Beckett and Esposito find a room containing Montgomery's files. Maddox gets the drop on them. He knocks Esposito unconscious. Beckett gives chase. She engages in a violent confrontation with Maddox on a rooftop, but ultimately loses the battle. That's how she ends up hanging over the side of a building. Beckett cries out for Castle. Finally, a hand pulls her up to safety. It's not Castle though. It's Ryan. He brought backup, including a very angry Captain Gates.

Gates lets Beckett and Esposito know they are on administrative leave effective immediately. They both hand over their badge and gun. Beckett tells Gates to keep hers. She resigns. As for Esposito, it doesn't look like he's going to be forgiving Ryan anytime soon. All this happens as Alexis gives her valedictorian speech. It's about moving on. It's about the people who will be with us no matter what. She says, "They are our solid ground. They are our North Star. And the small, clear voices in our hearts that will be with us always."

Later that night, there's a knock on Castle's door. Beckett is on the other side. He wants to know what she wants. She finally tells him what's in her heart. She says that what she wants is him. Beckett says she's sorry. She says the killer got away and she didn't care. She almost died and all she could think about was him. This is the moment we've all been waiting for. Castle and Beckett finally, finally, finally give in to their passion.

As we mentioned, Maddox got away. He makes his way over to home of the mystery man who has been contacting Castle for the past year. He's identified as Mr. Smith. Maddox wants the sensitive information Smith holds about his employer. He assures Captain Montgomery's friend that after he gets it, he's going to put Kate Beckett in the ground once and for all.