In cuffed, once they've found their rhythm, Beckett suggests that they should run the three legged race together at the next police picnic. Also, there is a photo going around of Castle and Beckett at a picnic. So I thought I would write it. Set before the end of season 4 – so they aren't together yet! (As in, at the beginning of this story. By the end... well, you'll just have to read it, won't you?)


The Three Legged Race

Rick pulled on a loose cotton shirt and felt it stick to him immediately. It was so hot that even breathing was an effort. Part of him wished he could just stay in his air conditioned apartment watching Temptation Lane reruns, but he had promised Kate that he would go. He couldn't figure her out. One minute she was cool and distant, speaking vaguely about her walls... And the next, she was fluttering her eyelashes at him, saying things like "Next time, let's do it without the tiger," and persuading him to let her sign them up for the three legged race.

The three legged race at this damn picnic. It was to raise money for charity, so he could hardly refuse, but... A three legged race? He would never tell her, but he had actually trained. She was very fit, he knew she went running every day, as well as doing her combat training. He hadn't wanted her to be dragging him along so for about a month he had been trying to go running too. He had lost weight; Alexis was actually worried. Kate didn't seem to have noticed...


Kate put the fan in her car on maximum, blasting cold air into her face. She was still sweating. She wore a light blue t-shirt and three-quarter jeans. She was regretting the jeans; her legs were far too hot and sticky. She looked good, though. Her hair didn't much like the heat, but it was coping. It bounced around her shoulders. She would tie it up when she got out of the car; it would be unbearable otherwise. But she loved the feel of it blowing around, light and golden. It made her whole car smell like cherries... She wondered if Rick would notice.

She felt bad for thinking about it like that. She had dressed for him too. Her shirt was a good bit tighter than she would usually have gone for, and when she moved it showed of a line of her flat, tan stomach. She pulled up in front of his building and called his cell.

"I'm on my way," he said when he answered. "Just getting in the elevator."

She smiled at the sound of his voice. She did whenever she heard it and there was no one to see her. It made her feel so... good. Relaxed. Peaceful. As though everything was going to be okay.

He walked out of the building and squinted in the sunlight, unhooking his designer sunglasses from his shirt and putting them on. He got into the car and put the large hamper he was holding on the back seat. It was instantly warmer, but Kate didn't mind. He smelled good. She tried to inhale deeply without him noticing; he did exactly the same thing. She pulled out and began to drive to the small park the 12th was using for the event.

They didn't talk much in the car. Kate asked a question about Alexis, Rick made a comment about their last case. They didn't need to talk.

There was a large marquee in the middle of a huge field. Kate parked the car in the designated area and stepped out. She bent down to tie up her hair, combing it out below her head before swinging it up into a ponytail. She realised from Rick's gasp that he had enjoyed watching. She jammed her glasses back on with a grin.

"You can fantasise later, Castle. Right now we have a race to win."

He laughed weakly and followed her to the marquee. There were lots of stalls selling melting food and iced drinks that were quickly becoming lukewarm. They wandered around, spending a little money to support the charities, meeting up with Ryan and Esposito. Lanie was sunbathing in the field; she didn't seem to be affected by the heat the way the rest of them were.

Someone with a megaphone announced that the races would be starting soon. Ryan and Espo were also competing in the three legged race. Rick looked at Kate's feet.

"You're wearing sandals with heels?"

"I'm going to take them off," Kate said, chuckling. "We'll be faster; you can take your shoes off too."

She went to fetch a blanket from her car so they could sit to watch the other competitions. When she came back Rick had taken off his shoes and rolled up his jeans. They were a very similar shade to hers, as was his shirt.

"We even have a team dress code," he commented, noticing as well.

Kate kicked off her heels. "We do indeed. We'd better win, then."

"How much do you care about winning?" Rick asked, his tone joking but his question serious. Kate could be very competitive. Kate smiled.

"I wouldn't care at all. But I know there are a lot of bets against us. So I got brilliant odds – Lanie's put in $100 for me. If we win we could get over $1000 for charity."

"So you actually do want to win?"

"It would be nice. We'll get a certificate," she added. "Gates will have to present it."

Rick laughed. "Now I want to win too."

There were a few other races which they watched happily, laughing together. They couldn't see themselves, but anyone looking would have mistaken them for a young couple in love.

