Ok, so to be clear, this is NOT related to my other stories. It didn't feel right to have this happen with the Rick/Kate that are in the BIG story arc. But like so many ideas, it invaded my brain and refused to go away until it was told.

Soft strains of music drifted through the restaurant, setting the intimate mood for the dining couples. In one corner booth, a woman chuckled softly at the words being murmured in her ear by her dining companion. Out in the world, he was a best-selling mystery novelist and she was the subject of his research, an NYPD homicide detective. But here, in this anonymous place, they were partners of a different sort. They were, simply, Rick and Kate, and his hand was writing words of promise as it danced from her knee up her thigh under the table.

Until…

"Katie? Katie Beckett!" An excited voice shattered the spell.

Stifling a frustrated groan, Kate looked to the source of the voice, and her mood improved "Elara! Wow, how long has it been?"

"Let's see. Last time was…the year after we graduated? That luncheon at the alumni club?"

Kate nodded her agreement. A not-so-subtle throat clearing reminded her of her manners. "Elara, this is Rick Castle. Rick, Elara Santorini. We roomed together in college."

"Listen, Katie, I can't tell you how happy I am to have run into you tonight. I could use your help. I'm on a date with a guy, but I need to get rid of him. I've tried breaking up with him before, but he doesn't seem to take a hint. He's nice enough, just not my type. Remember how I helped you get rid of Lester?"

"Hmm, yes. Lester." Kate glanced over uneasily at Rick, who was watching the exchange with interest. "Elara, I don't know…"

"What method did you use?" Rick inquired.

Elara supplied the answer. "We convinced Lester that Katie wasn't available, that she was into someone else." She eyed Rick speculatively.

Rick swallowed hard. "So what are you asking for here? You'd like me to…run off your suitor for you? Or just give him a convincing 'go away' show?"

"You wouldn't convince him, though you ARE cute. The favor you'd be doing is to loan Katie to me for a little while. Nothing says 'You don't have a chance' like a reunion with a girlfriend."

Kate had just taken a sip of her martini to bolster her nerves, but Elara's bluntness nearly made her drop the rest of it on the table. She set the glass down carefully, stalling for a second before she would meet Rick's gaze. When she finally did, the open amusement and curiosity made her blush, just for a second.

"It was college. People try new things. What?" She saw a hint of something else, lust maybe, and his eyes were getting progressively darker because of it. .'Why' she wondered? Oh. Seriously? She'd never have pegged him for that type, but then again, he did say that in his dreams she would join in.

Elara sensed that they needed a moment alone to discuss the matter. "I was just on my way to the bathroom when I spotted you two. Why don't I come back in a couple of minutes?"

When she returned to the table, they had an answer ready for her. "I'll do it," Kate said. "However, there's another condition."

What do you think so far? Please leave your thoughts in a review! Thanks for reading.