A/N: sorry for the slow update, I was a bit stuck as to what to write and I didn't want to end up with a rubbish chapter so I started a new fic instead, (Soulmates, check it out if you like ;)) but now I have this chapter planned out!

She couldn't keep the grin off of her face as she stumbled out of the elevator and down the hall to the apartment. Pulling out her key, she twisted it into the lock and opened the door, still smiling like a Cheshire Cat.

"Kaaaattteeeee?" She called out as she walked in to see no sign of her sister, "where are you?" She checked the kitchen and the living room - no Kate and no note. Frowning, she pulled out her cell, checking she hadn't missed a text message or something - it wasn't like Kate to not at least say she'd been called into work or was doing the food shopping or something.

She wandered to the bedroom - not that she was expecting to find Kate in there, it was gone 10.30 and her sister hadn't stayed in bed that late since..well, ever. Opening the door to Kate's bedroom, realisation finally hit. Kate had changed her sheets yesterday - and the old ones were still dumped at the end of the bed, ready to be washed. Kate Beckett hadn't come home last night - Charlie's grin returned, it was about time, really.

Rolling over in bed, Castle groaned when he realised the other half was occupied. Who was in his bed? Oh god, he didn't bring a bimbo home did he? Alexis would kill him! But no, hang on a minute..last night he hadn't gone out, he'd stayed in and had friends over..so why wasn't he alone in his bed? Chancing another look at the mystery occupant, he saw she was still sleeping - that was good, gave him time to figure this out. She had her back to him, so he couldn't make out her face, but that hair looked familiar..inching his way a little closer, he inhaled deeply - cherries. Wait, cherries? Was he sharing his bed with Beckett?

And then the memories if the previous night came flooding back..he'd kissed her and they'd talked a bit..then he asked her to stay and she did - in his bed! He thought it had all been a dream..

Relieved that she had stayed asleep for his deductions, he smiled lazily and stared at her for a few minutes, rising up so he could see her face. She really was beautiful. She looked adorable when she slept, hair all ruffled and not a care in the world..he couldn't help but think how he absolutely had to tell her what he knew about her mothers case before they got into this too far, he needed to keep enough of a distance for her to be able to forgive him eventually..

"Staring's creepy, Castle," she mumbled, opening one eye to glare at him and he chuckled.

But surely another hour or two wouldn't hurt.. "I'm sorry," he said, "it's just..you're here..in my bed!"

"Jeez, if you're this excited about waking up next to me then what are you going to be like when we-" she broke off, as if suddenly realising what she was about to say and his grin confirmed that he could tell too.

"When we what, Beckett?"

"Nothing," she grumbled, cheeks flaming.

"I wouldn't worry about it," he told her, "now that you've pretty much insinuated it's a sure thing, I can keep my excitement in check."

"What time is it anyway?" She asked, rolling over to lie on her back.

"9.30."

"What?" She squealed, "I haven't stayed in bed after 8am in years!"

"Well you don't have anywhere to be, do you?" He asked, sincerely hoping she said no.

"No," she conceded, "but-"

"Ah, no buts - come on, I'll make you breakfast."

"Mmm, I'm comfy here.."

"Oh, so you don't want any of my famous chocolate chip pancakes then?" He teased.

"Alright alright, you had me at pancakes," she said and he laughed. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing, just pancakes for breakfast? According to Esposito that's an edible way of saying thank you so much for last night."

"Castle, we didn't even..you know.."

He laughed again, she really was adorable. "'You know'?" He parroted, "who would have thought, homicide detective Kate Beckett gets flustered at the word sex.." He mused.

"It wasn't at the word," she denied hotly, "just at the..you know, connotation of saying thank you for last night.."

"Oh, so it's the thought of sex with me that gets you all flustered is it?" He teased, a grin on his face as he climbed out of bed. "I'll remember that - feel free to use the bathroom, I'll be in the kitchen," he said quickly before she could retaliate, slipping out of the door and out of sight.

Kate shook her head and rolled her eyes as she sat up in bed. He really was incorrigible...but she loved him anyway. He'd been true to his word last night - he hadn't tried anything other than a few heated make out sessions and some good old fashioned snuggling.

She stumbled to the bathroom to use the toilet and splash some water on her face - spotting the new toothbrush she'd used last night on the counter too. She ran it over her teeth quickly before heading out to meet him in the kitchen.

"These smell amazing," she complimented, "what's your secret?"

"I could tell you," he said, "but then I'd have to kill you.."

He was such a child sometimes. "Okay okay, you're not telling me your recipe, I get it." She sat herself at a stool and he pouted. "What?"

"I didn't get a good morning kiss," he said.

Yep, a complete child. "Oh no, we can't have that now, can we?" She said, playing along as she stood back up again. Walking over to him, she stood up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Good morning, Castle," she whispered before pressing her lips to his.

