A/N: I had this in the pipeline for last night, but I fell asleep before I could finish it. I hope everyone enjoys the update and please keep the reviews coming. There will time jumps in the next chapters to get us to December 7th, but not major ones. some will be a couple weeks, and I think the big one is about a month. Enjoy the read and keep the reviews coming. Thank you everyone.

Chapter 4

July 8, 1941

Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii

Aboard the USS Arizona, Castle walked down the passageway towards the wardroom for the afternoon chow that was being served aboard. He had spent the morning working with Ensign Tolliver going over firing commands, procedure on the guns, casualties handling, and the all-important paperwork that comes with manning an anti-aircraft battery aboard a surface warship. That afternoon he would meet up with the outgoing Gunnery Officer to continue the process of the turnover as well of the department. The Captain had ordered the turnover of both the battery and the gunnery department must be completed by the end of the month so Rick knew he would be busy for the next couple weeks. He sighed as he walked into the wardroom which was not as packed as he thought it would be. Some of the officers on board had apparently taken the duty boat so they could eat ashore. Yet for Rick it wasn't worth the wait nor the hassle to do so. The cooks on board did a fine job.

"Good Afternoon Mr. Castle." Messmate second class Roy Montgomery said to Castle as he arrived at the chow line.

"Hey Roy, how is the family doing?" Castle asked as he grabbed the silverware from the holder and the drink class.

"Good thanks for asking sir. By the way the wife thanks you for the autograph copy of the book." Roy stated as he smiled at Castle. The mess men and cooks on board, respected and admired Castle for the treatment of them. He looked after them, and treated like sailors not glorified servants, like some officers did. "Anyway sir, we have hamburgers, with fries, coleslaw, and tea, or we have chicken, collard greens, biscuits also with tea too."

"Tell your wife no problem and I will have the hamburger." Castle replied to Roy with a smile on his face. Roy nodded and moved off to the kitchen area to place the order. Castle set his fork down and looked at the fruit available to them today. He selected a apple and took it back to where Roy was bringing out his lunch to hand to him. "Thanks Roy, and tell your wife thanks for the birthday card."

"Will do so sir." Roy smiled as he wiped down the counter in front of him looked up to examine the wardroom.

"Mingling with the stewards again Castle." Lieutenant Bracken said to Castle as he walked by where Bracken was sitting.

Castle looked down at Bracken. "They do a lot for us Bracken, and to treat them like they are human goes a long way, but you have to be human to understand that."

That got a few chuckles out of some of the officers sitting there. Bracken started to get up but cooler heads around him pulled him back down. Castle sat down with some of the other officers from the gunnery department. They all respected Castle with the exception of Bracken of course, and were glad he would be taking over a fine department.

July 8th, 1941

Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

"Alright Ms. Lin, Dr. Parrish said to ice that down every couple hours and take the pain medication when necessary alright." Kate said to the patient she had just seen at the clinic. She was off that day from the hospital, but slated to pull a Saturday duty shift in the care ward which granted her the day off. Since arriving she had been put to work by Lanie. She had already seen 12 patients with ailments ranging from mild fevers to severe dehydration that required fluids. She was utterly exhausted by the time lunch had come around. Lanie poked her head in the exam room. "Girl you look like one our patients."

"Certainly feel like it." Kate said getting up and stretching out some of the soreness in her. She looked around her "exam room". It was second hand equipment all around. She shook her head. "I feel so bad for you."

"Ahh Lieutenant don't worry about it. My main concern is getting the patients treated, and not equipment." Lanie stated as she also looked around the room. "Come on its lunch time."

Kate nodded and followed Lanie out of the exam room. It was noticeably less full than it was when she arrived that morning. Lanie noticed Kate looking. "Thanks to your help, what would normally take me twice as long has been reduced, and I guarantee, it will be less full tomorrow because of your help."

Kate smiled. "Doing what I can to help out Dr. Parrish."

"Lanie, just call me Lanie." Lanie stated as they arrived at a small kitchen where the small support staff was already filling up the table.

"Kate." Kate told her with a smile. She had brought her lunch, not sure was around the area or if it be like you have a short break to eat before getting back to work. "How do you know Lieutenant Castle?"

