Stephanie Pham
Fan Submission for "Castle Artwork of the Week"
3.31.10
Castle's Moment of Heat
Blurriness, confusion, and although she'd hate to admit it, a little exhilaration went through Beckett's mind. She was trying to think about what just occurred two seconds ago. So many things ran through her mind. Her first initial thought was what was Castle thinking? Did he like it? Was he going to use this impromptu event as inspiration for his next Nikki Heat book? All she was sure of was that she didn't have any regrets.
That evening, Beckett went home to her apartment in hopes of melting the pressures of her daily job away. The remodeling of apartment took quite some time after the famous "Nikki Heat Burning," but she adjusted well. While lounging back on her couch with a book, she heard her door bell. Not expecting company, she eyed her drawer that kept her gun. She went over to the door, and the scent of Chinese food was accompanied by none other than her "shadow" at work, Castle.
Annoyance filled her initial reaction. "CASTLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? IS THERE AN EMERGENY? IS ALEXIS ALRIGHT?"
"No! I just thought I'd drop over… Alexis is with Martha on a Girls Night Out at the movies. Ryan and Esposito are busy, and I didn't want to spend my night of freedom in front of a computer screen…ALONE."
"Fine. Castle, in any other circumstance you would not be allowed in. But, seeing how you did give me a place to stay after my unfortunate incident with McCreepy, I suppose you can stay."
"Thanks. Oh, and next time let me do the nick-naming. That's what they pay me the big bucks for. McCreepy sounds like something off 'Grey's Anatomy.' "
The countless topics they covered over the next few hours could have made a best-selling book for Castle. They chatted about Alexis's success in school, Martha being in need of a steady relationship, and Beckett told a few stories of past arrests.
The moments of dawn were approaching. Silence filled the air due to the fact the two were worn out from talking. It came to this moment where Castle and Beckett just stared at each other. A smile came up Castle's face. It wasn't his normal irritable, flirtatious smile that always irked her. This time was different. It seemed to have feeling and sincerity. He brushed a bang away from her face. Slowly, he leaned in gently, being careful not to frighten her. He closed his eyes, and pressed his lips against hers. She returned his kiss, along with her hand around his neck. They slowly descended on the couch, in what felt like a natural moment. Suddenly, Beckett asked, "Wait, can we do this?"
"I'm sure I don't just write the steamy scenes, I get to be a part of them too, don't I," Castle responded with quick wit.
It only took two seconds for Beckett to realize that even though Castle could sometimes be aggravating, this was the best she felt in years. It wasn't Castle's charm that won her over. Certainly that wasn't it. She remembered all the times he was there for her. The apartment blast, the time he helped her with her mother's case, how's he's been helping with all the cases… She knew he brought the best in her. With that in mind she smiled, put her hand on Castle's waist, and continued kissing him. There's was only one way this could end.