Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to Marlowe and ABC. I am but a lowly writer who probably needs to get out of the house more.
Miracle at the 12th Precinct
Chapter 1 Ho, Ho, Ho, It's Off To Work We Go...
This fic is dedicated to my fun and crazy chat buds over at... well, ... over there; HollyC, Castlelover22, and Beckett's Badge who always encourage me to keep writing and who convinced me it wasn't too late for a Castle Christmas story. Love you guys; you're the best! If it still bothers you that this is being published after Christmas 2012 has come and gone, blame them or consider it an early Christmas present for next year.
The massive explosion blew out the windows of the 4th story New York City apartment, shards of glass fragments raining like diamonds onto cars, piercing passerby's on the street below. The sound from the blast deafened the usual noises heard in the busy intersection, replacing them with screams, panicked cries for help and car alarms gone mad. Traffic came to a screaming halt and those still able, attempted to run for cover from the falling debris while others not so fortunate lay prone on the sidewalk unable to move. Residents from the enflamed building poured out into the streets and ran to safety, while a few brave individuals hurried to pull the injured bodies from harm's way as sirens in the distance grew louder with each passing second. Crowds gathered across the way watching in horror as flames escaping the building were swallowed up by the nighttime sky, lighting it up like daylight. Between the commotion and haze of smoke seeping from the entrance, not a soul noticed the diminutive, singed, green elf flee from the scene and disappear into the night.
Across town, far away from the sounds of the explosion, Kate and Rick were nestled on his couch, enjoying each other's company, listening to soft music and biding time before the pizza they'd ordered was delivered. Upon entering, their shoes had been unceremoniously discarded at the front door, the same spot where all talk of cooking dinner had been unanimously vetoed in lieu of take-out. The very same spot where he'd finally been able to kiss the full soft lips he'd been staring at all day. The front entrance-way to his loft was quickly becoming one of his favorite places, what with so many great decisions having occurred there of late.
Both Rick and Kate were more than ready for a night of relaxation, the promise of which held the first quiet moment alone all day. Snuggled next to him on the couch Kate leaned in closer letting out a sigh, and rested her head on Castle's shoulder. She'd been waiting to do this for hours and didn't even try to hide her contentment. Castle pulled the arm he had around her tighter, leaning his head against hers, propping his feet up on coffee table getting more comfortable. They were both tired after finally having wrapped up their last case, complete with a series of leads that had them running in circles before finally tracking down and catching the killer.
The both soon found their eyes closing as they basked in the bliss of simply being together. Unfortunately, their new-found serenity was about to come to an abrupt halt as the phone rang. They each let out a moan, but made no attempt to answer the grating interruption.
"Don't answer that Kate." Castle whispered in her ear, sending pleasant tingles up her spine. Much to her chagrin, she knew it could be important. What she really wanted to do was toss it out the window and those thoughts left her wondering when taking a call from what was most likely the precinct had taken a back seat to cuddling with the hunk of man currently pressed wonderfully up against her.
Garnering her strength, she disentangled herself from his warm embrace, and reached for her purse pulling out her phone from its depths. "I have to Castle." She said pouting; noting the caller id clearly indicated the caller was indeed Captain Gates. "It's work."
He sighed, but rose from his position, good little soldier that he was, and sat upright, perched at the ready for what the call from the precinct might bring. He admired Kate's work ethic, he really did, for murder never sleeps, but wished they could have a little more time alone together before duty called and broke up their little party of two. In his eyes they barely spent enough time together off duty as it was. He'd been thinking a lot lately about asking her to move in with him so they could do just that, but decided she'd run like a scared cat if he even brought up the subject. He believes she'd probably claim they hadn't been dating long enough, and he'd been working on rebuttals. In his opinion, they'd already been dating for years. Even with that in mind, he's prepared to tread carefully; not to rush her. Slow and steady wins the race, and she's worth it; he can be patient, although it's not easy since he knows how great it would be. It was only a matter of time and thoughts of someday kept him company on the lonely nights without her.
