"Here's a crazy idea. How about you just move in with me?"

Kate's body immediately stiffened in Rick's arms.

"What?"

"Move in with me Kate."

"Rick…" Kate said with a shaky voice.

He spoke quickly before Kate could say anything further. "I know it's soon but just think about it. You wont need to worry about us not getting enough time together because you'll be coming home to me every night."

"Rick… I…"

"Just think about it," he continued again wanting to explain further before she could turn him down completely. "I know this is a big step, and we said we'd take things slow, but wouldn't it be easier to work through all of this together? Us, work, family. Maybe it's too soon and you're not ready, and that's okay, I just don't want you to say no without thinking it through."

"Have you thought it through?" Kate asked.

"Would it scare you if I said I actually had been thinking about it for the past couple of weeks. I didn't say anything because I had a feeling you wouldn't be ready, but Kate, maybe this is what we need."

Kate wasn't saying much but Rick felt her body beginning to relax. "Just promise me you'll think about it?" Rick asked.

"Okay, I'll think about it."

"And Kate, if it doesn't happen now, maybe we'll talk about it again later when you are ready. I can't imagine a future without you here with us, it just feels right."

Once again, they rested in complete silence. Comfortable with the feel of each others bodies against their own, nestling in the warmth they were giving off.

They were disturbed from their peaceful rest when Martha arrived home with Alexis.

"Richard darling, we're home," Rick heard his mother calling out.

Kate rolled away from Rick quickly, and the two of them rushed around putting on their clothing again. They didn't need Alexis knowing what they had been up to or Martha to walk in on them naked. With neither Alexis or Martha knowing Kate was there, either of them could have just burst through into Rick's room.

"Richard?" Martha called again.

"Uh, coming mother. Won't be long," he said hopping about trying to get his leg into his pants.

Kate had everything except her shirt and was frantically searching the room for it. "Rick? Where's my shirt?"

"Oh, uh, in the kitchen?" Rick said nervously.

"Seriously Castle!" Kate said through gritted teeth.

Rick shrugged and mouthed an apology, when they heard a gentle knock on the door.

"Give me a minute. I'll be right there."

"I thought Kate might like her shirt back," Martha said just loud enough for them to hear through the door.

Kate slapped her hand to her face completely embarrassed.

Rick opened the door open just enough to see his mother and to collect the shirt, then closed it again before Martha could say anything more or give him one of her knowing looks.


On Saturday Kate had organised to have brunch with her father. There were things she needed to talk to him about, things to do with her mom and others to do with Rick.

"Hey Katie," Jim said taking his seat at the diner. "How are you feeling now? Did you solve the case?"

"Yeah, we solved it but we couldn't find anything else to link it to moms case. I still don't have those answers."

"You'll get them one day."

"I hope so."

"You will, but you know it's okay if you don't, right?" he questioned her.

"Yeah, I know."

"Good. Because there's more to life than living in the past."

"I know dad, really. It's okay, there are other things to live for" she smiled and he nodded, accepting that she really did believe what she was saying. "I've ordered you a ham and cheese croissant, is that okay?" Kate added quickly.

"Yeah Katie, that sounds great. Now back to this case. Tell me what happened. What was it that made you run from the one person who promised to be there and help you through it?"

"Honestly dad, I don't know. I just realised how broken I was. I didn't think he needed someone like me around, not until I could put myself back together."

"And you were going to do that on your own?"

"I thought so."

"So, you thought because you were broken he didn't need you. I may not agree with that but, I guess I can understand it. What I don't understand is what made you think you could do this on your own. It's like you ignored what you needed most, a friend, someone to help you through it. You shut those that care about you out."

"I thought I'd be fine, I thought it would be easier on my own. For everyone," Kate said sounding disappointed in herself. "But I now know I was wrong. When I saw Rick on Wednesday I realised that he was really the one thing I needed through it. We need each other. I see that now."

"Katie, remember when we were in the Hamptons, remember what you said to me about wanting to make time for others."

"Yeah, I remember," she nodded. "But it's difficult," Kate continued looking down at her hands. "I'm still in training, I can't always just go into work and leave when I want to. There's a lot for me to learn still."

"I'm sure the other detectives don't work the same hours as you do. How often in the past week did you stay later than the others, or did you get in before the others?"

