Author's note: It's been a tough week, but here's an update. Some people have remarked either publicly or privately that this story has been a welcome diversion from their own daily lives, and/or that they look forward to each new chapter. That means a lot to me; thank you.

Castle stared out at the dawn, the steam from his coffee cup drifting up between his face and the cold glass. It was only 7AM, but he'd been awake for half an hour already, unable to get back to sleep.

The city was always in motion outside his office windows, but at this hour it was still winding up towards the Saturday morning ahead. There were patterns of fading frost around the edges of the panes, lit by long, slanting rays of golden light, and the traffic noise was subdued.

His thoughts were focused on only one thing.

Kate.

His dreams had been filled with her, and he could still faintly smell her perfume on his hands. His mouth curled into a small smile.

He reached inside himself to look for the empty space, and the caution, and the mistrust. They were still there, but they were smaller now, and less intense.

Something else was there, too, that he wasn't in a hurry to label.

He took a sip of his coffee, the steam obscuring his vision for a couple of seconds, then he grinned as he heard an immediately recognisable sound out in the open-plan area of the loft.

Alexis padded into his office, knowing he was up because of the smell of coffee that permeated the whole place. She was still in her nightwear, with green slipper-socks on because of the coldness of the floors at this hour.

"Morning," she said, and he turned away from the window to look at her. He was only a silhouette against the morning light, and she squinted at him.

"Hi, pumpkin," he said. His voice was warm, and she felt herself relax.

"You OK?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Absolutely. You?"

"I'm good," she said, wandering over to his desk and running her fingers across a copy of Heat Wave.

"So what are you thinking about?" she asked, without looking up.

"Kate," he said honestly. Alexis nodded, clearly expecting that answer.

"I kind of… shouted at her last night," she said, in a quiet voice.

"I guessed," he said.

There were a few moments of silence.

"Are you mad at me?"

Castle set his coffee cup down and walked the few steps over to where his daughter stood, drawing her into his arms.

"Of course not," he said softly. "You were sticking up for your old dad. It's encouraged."

"I might have been a little harsh on her."

Castle tilted his head, glad he hadn't asked for details of their conversation.

"I think… she understands how you feel. She really does regret a lot of what's happened."

"I know," Alexis replied. "I mean, I could see that."

"Well, I appreciate you having my back," he said, pressing his lips against her red hair.

"I always will," she said, tightening her arms around his waist.

There's that word again, he thought.

"She cares about you too, you know," he said. He wanted the healing process to begin for everyone, not just himself.

"I know," she said. "She told me. And I knew."

"That's a start," he said, hugging her tightly before letting his arms drop away.

She smiled at him. "Breakfast?"

"I'll be right there," he said, returning the smile.

Alexis left the office, heading in the direction of the kitchen, and he picked up his coffee mug again and took a swallow of the bitter liquid.

"We'll get there," he said.

Beckett's body clock woke her right on schedule, and it took her a few moments to remember that it was the weekend, and she didn't need to go into the precinct today.

Memories of the previous day rushed into her mind, and she rolled over onto her back as she replayed various moments.

The talk with him here at her apartment.

Dinner with his family.

Alexis.

Making out with him on his couch.

Her lips curled into a smile at the last one, and she felt a giddy feeling chase through her.

There was still a lot of work to be done to regain his trust, and the ease they had with each other, but they were exploring new territory now. He wanted to see her again today, and he was still in love with her.

It's going to be a good day, she thought, willing herself to believe it.

She threw back the covers and got out of bed, stretching with a yawn, then picked up the glass of water on her night stand and drained it in a single draught before going through to the bathroom. She returned a few minutes later, and began her morning yoga.

As she slipped into the familiar postures and felt her mind simultaneously waken and calm, she heard Castle's voice in her head as clearly as if he was standing there.

You know, Beckett, I could help you with your asanas anytime.

"Bet you could," she muttered, feeling her breathing involuntarily quicken as she remembered the feel of his stubble under her fingers, and the taste of his mouth.

She forced herself to focus on the poses, but the smile never completely left her lips.

Forty minutes later she stepped out of the bathroom, wearing her robe and with a towel wrapped around her head. She started the coffee machine then fetched the newspaper from her doorstep, bringing it to the kitchen counter along with her phone. She glanced at the clock on the wall and decided to send him a text to read whenever he wakened.

