Chapter 6: Awakening
Detective Kate Beckett awakens startled, eyes opening wide, sunlight streaming in through the open window in the bedroom of Richard Castle. She is lying face down, held tightly. Soft, warm hands up her shirt, she turns her head letting out a breath.
Richard Castle lies beside her. Sensing her movement his fingers begin to move on her skin, slow and gentle, moving to her side, in an attempt to get closer to her. His eyes still closed, he does not react to her when she utters, "Castle?"
"Hmm", he utters and pulls himself closer to her, so he is resting against her body.
"Richard," she calls out softly, afraid to move.
At last he opens his eyes, blinking furiously, fingers still moving against her skin. Suddenly realizing his predicament, he releases his grasp on her, pulling his hand from her shirt, taking the time to run his hand over her back as he pulls himself from her body.
"Good morning Detective," he greets, hands pulled to his face, fingers rubbing his eyes. He rolls onto his back and looks to the clock beside him remarking the time.
"Good morning," she says rolling away from him, pulling herself into a sitting position. He notices her stiffness, hands slowly being brought to her hair, scratching lightly. She runs a hand down her face to her throat at the bandage he applied the night before.
His eyes intent on her, he says, "You should let me take a look at that."
She turns back to him a quirky smile on her face, "Oh right, you and what medical training?"
"I am talented in many ways as they say."
As she stands to leave his side, a hand reaches out lightly grabbing hold of her arm, and he adds, "Lie back down".
She is hesitant at first but he tugs lightly, and she abides allowing him to pull her to the bed once more, relishing again at the warmth and comfort.
He pulls himself into a sitting position beside her, her breathing increasing as his fingers touch her skin. He gently pulls back the bandage to reveal her wound in the sunlight. He reaches for the kit beside him, where he had left it the previous night, and fumbling through finds the tools he requires.
He notices her chest rising and falling as his fingers pull back her clothing. He looks to her face for acceptance as he moves to unbutton her top most button. She does not look at him but closes her eyes in the sunlight. His fingers, his touch, like lightning on her skin.
"How does it look?" she asks moments later, finally reaching his eyes.
"Are you asking for my medical opinion?"
"Whatever Castle?"
He smiles back at her, and remarks, "It looks just fine".
He finishes his work, moving to re-button her top button when her hands reach his and hold them in her own. "Thank you", she says.
He looks down at her, hair sprayed out on his pillow, silently wishing these were better circumstances. But she pushes herself up with her elbows releasing his hands, letting her legs fall over the edge of the bed. There is a comfortable silence between them when she interrupts it to lean into him, letting a hand reach his face, drawing him toward her. Her lips meet his, brief and gentle. Slowly she pulls them apart, looking into his eyes, and then quickly back to his lips, places another soft kiss.
She looks away, hands shaking, and as he notices, she places them in her lap.
"Castle," she begins, "Do me a favour and not mention this to anyone?" She looks back to him, seeing him nod, "Anyone at the station."
He gives her a wide grin but does not say anything, and when true to her nature, she raises an eyebrow and cocks her head in Detective fashion, he nods saying, "You have my word. Quiet as a mouse."
She smiles standing, pausing in her quiet steps to ask, "Do you mind if I shower?"