Season 4 Christmas AU. Takes place just after "Cuffed." One chapter a day until it's posted in its entirety. Thank you for remaining a part of this wonderful fandom.
I know places we can go babe
I know places we can go babe
The high won't fade here babe
No, the high won't hurt here babe
I know places we can go babe
I know places we can go babe
Where the highs won't bring you down babe
No, the highs won't hurt you there babe
- Lykke Li, "I Know Places"
It's a quiet afternoon in the precinct, just a handful of days before Christmas. Castle is in full-fledged holiday spirit mode, feeling emboldened by his merry mood.
The fact that he and Beckett spent their last case handcuffed to each other really only adds to his cheer.
They've been doing paperwork all morning — er, she's been doing paperwork all morning. He's been doodling in a notebook on the edge of her desk and trying (read: failing) to beat his top score in Angry Birds. He'd be bored out of his mind any other day, but he loves how peaceful it is, especially with the flurries of snow falling gently outside.
"What are your plans for Christmas, Beckett?" he asks her, feigning nonchalance as he pours her a cup of coffee in the breakroom. She goes still beside him and his gaze falls to her hands, now shoved deep in the pockets of her dress pants.
"I'm working, Castle," she says quietly.
"Oh," he replies flatly. "Pick the last number in the precinct Christmas lottery or something?" He hands off the warm mug, the tips of his fingers lingering against hers for too long. Her palm wraps around it with a warm, grateful smile.
"Not exactly," she hedges carefully. "I work every Christmas. It's sort of my tradition."
He balks at that. "Tradition? But Kate, how can - " he cuts himself off, everything she's not saying clear as day in the the grip of her hands, the tight line of her jaw. And then he's shoving his hands into his pockets so he doesn't reach for her.
They don't do that. Not yet.
"Right," he croaks. "I'm sorry."
She shoots him a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You didn't know."
He didn't but he wishes he had guessed before he went blabbering off.
"Why do you ask?" She takes a long sip of her coffee, peering over the cup at him with curious eyes.
He shakes his head. "It's dumb."
She cocks her head. "What is it, Castle?"
He hesitates. "I was going to ask if you wanted to come over to the loft, either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Have some cookies, watch a movie, maybe," he shrugs, "Didn't have anything specific in mind, just thought it might be nice."
He tried so hard to be casual about it, but despite their in-between status, there just isn't anything casual about any of it anymore.
"I appreciate the thought, Rick," she says quietly, the rare use of his first name catching his attention. She sets her mug down on the counter, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in thought.
"Actually…" she trails off, running a palm down the sleeve of her fuzzy purple sweater. She looks so cozy today. "I might have a counteroffer," she suggests with the twitch of her lips.
Oooh. Castle leans over the counter eagerly, rests his head on his fist. "I'm listening."
She rolls her eyes. "For once."
"Beckett," he whines.
"I was thinking about heading up to my dad's cabin this weekend. Just get out of the city on the last few shopping days, away from all the craziness." she pauses, adorably shuffling her feet. "You wouldn't wanna join me, would you?"
He jerks up quickly, nearly smashes his knee against the cupboard in his haste. "You're not joking, right?"
She chuckles. "I'm not joking. I can't promise there'll be much in the way of yuletide celebrating, though —"
"I'm in," he says quickly.
"I mean it, Castle. No tree, no eggnog, no flocking," she says sternly.
"Cookies and hot chocolate?" he offers. Maybe mistletoe, he adds to himself. She doesn't need to know about that one, though.
She grins. "Now you're talking. So you in?"
"Can I drive?"
"Not a chance, Castle," she says wryly.
"You drive a hard bargain, Detective, but I'm in. When do we leave?"
"Early Friday morning okay?"
He smiles. "It's perfect."
"Meet me at my place at 7. Don't forget the coffee," she winks.
He barely sleeps Thursday night, a combination of anxiety and excitement pooling in his stomach as he tosses and turns. He tries to keep his expectations low, respect her wall and boundaries, but his mind runs amuck with possibilities anyway.
He finally gives up around 5, now thankful that she didn't agree to let him drive. He putters around the loft, careful not to wake his mother or Alexis, and packs a few last-minute things, including his laptop and a couple of books. He has no idea how warm the cabin will be or if they'll venture outside much into the snow, so he packs outdoor accoutrements, as well.
Ugh, she's so going to make fun of him for packing too much.
Ah, well.
He leaves a note for the loft's other occupants — reminding them of the homemade cookie dough he left for them in the fridge for a snack later — before he's out the door with just enough time to stop and pick up coffee and maybe a bear claw for Kate. Only Kate, he chides himself as he rubs his tired eyes. A sugar crash is the last thing he needs right now.
He arrives at her apartment just before 7, has to set one of his duffel bags on the floor to rap on her door, taking extra care not to spill their coffees. Though he's already finished half of his. Ugh. He really should've gotten a Venti.
She swings open the door with bright eyes and a pleased smile, comfortably dressed in a winter- white sweater, jeans and a plaid scarf draped loosely around her shoulders.
She clearly got plenty of rest.
"Your coffee and bear claw, Detective," he hands over her breakfast treats with a flourish.
