A/N: Sorry this has taken a little longer than I planned but my muse took a vacation and neglected to leave me the details of their trip to Boston, so this is what we've got. I've been reading lots (way too much to be considered healthy) fanfiction lately and I have to say as I've said before there are some really talented writers on this site. I can't even begin to compete with most of them; however some of you are still reading my little pithy stories so I will continue to entertain you. Hope you enjoy.

Kate was sitting on her couch watching him sleep. The late afternoon sun peeking in through the window and casting shadows on his face. He had insisted on taking her home first. She had finally agreed to let him drive the last few hours of the ride home from Boston. He said he would take a cab from her place, but while she was making coffee he had dozed off. Not really ready to let him go just yet, she sat beside him, he woke up long enough to wrap an arm around her and pull her down toward him so they were lying on the couch and she nestled up against him. He had pulled the throw over their shoulders and mumbled "I'll leave in a few minutes, K ?"

"Um, hmmmm." She snuggled in closer, her hand resting on his chest and her leg over his. They had indeed spent the weekend in Boston not sleeping together. She smiled at the thought. He had surprised her by getting a double room; not wanting to assume anything. It had been an incredibly relaxing weekend; soaking in the enormous Jacuzzi pool at the hotel; him teasing her about not wearing a teeny-weeny bikini followed by her quick repartee of "When you wear a red Speedo!" They had eaten at some really great restaurants and enjoyed local seafood. The harbor views from their hotel were absolutely spectacular. They had spoken to the victim's mother Saturday morning and then did lunch and shopped at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. They spent the afternoon walking the Freedom Trail hand in hand. They avoided the bookstores with towering displays of Naked Heat; and managed to steer clear of fans and paparazzi. They enjoyed a stroll through the North end and ate dinner at a little Italian restaurant, stopping at Mike's pastry for cannolis on their way back. He'd actually dragged her into a little yarn shop and insisted on buying her some beautiful hand painted yarn in a shade of green that matched her eyes. The whole atmosphere in Boston was so much more relaxed than what either of them were used to.

She had seen a side of him that she hadn't seen before. He was still witty and carefree and always a gentleman. More relaxed though and catering to her every whim. She didn't usually let guys or anyone for that matter take care of her. But this had been nice. She'd been surprised after their little make-out session at the rest area, but he'd behaved himself with only a few chaste kisses here and there. They had certainly grown more comfortable with each other and although she wasn't quite ready to even admit that they were together she felt that the feeling was mutual. She still wasn't ready to rush into anything. She'd been burned too many times, and this relationship not working on a personal level would certainly put an end to their professional relationship.

She was just starting to doze when he nudged her and said, "A penny for your thoughts."

She chuckled. "They're worth more than that."

"Really?" He pulled her tighter. "I think I should stay here with you tonight, you might freeze to death if you have to sleep alone. Doesn't the heat work in this place?"

"I just turned it up." She nuzzled up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Wouldn't Alexis miss you?"

"She's having dinner with Ashley's parents, not due back for awhile. Lately it seems like I play second fiddle, I'll get about ten minutes of her undivided attention and then she is on her phone chatting with her friends about the love of her life…who by the way is no longer 'dear old dad'."

"It's to prepare you for when she leaves for college. You'll just have to find something else to occupy your time."

"Or someone else." He suggested as he kissed her on the forehead. He carefully turned onto his side so they were facing each other.

She readjusted herself, but kept her hand on his chest, moving her knee in between his legs. She raised her eyebrows at him and smiled. "Have anyone in particular in mind?"

"Oh, yes." He said as he placed light kisses on her eyes and nose and along her jaw, his hand moving towards her neck and then up into her hair. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath as his mouth made its way to hers. Soft light kisses that got more intense, her hand slowly making its way up towards his neck and her body moving closer to him. She wasn't sure how long it lasted, seconds turned into minutes. His lips left her mouth and found her neck again and she let out a small moan and he chuckled.

"Castle, I think…"

He whispered into her ear, "… we should move to the bedroom?" He rolled on top of her and snagged another mind boggling kiss and then rolled off of her and into a sitting position. He smiled as he looked down at her. Her hair disheveled and a stunned look on her face.

"Um…yeah…." She took a deep breath to clear her head. "I mean….. NO…." He stood up and reached down for her hand and helped her up. She raked her other hand through her hair and steadied herself. Not quite ready to look him in the eye, afraid that what she may see might just do her in.

"Kate.."

"Castle, please just no…not…."

He put his hand on her chin and made her look at him.

"Castle, I'm so sorry, I'm just not…."

He kissed her again and with both hands on either side of her face he said "Kate….stop it, it's OK, I will never force you into anything you're not ready for." He placed a light kiss on her lips and continued, "I've waited this long, I can wait longer. I know what's at stake here and I'm not willing to mess that up either, OK?"

She bit her bottom lip and nodded, a slight smile forming on her lips. Her arms moved up around his neck and his moved down around her waist and he pulled her into a tight hug. When she pulled back she smiled at him, looking into his eyes and placing both hands on his face she kissed him one more time and said, "Thank you."

He led her to the door and placed a sweet tender kiss on her lips, then picked up his bags and left.

She closed the door and locked it; leaned up against it and put her head back smiling.

As always I love to see a mailbox full of reviews and alerts and so on….makes me very happy. Hugs to all who have stuck with my drabble.