As much as Rick wanted to get home during the day, he also wanted to give Kate and Jim plenty of time to talk and have some time to themselves. With this in mind, after picking up his mother from her day of shopping, the two of them, and Alexis, went out to dinner.

When they arrived home, Alexis was already feeling tired. It had been a long day and she just wanted to go up to her room, read for a while, then go to sleep. Once Rick was convinced she really was just tired and there was nothing more to it, he let her do as she wished. His mother did the same, saying she was going to have a shower, sort out all the shopping she had done, and then would probably go to sleep early herself.

Rick walked through the house. He hadn't seen or heard Jim or Katie anywhere. Going up to his room he sat himself down on his bed and rested his head in his hands. He wasn't going to cry, he just was so confused and worried at the same time. He was worried for Alexis and hoped she had stopped blaming herself for his mistakes. Worried for Jim and hoped that he really hadn't been tempted by the whiskey the previous night. But mostly, he was worried for Kate. He just didn't know what do with everything that he had going on in his mind. He also had Alexis' words playing on repeat in his mind. 'Tonight, you have to talk to Kate and tell her how you feel'. How was he meant to do that? He wanted to talk to her, but he really wasn't sure she was ready for anything he wanted to say. But, not knowing where either Jim or Kate were, made it difficult for him to say anything. And then there was also the thought that maybe Kate did actually believe some of what she had said the previous night. What if she really did think he was just an addict and he had only wanted her there to win her over? Of course, he knew it wasn't true, but how could he be sure she knew that.

He sat there for a while just thinking about what he could say and how he could say it, but came up with nothing and then his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door. Jim stood there, and Rick couldn't hide the disappointment when he realised it was only Jim, and Kate wasn't standing with him.

"Is it okay if I come in?" Jim asked hesitantly.

"Yeah," Rick nodded. Jim had barely even made it in the door before Rick spoke again.

"How's Kate?" There were no other words that he was able to get out, he just wanted to know she was okay.

"She's good. We've had a good day, talked through everything, and I think she's better."

"Oh good. Does she want to be alone right now? I wanted to talk to her if that's okay, but if she needs to be alone, I understand and I'll respect that."

"I don't think she knows what she wants right now Rick. Everything she used to want she put aside when I… well you know, when I started drinking. And now she's got to figure it all out again, but she's scared. She needs someone to talk to, and I know it's not ideal with you having been through everything that you've been through, but she's different with you. She's comfortable, and I think she's going to want to start talking about things with you. Do you think you can handle it?"

Rick thought for a moment before he responded. "Yes," he said with determination, but he was still a little confused because Jim hadn't really answered his question. "So do I go and talk to her tonight? Or do I wait for her to come to me?"

"She's expecting you, I said I'd come find you. She's outside."

Rick let out a sigh of relief. "Really?" he said, with what could almost be seen to be excitement.

"Yes," Jim smiled.

"Great, I guess I shouldn't keep her waiting then," Rick said walking towards the doorway.

"And Rick," Jim called out to him and waited for him to turn back to him. "Look after my little girl."

"I will," Rick said in complete honesty.

Rick found Kate outside, as Jim had said. She looked nervous, she was fidgeting with her hands and pacing back and forth.

When she heard Rick come closer she lifted her head and gave him a small smile. She wasn't exactly sure how much to expect from him. She wasn't sure if he'd be upset or angry so it was hard to know what to do and how to start their conversation. He stopped a few metres away from her looking a little unsure as to whether it was okay to come the rest of the way.

"Hey," she said eventually, as an invitation to come and join her.

"Hey," he returned, and took the last few steps towards her.

"Look Rick…." Kate said at the same time as Rick spoke.

"Do you wanna…."

"Sorry," she said. "You go first."

"I was just going to ask if you wanted to go for a walk down the beach. We can talk?"

"Yeah, sounds good."

Rick's heart skipped a little when she smiled again, and this time it wasn't a nervous smile. They were going to talk, everything was going to be fine. And as they made their way onto the sand Alexis' words repeated in his head again. 'Tonight, you have to talk to Kate and tell her how you feel.' He knew he had to. He told Alexis he would, he just hoped that it wouldn't make things more awkward.

They walked side by side in silence for a couple of minutes before Kate spoke up.

"I'm sorry Rick. For last night, for what I said. I shouldn't have said those things. They were hurtful. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions or judged you so quickly. I really didn't mean any of it. I just, I don't know, I reacted badly and I'm sorry"

"The things you said, the reason you said I invited you, you don't believe any of that?"

"No, not at all. I don't know where that came from. I was horrible, and I really thought after what I said that you'd never want to talk to me, or you'd be angry with me or something."

