A/N: This contains spoilers for the promos (both from CTV and ABC) and one, minor spoiler from Ausiello. No spoilers for the sneak peeks, though, so if you're just not watching those you should be okay. Otherwise, you can come back after the finale to read this – if you survive, that is…

Also, I know this is incrediblylate, but I did promise a birthday update a while ago. So, Andy, this is for you. On a regular day. (Which is more original than posting this on your birthday anyway, right?)

Another Chance

Six months ago, she had been in this exact same place.

Inhaling the fresh air, she glances over to the empty swing next to her, flinching when she feels memories of him tugging at her heart.

Her feet lightly brush the ground as she sways back and forth slowly. The sky had already started to darken when she'd been on her way here and now, as she sits on the swing at the deserted playground, the first raindrops fall from the sky. More follow quickly, and soon the rain is pouring down, slowly soaking through the layers of her clothes.

A shiver runs down her spine from the cold, but she doesn't move, doesn't get up to find shelter from the rain.

She needs the rain, needs to clear her mind so she can figure out the mess she's in. And, more importantly, how she's going to get out of it.

God, she really screwed up.

Screwed up so badly that now, she has nowhere to go, no one to turn to.

No work – not since she turned in her badge that morning. Not her dad either – she isn't ready to face him yet, isn't ready to admit that she quit. She also doesn't want her friends' sympathetic looks, could barely handle it at the precinct that day.

And then there's him. Castle.

She – she's pretty sure she lost him. Walking out on someone who's begging you not to, who confesses their love for you, well, forgiveness only goes so far. And she had a chance before, chances, even. But judging from the hurt in his tear-filled eyes, the wounded look on his face when she told him to leave, she isn't sure if she'll get another one.

She leans her head against the metal chain of the swing, closing her eyes as the rain keeps falling, trying to keep the tears that burn behind her eyes from falling too.

This isn't at all how things are supposed to be. When her wall would come down, she wasn't supposed to be left alone with the ruins. But now here she is.

I love you, Kate.

The words haunt her thoughts, his voice ever-present in the back of her mind. They have been running through her mind for a long time already. Before, they made her feel hopeful. And, secretly, giddy, a fluttery feeling spreading through her stomach like she just got asked out by her high-school crush.

Now, all she sees is him, hurt, broken, begging. Begging her. And it's definitely not butterflies she feels in her stomach. No, more like a knife, twisting slowly.

Would he still –

No. She stops her thought mid-sentence. She can't start thinking like this. Though, if she's being honest with herself, she isn't so sure if he still wants her. Wants, maybe, but more if he can give her another chance. She doesn't think she deserves one, still, she wants it badly.

But she's always been a fighter, hasn't she? And she wants him. Can clearly see how much, now that nothing else requires her attention. No complications, though of course everything is still complicated. But there is no reason to stay away from him. Except fear.

Fear that it's all too late.

She watches a man on the sidewalk clutching an umbrella in one hand, a briefcase in the other. Before he crosses the street, she sees him subtly – not so subtly – glance in her direction. The look on his face makes her realize how pathetic she must look, sitting alone on a swing in the pouring rain.

When she catches the man's gaze, he looks away embarrassedly, and continues making his way through the rain. This is New York City after all, and she doesn't doubt the man has come across much stranger people.

Still. She shouldn't be sitting here like this, doesn't want people to think of her as pathetic. And for god sakes, she's a grown woman, sitting on a playground, moping, and thinking about a guy. Seriously, Kate?

She takes a breath, pushes a strand of wet hair from her face.

No.

She needs to do something. She's been stupid, did all the wrong things, but she can make it right. Needs to. Because she wants him back.

He loves her. She hears his words like a whisper in her ear, feels an unpleasant tug, guilt, in her abdomen. Love. She repeats the word in her mind, makes herself hear his words until it doesn't hurt as much anymore. Until she feels a pleasant rush of emotions, one that makes the corners of her mouth turn up slightly in acknowledgment. He loves her.

She loves him too.

Her body thrums with newfound determination when she stands up. It makes her heart pound faster in her chest, adrenalin rushing through her veins.

She loves him.

And she's going to show him. She is going to make him give her another chance.

A/N: So, this is going to be a two-shot and I've written most of the second part already, which I'll post either later today or tomorrow. (The rating will change, though. More 'M', slightly less angst…)
Anyway, I haven't posted anything in a while, am slightly nervous about this, so I would love to hear your thoughts, even if it's just to let me know you liked/disliked this.

Also, do you realize what day it is tomorrow? Only one day left… (Technically, two days for me, but still. It's soon. Very soon.)