A/N: Thank you so much for the amazing response to the last chapter. This being my first story as well as my first time writing in the M category, I was a little nervous, but you all gave me the encouragement I needed. There will be a little more M in this chapter and once again it is clearly marked if you would like to skip it. Thank you so much for continuing to review, follow and favorite, your support warms my heart. Thanks again to all of my cheerleaders, they never let me give up. The next chapter is a continuation of this one, and there are only 3 more and en epilogue to go after that. The end is in sight! Happy reading! All mistakes are my own. :)

Disclaimer: Castle is my obsession but I didn't create it.

Chapter 25: Don't Let Go

It's hours later and completely dark when she opens her eyes. A smile spreads across her face as she stretches, feeling soreness in places she gladly welcomes. Round two had led to round three and probably would have gone on to round four had they not fallen asleep. Her body was so sated and he was so warm above her and she couldn't help the pull of sleep as it took hold. Castle is wrapped around her, his deliciously, naked front pressed against her back and the warmth from his body seeps through her.

Making love with him was everything she imagined and so much more at the same time. Their connection was already so strong, but the moment they were connected intimately it strengthened that connection and she's never felt so strongly linked to anyone in her life. If she had any say about it, she would chose to never leave this spot, but they used quite a bit of energy and her stomach is starting to let her know just how long it's been since she's had anything to eat.

She turns slowly until she's facing him, smiling at how relaxed he looks right now. She hates to wake him, but she knows he must be hungry too, after all he used just as much if not more energy than she did. She leans forward until every inch of her body is pressed up against his and she shivers at the wave of pleasure it sends through her body. She can feel him responding to her already and she fights back a laugh. It only takes her pressing her lips to his before he's wrapping his arms around her. For someone who's been sound asleep he shouldn't be as alert as he suddenly is, but before she can fathom what's happening he's rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him.

A startled squeal escapes her as she settles on top of him and his laugh reverberates through her entire body, quickly fueling the arousal that was already building again. She leans down to capture his lips again as her legs come to rest on either side of his hips. The insistent press of his hips causes friction right where she wants him most, but the loud rumbling of her stomach brings their movements to a sudden halt.

"It seems your stomach is demanding some food." He laughs as he shifts below her pulling a moan from both of them.

"That's actually why I was waking you. It seems we spent most of the day burning quite a bit of energy and skipping a few meals."

He runs his hands up her back as she speaks, and it's almost enough to make her forget that she needs food all together. He increases the pressure and she melts into his arms again, smiling against his chest when he answers her.

"How about I order us some Chinese and then we can take a shower while we wait for it to get here?"

She pushes up off his chest to look at him, "Chinese sounds amazing, but do you really think taking a shower together is a good idea right now? The poor delivery man might be waiting outside the door all night."

He laughs at her response and sits up in the bed causing her to sit up with him. "I would much rather have you in my lap all night, Kate. You're right though, we need to eat." He leans over to the side of the bed and finds his phone. "Let me call in our order and then we can discuss the shower situation."

She stays in his lap while he makes the call, smiling when he orders her favorite. His hand is unconsciously drawing patterns on her lower back and it's doing nothing but increasing her need for him. When he hangs up his phone he drops it on the bed beside them and wraps his arms around her back, kissing her neck in ways he's already discovered drive her crazy.

After a few minutes and much to her disappointment he pulls back and shifts them so that he can get up. "I know we need to get up and shower, but I really don't want to let you go right now." He whispers into her neck and she clings to him tighter.

Suddenly her need for him is too much and she could care less if they ever even get their food. She wraps her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck before whispering into his ear, "Then don't, don't let me go. Take me to the shower, Castle."

She doesn't have to ask him twice, he stands with her, holding her tightly against him as he makes his way to her bathroom. He carefully sets her down as she unwraps her legs from his body and then he leans in to start the shower. He steps in first and then reaches out for her, drawing her to him and shutting the shower door behind her.

They stand there in silence for a moment, just taking each other in. This is such a new step for them and yet they've already perfected it. They fit together in every way possible and she can't imagine ever loving anyone as much as she loves him. He backs her into the corner of the shower, swallowing her gasp with his mouth as her back makes contact with the cool tile.

