The phone woke her up way too early the next day. She'd come in later than she had expected, but she'd enjoyed every minute of her night out. David's tribute had been as beautiful as it had been heartfelt in the light of the sparklers. The city's fireworks had been beautiful and extravagant though not as special as Castle's and the dancing had been a wonderful affirmation of life and freedom.

Her favourite part of the evening had been the walk home. Proving once again that he was almost the perfect date, Castle had seen her safely to the door and then he'd kissed her witless and willing. The surprise had come when he'd shown once again that he was the man made for her. With a great deal of regret, but a genuine desire to make her more than one of his floozies, he'd wished her a goodnight and had walked away.

Kate appreciated the gesture, not only because she liked feeling more special than the rest, but also because hopping from one man's bed to the next one just wasn't her. Castle had scored one hell of a plus on his good column. She'd watched him leave with a smile, silently promising him that he wouldn't regret his patience.

With a groan, Kate answered her cellphone.

"Yo Beckett, that you?"

She cleared her throat. "Yeah, what do you want Esposito?"

"A good morning to you too. Cap wants you back in town. We got a couple more stiffs than we expected and we all got our dockets full. Next one's on you."

Her head fell back to the pillow.

"I'll be over as soon as I can." Kate tossed the phone away and she frowned, already feeling the stress of her job pulling her back in. Unwilling to delay the inevitable, she got up and packed her things. She left a message for the housekeeper about the keys and dropped her stuff in the trunk of her car. She locked the house with a sigh of regret.

Kate looked at her phone and decided that a text was a bad way to tell Castle she'd gone back to the city. She drove to his place and rang the bell. It took him a long two minutes to answer the door. When he did, Kate had to smile. Rick's hair was sticking every which way, his eyes were still half closed and his low slung pj pants made her want to yank him forward and nuzzle his still warm chest. He was entirely too alluring for her peace of mind.

"Kate? What's going on?"

"Esposito called. They're short on detectives."

"They're always short on detectives."

"True, but as I'm not really on vacation, more on the Captain's goodwill…"

He looked so disappointed, she just had to connect and she touched his cheek. "I'm sorry."

"I get it. Don't worry. Did you have breakfast?"

"No. I'll get something on the road."

"Nu-uh. At least let me feed you."

"Castle…"

He'd already turned and had reached the first step. Unable to object and having no real desire to, Kate waited patiently. He stumbled down the stairs about three minute later, half dressed and his hair still a mess. Kate smiled at him fondly and tried to finger comb it as he righted his shirt. Castle let her do a bigger mess, his hair obviously resisting her efforts to tame them.

"Are you ready?" Castle asked.

"I'm not the one who lost a fight to my hair."

"Adds to my boyish charm. Let's go."

He led her outside and dutifully took his place in the passenger side. Kate smiled and climbed in the car. "Where to?"

"Tamara's. You can explain to her that you're not leaving because I alienated you."

Kate laughed. "Would she think that?"

"Yes." He sounded so chagrined that she just had to pinch his cheek. She pulled into the restaurant's parking lot. They were the only customers. The walked in and Tamara greeted by the door, still setting up tables. "Early love birds! Did you actually go to sleep last night?"

Castle kissed her cheek and took the basket of cutlery she carried from her and carried on with her task. "We sure did."

He sounded so satisfied, Kate spluttered, appalled that he'd give details. "But not together!"

Tamara looked at Kate and laughed. "I wouldn't judge if you had, sugar. He's a handsome one."

"I'll still be handsome when she'll no longer be able to resist my body."

The older lady blinked at him and took back her basket. "Make him suffer, Kate, will you?"

The detective couldn't hold back her laughter as Castle looked extremely wounded.

"So? Where are you heading this morning?"

The wounded look shifted to forlorn, but he told Tamara without theatrics: "The NYPD needs it's finest."

"Aaaawwww! That's a shame. Let me get you something that'll tide you over," Tamara said, already walking toward the kitchen.

She disappeared and Kate helped Castle finish the prep for Tamara. Once they were done, they chose a table by the window and sat down just in time. James came out with their breakfast. "Ran off another one, did ya?"

Kate exploded with laughter as Castle raised his hands in surrender. "I swear I didn't."

James scoffed and set their plates in front of them. "Couldn't blame her if she left. Come and say goodbye before you do."

He walked away from the table, but not before squeezing Rick's shoulder. Kate smiled at his retreating back. "He really loves you."

"I know." There was no smugness or teasing, just a good dose of gratefulness and reciprocation. The sincere feeling on his face made Kate's heart flutter more than most romantic gesture could. She smiled at him before looking at her breakfast with a moan. A thin sweet crêpe was heaped with fruit and chocolate had been carefully drizzled all over it. She licked her lips in anticipation. Tamara came with their coffees and she pulled a lock of Kate's hair fondly. "Dig in. it's just what you need for the ride home."

