A/N: So much school...so much homework...no time to write...I'm sorry...blame my teachers

Previously in Turning Tables:

Despite his anger, his hurt, that feeling of betrayal that tore at his gut he wanted to talk to her.

"I'm listening."

Kate's fork clattered against the table and she let out a long sigh.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry and I know that doesn't even begin to cover the pain I've put you through over the past few months but I…I…" she trailed off. Kate let out a chuckle and Rick's gaze flew to her, anger clouding behind his eyes.

"I've practiced this in the mirror at least twenty times and in front of you I just can't…"

Kate ran her hand through her hair before setting it back down on the table. Rick reached out and grasped it gently.

"Try."

"Try."

And so she did. Kate shed her mask, chipped away at the hard edge exterior, washed off all her war paint. She sat before him as vulnerable and scared as the nineteen year old girl who just found out her mother had been murdered. But this time, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything would be alright in the end.

"It started when you invited me to the Hamptons and I know that it sounds stupid that l still think about the way Gina's arm snaked around you like she owned you, right as I was going to say I would come with you, but even now I can't get it out of my head. When you said "I love you" is it wrong that that was the first thing I thought of?" Rick made no motion to answer her. He was still reeling over the fact that she was going to tell him she would come with him.

"I think it is, especially after all you've done for me since then. I mean, Castle, you've been there for everything and there is absolutely no way I can tell you exactly how thankful I am but I think that's why I am able to explain all of this to you now. Now I know what an honest, sweet, sincere, caring, man you are and even though I get scared sometimes those thoughts are constantly running through my mind.

"When you got shot, I was so mad at you for saying "I love you". I couldn't figure out why you would say it to me. I mean "tell my family I love them" would have been the ideal statement but you said "I love you". Me. Not Alexis or Martha but still, right then all I could think about was how I took a loving father and son away from his daughter and mother. And they were both so nice; making it seem like it wasn't my fault even when we all knew it was. But then you were okay, and in a coma and it was Josh who saved your life. He proposed that night but even then all I could think about was you, and how I would be able to see your blue eyes soon enough and apologize for everything.

"Then Alexis came and yelled at me and I remember how guilty I felt just talking to her. We both decided you shouldn't shadow me anymore. That I was too much of a danger for you, so when you woke up and didn't remember me, I thought I was doing both you and your family a favor. That's why I lied. That's when I convinced Alexis and Martha to lie. That's when I convinced everyone you know, everyone you care about to lie to you. But I couldn't stay away. I couldn't just cut you out of my life because I love you too, so I came up with the idea to re-write the past, that way I could still see you but you wouldn't work with me anymore honestly just wanted you to be safe, Rick, and I don't think that will ever be reason enough but I regret every second of it and I am so sorry I put you in harm's way and for just everything."

Kate let out a long sigh. All her baggage, all her mistakes, was laid out in front of him. She was ready to be screamed at, but Rick just stared at her in stunned disbelief.

"And now that I've finished my rambling, do you want to say anything?"

"Josh proposed?" he asked dumbfounded.

Kate stifled a chuckle and looked at Castle.

"Yes but I said no."

"Okay."

A heavy silence hung in the air. Kate cleared her throat and started to speak but no words came to her. She closed her mouth and took to staring at the tiled floor. Castle's voice startled her.

"You were really going to come to the Hamptons with me?" Kate nodded.

"Okay." Rick's eyes fell back to their spot on the wall, away from Kate's face.

The next silence burned in Kate's ears and she couldn't take it.

"You can yell at me if you want," Kate muttered. Castle turned to her wide-eyed but said nothing. He waited for her to continue.

"I didn't really expect you to stay silent, you know? I mean, you're Rick Castle. You always have a quip, Castle, always, even when it's deathly serious. You can yell if you want. You don't have to hold it in. I understand. I'm kind of hoping for it at this point."

Castle let out a soft chuckle.

"See, that's better," Kate said smiling. Castle let out a long sigh and Kate's smile fell.

"I don't want to yell. I'm hurt but I don't want to yell."

"Then what do you want?" She asked frustrated. This was not going how she had planned.

"For you to say 'I love you' again."

Kate's mouth fell open. Again? Had she said it before? Yes-in her ramble she let it slip but it just came out so naturally. Kate felt the blush in her cheeks rise.

"Richard Castle I love you and I am so sorr—"

"No no no," Rick said cutting her off. "I love you should not be tarnished with apologizes. That just distracts from the more important part of the statement."

Kate felt the corners of her mouth turn up as she waited in obvious anticipation for him to return the sentiment. The fire behind Castle's cerulean eyes sent shivers down Kate's spine. He leaned over the table closer and closer. Kate unconsciously felt herself leaning in too. She could feel his breath on her lips but forced her eyes to remain connected with his.

"I love you, too."

And he captured her mouth in his own in the most tender and sweetest of kisses. When they parted Kate's head was reeling and Castle couldn't help the sly grin spread across his mouth.

"It felt good to do that as me," he said. Kate giggled. "But I'm still mad. And it's going to take a while before we are normal again." And he was still mad. He was still hurt at Kate's lies but looking back, after everything she'd done, he understood. He would never dream of doing that to her if their roles were reversed, but he understood.

"Well in the meantime, can we do this?" Kate asked too sweetly before pressing her lips against Castle.

"Yeah, that works," he mumbled in her mouth.