First off, I really would like to talk the time to thank all of those who have added this collection of small stories to their alerts. Seriously you guys made me happy when you all responded to this =) Thank You. Also, to every single person who has reviewed and left a comment, again it makes me thrilled to know I can help with boredom, stress, or the need for something Castle related, hehe. ;)

Secondly, I am proud to announce that this IS indeed the little two-parter I had planned. I'm not entirely sure what possessed me to make this into two separate parts; but maybe it was that I wanted more suspense?

Thirdly, I don't own Castle. If I did, I'm sure there would be some legal issues concerning me writing fanfiction in the first place.

With that, please enjoy PART I


"Oh God" He thought, "Here goes attempt number two…" He didn't know why he was so nervous, okay maybe he was aware of the fact he was about to tell Kate Beckett for the second time in his life that he loved her. No big deal.

But it's not like he knew this day would never come; he knew it was inevitable. He knew he had to tell her again, not because he truly meant it, but because he needed her to actually hear it this time. He needed her to know.

"I need to know, that she knows that I 100% mean it when I…" He silently cursed himself, "Focus Richard!"

He stopped walking, grasping her wrist to stop her momentum too. She turned and gave him a smile and a questioning look. And there they were, standing with the January snow falling around them, the only light provided coming from street lamps and the occasional car going down the street.

He wasn't exactly sure why he had chosen this moment, but really was it better than any other? Besides, if life had taught him anything, it was that you didn't know how much time you had.

"Castle." She said, making him realize he hadn't said anything since he grasped her wrist; But then again, she hadn't pulled away. That was a good sign.

"Kate." He countered, steering the conversation into personal waters. She seemed to sense this too because a dark look passed over her face, if only for a moment, he saw it before she replaced it with the same look she had on it before.

He started off slow, "You remember when you told me about that wall you had built up. And how it was… holding you back?"

Her only response was to nod slightly, eyes trying to show that she had no clue where he was going with this.

"Well, then… this may be utterly selfish of me to step over this imaginary line here, but I'm so sick of not living each day the way I want to. Or at least I'm not trying to. And it's just not right. If there is anything life has taught me, it's that the unexpected happens and it's too short to live without regrets."

Kate knew where exactly he was going with this, and as the realization of that dawned on her, her stomach felt queasy and as if her breath had been taken away. Unconsciously she had now grasped his hand back, holding on tight not daring to let go.

"So before either of us get caught in another building that explodes, or a freezer, or shot at or god forbid lightning strikes us down, I need you to know that I need you. I've come so many times to not being around you anymore and it's made me realise how, ridiculous I am for not saying anything…sooner."

As he spoke, the words tumbling down upon her, Kate could practically feel the last little bit of the wall being torn down. That must've been the breathless feeling in her chest. Yes. That's what it is!

"Kate," He somehow forced her to look right into his eyes that held nothing but pure honesty – she could clearly see it, "I am deeply in love with you."


to be continued...

And of course I will stop Part I there.

I promise you all that Part II will be here within in the week! I just have a few things I want to go over and tweak before I post it.

In the mean time, leave a review and take care =)