Those four words had been spoken to Kate Beckett only once before in her entire life and exactly like the first time the words were spoken by one Richard Castle.

Just the first time he said them it was Castle's attempt to convince Kevin Ryan that he needed to do something bold when proposing to Jenny. Castle told Kevin that it needed to be huge and world class like a Helicopter ride, sky writing, on top of the pitcher mound at Yankee Stadium. Kate had put down the outrageous proposal and helicopter ride theory to rest saying a woman would prefer something a little more intimate

She never thought about a press conference on the steps of One Police Plaza and an explosion during the proposal as being 'intimate'

She has her eyes closed and tears are burning from under her lids "Did you really mean that? I thought you were breaking up with me. You just proposed to me?"

"Yes I mean it. Kate I have wanted this ever since I met you"

"Really?" Beckett asks thru halted breaths

"Kate I have loved you for years"

"Even before that day in the cemetery?"

"Yes. Long before that day. I think I have Always loved you"

These two don't really care anymore who might see them. Kate has grabbed Rick by the neck and is playing suck face with him. Rick is holding onto Kate for all he's worth. He is demonstrating to her how much he wants them to be one flesh. He is trying with all his might to meld into her and make them one.

When the two finally must surface for air or pass out from lack of oxygen, Castle tries to speak "I guess that means yes?"

She finally opens her eyes and looks up to his face and what she sees removes any doubt as to what his feelings are for her. She sees nothing from him except his total and complete love for her.

"Then I guess I need to start packing by bags for the honeymoon?"

"That's definitely a yes! He is finally able to breathe again. Katherine Beckett, I love you"

"Ditto Mr. Castle" Kate responds

Since these two lovebirds have been in their own little private world for several minutes, they are oblivious to the flash mob that has formed quietly around them.

In the very front row watching the show just presented are the couple's detective partners, Ryan and Esposito, the Lanie Parish, Medial Examiner, AND the 12th percent's Captain, Victoria Gates.

It is the captain who comments first "Well isn't this just nice?"

The two male detectives look at their boss and are not sure what they need to say or if it might be better to just stay quiet for the time being

The senior woman continues her statement "I believe that we have a situation that might need to be addressed and very soon"

At the sound of her superior's voice Kate Beckett ducks her head and whispers to her now fiancé "I think we are in trouble"

Castle looks down to Kate "I guess keeping us a secret is out of the question now?"

Beckett smiles as she finally looks over at her boss to see what type punishment might be in store for her and her soon to be husband

"Sir, we…I…uh…we did not plan this, sir. It just sort of happened"

"I see" The ever stern commander pauses before finishing her interrogation "So detective are you telling me that this little romance between you and Mr. Castle has NOT been going on for long?"

"No sir. Rick and I just got together"

"And just how long have you two been together if I might ask" The station commander says

"When Rick came back from Paris, I was waiting for him. That is the first time we…Um…"

"Got together? So it has only been since what…last Thursday night?"

"Yes sir. I have not been back to work since we got together and we were planning to keep it quiet but the news reports and the senator's arrest and Alexis' kidnapping and…"

"Alright! I understand detective. So you are telling me that it just all began just three days ago?"

"Yes sir. I am sorry about trying to keep it a secret but we didn't want anything…"

Beckett's answer is interrupted by the captain who then turns to Lanie "Dr. Parish with that information who wins the betting pool?"

Kate's long time best friend responds with a hint of laughter in her voice "You're the winner, captain. You came the closest. You had picked this last weekend. No one else was even close"

The agents managing the press conference security had ordered Beckett and Castle to leave the immediate area and move to a shelter where they could be at under protection.

Rick insisted they go to his loft. It was a secured building. It was located in a section of town not known for crime and due to its construction it was easy for the agents to create a perimeter protection zone

Richard Castle and his soon to be wife, Katherine Beckett is curled up on the end of the couch at the loft. The evening air had turned a little chilly with the passing of a moderate cold front so Rick had started a fire even though it was not really that cold. The ambiance of the flames dancing light on the wall made the end of the day seem more magical

Sitting with her back into Castle's side Kate has pulled both of Rick's arms around her and is holding him firmly against her. Playing with his fingers as she gently slides her fingers up and down the back of his hand.