"I could have been, and I think previously I would have been, but I don't know, I guess rehab has helped me learn how to deal with a lot of things in different ways. I've learnt to forgive, knowing that holding onto unforgiveness just hurts us. So I forgave you, and I was just worried for you more than anything. I'd never seen you so angry, so upset before."

"So just like that, you forgave me? Why? How?" she asked surprised.

"I guess I just tried putting myself in your shoes and I would like to say that I know exactly what you're going through, and that I understand it, but I don't. But I do know that you are doing your best, and you are looking out for your dad in any way you can. I know what it's like to have things that you think are going really well to suddenly break down, and start going backwards. I've been through it, not in the same way that you would have last night, but I know that seeing your dad and the liquor bottle must have brought up a ton of emotions. You were hurt, and so you dealt with it, any way you could."

"Yeah, by placing the blame on you and accusing you of things that I know you wouldn't do. I was angry, and I needed to let it out at someone. I'm just sorry it was you. I know you are still recovering yourself. Seeing my dad with the whiskey bottle, it must have been difficult for you too. Gosh, I didn't even think last night how you must have been feeling."

It was true. She hadn't thought about it until now. Seeing her father with a bottle of whiskey, possibly falling back, that must have affected Rick. They were supposed to be helping each other. Did he blame himself for what had happened? Did he regret leaving her father on his own?

"Yeah, it was difficult at first. When I saw him there with the bottle, my stomach dropped. I didn't expect him to fall back into that habit, but when I realised it wasn't even opened, I knew just how strong your father had been and just how well he was doing."

"I'm sorry for not giving you a chance to talk or to explain anything."

"Kate," he said and he stood in front of her stopping her from continuing the walk along the beach, and placed his hand on her shoulder, "You can stop saying sorry. It's okay."

"At any point, did you blame yourself? I mean before you realised it was still closed?"

"I didn't really have a lot of time to blame myself before realising it was still full, so no not really," he replied, removing his hand from her shoulder, but not moving from his place in front of her. He wanted to be able to speak to her face, "but there was something that you said last night…"

"You can pretty much ignore everything I said last night. I don't remember it all, but I'm certain I didn't mean it." Kate interrupted.

Rick smiled. "No, you said I should have been more careful and made sure there was no other alcohol around, and you were right. I should have. It was my mistake, and so I will take the blame for that, but I did check everywhere again this morning, and now I can assure you, there are definitely no more bottles anywhere."

"Thanks Rick. But I know there was more to what I said and I just want to say again, I am very sorry for all of it. You're a great guy, and I don't think you wanted me here for any reason other than to be here for my father."

"We've already been over this, it's ok. Please stop apologising and forgive yourself for it."

"Only if I know you completely understand how honestly sorry I am."

Rick placed his index finger under Kate's chin and lifted her face so that they could see into each others eyes. He was sure of the sincerity he heard in her voice but he wanted her to see it in his eyes, "I know you are. I believe you."

When he saw the look in her eyes that said she believed him, he removed his finger from her chin and let her drop her head again.

"So, tell me, how do you think my dad is really doing? I mean, I thought he had been doing really well, but after the last few months that I had with him before he went into rehab, just hearing him put coherent sentences together would make me think he was doing exceptionally well. So I'm asking you honestly, how is he? I know there are things he tells you that he doesn't tell me. He's afraid it'll be too much for me."

"Kate, he's doing really well. I said earlier that I realised how strong he is and I meant it. Not many recovering alcoholics would be able to sit staring at a bottle of whiskey for two hours without opening it. Most would give in to its pull. He's doing great, and he's doing it for you. He misses you, he said to me the first week we were talking that he misses the confident Kate, the one that wasn't afraid to have fun, or fight with him. He wants you back, and he said that's what he's been beginning to see again here."

Rick lifted his thumb to Kate's face to wipe away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks.

"He's doing this for you because he loves you Kate. I know that love because it's the same love I have for Alexis. It's the love that makes us want to be stronger, it makes us want to be better. It makes us want to be the people we are supposed to be, the strong men we are supposed to be so our loved ones don't have to be anything other than what they are meant to be. You can just be Kate again, you don't have to be a hero for your father anymore, he's doing it himself. You know as long as he knows he's got you by his side, he's just going to keep getting stronger."

Kate fought the urge for as long as she could, until she couldn't hold back any longer and she flung herself into Ricks chest wrapping her arms around his body. He responded immediately folding his arms around her shoulders and holding her close while she let out the tears he knew were falling.

