Chapter 4

What? Castle could have sworn he was dreaming when he received Kate's text. "She wants to stay longer than that?" That was better than he had expected. He was almost sure she would have said she was busy that weekend, but to actually want to come and stay for a while was a thrill. He quickly responded telling Beckett she could stay as long as she wanted and that he would be delighted to have her there for as long as she deemed fit. He had a week until she would arrive and he could spill his guts to her, hoping that she still felt the same as she did that fateful day before the Memorial Day weekend.

In his ecstasy he found comfort. He sat down in his bedroom with his laptop and went at his book with more fire than he had ever had before while writing. The constant thought of a happy Kate flooded his mind and it enabled him to write three chapters in just two hours. Not only were they brilliant chapters, but they reflected what he hoped would happen between him and Kate next weekend. Nikki and Rook were at a crossroads in their relationship when he left off last and now he was able to resolve everything and have them get together. "Wow! Am I ever glad I killed off Derek Storm!"

Kate was ecstatic when Castle had replied back saying she could stay as long as she wanted. The next week blew by and Kate had put in a time off request that would keep her out of the precinct for two whole weeks.

"Two whole weeks with Richard Castle! Geez, Kate, you really are a sucker for him aren't you?" she thought to herself as she packed her suitcase. Lanie had told her she was crazy, but as she said it she sprouted a huge smile, knowing exactly how much this made Kate happy. It had been about four weeks since she had seen her friend really smile and this was a comfort. Yes the smile came from the same man that had made her so miserable for that month, but she knew how good Castle and Kate were together and there was no way in hell she was standing in front of that, especially not with $100 on the line. "Esposito and Ryan are going down!" thought Lanie as she left Kate to pack in silence.

Kate was really thankful for all her friends support since almost all of them just guessed where she was going the next two weeks. Esposito had told her to call if she needed him and that he wasn't afraid to put a few holes in Castle if need be. Kate reassured him that she had it under control and was in no need of assistance. She gave them all hugs and wished them luck with the cases she would miss before walking over to the Captain's office.

"Captain?"

"Yes Beckett?"

She smiled as she thought about finally getting out of here for a little while. The little girl in her was showing and she did not want the Captain to see it.

"I just wanted to tell you I am heading out now, have a happy Fourth of July!"

"Hey Beckett, send Castle my regards, and…."

"What Captain?"

''I really am happy for you Kate; I hope it all works out. Because after all that you have been through, you deserve someone as special as Castle in your life. I see how happy he makes you; I have the best seat in the house. And I hope you know, it is about damn time you had some fun and got that son of bitch to ask you up there. Show him a good time Kate, and when you come back, you better have him with you, he makes you, and your entire team a lot happier."

"Thanks Captain. It means a lot to me that you approve of all this."

As she closed the door she couldn't help but blush. Was she really that obvious with Castle when he was here? If everyone had noticed and dropped subtle hints, why hadn't she noticed? Well whatever it was, she noticed now, and she was about to go and have the time of her life.