It's still July 1st where I am so I aplogize for being so late; it won't be like this later. It's just Canada Day and as a Canadian...I had to celebrate. Anyways, welcome Castle fans of mine who've come to visit and welcome new readers.

I'm going to do a lot of cross-promoting with myself so just get used to it ;) For example, today I posted a new chapter of my collab-fic "Armed and Dangerous" so check that out, I posted a new chapter of my AU Castle fic "Glass Slipper" so check THAT out and of course I posted a preview of a fan fic called "Backdraft for Relic Hunter so please check those all out.

For my Canadian friends, Happy Canada Day. For my American friends, Happy almost Independence Day for everyone else, HI!

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Enjoy 3

Ambrosia

"I have something for you." She bit her lip when his hands fell over her eyes and she tried her hardest not smile but failed miserably.

"You do, do you?" The fluttering in her chest grew more vibrant when he removed on hand to pull something mysterious from behind her before both hands were removed and her senses were over-run with an overwhelming flowery scent that calmed the butterflies just long enough for her to hum in satisfaction. Realizing that she was allowed to open her eyes her mouth fell into an open smile as she blinked awake to face a beautiful peach flower with six petals reaching out to her from a straight, sea green stem. She gasped as she took it from his fingertips, holding it to her nose with that still vibrant, open smile that lit his heart on fire. "What's this for?"

"For you." He leaned over the top of her high-backed chair to smile down at her.

"For me?" The laughter of pure contentment was just sitting in her chest, waiting to burst. "Any particular occasion or is it just because you love me?"

She frowned from her position looking up at him when he hesitated. She waited, knowing he would tell her "it's from before."

"Before what?"

He sighed in exasperation, speaking in frustrated tones as he made his way to chair opposite her in their gold and peach sitting room – a bright warm colour that could never have been created by man alone. "Before…all of this… mess; I was going to give you this flower when I left Abigail."

She held the flower to her chest, staring at it with curiosity and confusion. "Why this flower?"

"It's Ambrosia, it means "reciprocated love"." He was still anxious but he was glowing with pride at the gift he was giving her.

But she looked at him like a gently scolding mother would teach her child a valuable lesson without liting a finger "you don't need a flower for that; it's nice, but not necessary. I don't need a flower to know you love me; not then and not now. Not ever."

"I know, but this flower is for you; for every day I can't be with you physically and for every day I am. So you are reminded of my love for you even if you already know it."

Her smile grew brighter before a dim set into it as his words sunk in fully "not with me physically?"

He reached for her hand not holding the flower and squeezed it in her lap, his eyes holding all the answers to the universe "we rule a kingdom together; sometimes I need to fight for that kingdom and I can't do that from here."

"I know that;" she sighed resignedly squeezing his hand again for good measure. It offered a good distraction so she didn't have to look into his eyes "just promise me that when you leave, you'll come home safely – every time." I pulled her knuckle to his lips and kissed them reverently while she smelt the flower with a secret smile meant only for her.

"That promise I will keep at all costs."