He sat in her chair watching her at the board, the photos displayed exactly on a timeline, groupings to one side. The writing mostly in black but important details highlighted in red, and other relevant information circled. She was walking up and down in front of the board, pen in hand giving the facts to the others, she emphasised the important words, pointing with the pen, tapping the board and raising her voice at the right time to get her point across.
He had discussed this case with her enough so he didn't feel the need to be involved, instead he wanted to take a back seat. All in the name of research he kept telling himself, he needed to see her in all facets of police work and being involved directly made him distracted, this time the voyeur within him was in control, he needed to watch her.
It was like going to the theatre and she was the leading lady, he felt that it was a show just for him because he could feel the connection between them, even this far away. He kept catching her eye and as he did he saw a little check in her demeanour, a tiny deviation which he felt in complete control of.
He caught her eye again and smiled, this time she returned it and he melted inside. When she smiled her entire being changed from serious to playful and it lit her up. Castle closed his eyes and thought about the extraordinary Kate Beckett in front of him and his stomach did a somersault. She was like a drug to him, he had to be near her, the more time he spent with her the more he wanted, no needed - he was addicted. Watching her on her stage was mesmerising, her performance electric and he couldn't move.
He knew that Nikki Heat was his creation but it was the fantasy of what he wanted from Kate Beckett that had shaped the character. She had the authority, the intelligence and the physicality that he imagined one day would belong to him.
He realised that being this far away, with her involved in something else it was safe to tell her. 'Thank you Kate' he whispered 'it's all because of you.'