Disclaimer: Sadly 'Castle' belongs to ABC, Marlowe & co.

AN: This is a companion piece to 'Down the Road'. I'd like to suggest you read that first, although it's not necessary. This takes place after chapter 36.

The Only Lie

Castle switched the bathroom light off and slipped into the dark bedroom.

He'd lived here long enough that he didn't need any light to find his way to the bed.

He felt the edge of the bed with his hand and gently tugged back the covers, slipping between the cool sheets.

He automatically scooted towards the center of the bed, the movement conditioned even though he was alone.

The bedroom was empty without her.

He closed his eyes and willed sleep to come. It didn't. He wasn't used to sleeping alone.

Finally he heard the creak of the bedroom door. A tiny sliver of light flitted across the bed before it quickly disappeared. The door eased shut slowly, pushed so carefully that it closed in total silence.

He couldn't see anything, but he felt his muscles relax as he heard the almost silent thud, the sound of metal hitting wood.

The gun was in the bedside table.

She was silent as she entered the bed, so quiet that if he had been asleep he'd never have woken up.

She should know by now he couldn't sleep without her. She probably did know. But he tried to keep it from her, the only lie that he still kept from her (if avoidance could be called a lie which, if their past histories had anything to say about that, it would be).

He didn't want her to feel bad about the late nights. Because there were a lot of those, a lot of nights where her job kept her from him…from them…and he hated it but he loved Kate Beckett. So he lied. Or avoided. Or whatever you wanted to call it.

She slid into bed next to him, scooting close to him, curling against his back, tucking her head against his skin.

He could feel the tension radiating off of her.

He suspected it had been a tough case, though it didn't really matter, not enough to talk about it now. Not when she was here and finally ready to sleep.

He turned over and reached an arm towards her, finding her easily in the dark. He tucked her closer into his side.

He kept his breath nice and steady, because maybe she'd think he was still asleep, maybe she wouldn't feel guilty about waking him up, maybe.

He felt her relax at his touch, heard her sigh before her breathing slowed.

"Love you," she mumbled into his chest sleepily.

He waited until her breathing evened out, then he gently kissed her head.

"Always".