A/N: Here it is. The last one. I hope you enjoy.

She wakes up early. It's barely 5 am. She has never been good with sleeping in the hospital. The low light from the hall creeps into her semi-dark room and annoys her to no end. She can't sleep when it's light, she never could. Total darkness always gives the best sleep. The smell of the hospital doesn't make things any better. The distinctive odors of antibacterial cleaning solutions and meds are just disturbing. They bring back so many memories for her.

How many times has she been here, in the hospital?

Since her rookie days on the force, there have been several incidents that had her ending up in the hospital. A bullet from a spooked suspect had grazed her hip, so she needed few stitches. There were minor things as well over the years - running into a wall while chasing down a suspect, breaking her foot when she jumped down from a too-high fire escape.

But nothing she has gone through was as serious as the bullet to the chest last year.

She sighs and closes her eyes against the pillow. Last year. Yes. It was horrible. The memories of her stay at the hospital keep flooding her mind. Oh god. How she hated to be here. Hurting, alone, heartache.

A tiny tear slides down her cheek and she wipes it away with a soft move of her hand. Drawing in a shuddering breath, she tries to force away the memories. They are past now. She survived. She's okay now.

'Kate. Stay with me, Kate. Don't leave me, please. Stay with me, okay? Kate, I love you. I love you, Kate.'

His sobbing voice still echoes in her mind. She heard that. Yes. She heard. All of it. And she remembers all of it. She wishes, oh she wishes she would have the guts to say something to him. Say that she remembers... That she loves him, too. But she has been a chicken. The whole year. Every time she has come close to opening her mouth to spill all her secrets, something has happened. Something that ruins the pace of their evolving relationship. Every time. Fate never seems to leave them alone, always teasing and making fun of them.

She lets her mind wander. The year they have had. The explosion in the bank. Oh god, she thought he was dead when she saw the cloud of dust coming from the building. He wasn't. He survived. Like they always do - they survive.

During the sniper case, her PTSD returned. The nightmares, the panic attacks. She kept away from him. He didn't need to see the shell of her. He didn't need to see how broken she was. But somehow he did see. Somehow, he understood. And he stayed. He was her rock. Her shoulder to lean on.

Then they were cuffed together - new closeness to their friendship. Spending the whole day with him so close to her - it forced her to deal with her inner walls. To open up and realize that being open isn't so bad. It felt good to be with him. To be close to him.

Ryan's wedding. Oh, it was so beautiful. Jenny looked absolutely radiant and Kevin was just bursting with joy. She couldn't be happier to see her 'family' being happy and merry together. She was happy, and with Castle by her side, she felt safe. For the first time in years, she felt safe to lean against him during the reception and enjoy the evening together. It felt so good. So, so good. Soon, she was almost ready to tear down the walls inside her and open her soul to the possibility of happiness.

They hadn't kissed that evening, but they had come close. She backed down. He understood. He always did. That she needed time. She needed time to become a better person before there could be any chance of having a relationship. He didn't push. And she was scared enough not to do anything about it. Even though she had wanted to kiss him so much. Oh so much.

With the latest case with the CIA, she suddenly became aware of a whole different side of him. This more serious and bolder side. She knew that he was an agile man who was capable of doing anything. But this time, she noticed more of him. With Sofia returning to his life, it opened a slew of old scars within him. She saw that. The shell of a man he used to be. He wasn't that old self anymore. He was something new and better. Sophia didn't realise it, but Kate did. But also, she couldn't help but being jealous about the possibility that Sofia could claim him. Again. What would she do without him?

Now, during the case of the dead Estonian, Emily emerged in their lives, stirring the fragile balance of the relationship they had. She couldn't help it. She was jealous. Just when she felt safe to make a move. To tell him how she feels, this happened. She felt let down, Castle had let her down. She couldn't do anything but surrender to the situation. She had already given up. Stepped away, so that he could be happy with his choices.

They started yelling in a diner. Words were exchanged. She had enough and she left. To her surprise, Castle chased her down the street and kissed her, making sure that things between them would be even more complicated.

Their story has changed now. He doesn't want to wait anymore. They kiss now. They share these little embraces and pecks. It feels so utterly comfortable. She just wants to stay in his embrace, meld against him and never leave again. She feels safe. She feels loved. She feels like flying.

