The clock in the precinct strikes 5. Beckett looks up and sees Gates standing in the doorway of her office, watching. Beckett had been ready for a good hour or so, paperwork filed and cases closed, but hadn't brought herself to leave until the arranged time. Now it is 5 o'clock and she doesn't need another lecture from Gates over taking vacation days.
"I'll see you all next week then." Beckett calls to the rest of the office as she stands up, bag ready in her hand. Ryan and Esposito stand, as if this is a big farewell, and maybe, in a way, it is. She'd shied away from taking any vacation for so long that Gates had practically forced her to take a break. When Castle had mentioned the call from his publisher about the last minute booking in England Beckett had found herself in the captain's office and, at Gates' request, hastily agreed to accompany her partner. Castle was overjoyed, of course, but she was apprehensive about their extended weekend in Europe.
"Have a great time!" Ryan says, Espo nodding at his side. At least the homicide department was in safe hands during her absence.
"Thanks guys." Beckett smiles and turns to Gates.
"Get some rest out there," she says, placing a supportive hand on Beckett's arm. "You deserve it."
"Thank you, sir," Beckett replies warmly. "See you on Wednesday." The elevator doors open and, as some uniformed officers step out, she steps in, turning to give a final wave to her colleagues and friends. The doors close and it feels like she's waving goodbye to her life.
The clock on his dashboard flicks to 17:00 as Castle pulls up outside the 12th. Traffic is fairly quiet and for once there is a parking space where he can wait for Beckett without being honked at by squad cars. He is already impatient, although he knows she will have waited until the final possible moment to leave her desk.
He has been looking forward to this trip since his publisher phoned him two weeks earlier. His anticipation has been almost unbearable since Gates gave Beckett permission to accompany him. His partner was less than pleased when she emerged from that meeting: If there's one thing she loves more than him it's her job, and vacation days are her arch nemesis. He thinks of the multiple book tour weekends she's declined and knows that Gates must have some reason for agreeing that Beckett should come with him to Europe.
Once he'd explained how much time they'd have to themselves and the scorching weather forecast, his fiancée had warmed to the idea and now they have almost six days stretching out in front of them. What made the trip even more enticing was that his publishers had agreed to pay for both of them with no expense spared.
He checks his phone. 5:05. He looks to the entrance of the precinct and sees Kate descending the steps, bag in hand. He jumps out of the car, causing a cab to swerve, and opens the trunk for her. Their suitcases are already inside and he takes her bag, fitting it between the cases. He jogs round to the passenger side and opens the door for his beautiful fiancée.
"Ready?" he asks, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
"Babe, of course." she replies, giving him a wry smile as he draws her into an embrace. They hold each other close for a lingering moment and then he kisses her on the forehead as they draw apart. She lowers herself into the passenger seat and he slams the door, grateful to be allowed to drive for once. He checks the traffic this time and climbs into the driving seat beside her. He grins as he starts the ignition and Beckett smiles back.
"Let's go have a holiday!" he whoops, and they speed towards the airport.