The time came for them to tie their ankles together. Kate went to get the cord and grinned when she was given a pair of handcuffs. She showed them to Rick and he made a face. Kate laughed.

"I know," she said. "I had a very different idea about what we'd be doing when we were next using some of these, too."

Rick gaped at her as she clicked the cuffs onto their ankles She stood up. Rick scooped her into him so their arms were around each other and they tried walking. It was easier than she had expected; he was very good at letting her lead. They made their way to the start line and checked out the competition. Ryan and Espo were the main threat – though some of the other teams had fast runners, they wouldn't be able to work together.

The gun went off and they started to run. Kate tried not to get the giggles when she saw Rick's concentrating expression. They ran, completely in sync. They had quite a lead on everyone, even Espo and Ryan. Kate was surprised by how quick Rick had become. He must have been training... She knew he had lost a bit of weight. He was looking fitter, and with her arm around him she could feel the muscles rippling under his shirt.

They were just feet from the finish line. The cuffs were getting hot; even the earth under their bare feet was uncomfortable to walk on for long. And then Rick tripped-

There had been a hole in the ground and they both went sprawling forward. They were inches away. Kate, not one to give up easily, grabbed Rick and practically hurled him over her so they rolled over the line, moments before Ryan and Espo.

"Did we win," Rick asked her, dazed.

"Yeah," she said breathlessly, still on top of him.

He shuddered when he realised she was straddling him. Someone unlocked the cuffs and they untangled themselves, feeling slightly awkward as they got up and brushed themselves off. Kate brushed a bead of perspiration from her forehead and caught Rick's eye. They'd left their sunglasses on the blanket. He grinned at her.

"Don't worry, I knew you'd do anything to win." He rubbed his knee.

"You okay?" she asked, suddenly worried. He said he was but she knelt in front of him and rolled up his jeans so she could see. There was a cut. She sighed as though he was her child, almost.

"Come on," she said. "I have a band aid in the car. Let's get you cleaned up."

Rick laughed and followed her back to the car. He couldn't stop thinking about the feel of her fingers gliding gently up his leg...

She sat him down in the passenger seat with the door open and fetched her first aid kit from the trunk. She pulled out an antiseptic wipe.

"This is going to sting," she said apologetically. Rick winked.

"I think I'll cope."

He winced as she wiped the cut, making sure there was no dirt in it. Then she stuck on a plaster, her fingers lingering on him a little longer than necessary. He pretended not to notice. He knew it was complicated.

"Thanks," he said.

"Always," she replied. "And since we're here, what's in the hamper?"

"You said this was a picnic," he told her. "It's insulated, it'll all still be cold. I even put in some water."

Kate loved that he knew her so well. She almost always preferred plain water to soda. He rolled down his jeans again and got the hamper out of the car. They went back to their blanket to collect their stuff, then Kate folded the blanket and they moved to a more shady (and incidentally far more secluded) corner of the field. It was surrounded by trees. In fact, they were completely invisible to any of the other picnickers.

Rick opened his hamper and laid out some delicious looking sandwiches and salad. Kate lay down on her stomach and picked up an apple. Rick raised his eyebrows and she bit into it, never breaking eye contact with him. A bit of juice dribbled down her chin and she cursed inwardly. She had been trying to eat sexily-

And she realised he was loving it. She wiped the juice off and licked her finger. Rick just stared, his hunger forgotten.

Suddenly, everything about the race, the fall, the heat, combined into a force too strong for either of them to resist. Looking at Rick, Kate could think of no reason why she shouldn't be with him. No reason why she shouldn't...

She swallowed the bit of apple and moved her eyes, telling Rick something. He caught her mood immediately and inched closer.

"Want some?" she asked, and before he could answer she took another bite and moved her mouth close to his. He couldn't quite believe what was happening, but he had kissed her once before and now her lips were so close there was nothing he could do but follow her lead. She felt her whole body tingle as their mouths connected. She opened her mouth and pushed the piece of apple into his; he kissed her harder until she broke away to let him eat. He couldn't stop staring. He just didn't... He didn't understand.

