Chapter 2

Look Out The Window At That Storm

Rick sat staring out the window, his mind replaying what happened in the conference room over and over. He didn't look—couldn't look at her, because he wasn't sure he wouldn't try to kiss her again. He thought he could control himself, but—dammit—she started it.

The car trudged through the snow, fighting through the drifts. The roads had been plowed at least twice, but four or so inches still laid over them and Kate's radio already announced that New York City had been put into a state of emergency. She called dispatch to make she wasn't needed. She wasn't, much to her relief which she wore on her face. She did look beat.

The case hadn't been an especially hard one, but he had a feeling it was more of what happened during the entire year that had worn on her, more than just work. She stared death in the face for a time, got a good look and was able to walk away.

Then she shut him out.

That didn't bother him anymore, he was over that. What he wasn't over was her kissing him. He knew she hadn't meant too, at least as much as one can mean not to kiss someone. It just happened, the surprise on her face said that much.

He finally turned from the window to look at her all bundled up in coat and hat and he wondered if she really did have someone to spend Christmas with. She didn't lie often to him, but she had in the past. Was it really his business though if she was? Yes, he decided. He needed to know. She didn't deserve to spend the day alone if that was the case. Not after everything. He wanted to spend it with her, to remind himself that she was still there, still with him.

"Kate?"

"Hm?" She didn't look over and her brow furrowed in concentration as she steered the car through the snow, fighting to keep it from sliding.

"Who are you spending Christmas with?"

"Castle, not now. All right?"

"Sorry, just curious. Would you rather talk about the kiss?" He saw her blush which made her look like she had a few shots of hard liquor, a sight he had only seen at the Old Haunt.

"What kiss? Can't you sit there and be quiet for a bit?"

"Come on—" His phone rang in his jacket pocket and Rick sighed, pulled the phone up and answered it. "Castle."

"Hey, Dad," said the voice on the other end and Rick couldn't help but smile. "Can you talk, or are you and Detective Beckett busy?"

"No, she's just giving me a ride home. What's going on, sweetie?" He saw Kate glance over and so he turned to her and placed a hand to the mic of the phone. "It's Alexis, not some random woman."

"I knew that." Kate said in annoyance, and he had to wonder if she really did. He shrugged as Alexis started to talk.

"—And with the snow, I think it would just be better if I stay here."

"Which friend are you watching movies with again?"

"Sam, why?"

"Sam being a female…?"

"Yes, Samantha is a girl, Dad." Alexis said, her voice taking on a tinge of annoyance.

"Just wondering," he said and turned when he felt Kate's eyes on him. He saw her eyes dart back to the windshield when he did so. "I don't have a problem with that, have a good time and don't eat too much junk food."

"Same to you."

He laughed. "There goes my plan of ice cream for dinner."

"Dad…"

"I'm only kidding, I already had like three doughnuts." He could imagine her scowl and her nose scrunching up in anger. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Hopefully, who knows when this snow will lift."

"Soon enough, I'm sure. Love you."

"Love you too, Dad," she said and then hung up. Rick smiled as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

"Alexis all right?" Kate asked after a moment.

"She's doing fine, staying at a friends tonight. The evening is going to be lonely."

"I'm sure you can find someone to spend time with." Did she still think he had girls just waiting in wings? He gave a frown and turned to the window. Or maybe, if he wanted to dream, she meant her?

"If you say so."

They sat in silence the rest of the way to his apartment, which took much longer than usual. The quiet was beginning to drive Rick a little stir crazy, and he couldn't describe his relief when they pulled up in front of his building.

"Here we are." Kate said, turned to him with the car still running. "See you later?"

"Yeah," Rick opened the door and tried to stop his teeth from chattering as he stepped out into the snow garnished wind. He drew his coat together and went to the back of the car to get his gifts. "Um, Beckett…"

"What?"

"You think you can help me get these upstairs?" He lifted the two bags from the seat to show that one of them had ripped, the gifts slipping through.

"Can't you carry them?"

"Some help would be appreciated, but if you don't want to…" He heard her sigh and then the engine cut off. She got out, rounded the car and slid in beside him to pick up the broken bag. They were so close, squeezed in the door, that he could practically feel her warmth through the coats. She gave him a sheepish look and then shifted away and out of the car. "Thanks."

She gave a curt nod. "Let's go, I'm freezing."

He moved past her, took note of how the snow laid over her hat and the way her cheeks and nose took on a rosy appearance that for some reason he found exceptionally cute. He wouldn't tell her that, for fear of his own life, but he could lock away the image for his own memories.

"Good Evening, Mr. Castle," The doorman said as he held the door open, his long, heavy jacket fluttering in the wind.

"Evening, Maurice. Enjoying the weather?"

He shook his head, grinned under his well trimmed beard of white. "A little snow is fine, a lot? Not so much. I heard on the radio they've shut down a lot of roads."

"Seriously?" Kate asked as she came in.

"Sadly, it's true, Miss Beckett." He took a glance out the door. "Just too much snow to clear. It's funny, they were just calling for one to two inches. We must have at least a foot."

"Yeah, funny," Kate said and Rick could feel her glare on the side of his face.