"He says I need to talk about her, about my mum, I just I don't know how," she said still resting her head on his chest. "It's hard, and I know that he's been talking to you about her, and I think that's helping him become strong as well. He's not forgetting her, or trying to forget her, he's remembering all the good times and it's covering the horrible end to her life. Thank you for listening to his stories."

"Kate, when you're ready to talk about her, I would love to hear your stories too. Your mum sounds like she was an incredible woman."

"She was," Kate said and let more tears fall.

When Kate knew the tears had stopped, she pulled away from Rick, but she wasn't sure she wanted to. Her dad had been right. It felt good to be comforted, she should have allowed it sooner. And being in Rick's arms wasn't weird or awkward, it felt right.

Once they were parted Rick moved back to his place beside her and they continued walking down the beach.

"Rick, thanks for being there for my dad. I do what I can, but I think it's good that you're there too."

"It's really no problem."

"Enough about my dad now though, how are you doing?"

Rick was touched that she actually even thought about asking how he was doing, and he could hear there was a genuine concern in her voice.

"I'm doing well, I guess it's still early days, but I think I'm going to be okay. Haven't thought once about going back to the life I had myself living before rehab."

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but why was it that you were in rehab? You don't have to tell me, but I want to help if I can."

"Just by being here with us, you're helping Kate. More than you know. And any questions that you have I'd be happy to answer. Part of our recovery is being able to find people we can share our stories with. It doesn't mean we should go and share them with absolutely everyone, but when we find someone that we trust and that we know really cares, then we are encouraged to be honest, so that's what I'll be with you."

"You really trust me that much? After everything I said last night."

"No more about last night okay, that's all been forgotten. You wanted to know why I was in rehab. Basically, I became addicted to sleeping pills. I know it may sound a little unusual, but it happens, and it was an addiction that took me away from my daughter. I knew I had to do something about it and I wasn't going to be able to do it on my own, so I booked myself into rehab."

"Why? I mean, not why did you book yourself into rehab," she explained. "Why sleeping pills, what got you to that point?"

"I'm really not sure how I let it get to where it did. You know I'm a writer, so my life and my career rests on my ability to be able to come up with new stories, and for months, I had nothing. I hadn't written anything new in a while."

Rick continued to tell the story of the few months before he put himself into rehab, of the nights he lay awake worrying about his future, the harassing phone calls asking for work he felt unable to complete and the final incident that made him realise he needed help. The whole time, he had Kate's full attention. He hadn't realised it at first but at some point they had stopped walking again and were standing face to face. Had she stopped him this time?

"Wow," Kate said when Rick had finished. "I don't know what I expected, but I guess I really wasn't expecting that. You really thought your career was over?"

"Yeah, I did."

"And your writing, have you started getting ideas again?"

"Actually, I have," he said. "I'm still putting it all together, but I'm pretty excited about it."

"Well, I'd love to hear about it at some stage, that is, if you want to share it with me."

As much as Rick, really wanted to share it with her, he knew there were other things he needed to discuss with her first before bringing up his story ideas, which she had inspired. "Of course, when I've got a few more pieces put together, I'd love to run my ideas through with you. Your NYPD insight could be helpful."

"Don't even think about asking for another ride along," Kate said with a laugh and started walking along the beach once more.

"Oh," Rick said pouting. "You know I'll get you to change your mind about that eventually."

"Really Castle, and how are you going to do that?"

Rick knew Kate had definitely let go of any worries she had about the previous night when she called him Castle, and her fun tone had reappeared.

"Oh, I have my ways, Beckett," he grinned. "I have my ways."

The pair had now been wandering up the beach for some time, and hadn't even realised how far they had gone until Rick spotted one of his and Alexis' favourite hide aways and he knew it was a great place to view the sunset.

"Quick," he said and he grabbed Kate's hand, "Come this way," and he ran forward pulling her along until they came to a rocky area with a little cave. "Sit with me," he said as he sat on a smooth rock, still holding onto her hand and pulling her closer.

"What else am I supposed to do?" Kate said. "You've got a hold of my hand pretty tight there."

"Oh sorry," he said letting go. He hadn't even realised how tight he was holding on.

"So what are we doing here?" she asked when Rick just sat there silently as if waiting for something.

"Just watch."

She did. She watched, and waited, and then she saw it. The sunset. It was magnificent.

"It's beautiful Castle," she said and surprised herself when she wrapped her own arm through his elbow and rested her head on his shoulder, making herself comfortable. It was like her body did it without even thinking, like it was a normal thing to do. He didn't move to get away so she stayed.

"Alexis and I sometimes come out here, it's just the perfect spot. The way the light reflects off the water and there's the cool breeze in the air. We love it, I'm glad you like it too."

