(Immediately after the call with Mr. Smith, Castle drives like crazy to the precinct. It's late evening. The bullpen is almost empty. He finds Beckett in the interrogation room).
CASTLE: Oh, Kate, you're here. Thank God! You are safe. You are safe now.
BECKETT: Uh ... yes? I suppose I am ... safe ?!
CASTLE: I just talked to someone. Well, someone talked to me. Mostly. We don't need to worry about the sniper. For a while.
BECKETT: So the other shoe won't drop yet?
CASTLE: Yes. Yes! (He comes two steps closer) Okay, you can shoot me later. (He gathers his courage, reaches Beckett and hugs her. At first she's stiff, but eases her stance gradually, allowing Castle to keep her in his embrace.)
CASTLE: I needed this.
(Beckett rests her head on Castle chest, and instinctively grabs his shirt).
BECKETT (after a while): You meant it?
CASTLE: Of course I mean it. Someone called me and, provided we play it right, it will be fine. The investigation, I mean. I'll explain ...
BECKETT: Not this. (After a short while) The other thing. In the cemetery. (Looking up to Castle) Tell me it wasn't my imagination. Tell me!
CASTLE (keeping the eye contact): "Kate, please. Stay with me, Kate. Don't leave me, please. Stay with me, okay? Kate, I love you. I love you, Kate." This is what I said, word by word.
BECKETT: So it wasn't a dream. (She relaxes a bit, and rests again her head on Castle's chest)
CASTLE (petting her very slowly): No, you were definitely not dreaming.
BECKETT: Just dying.
CASTLE: I meant it then, Kate, and I mean it now even more.
BECKETT: I know it's true. From the moment I heard it, I knew. But ...
CASTLE (anxious): You cannot love me back?
BECKETT: No. No that. Just ... Bear with me. Just ...
CASTLE: A little bit longer?
BECKET: I have to get my scars healed. All my scars.
CASTLE (eased): I think I understand. And I will be there for you. Always.
BECKETT: Always. (She reaches Castle's mouth and kisses him lightly) This is my love token. Keep it safe too.
CASTLE (fully hugging Beckett again).: I will. And I hope I'll cash it soon. (He smiles. Tucked into him, she smiles too).
End of scene.