Changed my time line so I can make this work better. His party was mentioned in previous chapters as being on the 16th. So now lets say it was on the 18th. Giving them 5 days until Christmas eve.

Chapter Ten

Their lips meet with force, not only from the way she yanked on him, sending the two of them stumbling out into the hallway. But from the sheer suspense. From all the years of denying themselves. Tonight. This kiss? The tiny sprig that has now fallen to the floor forgotten? Has only contributed a small part in the flame that has been dancing between them since the moment they met. The moment her lips touched his? The flame ignited, sending a raging fire into her heart, scorching a path along every nerve in her body.

Kate's back hits the wall, sending a gasp into Castle's mouth right before hers closes on his a second time. But then he pulls back, for air, or perhaps from shock, Kate's unsure. His beautiful blues bore into her dark green. She watches his eyes darken, as they skim over her face. Looking, searching for something. She knows he has found it when he's suddenly flush against her once more. Castle presses his thigh between her legs aggressively, sending a shiver of pure pleasure though her body. She can feel his hands on her. Feather light at her waist, traveling up and tickling her sides. She gasps again. Her heart leaping out of her chest. She's sure he can feel it. His whole body flat against hers, their heavy breaths mingling in exhilaration. His hands weave into her hair, and then, he painfully slow, leans his face to hers. Her breath catches. She can't seem to keep it in her lungs. It's the slow motion, the ache all through her body, coupled with the look in his eyes that have trapped her. And then he brushes his lips over hers. Ever so softly. Barely breathing against her mouth which is parted slightly in anticipation. She knows he's waiting. Waiting for the moment where she either brushes it off as a silly Christmas tradition, or dives right in with him.

She blows hot, sweet air from her parted mouth to his lips, and then pushes herself against him fully. Kate latches onto him, clawing at his shoulder and the back of his head as she coaxes him to open his mouth. Sliding her tongue along his bottom lip until he grants her access. Which doesn't take much. He may have her against the wall, but she has full control. Her tongue duels with his. He tastes like expansive wine and candy canes. Castle hums against her lips when she rakes her fingernails down the back of his head, clutching his neck. Kate lets out a soft moan at the vibration.

By now the kiss has grown quite heated. A forest fire on a path of destruction. Only, between these two, it's the most beautiful thing imaginable. It's strong, passionate, intense...that is, until Castle takes it upon himself to slow it down, snuff some of the fire out so they both don't become so consumed, it turns into something they are both not ready for. He pulls back, taking in a long breath, His blue eyes catching her on a wave of emotion. He leans his forehead against hers. They are both breathing heavily, her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers wound tightly in the tiny hairs at the back of his head. Painfully actually. As if she is using him as an anchor to keep her from drowning.

Her own eyes open now. She stares back with dark, wild irises. Much like the forest they just ignited. Only now, his sea of blue has created a river through it. Cooling everything down. Hot embers remain, forever radiating heat. Kate sighs, a smile easing onto her face, lifting her swollen lips at the corners. She rubs her nose against his, humming softly and releasing her grip on the back of his head. Instead, she smooths her hands down his neck on either side, her hands cupping his ears softly.

"Now." She says, catching her breath, "I have to go." She kisses him once more, softly this time. Slow, and promising before she slides out from the wall, and walks unsteadily to the elevator.

Cold water cascades down her trembling body. Her lungs expelling air in short heavy gusts. With her arm bent against the wall of her shower for support, Kate leans her head back into the stream, cooling her face down. Extinguishing the fire in her veins. How she walked the length of the hallway, without turning back, she will never know. And when she went to press the button to close the elevator doors, she had looked up. He was leaning back against the wall. His eyes closed, head titled back towards the ceiling. She could see him trying to get his breathing under control. And then he opened his eyes. His sharp blue eyes met her smoldering green ones, caused a jolt to run the length of her body. She almost went to him... almost. But the doors had closed just in time.

