Disclaimer: (Insert funny disclaimer here) Do not own Castle.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews via facebook, twitter, ff. Also the story alerts and favourite story, my inbox exploded with them.

I know some people were iffy about the hand holding thing in the last chapter. I was almost going to take it out but didn't.

Anyway, I am sorry this chapter took so long. I was sorta blocked for a while. But I did manage to watch the five seasons of Army Wives for the first time in less than two weeks.

Anyway this is the final chapter of this little fic ... let me know what you think?

Beta-d by Teelduo

Luke's Diner, Above Apartment -07:44am

Rick re-entered the lounge room, carrying two hot beverages. He placed one chocolate mint tea in front of the older blonde woman, then handed Kate her coffee.

Kate smiled at the writer, mouthing a 'thank you'. He smiled back at her, before heading back to the kitchen to retrieve his own.

The female detective turned her eyes on the older woman.

"So Shelly had a midwife?" she asked, casually.

Mae took a sip from her hot beverage before answering. "Harriet? Yeah I met her several times. She didn't like me so whenever Shelly had an appointment with her, I stayed away. She is pregnant too, due around the same time as Shelly." She told them.

"Wow, so they were pregnant at the same time?" Kate repeated, intrigued.

Mae looked down at her mug that she was cradling in her hand. "Yeah, that was their bond, both having their first born around the same time. Harriet went on maternity leave a month ago but still did regular visits at the apartment. She did home visits so Shelly wouldn't have to travel all the way to the hospital for checkups."

Rick took his seat beside Kate, taking a sip of his coffee.

"That was considerate of her," Kate told her.

Mae nodded, a sad smile touching her lips. "Yes it was."

A moment of silence passed between them.

"Why didn't she like you?" Rick spoke up, breaking the silence. He placed his coffee mug on the coffee table in front of them.

Mae looked passed the female detective, her eyes locking on the writer. "I'm not too sure. I was unaware of her feelings towards me until Shelly told me so after her second home visit. Apparently Harriet didn't apprentice a comment I made about her drinking too much coffee. I had only met the woman twice and each visit she had two cups of coffee, and I said that she shouldn't be drinking that much caffeine while pregnant."

Another short moment of silence passed.

"It's understandable to be concerned. Too much caffeine with a pregnant woman can cause Miscarriages and Stillborns. It can also cause blood vessels to constrict, and it may reduce blood flow to the placenta. And because it easily crosses the placenta and reaches your baby who then metabolizes it very slowly, caffeine may directly affect the baby's developing cells." Rick responded, seriously.

Both women turned their attention on the writer, stunned. Kate was amazed with the knowledge he held in that head of his.

Rick noticed the surprised looks on both women's faces. He figured an explanation was in order. "When Meredith was pregnant with Alexis, I researched everything."

A soft smile touched the brunette detective's lips. He was something, full of surprises, even though she shouldn't be that shocked that he would do anything in his power to protect the ones that he loved, even if they weren't born yet. She had seen him around Alexis. He worshiped the ground she walked on.

Kate turned her attention back to the older woman, bringing the mug to her lips and taking another long sip of the warm liquid.

A knock at the door bought all their attention to it. Mae stood up and began walking towards it, curious to whom it may be. She opened the door and was surprised to see her visitor.

"Keith," she whispered, placing her hand over her mouth. He looked defeated and hadn't slept at all. He was soaked from the rain that had been pouring down outside.

The young man looked at the older woman, bereaved. "I'm sorry to bother..." he began saying before being pulled into a hug by Mae.

"Don't you dare apologize," she told him, patting his back. "You hear me."

The young man hugged her back, nodding and letting out a few sobs.

Kate and Rick watched the two from the couch, now standing in their spots. It was a sweet moment between the older woman and younger man.

Keith pulled back and looked at the older woman. "You were like a mom to Shelly, and I'm glad that she had you in her life." He told her, honestly.

Mae let a few more tears slip. "Thank you," she responded.

The partner's made their way towards the diner owner and victim's husband. They stopped opposite of them.

"Once again, I am sorry for your loss," Kate told the older woman, whole heartily. "If you remember or need anything," she began, reaching in her jacket for her card and handing it to the older woman. "Don't hesitate to call."

Mae retrieved the card, looking down at it and nodded.

Rick looked at the younger man. "How was Alexis when you left?" he asked, concerned.

Keith turned his attention on the older man who offered him a place to stay when his world had fallen apart.

"Getting ready to head out with some guy named Ethan," Keith explained, distracted. "What are the chances of finding our daughter?" he asked, truly concerned.

Rick turned to Kate, unsure how to answer that question. Kate looked at her partner empathetic. She was usually the one getting asked the hard questions like that. It was a part of her job. She turned her attention on Keith.