He deepened the kiss quickly, slipping his tongue past her lips and she moaned at the contact, hands gripping his hair. He slid both hands to her waist, backing her towards the counter and hoisting her up on it, her legs gripped tightly either side of his hips, pulling him closer. She nibbled on his bottom lip and oh god she was going to kill him..but what a way to go. Bringing a hand down, he slowly trailed a path up her thigh, inching past the hem of his t-shirt she was wearing and she gasped when his fingers traced the lacy edge of her panties.

Gripping her legs around him tighter, she scooted forward so that her chest was plastered against his. Ripping her lips from his, she moved her mouth to his neck, sucking and biting her way down as his fingers continued their exploration under her shirt. Shit that felt good..way too good, much longer and she wouldn't be able to stop him..

"Castle," she gasped, panting slightly, "we need to stop."

He stilled, resting his head on her shoulder, "sorry..got a little carried away.." He mumbled.

Wait, did he think she wanted him to stop because-? "Oh no, it's not that I don't want that..it's just uh, we're in your kitchen where your mother or daughter could walk in at any minute.."

"Good point," he chuckled, "and oh god, the pancakes are burning.." He rushed away from her to tend to the pancakes and she hopped down, straightening her shirt. "But uh, good morning detective," he grinned.

Castle stacked the freshly made pancakes onto a plate and put it on the counter in front of Beckett. Grabbing plates and cutlery for them both, he sat down next to her, gratefully accepting the coffee she passed him.

"These pancakes are amazing Castle," she mumbled around a mouthful, "I think I might drop by for breakfast everyday if this is what you make!"

"You're more than welcome, Beckett," he chuckled, "and uh, if that's the kind of good morning I get then I'll make you these for breakfast, lunch and dinner!"

They finished of their breakfast in companionable silence, stealing secret glances at one another every so often. When she couldn't eat anymore, Beckett pushed her plate away and Castle followed, both of them sipping their coffee.

"So uh, I guess we need to talk.." She began shyly, looking at him from under her lashes.

"Yeah, we probably do," he agreed, neither of them seeming to know what to say.

"Where does this leave us?" She asked.

She was asking him? Surely she knew he'd drop everything for her? "I uh..well where do you want it to leave us?"

"I.." She stopped, thinking about it for a moment. She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts - she knew exactly what she wanted - him. But was it that simple? She was still a bit of mess and she just wanted to be the best possible person she could for him, it was no less than what he deserved. "I want you," she admitted, "so badly it hurts. I'm crazy about you Castle, I have been for a long time now.."

Castle was speechless. If he was honest, he was half expecting her to say that last night had been a mistake - what she had said was the furthest possible option in his mind.

Seeing he wasn't going to say anything, she continued. "And I know I've screwed up, but I think we're finally getting past that."

Well yeah, until you know how I've screwed up too, he said silently, unsure of how to approach the subject. "I love you, Kate. Always have, always will." He took a deep breath - it was now or never. "But you're not the only one who screwed up. There's uh, something I need to tell-"

"Morning, Dad!" Shit, not now, Alexis! "And uh, Detective Be- ah, Kate?"

"Morning Alexis," Kate mumbled. Being discovered in Castle's clothes by his daughter had not been part of the plan.

"You're home early, pumpkin," Castle said.

"Yeah, Paige has lunch plans with her grandparents so I thought I'd come home and annoy you! Wanna watch all the Harry Potter movies?" She asked.

Dammit. Why couldn't he have told her just two minutes earlier? He couldn't exactly bring it up now, not while Alexis was here, that wasn't fair on any of them. He was however, grateful that Alexis didn't seem to be planning on bringing up the fact that Kate was here for breakfast in just his shirt.

"Sounds good, Pumpkin," he smiled, "let me just clear up this breakfast stuff and then I'm all yours."

"Great!" She replied, "I'll just take my stuff upstairs - oh, and you're welcome to join us, Detective Beckett."

"I'm sorry about that," Castle muttered once Alexis had disappeared up the stairs. "Bad timing, that kid."

"It's fine, Castle, she wasn't to know. And besides, this is her house, she shouldn't be made to leave just because I'm here."

"You're amazing, you know that?" He smiled, "so uh, you wanna stay? Watch Harry Potter?"

"You know what? I actually think I might."

"Really?" He hadn't been expecting her to say yes.

"Yeah, really," she smiled, "I don't have plans and it's been ages since I've seen them..so if it's okay with you, then I'll stay."

"Of course it's okay with me."

"Great, so that's settled then. Oh, what were you about to tell me when Alexis walked in?"

"Oh nothing," he lied, "it can wait." He was so going to hell for this. But how could he tell her now, when his daughter was on her way back downstairs? She needed to know, he knew that, but he was coward and he loved her, so intentionally telling her something that she was bound to hate him for would rip him apart - precisely the reason he hadn't already told her.

Tonight, he promised himself, I'll tell her tonight. Alexis and his mother were going for dinner and a showing of The Sound of Music this evening, so he knew they'd have the place to themselves. Well, he was counting on being alone once he told her what he knew, but he couldn't drag it out much longer, she was going to kill him anyway.

A/N: thoughts? The reveal is in the next chapter, I promise.

twitter - holaitsjade | tumblr - stanaabanana