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Castle came back from getting some fire wood while Kate was in the kitchen trying to decide what to fix. He wanted to help cook but he's sweaty and needs to grab a shower first.

Once he's out of the room Castle's nervousness shown through. He's never been alone this long with Kate Beckett before and he can feel the pressure rising within him. She's nervous too, he can tell, and that doesn't make it any easier to be here. He's flattered that she wanted to do this, it's perfect for them, but he's scared. What if one of them says or does the wrong thing? What if they can't work it out? What if he loses her again? What of he can't fully forgive her? Or himself?

They've been through so much, hell and back and what if it was all for nothing? He's going to try and make it work, of course, but he just hopes that they'll come out of this strong and together.

When he got out of the shower Castle realized that he left his bag out in the living room with Kate. And he can't find the towels...

He, reluctantly, put on his old dirty boxers to go get his suitcase. He could hear her moving around in the kitchen so he decided to run out when she wasn't looking.

When Kate had her back to him when she was at the sink is when Castle decided to sneak out. He tiptoed quickly to get his things but he wasn't looking at where he was stepping. He ended up stepping on a loose nail and shouting out in pain.

"Are you ok-" Kate paused when she turned around at the sight of the scream. Her breath caught in her throat and the pan she was holding slipped through her fingers, hitting the floor with a loud bang!

She's never seen Castle so...exposed before.

"Oh sorry. There were no towels and I didn't grab my suitcase. Ugh jeez my foots bleeding."

"Oh uh-sit- sit down."

Castle still had water glistening on his chest, slowly working its way down his muscular arms, dripping slowly on the hardwood floor. And what really caught her attention was the big pee hole in his boxers giving her a perfect view of him, all of him.

"Castle!" She turned away. "Cover yourself."

"What?" He looked down at himself and saw that his unit was making an appearance tonight. "Oh shit! I'm sorry. Sorry!"

"Uh it's fine Castle really. Just put it away before you hurt that too."

Castle fixed himself and sat down on the foot rest in front of the light green love seat in the living room. He kept his bleeding foot off the ground while Kate grabbed the first aid kit from the bathroom.

When she came back Castle was leaning forward on his thighs. Probably to help fully cover himself, she thought. Too big to fit all the way in.

"Let me see," she said kneeling down in front of his foot. Once down it started getting harder to hide her blush. She just hoped Castle wouldn't notice but if he did he didn't let on. "You could've just asked me to hand it to you. You know that right?"

"I didn't want to disturb you. You looked hard at work."

"Riiiiigght."

Castle just smiled to himself and looked down. He honestly didn't want to bother her, or get seen naked. So trying to sneak and get his suitcase was the only choice.

"Oh my goodness Castle. This is just a scratch, and it's barely even any blood."

"Really?" Castle exclaimed disbelievingly.

"Yeah. Here's a bandage big guy," she teased.

"It doesn't hurt like its just a scratch." Castle crossed his arms and pouted, puckering his lips extra large.

"You're fine Castle."

You know Castle and his deranged imagination couldn't help but take what she said a different way, other than what she intended.

"I'm fine?"

"Yes you're fine."

"How fine?"

"Really fine. It's just a scratch."

When Castle couldn't contain his laughter is when Kate finally caught on to what Castle was doing. "Oh you think that's funny?"

"No I'm sorry that was wrong," he said still laughing. Kate scoffed and stood to walk away but Castle took hold of her arm so she wouldn't. "Hey you can't deny it. You did say you loved my ass."

"Whatever," she said blushing.

"Mhmm. But I am sorry."

"It's okay Castle. Just go get dressed. I'm tired of the unannounced visits from your little friend there."

"Oh!" Castle moved when he was laughing and ended up uncovering himself again. "Kate I'm sorry. I swear I'm not doing this on purpose."

She didn't have to turn around to know that he was serious, she could hear it in his voice. "I know. Just get dressed dinners almost ready." When Castle had gathered himself and his suitcase Kate called out to him again. "And for future reference. Towels are in the closet next to the bathroom."

"Gotcha."

They're sitting down at the kitchen table now trying to find something to talk about. Neither one of them seemed to want to take the leap to talk about them but it was just getting too awkward.

"Kate we probably should talk," Castle said lowly after a few moments of silence.

"I know."

He took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eyes and asked, "how do I know it's real? That you really want this?"

"Because I'm here with you trying to make this work, trying to figure this out. I know it won't be easy but I'm prepared to fight for you everyday."

