Author Note:
Hey guys,
Thank you so much for all the reviews, alerts and favs. I've loved hearing from you and I'm really excited about the direction this story is headed in - so I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you especially to Zanna for fixing my grammar :)
I'm gonna take a second to apologise for the wait between updates. My muse and I had what I suppose you might call an artistic difference of opinion which took a while to work through :P
I've almost written up Chapters 3 and 4 though so hopefully I'll be able to settle into a pattern of regular updates. It starts getting good soon imo, so stick with it guys ;) Oh and there are a couple of things you may not understand - but don't worry we will revisit them!
Enjoy the chapter, and don't hesitate to let me know what you think!
-Leigh
Disclaimer:
Still don't own Castle. Still just playing in Andrew Marlowe's playground :')
Worlds Away
Chapter Two
They don't really talk on the way to the airport but Kate doesn't find it as uncomfortable as she was expecting, content just to listen to the small talk exchanged between Castle and his daughter. In a sense she's relieved by Alexis' presence because she's dispelling the otherwise palpable tension that's been present between them since day one, and even more so since their kiss on the roof.
The kiss which Kate is fighting desperately not to dwell on, while at the same time knowing that denial is futile. Hell, it's the proverbial elephant in the room. She can still taste him on her mouth. Every time she inhales she's breathing him in and it really is a good thing that Alexis is there because when it comes to Castle, her self-control has become seriously compromised.
The three of them are occupying the back seats of the town car, Castle sat between his two favorite girls. Kate's hand rests in the minimal space between them and as the journey progresses, she feels his fingers graze the side of her hand. His touch is so light it could almost be accidental, but there's a tiny grin on his lips and she knows him too well for that; she doesn't call him out on it though. She'll never admit this to him but she secretly likes the rare instances they touch and she'll miss the way their fingers brush under the pretext of him giving her coffee - because she knows that's on purpose too.
His fingers begin tracing small circles against her skin, and she's fighting to keep the smile from spreading across her face. Without saying a word she lets her hand rest atop his, and he pauses his motions, thinking she's about to reprimand him. His expression changes to one of surprised delight when she slides her hand into his, linking their fingers and giving him a gentle squeeze.
Her cheeks flush slightly because Castle is now watching her intently - his eyes flicking from her gaze to her lips - and she swallows hard, feeling her throat start to dry out. She knows exactly what he's thinking, and despite her best intentions she is too. She can't help it.
Their proximity is also becoming something of an issue and she suspects he's feeling just as much as she is, if his bodily reaction when she accidentally brushes against his thigh is an accurate assessment. His voice doesn't betray him - easily continuing the conversation he's having with Alexis - but Kate feels his body tense next to her, leaving her with no doubt that he's affected by the closeness. Her own knee is jiggling unconsciously and Castle lets it go for a couple of minutes, before deliberately sliding his palm across it.
Her nerve endings are tingling and her skin feels as though it's been burned from the contact, despite the layer of fabric between them. Kate is fighting desperately to maintain her composure, Castle on the receiving end of one of her looks. He just stares back, his face the picture of innocence but there's something all too knowing in his expression and she shakes her head in mock exasperation. That man.
"Try not to get into too much trouble in London - remember you've not got Detective Beckett there to get you out of it," Alexis chatters on animatedly, oblivious to the silent conversation that her dad and Kate are having, and it makes the detective's heart leap slightly with at the fondness behind Castle's replies.
"Hey, I resent that! I'll have you know I managed perfectly fine until our dear detective hauled me in for questioning."
Kate nudges him sharply in the ribs for his jibe, but it doesn't stop her from retorting, "Well what can I say? I guess I didn't know what I was letting myself in for."
"Don't lie, you love it," Castle comments cheekily. "Just for that, you'll be the first person I call in the event I get into any trouble."
"Might I remind you there's a 5 hour time difference. I'm telling you now if it's before 7am, you're on your own." Kate teases, exchanging a look with Alexis.
"You wound me Detective," Castle pouts, clutching his chest in mock agony and leaving both his daughter and Kate amused at his theatrics.
"Oh you'd know if I had."
"Anyway pumpkin, I wouldn't worry too much about me. I'm not the one who has to live with your Grams for the next year!"
"Well I already raised one parent..." Alexis quips, leaving the sentence open ended, with more than enough room for interpretation. She flashes Kate a wink and the detective actually giggles.
"Touché," Castle nudges his daughter good-naturedly although he can't help but to smile at the way she and Kate seem to be getting on, even if they are laughing at his expense.
