More Caskett before they head home to face their friends

Kate was elated. Castle was by her side. They were a couple. It had been a long time coming. For years they'd trusted each other with their lives, saving one another from: drowning, explosions, shootings, freezers, Tigers.

Partners who worked side by side everyday; but they'd never trusted each other with their hearts, until now.

Her hand was locked in his as they strolled thru the shopping areas.

Kate shook her head. She trusted Castle with her life, how could she make him wait. What had she been waiting for? She vowed to herself, she'd make up for the hurt

She felt as if her heart was unlocked, unrestricted. She'd exercised one of the demons from her past; where she was afraid to let anyone in. Castle had removed her walls brick by brick until she'd smashed thru the remaining ones when he'd left her standing on the other side waiting.

This time he'd ran.

Castle stopped and pointed to a restaurant. "This is where I ordered dinner from last night."

He looked at his watch." It's a little past noon, would you like to get something for lunch? I know Chef Benevento wants to meet the 'Moose'.

Kate raised her eyebrow.

Castle chuckled, "Don't worry, I still love you. Muse, Moose it doesn't matter to me."

Kate gave Castle the I'm about to twist your ear look.

He knew that look, he spilled. "Benny, Chef's son delivered our meal last night. He'd misheard his father's description; he'd called you my 'Moose' instead of 'Muse'."

Castle covered his ears, "Even if you were hairy, and smelly with antlers."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Oh, you so owe me for that one Writer Man."

They stepped into the restaurant.

Chef Benevento came out of the kitchen; He was wiping his hand on his apron. " Che cosa abbiamo qui?"

Chef Benevento this is Katherine Beckett,

Chef grabbed Kate and kissed both cheeks. He pinched Castles cheeks "Why were you hiding such a beauty?"

Kate smiled and replied "È un piacere conoscerti."

Chef clapped his hands together; Ricky's 'muse' spoke Italian. He liked her already. He was going to tell him to marry this girl, and have many beautiful babies.

Chef patted Castle's face. "Sit, Sit…I will make for you some lunch."

Chef rattled off instructions in Italian. His staff set out to fulfill his instructions.

Their server came to the table with a basket of bread, and a bottle of wine. She poured each of them a glass and placed the bottle on the table. "Papa, said he would like to serve a family favorite, if that is permissible for you?

Kate returned her menu to the server. "Saremmo onorati. Thank you."

Castle started to hand his menu over he held it out and paused. "Anna? "

Their server giggled and nodded.

"The last time I saw you, you had braces, and pigtails." Castle smiled "What a lovely young woman you've grown into."

"Thank you." After accepting Castles menu, Anna turned and headed into the kitchen.

Castle stole a look at Kate. She looked happy, he pick up his wine glass. "To love."

Kate held hers up and toasted "To new beginnings." She winked.

"Um that's good" they said together. They sat their glasses on the table after taking a sip. Castle broke open the bread. He handed a piece to Kate.

They enjoyed their meal. Chef brought out his wife. She had to see the 'Muse' (She was a fan, she'd read the Heat series.) She approved.

This was their first meal together as a couple. Chef knew, and outdid himself. It was delicious. (Kate enjoyed another serving of Affogato for dessert.) Chef insisted after he learned Kate enjoyed it so much.

Castle and Kate got up to leave, there were more hugs. Chef asked for them to return soon. Kate nodded her head. While Mrs. Benevento was giving Kate a hug goodbye... Chef whispered to Castle; "Marry her, and have babies."

Castle smiled and whispered back. "I intend to."

Castle noticed the air was definitely cooler than when they'd entered the restaurant. He wrapped his arm around Kate, instead of holding her hand. He didn't want her to get chilled. That reminded him of something he wanted to know.

"Kate"

"Um?"

"When you first arrived, you were so cold. Why did you ride your bike here in the middle of the night?"

Kate didn't even hesitate. "Because that's were you were. I didn't want to wait another minute, I needed to explain. I realized you'd overheard and I wanted to explain."

