Wow, 92 reviews. That is certainly close to 100! A big thank you to everyone who reviewed and to all the people who told me to have fun on my trip.

The sun was beginning to go down as he and Kate walked back to the house. Well, it wasn't just them. The whole gang was making their way through the sand and back to the comfort of the house, but he and Kate were walking a bit behind everyone. She was staring into the waves as he stared at her; something had been off about her the entire day. She was touchier with him and immediately volunteered to be his partner in every game they played. Whether they were playing beach volleyball, relaxing on their towels or splashing around in the ocean, she was always right next to him. Not that he didn't like it, in fact he liked it a lot, it just wasn't something she did. As he studied her face her brow furrowed for what seemed to be the fifth time in a matter of minutes, clearly she was deep in thought. And whatever she was pondering was clearly important to her because she didn't even notice when he took her hand in his.

Even though they were a ways behind everyone else didn't mean nobody would turn around and see them. This beach was open to everyone who lived in the neighborhood, and most of the people who lived in the neighborhood were rich and at least somewhat famous. Needless to say, a lot of the paparazzi hung out here in the summer. Kate knew this, and yet didn't seem to care that they looked undeniably like a couple. She was way beyond just pondering. But interrupting her mid-thought would get him nowhere so he let her be. So he just continued to study her movements until they started walking on grass. His gaze left her face and turned to where they were walking, apparently they had reached his lawn. And apparently, they had slowed down quite a bit. The last of the group had already made their way inside the house. He was about to break her away from her thoughts when she bit her lip; she hadn't done that yet. Kate only bit her lip when she had made a decision, but didn't know if she should go through with it. This could mean a number of things so he decided to wait a little longer to break her concentration. He didn't have to wait long because she broke her own concentration pretty quickly.

Before he knew what she was doing she grabbed his forearm and darted behind some nearby bushes, dragging him along. He hadn't even regained his footing yet when her lips were on his. The surprise wore off after a few moments and he began to kiss her back just as forcefully as she kissed him. He liked this decision of hers. Passion raged through his body as they clung to each other, battling once again. Her hands were everywhere, and his followed suit. After a long couple of minutes she broke away, grinning as she inhaled large amounts of oxygen.

"Not that I'm complaining," he said after catching his breathe, "but what was that for?"

"I don't like Audrey." She offered by way of explanation. Finally he got what had been bothering her all day, he was surprised he hadn't caught it sooner. But even the reason was so unlike her, another layer of the Beckett onion down.

"Why Kate," he smirked, "I never pegged you as the jealous type."

"I'm not jealous." She said it forcefully and as though she was trying to convince herself, furrowing her brow yet again to try and pick the situation apart.

"Uh-huh," he took his phone out of his pocket and began looking through his contact list, "so what if I invite Audrey to dinner tonight? Esposito seemed to like her." He could almost see her eyes turning greener as they widened in shock. Her jaw clenched and he could see the disdain flowing freely throughout her body. And this was all over him.

"You have her number?" She yelled incredulously at him as she made a grab for the phone, those beautiful jade eyes of hers filled with resentment.

"No I do not," he chuckled as her body immediately relaxed, "do you want to share something with the class, Kate?" The wheels were visibly turning in her head as she bit her lip, stubbornly holding onto the false idea that she didn't care about Audrey.

"Fine," she pouted, "I'm jealous, okay?" He hugged her closer to him as he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. He saw everything she was trying to communicate with those eyes. But most of all, he saw that she was scared. Scared he would leave her. Leave her for a bubbly blonde, one like Audrey.

"Kate," his tone was soft as he murmured the word into her ear, "I will never leave you. Ever. You are an extraordinary woman and I would be a fool if I let you go. Nothing, and nobody, is going to change that. I love you Kate, you have to believe that at least. I won't leave."

They just stood there for a while, her wrapped in his arms while she thought about that.

"I know you love me," when she finally spoke her tone was almost shy, "but they all leave. Everyone I loved. Will left me without so much as a second thought because I wasn't important enough. My father was on the brink when I pulled him back to reality. Everyone leaves, everyone is like her." She didn't have to explain for him to know who "her" was immediately. He held her body tighter and began rubbing circles on her back with his hands.

"I know, I know," he soothed, "but it's alright. Will was a bastard, he didn't deserve you and you certainly didn't deserve what he did to you. And your mother, your mom didn't choose to leave. She would have done anything to stay with you, Kate. I'm a parent, I know. She loved you with all her heart and would never want to leave you. She will love you forever, and her memory will live on in you. You see, she didn't completely leave. She is a part of you, Kate." Throughout his speech he could feel her arms tightening around him, clinging to his body. He would never leave her; he just had to prove it to her. It would take time but he was sure he could convince her of it. He was in this for the long haul and eventually she would realize that.

After what seemed like forever, he hated waiting, but in reality were only a few minutes she looked up at him with teary eyes. She only nodded, but that was enough. Carefully and slowly he lowered his head down to hers, capturing her mouth in a slow and sweet kiss. One that showed her just how much he cared for her. This wasn't fiery or playful. This wasn't a battle. This was so much more, conveying emotion being the ultimate goal. Through that kiss they conveyed all the pain and the pleasure their unorthodox partnership had caused over the years, everything that built up to their love. Every moment of their past was revisited and a future promised.

"Oh," a male voice said to their right, "so this is what you guys have been doing." Both he and Kate immediately froze, her whole body immediately tensing as she recognized the voice. She pulled back from him so she could look to the side and confirm her nightmare. His gaze followed hers and suspicions were confirmed.

"Umm," he said to Captain Montgomery, "hello, Captain."

Talk about a mood killer, huh? Haha. Well, I thought you guys deserved another chapter after your wonderful efforts at reaching 100. So at 8:30 the night before I leave for China, instead of packing I am writing. That's how much I love you guys. ;)

So, now that I've proved how much I love you why not show me how much you love this story? Or hate it, either one. See you in two weeks!