Thanks for all your kind reviews. They have been very encouraging.
Night Castle's apartment – Thursday
"Welcome Detective Beckett, nice to see you again." Martha waved around a half spilt martini for a brief second and then danced off with her robe flapping dramatically behind her. Alexis also greeted Detective Beckett.
"Please, call me Kate. Nice to see you again Alexis, how are things?" Alexis was doing homework on the kitchen bench.
"Hi Kate, Gram's had a little too much fun this evening. She had such a great time on her date that she just had to finish her dance sequel at home. So what's new?"
"Kate and I are on a case of a triple murder, isn't that exciting?"
"Dad, only you think murders are fun. Normal people think they're gruesome and are evidence of society's flaws. Does that explain you two suddenly being married?" Castle and Beckett blushed slightly like school children in the playground getting caught. It was odd for Alexis to ask such a question in such a carefree manner, as if she knew something was already going on.
"Yes sweety, we're pretending to be married to catch the killer." It made so much more sense a few hours ago, thought Castle.
"Uh huh, I see how that could work..." replied Alexis sarcastically. "Ok, leftovers are in the fridge, and are you staying over Kate?" She had caught Beckett out with her question. She hadn't even made up her mind on how long to stay for, but to sleep over? Even though secretly she wanted to, there was no justification for her to.
"No, I'll head home after your dad's lasagne" she responded confidently.
After Alexis went off to bed, Castle took off his jacket, put on his Sexiest cook apron and started cooking. Beckett's eyes followed him as he twirled and dashed from one side of the kitchen to the next, showing off his culinary skills. She couldn't believe how professional he appeared, with experience and technique. She suddenly saw another side of Castle that really intrigued and captured her. When they first met, his fatherly aura and his love for his family really impressed her, and now this? She didn't know if it was the atmosphere that the night seemed to bring or just her feelings growing ever slightly stronger with each day that they spend together, but today, she really enjoyed his company. Today, she felt very happy and loved.
Castle disrupted her train of thought as he surprised her from behind with a plate of food and a bowl of soup. They had decided to sit in the lounge area where it was more relaxed and comfortable so they could chat.
"How's my lasagne?" He smiled spooning another in mouthful.
"Mmm... you know I doubted you, but it's honestly very delicious. Almost as good as the best I've ever tasted."
"Liar, you love it! You know it's ok to like things about me Kate, I won't hold it against you" he said with a wink. His wink triggered a nerve inside of her and her expression froze. Beckett tried to change the subject.
"What did you think of my apartment?"
"It's... nice" Castle said avoiding eye contact.
"Don't try this with an interrogator. Spill it Castle."
"It's a tad... small, but let's talk about what I do like. I like your bath tub and your book collection, I noticed that I'm placed on the top shelves, very nice hierarchy, I know I'm tops in your books." He beamed as she rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing.
"Thanks, for always seeing the good side of everything. It's not easy seeing the positives and being a cop at the same time, you have to suspect everyone." She looked over to Castle who was scraping his bowl with his spoon to get every last trace of cheese. His presence had not only made her life more uplifting at the worst of times, but most importantly, more enjoyable and fun. Although she couldn't deny this fact, she wasn't going to share her thoughts with him anytime soon. She wasn't about to become an overnight muse for him, not now, not ever. Her thoughts were interrupted again, this time by a ringing phone. Lanie was calling to check up on her.
"Hey, want to go and bury our faces in ice cream?"
"Ummm, sorry sweety, I'm a little busy tonight." Castle leaned over close with his ear listening on the other side of the phone.
"Hi Lanie! Is there an update on the case?" Castle blurted out in excitement.
"Castle?... Oh Jesus girl, I'm going to pinch you till you're blue, you're at Castle's place? I want details. Are you doing the dirty?"
"No, but she wishes she was." He interrupted before she had a chance to speak. Beckett went instantly red in the face and quickly stood up. When Lanie hung up she was gathering her things in a hurry.
