DISCLAIMER: The characters of CASTLE do not belong to me. They belong to ABC

Just Like Us

" A writer and his muse," said Castle longingly. "Just like us."

Kate was about to agree, but then she saw the two of them kiss and the words "Yeah just like us" died in her throat. Castle muttered something about seeing her tomorrow and he was halfway to the now closed elevator when Kate just caught up with him.

"Hey Castle," she said feeling rather awkward. "Mind if I walk you out?"

"Sure," he replied. "What's up?"

The elevator doors binged shut.

"I uh, I lied to you," she said in a rush, eyes on the ground.

"Huh?" he asked, feeling rather confused.

Kate knew that this was the perfect opportunity to tell him that not only did she remember in clear detail what had happened when she had gotten shot, but she also had been harbouring feelings for him for a very long time. But the words died and she found herself getting even more awkward.

"Kate?" he asked, stopping the elevator to give them more time to talk. Castle was well aware that it was a rather cliché thing to do but he had to know what was going through her mind. "Kate talk to me. What did you lie about? I won't be mad, whatever it is, I won't be mad."

Kate took a deep breath. "You're going to be pretty mad."

Castle shook his head. "Cross my heart and hope to… well, fly…" he looked sheepishly at Kate. "Sorry. "

"No, I'm sorry." Kate apologized. "I lied to you about the moments after I was shot. I did remember everything."

The colour drained out of Castle's face. "Everything?"

Kate nodded. "Everything… and you have to understand that I was in shock. I pushed you away because I couldn't deal with it… I still can't deal with it but…"

"Kate you don't have to say anything that you're not ready to say," Castle assured sympathetically. "I'll still be here, whenever you're ready."

"The thing is Castle is that I'm not sure I'll ever be ready," she admitted. "We have no leads on my mothers case. That is the one thing that is holding me back, it's always held me back and… "

"And what?" he asked in a whisper.

"And I've learnt that I could waste my life looking for my mothers killer and my shooter," Kate admitted. "I don't want that to happen… I can't let that happen. She wouldn't have wanted that life for me and I don't want it for myself."

Castle looked into Kate's haunted eyes. "What do you want?" he asked.

Kate took a breath. "You," she said bluntly. "I want you."

Before Castle could say anything, Kate moved forward and kissed him. Castle was so shocked that even as his arms went around her, he stepped back, running into the elevator control panel as he did so. While the two of them were absorbed in the kiss, the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. Ann and Paul stared at the two of them.

"Huh," Paul said, feeling rather surprised. "They're just like us."

"No," Ann disagreed. "We're just like them."

Author's Note: I loved Heroes & Villains! It was a great episode. A super great episode and the look that Beckett gave Castle at the end -facepalm- will they ever get it together? I know that this was really short but it provides Kate with the opportunity to tell Castle how she really feels... and you know what I think I'll do this for every episode that calls for it until the ACTUALLY get together. I like that plan, don't you? Review and let me know!