The Nearness of You
By Ani aka Cherished Dreams
Disclaimer: Don't own Castle! Or song. :)
Author's Note: Another one! A little one this time - on Castle more like a little bunch of related drabbles.. while listening to The Nearness of You by Norah Jones.
She allows herself a small smile, just a small one. One she hopes no one else sees. Her heart's lept up into her mouth and she's grateful for the newly arrived coffee - the way the burn pushes it back into her chest.
...
He's genuinely scared of the mummy curse and she can feel it. He's staring at her with that intent she's seen before. After a few moments, a question and a brief pause, she's assuring him that he'd protect his whole life: his daughter. She's chuffed and allows him a small smile.
...
She's mentally counted the time he's been gone - three and a half months. The crisp coolness, the Fall is bringing, is starting to settle in more ways than the usual. It doesn't take a detective (or two), to figure out her... disappointment.
...
He's back and hovering as he seems to do more these days while she survey's the blood splattered glass. Everyone is moving around them but time seems to have slowed their movements. She is distinctly aware of the warmth of his coffee breath as they move closer to inspect the glass.
It takes Ryan two tries before they hear him behind them ready to give his report. Her ears doesn't miss the shudder in the expelled breath next to her.
...
She starts to admit, at least to herself, that there's something there... just some little thing. He's gone home after linking the Alexander message. She's still there finishing her paperwork smiling, because even without Penny's message, she knew that he would be important to her.
...
He's getting mixed up further in her business than she's wanted him to be and she's starting to worry for his safety. So the next time he comes to her apartment, she asks him to go and leave. When he stays, she's so relieved that she has to try her hardest not to smile too hard or sit too close to him.