A/N: For those of you that were curious, I did research the blood work thing. It IS possible to give a general estimation of the pregnancy term through HCG levels in blood but it is NOT exact. (Which is why Lanie said "About six weeks.") And there is also a Quantitative testing they can do to be a little more exact (Which is what Lanie would have done the second time.) but for EXACT? Yeah, you need an ultrasound. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. ;)

A/N #2: Because this is an A/U I need to take a few liberties with the books. Not changing anything major, but there are certain things that will not happen so how the books come out will be a little different. Also since most major authors produce one novel a year and this is the end of S3, I am going with the third book. ;) All I need is a little latitude.

A/N #3: To quote Lanie: "It's about to get interesting up in here..."

A/N #4: Sorry guys. Spent the last week in the hospital. I have frequent flier miles there. Thanks for being patient. More soon.

Kate walked slowly down the hall to Castle's loft; coming to an abrupt stop at his door. Turning around, she headed back the other way, only to stop herself and come back again.

She had never run from anything in her life.

So why did it seem so appealing to start now?

She reached out slowly, running her fingers down the center of his door. Hanging her head, she finally knocked.

When Castle opened the door, she wasn't ready for his wide open smile, not to mention the way he looked in his tux.

Everything about him was perfect; from his hair to the shine on his (she was guessing) very expensive shoes. When he saw that it was her he pulled her through the door and into his arms, dragging her into a long, delicious kiss.

When they finally broke apart for air, he whispered, "And here I thought you were going to stand me up."

Kate looked up at him, her heart seizing painfully at the fear evident in his voice, even as he pretended to be joking. She ran her finger along his jawline. "Never." She whispered back, finally understanding that she meant it.

This was HIS night. One he wanted to share with her.

And she would be damned if she ruined it.

Tomorrow would be soon enough for reality.

Tonight?

Tonight was the fairy tale.

Kate placed her hand against his cheek as she kissed him tenderly.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked quietly, making her heart ache.

"What?" She laughed, trying for a lighter mood. "Do you really think I'm going to let that dress go to waste?" When he looked down, Beckett placed her fingers under his chin and pulled his head up so that she could look into his eyes. "I'm sure." She swallowed. "You're worth it."

Castle smiled and she felt her heart catch in her chest.

"I should..." She kissed him again before pulling away reluctantly. "Uhm... I should go get dressed."

"Or undressed..." Ricks hands slid down her sides.

"Castle." She swallowed heavily when his lips hit her throat. "If we are going to make this party... oh..." She couldn't help the tremor that ran through her body when he brought his hands up to her breasts. With a shudder she could feel to her very core, she pulled away; immediately missing the warmth of him against her. Taking a deep breath, she put her hand against his chest when he went to move in close again. "If you have any hope of making this party... Go away."

"Really?"

Kate closed her eyes. "Yes, Castle. Really."

"Okay."

She could hear the smugness in his voice; it was bordering on pride. Biting her bottom lip, she tore herself away, heading for the bedroom.

"You have a key you know. Why didn't you just use it?" She heard him call out to her as she walked away. She paused for a moment, closing her eyes.

"Maybe next time."

It was more than an hour before she came out; her hair teased and piled up on her head in a fashionably messy do, her dress clinging to her every curve. The diamonds she wore flashed in the light from the kitchen, illuminating every facet.

But none of them were more stunning than her.

The dress fit her every curve, her five inch heels bringing her height up even with his; which was just fine with him.

Because as incredible as she looked, he couldn't tear his gaze away from her eyes.

They were sparkling, shading into green as they always did when she was happy. Her dark make-up giving her a smoky, seductive look that he had always found irresistible.

With a smile of wonder, he wrapped his arms around her, whispering, "You look amazing." Then he kissed her with such tenderness and barely restrained passion that Beckett felt her heart swell painfully. When Castle finally pulled away, she placed her hand on his cheek, returning his look of adoration as she gently wiped her lipstick off his mouth with her thumb.

"Ready?" Rick gripped her waist reassuringly.

Kate smiled bravely. "As I'll ever be."

The car service to The Beacon was twenty minutes of Kate laughing and slapping away Rick's hands as they wandered into inappropriate places. It wasn't until the car pulled to a stop that she realized what he had been doing.

Distracting her.

Ducking her head, Beckett looked out the window; her mouth going dry at the circus going on outside.

There were six huge spotlights shining eight foot wide beams of light up into the night sky with long red velvet ropes holding back what she could only describe as 'throngs' of people. The first several unruly rows were all paparazzi, local news media and print reporters, all of them craning their necks to see who was about to step out of the car.

Behind them, blocking out the rest of the sidewalk on both sides... were the fans. Hundreds of them. Many of them holding up signs or books, graphic novels or posters of Castle's book covers. She threw him a dirty look.

Did she have to be naked on EVERY cover?

Finally she looked towards the building, seeing the red carpet stretching out in front of her for what seemed like miles.

Kate swallowed. "Is it just me... or is this bigger than last time?"

Castle took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Well... The movie comes out in a week and the last two books hit the bestseller list so..." He looked her in the eyes. "Last time you walked the carpet alone." He smiled at her sweetly. "You never have to do that again. Neither do I."

Beckett bit her bottom lip, trying not to cry at the love and pride in his voice. "Like you ever walked a red carpet alone, Writer Boy." She carefully ran her index fingers under her eyes. "Now stop looking at me like that or you're going to ruin my make-up." Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and reached for the door. "Let's go."

"Uh...uh..." Rick pulled her back looking at her hopefully. "It's just... you know..."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Fine, Castle. But try it at a crime scene and I will break your arm!"

"I wouldn't expect any less." Eagerly, he jumped out of his side and trotted around to hers, waving the driver away as he opened the door himself and held out his hand.

The crowd went silent as the paparazzi began snapping pictures; everyone straining to see who would be accompanying the notorious playboy to the launch.

Kate took a moment to calm herself, and then reached out and slid her hand into Castle's; ignoring the frisson of electricity that always coursed through her when their skin met.

As the writer gently pulled her from the car, there was a collective 'Oh' of surprise...

Then the crowd went wild.

Smiling brilliantly, she waved to the people cheering, blushing at the calls of "I love you, Nikki!" and even more so when someone shouted "Kate Beckett is my hero!"

Rick placed a protective arm around her waist as they slowly strolled up the carpet, turning and smiling at the people begging for photographs.

It went quicker than she had thought it would, at least until the end.

Right before they reached the doors, a young girl ducked under the ropes. She couldn't have been more than twelve and honestly had no business reading Castle's books. She ran straight into Kate's arms, looking up at her with wide adoring eyes. "I want to be you when I grow up."

Beckett looked down at her, feeling her eyes mist over. "Well," She swallowed as she bent down, cupping the young girls face in her hands. "If you still feel that way after college? You come see me, okay?"

The girl beamed at her, squeezing her hand before running back to her mother.

"Nice, Detective." Castle breathed into her ear. "I knew you were a natural."

Blushing and shaking her head, Kate followed him inside.