A little smile creeps onto her face and she can't stop it. At this moment, she realizes that she wants to be happier. More free. She needs to give them a chance. She knows that he loves her. She needs to show him her love now.

Love. Huh.

She really loves him?

She stills as the thought strikes her. She sees his face before her in her mind. The blue eyes full of fun and mischief. The smile that makes her feel happy. The little wrinkles around his eyes that tells that he's a man who laughs and smiles a lot. He's her light in the dark. He's there for her.

Yes, she does love him. She does.

Something heavy uncoils in her chest. Suddenly she feels lighter, so much better. Waves of happiness run through her body, each wave hitting her with a new and heightened feeling of joy. She's free. From her own mental jail. She broke free. Finally, she is allowing herself to be happy.

Looking out from the window, she sees the emerging new moon from behind the clouds. The weak light from it makes her eyes droop closed and she gives up her attempts to stay awake. Her breathing slows and she's lulled back to sleep.

"Hey, Castle," Beckett greets the writer as he steps into her hospital room.

He looks as handsome as ever. The light blue of his shirt goes very well with the blue of his eyes. And the dark jacket he's wearing makes him look very handsome. He had decided to go with light jeans today - making him look utterly casual and delicious. She smiles. She likes it.

"Hey, how are you?" The detective is greeted with a big smile and a cup of coffee.

"I could be better," she directs her smile at him when he gives her the cup of coffee. "Thank you, it smells delicious."

"It's your usual," he smiles too - the smiling seems to be infectious today. "Have you been released yet?"

"No, the doctor hasn't been here, yet. But they are saying he will be here soon." She waves her hand, signalling Castle to come closer and sit down. "Did you bring me my clothes?"

"Yes, they're in the bag," he shows the black messenger bag he is carrying. "Don't worry, I thought of everything. I even brought you some socks!"

"Castle," she squints her eyes. "Did you go through my underwear drawer, too?"

The slight glee from writer's face fades and he's racking his brains how to answer that question, opening his mouth once, twice.

"Castle?"

"I... uhm... I plead the fifth," he finally says with a little smirk.

"Castle, please say you didn't?" she pleads, unable to believe he really did it. By the looks of it, he discovered her drawer and had a fun time exploring it. But the writer remains silent, smiling the entire time. She continues, "I didn't give you my key so you could raid my underwear drawer, Castle."

Before Castle can say anything, a familiar form appears in the doorway.

"Miss Beckett?" her doctor asks, confused for a second.

"Yes, I'm here," she sits up, looking at the doctor.

The man steps closer to the bed, her chart in his hands. "Okay. I see you were brought in yesterday evening with a knife wound?" he makes sure that he has the facts straight.

"Yes."

"Ok," he reads the information from Kate's medical folder. "Seems that your blood tests we took earlier today came back with positive results. From what I see here, you are good to go home today. But make sure you will not be alone for few days," he states.

"The knife injured your cephalic vein and you had minor surgery to close the injured area. Also, you lost a fair amount of blood during the incident and the operation, causing a mild Class II hemorrhage. You may feel sluggish for few days. Rest is needed to recover your strength. But otherwise you are free to go," the doctor finishes up.

"Oh, that's good news," Castle exclaims, unable to stop himself.

The doctor looks at him for few seconds. "You are the boyfriend, right?"

"Uhm," Castle looks at Beckett, seeking confirmation. But she's not saying anything. Instead, she just grins and turns her gaze away from him, dreamily looking at her fingers.

"Yes?" he finally answers the doctor's question.

"She needs protein and vitamin rich food to recover. Iron supplements would be a good idea as well," he looks at Castle.

Then he scribbles something down on the prescription pad and turns back to Beckett. She's still smiling as she focuses on the man in white medical coat. "Here's the information about the food supplements. In addition, two days of bed rest is mandatory. But otherwise, you are free to go now."

"Thank you," she says to the doctor.

"Come with me," the doctor turns to Castle again. "I need you to sign some release papers before she can go."

"Ok," he nods and follows the doctor. He looks back at Beckett while he is heading out the door. She only nods and starts getting out of the bed.

Beckett uses the time he is gone to change into the clothes Castle had brought for her. She makes her way to the bathroom, yanking the hospital gown off (she hates hospital clothes). She changes the clothes as quickly as she can. Her injured hand doesn't help her one bit and she struggles to pull up the jeans. Finally, after a few painful attempts, she gets the shirt over her head. She's dressed. Good.

