"The death of a beautiful woman,

Is unquestionably the most poetical

Topic in the world"

Edgar Allan Poe

It was three a.m.; also know as the witching hour. One lone person stood silent staring, waiting... If you looked inside the soulless eyes, you would find pure evil. Their heart was black, filled with an unresolved burning rage and hatred.

The time for revenge was drawing near. That single thought brought a smile to the traitor's lips.

Richard Castle would watch as his beloved Kate was destroyed. She would beg, before her life was extinguished. There would be no mercy.

For two years, pain was the constant and only companion; the months of therapy and reconstructive surgery were finished. Transformation complete. The Raven was born. The former self was no more. The Raven was harden, strong ready for the final battle. The plan was already in motion. This time there would be no escape. Kate Beckett would die. The Raven would not fail.

None knew the true identity of the Raven. The scalpel used to create the Raven, was used on the creator. He would create no more.

The identity would be revealed, as the light of life slipped from Kate Beckett's eyes. The Raven would decisively let the detective know who won the final battle.

The Raven was a master of disguise. They could blend in the crowds. A face that wasn't unattractive as it was forgettable. People didn't take a second look. The face was average; perfect disguise. Beauty was what society sought, noticed, revered. The average went through life unnoticed until something or someone provoked them and they struck. Sometimes they were the hero, and sometimes not.

The Raven stood beside the Detective; she didn't have any idea who was standing beside her in the coffee shop. Why would she? Everyone thought the Raven was dead.

The hatred for the detective wasn't personal. It was simply a fact; she thought she had bested the Raven. That was the unforgivable sin. Kate Beckett had gotten in the way of the Raven's plan. She had to pay for that grievous sin.

Fate crossed the paths of the Raven and the detective. The Raven was the one who would instigate the crossing this time around.

That brought a maligned smile across the ravens face.

History couldn't even agree the symbol of the raven; Egyptians; Ravens were seen as harbingers of destruction and battle

Native North American tribes, such as (Hopi, Navajo, and Auni) felt the Raven was flew out from the dark womb of the cosmos, and brought the light of the sun.

Christian; when Noah sent a raven first to confirm the receding floodwater. When the Raven did not return it was said God turned its feathers black for its failure, and Noah sent a dove out to do the Raven's job. And since then, the Raven has gotten a bad rap as being anti-mankind.

This Raven wasn't anti mankind. They were only interested in bringing about the total destruction of one Detective Kate Beckett. That is the fire that consumed them day and night. The drive that kept them going for the last two years.

The city's inhabitants were snuggled in their beds at this hour. Feeling safe and warm tucked away behind locked doors. The Raven laughed out loud at this absurd notion. Safe. They were all blind fools. Let them enjoy the last days of peace they would ever know.

The witching hour. The Raven never felt stronger.

Kate sat up in bed. She felt a chill spread over her entire body. She instinctively reached for Rick. He was safe and sound snuggled into the comforter. She couldn't shake the creepy feeling. She did what she always did when she needed comfort. She reached for him.

Rick enveloped her into him. He wasn't fully conscious. He murmured her name into her hair, and returned to his slumber.

Kate felt better as soon as she lay in his arms, soon she was warm. She fell asleep with a smile on her beautiful face. They were living together now. Her need for personal space, gave way to the need to be with him. She was happy. Her inner demons were quieted. She would eventually have justice for her Mom. It wasn't the only thing driving her. She'd found peace, She felt lighter, she knew her mother would be proud of the person she'd become. She missed her still; she felt her presence's more now than when she blindly, searched for her killer. When her life was consumed with only finding Justice. She felt her Mom was happy too.

They were planning a wedding, a honeymoon, and the starting of a family together. They wanted to wait a year and then add to their family.

She looked forward to seeing him with their children. He was great with Alexis. She smiled when she imagined him dancing around the loft singing to their infant to soothe them.

She could only imagine coming home to blanket forts, toys scattered about. He was as much of a kid as theirs would be. That was one of the many things she loved about him. These were her thoughts as she drifted off to a peaceful restful sleep.

The Raven began to stroll down the darken city street. They were not in any particular hurry. Enjoying the night and the anonymity only the night can bring. The night swallowed, and the Raven returned to the shadows. Soon it would be time.

Dawn was breaking as Kate unwrapped herself from Rick. She needed to use the toilet. She finished quickly and slid back into the bed. Rick flinched as her cold feet sought out his warm ones. He reached for her. She snuggled into him. She began caressing him.

"Hold that thought" he told her as he slipped out of bed. He headed toward the en suite bathroom to use the toilet and brush his teeth. He wanted his breath fresh. He could smell the minty freshness from his lovely detective. She had already gotten up. When he finished he dove into the bed.

Kate laughed; she didn't remember last night's ominous feeling. She was focused on a ruggedly handsome man that stirred a desire in her she'd never felt until him.

"Now, where were we?" Rick waggled his eyebrows. He kissed her, and looked at her as he tenderly brushed the hair away from neck. He began to run his tongue over her neck; nipping, sucking, he smiled as she began moaning. He looked into her eyes.

"Have I told you how much I love waking to your beautiful face each morning?" He asks

"Every day" she replied, looking back at him.

He kissed her. Foreplay wasn't needed. Their body's desires were clear. Kate could feel the moisture pool as she awaited his entrance. She was ready, and so was he. He slowly filled her giving her time to adjust to his size. When she was stretched around him he began to rock his hips into her. She began moving with him. They moved unhurried until the buildup was too much. His rhythm and thrusts began to quicken. She clenched her legs around him as she broke apart. His body shivered and then he moaned, as his release spilled deep into her womb.

She was always amazed at how well they knew each other. Their lovemaking ranged from hours spent touching, to taking each other as soon as the door closed, fast, hard, sometimes before they were completely undressed. They seemed to read each others needs. Even the first night she came to him soaking wet. They were never awkward together sexually. It took them four years of missteps and near misses. They finally quit fighting what their friends, family, even the universe telling them. They belong together. When they came together it was finale.

Rick and Kate laid in each others arms until their stomachs started to rumble. They got out of bed and headed into the kitchen to make breakfast. The day was unhurried. It was Saturday. They had the day off. Kate began to make an omelet, as Rick prepared the coffee. She still loves that he makes her coffee. She wasn't as fond of his 'Smorlett. Kate would make the omelet. They worked together side by side, unaware that evil was about to descend upon them.

xxxxx

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