I've been neglecting my favorite characters. So this popped into my head today. Well actually the sentence "Kate is sitting on a bench." popped into my head. They story followed. I'm going to call this a one shot, but the last time I tried that, it turned into a story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Kate Beckett sat on a bench in Central Park, sipping a coffee, watching people go about their day. She was playing hooky from work, something that just two years ago she would never have done, but today was special. When she woke up this morning she was free. Everything that had followed her since she was nineteen had changed yesterday. She had been worried, scared even, that the feeling would fade. Or worse, that it would feel hollow and short lived. She imagined the reason it felt the way it did was because she did it the right way. She didn't get revenge, she got justice. She hadn't done things solely by the book, but she hadn't done anything immoral.

She took a sip of coffee, leaning her head back afterward, savoring the taste. The morning sunshine felt refreshing on her face. She couldn't remember the last time she had been outside just to enjoy it. The last time she had been in central park had been on a case. Now she was here simply to enjoy the breeze, sun, and people.

"One bear claw, my lady." Castle presented the pastry with a flourish.

"Thanks, babe." Kate reached up, carefully grabbing the wax paper the bear claw was wrapped in. She took a bite, enjoying the texture. "Hmmmm, that is perfect."

Castle just smiled as he eased down beside her. He couldn't remember seeing Kate so relaxed, so happy. The weight and pain he had seen in her eyes and posture since she walked into his launch party was gone. It's like she was a completely different person.

"So what now?" Castle asked taking a bite out of his own claw.

"Nothing. There is nothing now. We are going to sit here until my stomach decide what is for lunch, then we are going to walk there, hand in hand, making goo-goo eyes at one another across the table."

Castle let out a laugh. "That sounds like a really good plan."

"It's a non-plan. There is no plan today." Kate took another sip of coffee.

"Well there is one plan."

Kate took a deep breath. "Yes. One plan."

"Did he agree?"

"It took a little convincing, but he will meet us there tonight at six. I've already made the reservations." She turned to Castle. "You sure that Alexis and Martha don't want to come?"

"I asked, but they said this was for us and your dad."

Kate took a deep breath. "You realize that my father and I will cry through dinner tonight, right?"

"Are you kidding? We are going to have the dinner you and your father were supposed to have when you were nineteen. I'm going to cry."

Kate actually smiled. "Thanks babe."

"For the crying?" Castle raised an eyebrow.

"No!" Kate laughed bumping Castle shoulder with her own. "For helping me get here, get him. I would never have gotten here without you."

"I don't know about that. You are the extraordinary Kate Beckett. You don't lose. It may have taken a little longer, but you would have gotten him. It was fate."

"I don't believe in fate."

"Doesn't matter. Fate believes in you."

Kate finished her bear claw wadding the paper up into a ball.

"I still can't believe you took the day off. What did Gates say?"

Kate took another sip of coffee. "See you Monday. I don't think she was surprised, but she wasn't sure what to do. Ryan texted me while you were getting the bear claws. I haven't taken a day off, willingly," Kate glared at Castle. "in seven years."

"Yeah, that sounds like you. I had to beg to get you to go to the Hamptons, and then you only went for the weekend."

"I like my job."

"I like my job, but I still take time off."

"Babe, your job is time off. I found you the other morning stacking playing cards into walls and rolling Hotwheels cars into them. You were supposed to be finishing two chapters of the latest book."

"I was taking a creative break."

"For three hours?"

"Touché."

Kate stood from the bench reaching out her hand to Castle. "Come on. Let's take a walk."

Castle took her hand and the two began a slow, wandering journey through the paths of Central Park.

"You know, I don't remember the last time I just came to the park to enjoy the outdoors. I was thinking about that while you were getting the bear claws. The last time I was in this park was a case. I think I'm going to start coming here more."

Castle just looked at Kate with a smile.

Kate put her head down, hiding her face with her hair. "You think I'm silly."

"No, never. I'm just happy to see you this light, this unburdened."

"I am, unburdened, that is. Don't get me wrong, I know that I carried my mother's death with me and from time to time went a little over board with the case." Kate paused for Castle reaction. When he didn't even look at her she just kept going. "I never realized, until this morning, just how much I internalized it. I actually don't feel the same as I did yesterday. I don't feel the same in the absolutely best way possible."

Castle reached out putting his arm around her shoulders bringing Kate in for a one armed hug. "I'm so happy for you. I'm happy that you found your mother justice but even more happy that you have found, if not peace, balance."

Kate thought for a moment. "Balance? I like that. Yeah. I've found my balance." Kate grabbed Castle's hand pulling him to a stop. She leaned in, kissing him deeply. "I love you."

"I love you too."