...M...

She pulls his hips closer to hers and he slides his hand down until it rests on the back of her thigh. He trails a path of kisses down her neck as he lifts her leg, wrapping it around his waist. When their centers align and his erection rubs deliciously against her in just the right place, their quiet moment of passion turns to pure carnal need.

She lifts her other leg and locks them around his waist and his arms come to rest under her thighs, holding her up as he presses her a little harder into the wall of the shower. She's breathless and writhing and his lips are only increasing that as he kisses down to her shoulder.

"Castle, please." He's so hard and hot and he's rubbing against her clit in all the right ways, but she needs him inside her. They've made love three times already today and still she thinks she will never get enough of him, never get tired of feeling the way he moves inside of her.

He shifts her just enough that he's lined up with her entrance and he pulls back to look at her as he slides in. She lets out a needy whimper and he groans as he fills her up. "Oh god, Castle you feel so good. I need you, please."

It's all the incentive he needs to start moving inside of her and she tightens her grip on him as he pounds into her. Although their first time was intense and their need for each other overwhelming, it was reverent and slower than she expected. The other two times were more about exploring each other's bodies and discovering. This time is all about the need for each other, it's fast and passionate and she's clawing at his back, desperately chasing her release at the same time that she's begging for it to last.

"Kate, I'm not going to last much longer, this is too damn good." He husks into her ear as he tries to slow down his pace some, worried that he'll hurt her if he speeds up anymore.

She whimpers when he slows, letting him know that she wants anything but slow right now. "Castle, don't slow down, I'm so close. Fuck me, harder please."

He resumes his previous rhythm and she cries out, throwing her head back against the wall when he hits her in all the right places. "Oh yes, god that's so good, harder please."

He complies with her request, pounding into her so hard that his legs are starting to protest. He can feel his release building and he's about to ask her if she's with him when she suddenly cries out and tightens around him.

"Oh my god, oh yes, yes, yes, don't stop moving, keep fucking me."

Her head is still thrown back and her mouth is open in a silent scream as he fucks her through her orgasm. It's so erotic and so breathtaking that he only manages a few more thrusts and then he's spilling inside of her, fighting to hold them both up as he continues to rock into her.

He can still feel little spasms around him and he can't tell if it's from her first orgasm or if she's having another one. She's panting and clinging to him and still rolling her hips against his in ways that should be illegal. He leans into her, resting his head against her chest and holds her there as they both regain control of their breathing.

She's never had an orgasm that intense before, or one that lasted that long and she's not entirely sure she'll be able to walk after that one. She leans her head forward and places a gentle kiss on his head. He pulls back enough to capture her lips in a sweet kiss that says nothing about the intensity of what they just did. He slowly lowers her legs back to the shower floor and she holds on to him not trusting herself to stand on her own just yet.

"Castle, if you make a smart-ass remark to what I am about to say you won't be getting anymore for a long time, but that was amazing. I have never had an orgasm like that before, ever, the pleasure just kept coming. I don't know how the hell we waited so long to do this."

He smirks as he takes in what she is saying and in the past he might have done exactly what she asked him not to, but he's different now and it's different with her. "I don't know how we waited so long either, but I can honestly say that this is the best I have ever had. I love that I just gave you the best orgasm you've ever had, and now I'm going to make it a goal to top that one." He winks at her and leans in to capture her mouth again, earning a hum of approval from her.

"I also love the fact that you talk dirty when we're having sex, it's so damn hot."

...M...

She laughs and playfully swats his backside before reaching around him for some soap so that they can wash off.

"Well what can I say Castle, you bring out the dirty side of me."

He growls at her statement and turns her around so that he can wash her backside. "If you keep talking to me like that, we're never going to get out of this shower and I'm sure that our food will be here any minute."

She turns back around so that she can return the favor and wash him off. "Feed me first Castle, then we can play some more." She laughs when he reaches for her again, quickly stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. He shuts off the shower and follows behind her, taking the towel that she hands to him. "You are such a tease Katherine Beckett, and later I'm going to show exactly what the punishment for teasing is."

She quirks an eyebrow at him, daring him to follow through with his statement and secretly begging him to do so. He takes a step towards her just as the doorbell rings and she hurries into the bedroom to put some clothes on.

