A/N: So this was inspired when I saw Casey singing this song on American Idol. I don't actually watch the show, I just happened to see him sing right before Bones came on. But it gave me this idea, so here goes. More (vaguely) supernatural fiction in the Castle-verse.
Oh, and in Southern California, well to me at least, 72 degrees Fahrenheit is kind of cold. I know, I'm a baby. But I wouldn't trade my palm trees and year-round-sun for anything!
Something decidedly odd was going on with her tonight, Kate pondered as she sat at her desk one evening, pretending to do paperwork. What she was actually doing was puzzling over her own bizarre behavior.
Castle was in the break room, making coffee for her; paperwork was boring at the best of times, and tonight Rick had sensed that they may need the extra caffeine. And there it was again, that odd behavior: just thinking about Castle- even performing such domestic tasks as making coffee for her- had her feeling... warm.
Paperwork, she chanted silently like a mantra, hoping to forestall any more... warm feelings.
It was the oddest thing, but all day long Kate had had random images of Castle. She might have been okay with that if they were just images, but Fantasy-Castle kept kissing her, kept pulling her into darkened rooms and... doing things to her. And the fantasies came at the most random times too: while interrogating a suspect, consoling a victim's family member, and even once, while harassing Ryan and Esposito.
As Kate contemplated the memories, she realized what the trigger had been in each instance: the sound of Castle's voice. He had asked the suspect a question, offered condolences to a grieving sister, and teased the guys that he was a better detective than they were, combined. He wasn't even saying anything suggestive, he simply spoke and Kate was picturing him naked.
So she'd tried avoiding him. She was here pretending to do paperwork because that was when Castle usually left for the night. But Alexis was at a friend's house for the night and Rick had no hot date to leave for, so he'd offered to keep her company while she worked. It would have been rude of her to tell him to leave, so she held her tongue. And now she was actually stuck pretending to do paperwork because that's what she'd told Rick she was going to do and wouldn't she look the fool if she were to say, "Psyche! I was only kidding about the paperwork! I was just pretending in an attempt to get you to leave because I keep picturing you undressing me with your teeth and it's becoming very awkward for me to be around you right now"?
She smiled to herself when she imagined Rick's probably reaction to that little confession.
"Wow, you must really like your paperwork."
Rick's voice and sudden reappearance over her desk made Kate jump and her cheeks heat in a blush. She hurried to contain herself and looked at Castle as he set her mug beside her work space and took his chair beside her desk. Some random spirit possessed her and- more calmly than she'd thought herself capable of at the moment- she smiled and said, "No. I was actually looking forward to the coffee you were making for me." Kate took a small sip of the hot liquid and actually moaned in pleasure at the taste- her eyes closing and everything. What the hell is wrong with me? Kate wondered. But before she could really dwell on the possibilities, she was saying, "Yep, it's even better than I was expecting. And I was already expecting greatness." She looked up, into Rick's surprised eyes, and smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Castle."
Did he actually have to clear his throat before he could speak, or was Kate only imagining that? She couldn't tell the difference anymore between reality and fantasy.
"Always," He said quietly, smiling at her in reply. And Kate's heart melted in the warmth expanding through her chest.
It may have been cheesy, but it was their thing now; to say "Always," when they couldn't bring themselves to say what they really meant: "I love you."
Yes, Kate finally admitted to herself. I... have strong... feelings for Castle... Maybe even...
But she still couldn't think the word. She wasn't ready. And if she found he didn't... have strong feelings for her too, she'd be devastated. By not admitting to the feeling, even to herself, she could pretend it didn't matter to her, one way or the other, what Castle felt for her.
The smiles had long since faded, when Kate realized she was still staring. But then, so was he. So her gaze snapped down to the table top and she began shuffling papers around.
Her face and neck were nearly burning with her blush and Kate finally noticed the room temperature.
"It's so warm in here," she complained.
When she glanced up at Castle, she found him smirking at her disbelievingly.
"What?" She snapped.
Smiling, he told her, "It's seventy two degrees in here. At least according to the thermostat. And it's colder outside."
"Well, maybe the air conditioning's not working right because it's definitely too warm where I'm sitting."
"Maybe it's just you," he teased her, then he frowned in thought. Castle's look turned to one of concern and the heat in her neck spread down to her chest in reaction. She knew he cared for her, but to see the worry on her behalf in his eyes- even over something as minor as a potential fever- made her feel good. He continued, "Maybe you have a fever." He reached out impulsively to touch his palm to her forehead, testing. "Do you feel well?" His hand moved to press the backs of his fingers to her neck, just below her ear. "Maybe you should head home."
Kate brushed his hand away- though it was almost painful to do it, and she immediately missed the touch of his hand on her skin- and reassured him, "I'm fine, Castle. It's just warm in here. If I take off my jacket, I'm sure I'll be fine."
