Kate Beckett basked in the soft stream of sunlight that bled through the window. It was this time of the morning that she loved. It wasn't terribly early, not like when she usually woke for work, but it wasn't late either. Just around now, the city was just beginning to get down to business.

Even though she knew it was chilly out, being February in New York, Kate could feel the warm touch of the morning sun on her bare shoulder. She opened her eyes open, the clock staring back at her. 9:03. She loved mornings when the alarm didn't go off and she could wake up at her own free will.

Carefully, trying not to stir too much, she rolled over, a smile on her face when she got a look at the sight lying behind her. There he was, Rick Castle, flat on his back, bare-chested, one arm leaning above him on the headboard, the other reaching lazily out in her direction. His hair was strewn in all directions, but she had to admit, the bed head was adorable. Kate propped herself up on her elbow and watched, her own loose waves tumbling over her back.

He would question, on occasion, what he had done to deserve her, but what he didn't know was that she often found herself asking that of herself. Here he was, her writer, her confidant, her lover, her best friend, asking nothing of her but to love and be loved. He knew she had wounds and he didn't care. Knew about her fears and didn't care.

He knew everything about her, and all he did was care.

Somehow, she had managed to feel the same way about him. And it took every fiber of her being to not to panic over that.

In silence she watched him sleep, and admired the view of the city outside the bay window on the other side of the room. Sure enough, the sounds of the traffic were beginning to hum. The view in his bedroom was spectacular. Anytime she wanted Kate could keep an eye on her favorite city and her favorite writer.

Something akin to a hiccup escaped his mouth, startling him awake. Kate, however, was far too lost in her own thoughts to notice.

"Detective Beckett, I do believe you are a hypocrite."

"Hmm." Her eyes opened wide as she startled to look at him.

"You were watching me sleep weren't you?" He looked up at her, not moving from his position.

"No," she shrugged, "I just woke up and I was admiring the view of the city. Your sleeping self just happened to be in the way."

"Sure…" He sang the taunt out, just knowing that it would irritate her. It was almost unfair that he thought she was even more stunning when she was angry as when she wasn't.

He lifted himself up to lean against the headboard, folding his arms across his chest. Not once did their gaze on each other break.

"You know what, you're just full of yourself."

"Ah, but you love me anyway." Rick flashed her a grin, knowing full well that that would bug her too. "Besides, I don't need for you to admit it, it's written all over your face."

It was too gorgeous a morning for Kate to let herself get frustrated. Instead, she brushed him off with a roll of her eyes as she sat up beside him. Rick, however, had other plans, and pulled her in close. She simply allowed him to take charge, and draped her legs atop his, her head leaned into his shoulder.

"Morning," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "sleep well?"

She turned to kiss a spot on his chest, nodding her head 'yes'. "I love when I can sleep a full night without being woken up by murder." She reached across and wrapped her arm around his middle. "I had a good time last night."

Now that he had her completely in his grasp, Rick could really enjoy the morning. He loved having her over, and hated when she left. Sure, it wasn't like she was ever gone for very long. She rarely stayed the entire night at her own apartment anymore. There had even been nights, in the middle of particularly grueling cases, where she would knock on his door in the wee hours of the morning, just needing someone to hold.

"It was fun wasn't it?" They laughed together, recalling their escapades the night before. They, as well as Alexis, had the brilliant idea of surprising Martha by attending her latest show. They spent the entire afternoon plotting. They were going to sit in the back of the theatre, and as soon as the show was over they were going to whisk their diva off to a fabulous dinner at her favorite resturant.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans for the trio.

The cab they had taken to the theatre had broken down halfway there, leaving them to walk. Now, that wouldn't have been so bad had the sky not decided to open up and dump buckets of rain on them. They ended up ducking into a small diner on a street corner that they had never hear of, to avoid the rain, and ultimately spent the evening enjoying some of the best food they had ever eaten.

They never made it to the show.

By the time they got back to the apartment they looked like three drowned rats in ruined evening wear. Each peeled off their wet clothes, changing into their favorite combination of pajamas (not complete without the fuzzy socks), and hunkered down in the living room for movies.

"I never thought that I could have so much fun running around New York City in a torrential downpour." Kate spoke softly as she traced nonsense patterns on his upper arm.

"Well you've never run around New York in a torrential downpour with the Castles before."

She let out a laugh, lifted her head to look at him. "You are correct there Mr. Castle." Her eyes beckoned him to dip his head down, meeting her halfway for a proper wake up call.

"I think…" he started when their lips separated, "I think you should move in here."

"Really now?" She had settled herself back down in his arms. Her eyes were focused intently on a knot in the wood floor. "Why's that?"

"Well," he sighed and squeezed her a little closer, just a sign that he wasn't playing around, "you hardly ever stay at your own apartment anymore. Imagine the dust the poor place is collecting while you're gallavanting around town with us? It deserves a tenant who can give it proper attention. And that tenant certainly isn't you, because Alexis and I need you far too much. And we're too greedy even consider sharing you with your apartment again. Not now, after we've grown so attached."

