In The Things Mothers Would Approve Of, Castle outbids everyone at the fundraiser to a trip to the Caribbean. This story is the spin off.
I've been inspired by a lot of things X-files for this. There is an amazing fanfic at Gossamer by Terma99 called Atoll. Then of course there is the cut away ending credits scene in the second movie... probably the best part of the entire movie. I mean no theft to either, I just love the ocean, the sand, and the seclusion and my primary inspiration has come from that love.
In typical Castle fashion... he went big.
Little Island
"Where are we going?" Kate Beckett questioned. She couldn't quite wipe the smile from her face, it had appeared somewhere around the time land dissolved into turquoise blue ocean.
"Little change in plans." Rick Castle grinned. Proud that he'd actually pulled it off.
"What?" She asked, a little more serious as they pulled their baggage off the carousal, extended the handles and made their way towards the airport doors. His hand lingered at the small of her back, not quite touching and by no means guiding. Beckett controlled her own path. His hand simply brushed against her back as a reminder that at night, they were each others.
As expected, a small island man stood holding a sign that said "Beckett" along the taxi lane. Hiding from his identity wasn't normally a high priority, but slipping into the quiet he felt no need to advertise who he was.
"There." He pointed.
"Welcome to St. Lucia." The man's accent hung heavy with French, though his English was perfect.
"Thank you." Kate smiled, "It's beautiful." She offered.
"You won't be here long, I promise." Their ride provided, as Castle closed the handles on their bags and handed them over. Beckett arched an eyebrow as she looked around.
"I'm missing something." She conceded with a little defeat.
"Yeah." Castle provided, bending to whisper a kiss across her lips. "Get in, we'll miss our boat." The remark produced a deep laugh from the driver.
"I also drive the boat, you won't miss it." He explained. "Your husband has made some beautiful arrangements for your stay."
"We're not married." She insisted.
"Your lover then." He spoke bluntly and heat flamed her cheeks.
"Yes." Castle cracked from beside her before he yelped when she pinched his thigh.
"Shut up." She told him as they watched the island blur past. Her hand remained despite it all, tracing a pattern around the area she no doubt left a bruise.
The sight of the blue ocean from the shore sucked her breath and she couldn't help but clutch Castle's hand as they pulled to a stop at the port.
"I can't even believe this." She muttered as they parted to exit the car.
"It's better than I'd remembered." He agreed, thinking back to a winter trip he'd taken after finishing a Derrick Storm book.
"Wow." She smiled, staring out as the bags were retrieved and they made their way to the docked boat.
"You look mystified." He offered.
"I've never been to the Caribbean, you know this." She dismissed, hating her inexperience. New York was her home; the hustle of people, the blaring horns, and the blinking lights all gave her comfort. But this was new.
And equally magic.
"Climb aboard." Their transport offered a hand to Beckett as she stepped onto the covered cruiser.
"It's just us?" She asked in wonderment.
"Just us." Castle assured as they ventured to the bow of the boat and the motor plunged to life, taking them out to sea.
Twenty minutes later the boat slowed as they ventured around a small reef and then over a small sand bar to a dock. A smaller boat was tied up to the side.
The larger boat was briefly tied up as their guide stepped out. "I'll show you the radio, but I'll put a basket at the end of the dock every morning. Don't forget it, my wife often puts in fresh eggs. You have to eat them or they'll spoil." He explained as they walked up the dock and over a thin sand path. Castle took one of the bags, the guide took the other despite Kate's protests, leaving her with the small basket of supplies for the evening.
"I'm paid well." He assured her as the little house came into view around a little curve in the path.
The porch took up the entire front, long billows of white fabric waving in the gentle breeze as it looped through beams to block some of the sun. A hammock swung from two large palms and the curved tile roof gleamed its terracotta glory as a welcome.
"Castle." She wondered. "What did you do?" She accused. The two men chuckled as they went up the three steps that lifted it off the sand.
