Author's Note: I am humbled by how many of you read this story last week. It's been a long time since my traffic has been this high. You have inspired me to get to work on the idea I have for my post season finale fic. I wasn't going to start it but you guys inspired me to get moving and then once I started it just didn't stop. I have four chapters typed up and a bit more on paper. I hope to have that story done by the end of the month and then it'll go off to my beta. I promise the next Castle fic will be updated much more regularly because it will be all done before I begin posting. I will probably start posting early August but we'll see.
Kate stared across the table looking at Castle, playing with her now cold Chinese food. Who was this man, really? For almost two years he'd been following her around driving her up the wall... saving her life and helping her solve tough cases. But really why was he here, was it like Lanie said, for her? Part of her wanted to believed that but it was all to fantastical.
If she was honest with herself, and she was trying to be. She'd had a crush on Richard Castle since she read his first book, just after her mother died and now here he was sitting across the table planning a wonderful way to honor her mother. No man had ever known her enough to think of such a great gift. Did he know it was her mother's birthday today?
Reaching across the table, she covered his hand with hers. "Thank you, Castle. I appreciate this..."
Blinking away the tears, she got up from the table and moved to the spot on her window where her mother's murder board lay spread out. Would they ever solve her murder, truly know all the why and hows? They were so close and it was again all due to Castle. What would she do if he decided to leave...
"We'll get them, Kate. I know we will. Just one more lead and we..."
Rick stopped talking as Kate felt her shoulders began to shake. Biting her lip, she was able to stifle the sounds of her crying. She hated moments like this, usually she had them alone in the dead of night, not before an audience. Especially Castle.
Fighting for control, she said, "Castle, it's time for you to go. I have to work in the morning."
His hand dropped on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "You know you don't have to do this alone. I'm here if you ever want to talk."
The hand linger for another moment before it began to pull away. Kate revealed in the warmth of his touch. For those fleeting few second he was right she wasn't alone in the darkness anymore. Tuning around she caught his hand.
"Some nights it's so dark, even with the bright city lights. I feel alone even when someone is beside me. Is there something wrong with me?"
Castle's hand cupped her cheek. "No Kate, there is nothing wrong with you, but you do lock yourself away, even from your friends. Most people don't bother to try and push past the frontage you put up but I see the person beneath, I know who you are Kate Beckett and you are beautiful and you don't belong in the dark. I can help you find the light again if you let me."
Kate closed her eyes. What did that mean? Was he saying he'd help her solve her mother's murder or was there some other meaning?
Castle gave her a little shake. "Kate, look at me."
Slowly, she opened her eyes. He was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. "I will be there for you always. When the darkness crowds in on you call me and I'll help push it back. We all have those moments and let me help you with yours."
"Only if you will do the same."
"Always."
Neither of them could remember who could made the first move but their lips touched and this time there was no bad guys to watch or trick. Kate held on tightly to Rick not wanting to let him go. This was what she needed to banish the darkness. This man was the light in her life...
The shrill ringing of Kate's phone slammed them both back to reality. Breaking the kiss, Kate stared at Rick who was also breathing heavy. His hands still rested on her shoulders and he looked... scared.
"Castle..." The phone went off again and Kate was torn. She didn't want this moment to end, this thing was so new and fragile and if she didn't pursue it this might be the end. One stolen kiss in the night.
Stepping back, Castle let his hands fall from her shoulders. "You should get that it might be important." Emotions flitted across his face, disappointment, fear and regret as he headed to the door. "I should go it's... late."
Kate let him go as she picked up the phone. Josh's name flitted across the screen but she hit ignore. "Stay Castle. Let's warm up the Chinese and..." She stopped and what?
Castle turned around one hand on the door knob. "And what Kate?"
He was right until she broke up with Josh, there could be nothing between them. "Nite Castle. I'll see you in the morning."
His smile was sad. "Bye Kate."
Never had a closing door sounded so final.
There you have it. Two more after this one. Again I'm one chapter ahead on my site www. kellethmetheus. com (take out the spaces). I'd love to hear your thoughts since so many of you are reading.