A/N: I'm deviating a little bit from what I had planned originally, but that means I'll be writing a bit more in the next few chapters, so that is either good news or bad news for you guys. Also, even though my cat passed away yesterday, I'm still going to be writing and updating. It has been therapeutic and a way to think of happy things despite her being gone.

Since Rick's return from his last-minute hiatus the prior week, Kate tried to hide her pain from his lie of omission, then the pain of seeing "their" book in the recycling, as best she could, but the tension between the two was still palpable. Kate knew part of the blame from their feud was on her and her reaction to Rick's gesture. In the few weeks since their relationship ended before it started, Kate could see that Rick only meant to help her and while she didn't appreciate him hiding anything from her, she understood why he did it. Kate even understood Rick's reasoning for putting the James Patterson in the recycling; he thought there wasn't a chance in hell she'd forgive him, but he was wrong. She'd forgiven his indiscretion even before the phone call she received that Wednesday morning from a Lieutenant Victoria Gates with the NYPD informing her of the significant progress that had been made on her mother's case because of one Richard Castle.

Rick knocked on the door jamb to Kate's office, his other hand behind his back. Kate swiveled from her computer and gave Rick a weak smile in acknowledgement.

Rick took that as invitation to enter and despite his heart pounding in his chest, he tried to appear as casual as he could when he revealed a package the size of a cereal box from behind him. "I have had a lot of fun working with you the last few months and as a token of my appreciation and for all of our memories here, I have this for you." Rick thrust the package toward Kate who smiled demurely. "I know that sounds kind of like a farewell speech, well it kind of is, because I've decided to no longer be a librarian here in Hawthorne once the new library opens."

Kate's face flashed a painful expression as she sucked in air to keep her emotions at bay. Her voice cracked on the only word she could get out, "oh?"

"Yeah, it turns out that my agent wasn't lying about a publishing company being interested in my book, because it's being published with a contract for two follow-up books. It's probably premature of me to quit my job before the book is actually out, but the cost of living in Hawthorne isn't like New York, so I think I'll be okay for a while at least."

"So you plan on staying in town?" Kate asked, having difficulty meeting Rick's gaze.

"Yeah, Alexis is nearly done with high school and I just can't see myself leaving this place yet. I've gotten to know so many wonderful people here and then…" Rick paused, "…there's you." Kate looked up at him, moisture rimming her eyes. "I know you are probably still mad at me for digging into your personal business, but please know that I am truly sorry for keeping that from you. It was never my intention to hurt you. I…I only wanted you to have closure, to be happy."
"Rick," Kate stood from her chair, "I didn't need closure to be happy. I already was … because of you." Kate bit her lip and glanced down to the unopened gift still in her hands.

"I'd give anything for you to forgive me, Kate." Rick gestured to the box and said, "this isn't much, but when I saw it, it gave me hope and I want it to give you the same."

Taking the hint to open the gift, Kate lifted the top off the box and choked out a half laugh, half sob at the sight of "their" James Patterson book.

"I thought my chances with you were ruined and in a haze of anger and misery, I tossed the book in the recycling before I left for those two days. Imagine my surprise when I got back to find the book back in my desk drawer, saved once again from its imminent death." Rick smirked and waited for Kate to meet his eyes again.

Kate stood staring at the book. "Rick," Kate lifted her gaze, "I think you should do what the title says, well only have the noun be singular."

"Your knowledge of grammar is so hot, Kate Beckett." Rick grinned and took a step closer to Kate.

"Well, I am a librarian. I have to know everything," Kate said, returning his grin. "Are you going to do as the book says or not?"

"Oh, I will most definitely Kiss the Girl and that will remain singular." Rick placed his broad hands against Kate's neck and drew her to him.

"Good," Kate breathed out as she wrapped her arms around his neck and their lips met again for the first time in weeks. Kissing Rick was like coming home but not in that clichéd way where it was comfortable and safe, but more like a homecoming after being away for a long time. It was a celebration with illegal fireworks; their adrenaline coursed through them with the exhilaration of getting caught. Even if one of their coworkers walked by and saw them, they didn't care. The weeks since they last touched each other made them both willing to take risks just to be able to feel the other's fingertips against their skin again.

"I missed this. I missed you, so much." Kate whispered as Rick placed kisses against her cheeks, her forehead, her eyelids.

"If I could go back in time, I would have never meddled with your mom's case like I did. I'm so sorry, Kate."

Kate slid her hands from his back to his cheeks to ensure he was paying attention. "Don't. Stop apologizing, Rick. I'm grateful that you did meddle." Kate swiped her thumb below his eye and quickly glanced to his lips. "I got a call from the NYPD saying they have new leads and more information about my mom's case, because of you. Because you cared enough to meddle. I was mad about it at first, but now I see that you were trying to help me in any way you could. I can never thank you enough for caring enough to try.

Rick rested his forehead against Kate's and whispered into the little space between them, "can you come over tonight?"

"A stampede of elephants couldn't keep me away."

Rick grinned, "good thing elephants aren't indigenous to Hawthorne so your two-block trek won't be too difficult."

Kate quickly pecked his lips and pulled away to grab her purse from her desk. "I need to leave early, but I'll be at your place by six. Is that okay?"

"It's perfect."

"Good." Kate swooped in and gave him another heated but all too brief kiss before leaving.

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