A/N: Guest Anon, you're very persistent, I have no idea if it's more than one of you who's always on me to update this, but you're very motivating I must say … Thanks to all of you who are supporting me and this story, I appreciate you!


They didn't talk about what happened in the next few weeks, any of it. Meredith had stuck to her promise – 'for once' Castle had muttered – and came to take Alexis out. She had stayed out of the way, not wanting to subject herself to Meredith's disapproving glares and judgemental comments, she didn't know what that woman's problem was, so she stayed in her room.

Castle went about his daily life as though nothing happened, he wasn't awkward or distant, but he kept more of a distance, didn't touch her much and they didn't talk about it. At first it was fine for her, she didn't want to rush into anything, didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing, but she couldn't help but feel a little put off that it seemed he was just ignoring what had happened three weeks ago.

She wanted to talk to him about it, but they were conveniently, never alone, if it wasn't Martha it was Alexis, if it wasn't Alexis, he had some meeting or he was writing and the opportunity never came up.

Although he acted as if nothing was different, she could pick up some small changes in him. He was careful now, almost as if he didn't want to touch her, he looked past her rather at her and he locked himself away 'to write' a lot more. She didn't like it, he looked guilty and she had to admit that hurt a bit. She didn't regret what happened, in fact she had dreams about it, had dreams about more, she didn't like the fact that it seemed he regretted it.

She crept into his office one day while he was 'writing', she found him in his chair, with his back to her, staring off into the distance, not writing at all.

"Castle?" She called.

He jumped and turned to her, looking startled, "Kate, hi, umm …" He paused and looked around before meeting her eyes again, "Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure." She told him, taking a step closer.

He tilted his head in confusion, "What's the matter?"

"We need to talk." She answered, getting to the point quickly.

He sat up and looked closely at her, "About what?"

She sighed and walked the rest of the way into his office, taking a seat in one of the chairs close enough to him, but far enough.

"You know what." She said quietly, staring down at the desk.

He visibly relaxed, "About that Kate, I'm really sorry."

She looked up at him, "That's the thing, I don't want you to be."

He looked at her, confusion in his eyes, "But – "

She shook her head, "I told you when it happened that I wasn't mad, honestly Castle …" she paused, taking a deep breath and gathering up the courage to continue, "I've been wanting to do that for some time now."

She diverted her gaze, looking elsewhere as her admission fell from her lips. Her heart hammered in her chest as the room fell silent and she almost got up and ran out, afraid that she might have crept him out or something.

"Me too." Came him quiet reply.

She looked up at him to find him staring at her with an expression she couldn't place, until he shook his head and ran his hands through his hair.

"But Kate, you're 19. I shouldn't …" He stood and paced the floor.

"What does that matter?" She asked.

"It just feels ... wrong." He told her, not looking at her.

She'd be lying if she said that for some reason, that didn't hurt.

"Look Castle, nothing has to happen," She spoke, "I just – I just want things to go back to normal."

He turned to look at her then, "What do you mean normal? Things are normal."

She shook her head slightly, "You've been difference since then, you're the same, but you're distant, it's like you don't even want to be around me anymore." She finished quietly.

She felt more than saw him come over and kneel down in front of her, taking her hands in his, "Kate, you know that's not true."

She took a breath, trying to keep her betraying tears at bay, why was she even crying over this? "Isn't it?"

"No," He answered firmly, "No Kate, I always want to see you, I just didn't want to mess up this friendship we had. I've gotten quite fond of you." He smiled.

She returned his smile, "Yea, I'm a bit fond of you too."

"A bit?"

She rolled her eyes, glad for the momentary lighter mood.

She sighed, "Do you regret it?" She asked suddenly.

"No." He answered without hesitation, "I just freaked out over what I was feeling. You're just 19 Kate."

She nodded, "I understand."

She didn't want to lose him over something like this, she was young yes, but she knew what she wanted and she wanted him. He was there for her when no one else was, he became her best friend and now she was feeling more for him and she didn't want to chase him off by being too clingy or needy, she didn't know just what she would do if he were to leave her life. He made such a great change in her, she wondered if he even knew that, if he knew that it was because of him she didn't have nightmares anymore, didn't have the overwhelming feeling to die, he gave her hope and a reason to get better, if not for herself, for him and Alexis of course.

"Nothing has to happen." She found herself saying, bringing herself out of her thoughts, "I just want my friend back."

"I'm sorry, you're right, I've not been myself lately." He ran a hand over his face.

"I just – I care about you Kate, a lot, probably more than I should and I'm just trying to deal with that you know?" He told her, raising his eyes to meet hers.

"I feel the same way," She said quietly and then she smiled, "But hey, I'll be 20 soon, so you won't feel like a creepy old man." She teased.

He laughed, which made her laugh as well, "Yea, yea, there's that."

"I just don't want you to feel like you have to regret kissing me Castle." She said, squeezing the hand that was still tangled with hers.

"I don't." He answered.

"Good." She smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"It'd going to be hard not doing it again though." He admitted.

"Who says you have to stop?" She grinned.

Before he could register what she was saying, her phone rang in her pocket, she gave him and wink and fished it out of her pocket, answering it.

"Hello? – Yes, this is she." She nodded.

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, one day he would have to tell her how adorable he found that, but that could wait as her face just went completely blank and her eyes, wide in shock just flew to his.

"Where?" She choked out.

He tilted his head, giving her a questioning glance, feeling his heart begin to race, wondering just what the other person could be saying that would have her making such an expression.

"I'll be right there, thank you." She said, her voice shaky as she hung up.

"Kate? What is it?" He asked, grasping her hands in his.

"My dad, he's – "She paused, "He's in the hospital."

"Is he … Is he okay?" He dared to asked, by the tears welling up in her eyes, he didn't imagine he was.

"They said he's in critical condition and I have to come down right away.


End A/N: Don't like this chapter, didn't come out how I wanted it, so I kept it short, prolly because my head hurts and I'm dying to sleep and looking at this laptop screen hurts my eyes right now. Either way, I might just take it down and redo it … But until then, if I do, tell me what you think?

Mistakes are mine. Sorry.