AN: So sorry for the late update. I had huge trouble with this chapter, re-writing almost every part a few times until I was somewhat happy with the finished product. Anyway there are still a few more chapters to go. I know where I will go with this story, but not quite how much there is to come in between.

Chapter 7.

Letting her eyes flutter open confusion washed over her face.

Where was she? Oh, right.

Yesterday came back into her mind. Pulling the covers higher up her body she turned onto her stomach, hiding her face in the pillow. Even the pillow smelled like him, she thought. Or maybe it was just his t-shirt.

His t-shirt.

Nervousness started to build up in her. He picked her up, she cried in his arms, he let her sleep in his guest room, she wore his clothes. That was a lot for one day. Too much, too much for her to bear. The thought of just creeping out of the loft crossed her mind, pretending like none of this ever happened. It was sure going to make it easier.

But not better. And she was here to make it better. He took her here to make it better.

Last night she couldn't fall asleep right away. For about two hours she lay still on her back starring at the ceiling. Her thoughts wandering from her mother, to him, to her father, to him and back to her mother. Thinking back she pulled the covers completely over her head, blocking out all the light that came through the window.

/

She threw the covers away from her body. It was warm and she was getting thirsty. When did she last have a glass of water? She wasn't sure and got up. The t-shirt that rode up her body fell down mid-tight. She was not wearing the sweatpants he gave her. It was summer and far too warm and the shirt covered enough already.

Tiptoeing out of the room and down the floor she still was not sure why she said yes to stay here tonight. Maybe because for once she wanted to feel home again. For once she wanted to get up in the morning and smell coffee when she came into the kitchen and not scotch.

Walking down the stairs she saw a light burning in the kitchen.

Maybe for once she wanted to get up in the middle of the night to get some water and someone was there. He stood with his back to her digging through the freezer. She couldn't help the smile from forming on her lips.

"Why are you up?" she asked making his head shoot up and turn around in return. A spoon was dangling from his lips, a box of chocolate ice cream in his hand. The laugh left her mouth before she could stop it.

"Night time is ice time." he said with a smile on his lips holding the box out to her. "You want some?"

She shook her head, no. "Why are you up?" he asked. Shrugging her shoulders she leaned against the counter.

"Couldn't sleep. I wanted to get some water." she mumbled. Nodding he put the box on the counter and went to grab a glass out of the cupboard to fill it with water for her. She felt his eyes on her body, wandering from her head over her arms, her torso to her bare tights.

"Thanks" she said as she took the glass from him taking a long sip.

"You're alright?" he asked stepping closer. Looking down she shook her head, taking a deep breath.

"I can't seem to turn off my head. It's wandering everywhere." she explained placing the glass on the counter behind her.

He sighed. "I just wish I could re-write your story. Give you the answers you're looking for." Grabbing her hand he squeezed her fingers.

"You're already doing more than enough." she said slipping her fingers in the spaces between his, pressing their palms together. "My life is not easy, but having you around makes it a little more fun." Looking up she locked eyes with him. Why did they have to be that blue? And why was her heart beating so fast and why couldn't she stop thinking about just leaning in to kiss him? Those eyes.

"You know, I'm actually shocked you haven't made a comment about me wearing your clothes." she said in a hoarse voice, biting her lips. His lips pulled up into a smirk. That smile.

"Maybe I'm just speechless." he said. Did be move closer again?

"Speechless? Doesn't really sound like you." He just shrugged and rested his other hand on the counter behind her. She was now trapped between his body and the counter; his chest almost touching hers. She bit her lip.

"You're always doing that when you're nervous." he said, she raised an eyebrow at him. "Biting your lip. It's adorable."

She felt herself blushing, letting her lip go. He lifted his hand from the counter and slowly brought it up to her face. She felt like she could not breathe. Gently touching her cheek he moved his thumb over her lower lip. The exact same spot where moments ago her teeth were. His fingers were softer than she expected and she couldn't help wondering how his lips would feel on hers.

Closing her eyes she tried to let that moment sink in. Richard Castle, his loft, crying, his t-shirt, about to kiss. Opening her eyes he was incredibly close. He was hesitating, she felt it. Not going the last step, waiting for her to take the last step, giving him an okay.

His chest slightly brushed hers. She could feel just the illusion of what was underneath his shirt. His blue eyes starring into hers and his breath on her lips, fingers drawing soft circles over her cheek. She never expected wanting to kiss someone that bad. But she did. Since the moment they met. On day 103, 80 days ago.

Her fingers were slightly shaking as she reached out her free hand, laying it on his hips, feeling the warmth of his skin leaking through the fabric into her body. Just slightly tugging she pulled him closer.

/

Turning the pancakes he kept an eye on the coffee, glancing up the stairs every few moments. At least she was still there. He cracked her door open this morning to look inside, afraid that she ran away. But she didn't. She slept peacefully on her back, head turned to the side, lips slightly parted.

Shaking his head he poured the batter for another chocolate chip pancake in the pan. Last night was... he didn't expect his day to end like hat. He didn't intend to end it like that as he picked her up at home.

