Private Eyes – Epilogue

Why you try to put up a front for me
I'm a spy but on your side, you see
Slip on into any disguise
I'll still know you
Look into my Private Eyes
- Hall & Oates, "Private Eyes"

Kate Beckett stood alone off to the side with everyone else as they watched Kevin Ryan and Jenny O'Malley dance for the first time as husband and wife. She smiled softly, seeing the joy and delight on her friend's face as he embraced his bride, kissing her and swaying to the gentle music. A couple of minutes later, the DJ invited others to join and soon the dance floor was filled with happy couples dancing and having fun. Kate drifted back, lingering by the long white linen covered table filled with the hors d'oeuvres. She plucked up a flute of champagne and sipped delicately as she soaked in the atmosphere of love. It brought back memories… and dreams yet to be fulfilled.

Sighing, she let her mind wander to those few days in October when she was happier than she had ever been in her life. It had been a long three months with not seeing him, only hearing snippets of what he was doing or where he was during her weekly visits with Martha and Alexis. After her debrief with Agent Danberg, Kate had made a promise to herself that she would look after Castle's family while he was away. But he hadn't left her empty handed. He must have known what was going to happen, because he hand left her a key to his storage locker.

She had since devoured all of his books. It had been the only way, besides her visits with Martha and Alexis, that she was able to feel close to him. Her favorite thing to do after a long grueling case was to soak in her bathtub with one of Castle's manuscripts. She loved his writing just as much as she loved him. She longed to see him again, to talk to him, to… kiss him. Kate missed him.

Blinking her eyes, Kate worked at suppressing the tears that were threatening. Hopefully if anyone noticed, they would just assume they were happy tears. She looked out at the dance floor, spying Ryan and Jenny laughing together. The sight tugged at her heartstrings, making her wish that was her out there with Castle.

The soft slow melody of some generic romantic ballad changed, and Hall & Oates's 'Private Eyes' began to reverberate through the speakers. Kate wiped at her eyes, thinking of Castle.

"Hello, gorgeous," the familiar timber and inclinations of his voice startled her. He tugged at her hand, pulling her out away from the hors d'oeuvres table, and before she knew what was happening, she was swaying to the music with Rick Castle. He grinned at her, blue eyes sparkling. "You look beautiful. Sorry I'm late."

"Three months late," Kate grumbled, but returned his smile. She soaked in the image of him in a tuxedo. Damn, was he gorgeous! She draped her arm around his shoulder and followed his lead.

"I did say that I'd see you soon," he protested.

"I think you and I have a different definition of the word soon," Kate quipped back, gracing him with one of her glares.

Castle gulped, his smirk faltering. "Yeah, I know," he replied, squeezing her hand as he held it to his chest as they continued to move to the music. "I'm really sorry, Kate. I had no choice. And though York was more forgiving than I had expected, I still had to face the consequences of my actions."

"I know," she murmured, leaning into his embrace, amazed at how right and sure she felt in his arms. It was almost as if the last three months hadn't happened. "It still hurt, though. You knew this was going to happen; yet you didn't tell me. Why?"

"I tried to… I wanted to," he spoke softly, like he was remembering a memory. "But, to my eternal shame, I couldn't." He slowed their movements to a gentle sway. "I was afraid, Kate."

"Afraid of what?" she wrinkled her nose, confused. What could a man like Rick Castle be afraid of?

"You," he confessed.

"Me?" Kate was taken aback.

He nodded, looking solemn and sincere. "I've loved two women in my life," he confessed, speaking slowly. It was clear this was difficult for him. She waited him out, watching him with understanding eyes. "I lost the first because I was too afraid to admit what I was feeling."

"And the second?"

"I'm not sure, yet," he said. "I think she's mad at me."

Kate bit her lower lip, realizing he was referring to her. "Yeah, a little, but I think she'll soften," she said with a small quirk of her lips.

"Really?" his voice held so much hope that it made her heart swell with joy.

"Yeah," she nodded. She had almost given up hope. Kate made a note to thank Alexis for keeping her spirits up and helping her survive the last three months without Castle. "But I think she'll need some further convincing of your intentions."

Castle stopped dancing, and they stood motionless in a sea of dancing partygoers. He moved his hands up to cup her face in his warm palms. "Kate, I love you," he said, so earnest and sincere that there was no doubt in her mind that he meant it. "I love you, Kate." And then his lips were on hers, and they shared a magical kiss.

