As usual, thanks for sticking with the story, it makes my smile to know there's still people out there reading this! And to my beta, caskett. vs .stanathan, THANK YOU.

This is the last half of hour 39 from Kate's point of view.

KB

Ok, I know the whole being apart for an hour was my idea, but I guess I didn't predict I'd feel like this. If I didn't know better I'd say I'm having some separation anxiety… I decide not to let it worry me and make something useful out of our time apart. I call Lanie.

"Writer boy better be treating you right!"

I can't avoid teasing her a little… "If you only knew Lanie! If you only knew!"

"You better give me some details of what you've been up too or I'm going over there right now! All I know is that you spent the night before last together."

"And last night too. And every second of the last two days. This is the first time we're not together since I knocked on his door…"

"Oh Kate! I'm so glad for you! We all knew this was coming, I just wish you hadn't kept him waiting this long…"

"You know I wasn't ready before Lanie! Besides… why regret the past when we have now…"

"Ok, if you say so… So my friend… how was it?"

"How was what?"

"You know what I'm talking about girl and you better spill right now!"

"Oh, you mean that? It was amazing Lanie! Definitely the greatest I've ever had. He was so patient and mindful of my feelings you know? And the noises he made Lanie. They were such a turn on, you know? Not for one minute did I think it would feel that good. To simply have his arms around me, sleeping soundly and snoring into my ear was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had!"

"Kate Beckett that is not funny and you know it!"

"But Lanie, it's the truth! That's all we did for the past two nights!"

"What? Is there something wrong with his mind! I knew he wasn't man enough for you! What did you do? Scare him to death?"

"Yeah… with the bruises I'm sporting! You seem to have forgotten I almost fell off a roof not two days ago Lanie! And trust me, your body gets quite banged up when you're hanging eleven floors up."

"Oh my God Kate! I didn't know you were that hurt! Did you get checked out? Do you need something for the pain? I can be there in 20 minutes! Just say so and I'll be there!"

"No Lanie! I'm fine! I took something for the pain yesterday morning and again today, but I'm thinking about taking another one now. I do feel sore everywhere but nothing hurts more than it should after a bar fight you know?"

"The difference being that it wasn't just a bar fight Beckett! He was a trained killer! Girl you know better than to go home after such a fight!"

"If it makes you feel better, I didn't go home! And Castle's been petting me for the past forty hours. Trust me Lanie, I'm getting taken care of."

"It's good to know you finally allowed him to do so Kate. He was dying to do it last summer. He just kept sporting this sad, abandoned puppy look whenever he came to the morgue to ask if I knew something from you…It was heart breaking…"

"I know Lanie… but we've talked about it. And I think we can finally get past that… I just need to work on getting used to being pampered. That's something new to me and we both know it…"

"I do, but that man loves you senseless, and if you hurt him, I bet I can get the boys to help me hurt you! He slowly became a part of our lives, and we all see him as a friend, too girl, so you better not hurt him! Do you hear me!"

"Hey! You're supposed to be MY friend Lanie!"

"And I am! That's why I'm giving you a warning! You deserve to know we'll hurt you, just as we'd hurt him if he doesn't treat you right! Got that?"

"Yeah. I got that. And Lanie? Thank you."

"For what?"

"For caring about the both of us… He's the first man I've cared for enough to care about your opinion about. And to know that you love him enough to hurt me if I fuck this up, is comforting, in a twisted way, but comforting none the less."

"Glad you see it that way. So… why did you leave his side? Tired of him already?"

"I thought I was, but was I wrong…We've spent the past 40 hours together, and I thought it'd be smart to give myself some space you know? I know I love him and all, but this whole spending this much time with someone is kind of new to me and I really don't want to screw up. So, we were at the park and Gina called about an e-mail, so I told him we should split up so I could go to my place, get some clothes and that I'd meet him at the loft. But not two minutes into the cab drive I knew what a mistake that was. I just… I wasn't ready to part ways yet, you know?"

"So you just called me to stop missing him?"

"What? No! I've been wanting to call you but, you know… the last time we spoke you preferred to talk to him!"

"Hey! You're the one who handed him the phone!"

"He's bigger and stronger than me and I was hurt! I didn't have much of a choice!"

"Whatever you say girl… I'm just glad you're ok. And that you finally let your walls down. You deserve to be happy. You've been a mama bear for this team for years. Let us take care of you for a change…"

"I think I will Lanie. I'm ready for it. I'm just so tired of hiding. It's just, for so long I've had to pretend to be this strong woman, living in a man's word, with such a burden to carry, that I eventually forgot what it felt like to be taken care of..."

"I know, and trust me, I get you. I had to pretend to be strong too, you know? Forensics is not a woman's field either. Actually, I think that Dana Scully was the first female forensic ever, and she's not even real, so, trust me, I know all about earning respect living in a man's word. But that excuse won't cut it anymore. You've let your walls down and we won't allow you to rebuild them, unless it's with us inside. We're a team, Kate. A family. And we're here for you. It's good to know Castle knocked enough bricks down to allow you to see that."

"Thanks Lanie. Now… can we maybe keep this conversation for another day? I want to get a bag ready and head to Castle's…I don't really trust him to be alone after the past couple of days…"

"That's fine girl. I actually have to let you go too, there's someone at my door…"

"Anyone I should know about?"

"I'm pretty sure it's someone you know…"

"Oh my god! You and Javi are back together?"

"We're working things out…He was a wreck the other night, and I couldn't just turn my back on him, you know."

"I'm happy for you guys. You ARE prefect for each other, even if you deny it"

"Hello? Pot, meet the kettle…!"

"I know! I'm just saying… So, dinner tomorrow? Tell Espo you're expected to be at the loft, around 8!"

"Sounds great to me. See you then girl."

"Bye Lanie. And, thanks. It's good to have you as a friend…"

"You bet it is! Now, bye!"

And with that, she hangs up. While I pack my bag I realize just how true my words to Lanie were. I really am thankful to have them as friends. And to know they care about Castle is comforting.

I pack a few things, but it's all summer wear, so it's not heavy. Some shorts and T-shirts, underwear –some that are comfy and some that are sexy – a few swimsuits (I'll have to try them on before we leave, it's been a while since I used any of them), flip flops and a few nicer outfits in case we go out to dinner. I figure I could buy something once we get to the Hamptons if needed. I bet Castle would love that!

Once everything is packed, I leave my apartment without a second glance. I have the feeling I won't be coming back in a while, so I made sure there was nothing left in the fridge, took the garbage out and used my three keys to lock the door. Bye-bye flat, loft here I come!