Partners
Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be. I'm just doing this for fun, and for my own sanity.
A/N: Yes, it's short, and it's the end... for now. This universe has been opened, and might be visited again at some point. I do hope you've enjoyed the story as much as I've enjoyed writing it!
The next morning, Kate woke just as the first light of day began to lighten her apartment. She stretched and yawned, feeling so different, so much lighter than before. And maybe a little surprised that she was still alone in bed.
Slowly, she dragged herself out of her room and went into the kitchen to start the coffee maker. Over the island, she could see Castle stretched out on the couch, snoring lightly. She watched him for a while, the rise and fall of his chest, how he drummed his fingers as if he was typing in his sleep. It was kind of cute.
He shifted a little as he slowly took in a deep breath, and blinking, he woke up.
"Hey," he said as he stretched, "I smell coffee."
"You should," she answered, "It will be finished in a few. You hungry?"
"Not if the food's coming from that Styrofoam temple in your fridge," he teased.
Kate smiled and rolled her eyes. She walked right in to that one. "I do know how to cook, you know."
Castle's eyes widened as he also smiled. "I thought maybe you did. Would you like help?"
She had just opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs and a package of bacon. "Sure, if you're up to it," she teased.
Suddenly, his hands were around her waist, and she nearly dropped everything. How he got there so fast, she'd never know.
Castle easily caught the carton of eggs as she still fumbled with them. "Detective, you should know by now that I'm always, always, ready to assist you."
He set the eggs on the counter and set out to find a pan, but obviously didn't know where to look. "Castle, the cabinet to the left of the stove," she pointed out.
"That's where I was going to check next," he claimed as he shuffled through the pots and pans before he found whatever it was he was looking for. "Scrambled or fried?"
"Surprise me," she said, and handed him the package of bacon. "Here's this, too."
"Wait... how did I get the job to cook?"
"Looks like you walked into it, if you ask me," she said with a smile. "Besides, you look good in front of a stove. I'd like to watch while you cook."
Castle turned to Kate and pulled her against him, his hands skirting up and down her sides as his forehead pressed against hers. "I can certainly give you a show to watch later... but first, I want to thank you."
"Thank me? For what?" she asked, all this was still so different, so new, and she couldn't for the life of her, think of what Castle would be thanking her for.
"Thank you, for letting me stay, for letting me in," he said. "Yesterday could have ended in so many ways, and I'm so thankful you chose life." He kissed her, leaving her wanting more. "And maybe for taking a chance on me."
Kate stayed in his arms for a time, thinking of how she could respond, and the answer was so simple, she was surprised it hadn't hit her before.
"I know it seemed like a difficult choice at the time," she said, and took a shuddering breath, remembering the events of yesterday. "But honestly, Castle, there never was a choice to make. We've been partners, and so much more, for a long time now. It was only a matter of opening my eyes and admitting it."
She loved the smile that spread so slowly across his face. "Partners, huh?"
"Yeah, partners."
Castle nodded and turned in her arms, seeming to want to keep her close, as he started to get things together on the stove. "I think I like that."
Kate let go for a moment, helping him find the spices and other utensils he needed to cook with. Once the fire was going, she stepped back a little and watched, while she thought about him and everything in her life.
There wasn't a need for words between them... she could see what he wanted before he started looking. It was almost like working theory with him. Whatever he couldn't think of, she came up with.
Yeah, they were definitely partners. In everything.