Hi everyone! Boy, some weather the east cost of the US is having, huh? Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by flooding and tornadoes from this massive storm.

Thanks to all of you who have stuck with this story, and reviewed, followed or favorited it. I remind anyone curious to go back to the author's notes for any questions about this story and how it will end. That said, this chapter, although a little shorter than some picks up where we left off in chapter 10, and hopefully will allay some concerns. We're turning a corner here, and let's see where that goes. Also, please note if the story gets too fluffy, masks should fall from the ceiling, remember to put yours on first before helping other readers with theirs. ;)

Chapter Eleven - General State of Besotted

Kate stayed outside, moving over to the pool side, taking in the sunshine, while giving him some distance, as she watched him putter around, always moving, never making eye contact. It was clear that he was fighting something, working through something, and her guess told her it was them. Her heart sank, as she thought that he still might have doubts. She'd opened herself up to him completely, bared the pain, guilt and even shame that she had taken these many months to strip away, and found herself ready to jump into things with him. Her heart pounded with anxiety that he might not feel the same, after all. After several long moments, Rick finally looked up and noticed she was no longer at the lanai, and visually searched after her, stopping on her presence at the pool. She decided that as soon as he would even be near her, she would let him choose, and would settle herself with whatever he decided. She loved him enough to let him go.

Rick had put away everything, washed all the dishes, and wiped the table until the surface almost showed wear. He hashed out everything in his head, down to the moments that drove him to the Hamptons in the first place. He thought about his trust being broken, and then how it wasn't how it seemed to be. He also replayed how he felt about her, how she literally dashed here to be with him, and to set the record straight. He thought about a life without her, where they went their separate ways, a clean break. At that moment, the idea nearly drove him to his knees. He would rather face death right this minute than a day without her, now that they were on the same page. So, what was he waiting for? He loved her enough to jump in without a net.

Throwing down his cloth, he wiped his hands on the back of his jeans. Taking a deep breath, he turned to her direction and strode softly over to be closer to the Detective. She noticed him approach, but decided to see what he would do. Rick came across where she was sitting, and took the same place in the next chair as he did the night before.

Taking a deep breath, Kate began, "Rick, I don't know what exactly just happened, but I'm not going anywhere, but I will give you all the space and time you need. I hope that you can forgive me, and that you'll choose us." She paused, trying to keep the momentum and bypass her emotions, "But whatever you choose, know that our time together has been so very special. It made me realize that you are more than just a partner, or a friend. You…you're part of me, and I'll always love you. I don't know what…"

"Stop right there." Rick interjected loudly, his face serious, and Kate stopped speaking immediately, hanging on his next words, thinking that they would hold the answer to their future.

Rick turned to look her in the eyes. "Kate, I love you, and for a moment, I let things, insecurities, worries and bad memories cloud that. But that stops right now."

Kate was floored. "Castle I just want you to be sure, that we…"

Her words were stopped, as his lips silenced them. The kiss was full of emotion, a promise of more to come, of happiness and progress.

"I said stop right there!" Rick said as he ended the kiss slowly, and he kissed her on the cheek, then the forehead, as Kate pulled him into a tighter embrace.

Kate was happy, overjoyed, and even a bit surprised. She expected him to ask her for more time, and some distance, and he did the exact opposite. Looking at him, she saw love reflecting on his face, every inch showing her his feelings.

Holding her tightly, Rick stroked her back as he spoke, "I know that we still have some things to talk about, and we seriously need to work on our communication skills, but for me, being apart another moment is not an option."

Kate's heart quickened at his declaration. She couldn't agree more. "That goes for me, too. I don't want to be apart from you anymore. Rick, I love you. I won't let you regret this."

Rick looked at her seriously, "That's not what all this was about. We love each other, and we have to learn to trust each other with our hearts, like we already do with our lives on the job." His thumb grazed on her cheek, swiping a tear that had slipped from her eyes and down onto her cheek.

"That sounds perfect. I'm in." Kate stated, her eyes diving deeply into his, showing him her devotion.

Rick grazed her cheek, lifting her chin up and met her with a sweet kiss. This one, like the last, was meant to seal their agreement. They were together… no more doubt.

They decide that any more discussion would be about them, about how to be together. The took a walk on the beach, and discussed their past before the met one another, they covered how each of them came to adulthood, and their experiences with young love, with bad decisions, and how they came to be who they are, including more childhood memories about Beckett's family. There was no agenda, just the need to talk, to communicate with each other and to be good at it.

Rick navigated them back from the beach, and off the lanai, sitting in his white Adirondack chairs. He rushed back into the house to open a bottle of wine and two glasses. He let it breathe as he carried his bounty back with him to Kate's side.

"We'll give that a few minutes to breathe, and then we can enjoy." Rick advised as he reached out and took her hand.

The pair sat quietly, just taking in the beauty of the location and the day. The ocean breeze was refreshingly crisp, but not uncomfortable.

Rick turned more to face the woman who owned his heart. "So, no pressure, I just want to know your thoughts. But you must have given it some thought, where do you see us going?"

Kate looked at him. just hours ago, she was debating how to live without him, and now he wanted to know her future plans. She smiled at the intensity of it all. "Gee, Castle, when you go all in, you really go all in, don't ya?"

Rick smiled at her tease. "I guess I do. But that's not an answer."

Kate stroked the web of his thumb as she put her desires into words. "I have given it some thought. I hope we have something long term, here. I feel like there was a part of me that was missing, like a puzzle piece. When you told me you loved me, it was if that puzzle piece snapped into place. I can see myself with you, and that's never happened to me, before, with anyone else."

Rick smiled at her words, love penetrating even further into his very being. "That's nice. I think that we complement one another well. When I met you, I felt this…spark. I thought that it was simple attraction, but the more I saw, the more I wanted to know. The more you opened up to me, I was blown away. It's not about Nikki Heat, not for a long time. I am utterly besotted with you, Kate Beckett. So I am looking at the long term, myself."

Kate's grin lit the space. "Besotted? That's quite the declaration, Rick. I thought I was the closet romantic." Kate let her hand softly stroke his cheek. "Maybe we can get each other."

"Oh, I certainly hope so," Rick replied, his smile relaying a sensual tone as he continued, "I can't wait to see why and how I 'had no idea'".

Kate returned the smile, and replied to the writer, "I think that you will, soon. Until then, you'll still have no idea."

To be continued in the next chapter. Reviews, favorites and follows are love. Thanks in advance!