He listened wearily as she spoke to her boss, picking up tidbits here and there of the new crime against humanity and conceded defeat. A new case had found them; the party… was over. He rose from the couch preparing to retrieve his shoes when the doorbell rang out. He'd almost forgotten about the pizza they'd ordered. Grabbing his wallet he answered the door, took in their dinner, paid and thanked the delivery guy. Kate was still on the phone with Gates.
"Yes Sir...really?" Kate said, her voice becoming an octave higher. He turned at that, curious as to the other half of the conversation. She wrinkled her forehead and shrugged her shoulders at his questioning look. "Okay. I understand. I'll tell him." Kate continued as she finished writing down an address from her boss. "We'll be there right away."
Knowing he would need to work fast he hurried into the kitchen. She watched intently, her eyes following both Rick and the pizza box as they glided past her across the room and into the kitchen. The heavenly aroma of their dinner had immediately permeated the loft and her stomach grumbled loudly reminding her she'd skipped lunch. Her free hand stretched across her belly to quiet it. In anticipation of their sure to be brief dinner and in the name of time, she struggled to keep focused on the dulcet tones of her Captain, all too aware she'd much rather be in the kitchen.
He'd chuckled hearing her stomach rumble as he went by. He'd tried to make her stop for lunch earlier, but she'd stubbornly refused to listen. He'd be making it his job to see that she ate something. Kate obviously needed someone to watch out for her or she'd be surviving on coffee alone. Rick prepared their meal in to go containers and listened to her end the conversation with Gates. Dinner would be rushed, but he'd insist she'd eat on the drive.
His heart sped up as Kate sauntered towards him, with those same lustful eyes she usually reserved for the bedroom. Unfortunately for him, this time her gaze was clearly directed upon the pizza. He mentally named it Kate's Hungry Look and wondered how sturdy the kitchen's counter was. Pressing down on the granite, he tested its strength, determining it to be pretty solid. This data he'd store away for a rainy day since duty had called, and also because he figured she'd never go for it.
"Not happening Castle!"
"What?" he replied startled, removing his hands from the counter as though burned. She wasn't buying his poorly feigned innocence act, and it really freaked him out when she read his mind like that.
She quickly stole a bite of pizza before he filled a bag with their dinner, surprised at how he seemed to have planned for an event such as this. Honestly, what man had that much Tupperware? She was pretty sure she didn't even own any.
"So what did Gates say?" he asked. "What happened?"
"There's been an explosion."
"An explosion? Why are they calling you in for an explosion?"
"A body's been found and there's evidence of foul play." She hesitated and glanced directly at him with a raised eyebrow indicating to him there was more. "It also seems we've been requested."
"Requested? Requested by whom?"
"By Agent Jordan Shaw." This news surprised him as much as it had her and they both took a moment to ponder why the FBI was involved. Kate stared straight ahead, deep in thought which had him seriously worried.
"What else did Gates say Kate?"
"Well, she said, and I quote, "Make sure to bring Mr. Castle with you. This will be right up his alley." She didn't give me much else to go on, and said Agent Shaw would fill us in on the rest when we got there." She chuckled seeing his mouth fall open.
"Gates requested my presence? Really? Huh, will wonders never cease. Grab my coat. We'll eat on the way." Castle told her, his interest peaked. "Don't think I forgot you didn't have any lunch." She rolled her eyes at his blatant admonishment, but secretly loved his concern over her welfare.
Kate grabbed both of their coats and they were headed towards the entrance when he stopped for one last longing look towards the kitchen and frowned. Another time perhaps. Catching him off guard, she dropped the coats and grabbed him for a well-planted kiss on his lips, making him drop the bag he was carrying. She hated seeing him pout.
"What was that for Kate?" he asked, not really caring. He loved it when assertive Kate came out to play. Her hands pulled at his shirt collar bringing their bodies inches apart and his arms went instinctively around her.
"I didn't say never Castle, just not…now." She whispered seductively, rendering him speechless then nodding to the kitchen when she saw his confusion. He realized her intent and broke out into a wide smile. Enjoying the view, she graced him with another quick kiss. "Good call by the way Castle. Looks fairly sturdy to me." she added before breezing out the door.
This exchange cheered him up immensely, but as he locked up behind them, his bubble quickly burst as he resigned himself to yet another long night.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I would love to hear what you think! - Karen