Hey again,

So I'm not sure if I like this chapter, or the way I've handled the walk of shame, but hopefully it's okay. Let me know if you hate it or love it, because I'm really not sure where to take this. I have some ideas, but recommendations would be helpful.

It's not very long, but I'm already starting the next part, so stay tuned!

Much love and happy reading, and don't forget to review!
x

I crept down the staircase, my face burning. I had never felt so mortified in my life. I gripped the edge of Castle's shirt hard, praying that it would stay down and preserve whatever shred of dignity I could salvage from the situation.

Castle came into view first, standing by the kitchen bench. He met my eyes immediately, looking embarrassed and apologetic. My stomach dropped as I saw the pile of clothes sat on one of the stools. I felt a fresh wave of heat rush across my skin as I saw that my bra was on top of the pile.

As I took another tentative step, Martha became visible. She stood in a flowing blue dressing gown, her hair as immaculate as usual. She had a strange expression on her face. She looked both smug and amused; a small smile crept along her face as she saw me. She looked almost...triumphant.

I let my hair fall in front of my face as I tried my best to act casual.

"Good morning Detective," she said in her overly dramatic voice as I hit the bottom of the stairs and practically flew across to hide behind Castle.

"Martha." I said with a weak smile and a slight nod, feeling the blush flaring across my face and chest.

"Richard darling, you could have given the lovely Detective some pants or a dressing gown or at least something more substantial than just that shirt." Martha shot Castle a disapproving look before taking off her own gown and handing it to me.

I bit my lip and winced, pulling the gown around myself with mumbled thanks.

Castle gaped speechlessly at his mother, who simply shrugged with an elegant flourish of her hands. "Just a thought my dear, it would have been nice."

She and walked into the kitchen. "So. Who wants breakfast? I'm cooking."

My jaw almost hit the floor. Her voice was so casual, and if it hadn't been for the mischievous, smug glimmer in her eye, it would appear as if it was totally normal for me to have spent the night and to appear only in Castle's shirt the following morning.

I looked at Castle. He appeared as shocked as I felt. He had clearly been expecting her to make a huge fuss over it, and to embarrass the both of us. He looked at me with disbelief before hastily composing his features.

"No Mother, I'll cook. I don't want to scare Kate away already," he teased, though his casual banter seemed a bit strained. Martha narrowed her eyes at him. He slipped his hand to my lower back and guided me forward, pulling out a chair for me.

I smiled and blushed slightly as he swept his hand gently up my back, the affectionate gesture surprising me a little.

"So Detective, I hear this case is not particularly pleasant?" Martha asked, letting Castle take over and pulling up a seat next to me. I wasn't at all surprised that she knew what was going on; Castle's family meant everything to him and so he kept them up to date with everything.

My throat choked up a little as I saw the tenderness and care in her soft blue eyes. She picked up my distress instantly and gently covered my hand with her own.

"I'm sorry Kate darling, I won't pry. Just promise me you'll stay safe." She smiled warmly and squeezed my hand slightly. My eyes continued to well up as I saw just how much she cared.

I heard the soft patter of footsteps down the stairs and I gulped as a fresh wave of humiliation washed across me. I turned to see Alexis heading over, her hair flowing in gorgeous waves.

I tried my best to act normal, regardless of the fact I was wearing only Castle's shirt and Martha's dressing gown.

Alexis smiled warmly at me and continued past. To my complete horror and embarrassment, she showed no shock at all to see me sitting in her kitchen. In fact, she shared a similar expression to Martha; a kind of smug, victorious smirk. It was then I wondered how long they had been betting it would take the two of us to get together.

"Morning Dad," Alexis said in a cheery voice, pecking her dumbstruck father on the cheek. "Morning Grams, Detective Beckett."

My jaw was beginning to ache from the amount of time it had spent on the floor. Alexis had just mentioned me casually in a good morning. As if it was a common occurrence that I was mostly naked in her kitchen in the morning!

Alexis made some small talk with Castle, but I was too busy trying to work out how I would remove my clothes-and worse, my bra-from the kitchen without making it too obvious.

"So, while breakfast is being made, I'm just going to go and read my book for a bit. We've got to have it finished by Tuesday next week for English, but it's an easy read so I should be fine." Alexis rambled as Castle prepared bacon and eggs.

Castle smiled proudly at her. "Sure thing pumpkin," he said with a grin. "I'll call you when it's ready."

She left the room gracefully, but not before shining a warm smile in my direction. Her brilliant blue eyes glimmered happily at me and I felt my heart pound. I hadn't realized just how similar her eyes and Castle's were.

I smiled shyly back and turned back to face Castle. Martha also rose.

"I'll be back in a moment my dears; I'm feeling a little chilly." She gestured to her thin silk pajamas and left the room with an air of grace and elegance.

