They were standing in an alleyway and breathing hard. Lying on the ground behind them was the criminal they had been chasing, unconscious from the blow Castle had dealt him across the back of his head.

"Are you crazy?" Beckett hissed at Castle.

"What? He was pointing a gun at you! What was I supposed to do?"

"You could have gotten yourself killed with a stunt like that!" Kate glared at Castle for a moment, her heart still pounding. Then in began to sink in just what Castle had done. And this wasn't the first time he had done it – risk his life to save hers. They stood there, breathing hard, then Kate did something that Castle didn't expect, but had hoped she would do for a long time. She reached up, grabbed Castle by the lapels of his coat and kissed him. Hard. Castle was shocked into stillness, not believing that this was actually happening. Kate drew back after a moment when Castle didn't respond and looked up, uncertainty in her eyes. Afraid she would be rejected. Castle was jolted out of his shock by the fear in her eyes, then cupped her cheek with his hand and leaned down, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. They stayed that way for a long time, arms wrapped around each other, in their own little world oblivious even to the fact that Espesito, Ryan and Lanie had come running around the corner and were now were standing in shocked, but amused silence at the entrance of the alleyway, and were exchanging smiles. Finally, they broke apart when Espesito gave a discreet cough.

"I….uh…we…uhhh…" For once in her life, Detective Kate Beckett was at a loss for word.

"It's about time you two!" Lanie said, enjoying the pictured of the flustered pair before her. She had been trying to get these two together for a long time. Beside her Espesito and Ryan were smiling, they had all known for a long time that Kate and Castle had feelings for each other and were denying it. And there was no denying by the huge smile on Castle's face that he returned Kate's feelings. Good thing too, or else one morning he would wake up with both legs broken, courtesy of the guys of the 12th precinct. Kate pushed her hair back, returning to her normal all-business personality.

"Ok, let's book this guy. Ryan, Espesito, you guys go call it in. We can handle it here."

"Yeah, we can see that." Ryan mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" Beckett demanded turning around, her eyes daring Ryan to say it again.

"Nothing!" Ryan held up his hands backing away. He had learned long ago not to cross Kate.

"Yeah, I thought so." Ryan and Espesito left to call this in, but peeking back around the corner of the alleyway they couldn't help but see the glances Kate and Castle kept stealing at each other. Biting back smiles and laughs, they walked back to the car. Things had just gotten a lot more interesting at the 12th precinct.