With daylight just beginning to make an appearance through the draperies, Kate keeps her eyes closed, attempting to enjoy just a few more minutes sleep before she… her cell buzzes. She grabs it and hits send without a glance at the screen, "Beckett." Old habits. There's a whirring,vibrating sound in her ear. Frowning she holds the phone away to look at the screen. "Castle? Wh-," more sounds, ones she can identify: running water, mouth swishing, spitting…She looks up through half-opened eyes to see him peeking around the bathroom door, a bit of toothpaste still at the corner of his mouth.

"I still love when you answer like that, so commanding." She knows what he means. He's still a bit enamored with her "cop" persona. Sometimes it bugs her but not today. They say the things that initially attract you to someone, eventually drive you crazy but she feels like it's working in reverse. The things about him that have always driven her crazy, still drive her crazy, only now she finds them endearing. More often than not, she finds herself smiling about some ridiculous thing he's said or done. She's just a big goof, too, silly as he is, and so in love she can barely stand it.

"And in case you're wondering, I am thoroughly in love with the real Kate Beckett."

How does he still do that? How do they? She's amazed every day at how attuned they are with one another. They have an unspoken rhythm. They're inside each others heads, giving voice to each others thoughts. How could she ever have said that he only thought he knew her. Seems like a lifetime ago, maybe a few lifetimes.

"Incoming!" He's coming toward her, monster-walking, with that...that look, wiggling his eyebrows and fingers and making ridiculous, kissy-face movements with his mouth. She quickly covers her mouth shielding him from her morning breath, attempting to stifle the giggles about to escape through her fingers. She holds one hand out to stop him. "No, Castle," she's mumbling from behind her hand, "Morning breath!" She's attempting, unsuccessfully, to give him a look that says she's serious.

Hands on his hips, striking a superhero-like pose he announces, "Why, that's what all the sound effects were for, my dear! I and my trusty electric toothbrush have thoroughly foiled the dastardly villain, A.M. Halitosis." He's grinning at the sparkle in her eyes even as she continues to keep her hand over her mouth, quickly rolling and backing across the bed. He knows he has the advantage. He's had all summer to discover all her ticklish spots and he's going in for the kill.

"Not fair, Castle! I'm talking about my morning breath," and she seals her lips tight. He catches her as she attempts to slip by him, attempting to escape into the bathroom so that she can place a locked door between them. He's too fast for her, though. He wraps his arms around her waist and as fit as she is, she cannot escape his grip, she turns her face from his, "Let me go-oh-oh…" She's laughing now, so hard she can't fight him anymore. Sweet mother… did she really want to? God, he was good…better than she'd ever imagined all those months ago, years ago...and she had definitely imagined.

Undaunted, never daunted, he pulls her close, nuzzling her neck but more sweetly now, shifting the attack into low gear for that slow burn. She relaxes into him. He's doing that thing he does with his mouth, his amazing mouth and it doesn't tickle and…and he never leaves a mark. Well, he never leaves a mark where anyone but she can see… How does he do that? It feels exactly like he's giving her hickey!

"Stop thinking, Kate." He's humming next to her ear. Does she have a choice? Her thoughts blur. Morning breath? Whatever. He doesn't seem to mind...

/

"Hey, sleepy-head." She opens one eye to see him propped up on his hand, staring at her.

His watching her is no longer creepy, not ever. She smiles and stretches her arms over her head. "Time's'it?"

"Almost 11:00 and as much as I love watching you sleep…and stretch...and, actually, everything." He furrows his brow, "That's only mildly creepy, right? As much as I love all that, it's time to get moving. Think we can be on the road in 45?"

"45? I need a shower and I'm starving...and...is there coffee?" She almost whines the part about the coffee. Did he not bring her coffee?

"Right here." He hands her her the steaming cup. "Careful, it's hot. But quickly as you can, jump in the shower and, as much as I'd like to join you..." he jumps up and bows deeply, "I will sacrifice to prepare your sustenance so that we may commence our journey into the countryside."

Her eye-rolling muscles get another workout. "Is that 'Writer-boy' or 'Drama-boy.'"

"Ah, you wound me, Kate! But up-up-up! I really want to get out of the city, head up north. My guy, Zak, I told you about him, classically trained in French cuisine, branched out into Asian? Actually went to Asia to learn. He's just amazing. I have his book...'round here somewhere. We've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to take you to either of his places. Anyway, I don't know if he's been around, either. He's a busy guy, what with two restaurants, writing a book and his appearances on Chopped. Anyway, I heard he may be moving to Hudson or thereabouts. What was my point? Oh, he told me about a great coffee shop up in Hudson. It's called 'Swallow Espresso and Coffee.' Don't you just love it?" He's so excited, his voice begins to rise octave. "There's a bakery inside Swallow called 'Loaf' so we can swallow and loaf all afternoon!" He's wiggling his brows at her.