Lanie looked on in surprise. "Rick. He brought in a man who was hit by a car and left in the street. He wasn't bothered by the hospital nor who a majority of the staff was. From there he brought his mother by and we developed a friendship when they asked what they could do to help and from there you know the rest."

Kate nodded as she bit into her sandwich and looked around the clinc. "Who bought you this place?"

"Rick did, but his mother has her name on the mortgage." Lanie remarked as she picked at her ham and macaroni and cheese. She saw Kate's face. "Girl you have the look of disbelief. Have you read series called the Long Grey Night?"

"Yes I have." Kate answered thinking back to those books that got her through some tough times. "Its by Richard Rodgers…."

"There it is." Lanie stated with a smile on her face. She shook her head. "Don't wait too long Kate, or otherwise someone else will snatch that man up."

Kate looked at Lanie. "I really didn't want to find love here Lanie."

"Got hurt badly in the last one?" Lanie asked getting a nod from Kate. She sighed. "Well I understand I do, but if you look back and miss a chance with somebody that will be remembered for his charity here, and a damn fine naval officer, and you may regret it."

Kate looked at Lanie and wondered like Gina was she right.

July 8th, 1941

Officer Club, Naval Base Pearl Harbor

"How is it my fault that my money is gone?" Gina stated as they walked into the base officer club wearing their dress whites. "I can't help it that I liked the attention I was getting."

"Gina you spent a paycheck in a couple days." Kate remarked as she removed her cover and looked around. The officers club was packed despite her calling ahead for a table so they could eat. Kate looked at her friend. "Besides I'm not letting you starve."

Gina was cornered so she put up her hands. Kate smiled and saw the hostess coming towards them. "Two under Kate Beckett."

The hostess checked the list. "Yes ma'am but it will be a little bit. You may wait at the bar till we call you."

Kate and Gina nodded as they moved away from the entrance and towards the officer club bar where it was equally as packed. That is when she noticed a familiar person sitting at the bar. "Good evening Lieutenant Castle."

"Good Evening Lieutenant Beckett." Castle stated as he noticed the pair walking towards him. He stood and held out his hand to Gina. "Lieutenant Richard Castle."

"Lieutenant Gina Cowell." Gina stated shaking Castle's hand. Castle offered his seat and another officer gave his up to the ladies as well.

"What are you doing here if you don't mind me asking?" Kate stated as she settled in. She turned to the bar tender. "Scotch."

Gina held up her hand for the same as Castle nursed his drink. He sipped at it before answering. "Waiting on my dinner dates."

"Dates as in pairs?" Gina asked in shock.

"Yes the most beautiful women in the world to me." Castle said with a smile on his face. He saw the look on Gina's face along with Kate's. "It's my mother and my daughter Alexis."

Kate chuckled as Gina blew out a relief breath but didn't get the joke. Their drinks arrived, along with the bill. Kate looked at Gina who was trying to light a cigarette but looking in her purse for her lighter. Finally got it lite from a man next to her. Kate looked at Castle who was looking towards the entrance. "Lieutenant Castle?"

"Yes?" Castle remarked over the growing noise of the officer club as a live band began to play.

"Why didn't you tell me you wrote the Long Night series?" Kate stated as she smiled at him. She again sipped at her whiskey.

Castle leaned in close. "Not something I wanted to share with people. Just write when out at sea, or on deployments to pass the time."

Kate nodded and looked at Castle and smile. "So when you are home you can spend time with your family?"

"Pretty much." Castle remarked with a smile on his face.

"Lieutenant Castle, rest of your party has arrived." The hostess said to him after searching the bar area for a minute.

"Thank you." Castle said to the hostess who nodded and walked away from him. Castle pulled out some money and laid it on the bar paying for his and their drinks. "Have a good evening Kate, Lieutenant Cowell.

Gina nodded as she had become engaged in talking to the officer who lit her cigarette, while Kate was a little disappointed in herself for not taking the step asking him out or at least taking up on his standing offer of the dinner. She was muttering to herself when he came back. She looked up and saw him before her. He leaned in. "Are you free Friday night maybe for dinner?"

Kate thought about it for two seconds. She nodded and smiled "Yes I am, I get off duty at 5."

"Okay, I'll pick you up at the hospital." Castle remarked with a smile on his face. He took her hand and gave it a kiss. "See you Friday."