"Are you..?" he asked, the question in his mind not even properly formed. She knew what he meant, though. She opened a bottle of water and took a long drink, sitting up beside him. Suddenly she felt cold, though the sun still shone on them relentlessly. She shivered, rubbing her arms as she longed for his touch. She knew how warm he was and she wished she could just fall into him and let him wrap her up in his arms and make her feel whole again.

"I just... I don't care any more. I just want you," she said quietly. She was expecting rejection; she had messed him around, she had waited too long-

He grabbed her and suddenly she was on the ground under him. The apple rolled away as his lips attacked hers with a passion neither of them had ever felt before.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, a tear running down her cheek. He pulled away and dragged her into a sitting position.

"Don't you dare," he growled, wiping away the tear and kissing her again. She made an unrecognisable sound as he yanked out the elastic and raked his hands through her hair. She was on her back again and she wound her bare feet around him but she felt something wrong. She laughed into his mouth as she realised it was his knee, then rolled them over so he hit the ground with a thud. She could feel him harden beneath her and knew she would have to stop soon or they would be breaking the law. She moved against him anyway, her body refusing to listen to her brain.

"Your place or mine?" she growled into his ear.

"Yours is closer," he managed, letting out a groan. Then he realised what she meant and shoved her off. He threw everything together as she sat, confused, on the blanket. He grinned and pulled her up to him, kissing her roughly.

"Come on. We're leaving. We can get our certificate on Monday."

Kate laughed and pulled the blanket off the ground as they hurried to her car. They loaded everything in and were just getting in themselves-

"Congratulations, Detective. And Mr Castle. You've made a lot of money for charity."

Kate cringed. "Thank you, sir," she said to her captain.

"But you're leaving so soon?"

Kate stared at Castle helplessly. He rescued her. "I.. ah.. remembered something I had to do at home. Beckett's my lift."

Gates seemed to buy it. "Well. I'm sorry you're going so early and won't be able to collect your award."

"We are too," Kate said hurriedly. "See you on Monday. Have a great afternoon!"

Gates nodded and they got into the car. Kate accelerated out of the car park. Rick's hand found its way to her leg.

"That was... awful," she said. Rick made a noise of agreement, sliding his hand up her thigh. He reached the join of her legs and she gasped, the car jerking forward with her body.

"Eyes on the road," he said to her wickedly. She blinked and tried to focus, knowing telling him to stop would be completely pointless. And that was supposing she wanted him to. Which she really didn't. She had thought about this... countless times, when he had been in the car next to her. He undid the button of her jeans and pulled down the zipper. He had very flexible wrists.

She stopped at some lights and looked at him. He glanced out at the road and kissed her quickly.

"Pull over," he said. "I'll drive. Wouldn't want you to crash."

She did as she said. She could hardly think straight, she had no idea what he was doing... The heat as she walked around the outside of the car made her feel as though she was utterly soaked in sweat. The fan in the car made the temperature contrast fairly striking; again, she was almost cold until she felt his touch. He drove one handed; the car was automatic. His right hand snaked over to her and she brought her hips up to meet him sooner. He was... relieved, almost. That she needed him. That she needed him, just like he needed her.

His fingers slipped inside her and she let out a kind of shout, gripping the edges of the seat. He kept driving, watching the road. He wished he could look at her but he would have the chance to do that later.

"You got here quickly," he muttered as he suddenly set his finger to making little circles on her centre. She grinned, at what he had said, and also that he was so good. Despite her personality, she hated having to direct a man in this way.

"Women get frustrated too," she managed to spit out through her panting breaths.

"I can see that," he said, smiling as he stopped at another light. His hand was as relentless as the sun, coiling her tighter and tighter. He pulled away and revved the car loudly just as she exploded around him. She stared at him through fluttering eyelids, watching him appear from the bright white light. He removed his hand and licked his finger, still only looking at her from the corner of his eye. She flopped back in the seat and he did her jeans back up, then put his hand back on her leg.

When they finally made proper eye contact a few minutes later, Rick saw everything in her that he had always dreamed would be there, right on the surface. She bit her lip.

"I can't believe I waited almost four years to let you do that," she whispered. He laughed.

"I know. But I can think of a way for you to pay me back. Which will also help us to make up for lost time."

She linked her hand with his and they walked upstairs, together, as they would now remain. Always.


Thanks for reading, and as always, please review. And if you want to see the inspiration, look on twitter for the picture, and watch Cuffed. XD