Well, my friends, this is the last chapter of this story. Let me know what you think...

Thanks to the fabulous trio who wade through my words, keeping me on track...Love you guys.

Let me know what you think...You will see our couple again very soon

thanks for all of your input

XXOO, Melody

Kate murmured "okay", and soon her breathing pattern was regular, even, the shaking of her body lessened and her entire body relaxed into his arms. Kate ended sleeping the evening away and through the night. Rick decided she needed to rest and left her alone.

Alexis and he had ordered room service for dinner, as they ate they kept a close eye on Kate, Rick continued to assure Alexis, Kate would recover, hopefully completely and they just needed to be patient and supportive.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Rick was already up and drinking his morning coffee when he began to hear some noises coming from Kate's location. He glanced over and saw her begin to stretch and she started to moan. He went to the couch and knelt beside her.

"Morning sleepyhead." He kissed her forehead, and his greeting was met with indistinguishable words, her eyes still closed.

"Hmmmm, I'm not sure, but I think you want some coffee, right?" He was chuckling to himself. His query was met with a weak thumbs-up from Kate.

He returned to her side, mug in hand, as he nudged her exposed hand with the cup, but her hand failed to grab the offering. Rick shook his head, set the mug down on the coffee table and proceeded to assist Kate into a sitting position, she was very groggy and her movements were clumsy, un-coordinated.

Rick sat down next to her, placed the mug to her lips and murmured, "Take a drink."

Kate took a long sip, sighed, and brought her hands up to grasp the mug.

"I've got this." Her words were still slurred, and soft, her eyes barely open as she continued to lean into him, while he rubbed her side and kissed her shoulder.

"What time is it?" She was disoriented and unsure what was happening.

"It's eleven o'clock."

"At night?" Kate looking around, confused and clutching her mug.

"No in the morning." His eyebrows raised.

"So, I've...I've been asleep nearly twenty four hours." She was stunned, then she leaned back into the couch and laughed.

Rick wrapped his arms around her. "It was the finest example of power-sleeping I have ever witnessed." A smirk plastered on his face, Kate shouldered him, but smiled warmly, shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm so glad I could entertain you. I guess I needed the sleep after my tantrum from yesterday. I need to apolo..." Her words were halted by his fingers to her lips.

"You never have to apologize for being honest."

"Rick, why can't I get through this? I got over my mother's murder."

"Seriously? You're kidding right?" He was astonished by her comment. Kate looked back at him, surprised by his response.

"What do you mean?"

"Kate, you still haven't gotten over your mother's murder. If you remember, after your beating by Maddox, Jordan Shaw came to you, while you were recovering, asked if you wanted to pursue your mother's case and you said you wanted us. But that doesn't mean you're over it, finished with it." Rick was nervous bringing this up, licking his lips as he looked up at Kate.

Kate carefully thought before she answered, took a deep breath, and started.

"Okay, point well taken. You're right about my mother's case. I did tell Jordan no. I will still tell her no, now more than ever." Her hand went to grasp his, rubbed her thumb over his hand. Her face was alight with love and adoration for her partner.

"I am over my mother's murder. You helped me come to grips with it. I can talk about it, because of you. She's dead, nothing will change that. I miss her every day and I always will. And if Jordan is able to find who murdered my mom, great, if not, that's the way it is. It no longer defines me. I will say it again." Kate pulled his face with her hands, close to hers. "Castle, all I want is you." Her lips touching his lightly, her tongue searching for his, nipping at his lip, igniting passion in both of them. He scooped her up and while still kissing her, took her to their room.

He carefully laid her down and crawled beside her, continuing to plant kisses over her mouth, jaw line, lifting her hair to gain access to her very susceptible neck. He smiled as she moaned and shivered, rubbing his stubble on her neck, she came undone, wrapping her arms around his neck, begging him to continue.

He moved down her chest, unbuttoning her blouse and seeking her scar, gently moving his tongue over that, moving from one breast to the other, sucking her nipples until they became taut. Her body was always so responsive to his advances.

Kate threw her head back and began tugging his t-shirt over his head, wanting more of him, her hands frantically trying to remove his pants as he expertly had her clothes off and his hands running along to the inside of her thighs.

Rick smirked as he found what he had expected to find, her sex wet, her folds full, her clit taunt. He was amazed at her capacity to get ready so quickly, but chuckled as he felt his own erection surge. He lowered his head down, his tongue now focused on the area between her legs, so inviting, her hands directing him there, her legs open, his fingers working circles around her triangle.

Soon he was lost in her, sucking nipping, licking with her squirming and mewing in response. He took her over the edge almost immediately, his fingers digging into her. As he massaged her trigger, she climaxed around his fingers over and over, and she began begging for him to enter her. He complied and as her muscles squeezed into him, he came, hard, fast, thrusting as far as he dared, her legs wrapped around his waist. They collapsed, breathless, drenched in sweat, their hearts pounding.

"Now do you believe me?" Kate muttered, once her breath recovered.

"If I say no can we do that again?" Rick answered back.

"Nice try...maybe later. Let's go for a swim."

"Mercy, woman, I can't move, take pity, I'm begging you." His voice was a whine. He held her tight, hoping she would fall asleep and was pleased when instantly her body succumbed and he followed quickly.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Their nap lasted over an hour and once they were again conscious, they went to the pool. There, they horsed around, splashing, kicking water at each other, playing. Kate dove under water and yanked his swim trunks half way down, causing him to squeal like a girl and struggle to get them back in place. Kate was left swimming with a what's up look, playing the innocent.

He glared at her and reminded her payback was hell.

"I'm not worried. You're an old man." She smugly responded as she swam away.

He was on her immediately, dunking her repeatedly, trying to work her suit off, but to no avail. Their laugher resonated through the pool area, ending with Kate in his arms and Rick swimming effortlessly around the pool. Their eyes riveted to each other, unblinking, telling each other so much, yet not uttering a word.

There was no doubt, they had become closer, if that was possible, both sensing they would need that bond, once they returned to New York.

The last few days passed quickly, Rick staying close to Kate. They spent the majority of time in each other's arms, making love frequently; sometimes their actions were slow and deliberate, other times, fast, hard and frenzied. Always ending with open honest conversations and naps, followed by long showers as they each explored their lover's body.

The day of departure came, they had packed, said goodbye to their friends at the hotel and left their suite. On the path to the waiting limo, Kate pulled Rick to one of her secluded places, kissed him long and repeatedly, telling him how important he was to her, ending with her assurance.

"You're mine, Castle, all mine. It's time to go home, time to face the music, whatever comes of it, however it plays out, I know, it's you and me, no doubts." She backed away, grinning from ear to ear, smacked his cheek, and announced.

"Button up, kitten, it's time to go home. I'm ready." Her hips purposefully swaying as she walked to the limo.

A similar grin spread across Rick's face, he jogged to catch her, returned her grin, stopped her walk, spun her around, kissed her and replied as he released her, "After you, my dear Detective. Lead the way."

Little did they know what a dangerous and difficult time lay ahead for them.

Sooooo, what did you think...I love to hear your comments, good, bad or whatever...

another sequel will start soon...The working title is "Afraid No More"...drama, angst, but always a happy ending...