Okay. You know how I promised updates more regularly? Yeah, sorry about that. But I have an actual reason this time! I had to send my laptop in for cleaning and it was gone one week then I went on a weekend trip. So...sorry? I really do promise better updates!

Over the next few days gifts arrived sporadically, sometimes early in the morning and usually in the evening. Rick knew Kate wouldn't be working, not yet anyway, so there was no way to figure out the time zones she would likely arrive. Some of the gifts were crafted by her, which was not something Rick would put with his former partner. Somewhere along the line, Kate had learned crafting skills that were quite good. Her mother must have taught her things when she was little.

The large canvas that was leaning against his door startled him when he opened it and the picture hit him in the legs. It was made from paint chips, one corner was a dark blue and it faded in the opposite corner to a light blue. Purples were mixed within, making the white of the lettering stand out. She had lettered on the phrase "The wind gathered up her hair". The sound of her laughter could almost be heard when Rick looked at the piece, which made him both happy and sad.

He tried to stay strong from the gifts that almost seemed to get more thoughtful as time went on. But his heart had begun to soften and somehow that made him angry. Angry at how much he was still in love with her. Angry that he couldn't stay angry. No matter how hard he tried.

It was a Saturday night and Castle continued his indoor life while Alexis went out to a movie with her school friends. He was lying on the couch, movie playing in the background, and staring at the remains of take out littering the table. The noise from the movie was suddenly muted as he stood up sharply.

There was someone on his floor. The elevator had dinged a few seconds ago, and Kate had yet to appear today. The few seconds of thought seemed to go on forever. Should he go to the door now or just wait?

Talk to Kate or continue to ignore her?

Both were killing him inside but there was no way to heal those wounds without talking to her. The internal struggle suddenly broke and Rick sprinted to the door and retched it open.

Kate stood in front of him holding a stuffed kitten. Her hair was a curly mess, a dark oversized hoodie rested on her shoulders and fell halfway down her thighs. The jeans on her legs were fitted to allow her knee high brown boots to slide over them.

Castle had truly surprised her. Her mouth was hanging open and she took an involuntary step back.

"Hello Kate."

There was no sound coming out of Kate's mouth. Rick could see the gears working in her mind before she spoke.

"I didn't think you would ever answer."

He gave a small shrug and looked down at the floor.

"I didn't really think I would either."

He made a sweeping motion and stood back to let her into the loft. Their eyes met and Kate gave a small smile. The leather soles of Kate's boots sounded loudly on the hardwood floors, breaking the silence that had fallen over the pair.

"So what's with the cat?"

"Oh, umm. Well I wasn't really expecting to do this in person. It's just…it's a kitten. For you, Kitten."

Rick gave a snort. Really? She started with a gift from a conversation off their first case and went from there. But a kitten? That was not something he would have thought of getting.

"I figured since you usually have to worry if I eat, you wouldn't want a real cat to worry about as well."

She set the brown stuffed animal on his kitchen counter. Its fluffy brown fur was sticking everywhere and somehow its eyes looked a little crooked. But instead of making it creepy, it made it look even cuter. Castle knew it couldn't go long without a name, but there was more important things to worry about at the moment.

"Why are you doing this Kate? Really. I know you're sorry. But I have every right to be angry with you."

"I know you do. I know you do." She ran her hand through her hair and gave a large sigh. This was as hard as their first accidental meeting. "I just miss you. A lot, Castle. You know me, I don't confess things easily. But what happened…I need to make it up to you. I don't deserve you. You waited for three years for me and I'll do the same for you. But I know that you shouldn't. You have Alexis and Martha, and hell, even yourself to look after and just come in a disrupt that. I have people looking to kill me and I know I shouldn't be here, but I can't not make it up to you. If we can't become what we were again, at least I know I tried."

"Oh Kate."

"Can I show you something?" He nodded briefly with a confused look in his eyes. The dark hoodie suddenly was pulled over her head. Kate now stood in a white flowing tank that barely covered her stomach. The muscles that were once there had vanished. He hadn't noticed that at the casino. She seemed the same, but when viewing her in something that wasn't very "Kate Beckett" it was obvious.

Suddenly, Kate was standing before him in just her bra. But the light blue fabric wasn't what caught his attention. The two scars that marked her body were. The long one down her side, still an angry red and purple, and the small circle in between her breasts somehow didn't leave his sight.

"This is why I did what I did. Why I can't stop thinking about how I put you in danger. How could I have explained what had happened to Alexis if you had been in my position? Did you ever think of that, Rick? I did this for you. For us. For whatever semblance of a friendship we might have once this is completely over." She brushed a black curl from her face before taking a step toward him.

Her face fell slightly when Rick flinched and took a small step back. But a deep breath rose her chest up and she grabbed his hand, placing in on the scar along her stomach.

He just blinked at her. The expression on his face was completely unreadable, but there was a hint of confusion deep within his eyes.

"I don't think you really noticed last time, did you?"

A single head shake was all that was needed. She dropped his hand and took a step back, looking down at the floor. A moment of silence passed between them before Kate shivered slightly. At the same moment, Rick took a step toward her as she turned to grab her shirt from the floor. He gave a small sigh as the scars disappeared under the thin fabric, then the sweater.

"I'll see myself out" she turned back to look at him and gave a small smile before saying, "I'll be at the Bluebird coffee shop every morning at nine. If you care."

And with that, she was gone.

Well, that was not how Rick wanted that to go at all.

xXxXxX

She did not even consider that Rick would show the next day. The Bluebird was right down the street from Katz's Deli and was the perfect place to relax and read. Its soothing wood and white walls were offset by wallpaper sections of small bluebirds flying in between swirled white clouds. And the coffee was amazing.

The spot Kate usually occupied was still open when she arrived at nine. The stools looking out the large windows had a view of the small playground that was placed delicately in the small green area between streets.

She ordered her regular coffee and sat in the corner. The small black book bag Kate was carrying slumped against the window once she removed the novel she was half way through reading.

Usually, the time flew by for her when she read. But today, at every turn of the page she looked at her watch. The idea of staying here all day had occurred to her, it wasn't like she had anything pressing to do. There was no gift to bring Rick today, it was better to let yesterday sink in before bombarding him again.

Two hours passed before Kate began to give up. The coffee was gone, the small ring from her cup faded into the wood. She had read over one hundred and fifty pages and was beginning to get tired. A small sigh sounded from her parted lips as the cup was thrown away. She held the book in her arms, loving the touch of the pages in her fingers.

She stepped outside, bell on the door jingling merrily at her exit. The cool air bit at her face and she pulled her berry colored scarf closer. She turned left out of the shop and started to walk down the street and was almost to Katz's before she bumped shoulders with someone. Without looking up, she muttered an apology and continued to walk. A second later a hand was resting on her shoulder and she quickly turned, hand automatically searching for her gun where it had been for so long. The grin from the man behind her stopped her search quickly.

Castle had come. Castle had come and she almost walked right by him.

How do you like the way it's going so far? Reviews make me happy!