539. Chapter 539

After Watershed

Episode 5.24

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I'm handsome, brilliant, buff, wealthy, and I do own Castle. However, I do lie a lot. Rating: K Time: See above.

Kate Beckett sat in her car, going over the conversation she'd just had with her father. I want this job. It is what I've wanted and needed all of my life. I know that I should never have kept this a secret from Castle. I should have talked with him about this, and now he must hate me. But he did love me once. I said I was standing at a crossroads. I have two possible choices and I know what I want. Kate smiled suddenly. Yes! I know exactly what I want and I'm going to get it no matter what.

She started the car and drove back to the precinct. She had one thing to finish before she talked to Castle.

Again, she sat in her car, looking at the familiar park and the swings she knew so well. She could see Castle sitting on one swing, waiting for her. I will have everything that I want and nothing is going to stop me. I just have to keep telling myself that.

She got out of the car and walked to Castle and sat on the other swing. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept secrets."

Castle looked serious, grim, even. She had never seen him look like this. He wouldn't even look at her. It doesn't matter. I can do this. I can. I know what I want.

Finally he spoke. "It's who you are. You don't let people in. I've had to scratch and claw for every inch."

"Castle…" She began.

"Please let me finish."

She stood up and crossed over to him. "No, let me finish." She sat down on his lap and kissed him. She ran her tongue over his lips and tried to get him to open his mouth. He wouldn't. He must be furious with me. I will not give up. She broke the kiss, but kept her hand over his mouth. "I know you're furious with me and you have every right to be. I should never have kept this from you, but I did and it's too late now. I was offered the job in DC and I took it."

Castle tried to say something, but she shut his mouth with hers. "You said that if I moved to DC, we'd be over. Do you really believe that, because I don't? Look at everything we've done over the past five years. Look at all the obstacles we've overcome. Not just investigating murders, but as human beings. Richard Castle, I am not giving you up just because I have a new job. I'm not letting you break up with me. You think I'm tenacious when I'm after a killer? You have no idea. I'm a hundred times as tenacious when I'm after the man that I love. And I do Iove you and I know that somewhere, deep down inside you love me and that I can bring that love back."

"Beckett…" He began again. Again, she stopped him from talking with her mouth. This time she rubbed her hand over his chest.

"Just because we have a few miles between us doesn't mean we can't keep what we have. And I want what we have and more. You think you've seen the last of Kate Beckett if I move to DC? Not a chance. I will be outside your door, begging to come in and ravish you senseless each and every weekend and holiday. Try hiding from me? I will track you down. I'll commute to DC from New York every day if I have to. I. Will. Not. Give. You. Up."

"Kate…"

This time she was too quick for him. Her lips were on his and her tongue was in his mouth before he could shut her out. She ran her tongue around his teeth and over his tongue, being careful not to let her tongue leave his mouth. When he began to respond, she smiled. He wants me. It may only be for sex right now, but as long as he's with me, I have a chance. I can do this. We can do this.

She took his hand and put it on her boob, moving it back and forth, arousing her. She was sure he was aroused as well. She broke this kiss and whispered in his ear. "What do you say to some making out in a public park, Castle? How far do you think we'll get before someone calls the cops? Oh, it's not like stealing a police horse, but I think I can make it more interesting for you than any old horse could. Should I take off my top?"

Castle took her left hand in both of his and was trying to do something. He wasn't pushing her away, but he wasn't trying to pet her, either. She looked down, but they were so close together, she couldn't tell what he was trying to do. "What are you doing?" She asked

"I'm trying to put an engagement ring on your finger."

She stood straight up. 'You're what?" She stared down at him, unsure if she'd heard him right.

"Don't move. Stand right there." Castle ordered. He got out of the swing and dropped to his knees in front of her. "Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?" He was holding out a ring.

She stood there, shocked, for just a second. "Oh, my god! Oh, my god! You're proposing."

He stood up. "Of course I'm proposing. I love you and I can't imagine my life without you. I don't want to imagine my life without you."

"I thought you were breaking up with me."

"Obviously." He grinned at her.

She put her arms around her neck and kissed him. "You don't mind that I got the job?"

"I'd rather you stay in New York, but DC is going to be great. We're going to be great."

She kissed him again. "God, I love you.'

"Enough to marry me?" He asked, holding up the ring.

"Yes! Yes! Of course. I love you Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle and I will marry you."

He took her left hand and slid the ring on.

"It's so big." She said.

"No, you just have remarkably tiny fingers."

"Castle, we can make this work. DC isn't that far away and we can see each other…"

"Every day if we live in DC." He finished for her.

"In DC? I thought you'd…"

"I can write anywhere, and Alexis is going to college and a man my age shouldn't be living with his mother." He pulled out his phone and a photo of a house popped up. "I did a little looking. We should probably rent at first so we can look around and find something we really want. There's a lovely one here with five bedrooms and three baths, for only $6,300 a month. I know that sounds like a lot of rooms, but what if Alexis and Martha both want to come down. And I'll need a bedroom for my office." He went to another also with five bedrooms and only two baths. It is only $6,000, but how could we get by with only two baths?"

"Castle? Are you serious? This is…"

"Extravagant?" He asked, smiling.

"Exactly. It's way…"

"Nothing is too good for the future Mrs. Castle. And we don't have to decide. We should probably check into a hotel first and look for rentals, unless we find one for sale we just have to have." He kissed her again. "We're going to be great. DC is going to be great." He took her arm. "Now, we have to go tell some people the news. Coming, Beckett?"

A slightly stunned Kate Beckett took his arm and they walked off.