Hello Again guys and girls

It's time for Season Two set around the time 02x21 'Overkill'. I know again this feels like an absolute age ago but it's still fun to revisit the oldies.

Yes I know Chapter Three sounds like the weirdest thing for a one shot, But sometimes stories just develop one their own just like this did.

I hope you all like this Chapter I'm going to try my hardest to finish this as I said. But you never know.

Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, Never will be. Belongs to the fantastic AWM and the guys and girls at ABC Studios.

Chapter 3

The high pitched rev of an engine droned above the normal New York traffic, The gleaming body of an MV Agusta F4 Senna super bike weaved through the lines of cars making it's way down town.

Behind the darkened visor of a black bike helmet, Bright blue eyes scanned the road ahead and he turned and again twisted his right hand as the engine revved. The bike lurched forward with the speed increase as he saw his destination in site.

The Kanagowa Family Dojo, A rush of memories came flooding back

The place held a special place in his heart as a young kid his mother struggling to make ends meat had tried to enrol Rick for Lessons in Karate, But found it would be too expensive Rick was crushed he wanted to show everyone just how awesome he could be.

But that wasn't going to happen now

But that changed when another voice entered the conversation, A man in his late fifties dressed in a black Karate GI. The interior lights of the dojo reflecting off of his bald head and a kind smile gracing his face.

"Tell me young sir, Will you work hard and strive for greatness in all that you hope to achieve in life" Asked The Master.

Young Rick nodded furiously "Yes Sir, I will"

The Master smiled his hands clasped behind his back "Then please step forward and accept your place at this school"

Martha raised her hand "But we have no way to pay you Sir" She said

The Master smiled kindness radiating from him "Please money is not necessary, The spirit and strength of heart I sense in your son is worth admission into this school forgoing any charge"

Martha smiled at looked at her young son, She had tried her best since he was born to provided everything he ever needed. It wasn't easy but she tried and the hopeful expression on his face, His bright blue eyes shining with glee she could only give one answer to make her boy happy.

"Thank you Sir" Said smiled shaking his hand

The Master nodded and then turned to Rick "What is your name my Boy?"

"Richard Alexander Rodgers, But Ricky works for me too"

"Then please step this way to begin your path"

Stepping through into the dojo and stopped in front of a group students each stood at attention as the Master placed a hand on Rick's shoulder.

"Students please welcome your new member to this Dojo"

"Welcome" The collective group shouted

Rick smiled as he looked left and right he was almost bouncing with excitement, He would finally show everyone just what he was made of.

As the years passed Rick went from an excitable young boy to an exceptional student of the Martial Arts, Upon his graduation from college he was ranked 4Th Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. He honed his craft through the release of his first published works his passion for writing ignited by the experiences in college.

By the release of his first Derek Storm novel, He had added new skills such as Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo each a Black Belt obtained by the series end.

To this day he maintained a close relationship to Master Kanagowa and sought his advice at times of confusion and hardship.

He pulled up at the curb outside of the Dojo and cut the engine pulling off his helmet and running a hand through his matted hair, Swinging a leg from the seat as he walked towards the Dojo opening the door and greeting the receptionist with a smile. He removed his shoes before walking across the hardwood floor and to the empty practice area he found Master Kanagowa lighting several sticks of incense his back to him.

"Ah Ricky, Once again you have come to seek the advice of an old man"

Castle placed his helmet on the ground he bent his body at the waist and palmed his closed fist, A Bow of respect to his Master "I have Sensei, You always knew when i was behind you even without looking"

The old Master had not changed his skin more wrinkled with age his Bald head still shining in the light of the Dojo "I always know when your here Ricky, Because even after all that i have taught you, You still have a heavy foot, The heavy step of a stampeding Rhino"

Castle pouted trust him to poke fun, "Master Kanagowa i have come to seek your advice above all others"

The old master stepped down from the shrine at the head of the room his cane knocking against the hardwood floor, He stepped towards his most beloved student and placed a hand on his shoulder "A matter of the heart is troubling you my student"

Castle nodded

The pair took a seat on a nearby bench, The writer then went on to explain everything from the beginning. Beckett's attitude towards him, her actions concerning Demming, The dismissal of his presence at the precinct, His total destruction of Demming in their spar. The most important subject explained to the elderly master, Beckett's second arrival at his loft and her declaration of love something he was still having a hard time grasping.

The Master took a moment to consider all that had been mentioned, Since the start of his students adventures with the NYPD he had heard much about his fiery young female Detective. He had listened to his student confess his feelings like he had done so long ago, Her drive, her tenacity, her never ending quest for justice. He admired that in a person it was something he had been in young Richard Rodgers so long ago.

"It seems that an easy decision sits in front of you my student" Said the Master

Castle looked confused "What do you mean Sensei?"

"An old verse sticks to mind 'The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants', Did it not once occur to you that when fear grips the heart true feelings are shrouded from further pain" Said the Master cryptically

Now Castle looked even more confused, usually the Master was more transparent that this "Sensei, I think this is the only time ever where i have absolutely no idea what you are saying" Said Castle only to receive a clip around the back of the head.

Master Kanagowa laughed heartily "Oh Ricky, I am your Sensei not your relationship counsellor. This something only you can figure out, But you need to listen to what your heart is telling you." Said the Old Master.

Rick nodded and looked away across the practice floor, Images of his younger self practising non-stop trying to attain his ambitions. This was no different the one thing had been chasing, scraping and clawing for was within his grasp and instead of facing it head on like his had been taught so many years ago he turned and let his petty judgements and insecurities rule his emotions.

He knew what he needed to do

"Sensei I have to go, But again i thank you for your council" Rick said standing from the bench

Master Kanagowa again laughed and tapped his cane to the floor, "I thought as much, Then I wish you good luck my student"

Again Castle bowed palming his fist and then departed he raced towards his bike, He climbed on starting the engine before roaring off into early evening New York Traffic racing towards his destination.

