Hello all. This story came to me while writing my last story, as I was listening to a song (entitled Gravity, by Sara Bareilles). The silly plot would not let me go until it was written.

I give fair warning that it may be the most angsty piece I've written, save for the cancer series obviously. However, said angst will be balanced with a good amount of sexual tension and resolution will come to all things.

On a final note, I admit that this is a new take on an old cliché. That said, if cliché's are not your thing, feel free to find another story that may meet your needs. All others enjoy and please review.

Disclaimer: They are not mine, as usual.

Now this mountain I must climb, feels like the world is on my shoulders.

Through the clouds I see love shine, it keeps me warm as life grows colder.

In my life there's been heartache and pain.

I don't know if I can face it again.

Can't stop now, I've traveled so far to change this lonely life.

I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me.

I wanna feel what love is. I know you can show me.

-I want to Know What Love is, Tina Arena (Foreigner cover).

Love wasn't an emotion that Kate Beckett was entirely comfortable with. When she was in love she felt completely out of control, she didn't act like herself and she often did foolish things. Because of these reasons, she avoided love. Sure she had relationships, but keeping one foot out the door always ensured that she wouldn't get too involved. She wouldn't be in danger of losing herself in her relationships.

The first person to really call her out on this was Castle. It was during their fight, which occurred just days before she got shot. She often thought back to his words, he'd accused her of being a coward. Sure, he didn't say that outright, but insinuating that she hid in relationships because she was scared of the real thing was just as bad. She threw him out that day because she was pissed, she couldn't believe his audacity, and she wanted him gone before she lost it; because she knew he was right.

She also never admitted that his accusation was one of the main reasons she decided to stick with therapy. Of course there was the shooting, the PTSD, and her mother's murder. Hell, Kate could pick any one of a variety of reasons to be in therapy. However, the one she was working on the most was that damned wall. It took his throwing it in her face before she would even acknowledge its presence.

After nearly a year of uncomfortable and somewhat painful emotional work, Kate's wall was coming down. It was dropping, only to find that the man waiting on the other side was apparently no longer interested. It appeared that she was too late. Even Lanie told her she'd waited too long.

Beckett was confused, frustrated and moderately pissed. However, being pissed at Castle wasn't out of the ordinary. In fact, it seemed to be somewhat of a norm. She could handle anger, she did anger well. Therefore, in the horrible weeks following the bombing, she focused on remaining as angry as possible for as long as possible.

Afterall, when Kate was angry, she didn't have to focus on the deeper feelings she experienced, such as profound rejection, hurt and fear over the loss of someone who just might have been the love of her life.

It was a time period that Kate Beckett never wanted to live through again. She'd finally allowed herself to become truly emotionally involved, and to hope for a future; only to have it dashed by some stranger who'd possessed her partner's body.

Finally, after weeks of watching him pull away, of encountering him acting like a jackass to her, he let something slip. She'd asked him time and again if something was wrong, earning her a denial and brush off each time. However, after they worked the 'zombie' case, he couldn't keep his contempt for her in check. At the hospital, through his passive aggression, it became apparent that he at least suspected that she remembered his confession of love for her.

So, she offered a piece of herself to him. She confided that she'd been working on herself, and that her wall was coming down. Finally, they both took a risk in admitting that they wanted one another to be around when it was finally gone.

Things improved considerably after that. Coffees started showing up in the mornings with Castle, and lunch dates with flight attendants stopped. They fell back into a comfortable routine, feeding off of each other while building theory and solving cases. For the time being, Kate was happy to have her partner back.

She also became bolder, more solid in her resolve to open herself up to him. Finally, the opportunity came along when he invited her over for a movie marathon. She'd accepted with every intention of making her feelings known before their night was through. However, things didn't turn out that way and she nearly lost him for good.

That case, her sniper, his betrayal, changed everything. He walked away and she nearly broke. Then, on the roof and in the blink of an eye, what seemed complicated and nearly impossible became clear as day. That final brush with death had been enough to make her see how much she needed him. So, after quitting her job, contemplating her past, and evaluating her priorities, she went to him.

Love wasn't an emotion Kate Beckett was comfortable with. However, that night, the rain soaked former detective laid it all on the line. She gave herself to him, body and soul. It was a night of healing, loving and comforting; mixed with passion, desperation and ecstasy, as they finally allowed themselves to become one.

Neither of them were sexually naïve, and both had experienced their share of really good sex. However, that night was a first for both of them. As hands caressed, bodies glided and tongues tasted, the partners found that they fit together perfectly. It was almost as if they had been created for this purpose, for their bodies to fit; lock and key.

Hours were spent loving and exploring, as he learned exactly where to touch her, how much pressure to use, and how many different sounds he could pull from her. She let herself feel vulnerable, allowed for him to have control, and with her openness came the ability to receive more love from him than she could have ever imagined.

Equally loving and engaged, she spared no inch of his body, learning how he quivered at her touch, and how far she could take him without bringing him over the edge. Never a wordsmith, Kate spoke through her body. She worshiped him and adored him physically, showing him her feelings through soft caresses and gentle kisses.

In the heat of their passion, he pulled her on top and she straddled him, both of them shifting into an embrace. They gazed into one another's eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck, laced her fingers through his hair, and found his lips once again with hers. He pulled her as close to him as physically possible, wrapping his arms around her and ghosting his fingers up and down her back as they moved as one.

When they finally climaxed, they did so together. The partners were filled with consuming love, trust and complete abandon. As she fell apart in his arms, her cries echoed from the walls of his bedroom. She swore that she could see millions of lights flashing behind her eyes at the moment the tension finally gave way to release. It was pure magic, as she felt herself combust and then slowly drift back into her body.

That night, in Richard Castle's arms, the woman who didn't do love disappeared. All it took was one time with him for her to realize that she would never be the same, and she could never go back. Kate Beckett finally let herself fall completely in love.