A/N: Here's the next chapter. I think it is much better than the last. And let me just say thank-you to everyone who follows, favorites, and reviews. Every single one means a lot to me. I never expected this story to get such a big following and I just really appreciate it. Okay, now what you're really here for...the next chapter. Happy Reading!

Previously In Turning Tables:

Kate didn't see Castle for the rest of the week. Not because she was avoiding him but because she picked up a double homicide on her first day back and had been working round the clock. They did text though, often. Kate couldn't help the feeling pulling in her gut that it just wasn't the same without him there. She could even see it in Ryan and Esposito. They looked at little lost without someone to joke with. Kate noticed it especially at the end of the day when there was no one to help her with her jacket and to walk out with.

Kate missed him.

She missed his laugh. She missed their banter. She really missed her coffee. She missed how light he made her feel when they were surrounded by darkness.

Luckily, the team closed the case on Thursday, Friday was nothing but paperwork and Kate made it out in a decent hour to get ready for Martha's play.

Kate strode into her apartment after the hours of seemingly endless paperwork. Her apartment was cold and empty completely unlike the residence she had been staying at previously. Surprisingly Kate had gotten used to the Castles loft and when having to return to her own home that Monday evening felt like she was stepping into the past. After checking her watch realized she had around two hours to get ready before the Castle Clan was coming to pick her up. She shrugged out of her coat and stepped out of her heals before un-holstering her gun and locking it in the drawer of the table by her front door.

Kate wandered into the kitchen and after grabbing the left over Chinese food from her refrigerator headed to her closet.

Martha had said the dress-code for that evening was dressy. Her exact words being "fancy but not formal; I'm sure you'll look lovely in anything darling." And earlier that week, when Kate first scanned her closet, she found she had nothing. Lanie had been her savior. After telling Lanie her dilemma, Kate was sent a picture of a gorgeous, black, scalloped V-neck dress with a pencil skirt that reached about mid-thigh with a red belt. At first, Kate was hesitant but when Lanie continued to push, Kate finally relented.

She pulled the dress out of her closet and laid it on her bed. Putting the empty container of Chinese food on her dresser, Kate grabbed the pair of red, four-inch heels and set them next to the dress. She then proceeded into her bathroom where she turned on the shower and stepped under the stream of hot water.

When she used her cherry-scented body wash, thoughts of Castle flooded her mind. She couldn't help but smile at the memory of him and the past few days they'd spent together. Kate couldn't stop the pang of guilt she felt when she remembered she had to tell him everything.

Eventually, she left the shower and began doing her hair and makeup.

At the same time, Castle was in his loft, standing in front of his mirror, and shaving any remnants of a beard off of his face. It'd been a difficult task but he managed. Memories of Kate sliding the razor across his jaw, her body so close, the smell of cherries, filled Rick's mind. He dwelled on those thoughts for a moment before finishing off with aftershave and throwing his shirt on.

Castle stumbled out of his bathroom to his mirror as he fumbled with his tie. He groaned and let the cloth hang around his neck.

"Struggling Dad?" Alexis asked from the doorway, already dressed and ready to go.

"Help?"

"Of course, but that tie doesn't match." Alexis walked into his room and opened the drawer with his ties in it. " This is much better," she said holding up a black tie, that coordinated with his red shirt and black dress pants much better than the gold tie he was trying to put on did. She tossed the other tie onto his dresser and proceeded to fix his tie for him.

"I remember when you were a little girl and you made me teach you how to tie one of these." Castle smiled at the memory. "It took around an hour but you were so determined to learn." He chuckled. "And now look at you, a big girl and tying my ties for me."

Alexis finished and looked into his eyes. She could see he was trying so hard to remember anything from her teenage years. She couldn't help the tears that pricked in her eyes at her father's distress.

Rick immediately noticed the change in mood and stepped away from his daughter and gave a gesture towards her appearance. She was wearing a purple skater skirt dress with a jeweled belt and her hair curled softly around her face.

