Travel to Elmira

A/N: This is an adventure vacation for Castle and Beckett, no spoilers for any episodes other than the fact that they are now a couple. This fan fiction came to mind after my wife and I toured this part of upstate New York this past summer (August 2014).

With apologies to GEEKMOM and their wonderful fan fiction "The Courtship of Katherine Beckett", here is my adventure vacation.

Disclaimer: The characters are the property of Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC television. No infringement is intended.


"Beckett! Time to wake up," exclaimed Richard Castle as he kissed her on her cheek.

"Uh," Kate sleepily responded.

Castle kissed her again and said, "Come on, Kate. I need you to wake up."

"Castle, you're insatiable. Wasn't two rounds enough?" Kate wearily said with her face down in her pillow. "Let me sleep."

"No, Kate, big day today. Things to do, places to be, things to see. Up, up, up." Rick followed with glee.

Castle started to pull the divan and sheets off of Beckett when she turned over and glared at him.

"You pull that sheet one more inch and I will introduce you to my Taser," Beckett said threateningly.

"Promises, promises," Castle replied with glee. "Come on, Beckett. I need you to be up so we can go."

"How many cups of coffee have you had, Castle, or did you eat a whole box of Lucky Charms?" Beckett asked.

"Only one cup and no sugar rush, Beckett," Castle answered. "You need to get dressed."

"Why did you get me up on my day off at … 6 am? Now I am going to shoot you." Beckett disgustingly spoke.

"We need to catch an airplane?" Castle questioningly said, cringing at Beckett's anger.

"Airplane! Airplane! What airplane?"

"The one at Teterboro." Castle sheepishly replied.

"And where is this airplane taking us?" Beckett said in her most suspect intimidating voice.

Castle was silent for a moment and then said boldly, "It's a surprise."

Beckett sat up and grabbed his nose.

"Apples, Apples," Rick exclaimed painfully.

Beckett released his nose and glared at him with her arms crossed.

"You've been taking lessons from Lanie, haven't you? I recognize that look anywhere."

Beckett smiled at Castle. She knew she couldn't be angry at him with his joyful look. He appeared to be like a kid on Christmas morning all excited about the day. His cobalt blue eyes shining, almost glowing with love for her. Beckett recognized that whatever surprise Castle had in store for her, he had worked hard at planning out an adventure.

"You still haven't told me where we are going." Beckett glared at Castle with a smile in her eyes.

"And I'm not telling. Only, we aren't going far and we will be back tomorrow evening since Gates gave us 2 days off. Can't have Gotham unprotected from evildoers too long."

"Ok, what do I need to pack?" Beckett asked.

"Nothing. Already done." Castle smugly responded.

"Nah uh, Castle. You packing for me? Nothing but slutty nurse and flight attendant outfits?"

"Beckett, we're going to be in public. I wouldn't do that. That is for more private time." Castle answered wiggling his eyebrows. "I packed you some jeans and a t-shirt. A light jacket if it is cool in the evening. And an extra pair of sneakers if the first ones get wet."

"Wet?" asked Beckett.

"There is flowing water where we are going so yes a potential for getting wet," Castle answered.

Beckett gave him a glaring look.

"No, not a wet t-shirt contest, although …"

"Finish that thought and you will be sleeping alone on the couch." Beckett cheekily replied.

"Noted. But you would be a winner to me," Castle smiled.

Beckett smiled back at her lover. She had a difficult time at being angry at Castle when he was trying so hard to make her happy.

"Do I need anything else, say dressy?" Beckett asked.

"No, we'll be going casual for dinner tonight," Castle replied. "Kate, don't worry, I've got this under control. Now come on, we need to go."

"I worry when you say you've got it under control. But, alright, I'll get up and get dressed."

Beckett quickly got ready to go wearing some jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and her leather jacket.

As she emerged from the bedroom, Castle said, "Here's your coffee, breakfast on the plane. The car service is waiting. I've already got the luggage down in the car."

Beckett took a sip and said, "Thanks, Castle."


It was a clear sunny late summer day in the city. The city that never sleeps was a little less active on a Sunday morning than it would be on a weekday.

The car door was opened by the driver with Beckett leading the way into the car. Castle sat down and the car door closed behind him.

"I hope you enjoy this adventure, Beckett."

"Castle, I know you put some effort into this, so I appreciate it even without knowing where we are going."

"Well … when you said you wanted to get out of the city … after the last case I … I thought something different was called for, so I planned this outing."

"So, Castle, when are you going to tell me where we are going?"

"Not yet, maybe later." Castle replied.

They sipped their coffees in silence for the rest of the drive to the airport.


The limousine drove up to a Gulfstream business jet on the tarmac. They walked the short distance to the airplane, Beckett in her usual position, ahead of Castle. Beckett took the first step up the boarding stairs and turned around. Since she wasn't in her killer heels but in sneakers, she was almost eye-to-eye with Castle when she was one step up. She wrapped her arms around Castle's neck and kissed him.

"I'm looking forward to the adventure you've planned," Kate said. "I am grateful for all that you do for me. Just … just sometimes it is a little overwhelming. It takes some getting used to … your capacity for loving me and demonstrating it in such a way."

"Your smile makes it all worthwhile, Kate." Castle said lovingly.

Beckett kissed him again before turning up the stairs to enter the airplane. The interior was all leather with only a few seats with tables between them. From the galley in the rear of the airplane, a flight attendant emerged.

The flight attendant said, "Detective Beckett, sit anywhere you like. Can I get you something to drink before we take off?"

"Coffee, thank you."

"Mr. Castle? Would you like something, too?"

"Coffee for me also, thanks."

The flight attendant disappeared to the galley to get the coffees. Shortly she returned with two steaming cups.

"Once we're airborne, I'll have a continental breakfast for you. We have a short flight," the attendant said.

"Short flight?"

"Yes, detective, only about an hour."

"And where are we going?"

"Elmira, NY."

"Castle, where are you taking me? What is in Elmira?"

"You'll see soon enough Beckett."