because she was so passionate about it and he couldn't tell her no. That earned him a smile and she made sure to cuddle in extra close to him for being sweet about it. That alone was enough for him to watch happily.

Kate passed out a little over half way into the movie and Rick didn't have the heart to wake her. He knew he had to go, Alexis would be upset if he wasn't there in the morning. He eased out from beside her and put a pillow under her head to take the place of his body. He covered her in a blanket and wrote a note that he laid on the kitchen counter next to the coffee pot. Hoping that she would see it as soon as she woke up.

Kate woke up at around 8:30 the next morning to an empty apartment. She assumed he had gone home to be with his daughter. The kitchen was her first stop to get a pot of coffee going and she noticed his note immediately.

Kate,

I had to get home to Alexis and relieve my mother of her babysitting duties.

Best first date, Ever.

P.s. You smell like cherries.

-Castle

She couldn't contain her laughter at the cuteness of his note. She knew that this was more than a job to her already and she needed to figure out a way to let Myra and Gina both know that she was truly interested in him. She decided to shower first and she would contact Myra later about it and maybe she could handle Gina for her.

When Kate got out of the shower she went to the living room to retrieve her phone from the coffee table. She had a missed call and a text, both from Castle.

The call was just to say good morning. What can I say? I have Beckett on my brain.

He was really pursuing this and she couldn't really believe it. Maybe this was all a joke on her. Was it possible for a someone like him to be so interested in someone like her. She was young and he was… well, not as young as her. He had a daughter and a real career. Was she what he was really looking for? She was just a 19-year-old college freshman, straight out of a relationship and uncertain about her future. She couldn't stop thinking about him either and it was making her feel guilty. She had just ended things with Josh and she was already starting to develop feelings for someone else.

Good morning to you as well. Thanks for tucking me in.

She sent the text and decided it was probably time she called Myra to let her know what all had been going on. It had been two days since they had discussed any of this and she knew that before too long Myra would be blowing her phone up. She dialed her number and Myra answered quickly.

"bout time I hear from you Kate Beckett."

"Well I've been busy going on dates with a very handsome and charming author." Kate offered up easily.

"Well, spill, how are things going?"

"That's actually something I really need to talk to you about. Myra I don't think that I am comfortable with the current arrangement. I know that Gina wanted all of this for publicity reasons but I don't think that I am going to be okay with doing what she asked. Truth is, I think we kind of have a connection, and maybe its something that I am going to pursue on my own. I know that this might not be what you were expecting to hear from me and you might not exactly agree with it, but he's different. He's kind, and sweet, and there is definitely something there between us, and now I'm just rambling on about it because that's how he makes me feel."

"Whoa, whoa, slow down Kate. You and Rick actually hit it off and you're basically asking me if its okay to date him.." Myra asked. Kate couldn't tell if her voice was disapproving or just confused.

"Well I'm not asking for permission. I'm nineteen and I can make my own decisions. I just wanted you to let Gina know that I wasn't interested in the job anymore but that I would be pursuing a relationship with him on my own terms." Kate was sharp and final with her statement. She was pretty sure that Myra fully understood now and she didn't give her any grief about it. In fact she agreed that they would make a good couple and said that she would contact Gina and let her know.

After hanging up the phone Kate felt a lot better about what had been going on with Rick. She wanted this, but on her own terms. She sat on the couch enjoying her coffee and reading through one of her fashion magazines that she had picked up earlier in the week.

Around noon her phone started to ring and when she looked at the caller id and saw that it was him her stomach filled with butterflies. She quickly answered the phone and pulled it up to her ear.

"Miss me already Mr. Castle?" she teased.

"How'd you know? I mean I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since I left your apartment." His tone was sweet.

"What are you doing… right now?" She asked.

"uhh uhh.. right now, exactly?" he stuttered. "Just put Alexis down for her nap and I'm about to start some laundry."

"How domestic. I was going to see if you wanted to meet up and maybe grab lunch but it seems that you have a full plate already." She said disappointingly.

"How about this. I had planned on taking Alexis to an indoor play place when she woke up from her nap. If you'd like to join we could grab some coffee and visit while she plays with the other kids. I mean if you're even comfortable being around her already. Maybe its too soon, you know what forget I even said anything."

"Castle, calm down, I'd love to come. I love kids, and she is part of you. I can't be accepting of you if I'm not accepting of her, right? You two are a package deal."

"That we are. Well, I'm glad you want to join, because there are a few single moms there that can't take a hint. Plus, I wouldn't mind showing you off in front of them." He joked.

"I'm going to get ready. You just text me when Alexis wakes up and tell me a time and place and I'll meet you there."

"How about Alexis and I stop by to pick you up on the way. It'll be easier." He said.

She agreed, but she was a little nervous about it. Would Alexis like her, or would she be one of those kids who was really mean to any woman her father brought around. She would have to find out sooner or later, might as well find out now.

Sorry I'm posting so late in the day. I think I have the flu, which has been so horrible today. Thanks for the reviews and follows. You all are awesome, and so supportive. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!