Kate turns the water back up to hot. Her body now pleasantly chilled. She stands there for several long minutes, letting the water warm her bothered body. When her heart begins to beat normally, she washes up and steps out of the shower and into a fogged up bathroom. She wraps a towel around herself and opens the door to her room. The colder air in her bedroom chills her skin, but she doesn't dry off right away. She stands frozen by the door, hand up to her mouth, eyes wide.

She just dove. Took the leap from a high cliff and connected with the boiling water below. Resurfaced, completely out of breath, exhilarated, utterly titillated. Even now, the adrenaline from the kiss is coursing through her body. Into every nerve, every cell. She had an inkling of how she might feel after this, but she had no idea she'd feel so addicted. Kate can't seem to put words to this uncensored emotion. All she knows, is that she's in love with it. In love with how it makes her feel. In love with him. She wants more. Needs more. Needs him. She doesn't know how she's gone this long without him in this way. And she doesn't think she can survive another minute.

But she must.

Right?

Or it this the whole point of "diving in." Go for it? All the way...Right?

Her phone rings. Startling her from her inner battle between her head and her heart. When she sees the name on her caller id, her heart kicks into over drive and her skin begins to flush once more. A smile breaks onto her face, to then be replaced with panic. How does she answer the phone? Things are different now. Is that why he's calling? Making sure she's serious? Checking to see if it was a one time thing? Of course not. She just dove head first. But he doesn't know this. Right. She should pick up the phone and reassure the poor man.

All of this conspires in a matter of milliseconds. Kate answers her phone on the last ring. "Hey, Castle." She soothes into the phone, her voice soft and tender.

"Kate." Is all he says. Low, deep, his voice confirming how insecure he is.

Kate had closed her eyes at the way he said it, she opens them again on a sigh, "I think I dropped the mistletoe in your hallway." She says amused.

She hears him chuckle softly. "I have it..." his tone is lighter, less unsure. "I put it away for safe keeping." He then says, smiling.

She can hear it in his voice. "I don't think I am going to need it anymore." Kate walks over to her bed, fingering the fabric of her yoga pants while biting down on her lip.

"Oh?" He asks. There is that hint of insecurity again.

"Mm, no." She hums, shaking her head slightly even though he cannot see. "Do you?" She then asks. She pulls on her pants, setting the phone down on speaker so she can put on a top.

Castle is silent on the other end. She realizes that she may not have been clear enough for him to understand. That perhaps he's over thinking. Of course he is Kate. He probably thinks she needed that stupid sprig to gain courage..but she didn't. She's never needed it. She's just been waiting for the right moment...it was just a prop. She didn't even hang it, or hold it above their heads. She dropped it even.

"Kate." He says again, a whisper, a plea.

"We don't need it." She puts emphasizes on we. She's picked the phone back up, biting her finger.

He sighs.

"Castle." She pauses, letting out a sigh of her own. It's not irritated, or upset. It's just...a sigh, a relent, a indication of something more. Nothing to worry about. "Rick." She whispers. Sinking to the bed.

"I miss you." He confesses. He gets it. This is his way of saying he understands everything. It's not just a one time thing.

She smiles, her heart all a flutter. She can only hum in response, falling back against her pillow.

"I always miss you." He's on a roll now, she can tell. He wont hold back now, and she doesn't want him too.

"Rick?" She asks.

"Yes."

"I do to." She husks.

He's quiet again, but she can hear him breathing. She wonders if he's also laying in bed. Fresh from a shower. Probably a cold one. She smiles at the thought, her face reddening from how tender they are now. She's not normally like this. At least not this much. It's not even forced, just natural.

"What are you wearing?" He asks. And then he goes and does things like that.

Kate laughs. "Really, Castle?"

"Oh so it's Castle now." He laughs. She hears him shift, and a muffled sound is heard.

Her brow wrinkles. "Where are you?" She asks.

"In bed, but I can be there in ten." He doesn't miss a beat.

She rolls her eyes. "Goodnight Rick." She scolds seductively before hanging up.

Here she is again. The wall behind her. His door in front of her. Her eyes closed. She hums in satisfaction, as she opens them again only to roll them upwards at the memory of the previous night. And then the door opens making her jump.

