We have come to the end of this story. I'm kind of sad too see it end. Thank you to everyone for all the reviews, favorites, and follow, you guys encouraged me to continue when I hit dead ends and didn't know what to do. To the incredible group of people who helped make this story possible. A great author who's stories I adore, the sweet gentlemen who helped me greatly learning about PTSD. Can't forget my great ammunitions and killing expert (you are to me!) who also helped me with some grammar and story development. To my wonderful Beta, who didn't tell me to take a hike when she was getting chapters everyday or every other day. Finally to my BFFL who kept telling me I could do it, when I wanted to quit at the end cu I was fried! I owe you all a standing ovation!

Their feet slide heavy and slow over the sidewalk as they finally reach the loft entrance. It's a new doorman already and rolling waves of exhaustion and grief threaten to consume them before they make it to the elevator. ID in hand Castle waves it towards the doorman and then says hello to LT who is still staked out in the lobby, under Gates' orders.

The elevator ride seems to take forever, and he feels her sink against chest, trying to find warmth and comfort in the safety of his arms. It's the only place she's found real peace in last couple of years. When the doors slide open he walks slowly towards his door, with his arm around her shoulder, and hers gripping his shirt on the other side of his waist. She squeezes him towards her, she just can't seem to get close enough, almost afraid to let go.

"I'm so tired, Castle." She mumbles, and she sounds so young and vulnerable to him. His mother, daughter and Jim are there waiting for them when the door opens. They've seen the footage of Gates' and the Governors' press conferences on TV and Bracken's "perp walk" out of the State House.

Dinner is quick, as the family notices the exhaustion continuing to settle in On the couple. Kate walks her father to the front door. He takes her hands and holds them between his, and looks into her tired eyes.

"If I'd lost you to this Katie, my life would have been over. I'm grateful you caught him, but your life was never a trade off anyone here was willing to pay but you. Look carefully around you at what you have built. It's not traditional, but it's better than most. Friends who put their job and life on the line for you. Martha and Alexis whom would do anything for you. A man who would risk it all for you, and me. Hold it tight and close, don't risk away something so special, Katie-bug." He kisses her on the cheek and gives her a quick hug.

"I won't dad, I love you." She says as she closes the door behind him, and leans up against it. She looks out at the Castle clan sitting at the table, all animated and still talking. She never thought she'd have this again, yet here it is in front of her, a future she never thought possible.

Not long later, everyone decides to head to their own rooms. It's been a long day. Slowly undressing her, Castle kisses her reverently making sure she knows how loved she truely is. She melts into his arms and then drops gently into the bed. When he joins her lips brush softly against the fine stubble of his chin. She burrow her face into his neck and wrap her arms around his body. Their legs tangle together until there's precious little space between them. It's then that the tension slowly seeps out of their limbs and they finally relax. It's not long before the lovers fall asleep.

That night she dreams of children and grandchildren, of weddings and recitals and for once she sees herself in all of it.

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The courtroom is jammed packed with families, hand picked media outlets; and officers, no unauthorized personnel are allowed to give the families privacy at this time. Kate and her family sit in the center front row.

The judge raps the gavel loudly and clears his throat.

"Will the Jury Foreperson please stand?"

A well dressed woman stands, her eyes skims over the crowd and return to the judge. The white paper clutched tightly in her hand.

"Has the Jury reached a unanimous Verdict?

"Yes, we have Your Honor," she says in a clear voice, with the tiniest glimpse of a smile as she looks over to the families.

The Clerk takes the verdict from the Foreperson and walks it to the Judge who reads it carefully and looks up at the crowd assembled before him.

"Will the defendant please, rise?"

The Judge begins her recital of their findings, "On the three counts of blackmail, guilty. On the three charges of conspiracy to commit murder, guilty, on the 5 counts of murder in the first degree, guilty, on the ..."

As the litany of charges continues with each followed by the judgment of guilty, Kate's mind begins to wander away from the court room to a mental image of her mother's headstone. The image is so clear in her mind, the texture of the stone, the roughness of the letters that posts their message to her for all time. She can't bring her mother back, but the significance of the moment hits her hard when she realizes this is finally the end of it all. It is well and truly over. This trial will withstand any appeal. The evidence and testimony is iron clad. She'a free. For the first time since that fateful night, when she was 19, her life is finally her own. Her mind returns to the courtroom just in time to hear the Judge say,

"Sentencing for the defendant will take place here on July 13, 2018." The Judge turns and faces the jury. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, we thank you for your service, you are now excused. This court is now adjourned."

The families in the center section hug each other and cry, as they finally get the justice they've longed for so long. Bracken stands stoically staring at Beckett and her family as they put the cuffs around his wrists. She feels his eyes on her as she swaddles the fussy infant dressed in pink in her arms. Their eyes meet and she stares him down. He can't hurt her or her family anymore. In the four years since he's been incarcerated he has seen most if not all of his conspirators taken down. He has nothing left but life in prison with no parole. Turning away she helps Castle with their two year old son, then Jim Beckett swings the boy onto his shoulders as he starts to walk out of the room. She takes one last glimpse as he's gets escorted out of the courtroom by armed guards.

As they walk out of the front doors of the NYC Court House cameras are everywhere and reporters push and shove trying to get an interview. Someone asks her how she feels and she stops to answer.

"I feel relieved and grateful to be finally putting this behind me. I want to thank Detectives Javier Esposito and Detective Kevin Ryan for their hard work, dedication, loyalty. Medical Examiner, Lanie Pariish for her dedication to her job, her kindness and loyalty. Retired Captain Victoria Gates for standing by me, her devotion to her department, and the long hours of work she put in to this. To my family, Dad, Martha and Alexis who never once wavered in their love and dedication. Finally to my husband, my rock, my everything, who without him none of this would have ever been possible. Now ladies and gentlemen, I would just like to go home with my family." She turns to Castle who wraps his arm around her and their youngest daughter, as they walk towards the waiting cars. As she approaches the car, she gives the baby to Martha. She turns towards her husband and gently kisses him. The camera flashes go crazy as everyone takes pictures, then they turn and get into the car...

The End

I'm thinking of doing a ficathon, just not sure I have it in me to do another long one. I'll let you all know real soon. Thank you again fir reading...if you haven't reviewed please do so now and let me know what you liked and didn't like. Thank you all again! Can't wait until Monday!