"We will do everything in our power to find your baby," the female detective promised.

Driving - 08:02am

Kate was going over all the facts in her mind as she drove through the streets of New York. They were ten minutes from the precinct. Rick had briefly called his daughter when they had got in the car but had been quiet after ending it.

Her phone ringing pulled her from her thoughts, her eyes still on the road as she retrieved her phone from its pouch on her belt. She glanced down at the number.

"Beckett," she barked, placing her phone on loudspeaker. Kate had one hand on the wheel and one on the phone.

A moment passed before a male familiar voice answered.

"Detective, the results came in on your body..." Dr Sidney Perlmutter began informing her before she interrupted him.

"Doctor Perlmutter?" Kate asked, confused. "Where's Lanie, she was handling this case."

A moment passed before he spoke up.

"And now I am. Doctor Parish is taking a personal day. Now as I was saying, I just received the results for your victim that is lying on my table. She had morphine in her system ..."

"Morphine?" Kate repeated, pulling over to the side of the road and turning her eyes on her partner.

How did Morphine get into her system?

"Can you stop interrupting me, detective?" the medical examiner answered, highly annoyed. "Now, as I was saying, I've just started the autopsy so it will be a while before I can give you confirmation ... goodbye."

The line went dead.

"That man needs a hug," Rick told her, sarcastically.

Kate bit down on her lip, letting out a chuckle. "I'll remind you to give him one the next time we see him."

Rick grinned.

Kate was puzzled how the victim got Morphine in her system before she bled out. "Maybe someone gave her pain relief so she wouldn't scream as much giving birth," Kate theorized. "Where did they get the morphine from, is the question?"

"Black market?" Rick suggested.

Chelsea - 08:05am – Harriet's house

The two male detectives were standing outside of the nurse/midwife's house. It had stopped raining. They waited a moment before the door opened and standing opposite them was a red headed woman in her mid thirties. She was dressed in yoga pants and a sweat shirt, her hair in a messy bun. She had a slight bump which would be consistence to someone who recently had a baby.

"Mrs Matthews?" Javier asks, flashing his badge.

The sleep deprived woman nodded, curiosity washing over her.

"Yes officer?" she asked.

The two male detectives looked at the woman serious.

"Detective Javier Esposito," the Hispanic detective corrected. "My partner Detective Kevin Ryan," he greeted. "We have a couple of questions to ask you, can we come in?" he asked.

Harriet still looked confused, but stepped aside letting them.

The two male detectives walked into the small house, walking through to the kitchen. Harriet followed closely behind, making her way towards the bench where a small coffee maker sat.

"Can I get you detectives anything to drink?" she asked, tiredly.

Both men shook their heads.

"No thank you," Kevin greeted.

"We're here on official business. Do you know a Shelly Harper?" Javier asked, serious.

The redheaded woman nodded. "Yes, is she okay? Is the baby okay?" she asked, concerned.

The two men looked at one another, briefly before turning back to the nurse.

"When was the last time you spoke or saw Mrs Harper?" Kevin asked.

"She had a check up three days ago, Shelly didn't have a car and her husband had lost his job, so I figured I would just check up on her in her apartment. It would be easier for her than having to come into the hospital for her checkups," Harriet informed the detectives.

"But she called me last night," she added. "She said she thinks she was going into labour. I told her to call an ambulance and get to the hospitable since she would need a c-section. If she gave birth the natural way she could haemorrhage. The doctor warned her at her first appointment that this pregnancy was high risk. But Shelly was determined to have her baby. So the doctor assigned me as her midwife. We were due around the same time. I had my little girl last week," she told them, a small smile brushing her lips.

The two male detectives looked crestfallen.

"Is something wrong with Shelly? What kind of detectives are you?" she asked, worry etched over her face.

"Homicide," Javier answered, deadpan.

Harriet's eyes widened in shock and her mouth gapped. "Is ... um is ..." she couldn't even utter the words.

"I'm sorry to inform you that Shelly died early this morning in her apartment," Kevin spoke up, solemnly.

Harriet gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth.

Javier's phone began ringing, the male detective dropping his gaze to his phone. He fished it from its pouch on his belt and glanced at the number.

The sound of a baby crying filled the small house. Harriet flinched looking at the detectives, nervous. "Excuse me a moment will you, detectives," she answered, while heading out of the small kitchen.

The Hispanic detective flips open his phone, hitting loud speaker. "Esposito," he greeted.

"Hey Espo, Perlmutter just called with the results on our vic -" she began.

"Perlmutter?" he interrupted. "Where's Lanie, this was her case?" he asked, confused.

