Title: Reading Rights and Writing Wrongs

Summary: People die every day. In New York City, odds are pretty good they were murdered. Only a select few can speak for those whose lives are taken by another. And one detective has partnered with a writer to answer this call. They are so opposite they complete each other. But at the end of the day, they solve the crime. It's the Castle and Beckett you know and love. With just one little difference. In the first 10 chapters, anyway. From chapter 11 on, things get a lot different.

Disclaimer: I don't own most of these characters. If you recognize a name, odds are it isn't mine. But seeing as this is a fanfic website, you probably knew that already.

Thank you to the extraordinary Sunshiny-Kate. Without her help, this would have done nothing but stay an idea in my head.


Castle slipped his key in the lock and let himself into his apartment. He shut the door behind him and sighed loudly, feeling the day's hidden emotions catching up with him. It'd been hours since the funeral, and although the precinct was the last place he wanted to be, he'd had to go meet with Captain Gates. He had filled her in on the new developments and promised that he and Ryan and Esposito would have the case wrapped up within a few days. After assuring her that he could stay objective, she'd agreed to let him keep working on it.

He took a few deep breaths before walking to the couch, where he sat down wearily and stared at his hands. He'd washed them so many times, but he could swear they were still tinted red. He laid his head back and his eyes had barely closed when he heard familiar footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Hello Richard. I didn't know you were home." Martha said when she saw him.

"Hey, Mother. I just came in."

Martha studied him for a moment before sitting down next to him.

"Rough day, huh Kiddo?"

A soft, wry chuckle came from deep in Castle's throat.

"It's never easy burying someone you love." He replied.

"I know." She said as she put a hand on his knee.

Neither knew what else to say, so they said nothing. Several minutes had passed in silence when Alexis came downstairs. She saw the pair sitting together and joined them on the couch. Castle jerked his eyes open and lifted his head to look at her before raising his arm so she could press herself to his side.

"Hey, Dad." She greeted him quietly as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Hey, Pumpkin." He whispered back before brushing his lips to her hair.

"I'm sorry about what you had to go through today."

"Me too, Sweetie." He sighed. "But unfortunately, death is a part of life."

"It sucks." Alexis said.

Martha and Castle both chuckled at her blunt statement.

"Yes it does." Castle agreed.

"So." Martha piped up, hoping to change the subject to something less somber. "We ordered dinner, Richard. It should be here in about thirty minutes. Why don't you go get cleaned up?"

"Okay." He replied with a grateful smile.

He pressed another gentle kiss to Alexis's hair then lifted Martha's hand and kissed it lightly. Alexis unwound herself from his embrace so he could stand up, and he headed towards his bedroom.

Suddenly, all he wanted was the feeling of hot water beating down on him. He shut his bedroom door and started peeling off his clothes as he continued to his bathroom. By the time he reached the shower he was wearing only his boxers. He opened the glass and tuned the water on full force.

He pulled off his last garment and stepped inside, not caring that the water was still freezing. The bitter cold took his breath away, but the sensation was welcome. Anything that could distract him from the pain in his heart was welcome.

As the water began to warm, he thought about his family. About how lucky he was to have them. About how even though he hadn't let them know how much he was truly hurting, just having them there was enough to keep him grounded. His mind wandered for a few more moments until the water climbed to a level that was too hot to be comfortable. He adjusted it until the spray was perfectly scalding.

And then he let himself break down.

His tears quickly mixed with the water streaming down his face. He hadn't let himself fully grieve the events of the last few days. Now, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He slid down to the floor, his legs unable to support the weight of his sorrow. His hugged his legs to his chest and his head fell forward to rest on his knees. Sobs racked his body to the point that his muscles began to hurt.

He barely noticed the cool air that suddenly hit his skin. He didn't register that the water shut off, leaving only tears on his cheeks. He was indifferent to the towel that was wrapped around his shoulders. He didn't acknowledge the presence he felt when someone sat down in front of him. He still didn't look up when a hand took hold of his and squeezed gently. He just kept sobbing through it all.

He had lost complete track of time. But he still sat and cried until he could not cry anymore. Even then, he kept his head lowered for a few more minutes. When he finally looked up, he smiled weakly at his unspeaking companion. He cleared his throat and swallowed a few times.

"Hey." He whispered.

"Hey, yourself." Kate whispered back.

"I don't suppose I look all that manly right now, do I?"

"You look fine, Rick." She squeezed his hand again.

