Changes

Chapter Twelve

After five days of driving around the south-west of Western Australia, Kate once again found herself on an airplane, this time heading for Tasmania. They flew from Perth to Melbourne, and then boarded a smaller plane for the short flight to Hobart.

"We have a few days in Tasmania," Rick said. "It's apparently not enough time to see everything, but we'll do what we can. After this there'll only be a week until we have to go home."

"I'm so not ready to go home," Kate said, holding Rick's hand lightly as they landed in Hobart.

"Neither."

They stayed in Hobart for a day, before driving up to Launceston and then taking the coastal route to get back to Hobart so they could fly back to Melbourne. Their stay in Tasmania seemed to go by very quickly as they hired a car and drove around. Rick was happy to drive, revelling in the fact that his wife was actually allowing him the opportunity. Whenever he commented on it, Kate would roll her eyes and smile before assuring him that once they got home, she would be driving again.

Melbourne was a big city, a bit like Sydney, and Kate enjoyed being in a large city. She loved the country, she really did, but a city was her home, and it was where she felt the most comfortable. They wandered around Melbourne much the same as they had Sydney almost three weeks earlier. More shopping was done, more laughter had. Kate loved how she and Rick had fallen back into their old rhythm. She never wanted to get lost in a case again. Driving him away had been the worst decision she'd made during their relationship, and she didn't intend for it to ever happen again.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Rick asked as they stopped for lunch on their last day in Melbourne. He handed Kate a bottle of water and they sat on a bench in a busy food court.

"Well, I was just thinking about how much I love you," Kate replied.

Rick smiled. "I love you, too."

"I know. Promise me something, Rick."

"Yeah?"

"If I ever get wrapped up in a case, make sure it doesn't eat me up again. I don't care how you do it, I just don't want to get so lost that I lose you." Kate sighed, and took one of Rick's hands. "I'm saying this now, because I know if it happens, I won't listen to you. Don't give up on me."

"I won't. I've got you back, and I'm never letting go." Rick ran a thumb over the top of Kate's hand and smiled. "I love you."

Kate looked him up and down. "Do you want to go back to the hotel after lunch?"

Rick raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing over his lips. "Oh?"

Kate smiled slyly. "It is our honeymoon, after all."

Rick chuckled. "Okay. Let's go."

Rick realised that Kate was in charge as soon as they shut their hotel door and she backed him up against it.

"Mr Castle," she said in her best 'detective' voice, "You've got quite a rap sheet for a bestselling author."

Rick suppressed a grin as she spoke, recalling the first time she'd said those words to him.

"You stole a police horse?"

"Borrowed."

"You were nude at the time."

"It was spring."

Kate still had him backed him the door, but she took a step back, giving Rick a little room to move.

"Perhaps we should recreate the scene then," Kate said.

Rick raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You heard me. Strip," she commanded.

Rick could see the twinkle in her eye, hiding behind her cop mask. He grinned to himself as he knelt down to undo his shoelaces and throw the shoes aside. His pants were next, followed by his shirt, and then he stood in front of his wife, only in his boxers. Kate nodded her approval, before stepping back further.

"Mr Castle, will you please lay down on the bed."

Rick complied, stretching his arms, before settling with his hands under his head. He waited.

"Good," Kate said, and a few seconds later she joined him on the bed, straddling his thighs. She pulled her shirt over her head and discarded it on the floor, enjoying the way Rick's eyes flicked to her cloth covered breasts before returning to her face. She kept up her charade.

"So, Mr Castle, it seems that every time you are charged, the charges are dropped."

"The mayor is a fan. But I'd be happy to let you spank me," he replied, his voice low, and Kate shut her eyes for a second. She loved when he sounded like that.

"Perhaps we can come to an understanding instead," she said a moment later. She ran a hand down Rick's chest, enjoying the feel of his skin below her hand. She smirked when his eyes closed and he let out a shuddering breath. "What would you like, Rick?" She said his name quietly, causing his eyes to snap open and fix her with a hard stare.

"Don't play coy, detective."

Kate grinned and let her hand wander a little lower, brushing over the waistband of his boxers. She bit her bottom lip as he bucked his hips upwards slightly. "I thought I told you to strip, Mr Castle," she said, "And yet you're still wearing something. Why is that?"

"All's fair in love and war, detective. You're still wearing clothes."

"Yes, but I'm in charge."

"For now," he conceded.

Kate raised an eyebrow, but let it slide. "Fine. You get naked, and so will I."

Quick as a flash, Rick had grabbed her hips and rolled them over. "Seems fair," he said, rolling off Kate so he could stand and remove his boxers.

Kate sucked in a breath as he stood before her, beautifully naked. He was ready, she could tell, and she had to drag her gaze from his erection back to his face. He was smirking at her.

"So, detective... you haven't told me your name yet. You just barged in and started asking questions. What sort of cop doesn't introduce themselves?"

"It's Beckett," she said, before running her tongue across her lips.

Rick groaned. "Well, Detective Beckett, do you like what you see?"

Playing along, Kate shrugged. "Maybe. Who knows. Depends on what you can do with it."

"You're playing with fire, woman."

Kate grinned.

"Now, I believe we had a deal. So strip." He stood by the bed as Kate got to her knees, and slowly pulled her pants down. She threw them away, and then reached behind her to undo her bra. That joined the growing pile of clothes on the floor, followed by her panties. She lowered herself back onto the bed, and looked up Rick, who was still standing by the bed.

"Well?"

"Well?"

"Are you going to join me?" she asked.

"God, yes." Rick got back onto the bed, crawling up over her and finally giving into the temptation to kiss her. They kissed until they were breathless, and when they pulled apart, Kate whispered, "I want you inside me. Now."

Rick groaned. When he talked to her like that, there was no way he could resist. Making sure she was ready for him, he gently pushed into her. They both groaned.

"So, Mr Castle," Kate said breathlessly, "Is this how you get rid of all your charges?"

Rick chuckled against her collarbone, where he was sucking as he began to move. "No way."

"I should hope not."

They were both on edge, and it didn't take long before Kate was convulsing and clenching around him. Rick lost his rhythm as he came inside her, and then they both lay there, not wanting to move. Eventually Rick rolled off Kate, and pulled her into his side.

"I love you, Kate," he whispered, kissing her temple.

She hummed in appreciation, and Rick chuckled.

"We're going to Canberra tomorrow," he said.

Kate blinked up at him. "You're telling me now?"

Rick shrugged.

"So all this time all I needed to do was have sex with you the day before we leave?" She looked thoughtful. "Damn."

Rick chuckled again, and kissed her lightly as she rolled over slightly. "It wouldn't have worked."

"Sure, sure."

"I love you, Kate."

"I love you, too, Rick."

A/N: :P dunno where that came from.

The trip is almost over. I think there's only a few more chapters to go in this story.

Reviews are always appreciated :)