When she steps out of the bathroom, he's already there waiting for her. His blue eyes are fixed on her. He seems to be worried but relieved at the same time.

"There you are. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me get my things," she answers and gathers up her few belongings.

He takes her bag. He doesn't even ask. She decides that she is not going to argue with him. This time she lets it go. She lets him take care of her.

She nods at him, signalling that all is well, and they head out the door.

At the end of the hospital hallway, she feels something brushing against her knuckles. She looks down and sees his hand there. She opens her palm and he slides his fingers around hers, holding her hand firmly.

The elevator arrives at his floor with a low hum. The doors open with a whisper. She hasn't let go of his hand yet. They have been holding onto each other ever since they left the hospital - breaking their connection only to get in the town car and later for gathering her things from her apartment. With a silent agreement between them, their hands are joined in every possible moment.

They step out of the elevator in unison and start walking to the door of his apartment at a slow pace. Almost as if they don't want to arrive yet.

They haven't talked since the hospital. Much. Somehow, they have been keeping silent the whole time, which is a little bit surprising to Beckett. How is Castle being able to shut his mouth for few moments, let alone over an hour, it's beyond her. How does he even do that?

He stops just before they reach his door.

Confused, she halts in her tracks as well and looks at him.

"Castle?"

"Boyfriend, huh?" he voices his inner thoughts. Ah. That's what has been bothering him the whole way here. That's why he has been silent.

"Well? Aren't you?" she asks like it should be the most obvious thing ever, a smile creeping all over her face.

"Am I?" he asks, still a little bit confused. "Oh. I am?"

His confusion makes her laugh. She lets loose a giggle, unable to stop the lightness inside her. The surprised look on his face makes her laugh even more. She lets it all free. It feels so good to laugh. To be happy.

"What?" he finally asks, a smile on his face, when she finally calms down a bit.

"Castle, you signed papers for me. I would have stopped you if I hadn't agreed," she states simply.

"Oh," he breathes out. Suddenly his grin takes over his face. "Now, if I am your boyfriend," he starts, stepping closer to her. She remains in her spot. "Would that mean," he takes another step closer, sliding his one hand around her waist, "I can do this?"

He finishes the sentence and closes the distance between their mouths. Their lips meet, tentative at first. He pulls her a little bit closer to his body, careful of her injured arm between their bodies. He brings his hand from her waist to her chin, tilting it upwards. It gives him better access to her mouth and without wasting time, she opens herself to him. Letting him in. She succumbs to the feeling of his body against hers, his mouth working in unison with hers. He rolls his tongue in her mouth and brings out a sudden moan from her. It feels so good. She's lost in his touch.

Finally, he slows the kiss down and loosens his grip around her shoulder. Careful not to hurt her, he slides it back to her waist where it rests on her hip.

"Boyfriend it is, then," he whispers at last, making her smile again.

She looks up, searching his eyes. His gaze finds hers and their eyes lock, just watching each other. After a few seconds of silence, she opens her mouth and whispers, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

He doesn't answer, just smiles. Entangling himself from her, he takes a step back. Unable to let go of her, he curls her hand in his and pulls her closer to the door of his loft.

"Come," he whispers. "They are waiting."

She nods. His family is waiting for them. For them to return home.

Final chapter. I have to say, I haven't ever written that long of a fic before. Never. I would have never written this kind of fic either if there wasn't my friend Brett who challenged me to write case-based fiction. It was new idea. And he helped me a lot during writing. For you who doesn't know, he was the one who came up with the idea of the fic. Together we ironed out the details and started writing. Almost all the Ryan/Espo scenes are his (he writes them so awesome). I really loved writing this with you, Brett. And I hope I inspired you to write your own fictions as well. Thank you Brett!

I'd like to thank kimmiesjoy, lv2bnsb1, PenguinOfTroy, fooxoo, Shena, Nicky & Syzygy - my grammar police army over the 9 months I have been writing this fiction. Thank you. I could have not done it without you guys.

Also, thank you all who has been reviewing this fic. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your words mean so much to me and to Brett too.

Now. Could I have your last thoughts about the last chapter please? He he he.

Thank you all! It was a great ride.