Epilogue:

Back to Work, and New Beginnings

Castle and Beckett spent the rest of the night making up for lost time, alternating between making passionate love to just holding each other in slumber. They both knew that they would have to face the music and go back to work eventually, so when the time finally came, they were both very nervous as how to handle it. They had never exactly addressed the nature of their relationship to anyone before, at least not when the other was around. Both were eager to see what the other would have to say.

Monday morning saw the detective and writer scrambling to get ready for work, all the while dealing with the obvious distraction of having the object of their affection around to tempt them. By the time clothes were firmly put on, they were running almost an hour later than usual. Kate was sure that she would catch hell from the boys. They didn't particularly like being the first ones at the Precinct. She worried that they would see this as just another excuse to not come into work, and had either of them tried it on her, she'd most definitely look down upon them for that. Murder never slept, although there was always a dead body…and even though it never went anywhere, she always felt it was her duty to give the closure to those that mattered most to the victims.

She turned to Castle as they were just about to exit the apartment, biting her lip. Sensing her hesitation, he also halted, arching a brow in question.

"Castle, we need to tell them. Address this. Us. To Ryan, Esposito, and Captain Montgomery. I've never been in, or allowed myself to be put in a situation like this before."

"Well, I should hope not. We best selling novelists tend to avoid this line of work. Most of us just use our imaginations. However, when I got the chance to shadow you, I couldn't help myself. I loved you since the moment you approached me at my book signing. This is nothing new, nor should it be to you."

"I know. I just don't want things to get awkward. There have to be some ground rules or something."

"I know how to keep it professional. I think I've done a pretty damn good job of it over the years. You had no idea I was head over heels for you until I said something."

"Yeah, but everyone else did, even suspects. That affects my performance. As much as I enjoy kissing you and having you touch me, I don't think I could handle it at work."

Castle smirked. "Afraid you won't be able to keep your hands off of me, huh?"

"Not funny."

"Who's joking? I was being perfectly serious!"

"Let's just keep the PDA at home. End of discussion. Now, if you don't mind, we're late. We have work to do."

"All right, but you don't have to be so pushy about it! I have feelings too, you know."

Kate and Castle made it to the Precinct in record time. Castle was pretty sure that Kate had broken several traffic laws in order to make it. The streets were congested with many cars and pedestrians hurrying to get to work. As they rode on the elevator in silence, Castle suddenly had a crazy idea pop into his head and stopped the elevator between floors. Grabbing Kate roughly by her coat, he pulled her in for a deep and passionate kiss, tongues coming out to duel for dominance. He backed her up against the elevator wall, using it for leverage as he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist to hold on to him as he continued his assault, and he ground into her with his pelvis. She felt a rush of wetness flood her core as she felt how excited he was.

Just as it had begun, it was over. Castle released her with a groan, almost pushing her away with force. Kate stared at him with a stunned look on her face, lips parted and swollen from his kisses. She quickly recovered, swiping a shaky hand through her hair and straightening her clothes.

"That wasn't professional, Castle. I should kick your ass for that."

"Why? Because you enjoyed it? Sucks for you."

"No, because I specifically told you to keep the PDA at home."

"Well, technically we're not at work quite yet, and we're out of eyesight. So I don't see what the problem is."

She rolled her eyes, pushing the button to get the elevator rolling again. "I hate you."

"No, you don't. And I happen to be an expert on that subject."

Before she could respond, the doors opened onto their floor, and the detective and writer strode in under the scrutinizing gazes of Detectives Ryan, Esposito, and Captain Montgomery.

Before she could even get a word in, Castle spun her around to face him, ignoring her protests as he dipped her into another of his deep kisses. As he pulled her back up, he turned his head to face them.

"That answer any of your questions?" he asked, flashing a smile.

"Well, you're still alive, but she is glaring at you. So I'm guessing you two are an item now," Esposito replied, narrowing his eyes. "If that's the case, you'd better not hurt her. You'd be answering to me and Ryan, and we'd make your body disappear without a trace so fast that you wouldn't even blink."

"Yes, we are together. And I would love to have a lifetime of happiness with her. I love her. You guys should know this by now."

"Oh, believe me….we do. We just weren't sure if this little stunt you pulled last week meant you were letting her in on your little secret charade too."

Kate chose at that particular moment to break her silence. "He did. It was all very sweet. Now, if you don't mind, I would really love it if we could just get back to work."

"Not a problem, boss," both boys replied in unison, returning to their desks to begin another day of paperwork.

"Welcome home, Beckett and Castle," Captain Montgomery said with a slight smile. "You have plenty of work piled up yourself."

Sighing, the two retreated to their respective desks, shooting each other intense glances when the other wasn't paying attention.

A/N: Thank you all so much for your support as I finished my story! You guys are awesome. If you want another Caskett treat, be sure to check out my other fic, "Murder at The Gilded Stallion"! Peace, love, and REVIEW!