A/N: Couldn't help myself after last night's episode which had its share of great moments. I've chosen a small one because I didn't want to expand the more obvious ones without going against canon (and I love established canon!) and instead chose a way to make this happen.
Disclaimer: The fantasticness that is Castle belongs to Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC. Spoilers for 4x07!
Tell me you need me.
One phrase uttered over a phone should not have a powerful effect on anybody, but it made a crimson blush sneak its way up Kate Beckett's neck. For this infinitely small, yet utterly long moment in time had paralyzed her.
It wasn't like Castle would confess his feelings over a phone call but rationalizations weren't Kate's strongest suit at that point. The words conjured up images in her head, images of a day at a cemetery such a long time ago, memories of things she has denied hearing but remembers all the same.
So there she was, speechless for a moment on the phone and thinking if she'd just imagined the low rumbling of Castle's voice, the subtle hint of something more in that simple sentence.
Tell me you need me.
It took her breath away and all she could think of to say in return was Excuse me? And not even say it, merely breathe over the phone and she cursed her inability to yield more control over the tone of her voice. It must have been so obvious, with the way her breath hitched just a bit and she closed her eyes for a second, praying for...For what?
Kate wanted it to be something simple, something logical and not at all I love you, Kate, don't leave me. She had wanted this, had all but asked Castle to wait for her, talking about metaphorical walls and the impossibilities of a relationship. Kate was hiding, was trying to buy herself some time before she had to give an answer but right now she was afraid she had given up her leverage.
The most probable scenario was him saying something innocent, she reminded herself. And at the same time, that other, foolish, warm and fluttering part inside her was hoping it would be I love you, Kate, don't leave me. It was rash and pointless to imagine this but she seemed to have no control over the thoughts flying through her head. She wanted to be set free, wanted to say she remembered, she knew.
"I'm stuck in a bank, helping my mother get a loan from my banker. Please tell me there's a murder somewhere we could be solving?"
And it all went downhill from there and while the phrase left her conscious thoughts, it underlined every action she took that day, everything she said, everything she vowed to do to the person who was threatening to kill Castle. That had been reckless but all she could really hear in that moment, all she knew was Tell me you need me and she realized she had wanted that to really mean exhilaration and a leap into the unknown.
A/N: A lot shorter than what I normally write, so I suppose this should be called a ficlet. Any thoughts, ideas?