Again, I don't own Castle, or the characters. Here is finale. I hope it is what everyone is hoping for
"Alright Mr. Castle, you seem to be fine minus a few bumps and bruises, and that cut on your cheek. Just make sure to keep it clean. We've got you on an IV to hydrate you. Once this bag is done, you're free to go"
Beckett approaches the ambulance as the medic hops out the back. "Hey, what'd the medic say?"
"He says that I'm lucky to be alive with how handsome I am. Ladies should've torn me apart by now." He replies with a smile.
She gives a laugh "somehow I severely doubt that."
"She could've!"
Beckett climbs in the back of the ambulance and holds his hand, stroking the top of his with her thumb. A comfortable silence takes over them. They enjoy just being near one another. There is so much to say to each other but neither of them can bring themselves to phrase it just right. Castle decides to break the silence first.
"Sorry about not picking you up for our Hamptons trip. I was a little distracted" he says with a chuckle.
"Yeah, there's always next weekend though."
He pauses, and takes a collective breath. He had made a bet with himself that if he got out of there, he would go for broke and try to be with her. He didn't know exactly where she was, but he knew where he was. Judging by her reaction of seeing him, and her excitement now, he thought she wouldn't be opposed to it. This ordeal had really shown him just how valuable time with loved ones really is. He decided that he didn't want to waste anymore.
"I have something I want to say…" He starts.
"Dad!" Alexis yells as she approaches.
"It's ok" Beckett says "It can wait" she hops down off the ambulance and turns to give Castle a smile.
"But I can't" he replies.
"I know. There's time" Castle smiles as Beckett turns away and the young redhead jumps into his arms.
Later that night Castle walks into his apartment after a long day. After the medics let him go, he went to the precinct to thank everyone for rescuing him, especially Beckett. He didn't have a chance to talk to her alone like he wanted. She had caught a case and had to run out but told him they would talk later. Now he was in his loft surrounded by his loving mother and daughter, but couldn't help but feel a slight feeling of longing. Lost in his deep thought the girls had put on a movie and popped popcorn. Castle decided he would text Kate. He knew he wanted to see her; maybe she wanted to see him as well. Maybe just seeing her name on his phone would release some of the need to see her.
-Are you at home?
Kate was expecting him to call or text, so she responded right away.
-On the way there now. How are you doing?
She knew what he was thinking, but gave him a chance to bring it up. He had tried to talk to her all day, but never gotten the chance. Like him, she had decided that she is done waiting, done flirting, and done chasing. She wanted to be with him, and she didn't want to waste any time either. Crossing that line is going to be hard for someone like Kate Beckett, but she wouldn't shy away from it like she had before.
Castle took a deep breath and put his serious face on. He was going to do this. No interruptions, no distractions.
-I need to see you
She smiled at that message as she pressed the button on the elevator. She knew exactly where she was going.
-Me too
"Something wrong Dad?" He snapped out of his daze and tried to remember what was going on.
"Just fine sweetie. Was just thinking about everything today"
"The events, or a certain someone?" Martha asks as she takes a sip of her Merlot.
"You see right through me, Mother"
Martha places her hand on his shoulder and leans towards him. "Go to her" she says. As if he wasn't thinking of that already.
Castle got up off the couch, grabbing the attention of the two women he is now with.
"Where are you off to?" Alexis inquires.
"I'm sorry sweetie but I have something that I need to do and I can't put it off any longer"
His daughter smiles at him "It's about time. I was going to have plans with Jessica tonight thinking you were going to be with Detective Beckett"
"Am I that predictable?" he asks laughing.
"You're easier to read than your books"
He grabs his coat and heads to the door.
"Wish me luck!"
He opens the door and there she is.
As beautiful as ever in her jeans and t-shirt with a leather jacket wrapped about her. Her flowing curly hair blanketed her shoulders. Her smile put everything together as the complete package. She was smiling with her fist in the air, ready to knock on the door. She was glowing with excitement hoping for the moments to come.
"Wow, I'd love to see that every time I open the door. I was just on my way to see you."
"I know. I couldn't wait"
"Would you like to come in?"
"I'd love to"
She enters the loft and the two redheads walk past the detective out the door.
"I'm off to hang out with Jessica. I'll be back tomorrow morning"
"…and im off to a party for my actors. Don't wait up kiddo" Martha adds.
They both give Beckett their goodbyes and leave quickly.
"I guess we have the place to ourselves then" he laughs
With the sound of the door closing Beckett takes her jacket off and places it on the couch. Castle prays the writer in him would force the right words from his throat.
"Can I offer you something to drink?"
"Sure Castle."
She watched him scurry about the kitchen grabbing glasses, and fumbling around to find the wine opener. She couldn't help but be amused at his awkwardness, bringing a warm smile to her complexion. He always could find a way to make her laugh, even if he didn't know it himself. Laughter never used to find its way into her day, but since Richard Castle has come along, it's found its way to her lungs every day.
The detective could sense his nervousness and approached him in the kitchen as he poured to glasses of the dark red elixir. She leaned her side into the counter placing one hand on the counter, just next to him. She looked up with a warm reassuring smile, to soothe his nerves. As he handed her the glass, her palm grazed his ever so slightly. Her light and smooth touch causing pulses of electricity to course through his spine.
If she can electrify him with one touch and a look, it amazed him to think what a kiss would do. This wasn't just some woman to bring home. This was Kate Beckett, his friend and partner. He shouldn't be nervous. If anything this should feel right, and comforting. With a collective sigh, the right words made their way from his heart to his tongue.
"I want to thank you for saving my life."
"It's no problem Castle. You would've done the same for me."
"I sure would." He answers. "I was thinking…"
"Really thinking? That must be tough for you"
"….yeah, tell me about it. But I have to be honest, the whole time I was trapped in that room, I could only think of seeing you one more time and telling you how I really feel"
"…go on"
"I love you Kate Beckett. I'm not sure how you feel about m…."
He couldn't finish his sentence that was on the tip of his tongue, because she had captured his with hers, pulling him towards her with her hands on his neck. As the kiss moved more passionately, she slides her hands up through his hair. He pulled her into him by her hips, his grip matching the intensity of their heated exchange. Three years of teasing, joking, jealousy, promises, and all matter of things in between have led to this moment. A moment that neither wanted to end, for fear of awaking from their blissful dream. With the pair fighting for dominance, their intensity increases. They break, panting, trying to catch their breath, resting their foreheads against one another's.
"We have waited long enough" Beckett says in between pants. "I love you too Castle"
He can no longer contain himself and picks her up, causing her to wrap her legs around his waist. He takes her to the couch laying her down and initiates another heated exchange.
Beckett starts to unbutton his shirt but he pulls away and looks down at the beautiful women and sees her eyes meeting his with passionate desire.
"I don't want to move to fast. We haven't even gone on a date. I want this to be right"
"Like I said Castle, we have waited long enough" She crosses the living room and just outside his bedroom she turns around to see him watching in awe.
"Are you coming? Don't make me get my gun and cuffs"
"Kinky" Castle says with a smile.
"Like I said before, you have no idea."
I want to thank everyone for the reviews and for following with me through the story. I also want to encourage more reviews. Feedback is crucial to improvement. I hope everyone enjoyed the story, that way I can continue making more. This was my first FF and first attempt at writing so let me know how I did!