Kate stood among the crowd as they gathered around and waited for Alex Conrad to come on stage.

He had just finished signing the book Rick had purchased for her. She had, of course, insisted that she would buy it herself but Rick was persistent.

Sometimes I just like to buy little gifts for my friends, he had told her. It's how I show I care.

Considering the earlier mention of a rare car as a gift, she figured letting him buy her a book really wasn't that bad.

Alex took the stage, his presence demanding of attention. The man really did remind her of Rick; the way he could completely captivate his audience, the boyish charm he exuded as he worked the crowd. She could see why he was apparently being dubbed the next Richard Castle.

Kate looked at the man beside her through the corner of her eye. Rick watched Conrad as he began to read to the crowd; a certain sense of pride in his expression. She hadn't doubted Rick earlier in the night when he had said that he was happy for Conrad's success, but this moment really solidified that for her. Satisfied that Rick was okay, that whatever thoughts of self-doubt had previously clouded his mind were no longer lingering, she turned her attention back to Conrad.

She listened intently as he read. She had been to book parties before - granted, none to this large a scale - and this part of the event was always her favourite. There was something so special about an author reading their own stories aloud, about getting to hear a story read exactly how they had imagined it.

Her thoughts drifted to Rick - as they so often seemed to do these days. She imagined what it would be like to hear his voice reading to her, to absorb his stories as deep, rich soundwaves rather than ink on a page.

She could summon the movie-like scene so easily in her mind: just the two of them in a log cabin somewhere; fireplace crackling in the background as they lounge in the radiating warmth. In her mind he would sit in front of her, lean back against her as he read the pages aloud. She would massage her fingers through his hair as she hung on his every word.

"Kate?"

The whisper of her name pulled her back to reality; the stage, the crowd that surrounded them, Conrad all came back into focus.

She turned to look at Rick. "Hmm?"

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice hushed but concerned. "You kinda zoned out there."

She smiled. "I'm fine, just thinking," she reassured him.

He returned her smile. Curiosity flashed in the features of his face but he didn't pry, just went back to listening to Conrad.

The crowd began to applaud when Conrad finished the excerpt. Kate tucked the book she held under her arm, freeing her hands to join in the applause.

"Wasn't that amazing?" She heard a soft female voice say.

She turned her head toward Rick and noticed a young woman standing by his side, looking at him expectantly. Rick continued to clap - his eyes roaming, absorbing as much detail as they could - completely oblivious to the woman trying to converse with him.

Kate nudged his rib with her elbow to gain his attention, tilted her head to gesture toward the unknown person.

Rick followed her gesture and Kate saw the exact moment realisation lit up his face.

"Oh, yeah," he agreed. "Conrad's got talent, that's for sure."

The woman smiled and nodded her agreeance. "I just love the genre, you know? There's nothing better than a good mystery!"

Kate tried to ignore the flicker of irritation rising to her chest. An apparent lover of mystery novels not recognising one of the biggest players in the game? She just didn't buy that.

"Me too," Rick replied noncommittally.

"Jamielle." The woman held out her hand. "Jamielle Rueben."

Rick smiled and took the proffered hand to shake.

"Richard Castle," he introduced himself. "This is-"

"No way!" Jamielle gasped, cutting him off before he had the chance to introduce Kate. "The Richard Castle? Author of the Five Families series?"

And there it was, Kate thought.

"One and the same," Rick said with a camera-ready smile.

"I cannot believe I am actually meeting you!" Jamielle gushed.

From her position hidden behind him, Kate saw four digits wrap around Rick's bicep and squeeze.

"I just finished reading Capo Dei Capi," Jamielle continued excitedly. "Could not put it down!"

"Oh, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Enjoyed it? I'm obsessed with it!"

Kate took a step back. It was obvious that she wasn't needed - nor wanted - for this conversation and the seats they had left abandoned across the room were calling to her. But Rick had already noticed the increase in distance between them, even without being able to see it, and he moved a hand behind his back, reaching for her.

She smiled and slipped her fingers through his. The irritation in her chest eased.

"Is it true they're making the series into a television show?" Jamielle continued. "Because, if you're looking for your Chiara, I'm actually an actress."