I turned around to meet Castle's confused gaze. My jaw was wide open and I let my eyes dart to our pile of clothes.

"Okay what just happened?" I whispered frantically, grabbing the clothes and clutching them to my chest.

Castle opened his mouth, paused, and closed it again. He took a moment before coming forward to stand next to me.

"I don't know. I mean, my mother has been wanting us together since I met you, and she's not the type to miss out on the 'I told you so' moment." He shrugged, looking as confused and shocked as I felt.

"God Castle, I can't believe they heard us! I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed, and I've done some stupid things in my life," I whispered frantically, running my hands through my hair and grimacing.

Panic instantly invaded his features. "You-you don't-Kate, tell me you don't think what we did was stupid," Castle stuttered, desperately searching my face as he came around the counter to stand in front of me.

"Oh Castle," I said softly, cupping his cheek with my hand, "that's not what I meant."

He closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief, his hands coming forward to grasp my hips. His thumbs pressed firmly into my hips, his fingers into my back, and the pressure and his electric touch made me shudder. I instantly felt the heat pool to my core and I slipped off the stool to stand against him.

I kissed him gently and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He pulled me close and tried to deepen the kiss by nipping my lip insistently.

I pulled back slightly, kissing him chastely and resting my nose against his.

"Castle, I'm in your mother's dressing gown in the middle of your kitchen. I got caught last night, I don't think my dignity can stand any more torment today," I explained softly as his hands drew tantalizing patterns over my back. "I should go and put my clothes back on."

He nodded before reluctantly letting me go. I picked up the clothes again and faced him again with a sly smirk on my face.

"And if you're a good boy today Ricky, we can continue this tonight," I said in a husky tone, keeping my voice low in case Martha or Alexis were around.

His eyes darkened instantly and he grabbed me with a low growl. He kissed me hard, pressing his fingers into my back and wiping the smirk off of my face. I could feel him pressing against me through the thin material of the dressing gown and I felt a low moan slip from my lips.

I lost all thoughts and pressed harder into the kiss, our tongues battling for dominance. Suddenly he pulled back and took a step back, the bulge in his pants quite pronounced.

"Kate," he growled, "if you don't go now I'm not going to be able to stop. I swear you make me feel like a horny teenager all the time." He gestured to his crotch with a frustrated look on his face. "Now I have to try and get rid of that and concentrate on cooking breakfast. Thanks."

I smiled as he scowled, kissing him gently before turning around and heading quickly to the stairs.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw a flash of movement and a scurry of footsteps at the top. I frowned and started climbing the stairs quietly.

I heard a muffled shriek come from Alexis's room, and I felt my curiousity stir. I knew I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I found myself utilizing my abilities to sneak silently to the side of the door so I could listen.

"Is she gone?" I heard Martha's dramatic whisper. "Do you think she saw us?"

"I don't know. Grams, we shouldn't have spied on them, that was mean." Alexis whispered back, sounding slightly ashamed.

"Alexis darling, I have been waiting for those two to come to their senses since Richard met that Detective. I had to make sure that she wasn't going to run away and hide from her feelings again. I hoped she would be strong enough to overcome whatever is holding her back, and I was right."

"But I still feel bad..." Alexis whispered.

Martha chuckled quietly. "I'm assuming I wasn't the only one woken up last night?"

Alexis let out a quiet groan and I felt a fresh blush begin its ascent up my chest and across my face.

"Well then, I think that we deserve a little something for being put through that. And if that little something is spying on them for a moment, then so be it. Now we should go before Kate comes back and catches us hiding out."

I jumped a mile high as the door began to creep open and I dashed madly for Castle's bedroom.

I closed the door and stopped for a moment, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

Martha knew I had been running and pushing Castle away. How had she known that? I felt the panic creep into my chest as I realized that I had crossed that line with him. What was I meant to do now that we didn't have that careful barrier of denial?

He had finally managed to break through my defenses.

I heard a soft knock at the door and assuming it was Castle, I opened it. To my surprise Martha stood at the door, a strange look on her face.

"Detective, I just wanted to apologize if I have embarrassed you at all." Her words were soft and surprisingly guarded. I realized with a grimace that she knew I had been listening at the door.

"My dear, I know that you've been running away from him, and I just want you to know that I've never seen him like this before. I don't know what's holding you back, or why you're afraid of, but if I can give you some advice, please, don't fight this."

She took my hand as my breathing sped up.

"I have a feeling that this fear is related to your mother, but I know that she would be proud of you. He does you good and it may not be my place to say this, I am proud of you both. So don't let it stop you from being happy." Her words made my eyes swell with tears, and I clutched her hand tightly.

"You deserve to be happy Detective; you just have to let yourself." My eyes widened as she echoed words so similar to Castle's the previous night.

The elegant matriarch leant in, kissed me on the cheek and walked off.

