"CASTLE?"

"Beckett?"

The breath she didn't know she was holding let out. She didn't think she was ever going to hear his voice again. She runs over to the vault and sees him sitting there waving at her.

"They're here!"

She opens the door and kneels beside him smiling. He's really there. Alive. Unharmed.

"You ready?"

He nods as she breaks the restraints on his hands.

"How are you?"

She smiles and it's as if something in her eyes has changed. He notices right away. Could it be? No, she doesn't love him. But the way she just raised her eyebrows and that smile. Her smile is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. He was so worried he was never going to see it again. He feels her start to lean in a little and makes a decision. He's going to do it. He's going to kiss her. Just as he gets ready to lean in his mother interrupts them. He could kill her!

He has a look of disappointment on his face that she sees when his mother interrupts them. She is pretty sure she has the same look on her face. Had he been able to read her smile? Her walls were coming down.

She helps them out of the bank and reunite with Alexis. Martha insists that she come over for dinner as a small repayment for saving them. Later that night she goes over and her face lights up as soon as Castle opens the door. She wants to say something to him but is quickly rushed along my Martha. She gives him a smile and goes to the kitchen.

When he comes over from talking to Alexis she gives him his glass of wine.

"You have saved my life 8 times, I've saved yours 9." She laughs. Only Castle would count the number of times they have been in harms way. They have a great dinner and Beckett helps Castle clean up afterwards while Alexis and Martha go upstairs to watch a movie. They finish cleaning and go sit down on the couch.

"Today was..." she says.

"Today was hectic." he says.

They both laugh. Things immediately get serious when he sees the look on her face.

"Caste..I...I thought..."

"Shh.. It's okay." He takes her in his arms as she starts to cry. They remain that way for a minute before she looks up at him.

"Castle, I have something to tell you."

"What?"

"Watching someone almost die makes you think about a lot of things."

He looks puzzled, wondering where she is going with this.

"You think about the things you wish you could have done, could have said. It made me think about how life is so short and I shouldn't waste mine burying myself in my mother's case."

Castle is about to object but Beckett silences him.

"I lied. I heard what you said. I remember everything from the day I got shot."

Castle looses his breath. She remembers.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was scared. I had just gotten shot and there was so much going on that I had to deal with. I needed space."

"You could have told me that."

"I'm sorry, I just wasn't ready to face those feelings. But after today, I don't know what I would have done if you had died."

"I'm okay, I'm right here." He goes to hug her again. She stops him.

"Let me finish. I don't know what I would have done if you had died and I didn't get to tell you that I love you too."

He freezes. Did she really just say what he thinks she said. He looks at her and sees a hopeful look on her face. He starts to break into a smile and so does she. He wipes away her tears and slowly leans in and kisses her. Their kiss is electric. It feels new, but also like they fit perfectly. What had taken them so long? They continue to smile as they pull apart.

"I love you so much, Kate."

"I love you too, Rick."

They both smile as she leans into him and they rest on his couch. Today may have been a hectic day but now they know they will have each other. Always.