Again she looked up at him. Only this time, she sat upright, pulling the sheet around her body.

"You're serious?" Rick nodded his head so fast Kate thought his head would pop off. His eyes were wide, excitement and anticipation beaming from them, but it was his mouth that showed how nervous he was. It was pulled into a thin smile, lips pursed together. Kate had rarely seen Castle nervous.

"I'm dead serious. You spend most of your time here already, do you even remember what your bed feels like?" He could see the sign of distress on her face. This probably wasn't the best time to be making jokes. Rick maneuvered himself so that he was facing her, and pulled her hands into his. "Kate, I'm not going to lie to you, I love having you here, being able to wake up every morning with you in my arms. You make our home a better place, and I want you to feel like this is your home too."

"Rick you know I love being here with you and Alexis-"

"Then stay." Their eyes met. His a brilliant blue, hers a striking green. Perfectly complementary.

"Keep having breakfast with us every morning and dinner every night. Keep watching movies with us. And keep kicking my butt in laser tag." A smile was beginning to creep its way onto her face, so he kept going. "There is no one else in the world that I want to share my world with. I love you so much Kate, and so does Alexis. I don't know what we would do if you left and didn't come back."

Kate saw the fear in his eyes, a voice inside of her screaming at her to say something. But she just couldn't find the right words. In an instant she knew what to do. She reached out, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck, and pulled him towards her. Their mouths crashed together with more fire than either could possibly imagine. The two spent countless seconds softly tasting each other. Just savoring being together.

They separated when the need for air grew too powerful. Neither wanted to let go, and settled for pressing their foreheads together. Kate found herself back in his arms. How, she had no idea. But she wasn't going to argue.

"Is that a yes?" Rick's voice was tentative, though a string of confidence was apparent.

Kate dragged a hand over his face, resting when she reached his jaw. "It's a yes." Rick flipped them over so that he had his love pinned to the sheets. Her hands explored his back and neck, his left holding him above her, right caressing her cheek. There was nothing fearful in his actions now, as he held her close. He finally had her exactly where he wanted her, and he didn't want to let her go. He had pressed his face to her neck, placing kisses along her collarbone and jaw.

"Rick," she managed between sighs of happiness, "we really should move. I'm starving."

He moaned against her neck. "Me too. I think I could stay here all day."

Firmly she pushed him over by the shoulders. A look of shock flashed across his features. "Not that I don't enjoy this little party we've got going on, but I really am hungry." She just had to roll her eyes at him again when he smirked. "For food. Maybe some breakfast?"

Rick took her hand again, rubbing his thumb back and forth across her knuckles. "Whatever you want. Shall we go out? Or should I make you some of my famous pancakes?"

"Famous huh?" An eyebrow raised, teasing him. "Lovely as that sounds, I'm thinking, we haven't been to Junior's in a while. Why don't we go there?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll pick up a black and white for Alexis while we're there." Both moved from the warmth of the bed to get dressed.

"You don't think she'll want to come with us?"

"Nope. She left early this morning to leave with Paige, remember? Ski week?"

Kate nodded, remembering that the girl had been offered a trip to Colorado with her friend's family for the week.

It only took the couple fifteen minutes before they were at the front door, pulling on coats and scarves.

"Ready?" Rick clapped his hands together, the sound muffled by his leather gloves. He reached for the door, just as Kate was adjusting her scarf.

"Yup! Let's-"

The irritating sound of her cell phone ringing echoed through the apartment. With a huff she practically ripped the phone from her pocket.

"Beckett…seriously?" She started to rub two fingers in circles on her temple. "Where?" Her foot tapped against the floor as she listened. "I'll be there in twenty." There was an obviously frustrated tone in her voice as she attempted to close the conversation. Behind her she could hear Rick moving towards his office. "No, Esposito, it's fine. I'll be right there.

She slid her phone shut and turned around, just in time to face Rick holding out her gun and harness for her.

"Thought you might need this." Since she had started staying over regularly the writer had a safe put in his office, in the short bookcase behind his desk, specifically for this purpose. Previously she had kept her weapon on the top of his refrigerator.

"Thanks," she sighed as she took them from him, fastening the holster around her waist, "I'm sorry about this. I'm supposed to have the day off, but apparently the boys thought I'd want in on this one."

Her partner reached around her to pull open the door. "Nonsense. You know I don't care what we're doing as long as I get to be with you." He dropped a quiet kiss to her forhead when she stepped beside him in the doorway. "The only downside is that we have to settle for breakfast-on-the-go."

"There's that," she stepped past him and into the hallway, "and, you know, the fact that someone's dead." She shoved her hands into her coat pockets as she walked towards the elevator.

Rick admired her saunter from his place outside what was now their door. "How could I forget?" Quickly he caught up with her in the elevator, his gloved hand finding hers as the doors shut.

Yay! Chapter 2! And Castle/Beckett goodness! It's a little later than I intended, but I guess it could be worse, right? Next chapter should be up in a couple of days. I'm going home for Thanksgiving so I'll hopefully get some writing in during the lovely 5 hour car ride.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Drop me a line, and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you amazing readers!

3 Tappin.