Okay here's the end of this story. I think I'll write that sequel. Don't know when I'll publish it.
I didn't have this beta-ed so all the mistakes are mine.
Please leave me a lasting review (a nice one preferably).
Enjoy!

"The last case wrapped up. Finally!" was the thought that went through Kate's mind as she closed the file.

It had been a full 6 weeks since Castle's return and her nearly killing him. After 4 weeks IA had dropped everything and she was reinstated as a Detective. The only thing said was; "Don't speak of it again and we won't pursue it." The amount of strings Montgomery must have had to pull, to make them drop it must have been enormous. The IA, at least in NYC never dropped a case unless the was nothing left to go on. And here they most certainly had things to go on.

As for the press and the rest of the world. Alexis made a statement about her father's injuries, saying he fell down 3 stairs and suffered some minor injuries. Kate didn't know how much more lucky she could get but, the press actually bought it.

As for her work. The cases after Kate's reinstatement, were vigorous. All very messy, bloody and emotional. But she closed them all within two weeks, but it had almost taken its toll on her. She could really use one of those inappropriate joke from Castle right now.

Castle, unfortunately, wasn't here. Although he was recovering quickly, it was gonna be awhile before he'd be back, if he was even coming.

Kate felt much better knowing he was getting better. But she hadn't visited him. Something was keeping her from even calling. Guilt….that's all that was keeping her from it, but it had her in a death grip. Even the talk in the hospital hadn't gotten the guilt out of her system.

This feeling, was in some ways even worse than that of the past summer.

Letting out a huge sigh she landed both her elbows on her desk. Slowly she rested her head on her open hands as if on a pillow. She starred out into the distance, imagining him walking in. His hair, his smile, his smell. It was all so intoxicating. She looked down at the empty chair next to her desk, still empty.

Her gaze was interrupted by Ryan putting a file in front of her eyes. She looked up with a dangerous glare.

As if scared of that glare alone, he put the file down her desk. "Sorry, didn't want interrupt your….whatever you were doing. But I'm afraid we need that last confession of the Broaming-case, confirmed by you, before the DA has anything to go on."

She groaned in annoyance but gave in. She put the necessary things in order and closed the file.

Her imagination took over again, and it again showed her Castle. They weren't anything at the moment, Kate wasn't even sure they were still friends.

She felt empty without him. The entire summer the void he had filled was, temporarily filled with anger. Now that that was gone, there was nothing but emptiness, the thing that only Castle could fill within her.

There were many things she could deny with a straight face but not this, she was just completely in love with him, as simple as that.

Her gaze at the empty corridor was interrupted. She focused her eyes and recognized the man coming towards her, Castle. Her chin fell down.

Castle walked in, nonchalant and with a face that said 'It's nothing.' But coming here with a broken wrist and a concussion and an apparent limp was most certainly something.

He looked at Kate for a split second and gave her a quick smile and then tapped the glass of Montgomery's office. He entered, and she heard the customary 'Welcome back' coming from the office, before Castle closed the door.

Kate, still astonished by him walking in, could only look at the expression of the two men inside. Not even a single thought went through her mind. She was completely blank.

The talk appeared to be just a social call at first, until Castle pulled a file out of his jacket and put it on the Captain's desk. Montgomery's face was priceless. He must have blinked at least fifty times before saying anything else. Montgomery gestured to Castle to sit down and he complied.

XXXXXXXXXX

The talk went on for another 15 minutes, consisting mostly of concerning and dismissive looks and a lot of rolling eyes. Castle was apparently being himself.

After the last rolling eye the Captain got up from his chair, and extended a hand to Castle. There were a couple of looks exchanged, and after Montgomery said something, Castle turned to look at Kate. His grin was as intoxicating as it was alarming.

Montgomery opened the door to his office.

"Beckett, in here please." A demanding voice said from across the hall.

She got up knowing this was going to be a tough talk with or without Castle.

When she entered Montgomery closed the door and Kate took the chair next to Castle. Montgomery dropped himself in the behind his desk and leaned back.

"Well, Beckett I have had a rather interesting request from our guest, here and it's undoubtedly going to involve you if I grant it. Rick here, apparently wants to join us here at the 12th. I don't know and honestly don't want to know how he did it, but he has made it possible for himself to be taken as an intern here. Now, we all know what happened a few weeks ago. And although this is none of my business, I have to ask. Are you okay with this, after all that's happened?"

