Alright, I know this is a bit shorter than the first chapter, but it felt like a natural place to stop. Once again, I own nothing. If I did, Castle and Beckett would do the deed and fill our fangirling hearts with joy. As always, comments and reviews are welcome and do encourage me to update quicker. I hope you enjoy the next installment!
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"Castle, turn the music down. I can hardly hear myself think." Beckett shouts over the loud music streaming through the speakers, the bass ruffling her pant leg. Turing the music down, he turns his head slightly but still keeps his eyes forward watching the road. A cheeky smile forms on his lips as he says with child-like vigor "Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"Just about how much extra I'll be getting for my Christmas bonus this year…" she says, adjusting the safety belt across her chest to rest against her shoulder.
"Christmas bonus? Is that where all of our hard earned tax money goes, Detective?"
"Nope," she turns her head to face him, "some of it goes to certain cappuccino machines that a some people deem necessary." Cocking her head slightly to the side she raises one eyebrow.
"oh, ho ho, Detective Beckett. You know you love that frothy goodness…"
Kate turns her gaze back to the road not dignifying him with a response. Castle turns the music back up and soon they are at their destination. The gravel drive makes a crackling noise under the tires as the car bumps to a halt. The boatyard is rather small, but is filled with many boats of different sizes, most of them covered with white or blue tarps still on from winter storage.
"You ever been to a boat yard, Detective?" Castle says, stepping out of the car and grabbing an overnight back from the back seat of the car.
"I can't say that I have, Castle." She says, closing the door and resting her lingering hand on the edge of the car.
"It's really exciting. There are so many machines and tools around…it makes me feel so powerfully masculine."
As they begin to make their way toward the docks, Kate chimes in. "Are you sure that your frothy dalliances and late-night games of adult laser tag with teenagers don't get in the way of that?"
Castle shoots his gaze quickly to her, laughing "Fun-ny!" placing emphasis on the two syllables. Kate smiles in triumph. They walk another minute to the end of the dock as they come upon Castle's boat. The boat itself is easily 100 ft. long and has three giant masts, billowing sails hanging from the poles. The two hulls rest half-sunken in the dark blue water. The steering wheel Kate can only describe as something you'd see on a pirate ship, old and wooden with many protruding handles to grab at.
"Here we are, my woman of the sea."
"Castle, this is your boat?" Kate's eyes brim as she stares at the contraption, not allowing Castle to see the shock on her face.
"Yeah. It's called a Catamaran. Alexis and I spent a few months here after divorce number one. We needed a place to stay until we found an apartment in the city."
"Castle, this is…I can't…It's a…It's huge."
"Three bedrooms to be exact. Hey. You know me. When I do things, I like to do them big and with class."
"Big? Yes. Class? Debatable."
"Ouch!" Castle brushes his knuckles against his shirt. Beckett whips around and gives him a suspicious look.
"Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?" Turning back around, she marvels at the boat, itching to step inside and check it out.
"Why must you always doubt me, Detective?" He asks, a mock hurt look appearing on his face.
"I've learned that there's always been a reason to, Castle."
Shrugging the bag off his shoulder, Castle reaches in and digs around for a minute. He begins talking as he is still bent over. "I know bits and pieces, but what I don't know-" he stands up, revealing in his hand an Idiot's Guide to Sailing, "I can look for in here."
Crossing her arms, she lets out an exasperated sigh. "This better be a joke, Castle. A very unfunny joke."
He laughs as he taunts her. "I'm just playin with ya Detective, I'm just playyyyin!"
Hopping on the boat, he offers his hand out to her "Come on. You know you want to"
Standing still on the dock contemplating her options, she comes to the decision she needs no persuasion with. Against her better judgment, she grabs a hold of his hand as he gently maneuvers her across the gap.