Rick ran his fingers gently down her arm as she slept. She looked peaceful - for the first time in a long time. She was gorgeous, even though she was a mess, because not only had they finally gotten together, she arrived after being out in the rain for a considerable amount of time. Her hair was frizzy and sticking up everywhere, and her skin was a little sticky from being so damp when she made it into his apartment. She'd never be able to get back into her clothes. Ruined beyond recognition. But no matter how flawed - how imperfect, she was everything.
Kate stirred, mumbling a quiet "Hey."
"Hey back."
He could swear that she hummed next, although he wouldn't bet on it.
"Not sleeping?"
"No, I'm just sitting here, watching you... you know, in that creepy way I usually watch you."
"S'not creepy Castle." She looked at him, her brow crinkled in thought. "Okay, it's creepy sometimes. Not right now though. Right now I'm having a hard time believing I'm actually here."
"Oh you're here alright. I can give you another reality check if you want..."
She chuckled. "I'm good. I kinda feel like talking. How 'bout you?"
"You know me, I can talk with the best of 'em."
"After... y'know... what we did tonight, I had some dreams." She shrugged a little. "It's been a weird couple of days. I usually don't remember my dreams, but these - I do."
"Tell me. I love a good story."
"Well, there was a short one where I fell asleep on the subway and rode it to the end stop. Then when I got back into the city it was some kind of alternative reality. Then that morphed into some kind of crime scene where we both got shot. I thought I saw you fade out, then I blacked out and woke up four years ago, and there was another me."
"Okay, weird, but interesting."
"And then, just before I woke up, I dreamt that I was a professor at Columbia. I had a boyfriend who was overseas, and my parents were still together. Oh! Here's the part I liked... I remember telling you that you were a hack."
"I don't like that one as much. It was okay 'til that last part, then it lost all credibility."
Kate laughed. "Yeah, I know your ego. You wouldn't be able to handle it if I didn't like your books."
"Oh, I'd handle it. I'd just be really obnoxious trying to convince you otherwise." Rick's mouth turned up with a wicked grin. "I slept for a little bit, and my dream was pretty girly."
"Girly? Oh, I can't wait to hear this."
"I dreamt about that night in the alley - when we kissed to distract that guard. Then I had visions of other times we could have been 'forced' to kiss in the line of duty."
"Wow. Were there many?"
"I don't know, maybe fifty give or take? They were quick flashes."
She snuggled back into his arms while they allowed a lull in the conversation. Kate drew circles on his chest and broke the silence. "This is a horrible segue, but I wanted to let you know that I quit my job."
"Ummm. Okay. Are you alright with that?"
"I don't know yet. I just know it was the right thing to do at the time."
"So you're at loose ends for a while?"
"Yeah." Kate laughed quietly, but he could feel her shaking his body. "I guess I kinda am."
"Wanna go somewhere? Get away from the city? Alexis and Mother are both busy with stuff, and you and I could use some time together to figure things out."
"Maybe. Where would we go?"
"Hmm. We could backpack through Europe. I've always wanted to do that, but wasn't sure how well I'd do on my own. Or travel across Canada, or find a quiet beach in Florida, or..."
Kate broke in, "Lots of choices, Castle. I'll probably just let you plan something and just go with it. It's the 'new me'."
"I like both yous. The old you was pretty amazing, but if the new you is what I get to see naked - that one's my favorite." His sentence ended with a slightly stifled yawn.
"Let's go back to sleep. I'm not bored, but I am pretty tired."
"Deal. Sleep it is."
XxX
Kate awoke to the sound of water running, and Castle singing as he showered. She strained to hear him, and realized he was singing 'Sexy Bitch'. What a dork. She slipped out of bed and realized she was grimy and completely disheveled. Stealthily she made her way towards the bathroom, where she intended to surprise her boyfriend... hm. She had a boyfriend. Awesome.
The shower blew her mind. It was large enough to hold the whole precinct, but the only two people that belonged were her and Castle. She slipped in while he was lathering his hair, and put her arms around his waist.
"Holy Crap, Kate. You scared me."
"I could leave... let you finish in peace."
"Hey, wait. I never said anything about letting you leave." He growled against her neck.
Kate brushed her lips against his ear. "Letting me leave? I'll have you know I'm still pretty badass for a civilian. I can take you."
"I have no doubts." He replied, as he gave her permission to do just that.
