Hello! Here's the last chapter. My angsty mood left me while writing this story, so here's some fluff instead! Thanks to everybody who took the time to review, it means everything. Please don't put it in your favourites without reviewing!

Disclaimer: Nope, still nothing, but Christmas is in a month, so if somebody is feeling generous…

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As much as it had been painful, the conversation had really done wonders for them. It had proved to be a nice distraction from the sniper and from her subsequent panic attack. Plus, with their secrets out, they seemed to be more comfortable with each other. Nonetheless, it had been draining so Kate decided to take a shower. When she got back from the bathroom, she found him in his office. He was looking out the window from the chair behind his desk. She sat down in one of the armchairs opposite him. Where did they go from there?

XXX

As it turned out, they didn't have to wait long before the boys found a lead and caught the sniper. She was furious that they kept her out of it: her shooter hadn't been caught, she needed some justice. And some guy targeting innocent people was perfect for that. When Ryan had called Castle to let him know the shooter had confessed, she had seen all the worry and the fear drain out of the writer's face. They went to the 12th because Gates needed her paperwork from the beginning of the case (before she was kicked out) to transfer it to the DA as soon as possible. It was already a media circus; they couldn't afford to let him walk away on a technicality.

While she was filling her paperwork, Castle sat in his chair, observing her closely. It would have been unnerving if it wasn't for how he had found her in her apartment the day before. She understood he was worried. Hell, after the bank robbery, she had done anything she could to keep him close, not letting him out if sight, even touching him more than usual. They had become more tactile in the last few weeks. That hadn't been hard considering they hardly ever touched before that. Well, except for the kiss…

XXX

When they got home that night – early – the atmosphere felt purer. Since they had talked about so much important stuff, their conversations were more relaxed. Well, there was also the fact that the sniper had been caught… After dinner, they decided to relocate to his office. He was already in his chair when she came into the room.

He looked lost in thought, but not worried. After what they had been through in the last few days, she was relieved to see him like this. She finally sat down opposite him and when she looked up at him, she saw a relieved smile on his face, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He looked younger than he had in a while and she might even say carefree. The sniper had been caught, everybody they knew was safe and they were both okay. After the week they had just had, that was all they needed.

"So… I was planning on going home tomorrow," she said innocently. "Thank you for letting me stay here but I can't impose any longer." He looked confused. "Kate, you can stay here as long as you want, and I'll say it as many times as I need to to make you understand that this is your home. You're welcome here anytime and for as long as you want." He sounded sincere. It made her blush and she looked away. "Thank you, Castle." His voice was steady when he answered, "I mean it, Kate. Anytime."

They looked at each other, a smile on their faces. They'd be okay. She was still quieter than usual but she was already getting better and even though he was still worried about her, he knew they would get through this together. They had something to look forward to and they just couldn't wait for it to happen.

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The next morning, after breakfast, she stood at the door with her bag in hand. Time to go back to her apartment. After a hug from Martha and Alexis, only Castle was left to say goodbye to. It wasn't even a real goodbye: they would see each other on Monday when she went back to the precinct. Nonetheless, the last few days had been trying and it was bit unsettling to know that she was going back to her empty apartment for the next four days.

"So..." They both looked uncomfortable. They had to admit the situation was weird. They had said goodbye before: after the first Nikki Heat and before the second. Still, they didn't like it. "Yeah..." They chuckled. They didn't really know what to do with themselves. Finally, Castle moved, taking her bag and putting it on the floor. His fingers touched her arm delicately on the way down in a gesture that was more comforting than romantic.

It was naturally that he pulled her into his arms for a hug. It really contrasted with the way he had hugged her when he had found her in her bathroom. There was nothing desperate about it this time, even if they didn't want to let go. She sighed against his neck and he kissed her temple. Okay, so maybe it was romantic after all.

They stayed in that position for a few more moments, breathing in the other as much as possible before letting go. Their eyes met, her smile shy and his face soft. She picked up her bag again while he opened the door and with one final look, she was gone. They still believed it: it was enough.

For now.

XXX

Okay! Short chapter, but I thought I needed to tie some things up. That, and I needed some fluff. I haven't watched any of the sneak peeks for Kill Shot, and this will all be irrelevant on Monday anyway (is it Monday yet?) but this did wonders for my impatient shipper heart! Don't forget to review on your way out!