I haven't written anything Castle-related for a long time now. But the promo for episode 5x01 was out yesterday and it inspired me to write this one-shot. I know it's short - as always - but I hope you'll like it anyway. Of course, if you haven't seen the promo and want to stay spoiler-free, do not read this.
The song which gave a title to my story is 'Feel Like Living' by Hothouse Flowers. Feel free to listen to it, it's quite wonderful.

"It took a long time, a long time

It came to me when I needed it so bad
A long time, a long time, I wasn't waiting
I wasn't down with what I had
Let me start, let me start at the beginning
When I first set eyes on you, I knew that you'd be the one
Be the one that makes me feel like living"

At 8 in the morning, Richard Castle opened his eyes to the stream of sunshine breaking through his bedroom window. He let his hand wander to the other side of the bed. But he did not feel anything – anyone – next to him except the cold sheets. He startled and sat up on his bed. Where was Beckett? Because she was supposed to be here.

She came the night before, in the middle of the storm, her hair all wet because of the pouring rain outside. "I just want you." She really said it, didn't she? Or was it all just a dream? He could swear it wasn't. He glanced at his bedroom floor and saw his shirt on one side, his pants right next to it. There was nothing abnormal about this. But then, he noticed a lace bra next to his clothes. "THAT is definitely not mine", he thought. He smiled unconsciously and was about to get up when he heard a quiet – almost inaudible – knock on his door.

Beckett entered and smiled widely at him, trying not to drop the tray she was holding.

"Good morning," she said, handing him a glass filled with orange juice while she was putting strawberry jam on a slice of bread. "You've brought me coffee for four years. I figured I could change the daily routine and bring you orange juice instead. It's healthier. And…" she paused "your coffee machine is a little too complicated for me," she blushed.

He laughed a small laugh and drank his glass, staring at her.
"So it wasn't a dream?" he asked.
The words got out of his mouth so naturally that Beckett giggled. She was not even surprised to hear him say such a thing. It was Castle, his personality would never change, and she liked it that way.
She looked down and smiled. "No it wasn't. So, you liked it?" she asked with a grin.
"Yeah."
"Me too," she answered shyly.

Her wet hair was all dry and curly, now. She was prettier than she had ever been before. "It was worth a long wait, after all," Castle thought. He gently brushed her hair with his left hand and was about to kiss her.
"Wait," Beckett said.
"What?"
"This," she said while taking the tray away from the bed, "is getting cumbersome". She placed it on the floor, sat back on the bed with him and drew the sheets up to her knees.

He smiled as she got lost into the blue of his eyes. And without saying a word – because it was their special thing, to speak with their eyes only, she leaned over him and gave him a soft kiss. As their lips touched, they both lied back down.

She had quit her job. She had almost died. Maybe she would never be able to arrest the man who was behind her mother's murder this whole time. But she was not alone anymore. She had him, Castle. And she now realized he meant more to her than anything or anyone else.

Beckett smiled as he was rubbing circles on the small of her back. She closed her eyes and fell back asleep in his arms.
Not a word was spoken, but the two of them were silently wishing for this moment to last forever.

I hope you liked this. Reviews are always helpful, whether they are positive or not. So you guys know what you have to do *wink wink* :)