"She can't be serious," Martha cried as she set the table. "It's insane."

"I don't know, it's kind of romantic," Alexis chimed in. "Meeting back up all these years and falling in love all over again? It's a beautiful love story."

"Whose side are you on?" Castle demanded.

"So?" Alexis avoided his question, "what's Detective Beckett going to do?"

"That remains to be unseen," Castle ran a hand through his hair as he spoke. He'd felt nauseous since Lucas made his big announcement. He'd felt nauseous since Kate didn't refuse him outright. He wished she wasn't such a mystery; he wished he knew what Kate was thinking, what she'd do.

Kate sunk herself down in the water, submerging herself in the warm bath. She couldn't stop thinking about what happened at work even though all she wanted was to forget for 5 minutes. She hadn't thought of Lucas in years and now he was all she could focus on.

The summer before she left for college she had grown close to Lucas. At first, she'd been wildly attracted to him. At that time, every girl was and he knew it. He went through women so fast that Kate never let herself fall for his tricks. Although it would have meant something to her, it would have meant nothing to Lucas.

But today he stood in her precinct and told her that he wanted her. Not just to be with her but to marry her. She'd all but given up the childhood dreams of being a bride. She knew she wasn't easy to get to know and she often intimidated men. She couldn't pretend the idea didn't intrigue her. It would be a relief to be out of the dating world. It would be a relief to stop overanalyzing Castle's every move, every word, searching for signs he felt the same.

Castle.

Castle was the biggest reason for her reluctance. If she had let herself daydream about weddings, it was always with Castle. She'd been smitten since they'd first met and the attraction had only grown as she got to know him. Unfortunately, she got the idea that he was out for a conquest, not a relationship.

But now it all changed.

Lucas didn't just want to sleep with her, he wanted to marry her. With one answer she could have the marriage and life she'd dreamt of.

Except she wouldn't have Castle.

She sighed in frustration. It always went back to Castle. She always came back to Castle.

As she drained the tub, she thought of Lucas. They'd lost touch so long ago that it was almost like strangers meeting for the first time. They hadn't even been in touch when her mother was murdered. The death of Johanna changed Kate forever. Was he really ready to settle down with this version of her? Could she really lower her guard enough to let him in?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone rang.

"Beckett," she answered, not recognizing the phone number. "Oh, Lucas… yes, I've been thinking about it. It's hard not to," she offered a soft chuckle. "Actually, I thought we could get together and catch up. I'd like to get to know you a little better… perfect, give me a half hour…"

She hung up the phone and rushed to get ready. She tore her closet apart in search of the perfect outfit before settling on jeans, a black lace tank top and her signature heels. As she studied herself in the mirror she found herself wishing she were meeting Castle. She sighed again, wishing she weren't so pathetically in love with Castle. But, if Castle wasn't making a move, why should she wait around?

"Kate," Lucas smiled as he hopped off the barstool, "you look… I mean, damn…"

Kate smiled, feeling the heat on her cheeks. "Thank you, that's very sweet."

"Let me get you a drink. Let me guess, vodka cranberry?"

"Just a beer is fine. Bottle."

"I didn't expect that," he admitted.

"Maybe it's time to get to know me. The real me…"

"That's all I want," Lucas admitted. "For now… Now tell me about yourself. Why did you become a cop? You were pretty serious about becoming a lawyer."

Kate bit her lower lip. "My uhh… my mom was murdered. It… it changed me. So I became a homicide detective. What do you do?"

"I'm an account executive. No where near as exciting as your job," he chuckled. "I've read about your involvement with Richard Castle…"

"Oh yeah…" the last thing Kate wanted was to be reminded of Castle, especially since she'd just gotten him off her mind.

"So how does that work, exactly?" He pushed.

"It's simple, really. He's my partner, he just isn't an NYPD officer. But he does everything else a cop would. Except paperwork," she rolled her eyes playfully, her mind once again going back to Castle.

"And in turn you follow him? I've seen you in the media with him."

"No, not really. I mean, I went to the movie premier with him. And I go to his book signings, just to support him. Oh, well… I guess I have joined him for a few interviews…" She hadn't realized how often she'd been by his side for his career. Come to think of it, she'd taken for granted just how often he'd been by her side for her own achievements in her career.

"I'll bet with that kind of money, you could retire from the force…"

"Oh, I don't get paid for it," she said quickly. Defensively. What business was it of his if and how she got paid.

"I just thought a man like Richard Castle could afford it—"

"Are we talking about me or Castle?" She asked, growing irritated.

Lucas put his hands up in mock surrender. "I didn't mean anything by it…"

"You know what, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm a little tense…"

"What's got you so tense?" He pressed, sipping his wine.

"It's nothing, really." Kate tried not to think about the fact that she'd easily told Castle about the nightmares but couldn't bring herself to tell Lucas. She also tried not to think of the fact that she'd spent the entire date thinking of Castle. "So… account executive. What made you decide on that career?"

"I like money," he chuckled arrogantly, trying a tad too hard to impress Kate. "I'm good at it. Really good."

Kate smiled nervously, unsure if he was cocky or nervous.

"So tell me, Kate, why are you still single?"

Kate stammered a moment before answering. She was taken aback from the casualness in which he'd asked. "I'm married to my work," she finally managed.

"That was my answer," he chuckled nervously. "That would make marriage a lot easier, not having to feel guilty for staying late at the office."

"That would be really nice," Kate admitted. "My job is always a cause of conflict in relationships."

"I didn't think anything could stop a man from being with you." He smiled at the way Kate's cheeks flushed.

"You'd be surprised," she quipped. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

Lucas nodded and quickly paid the check, refusing to accept Kate's money.

"I don't normally do this," Lucas started when they'd reached Kate's apartment building, "but could I come in for a nightcap? I just want to get to know you more…"

Kate tugged at her ear nervously. "It's pretty late and I have to be up early. But I'd like to see you again…"

Lucas grinned widely before closing the gap between them. Instantly his lips were on hers, his tongue sliding across hers. She let herself go and enjoy the kiss. Her hands tangled in his hair as he moved his attention to her neck. He kissed the sensitive skin as she closed her eyes and craned her neck to give him more access.

"Castle," she moaned, making them both stop in their tracks. "Oh my God… I didn't… I don't know…"

Lucas just smiled politely. "That's okay. We can work on that," he winked. "Night, Kate."

And with that, Lucas disappeared into the hustling New York City crowd. He left Kate wondering just why he was so unphased when she called the wrong name.