"Kate!" Castle exclaims. "I was just about to call you..." He trails off looking upset, and disappointed.

She tilts her head to one side frowning. She doesn't understand. "Castle?"

"I am so sorry, Kate." He grabs her by the shoulders. "Paula just called me, all frantic. Something about the book, or the movie? I'm not sure she was historical." He squeezes her arms, his soft blue eyes saddening.

She nods pursing her lips and looking down. "You have to go." She states, trying not to sound disappointed herself. She fails miserably when her lips curl in a pout of their own accord. Wait? She's really pouting? This is new.

Castle lets go of her, lifting her chin with his finger. He also seems a little taken aback by the pouty Kate. But then he smiles, seemingly loving it. It's adorable. "Yes." He says. "But I will make it up to you I promise." He leans in then, as if out of habit, and kisses her. It is light, soft, and quick. He pulls back, blinking more times then necessary. Perhaps trying to figure out if this is a dream or not.

She's diving in, just go for it.

So she pinches his arm, and then pulls on the back of his neck, bringing his forehead to rest against hers. "You better." She purrs, before pressing her lips to his. A little more forcefully this time. She moans against his mouth when he deepens the kiss, not being able to help herself.

Castle weaves his hands into her hair, dropping another soft kiss to her lips when they break apart, and then kisses her nose, her cheek, her jaw...down to her neck. She shivers when he stops, breathing warm air onto her neck as he buries his head there. She hugs him, breathing him in.

"You smell like cherries." He pulls back and mumbles against her skin.

Kate licks her lips, peering at him through her eyelashes. "You taste like coffee."

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Yes. It does. Kate should know. She's been nothing but absent from her heart for most of her life. Only now? She feels it. Feels the rough edges of her lonely heart. He's filled it, but now he's not around to keep her satiated. At least she got a last kiss. Feel his soft warm lips on her's once more. But it's left her aching inside, in places she didn't know she had.

Of course he's been dragged away until late Christmas eve. Is this a test? Kate asks herself as she sits alone at Remy's sipping a scolding cup of coffee. One hand grasps her mug, burning her flesh, but she doesn't seem to notice. Her eyes are directed out the window at nothing in particular, head leaning into her palm, elbow propped up on the tabletop. Her face crinkles between her eyes in that way Castle once said was adorable. The first case they worked together. She releases her mug, poking her finger into the crease and letting out a sigh. Her hand comes back down forcefully, making the sugar jump and slide slightly across the table. She's being tested. She must be. Why else would he have to leave for business the moment she dives in?

It's only been a day. And a half.

It's currently one in the afternoon on Tuesday the 19th. Kate had shown up at Castle's loft around this time yesterday. After he told her he had to go, they rode the elevator down together, leaning against one another. She even rode with him in his town car to Black Pawn Publishing Company. When they pulled up to the large building he had put some distance between them. Rubbing his hands over his face and sighing. She had only watched him. Curiously, because their relationship had shifted, and everything from here on out was new and exciting. Different. Seeing him like this was a whole new side of him. He's obviously been fighting against. The only difference now is that he can show it.

She had scooted closer to him. Placing a hand on his thigh and kissing him softly on the cheek. He turned, kissing her roughly back, softening towards the end and then getting out of the car swiftly to keep them both under control. She pouted, actually they both did. He lent in through the window, pecking her on the lips and making no promises to when he would see her again. She just didn't think he would be whisked away to LA until nearly Christmas.

So here Kate Beckett sits...Alone. Pining after a man and she never pines. Okay that's a lie because she's been pining for Castle unfairly for years now. She understands this it's just she doesn't know if she likes this color on her. This waiting. But it's only fair right? He's been waiting for her, okay not in the same way but...just stop thinking about it. She scolds herself, lifting her face out of her hand and drinking her neglected coffee. She frowns. She's been pondering longer then she thought and now her coffee has gone cold.

