Here is chapter 6.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

One week later, Katherine "Kate" Beckett was ready to move out of the loft and into her new apartment but a part of her still wanted to stay with the Castles and occasionally a Rodgers. They were really fun and she had a blast while staying with them. Kate took one last look around her temporary room and closed her eyes and took time to just soak it all in. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice. Rick's voice.

"Do you really have to go?" he asked.

She smiled and opened her eyes. She turned around and found him leaning against the door frame with his arms folded across his chest. He looked at her with that sad ocean blue eyes that made her legs feel weak. At that moment, she wished that she could just kiss the sadness away from his eyes and just stay a while longer but she knew that she couldn't.

"It's not forever," Kate said.

She walked towards him, "I'm just 20 blocks away if you need me. Plus I'll be visiting often. Don't worry."

"Alexis will miss you," he tried as he unfolded his arms and shove them in his pockets and stopped leaning.

She moved closer as her smile grew. "Really Rick? Bring your daughter in the conversation? Didn't we just go through this a week ago?" Kate asked teasingly.

"Yeah.. I know. I was just trying to lighten the mood," he said lamely as he looked down, avoiding eye contact.

She cupped his face and lifted it up to meet her eyes. "Hey, don't be sad. Today is supposed to be a happy day. It's not like we're not going to see each other again, right?" she asked. She watched him, waiting her an answer. He took her hands out of his pockets and held hers and brought them away from his face.

"It doesn't stop me from missing you," he admitted softly.

Kate's heart skipped a beat. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks and she hoped that he couldn't see her blush. Right there, she wished more than anything to take this man, standing before her, and just kiss him senseless. To show that she's not leaving forever. That she'll always be there. Then she realized that he was still holding her hands and he tightened his grip. He brought them down and he leaned in until their foreheads were touching.

"Kate..." he whispered.

Kate shut her eyes, restraining herself from doing something stupid. She bit her lip. Strange that only Richard Castle has this effect on her.

"Kate.." he whispered again.

"Don't," Kate whispered back.

"I.."

Kate leaned back and looked into his eyes. "Rick... Just.. Don't make me do something that might ruin what we have.. Okay?"

"What if it doesn't? What if it makes us stronger?" he said.

Kate looked into his pleading eyes. They were so honest and full of hope. She was going to regret missing her chance but it had to be done. Kate Beckett pulled away and released his hands. She took her suitcase and wheeled it out. Rick stood there, stunned. Kate paused at the front door and saw Rick coming down the stairs.

"I'll call you okay?" Kate said. Then she walked out of the loft. Rick just watched her leave. As soon as Beckett got inside the elevator, she tried to stop herself from shaking. She took deep breaths to control her pounding heart. She wanted to cry and run back to the loft, into his arms, but she knew she couldn't. Especially not after what she did.

A few months passed, Kate still hadn't called. Rick sat on his desk, in his office everyday since she left. He would just rest his head on the desk and stare at his phone. He didn't eat and didn't sleep. He only ate when his daughter urged him too and he only slept when sleep overtook his body. He missed her. God, he missed her so much.

"Daddy?" a small voice said.

Rick lifted his head to see his daughter, Alexis, standing in the hallway. He urged her to enter the office and she did.

"Daddy, why are you sad?" Alexis asked.

"Because I miss her. I miss Kate. I haven't seen her in months," he replied.

When Alexis looked down, looking guilty, he knew something was up.

"Alexis? What's wrong?" Rick asked.

"I'm not supposed to tell you but I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course, pumpkin. What is it?" he asked.

"Kate.. she um.. she's been hanging out with me when you're gone. But she told me not to tell you because then you'll be mad or even more sad," Alexis said.

Rick was speechless. Kate Beckett was avoiding him, he knew that, but she still took the time to spend with his daughter. That he didn't know. Even after all that happened, she didn't forget about Alexis. He was mad, that she refused to see him or talk to him but he was touched on the other hand that she put Alexis first before him.

"Daddy? Are you okay?" the little redhead asked.

"Yeah... Is that all?" he asked.

"She told me to tell you that she wanted to see you. That she missed you too but she didn't know what to say."

"When was the last time you saw her?" Rick asked.

"Almost a week ago?"

"Is grams here?"

"Yeah, she came in, yesterday."

"Okay.. Alexis, I'm going to head out for a while okay? Grams will look after you."

"Are you going to see Kate?" Alexis asked.

"Maybe, why?"

Alexis ran out of the office and when she came back, she had a piece of paper in her hands. She handed it to him.

"This is the address of her new apartment. Good luck. And daddy? You might want to shower first."

"You're right.. What will I do without you?" Rick gave his daughter a kiss on her head and left to shower.

He then hailed a cab and head to Kate's apartment. Once he reached her door, he hesitated to knock. It's been so long since they last talked or even saw each other. Eventually he knocked. When there was no response, he shook his head and began to walk back to the elevator when he heard the door open. He turned around and saw Kate Beckett standing before him. She looked like she's been crying. Her eyes, red and puffy, and she looked like a mess. Even with all that, even with no make up, she still looked stunning to him.

Kate Beckett opened the door to find a man outside her door. He turned around and Kate's heart skipped a beat when she saw that it was Rick Castle. He looked like he got cleaned up but from his eyes, she knew that he was just as messed up as she was. She didn't realized that he moved towards her and now he was just right in front of her.

"Hi," he said lamely.

"Hi.." Kate said, though it was barely audible.

"May I come in?" he asked.

Kate gave a weak smile and let him in. Once he was inside, she shut the door behind her and walked to the couch where he sat.

"Would you like anything to drink?" she offered.

"Um.. no. I came here to talk."

"I figured," Kate said as she sat beside him on the couch.

"So, Alexis told you to see me?" Kate asked.

"She didn't need to," he replied.

"Look, Rick... I'm sorry for what happened. And I know I said I'd call but.. I didn't know what to say.. I just..." she trailed off.

With a sigh, Kate brought her hands up and buried her face in them.

"I'm a mess..." she admitted softly.

"Don't worry," he paused as she took her hands away from her face. He then took her hand in his and continued, "We're both a mess and we can both be messed up together."

A smile crept on her face as she let out a light chuckle. He smiled back at the sight of her.

"Now there's that beautiful smile of yours. You should wear it more often," he said.

"Are you here to cheer me up or something?" she asked.

"Actually no. I came to apologize for what I did.. For what I said.."

She cut him off, "No.. I should be the one apologizing. I should've called instead of avoiding you and making your life miserable."

"I'm sorry we fought.. sort of.. Can we be friends?" he asked.

Kate then nodded. A part of her wanted to be more than just friends but she knew that she couldn't ask him for that, after all that happened. She didn't want to push him away again if he rejected. Hell, she didn't even know what she'll do if she gets rejected. For now, she should just focus on fixing the tear in their friendship that makes things awkward for both of them. Then what Rick said the other day floated in her mind.

What if it makes us stronger? Was he really serious about that? If only she knew what he meant. Her chain of thoughts were broken when Rick brought her hands to his lips and kissed it softly. Her heart melted at the sudden touch. God, he was torturing her. When he pulled away, Kate suddenly missed the touch of his lips on her skin. She felt his gaze on her. She looked up and saw him staring at her with longing in his eyes. It killed her to see him like this but she did nothing. Castle moved closer to Beckett until they were inches apart. Kate unknowingly held her breath, preparing herself for whatever that was going to happen. Rick leaned in closer but stopped halfway. They were inches away. Kate couldn't handle it anymore. She grabbed his shirt and kissed him fiercely and passionately. He kissed her back with equal ferocity and passion. They rolled over until Kate was on top of him. Beckett opened her eyes to find that they were still sitting on the couch. Damn, her imagination. Rick Castle moved closer and kissed the corner of her mouth before getting up to retrieve his coat.

Kate turned around, still stunned, and watched him wear his coat. He gave her a small smile that warms her heart. It was a genuine smile. She couldn't help but smile back at him. Before he left, Kate called out to him.

"Rick!"

He stopped and turned around, "Yeah?"

"I'll call you, okay? I promise I will this time," Kate said.

He smiled. "I'll make sure to answer," he said.

Kate felt her smile widen. He gave her a slight nod before leaving her apartment. Luckily he left before he could see her smiling like an idiot.

Okay. The reason why I posted three chapters at once is because I've written a lot during my absence. Another reason is because I will be sort of away for a while. I'm going to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for five days from 3 June to 7 June. I won't have any internet access. But rest assure, I'll be writing more during my absence and hopefully I'll be able to post more when I come back. Thank you guys so much for reading my fanfic. It means a lot that you guys like it. Review and tell me what you think.

- NSR