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[One More Night]

Before Rick and Kate knew it, those six days were up and they were back in Paris. They leave tomorrow for New York, Rick had a scheduled flight in the morning and Kate had one in the evening originally, but she was able to switch in order to get on the same flight as him, which was something they were both grateful for.

So that made tonight their final night.

This wasn't goodbye. They'd continue this new relationship and journey with each other, the only difference being they'd be back home and not in Paris. And although their future together wasn't guaranteed, they were willing to take the risk, which was something neither would've said had they'd been asked two weeks ago.

They were in this together, for the long haul.

Over the course of those two weeks, Rick and Kate had each found something they didn't realize they were missing.

Rick found his inspiration, his muse once more, but most importantly, he found himself. All these years he's been going through the motions, in turn losing himself along the way. And when fate intervened, he stepped out from the dark clouds that hung above him and out into the light.

It was all because of Kate; she was his everything.

And he thanked God each day for giving the two of them a second chance, because had he not spontaneously run into her, in Paris of all places, then he'd still be down on himself and he wouldn't have been happy.

She saved him, and he'd be forever grateful.

But Rick wasn't the only one who had gained new insight on this trip. Kate learned that life is too short for regrets, you've got to live in the now and make every moment count. After the death of her father, she was left without parents, with no one there to guide her or care for her. That all changed when the man, who stood on the steps of Montmartre, met her eyes for the first time in three years.

After so many years apart, Kate knew she was already in this with him as soon as she saw him. His love and care lifted her up and showed her a side to herself she'd merely forgot she had. She'd come to Paris to get away from life for a while, and it worked, at first. And yet, she hadn't been living until she saw the one man she thought she'd never see again, and at that moment, her aching heart was at peace.

To say this trip of theirs was a wild, incredible, and life-altering journey, then that would be a massive understatement. It was all of those things and more. Much more.

So, as a final hurrah the couple decided not to do a fancy, candlelight dinner, but rather just spend the night together, whether that meant taking a walk around the city, ordering in, or never leaving the confines of the bedroom.

They decided to do all three.

Hand-in-hand, Rick and Kate meandered around the city, its lights shining upon them in all their glory. They were attached at the hip, neither one broke contact or went without touching for more than a minute. There was no separating the two; they couldn't leave each other's sights if they tried.

The pair, if they were being honest with themselves, was in denial that this was their final night in paradise; it had gone by so quickly, and yet, it felt like it'd been forever at the same time.

"I can't believe we head back to New York tomorrow," Kate said, saying out loud what they were both thinking.

"I know. Seems like it was yesterday when we first met up. Those two weeks sure flew by, huh?"

She nodded then rested her cheek on his shoulder, her arm looped through his. "I'm torn. It's like a part of me wants to go back, but at the same time—"

"You want to stay here forever?" Rick finished.

"Yeah," she breathed in agreement. Her hand went up to her forehead as she fought for control of her words. "I just— When I'm here, I don't have to worry about anything else back in New York, and that includes the boys and Lanie."

His voice was soft when he spoke. "What do you mean that includes the boys and Lanie? What do they have to do with anything?"

A large sigh left her lips. Kate glanced around her, not making eye contact as she gathered her thoughts. When she began to speak, her eyes met Rick's. "Do you remember when I told you about my dad?"

Rick nodded, trying to see where she was going with this. He didn't know how it connected to Ryan, Esposito, and Lanie. But he listened anyways, knowing she'd make that clear to him.

"Well, I took his death hard. Distanced myself from anyone I cared about, who I could potentially lose; the boys and Lanie were some of those people I pushed away. I don't know why I did that; I wasn't thinking clearly I guess. All I knew was that I didn't want to go through that heartbreak and anguish again. It would've been too much to handle." Kate squeezed Rick's arm gently when she said, "But then you came back into my life so unexpectedly and I— I was caught off guard, in a good way. You allowed me to come to terms with my dad's death. I was no longer dwelling in it, but rather moving on and living like he'd want me to. But that doesn't exempt my actions towards Lanie and the guys."

Rick didn't say a word. He merely pressed a kiss to her cheek. He knew this was not easy for her to share. She's always been a closed book, but ever since they'd reunited she's been letting him in, page by page.

Kate suddenly gasped, the realization of what she'd done hitting her with full force. "Oh my God! What if I've lost them forever? I completely ignored them and treated them terribly. God, they probably hate me and I—"

"Whoa. Slow down. Slow down." Rick brought them to a complete stop before he ran his hands up and down her arms in an attempt to calm her down. "Kate, you did what you did because you were hurting. The boys and Lanie could never hate you, okay? You won't lose them forever; they're your closest friends. I'm sure they'll be hurt, yeah, but I can guarantee, that more than anything, they'll just be thrilled to have you back."

She huffed, not truly believing what he said. "How do you know that?"

"Because I had felt the same way when I saw you again," he said. "But look at us now, closer than ever and we're doing pretty damn good so far, don't you think?" Kate nodded her head, still not having faith in his words. "So don't beat yourself up over this. If I know them like I do, and I know you know them too, then you've got nothing to worry about."

"But what if things are different between us?"

