Chapter 14:

The Aftermath

Beckett didn't stay in the bathroom with Castle for too much longer after that. After what had just happened, he couldn't necessarily blame her. It was surely unexpected, and on his end it was passionate and meaningful. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine her hand still wrapped around his shaft while stroking him to his climax…

Whoa, down boy, Castle thought to himself. He quickly dressed and went in search of Beckett, which he found curled up in one of the large patio chairs. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, arms curled protectively around her legs with her head placed atop them.

He didn't really want to break the spell she seemed to be under, yet he was dying to know what was on her mind.

"Kate?" he questioned.

She turned her head to glance at him, those cat's eyes of hers gleaming. They seemed to gaze at each other for ages without a sound, until Kate moved back to her former position with a sigh.

"What, Castle?"

Resigned, Castle walked up to the chair next to her and flopped unceremoniously upon it. He contemplated his speech for a moment, but he never could completely come up with the right words to say. Nothing could describe the feelings that were swelling up inside of him. Finally, after what seemed like ages, he spoke.

"What just happened?"

At this, Beckett snorted. Surely he had been aware of the events as they unfolded.

"It was nothing," she stated. "I needed to use the shower. You were there. Frustrated, I might add. All I did was help you ease some of that frustration."

"No," he replied, suddenly feeling a flash of anger. "I refuse to believe that. I would never use you like that. That's not something you deserve. You deserve to be treated with respect. You're not just some girl that I picked up drunk in a bar. You're beautiful, intelligent, and real. Remember that day when we were sitting in the hallway and I told you that you were extraordinary? You still are. You have never ceased to amaze me."

Beckett chuckled. "Look, I get that what we did was out of the ordinary for us, but you really don't need to be so mushy about it."

Castle sighed in frustration. He got up and boxed her in her chair with the speed of a jungle cat. "Do you honestly think that I can just compartmentalize what happened between us? Dismiss it like you're a nobody, and then move on with my life? What would happen when we're at work? How would I be able to even look at you after knowing I used you? I can't just fool around with you and expect everything to be okay. I love you, Kate. As much as you don't want to admit it, I think you love me, too. It was a pleasant experience for me to share with you because of it."

"What am I supposed to do, Castle? Love you back? What happens when the two of us are at work, and then you end up doing something stupidly heroic to save me, getting yourself shot or killed? I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because of me. How would I explain things to your mother or Alexis if something happened? They would never understand. You've seen me tough it out as far as telling families that their loved ones are gone, but could you really expect me to be as strong for Alexis? I couldn't. I can't be the one to break her heart."

"So that's what's really stopping you from being with me? Alexis? Jesus, Kate. I don't think you're giving Alexis enough credit. Sure, she'd be sad, but she would feel just as bad if she were to find out that she was the cause of you not wanting to be with me. She adores you just as much as I do."

He took one of her hands in his, gently placing it over his heart, which was beating steadily in his chest. "Do you feel that, Kate? I'm alive and well. Breathing, and on the best vacation I've ever taken. I'm with you, my best friend. I have known a lot of people in my lifetime, but no one ever became so vital to me until you."

"What about the press? The bachelor list? You'd lose your spot," she teased, trying to mask the butterflies that were dancing around in her stomach.

"What about it? You're more precious to me than any stupid list. The press has been making up stories about how we're together anyway. Haven't you been reading any of them? They have practically stated we were married last month. Please, Kate? Take a chance on me? On us? Don't make me beg."

"I hate to break it to you Castle, but you're pretty much already begging right now. Alright, fine. I give in. However, there have to be some ground rules. One, I would like to let the guys and Lanie know in my own way. That way, things don't get sensationalized by your brain. Two, try to keep it professional at work. I already catch hell for being a woman doing a man's job, so I don't really need you making that even worse. As soon as we get to either your loft or my apartment at the end of the day, we can relax and do whatever."

"Am I still alive? Did I just hear that correctly? Did the great Katherine Beckett just agree to be my girlfriend?"

"I thought that was what I just said."

"I know, I'm so in shock, I'm just checking. I never thought in a million years that you'd actually agree to this. I thought I would have to wrestle it out of you."

Beckett chuckled. "Haven't you figured it out by now? I'm full of surprises."

Castle took her head between both of his hands and brushed his lips against hers. Beckett's eyes fluttered closed, savoring the feel of his lips on hers. She could get used to this, she decided. Her last thought before the passion between them completely won her over?

Boy, do I have a lot to tell Lanie!

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. Again, I know it's short, but the next one behind it is much longer. It's wedding season (I had another wedding this past weekend) so it's been fairly busy for me trying to balance work and wedding stuff. Anyway, please review! I was overwhelmed by the last chapter's response. I love to hear all of your opinions. It lets me know that I'm doing something right.