"You know, I can see the vision," Rick said encouragingly. "There's not gonna be a TV series, though. I have no idea how that rumour took off."

"Oh." Jamielle deflated, pouted theatrically. "Damn. Well, if they ever do, keep me in mind won't you?"

"I will definitely do that," Rick assured her, but Kate could hear the strain in his voice.

His words from weeks ago echoed through her mind: everyone wants something from me. Even strangers, evidently.

Kate stepped forward, leant her forehead against Rick's back as her hand flitted up his side.

Her touch was fleeting, gone before he had a chance to appreciate it, but he understood why. They were, after all, still standing in the centre of a crowded room.

He turned to face her, adjusted their intertwined fingers to a more comfortable position because there was no way he was going to willingly lose this last point of contact just yet.

"I'd watch it," Kate said.

Rick tilted his head slightly. "Watch what?"

"A TV show based on the Five Families series," she explained, reminding him of the conversation he'd literally just had. "I'd be interested in that."

"How do you know?" he asked with narrowed eyes. "You haven't even read the books yet."

Kate returned his frown, but her heart just wasn't in it - it couldn't be, not when his thumb rubbed gentle circles around the protruding bone of her wrist.

"Yeah, well, I'm still recovering from the last book," she grumbled. "I don't know if I'm ready to get invested in any of your characters again, Rick."

Rick laughed: she was kinda cute when she was mad. "I'm never gonna hear the end of that, am I?"

"Nope."

"Fantastic," he uttered sarcastically.

Kate used the hand not intertwined with Rick's to grab the book she had tucked under her arm.

"Hey, do you mind holding this for a minute? I just need to use the bathroom."

"Yeah, of course." He took the book from her. "I'll grab us a drink and head back to the table."

"Thanks."

She looked down at their still-joined hands, Rick's eyes followed.

"One of us is gonna have to let go," he stated the obvious.

Kate shrugged. "Or I could just drag you in there with me," she said jokingly, realising the connotations too late.

Her focus shifted back to Rick - his eyes already locked on her - and a frenzied flutter filled her chest, the kinetic energy turning to heat that rose to her cheeks.

"I like your style, Detective," he teased. "Fortunately, I am quite the gentleman so I won't read too much into that little suggestion of yours."

She pressed her lips into a fine line that barely concealed her smile, slowly shaking her head.

He so obviously enjoyed toying with her; but two could play this game of his.

Once again, she looked down at their hands, gliding her thumb along the plains of his palm before slipping from his grasp.

"That's a shame," she whispered.

Before Rick had a chance to respond in any way whatsoever, she sauntered away. Once she had the safety net of half a room's distance between them she looked over her shoulder.

Rick stood, watching: completely transfixed by her.

She had half expected Rick to follow her into the bathroom and, honestly, she wasn't quite sure if she was relieved or disappointed when he hadn't. Not that anything would have happened; there wasn't even a lock on the door. But the fact that she had even checked had her stomach knotting, her heart racing. She didn't know what it was about this man that made it so hard to keep her damn libido in check.

She took an extra moment for herself, standing at the basin letting the cool water run over her hands and wrists. It didn't seem to help at all.

The door to the bathroom burst open and two women walked in, arms linked as they giggled and chattered giddily.

Kate smiled to herself. The evident intoxication aside, these women seemed to be enjoying themselves, which was always nice to see.

"She's a better person than I am!" the first woman announced as she stumbled to the basin. She placed both hands flat on the marble bench, stared at her reflection in the mirrored-tile wall. "It would be a cold day in hell if I was ever that friendly with my ex-husband," she finished with a laugh.

Her friend stood beside her and began to gussy up her appearance, tucking longs strands of rich auburn hair behind her ear. "Your ex-husband isn't earning you millions," the faux redhead excused. "Rick Castle is the golden goose; she would have been a fool to drop him. He's made her richer than you and I combined!"

Kate stiffened at the mention of Rick's name, a sudden nervousness blooming within.

She turned off the tap and flicked the tiny beads of water from her hands into the ceramic bowl, ready to make her escape. She wasn't interested in overhearing anything else they might have to say about her... her friend.