A moment passed before Kate answered. "Personal day, Perlmutter is taking over. Anyway Perlmutter said Morphine was detected in Shelly's system," she told him.

"Morphine?" Javier repeated.

"We're at the nurse's house now, she said Shelly called her last night and said she might be in labour. Harriet told her to call 911. She couldn't leave the apartment because of her baby," Javier told them.

"Whoever helped Shelly deliver her baby had access to Morphine," Kate told them. "Like a nurse/midwife."

Both detectives looked at one another, unsure.

"Where is Harriet now?" Rick's voice asked.

Kevin looked towards the direction the redheaded woman had gone. "In with her baby, she had her last week. She was here with her baby last night," he explained.

A moment of silence passed before Kate spoke up again.

"Bring her and the child in. Something doesn't sit right with this whole situation," she told them, sternly. "Castle and I will meet you at the 12th," she added.

"Will do," Javier answered. "See you back at the pen," he finished, closing his phone and looking at his partner serious.

"I have another call to make, can ..." Javier began telling his partner

"No problem, Bro." Kevin answered; heading in the direction of what he guessed was the nursery.

The Hispanic detective flipped open his phone and hit speed dial one.

What had his co worker meant by Personal day? What is wrong with his girl? She seemed fine this morning.

Lanie's Apartment – 08:10am

Lanie was sitting on the edge of her bathtub, patiently waiting for the results of an important test that would change her life. Thirty seconds to go. Her cell phone began ringing from the other room. She walked from the bathroom and towards the kitchen to where her handbag was sitting. She digged through it and retrieved the ringing device, looking down at the name flashing back.

"Hey baby," she greeted her partner, masking the panic in her voice.

A moment passed before she heard his voice flow over the speaker, filled with apprehension.

"Cariño is everything okay. Why aren't you at work?" he asked, worried.

Lanie hated lying to her boyfriend but they had just gotten back together a few weeks ago and things were great, more than great.

"I was feeling a little light headed, so Perlmutter suggested I go home. I'm fine, Javi," she assured him.

There was silence for a moment.

"Are you sure? I was worried when Beckett had said you were taking a personal day," he told her.

Lanie's heart skipped a beat at hearing that. "Aaaww Javi," she whispered, walking back towards the bathroom and over towards the basin.

"I'll see you tonight," he promised. "I have something for you," he told her

She picked up the test and looked at the results. "Yeah, I have something to tell you. I'll see you tonight, sweetie." She told him before hanging up. Lanie couldn't believe that they had been so careless; they had just gotten back together. What if this tore them apart again?

12th Precinct - 08:14am – Bullpen

The two partners walked out of the elevator and through the bullpen towards the female detective's desk. At the moment it was only a theory that was swirling around in the female detective's head, she had no proof yet.

Kate headed straight for the murder board to update it with the new information that they had learned before pulling up a history search on Harriet Matthers.

08:33am

Rick re-entered the bullpen with two cups of coffee and bear claws, since they had both missed breakfast this morning, he had went to the bakery a few blocks from the 12th while Kate searched Harriet's history.

Kate was on the phone when he stopped in front of her desk, placing the coffee and bear claw in front of her. Her eyes meeting his as he dropped down in his seat beside her desk, he could only hear her half of the conversation.

"Really ... okay ... no that's fine ... thank you for your time," she finished, placing the phone back on its cradle. The female detective was still processing the information that she had just found out about the nurse, it was surprising to say the least.

"I know that face," Rick spoke up. "You just found out something that will close this case," he answered.

Kate bit down on her lip and nodded; going on auto-pilot she picked up the pastry and took a small bite. She was staring into space.

"Kate," her name leaving his lips like it was the most natural thing in the world.

She turned her hazel-green orbs onto him, seeing the concern etched across his face.

"Harriet split from her husband, Jack - 10 months ago. He has filed for a divorce," she shared with her partner.

"So he is not the father?" Rick asked, uncertain.

Kate shook her head. "There's more," she began.

08:50am

Kate and Rick stood up in their spots when the elevator opened and the redheaded nurse walked out with an infant girl in her arms, the two detectives walking on either side of her. The two began making their way towards Harriet, stopping opposite her. She held the baby close to her chest, like it was the precious thing in the world.

"Can you hand the baby to Mr Castle, Harriet," Kate requested.

Harried looked around the room at the detectives that were watching her, they all looked serious. "Why?" she asked, fearful.

Kate took another step forward. "You know why," Kate answered, serious.

Harriet kissed the baby on the head and held her close. "Mommy loves you," she whispered, kissing the little girl on the head again.

Rick stepped forward and retrieved the baby from the younger woman. He cradled the baby in his arms, looking down at the little bundle wrapped in pink. She was asleep and small. It had been a long time since he had held a baby this small.

