Author's Note: Sanctuary Bingo Entry. Sorry, I coldn't resist :)
Prompt: Crack

Helen Magnus stood on the top of the Empire State Building and sighed, enjoying watching the sun set over New York. The wind ruffled her hair and the silk fabric of her crimson evening dress rippled against her skin, like the gentle caress of a lover's touch. Voices nearby told her that the other guests were beginning to arrive and she turned from the magnificent view, a polite smile on her lips as curious eyes appraised her. The majority of the New York socialites wouldn't recognise her; it had been many years since she had been involved in any of the social events. She spotted the Mayor as he entered, his beautiful wife on his arm, and gave him a genteel wave which he returned with a smile. She made her way over to him, ignoring the stares of the social climbers and gold diggers that frequented the circuit.

"Bob, how lovely to see you," Helen greeted him, placing a chaste kiss on each of his cheeks and receiving the same. "And Jessica, you look ravishing, as ever," she complemented his wife as they greeted each other.

"Helen, it's been far too long," Bob told her, his wife nodding her agreement. "You must pop in for dinner soon; tell us all about what's happening in Old City and who is the replacement for Wexford."

"Of course. As soon as I appoint a new Head of House, I'll bring them over to introduce you to each other," Helen promised, a warm smile on her lips.

"So, you're here to see him, are you? Never knew you were a fan..." Bob queried, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I, erm, yes. I heard about the event tonight and thought it would do me some good to get out," Helen told him, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

"You should come to our poker game sometime, the others would love to meet you," he teased her, watching her blush more obviously and secretly enjoying her momentary discomfort. It wasn't often he managed to get one over on Helen Magnus, and he was going to take full advantage of it now he could.

"Perhaps," she smiled, her attention becoming focussed elsewhere as the special guest arrived and her eyes locked with his.

##

He walked into the gathering being held on the 84th floor of the Empire State Building in his honour and stopped in his tracks, mesmerised by the sight before him. She was like nothing he had ever seen; a siren of perfect womanhood, surrounded by pale imitations who could never hold a candle to her beauty or allure. Her brunette hair was pinned up in a simple arrangement, the ends curling down towards her bare shoulders, as if yearning to kiss the porcelain skin below. Her flawless face bore little make up and certainly needed none, the pale skin seeming to glow in the light of the full moon overhead. While her face and figure told him she was perhaps in her early thirties, her eyes spoke volumes of the depths of her experiences; sorrows and joys, life and death.

She had seen them all, and more.

Heaven and Hell, all rolled into one. Angel and Devil, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.

The party to celebrate his new book, Frozen Heat, now forgotten, Richard Castle walked slowly towards Helen Magnus and smiled. Without either saying a word, he gathered her slowly into his arms and lowered his lips to hers, feeling her respond instantly as the world around them ceased to exist, at least for a little while.