"Hmm, do you think he's looking for wife number three yet?"

Kate looked up, unintentionally staring at the woman's mirrored reflection and she and her friend laughed. Despite the slight flare of possessiveness that stirred within, her gaze remained soft; surprised, not bitter. Something for which she was grateful for when the woman looked her way and they locked eyes through the mirror.

"What?" the stranger had asked defensively but before Kate had a chance to look away, to be ashamed, the woman smiled. "Have you seen the man?"

Kate smiled. "Yeah, I've seen him."

"Then you understand, right?" the woman inquired. "He is dreamy," she purred.

"I'm pretty sure he's single," the friend informed them, an encouraging smile on her face as she nudged the first woman with her elbow.

Without hesitation Kate shook her head. "I don't think he is, sorry."

She walked away before she had a chance to say anything else that she shouldn't.

Damn, she heard as the door swung shut behind her.

She wasn't sure why she had said that: Rick was as good as single. No, not as good as... he is single. She was the one who had made that decision, the one who had set that boundary and (mostly) kept from crossing it. Even though she knew - knew without a hint of doubt - that Rick wanted more, wanted her, it wasn't her place to intervene on his behalf.

She shook her head, shook off the interaction, and headed back to their table.

As she got closer she could see Rick sitting with two fresh drinks in front of him, Gina sat across the table. They were all smiles, the conversation seeming significantly more pleasant than the brief interaction she had witnessed outside the bookstore.

Rick looked up, smiling when he saw her approaching.

"Here she is." He pulled the free stool beside him out from under the table and Kate joined them. "You remember Gina, right?"

"Of course," she said with a smile.

Gina held her hand across the table in greeting. "Wonderful to properly meet you," she said.

Kate smiled. "You too."

"I do apologise for the last time our paths crossed; I hope I didn't come across as rude-"

"Oh, not at all," Kate pardoned.

"It's just- keeping Rick on a tight schedule is-" Gina sighed. "God, some days it's like trying to keep a five year old on track," she laughed.

"Hey now!" Rick scoffed, feigning offence.

Kate smiled. "Not an easy task, I imagine," she added playfully.

The easy interaction between the two women did ease Rick's concerns about this night, about the merging of two worlds, about Kate having to actually meet yet another ex-wife. It was sure as hell going a lot better than meeting Meredith had.

"I kid, Richard." Gina tapped the back of her hand to his bicep. "I know I can always count on you."

Kate smiled at the sincerity of the comment.

"I just wanted to say that I appreciate you both coming," Gina continued. "I know you had plans tonight."

"No, this is great. Thank you for-"

Gina held her hand up to stop Rick. "Save it, I know you don't wanna be here," she stated bluntly, but her smile didn't fade. "You being here is good for Alex, it's good for me, I appreciate it."

"Seriously, I'm happy to be here. You know I do anything I can to help you out. Besides, it evens the karmic scale and makes up for the other ninety-eight percent of the time that I'm being a total pain in your ass."

"That's not quite how that works," Kate commented under her breath.

Rick shrugged. "Seems to be working so far."

Gina rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Anyway, you've fulfilled your obligation and I appreciate it. There's a fleet of town cars out front, feel free to use one when you're ready to leave. Otherwise, enjoy the rest of your night."

"Thank you," Kate said and Gina walked away. "She seems nice," she added once they were alone again.

"Yeah," Rick agreed. "In a tightly-wound, do as I say or else kind of way."

Kate arched her brow.

"What can I say? I guess bossy is my type," he teased.

She swatted his arm playfully, chuckled at the implication that wasn't entirely wrong.

Rick sipped his champagne, ready to allow a comfortable silence to fall over them but as he looked back at Kate he could see the questions swirling in behind her eyes, the curiosity that lit them up. Reluctantly, he continued.

"Yeah, she's nice," he said, confirming her previous statement. "She's, uh, she's been a good friend to me over the years."

"That's good," she encouraged.

She'd had her suspicions that her own insecurities were causing Rick to downplay the friendship he had with his ex-wife, which was the furthest thing from what she wanted, so his honesty (even though reluctant) was appreciated. She was determined to find a way to show him that, no matter what, honesty was the most important thing.