"All you can do is let them know how sorry you are, Kate. If they can't accept that or forgive you, then that's their problem. Not yours. At least you'll know you tried."

Soaking it all in, it took Kate about a minute to finally register what he was saying. "Okay," she mumbled, bringing him in for a hug. "Thank you. You always know just what to say."

Smiling as he held her in his arms, Rick pressed his mouth to the crown of her head, before resting his cheek there. "I write for a living, can't help it." Kate chuckled at that, his ability to ease a tough situation with a lighthearted moment never failed to make her smile. He put her at arm's distance and asked, "Are you going to be okay?"

Not speaking, just yet anyways, Kate smirked as she stood on the tips of her toes in order to press a kiss to his lips. "Yeah, I will be," she murmured against his mouth, before kissing him with everything she had.

Rick broke the kiss, only to say, "And you and I are going to be okay, too. You know that, right? We might be heading back to New York tomorrow, back to the real world, but we're in this together— we're in this relationship together."

"I know," she whispered. "I know we are."

His voice softened, "I love you."

It never got old hearing those three little words. Every time she was on the receiving end or saying the words herself, her heart grew at the amount of love she and Rick had for each other.

He was right. The two of them were going to be okay.

Same with Ryan, Esposito, and Lanie. Those three were so important to her. She may have made some mistakes in the past, she just hoped they'd see past those mistakes and be a part of her life again. And, even if they completely rejected her and turned their backs her direction, she knew that Rick would be there on the other side.

He was always there for her.

She moaned into his lips, "I love you, too." Kate pulled back a minute later, just a fraction away from his mouth. "Wanna head back to the hotel?"

There was a different tone in her voice this time. It sounded like desire— pure, carnal desire. Rick heard it, couldn't miss it, and simply nodded his head like an obedient child.

"Yes," he managed to get out.

Kate's eyes darkened as they traveled up and down his body, then she did it again, before she said, "Now."

"Right…"

The hotel door shut with the force of Rick's body being thrust against it, Kate's mouth already attacking his with hers as she pressed her body to his. He could feel every curve, every line. And God, it was completely doing it for him.

Suddenly, he flipped their positions so that she was the one now against the door. Kate groaned when her back made contact with the hard wood; it would most likely leave a bruise, not that she cared. She was too in the moment to even notice or react to the pain she's sure to feel later on.

Rick's mouth trailed from Kate's mouth, down to her jawline and eventually to her neck. He kissed and nibbled on every inch of skin he could reach, tasting her sweet skin. Suddenly, he pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. Kate could feel him take in a deep breath, his body crushing hers.

He felt her hands slide around his waist, coming up to his shoulders, holding him steady. Her breasts pressed into his chest, the soft rise of fall of her breaths in time with his own. Kate was always so soft, so pliant under his hands, but now, Rick was the soft one under her hands.

"Follow me."

He merely took her outstretched palm in his own and allowed her to lead him to the bedroom. The bed sank quickly beneath them as they lay back against the headboard. Rick rolled onto his side so he could face her, joining their hands between them.

Kate leaned over to place a kiss against their intertwined fingers. "I really do love you."

He couldn't help the smile from curving his lips upward. "I know you do. I love you, too."

"Will you miss it here?" The pain was back in her eyes, and Rick knew he would do everything he could to take that away.

"Every day."

"Me too." She pulled back slightly, and as she looked into his blue eyes she realized she couldn't hold back any longer, if she did she was sure she'd burst. Her arms were quick to wrap around his neck and, before Rick had time to do much of anything, her lips were on his. As her lips moved against his, soft and just so perfect, his eyes closed and his arms wrapped around her body, holding her to him.

Then Kate rolled them over so she straddled his lap. She worshipped his neck and the slight bit of shoulder she could see with her lips and tongue and teeth. Becoming impatient, she reached down and pulled his shirt over his head, running her hands along his chest and arms. She could feel the toned muscles beneath her fingers.

Passion escalated quickly, and Rick flipped them, his body on top of hers. Clothes were tossed across the room, as hands explored soft flesh and strong muscles. Hair was tugged, lips bitten, each seeking to mark the other.

Soon, they were writhing, skin slick with sweat and eyes glazed with lust. Rick's hand was strong and firm as he tugged Kate's leg around his hip and plunged into her.

They rocked together in that familiar rhythm. It was fast, at first; the couple completely consumed with their need. But, the quick pace didn't last long. Their movements began to slow down, their breathing hitched as they moved together in a steady rhythm.

Tender kisses were exchanged, declarations of love were uttered, and everything else seemed to fade away.

They saw stars together as they reached the end, both clinging onto each other so tightly as they fell.

Eventually, Rick pulled back, placing a soft kiss against her forehead, before he flopped down beside her, his muscles lax and loose, as he pulled her back into his arms. For minutes they were silent, the only sound that of their heavy breathing and rapid heartbeats.

Kate glanced up at him. "Definitely going to miss it here," she sighed breathlessly, earning a laugh from Rick.

He kissed her shoulder. "So am I, Kate. So am I."

There you go!

Only one chapter left. Thanks for all of your love. Until next time!

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