Ficlet Prompt: Credit to Jellou the Overlord (via takeiteasykate): Castle's honest response to "Sleep with whoever you want. The more the merrier." ...with Lanie & Alexis witnessing the awkward. - Hope this works! :)

A/N: Thanks so much for all the awesome reviews and to those who sent the prompts! :)

Castle followed Beckett into the morgue to see what Lanie had come up with on their murder case, arguing about the CIA and Sofia most of the way. He couldn't understand why all this was such a big deal, then as they entered the morgue, it all started to make sense.

"Sleep with whoever you want. The more, the merrier."

When Kate turned from him, he knew it was more than her frustration with the case talking. It was the worst and the best timing, and he honestly didn't think he would ever have a better chance.

"You know," he said, closing in on her and cutting Lanie off as he spoke, "I would, but the only person I want right now asked me to wait, so here I am. Waiting."

Kate's eyes widened, clearly understanding every word he said.

"You do remember that conversation, don't you?" he asked, "It shouldn't be too hard to recall, I mean, it wasn't like there was anything to distract you." Castle knew he was hitting hard, but Kate had been on his case since Sofia showed up.

She opened her mouth to reply when someone cleared their throat.

He immediately saw Alexis on the other side of the room. She looked like she had seen a ghost as Lanie interjected, "Hey, Alexis, I think we left some files in the other room, why don't I help you find them?"

"No, don't worry about that, Lanie," Beckett replied, her voice cutting through the awkward tension in the room. "Castle and I will return shortly."

She grabbed him by the arm as she attempted to walk by, but he wouldn't budge. "What the hell is this about, Castle?"

"What does it sound like?" he retorted, still not moving, "You've acted like this entire mess with the CIA is my fault since you found out that Sofia and I have a past. Yes, we've slept together, yes, I've based a character on her, but she's not you." He moved this time, taking a step closer to her, his voice quieter as he replied, "No one compares to you."

"Dad?" His daughter cut in, shocked, he guessed, at the turn in the conversation. He had almost forgotten they were still in the morgue, being watched.

Castle shrugged and pushed through the door. He had just spilled his heart in front of everyone, and he knew it wouldn't be a secret for long.

The blood was pounding so hard in his ears, he couldn't hear anything else. Then, Kate's hand was on his arm again, so he spun on her. "What do you want from me, Kate? I feel like I've done all I can, and it doesn't seem to be enough."

Her lips formed a straight line and her gaze bore right through him. "Castle, listen, I didn't mean-"

"Didn't mean what?" he asked, closing in and purposely invading her personal space. "Tell me what you want, Kate, tell me... tell me anything. I still haven't figured out what we are, and I'm running out of patience."

Kate's hand lifted up and carefully straightened the collar of his jacket, then she looked up at him. "I don't know how to answer your questions." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "What I can tell you is that I'm right here, Castle. I'm still figuring this out, too, and I know it's been frustrating for you. It is for me, as well, this battle between knowing if I'm ready or if it's too soon."

"Ready for what, exactly?"

She rolled her eyes, and lightly smacked him on the shoulder. "What do you think? You just brought it up in there, in front of, well, everyone, by now."

Good. They're finally on the same page. "Maybe, we could take it a day at a time? Dinner and a movie, when this case is solved?"

Kate's face lit up and Rick couldn't recall ever seeing her so happy. "Yeah, I think I'd like that."

He was on a roll here. "Maybe I could see your tattoo?"

Kate's features fell into her adorable almost-fed-up face. "That might be pushing it for a first date."

Oh, she was already calling it a first date. That was good. "All right, but you know I had to try," he smiled.

"I know," she answered as she reached up to caress his cheek, "It wouldn't seem right if you didn't try to get away with something crazy like that."

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her, when the doors to the morgue opened and Lanie stuck her head out, "Hey, guys, I do have other bodies to work on besides the one you're here about, so if you could wrap this up, it would be really nice." She started back in, then added, "Oh, and it's about time, you two lovebirds."

Kate laughed and her forehead bumped against Castle's chest for just a second. "We'll be right in, Lanie."

She took his hand in hers and squeezed before she let go and stepped toward the door. "You coming, Castle?"

His heart swelled as he answered, "Right behind you."