Setting: story occurs just after end of season 4: Beckett got her butt kicked by Maddox and she had an epiphany about the important things in life. A monumental shift occurs when she gives up being a cop and gains intimacy with Castle. This story looks at everyone's role in this pivotal battle of good guys vs. the bad.

Disclaimer: I am rather certain the rightful owner of Castle has better things to do than sue me for borrowing his creation and contributing to the fandom. I'll use this space to express my appreciation to all of the Castle cast and crew for their hard work and wonderful show.

Gravitational Tides

"Forgive me Father for I have sinned."

"Tell me your sins that you may receive penitence."

"I gloated in the misfortune of others. A rival at work was suspended for 30 days and another quit…"

That stunned the listener. She quit? Good God, not now… The holy man pulled at his collar.

"…they used to run unchecked until our captain was killed. I know somehow that they are responsible…"

Father Ernesto half listened as he glanced at his watch. It was still early. There was still time to confound Lucifer's minions. Despite being recently left to fend for himself the elderly man could make it over there. He tuned back into to the officer's confession, "…so the millionaire stopped slumming with us working stiffs and maybe the other blue-eyed boy will get smart."

The priest knew this confessor and much more of the saga than one would suppose. Never would the man of faith predict such a simple ending when an epic battle promised. He let the confessor rattle on as the implications played in his mind. His recent loss and this new upset of status quo meant the demons and pawns were once again going to twist fate to meet the needs of darkness. Still, the future was uncertain and the collision of evil and avengers was not yet written. He could nudge the forces of good. The man in holy garb tuned back in to the hushed stream of words.

"…I think God was proving me right. I did some stuff but now they won't need it. I was on the side of righteousness the whole time!"

The illusion of anonymity was cast aside. "You planted evidence?"

"They were going to use it to disgrace her. Let the world see her as a woman with a vendetta instead of the tragic heroine portrayed in that damned sex novel."

So this cop had given in. Become another pawn in the chess match. He had guessed it would happen. Still, the man wearing the dark robe needed more information. He knew the mortal danger lurking. "We see through the veil darkly, my child. It could be that the band of avengers is merely pursuing their quarry from another angle- working without the confines and restraints of their role as officers of the law."

"I would have thought so, too. But she is gone - really gone. Her best friend, the medical examiner, can't find her; she's not answering her phone. The 2 guys who used to be partners aren't even speaking. But the best part is that before all that happened the playboy was kicked out-by her- and he wasn't coming back!" The voice held a note of triumph.

Father Ernesto arched his eyebrows at the irony, If misery loves company then the world is about to become a very loving place.

Setting: Castle's Loft

To sleep perchance to dream… Great dreams. The castle was stormed; the moat was crossed; the drawbridge was lowered! Better than the dreams were…

His eyes sprung open. The blurry edges of sleep fell away and exuberance washed over him. My eyes spy a naked detective! He wanted to label it a dream come true but a snippet nagged at his memory. Detective? If naked Beckett isn't a dream then neither is her resignation! Damn, this is huge. His attention span (or lack thereof) was claimed once again by the enticing form snuggled into his sheets, his pillow, leaving her scent behind and burning an imprint that that he pleaded he would see again.

Wait… Beckett is in my bed! Still in my bed; still naked! She didn't sneak out during the night. But really, when did she have a chance between the frantic coupling, damned recounting of events/injuries, and the much more leisurely interlude that followed in the shower. Hot, wet, soapy Kate let me worship her body and kiss every bruise and then I made her moan - out loud - when I…

Woops, not the time to wake up my anatomy. Give the woman a rest, he chided himself. He struggled to find another topic to distract himself. Who am I kidding - nothing is going to distract me from Beckett - in my bed! Naked! Oh damn. His carnal appetite was waking up.

Other anatomy was also waking. His stomach growled - loudly.

He quickly accessed her face for signs of rousing, but her unguarded peacefulness continued.

Breakfast… I get to feed her breakfast! Oh the gleeful possibilities burst forth: Pancakes! The edible thank you for a perfect night. But was it too cliché? Kate deserved special. Memorable… Of course! He seized on the perfect breakfast: a s'morelette - an unique breakfast in honor of their unforgettable union!

The master creator mentally verified the necessary ingredients were in house. He'd sizzle up some bacon first and let the smell lead her to the kitchen and then have the secret ingredients ready…

Wait… His befuddled mind registered something wrong with the plan. What? Of course I'd make coffee; that's not it. He let the words form an image: cooking bacon, Kate lured out of bed by the smell…

Oh! She'd wake up alone! Not good, Rick. There was no way in hell he was letting that crucial moment of wakefulness go unchecked. It would tell him if she had regrets, pain, or a delightful afterglow (or all of these) warring for dominance within this extraordinary woman.

Still, he needed to feed her. His eyes fell to his nightstand and the plan came together. Thankfully he had a moment of fatherly need to keep his phone close since Alexis was out all night partying. Slowly, carefully, he eased his body away from the center of the bed and reached out an arm to snag the device.

He took a second to verify the text messages from his daughter were all good and came at regular intervals knowing he would worry otherwise. The father smiled indulgently at the picture of the teen on top the lion outside the NY public library. Hmmm, pictures… Just to prove to myself this was real and if it's not salacious… Reluctantly he dismissed the thought. He left the goofy smile on his face as he opened his browser and placed an order from his favorite bakery for delivery. Their breakfast was going to be classic: Coffee and cherry-filled turnovers. His grin widened at the subtext and symbolism.

"Richard Castle, if you are even thinking about using that phone to take pictures of me in your bed I will hurt you!"

He almost dropped the phone, covered his ears, and whimpered, "apples..." Instead a smirk found courage to ghost across his lips. It was further proof her mind reading abilities were even stronger in bed…