Kate was silent. She knew she had turned up before anyone else for the first few days of the week. It wasn't until Thursday morning, after she'd spent the evening with Rick that she arrived the same time as the other detectives. Leaving was slightly different because Blythe or Montgomery always made her leave, but she knew if they didn't, she probably would have stayed all night.

When Kate didn't respond Jim knew the reason why. "Kate you turn up early, you stay late, and you do work that you're probably not even required to do. There's more than just you on the team."

"I know, but I like to be prepared."

"No," Jim said abruptly. "It's not that you like to be prepared. You like to run from real things that are happening in your life. You like to avoid real feelings, and you try to cover it up by getting buried in the word, especially if it has anything to do with your mothers case."

"Dad, I'm working on it. I'm going to try harder. I'm learning to share my time. Rick is going to help me."

"And you're going to let him?"

Kate nodded. "I'm trying dad, I really am."

"Good," Jim said resting his hand over Katie's on the table. "I'm sorry if I was harsh, I just don't like to see you hurting. I don't want to see you going back to the miserable life you had before. I worry about you Katie, but I worry less when you're with Richard because I know he looks after you and I know he makes you happy. I just don't want to see you ruin it."

"I know. And I'm trying not to. Thank you." Kate placed her free hand above her fathers and enclosed his hand between hers. She was silent as she looked down at their hands. Father and daughter. She thought about how her mum would feel looking down at them. She thought she'd be proud of them. The way they are dealing with everything that is happening. She would want to see them happy, she'd want to see them continuing in their lives, helping each other with everything that came their way.

"Dad, he asked me to move in," Kate said without lifting her head.

"And how did that make you feel?" Jim asked, knowing that Kate probably hadn't given him a yes or no answer at this point. In previous years, Kate would have kept big decisions to herself and would have run from them. He knew that the simple task of telling him was a huge step for her, she was working through things, trying harder to share her thoughts and it filled him with a sense of joy knowing that she was opening up to him like this again. He felt like once again he was being the father he was always meant to be.

"Honestly, it scared me. It's not that I don't see myself in a relationship with him in the long term. I really can't imagine my life without him any more. He's the one that brings light into the dark places. It's just moving in seems so," she paused. "I don't know… sudden. I've never done this before, talked to guys about a future."

"I know. And I'm so proud of you for taking that step. You know it's important for us to think of our future and see a vision for ourselves. Without it we'll find ourselves simply stuck in the past unable to get out."

"So, what do I do? Do I pack up my stuff and move in with Rick?"

"I can't answer that question for you Katie. Only you know what's right for you. You can't force these things, but you also can't hold off and wait for everything else to be perfect first. When your mother and I were dating, our timing couldn't have been more wrong. Apart from the fact that her parents really didn't like me, we both had our own messes we were figuring out. And do you know what helped? Do you know when we got most of our mess sorted?"

"When you worked together?" Kate said, more stating a fact than asking the question.

"Exactly. You need that man in your life, but don't feel like you need to rush it if it's not right. Give it time and the answers will come. Rick is a patient man. You'll figure it out, and then you'll get all your mess sorted. Trust me."


Kate went home for a few hours after brunch knowing she had a few things to do but before long, she was back on her way back to the loft where Rick and Alexis were waiting to take her out to see a movie.

When she arrived back at the loft Rick greeted her with a gentle kiss at the door, one of those kisses you imagine you would share with your husband or wife as they arrive home from work in the evenings. It wasn't a kiss out of habit, it was more of an 'I could do this every night of my life as I come home' type of kiss, not that Kate was ready to call the loft home. One day definitely, she was certain of that, but as for when, she really didn't know. It still needed some thought.

Alexis looked like she was almost ready to jump out of her skin with excitement.

"Kate, you're going to love this. It's gonna be awesome."

"So, what are we going to see?" she asked.

"Harry Potter, the new one's out. Have you seen the first one?"

Kate laughed at the young girls enthusiasm.

"Actually, yes, I have. I loved it."

"Great, well I think you'll love this one more," Alexis said pushing her way past the two adults and out the front door.

"Well," Rick laughed as he put a cap and a pair of sunnies on. "I guess we should be going then," he said placing his hand on the small of Kate's back. He then leaned in to whisper, "you look gorgeous tonight."