"You have to promise me, that you won't do anything that reckless again." Castle kissed her. "I would have returned to the city for you. I know I was upset, but Kate if you'd called I would have come. If you'd said you wanted to talk. I would have come. I've never been able to deny you anything…. No matter what happens in the future. No more running or hiding. Promise me."

"I promise." Kate added her own stipulation. "Promise me no more Slaughter."

"Good, I promise no more Slaughter. You're the only partner for me. Believe me, I learned my lesson."

"Good."

They headed back to the house.

It took them three trips to haul all of the things they'd bought. (Castle picked out most of it.) Once he'd been allowed to buy something for her he couldn't stop. She'd enjoyed seeing him carefree and happy. She didn't have the heart to stop him.

Castle lit a fire in the living room. Kate went to change. She came back out wearing one of Castle's purchases; A Batman T-shirt and leggings. She was barefoot.

Castel jumped up and said be right back. He ran into the bedroom and returned with an armload of pillows and blankets. When he dropped them onto the couch, she noticed his attire. A Batman T-shirt and boxers. She laughed as he struck a pose. He was flexing his muscles he had both hands fisted on his hips.

"… I don't know Castle, I think that pose is more Superman" she chuckled

"How about we cuddle, and watch a movie?" Castle waggled his eyebrows.

"Okay, do I get to select the movie?"

"Anything you want to watch" Castle pointed to a bookcase. "Inside you'll find the DVD's."

Kate headed over to the bookcase. She expected to find Si-fi and action movies. She found: classics, Disney, mystery. and she stopped when she discovered the entire collection of Temptation Lane. She turned around. "Castle."

He was busy preparing the couch for their movie marathon. He stopped and turned.

"Why do you have the entire collection of Temptation Lane DVD's?"

"I…I got them when I invited you to spend the week-end with me, but you didn't come." He continued to prepare their nest.

Kate closed her eyes this hurt more than she'd realized it would. "Did you ever wonder what I wanted to talk to you about that day; right before your Ex-wife showed up?"

"You told me to have a nice summer." Castle was thinking back, she did act odd that day. He added the pillows to the couch.

"I was going to tell you I'd broken up with Demming. I was going to accept your invitation, until you walked off with your arm around your Ex- wife. You left me standing there like a chump. I was so hurt. I didn't hear from you all summer." It was bringing back painful memories. Kate's eyes were tearing up.

"Oh God! Kate, if I'd only know. I'm an idiot." He went to her and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her head. "Kate, I spent the summer pouting, after a week, Gina and I realized why we'd divorced. She stayed in the guest room and pestered me for more chapters. She returned to the city after two weeks." A thought hit him. "Dammit" I wouldn't have to endure Dr. Motorcycle boy. You met him while you thought I was with Gina."

"We can't let anyone or anything comes between us again." Kate nuzzled into Castle's shirt. She loved his smell.

"Agreed, hey! did you just wipe your nose on my shirt?"

"What? No!" Kate released from his arms, she headed to pick out a movie.

"There is a wet spot right here….." Castle pointed to the middle of his shirt.

"Just for that we are watching a 'Chick flick' Kate studied the titles she wanted as sappy of a girl movie as she could find.

"Not to worry, when Alexis was little she: threw up, pooped, and slobbered all over me. I had to use cloth diapers. (She broke out in a rash with the plastic ones.) I'm used to it. Our kids will do the same." He finished the nest and climbed in.

Kate froze when Castle said "Our kids" she fought back the tears how naturally he'd said it. She decided on a movie. Star Wars Return of the Jedi. She'd compromise. It really wasn't much of a compromise she love the genera.

The music began, Kate loved the score. Castle began reading the opening lines in his deepest voice. "A long time ago in a far away Galaxy." He could totally pull off Darth Vader. She climbed into the nest beside Castle. They began to watch the movie. Before the ending credits, they fell asleep wrapped in each others arms.

That's exactly how Alexis found them when she came in.