Hello all! :)

I just have to say that the response to the last chapter was awesome! I'm glad y'all really liked it! As a writer, it makes me happy to know that my work is being enjoyed. Thank you so much! Now, there's gonna be a bit more drama in here but then we'll get to the fluff, I promise. After they sort things out, of course.

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 12]

Rick watched her as she looked over everything on the screen. He sighed, setting the remote on his desk. "Kate..." he whispered, his eyes filling with tears once again.

Kate couldn't handle it anymore. "I need some air," she breathed, moving for the door. She was running away again. And Rick knew better than to run after her, so he let her go. He slumped down in his chair, raking his hands through his hair and tears spilling from his eyes.

He'd been working on her mother's case behind her back for a while now, even though he told her to leave it alone. He'd brought this all on himself.

Kate ran through the front door, shutting it and ending up in the hallway. She slid down the wall, crying and trying to get her breathing under control. Kate wiped at her cheeks, attempting to get rid of the tears but it was useless.

She found herself whispering "why?" over and over again. Why would he do this? Why is fighting a battle that's not his to fight? Why would he put himself through all of that? Why didn't he say anything?

She sighed, already knowing the answer to all of the questions: love. That's all there is to it. He did it because he loves her. It's the same reason why she didn't tell him she remembered. Both of them lied to protect the other. A lot of good that did.

Kate leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling. New tears spilled down her cheeks. Her chest heaved with every intake of breath. What was she going to do? What were they going to do?

Communicate. They needed to talk, work things through. They've never been good at talking and expressing their feelings, but it's better late than never. They needed to talk. No point in delaying it. They've been burying things too long and it was time to come clean.

She stood up and moved in front of the door, realizing that it was partially open already. She must've not closed it all the way when she ran out. Her hand froze on the handle briefly, debating her options. She finally plucked up the courage and stepped through the threshold.

Rick looked up from his hands when he heard the front door close. She didn't run away, she came back. Back to him.

He stood up and left his study to find her standing at the entryway. Eyes locking, Kate let out a hiccup and Rick lost it. He ran to her, picking her up in a huge hug. Fresh tears started to fall, both crying into each others shoulders. They stood there, enveloped in each others arms for a few minutes; not being able to let go quite yet. Rick's arms were around Kate's waist and her arms were around his neck. They cried into each other's shoulders, both trying to get a hold on everything that had just happened between them.

"K-Kate?" He murmured some time later, sniffling. Her arms tightened around him, knowing what was about to happen. "I need to explain. If you'll let me..."

She nodded furiously into his shoulder. They broke apart but not for long. With his left arm encircled around her waist, he led her back to his study. She stayed hidden into his side, crying.

He'd never seen her so broken, so small. Rick helped her sit down on the sofa, grabbing each of them some tissues. Kate blew her nose. He towered over her.

"I'm going to make some coffee. I'll be back," he stated.

Kate nodded, unable to speak at the moment. Rick kissed her on the forehead, his lips lingering. Pulling back, he left.

She was alone. Kate hesitantly looked over at the board, curling herself up into a ball on the couch. Her eyes studying what he has written down. One question popping out at her. Who Hired The Sniper?

She was still in shock that he's been investigating even though he told her to let it go. She was aching to know what all he's found out but she's terrified. Because once she starts up with it again she'll end up going down that rabbit hole. And that is definitely not a place she wants to be in. It's not a place she wants him to be in either. At least, not alone.

Rick reentered the room, shutting the door behind him. He handed Kate a mug, the ceramic warming up her icy cold fingers in an instant. She took a tentative sip, the scalding coffee burning her tongue.

He glanced at the screen. He didn't know where to begin. So many different thoughts were scrambled in his brain, he couldn't tell up from down. And now he was going to explain to Kate what he's found? Oh, boy...

"H-how often have you worked on it?" Kate asked, timid.

Rick didn't even consider lying. He's done enough of that. "I've been working on it on and off. I'm still, uh, adding stuff," he admitted, his hands shaking around his own mug.

Kate just nodded, biting her lip. Rick couldn't read her at all, she was masking her feelings well.

"I've been in contact with a man by the name of Smith. He's an old friend of Montgomery."

At his words, she shivered. Memories of her fallen Captain unmoving on the floor in that hangar flooding her head. She shut her eyes and looked away, reliving the memory.

Rick sat on the edge of his desk, looking down at his hands. He cleared his throat, looking for the right words. "He, um...he told me that as long as you don't go digging into your mother's case then y-you won't be touched. You'll be safe."

Kate sought out Rick's eyes; he glanced up, feeling her eyes on him. "T-then why are you putting yourself through this? Rick, I don't want you to do this without me," her voice cracked. He wanted to say something, but he can sense that she's not finished, so he bit his tongue. "You-you're not a cop. You don't have a badge, you don't have a gun, you don't have anything to protect yourself."

Rick let out a sigh, taking a sip of the coffee. Even the calmness of the liquid isn't helping him right now.

"You can't be doing this on your own," Kate concluded. She wanted to protect him so much it hurt. "It's too dangerous, Rick. It's too dangerous..."

Her eyes were closed, she was struggling. Rick crossed over to her, joining her on the sofa. "I can't...I can't lose you, too," she finally said.

He immediately engulfed her in a hug. "You won't lose me, Kate. Not now, not ever."

His arms were wrapped around her waist, drawing her into him and cradling her to his chest. She's balled into his chest, her tears seeping through his shirt. Rick planted a kiss into her hair, speechless.

"W-why are you putting yourself into danger? Why are you risking your life f-for me?" She mumbled, gripping onto him tightly.

"Because I love you," he answered, his voice low. "And I don't want those bastards after you. If I solve this then you'll be free; you won't have that target on your back. And your mother will finally get the justice she deserves."

Kate shook her head. "But if you keep investigating like you have been and they find out, you'll be targeted. And I can't have that, Rick. I just can't."

He didn't know what else to say. Rick held her tightly to his chest, his hands moving up and down her back. Taking a quick glance at the board, he shut his eyes.

Kate was right. If he continues with this and they find out, he'll be targeted. But it wouldn't be just him. Alexis and Martha could be too. He shivered at the thought of it.

And as if she was reading hi mind, Kate began to talk again. "Thin-think about Martha and Alexis, Rick. If those bastards find out you're..." she trailed off, shaking.

Kate hit the nail on the head. He couldn't continue on with the case knowing that his mother and daughter could be potential targets as well. He needed to step back from it and focus on what truly matters. Not that the case didn't matter, but it could definitely be put on hold for the time being.

Untangling Kate from his arms, Rick stood up and grabbed the remote from his desk. He clicked the off button, turning the TV screen black. Placing the remote back in the desk drawer, he returned to Kate. She gave him a puzzled look. "We will solve it, together...just not today," Rick answered upon seeing her expression.

Sitting down, he tangled himself with Kate once more. Her lips found his in a heartbeat. They molded together, mouths dancing. Kate's hands tangled in his hair while tears spilled down her cheeks. Rick reached up and wiped them away, their mouths still connected.

Kate broke the kiss. She stared at him. "Thank you, Rick."

His heart threatened to beat out of his chest he was happy and relieved. His voice got caught in his throat. "Always."

And there ya go, folks!

I hope you liked it! Please leave a review with your thoughts and comments! I'll try to post the next chapter when I can! So hopefully in the next few days. Love you guys! And thank you so much for all of your love and support! Until next time!

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