Moment in Time

Always Buy Retail

"Castle, I've only got two rounds left, I need a clear shot." Beckett hissed out as she hid behind the kitchen island.

Castle grabbed a bottle of champagne from a wine chiller. "When you shoot, he shoots," Castle told her. "I'll set the pick, you take the shot. He'll be exposed."

"Set the pick with what?" Beckett asked.

"This," Castle answered, indicating the champagne and untwisting the wire cage that held the cork in place.

"Castle, you're going to get yourself killed!" Beckett exclaimed.

"Not if you make your shot count." Castle popped the cork. Shards flew as Baylor shot. Beckett took Baylor down with her remaining bullets.

"Are you all right, Castle?" Beckett asked

There was no answer for a moment. "I'm not sure," Castle murmured softly.

Sirens screaming in the distance, Beckett turned to see blood seeping through Castle's fingers as he tried to cover a wound on his forehead. "Oh my God! He shot you!"

Castle started to shake his head and thought better of it. "No. Diana's got really top of the line counters here, granite if I'm not mistaken. I just got hit by a piece Baylor knocked loose when he fired. But wow, it hurts!"

Beckett grabbed a towel to staunch the flow of blood. "I'll have the EMTs look at you, Castle."

The EMT's arrived with four uniformed units. Baylor was pronounced dead. They looked in Castle's eyes, bandaged his head and pronounced him OK. Beckett gave a sigh of relief.

"Beckett," Castle said. "Don't tell me you actually care?"

"Care! Do you know how much paperwork I'd have to fill out if something happened to you? But I'm glad you're all right. You probably saved my life."

"Probably!" Castle exclaimed skeptically. "I definitely saved your life, and you know what that means: you owe me."

"Really Castle, what do I owe you?"

"Anything I want, and you know what I really, really, want?"

"I'm afraid to ask," Beckett told him.

"Have dinner with me tonight."

Beckett brushed her fingers against the square of gauze that stood out starkly against his skin. "I guess I owe you that much," she answered.

Castle's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered his swagger. "I'll pick you up at eight."

"Darling, what happened?" Martha cried as Castle came through the door of the loft.

At the kitchen counter, Alexis turned from her laptop to look at her father and hopped off her stool yelling "Dad!" as she ran to him.

"I'm OK, "just a little - shootout!" he exclaimed with a grin.

"Richard, that's not funny," Martha chastised. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"What I've got," Castle told his mother, "is a date with Beckett. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get a shower and change."

Martha and Alexis looked at each other and Martha shook her head. "He's all right, Gram," Alexis reassured her grandmother. "I'll just make sure he doesn't choose a really bad tie."

Castle pulled the Ferrari up in front of Beckett's building, carefully activating the anti-theft device. His mouth dropped open when she opened her apartment door. Red jersey sheathed her body, covering her to her ankles, yet revealing every curve. Soft curls framed her face and her matching lipstick gave Castle the urge to kiss it away. "Wow!" Castle exclaimed and offered her his arm.

Beckett enjoyed the rush of air against her face as Castle skillfully maneuvered the agile vehicle through traffic. She was amused and pleased that the color of the car matched her dress almost exactly. Beckett was expecting Le Cirque or one of the other trendy spots mentioned when Castle was featured on "Page Six," but Castle parked the car outside a store front with no sign.

A round, ebullient man came to meet them as soon as the bell above the door tinkled. "Ricky!" he exclaimed as they hugged and slapped each other on the back.

"Nice to see you Gino," Castle greeted him. "May I introduce Kate Beckett?"

Gino regarded Kate with obvious appreciation. "You do know how to find the beauties, Ricky," he said. "I have your table all ready."

The table was a booth with high walls, creating a private space. The lighting was comfortably low and the accoutrements were simple, a checkered cloth, a candle in a straw covered bottle and snowy white linen napkins. There was also a single fresh yellow rose in a tiny vase. Without being asked, Gino brought a sumptuous antipasto. Castle stuck a fork into an artichoke heart and offered it to Beckett. "You should try one of these," he suggested, "they're wonderful."

Beckett nibbled the treat off his fork, closing her eyes and savoring the rich flavor. Gino returned to the table with sparkling glasses and the house wine. He filled Beckett's glass, but Castle shook his head saying, "I'm driving."

"Is this some kind of a scam to get me drunk, Castle?" Beckett asked.

"Why Detective Beckett, are you as a police officer, actually suggesting that I operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol?"

"Maybe you're just trying to make sure I don't drive your car," Beckett offered.

"All right Beckett, you got me," Castle agreed, "but if you want sparkling water or a soft drink, Gino can bring it to you."

"The wine is fine," Beckett told him. "Is there a menu?"

"No," Castle explained. "The chef makes a special pasta every night, but if you don't like it, he can make you something else."

Linguine with clams was served in bowls, with a side dish of fresh Mediterranean style vegetables. Gino brought tastings for dessert, tiny slices of cheesecake, lemon cake and tiramisu, each with two forks. While they ate, Gino sang Nessum Dorma in a rich operatic tenor.

Kate felt loose, almost as if she were floating, as Castle led her back to the car. She leaned back and closed her eyes as the night sped past.

"Beckett, we're here," Castle called softly as he stopped in front of her building.

Kate opened her eyes as Castle opened the car door for her. It took all she had to resist leaning on his shoulder on the way to her door. "Good night, Castle," she said, "I had a really good time."

Never losing eye contact, Castle kissed her hand. "So did I, Detective. Tomorrow, then."

"Tomorrow," Kate repeated as Castle walked away.

Kate peeled off her dress slowly, feeling the soft slide of the fabric against her skin. After slipping into the oversized purple shirt she wore to sleep in, she climbed between the sheets of her bed, sitting up against the backboard. Pulling out the drawer of her bedside table, she reached inside, withdrawing a copy of "Stormfall." She opened it to the flyleaf, where Castle had inscribed it, "To Kate Beckett, homicide detective and woman extraordinaire," and ran the tips of her fingers over the ink. Turning out the light, she curled up in bed, the book held tightly against her chest.