"Where is hurricane Martha anyway?" Kate finally joins in the conversation; anything to draw her attention away from the way his fingers are now tracing patterns against the fabric of her pants - the fact that she keeps shooting him almost unnoticeable glares doing little to deter him. She'd almost go so far to say that the more she gives Castle a reaction, the more it encourages him, though really she shouldn't be surprised by this- it's not like he hasn't spent his entire time shadowing her blatantly disobeying the rules. Why should this be any different?
"She had a callback," Alexis jumps in, offering Kate a smile and an explanation, "If she gets the part, I've a feeling I'm gonna be hiding in my room for the next four months."
"Well you know where I live if you need a break," the offer is out there before her brain processes it, and she can tell both father and daughter are surprised by it but Alexis grins and she nods her appreciation. "Thanks Detective Beckett."
"What about you Castle? Aren't you worried the loft might not be standing when you get back?" Kate hides a smile at the fleeting look of panic on Castle's face, as she turns the conversation back to him. "Relax, I was joking." He opens his mouth to speak and maybe it's a measure of how well she knows him, but she cuts him off before he can even get the words out, "And no, I will not babysit your mother. One Castle is more than enough."
"But she's a Rodgers-" Castle points out smartly, thankful the car has stopped moving because the look on Kate's face is something between annoyance and exasperation and as she never fails to remind him, she is carrying a gun. As it is she settles for throwing him yet another look and giving him a sharp dig in his ribs, indicating that she'd appreciate him getting out of the car and not taking all day about it.
Castle helps their driver unload the boot of the car and it's all Kate can do not to comment on the fact that there are six large suitcases and a large duffel bag on wheels now stood by their feet. Alexis correctly interprets the look on her face. "Anyone would think you were emigrating Dad," she teases. "What exactly did you pack in there?" She looks around for Kate, who is no longer stood next to them.
The Detective returns a few seconds later with a luggage cart, and looks at Castle expectantly. "I figured you'd need one." The beginnings of a grin have formed on his face and she knows that look too well. Its one that means he's contemplating letting his inner nine year old out to play, and the twinkle in his eye gives her fair idea what he's thinking.
"Well I guess there's no point in telling you not to even think about it," she begins, trying unsuccessfully to keep the amusement out of her voice, "but let me stop you right there." Her eyes narrow slightly and she purses her lips.
Castle gives her a winning grin, and she wants to smile back, but instead focuses on hauling one of his cases up onto the cart. Alexis is watching the exchange with amusement and she leans across, dragging the duffel bag up onto the cart. "C'mon Dad, she got you. Admit it. It's probably just as well after the last time."
"What happened last time?" Kate glances at Alexis curiously and neither of them miss the way Castle's attention suddenly becomes fixated on his luggage. The gleam in her eye is too familiar; he can see the smirk threatening to spread across her face and knows she'll have a field day with this story.
"You know I'm not above grounding you right?" Castle jokes and Alexis laughs brightly, accompanied by a roll of the eyes. He blinks twice, because in that moment its uncanny how much she's perfected that look.
"Please? Your idea of punishment involves forcing me to spends weekends eating ice cream and watching Desperate Housewives reruns." His daughter winks at Kate, who is unable to resist doing anything with this information. It is just too easy.
"That's real macho Castle. Tell me, do you talk hair, make up, and boys too?"
"Funny," he answers sardonically, but Kate would take him a little more seriously if she couldn't tell he was fighting the urge to smile.
"I guess he's still a little sensitive about it, so another time?" Kate gives Alexis an out but she can't help smirking at her partner, and he knows she won't be forgetting about this anytime soon.
"Sounds good to me Detective Beckett, you should stop by the loft sometime because trust me, you do not want to miss the pictures that accompany this story!"
Kate's grin only widens at Castle's obvious discomfort. "This just gets better."
Castle groans and both Kate and Alexis hear him mutter something that sounds distinctly like, "Women."
"Something you'd like to say Castle?" Kate teases and the writer does a double take when he looks up because both she and Alexis are standing, hands on hips, wearing identical amused expressions.
"That's creepy," he mutters, feeling thoroughly chastised but somehow he's unable to be too upset about it. He likes seeing this side to Kate, and the way she gets on with his daughter makes him certain that he could easily get used to this.
They make their way into the terminal lounge and Castle drags the cart over to the empty seats. "I could use a drink, you guys want anything?" Alexis announces suddenly, barely sitting before she stands back up. Kate glances at her watch; there's about forty minutes until Castle needs to check in and she think Alexis feels the need to give them a few minutes together.
She wants to protest that this really isn't necessary, because anything she's prepared to say to him right now can be said with an audience, but Castle speaks before she can. "Some gummy bears would be great," He starts hopefully, "These in flight meals taste awful - even in first class - and don't even get me started on the coffee."