She lowered her hand to his thigh, gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Thank you for asking me to come with you tonight, Rick."

He placed his arm around her lower back, smiled as she leant her body into him. "I really didn't want to come," he admitted with a quiet laugh. His lips ghosted against the top of her head, the urge to kiss her so close to crumbling his restraint. "but I'm glad we're here."

She shifted to look at him, the little voice in her mind telling her to do what he so obviously wanted to, but her focus was momentarily stolen.

Over Rick's shoulder she saw the two women from the bathroom watching them.

The woman who had gushed about how dreamy Rick was looked absolutely mortified as she mouthed I'm so sorry across the room.

Kate smiled, shook her head to signify no harm done.

Rick looked over his shoulder, saw the two women that stood awkwardly, smiling at Kate.

"Make a friend, did you?" he asked as he turned back to face her.

"Not quite." She looked at Rick, could see the curiosity in his eyes. "I think I may have ruined your chances of picking up tonight, though," she joked.

Rick sighed forcefully. "Again?" he whined, but his smile only grew brighter.

"I'm so sorry." But the smile on her face was anything but apologetic.

"No, I get it: you don't wanna share."

"Share?"

"It's totally understandable."

Kate rolled her eyes and brought her glass to her lips. "Thank you for your understanding," she said before sipping from her drink.

Rick looked back out into the crowd, eyes searching for the ladies that had since vanished.

"What's wrong, Rick?" Kate asked, a hint of mischief in her voice. "Worried they told me all your sordid secrets?"

"They obviously skipped all the good stuff if you came right back to me," he whispered.

Kate placed her forearms on the table and leant in closer. "I guess I'm just a sucker for a bad boy."

Rick laughed but his mind drifted, wondering what exactly had happened in the few short minutes she had been alone.

He was certain that his name had been dropped from many mouths in many bathrooms over the years but he would be foolish to assume all of those conversations - if any - had been good.

"Seriously though, I hope you weren't made uncomfortable by anything they said."

She shook her head. "Honestly, they didn't say much at all. I think the word dreamy may have been mentioned-"

He pointed to his face. "Obviously," he joked.

"But they didn't know that I was here with you. I don't think they would have so freely gushed over you if they had known."

"Oh. That's- that's good," he said, surprised.

"Were you expecting something bad?"

"No, I just-" Rick sighed. "You're probably gonna hear things about me, Kate. Or read things; there's no shortage of stories out there and not all of them are good."

"I don't care about that, Rick," she assured him. "I know better than to buy into what some gossip columnist writes about you. And I really don't put that much credence into bathroom chatter, either, just so you know. Even if they had said something about you that had bothered me, I'd just ask you about it."

Because, with Rick, she knew that she could do that. He'd never had a problem with her asking, would happily answer any questions she had thrown his way. Even the tough ones. That's just how he was; how she wanted to be. Open books: both wanting to learn, both willing to share. It was new for her, the ability to venture away from safe and guarded. Even with Adam - the only other man to ever fully break down that wall of hers - it hadn't been this easy.

"I would love to know your story, Rick, every little detail of it. But I want to hear it from you, no one else."

Rick looked at Kate, absolutely enamoured with her faith in him, the budding sense of loyalty he felt for her (that he was certain was mutual).

He had absolute faith that this was leading somewhere. Somewhere great. But he was more than willing to wait, to take this detour into friendship first because, in the end, it could only make them stronger.

Despite his reputation, he'd always been a hopeless romantic - always the first to fall, always the one to put in the effort, always the one to get hurt - but he never let that get to him, never let the hurt change who he was. He knew that in life you love and you lose: that's just how it is. Hearts mend, wounds heal. But Kate was different. Already, the thought of one day losing her filled him with a sickness that scared him. It could only get worse - the harder he fell, the more it would hurt. There was a real chance that she could be the one to break him.

Still, he trusted her explicitly, he refused to shy away.

"You wanna get out of here?" he dared to ask.

The corner of her mouth curled into a crooked smile. "I thought you'd never ask."