So, a MASSIVE thank you to everyone for their wonderful reviews!
And just a small file note: Martha will appear in this story, though not until the end. Alexis, on the other hand, plays quite a large role. And it is set in the future which is why Ryan...well, I'll just let you read and find out... =D
Disclaimer: Does not own Castle
Chapter 2
The last time Castle had asked her to go away with him….well….it almost ended their friendship. Beckett wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. She could tell from his expression he was worried about what her answer would mean for them. They were both single, had been for almost half a year now, so there really was no excuse for her to say no.
"I'd love to, Castle." She heard her mouth reply before her brain had a chance to catch up.
He almost jumped out of his chair, excitement brimming from every pore on his body. His grin just about split his face. The nine year old boy within was starting to emerge again.
"Seriously? Oh, this is great. So awesome. Finish your paperwork now, we can leave straight away. Oh, I need to call Lucy and get the cabin readied. And I should call Alexis. And Mother. Do you have ski's? It's ok, we have spares. And you'll need really warm clothes, it gets freezing and-"
Cutting of his babbling rant, Beckett smacked his shoulder.
"Castle. Stop. Let me finish this paperwork and then we'll go get Remy's and talk, ok?"
Castle nodded, drumming his fingers on her desk excitedly. After a few minutes the irritating noise was too much and Beckett looked up from her paperwork.
"Castle! Go away! Go annoy Ryan or Esposito until I'm done."
Castle sighed dramatically but left her alone, deciding to find Ryan.
XXXXXXX
"So, the wife happy you're going to be home for a month?" Castle asked Ryan. Ryan had finished his paperwork and was cleaning up his desk. Castle wasn't making it easy on the young Detective, picking everything up and playing with it and then not putting it back where it belonged.
"Yeah, she's over the moon. Means I'll be there for a few weeks with her and the baby."
Castle watched Ryan and the happiness on his face as he talked about his very pregnant wife who was due any day now. He felt a tug in his gut…which he pretended was not jealousy.
"Well, I'll let you re-arrange the mess I just made. Have a Merry Christmas, Ryan. And be sure to let me know how everything goes with Jenny?" Castle embraced Ryan in a….as manly a hug as possible. It was a bit awkward for them both.
"Yeah, of course. Merry Christmas to you too, Castle." They grinned at each other, then Ryan grabbed his jacket and headed over to say goodbye to Beckett while Castle went in search of Esposito.
XXXXXXX
"Hey, Espo, my man!" Finding the other Detective coming up from the morgue (and most likely a little not-so-secret rendezvous with Lanie….), Castle slapped him on the back.
"Castle. Any plans for Christmas?" Esposito stopped and leant against the hallway wall. Castle suddenly wasn't too confident about the stance and look in Esposito's eyes.
"Uh…um…well, yeah, I've got a small cabin in the Adirondacks…might go up there for a bit."
Esposito nodded.
"Right. You plan on taking a certain brunette Detective with you?"
Ahh, nothing could get past Esposito.
"Maybe." Castle answered, already knowing the threats that were about to come his way. Why did everybody assume he was going to break her heart?
"Look Castle, I know you and Beckett have been close ever since …anyway… I hear anything….one single word about you not being on your best behavior…you better watch your back."
Castle nodded, afraid of saying anything in case his voice squeaked like a 5-year old girl.
"Well, Merry Christmas, Castle." With that, Esposito shook Castle's clammy hand and walked away. Wiping his palms on his pants, Castle shook his head, part in amusement and part in fear, and decided it was time to get his favorite Detective and treat her to some burgers.
XXXXXXX
"Hi Kate, Hi Rick."
Castle and Beckett smiled at the waitress as they sat down in their usual booth at Remy's.
"Hey Rachel. How are you today?" Beckett asked, pulling off her scarf.
"Great, thanks. You two after the usual?" She asked, pulling out her little writing pad.
"Certainly are, thanks Rachel." Castle said, flashing a charming smile. Rachel grinned, scribbled down their usual order and moved towards the kitchen.
"How come she gets to call you Kate and I don't?" Castle whined, slumping back in his chair like a petulant child. Beckett grinned.
"Build a bridge Castle. Now, tell me what I need to bring."
Castle began to rattle off a few essentials she would need to take to the cabin and Beckett made a mental list in her head. Soon enough their food arrived.
"Oh, Rachel, you are truly awesome. This looks great, as always!" Castle murmured, grabbing his burger and taking a large bite. Ketchup oozed out the side of his mouth and down his chin. Rachel laughed and handed a napkin to Beckett.
"Ha! I'm not his mother, he can clean himself up!" Beckett said and threw the napkin at Castle. He looked wounded, but cleaned himself up before grabbing the large strawberry shake and taking a loud gulp, knowing the reaction he would get from Beckett.
"Hey! Castle! That's to share, don't drink it all!" Grabbing the drink away from him, she held it hostage on her side of the table.
Rachel laughed at the pair. They always ordered one shake to share, and the same fight ensured every time. She really didn't understand these two.
"You have a good night, guys." With that, she left them alone to fight over the shake.
After finishing their meal, with minimal fighting over the shake and who ate more than their fair share of the fries, Castle paid the bill (he never let her pay) and they made their way back to the precinct and Beckett's car.
"So, if we leave first thing tomorrow, would that be ok?" Castle asked, stretching himself out in the passenger seat.
"Yeah…that's fine. There's…actually a few things at your place that I need to pack as well…" Beckett said, starting the car. Although Beckett stayed in Castle's loft more often than not, it wasn't something either were comfortable talking about. Well, Castle would be more than happy to discuss it, but he knew Kate Beckett almost better than she knew herself, and discussing the topic of her pretty much residing at his loft would undoubtedly scare her away.
"That's cool. What if we stop at your apartment now, you can grab what you need and then crash at mine tonight and we can leave first thing?"
"Yeah…ok, well when I said 'a few things' I actually kind of meant everything I would need is at your place."
Castle was silent so Beckett turned up the radio and slowly maneuvered the car through traffic towards his loft. Halfway there Castle turned the radio down and swiveled in his seat to face her.
"It means a lot, that you're coming with me." He said, his tone soft. Beckett glanced at him before looking back to the road.
"It means a lot that you asked, Castle."
Unsuccessfully they both tried to hide their pleased smiles.
TBC
