Hello people! I'm sorry this is so short. I've really only had inspiration in short bursts recently. So I'd rather post something short than try to make it longer and have it come out awful. So please, enjoy this little snippet, also based on 'Probable Cause.'

When she awoke the next morning, she felt more relaxed than she had in ages. She was still snuggled up in her boyfriend's arms- gosh, they really were boyfriend & girlfriend now, weren't they?- and she had absolutely no intention of leaving his embrace anytime soon, since Gates had given her the day off due to her near-death experience.

Being the excellent detective she was, she soon realized she was not the only one awake. She could feel his even breathing on the back of her neck, his fingers dancing patterns across her stomach. She rolled over in his arms so she could face him.

"Well good morning, gorgeous," he whispered, brushing hair away from her face.

"Good morning yourself, handsome," she answered, leaning in to kiss him. It was slow and tender, nothing like the passionate, frenzied ones they were used to. They kissed languidly a moment longer, just reveling in the fact they they were here and alive and together.

"I love you," she told him. He almost melted at the sight of the smile that was playing on her lips.

"I will never tire of hearing you say that," he told her, leaning in to rest his forehead against hers.

"I'm still kinda in shock that I've said it."

"You don't wanna take it back, right?"

"Of course not, you ridiculous man. G-d, you're like a nine year old."

His voice dropped an octave, his eyes growing darker. His voice sounded almost animalistic. "Let me disprove that statement."

"Think you can handle me, Castle?"

"I know I can handle you." He attacked her throat, the pulse point right where her neck met her shoulders. He began kissing down, down, through the valley of her breasts, before she expertly flipped him over and started in on him. As he felt her move southward, his body tensed. She noticed the change in his body as well, and paused to look up at him questioningly. He sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face in defeat. He didn't want to tell her about this, but clearly he had to give her some kind of explanation.

"I have to tell you something," he told her. He hated the look that flashed across her face before her poker face returned, because he knew she was thinking it had to be something about cheating on her.

"Wha...what is it?" she questioned, leaning back onto her heels, clearly scared of the answer.

"Tyson. When he came to me when I was in holding, he told me how he was able to do everything. He told me that he had stood in my living room...watched me and Alexis walking down the street. Watched-" he gulped, fearing how she would react. "He said he watched us make love."

She suddenly felt very violated. She brought the blanket up around her, even though she was still fully dressed. "He- He said that?"

"Yea. You can see why I'm a little hesitant."

"Oh my G-d," she said. "I just...I just can't believe this."

"Kate, like you said, he wouldn't stay in the city, right? It's not like he's gonna be here every time."

"It's just so...personal." Kate was on the verge of tears.

"I know, Katie, I know. Come here."

She crawled back up the bed, and laid her head on his chest. "Are we ever going to be able to be happy without murder and mayhem and scores to settle hanging over our heads?"

"I don't know, Kate. But whatever it is, it is. And I'll be by your side no matter what."

"I know. I want you with me all the time." She was surprised at how open and honest and exposed she was with him. But he was that type of person that would never use her admissions against her.

He pulled her closer against him just for a moment, just to remind himself that she was there and that they were both safe.

After a few moments of silence, he spoke, "Hey, why don't we get out of here? Go to the park? See a movie? Anything to get our minds off of...this."

"A day at the park sounds nice. Can we go to Aroma too?"

"Anything you want, my love, anything you want."

Well, there you have it. If you don't know what Aroma is, it's this amazing little coffee shop from Israel. There's only three in NYC, and one in Jersey. I think there's one in Florida too, but I haven't been to that one cause I live around NYC and Jersey. If you wanna know, search 'Aroma Espresso Bar,' and buy an Ice Aroma. Heaven.

Comments?