"Rick has all this really happened? Did you ask me to marry you? Are we here at your place warm and safe?"

"Yes! Yes! And yes" Castle moves his hand to the back of Kate's arm and he slides his hand down along the back of her hand. He feels the softness of her skin and wonders why he waited so long to get here.

Her skin tingles at his touch and she wonders why she waited so long to be here

Rick finally speaks "Have you talked to the boys? What did they say about the explosion on the roof?"

"Oh Castle I thought that was just you putting on a big show for the proposal"

"Very funny"

"They found the remains of a man. It appears he accidently blew himself up with the device. He had a sniper rifle, scope, scanner radios. He was listening to the press conference. They believe he was there to kill…someone on the…" her voice stutters

"Kate, do they think he was after you?"

"Javi said he had a well camouflaged nest set up that protected him from being spotted. It looked like he set up earlier. He was probably there all day"

"Kate, you didn't answer my question"

She is sitting quietly when there is a knock on the door.

Castle does not want to get up and separate from Kate but there is no one else to go to the door. When Rick opens the entry he is faced with Captain Gates, Detectives Esposito and Ryan.

"Hello everyone. Please…" Rick moves aside inviting the trio inside

After the three police officers enter the loft, Rick invites them to sit around on the couches and chairs gathered around a central table

"Detective Beckett we have some information on the deceased man found on the roof" the captain begins "We first were not able to identify him due to the condition of the body but the DNA preliminary results linked him to another open case here in the city"

Rick and Kate are listening closely

"Your shooting last year. He is the man who shot you at Montgomery's funeral" the captain pauses before finishing "We believe you were also the target today Detective Beckett"

Kate squeezes Castle's hand and does not let go

"We were able to find hotel where he was staying. In the room we found a lot of evidence including a picture of him. It was a fake passport but it gave us an image"

Esposito then continues the story "I contacted my former squad leader. He is still active duty at the Pentagon. I told him what was happening and he was able to retrieve the man's military record. Or most of it. He was like me, Special Forces and a lot of what he did is still classified but after his discharge he went to work for Arantis Solutions. It is a black ops contractor"

Ryan completes the link "We traced the company ownership and found that Senator Bracken owns controlling interest in the business"

There is a period of silence before Rick asks "Why were you able to find all this information out on this man now when we couldn't last year?"

"I'm not sure" Esposito answers "My contact said the files had been coded top secret but unlocked just last week. If we had tried a week ago, we would have had nothing"

"It will still take some time to uncover any more but we will keep you two informed. We believe all threats against you have been stopped, Detective" Captain Gates states "But I want you to take little time off. You deserve it"

"Yes sir" Beckett responds

The Captain and the two detectives stand to leave. The woman turns back around to the pair "and again congratulations detective. You deserve some happiness and I know how much that man loves you. Everyone knows how much he loves you and we are all very happy you are finally seeing it"

"Thank you, sir" Kate states as Rick stands and sees the trio to the door.

After closing and locking the entry Rick sits back down next to Kate

"Wow. I am so glad that's over. I can feel better about your safety"

Beckett is staring directly forward when she quietly makes a comment

"Castle. They said the threats against me are over. That means I am no longer dangerous to be around. That means that Black Pawn has no reason to force you to stay away from me. And you don't have a reason to marry me anymore"

She takes a deep breath "I know it was a spur of the moment thing and you weren't really planning on doing it so with all the changes in my case you don't have to feel obligated in following through on this…" Beckett stops as Castle gets up from the couch "Where are you going?"

"Stay there. I will be right back" Castle rushes into his study. Kate can hear a desk drawer opening and slamming then Rick almost runs back into the living room. He stops just at the edge of the couch

"Kate. I still have every reason to marry you. I can't imagine my life without you. And unlike my impromptu question on the steps of the police department…"

He opens a small box and pulls out a beautiful engagement ring. He kneels down in front of her. He holds the ring up to her face "What is it supposed to be boring and just ask…"

"Will you marry me?"