Thanks to sportsner8482 for the idea for the start of this chapter!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone.
Kate ran into the house through the mud room off the garage, briefly slowing only to yank off her boots so she didn't track snow all over the beautiful house. She tossed them onto a rug behind the door and ran into the kitchen. She stopped short when she found, unexpectedly, Martha and Alexis staring at her across the counter, Alexis with her mouth in a little 'o' as Kate barrelled into the kitchen. Martha, from years of practice, merely had a bored smile on her face as she greeted Kate with a typical "Good morning, dear."
"Uh, good morning," she stammered. And then, remembering Castle, she sprinted around the counter to crouch behind them, telling them only "He's coming...I need to hide. Shhhh." At least from the gleam in her eye and the small smile on her face, both of the ladies knew that Kate was having some fun with Rick. Of course, they were wholeheartedly in favor of that.
Martha, amused and totally used to this type of thing from her son, barely batted an eyelash when she acknowledged, "Of course, dear," as Kate took up her hiding position between Alexis and Martha's chairs.
Just then, they heard the utility room door bang open, followed by thundering footsteps running into the kitchen. Unfortunately, he didn't take off his boots as Kate did, and the snow on his boots made the smooth tiles very slippery. He was also surprised to see Alexis and Martha, but when he tried to stop, he just succeeded in slipping and sliding toward the other side of the counter where they sat. It was a haphazard display of precarious balance resulting in flailing limbs and no small amount of exclamations, but he saved himself from further injury or embarrassment when he grabbed onto the counter in front of him and managed to right his body and get his legs directly under him again.
"Goodness, Richard! Are you quite done?" Martha asked him. "Perhaps next time you might try wiping off your feet before you come in here so you don't look like you're trying out for the part of a circus clown."
He ignored her comment. "Where's Beckett? Where did she go?" he asked, out of breath, looking around. Underneath the other side of the counter, Kate was eager to hear how Alexis and Martha responded.
"Kate? I thought she was outside with you," Martha replied slyly.
"No, mother. She ran in here right before me, as you know very well. Left me sitting in the snow with my butt getting all wet. I probably look like some preschooler who didn't make it to the bathroom in time. I know that's how my pants feel." Kate listening from her hiding spot, had to stifle a laugh at that image. "Now where is she?"
"Dad, it doesn't matter where she is," Alexis chimed in, "because I need you to take me over to Julia's now. I was ready a while ago and I've already had to wait for you long enough while you were playing...with the snowman." She almost slipped up and said 'playing tonsil hockey' but caught herself just in time. In an effort to disguise the slip, she quickly got up from her chair, picked up her bag and coat and started to usher her father toward the garage again.
"Now?" he protested. "I need to change my pants. I'm all wet, THANKS TO BECKETT," he told her, distinctively raising his voice for the last few words like he knew that she was still within earshot somewhere.
"Yes, now Dad," Alexis insisted. "I told Julia I'd be there, and the second part of the storm is supposed to come in soon-"
"Didn't you look out the window? It's almost here. It's already starting to snow again."
She glanced out the window. "It is! Oh, my gosh, Dad! We have to get over there now so you can get back home right away! Come on, let's go!" And the little red-headed fireball grabbed her overnight bag as she pushed her father out the door.
Moments later, they heard an engine start. Martha looked down and told her "Well, dear, I think you're safe for a bit."
"Thanks, Martha," Kate said, standing up. "I, uh, suppose you're wondering what that was all about." Now that she was alone with Rick's mother, Kate was wondering how to explain what had just happened. Of course, she had no way of knowing that Martha knew exactly what had just happened between Kate and her son. Twice.
"Oh, not really. I've been around Richard long enough to know that life can get rather eventful with him very quickly. I'm sure that whatever happened, it was good-natured fun. And it is quite amusing to see someone give it back to him as well as you seem to be able to. So, dear, I say go ahead and keep my boy on his toes." She raised her coffee cup in a little salute to Kate before taking a sip.
