Change

"You've changed."

Detective Katherine Beckett looked up from her paperwork to the famous Richard Castle.
"Excuse me?"

"You've changed." Rick repeated simply, his charming smile spread across his handsome face. His blue eyes twinkled, scanning her beautiful green ones for any early hint of her reaction.

Kate raised her eyebrows. "Have I now? What does that mean... exactly?"

Castle shrugged. "You're different from when we first met."

"I am, am I?" Kate's eyes clouded with confusion. "How so?"

Castle smiled brightly, clearing his throat.

"When I first met you Beckett, I thought you were the most beautiful, amazing woman I had ever seen in my life. That... has not changed, nor will it ever. However, you've changed. Yes, you are still the kick-ass, hot, sexy detective you've always been, but when we first met... you were... strict. Everything was by the book, and if it didn't go the 'proper' way, you would have a fit. You were careful... you never let your emotions show. It was like you were made of solid granite. Like concrete. I can still see some of that in you, when times get tough, but you're not as bottled up as you used to be. But since I've been around... You've let loose. You're not always so tense anymore."

Kate leaned back in her chair and listen to every word Castle had said. She let it sink in, and she knew Castle was right. He had a strong influence on her, as much as she hated admitting it. It was the truth.

"There are still many layers to the Beckett Onion, but I've managed to the peel the tough exterior away."

Kate just blinked. She was lost for words. After a few seconds of complete silence, she said: "Yeah? Well look at yourself Castle. You've changed a whole damn lot too."

"I have?" You could hear the sound of surprise in his voice. "Care to explain?"

"Well for starters, you're not as full as yourself as you used to be."

Castle grabbed his heart dramatically. "Oh, I'm flattered by such a compliment."

Kate just smiled. "You should be." She paused, realizing Rick had changed even more than she once thought.

"You're not as egotistical. You're not prancing around all 'Everybody Loves Me' and 'I'm a Superstar' anymore. You're actually... fun to be around now. Castle, all the times I tell myself I should carry duct tape with me and the times where I just want to lock you in the closet... I enjoy your company."

Rick's heart swelled with joy. He knew she loved having him around, but actually hearing her say it made it so much better. He started feeling that flutter in his stomach - the one you get when you are with the one you love.
A huge, vibrant smile spread across his face, his blue eyes sparkling brightly.

"Well it's very clear than isn't it?"

'What is, Rick?"

"We changed each other."

She knew she couldn't disagree and lie to herself. So she just smiled and said:

"I think we did."

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