Her phone rings. She snaps it up happily, hoping it's Castle. And then calms herself. Get a hold of yourself. "Beckett." She answers. To busy having an inner girl moment to check the id.

"Hey Girl." Lanie replies happily on the other end.

"Oh hey." Kate fails in her attempt to sound happy to hear from her best friend.

"Expecting a call from certain writer were you?" Lanie asks knowingly.

Kate sighs, her fingers dancing over the rim of her coffee mug. "Maybe." She decides to be vague. Castle isn't around for their light banter so she'll play with Lanie.

"Well why aren't you with him?"

Oh that's right... Kate forgot to tell her. Everything. "He's in LA." Kate says unhappily.

"What? Spill."

Kate raises a hand to the waitress behind the counter, trying to get her attention for a refill. She mine as well have a fresh cup of coffee for this. "We kissed...after the party." Kate decides to start with that.

The expectations Kate had for Lanie's reaction does not disappoint. Lanie actually squeals so loud, Kate has to pull the phone away from her ear. "Oh my God!" Lanie squeals again. "Dish, I want to know every dirty detail." Kate can just picture her leaning over an exam table.

"Well I was holding the mistletoe." Kate begins.

"Wait you were holding it?"

"Yes."

"You didn't hang it over your heads?" She asks almost disappointed.

"No. What does it matter? We kissed." Kate finds herself becoming a bit frustrated.

"Okay, okay. How was it?"

Kate rolls her eyes, but her face softens into a goofy smile. "Better than I imagined." She actually gushes. Kate Beckett gushing over a kiss?

A tiny excitable sound filters through followed by hands clapping together. "Awe!" Lanie gushes right back. "But why is he gone? Talk about bad timing." She then says.

"Tell me about it..." Kate rubs a hand over her face, and then sips the coffee she didn't realize the waitress refilled. "He had to go check up on the movie production. Some mishap with one of the actors, or the script, I don't know..." She trails off her voice echoing her melancholic state.

"I'm sorry, honey." Lanie sympathies. "When will he be back?"

"Not until late Christmas eve, pretty much early Christmas morning,"

"Oh, kind of a waist of your vacation time."

"Yea...maybe I'll go see my dad. He couldn't make it to Castle's party."

"Yea I noticed that, what happened?"

Kate sighs again. "One of his AA buddies fell down the rabbit hole, he stayed with him to keep him stable." She holds her coffee up to her lips, not drinking it, but staring off. She's so relieved it wasn't her father.

"That's sweet of him." Lanie says.

"Yes, it was." Kate hears a beep. "Look Lanie, I'm getting another call, I'll talk to you later."

"All right, girl. And Kate?"

"Yea?"

"I'm happy for you."

Kate smiles and disconnects. "Beckett."

"Hi, Kate." It's Alexis.

"Hey, Alexis!" She greets. The girl has found a place in her heart. "What can I do for you?" She asks.

"More like, what I am going to do for you." Alexis says.

Kate's brow creases in confusion and curiosity. "What?"

"Dad called me." The red head begins.

Kate freezes. Did he tell her? "Oh?" She asks, trying not to sound uncomfortable with the idea. They JUST started something, she's not sure how she feels about others knowing. He's not even here.

"Yes. He says he doesn't want your vacation to go to waste. He had plans for you guys, but since he's been pulled away...Grams and I are going to keep you company...well if you want." The young girl finishes, her voice insecure.

Kate's heart stops, a lump forming in her throat. She doesn't have to think about it at all. "Of course!" She's beaming now.

"Great!" Alexis exclaims on the other end. "What are you doing right now?"

The older woman stares at her coffee cup still smiling. "Drinking coffee at Remy's"

"Alone?"

"Mm hmm." Kate hums against the cup, drinking a large gulp.

"Want to come over and watch Christmas movies? It's a little tradition dad and I have every year. Sort of like the 25 days of Christmas only we cram them in the week before."

"Sounds intense." Kate comments paying the bill and grabbing her coat from the seat beside her. "I'm in. Be there in twelve minutes."

