OH NO! not me again?
All the rules apply. I do not, under any circumstance, own any of the players here
Castle, Beckett, Lanie, Ryan, Esposito all belong to
ABC, Marlow, Disney, someone beside me
I do this for fun. Not profit
This story begins one month AFTER Castle and Beckett got together in "A Cold War Murder" Even when they try to have some alone time, they can't
You need to read it first because some things will not make sense
Castle's Hampton s Seaside Home
Saturday Morning
His internal alarm clock had kicked in as usual just before dawn broke. When he woke up today he was blessed again to find Katherine Beckett beside him. More accurately, not just beside him, but curled up partially on top of him with her head on his shoulder and her arm wrapped over his stomach.
He carefully slid away from her, lifting her head gently and then back onto the pillow so as to not wake her from her much needed slumber. She only made a soft groan then settled back down on the sheets.
He likes to allow her to sleep late whenever possible. Especially since, during the work week, she never gets to sleep late or even get a full night's sleep at all. Here at the Hamptons house she can sleep late, take naps, go to bed early. Do any and all of what her heart desires
He stays still beside her for several minutes just enjoying her presence. He thinks back to how long he wanted this. How badly he wanted this. How long he desired her to belong to him. Not like some object that you just own or possess, but as a precious gift to be loved, appreciated, and protected.
Oh! How he loves her and wants to protect her.
He finally slides gently off the bed and then silently moves to the kitchen to begin his morning ritual of breakfast prep. Trying to not make any disturbing sounds he starts the coffee maker and brings out all the food preparation items and places them on the counter ready to begin his work.
Since he and Kate came here Thursday night after she got off work, to start a four day weekend, they have shopped, walked, played together, and spent time just doing nothing but enjoying each others company.
They began yesterday having coffee and a lite breakfast on the lawn overlooking the ocean. The middle of the day was spent shopping on the strand. Then they went to Fisherman's Warf for lunch. Afterwards they went walking along the beach looking for seashells that had washed up on the shore. Finishing the day he took her to an evening show at the local dinner playhouse. Then back home to spend the night wrapped into each other
Today he is planning for a day on the water with a friend, on that friend's sailboat. The neighbor has planned an all day sail excursion from the dock up the coast then return before nightfall.
Castle is looking forward to the day
The morning breaks across the long line of windows filling the bedroom wall. The early sunshine passes from the wall toward the bed where Kate is still trying to sleep. Her level of rest has never been as good as she gets today. Or yesterday or even the day before that.
Each new day brings more and more levels of pleasure to her body, her soul and especially her heart
When the morning brilliance finally reaches her eyes she has no choice but to awaken and begin another day. The level of rest inside her body makes her feel like a new person and she is enjoying it as much as possible
Her arms stretch up over her head to the leather covered cushioned headboard above as her toes point to the foot of the bed. She is so long when she does this that her body extends well beyond the limits of the mattress below her feet.
Anyone watching her now would compare Kate to a sleek leopard preparing to pounce on her unsuspecting prey.
Kate slides out from under the covers and moves to the windows to get a little more of the warming sunshine. She briefly closes her eyes again to focus on the warmth when she hears a sound from the other part of the house.
She turns her attention in the direction of the noise and as she leaves the master suite the aroma of fresh coffee and bacon starts to fill her senses.
There is more to the freshness of morning here than in the city. She can even hear the sound of the ocean outside the partially open windows. The call of the gulls as they swoop low over the water gathering a morning catch of unsuspecting fish. The fresh smell that emanates from the salt water just outside his property
As she moves closer to the kitchen her stomach begins to growl caused by the onslaught of flavors that the nose tells the brain to expect soon
She stops at the kitchen door and leans against the jam. Folding her arms across her chest she smiles at the sight before her. The guy who she has claimed as her own madly performing his regular morning task
She spends the next few moments just enjoying the view of this man as he moves gracefully around the room gathering seasonings and basic goods in his morning dance of breakfast preparation just for her
She listens as he quietly hums a tune. Not sure of exactly what song he has in his head but it is not important right now. What is important to her is the fact that he seems happy with his life right now and she is happy as well
Standing, watching him she gets to thinking about the past. Her past. Their past. And now how they went from their past to this place today
Her mind returns to the first time she ever entered Rick Castle's home. She was a hard nosed, driven, by the book cop knocking on his door where she was met by a man with the opposite attitude on life. A man child, dressed in a Laser Tag suit holding a game weapon.
When she was invited in she was amazed at the size and grandeur of his abode. At the same time amused by the fact he is playing a game of laser tag with his teenaged daughter while his mother is lounging around with a mud pack on her face.
How many times had she wished to have the innocence he possessed while her life was filled with horror and murder and then seeing his love for the simple things in life while having the ability to buy the more opulent.
And now she has that joy brought by him. Along with the love he has expressed for her…She still has difficulty accepting it sometimes.
