See Author's Note below.
- I -
They were still trying to get back into the groove of things. It was a subtle shift between the two of them, but they were both aware that something had to give. This time, it can't be swept under or hidden for too long lest it mean the end for them.
So, they figured a weekend away just might do the trick.
-x-x-x-x-
Although it was not in their nature to keep track or keep count of who "wooed" whom or who initiated gestures of affection, it was becoming apparent that on this trip at least, Kate was definitely in the lead. And it wasn't due to lack of effort on Rick's part either. It just so happens that every time he'd stray just a few feet too far from his wife, she'd be there in a heartbeat, reaching for his hand, shifting her weight to lean comfortably against him, tuck her hand in the crook of his elbow. At one point, while he was busy rummaging through a small sale of various ref magnets, he felt a soft tug from his side. He snuck a glance and wondered if she finally saw something interesting enough she'd allow him to buy for her. She returned his glance with a soft, small smile and kept a hold of the small corner of his coat.
Rick felt that tug pull something straight out of his insides just as well.
So he stopped. And her expression morphs into something inquisitive. "Are you done?" She looked like she couldn't believe he'd give up so easily after swearing that where an R2-D2 ref magnet was, C3-PO surely couldn't be far behind.
He shrugged. "Let's go look for something you like."
There's the frown.
"I'm enjoying myself right here, babe. If you want, I could help you look." And she moves closer to the box that holds all the magnets.
And it shouldn't really elicit that much reaction from him but Rick Castle could've sworn every damn thing his wife does just makes him fall over and over again for her; each time somehow a little bit more, a little bit deeper.
And so they spend the better part of an hour looking for the best pair of droids one could ever hope to find.
-x-x-x-x-
They end up at an antique shop. She need not say it, for he knows her very well. And as soon as her eyes lit up when she spotted a vintage item through the shop's window, he knew their lunch will have to wait. Lunch was an unspoken agreement as time to "talk," but seeing how she cocks her head slightly to the right with that look as if asking for his permission to go in, how could he say "no"? Heaven knows he would do anything for her. If she said so, he'd buy the shop. The best thing about Kate though is that she'd likely hit him for even suggesting such a thing. He sighs and he's pretty sure he gazes at her with a dopey expression, but he can't help himself. Oh, his Kate… Never wants to spend his money.
Regardless of what they went through—what they're still going through, in fact—he considers himself a very lucky man. And no one can tell him otherwise.
He is somewhat taken out of his musings at the feel of someone watching him. He turns and is somewhat unnerved when he realizes that the lady minding the shop is staring at him. However, upon closer inspection, he is more perturbed to realize she's looking through him. She's looking at Kate.
Castle's first instinct is to move closer to his wife, but something in the mystery woman's expression though causes him to falter, at the same time when she seems to snap out of her staring—realizing that the author is observing her as well.
She musters a small smile as she moves away from the counter and towards him.
Apparently just as in tune with her husband, Kate snaps out of her inspection of the items that have caught her fancy and shifts her entire focus on the small movement she caught from her periphery—movement towards her writer.
And so like magnets, Rick and Kate inevitably end up close together within the few seconds it takes for the shop lady to end up within arm's reach of the author.
"I hope you guys can forgive me for staring. It just caught me a bit by surprise to realize you guys aren't from around here."
Kate's left eyebrow arches slightly at having missed such an "intrusion." But she takes it in stride, especially upon realizing that her husband caught it anyways. They'll always be partners: in life and in crime, in the field and even out of it.
"Yes. I'm afraid we're tourists. I hope you don't mind us taking a look around" Castle, ever the social butterfly and all-around emissary rolls out the charm.
"Oh no, no! Please, I didn't mean to imply you guys weren't welcome or anything!" She's quite young, the writer in him notes. He immediately notes that there's an air about her he can't quite describe or allude to immediately. He inwardly admits he's intrigued as to her story.
"No. We understand. And it's okay. It pays to be observant, especially if you're the only one manning the fort, so to speak." Kate speaks up.
"Well, I am. But not really—I mean, I manage." She smiles and he notes that it's a genuine smile. Rarely do strangers do so these days.
"If it helps, allow me to introduce ourselves. I'm Rick, and this is my wife Kate." He holds out his hand and grasps hers firmly and quickly.
Kate offers her hand to shake as the proprietor takes her turn at introducing herself. "I'm Melinda Gordon. Allow me to welcome you to Grandview."
-x-x-x-x-
Author's Note: For those who know who Melinda Gordon is, well…kudos. I miss that show. In the middle of watching the episodes all over again; it's what inspired me to write this piece. I intend to make this one short as I suck at updating. I have a bad habit of when as soon as the story is complete in my head, I feel too lazy to put them further into words.
If you know the character I just referred to, who she is, what her character's show is all about…you guys just may get the drift of where this story is leading to.
Also, pardon if I missed any typos or inconsistencies in the tenses. It's late, I'm tired, and this bit is supposed to be my last sort of outlet before I crash after being up for 48 hours. Suffice to say I'm too damn lazy to edit my own work.