A/N: 14 is a woman I hold dear to my heart, I live that woman's life...duct tape and all...just sadly not the Castle/Beckett elements...alas...
"So, you...agree?" He asks, more than a little surprised.
"I didn't say…that." Kate hedges, holding up a finger. But it's not an out and out NO!
"But, you get why it's perfect?" Seriously...surprised she's considering it and now he's…confused.
"I wouldn't say...perfect, but yes." She smiles softly, "It's not rocket science."
No of course it's not, but he has to check, "And you're not...?"
Kate slides her hand over his where it rests on the wall, "It's not..." She sighs slowly, "I'm not...saying no...But I do think you should check with..."
"Really? Not just a spontaneo..."
"Might be a bit much?" Kate tilts her head; surely he knows better than she does and she watches as Castle thinks it through...plans.
Castle drops his head, looking down at their joined fingers, shaking his head at the wonderful, amazing woman whose thumb is skirting his knuckle in gentle sweeps.
"Hmm"
She takes a breath at the noncommittal sound he makes but she doesn't ask forcing him to check again, "So?"
Kate rolls her eyes and it's the final confirmation he needs, because, even though they are swirling in sarcastic circles at his neediness, her eyes are soft. And the smile she gives him as she walks off is thrown casually and sweetly over her shoulder.
Just for him.
11, 12 and 13 are triplets, actual freaking triplets, each one wearing a t-shirt with a letter on it so when they stand with him, side by side for their group photo - Castle and triplets, he's gonna have a field day - they spell out O.C.D
Obsessive Castle Disorder.
Kate covers her face with her hand and she doesn't know whether to roll her eyes or laugh.
14 is the cutest thing she's ever seen.
Or, more appropriately, heard because this isn't really the place for small children, but the woman on stage holds out the Derek Storm Graphic Novel and says she will double her donation if instead of a kiss for herself he signs the book for her twelve year old son.
A massive fan at twelve...Oh the poor woman, Kate smiles, she must be living with a mini version of the man himself judging from the tales she tells of duct tape, remote control cars and secret missions.
Of course being Castle he not only signs the book but hugs her too, kisses her cheek and gives her something else to take home to her son, Kate can't see what it is but makes a mental note to ask him later.
15 is fast.
A rush, a squeal, and a pink cheeked woman launches herself off the stage.
Why can't they all be like that?
16 kind of reminds Kate of herself.
Around the time she - and he still doesn't know this - took the day off to go to one of his book signings.
She's shy, about 20, with her dark hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, and though she looks like she hates the attention of the cameras and those watching her, she clearly sees the moment for what it is. A once in a lifetime opportunity that she can't pass up.
Kate feels her eyes suddenly drawn to Castle, and she can't begrudge the girl that feeling.
Images of his face, dark and feral with want, flash through her mind and her skin feels suddenly damp and her back twinges like she's just been slammed into a door. Her lips tingle with remembered kisses as the memories of it's now or never and I can't let it be neverswamp her fully.
And just for a second she's back in his loft that very first night and her heart is pounding out a thundering storm that she traps against her chest with her fingers.
So no, she can't begrudge the girl the look of delight that burns brightly on her face.
Because Kate knows, whilst she mirrors the girl's expression, the feeling that rushes through her own body will last longer than a fleeting publicised moment.
It will last forever.
17 through 20 she can't really pay attention to because Espo is standing in front of her blocking her view and moaning about Lanies little…stunt.
Considering they aren't 'together' together, Kate wonders if he's making too big a deal out of the whole thing.
But then, oh, wow...
How much of a hypocrite does that make her?
Because, technically, she and Castle aren't 'together' together.
In the eyes of each other, sure fine, committed...
Committable, she thinks when she looks up and he's...miming or dancing or...something with a Nikki Heat action figure?
Where the hell did that come from?
When did they come out?
And why hasn't she got one?
Castle twirls the doll as he waits for the next picture to be set up, attaches the tiny plastic arms to the shoulders of - Kate squints a bit to see properly - a Derek Storm doll and makes the little plastic couple dance across the table.
Kate shakes her head.
He's ridiculous...he's adorable. He lifts his eyes and smiles directly at her and…ugh he's too damn sexy for his own good.
And she smiles back.
But in the eyes of the world, nothing has really changed.
They stand side by side, partners, co-conspirators.
They flirt, they banter, they bicker.
They moan and they fight.
No one knows what happens when the elevator doors close.
They don't see the way his fingers run reverently through her hair. They can't see how at home her hand is when it curves around his jaw.
They don't feel what she feels when her finger skims his, hands sliding together around that first cup of coffee.
Because things have changed.
Now they kiss.
A lot.
They touch.
When they are alone, they reach for each other without holding back. And as Kate watches him hold the hand of 22 or 23 - she's lost count now - something warm unfurls in her chest.
She wants to reach for him in public .
And his plan, a little publicity for the books if she...stands in line, stands next to him on stage, she suddenly sees for what it really is.
Kate lets her gaze slip from Esposito, ignoring the stage completely for once and looking instead for his daughter, and she realises maybe the girl isn't the only one in need of reassurance.
Kate sighs and she thinks.
Hurts her own head as she thrashes it all out in seconds.
Debates and dilemmas, demands, annoyed teens, angry press, disgruntled fans...severely...seriously severely pissed off...well just about everybody.
Everybody that doesn't matter.
Catching the eye of the same organiser that Castle spoke to earlier, Kate takes a deep breath and nods her head to one side, letting it be known that she wants a quiet word...
Then 24 attempts a Lanie and all hell breaks loose...