A/N: I'm truly blown away by the response to this story! So sorry this update took longer. Takes place during Nikki Heat.
An incessant ringing woke him up. Bleary-eyed and rumpled, he reached blindly for his phone which flashed with Nikki Heat cover art.
"Hullo," he rasped, not quite awake.
"Hey Castle, it's Beckett. We got a body."
He brightened instantly at the sound of her voice.
"Good morning to you, too, Detective," he returned, chuckling at her curt and tired tone.
"Sorry," she huffed, "I was up late signing nondisclosure agreements."
"Nondisclosure? Do tell."
She laughed. "I don't think you know what nondisclosure means, Castle."
"C'mon Beckett, I thought we were friends," he whined.
"Hmmm, last time I checked friends didn't accost each other on the street."
"Accosting? Why, I thought we were mutually making out," he quipped indignantly.
"Was that what that was?" she mocked playfully.
"If you forgot, I'd be more than happy to remind you," he challenged his lips quirking into a smile.
"You better not "remind" me at the precinct," she warned.
"You're no fun," he pouted.
"You're incorrigible," she returned.
"Too bad you like me then, huh?"
" 'Like' might be too strong of a word."
"You wound me, Detective."
"Oh, shoot," she cursed suddenly, "I should be there already."
"I'll meet you there?"
"Oh yeah, sorry, address is Bleecker and 45th street," her voice rambling as he heard her rustling for keys and slamming the door behind her.
"See you there," he said, but she'd already hung up.
The crime scene was a blur with Ryan showing him the engagement ring and Beckett purposefully avoiding his innocent, mock proposal. And Natalie Rhodes—she didn't even know who he was! He couldn't believe Beckett agreed to let Natalie shadow her. If Natalie's audition tape were any indication of her skills, then he had serious doubts about the studio's casting abilities. She was nothing like Nikki Heat.
Or so he thought. As suspects surfaced and they followed leads, her perceptiveness and confident demeanor began to illuminate qualities of the Nikki Heat he had in mind. He began to respect her methodical strategy in understanding Beckett's mimics and gestures. Plus, her slim figure and expressive features were easy on the eyes.
Beckett seemed to be flustered by the whole ordeal and overly perturbed by Natalie's presence. She was so cute when she was angry—especially when Natalie preemptively took her coffee. She had dragged him in the other room, spilling her feelings to him in an agitated rush. He winced as he remembered defending Natalie's case rather than supporting Beckett's concerns—not his proudest moment.
He was watching Beckett write another case note on the board when Natalie returned from the bathroom toting new hair.
Oh. Wow.
It was uncanny. And hot.
He noticed Kate's discomfort as he glanced appreciatively at a brunette Natalie, his mouth practically agape.
Shoot. It was just that they looked so much alike. It was hard for him to keep his eyes off of either of them.
As Natalie left, he willingly followed, offering to carry her box.
"Look at me, all dressed up and no crime to solve," Natalie pouted.
He stared at her dumbly. She looked so different.
"I had my heart set on doing research tonight," she dropped, her voice laced with suggestion.
"Yeah..." he sighed, his eyes roving her body.
"So what do you think? Am I everything you imagined Nikki would be?"
Sexy, fierce, and confident. "Uh, huh," he blubbered.
"You know, I read Heat Wave last night," she exclaimed suddenly.
"Really?" he asked, snapping out of his trance.
"You're right, it was so much better than the screenplay. I went right out and read Naked Heat."
Impressed and flattered, he flashed her an appreciative grin.
"You know I realized the character of Jameson Rook is based off you." Her eyebrows rose in suggestion, her mouth curving delightfully around her teeth.
"Yeah, I guess I drew on my relationship with Detective Beckett."
"Even the sex scenes?" she asked playfully, her eyes flickering down to his groin.
His throat contracted and he blinked nervously as unbidden images of Kate filtered through his thoughts. "No, that was uh…"
"Fantasy," she finished, raising her eyebrow seductively, "Like me. Now," she breathed.
"Uh, well, you want to give the audience what they want," he mentioned as an afterthought, his attention caught between her lustful gaze and striking resemblance to Beckett.
"You know you describe so much of the passion between Nikki and Rook. If I want to play Nikki right, I gotta feel that heat." She pushed him into the elevator with the press of her finger against his chest.
