Hey!

I am sorry for such the long wait but real life got a hold on me and wouldn't let go. Thank you all so much for your support and love! You guys are the best!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 7]

"I had a great time today, Castle," Kate smiled as the two got into the Ferrari, strapping themselves in.

Rick started the car, the powerful engine roaring to life as they pulled out onto the main street and into busy afternoon traffic. He still had on the goofy paper pirate hat; it sat proudly on top of his head. His black eye was darkening in color but luckily it wasn't swollen thanks to the ice pack that they were given. Kate smiled as she glanced at him, he looked so childish but handsome at the same time.

"Likewise, Beckett. I'm just glad that you allowed me to go shopping with you in the first place. It was fun! Especially, with the shopping cart!"

Kate laughed. "Oh yeah! I'm just happy we didn't get in trouble for riding that thing like we did. That would've been extremely embarrassing to have to explain to the store's owner."

Rick chuckled at that, "No kidding." An image suddenly popped in his head, "I'm trying to picture Ryan and Esposito's faces if they saw you! They would've flipped!"

"I'd never hear the end of it, that's for sure!" She groaned a hint of a smile there as she scratched the back of her head. "They'd probably want to try it, too, if they had the chance."

"I wouldn't blame them! It was so cool!" He cheered, the small movement causing his eye to twitch in pain.

Kate noticed his facial expressions change from pure joy to pain in seconds. "Still hurt?"

"Yeah, it's a bit tender, but I'm fine," Rick reassured. A few minutes passed before, "Oh, imagine what the boys would've done if they saw you punch me!"

"Knowing those two, they wouldn't feel bad for you at all. You were asking for it."

He pouted, quickly looking over at his partner. "And why wouldn't they feel bad? I got injured."

A mischievous grin found its way to her rosy lips. "They've learned the hard way."

"What happened?"

She took a breath. "They thought it'd be amusing to sneak up on me while I was doing paperwork, my guard was down and I definitely wasn't expecting it. Making it the perfect opportunity for them. As I was writing Espo came in on one side while Ryan took the other."

Rick was listening intently as Kate told him the story. He had his eyes focused on the busy street ahead, but his ears were focused on her angelic voice.

"Right as they reached me I whipped around and nailed Ryan right below the belt with my foot and I hit Espo directly in the nose with my fist. Ryan got the wind knocked out of him and I broke Espo's nose. You should've seen them. Man, I felt terrible but I was never snuck up on again, at least not by those two."

Rick cringed in agony; just imagining the pain those two went through. "I sure got off easy then. Poor boys..." he sympathized.

Kate rolled her eyes at his actions. "So, the lesson learned today is: sneak up on me and you'll definitely regret it."

"Oh, I don't regret it," he stated, truthfully. "Not one bit."

An eyebrow raised in question, she was confused. "Really? Why is that?"

"Because...I had a gorgeous woman taking care of me. Nothing to regret about. And even though it's just a black eye, you were there to help me. After you laughed about it first," Rick winked with a tiny chuckle. Kate laughed a bit, too. "But I know that you'll have my back no matter what the circumstances, even if it's icing my eye. You'll always be there," he finished with his eyes on her. "So, thank you, Kate. For everything."

Kate didn't know what to say. She merely reached over and grasped his forearm, squeezing it. "We're partners, Rick." The use of his first name catching his attention. "I'm there for you and you're there for me. We have each others backs, whether it be on a case, getting coffee, or helping ice a black eye."

A smile appeared on both their lips at that.

They came up to a red light and Rick slowed down the car to a complete stop. "Promise?" He asked his attention solely on Kate.

Squeezing his arm again, he heard the single word that made him float higher than the clouds. A word that was beginning to mean so much more to the writer and the detective. "Always."

Their eyes locked ocean blue meeting forest green. They both knew that nothing else had to be said in that tender moment, their eyes spoke louder than any small words could ever do. A blaring car horn broke their trance, the light had turned green and neither the writer nor the detective noticed.

"The light's green, you idiot! Move your ass!" The frustrated driver behind them yelled, pressing hard on the car horn once again.

