Hi guys

This one should've been a one-shot, but I couldn't stop writing. Since it was too long, I divided this story in four little chapters. I plan on updating every Wednesday.

I even have some ideas to continue after those four chapters, but I'd have to see how you guys like it first.

Until then enjoy those four chapters :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Chapter 1

It was a chilly night, the sun already bid goodbye for the day. Yet the temperature was still pleasant enough to take a walk, just wearing a light coat.

Rick watched some love-struck couples passing by, cuddled up together while enjoying a romantic walk. It was a Friday night, most were probably on a date. Most likely dinner, followed by a movie and some were topping of the night with a walk under the clear sky.

"… then I've told the barkeep that I don't like olives in my drink. I've told him that explicit! And guess what I had in my drink? An olive! Unbelievable, isn't it? This incompetence nowadays."

The shrill voice of his date – Stacy – brought him out of his thoughts and back into the restaurant. Rick had learnt very fast that there wasn't enough alcohol to make her voice – their whole date – better. Not even all the alcohol of the whole world would! For the millionth time tonight, he asked himself how he even could come up with such a crazy idea like a blind date.

Oh right, it wasn't even his crazy idea, but the one of his friend.

Dan Spencer, a good friend and coworker at the fire department, came up with that idea. The sister of an old friend from college was still single, and Dan had thought that it would be perfect to set them up for a blind date. Dan had promised him a nice evening.

Well, it looked more like Dan was trying to set him up with a real party killer. He hadn't been bored like this for a long time. Stacy talked about fashion, manicure, shopping and parties. She talked without a break, and he just nodded absently once and then to keep the appearance that he was really interested in everything she was speaking about. Until now, he successfully made it through to dessert.

When Dan had brought up the idea of a blind date for the first time, he had been rather skeptical. After all, a blind date could end in one of two directions: either it'll be a pleasant evening, or a complete disaster.

In his case, it was the latter of those two.

In spite of his initial skepticism, he had let himself get overcome with a tang of anticipation and the thought about a mysterious woman made him curious. Rick had really been excited for this date. His mother and his daughter had quickly joined in in his excitement. Alexis had helped him choosing what to wear for the night and his mother… well, she had had some encouraging words for him. But she always had some of them. She was just glad that he was taking another chance in the dating world.

"Who knows, maybe you'll meet the one today." She had said, bidding him goodbye. Who knows, he had thought. Maybe his mother would be right and he'd meet the right one.

He rolled his eyes as he thought back to that. But she had been right about one thing. Since his divorce from Meredith, there hadn't been anyone. Merely one or two short affairs that was all.

Until now he had been hiding rather successfully behind the role of a single father and the very busy fireman. Rick also had the feeling that this wasn't just the idea of Dan, but his mother had yet to tip her hand.

Before he had gone to the restaurant, which was localized in a quieter neighborhood with some apartment buildings, he had stopped to buy a bouquet of flowers. However as he had stood in the flower shop, he had changed his opinion. A whole bouquet would be a little too much for a blind date, he had thought, suddenly getting nervous. At the end he had decided on buying one single flower, a mini-gerbera. She was wonderful. The flower was lightly pink at the end of its petal and the rest was white, the middle part was completely dark. It was unique and he had hoped that his date would be the same.

Unique.

Rick had had to wait only a few minutes before the door opened and a breath-taking, beautiful woman entered the cozy restaurant.

She looked good, better than good actually. Long blond hair cascaded down over her shoulders. Her red dress looked good on her tall and athletic figure. The light of the candles was reflected in her azure eyes.

Breaking out of his daze, he had stood up to greet her.

"Stacy?" she had nodded confirming. "Hi, I'm Rick, but you probably already know that." He had smiled nervously. He had been absolutely out of his comfort zone at that moment. He still was. It was a long time since he last had been on a date. Too long.

"Here, it's for you. A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady." He had said smilingly, passing her the mini-gerbera.

"Oh, I'm allergic. Sorry." Stacy had shrugged, ignoring the flower and had taken her seat at the table. Setback number one.

After the starter had come setback number two:the fatal one. He was bored. Stacy looked beautiful, but her character just didn't fit to him. She was too superficial, and if her stories were any indication she was apparently a little arrogant. She just wasn't the right one for him.

He had stopped listening since the main course had been served. The topics were dull. Things anyone could read up in gossip magazines.

Rick was happy when the dessert was served. Not long anymore and he'd have successfully survived this date.

"So, how many kittens have you already saved from trees?"she asked with a flirting smile.

Rick had to suppress rolling his eyes. Why did people think that a fireman had nothing better to do than saving cats out of trees? Honestly, they got up there without any problems, and they almost always got down on the ground again by themselves. Without the help of the fire department. It was extremely rare that the fire department had to save any kitten out of trees.

"I've never had to help any cat out of a tree. However, I saved some animals from getting burned. Mostly dogs, but there were some cats too."

"I can't imagine how hard it has to be to decide who to save first."

"Well, it's a little tricky at the beginning, but after some time at the fire department it's not a problem anymore. If there's a decision to be made between human and animal, it's always the human who comes first. They're our first priority." stated Rick.

Of course he was sorry for any animal he had to leave behind, getting trapped by the flames. Knowing that they're going to be burned alive. But he had to take care of the well-being of any person he encounters while being on scene. Any thoughts of saving any animal came after that. One of the worst things was telling a child that their animal wouldn't come back, that their friend was gone. His heart broke every time he saw those small teary eyes, knowing that their world just came crashing down.

Kids shouldn't be confronted with loss, but that was how the world functioned and he couldn't change it. Even if he wanted too.

"Well-" Stacy begun, but was interrupted by a loud, ear-deafening bang.

Rick knew that kind of noise. It had been an explosion, and according to the sound level it had to be pretty close. Rick's instincts took over and he immediately searched for the source. Outside were people running hysterically around, screaming something. However Rick didn't hear anything. All sounds were faded to the background.

He wasn't the Rick Rodgers who was on a date anymore. He was the Rick Rodgers who was on duty.

Please let me know what you think.

All my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the passengers and crew members of the Germanwings flight 4U9525.