"I'm sorry. I just had to-"

"Don't you dare apologize." Kate interrupted. "You don't have to hide anything from me. Especially not your grief. We're in this together, remember?"

"He was the closest thing to a father I ever had, Kate." He sighed. "And I never told him how much he meant to me."

"He knew. It'd be impossible for him not to. I know he cared about you too."

"I miss him."

"I know."

Castle reached out and tucked a clump of hair that was still damp from her own shower behind her ear.

"Did you get all that fake blood off of you?" He asked.

"Yeah." Kate answered, going along with the subject change. "But I had to sacrifice a few layers of skin to do so. You?"

"I think my hands may be pinkish forever." Castle replied. "Which won't be beneficial when I'm trying to look tough during an interrogation."

The pair laughed, grateful for the emotional release after such a stressful day.

"You think you're ready for some dinner?" Kate asked him. "Your mom and Alexis are already eating. I told them not to wait on us."

"Actually, I'm starving. I never ate lunch. How long was I in here anyway?"

"I don't know exactly. I was in the study talking to my dad when you came home. Right after I got off the phone I heard the doorbell ring. When I went into the kitchen, Alexis told me where you were. I heard you in the shower and went back to tell them to go ahead and eat. Then I came in and sat with you."

"Oh." He replied simply.

"Come on." She stood up. "Let's get you dressed, and I need to change."

"Why? I heard wet butt pants and soaked socks are all the rage in Paris this time of year."

"Well, honey, we aren't in Paris. And I like to wear clothes that aren't saturated with New York City water."

He stood up next to her, fastening the towel she had covered him with around his waist.

"To each his own." He said softly as he opened his arms.

She obliged his silent request and sighed into his chest as they embraced each other. A few minutes later she stepped back and grabbed his hand to lead him to the bedroom closet.

"Did you talk to Roy's wife afterwards?" Kate asked as she pulled on some dry pants.

"Yes." Castle replied.

"How was she? And the kids?"

"They were doing as well as can be expected." He paused as he tugged a tee-shirt over his head. "I still feel bad about putting them through all this though."

"Don't feel bad, Rick. They agreed to it. They want us to catch the man behind the curtain too."

"Still must have been hard though. Just days after losing their husband and father, and they see you get gunned down."

"I'm sure it was." Kate sighed. "But trust me, they would do almost anything to help bring the man behind his death down. No matter how hard it was."

Castle buttoned the old pair of jeans he'd put on and moved closer to Kate. He reached for her hand and used it to tug her to him. She closed her eyes when he brushed his lips over her forehead.

"We're almost there, Kate." He whispered against her skin. "We should have everything we need by this time tomorrow."

"And then my mom and Roy, and all the others will finally have the justice they deserve."

"Yes, they will." He smiled and leaned back. "Now, how about that dinner?"

She nodded and they walked hand in hand out to the table, where Alexis had set them each a place. They joined the two red-heads and filled their plates. Once they were settled, Alexis looked at Castle.

"Do you think it worked, Dad?" She asked with widened eyes.

"Do I think what worked, Pumpkin?"

"Faking Kate's death."

"Oh." He took a drink of the red wine Martha had served him. "Well, it sure seemed to fool the people in the crowd who weren't in on it. But the real test will be when our inside guy goes back inside."

"I must say that Martha stole the show." Kate said. "That scream after I fell was perfection."

"Oh please." Martha waved her hand, but a smile crept across her face. "Richard really stole the show with his performance at your side. It was magnificent. I knew it was fake and I still had tears in my eyes."

"I almost lost it when you smiled while I was kissing you though, Kate." Castle said. "You were so not in character."

"Not in character?" Kate gasped, pretending to be hurt by the accusation.

"Yes." Castle nodded. "Dead people don't smile."

"Duly noted." She replied, trying not to laugh. "But you surprised me. I wasn't expecting you to kiss me."

"I suppose I got caught up on the moment." He replied with a grin. He looked at each of the woman at his table and the smile grew wider. "Thank you, all three of you, for being part of my life. I love you all." Before they could respond, he lifted his glass and the others followed suit. "To Roy. Captain, friend, family."

"To Roy." The women echoed.

They all clinked their glasses and took a drink. A moment of reverent silence passed before they resumed eating and fell into comfortable conversation.


The next morning, the gray eyed man known as Jones snuck back into the office he'd invaded two days before. As he shut the door, the man behind the desk looked up, frowning when he recognized Jones.

"What are you doing back here?" He demanded.

"I came to offer my continued services." Jones replied.

