With ease her key slides tight into the lock. Soft click, it turns, she pushes on the door. With quiet steps she enters the warm room. Clasped in her fist, her bag drops to the floor. One bag, is all, with items thrown in. For this trip, in advance, she had not planned. Now she is here, in New York, once again. This loft, warm, safe, familiar, now it's home. And surprise wells up from deep inside her. Her key, the lock, she thought, might fit no more. But why she thought such things confounds her so. He loves her, trusts her, wants her back to stay. Her shoes she eases off beside the door. She leaves them there beside her only bag. Her fingertips across the counter trail. She shuffles softly through the darkened room. Through his study forward to his bedroom. But beneath the threshold her breath is held. She pauses, watches, calms her beating heart. Her eyes are drawn to his sleeping form.
Sprawled on his stomach, face down on his bed. Sheets barely covering his naked hips. Her heart expands, butterflies flutter up. She pushes forward, door closes behind. With each step she sheds her clothing quickly. Her jeans are last a puddle at her feet. Her naked body slides beneath his sheets. She presses up against his solid form. He stirs, mumbling soft words to his pillow. Then turns to face her, brain still waking up. He smiles bright as hazel eyes meet blue.
"Kate," he murmurs softly. "You're really here?"
She nods, she smiles, lip caught in her teeth.
His eyes dip, and he grins. "You're naked too."
"Hi, Castle," she replies grinning at him.
His hands reach for her, pulling her to him. Their bodies pressing tight, his lips find hers. Into his warmth her body gently sinks. One arm is stuck, tight, useless, between them. Her free hand raises up to his mussed hair. She cards it through the strands, smoothing them down. To rest behind his head, and cradle him.
"How long for?" He asks once they have parted.
"I had to do this," she tells him gently.
"No regrets," he repeats words once spoken.
"Just one."
"Which is?"
"All the nights without you."
"And all the days without you at my side."
She smiles sadly. "And the days as well."
"How long?" He asks her, eyes shining with hope.
"How long?" She questions, then she understands.
"I miss you, need you, please don't leave again."
"I bought one bag, I didn't plan ahead."
His thumb traces her lips, he sees her tears. "Stay, Kate, you're needed here more than back there."
A hitch of breath, a nod, a silent yes. " I miss you too, my love, my fiance."
"We'll get what remains in DC next week. Just stay here now, stay here, always, Kate, please."
Her body molds to his she cannot leave. His arms around her, she will never leave. For three months this is where her heart has been. DC had but a shell of who she is. Here she can have both her love and career. She chose so wrong when no choice had there been. She sighs as his lips slant to cover hers. She's back, for good, where she is meant to be. And soon, if courage doesn't just betray her. She'll mention how she dreams of blue-eyed kids.
Thoughts?