"Rick," She hummed in approval, resting her forehead against his. "I love you, too, Rick." He sighed and his hands clenched around her waist, keeping her close. She nudged her nose against his, then moved her mouth up along the side of his face until her lips were skimming along the shell of his ear. "Let's get out of here," she suggested in a breathy voice, full of want and desire.

"Shouldn't we at least congratulate the happy couple?" Castle asked, as Kate slowly interlaced their fingers together, beginning to tug him off the dance floor.

She shook her head. "They won't mind," Kate asserted. "They're too into one another to even notice what's going on around them." She paused at the entrance to the dance hall, turning back to look into Castle's eyes one more time. "And besides… we have three months to make up for."

XXX

They stumbled into her apartment, dumping Castle's rucksack unceremoniously on the floor by the door, hands all over the place, mouths fused together as they swapped saliva, kissing each other with a brutal passion, borne of a deep need and desire for one another that had yet to be satisfied. Castle shrugged his jacket off as she kicked her heels off, relishing the height difference when she dropped down. She tugged at his bowtie, pulling the loose black fabric off his neck and set to work on divesting him of his shirt. Her fingers worked furiously down the buttons as Castle's fingers squeezed around her hips, directing her towards her bedroom.

Castle maneuvered her down onto the mattress, crawling up over her. She shivered in anticipation as his hand skimmed up her legs. He had his hand up her dress and she moaned as he yanked her panties aside and finally touched her. He groaned at the feeling of her, so very ready for him. They worked quickly to remove her brown gray dress.

"Matching undies… I like," Castle crooned as he gazed down at her with dark eyes. She was clad only in dark lacy lingerie. He seized her mouth in searing kiss, reaching behind her back to unhook her bra. She rolled her shoulders, shivering in delight as the straps slipped down her arms. Castle pulled the rest of the fabric away, exposing her chest to him.

Kate felt her heart clench for a moment. She bit down hard on her lower lip as she watched Castle's eyes scrutinize her naked torso, marred by two hideous scars. But her worry was unfounded, which she soon discovered, when Castle dipped his head down and pressed a reverent kiss on the scar between her breasts. He raised his head, and gazed at her with nothing but love.

"You're beautiful, Kate," he declared, his voice laced with emotion, eyes shining with awe. "So very beautiful."

"Oh, Rick," she mumbled, grabbing at his biceps and pulling him down for a kiss. Her eyes watered with joy as Castle worshiped her, as she was, scars and all.

He dropped kisses down her neck and collarbone, palming one of her breasts. Kate arched her back, her pulse quickening in anticipation as he tugged her panties down. She sat up, working quickly to unbuckle his belt, and free him from his slacks. Castle wiggled out of his boxers and moved over her, cupping her jaw as he kissed her.

Kate sighed as finally… finally they were skin to skin. He was warm, all solid flesh above her. He hovered over her, touching her in all the right places as he took his time in exploring her naked body. Her heart skipped and her stomach flipped flopped. She was nervous in a way she hadn't been in a long, long time. It was almost like she was a virgin again, and this was her first time, which was ridiculous, really, because she was decidedly not a virgin.

Granted, it had been a while for her. The only men to see her naked in the past six months had been doctors, excluding her ex-boyfriend. And after she'd fully recovered from the shooting, whenever she'd been in the mood, she had taken care of herself. But there was something different about this time, about being with Castle. Perhaps, she thought, it was because she loved him. Truly loved him. Yeah. That was it.

"Protection?" Castle asked breathlessly, snapping her back to the moment.

"I… um…," She blinked, her brow furrowed as she thought. "I don't… that is…" she flushed bright pink. "To be honest, it's been a while."

"Oh," Castle paused, his expression unreadable. "I can go check my bag—"

"No!" she nearly shouted, startling him with her vehemence. She took in a breath, and repeated herself, more softly this time. "No. That's okay. We don't need it. I… I just want you."

"Okay," he smiled, brushing his fingers through her hair as he gazed down at her with such a tender adoration that it had her heart melting with joy. He leaned down and kissed her softly, before pulling back and slipping down her body.

"Castle?" she questioned, unabashedly wanton. "What are you doing?"

He paused over her navel, teasing her bellybutton with his tongue, making her hips squirm. "I think it's time I showed you that thing I do with my tongue."