Kate didn't have anything to say back, she just remained sitting next to Rick, looking at the view.

Rick watched her while trying to figure out how to bring up the subject of whatever it was between them. He trusted her when she had said that she hadn't meant the things she had said the previous night, and so he no longer felt he had to worry about that. In the end, he figured there was no way of easing into it, he was just going to go for it. It was what Alexis wanted. She wanted him to be honest with Kate about his feelings, so that's what he was going to be.

"Kate"

"Yeah," she lifted her head and turned to look at him.

"Alexis and I spent a lot of time talking today, and there were some things she said that really got me thinking."

"She's a special girl, very intelligent, wise beyond her years."

"Tell me about it. I had noticed it before, but I didn't realise just how mature she could be until today."

"So what were you two talking about?"

"Well, you, actually."

"Me?"

"Yeah. She told me I had to be honest with you."

"You haven't been honest with me?" Kate said letting go of his arm as she stood up looking at him incredulously.

"It's not that I've been dishonest, it's just I haven't told you everything."

"What haven't you told me?"

"Man, this is harder than I thought it would be."

"What's so hard Castle?" She was not angry, but confused and almost upset but she wasn't sure she needed to be.

"I like you Kate," he said.

She raised one eyebrow, and him waiting for him to say something more.

"I like you and I care about you, and Alexis said I needed to tell you."

"Rick, you don't think I know this already? We're friends, it's what friends do. We care about each other, and well if we didn't like each other, well then we wouldn't be friends and I wouldn't be here right now," Kate said. She knew there was more to it than that, but she wasn't sure whether she was ready to accept it or admit to it just yet. She hoped if she tried to play it down, Rick would just leave it at that, but he had other ideas.

"It's not like that and you know it," he said, reaching out grabbing both of her hands to pull her closer so that she was standing in the space between his knees in front of him. "Alexis said that I wouldn't have gotten so upset about last night, if I didn't have feelings for you, and she was right. I do have feelings for you. It's more than wanting to be friends with you Kate. And I know that I'm probably not in the right place to start anything right now. I just got out of rehab, and your dad has and gosh it'd probably be a mess but, somehow you make me happy in ways that others can't. Alexis can see it, I'm pretty certain my mother can see it, and your dad does too. They all see it, and we have been ignoring it."

"Rick…"

"I'm not saying we need to jump right into anything, but Alexis said I needed to tell you. I needed to let you know how I feel so that if you didn't feel the same, then I could forget it and just keep things the way they are, knowing it wouldn't go any further. But after everything we've been through in the past week, I really believe we could be something Kate, like really be something if we wanted it enough."

"Castle," she said loudly, "just be quiet for a minute would you." It all made sense. It was true. If they tried to really start something now, it would probably be a mess, but Rick had been completely honest, so she knew she needed to be too.

"Sorry," he said and he zipped his mouth closed, just like Alexis had done a few nights ago.

"I do like you, probably more than I'm willing to even admit to myself right now, but it's like you said, it's not the right time. I need to focus on my dad for the time being."

"I understand," Rick said nodding, and he let go of her hands.

Kate lifted one hand to his cheek. "I'm not saying no, Castle, I'm just saying not right now. Let's just see how the next week goes okay, and we'll talk again."

She bent over him and placed a light kiss to the corner of his mouth as a promise to him. She then took one of his hands in hers and lifted him up, "C'mon then, we should be getting back before someone comes looking for us."

She went to take a step away expecting Rick to follow but instead she was pulled back towards him and into his chest where once again he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a warm embrace. Kate did the only thing she could do, she returned the hug circling her arms around his back and they stayed there a moment.

"Thank you," Rick finally whispered in her ear before letting her go. "Now, we can go back."

They walked side by side letting their shoulders bump into one another from time to time.

At some point on their way back, Kate allowed her pinky finger to hook into Rick's. When Rick felt the small gesture, he couldn't help but smile. It wasn't much and he knew she said they couldn't start anything right now, but he believed this small act was the start of something bigger.

Well, there's the chapter I know many of you were waiting for... I hope I did it justice. Let me know either way. Do you think Rick should have been angry? Should I have written it differently? I'm not going to change it obviously because, it's posted now, but I'd be interested in your thoughts.

And a random comment because that's what I do... I lost 6kg this year but I think in the past week with the amount of chocolate I've eaten I've possibly put 3 of those back on. I think I'm going to put it down to all the good tv shows now being on a break, and I'm depressed so I'm eating chocolate. That's probably not really the reason, but it makes me feel a bit better :)