Across town sat on her tweed couch legs tucked under her a large glass of white wine in her hand head resting in her hand sat Kate Beckett, Across from her in the same position Dr Lanie Parish medical examiner and Kate's Best Friend.

The pair had been friends for some time, ever since Kate had been promoted to Detective Lanie was one of the few people before Castle arrival who knew her secrets and fears. The damage her Mothers death had done and her closest confidant in all things concerning the writer slash consultant.

So this was the conversation they found themselves discussing the recent events starting from Castle's complete destruction of Demming in the spar the Robbery Detective had challenged him to.

"Girl, You can't be serious Writer-Boy did that?" Exclaimed Lanie shocked at the abilities the writer had concealed from them.

Kate nodded setting her glass down "I have never seen anyone fight like that Lanie, I never seen him that angry before and it was all my fault"

"What do you mean?"

Kate took a deep breath her antics in recent weeks no less embarrassing the more times she explained it "I was trying to convince myself I didn't have feelings for Castle, So I jumped at the first sign from someone else"

Lanie sipped her wine intently listening to the Homicide Detectives explanation, In the years she had known Kate Beckett the female medical examiner had never heard her be this truthful with her feelings.

It was surprising

Lanie was broken from her musings as Kate continued "So i went to dinner with Demming, Enjoyed a few precinct lunch breaks with him but all I was doing was denying what was already their"

"What was their Kate?" Lanie asked

"Demming is not what I'm looking for right now, It's Castle and it will always be Castle"

Lanie smiled half tempted to do a happy dance she had been telling the same story for a while now, That Detective Kate Beckett was wild for Writer-Boy Richard Castle.

"I told you Girl, So what happened?"

Kate took another sip of her wine "I went to his loft and tried to talk with him, Oh Lanie he was so angry i tried to say i was sorry but he just shot me down told me to get out..." Lanie narrowed her eyes but said nothing as the Detective continued "...I went back to my apartment i couldn't stop thinking about what he had said, He said he was going to The Hampton's for the summer and wouldn't be coming back. That's when i knew i couldn't leave it like that so i went back and demanded he hear me out"

Lanie was literally on her edge of her seat as she listened "So what happened"

Kate took another deep breathe and spoke "He asked why i tried so hard to forget him, I then screamed back it was because I loved him"

Lanie squealed excitedly "Oh Girl, What did her say?"

Kate smiled sadly "He said that i wasn't alone with my feelings, But he needed some time to work some things out?"

Lanie's features softened "Oh Kate, I'm so sorry"

Kate's normally strong facade crumbled "Lanie what if i ruined everything, What if he doesn't forgive me" Kate said as fat tears ran down her cheeks.

A knock at the door caught Lanie's attention, She looked at Kate who was wiping the tears from her cheeks with the cuff of her sleeve and stood up to answer the door. She took a deep breath and pulled it open her face registered noticeable shock at the person standing on the other side.

Richard Castle

"Castle" Whispered Kate

"Kate" Said Castle in the same low voice.

The partners stood awkwardly for a moment before Lanie appeared at the door coat in hand "You remember Castle I can hide your body after the boys kill you if you don't treat her right, remember that" Lanie said before departing with a wave

"Can i come in" Asked Castle

"Err yeah...sure" Nervously replied Kate

The writer crossed the threshold and into the apartment as Kate closed the door, The writer turned to face the Detective as he removed his blue and white leather jacket and tossed it over a nearby chair.

"Before you asked me to listen to what you had to say, So i ask you give me the same chance" Asked Castle a soft tone to his voice so as not to cause her any offence.

"Alright"

"After you left the loft I went to see someone, Someone who i have known all my life, Someone who taught me that finding ones-self in a world of chaos makes us who we are. He taught me to strive towards my ambitions, To fight for something, To attain greatness"

"Castle what are you saying?"

Castle took a step towards her and cupped her right cheek, The pad of his thumb grazing her soft skin. "What I'm trying to say Kate, Is that having you in my life is a reason to fight for, It's a reason to attain the greatness we both deserve. He told me to follow my heart and right now it's telling me that the woman who i now stand in front of is what my heart wants"

"Tell me Castle, Please" Kate said lacing her fingers with his at her cheek

Castle took a deep breathe and smiled "I Love You Kate, I have for a long time"

Kate released a breath she didn't even know she was holding as they met in a passionate connection, Lips and tongues melding together until the need for oxygen separated them. Foreheads resting together she stared into the deep blues of his and spoke in a whisper a smile gracing her beautiful face.

"Is that invitation to The Hampton's still up for grabs" She asked her fears quashed, her anxiety gone, All thoughts of distractions pushed from her mind. The only thought present about the writer held in her arms.

Castle smiled, He couldn't be happier he had finally taken a step in the right direction "Of course, But what about Demming?" He has to ask even if the mention of the name made his blood boil

Kate smiled kissing the end of his nose, "That is no longer an issue now or forever more"

"Nice literary reference"

Kate smiled again the grin almost splitting her face, She felt the walls around her heart crumble. Her most treasured possession ready and open to the man who had stood by her all this time.

The only man she ever wanted by her side.

Still locked in a passionate embrace standing the middle of the apartment, Two partners who had been tested, sometimes tested beyond measure but had found their way back.

Now both ready to take the next step to happiness.

Hi guys

We have reached the end of our journey people, I have to say this has been my most favorited and followed story so far, I can not put into words you how much that means to me.

So you all know the drill let me know what you think.

Also I now issue a challenge to my readers, If you have any suggestions for my next possible AU One Shot let me know in your reviews.

Knight Rider Alpha.