Castle slid out of the booth and extended his hand to help Kate. They entwined their fingers together and headed to the door.

"So, now you're back." Exclaimed a very drunk Sully. He stepped directly into the path of Kate and Castle.

"Yes, I'm starting tomorrow, back on the job." Kate said politely.

"I hear you own this joint." Slurred Sully looking at Castle.

"Must be nice having such a cash cow for a girlfriend."

"Now that the FBI dumped her, she's free to come and weasel her way back."

"The boys said that she", he pointed at Kate "Is your biggest fan, not that murderer you got off. They said she has…."

"Okay, Sully I think this conversation would be best held when your sober. " Rick said, trying to keep his anger under control. "Now if you will excuse us we are heading home." Rick placed his hand on Kate's lower back to guide her around Sully and head for the front door.

Sully grabbed Rick's jacket and said "Hey were you going? I'm trying to have a conversation here."

Castle jerked his arm free from Sully's grasp. He turned around. It was time to put an end to the intrusion and the insults once and for all. His eyes took on a steeled grit. He moved toward Sully.

Espo walked up behind them. He clasped Sully's shoulder firmly and steered him to the bar. "Let me buy you a drink Sully."

He looked at Castle and said "Take our girl home, I've got this."

Castle exhaled to release the tension he built up. "Thanks Espo. I owe you one." "Put the jackass in a cab before he shoots his mouth off to anyone else."

Kate could see he was coiled and ready to strike she step closer to Castle. His body unconsciously migrated into hers. He felt the tension drain away as Kate stared into his eyes. "Hey, let's go home." Kate laid her palm across his cheek.

Rick reached up and cupped her hand into his. He kissed her palm and chuckled. "My Love, there are a thousand ways to describe you. A cash cow is certainly not one of them. I must admit the money from The Nicki Heat series will afford us a very nice life."

Kate and Rick headed out toward the door. They were stopped a couple of times patted on the back herald with "Welcome back" and "Congratulations on the engagement, 'Bout time" was heard from more than one person. They each smile nodded and as they made their way through the crowd.

Finally they were outside." Do you want to catch a cab?" Castle ask Kate

"Do you mind if we just walk a bit?" she replied.

They set off at a leisurely pace headed toward the loft. When they were a few blocks away from the Old Haunt. Kate stopped and turned toward Castle. She looked at him with tears filling her eyes.

"Castle"… she whispered. When I heard the gunshot and came in with you lying there." I just…oh, the tears started falling.

He cradled her in his arms, and stroked her hair as she cried.

"Hey, it's okay….. I know, I know... I'm here Kate I'm here. Castle kissed her forehead and rocked her in his arms. He kept whispering words of comfort to her until she stilled. "Is that why you were so quite tonight? You barely said two words. I know crowds are not your thing. Everyone is happy for us Kate. Okay maybe not everyone. The people that matter are happy for us, and you were right we are just getting started."

Kate pulled him to her and captured his lips to hers. Rick pressed closer despite the pain radiating through his chest. He needed to feel her and he could sense she needed to feel him. They caressed each other with their tongues nipped and sucked until the kisses morphed into desperation of need and want.

They broke apart and said "Cab" together.

Kate whistle penetrated through the night air and hailed a passing cab. They settled in the backseat. Castle gave the driver the address to the loft.

"I've missed you so much, Kate. I couldn't sleep without you in my bed. I kept reaching for you in the night. When I couldn't find you it woke me up. I don't know how many times I kept from calling you in the middle of the night to hear your voice."

"You should have called. Castle, I wasn't sleeping without you either. I thought the FBI would allow me to do bigger, better things. I never thought getting justice for the victims meant so much to me. I was working on bigger cases but justice was a grey area. It couldn't interfere with someone's agenda. It was only about the big picture, whatever the hell that means.

Kate paused as she looked out the window she asked "Castle, do you think I'm just weaseling my way back to the twelfth because I couldn't hack it in the FBI?"

"Look at me." Castle voice was commanding "Kate I think you are extraordinary, your passion, your intelligence, your drive. No one and I mean no one comes close to how amazing you are. I think Captain Gates is thanking her lucky stars to have you come back. I think that's why she is even letting me come tag along so she can have you.

"No," Castle Kate said with as much conviction. "She is lucky to have you. She has seen how you have helped crack the toughest cases. We are great apart but together we are unstoppable."

The cab lurched to a stop. Castle handed the driver the fare and a generous tip. He got out and assisted Kate as she stepped out.

They greeted the doorman and headed to the elevator to ride up to the loft.

Castle groaned when he reached up to punch the button for the loft.

"You okay?" Kate asked

"Yea, chest is tight who knew getting shot would hurt so much." Castle hung his head. "I'm sorry Kate poor choice of words."

Kate lifted his chin

"Your right, babe it hurts like hell." She said. "Let's get you soaking in the tub and then we will ice it.

"Only, if you join me in the tub." He said waggling his eyebrows.

"You're on." She said smiling.

The elevator doors opened , they stepped into the hall and headed home.