"Look Jones, or whoever you are, I was wrong to trust you. Lockwood never mentioned you and I don't know how you really found out about me. Paying you will go down in history as one of my few mistakes in life. Not only do I think you are lying to me, you didn't even complete the job you said you would."

Jones took a deep breath and stared at the man. His eyes closed slightly as he studied him. A sinister grin spread across his face as the man shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"First of all, Lockwood wouldn't have had a reason to mention me. He and I come from a line of work where you don't discuss coworkers. The rare occasion when we might share a name is in the instance of picking up an unfinished job, as I did. Secondly, that writer is dead. So tell me how I didn't complete my job?"

"She isn't dead. There's no obituary."

Jones burst into laughter, causing the other man to jump.

"How did you get such a big job with such a small mind?" Jones asked. His only answer was a dumbfounded stare. "Of course there's no obituary. You should really do your homework. She's in the middle of writing a new book. If it gets out that she'd been killed, the public would know she didn't finish it, and it couldn't be published. But if she hangs on to life just long enough to finish it, then dies, the book will fly off the shelves. So the publishers are keeping her death a secret."

"That's a ridiculous story."

"That doesn't mean it's not true." Jones paused and reached in his pocket. "Maybe these will convince you." He tossed a pack of pictures on the desk. "Take a good look at those."

The man did as he was told. He saw Kate lying in a pool of blood and then being worked on by paramedics in the ambulance. Another picture showed her being zipped into a body bag, and the last one showed her on a table in the morgue.

"How did you get these?" He asked.

"As I said, I have my sources." Jones answered. "When I do a job, I do a job."

"I can see that. Perhaps I will take you under my employ after all. I do need someone to watch the detectives she was working with."

"Watch them?" Jones asked.

"Yes. Perhaps they'll walk away from this case now that she's dead. But if not, they will need to be taken care of as well."

"Understood." Jones nodded. "I'll let you know if I think any action is needed."

"How will I contact you?"

"You won't."

Jones turned on his heels and was out the door before the man still sitting behind his desk could say anything.


Castle sat down at his desk with a sigh and looked over at the empty chair facing him. He had gotten used to Kate being there and when she wasn't he found himself enjoying work a little less. The three days she'd been gone after their fight had been downright miserable. She had come back after Montgomery died, but Gates had put a stop to it two days later. She didn't approve of a civilian working in the precinct. She didn't care about book research or even that Kate had helped solve so many cases. She had told Castle that she was running a precinct, not a library, and that Kate had to go.

"Castle!" Gates suddenly yelled from her office.

He cringed inwardly as her voice wrenched him from his thoughts but he stood and walked to her office.

"Yes?" He asked as he stuck his head through the doorway.

"Come in. Shut the door behind you." Castle did as he was told. "Where are we?"

"In your office." He answered.

"Do not play cute with me, Detective."

"Sorry, Sir." Castle looked down at his watch, then back up at Gates. "We should have the last bit of evidence in less than an hour."

"And in the meantime?" Gates raised an eyebrow.

"Ryan, Esposito and myself will be putting the final touches on our case so that when we present it to a judge, they'll be no way we won't get an arrest warrant."

"What are you still doing in here then? Get to work."

"Yes, Sir." Castle nodded and left the office.

Had he turned around, he would have seen a smile tugging at the corners of the normally frowning Captain's mouth.


Forty-five minutes later the elevator dinged and three detectives looked up from their work. Esposito smiled at his battle buddy and waved him over.

"Danny!" He said happily as he shook the gray-eyed man's hand. "Tell me you got what we need."

"Oh yeah." He shook hands with Ryan and Castle too before continuing. "Between my conversation the other day and today, and all the evidence you guys showed me, your guy is going down. Hard."

A wide, toothy grin spread across Castle's face.

"Let's hear it then." He pointed to the conference room, where the recording equipment was still set up. "I'll get Gates while you guys set it up."

They split up and went their separate ways. Castle was downright giddy. The coldest case he'd ever worked was about to be lit on fire.


"Are you ready?" Castle asked Kate as they rode the elevator up to the top floor.

"I've never been more ready for anything in my life." She said with a smile, though her voice was tinged with nervousness.

"No worries, Beckett." Esposito piped up. "We got this dirtbag to Sunday and back."

"For sure." Ryan added. "Even he isn't slimy enough to slip away from us."

"Thank you, guys." Kate smiled again. "For everything."

"Hey. This is what we do." Esposito shrugged and the other two detectives nodded.

