Ring... RING...
Richard Castle stumbled tired from his bed and picked up his phone instantaneously expecting Beckett's call.
'Good morning Kate'
'Hey it's Ryan, we don't know where she is. Beckett's not picking up she resigned last night we haven't seen her since. Has she contacted you?' Suddenly the events of the last night hit Castle and he span round to see her lying asleep in his bed and his voice became softer.
'She's okay' he said a gentle smile planted on his face as he watched her peacefully sleeping, 'She's safe.'
'Do you know where she is? I need to talk to her. I called Gates, Castle. Esposito won't talk to me and I haven't been able to reach Beckett...' Castle mind was racing, what should he say, he couldn't tell him not yet.
Come he, thought, I'm a writer this is what I do... he was quiet for a moment.
'She went home' Castle kicked himself, was that the best he could come up with. 'She called me from there.'
'Thanks Castle, how are you and her, where did you go?' Castle smiled again.
'We are okay, we're good. I went to Alexis' graduation.' He couldn't keep this up, especially as he noticed Beckett stirring.
'I'm going to try to get hold of Beckett at her house then, Are you sure you two are okay?'
'Yes we definitely are.' Castle involuntarily smiled again.
'Okay, talk soon Castle.'
'Talk soon.' Castle acknowledged and Ryan hung up. He felt bad about lying to Ryan but he needed to talk to Beckett first.
Kate Beckett woke gently in the pale yellow light snuggled up in the warmth of her sheets. Then it hit her. These weren't her sheets, they were Castle's. She sat up quickly in the foreign bed and look cautiously around. She was alone. She made that adorable expression that never failed to put a smile on Castle's face. She laid down once more, her head swimming with her thoughts. Four years. She needed Castle. Even before the had met his books had helped her through and now, he needed her too.
Castle stood in the doorway watching his muse. Before her he had never truly loved and though her stubbornness had maintained a barrier he would be there for her no matter what the future bought their way. Always... but for now at least they had to face the future. With that thought Castle entered the room with a freshly made coffee and sat down beside her.
Beckett sprung up in surprise and shock. Now that Castle was here she realized that it hadn't quite sunk in.
'Castle!' she exclaimed, and covering herself with the sheet. It was an automatic response more than anything.
'Beckett.' he replied, there was something in his voice which told her he felt the same. 'I bought you coffee.'
'Castle.' she said again.
'I know.' he returned. They stared at each other in silence for a moment before he continued. 'Ryan called.' Beckett eyes widened.
'What did you say?'
'I didn't. Well I mean I did but I didn't... I didn't say about this.' Castle stuttered. 'I wanted to talk to you... What do we do?'
'I guess there's only one way to find out.' she said. Leaving no time for a response she leaned in and kissed him. He came closer and kissed her back and then they knew and they always would.