She rolls her eyes at him, once again, grinning. "Castle, you and your "guys!" She actually gets a few words in – edgewise, but still.

He quickly inserts, "Have any of them ever steered us wrong?" And on he goes, chattering away, something about a B&B and how they really have time to stay over, at least one night and, yes, he's caught up, he just now emailed the last chapters, and Alexis is settled at school…

Would his silly charm ever get old? Doubtful. But she needs for him to stop talking. "Castle! Kindly, shut up and go make me that breakfast you promised. If you really want to make it in 45…no, make that 35, I have to shower five minutes ago!"

/

He watches her at the breakfast bar munching the last bit of her BLT with cream cheese on half a perfectly toasted whole wheat bagel. She is gorgeous, her damp hair, braided down her back, a few wisps curling to frame her face. And now she's "mmm-ing," low and sexy, over that last nibble of her "brunch." He's pretty sure she's calculated his response to her semi-moaning around that last morsel as she pops it into her mouth. His breath catches, his barely audible gasp of delight escaping as he turns and holds his fist to his teeth. Yes, she knows. She's giving him that smile, the one that comes from the soles of her feet. He's labeled this one her "full-body smile." Nothing does him in like her smiles. Any of them. Well, except maybe the look she's giving him now, through her lashes, eyes slightly closed, gazing up at him…Noo! No, they have to get on the road. He's not sure how late the coffee shop will be open on a Sunday.

/

"So, have we really run out of coffee shops in the city, Castle?"

"Zak says this coffee is better than any he can get in the city." He opens her door to the Ferrari and stows her bag and their small overnight. "Besides, this baby's been sitting for far too long. I like to open her up on the highway more often than I've had a chance to lately." She looks away, knowing that's her fault. She'd avoided the Ferrari when they first got together. She'd made excuses time and again for why they should take her car or a taxi... or the subway! Anything but the Ferrari! He'd finally confronted her about it. It was a tough conversation but she'd finally confessed that she kept picturing the blonde flight attendant in the drivers seat. More than that, she'd told him how hurt she'd been when he'd pulled away, shadowing that other crazy cop. It was a really vulnerable moment, telling him that it went beyond jealousy. She thought she'd lost him, that she'd run out of chances. He'd been really sweet, not diverting from her pain to focus on his own. He'd held her for a long time, both of them shedding some tears. Her eyes sting a bit now, just remembering.

"Hey, you all right, Kate?"

She reaches for his hand and twines her fingers through his. She presses the back of his hand to her lips. "Yes, Rick, I am more than all right and I am so grateful for you in my life."

He pulls out onto the street, pressing her fingers to his very satisfied smile.

/

Time and the miles fly by and they're pulling onto the quaint little main drag of Hudson in what seems like no time at all. Warren Street... "Oh, Rick, look at all the little shops and galleries. Have you been here before? I don't know what I was expecting but this is lovely"

"No, I've never been here. The architecture's late 18th century...this is a really old town."

"Oh, look, there's an ice cream shop called, 'Lick.' It seems they're very directive here!"

"Yes, you can 'Loaf,' 'Lick,' and 'Swa-'"

"Yes, Castle, I get it!" She gives him a look feigning disapproval then turns her head to smile. Age 5? Age 12? Take your pick but he knows no filter!

"Hey, there's Swallow! And here's a parking spot. Do you want to look for one on the same side as the shop?"

"This one's perfect, Rick. Walking across the street is hardly a problem and both sides of the street look pretty full. We can get coffee, go check out the shops, and wind up back here for more coffee. You game?"

"I am, Ms. Beckett! Lead the way."

Inside the shop, Rick glances at the menu board. "Looks like they take their coffee very seriously here, no froo-froo coffee drinks."

She teases him, "I'm sure you'll survive without your froo-froo drink just this once, Castle! I'll take an iced Americano." He gives her his I'll get even with you look and turns back to the menu.

"That sounds good. Iced. It's warming up out there." She leaves him in line to see if she can find somewhere to sit.

The line isn't bad but most of the seats are occupied. People have their laptops out, some are chatting together or waving to someone they know across the room. It really is a comfortable place, friendly. There's even an art exhibit on the walls. Very nice. As she looks around for a place to sit, Kate notices a seat at the counter that faces the window onto the street. The seat is next to a little blonde boy, age 5 or 6 maybe. He's very focused on a picture he's drawing. The seat next to him seems to be the only one that's empty but Kate doesn't want to assume.

"Is your Mommy or Daddy sitting next to you?" Kate asks.

"No," says the little boy, "Mommy's at home. Dad's getting her coffee. He already made me some chocolate milk," pointing to his cup. "My dad makes the best chocolate milk. Sometimes he lets me help."

