Hello dearies!

I know it has been a while since I've posted anything and I apologize for that. I hope you guys like this story! It will be a multiple chapter fic, so get ready! Please leave a review with your thoughts! They are always welcome!

(This fic takes place in September 2011. Events in early Season 4 have happened, specifically events in Rise.)

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 1]

"Finally done," Kate sighed in relief as she set her pen down on top of a massive stack of files and various pieces of paperwork.

The precinct was completely vacant, with the exception of the detective and her ruggedly handsome partner. He sat there and played games on his phone while she finished up work. They had just made a huge breakthrough in the case that morning and by that afternoon they had a confession. And so, all that was left was to do was begin the paperwork.

Rick looked up from his phone at her words and smiled at her. "I thought you'd never finish," he complained, teasing of course. "I've been sitting here for hours bored out of my mind with nothing but Angry Birds to keep me occupied. I seriously think my IQ dropped then points."

Kate swatted him arm for that one. "Oh, hush. You didn't have to wait for me, you know? And besides, it didn't take me that long, you big baby. So stop complaining."

Rick merely gave her a look and sat there quietly with an all too familiar smirk on his face.

"We can grab some dinner if you'd like, it's only..." she glanced at her father's watch while stretching her arms out in front of her. "...ten forty-five." Crap. Shooting him an apologetic look, she sighed. She'd only meant to work on the paperwork for a few hours at most, but those few hours turned into about six. Once she had finished the files on their recent case, Kate thought that it would be a good idea to get any extra work done before the weekend, so she grabbed any other files and papers that were incomplete and started to work on them. And Rick, never one to complain, simply waited for her.

"Told you it took a while," he grinned. "But, I'm not going to hold this over your head because what kind of a partner would I be if I did?"

Kate rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back a smile. "A bad one?"

He leaned in closer, his lips blowing hot air into her ear. "Only bad for you," his voice was a deep and husky tone; a tone that made Kate weak at the knees. Luckily, she was sitting down or else she'd be struggling to stand up.

Taking a deep breath, she began to gather her things, needing a distraction. She finally found her voice again, "Remy's?"

Rick knew he had her as soon as the words spilled from his mouth. There was no mistake in the desire and need that gleamed in her eyes. And he knew that his were exactly the same. He loved to tease her, and her reaction was exactly what he was looking for.

"Sounds great," he responded, standing up to help Kate into her coat.

They headed down the hall to the elevator. The duo entered and rode down to the lobby in a comfortable silence. Kate unconsciously leaned in a bit closer to Rick as they walked to their favorite restaurant. Both had matching smiles placed on their lips.

Rick and Kate took their winter coats off, sitting in their regular booth in the corner when an elderly woman came up to them. Judy was her name and she was Rick and Kate's usual waitress. She smiled when she saw them.

"Hey, you two. How have y'all been? It's been quite a bit since you've stopped in. Working on a case?" Judy placed her hands on her hips and grinned.

"We're great, Judy," Kate replied, always happy to see the older woman. "We actually wrapped up a case this afternoon and we just thought we'd grab something to eat. We, uh, kind of missed dinner."

Rick cut in. "We would've been by earlier, but this one," he pointed at his partner. "Just had to get all of the paperwork done before the weekend. She's too stubborn for her own good."

Judy laughed at Kate when she glared at Rick, who immediately sunk down in his seat not making eye contact with either female. "You two are something else," she commented, whipping out a small notepad and a pen from the pocket on her apron. "So, what can I get for you? Usuals?"

"That would be great," Rick smiled, now sitting properly in his seat. "Thanks."

Judy as she nodded and made her way to the back where the kitchen was located, leaving the duo by themselves. The restaurant was not busy at all, there was one other patron sitting at the counter top opposite them. It became awkward rather quickly, both sitting with unsure looks.

Rick cleared his throat, "So, any plans for the weekend?"

Kate shrugged, folding her hands and resting them on the table top. "Not really. This is the first weekend in a long time that I've had off, so I'll probably be running errands most of the day tomorrow. I'm not sure what I'll be doing on Sunday though."

"Care for some company?" He pondered, wanting to spend more time with the gorgeous detective.

She shook her head and began to play with the salt shaker. "Oh no, Castle. I'll be alright; I think I can handle grocery shopping on my own, thank you."

