Authors Note: this is my first Fanfic. This first chapter is everything leading up to when they, Mal and Inara, reunite. The next chapter will be more fun.
There was an abrupt knocking followed by the shouts "Ryan! Jenny! We are going to be late!"
"We're coming!" Ryan answered and not a second later the door swung open to reveal the married couple with two large suitcases. He said, "Ok, let's go!"
The group piled into Castles SUV and set off for the airport. Castle was driving, with Beckett in the passenger seat, Ryan and Jenny were in the middle seats, and Lanie and Esposito were in the back. The vehicle was filled with excitement about the exotic island Castle was taking them to because of the success from his latest book, and the fact that he had not spent summer with the gang since they met four years ago.
When they pulled into the airport they unloaded their luggage from the back of castles SUV and strolled into the big building. Bag-check and security took awhile due to the fact that three detectives were going onto a plane, so they had to do a special check with their guns. They were used to it given they have flown before.
By the time everything was cleared they were practically running to catch their flight and barely made it. Getting situated was easy because they were flying first class. Complements of Richard Castle. The seating arrangement was Jenny and Ryan, Esposito and Laine, and Castle and Beckett. The first four have never flown first class so they were like little kids on Christmas morning, exploring and touching everything!
When the plane first set off Beckett asked, "So how long is this flight going to take?"
"About three hours, give or take." Castle answered. "So we should arrive on the island just around noon."
"That's good" Beckett responded.
During the flight there were naps, several card games, and some reading. After about two hours and forty-five minutes, Lanie gave an excited squeal when she saw the island. This made everyone else look through their windows. Beckett blushed when Castle had to lean over her to get a glimpse of the extrodinary sight.
"It's beautiful," stated Beckett smiling.
"Yeah, It is," Castle replied. But Kate didn't see that he was looking at her when he said it.
The plane landed and everyone was happy to get off. They got their luggage from the baggage claim. None of them were surprised except maybe Jenny when they got outside to see that there was a big black van waiting for them. They all got in and were off to the extravagant hotel. Once they got there, the boys went to go check in and get the room keys, leaving the girls to talk.
"Dang! This place is amazing!" Shouted and excited Lanie.
"I know right? A week of pure relaxation." Beckett agreed.
Jenny who was still new to the group stuck with "Yeah, Kevin was so excited when he told me we got invited. Mr. Castle is a great friend."
"Please, call me Castle," the man in question said as he and the boys walked up. "And thank you. My hard working friends deserve a nice break every once in a while."
When the detectives all agreed, Esposito said, "Hey, Chica, here is our room key." She held her hand out and he replied by handing it to her while Ryan gave Jenny theirs.
"Beckett here is yours," Castle said handing her own key.
"Thanks," the girls all said in unison.
They headed towards the elevator and got in once it dinged. Ryan pushed the last button, floor six, and stood by Jenny. Once they finally got to their floor, they all headed to their designated rooms to drop off their luggage and un-pack. After fifteen minutes or so, Castle walked over to Beckett's room and knocked.
She opened it and said, "this place is amazing, Castle! Thank you so much!"
He gave her that grin that's only reserved for her and said, "It's the least I could do detective," he simply stated. "By the way, I was thinking that we could all go have lunch at this restaurant down the way, then everyone can do as they please." Risking an ear he said smiling, "maybe a little swimsuit action from a very nice detective I know?"
"Haha! In your dreams, Castle!" Kate said mirroring his smile.
After repeating the relevant part of the message to everyone else, they were on their way to the restaurant within ten minutes.
On the way there Jenny announced, "The hotel room has a beautiful view of the ocean."
"Yeah it does, Bro. Your good at picking out places to stay. Our room has a freaking flat screen!" Said, Esposito.
Everyone else agreed. Their excitement freely showing in their expressions and tones. When they got to the restaurant Esposito and Ryan pulled two tables and many chairs together and sat down. The others followed their actions and took a seat.
The waiter came took their drink orders, giving them more time to look over their menu. During this time there were a lot of; "Ooo the cheese burgers look good", "I'm sort of in a pasta mood", and "Check this out, pizza on a tropical island!"
Esposito had his arm around Lanie and Ryan's was around Jenny. When the waiter came he took their orders one by one, and when it came to Beckett's turn, the waiter gave her a flirtatious smile and asked, "So what can I get this beautiful young lady?"
She blushed and gave him a half- hearted smile. And as she started to give her order, Castle put his arm around her and glared at the waiter. Beckett paused at his sudden movement but finished speaking. When he saw Castle and what he did, his smile fell and said, "Umm, uhr, thank you," and hurried away. When he was gone Castle removed his arm.
Beckett turned towards him and looked at him questioning, "What was that about?"
Castle looked at her innocently and shrugged, "You had something on your shoulder."
She gave him that Oh-I'm-surelook but dropped it as quick as it came. Sitting across from her, Lanie looked at her with that He-is-soooo-into-you look which made Kate just rolled her eyes in response. About ten minutes later their food arrived. The waiter did not look at Beckett or Castle in the eye when he gave them their food. While they ate, their meal was filled with happy conversation that involved a few memories and jokes.
An hour later they found themselves back in the hotel thinking about what to do. Espo and Lanie ended up deciding that they were going to go for a swim in the ocean, Ryan and Jenny were going to the local aquarium, and Castle and Beckett decided that they would take it easy and relax on the beach.
Thirty minutes later Beckett was reading a book and Castle was pretending to sleep but was really watching her.
"Take a picture. It will last longer," She said suddenly and smiled.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Castle said attempting to defend himself.
"Oh, I'm sure you don't writer boy," she said laughing.
"Hey! It's writer man!" Castle exclaimed.
"Are we interrupting something?" the two other couples asked as they walked up to the wanna-be couple.
Smirking at them Beckett asked, "So, what do you guys want to do?"
"How about just a walk on the beach?" Lanie suggested.
They all agreed and started down the beach. They were telling hilarious stories from the past four years and laughing. They were all having a great time.
Suddenly Castle stopped. The five of them had to turn around to look at him. All that was on his mind was Itcan'tbeher.Canit?They all followed his gaze and saw the beautiful woman he was staring at.
He gave it a try and called out, "Inara?"
The greatly dressed woman turned around and looked as if she saw a ghost when she said, "Mal? Is that you?"