Together with You

Chapter Summary: The much awaited reunion between Castle and Beckett.

S/N: Yeah so this is as far as I could manage since I couldn't figure out how to end this chapter while letting you expect an end. Philip thinks it's a good ending too. If anything, I'm up to continuing this story but for now this might be the last chapter in the series.

If you're interested to read more intimacy (like the evening after their dinner date maybe? ;) ) I can type up a chapter on that since I'm in a good Caskett mood after seeing New York. So maybe after some reviews on this chapter voicing out your opinion, I'll consider it. Otherwise, this will be it for this story.


"Sorry I'm late!" was the first thing Rick Castle had called out. He grinned as he simultaneously panted to catch his breath, bringing a hand up in an A-OK gesture before both hands dropped down to his thighs.

Once he had regained his steady breathing, Rick straightened up and made a quick scan of the table before zoning in on the empty chair across Kate.

"Hey Castle," Kate greeted, beaming as she got to her feet and rounded the table, pulling Rick into a quick embrace.

Rick inwardly squealed in delight as he wrapped his arms and returned the embrace. Outwardly, he kept it cool. "Nice to finally see you again after all these months, Kate," he pointed out.

Kate pulled away and smiled before retaking her seat.

Rick would have been an idiot to not assume it was an invite for him to sit down in the remaining chair at the table. And so he sat. For a while, he wondered how things were going to continue from there. The writer took a glance down at the table, as if to examine the array of items that included: a coffee cup, a glass that he assumed contained a smoothie and a leather-bound book.

'Wonder what that book is,' the writer wondered before he looked up at Kate. She was beautiful as usual. Just as he remembered her. Rick had been considering how to start the conversation, but he fell flat. So instead, he started simple.

"How was Paris?" he said plainly, giving her a smile.

"Just like how people said it would be. Beautiful," Kate answered as she tilted her head to the side in thought. "Though there were more people than I originally thought. It was like Honeymoons everywhere," she said before chuckling.

Rick nodded ruefully. "Well, never underestimate the city of love," he said before he paused and looked away awkwardly. Was it safe to talk about love? He didn't want to get ahead of himself, so he switched topics before he was tempted to talk about it. "Whatcha reading?" he asked, pointing to the unmarked book.

Kate glanced down at her book and drew it closer to her along the table. "Nothing important," she lied.

"Well, would you consider my books to be important to you?" Rick wondered.

The homicide detective paused for a moment, considering if Rick Castle had just asked her a trick question. Just to be safe, she decided to thread cautiously. She leaned back on her seat, keeping a tight grip on the spine of the book for good measure. "Why do you ask?"

Rick smiled, looking like a happy boy on Christmas morning. He felt like he could get the better of her this time, provided he used the right words. "Because regardless what you answer, I'm 99% sure that you're reading one of my books~ You never admitted to reading it before until I saw you sneaking a peak at 'Heat Wave' in the bathroom all those years ago. Not to mention you lining up for my book signings," he said proudly.

Richard Castle was showing prowess in the form of keeping stock of her keen interest in his books. Kate wondered briefly if she should have given things more pause and denied it. But his ability to tell a story with a pen - okay, with a laptop - was undeniably exciting. And to know that he had used her as a muse for the character of Nikki Heat was sweet; she'd forgive him for running away with his own ideas of pairing her up to his own counterpart Jameson Rook.

Despite all these facts, Kate was at a loss for words. She simply resigned to smiling and held up the leather bound book, presenting the spine that read "Heat Rises". This, of course, caused Rick to grin triumphantly.

"Glad to know you're still a supportive fan," Rick said teasingly.

"I wouldn't skip any of your books even if I tried," Kate remarked before she could stop herself.

Rick's features softened and nodded gratefully. He reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it in silent thanks.

That was a sufficient ice breaker. Things didn't feel as awkward as Kate - or Rick - anticipated. The homicide detective slid the book over. "Mind if you signed it?" she asked sheepishly.

The novelist was stunned before decided not to press the matter. He pulled the book towards him and produced a Sharpie from his pocket, opening the book to the first page and inked in his signature. "In my version of this meeting, you'd be in line at one of my book signings with a copy of this book," Rick shared.

Kate chuckled. "That was my alternative actually," she admitted, taking her book back gratefully.

Rick nodded in understanding. "So... have you gone back to work yet?" he asked.

Kate shook her head as a response. "I will come Monday morning."

"Have you told anyone?"

"Nope."

"So how about some dinner?" Rick asked before he could stop himself.

Kate paused and actually considered this. She didn't have any other plans in mind, and she had been dying to spend more time with him. "Dinner... sounds great," she finally answered. "What place did you have in mind?"

"Some Italian place in the Upper West area on 68th called Il Violino," Rick answered.

"You've done a bit of sightseeing while I was away I see," Kate teased.

"Only because I was bored," Rick fired back with a hearty laugh. They both calmed down before they simultaneously reached out and held each other's hands. "Welcome back Kate," Rick said, a tone of sincerity in his voice.

Kate smiled a genuine smile. "Great to be back Rick," she said in reply.