This chapter was getting a little long, so I split it in to two. Because of that, there is a cliff-hanger on this one. But I already have the rest of the next chapter written out, so I'll be posting it right after I post this one.

"He's into you, but you're determined to not give in to these feelings you clearly have for him."

Nikki Heat

"I'm tired of fighting it."

Rick had just turned off the hot water of his shower when Kate's thought filled his mind. It had been almost two hours since Rick had left Kate back at the precinct. They had spent the majority of the day as they usually did when they were beginning a case-interviewing people in the surrounding area and going back to the precinct to build theory and see what detectives Ryan and Esposito were able to find out. Kate had been so focused on the task at hand that Rick didn't hear any thoughts that would have distracted him as they worked together.

When he'd walked towards the elevators at the precinct Rick had wondered at just how far a distance he would still be able to hear Kate's thoughts. Her thoughts had faded from his mind before he got off the elevator. So he couldn't be any further away to hear her thoughts than he could be to hear a normal spoken conversation, apparently.

"He's right. It's real, and I've been fighting it."

That was definitely her. Which meant that she was close by. He grabbed the large white towel hanging off the towel rack and quickly dried off the excess water.

"But I've been fighting it for so long that I don't know how to stop."

Never before had he been so glad that he'd had the foresight to make sure to buy a loft with a full bathroom right off the master bedroom. Rick hurried over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of blue jeans folded in the bottom drawer.

"I don't know if I can stop."

He had no idea what the 'it' was Kate was referring to in her thoughts, but whatever it was sounded pretty serious.

"I was so close to risking everything..."

Rick had just put the jeans on and was halfway to the closet where he kept his shirts when the image that filled his mind brought him to an abrupt halt.

It was the hotel suite he and Kate had stayed in while they were in LA. They were sitting on the couch. From their positions Rick knew exactly what part of that night she was remembering...

"You know what I thought when I first met you?" Rick asked.

I can't even begin to imagine. There are way too many possibilities. But he sounds pretty serious.

"Hmm?" Kate slowly lifted her gaze to meet his own,

"That you were a mystery I was never going to solve."

Okay, that wasn't what I was expecting.

"Even now, after spending all this time with you, I'm still amazed at the depth of your strength, your heart," Kate couldn't stop her smile at that one, "and your hotness."

Thankfully, Kate was able to keep the giggle from escaping.

But she was still giggling in her mind. Classic Castle. Amazingly sincere, incredibly sweet and a shameless flirt.

"You're not so bad yourself, Castle."

I probably shouldn't have said that. Not right now, anyway.

For a split second, Kate felt the emotions that flooded her radiating from her eyes. She knew he could see everything she was feeling in that moment.

Oh, crap. This is so not the time for this!

She struggled to put on her poker face but knew that she hadn't entirely succeeded.

I can't do this. Not here. Not now. You need to get up now, Kate.

She didn't move.

Kate, you need to get up. You know what could happen if you don't.

Still, she didn't move.

Kate, you really need to move.

Again, no movement.

Those eyes...how is any woman supposed to be able to resist Rick Castle when he looks at her like that? But I'm a cop. I have to be strong. I have to focus on finding Royce's killer. I can't...

"I should go. It's late," Kate finally said, forcing herself to pull back and rise from the couch.

Walk, Kate. Just walk.

Kate was almost to the door when Rick called out, quietly saying her name.

I can't believe how hard this is. I want...but I have to...I wish...

"Good night, Castle," she forced herself to say.

Shut the door, Kate. You have to shut the door.

As soon as she heard the definitive click of the closed door, Kate turned and leaned against it, her hands covering her face.

What you and Castle have is real, Royce had said in his letter.

I know it is, Kate couldn't argue the fact anymore. I knew it even before he wrote the letter. But reading it, seeing that he saw it in that short time he was around us...

But you're fighting it, the letter had continued.

Back when he saw us, I was. With everything I had. Now...

Kate ran her hands through her hair.

Risking our hearts is why we're alive. That part of the letter had hit her hardest.

Kate cupped her hands near her mouth. Can I do it? Can I really take that risk? At least the way things are now, things are familiar, easy. I get to be around him every day, we're partners. If I took the risk and lost him...but I could lose him, anyway. Just by doing nothing.

You have to make a decision, Kate. She rubbed her hands together. She looked down at the door handle. All you have to do is open the door. If you're going to take the risk, Kate, you have to open the door.

She started to reach out for the handle, hesitating for a split second. Once you start down this road, you're not going to be able to go back. She put her hand on the handle.

You don't want to live the rest of your life wondering, if only, was how the letter had ended.

I don't. I can't.

She opened the door quickly, stepping back into the room. Only to find the door to the other adjoining room closing behind her partner.

I'm too late. I hesitated too long.

Kate forced herself to go back into her room. I could follow him. I could knock on his door and...She gave a quick, slight shake of her head. No, I can't. Not tonight. I don't have my usual self control right now. I can hardly keep from throwing myself at him as it is. And I don't do stuff like that. But with Castle...No, it's better to focus on the case for right now. Maybe after we get back to New York...

Suddenly, the mini-movie of Kate's memory running in Rick's mind stopped. Shock had frozen Rick in place. He was stunned at how much he had missed that night. The level of emotion that she had concealed was staggering.

Kate, you can't focus on that right now.

In the next instant, there was a knock at his door.

Before you go on to the next chapter, please review this one. I'm curious what you all think is going to happen next. :)