Kate smiled at the older woman. "So is there any more of that coffee?"
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Martha and Kate chatted for a few minutes before Martha excused herself to go back to her room. Kate stayed at the counter and picked up a magazine that she'd seen laying on a table. She couldn't really concentrate on it though; her mind kept coming back to the kisses she'd shared with Castle. It was disturbing that she'd enjoyed them as much as she had. Even more disturbing was that she'd done her share of initiating too! Where had that come from? This was Castle, after all. But oh, the man could kiss! She wondered how he'd play it when he came back. Ignore what had happened? Not likely, not him. Push the issue a bit? Yes, that was a more likely scenario.
Like it or not, she was stuck with him for the next few days. And actually, when she really did think about it, she kind of did like the idea of being stuck with him. She never thought she'd cross that line with him, of engaging in something more...romantic...than their constant innuendo and bantering, but today she had crossed that line. A few times. And it wasn't as uncomfortable as she thought it would be, not nearly. It gave her some food for thought. These new developments might prove to be a nice little diversion that she could remember fondly when she got back to the real world in a couple of days. She'd just have to see how he acted when he came back.
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Rick drove through the swirling snow back to his house. Alexis was happily dropped off at her friend's house, and he left her amidst the squeals of several teenage girls after she cryptically told him, "Have a really nice day, Dad," and fled with a quick kiss to his cheek. He didn't know if he'd ever fully understand his daughter.
His thoughts drifted to the very unexpected but very enjoyable activities with Kate in the yard earlier. Why did he have to go and get snow down his back anyway? If he hadn't, they might very well still be kissing even now. Of course, then his butt would be even more wet than it was right now.
After parking the car in the garage, he walked into the house and after taking off his coat and boots, went directly to the utility room off the mud room, which housed the washer and dryer. He stripped out of his jeans and threw them in the dryer to dry them for a bit. Then, just dressed in his sweashirt, socks and boxers, wandered into the kitchen to get a drink. As he rounded the corner, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Beckett was sitting at the counter, reading a magazine. And of course, she chose that moment to look up from her magazine and see him in his state of undress.
Her eyes registered a modicum of surprise, but he only saw that because he was so used to studying her facial expressions, both the outward ones and the nuances. But then she merely raised an eyebrow at him and said "Well, Castle, I knew you had quite the reputation, but I never figured you for someone to parade around in front of guests in his underwear. Don't be expecting me to reciprocate."
"Well, you know, when in Rome..."
"Look around Castle. See the Pope? See any ruins? Didn't think so. This ain't Rome, and I'll be keeping my clothes on, thanks."
"Darn!" he replied, snapping his fingers in an 'aw, shucks' type of move. "Let me know if you reconsider. I could make it worth your while, you know."
She shot him a withering glance, but didn't say anything. Because after kissing him, she wasn't so sure that he wasn't speaking the truth. And that was something that was just a little bit uncomfortable to think about right now. Because she had the feeling that she would be anything but uncomfortable if they were both wearing just their underwear.
After a pointed look-complete with a cocky grin-he turned to the refrigerator. "Want something to drink?"
"Water?"
He grabbed two bottles and came around the counter to sit next to her. She took the bottle he offered and asked, "So, why are you walking around in your boxers, anyway? Is it just a weird Castle-ism...walking around your vacation house in your underwear? You really should have warned me if that's the case, you know."
"I mentioned it earlier when you were in hiding...my pants were all wet from me laying in the snow." He paused so she could hear the unspoken words: 'with you.' "I took them off and put them in the dryer for a bit. Anyway, I'm sure you heard all about my wet butt problem from your spot where you were hiding behind the counter." She looked briefly surprised that he'd known exactly where she was. "Come on, Beckett, give me some credit." He smiled a cocky smile at her, as if to say 'Busted!'
