Authors Note: Sorry, slightly shorter chapter here.

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Chapter Four: Beckett's POV.

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Beckett collapsed onto her motel bed fully clothed. The trip here had been exhausting, and some how she had managed to get into an emotional state in front of Castle. She had never been more thankful for the darkness, and her acting skills. She was pretty sure he wasn't going to let it go, but she wouldn't let this ruin their holiday. It was one mishap, and she wouldn't let it happen again. Images of her mom fluttered before her eyes, and she closed her eyes. Not now. She hated thinking of her mom sometimes, and she felt guilty for feeling this. But sometimes she just wanted to be normal, to just forget for a day or two and be able to move on. She slowly rose from the bed, and rummaged through her carry-on for her toiletries. A shower and then sleep... She would feel better in the morning.

She hummed as she let the hot water of the shower dispel some of the sombre thoughts from her mind. To be honest Castle reading to her may have brought on memories of her mom, but at the same time the strongest emotion while he read to her was pure bliss. She had dreamed of having Derek Storm brought to life by Castle's voice before she had even met him. Back when she was in the academy every spare moment she got she could be found curled up with his novels. Sometimes when she couldn't move for more than a day from the spot she was in, because it made her ache both emotionally and physically at the thought of making it through another day... She would pull out one of his books and find strength.

Every day she worked hard to be the best at whatever she was doing. She had been top of her class when graduation came along, and once she'd become a rookie her first thought was 'how do I get to my mother's files?' It wasn't long before she found them, and she made the time every evening before she left for home to delve into her mom's files. But she only ever came up empty handed. She knew even back then that one day things would click into place she had to know what happened to her mom, get the guy who did it to carry on with her life.

She wouldn't know as much as she did now about her mother's case if it weren't for Castle. She often wondered at the strange workings of the world. He had unwittingly helped her through the trauma of her mom's death, and getting lost in her case... And now he was in her life, and had helped her more than anyone else. She smiled. Castle really was a good man, no matter how much shit she gave him. She felt lucky to have such a good friend. She wrapped her towel around her and quickly changed into boxers and a t shirt. It may have been chilly outside, but the rooms were heated well and she climbed under the covers of her bed, and cuddled into the soft pillows revelling in the feel of being in a bed and not in an airplane seat or car seat for the first time in days!

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She woke with a start, it took her a couple of minutes to realise someone had knocked on the door. With a sleepy groan she rolled over and covered her head with the pillow. Maybe if she couldn't hear them they would go away. She got a whiff of an unfamiliar scent from the pillow, and suddenly remembered she wasn't at home. She glanced at the clock, lunch time. Jesus, she'd slept for over twelve hours! She stumbled to the door and quickly smoothed her hair down and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before opening the door.

"Good morning Detective!" It was Alexis dressed in skinny jeans, fur lined boots and a black jacket with fur around the edge of the hood, her hair was caught up in a pony tail and her blue eyes sparkled in the cold air.

"Good morning," Beckett's voice was hoarse, and she cleared her throat. "Sorry I didn't realise what time it was." Alexis laughed.

"I only just woke dad up too; you guys were both out to it! I've been knocking for like five minutes. Dad took even longer to get to the door than you." She chuckled. "I thought its best you get up, or neither of you will sleep tonight."

"Thanks, you're right." Beckett smiled. "I had better go get dressed." She gestured to her lack of clothing.

"Oh... Sorry! You must be freezing standing there talking to me. We're going out to find somewhere for lunch, so I'll see you at the car?"

"Sure, I won't be long." She started closing her door, but caught sight of Castle heading their way. She waved and retreated the rest of the way into her room quickly and shut the door. She certainly didn't want Castle to see her when she looked such a mess.

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"Wow, this place is stunning!" Alexis commented as they took a seat at one of the outside tables of the restaurant. The outside area was on a platform kind of like a boating dock and over the barrier you could see the river, it was so clear you could see the riverbed distinctly, and even a trout swimming almost looking as though it was at a standstill under the willows of the opposite bank.

"It really is," Beckett agreed, and picked up her menu. There was a huge list, and making a choice was difficult, but eventually she decided on the French toast with a coffee. Alexis decided on hash browns and eggs, and Castle chose bacon and eggs.

"I was thinking we could go to the Tongariro National Trout Centre today. Alexis discussed it this morning and figured we would make the most of the beautiful day." Castle said, reaching over to the empty table next to them and picking up the newspaper. Beckett looked up at the clear blue sky, there was a winter chill to the air but it was still, not a breath of wind and she thought a walk sounded wonderful.

"Absolutely," her coffee arrived and she took a sip, there is nothing better than the first coffee of the day. Alexis rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a brochure, sliding it across the table to Beckett sitting opposite her.

"Look how beautiful it is," Alexis pointed to the picture on the front, underneath it boasted a bush walk with beautiful scenery. Beckett agreed with her, smiling at the younger girl. Alexis had a content look on her face as she reached for her hot chocolate. "I can't wait! There is so much to do and see while we're here; I hope we get to do everything on my list." Beckett tried not to feel worried about this, but while the things Alexis had planned sounded wonderful she did want some time to just sit back and relax. Castle winked at her, he seemed to be reading her mind.

"We'll have plenty of time to relax too. I was thinking of heading to the Tokaanu hot pools tonight." She thought about what Castle would think of her swimsuit, and wondered whether she should tease him this early on in the trip, or wear her more modest one piece, she pressed her lips together as she considered her options, and tried to hide the smile spreading across her face. Then her thoughts shifted to Castle... She hadn't seen him shirtless before, and a little thrum of excitement ran through her veins. She was pretty sure she would like what she saw. She was allowed to look after all, and fantasise, that wouldn't hurt their partnership...