"How am I supposed to trust you? How do I know that you're really ready for this?"

"I know it'll be hard to trust me again after two years but I'm in this Castle. Nothing will make me change my mind. You'll only know with time that you can trust me but for now I'll just have to show you."

After a minute Castle spoke again. "I know you say you're in this, but it will take more than that to convince me."

"I know."

"Do you have any idea of what you put me through these past two years? All the pain and heartache and guilt? I never reached out to you because I thought you hated me. I thought you didn't want anything to do with me." He paused and took another deep breath, his voice growing louder with each word he speaks. "It was hell Kate! Hell. Every morning I would wake up and think of you, and of all the mornings we spent together. And at night I would dream of you, of us. You with a ring on your finger or with a baby belly. I want those things with you! I missed you so much."

"Rick I'm so sorry. I missed you too. You have no idea."

"I didn't know where you were or what you were doing. I worried about you. I'd imagine you going after The Dragon and getting killed or getting shot while on strike. I hated it! You've put me through hell these past two years. And I wanted to forget so badly. If I couldn't have you then I didn't want to remember you and all the things I felt."

"Well I'm here now. Isn't that what matters? These two years have been hard on me too. I wanted to tell you how I felt for so long, there were so many times when I just wanted to dial your number and call you. But I didn't think you wanted to talk to me."

"You should've called. No matter how long it had been you should've called."

Castle rose up from the table and stood by the counter, one arm resting on it while the other made circles on his forehead.

Kate followed him to the counter and took his hand that was on his head until he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Castle I've been in love with you this whole time. I know what you were feeling I understand because I felt it too. Getting up every morning and going into a station knowing you weren't going to be there. The hoping you would show up, it killed me too." Tears were streaming down her eyes and she could see them forming in Castle's. "there were so many times that I needed your crazy theories, a hug from you, or even just some coffee. For four years you were my peace, my sanctuary and then one day you were just gone. I lost you that day too Castle. And ever since then I've been paying the cost."

Castle didn't say anything, just stared down at her with his glistening blue eyes. "I love you Castle and I intend on proving to you just how much. There isn't a doubt in my mind I swear to you that I am in this."

He couldn't help it, he kissed her. As bad as he's hurt and he knows this is exactly what they shouldn't be doing, but he needs this. He needs to be reminded of how much he loves this woman, tenacity and all.

They'll work this out.

She kissed him back just as forceful. Because she needs this too, a reminder of what she's fighting for. Two years without seeing him was her undoing. She can't fight him, she can't deny that she wants him. Instead she'll show him exactly how she feels.

She opened her mouth to him, inviting him inside because he is so welcome. They both needed this. The passion and teeth and clawing and biting and growls and groping just to see, just to believe.

And they do...

They didn't have sex. Not even close to it. But after that kiss they both wanted it.

The kitchens been cleaned and Kate's had her shower. They're both tired but neither of them are sure of where they're supposed to sleep.

"I'm not sleeping in your dads room!" Castle kept repeating in his head. It just seemed wrong. He knows that nothing is going to happen between them tonight but him sleeping in Jim's bed, that's wrong on so many levels.

"I changed the mattresses since the last time I was here. I took my parents room and made mine the guest room."

"Oh."

They both looked down at the floor, Kate was playing with her hands. She didn't want to sleep alone. She wanted him next to her but is it too soon? Would he take it the wrong way?

In fact he did think it would be too soon for her to share a bed with him. He thought that maybe since its their first night that she would be a little uncomfortable with him there.

"I'll uh take the..guest bedroom, then." He cleared his throat after he spoke and only looked at her to assess her reaction. She just nodded but never looked up.

Ugh! It shouldn't be this damn hard!

Before Castle could leave Kate started shaking her head no. Him sleeping in another room was not okay with her. Maybe she's selfish, no, she is selfish and she needs him there. It's still amazing her that they've come so far in just a week. She would hate herself if they can't be together at all times while they're here and so if that means sleeping in the same bed so be it. It's not a burden, in fact it's a blessing.

"Stay," she spoke so lowly it was almost imperceptible.

She laid down on the bed and got under the covers then patted the side next to her to make him come. He did.

Once he was settled they laid there awkwardly for a few minutes. Why? Kept repeating in Kate's mind. It's them it shouldn't be awkward.

"Goodnight Castle."

"Night."

Castle slowly leaned over inch by inch to give her a quick but sweet kiss on her lips. "Goodnight," he repeated before they both closed their eyes and fell asleep.