Fire Burns

Chapter Seven

"Why did he kill her?" Rebecca asked, when Rick and Kate had called her in to the precinct.

"Because she wouldn't take any drugs from him." Kate replied.

It was the day after they'd arrested Jason Ascot and charged him with murder, assault and arson.

"She was clean?"

Kate nodded.

Rebecca blinked back a few tears, and sighed. "It's not right."

"Murder never is." Kate replied.

"Thank you for finding him, though. I'll never get my sister back, but at least the bastard you killed her will get what he deserves." Rebecca looked up at Kate.

"There's something you should know." Kate said. "During the investigation we found someone who you might like to meet."

Rebecca looked curious. "Yeah?"
"His name is Martin Rusk, and he's your half brother."

"Brother? What?"

"Your father had a relationship before he married your mother, and they had a child. They adopted him out." Rick explained.

Rebecca looked slightly shocked. "Wow. He never said anything."

"Would you like to meet Martin?" Rick asked.

Rebecca managed a smile. "How often do you find out about a sibling you didn't know you had? Yes, I'd like to meet him."

Kate stood, and led Rebecca out and across the hall to the other interview room. "Martin?"

Martin stood up.

"I'd like you to meet Rebecca Solomon."

Martin smiled. "Hi. Nice to meet you." He stuck out a hand, which Rebecca took.

"You too."

Kate glanced at Rick. She used her head to indicate the door, and they left the room, leaving the siblings to become more acquainted.

Six months later

"Jason Ascot was today sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the murder of Jessica Solomon, daughter of the late Jonathon Solomon. He will be eligible for parole in 19 years time."

Kate was relaxing, watching the news while lounging on the bed of the hotel room she and Rick were sharing. They were taking some time out, at the insistence of Captain Montgomery. He'd decided that all of his staff needed to take a holiday, and Kate and Rick had got the first break. They had decided to stay in New York, but chose to check into a hotel to spend some quality time together. Rick walked into the room, carrying a few trays of food.

"Any news?" He asked.

"Yeah, Jason Ascot's in prison."

"Good." Rick sat down, and passed Kate some food.
She smiled, and started eating. "Thanks."

"Seems like so long ago we worked that case." Rick said.

"Yeah, a whole six months." Kate replied with a smile.

"Six months is a long time." Rick leant over to kiss Kate.
"Yeah, I guess so." Kate replied, kissing Rick back.

They kissed passionately, until Rick pulled back. "Uh, the food?" He pointed to the meals sitting between them on the bed.

"It can wait." Kate replied, moving the dishes so they were on the bedside table. She pushed Rick back onto the bed, and straddled his hips. She leant down to kiss him again. "There's something else I'm hungry for first."

Rick grinned and kissed her back happily. He ran his hands down her sides, and up again, delving under her shirt. It came off easily, along with her bra, leaving Kate's breasts free in Rick's face. He took the opportunity, and ran his tongue along the underside of one. Kate shuddered as his tongue flicked across her nipple. Rick paid special attention to both of Kate's breasts before she pulled back so she could remove his shirt. Her fingers played across his chest, and his hand came to rest on her hips, as he thrust upwards, desperate for more contact. Kate whimpered as Rick thrust against her. He quickly undid her pants, and she lifted herself off him long enough to shed them, along with her panties. She sat back down, rubbing herself against Rick. He groaned at the pressure, but rolled over so Kate was trapped beneath him. His fingers unerringly found her, and slipped inside. Kate was panting heavily soon, and Rick knew she was close. And so he stopped.

"What...?" She couldn't form a sentence, but she glared at him.

Rick grinned cheekily, and removed his pants. Within seconds, he was sheathed within her, and the both groaned at the sensation. Rick started to move, and Kate's breathing became increasingly erratic. She came first, screaming Rick's name, clenching around him. He managed to hold off, and waited for her to recover slightly before he started moving again. When Kate came again, this time gasping his name against his neck, Rick let go, emptying himself inside her.

They both lay, breathing heavily, trying to regain control of their bodies. Eventually Rick rolled off Kate, and relaxed into the bed beside her.

"I love you." Kate whispered.

"I love you." Rick whispered back. "So much."

They lay in silence for a little longer, their breathing returning to normal.

Eventually, Kate sat up, pulling on a baggy t-shirt she'd taken to sleeping in over the past few months. She grabbed a plate, and continued eating.

Rick raised an eyebrow.

Kate shrugged in reply. "I'm hungry for food now."

Rick chuckled, and sat up too, leaning over to grab his food.

They sat and ate, staring at each other intently.

Kate finished her food first, and she got up to put her plate away. She rejoined Rick on the bed, and looked at him closely.

"What?" Rick asked, as he finished his food.

"There's something on your mind." Kate said. "Has been since we got here two days ago."

Rick looked away, causing Kate to suddenly feel unsure of herself.

"Rick, what is it?" Kate asked. Inside, she was crumbling. What if this was it? What if he didn't want her anymore? On the outside, she was Beckett, a mask covering her inner turmoil.

"Kate..."

Kate didn't reply.

"You know that I love you more than anything."

Oh God, here it comes.

"And there's something I want to ask you."

Kate was confused, Rick looked so nervous. But why? A sudden realisation hit her, and Kate's eyes widened.

"Kate, you said once that if I asked, you might have a better answer. Well, I'm ready to ask, if you're ready to answer."

Kate's breath hitched as she realised exactly what Rick was getting at.

"So, Katharine Beckett... will you marry me?"

To Be Continued...

A/N: Ha! I love a fluffy ending. And now I can start writing another story, which is already formed in my head. As mentioned in my note in the previous chapter, it will be called 'Scrapbook' and it will follow on from this.

Thank you to all of you who stuck around to the end of this story, and I hope you come back for the next one. 'Scrapbook' won't be a murder mystery, but focus more on the relationship between our favourite author and detective.

So, goodbye for now, but definitely not forever. :D