A/N:

Firstly: This was supposed to be a one-shot, but your reviews made me continue this story. I don't know how long it will end up, I suppose as long as you enjoy it, I'll write it. I just wanted to thank you for all the amazing responses that I got from you. This is my first story and it makes me really happy that there are some people out there, who actually like what I've written. So I just wanted to say Thank you.

Secondly: Please, keep in mind that i wrote this chapter when being slightly delusional. The thing that came out at first wasn't even readable. I hope this is better. Also, I changed the rating to T, because this came to my mind while writing and I didn't have the patience to rewrite it to a more kid-friendly version. But it is not a get-a-rooming scene (If you know what I mean ;D).

Okay that's all. Let's get back to the story.

Disclaimer: Sadly, Stana and Nathan aren't hiding under my bed...I checked. But, maybe in the closet?

Rick Castle could not quite believe it. How many times had he dreamed about this? About a chance of touching a skin, so soft, so warm, of a one Kate Beckett? On how many nights he couldn't find the sleep in his own bed because those hazel eyes, gentle hands and beautiful smile were hunting him? You couldn't count those nights, it was impossible. Because not only at the time of night, but every day, every minute, every second, the thoughts about Kate hunted him.

A small reminders in the deepest parts of his mind, always present, only magnified whenever she was close enough that he could smell the soft perfume she used, whenever she laughed and those beautiful eyes crinkled with a light so strong, so pure, that he couldn't look away. Ever. He dreamed of those eyes, of the soft curves of her body, safely hidden by the layers of clothing.

So imagine his surprise when he woke up on his couch. His back hurt a bit, it happened whenever he slept in the living room, but that wasn't the thing that caught his attention. It was the soft body pressed against his, those beautiful hair spread out on his chest and a hand, with the softest skin you could imagine, holding his. He knew that hand. He lifted his head from the pillow slowly, careful not to jostle her, and looked at her face. It was Kate. Of course he knew it was her, remembered that she came to his home concerned, trying to make him feel better.

He just wanted to make sure it wasn't just a dream, a product of his imagination. He didn't know if he could survive it being just a dream. Who was he kidding…of course he couldn't. He wanted to be able to hold her hand like this at any time, wanted to kiss her, to hold her body like this whenever he desired. It was the best thing he ever felt and he wasn't ready to let the feeling go. He wanted-

"You are thinking too loud, you know, Rick." the voice of his Kate stopped the train of his thoughts. Was it even his Kate? He wasn't sure, but he, sure as hell, wanted her to be.

"Sorry."

"Is something wrong?" Kate asked, frown already forming on her face.

"No. Nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect." Rick answered. "And that's the problem." that earned him a confused look from Kate.

"I don't see how that's a problem."

"It's just that everything seems almost too good to be true. I'm scared." Kate had already turned in his arms so that gave him an opportunity to look straight into her eyes. Mesmerized by the swirl of the sea of gold and green, he continued. "I'm just worried that this is all a dream. That I'll wake up and you'll be gone and I'll be alone again… " he was rambling and didn't notice the soft smile on Kate's face, the slight change in the color of her eyes. Her hand travelled across his body to one of his arms.

"And I just wanted to make sure th- Arrgh, ouch…" Rick stopped mid-sentence. Did she just…? Oh, she totally did. Kate Beckett just pinched him. Maybe he shouldn't have enjoyed it so much. What did that woman do to him? She made him think that even her pinching his arm was hot. But damn… it hurt.

"See? Not dreaming." she said, with the most innocent face she could conjure up after seeing his pout. "Oh come on, don't be such a baby."

"I am all man I promise." but then he smiled adorably. "You know, it really hurt." he said with mischievous look in his eyes.

"Did it, now?" Kate knew what game he was playing. He is not as subtle as he thinks himself to be.

"It totally did. But maybe…" he trailed off, his hand slipping under her shirt and started to rub his palm against the skin of her lower back. "Maybe.. you could kiss it better. You know it is mean to pinch people, it's only fair that you help them with the pain…" he said. Of course it didn't hurt and they both knew it.

"I bet I could." Kate smiled, that little smile and the spark in her eyes told him just how much she enjoyed the banter.

He almost choked when he felt her whole body moving down, her warm breath against his arm and then the softness of her lips on his skin. She placed a one gentle kiss at the exact same place she pinched him just moments before, close to his wrist. She then continued up his body, pressing kisses onto his arm along the way. When there was a sleeve in the way, she placed her mouth on his jaw, scrapping the skin with her teeth. She heard Castle's quiet moan and couldn't stop one that came from her mouth at the feeling of his light scruff against her skin. She placed small kisses all over his face, his cheeks, forehead, nose and finally, his lips. He responded to her kiss immediately, tracing his tongue against contour of her upper lip, then slightly biting the lower one. She couldn't hold in the content sigh tearing from her lips. This man, the things he could do to her with just a kiss. They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't hear the sound of a key turning in the lock.

"Well, aren't you two cozy?" Martha said while walking in, completely at ease considering the position she found them in, Beckett sprawled across Castle's chest, his hands under her shirt at the small of her back. As if it was totally normal and usual to find your son making out on the couch. She hoped that it wasn't regularity in the Castle household. Well, just the getting-caught-part, the making-out-part was amazing.