Such as at their arrival the other evening she was spellbound again by the grandeur she saw in this place. Once again she found herself unsure of how and why she was here with him. But every concern that has crossed her mind about this relationship, he has tried to remove with his words but more so with his actions for her
During his preparations, he turns toward the door and sees her standing there. Once again she sees 'The Look' on his face. The look that tells her to remove any doubt, any worry, any concern, or any unfounded insecurity about their relationship. His look full of love and happiness. A look she is growing to accept that. She now knows he has reserved this for her and her alone
The first words she hears for the day "I went to sleep next to the most beautiful woman in the world and the first person I see in the morning is even more radiant"
She blushes at his words as she places her hand beside her temple to cover part of her face "I have on no makeup, my hair is a mess and I need to brush my teeth…"
Her words are cut off when he leans down to kiss her and pull her in tight to his body
She gladly accepts his embrace. She feels herself wanting to keep this up but she also knows the eggs will be ruined if they don't stop. Quick!
"You're going to burn breakfast" she chides him as she pushes him gently away
"I don't really care"
"I do" she reaches up and gives him another quick peck on his lips "anyway, I need coffee"
"On the way, my love" he turns toward the carafe and pours her a cup
After placing her caffeine fix down beside her arm, like he had done for so many years, she gives him that smile she knows he craves "Thank you"
"Always" he smiles and then returns back to the skillet and her breakfast
After they finish the meal he begins the clean up. She turns back toward the bedroom "I'm going to go shower and get ready. You said we are going out on a sailboat today?"
"A forty foot sailboat" He points out "So be ready to work. Every person on board is a crew member and responsible so help get the boat safely to its destination and back home"
"So I will be working? There is no need to put on my bathing suit then?"
"What? No! Wait. Yes. You need to wear that bikini you brought"
She stops mid step and turns back toward him "How do you know I brought a bikini? I might have brought a long one piece…No wait…did you look thru my suitcase?"
"I…uh…I might have accidentally seen what you brought" he knows he has been found out
She walks back over to him and puts her arms around his neck. She leans up and whispers into his ear "Well maybe I brought THAT particular suit to wear for you and you only. Not for out in public"
She can see his eyes lock on hers with wanton desire.
"OH" he responds dejectedly
"What time do we need to be at the docks?" she asks
"UH! Ten, ten thirty. Why?"
She looks at the clock over the stove "Care to join me in the shower then?"
10:15 AM
Castle and Beckett pull up and park at the West Hamptons dock, member's only lot. They go around to the trunk of his car and retrieve their bags packed for the trip. The have an extra change of clothes, towels, along with sun tan cream and hats and sun glasses.
As they pulled into the lot they noticed several Hamptons Police cruisers in the spaces close to the boats. Kate almost had to drag Rick to stop him from walking in the direction of the squad cars. She knew he is drawn toward flashing police car lights like a moth is drawn toward an open flame
"Down boy" she kids him as she pulls him in the direction of the boat slips
He whines like a little boy wanting candy from behind the counter "OH, Beckett can't we go see what's going on?"
"NO we can not. I am enjoying my time away from police cars and crimes"
Castle drops his head like a pouting ten year old. The pair walks toward the docks and that is when they see an officer blocking access to the boat slips
"Excuse me officer, we are meeting a friend to go sailing this morning" Castle tells the uniformed man pointing toward the tied up boats
"I'm sorry sir, but there has been an offense and the dock is closed off as a crime scene"
"What type of crime?" Kate wonders
"A double homicide" the officer replies
"My girlfriend…" Castle points to Beckett "is a New York homicide detective"
At which statement Kate pokes Rick in the side "Shut up, Castle" she grits out thru her teeth
An appearance of acknowledgement appears in the officer's face "Are you Richard Castle the mystery writer?"
"Yes. Yes I am" obviously proud he is recognized by a fan
The officer points to Kate "Is this Nikki Heat?"
"NO!" Kate responds. "I am not Nikki Heat"
"Actually this is Detective Kate Beckett. NYPD. She is the model for Nikki"
Castle glances at Beckett who is now giving him the LOOK!
"Please wait here just a moment" the uniformed man walks onto the dock toward the boat slips
"Castle! I'm on vacation. I am NOT getting involved in another department's investigation"
"Beckett, we don't have to get involved. I just want to find out what happened. You know I might use it in my next book"
With a terse response and almost under her breath "Fine"
A moment later the original officer returns along with another man "Hello, I am Chief Brady. I understand that you are a homicide detective Ms. Beckett?"
"Yes! Yes she is" Castle proudly states "And the best in the City"
Again, under her breath "Shut up, Castle"
"Yes chief, I am a detective…on vacation. We are just trying to go sailing with some friends of Castle"
"Who are the friends?"
Rick answers the question "Chad Braxton and Edie Dorsey. It's Chad's boat"
"OH! Mr. Castle I am sorry. That's the names of our victims"