Title: Not a Blonde Bimbo

Chapter: Reflection of the First Date (1)

Pairing: R. Castle and OC (F), R. Castle and K. Beckett

Summary: Castle starts dating a promising woman, not his usual airhead blonde, what is Beckett to do?

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle

Words: 992

I had to resist the urge to scream at the top of my lungs like a high school girl who had just gotten asked out to the Prom by her long time crush.

Tonight had been perfect, at first I had been beyond reluctant to go, it was a bit insulting that my mother had seen fit to set me up on a blind date. But I knew that if I didn't go that she would only make things worse. The woman was as stubborn as a mule.

I had left the 12th earlier than usual, having to bow out of getting some celebratory drinks with the team. We had just closed a tough case and everyone felt the need for some time out.

I had rushed home for a quick shower and to change into some non-crinkled clothes. My mother had set up the entire date, all I knew was her name beyond that the rest was a mystery. I could only hope that she wasn't some sort of wannabe actress.

She was the daughter of one of mother's friends that alone didn't settle well with me. I had met mother's friends and they were all just as much a diva as she was. But I had been in for a pleasant surprise.

Claire, the non-diva, had arrived at the restaurant before me. When I had been shown to the table, I had expected to see some colourfully dressed blonde with lots of make up on. Instead a smartly dressed brunette was seated at the table.

She had been so very different from what I had expected that for a few moments I had lost my footing. I had wanted to try and be confident and suave but I just hadn't been able to, it had been so long since I had been on a date that I had forgotten what to do.

I knew that I had been meant to complement either her shoes or earrings; I just didn't know which one. I felt like an awkward school boy out on his first date, floundering around to try and impress the pretty girl.

"Claire, I haven't dated much in the last few years." I admitted after having taken a gulp of liquid courage.

"The last person I dated was my ex-husband." She had confessed with a slight blush.

It had made me feel better, putting me at ease. At the end I had decided to hell with putting up some façade, we were two mature people out having dinner. We could just be ourselves. There was no need for acting and pretences.

Once our nerves had been eased the date stopped being awkward, no more halting conversation for us about inconsequential things. Instead I had found a woman who could keep up with me, a woman who was witty and had a sharp mind.

Claire worked at the local university, she was the Anthropology Professor. She was a far cry from the diva I had imagined when I first heard about the date.

We had spent the night talking about anything and everything that came to mind. When she told me about her job, the passion in her voice had me entranced. I couldn't not listen to every word that she was saying, it just wasn't possible.

The evening had ended far too soon for my liking, although we had exchanged numbers and agreed to see each other soon. No date had been set upon though, something which had made me slightly nervous.

I had decided to not dwell on it, instead focusing on the fact that I had had an enjoyable night out with a beautiful and intelligent woman.

When I got home, no one was in sight, Alexis had already gone up to bed and mother had left a note saying that she was going out to a play with friends. I knew better than to wait up for her.

As I went through the motions of getting ready for bed, I couldn't help but compare Claire to Kate Beckett. She was an important part of my life, I was completely in love with her, but she was also my best friend.

I had started to accept the fact that Kate just didn't share my feelings. It was a bitter pill to swallow. But I was a big boy; I had been divorced twice and raised a daughter by myself.

Kate was perfect. I didn't have some rose tinted image of her, I knew about all of her imperfections and faults. But I had accepted them even after seeing her at her worse. I wanted to be with her but I knew it would never happen.

I had been reluctant to go on this date. Not because my mother had set it up, or because I was nervous, or even that the press would find out. Going on the date was like admitting defeat to me.

That I had lost the chance and opportunity to be with Kate, that it would never happen.

I had realized that this was happening, that my chances of being with her were all but non-existent however this was more than just acknowledging the fact. It was admitting it, as well as starting to move on.

I doubted that I would ever be able to move on, even though I had never really had her, she was everything that I had ever wanted and more.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of these thoughts. It didn't do well to dwell and linger on them, they only depressed me. I didn't want my good mood to be spoiled tonight with thoughts of unreturned love.

Maybe it was time that I finally tried to move on, instead of just drifting about completely at a lost as to what to do. I would still have her in my life, as my partner at the 12th and my best friend but that would be it.

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AN: What did you think? I hope you enjoyed it.