Well, dear friends, our story comes to an end. I do hope you have enjoyed the journey, I have. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

Ladies-Bree, Marjo, and Stella-you're the best, thanks for your input and guidance-love you

The rest of the week passed by slowly for Kate. She tried being patient, keeping herself occupied with sketching and feeling much better about her technique. Alexis had replenished her supplies, especially new bamboo nibs and they made the ink flow. Kate discovered that everything she saw made her think about how it would look on paper. She needed to regain her form, having promised Alexis she would capture Rick on paper and needed to be at her best.

She also spent time listening to the next chapters of Nikki Heat. Kate felt she had a lot invested in this, wanting Nikki's character to grow, like she had. Rick was doing a wonderful job expanding Nikki and Rook's love story, in many ways it paralleled their story. He really was a brilliant writer and she had loved his stories since his first Derrick Storm novel. She suddenly frowned, remembering she was not too fond of Sophia's role as his inspiration for Clara. That whole scenario had nearly ended both their lives, shuddering as she remembered how close she had come to drowning, with Rick yet again saving her life and resuscitating her. Kate laughed and shook head, realizing that she was the tough cop, but Castle had saved her life on numerous occasions and he actually held the edge in comparison.

On Monday, she walked to the patio and looked out to sea. Physically she was getting better, the fevers were gone and she didn't need as much pain medicine as before. Emotionally, she was gaining more perspective into herself. Kate had spoken with Dr Burke several times, more for validation than assistance. She felt stronger now than she had been since her mother's murder, and had lost the single-minded drive to solve the murder, it was no longer top priority in her life. Kate turned to catch Rick trying to sneak up on her.

"Nice try big boy, but not very stealth," she poked him in the stomach.

He wrapped his arms around her, "I missed you, needed some Kate magic, you are my inspiration and now I'm stuck. Can you spare me some time to listen?"

"For you, I have all the time in the world", she rose up on her toes and her lips brushed his cheek.

She listened as he laid out his dilemma, told him her thoughts, answered his questions and provided suggestions about the story.

"Ok, enough writing, how about a spin in the gym?"

She jumped up, grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door. "Yeah, let's do it."

They both had a moderate workout, while Rick kept an eye on Kate. He had made her wear a heart rate monitor to ensure she didn't overdo things. Kate was frustrated that she couldn't do more the workout had really felt good, but also realized she needed to progress gradually to avoid another relapse.

They entered the shower, initially to clean up, but it quickly progressed to more.

"Hey, we were just supposed to clean up." Rick smiled as he chastised her.

"Well it's your fault. I love it when you wash my hair." She looked into his eyes, and they were gleaming with pleasure. "But then, that was your plan wasn't it?"

"Oh, you are a good Detective aren't you?"

"Ha, ha. Think you're clever, don't you?"

After changing, Kate was suddenly exhausted. Rick noticed that her hands were shaky, her body not as steady and smiles had been replaced by a pensive expression and pursed lips.

"I'm ready for some food and a nap, how about you?"

"Nice, pick up Castle, yeah I think that might, good idea."

After lunch, she laid down and quickly fell asleep. Rick went into the other room and called Steve, inviting him down over the weekend. He also called the gang from the precinct, deciding it was time for a barbecue.

Each day fell into a comfortable routine. They would work out, then Kate would sit on the patio drawing while Rick wrote. Kate still wanted to return to work, if only to prove she could, but was very content with their routine and how easy life was here. She chuckled, knowing that daily complications would occur, but was feeling more and more comfortable that their relationship could withstand any obstacle.

Rick was watching Kate sleep, a gentle smile on his face. He was so proud of her, she was being smart about listening to her body, and he loved how open she had become. Some of their best times were lying in bed, just talking for hours. He hated the thought of her returning to the precinct, but knew she needed to do that, to prove to herself she was whole. He would help her because he loved her so much, but that didn't mean he wouldn't worry. Kate did nothing half-way, she was always full speed ahead. He was determined to make her as strong as she could be, physically and emotionally before that happened. Once she was strong again, before they left the Hamptons, he needed to confess his secret to her. He prayed that when he told her, she wouldn't react negatively, but knew only time would tell.

He finished calling everyone for the weekend barbecue, with everyone very excited to accept. He went back to where Kate was and while he was deciding if he should wake her, she turned over, opened one eye and beat him to it. "Hey, come here, I need a cuddle"

They spent the next several days getting the house and party plans organized, Kate was very excited to see her friends. She had kept in contact via e-mail, but seeing them in person would be wonderful. She was not particularly thrilled about Steve coming, his presence always filled her with dread, but Rick had insisted.

