It was 8:56 pm and Castle had just arrived at the Hotel Beacon. He paid the cabbie and was standing outside looking at the bright lights at the hotel entrance. Looking around he noticed that the right side of the doorway seemed darker. He eyed the right side noticing that two of the bulbs were out. Were he a more superstitious man he would have thought that a bad omen. He entered anyway. As he walked through the door he was hit by a brush of cool air. Looking around the lobby was surprisingly empty. There weren't many people milling around. Of the people that were none of them were Beckett. Guessing that she was working on a case, or wrapping things up at the precinct he made himself comfortable. He figured that she was going to be running a bit late. He looked at his watch and made a mental note of the time. It was 8:57. Time had been at a near glacial place. He made his way to a chair in the center of the lobby facing the entrance. He had not been there for more than what felt like 5 minuets ─ in reality it was only one. That was when he saw L.T. He is one of the uniforms that is at the prescient. And is sometimes present at scenes Beckett (and by extension himself) are called to. He was dressed in his uniform as usual.

"Hey L.T," he called out while standing. He began to make his way over curious what was going on in the hotel that needed police interruption. He knew he had to meet Beckett but, he couldn't help himself.

L.T. turned to find the voice calling out to him. He spotted Castle in the middle of the lobby. Since he was just supposed to guard the hotel he figured there was no harm in a quick conversation. Especially considering, he had been staked in his patrol car for the past three hours. He was basically a paid look out. The hotel was short staffed and the CEO was friends with one of the higher ups. At least two uniforms were watching the building at all times. One in a car and another one on the inside. L.T. had been on this detail for 6 hours and now it was his turn to watch the inside.

"Hey Castle."

Castle was like a bored schoolgirl that found someone else who likes dolls, "who are you here to arrest?" He paused for only a short second before adding, "And what for?"

"Nothing too crazy. I got a call about a guy who's had one too many and might put up a fight," he put it so nonchalantly that it sounded like this happened every day. Granted it probably did but Castle found it highly improbable that L.T. had deal with it that often.

"Mind if I tag along."

"Sure why not."

The two of them walked over to the elevator together. On the way over Castle texted Beckett so that she would know that she wasn't being stood up. After finishing the text he kept the phone in his hand. Not that he was expecting an immediate response. Although he could not help but notice it was 8:59. They stepped in the elevator and Castle checked his phone once again before putting it in his pocket. They two of them rode up to the 20th floor. The soft music from the elevator filled the silence. They got to the 20th floor. L.T. lead them to a stairwell that accessed to the rooftop bar. Castle followed him without question. He was just happy to be on a little mini adventure. Upon arriving at the rooftop bar they found it empty. In fact it was all done up for some event. There were red lit decorative trees, lights hung overhead, and table and chairs set up. Not thinking much of it Castle presumed that it was for a wedding reception. They walked around a bit to make sure that guy wasn't already passed out. On their way out Castle noticed something sitting on the bar. Storm Fall. How someone could leave that behind he had no idea. He was thrown. Had it been any other night, and had the events of the last three days been different, he might have noticed more. "I guess he must be at the indoor lounge."

"Yeah I guess," Castle responded still looking at the book. He wasn't really listening.

They walked back out to the bar and down the stairwell. As they did when they reached the floor earlier. However when they reached the main part of the floor the two walked to another stairwell. It lead to all 20 of the floors. Since they were only walking down 4 flights it was faster than waiting for the elevator. Over, around, down, over, around, down. They made their way to the door that accessed the 18th floor. L.T. passed through the door first and held it for Castle.

The walked down a narrow hallway when they reached another door. It was black and looked like something outside a club. L.T. stood to the side an motioned for Castle to go first. Castle eyed his suspiciously but moved ahead. When he passed through the door it was like being in a club. He was in another narrow hallway that was lined one side by gloss off-set brick tiles. Red lights alternating to bottom shone on them─ making them appear red in color. On the other side, was dark square shelving created a faux wall. On those shelves were votive candles He walked farther into the hall way looking to his right. He noticed that he could see a crowd of people on the other side. His feet started to carry him as if he had been there before. For the life of him he could not remember this place, although it did have that air of familiarity to it. He walked to the end of the hallway and turned right, L.T. behind him every step of the way. It dead ended to the right so he made a quick left and walked father inside. The room suddenly opened up a lot. he took the opportunity to take in the room and those around him. Everyone was dressed as if they were attending an office party. Not that he was planning to be here, but her couldn't help but feel underdressed. He noticed roses were lining certain walls. Behind one of the rose setting was a giant version of the cover of Storm Fall. He looked around the room for other and made two discoveries. One, that there were two other large covers hanging on separate side s of the room; two, that L.T. had disappeared.

"Must've gone to the bar already," Castle muttered to no one in particular.

It suddenly dawned on him why this was so familiar. The Storm Fall release party had been held here 5 years ago. At that moment the room got much quieter. Castle thought that either someone had spotted and recognized him, or it was just the horrible timing of mass human communication. He prayed it was the latter. The room's conversational lull afforded him the chance to hear the background music. It was an instrumental version of one called "Feel Again." Of the band Castle ran a blank. The only reason that Castle knew the song was because, Alexis was doing her laundry to the song on repeat two weeks ago at the loft. Looking around again he spotted Ryan and Jenny, by what seemed to be one side of the bar. He walked over planning to keep it brief. Just a "hey" and then he would be on his way.

"Hey guys," he was genuinely excited to see them and it showed, "what are you doing here? Date night?"