"Hey beautiful girl," Rick cooed down at the infant in his arms, a smile spread across his face. He would love to have another one of these.

Kate had ordered her co-workers to take Harriet to interrogation. She would be there in a minute. The female detective turned her attention back to her partner, a smile tugged at her lips as her heart swelled. It was a sight to see, Richard Castle with a baby. It looked so natural, like he was born to be a father. She already knew that he was an amazing one, Alexis was living proof of that.

She could picture him holding their baby for the first time in the hospital, smiling down at the creation they made together. Wooah, where did that thought come from.

Rick turned around and his eyes met hers. He loved that she was watching him, he didn't think it was creepy the opposite actually. She looked to be in a daze but was smiling, a moment later her mood changed and she snapped out of it.

Kate took a step towards him, enclosing the distance between them. She dropped her eyes to the little girl in his arm, raising her hand and softly brushing her fingers across the baby's cheek.

"She's so beautiful," Kate whispered, her eyes not leaving the infant.

Rick had his eyes her. "Breathtakingly," he answered, referring to his partner. Kate lifted her gaze from the baby and looked up at the writer, biting down on her bottom lip.

The baby began to squirm and whimper in the writer's arm, drawing his attention back to the baby.

"Mr Castle?" a familiar male voice called from behind them.

The writer and female detective both shot their gazes to the elevator bay where Keith Harper and Mae Hart stood.

Kate watched as the young father's eye lit up when he spotted his daughter in her partner's arms. He began making his way across the floor, towards them.

"Keith, meet your daughter," he introduced, handing the baby over to the young father, ever so gently.

Keith cradled the newborn in his arms, looking into her hazel eyes as they blinked open. Mae stood beside the twenty-one year old, placing her hand on his shoulder and looking down at the little girl.

"What are you going to call her?" Kate asked, sweetly.

Keith was overwhelmed, looking down at his precious little angel. She had her mother's eyes and nose. He gently swayed the baby back and forth. "Shelly Katherine Harper," he whispered down at the little girl.

Rick was standing close to the detective, so close that they were practically touching but weren't. She felt her heart racing, having him this close to her. She looked at the younger male, surprised when she heard the baby's name.

"Katherine?" she whispered. It had to be a coincidence; there was no way he knew that was her full name.

Keith looked up at the detective and nodded. "Kate is short for Katherine, right?" he asked, serious.

She nodded her head.

He smiled, softly. "I thought so. I wouldn't be holding her right now if it wasn't for you, detective." He told her, genuinely.

"And Shelly Richard Harper just doesn't sound as good," Rick added with a chuckle.

Mae, Rick and Keith all broke into laughter.

Kate was still stunned and touched. She knew she had to leave right now otherwise she would be overwhelmed with emotion. "Excuse me, will you," she excused herself and headed in the direction of the Interrogation room.

"Where did you find her?" Kate heard Keith ask her partner.

Interrogation - 09:01am

Kate entered the room, closing the door behind her and walking over towards the table. She stood just across from the redheaded woman, staring down at her.

"Where's my baby?" Harriett asked, looking up at the detective, helplessly.

Kate wasn't in the mood to play games. "Can you lift your shirt please?" she requested.

Panic washed over the redheaded woman. "What?" she asked. "No," she answered, shaking her head.

Kate narrowed her eyes on the woman. "Lift your shirt or I will make you," she told her more sternly.

Harriet looked at the female detective with trepidation. She dropped her hands to the hems of the maternity sweater she was wearing and slowly lifted it to reveal the fake prosthetic baby bump.

Kate took a seat across from the woman as Harriet pulled her shirt back down.

"I know you cannot get pregnant, Harriet." The female detective told her, truthfully. "That's why Jason left you, isn't it? Because you couldn't give him a family?"

Harriet chewed on her bottom lip, tears slipping from her eyes. "All I ever wanted was a child," she confessed, looking across at the detective. "Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would do anything to get it?"

Kate looked at the woman serious. "I wouldn't kill someone to get it!"

The nurse began shaking her head. "I didn't kill her, I gave her morphine for the pain. She wasn't supposed to die ..."

"Why did you leave her there to die than?" Kate demanded, slamming her hands on the table, making the woman across from her, flinch.

Harriet broke down into tears, sobbing. "I couldn't save her ... I couldn't," she whispered.

Kate could see the pain in the woman's eyes, she could tell that she was hurting but still couldn't feel sorry for her. She might not have killed her with her own hands but she didn't save her either. She had left Shelly bleeding out and stole her baby and that is unforgivable.

