AN: Thank you all for your kind words. I will let the ones that have been saying "I hope Castle doesn't mess it up" or "I hope there's nothing that tears them apart" I can assure you that there is no angst in this story. I have been meaning to address that, but I also didn't want to give "spoilers". Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy it.

CH8

The next morning, Castle had woken up to an empty bed. He knew Kate was an early riser, but if he wasn't in her bed it would have seemed like he had dreamt that last night happened. The bed wasn't made and a few pillows were on the floor, reminding him of their night together (along with the sheets being tangled, and clothes scattered across the floor). As he was about to get out of bed, he saw her. She was wearing his shirt, her hair wasn't combed yet, the light from the sun hitting her in a way that made her look even more gorgeous (he didn't think that was even possible until now), and she was holding two cups of coffee in her hand.

"So it wasn't a dream."

She smiled and handed him one of the cups of coffee as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "Definitely wasn't a dream."

They both took a sip of their coffees before he spoke again. "The bakery, don't you have to…"

"I have it covered."

"Your dad?"

"No, I actually have been interviewing for a second baker since I caught that cold. My dad worries about me even when I'm not out there chasing criminals. He doesn't want me to be worn out and I don't want him trying to make a cheesecake. He could, but as someone once put it, "It's not almost better than sex" when he makes it."

He smiled, but before he could tell her that being with her had made him rethink where that cheesecake landed on his list, she spoke. "What about you? Any murders to solve?"

He placed his coffee mug on the nightstand before reaching down to the floor to grab his pants. He reached into his pocket and instead of looking at his phone, he turned it off. He placed it on the nightstand before taking her cup of coffee from her and putting it next to his. He then reached out and took her hand. "Even if there was, I have my own mystery that I'd still like to solve before I go."

She bit her bottom lip slightly. "What's that?"

He leaned in, but didn't go towards her lips. He went to her ear to place a soft kiss to her lobe before nipping at it. He let his tongue run over where his teeth once were before speaking in that husky tone that he already knew drove her crazy (he saw the goosebumps that she tried to hide). "Finding all the ways that make you scream."

—-

Kate wasn't aware of the time when they had both decided that they should address their hunger (and not for one another). They ordered in from Remy's. Castle had said he had never tried it, so it was her turn to take him to one of her favorite places to eat. Well…take him in terms of having the food delivered to them. Both of them weren't ready to leave her apartment yet. Neither would admit it, but they were both a little scared that if they left that this would be it and things would return to how they were. It was….strange, but a good strange she thought. Kate couldn't remember the last time that she felt happy. Sure, she had dated after her mother died, but they weren't serious….well, Will was. He had reminded her what it felt like to lose someone again and she didn't want to be put through that. So, when she dated Josh and Tom she made sure that things never got that serious.

She had dated Tom for a few months before he called things off with her. They were both working cases and barely had time to see each other (which was one of the reasons why she said yes to dating him). He deserved better than that and she was glad that they didn't string each other along for years realizing that this wasn't going to work out.

Josh, well again he had a busy schedule and sometimes was in different countries for work. He made the time though when he was in New York and she appreciated that (which is why she probably stuck around longer than she had planned with him). But then she was shot and he wanted to take care of her. She didn't want that. The only man she was willing to accept help from was her father, but Josh was persistent. He tried multiple times to change her mind, telling her that she could stay with him, he'd take time off of work, and he'd help her heal. She declined and when she left the hospital their relationship was over.

She wasn't sure where she and Castle were headed and it did seem a little fast for her (especially since she was always trying to push people away), but she knew it was different. She had opened up to him. Josh hadn't known that her mother was murdered until the day that Kate woke up in the hospital after being shot, yet she told Castle shortly after meeting him. Again, she wasn't sure if that was due to him working with Ryan and Esposito or if it was because she knew deep down that he was different. He was good for her.

Whatever the case may be, it felt…well good to have things out in the open. She didn't have to hide things and could sense that he didn't have to hide from her. How the press portrayed him was not how he acted around her. Sure, he was still a little egotistical, but not in a bad way. She was glad that she was able to see a different side to him. But that reminded her….

"Castle?"

He had just picked up a french fry from his plate, but dropped it when she spoke. "What is it?"

"If we're….going to start dating we need to…."

"Talk."

She nodded. "I don't want to be just another headline."

"And I don't want you to be."

"...and I don't want to push you away."

"You won't"

She shook her head. "You don't know that. My track record isn't…"

He took her hand. "Even if you do, I won't let you. If you run, I'll run towards you. If you fall, I'll pick you back up…..unless you try to shoot me then…"

She gave him a soft smile. "I won't. I like my space and…"

"I'll do anything for you, Kate. Even if that means nothing and to give you time….but I won't let you hide. As I said, I'll run towards you. I won't give up on you easily."

She squeezed his hand. "Thank you." She saw his face change. Like a little terror went through him. "What?"

"Are they going to interrogate me?' She looked confused. "Ryan and Esposito. Are they going to interrogate me when they find out that we're dating?"

She smiled. "I'll protect you." Only, she wasn't there anymore at the precinct. She could only do so much. Yea, she could put laxatives in their cookies if they tormented her now-boyfriend (that still sounded a little strange), but it wouldn't have been like if she was still a detective.

He could see that she was thinking. "You okay?"

"Just….thinking."

"About?"

"How different things would be if I was still in homicide. I'd be there with you, to be able to protect you."

"From Ryan and Esposito?"

"That and in general. Ryan is a great partner and I know he'll protect you….but I…could be there instead of just giving you coffee and baked goods. What if something happens to you, Castle?"

"Something could happen to me if I was shadowing you too, you know. And even though we haven't known each other long, I know you would be blaming yourself. That you weren't fast enough or weren't paying attention. I can't promise that nothing will happen, especially to you since you've lived the life of a homicide detective, but I can promise you that I'm in the best hands and I know you know that. Don't get me wrong though, I'd rather be in your hands." He gave her a suggestive look. "And as for Ryan and Esposito interrogating me about our relationship, you're only a few blocks away. I'll send an SOS."

She knew he was right, but it still had her thinking. Maybe Castle was her sign that was telling her to go back to homicide….just like she was his to create a new series. She had to think about it more and talk with her dad before she made her decision.

He knew she was still thinking, so he made it his mission to take her mind off of things. He gently tugged her hand, so that she knew to come to him. When she did so, he pressed a soft, loving, kiss to her lips. Letting her get lost in him rather than her thoughts.