"There is a little cove on the backside, not much water traffic." The guide continued as they stepped through the open doorway. Nothing closed the windows and door except beautiful cream tarps that were rolled and tied above each opening. "It rains a little each night, but nothing much comes in unless it storms." The caretaker continued. "You can get power here, if you flip the generator switch." He pointed to the one outlet against the wall and its switch. Along the same wall was a tiny two burner stove, a little sink without a faucet and a coffee maker. "If you come in, head southwest and you'll see another small island. The owner has a little restaurant there with a few more bungalows like this; we'll feed you a hot dinner if you can be bothered to get dressed."
"Oh." Kate mustered.
"Thank you." Rick provided, slipping the man money despite his protests as he departed.
He turned back into the living space and gave her a smile. It wasn't large. The little wall with electrical outlet dividing the space into a sleep area and a living and cooking area from each other.
The bedding was fluffy and inviting with its crisp sand colored comforter and giant pile of pillows. Above it hung a huge, white mosquito net.
"Okay." She muttered. "What happened to the trip you actually bid on?" She asked as she flopped onto the bed. She toyed with the buttons on her shirt, knowing exactly what was happening to him as she freed two and exposed skin.
"I'm giving it to Kevin and Jenny," He provided with an unnaturally long pause, his eyes lingering down her throat and skin before adding, "for the wedding." Kate hoisted herself up onto bent elbows to look at him where he lingered in the open doorway. The idea of him spoiling her friend, their friend, was overwhelming.
But not a surprise from this man.
"I don't even know what to say." She offered.
"How about that you love me and want to spend the next 9 days naked." He teased.
"You spent too much money on this." Kate scolded, but her eyes sparkled with carefully guarded magic as she pulled the loosened shirt up and over her head. "Get in the bed."
Wordlessly he joined her, pulling his own shirt off and bending to capture her lips. They sank together, into the inviting softness of the bed.
Spent and sated. That's how it always was with them. Even so, he often wished to spend the day in bed just doing the same things over and over.
"Let's go to the beach." She offered instead, wanting to check out the little island he'd claimed as theirs for the trip.
"Let's figure out the shower." He countered.
He marveled at the large black tub that collected water from the falling rain and roof. Off the side of the building was a mostly enclosed shower stall. A little pull cord released a full sprinkling head when one was ready for a wet or rinse, and it was surprisingly warm from the heat of the sun. They washed off the sticky of their journey and sex, together. Watching the provided biodegradable soap and shampoo foam slip down into a drain that would filter the products before the water found their way into the sea.
A thin sandy path pushed a bit further into the island and together they followed the trail, clad in suits and cover ups. A few yards from the building they found a little outhouse that was meticulously cared for, but the trail went further and up on a light incline. They followed it hand and hand.
"Wow." He mustered when the few trees opened and revealed a breathtaking view of the sea. There were little reefs and pale sandbars spread before them from the little rise. Weathered steps lead down to the cove and together they ventured down.
Behind the angle of the steps a large security box sat locked.
"I think there were keys on the table." Kate offered.
"We'll investigate tomorrow." He promised her. Shedding his shirt and sandals.
"Let's get wet."
"Wetter." She corrected, her hair still hanging from the shower. Pulling the thin sarong she'd tied free and plopping her own pair of sandals on top of it to keep if from blowing away on the warm breeze that swept in.
The sun simmered as it slipped lower. The pair found themselves in waist deep water, a soft sandy bottom at their feet, as it neared the end of its daily trip past their little island. He swept her against his chest, her back resting against his sun warmed stomach. His arms encased her, and she covered his with her own. Leaning her head back with a sigh she met his eyes.
"I'm probably going to wake up in 5 minutes." She muttered in disbelief.
"Listen." He cooed in her ear as the crisp cut circle of the sun hovered just above the water line. "Hisssssssss." He whispered as it touched the sea. "Can you feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"The energy of the sea once the sun sinks itself in." He promised.
"No." She laughed at his boyish charm, "Castle, the sun never touches the water."
"Don't give up yet." He promised, a kiss brushing across her lips. "Let's go home. I bet there are some tasty treats in that basket."