A/N – The conversation that Castle recalls in chapter 2 was taken from season 3 episode 13 outtakes. It was cut from that episode but reshot for the season 3 finale. You can find it on Youtube if you don't have the DVD set.

I also will be doing some redlining for chapters 1 and 2. The stories won't change but I want to do some fixes to tighten up some of the grammar and sentence structure. When I do my writing and posting in the middle of the night some things tend to slip through the cracks.

As always, I don't own anything, etc., etc… Reviews are this fledgling writer's motivation. Drop me a line with any comments, questions or suggestions. Forward we go! Enjoy.

9:50am.

Kate could smell it before she opened her eyes and smiled. Coffee! She opened her eyes and there it was, a coffee pot and setting on the nightstand. She glanced at the alarm clock next to the tray and nearly panicked. It was almost ten o'clock. She overslept!

"Wait," she thought as the events of the previous day came back to her now conscious mind. "I don't have to be anywhere." That was going to take some getting used to. It came as a bit of a surprise to her that she was ok with it; not having a job. She would address that at some point but what she really wanted right now was some of that liquid heaven that was tempting her from the nightstand.

A slight groan escaped her lips as she threw back the sheet and started to swing her legs over the side of the bed. Adrenaline was a wonderful thing but there was a price to pay when it left your system. It was a price that she would happily pay. She felt like she had just been through a rebirth of sorts and with birth there was pain. The pain let her know she was a live; that she had something to live for.

She searched for her panties first and found them draped over the lamp on the opposite side of the bed. "Yea we were a bit impatient last night," she thought smiling. She just couldn't stop smiling. She slipped the shirt over her shoulders that she wore when she got up last night then poured herself a cup of coffee. She closed her eyes and inhaled. "I could get used to waking up like this every day." She took her first sip as she made her way to the slightly ajar bedroom door.

She was about to open the door when she heard the sound of fingers moving across a keyboard. She couldn't resist a peek. It probably wouldn't have been a big deal to him; after all he was doing what he did every day. To Kate, it was a glimpse into his private world. It was a chance to see how he did it. He had seen her process nearly every day for the last four years now she could see his.

He was sitting at his desk, his fingers moving across the keyboard with the swift confidence of someone adept at his craft. There was no pause of his fingers, just a look of concentration on his face. It was as if there was a direct link between his mind and the computer beneath his hands and the words just flowed from his mind to screen before him.

"Wow," she thought. "That's what magic looks like."

In her mind's eye she saw all of the characters that she loved spring to life. Derek Storm, Clara Strike, Nikki Heat. She really did hate that name in the beginning, but after reading 'Heat Wave' she realized that it fit. The character that he crafted around the name was so… right. How did he do it? His words comforted her through the worst moments of her life, long before they'd ever met. For the past four years she'd had not only his written words but his spoken word as well. As annoying as he could be at times, he always managed to say and do the right thing when it was needed most. How could she have waited so long? Dr. Burke would say that she wasn't waiting; she was healing, and not just from being shot. She knew he was right but she was amazed at the clarity of her thoughts from this side of the looking glass.

She opened the door the rest of the way and entered the office, cradling the warm ceramic mug in her hands. A smile lit up her eyes and Castle turned to watch her enter. He may not have had his tongue sticking out of his mouth while he was writing but the bedhead the he was sporting was just as adorable.

"Good morning sleepy head," Castle quipped.

"Morning yourself there Castle. Nice do you have going there," she replied pointing to his head.

Castle waved his hand a couple of inches over the top of his head brushing the hair that was sticking up in all directions. "I kinda like it. I think I'll try to start a new trend." Castle glanced up at her hair with a twinkle in his eyes. "Besides, I don't think you're one to talk with that bird's nest on your head." He smiled and wiggled his fingers at her hair to emphasize his point.

Kate waved a hand at her head. "Yeah well with the rain last night and someone keeping me from my nightly routine, this is what you get."

"I will take my share of the blame for that, but someone else was the instigator. I am very glad she did by the way."

Kate looked directly into his eyes. "No regrets?" Sophia Turner's words had drifted back to her. She said that she wished that she and Rick had never slept together; that it would have kept the longing. Kate knew that Sophia was probably playing her. The traitor told so many lies, weaved so many tales that this was just another way to sow mistrust between her and Castle. She could probably see the spark between them and wanted to twist the knife before the end. Hell, everyone but them had seen this coming for years. Kate knew that for her, this was for real but she needed some reassurance from him.

Castle took her hand in his and gentle ran his thumb over her knuckles, returning her look. "None."

Kate dropped her head and released the breath that she didn't even know that she had been holding. "Good. Me neither." That's when she noticed the sweat pants that he was wearing. She looked up at his face with a smirk. "Really Castle, Superman?"

"Well you didn't actually call me Superman, but I inferred it from your reactions last night."

"Fair enough," Kate replied, laughing out loud.

"You were right you know."

Kate was confused. "About what?"

"Do you remember the conversation we had after our first case?"

Kate thought for a moment. "The one where you tried to pick me up?"

"That's the one. Go out to dinner and debrief each other. You asked me if it was so you could be another one of my conquests…"

"Or you could be one of mine."

"I said that it was too bad, that it would have been great. Then you said…"

Kate smiled, biting her lip as she leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "You have no idea."

Castle returned her smile. "You were right, I had no idea. If fact, I think Alexis might have a Supergirl t-shirt around here somewhere if you want to wear it. You have certainly earned the title."

Kate playfully hit Castle in the shoulder as they laughed together. "Thank you for the coffee by the way."

Castle started to get up from his chair. "You're very welcome. I figured I would continue the tradition even when we aren't at the precinct." Kate decided to wait a bit to break that news to him. "How about some breakfast to go along with your coffee?" he continued. Kate was about to reply that coffee was enough when her stomach answered his question with a loud growl. Castle chuckled, "I guess that's yes."

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. A little moan escaped her lips. "Mmmm, coffee and kisses in the morning. Are you trying to spoil me Mr. Castle?"

"From now to the end Ms. Beckett," Castle replied with a bit of a flourish. "Do want to grab a shower while I start cooking?"

"That sound like a great idea."

"There are extra towels in the bathroom cabinet and I'll meet you in the kitchen when you're done." Castle turned to leave and jumped as Kate gave his butt a little pinch. "Why Detective, I would have brought you more than a bearclaw in the morning if knew this was what it did to you."

Kate just smiled as she made her way to the shower.

This chapter was turning out to be much longer than I originally imagined so I decided to split it up. I also want to get something posted to make sure that the updates would continue in a somewhat timely manner. The next chapter will be up soon. Thanks to all who read and review. Remember, reviews are better than crack and twice as addictive so please support my habit.