"It's not all bad, most of the roads around here are staying pretty clear and I hear the subway is running on time."

Rick gave a small laugh. "When has that ever happened?"

"I think that record has been lost." Maurice said with a grin. "You two have a nice evening."

"Oh, I'm not staying, just helping Castle get his things upstairs and then heading back out."

He nodded. "Very well, I'll be here when you come down."

They both went into the elevator, stood on either side of it and rode up in silence. The elevator dinged and Rick let her out first, followed her down the hall until she stopped at his door and turned, waited. He gave her a waning smile, unlocked the door, flipped the lights on and went in. Christmas lights blinked around the bookcases at one end of the room and on garland that rounded the pillars.

Near the windows, across from where they stood, was the Christmas tree where the piano usually sat. Beneath it laid a number of presents, stacked upon each other like a glittering tower.

"Thanks for the help," he said and went to the table, dropped the bag there. "You want a drink?"

"No thanks, Castle. I think I'll just get going." She said as she placed the bag she'd been holding beside his.

"One drink," he said as he removed his scarf and jacket and laid them over the back of a chair.

"No." He walked to her, reached up and pulled her hat off which messed up her hair so that some fell into her face. She gave him an annoyed look and reached for it. "Castle."

"One drink, as a thank-you for helping." She began to tap her foot which he thought of as a bomb ticking down. He needed to defuse and quickly. "One drink and then you can go. Come on, Kate, it's cold out there. One drink to warm you up."

She gave a frown. "I shouldn't…"

The timer had slowed. He smiled and moved behind her, gently led her toward the couch. "You should. I'll get the fire going so you can warm up some."

He made her sit, and was surprised she let him. She looked so tired as she laid back, sunk into the cushions. He left her and went to the fireplace, turned it on with a remote and made a turn for the kitchen where he started to sort through his wine case.

"Can you put on the stereo?"

She turned to look at him over the top of the couch. "If some kind of date music comes on I'm dragging you out and burying you in the snow."

"It's Christmas music, Miss Violent." He said as he struggled with the cork of a wine bottle.

She stood, walked to where the stereo sat on a shelf and pushed the power button and then went back to the couch, removed her scarf. The sounds of Christmas came through the speakers as he finished pouring two glasses and came back to the couch, handing her one.

"Wine?"

"What?"

"Wine won't warm me up." She said and sniffed at it after swirling it around in the glass.

"No, but the fire will while you drink it."

"Did you plan this?" She tried it suspiciously and then smiled as she swallowed.

"Did I plan what? You helped me, I'm giving you a glass of exquisite wine. Seems fair to me."

"Mhm…" she took another sip and he watched her eyes dance around the room. "You sure do like to decorate, don't you."

He shrugged, settled into the couch a few inches from her and took a gulp of wine. Not what you should do with good wine, but his nerves were fraying. He didn't actually think she'd stay, and now that she was, he didn't know what to do to entertain.

"I enjoy it and it's even more fun with Alexis. We always do the tree together, it's tradition."

Kate nodded, looked it over as it's lights blinked. "Looks like it's only half finished though."

"We were going to finish it tonight, but…" he motioned with his glass toward the window. "Doesn't look like it's going to happen."

"Well, you could work on it some, couldn't you?"

"I could, but it's better with two people. Doing it by myself just wouldn't be as much fun."

Kate took a long sip of wine and then put her glass on the coffee table before she stood. She slipped out of her jacket and tossed it to the other chair. "Come on, we can do some of it so there won't be as much to do when she comes back tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" He stood as well, moved next to her.

"It'll be fun."

"Good, then you can get on the ladder and do the top." He said and she narrowed her eyes at him, smiled still.

"Not in these boots."

He shrugged. "Can't blame a guy for trying."

"I'm sure I could, but we'll let it go this time."

Rick went to his study and returned a moment later with a large crate and dropped it by the tree. The two began to place ornaments on the tree as the snow fell outside the windows. The room quickly took on a cozy feel that Rick hadn't felt in years. It felt almost right decorating the tree with Kate, and really, how could it ever feel wrong? She was laughing at his stupid jokes and listened intently when he explained some strange ornament (of which there were a few) and the stories behind them.

"I need to hear the story on this one." She said holding up a humanized reindeer which wore a skimpy Santa costume. "I'm surprised Alexis hasn't thrown it away."

Rick laughed and took it from her, hanging it on the back of the tree. "I won it in a Christmas poker game from Patterson. I keep it because I think it's funny and as a memory of winning one of the few games with him. Alexis has tried, but I rescued it."

"You would," she took a sip from her second glass of wine and while doing so she noticed her watch, nearly spat out the wine. "Is it really that late?"

"I don't know, how late does your watch say?" She didn't answer him, instead she put the glass down and moved to the chair with her coat. "Kate?"

"It's after twelve, I need to get home."

"Do you?"

"Yes," she said, throwing her arms into the coat. "I have to be in early tomorrow… dammit."

"And you couldn't stay here tonight?" He asked and she stopped fumbling with her gloves and looked up. "I mean, it's still snowing and the roads have to be covered. I don't think your little crown-vic is gonna make it."

"It'll make it."