She tried to change the subject. "Did Alexis-" She stopped suddenly and quickly glanced down to his lack of clothing. Then she looked up at the ceiling, shook her head and said "Hold that thought," as she got up and left the room. She came back seconds later carrying one of the fleece blankets from the night before, and threw it onto his lap. "Sorry, Castle, but after working with you for over two years, I just cannot have a rational conversation with you while you're sitting there in your underwear."
"I've always had underwear on when we've talked before." Well, most of the time, he thought silently.
"Along with other clothes."
"I have other clothes on now too."
"Not...there."
He grinned at her and leaned forward toward her, but kept the blanket on his lap. "So do you like what you see? Afraid you won't be able to control yourself?" he teased.
"I'm not the one who's had a problem controlling himself lately."
"Takes two to tango, Beckett," he said with his own version of the single-raised-eyebrow-glare, reminding her that she was very much a part of the kisses that they had shared.
She shrugged her shoulders and leaned slightly closer to him. "Sometimes I like to do a little dancing if the mood strikes me."
The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile. "Well, Detective, you just let me know if you ever find you need a dance partner."
She leaned back slightly and tipped her head to the side, regarding him. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind, Castle." And she leaned her head back and took a swig of her water. He sat back in his chair, watching her, somewhat amazed that she hadn't flayed him with her words. Although it was all innuendo, he got the distinct impression that she was not necessarily opposed to the idea of possibly recreating an indoor version of what had happened outside earlier.
"Anyway," she continued, "I was asking about Alexis. Were her friends happy to see her?"
"I should have remembered to wear earplugs. I'd forgotten about the decibel level of the squeals of several teenage girls when they're excited."
"Richard," they both heard as they turne to the side and saw Martha saunter into the kitchen, wearing a long silk robe.
"Yes, mother?"
"I just wanted to get a bottle of water. I think I'll be staying in my room, so don't plan anything around me. I'm not feeling very well."
"Oh, Martha, is there anything I can do for you? Would you like me to get you some medicine or anything?" Kate asked her, concerned.
"No," she said, and then let out a little cough. "That's very sweet of you, though, dear. I'll just try to stay away from you both...the last thing I want is for you to get sick too." She continued on and got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.
When she was almost gone, Kate yelled after her, "Well let you know when we make some lunch. We can bring something to your room. You should really eat something to keep up your strength."
"That's lovely of you, Kate. But don't go to any trouble for me."
"It's no trouble at all. You get some rest and I'm sure you'll feel better soon."
"See you later, mother," Rick told her. And she vanished in a flounce of silk.
They sat in silence after Martha left, both having turned back to face the counter. Kate tried to concentrate again on her magazine, and then Rick turned his head slightly toward Kate after a few minutes. "Looks like it's just you and me now," he noted.
She turned her head halfway to him, "Yes, it would appear that way. You aren't planning to outrageously annoy me now, are you?"
"No more than I ever do," he promised.
"Great," she told him, rolling her eyes.
She went back to looking at the magazine, but then moments later, she let out a little yelp as her chair was quickly swiveled around so it was facing away from the counter. She was even more surprised when Castle put his hands on the armrests of the chair, effectively trapping her with his body. He was leaning close enough so that she could feel his breath on her face, and she could see the corners of his mouth turn up in a challenging grin as he asked her "So since it's just you and me now, got any ideas for passing the time? Because I do."
She looked at him, close enough to see the flecks of different colors in the blue of his eyes. And she had her answer to her question from earlier. He was pushing the issue. He was definitely pushing the issue.
Now maybe it was time for Rick Castle to experience a little push back.
Suspense! Guess I have to deal out a little of my own since I'm waiting not so patiently for Setup. I used to enjoy weekends and dread Mondays, now it's just the opposite when I'm waiting for a new episode of Castle.
What's really funny is that most of the snow that we had during our blizzard (that we had when I started writing this fic) is almost all gone due to some really high temps lately! At least the story lives on.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! I always very much appreciate your reviews, so please let me know what you think!