"You, my daughter, look wonderful." She smiled.

"You don't look half bad yourself Dad."

"Stop, I'm blushing," Castle replied sarcastically.

"Come on. Kate's expecting us soon. We don't want to be late." Alexis winked at her dad, who shot her a puzzled look. She smiled and left him standing alone.

"Come on Dad!"

Kate was dressed and putting the finishing touches on her hair and makeup when the doorbell rang. She gave a "just a minute" and scurried out of her room, to the door where Rick and Alexis were waiting on the other side.

When the door opened, Kate silently thanked Lanie for the dress because the look on Castle's face was priceless. His eyes were wide and he was slack-jawed as his eyes roamed Kate's figure. Rick devoured the image in front of him. He memorized every inch of her, from the soft curls that framed her face to the deep neckline that was high enough to be appropriate but low enough to tease him, to her long, toned legs.

In return, Kate's eyes scanned over Castle. He was wearing red. She loved seeing him in red. It was just something different. His hair was tousled just enough. She had to admit...he looked ruggedly handsome.

It took a nudge from Alexis for him to finally look up and meet Kate's eyes, which were made-up to perfection.

Kate gave a shy smile to Castle and he couldn't help but smile back. Their eyes were locked for a long moment before Alexis asked if they wanted a room. Kate felt her face turn as red as her dress before tearing her eyes away from Castle's. She grabbed her purse off of the table before the three of them headed out the door.

"Alexis, you look great," Kate finally said when they were in the town car.

"Thanks, Kate. You look simply fantastic yourself. Did you and Dad plan that?" she said pointing between the two adults.

"Plan what?" Rick asked.

"You two coordinate," Alexis said with a smile. "Her dress is black with a red belt and shoes. Your shirt is red with a black tie and pants. It works."

For the second time that evening Kate felt the blush rush to her cheeks as she scanned over Rick's attire. She'd been too…distracted before to realize how their outfits complemented each other's.

"Just a coincidence," Rick said. He couldn't help but smile at the fact he and Kate were on the same wavelength. He rode the rest of the way to the theater with that grin plastered on his face. Kate's face stayed bright red the rest of the way as well.

When they finally entered the theater Kate was assaulted by all the glittering clothes, lights, and voices. Her eyes were wide as she surveyed her surroundings. Castle on her right gave her a small smile and moved to whisper in her ear.

"Never been to the theater before?" he asked, his breath hot on her ear.

"Once, with my mom when I was little. It was nothing like this though…"

"This is opening night for you. All the big-shots want to see it first so they can tell their friends."

"Ah," was Kate's only reply. She continued to look around the crowded room in awe. After noticing the attire many people donned, she suddenly felt rather plain. Castle, of course, noticed her sudden change in demeanor.

"You look fantastic," he whispered, sliding his hand down her arm and interlocking her pinky finger with his.

Kate gave him a small smile as he escorted both Alexis and herself to their seats.

Throughout the production, the eyes of both Kate and Alexis remained glued to the actors while Rick's gazed constantly changed between the two ladies sitting next to him and the action onstage.

Every time Kate laughed, Rick found himself laughing along even though he didn't know what the joke was.

Every time he watched Kate whisper something to Alexis that caused both of them to laugh, Rick felt his heart swell.

Every time Kate cast a quick glance at Rick, he tried to turn his attention back towards the stage but was never quick enough.

On the fourth or fifth time Kate caught him, Rick felt her hand intertwine with his own, both of them resting on the arm rest.

Even after the intermission, her hand found its way back to his and they stayed that way for the rest of the evening.

This is the dress I imagined for Kate, just remove all the spaces:

www. urbanoutfitters urban / catalog / product detail . jsp?id = 31301054 & parentid = W_APP_DRESSES

Alexis's dress is the purple one she wore for the season 5 photoshoot.

You have no idea how long it took me to figure out what they were going to wear. Seriously, I put way too much time into it. :)