Kate, still not wanting to assume, asks, "So would it be all right if I sit in this seat next to you?"

The little boy glances from the seat to Kate. "Sure. This is my dad's coffee shop. We let people sit where they want to."

Kate smiles and takes a seat on the stool, glancing at Rick who seems to be next in line. "So, that's quite a drawing you have there."

"It's a big dinosaur at the park. He's like a Tyranadon. His name is Buttertropper and... you might be scared of him if you saw him but I'm not and my dad's not." He considers his drawing of the dinosaur for a few seconds. "Ella might be. She's just little, like one-and-a-half."

Kate feels Castle at her back. He hands her the iced Americano. Their eyes meet, smiling. This is their ritual, him presenting her with coffee. It's already happened once today but she feels the little flutter in her chest, anyway. Nothing has changed and everything has changed, she thinks, and her smile broadens as she feels her cheeks flush a little.

"This young man's dad owns the coffee shop. He's been telling me all about his picture of Buttertropper the dinosaur."

"I heard. That's quite a story, young man. Maybe you'll be a famous author someday. What's your name so I can tell people I knew you when?"

"My name's Emery but I'm not going to be an author, I'm already a super hero!"

"Well, I'm a super hero, too, much like Batman."

"Well... I'm not a super hero like Batman..." pausing, Emery considers which super hero would trump Batman. Louder he says, "I'm a super hero like Astro Boy!"

Kate stifles a laugh and Rick's eyes widen as he smiles at Emery. Yes, this little boy and her big boy have some things in common, including intensely blue eyes fringed in thick dark lashes.

About that time a man, who can only be Emery's dad, walks up carrying a little blonde girl with another set of beautiful blue eyes. "This must be Ella," Kate says. The toddler smiles and dips her head onto her dad's shoulder at the mention of her name. All three of them, the dad and the two children, have beautiful blue eyes.

"Em, let's give this man your seat so we can get this coffee to your mom." Rick and Kate exchange a quick look, smiling.

"I was just telling the humans the story about Buttertropper."

"Emery, how do you know we're humans and not aliens?" Rick is at ease, interacting with the boy.

"By your eyes and your hair and..." Emery pauses, "by your talk. Aliens talk like aliens and humans talk like humans." Emery frowns a bit, looking directly at Rick, possibly a little concerned about an adult who could not tell the difference between humans and aliens.

Emery's dad chuckles and shakes his head a bit. "That's great, Bud, but you know we need to get going if we're going to the Big City."

"Ah, we just came from the Big City! Needed to get out for a day or two. My name's Rick Castle and this is Kate Beckett."

"Rick - Richard Castle, the mystery writer? I thought you looked familiar" Rick and Aaron shake hands and Aaron extends his hand to Kate, as well. "Aaron Dibben. I'm the owner of the shop. I've read a few of your books. Don't have a lot of time for that these days," he smiles, "not with the shop and the kids."

"Mysteries? Like with clues?" Emery joins in, "I solve mysteries all the time. You have to look for clues. Sometimes you have to retrace your steps"

"That's very true, Emery," says Rick. "It sounds like you're a detective and a super hero!" Emery nods, emphatically, at this acknowledgement.

"Mr. Castle writes about mysteries in his books, Em."

"Do your books have pictures?" Emery asks, hopeful.

"I'm afraid not, Emery."

"Oh, daddy-books," He looks a little disappointed. "If you put pictures of the clues in your books you can make it easier to solve the mystery." He gives Rick a look that says he really should have thought of this. "When I get big, I'm going to read books all by myself, just like Daddy!"

"That's great, Emery!" Rick and Kate say together.

Aaron smiles and picks up his coffee tray, making it look easy to juggle coffee while holding one child and moving in the direction of the other, who's suddenly off to hold the door for his dad. "Not going to need any clues as to 'who dunnit' if I don't get this coffee to Sarah. Nice to meet you, both. Hope we see you again."

"Oh, you will!" says Kate, "Coffee's kind of our thing."

Kate and Rick watch out the window as the man fastens his kids into their safety seats. Kate thinks about their blue, blue eyes. She wishes she'd asked what color Sarah's eyes are. Kate might not have blonde children but she certainly might have blue-eyed children...

Rick interrupts her thoughts like he's reading her mind again, "That little girl is adorable. She has such beautiful blue eyes. Emery, too. Both of them are adorable."

"Yeah. Sweet family. The dad looks like Liev Schrieber, don't you think?" asks Kate.

"Quite a lot. Does Liev Schrieber have blue eyes? Aaron definitely does; maybe bluer than mine." He waggles his brows at her and leans in for a brief kiss. "You ready to do some exploring, Kate? Maybe solve some mysteries?"

"Always, Rick. Always."