It's unbelievably cozy in Castle's loft. She almost feels as though he's here with her. From the way the place smells of him, to the décor. Everything here is purely Richard Castle. Not to mention the decorations, the Christmas tree alight in the corner of the room, casting a soft glow throughout the area. Not other lights are on. Alexis says her and her father light the ambiance while the watch their favorite Christmas Movies. It's homely. She much rather be here then in her apartment all by herself,

She just misses him, though. But it helps being here, his things all around her. His daughter keeping her company, while his mother is elsewhere. She can see herself becoming a permanent fixture. They all treat her as such already anyway. It wouldn't be all that hard to just allow herself to be more comfortable. Make herself at home. She already feels the uneasiness of being here without him, falling away. Maybe it's the fact that Alexis has seemingly accepted her back. Kate's aware that the poor girl resented her for quite some time. But with Alexis so willing to cozy up on the couch with her...well, it rises a warmth in her bones, and she smiles, sighing happily.

Kate sinks deeper into the cushions of Castle's leather couch, feet propped up on the coffee table. Alexis shares a blanket that's thrown over the two of them while they watch a Christmas movie. Kate thinks this might be the third or the fourth movie they have watched today...tonight. She looks up over Alexis to the window on the other side of the loft. It's indeed dark outside. Her eyes drift back to the area around her. The coffee table is littered with take out containers, and an empty carton of rocky road ice cream. Amongst the food sits two empty mugs once filled with steaming hot chocolate. And then her brown green eyes rest on the redhead currently snuggled into Kate's side.

The girls body shakes with laughter. Elf is on. Kate smiles down at her, an impulse to reach out and smooth Alexis's hair from her face is strong, but she fights it. Instead, she focuses back on the movie, eyes narrowed in a fit of drowsiness. She must drift off, because before she knows it, Alexis is poking her awake. Kate blinks a few times, looking around when she doesn't see Alexis right away. She hears a small laugh, and looks down at her lap. Alexis has shifted, her head now resting on a pillow propped on Kate's thigh. The detective doesn't know what to think of this at first. Those blue eyes so much like her fathers, stare up at Kate. Almost questioningly.

"Kate?" Alexis asks, becoming shy.

"Hmm?" Kate purses her lips but does not look away. She finds herself frightened of the question that is sure to come.

"Does my dad make you happy?"

Kate nods, lips still pursed. "Yes. He does." She then replies. Her hand comes out from the blanket, resting on Alexis hair. She doesn't move it, just watches as Alexis closes her eyes briefly, to then stare back thoughtfully. What Kate sees there, astounds her. This is not knew information for the girl. Kate realizes that maybe Alexis needed to hear it for herself.

Alexis nods with a smile and then turns her head towards the TV screen. It's bright blue. Kate is not sure for how long it has been over. The two stay silent. Kate's no longer uneasy, and lets her fingers play with Alexis hair. She smooths the almost strawberry waves through her fingers, absently. They stay like this for a long time, before Kate realizes that Alexis has fallen asleep. Checking her watch, she sees that it's 9pm. She lets out a yawn, peering down at Castle's sleeping daughter. Is this what it's like to have a daughter? The brunette wonders. She remembers what it was like to have her mother play with her hair, in scenarios just like this one. And instead of feeling a sad sense of nostalgia, Kate only smiles wider, her eyes moist with happiness. She has never realized how much she's wanted this, until this very moment. She has everything she'll ever need, Well, almost. Rick just needs to come home.

"Kate." Castle whispers, resting a soothing hand on her forehead. He smooths the strands napping across her face.

Kate stirs, opening her eyes to then close them again. She sighs when his thumb caresses her cheek. Her eyes finally open, blinking the sleep from them. "Hi." She says half awake, and then sits up.

"No. Don't. You look comfortable." He whispers, lightly pushing her back down.