Thursday morning came and Kate was on the deck drawing when she heard someone approach. Her eyes narrowed and her guard immediately went up.

"It's nice to see you too detective." Steve said, as Kate glared up at him.

"Kate, be nice", Rick chastised her.

"It's tough, every time I see him; I seem to be on the losing end of things." She grumbled as she stared at her hands.

"I think you'll actually come out on top this time." Steve responded.

Now Kate was interested. He had insisted Kate have blood work and a chest X-ray prior to his visit, and sounds like she was going to find out the results.

"So…" She started.

"First I want to see your side, can you stretch out on the couch?"

The three of them went inside. Kate lay down and lifted her shirt, she wasn't wearing a bra so it was easy for Steve to move her left arm above her head. Kate's stomach churned as she remembered being restrained for the procedures. Both men were kneeling and running their hands over her side.

"Humph, why do I feel like a side of beef?" She growled.

Both men ignored her and continued speaking to each other. Castle asked Steve questions and Steve provided answers.

"Hey, guys, still here, what's going on? HEY, remember me?" Kate's level of agitation was increasing.

"Sorry, Rick was just pointing some stuff out and I was telling him what I found."

It's my body, tell me!" her voice rose further.

"It looks much better, most of the swelling is gone, and it's not red, not hot. You've done well." With that he took out his stethoscope and listened to her lungs, "Good, much better, still a slight squeak, but nothing alarming." Rick had his face next to hers as Steve spoke, resting his forehead against her cheek.

"Your blood work is greatly improved, your white count is near normal, so the inflammation is nearly gone, you're not as anaemic and it looks like you've put on some weight, what about ten pounds?"

"Yea, that's about it, though I think she needs more." Rick chimed in.

"Hang on guys, don't get me too fat."

"Kate you're still fifteen pounds lighter than when you were shot."

"I have no intention of getting fat." She glared at both of them.

"You were perfect then," Rick stated simply.

Her eyes narrowed and her eyebrow arched.

"Though you're still pretty perfect to me," Rick said back pedalling quickly.

They helped her back up and put her top on. She cautiously glanced both at Steve than Rick.

"Ok, so now what?"

"Tomorrow let's work out. I'll show you how to progress. You'll continue to wear a heart rate monitor, I want your heart rate no higher than 140 for the first four weeks, I'll show you some additional stretches, you will need massages to help with the muscle soreness and breakdown some of the scar tissue..."

Rick interjected "These hands are ready, send me in coach."

"Will I ever be the same as before the shooting?" Kate's simple question brought the levity back into the situation.

"Truth?" Steve asked honestly.

"Truth!" Kate demanded.

"No, but we can help you be pretty close. You will always have to monitor yourself, you'll be more susceptible to upper respiratory infections, and your energy level may wane a lot faster. All stuff you'll have to watch for. But I think with a few weeks of work, you'll be ready to return to the Precinct."

His words of caution she understood, both Rick and she nodded to each other in agreement. His final words though, brought her most radiant smile. She grabbed Steve gave him a big kiss and hug, turned and before kissing Rick, her hand on his face, she murmured a thank you, followed by a warm and loving kiss.

"Do I need to leave?" Steve chuckled at the pair.

They parted and laughed, "No, let's celebrate."

Rick had hoped this was would be good news so brought out some Veuve Clicquot and popped the cork. With Champagne glasses filled, Rick offered a toast.

"Here's to the incomparable Detective Beckett, welcome back"

Kate's eyes filled with tears, "Here's to my champion, though I certainly didn't make it easy for him."

As the afternoon progressed, the three set on the patio catching up. Kate wanted to start exercising now, but Rick stopped her, telling her it was time to relax now and she was starting to get suspicious. Why is he being so secretive and looking at his watch.

Soon the doorbell rang, and Rick jumped up, shouting "I got it", as he ran from the room. Kate just shrugged and kept asking Steve about her work-out details.

Rick came back in the room, "Look who I found at the door."

Kate looked up, then yelled and ran to their guest's side. It was Deb, Nick's widow, home from Italy. The two became entangled in a hug, Kate's head on Deb's shoulder as the sobs started.

"Whoa," Deb said, tears in her eyes. "Kate it's OK, I'm okay. Calm down."

Kate's sobs receded and she was content to hang on to her friend. They finally broke the hold and walked to the couch. She wanted to hear about Deb's trip and Deb wanted to see how her friend was doing. Rick had kept Deb informed about Kate's illness and the various setbacks, but most importantly Rick had kept Deb abreast of the couple's progress.

