NOTE: post-ep fic for 5x15 ("Target") and 5x16 ("Hunt"). HUGE SPOILERS for those eps in specific and season 5 in general, as well as a reference to 4x16 "Linchpin".

A/N: And here's part 2. Aren't you glad I didn't make you wait a week? ;-)

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.


Chapter 2: Beckett's POV

It had been a week since Castle had returned with Alexis and she had decided she would spend a quiet evening at home, alone. A hot bath was just what she needed right now. So she had said goodbye at the precinct, leaving him standing there, watching her go, almost pouting about not being allowed to join her. He really had missed her, when he was in Paris. She could tell by the way he hovered slightly more than normal and the fact that she hadn't had a minute alone since he came back. Not that she minded much. She had missed him too, a lot. Worrying about him doing dangerous things over there, like probably setting himself up to be killed hadn't helped either, so when he had returned, she had tried to be casual about it, but she hadn't been able to stop herself from almost running into his arms, begging would he please never do that again without her and then, as he agreed, finally, kiss him. It had felt so good to have him back. Never before had she longed for someone so badly. Sophia had been so wrong. She would never get enough of this man.

There was one thing Sophia hadn't lied about, though. Hidden in all her lies had been the truth about his father, known to him only as Jackson Hunt. Jackson Hunt. Who would come up with a cover name that obviously fake? Apparently, Rick's creativity came from his mother.

She was happy for Rick, though. He had gotten a chance to meet the father he had never known. And maybe he'd get a chance to get to know him better. At least he knew he was out there now. There had been the shortest of flashes of jealousy when he told her he had met his father. It made her think of how she would never be able to meet her mother again. But the happiness he so clearly felt made her jealousy disappear like ice melting in the sun. She was truly happy for him. And though she should have been used to that by now, it surprised her a bit that she could feel so much for a guy.

But what a guy it was. Sure, she'd been angry when he had basically lied to her to go find Alexis, but she also respected him for it. At least he meant what he said. He would spare no cost and there was nothing he wouldn't do for those he loved. It was terrifying in a way to know he considered her part of that group. Terrifying, yet comforting. She knew he would never let anything happen to her. It made her feel safe; safer than she had felt in years.

Then, when he hadn't answered her phone calls, she had been upset, which turned into worry when he finally did pick up only to be cut off very abruptly. Especially since she thought she heard a shot rang out just before the line went dead. Thankfully she was able to reach him again a bit later, courtesy of his spying father who had been tracking him that way. She had felt relieved that everything seemed to be ok up to that point. She was not happy about him going for the guys that took Alexis, but she could hardly blame him. She would have done the same if it had been him. She was no longer afraid to admit that to herself. Maybe it was time to admit it to him as well.

She got out of the bath, quickly toweled herself off and, still naked, walked into her bedroom. There, she grabbed a shirt from Rick's drawer and put it on. Ok, so technically, that was not why he had his own drawer there, but it sure came in handy in moments like these. She picked up her phone from her nightstand as she sat down on her bed against the headboard. She hit speed dial #1 and it hadn't even rung a second time when Castle answered. She smiled. He had been waiting for her call.

"Hey. I wanted to tell you something."

"Need me to come over? Because I can be there in 10 minutes", he said.

"Yes please."


A/N: Thanks so much for reading. I really appreciate those taking the time and making the effort to review and/or favor and follow my story or me.

Edited to add: It's been pointed out to me that the ending could have been better and I agree. I just had trouble coming up with another way, but I've decided to give it another go. I changed this ending and will write a third chapter, which will hopefully be better. Sorry for all the edits.