"Later can't get here soon enough," She calls over her shoulder while she pulls some clothes out of her drawer.

He quickly pulls on his boxers and pants and heads to get their food from the delivery man. The food doesn't last long, neither realizing exactly how hungry they were until the food was in front of them. And in spite of the fact that they just made love for the fourth time of the day, the sexual tension never leaves. Their glances become more heated and their touches more daring and by the time she stands to clean their dishes up, it's a mad dash to get back into the bedroom. Their fifth round is her favorite.

The weekend ends far too fast and she's about to complain when she remembers that she's moving in with him. He asked again and she said yes and she gets to wake up beside him every morning. They haven't really discussed it anymore since she said yes; they've been a little preoccupied to say the least.

She's sitting on her bed, trying to decide how she wants to ask him if he means for her to come home with him today, when he comes into the room. He's carrying two coffees and he hands one of them to her, smiling as he does so. She thanks him and takes her cup before patting the bed next to her. She waits for him to sit and then turns to face him, trying to figure out why she's so nervous when he obviously wants her with him. She bites her lips as she tries to find the words she wants to ask him.

"Kate, is everything okay?"

She shifts nervously, and she can't figure out why she feels like she's about to ask him something that they haven't already discussed. Why it's so hard for her to open up to the man she just spent the entire weekend naked with. It's not like he's going to tell her no, and yet she can't help feeling like there could be another answer besides yes.

"I um, I was just wondering…" She takes a deep breath trying to force the words out that don't want to come. "When you asked me to move in with you again, did you mean now, immediately, like come home with you when you leave?"

She can't read his face and she suddenly finds interest in something on her coffee cup, breaking her focus on him. He places a hand on her knee and she looks up at him again trying to mask the worry that she knows is written all over her face.

"Of course I want you to come with me when I leave; I want you with me all of the time, Kate. I hadn't suggested it because I just figured that you wouldn't want to come with me quite this soon. Why were you so worried to ask me that?"

"I don't know really, I guess I just need that reassurance? This is all so new for me, I'm not used to needing someone so much, and I've always been so independent it's just weird for me to let this side of me show. I know what I said before, but truthfully I just want to be with you, I want to go with you when you leave."

He sets his coffee cup on her night stand and then reaches for hers and does the same. He opens his arms and she goes willingly into them, wrapping herself around him.

"Then it's settled, you're coming with me. We can pack you a bag and then work on moving the rest of your stuff at whatever pace you want. I'm just so happy that you want to go with me."

She hugs him tighter, and accepts the fact that she'll never get tired of this. He's her one and done and she's never been happier.

Two weeks later, almost all of her clothes and shoes are moved into the loft along with a few other things. She still has three more months on her lease so they decide to leave the bed up for circumstances where they might need a place to escape. Things have gone extremely well and his mother and Alexis seem thrilled to have her living in the loft. Since she's moved in Castle has only had one nightmare that turned into a PTSD attack and she was able to help him through it pretty easily. He's come such a long way and she never stops being thankful for that.

They've just sat down to dinner when her phone starts ringing from its place on the nightstand in their bedroom. She isn't expecting a call so she hurries to retrieve it only to find that it's the precinct calling. She'd talked to Castle a little about going back to work the next week and although he seemed fine with it, she was still a little worried about him going back with her.

She answers the call to find a very flustered yet firm sounding Captain Gates on the other line.

"Detective Beckett, this is Captain Gates, I need you to listen carefully, Detectives Ryan, and Esposito were called to a murder uptown this morning. There was a message at the crime scene directed to you. We just got ballistics back and turns out it was a match to your shooting. The same man who shot you also shot this man, I'm afraid you're in danger."

Her heart is racing and her hands are shaking as Gates words register in her mind.

"Detective are you there?"

"Yes, yes I'm here."

"I need you to get to the precinct; it's the only way I can guarantee your safety for the moment. I'm not saying that I will allow you to work this case, but I need you to get down here and bring Mr. Castle with you, since he's been shot once, he could very well be a target again."

"Yes Sir, we'll be there as soon as possible."