Kate nodded with her own smile on her face as again he walked off in the direction of the front. Gina turned around and looked at Kate. "What was that about?"

Kate didn't tell her.

July 10th, 1941

Pearl City, Territory of Hawaii

"Richard." Martha called out from the kitchen that morning as Castle prepared to leave for the Arizona.

Castle set the books that he brought home from the Arizona last night down and walked towards the kitchen. He saw his mother sitting at the table. "Good Morning mother."

"Good morning dear, so did you finally ask out the nurse you are fawning over?" Martha smirked at her son. She saw the look on her son's face. "Oh Richard, we saw you going back over to her."

Castle shook his head. "Yes I did ask her out, and I figured we go to the Royal Hawaiian."

Martha looked at her son. "Oh dear Richard, really the Royal."

"Well, I don't want to take her to the normal restaurants mother for a dinner date. I want a nicer setting." Castle said to her. He looked at his watch. "Look I got to go before I miss the first duty boat."

"Grams is right dad, don't take her to Royal. Try the Manu Hotel over on the beach. It has a nice restaurant, and live music and dancing." Alexis stated as she came into the kitchen. She got herself a glass of milk from the icebox and looked at her father. "Don't overwhelm her too much."

"Never figured a dinner date with an attractive female would garner so much attention." Castle smirked as he shook his head. He came over and gave them a kiss. "I'll see you both this evening."

Alexis and Martha smiled as Castle left for the ship for the day.

July 10th, 1941

Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor

Kate walked on to the care ward floor which had an only a few patients in it. A couple sailors and Marines who were injured in training accidents or work related accidents as well. Kate looked at the charts before sitting down at the desk at the end of the ward. Most of the men in the ward would be released in a couple days back to their commands. Kate was writing down in the log when she saw her friend Gina sit down on the desk. "Yes he asked me out."

"Did you say yes?" Gina asked looking at her friend who was still writing down in the log book.

"If I did, what business is it of yours?" Kate asked with a smile on her face. Then she saw the message slip in her hand. "Is that for me?"

"I don't know, did you say yes or no?" Gina replied with a smirk on her face.

Kate smirked back and took the message slip from Gina. She read it. "I will pick you up at 6 at the hospital for dinner and dancing. Rick."

Gina saw the big smile on her friends face. "I'll take that as a yes."

July 11th, 1941

Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor.

Castle pulled up in front of the hospital at about 6 pm. He had left a message for Kate the other day stating he would pick her up in front of the hospital. He got up and stood beside the car. He was in a suit and tie and waited patiently for Kate to come out of the hospital. He was a nervous wreck, not having been on a real date in the past couple years so he was trying to calm his self-down before Kate came out. He didn't notice Kate waving to the duty corpsman in the lobby as she came out. Castle heard someone say something behind him ,so he turned around, and his jaw nearly dropped. Kate was wearing a red dress that came to her knees and clung just right in certain areas, along with heels, stalkings and her hair in an updo style along with a simple purse. Castle smiled as he came around the car and met Kate at the bottom of the stairs. "You look stunning Kate."

"Thank you Rick, you look very handsome as well." Kate replied with a smile on her face. She took Rick's arm as he escorted her to the car, and thanked him as he held open the door. As Rick climbed in she looked at him. "Where are we heading?"

"To the Manu Hotel. I am told the wait for a table isn't too bad, and they have dancing and live music." Rick told her with a smile on his face. He saw her smile as he pulled away from the hospital.

Manu Hotel

Waikiki, Territory of Hawaii

They arrived at the Manu Hotel where Castle where he allowed the valet to park the car as he and Kate strolled through the lobby towards the restaurant in the back. They could hear the music from the band making its way through the lobby. They arrived where the girl at the hostess desk looked up. "Yes sir."

Castle smiled at the girl. "Lieutenant Richard Castle."

She scanned the list. "Yes sir, if you follow me please."

The hostess led them to a table that was against a wall, but had a view of the band and dance floor and the beach beyond. She handed them their menus and walked away. Castle looked over at Kate who was scanning her menu and smiled. "Thank you for having dinner with me."

"Thank you for asking me." Kate smiled as she found what she wanted to order and set the menu down. "Can I ask you something?"

Castle nodded. "Go ahead."

