AN: Sorry this has taken so long. Inspiration left me for a while, and I've been a little obsessed with reading post-Always fics. Especially 100 Days of Summer, by Chezchuckles and SC, Redamancy by Bexiboo900, and Insights by TashaLaw. Check them out for some good reading, if you haven't already!

The first thing that registers on Kate's mind as she is unwillingly pulled from an amazing dream featuring Castle and his very skilled hands is warmth. She doesn't usually wake up so warm; in fact, she's usually curled up under a pile of blankets and still a little chilly. The second thing she notices is that even with her eyes closed, it's bright. That's not normal, as she usually has her darkening blinds closed to keep it dark on the off chance that she gets to sleep in past 5.

Keeping her eyes closed, Kate tries to stretch. That's when the third thing hits her. She's not alone. And the person in her bed with her is not only close, but has his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. Her eyes pop open to find an unfamiliar room. Oh. So, not her bed. No headache, so she knows she didn't get drunk and go home with someone. That behavior ended years ago, anyway. She takes a deep breath, and the familiar scent of Castle fills her nose. Memories flood her brain then, memories of an argument, feelings shared, and cuddling on the couch. Oh. Does that mean her dream… wasn't really a dream? She glances down, and feels a rush of relief mixed with disappointment. Just a dream.

"You're thinking way too loudly for how early it is," Castle mumbles sleepily, tightening his arm around her as he stretches. When he loosens it, Kate turns to face him. She takes in his sleep-mussed hair and bright blue eyes, squinting to block some of the brightness. How is it possible for someone to be so adorable when they just woke up? She reaches out, rests her hand on his neck and brushes his jaw with her thumb.

"Just thinking of how gentlemanly you were last night, to not take advantage of my alcohol loosened and emotionally vulnerable state," she replies, giving him a little smile to reassure him that she really didn't think he would. Although, given her disappointment at finding them fully clothed, it probably wouldn't have been classified as "taking advantage of."

"Nah," he says with a smirk. "I'll save that for the second date."

"Second date? Were you counting last night as the first?"

"Oh, not at all. But the first date has dibs on the awkward first kiss," he replies with a little waggle of his eyebrows. Then his face gets more serious, and he continues. "Honestly, Kate, I'm scared to death of screwing this up. Now, I'm not trying to freak you out, or anything, but I want you to know where I stand. If I have my way, this is it. The last first date, last first kiss, last first everything. I just want to take our time, do this right."

Kate stares at him for a minute, her heart pounding in her chest. To her surprise, his words don't freak her out. She doesn't have the urge to run, put as much distance between them as she can. To her, that alone is a sign that this is right, that this is where she's supposed to be. Had Josh said something like that after 9 months of dating, she would have flipped. She realizes that he's staring at her, waiting for a reaction to what he said.

"Kate? Too soon?" Castle asks, a worried look on his face.

"No! I mean, when you put it like that, I really should be kind of freaking out a little. But, I'm not, Castle. I actually think it's sweet, and I… I feel the same way," Kate admits. She looks away, a little embarrassed at having admitted to something so… mushy. "Jeez, Castle, are you always this sappy in the morning?"

Castle cocks his head, an exaggerated thoughtful expression on his face. "Huh. Not usually. Must be waking up with you that does it to me."

"Ugh, don't tell me we're going to be *that* couple," Kate groans, rolling her eyes. Before he can reply, her phone rings from her jacket in the other room. She reluctantly rolls out from under Castle's arm, ignoring his protests with a smile and a pat on his cheek. "Duty calls, Castle." With one last look over her shoulder, she leaves to retrieve her phone.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kate might not be freaking out, but Castle totally is. He just told Kate freaking Beckett that she was it for him, and she was ok with it. Not only was she ok with it, she feels the same way. Castle pinches his arm to make sure he's not dreaming. Ouch. So, not a dream. He's about to burrow back under the blanket when Kate comes striding in, searching for her shoes. "Get up, lazy! Got a case," she says as she walks past the bed, swatting at his feet.

"Five more minutes…" Castle whines, reaching his arm out for her.

"Nope. As tempting as that is, I have to swing by my apartment, change clothes."

"Oh, can I watch?" He asks as he sits up, giving her a look. She gives him a look right back, only hers is a glare. Somehow, it's not as effective when her lips are trying so hard to not smile.

"In your dreams. Now get up, we have to go." She turns away, heads for the door.

"In my dreams I get to do a whole lot more than watch!" He yells after her retreating form. She looks over her shoulder, and he catches the end of her eye-roll.

"Five minutes," is all she says in return, but he sees the little smirk as she turns away. Tease. He jumps up to get ready, not wanting to keep her waiting. Bathroom routine shortened, clean clothes thrown on slightly haphazardly, Castle is ready to roll in four minutes. He leaves his room to find her waiting by the door, a plate of toast covered in Nutella in her hand for them to eat on the road. He smiles, struck by the domesticity of what he sees. "Ready, Castle?" she asks.

"Almost," he replies. He slips on his shoes, grabs his jacket, and gives her a kiss on the cheek as he opens the door. "Now I'm ready." They walk down the hall, headed to their first crime scene as a couple. As Castle places his hand on her lower back, he thinks he could really get used to this waking up and leaving together stuff. Then another thought hits him.

"Hey. What are we gonna tell the boys?"