Disclaimer: Nope still don't own them

"The look in someone's eye when he truly sees you-not just your face and hair, but the very essence of your soul."- Robin LaFevers, Dark Triumph

Kate's already pounding heart demanded out, beating against her rib cage in a bone breaking fashion. Her lungs begged for air but refused to expand with each breath. Some small part of her racing mind spoke to the gratefulness that she was seated, because she knew that, were she standing, she would have collapsed by now. She looked into waiting eyes and saw the raw, uninhibited truth mingling with a thousand yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. She felt the cool trickle of liquid slip down one side of her face, another drop falling freely down the other. Words - she knew she should have some somewhere -were nowhere to be found, the connections within the folds of her brain lacking communication.

She found herself out of the swing and curled into his chest before she even knew she her body wanted to move, her arms wrapping tightly about him, her face pressed into the crook of his neck. Her tears fell freely onto his skin, released in full force as her thoughts finally fully caught up to each other and the full realization that he hadn't walked away settled in. She buried her face deeper as his arms curled protectively around her, holding her close. Castle trembled beneath her, his racing heart falling time with her own.

"I chose to stay." Her words found themselves before she could. His fingers dug into her hair as he nodded quietly beside her, each soft pass of his head nuzzling her, reassuring her to go on. "I chose to stay. This is my home. The Precinct. Everyone. This is my home, my family." She tried to snuggle closer, needing, seeking, wanting. His hold tightened, and his hand gently stroked her hair, each tender pass a soothing balm. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to just listen, to just breathe.

Castle filled her senses. His scent filled her nose. His heart beat, each breath he took sang in her ears. His warmth surrounded her frame, eased the tension in her muscles. She allowed herself to collapse, let go of the last few days, and rested her head on his shoulder, the tears finally slowing into nonexistence.

"And us?"

Kate lifted her head to find his gaze, the same hope and fear and truth still staring back at her. She felt the gentle curl of fingers at her back, their protective cocoon holding onto the single object that would change their world forever. She shifted to face him better, sand crunching beneath her movements.

"Rick." She felt his frame tense, the trembling of his limbs intensifying. She tried to smile, to give him hope but, the gravity of all that had passed kept her face downturned. She wanted to lean forward, place single kiss upon his lips, force the words from her mouth. Her hand traced along his arm around her waist. He watched her movements, his eyes growing wide with panic the moment her fingers gently clasped his wrist and pulled his arm from her. His broken, pain filled gaze nearly ripped her heart out.

She gripped his fist in both her hands, leaning down to press her lips to his knuckles. The soft bob of her head answered before the word left her mouth. "Yes." Kate looked up, fresh tears falling. "Yes." She found herself once more crushed against his chest, his I love you in her ears. She held tight, ready to take the biggest leap of faith, whispering her own love to him, as his tears fell against her neck.

A/N: So truth be told I can see both a yes outcome and a not yet outcome as Kate's response. I went with the yes here because who doesn't like a bit of fluffy, though my original thought was a not yet. As always a big thank you to my beta, Dmarx, for all that you do:) And, thank you to my readers for sticking with me, you guys are the best :)

So until next time, happy reading :)

PS. I may turn this into a series of one shot, snap shots don't know yet but, keep a checking back ;)