"And if it doesn't? You could be stuck out there all night, could die from hypothermia, or get frostbite and lose a toe."

"And now your writer's imagination is running away with you."

"Maybe, but do you want to put me through that kind of worry? That'd be harsh."

"I'm a big girl, Castle."

"Not without your heels." She laughed though he could tell she didn't want to. "Come on, it's cold out there, and warm in here. I'll take the couch, you can have the bed."

"Yes, and I'm sure I won't find you there by morning."

"Such little faith in me? I promise I'll be a good boy if that's what you want. Besides, Santa is watching."

She had stopped with her scarf in her hands, and seemed to be seriously considering his offer. Maybe Christmas was the time for miracles. "You would still believe in Santa."

"Maybe, and what's the harm?" He asked and she walked past him and to the window. She put her face against the glass, placed a hand to her cheek to keep the glare down and stared out. "It's not so bad believing in magic, is it?"

"No… I guess not."

"Glad you—" He stopped when the lights suddenly shut off and the entire loft was thrown into darkness, save for the dancing flame of the fireplace. "Well, that's not good."

"Great," Kate said as she turned around, silhouetted against the windows. "Guess I am stuck here."

"Don't sound too happy now," Rick said as he went searching for a flashlight. He found one in the kitchen and using it he tracked down some candles and a pack of matches. Coming back into the living room he could see the backlit form of Kate removing her jacket. He hadn't planned this, but so far things couldn't have been going better… save for the power going out.

He sat the candles down and had just lit a match when the fireplace went out with a small woosh. Rick cursed as he touched the flame to the candlewick. "Seriously?"

"It's electric?" Kate asked as she sat next to him.

"No, it's gas." He got up with the candle and tapped the thermostat that laid beside the fireplace. It did nothing. He gave a sigh. "It's gonna get cold here tonight."

"Lovely," Kate said as he came back to the couch and sat down next to her.

"You'll be fine, you have the bed, I'm the one that will be out here with a sheet. I might be Frosty tomorrow."

"Yeah… look, I can take the couch."

He laughed. "If you think I'm letting you turn into a Kate popsicle, you're mistaken."

"But it's okay if you turn into a Rick popsicle?" She reached behind her, picked up the blanket that laid on the back of the couch and slid it around her shoulders. After a moment of getting settled she shifted over to him and placed an arm around his shoulders, pulled him close to her so that the blanket laid around him as well.

He took the edge of it and pulled it tight so that Kate was against him which sent his heart thumping against his chest. He could smell her perfume of which he took a deep breath of and then let it slowly. He couldn't help but focus on the scent, on the closeness of her to him. Had she even initiated this kind of closeness with him before?

"Can I ask you something?"

He looked down, found her staring up at him, her eyes glinting with the light of the candles. "Anything."

"Could we make it?"

He canted his head for a moment and she gave a frown. "Make it?"

"Nevermind, it's the wine talking." She looked away and to the candles. "My mouth is moving on it's own."

"It's a lovely mouth, by the way."

She laughed and he realized what he said. Guess the wine affected him as well. "Yours isn't so bad either."

"Your lips are the best part." He said as he slipped his arm over her shoulder. Hell, if the wine excuse was good enough for her, it was for him as well. "Why did you kiss me back at the station?"

He felt her tense slightly and then relax. "I wanted to I guess. It just sort of happened."

"You kiss a lot of guys like that?"

"Everyone I meet," when he didn't laugh she jabbed her elbow into his side which made him cry out. "I was kidding. No, I don't randomly kiss guys."

"Just writers?"

"Shut-up, Castle." She said and placed her head against his shoulder, sighed in a very girlish way and he couldn't help the small thrill that ran up his spine.

"Shutting up."

They sat there on the couch, enjoying each other's warmth for a while, and Rick didn't move until he heard Kate's breathing soften. He looked over, found the woman pressed against his shoulder, her arms snaking around him. Her lips, the ones that had met his not so long ago, were parted. Her upper body rose and fell in a slow rhythm and he found himself mesmerized.

He shifted slightly, careful not to wake her and moved her so that she laid more on his chest which he figured would be a little softer and stopped her from putting his arm to sleep. She murmured a complaint in a soft voice that made him smile. He laid back, his fingers combing through her hair.

He turned his eyes to the candles and thought of last year's Christmas. She worked then too, and he had gone in during the day to surprise her. She was sitting in her chair, surrounded by Christmas lights and other festive things, but she didn't notice any of it. She had her nose practically buried in a folder, and he could see her eyes shifting over the words.

He didn't say anything to her, just walked up to her desk, sat down and placed the cup of coffee and bear claw on the side of her desk. He could still see the look she gave him, the confused, but 'thank goodness you're here' look that he didn't get often. They didn't speak still, just sat next to each other, sipping coffee and she nibbled away at the bear claw.

When she finished he reached out, tapped the back of her hand which made her look over. He grinned and told her Merry Christmas. She said the same, and together they sat and talked for the rest of her shift. That was enough then. This was enough now. He could live off this moment for a long time to come.

Maybe someday there would be more. He leaned down, kissed her forehead because he could get away with it and she snuggled in a little closer.