"I'd say the same for you but, what's with the cap and sunnies?" Kate questioned.

"Oh, it's just until we are in the theatre. It's a Saturday night, there's bound to be a lot of people around. So I'm in disguise."

"Oh, but Castle, we haven't even left the loft yet? Do you often have people waiting outside your door that you have to be worried about?" she teased.

Rick shook his head and removed the cap and sunnies.

"Much better," Kate said joining their hands as they made their way to catch up with Alexis.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the theatre and Rick's hat and sunnies were back on his head again. Kate had a quick look around and did notice a couple of people standing around with cameras, and was now glad that Rick had thought ahead. As he went to the ticket booth, Alexis pulled Kate over to the concession lobby to get drinks and snacks. Rick joined the girls just as Kate was about to pay for their things and quickly handed over some cash before Kate had the chance.

"Rick," she said with a glare.

"What?"

"We've talked about this. You can't pay for everything."

"Tonight I can," he said simply with a smug look on his face.

Kate couldn't decide who she was more annoyed at. Rick for not letting her pay, or herself for actually finding his smug look cute and instead of wanting to argue with him wanting to kiss him.

"Fine. But I'm buying milkshakes after."

"Deal!" Rick said with a nod. "Now let's go inside."

Rick led Alexis and Kate to the theatre door and held it open for them like a true gentleman. He even made sure to tell Kate how gentlemanly he was being which just made Kate roll her eyes at him.

As soon as they were inside their room Rick took off his hat and glasses and made his way to the centre chairs, the ones that he considered to have the best view. Alexis sat one side of him and Kate on the other.

"I'm surprised there's no one else here," Kate said looking at Rick with a confused expression. "I would have though Harry Potter was quite popular."

"Oh, it is, which is why I booked the entire theatre for us."

"You what?" Kate exclaimed. "Castle!"

"Shush, it's nothing."

"That's not nothing. That would have cost you a fortune."

"Well it's a good thing I have a fortune to spend then."

"Rick," Kate said trying to get him to start being serious.

"Kate, I don't want to have to hide while I'm watching a movie with you. I want to be able to enjoy it without wondering if people are watching me. I don't want them to make judgements about who you are or what you are doing with me. And I also don't want to have to worry about whether there's cameras taking pictures of me holding your hand," he said as he grabbed hold of her hand, "or leaning into you," he said leaning close, "or kissing you."

Kate beat Rick to the next move, and joined her lips with his, just briefly. Alexis, after all, was still sitting next to them.

"Okay," she said pulling away. She found it somewhat surreal that she was actually dating someone who had to think about these things. When it didn't occur to herself to think of these things, she was glad that Rick did and made an effort to make things easy on her. He was always thinking of others. He always wanted what was best for her, even though she knew that his publicist would probably prefer to have him in the newspapers out with a new woman.

They watched the movie in silence, and soon they were on the way back to the loft after stopping for milkshakes at a quiet little diner.

When they arrived back Rick sent Alexis upstairs to get ready for bed. He went up to check on her a few minutes later as she was just climbing into bed.

"Hey dad, have you given Kate her present yet?" she asked.

"Not yet pumpkin. Don't worry, I won't forget. Right now, it's time for you to sleep."

Rick leaned over and tucked his daughter into bed, kissing her on the forehead just like he did every night.

"Is Kate coming to say goodnight?" Alexis asked.

"I'm here," Kate said as she entered the bedroom door.

Rick turned to her with an affectionate smile. He absolutely loved that Kate didn't need to be asked to come up to see Alexis. She came without question, like it was something so natural for her. Rick stood up from the bed and Kate took his position. She leant over and kissed Alexis's forehead in the same way Rick had just done.

"Goodnight Alexis," she said stroking the young girls forehead.

"Goodnight Kate, love you."

"Love you too," Kate responded and then felt Rick by her side leaning over and kissing her cheek.

After Rick had also said goodnight, he took Kate downstairs and poured them both a glass of wine.

"Kate," Rick said as he sat down next to her on the lounge. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Kate looked up at him concerned.

"It's ok, you don't need to look so worried. It's just that, you know I write books right?"

Kate laughed and playfully nudged him with her shoulder. "Yes, I know you write books."

"And you know that often means they sometimes write articles about me in the newspaper."