"But you could have tried," she answered, hoarsely. "You could have called for help and kept her stable until it got there, but you didn't. You stole her baby and left her there to die. That baby is going to grow up without ever meeting her mother and it is all because of you. I hope you can live with that."

Harriet's sobs grew louder.

Kate turned around and gestured to the mirror.

A minute later Detectives Ryan and Esposito entered the room. They walked over towards the table and cuffed Harriet. A minute later the two male detectives left with the redheaded woman.

Kate turned her back towards the door, she felt like crying, which was strange because she didn't know the victim. Maybe it was because her heart was hurting. That baby girl will grow up without ever meeting her mother.

The moment she heard the door close, something washed over her and tears began stinging her eyes. A sob caught in her throat, silent tears following.

"Kate," she heard Rick whisper her name.

The female detective stiffened, she had thought that she was all alone in the room when the door closed. Had he been the one to close it? She felt a hand softly touch her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Kate slowly turned around and Rick was standing there, looking at her heartfelt. His hand was still on her shoulder, the simple touch letting her know that he was there for her. He always was.

"She'll never know her mother," Kate whispered, a few more tears rolling down her cheeks. It was times like this that she missed her mother more than anything.

It broke the writer's heart to see her in tears. In an instant, Rick pulled her into his arms. Kate wasn't one for PDA but at the moment, she just wanted to cry. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest, letting a few more tears slip.

Rick held her close, stroking her head. The same way he would sooth Alexis if she was in emotional pain. They two stood in this position for what felt like hours but in reality would only be minutes.

Kate was listening to his heart beat as she felt his hands gently stroking her back. He had a magic comforting touch, always knowing how to make her feel better. She lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes, their faces inches apart. Kate looked into his blue soulful orbs and she could see her future, her dreams and her heart. He had been patient with her for the last few years. He came back every time she threw him out and loved her.

She was tired of fighting her feelings for him. She was tired of hiding behind the wall that she put up to protect her heart so it didn't get broken. She raised her hands and cupped his face, capturing his lips with her own.

Rick was stunned for a few seconds, before responding and igniting the kiss deeper. At first he thought he was dreaming but as he felt her hands move from his face and snake around his neck, he knew it was real. His arms slid down and around her waist, pulling her as close as he could, he felt her tongue run along his lips. He opened them, allowing access. As their tongue's danced, a moan slipped from the detective's lips.

Kate's mind was swimming with so much emotion that she couldn't think but just act, it seemed unreal at first. She flashed back to when they had kissed undercover over a year ago, well the first kiss had been undercover but the second time wasn't. She knew that was the real thing, real emotion but she marked it off as undercover because she was too scared.

Several minutes later, the two parted for much needed air, eyes locked and lust burning.

Kate was the first to speak. "I remember," she whispered, waiting for a response.

Confusion washed over the writer's face. "Remember?" he questioned. What was she talking about?

Kate bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes not leaving his. She was going to look him in the eyes when she told him the truth.

"I heard you, when you said that you love me. I heard you," she confessed.

Surprise etched across Rick's face, he had suspected that she was lying about not hearing him when he questioned her again during the Chinese mob case months ago. He had asked her 'You still don't remember anything about that day' and she had told him point blank 'No, it's a blank'.

He wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, but hearing her say it out loud, kinda hurt. It felt like someone had just punched him in the gut. And before he knew it, he was pulling away from her and turning away, walking towards the door and opening it.

She watched Rick walk out the door and it felt like someone was squeezing her heart. One moment everything was perfect, and the next he was gone. It was like a cruel dream and it hurt. Tears began free falling. Kate brought her hand to her mouth as a sob escaped her lips.

She had lied to him and hurt him. She didn't blame him for leaving, if he had been the one lying to her and keeping a secret like that. She would have done the same.

As a few more sobs escaped her throat, she heard someone coming. Had he come back and forgiven her?

"Rick," she called out.

It wasn't the writer who appeared in the doorway a moment later. It was actually the last person she ever expected to see standing there -Victoria Gates.

Kate wiped her face, trying to regain her composure. How was she going to explain this to the Captain? Even if she did, Gates would most likely tell her to get over it.

"Sir," the female detective answered, clearing her throat.

Victoria had concerned wash over her. "Go after him, detective." The older woman told her.

Kate looks at her boss, unsure, doing her best to control her emotions. "What?" she questioned.

Gates took a few steps into the room, towards the young detective. "I was in Obbs when you were questioning the suspect with Ryan, Esposito and Castle joined us part way through ... I overheard your conversation," she admitted. "He loves you and you love him. Go after him before it's too late. Tell him why you kept it from him!"

Kate was a little stunned to see this side of her boss, but she didn't have time to analyse that right now. The Captain was right. Rick needed to know why she had kept it in, why she didn't tell him right away that she remembered. That she still had to heal.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Detective." Victoria told her, a ghost of a smile brushing her lips.

