After Knockdown
Her visit at Riker's had been unsurprisingly fruitless. On the ride back to Manhattan, Kate replayed the partial conversation she had had with Lockwood. I will get him to talk to me someday, Kate thought determinedly, "it is, in the long run, only of matter of time – and I have got plenty of that!"
It was early evening and she wasn't on call, so instead of driving to the precinct to do some long overdue paperwork, Kate headed directly to her apartment. Apart from her futile trip to prison, there was this one other incident that kept her mind from taking a long-wanted break: the kiss that she and Castle had shared a couple of nights ago was something that could not be ignored – the memory of it had burnt itself in her heart and now, Kate felt like slow burn of passion upon her mind, every time she had to think of Castle's lips on hers.
Arriving at home, Kate tried to distract herself from thinking about their kiss any longer, but soon, she had to admit to herself that it was a lost cause. Neither cleaning up her kitchen nor reading a thrilling book could help her keep her mind off of Castle…..
Well, isn't this great, she cursed internally, I guess there is nothing else I can do, and while thinking that, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Castle's number. At hearing the ringing sound, she almost lost her confidence and was tempted to end the call, when,
"Hello Beckett, why are you calling? I thought you weren't on shift today…" Castle began their talk.
"Yeah, you're right," Kate replied undetermined, "well, I, … look, I was calling you because…. " she stuttered, not sure how to continue their conversation.
"Kate, is everything alright?" Castle inquired somewhat worried. "You sound rather shaken up…. did Lockwood give you a hard time at Riker's?" he asked cautiously.
"No, not at all, he was as mute as a fish, giving me the cold shoulder treatment and some eye-staring, but, hey, you know me, that won't scare me away," Kate told him with a soft chuckle.
"Ok, if it's not about you facing Lockwood, then why are you calling? There must be something bothering you Kate – and don't tell me it's nothing, because I do know your NOTHING, Kate Beckett" Castle told her in a knowing, sympathetic voice.
Oh, Rick, if only I could tell you what keeps my mind spinning…. these tempting thoughts of your blue eyes, gazing into mine, your strong, masculine arms pulling me into a tight, warm embrace, your luscious lips meeting mine, the intoxicating taste of your mouth, our tongues clashing in….
"Kate, did you just say something about the intoxicating taste of my mouth and clashing tongues…?" Rick almost yelled in his mobile. He had absolutely no idea what to think about the words that had just come out of his partner's beautiful mouth. Hell, I guess I am going slightly mad, or I must have died and gone to some kind of Beckett-heaven, he shook his head in disbelief.
Realizing that she must have involuntarily vocalized her fantasies, Kate stood frozen in shock, her mobile glued in her hand, pressed tightly to her right ear. Her left hand had wandered to her mouth, covered it in sheer panic.
Oh, shit, shit, shit, Kate cursed mentally, closing her eyes in the process, did I just say tha ?
"Kate, are you still with me…" Castle asked tentatively, now a little worried that he might have pushed too far with his spontaneous remark.
"Ehm, yeah, sure, I'm still here, Castle", Kate replied embarrassedly. "Look, about what I just said, can we just forget about it? I guess it was just my overtired brain forming random thoughts," she tried to explain, but had to admit that even to herself this statement sounded pretty lame.
"Kate, I don't believe you," Castle insisted in a calm voice. "This was much more than just your 'overtired brain'… listen, funny coincidence, I am currently just two blocks away from your place, why don't we discuss this eye-to-eye?" he suggested gently. "I will bring some Chinese food on my way. See you in 20 minutes"
Before Kate had a chance to reply, Castle quickly ended the call and left her speechless…