Soon

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Summary: Alternate Cops & Robbers ending

Happy (Early) Birthday to the bestest buddy out there. :)

Castle watched Kate as she finished her wine. It had been a wonderful evening, following one of the most eventful days he'd ever gone through. He was more than glad that she agreed to come for dinner, and he hoped they could talk about things... today... anything... for the rest of the night.

Unfortunately, Kate was expected at the precinct tomorrow, so she was already leaving. She had been quite open, especially after Mother and Alexis had excused themselves. But again, the time had passed too quickly.

She set her empty glass on the cabinet and smiled as he approached. He could hardly fathom how deeply he wanted to see that particular smile again. It was the same she had worn earlier, when she found him with the rest of the hostages.

Kate reached for his hands, surprising him, and making him smile at her touch. "Thank you so much for tonight, Castle," she said, then ducked her head shyly, avoiding his gaze, "I wish I could stay longer."

He gently squeezed her fingers, then freed his right hand to lift her chin up. Her lashes fluttered a few times before she focused on him. "Me, too," he answered, "Don't forget, I do have an extra room. We could talk more - you wouldn't have to worry about getting back to your place so late."

Kate opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him and swaying a bit before she let him go.

Castle couldn't get it out of his head, how in that brief moment, she smelled like vanilla and honey... and home. "Please stay a little longer. I..." he took a moment to gather his thoughts. Words were coming to him a hundred times faster than he could possibly assimilate. "It's for purely selfish reasons," he finally admitted, chuckling some under his breath, knowing he probably sounded like some sort of idiot. "I just want to spend a little time with you without distractions. You know, we've never had that?"

Kate smiled and agreed, "Yeah, I do. There is always someone or something getting in the way."

"Yeah, always." Slowly, he leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. At the last possible moment, Kate turned and their lips met. It surprised him, but he didn't back away, he only stayed there, sliding his lips against hers, so in sync like they always are.

"You have no idea how much I want to stay," Kate said when they parted, their foreheads touching as they breathed each other in.

He shook his head slightly, never moving from her touch, "Oh, I think I do, but I understand."

Kate bumped her nose against his, and kissed him again. He loved the feel of her, so warm against him. "I really want to stay and totally lose myself, but... I'm not ready. I just need a little more time. I promise you, Rick, I'm almost there."

It filled him with hope and hurt at the same time. Castle couldn't help but look away. If she met his eyes, he wasn't sure how he would react. "Then you should go, for both our sakes."

She caressed his cheek, and turned his head so he would look at her. Her eyes were glistening, and all he wanted to do was hold her until the tears stopped. "That wall I told you about? It's coming down. Just a little more time is all I ask. Tonight," she took in a deep breath, then said, "If I stay tonight... Castle, you deserve the truth. I'm scared."

"Scared of what?" He was surprised to hear her say so. This was a huge confession coming from Kate, and he wanted to do everything in his power to keep her from feeling this way.

"I've never felt this way for anyone," she admitted, "I'm scared of what will happen, of what we'll become, and right now, that's overwhelming, almost terrifying." She pulled him in to another hug, relaxed and leaning into him as she said, "I have more work to do before I can do this."

Castle held her. He could stay like this forever, but his curiosity wouldn't shut up. "Work?" he questioned into her hair, taking in all he could of her. "What kind of work?"

She sighed and he felt her hold on him tighten. It was like she'd wished she hadn't said so much. "I'm in therapy. I've put in a lot of time there, trying to get past that day and accept all of it." She pulled back and looked him directly in the eyes, and he understood what she was telling him. "It's helping, but I'm not where I want to be. Yet."

Yet. That's a good word. It was full of promise. "Soon?"

"Yes, soon." She leaned back, her arms still around him as she nodded and said, "I hope I'm not asking for too much."

"It's not too much," Castle answered as he smiled, and she did as well. This had to have been incredibly difficult for her. "As long as we're together in the end, it'll be worth the wait."

"Okay."

Slowly, so slowly, Kate slipped from his arms, her eyes never leaving his as she walked out of the loft. It was several minutes after the door closed before he could finally make himself move. His future suddenly seemed so close, so full of hope, and he could almost touch it.

And all he had to do was to give her the time she needed, and for Kate Beckett, he didn't mind waiting.