Hi Guys! Even though I'm exhausted (connecting flights are NOT fun!) I decided to post a little chapter, because you've all been such wonderful reviewers!

Kate Beckett woke, at first unsure of her surroundings in the dark. Something was tickling her nose, and she swatted it away until she realized it was one of the many stuffed toys that took up residence on a shelf above the small bed she was occupying. How it had ended up with her….

She shivered, noticing the chill. The fire must have gone out at some point during the night. There wasn't a clock in the room, so she had no idea what time it was, and she could see it was dark outside still. She shivered again, unsure what to do. Should she wake Castle to get the fire going? No…that wasn't fair. Though, if she was this cold, surely he had to be as well…Removing the covers, she swung her legs to the side. She almost yelped as her bare feet made contact with the cold wooden floor. Gritting her teeth and scolding herself for being such a girl, she jumped out of the bed and practically ran across to Castle's room. His door was open, so she crept in and sat on the edge of his bed. It was a king size, yet he was sprawled across it, blankets twisted every which way. One foot dangled out the side and Beckett had to resist the urge to see if his feet were ticklish. His hair was sticking out in all different directions and every few breaths he let escape the smallest snore. Admonishing herself for thinking he looked cute, Beckett leant across and poked his ribs.

"Castle, wake up!"

He snorted louder and swiped her hand away from his ribs.

"G'way," he grumbled, snuggling deeper into the thick blanket.

"Castle! The fire went out and my room is cold! C'mon, get up." She tried pushing his body towards the edge of the bed, but even in his sleepy state he was having none of it.

"Quiet, woman." He groaned, rolling towards her. He untangled his legs and lifted the blanket, grabbing her arm and yanking her down next to him. Holding tighter on her waist as she struggled to move away, he threw the blanket back over the top of them and snuggled into her side. He threw one leg over hers and nuzzled his nose into her neck, effectively silencing her half hearted protests and stilling her wriggling body.

After a few tense moments, Beckett relaxed and shifted deeper into the mattress, letting Castle's warm body cover her own cold one. She sighed and poked his ribs once more.

"Don't ever call me 'woman' again, Castle."

He chuckled against her neck, his warm breath making her skin quiver.

"Go to sleep."

She sighed again, but did as she was told, her heart beating double time as she realized she was snuggled in bed with Richard Castle.

XXXXXXX

When Castle woke a few hours later he no longer had a bed partner. Shifting slightly, he turned and noticed her sitting on the bay window, her knees tucked under her chin. Outside looked like a white wonderland. Snow was falling softly, and the sun was making everything glisten and sparkle. Beckett smiled at the beauty of it.

"Hey." Castle said softly, not wanting to startle her. He was surprised she was still even in his room. She turned and smiled at him.

"Morning. Isn't it beautiful?" She asked, one hand waving at the window. He nodded, but kept it to himself that he thought she was more beautiful than the view outside.

Yawning, she slowly moved back to the bed, climbing in and pulling the blanket back over her. Castle was too afraid to move. What was she doing? Why wasn't she bolting to her room, running away? Did she just climb into his bed without a fight? What? Castle's mind ran a mile a minute, trying to work out her very un-Beckett like behavior. After a few moments of indecision, he turned so his body was facing her back. Scooting closer, he wrapped one arm around her waist timidly, and placed his head just above hers on the pillow. She didn't threaten him. She didn't shoot him or injure him so he could never have more children. She did, however, snuggle back against him, and it took all of his will power not to squeeze her to death and then run and shout to the world that he was holding Kate Beckett in bed, and she liked it!

After a few minutes, she asked him what their plans were for today, and he replied and they talked aimlessly about nothing.

Beckett was sure Castle would be able to hear the loud thumping of her heart. Her body tingled everywhere it touched his, and she could scarcely breathe. She tried to keep up her end of the conversation, but all she could think about was that she was in bed with Richard Castle just New York, Best Friend….and she liked it….a lot. Almost too much. And damn, but how was she going to be able resist waking up next to him like this for the next week?

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