Chapter Twenty-One
Fireplace
Season Six AU

He spots her as soon as he enters baggage claim, her hair pulled back in a tight bun and suit almost perfectly creased, even after a long work day. Her face lights up when their eyes meet, and he quickens his steps, weaves through his fellow passengers to get to her that much sooner.

She almost launches herself at him when he finally breaks free of the crowd, and he can't help but chuckle at the way she clings to him.

"Tough day?" he mutters into her hair, holding onto his duffel bag with one hand and her with the other.

She nods against his chest. "Terrible."

He presses a kiss to the top of her head before stepping back and cupping her cheek. "Well you don't have to think about it now," he assures her, his thumb tracing a familiar path along her cheek. "You're still off for the next couple days, right?"

"Yeah. The whole team is off. Unless you get poisoned again."

"Oh no, did you just jinx it?" Rick teases, leaning down to give her a soft kiss, keeping it short in deference to their public setting.

Kate hums when he pulls away. "Nope. I'm not leaving your side all weekend."

"Thank God."

He wakes early the next morning, and takes a few minutes to watch her sleep before he slides out of bed. They'd been awake most of the night, talking - and not talking - so he's not surprised that she doesn't stir. After the day she'd had, she deserves all the rest she can get.

A quick perusal of her kitchen tells him what he'd expected, that she doesn't eat at home very often. Considering she's usually gone 16-18 hours a day, it's not surprising that her fridge is bare save for an almost empty bottle of coffee creamer. He takes a quick shower, leaves a note on his sleeping fiancée's nightstand, and grabs her car keys.

When he returns a short time later, juggling grocery bags and coffee for both of them, she's emerging from the bathroom with a large yawn.

"I was hoping you'd still be asleep," he tells her, handing over her latte. "I wanted to wake you with breakfast."

She gives him a tired smile and nudges his shoulder, both hands occupied with holding the cup. "I only just got up," she mutters, her voice still rough with sleep.

He drops a kiss to her forehead. "Good. Feel free to drink that in bed if you want."

"No, I like watching you cook for me."

Rick grins. "'Kay. By the way," he continues as he puts away the groceries, trying to keep his voice casual, "we have an appointment later."

"Oh?"

"Yeah." He nudges her coffee aside so he can give her a long kiss. "To see our new home."

Kate grins and kisses him again. "It's about time."

Despite taking longer than normal for breakfast - and sharing an even longer shower - they manage to leave on time for their appointment with the realtor. Since he'd wanted to surprise Kate, but still have her be part of the decision, he'd worked out a deal with the realtor to delay the final paperwork until she could see it.

He manages to find parking just one block over from the townhouse, and when he leads her up the front steps she pauses and looks around at the historic street. "Babe, this is a really expensive area," she points out. "Are you sure this is the right place?"

He smiles and cups her cheek, his fingers playing with her hair as he pulls her in for a kiss. "Yes. Like I said, though, if you don't like it, we'll back out. If we can't back out, then we'll resell or rent it and find a home together. But I think you'll be happy with it."

The door opens to reveal their realtor, a well-dressed woman in her fifties who had guided him through finding the right neighborhood and home.

"I thought I heard voices," she says with a wide smile, extending her hand for Rick to shake. "It's good to see you, Mr. Castle."

"Hi, Lori. This is Kate." He steps aside so they can greet each other, and after their pleasantries, they step inside.

"Go ahead and wander. You're my only appointment today, so take all the time you want."

As Rick leads Kate through the townhome he watches her reactions, mentally comparing them to his own the first time he'd done his walkthrough. When she stops at the fireplace he grins. He knows that one of her favorite features of her New York apartment is the exposed brick throughout, so the fact that the brick catches her eye here doesn't surprise him one bit.

Kate doesn't speak until they're in the larger bedroom upstairs, as she stands at the large window overlooking the city. "Gorgeous," she sighs, shoving her hands in her pockets. "And that fireplace…"

Rick chuckles when her voice trails off and he wraps his arms around her from behind. "Isn't it amazing?"

"I wouldn't change one thing about it."

"So." Rick turns her around and grins hopefully. "Ready to sign the paperwork?"

She draws her bottom lip between her teeth before releasing it with a slow smile. "Let's do it."

"Are you okay?" Rick asks hours later, after they've cleaned up from dinner and moved to the couch to relax. "You've been quiet since we got back."

Kate opens her mouth, hesitates, and then sighs. "Yeah, I am. It's just weird, you know?"

"What is?"

"A week ago I was almost fired only minutes after you told me about the place." She shifts to face him. "You don't know how lucky I was just to be written up. And now, we officially own it. I haven't lived with anyone full time since the Academy. I've always had my own home where I could retreat if I needed to."

"Yeah, but we're engaged, Kate," he reminds her. "You hardly spent any time in your apartment in New York, and moving in full time was going to happen eventually."

"I know. It's not even that, not really. It's the job, the city, this whole thing. Until now, it's felt temporary, like I'd be here for a few months and then go back to New York. I've never thought of DC as home, because you haven't been here. But now-"

"I am here," Rick finishes, scooting close to her. "And we have a home together. Home isn't New York, Kate. It's not where our families or friends are." He takes her hand and laces his fingers through hers. "It's you and me. No more frantic weekend trips, no more needing to schedule ten minute phone calls. I'll be home when you get off work, and you'll be here to distract me from writing."

Kate chuckles at that.

"We're starting a new chapter, Kate. A new chapter of our lives."

She squeezes his hand and meets his gaze with watery eyes. "With an amazing fireplace."

Rick grins. "Yes, with an amazing fireplace."