A/N : So this is basically a continuation from the last chapter. I've honestly been too lazy to write. But, thanks to constant prodding from Kat, here I am. This chapter's for Rhea C., who is the most hopeless romantic I will ever know. Rhea, this one's for you, because you taught me that it's never too early to give someone a gift. Much love. :)x

Disclaimer: Sigh, if only.

"Wait, what? Seriously? That's why you broke up with Dr. Motorcycle Boy? I've got to hear this story."

The pure glee was written all over his face.

"I'm just gonna assume that's your 4th question."

Sigh. "If you must."

"Hey, I could just not tell you."

She smirked, knowing he'd fall for it.

"No, no, sorry. Fine! 4th question."

Kate grinned. She knew him so well. "Well, it started in the hospital, after I…"

"After you got shot."

"Yeah. After I got shot. I was on morphine and I think I was slightly high on those drugs. I think I was slightly loopy actually."

Rick cleared his throat, wanting to get to the main story.

"Right, besides the point. So, my father comes in and he was telling me how scared everyone was when I was in the operating room. And then, he told me about the fight. Which reminds me… Why didn't you tell me, Castle?"

"Tell you how scared everyone was or tell you about the fight?"

"The fight."

"I thought you already knew. And, I was scared you'd agree with him."

"With whom? Josh?"

He nodded.

"You thought I'd agree with Josh?"

She was extremely confused, an incredulous tone lacing her voice.

"Yeah. I mean, even I agreed with him. It was my fault, it is my fault. If I hadn't pushed you into your mother's case…"

"There probably wouldn't be an us. I would have never found Coonan or Raglan or the truth from Montgomery. I would have probably just stayed with Josh."

"I could've lost you Kate. You could've died, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself. How would I be able to look your father in the eyes, especially knowing I was the reason you died?"

"Rick, just, please, let it go. It's not your fault. I would have gone down that road anyway. You stopped me from going back into the rabbit hole. If anything, you saved me. And I… I love you for that. You saved me from myself."

"I love you too Kate. And I'd do it again and again, if it means I get to see you smile every day for the rest of my life. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

She smiled softly, squeezing his right hand as he drove, lacing their fingers together. After a few minutes, she realised she still had a story to complete.

"So… Josh. After hearing that he blamed you, caused a screaming match and shoved you, I was pissed. So when he came in, I blew up at him. He just didn't see it. He couldn't believe I was sticking up for you. We kind of had a screaming match, right there. I can still remember it.

"You got into a screaming match? With Castle? Right here in the hospital? What the hell, Josh?"

"He had it coming, Kate. That asshole got you shot."

"Watch it, that's my partner you're talking about."

"Are you kidding me right now? You're defending stupid freaking WriterBoy?"

"Maybe I am. It's not his fault, Josh."

"The hell it's not. If he hadn't shoved you back into your mom's case, you wouldn't be here right now."

"And what about us, Josh? Would we be here right now? Would we still be together, if I hadn't gotten shot?"

"Maybe, if you weren't getting your freak on with WriterBoy."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"C'mon Kate. Don't tell me that you guys are just friends. You have to admit that you guys…"

"We WHAT, Josh?"

"That you guys did it. Had some fun, while I was in Africa."

"Seriously? Do you not even know me? I would never cheat on you. You know that. And Castle is just my friend. He's my best friend, Josh, nothing else."

"Some best friend, he is."

"Excuse me?"

"Best friends aren't supposed to be getting into your pants, Kate. Don't give me that bullshit."

She gaped at him. The nerve.

"I haven't slept with Castle, if that's what you've been not-so-subtly implying. I've said it once, I'll say it again. He's my best friend. Do I trust him with my problems? Yes. Do I trust him with my life? Yes. Have I slept with him? No. Why does this keep coming up, Josh?"

"That's it! Right there. You trust him with your life? I'm the one that saved you. You would've been dead if it wasn't for me."

She sighed. How could she have such a thick-skulled boyfriend?

"What about the thousands of times Castle's saved my life? The freezer, the bomb, the gun battles, he's saved me. Of course I trust him."

"But, I'm your boyfriend! How is it that you have time to go out for a drink with him, but not to come over and…"

"Have sex? Cause I feel like that's all we do nowadays."

He stared at her, eyebrow raised. "You have an issue with that?"