As they set down, Deb ran her hand over Kate's face. "You're still too thin, but your face looks better, healthier and more relaxed than it's been in years. Rick, you've done a great job with our girl."

"Yes, he's a great nursemaid and so cute." Kate smirked.

They both laughed. Rick pouted slightly, "Are you making fun of me?"

"No", Kate got up and went to kiss him on the top of his head, as Steve introduced himself to Deb.

Kate blushed, embarrassed that she had forgotten him.

"I think it's time to show our guests to their rooms' then time to eat cause..."

"I know, I know, you're hungry."

As the two were each settling into their rooms, Kate and Rick were in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Thank you for a great day. First Steve with good news, then Deb visiting."

Rick had his famous cat that ate the canary grin covering his face. Kate stepped back and peered at him. Something was up.

Castle, I know you're up to something. Spill."

"Well, Deb's a widow, Steve's wife died two years ago, so... I thought we could see what happened."

"God, Rick you're such a romantic", as she slapped his chest, "I love it." She smiled up at him.

Dinner consisted of pasta, salad and more wine. By the end of the evening after trading stories back and forth, everyone had mellowed out. Rick noted that Kate had paled slightly, maybe too much, so announced to everyone, "I'm tired, let's go to bed."

At first Kate started to protest, but seeing the look in his eye knew she needed to acquiesce.

"Ok, see you in the am", she gave them each a hug, grabbed Rick's hand and retired to the bedroom.

As she slid into sleep, she murmured to him, "I love you everyday, a little more."

After breakfast, Steve suggested they go to the gym, so they all changed and met there ready to work out. Deb joined them saying she needed to lose some of Italy that had followed her home, patting her butt.

"Looks pretty good from here," Steve commented, while Rick and Kate both glanced at each other and winked.

Steve spent time with Rick and Kate demonstrating specific machines, along with weights to use. He fitted her with the heart rate monitor, and Kate was irritated, but Steve explained it was not a punishment but a safety valve, necessary for her to monitor her rate and progress. They all spent two hours working out and ended with each exhausted, both Steve and Rick carefully watched Kate, getting a couple of stop it stares from her which they both ignored.

After they cleaned up, they re-joined on the patio for snacks. Kate asked when the rest of the guests would be arriving and was told around 6 pm.

"In that case, I think I'll go read for a while." She rose and excused herself.

Once she was out of ear range, Castle informed their friends that this was Kate's way of announcing she needed a nap.

Kate re-joined them around 5:45 to await the arrival of their friends, who arrived right on schedule. Amid lots of kisses and hugs, Kate showed them around their rooms then told them to join everyone on the patio. As they adjourned upstairs to the sunset deck, Rick had drinks and snacks awaiting them.

He watched in pride as Kate helped each one get comfortable, she was the perfect hostess and totally at home with these people. Lanie had taken her downstairs to get the latest health report, both came back laughing, as Jenny and Ryan curled up on one of the couches. Espo continued to leer at Lanie, while Deb and Steve were deep in conversation about Italy. So the weekend began.

It was two days filled with great meals and drinks, walks on the beach, numerous groups of conversations and Sunday was taken up with a spirited poker game. After many hours, the final two at the table were the host and hostess, both intent on beating the other. There were several side bets as to who would end up with the biggest pot, and this went on for several hands when Castle thought he had detected a chink in Kate's bluffing strategy and saw his opportunity to take her down. He went all in on a hand he thought could not be beaten, and as he threw his hand in, he reached for the pot, when,

"Not so fast hot shot, I believe I have the winning hand", Kate threw her cards down, and indeed she had won.

"But, you... You..."

"Tricked you, didn't I? You lose Castle, take it like a man."

"Really", he challenged her.

"Yeah, really." Kate replied with a grin from ear to ear.

He came around the table picked her up, tossed her over his shoulder before she could react and began running to the water.

Kate screaming, "Put me down, I'll kill you if you throw me in the water."

"I'm not afraid of you."

As he headed to the beach their friends followed taking sides, yelling encouragement to both of them. As they reached the water, Castle slid her down into his arms and stared into her eyes.

"Beg me not to throw you in."

"Never!" She squirmed to escape.

And with that Espo and Ryan pushed them both in, the melee began as everyone ended in the water and laughter filled the air. Kate grabbed Rick and whispered in his ear, "Best medicine ever."

