Listening to the Universe

Being trapped in a car that was sinking to the bottom of the Hudson River hadn't been on their list of expectations when Castle and Beckett left their respective homes that morning, but again they found themselves trapped together in an unforgiving and life-threatening situation. Together, they fought their way out of the car and through the frigid water. Holding on the their reputations for being the survivors that, by now, everyone had come to expect them to be, they had managed to drag themselves onto the dock and now fought to recover. They leaned on one another, each adorned with scrapes, scratches, bruises, and a couple of cuts apiece, dripping wet, freezing, having difficulty breathing…but alive, and grateful for it.

There was a black SUV farther down the dock, but before the exhausted pair had fully managed to breathe evenly, a police car appeared, followed closely by an EMS crew, and the SUV turned around and moved away. One of the uniforms who got out of the cruiser explained that a woman across the river had seen what happened and called it in. They laughingly told them they were lucky the old snoop had her binoculars pointed in their direction today. Apparently they heard from her often. The medical crew took them to the emergency vehicle, where they were wrapped in blankets, checked over, and in spite of their protests, taken to the closest hospital.

Several hours later, Martha had brought Castle clean, dry clothes, Lanie had done the same for Beckett, and they were both being discharged. Neither Castle nor Beckett wanted to be apart, but Kate wasn't ready to admit that quite yet…maybe to Castle, but not with others watching, and they were definitely watching.

Martha had called the car service to take her to the hospital – a place she had spent entirely too much time lately. Wishing her son could be happy with a different pastime, she pointed the car out to him as Lanie was directing Beckett in the opposite direction.

Rick stopped the group, caught Beckett's arm, and turned to his mother and Lanie. "Give us a minute, ladies?"

Neither woman was entirely surprised by the change in their plans, so they went and stood beside Rick's car to talk together while Castle put his hand on Beckett's lower back and guided her aside to an open stretch of sidewalk.

"Come home with us, Kate. You can't really want to be at your apartment alone tonight"

"Rick…."

"We could both have died…again. I don't know what you need, but I need you where I can see you. And I don't want you to be alone."

"Your family is going to worry about you. They need to see you…know you're safe." She looked down and laced her fingers together nervously. "They'll see me as the reason you're in another situation like this, and I don't want to have to watch Alexis hating me again."

"That isn't how they'll see it. I've talked to Alexis…and Mother. They understand now that this is my own decision…and not entirely built around you. So, the truth. Do you want to be with us tonight?"

Kate stalled for a few seconds before she finally looked away and threw her hands out slightly to the side. "Yes." There was another long pause. "I need you where I can see you, too."

Relieved, he reached out to stroke her upper arm briefly. "Then, say goodnight to Lanie, and get in the car. She'll understand."

Lanie and Martha had been watching the exchange between Rick and Kate, and speculating as to what was being said.

"I don't know what they're talking about, but that thing with her hands is one of Kate's tells. Whatever her argument was, Castle just won."

"Then I suspect you'll be driving back alone."

"I suspect you're right Mrs. R."

"Martha, darling. Call me Martha. It makes me feel a little younger."

"They're coming back. Looks like you might be right."

"Lanie…" Kate started.

"You're going home with writer-boy, right?" Lanie answered.

"Yeah."

"Good. You need him a lot more than you need me…and I'd be surprised if he didn't need you, too."

"Thanks for the clothes, Lanie…and for being here."

"You're my girl, honey," she said as she gave Kate a big hug. "You know I'll be here when you need me. You'd do the same for me. Goodnight, Martha." She started toward her car, then turned and walked backward a few steps, pointing at Castle. "You take care of her," she said sternly.

"I will," he answered, looking down at Kate and draping an arm over her shoulders to turn her toward the car before she had time to change her mind.

Lanie walked on toward her car, smiling and mumbling to herself, "I hope this time that girl finally comes to her senses."

At the same time, Castle let Martha and Kate seat themselves, then he got in and instructed his driver to take them back to the loft.