"Hey Castle," Ryan replied. He had his right arm around Jenny's waist and his left hand was holding hers. They were sitting in tall bar chairs, bodies turned in with their knees touching. Ryan was about to open his mouth to speak again when Jenny squeezed his hand really hard. Ryan made a small face but Castle caught it. He was beginning to think something was up.

"Yeah we decided spring for a night on the town," Jenny said with her usual right smile.

"Well that's great!" Castle felt like he was being watched. He did know by whom or why but the feeling was there. He knew it was probably nothing. He wanted to take the chance to ask about Beckett. He looked at his watch quickly to check the time. It was 9:10 and she still hadn't answered his text. He had to wonder if he was being stood up. Trying to eliminate the option he asked, "Was Beckett still at the prescient when you left?"

"Yeah she was finishing up some paperwork until she could get into talk with Gates."

"Thanks. Well you two have a great night," Castle's response was almost automatic. He started to walk away when he heard Ryan's voice calling his attention. So he turned around.

"You look like you could use a drink."

Castle gave him a small silent nod. Ryan was right he could use a drink. He made his way through the crowd of faces that seemed vaguely familiar to bar. The mass of bodies thinned as he got closer. When it came into view he noticed Alexis at the far end with a slender older woman. Immediately he recognized it as his mother. Alexis looked to be studying some book. He walked over just as Martha was ordering a drink.

"All right, give me a hit of the bubbly."

"Make that two," Castle added. He would have ordered scotch but he wanted something different.

"Hey, kiddo, sales must be slippin', " Martha turned around to face her son before adding, " they're only serving the soft stuff."

"Hey, Dad," Alexis said in a friendly but almost dismissive tone.

"Hey, sweetie. So, mother—" Castle started.

"Shh Shh Shh! Not so loud, I'm still hoping to get lucky," Martha was looking around to make sure no one heard.

"What are you doing here," Castle moved over by Alexis, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "And with my impressionable daughter no less." Castle knew that that cold no be more untrue. He also want ted Alexis to have crazy stories about her life that didn't involve mad men of any kind. At the same time as a father the mere thought of her having these times also frightens him.

"I mentioned that I was going out and Alexis wanted a change of scenery," Martha spoke as if it was nothing. "Uh, Hang on, sweetie, I just got a hit on my grey-dar." She looked closely at none other than Jim Beckett. Castle turned to look at the man who could possibly be the next Chet Palaburn. Hopefully assisting in taking his mother of his hands. Martha grew more excited, "Bingo! No ring. Stand back kids, mama's goin' fishin'. Ha ha ha"

The bartender put both glasses of champagne in front of Castle. He walked over to the space let empty by Martha's absence. He turned to Alexis.

"You know I'm proud of you right? I know I'm the cool dad but I worry about. A lot," Castle was very clear when he spoke. Concern and sincerity shone through with every word.

"I know you are, and I appreciate everything you've done for me," she paused putting down her pen in hand. Looking down for a moment she continued, "The main reason I want to go on this trip is to learn something new. To experience something I haven't before."

Castle felt a presence behind him. It felt wired. It was almost ghostly in nature. He wasn't quite sure what it was but he wanted to tell Alexis one more thing.

"I support that. And I know the feeling."

Castle knew that was especially true because 5 years ago he had said something to that effect to her, in this very bar.

"Mr. Castle," chimed a voice that instantly sent chills up his spine. He turned around and in fact it was none other than Kate Beckett herself. She was dressed in her typical attire for work. A pantsuit paired with a single colored blouse and high heels.

"Yes," He said in a hesitant voice. He was kind of nervous. With a greeting like this he had no idea what was going to happen. Although she had a serious look on her face, there was a bright twinkle in her eyes.

"Sargent Kate Beckett, NYPD, I have a question for you regarding our conversation from yesterday," by the end her smile was as wide as could be. On the other hand Castle was thrown by her change in title. He hoped it men t what he thought it meant. He looked around the room once more. Behind Beckett were: Martha, Lanie, Jim Beckett, Esposito, Ryan, and Jenny. In the corner he recognized Hastings and Paul Whittaker. He sincerely hoped that they were together. He then realized that the room was filled uniformed cops from around the 12th ─ sans their uniforms. They were all looking at the two of them. He could even feel Alexis' eyes on him from behind. He looked back to Kate with a new sense of excitement. They were both smiling at each other with looks so sweet, it would give even a dentist a dozen cavities.

"I would be happy to answer any question you have."

"Could you repeat the question you asked me yesterday"

That was the moment he knew. He knew what was going on and he knew what her answer was going to be. He could not have been happier. Luckily he still had the ring in his pocket. With "Feel Again" playing in the background the world seemed to slow for the second time that night. This time it was so they could share this moment together. He reached into his pocket and slowly made the move to get on one knee in front of her.

His knee touched down he spoke with nothing but joy, and unshed tears in his eyes. "Katherine Houghton Beckett will you marry me?"

She was as emotional as he was when she answered, "Yes!"

The room erupted with cheers. Castle slipped the ring on her finger and held her tight. Their closest friends all came to congratulate them with hug. Everyone was crying and Kate Beckett had pulled another one on Richard Castle. While everyone began to hug each other and mingle within themselves Castle and Beckett were in their own little world. In a move from a teen romance movie; Castle grabbed Beckett spun her around, lifting her feet off the floor, and kissed her. The night continued not long after and the crowd started to wean. Eventually it was just the two of them.

Beckett was looking at Castle while holding his hand. She turned to him and said in sweet voice, "Thanks."

Not really sure what Castle had to ask, "What for?"

Sweet smile still in place and and gorgeous glowing eyes Beckett replied, "For showing up."

"Always"