Kate just nodded and ran from the room.

Bullpen

Javier was sitting at his desk and staring into space, his partner was escorting the suspect down to the holding cell. A few minutes ago the writer had passed him and headed straight for the elevators not stopping even when he called after him. Then a few moments ago, Kate did the same thing.

"Detective Esposito?" she questioned. "Is everything alright?"

Javier was looking at a picture of Lanie and him on his phone. He lifted his gaze from the small screen and straightened up.

"Huh? What? Uh Nothing," he lied, turning to his computer and pretending to work.

Victoria crossed her arms and glared at the younger male detective. "Don't BS me," she told him, annoyed.

Javier sighed, defeated. "I'm worried about Lanie, she is taking a personal day which is strange because she was fine this morning." He blurted out.

She looked at him serious for a moment. "Go check on her, you're obviously not going to get any work done while you're worrying ... the paperwork can wait." She told him.

Javier's mouth dropped open.

Castle Loft – 10:33am

Rick heard a pounding coming from his front door, Alexis was still out with Ethan and his mother would be out till late evening. She spent a lot of her time these days at the acting school.

"Coming," he shouted as he jogged to the door. He was still a little wet from running from the cab and into his building. He had only arrived home a few minutes ago; it was bucketing down, outside.

Rick opened the door to Kate, who was dripping wet and standing opposite him. She must have forgotten her coat because her black top was soaked through and clinging to her curves like a second skin. She looked so damn adorable.

"Kate? Come in," he ushered her in and closed the door behind her. "Let me get you a towel..." he began walking away before her words stopped him.

"I was scared," she confessed, taking a few steps towards him. "I was scared that if you knew that I heard you then everything would become real. I was scared that you only said it because I got shot and you thought you were losing me."

Rick turned around, studding her face. Did she really think that he had only said it because she was dying? He had wanted to tell her for months before but had been too scared to know what she would say.

He noticed the silent tears that were running down her cheeks, it killed him that she had those tears because of him.

"How do you know when you're in love, anyway?" she blurted out, brushing away her tears. She wanted to hear him say it again.

He tilted his head to the right, reading her expression. He could see she wanted to take that step but was still scared. She had made the first move in interrogation. She wanted him to make the next one. Rick was certain of it. He walked back towards her, his expression softened.

Rick stopped opposite her, locking his blue orbs onto her hazel-greens.

"I believe it is when you kiss their lips," he softly spoke as he enclosed the distance between them and capturing her lips with his own, drawing out a long passionate kiss before pulling back. "And your knees go weak."

Kate sucked on her bottom lip, nodding slowly. Their faces still only inches apart.

The heat was rising off both of them and she didn't feel as cold as she did before, even though she was still soaked from the rain.

The writer continued. "When they touch your face," he added, brushing his fingers across her cheek. "And you're unable to speak."

Kate was speechless. She was finding it hard to form any sentence in her mind. Was this actually happening? Was he actually telling her his definition of love?

Rick smiled at her. "When their smile makes your heart skip a beat."

Kate bit down on her lip and nodded, slowly. Racing heart and skipping beats. Yep that was was looking at her so intensely, so passionate that she was surprised she was still standing.

"And you finally knock down those defensive walls and admit defeat," he whispered, softly.

Their eyes still locked on one another.

Kate closed the distance between them, lacing her arms around his neck and looking deeply in his eyes.

"I love you too," she whispered back, bringing her lips down to his in what started as a slow but passionate kiss. His hands went to her hips and he pushed his body up against hers.

Rick's Bedroom

Her hands moved from his face and slid to the top of his button down collared shirt, her fingers working his buttons, one by one. Their lips still locked and their kisses became passionate and urgent. Kate stopped midway undoing the buttons and just ripped his shirt open, sending the buttons flying.

Rick tore his lips from her swollen ones, looking at her amused.

"Buttons always annoy me," she whispered against his lips as she slid his shirt off his shoulders, revealing a white singlet that was transparent because of the rain. Her hands gripping the bottom of the singlet, her fingers clasped the material tightly, her hands running back up his chest, the singlet following.

They pulled a part for a few seconds as she ridded him of the piece of material, tossing it aside.

Their lips finding one another again, the kiss growing more and more intense as every second passed. Kate's nail softly raked down his hard upper torso, as another moan escaped her lips. Rick's fingers found the buttons on Kate's blouse, making quick work of undoing them. He slid it off her shoulders and tossing it to the ground, revealing only a black bra.