She takes them from him gratefully, her eyes fluttering closed as she inhales her coffee. "Thanks, Castle." Her eyes fall to the bags at his feet and then back up at him as she lifts a brow in amusement.
"You know we're only going to be gone for a couple of days, right, Castle?" she chuckles. "Is one of those for your hair products?"
He scoffs. "Beckett, I do not use hair products." Much.
She rolls her eyes, stepping back to lead him inside her apartment. "Riiiight."
He trails in after her, plopping down his luggage next to the bag she's placed by the door. "Let me just grab my coat and do a sweep to make sure I didn't forget anything," she calls to him over her shoulder, already halfway down the hall.
"I'll be here." He shivers a little, the cold lingering on his skin. He almost wishes he had put more layers on, but he knows he'll be plenty warm in the car once they get moving.
She pops out of her bedroom in a ski jacket he's never seen her wear before, a beanie draped casually over her head. Very Un-Beckett, but maybe more Kate?
"You look adorable," he says, eyes twinkling. "How have I never seen that coat before?"
She flushes from his praise. "I usually save the peacoats for work and wear something a little more practical if I'm going to be outside in the elements a little longer," she explains with a shrug.
Her eyes trail over their baggage again, cataloguing everything one more time. "Think we've got everything. We can stop for a couple of groceries once we get a little closer. There's a great market not far from the cabin. Ready?"
He nods. "Ready, Freddie."
"Let's go, Joe," she shoots back with a little smirk.
Kate Beckett is playing with him and he is so into it.
Well, until she flat-out denies him when he tries to turn on Mariah Carey Christmas tunes. At least she lets him get away with some holiday jazz, which he'll settle for.
"Does your dad go up to the cabin much in the winter?" Castle asks, shrugging out of his thick coat as he maneuvers around his seatbelt. Fewer layers was a good call.
"Yeah, he spends Christmas there," she affirms. "So he'll arrive not long after we head back to the city."
"Does he know…" Castle trails off.
"That I'm bringing you with me this weekend?" she finishes. "I mentioned it yesterday when I talked to him on the phone. He thinks it'd be good for me to have company."
Castle hums. "And you?"
"Wouldn't have asked you if I didn't want you there with me, Castle," she replies, turning to look at him with soft, kind eyes. "Thank you for saying yes."
His heart skips a beat. "Thank you for inviting me."
She doesn't respond with anything other than a smile, flicking up the radio a bit as she begins to hum along quietly to "Winter Wonderland."
After a quick 30-minute stop at the market, they arrive at their destination just before noon. Castle helps her carry their groceries in before he treks back outside to grab their bags, stepping carefully on his way to the car. There's about six more inches of snow up here than there is in the city. He's glad he decided to pack a little more — even if she did poke fun at him.
He toes out of his shoes when he makes it back inside, careful not to track any snow into the living room. He sets their bags by the couch and pads into the kitchen to find all the food stored, Kate stowing the paper bags under the sink.
"You really know your way around this place," Castle admires.
"Been coming up here at least once a year since I was 12," Kate replies, removing her hat as she shakes out her hair. He wonders if she washed her hair this morning, swears he can detect the faint scent of her conditioner.
"Let me give you the tour and show you where you'll be sleeping and then we can get start the fire." He trails behind her, following suit as she picks up her bag and leads him to one of the bedrooms.
She opens the door, revealing a moderately sized room complete with a queen-sized bed, dresser, reading chair and a chest that sits at the end of the bed.
"I know it's a little chilly in here right now," she admits with a shiver. His fingers twitch at his side, suppressing the urge to remove his jacket and drape it over her shoulders. "But it'll warm up here soon. Might have to turn on the electric heat," she ponders aloud. "If you do get cold though, there are a few heavy blankets and some extra pillows in that chest."
He steps further into the room, removing his belongings from his shoulder as she rambles on.
"The chair is pretty comfortable but it does have this one spot that sags a little when you sit in it. If the sun gets too bright in the morning, you can pull down the — "
"Kate," he interjects with a light laugh. "It's perfect. Thank you."
She lets out a breath. "Right, sorry. Just...is this too weird, Castle?"
He deflates a little. "Oh, uh, I mean, I don't have to stay if you aren't comfortable — "
"No, no," she rushes out. "It's not that. Just, I - " she groans, covering her face with her hands. "I suck at words."
"Hey, look." He removes her hands from her face, squeezing one reassuringly before he gently lets go. "I'm coming into this with zero expectations, Beckett. I know you think I don't listen…"
She rolls her eyes at that.
"But I heard you this summer and I know where we're at, what we're...working toward," he says, choosing his words carefully. "Nothing is going to happen on this trip that you aren't ready for. Okay?"
She sighs, visibly relaxes a little. "Yeah. Thanks, Castle."
"Always."
She juts a thumb out over her shoulder. "I'm gonna go set this stuff down in my room."
His face falls dramatically. "Does this mean I don't get to see Katie Beckett's room?"
She narrows her eyes. "Never call me that again, Castle, or you'll be walking back to the city."
He gulps. "Yes, Detective."
"Come on." She spins on her heel, shaking her head as they exit the bedroom. He can't see the twitch of her lips, but he knows it's there.
It's always there.