A/N: Sorry for the delay on this one. I didn't mean for almost two months to pass before I posted again. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up soon since I'm getting into the meat of the story and that always motivates me to write more.
Of course, she'd had first dates before, but something about this date with Richard Castle, of all people, twisted her nerves in ways she never experienced before. She knew it wasn't a foreboding feeling, but something akin to the nervous anticipation of a graduation ceremony or the last day at a job; this date was marking the end of something she suspected would forever be known as BRC—Before Richard Castle.
When her best friend, Lanie, who also happened to be a medical examiner, found out about her impending date, Kate was grilled like she often does to murder suspects. Lanie was like a bloodhound when it came to subtle changes in her friends' demeanors, especially Kate Beckett's. So, when Kate walked into the morgue the day after the Police Commissioner's Ball with a slightly upturned lip, Lanie released a barrage of questions and demands for information. Kate folded like tissue paper and revealed everything. She had a date with a handsome, wealthy, and frankly annoying albeit charming writer whose books were like a security blanket during the darkest times of her life following her mother's murder. How many people could say they were going on a real date with someone, someone famous at that, who they admired for years?
The one thing Kate didn't mention to Lanie regarding Rick was how nervous she was, that is she didn't mention it until two hours before the date when Lanie appeared on her doorstep. Lanie, with her witchy powers of intuition, seemed to already know about Kate's nerves and came prepared with a pep talk, a new dress, and a willing ear.
"This is crazy, Lanie. Why does this one date feel like I'm meeting the President or the Queen of England?" Kate asked, as she paced around her bedroom with her friend sitting on her bed.
"I suspect because you sense this could turn into something serious."
"I barely know him."
"That doesn't negate the fact that you clearly have a connection with him that is stronger than the length of your relationship. My grandparents were married for 68 years and do you know how long they knew each other on the day they got married? Three weeks."
Kate stopped mid-pace and glared at Lanie. "I'm not going to marry him. Especially not in three weeks."
"Famous last words, Kate. Famous last words."
"Shut up."
Lanie grinned.
Rick and Kate agreed to meet up at a restaurant that happened to be a few blocks from her apartment. It was a balmy May evening and Kate decided to walk to the restaurant, despite wearing heels that were almost uncomfortable. She had a silky dark pink shawl draped over her arms and hanging low against her back that complemented her little black dress and she knew she looked good. Lanie only inflated her confidence a million times over before Kate kicked her out so she could leave to meet Rick.
She was set to arrive a little early, so it was a surprise when she turned onto the street of her destination and saw a visibly nervous Richard Castle pacing just outside the entrance to the restaurant. He switched between wringing his hands and shoving them in his pockets before deciding to cross his arms and lock his hands under his armpits to keep himself from moving around so much.
Kate smirked and felt a flutter in her chest from realizing that a minor celebrity seemed to be nervous about a date with her, a homicide cop. She wondered how long it would take for Rick to realize she was approaching. It was very obvious when Rick spotted her though because his entire face lit up like a spotlight from the heavens had suddenly focused on him. He released his hands from their armpit prison and practically skipped to her.
"Kate, I'm so glad to see you! I was getting worried that you might have changed your mind."
"I kind of got that impression when I first saw you from back there," Kate chuckled.
"Oh." Rick's face flushed as his gaze fell to his shoes. "I'm a little nervous if you couldn't tell."
Kate reached out and touched his forearm and Rick looked up again to meet her eyes. "I am too, Rick and I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be here."
Rick released a breath and reciprocated her soft and tender smile. Kate quickly leaned in and gave him a peck against the corner of his mouth.
"Should we go in?" she asked.
Rick struggled to find his voice and croaked out, "yeah," before Kate looped her arm in his and lead a suddenly unsteady Rick into the restaurant like he was 100-year-old man taking his great-great granddaughter out for Sunday brunch.
It was a surprise to both when the date neared its conclusion and they each thought it was going well, exceptional in fact. Kate's cheeks had never ached from too much smiling and laughter as it did that night and Rick could feel his shattered heart come back together with every familiar and melodic laugh that Kate let out. It was their first date and Rick was already in love. Granted, part of him still felt like he already knew her for five years even if it was all something his subconscious mind had created in a few hours.
After settling the bill and exiting the restaurant, the couple stood in front of the other feeling the nerves from earlier creep back.
Kate broke the silence and stated, "I had an amazing time tonight."
"I did too. I'd love to do this again sometime. Are you free tomorrow night?"
Kate chuckled at his eagerness. "Walk me home and I'll think about it," she said with beguiling smirk.
Rick puffed out his chest in a playful and dramatic fashion and pretended to yank on imaginary tuxedo lapels. He offered his arm and said in a posh-like and poorly attempted British accent, "Milady."
Kate laughed again and said, "you are such a dork." But that didn't stop her from taking his arm and walking with him down the sidewalk.
Each step to her apartment was a reminder that the date was ending, but neither wanted to see that happen. The building was a mere five hundred feet away and as much as Kate wanted to ask him up to her place, she knew that she shouldn't. At least not so soon. Maybe in another life she would have been the type to sleep with someone on a first date, but in this life she wasn't.
"So, this is me," Kate said. She turned to face him once more and gave him an almost indecipherable smile given the mixed and intense emotions she was feeling.
"Can I kiss you?"
Kate nodded, knowing she would only be able to give him a breathy and silent assent otherwise.
Rick leaned toward her and raised his right hand to cup her cheek. Their hearts pounded in their chests in a syncopated harmony and when their lips met, a whooshing crescendo roared in their ears as their blood raced. They moved their arms to embrace the other and deepen the kiss.
How could a first kiss feel like the New York Philharmonic Orchestra had encircled them while performing the soundtrack of an epic romance? It was better than Kate had imagined and Rick had remembered.
"God, you are making it so hard for me to not invite you up," Kate panted against his lips before diving back in for a shorter, but still as intense, kiss.
"You have no idea how hard it is for me to not try to convince you that you should"
"That's a bad idea."
"Definitely a bad idea."
Kate rested her head against his shoulder and grinned into his neck. Both of them still breathing heavy.
"Tomorrow night isn't soon enough for a second date," she admitted and lifted her head from his shoulder to gaze in his eyes. "I'm not on shift tomorrow. Are you free for breakfast?"
"Breakfast? You can't make it any sooner? What would you call a meal between dinner and breakfast? Breakner? Dinfast? Brenner?"
Kate bit back a smile. "I'd call it a date assuming you are free."
"I might be able to pencil you in for 9AM if that works for you," Rick teased.
"Pencil me in? You got other dates lined up that prevents you from using ink?"
Rick knew she was playing along, but his tone turned serious in his response. "No, not at all. I'll put your name down in ink for the rest of my life."
Kate's breath caught in her throat, her smile disappeared and Rick's did the same.
"I…" Rick started to back track, but was stopped when Kate smothered his words with another kiss, then she turned and sprinted to the front door of her building.
"Nine AM, Rick. Put it in ink," she called out, turning quickly to give him a brilliant smile before disappearing into the apartment lobby.
Rick stood there in a daze watching the large glass door close behind the whirlwind that was Kate Beckett. There was no need to put anything ink because she was already tattooed into his every fiber of his being.