It was about time I finish this story! Yes, this is the final chapter, and therefore the conclusion. I apologize for the very long wait. I've been working on different stories and music videos... Obviously long hours of (real) work didn't help.

Chapter 6

Castle's heart raced and a tiny smile appeared on his face. He couldn't help it. At least she was here. There was a little part of him that thought she would not even come. But Kate was already sat on the swing when Castle walked into the park. She was early as though she was ready to give him her decision. A final and irreversible decision.

Kate was anxious. She nervously put her hair behind her ear. When she looked up, she saw him walking towards her. She could not tell what he had decided. Nothing would show through his straight face.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hi," he said in his turn before an awkward silence settled.

Castle quietly sat down next to her, on his swing. They were unable to look at each other for a moment. Who would start first? Each of them feared the other's decision. What if they were not on the same page anymore? What if that week apart had made them choose different paths?

"I'm sorry," Kate said breaking that deafening silence. "You were right," she nodded. She was ready to get it all out. After all, what did she have to lose in telling the truth? "I've never been that far with someone. I've always ended things before it got too serious. The truth is I was about to do the same with you... using that job as an excuse," she said never looking at him. She shook her head. "I tried," she said before looking down. "I really tried," she repeated. "I gave you a drawer, I let you in like never before. I stayed almost every night at your place for a while but the truth is... I don't know how it works. I don't know how to do this," she apologized. "But I want to learn," she added after a few seconds. "With you..." she said eventually looking at him, before looking away again. Castle kept quiet, staring at her. He had been staring at her from the beginning. "I know I want more..." she said, before biting her lower lip, almost sobbing. "But I'm so scared. I don't know what it's like to always think for two, to live with someone and never have that little place of my own where I can be alone if I need to..." she paused, "to suddenly have a new name... It's intimidating. Actually, it's frightening and yet... tantalizing. And I'd like to do it with you. Because believe it or not... there's no one I trust more." Castle softly shook his head, not sure if he could believe her. It seemed heartfelt. "There's no one... I love more. There's no one who's been by my side like you have... You're my partner," she said with an awkward smile, tears in her eyes. "I'd like us to move forward, together, side by side, and not... one following the other," she said getting back to her mistake. "If you're... okay with that."

Castle stared at her for a minute. What a different discourse, and tone, than the previous week. They stayed looking deep into each other's eyes. It was now or never. Their crossroads.

"There's nothing I'd want more, Kate..." he eventually said, almost whispering. Kate could see a but was about to follow. She didn't even catch him completely. She wasn't sure he had said would want more or wants more. He had taught her that every word was important. "I'm sorry," he said. Kate's heart raced. So this was it? He didn't want to go any further? He was giving up? "I'm sorry I made you choose," he went on. "It wasn't fair. But I was upset, I thought it was a way to punish you... to make you understand how much it hurt. That doesn't mean I'm not mad anymore... but I wish I had handled it differently," he told her. "Kate..." he started. "If you want this job-"

"I already called," she said.

She had anticipated it. Was that her plan to get both? Maybe she was forcing him to choose. Knowing she wanted to be with him, the decision would be on him. He would have to choose to let her go or to go with her.

"And... told them what, exactly?" he asked.

"I thanked them for their offer. But it isn't me. It's not what I want. I persuaded myself it was so that I could have a way out... But I think it's time I dive into it. And I'm not talking about work. I'm talking about us."

"Alright..." he said, as he kept scrutinizing her. "So, to be clear, I'm still mad. But I agree to give ourselves another chance... on one condition. No more lies," he warned her. "No more lies by omission either."

"No more lies," she promised.

Castle looked her deeply in the eyes. He wanted to make himself clear. He wanted her to understand his point once and for all. She could trust him.

"If you want something for your life or if you have something on your mind, please tell me. I'll like it or I'll hate it but I'd like to know."

Kate nodded. She needed to open up, to let him in even more. But it had to be both ways.

"Same for you," she said. He nodded as to agree. "You know, someone convinced me that having someone by your side should be comforting, and not scary...It's both, isn't it ?"

"That person, whoever it is-"

"Dr Burke."

"You went to see him?" Caste asked, surprised.

He appreciated the initiative. He was glad to see the efforts she had put into their relationship.

"I'm gonna go back, for a little while. If you don't mind..."

"Why would I? You do what's good for you."

"For us," she added, with a tiny smile.

Castle smiled a little as well. She was finally including him, slowly.

"Well, he's right. It shouldn't be scary. But I understand it can be at first. I'm scared too. But I know I don't want to walk away simply because I'm scared."

Kate nodded softly, relieved. They were on the same page. They had chosen the same path.

"Me neither," she said with a smile. "I have a question though."

"Sure. Anything."

"Last week... You... you talked about being married and having kids..."

"That's right," he confirmed realizing how it could make her feel ill-at-ease.

"But... when I asked you where we were going... you didn't answer. You've almost always made the first move in our relationship but lately..."

"At this very place, you asked me for time. Remember? I gave you time," he paused. "I didn't want to push you, Kate. I didn't know how far you were willing and ready to go. I was scared you'd run away if I asked you to take the next step, like moving in together... or more. I didn't know... what your reaction would be. So I figured you'd speak out when you would want more. I decided to let you take the next step, when you'd be ready."

Kate nodded silently. He was willing to move forward in that relationship. Now it was her call to decide when to take that next step.

"And I think I am..." she smiled softly.

Even though a part of her was terrified, she knew it would be worth it. He would be worth it.

The end.

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