Rick's hand's found her hips again, her own pressed against his chest. He began trailing kisses along her collarbone. She arched her neck, allowing his lips more access to her skin. As Rick's lips moved to the top of her breast, her body quivered at his touch, his fingers were tracing up and down the length of her body. She could feel the heat pooling between her legs.

She closed her eyes and soaked in his touch.

Rick's fingers unclasping her bra in a few seconds, sliding the straps off her arms and tossing it aside. Kate's arms looped back around his neck as he gently laid her back against the pillows, straddling above her and looking down into her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked her, serious.

The brunette's eyes shot open and looked at him confused. Where the hell had that come from? She was lying under him, half naked and that is what he asks?

Kate was stunned by his question. He had stopped kissing her right before her scar, it was a small scar. Did he find her unattractive?

"You think I am ugly because of my scar," she answered, hurt. A few tears began rolling down her cheeks.

Rick's eyes widened in shock. How could she think that? The writer lifted his hand, wiping the tears from her eyes. She turned her head away at his touch.

"When I get this close to you, I can barley catch me breathe,"he whispered, leaning down and placing a kiss to her scar before kissing his way up towards her lips and capturing them in a long heated kiss.

Kate detached her arms from around his neck, her lips shifting from his and touching his jaw as she began trailing kissing along it and down his neck, nibbling the soft flesh. Her hands planted on his chest as she kissed her way down his neck and started on his chest.

As her lips pressed a kiss to every inch of him, her hands began sliding down his body, resting at the hem of his jeans. She unclasped the button and zip. They were still wet from the rain, so he helped her remove them, shuffling out of them. Her eyes fell on his throbbing erection that was evident through his silk blue boxer's. She bit down on her lips, he was huge, not that she expected anything less from him.

Every part of her ached for him to be inside of her, she had waited four years for this moment.

His hands ran down the length of her body, stopping at the hem of her jeans. He made quick work with the button and zip, removing her jeans and tossing them aside. Rick turned his eyes back on her; there she was lying before him in only her panties. He had never seen anything so beautiful.

That's when he spotted the small baby blue bird tattoo on her right hipbone.

Kate wrapped her legs and arms around him, flipped him so that he was lying back on his side of the bed with her on top, straddling him. She smiled down at him, placing the first kiss at his lips before peppering them down his jaw and chest. She stopped just before the hem of his boxes, her fingers hooking at the sides of them. In a blink of an eye, she had pulled them down and tossed them side.

Rick's eyes not leaving hers, his hands ran the length of her body and stopping her panties. He began sliding them down, she helped removed them. Without hesitation, Kate slid back up his body, straddling above him. Both now completely naked, hearts are racing. She lowered her hands to his face, cupping it as her lips collide with his. She could feel his erection nudging against her sweet spot begging for entrance, which she happily allowed as she lowered herself on top of him. Rick moved with her, slowly pushing the length of him into her core.

The kissing subsiding for the moment as neither moved at first, both too absorbed in the simple pleasure of being so close to the other. Kate takes a moment to adjust to the feel of his body, allowing gravity to pull her deeper as she relaxes a bit with each breath. Her forehead leans against his, and their eyes flutter shut as she adjusts to his weight inside her and begins to move slowly with him.

As their tempo increases, finding a steady rhythm of thrusts that sent shockwaves of pleasure through her entire body. This was the act of making love that she had never experienced before. Every muscle and nerve in her body was alive under the careful and unselfish touch of Rick. She felt a tingle under her skin that she had never had before during sex.

As they continued moving together, her breathing became shallow and rapid between kisses, she heard him utter her name.

"Kate,"he moaned with pleasure as they moved together faster and faster.

An orgasm rippling through her as she finally came, her entire body tensed at once to the intense release and high that she had never experienced in her life. This orgasm was unlike any she had ever had in her life and the high continued long after she came. Rick came right after she did.

She collapsed on top of him, not wanting to shift from inside him. Not wanting to break the connection just yet.

"Wow,"Rick uttered, after catching his breath.

The brunette lifted her head, looking into his dark blue eyes. She leaned down and kissed him deeply for a long minute. Kate finally rolled off him, into his waiting arms as he pulled her close. A smile lingering on her lips as her arm draped over his upper torso, her head resting on his chest, as she listened to his beating heart.

Lanie's Apartment - 09:44am - Bedroom

Lanie was sitting on her bed, her legs pulled up to her chest. Usually people were over the moon when they got this kind of news, but she was scared. She loved Javier and didn't want to lose him. She was listening to the radio. The rain had stopped not long ago.

"Cariño?" she heard Javier's voice softly speak. Lanie lifted her eyes and looked towards her bedroom door to find him standing there. What was he doing home so early?