There was no ding to signal the end of their upward journey when the elevator slowed to a stop. The doors slid open silently and the foursome headed down the hall to their destination. When the silver-haired secretary tried to stop them, Castle merely held up his badge and they kept walking. They entered the open office door single-file and once inside, they spread out to form a wall, blocking the only exit. Castle cleared his throat and the man looking out the window turned around.

"What's the meaning of this?" He demanded.

"Blake Wellesley, you are under arrest." Castle stopped and pulled his handcuffs out.

"Excuse me?" Wellesley asked. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes. We do." Castle took a step towards him. "You're the man we are arresting for first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, and whatever else we feel like adding on later."

"Not to mention being a first-class jackhole." Ryan added.

"You can't arrest me. I'm a senator."

"Senator Wellesley, you have the right to remain silent." Castle walked around the desk and grabbed Wellesley's arms, turning him and cuffing him as he continued. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you."

"This is an outrage!" Wellesley yelled.

"Your opinion has been placed on the record." Castle began ushering Wellesley towards the door. "But I couldn't care less."

"Uncuff me. Now. All I need is one call to the commissioner and I'll have all of your badges on my desk and you'll never work in this city again."

"You'll get your phone call." Castle told him. "Down at the station. And if you do call the commissioner, let him know I'd like a raise. Now, do us all a favor and please exercise your right to remain silent."

By then they were all leaving the office and Wellesley looked at his secretary.

"Edna, call Winston and tell him to call our lawyers."

"No need." Esposito said. "Your brother is already at the precinct."

"I just love family reunions." Ryan said with a laugh.

No one else spoke as they continued toward the elevator, one out of confused frustration, the others silent in their exultation.


"Okay." Gates crossed her arms. "Lay it all out."

"It's quite simple actually. Almost too simple." Castle began. "But every piece is there and it all makes sense. It all started when Casper Wellesley caught onto the cops who were collecting money from kidnapped crooks. Instead of turning them in, he demanded they pay him off. So they did. They stopped the kidnappings not long after that."

"They got tired of paying all the money to Casper." Ryan interjected.

"Yeah." Castle nodded. "Anyway, Casper used the money to help pay for his campaign. Without those, well, contributions, he probably would have lost the election."

"And with some smart investing, the Wellesley fortune grew." Esposito added. "Blake and Winston knew about the origins of the family wealth, and they did whatever it took to keep it a secret."

"That's why Johanna Beckett and her co-workers were killed." Castle continued. "They risked exposing the Wellesley's by looking into Armen's death, because of the kidnappings."

"So that's it?" Gates looked skeptical. "What about the kidnappers?"

"They're dead. It was Raglan and McCallister." Castle answered.

"Just the two of them?" Gates questioned him again.

"There was nothing in the evidence to suggest otherwise." Castle said.

He wasn't really lying. There was nothing to incriminate Montgomery. And the only people who knew he was involved were Kate, Castle, Ryan, Esposito, and the Wellesley brothers. And none of the six were going to say anything. Neither Blake nor Winston had a chance of getting a deal, and so they weren't saying anything that could possibly make them look any guiltier.

"I almost buy it all." Gates sighed. "But where did the packet of information come from?"

"We don't know." Castle said, this time lying without hesitation. "It was anonymous."

"And what about the rest of the Wellesley family?" Gates pushed.

"We have nothing to show that anyone outside of Casper and his two sons ever knew where the money came from, or their actions to protect that knowledge."

"Sounds like you've all done a fine job." Gates let her arms fall to her sides. "The judge certainly seemed to think so too. And the higher-ups like the way it makes our precinct look to solve such an old case."

"So, do we get medals, or a plaque or something?" Espostio asked.

"No." Gates said before turning back towards her office. "You get to get back to work. There's new bodies hitting the ground, and the cases won't solve themselves." As the last word left her lips she closed her office door.

The detectives couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, when we head out of here tonight, let's go to The Old Haunt to celebrate." Castle said.

"That's not our usual bar." Esposito pointed out the obvious.

"Yeah, and it doesn't sound like a cop bar." Ryan added.

"Trust me." Castle grinned. "The owner will take good care of us."

"You know the owner?" Ryan asked.

"Know her? I'm looking at her."

Esposito and Ryan followed his gaze to the break room where Kate was finishing up making them all coffee. Gates had been less than happy to find out Castle had brought her to the Wellesley's arrest's. Even so, she had reluctantly agreed to let her stay at the precinct for the rest of the day, as long as she didn't participate in any of the proceedings.