She gives in, laying her head back onto the pillow. She peers over her shoulder to see Alexis curled up behind her. Her head on a pillow that's resting on Kate's backside. She hums, a smile spreading across her sleepy face and then fixes a look of pure love on Castle. He presses a kiss to her lips, moving away from her for a moment to then drops a kiss to his daughter's forehead. Her and Alexis had crashed on the couch again. It's Christmas eve, or so she still believes, unaware of the time. Alexis had insisted Kate's father come over for dinner, which they both helped Martha cook, and then when he left they continued their movie marathon with Martha until she left for a party.

"Merry Christmas." Castle murmurs against her forehead.

"Mm, Merry Christmas, Rick." Kate lifts her chin, wanting to kiss him.

He smiles, kissing his way down to her lips. Her hand snakes out from her warm blanket, tugging him closer. He moans, and then pulls back. They both look back at Alexis, who does not stir. Castle gives Kate a shake of his head, as if scolding her. He stands up, turning to leave but her hand shoots out to grab the hem of his shirt.

"No." She whimpers. She tugs until he's back down beside her. "Stay." She's now stroking his cheek. Coaxing him.

He leans into her touch. "I'll be right back." He promises, kissing her again and wandering off into his room when she finally releases his shirt.

Kate awakens to the sun streaming in through the windows of the loft. The first thing she sees is the back of Castle's head. He's fallen asleep with his back against the couch in front of her. The second thing she perceives, is the Christmas tree now towering over a giant bundle of gifts. There is that feeling again. The one she can't put words to. All she knows is that her heart is beating joyfully in her chest. Something shifts behind her. Alexis. The young girl sits up, yawning and stretching her arms out above her head. And then she spots her father.

"Dad!" She launches herself off the couch and tackles the sleeping Castle to the floor.

"Omff." He mumbles into the floor, and then wraps his arms around his daughter. "Merry Christmas, daughter." He says happily, squeezing her tight.

"Merry Christmas, father." She squeezes back and then notices Kate watching them. "Merry Christmas, Kate." She lets go of her dad and leans over Kate to hug her.

Kate sits up, so they can hug less awkwardly. Alexis wraps her arms around Kate's neck, leaning into her with most of her weight. The brunette's eyes connect with Castle's over his daughter's shoulder. Her heart leaps at the look he's giving her. He's overjoyed really, to see his daughter so attentive to the woman he loves. It can't get any better than this.

Alexis lets go, settling down beside the detective and looking between the two who are still staring. "What do we want to do first?" She asks, once she has their attention. "Breakfast, or presents?"

"Presents," The partners say in unison. They grin at each other, receiving a sly smirk from Alexis.

"I'll go get Gram then." And she's off the couch and bounding up the stairs.

All the presents have been opened. Kate sits beside Castle on the couch while Alexis holds up a blouse Kate got for her. She's smiling from ear to ear as she puts it nicely back into the bag and gets up to give Kate a hug. She thanks her and mentions something about breakfast and heads off into the kitchen.

"You didn't have to get her anything." Castle says, pulling her back to rest against him. His arm snakes around her shoulders.

"I know. But I wanted to." She smiles up at him, receiving a peck before she rests her head on his shoulder.

"Your very sweet." He mumbles against her hair.

"I got something for you too, you know." She then says after a short silence.

"Oh?" He leans forward his eyes lighting up like an excited five year old.

She laughs. "Do you want to open it now?" She asks already knowing the answer.

He gives her a look. "Do you even have to ask?"

Kate shakes her head, patting his thigh and getting up from the couch. As she makes her way to her purse she finds her self growing exceedingly nervous. What if he doesn't get it, or like it? She finds her purse by the door, along with her shoes. She thinks about how natural this all is. Her coat in the closet her shoes kicked off by the door, falling asleep in his loft, to then have him waking her up. She smiles, feeling less uneasy, and pulls the long rectangular box from her purse. She plays with the ribbon, biting her lip and then snaps herself out of it. When she comes back to the living room Castle is sitting on the edge of the couch, a similar looking box in his hand, tied with a red bow.

She sits down beside him, her eyebrow raised at the similarity in gifts. "You first. " She says, handing it to him reluctantly.

"No you." He puts his gift in her lap, not even looking at hers.