She drops her phone onto the bed and tries to calm her shaking hands, this isn't her, she doesn't get nervous like this, but this time it's different. This man tried to take her life and in return almost took Castle's and then returned and tried to take her life a second time. He's lethal and determined and she's not sure they can come out of this without someone getting hurt, again.

"Castle, can you come in here please?" She tries to keep her voice calm, not wanting to scare his mother and daughter. He comes quickly, always able to read her better than anyone else ever has.

"Kate, what's wrong? Who was on the phone?"

She grabs hold of his hand, hoping it will stop the unsteadiness of her own and he squeezes it in reassurance.

"Castle that was Gates. There was a murder uptown and they found a message left at the crime scene. The message was for me and ballistics came back with proof that it's the same guy who shot you. It's him Castle, he's coming for me. We have to get to the precinct as quickly as possible, we aren't safe. The less your mother and daughter knows the better."

He swallows nervously and she suddenly thinks that this might be too much for him, that he won't want to go with her to the precinct. "Okay let me just tell them to go to the Hamptons for a few days, they'll understand. Get what you need and I'll meet you at the door."

She's surprised by how quickly he pulls it together, but she doesn't question him. He goes back to his mother and daughter and convinces them to leave the city, they seem worried but they head up the stairs to pack their things. He's ready at the door when she emerges from their room and he takes her hand as they make their way to the lobby. They elect to drive his car, deciding that it will be safer than using the car service or calling a cab in case someone is tailing them.

He lets her drive and the moment she gets behind the wheel she goes into full cop mode. He's only ever driven his car this fast one other time. She gets them to the precinct in record time and they manage to make it into the building unharmed. His hand is in hers from the moment they step onto the elevator and they both hold tight to the anchor it forms.

The moment they step off the elevator they are ushered in to Captain Gates' office. She briefs them on everything that's going on and gives them direct orders to remain in the break room until further notice. The boys are still out canvasing the area around the murder scene and they are waiting to hear back from them before proceeding.

She sighs as they get into the break room, shutting the door behind them. Castle seems to be handling everything quite well given the situation that they are in. She tugs on his hand until he follows her to the small couch in the corner of the room.

"Hey, how are you holding up, I know this must be hard for you?"

He's watching her with such reverence as she speaks, and she's blown away by the amount of strength this man has.

"I'm okay Kate, were safe that's all that matters to me right now. I just want to catch this guy so that you'll be safe once and for all."

She grips her knee hard with her free hand, the weight of his words bringing out the truths that she has longed to voice.

"What if I'm not though Castle, what if I'm never safe? This is bigger than him; they can just send someone else."

He draws her closer, trying to comfort the fears that he knows are taking over inside her head.

"Kate, you can't think like that. I know that this is scary and how hard it is for you to admit that you're scared, but we've got a great team here and no one is going to let them get you. We are going to fight this until it's over."

She stands up, needing the space for a minute and paces across the room. "I can't do this Rick; I can't keep putting everyone that I love in danger. It's not right and it's not something that I'll ever be okay with."

He stands from his spot on the couch and comes to her, never letting her pull away too much and it's something she admires about him, the courage to push people out of their comfort zones at the most crucial moments. "You don't get a choice in this Kate, I'm too invested and so is everyone else. You mean too much to us. I'm not going anywhere and there is nothing you can do to change my mind."

She lets her head fall against his chest, and when his arms come around her she clings to him, needing his anchor now more than ever. They only get a moment of silence to hold on to each other before the boys get back and come to find them. They found a video surveillance that captured footage of the shooter as he was leaving the scene and Gates wants them both to see it. Kate's had hands on experience fighting with this man; she doesn't need to watch the video to know it's him. The main thing she's interested in is the message he left for her.

The boys leave them alone again, sensing the need for another moment with each other before the weight of this case takes over. When they walk out of this room, the will be fighting this head on, not stopping until it's over and as dangerous as it is, it's the closure they both need. They deserve to put this thing to rest, and putting it to rest is exactly what they are going to do.

He draws her to him again, holding her tightly and rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Whatever you need, Kate, anything at all, I'm right here okay."

She nods into his shoulder, fighting back the emotions that are threatening to take over. "Just don't let me go, Rick. No matter what happens, don't let me go."