Kate walked over to the trio slowly and passed out the hot drinks. Ryan and Esposito nodded their thanks, but Castle showed his appreciation with a quick peck to her lips.

"So." Kate said with a happy sigh. "What now?"

"Now we clean off the murder board." Castle answered. "Just like every other closed case."

"I like the sound of that." Kate grinned.

The foursome worked in silence as they completed their task with a mixed sense of joy, relief, and duty.


"Excuse me, Katherine Beckett?"

Kate turned around to see who had called to her. She had just finished a signing for the second Rook book, Bishop's Folly, and she assumed it was a straggling fan seeking an autograph.

"Yes?" She asked the tall, dark haired man.

"I'm Detective Demming." He held up his badge to prove his statement. "I'm a robbery detective at the Twelfth precinct."

"What can I do for you, Detective?"

"I need you to come down to the station with me. I have some questions for you."

"You can't ask me here?" Kate asked.

"I'd rather not. A bookstore isn't very private."

Kate sighed loudly and looked at her watch. She had dinner plans with Castle, and the book signing had lasted longer than it was supposed to.

"How long is this going to take?"

"That all depends on you." Demming replied.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I really think you should just come with me. I'll explain everything at the precinct."

"Am I under arrest?" Kate demanded.

"Not right now."

"Look, I don't appreciate the cryptic talk."

"I'm sorry, Miss Beckett." Demming shrugged. "I just really don't think you want me to discuss any of this here. In public."

"Fine. Let's go." She turned and headed out the exit.

Demming joined her outside and walked towards his car.

"Here you go." He said as he opened the passenger door.

"What? I don't have to sit in the back?" She asked with a smirk.

"Only if you want to."

She sighed exasperatedly and got in the car. By the time Demming had got in the drivers seat, Kate had tried calling Castle and sent him a text, but he wasn't answering.

Demming tried to make small talk, but Kate ignored him, and he went silent too after several minutes. Luckily for them both, the precinct was only ten blocks away and traffic was light. He parked and they both got out. Once inside, they got on the elevator and he pressed the button for the fifth floor.

The room they stepped into was much like the homicide department two floors higher, with the hustle of busy detectives. There were no pictures of dead bodies, although they did have boards set up that were similar to the murder boards she'd become so familiar with. Kate would almost be able to relax, if it weren't for the fact that she felt as if she were being detained.

"Right this way." Demming said as he led her to the back of the room.

They went through a doorway and Kate found herself in an interrogation room that looked virtually identical to the ones above. She decided that they must be a standard design. Demming gestured towards the chair on the far side of the table and Kate sat with a groan of displeasure.

"Okay." Kate said after he sat down across from her. "Tell me what this is all about."

"You've been charged with several crimes." Demming said bluntly.

"I'm sorry?" Kate replied, trying hard to stay calm. "What kind of crimes?"

"First of all, I must tell you that you have the right to rema-"

"I know my rights." Kate interrupted. "Tell me what I am being charged with. Now."

"Breaking and entering and theft."

"Now I know you're yanking my chain. Can I go now?" She started to stand up.

"I'm not joking, Miss Beckett. Please sit back down."

Kate slowly did as she was told. Demming looked down at the contents of a folder that she hadn't seen him pick up.

"Where did I break and enter into?" She asked after a few moments of silence.

"An apartment of a NYPD detective." He answered without looking up.

"What?"

"Yes. A homicide detective named Richard Castle."

"I didn't break into his apartment. I live there. He's my boyfriend." Kate explained.

"Was he your boyfriend two years ago?" Demming asked, finally looking back at her.

"Two years ago?" Kate thought for a moment. "That would have been shortly before we started going out. But how is that relevant?"

"Are you denying that you picked the lock and entered his apartment uninvited approximately two years ago?"

Kate's face fell as she remembered that night that seemed like it had happened a lifetime ago.

"No. But why are you asking me that now? It was nearly two years ago."

"One of his neighbors reported it."

"Two years later?"

"No, the day after."

"And what, you're just now getting to me?" Kate crossed her arms in frustration.

"That's right. We've been backlogged here for a while."

"Look, call Rick and he'll clear all this up in a matter of minutes."

"I'll get his statement later." Demming said, brushing off her suggestion.

"Well, don't I get a phone call?"

"Once we take you to booking."

"Okay, this is seriously gone beyond ridiculous." Kate huffed out. "So, pray tell Detective, what did this neighbor say I stole?"

