5. Reunion

It is becoming late in the evening when there is a rapping on the door to Richard Castle's apartment. Martha's footsteps tread lightly toward the door opening it, a look of surprise coming to her face.

"Detective Beckett," she says, the smallest hint of shock resonating in her voice.

"Detective Beckett?" Castle questions quietly, rising abruptly from the desk in his office, taking quick steps toward the door, unsure if his mother is being truthful.

But Detective Kate Beckett does enter the apartment, does turn to face him. Dressed in a leather jacket, tight fitted shirt and jeans she is the vision of his dreams, the vision he had been praying to see once again, if only for a moment. Weeks gone by since his outburst at the hospital. Too much time passed without the sight of her, without hearing her voice, without her rolling her eyes at him. He stares dumbfounded now when she says,

"Hello Castle."

Martha, palms held pressed together at her lips, stands a close distance from both Castle and Beckett. She looks to Castle who stares at Beckett; she looks to Beckett who in turn stares at Castle. No one makes a movement, no one makes a sound.

Finally Martha says, "Right," taking a few steps toward her son, reaching out to lightly grab each of his shoulders. "Well you two kids must have lots to talk about." She does not move away at first, and looks up to her son, his eyes still locked with his detective.

Castle leans down slightly, whispering, "Take the hint mother."

She releases her grip on her son, and turning takes the few steps to stand in front of Beckett. Beckett finally releasing her stare with Castle, looks to Martha.

"Please be gentle my dear," Martha says reaching out to touch Beckett's arm lightly.

Beckett smiles warmly, offering, "I'll try my best."

As soon as Martha Rogers is out of sight and yet still not out of earshot, Castle moves to stand directly in front of Beckett, arms loosely by his side. Beckett is the first to utter anything.

"Castle, I-" she begins but Castle kneels abruptly in front of her, lowering his head. When she does not offer anything further, Castle brings his hands to rest them on the outside of her thighs. She straightens slightly at his touch, and when she notices he does not move any further, she brings a hand to his head to rest, fingers lightly playing with his hair.

He pulls her into him tightly, taking her off balance slightly, causing her to take a step toward him. His hands travel the length of her, up her leg over her ass, the tips of his fingers entering the back pockets of her jeans.

She lets out a held breath and after several moments utters awkwardly, "Castle?"

He does not move at first but finally releases his grip on her. Looking up at her, a look of solemn contemplation. "I'm an ass. I'm so sorry."

"Don't. Please," she says lightly shaking her head.

He shakes his head fiercely, "I knew the ramifications were far too grand but I just wanted to help you. I just had to know."

"Castle-"

"I just wanted to fix this even though I knew I could end up on the losing end." His head lowers again, hands returning to her body running from the back of her knee over her muscular calves.

"Castle," His name released as easily as breath. She is relishing in the sensation of his hands on her, "I've had a lot of time to think about this in the past few weeks. I shouldn't have pushed you away so quickly. You were just trying to help."

"It's true. I was."

"I know. The past few weeks just weren't the same without you around constantly getting on my case." At this she smiles, continuing, "I think I need that. I think I deserve that." She sighs deeply, making eye contact with him; his features hopeful. "The truth is, I'm not so sure I can be the same me without you anymore."

Castle's smile is one of a love crazed teen. He picks himself off the floor and in one swift movement reaches out, encircling Beckett in an awkward hug; his arms tight around her. Her back completely straight, head back so as not to touch him, arms at her side hanging loosely. They stay like this for a moment before he utters softly, "I was so scared I had lost you."

With these words Beckett's tight frame loosens melting into his own, her head coming to his shoulder; she rests her head, letting go another held breath. She brings her arms around to rest against his back, fingers lightly feeling the texture of his t-shirt.

"You didn't lose me," she says softly into his shoulder.

Their scents so familiar to each other, wrapped in the warmth of one another, both unaware of his snoopy mother who stands behind a pillar in the apartment, palms pressed against her chest, a triumphant smile on her face.