Kate slunk down in her seat, looking over at Rick with an amused expression. Her hand was covering her mouth as she held back a laugh.

"Best to not keep His Majesty waiting any longer," he sighed, waving a hand to the rude driver in apology before pressing on the gas pedal and driving forward.

"Where would you like all of this?" Rick asked, arms full of grocery bags as he entered Kate's apartment.

She was right behind him; closing the door she placed her keys and purse on a small table near the front door. "You can just set it all on the kitchen counter."

Rick nodded and headed to the kitchen, placing the bags on the marble counter. Kate followed him and began to sort through all of the bags, putting things away. Rick helped, only needing to ask what goes where once or twice. A few minutes later and they were finished.

Kate took in a breath, hands on her hips. "There. All done. Thanks again for your help, Castle."

"Not a problem," he returned, a smile gracing his lips. "Like I said earlier, I had fun."

"Even with the black eye?

"Even with the black eye," he repeated, still smiling. "Speaking of...should I ice it again?"

"Oh, yes. You should!" She turned around, opening the freezer side of the refrigerator and looking inside. "The ice pack that we were given isn't cold anymore so we'll have to make do with a frozen bag of peas. That okay?"

"As long as it works, I'm not complaining." He took off the ridiculous hat and waited.

"Great," Kate nodded, reaching in and grabbing the frozen bag. "It's really cold, sorry." And she raised the bag to his eye, standing remotely close to him.

Rick shivered. "That is freezing!" He shrieked, pulling completely back.

"I did warn you," she pointed out. "I'll wrap it in a towel so it's not as cold, okay, you big baby?"

"Thank you," he grumbled under his breath as Kate opened a drawer under the sink and wrapped up the pack of peas.

Raising it back to his eye, she asked, "Better?"

"Much."

Kate and Rick stood there in her kitchen completely silent as she iced his eye. She really didn't seem to realize that he could ice his eye on his own; she didn't need to do it for him. He was highly capable of doing it himself. Kate just didn't see that, she wanted to help and Rick has yet to say anything about it. He knew that she could leave him be and that he'd be fine, but he'd rather have her tend to him. It gave him the opportunity to see another side of the extraordinary woman.

Their proximity was close. The line of her body fit his perfectly, almost completely touching. Kate stood on her toes, a hand resting on Rick's shoulder to help her stay balanced as she iced. Rick was leaning against the marble counter, his hands braced on the sides. If either were to move an inch, they would be in quite the position. He merely watched her as she pressed the bag of peas on his bad eye. Her eyes were glued to the bag, focused. Her tongue was sticking partially out of her mouth in concentration; a few lines creased around her lips.

Feeling him staring at her, she met his good eye with hers. A swarm of heat flooded through her body, her blood boiling. Rick's breathing got hitched, their chests touching with each intake of air. The hand holding the peas slowly dropped, revealing the darkened eye. Kate placed the bag and towel on the counter, her hand reaching up and laying on his strong chest next to her other hand. His hands left the counter and found their way to her slender hips, tugging her closer. As soon as their hips collided, a gasp escaped both of their lips.

"Cas-" Kate was cut off by the softness of Rick's lips covering hers. It took a bit to register what was happening and soon, she was kissing him back.

They explored one another's mouth, becoming familiar. A small groan vibrated down Kate's throat when Rick bit lightly on her bottom lip. Her hands moved up his chest and to his neck, encircling it and bringing him closer. Their bodies were lined up perfectly, every part of them touching.

But all too quickly, the kiss was over. Rick's eyes grew wide as he realized what had just occurred. "I- I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done that- it was stupid...you're just so beautiful and I couldn't...I'm sor-" before he could ramble on, Kate's lips were on his again. The feel of her lips molding to his made him shut up immediately.

And there ya go, folks! :)

I know that this chapter was short, but I wanted to give you guys a little something. I'm not entirely sure when I'll be able to post but hopefully you won't have to wait very long. Thanks for everything! Please leave a review with your thoughts and comments! Until next time!

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