Demming opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything there was a knock on the door. He stood and opened the door and Castle pushed his way past him.

"What's going on here?" Castle asked Demming as he walked over to Kate.

"Rick!" Kate exclaimed as she stood up and went to his side. "I'm so glad you're here."

He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. Then he looked back up at Demming.

"I asked you a question, Demming."

"Castle, I can't just discuss an open investigation with you." Demming said.

"Bull. Why are you interrogating her?"

Demming sighed, but one look into Castle's eyes told him that he should go ahead and explain.

"She's been charged with B&E and theft."

"Where and what?" Castle pushed for more information.

"The B&E was actually your apartment, two years ago."

Castle laughed, the sudden outburst causing Kate to jump.

"Please, Demming. There's no way I'm pressing charges. You can cross that off your list. What is she accused of stealing?"

Demming let another sigh slip through his lips as he checked his folder again.

"It says here that she stole your heart."

"What?" Kate asked, her face scrunched in confusion.

"Well now, that's a valid charge." Castle said as he dropped his arm from Kate's shoulders.

"Haha." Kate rolled her eyes. "I get it now. This is all some kind of joke. I'm not amused."

"This isn't a joke, Miss Beckett." Demming said.

Then he handed Castle the folder he'd been reading from. Castle scanned it and frowned before looking at Kate.

"It's a legitimate charge, Kate."

"Oh yeah? Then what's the standard punishment for stealing a detective's heart?"

Castle set the folder down and sighed loudly. He looked up and locked eyes with Kate.

"Wife without parole." He said quietly.

"Life without parole?" Kate laughed. "That seems a little steep for a first offense."

"I didn't say life. I said wife."

"What is wife without parole?" She asked, annoyance still at the edges of her voice.

Castle didn't answer. Instead he took a small step back and reached inside his coat. Kate gasped when she saw a small box in his hand when it left his pocket. He knelt down on one knee and took one of her hands in one of his.

"Kate, I love you. And you have indeed stolen my heart, but I don't want it back. I just want you. Forever and for always." He let go of her hand and opened the box to reveal a simple yet stunning diamond ring. "Will you please do me the honor of marrying me?"

Kate felt as if she was watching the scene unfold from somewhere other than her own body. She loved Rick and she knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. They'd talked about marriage a little, but usually only when they were laying in the afterglow of making love, when both of them tended to speak with total abandon. Even so, this was the last thing she'd expected. A single tear fell from one eye, making it's way slowly down her cheek.

Her silence was killing Castle. He hadn't expected any hesitation on her part. He knew she was his one and only, and he thought he was her once and done. He'd bought the ring a year ago, but had decided to wait until her mother's case was solved. Even though the case had been wrapped up months ago, the timing just hadn't been right, and then she got busy with the new book release. Today had been her last scheduled book signing, and he couldn't wait any longer to ask her to marry him. Now she was crying, and their entire future seemed to hinge on what that one tear meant.

"Hey, Kate?" Castle swallowed hard. "Honey, no pressure, but this is the part where you tell me if you'll marry me or not."

Kate blinked back the rest of the tears that were threatening to fall. Then a smile bloomed across her flushed face.

"Of course I'll marry you." She said with a laugh. "But only if you get up here and kiss me."

Castle grinned and stood up. He used his empty hand to reach around her back and pull her close to him. Then he kissed her, long and deep and slow, expressing his love and joy without words. It could have been hours later when he pulled away for all they knew. He let go of her and grabbed her left hand so he could slip the ring on. She didn't even look at it before she threw her arms around his neck and brought her lips to his again, this time she was letting him know that she felt the same way he did.

The sound of cheering interrupted them and Castle laughed at Kate's confused look. He dipped out of her embrace and took her by the hand, using the connection to pull her out of the room and into the observation room next door.

Inside, still clapping and whistling, Kate saw all the members of their extended family. Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, Martha, Alexis and Jim all had huge smiles on their faces, and a few tears were making their appearance too. Congratulations were thrown out by all, and then Castle cleared his throat, getting everyone to look at him.

"Let's go upstairs, everyone. There's cake and coffee waiting." He turned around and smiled. "You too, Demming. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I was glad to help, but I'll take you up on that offer."

With that, the group headed towards the elevator. And for that one moment, in that one place, there was more joy and love than anywhere else on earth.


A/N - This is my favorite chapter of the story. I hope y'all liked it too. Sorry it took so long, but barring another problem with the website, the last chapter will be up tomorrow. Thanks again for reading! Until next time, Paige