Thank you to the people who gave feedback on the last chapter! Here is the next.
Disclaimer - Not mine!
Beckett had spent the whole flight burying her happiness. She dove into the case file as soon as they had taken off and briefed the team thoroughly, spending little time talking alone with Castle. She didn't want him knowing he had made her week, maybe her month, by coming on this trip. The word trip made it sound like something fun. It wasn't fun, this was still a murder case and they were still working – Beckett just had to realise that.
There was still another 20 minutes until they landed and there was not another tiny detail Beckett could say about the case, she had said everything possible. She could feel Castle's stare hot on her face. It was time.
She bit her lip.
"So Castle….what happened to the meeting with the producers?"
"There was somewhere I'd rather be" he answered her with a smile.
"So you just go ahead and cancel because of a dead body? Smooth Castle smooth"
"Yeah well, I can do that another time and I dunno…"
"And?"
"And I didn't want you and the boys having all the fun without me".
He pouted. And it was possibly one of the cutest things Beckett had ever seen. She smiled.
"Don't worry Castle, the fun is only just beginning"
The heat when they stepped out of the airport was overwhelming. That certain Floridian smell hit them like no tomorrow. Castle was first to drop his bag and take off his jacket as quickly as he could. The boys immediately did the same, but Beckett had thought ahead and was already wearing a grey light t-shirt.
"Oh..my..God" Ryan started, "It's so warm!" he whined.
"Get used to it, we may have to chase down suspects in this heat" Beckett walked away to their car rental.
Ryan and Espo's jaws dropped simultaneously. Castle couldn't resist giving them a cheeky grin before running after Beckett. Beckett picked out her phone from her bag before stuffing it into Castle's arms. Punching Captain Gates' number into her device she stopped and turned to face a framed map of Florida on a pillar.
"Sir we have landed"
The boys huddled around her, each of them staring at the map.
"Oh my God! They have a Cheap-o Chees-o Burger just 2 minutes away" Castle exclaimed.
Beckett swung round and hit him lightly in the arm, giving him the 'shut-up-because-Gates-is-on-the-phone' look.
"Sorry" he whispered.
"Yes Sir, we are waiting for our car to be brought to us"
Espo and Ryan started to walk towards a vending machine, that just so happened to have air-con right next to it. Castle chuckled as he watched them, they really weren't used to this heat.
"Well we can either stay in the hotel that the vic was found, or we can stay at the next one over which is a drive away from the crime scene. Yes, of course. Ok Sir" Beckett hung up the phone.
"So we are staying where?" Castle asked with genuine interest.
"We're gonna go to the hotel the victim was found in, Swan Terrace Hotel"
"Awesome" Castle replied picking up his bag and passing Beckett's back to her.
"Hey Ryan, Espo, we've got our hotel and I think our cars just pulled up, lets go"
The boys stepped away from the air-con machine, with silent yet oh so loud moans.
The car journey was pleasant. Beckett let Espo drive, she was rather worn out if she was honest with herself. Ryan sat up front, and Castle sat to Beckett's right. There wasn't much conversation, just a comfortable silence. Castle spent most of the ride looking out the window. Florida was epically different from New York, and everyone knows that Castle likes different. Ryan had a map on his lap, enjoying the air-con blasting from the front, which blew his hair slightly every now and then.
Ryan broke the silence. "Next right here, and then straight forward and we should be there"
Espo complied with Ryan's instructions and within a minute they saw the sign for the hotel. Swan Terrace Hotel was, in all honesty, nothing spectacular. It was a basic hotel, nice gardens, swimming pool and a fantastic bar. It would be suitable for the team's stay.
Beckett led the team to the desk and smiled at the male receptionist who occupied it. The young man, named Sam by his tag, smiled at them.
"How may I help you?"
"Hi, we need four rooms, we have no booking as this is a spur of the moment kind of trip"
Beckett didn't want to inform the receptionist that they were actually there for a murder investigation just yet. Word could get out and people had time to cover more tracks or leave town and she didn't want that.
"Okay, that shouldn't be a problem, let me just check in the system the best rooms for you all. What's the name please?"
"Beckett. Miss Beckett"
"Ok Miss Beckett, bear with me a second please"
Sam typed away, his expression changing.
"Ah there seems to be a slight problem. There is a charity event Friday evening and I'm afraid to say that I will only be able to offer you two rooms"
Castle, Beckett, Ryan and Espo simultaneously echoed "What?"
"The event takes priority over all bookings I'm afraid, I could offer you the two rooms on a discounted price?"
"Um no, thank you" Beckett turned the team "I need to call Gates"
Castle, Ryan and Espo hung round curiously waiting to see their hotel room fate. It was getting on into the evening, just gone half nine. Everyone was starting to get tired and cranky. Beckett returned less than 2 minutes later with a half bewildered half angry tone to her presence.
"Well?" Espo asked.
"She wants us to stay here" Beckett replied, waiting for a reaction.
"Dare I ask...how is that going to work?" Castle piped up. He looked tired.
"I don't know" Beckett answered honestly.
Silence created an awkward moment between them all.
"We should all have single beds right?" she asked Sam, who was still eagerly awaiting their decision.
"Actually, no Miss, the available rooms are double beds"
It was Ryan's turn to speak, "Well this is awkward"
Beckett ran a hand though her straightened hair "This is awkward"
"Two of us will just have to sleep on the floor" Castle put forward.
"I aint sleeping on no floor! I want to be able to walk tomorrow morning, and floors do nothing for my back bro!~ Espo defended.
"Il sleep on the floor" Castle said, too tired to be standing around in the lobby arguing.
"Wait, is there a sofa? I know this is making fun of myself but I can fit on a sofa" Ryan suggested.
Sam checked his screen.
"Actually yes, one of the rooms has a cushioned sofa"
"Wait, so that means I have to go in with Castle?" Beckett sprung to life.
"Im going to be on the floor. Even if I wanted to try it on, I couldn't because I am too tired" Castle genuinely sounded exhausted.
Hesitantly she turned back to Sam, "Ok, we'll take them''.
END OF CHAPTER TWO
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