Sunday evening, all the guests had finally left and they lay on the couch totally satisfied with the outcome of the weekend.

The next several weeks were full, they both worked out, with the workouts increasing in intensity. Each workout was followed by long massages and time together. Kate's drawings were coming to completion. Her drawing of Rick for Alexis was nearly perfect; she was pleased and knew Alexis would love it. Ricks work on Frozen Heat was also moving along well.

One afternoon, after a full day, Rick looked at Kate and decided today was the day he needed to confess his secret to Kate. She was reading in her favorite place, he approached her and murmured, "Time to come with me."

Initially Kate hesitated, she was enjoying her book, but the look on his face was serious, and she knew something was up.

"OK", taking his hand as he led her into the office.

"Kate, I love you more than anything, you know that right?"

"Yes Rick, I know that. What's wrong?" The pit of her stomach was flipping, she was terrified.

"After you were shot and I was forced to leave you…"

"Rick, I apologized for that, I was stupid...I..."

"Kate, it's my story, let me get this out." He ran his hands through his hair, looked into her face and continued.

"After you returned and we were together on the swing. I knew I would do anything to help you break down those walls inside you. I wanted to be with you no matter what. Several days after that, I got a phone call from a man named Mr Smith. He was a friend of Captain Montgomery and the captain had sent him a complete file on your mother's murder. He told me everything he had, but most importantly he said if you continued to look into her murder, you would be killed, and I believed him. He told me that unless I kept you from investigating, he couldn't protect you. I was horrified; I didn't know what to do. I knew I couldn't risk losing you again. I spent three months away from you, and it was the most painful time of my life. But at least I knew you were alive."

"Rick, I'm sorry..." Tears fell down Kate's face as she relived that horrible time. She had longed for him every minute of every day, but was too stubborn and afraid of the possibilities to let him in.

Rick reached over placed his fingers on her lips, "Shhh, let me finish. So, that first time back in the precinct, I knew I had to keep you from investigating so I convinced you we would find the murderers together just not right away. Now this is the hard part. While I kept you away, I continued digging into the murder and your shooting. I wanted to give you closure, but Mr Smith contacted me again and warned me to stop, or my family and I would also be killed so I've closed the file, for now. It's not worth the risk for any of us. So you see I had a secret too, and now you know it, please don't hate me, I can't live without you, I can't lose you." Tears poured down his face, as it twisted in agony and he stared into her eyes dreading her response.

Kate took a deep breath, bent her head down and ran her fingers through her hair. Oh my God, she thought. He had risked everything for her. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts. She took another deep breath, raised her head and stared into his eyes.

"Rick, I should be furious with you, I could kill you; not because you lied, but because of the danger you placed everyone in. I'm a cop I know and accept the danger, but not you, or Martha or certainly Alexis. That's not right. God, what were you thinking?"

"I've told Mother and Alexis everything and they asked me to continue."

She gasped, this was even worse. They knew and had encouraged him, never had anyone done anything so brave or noble for her.

"They want you to be free as much as I do. You deserve to be happy, without the burden of your mother's murder or your shooting. You've suffered more than anyone should in a lifetime."

"Rick, give me a minute." She got up and starting pacing in the room. She was having difficulty coming to grips with his confession. The idea of Martha, Alexis and Rick placing themselves in jeopardy for her, engulfed her and she couldn't breathe. She staggered against the table and latched on, trying to gain stability. Her eyes closed and at that moment all thoughts of chasing her mother's murderer or revenging her shooting left her. Those items were now irrelevant. The most important issue right now was Rick and his family. They loved her and in return she adored them. They were her family now, they mattered and she needed, no she wanted to place them first.

"Rick, as of right now the case is closed. I care too much for you, your family and our life together to risk it. My mother would not want me to lose you all. I am committed to you, now and forever, no turning back, no regrets."

As she finished she went to him, stood him before her, and opened her lips and heart as she melted into him.

He picked her up and carried her to bed. There they spent the rest of the afternoon in mindless and physically exhausting sex. In the end they lay totally drained, wildly happy and content in the knowledge that together they could do anything. The circle was complete. The following day they would leave for New York for the next chapter in their love story, it was exhilarating to both of them.

Kate leaned over, nipped Castle's ear and whispered, "By the way, I'm driving the Ferrari tomorrow, get ready for the ride of your life, are you up for it?"

"Always."

Well, this part of Kate and Rick's story is finished-you'll see them again in a sequel-I hope

So looking forward to tonights finale-Always

Comment are appreciated,

Love, Melody