She thought for a moment, then unlocked the device and began typing.

Castle had almost finished his second cup of coffee when he heard his phone chime from the office.

He glanced across the table at Alexis, who looked up from her Kindle and raised an eyebrow.

"I should… probably…" he said, pointing towards his office, and the girl gave him a tight-lipped grin.

"Tell her good morning," she said, and he smiled gratefully at her before going in search of his phone.

He found it on top of the long unit behind his desk, and the notification banner beside the green icon said Beckett. He unlocked the device to read the message.

Hope this doesn't wake you. Let me know when I can call later. I miss you. Kx

He smiled, and switched to the Phone app then tapped her name. She answered after a couple of seconds.

"Did I wake you?"

"Nope. Been up for a while. We just finished breakfast."

"Earlier than usual for you."

"A little. I guess I had stuff on my mind."

There was silence for a few moments, and he belatedly realised how the statement might have sounded to her.

"You, actually. In a good way."

"Oh?"

He could hear the smile in her voice.

"Mm."

"I've been thinking about you too."

"Alexis says 'morning, by the way."

"Good morning to Alexis," she replied. He could picture her slightly raised eyebrows, and he glanced at the clock. He wanted to see her.

"So, lunch?"

"Where and when?"

"Hmm… that place that opened a month or so back? The place with the flowers above the door, not far from your apartment. You remember?"

"Perfect. Twelve?"

"Eleven-thirty? Meet me there."

He heard her laugh.

"Even better."

There was another brief silence, then he heard her clear her throat.

"So… how are you today?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're really asking something else?" he said, with a gentle note of amusement in his voice.

"I dunno," she said, coyly, and he laughed.

"I'm feeling pretty good," he said after a moment. "I'm looking forward to seeing you."

"I can't wait to see you too. I missed you this morning," she said quickly, blurting it out.

He glanced at the clock again, mildly puzzled. "It's still way earlier than I'd ever get into the precinct. Outside of crime scenes, you wouldn't have seen me this early anyway."

"I know," she replied, thoughtfully. "Just…"

It would have been nice to wake up together, he thought. That's what she's thinking.

He swallowed silently, unconsciously holding the phone tighter against his ear.

"I know," he said, not waiting for her to continue. "Me too."

Another few seconds of silence.

"Still three hours or so to go," she said, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

"I'm going to do some writing," he replied. "Try and push through until I'm leaving to meet you."

"Probably just chores here," she said, then she paused for a moment before sighing. "This is… a little weird."

They both laughed self-consciously.

"But great," she added hastily, which just provoked another laugh from him.

"We'll adjust soon enough. Probably too soon."

"Too soon?"

"Well, we don't want to skip the fun parts. Telling each other to hang up first. Me coming to pick you up for a dinner date, then seeing your dress and totally forgetting to actually give you the flowers I'm holding."

Her laugh rang out over the line, high and tinkling and unrestrained, and he felt the wound inside him shrink a little more.

"Oh man. I'm gonna look forward to that," she said, the smile clearly audible in her voice. "But doesn't lunch count as a date?"

"Damn right it does," he said. "But I'll keep the flowers for when we're dressing up."

"Suits me," she replied.

There was a comfortable silence, then he heard her exhale softly.

"I guess I should let you get to work."

"Mm. So I'll see you there later on."

"You will."

A beat of silence.

"Well… good luck with the chores."

"Good luck with the writing."

Another beat.

"Rick?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm in love with you. I'm not saying it so you'll say it back. I just want you to know I'm going to be telling you that every day."

"I–"

He stopped as his voice cracked. He was surprised to suddenly find himself on the verge of tears.

The memory of having her in his arms tore through him with such vividness that he could almost feel her there, then her absence struck him like a physical blow.

"Shh," she said, with tears in her voice too. "It's OK. But god I miss you. This is so… I've just never felt this way."

He nodded, his jaw working. I know just what you mean.

"Go and write," she said, her voice brighter now. "I'll be there waiting for you later. OK?"

"OK," he replied quietly, his eyes once again closed.

"I'll see you soon. I love you."

"Love you too."

He heard her sigh in mixed longing and contentment, and then the line went dead.