"Castle." She warns, but it ends up coming out all adorable from the way her head is tilted to one side and her lip between her teeth. She sighs. "How about we open them at the same time? She suggests.

"Deal." He pecks her on the cheek and looks down at her gift to him. "On the count of-"

"Just open it."

He makes an exasperated sound and then pulls on the ribbon. She watches him for a moment until he throws her a look. She narrows her eyes at him but relents, pulling on her own ribbon. She opens the box tentatively. A small gasp escaping her lips when she sees what's inside. She doesn't notice Castle has stopped opening her gift to him, and watches her adoringly. Inside is a sterling silver snowflake necklace. It's gorgeous. Kate lifts it out of the soft green fabric it's laying on, holding it up with one hand, and resting the sparkling pendant in her palm.

"I had it specially made." He tells her, close to her ear.

"Rick." She breathes, looking over at him.

He holds his hands out, taking the necklace from her and gesturing for her to turn around. "They say." He begins, brushing her hair from her neck tenderly. He sees her shiver. " That no two snowflakes are exactly alike." He breathes against her neck, sending another shiver through her body as he clips the necklace, settling her hair back down.

Kate turns towards him fulling. Her knee bending underneath her. Her hand comes up to touch the snowflake, eyes never leaving his.

"No one else has a necklace like yours. Your unique." He says softly, placing a hand on the side of her neck, thumb caressing her skin. "Extraordinary." Kate closes her eyes. "There is no one else like you." His forehead touches hers, eyes staring into her soul.

Kate feels a tear slip from her eye. She wasn't expecting this, or that she'd feel so emotional. A lump forms in her throat, rendering her unable to speak. Instead, she wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him for several small kisses, and then hugs him so close she doesn't think it will ever be close enough.

"Thank you." She whispers weakly into his shoulder.

"Always." He replies easily.

Her heart skips a beat. She pulls back, wiping her eyes and composing herself. "Now you." She emphasizes by picking up his gift and dropping it back into his lap.

"Oh all right." He whines but then that childish gleam shines in those eyes again.

Kate folds her hands into her lap and watches. He pulls the rest of the ribbon off, removing the lid of the box. She sees his face change from that kid on Christmas look, to utterly serious. His face completely unreadable. Her heart sinks.

"You don't like it?" She asks, more like a statement. Castle lifts her gift to him out of the box, holding it at eye level. It's a fountain pen. Blue and silver with an interact design on the nib. But what draws his eyes, is what is engraved on the barrel.

Always. In Kate's perfect cursive.

"I..." Castle's eyes flick to hers. She can see him trying to grasp at it's meaning, She knows he understands some, but she'll have to explain it to him. The symbolism runs deeper than he's ever known. Even before his Always was verbalized.

"For the life you saved." She says strongly.

"Kate."

"I never told you this.." She cuts him off, biting her lip. She looks down at her hands.

"Never told me what?" He asks, setting the pen gently down into the box, and taking her hands. His face has softened considerably, making her feel much better.

"Of how much your words saved me." She's barely audible. Taking in a deep breath she exhales and looks into his eyes. "Your books kept me from drowning, Rick." She squeezes his hands. "After my mother died...I lost myself. But then I found your books. Fell in love with them." Fell in love with you. She stares down at her fingers intertwined with his. She doesn't have to say anything else.

He brings her hands up to his lips, kissing each knuckle softly. No. She doesn't need to say anything more. It's all there in her eyes. He can see it. He can see all he has done for her. How he's truly saved her. He's finally aware of how his declaration of always has run much deeper. It's always been him. Even before they met. He's always been there for her, and he's never known it until now.

Yes. It's over. I thought about it, and as I was heading towards the end of the chapter I thought this is a great place to just end the whole thing. I hope you all liked it! Thank all of you who have reviewed and added me, and my story to their alerts/favorites I love all you guys! And as always, reviewing this last chapter would be the best thing EVER!

And of course, special thanks and big hugs to my Beta: Jasperwright! You are truly amazing :D