AN: I'm BACKKKK! Kind of. I officially finish my first semester of Uni in a few days, but I couldn't resist posting this, so that's exactly what I did! This one is more fluff because I'm fairly certain I'm still not over the finale. Actually, this whole story is just going to be fluff because I like the happy distraction :)

IBYL
xo

I rolled out of bed on Sunday morning, content and happy. I headed for the bathroom and turned on the shower, trying to make myself feel a little more human – after all, I'd been kept up rather late last night, despite my exhaustion. What can I say? Rick just does something to me. I lingered on this thought for a little while, before I heard the bathroom door click open, and Rick joined me in the shower.

"Good morning." He murmured into my ear, and I spun around.

"Good morning." I said quietly. "Don't expect what I think you're expecting, because there is no way in hell we can do that again right now. I'm sore enough as it is thanks to you." I tried to sound stern but the grin on my face gave me away.

"Me too, love. I just wanted to make sure I got to say hello."

"Why, are you going somewhere?" I asked, curious.

"I've got some errands to run, and Alexis is off with Ashley for the day."

"So I have the loft all to myself?"

"Only for a few hours. I was thinking that maybe giving you a break wouldn't be such a bad idea anyway." He smiled and tapped the side of his nose slyly, making me laugh. The man knew me too well.

"Thanks, Rick. That's really sweet of you."

"Just the kind of guy I am." He shrugged, grinning, and I slapped him lightly for his cheek. He kissed me soundly before taking my shampoo bottle, and he began to wash my hair.

45 minutes later we were both clean and happy. Rick dressed quickly, kissed me goodbye and shot out of the door. Alexis did the same a few minutes later, and the loft became eerily quiet. I wandered into the study and picked up a book, before catapulting myself into my favourite armchair and settling in for an old-fashioned read-a-thon of the book that 'started it all'.

I came to a horrible realisation about an hour later – I didn't like the quiet. While I once relished every second I spent by myself, now I hated it. I wanted the noise, and the laughter, and the fun. I wanted to hear Rick's booming voice and Lex's polite giggle… and most of all I wanted my family at home with me. I couldn't read, I couldn't concentrate – all I could do was miss these people who'd become my entire life. And I desperately wanted them to come home. I picked up my phone and rang Rick.

"Are you alright?" He answered, worried.

"I'm fine. I was just wondering where you are?" I tried to sound inconspicuous but I didn't think Rick had bought it.

"I'm on my way home now, and I'm bringing lunch. Sound alright?" He asked cheerily.

"Sounds fantastic. See you in a few!" I smiled as I hung up. He was on his way home!

There was a gentle knock at the door and I bolted from my spot in the lounge room to the door, flinging it open and jumping on Rick.

"I could get used to this welcome home." He pondered quietly, and I kissed him passionately.

"Don't." I said, before taking the bags from his hand and wandering into the kitchen, dishing up some subs and drinks. He took the food gratefully and we went to the couch, where we ate in comfortable silence. A few minutes after we'd finished eating, Rick pulled me in close to him.

"So are you going to tell me why you rang?" He asked, and I tucked my head into his chest, mumbling. He shook me lightly and I sat up.

"I didn't like being alone." I said, and he raised an eyebrow at me. "I used to cherish every moment I had alone. I loved being alone. And then you and Alexis barrel your way into my life and…"

"You missed us." He confirmed, and I nodded.

"I'm pathetic." I muttered, tucking myself tightly into his embrace.

"You're adorable." He murmured into my ear. "If it's any consolation, I missed you too."

"Thank you. But I'm still pathetic."

"Hush you. What were you doing before you were missing me?" He asked.

"Reading. Heat Wave, actually." I said, and he grinned before tucking his arm around me and leading me to the study and my favourite chair.

"Perfect. I hope you marked your spot or I'm going to have to read from the beginning." He said, and I couldn't help the grin. He really was fantastic to listen to.

"Will you read from the beginning anyway?"

"If that's what you want." He shrugged as he sat down.

"Yes please." I smiled, before taking my place on his lap and curling into his warm embrace.

I fell asleep as he was reading to me. I was tired and listening to Rick reading, and being so comfortable and warm in his embrace, caused me to nod off. Apparently he moved me at some point, because I awoke on the couch, curled into the foetal position under a large blanket. I sat up and stretched, and Rick came over with a cup of coffee and sat next to me. I took the cup gratefully and took a huge gulp, before looking up at Rick.

"Why did you let me sleep?" I asked, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"You looked tired." He shrugged, and I dipped my head into his shoulder.

"Only because you wore me out." I said quickly, before snuggling closer. We sat in silence for a while before Rick piped up again.

"You're tired. And I'm guessing that that isn't solely my fault, right?" He said, and I nodded into his chest.

"Although, you can take a fair portion of the blame. But yes, I'm exhausted. It's been a long few months at work, and I'm tired."

"Well then, we should go away. I'm sure the Captain would give you a few days off if you asked, and you, me and Alexis can go bathe in some summer sun for a while. It'll be relaxing, and there's a big comfy couch calling your name!" He sing-songed the last part of his little speech and I had to suppress a giggle at the ridiculousness of his voice.

"When are you planning this holiday?"

"We can leave Friday or Saturday. Alexis is on break from school, we can go for a few days and just veg out. Come on Beckett, call Montgomery. Make me happy some more!" I smiled slightly and stood from the couch, sliding my phone out of my pocket and sidling towards the study. I spoke to the Captain quickly before talking to him about some time off. As I expected, he insisted that I needed a break and told me that I was officially on two weeks' vacation, starting immediately. I smiled and thanked him, before hanging up and heading for the door of the study. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rick hadn't been lurking outside the door while I spoke to the Captain. He was still waiting on the couch when I returned, and he looked at me expectantly. I sat down next to him and smiled.

"I'm off for two weeks starting now. So if you want to go to the Hamptons, we can. But we're not going without Alexis." I said quickly, and he grinned.

"Deal. But I have a great idea."

"Uh-oh." I said, and Rick pouted.

"I'm going to take you on a date every day until we go to the Hamptons."

"Rick, that's 5 days and 5 dates. You don't have to do that!" I said genuinely, but he looked at me carefully, almost solemnly.

"Kate, I promised you that I was going to do this right. I've taken you out once, and that was with Alexis, so it doesn't really count. This week, during the day, is going to be all about you and me and how great we are together. I wanted to woo you, and I haven't. So will you let me now, even though it's completely after-the-fact?" He looked like a nervous but excited little boy, and I had to smile at the beautiful, romantic gesture he was trying to deliver.

"Okay. 5 days. 5 dates. On one condition, though."

"Name it." He said confidently.

"Don't involve Alexis in any of your schemes. I want her to continue liking me, and if you tell her about how you plan to woo me, you may damage her forever. I'm not okay with that."

"Deal. Prepared to be wooed, my love. I'm going to make these next two weeks the best of your life!" He leapt from the couch and pulled me into his embrace before kissing me soundly.

I couldn't help but wonder exactly I'd just gotten myself into.

The next chapter will be full-on fluff, but I haven't actually started writing it yet so if anyone has some good ideas for a cute Caskett date, hit the button and let me know :)