Author's Note: This story is set in a near-future 'Castleverse' where Rick and Kate are together.
It's inspired by the song, "The Power of Two" by The Indigo Girls. I sang it to my husband at our wedding so it has a special place in my heart. Hearing it again recently, I wondered if I could write a story around it, and here's what I got. Be aware, the word 'Always' appears a couple of times. *wink*
Disclaimer: The characters and lyrics used below serve as inspiration for this story. I own nothing.
Multiply by the Power of Two
Kate's POV
Kate felt like she'd just crossed the finish line of an obstacle course. She and Rick had been through more than most ordinary couples had, and came out better for it. They still had baggage of course. She knew every so often Rick wondered if the third time was truly a charm for him, and she would always have her doubts about 'Always'. Kate knew for a fact that he meant it every time he said it, but nothing in life is certain.
She'd managed to talk herself into taking a vacation since he'd been needling her about getting out of town for a few days. So starting today, she was just Kate. Two weeks of just Kate. Two weeks of just Kate... and Rick.
Now the parking lot is empty
Everyone's gone someplace
I pick you up and in the trunk I've packed
A cooler and a two day suitcase
'Cause there's a place we like to drive
Way out in the country
And five miles out of the city limit we're singin'
And your hand's upon my knee
As usual, Rick 'knew a guy' with a cottage in New England. Castle told her that the guy owed him a favor, so he called it in to use the cabin for the next two weeks. He flipped through some pictures on his laptop, and after seeing it, she couldn't resist his invitation. This would be their first vacation together. She was excited and nervous at the same time. At least the road trip would give her some time to get used to the idea.
It was very early, before dawn. They had a long drive ahead and didn't really feel like rushing. The parking garage was eerily silent save for the clicking of their footsteps. Rick popped open the hatch of the shiny new M-Class Benz crossover SUV and hefted their luggage inside. He'd been eyeing the rugged vehicle for weeks, and she suspected this trip was his excuse to finally purchase one.
He'd done some food prep, with road snacks packed alongside water and soda bottles nestled in a fancy picnic cooler. He loaded it in the backseat for easy access, and opened up the passenger door for her. Kate gave him her obligatory 'why do I let you drive' look, but she was secretly happy to relax beside him.
She was always in charge of the radio. Always.
She found her station and hummed along with the songs she liked. She caught him sneaking sideways glances and she blushed, but kept singing. He reached over and lightly grasped the hand she had resting on her thigh. She stilled, gave his hand a squeeze, then he withdrew to the steering wheel.
You know the things that I am afraid of
I'm not afraid to tell
And if we ever leave a legacy
It's that we loved each other well
I've seen the shadows of so many people
Still trying on the treasures of youth
But a road that fancy and fast ends in a fatal crash
And I'm glad we got off to tell you the truth
Rick and Kate chatted off and on while he drove, but they were also content to sit in silence - listening to the music or just thinking. It was comfortable. It hadn't been an easy path to comfortable. She'd never even known comfortable until she met him.
Her therapist talked her through so many things that lived inside her like parasites. After a while, she came to the realization that sharing with the good doctor wasn't enough anymore. Nothing she'd ever tried had truly been enough. The night she knocked on the door to his loft, dripping wet, eyes red from crying... that was the night she decided to live. Rain continued to pelt the huge panel windows looking down over the city, but with every word she spoke, she got dryer.
The road began the day she and her father found Raglan on their doorstep. She'd accelerated out of control for so many years. Burying herself deeper and deeper into the blackness of her mother's death. It took all of her strength to put on the brakes. And then he arrived. He was black ice. She hit it and went sliding out of control - again. He knew her, inside and out, from day one. When he stuck his nose back in, she bristled, but ultimately jumped back in - with him. He watched her back. Just as he promised - Always.
All the shiny little trinkets of temptation
Something new instead of something old
All you gotta do is scratch beneath the surface
And it's fool's gold - fool's gold - fool's gold
Rick told her he knew she wasn't ready, or whether she'd ever be ready. As the words spilled out from his mouth, she could see they'd been looking for an escape forever. He searched for the chain she always wore, pulling it out from behind her blouse. He touched it delicately, letting it fall again, this time in plain view. Castle reached into his pocket and pulled out a deep blue velvet box which contained a ring made specifically to wrap around her mother's. It matched perfectly. She was already crying when he told her he'd give her all the time she needed. It was a sign of his commitment to her. Another 'Always'.
Now we're talking about a difficult thing
Your eyes are getting wet
I took us for better and I took us for worse
And don't you ever forget it
Now the steel bars between me and a promise
Suddenly bend with ease
The closer I'm bound in love to you
The closer I am to free
Like she'd done many mornings, she awoke and crept out of bed. Castle slept like a log - she hardly ever disturbed him unless it was intentional. Kate opened the box she kept on her dresser, and pulled out the blue velvet container. Caressing it softly, she opened it to look inside again. She felt the wetness prick the back of her eyes. She must've gone through this exercise twenty times already - getting up, going to the box, opening it, and crying.
Today was different. She brushed away the moisture on her cheeks and pulled her mother's ring out of the same keepsake box. Unhooking the clasp of the chain, she slid the ring off and held it in her hand. She lifted Rick's ring out of its azure coffer, and threaded the two rings together. Kate felt like the world was moving in slow motion as she slid it onto her left ring finger, but once it was settled there, she knew it was right.
Sliding back into bed, she pressed her lips against his. At first the kisses were light, teasing. She moved against him and deepened the kiss as he began to wake up. His arms reached around her as he turned to face her. She pulled away an infinitesimal amount and raised her hand to eye level. He asked if she was sure, if she was ready. She nodded. She was ready for Always.
So we're ok, we're fine
Baby I'm here to stop your crying
Chase all the ghosts from your head
I'm stronger than the monster beneath your bed
Smarter than the tricks played on your heart
Look at them together then we'll take them apart
Adding up the total of a love that's true
Multiply life by the power of two
Author's Note: I'd like to write a second part from Castle's POV, so I'll give it a shot. If I can make it work, it'll be posted quickly. This is just a diversion from my other story, "Play the Game".