Her pronouncement met Kate's approval, but sparked Castle down casted face.

"Don't make the girl feel guilty, you big oaf."

"No ma'am."

"Good."

She left them to their breakfast and Castle's face remained bleak. Kate took a forkful of fruit and looked at him, her green eyes softening. "I'm sorry Castle."

"It's fine. I'm just… I can't believe you're going to go and solve crime without me!"

Kate's mouth fell open. "I've done it plenty of times before you came."

"I know, that's not… I'm gonna miss everything! You'll call me right? About the crimes I mean. And not about them either. I'm partial to dirty phone calls."

Relieved that he wasn't questioning her abilities as a cop, she played along. "Now, why would I call about murder? Hardly seems to fall in line with the dirty phone calls."

"Well, they could be gruesome. Come on, you can't not keep me in the loop."

"How were you going to survive the summer if I hadn't come?"

His face darkened and Kate felt sorry for asking. "With difficulty. But that's the beauty of it. You're here!"

"Yes. I am." Her affirmation was sincere and Castle covered her hand with his. Smiling fondly at him, Kate turned her hand over to squeeze his fingers before she let go. Digging into his breakfast, Castle gleefully commented: "I wonder why the rash of homicides."

As they ate, he weaved her a tale about a forlorn dead soldier who came back every memorial day to look for his long lost love and, unable to find her, killed happy couples in revenge for what he could never have.

"And people pay to read your books." James voice came from behind Kate. His words were mocking, but his eyes sparkled with appreciation for the story.

Kate turned to him and winked. "I don't know Mr. Edwards, around a campfire, this would have made a great episode of Are you afraid of the dark."

Castle pouted as James went to deliver plates to a couple Kate hadn't noticed. "I'm out of magic dust. The rest of my apples will have to do."

He handed her a few slices and Kate popped them in her mouth happily. They finished their breakfast and Kate rose to look for the restaurant's owners. She had to knock on the kitchen door to find James.

"Mr. Edward? I'm leaving."

James came to her and much to Kate's surprise; he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. When he straightened, her flashed her his dimples. "Now, be careful on the drive home and on the investigating, you hear?"

"Yes sir."

"Come back soon, pretty girl. We need all the help we can get to handle that boy."

"Alright." She impulsively kissed his cheek before walking out. She walked to the door where Castle was waiting for her, holding a giant coffee and chatting with Tamara. When she drew even with them, Tamara turned to Kate and hugged her.

"It was such a pleasure having you here, sugar. Don't be a stranger and come back soon."

For Kate's benefit only, she whispered: "I'll keep an eye on him for you."

Pulling back, Kate had to smile. "Thank you."

Tamara let her go and shooed them out of the restaurant. "On with you now. It's a long drive. Keep safe."

"I will, thank you."

Kate waved goodbye and walked out, Castle trailing behind her miserably. He opened the car door for her and put the coffee he had in the cup holder. "For the road."

"Thank you."

Looking at her, Castle asked: "You'll call, right? Not for the murders or the dirty phone calls, just… You'll call, right?"

Kate took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his softly. "I'll just call."

The smile lit his whole face and Kate felt the corners of her mouth lift in response. Quite pleased with himself and life in general, Castle leaned in and kissed her gently, his tongue licking her lower lip. Kate opened her mouth to him and she shivered when it slid alongside hers. He tasted like chocolate and fruit, but richer and more thrilling, like a rare dessert after a fast. Combined with the lazy, but thorough, exploration of her mouth, it was a heady combination.

Castle took his time, kissing her fully, his hands holding Kate's shivering body closer to his. She moaned in his mouth and only then did he pull back, easing out of the kiss with smaller ones until he stopped and pressed his forehead to hers. Their breaths were uneven and their lips swollen.

Blinking slowly, Kate focused on his face and gave him a dirty look. Castle grinned, pleased with the result. "We'll call this an incentive."

He moved away from the car to let her sit. She did, rather reluctantly. He closed the door for her and he waited until she lowered the window. "Call me when you get there."

"I'm a big girl Castle. I'm a responsible driver."

"You, yes. It's the rest of the drivers on the road I don't trust. Call."

"Alright."

He lean forward and kissed her quickly before stepping away from the car, her cue to put it in gear and leave. She waved goodbye at him, steering toward the street, Castle in her rear-view mirror. His hands were in his pockets, his face grim, but Kate's heart was light. Yes, she was leaving him, but it wasn't the end. It was just a different beginning.