The Castle is Breached
Chapter 21
Disclaimer: See chapter one

A/N: Well this is it. We finally made it. My first every multi-chapter Castle fic. It's been an awesome ride, with an awesome bunch of readers. You guys broke my record on story alerts(almost 100) and have kept me going with the wonderful reviews. Some will be disappointed that I didn't include those three little words, but this is a pre-finale story and they just hadn't come to that yet in my world. (though I so hope Kate heard him and remembers-I was in tears). Anyway I may attempt a slightly AU version on a scene from the finale, not really sure, but we'll see. I've loved this journey and you guys have made it so worth the ride. I wish I could pass out hugs to everyone who's read this, so for a minute I am group-hugging everyone.

I hope if any of my readers have been in the path of the terrible storms that have been battering the mid-west that you guys have been spared and have stayed safe. My neck of the woods is in the cross-hairs tonight. I hope God keeps watch over those who've been affected already and know you are in my thoughts and prayers and that Gods keeps watch over those of us who are in the path.

Thanks again guys you all are awesome!-Montez

Epilogue:

Two months to the day Richard Castle had walked out of the precinct he returned to the 12th, coffee tray in hand. When the elevator doors opened he was greeted by applause, he glanced at his feet a moment, slightly embarrassed by the attention. Yes he was use to attention, being a world renowned crime novelist, but the people waiting for him now where his friends, his family.

As he stepped from the lift Lanie came forward and pulled him into a hug, "Good to have you back Castle. Kate told me all about the new rules and if you do anything to upset her again, just remember I have access to some very sharp objects and know how to make it look like an accident." She smiled.

"I'll remember that." He laughed as the M.E. took a step back.

Captain Roy Montgomery was next as he stepped up to shake Castle's hand, "Glad to see you back Castle, I know the place hasn't been the same without you."

"Thanks Captain, I'm just glad to have everything getting back to normal." Rick responded as Montgomery released his hand and stepped back.

Esposito stepped up, taking Castle's hand and pulling him into a manly hug with a sharp pat on his back. "Glad to finally have you back. We've tried to fill the void, but our stories are never as good as yours man."

"Glad to be back and I may just have a couple new stories up my sleeve." Rick grinned as Javier moved aside allowing Ryan to come forward.

Kevin took Castle's hand and like Esposito pulled him into a hug, but held it just a second longer. Several emotions crossed the younger detective's face as he pulled back and looked at the man who had become a good friend, "Glad to see you better Castle."

Rick held onto the handshake a moment longer as he responded, "Thank you Ryan, for everything. If it weren't for you and Beckett I wouldn't be here right now, so thank you." Both men cleared their throats to hide the emotion that passed between them. Castle owed his life to Kevin and Kate and it was something he would never forget.

"Just don't do it again, okay." Ryan laughed as he took a step back, stopping next to Esposito.

"Don't plan on it." Castle smiled as he turned and found the person he had come back for.

Kate Beckett was standing behind everyone. Over the last month her and Castle had started to spend more time together. It was time spent getting to know one another outside the 12th, time to explore their options as to where they would go from there. They would take things slow, though not as slow as it had taken them to realize and verbalize how they felt about one another. Kate wanted her 'one and done' and Rick wanted to do whatever it took to make Kate happy.

"Hi." Castle said as he stopped in front of her, handing her her usual cup of coffee.

"Hi." Beckett replied, taking the familiar cup as she let Castle kiss her on the cheek.

"You sure you're ready to have me back?" Rick smiled as they started toward her desk.

Reaching it Kate sat down and watched as Rick took his chair next to her desk. She couldn't help the smile that overtook her face to finally have him back in his spot. "Are you sure you're ready to be back?"

Before he could answer, Esposito put down his phone and called across the room to Kate, "Yo Beckett, we've got one, Central Park West."

"Okay, let's go." Standing to grab her jacket and keys she started for the elevator, Rick close behind. Once the doors closed, Beckett faced him, "Well?"

"Murder, mystery, a real life 'who done it?' of course I'm ready." Rick replied, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically.

Kate couldn't help but laugh out loud as the mischievous glint flashed in his eye's as he answered. Yea he was ready to be back and she was more than happy to have him back as they exited the elevator and made their way toward the car and a new case.