A/N: thank you again for the reviews! If you guys like it, I'll keep on writing it!

Chapter 25

The next few months were slow going. Rick insisted Kat move in with him while she was recovering from everything, and she gladly agreed. She didn't want to be alone, but wasn't sure if being at Javiers apartment would be the best place for her. She talked to Kevin and Javier every day multiple times. They were both so sweet and understanding. She felt bad , like maybe she let them down moving in with Rick but they completely understood. They still came over for Madden nights once a week. Kevin took her out for coffee every weekend, and Javier brought Chinese food over for her. They continued to search for Tim, but there was little progress. His vehicle had been abandoned , so they had no way to track his movements. The bolo went out on his description and where he was seen last , but so far it hasn't produced any hits. The lack of leads made the detectives nervous. He was still out there – would he try to take her again? Rick promised she wouldn't leave his sight, and he had stuck to that promise.

Finally after 3 months of no leads and no threats, Kat made the choice to move back to her own apartment . She knew Rick needed his home back, even though he had never mentioned it to her. She felt like it was time. While the boys came to visit her every week, Rick and Kate had no time together. Kat felt horrible,and decided as a gift she would send them on a weekend away.

"Kat, you don't have to do this. Really, I loved having you here." Rick was being a perfect gentleman about the entire thing, but Kat was having none of it.

"No way. Rick you put your life on hold for me for 3 months. You let me move in, kept me safe…I interrupted yours and Kates' relationship before it even got started. This is the least I can do. Go. Enjoy yourselves. The boys will help me move back home and when you get back everything will be back to normal." She wouldn't take no for an answer , so he called Kate and arranged to pick her up in an hour.

"I love you . And you're welcome back any time. Please, don't be a stranger. " he squeezed her tight ,kissing the top of her head. "I don't know what I'll do without you here…"

"Probably write another best seller!" she laughed. "I love you too Ricky." And with a kiss on the cheek from her he was off. She really had enjoyed being there with him,but it wasn't fair. Not to him, or Kate. Now she needed to start processing her feelings for the two detectives that had fought so hard to save her. The therapist she had been seeing , Dr Burke who came recommended by Kate, said that before she could fully heal from what had happened she needed to have very straight forward and honest conversations with both men. The problem was, she wasn't sure what those conversations were going to be about. She didn't want to make a pros/cons list for each man, that seemed too analytical and cold. The bottom line was she really liked both of them. Kat decided wine would help (or at least wouldn't hurt) and went to find a bottle.

Upstate N.Y.

Farm

Tim had evaded police for three months, but he had to find a new home , temporarily. There were loose ends to tie up… his beloved had been taken away from him, they had ransacked his house and office . He couldn't go back to the club, not that he wanted to right now. She wouldn't be there. She had stayed out of the public eye for the last three months, and he didn't think she would show up any time soon. He decided that for now his best bet was to get out of the state. So he got a car with cash, and headed south, with a vow to return.

Castles apartment

There was a knock at the door, which immediately caused Kat to panic. Even after therapy and the months she has spent recovering, something as simple as a knock on the door caused her to have a panic attack. She tried to steady her breathing and checked the peep hole, finding sparkling blue eyes looking back at her. She smiled wide and opened the door.

"Kevin! You didn't tell me you were coming by! Come on in." He brushed past her , leaning over to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. She shut the door, locking it behind him.

"Where's Castle?" he said, glancing around the room.

"I sent him and Kate on a weekend away. They won't be back until Sunday. I was actually going to call you, I told Rick I'm moving back to my apartment this weekend . I was going to see if you were available to help." Over the last three months she had slowly taken personal items from her apartment and brought them to Castles to make her comfortable. She could definitely use the assistance in getting them all back home. "Kev? What's wrong? You look serious …"

He lead her to the couch and sat down hand over hers. "We've been trying to find … him… for 3 months and haven't seen a sign. You aren't safe while he's still out there Kat. I don't think you should be alone."

Kat squeezed his hand "Kevin I've been a burden on Rick for three months. He needs his life back, and I need to start mine again. You can't blame me for that can you?"

Kevin shook his head "Not at all..." He couldn't take it anymore. He had spent months being her support, her friend, just like Castle had asked. Now he needed her. "I ran into Jenny today. It's why I came by. It didn't go well." He hung his head in shame. There were still so many hurt feelings that came out when he saw his ex wife. Pain he thought had been buried, but came back to the surface when they ran into each other. Kat patted her lap and he laid his head down. He felt like a child, lost and in so much pain, but felt better when she ran her fingers through his hair. Everything came out. How he hated Jenny for leaving him, how he had been so afraid that Kat would leave him too, even if it had been unintentional. She let him talk for an hour, not interrupting, just occasionally stroking his head in her lap. It was exhausting for both of them, but Kevin needed to get it out. His last words struck Kat right in the heart. "I came back to life when I met you, and I don't want to lose you ever. I know you like Javi. I get it. But I just want you to understand how much you mean to me. And whenever you are ready, and if you would have me, I would like to take you out on that date you were promised." He sat up, his blue eyes gazed into her blue-grey ones, before leaning forward and gently kissing her on the lips. They separated and Kat had tears in her eyes. This man meant so much to her, she didn't want to ever cause him pain. So she was honest.

"Kevin Ryan, you are the most genuine, sweet, amazing person I've ever met. I am better because you are in my life. I would love if we could go out on that date." Her words made him smile from ear to ear. "You are right. I do like Javier, I don't want to lie to you about that. If we can go slowly, I would really like to see where this leads." She had a matching grin on her face and kissed him, this time with more urgency. They were interrupted by Kevin's phone ringing.

"Leave it." He said breathlessly reaching for her again.

"Kev, it could be important." She said the words out of obligation, not really caring if it was. She liked kissing this man, and didn't really want to stop.

He groaned and checked the caller ID. "Dammit. It's the precinct. I'm so sorry I have to go." He rose and started towards the door. "Raincheck. I'll call you later?" he grabbed her around her waist, pulling her close to him and kissed her until her head spun. When he released her and left she leaned against the door and sighed. Where was that wine? She definitely needed some now.