Rick chuckled, "I never doubted you. I just thought that it might be nice for you to have someone with you, so you're not alone."

"Mhmm," was all that came out of her mouth.

"Come on," he pleaded, sticking his bottom lip out. "I promise I'll be a good boy."

Kate bit her lip, thinking things over. A smirk found its way to her rosy lips. Leaning in, she gave him a taste of his own medicine. "What if I don't want you to be a good boy?"

His eyes grew and he gulped. Her voice was so low and down right sexy as hell; it sent tingles up his spine. "I-I...uh-" he struggled for the words, unable to make coherent sentences.

Kate just laughed at his reaction. Clapping her hands together, her head fell back as a laugh escaped her mouth. "God, you're easy!"

The deer in headlights was gone and replaced by a frown. He let out a fake laugh, "Very funny, you little tease." Rick crossed his arms and looked away from Kate, moping.

"How long have you known me, Castle? Of course, I like to tease you." Kate bit her lip, trying to suppress the chuckles that were threatening to burst out of her. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mess with you once in a while."

"It's not nice. And where exactly in your job description does it say that you have the right to make fun of me? I didn't know that it was part of being a homicide detective."

Kate shook her head, smiling. Rick didn't say anything else, acting sad more for show rather than actually being upset. She waited for him to continue on but he didn't. She took a deep breath, "Fine, Mr. Drama Queen. If it will make you stop moping, you can come shopping with me tomorrow."

That lit his face up. He turned to her again, a giant grin shining back at her. "Really?" His eyebrows were raised and his hands were clutching the edge of the table.

"Yes, really," Kate smiled behind a laugh. "Just act like an adult, okay? I know it'll be hard, especially for you, but I really do not want to have to deal with a nine-year-old on a sugar rush."

"You have my word," he promised.

Just then Judy came back with their orders. "Here you go," she said, setting a burger in front of each of them. "Two Gourmet Burgers with a side of steak fries. And two waters."

Rick rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Mmm, smells delicious. Thanks, Judy."

The elderly woman smiled softly. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"I think we're set," Kate answered, seeing as the writer was already stuffing his face.

Judy laughed, taping Rick on the shoulder and shaking her head. "Where are your manners?" She chided. Rick gave her a closed mouth smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Kate rolled her eyes at his actions. Judy turned to Kate, jabbing a thumb in Rick's direction. "I still don't know how you put up with him."

"Yeah, I don't know either," she said flatly. "He's," she glanced over at her partner, who had just taken a massive bite out of his burger. "Something. That's for sure."

The women stared at Rick as he ate, oblivious to the fact that they were talking about him. He felt eyes on him, so he looked up to see Kate and Judy watching him with great interest. "What?" He asked with a full mouth, glancing between the two.

"Nothing," was the chorused reply.

Rick gave them each a look before shrugging his shoulders and going back to his late dinner.

"Well," Judy started. "I'll leave you two to it." She leaned down to Kate so that only she could hear. "Good luck, honey."

"Thanks," Kate whispered back. "I'll need it."

Judy smiled before retreating back into the kitchen. They were left alone once again. Kate picked up her burger and took quite a big bite, a tiny moan leaving her lips. Rick was nearly done with his burger while Kate was just starting hers; every now and then she would steal a glance at the man across from her. There was a bit of ketchup on his chin that he hadn't noticed yet. Kate smirked and reached over with her napkin, wiping his chin clean. The act was so innocent that it didn't even register in her mind what she had just done.

When she pulled back, it clicked. Her eyes grew wide in shock, and Rick had the same stunned expression. She quickly folded her napkin in her lap and rubbed the back of her neck, trying to find words. She didn't dare make eye contact with him, too embarrassed. "I-I just. Uh...you h-had a bit of ketchup and I-"

Rick leaned over and grabbed her wrist, gaining her attention. "Thank you," he smiled softly. "I can be quite messy sometimes. I think Judy was right about me and my manners."

The uncomfortable mood was definitely lightened.

Kate just grinned at him, laughing. "What manners?"

His smile got bigger. "Touché." He released his hand from her arm and took his drink, taking a sip.

That made her roll her eyes, lips curving up in a grin. Kate quickly went back to her burger, a moan spilling from her mouth every other bite. When Rick thought she wasn't looking he snatched one of her fries, only to be slapped on the hand.

"Ow!" He groaned, rubbing his sore hand.

