Chapter 42

A/N: Yeah... I got nothin'.

Castle stumbled out of his bedroom, feeling almost drunk even though he knew the only thing he had had to drink was caffeine.

"Ugh." He fell onto the couch, taking a much needed break from the twenty feet or so of floor he had to cross to reach the kitchen.

"Problem?"

He glanced up, seeing Kate smile at him from behind the kitchen counter. "No."

"Are you sure? Because it looks like you're having a problem."

"No...I'm... I'm good." The writer staggered to his feet; trying to hold on to some kind of decorum. "I'm good."

She walked up to him, her hands untying his pajamas and sliding inside. "Oh... you are better than good..."

"Can I tell the boys you said that?" He panted.

"Are you really asking about Espo and Ryan when I have my hands down your pants?" She tightened her grip slightly, smiling when he shifted... hard.

"No." He shook his head emphatically. "No."

"Okay then."

He was like silk in her hand, his skin so soft it was all she could do to control the urge to taste it. "Come for me." She whispered, loving the way he collapsed against her even as she pressed herself into him. "Come for me , Castle."

Tucking his head under her chin, the writer let himself go. "Kate..." His voice was ragged... almost reverent as he thrust himself into her hand. When she ran her thumb over the tip of his shaft he bucked wildly.

"Kate..." He looked down at her in awe.

"I know." She licked her fingers and pulled him close; kissing him deeply before letting him go. "I've always known."

Castle looked at her in shock. "Then... why?"

"Because you weren't who you were supposed to be..." Kate shook her head. "You weren't anything that I expected. You made me fall in love with you... when all I wanted... was to survive you." She wrapped her fingers in his hair. "I'm so sorry, Castle. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"Because all I want is you... and I wasted so much time."

"We both did." He took her face in his hands. "But not anymore... right?"

Kate smiled. "Right."

Blushing, he tied his pajama bottoms, trying not to look directly at her. "So... what now?"

"Now?" Kate placed a cup of coffee in front of him. "Now we talk about Alexis."

"Alexis?" His face flushed; his body immediately stiffening. "So soon? Why?"

"Because of Tab?"

"I knew that girl would be a problem!" Rick began to pace.

"You did, did you?"

"Yeah!" He rolled his eyes at the detective. "Did you see her? She's like a female me!"

Kate tried not to laugh. "Castle..." She chose a reasonable tone but when he didn't respond she raised her voice. "CASTLE!"

"What?" He blinked at her. "What do we really know about this girl? She could be... too old... or... broken."

Kate sighed. "Tab Aronson is sixteen and a half years old, which makes her younger than Alexis."

"But I thought..." Rick blinked. "I thought the program required you to be seventeen..."

"It does..." She took a breath and shook her head. "They made an exception... because of her family history."

"Her..." Castle bit his lip. "Her history?"

"Her dad died. Her mom couldn't afford... anything..."She brushed her hair away from her face. "She's a good kid, Castle."

He studied her closely, finally finding the piece he had been missing. His eyes narrowed. "How do you know?

Kate blanched.

"Oh. My. God." Castle actually covered his mouth with his hands. "Did you abuse your power as a homicide detective and actually run a background check on my daughters girlfriend?"

Beckett thought of any excuse she could come up with and finally shrugged. "You would have done the same!"

"Yeah..." He looked at her with so much love she thought it might actually break her. "Yeah... I would."

I love this chapter. Not sure why... but I do.

Homage to Always.