Fallout

Summary: Post Countdown. Kate found her voice and asked one simple question, "do you feel any sparks between us?"

Rating: T= PG 13

Spoilers: Anything aired through Season 3 (USA) is fair game.

A/N: Everyone has to have a take on "Countdown" and what will happen as we head towards "Knockout". My spin in three chapters. Special shout out to my beta, Tanya Reed, you rock!

Disclaimer: ABC holds the power and the rights to Castle. No harm is intended.

Agent Fallon left and Castle faced Detective Beckett. He was almost giddy from diffusing the bomb and saving the city. He was about to ask Beckett to join him at a debriefing over dinner, when he caught sight of Josh approaching. Castle quickly shifted gears and excused himself, saying he was tired and needed to go home. He headed for the elevator without looking back at Beckett.

The elevator doors closed and Richard Castle let out the breath he had been holding. To say he had been on a roller coaster of events during the past week was an understatement. He had never felt closer to Beckett than in the past week. It was a blow to share any of that time with Josh. He hailed a cab and headed home.

Castle phoned his mother as soon as he arrived home. She told him that she and Alexis would not be driving back until the morning. Instead of opening up the summer house, they had dropped in at a local bed and breakfast and had a room for the night. Alexis was studying, but she jumped at the chance to talk to her dad.

"I'm still mad that I couldn't tell Ashley."

"I know Sweetie," he said quietly.

"What's wrong, Dad?"

"I'm just tired and I miss you," he replied.

"I want the real story when Grams and I get home tomorrow. Promise?"

"Have I told you how much I love you?" he said.

"I know, Dad, now go and get some rest. See you tomorrow."

Castle ended the call, dumped his jacket on the couch, and headed for the kitchen. There wasn't much to eat, so he poured a glass of scotch and dialed the local Chinese restaurant down the street. After placing his usual order, he turned up the heat and then turned on the stereo, flooding the loft with some light jazz. He wandered to his office to check his messages. No messages, no exciting mail, just the storyline of his latest Nikki Heat novel staring at him on the big outline screen. He couldn't escape from his thoughts of her.

His order arrived, he tipped the man and set out his dinner. Castle had ordered a lot of food and decided to be civilized and eat on a plate. He set down his drink and attacked his dinner. Castle didn't realize how hungry he had been until he finished. Once he was done, he put everything away and headed to the bar to pour another scotch. He checked to make sure the doors were locked, turned the stereo off and headed to his room.

Castle rarely used the large whirlpool tub in his master bath, but he was still having trouble staying warm. He filled the tub and turned on the waterproof flat screen tv, flipping the channels until he found an old western. He stretched his body slowly as he pulled off each piece of clothing. Finally, he submerged his body into the tub and turned on the whirlpool jets. For a while, he just sipped his drink and watched the movie unfold.

The movie hero was in the process of saving the town. The odds were against him, but he battled on, gunning down five desperados and catching the runaway stagecoach. As the hero returned to town, Castle turned off the jets, soaped himself up, shampooed his hair, and then dunked himself until he was clean. He came up sputtering just in time to catch the hero give the lady a kiss before mounting his horse and riding out of town. He always did like to picture himself as a hero cowboy. Castle downed the last of his drink and hauled himself out of the tub and into a large heated towel. He turned off the movie and blow-dried his hair. As he stared at his naked image in the mirror, he thought it was time he got back to the gym. His hero image faded a bit. Castle pulled on a pair of boxers and some sleep pants and headed off to bed.

His phone rang just as he buried himself in the sheets. It was Esposito.

"Castle."

"Hey bro, is everything alright with Alexis?" asked Esposito. "You left the precinct without saying goodnight."

"Mom and Alexis are fine, but they won't be home until tomorrow. I was just wiped out and figured the best thing to do was get some rest. If I haven't made it clear, I owe everything to you and Ryan for finding us. I know that got you both into some trouble with the Captain. Tell Lanie thanks too."

"Okay, Castle, rest up," replied Esposito.

Castle hit the end button, rolled over, and tried not to think of Detective Kate Beckett.

At the precinct, Kate was pulled into Josh's grasp. Her mind was reeling, and her gaze drifted towards the elevator. She knew Castle had more to say, more cards to show, and yet he walked away. He never looked back. And Kate took notice.

"Are you ready to get out of here?" asked Josh.

"In a minute. Let me just get my coat and say goodnight to the guys."

Josh leaned against the desk. Kate said her goodbyes and gathered up her bag. She was stalling a bit to ensure that Castle was out of the building. Josh helped her into the coat and wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed out of the precinct.

They drove to a small quiet restaurant near his apartment and ate. Despite everything that had happened, her appetite was larger than normal. When they had finished eating, Josh took her to his apartment. He knew that she needed time and quiet, but he also wanted to give her a change of scenery from her own apartment. Kate took a shower and crawled into bed and curled up next to Josh. He drifted off to sleep. She lay awake listening to the beating of his heart and thinking about Castle.

Castle had been there with her all the way and yet he seemed very lost as he left the station. Kate wondered what she was missing. She had tried to keep her distance for so long, that it seemed like just a game. Now, she was beginning to see another side to her favorite writer. He was there for her, mentally and even physically. He had kept her warm. He had challenged her to think outside the box as they solved the case. He tried to protect her and keep her safe. Why did she feel more comfortable and safe with Castle than she did with Josh? Three hours later, her body finally overruled her mind and she fell into a deep slumber.

In the morning, Josh was up making breakfast and generally making life special for his girlfriend. Kate woke to coffee in bed followed by breakfast. She and Josh fell back into bed for a couple of hours before he had to get ready for his shift at the hospital. They both showered and got dressed and Josh dropped Kate off at her car on his way to work. He kissed her and told her that he would call during his shift.

Kate was halfway home when she thought about getting Alexis something special. After all, Alexis was the one who really saved them from the freezer. She made a quick detour before heading home. Kate spent the afternoon catching up on her chores and her mail. Around five, she walked to the diner down the street and had a quick bite to eat. When she got back, she called Castle.

"Hi, Detective, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Hey Castle, I wanted to bring something by for Alexis," replied Kate. "Is there a good time for me to come by your loft?"

"We aren't home right now, but we should be back around seven. Why don't you come by later and have some cheesecake with us?"

"I really don't want to intrude; I just wanted to stop by for a minute."

"Nonsense," he replied. "Have dessert with us and visit a while."

"Okay, then. Thanks." Kate closed her phone and turned on the news. There were no mentions of terrorist plots or bomb scares. Just a story about the crowds in Times Square and another about the cold weather.

Kate changed her clothes for the third time that day, trying to pick an outfit that was more casual than work and yet stylish. She opted for jeans and a long sweater. She pulled on a short pair of boots and a wool jacket and headed out the door.