Summer Rain

Disclaimer: Not mine... characters are property of ABC

Summary: After Kate's shooting, Castle finds that he can't stay away. They discover that nothing clears the air like a summer rain.

A/N: Co-written with lms2457.

"It's raining, Castle."

Rick really didn't like the uncomfortable glint in her eyes, but he knew if they went back now, somehow, Kate would find a way to avoid everything that hung over them now. The last thing he wanted was for anything to be left unsaid that could eventually come back to hurt them both.

"Summer rain," he said, and gently pulled her forward until she sat next to him on the boulder. "It's amazing how many stories have been inspired by the rain, and its effects on those who let it fall so gently on them." He met her eyes, "How it courses through your hair, marks trails down your skin."

"Are you trying to tell me a story?" She asked as she looked away.

It hurt a little when she turned her head, but he felt like maybe, just maybe, he was making a little dent in her armor. "Not necessarily a story, but if you'd like one, I can certainly try..."

"No, it's okay, really." Kate took in a deep breath, and he smiled as a droplet of water fell from the end of her nose. "Maybe I have a story to tell you."

Castle sat back. This was definitely something new. "Go on," he encouraged, "I'd love to hear a story."

She smiled weakly, and her eyes still held a touch of uncertainty in them as she spoke, "There was a girl - a woman - who tried to be so much more than she really was. No one could tell her she couldn't do this, or that, because she always pushed the limits. A lot of times, she was victorious, and there were many times she failed."

Kate shifted, leaned forward a little, her hands pressing down on the boulder at her sides, with her legs crossed at her ankles. Her focus stayed on the small waterfall across the water from her and Castle. He wanted so much to reach over and touch her, but seemed to know this wasn't the right time... there was still more to what she was telling him, so he stayed quiet and listened.

"She tried to do what was right, all of the time. In fact, she did it so much, doing the right thing was ingrained in her being. It was such a part of her, it became her life."

"Then one day, a man came into her life, and he turned everything on its side. The woman still did her job, but with this man as her partner, making things right."

She paused again, it must have been difficult for her to find the words, he thought. Or maybe, there was more than just words, and it was the story itself that was difficult to express. This new side to Kate fascinated him. He couldn't stop his hand from reaching over to stroke her hair, now wet and hanging in loose ringlets across her shoulders.

She graced him with a brief smile before she took another breath. "But there was one day, she was hurt. She was frightened of the hurt, and what could happen after. Her partner was there, and he tried to protect her, make her feel safe..."

Kate covered her nose and mouth with her hands, her fingertips under her eyes, wiping tears and rain drops away. She was silent a little longer this time, her eyes closed, collecting herself.

A slight rumble from the clouds shook the air around them as the rain let up. "She heard everything her partner said that day. Part of her was even more frightened of those words than the hurt."

Slowly, she turned to face Rick, "So, she ran away, in hopes of making sense of it all. Only, in doing so, she hurt her partner. She didn't mean to, and didn't know how to tell him so. And now, he's found her, and she's with him, sitting on a rock in the rain, soaking wet, and terrified he'll never forgive her."

Castle took in the story. He'd be lying if he said his heart didn't suddenly jump in his throat. He swallowed hard, and chose his next words as best he could.

"There's nothing to forgive," he said, "It's been a difficult time for both partners, I think." Rick took her hand in his, "But he might wonder, does she feel the same for him?"

"Yes, she does," Kate nodded, and smiled around a quiet sob.

Rick had never felt so happy, so complete, in his life. He wasn't sure how it happened, but the next thing he knew, he was on his feet, Kate in his arms, as he spun her around.

When they stopped, so much could be said in the look she gave him. Castle slowly tilted his head forward to kiss her. His lips didn't quite meet hers when a flash and crackle of lightning and thunder roared across the sky.

Kate huddled into him, her hands in a vice grip on his jacket, and her voice sharper than a razor. "Inside, Castle. Now."