"How do you do it? Being a father and a career navy officer at the same time." Kate asked as she looked at the man who made her heart jump since meeting him.

"Well Meredith was more focused on her career than being a parent and gave me custody, and my mother has been a huge help as well. Without her I couldn't do it, and I wanted to continue my career because I love it." Castle told her with a smile on his face. He saw Kate blushing knowing she thought she got to personnel. "It's ok Kate. What about you? No ring, no one in your life?"

Kate shook her head. "No one. The person I thought he was, wasn't who he said he was."

Castle looked at her and reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm sorry Kate, and whoever he was is a fool."

Kate looked into Castle's eyes and smiled big. "Thank you."

Before anything could happen, the waiter came over to take their order. "Good evening folks, my name is Henry, what can I get you?"

Castle and Kate both ordered scotch to drink while Castle ordered the scalloped potatoes and ham with a house salad, while Kate ordered the seared tuna with the vegetables and fruit. The waiter nodded and moved off with their order.

"So Rick I know a little about you already, so what else should I know?" Kate asked as the waiter brought over their scotch.

Castle nodded his thanks as he told her about how his marriage fell apart, while growing up with a Broadway star for a mother. He showed pictures of Alexis, and told how he came to be a officer in the navy. As their dinner arrived, he looked at Kate. "So Kate what brought you to the navy?"

Kate told him how she became a nurse and how she came into the navy and to Hawaii. She teared up a little bit as she told him the story about her mother's murder. She accepted Castle's handkerchief. "Thank you."

Castle shook his head. "I'm sorry Kate, I shouldn't have ask."

"It's alright, because it helps to talk about it. And my dad is a lot better now because I helped him get through it." Kate said handing the handkerchief back. She saw Castle take her hands and lean in and give her kiss on the cheek. She looked at him and gave him a light kiss on the lips. She heard music start up again. "Thank you Rick. Feel like dancing to Bennie Goodman."

"Kate Beckett, I would love to." Castle replied. He got up and took her hand and led her to the dance floor where they danced to Bennie Goodman's Swinging at the Savoy. Then to Glenn Miller's moonlight serenade. Kate placed her head in Rick's chest as they danced taking comfort in his warmth and the beating of her heart.

As the night wore on, they strolled along the beach a little bit listening to the music of band drift towards them on the beach. They walked back after a while, where Rick settled the bill and walked out towards the lobby and to get the car. She hooked his arm through his and placed her head on his shoulder as they waited for their car. "I had a wonderful time tonight."

"Me too." Castle remarked as the car pulled up. He opened the door for Kate who nodded her thanks as Castle tipped the valet. He climbed in and pulled the car away from the hotel.

In about 20 minutes they arrived back at the hospital since Kate had the duty the next day. Castle got out and walked around to open the door for her. She took his hand and got out of the car. She looked at the hospital and then to Castle. She was glowing and she smiled at him. "Thank you again Rick for a wonderful time."

"You are welcome and thank you for the wonderful time." Castle replied as he leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips that deepened a bit before they broke. He smiled broadly at her that made her heart really get going. "Call you tomorrow?"

She nodded as she smiled at him that made his heart move faster too. "Yes you can. I get off my watch at 4."

"Okay. Thank you Kate and I'll talk to you tomorrow." Castle answered. He gave her another kiss and walked her up to the doors before he moved back down the stairs and into the car with a smile on his face. "I think I'm hooked."

Back at the nurses berthing, Kate saw her friends waiting for her as she walked up. She had a glow about her that her friends picked up on. "Yes, he is attractive, and I think I'm hooked."

Every one of her friends smiled broadly at her.

Additional note: Remember African Americans were relegated to mess duties aboard warships and were not trained on weapons until after Pearl Harbor. There was segregation on the island that was brought over by the government. I tried to find hotels that would be around but I couldn't. Prior to World War 2 most military members were authorized to wear civilian clothes off post on liberty, but when the war started they had to be in uniform for the most part. Hoped you enjoyed the update.

Correction to additional note: I meant to say after Pearl Harbor when I typed African Americans weren't trained on weapons. It has been corrected. Thank you to ucsbdad and swords writer for pointing that out.

I made date corrections to the story to coincide with the time period. I was a day ahead with everything.