"Uh, Castle I have to go, it's getting too late and we both need to be at work tomorrow."
"I think you should stay" Castle said avoiding eye contact and leaning against the wall. Beckett looked at him with disbelief, was he actually asking her to stay? She turned around to see him standing inches away from her. He grabbed her hand and stared at her ring as he continued.
"I think you should stay to protect our cover. What if they've staked out outside this apartment? We'll blow it. You can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep on the lounge." He pointed to his room which was on the ground floor. She looked at her watch again, it was really late she thought, and they were both exhausted. She hesitantly agreed. He directed her to all the facilities and they said goodnight.
Early morning, Castle's apartment – Friday.
In the early hours of the morning, when New York City was still comfortably rested in its darkness, Castle awoke to use the bathroom. The effect of the red wine they consumed earlier was taking its effects and making his head spin. It was pitch dark and he stumbled mindlessly back to his resting place and put his head to the pillow.
The sun was very strong on the autumn morning, illuminating every street and every corner of every building. The curtains at Castle's apartment could barely keep the heat and light from penetrating through. Two bodies lay motionless, relaxed and barely touching one another. The sound of Alexis fumbling through the kitchen woke one body. Squinting through gaps that resulted from eyes being glued together by its own dried juices, Beckett slowly raised her heavy head. She gave herself a minute to gather her thoughts and establish the events of the previous evening before she let herself arise any further. Yep, she thought, I'm in Castle's bed. Finding it amusing herself, she attempted to check the time, but the covers on top of her restricted her from stretching to the clock, as if something weighed heavily on it. Simultaneously, she heard the roar of snores from behind her. Horror suddenly occupied her face and she couldn't bear to turn around to confirm her suspicions, but she did anyway.
"Ah! Castle! She threw a pillow hard down towards his head. Castle snorted, slowly turning around to look at her.
"Beckett? What are you doing here? This is a nice surprise." His eyes then widened, realising what he had done, he sat up at top speed and became high pitched.
"I am so sorry. Nothing happened, I swear. Look at me, I'm wearing clothes." Although he was fully dressed, Beckett was in a less decent light. He helplessly stared at her white, slightly see-through top and realised that she wasn't as well equipped as he. He quickly looked away nervously and got out of bed. He didn't want her to think that he was taking advantage of the situation and that he was following any kind of devious plan through. He started to head out.
"It's ok Castle, I know that you forgot that I was here. I just want you to know that I slept very well." She smiled sweetly at him, which made him blush profusely.
"Well, you are welcome to come over and sleep with me anytime, Detective." He said slyly as he walked out to make breakfast. Beckett couldn't help blushing a little at his comment.
Castle had made her omelette and Eggs Benedict, not knowing which she preferred. She was blown away by the amount of food present but was focusing on other matters.
"Lanie called to give us an update. Apparently the marks on both victims who were strangled are too light to be consistent with a typical male suspect who strangles to kill.
"So the strangler was either showing mercy because they knew the guy..." interrupted Castle.
"Or our strangler is a woman!" She finished his sentence and they hurried through their breakfast and headed to the precinct. In the elevator Beckett was trying to recount the evidence Lanie had provided her and pace through the past night's events at the Grand. Her thoughts were disrupted when Castle took his hands out of his pockets and entwined his with hers. Her thoughts were running wild and she knew that she hadn't felt her heart soften like this for a very long time. His hand soothed and comforted her. She knew what he was doing was for the cover but she still enjoyed it and started to lean in towards him. After they strolled out on the streets hand in hand, Beckett stopped Castle in the middle of the road and tip toed up to him so she could smell his cologne. He smelt so nice she thought as she leaned closer and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Castle arched his eyebrow, and felt his mouth stumbling over his words.
"Suspicious white sedan on the far right corner", she said as she smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. Castle felt tingly inside, and out of impulse, grabbed Beckett's waist to pull her in to plant a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm beginning to REALLY like this cover thing" he said cheekily as she lightly slapped him on the face.
