Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be. I'm just doing this for fun, and for my own sanity.
A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement to continue this! I really hadn't intended on it being more than a one shot when I first posted, so I guess we'll see where the story takes us. This has not been beta-ed so all mistakes are mine. Hope you enjoy the ride!
Again for Li. I wish I could be there right now and bring you a coffee, but this is the best I can do. Just remember the sun will come out tomorrow. ;)
Kate changed clothes several times before she finally decided on a dark purple shirt and jeans. It was silly, really. She and Castle were just going to talk, see where they were standing, right? It wasn't like she was going on a blind date or anything.
But this was a date... sort of.
The butterflies took off again, so she checked her Dad's watch. It was 5:30. She really needed to leave so Castle wouldn't think she was standing him up.
Oh, to hell with it. She was over-thinking this again. Quickly, she grabbed her ID, keys, and a wad of cash and stuffed them into her pocket as she grabbed her helmet and left.
It didn't take long for her to get to the parking garage and to her motorcycle. She needed to feel the power of the bike as she raced down the road toward The Old Haunt. She was hardly ever nervous about anything, and this shouldn't be any different, but, it was. Seriously. She saw Castle every single day. It was just something deep inside that knew the ride would help calm her racing heart.
Buildings and cars were all a blur as she sped down the streets, and before Kate knew it, she could see the sign a few blocks ahead. How she arrived so quickly, she'd never know, and there really wasn't anything she could do about it, either.
She drove the bike into a parking spot and pulled her helmet off, shaking out her hair once it was free. She put the helmet away and locked up the bike. It took her a moment or two before she pushed herself toward the building, stopping just as The Old Haunt loomed in front of her.
Kate remembered the first time going inside with Castle. It was different then, before he bought it, and he'd kept it basically the same, but gave it his own touch since. She enjoyed coming here after work to get a drink with the guys, but this time, this wasn't about a murder and it wasn't grabbing a drink after work.
She took a deep breath and walked through the door.
"Detective Beckett!"
The door hadn't quite closed when Kate looked up and saw it was Dalton, one of the new bartenders, calling to her. "Yes?"
"The boss told me you'd be dropping by," he said with friendly smile, "Said to make yourself at home by the jukebox and he'd join you shortly."
"Okay," she turned and found the booth set up by the jukebox.
As she made her way over, one of the waitresses stopped her and handed her a drink that was bright and fruity looking. It wasn't anything she'd normally go for, but she could tell it had Castle's fingerprints all over it. She took a sip, enjoying the citrus tang and the nice burn of the alcohol as it rolled over her tongue.
"Isn't it great?" Castle appeared right beside her, and took her hand in his as he walked with her to the booth. "It tastes like summer on the beach, don't you think?"
She took another sip as she took a seat on the bench across from him. "I honestly haven't really thought about it, but I can see where one could get that idea."
"It's something I've been playing around with for a while. A friend gave me the idea several months ago." Castle took the seat across from her, and he looked so happy. Happier than she'd ever seen him. "You're the first person to try it. Well, other than, you know, Mother, and a few of the employees here."
Kate couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, I guess?" She really wasn't sure how to respond.
He sat back and seemed to take her in for a time. "So... I guess you got all the paperwork in order, and got the guy behind bars?"
"Yeah, for attempted murder," she answered, "We haven't had time to link him to Montgomery's murder and the others, but I have a feeling it won't take long for the pieces to fall into place."
"Good. It's nice to see there's a light at the end of the tunnel."
She looked at him for a moment, thinking about what he'd just said. In so many ways, he'd been the light for her. Especially over the past few months.
"Yeah, it really is. Castle-"
Of all times for his phone to ring.
He pulled it out and checked the screen. "I don't recognize the number. They'll leave a voice mail if it's important." He turned the phone off. "I apologize for that. You have my full and complete attention now."
It was really strange for Kate, to see him totally cut off from everything like that, and give his attention to her. She felt her cheeks grow warm.
He took her hand, "You know, I think this might be easier if we go somewhere a little more private. Follow me?"
Kate nodded and let him lead the way. Of course, he took her to his downstairs office and made sure the door was secure behind them. "Okay, no noise, no distractions, just us."
She realized her hand was still in his, and pulled him a closer. "Just us," she repeated.
Castle smiled and ran his fingers through her hair, much like he did a few nights ago at the hangar. She found comfort in the touch, much like she did then. Only this time, she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you. For everything."
Slowly, his arms enveloped her as well, and he placed a kiss on the top of her head before he rested his cheek there. "Always, Kate."
His words never meant more to her than in that moment. Kate held onto him as all the events of the week, all the stress and sadness caught up with her. He was her lifeline, had been, actually for a long time, and it felt so good, and so right, to be here, in his arms.