Of course we know that none of this happened, but we can hope ……..

 
She didn't have a plan as she walked out of the squad room, she just needed to leave and she needed to put some distance between her and Castle. She wasn't sure how the keys were in her hand, she didn't remember grabbing them off her desk, but there they were and here she sat in her squad car. She pulled out her cell phone, making the call she knew she had to make; her Dad. He was out of town, visiting family up north and wouldn't be back home for another few weeks. She gave him a few details, telling him she was sorry she couldn't keep Coonan alive. “Katie, you got him and I know you and the others will find the one ordered the hit on her. Your mother would be so proud …. I'm so proud.”

Kate waited for the next question; held her breathe, she knew is was coming. “Katie, who shot him?” She hesitated, not sure what her father would say, but in the end, she let it out. “Katie, you did the right thing, you had to save him, it's who you are. I wouldn't expect anything less from you and neither would your mother. Remember, you got him, and it will be only a matter of time until you get the person responsible.” They spoke some more, he asked if she needed him back in the city, she stated she would be fine and to enjoy his visit and they would do dinner when he got back.

After she hung up, she sat in the car, not moving. The breeze from the open widow, moving through the interior of the car and all around her. She felt it caress her face, moving her hair, tucked behind her ear, “Mom” she breathed out, the tears forming in her eyes again. She could hear her mother's voice, “Katie, you did it, you found him and your father is right, I couldn't be more proud.” Kate answered, “But ….” “But what Katie …. you have nothing to apologize for, you had to save him. He's your friend, and much more than that, when you admit it to yourself.” Kate let out a breathe, her mother continued, “The sooner you admit it, the easier it will be for you and for him. I love you Katie.” The breeze hit the interior of the car, caressing her face again and then it was gone.

She looked at the seat next to her, empty, as she ran her hand across the fabric. She looked up and saw his sun glasses tucked into the visor, she reached up and pulled them down. She ran her index finger along the frame, put her head back against the headrest as she closed her eyes. She relived the whole incident again, in slow motion. She could feel her pulse pick up, feel it against the collar of her leather jacket. She could see his face, watching her, his eyes speaking for him. As she opened her eyes, the tears ran down her face and her breathe caught. She could feel him, his presence across the parking lot, before she picked her head up and looked out the window.

There he stood, watching her again, staring like he did, right into her soul. She was expecting to see pity in his eyes, saw none, but she saw something else, but wasn't sure what. His sunglasses forgotten, she reached for the handle and got out of the vehicle, the breeze picking up again, caressing her face. He moved slowly, with purpose and stood in front of her. She watched him, her breathe catching again, as she looked back at him. He cleared his throat, and spoke softly, “Are you okay ….” She nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off of him. “Kate … “ he left her name hanging in the air between them. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, taking in the scent of his cologne and opened her eyes, “Rick ….”

She scanned his face, her hand again reaching out to him, placing it on his chest, on top of his heart. He placed his hand on hers, sliding his fingers between hers, locking them together, holding tightly and closed his eyes. He leans forward, placing his forehead against hers and just breaths her in; cherries. He pulls back slightly and slowly opens his eyes and his gaze drops to her mouth. She tucks on her lip with her teeth, feeling him move closer and she slowly closes her eyes, “Rick …..” she says again, breathless. He says nothing as his mouth slowly descends onto hers. She moves closer to him as she tips her head back. The kiss is slow, gentle at first, until she feels herself tremble against him. Her free hand travels up his back, caressing his neck and pulling him closer to her. She's the one that moves the kiss from gentle to hot in a flash, tongues dueling slowly, saying everything that couldn't be spoken yet.

She can feel him pull back slowly, breaking their kiss off and she opens her eyes slowly. Her breath catches again, her heart beat slamming against her chest, as she looks into his eyes. He smiles slowly, caressing her cheek with the back of his index finger, “Until tomorrow Detective ….” She smiles in answer, knowing that tomorrow will be the same, but somehow very different now. She watches him turn and walk back through the parking lot, into the cab at the curb. She enters her squad car, tucks the sun glasses back into the visor, starts the engine and pulls out of the lot.

She doesn't notice the four of them standing by the door, witnessing the exchange between her and Castle, smiling at each other. Lanie was the first to speak, “It's about damn time …..”

Thanks for all of your great responses to my little fan fiction.  I'm working on one from "The Third Man" and hope to have part one up tomorrow.