Kate nodded but still had no idea where he was going.

"Well, I have been out of the papers for a while, since before I went into rehab and my publicist wants me to start getting out there again. My book isn't ready and won't be for a while but she says if I stay out of the public eye for too long people will lose interest in me."

"So, what you're saying is, you need to go out in public more?" Kate asked taking a sip of wine.

"Well, yes and no. There's a party coming up, it's a fundraiser for a local charity. They often have the press there covering the event and Paula, my publicist, thought it would be a good idea for me to go. The thing is, I'm more likely to get into the papers if I have a date with me."

"Oh."

"Kate, I'd like you to come with me?"

Kate bit her lip, unsure how to respond. "I don't know if I'm ready for that, for my picture to be in the paper. What if they ask me questions? Or want to know everything about me and go digging into my life."

Rick nodded. "Paula and myself will do everything we can to stop that from happening but Kate, this is up to you. If you don't want to come this time, I understand. I, however, will still have to go but I can take my publicist or publisher. I'll stay long enough for the press to see that I've made an appearance and then I'll be out of there. I'd much rather spend the time with you."

"When is the party?" Kate asked.

"It's in two weeks."

"Can I think about it?" she said. "I want to go with you, I just don't know if I'm ready for everyone to know about us yet and for everything that will come with it." She was partly thinking about Lanie. They hadn't known each other long but she felt like they were becoming closer, and she was really one of Kate's only friends. She at least wanted Lanie to meet Rick before having her picture show up in the paper with him.

"Of course," he said resting his hand on her thigh and stroking circles on her leg with his thumb. "Whatever you want. And there's one other thing. I know I said you could take your time in thinking about moving in, so I don't want you to think that I'm trying to force you to make a decision but," he reached into his pocked and pulled out a single key. "I had this cut for you," he finished.

"Rick?"

"It's a key to the loft."

"I can see that but, why?"

"Why not?"

"I… uh…" Kate sputtered, she didn't really know what to think.

"Kate, it's just a key. Nothing more. It was just yesterday that you had to wait outside the door for me."

"I didn't mind"

"But with a key you wont have to. I want my home to feel like home for you, even if you've not moved in… yet. You're a part of this family."

Kate thought about it for a moment. He was right. She was a part of the family, every day she felt like she was getting closer to them, but still she wasn't sure that she really needed a key.

"Okay," she said eventually. "I'll take it, but it doesn't mean I'll use it."

Rick chuckled. "You'll use it."

"You sound rather confident about that Castle."

"Because I am."

Rick always was the one that had been most confident in the relationship. He had lost some of that confidence for a couple of days after she ran but she was glad he was getting it back.

Kate smiled. "Okay."

Rick took her hand and placed the key in her palm closing her fingers over it.

"Thank you Rick. For the key, for bringing me into your family, and for believing in us."

Rick cupped Kate's cheek in his hand stroking it gently, and then leant in for a kiss when she suddenly pulled away.

"What about Alexis and Martha?" she asked quickly.

"What about them?" Rick questioned.

"Well, how do they feel about me having a key? Do they know? They live here too, this affects them."

"Kate, I've already spoken to them both. They love the idea of you being able to come and go as you please. Hopefully without too much going and more coming."

Kate tried to hold back a laugh at his double entendre but couldn't. "More coming?" she said leaning closer with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, you know you want it that way too," Rick said seductively. He stood taking Kate's hand and pulled her up with him, then led her to the bedroom. Their wine left forgotten on the table.


Thanks for the continued reviews and welcome to the new followers! It's actually kind of crazy to think this story has been going for more than 100 days now. Seriously we're on day 104! That's like more than 3 months... 1/4 of the year! I'm not sure how I've even kept it up! But I think it's mostly because of you awesome peeps that keep encouraging me.

So, my friend asked me last night if I wanted to catch up today for coffee... and you know what... I originally freaked out thinking she had to have a word to me about something. Is that weird? Does anyone else do that? She laughed at me, and really she just wanted to have coffee. We did have some very interesting conversation though, and at one point I got nervous about the things she was asking me.

I just realised my calendar is still on July.. I'm not good at remember to change those things. It's really just there to look good, I don't pay any attention to it. Partly because it's an American calendar so gives me American holidays that I don't celebrate haha.

I'll see you again in another couple of days :)