This brings a smile to Kate's face. Typical Castle. "Monkey peed in battery acid?" she jokes.
Castle pulls a face. "Worse," he assures her, shuddering to further emphasize his point.
Alexis has been watching this exchange and she screws up her face in confusion. "I'll be back in a few guys."
There's silence in the wake of Castle's daughter's departure and he slides across into the seat Alexis has just vacated, closing the gap between himself and Kate. "Hey," he says, nudging her gently.
"Hi." She bumps him back, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips - despite the awkwardness she feels, which has returned tenfold now that they're alone together.
"Beckett I -" Castle starts, and she isn't entirely sure what he's about to say but at the same time she knows exactly where this conversation is headed. "We should talk," he finishes quietly, sensing her reluctance.
Kate sighs; every insecurity she's ever had about him, about them, rushes to the forefront of her mind and she has to fight the rising wave of panic. What made her think this was a good idea again? "What is there to talk about?"
"In a word - everything," he answers stubbornly, eyes searching her expression for anything reflected there that tells him she doesn't feel the same, that suggests she doesn't want this as much as he does. As he expects, he finds nothing. "We kissed, Kate."
Uncomfortable and suddenly unable to sit, she stands. "Yes, we kissed Castle, and I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you I regret it because I don't... but that's all it was." That's all it could be, at least for now. Kate begins pacing the floor in front of him, agitated, although her expression softens when she sees the look on his face.
"It doesn't have to be," Castle says hopefully, "You know I like you - and from your display on the roof I'm pretty sure you like me too." She rolls her eyes at the smugness that has crept into his voice but she doesn't speak, not trusting herself to not revert back to her usual techniques of evasion and denial. He stands up, catching her by the arm the next time she walks past.
"Please Castle - we can't do this now." She forces herself to meet his eyes, because she knows he'll only read more into it if she doesn't.
"Give me one good reason why not?" he counters stubbornly, staring her down. "We could be amazing."
Kate cards her free hand through her hair, her frustration rising again because he has to know that the timing is all wrong. "Yeah.. If you weren't leaving for London tonight-" She injects a certain degree of sarcasm into her voice, without stopping to consider the implication of her words.
"And you're using that as an excuse. Tell me Detective Beckett, what is it you're really afraid of?" He stops speaking, dread creeping into his stomach because he may have just pushed her too far. At least they're surrounded by people though - there will be plenty of witnesses if she decides to shoot him.
She glares at him for a minute, shrugging easily out of his grasp, the renewed use of her professional title not lost on her. An angry blush has risen on her cheeks, and she can feel her temper beginning to fray. He's eyeing her intently again and she exhales sharply, visibly deflating when she realizes she has nowhere to hide from him. "Castle, I can barely form relationships with men in the same country, let alone half a world away."
She doesn't spell it for him but they both know from what she doesn't say that she's talking about Will and Castle feels briefly guilty for forcing her hand but there's a small thought niggling at the back of his brain, and he has to say it. "That doesn't sound like you're saying never..?"
She has to admire his tenacity and it's that which prevents her from rolling her eyes again. "Castle I - we -" she starts, struggling to find the words because he's got her flustered now, and standing that close to him isn't helping either. She takes a step back out of his personal space and attempts to form a coherent response. "Look, you need to know I'm not good with this stuff. It's not fair of me to expect you to wait -"
"I know patience has never been my forte, but I've waited this long." Castle just shrugs off her concern and when she opens her mouth to interrupt, decides he's all played out so he might as well finish speaking. "You'll probably want to shoot me for saying this but-" He hesitates and watches her eyes widen in anticipation; she looks like a deer trapped in the headlights, but she masks this with her usual dry humor.
"I already want to shoot you Castle."
"Fair enough," he concedes, nervous laughter bubbling up in his throat. "I was just going to say that you're worth waiting for, Kate." He doesn't know what she was expecting to hear but he notes the look of relief that flits across her features, quickly chased away by the light blush that's creeping up across her cheeks again. He likes that he has the capacity to do that to her.
"That's sweet, Rick." His given name feels strange coming from Kate and they both seem to register this fact together. A shy smile plays on her lips and she leans forward slightly, hair falling forward and shielding her face from view while she schools her features into a more neutral expression. When she looks back up, he's wearing a ridiculous grin and she is torn between reaching for her gun and wanting to kiss that look off his face.
"I can't promise that this will work out... but let's just say that if we both still feel the same when you get back, we can take it from there. If you can agree to those terms then no, I guess I'm not saying never."
