Author's Note: So sorry that I haven't update in the longest time! Between going on vacation for all of July, band camp and working all of August and starting school I've had the worst writer's block ever! Hopefully with Castle coming back on MONDAY though I will have so many ideas flowing soon!

Rick's POV

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Silence fills the room other than the clock. Kate's tears have subsided and now she is just sitting in my lap as I mindlessly draw little shapes on her back since I don't know what else to do. Kate was hurting and there was nothing I could do to help her and, to be honest, that hurt me almost as badly as Kate running from me.

"What's going through your head right now Rick?" Kate's hazel eyes look up at me. I could look into her eyes forever if I didn't have a question to answer.

"You," I say honestly and she rolls her eyes, "And how much I love you." I kiss her forehead.

"How are you feeling? Be honest." Kate's eyes search mine. She has filled away her pain, I can tell that much. She was ignoring it now that she had her turn to explain her reasons. She wanted to hear my feelings now and I don't know if I want can bear with the thought of giving her that load to carry as well as the one she already was struggling to carry. "Rick…?"

"Sorry… I'm feeling happy that you came back."My arms tighten a little thinking about the time we had been separate from each other. "When you left, it hurt. It hurt to live, to breath, to be separated from you because when you leave, part of me is gone too." Hey eyes look away from mine.

"I'm so sorry-"

"Don't be. You're back and that's what matters."

"Ok, well what else? Anger…?" She asks in a voice that sounded calmer than she was, I could read it in her eyes.

"Fear," She is instantly confused by what I said. "That I'm going to wake up and find that you're still gone." I pause. "That I'll find out that having you back in my arms was truly nothing more than a dream."

"More like a nightmare." Kate mumbled.

"Kate, I want you to listen and listen well. You being in my life will never be a nightmare." Her mouth opens to argue a point to I stop her before she can start. "Yes the situation we are in, wll for the sake of not having a better word, sucks, but I will never regret you being back in my life. Don't ever doubt that."

"I don't. I promise." Kate smile softly at me. I need a break from all of this. And I need a chance to let Kate and I mend out relationship without the press interrupting, or anyone else for that matter.

"Kate, let's go to the Hampton's." She looked at me slightly confused by my outburst.

"What?"

"Let's get away. That way we can spend time together, just you, me, and Ellie."

"Just up and leave?" Kate asks, not completely understanding yet.

"Yeah, just for a bit. That way we don't have to worry about the press or work or anything."

"Isn't Gina pressing you for chapters?"

"I'm ahead of schedule since I wrote a bunch of chapters before the book tour started. So she won't be harping me for at least two weeks. Come one Kate! Come with me. Say yes." I beg a little bit since I can tell that she is on the edge of caving.

"Ok. But I need a couple days to get ready. So how about we leave in like three days, that way we have time to prepare. Then we can just spend our time as a family."

"Ok, sounds good to me." I smile and kiss the top of her head as she leans down to lay her head in the crook of my neck.