A/N: Again, thank you for reading! I hope this has been as much fun for you as it has been for me! :)

Kate walked to the water's edge and took off her sandals, letting them hang from the fingers of her left hand. She bent, reaching toward the cool waves as they washed over her bare feet. The weekend was over, but with it came the beginning of something so bright, so new.

She took in a deep breath and the salty tang of the air brought with it a calm she hadn't felt in a long time. It was kind of strange, in a way, even with all the ocean sounds and the billowing of the wind, she still knew when he was around. When she reached behind, his hand was twined with hers almost instantly.

Everything about them felt so easy, how well they fit together. Almost like they were meant to be. The wind blew her hair and she tucked it over her ear, batting her eyes at him. "See something you like?"

"You could say that." Castle smiled and added, "Though, I'm not sure which is more beautiful - the sunrise, or you. Maybe we should call it a draw?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "You had to delve deep for that one."

"Well, it is early," he replied, "and I haven't had coffee yet."

"How late did you write?" She squeezed his hand and started back toward his house. "You were in some sort of trance with the laptop when I fell asleep."

"I don't have a clue. Three, maybe four o'clock? So you know, I made a lot of progress." Castle stopped and caressed her cheek, smoothing the hair away from her eyes. "Kate, I've been trying to find the words all weekend, and I still don't know exactly how to say it, but I'm going to try: I've had a wonderful time this weekend. I've never felt as energized about writing as I do now. You are truly my inspiration, and it means the world that you're here. Thank you, for taking a chance on this. On us."

Smiling, she blushed and leaned into his hand. "I've had a great time, too. Thanks for inviting me. It's like we've fallen into place-"

"Yeah, like pieces of a puzzle, right?" he finished. "I was thinking the same thing!"

Kate couldn't help but laugh, and Castle was right there with her. She dropped her sandals onto the sand and pulled him down, pressing her lips against his. When they parted, she ruffled the hair at the base of his skull, whispering in his ear, "Last one back makes the coffee!"

She laughed even harder as she ran, almost breathless, as he growled and chased after her.

Castle walked with Kate to her apartment, insisting on carrying her bags as he did so. She fumbled for her keys taking a bit longer than necessary to find the one for the door. "Are you all right, Kate? You had a similar look this morning, at the beach."

She shoved the key into the door and pushed the barrier open. "I'm fine, just bummed the weekend is over."

"But it's only the end of the weekend, and endings turn into beginnings," he said, "If you ask me, this was the most awesome beginning ever."

"Well, I can't argue with that, can I?" She smiled as she stepped inside, her eyes still shining with the sunlight and waves and everything that made the past few days.

Tomorrow, however, would bring them back to reality. "But I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"As long as you can keep your hands to yourself," she teased.

"I think I can manage." He followed her into her apartment and set her bag on her couch.

"Wait." Kate stopped, her brow adorably furrowed when she asked, "Tomorrow? I thought you still had to finish your book? Aren't you going back to write?"

"I may procrastinate, but I don't think you're giving me much credit here." He crowded into her space, leaning in close, and by the looks of it, driving her crazy. He loved how her eyes were on his lips as he spoke, "In fact, in this case, I know you're not giving yourself enough credit. This time spent with you has given me more than enough words to finish the book. All I have left is to do a heavy manuscript edit before I send it to Gina."

"So you're not going back to the Hamptons?"

She sounded a little breathless, so Castle took a short step back. Then, he realized, as much as they had talked over the weekend, nothing had been mentioned about him staying in the city after he brought her home. "Not... not unless you want me to go?"

"No," she closed in and kissed him. "I really don't. I mean, not so far away. I've gotten used to you being close."

He squeezed her, loving the press of her body against his, then after another kiss, replied, "I think I can manage to stay in the area."

"Good. Now go home before it's too difficult to let you leave."

"And you just said you wanted to keep me close." Castle smiled and waggled his eyebrows. Kate was so flustered because of him, and it was adorable. "I'm only a phone call away. Or text. Whatever your poison is."

She pushed him toward the door, laughing. "That doesn't even make sense, you goofball. Just go."

He started to turn the knob, then asked, "You'll call if there's a body drop?"

"Yes, I'll call."

"Promise?" He asked and stumbled into the hallway, dodging another half-hearted push from her.

The door clicked shut behind him, followed by the turning of the lock, then Kate's muffled voice, "Promise!"

He couldn't wipe the goofy grin spreading across his face off, even if he tried.