Castle stood outside Kate Beckett's door, wearing his Armani tuxedo, waiting for her to answer.

When she opened the door, he was completely at a loss for words. Kate wore a floor length, strapless, form fitting gown, which had been hand beaded in silver. The vintage art deco dress suited her lean, muscular form perfectly, looking as though it had been made especially for her. It hugged her in all the right places and revealed just enough to be alluring. She had spent way too much on it when she found it in a vintage clothing store, but felt the price was well worth it if the look on Castle's face was any indication.

"Close your mouth, Castle." She smiled. "You're drooling."

"Beckett." He didn't completely snap out of it. "You look stunning." He kissed her hand, his lips lingering and his eyes holding hers for a long moment. Her scent washed over him in pleasant waves, causing something to stir deep inside. "Shall we?" He asked, helping to wrap her shawl around her shoulders.

"Thanks." She blushed a little at the way his eyes lingered on the hint of cleavage her gown revealed and the naked skin of her neck. 'Damn it.' She thought to herself. ' Why do I have to blush so easily?'

They made their way down to the street and to the limousine he had waiting for them at the curb. Castle opened the door for Beckett and was stunned to silence when she paused in front of the door to kiss his cheek. She brushed the lipstick from his skin gently and looked into his eyes.

"I can never tell you how much this means to me." She said in a voice thick with emotion.

"What are friends for?" He replied quietly.

"Castle, friends water you plants when you're out of town." She barely had her emotions under control. "They drive you to the airport. They don't set up scholarships in your mother's name." A tear escaped in spite of her best effort.

"Hey," He tenderly brushed the tear from her cheek. "You are going to ruin your make up." He kissed her forehead and hugged her close to him. They swayed on the spot for a moment before he said, "We shouldn't be late for our own fund raiser."

Kate laughed tearfully. "No. You're right."

Castle helped her into the car and slid in next to her. "Are you OK?"

"I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not usually this emotional."

"You loved your mother and this is her legacy." He squeezed her hand. "You're allowed to be emotional."

"Thank you, Rick."

He raised her hand to his lips. "It is a drop in the ocean of what you deserve."