XXX

Kate rested languidly against his warm body, fully sated and satisfied like never before, allowing herself the luxury to drift into a blissful state as she lazily traced her fingers over the scars on his back, sinking deeply into the soft mattress, her naked thigh draped over her lover's magnificent ass. Castle, however, was restless, turning in place, and disturbing her sated slumber. He gently nudged her over onto her back and she stretched lazily, arching her back like a cat.

She smiled dreamily. "I appreciate the offer, Rick, but I don't know if I'm ready for round four yet," she murmured as Castle chuckled and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

"I just need to get something," he assured her. "Though, if you're interested, I'd be more than happy to take care of you." He winked suggestively.

"Would you?" Kate grinned happily, feeling so light and free that she wasn't even sure who she was anymore. Kate Beckett was never this happy… at least not since her mother's death.

"Just a moment, sweet cheeks," he smirked, knowing she abhorred that nickname, even if she did have a firm backside that could rival that of any super model. Castle crawled over her, making sure he let her feel every inch of his desire for her as he did so. Smug bastard.

She rolled her eyes, trapping her bottom lip under her teeth as she watched him hop off the bed and grace her with a delightful view of his delicious rear end. She licked her lips as she watched him walk out of the room. She smiled to herself, pushing up on her elbows as she took in the disheveled state of her bed. The pillows laid askew, one having toppled over onto the floor. Oh, that had been fun. The best. And despite her earlier protest, she was eagerly anticipating round four.

Castle came back, unashamed of his naked glory, dropping his rucksack on the floor beside the left side of the bed, before climbing back onto the mattress. She narrowed her eyes as he rolled over to join her. He had something in his hand.

"What's this?" she asked as he pressed it into her hand.

"The twelve thousand I owe you," he said. "You know, for that bottle of wine that we never did get to enjoy."

"Gee, Castle, couldn't think of a better time?" she snarked teasingly. "You just had to give it to me after we had sex, like you were paying for services rendered."

"And what nice services they were."

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes. "I'm very tempted to smack you with it right now."

"You can try," he smiled smugly. "Or, you can forget about it and we can go for round four."

Kate paused, looking between the bundle of cash and Castle's magnificent naked body. Laughing, she tossed the stack over her shoulder and clambered up on top of him, straddling his hips, a moan escaping her lips when she felt his desire for her brush against where she wanted him most.

He grinned, the smug bastard. "Round four it is!"

XXX

Much later, they laid together in her rumpled bed, fully spent after seven rounds of lovemaking—because that's what she wanted to call it. "This is like a dream I wish would never end," Kate sighed against his bare chest, snuggling close. She would be perfectly content for the rest of her life in this bed with him.

"I'd have to agree there," Castle said, sounding breathless. "You… that… God, Kate… I've never felt more alive. You are extraordinary."

"You're not so bad yourself, Spy Boy," she teased with a playful wink and a flash of her pink tongue between her teeth. Kate stretched up to press a kiss to his lips. He returned it lazily, skimming his fingers down her bare back until his palm came to rest on the curve of her ass. She hummed into his mouth and kissed him again, with tongue, stealing his breath. "So," she hedged as she pulled back, resting her head against the propped up pillows. "What were you doing for three months?"

His jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes. "Running down a lead, amongst other things," he left it at that, and she allowed him to, not wanting to ruin the mood. Castle arched his neck and looked down at her, hesitating for a second before speaking. "Does the name Rogan O'Leary mean anything to you?"

Kate frowned, her brow furrowing as she thought. "No, not that I can think of," she shook her head. "Why? Am I supposed to know who he is?"

"No… not at all," he said quickly. Too quickly. "Anyways, I took care of it. So it doesn't matter anymore."

"If you say so," she hummed, not all too sure about that. There was definitely a story there. She'd have to remember to question him further about it some time later.

Castle remained silent for several minutes, before his eyes brightened and he looked back down at her and declared, "Oh… and I wrote another book." He sat up and she followed him with her eyes, smiling as he jumped out of bed and she was gifted with another delicious sight of his glorious ass. Oh, she was never going to get tired of this. Never. He padded over to his rucksack, and rummaged through it for a moment, before returning with a spiral-bounded manuscript. He handed it to her. "I dedicated it to you. So, I thought you might like to read it."

Kate held it in her hands for a moment, looking at the title. "I can read it later, Castle," she said, putting it aside. "Right now, I just want you."

He grinned and slid back into bed with her. The manuscript lay forgotten on the floor as the two of them took their time to enjoy one another's company.

The title: Heat Wave.

THE END

*RICK and KATE will return in… PRIVATE EYES 2: PSYCHO KILLER.