"Natalie," he scoffed deprecatingly, "I'm..."
"Not now," she interrupted forcefully, "I'm Nikki," she whispered, closing in on him. Her mouth slanted across his own. Oh shit.
He dropped the box he was holding in surprise as Fantasy Beckett kissed him, forcing his mouth open to accept hers.
The elevator doors closed before he was able to push her away.
"What? Not enough, Rook?" her voice emphasizing the hard "k" of his fictional counterpart as she slipped her hand over his shoulder seductively.
"Natalie, I can't," he responded, quickly peeling her hand away.
"Are you sure you don't want to take this back to my hotel?" she tried, sultriness dripping from her tone.
"No. I mean, yes, I 'm sure," he rushed nervously, feeling trapped by her penetrating gaze.
"You don't sound so sure," she mewled, pushing him further back into the wall of the elevator.
"I'm a hundred percent sure. More sure than I've ever been. My answer is no," he emphasized, his head reeling at her tenacity.
She stepped back, eyeing him suspiciously. "Ok, my offer still stands if you change your mind," she replied, sauntering off the elevator into the lobby.
He rubbed his face, suddenly exhausted. What had just happened?
He needed a drink.
"Everything ok?" he asked, spotting Beckett staring intently at Natalie through the blinds in the break room.
"Do I really do that?" she asked, watching Natalie stare intently at the murder board with a hand tucked under her chin in consternation.
"Yes, and it's adorable."
"If it's so adorable then why didn't you sleep with me?" she asked, peering out of the blinds at Natalie.
"What?" he responded flabbergasted, a blush blooming on his cheeks as he suddenly thought of her underneath him and shuddering as she broke apart around him. No. Not now. Precinct.
"Her, me. Not me, me," she explained, nodding her head at Natalie in indication.
"Why would I do that?" he asked, utterly confused.
"I don't know. Maybe because you kissed," she spat, spinning around to face him.
"Kissed?" And then it clicked. "Oh, no," he said, dread seeping through him as he remembered. He saw the hurt flash across her face before she schooled her features.
"Oh no is right," she huffed, crossing her arms defiantly.
"Kate. That was nothing. She came onto me and I wasn't expecting it. I didn't want it to happen, I promise," he pressed emphatically, gazing at her imploringly.
She looked away, her arms falling to her sides as she leaned back on the counter.
"Kate, please believe me," he pleaded softly.
"I want to," she said,"But I don't get it."
"Get what?"
"Why didn't you sleep with her? She was clearly willing and not to mention gorgeous," she muttered, the quiet challenge in her voice echoing her insecurity.
Puzzled, he rubbed a hand behind his neck.
"Because I'm with you," he stated, as if it were the most obvious answer.
Her eyes widened in shock, a shy smile flitting at the edges of her mouth.
She was surprised. Why was she so surprised? He thought they talked about this.
"Kate, Kate. Look at me."
She did, her gaze hesitant.
"I am in this. I don't want anyone else. I want you. I don't know why you still doubt this."
Her features softened and she suddenly shook her head, a wry laugh spilling from her lips.
"What?" he asked, a grin playing at the corner of his mouth, though he wasn't quite sure what was so funny.
"I'm no good at this," she clarified. "It's just that this—us—is so new, and…." She ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. "I'm sorry. I'm just being silly."
"Hey," he whispered softly, tipping her chin up with his finger, "You're not being silly. What is it?"
Her eyes searched his, wide and afraid. "I—I just—the way you look at her…you seem so smitten…it's…" she trailed off, ducking her head in embarrassment.
Wait. It couldn't be. No way.
"Kate, are you jealous?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face at the ridiculousness of it all.
"No," she said too quickly, her eyes demure as a blush crept over her cheeks.
No freaking way. Kate Beckett was jealous. This was the best day ever.
"Does this mean you like me?" he teased.
"Oh, I wouldn't count on it," she replied, a playful twinkle sparking in her eyes.
"Ouch, you're killing me," he pouted, clutching at his heart.
"Well, don't bank on dying. I still have plans for you," she whispered into his ear.
His eyes widened as he watched her walk from the break room. She really was going to be the death of him.
He pulled Beckett aside when they finished congratulating Ryan and Jenny.
"Hey, I just—I want to say I'm sorry, Kate."