Javier was worried when she didn't answer the door. He used his key to get in and rushed through the apartment until he found her in her room, on her bed. She had been crying, there was no doubt in his mind about that.

The Hispanic detective made his way toward her bed, taking a seat beside her and pulling her into his arms. Why was she crying? Why was she hurting?

"Sweetheart?" he spoke up. "What's wrong?" he asked, worried.

Lanie released a few more tears, turning her eyes to lock with his. "I just found out ..." she began, not being able to say the words.

Javier looked at his partner, confused and concerned. Had she gotten some bad news?

"What is it Lanie? What's wrong?" he asked worried.

Lanie looked at him scared, a few more tears fell.

He brushed them away, really worried. "Sweetheart, you're scaring me," he told her, honestly. "Please, tell me how I can make everything better?"

Lanie shook her head. "I don't think you can," she told him. "I'm pregnant, Javi." She confessed, bursting into tears.

Stun washed over the male detective for a moment, his heart beating again and a smile stretching across his lips.

"We're having a baby?" he asked, still a little shocked but thrilled.

Lanie looked at the love of her life, confused. He was happy about this? They had just gotten back together and weren't even living together, well not officially.

"You're not angry?" she questioned.

Javier shook his head, the smile still displayed on his features. "Angry, why would I be angry? We're having a baby, Cariño. I love you," he told her, pulling her into a long deep kiss.

A few minutes later the two pulled apart for much needed air.

Javier looked into Lanie's dark brown soulful eyes. "I was going to wait till tonight but now is perfect," he told her.

She looked at him confused, watching as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box.

Lanie bought her hands to her mouth, a gasp escaping her lips.

Javier was looking at her with pure emotion, flipping the lid open on the box and presenting her with a square cut diamond ring on the silver band. "I love you Lanie, every time I see you, my heart explodes and I think to myself how the hell did I get so lucky to have you in my life. You're my heart and soul and if you become my wife, my life would be complete," he told her.

Lanie was looking at him speechless, tears pouring down her cheeks. Happy tears, she had not expected this.

"Will you marry me?" he finally asked.

She didn't need to think, without hesitation she began nodding her head. He grabbed hold of her left hand, removing the ring from the box and sliding it on her finger. Lanie looked down at the beautiful ring, still a little stunned. She was engaged.

Castle Loft - 17:01pm – Rick's bedroom

The detective and writer were still in bed in each other's arms. They had made love three more time and fallen asleep for a few hours in between. In between that time they had managed lunch but ended up back in the bed.

Alexis was still out but would be home sometime later that night. Rick had received a text from her a few hours ago. Ethan was taking her to diner.

Kate's head was resting on Rick's chest, her fingers tracing patterns across his chest. The two were just lying there, enjoying the moment. She had never in her life felt safer than in his arms. She finally felt complete.

The brunette was pulled from her thoughts when her phone buzzed on the bedside table, behind her. Kate sighed, turning around and scooping it up. She had a new message from Lanie. She was probably wondering where she was? That morning Kate had promised to talk to her about this morning and waking up in the break room in Rick's arms. She knew Lanie would be pissed but she didn't want to tell her best friend about them yet.

She opened the message and was surprised at what it read.

"What is it beautiful?" Rick asked, looking at the woman he loved and finally had. She looked surprised but a smile stole her lips.

"That was Lanie, they're engaged." She told him, happy.

Rick grinned. "It's about time," he answered.

A/N: And that was the last chapter of Admitting Defeat. Reviews are appreciated.

My caffeine research came from goggle

.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=opera&hs=eUh&sa=X&rls=en&channel=suggest&tbm=isch&tbnid=kpZ1mDftfWeshM:&imgrefurl=.com/Austin/AdDetails/NEW-BORN-BEAUTIFUL-BABY-GIRL-CLICK-HERE-leander-N-Austin/7264243&docid=IhWYOyfTGe-FEM&imgurl=.&w=490&h=327&ei=yHMuT7yrHuSViQfvj_XsDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1024&vpy=254&dur=587&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=167&ty=73&sig=114097429014517434809&page=10&tbnh=121&tbnw=172&start=212&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:212&biw=1332&bih=563 – Baby Shelly

.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=opera&hs=fYv&sa=N&rls=en&channel=suggest&tbm=isch&tbnid=JEOACUT771AO4M:&imgrefurl=.net/engagement-rings-changing-tastes/&docid=8SlF8PB2o-XmSM&imgurl=.&w=450&h=400&ei=6OkyT83rB4GkiQfMxJD-BA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=739&vpy=8&dur=1210&hovh=212&hovw=238&tx=120&ty=111&sig=114097429014517434809&page=7&tbnh=164&tbnw=182&start=101&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:101&biw=1332&bih=563 – Lanie's Ring