Startled, they let go of their partner, Kate almost falling off of the couch in the process.

"Mother what are you doing here?" Rick exclaimed, trying to sit up while simulatiously keeping Kate close when she tried to get up. Kate couldn't help but smile a little when she saw his rumpled hair, strands sticking in every possible direction. Strange. She didn't remember running her fingers through it. But, truth to be told, she wasn't really thinking, not with his arms around her, his lips against hers, his tongue insi... yeah, not helping.

In the meanwhile, Castle tried to look as nonchalant as possible, continuing his conversation with Martha.

"Well, If you haven't noticed, I live here. But I understand that you were preoccupied at the moment." the actress answered, the knowing smile plastered all over her face making Kate's face a nice shade of crimson.

"As if it was possible not to notice." Castle murmured, his own face flustered and not just from the fever. Kate's body right next to his didn't really cool him down, too.

"Oh, Richard. No need to be embarassed, it's nothing that I haven't done before. After all, you are here." Martha said, winking at Kate. Gosh, could her face be even more red?

"Mother!"

"Martha I.. we...we weren't..." Kate tried to explain but what could she say? We weren't making out on the couch like two horny teenagers? Yeah, not going to work.

"Oh it's okay dear, you don't have to explain, I'm not a judge." the elder woman smiled motherly.

"Well Rick, seems like you have a company now. I'll probably just head home." she realized just then that they were still sitting so close. She tried to get up but his arm tightened around her.

"You don't have to leave." his face fallen, his eyes pleading her to stay. He knew that she couldn't resist that look, especially when he was sick. "You could stay for dinner." hope flashed across his face and she knew she was doomed.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea..." she tried to reason but Martha was already grabbing her arm and dragging her over to the kitchen with a 'Nonsense, kiddo'.

"I guess I am staying then." she murmured.

"Yeah well, mother is a force to be reckoned with." Castle said, coming over to them. "You can never win an argument with her." he murmured into her ear when he was close enough. His hot breath at her ear made her shiver but she tried to hide it. This family was... something.

After 45 minutes or so, the three of them were seated at the table, Castle and Beckett were sitting next to each other. Totally unintentionally, of course. Martha made spagethi carbonara, stating that Beckett was a guest and Castle was still sick and should be resting. And then silently aded that she didn't want him anywhere near cooking because she had an audition the next day and needed her voice. "And no making out you two!" she called after them when they headed to the couch, a smile evident in her voice.

"Mother!"

"Okay, OK, I'm just saying..."

Kate just smiled, still a bit embarrassed about getting caught. She led Rick to the couch, tucking the fluffy blanket around him again. She noticed that he was slightly more red that before, not necessarily from the fever though, but brought him some Tylenol from the kitchen, along with a glass of crystal clear water. She watched him swallow the pill, waited until he was done with drinking, then put the glass on the coffee table and sat next to him.

"You know, it would be so cool if you had the sexy nurse costume we saw at the shop last halloween." he smiled mischievously, his eyes crinkling with a bit of lust mixed with something else she couldn't name. Or wasn't ready to.

They made small talk during the dinner, Martha making Kate laugh and Rick blush deep shade of red by telling some stories from the youth of little Richard Rogers.

She was still laughing when she was putting on her boots, ready to leave, stating that it was late and she was tired. Which was true, due to the tiredness from the last few days.

"You know, you could stay the night." Rick said, little shy.

"Or maybe not." she answered, knowing that he would catch the meaning.

"Oh come on, I didn't mean it that way. We have a guestroom you know?"

"I don't think that's a good idea." It really wasn't. Sure, she didn't want to leave just yet but she couldn't stay right now. If she did, she would probably do something stupid, like kiss him again. Which wasn't necessarily bad, her helpful mind suplied, but she needed to think and they needed to talk. She didn't think that she was the right person for him but she will try. But she needed to think of how, first.

With a resigned look on his face, Rick handed her the coat from the closet, waiting for her to slip her arms into the sleeves. And then, all her plans of waiting and thinking went to hell. Because Rick leaned in and pressed his lips lightly against hers. The kiss was chaste but still left her feeling lightheaded. He then pressed his forehead agaist hers, his arms hugging her, their noses touching.

"I know that we need to talk, but I also know you are tired, and I am too for that matter, but we are definitely going to talk about this. About us." he wanted to talk. About them. Her heart made a little flip at that. Of course, she knew that he wanted her, had seen the looks he gave her when he thought she wasn't looking. But part of her always feared that he would just want to sleep with her, that he didn't really care about her. But if the fear haven't disappeared in the last three years, the last few days certainly convinced her about his intentions. He was just a sweet, caring and loving dad and partner. That part inside of her disappeared at his words because that meant he cared, wanted them to be together.

She managed a small nod, and with the last soft smile on his face, he opened the door for her. She went to the elevator, feeling his eyes on her back the whole time. Tomorow, they will talk, about them. Her insides fluttered at that thought. And for the first time in her life, she felt whole and ready to face the adventures that tomorrow would bring. With Rick, she hoped, at her side.

What do you think about this? I know it took me a while longer to write this but it's hard to write with a head ache. Also, I wanted to think about the direction of this story and I have a few ideas on the events. That being said, I think that's all. Thank you and let me know what you think about it in the reviews. All of them make me really happy.