"What for?"
"For making you think I wasn't serious about this. Paying too much attention to Natalie. I—"
She covered his mouth with her hand as the other smoothed over his shoulder.
"Shh, stop. Castle, you're fine," she whispered. She looked around quickly as if to check if anyone was watching them and grabbed his hand, tugging him after her.
"Kate, where are we going?"
"You'll see," she replied impishly, urging him along faster.
They rounded the corner into lockup. She veered suddenly and opened a door he'd never seen before.
"Kate? What—"
"Will you shut up?" she demanded, pulling him into the room behind the door. He stood in darkness for a moment before he found himself being pushed against the wall.
"Kate?"
And suddenly her mouth was on his. Oh. Shit.
Her hands raked through his hair possessively as she pulled herself tightly against him, tangling her tongue with his in a sinful twist. Oh, god. She felt amazing.
He needed to feel more. His burning fingers searched fervently for skin, pressing his thumbs against her hips.
"Shit, Castle," she moaned as he spun them around, pressing her against the door.
"I think I like jealous Beckett," he growled, hastily removing her shirt. Damn turtleneck.
"Not jealous, Castle," she gasped as he attacked the newly exposed skin on her neck with his mouth.
"She has nothing on you," he grunted, hiking her legs around his waist and hoisting her lithe body in one smooth motion.
"Castle—", she keened, twining her fingers in his hair and pulling him to her to utterly devastate his mouth. Her soft and pliable lips felt so good. She tasted like coffee and vanilla and something altogether Kate. He kissed her back soundly, delving his tongue into her hot, perfect mouth.
They broke apart when they absolutely needed air, their chests heaving and breaths mingling.
Resting his forehead against hers, he chuckled lightly.
"What?" she hummed, nestling her head in the crook of his neck as if suddenly exhausted.
"I think I like you "reminding" me at the Precinct. A lot."
She snorted into his neck, pressing her lips lightly against his jugular. "Me, too," she whispered, roving her lips around the shell of his ear, breathing unevenly.
He shivered.
"Kate."
"Yeah?"
"Wait; is there a light in here? I need to see you."
He heard a click and a bare bulb filled with light, shining dimly in what he now saw was the supply closet.
"What is it, Castle?" She looked at him concerned, her swollen lips and mussed hair throwing him off track for a second.
"I—uh," he glanced down at her chest, covered with nothing but a lace bra.
"Castle," she hissed, reaching for her shirt which lay rumpled on the ground.
"Sorry, where was I?"
"I don't know, you were going to tell me something?"
"Right. Um, well, wow, how do I put this—"
"Castle, just spit it out."
"Willyougoonadatewithme?" he rushed, finally pushing the out the words he wanted to say.
"I'm sorry, a what now?"
"A date—with me," he repeated dumbly, a cold dread trickling through his veins. This was not how he planned on asking.
"A date?" She bit her lip, looking stunned.
"Yeah, you know, two people, dinner at a restaurant."
Rolling her eyes, she smacked him lightly on his chest. "I know what a date is, you moron."
He grinned deviously.
"Is that a yes?"
"No, I mean, not a no, um."
"You do know how this works, right?"
"Geez, Castle. You surprised me, ok. Are you—" she blew a sigh through her lips, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he responded immediately.
"It's not too soon?"
"If you think we haven't "accosted" each other enough, then I'd be more than happy to do some more, but Kate, I want us," he explained seriously.
She ran her hands through her hair and looked down at the ground. "Ok."
"Ok?" he repeated excitedly.
"Yeah." She looked at him, a shy smile breaking across her face. "Ok."
He kissed her then. Soft and slow and deliberate.
"Friday at eight?" He pressed another kiss to her lips before she could answer.
"If we don't have a case, yes," she exhaled, her eyes fluttering.
"Perfect," he murmured huskily.
"Castle, we have to go now," she whispered quietly.
He nodded his head, a permanent smile etched on his face. Kate Beckett was going on a date with him.
"I'll go first," she murmured, turning to leave.
"Wait five minutes, ok?" she ordered, taking one last look at him, a grin flitting across her lips.
When she left, he leaned back against the wall, sighing contentedly.
Kate Beckett was going on a date with him.
Best. Day. Ever.
A/N: Thoughts?