THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM
POST-4X11 AU
Maybe third time's the charm.
Her words echo in his mind, a loop that replays over and over, drowning out the entire ceremony. He has no intention of getting married again with one exception: the woman sitting next to him, beaming as the preacher declares their friends husband and wife, tears in her eyes when she looks at him.
Third time would be the charm, he's sure of that. He's so far gone for her, he feels like a teenager getting attention from his first crush when she hooks her arm through his on their way out of the chapel.
She smiles her thanks when he pulls her chair out for her at the reception, and something in her face, in her eyes, slams him in the chest. She looks at him like she'd hang the moon for him if he asked.
He recognizes that look on her face, because that's how he feels when he looks at her, thinks about her, every second of every day.
God, the marriage-averse version of him from just a few years ago must be rolling in his grave.
"That was beautiful," she says hours later, leaning into his side, her steps faltering. She curls her fingers around his forearm and bends down, slips off the tall heels she's somehow still wearing.
He holds out his free hand and takes the shoes from her to carry them, his heart swelling when she gives him a grateful smile. They're both a little sloppy from the champagne, their steps not quite straight, but his mind has never been so clear regarding her.
He's going to marry her someday.
"Makes me wonder…" Her voice trails off, and she hooks her arm through his once again, follows as he leads her down the block.
He should call a car, or look for a cab, even head towards the subway. They should part ways before he says or does something stupid that might push her away.
Like lay his heart on the line.
His mouth has other plans.
"Makes you wonder what?" he prods, immediately wishing he could take back his words when her body stiffens next to him.
After a few moments, she sighs and steps away.
Dammit.
"Kate-"
"Goodnight, Castle," she says in a voice barely more than a whisper, and she turns away and starts to walk down the sidewalk.
Rick sighs and hangs his head. Another time he may follow her, press her more, get her to finish her sentence, share what she usually keeps so tightly locked up.
It isn't until he lifts a hand to run through his hair that he realizes he's still holding her shoes, but she's out of sight now, and is obviously more concerned about getting away from him if she hasn't come back to retrieve them.
He turns the other direction to look for a cab, but a hand on his back stops him, has him turning around.
Her mouth is on his before he realizes what's happening, and he tenses for a moment before his body catches up.
Her shoes clatter to the ground, and he grips her waist, tugs her into him as she buries her fingers in his hair and deepens the kiss. He doesn't notice snow start to fall around them, every one of his senses laser-focused on her touch, her smell, her taste.
"I want it," she gasps when she pulls away, her hands cupping his jaw.
He takes a deep breath, his eyes shut tight, afraid that if he opens them, this will all disappear. She won't be here, and he'll be alone.
Her thumbs brush across his cheeks, gently rubbing until he gathers the courage to open his eyes.
Her face is mere inches from his, her eyes locked on his. "I want what they have," she whispers. "And I want it with you."
He blinks. What they - who?
"Kevin and Jenny," she clarifies, answering the question he doesn't realize he vocalized. Her gaze flicks to his mouth before meeting his again. "I love you, Rick," she sighs. "I love you, and you're it for me. I want to be your 'third time's the charm.'"
His heart soars. Is she saying what she thinks?
"Marry me, Rick." She surges forward, hesitates when her lips brush against his, just a whisper of a touch.
He trails his palms up her sides, and he closes his eyes, presses his forehead against hers.
God, this is crazy. They aren't dating; they've only kissed one other time, and they were undercover. He loves her more than he thought he could ever love anyone, would walk through fire for her. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
She's still healing, though, and they haven't revisited their conversation from a few months ago, when she surprised him after a book signing. They're in no place to get married. It's crazy, it doesn't make any sense.
"Okay," he rasps, his heart speaking for him once again. "Yes, Kate. Yes."
Her mouth is on his before he can react, and he feels her smile, wraps his arms around her to hold her tight.
There are logistics to figure out, he knows, but he pushes that thought out of his mind. And maybe it's backwards, marrying when they still have things to figure out.
But they will. They'll figure it out together.
-FIN-
A/N: This was meant to be a Caskett anniversary fic, but my brain had other plans. Thanks for reading!