One foot at a time, Kate slowly made her way down the stairs. She didn't turn the lights on so she wouldn't wake anyone up. She wasn't used to having to worry about that, but she knew it was going to become a lot more familiar to her soon enough. This relationship with Rick was very promising, considering everything they've been through together to get to this point. They were finally on the same page and now that they were there, she was going to hold onto him with everything she had. For once though, she felt comfortable in a relationship. She knew that she didn't have to hold on for dear life because he was going to keep a tight grip on her as well. There was something extremely satisfying about being with someone who was returning the hundred percent she was giving.

She smiled as she thought to herself about the moment that had just passed with her sleeping boyfriend minutes before. It wasn't like Kate to sleep the entire night uninterrupted, even in the comfort of Rick's arms. The sun was still hiding behind the darkness, but her body told her it was time to get up. She opened her eyes to find her back to Rick and his arms holding her close from behind. It was at that moment that Kate found out he was a fan of spooning. God he was adorable.

The only reason she got up was because she left her phone in the kitchen. After getting back with him from her apartment, the two dropped everything they had and went up to bed to sleep off any leftover desires they had from earlier. Alexis and Martha were home, so they ignored most of their impulses with much difficulty.

Kate picked up her phone from the counter and let out a sigh of relief when she saw that she didn't miss anything important. She would hate to hear the captain if she didn't show up to work, had there been a murder in the middle of the night. She had a feeling that their next call would go to Rick if she didn't answer, seeing how everyone knew they were together now. It would be just like them to expect the two to always be together. Seeing how things were going, that would be completely valid.

Just as she was about to turn to go back upstairs, she heard movement, and turned her head to the living room just as a heavy eyed Alexis rose up from the couch. When she saw Kate, a smile pulled from her lips. "What time is it?" she asked as she made her way into the kitchen.

"Time to go to bed," the detective smirked and looked at her phone to see the time. The light illuminating from it made both Kate and Alexis squint their eyes from the unwelcomed brightness. "It's two thirty."

"Are you leaving?" Alexis asked softly, but not soft enough to mask the disappointment. Little things like this reminded Kate that she could never let this family down. She wasn't planning on it, but Rick's daughter definitely encouraged her to do her best at this whole relationship business.

Finally, she shook her head to ease the old soul. "I'm not going anywhere. I just needed to get my phone unless I get called into work."

"So early?" clearly the thought of being up so early for work freaked Alexis out. She was full of rules that her father was too easy going to set. She had a ten thirty bedtime on weekdays and was generous enough to give herself until eleven on weekends.

"You never know when someone's going to get the urge to kill," she said with a smirk. "Unfortunately I can't control that."

Alexis nodded. "This is true," she said as she let out a yawn.

"Go back to sleep Alexis," Kate said as she turned Alexis toward the stairs. She placed her hand on her back as she led her up.

Alexis walked with Kate up the stairs. "I can't believe I fell asleep on the couch. Don't tell my dad."

The brunette smiled to herself. "Your secret's safe with me, rebel child."

Alexis caught on to the sarcasm and laughed softly, though she didn't argue since they were both so obviously tired. "Goodnight Kate," she whispered as they reached the top of the stairs and wrapped her arms around Kate, pulling her into a hug.

Kate smiled as she returned the hug and kissed the top of head. She didn't think much about it until after she did it. This family certainly had a hold of her. "Goodnight," she whispered.

"You should stay here for a couple days," Alexis said as they pulled away from their embrace. "I like when you're here, and you make my dad really happy."

"I was going to ask you how you felt about that in the morning," she said with a soft chuckle. "He had me pack for a couple days, but I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it. I felt like asking now while you're half asleep would be a total cheap shot."

"I'd want you here either way. My answer is always going to be the same," she walked over to her door. "Night."

"Night," Kate slipped into Rick's room and closed the door behind her. She walked over to the bed and climbed in carefully, getting under the covers after she placed her phone on the nightstand.

Rick moved in his sleep, now facing the other way. Kate wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his neck. He began to stir and finally looked over his shoulder, barely awake. He was so cute.

"Where did you go?" he asked, his voice almost inaudible.

She brought a hand up to caress his hair gently. "I just went to get my phone in case I get called into work."

"You'll wake me up if you do, right?"

She smiled. "You want to come?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought you might want to sleep in before meeting up with me. Don't worry, if I get a call, I'll wake you up."

"Good. For a minute I thought you didn't want me to."

She wanted to crack a couple jokes with him, but he was being adorable, using everything he had to stay awake to hold this conversation. "Of course I want you to come. I love having you with me," she kissed his neck again.

He was quiet for a minute, so Kate assumed he fell back asleep. She got rested her body comfortably against his as she held him. Finally, he spoke again. "You're spooning me."

She wanted to laugh, but she knew she wouldn't be able to stop if she did. "You did it first."

He placed a hand over hers. "I'm not complaining."

"No?" she smiled against his skin as leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I like when you do this."

"I like it too."

"I like it more," he mumbled as he fought to stay awake.

"No you don't."

"I love it."

"I love it too," she was falling asleep now too, but for some reason, she could never let go of her stubbornness.

"I love you."

"I love you too baby, now go to sleep," she whispered as she pulled him closer. She knew how tired he was when he didn't object and listened as his breathing steadied. He was already out.

She kissed his shoulder, unable to help being so affectionate toward him. She leaned her head on the pillow and kept Rick close as she closed her eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep.