AN : Don't own them at all. And boy, am I glad...for never would it have been that great if I were the writer. Anyway, just a Caskett snippet. S4 finale compatible.
The Final Nail
The door was unlocked. Rick smiled, pushing his own door open. Kate had accepted to have her own key to his appartment just a few days ago and she was already using it ? Awesome.
« Kate ? »
No answer.
« Kate ? »
She was standing arms crossed in front of his digital murderboard, showing once more the connections of her mother's case, the leads, the people of interest. Rick stepped behind her, snaking his arm around her waist.
« Kate... »
She smiled softly, taking his breath away.
« Hey.
-Tell me my door was locked...
-It was. »
Rick grinned.
« The key is of use, then. »
Kate turned around to face him.
« Rick... Are you trying to make me regret ?
-No. Are you ? »
Kate shook her head.
« What were you doing ? »
Her eyes twinkled. That's right, twinkled. Rick Castle felt his heart skip a beat.
« We have a new lead...
-But...
-I know, theoretically we have the name, but we want rock solid evidence, remember ? That's what you said yourself. »
Rick nodded.
« So, my mum's colleague who died before,...the case has been reopened. Her son commissionned an investigation. Evidence, Rick.
-Kate.
-You carried on the case, you double-checked every piece of information. Now, with this new investigation...
-What do you make of the threat ? »
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
« Rick. There's another investigation...I'm not sending you there. I'm sending us. We close this case together. With all the help necessary. »
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
« Rick, give the file to the investigators. Secrecy's what makes them stronger. They need that information.
-Kate... »
She was extraordinary. So much more than even he had the feeling when meeting her. So brave that she could stand in the crosshairs for justice and closure, so determined, and now so strong that she was willingly sitting out the final problem to get them the safer ending.
« Rick, are you okay ? Tell me what you think... »
She pulled back to get a better look at him ; he grinned.
« Kate. Will you marry me ? »
He surprised her once again.
« …. Yes, I will. »
Her answer was as swift as a decision already made. He pulled her back in his arms and took her lips in a mind-blowing kiss. When they moved apart for air, he was stunned to see Kate, now his Kate, grinning widely and happily.
« Great timing, Rick. But what does it have to do with anything ? »
He laughed heartily and hugged her, discovering with renewed happiness that she was embracing him back.