Kate was nervous as hell and looked at Castle, expecting to look at his annoying smile, and find some comfort in it. But Castle's face was dead serious, and it made her even more nervous.

"Well…..Captain, I'm not going into what's happened and all that's gone wrong. But I think need him back here, as a cop or not, whether I like it or not."

It was quiet for no more than ten seconds but it felt like minutes.

Montgomery, groaned and rose from his chair.

"Alright then. I'll put everything in order. As soon as you're fully recovered and you've undergone a psychological-evaluation, I suppose you can start."

"Thank you, Captain."

"We'll see if your still thankful after a couple of months here. It ain't no cruise Castle. Things here can mean the difference between life and death. Now, get out of here, I want you two back out there ASAP."

"Of course." Castle said as he got up and opened the door.

Kate got up as well but made no eye contact with anyone. She walked through the door and headed back to her desk. Closely followed by Castle, who apparently had trouble keeping up, with the limb.

She said down on her chair and he said down on his. It immediately felt better, to see something sitting in that chair out of the corner of her eye.

"Okay spill it. What's bothering you now, another case?" Castle asked as he put his left elbow on her desk and landed his cheek on his hand.

"No….you are." It was just hard enough for Castle to hear.

"Me? Why?"

She closed the file she was reading and turned her head to him.

"Cause I still feel so guilty for what I did to you."

He smiled at that. He put his hand slowly on hers and waited to see if she pulled away. She didn't. He slowly grabbed her hand off her desk and brought it to his chest. She was in the meanwhile getting very nervous, as to his intentions.

"I know this gonna sound pretty cliché but, do you feel this?" he asked referring to his heartbeat.

She nodded.

"This heart is still beating. And if you've paid attention over the past year and a half, you know, it only beats for you. No disrespect or less love to Alexis or Mother but, you are the most important person in my life."

"As for what you did to me, in my opinion, I deserved every bit of it."

The tears almost fell from Kate's eyes as she listened to him.

"Follow me, I wanna show you something I think will alleviate your guilt." She followed him with a small but happy smile.

He took her to the fire escape and opened the door to its stairs.

She heard the door close behind her and turns to Castle.

She is just in time to see him coming at her. Her instinct told her to evade him, but her heart told her to trust him. She let him come. He put his hands on her cheeks, his thumbs just behind her ears and his pinkie fingers under her chin. He looked her straight in the eyes and brought his lips to hers.

The kiss conveyed so much to Kate, her entire surrounding disappeared and she lived in the moment that never seemed to end. And she never wanted it end.

He carefully and softly pushed her against the wall. The kiss deepened and Kate started running her hands through his hair. His body heat against hers, his lips practically glued to hers. It gave Kate the feeling of actually being alive for the first time in years.

Despite great efforts on Kate's part to keep him in it, Castle broke the kiss and they rest their forehead against one another.

"Be with me Kate, please. I need you in my life." He whispered

"Alright" Kate replied on a whispering tone.

"But only on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"That you don't die, with me, out there."

"I won't die, with you behind."

"And the same goes for you."

"Don't die with me."

"We have a deal?" Rick asked

"We do." She answered.

They kissed again and enjoyed each other for a long time before they finally left the precinct.

XXXXXXXXXX

5 weeks later.

Kate put her vest on. Ryan grabbed the Spas-12 from the trunk and Esposito the M4A1 assault rifle, they only used on special occasions, such as these. She heard another click from someone's vest. She looked around. Castle had his vest on, now reading Writer/Police. He was just checking his Sig's ammo as she looked at him.

He looked up at her and saw here troubled look. He put his hand on her shoulder. "It's gonna be alright. I can beat you at the range and have been cleared for these kind of situations a few week ago."

"I know you're ready, but I just hope the guy on the other end of the gun isn't as good a shot."

"Don't worry" he reassured her.

He turned his head Ryan and Esposito who were busy with their vests and had their back turned to them. Assured that they were not paying attention he put small kiss on her lips. Just like this morning.

" I love you, you know that. Now let's get this arms-guy."

Kate nodded assured and checked her mags.

The boys clipped their vests on and headed for the back door, followed by Castle. They surrounded the door and Esposito reached for the doorknob. Kate held up her hand and counted back from three.

One.

Two.

Three.

Esposito opened the door and Ryan went through.

"NYPD! Hands in the air!"

Sequel cliffhanger. Don't you just love that?

Special thanks to Cheyenne32. You're Out of Order chapter was awesome. As are all of your other Castle stories.

Bye! And good luck.

~Mauk