Quickly, Kate began to remove her leather jacket and as her chest thrust forward, she became hyperaware of Rick's eyes on her; he was just sitting there, watching, as she removed the black leather. And the heat spread across her shoulders and down her arms to her fingertips.
Did I just SHIVER! Kate wondered, shocked at herself that just the thought of his gaze on her body was... yep, there it was... It was turning her on.
The dark shirt she wore had long sleeves and was buttoned up higher than a nun's habit. But before she could even reach for a button, Rick was teasing her.
"You still hot? 'Cause that long sleeve shirt probably isn't helping any. Maybe you should remove it too."
It was something totally in character, something she might have even guessed he would say, but there was something off in his voice. It had a raw quality to it, as if he were feeling some of what Kate was feeling at the moment, the unbearable heat that was slowly consuming her body.
That uncharacteristic vulnerability she sensed in his tone was what prompted her- though heaven knew she knew better- to smirk at him in challenge and reach up to slowly start unbuttoning the top button.
His round, surprised, ice-blue eyes were enough to make her want to laugh out loud. But she couldn't. Her fingers- seemingly possessed by some naughty spirit- were working of their own accord to undo a couple more buttons. He could probably see the lacy neckline of her camisole now, Kate reckoned, so she adjusted the collar to hang more fully open. "You're right, Castle, that does feel better," Kate teased. "Thanks."
Rick grunted, tried to say something and choked on his words, then quieted again. The burning heat travelled down her sternum to settle low in her belly, and- heaven help her- her fingers didn't stop working. She liked seeing the way she was obviously affecting him, knowing what he was currently doing to her own peace of mind. It was with stunned surprise- for both of them- that Kate opened the rest of the buttons and threw back her shoulders to remove the blouse, draping it over the seat back. Kate was grateful she'd decided to wear a camisole today, because she had the feeling that even if she hadn't, tonight, that shirt would have come off either way.
Kate was actually really proud of Rick at the moment; here she was practically undressing in front of him and his gaze was locked on her face. The tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her suddenly dry lips and Rick's gaze snapped down to her mouth. The heat spread to her hips when Rick moistened his own lips as if in preparation to kiss her.
What the hell is going on? What the hell is going on? Kate chanted, confused, surprised and scared by the things she was feeling. That one bit of rational thought gave her the strength to look away from Rick's too-blue eyes. She looked down and tried to focus on the papers there, but she didn't see them. She still saw Rick, the burning gaze, the way his tongue darted out as if desperate to taste. She tried to close her eyes and the images only got worse, not better. She imagined him leaning forward to kiss her, and even... more. Right here in the precinct.
Kate drew in a labored breath, but that didn't help either; the air was heavy with the scent of... him. Soap and cologne and male. Was it wrong that she wanted nothing more at that moment than to bury her face in the crook of his neck and just breath in his scent? Yeah, that's just... weird, Kate decided. How would he smell right after a shower? Kate idly wondered, unable to forestall the errant thoughts. And then they continued, Oh, or right after strenuous exercise. Ooo... I know the perfect "exercise."
Kate's eyes snapped open and she blinked several times in an attempt to banish the images banging through her brain. So wrong, she told herself.
"Are you sure you're feeling well, Kate?" Rick asked then, his voice quiet with his concern. "Paperwork can wait until tomorrow."
Kate looked back at him and smiled. The rest of her body- her thighs, her calves, even her toes- warmed to the look of concern in his eyes. "Maybe you're right." Kate stood and smiled down at him, teasing. "Too bad I don't know a quiet place I could go. I could use a drink."
"You're in luck," Rick returned the teasing tone, standing as well. "I just happen to know of such a place. All you have to do is ask the owner nicely. I hear he has a soft spot for beautiful women." Normally Rick wouldn't have complimented her so flagrantly, but there was something decidedly odd going on tonight and he felt for once, he could get away with it- and not risk losing a limb for his effort.
"Hopefully not too soft," Kate retorted in a falsely worried tone and laughed when Rick began choking. There was that odd behavior again, Rick noted and Kate was just as surprised as he was by her comment, but his reaction was too funny.
Rick found it difficult to work up a proper glare when she laughed like that, her smile lighting up her being. So he rolled his eyes and groused, "Come on, let's go open my bar on the one night it closes early."
"You would do that? Just for me?" Kate asked, looking at him though her lashes coquettishly.
"Anything," he blurted, totally sincere, before he could stop himself. "I mean," He cleared his throat and said, "I've been waiting for the opportunity to get you drunk."
"That'll cost you, Ricky." Kate grabbed her things and led the way to the elevator, Castle following her like her faithful puppy. "I know how to handle my liquor and I only drink the good stuff."
"I think my bank account will survive," He retorted dryly.
A/N: The supernatural thing will come in much later, there's a love spell involved in all the weirdness, but the smut comes first. Sorry to disappoint :-D (that's my sarcastic grin :-D).