Post-episode fic for "In The Belly Of The Beast". Reviews are love. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/


Babe, I wasn't alone. When they were interrogating me, the only thing that kept me going was thinking about you. About our future, the wedding. You were with me the whole time. - Katherine Beckett


[Alive But Barely Breathing]

His voice is soft, almost pleading. "Come to bed."

With his hand out in invitation, he waits. He waits and watches as her gaze flicks back and forth between the computer screen and his hand— her demon and her savior.

She knows, with every fiber in her being, that she should go to bed and get some well-deserved sleep after this hell of a day. But, she hesitates. She wants to— needs to— continue looking into Bracken, figure out a way to extinguish this beast of hers, once and for all.

His body looms over her as he waits, no words are being spoken just his presence alone sends the message.

Please, Kate. Leave it alone, at least for right now.

Her gaze lands on his hand again, and that's when she realizes how utterly exhausted she is, both mentally and physically. Her body aches; her lungs still burn with each breath, a reminder of the pain, the turmoil, she went through.

She made it out alive, though.

She's here. She's with Rick.

Please, Kate.

Taking in a shaky breath, she meets his eyes and gives a small smile as she joins their hands. She can see the relief wash over his face.

Kate let's Rick guide her to the bedroom. The fur blanket around her shoulders drags on the wood floor, creating a train behind her. His back faces the direction they're moving toward, and he reaches blindly for the door handle, finds it then pulls her in.

He needs to keep his eyes on her; it's a constant reassurance that she's here. She's with him.

He thought he lost her...forever.

Yet, when he'd gone with the team into those woods only hours before, that dark thought faded immediately, only to be affirmed as soon as she had been crushed to his chest in a fierce hug; something they both desperately needed.

With eyes like a hawk, Rick gently directs Kate to the bed and watches as she slowly climbs in and ducks under the covers, the heat immediately blanketing her entire body with warmth. He glances over his shoulder at her while putting his pajama pants on and ridding himself of his button-down.

It's a sweet gesture, and Kate finds herself smiling softly at him— at this amazing man. He's the reason she is even alive. Without him, she knew she wouldn't have made it.

Rick joins Kate in bed and just as he lifts the sheets over his lower body he is brought in for a rough kiss. Hands cup his cheeks, tongues begin to duel, and their bodies thrum.

Kate molds into him, straddling his lap. Her body hurts at the movement, but she didn't care.

The pain is worth it.

"I love you," she murmurs. "I love you, Rick. Don't leave me, please."

The tears begin to fall, too difficult to hold back anymore. She gives in, mouth abandoning his and moving for his neck, where she shudders and breathes hot air onto his skin.

"I'm here," he whispers, hands running carefully up and down her back. "I'm right here. You're okay."

She let's go. Has been putting up a tough exterior ever since she got back, and she can't hold it up any longer.

"Let it out, Kate. I've got you." He presses a kiss to her cheek while his hands continue to map out her back as she keens into his chest. "I've got you."

"I was so scared, Castle," she confesses minutes later. "I had no idea if I would ever see you again. If I would ever get the chance to hold you, kiss you...make love to you."

Rick's heart breaks at her words, and as much as he wants to say something reassuring, he remains quiet and allows her to get it all out in the open.

But he does place a single kiss to her jawline, communicating to her his unspoken feelings and thoughts.

Kate pulls her face away from his neck so she can see him, eye to eye. Rick reaches up, swipes her cheek with the pad of his thumb to get at a stray tear, and leaves his hand there.

Then, he waits.

Her voice is low and raw. "I had gone into this thinking that it would be get in and get out, but that quickly got turned on its head. And as I was being interrogated the only thing I could think about was you."

Their gaze never falters.

Tears stream down Rick's face, the pure thought of her being tortured scares the hell out of him. He knew the second he'd seen her practically crawling out of those damn woods, drenched and bruised, she'd been on the other side of someone's fist.

It'd been hell for him as well— a different kind of hell, but a hell nonetheless. Knowing he had no control over what had happened, terrified him, and it still does.

"You saved me, Rick."

He wipes at his eyes with his free hand, a sniffle soon following. She told him this already at the precinct, but he listens attentively all the same.

"You are the reason I'm alive. And I am so grateful that I'm here to tell you how much I love and care about you." She smiles while speaking her next words. "You are the most amazing, thoughtful, beautiful man I've ever known. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Oh, Kate," he breathes, overcome with emotion. "I love you, too."

Bringing her in for a kiss, Rick keeps this one slow and gentle. Their lips dance and caress, taking their time to explore, taste, and savor each other.

She's alive and safe. She's where she is meant to be...

Home.


There you go, folks!

I tested writing this one in present tense, seeing as I haven't done so before. Hope you all liked it! Reviews are love. Until next time!

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