XxX
"This is nice."
Rick pulled her into his side, asking, "What is? Lounging around on the couch watching movies?"
"Yeah. Doing real stuff. Normal stuff. With you."
"You're right. It is nice. Mind you, I like the parmesan popcorn a lot - so that may be my motivation." He flashed her a slightly wicked grin.
"I can even deal with your smartassery. I must be smitten."
"Heh. Smartassery. Cute."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Kate spoke a line along with the movie. "That rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide..."
"Hmm. A closet Monty Python fan? I was holding back from reciting lines, but since you broke the ice..."
She put her fingers over his lips just before he spoke. "My mistake. I shoulda known you wouldn't be able to contain yourself."
"So, you're into rabbits then?"
"Umm, no? Just because I know that line doesn't mean I'm into rabbits."
"Well, I know you like dogs. Alexis shot down my idea to get a puppy, but maybe I could get a pet now that you're hanging around."
"You mean, now that there's someone responsible to take care of the poor animal while you spoil it rotten?"
"No! I'd do my share. Nobody ever believes in me. I've grown up a lot in the last few years y'know."
"I know." Kate twisted around and dropped a quick peck on his nose. "Maybe we should start small. A kitten, or maybe a ferret?"
"Ewww. Kitten - maybe. Ferret - absolutely not. They're like furry snakes. Kittens can be lovey if you start cuddling at an early age."
"Mmmm. Yeah. A kitten would be nice. We'd have to get a stray, I prefer rescue animals."
"When we get around to it, that's the only way to go. Besides, it'll get us ready for having kids together." Rick braced himself for the incoming onslaught.
"We should totally have a boy and a girl. The boy would be just like you - no attention span, hyper, loves hot sauce. Then the girl could be more like me. Calm, sleeps like a rock, barely speaks. We could name them after famous authors."
"Really?"
"No. We're nowhere near talking about having kids, you dork. Jeez Louise, we have one night together and you're already picturing me pregnant."
"How 'bout we just keep practicing?"
"I think I could get on board for that."
XxX
Rick wasn't sure he could go another round with Kate until he'd had some rest and sustenance. Since Kate was busy softly snoring and keeping him distracted in his bed, he figured he'd get up and make some lunch. Alexis sent him a text asking if she could hang around with her friends a while longer, putting off their plans til the evening, which was fine with him. Her friends would be scattered in all directions soon enough, she deserved to spend time with them while she could.
He rummaged around in the pantry until he found something he could work with. He was craving comfort food, and Macaroni and Cheese sounded pretty good. Since he'd be making enough for him and Kate, he decided to fancy it up a bit. He made the usual recipe, then he pressed it into a baking pan, covered it with bread crumbs and a little more cheese, and put it in to bake.
The smell must have wafted through the loft, because shortly after he fixed himself a coffee and sat down to wait for the casserole to cook, Kate stumbled out of the bedroom.
"That smells good. Whatcha making?"
"It's baked Mac and Cheese. I made enough for both of us."
"Excellent. Enough coffee for me too?"
"Of course." He set his mug down and made her a cup.
"Y'know, I may end up going back to the twelfth at some point. How is that gonna work now that we've..." She made a gesture with her hand, waving it between them.
He shrugged, "Not sure. Hadn't thought that far ahead. I guess it depends on how public we decide to take this." He mimicked her hand movement, poking fun at her awkwardness.
"I just have this vision of Gates calling me into her office, and asking me if you're coming back. Then I misunderstand her - thinking she knows about us right off the bat. Could make for some interesting chatter around the bullpen."
"Well, as soon as Lanie knows - Javi will know. And then Ryan."
"Not sure about that. Ryan and Espo aren't talking right now. I'll have to tell you about that whole mess later."
He could sense that she wasn't ready to get into the past few days events. Rick also felt a pang of guilt over not being there for her.
She shifted in the barstool, hesitating - pondering what to say next. "So, I have some Aunts and Cousins upstate. They asked if I'd come visit soon. I heard one of my Aunts is ill."
"You asking if I'd go along with you? I'd love to meet more of your family. Your Dad's side?"
"No, mom's. I haven't seen them in forever. Mom and Gran had a falling out, but I'd love to reconnect."
"If you want me there, I'm in."
Kate looked at him and he could see the warm sparks of love there. "Good. Because now that I'm letting you in, things can only get better."
fin.
