Yay! Fluffy! I love this. And I think the interchange is perfect, and he is perfect (sweet boy) for still making it now, and Remy's, so she doesn't have to feel any pressure.

A lot of people talk about how gorgeous she was in 'Home is Where the Heart Stops' and 'When the Bough Breaks', but few authors highlight the fact that she was clearly teeth-grittingly uncomfortable on those occasions. The only time she's ever dressed up and been comfortable was in 'Hell Hath No Fury', when her outfit was her choice, and a challenge, part of their constant one-up-manship of the early seasons. As one author said "...a dress that screamed fuck-me-against-the-wall, not because she wanted him to, but because she wanted him to know that he couldn't."

She's also always uncomfortable with compliments, except when it's from the Captain (Montgomery) for a job well done. I guess that's not a flaw but I always found it adorable.

Anyways. Great story, great ending.

I just went looking for this fic again, because I remember it being such a good character analysis of Beckett.

I read a lot of fics, and I always look out for the ones where Beckett is the action hero but it's all from Castle's POV. Those are fairly common, understandably so, since it's just an exaggerated version of what the show is in canon. However, a lot of authors who pursue that genre seem to portray Beckett as 100% self-sacrificing and noble, and she is, of course, she is when it comes to the big stuff, her personal safety versus the well-being of anyone else, especially Castle, and she is dedicated and honourable and all that other great stuff, but people who write those seem to forget about the flaws you've listed here - that she can be petty and spiteful and jealous and guarded and she has a tendency to slap down any perceived threat or slight just because she can. I don't think she has such a high opinion of herself, except pride in the fact that she's good at her job, but as this is all from Castle's POV maybe that's just what he thought at the time.

Anyway.

Thank you for this because I think it's a great character description. I am curious why you didn't stick to canon describing the third season premiere - he wasn't just looking at a body, the woman was a friend of his, albeit not a close one, and she called him - but maybe you figured it wasn't important.

I love this section: "Superheroes didn't take the easy way out. They fought for what was right, always. Even if it was difficult. It was why most of them had such crappy personal lives." Because it hones in on something which bothered me since 'Knockout' and still bothers me in 'Always'.

I am really glad Castle and Beckett are together now, I want them to be together, but I don't think it was right for Castle to ask Beckett to walk away and I don't think she was right to finally do it. Yes, she was approaching the whole case bull-headed, she wasn't handling it right, but Castle is the one who should be there helping her to handle it better. Even if they pass the case on to the FBI that would be fine by me.

The fact is, this is too big for them, and yes, while Beckett pursues it she is a threat and they still want to kill her, but that's not a reason to walk away from something, not if it's the right thing to do. This isn't just a personal vendetta, this is a conspiracy of murder and extortion and you can't just drop something like that because you realise you're in love. Do the writers not think all those who die for the causes of human rights and social justice around the world have families and lovers? What's the moral message here?

Anyways. Love this fic.

Great story! Really nice characterization. Loved the Castle insights into Beckett, and this line: "But they might just be imperfect for each other."

Yay! Happiness! It was cute. A while ago I told a friend that I loved the Mentalist and she asked if I've watched Castle, that I would like it as well. I hadn't so the past few weeks I finally caught a couple episodes and found that I do like what I've seen. Of course there are many parallels between Castle and Mentalist including straight-laced and in charge female leads as well as charming (not so straight-laced) males leads that counter point each other. Anyway, happy to read this though I want something lengthy now.

Very well written piece. I loved how you said he came back with two cups of coffee as I really liked how they showed at the end of the season that Castle turned up with only a cup for him.

This is adorable, of course, but you are a very wise author and touched on a number of very true and human moments in this story. I'm so glad I found it!

Okay, obviously I need to rewatch the promo, b/c the sneek peek I saw on FB showed the "arrest" but not the angry questioning. HEE! Oh, I may have missed something good!

I love this little progression to realization from Castle. Poor dolt does take the long way around reasoning sometimes. But I also loved your comic book illusions. I think Castle would have loved to be Robin to Beckett's Batman.

Also? Ryan and Esposito yelling at him at the crime scene in the promo? EPIC awesome.

"But they might just be imperfect for each other."

I love your lines like that. They're so simple, but wow are they ever brilliant.

I don't think I've read any other stories that so blatantly pointed out that Kate Beckett is flawed, and Castle has to stop seeing her as Supercop if they want to make it as anything more than friends and partners.

I love it. Off to read the epilogue now. How you keep my interest with no dialogue is a mystery, but you do.

awwwwwww, fantastic story, i truly enjoyed reading it...and the last three lines were perfect...absolutely loved it!

this is absolutely incredible...i love what you've done here...and now to the epilogue...

"Had she... had she been hoping that he'd make a move? For how long? And why on earth hadn't she ever said anything?" Duh! Oh, that is so Castle. So smart yet so sweetly clueless. I can't wait for the day these two finally get it together. For now I'll have to be satisfied with wonderful fan fiction. Fantastic job. If you happen across the inspiration to continue this please feel free.

I like how you show the progression of their relationship. He absolutely idolized her in the beginning and no one can live up to that. It's nice to see them moving towards see each other as REAL.

"Kate Beckett who'd cracked his secretly optimistic little heart." I love that line. It is so true. Of course he's cracked hers as well. He just doesn't know it.

I love your take on how they get together I just hate the time line. I'd get bored waiting that long. Please let them be heading towards this during the second half of season three.

Oh, I absolutely loved this! You've written it really well. I liked your take on how their relationship may progress; from best friends to lovers. And the epilogue was very sweet, I'm really smiling right now.

"Robbery and homicide. They matched. Just like author and publisher did." - How I loved these lines.

:-)

I love it, love it, love it! Perfection!

Tappin.

:-D

I needed this fluff this morning. Thank you so much. Love it. Just wish it were longer!