"Why are you taking my fries when you have your perfectly own right in front of you?" There was no annoyance in her tone, only amusement.

"Because..." he mumbled like a boy who had just gotten caught doing something bad.

"That's a great reason," she said sarcastically. "Man, you are such a little kid sometimes."

"Am not," he countered, inching his upper body closer to the table, and at the same time bringing his head closer to Kate's.

With a single eyebrow raised, Kate did the same as Rick and leaned in further, their noses almost touching. "Are too."

"Am not."

Kate punctuated each word slowly. "Are. Too."

"Wanna bet?" He raised an eyebrow of his own, matching her. She pursed her lips, silently answering. "Let's say we make this...interesting," he proposed.

"How so?" Kate asked, intrigued.

He smiled, pulling away and calling across the diner. "Hey, Judy?"

The woman came out as soon as she heard her name being called, her head sticking out of the kitchen door. "Yes, Rick? Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all," he reassured. "But can we please get two large double-chocolate shakes?"

Judy nodded, "No problem. I'll have those out in a jiffy!" And she disappeared back into the kitchen.

Kate looked at him in confusion. What was going on in that head of his? "What exactly are you planning for us to do here, Castle?"

"Just a little friendly competition between partners," he answered simply. "First one to completely finish their shake wins."

"And we're going to do this why?"

"Because its fun and I wanna race you," he put simply. "Plus, it'll prove that I'm not a little kid."

"So a race to see who can finish their shake first is going to prove that you don't act like a little kid?" She lifted a delicate eyebrow, "Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense."

"Afraid you'll loose?" He tormented, his ego getting the better of him. He could tell he had her when she narrowed her eyes, nostrils flaring.

"You are so on," Kate sneered, pointing a slender finger in his direction. "What exactly are we racing for?"

"How about the loser has to pay for the check? That sound fair?" Kate nodded, agreeing with the terms. "And," Rick added, "The winner gets to decided where we go shopping tomorrow."

Kate huffed out a breath of air, "Castle, I'm going grocery shopping as in food, perishable items. Not clothes shopping. And I really only go to one super market, it has everything that I need. No point in going somewhere else."

"Fine," he relented. "Let's see...um, oh! I've got it! How about whoever wins gets to decide where we go to lunch?"

"Okay so, let me get this straight. Not only are you going with me to go grocery shopping, but you're also going to be having lunch with me?"

"Yes."

Kate narrowed her eyes and bit her lip, thinking things over. After a bit, she gave him her answer. "Deal."

She stuck a hand out and he took her hand in his, shaking them. "Deal," Rick smirked.

Two minutes later, Judy was back with their shakes. The shakes had whipped cream swirled on top with a juicy cherry in the middle and chocolate chips sprinkled through out it. Chocolate flavored syrup coated the whipped cream, seeping through a bit. There were two different layers in the shake: a dark chocolate layer and a milk chocolate layer. They looked absolutely amazing.

Judy set one in front of them both, along with two straws. "Here you go. I went ahead and brought the check, too," she added, setting that down as well. "Take your time, there's no rush."

"Thank you, Judy," the detective and writer thanked simultaneously.

The older woman put her hands together, "It's so cute when you two do that!"

They blushed a bit at her comment, their faces turning pink. Once again they chorused, "Thanks."

"Okay, just let me know if you guys need anything. You know where to find me." And she left, grinning happily to herself.

Rick turned his attention back to Kate. "So, Beckett. You ready to loose?"

She glared at him; a confident, smug grin on her face. "I'm not the one who should be worried about losing. I'm gonna kick your ass so hard, Writer Boy!"

He let out a cackle. "Smack talk will get you nowhere, my lovely Detective."

"We'll see about that." The smug grin still plastered on her lips. "Rules?"

The writer raised a single digit. "First and only rule: in order to be considered the winner, your cup must be completely empty of all its contents. This includes the shake itself, the cherry, the chocolate chips, and the whipped cream."

Kate nodded in understanding. It seemed easy enough. "Okay, let's get this started," she rubbed her hands together before bringing her shake closer to the edge of the table, putting it in easy reach. She took the straw and put it in her cup, lining it up with her mouth.

Rick did the same. "On the count of three?" Kate nodded, getting in a ready position.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three!"

There you have it, folks! :)

Hope y'all liked it! Please leave a review! Thanks for reading! Until next time!

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