But he did not regret. Not one single bit, he wanted to do that since the day they met. For a moment he leaned back against the counter. That counter.

/

She tasted like cherries.

Her lips were soft as they moved over his. Both her hands came up around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. One hand on her cheek, his arm sneaked around her waist trying to pull her as close into him as possible.

Their noses touched as he titled his head sideways to feel more of her. He felt her raising on tiptoes against him to be more even with him. Slightly parting his mouth he let his tongue gently run over her lips, tasting her.

Opening up her mouth to him in return his tongue touched hers. Feeling her heart beat quicken against his chest. It was absolutely silent in the loft, the only sound coming from their lips and tongues touching and their breaths getting heavier.

Grazing her lower lip with his teeth a small moan escaped her throat making him pulling her even closer. Her lower body bumped slightly into his in return.

Separating to breathe their noses and foreheads touched. Opening their eyes they looked at each other. He let his mouth touch hers one, two, three times in small kisses, keeping his eyes on her.

He wanted to say something, anything, but he was afraid of ruining the moment. Making them slip back into reality. Something that he was not ready for, yet. Or ever.

But she slightly pulled away, her arms still around him, creating a little more space between them.

He needed to break the silence.

"That certainly was better than the ice cream." A chuckle escaped her mouth.

"Yeah" she answered and as so many times before her teeth sank down in the flesh of her soft lip.

"I-" he started, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "I want you to know that I didn't plan this when I invited you over." He felt like he had to apologize for kissing her.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked before smirking. "I know how you've been starring at me since we met?"

"I? You couldn't leave your eyes off of me." he teased.

"You annoyed the crap out of me when we met." she protested making him shake his head.

"Did not." he leaned in again, closing his eyes, letting his lips graze hers for another moment.

She did not hesitate and leaned into the kiss. Pulling away a few moments later she leaned her forehead against his chest, arms around his middle he stroke her back with one hand and her head with the other. He gently kissed her hair, inhaling her scent.

"You're alright with... this?" he mumbled, slightly scared of her answer. "You need to know that I'm not just playing around with you. I mean...-" but she interrupted him.

"Shhh!" she whispered against his chest. "I am. I am. But..." There it was. The but. "... I need to go slow. I'd be lying if I said that this – wherever we're going – wouldn't scare me. I just need time to adjust." He felt her hugging him closer.

His face light up. "Your pace. Whatever you need, okay?" She nodded against his body. "And now... you have to sleep it's been a really long day."

And he was happy that she let him take her upstairs, let him kiss her again at the door, let him close the door after she entered the room.

She was two rooms away from him that night but she felt closer than ever.

/

Hearing footsteps on the stairs he looked up, a smile glowing on his face. Her hair was in a messy pony tail and she wore her jeans and the black tank top from when he picked her up. She also smiled and was she... blushing?

"Good morning." she said quietly.

"Morning, made you pancakes and coffee." he said filling two plates with pancakes and filling their cups with the black steaming liquid.

"That looks amazing." She looked around a little confused. "Where is everyone?"

"Mother took Alexis to the kindergarten hours ago and she is who knows where."

It was a little awkward between them, he couldn't deny that but the wide grin on his face just could not be removed. Especially not as she moved closer and climbed on the bar chair next to him.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked her and she nodded, coffee filled mouth.

"A lot better. I'm still... I don't really know how I feel. But better." she smiled somewhat shyly at him.

"That's good." he stated laying his hand on top of hers. Turning to him she smiled. God, that smile.

He leaned closer touching his cheek to her cheek, lips close to her ear, whispering.

"Can I kiss you?"

He saw that she tried to hide the smile but failed. Turning her face she touched her lips to his. She tasted like coffee and freshly brushed teeth. He could survive only off her taste. Her hand running up his chest holding onto his neck she ran her tongue over his lips. He willingly allowed her entrance, deepening the kiss.

Pulling apart to breathe they smiled. "Well that is a good morning." he said and she bit her lip before turning back to her breakfast, eating in silence.

/

"What are you up to, today?" he asked her after they finished their breakfast. She leaned against the counter and watched him as he cleaned the kitchen. He refused to let her help him.

She looked down. Last night was great and this morning was great. She told him she needed time and she was honest about that. She wanted nothing more than to spend the day with him, kissing him, feeling him next to her, just being with him.

But right now there were a lot of things she had to sort out and while she wanted to be alone with him right now she needed to take care of something.

"I" she mumbled, closing her eyes. "I can't today."

"Okay?" he said questioningly, throwing the towel over a chair and moving closer to her. Looking up at him she knew that he thought. That she was running away, that he did something to scare her away. And while she was freaked out at the thought of what was going to happen between them – he became her rock and thinking about loosing him... no, she wasn't going that far – that was not the reason she had to go.

"I need to go home, talk to my dad-" reaching out she took his hand in hers. "Maybe I can finally start talking some sense into him. I don't know. I just... I can't do it that way any longer." Looking up she hoped he would understand.

He squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Of course." he mumbled. "Just call if you need me, I'd be happy to have you over again. And Alexis would be, too."

"I will" she said leaning into him, letting him embrace her.

AN: What do you think?