I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I stood rigid with shock. Somehow Martha knew exactly what I had been battling, and the fact that she knew it was to do with my mother surprised me. Obviously that empathetic, almost clairvoyant gene ran through the family.

I closed the door and took off her dressing gown. I let the tears fall, knowing I would feel better for it. I knew I had been running. I knew it was because I had seen how my mother's death had shattered my father's life.

I couldn't do that to someone. I couldn't let my job hurt anyone else.

I did my best to keep everyone at arm's length so that if I lost my life to a criminal's knife or a stray bullet no one other than my dad would miss me. Castle was right, I hid in nowhere relationships because they allowed me to feel but to keeping myself distant and unattached.

Oh God. Relationships.

Josh.

My heart stopped. How could I have forgotten about my boyfriend and slept with Richard Castle? I cursed out loud, realizing he was coming home the following night. I glanced at the mirror and saw that Castle had left some obvious marks along my neck.

I gulped and unbuttoned his shirt. Yep, the bite marks had been left on my chest as well as my neck. There was no way I would be able to hide them from Josh.

Damn it.

I grabbed my clothes and pulled them on, groaning as I realized that I would have to go home to get a change of clothes before work. Good thing Esposito said I didn't need to be in until ten at the earliest. A glance at the clock on Castle's bedside table read eight thirty.

I threw on the rest of my clothes and checked my face in the mirror. My eyes were a little red, and the marks on my neck were in plain sight.

I opened Castle's cupboard and pilfered through. Finally, I pulled out the desired item-a blue and white striped scarf. He had worn it before, but I had never realized how soft it was. I pulled it around me and inhaled deeply, it smelt just like Castle. It calmed me a little as I arranged it to cover the telltale marks and headed out the door.

When I reached the kitchen, I saw the whole Castle family gathered around the counter. Castle's expression made me laugh. It was a combination of shame and terror, and I saw that Martha had her finger in his chest.

His eyes flitted to me and he cleared his throat loudly. Martha turned around with a warm smile.

"Detective Beckett, come and join us for breakfast. Dad cooked eggs," Alexis said with a cheery smile.

"Call me Kate, Alexis, and it depends on the time..." I trailed off, glancing at my wrist before realizing I had left my watch at home. I gasped and checked my throat. I had forgotten my mother's necklace in my hurry last night. My stomach flipped and suddenly I felt naked and vulnerable.

"Ah, no, I really have to get going. I, um, have to go home before I go to work," I mumbled distantly as I tried to keep a poker face. All three of them watched me with slightly worried expressions.

Martha started to argue but Castle bustled forwards. "Kate can come around later, she has got work. Unlike me, she has a real job and real responsibilities," Castle joked, resting his hand on my lower back.

"Thanks Martha, bye Alexis," I said as calmly as I could, letting Castle guide me to the door.

He turned me as soon as we had left the front door, softly closing the door to give us some privacy. He wrapped his hands around my waist, his soft eyes watching mine intently.

"Kate, tell me," he said quietly, his voice sounding sad. My eyes welled up as the panic in my chest fought for dominance.

"I don't know what I'm doing. My mother's ring, I forgot last night. I've never left my house without it, and last night I just...left." I swallowed hard and shut my eyes as the tears began to fall. I took a breath.

"And I have never, ever cheated on anyone. In my life. And last night...I just forgot. What kind of person am I that I forgot I had a boyfriend? And he's coming home tomorrow and I've got your bite marks all across my body."

His sharp intake of breath forced my eyes open.

"Oh God Kate," he whispered in a voice that betrayed his remorse and horror.

The sobs started racking my body and his hands tightened on my hips.

"Castle what are you doing to me?" I whispered the words so softly I was surprised that they had slipped from my lips.

He froze instantly, the shock clear on his face.

"Kate, what are you saying?"

"I don't know Castle, I really don't. I was fine until you came along. I never would have forgotten my mother's ring. I would never have cheated on someone. And now, because of that argument I was so distressed I walked out without it. And now I've...Josh. God Castle what have I done?"

Finally the tears got the better of me and I covered my face with my hands, sobbing hard as I realized how much Castle had changed me. How much I had changed.

He pulled me into his chest and his warm arms circled me. I couldn't stop the tears but Castle never let me go. He stood until the sobs had left my body completely.

Then he let me go gently and brushed the tears from my eyes, cupping my face in his hands.

"Go to work. We can talk about this later. About what to do."

I felt the bile rise in my throat as my breathing became shallow. Castle ran his hands gently down my back, drawing calming patterns on my back. He waited until I had composed myself before taking a step back.

"I won't do anything more that will put you in a worse position. If you need me, please call me Kate. We can work through this."

The pain in my voice almost broke my heart as I took a deep, steadying breath, turned on my heel and headed for the elevator.