Haven't felt much in the mood for Castle fanfics after last season and all the rumors that went around after the shows ending but I'm back and I've been reading over the last few chapters and decided why not try writing another one!

Kate left faster ran faster than the speed of light out of that apartment. She had promised herself she couldn't get into a relationship with him. She had to keep her feelings to herself, for Alexis. She knew it would break that little girl heart if things didn't work out for them.

She didn't call him the next day. Or the next day, or the next day.

Rick was getting impatient and so was the red head. So mustering up the courage he picked up the phone and called her.

The phone rang for what felt like hours until she picked up. "Rick."

"Kate" They sat for a few minutes until she broke the silence, "I'm sorry about the other night."

"No Kate, don't be sorry, I know I'm not." Rick said smiling from the other end.

"Stop, we can't do this. Think about Alexis Rick!"

"I am. This wouldn't be such a bad thing Kate, think about it."

"Yeah I have. Rick if this didn't work out, it would break Alexis heart."

"But Kate, think about if this did work. Alexis would have you as a mom, you can fill that void that Meredith left. In her and me. I think we could do this Kate. And even if we didn't work out, which let's be honest I won't let that happen, Alexis can still see you. You can still be a part of her life!"

Kate sighed. She was so tempted to say yes. "Rick I like you a lot and I want to say yes but I just can't. Everyones gonna know right away and I don't want to deal with that."

"Then it's just you and me. Nobody has to know. We don't even have to tell Alexis or mother yet."

Kate laughed. "Yeah like you'd be able to keep this a secret. Plus Alexis would sense something was different."

"She already has Kate. She doesn't understand why you left. Now stop making excuses. Let's go to the Hamptons together. We can start there. It's private and well be alone-"

Kate felt too overwhelmed. "Rick stop. I'll do dinner. Pick me up at 8? Then we can talk about the Hamptons."

"You know, I always thought that'd be a great wedding destination someday"

"Castle"

"Maybe a honeymoon"

"Castle"

"Or where we could vacation with all our kids-"

"Castle!"

"Sorry what?"

"Lets focus on dinner. See you at 8" Kate said punctually, quickly hanging up the phone and flopping down on her bed. She could not believe what she had gotten herself into.

8 o'clock came faster than expected as she stood in front of her closet staring at the ocean of clothes in front of her. Carefully pulling out her favorite black dress she slipped it on along with a pair of black pumps and one of her mothers necklaces.

She was shook out memories of her mother as the doorbell rang.

Sighing, she smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in her dress and made her way to the front door.

Opening it, she found herself face to face with a bouquet of white lilies. She smiled as the man behind lowered the flowers exposing that silly boyish grin. She couldn't help but smile as he handed her the flowers.

"Rick thank you, you really didn't have too."

"Ah just my way of saying thank you, for taking care of Alexis. And a sneak peek as to what I have to offer in the relationship." He said with a smirk.

"Shall we go then?" She said with a sigh.

He had taken her to a little Italian place. Dimly lighted and private, they sat in the back of the restaurant in a booth, her back to the windows. Probably for the paparazzi, she thought. The idea of being talked about in tabloids scared the crap out of her but she knew that Rick would try to prevent that at all costs as he so graciously respected her privacy.

Sitting down, the waiter arrived instantaneously, placing down a bottle of chateau margaux. Her eyes widened at the sophisticated expensive choice of the seemingly childish mystery writer.

Taking a sip she closed her eyes enjoying the taste as the wine sat in her mouth. Swallowing, she looked up to see Castle staring back at her. She smiled at him as he smiled back.

"So" She started, "Are you considering this a date, because really Castle I don't think we should rush things all too much."

"I know what you think Kate. I'm sure you've read the tabloids, heard rumors about me, but I'm hoping that you can learn the real me. And as for rushing into things, we don't have to. We can go slow, nobody has to even know were dating. Except Alexis of course, she should give us her blessing, which knowing how much she adores you, shouldn't be problem." Kate sheepishly smiled glancing down contemplating whether it was cute or weird that he required his 5 year old daughters permission to date.

"I appreciate that Castle. I really don't want to rush anything. I'm only 22, I just finished academy and this is my first year in homicide. I feel like I'm still getting my life together."

"Then we'll go slow. I just want to give this a try. I'm not getting any younger here, I'm almost 30 and I don't want to wait. I really like you Kate I just can't help but imagine the life we could have together."

Kates breath caught in her throat. She had never seen herself as someone who would settle down so young. Not to mention someone much older, and with a child that could practically be her sister. Her life was taking an unexpected turn and her heart was screaming for her to jump in the deep end and take a chance on the relationship she could have. After her split from Josh she never wanted to start dating until she felt confident in herself. But Rick was different. He seemed to accept her for who she truly was and hadn't tried to change her. Looking up at him she leaned over the table and placed a soft kiss on his lips. She felt him melt into her and felt his tongue meet hers. Pulling back she smiled up at him and said "Let's do it."

The look on his face said it all and the rest of dinner went off without a hitch. She talked with him about her mother, something she had never so openly shared, but it was easy with him. They talked about his relationship with Meredith and his mother and about his books, about which Kate loved hearing. And by the time they were done, the waiters were stacking up chairs getting ready to kick them out of the restaurant. Looking down at her phone she realized it was quarter to midnight.

"Rick, we really should get going, it's almost midnight."

"Man how the time flies." He said as he stood up offering his hand to her.

They walked out to the car that was waiting and she followed him in.

What Rick said next had her lost for words. "How about we spend the night at my place." Her face pale, she glanced up at him. "Oh kate, no not like that." The giggled nervously. "Alexis and my mother will be waiting up. I just thought, you have work tomorrow and my place is so much closer to the precinct, you could just sleep over. Some of your stuff is still at the house."

Closing her eyes for a second she blurted out a small "Yes" and they made their way to the loft.

Entering his place, she was greeted with the loudness of the two redheads, oblivious to the fact that Kate was still there, rush up to Castle bombarding him with questions. It wasn't until he glanced over at her that they realized who he had come home with.

"Kate!" The little one shouted reaching her arms up towards her.

"Hey there sweet-pea" Kate said as she leaned down scooping the little girl in her arms. Rick smiling at the naturalness of her gesture.

"So Alexis" Rick started as he smoothed a hand over the little ones hair. "How would you feel about Kate staying her. Not just tonight, but more often and maybe becoming daddy's special someone?" Kate smiled as she noted the innocence kept in his statement.

Alexis gasped. "Like you guys would kiss and stuff?"

"Maybe sometimes." Rick stated with a straight face.

"Yes, yes yes yes yes daddy!" Alexis shouted as she hugged her small arms around Kate's neck.

"Oh Richard this is wonderful!" Martha explained as she hugged her son. "It's about time you asked!"

Kate laughed at the older womans remark and smiled as she came to the realization of the fear and excitement that this night of a new relationship had brung forth.

Okay so I didn't really know how to end it, I just wanted to keep writing but I hope it ended okay. I'm really excited to write again and I'm so excited to see what you guys have to say! Still not 100% sure where this is going but I figure wing it and everything should work out haha! I will write again soon, probably this weekend so stay tuned!

-Jenny