"I'm not a whore, Josh."

"Evidence suggests otherwise."

"I'm sorry?"

She was appalled. He just called her a whore. The nerve of this guy… Now, she was furious.

"Come on, Kate. You flirt around with your partner in bar, and then come home and sleep around with your boyfriend. You take care of his bitch of a carrot head daughter…"

"Ex-boyfriend."

"What?"

"I said, ex-boyfriend. We're over Josh. You don't get to talk about my partner like that, and you sure as hell don't get to talk about Alexis like that. She is the sweetest girl I have ever met. We're done. Get out of here, and take all of your stuff from my apartment. Give my keys to my dad. I never want to see you ever again."

Josh stared at her flabbergasted.

"Kate, don't be stupid. I didn't mean it baby, I was just mad."

He leaned in to kiss her, but she moved away.

"Don't touch me. And get out, before I shoot you."

"He was so lucky I didn't have my gun."

"You threatened to shoot him? Seriously?"

He was grinning, eyes lit up.

"Yeah, try not to look so happy about it."

She smirked.

He smiled.

"Thank you. For doing that. For standing up for me, and for Alexis. It means a lot."

"Always."

They remained silent for a while, enjoying the sun and the wind in their faces as they drove on the highway.

"So, Rick, it's my turn right? For my 4th question?"

"Mmhmm."

"What are 5 things about me that you love?"

"5? Sweetheart, 5 things aren't enough."

"Flattery isn't getting you anywhere, bud. We're already on our way to the Hamptons. Nice try."

He sighed, placing his hand over his chest dramatically.

"How you wound me, Detective."

"Get over yourself, Castle, and answer the question."

"Eager to get answers, are we?"

"Shut it."

He grinned. He loved getting to her. Their daily banter was practically what he lived for. And other stuff too, but mostly the banter. Now he had to answer the question. And god be damned, if he was going to mess this up.

"Let's see. The first thing I think, is the puzzle. The layers. I love that about you. Every time we talk, I learn something different about you, something new. How your eyes shine when you eat pizza, and how going to Rockefeller's secretly reminds you of your mom. And then, second, is probably your smile. Your smile could light up the world. No exaggerations. I know it lights up mine. I feel instantly happy when I see you smile. I think the joy probably bursts out of me when you laugh. And then there's your eyes, I could get lost in them. If we never had to say words ever again, I'd be okay, because your eyes tell me everything. I can tell what kind of mood you're in just by looking at your eyes. They change colour you know? According to your moods? And of course, you're brave. One of the bravest people I know. You've been to hell and back, and you still manage to get up every morning and put a smile on your face. And last, you're hot. Like seriously, Kate. You're really hot. Every man in the room turns to look at you when you walk in. That's how hot you are."

She grinned at him, a blush gracing her cheeks, as she looked down at her lap.

"Thank you. That is the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."

"Well, an extraordinary review for an extraordinary girl."

He smiled, finding her shyness extremely cute. He turned on some music, and started singing along.

"I'm surprised."

"What about?"

"You don't want to know your 5 things."

"Well, I didn't want to pressurize you by choosing just 5. There must be like a million. I'm pretty awesome."

"Please, let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"That's another thing. Your sarcastic badassness."

"Sarcastic badassness? Aren't you supposed to be a writer, or something?"

She raised her eyebrow.

"That's the only way to put it, Kate. You're sarcastically badass."

"Thanks….I guess?"

"You're welcome."

"So, 5 things. You make me laugh. No matter how bad my day is, I always know you'll be around to make me laugh. And you know me, so well, sometimes even better than I know myself. I love our banter, how we're constantly fighting about petty things. I love your books, and the way you write. I love the way you're serious one moment, and hopelessly immature the next."

"I knew it! I knew you were a fangirl. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"

"That's exactly what I meant."

He grinned. "Seriously, though. Thank you."

"Anytime, Castle."

"I love you Kate."

"I love you too Rick."

"Does that mean you're wearing s skimpy bikini in the pool?"

"Don't push it."

She wore her sunglasses, and closed her eyes.

This was gonna be a long ride.

Hoped you liked it.. Please comment/PM/review... All my followers, thanks so much for reading! But, I have no idea if anyone's actually reading my story, so, it's a little depressing. Plus, I need ideas and advice, so, review! Thanks.